FORM 10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington D.C. 20549

x QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended ~~September 30, 2012~~March 31, 2013

o TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ____________________ to ____________________

Commission file number 0-12379

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



Ohio		31-1042001
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

255 East Fifth Street, Suite 700 Cincinnati, Ohio		45202
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code (877) 322-9530

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Date File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):



Large accelerated filer x	Accelerated filer o

Non-accelerated filer o	Smaller reporting company o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of Exchange Act).

Yes o No x

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.



Class		Outstanding at ~~November 2, 2012~~May 6, 2013
Common stock, No par value		~~58,507,842~~57,852,390

Table of Contents

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.

INDEX



	Page No.

Part I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1 - Financial Statements

Consolidated Balance Sheets - ~~September 30, 2012~~March 31, 2013 (unaudited) and December 31, ~~2011~~2012	1

Consolidated Statements of Income - Three ~~and Nine~~ Months Ended ~~September 30,~~March 31, 2013 and 2012 ~~and 2011~~ (unaudited)	2

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - Three ~~and Nine~~ Months Ended ~~September 30,~~March 31, 2013 and 2012 ~~and 2011~~ (unaudited)	3

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity - ~~Nine~~Three Months Ended ~~September 30,~~March 31, 2013 and 2012 ~~and 2011~~ (unaudited)	4

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - ~~Nine~~Three Months Ended ~~September 30,~~March 31, 2013 and 2012 ~~and 2011~~ (unaudited)	5

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)	6

Item 2 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	37

Item 3 - Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk	5753

Item 4 - Controls and Procedures	5854

Part II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1 - Legal Proceedings	5955

Item 1A - Risk Factors	5955

Item 2 - Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	6056

Item 6 - Exhibits	6157

Signatures	6258

Table of Contents

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM I - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in thousands)


	September 30, 2012			December 31, 2011			March 31, 2013			December 31, 2012
	(Unaudited)						(Unaudited)
Assets
Cash and due from banks	$	154,181		$	149,653		$	106,249		$	134,502
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks	21,495			375,398			1,170			24,341
Investment securities available-for-sale, at market value (cost $672,824 at September 30, 2012 and $1,421,490 at December 31, 2011)	689,680			1,441,846
Investment securities held-to-maturity (market value $830,540 at September 30, 2012 and $2,893 at December 31, 2011)	822,319			2,664
Investment securities available-for-sale, at market value (cost $942,999 at March 31, 2013 and $1,017,104 at December 31, 2012)							952,039			1,032,096
Investment securities held-to-maturity (market value $723,226 at March 31, 2013 and $778,474 at December 31, 2012)							716,214			770,755
Other investments	71,492			71,492			75,375			71,492
Loans held for sale	23,530			24,834			28,126			16,256
Loans:
Loans
Commercial	834,858			856,981			892,381			861,033
Real estate-construction	91,897			114,974			87,542			73,517
Real estate-commercial	1,338,636			1,233,067			1,433,182			1,417,008
Real estate-residential	299,654			287,980			330,260			318,210
Installment	59,191			67,543			53,509			56,810
Home equity	368,876			358,960			365,943			367,500
Credit card	31,604			31,631			32,465			34,198
Lease financing	41,343			17,311			53,556			50,788
Total loans, excluding covered loans	3,066,059			2,968,447
Total loans - excluding covered loans							3,248,838			3,179,064
Less: Allowance for loan and lease losses - uncovered	49,192			52,576			48,306			47,777
Net loans - uncovered	3,016,867			2,915,871
Net loans - excluding covered loans							3,200,532			3,131,287
Covered loans	825,515			1,053,244			687,798			748,116
Less: Allowance for loan and lease losses - covered	48,895			42,835			45,496			45,190
Net loans – covered	776,620			1,010,409			642,302			702,926
Net loans	3,793,487			3,926,280			3,842,834			3,834,213
Premises and equipment	146,603			138,096			146,889			146,716
Goodwill	95,050			95,050			95,050			95,050
Other intangibles	8,327			10,844			7,078			7,648
FDIC indemnification asset	130,476			173,009			112,428			119,607
Accrued interest and other assets	278,447			262,345			265,565			244,372
Total assets	$	6,235,087		$	6,671,511		$	6,349,017		$	6,497,048

Liabilities
Deposits:
Deposits
Interest-bearing	$	1,112,843		$	1,317,339		$	1,113,940		$	1,160,815
Savings	1,568,818			1,724,659			1,620,874			1,623,614
Time	1,199,296			1,654,662			1,030,124			1,068,637
Total interest-bearing deposits	3,880,957			4,696,660			3,764,938			3,853,066
Noninterest-bearing	1,063,654			946,180			1,056,409			1,102,774
Total deposits	4,944,611			5,642,840			4,821,347			4,955,840
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase	88,190			99,431			130,863			122,570
Federal Home Loan Bank short-term borrowings	283,000			0			502,200			502,000
Total short-term borrowings	371,190			99,431			633,063			624,570
Long-term debt	75,521			76,544			74,498			75,202
Total borrowed funds	446,711			175,975			707,561			699,772
Accrued interest and other liabilities	127,799			140,475			118,495			131,011
Total liabilities	5,519,121			5,959,290			5,647,403			5,786,623

Shareholders' equity
Common stock - no par value
Authorized - 160,000,000 shares; Issued - 68,730,731 shares in 2012 and 2011	578,129			579,871
Authorized - 160,000,000 shares; Issued - 68,730,731 shares in 2013 and 2012							575,514			579,293
Retained earnings	330,014			331,351			327,635			330,004
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(18,855		)	(21,490		)	(21,475		)	(18,677		)
Treasury stock, at cost, 10,219,815 shares in 2012 and 10,463,677 shares in 2011	(173,322		)	(177,511		)
Treasury stock, at cost, 10,701,808 shares in 2013 and 10,684,496 shares in 2012							(180,060		)	(180,195		)
Total shareholders' equity	715,966			712,221			701,614			710,425
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	6,235,087		$	6,671,511		$	6,349,017		$	6,497,048

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Table of Contents

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)


	Three months ended						Nine months ended						Three months ended
	September 30,						September 30,						March 31,
	2012			2011			2012			2011			2013			2012
Interest income
Loans, including fees	$	59,536		$	70,086		$	189,362		$	216,031		$	56,025		$	66,436
Investment securities
Taxable	8,358			7,411			29,254			21,294			8,376			10,517
Tax-exempt	111			176			366			566			580			134
Total interest on investment securities	8,469			7,587			29,620			21,860			8,956			10,651
Other earning assets	(1,700		)	(1,721		)	(5,657		)	(4,059		)	(1,472		)	(1,990		)
Total interest income	66,305			75,952			213,325			233,832			63,509			75,097
Interest expense
Deposits	5,730			9,823			19,827			31,990			3,860			7,716
Short-term borrowings	54			44			103			138			329			12
Long-term borrowings	675			867			2,030			2,893			654			680
Subordinated debentures and capital securities	0			0			0			391
Total interest expense	6,459			10,734			21,960			35,412			4,843			8,408
Net interest income	59,846			65,218			191,365			198,420			58,666			66,689
Provision for loan and lease losses - uncovered	3,613			7,643			15,235			14,046			3,041			3,258
Provision for loan and lease losses - covered	6,622			7,260			25,620			57,171			9,042			12,951
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	49,611			50,315			150,510			127,203
Net interest income after provision for loan and lease losses													46,583			50,480

Noninterest income
Service charges on deposit accounts	5,499			4,793			15,784			14,286			4,717			4,909
Trust and wealth management fees	3,374			3,377			10,542			10,809			3,950			3,791
Bankcard income	2,387			2,318			7,502			6,801			2,433			2,536
Net gains from sales of loans	1,319			1,243			3,391			3,086			706			940
Gains on sales of investment securities													1,536			0
FDIC loss sharing income	8,496			8,377			29,592			53,455			8,934			12,816
Accelerated discount on covered loans	3,798			5,207			11,207			15,746			1,935			3,645
Gain on sale of investment securities	2,617			0			2,617			0
Other	3,340			2,800			15,665			8,708			2,487			3,288
Total noninterest income	30,830			28,115			96,300			112,891			26,698			31,925

Noninterest expenses
Salaries and employee benefits	27,212			27,774			85,121			80,467			27,329			28,861
Net occupancy	5,153			4,164			15,560			15,517			6,165			5,382
Furniture and equipment	2,332			2,386			6,899			7,520			2,371			2,244
Data processing	2,334			1,466			6,311			4,157			2,469			1,901
Marketing	1,592			1,584			3,984			4,227			897			1,154
Communication	788			772			2,595			2,339			833			894
Professional services	1,304			2,062			5,602			7,384			1,803			2,147
State intangible tax	961			546			2,957			3,147			1,014			1,026
FDIC assessments	1,164			1,211			3,597			4,484			1,125			1,163
Loss (gain) - other real estate owned	1,372			(287		)	2,681			3,198
Loss - other real estate owned													502			996
(Gain) loss - covered other real estate owned	(25		)	2,707			2,500			8,440			(157		)	1,292
Loss sharing expense	3,584			1,048			8,420			1,862			2,286			1,751
Other	7,515			7,709			22,296			20,687			6,469			6,967
Total noninterest expenses	55,286			53,142			168,523			163,429			53,106			55,778
Income before income taxes	25,155			25,288			78,287			76,665			20,175			26,627
Income tax expense	8,913			9,670			27,249			27,867			6,351			9,633
Net income	$	16,242		$	15,618		$	51,038		$	48,798		$	13,824		$	16,994

Net earnings per common share - basic	$	0.28		$	0.27		$	0.88		$	0.85		$	0.24		$	0.29
Net earnings per common share - diluted	$	0.28		$	0.27		$	0.87		$	0.83		$	0.24		$	0.29
Cash dividends declared per share	$	0.30		$	0.27		$	0.90		$	0.51		$	0.28		$	0.31
Average common shares outstanding - basic	57,976,943			57,735,811			57,902,102			57,674,250			57,439,029			57,795,258
Average common shares outstanding - diluted	58,940,179			58,654,099			58,930,570			58,699,952			58,283,467			58,881,043

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Table of Contents

																		FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES	CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	(Dollars in thousands)	(Unaudited)

	Three months ended						Nine months ended						Three months ended
	September 30,						September 30,						March 31,
	2012			2011			2012			2011			2013			2012
Net income	$	16,242		$	15,618		$	51,038		$	48,798		$	13,824		$	16,994
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Unrealized (losses) gains on investment securities arising during the period	(934		)	5,157			1,662			8,070			(3,357		)	2,439
Change in retirement obligation	419			265			1,129			794			445			355
Unrealized (loss) gain on derivatives	(182		)	0			(182		)	391
Unrealized gain (loss) on foreign currency exchange	14			(908		)	26			(599		)
Unrealized gain on derivatives													126			0
Unrealized (loss) gain on foreign currency exchange													(12		)	9
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(683		)	4,514			2,635			8,656			(2,798		)	2,803
Comprehensive income	$	15,559		$	20,132		$	53,673		$	57,454		$	11,026		$	19,797

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Table of Contents

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

(Dollars in thousands except per share data)

(Unaudited)



	Common Stock	Common Stock			Retained			Accumulated other comprehensive			Treasury stock								Common Stock	Common Stock			Retained			Accumulated other comprehensive			Treasury stock
	Shares	Amount			Earnings			income (loss)			Shares		Amount			Total			Shares	Amount			Earnings			income (loss)			Shares		Amount			Total
Balances at January 1, 2011	68,730,731	$	580,097		$	310,271		$	(12,044	)	(10,665,754	)	$	(180,930	)	$	697,394
Balances at January 1, 2012																			68,730,731	$	579,871		$	331,351		$	(21,490	)	(10,463,677	)	$	(177,511	)	$	712,221
Net income					48,798											48,798							16,994											16,994
Other comprehensive income								8,656								8,656										2,803								2,803
Cash dividends declared :
Common stock at $0.51 per share					(29,826		)									(29,826		)
Cash dividends declared:
Common stock at $0.31 per share																							(17,782		)									(17,782		)
Excess tax benefit on share-based compensation		167														167				283														283
Exercise of stock options, net of shares purchased		(228		)							12,808		217			(11		)		(825		)							47,169		800			(25		)
Restricted stock awards, net of forfeitures		(3,929		)							178,351		3,016			(913		)		(4,406		)							225,235		3,853			(553		)
Share-based compensation expense		2,867														2,867				752														752
Balances at September 30, 2011	68,730,731	$	578,974		$	329,243		$	(3,388	)	(10,474,595	)	$	(177,697	)	$	727,132
Balances at January 1, 2012	68,730,731	$	579,871		$	331,351		$	(21,490	)	(10,463,677	)	$	(177,511	)	$	712,221
Balances at March 31, 2012																			68,730,731	$	575,675		$	330,563		$	(18,687	)	(10,191,273	)	$	(172,858	)	$	714,693
Balances at January 1, 2013																			68,730,731	$	579,293		$	330,004		$	(18,677	)	(10,684,496	)	$	(180,195	)	$	710,425
Net income					51,038											51,038							13,824											13,824
Other comprehensive income								2,635								2,635
Cash dividends declared :
Common stock at $0.90 per share					(52,375		)									(52,375		)
Other comprehensive loss																										(2,798		)						(2,798		)
Cash dividends declared:
Common stock at $0.28 per share																							(16,193		)									(16,193		)
Purchase of common stock																													(249,000	)	(3,831		)	(3,831		)
Excess tax benefit on share-based compensation		417														417				73														73
Exercise of stock options, net of shares purchased		(1,193		)							71,391		1,211			18				(479		)							20,370		343			(136		)
Restricted stock awards, net of forfeitures		(4,053		)							172,471		2,978			(1,075		)		(4,460		)							211,318		3,623			(837		)
Share-based compensation expense		3,087														3,087				1,087														1,087
Balances at September 30, 2012	68,730,731	$	578,129		$	330,014		$	(18,855	)	(10,219,815	)	$	(173,322	)	$	715,966
Balances at March 31, 2013																			68,730,731	$	575,514		$	327,635		$	(21,475	)	(10,701,808	)	$	(180,060	)	$	701,614

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Table of Contents

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Dollars in thousands)

(Unaudited)


	Nine months ended						Three months ended
	September 30,						March 31,
	2012			2011			2013			2012
Operating activities
Net income	$	51,038		$	48,798		$	13,824		$	16,994
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Provision for loan and lease losses	40,855			71,217			12,083			16,209
Depreciation and amortization	11,812			8,703			3,875			3,601
Stock-based compensation expense	3,087			2,867			1,087			752
Pension income	(392		)	(1,012		)
Pension expense (income)							15			(143		)
Net amortization of premiums/accretion of discounts on investment securities	8,461			3,050			3,788			2,240
Gains on sales of investment securities	(2,617		)	0			(1,536		)	0
Originations of loans held for sale	(173,115		)	(95,297		)	(47,969		)	(48,278		)
Net gains from sales of loans held for sale	(3,391		)	(3,086		)	(706		)	(940		)
Proceeds from sales of loans held for sale	175,180			113,416			35,868			52,410
Deferred income taxes	(10,618		)	(13,504		)	(2,114		)	(1,253		)
Decrease (increase) in interest receivable	2,896			(691		)
Decrease (increase) in cash surrender value of life insurance	1,845			(1,092		)
Increase in interest receivable							(1,660		)	(196		)
(Increase) decrease in cash surrender value of life insurance							(423		)	2,498
Increase in prepaid expenses	2,758			4,193			(2,501		)	(382		)
Decrease in indemnification asset	42,533			44,834			7,179			16,612
Decrease in accrued expenses	(4,447		)	(27,431		)
(Decrease) increase in accrued expenses							(6,215		)	1,985
Decrease in interest payable	(1,281		)	(1,554		)	(282		)	(543		)
Other	(26,858		)	2,176			7,583			5,223
Net cash provided by operating activities	117,746			155,587			21,896			66,789

Investing activities
Proceeds from sales of securities available-for-sale	86,959			0			48,686			0
Proceeds from calls, paydowns and maturities of securities available-for-sale	209,399			258,288			53,351			75,468
Purchases of securities available-for-sale	(465,303		)	(449,440		)	(54,838		)	(291,496		)
Proceeds from calls, paydowns and maturities of securities held-to-maturity	98,283			11,942			51,591			8,151
Net decrease (increase) in interest-bearing deposits with other banks	353,903			(192,178		)
Net increase in loans and leases, excluding covered loans	(121,810		)	(15,740		)
Net decrease in interest-bearing deposits with other banks							23,171			351,297
Net increase in loans and leases - excluding covered loans							(72,053		)	(6,372		)
Net decrease in covered assets	191,069			264,129			44,904			51,622
Proceeds from disposal of other real estate owned	30,017			34,186			5,500			6,309
Purchases of premises and equipment	(18,605		)	(9,706		)	(3,857		)	(6,782		)
Net cash proceeds from acquisition	0			190,711
Net cash provided by investing activities	363,912			92,192			96,455			188,197

Financing activities
Net decrease in total deposits	(698,229		)	(189,052		)	(134,493		)	(241,925		)
Net increase in short-term borrowings	271,759			35,609
Net increase (decrease) in short-term borrowings							8,493			(20,812		)
Payments on long-term borrowings	(1,002		)	(51,984		)	(697		)	(792		)
Redemption of other long-term debt	0			(20,620		)
Cash dividends paid on common stock	(50,392		)	(19,690		)	(16,149		)	(15,624		)
Treasury stock purchase							(3,831		)	0
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	317			63			0			180
Excess tax benefit on share-based compensation	417			167			73			283
Net cash used in financing activities	(477,130		)	(245,507		)	(146,604		)	(278,690		)

Cash and due from banks:
Net increase in cash and due from banks	4,528			2,272
Net decrease in cash and due from banks							(28,253		)	(23,704		)
Cash and due from banks at beginning of period	149,653			105,981			134,502			149,653
Cash and due from banks at end of period	$	154,181		$	108,253		$	106,249		$	125,949

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Table of Contents

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

~~SEPTEMBER 30, 2012~~MARCH 31, 2013

(Unaudited)

The consolidated financial statements for interim periods are unaudited; however, in the opinion of the management of First Financial Bancorp. (First Financial or the Company), all material adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation have been included.

NOTE 1: BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The Consolidated Financial Statements of First Financial, a bank holding company, principally serving Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky, include the accounts and operations of First Financial and its wholly-owned subsidiary – First Financial Bank, N.A. (First Financial Bank or the Bank). All significant intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain reclassifications of prior periods’ amounts have been made to conform to the current period’s presentation and had no effect on net earnings.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) requires management to make estimates, assumptions and judgments that affect the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying Notes. Actual realized amounts could differ materially from those estimates.

These interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X and serve to update the First Financial Bancorp. Annual Report on Form 10-K (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, ~~2011.~~2012. These interim financial statements may not include all information and notes necessary to constitute a complete set of financial statements under GAAP applicable to annual periods and accordingly should be read in conjunction with the financial information contained in the Form 10-K. Management believes these unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments of a normal recurring nature which are necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods presented. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year or any other interim period. The Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, ~~2011,~~2012, has been derived from the audited financial statements in the Company’s ~~2011~~2012 Form 10-K.

NOTE 2: RECENTLY ADOPTED AND ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

In April 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued an update (ASU No. 2011-03, Reconsideration of Effective Control for Repurchase Agreements), which simplified the accounting for arrangements such as repurchase and securities lending agreements. The collateral maintenance requirement will be eliminated from the assessment of effective control, which could result in more transactions being accounted for as secured borrowings rather than sales. The assessment of effective control will focus on a transferor's contractual rights and obligations, not the amount of collateral obtained to repurchase or redeem the transferred financial asset. Under the amended guidance, a transferor maintains effective control over transferred financial assets, and thus accounts for the transfer as a secured borrowing, if there is an agreement that both entitles and obligates the transferor to repurchase the financial assets before maturity and all of the conditions already described in FASB ASC Topic 860, Transfers and Servicing, are met. The provisions of ASU 2011-03 became effective for First Financial for the interim reporting period ended March 31, 2012. This update did not have a material impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements.

~~In May 2011, the FASB issued an update (ASU No. 2011-04, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs)~~, ~~which~~expands the disclosure requirements around fair value measurements categorized in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy and requires disclosure of the level in the fair value hierarchy of items that are not measured at fair value but whose fair value must be disclosed. It also clarifies and expands upon existing requirements for fair value measurements of financial assets and liabilities as well as instruments classified in shareholders' equity. The provisions of ASU 2011-04 became effective for First Financial for the interim reporting period ended March 31, 2012. For further detail see Note 14 – Fair Value Disclosures.

In June 2011, the FASB issued an update (ASU 2011-05, Presentation of Comprehensive Income), which revises the manner in which entities present comprehensive income in their financial statements. This update eliminates the option to present components of other comprehensive income (OCI) as part of the statement of changes in stockholders' equity. The amendments to the existing standard require that all non-owner changes in stockholders' equity be presented either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. Under either method, adjustments must be displayed for items that are reclassified from OCI to net income, in both net income and OCI. The

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amendments to the existing standard do not change the current option for presenting components of OCI gross or net of the effect of income taxes, provided that such tax effects are presented in the statement in which OCI is presented or disclosed in the notes to the financial statements. Additionally, the standard does not affect the calculation or reporting of earnings per share. The provisions of ASU 2011-05 became effective for First Financial for the interim reporting period ended March 31, 2012. This update resulted in the inclusion of the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income in the Consolidated Financial Statements.

In September 2011, the FASB issued an update (ASU 2011-08, Testing Goodwill for Impairment), to simplify the current two-step goodwill impairment test in FASB ASC Topic 350-20, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other: Goodwill. This update permits entities to first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not (a likelihood of more than 50 percent) that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If the entity determines that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, it would then perform the first step of the goodwill impairment test; otherwise, no further impairment test would be required. The provisions of ASU 2011-08 became effective for First Financial for the interim reporting period ended March 31, 2012. This update did not have a material impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements.

In December 2011, the FASB issued an update (ASU 2011-11, Disclosures About Offsetting Assets and Liabilities), which creates new disclosure requirements about the nature of an entity's rights of offset and related arrangements associated with its financial instruments and derivative instruments. These~~New~~ disclosure requirements ~~will be~~are required for recognized financial and derivative instruments that are offset in accordance with the guidance in FASB ASC Topic 210-20-45, Balance Sheet - Offsetting - Other Presentation Matters, FASB ASC Topic 815-10-45, Derivatives and Hedging - Other Presentation Matters, or are subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement. ~~Recognized assets~~Subsequently, the FASB issued ASU 2013-01, Scope Clarification of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and ~~liabilities within~~Liabilities, which limits the scope of ~~this update include financial instruments such as~~ASU 2011-11 to derivatives, repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements, and securities borrowing and lending ~~and borrowing arrangements subject to master netting arrangements. An entity will be~~transactions. Companies are required to disclose information to enable users of its financial statements to evaluate the effect or potential effect of netting arrangements on its financial position, including the effect or potential effect of rights of set-off associated with certain financial instruments and derivative instruments. ~~This guidance is~~The provisions of ASU 2011-11 became effective for ~~fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 2013, and~~the interim ~~periods within those annual periods. The guidance must be applied retrospectively for any~~reporting period ~~presented that begins before an entity's date of initial application.~~ ended March 31, 2013.~~First Financial does not anticipate this update will have a material impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements.~~ For further detail, see Note 6 - Derivatives.

In July 2012, the FASB issued an update (ASU 2012-02, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment), which allows an entity testing an indefinite-lived intangible asset for impairment the option of performing a qualitative assessment before calculating the fair value of the ~~asset, similar to the guidance set forth in ASU 2011-08.~~asset. This update also addresses circumstances that ~~an entity~~a company should consider in interim periods, but does not remove the requirement for testing of indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually and between annual tests if there is a change in events and circumstances. The provisions of ASU 2012-02 ~~become~~became effective for ~~annual~~the interim reporting period ended March 31, 2013 and ~~interim impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012 and First Financial does~~did not ~~anticipate this update will~~ have a material impact on ~~its~~the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

In October 2012, the FASB issued an update (ASU 2012-06, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Subsequent Accounting for an Indemnification Asset Recognized at the Acquisition Date as a Result of a Government-Assisted Acquisition of a Financial Institution), which clarifies the applicable guidance for subsequently measuring an indemnification asset recognized as a result of a government-assisted acquisition of a financial institution. When a ~~reporting entity~~company recognizes an indemnification asset ~~(in accordance with Subtopic 805-20)~~ as a result of a government-assisted acquisition of a financial institution and subsequently a change in the cash flows expected to be

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collected on the indemnification asset occurs (as a result of a change in cash flows expected to be collected on the assets subject to indemnification), the ~~reporting entity~~company should subsequently account for the change in the measurement of the indemnification asset on the same basis as the change in the assets subject to indemnification. Any amortization of changes in value should be limited to the contractual term of the indemnification agreement (that is, the lesser of the term of the indemnification agreement and the remaining life of the indemnified assets). The provisions of ASU 2012-06 ~~shall be~~became effective for ~~fiscal years,~~the interim reporting period ended March 31, 2013 and ~~interim periods within those years, beginning on or after December 15, 2012~~ did not~~and First Financial does not anticipate this update will~~ have a material impact on ~~its~~the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

~~NOTE 3: BUSINESS COMBINATIONS~~

On ~~September 23, 2011, First Financial Bank completed~~February 5, 2013, the ~~purchase~~FASB issued an update (ASU 2013-02,Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI)) 16 ~~Ohio-based retail banking centers from~~ ~~Liberty Savings Bank, FSB~~ ~~(Liberty) including~~ ~~$126.5 million~~which requires preparers to report in one place information about reclassifications out of ~~performing loans~~AOCI. The ASU also requires companies to report changes in AOCI balances and ~~$341.9 million~~ ~~of deposits at their estimated fair values. First Financial also acquired~~ ~~$3.8 million~~ ~~of fixed assets at estimated fair value and paid Liberty a~~ ~~$22.4 million~~ ~~net deposit premium. Assets acquired~~expands the disclosure requirements in ~~this transaction are not subject to a loss share agreement. First Financial recorded~~ ~~$17.1~~

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~~million~~ ~~of goodwill related to the Liberty banking center acquisition.~~

~~Loans acquired in conjunction with the Liberty banking center acquisition were evaluated for impairment in accordance with~~ FASB ASC Topic ~~310-30, Loans~~220, Comprehensive Income (ASC 220), for presentation of changes in AOCI. This ASU requires companies to disaggregate the total change of each component of other comprehensive income and ~~Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality (FASB ASC Topic 310-30). First Financial determined that~~separately present (1) reclassification adjustments and (2) current-period OCI. ASU 2013-02 also requires companies to present information about significant items reclassified out of AOCI by component either (1) on the ~~acquired loans were not impaired and~~face of the statement where net income is ~~accounting for them under FASB ASC Topic 310-20, Receivables-Nonrefundable Fees and Costs.~~

~~On December 2, 2011, First Financial Bank completed~~presented or (2) as a separate disclosure in the ~~purchase of~~ 22 ~~Indiana-based retail banking centers from~~ ~~Flagstar Bank, FSB~~ ~~(Flagstar) and assumed approximately~~ ~~$464.7 million~~ ~~of deposits at their estimated fair value. First Financial also acquired~~ ~~$6.6 million~~ ~~of fixed assets at estimated fair value and paid Flagstar a~~ ~~$22.5 million~~ ~~net deposit premium. Assets acquired in this transaction are not subject to a loss share agreement. First Financial recorded~~ ~~$26.1 million~~ ~~of goodwill related~~notes to the ~~Flagstar banking center acquisition.~~

financial statements. The ~~Liberty and Flagstar banking center acquisitions were accounted~~provisions of ASU 2013-02 became effective for ~~in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 805, Business Combinations. The fair values of assets and liabilities acquired in a business combination are subject to refinement for up to one year after~~ the ~~closing date of the acquisition (the measurement period) as information relative to closing date fair values becomes available.~~interim reporting period ended March 31, 2013. For further detail, see Note 14 - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss).

NOTE 4:3: GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Goodwill. Assets and liabilities of acquired ~~in a business combination~~entities are recorded at their estimated fair values as of the acquisition ~~date and are subject to refinement for up to one year as additional information relative to initial estimated fair value data becomes available.~~date. The excess cost of the acquisition over the fair value of net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. ~~First Financial recorded additions to goodwill in 2011 of~~ ~~$17.1 million~~ ~~related to the Liberty banking center acquisition and~~ ~~$26.1 million~~ ~~related to the Flagstar banking center acquisition. First Financial expects all the goodwill resulting from these acquisitions to be deductible for tax purposes.~~

Goodwill is not amortized, but is measured for impairment on an annual basis as of October 1 of each year or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the fair value of a reporting unit may be below its carrying value. First Financial performed its annual impairment test as of October 1, ~~2011,~~2012 and no impairment was indicated. As of ~~September 30, 2012,~~March 31, 2013, no events or changes in circumstances indicated that the fair value of a reporting unit was below its carrying value. First Financial had goodwill of $95.1 million as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012.

Other intangible assets. Other intangible assets consist primarily of core deposit intangibles. Core deposit intangibles are recorded at their estimated fair value as of the acquisition date and are then amortized on an accelerated basis over their estimated useful lives. ~~First Financial recorded~~ ~~$4.0 million~~ ~~of core deposit intangibles associated with the Liberty banking center acquisition and~~ ~~$3.0 million~~ ~~of core deposit intangibles associated with the Flagstar banking center acquisition during 2011, contributing to a total of~~ ~~$9.9 million~~ ~~of core deposit intangibles as of December 31, 2011. As of~~ ~~September 30, 2012, core~~Core deposit intangibles were $~~7.9~~6.9 million. and $7.4 million as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. First Financial's core deposit intangibles have an estimated weighted average remaining life of ~~8.1~~7.6 years. Amortization expense recognized on intangible assets for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, was $0.4 million and $0.5 million, respectively.

NOTE 5:4: COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

In the normal course of business, First Financial offers a variety of financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk to its clients to assist them in meeting their requirements for liquidity and credit enhancement. These financial instruments include standby letters of credit and outstanding commitments to extend credit. GAAP does not require these financial instruments to be recorded in the Consolidated ~~Balance Sheets, Consolidated Statements of Income, Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity and Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.~~Financial Statements.

First Financial’s exposure to credit loss, in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for standby letters of credit, and outstanding commitments to extend credit, is represented by the contractual amounts of those instruments. First Financial uses the same credit policies in ~~making~~issuing commitments and conditional obligations as it does for ~~on-balance-sheet instruments.~~credit instruments recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Letters of credit. These transactions are conditional commitments issued by First Financial to guarantee the performance of a client to a third party. First Financial’s portfolio of standby letters of credit consists primarily of performance assurances made on behalf of clients who have a contractual commitment to produce or deliver goods or services. The risk to First Financial arises from its obligation to make payment in the event of the client's contractual default to produce the contracted good or service to a third party. First Financial has issued letters of credit (including standby letters of credit) aggregating $~~14.7~~14.9 million and $~~20.0~~14.8 million at ~~September 30, 2012~~March 31, 2013, and December 31, ~~2011,~~2012, respectively. Management conducts regular reviews of

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these instruments on an individual client basis.

Loan commitments. Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a client as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the commitment. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. First Financial evaluates each client’s

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creditworthiness on an individual basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by First Financial upon extension of credit, is based on management’s credit evaluation of the client. The collateral held varies, but may include securities, real estate, inventory, plant or equipment. First Financial had commitments outstanding to extend credit totaling $~~1.2~~1.3 billion at ~~September 30, 2012~~March 31, 2013, and $1.2 billion at December 31, ~~2011.~~2012.

First Financial utilizes the allowance for loan and lease losses methodology to maintain a reserve that it considers sufficient to absorb probable losses inherent in standby letters of credit and outstanding loan ~~commitments.~~commitments and records the reserve within Accrued interest and other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Contingencies/Litigation. ~~The Company~~First Financial and its subsidiaries are engaged in various matters of litigation, other assertions of improper or fraudulent loan practices or lending violations and other matters from time to time, and ~~the Company has~~have a number of unresolved claims pending. ~~In addition,~~Additionally, as part of the ordinary course of business, First Financial and its subsidiaries are parties to litigation involving claims to the ownership of funds in particular accounts, the collection of delinquent accounts, challenges to security interests in collateral and foreclosure interests, that is incidental to our regular business activities. While the ultimate liability with respect to these other litigation matters and claims cannot be determined at this time, ~~the Company~~First Financial believes that damages, if any, and other amounts relating to pending matters are not ~~likely to~~probable or cannot be ~~material to its consolidated financial position or results~~reasonably estimated as of ~~operations.~~March 31, 2013. Reserves are established for these various matters of litigation, when appropriate under FASB ASC Topic 450, Contingencies, based in part upon the advice of legal counsel.

NOTE 6:5: INVESTMENTS

~~During the first quarter 2012, the Company also reclassified securities, primarily agency mortgage-backed securities, with a total book value of~~ ~~$915.5 million~~ as of March 31, 2012 from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity. The reclassification was executed to mitigate the impact of potential future price depreciation on other comprehensive income and the corresponding negative impact on shareholders' equity as held-to-maturity securities are carried at amortized cost. First Financial has the intent and ability to hold the transferred securities to maturity.

The following is a summary of held-to-maturity and available-for-sale investment securities as of ~~September 30, 2012~~March 31, 2013.:


	Held-to-Maturity									Available-for-Sale									Held-to-Maturity									Available-for-Sale
(Dollars in thousands)	Amortized Cost		Unrealized Gain		Unrealized Loss			Market Value		Amortized Cost		Unrealized Gain		Unrealized Loss			Market Value		Amortized Cost		Unrealized Gain		Unrealized Loss			Market Value		Amortized Cost		Unrealized Gain		Unrealized Loss			Market Value
U.S. Treasuries																			$	0	$	0	$	0		$	0	$	97	$	1	$	0		$	98
Securities of U.S. government agencies and corporations	$	20,844	$	488	$	0		$	21,332	$	25,772	$	391	$	0		$	26,163	20,222		579		0			20,801		10,573		299		0			10,872
Mortgage-backed securities	799,583		9,184		(1,735		)	807,032		615,367		15,331		(67		)	630,631		686,962		6,818		(642		)	693,138		765,679		11,277		(3,569		)	773,387
Obligations of state and other political subdivisions	1,892		284		0			2,176		6,332		146		0			6,478		9,030		257		0			9,287		34,930		83		(202		)	34,811
Asset-backed securities																			0		0		0			0		55,604		191		0			55,795
Other securities	0		0		0			0		25,353		1,206		(151		)	26,408		0		0		0			0		76,116		1,141		(181		)	77,076
Total	$	822,319	$	9,956	$	(1,735	)	$	830,540	$	672,824	$	17,074	$	(218	)	$	689,680	$	716,214	$	7,654	$	(642	)	$	723,226	$	942,999	$	12,992	$	(3,952	)	$	952,039

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The following is a summary of held-to-maturity and available-for-sale investment securities as of December 31, ~~2011.~~

2012:


	Held-to-Maturity								Available-for-Sale									Held-to-Maturity									Available-for-Sale
	Amortized		Unrealized		Unrealized		Market		Amortized		Unrealized		Unrealized			Market		Amortized		Unrealized		Unrealized			Market		Amortized		Unrealized		Unrealized			Market
(Dollars in thousands)	Cost		Gain		Loss		Value		Cost		Gain		Loss			Value		Cost		Gain		Loss			Value		Cost		Gain		Loss			Value
Securities of U.S. government agencies and corporations	$	0	$	0	$	0	$	0	$	45,757	$	433	$	0		$	46,190	$	20,512	$	679	$	0		$	21,191	$	15,562	$	333	$	0		$	15,895
Mortgage-backed securities	90		2		0		92		1,344,015		21,394		(2,031		)	1,363,378		740,891		8,077		(1,290		)	747,678		854,150		14,564		(1,485		)	867,229
Obligations of state and other political subdivisions	2,574		227		0		2,801		9,270		121		(5		)	9,386		9,352		265		(12		)	9,605		35,913		169		(84		)	35,998
Asset-backed securities																		0		0		0			0		57,000		90		(1		)	57,089
Other securities	0		0		0		0		22,448		530		(86		)	22,892		0		0		0			0		54,479		1,569		(163		)	55,885
Total	$	2,664	$	229	$	0	$	2,893	$	1,421,490	$	22,478	$	(2,122	)	$	1,441,846	$	770,755	$	9,021	$	(1,302	)	$	778,474	$	1,017,104	$	16,725	$	(1,733	)	$	1,032,096

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The following is a summary of investment securities by estimated maturity as of ~~September 30, 2012~~March 31, 2013.:


	Held-to-Maturity				Available-for-Sale				Held-to-Maturity				Available-for-Sale
(Dollars in thousands)	Amortized Cost		Market Value		Amortized Cost		Market Value		Amortized Cost		Market Value		Amortized Cost		Market Value
Due in one year or less	$	488	$	496	$	22,855	$	23,264	$	279	$	283	$	10,129	$	10,604
Due after one year through five years	664,125		667,524		464,956		478,380		574,250		578,018		393,101		400,391
Due after five years through ten years	119,043		123,144		123,515		125,052		98,462		100,884		242,072		243,406
Due after ten years	38,663		39,376		61,498		62,984		43,223		44,041		297,697		297,638
Total	$	822,319	$	830,540	$	672,824	$	689,680	$	716,214	$	723,226	$	942,999	$	952,039

The following tables present the age of gross unrealized losses and associated fair value by investment ~~category.~~category:



	March 31, 2013
	Less than 12 Months					12 Months or More					Total
(Dollars in thousands)	Fair Value		Unrealized Loss			Fair Value		Unrealized Loss			Fair Value		Unrealized Loss
Mortgage-backed securities	$	356,139	$	(3,547	)	$	25,022	$	(366	)	$	381,161	$	(3,913	)
Obligations of state and other political subdivisions	25,604		(202		)	0		0			25,604		(202		)
Other securities	21,092		(111		)	845		(70		)	21,937		(181		)
Total	$	402,835	$	(3,860	)	$	25,867	$	(436	)	$	428,702	$	(4,296	)


																December 31, 2012
	September 30, 2012															Less than 12 Months					12 Months or More					Total
	Less than 12 Months					12 Months or More					Total					Fair		Unrealized			Fair		Unrealized			Fair		Unrealized
(Dollars in thousands)	Fair Value		Unrealized Loss			Fair Value		Unrealized Loss			Fair Value		Unrealized Loss			Value		Loss			Value		Loss			Value		Loss
Mortgage-backed securities	$	264,090	$	(1,740	)	$	4,896	$	(62	)	$	268,986	$	(1,802	)	$	240,641	$	(1,635	)	$	25,513	$	(405	)	$	266,154	$	(2,040	)
Obligations of state and other political subdivisions	0		0			0		0			0		0			21,341		(96		)	0		0			21,341		(96		)
Asset-backed securities																9,999		(1		)	0		0			9,999		(1		)
Other securities	4,685		(151		)	17		0			4,702		(151		)	8,454		(163		)	0		0			8,454		(163		)
Total	$	268,775	$	(1,891	)	$	4,913	$	(62	)	$	273,688	$	(1,953	)	$	280,435	$	(1,895	)	$	25,513	$	(405	)	$	305,948	$	(2,300	)

December 31, 2011
Less than 12 Months 12 Months or More Total
Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized
(Dollars in thousands) Value Loss Value Loss Value Loss
Mortgage-backed securities $ 343,883
$ (1,938 ) $ 29,562
$ (93 ) $ 373,445
$ (2,031 )
Obligations of state and other political subdivisions 0
0
2,278
(5 ) 2,278
(5 )
Other securities 9,133
(86 ) 17
0
9,150
(86 )
Total $ 353,016
$ (2,024 ) $ 31,857
$ (98 ) $ 384,873
$ (2,122 )

~~Unrealized~~Gains and losses on debt securities are generally due to higher current market yields relative to the yields of the debt securities at their amortized cost.

All securities with unrealized losses are reviewed quarterly to determine if any impairment is considered other than temporary, requiring a write-down to fair market value. First Financial considers the percentage loss on a security, duration of the loss,

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average life or duration of the security, credit rating of the security, and payment performance as well as ~~payment performance and~~ the Company's intent and ability to hold the security to maturity when determining whether any impairment is other than temporary. At this time First Financial does not intend to sell, and it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell debt ~~security issues~~securities temporarily impaired prior to maturity or recovery of book value. First Financial had no other than temporary impairment expense for the three months ended March 31, 2013 or the year ended December 31, 2012.

For further detail on the fair value of investment securities, see Note 1413 – Fair Value Disclosures.

NOTE 7:6: DERIVATIVES

~~The use of~~First Financial uses derivative instruments, ~~allows First Financial~~including interest rate caps, floors and swaps, to meet the needs of its clients while managing the ~~interest-rate~~interest rate risk associated with certain transactions. ~~First Financial’s board of directors has authorized the use of certain derivative products, including interest rate caps, floors and swaps.~~ First Financial does not use derivatives for speculative ~~purposes and currently does not have any derivatives that are not designated as hedges.~~

~~The following table summarizes the derivative financial instruments utilized by First Financial by the nature of the underlying asset or liability:~~

(Dollars in thousands) September 30, 2012 December 31, 2011
Fair value hedges
Instruments associated with loans
Total notional value $ 903,252
$ 775,328

Cash flow hedges
Instruments associated with deposits
Total notional value 35,000
0
Total $ 938,252
$ 775,328
purposes.

While authorized to use a variety of derivative products, First Financial primarily utilizes interest rate swaps as a means to offer borrowers credit-based products that meet their needs and may from time to time utilize interest rate swaps to manage the

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macro interest rate risk profile of the Company. ~~These~~The interest rate swap agreements establish the ~~notional amount, or~~ basis on which interest rate payments are exchanged with ~~counterparties.~~counterparties referred to as the notional amount.

The following table summarizes the notional values of derivative financial instruments utilized by First Financial by the nature of the underlying asset or liability:



(Dollars in thousands)	March 31, 2013		December 31, 2012
Fair value hedges
Instruments associated with loans	$	912,689	$	935,493

As only interest rate payments are exchanged, the cash requirements and credit risk associated with interest rate swaps are significantly less than the notional amount and the Company’s credit risk exposure is limited to the market value of the ~~instrument.~~instruments. First Financial manages ~~this~~the market value credit risk associated with counterparties through ~~borrower and~~ counterparty credit policies. ~~First Financial's counterparty credit~~These policies require the Company to maintain a total derivative notional position of less than 35% of assets, total credit exposure of less than 3% of capital and no single counterparty credit risk exposure greater than $20.0 million. The Company is currently well below all single counterparty and portfolio limits. At ~~September 30, 2012~~March 31, 2013, the Company had a total counterparty notional amount outstanding of approximately $~~493.6~~497.6 million, spread among eight counterparties, with an outstanding liability from these contracts of $~~28.6~~22.8 million. At December 31, ~~2011,~~2012, the Company had a total counterparty notional amount outstanding of approximately $~~396.4~~509.1 million, spread among ~~seven~~eight counterparties, with an outstanding liability from these contracts of $~~27.3~~26.0 million.

First Financial’s exposure to credit loss, in the event of nonperformance by a borrower, is limited to the market value of the derivative instrument associated with that borrower. First Financial monitors its derivative credit exposure to borrowers ~~by monitoring the creditworthiness of the related loan customers~~ through the normal credit review processes the Company performs on all borrowers. Additionally, the Company monitors derivative credit risk exposure related to problem loans through the Company's allowance for loan and lease losses committee. First Financial considers the market value of a derivative instrument to be part of the carrying value of the related loan for these purposes as the borrower is contractually obligated to pay First Financial this amount in the event the derivative contract is terminated.

The following table summarizes the derivative financial instruments utilized by First Financial and their balances:



		March 31, 2013							December 31, 2012
				Estimated fair value							Estimated fair value
(Dollars in thousands)	Balance Sheet Classification	Notional amount		Gain		Loss			Notional amount		Gain		Loss
Fair value hedges
Pay fixed interest rate swaps with counterparty	Accrued interest and other liabilities	$	12,501	$	0	$	(1,302	)	$	12,739	$	0	$	(1,445	)
Matched interest rate swaps with borrower	Accrued interest and other assets	450,094		21,444		(113		)	461,377		24,135		0
Matched interest rate swaps with counterparty	Accrued interest and other liabilities	450,094		113		(22,224		)	461,377		0		(24,978		)
Total		$	912,689	$	21,557	$	(23,639	)	$	935,493	$	24,135	$	(26,423	)

In connection with its use of derivative instruments, ~~First Financial~~ from time to time isFirst Financial and its counterparties are required to post cash collateral ~~with its counterparties~~ to offset ~~its~~the market ~~position. Derivative~~position of the derivative instruments. First Financial maintains the right to offset these derivative positions with the collateral ~~balances were~~ ~~$25.4 million~~ ~~and~~ ~~$24.4 million~~ at ~~September 30, 2012, and December 31, 2011, respectively.~~posted against them by or with the relevant counterparties. First Financial classifies the derivative cash collateral outstanding with its counterparties as an adjustment to the fair value of the derivative contracts within ~~accrued~~Accrued interest and other assets or Accrued interest and other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

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The following table ~~summarizes~~discloses the ~~derivative financial instruments utilized by First Financial~~gross and ~~their balances:~~

net amounts of liabilities recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets:


		September 30, 2012							December 31, 2011
				Estimated fair value							Estimated fair value					March 31, 2013							December 31, 2012
(Dollars in thousands)	Balance Sheet Classification	Notional amount		Gain		Loss			Notional amount		Gain		Loss			Gross amounts of recognized liabilities		Gross amounts offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets			Net amounts of liabilities presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets		Gross amounts of recognized liabilities		Gross amounts offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets			Net amounts of liabilities presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
Fair value hedges
Pay fixed interest rate swaps with counterparty	Accrued interest and other liabilities	$	13,850	$	0	$	(1,594	)	$	17,456	$	0	$	(2,263	)	$	1,302	$	(723	)	$	579	$	1,445	$	(669	)	$	776
Matched interest rate swaps with borrower	Accrued interest and other assets	444,701		26,198		0			378,936		24,566		0
Matched interest rate swaps with counterparty	Accrued interest and other liabilities	444,701		0		(27,430		)	378,936		0		(25,860		)	22,337		(21,833		)	504		24,978		(23,057		)	1,921
Cash flow hedges
Pay fixed interest rate swaps with counterparty	Accrued interest and other liabilities	$	35,000	$	0	$	(292	)	0		0		0
Total		$	938,252	$	26,198	$	(29,316	)	$	775,328	$	24,566	$	(28,123	)	$	23,639	$	(22,556	)	$	1,083	$	26,423	$	(23,726	)	$	2,697

The following table details the derivative financial instruments, the average remaining maturities and the weighted-average interest rates being paid and received by First Financial at ~~September 30, 2012~~March 31, 2013:


							Weighted-average rate										Weighted-average rate
(Dollars in thousands)	Notional amount		Average maturity (years)	Fair value			Receive		Pay		Notional amount		Average maturity (years)	Fair value			Receive		Pay
Asset conversion swaps
Pay fixed interest rate swaps with counterparty	$	13,850	3.6	$	(1,594	)	2.35	%	6.81	%	$	12,501	3.3	$	(1,302	)	2.29	%	6.82	%
Receive fixed, matched interest rate swaps with borrower	444,701		4.5	26,198			5.22	%	2.97	%	450,094		4.3	21,331			5.04	%	2.95	%
Pay fixed, matched interest rate swaps with counterparty	444,701		4.5	(27,430		)	2.97	%	5.22	%	450,094		4.3	(22,111		)	2.95	%	5.04	%
Total asset conversion swaps	$	903,252	4.4	$	(2,826	)	4.07	%	4.13	%	$	912,689	4.3	$	(2,082	)	3.97	%	4.03	%

Liability conversion swaps
Pay fixed interest rate swaps with counterparty	$	35,000	6.8	$	(292	)	3.25	%	4.02	%
Total liability conversion swaps	$	35,000	6.8	$	(292	)	3.25	%	4.02	%
Total swap portfolio	$	938,252	4.5	$	(3,118	)	4.04	%	4.13	%

The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on the intended use of the derivative instrument and the resulting designation. Derivatives used to hedge the exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset, liability or firm commitment attributable to a particular risk, such as interest rate risk, are considered fair value hedges. Derivatives used to hedge the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows, or other types of forecasted transactions, are considered cash flow hedges.

Fair Value Hedges. First Financial utilizes interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges as a means to offer commercial borrowers products that meet their needs, but are also designed to achieve First Financial’s desired interest rate risk ~~profile at the time. The fair value hedge~~profile. First Financial accomplishes this by entering into swap agreements with commercial borrowers and simultaneously entering into offsetting swap agreements, with substantially matching terms, with institutional counterparties. These interest rate swap agreements generally involve the ~~net~~ receipt by First Financial of ~~floating-rate~~floating rate amounts from counterparties in exchange for ~~net~~ payments to these counterparties by First Financial ~~through its loan clients,~~ of ~~fixed-rate~~fixed rate amounts received from commercial borrowers over the life of the agreements. These interest rate swap agreements ~~without~~do not involve an exchange of the underlying principal or notional amount. This results in First Financial’s loan customers receiving fixed rate funding, while providing First Financial with a floating rate asset. First Financial's matched interest rate swaps economically hedge offsetting "receive fixed" and "pay fixed" exposures, but do not qualify for hedge accounting.

The net interest receivable or payable on ~~the~~matched interest rate swaps is accrued and recognized as an adjustment to the interest income ~~or interest expense~~ of the hedged item. The fair value of ~~the~~matched interest rate swaps is included within ~~accrued~~Accrued interest and other assets and Accrued interest and other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. ~~The~~

For the unmatched, pay fixed interest rate swaps, which qualify for hedge accounting, the corresponding fair-value adjustment is ~~also~~ included on the Consolidated Balance Sheets in the carrying value of the hedged item. The net interest receivable or payable on unmatched interest rate swaps is accrued and recognized as an adjustment to the interest income of the hedged item. Derivative gains and losses not considered effective in hedging the change in fair value of the hedged item, if any, are recognized in income immediately.

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The following table details the location and amounts recognized for fair value hedges:


		Decrease to Interest income													Decrease to Interest income
(Dollars in thousands)		Three months ended						Nine months ended							Three months ended
Derivatives in fair value hedging relationships	Classification of change in fair value	September 30,						September 30,						Location of change in fair value	March 31,
		2012			2011			2012			2011				2013			2012
Interest rate contracts
Loans	Interest income - loans	$	(167	)	$	(221	)	$	(555	)	$	(692	)	Interest income - loans	$	(142	)	$	(196	)
Total		$	(167	)	$	(221	)	$	(555	)	$	(692	)		$	(142	)	$	(196	)

Cash Flow Hedges. First Financial utilizes interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges to manage the variability of cash flows, primarily net interest income, attributable to changes in interest rates. The net interest receivable or payable on an interest rate swap designated as a cash flow hedge is accrued and recognized as an adjustment to interest income or interest expense. The fair value of interest rate swaps is included within accrued interest and other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Changes in the fair value of interest rate swaps are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Derivative gains and losses not considered effective in hedging the cash flows related to the hedged items, if any, are recognized in income immediately.

~~Effective July 2,~~In 2012, First Financial executed a cash flow hedge utilizing an interest rate swap to hedge against interest rate volatility on $35.0 million of floating rate interest-bearing deposits indexed to the U.S. Federal Funds Target Rate. This interest rate swap involves the receipt by First Financial of variable-rate interest amounts in exchange for fixed-rate interest payments by First Financial for a period of 7 ~~years.~~years

~~The following table details~~ and does qualify for hedge accounting. Accrued interest and other liabilities included $0.1 million at March 31, 2013 and $0.2 million at December 31, 2012 reflecting the ~~location and amounts recognized for~~fair value of this cash flow ~~hedges:~~

Amount of gain/(loss) recognized in OCI on derivatives (effective portion) Amount of gain/(loss) reclassified from accumulated OCI into earnings (effective portion)
(Dollars in thousands) September 30, 2012 September 30, 2012
Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships Three months ended Nine months ended Classification of change in fair value Three months ended Nine months ended
Interest rate contracts
Interest-bearing deposits $ (182 ) $ (182 ) Interest income-interest-bearing deposits $ (67 ) $ (67 )
Total $ (182 ) $ (182 ) $ (67 ) $ (67 )
hedge.

NOTE 8:7: BORROWINGS

Short-term borrowings on the Consolidated Balance Sheets include repurchase agreements utilized for corporate sweep accounts with cash management account agreements in place as well as overnight advances from the Federal Loan Home Bank (FHLB). All repurchase agreements are subject to terms and conditions of repurchase/security agreements between First Financial Bank and the client. To secure the Bank's liability to the client, First Financial Bank is authorized to sell or repurchase U. S. Treasury, government agency and mortgage-backed securities.

First Financial had $~~283.0~~502.2 million in short-term borrowings with the FHLB at ~~September 30, 2012~~March 31, 2013 and $502.0 million as ~~a result~~ of ~~managing~~December 31, 2012. These short-term borrowings are used to manage the Company's normal liquidity needs ~~on-going deposit rationalization strategies~~ and ~~recent investment securities purchases.~~support the Company's asset and liability management strategies.

Long-term debt ~~on the Consolidated Balance Sheets~~primarily consists of FHLB long-term advances and repurchase agreements utilizing investment securities pledged as ~~collateral, as well as a capital loan with a municipality. The FHLB advances and repurchase agreements~~collateral. These instruments are primarily utilized to reduce overnight liquidity risk and to mitigate interest rate sensitivity on the ~~balance sheet.~~Consolidated Balance Sheets. First Financial has $65.0 million in repurchase agreements which have remaining maturities of less than ~~three~~3 years ~~years~~ and a weighted average rate of 3.50%. Securities pledged as collateral in conjunction with the repurchase agreements are included within ~~investment~~Investment securities available-for-sale on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The ~~Bank received a capital loan in the amount of~~ ~~$0.8 million~~ ~~during the third quarter of 2012 as part of an economic development agreement with the City of Cincinnati, Ohio. The loan is noninterest-bearing with a term of~~ 15 ~~years and will be forgiven upon maturity if the Bank complies with certain employment metrics throughout the term of the agreement.~~

~~Table of Contents~~

~~The~~ following is a summary of long-term debt:


	September 30, 2012				December 31, 2011				March 31, 2013				December 31, 2012
(Dollars in thousands)	Amount		Average Rate		Amount		Average Rate		Amount		Average Rate		Amount		Average Rate
Federal Home Loan Bank	$	9,747	3.78	%	$	11,544	3.80	%	$	8,724	3.74	%	$	9,427	3.74	%
National Market Repurchase Agreement	65,000		3.50	%	65,000		3.50	%	65,000		3.50	%	65,000		3.50	%
Capital loan with municipality	774		0.00	%	$	0	0.00	%	774		0.00	%	$	775	0.00	%
Total long-term debt	$	75,521	3.50	%	$	76,544	3.55	%	$	74,498	3.50	%	$	75,202	3.49	%

Under Federal Reserve Board guidelines, a company can issue qualifying debentures up to 25% of qualifying Tier I capital. First Financial has the capacity to issue approximately $~~162.4~~159.7 million in additional qualifying debentures under these guidelines.

Table of Contents

NOTE 9:8: LOANS ~~(excluding covered loans)~~- EXCLUDING COVERED LOANS

First Financial offers clients a variety of commercial and consumer loan and lease products with various interest rates and payment terms. Lending activities are primarily concentrated in Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky, ~~states~~ where the Bank currently operates banking centers. Additionally, First Financial provides equipment and leasehold improvement financing for franchisees in the quick service and casual dining restaurant sector throughout the United States.

Credit Quality. To facilitate the monitoring of credit quality for commercial loans, and for purposes of determining an appropriate allowance for loan and lease losses, First Financial utilizes the following categories of credit grades:

Pass - Higher quality loans that do not fit any of the other categories described below.

Special Mention - First Financial assigns a Special Mention rating to loans and leases with potential weaknesses that deserve management's close attention. If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the loan or lease or in First Financial's credit position at some future date.

Substandard - First Financial assigns a substandard rating to loans or leases that are inadequately protected by the current sound financial worth and paying capacity of the borrower or of the collateral pledged, if any. Substandard loans and leases have well-defined weaknesses that jeopardize repayment of the debt. Substandard loans and leases are characterized by the distinct possibility that the Company will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not addressed.

Doubtful - First Financial assigns a doubtful rating to loans and leases with all the attributes of a substandard rating with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions and values, highly questionable and improbable. The possibility of loss is extremely high, but because of certain important and reasonably specific pending factors that may work to the advantage and strengthening of the credit quality of the loan or lease, its classification as an estimated loss is deferred until its more exact status may be determined. Pending factors include proposed merger, acquisition or liquidation procedures, capital injection, perfecting liens on additional collateral and refinancing plans.

The credit grades described above, which are derived from standard regulatory rating definitions, are assigned upon initial approval of credit to borrowers and updated periodically thereafter.

First Financial considers repayment performance as the best indicator of credit quality for consumer loans. Consumer loans that have principal and interest payments that are past due by ninety days or more are generally classified as nonperforming. Additionally, consumer loans that have been modified in a ~~TDR~~troubled debt restructuring (TDR) are classified as nonperforming unless such loans have a sustained period of repayment performance of six months or greater and are reasonably assured of repayment in accordance with the restructured terms. ~~All other consumer loans and leases are classified as performing.~~

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Commercial and consumer credit exposure by risk attribute was as follows:


	As of September 30, 2012								As of March 31, 2013
			Real Estate								Real Estate
(Dollars in thousands)	Commercial		Construction		Commercial		Total		Commercial		Construction		Commercial		Total
Pass	$	794,471	$	81,033	$	1,230,599	$	2,106,103	$	832,181	$	79,735	$	1,318,714	$	2,230,630
Special Mention	21,174		167		32,001		53,342		36,758		65		42,128		78,951
Substandard	19,213		10,697		75,555		105,465		23,442		7,742		72,340		103,524
Doubtful	0		0		481		481		0		0		0		0
Total	$	834,858	$	91,897	$	1,338,636	$	2,265,391	$	892,381	$	87,542	$	1,433,182	$	2,413,105


(Dollars in thousands)	Real Estate Residential		Installment		Home Equity		Other		Total		Real Estate Residential		Installment		Home Equity		Other		Total
Performing	$	292,584	$	58,907	$	366,379	$	72,947	$	790,817	$	321,965	$	53,168	$	362,884	$	85,525	$	823,542
Nonperforming	7,070		284		2,497		0		9,851		8,295		341		3,059		496		12,191
Total	$	299,654	$	59,191	$	368,876	$	72,947	$	800,668	$	330,260	$	53,509	$	365,943	$	86,021	$	835,733


	As of December 31, 2011								As of December 31, 2012
			Real Estate								Real Estate
(Dollars in thousands)	Commercial		Construction		Commercial		Total		Commercial		Construction		Commercial		Total
Pass	$	799,471	$	89,072	$	1,110,718	$	1,999,261	$	803,351	$	64,866	$	1,307,370	$	2,175,587
Special Mention	37,547		1,751		28,994		68,292		29,663		65		38,516		68,244
Substandard	19,435		24,151		93,355		136,941		28,019		8,586		71,122		107,727
Doubtful	528		0		0		528		0		0		0		0
Total	$	856,981	$	114,974	$	1,233,067	$	2,205,022	$	861,033	$	73,517	$	1,417,008	$	2,351,558


(Dollars in thousands)	Real Estate Residential		Installment		Home Equity		Other		Total		Real Estate Residential		Installment		Home Equity		Other		Total
Performing	$	279,958	$	67,136	$	356,887	$	48,942	$	752,923	$	310,341	$	56,358	$	364,248	$	84,490	$	815,437
Nonperforming	8,022		407		2,073		0		10,502		7,869		452		3,252		496		12,069
Total	$	287,980	$	67,543	$	358,960	$	48,942	$	763,425	$	318,210	$	56,810	$	367,500	$	84,986	$	827,506

Delinquency. Loans are considered past due or delinquent when the contractual principal or interest due in accordance with the terms of the loan agreement or any portion thereof remains unpaid after the date of the scheduled payment.

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Loan delinquency, including nonaccrual loans, was as follows:


	As of September 30, 2012														As of March 31, 2013
(Dollars in thousands)	30 – 59 days past due		60 – 89 days past due		> 90 days past due		Total past due		Current		Total		> 90 days past due and accruing		30 – 59 days past due		60 – 89 days past due		> 90 days past due		Total past due		Current		Total		> 90 days past due and accruing
Loans
Commercial	$	948	$	1,461	$	4,468	$	6,877	$	827,981	$	834,858	$	0	$	1,471	$	208	$	4,025	$	5,704	$	886,677	$	892,381	$	0
Real estate - construction	51		0		2,172		2,223		89,674		91,897		0		354		0		890		1,244		86,298		87,542		0
Real estate - commercial	2,805		373		30,308		33,486		1,305,150		1,338,636		0		8,961		2,868		25,951		37,780		1,395,402		1,433,182		0
Real estate - residential	6,168		1,663		6,505		14,336		285,318		299,654		0		4,438		511		5,741		10,690		319,570		330,260		0
Installment	549		130		226		905		58,286		59,191		0		353		66		239		658		52,851		53,509		0
Home equity	1,438		349		2,211		3,998		364,878		368,876		0		1,051		484		1,857		3,392		362,551		365,943		0
All other	398		161		108		667		72,280		72,947		108
Other															1,403		120		653		2,176		83,845		86,021		157
Total	$	12,357	$	4,137	$	45,998	$	62,492	$	3,003,567	$	3,066,059	$	108	$	18,031	$	4,257	$	39,356	$	61,644	$	3,187,194	$	3,248,838	$	157


	As of December 31, 2011														As of December 31, 2012
(Dollars in thousands)	30 - 59 days past due		60 - 89 days past due		> 90 days past due		Total past due		Current		Total		> 90 days past due and accruing		30 - 59 days past due		60 - 89 days past due		> 90 days past due		Total past due		Current		Total		> 90 days past due and accruing
Loans
Commercial	$	2,964	$	96	$	7,473	$	10,533	$	846,448	$	856,981	$	0	$	1,770	$	832	$	4,197	$	6,799	$	854,234	$	861,033	$	0
Real estate - construction	47		0		17,004		17,051		97,923		114,974		0		0		0		892		892		72,625		73,517		0
Real estate - commercial	4,940		2,102		16,654		23,696		1,209,371		1,233,067		0		2,549		1,931		27,966		32,446		1,384,562		1,417,008		0
Real estate - residential	8,602		236		7,012		15,850		272,130		287,980		0		6,071		1,463		6,113		13,647		304,563		318,210		0
Installment	437		53		355		845		66,698		67,543		0		280		148		344		772		56,038		56,810		0
Home equity	1,304		246		1,637		3,187		355,773		358,960		0		1,311		869		1,440		3,620		363,880		367,500		0
All other	495		231		191		917		48,025		48,942		191
Other															386		168		708		1,262		83,724		84,986		212
Total	$	18,789	$	2,964	$	50,326	$	72,079	$	2,896,368	$	2,968,447	$	191	$	12,367	$	5,411	$	41,660	$	59,438	$	3,119,626	$	3,179,064	$	212

Nonaccrual. Loans are classified as nonaccrual when, in the opinion of management, collection of principal or interest is doubtful or when principal or interest payments are ninety days or more past due. Generally, loans are placed in nonaccrual status due to the continued failure to adhere to contractual payment terms by the borrower coupled with other pertinent factors, such as insufficient collateral value. The accrual of interest income is discontinued and previously accrued, but unpaid interest is reversed when a loan is placed on nonaccrual status. Any payments received while a loan is on nonaccrual status are applied as a reduction to the carrying value of the loan. A loan may be placed back on accrual status if all contractual payments have been received and collection of future principal and interest payments is no longer doubtful.

Troubled Debt Restructurings. A loan modification is considered a ~~troubled debt restructuring (TDR)~~TDR when two conditions are met: 1) the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty and 2) concessions are made by the Company that would not otherwise be considered for a borrower with similar credit characteristics. The most common types of modifications include interest rate reductions, maturity extensions and modifications to principal amortization including interest only structures. Modified terms are dependent upon the financial position and needs of the individual borrower. If the modification agreement is violated, the loan is handled by the Company’s credit administration group for resolution, which may result in foreclosure in the case of real estate.

TDRs are generally classified as nonaccrual for a minimum period of six months and may qualify for return to accrual status once they have demonstrated performance with the terms of the loan modification.

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Table of Contents

First Financial had 97198 TDRs totaling $~~24.6~~35.1 million at ~~September 30, 2012~~March 31, 2013, including $~~11.6~~12.8 million on accrual status and $~~13.0~~22.3 million classified as nonaccrual. First Financial had $~~3.0~~2.7 million of commitments outstanding to lend additional funds to borrowers whose loan terms have been modified through TDRs. At ~~September 30, 2012~~March 31, 2013, the allowance for loan and lease losses included reserves of $~~3.6~~4.2 million related to TDRs. For the three ~~and nine~~ months ended ~~September 30, 2012~~March 31, 2013, First Financial charged off $~~1.7 million~~ ~~and~~ ~~$6.4~~0.9 million for the portion of TDRs determined to be uncollectible. Additionally, at ~~September 30, 2012~~March 31, 2013, approximately $~~2.5~~4.9 million of the accruing TDRs have been performing in accordance with the restructured terms for more than one year.

First Financial had 78145 TDRs totaling $~~22.1~~25.0 million at December 31, ~~2011,~~2012, including $~~4.0~~10.9 million of loans on accrual status and $~~18.1~~14.1 million classified as nonaccrual. First Financial had no$3.5 million of commitments outstanding to lend additional funds to borrowers whose loan terms have been modified through TDRs. At December 31, ~~2011,~~2012, the allowance for loan and lease losses included reserves of $~~4.3~~3.0 million related to TDRs. At For the year ended December 31, ~~2011,~~2012, First Financial charged off $7.2 million for the portion of TDRs determined to be uncollectible. At December 31, 2012, approximately $~~1.3~~2.7 million of the accruing TDRs had been performing in accordance with the restructured terms for more than one year.

The following tables provide information on loan modifications classified as TDRs during the three ~~and nine~~ months ended ~~September 30, 2012~~March 31, 2013 and ~~2011.~~2012.

Three months ended
September 30, 2012 September 30, 2011
Total TDRs Total TDRs
(Dollars in thousands) Number of loans Pre-modification loan balance Period end balance Number of loans Pre-modification loan balance Period end balance
Commercial 6 $ 3,787
$ 4,027
1 $ 44
$ 44
Real estate - construction 0 0 0 0 0 0
Real estate - commercial 8 5,105 5,077 2 467 206
Real estate - residential 0 0 0 3 242 245
Installment 0 0 0 0 0 0
Home equity 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 14 $ 8,892
$ 9,104
6
$ 753
$ 495


	Nine months ended
	September 30, 2012					September 30, 2011					Three months ended
	Total TDRs					Total TDRs					March 31, 2013					March 31, 2012
(Dollars in thousands)	Number of loans	Pre-modification loan balance		Period end balance		Number of loans	Pre-modification loan balance		Period end balance		Number of loans	Pre-modification loan balance		Period end balance		Number of loans	Pre-modification loan balance		Period end balance
Commercial	16	$	8,358	$	8,589	7	$	388	$	354	6	$	7,568	$	7,561	8	$	4,505	$	4,496
Real estate - construction	0	0				0	0				0	0		0		0	0		0
Real estate - commercial	22	9,854		9,795		10	1,431		1,016		4	1,592		1,588		6	3,840		3,817
Real estate - residential	2	164		166		13	1,295		1,301		21	1,373		1,320		0	0		0
Installment	0	0				2	114		111		8	138		130		0	0		0
Home equity	0	0				1	101				24	801		798		0	0		0
Total	40	$	18,376	$	18,550	33	$	3,329	$	2,883	63	$	11,472	$	11,397	14	$	8,345	$	8,313

~~Table of Contents~~

The following table provides information on how TDRs were modified during the three ~~and nine~~ months ended ~~September 30, 2012~~March 31, 2013 and ~~2011.~~

2012.


	Three months ended				Nine months ended				Three months ended
	September 30,⁽²⁾				September 30,⁽²⁾				March 31,⁽²⁾
(Dollars in thousands)	2012		2011		2012		2011		2013		2012
Extended maturities	$	6,144	$	249	$	13,404	$	1,445	$	8,481	$	6,854
Adjusted interest rates	0		114		166		271		568		0
Combination of rate and maturity changes	0		132		563		1,056		98		95
Forbearance	2,565		0		3,801		0		0		1,143
Other ⁽¹⁾	395		0		616		111		2,250		221
Total	$	9,104	$	495	$	18,550	$	2,883	$	11,397	$	8,313

(1) Other includes covenant modifications and other concessions or combination of concessions that do not consist of interest rate adjustments, forbearance, and maturity extensions.

(2) Balances are as of period end.

First Financial considers repayment performance as an indication of the effectiveness of the Company's loan modifications. A borrower that is ninety days or more past due on any principal or interest payments for a TDR, or who prematurely terminates a restructured loan agreement without satisfying the contractual principal balance (for example, in a deed-in-lieu arrangement), is considered to be in payment default of the terms of the TDR agreement.

~~There were~~ ~~two~~ ~~commercial loan modifications classified as~~

Table of Contents

The following table provides information on TDRs ~~in the last twelve months, totaling~~ ~~$1.1 million, that experienced~~for which there was a payment default during the ~~nine~~ ~~months ended~~ ~~September 30, 2012~~.

~~There were~~ ~~four~~ ~~loan modifications classified as a TDR in the last~~period that occurred within twelve months ~~totaling~~ ~~$1.3 million~~ ~~that experienced a payment default during~~of the ~~nine~~ ~~months ended~~ ~~September 30, 2011~~.loan modification:



	March 31,
	2013			2012
(Dollars in thousands)	Number of Loans	Period End Balance		Number of Loans	Period End Balance
Commercial	2	$	85	0	$	0
Real estate - construction	0	0		0	0
Real estate - commercial	1	72		0	0
Real estate - residential	2	119		0	0
Installment	1	16		0	0
Home equity	1	54		0	0
Total	7	$	346	0	$	0

Impaired Loans. Loans placed in nonaccrual status and TDRs are considered impaired. The following table provides information on nonaccrual, TDRs and total impaired loans.


(Dollars in thousands)	September 30, 2012		December 31, 2011		March 31, 2013		December 31, 2012
Impaired loans
Nonaccrual loans
Commercial	$	4,563	$	7,809	$	4,044	$	10,562
Real estate-construction	2,536		10,005		945		950
Real estate-commercial	33,961		28,349		30,311		31,002
Real estate-residential	5,563		5,692		4,371		5,045
Installment	284		371		211		376
Home equity	2,497		2,073		1,750		2,499
Other					496		496
Nonaccrual loans	49,404		54,299		42,128		50,930
Troubled debt restructurings
Accruing	11,604		4,009		12,757		10,856
Nonaccrual	13,017		18,071		22,324		14,111
Total troubled debt restructurings	24,621		22,080		35,081		24,967
Total impaired loans	$	74,025	$	76,379	$	77,209	$	75,897



	Three months ended
	March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	2013		2012
Interest income effect on impaired loans
Gross amount of interest that would have been recorded under original terms	$	1,122	$	1,330
Interest included in income
Nonaccrual loans	72		209
Troubled debt restructurings	243		83
Total interest included in income	315		292
Net impact on interest income	$	807	$	1,038

Commitments outstanding to borrowers with nonaccrual loans	$	2,691	$	0

1817

Table of Contents

Three months ended Nine months ended
September 30, September 30,
(Dollars in thousands) 2012 2011 2012 2011
Interest income effect on impaired loans
Gross amount of interest that would have been recorded under original terms $ 1,145
$ 1,390
$ 3,734
$ 4,103
Interest included in income
Nonaccrual loans 54
108
403
358
Troubled debt restructurings 199
49
430
215
Total interest included in income 253
157
833
573
Net impact on interest income $ 892
$ 1,233
$ 2,901
$ 3,530

First Financial individually reviews all impaired commercial loan relationships greater than $250,000, as well as consumer loan TDRs greater than $100,000, to determine if a specific allowance based on the borrower’s overall financial condition, resources and payment record, support from guarantors and the realizable value of any collateral is necessary. Specific allowances are based on expected cash flows, discounted using the loan's initial effective interest rate or the fair value of the collateral for certain collateral dependent loans.

First Financial's investment in impaired loans was as follows:


		As of September 30, 2012													As of March 31, 2013
(Dollars in thousands)		Current Balance		Contractual Principal Balance		Related Allowance		Average Current Balance		YTD Interest Income Recognized		Quarterly Interest Income Recognized			Current Balance		Contractual Principal Balance		Related Allowance		Average Current Balance		YTD Interest Income Recognized
Loans with no related allowance recorded	Loans with no related allowance recorded													Loans with no related allowance recorded
Commercial		$	6,344	$	8,673	$	0	$	7,932	$	116	$	24		$	13,057	$	15,119	$	0	$	14,009	$	73
Real estate - construction		2,049		2,260		0		4,705		15		5			459		669		0		461		0
Real estate - commercial		16,508		25,173		0		15,498		195		93			17,620		23,114		0		16,701		112
Real estate - residential		8,486		9,925		0		8,274		52		17			9,751		11,472		0		9,487		35
Installment		397		427		0		452		2		1			412		451		0		432		2
Home equity		2,496		2,806		0		2,216		6		2			3,244		3,904		0		3,248		11
Other															326		326		0		326		0

Loans with an allowance recorded	Loans with an allowance recorded													Loans with an allowance recorded
Commercial		7,272		8,032		1,713		5,797		142		55			6,336		7,032		2,596		4,948		45
Real estate - construction		1,652		2,168		853		5,882		71		12			1,635		2,168		832		1,637		7
Real estate - commercial		26,710		28,807		8,816		25,870		204		34			22,150		25,035		6,352		23,082		21
Real estate - residential		2,010		2,013		290		2,358		29		9			1,948		1,997		290		1,952		9
Installment		0		0		0		0		0		0			0		0		0		0		0
Home equity		101		101		2		76		1		1			101		101		2		101		0
Other															170		170		92		170		0

Total
Commercial		13,616		16,705		1,713		13,729		258		79			19,393		22,151		2,596		18,957		118
Real estate - construction		3,701		4,428		853		10,587		86		17			2,094		2,837		832		2,098		7
Real estate - commercial		43,218		53,980		8,816		41,368		399		127			39,770		48,149		6,352		39,783		133
Real estate - residential		10,496		11,938		290		10,632		81		26			11,699		13,469		290		11,439		44
Installment		397		427		0		452		2		1			412		451		0		432		2
Home equity		2,597		2,907		2		2,292		7		3			3,345		4,005		2		3,349		11
Other															496		496		92		496		0
Total		$	74,025	$	90,385	$	11,674	$	79,060	$	833	$	253		$	77,209	$	91,558	$	10,164	$	76,554	$	315

1918

Table of Contents


	As of December 31, 2011										As of December 31, 2012
(Dollars in thousands)	Current Balance		Contractual Principal Balance		Related Allowance		Average Current Balance		Interest Income Recognized		Current Balance		Contractual Principal Balance		Related Allowance		Average Current Balance		Interest Income Recognized
Loans with no related allowance recorded
Commercial	$	6,351	$	8,387	$	0	$	7,337	$	62	$	14,961	$	17,269	$	0	$	9,337	$	215
Real estate - construction	6,289		11,129		0		5,657		2		462		672		0		3,857		15
Real estate - commercial	14,999		22,718		0		18,306		249		15,782		21,578		0		15,554		277
Real estate - residential	8,639		9,580		0		6,848		66		9,222		10,817		0		8,463		81
Installment	485		526		0		356		5		452		556		0		452		2
Home equity	2,073		2,206		0		2,337		10		3,251		4,132		0		2,423		19
Other											326		326		0		65		0

Loans with an allowance recorded
Commercial	4,131		4,267		3,205		3,683		15		3,560		4,252		1,151		5,350		161
Real estate - construction	11,098		13,905		2,578		13,731		92		1,640		2,168		838		5,033		81
Real estate - commercial	19,521		26,357		6,441		15,484		225		24,014		25,684		7,155		25,499		235
Real estate - residential	2,692		2,705		313		3,630		37		1,956		2,003		290		2,278		38
Installment	0		0		0		15		1		0		0		0		0		0
Home Equity	101		101		2		81		3
Home equity											101		101		2		81		1
Other											170		170		92		34		0

Total
Commercial	10,482		12,654		3,205		11,020		77		18,521		21,521		1,151		14,687		376
Real estate - construction	17,387		25,034		2,578		19,388		94		2,102		2,840		838		8,890		96
Real estate - commercial	34,520		49,075		6,441		33,790		474		39,796		47,262		7,155		41,053		512
Real estate - residential	11,331		12,285		313		10,478		103		11,178		12,820		290		10,741		119
Installment	485		526		0		371		6		452		556		0		452		2
Home equity	2,174		2,307		2		2,418		13		3,352		4,233		2		2,504		20
Other											496		496		92		99		0
Total	$	76,379	$	101,881	$	12,539	$	77,465	$	767	$	75,897	$	89,728	$	9,528	$	78,426	$	1,125

OREO. Other real estate owned (OREO) is comprised of properties acquired by the Company through the loan foreclosure or repossession process, or other resolution activity that results in partial or total satisfaction of problem loans. The acquired properties are recorded at the lower of cost or fair value less estimated costs of disposal (net realizable value), upon acquisition. Losses arising at the time of acquisition of such properties are charged against the allowance for loan and lease losses. Subsequent write-downs in the carrying value of OREO properties are expensed as incurred. Improvements to the properties may be capitalized if the improvements contribute to the overall value of the property, but may not be capitalized in excess of the net realizable value of the property.

2019

Table of Contents

Changes in OREO were as follows:


	Three months ended				Nine months ended				Three months ended
	September 30,				September 30,				March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	2012		2011		2012		2011		2013		2012
Balance at beginning of period	$	15,688	$	16,313	$	11,317	$	17,907	$	12,526	$	11,317
Additions
Commercial	539		241		5,888		1,328		557		4,541
Residential	406		416		2,320		2,609		147		922
Total additions	945		657		8,208		3,937		704		5,463
Disposals
Commercial	1,209		3,605		2,221		3,909		241		462
Residential	413		1,293		1,025		2,345		294		299
Total disposals	1,622		4,898		3,246		6,254		535		761
Write-downs
Commercial	1,041		0		2,181		3,341		405		958
Residential	58		69		186		246		297		25
Total write-downs	1,099		69		2,367		3,587		702		983
Balance at end of period	$	13,912	$	12,003	$	13,912	$	12,003	$	11,993	$	15,036

NOTE ~~10:~~9: COVERED LOANS

Loans acquired in Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)-assisted transactions ~~are~~ initially covered under loss sharing agreements whereby the FDIC will reimburse First Financial for the majority of any losses incurred ~~and~~ are referred to as covered loans. Pursuant to the terms of the loss sharing agreements, covered loans are subject to a stated loss threshold, as outlined in each loss sharing agreement, whereby the FDIC will reimburse First Financial for 80% of losses up to a stated loss threshold, and 95% of losses in excess of the threshold. First Financial will reimburse the FDIC for its share of recoveries with respect to losses for which the FDIC paid First Financial a reimbursement under the loss sharing agreement. The FDIC’s obligation to reimburse First Financial for losses with respect to covered loans began with the first dollar of loss incurred.

First Financial evaluates purchased loans for impairment in accordance with the provisions of FASB ASC Topic 310-30. The cash flows expected to be collected on purchased loans are estimated based upon the expected remaining life of the underlying loans, which includes the effects of estimated prepayments. Purchased loans are considered impaired if there is evidence of credit deterioration since origination and if it is probable that not all contractually required payments will be collected. First Financial is accountingaccounts for the majority of ~~its~~ covered loans under FASB ASC Topic 310-30, Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality, except ~~for~~ loans with revolving privileges, which are outside the scope of this guidance, and loans for which cash flows could not be estimated, which are accounted for under the cost recovery method. ~~For purposes of applying the guidance~~Loans accounted for under FASB ASC Topic 310-30 ~~First Financial grouped acquired loans into pools based on common risk characteristics.~~are referred to as purchased impaired loans.

Purchased impaired loans are not classified as nonperforming assets as the loans are considered to be performing under FASB ASC Topic 310-30. Therefore, interest income, through accretion of the difference between the carrying value of the loans and the expected cash flows (accretable difference) is ~~being~~ recognized on all covered purchased ~~loans accounted for under FASB ASC Topic 310-30.~~impaired loans.

2120

Table of Contents

The following table reflects the carrying value of all covered purchased impaired and nonimpaired covered loans:

September 30, 2012 December 31, 2011
(Dollars in thousands)
Loans
accounted
for under
FASB ASC
Topic 310-30

Loans
excluded
from FASB
ASC Topic
310-30 ⁽¹⁾

Total
purchased
loans

Loans
accounted
for under
FASB ASC
Topic 310-30

Loans
Excluded
From FASB
ASC Topic
310-30 ⁽¹⁾

Total
purchased
loans
Commercial $ 114,574
$ 7,171
$ 121,745
$ 182,625
$ 13,267
$ 195,892
Real estate - construction 12,898
0
12,898
17,120
0
17,120
Real estate - commercial 504,453
7,867
512,320
627,257
9,787
637,044
Real estate - residential 105,113
0
105,113
121,117
0
121,117
Installment 9,108
784
9,892
12,123
1,053
13,176
Home equity 2,679
57,823
60,502
4,146
60,832
64,978
Other covered loans 0
3,045
3,045
0
3,917
3,917
Total covered loans $ 748,825
$ 76,690
$ 825,515
$ 964,388
$ 88,856
$ 1,053,244

~~(1) Includes loans with revolving privileges which are scoped out of FASB ASC Topic 310-30 and certain loans which First Financial elected to treat under the cost recovery method of accounting.~~



	March 31, 2013						December 31, 2012
(Dollars in thousands)	Loans accounted for under FASB ASC Topic 310-30		Loans excluded from FASB ASC Topic 310-30		Total purchased loans		Loans accounted for under FASB ASC Topic 310-30		Loans excluded from FASB ASC Topic 310-30		Total purchased loans
Commercial	$	83,262	$	7,162	$	90,424	$	94,775	$	7,351	$	102,126
Real estate - construction	9,866		0		9,866		10,631		0		10,631
Real estate - commercial	419,177		6,773		425,950		458,066		7,489		465,555
Real estate - residential	95,991		0		95,991		100,694		0		100,694
Installment	6,938		702		7,640		7,911		763		8,674
Home equity	1,706		53,315		55,021		2,080		55,378		57,458
Other covered loans	0		2,906		2,906		0		2,978		2,978
Total covered loans	$	616,940	$	70,858	$	687,798	$	674,157	$	73,959	$	748,116

The ~~outstanding~~ balance of all loans accounted for under FASB ASC Topic 310-30, including all contractual principal, interest, fees and penalties, was $~~1.2~~1.0 billion and $~~1.6~~1.1 billion as of ~~September 30, 2012~~March 31, 2013 and December 31, ~~2011,~~2012, respectively. These balances include $237.0 million and $220.4 million of contractual interest not yet accrued as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.

Changes in the carrying amount of accretable ~~yield~~difference for covered purchased impaired loans ~~accounted for under FASB ASC Topic 310-30~~ were as follows:


	Three Months Ended						Nine months ended						Three months ended
	September 30,						September 30,						March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	2012			2011			2012			2011			2013			2012
Balance at beginning of period ⁽¹⁾	$	283,296		$	421,781		$	344,410		$	509,945		$	224,694		$	344,410
Reclassification from nonaccretable difference	2,338			17,311			25,780			50,517			7,751			14,384
Accretion	(21,730		)	(31,168		)	(71,674		)	(97,447		)	(17,947		)	(25,919		)
Other net activity ⁽²⁾⁽¹⁾	(11,749		)	(4,878		)	(46,361		)	(59,969		)	(5,828		)	(19,206		)
Balance at end of period	$	252,155		$	403,046		$	252,155		$	403,046		$	208,670		$	313,669

(1) ~~Excludes loans with revolving privileges which are scoped out of FASB Topic 310-30 and certain loans which First Financial elected to treat under the cost recovery method of accounting~~

~~(2)~~ Includes the impact of loan repayments and ~~charge-offs~~

~~Credit Quality.~~ charge-offs.~~For further discussion of First Financial's monitoring of credit quality for commercial and consumer loans, including discussion of the risk attributes noted below, please see Note 9 - Loans.~~

~~Covered commercial and consumer credit exposure by risk attribute was as follows:~~

As of September 30, 2012
Real Estate
(Dollars in thousands) Commercial Construction Commercial Total
Pass $ 60,033
$ 2,309
$ 249,139
$ 311,481
Special Mention 15,289
3,290
65,766
84,345
Substandard 43,628
7,299
197,234
248,161
Doubtful 2,795
0
181
2,976
Total $ 121,745
$ 12,898
$ 512,320
$ 646,963

~~Table of Contents~~

(Dollars in thousands)
Real estate
residential
Installment Home equity Other Total
Performing $ 105,113
$ 9,892
$ 58,639
$ 3,039
$ 176,683
Nonperforming 0
0
1,863
6
1,869
Total $ 105,113
$ 9,892
$ 60,502
$ 3,045
$ 178,552

December 31, 2011
Real Estate
(Dollars in thousands) Commercial Construction Commercial Total
Pass $ 113,201
$ 2,506
$ 340,889
$ 456,596
Special Mention 22,468
3,597
63,880
89,945
Substandard 52,103
11,017
230,870
293,990
Doubtful 8,120
0
1,405
9,525
Total $ 195,892
$ 17,120
$ 637,044
$ 850,056

(Dollars in thousands)
Real estate
residential
Installment
Home
equity
Other Total
Performing $ 121,117
$ 13,176
$ 63,231
$ 3,899
$ 201,423
Nonperforming 0
0
1,747
18
1,765
Total $ 121,117
$ 13,176
$ 64,978
$ 3,917
$ 203,188

First Financial regularly reviews its forecast of expected cash flows for ~~loans accounted for under FASB ASC Topic 310-30 on a quarterly basis.~~covered purchased impaired loans. The Company ~~experienced changes~~recognized improvement in ~~both~~ the ~~timing and amount of expected~~ cash ~~flows on~~flow expectations related to certain loan pools ~~related to payment activities and loan resolution strategies~~ resulting in a ~~$2.3 million~~the reclassification from nonaccretable to accretable difference during the ~~third~~first quarter of ~~2012.~~2013 of $7.8 million. Similarly, the Company reclassified $~~17.3~~14.4 million from nonaccretable to accretable difference during the ~~third~~first quarter of ~~2011, and~~ ~~$25.8 million~~ ~~and~~ ~~$50.5 million~~ ~~for the~~ ~~nine~~ ~~months ended~~ ~~September 30,~~ 2012~~, and 2011, respectively.~~

~~Generally, net increases~~. These reclassifications resulted in yield adjustments on the related loan pools on a prospective basis. The Company also recognized declines in the cash flow expectations of certain loan pools. Any decline in expected cash flows for a pool of loans ~~results in a yield adjustments on the loan pool on a prospective basis. Net declines in expected cash flows for a pool of loans are~~is considered impairment and recorded as provision expense, and a related allowance for loan and lease losses on covered loans, on a discounted basis during the period. Improved cash flow expectations for loan pools that were impaired during prior periods is first recorded ~~first~~ as a reversal of previously recorded impairment and then as an increase in prospective yield when all previously recorded impairment has been recaptured. For further detail on impairment and provision expense related to covered purchased impaired loans, see "Covered Loans" in Note 10 - Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses.

Table of Contents

Credit Quality. For further discussion of First Financial's monitoring of credit quality for commercial and consumer loans, including discussion of the risk attributes noted below, please see Note 8 - Loans, excluding covered loans.

Covered commercial and consumer credit exposure by risk attribute was as follows:



	As of March 31, 2013
			Real Estate
(Dollars in thousands)	Commercial		Construction		Commercial		Total
Pass	$	43,544	$	1,608	$	209,130	$	254,282
Special Mention	10,071		1		49,927		59,999
Substandard	34,823		8,257		166,893		209,973
Doubtful	1,986		0		0		1,986
Total	$	90,424	$	9,866	$	425,950	$	526,240



(Dollars in thousands)	Real estate residential		Installment		Home equity		Other		Total
Performing	$	95,991	$	7,640	$	52,906	$	2,893	$	159,430
Nonperforming	0		0		2,115		13		2,128
Total	$	95,991	$	7,640	$	55,021	$	2,906	$	161,558



	As of December 31, 2012
			Real Estate
(Dollars in thousands)	Commercial		Construction		Commercial		Total
Pass	$	48,213	$	2,304	$	213,143	$	263,660
Special Mention	16,293		7		70,894		87,194
Substandard	35,596		8,320		181,345		225,261
Doubtful	2,024		0		173		2,197
Total	$	102,126	$	10,631	$	465,555	$	578,312



(Dollars in thousands)	Real estate residential		Installment		Home equity		Other		Total
Performing	$	100,694	$	8,674	$	53,231	$	2,967	$	165,566
Nonperforming	0		0		4,227		11		4,238
Total	$	100,694	$	8,674	$	57,458	$	2,978	$	169,804

Delinquency. Covered loans are considered past due or delinquent when the contractual principal or interest due in accordance with the terms of the loan agreement or any portion thereof remains unpaid after the due date of the scheduled payment.

Table of Contents

Covered loan delinquency, excluding loans accounted for under FASB ASC Topic 310-30, ~~see "Covered Loans" under Note 11 - Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses.~~was as follows:



	As of March 31, 2013
(Dollars in thousands)	30 - 59 days past due		60 - 89 days past due		> 90 days past due		Total past due		Current		Total		> 90 days past due and accruing
Loans
Commercial	$	0	$	33	$	2,022	$	2,055	$	5,107	$	7,162	$	0
Real estate - commercial	0		81		1,274		1,355		5,418		6,773		0
Installment	0		0		0		0		702		702		0
Home equity	99		343		1,614		2,056		51,259		53,315		0
All other	11		11		41		63		2,843		2,906		28
Total	$	110	$	468	$	4,951	$	5,529	$	65,329	$	70,858	$	28



	As of December 31, 2012
(Dollars in thousands)	30 - 59 days past due		60 - 89 days past due		> 90 days past due		Total past due		Current		Total		> 90 days past due and accruing
Loans
Commercial	$	351	$	148	$	3,781	$	4,280	$	3,071	$	7,351	$	0
Real estate - commercial	138		1,149		2,201		3,488		4,001		7,489		0
Installment	0		0		0		0		763		763		0
Home equity	286		296		3,697		4,279		51,099		55,378		0
All other	19		26		42		87		2,891		2,978		31
Total	$	794	$	1,619	$	9,721	$	12,134	$	61,825	$	73,959	$	31

Nonaccrual. Covered purchased impaired loans ~~accounted for under FASB ASC Topic 310-30~~ are classified as performing, even though they may be contractually past due, as any nonpayment of contractual principal or interest is considered in the periodic re-estimation of expected cash flows and is included in the resulting recognition of current period covered loan loss provision or prospective yield adjustments.

~~Delinquency.~~ Covered loans are considered past due or delinquent when the contractual principal or interest due in accordance with the terms of the loan agreement or any portion thereof remains unpaid after the due date of the scheduled payment.

~~Table of Contents~~

~~Covered loan delinquency, excluding loans accounted for under FASB ASC Topic 310-30, was as follows:~~

As of September 30, 2012
(Dollars in thousands)
30 - 59
days
past due

60 - 89
days
past due

> 90 days
past due

Total
past
due
Current Total
> 90 days
past due and
accruing
Loans
Commercial $ 10
$ 316
$ 1,960
$ 2,286
$ 4,885
$ 7,171
$ 0
Real estate - commercial 0
0
941
941
6,926
7,867
0
Installment 0
0
0
0
784
784
0
Home equity 332
1,135
1,855
3,322
54,501
57,823
0
All other 139
7
13
159
2,886
3,045
7
Total $ 481
$ 1,458
$ 4,769
$ 6,708
$ 69,982
$ 76,690
$ 7

As of December 31, 2011
(Dollars in thousands)
30 - 59
days
past due

60 - 89
days
past due

> 90 days
past due

Total
past
due
Current Total
> 90 days
past due and
accruing
Loans
Commercial $ 73
$ 294
$ 6,490
$ 6,857
$ 6,410
$ 13,267
$ 0
Real estate - commercial 184
0
1,870
2,054
7,733
9,787
0
Installment 0
0
0
0
1,053
1,053
0
Home equity 1,344
11
1,679
3,034
57,798
60,832
0
All other 10
6
125
141
3,776
3,917
107
Total $ 1,611
$ 311
$ 10,164
$ 12,086
$ 76,770
$ 88,856
$ 107

~~Nonaccrual.~~ Similar to uncovered loans, covered loans accounted for outside FASB ASC Topic 310-30 are classified as nonaccrual when, in the opinion of management, collection of principal or interest is doubtful or when principal or interest payments are ~~ninety~~90 days or more past due. Generally, these loans are placed on nonaccrual status due to the continued failure to adhere to contractual payment terms by the borrower coupled with other pertinent factors, such as insufficient collateral value. The accrual of interest income is discontinued and previously accrued, but unpaid interest is reversed when a loan is placed in nonaccrual status. Any payments received while a loan is in nonaccrual status are applied as a reduction to the carrying value of the loan. A loan may be returned to accrual status if all contractual payments have been received and collection of future principal and interest payments is no longer doubtful.

Information on covered nonaccrual loans ~~excluding loans accounted for under FASB ASC Topic 310-30,~~ was as follows:


(Dollars in thousands)	September 30, 2012		December 31, 2011		March 31, 2013		December 31, 2012
Nonaccrual loans
Commercial	$	2,448	$	7,203	$	2,097	$	4,498
Real estate-commercial	1,589		2,192		1,282		2,986
Home equity	1,863		1,747		2,115		4,227
All other	6		18		13		11
Total	$	5,906	$	11,160	$	5,507	$	11,722

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	Three months ended				Nine months ended				Three months ended
	September 30,				September 30,				March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	2012		2011		2012		2011		2013		2012
Interest income effect on impaired loans
Gross amount of interest that would have been recorded under original terms	$	146	$	268	$	504	$	769	$	138	$	208
Interest included in income	9		8		70		49		7		48
Net impact on interest income	$	137	$	260	$	434	$	720	$	131	$	160

Impaired Loans. Covered loans placed in nonaccrual status, excluding loans accounted for under FASB ASC Topic 310-30, are considered impaired. First Financial’s investment in covered impaired loans, excluding loans accounted for under FASB ASC Topic 310-30, was as follows:


		As of September 30, 2012													As of March 31, 2013
(Dollars in thousands)		Current Balance		Unpaid Principal Balance		Related Allowance		Average Recorded Investment		YTD Interest Income Recognized		Quarterly Interest Income Recognized			Current Balance		Unpaid Principal Balance		Related Allowance		Average Recorded Investment		YTD Interest Income Recognized
Loans with no related allowance recorded:	Loans with no related allowance recorded:													Loans with no related allowance recorded:
Commercial		$	2,448	$	4,731	$	0	$	4,533	$	55	$	4		$	2,097	$	4,345	$	0	$	3,298	$	3
Real estate - commercial		1,589		3,188		0		1,945		14		5			1,282		2,673		0		2,134		1
Home equity		1,863		2,885		0		1,451		1		0			2,115		3,342		0		3,171		3
All other		6		6		0		14		0		0			13		13		0		12		0
Total		$	5,906	$	10,810	$	0	$	7,943	$	70	$	9		$	5,507	$	10,373	$	0	$	8,615	$	7


	As of December 31, 2011										As of December 31, 2012
(Dollars in thousands)	Current Balance		Unpaid Principal Balance		Related Allowance		Average Recorded Investment		Interest Income Recognized		Current Balance		Unpaid Principal Balance		Related Allowance		Average Recorded Investment		Interest Income Recognized
Loans with no related allowance recorded:
Commercial	$	7,203	$	10,152	$	0	$	9,873	$	47	$	4,498	$	4,660	$	0	$	4,526	$	62
Real estate - commercial	2,192		4,002		0		2,504		5		2,986		3,216		0		2,153		18
Installment	1,747		2,878		0		1,559		6
Home equity	18		18		0		9		0		4,227		5,260		0		2,006		5
All other											11		11		0		13		0
Total	$	11,160	$	17,050	$	0	$	13,945	$	58	$	11,722	$	13,147	$	0	$	8,698	$	85

Covered OREO. Covered OREO is comprised of properties acquired by the Company through the loan foreclosure or repossession process, or other resolution activities that result in partial or total satisfaction of problem covered loans. These properties remain subject to loss ~~share~~sharing agreements whereby the FDIC reimburses First Financial for the majority of any losses incurred. The acquired properties are recorded at the lower of cost or fair value upon acquisition. Losses arising at the time of acquisition of such properties are charged against the allowance for loan and lease losses. Subsequent write-downs in the carrying value of covered OREO properties are expensed as incurred. Estimated reimbursements due from the FDIC under loss sharing agreements related to any losses upon acquisition or subsequent write-downs in the carrying value of covered OREO are recorded as noninterest income and an increase to the FDIC indemnification asset in the same period. Improvements to the properties may be capitalized if the improvements contribute to the overall value of the property, but may not be capitalized in excess of the net realizable value of the property.

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Changes in covered OREO were as follows:


	Three months ended				Nine months ended				Three months ended
	September 30,				September 30,				March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	2012		2011		2012		2011		2013		2012
Balance at beginning of period	$	25,408	$	36,687	$	44,818	$	35,257	$	28,862	$	44,818
Additions
Commercial	8,578		16,699		13,677		38,431		6,462		2,750
Residential	737		490		3,423		2,315		216		2,624
Total additions	9,315		17,189		17,100		40,746		6,678		5,374
Disposals
Commercial	5,858		9,440		24,417		20,940		4,621		5,005
Residential	0		901		2,354		6,992		344		543
Total disposals	5,858		10,341		26,771		27,932		4,965		5,548
Write-downs
Commercial	249		614		5,665		4,138		1,125		3,084
Residential	0		83		866		1,095		105		71
Total write-downs	249		697		6,531		5,233		1,230		3,155
Balance at end of period	$	28,616	$	42,838	$	28,616	$	42,838	$	29,345	$	41,489

NOTE ~~11:~~10: ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES

Loans ~~(excluding~~- excluding covered ~~loans).~~loans. For each reporting period, management maintains the allowance for loan and lease losses at a level that it considers sufficient to absorb probable loan and lease losses inherent in the portfolio. Management determines the adequacy of the allowance based on historical loss experience as well as other significant factors such as composition of the portfolio, economic conditions, geographic footprint, the results of periodic internal and external evaluations of delinquent, nonaccrual and classified loans and any other adverse situations that may affect a specific borrower's ability to repay (including the timing of future payments). This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires utilizing material estimates that may be susceptible to significant change.

In the commercial portfolio, which includes ~~time and demand notes, tax-exempt~~commercial loans, construction and commercial real estate loans ~~non-homogeneous~~and lease financing, impaired loan relationships greater than $250,000 ~~that are considered impaired or designated as a TDR~~ are evaluated to determine the need for a specific allowance based on the borrower's overall financial condition, resources and payment record, support from guarantors and the realizable value of any collateral. Loans are considered impaired when, in the judgment of management, based on current information and events, it is probable that all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement will not be collected.

The allowance for non-impaired commercial loans and impaired commercial loan relationships less than $250,000 includes a process of estimating the probable losses inherent in the portfolio by category, based on First Financial's internal system of credit risk ratings and historical loss data. These estimates may also be adjusted for management's estimate of probable losses on specific loan types dependent upon trends in the values of the underlying collateral, delinquent and nonaccrual loans, prevailing economic conditions, changes in lending strategies and other influencing factors.

With the exception of loans modified as TDRs, consumer loans are evaluated ~~as an asset~~by loan type ~~within a category~~ (i.e., residential real estate, installment, etc.), as these loans exhibit homogeneous characteristics. The allowance for consumer loans, which includes residential real estate, installment, home equity, credit card loans and overdrafts, is established by estimating losses inherent in each particular category of consumer loans. The estimate of losses is primarily based on historical loss rates for each category, as well as trends in delinquent and nonaccrual loans, prevailing economic conditions and other significant influencing factors. Consumer ~~loan relationships~~loans modified as TDRs greater than $100,000 are individually reviewed to determine if a specific allowance is necessary.

There were no material changes to First Financial's accounting policies or methodology related to the allowance for loan and lease losses during the first ~~nine~~three months of ~~2012,~~2013, however certain modifications were made to the estimation process in the third quarter of 2012 to place greater emphasis on quantitative factors such as historical loan losses and less emphasis on qualitative factors. This resulted in a shift in the allocation of the allowance between certain consumer and commercial loan types but had no significant impact on the total allowance for loan and lease losses at ~~September 30, 2012~~March 31, 2013.

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The allowance is increased by provisions charged to expense and decreased by actual charge-offs, net of recoveries of amounts previously charged-off. First Financial's policy is to charge-off all or a portion of a ~~commercial~~ loan when, in management's opinion, it is unlikely to collect the principal amount owed in full either through payments from the borrower or from the liquidation of collateral.

Changes in the allowance for loan and lease losses for the previous five quarters ~~and year-to-date~~ are presented in the table that follows:


	Three Months Ended															Nine months ended						Three Months Ended
	2012									2011						September 30,						2013			2012
(Dollars in thousands)	Sep. 30,			June 30,			Mar. 31,			Dec. 31,			Sep. 30,			2012			2011			Mar. 31,			Dec. 31,			Sep. 30,			June 30,			Mar. 31,
Balance at beginning of period	$	50,952		$	49,437		$	52,576		$	54,537		$	53,671		$	52,576		$	57,235		$	47,777		$	49,192		$	50,952		$	49,437		$	52,576
Provision for loan losses	3,613			8,364			3,258			5,164			7,643			15,235			14,046
Provision for loan and lease losses																						3,041			3,882			3,613			8,364			3,258
Loans charged off	(5,804		)	(7,138		)	(6,822		)	(7,791		)	(7,174		)	(19,764		)	(18,007		)	(3,210		)	(5,548		)	(5,804		)	(7,138		)	(6,822		)
Recoveries	431			289			425			666			397			1,145			1,263			698			251			431			289			425
Balance at end of period	$	49,192		$	50,952		$	49,437		$	52,576		$	54,537		$	49,192		$	54,537		$	48,306		$	47,777		$	49,192		$	50,952		$	49,437
Allowance for loan and lease losses to total ending loans	1.60		%	1.69		%	1.67		%	1.77		%	1.86		%	1.60		%	1.86		%	1.49		%	1.50		%	1.60		%	1.69		%	1.67		%

Year-to-date changes in the allowance for loan and lease losses by loan category were as follows:


	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012																			Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
			Real Estate																			Real Estate
(Dollars in thousands)	Commercial		Construction		Commercial		Residential			Installment			Home Equity			Other		Total		Commercial		Construction			Commercial		Residential		Installment			Home Equity		Other		Total
Allowance for loan and lease losses:
Balance at beginning of period	$	10,289	$	4,424	$	18,228	$	4,994		$	1,659		$	10,751		$	2,231	$	52,576	$	7,926	$	3,268		$	24,151	$	3,599	$	522		$	5,173	$	3,138	$	47,777
Provision for loan and lease losses	1,645		2,322		15,324		(360		)	(1,050		)	(3,934		)	1,288		15,235		1,620		(296		)	457		365		(38		)	848		85		3,041
Gross charge-offs	3,655		2,684		8,791		1,360			310			1,939			1,025		19,764		781		0			995		223		100			701		410		3,210
Recoveries	322		0		219		70			270			83			181		1,145		319		136			39		4		77			52		71		698
Total net charge-offs	3,333		2,684		8,572		1,290			40			1,856			844		18,619		462		(136		)	956		219		23			649		339		2,512
Ending allowance for loan and lease losses	$	8,601	$	4,062	$	24,980	$	3,344		$	569		$	4,961		$	2,675	$	49,192	$	9,084	$	3,108		$	23,652	$	3,745	$	461		$	5,372	$	2,884	$	48,306
Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment	$	1,713	$	853	$	8,816	$	290		$	0		$	2		$	0	$	11,674	$	2,596	$	832		$	6,352	$	290	$	0		$	2	$	92	$	10,164
Ending allowance on loans collectively evaluated for impairment	6,888		3,209		16,164		3,054			569			4,959			2,675		37,518		6,488		2,276			17,300		3,455		461			5,370		2,792		38,142
Ending allowance for loan and lease losses	$	8,601	$	4,062	$	24,980	$	3,344		$	569		$	4,961		$	2,675	$	49,192	$	9,084	$	3,108		$	23,652	$	3,745	$	461		$	5,372	$	2,884	$	48,306
Loans, excluding covered loans
Loans - excluding covered loans
Ending balance of loans individually evaluated for impairment	$	11,940	$	3,701	$	38,972	$	2,664		$	0		$	101		$	0	$	57,378	$	17,612	$	2,068		$	35,828	$	3,953	$	0		$	525	$	496	$	60,482
Ending balance of loans collectively evaluated for impairment	822,918		88,196		1,299,664		296,990			59,191			368,775			72,947		3,008,681		874,769		85,474			1,397,354		326,307		53,509			365,418		85,525		3,188,356
Total loans, excluding covered loans	$	834,858	$	91,897	$	1,338,636	$	299,654		$	59,191		$	368,876		$	72,947	$	3,066,059
Total loans - excluding covered loans																				$	892,381	$	87,542		$	1,433,182	$	330,260	$	53,509		$	365,943	$	86,021	$	3,248,838

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	Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2011																		Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2012
			Real Estate																		Real Estate
(Dollars in thousands)	Commercial		Construction		Commercial		Residential			Installment			Home Equity		Other		Total		Commercial		Construction		Commercial		Residential		Installment			Home Equity			Other		Total
Allowance for loan and lease losses:
Balance at beginning of period	$	10,138	$	8,326	$	14,917	$	8,907		$	1,981		$	10,939	$	2,027	$	57,235	$	10,289	$	4,424	$	18,228	$	4,994	$	1,659		$	10,751		$	2,231	$	52,576
Provision for loan and lease losses	2,825		2,345		13,384		(2,407		)	(159		)	1,878		1,344		19,210		1,556		1,528		16,670		346		(883		)	(2,032		)	1,932		19,117
Gross charge-offs	3,436		6,279		10,382		1,551			526			2,183		1,441		25,798		4,312		2,684		11,012		1,814		577			3,661			1,252		25,312
Recoveries	762		32		309		45			363			117		301		1,929		393		0		265		73		323			115			227		1,396
Total net charge-offs	2,674		6,247		10,073		1,506			163			2,066		1,140		23,869		3,919		2,684		10,747		1,741		254			3,546			1,025		23,916
Ending allowance for loan and lease losses	$	10,289	$	4,424	$	18,228	$	4,994		$	1,659		$	10,751	$	2,231	$	52,576	$	7,926	$	3,268	$	24,151	$	3,599	$	522		$	5,173		$	3,138	$	47,777
Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment	$	3,205	$	2,578	$	6,441	$	313		$	0		$	2	$	0	$	12,539	$	1,151	$	838	$	7,155	$	290	$	0		$	2		$	92	$	9,528
Ending allowance on loans collectively evaluated for impairment	7,084		1,846		11,787		4,681			1,659			10,749		2,231		40,037		6,775		2,430		16,996		3,309		522			5,171			3,046		38,249
Ending allowance for loan and lease losses	$	10,289	$	4,424	$	18,228	$	4,994		$	1,659		$	10,751	$	2,231	$	52,576	$	7,926	$	3,268	$	24,151	$	3,599	$	522		$	5,173		$	3,138	$	47,777
Loans, excluding covered loans
Loans - excluding covered loans
Ending balance of loans individually evaluated for impairment	$	8,351	$	17,387	$	30,708	$	3,730		$	0		$	101	$	0	$	60,277	$	16,661	$	2,076	$	35,422	$	2,604	$	0		$	101		$	496	$	57,360
Ending balance of loans collectively evaluated for impairment	848,630		97,587		1,202,359		284,250			67,543			358,859		48,942		2,908,170		844,372		71,441		1,381,586		315,606		56,810			367,399			84,490		3,121,704
Total loans, excluding covered loans	$	856,981	$	114,974	$	1,233,067	$	287,980		$	67,543		$	358,960	$	48,942	$	2,968,447
Total loans - excluding covered loans																			$	861,033	$	73,517	$	1,417,008	$	318,210	$	56,810		$	367,500		$	84,986	$	3,179,064

Covered Loans. In accordance with the accounting guidance for business combinations, there was no allowance brought forward on covered loans as any credit deterioration evident in the loans at the time of acquisition was included in the determination of the fair value of the loans at the acquisition date.

The majority of covered loans are accounted for under FASB ASC Topic 310-30, whereby First Financial is required to periodically re-estimate the expected cash flows on the loans. For purposes of applying the guidance under FASB ASC Topic 310-30, First Financial grouped acquired loans into pools based on common risk characteristics. Generally, a decline in expected cash flows for a pool of loans is referred to as impairment and recorded as provision expense, and a related allowance for loan and lease losses on covered loans, on a discounted basis during the period. Estimated reimbursements due from the FDIC under loss ~~share~~sharing agreements related to any declines in expected cash flows for a pool of loans are recorded as noninterest income and an increase to the FDIC indemnification asset in the same period. Improvement in expected cash flows for a pool of loans, once any previously recorded impairment is recaptured, is recognized prospectively as an adjustment to the yield on the loans in the pool and a related adjustment to the yield on the FDIC indemnification asset.

First Financial performs periodic valuation procedures to re-estimate the expected cash flows on covered loans accounted for under FASB ASC Topic 310-30 and compare the present value of expected cash flows to the carrying value of the loans at the pool level. In order to estimate expected cash flows, First Financial specifically reviews a sample of these covered loans ~~each period~~ to assist in the determination of appropriate probability of default and loss given default assumptions to be applied to the remainder of the portfolio. The estimate of expected cash flows may also be adjusted for management's estimate of probable losses on specific loan types dependent upon trends in observable market and industry data, such as prepayment speeds and collateral values. These cash flow evaluations are inherently subjective as they require material estimates, all of which may be susceptible to significant change.

First Financial updated the ~~valuation~~valuations related to covered loans during the ~~third~~first quarter of ~~2012,~~2013, and as a result of impairment in certain loan pools, recognized total provision expense of $~~6.6~~9.0 million and realized net charge-offs of $~~6.1~~8.7 million during the quarter, resulting in an allowance for covered loan losses of $~~48.9~~45.5 million as of ~~September 30,~~ March 31, 2013. For the first quarter of 2012., First Financial recognized provision expense on covered loans of $~~25.6~~13.0 million ~~and realized~~related to net charge-offs of $~~19.6~~9.6 million ~~for~~during the ~~first nine months of 2012.~~period. Additionally, the Company recognized loss ~~share~~sharing expenses of $~~3.6~~2.1 million and $3.0 million for the ~~third~~first quarter of ~~2012~~2013 and ~~$10.9 million~~ ~~for the~~ ~~nine~~ ~~months ended~~ ~~September 30,~~ 2012, respectively, primarily related to attorney fees and ~~losses on covered OREO~~delinquent taxes during the ~~period.~~periods. The receivable due from the FDIC under loss ~~share~~sharing agreements related to ~~the~~ covered loan provision ~~expense and~~expenses, losses on covered OREO and loss sharing expenses of $~~8.5~~8.9 million for the ~~third~~first quarter of ~~2012~~2013 and $~~29.6~~12.8 million for the ~~first~~ ~~nine~~first ~~months~~quarter of 2012, was recognized as FDIC loss sharing income and a corresponding increase to the FDIC indemnification asset.

~~For the~~ ~~third~~ ~~quarter of 2011, First Financial recognized provision expense on covered loans of~~ ~~$7.3 million~~ ~~related to net charge-offs of~~ ~~$10.2 million~~ ~~during the period. First Financial recognized provision expense on covered loans of~~ ~~$57.2 million~~ ~~and realized net charge-offs of~~ ~~$25.6 million~~ ~~for the first nine months of 2011. The related receivable due from the FDIC under loss share agreements related to these loans of~~ ~~$8.4 million~~ ~~for the~~ ~~third~~ ~~quarter of 2011 and~~ ~~$53.5 million~~ ~~for the first~~ ~~nine~~

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~~months of 2011, was recognized as FDIC loss sharing income and a corresponding increase to the FDIC indemnification asset.~~

The allowance for loan and lease losses on covered loans is presented in the tables below:


	September 30, 2012										March 31, 2013
			Real Estate										Real Estate
(Dollars in thousands)	Commercial		Commercial		Residential		Installment		Total		Commercial		Commercial		Residential		Installment		Total
Ending allowance on loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality (ASC 310-30)	$	19,268	$	25,919	$	3,079	$	629	$	48,895	$	15,362	$	26,391	$	3,384	$	359	$	45,496
Ending allowance on acquired loans outside the scope of ASC 310-30	0		0		0		0		0		0		0		0		0		0
Ending allowance on covered loans	$	19,268	$	25,919	$	3,079	$	629	$	48,895	$	15,362	$	26,391	$	3,384	$	359	$	45,496


	December 31, 2011										December 31, 2012
			Real Estate										Real Estate
(Dollars in thousands)	Commercial		Commercial		Residential		Installment		Total		Commercial		Commercial		Residential		Installment		Total
Ending allowance on loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality (ASC 310-30)	$	19,160	$	21,930	$	1,396	$	349	$	42,835	$	19,136	$	22,918	$	2,599	$	537	$	45,190
Ending allowance on acquired loans outside the scope of ASC 310-30	0		0		0		0		0		0		0		0		0		0
Ending allowance on covered loans	$	19,160	$	21,930	$	1,396	$	349	$	42,835	$	19,136	$	22,918	$	2,599	$	537	$	45,190

Changes in the allowance for loan and lease losses on covered loans for the previous five quarters ~~and year-to-date~~ were as follows:


	Three Months Ended															Nine months ended						Three Months Ended
	2012									2011						September 30,						2013			2012
(Dollars in thousands)	Sep. 30,			June 30,			Mar. 31,			Dec. 31,			Sep. 30,			2012			2011			Mar. 31,			Dec. 31,			Sep. 30,			June 30,			Mar. 31,
Balance at beginning of period	$	48,327		$	46,156		$	42,835		$	48,112		$	51,044		$	42,835		$	16,493		$	45,190		$	48,895		$	48,327		$	46,156		$	42,835
Provision for loan and lease losses	6,622			6,047			12,951			6,910			7,260			25,620			57,171			9,042			5,283			6,622			6,047			12,951
Loans charged-off	(9,058		)	(5,163		)	(10,118		)	(13,513		)	(10,609		)	(24,339		)	(32,091		)	(9,684		)	(9,568		)	(9,058		)	(5,163		)	(10,118		)
Recoveries	3,004			1,287			488			1,326			417			4,779			6,539			948			580			3,004			1,287			488
Balance at end of period	$	48,895		$	48,327		$	46,156		$	42,835		$	48,112		$	48,895		$	48,112		$	45,496		$	45,190		$	48,895		$	48,327		$	46,156

NOTE ~~12:~~11: INCOME TAXES

~~First Financial’s~~For the first quarter 2013, income tax expense was $6.4 million, resulting in an effective tax rate ~~for the~~of ~~third~~31.5%, compared with income tax expense of $9.6 million ~~quarter~~and an effective tax rate of ~~2012 was~~ ~~35.4%~~ ~~compared to~~ ~~38.2%~~36.2% for the ~~third~~first quarter ~~of 2011. The year-to-date effective tax rate through~~ ~~September 30,~~ 2012 ~~was~~ ~~34.8%~~ ~~compared to~~ ~~36.3%~~ ~~for the comparable period in 2011.~~. The decrease in the effective tax rate during the ~~third~~first quarter ~~2012~~2013 as compared to the same period in ~~2011~~2012 was primarily ~~due~~the result of higher income earned on tax-exempt investment securities as well as a favorable tax reversal related to an ~~unfavorable provision to return adjustment recorded in the third quarter of 2011 related to the completion of the 2010 federal and state~~intercompany tax returns. First Financial recorded a favorable provision to return adjustment in the second quarter 2012 related to the completion of 2011 state tax returns. Provision to return adjustments of this nature are typical during the second or third quarters as federal and state tax returns are finalized.obligation associated with an unconsolidated former Irwin subsidiary.

At ~~September 30, 2012~~March 31, 2013, and December 31, ~~2011,~~2012, First Financial had no FASB ASC Topic 740-10 unrecognized tax benefits recorded. First Financial does not expect the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits to significantly increase within the next twelve months.

First Financial recognizes interest and penalties on income tax assessments or income tax refunds in the Consolidated Financial Statements as a component of noninterest expense.

First Financial regularly reviews its tax positions and establishes reserves for income tax-related uncertainties based on estimates of whether it is more likely than not that the tax uncertainty would be sustained upon challenge by the appropriate tax authorities which would then result in additional taxes, penalties and interest due. These evaluations are inherently subjective as they require material estimates and may be susceptible to significant change. Provision for tax reserves, if any, is included in income tax expense in the Consolidated Financial Statements. Management determined that no reserve for income tax-related uncertainties was necessary as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012.

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First Financial and its subsidiaries are subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as state and local income tax in several

~~Table of Contents~~

jurisdictions. Tax years prior to 2010 have been closed and are no longer subject to U.S. federal income tax examinations. ~~The 2009 tax year had been under~~Tax years 2010 and 2011 remain open to examination by the federal taxing ~~authority and was closed during the second quarter of 2012 with no material impact to the Company's financial position and results of operations as a result of this examination.~~authority.

First Financial is no longer subject to state and local income tax examinations for years prior to ~~2008.~~2009. Tax years ~~2008~~2009 through 2011 remain open to state and local examination in various jurisdictions.

NOTE ~~13:~~12: EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

First Financial sponsors a non-contributory defined benefit pension plan covering substantially all employees and uses a December 31 measurement date for its defined benefit pension plan.

First Financial made no cash contributions to fund the pension plan in ~~2011~~2012 and does not expect to make cash contributions to its pension plan in ~~2012.~~2013. As a result of the plan’s ~~funding status and related~~ actuarial projections for ~~2012,~~2013, First Financial recorded ~~income~~expense related to its pension plan in the first ~~nine~~three months of ~~2012~~2013 of $~~0.4 million~~15 thousand, compared to income of $~~1.0~~0.1 million for the same period in ~~2011. Likewise, First Financial recorded income related to its pension plan of~~ ~~$0.1 million~~ ~~and~~ ~~$0.3 million~~ ~~in the third quarter of 2012 and 2011, respectively.~~2012.

The following table sets forth information concerning amounts recognized in First Financial’s Consolidated Balance Sheets and Consolidated Statements of Income:



	Three months ended
	March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	2013			2012
Service cost	$	975		$	832
Interest cost	619			690
Expected return on assets	(2,294		)	(2,235		)
Amortization of prior service cost	(105		)	(105		)
Net actuarial loss	820			675
Net periodic benefit cost (income)	$	15		$	(143	)

Three months ended Nine months ended
September 30, September 30,
(Dollars in thousands) 2012 2011 2012 2011
Service cost $ 894
$ 825
$ 2,559
$ 2,475
Interest cost 606
675
1,986
2,025
Expected return on assets (2,281 ) (2,237 ) (6,751 ) (6,787 )
Amortization of prior service cost (106 ) (100 ) (316 ) (300 )
Net actuarial loss 780
525
2,130
1,575
Net periodic benefit income $ (107 ) $ (312 ) $ (392 ) $ (1,012 )

Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):



	Three months ended
	March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	2013			2012
Net actuarial loss	$	820		$	675
Amortization of prior service cost	(105		)	(105		)
Deferred tax liabilities	(270		)	(215		)
Net amount recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	$	445		$	355

Three months ended Nine months ended
September 30, September 30,
(Dollars in thousands) 2012 2011 2012 2011
Net actuarial loss $ 780
$ 525
$ 2,130
$ 1,575
Amortization of prior service cost (106 ) (100 ) (316 ) (300 )
Deferred tax liabilities (255 ) (160 ) (685 ) (481 )
Net amount recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) $ 419
$ 265
$ 1,129
$ 794

~~First Financial also sponsors a defined contribution 401(k) thrift plan which covers substantially all employees. Participants may contribute up to~~ ~~50.0%~~Table of ~~their earnings into the plan, not to exceed applicable limitations prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service. Employer contributions to the Plan are equal to~~ ~~100.0%~~ ~~of the participant's contribution up to~~ ~~3.0%~~ ~~of the participant's eligible salary on a before-tax basis, and~~ ~~50.0%~~ ~~of the participant's contribution on the next~~ ~~2.0%~~ ~~of the participant's eligible salary on a before-tax basis, up to a maximum employer contribution of~~ ~~4.0%. All First Financial matching contributions vest immediately. First Financial contributions to the 401(k) plan are at the discretion of the board of directors.~~Contents

NOTE ~~14:~~13: FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES

Fair Value Measurement

~~Table of Contents~~

The fair value framework as disclosed in the Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure Topic of FASB ASC Topic 825, Financial Instruments (Fair Value Topic) includes a hierarchy which focuses on prioritizing the inputs used in valuation techniques. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1), a lower priority to observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities (Level 2) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). When determining the fair value measurements for assets and liabilities, First Financial looks to active markets to price identical assets or liabilities whenever possible and classifies such items in Level 1. When identical assets and liabilities are not traded in active markets, First Financial looks to observable market data for similar assets and liabilities and classifies such items as Level 2. Certain assets and liabilities are not actively traded in observable markets and First Financial must use alternative techniques, based on unobservable inputs, to determine the fair value and classifies such items as Level 3. The level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant in the fair value measurement.

The following methods, assumptions and valuation techniques were used by First Financial to measure different financial assets and liabilities at fair value and in estimating its fair value disclosures for financial instruments.

Cash and short-term investments. The carrying amounts reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for cash and short-term investments, such as federal funds sold, approximated the fair value of those instruments. The Company classifies cash and short-term investments in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.

Investment securities. Investment securities classified as trading and available-for-sale are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Fair value measurement is based upon quoted market prices, when available (Level 1). If quoted market prices are not available, fair values are measured utilizing independent valuation techniques of identical or similar investment securities. First Financial compiles prices from various sources who may apply such techniques as matrix pricing to determine the value of identical or similar investment securities (Level 2). Matrix pricing is a mathematical technique widely used in the banking industry to value investment securities without relying exclusively on quoted prices for the specific investment securities but rather relying on the investment securities’ relationship to other benchmark quoted investment securities. Any investment securities not valued based upon the methods above are considered Level 3.

First Financial utilizes information provided by a third-party investment securities ~~portfolio manager~~administrator in analyzing the investment securities portfolio in accordance with the fair value hierarchy of the Fair Value Topic. The ~~portfolio manager’s~~administrator’s evaluation of investment security portfolio pricing is performed using a combination of prices and data from other sources, along with internally developed matrix pricing models and assistance from the ~~provider’s~~administrator’s internal fixed income analysts and trading desk. The ~~portfolio manager’s~~administrator’s month-end pricing process includes a series of quality assurance activities where prices are compared to recent market conditions, previous evaluation prices and between the various pricing services. These processes produce a series of quality assurance reports on which price exceptions are identified, reviewed and where appropriate, securities are repriced. In the event of a materially different price, the ~~portfolio manager~~administrator will report the variance as a “price challenge” and review the pricing methodology in detail. The results of the quality assurance process are incorporated into the selection of pricing providers by the portfolio manager.

First Financial reviews the pricing methodologies utilized by the ~~portfolio manager~~administrator to ensure the fair value determination is consistent with the applicable accounting guidance and that the investments are properly classified in the fair value hierarchy. Further, the Company periodically validates the fair values for a sample of securities in the portfolio by comparing the fair values provided by the ~~portfolio manager~~administrator to prices from other independent sources for the same or similar securities. First Financial analyzes unusual or significant variances, ~~and~~ conducts additional research with the ~~portfolio manager,~~administrator, if necessary, and takes appropriate action based on its findings.

Loans held for sale. Loans held for sale are carried at the lower of cost or fair value. These loans currently consist of one-to-four family residential real estate loans originated for sale to qualified third parties. Fair value is based on the contractual price to be received from these third parties, which is not materially different than cost due to the short duration between origination and sale (Level 2). As such, First Financial records any fair value adjustments on a nonrecurring basis. Gains and losses on the sale of loans are recorded as net gains from sales of loans within noninterest income in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Loans ~~(excluding~~- excluding covered ~~loans).~~loans. The fair value of commercial, commercial real estate, residential real estate and consumer loans were estimated by discounting the future cash flows using the current rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings and for the same remaining maturities or repricing frequency. The Company classifies the estimated fair value of uncovered loans as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

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Loans are designated as impaired when, in the judgment of management based on current information and events, it is probable that all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement will not be collected. Impaired loans are valued

~~Table of Contents~~

at the lower of cost or fair value for purposes of determining the appropriate amount of impairment to be allocated to the allowance for loan and lease losses. Fair value is generally measured based on the value of the collateral securing the loans. Collateral may be in the form of real estate or business assets including equipment, inventory and accounts receivable. The vast majority of the collateral is real estate. The value of real estate collateral is determined utilizing an income or market valuation approach based on an appraisal conducted by an independent, licensed third party appraiser (Level 3). The value of business equipment is based upon an outside appraisal if deemed significant, or the net book value on the applicable borrower financial statements if not considered significant. Likewise, values for inventory and accounts receivable collateral are based on borrower financial statement balances or aging reports on a discounted basis as appropriate (Level 3). Impaired loans allocated to the allowance for loan and lease losses are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. Any fair value adjustments are recorded in the period incurred as provision for loan and lease losses on the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Covered loans. Fair values for covered loans accounted for under FASB ASC Topic 310-30 are based on a discounted cash flow methodology that considered factors including the type of loan and related collateral, classification status, fixed or variable interest rate, term of the loan and whether or not the loan was amortizing and a discount rate reflecting the Company's assessment of risk inherent in the cash flow estimates. These covered loans are grouped together according to similar characteristics and ~~are~~were treated in the aggregate when applying various valuation techniques. First Financial estimated the cash flows expected to be collected on these loans based upon the expected remaining life of the underlying loans, which includes the effects of estimated prepayments. These cash flow evaluations are inherently subjective as they require material estimates, all of which may be susceptible to significant change.

Fair values for covered loans accounted for outside of FASB ASC Topic 310-30 were estimated by discounting the ~~estimated~~ future cash flows using current interest rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings and for the same remaining maturities or repricing frequency. The carrying amount of accrued interest approximates its fair value.

~~These cash flow evaluations are inherently subjective as they require material estimates, all of which may be susceptible to significant change.~~ The Company classifies the estimated fair value of covered loans as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

FDIC indemnification asset. The accounting for FDIC indemnification assets is closely related to the accounting for the underlying, indemnified assets. Fair value of the FDIC indemnification asset iswas estimated using projected cash flows related to the loss sharing agreements based on the expected reimbursements for losses and the applicable loss sharing percentages. First Financial re-estimates the expected indemnification asset cash flows in conjunction with the periodic re-estimation of cash flows on covered loans accounted for under FASB ASC Topic 310-30. Improvements in cash flow expectations on covered loans generally result in a related decline in the expected indemnification cash flows while declines in cash flow expectations on covered loans generally result in an increase in expected indemnification cash flows.

The expected cash flows are discounted to reflect the uncertainty of the timing and receipt of the loss sharing reimbursement from the FDIC. These cash flow evaluations are inherently subjective as they require material estimates, all of which may be susceptible to significant change. The Company classifies the estimated fair value of the indemnification asset as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

Deposit liabilities. The fair value of demand deposits, savings accounts and certain money-market deposits iswas the amount payable on demand at the reporting date. The carrying amounts for variable-rate certificates of deposit approximated their fair values at the reporting date. The fair value of fixed-rate certificates of deposit iswas estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation which applies the interest rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities. The carrying amount of accrued interest approximates its fair value. The Company classifies the estimated fair value of deposit liabilities as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Borrowings. The carrying amounts of federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase and other short-term borrowings ~~approximated~~approximate their fair values. The Company classifies the estimated fair value of short-term borrowings as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.

The fair value of long-term debt is estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation which utilizes the interest rates currently offered for borrowings of similar remaining maturities. Third-party valuations are used for long-term debt with embedded options, such as call features. The Company classifies the estimated fair value of long-term debt as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Table of Contents

Commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. Pricing of these financial instruments is based on the credit quality and relationship, fees, interest rates, probability of funding and compensating balance and other covenants or requirements. Loan commitments generally have fixed expiration dates, are variable rate and contain termination and other

~~Table of Contents~~

clauses which provide for relief from funding in the event that there is a significant deterioration in the credit quality of the client. Many loan commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon. The rates and terms of the commitments to extend credit and the standby letters of credit are competitive with those in First Financial’s market area. The carrying amounts are reasonable estimates of the fair value of these financial instruments. Carrying amounts, which are comprised of the

unamortized fee income and, where necessary, reserves for any expected credit losses from these financial instruments, are immaterial.

Derivatives. The fair values of derivative instruments are based primarily on a net present value calculation of the cash flows related to the interest rate swaps at the reporting date, using primarily observable market inputs such as interest rate yield curves. The discounted net present value calculated represents the cost to terminate the swap if First Financial should choose to do so. Additionally, First Financial utilizes a vendor-developed, proprietary model to value the credit risk component of both the derivative assets and liabilities. The credit valuation adjustment is recorded as an adjustment to the fair value of the derivative asset or liability on the reporting date. Derivative instruments are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

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The estimated fair values of First Financial’s financial instruments not measured at fair value on a recurring or nonrecurring basis in the consolidated financial statements were as follows:


	Carrying		Estimated Fair Value								Carrying		Estimated Fair Value
(Dollars in thousands)	value		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		value		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
September 30, 2012
March 31, 2013
Financial assets
Cash and short-term investments	$	175,676	$	175,676	$	175,676	$	0	$	0	$	107,419	$	107,419	$	107,419	$	0	$	0
Investment securities held-to-maturity	822,319		830,540		0		830,540		0		716,214		723,226		0		723,226		0
Other investments	71,492		71,492		0		71,492		0		75,375		75,375		0		75,375		0
Loans held for sale	23,530		23,530		0		23,530		0		28,126		28,126		0		28,126		0
Loans, excluding covered loans	3,016,867		3,020,686		0		0		3,020,686
Loans - excluding covered loans											3,200,532		3,197,264		0		0		3,197,264
Covered loans	776,620		790,207		0		0		790,207		642,302		658,010		0		0		658,010
FDIC indemnification asset	130,476		116,051		0		0		116,051		112,428		100,882		0		0		100,882

Financial liabilities
Deposits
Noninterest-bearing	$	1,063,654	$	1,063,654	$	0	$	1,063,654	$	0	$	1,056,409	$	1,056,409	$	0	$	1,056,409	$	0
Interest-bearing demand	1,112,843		1,112,843		0		1,112,843		0		1,113,940		1,113,940		0		1,113,940		0
Savings	1,568,818		1,568,818		0		1,568,818		0		1,620,874		1,620,874		0		1,620,874		0
Time	1,199,296		1,206,006		0		1,206,006		0		1,030,124		1,032,099		0		1,032,099		0
Total deposits	4,944,611		4,951,321		0		4,951,321		0		4,821,347		4,823,322		0		4,823,322		0
Short-term borrowings	371,190		371,190		371,190		0		0		633,063		633,063		633,063		0		0
Long-term debt	75,521		79,921		0		79,921		0		74,498		77,641		0		77,641		0


	Carrying		Estimated Fair Value								Carrying		Estimated Fair Value
(Dollars in thousands)	value		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		value		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
December 31, 2011
December 31, 2012
Financial assets
Cash and short-term investments	$	525,051	$	525,051	$	525,051	$	0	$	0	$	158,843	$	158,843	$	158,843	$	0	$	0
Investment securities held-to-maturity	2,664		2,893		0		2,893		0		770,755		778,474		0		778,474		0
Other investments	71,492		71,492		0		71,492		0		71,492		71,492		0		71,492		0
Loans held for sale	24,834		24,834		0		24,834		0		16,256		16,256		0		16,256		0
Loans, excluding covered loans	2,915,871		2,910,825		0		0		2,910,825
Loans - excluding covered loans											3,131,287		3,145,120		0		0		3,145,120
Covered loans	1,010,409		1,042,752		0		0		1,042,752		702,926		713,797		0		0		713,797
FDIC indemnification asset	173,009		151,114		0		0		151,114		119,607		106,380		0		0		106,380

Financial liabilities
Deposits
Noninterest-bearing	$	946,180	$	946,180	$	0	$	946,180	$	0	$	1,102,774	$	1,102,774	$	0	$	1,102,774	$	0
Interest-bearing demand	1,317,339		1,317,339		0		1,317,339		0		1,160,815		1,160,815		0		1,160,815		0
Savings	1,724,659		1,724,659		0		1,724,659		0		1,623,614		1,623,614		0		1,623,614		0
Time	1,654,662		1,664,457		0		1,664,457		0		1,068,637		1,072,201		0		1,072,201		0
Total deposits	5,642,840		5,652,635		0		5,652,635		0		4,955,840		4,959,404		0		4,959,404		0
Short-term borrowings	99,431		99,431		99,431		0		0		624,570		624,570		624,570		0		0
Long-term debt	76,544		81,168		0		81,168		0		75,202		78,941		0		78,941		0

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Table of Contents

The ~~following table summarizes~~ financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the consolidated financial statements at ~~September 30, 2012~~:were as follows:



	Fair Value Measurements Using
(Dollars in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Netting Adjustments ⁽¹⁾			Assets/Liabilities at Fair Value
March 31, 2013
Assets
Derivatives	$	0	$	21,557	$	0	$	(21,557	)	$	0
Available-for-sale investment securities	186		951,853		0		0			952,039
Total	$	186	$	973,410	$	0	$	(21,557	)	$	952,039

Liabilities
Derivatives	$	0	$	23,689	$	0	$	(21,557	)	$	2,132


	Fair Value Measurements Using											Fair Value Measurements Using
(Dollars in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Netting Adjustments ⁽¹⁾			Assets/Liabilities at Fair Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Netting Adjustments ⁽¹⁾			Assets/Liabilities at Fair Value
December 31, 2012
Assets
Derivatives	$	0	$	26,198	$	0	$	(26,198	)	$	0	$	0	$	24,135	$	0	$	(24,135	)	$	0
Available-for-sale investment securities	134		689,546		0		0			689,680		144		1,031,952		0		0			1,032,096
Total	$	134	$	715,744	$	0	$	(26,198	)	$	689,680	$	144	$	1,056,087	$	0	$	(24,135	)	$	1,032,096

Liabilities
Derivatives	$	0	$	29,316	$	0	$	(26,198	)	$	3,118	$	0	$	26,652	$	0	$	(24,135	)	$	2,517

(1) Amounts represent the impact of legally enforceable master netting arrangements that allow First Financial to settle positive and negative positions and also cash collateral held with the same counterparties.

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Certain financial assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. Adjustments to the fair market value of these assets usually result from the application of lower of cost or fair value accounting or write-downs of individual assets. The following table summarizes financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring ~~basis in the consolidated financial statements at~~ ~~September 30, 2012~~:basis.



	Fair Value Measurements Using
(Dollars in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
March 31, 2013
Assets
Impaired loans ⁽¹⁾	$	0	$	0	$	20,836
OREO	0		0		6,077
Covered OREO	0		0		12,263


	Fair Value Measurements Using						Fair Value Measurements Using
(Dollars in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
December 31, 2012
Assets
Impaired loans ⁽¹⁾	$	0	$	0	$	24,260	$	0	$	0	$	19,564
OREO	0		0		8,694		0		0		5,651
Covered OREO	0		0		15,167		0		0		14,059

(1) Amounts represent the fair value of collateral for impaired loans allocated to the allowance for loan and lease losses. Fair values are determined using actual market prices (Level 1), independent third party valuations and borrower records, discounted as appropriate (Level 3).

NOTE ~~15:~~14: ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

Shareholders’ equity is affected by transactions and valuations of asset and liability positions that require adjustments to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). The related tax effects allocated to other comprehensive income and reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are as follows:



	March 31, 2013
	Total other comprehensive income															Total accumulated other comprehensive income
(Dollars in thousands)	Prior to Reclassification			Reclassification from			Pre-tax			Tax-effect			Net of tax			Beginning Balance			Net Activity			Ending Balance
Unrealized gains on investment securities	$	(3,857	)	$	1,536		$	(5,393	)	$	2,036		$	(3,357	)	$	12,802		$	(3,357	)	$	9,445
Unrealized loss on cash flow hedges	136			(66		)	202			(76		)	126			(143		)	126			(17		)
Retirement obligation	0			(715		)	715			(270		)	445			(31,338		)	445			(30,893		)
Foreign currency translation	(12		)	0			(12		)	0			(12		)	2			(12		)	(10		)
Total	$	(3,733	)	$	755		$	(4,488	)	$	1,690		$	(2,798	)	$	(18,677	)	$	(2,798	)	$	(21,475	)


	Nine months ended									Balances net of tax			March 31, 2012
	September 30, 2012									as of			Total other comprehensive income							Total accumulated other comprehensive income
(Dollars in thousands)	Pre-tax			Tax-effect			Net of tax			September 30, 2012			Pre-tax		Tax-effect			Net of tax		Beginning Balance			Net Activity		Ending Balance
Unrealized gains on investment securities	$	2,671		$	(1,009	)	$	1,662		$	14,331		$	3,919	$	(1,480	)	$	2,439	$	12,669		$	2,439	$	15,108
Unrealized loss on derivatives	(292		)	110			(182		)	(182		)
Retirement obligation	1,814			(685		)	1,129			(33,007		)	570		(215		)	355		(34,136		)	355		(33,781		)
Foreign currency translation	26			0			26			3			9		0			9		(23		)	9		(14		)
Total	$	4,219		$	(1,584	)	$	2,635		$	(18,855	)	$	4,498	$	(1,695	)	$	2,803	$	(21,490	)	$	2,803	$	(18,687	)

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The following table details the activity reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into income during the period:

Nine months ended Balances net of tax
September 30, 2011 as of
(Dollars in thousands) Pre-tax Tax-effect Net of tax September 30, 2011
Unrealized gains on investment securities $ 12,966
$ (4,896 ) $ 8,070
$ 17,134
Unrealized gain on derivatives 628
(237 ) 391
0
Retirement obligation 1,275
(481 ) 794
(20,488 )
Foreign currency translation (599 ) 0
(599 ) (34 )
Total $ 14,270
$ (5,614 ) $ 8,656
$ (3,388 )



	March 31, 2013
(Dollars in thousands)	Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income *			Affected Line Item in the Consolidated Statements of Income
Gains and loss on cash flow hedges
Interest rate contracts	$	(66	)	Interest expense - deposits

Realized gains and losses on securities available-for-sale	1,536			Gains on sales of investments securities

Defined benefit pension plan
Amortization of prior service cost	105
Recognized net actuarial loss	(820		)
Amortization of defined benefit pension items	(715		)	Salaries and benefits expense

Total reclassifications for the period, before tax	$	755

* Amounts in parentheses are debits to profit/loss.

NOTE ~~16:~~15: EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:


	Three months ended				Nine months ended				Three months ended
	September 30,				September 30,				March 31,
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)	2012		2011		2012		2011		2013		2012
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share -income available to common shareholders:
Net income	$	16,242	$	15,618	$	51,038	$	48,798
Dividends on preferred stock	0		0		0		0
Income available to common shareholders	$	16,242	$	15,618	$	51,038	$	48,798
Denominator for basic earnings per share - weighted average shares	57,976,943		57,735,811		57,902,102		57,674,250
Numerator
Net income available to common shareholders									$	13,824	$	16,994

Denominator
Basic earnings per common share - weighted average shares									57,439,029		57,795,258
Effect of dilutive securities —
Employee stock awards	842,833		841,604		905,210		930,461		744,503		957,800
Warrants	120,403		76,684		123,258		95,241		99,935		127,985
Denominator for diluted earnings per share - adjusted weighted average shares	58,940,179		58,654,099		58,930,570		58,699,952
Diluted earnings per common share - adjusted weighted average shares									58,283,467		58,881,043

Earnings per share available to common shareholders
Basic	$	0.28	$	0.27	$	0.88	$	0.85	$	0.24	$	0.29
Diluted	$	0.28	$	0.27	$	0.87	$	0.83	$	0.24	$	0.29

Warrants to purchase 465,117 shares of the Company's common stock were outstanding as of March 31, 2013 and 2012. These warrants, each representing the right to purchase one share of common stock, no par value per share, have an exercise price of $12.26 and expire on December 23, 2018.

Stock options and warrants, where the exercise price was greater than the average market price of the common shares were not included in the computation of net income per diluted share as they would have been antidilutive. These out-of-the-money options were ~~354,876~~346,765 and ~~1,267,705~~282,163 at ~~September 30, 2012~~March 31, 2013 and ~~2011,~~2012, respectively.

~~Warrants to purchase~~ ~~465,117~~ ~~shares of the Company's common stock were outstanding as of~~ ~~September 30, 2012~~ ~~and 2011. These warrants, each representing the right to purchase one share of common stock, no par value per share, have an exercise price of~~ ~~$12.44~~ ~~and expire on December 23, 2018.~~

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ITEM 2-MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL

CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (MD&A)

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

(Unaudited)

Reclassifications of prior period amounts, if applicable, have been made to conform to the current period’s presentation and had no effect on previously reported net income amounts or financial condition.

SUMMARY

First Financial Bancorp. (First Financial or the Company) is a $~~6.2~~6.3 billion bank holding company headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. As of ~~September 30, 2012~~March 31, 2013 First Financial, through its subsidiaries, operated primarily in Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky. These subsidiaries include a commercial bank, First Financial Bank, N.A. (First Financial Bank or the Bank) with ~~122~~113 banking centers and ~~141~~142 ATMs. First Financial conducts three primary activities through its bank subsidiary: commercial banking, retail banking and wealth management. First Financial Bank provides credit-based products, deposit accounts, corporate cash management support and other services to commercial and retail clients. Additionally, the Bank ~~conducts~~provides franchise lending ~~by providing~~products, primarily equipment and leasehold improvement financing, for select franchisees and concepts in the quick service and casual dining restaurant sector throughout the United States. First Financial Wealth Management provides wealth planning, portfolio management, trust and estate, brokerage and retirement plan services.

First Financial acquired the banking operations of Peoples Community Bank (Peoples), and Irwin Union Bank and Trust Company and Irwin Union Bank, F.S.B. (collectively, Irwin), through Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)-assisted transactions in 2009. The acquisitions of the Peoples and Irwin franchises significantly expanded the First Financial footprint, opened new markets and strengthened the Company through the generation of additional capital.

In connection with the Peoples and Irwin FDIC-assisted transactions, First Financial entered into loss sharing agreements with the FDIC. Under the terms of these agreements the FDIC reimburses First Financial for a percentage of losses with respect to certain loans (covered loans) and other real estate owned (covered OREO) (collectively, covered assets). These agreements provide for loss protection on single-family, residential loans for a period of ten years and First Financial is required to share any recoveries of previously charged-off amounts for the same time period, on the same pro-rata basis with the FDIC. All other loans are provided loss protection for a period of five years and recoveries of previously charged-off ~~loans~~amounts must be shared with the FDIC for aan additional three year period, ~~of eight years,~~ again on the same pro-rata basis. The FDIC's obligation to reimburse First Financial for losses with respect to covered assets for all three assisted transactions began with the first dollar of loss incurred.

First Financial must follow specific servicing and resolution procedures, as outlined in the loss sharing agreements, in order to receive reimbursement from the FDIC for losses on covered assets. The Company has established separate and dedicated teams of legal, finance, credit and technology staff to execute and monitor all activity related to each agreement, including the required periodic reporting to the FDIC. First Financial services all covered assets with the same resolution practices and diligence as it does for assets that are not subject to a loss sharing agreement.

Covered loans represent approximately ~~21%~~17% of First Financial’s loans at ~~September 30, 2012~~March 31, 2013.

MARKET STRATEGY

First Financial serves a combination of metropolitan and non-metropolitan markets in Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky through its full-service banking centers, while providing franchise lending services to borrowers throughout the United States. First Financial’s market selection process includes a number of factors, but markets are primarily chosen for their potential for growth and long-term profitability. First Financial’s goal is to develop a competitive advantage utilizing a local market focus, building long-term relationships with clients ~~helping~~to help them reach greater levels of success in their financial life and providing a superior level of service. First Financial intends to continue to concentrate future growth plans and capital investments in its metropolitan markets. Smaller markets have historically provided stable, low-cost funding sources to First Financial and remain an important part of its funding base. ~~First Financial believes its historical strength in these markets should enable it to retain or improve its market share.~~

As part of the on-going evaluation of its banking center network, First Financial consolidated ~~nine~~ten banking centers located in Ohio and Indiana ~~and exited one Indiana market~~ during the ~~second~~first quarter 2012. First Financial consolidated two additional Indiana-based banking centers and closed four other Indiana-based banking centers where the Company has a limited presence during the third quarter 2012.2013. These banking center actions ~~will~~ allow the Company to focus additional resources in the Cincinnati, Dayton and Indianapolis metropolitan markets. Customer relationships related to the consolidated banking centers ~~will be~~were transferred to the nearest First Financial location where those customers ~~will~~ continue to receive the same high level of service.

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~~BUSINESS COMBINATIONS~~

~~On September 23, 2011, First Financial Bank, completed the purchase of~~ 16 ~~Ohio-based retail banking centers from~~ ~~Liberty Savings Bank, FSB~~ ~~(Liberty) including~~ ~~$126.5 million~~ ~~of performing loans and~~ ~~$341.9 million~~ ~~of deposits at their estimated fair values. First Financial also acquired~~ ~~$3.8 million~~ ~~of fixed assets at estimated fair value and paid Liberty a~~ ~~$22.4 million~~ ~~net deposit premium. Assets acquired in this transaction are not subject to a loss sharing agreement. First Financial recorded~~ ~~$17.1 million~~ ~~of goodwill related to the Liberty banking center acquisition.~~

~~On December 2, 2011, First Financial Bank completed the purchase of~~ 22 ~~Indiana-based retail banking centers from~~ ~~Flagstar Bank, FSB~~ ~~(Flagstar) and assumed approximately~~ ~~$464.7 million~~ ~~of deposits at their estimated fair value. First Financial also acquired~~ ~~$6.6 million~~ ~~of fixed assets at estimated fair value and paid Flagstar a~~ ~~$22.5 million~~ ~~net deposit premium. Assets acquired in this transaction are not subject to a loss sharing agreement. First Financial recorded~~ ~~$26.1 million~~ ~~of goodwill related to the Flagstar banking center acquisition.~~

~~The Liberty and Flagstar banking center acquisitions were accounted for in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 805, Business~~

Combinations. The fair values of assets and liabilities acquired in a business combination are subject to refinement for up to one year after the closing date of the acquisition (the measurement period) as information relative to closing date fair values becomes available.

OVERVIEW OF OPERATIONS

~~Third~~First quarter ~~2012~~2013 net income was $~~16.2~~13.8 million, and earnings per diluted share were $~~0.28~~0.24. This compares with ~~third~~first quarter ~~2011~~2012 net income of $~~15.6~~17.0 million and earnings per diluted share of $~~0.27~~0.29.

~~For the~~ ~~nine~~ ~~months ended~~ ~~September 30, 2012, net income was~~ ~~$51.0 million~~ ~~and earnings per diluted share were~~ ~~$0.87. This compares to net income~~

Table of ~~$48.8 million~~ ~~and earnings per diluted share of~~ ~~$0.83~~ ~~for the same period in 2011.~~Contents

Return on average assets for the ~~third~~first quarter of ~~2012~~2013 was ~~1.05%~~0.88% compared to ~~1.01%~~1.05% for the comparable period in ~~2011.~~2012. Return on average shareholders’ equity for the ~~third~~first quarter of ~~2012~~2013 was ~~9.01%~~7.91% compared to ~~8.54%~~9.67% for the comparable period in ~~2011.~~2012.

~~Return on average assets for the first~~ ~~nine~~ ~~months of 2012 was 1.08% compared to 1.05% for the same period in 2011. Return on average shareholders' equity was 9.56% and 9.19% for the same periods in 2012 and 2011, respectively.~~

A discussion of the first ~~nine~~ ~~months and~~ ~~third~~quarter of ~~2012~~2013 results of operations follows.

NET INTEREST INCOME

Net interest income, First Financial’s principal source of income, is the excess of interest received from earning assets over interest paid on interest-bearing liabilities. For analytical purposes, net interest income is also presented in the table that follows, adjusted to a tax equivalent basis assuming a 35% marginal tax rate for interest earned on tax-exempt assets such as municipal loans and investments. This is to recognize the income tax savings that facilitates a comparison between taxable and tax-exempt assets. Management believes that it is a standard practice in the banking industry to present net interest margin and net interest income on a fully tax equivalent basis. Therefore, management believes these measures provide useful information to make peer comparisons.

The majority of First Financial's covered loans are accounted for under FASB ASC Topic 310-30, Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality (FASB ASC Topic 310-30). 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 in the period it is measured as provision expense and has no impact on net interest income or net interest margin. Improvements in expected cash flows are recognized on a prospective basis through an upward adjustment to the yield earned on the ~~portfolio.~~portfolio, impacting both net interest income and net interest margin. 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 and has no impact on net interest income or net interest margin. Improvement, which is reflected as a higher yield on the loans, 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 can also be subject to

~~Table of Contents~~

change as loans with higher yields pay down more quickly or slowly than loans with lower yields.


	Three Months Ended						Nine months ended						Three months ended
	September 30,						September 30,						March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	2012			2011			2012			2011			2013			2012
Net interest income	$	59,846		$	65,218		$	191,365		$	198,420		$	58,666		$	66,689
Tax equivalent adjustment	255			236			689			714			477			218
Net interest income - tax equivalent	$	60,101		$	65,454		$	192,054		$	199,134		$	59,143		$	66,907

Average earning assets	$	5,658,059		$	5,687,036		$	5,806,615		$	5,730,642		$	5,887,810		$	5,950,151

Net interest margin *	4.21		%	4.55		%	4.40		%	4.63		%	4.04		%	4.51		%
Net interest margin (fully tax equivalent) *	4.23		%	4.57		%	4.42		%	4.65		%	4.07		%	4.52		%

* Margins are calculated using annualized net interest income divided by average earning assets.

Net interest income for the ~~third~~first quarter ~~2012~~2013 was ~~$59.8~~$58.7 million,, declining ~~$5.4~~$8.0 million or ~~8.2%~~12.0% from ~~third~~first quarter ~~2011~~2012 net interest income of ~~$65.2 million~~.$66.7 million. Net interest income on a fully tax-equivalent basis for the ~~third~~first quarter ~~2012~~2013 was $~~60.1~~59.1 million as compared to $~~65.5~~66.9 million for the ~~third~~first quarter ~~2011.~~2012. Net interest margin was ~~4.21%~~4.04% for the ~~third~~first quarter ~~2012~~2013 as compared to ~~4.55%~~4.51% for the ~~third~~first quarter ~~2011.~~2012. The declines in net interest income and net interest margin were primarily related to changes in the composition of the Company's earning assets as well as the current low interest rate environment for loans and investment securities.

The decline in net interest income in the ~~third~~first quarter ~~2012~~2013 as compared to the ~~third~~first quarter ~~2011~~2012 was the result of ~~a $9.6~~an $11.6 million or ~~12.7%~~15.4% decline in total interest income partially offset by a ~~$4.3~~$3.6 million or ~~39.8%~~42.4% decline in total interest expense. The decline in total interest income resulted from a decline in interest income and fees earned on loans, primarily as a result of continued amortization and paydowns in the Company's high-yielding covered loan portfolio, ~~partially offset by higher~~as well as lower interest income earned on the investment ~~portfolio.~~portfolio due to the current low rate environment.

Contributing to the lower interest income earned on loans, and a related decline in net interest margin, was a ~~$329.8~~$295.4 million or ~~27.6%~~29.0% decline in the average balance of ~~the Company's high-yielding~~ covered ~~loan portfolio~~loans as compared to the ~~third~~first quarter ~~2011.~~2012. Declines in covered loan balances

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are a result of payments received, including full payoffs, charge-offs and other loan resolution activities. The decline in covered loan balances was partially offset by growth in lower yielding assets as average uncovered loan balances increased ~~$220.7~~$224.9 million or ~~7.9%, while the investment securities portfolio increased $406.8 million or 33.9%,~~7.6% from the ~~third~~first quarter of ~~2011. Interest-bearing~~2012. Average interest-bearing deposits with other banks also declined ~~$295.6~~$123.3 million or ~~96.3%~~97.6% from the ~~third~~first quarter of ~~2011.~~

~~Elevated prepayment activity related to higher yielding mortgage-backed securities (MBSs) in the investment portfolio impacted both the average balances and portfolio yield during the third quarter~~ 2012. This prepayment activity also resulted in accelerated premium amortization, negatively affecting interest income and contributing to the decline in net interest margin. A significant portion of the Company's higher-yielding investment grade single-issuer trust preferred securities were redeemed by the issuers' early in the third quarter 2012, impacting interest income and net interest margin as well.

While average uncovered loan balances increased from the ~~third~~first quarter ~~2011~~2012 as a result of strong new loan origination activity in recent periods, payoff activity was also elevated. As a result of the low interest rate environment and heightened competition, recent loan originations have been recorded at yields significantly lower than the yields on loans that paid off during the same period, muting the impact of increased balances on interest income earned and net interest margin. Interest income and net interest margin were also negatively impacted, to a lesser extent, by a decline in loan fees.

The decline in total interest income was also due to lower interest income earned on investment securities despite a $174.1 million increase in the average balance of the Company's investment securities portfolio in the first quarter 2013 as compared to the first quarter 2012. The average yield on investment securities declined 59 basis points, to 1.98% in the first quarter 2013 from 2.57% in the first quarter 2012, primarily as a result of elevated prepayment activity related to higher yielding mortgage-backed securities (MBS) and lower reinvestment rates in recent periods.

Interest expense and net interest margin continued to benefit from the impact of deposit pricing and rationalization strategies as the average balance of interest-bearing deposits declined ~~$353.7~~$759.7 million or ~~8.1%~~16.7% and the cost of funds related to these deposits decreased 3227 basis points to 5741 basis points for the ~~third~~first quarter ~~2012~~2013 compared to 8968 basis points for the comparable quarter in ~~2011.~~

~~For the~~ ~~nine~~ ~~month period ended~~ ~~September 30, 2012~~,2012. However, interest expense and net interest ~~income was~~ ~~$191.4~~margin were also impacted by a $574.7 million~~, a decline~~ increase in the average balance of ~~$7.1 million or~~

~~Table of Contents~~

~~3.6%, from~~ ~~$198.4 million~~short-term borrowings for the ~~comparable period in 2011. Net interest income on a fully tax-equivalent basis for the~~ ~~nine~~ ~~month period ended~~ ~~September 30, 2012, was~~ ~~$192.1 million~~first quarter 2013 as compared to ~~$199.1 million~~ ~~for~~with the comparable ~~period~~quarter in ~~2011. Similar~~2012. Short-term borrowings, which are utilized to manage the ~~quarterly year-over-year items discussed above, these declines were primarily related to lower covered~~Company's normal liquidity needs, increased as a result of loan ~~balances~~demand as well as ~~a reduced yield on the FDIC indemnification asset, partially offset by higher interest income from investments~~deposit rationalization, banking center consolidation and ~~lower funding costs.~~

~~Net interest margin for the~~ ~~nine~~ ~~month period ended~~ ~~September 30,~~investment portfolio strategies during 2012 ~~declined 23 bps to~~ ~~4.40%~~ ~~from~~ ~~4.63%~~ ~~for the comparable period in 2011.~~ and into 2013.

The Consolidated Average Balance Sheets and Net Interest Income Analysis that follows are presented on a GAAP basis.

4039

Table of Contents

QUARTERLY CONSOLIDATED AVERAGE BALANCE SHEETS AND NET INTEREST INCOME ANALYSIS


	September 30, 2012							June 30, 2012							September 30, 2011							March 31, 2013							December 31, 2012							March 31, 2012
(Dollars in thousands)	Average Balance			Interest		Average Rate		Average Balance			Interest		Average Rate		Average Balance			Interest		Average Rate		Average Balance			Interest		Average Rate		Average Balance			Interest		Average Rate		Average Balance			Interest		Average Rate
Earning assets
Investments:
Investments
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks	$	11,390		$	13	0.45	%	$	4,454		$	2	0.18	%	$	306,969		$	208	0.27	%	$	3,056		$	4	0.53	%	$	5,146		$	7	0.54	%	$	126,330		$	89	0.28	%
Investment securities	1,606,313			8,469		2.09	%	1,713,503			10,500		2.46	%	1,199,473			7,587		2.51	%	1,838,783			8,956		1.98	%	1,746,961			8,780		1.99	%	1,664,643			10,651		2.57	%
Gross loans including covered loans and indemnification asset ⁽¹⁾	4,040,356			57,823		5.68	%	4,095,310			61,421		6.02	%	4,180,594			68,157		6.47	%	4,045,971			54,549		5.47	%	4,027,862			58,818		5.79	%	4,159,178			64,357		6.21	%
Total earning assets	5,658,059			66,305		4.65	%	5,813,267			71,923		4.96	%	5,687,036			75,952		5.30	%	5,887,810			63,509		4.37	%	5,779,969			67,605		4.64	%	5,950,151			75,097		5.06	%

Nonearning assets
Cash and due from banks	118,642							121,114							110,336							111,599							118,619							123,634
Allowance for loan and lease losses	(102,636		)					(98,317		)					(107,101		)					(95,512		)					(98,725		)					(100,665		)
Premises and equipment	145,214							143,261							116,070							147,355							148,047							140,377
Other assets	347,388							355,648							330,474							339,797							346,174							365,434
Total assets	$	6,166,667						$	6,334,973						$	6,136,815						$	6,391,049						$	6,294,084						$	6,478,931

Interest-bearing liabilities
Deposits:
Deposits
Interest-bearing	$	1,164,111		$	384	0.13	%	$	1,192,868		316		0.11	%	$	1,153,178		690		0.24	%	$	1,112,664		$	325	0.12	%	$	1,145,800		370		0.13	%	$	1,285,196		437		0.14	%
Savings	1,588,708			476		0.12	%	1,610,411			464		0.12	%	1,659,152			1,412		0.34	%	1,618,239			413		0.10	%	1,640,427			450		0.11	%	1,682,507			615		0.15	%
Time	1,260,329			4,870		1.53	%	1,406,800			5,601		1.60	%	1,554,497			7,721		1.97	%	1,054,499			3,122		1.20	%	1,126,627			3,978		1.40	%	1,577,448			6,664		1.69	%
Short-term borrowings	181,905			54		0.12	%	159,681			37		0.09	%	100,990			44		0.17	%	660,587			329		0.20	%	363,982			159		0.17	%	85,891			12		0.06	%
Long-term borrowings	75,435			675		3.55	%	75,314			675		3.59	%	94,150			867		3.65	%	74,740			654		3.55	%	75,326			672		3.54	%	76,020			680		3.59	%
Total interest-bearing liabilities	4,270,488			6,459		0.60	%	4,445,074			7,093		0.64	%	4,561,967			10,734		0.93	%	4,520,729			4,843		0.43	%	4,352,162			5,629		0.51	%	4,707,062			8,408		0.72	%

Noninterest-bearing liabilities and shareholders' equity
Noninterest-bearing demand	1,052,421							1,044,405							735,621							1,049,943							1,112,072							931,347
Other liabilities	126,961							128,383							113,418							111,515							115,477							133,975
Shareholders' equity	716,797							717,111							725,809							708,862							714,373							706,547
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	6,166,667						$	6,334,973						$	6,136,815						$	6,391,049						$	6,294,084						$	6,478,931
Net interest income				$	59,846						$	64,830						$	65,218						$	58,666						$	61,976						$	66,689

Net interest spread						4.05	%						4.32	%						4.37	%						3.94	%						4.13	%						4.34	%
Contribution of noninterest-bearing sources of funds						0.16	%						0.17	%						0.18	%						0.10	%						0.14	%						0.17	%
Net interest margin ⁽²⁾						4.21	%						4.49	%						4.55	%						4.04	%						4.27	%						4.51	%


(1)	Nonaccrual loans and loans held for sale are included in average balances.


(2)	Because noninterest-bearing funding sources, demand deposits, other liabilities and shareholders' equity also support earning assets, the net interest margin exceeds the interest spread.

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RATE/VOLUME ANALYSIS

The impact of changes in the volume of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and interest rates on net interest income is illustrated in the ~~following tables.~~

table below:


	Changes for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2012																		Changes for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
	Linked Qtr. Income Variance									Comparable Qtr. Income Variance									Linked Qtr. Income Variance									Comparable Qtr. Income Variance
(Dollars in thousands)	Rate			Volume			Total			Rate			Volume			Total			Rate			Volume			Total			Rate			Volume			Total
Earning assets
Investment securities	$	(1,564	)	$	(467	)	$	(2,031	)	$	(1,263	)	$	2,145		$	882		$	(82	)	$	258		$	176		$	(2,453	)	$	758		$	(1,695	)
Other earning assets	3			8			11			142			(337		)	(195		)	0			(3		)	(3		)	78			(163		)	(85		)
Gross loans ⁽¹⁾	(3,449		)	(149		)	(3,598		)	(8,327		)	(2,007		)	(10,334		)	(3,306		)	(963		)	(4,269		)	(7,659		)	(2,149		)	(9,808		)
Total earning assets	(5,010		)	(608		)	(5,618		)	(9,448		)	(199		)	(9,647		)	(3,388		)	(708		)	(4,096		)	(10,034		)	(1,554		)	(11,588		)
Interest-bearing liabilities
Total interest-bearing deposits	$	(435	)	$	(216	)	$	(651	)	$	(3,588	)	$	(505	)	$	(4,093	)	$	(719	)	$	(219	)	$	(938	)	$	(3,030	)	$	(826	)	$	(3,856	)
Borrowed funds
Short-term borrowings	10			7			17			(14		)	24			10			26			144			170			31			286			317
Federal Home Loan Bank long-term debt	(8		)	8			0			(25		)	(167		)	(192		)	2			(20		)	(18		)	(7		)	(19		)	(26		)
Other long-term debt	0			0			0			0			0			0
Total borrowed funds	2			15			17			(39		)	(143		)	(182		)	28			124			152			24			267			291
Total interest-bearing liabilities	(433		)	(201		)	(634		)	(3,627		)	(648		)	(4,275		)	(691		)	(95		)	(786		)	(3,006		)	(559		)	(3,565		)
Net interest income	$	(4,577	)	$	(407	)	$	(4,984	)	$	(5,821	)	$	449		$	(5,372	)	$	(2,697	)	$	(613	)	$	(3,310	)	$	(7,028	)	$	(995	)	$	(8,023	)

(1)Loans held for sale, nonaccrual loans, covered loans and indemnification asset are included in gross loans.

Changes for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
Year-to-Date Income Variance
(Dollars in thousands) Rate Volume Total
Earning assets
   Investment securities $ (2,008 ) $ 9,768
$ 7,760
   Other earning assets (114 ) (600 ) (714 )
   Gross loans ⁽¹⁾
(18,625 ) (8,928 ) (27,553 )
      Total earning assets (20,747 ) 240
(20,507 )
Interest-bearing liabilities
   Total interest-bearing deposits $ (11,489 ) $ (674 ) $ (12,163 )
   Borrowed funds

     Short-term borrowings (69 ) 34
(35 )
     Federal Home Loan Bank long-term debt (61 ) (802 ) (863 )
     Other long-term debt 0
(391 ) (391 )
       Total borrowed funds (130 ) (1,159 ) (1,289 )
         Total interest-bearing liabilities (11,619 ) (1,833 ) (13,452 )
             Net interest income $ (9,128 ) $ 2,073
$ (7,055 )

~~(1)Loans held for sale, nonaccrual loans, covered loans and indemnification asset are included in gross loans.~~

NONINTEREST INCOME

~~Third~~First quarter ~~2012~~2013 noninterest income was $~~30.8~~26.7 million, a ~~$2.7~~$5.2 million or ~~9.7% increase~~16.4% decrease from noninterest income of $~~28.1~~$31.9 million in the ~~third~~first quarter ~~2011.~~2012. The ~~increase~~decline in noninterest income from the comparable quarter in ~~2011~~2012 was due primarily to ~~$2.6~~a $3.9 million ~~of gains recorded on~~ decline in reimbursements due from the ~~sale of investment securities,~~FDIC, a $0.7 million increase in service charges on deposits related to the Liberty and Flagstar acquisitions, as well as an increase of other noninterest income of $0.5 million. This increase was partially offset by $1.4$1.7 million decline in accelerated discount on covered ~~loans.~~loans and a $0.8 million decline in other noninterest income. These declines were partially offset by $1.5 million of gains on sales of investment securities during the first quarter 2013.

~~Table~~When losses are incurred on covered loans, the Company recognizes those credit losses as provision expense, while losses incurred on covered OREO are recognized as noninterest expense. Reimbursements due from the FDIC under loss sharing agreements related to these credit losses are referred to as loss sharing income and are recorded as noninterest income. The impact on earnings of ~~Contents~~this offsetting activity is the net effect of the credit losses and FDIC reimbursement, representing the Company’s proportionate share of the credit losses realized on covered assets.

~~While no material sales of covered loans occurred during the~~ ~~third~~ ~~quarter of 2012, covered loan activity continued to impact noninterest income due to prepayments.~~ Accelerated discount is recognized when acquired 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 either through 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. ~~First Financial recognized accelerated discount on covered loans of $3.8 million~~ ~~for the~~ ~~third~~ ~~quarter of 2012 and $5.2 million~~ ~~for the~~ ~~third~~ ~~quarter of 2011.~~

When losses are incurred on covered loans, the Company recognizes those credit losses as provision expense, while losses incurred on covered OREO are recognized as noninterest expense. Reimbursements due from the FDIC under loss sharing agreements related to these credit losses, referred to as loss sharing income, are recorded as noninterest income and were $~~8.5 million~~ ~~for the~~ ~~third~~ ~~quarter of 2012 and $8.4 million~~ ~~for the~~ ~~third~~ ~~quarter of 2011.~~ The impact on earnings of this offsetting activity is the net effect of the credit losses and FDIC reimbursement, representing the Company’s proportionate share of the credit losses realized on covered assets.

~~For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, noninterest income totaled~~ ~~$96.3 million~~ ~~compared to~~ ~~$112.9 million~~ ~~for the comparable year-over-year period. The $16.6 million or 14.7% decline in noninterest income from the comparable period in 2011 was primarily attributable to a $23.9 million~~ decrease in ~~FDIC loss sharing income and a $4.5 million decrease in accelerated discount on covered loans, offset by the $2.6 million gain on the sale of investment securities as well as the $5.0 million of~~ other noninterest income ~~associated with the settlement of litigation~~was primarily related to ~~a subsidiary in~~lower fee income related to the ~~second~~client derivatives program during the first quarter ~~of 2012 and increases of $1.5 million and $0.7 million in service charges on deposit accounts and bankcard income, respectively.~~2013.

NONINTEREST EXPENSE

~~Third~~First quarter ~~2012~~2013 noninterest expense was $~~55.3~~$53.1 million compared with $~~53.1~~$55.8 million in the ~~third~~first quarter of ~~2011.~~2012. The ~~$2.1~~$2.7 million or ~~4.0% increase~~4.8% decrease from the comparable quarter in ~~2011~~2012 was primarily attributable to a ~~$2.5~~$1.5 million ~~increase~~decline in ~~loss sharing~~salaries and benefits expense, a ~~$1.0~~$1.9 million ~~increase~~decline in losses recorded on both covered and uncovered OREO, a $0.3 million decline in professional services expense and a $0.5 million decline in other noninterest expense. These declines were partially offset by increases of $0.8 million in net occupancy expenses, ~~related to the Liberty and Flagstar acquisitions as well as relocation of the Company's headquarters to downtown Cincinnati, an increase of $0.9~~$0.6 million in data processing expenses ~~related~~and $0.5 million of loss sharing expenses.

The decline in salaries and benefits expenses was primarily attributable to ~~the implementation~~staffing reductions and ~~maintenance of software utilized by the Bank~~branch consolidations throughout 2012 and ~~a $1.7 million increase in loss on OREO properties, offset by lower professional services expense and nominal gains recognized on covered OREO in 2012, compared to~~ ~~$2.7 million~~ ~~of losses incurred in the third quarter of 2011.~~into 2013. Losses on OREO are generally the result of declines in fair value ~~and~~and/or losses on final

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disposition of OREO properties during the period. Loss sharing expense represents costs incurred to resolve problem covered assets. Losses on covered OREO and loss sharing expenses are partially reimbursed by the FDIC.

The decline in ~~professional services expense~~other noninterest expenses was primarily due to a ~~$0.2~~$0.5 million ~~decrease~~decline in legal ~~fees, including litigation~~costs, a $0.6 million decline in administrative costs associated with the Company's benefit plans and a $0.3 million decline in the reserve for unfunded commitments. These declines were partially offset by a $1.0 million increase in fixed asset-related expenses in conjunction with branches consolidated during the first quarter of 2013.

Higher net occupancy expenses during the first quarter of 2013 were primarily attributable to $0.7 million of lease termination expenses related ~~expenses,~~to branches consolidated during the quarter as well as ~~$0.3 million in reduced~~additional costs ~~related to consulting services.~~

~~For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, noninterest expense totaled~~ ~~$168.5 million~~ ~~compared to~~ ~~$163.4 million~~ ~~for the comparable year-over-year period.~~associated with facilities that came online during 2012. The ~~increase of $5.1 million or 3.1% is primarily attributable to a $4.7 million increase in salaries and employee benefits expense related to the Liberty and Flagstar acquisitions, a $2.2 million~~ increase in data processing expense ~~related~~was due to ~~the implementation~~software and ~~maintenance of software utilized by the Bank, a $6.6 million~~system implementations, including new internet and mobile banking platforms introduced in late 2012.

The increase in loss sharing expense relates to elevated collection costs incurred on covered assets, primarily taxes, legal fees and ~~a $1.6 million increase in other noninterest expense. The increase in other noninterest~~appraisal costs. First Financial views the combination of provision expense ~~primarily~~on covered loans, losses on covered OREO and loss sharing expense, net of the related ~~to a $1.4 million increase in~~reimbursements due under loss sharing agreements recorded as FDIC loss sharing income, as the ~~amortization~~total net credit costs associated with covered assets during the period. For additional discussion of ~~intangibles~~the credit costs associated with covered assets, see "Allowance for loan and an increase in loss on the disposal of fixed assets of $0.6 million, specifically related to the core deposit intangibles and branches consolidated during 2012 as well as an increase of $0.7 million in collection expenses. Also affecting other noninterest expense was an increase in the reserve for unfunded commitments due to an increase in an available credit line after a large paydown on a criticized loan. These increases were partially offset by a combined $6.5 million decrease inlease losses ~~related to~~- covered and uncovered OREO, a $1.8 million decrease in professional services expense primarily due to lower legal and consulting costs, a $0.8 million decrease in amortization related to trust preferred securities redeemed in 2011 and a $1.7 million decrease in acquisition related costs related to the Liberty and Flagstar branch acquisitions in 2011.loans."

During the third quarter 2012, First Financial completed a comprehensive efficiency study across all business lines and support functions. As a result, the Company identified approximately $17.1 million of annualized cost savings impacting several expense ~~categories, inclusive~~categories. In the first quarter 2013, the Company incurred certain pre-tax expenses resulting from its efficiency initiative and other staffing-related changes of ~~the estimated $3.0~~$2.9 million. Approximately $1.2 million ~~of net operating~~was related to employee benefit expenses associated with ~~2012~~staffing reductions and $1.7 million was related to real estate expenses associated with previously announced banking center ~~consolidations.~~consolidation and closure plans. Realization of the identified cost savings ~~is anticipated to begin~~began during the fourth quarter 2012, ~~however~~and the Company ~~does not expect to recognize~~recognized net savings of $2.6 million during ~~2012~~the first quarter 2013 as one-time costs associated with implementing the efficiency plan ~~are expected to~~ offset estimated ~~savings.~~expense reductions. Ultimately, the achievement of these cost savings will be contingent upon management's ability to successfully implement the efficiency plan while managing external factors, such as regulatory changes and a dynamic business environment, without impacting service levels throughout the Company and to our customers.

~~Table~~In the event that staff reductions and turnover reach certain levels, as a result of ~~Contents~~First Financial's efficiency plan and/or other associate-related actions, it is possible that the Company could incur pension settlement charges in future periods. Pension settlement charges are an acceleration of previously deferred costs that would have been recognized in future periods and would be determined in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 715, Compensation-Retirement Benefits.

INCOME TAXES

Income tax expense was ~~$8.9~~$6.4 million and ~~$9.7~~$9.6 million for the ~~third~~first quarters of ~~2012~~2013 and ~~2011,~~2012, respectively. The effective tax rates for the ~~third~~first quarters of 2013 and 2012 were 31.5% and ~~2011 were~~ ~~35.4%~~ ~~and~~ ~~38.2%~~36.2%, respectively. The decrease in the effective tax rate during the ~~third~~first quarter ~~2012~~2013 as compared to the same period in ~~2011~~2012 was primarily ~~due~~the result of higher income earned on tax-exempt investment securities as well as a favorable tax reversal related to an ~~unfavorable provision to return adjustment recorded in the third quarter of 2011 related to the completion of the 2010 federal and state~~intercompany tax ~~returns.~~obligation associated with an unconsolidated former Irwin subsidiary. First Financial ~~recorded~~estimates that a favorable provision to return adjustment in the second quarter 2012 related to the completion of 2011 state tax returns. Provision to return adjustments of this nature are typical during the second or third quarters as federal and state tax returns are finalized.

~~Income tax expense for the nine months ended~~ ~~September 30, 2012~~ ~~and 2011 was~~ ~~$27.2 million~~ ~~and~~ ~~$27.9 million, respectively. The year-to-date~~normalized effective tax rate ~~through~~ ~~September 30, 2012~~ ~~was~~ ~~34.8%~~ ~~compared to~~ ~~36.3%~~ ~~for~~reflecting the ~~comparable period~~impact of the increasing investment in ~~2011. The decline in the year-to-date effective tax rate through September 30, 2012~~tax-exempt securities is ~~primarily related to tax planning strategies that reduced state taxes in 2012.~~approximately 35.1%.

LOANS - EXCLUDING COVERED LOANS

Loans, excluding covered loans and loans held for sale, ~~increased $97.6~~totaled $3.2 billion as of March 31, 2013, increasing $69.8 million, or ~~3.3% to $3.1 billion at~~ ~~September 30, 2012~~8.9% on an annualized basis, compared to December 31, ~~2011.~~2012. The increase in loan balances from December 31, ~~2011~~2012 was primarily related to a ~~$105.6~~$31.3 million increase in commercial loans, a $16.2 million increase in commercial real estate ~~loans~~ and a ~~$24.0~~$14.0 million increase in ~~equipment~~construction lending with continued solid performance from residential mortgage and lease financing, ~~balances, partially offset by a $45.2~~which increased $12.1 million ~~decline in commercial~~ and construction real estate loan balances during the period. Loan demand remains a challenge in the Company’s strategic operating markets as a result of competition from other institutions as well as continued uncertainty in the economic environment.$2.8 million, respectively.

~~Third~~First quarter ~~2012~~2013 average loans, excluding covered loans and loans held for sale, increased ~~$220.7~~$224.9 million or ~~7.9%~~7.6% from the ~~third~~first quarter of ~~2011.~~2012. The increase in average loans, excluding covered loans and loans held for sale, was primarily the result of ~~the $126.5~~a $176.2 million ~~of performing~~increase in commercial real estate loans, ~~acquired~~a $36.0 million increase in ~~connection with the Liberty branch acquisition late in the third quarter of 2011. Similarly, year-to-date average loans, excluding covered~~residential real estate loans, and ~~loans held for sale, increased $192.3~~a $32.5 million ~~through~~ ~~September 30, 2012~~ ~~from the comparable period~~increase in ~~2011.~~lease financing, partially offset by a $31.8 million decrease in real estate construction loans.

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LOANS - COVERED

Covered loans continued to decline during the quarter, totaling ~~$825.5~~$687.8 million at ~~September 30, 2012~~,March 31, 2013, a ~~$227.7~~$60.3 million or ~~21.6%~~8.1% decline compared to December 31, ~~2011.~~2012. Declines in covered loan balances were expected as there were no acquisitions of loans subject to loss sharing agreements during the period. The covered loan portfolio will continue to decline through payoffs, loan sales, charge-offs and termination or expiration of loss share coverage unless First Financial acquires additional loans subject to loss sharing agreements in the future. Loans with coverage terminated, or removed, generally represent loans to primarily high quality borrowers involving a change in loan terms which caused the respective loans to no longer qualify for reimbursement from the FDIC in the event of credit losses.

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. To date, all certifications have been filed in a timely manner and without significant issues.

INVESTMENTS

First Financial's investment portfolio totaled ~~$1.6~~$1.7 billion or ~~25.4%~~27.5% of total assets at ~~September 30, 2012~~,March 31, 2013, compared with ~~$1.5~~$1.9 billion or ~~22.7%~~28.8% of total assets at December 31, ~~2011.~~2012. Securities available-for-sale at ~~September 30, 2012~~,March 31, 2013, totaled ~~$689.7~~$952.0 million,, compared with ~~$1.4~~$1.0 billion at December 31, ~~2011,~~2012, while held-to-maturity securities totaled ~~$822.3~~$716.2 million at ~~September 30, 2012~~March 31, 2013 compared to ~~$2.7~~$770.8 million at December 31, ~~2011.~~2012.

First Financial reclassified securities, primarily agency MBSs, with a total book value of $915.5 million as of March 31, 2012 from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity during the first quarter 2012. While market expectations are that the current, low interest rate environment will continue for the next several years, the increase in the Company's portfolio duration in recent periods had caused the price sensitivity of the portfolio to increase in rising interest rate scenarios. Further, declines in market values for available-for-sale securities could negatively impact shareholders' equity as these securities are carried at fair value with unrealized holding gains and losses recorded as other comprehensive income. The reclassification was executed to mitigate the impact of potential future price depreciation on other comprehensive income and the corresponding negative

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impact on shareholders' equity as held-to-maturity securities are carried at amortized cost. First Financial has the intent and ability to hold the transferred securities to maturity and does not expect this reclassification to affect its liquidity needs in future periods.

The investment portfolio ~~increased $67.5~~decreased $130.7 million, or ~~4.5%~~7.0%, during the first ~~nine~~three months of ~~2012~~2013 as ~~$465.3~~$54.8 million of purchases were ~~partially~~ offset by amortizations and paydowns in the portfolio, ~~as well as the sale~~driven partially by continued elevated prepayment activity. The Company also sold of ~~$84.3~~$70.4 million of agency MBSs ~~classified as available-for-sale~~and collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs) during the ~~third~~ quarter ~~2012.~~in order to enhance liquidity and reduce prepayment and premium risks, resulting in a gain of $1.5 million. The ~~increase~~decrease in the investment portfolio was ~~primarily~~also related to the deployment of cash ~~received in the Liberty and Flagstar banking center acquisitions late in 2011, as well as amortization and paydowns of both uncovered and covered loans as~~to fund increased loan demand ~~remains muted.~~during the quarter. First Financial purchased ~~agency MBSs and, to a lesser extent,~~$54.8 million of investment ~~grade single issuer trust preferred~~ securities ~~utilizing the same discipline and portfolio management philosophy as with past investment purchases including, but not limited to, avoidance~~consisting of material credit risk and geographic concentration risk within the MBSs. A significant portion of the Company's higher-yielding trust preferred securities were redeemed by the issuers early in the third quarter 2012.

As a result of elevated prepayment activity on MBSs during the third quarter 2012, First Financial began repositioning the investment portfolio to reduce the future risk of prepayment by selling the previously mentioned $84.3$40.0 million of agency MBSs and purchasing $133.8 million of securities. The Company sold lower-yielding agency MBSs classified as available-for-sale in order to reduce liquidity, interest rate cap and prepayment risks, recognizing a pre-tax gain of $2.6 million on the sale. The Company purchased an additional $256.9 million of securities early in the fourth quarter 2012. These purchases consist primarily of fixed rate agency collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs) and tax-exempt pass-through securities and, to a lesser extent, variable rate agency CMOs. To mitigate prepayment and premium risk, the majority of these purchases consisted of securities with lower premiums. Additionally, a large percentage of these purchases were collateralized by higher loan-to-value (LTV) loans originated under the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP)US government guaranteed notes as well as ~~lower balance mortgages which together should exhibit more favorable prepayment protection in a low interest rate environment.~~$14.7 million of investment grade corporate securities.

The Company's current investment strategy consists of a “barbelled” approach under which both short and long duration securities are targeted to provide a weighted average duration and yield profile approximating an intermediate duration security. This strategy should provide current income from the longer duration securities, which benefit from the steepness of the yield curve, while also mitigating interest rate risk with shorter duration variable rate securities which will reset when interest rates return to a rising environment.

The overall duration of the investment portfolio ~~decreased~~increased to ~~1.8~~3.1 years as of ~~September 30, 2012~~March 31, 2013 from ~~2.4~~2.8 years as of December 31, ~~2011~~2012 primarily due to ~~increased prepayment speeds resulting from~~ the ~~continued decline in interest rates.~~ impact of sales of floating rate CMOs and shorter duration securities during the period. The Company ~~has partially mitigated~~is managing the refinancing and premium risk associated with higher prepayment speeds by capping the premium at which it has purchased securities and by selectively purchasing agency MBSs collateralized by assets less subject to refinancing in this interest rate environment.

First Financial has recorded, as a component of equity in accumulated other comprehensive income, ana $9.4 million unrealized after-tax gain on the investment portfolio ~~of approximately $14.3 million~~ at ~~September 30, 2012~~,March 31, 2013, compared with ~~$12.7~~a $12.8 million unrealized after-tax gain at December 31, ~~2011.~~2012.

DEPOSITS AND FUNDING

Total deposits as of ~~September 30, 2012~~March 31, 2013 were ~~$4.9~~$4.8 billion, a decrease of ~~$698.2~~$134.5 million or ~~12.4%~~2.7% compared to December 31, ~~2011.~~2012. The decrease in total deposits at ~~September 30, 2012~~March 31, 2013 as compared to December 31, ~~2011~~2012 was ~~primarily related to~~driven by a ~~$455.4~~$38.5 million or ~~27.5%~~3.6% decline in total time deposits as well as a $96.0 million or 2.5% decline in total non-time deposit balances. The decline in time deposit balances ~~and a $242.9 million or 6.1% decline~~was primarily the result of lower consumer balances related to the Company's continued efforts to manage deposit funding costs, partially offset by an increase in ~~non-time deposit~~public fund balances. The decline in non-time deposit balances was ~~driven by a $204.5 million decrease in interest-bearing demand deposits and a $155.8 million decrease in savings deposits. The~~primarily due to seasonal declines in ~~both time deposit~~commercial balances of $56.2 million and ~~non-time deposit~~public fund balances ~~from December 31, 2011 to~~ ~~September 30, 2012~~ ~~were a result~~ of the Company's continued focus on reducing non-core relationship deposits in connection with its deposit rationalization strategies, the repricing of certain deposits acquired in the Flagstar banking center acquisition and deposit attrition resulting from the Company's recent banking center consolidation activities. Partially offsetting this activity was$77.7 million, partially offset by an increase of ~~$117.5~~$49.7 million ~~or 12.4%~~ in ~~core noninterest-bearing accounts during the first nine months of 2012.~~consumer balances.

Average deposits declined to ~~$5.1~~$4.8 billion at ~~September 30, 2012~~March 31, 2013 from $5.5 billion at ~~December~~March 31, ~~2011~~2012 primarily due to decreases in average interest-bearing demand deposits of ~~$224.8~~$172.5 million and average time deposits of ~~$363.6~~$522.9 million, partially offset by an increase in noninterest-bearing deposits of ~~$191.6~~$118.6 million.

Borrowed funds increased to ~~$446.7~~$707.6 million at ~~September 30, 2012~~March 31, 2013 from ~~$176.0~~$699.8 million at December 31, ~~2011,~~2012, due to ~~a $283.0~~

~~Table of Contents~~

an $8.3 million increase in ~~First Financial's short-term borrowings with the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB)~~federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase as a result of ~~deposit attrition during~~ the ~~period from the Company's deposit reationalization strategies as well as recent purchase activity related to the Company's investment securities portfolio.~~Bank's funding needs.

For further discussion of First Financial's borrowing capacity and liquidity management, see the Liquidity section of Management's Discussion and Analysis.

Table of Contents

RISK MANAGEMENT

First Financial manages risk through a structured enterprise risk management (ERM) approach that routinely assesses the overall level of risk, identifies specific risks and evaluates the steps being taken to mitigate those risks. First Financial continues to enhance its risk management capabilities and the development of risk awareness as a component of the culture of the Company and the operating policies of its business lines. First Financial has identified nine types of risk that it monitors in its ERM framework. These risks include information technology, market, legal, strategic, reputation, credit, regulatory (compliance), operational and external/environmental.

For further discussion of these risks, see the Risk Management section of the Management's Discussion and Analysis of First Financial’s ~~2011~~2012 Annual Report and the information below.

CREDIT RISK

Credit risk represents the risk of loss due to failure of a customer or counterparty to meet its financial obligations in accordance with contractual terms. First Financial manages credit risk through its underwriting process and periodically reviewing and approving its credit exposures using credit policies and guidelines approved by its board of directors. Due to the significant differences in the accounting for covered loans and the loss sharing agreements with the FDIC, management believes that asset quality measures excluding covered loans are generally more meaningful. Therefore, management has included asset quality measures that exclude covered loans in ~~the table in~~ this section.

Allowance for loan and lease losses ~~(excluding~~- excluding covered ~~loans).~~loans. Management maintains the allowance for loan and lease losses at a level that it considers sufficient to absorb probable loan and lease losses inherent in the portfolio. Management determines the adequacy of the allowance based on historical loss experience ~~as well as~~and other significant factors such as composition of the portfolio; economic conditions; geographic footprint; the results of periodic internal and external evaluations of delinquent, nonaccrual and classified loans; and any other adverse situations that may affect a specific borrower's ability to repay (including the timing of future payments).factors. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires utilizing material estimates that may be susceptible to significant change. ~~The evaluation of these factors is the responsibility of the~~See Note 10, Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses, ~~Committee, which is comprised~~to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of ~~senior officers from the risk management, credit administration, finance and lending areas.~~First Financial's allowance for uncovered loans.

The allowance for uncovered loan and lease losses was ~~$49.2~~$48.3 million as of ~~September 30, 2012~~March 31, 2013 compared to ~~$52.6~~$47.8 million as of December 31, ~~2011.~~2012. As a percentage of period-end loans, the allowance for loan and lease losses was ~~1.60%~~1.49% as of ~~September 30, 2012~~March 31, 2013 compared to ~~1.77%~~1.50% as of December 31, ~~2011.~~2012. The allowance for uncovered loan and lease losses is the result of the Company's modeling efforts to estimate losses inherent in the portfolio and is influenced by migration trends within First Financial's loan rating classification scheme, the levels of nonperforming loans and the nature and timing of resolution strategies related to nonperforming loans, among other factors. The declineincrease in the allowance for uncovered loan and lease losses from December 31, ~~2011~~2012 was primarily the result of continued ~~positive migration trends in classified assets~~loan growth as well as increases in specific reserves recorded on certain impaired loans. The decrease in the ~~finalization~~allowance as a percentage of ~~resolution strategies related~~loans is primarily attributable to ~~certain nonperforming~~loan growth as newly originated loans ~~during 2012.~~are generally reserved for at lower rates.

~~Third~~First quarter ~~2012~~2013 net charge-offs were ~~$5.4~~$2.5 million or ~~0.71%~~0.32% of average loans and leases on an annualized basis, compared with ~~$6.8~~$6.4 million or ~~0.96%~~0.87% of average loans and leases on an annualized basis for the comparable quarter in ~~2011.~~2012. Net charge-offs during the ~~third~~first quarter ~~2012~~2013 included $0.8 million related to ~~the disposition of a single commercial loan and $2.3 million related to valuation adjustments of~~ three commercial real estate ~~credits.~~

~~For the~~ ~~nine~~ ~~months ended~~ ~~September 30, 2012, net charge-offs were $18.6 million, or 0.83% of average loans~~credits and ~~leases on an annualized basis, as compared to $16.7 million, or 0.80% of average loans and leases on an annualized basis for the~~ ~~nine~~ ~~months ended~~ ~~September 30, 2011. Net charge-offs for the~~ ~~nine~~ ~~months ended~~ ~~September 30, 2012~~ ~~include the third quarter 2012 charge-offs discussed above in addition to $2.0~~$0.7 million related to ~~the dispositions of a commercial real estate credit and a construction and land development credit and $1.2 million related to valuation adjustments on~~ two commercial ~~real estate~~ credits, none of which were individually significant. Significant items driving net charge-offs during the ~~second~~first quarter 2012 ~~as well as a~~included $1.7 million ~~charge-off~~ related to a commercial construction and land development credit, $1.1 million related to a hotel real estate loan and three commercial credits totaling $0.9 million in the

~~Table~~ aggregate. The timing and amount of ~~Contents~~

~~aggregate during~~net charge-offs are dependent on the ~~first quarter 2012.~~individual credit characteristics of each loan relationship as well as the Company's resolution strategies and can vary from period to period.

Provision expense related to uncovered loans and leases is a product of the Company's allowance for loan and lease losses model as well as net charge-off activity during the period. ~~Third~~First quarter ~~2012~~2013 provision expense related to uncovered loans and leases was ~~$3.6~~$3.0 million as compared to ~~$7.6~~$3.3 million during the comparable quarter in 2011. Similar to the allowance, the decline in provision expense was driven primarily by the continued positive migration trends in classified assets as well as the finalization of resolution strategies on certain loans during the quarter. Provision expense related to uncovered loans and leases was ~~$15.2 million~~ ~~and~~ ~~$14.0 million~~ ~~for the~~ ~~nine~~ ~~months ended~~ ~~September 30, 2012~~ ~~and 2011, respectively. Provision expense for the~~ ~~nine~~ ~~months ended~~ ~~September 30, 2012~~ was impacted by the establishment of or addition to specific reserves totaling $6.1 million in the aggregate on three separate commercial and commercial real estate credits in the second quarter, partially offset by the continued migration trends in classified assets as well as the finalization of resolution strategies on certain loans during the year.2012.

~~Table of Contents~~

The table that follows ~~indicates~~includes the activity in the allowance for loan losses, excluding covered loans, for the quarterly periods presented.

Table of Contents


	Three months ended															Nine months ended						Three months ended
	2012									2011						September 30,						2013			2012
(Dollars in thousands)	Sep. 30,			June 30,			Mar. 31,			Dec. 31,			Sep. 30,			2012			2011			Mar. 31,			Dec. 31,			Sep. 30,			June 30,			Mar. 31,
Allowance for loan and lease loss activity	Allowance for loan and lease loss activity																					Allowance for loan and lease loss activity
Balance at beginning of period	$	50,952		$	49,437		$	52,576		$	54,537		$	53,671		$	52,576		$	57,235		$	47,777		$	49,192		$	50,952		$	49,437		$	52,576
Provision for loan losses	3,613			8,364			3,258			5,164			7,643			15,235			14,046			3,041			3,882			3,613			8,364			3,258
Gross charge-offs
Commercial	1,340			1,129			1,186			1,742			879			3,655			1,694			781			657			1,340			1,129			1,186
Real estate-construction	180			717			1,787			2,105			1,771			2,684			4,174			0			0			180			717			1,787
Real estate-commercial	2,736			3,811			2,244			2,505			2,997			8,791			7,877			995			2,221			2,736			3,811			2,244
Real estate-residential	565			191			604			473			564			1,360			1,078			223			454			565			191			604
Installment	134			116			60			115			162			310			411			100			267			134			116			60
Home equity	380			915			644			488			510			1,939			1,695			701			1,722			380			915			644
All other	469			259			297			363			291			1,025			1,078			410			227			469			259			297
Total gross charge-offs	5,804			7,138			6,822			7,791			7,174			19,764			18,007			3,210			5,548			5,804			7,138			6,822
Recoveries
Commercial	202			48			72			348			92			322			414			319			71			202			48			72
Real estate-construction	0			0			0			5			0			0			27			136			0			0			0			0
Real estate-commercial	38			68			113			68			168			219			241			39			46			38			68			113
Real estate-residential	33			9			28			3			4			70			42			4			3			33			9			28
Installment	72			75			123			96			87			270			267			77			53			72			75			123
Home equity	31			28			24			71			9			83			46			52			32			31			28			24
All other	55			61			65			75			37			181			226			71			46			55			61			65
Total recoveries	431			289			425			666			397			1,145			1,263			698			251			431			289			425
Total net charge-offs	5,373			6,849			6,397			7,125			6,777			18,619			16,744			2,512			5,297			5,373			6,849			6,397
Ending allowance for loan and lease losses	$	49,192		$	50,952		$	49,437		$	52,576		$	54,537		$	49,192		$	54,537		$	48,306		$	47,777		$	49,192		$	50,952		$	49,437

Net charge-offs to average loans and leases (annualized)	Net charge-offs to average loans and leases (annualized)																					Net charge-offs to average loans and leases (annualized)
Commercial	0.56		%	0.53		%	0.53		%	0.65		%	0.39		%	0.54		%	0.21		%	0.22		%	0.28		%	0.56		%	0.53		%	0.53		%
Real estate-construction	0.78		%	2.91		%	6.36		%	6.13		%	4.96		%	3.54		%	3.79		%	(0.68		)%	0.00		%	0.78		%	2.91		%	6.36		%
Real estate-commercial	0.81		%	1.18		%	0.69		%	0.80		%	0.98		%	0.89		%	0.90		%	0.27		%	0.63		%	0.81		%	1.18		%	0.69		%
Real estate-residential	0.72		%	0.25		%	0.81		%	0.64		%	0.86		%	0.59		%	0.53		%	0.27		%	0.58		%	0.72		%	0.25		%	0.81		%
Installment	0.41		%	0.26		%	(0.39		)%	0.11		%	0.47		%	0.08		%	0.29		%	0.17		%	1.46		%	0.41		%	0.26		%	(0.39		)%
Home equity	0.38		%	0.99		%	0.70		%	0.46		%	0.57		%	0.69		%	0.64		%	0.72		%	1.82		%	0.38		%	0.99		%	0.70		%
All other	2.51		%	1.46		%	1.88		%	2.47		%	2.46		%	1.99		%	3.03		%	1.63		%	0.94		%	2.51		%	1.46		%	1.88		%
Total net charge-offs	0.71		%	0.93		%	0.87		%	0.95		%	0.96		%	0.83		%	0.80		%	0.32		%	0.68		%	0.71		%	0.93		%	0.87		%

Allowance for loan and lease losses ~~(covered loans).~~- covered loans. The majority of covered loans are accounted for under FASB ASC Topic 310-30, whereby First Financial is required to periodically re-estimate the expected cash flows on the loans. For purposes of applying the guidance under FASB ASC Topic 310-30, First Financial grouped acquired loans into pools based on common risk characteristics. A decline in expected cash flows for a pool of loans is referred to as impairment and recorded as provision expense, and a related allowance for loan and lease losses on covered loans, on a discounted basis during the period. Estimated reimbursements due from the FDIC under loss sharing agreements related to any declines in expected loan cash flows are recorded as noninterest income and an increase to the FDIC indemnification asset in the same period. Improvement in expected cash flows for a pool of loans, once any previously recorded impairment is recaptured, is recognized prospectively as an adjustment to the yield on the loans in the pool and a related adjustment to the yield on the FDIC indemnification asset. These cash flow evaluations are inherently subjective as they require material estimates, all of which may be susceptible to significant change. See Note 10, Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses, to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of First Financial's allowance for covered loans.

4845

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The allowance for covered loan and lease losses was ~~$48.9~~$45.5 million as of ~~September 30, 2012~~March 31, 2013 compared to ~~$42.8~~$45.2 million as of December 31, ~~2011~~2012 as a result of changes in expected cash flows on loans accounted for under FASB ASC Topic 310-30, as well as portfolio activity during the period, including payments received and charge-offs.

First Financial recognized total provision expense related to covered loans of ~~$6.6~~$9.0 million and realized net charge-offs related to covered loans of ~~$6.1~~$8.7 million for the three months ended ~~September 30, 2012~~.March 31, 2013. The Company recognized total provision expense related to covered loans of ~~$7.3~~$13.0 million and net charge-offs of ~~$10.2~~$9.6 million for the three months ended ~~September 30, 2011. For the~~ ~~nine~~ ~~months ended~~ ~~September 30, 2012, First Financial recognized total provision expense related to covered loans of~~ ~~$25.6 million~~ ~~and net charge-offs of~~ ~~$19.6 million. The Company recognized total provision expense related to covered loans of~~ ~~$57.2 million~~ ~~and net charge-offs of~~ ~~$25.6 million~~ ~~for the~~ ~~nine~~ ~~months ended~~ ~~September 30, 2011~~. March 31, 2012.

The Company also recognized loss sharing expenses of ~~$3.6~~$2.3 million and modest net gains on covered OREO during the ~~third~~first quarter of ~~2012.~~2013. Loss sharing expenses and losses on covered OREO were ~~$1.0~~$1.8 million and ~~$2.7~~$1.3 million,, respectively, in the ~~third~~first quarter of ~~2011.~~2012. Loss sharing expenses include attorney fees, taxes, insurance and other collection expenses related to the resolution of covered assets. ~~First Financial recognized loss sharing expenses of~~ ~~$8.4 million~~ ~~and~~ ~~$1.9 million, and losses on covered OREO of~~ ~~$2.5 million~~ ~~and~~ ~~$8.4 million, for the~~ ~~nine~~ ~~months ended~~ ~~September 30, 2012~~ ~~and 2011, respectively.~~

The ~~receivable~~receivables due from the FDIC under loss sharing agreements related to covered provision expense, loss sharing expense and losses on covered OREO of ~~$8.5~~$8.9 million and ~~$8.4~~$12.8 million for the three months ended ~~September 30,~~March 31, 2013 and 2012, ~~and 2011,~~ respectively, ~~was~~were recognized as FDIC loss sharing income and corresponding increases to the FDIC indemnification asset in those periods. ~~The receivable due from the FDIC under loss sharing agreements related to covered provision expense, loss sharing expense and losses on covered OREO of $29.6 million~~ ~~and $53.5 million~~ ~~for the~~ ~~nine~~ ~~months ended~~ ~~September 30, 2012~~ ~~and 2011, respectively, was recognized as FDIC loss sharing income and corresponding increases to the FDIC indemnification asset in those periods.~~


	Three months ended															Nine months ended						Three months ended
	2012									2011						September 30,						2013			2012
(Dollars in thousands)	Sep. 30,			June 30,			Mar. 31,			Dec. 31,			Sep. 30,			2012			2011			Mar. 31,			Dec. 31,			Sep. 30,			June 30,			Mar. 31,
Balance at beginning of period	$	48,327		$	46,156		$	42,835		$	48,112		$	51,044		$	42,835		$	16,493		$	45,190		$	48,895		$	48,327		$	46,156		$	42,835
Provision for loan and lease losses	6,622			6,047			12,951			6,910			7,260			25,620			57,171			9,042			5,283			6,622			6,047			12,951
Loans charged-off	(9,058		)	(5,163		)	(10,118		)	(13,513		)	(10,609		)	(24,339		)	(32,091		)	(9,684		)	(9,568		)	(9,058		)	(5,163		)	(10,118		)
Recoveries	3,004			1,287			488			1,326			417			4,779			6,539			948			580			3,004			1,287			488
Ending allowance for covered loan losses	$	48,895		$	48,327		$	46,156		$	42,835		$	48,112		$	48,895		$	48,112		$	45,496		$	45,190		$	48,895		$	48,327		$	46,156

Nonperforming/Underperforming Assets ~~(excluding~~- excluding covered ~~assets).~~assets. Nonperforming loans totaled ~~$74.0~~$77.2 million and nonperforming assets totaled ~~$87.9~~$89.2 million as of ~~September 30, 2012~~March 31, 2013 compared with ~~$76.4~~$75.9 million and ~~$87.7~~$88.4 million,, respectively, at December 31, ~~2011.~~2012. Nonaccrual loans, including troubled debt restructurings (TDRs) classified as nonaccrual, totaled ~~$62.4~~$64.5 million as of ~~September 30, 2012~~March 31, 2013 compared to ~~$72.4~~$65.0 million as of December 31, ~~2011,~~2012, representing a ~~$9.9~~$0.6 million, or 13.7% decrease primarily driven by the finalization of resolution strategies, including transfers to OREO, dispositions and net charge-offs, related to credits in the commercial and construction and land development portfolios.0.9% decrease.

The ~~third~~first quarter ~~2012~~2013 allowance for loan and lease losses as a percentage of nonaccrual loans, including nonaccrual TDRs was ~~99.6%~~75.0% compared with ~~96.8%~~73.5% at December 31, ~~2011,~~2012, while the allowance for loan and lease losses as a percentage of nonperforming loans was ~~66.5%~~62.6% at ~~September 30, 2012~~,March 31, 2013, compared with ~~68.8%~~63.0% at December 31, ~~2011.~~2012.

Total classified assets as of ~~September 30, 2012~~March 31, 2013 totaled ~~$133.4~~$130.4 million compared to ~~$162.4~~$129.0 million at December 31, ~~2011.~~2012. Classified assets ~~which have declined for eight consecutive quarters,~~ are defined by the Company as nonperforming assets plus performing loans internally rated substandard or worse.

Troubled Debt Restructurings ~~(excluding~~- excluding covered ~~loans).~~loans. TDRs totaled ~~$24.6~~$35.1 million at ~~September 30, 2012~~,March 31, 2013, a ~~$2.5~~$10.1 million increase from December 31, ~~2011.~~2012. Accruing TDRs increased ~~$7.6~~$1.9 million from December 31, ~~2011,~~2012, generally as a result of renewals and term extensions of performing, substandard-rated loans that are experiencing operating cash flow stress but have strong underlying collateral and guarantor support. TDRs classified as nonaccrual ~~declined $5.1~~increased $8.2 million from December 31, ~~2011~~2012 primarily as a result of modified borrowing terms related to a $6.9 million commercial nonaccrual credit in the ~~$4.4 million construction and land development credit that was sold during the second~~first quarter ~~2012, as well as other transfers to OREO and charge-offs during 2012.~~2013.

~~Table of Contents~~

Delinquent Loans ~~(excluding~~- excluding covered ~~loans).~~loans. At ~~September 30, 2012~~,March 31, 2013, loans 30-to-89 days past due ~~decreased~~increased to ~~$17.0~~$18.2 million, or ~~0.55%~~0.56% of period end loans, as compared to ~~$20.4~~$16.3 million, or ~~0.69%~~0.51%, at December 31, ~~2011.~~2012. The ~~decrease~~increase in delinquent loans compared to December 31, ~~2011~~2012 primarily resulted from higher delinquencies in the commercial real estate and equipment financing portfolios partially offset by lower delinquencies in commercial and residential real estate loans.

Table of Contents

Other Real Estate Owned. At ~~September 30, 2012~~,March 31, 2013, First Financial had OREO properties originating from uncovered loans totaling ~~$13.9~~$12.0 million, compared with ~~$11.3~~$12.5 million at December 31, ~~2011.~~2012. Uncovered OREO ~~increased $2.6~~decreased $0.5 million from December 31, ~~2011~~2012 to ~~September 30, 2012~~March 31, 2013 as ~~additions of $8.2 million exceeded dispositions~~resolutions and valuation adjustments of ~~$5.6~~$1.2 million exceeded $0.7 million of additions during the ~~period. Additions~~quarter. There were no individually material items included in either the additions or resolutions during ~~the period primarily related to three land development relationships totaling $3.4 million in the aggregate which transferred to OREO in~~ the first quarter ~~2012. During the third quarter 2012, there were no individually significant activity.~~2013.

OREO originating from covered loans was ~~$28.6~~$29.3 million at ~~September 30, 2012~~,March 31, 2013, compared with ~~$44.8~~$28.9 million at December 31, ~~2011.~~2012. Covered OREO ~~declined $16.2~~increased $0.5 million, or 1.7%, from December 31, ~~2011 to~~ ~~September 30,~~ 2012 as additions of ~~$17.1~~$6.7 million ~~were offset by dispositions~~slightly exceeded resolutions and valuation adjustments of ~~$33.3~~$6.2 million during the ~~period.~~quarter.

The table that follows shows the categories that are included in nonperforming and underperforming assets, excluding covered assets, as of ~~September 30, 2012, and the four previous quarters, as~~ well as related credit quality ~~ratios.~~ratios as of March 31, 2013, and the four previous quarters.



	Quarter ended
	2013			2012
(Dollars in thousands)	Mar. 31,			Dec. 31,			Sep. 30,			June 30,			Mar. 31,
Nonperforming loans, nonperforming assets, and underperforming assets
Nonaccrual loans
Commercial	$	4,044		$	10,562		$	4,563		$	12,065		$	5,936
Real estate - construction	945			950			2,536			7,243			7,005
Real estate - commercial	30,311			31,002			33,961			36,116			35,581
Real estate - residential	4,371			5,045			5,563			5,069			5,131
Installment	211			376			284			319			377
Home equity	1,750			2,499			2,497			2,281			1,915
Lease financing	496			496			—			—			—
Nonaccrual loans	42,128			50,930			49,404			63,093			55,945
Troubled debt restructurings (TDRs)
Accruing	12,757			10,856			11,604			9,909			9,495
Nonaccrual	22,324			14,111			13,017			10,185			17,205
Total TDRs	35,081			24,967			24,621			20,094			26,700
Total nonperforming loans	77,209			75,897			74,025			83,187			82,645
Other real estate owned (OREO)	11,993			12,526			13,912			15,688			15,036
Total nonperforming assets	89,202			88,423			87,937			98,875			97,681
Accruing loans past due 90 days or more	157			212			108			143			203
Total underperforming assets	$	89,359		$	88,635		$	88,045		$	99,018		$	97,884
Total classified assets	$	130,436		$	129,040		$	133,382		$	145,621		$	154,684

Credit quality ratios (excluding covered assets)
Allowance for loan and lease losses to
Nonaccrual loans	114.66		%	93.81		%	99.57		%	80.76		%	88.37		%
Nonaccrual loans plus nonaccrual TDRs	74.95		%	73.46		%	78.81		%	69.53		%	67.58		%
Nonperforming loans	62.57		%	62.95		%	66.45		%	61.25		%	59.82		%
Total ending loans	1.49		%	1.50		%	1.60		%	1.69		%	1.67		%
Nonperforming loans to total loans	2.38		%	2.39		%	2.41		%	2.76		%	2.79		%
Nonperforming assets to
Ending loans, plus OREO	2.74		%	2.77		%	2.86		%	3.27		%	3.28		%
Total assets, including covered assets	1.40		%	1.36		%	1.41		%	1.57		%	1.52		%
Nonperforming assets, excluding accruing TDRs to
Ending loans, plus OREO	2.34		%	2.43		%	2.48		%	2.94		%	2.96		%
Total assets, including covered assets	1.20		%	1.19		%	1.22		%	1.42		%	1.37		%

5047

Table of Contents

Quarter ended
2012 2011
(Dollars in thousands) Sep. 30, June 30, Mar. 31, Dec. 31, Sep. 30,
Nonperforming loans, nonperforming assets, and underperforming assets
Nonaccrual loans
Commercial $ 4,563
$ 12,065
$ 5,936
$ 7,809
$ 10,792
Real estate - construction 2,536
7,243
7,005
10,005
13,844
Real estate - commercial 33,961
36,116
35,581
28,349
26,408
Real estate - residential 5,563
5,069
5,131
5,692
5,507
Installment 284
319
377
371
322
Home equity 2,497
2,281
1,915
2,073
2,277
Nonaccrual loans 49,404
63,093
55,945
54,299
59,150
Troubled debt restructurings (TDRs)
Accruing 11,604
9,909
9,495
4,009
4,712
Nonaccrual 13,017
10,185
17,205
18,071
12,571
Total TDRs 24,621
20,094
26,700
22,080
17,283
Total nonperforming loans 74,025
83,187
82,645
76,379
76,433
Other real estate owned (OREO) 13,912
15,688
15,036
11,317
12,003
Total nonperforming assets 87,937
98,875
97,681
87,696
88,436
Accruing loans past due 90 days or more 108
143
203
191
235
Total underperforming assets $ 88,045
$ 99,018
$ 97,884
$ 87,887
$ 88,671
Total classified assets $ 133,382
$ 145,621
$ 154,684
$ 162,372
$ 172,581

Credit quality ratios (excluding covered assets)
Allowance for loan and lease losses to
Nonaccrual loans 99.57 % 80.76 % 88.37 % 96.83 % 92.20 %
Nonaccrual loans plus nonaccrual TDRs 78.81 % 69.53 % 67.58 % 72.65 % 76.04 %
Nonperforming loans 66.45 % 61.25 % 59.82 % 68.84 % 71.35 %
Total ending loans 1.60 % 1.69 % 1.67 % 1.77 % 1.86 %
Nonperforming loans to total loans 2.41 % 2.76 % 2.79 % 2.57 % 2.60 %
Nonperforming assets to

Ending loans, plus OREO 2.86 % 3.27 % 3.28 % 2.94 % 3.00 %
Total assets, including covered assets 1.41 % 1.57 % 1.52 % 1.31 % 1.40 %
Nonperforming assets, excluding accruing TDRs to
Ending loans, plus OREO 2.48 % 2.94 % 2.96 % 2.81 % 2.84 %
Total assets, including covered assets 1.22 % 1.42 % 1.37 % 1.25 % 1.32 %

MARKET RISK

Market risk is the risk of loss arising from adverse changes in the fair value of financial instruments due to changes in interest rates, foreign exchange rates and equity prices. The primary source of market risk for First Financial is interest rate risk. Interest rate risk is the risk to earnings and the value of equity arising from changes in market interest rates and arises in the normal course of business to the extent that there is a divergence between the amount of First Financial’s interest-earning assets and the amount of interest-bearing liabilities that are prepaid/withdrawn, re-price or mature in specified periods. First Financial seeks to achieve consistent growth in net interest income and equity while managing volatility arising from shifts in market interest rates. First Financial’s board of directors establishes policy limits with respect to interest rate risk and changes in the economic value of equity. First Financial’s Asset and Liability Committee (ALCO), a group of senior officers from the lending, deposit gathering, finance, risk management and treasury areas, oversees market risk management, monitoring risk measures, limits and policy guidelines for managing the amount of interest rate risk and its effect on net interest income and capital.

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characteristics of assets and liabilities and determining the appropriate interest rate risk position given business activities, management objectives, market expectations and ALCO policy limits and guidelines.

LIQUIDITY

Liquidity management is the process by which First Financial manages the continuing flow of funds necessary to meet its financial commitments on a timely basis and at a reasonable cost. These funding commitments include withdrawals by depositors, credit commitments to borrowers, shareholder dividends, expenses of its operations and capital expenditures. Liquidity is monitored and closely managed by ~~ALCO, a group of senior officers from the deposit gathering, finance, risk management and treasury areas.~~ALCO. It is ALCO’s responsibility to ensure First Financial has the necessary level of funds available for normal operations as well as to maintain a contingency funding policy to ensure that liquidity stress events are quickly identified and management plans to respond are in place. This is accomplished through the use of policies which establish limits and require measurements to monitor liquidity trends, including modeling and management reporting that identifies the amounts and costs of all available funding sources. These sources are periodically tested for funding availability.

Liquidity is derived primarily from deposit growth, principal and interest payments on loans and investment securities, maturing loans and investment securities, access to wholesale funding sources and collateralized borrowings. First Financial’s most stable source of liability-funded liquidity for both long and short-term needs is deposit growth and retention of the core deposit base. The deposit base is diversified among individuals, partnerships, corporations, public entities and geographic markets. This diversification helps First Financial minimize dependence on large concentrations of wholesale funding sources.

Capital expenditures, such as banking center expansions and technology investments were $~~18.6~~3.9 million and $~~9.7~~6.8 million for the first ~~nine~~three months of ~~2012~~2013 and ~~2011,~~2012, respectively. Management believes that First Financial has sufficient liquidity to fund its future capital expenditure commitments.

As of ~~September 30, 2012~~March 31, 2013, First Financial had pledged certain eligible residential and farm real estate loans, home equity lines of credit and government and agency securities, totaling $~~1.5~~1.6 billion as collateral for borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB). For ease of borrowing execution, First Financial utilizes a blanket collateral agreement with the FHLB.

First Financial utilizes its short-term line of credit and longer-term advances from the FHLB as funding sources. At ~~September 30, 2012~~March 31, 2013, the Company had $~~283.0~~502.2 million in short-term borrowings from the FHLB. At December 31, ~~2011~~2012, the Company had no$502.0 million in short-term borrowings from the FHLB. ~~The increase in short-term borrowings at~~ ~~September 30, 2012~~ was related to deposit attrition during the period resulting from the Company's deposit rationalization strategies as well as recent purchase activity related to the Company's investment securities portfolio. At ~~September 30, 2012~~March 31, 2013, and December 31, ~~2011,~~2012, total long-term borrowings from the FHLB were $~~9.7~~8.7 million and $~~11.5~~9.4 million, respectively. First Financial's total remaining borrowing capacity from the FHLB was $~~310.2~~354.0 million at ~~September 30, 2012~~March 31, 2013.

~~The~~First Financial's principal source of asset-funded liquidity is marketable investment securities, particularly those of shorter maturities. The market value of investment securities classified as available-for-sale totaled $~~689.7~~952.0 million at ~~September 30, 2012~~March 31, 2013. Securities classified as held-to-maturity that are maturing within a short period of time are also a source of liquidity and totaled $~~0.5~~0.3 million at ~~September 30, 2012~~March 31, 2013. In addition, other types of assets such as cash and due from banks, ~~federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell,~~interest-bearing deposits with other banks, as well as loans maturing within one year, are sources of liquidity.

At ~~September 30, 2012~~March 31, 2013, in addition to liquidity on hand of $~~175.7~~107.4 million, First Financial had unused and available overnight wholesale funding of $2.3 billion or ~~36.2%~~36.7% of total assets to fund new loans, any deposit runoff that may occur as a result of the Company's deposit rationalization efforts and from markets that the Company is exiting, or for general corporate requirements.

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Certain restrictions exist regarding the ability of First Financial’s subsidiaries to transfer funds to First Financial in the form of cash dividends, loans, other assets or advances. The approval of the subsidiaries’ respective primary federal regulators is required for First Financial’s subsidiaries to pay dividends in excess of regulatory limitations. Dividends paid to First Financial from its subsidiaries totaled $~~55.6~~16.2 million for the first ~~nine~~three months of ~~2012.~~2013. As of ~~September 30, 2012~~March 31, 2013, First Financial’s subsidiaries had retained earnings of $~~350.6~~349.6 million of which $~~29.4~~24.3 million was available for distribution to First Financial without prior regulatory approval. Additionally, First Financial had $~~110.7~~99.9 million in cash as of ~~September 30, 2012~~March 31, 2013, which is approximately ~~three~~two times the Company’s annual regular shareholder dividend (currently $0.60 per share) and operating expenses.

Management is not aware of any other events or regulatory requirements that, if implemented, are likely to have a material effect on First Financial’s liquidity.

Until its prepayment during the second quarter 2011, First Financial made quarterly interest payments on its junior subordinated debenture owed to its unconsolidated subsidiary trust. The trust preferred securities were redeemed on June 30, 2011, and

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therefore, there was no interest expense associated with the junior subordinated debentures for the last six months of 2011 or during 2012. First Financial had no interest expense related to this other long-term debt for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and ~~$0.4 million~~ ~~of interest expense related to this debt for the nine months ended September 30, 2011.~~

CAPITAL

Risk-Based Capital. First Financial and its subsidiary, First Financial Bank, are subject to regulatory capital requirements administered by federal banking agencies. Capital adequacy guidelines and, additionally for banks, prompt corrective action regulations involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities and certain off-balance sheet items calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by regulators. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate regulatory action.

Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require First Financial to maintain minimum amounts and ratios as defined by the regulations of Total and Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets and to average assets. Management believes, as of ~~September 30, 2012~~March 31, 2013, that First Financial met all capital adequacy requirements to which it was subject. At ~~September 30, 2012~~March 31, 2013, and December 31, ~~2011,~~2012, regulatory notifications categorized First Financial as well-capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as well-capitalized, First Financial must maintain minimum Total risk-based capital, Tier 1 risk-based capital, and Tier 1 leverage ratios as set forth in the table below. There have been no conditions or events since those notifications that management believes has changed the Company's category.

First Financial’s Tier I capital is comprised of total shareholders’ equity less unrealized gains and losses on investment securities available-for-sale accounted for under FASB ASC Topic 320, Investments-Debt and Equity Securities, and any amounts resulting from the application of FASB ASC Topic 715, Compensation-Retirement Benefits, that is recorded within accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), intangible assets and any valuation related to mortgage servicing rights. Total risk-based capital consists of Tier I capital plus qualifying allowance for loan and lease losses and gross unrealized gains on equity securities.

For purposes of calculating the leverage ratio, average assets represents quarterly average assets less assets not qualifying for total risk-based capital including intangible assets and non-qualifying mortgage servicing rights and allowance for loan and lease losses.

Consolidated regulatory capital ratios at ~~September 30, 2012~~March 31, 2013, included the leverage ratio of ~~10.54%~~10.00%, Tier 1 capital ratio of ~~16.93%~~15.87%, and total capital ratio of ~~18.21%~~17.15%. All regulatory capital ratios exceeded the amounts necessary to be classified as “well capitalized,” and total regulatory capital exceeded the “minimum” requirement by $~~387.1~~364.4 million, on a consolidated basis. First Financial’s tangible common equity ratio increased to ~~9.99%~~9.60% at ~~September 30, 2012~~March 31, 2013 as compared to ~~9.23%~~9.50% at December 31, ~~2011.~~2012.

~~Table~~First Financial's Tier I and Total capital ratios were negatively impacted by an increase in risk weighted assets during 2013 primarily as a result of ~~Contents~~declines in lower risk weighted covered assets offset by increases in higher risk weighted uncovered loans and investment securities. First Financial's Leverage ratio was positively impacted by a decline in average assets in the first quarter 2013. Contributions to shareholders’ equity from earnings were limited in both 2013 and 2012 as a result of the Company's variable dividend payout.

The following ~~table illustrates~~tables illustrate the actual and required capital amounts and ratios as of ~~September 30, 2012~~March 31, 2013 and December 31, ~~2011.~~

Actual
For Capital
Adequacy Purposes

To Be Well
Capitalized Under
Prompt Corrective
Action Provisions
(Dollars in thousands) Amount Ratio Amount Ratio Amount Ratio
September 30, 2012
Total capital to risk-weighted assets
Consolidated $ 690,312
18.21 % $ 303,197
8.00 % N/A
N/A
First Financial Bank 583,930
15.45 % 302,320
8.00 % $ 377,899
10.00 %

Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets

Consolidated 641,828
16.93 % 151,598
4.00 % N/A
N/A
First Financial Bank 528,412
13.98 % 151,160
4.00 % 226,740
6.00 %

Tier 1 capital to average assets

Consolidated 641,828
10.54 % 244,267
4.00 % N/A
N/A
First Financial Bank 528,412
8.69 % 243,229
4.00 % 304,037
5.00 %

Actual
For Capital
Adequacy Purposes

To Be Well
Capitalized Under
Prompt Corrective
Action Provisions
(Dollars in thousands) Amount Ratio Amount Ratio Amount Ratio
December 31, 2011
Total capital to risk-weighted assets
Consolidated $ 683,255
18.74 % $ 291,632
8.00 % N/A
N/A
First Financial Bank 578,042
15.89 % 290,992
8.00 % $ 363,740
10.00 %

Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets

Consolidated 636,836
17.47 % 145,816
4.00 % N/A
N/A
First Financial Bank 524,363
14.42 % 145,496
4.00 % 218,244
6.00 %

Tier 1 capital to average assets

Consolidated 636,836
9.87 % 258,122
4.00 % N/A
N/A
First Financial Bank 524,363
8.13 % 258,035
4.00 % 322,543
5.00 %

~~Shelf Registrations.~~ 2012On April 28, 2011, First Financial filed a shelf registration on Form S-3 with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This shelf registration allows First Financial to raise capital from time to time through the sale of various types of securities, subject to approval by the Company's board of directors.

~~Shareholder Dividends.~~ In April 2012, First Financial announced that it would increase the regular cash dividend to common shareholders. The regular quarterly dividend was increased to $0.15 per common share from the previous $0.12 per common share. Further, the Company announced that future dividend payments are expected to consist of the higher regular dividend and continuation of the previously announced variable dividend through the dividend to be paid in the fourth quarter of 2013. This combined dividend represents a 100% payout of quarterly earnings. Dividend decisions are evaluated quarterly by the Company's board of directors in the context of numerous factors, and the board will evaluate the regular dividend for increase only when such an increase is sustainable..

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	Actual				For Capital Adequacy Purposes				To Be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions
(Dollars in thousands)	Amount		Ratio		Amount		Ratio		Amount		Ratio
March 31, 2013
Total capital to risk-weighted assets
Consolidated	$	682,974	17.15	%	$	318,598	8.00	%	N/A		N/A
First Financial Bank	587,114		14.76	%	318,173		8.00	%	$	397,717	10.00	%

Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets
Consolidated	632,020		15.87	%	159,299		4.00	%	N/A		N/A
First Financial Bank	529,275		13.31	%	159,087		4.00	%	238,630		6.00	%

Tier 1 capital to average assets
Consolidated	632,020		10.00	%	252,701		4.00	%	N/A		N/A
First Financial Bank	529,275		8.39	%	252,450		4.00	%	315,563		5.00	%



	Actual				For Capital Adequacy Purposes				To Be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions
(Dollars in thousands)	Amount		Ratio		Amount		Ratio		Amount		Ratio
December 31, 2012
Total capital to risk-weighted assets
Consolidated	$	686,961	17.60	%	$	312,328	8.00	%	N/A		N/A
First Financial Bank	586,023		15.04	%	311,618		8.00	%	$	389,523	10.00	%

Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets
Consolidated	637,176		16.32	%	156,164		4.00	%	N/A		N/A
First Financial Bank	529,196		13.59	%	155,809		4.00	%	233,714		6.00	%

Tier 1 capital to average assets
Consolidated	637,176		10.25	%	248,761		4.00	%	N/A		N/A
First Financial Bank	529,196		8.52	%	248,408		4.00	%	310,511		5.00	%

Share Repurchases. ~~First Financial had no share repurchase activity under publicly announced plans in 2011 or through the nine months ended September 30, 2012.~~

In October 2012, First Financial's board of directors approved a share repurchase plan under which the Company has the ability to repurchase up to 5,000,000 shares. Under the plan, the Company expects to repurchase approximately 1,000,000 shares ~~annually beginning in the fourth quarter 2012.~~annually. This annual target will be subject to market conditions and quarterly evaluation by the board as well as balance sheet composition and growth. ~~The Company expects to disclose a summary of total shares repurchased on a quarterly basis in future periods.~~ The share repurchase plan is not expected to impact the variable dividend and as a result the return of capital to shareholders is expected to exceed 100% of earnings through 2013. Subsequent to the expiration of the variable dividend, the Company expects to return to shareholders a target range of 60% - 80% of earnings through a combination of its regular dividend and share repurchases while still maintaining capital ratios that exceed internal target thresholds, current regulatory capital requirements and proposed capital requirements under the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision's final framework for strengthening international capital and liquidity regulation released in December 2010 (Basel III). The Company repurchased 249,000 shares under this plan at an average price of $15.39 per share during the first quarter of 2013. At March 31, 2013, 4,290,500 common shares remained available for purchase under this repurchase plan.

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CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

First Financial’s Consolidated Financial Statements are prepared based on the application of accounting policies. These policies require the reliance on estimates and assumptions. Changes in underlying factors, assumptions or estimates in any of these areas could have a material impact on First Financial’s future financial condition and results of operations. In management’s opinion, some of these areas have a more significant impact than others on First Financial’s financial reporting. For First Financial, these areas currently include accounting for the allowance for loan and lease losses (excluding covered loans), covered loans, the allowance for loan and lease losses - covered loans, the FDIC indemnification asset, goodwill, pension and income taxes. These accounting policies are discussed in detail in the Critical Accounting Policies section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis in First Financial’s ~~2011~~2012 Annual Report. There were no material changes to these accounting policies during the ~~nine~~three months ended ~~September 30, 2012.~~March 31, 2013.

ACCOUNTING AND REGULATORY MATTERS

Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements discusses new accounting standards adopted by First Financial during ~~2012~~2013 and the expected impact of accounting standards recently issued but not yet required to be adopted. To the extent the adoption of new accounting standards materially affects financial condition, results of operations or liquidity, the impacts are discussed in the applicable section(s) of Management’s Discussion and Analysis and the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

Certain statements contained in this ~~news release~~report 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;

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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 or 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;

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▪	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 ~~and lease~~ 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, ~~2011,~~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.

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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Market risk is the risk of loss arising from adverse changes in the fair value of financial instruments due to changes in interest rates, foreign exchange rates and equity prices. The primary source of market risk for First Financial is interest rate risk. Interest rate risk is the risk to earnings and the value of equity arising from changes in market interest rates and arises in the normal course of business to the extent that there is a divergence between the amount of First Financial's interest-earning assets and the amount of interest-bearing liabilities that are ~~prepaid/~~prepaid, withdrawn, ~~re-price~~re-priced or mature in specified periods. First Financial seeks to achieve consistent growth in net interest income and equity while managing volatility arising from shifts in market interest rates. First Financial's board of directors establishes policy limits with respect to interest rate risk. First Financial's ~~Asset and Liability Committee (ALCO)~~ALCO oversees market risk management, monitoring risk measures, limits and policy guidelines for managing the amount of interest rate risk and its effect on net interest income and capital.

Interest rate risk management is an active process that encompasses monitoring loan and deposit flows complemented by investment and funding activities. Effective interest rate risk management begins with understanding the dynamic characteristics of assets and liabilities and determining the appropriate interest rate risk position given business activities, management objectives, market expectations and ALCO policy limits and guidelines.

Interest rate risk for First Financial's Consolidated Balance Sheets consists of repricing, option and basis risks. Repricing risk results from differences in the maturity, or repricing, of interest-bearing assets and liabilities. Option risk in financial instruments arises from embedded options such as loan prepayments, early withdrawal of certificates of deposits and calls on investments and debt instruments that are primarily driven by third party or client behavior. Basis risk refers to the potential for changes in the underlying relationship between market rates or indices, which subsequently result in a narrowing of the net interest margin. Basis risk is also present in managed rate liabilities, such as interest-bearing checking accounts and savings accounts, where historical pricing relationships to market rates may change due to the level or directional change in market interest rates or competitive pressures.

The interest rate risk position is measured and monitored using income simulation models and economic value of equity (EVE) sensitivity analysis that capture both short-term and long-term interest rate risk exposure. Income simulation involves forecasting net interest income (NII) under a variety of interest rate scenarios including instantaneous shocks. First Financial uses EVE sensitivity analysis to understand the impact of changes in interest rates on long-term cash flows, income and capital. EVE is calculated by discounting the cash flows for all balance sheet instruments under different interest-rate scenarios.

Presented below is the estimated impact on First Financial’s NII and EVE position as of ~~September 30, 2012~~March 31, 2013, assuming immediate, parallel shifts in interest rates:


	% Change from Base Case for Immediate Parallel Changes in Rates						% Change from Base Case for Immediate Parallel Changes in Rates
	-100 BP ⁽¹⁾		+100 BP		+200 BP		-100 BP ⁽¹⁾		+100 BP		+200 BP
NII-Year 1	(6.88	)%	(0.52	)%	0.60	%	(3.87	)%	(1.44	)%	(0.01	)%
NII-Year 2	(8.89	)%	3.45	%	6.31	%	(6.37	)%	0.40	%	3.26	%
EVE *	(18.46	)%	3.80	%	11.15	%
EVE							(18.31	)%	0.74	%	7.78	%

* Does not include securities purchased subsequent to September 30, 2012.

(1)Because certain current interest rates are at or below 1.00%, the 100 basis point downward shock assumes that certain corresponding interest rates approach an implied floor that, in effect, reflects a decrease of less than the full 100 basis point downward shock.

Modeling the sensitivity of NII and EVE to changes in market interest rates is highly dependent on the assumptions incorporated into the modeling process. These assumptions are periodically reviewed in the context of balance sheet changes, product offerings, external economic factors and anticipated client behavior. First Financial modified its net interest income base-case scenario by assuming a static balance sheet utilizing market expectations of interest rates in forward periods during the first quarter 2012, whereas previously the Company's base-case scenario incorporated balance sheet growth while utilizing static interest rates. In addition, the Company internally evaluates the impact of yield curve twist scenarios (i.e. flattening, steepening and inversions of the yield curve) on NII and EVE. First Financial's projected results for near-term earnings at risk ~~and long-term~~indicates a risk-neutral position. Long-term EVE ~~indicate~~modeling indicates the Company ~~remains in a modestly asset-sensitive position, which is consistent with prior results.~~has modest asset sensitivity. First Financial is managing its balance sheet with a near-term bias toward ~~asset sensitivity~~a risk-neutral position given the outlook for future interest rates. First Financial's near-term and long-term positions have become modestly more liability sensitive as a result of growth in fixed rate loans and securities, coupled with a bias from the Company's depository base towards market-driven deposit products.

"Risk-neutral position" refers to the absence of a strong bias toward either asset or liability sensitivity. “Asset sensitive position” refers to an increase in interest rates, primarily short-term rates, that is expected to generate higher net interest

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income as rates earned on our interest-earning assets would reprice upward more quickly or in greater quantities than rates paid on our interest-bearing liabilities would reprice. Conversely, “liability sensitive position” refers to an increase in short-term interest rates that is expected to generate lower net interest income as rates paid on our interest-bearing liabilities would reprice upward more quickly or in greater quantities than rates earned on our interest-earning assets.

The interest rate risk analysis provides a framework as to what First Financial's overall sensitivity is as of the Company's most recent reported position. Management strategies may impact future reporting periods, as ~~our~~ actual results may differ from simulated results due to the timing, magnitude and frequency of interest rate changes, the difference between actual experience and the characteristics assumed, as well as changes in portfolio composition and market conditions. Market based and historical experience prepayment speeds are factored into the analysis for loan and securities portfolios. Deposit premiums and rate sensitivity for transactional

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deposit accounts are modeled based on both historical experience and external industry studies. Due to the current low interest rate environment, funding rates on deposit and wholesale funding instruments were not reduced below 0.0% in the down 100 basis ~~points~~point scenario. First Financial continues to refine the assumptions used in its interest rate risk modeling.

See also “Item 2-Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Net Interest Income.”

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective disclosure controls and procedures, as defined under Rule 13a-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, that are designed to cause the material information required to be disclosed by First Financial in the reports it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to be recorded, processed, summarized, and reported to the extent applicable within the time periods required by the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that a control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within a company have been detected.

As of the end of the period covered by this report, First Financial performed an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

No changes were made to the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) during the last fiscal quarter that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II-OTHER INFORMATION


Item 1.	Legal Proceedings.

~~Except as set forth below, there~~There have been no material changes to the disclosure in response to "Part I - Item 3. Legal Proceedings" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, ~~2011.~~

~~With respect to the matter titled~~ ~~The Western and Southern Life Insurance Company, et al., vs. DLJ Mortgage Capital, Inc., et. al, Hamilton County, Ohio, Court of Common Pleas, Case No. A1105352~~, on April 10, 2012, plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed, without prejudice, the claims against IHE Funding Corporation II, a former Irwin Union Bank-related entity acquired by First Financial Bank from the FDIC as receiver for Irwin Union Bank and Trust Company. Plaintiffs did not dismiss claims against any other defendants. Because the claims were dismissed without prejudice, the plaintiffs are free to re-file an action at a later date.2012.


Item 1A.	Risk Factors.

There are a number of factors that may adversely affect the Company's business, financial results, or stock price. See "Risk Factors" as disclosed in response to "Item 1A. to Part I - Risk Factors" of Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, ~~2011.~~2012.

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Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds


(c)	The following table shows the total number of shares repurchased in the ~~third~~first quarter of ~~2012.~~2013.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities


	(a)	(b)		(c)	(d)	(a)	(b)		(c)	(d)
Period	Total Number Of Shares Purchased ⁽¹⁾	Average Price Paid Per Share		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans ⁽²⁾	Maximum Number of Shares that may yet be purchased Under the Plans	Total Number Of Shares Purchased ⁽¹⁾	Average Price Paid Per Share		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans ⁽²⁾	Maximum Number of Shares that may yet be purchased Under the Plans
July 1 to July 31, 2012
January 1 to January 31, 2013
Share repurchase program	0	$	0.00	0	4,969,105	84,000	$	14.83	84,000	4,455,500
Director Fee Stock Plan	2,603	16.35		NA	NA	3,336	14.54		NA	NA
Stock Plans	19,503	16.51		NA	NA	9,000	15.05		NA	NA
August 1 to August 31, 2012
February 1 to February 28, 2013
Share repurchase program	0	$	0.00	0	4,969,105	73,000	$	15.59	73,000	4,382,500
Director Fee Stock Plan	0	0.00		0	NA	0	0.00		0	NA
Stock Plans	36,149	16.22		NA	NA	45,500	15.40		NA	NA
September 1 to September 30, 2012
March 1 to March 31, 2013
Share repurchase program	0	$	0.00	0	4,969,105	92,000	$	15.73	92,000	4,290,500
Director Fee Stock Plan	0	0.00		0	NA	0	0.00		0	NA
Stock Plans	10,001	17.37		0	NA	60,609	16.01		0	NA
Total
Share repurchase program	0	$	0.00	0		249,000	$	15.39	249,000
Director Fee Stock Plan	2,603	$	16.35	NA		3,336	$	14.54	NA
Stock Plans	65,653	$	16.48	NA		115,109	$	15.69	NA

(1)

~~The~~Except with respect to the share repurchase program, the number of shares purchased in column (a) and the average price paid per share in column (b) include the purchase of shares other than through publicly announced plans. The shares purchased other than through publicly announced plans were purchased pursuant to First Financial’s Director Fee Stock Plan, 1999 Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors, 1999 Stock Incentive Plan for Officers and Employees, 2009 Employee Stock Plan, Amended and Restated 2009 Non-Employee Director Stock Plan and ~~First Financial Bancorp.~~ 2012 Stock Plan (the last five plans are referred to hereafter as the Stock ~~Plans).~~Plans.) The table shows the number of shares purchased pursuant to those plans and the average price paid per share. The purchases for the Director Fee Stock Plan were made in open-market transactions. Under the Stock Plans, shares were purchased from plan participants at the then current market value in satisfaction of stock option exercise prices.


(2)	First Financial has one ~~remaining~~ previously announced stock repurchase plan under which it is authorized to purchase shares of its common ~~stock as of September 30, 2012.~~stock. The plan has no expiration date. The table that follows provides additional information regarding this plan. ~~No shares were repurchased under this plan as of September 30, 2012.~~

Announcement

Date

Total Shares
Approved for

Repurchase

Total Shares

Repurchased
Under

the Plan

Expiration

Date

Total Shares
Approved for

Repurchase

Total Shares

Repurchased
Under

the Plan

Expiration

Date

1/25/2000

7,507,500

2,538,395

None

10/25/2012

5,000,000

709,500

None

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Item 6. Exhibits



(a)	Exhibits:

Exhibit Number
~~10.1~~		~~First Financial Bancorp Code of Conduct (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K filed on October 29, 2012 and incorporated herein by reference).~~

~~10.2~~		~~The Code of Ethics for the CEO and Senior Financial Officers (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Form 8-K filed on October 29, 2012 and incorporated herein by reference).~~

31.1		Certification by Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 filed herewith.

31.2		Certification by Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 filed herewith.

32.1		Certification of Periodic Financial Report by Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 furnished herewith.

32.2		Certification of Periodic Financial Report by Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 furnished herewith.

101.1		Financial statements from the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Company for the quarter ended ~~September 30, 2012,~~March 31, 2013, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language) pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T: (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Income, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity, (v) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, as blocks of text and in detail*.

First Financial will furnish, without charge, to a security holder upon request a copy of the documents and will furnish any other Exhibit upon payment of reproduction costs. Unless as otherwise noted, documents incorporated by reference involve File No. 000-12379.


*	As provided in Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, this information shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 11 and 12 of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or otherwise subject to liability under those sections.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.



		FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
		(Registrant)

/s/ ~~J. Franklin Hall~~Anthony M. Stollings		/s/ John M. Gavigan
~~J. Franklin Hall~~Anthony M. Stollings		John M. Gavigan
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer		First Vice President and Corporate Controller
~~and Chief Operating Officer~~		(Principal Accounting Officer)

Date	~~11/6/2012~~5/7/2013	Date	~~11/6/2012~~5/7/2013

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	Amount of gain/(loss) recognized in OCI on derivatives (effective portion)							Amount of gain/(loss) reclassified from accumulated OCI into earnings (effective portion)
(Dollars in thousands)	September 30, 2012							September 30, 2012
Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships	Three months ended			Nine months ended			Classification of change in fair value	Three months ended			Nine months ended
Interest rate contracts
Interest-bearing deposits	$	(182	)	$	(182	)	Interest income-interest-bearing deposits	$	(67	)	$	(67	)
Total	$	(182	)	$	(182	)		$	(67	)	$	(67	)



	Changes for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
	Year-to-Date Income Variance
(Dollars in thousands)	Rate			Volume			Total
Earning assets
Investment securities	$	(2,008	)	$	9,768		$	7,760
Other earning assets	(114		)	(600		)	(714		)
Gross loans ⁽¹⁾	(18,625		)	(8,928		)	(27,553		)
Total earning assets	(20,747		)	240			(20,507		)
Interest-bearing liabilities
Total interest-bearing deposits	$	(11,489	)	$	(674	)	$	(12,163	)
Borrowed funds
Short-term borrowings	(69		)	34			(35		)
Federal Home Loan Bank long-term debt	(61		)	(802		)	(863		)
Other long-term debt	0			(391		)	(391		)
Total borrowed funds	(130		)	(1,159		)	(1,289		)
Total interest-bearing liabilities	(11,619		)	(1,833		)	(13,452		)
Net interest income	$	(9,128	)	$	2,073		$	(7,055	)