First Financial Bancorp /Oh

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.

SEC original ↗First Financial Bancorp /Oh — Earnings release (8-K exhibit)EX-99Oct 23, 2025

(2) Represents share repurchases as part of publicly announced plans.

SEC original ↗First Financial Bancorp /Oh — Earnings release (8-K exhibit)EX-99Oct 23, 2025

fiscal debt, budget and tax matters, geopolitical matters, trade and tariff policies, and any slowdown in global economic growth; the adverse impact on the U.

SEC original ↗First Financial Bancorp /Oh — Presentation / slide deck (8-K exhibit)EX-99Oct 23, 2025

Expected to be 3.92% - 3.97%; assumes 25 bp October and December rate cuts Includes 2 bp expected impact from Westfield acquisition Capital Common dividend unchanged at $0.25 The Company s Investor Presentation contains certain financial information determined by methods other than in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP).

SEC original ↗First Financial Bancorp /Oh — Presentation / slide deck (8-K exhibit)EX-99Oct 23, 2025

Examples of forward-looking statements include: (i) projections of income or expense, earnings per share, the payment or non-payment of dividends, capital structure and other financial items; (ii) statements of our plans and objectives of our management or Board of Directors, including those relating to products or services or potential acquisition activity; (iii) statements of future economic performance; and (iv) statements of assumptions underlying such statements.

SEC original ↗First Financial Bancorp /Oh — 10-K Annual report10-KFeb 19, 2026

A bank holding company is expected to act as a source of financial strength to its subsidiary banks, and the Federal Reserve may limit dividends or require contributions of capital where necessary or prudent.

SEC original ↗First Financial Bancorp /Oh — 10-K Annual report10-KFeb 19, 2026

Our workforce efficiency efforts continued during the period, and we have successfully reduced our full time equivalents by approximately 200, or 9%, since we began our initiative two years ago.

SEC original ↗First Financial Bancorp /Oh — Earnings release (8-K exhibit)EX-99Oct 23, 2025

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.

SEC original ↗First Financial Bancorp /Oh — Earnings release (8-K exhibit)EX-99Oct 23, 2025

Risk elements in the consumer loan portfolio are primarily focused on the borrower s cash flow and credit history, which are key indicators of the ability to repay.

SEC original ↗First Financial Bancorp /Oh — 10-K Annual report10-KFeb 19, 2026

First Financial is committed to investing in our employees, recognizing that employee wellbeing is integral to our organizational culture and long-term success.

SEC original ↗First Financial Bancorp /Oh — 10-K Annual report10-KFeb 19, 2026

The program offers a variety of incentives, including health savings account contributions, paid time off, and reimbursements, to encourage voluntary participation in activities such as annual physical exams, health-risk assessments, educational webinars, community service, financial assistance initiatives, and Company-sponsored fitness activities.

SEC original ↗First Financial Bancorp /Oh — 10-K Annual report10-KFeb 19, 2026

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.

SEC original ↗First Financial Bancorp /Oh — Earnings release (8-K exhibit)EX-99Oct 23, 2025

fiscal debt, budget and tax matters, geopolitical matters, trade and tariff policies, and any slowdown in global economic growth; the adverse impact on the U.

SEC original ↗First Financial Bancorp /Oh — Presentation / slide deck (8-K exhibit)EX-99Oct 23, 2025

Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties.

SEC original ↗First Financial Bancorp /Oh — 10-K Annual report10-KFeb 19, 2026

Higher levels of unemployment, lower levels of income growth and weaker economic growth are factors that may adversely impact consumer loan credit quality.

SEC original ↗First Financial Bancorp /Oh — 10-K Annual report10-KFeb 19, 2026

However, in light of litigation challenging the 2023 CRA rule s implementation, the agencies, on July 16, 2025, proposed rescinding the 2023 rule and reinstating the prior regulatory framework, substantially equivalent to the regulations in effect prior to the 2023 rule, with certain technical updates.

SEC original ↗First Financial Bancorp /Oh — 10-K Annual report10-KFeb 19, 2026