First Financial Bancorp Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2011 Financial Results and Continuation of Variable Dividend

CINCINNATI, Jan. 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- First Financial Bancorp (Nasdaq: FFBC) ("First Financial" or the "Company") announced today financial and operational results for the fourth quarter 2011 and for the twelve month period ended December 31, 2011.

Fourth quarter 2011 net income was $17.9 million and earnings per diluted common share were $0.31.  This compares with third quarter 2011 net income of $15.6 million and earnings per diluted common share of $0.27 and fourth quarter 2010 net income of $14.3 million and earnings per diluted common share of $0.24.

The board of directors has also authorized a regular dividend of $0.12 per common share and a variable dividend of $0.19 per common share for the next regularly scheduled dividend, payable on April 2, 2012 to shareholders of record as of March 2, 2012.  This is a continuation of the 100% dividend payout ratio first announced in the second quarter 2011 and is expected to continue until capital ratios migrate closer to the Company's previously stated thresholds or capital utilization rates exceed capital generation rates.

For the twelve month period ended December 31, 2011, net income and net income available to common shareholders were $66.7 million and earnings per diluted common share were $1.14 as compared to net income of $59.3 million, net income available to common shareholders of $57.4 million and earnings per diluted common share of $0.99 for the twelve month period ended December 31, 2010.

• 85th consecutive quarter of profitability
• Strong quarterly and annual growth in diluted earnings per common share
  • Fourth quarter 2011 increased 14.8% compared to linked quarter
  • Full year 2011 increased 15.2% compared to full year 2010
• Quarterly adjusted pre-tax, pre-provision income remained solid, totaling $31.5 million, or 1.92% of average assets
• Continued strong performance
  • Quarterly return on average assets of 1.09%; full year return on average assets of 1.06%
  • Quarterly return on risk-weighted assets of 1.95%; full year return on risk-weighted assets of 1.83%
  • Quarterly return on average shareholders' equity of 9.89%; full year return on average shareholders' equity of 9.37%
• Strong loan growth in key uncovered loan portfolios compared to the third quarter 2011
  • Commercial loan balances increased 16.6% on an annualized basis
  • Commercial real estate balances increased 10.2% on an annualized basis
• Flagstar branch acquisition closed and fully integrated on December 2, 2011
  • Assumed total deposits of $464.7 million, including $342.0 million of deposits associated with branch locations and $122.7 million of public deposits
  • Recognized goodwill of $26.1 million and core deposit intangible asset of $3.0 million
• Capital ratios remain high after closing of Flagstar branch acquisition and continuation of variable dividend
  • Tangible common equity to tangible assets of 9.23%
  • Tier 1 capital ratio of 17.47%
  • Total risk-based capital of 18.74%
• Quarterly net interest margin remained strong at 4.32%
  • Yield on covered loans continues to enhance net interest margin
  • Strategic initiatives related to deposits continued to produce positive results as cost of deposit funding declined 12 bps compared to third quarter 2011
• Lower credit costs driven by performance in the uncovered loan portfolio
  • Quarterly total provision for loan and lease losses declined 19% compared to the linked quarter
  • Annual total provision for loan and lease losses declined 13.9% compared to 2010
• Continued downward trend in nonperforming and classified assets
  • Total nonperforming assets declined $10.1 million, or 10.4%, compared to the fourth quarter 2010
  • Nonperforming assets to total assets declined to 1.31% as compared to 1.40% as of September 30, 2011 and 1.57% as of December 31, 2010
  • Total classified assets declined $10.2 million, or 5.9%, compared to the linked quarter and $39.8 million, or 19.7%, compared to December 31, 2010
• Balance sheet risk remains low
  • FDIC loss share coverage on 26.2% of loan portfolio
  • 100% risk-weighted assets continue to represent less than 50% of balance sheet

During the quarter, the Company incurred certain pre-tax expenses that are not expected to recur of $3.5 million, or $0.04 per diluted share after taxes.  Approximately $1.0 million, or $0.01 per fully diluted share after taxes, was related to its acquisition of retail banking centers from Flagstar Bank ("Flagstar") and approximately $2.5 million, or $0.03 per fully diluted share after taxes, was related to lease termination and other real estate expenses associated with exit and transition activities.  Additionally, the Company recognized pre-tax gains of $2.5 million resulting from the sales of investment securities, or $0.03 per diluted share after taxes.

Claude Davis, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "During 2011, we maintained a prudent balance between capitalizing on growth opportunities and focusing on the execution of our community bank business model.  We produced solid and consistent earnings throughout the year driven by a continued focus on operating efficiency, implementation of deposit rationalization strategies and lower credit costs.  As a result, our diluted earnings per common share totaled $0.31 for the fourth quarter and $1.14 for the year, representing increases of 29.2% and 15.2%, respectively, over the comparable periods in 2010.

"Related to the acquisitions we made during the year, we closed the Flagstar branch transaction during the fourth quarter and successfully completed the conversion of the acquired relationships and operations.  Combined with the Liberty branch transaction that closed near the end of the third quarter, we added 38 new banking centers with approximately $730 million of new client deposits as of December 31, 2011.  The vast majority of these new banking centers is located in the metropolitan areas of Dayton and Indianapolis and will allow us to accelerate our growth plans in these key strategic markets within our footprint.

"Loan growth was challenging during much of 2011 as the local economies within our strategic markets continue to experience headwinds in their recovery.  Our total uncovered loan portfolio increased 5.4% year-over-year, benefiting from the performing loans we acquired as part of the Liberty acquisition.  During the fourth quarter, we were able to capitalize on our strong commercial and commercial real estate pipeline as total originations and renewals increased significantly.  As a result, the commercial and commercial real estate portfolios exhibited strong growth increasing 16.6% and 10.2%, respectively, on an annualized basis compared to the linked quarter.  Excluding loans acquired from Liberty, the commercial and commercial real estate portfolios increased 6.4% and 4.7%, respectively, compared to December 31, 2010.  While we still face challenges in continuing to build off our recent success in growing the C&I and commercial real estate portfolios, the level of existing commitments and pipeline of new business opportunities remains healthy and leaves us well-positioned as we enter 2012."

SECTION I – RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

NET INTEREST INCOME

Net interest income on a fully tax-equivalent basis for the fourth quarter 2011 was $65.7 million as compared to $65.5 million for the third quarter 2011 and $68.1 million as compared to the year-over-year period.  Compared to the linked quarter, total interest income decreased $1.0 million, or 1.3% during the fourth quarter 2011 as a result of lower interest income earned on both loans and investment securities.  The lower interest income earned on loans was driven primarily by a 6.9% decrease in the balance of average covered loans outstanding, partially offset by a 6.1% increase in average uncovered loan balances during the quarter resulting from loans acquired in connection with the acquisition of retail banking centers from Liberty Savings Bank ("Liberty"), which occurred late in the third quarter 2011, as well as strong organic growth in the commercial and commercial real estate portfolios.  While the average balance of investment securities increased during the quarter, the yield on the portfolio declined 26 bps, resulting in lower interest income earned compared to the third quarter.  The decline in total interest income was offset by the decrease in total interest expense of $1.2 million, or 11.4%, due primarily to lower interest expense on deposits.

For the twelve month period ended December 31, 2011, net interest income on a fully tax-equivalent basis was $264.9 million as compared to $276.4 million for the comparable period in 2010. The decrease was driven by a decline in average covered loan balances of 26.8% and the reduced yield on the FDIC indemnification asset, offset partially by higher interest income from investments and lower funding costs.

NET INTEREST MARGIN

Net interest margin was 4.32% for the fourth quarter 2011 as compared to 4.55% for the third quarter 2011 and 4.65% for the fourth quarter 2010.  Net interest margin was negatively impacted by an increase in interest-earning assets from acquisitions and the continued amortization and paydowns in the covered loan portfolio.  However, yields remained strong on covered loans, helping to offset the decline in the balance outstanding.  Also offsetting the decline in covered loan balances was the yield earned on the higher average uncovered loan balances.  Average cash balances remained elevated during the quarter as cash received in connection with the Liberty and Flagstar acquisitions had yet to be fully deployed through investment purchases, placing additional pressure on net interest margin.  The Company used some cash from the acquisitions to purchase $416.6 million of investment securities, not including securities purchased as part of the duration extension strategy discussed in Investments below.  The majority of these purchases did not occur until midway through the quarter or later including $228.8 million that did not settle until very late in the quarter.  A full quarter's impact of these late settlement purchases would have benefited net interest margin by 8 bps.  Additionally, strategic initiatives related to deposits implemented during the third quarter continued to offset the impact of lower earning asset yields as the cost of interest-bearing deposits continued to decline, decreasing 14 bps during the fourth quarter.

Net interest margin for the twelve month period ended December 31, 2011 decreased to 4.55% as compared to 4.66% for the twelve month period ended December 31, 2010.  The year-over-year decrease was driven primarily by the substantial decline in the average balance of the higher yielding covered loan portfolio, partially offset by an increase in the average balance of investment securities and a significant decline in the cost of deposit and other interest-bearing liability funding.

NONINTEREST INCOME

The following table presents noninterest income for the three months ended December 31, 2011, September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 as well as for the twelve months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 highlighting the estimated impact of covered loan activity and other transition items on the Company's reported balance.

During the quarterly periods presented above, excluding reimbursements due from the FDIC resulting from loss share agreements, covered loan activity continued to positively impact noninterest income due to loan sales and prepayments.  This activity is discussed in more detail in Section II.

Excluding the items highlighted in Table I, estimated noninterest income earned in the fourth quarter 2011 was $15.1 million as compared to $14.1 million in the third quarter 2011 and $16.0 million in the fourth quarter 2010.  The increase compared to the linked quarter was due to higher service charges on deposits and bankcard income resulting from the Liberty and Flagstar transactions as well as higher trust and wealth management fees and a credit valuation adjustment related to client derivatives.  Included in other items not expected to recur are $2.5 million of gains on sales of investment securities which are discussed in more detail in Investments.

On a comparable basis, estimated noninterest income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2011 was $59.5 million as compared to $59.7 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2010.

NONINTEREST EXPENSE

The following table presents noninterest expense for the three months ended December 31, 2011, September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 as well as for the twelve months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 including the estimated effect of acquired-non-strategic operations, acquisition-related costs and other transition items.

Noninterest expense continued to be affected by items related to the Company's acquired-non-strategic operations, as discussed in more detail in Section II.

Excluding the items highlighted in Table II, estimated noninterest expense in the fourth quarter 2011 was $47.2 million as compared to $44.8 million in the third quarter 2011 and $47.6 million in the fourth quarter 2010.  The increase of $2.4 million compared to the linked quarter was due to higher salaries and employee benefits expense, occupancy costs and core deposit intangible amortization resulting from the Liberty and Flagstar transactions as well as higher professional services fees and valuation adjustments to uncovered OREO.  Loss share and covered asset expense includes $0.8 million of losses on covered OREO and $1.7 million of other credit-related expenses.  Included in acquisition-related costs are $1.0 million of expenses related to the Flagstar acquisition and included in other items not expected to recur are $2.5 million of lease termination and other real estate expenses associated with exit and transition activities.

On a comparable basis, estimated noninterest expense for the twelve months ended December 31, 2011 was $181.3 million as compared to $191.8 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2010.  The decrease of $10.5 million, or 5.5%, was primarily attributable to lower salaries and benefits, occupancy costs and FDIC assessments.

Certain wind-down costs related to subsidiaries acquired in 2009 are expected to continue through much of 2012.

INCOME TAXES

For the fourth quarter 2011, income tax expense was $10.4 million, resulting in an effective tax rate of 36.8%, compared with income tax expense of $9.7 million and an effective tax rate of 38.2% during the third quarter 2011 and $8.1 million and an effective tax rate of 36.2% during the comparable year-over-year period.  The decrease in the effective tax rate during the fourth quarter 2011 compared to the linked quarter was due to typical adjustments made during the third quarter resulting from the completion of the 2010 federal and state tax returns.

For the twelve month period ended December 31, 2011, income tax expense was $38.3 million, resulting in an effective tax rate of 36.5%, compared with income tax expense of $32.7 million and an effective tax rate of 35.6% during the twelve months ended December 31, 2010.

CREDIT QUALITY – EXCLUDING COVERED ASSETS

The following table presents certain credit quality metrics related to the Company's uncovered loan portfolio as of December 31, 2011 and for the trailing four quarters.

Net Charge-offs

Fourth quarter 2011 net charge-offs were $7.1 million, or 0.95% of average loans and leases, compared with $6.8 million, or 0.96%, for the linked quarter and $9.8 million, or 1.39%, for the comparable year-over-year quarter.  Significant items driving net charge-offs for the quarter included $1.7 million related to two separate residential development credits, $1.0 million related to a multifamily real estate loan, $0.5 million related to a commercial real estate credit and $0.4 million related to a commercial loan.

For the twelve months ended December 31, 2011, net charge-offs were $23.9 million, or 0.84% of average loans and leases, as compared to $35.6 million, or 1.27%, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2010.

Nonperforming Assets

Nonperforming loans totaled $76.4 million and nonperforming assets totaled $87.7 million as of December 31, 2011 compared with $76.4 million and $88.4 million, respectively, for the linked quarter and $79.9 million and $97.8 million, respectively, for the comparable year-over-year quarter.  Nonaccrual loans, including nonaccrual restructured loans, totaled $72.4 million as of December 31, 2011 compared to $71.7 million as of September 30, 2011, representing an increase of $0.6 million, or 0.9%, as additions were essentially offset by credits removed from nonaccrual status due to the finalization of resolution strategies.

New accounting guidance related to troubled debt restructurings took effect during the third quarter 2011 and was applied by the Company in its accounting for loans classified as restructured.  The increase of $5.5 million in nonaccrual restructured loans during the fourth quarter 2011 was driven primarily by renewals and term extensions of loans in various stages of resolution that were already on nonaccrual status.  This activity was the primary reason for the decline of $4.9 million in nonaccrual loans not classified as restructured.

OREO decreased $0.7 million, or 5.7%, during the fourth quarter driven primarily by a $0.5 million valuation adjustment related to a single commercial property.

Classified assets as of December 31, 2011 totaled $162.4 million as compared to $172.6 million for the linked quarter and $202.1 million as of December 31, 2010, representing declines of 5.9% and 19.7%, respectively.  Classified assets, which have declined for six consecutive quarters, are defined by the Company as nonperforming assets plus performing loans internally rated substandard or worse.

Delinquent Loans

Loans 30-to-89 days past due totaled $20.4 million, or 0.69% of period end loans, as of December 31, 2011.  This compares to $19.5 million, or 0.66%, as of September 30, 2011 and $22.3 million, or 0.79%, as of December 31, 2010.  The increase of $0.9 million, or 4.7%, compared to the linked quarter resulted from higher delinquencies in the commercial real estate portfolios, partially offset by a decrease in commercial delinquencies.

Provision for Loan & Lease Losses

Fourth quarter 2011 provision expense related to uncovered loans and leases was $5.2 million as compared to $7.6 million during the linked quarter and $9.7 million during the comparable year-over-year quarter.  Provision expense for the full year 2011 totaled $19.2 million, representing a decline of 42.8% compared to the full year 2010.  Provision expense is a result of the Company's modeling efforts to estimate the period end allowance for loan and lease losses.  The decreases relative to the linked and comparable quarters as well as for the full year are driven primarily by the positive migration trends in classified assets as well as the impact on the loan portfolio of improving macro-economic trends.  As a percentage of net charge-offs, fourth quarter 2011 provision expense equaled 72.5%.

Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses

As of December 31, 2011, the allowance for uncovered loan and lease losses was $52.6 million as compared to $54.5 million as of September 30, 2011 and $57.2 million as of December 31, 2010.  As a percentage of period-end loans, the allowance for loan and lease losses was 1.77% as of December 31, 2011 as compared to 1.86% as of September 30, 2011 and 2.03% as of December 31, 2010.  The allowance for loan and lease losses as of December 31, 2011 reflects management's estimate of credit risk inherent in the Company's uncovered loan portfolio at that time.

LOANS (EXCLUDING COVERED LOANS)

The following table presents the loan portfolio, not including covered loans, as of December 31, 2011, September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010.

Loans, excluding covered loans, totaled $3.0 billion at the end of the fourth quarter 2011, representing a $30.8 million increase, or 4.2% on an annualized basis, compared to the third quarter 2011.  Commercial loan origination activity was strong as balances increased $34.4 million, or 16.6% on an annualized basis, during the quarter.  The commercial real estate portfolio experienced growth as well increasing $31.0 million during the quarter, or 10.2% on an annualized basis.

As of December 31, 2011, total uncovered loan balances increased $152.4 million, or 5.4%, as compared to December 31, 2010.  Excluding loan balances acquired in connection with the Liberty acquisition, total uncovered loans increased $38.3 million, or 1.4%, during 2011.  Compared to balances as of December 31, 2010 and excluding loans acquired from Liberty, the commercial and commercial real estate portfolios increased 6.4% and 4.7%, respectively, during 2011.

During the fourth quarter 2011, the Company sold approximately $7.3 million of loans originated by its franchise finance unit at a premium, recognizing a gain of approximately $0.3 million.  As a liquid secondary market exists for these types of credits, the sale was conducted to lessen credit and geographic concentration risk within the franchise portfolio.

INVESTMENTS

The following table presents a summary of the total investment portfolio at December 31, 2011.

The investment portfolio increased $321.6 million during the fourth quarter 2011 as cash received as part of the Liberty and Flagstar transactions was used to purchase securities, offset by amortizations and paydowns in the portfolio.  In addition to $190.7 million of cash received in connection with the Liberty transaction that had yet to be deployed as of September 30, 2011, the Company received $429.9 million upon closing of the Flagstar transaction during the quarter.  The Company purchased $578.2 million of securities, consisting primarily of agency MBS, with a weighted average yield of 2.38% and duration of 3.5 years.  However, $161.6 million of those purchases were executed as part of a strategy to increase the duration of the portfolio under which $162.6 million of shorter duration securities were sold and replaced with the longer duration purchases.  The Company recognized a pre-tax gain of $2.5 million in connection with the securities that were sold.  As of December 31, 2011, the overall duration of the investment portfolio increased to 2.4 years from 1.0 years as of September 30, 2011.

The Company also began to diversify its portfolio during the quarter as a portion of the purchases consisted of investment grade single issuer trust preferred securities.  These securities have a weighted average yield of 6.17%.  The Company has purchased a limited amount of these securities during the first quarter 2012 and will continue to do so in future periods on a selective basis.  The maximum targeted exposure related to these types of securities is 10% of the total investment portfolio.

During the first quarter 2012, the Company has continued to deploy cash balances in the investment portfolio, purchasing $131.4 million of securities, primarily agency MBS, with a weighted average yield of 2.75% and duration of 3.9 years.  The addition of longer duration securities during the fourth quarter 2011 and first quarter 2012 was executed in conjunction with the Company's overall asset/liability objectives and interest rate risk modeling activities, and, to a lesser extent, market and rate expectations.

DEPOSITS

Non-time deposit balances totaled $4.0 billion as of December 31, 2011, representing an increase of $347.1 million compared to September 30, 2011.  The growth was driven in large measure by deposits assumed in connection with the Flagstar acquisition, accounting for $272.4 million of the quarterly increase.  Excluding the Flagstar activity, non-time deposit accounts increased $74.7 million, or 8.1% on an annualized basis.  Compared to balances as of December 31, 2010, total non-time deposits increased $636.8 million, or 19.0%.  Excluding deposits assumed related to the Liberty and Flagstar transactions, non-time deposit accounts increased $203.5 million, or 6.1%, during 2011.

Total time deposit balances decreased slightly during the fourth quarter as compared to the linked quarter, which include balances assumed from Flagstar totaling $159.6 million as of December 31, 2011.  In connection with the Company's deposit rationalization strategies and efforts to reduce non-core relationship deposits, time deposit balances declined $163.0 million during the fourth quarter excluding the Flagstar accounts.  For the full year 2011 and excluding balances assumed from both Liberty and Flagstar, time deposit balances declined $433.4 million, or 24.1%.

The Company's deposit rationalization strategies related to deposit pricing continued to have a positive impact as the cost of funds related to interest bearing deposits declined to 75 bps for the fourth quarter compared to 89 bps for the linked quarter and 116 bps for the fourth quarter 2010.  The Company's total cost of deposit funding declined to 64 bps for the quarter, a decrease of 15.8% compared to the prior quarter and 35.4% compared to the fourth quarter 2010.

CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

The following table presents First Financial's regulatory and other capital ratios as of December 31, 2011, September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010.

Regulatory capital ratios and tangible common equity decreased during the fourth quarter 2011 primarily as a result of the goodwill and core deposit intangible asset recognized in connection with the Flagstar transaction, which totaled $26.1 million and $3.0 million, respectively.  Furthermore, shareholders' equity was negatively impacted by an increase in accumulated other comprehensive loss of $18.1 million primarily as a result of valuation adjustments related to the Company's pension asset and benefit obligation.  A 114 bp decline in the discount rate used to value the pension benefit obligation coupled with the actual return on plan assets contributed to the valuation adjustments.  First Financial's pension plan remains significantly over-funded and as a result recognized pension income of $0.3 million during the fourth quarter.  Additionally, there was no contribution to tangible shareholders' equity from third quarter 2011 earnings as a result of the variable dividend / 100% payout ratio paid during the quarter.  As of December 31, 2011, tangible book value per common share was $10.41 compared to $11.15 as of September 30, 2011 and $11.02 as of December 31, 2010.  Regulatory capital ratios as of December 31, 2011 are considered preliminary pending the filing of the Company's regulatory reports.

SECTION II – SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION ON COVERED ASSETS AND ACQUISITION-RELATED ITEMS

To assist in analyzing the effect of the Company's 2009 FDIC assisted transactions and the Liberty and Flagstar branch transaction on the financial results, supplemental information that segregates the estimated impact on pre-tax earnings of certain acquisition-related items and provides additional detail on the covered loan portfolio follows.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACQUISITION-RELATED ITEMS

The following table illustrates the estimated effect of certain acquisition-related items on the results of operations for the three months ended December 31, 2011, September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 as well as for the twelve months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010.

ACCELERATED DISCOUNT ON LOAN PREPAYMENTS AND DISPOSITIONS

During the fourth quarter 2011, First Financial recognized approximately $4.8 million in accelerated discount from acquired loans.  Accelerated discount is recognized when acquired loans, which are recorded on the Company's balance sheet at an amount less than the unpaid principal balance, prepay at an amount greater than their recorded book value.  Prepayments can occur through either customer driven payments before the maturity date or loan sales.  The amount of discount attributable to the credit loss component of each loan varies and the recognized amount is offset by a related reduction in the FDIC indemnification asset.  Accelerated discount recognized during the quarter resulted primarily from loan prepayments.

OPERATING EXPENSES AND OTHER ACQUISITION-RELATED COSTS

Acquired-non-strategic operating expenses have declined significantly as costs associated with the exited markets of Michigan and Louisville, KY are substantially complete and professional services and other resolution expenses related to non-strategic acquired subsidiaries have dropped over the past two quarters.  Acquisition-related costs incurred during the fourth quarter 2011 consisted primarily of the previously mentioned $1.0 million of expenses incurred related to the Flagstar acquisition.  Acquisition-related costs recognized in the third quarter 2011 consisted primarily of $1.8 million of costs incurred related to the Liberty branch acquisition.  Expenses related to transition-related items and other acquisition-related costs, excluding the impact of the Liberty and Flagstar acquisitions, continued to decline as planned.

NET INTEREST MARGIN IMPACT

Net interest margin is affected by certain activity related to the acquired loan portfolio.  The majority of these loans are accounted for under ASC Topic 310-30 and, as such, the Company is required to periodically update its forecast of expected cash flows from these loans.  Impairment, as a result of a decrease in expected cash flows, is recognized as provision expense in the period it is measured and has no impact on net interest margin.  Improvements in expected cash flows, in excess of any prior impairment, are recognized on a prospective basis through an upward adjustment to the yield earned on the portfolio.  Impairment and improvement are both partially offset by the impact of changes in the value of the FDIC indemnification asset.  Impairment is partially offset by an increase to the FDIC indemnification asset as a result of FDIC loss sharing income and has no impact on net interest margin.  Improvement, which is reflected as a higher yield, is partially offset by a lower yield earned on the FDIC indemnification asset until the next periodic valuation of the loans and the indemnification asset.  The weighted average yield of the acquired loan portfolio may also be subject to change as loans with higher yields pay down more quickly or slowly than loans with lower yields.

The following table shows the estimated yield earned by the Company on its covered and uncovered loan portfolios and the FDIC indemnification asset for the three months ended December 31, 2011.

As part of its on-going valuation procedures, the Company experienced a $2.4 million net improvement in the cash flow expectations related to certain loan pools during the fourth quarter 2011.  During the quarter, the average yield earned on covered loans accounted for under ASC Topic 310-30 was 10.94%.  On a prospective basis and until its next periodic valuation, the Company expects the yield on covered loans to be 11.52%.

This projected improvement in cash flow expectations on loans is partially offset by a related decline in cash flow expectations on the FDIC indemnification asset which is recognized through its yield.  The average yield earned on the indemnification asset during the fourth quarter 2011 was -4.86%.  On a prospective basis and until its next periodic valuation, the Company expects the yield on the indemnification asset to be -5.10%.

COVERED ASSETS & LOSS SHARE AGREEMENTS

As of December 31, 2011, 26.2% of the Company's total loans were covered loans.  As required under the loss-share arrangements, First Financial must file monthly certifications with the FDIC on single-family residential loans and quarterly certifications on all other loans.  To date, all certifications have been filed in a timely manner and without significant issues.

When losses are incurred on covered assets that exceed expectations, the Company recognizes the gross credit losses in excess of the valuation mark as either provision expense if related to loans or noninterest expense if related to OREO.  Reimbursements expected from the FDIC under loss share agreements related to these credit losses are recorded as noninterest income.  As such, the net impact on earnings is the difference between the gross credit losses and FDIC reimbursements, representing the Company's proportionate share of the credit losses realized on covered assets.

COVERED LOAN PORTFOLIO

The following table presents estimated activity in the covered loan portfolio by loan type during the fourth quarter 2011.

During the fourth quarter 2011, the total balance of covered loans decreased $97.8 million, or 8.5%, as compared to the previous quarter.  Loans with coverage removed represent loans to primarily high quality borrowers involving a change in loan terms which caused the respective loans to no longer qualify for reimbursement from the FDIC in the event of credit losses.

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES - COVERED

Under the applicable accounting guidance, the allowance for loan losses related to covered loans is a result of impairment identified in on-going valuation procedures and is generally recognized in the current period as provision expense.  However, if improvement is noted in a loan pool that had previously experienced impairment, the amount of improvement is recognized as a reduction to the applicable period's provision expense.  Additional improvement beyond previously recorded impairment is reflected as a yield adjustment on a prospective basis.  The timing inherent in this accounting treatment may result in earnings volatility in future periods.

The following table presents activity in the allowance for loan losses related to covered loans for the three months ended December 31, September 30, June 30 and March 31, 2011 as well as for the twelve month period ended December 31, 2011.

The Company has established an allowance for loan losses associated with covered loans based on estimated valuation procedures performed each quarter.  During the fourth quarter 2011, the Company recognized a provision expense of $6.9 million, representing a decline of $0.4 million, or 4.8%, compared to the linked quarter.  The decrease reflects a continued stabilizing credit outlook related to loan pools with previously recognized impairment.  The allowance for loan losses related to covered loans declined $5.3 million, or 11.0%, compared to the third quarter 2011, also reflecting the stabilized credit outlook in conjunction with the decline in the covered loan portfolio.  As a percentage of total covered loans, the allowance for loan losses totaled 4.07% as of December 31, 2011 compared to 4.18% as of September 30, 2011.

In addition to the provision expense, the Company incurred loss share and covered asset expenses of $2.5 million, including $0.8 million of losses related to covered OREO and $1.7 million of other credit expenses related to covered assets.  The receivable due from the FDIC under loss share agreements of $7.4 million related to total credit costs incurred was recognized as FDIC loss share income and a corresponding increase to the FDIC indemnification asset.

SUMMARY OF ACQUISITIONS

During the third quarter 2009, through FDIC-assisted transactions, First Financial assumed the banking operations of Peoples Community Bank ("Peoples"), Irwin Union Bank and Trust Company and Irwin Union Bank, F.S.B. (collectively, "Irwin").  In connection with the FDIC-assisted transactions, the Company has loss sharing arrangements with the FDIC.  Under the terms of these agreements, the FDIC will reimburse the Company for losses with respect to certain loans ("covered loans") and other real estate owned ("OREO") (collectively, "covered assets").

During the third quarter 2011, the Company completed its acquisition of the Ohio-based retail banking branches of Liberty Savings Bank, FSB.  This transaction included 16 branch locations, 12 of which are located in the Dayton, OH area and significantly enhanced the Company's presence in this key strategic market.  At closing, First Financial assumed $341.9 million of deposits and acquired $126.5 million of in-market performing loans.  All elements of the business acquired as part of this transaction are considered by the Company to be acquired-strategic (see definition below).

During the fourth quarter 2011, First Financial completed its acquisition of the Indiana-based retail banking branches of Flagstar Bank, FSB.  This transaction included 22 branch locations, 18 of which are located in the Indianapolis, IN area and substantially increased the Company's presence in the strategic metropolitan market.  At closing, First Financial assumed $464.7 million of deposits.  All elements of the business acquired as part of this transaction are considered by the Company to be acquired-strategic (see definition below).

As a result of the acquisitions, the Company's business and operating markets expanded significantly.  To assist readers in understanding the financial and strategic impact of the acquisitions, the combined operations of First Financial's legacy and acquired businesses will be discussed in three categories: "Legacy-Strategic", "Acquired-Strategic" and "Acquired-Non-Strategic".  Definitions of the business categories and other financial items related to the acquisitions can be found below in "Glossary of Terms".  Available on the Company's website at www.bankatfirst.com is a presentation providing supplemental information regarding its quarterly results.

Glossary of Terms

To assist readers in understanding the Company's financial results and the effect of the acquisitions on reported amounts, the following terms are used throughout this release to refer to specific acquisition-related items.  The first three define the business components referred to above and the remaining items define specific covered loan terminology.

Legacy-strategic – Elements of the business that existed prior to the acquisitions and will continue to be supported.

Acquired-strategic – Elements of the business that the Company intends to retain and will continue to support and build.  Legacy-strategic and acquired-strategic are collectively referred to as "strategic."

Acquired-non-strategic – Elements of the business that the Company intends to exit but will continue to support to obtain maximum economic value.  No growth or replacement is expected.

Accelerated discount on covered loans – The acceleration of the unrealized valuation discount.  This item will be ongoing but diminishing as covered loan balances decline over time.

UPB – Unpaid principal balance

Carrying value – The unpaid principal balance of a covered loan less any valuation discount.

Unless otherwise noted, all amounts discussed in this earnings release are pre-tax except net income and per-share data which are presented after-tax. Percentage changes are not annualized unless specifically noted. In some instances, financial data may not add up due to rounding.

Teleconference / Webcast Information

First Financial's senior management will host a conference call to discuss the Company's financial and operating results on Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time.  Members of the public who would like to listen to the conference call should dial (877) 317-6789 (U.S. toll free), (866) 605-3852 (Canada toll free) or +1 (412) 317-6789 (International) (no passcode required).  The number should be dialed five to ten minutes prior to the start of the conference call.  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.  A replay of the conference call will be available beginning one hour after the completion of the live call through February 10, 2012 at (877) 344-7529 (U.S. toll free) and +1 (412) 317-0088 (International); conference number 10009042.  The webcast will be archived on the Investor Relations section of the Company's website through January 26, 2013.

Press Release and Additional Information on Website

This press release as well as supplemental information related to this release is available to the public through the Investor Relations section of First Financial's website at www.bankatfirst.com/investor.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this news release which are not statements of historical fact constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act (the ''Act'').  In addition, certain statements in future filings by First Financial with the SEC, in press releases, and in oral and written statements made by or with the approval of First Financial which are not statements of historical fact constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Act.  Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, projections of revenues, income or loss, earnings or loss per share, the payment or non-payment of dividends, capital structure and other financial items, statements of plans and objectives of First Financial or its management or board of directors, and statements of future economic performances and statements of assumptions underlying such statements.  Words such as ''believes'', ''anticipates'', "likely", "expected", ''intends'', and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements.  Management's analysis contains forward-looking statements that are provided to assist in the understanding of anticipated future financial performance.  However, such performance involves risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially.  Factors that could cause actual results to differ from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:

• management's ability to effectively execute its business plan;
• the risk that the strength of the United States economy in general and the strength of the local economies in which we conduct operations may continue to deteriorate resulting in, among other things, a further deterioration in credit quality or a reduced demand for credit, including the resultant effect on our loan portfolio, allowance for loan and lease losses and overall financial performance;
• the effects of the potential delay or failure of the U.S. federal government to pay its debts as they become due or make payments in the ordinary course;
• the ability of financial institutions to access sources of liquidity at a reasonable cost;
• the impact of recent upheaval in the financial markets and the effectiveness of domestic and international governmental actions taken in response, such as the U.S. Treasury's TARP and the FDIC's Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program, and the effect of such governmental actions on us, our competitors and counterparties, financial markets generally and availability of credit specifically, and the U.S. and international economies, including potentially higher FDIC premiums arising from increased payments from FDIC insurance funds as a result of depository institution failures;
• the effect of and changes in policies and laws or regulatory agencies (notably the recently enacted Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act);
• inflation and possible changes in interest rates;
• our ability to keep up with technological changes;
• our ability to comply with the terms of loss sharing agreements with the FDIC;
• mergers and acquisitions, including costs or difficulties related to the integration of acquired companies and the wind-down of non-strategic operations that may be greater than expected, such as the risks and uncertainties associated with the Irwin Mortgage Corporation bankruptcy proceedings and other acquired subsidiaries;
• the risk that exploring merger and acquisition opportunities may detract from management's time and ability to successfully manage our company;
• expected cost savings in connection with the consolidation of recent acquisitions may not be fully realized or realized within the expected time frames, and deposit attrition, customer loss and revenue loss following completed acquisitions may be greater than expected;
• our ability to increase market share and control expenses;
• the effect of changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by the regulatory agencies as well as the Financial Accounting Standards Board and the SEC;
• adverse changes in the securities and debt markets;
• our success in recruiting and retaining the necessary personnel to support business growth and expansion and maintain sufficient expertise to support increasingly complex products and services;
• monetary and fiscal policies of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Federal Reserve) and the U.S. government and other governmental initiatives affecting the financial services industry;
• our ability to manage loan delinquency and charge-off rates and changes in estimation of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses; and
• the costs and effects of litigation and of unexpected or adverse outcomes in such litigation.

In addition, please refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, as well as our other filings with the SEC, for a more detailed discussion of these risks and uncertainties and other factors. Such forward-looking statements are meaningful only on the date when such statements are made, and First Financial undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such a statement is made to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

About First Financial Bancorp

First Financial Bancorp is a Cincinnati, Ohio based bank holding company.  As of December 31, 2011, the Company had $6.7 billion in assets, $4.0 billion in loans, $5.6 billion in deposits and $712 million in shareholders' equity.  The Company's subsidiary, First Financial Bank, N.A., founded in 1863, provides banking and financial services products through its three lines of business: commercial, retail and wealth management.  The commercial and retail units provide traditional banking services to business and consumer clients.  First Financial Wealth Management provides wealth planning, portfolio management, trust and estate, brokerage and retirement plan services and had approximately $2.3 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2011.  The Company's strategic operating markets are located in Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky where it operates 136 banking centers.  Additional information about the Company, including its products, services and banking locations is available at www.bankatfirst.com.

SOURCE First Financial Bancorp