First Financial Bancorp Stock Earnings Reports

First Financial Bancorp delivered a strong start to 2026, reporting adjusted EPS of $0.77, adjusted ROA of 1.45% and adjusted ROTCE of ~19%. Net interest margin remained resilient at 3.99% despite the Fed cut in December, as lower loan yields were largely offset by lower deposit costs. Loan balances rose slightly for the quarter, driven by the BankFinancial acquisition; excluding that portfolio loans declined due to seasonal production and elevated payoffs in ICRE. Originations were up ~45% year-over-year (over 25% excluding recent acquisitions). Fee income was a notable beat (record wealth management and leasing income, strong derivatives and FX), and noninterest expenses were controlled with acquisition-related cost savings ahead of expectations. Asset quality showed a temporary uptick in net charge-offs (35 bps annualized) driven by one large commercial relationship; other metrics (NPAs, classified assets) were stable-to-improving and management expects credit trends to gradually improve through the year. Capital strengthened (TCE ~7.9%, tangible book $16.15) and the Board authorized a $5 million share repurchase program; management said buybacks will be evaluated alongside other capital uses. Outlook: management expects mid-single-digit annualized loan growth in Q2, NIM to hold roughly 3.99%–4.04% (assuming no Fed cuts), Q2 fee income of $75–$77 million, and Q2 noninterest expense of $151–$154 million. Full run-rate cost savings from Westfield will be realized in Q3 and from BankFinancial in Q4.