First Financial Bancorp Reports First Quarter 2013 Financial Results

CINCINNATI, April 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- First Financial Bancorp (Nasdaq: FFBC) ("First Financial" or the "Company") announced today financial and operational results for the first quarter 2013.

First quarter 2013 net income was $13.8 million and earnings per diluted common share were $0.24.  This compares with fourth quarter 2012 net income of $16.3 million and earnings per diluted common share of $0.28 and first quarter 2012 net income of $17.0 million and earnings per diluted common share of $0.29.

During the quarter, the Company incurred certain pre-tax expenses resulting from its efficiency initiative and other staffing-related changes of $2.9 million.  Approximately $1.2 million was related to employee benefit expenses associated with staffing reductions and $1.7 million was related to real estate expenses associated with previously announced banking center consolidation and closure plans.  Additionally, $0.4 million was recognized due to an isolated fraud loss.  The Company also recognized pre-tax gains of $1.5 million resulting from sales of investment securities.  In the aggregate, these items had a negative impact on pre-tax earnings of $1.7 million, or $0.02 per diluted share after taxes.

The board of directors has authorized a regular dividend of $0.15 per common share and a variable dividend of $0.09 per common share for the next regularly scheduled dividend, payable on July 1, 2013 to shareholders of record as of May 31, 2013.  This is a continuation of the 100% dividend payout ratio first announced in the second quarter 2011 and is expected to continue through 2013 unless the Company's capital position materially changes or capital deployment opportunities arise.

Under the announced share repurchase plan, the Company repurchased 249,000 shares during the first quarter at an average price of $15.39 per share.  When combined with the regular and variable dividends paid to shareholders, First Financial returned 144.5% of quarterly net income to shareholders during the first quarter.  Additionally, the Company has repurchased 87,400 shares during the second quarter 2013 at an average price of $15.65 per share.

• 90^th consecutive quarter of profitability
• Quarterly adjusted pre-tax, pre-provision income of $25.3 million, or 1.60% of average assets
• Continued solid quarterly performance
  • ­Return on average assets of 0.88%; 0.95% as adjusted for the items noted above
  • Return on average tangible common equity of 9.24%; 9.96% as adjusted for the items noted above
• Capital ratios remain strong
  • ­Tangible common equity to tangible assets of 9.60%
  • Tier 1 capital ratio of 15.87%
  • Total risk-based capital ratio of 17.15%
• Solid progress on efficiency initiative
  • ­Net of expenses covered under loss sharing agreements and those highlighted above, noninterest expense declined $2.6 million compared to the linked quarter
  • Annualized run rate savings of $12.5 million to date and in line with previously disclosed estimates on 2013 realization
• Quarterly net interest margin of 4.04%
  • ­Decline of 7 bps compared to the linked quarter excluding a $2.2 million prepayment fee recognized during the fourth quarter 2012
  • Cost of interest-bearing deposits declined 8 bps during the quarter to 0.41%
  • Yield on uncovered loan portfolio declined 13 bps to 4.60% due to mix of new originations
• Total uncovered loan portfolio growth of 8.9% on an annualized basis
  • ­Strong performance in traditional C&I, commercial real estate and construction lending with solid contributions from residential mortgage and specialty finance
  • Uncovered loan growth exceeded the covered loan decline for the second consecutive quarter as total loans increased $9.5 million
• Net charge-offs declined $2.8 million, or 52.6%, compared to the linked quarter and totaled 32 bps of average uncovered loans for the quarter on an annualized basis

Claude Davis, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Our results for the first quarter were impacted by expenses related to implementation of our efficiency initiative as well as seasonal and timing effects related to certain sources of fee revenue.  Net of these items, our operating performance was solid given the continued slow pace of economic recovery throughout our markets.  We were pleased with the progress we made on reducing operating costs as adjusted noninterest expense declined $2.6 million, or 5.1%, compared to the linked quarter.  We feel confident that we remain on track to achieve 85% realization of the $17.1 million in announced annualized savings during 2013.  Furthermore, as we execute on the current initiatives, we are identifying additional areas for improvement above the previously disclosed target.

"For the second consecutive quarter, growth in the uncovered loan portfolio outpaced the decline in covered loan balances as total loan balances increased $9.5 million.  The uncovered loan portfolio totaled $3.2 billion at quarter end, representing growth of $69.8 million, or 8.9% on an annualized basis, compared to the prior quarter and $285.3 million, or 9.6%, compared to balances one year ago.  Growth during the quarter was driven by strong performance in our traditional C&I and owner-occupied commercial real estate portfolios as well as in construction and residential mortgage lending.  Additionally, we continued to gain traction in Indianapolis and Dayton as these markets contributed almost 42% of the quarterly growth.

"We were also pleased with our ability to defend net interest income and net interest margin in light of the continued low interest rate environment.  Excluding the prepayment fee we recognized in the fourth quarter 2012, net interest income declined a modest $1.1 million, or 1.8%, and net interest margin declined 7 bps to 4.04% during the first quarter.  Investment portfolio yields were relatively stable quarter-over-quarter and deposit costs continued to decline, helping to offset a decrease in yields earned on our uncovered loan portfolio.  As the rates on loans that paid off during the quarter exceeded new production yields by 79 bps, our ability to generate net loan growth was a key factor in mitigating net interest income and margin compression.

"Our wealth management business had a strong quarter as total assets under management increased over 10% to $2.6 billion driven primarily by the signature win of a large new retirement plan services client relationship.  The new assets came on board late in the quarter and as we continue to refine our strategies and product offerings, we have built a strong pipeline of new business opportunities in this business line and feel optimistic about our growth prospects."

NET INTEREST INCOME AND NET INTEREST MARGIN
Net interest income for the first quarter 2013 was $58.7 million as compared to $62.0 million for the fourth quarter 2012 and $66.7 million for the year-over-year period.  Compared to the linked quarter, total interest income declined $4.1 million, or 6.1%, and total interest expense declined $0.8 million, or 14.0%.  Net interest margin was 4.04% for the first quarter 2013 as compared to 4.27% for the fourth quarter 2012 and 4.51% for the first quarter 2012.

Interest income earned on loans decreased $4.4 million, or 7.2%, compared to the prior quarter.  Excluding a prepayment fee of $2.2 million that was recognized in the fourth quarter 2012, interest income earned on loans decreased $2.2 million, or 3.7%, and net interest income decreased $1.1 million, or 1.8%, during the first quarter 2013.  Additionally, excluding this prepayment fee, net interest margin declined 7 bps compared to the linked quarter.  The lower interest income earned on loans and decline in net interest margin was driven primarily by an 8.8% decrease in the average balance of covered loans outstanding, partially offset by an increase in the yield earned on the portfolio.

Growth in average uncovered loan balances of $95.0 million, or 3.1% on a linked quarter basis, helped to partially offset the impact from the runoff in covered loans during the quarter.  However, a decline in the yield earned on the uncovered loan portfolio of 13 bps and lower loan fees, both adjusted for the prepayment fee recognized in the prior quarter, muted the impact of the increase in uncovered loan balances.

Interest income earned from investment securities increased as a result of a $91.8 million, or 5.3%, increase in average balances compared to the linked quarter.  However, the impact on net interest margin was modestly offset as the portfolio yield declined 1 bp to 1.98% as investment rates remain low in the current environment.

Interest expense and net interest margin continued to benefit from declining deposit costs.  The average balance of interest-bearing deposits declined 3.3% compared to the prior quarter, driven by a $72.1 million, or 6.4%, decrease in average time deposit balances during the quarter.  The cost of funds related to interest-bearing deposits decreased 8 bps to 41 bps compared to 49 bps for the linked quarter.

NONINTEREST INCOME
The following table presents noninterest income for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and for the trailing four quarters, adjusted to exclude the impact of covered loan activity and other selected items on the Company's reported balance.   

Excluding the items highlighted in Table I, noninterest income earned in the first quarter 2013 was $14.3 million compared to $16.9 million in the fourth quarter 2012 and $15.5 million in the first quarter 2012.  The decrease of $2.6 million compared to the linked quarter was driven by lower service charges on deposits, net gain from sales of residential mortgages, and lower fee income and portfolio valuations related to client derivatives, partially offset by higher trust and wealth management fees.

NONINTEREST EXPENSE
The following table presents noninterest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and for the trailing four quarters, adjusted to exclude the impact of covered asset activity and other selected items on the Company's reported balance.

Excluding the items highlighted in Table II, noninterest expense in the first quarter 2013 was $47.7 million as compared to $50.3 million in the fourth quarter 2012 and $50.9 million in the first quarter 2012.  The decrease of $2.6 million compared to the linked quarter was due primarily to lower salaries and employees benefits, marketing expense and other noninterest expense, partially offset by higher occupancy costs.  Expenses associated with the efficiency initiative and other staffing-related changes include $1.2 million of employee benefit expenses related to reductions in staff and $1.7 million of real estate expenses associated with previously announced banking center consolidation and closure plans.  Other items not expected to recur includes $0.4 million related to an isolated fraud loss.

INCOME TAXES
For the first quarter 2013, income tax expense was $6.4 million, resulting in an effective tax rate of 31.5%, compared with income tax expense of $9.2 million and an effective tax rate of 36.1% during the fourth quarter 2012 and $9.6 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 first quarter 2013 as compared to the linked quarter was primarily the result of higher income earned on tax-exempt investment securities as well as a favorable tax reversal related to an intercompany tax obligation associated with an unconsolidated former Irwin subsidiary.  A normalized effective tax rate reflecting the impact of the increasing investment in tax-exempt securities is estimated to be 35.1%.

CREDIT QUALITY – EXCLUDING COVERED ASSETS
The following table presents certain credit quality metrics related to the Company's uncovered loan portfolio as of March 31, 2013 and the trailing four quarters.

Net Charge-offs
For the first quarter 2013, net charge-offs declined significantly to $2.5 million, or 52.6%, compared to the linked quarter driven primarily by reductions in commercial real estate and home equity charge-offs.  Items driving net charge-offs for the quarter included three commercial real estate credits totaling $0.8 million and two commercial credits totaling $0.7 million, none of which were individually significant.

Nonperforming Assets 
Nonaccrual loans, including nonaccrual troubled debt restructurings, decreased $0.6 million, or 0.9%, to $64.5 million as of March 31, 2013 from $65.0 million as of December 31, 2012.  Within these two portfolios, the decrease in nonaccrual loans and increase in nonaccrual troubled debt restructurings was due primarily to the transfer of a single commercial credit totaling $6.9 million with modified borrowing terms.  The increase in accruing troubled debt restructurings during the first quarter of $1.9 million was driven by the addition of a performing $1.2 million commercial real estate loan.

OREO decreased $0.5 million, or 4.3%, to $12.0 million during the first quarter as resolutions and valuation adjustments of $1.2 million exceeded $0.7 million of additions during the quarter.  There were no individually material items included in either the additions or resolutions for the quarter.

Classified assets as of March 31, 2013 increased to $130.4 million, or 1.1%, from $129.0 million for the linked quarter and decreased $24.2 million, or 15.7%, from $154.7 million as of March 31, 2012.  Classified assets are defined by the Company as nonperforming assets plus performing loans internally rated substandard or worse.

Delinquent Loans
As of March 31, 2013, loans 30-to-89 days past due totaled $18.2 million, or 0.56% of period-end loans, as compared to $16.3 million, or 0.51%, as of December 31, 2012 and $20.2 million, or 0.68%, as of March 31, 2012.  During the first quarter, declines in delinquent commercial and residential real estate loans were offset by increases in the commercial real estate and equipment finance portfolios.

Provision for Loan & Lease Losses
First quarter 2013 provision expense related to uncovered loans and leases was $3.0 million as compared to $3.9 million for the linked quarter and $3.3 million for the comparable year-over-year quarter.  Provision expense is a result of the Company's modeling efforts to estimate the period-end allowance for loan and lease losses.  As a percentage of net charge-offs, first quarter provision expense equaled 121.1%.

LOANS (EXCLUDING COVERED LOANS)
The following table presents the loan portfolio, excluding covered loans, as of March 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012.

Loans, excluding covered loans, totaled $3.2 billion as of March 31, 2013, increasing $69.8 million, or 8.9% on an annualized basis, compared to the linked quarter and $285.3 million, or 9.6%, compared to March 31, 2012.  The increase relative to linked quarter was driven by growth in traditional C&I, commercial real estate and construction lending with continued solid performance from residential mortgage and specialty finance.

INVESTMENTS
The following table presents a summary of the total investment portfolio at March 31, 2013.

The investment portfolio decreased $130.7 million, or 7.0%, during the first quarter as $54.8 million of purchases were offset by sales, amortizations and paydowns, driven partially by continued elevated prepayment activity.  The Company sold $70.4 million of agency MBS and CMOs during the quarter in order to enhance liquidity and reduce prepayment and premium risks, recognizing a pre-tax gain of $1.5 million.  As of March 31, 2013, the overall duration of the investment portfolio increased slightly to 3.1 years compared to 2.8 years as of December 31, 2012.  The yield earned on the portfolio during the quarter declined 1 bp to 1.98% from 1.99% for the linked quarter.  The net unrealized gain included in accumulated other comprehensive loss related to the securities AFS portfolio declined to $10.2 million as of March 31, 2013 as a result of activity during the quarter and market value changes.

DEPOSITS
Non-time deposit balances totaled $3.8 billion as of March 31, 2013, representing a decrease of $96.0 million, or 2.5%, compared to December 31, 2012.  The decline was driven primarily by seasonal declines in commercial balances of $56.2 million and public fund balances of $77.7 million, offset by an increase of $49.7 million in consumer balances.

Time deposit balances decreased $38.5 million, or 3.6%, compared to the linked quarter due primarily to a net decline in consumer balances of $84.3 million, offset by an increase in public fund balances of $47.2 million.

The low interest rate environment continued to have a positive impact on the Company's deposit costs as the total cost of deposit funding declined to 32 bps for the quarter, a decrease of 6 bps compared to the prior quarter and 25 bps compared to the first quarter 2012.

CAPITAL MANAGEMENT
The following table presents First Financial's regulatory and other capital ratios as of March 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012.

Shareholders' equity decreased during the quarter due to the combined impact of share repurchases, a decrease in the unrealized gain related to securities classified as available-for-sale and declared dividends exceeding quarterly net income.  The impact of share repurchases on common shares outstanding was substantially offset by restricted shares issued in connection with First Financial's long-term incentive plan.  The Company's tangible common equity ratio increased during the quarter as the decline in period end tangible assets outweighed the decline in tangible equity.  Regulatory capital ratios declined during the quarter due to increases in average tangible assets and risk-weighted assets and the decrease in shareholders' equity.  Regulatory capital ratios as of March 31, 2013 are considered preliminary pending the filing of the Company's regulatory reports.

Teleconference / Webcast Information
First Financial's senior management will host a conference call to discuss the Company's financial and operating results on Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time.  Members of the public who would like to listen to the conference call should dial (888) 317-6016 (U.S. toll free), (855) 669-9657 (Canada toll free) or +1 (412) 317-6016 (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 May 10, 2013 at (877) 344-7529 (U.S. toll free) and +1 (412) 317-0088 (International); conference number 10027777.  The webcast will be archived on the Investor Relations section of the Company's website through April 25, 2014.

Press Release and Additional Information on Website
This press release as well as supplemental information and any non-GAAP reconciliations 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 Statement
Certain statements contained in this 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;
• U.S. fiscal debt and budget matters;
• 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, 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);
• the effect of the current low interest rate environment or changes in interest rates on our net interest margin and our loan originations and securities holdings;
• our ability to keep up with technological changes;
• failure or breach of our operational or security systems or infrastructure, or those of our third party vendors and other service providers;
• 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 creditworthiness of our borrowers and lessees, collateral values, the value of investment securities and asset recovery values, including the value of the FDIC indemnification asset and related assets covered by FDIC loss sharing agreements;
• adverse changes in the securities, debt and/or derivatives 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;
• unpredictable natural or other disasters could have an adverse effect on us in that such events could materially disrupt our operations or our vendors' operations or willingness of our customers to access the financial services we offer;
• 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, 2012, 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 March 31, 2013, the Company had $6.3 billion in assets, $3.9 billion in loans, $4.8 billion in deposits and $702 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 $2.6 billion in assets under management as of March 31, 2013.  The Company's strategic operating markets are located in Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky where it operates 113 banking centers.  Additional information about the Company, including its products, services and banking locations is available at www.bankatfirst.com.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION ON COVERED ASSETS

ACCELERATED DISCOUNT ON LOAN PREPAYMENTS AND DISPOSITIONS
During the first quarter 2013, First Financial recognized approximately $1.9 million in accelerated discount from covered loans, net of the corresponding adjustment on the FDIC indemnification asset.  Accelerated discount is recognized when covered 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.

NET INTEREST MARGIN IMPACT
Net interest margin is affected by certain activity related to the covered 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.  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 March 31, 2013.

COVERED ASSETS
The following table presents the covered loan portfolio as of March 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012.

As of March 31, 2013, 17.5% of the Company's total loans were covered loans.  During the first quarter 2013, the total balance of covered loans decreased $60.3 million, or 8.1%, compared to the prior quarter.  As required under the loss sharing agreements, First Financial must file monthly certifications with the FDIC on single-family residential loans and quarterly certifications on all other loans.  The payment of claims is subject to the FDIC's review for compliance with the loss sharing agreements and to date, all certifications have been filed in a timely manner and without significant issues.

Covered OREO increased $0.5 million, or 1.7%, during the first quarter to $29.3 million as of March 31, 2013 as additions of $6.7 million slightly exceeded resolutions and valuation adjustments of $6.2 million during the quarter.

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 ongoing 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 March 31, 2013 and for the trailing three quarters.

As a percentage of total covered loans, the allowance for loan losses totaled 6.61% as of March 31, 2013 compared to 6.04% as of December 31, 2012.

Net charge-offs on covered loans during the first quarter 2013 were $8.7 million compared to $9.0 million for the fourth quarter 2012, a decrease of $0.3 million, or 2.8%.  During the first quarter 2013, the Company recognized provision expense of $9.0 million, representing an increase of $3.8 million, or 71.2%, compared to the linked quarter.  The difference between provision expense and net charge-offs primarily relates to the quarterly re-estimation of cash flow expectations required under ASC Topic 310-30.  The net present value of expected cash flows is influenced by both the amount and timing of such cash flows.

In addition to the provision expense, the Company incurred loss sharing and covered asset expenses of $2.3 million, consisting primarily of credit expenses offset by $0.2 million of gains related to covered OREO.  The receivable due from the FDIC under loss sharing agreements of $8.9 million related to total credit costs incurred was recognized as FDIC loss sharing income and a corresponding increase to the FDIC indemnification asset.

SOURCE First Financial Bancorp