First Financial Bancorp Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2021 Financial Results and Quarterly Dividend

CINCINNATI, Jan. 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --

• Earnings per diluted share of $0.50; $0.58 on an adjusted⁽¹⁾ basis
• Return on average assets of 1.16%; 1.34% on an adjusted⁽¹⁾ basis
• Closed acquisition of Summit Funding Group
• $143.6 million of commercial loan sales during the quarter
• Loan growth of $148.8 million, excluding decline in PPP loans, loan sales, Summit acquisition⁽²⁾
• Classified assets declined 36.7%; Provision recapture of $7.7 million
• Announces $0.23 per share Quarterly Dividend and Board authorizes repurchase of up to 5 million shares

First Financial Bancorp. (Nasdaq: FFBC) ("First Financial" or the "Company") announced financial results for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2021. 

For the three months ended December 31, 2021, the Company reported net income of $46.9 million, or $0.50 per diluted common share.  These results compare to net income of $60.0 million, or $0.63 per diluted common share, for the third quarter of 2021 and $48.3 million, or $0.49 per diluted common share, for the fourth quarter of 2020.  For the twelve months ended December 31, 2021, First Financial had earnings per diluted common share of $2.14 compared to $1.59 for the same period in 2020.

Return on average assets for the fourth quarter of 2021 was 1.16% while return on average tangible common equity was 15.11%⁽¹⁾.  These compare to returns on average assets of 1.49% and 1.20%, and returns on average tangible common equity of 19.03%⁽¹⁾ and 15.50%⁽¹⁾, in the third quarter of 2021 and the fourth quarter of 2020, respectively.

Fourth quarter 2021 highlights include:

• Closed the acquisition of Summit Funding Group⁽²⁾
• $116.2 million in leases acquired; $42.3 million financing leases, $73.9 million operating leases
• $63.0 million of goodwill and $34.6 million of other intangible assets created
• Loan balances declined $72.6 million from the third quarter
• Core loan balances increased $148.8 million⁽²⁾, or 6.3% on an annualized basis, excluding PPP forgiveness of $120.2 million and $143.6 million of loan sales during the quarter, which were partially offset by acquisition of $42.3⁽²⁾ million in Summit finance leases
• Record production during the quarter of $1.3 billion in commitments
• Net interest margin of 3.23% on a fully tax-equivalent basis⁽¹⁾ in line with expectations
• 9 basis point decrease from linked quarter driven by PPP forgiveness which offset increase in other loan fees during the period

• Noninterest income of $45.7 million, or $45.4 million as adjusted⁽¹⁾
• Record Bannockburn income of $12.8 million
• Wealth management fees of $6.0 million
• Other noninterest income increased $1.1 million, or 23.9%; driven by syndication fees
• Noninterest expenses of $109.6 million, or $94.1 million as adjusted⁽¹⁾
• Adjustments⁽¹⁾ include:
• $6.1 million reclassification of tax credit investment write-downs
• $4.1 million of acquisition related costs
• $3.5 million litigation settlement
• $1.9 million of other costs not expected to recur such as branch consolidation and severance costs
• Increase in expenses driven by incentive compensation tied to the Company's strong financial performance
• Efficiency ratio of 70.1%; 60.2% as adjusted⁽¹⁾
• Total Allowance for Credit Losses of $145.4 million; Total quarterly provision recapture of $7.7 million
• Loans and leases - ACL of $132.0 million, 1.42% of total loans
• Unfunded Commitments - ACL of $13.4 million
• Provision recapture driven by improvements in economic conditions and declining classified asset balances
• Sold $133.9 million of hotel loans in an effort to address portfolio concentrations, resulting in $9.2 million of net charge-offs
• Strong capital ratios
• Total capital of 14.10%
• Tier 1 common equity of 10.84%
• Tangible common equity of 7.58%⁽¹⁾
• Tangible book value per share of $12.26⁽¹⁾

Additionally, First Financial's board of directors has authorized a new share repurchase program in replacement of the previously authorized program, pursuant to which management is authorized to purchase up to 5 million shares over the next two years.  The board of directors also approved a quarterly dividend of $0.23 per common share for the next regularly scheduled dividend, payable on March 15, 2022 to shareholders of record as of March 1, 2022.

Archie Brown, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We are pleased to announce another quarter of strong financial results that was a fitting end to an exceptional year highlighted by robust earnings, strong fee income, provision recapture, improved credit trends and the acquisition of Summit Funding Group."

Mr. Brown continued, "Fourth quarter results remained strong across the board, with adjusted⁽¹⁾ earnings per share of $0.58, return on assets of 1.34% and an efficiency ratio of 60.2%.  These results were driven by provision recapture of $7.7 million, resulting from improving credit quality trends, specifically, a 36.7% decline in classified asset balances, and stable economic conditions.  Earnings were also positively impacted by record Bannockburn income and elevated wealth management revenues.  In addition, we were very encouraged by strong core loan growth and record origination activity during the period."

Mr. Brown added, "We were also very excited to announce and close our acquisition of Summit Funding Group during the quarter.  Summit has developed long-standing relationships across the country and demonstrated the ability to produce high-quality and consistent lease origination volumes. We are confident in Summit's ability to leverage its nimble platform to provide our existing clients additional leasing products and we believe the culture will fit seamlessly into First Financial."

Mr. Brown commented regarding the Company's full year financial performance, "2021 was an exceptional year.  PPP income offset the pressure from a historically low interest rate environment, while low credit costs drove strong earnings and reflected credit trends that improved dramatically over the course of the year.  In addition, we had record fee income in 2021, which was particularly satisfying, given our strategic focus on diversifying our revenue streams in recent years.  We successfully managed expenses, while continuing to invest in technology and rewarding our people for our strong results.  Loan production in the back half of the year was very encouraging as was the continued growth in low cost deposits.  Our capital ratios remain strong and we delivered industry leading returns through aggressively repurchasing shares and maintaining our common dividend."

Mr. Brown concluded, "All of this was accomplished amidst a continuing pandemic.  Once again, our associates demonstrated their resilience and delivered the type of service and results that our clients and shareholders have come to expect.  In 2022, we will maintain our focus on being a positive influence that helps our clients and communities thrive, and capitalize on the financial momentum achieved in 2021."

Full detail of the Company's fourth quarter 2021 performance is provided in the accompanying financial statements and slide presentation.

Teleconference / Webcast Information
First Financial's executive management will host a conference call to discuss the Company's financial and operating results on Friday, January 28, 2022 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time.  Members of the public who would like to listen to the conference call should dial (844) 200-6205 (U.S. toll free), (646) 904-5544 (U.S. local) or +1 (929) 526-1599 (International), access code 080098.  The number should be dialed five to ten minutes prior to the start of the conference call.  A replay of the conference call will be available beginning one hour after the completion of the live call at (866) 813-9403 (U.S. toll free), (929) 458-6194 (U.S. local) and +44 204 525-0658 (all other locations), access code 245117.  The recording will be available until February 11, 2022.  The conference call will also be accessible as an audio webcast via the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at  www.bankatfirst.com.  The webcast will be archived on the Investor Relations section of the Company's website for 12 months.

Press Release and Additional Information on Website
This press release as well as supplemental information are available to the public through the Investor Relations section of First Financial's website at www.bankatfirst.com.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This earnings release contains GAAP financial measures and Non-GAAP financial measures where management believes it to be helpful in understanding the Company's results of operations or financial position.  Where Non-GAAP financial measures are used, the comparable GAAP financial measures, as well as a reconciliation to the comparable GAAP financial measure, can be found in the section titled "Appendix: Non-GAAP to GAAP Reconciliation" in the accompanying slide presentation.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this report which are not statements of historical fact constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Words such as ''believes,'' ''anticipates,'' "likely," "expected," "estimated," ''intends'' and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements.  Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements we make about (i) our future operating or financial performance, including revenues, income or loss and earnings or loss per share, (ii) future common stock dividends, (iii) our capital structure, including future capital levels, (iv) our plans, objectives and strategies, and (v) the assumptions that underlie our forward-looking statements.

As with any forecast or projection, forward-looking statements are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that may cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking statements are not historical facts but instead express only management's beliefs regarding future results or events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of management's control. It is possible that actual results and outcomes may differ, possibly materially, from the anticipated results or outcomes indicated in these forward-looking statements.  Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in our forward-looking statements include the following, without limitation:

• economic, market, liquidity, credit, interest rate, operational and technological risks associated with the Company's business;
• future credit quality and performance, including our expectations regarding future loan losses and our allowance for credit losses
• the effect of and changes in policies and laws or regulatory agencies, including the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and other legislation and regulation relating to the banking industry;
• Management's ability to effectively execute its business plans;
• mergers and acquisitions, including costs or difficulties related to the integration of acquired companies;
• the possibility that any of the anticipated benefits of the Company's acquisitions will not be realized or will not be realized within the expected time period;
• the effect of changes in accounting policies and practices;
• changes in consumer spending, borrowing and saving and changes in unemployment;
• changes in customers' performance and creditworthiness;
• the costs and effects of litigation and of unexpected or adverse outcomes in such litigation;
• current and future economic and market conditions, including the effects of declines in housing prices, high unemployment rates, U.S. fiscal debt, budget and tax matters, geopolitical matters, and any slowdown in global economic growth;
• the adverse impact on the U.S. economy, including the markets in which we operate, of the novel coronavirus, which causes the Coronavirus disease 2019 ("COVID-19"), global pandemic, and the impact of a slowing U.S. economy and increased unemployment on the performance of our loan and lease portfolio, the market value of our investment securities, the availability of sources of funding and the demand for our products;
• our capital and liquidity requirements (including under regulatory capital standards, such as the Basel III capital standards) and our ability to generate capital internally or raise capital on favorable terms;
• financial services reform and other current, pending or future legislation or regulation that could have a negative effect on our revenue and businesses, including the Dodd-Frank Act and other legislation and regulation relating to bank products and services;
• the effect of the current interest rate environment or changes in interest rates or in the level or composition of our assets or liabilities on our net interest income, net interest margin and our mortgage originations, mortgage servicing rights and mortgage loans held for sale;
• the effect of a fall in stock market prices on our brokerage, asset and wealth management businesses;
• a failure in or breach of our operational or security systems or infrastructure, or those of our third-party vendors or other service providers, including as a result of cyber attacks;
• the effect of changes in the level of checking or savings account deposits on our funding costs and net interest margin; and
• our ability to develop and execute effective business plans and strategies.

Additional factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those described in our forward-looking statements can be found in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, as well as our other filings with the SEC, which are available on the SEC website at www.sec.gov.  

All forward-looking statements included in this filing are made as of the date hereof and are based on information available at the time of the filing.  Except as required by law, the Company does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statement.

About First Financial Bancorp.
First Financial Bancorp. is a Cincinnati, Ohio based bank holding company.  As of December 31, 2021, the Company had $16.3 billion in assets, $9.3 billion in loans, $12.9 billion in deposits and $2.3 billion in shareholders' equity.  The Company's subsidiary, First Financial Bank, founded in 1863, provides banking and financial services products through its six lines of business: Commercial, Retail Banking, Investment Commercial Real Estate, Mortgage Banking, Commercial Finance and Wealth Management.  These business units provide traditional banking services to business and retail clients.  Wealth Management provides wealth planning, portfolio management, trust and estate, brokerage and retirement plan services and had approximately $3.4 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2021.  The Company operated 139 full service banking centers as of December 31, 2021, primarily in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Illinois, while the Commercial Finance business lends into targeted industry verticals on a nationwide basis.  Additional information about the Company, including its products, services and banking locations, is available at www.bankatfirst.com.