Key Highlights

  • First Financial Bancorp reported third quarter net income of USD 81.2 million, or USD 0.77 per diluted share.
  • Adjusted net income was USD 87.8 million, with adjusted earnings per share of USD 0.84, up 11% year over year.
  • The company reported record quarterly revenue of USD 273.9 million, driven by a net interest margin of 4.07%.
  • The board approved a quarterly dividend of USD 0.26 per common share, payable in mid December.

Record Revenue Driven by Net Interest Margin Strength

First Financial Bancorp (NASDAQ:FFBC) reported third quarter net income of USD 81.2 million, or USD 0.77 per diluted common share, compared with USD 76.5 million, or USD 0.73 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2026. Adjusted net income, which excludes certain non-recurring items, was USD 87.8 million, with adjusted earnings per share of USD 0.84, an 11% increase from the third quarter of 2025 and the highest in the company's history.

The company reported record quarterly revenue of USD 273.9 million, driven by a net interest margin of 4.05%, or 4.07% on a fully tax-equivalent basis, a 9 basis point increase from the prior quarter. Record adjusted fee revenue of USD 77.6 million also contributed to the quarter's results.

Profitability Metrics Show Continued Improvement

Return on average assets for the quarter was 1.44%, up from 1.37% in the prior quarter, while return on average tangible common equity was 18.67%, up from 17.95%. On an adjusted basis, return on tangible common equity reached 20.2% for the quarter, reflecting the gap between GAAP and adjusted profitability measures.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2026, earnings per diluted share were USD 2.21, compared with USD 2.02 in the same period of 2025, continuing the year over year improvement trend seen in the quarterly results.

Loan Growth Outlook and Dividend

The board approved a quarterly dividend of USD 0.26 per common share, payable in mid December to shareholders of record in early December. Loan balances increased moderately during the quarter, with particularly strong growth in the company's commercial and industrial portfolio, consistent with the prior quarter's outlook.

Management said loan pipelines remain healthy entering the fourth quarter, with low to mid single digit loan growth anticipated as the company closes out 2026. Continued net interest margin strength, which has been the primary driver of this quarter's record revenue, remains a variable tied to the broader interest rate environment.

Profitability Metrics to Track

Net interest margin trends relative to the 4.07% reported this quarter, loan growth relative to the low to mid single digit pace anticipated for year end, and adjusted fee revenue relative to this quarter's record USD 77.6 million are among the items the company has flagged for investors. Adjusted earnings per share growth, at 11% this quarter, remains the headline profitability metric management has highlighted.