First Financial Q3 2023 Earnings Report
Key Takeaways
First Financial Bancorp reported a net income of $63.1 million, or $0.66 per diluted common share, for the three months ended September 30, 2023. The company's adjusted return on assets was 1.49%, and the net interest margin was 4.33%. Loan balances increased by $96.6 million, and deposit balances were stable during the quarter.
Earnings per diluted share of $0.66; $0.67 on an adjusted basis, a 10% increase YoY.
Return on average assets of 1.48%; 1.49% on an adjusted basis.
Net interest margin on FTE basis of 4.33%; a 15 bp decrease from the linked quarter.
Loan growth of $96.6 million, representing 3.6% on an annualized basis.
First Financial
First Financial
Forward Guidance
First Financial Bancorp expects moderate loan growth over the remainder of the year and provision expense to be fairly stable in the fourth quarter.
Positive Outlook
- High net interest margin
- Favorable fee income trends
- Robust earnings
- Strengthened regulatory capital levels
- Strong earnings helped maintain the tangible common equity ratio
Challenges Ahead
- Credit trends were mixed during the period
- Experienced elevated net charge-offs
- Loss on sale of commercial real estate loans
- Loss on a large C&I loan impacted by COVID-19
- Nonaccrual loan balances increased due to the downgrade of one office loan