Helping Our Communities Take Another Step on the Path to Success

Helping Our Communities Take Another Step on the

Path to Success2015 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT REPORT

At First Financial, we’re proud to give back to the communities in which we live and serve.

First Financial Bancorp 2015 Community Development Report 1

BEING A COMMUNITY BANK, NOT JUST A BANK IN YOUR COMMUNITY

At First Financial Bank, we value each and every client. Our value-added approach and client-centered relationships are what makes us unique and inspires us to fulfill our mission of exceeding our clients’ expectations.

However, being a community bank is much more than focusing on the success of our clients. It is the success of the community, the local businesses, the residents who need financial help and the organizations fighting for their cause that fuels First Financial in its effort to be a true community leader.

With the financial well-being of our communities and its residents as our objective, we are guided by five key areas for community development: 1. Access to banking services, 2. Lending in the community, 3. Investing in the community, 4. Volunteerism 5. Financial education.

Our strongest asset— our associates —allows First Financial to be successful in these key areas. It is because of this that all First Financial associates know our mission of exceeding our clients’ expectations and know our core belief that there is always an opportunity to succeed. This opportunity not only applies to all of our clients but every resident in the communities in which we live and work.

It is through our associates that we can actively seek to understand the banking and credit needs of our neighbors and our local businesses, and offer responsive solutions that help our communities thrive. It is also our associates who proactively communicate our dedication to community by participating in local development programs, networking throughout the community and engaging in sponsorships of events — especially those in low- and moderate-income areas.

One of our significant accomplishments in 2015 included the launch of our Give First program, which gives our associates a channel to engage with each other through volunteerism initiatives and provides us with the foundation for building a culture of community at First Financial Bank. It is through this program that our associates can find or nominate volunteer opportunities and are provided time off so they can volunteer during working hours.

In 2016, we are focused on continuing to grow our Give First culture by getting our associates out in the community, by investing in our neighbors and giving back to local initiatives. We are also excited to be entering the Gary, Indiana, market and are seeking to help other communities in need of better access to affordable and easy-to-use banking services.

We take pride in being your community bank and are passionate about helping our local residents and businesses take advantage of each and every opportunity to succeed. Let us know how we can help exceed your expectations.

Claude E. Davis Chief Executive Officer

2 First Financial Bancorp 2015 Community Development Report

Success means giving back to the communities we serve.At First Financial Bank, we believe there’s always an opportunity to succeed whether that is providing sound financial advice to our clients or contributing to the growth of the communities where we live. To best serve our communities, First Financial promises to be a leader in access to banking services, lending to organizations, investing and donating to local initiatives, volunteering to help our neighbors in need and in donating our time to increase financial literacy.


ACCESS TO BANK SERVICES We continue to increase access to financial services by opening and maintaining banking centers in low- and moderate-income areas. We enhanced electronic access by increasing the number of surcharge-free ATMs, and we continue to develop financial services and products that are affordable and convenient to all community members.

LENDING IN THE COMMUNITYBy providing financial assistance to meet community development needs, we are able to help our communities attract new businesses and support enterprise development zones to revitalize our communities.

INVESTING IN THE COMMUNITY First Financial invests in our communities through neighborhood revitalization and affordable housing initiatives. We also invest in our communities through sponsorships and donations.

VOLUNTEERISM We enhance economic opportunities, build strong neighborhoods and support the foundation for quality growth and development in the very areas where we live and work. We do this by building community relationships and advocating associate engagement through volunteerism initiatives.

FINANCIAL EDUCATION We provide expertise and funding to increase financial literacy through relationships with educational institutions and community-based programs.

WE FOCUS ON FIVE KEY AREAS FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT:


Access to Bank Services First Financial increased and maintained access to financial services by opening and maintaining banking centers in low- and moderate-income areas. The Bank strives to continue to develop financial services and products that are affordable and convenient to all community members. We are also proud to support local initiatives focused on helping our neighbors who are unbanked or underbanked.


BackPocketCard

DEBIT

LOW- AND MODERATE-INCOME MARKET OVERVIEW

HAMILTON COUNTY 5 of 12 are LMI

41%*

BUTLER COUNTY 6 of 18 are LMI

33%FRANKLIN COUNTY 1 of 6 are LMI

16%

MONTGOMERY COUNTY 1 of 7 are LMI

14%MARION COUNTY, INDIANA 2 of 5 are LMI

40%LAKE COUNTY, INDIANA 1 of 8 are LMI

12%**

®

PROVIDING BETTER ELECTRONIC ACCESS To provide better electronic access, we switched ATM networks to Allpoint in August 2015, increasing the number of surcharge-free ATMs.

Allpoint ATM Network is a worldwide group of ATMs that our clients can access surcharge-free. With your First Financial ATM and/or Check Card, you can access your account(s) at more than 55,000 Allpoint Network ATM locations without paying a surcharge to the ATM owner.

By making banking easier, First Financial image-deposit-capable ATMs have helped the Bank more than double its ATM deposits to 20,000 per month in the past year.

SNAP DEPOSIT Snap Deposit allows clients with the First Financial mobile app to make a deposit into their checking or savings accounts by simply taking a picture. Our investment in Snap Deposit has led to the number of phone-based deposits increasing from 9,000 per month to 15,000 per month in the past year.

BACKPOCKET PREPAID DEBIT CARD The BackPocket Prepaid Debit Card is reloadable, has overdraft safeguards and is an economical choice for bill payment and on-the-go account management. The general-purpose reloadable cards/payroll cards allow clients to add, spend and withdraw money as needed with affordable and predictable fees. Prepaid/payroll cards are innovative products for reaching underbanked and unbanked community members and helps introduce them to mainstream financial products.

NEW BANKING CENTER OPENINGS First Financial increased access by opening new banking centers in low- and moderate-income areas with one in Downtown Columbus, Ohio, which opened in October 2015, and another on Short Vine in Clifton near Downtown Cincinnati, which opened in January 2016. We also plan to open a banking center in Gary, Indiana, in 2016.

Columbus Commons Grand Opening — In honor of the grand opening of our Columbus Commons banking center located in Downtown Columbus, Ohio, the Bank celebrated by giving 10 non-profit organizations a $500 donation each.

The percentages to the right reflect the ratio of how many First Financial Bank banking centers per metropolitan county are considered to be in low- and moderate-income (LMI) areas. Overall, by the end of 2016, 28.6 percent of locations within metropolitan counties and 25.5 percent of all First Financial banking centers will be located in a low- or moderate-income demographic area.

* The Hamilton County ratio reflects the number of banking centers after First Financial’s Clifton location opened in January 2016.

** The Lake County ratio reflects the number of banking centers after First Financial’s Gary, Indiana, location opens later in 2016.


Lending in the CommunityFirst Financial has developed loan programs to attract new businesses and retain current clients in low- and moderate-income areas. First Financial Bank is proud to offer loans to nonprofit organizations serving housing and community development needs in these areas. Examples of local lending include Beasley Place in Cincinnati, Weinland Park Neighborhood in Columbus, Ohio, and the Minority Business Assistance Council Microloan Program in Dayton.


COMMUNITY HOUSING AFFORDABLE MORTGAGE PROGRAM (CHAMP) We offer CHAMP loans, which provide flexible loan-to-value ratios and generally

without the necessity for mortgage insurance. CHAMP loans also provide underwriting flexibilities, allowing of non-traditional credit history and the use of gifts to assist with down payment and/or closing costs.

In 2015, First Financial originated 226 CHAMP loans in the amount of $28,687,000. By the end of the year, First Financial had 893 outstanding CHAMP loans totaling $106,231,000.

SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION The Small Business Administration (SBA) 504 lending program for First Financial Bank totaled $5,986,000 in 2015. The 504 SBA loans provide small businesses with long-term, fixed-rate financing to acquire major fixed assets for expansion and modernization. The assets typically are real estate, buildings, equipment and/or machinery. Not all SBA loans qualify for Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) credit, but the loans have assisted small business borrowers in economic challenged areas.

First Financial Bank is proud to be a Preferred Lender of the SBA. In fact, First Financial prides itself on consistently being recognized as one of the Top 10 SBA Lenders in Ohio and being a bank that meets the demands of small businesses.

MICROLOAN PROGRAM In 2015, we expanded our Microloan program through relationships with local governments and non-profit organizations.

Market Specific Microloans are small business loan programs generally made in collaboration with non-profit and local government agencies. The loans are small business loan programs and are generally in low- and moderate-income areas and also provide technical assistance and/or entrepreneur education.

First Financial started this experimental program to provide funds to small businesses in the Hamilton, Ohio, market. The effort was in conjunction with the City of Hamilton, the Greater Hamilton Chamber of Commerce and the Hamilton Economic Development Corporation.

The program continues to grow and is now in the Ohio communities of Hamilton, Middletown, Dayton, Cheviot and Van Wert.

TOTAL OUTSTANDING CHAMP LOANS IN 2015

TOTAL 504 SBA LENDING IN 2015

$106,231,000

$5,986,000


Investing in the CommunityFirst Financial continues to invest in organizations located in low- and moderate-income communities through investments, sponsorships and donations.

INVESTING IN ORGANIZATIONS IN OUR COMMUNITIESWe increased our focus on community investments and lending in 2015. Total Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) investments, excluding mutual funds, exceed $45 million not including unfunded commitments. By the end of 2015, First Financial Bank’s CRA security portfolio included $192,712,000 in Government National Mortgage Association Project Loans in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. First Financial also donated more than $700,000 in 2015 to 545 organizations, communities and supported activities.

PROGRAM SUPPORT First Financial invested in programs to support community development including:

CORE Fund First Financial invested $1 million into the CORE Fund in Hamilton, Ohio. CORE’s

mission is to accelerate Hamilton’s urban renaissance through targeted investments in real estate projects in the city’s urban core. This fund has helped revitalize the City of Hamilton.

Walnut Hills Redevelopment Foundation Through First Financial’s $10,000 donation, the Walnut Hills Job Bank was established in 2015. The Walnut Hills Job Bank is an initiative which seeks to connect residents of Walnut Hills to employment opportunities, especially those opportunities located in Walnut Hills.

SELF Supports to Encourage Low-Income Families (SELF) focuses on self-sufficiency for low-income families. First Financial invested in the Individual Development Account (IDA) program, which allows individuals to match earned income with grants to acquire a home, start a business or pursue an education.

“ First Financial was a leader in investing in the IDA program for Butler County. Without their support and encouragement we couldn’t have achieved our level of success in the community.”

– Jeffrey Diver, Executive Director

At the end of 2015, First Financial’s Community Reinvestment Act securities portfolio included the following first-time homebuyer loans:

Ohio: $15,366,000 Indiana: $20,292,000 Kentucky: $11,308,000

20 Years Serving Butler County

THANK YOU FOR GROWING WITH US

First Financial hit a major milestone during the third quarter of 2015: 100 quarters— or 25 years— of consecutive profitability. It’s because of our clients, associates and community involvement and support that this was possible. To share our appreciation, First Financial Bank donated $1,000 to 25 organizations that are devoted to making our communities a better place to live and work.



VolunteerismAt First Financial Bank we help communities through financial investments and ongoing volunteer efforts by our associates. Together, we enhance economic opportunities, build strong neighborhoods, and support the foundation for quality growth and development in the places we live and work.


GIVING BACK In 2015, our associates volunteered their time to beautify neighborhoods with Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, to clean up Camp Joy in Cincinnati, to stock the shelves at the Worthington Resource Pantry, to help residents in need with People Working Cooperatively in Cincinnati, to assist the Dayton School Supply Drive and to support local market cultural events.

GIVE FIRST Volunteer services at First Financial have increased and are now being monitored through Give First, the Bank’s new associate engagement volunteer program. These activities allow us to get to know our communities better.

Give First connects First Financial Bank with approved volunteer organizations and services so that our associates can become more active within their communities.

The goal is to provide a foundation to build a culture of volunteerism at First Financial. To show the commitment to this important community endeavor, First Financial offers full-time associates up to eight hours and each part-time associate up to four hours of paid time, while volunteering during scheduled work hours. In 2015, approximately 11,000 hours were available to associates for volunteer activities.

PAID VOLUNTEER HOURS AVAILABLE THROUGH THE

GIVE FIRST PROGRAM

11,000

THE SALVATION ARMY OF CENTRAL INDIANA—ANGEL TREE PROGRAM

” Through a generous donation, First Financial helped The Salvation Army underwrite the cost of the Angel Tree Program, which allowed thousands of children to have a joyous Christmas. In addition to the financial support, First Financial adopted 20 Angels and had 25 employees volunteer throughout our Angel Tree distribution week. The Salvation Army is grateful for the support of First Financial and its employees.”

–Lori Corvino, Donor Relations Director for Central Indiana


Financial EducationFirst Financial focuses on contributing to and supporting organizations that provide financial literacy and educational support for the economically disadvantaged.


FINANCIAL EDUCATION CURRICULUM We have financial education materials available for use by all associates. We offer financial workshops which address the needs of Pre-K through college, older adults and special needs individuals. Workshops include:

FDIC Money Smart is a comprehensive financial education curriculum designed to help low- and moderate-income individuals outside the financial mainstream enhance their money management skills and create positive banking relationships.

VISA® Practical Money Skills, an all-inclusive collection of lessons covering topics on everything from setting goals, budgeting and purchase planning, protecting credit and identity, savings, investing and financial planning.

First Financial Bank School Bank Program, a tool for community outreach, financial education and marketing that encourages elementary, middle school and high school students to take an interest in saving and banking. The at-school program allows students to use a real savings account and provides a hands-on experience with banking tools.

LIFESPAN — HAMILTON, OHIO LifeSpan is a community-based multi-service organization that reaches 13,000 individuals each year in Southwest Ohio. A primary focus is to provide financial counseling, which helps more than 3,000 people. First Financial has provided financial support and currently serves on the board of directors for LifeSpan.

“ The grant we received from First Financial allowed LifeSpan to expand our Financial Education program which helps low-income families with budgeting, avoid debt traps and improve credit scores. First Financial recognized and addressed the financial literacy the community needed and has continued to support us.”

– Bill Staler, Chief Executive Officer

HOMES ON THE HILL—COLUMBUS, OHIO

“ First Financial sponsored and helped launch the Financial Capability Workshop with Homes on the Hill. Their financial support will allow Homes on the Hill to educate the Columbus community and prioritize good spending habits.”

– Mark Easterling, Housing and Community Development Specialist

First Financial Bancorp First Financial Center 255 East Fifth Street Suite 800 Cincinnati, OH 45202-4248

www.bankatfirst.com

Helping Our Communities Take Another Step on the Path to Success

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