FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report: April 20, 2004

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
         
Ohio   0-12379   31-1042001
(State or other jurisdiction   (Commission File   (IRS Employer
of incorporation)   Number)   Identification No.)
     
300 High Street    
Hamilton, Ohio    
(Address of principal   45011
executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (513) 867-5447

 


 

Form 8-K

First Financial Bancorp.

Item 7. Exhibits.

     
(a)
  Exhibit:
   
  99.1 First Financial Bancorp. Press Release dated April 20, 2004.

Item 9. Regulation FD Disclosure.

On April 20, 2004, First Financial Bancorp. issued its earnings press release that included the results of operations and financial condition for the first quarter of 2004. A copy of the earnings press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1.

Item 12. Disclosure of Results of Operation and Financial Condition.

The earnings press release includes two non-GAAP financial measures. The first non-GAAP financial measure, Net interest margin (fully tax equivalent), appears in the table entitled “Consolidated Financial Data” under the section “Key Ratios”. The second appears in the table entitled “Additional Data — Fully Tax Equivalent Net Interest Income.” The tax equivalent adjustment to net interest income recognizes the income tax savings when comparing taxable and tax-exempt assets and assumes a 35% tax rate. 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 investors by allowing them to make peer comparisons. Management also uses these measures to make peer comparisons.

Below is a table showing “net interest income” calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP and the adjustments made to arrive at the non-GAAP financial measure “net interest income — tax equivalent.” The table also shows “net interest margin” calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP and the method used to arrive at the non-GAAP financial measure “net interest margin (fully tax equivalent).”

                                         
    Three Months Ended
    Mar. 31,   Dec. 31,   Sep. 31,   Jun. 30,   Mar. 31,
    2004   2003   2003   2003   2003

    (Dollars in thousands)
Net interest income
  $ 36,157     $ 34,093     $ 36,373     $ 37,179     $ 37,236  
Tax equivalent adjustment
    860       885       900       918       938  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net interest income — tax equivalent
  $ 37,017     $ 34,978     $ 37,273     $ 38,097     $ 38,174  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
 
                                       
Average earning assets
    3,631,813       3,617,953       3,623,792       3,572,557       3,457,340  
 
                                       
Net interest margin*
    4.00 %     3.74 %     3.98 %     4.17 %     4.37 %
Net interest margin (fully tax equivalent)*
    4.10 %     3.84 %     4.08 %     4.28 %     4.48 %

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

 


 

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.
   
By:
  /s/ C. Douglas Lefferson
 
 
  C. Douglas Lefferson
  Senior Vice President and
  Chief Financial Officer

Date: April 20, 2004

 


 

Form 8-K

First Financial Bancorp.

Exhibit Index

     
Exhibit No.   Description
 
   
99.1
  First Financial Bancorp. Press Release dated April 20, 2004.