14:12:04 EDT Tue 27 Oct 2026
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First Financial Corporation Reports Third Quarter Results

2026-10-27 09:00 ET - News Release

TERRE HAUTE, Ind., Oct. 27, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Financial Corporation (NASDAQ:THFF) today announced results for the third quarter of 2026.

  • Net income was $27.4 million compared to $20.8 million reported for the same period of 2025;
  • Diluted net income per common share of $2.31 compared to $1.75 for the same period of 2025;
  • Return on average assets was 1.79% compared to 1.48% for the three months ended September 30, 2025;
  • Benefit from credit losses was $750 thousand compared to provision expense of $2.0 million for the third quarter 2025; and
  • Pre-tax, pre-provision net income was $33.7 million compared to $27.7 million for the same period in 2025.1

The Corporation further reported results for the nine months ended September 30, 2026:

  • Net income was $70.0 million compared to $57.8 million reported for the same period of 2025;
  • Diluted net income per common share of $5.89 compared to $4.87 for the same period of 2025;
  • Return on average assets was 1.54% compared to 1.39% for the nine months ended September 30, 2025;
  • Provision for credit losses was $3.1 million compared to provision of $6.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2025; and
  • Pre-tax, pre-provision net income was $90.3 million compared to $78.3 million for the same period in 2025.1

__________________________
1 Non-GAAP financial measure that Management believes is useful for investors and management to understand pre-tax profitability before giving effect to credit loss expense and to provide additional perspective on the Corporation’s performance over time as well as comparison to the Corporation’s peers and evaluating the financial results of the Corporation – please refer to the Non-GAAP reconciliations contained in this release.

Acquisitions

On March 1, 2026, First Financial Corporation completed the acquisition of CedarStone Financial, Inc. As a result of the acquisition, loans acquired were $292 million, and deposits acquired were $313 million. Although we initially recognized a bargain purchase gain of $716 thousand in the first quarter 2026, measurement period adjustments recorded in the second quarter revised the preliminary purchase accounting. The cumulative resulting year-to-date bargain purchase gain was $33 thousand.

On August 26, 2026, First Financial Corporation, Terre Haute, Indiana (“FFC” or the “Company”), entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with First Illinois Corporation, Decatur, Illinois (“First Illinois”). Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, subject to the allocation and election procedures set forth therein, each outstanding share of First Illinois common stock will be converted into the right to receive either 0.5727 shares of FFC common stock or $44.35 in cash, with 70% of First Illinois common stock to be exchanged for FFC common stock and 30% to be exchanged for cash, in each case subject to the terms of the Merger Agreement. Cash will be paid in lieu of fractional shares. The merger is expected to close in the first quarter of 2027.

Norman D. Lowery, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “We are pleased with our third quarter results. The quarter marked another quarter of record net income and record net interest income. Our net interest margin and profitability remain strong with a 4.36% net interest margin and a 1.54% return on assets year-to-date. Loan pipelines remain strong and credit quality remains stable.”

Average Total Loans

Average total loans for the third quarter of 2026 were $4.45 billion versus $3.93 billion for the comparable period in 2025, an increase of $520 million or 13.23%. On a linked quarter basis, average loans decreased $3.5 million or 0.08% from $4.45 billion as of June 30, 2026.

Total Loans Outstanding

Total loans outstanding as of September 30, 2026, were $4.41 billion compared to $3.97 billion as of September 30, 2025, an increase of $444 million or 11.20%. On a linked quarter basis, total loans decreased $56.1 million or 1.26% from $4.47 billion as of June 30, 2026. Organic growth of $191 million year-over-year was primarily driven by increases in Commercial Construction and Development, Commercial Real Estate, and Consumer Auto loans.

Average Total Deposits

Average total deposits for the quarter ended September 30, 2026, were $4.85 billion versus $4.59 billion as of September 30, 2025, an increase of $260 million, or 5.66%. On a linked quarter basis, average deposits decreased $17 million or 0.36% from $4.87 billion as of June 30, 2026.

Total Deposits

Total deposits were $4.87 billion as of September 30, 2026, compared to $4.62 billion as of September 30, 2025. On a linked quarter basis, total deposits increased $31.9 million or 0.66% from $4.83 billion as of June 30, 2026. Non-interest bearing deposits were $991 million, and time deposits were $824 million as of September 30, 2026, compared to $850 million and $703 million, respectively for the same period of 2025.

Shareholders’ Equity

Shareholders’ equity at September 30, 2026, was $660.4 million compared to $622.2 million on September 30, 2025. During the last twelve months, the Corporation has not repurchased any shares of its common stock. 518,860 shares remain available for repurchase under the current repurchase authorization. The Corporation paid a $0.56 per share quarterly dividend in July and declared a $0.56 quarterly dividend, which was paid on October 15, 2026.

Book Value Per Share

Book Value per share was $55.54 as of September 30, 2026, compared to $52.50 as of September 30, 2025, an increase of $3.04 per share, or 5.79%. Tangible Book Value per share was $45.79 as of September 30, 2026, compared to $42.75 as of September 30, 2025, an increase of $3.04 per share or 7.11%.

Tangible Common Equity to Tangible Asset Ratio

The Corporation’s tangible common equity to tangible asset ratio was 9.16% at September 30, 2026, compared to 9.12% at September 30, 2025.

Net Interest Income

Net interest income for the third quarter of 2026 was a record $63.5 million, compared to $54.6 million reported for the same period of 2025, an increase of $8.9 million, or 16.3%. Interest income increased $10.3 million and interest expense increased $1.4 million year over year.

Net Interest Margin

The net interest margin for the quarter ended September 30, 2026, was 4.51% compared to the 4.25% reported at September 30, 2025.

Nonperforming Loans

Nonperforming loans as of September 30, 2026, were $21.1 million versus $19.3 million as of September 30, 2025. The ratio of nonperforming loans to total loans and leases was 0.48% as of September 30, 2026, versus 0.49% as of September 30, 2025. On a linked quarter basis, nonperforming loans were $27.1 million, and the ratio of nonperforming loans to total loans and leases was 0.61% as of June 30, 2026.

Credit Loss Provision

Benefit from credit losses for the three months ended September 30, 2026, was $750 thousand, compared to a provision expense of $2.0 million for the same period 2025. The benefit from credit losses was primarily due to an individually evaluated loan from a prior acquisition that was fully recovered during the current quarter.

Net Charge-Offs

In the third quarter of 2026 net charge-offs were $1.0 million compared to $1.6 million in the same period of 2025.

Allowance for Credit Losses

The Corporation’s allowance for credit losses as of September 30, 2026, was $49.7 million compared to $47.4 million as of September 30, 2025. The allowance for credit losses as a percent of total loans was 1.13% as of September 30, 2026, compared to 1.20% as of September 30, 2025. On a linked quarter basis, the allowance for credit losses as a percent of total loans decreased one basis point from 1.14% as of June 30, 2026.

Non-Interest Income

Non-interest income for the three months ended September 30, 2026, and 2025 was $11.4 million and $11.1 million, respectively.

Non-Interest Expense

Non-interest expense for the three months ended September 30, 2026, was $41.3 million compared to $38.0 million in 2025.

Efficiency Ratio

The Corporation’s efficiency ratio was 53.96% for the quarter ended September 30, 2026, versus 56.63% for the same period in 2025.

Income Taxes

Income tax expense for the three months ended September 30, 2026, was $7.0 million versus $5.0 million for the same period in 2025. The effective tax rate for 2026 was 19.73% compared to 20.18% for 2025.

About First Financial Corporation

First Financial Corporation (NASDAQ:THFF) is the holding company for First Financial Bank N.A., which is the fifth oldest national bank in the United States, operating 81 banking centers in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Georgia. Additional information is available at www.first-online.bank.

Investor Contact:
Rodger A. McHargue
Chief Financial Officer
P: 812-238-6334
E: rmchargue@first-online.com

                    
  Three Months Ended
 Nine Months Ended
  September 30,  June 30,
 September 30, 
 September 30, 
 September 30, 
     2026
    2026
    2025
    2026
    2025
END OF PERIOD BALANCES                   
Assets $6,060,947  $6,178,309  $5,669,686  $6,060,947  $5,669,686 
Deposits $4,865,297  $4,833,399  $4,615,305  $4,865,297  $4,615,305 
Loans, including net deferred loan costs $4,411,800  $4,467,897  $3,967,401  $4,411,800  $3,967,401 
Allowance for Credit Losses $49,717  $50,938  $47,411  $49,717  $47,411 
Total Equity $660,446  $675,785  $622,218  $660,446  $622,218 
Tangible Common Equity (a) $544,588  $558,687  $506,604  $544,588  $506,604 
                    
AVERAGE BALANCES                   
Total Assets $6,117,294  $6,126,618  $5,593,870  $6,031,334  $5,543,954 
Earning Assets $5,778,756  $5,799,062  $5,270,173  $5,700,596  $5,225,957 
Investments $1,234,919  $1,256,470  $1,248,519  $1,251,701  $1,253,009 
Loans $4,448,907  $4,452,394  $3,928,817  $4,353,889  $3,882,605 
Total Deposits $4,851,598  $4,868,890  $4,591,531  $4,794,756  $4,631,155 
Interest-Bearing Deposits $3,893,407  $3,987,492  $3,783,393  $3,866,323  $3,821,405 
Interest-Bearing Liabilities $540,655  $554,935  $359,579  $525,221  $296,667 
Total Equity $680,345  $663,602  $601,034  $669,281  $580,688 
                    
INCOME STATEMENT DATA                   
Net Interest Income $63,526  $61,222  $54,603  $181,681  $159,249 
Net Interest Income Fully Tax Equivalent (b) $65,064  $62,739  $56,033  $186,200  $163,497 
Provision for (Benefit from) Credit Losses $(750) $1,300  $1,950  $3,100  $5,950 
Non-interest Income $11,434  $10,646  $11,149  $33,297  $32,041 
Non-interest Expense $41,279  $42,529  $38,048  $124,687  $112,983 
Net Income $27,441  $22,743  $20,762  $69,988  $57,754 
                    
PER SHARE DATA                   
Basic and Diluted Net Income Per Common Share $2.31  $1.91  $1.75  $5.89  $4.87 
Cash Dividends Declared Per Common Share $0.56  $0.56  $0.51  $1.68  $1.53 
Book Value Per Common Share $55.54  $56.83  $52.50  $55.54  $52.50 
Tangible Book Value Per Common Share (c) $47.47  $45.96  $40.96  $45.79  $42.75 
Basic Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding  11,892   11,892   11,851   11,889   11,848 


________________________________
(a)   Tangible common equity is a non-GAAP financial measure derived from GAAP-based amounts. We calculate tangible common equity by excluding goodwill and other intangible assets from shareholders’ equity.
(b)   Net interest income fully tax equivalent is a non-GAAP financial measure derived from GAAP-based amounts. We calculate net interest income fully tax equivalent by adding back the tax equivalent factor of tax exempt income to net interest income. We calculate the tax equivalent factor of tax exempt income by dividing tax exempt income by the net of tax rate of 75%.
(c)   Tangible book value per common share is a non-GAAP financial measure derived from GAAP-based amounts. We calculate the factor by dividing average tangible common equity by average shares outstanding. We calculate average tangible common equity by excluding average intangible assets from average shareholders’ equity.

                
Key Ratios    Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended  
  September 30,      June 30,     September 30,      September 30,      September 30,  
  2026  2026  2025        2026  2025 
Return on average assets 1.79% 1.48% 1.48% 1.54% 1.39%
Return on average common shareholders' equity 16.13% 13.71% 13.82% 13.91% 13.23%
Efficiency ratio 53.96% 57.95% 56.63% 56.81% 57.83%
Average equity to average assets 11.12% 10.83% 10.74% 11.10% 10.47%
Net interest margin (a) 4.51% 4.33% 4.25% 4.36% 4.17%
Net charge-offs to average loans and leases 0.09% 0.24% 0.17% 0.16% 0.18%
Credit loss reserve to loans and leases 1.13% 1.14% 1.20% 1.13% 1.20%
Credit loss reserve to nonperforming loans 235.97% 188.21% 246.14% 235.97% 246.14%
Nonperforming loans to loans and leases 0.48% 0.61% 0.49% 0.48% 0.49%
Tier 1 leverage 11.20% 10.81% 11.05% 11.20% 11.05%
Risk-based capital - Tier 1 13.34% 12.78% 13.12% 13.34% 13.12%

________________________________
(a)   Net interest margin is calculated on a tax equivalent basis.

                     
Asset Quality Three Months Ended
 Nine Months Ended
     September 30, 
    June 30,
    September 30, 
    September 30, 
    September 30, 
  2026
 2026
 2025
 2026
 2025
Accruing loans and leases past due 30-89 days $15,299  $12,726  $14,388  $15,299  $14,388 
Accruing loans and leases past due 90 days or more $1,294  $3,030  $1,792  $1,294  $1,792 
Nonaccrual loans and leases $19,775  $24,035  $17,470  $19,775  $17,470 
Other real estate owned $1,418  $1,039  $138  $1,418  $138 
Nonperforming loans and other real estate owned $22,487  $28,104  $19,400  $22,487  $19,400 
Total nonperforming assets $25,148  $30,755  $22,243  $25,148  $22,243 
Gross charge-offs $3,049  $4,084  $3,226  $10,078  $9,395 
Recoveries $2,078  $1,384  $1,600  $4,880  $4,224 
Net charge-offs/(recoveries) $971  $2,700  $1,626  $5,198  $5,171 
                     


        
Non-GAAP Reconciliations Three Months Ended September 30, 
     2026
    2025
($in thousands, except EPS)       
Income before Income Taxes $34,431  $25,754 
Provision for (benefit from) credit losses  (250)  1,950 
Provision for (benefit from) unfunded commitments  (500)  — 
Pre-tax, Pre-provision Income $33,681  $27,704 
         


        
Non-GAAP Reconciliations Nine Months Ended September 30, 
     2026
    2025
($ in thousands, except EPS)       
Income before Income Taxes $87,191  $72,357 
Provision for (benefit from) credit losses  3,600   5,850 
Provision for (benefit from) unfunded commitments  (500)  100 
Pre-tax, Pre-provision Income $90,291  $78,307 
         


 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
       
     September 30,     December 31, 
  2026
 2025
  (unaudited)
ASSETS      
Cash and due from banks $92,497  $130,369 
Federal funds sold  667   475 
Securities available-for-sale  1,104,628   1,149,526 
Loans:      
Commercial  2,371,255   2,375,344 
Residential  1,308,869   986,955 
Consumer  725,268   688,135 
   4,405,392   4,050,434 
(Less) plus:      
Net deferred loan costs  6,408   4,869 
Allowance for credit losses  (49,717)  (47,995)
   4,362,083   4,007,308 
Restricted stock  23,579   18,536 
Accrued interest receivable  28,797   27,762 
Premises and equipment, net  87,697   78,582 
Bank-owned life insurance  137,867   131,286 
Goodwill  98,229   98,229 
Other intangible assets  17,629   16,234 
Other real estate owned  1,418   94 
Other assets  105,856   97,725 
TOTAL ASSETS $6,060,947  $5,756,126 
       
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY      
Deposits:      
Non-interest-bearing $990,989  $916,473 
Interest-bearing:      
Certificates of deposit exceeding the FDIC insurance limits  218,702   135,605 
Other interest-bearing deposits  3,655,606   3,499,033 
   4,865,297   4,551,111 
Short-term borrowings  203,472   292,468 
FHLB advances  262,348   188,208 
Other liabilities  69,384   73,470 
TOTAL LIABILITIES  5,400,501   5,105,257 
       
Shareholders’ equity      
Common stock, $.125 stated value per share;      
Authorized shares-40,000,000      
Issued shares-16,206,804 in 2026 and 16,190,157 in 2025      
Outstanding shares-11,891,896 in 2026 and 11,880,759 in 2025  2,022   2,021 
Additional paid-in capital  148,046   147,442 
Retained earnings  791,803   741,793 
Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)  (127,387)  (86,681)
Less: Treasury shares at cost-4,314,908 in 2026 and 4,309,398 in 2025  (154,038)  (153,706)
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY  660,446   650,869 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY $6,060,947  $5,756,126 
         


 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
               
  Three Months Ended
 Nine Months Ended
  September 30,
 September 30,
     2026
    2025
    2026
    2025
         (unaudited)
INTEREST INCOME:              
Loans, including related fees $76,585  $67,070  $218,092  $195,457 
Securities:              
Taxable  6,367   5,985   19,257   17,902 
Tax-exempt  3,019   2,689   8,897   7,915 
Other  958   900   2,848   2,579 
TOTAL INTEREST INCOME  86,929   76,644   249,094   223,853 
INTEREST EXPENSE:              
Deposits  18,117   18,002   52,496   54,696 
Short-term borrowings  2,303   1,916   7,275   5,007 
Other borrowings  2,983   2,123   7,642   4,901 
TOTAL INTEREST EXPENSE  23,403   22,041   67,413   64,604 
NET INTEREST INCOME  63,526   54,603   181,681   159,249 
Provision for (benefit from) credit losses - loans  (250)  1,950   3,600   5,850 
Provision for (benefit from) credit losses - unfunded commitments  (500)  —   (500)  100 
NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION              
FOR LOAN LOSSES  64,276   52,653   178,581   153,299 
NON-INTEREST INCOME:              
Trust and financial services  1,394   1,278   4,388   4,161 
Service charges and fees on deposit accounts  8,407   8,104   24,006   23,243 
Other service charges and fees  259   251   978   823 
Securities gains/(losses), net  —   24   (109)  21 
Interchange income  232   176   632   570 
Loan servicing fees  338   338   997   830 
Gain on sales of mortgage loans  335   494   1,122   1,149 
Bargain purchase gain  —   —   33   — 
Other  469   484   1,250   1,244 
TOTAL NON-INTEREST INCOME  11,434   11,149   33,297   32,041 
NON-INTEREST EXPENSE:              
Salaries and employee benefits  20,809   19,788   63,442   58,725 
Occupancy expense  2,730   2,738   8,402   7,886 
Equipment expense  5,836   4,811   16,473   13,903 
FDIC expense  665   690   2,045   2,235 
Other  11,239   10,021   34,325   30,234 
TOTAL NON-INTEREST EXPENSE  41,279   38,048   124,687   112,983 
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES  34,431   25,754   87,191   72,357 
Provision for income taxes  6,990   4,992   17,203   14,603 
NET INCOME  27,441   20,762   69,988   57,754 
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)              
Change in unrealized gains/(losses) on securities, net of reclassifications and taxes  (36,401)  19,596   (40,943)  33,642 
Change in funded status of post retirement benefits, net of taxes  79   3   237   8 
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) $(8,881) $40,361  $29,282  $91,404 
PER SHARE DATA              
Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share $2.31  $1.75  $5.89  $4.87 
Weighted average number of shares outstanding (in thousands)  11,892   11,851   11,889   11,848 
                 



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