# EDGAR Filing Document

**Accession Number:** 0000708955
**File Stem:** 0001193125-25-274210
**Filing Date:** 2025-11
**Character Count:** 269045
**Document Hash:** 49ce7772d02cad635bc09b8eb3db88e9
**Contains OCR:** False
**Source Format:** 

## Filing Content

## Filing Summary
**0001193125-25-274210.hdr.sgml**: 20251110

**ACCESSION NUMBER**: 0001193125-25-274210

**CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE**: 8-K

**PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT**: 21

**CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT**: 20251106

**ITEM INFORMATION**: Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement

**ITEM INFORMATION**: Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant

**ITEM INFORMATION**: Other Events

**ITEM INFORMATION**: Financial Statements and Exhibits

**FILED AS OF DATE**: 20251110

**DATE AS OF CHANGE**: 20251110

**FILER**: 

**COMPANY DATA:**
- **COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:** FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP /OH/
- **CENTRAL INDEX KEY:** 0000708955
- **STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:** NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS [6021]
- **ORGANIZATION NAME:** 02 Finance
- **EIN:** 311042001
- **STATE OF INCORPORATION:** OH
- **FISCAL YEAR END:** 1231

**FILING VALUES:**
- **FORM TYPE:** 8-K
- **SEC ACT:** 1934 Act
- **SEC FILE NUMBER:** 001-34762
- **FILM NUMBER:** 251466191

**BUSINESS ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 255 EAST FIFTH STREET
- **STREET 2:** SUITE 900
- **CITY:** CINCINNATI
- **STATE:** OH
- **ZIP:** 45202
- **BUSINESS PHONE:** 8773229530

**MAIL ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 255 EAST FIFTH STREET
- **STREET 2:** SUITE 900
- **CITY:** CINCINNATI
- **STATE:** OH
- **ZIP:** 45202

?xml version='1.0' encoding='ASCII'? 8-K

### UNITED STATES

### 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 (Date of earliest event reported): November 6, 2025

## FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.

#### (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Ohio** | **001-34762** | **31-1042001** |
| **(State or other jurisdiction**<br> **of incorporation)** | **(Commission**<br> **File Number)** | **(IRS Employer**<br> **Identification Number)** |
| **255 East Fifth Street, Suite 700, Cincinnati, Ohio** | **255 East Fifth Street, Suite 700, Cincinnati, Ohio** | **45202** |
| **(Address of principal executive offices)** | **(Address of principal executive offices)** | **(Zip Code)** |

---

#### Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (877) 322-9530
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Title of each class** | **Name of exchange**<br> **on which registered** |
| Common stock, No par value FFBC | The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC |

---

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

------

#### Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
On November 10, 2025, First Financial Bancorp. (the "Company") completed the issuance and sale (the "Offering") of $300,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 6.375% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due 2035 (the "Notes"). The Offering was completed pursuant to the Company's registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-291294) (including a base prospectus) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on November 5, 2025, as supplemented by the prospectus supplement dated November 6, 2025, and filed with the SEC on November 7, 2025 (the "Prospectus Supplement").

In connection with the Offering, the Company and First Financial Bank entered into an Underwriting Agreement, dated November 6, 2025 (the "Underwriting Agreement"), with Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. and Janney Montgomery Scott LLC. The Notes were sold at an underwriting discount of 1.25%, resulting in net proceeds to the Company of approximately $296.3 million before deducting expenses of the Offering. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering for general corporate purposes, including the potential redemption of its 5.25% Subordinated Notes due 2030. The Underwriting Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and covenants and includes the terms and conditions for the sale of the Notes in the Offering, indemnification and contribution obligations and other terms and conditions customary in agreements of this type.

The Notes were issued under the Subordinated Indenture, dated as of November 5, 2025 (the "Base Indenture"), as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of November 10, 2025 (the "First Supplemental Indenture" and, together with the Base Indenture, the "Indenture"), between the Company and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee.

From and including the date of issuance to, but excluding, December 1, 2030, or earlier redemption date, the Notes will bear interest at an initial fixed rate of 6.375% per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears on June 1 and December 1 of each year, commencing on June 1, 2026. From and including December 1, 2030 to, but excluding the maturity date, December 1, 2035, or earlier redemption date, the Notes will bear interest at a floating rate per annum equal to a benchmark rate, which is expected to be Three-Month Term SOFR (as defined in the First Supplemental Indenture), plus 300 basis points, payable quarterly in arrears on March 1, June 1, September 1 and December 1 of each year, commencing on March 1, 2031. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the benchmark rate is less than zero, then the benchmark rate shall be deemed to be zero.

The Company may, at its option, redeem the Notes (i) in whole or in part beginning with the interest payment date of December 1, 2030, and on any interest payment date thereafter or (ii) in whole but not in part upon the occurrence of a "Tax Event," a "Tier 2 Capital Event" or the Company becoming required to register as an investment company pursuant to the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. The redemption price for any redemption is 100% of the principal amount of the Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, the date of redemption. Any redemption of the Notes will be subject to the receipt of the approval of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to the extent then required under applicable laws or regulations, including capital regulations.

There is no sinking fund for the Notes. The Notes rank junior to all of the Company's existing and future senior indebtedness. In addition, the Notes are effectively subordinated to any secured indebtedness of the Company to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness. The Notes are structurally subordinated to all of the existing and future liabilities and obligations of the

------

Company's subsidiaries, including the deposit liabilities and claims of other creditors of the Company's bank subsidiary, First Financial Bank. The Notes are equal in right of payment with any of the Company's existing and future subordinated indebtedness, including the Company's 5.25% subordinated notes due 2030. The Notes are the obligations of the Company only and are not obligations of, and are not be guaranteed by, any of the Company's subsidiaries.

The foregoing descriptions of the Underwriting Agreement and the Notes do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by, the full text of (i) the Underwriting Agreement, (ii) the Base Indenture, (iii) the Second Supplemental Indenture and (iv) the form of the Notes, each of which is attached hereto as an exhibit and is incorporated herein by reference. In connection with the issuance of the Notes, Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP provided the Company with the legal opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, which is incorporated herein by reference.

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Item 2.03** | **Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.**  |

---

The information in Item 1.01 above is incorporated by reference into this Item 2.03.

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Item 8.01** | **Other Events**  |

---

On November 6, 2025, the Company issued a press release announcing the pricing of its offering of the Notes, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference.

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Item 9.01** | **Financial Statements and Exhibits.**  |

---

(d) Exhibits

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Exhibit<br>No.** | **Description** |
| 1.1 | [Underwriting Agreement, dated as of November 6, 2025, by and among First Financial Bancorp., First Financial Bank, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. and Janney Montgomery Scott LLC](d67495dex11.htm) |
| 4.1 | [Subordinated Indenture, dated as of November 5, 2025, between First Financial Bancorp. and Wilmington Trust, National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 of First Financial Bancorp.'s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on November 5, 2025 (File No. 333-291294))](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/708955/000119312525267246/d52457dex45.htm) |
| 4.2 | [First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of November 10, 2025, between First Financial Bancorp. and Wilmington Trust, National Association](d67495dex42.htm) |
| 4.3 | [Form of 6.375% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due 2035 (included in Exhibit 4.2 of this Current Report on Form 8-K)](d67495dex42.htm) |
| 5.1 | [Opinion of Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP](d67495dex51.htm) |
| 23.1 | [Consent of Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1 of this Current Report on Form 8-K)](d67495dex51.htm) |
| 99.1 | [Press Release, dated as of November 6, 2025](d67495dex991.htm) |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document) |

---

------

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

#### FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| By: | /s/ James M. Anderson |
|  | James M. Anderson |
|  | Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |

---

Date: November 10, 2025

## Exhibit 1.1

**Exhibit 1.1** 

***Execution Version***

$300,000,000

First Financial Bancorp.

6.375% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due December 1, 2035

**<u>UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT</u>**

November 6, 2025

KEEFE, BRUYETTE & WOODS, INC.

787 Seventh Avenue, 4th Floor

New York, New York 10019

JANNEY MONTGOMERY SCOTT LLC

1717 Arch Street, Floor 19

Philadelphia, PA 19103

As representatives of the Underwriters listed in Schedule A hereto

Ladies and Gentlemen:

First Financial Bancorp., an Ohio corporation (the "**Company**"), proposes to issue and sell to the underwriters named in <u>Schedule A</u> hereto (the "**Underwriters**") pursuant to the terms set forth herein (this "**Agreement**") $300,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company's 6.375% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due December 1, 2035 (the "**Securities**"). The Securities will be issued pursuant to an indenture, dated as of November 5, 2025 (the "**Base Indenture**"), between the Company and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (the "**Trustee**"), as supplemented by a first supplemental indenture thereto relating to the Securities, to be dated as of the Closing Time (as defined below), between the Company and the Trustee (the "**Supplemental Indenture**" and, together with the Base Indenture, the "**Indenture**"). Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. ("**KBW**") and Janney Montgomery Scott LLC ("**JMS**") have agreed to act as representatives of the several Underwriters (in such capacity, the "**Representatives**") in connection with the offering and sale of the Securities.

To the extent there are no additional underwriters listed on <u>Schedule A,</u> the term "Representatives" as used herein shall mean you, as Underwriter, and the term "Underwriters" shall mean either the singular or the plural, as the context requires.

The Company has prepared and filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "**Commission**") an "automatic shelf registration statement," as defined under Rule 405 ("**Rule 405**") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "**Securities Act**"), on Form S-3 (File No. 333-291294) covering the public offering and sale from time to time of certain securities of the Company, including the Securities, under the Securities Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (the "**Securities Act Regulations**"), which automatic shelf registration statement

------

became effective upon filing with the Commission under Rule 462(e) of the Securities Act Regulations ("**Rule 462(e)**"). Such registration statement, as of any time, means such registration statement as amended by any post-effective amendment thereto at such time, including the exhibits and any schedules thereto at such time, the documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein at such time pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3 under the Securities Act and the documents otherwise deemed to be a part thereof as of such time pursuant to Rule 430B of the Securities Act Regulations ("**Rule 430B**"), is referred to herein as the "**Registration Statement**"; provided, that the "Registration Statement" without reference to a time means such registration statement as amended by any post-effective amendment thereto as of the time of the first contract of sale for the Securities, which time shall be considered the "new effective date" of the Registration Statement with respect to the Securities within the meaning of Rule 430B(f)(2), including the exhibits and schedules thereto as of such time, the documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein at such time pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3 under the Securities Act and the documents otherwise deemed to be a part thereof as of such time pursuant to Rule 430B. Each preliminary prospectus supplement and the base prospectus used in connection with the offering of the Securities, including the documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3 under the Securities Act immediately prior to the Applicable Time (as defined below), are collectively referred to herein as a "**preliminary prospectus**." Promptly after execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Company will prepare and file with the Commission a final prospectus supplement relating to the Securities in accordance with the provisions of Rule 424(b) of the Securities Act Regulations ("**Rule 424(b)**"). The final prospectus supplement and the base prospectus, in the form first furnished to the Underwriters for use in connection with the offering and sale of the Securities, including the documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3 under the Securities Act immediately prior to the Applicable Time (as defined below), are collectively referred to herein as the "**Prospectus**." For purposes of this Agreement, all references to the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto shall be deemed to include the copy filed with the Commission pursuant to its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system (or any successor system) ("**EDGAR**").

As used in this Agreement:

"**Applicable Time**" means 2:20 p.m., New York City time, on November 6, 2025 or such other time as agreed by the Company and the Representatives.

"**Issuer Free Writing Prospectus**" means (a) the "Term Sheet" (as defined below) and (b) any "issuer free writing prospectus," as defined in Rule 433 of the Securities Act Regulations ("**Rule 433**"), including, without limitation, any "free writing prospectus" (as defined in Rule 405) relating to the Securities that is (i) required to be filed with the Commission by the Company, (ii) a "road show that is a written communication" within the meaning of Rule 433(d)(8)(i), whether or not required to be filed with the Commission, or (iii) exempt from filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 433(d)(5)(i) because it contains a description of the Securities or of the offering thereof that does not reflect the final terms, in each case in the form filed or required to be filed with the Commission or, if not required to be filed, in the form retained in the Company's records pursuant to Rule 433(g).

------

"**Issuer General Use Free Writing Prospectus**" means any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that is intended for general distribution to investors, as evidenced by its being specified in <u>Schedule B</u> hereto.

"**Issuer Limited Use Free Writing Prospectus**" means any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that is not an Issuer General Use Free Writing Prospectus.

"**Pricing Disclosure Package**" means each Issuer General Use Free Writing Prospectus and the most recent preliminary prospectus furnished to the Underwriters for general distribution to investors prior to the Applicable Time, all considered together.

"**Significant Subsidiary**" means a Subsidiary that meets the requirements of a "significant subsidiary" as defined in Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X.

"**Subsidiary**" means a subsidiary (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) of the Company.

"**Term Sheet**" means a pricing term sheet substantially in the form of <u>Schedule C</u> hereto.

All references in this Agreement to financial statements and schedules and other information which is "contained," "included" or "stated" (or other references of like import) in the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus shall be deemed to include all such financial statements and schedules and other information incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus, as the case may be, prior to the Applicable Time; and all references in this Agreement to amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus shall be deemed to include the filing of any document under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "**Exchange Act**"), and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (the "**Exchange Act Regulations**") incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, such preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus, as the case may be, at or after the Applicable Time.

**SECTION 1.** <u>Representations and Warranties</u>.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) *Representations and Warranties by the Company*. The Company represents and warrants to each Underwriter at the date hereof, the Applicable Time and the Closing Time (as defined below), and agrees with each Underwriter, as follows:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i) <u>Compliance of the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and Incorporated Documents</u>. The Company meets the requirements for use of Form S-3 under the Securities Act. The Registration Statement is an automatic shelf registration statement under Rule 405, and the offer and sale of the Securities is registered by the Company on such automatic shelf registration statement. Each of the Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto has become effective under the Securities Act and the initial effective date of the Registration Statement is not more than three years before the date of this Agreement. No stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto has been issued under the Securities Act, no notice of objection of the Commission to the use of the Registration Statement or

------

any post-effective amendment thereto pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) of the Securities Act Regulations ("**Rule 401(g)(2)**") has been received by the Company, no order preventing or suspending the use of any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto has been issued and no proceedings for any of those purposes have been instituted or are pending or, to the Company's knowledge, contemplated. The Company has complied with each request (if any) from the Commission for additional information.

Each of the Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, at the time of its effectiveness, as of each deemed effective date with respect to the Underwriters pursuant to Rule 430B(f)(2), and at the Closing Time, complied and will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act, the Securities Act Regulations, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "**Trust Indenture Act**"), and the rules and regulations promulgated under the Trust Indenture Act. Each preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto, at the time each was filed or is hereafter filed with the Commission and at the Closing Time complied and will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Securities Act Regulations and are and will be identical to the electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T.

The documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, when they became effective or at the time they were or hereafter are filed with the Commission, complied and will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act and the Exchange Act Regulations.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(ii) <u>Accurate Disclosure</u>. Neither the Registration Statement nor any post-effective amendment thereto, at its effective time and at the Closing Time contained, contains or will contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted, omits or will omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. At the Applicable Time, neither (A) the Pricing Disclosure Package nor (B) any individual Issuer Limited Use Free Writing Prospectus, when considered together with the Pricing Disclosure Package, included, includes or will include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted, omits or will omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. Neither the Prospectus nor any amendment or supplement thereto, as of its issue date and at the Closing Time, included, includes or will include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted, omits or will omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, at the time the Registration Statement became effective or when such incorporated documents were filed with the Commission, as the case may be, when read together with the other information in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, as the case may be, did not, does not and will not include an untrue statement of a

------

material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. There are no statutes, regulations, documents or contracts of a character required to be described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, or to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, which are not described or filed as required. There are no business relationships or related person transactions involving the Company or any Subsidiary (as defined herein) or any other person required to be described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus that have not been described as required.

The representations and warranties in this subsection shall not apply to statements in or omissions from the Registration Statement or any amendment thereto or the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use therein. For purposes of this Agreement, the only information so furnished shall be the information in second and third sentences of the third paragraph, the third sentence under the subheading "No Public Trading Markets" and the first and sixth sentences in the first paragraph under the subheading "Stabilization," each under the heading "Underwriting," in each case, contained in the Registration Statement, the preliminary prospectus contained in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (collectively, the "**Underwriter Information**").

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(iii) <u>Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses</u>. No Issuer Free Writing Prospectus conflicts or will conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus, including any document incorporated by reference therein, that has not been superseded or modified. If, at any time prior to or as of the Closing Time and following issuance of an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, there occurred or occurs an event or development as a result of which such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus conflicted or would conflict with the information then contained in the Registration Statement or as a result of which such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, if republished immediately following such event or development, would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or would omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, (A) the Company has promptly notified or will promptly notify the Representatives thereof and (B) the Company has promptly amended or will promptly amend or supplement such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus to eliminate or correct such conflict, untrue statement or omission. Any offer that is a written communication relating to the Securities made prior to the initial filing of the Registration Statement by the Company or any person acting on its behalf (within the meaning, for this paragraph only, of paragraph (c) of Rule 163 of the Securities Act Regulations ("**Rule 163**")) has been filed with the Commission in accordance with the exemption provided by Rule 163 and otherwise complied with the requirements of Rule 163, including, without limitation, the legending requirement, to qualify such offer for the exemption from Section 5(c) of the Securities Act provided by Rule 163.

------

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(iv) <u>Well-Known Seasoned Issuer</u>. (A) At the original effectiveness of the Registration Statement, (B) at the time of the most recent amendment thereto for the purposes of complying with Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act (whether such amendment was by post-effective amendment, incorporated report filed pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or form of prospectus), (C) at the time the Company or any person acting on its behalf (within the meaning, for this clause only, of Rule 163(c)) made any offer relating to the Securities in reliance on the exemption of Rule 163 and (D) at the Applicable Time, the Company was and is a "well-known seasoned issuer," as defined in Rule 405.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(v) <u>Company Not Ineligible Issuer</u>. (A) At the time of filing the Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, (B) at the earliest time thereafter that the Company or another offering participant made a bona fide offer (within the meaning of Rule 164(h)(2) of the Securities Act Regulations) of the Securities and (C) at the Applicable Time, the Company was not and is not an "ineligible issuer," as defined in Rule 405. The Company has paid the registration fee for this offering pursuant to Rule 456(b)(1) under the Securities Act or will pay such fee within the time period required by such rule (without giving effect to the proviso therein) and in any event prior to the Closing Time.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(vi) <u>Independent Accountants</u>. Crowe LLP, the accounting firm that certified the financial statements and supporting schedules of the Company that are included in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, (i) is an independent public accountant as required by the Securities Act, the Securities Act Regulations, the Exchange Act, the Exchange Act Regulations and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the "**PCAOB**"), (ii) is a registered public accounting firm, as defined by the PCAOB, which has not had its registration superseded or revoked and which has not requested that such registration be withdrawn, and (iii) with respect to the Company, is not and has not been in violation of the auditor independence requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the "**Sarbanes-Oxley Act**") and the rules and regulations of the Commission.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(vii) <u>Financial Statements: Non-GAAP Financial Measures</u>. The financial statements of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries included in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, together with the related schedules and notes, comply with the requirements of the Securities Act and present fairly the financial position of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries (as defined below). The financial statements of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries (as defined below) have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("**GAAP**") applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved. The supporting schedules, if any, present fairly in accordance with GAAP the information required to be stated therein. No other financial statements or supporting schedules are required to be included in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus. The financial data set forth in each of the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus under the caption "Capitalization" fairly presents the information set forth therein on a basis consistent with that of the audited and unaudited financial statements contained in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus. To the Company's knowledge, no person who has been suspended or barred from being associated with a registered public accounting firm, or who has failed to comply with any sanction pursuant to Rule 5300 promulgated by the

------

PCAOB, has participated in or otherwise aided the preparation of, or audited, the financial statements, supporting schedules or other financial data incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus. All disclosures contained in the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus, Pricing Disclosure Package, the Prospectus and any free writing prospectus that constitute non-GAAP financial measures (as defined by the rules and regulations under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act) comply with Regulation G under the Exchange Act and Item 10(e) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act, as applicable. The interactive data in eXtensible Business Reporting Language incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus is updated as necessary to comply with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Commission's rules and guidelines applicable thereto and present fairly the consolidated financial position, results of operations and changes in financial position of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries on the basis stated in the Registration Statement at the respective dates or for the respective periods to which they apply.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(viii) <u>No Material Adverse Change in Business</u>. Since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, except as otherwise stated therein, (A) there has been no material adverse effect, or any development that could reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse effect, (i) on the general affairs, condition (financial or otherwise), business, properties, prospects, management, financial position, shareholders' equity, assets, liabilities or results of operations, of the Company and its Subsidiaries considered as one enterprise, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business or (ii) in the ability of the Company to perform its obligations under, and to consummate the transactions contemplated by, this Agreement (each of (i) and (ii) a "**Material Adverse Effect**"), (B) there has not been any change in the capital stock, short-term debt or long-term debt of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, (C) there have been no transactions entered into by, and no obligations or liabilities, contingent or otherwise, incurred by the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, whether or not in the ordinary course of business, which are material to the Company and the Subsidiaries, considered as one enterprise, (D) the Company has not purchased any of its outstanding capital stock and there has been no dividend or distribution of any kind declared, paid or made by the Company on any class of its capital stock or (E) there has been no material loss or interference with the Company's business from fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor dispute or court or governmental action, order or decree, in each case, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(ix) <u>Good Standing of the Company</u>. The Company has been duly organized and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Ohio and has corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement; and the Company is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to transact business and is in good standing in each other jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where the failure to so qualify or to be in good standing would not result in a Material Adverse Effect.

------

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(x) <u>Good Standing of Certain Subsidiaries</u>. First Financial Bank (the "**Bank**") is a bank chartered under the laws of the State of Ohio and the charter of the Bank is in full force and effect. The Bank is the only depositary institution subsidiary of the Company. Each Significant Subsidiary has been duly organized and is validly existing as a corporation or other organization in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, formation or organization, has the requisite corporate or organizational power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and is duly qualified as a foreign corporation or other business entity to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where the failure to so qualify or to be in good standing would not result in a Material Adverse Effect. Except as otherwise disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of each Significant Subsidiary has been duly authorized and validly issued, is fully paid and non-assessable and is owned by the Company, directly or through Subsidiaries, free and clear of any security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance, claim or equity; none of the outstanding shares of capital stock of any Significant Subsidiary was issued in violation of the preemptive or similar rights of any securityholder of such Significant Subsidiary arising by operation of law, or under the articles of incorporation, bylaws, regulations or other organizational documents of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or under any agreement to which the Company or any Significant Subsidiary is a party. Except for the Subsidiaries, the Company does not own beneficially, directly or indirectly, more than five percent (5%) of any class of equity securities or similar interests in any corporation, business trust, association or similar organization, and is not, directly or indirectly, a partner in any partnership or party to any joint venture. The only Significant Subsidiaries of the Company are those listed on Schedule D hereto.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(xi) <u>Capitalization</u>. The authorized, issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company and consolidated long-term debt (i.e., a maturity greater than one year) as of September 30, 2025, is as set forth in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus in the column entitled "Actual" under the caption "Capitalization" (other than for subsequent issuances, if any, pursuant to employee benefit plans referred to in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus or pursuant to the exercise of convertible securities or options referred to in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus). The shares of issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable; none of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company was issued in violation of the preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or other similar rights of any securityholder of the Company arising by operation of law, or under the articles of incorporation, bylaws, regulations or other organizational documents of the Company or under any agreement to which the Company is a party. There have been no long-term borrowings by the Company or its consolidated Subsidiaries since such date.

------

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(xii) <u>Authorization of Agreement</u>. The Company has full right, power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder; and all action required to be taken for the due and proper authorization, execution and delivery by it of this Agreement and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby has been duly and validly taken. This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(xiii) <u>Securities Offerings</u>. All offers and sales of the Company's capital stock and debt or other securities prior to the date hereof were made in compliance with or were the subject of an available exemption from the Securities Act and the Securities Act Regulations and all other applicable state and federal laws or regulations, or any actions under the Securities Act and the Securities Act Regulations or any state or federal laws or regulations in respect of any such offers or sales are effectively barred by effective waivers or statutes of limitation.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(xiv) <u>Authorization</u>. <u>Validity and Enforceability of Indenture and Securities.</u> The Indenture will be duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery of the Indenture by the Trustee, the Indenture will constitute a valid, legal and binding agreement of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except to the extent that enforceability may be limited by (a) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent transfer or other similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to creditors' rights generally and (b) general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding at law or in equity). The Indenture has been, and at the Closing Time will be, duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act. The Securities to be purchased by the Underwriters from the Company have been duly authorized for issuance and sale to the Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement and, at Closing, will have been duly executed by the Company, and when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in the manner provided for in the Indenture, and issued and delivered by the Company pursuant to this Agreement against payment of the consideration set forth herein, will constitute valid, legal and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except to the extent that enforceability may be limited by (a) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent transfer or other similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to creditors' rights generally and (b) general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding at law or in equity). The Securities will be in the form contemplated by, and will be entitled to the benefits of, the Indenture. The description of the Indenture contained in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus conforms in all material respects to the Indenture.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(xv) <u>Registration Rights</u>. There are no contracts, agreements or understandings granting any person registration rights or other similar rights to have any securities registered for resale pursuant to the Registration Statement or otherwise registered for resale or sold by the Company under the Securities Act by reason of filing of the Registration Statement with the Commission or by reason of the sale of the Securities by the Company pursuant to this Agreement.

------

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(xvi) <u>Summaries of Legal Matters</u>. The statements set forth in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus under the captions "Description of Subordinated Notes" and "ERISA Considerations" and under the captions "Supervision and Regulation" and "Legal Proceedings" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, insofar as they purport to describe legal matters or provisions of the laws and regulations or documents referred to therein, are accurate, complete and fair in all material respects; and the statements set forth in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus under the caption "Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences," insofar as they purport to summarize certain federal income tax laws of the United States, constitute a fair summary of the principal U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the Securities.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(xvii) <u>Absence of Defaults and Conflicts</u>. The Company is not in violation of its Articles of Incorporation, as amended (the "**Charter**"), or Regulations, as amended (the "**Regulations**"); none of the Subsidiaries is in violation of its charter, bylaws, regulations or other organizational documents and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in default in the performance or observance of any obligation, agreement, covenant or condition contained in any contract, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan or credit agreement, note, lease or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which it or any of them may be bound, or to which any of the property or assets of the Company or any Subsidiary is subject (collectively, "**Agreements and Instruments**"), or in violation of any law or statute or any judgment, order, rule or regulation of any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority, except for such violations or defaults that could not, singly or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the Indenture and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein and therein, and in the Registration Statement (including the issuance and sale of the Securities and the use of the proceeds from the sale of the Securities as described in the Prospectus under the caption "Use of Proceeds") and compliance by the Company with its obligations hereunder have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action and do not and will not, whether with or without the giving of notice or passage of time or both, conflict with or constitute a breach of, or default or Repayment Event (as defined below) under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company or any Subsidiary pursuant to, the Agreements and Instruments (except for such conflicts, breaches or defaults or liens, charges or encumbrances that could not, singly or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect); nor will such action result in any violation of the provisions of the Charter or Regulations of the Company or the charter, bylaws, regulations or other organizational document of any Subsidiary; nor will such action result in any violation of any applicable law, statute, rule, regulation, judgment, order, writ or decree of any government, government instrumentality or court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company or any Subsidiary or any of their assets, properties or operations (except for such violations that could not, singly or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect). As used herein, a "**Repayment Event**" means any event or condition which gives the holder of any note, debenture or other evidence of indebtedness (or any person acting on such holder's behalf) the right to require the repurchase, redemption or repayment of all or a portion of such indebtedness by the Company or any Subsidiary.

------

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(xviii) <u>Nasdaq Compliance</u>. The Company is in compliance in all material respects with the requirements of The Nasdaq Global Select Market ("**Nasdaq**") for continued listing of the Company's common stock, no par value per share (the "**Common Stock**"), thereon. The Company has taken no action designed to, or likely to have the effect of, terminating the registration of the Common Stock under the Exchange Act or the listing of the Common Stock on Nasdaq, nor has the Company received any notification that the Commission or Nasdaq is contemplating terminating such registration or listing. The transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not contravene the rules or regulations of Nasdaq.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(xix) <u>Absence of Labor Dispute</u>. No labor dispute with the employees of the Company or any Subsidiary exists or, to the knowledge of the Company, is imminent. The Company is not aware of any existing or imminent labor disturbance by the employees of the Company or any of its or any Subsidiaries' principal suppliers, vendors, customers or contractors, which, in either case, could, singly or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any of the Significant Subsidiaries is engaged in any unfair labor practice; except for matters which would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect, (A) there is (1) no unfair labor practice complaint pending or, to the Company's knowledge, threatened against the Company or any of the Significant Subsidiaries before the National Labor Relations Board or any similar domestic or foreign body, and no grievance or arbitration proceeding arising out of or under collective bargaining agreements is pending or, to the Company's knowledge, threatened, (2) no strike, labor dispute, slowdown or stoppage pending or, to the Company's knowledge, threatened against the Company or any of the Significant Subsidiaries and (3) no union representation dispute currently existing concerning the employees of the Company or any of the Significant Subsidiaries, (B) to the Company's knowledge, no union organizing activities are currently taking place concerning the employees of the Company or any of the Significant Subsidiaries and (C) there has been no violation of any federal, state, local or foreign law relating to discrimination in the hiring, promotion or pay of employees, any applicable wage or hour laws or any provision of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder (collectively, "**ERISA**") or any similar domestic or foreign law or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder concerning the employees of the Company or any of the Significant Subsidiaries.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(xx) <u>Absence of Proceedings</u>. There is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation before or brought by any court or governmental agency or body, domestic or foreign, now pending, or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened, against or affecting the Company or any Subsidiary, which is required to be disclosed in the Registration Statement (other than as disclosed therein), or which, if determined adversely to the Company or any Subsidiary, individually or in the aggregate, would result in a Material Adverse Effect, or which would materially and adversely affect (i) the properties or assets thereof, or (ii) the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Indenture and this Agreement or the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder and thereunder, nor, to the Company's knowledge, is there any basis for any such

------

action, suit, inquiry, proceeding or investigation; the aggregate of all pending legal or governmental proceedings to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party or of which any of their respective property or assets is the subject which are not described in the Registration Statement, including ordinary routine litigation incidental to the business, if determined adversely to the Company or any Subsidiary, individually or in the aggregate, would not result in a Material Adverse Effect.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(xxi) <u>Bank Holding Company Act</u>. The Company has been duly registered as, and meets in all material respects the applicable requirements for qualification as, a bank holding company and has elected to be treated as a financial holding company under the applicable provisions of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended. The activities of the Subsidiaries are permitted of subsidiaries of a financial holding company under applicable law and the rules and regulations of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the "**Federal Reserve**") set forth in Title 12 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(xxii) <u>Compliance with Bank Regulatory Authorities</u>. The Company and the Bank are in compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws, rules and regulations (including, without limitation, all applicable regulations and orders) of, or agreements with, the Federal Reserve, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (the "**CFPB**") and the Ohio Division of Financial Institutions, as applicable (collectively, the "**Bank Regulatory Authorities**"), the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Fair Housing Act, the Truth in Lending Act, the Community Reinvestment Act (the "**CRA**"), the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, the Bank Secrecy Act and Title III of the USA Patriot Act, to the extent such laws or regulations apply to the Company or the Bank, as applicable. The Company and the Bank have no knowledge of any facts and circumstances, and have no reason to believe that any facts or circumstances exist, that could cause the Bank (A) to be deemed not to be in satisfactory compliance with the CRA and the regulations promulgated thereunder or to be assigned a CRA rating by federal or state banking regulators of lower than "satisfactory," or (B) to be deemed to be operating in violation, in any material respect, of the Bank Secrecy Act of 1970 as amended by the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (or otherwise known as the "**Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act**"), the USA Patriot Act (or otherwise known as "**Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001**") or any order issued with respect to the Anti-Money Laundering Laws (as defined below). As of most recent quarter end, each of the Company and the Bank met or exceeded the standards necessary to be considered "well capitalized" under the FDIC's regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. The Bank has a Community Reinvestment Act rating of at least "Satisfactory." The Bank has been duly chartered, is validly existing under the laws of the State of Ohio and holds the requisite authority to do business as a state-chartered bank with banking powers under the laws of the State of Ohio. The Bank is the only depository institution subsidiary of the Company and the Bank is a member in good standing of the Federal Home Loan Bank System. The activities of the Bank are permitted under the laws and regulations of State of Ohio. Since December 31, 2021, the Company, the Bank and each of its subsidiaries have filed all material reports, registrations and statements, together

------

with any required amendments thereto, that it was required to file with the Federal Reserve, the FDIC, and any other applicable federal or state banking authorities. All such reports and statements filed with any such regulatory body or authority are collectively referred to herein as the "**Company Reports**." As of their respective dates, the Company Reports complied as to form in all material respects with all the rules and regulations promulgated by the Federal Reserve, FDIC and any other applicable federal or state banking authorities, as the case may be. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, none of the Company, the Bank nor any of their respective subsidiaries is a party or subject to any formal or informal agreement, memorandum of understanding, consent decree, directive, cease-and-desist order, order of prohibition or suspension, written commitment, supervisory agreement or other written statement as described under 12 U.S.C. 1818(u) with, or order issued by, or has adopted any board resolutions at the request of, the Federal Reserve, the FDIC, the CFPB or any other bank regulatory authority that restricts materially the conduct of its business, or in any manner relates to its capital adequacy, its credit policies or its management, nor have any of them been advised by any Bank Regulatory Authority that it is contemplating issuing or requesting (or is considering the appropriateness of issuing or requesting) any such order, decree, agreement, memorandum of understanding, extraordinary supervisory letter, commitment letter or similar submission, or any such board resolutions or that imposes any restrictions or requirements not generally applicable to bank holding companies or commercial banks. There is no unresolved violation, criticism or exception by any Bank Regulatory Authority with respect to any examination of the Company, the Bank or any of the Company's other Subsidiaries, which could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(xxiii) <u>Accuracy of Exhibits</u>. There are no contracts or documents which are required to be described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package, the Prospectus or the documents incorporated by reference therein or to be filed as exhibits thereto which have not been so described and filed as required.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(xxiv) <u>Absence of Further Requirements</u>. No filing with, or authorization, approval, consent, license, order, registration, qualification or decree of, any court or governmental agency or body is necessary or required for the performance by the Company of its obligations under this Agreement in connection with the offering, issuance or sale of the Securities or the consummation of the transactions contemplated in this Agreement prior to the Closing Time, except such as have been already obtained or as may be required under the Securities Act, the Securities Act Regulations, the rules of Nasdaq, the securities laws of any state or non-U.S. jurisdiction or the rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. ("**FINRA**").

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(xxv) <u>Possession of Licenses and Permits</u>. The Company and its Subsidiaries possess such permits, licenses, approvals, registrations, memberships, consents and other authorizations issued by the appropriate federal, state, local or foreign regulatory agencies or bodies necessary to conduct the business now operated by them (collectively, "**Governmental Licenses**"), and the Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with the terms and conditions of all such Governmental Licenses, except where the failure to possess such Governmental Licenses or to so comply would not, singly or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect and no event has occurred that allows, or after notice or lapse of time would

------

allow, revocation or termination of any such Governmental License or result in any other material impairment of the rights of any such Governmental License; all of the Governmental Licenses are valid and in full force and effect; and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any such Governmental Licenses. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has failed to file with applicable regulatory authorities any material statement, report, information or form required by any applicable law, regulation or order, all such filings were in material compliance with applicable laws when filed and no material deficiencies have been asserted by any regulatory commission, agency or authority with respect to any such filings or submissions.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(xxvi) <u>Title to Property</u>. The Company and its Subsidiaries have good and marketable title in fee simple to all real property owned by the Company and its Subsidiaries and good title to all other properties owned by them, in each case, free and clear of all mortgages, pledges, liens, security interests, claims, restrictions or encumbrances of any kind except such as (A) are described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus or (B) do not materially affect the value of such property and do not interfere in any material respect with the use made and proposed to be made of such property by the Company or any Subsidiary. All of the leases and subleases under which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries holds properties described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, are in full force and effect and are held under valid, subsisting and enforceable leases, and neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has any notice of any material claim of any sort that has been asserted by anyone adverse to the rights of the Company or any Subsidiary under any of the leases or subleases mentioned above, or affecting or questioning the rights of the Company or such Subsidiary to the continued possession of the leased or subleased premises under any such lease or sublease.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(xxvii) <u>Possession of Intellectual Property</u>. The Company and its Subsidiaries own or possess, or can acquire on reasonable terms, adequate patents, patent rights, licenses, inventions, copyrights, know-how (including trade secrets and other unpatented and/or unpatentable proprietary or confidential information, systems or procedures and excluding generally commercially available "off the shelf" software programs licensed pursuant to shrink wrap or "click and accept" licenses), systems, technology, trademarks, service marks, trade names or other intellectual property (collectively, "**Intellectual Property**") necessary to carry on the business now operated by them. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any notice or is otherwise aware of any infringement or misappropriation of or conflict with asserted rights of others with respect to any material Intellectual Property or of any facts or circumstances which could render any material Intellectual Property invalid or inadequate to protect the interest of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries therein.

------

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(xxviii) <u>Environmental Laws</u>. Except as described in the Registration Statement and except as would not, singly or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect, (A) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in violation of any federal, state, local or foreign statute, law, rule, regulation, ordinance, code, policy or rule of common law or any judicial or administrative interpretation thereof, including any judicial or administrative order, consent, decree or judgment, relating to pollution or protection of human health, the environment (including, without limitation, ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata) or wildlife, including, without limitation, laws and regulations relating to the release or threatened release of chemicals, pollutants, contaminants, wastes, toxic substances, hazardous substances, petroleum or petroleum products, asbestos-containing materials or mold (collectively, "**Hazardous Materials**") or to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of Hazardous Materials (collectively, "**Environmental Laws**"), (B) the Company and its Subsidiaries have all permits, authorizations and approvals required under any applicable Environmental Laws and are each in compliance with their requirements, (C) there are no pending or threatened administrative, regulatory or judicial actions, suits, demands, demand letters, claims, liens, notices of noncompliance or violation, investigation or proceedings relating to any Environmental Law against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (D) there are no events or circumstances that could result in forming the basis of an order for clean-up or remediation, or an action, suit or proceeding by any private party or governmental body or agency, against or affecting the Company or any of its Subsidiaries relating to Hazardous Materials or any Environmental Laws, and (E) none of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries anticipate material capital expenditures relating to Environmental Laws.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(xxix) <u>ERISA</u>. Each employee benefit plan, within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA, that is maintained, administered or contributed to by the Company or any Subsidiary or any member of the Company's "control group" (within the meaning of Section 414 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "**Code**")) for employees or former employees of the Company and its affiliates ("**Plan**") has been maintained in material compliance with its terms and the requirements of any applicable statutes, orders, rules and regulations, including, but not limited to, ERISA and the Code. No "prohibited transaction," within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code has occurred with respect to any such Plan excluding transactions effected pursuant to a statutory or administrative exemption. No "reportable event" (as defined under ERISA) has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur with respect to any "employee benefit plan" established or maintained by the Company, the Subsidiaries or any of their ERISA Affiliates. No "employee benefit plan" (as defined under ERISA) established or maintained by the Company, the Subsidiaries or any of their ERISA Affiliates, if such employee benefit plan were terminated, could have any "amount of unfunded benefit liabilities" (as defined under ERISA). Neither the Company, the Subsidiaries nor any of their ERISA Affiliates has incurred or reasonably expects to incur any liability under (A) Title IV of ERISA with respect to termination of, or withdrawal from, any "employee benefit plan," or (B) Sections 412, 4971, 4975 or 4980B of the Code. Each employee benefit plan established or maintained by the Company, the Subsidiaries or any of their ERISA Affiliates that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code is so qualified and nothing has occurred, whether by action or failure to act, which could cause the loss of such qualification. With respect to each Plan subject to Title IV of ERISA, the minimum funding standard of Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code, as applicable, has been satisfied (without taking into account any waiver thereof or extension of any amortization period) and is reasonably expected to be satisfied in the future (without taking into

------

account any waiver thereof or extension of any amortization period) and the fair market value of the assets under each Plan exceeds the present value of all benefits accrued under such Plan (determined based on those assumptions used to fund such Plan). There is no pending audit or investigation by the Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Department of Labor, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any other governmental agency or any foreign agency.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(xxx) <u>Internal Control Over Financial Reporting</u>. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries maintain a system of internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act Regulations) that complies with the requirements of the Exchange Act and the Exchange Act Regulations and has been designed by the Company's principal executive officer and principal financial officer and is sufficient to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, including that (A) transactions are executed in accordance with management's general or specific authorizations; (B) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain asset accountability; (C) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management's general or specific authorization; (D) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences; and (E) the interactive data in eXtensible Business Reporting Language included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement is accurate and fairly presents the information called for in all material respects and has been prepared in accordance with the Commission's rules and guidelines applicable thereto. The systems of internal control over financial reporting of the Company and its Subsidiaries are overseen by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company in accordance with Nasdaq rules and regulations. Except as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, since the end of the Company's most recent audited fiscal year, (i) there has been no material weakness in the Company's internal control over financial reporting (whether or not remediated), (ii) there has been no change in the Company's internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting and (iii) the Company has not been advised of (a) any significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls that could adversely affect the ability of the Company or any Subsidiary to record, process, summarize and report financial data, or any material weakness in internal controls, or (b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the internal controls of the Company and each of the Subsidiaries.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(xxxi) <u>Disclosure Controls and Procedures</u>. The Company and its Subsidiaries employ disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15 of the Exchange Act Regulations), which (A) are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Commission's rules and forms and that material information relating to the Company and its Subsidiaries is made known to the Company's principal executive officer and principal financial officer by others within the Company and its Subsidiaries to allow timely

------

decisions regarding disclosure, (B) have been evaluated by management of the Company for effectiveness as of the end of the Company's most recent fiscal quarter, and (C) were then effective in all material respects to perform the functions for which they were established. Based on the evaluation of the Company's and each Subsidiary's disclosure controls and procedures described above, the Company is not aware of (1) any significant deficiency in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the Company's or its Subsidiaries' ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data or any material weakness in internal controls or (2) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company's or its Subsidiaries' internal controls. Since the most recent evaluation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures described above, there have been no changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls. Within the next 90 days the Company does not reasonably expect to publicly disclose or report to the Audit Committee or the Board of Directors a material weakness, change in internal control over financial reporting or fraud involving management or other employees who have a significant role in internal control over financial reporting, any violation of, or failure to comply with, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act or the Exchange Act, or any matter related to internal control over financial reporting which, if determined adversely, would result in a Material Adverse Effect.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(xxxii) <u>Compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act</u>. There is and has been no material failure on the part of the Company or any of the Company's directors or officers, in their capacities as such, to comply with any provision of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the rules and regulations promulgated in connection therewith, including Section 402 related to loans and Sections 302 and 906 related to certifications.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(xxxiii) <u>Pending Procedures and Examinations</u>. The Registration Statement is not the subject of a pending proceeding or examination under Section 8(d) or 8(e) of the Securities Act, and the Company is not the subject of a pending proceeding under Section 8A of the Securities Act in connection with the offering of the Securities.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(xxxiv) <u>Payment of Taxes</u>. All United States federal income tax returns of the Company and the Subsidiaries required by law to be filed have been timely filed and all taxes shown by such returns or otherwise assessed, which are due and payable, have been paid, except assessments against which have been or will be promptly contested in good faith and as to which adequate reserves have been provided in the Company's financials in accordance with GAAP. The Company and the Subsidiaries have filed all other tax returns that are required to have been filed by them pursuant to applicable foreign, state, local or other law, except insofar as the failure to file such returns, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, and have paid all taxes due pursuant to such returns or pursuant to any assessment received by the Company or any Subsidiary except for such taxes, if any, as are being contested in good faith and as to which adequate reserves have been provided. The charges, accruals and reserves on the books of the Company and the Subsidiaries in respect of any income and corporation tax liability for any years not finally determined are adequate to meet any assessments or re-assessments for additional income tax for any years not finally determined. Except as otherwise disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there is no tax deficiency that has been or would reasonably be expected to be asserted against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties or assets.

------

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(xxxv) <u>Insurance</u>. The Company and each Subsidiary is insured by insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and risks and in such amounts as are prudent and customary in the businesses in which they are engaged including, but not limited to, policies covering real and personal property owned or leased by the Company and each Subsidiary against theft, damage, destruction, acts of vandalism and earthquakes; neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has been refused any insurance coverage sought or applied for; and the Company has no reason to believe that it or any Subsidiary will not be able to renew their existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business at a cost that could not have a Material Adverse Effect. All such insurance is fully in force as of the date hereof. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries are in compliance with the terms of such policies and instruments in all material respects; and there are no material claims by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under any such policy or instrument as to which any insurance company is denying liability or defending under a reservation of rights clause.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(xxxvi) <u>Investment Company Act</u>. The Company is not, and upon the issuance and sale of the Securities as herein contemplated and the application of the net proceeds therefrom as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus will not be, an "investment company" or an entity "controlled" by an "investment company" as such terms are defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "**Investment Company Act**").

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(xxxvii) <u>Absence of Manipulation</u>. Neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries, nor any affiliates of the Company or its Subsidiaries, has taken, directly, or indirectly, and neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries, nor any affiliates of the Company or its Subsidiaries, will take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to cause or result in, or which constitutes or could reasonably be expected to constitute, the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company or any "reference security" (as defined in Rule 100 of Regulation M under the Exchange Act) to facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities or otherwise, and has taken no action which would directly or indirectly violate Regulation M under the Exchange Act.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(xxxviii) <u>Foreign Corrupt Practices Act</u>. None of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent or employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, any of the respective affiliates of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any other person associated with or acting on behalf of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or their respective affiliates acting in his or her capacity as such has (A) used any funds of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for any unlawful contribution, gift, entertainment or other unlawful expense relating to political activity; (B) made or taken an act in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise or authorization of any direct or indirect unlawful payment or giving of money, property, gifts or anything else of value, directly or indirectly, to any foreign or domestic government official (including any officer or employee of a government or government-owned or controlled entity or of a public international

------

organization, or any person acting in an official capacity for or on behalf of any of the foregoing, or any political party or party official or candidate for public office) from funds of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (C) violated or is in violation of any provision of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended (the "**FCPA**"), or any applicable law or regulations implementing the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions, or committed an offense under the Bribery Act 2010 of the United Kingdom, or any other applicable anti-bribery or anti-corruption statute or regulation; or (D) made, offered, agreed, requested or taken an act in furtherance of any unlawful bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other unlawful payment or benefit in violation of any applicable law, rule or regulation. The Company and its Subsidiaries and their respective affiliates have conducted their businesses in compliance with the FCPA and all other applicable anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws and have instituted and maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure, and which are reasonably expected to continue to ensure, continued compliance therewith.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(xxxix) <u>Anti-Money Laundering Laws</u>. The operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of the Company, their respective affiliates, are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, and the applicable anti-money laundering statutes of all jurisdictions where the Company and its Subsidiaries and their respective affiliates conduct business, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency or body (collectively, the "**Anti-Money Laundering Laws**"); and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court, governmental agency or body involving the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to the Anti-Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the best knowledge of the Company, threatened. The Company and its Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of the Company, their respective affiliates, have conducted their businesses in compliance with applicable anti-corruption laws and have instituted and maintain and will continue to maintain policies and procedures designed to promote and achieve compliance with such laws.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(xl) <u>OFAC</u>. None of the Company, any of the Subsidiaries or any officer or director of either the Company or any Subsidiary, nor, to the knowledge of the Company, after due inquiry, any agent, employee, affiliate or person acting on behalf of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries is or has been (A) engaged in any services (including financial services), transfers of goods, software, or technology, or any other business activity related to (i) Cuba, Iran, North Korea, the Crimea Region of Ukraine, the so-called Donetsk People's Republic, the so-called Luhansk People's Republic or any other Covered Region of Ukraine identified pursuant to Executive Order 14065 (collectively, "**Sanctioned Countries**" and each, a "**Sanctioned Country**"), (ii) the government of any Sanctioned Country, (iii) any person, entity or organization located in, resident in, formed under the laws of, or owned or controlled by the government of, any Sanctioned Country, or (iv) any person, entity or organization made subject of any sanctions administered or enforced by the United States Government, including, without limitation, the list of Specially

------

Designated Nationals ("**SDN List**") of the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department ("**OFAC**"), or by the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, His Majesty's Treasury, or other relevant sanctions authority (collectively, "**Sanctions**") and the Company will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of this offering, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any Subsidiary, or any joint venture partner or other person or entity, for the purpose of financing the activities of or business with any person, or in any country or territory, that currently is the subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC or in any other manner that will result in a violation by any person (including any person participating in the transaction whether as underwriter, advisor, investor or otherwise) of U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC; (B) engaged in any transfers of goods, technologies or services (including financial services) that may assist the governments of Sanctioned Countries or facilitate money laundering or other activities proscribed by United States laws, rules or regulations; (C) is a person, entity or organization currently the subject of any Sanctions; or (D) located, organized or resident in any Sanctioned Country.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(xli) <u>Relationship</u>. No relationship, direct or indirect, exists between or among the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and the directors, officers, shareholders, customers or suppliers of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, on the other, that is required by the Securities Act or Securities Act Regulations to be described in the Registration Statement and/or the Prospectus and that is not so described.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(xlii) <u>Lending Relationship</u>. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, the Company (A) does not have any material lending or other relationship with any bank or lending affiliate of any Underwriter and (B) does not intend to use any of the proceeds from the sale of the Securities to repay any outstanding debt owed to any affiliate of any Underwriter.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(xliii) <u>No Restrictions on Subsidiaries</u>. Except in each case as otherwise disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, no Subsidiary of the Company is currently prohibited, directly or indirectly, under any agreement or other instrument to which it is a party or is subject, from paying any dividends to the Company, from making any other distribution on such Subsidiary's capital stock, from repaying to the Company any loans or advances to such Subsidiary from the Company or from transferring any of such Subsidiary's properties or assets to the Company or any other Subsidiary of the Company.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(xliv) <u>Statistical and Market-Related Data</u>. The statistical and market-related data contained in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus comply in all material respects with the requirements of Subpart 1400 of Regulation S-K (where applicable) and are based on or derived from sources which the Company believes are reliable and accurate, and the Company has obtained the written consent to the use of such data from such sources to the extent required.

------

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(xlv) <u>Distribution of Offering Material By the Company</u>. The Company has not distributed and will not distribute, prior to the later of the Closing Time and the completion of the Underwriters' distribution of the Securities, any offering material in connection with the offering and sale of the Securities other than the Registration Statement, the preliminary prospectus contained in the Pricing Disclosure Package, the Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus reviewed and consented to by the Representatives and included in Schedule B hereto or any electronic road show or other written communications reviewed and consented to by the Representatives and listed on Schedule B hereto (each a, "**Company Additional Written Communication**"). Each such Company Additional Written Communication, when taken together with the Pricing Disclosure Package, did not, and at the Closing Time will not, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The preceding sentence does not apply to statements in or omissions from the Company Additional Written Communication based upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter through the Representatives specifically for use therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter through the Representatives consists of the Underwriter Information.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(xlvi) <u>Forward-Looking Statements</u>. Each financial or operational projection or other "forward-looking statement" (as defined by Section 27A of the Securities Act or Section 21E of the Exchange Act) contained in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (A) was so included by the Company in good faith and with reasonable basis after due consideration by the Company of the underlying assumptions, estimates and other applicable facts and circumstances, and (B) is accompanied by meaningful cautionary statements identifying those factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statement. No such statement was made with the knowledge of an executive officer or director of the Company that it was false or misleading.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(xlvii) <u>No Fees or Advisory Rights</u>. Other than as contemplated by this Agreement, there is no broker, finder or other party that is entitled to receive from the Company or any Subsidiary any brokerage or finder's fee or any other fee, commission or payment as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. No person has the right to act as a financial advisor to the Company in connection with the offer and sale of the Securities.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(xlviii) <u>Deposit Insurance</u>. The deposit accounts of the Bank are insured by the FDIC up to applicable legal limits, the Bank has paid all premiums and assessments required by the FDIC and the regulations thereunder, and no proceeding for the termination or revocation of such insurance is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(xlix) <u>Derivative Instruments</u>. Any and all material swaps, caps, floors, futures, forward contracts, option agreements (other than options issued under the Company's shareholder-approved benefit plans) and other derivative financial instruments, contracts or arrangements, whether entered into for the account of the Company or one of its Subsidiaries or for the account of a customer of the Company or one of its Subsidiaries, were entered into in the ordinary course of business and in accordance with applicable laws, rules, regulations and policies of all applicable regulatory agencies and with counterparties believed by the Company to be financially responsible. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries have duly performed in all material respects all of their obligations thereunder to the extent that such obligations to perform have accrued, and there are no breaches, violations or defaults or allegations or assertions of such by any party thereunder except as could not, singly or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

------

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(l) <u>Termination of Contracts</u>. Except as would not have a Material Adverse Effect, neither the Company nor any Significant Subsidiary has sent or received any communication regarding termination of, or intent not to renew, any of the contracts or agreements referred to or described in the Pricing Disclosure Package and Prospectus, or referred to or described in, or filed as an exhibit to, the Pricing Disclosure Package and Prospectus, and no such termination or non-renewal has been threatened by the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or, to the Company's knowledge, any other party to any such contract or agreement; and there are no contracts or documents of the Company or any of the Significant Subsidiaries that are required to be described in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus or to be filed as exhibits thereto by the Securities Act or by the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder that have not been so described and filed.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(li) <u>Off-Balance Sheet Transactions</u>. There is no transaction, arrangement or other relationship between the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and an unconsolidated or other off-balance sheet entity which is required to be disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (other than as disclosed therein).

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(lii) <u>Margin Rules</u>. The application of the proceeds received by the Company from the issuance, sale and delivery of the Securities as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus will not violate margin lending regulations applicable to the Company.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(liii) <u>Cybersecurity</u>. (A) There has been no security breach or incident, unauthorized access or disclosure, or other compromise of or relating to any of the Company's or its Subsidiaries' information technology and computer systems, networks, hardware, software, data and databases (including the data and information of their respective customers, employees, suppliers, vendors and any third-party data maintained, processed or stored by the Company and its Subsidiaries, and any such data processed or stored by third parties on behalf of the Company and its Subsidiaries, equipment or technology (collectively, "**IT Systems and Data**")); (B) neither the Company nor its Subsidiaries have been notified of, and each of them have no knowledge of any event or condition that could result in, any security breach or incident, unauthorized access or disclosure or other compromise to their IT Systems and Data; and (C) the Company and its Subsidiaries have implemented appropriate controls, policies, procedures, and technological safeguards to maintain and protect the integrity, continuous operation, redundancy and security of their IT Systems and Data reasonably consistent with industry standards and practices, or as required by applicable regulatory standards. The Company and its Subsidiaries are presently in material compliance with all applicable laws or statutes and all judgments, orders, rules and regulations of any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority, internal policies and contractual obligations relating to the privacy and security of IT Systems and Data and to the protection of such IT Systems and Data from unauthorized use, access, misappropriation or modification.

------

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) The Bank represents and warrants to each Underwriter at the date hereof, the Applicable Time, the Closing Time and any Date of Delivery, and agrees with each Underwriter, as follows:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i) The Bank has been duly chartered and is validly existing as a state-chartered bank in good standing under the laws of the State of Ohio, and has been duly qualified as a foreign bank for the transaction of business and is in good standing under the laws of each other jurisdiction in which it owns or leases properties or conducts any business so as to require such qualification or is subject to no material liability or disability by reason of the failure to be so qualified in any such other jurisdiction;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(ii) Neither the Bank nor any of its subsidiaries is (A) in violation of its articles or certificate of incorporation, bylaws, regulations or other organizational or governing documents, (B) in default in the performance or observance of any obligation, agreement, covenant or condition contained in any contract, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement, note, lease or other agreement or instrument to which the Bank or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which any of them is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Bank or any of its subsidiaries is subject (collectively, the "**Bank Instruments**") or (C) in violation of any statute, law, rule, regulation, order, decree of any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Bank or any of its subsidiaries; in the case of clauses (B) and (C), except for defaults or violations that could not, singly or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse effect (i) on the general affairs, condition (financial or otherwise), business, properties, prospects, management, financial position, shareholders' equity, assets, liabilities or results of operations, of the Bank and its subsidiaries considered as one enterprise, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business or (ii) in the ability of the Bank to perform its obligations under this Agreement (each of (i) and (ii) a "**Bank MAE**"); and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(iii) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Bank, compliance by the Bank with all of the provisions of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions herein contemplated do not and will not contravene, conflict with, or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, any Bank Instrument, nor does or will any such action contravene, conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of the articles of incorporation or regulations of the Bank or any statute, order, law, rule, regulation or decree of any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Bank or any of its subsidiaries or any of their properties, except for contraventions, conflicts, breaches or violations of any Bank Instrument or violations of statutes, orders, laws, rules, regulations or decrees that could not, singly or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Bank MAE.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(iv) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Bank.

------

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) Officer's Certificates. Any certificate signed by any officer of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries delivered to the Representatives or to counsel for the Underwriters shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Company to each Underwriter as to the matters covered thereby.

**SECTION 2.** <u>Sale and Delivery to Underwriters: Closing</u>.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) *Sale of Securities*. On the basis of the representations and warranties herein contained and subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company agrees to sell to each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, and each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, agrees to purchase from the Company, the aggregate principal amount of Securities set forth in <u>Schedule A</u> opposite the name of such Underwriter, at a purchase price equal to 98.75% of the aggregate principal amount thereof.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) *Payment.* Payment of the purchase price for, and delivery of the Securities shall be made at the offices of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, One Manhattan West, New York, New York 10001, or at such other place as shall be agreed upon by the Representatives and the Company, at 9:00 a.m. (New York City time) on November 10, 2025 (unless postponed in accordance with the provisions of SECTION 11), or such other time not later than 10 business days after such date as shall be agreed upon by the Representatives and the Company (such time and date of payment and delivery being herein called "**Closing Time**").

Payment shall be made to the Company by wire transfer of immediately available funds to a bank account designated by the Company against delivery of the Securities (in the form of one or more global notes), through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company ("**DTC**"), to the Representatives for the respective accounts of the Underwriters. It is understood that each Underwriter has authorized the Representatives, for its account, to accept delivery of, receipt for, and make payment of the purchase price for, the Securities which it has agreed to purchase. The Representatives, individually and not as representatives of the Underwriters, may (but shall not be obligated to) make payment of the purchase price for the Securities to be purchased by any Underwriter whose funds have not been received by the Closing Time, but such payment shall not relieve such Underwriter from its obligations hereunder.

**SECTION 3.** <u>Covenants of the Company</u>. The Company covenants with each Underwriter as follows:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) *Compliance with Commission Requests*. Prior to the completion of the distribution of the Securities as contemplated in this Agreement, the Company, subject to SECTION 3(b) hereof will comply with the requirements of Rule 430B of the Securities Act Regulations, and will notify the Representatives immediately, and confirm the notice in writing, (i) when any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or any new registration statement relating to the Securities shall become effective or any amendment or supplement to the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus shall have been used or filed, as the case may be, including any document incorporated by reference therein, in each case only as permitted by SECTION 3 hereof, (ii) of the receipt of any comments from the Commission, (iii) of any request by the Commission for any amendment to the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement to the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, including any document incorporated by reference therein, or for additional information, (iv) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the

------

Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto or any notice of objection to the use of the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) or of the issuance of any order preventing or suspending the use of any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, or of the suspension of the qualification of the Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or of the initiation or threatening of any proceedings for any of such purposes or of any examination pursuant to Section 8(d) or 8(e) of the Securities Act concerning the Registration Statement and (v) if the Company becomes the subject of a proceeding under Section 8A of the Securities Act in connection with the offering of the Securities. The Company will effect all filings required under Rule 424(b), in the manner and within the time period required by Rule 424(b) (without reliance on Rule 424(b)(8)), and will take such steps as it deems necessary to ascertain promptly whether the form of prospectus transmitted for filing under Rule 424(b) was received for filing by the Commission and, in the event that it was not, it will promptly file such prospectus. Until the completion of the distribution of the Securities as contemplated in this Agreement, the Company will use its best efforts to prevent the issuance of any stop, prevention or suspension order and, if any such order is issued, to obtain the lifting thereof at the earliest possible moment. If, before all the Securities have been sold by the Underwriters, the Company receives from the Commission a notice pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) or otherwise ceases to be eligible to use the automatic shelf registration statement form, the Company will (A) promptly notify the Underwriters, (B) promptly file a new registration statement or post-effective amendment on the proper form relating to the Securities in such form as is reasonably satisfactory to the Underwriters, (C) use its best efforts to cause such registration statement or post-effective amendment to be declared effective as soon as practicable, and (D) promptly notify the Underwriters of such effectiveness. The Company will take all other action necessary or appropriate to permit the public offering and sale of the Securities to continue as contemplated in the registration statement that was the subject of the Rule 401(g)(2) notice or for which the Company has otherwise become ineligible. References herein to the Registration Statement shall include such new registration statement or post-effective amendment, as the case may be.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) *Payment of Filing Fees*. The Company shall pay the required Commission filing fees relating to the Securities within the time required by Rule 456(b)(1)(i) of the Securities Act Regulations without regard to the proviso therein and otherwise in accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r) of the Securities Act Regulations (including, if applicable, by updating the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in accordance with Rule 456(b)(1)(ii) either in a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or on the cover page of a prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)).

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) *Continued Compliance with Securities Laws*. The Company will comply with the Securities Act, the Securities Act Regulations, the Exchange Act and the Exchange Act Regulations so as to permit the completion of the distribution of the Securities as contemplated in this Agreement and in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus. If at any time when a prospectus relating to the Securities is (or, but for the exception afforded by Rule 172 of the Securities Act Regulations, would be) required by the Securities Act (or in lieu thereof the notice referred to in Rule 173(a) of the Securities Act Regulations) to be delivered in connection with sales of the Securities ending no later than nine months from the date hereof (the "**Delivery Period**") any event shall occur or condition shall exist as a result of which it is necessary, in the opinion of counsel for the

------

Underwriters or for the Company, to (i) amend the Registration Statement in order that the Registration Statement will not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, (ii) amend or supplement the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus in order that the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, as the case may be, will not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances existing at the time it (or in lieu thereof the notice referred to in Rule 173(a) of the Securities Act Regulations) is delivered to a purchaser or (iii) amend the Registration Statement or amend or supplement the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, as the case may be, including, without limitation, any document incorporated therein by reference, in order to comply with the requirements of the Securities Act, the Securities Act Regulations, the Exchange Act or the Exchange Act Regulations, the Company will promptly (A) give the Representatives written notice of such event or condition, (B) prepare any amendment or supplement as may be necessary to correct such statement or omission or to make the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus comply with such requirements and, a reasonable amount of time prior to any proposed filing or use, furnish the Representatives with copies of any such amendment or supplement and (C) file with the Commission any such amendment or supplement and use its best efforts to have any amendment to the Registration Statement declared effective by the Commission as soon as possible if the Company is no longer eligible to file an automatic shelf registration statement; provided that the Company shall not file or use any such amendment or supplement to which the Representatives or counsel for the Underwriters shall object.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d) *Filing or Use of Amendments or Supplements*. During the Delivery Period, the Company (A) will furnish to the Representatives for review, a reasonable period of time prior to the proposed time of filing of any proposed amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement, a copy of each such amendment or supplement, and (B) will not amend or supplement the Registration Statement without the Representatives' prior written consent. Prior to amending or supplementing any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus, the Company shall furnish to the Representatives for review, a reasonable amount of time prior to the time of filing or use of the proposed amendment or supplement, a copy of each such proposed amendment or supplement. The Company shall not file or use any such proposed amendment or supplement without the Representatives' prior written consent.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(e) *Delivery of Registration Statements*. The Company has furnished or will deliver to the Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters, without charge, signed copies of the Registration Statement as originally filed and each amendment thereto (including exhibits filed therewith or incorporated by reference therein and documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein) and signed copies of all consents and certificates of experts, and will also deliver to the Representatives, without charge, a conformed copy of the Registration Statement as originally filed and each amendment thereto (without exhibits) for each of the Underwriters. The signed copies of the Registration Statement and each amendment thereto furnished to the Underwriters will be identical to the electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T.

------

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(f) *Delivery of Prospectuses*. The Company has delivered to each Underwriter, without charge, as many copies of each preliminary prospectus as such Underwriter reasonably requested, and the Company hereby consents to the use of such copies for purposes permitted by the Securities Act. The Company will furnish to each Underwriter, without charge, during the Delivery Period, such number of copies of the Prospectus (as amended or supplemented) as such Underwriter may reasonably request. The Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto furnished to the Underwriters will be identical to the electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(g) *Blue Sky Qualifications*. The Company will use its best efforts, in cooperation with the Underwriters, to qualify the Securities for offering and sale under the applicable securities laws of such states and non-U.S. jurisdictions as the Representatives may designate and to maintain such qualifications in effect during the Delivery Period; provided, that the Company shall not be obligated to file any general consent to service of process or to qualify as a foreign corporation or as a dealer in securities in any jurisdiction in which it is not so qualified or to subject itself to taxation in respect of doing business in any jurisdiction in which it is not otherwise so subject.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(h) *Earnings Statements*. The Company will timely file such reports pursuant to the Exchange Act as are necessary in order to make generally available to its securityholders as soon as practicable, but in any event not later than 16 months after the effective date of the Registration Statement (as defined in Rule 158(c) of the Securities Act), an earnings statement (satisfying the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and the Securities Act Regulations (including Rule 158)).

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i) *Use of Proceeds*. The Company will use the net proceeds received by it from the sale of the Securities in the manner specified in the Registration Statement, the preliminary prospectus contained in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus under "Use of Proceeds."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(j) *Reporting Requirements*. The Company, during the Delivery Period, will file all documents required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act within the time periods required by, and each such document will meet the requirements of, the Exchange Act and the Exchange Act Regulations.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*(k) Pricing Term Sheet.* The Company will prepare the Term Sheet, containing solely a description of the final terms of the Securities and the offering thereof, and after affording the Representatives the opportunity to comment thereon, file the Term Sheet with the Commission pursuant to Rule 433(d) within the time required by such Rule.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(l) *Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses.* The Company agrees that, unless it obtains the prior written consent of the Representatives, it will not make any offer relating to the Securities that would constitute an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or that would otherwise constitute a "free writing prospectus," or a portion thereof, required to be filed by the Company with the Commission or retained by the Company under Rule 433; provided, that the Representatives will be deemed to have consented to any Issuer General Use Free Writing Prospectuses listed on <u>Schedule B</u> hereto and any "road show that is a written communication" within the meaning of Rule 433(d)(8)(i) that has been reviewed by the Representatives. The Company represents that it has treated or agrees that it will treat each such free writing prospectus consented to, or deemed consented to, by the Representatives as an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and that it has complied and will comply with the applicable requirements of Rule 433 with respect thereto, including timely

------

filing with the Commission where required, legending and record keeping. If at any time following issuance of an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus during the Delivery Period there occurred or occurs an event or condition as a result of which such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus included or would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or would omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances existing at that subsequent time, not misleading, the Company will promptly notify the Representatives in writing and will promptly amend or supplement, at its own expense, such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus to correct such untrue statement or omission.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(m) *Renewal Deadline*. If, immediately prior to the third anniversary of the initial effective date of the Registration Statement (the "**Renewal Deadline**"), any Securities remain unsold by the Underwriters, the Company will, prior to the Renewal Deadline, (i) promptly notify the Representatives in writing and (ii) promptly file, if it is eligible to do so, a new automatic shelf registration statement relating to the Securities, in a form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriters. If, at the Renewal Deadline, the Company is not eligible to file an automatic shelf registration statement, the Company will, prior to the Renewal Deadline, (i) promptly notify the Representatives in writing, (ii) promptly file a new shelf registration statement or post-effective amendment on the proper form relating to such Securities, in a form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriters, (iii) use its best efforts to cause such registration statement or post-effective amendment to be declared effective within 60 days after the Renewal Deadline and (iv) promptly notify the Representatives in writing of such effectiveness. The Company will take all other action necessary or appropriate to permit the offering and sale of the Securities to continue as contemplated in the expired Registration Statement. References herein to the "Registration Statement" shall include such new automatic shelf registration statement or such new shelf registration statement or post-effective amendment, as the case may be.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(n) *DTC*. The Company will cooperate with the Underwriters and use its best efforts to permit the Securities to be eligible for clearance, settlement and trading through the facilities of DTC.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*(o) Investment Company Act.* The Company shall not invest or otherwise use the proceeds received by the Company from its sale of the Securities in such a manner as could require the Company or any of the Subsidiaries to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(p) *Regulation M.* The Company will not take, and will ensure that no affiliate of the Company will take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to cause or result in or which constitutes or could reasonably be expected to constitute stabilization or manipulation of the price of the Securities or any reference security with respect to the Securities, whether to facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities or otherwise, and the Company will, and shall cause each of its affiliates to, comply with all applicable provisions of Regulation M.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(q) *Trustee, Registrar and Paying Agent*. The Company shall engage and maintain, at its expense, a trustee, registrar and paying agent for the Securities.

------

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(r) *Sarbanes-Oxley Act*. The Company and its Subsidiaries will comply with all effective applicable provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(s) *Restriction on Sale of Securities*. During a period of 30 days from the date of this Agreement, the Company will not, without the prior written consent of the Underwriters, (i) directly or indirectly offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant for the sale of, or lend or otherwise transfer or dispose of, the Securities or any securities that are substantially similar to the Securities, whether owned as of the date hereof or hereafter acquired or with respect to which such person has or hereafter acquires the power of disposition, or file, or cause to be filed, any registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to any of the foregoing or (ii) enter into any swap or any other agreement or any transaction that transfers, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, the economic consequence of ownership of the Securities or such other securities, whether any such swap or transaction described in clause (i) or (ii) above is to be settled by delivery of any Securities or such other securities, in cash or otherwise. The foregoing sentence shall not apply to the Securities to be sold pursuant to this Agreement.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(t) *Taxes*. The Company will indemnify and hold harmless the Underwriters against any documentary, stamp, issue or similar tax, including any interest and penalties, on the creation, issue and sale of the Securities and on the execution and delivery of this Agreement. All payments to be made by the Company hereunder shall be made without withholding or deduction for or on account of any present or future taxes, duties or governmental charges whatsoever unless the Company is compelled by law to deduct or withhold such taxes, duties or charges. In that event, the Company shall pay such additional amounts as may be necessary in order that the net amounts received after such withholding or deduction shall equal the amounts that would have been received if no withholding or deduction had been made.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(u) *Trademarks*. Upon request of any Underwriter, to furnish, or cause to be furnished, to such Underwriter an electronic version of the Company's trademarks, servicemarks and corporate logo for use on the website, if any, operated by such Underwriter for the purpose of facilitating the on-line offering of the Securities (the "**License**"); provided that the License shall be used solely for the purpose described above, is granted without any fee and may not be assigned or transferred.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(v) *NRSRO Rating*. The Company will use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain a rating by a "nationally recognized statistical rating organization" as defined in Section 3(a)(62) of the Exchange Act ("**NRSRO**") while any of the Securities remain outstanding.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(w) *Restriction on Sale of Securities*. The Company will not, without the prior written consent of the Representatives, offer, sell, contract to sell, or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, including the filing (or participation in the filing) of a registration statement with the Commission in respect of, or establish or increase a put equivalent position or liquidate or decrease a call equivalent position within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act, any debt securities issued or guaranteed by the Company (other than the Securities) or publicly announce an intention to effect any such transaction, for a period of 45 days after the date of this Agreement.

------

**SECTION 4.** <u>Payment of Expenses</u>.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) *Expenses*. Whether or not the transactions contemplated in this Agreement are consummated or this Agreement is terminated, the Company will pay or cause to be paid all expenses incident to the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, including (i) the preparation, printing and filing of the Registration Statement (including financial statements and exhibits) as originally filed and each amendment thereto, (ii) the preparation, printing and delivery to the Underwriters of copies of each preliminary prospectus, each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto and any costs associated with electronic delivery of any of the foregoing by the Underwriters to investors, (iii) the preparation, issuance and delivery of the Securities to the Underwriters, including any transfer taxes and any stamp or other duties payable upon the sale, issuance or delivery of the Securities to the Underwriters, (iv) the fees and disbursements of the Company's counsel, accountants and other advisors, (v) the qualification of the Securities under securities laws in accordance with the provisions of SECTION 3(g) hereof, including filing fees and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection therewith and in connection with the preparation, printing and delivery to the Underwriters of the Blue Sky Survey and any supplement thereto, and the fees and expenses of making the Securities eligible for clearance, settlement and trading through the facilities of DTC, (vi) the fees and expenses of any trustee, registrar or paying agent, including the fees and expenses of the Trustee and the fees and disbursements of counsel for the Trustee in connection with the Indenture and the Securities, (vii) the costs and expenses of the Company relating to investor presentations on any "road show" undertaken in connection with the marketing of the Securities, including, without limitation, expenses associated with the production of road show slides and graphics, fees and expenses of any consultants engaged in connection with the road show presentations, travel and lodging expenses of the representatives and officers of the Company and any such consultants, and the cost of aircraft and other transportation chartered in connection with the road show, (viii) the filing fees incident to, and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the Underwriters in connection with, the review by FINRA, if required, of the terms of the sale of the Securities, (ix) expenses associated with the ratings of the Securities, (x) the document production charges and expenses associated with printing this Agreement, (xi) the costs and expenses (including, without limitation, any damages or other amounts payable in connection with legal or contractual liability) associated with the reforming of any contracts for sale of the Securities made by the Underwriters caused by a breach of the representation contained in the second sentence of SECTION 1(a)(ii) and SECTION 1(a)(xi) of this Agreement, (xii) the legal fees and expenses (including fees and disbursements of the counsel for the Underwriters), and marketing, syndication and travel expenses and any expenses related to an investor presentation and/or roadshow that are incurred by the Underwriters, and (xiii) all other costs and expenses incident to the performance of the obligations of the Company hereunder for which provision is not otherwise made in this Section 4(a). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company's obligation to reimburse the Underwriters' fees and expenses pursuant to Section 4(a)(xii) shall be limited to an aggregate amount of $150,000.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) *Termination of Agreement*. If this Agreement is terminated by the Representatives in accordance with the provisions of SECTION 6, SECTION 10(a) or SECTION 11 hereof, the Company shall reimburse the Underwriters for all of their out-of-pocket expenses, including the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters.

------

**SECTION 5.** <u>Use of Free Writing Prospectuses by Underwriters</u>. Each Underwriter represents and agrees that, unless it obtains the prior consent of the Company and the Representatives, it has not made and will not make any offer relating to the Securities that would constitute an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, or that would otherwise constitute a "free writing prospectus," as defined in Rule 405, required to be filed with the Commission.

**SECTION 6.** <u>Conditions of Underwriters</u><u>'</u> <u>Obligations</u>. The obligations of the several Underwriters hereunder are subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company and the Bank contained herein or in certificates of any officer of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries delivered pursuant to the provisions hereof, to the performance by the Company of its covenants and other obligations hereunder, and to the following further conditions:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) *Effectiveness of Registration Statement, etc*. The Registration Statement was filed by the Company with the Commission and became effective upon filing in accordance with Rule 462(e) not earlier than three years prior to the date hereof. Each preliminary prospectus, each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and the Prospectus shall have been filed as required by Rule 424(b) (without reliance on Rule 424(b)(8)) and Rule 433, as applicable, within the time period prescribed by, and in compliance with, the Securities Act Regulations. No stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto shall have been issued under the Securities Act or proceedings therefor initiated or threatened by the Commission, no notice of objection to the use of the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) has been received by the Company, no order preventing or suspending the use of any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto has been issued and no proceedings for any of those purposes have been instituted or are pending or, to the Company's knowledge, contemplated. The Company has complied with each request (if any) from the Commission for additional information. The Company shall have paid the required Commission filing fees relating to the Securities within the time period required by Rule 456(b)(1)(i) of the Securities Act Regulations without regard to the proviso therein and otherwise in accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r) of the Securities Act Regulations and, if applicable, shall have updated the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in accordance with Rule 456(b)(1)(ii) either in a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or on the cover page of a prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b).

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) *Opinion of Counsel for Company*. At the Closing Time, the Representatives shall have received the favorable opinions, dated the Closing Time, of Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP, counsel for the Company, and of Karen B. Woods, Executive Vice President and General Counsel of the Company, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives and substantially in the forms of <u>Exhibit A(1)</u> and <u>Exhibit A(2)</u> hereto, respectively, together with signed or reproduced copies of such letters for each of the other Underwriters, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) *Opinion of Counsel for Underwriters*. At the Closing Time, the Representatives shall have received the favorable opinion, dated the Closing Time, of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, counsel for the Underwriters, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives, together with signed or reproduced copies of such letter for each of the other Underwriters, and the Company shall have furnished to such counsel such documents as they may request for the purpose of enabling them to pass upon such matters. In giving such opinion, such counsel may rely, as to all matters governed by the laws of jurisdictions other than the law of the State of New York and the federal securities laws of the United States, upon the opinions of counsel satisfactory to the Representatives. Such counsel may also state that, insofar as such opinion involves factual matters, they have relied, to the extent they deem proper, upon certificates of officers and other representatives of the Company and its Subsidiaries and certificates of public officials.

------

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d) *Officers' Certificate*. At the Closing Time, the Representatives shall have received a certificate of the Chief Executive Officer or the President of the Company and of the chief financial or chief accounting officer of the Company, dated as of Closing Time, to the effect that (i) for the period from and including the date of this Agreement, through and including the Closing Time, there has been no Material Adverse Effect, (ii) the representations and warranties of the Company in this Agreement are true and correct with the same force and effect as though expressly made at and as of the Closing Time, (iii) the Company has complied with all agreements and satisfied all conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to the Closing Time, and (iv) the conditions specified in SECTION 6(a) hereof have been satisfied.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(e) *Comfort Letters*. At the time of the execution of this Agreement, the Representatives shall have received from Crowe LLP a letter with respect to the Company, dated such date, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives, together with signed or reproduced copies of such letter for each of the other Underwriters, confirming that they are a registered public accounting firm and independent registered public accountants as required by the Securities Act and containing statements and information of the type ordinarily included in accountants' "comfort letters" to underwriters with respect to the financial statements and financial information contained in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(f) *Bring-down Comfort Letter*. At the Closing Time, the Representatives shall have received from Crowe LLP a letter with respect to the Company, dated as of the Closing Time, to the effect that they reaffirm the statements made in the letter furnished pursuant to SECTION 6(e) hereof, except that the specified date referred to shall be a date not more than three business days prior to the Closing Time.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(g) *Certificate of the Chief Financial Officer*. At the time of execution of this Agreement and at the Closing Time, the Representatives shall have received a certificate executed by the Chief Financial Officer, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(h) *Beneficial Ownership Certificate*. On or before the date of this Agreement, the Representatives shall have received a certificate satisfying the beneficial ownership due diligence requirements of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network from the Company in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i) *Other Documents*. The Underwriters shall have received such other documents as they may reasonably request with respect to other matters related to the sale of the Securities.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(j) *Absence of Rating Downgrade.* Subsequent to the execution and delivery of this Agreement and prior to the Closing Time, there shall not have occurred any downgrading, nor shall any notice have been given of (i) any withdrawal or downgrading, (ii) any intended or potential withdrawal or downgrading, or (iii) any review or possible change that does not indicate an improvement, in the rating accorded to the Securities or any securities of

------

the Company by any NRSRO, and no such organization shall have publicly announced that it has under surveillance or review, or has changed its outlook with respect to, its rating of the Securities or any other securities of the Company (other than an announcement with positive implications of a possible upgrading).

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(k) *DTC*. At the Closing Time, the Securities shall be eligible for clearance, settlement and trading through the facilities of DTC.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(l) *No Objection*. If applicable, FINRA shall have not raised any objection with respect to the fairness and reasonableness of the underwriting terms and arrangements relating to the offering of the Securities.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(m) *No Important Changes.* Since the execution of this Agreement, in the judgment of the Representatives, since the respective date hereof or the respective dates of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, there shall not have occurred any Material Adverse Effect.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(n) *Delivery of Prospectus.* The Company shall have complied with the provisions hereof with respect to the furnishing of prospectuses, in electronic or printed format, on the New York business day next succeeding the date of this Agreement.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(o) *No Termination Event.* On or after the date hereof, there shall not have occurred any of the events, circumstances or occurrences set forth in SECTION 10(a).

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(p) *No Legal Impediment to Issuance and/or Sale*. No action shall have been taken and no statute, rule, regulation or order shall have been enacted, adopted or issued by any federal, state or foreign governmental or regulatory authority that would, as of the Closing Time, prevent the issuance or sale of the Securities by the Company.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(q) *Good Standing*. The Representatives shall have received on and as of the Closing Time satisfactory evidence of the good standing of the Company and the Bank in their respective jurisdictions of organization, in each case in writing or any standard form of telecommunication from the appropriate governmental authorities of such jurisdictions.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(r) *Additional Documents*. At the Closing Time, counsel for the Underwriters shall have been furnished with such documents and opinions as they may require for the purpose of enabling them to pass upon the issuance and sale of the Securities as herein contemplated, or in order to evidence the accuracy of any of the representations or warranties, or the fulfillment of any of the conditions, herein contained; and all proceedings taken by the Company in connection with the issuance and sale of the Securities as herein contemplated shall be in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(s) If any condition specified in this Section shall not have been fulfilled when and as required to be fulfilled, this Agreement may be terminated by the Representatives by notice to the Company at any time at or prior to Closing Time and such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party except as provided in SECTION 4 and except that SECTION 1, SECTION 6, SECTION 7, SECTION 8, SECTION 9, SECTION 14, SECTION 15, SECTION 16 and SECTION 17 shall survive any such termination and remain in full force and effect.

------

**SECTION 7.** <u>Indemnification</u>.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) *Indemnification of Underwriters*. The Company and the Bank, jointly and severally, agree to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, its affiliates (as such term is defined in Rule 501(b) of the Securities Act Regulations (each, an "**Affiliate**")), selling agents, employees, officers and directors and each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act as follows:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever, as incurred, arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), including any information deemed to be a part thereof pursuant to Rule 430B, or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact included in any preliminary prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, any "road show," the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or the omission or alleged omission in any preliminary prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(ii) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever, as incurred, to the extent of the aggregate amount paid in settlement of any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or of any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission; provided that (subject to SECTION 7(d) hereof) any such settlement is effected with the written consent of the Company;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(iii) against any and all expense whatsoever, as incurred (including the fees and disbursements of counsel chosen by the Representatives), reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission, to the extent that any such expense is not paid under (i) or (ii) above;

provided, that this indemnity agreement shall not apply to any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense to the extent arising out of any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), including any information deemed to be a part thereof pursuant to Rule 430B, or in any preliminary prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) in reliance upon and in conformity with the Underwriter Information.

------

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) *Indemnification of Company, Directors and Officers*. Each Underwriter severally agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its directors, each of its officers who signed the Registration Statement, and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense described in the indemnity contained in SECTION 7(a) hereof, as incurred, but only with respect to untrue statements or omissions, or alleged untrue statements or omissions, made in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), including any information deemed to be a part thereof pursuant to Rule 430B, or in any preliminary prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) in reliance upon and in conformity with the Underwriter Information.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) *Actions against Parties; Notification*. Each indemnified party shall give notice as promptly as reasonably practicable to each indemnifying party of any action commenced against it in respect of which indemnity may be sought hereunder, but failure to so notify an indemnifying party shall not relieve such indemnifying party from any liability hereunder to the extent it is not materially prejudiced as a result thereof and in any event shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have otherwise than on account of this indemnity agreement. In the case of parties indemnified pursuant to SECTION 7(a) hereof, counsel to the indemnified parties shall be selected by the Representatives, and, in the case of parties indemnified pursuant to SECTION 7(b) hereof, counsel to the indemnified parties shall be selected by the Company. An indemnifying party may participate at its own expense in the defense of any such action; provided, that counsel to the indemnifying party shall not (except with the prior written consent of the indemnified party) also be counsel to the indemnified party. In no event shall the indemnifying parties be liable for fees and expenses of more than one counsel (in addition to any local counsel) separate from their own counsel for all indemnified parties in connection with any one action or separate but similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified parties, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever in respect of which indemnification or contribution could be sought under this SECTION 7 or SECTION 8 hereof (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or potential parties thereto), unless such settlement, compromise or consent (i) includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party from all liability arising out of such litigation, investigation, proceeding or claim and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d) *Settlement without Consent if Failure to Reimburse.* If at any time an indemnified party shall have requested an indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified party for fees and expenses of counsel, such indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of the nature contemplated by SECTION 7(a)(ii) effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 60 days after receipt by such indemnifying party of the aforesaid request, (ii) such indemnifying party shall have received notice of the terms of such settlement at least 45 days prior to such settlement being entered into and (iii) such indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed such indemnified party in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement.

------

**SECTION 8.** <u>Contribution</u>. If the indemnification provided for in SECTION 7 hereof is for any reason unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the aggregate amount of such losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses incurred by such indemnified party, as incurred, (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company and the Bank, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand, from the offering of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the Company and the Bank, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand, in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.

The relative benefits received by the Company and the Bank, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand, in connection with the offering of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed to be in the same respective proportions as the total net proceeds from the offering of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement (before deducting expenses) received by the Company and the Bank, on the one hand, and the total underwriting discount received by the Underwriters, on the other hand, in each case as set forth on the cover of the Prospectus, bear to the aggregate initial public offering price of the Securities as set forth on the cover of the Prospectus.

The relative fault of the Company and the Bank, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any such untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company and the Bank or by the Underwriters and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.

The Company, the Bank and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this SECTION 8 were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to above in this SECTION 8. The aggregate amount of losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses incurred by an indemnified party and referred to above in this SECTION 8 shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.

Notwithstanding the provisions of this SECTION 8, no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the underwriting discount received by such Underwriter in connection with the Securities underwritten by it and distributed to the public.

No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Underwriters' respective obligations to contribute pursuant to this SECTION 8 are several in proportion to the aggregate principal amount of Securities set forth opposite their respective names in <u>Schedule A</u> hereto and not joint.

------

For purposes of this SECTION 8, each person, if any, who controls an Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act and each Underwriter's Affiliates, officers, directors, employees and selling agents shall have the same rights to contribution as such Underwriter, and each director of the Company, each officer of the Company who signed the Registration Statement, and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company.

**SECTION 9.** <u>Representations. Warranties and Agreements to Survive</u>. The indemnity and contribution provisions contained in Section 7 and Section 8, and all representations, warranties and agreements contained in this Agreement or in certificates of officers of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries submitted pursuant hereto, shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of (i) any investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter or its Affiliates, officers, directors and or selling agents, any person controlling any Underwriter or the Company's officers or directors or any person controlling the Company and (ii) delivery of and payment for the Securities.

**SECTION 10.** <u>Termination of Agreement</u>.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) *Termination*. The Representatives may terminate this Agreement, by notice to the Company, at any time at or prior to the Closing Time, (i) if there has been, in the judgment of the Representatives, since the time of execution of this Agreement or since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, any Material Adverse Effect, (ii) if there has occurred any material adverse change in the financial markets in the United States or the international financial markets, any outbreak of hostilities or escalation thereof or other calamity or crisis or any change or development involving a prospective change in national or international political, financial or economic conditions, including, without limitation, as a result of terrorist activities, in each case the effect of which is such as to make it, in the judgment of the Representatives, impracticable or inadvisable to market the Securities or to enforce contracts for the sale of the Securities, (iii) if trading in any securities of the Company has been suspended or materially limited by the Commission, or Nasdaq, (iv) if trading generally on the New York Stock Exchange or Nasdaq has been suspended or materially limited, or minimum or maximum prices for trading have been fixed, or maximum ranges for prices have been required, by any of said exchanges or by order of the Commission, FINRA or any other governmental agency or body, (v) if a material disruption has occurred in commercial banking or securities settlement or clearance services in the United States or with respect to Clearstream or Euroclear systems in Europe, (vi) if a general moratorium on commercial banking activities has been declared by either federal, New York or State of Ohio authorities or if there is a material disruption in commercial banking or securities settlement or clearance services in the United States; or (vii) if any condition specified in Section 6 shall not have been fulfilled when and as required to be fulfilled.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) *Liabilities*. If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to this Section, such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party except as provided in SECTION 4 hereof, and provided further that SECTION 1, SECTION 6, SECTION 7, SECTION 8, SECTION 9, SECTION 14, SECTION 15, SECTION 16 and SECTION 17 shall survive such termination and remain in full force and effect.

------

**SECTION 11.** <u>Default by One or More of the Underwriters</u>. If one or more of the Underwriters shall fail at the Closing Time to purchase the Securities which it or they are obligated to purchase under this Agreement (the "**Defaulted Securities**"), the Representatives shall have the right, within 36 hours thereafter, to make arrangements for one or more of the non-defaulting Underwriters, or any other underwriters, to purchase all, but not less than all, of the Defaulted Securities in such amounts as may be agreed upon and upon the terms herein set forth; if, however, the Representatives shall not have completed such arrangements within such 36-hour period, then:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i) if the number of Defaulted Securities does not exceed 10% of the number of Securities to be purchased at the Closing Time, each of the non-defaulting Underwriters shall be obligated, severally and not jointly, to purchase the full amount thereof in the proportions that their respective underwriting obligations hereunder bear to the underwriting obligations of all non-defaulting Underwriters, or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(ii) if the number of Defaulted Securities exceeds 10% of the number of Securities to be purchased at the Closing Time, this Agreement shall terminate without liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter.

No action taken pursuant to this Section shall relieve any defaulting Underwriter from liability in respect of its default.

In the event of any such default which does not result in a termination of this Agreement, either the Representative or the Company shall have the right to postpone the Closing Time for a period not exceeding seven days in order to effect any required changes in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus or in any other documents or arrangements. As used herein, the term "Underwriter" includes any person substituted for an Underwriter under this SECTION 11.

**SECTION 12.** <u>Notices</u>. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if mailed or transmitted by any standard form of telecommunication. Notices to the Underwriters shall be directed to the Representatives care of (i) KBW at 787 Seventh Avenue, 4th Floor, New York, New York 10019, e-mail: [\*\*\*], and (ii) JMS at 1717 Arch Street, Floor 19, Philadelphia, PA 19103, attention of Lozan Aleksandrov, e-mail: [\*\*\*], with a copy, which shall not constitute notice, to Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, One Manhattan West, New York, NY 10001, Attn: Michael P. Reed and Dwight S. Yoo, e-mail: [\*\*\*] and [\*\*\*]; and notices to the Company shall be directed to it at 255 East Fifth Street, Suite 700, Cincinnati, OH 45202, attention of James M. Anderson, e-mail [\*\*\*].

**SECTION 13.** <u>No Advisory or Fiduciary Relationship</u>. The Company acknowledges and agrees that (a) the purchase and sale of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement, including the determination of the initial public offering price of the Securities and any related discounts and commissions, is an arm's-length commercial transaction between the Company, on the one hand, and the several Underwriters, on the other hand, (b) in connection with the offering of the Securities and the process leading thereto, each Underwriter is and has been acting solely as a principal and is not the agent or fiduciary of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or its shareholders, creditors, employees or any other party, (c) no Underwriter has assumed or will assume an

------

advisory or fiduciary responsibility in favor of the Company in connection with the offering of the Securities or the process leading thereto (irrespective of whether such Underwriter has advised or is currently advising the Company or any of its Subsidiaries on other matters) or any other obligation to the Company in connection with the offering of the Securities except the obligations expressly set forth in this Agreement, (d) the Underwriters and their respective Affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Company, and (e) the Underwriters have not provided any legal, accounting, financial, regulatory or tax advice in connection with the offering of the Securities and the Company has consulted its own respective legal, accounting, financial, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it deemed appropriate. The Company waives to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law any claims that it may have against the Underwriters arising from an alleged breach of fiduciary duty in connection with the offering of the Securities.

**SECTION 14.** <u>Parties</u>. This Agreement shall each inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Underwriters, the Company and the Bank and their respective successors. Nothing expressed or mentioned in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any person, firm or corporation, other than the Underwriters, the Company and the Bank and their respective successors and the indemnified parties referred to in SECTION 7 and SECTION 8 and their heirs and legal representatives, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement or any provision herein contained. This Agreement and all conditions and provisions hereof are intended to be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Underwriters, the Company and the Bank and their respective successors, and said controlling persons, Affiliates, selling agents, officers and directors and their heirs and legal representatives, and for the benefit of no other person, firm or corporation. No purchaser of Securities from any Underwriter shall be deemed to be a successor by reason merely of such purchase.

**SECTION 15.** <u>Trial by Jury</u>. Each of the Company (on its behalf and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, on behalf of its shareholders and affiliates) and the Underwriters hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

**SECTION 16.** <u>GOVERNING LAW</u>. THIS AGREEMENT, ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREUNDER AND ANY CLAIM, CONTROVERSY OR DISPUTE ARISING UNDER OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAW PRINCIPLES THAT WOULD RESULT IN THE APPLICATION OF ANY LAW OTHER THAN THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

**SECTION 17.** <u>Consent to Jurisdiction</u>. Each of the parties hereto agrees that any legal suit, action or proceeding arising out of or based upon this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby shall be instituted in (i) the federal courts of the United States of America located in the City and County of New York, Borough of Manhattan or (ii) the courts of the State of New York located in the City and County of New York, Borough of Manhattan (collectively, the "**Specified Courts**"), and irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction (except for proceedings instituted in regard to

------

the enforcement of a judgment of any Specified Court, as to which such jurisdiction is non-exclusive) of the Specified Courts in any such suit, action or proceeding. Service of any process, summons, notice or document by mail to such party's address set forth above shall be effective service of process for any suit, action or proceeding brought in any Specified Court. Each of the parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally waives any objection to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding in the Specified Courts and irrevocably and unconditionally waive and agree not to plead or claim in any Specified Court that any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any Specified Court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

**SECTION 18.** <u>TIME</u>. TIME SHALL BE OF THE ESSENCE OF THIS AGREEMENT. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE SET FORTH HEREIN, SPECIFIED TIMES OF DAY REFER TO NEW YORK CITY TIME.

**SECTION 19.** <u>Counterparts</u>. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same Agreement. The exchange of copies of this Agreement and of signature pages by facsimile or other electronic means shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Agreement by the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original signature pages to this Agreement for all purposes.

**SECTION 20.** <u>Effect of Headings</u>. The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

**SECTION 21.** <u>Entire Agreement Amendments</u>. This Agreement constitutes the entire Agreement of the parties to this Agreement and supersedes all prior written or oral and all contemporaneous oral agreements, understandings and negotiations with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement may not be amended or modified unless in writing by all of the parties hereto, and no condition herein (express or implied) may be waived unless waived in writing by each party that the condition is meant to benefit.

------

If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement, please sign and return to the Company a counterpart hereof, whereupon this instrument, along with all counterparts, will become a binding agreement among the Underwriters, the Company and the Bank in accordance with its terms.

---

| |
|:---|
| Very truly yours, |
| FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP. |
| /s/ James M. Anderson |
| Name: James M. Anderson |
| Title: Chief Financial Officer |
| FIRST FINANCIAL BANK |
| /s/ James M. Anderson |
| Name: James M. Anderson |
| Title: Chief Financial Officer |

---

[Signature Page to Underwriting Agreement]

------

CONFIRMED AND ACCEPTED,

as of the date first above written:

For themselves and as Representatives of the other Underwriters named in <u>Schedule A</u> hereto.

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| KEEFE, BRUYETTE & WOODS, INC. | KEEFE, BRUYETTE & WOODS, INC. |
| By: | /s/ Patrick Koster |
|  | Name: Patrick Koster |
|  | Title: Managing Director |
| JANNEY MONTGOMERY SCOTT LLC | JANNEY MONTGOMERY SCOTT LLC |
| By: | /s/ Gregory R. Gersack |
|  | Name: Gregory R. Gersack |
|  | Title: Managing Director |
|  | Head of Midwest & West Coast Depositories – FIG Group<br> Head of Equity Capital Markets |

---

[Signature Page to Underwriting Agreement]

------

**SCHEDULE A** 

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| Name of Underwriter | Aggregate Principal<br>Amount of Securities<br>to be Purchased |
|  Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. | $210000000 |
|  Janney Montgomery Scott LLC | $90000000 |
|  Total | $300000000 |

---

------

**SCHEDULE B** 

**<u>Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses</u>**

1. Investor Presentation, filed as a Free Writing Prospectus on November 6, 2025.

2. The Term Sheet set forth in Schedule C, filed as a Free Writing Prospectus on November 6, 2025.

------

**SCHEDULE C** 

**<u>Term Sheet</u>**

**Filed pursuant to Rule 433** 

**Issuer Free Writing Prospectus dated November 6, 2025** 

**Registration No. 333-291294**![LOGO](g67495g1110100626902.jpg)

**$300,000,000** 

**6.375% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due 2035** 

**<u>Term Sheet</u>**

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Issuer/Ticker:** | First Financial Bancorp. (the "**Company**" or "**Issuer**")/FFBC |
| **Security:** | 6.375% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due 2035 (the "**Notes**") |
| **Aggregate Principal Amount:** | $300000000 |
| **Expected Ratings:** | [\*\*\*]<br>A rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. Ratings may be subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the assigning rating organization. Each rating agency has its own methodology for assigning ratings and, accordingly, each rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating. |
| **Trade Date** | November 6, 2025 |
| **Settlement Date:** | November 10, 2025 (T + 2) |
| **Maturity Date**<br> **(if not previously redeemed):** | December 1, 2035 |
| **Coupon:** | From and including the Settlement Date to, but excluding, December 1, 2030, or the date of earlier redemption (the "fixed rate period") 6.375% per annum, payable semiannually in arrears. From and including December 1, 2030 to, but excluding, the Maturity Date or the date of earlier redemption (the "floating rate period"), a floating rate per annum equal to the Benchmark rate (which is |

---

------

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
|  | expected to be Three-Month Term SOFR) (each as defined in the prospectus supplement under "Description of Subordinated Notes — Interest"), plus a spread of 300 basis points for each quarterly interest period during the floating rate period, payable quarterly in arrears; *provided*, *however*, that if the Benchmark rate is less than zero, the Benchmark rate shall be deemed to be zero. |
| **Interest Payment Dates:** | Fixed rate period: June 1 and December 1 of each year, commencing on June 1, 2026. The last interest payment date for the fixed rate period will be December 1, 2030.<br>Floating rate period: March 1, June 1, September 1 and December 1 of each year, commencing on March 1, 2031. |
| **Record Dates:** | The 15th calendar day immediately preceding the applicable interest payment date. |
| **Day Count Convention:** | Fixed rate period: 30/360.<br>Floating rate period: 360-day year and the number of days actually elapsed. |
| **Optional Redemption:** | The Company may, at its option, beginning with the interest payment date of December 1, 2030, and on any interest payment date thereafter, redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, from time to time, subject to obtaining the prior approval of the Federal Reserve to the extent such approval is then required under the rules of the Federal Reserve, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes being redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the date of redemption. |
| **Special Redemption:** | The Company may redeem the Notes at any time prior to the Maturity Date, including prior to December 1, 2030, in whole, but not in part, subject to obtaining the prior approval of the Federal Reserve to the extent such approval is then required under the rules of the Federal Reserve, upon the occurrence of (i) a "Tax Event" (as defined under "Description of Subordinated Notes — Redemption" in the prospectus supplement), (ii) a "Tier 2 Capital Event" (as defined under "Description of Subordinated Notes — Redemption" in the prospectus supplement), or (iii) the Company becoming required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, in each case, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes, plus any accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date. |

---

------

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Denominations:** | $1,000 minimum denominations and $1,000 integral multiples thereof. |
| **Use of Proceeds:** | The Company intends to use the net proceeds from this offering for general corporate purposes, including the potential redemption of our 5.25% Subordinated Notes due 2030. |
| **Price to Public:** | 100% |
| **Ranking:** | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The subordinated notes will be our general unsecured subordinated obligations and will be:<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• junior in right of payment and upon our liquidation to any of our existing and all of our future Senior Indebtedness;<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• equal in right of payment and upon our liquidation with any of our existing 5.25% subordinated notes due 2030 and all of our future indebtedness the terms of which provide that such indebtedness ranks equally with the Notes;<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• senior in right of payment and upon our liquidation to any of our existing and future indebtedness the terms of which provide that such indebtedness ranks junior in right of payment to the Notes, including our obligations relating to any junior subordinated debt securities issued to our capital trust subsidiaries;<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• effectively subordinated to all of our secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness; and<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• structurally subordinated to any existing and future indebtedness of our subsidiaries, including, without limitation, First Financial Bank's depositors, liabilities to general creditors, and liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business or otherwise, which means that such creditors generally will be paid from those subsidiaries' assets before holders of the Notes would have any claims to those asset.<br>As of September 30, 2025, the Company had $27.8 million of Senior Indebtedness outstanding on a consolidated basis, and First Financial Bank had $14.4 billion of deposits, $550.0 million of Federal Home Loan Bank advances, and $45.2 million of other short term borrowings to which the Notes will be structurally subordinated. |

---

------

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **CUSIP/ISIN:** | 320209AC3 / US320209AC31 |
| **Joint Book-Running Managers:** | Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, *A Stifel Company*<br> Janney Montgomery Scott |

---

**\*** **Note: We expect that delivery of the Notes will be made against payment therefor on or about the fourth business day following the date of pricing of the Notes (this settlement cycle being referred to as "T+2"). Accordingly, purchasers who wish to trade the Notes on the date of pricing or the next business day will be required, by virtue of the fact that the Notes initially will settle in T+2, to specify an alternate settlement cycle at the time of any such trade to prevent a failed settlement. Purchasers of the Notes who wish to trade their Notes on the date of pricing or the next business day should consult their own advisor.** 

**The issuer has filed a registration statement (including a prospectus) and a preliminary prospectus supplement (the "Preliminary Prospectus Supplement") with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") for the offering to which this communication relates. Before you invest, you should read the prospectus in that registration statement, the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement, the final prospectus supplement (when available) and other documents the issuer has filed with the SEC for more complete information about the issuer and this offering. You may get these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, the issuer, the underwriter or any dealer participating in the offering will arrange to send you the prospectus and the related Preliminary Prospectus Supplement if you request it by contacting Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, *A Stifel Company* at 787 Seventh Avenue, Fourth Floor, New York, NY 10019 or by e-mail at USCapitalMarkets@kbw.com, and Janney Montgomery Scott at 1717 Arch Street, Floor 19, Philadelphia, PA 19103 or by e-mail at prospectus@janney.com.** 

**Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Pricing Term Sheet have the meanings given to them in the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement. This Pricing Term Sheet is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement. The information in this Pricing Term Sheet supplements the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement and supersedes the information in the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement to the extent it is inconsistent with the information in the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement. Other information (including other financial information) presented in the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement is deemed to have changed to the extent affected by the information contained herein.** 

**ANY DISCLAIMERS OR OTHER NOTICES THAT MAY APPEAR BELOW ARE NOT APPLICABLE TO THIS COMMUNICATION AND SHOULD BE DISREGARDED. SUCH DISCLAIMERS OR OTHER NOTICES WERE AUTOMATICALLY GENERATED AS A RESULT OF THIS COMMUNICATION BEING SENT VIA BLOOMBERG OR ANOTHER EMAIL SYSTEM.** 

------

**SCHEDULE D** 

**<u>Significant Subsidiaries of the Company</u>**

First Financial Bank

MSB Investments of Nevada, Inc.

MSB Holdings of Nevada, Inc.

MSB of Nevada, LLC

First Financial Preferred Capital, Inc.

Oak Street Funding, LLC

Summit Funding Group, Inc.

------

**EXHIBIT A(1)** 

**<u>Form of Opinion of Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP</u>**

[Intentionally omitted.]

------

**EXHIBIT A(2)** 

**<u>Form of Opinion of General Counsel</u>**

[Intentionally omitted.]

## Exhibit 4.2

**Exhibit 4.2** 

**FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.,** 

***Company,***

**AND** 

**WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,** 

***Trustee***

**FIRST** 

**SUPPLEMENTAL** 

**INDENTURE** 

Dated as of

November 10, 2025

TO

**SUBORDINATED** 

**INDENTURE** 

Dated as of

November 5, 2025

**6.375% FIXED-TO-FLOATING RATE SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2035** 

------

**TABLE OF CONTENTS** 

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| ARTICLE I | ARTICLE I | ARTICLE I |
| DEFINITIONS | DEFINITIONS | DEFINITIONS |
|  Section 1.1 | Definitions | 4 |
| ARTICLE II | ARTICLE II | ARTICLE II |
| GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE NOTES | GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE NOTES | GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE NOTES |
|  Section 2.1 | Designation and Principal Amount | 10 |
|  Section 2.2 | Form and Denomination of Notes | 10 |
|  Section 2.3 | Initial Limit on Amount of Series | 10 |
|  Section 2.4 | Rank; Subordination | 10 |
|  Section 2.5 | Further Issues Without Holders' Consent | 11 |
|  Section 2.6 | Form and Payment | 11 |
|  Section 2.7 | Interest | 11 |
|  Section 2.8 | Redemption | 15 |
|  Section 2.9 | No Sinking Fund | 15 |
|  Section 2.10 | Notes Not Convertible or Exchangeable | 15 |
|  Section 2.11 | Events of Default | 15 |
|  Section 2.12 | Global Securities | 16 |
|  Section 2.13 | No Additional Amounts | 16 |
|  Section 2.14 | Notices to Holders | 16 |
|  Section 2.15 | Additional Terms | 16 |
| ARTICLE III | ARTICLE III | ARTICLE III |
| ORIGINAL ISSUE OF NOTES | ORIGINAL ISSUE OF NOTES | ORIGINAL ISSUE OF NOTES |
|  Section 3.1 | Original Issue of Notes | 16 |
| ARTICLE IV | ARTICLE IV | ARTICLE IV |
| DEFEASANCE | DEFEASANCE | DEFEASANCE |
|  Section 4.1 | Defeasance Applicable to Notes | 16 |

---

i

------

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| ARTICLE V | ARTICLE V | ARTICLE V |
| MISCELLANEOUS | MISCELLANEOUS | MISCELLANEOUS |
|  Section 5.1 | Ratification of Indenture | 17 |
|  Section 5.2 | Conflict with Trust Indenture Act | 17 |
|  Section 5.3 | Effect of Headings and **Table of Contents** | 17 |
|  Section 5.4 | Successors and Assigns | 17 |
|  Section 5.5 | Separability Clause; Entire Agreement | 17 |
|  Section 5.6 | Benefits of Indenture | 17 |
|  Section 5.7 | Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction | 17 |
|  Section 5.8 | Waiver of Jury Trial | 18 |
|  Section 5.9 | Counterparts | 18 |
|  Section 5.10 | Trustee | 18 |

---

ii

------

THIS FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of November 10, 2025 (this "*Supplemental Indenture*"), between First Financial Bancorp., an Ohio corporation having an address at 255 East Fifth Street, Suite 800, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 (hereinafter called the "*Company*," which term shall include any successors and assigns pursuant to the terms of this Supplemental Indenture), and Wilmington Trust, National Association, a national banking association having a corporate trust office at 277 Park Avenue, 25th Floor, New York, NY, 10172, Attention: First Financial Bancorp. Administrator (hereinafter called the "*Trustee*").

WHEREAS, the Company executed and delivered the Subordinated Indenture (the "*Indenture*"), dated as of November 5, 2025, to the Trustee, to provide for the issuance from time to time of the Company's notes or other evidences of indebtedness (the "*Securities*"), to be issued in one or more series;

WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of the Indenture, the Company desires to provide for the establishment of a series of its Securities under the Indenture to be known as its "*6.375% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due 2035*" (the "*Notes*"), the form and substance of and the terms, provisions and conditions thereof to be set forth as provided in the Indenture and this Supplemental Indenture;

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company, pursuant to resolutions duly adopted on November 3, 2025, has duly authorized the issuance of the Notes and the amendments to the Indenture provided for in this Supplemental Indenture, and has authorized the proper officers of the Company to execute any and all appropriate documents necessary or appropriate to effect each such issuance;

WHEREAS, this Supplemental Indenture is being entered into pursuant to the provisions of Section 201, Section 301, Section 303 and Article IX of the Indenture;

WHEREAS, the Company has requested that the Trustee execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture; and

WHEREAS, all things necessary to make this Supplemental Indenture a valid agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, and to make each of the Notes, when executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee or an authentication agent, the valid obligations of the Company, have been performed, and the execution and delivery of this Supplemental Indenture has been duly authorized in all respects;

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the purchase and acceptance of the Notes by the Holders thereof, and for the purpose of setting forth, as provided in the Indenture, the forms and terms of the Notes, the Company covenants and agrees with the Trustee, for the equal and proportionate benefit of the Holders of the Notes, as follows:

------

**ARTICLE I** 

**<u>DEFINITIONS</u>**

Section 1.1 <u>Definitions</u>.

For all purposes of this Supplemental Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) all references in this instrument to designated "Articles," "Sections" and other subdivisions are to be designated Articles, Sections and other subdivisions of this instrument unless the context otherwise requires; the words "herein," "hereof" and "hereunder" and other words of similar import refer to this Supplemental Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) each term defined in the Indenture has the same meaning when used in this Supplemental Indenture, except to the extent specifically defined herein, in which case the meaning ascribed to it in this Supplemental Indenture shall control; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) Section 101 of the Indenture is amended and supplemented, solely with respect to the Notes, by inserting the following additional defined terms in their appropriate alphabetical positions:

"*Administrative or Judicial Action*" has the meaning provided in the definition of "Tax Event."

"*Benchmark*" means, initially, Three-Month Term SOFR; provided that if the Calculation Agent determines on or prior to the Reference Time for any floating rate interest period that a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred with respect to Three-Month Term SOFR or the then-current Benchmark, then "*Benchmark*" means the applicable Benchmark Replacement for such floating rate interest period and any subsequent floating rate interest periods.

"*Benchmark Replacement*" means the Interpolated Benchmark with respect to the then-current Benchmark, plus the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment for such Benchmark; provided that if (a) the Calculation Agent cannot determine the Interpolated Benchmark as of the Benchmark Replacement Date or (b) the then-current Benchmark is Three-Month Term SOFR and a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred with respect to Three-Month Term SOFR (in which event no Interpolated Benchmark with respect to Three-Month Term SOFR shall be determined), then

"*Benchmark Replacement*" means the first alternative set forth in the order below that can be determined by the Calculation Agent as of the Benchmark Replacement Date:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) Compounded SOFR;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) the sum of: (a) the alternate rate that has been selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body as the replacement for the then-current Benchmark for the applicable Corresponding Tenor and (b) the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3) the sum of: (a) the ISDA Fallback Rate, and (b) the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment; and

------

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(4) the sum of: (a) the alternate rate that has been selected by the Calculation Agent as the replacement for the then-current Benchmark for the applicable Corresponding Tenor, giving due consideration to any industry-accepted rate as a replacement for the then-current Benchmark for U.S. dollar-denominated floating rate securities at such time, and (b) the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment.

"*Benchmark Replacement Adjustment*" means the first alternative set forth in the order below that can be determined by the Calculation Agent as of the Benchmark Replacement Date:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) the spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment (which may be a positive or negative value or zero), that has been selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body for the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) if the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement is equivalent to the ISDA Fallback Rate, then the ISDA Fallback Adjustment; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3) the spread adjustment (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) that has been selected by the Calculation Agent giving due consideration to any industry-accepted spread adjustment or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of the then-current Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for U.S. dollar-denominated floating rate securities at such time.

"*Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes*" means, with respect to any Benchmark Replacement, any technical, administrative or operational changes (including changes to the definition of "interest period," timing and frequency of determining rates with respect to each interest period and making payments of interest, rounding of amounts or tenors, and other administrative matters) that the Calculation Agent determines may be appropriate to reflect the adoption of such Benchmark Replacement in a manner substantially consistent with market practice (or, if the Calculation Agent determines that adoption of any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or if the Calculation Agent determines that no market practice for use of the Benchmark Replacement exists, in such other manner as the Calculation Agent determines is reasonably necessary).

"*Benchmark Replacement Date*" means the earliest to occur of the following events with respect to the then-current Benchmark:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) in the case of clause (1) of the definition of "Benchmark Transition Event," the relevant Reference Time in respect of any determination;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) in the case of clause (2) or (3) of the definition of "Benchmark Transition Event," the later of (a) the date of the public statement or publication of information referenced therein and (b) the date on which the administrator of the Benchmark permanently or indefinitely ceases to provide the Benchmark; or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3) in the case of clause (4) of the definition of "Benchmark Transition Event," the date of the public statement or publication of information referenced therein.

------

If the event giving rise to the Benchmark Replacement Date occurs on the same day as, but earlier than, the Reference Time in respect of any determination, the Benchmark Replacement Date will be deemed to have occurred prior to the Reference Time for such determination.

"*Benchmark Transition Event*" means the occurrence of one or more of the following events with respect to the then-current Benchmark:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) if the Benchmark is Three-Month Term SOFR, the Company determines that the use of a forward-looking rate for a tenor of three months based on SOFR is not administratively feasible;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) a public statement or publication of information by or on behalf of the administrator of the Benchmark announcing that such administrator has ceased or will cease to provide the Benchmark, permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide the Benchmark;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3) a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of the Benchmark, the central bank for the currency of the Benchmark, an insolvency official with jurisdiction over the administrator for the Benchmark, a resolution authority with jurisdiction over the administrator for the Benchmark or a court or an entity with similar insolvency or resolution authority over the administrator for the Benchmark, which states that the administrator of the Benchmark has ceased or will cease to provide the Benchmark permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide the Benchmark; or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(4) a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of the Benchmark announcing that the Benchmark is no longer representative.

"*Business Day*" means any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, that is neither a federal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions in Cincinnati, Ohio or New York City or any place of payment are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close ; provided that, when used in connection with an amount that bears interest at a rate based on SOFR or Term SOFR or any direct or indirect calculation or determination of SOFR or Term SOFR, the term "business day" means any such day that is also a U.S. Government Securities Business Day.

"*Calculation Agent*" means the agent appointed by the Company prior to the commencement of the Floating Rate Period (which may include the Company or any of its Affiliates) to act in accordance with <u>Section</u> <u>2.7</u>. The Company shall initially act as the Calculation Agent.

"*Compounded SOFR*" means the compounded average of SOFRs for the applicable Corresponding Tenor, with the rate, or methodology for this rate, and conventions for this rate (which will be compounded in arrears with a lookback and/or suspension period as a mechanism to determine the interest amount payable prior to the end of each interest period) being established by the Calculation Agent in accordance with:

------

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) the rate, or methodology for this rate, and conventions for this rate selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body for determining compounded SOFR; provided that:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) if, and to the extent that, the Calculation Agent determines that Compounded SOFR cannot be determined in accordance with clause (1) above, then the rate, or methodology for this rate, and conventions for this rate that have been selected by the Calculation Agent giving due consideration to any industry-accepted market practice for U.S. dollar-denominated floating rate securities at such time.

For the avoidance of doubt, the calculation of Compounded SOFR shall exclude the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment and the spread of 300 basis points per annum.

"*Corresponding Tenor*" means (i) with respect to Term SOFR, three months, and (ii) with respect to a Benchmark Replacement, a tenor (including overnight) having approximately the same length (disregarding business day adjustment) as the applicable tenor for the then-current Benchmark.

"*DTC*" means The Depository Trust Company.

"*Federal Reserve*" has the meaning provided in the definition of "Tier 2 Capital Event."

"*Federal Reserve Bank of New York's Website*" means the website of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York ("*FRBNY*") at <u>http://www.newyorkfed.org</u>, or any successor source.

"*Fixed Rate Interest Payment Date*" has the meaning provided in <u>Section</u> <u>2.7(a)</u>.

"*Fixed Rate Period*" has the meaning provided in <u>Section</u> <u>2.7(a)</u>.

"*Fixed Rate Regular Record Date*" has the meaning provided in <u>Section</u> <u>2.7(a)</u>.

"*Floating Rate Interest Payment Date*" has the meaning provided in <u>Section</u> <u>2.7(b)</u>.

"*Floating Rate Period*" has the meaning provided in <u>Section</u> <u>2.7(b)</u>.

"*Floating Rate Regular Record Date*" has the meaning provided in <u>Section</u> <u>2.7(b)</u>.

"*Interest Payment Date*" has the meaning provided in <u>Section</u> <u>2.7(b)</u>.

"*interest period*" means the period from and including the immediately preceding Interest Payment Date in respect of which interest has been paid or duly provided for or, if no interest has been paid or duly provided for, from and including the Issue Date to, but excluding, the applicable Interest Payment Date or the Maturity Date or date of earlier redemption, if applicable.

"*Interpolated Benchmark*" with respect to the Benchmark means the rate determined by the calculation agent for the Corresponding Tenor by interpolating on a linear basis between: (1) the Benchmark for the longest period (for which the Benchmark is available) that is shorter than the Corresponding Tenor, and (2) the Benchmark for the shortest period (for which the Benchmark is available) that is longer than the Corresponding Tenor.

------

"*ISDA Definitions*" means the 2006 ISDA Definitions published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. or any successor thereto, as amended or supplemented from time to time, or any successor definitional booklet for interest rate derivatives published from time to time.

"*ISDA Fallback Adjustment*" means the spread adjustment (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) that would apply for derivatives transactions referencing the ISDA Definitions to be determined upon the occurrence of an index cessation event with respect to the Benchmark for the applicable tenor.

"*ISDA Fallback Rate*" means the rate that would apply for derivatives transactions referencing the ISDA Definitions to be effective upon the occurrence of an index cessation date with respect to the Benchmark for the applicable tenor excluding the applicable ISDA Fallback Adjustment.

"*Issue Date*" means November 10, 2025.

"*Maturity Date*" has the meaning provided in <u>Section</u> <u>2.2</u>.

"*Redemption Date*" has the meaning provided in <u>Section</u> <u>2.8</u>.

"*Reference Time*" with respect to any determination of the Benchmark means (1) if the Benchmark is Three-Month Term SOFR, the time determined by the Calculation Agent after giving effect to the Three-Month Term SOFR Conventions, and (2) if the Benchmark is not Three-Month Term SOFR, the time determined by the Calculation Agent after giving effect to the Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes.

"*Relevant Governmental Body*" means the Federal Reserve and/or the FRBNY, or a committee officially endorsed or convened by the Federal Reserve and/or the FRBNY or any successor thereto.

"*SOFR*" means the secured overnight financing rate published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, as the administrator of the Benchmark (or any successor administrator), on the Federal Reserve Bank of New York's Website.

"*Tax Event*" means the receipt by the Company of an opinion of independent tax counsel to the effect that as a result of (a) an amendment to or change (including any announced prospective amendment or change) in any law or treaty, or any regulation thereunder, of the United States or any of its political subdivisions or taxing authorities; (b) a judicial decision, administrative action, official administrative pronouncement, ruling, regulatory procedure, regulation, notice or announcement, including any notice or announcement of intent to adopt or promulgate any ruling, regulatory procedure or regulation (any of the foregoing, an "*Administrative* or *Judicial Action*"); or (c) an amendment to or change in any official position with respect to, or any interpretation of, an Administrative or Judicial Action or a law or regulation of the United States that differs from the previously generally accepted position or interpretation, in each case, which change or amendment or challenge becomes effective or which pronouncement, decision or challenge is announced on or after the original issue date of the Notes, there is more than an insubstantial risk that interest payable by the Company on the Notes is not, or, within 90 days of the date of such opinion, will not be, deductible by the Company, in whole or in part, for United States federal income tax purposes.

------

"*Term SOFR*" means the forward-looking term rate for the applicable Corresponding Tenor based on SOFR as published by the Term SOFR Administrator.

"*Term SOFR Administrator*" means CME Group Benchmark Administration Limited (CBA) (or a successor administrator of Three-Month Term SOFR selected by the calculation agent in its reasonable discretion).

"*Three-Month Term SOFR*" means the rate for Term SOFR for a tenor of three months that is published by the Term SOFR Administrator at the Reference Time for any floating rate period, as determined by the Calculation Agent after giving effect to the Three-Month Term SOFR Conventions. All percentages used in or resulting from any calculation of Three-Month Term SOFR shall be rounded, if necessary, to the nearest one-hundred-thousandth of a percentage point, with 0.000005% rounded up to 0.00001%.

"*Three-Month Term SOFR Conventions*" means any determination, decision or election with respect to any technical, administrative or operational matter (including with respect to the manner and timing of the publication of Three-Month Term SOFR, or changes to the definition of "interest period," timing and frequency of determining Three-Month Term SOFR with respect to each interest period and making payments of interest, rounding of amounts or tenors, and other administrative matters) that the Calculation Agent determines may be appropriate to reflect the use of Three-Month Term SOFR as the Benchmark in a manner substantially consistent with market practice (or, if the Calculation Agent determines that adoption of any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or if the Calculation Agent determines that no market practice for the use of Three-Month Term SOFR exists, in such other manner as the Calculation Agent determines is reasonably necessary).

"*Tier 2 Capital Event*" means the Company's good faith determination that, as a result of (a) any amendment to, or change in, the laws, rules or regulations of the United States (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any agency or instrumentality of the United States, including the Federal Reserve and other federal bank regulatory agencies) or any political subdivision of or in the United States that is enacted or becomes effective after the original issue date of the Notes; (b) any proposed change in those laws, rules or regulations that is announced or becomes effective after the original issue date of the Notes; or (c) any official administrative decision or judicial decision or administrative action or other official pronouncement interpreting or applying those laws, rules, regulations, policies or guidelines with respect thereto that is announced after the original issue date of the Notes, there is more than an insubstantial risk that the Company will not be entitled to treat the Notes then outstanding as "*Tier 2 Capital*" (or its equivalent) for purposes of the capital adequacy rules or regulations of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the "*Federal Reserve*") (or, as and if applicable, the capital adequacy rules or regulations of any successor appropriate federal banking agency) as then in effect and applicable to the Company, for so long as any Notes are outstanding.

------

"*U.S. Government Securities Business Day*" means any day except for (a) a Saturday, (b) a Sunday or (c) a day on which the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association recommends that the fixed income departments of its members be closed for the entire day for purposes of trading in United States government securities.

"*Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement*" means the Benchmark Replacement excluding the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment.

**ARTICLE II** 

**<u>GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE NOTES</u>**

Section 2.1 <u>Designation and Principal Amount</u>.

There is hereby authorized and established a series of Securities under the Indenture, designated as the "*6.375% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due 2035*."

Section 2.2 <u>Form and Denomination of Notes</u>.

The definitive form of the Notes and the Trustee's Certificate of Authentication to be endorsed thereon shall be substantially in the form set forth in <u>Exhibit</u> <u>A</u> attached hereto, which is incorporated herein and made part hereof. The Notes shall bear interest and have such other terms as are stated in the form of definitive Notes or in the Indenture, as supplemented by this Supplemental Indenture. The Stated Maturity Date of the Notes shall be December 1, 2035 (the "*Maturity Date*"). The Notes shall be issued in minimum denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The Notes shall not be issued as Original Issue Discount Securities.

Section 2.3 <u>Initial Limit on Amount of Series</u>.

The Notes shall initially be limited to U.S. $300,000,000 in aggregate principal amount, and may, upon the execution and delivery of this Supplemental Indenture or from time to time thereafter, be executed by the Company and delivered to the Trustee for authentication, and the Trustee shall thereupon authenticate and deliver said Notes to or upon the delivery of a Company Order. Following the initial issuance of the Notes, the aggregate principal amount of Notes may be increased as provided in <u>Section</u> <u>2.5</u> hereof.

Section 2.4 <u>Rank; Subordination</u>.

The Notes are unsecured and shall rank subordinate and junior, to the extent and in the manner set forth in the Indenture, in right of payment and upon liquidation to any of the Company's existing and of all the Company's future obligations to the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company. The Notes shall rank equal in right of payment and upon liquidation among themselves and with all of the Company's other indebtedness that, in the instrument creating or evidencing the same or pursuant to which the same is outstanding, provides that such obligations are not superior in right of payment to the Notes or to other indebtedness that is *pari passu* with, or is not subordinate to, the Notes. It is intended that the Notes be and are Tier 2 capital or the equivalent, for all regulatory purposes.

------

Section 2.5 <u>Further Issues Without Holders' Consent</u>.

The Company may, without notice to or the consent of the Holders of the Notes, but in compliance with the terms of the Indenture and this Supplemental Indenture, create and issue additional Notes having the same ranking, interest rate, maturity date and other terms as the Notes (other than the date of issuance, the issue price, the initial interest accrual date and the first Interest Payment Date). Any such additional Notes will rank equally and ratably with the Notes. Any such additional Notes, together with the Notes initially issued hereunder, will constitute a single series of Securities for all purposes under the Indenture. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing, no additional Notes may be issued unless (1) the additional Notes will be fungible with the Notes initially issued hereunder for United States securities law purposes, (2) (a) the additional Notes are issued pursuant to a "qualified reopening" of the Notes initially issued hereunder for United States federal income tax purposes, or (b) the Notes initially issued hereunder were, and the additional Notes are, issued without any original issue discount for United States federal income tax purposes and (3) the additional Notes have the same CUSIP number as the Notes initially issued hereunder. No additional Notes may be issued if any Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to the Notes.

Section 2.6 <u>Form and Payment</u>.

Principal of, Additional Amounts, if any, and interest on the Notes shall be payable in U.S. Dollars.

Section 2.7 <u>Interest</u>.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) The Notes will bear interest at an initial rate of 6.375% per annum from and including November 10, 2025 to, but excluding, December 1, 2030 or earlier Redemption Date (the "*Fixed Rate Period*"). Interest accrued on the Notes during the Fixed Rate Period will be payable semi-annually in arrears on June 1 and December 1 of each year, commencing on June 1, 2026 (each such date, a "*Fixed Rate Interest Payment Date*"). The last Fixed Rate Interest Payment Date shall be December 1, 2030, unless the Notes are earlier redeemed. The interest payable during the Fixed Rate Period will be paid to each Holder in whose name a Note is registered at the close of business on the fifteenth day (whether or not a Business Day) immediately preceding the applicable Fixed Rate Interest Payment Date (each such date, a "*Fixed Rate Regular Record Date*").

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) The Notes will bear a floating interest rate from, and including December 1, 2030, to, but excluding, the Maturity Date or earlier Redemption Date (the "*Floating Rate Period*"). The floating interest rate will be reset quarterly, and the interest rate for any Floating Rate Period shall be equal to the then-current Three-Month Term SOFR plus 300 basis points for each quarterly interest period during the Floating Rate Period. During the Floating Rate Period, interest on the Notes will be payable quarterly in arrears on March 1, June 1, September 1 and December 1 of each year, commencing on March 1, 2031 (each such date, a "*Floating Rate Interest Payment Date*" and, together with a Fixed Rate Interest Payment Date, an "*Interest Payment Date*"). The interest payable during the Floating Rate Period will be paid to each Holder in whose name a Note is registered at the close of business on the fifteenth day (whether or not a Business Day) immediately preceding the applicable Floating Rate Interest Payment

------

Date (each such date, a "*Floating Rate Regular Record Date*"). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Three-Month Term SOFR (or other applicable Benchmark) is less than zero, then Three-Month Term SOFR (or other such Benchmark) shall be deemed to be zero. The Calculation Agent will provide the Company and the Trustee with the interest rate in effect on the Notes promptly after the Reference Time (or such other date of determination for the applicable Benchmark).

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) The amount of interest payable on any Fixed Rate Interest Payment Date during the Fixed Rate Period will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months to, but excluding, December 1, 2030, and, the amount of interest payable on any Floating Rate Interest Payment Date during the Floating Rate Period will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed. Dollar amounts resulting from that calculation will be rounded to the nearest cent, with one-half cent being rounded upward. The Company or the Calculation Agent, as applicable, shall calculate the amount of interest payable on any Interest Payment Date and the Trustee shall have no duty to confirm or verify any such calculation. In the event that any scheduled Interest Payment Date or the Maturity Date for the Notes falls on a day that is not a Business Day, then payment of interest payable on such Interest Payment Date or of principal and interest payable on the Maturity Date will be postponed to the next succeeding day which is a Business Day (any payment made on such date will be treated as being made on the date that the payment was first due and no interest on such payment will accrue for the period from and after such scheduled Interest Payment Date); provided, that in the event that any scheduled Floating Rate Interest Payment Date falls on a day that is not a Business Day and the next succeeding Business Day falls in the next succeeding calendar month, such Floating Rate Interest Payment Date will be accelerated to the immediately preceding Business Day, and, in each such case, the amounts payable on such Business Day will include interest accrued to, but excluding, such Business Day. Dollar amounts resulting from interest calculations will be rounded to the nearest cent, with one half cent being rounded upward.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d) The Company shall take such actions as are necessary to ensure that from the commencement of the Floating Rate Period for so long as any of the Notes remain outstanding there will at all times be a Calculation Agent appointed to calculate Three-Month Term SOFR in respect of each Floating Rate Period. The calculation of Three-Month Term SOFR for each applicable Floating Rate Period by the Calculation Agent will (in the absence of manifest error) be final and binding. The Calculation Agent's determination of any interest rate and its calculation of interest payments for any period will be maintained on file at the Calculation Agent's principal offices, will be made available to any Holder of the Notes promptly upon request and will be provided to the Trustee. The Calculation Agent shall have all the rights, protections and indemnities afforded to the Trustee under the Indenture and hereunder. The Calculation Agent may be removed by the Company at any time. If the Calculation Agent is unable or unwilling to act as Calculation Agent or is removed by the Company, the Company will promptly appoint a replacement Calculation Agent. The Calculation Agent may not resign its duties without a successor having been duly appointed; provided, that if a successor Calculation Agent has not been appointed by the Company and such successor accepted such position within 30 days after the giving of notice of resignation by the Calculation Agent, then the resigning Calculation Agent may petition, at the expense of the Company, any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Calculation Agent with respect to such series. The Trustee shall not be under any duty to succeed to, assume or otherwise perform, any duties of the Calculation

------

Agent, or to appoint a successor or replacement in the event of the Calculation Agent's resignation or removal or to replace the Calculation Agent in the event of a default, breach or failure of performance on the part of the Calculation Agent with respect to the Calculation Agent's duties and obligations hereunder. For the avoidance of doubt, if at any time there is no Calculation Agent appointed by the Company, then the Company shall be the Calculation Agent. The Company may appoint itself or any of its Affiliates to be the Calculation Agent.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(e) Effect of Benchmark Transition Event.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) If the Calculation Agent determines that a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred on or prior to the Reference Time in respect of any interest period during the floating rate period, then the Benchmark Replacement will replace the then-current Benchmark for all purposes relating to the Notes during such interest period and on all subsequent interest periods. In connection with the implementation of a Benchmark Replacement, the Calculation Agent will have the right to make Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes from time to time.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) Notwithstanding anything set forth in <u>Section</u> <u>2.7(b)</u> above, if the Calculation Agent determines on or prior to the relevant Reference Time that a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred with respect to Three-Month Term SOFR, then the provisions set forth in this <u>Section</u> <u>2.7(e)</u> will thereafter apply to all determinations of the interest rate on the Notes during the Floating Rate Period. After a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred, the interest rate on the Notes for each interest period during the Floating Rate Period will be an annual rate equal to the Benchmark Replacement plus 300 basis points.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3) The Company and the Calculation Agent are expressly authorized to make certain determinations, decisions and elections under the terms of the Notes, including with respect to the use of Three-Month Term SOFR as the Benchmark and under this <u>Section</u> <u>2.7(e)</u>. Any determination, decision or election that may be made by the Company or the Calculation Agent under the terms of the Notes, including any determination with respect to the use of Three-Month Term SOFR as the Benchmark for the Floating Rate Period, any determination under the benchmark transition provisions, any determination of a tenor, rate or adjustment or of the occurrence or non-occurrence of an event, circumstance or date and any decision to take or refrain from taking any action or selection (A) will be conclusive and binding on the Holders of the Notes and the Trustee absent manifest error, (B) if made by the Company as Calculation Agent, will be made in the Company's sole discretion, (C) if made by a Calculation Agent other than the Company, will be made after consultation with the Company, and the Calculation Agent will not make any such determination, decision or election to which the Company reasonably objects and (D) notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in the Indenture, shall become effective without consent from the Holders of the Notes, the Trustee or any other party. If the Calculation Agent fails to make any determination, decision or election that it is required to make under the terms of the Notes, then the Company will make such determination, decision or election on the same basis as described above.

------

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(4) The Company (or its Calculation Agent) shall notify the Trustee in writing (i) upon the occurrence of the Benchmark Transition Event or the Benchmark Replacement Date, and (ii) of any Benchmark Replacements, Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes and other items affecting the interest rate on the Notes after a Benchmark Transition Event.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(5) The Trustee (including in its capacity as Paying Agent) shall have no (i) responsibility or liability for the (A) Three-Month Term SOFR Conventions, (B) selection of an alternative reference rate to Three-Month Term SOFR (including, without limitation, whether the conditions for the designation of such rate have been satisfied or whether such rate is a Benchmark Replacement or an Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement), (C) determination or calculation of a Benchmark Replacement, or (D) determination of whether a Benchmark Transition Event or Benchmark Replacement Date has occurred, and in each such case under clauses (A) through (D) above shall be entitled to conclusively rely upon the selection, determination, and/or calculation thereof as provided by the Company or its Calculation Agent, as applicable, and (ii) liability for any failure or delay in performing its duties hereunder as a result of the unavailability of a Benchmark rate as described in the definition thereof, including, without limitation, as a result of the Company's or Calculation Agent's failure to select a Benchmark Replacement or the Calculation Agent's failure to calculate a Benchmark. The Trustee shall be entitled to rely conclusively on all notices from the Company or its Calculation Agent regarding any Benchmark or Benchmark Replacement, including, without limitation, in regards to Three-Month Term SOFR Conventions, a Benchmark Transition Event, Benchmark Replacement Date, and Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes. The Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for the actions or omissions of the Calculation Agent, or any failure or delay in the performance of the Calculation Agent's duties or obligations, nor shall it be under any obligation to monitor or oversee the performance of the Calculation Agent. The Trustee shall be entitled to conclusively rely on any determination made, and any instruction, notice, Officers' Certificate or other instruction or information provided by the Calculation Agent without independent verification, investigation or inquiry of any kind. The Trustee shall not be obligated to enter into any amendment or supplement hereto that adversely impacts its rights, duties, obligations, immunities or liabilities (including, without limitation, in connection with the adoption of any Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes).

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(6) If any of the foregoing provisions concerning the calculation of the interest rate and the payment of interest during the Floating Rate Period are inconsistent with any of the Three-Month Term SOFR Conventions determined by the Calculation Agent, then the relevant Three-Month Term SOFR Conventions will apply.

------

Section 2.8 <u>Redemption</u>.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) The Notes are not subject to redemption or prepayment at the option of the Holders. The Notes shall be redeemable, in each case, in whole or in part from time to time, at the option of the Company beginning with the Interest Payment Date on December 1, 2030, but not prior thereto (except upon the occurrence of certain events specified below), and on any Interest Payment Date thereafter (each, a "*Redemption Date*"), subject to obtaining the prior approval of the Federal Reserve to the extent such approval is then required under the rules of the Federal Reserve. In addition, the Company may, at its option, redeem the Notes before the Maturity Date, in whole, but not in part, subject to obtaining the prior approval of the Federal Reserve to the extent such approval is then required under the rules of the Federal Reserve, upon the occurrence of a Tier 2 Capital Event or a Tax Event, or if the Company is required to register as an investment company pursuant to the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (15 U.S.C. 80a-1 et seq.). The Notes may not otherwise be redeemed prior to the Maturity Date. Any such redemption will be at a Redemption Price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the Redemption Date fixed by the Company. The provisions of Article XI of the Indenture shall apply to any redemption of the Notes pursuant to this <u>Section</u> <u>2.8</u>. Any partial redemption will be made in accordance with DTC's applicable procedures among all of the Holders of the Notes. If any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption relating to such Note shall state that it is a partial redemption and the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed, and a replacement Note in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued in the name of the Holder thereof upon cancellation of the original Note.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) Any notice of redemption provided to the Holders of the Notes may be conditional in the Company's discretion, and the Company may delay the Redemption Date until such time as any or all of such conditions have been satisfied or revoked by the Company if it determines that such conditions will not be satisfied. The Company will provide written notice to the Trustee prior to the close of business two Business Days prior to the Redemption Date (or such shorter period as may be acceptable to the Trustee) if any such redemption has been rescinded or delayed, and upon receipt of an Officer's Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the notice to be given as an exhibit thereto, the Trustee will provide such notice to each Holder of the Notes in the same manner in which the notice of redemption was given.

Section 2.9 <u>No Sinking Fund</u>.

No sinking fund will be provided with respect to the Notes. In no event shall any Holder of the Notes have the right to require the Company to call, redeem or repurchase the Notes, in whole or in part, and Section 1301 of the Indenture shall not be applicable to the Notes. Nothing in this <u>Section</u> <u>2.9</u> shall limit the ability of Holders of Notes to enforce their rights to the payment of principal, Additional Amounts, if any, and interest on the Notes at maturity as provided in the Notes and in the Indenture, including Section 507 of the Indenture.

Section 2.10 <u>Notes Not Convertible or Exchangeable</u>.

The Notes will not be convertible or exchangeable for other securities or property.

Section 2.11 <u>Events of Default</u>.

Only the Events of Default described in clauses (5) and (6) of Section 501 of the Indenture shall permit acceleration of the maturity of the Notes, as provided in Section 502 of the Indenture.

------

Section 2.12 <u>Global Securities</u>.

The Notes shall be issued as Registered Securities and in the form of one or more permanent global Securities, without coupons, registered in the name of the Depository or its nominee. The initial Depository for the Notes shall be DTC. Except as otherwise provided in Section 305 of the Indenture, the global Securities described above may be transferred by the Depository, in whole but not in part, only to a nominee of the Depository, or by a nominee of the Depository to the Depository, or to a successor Depository or to a nominee of such successor Depository.

Owners of beneficial interests in such global Securities will not be considered the Holders thereof for any purpose under the Indenture. The rights of owners of beneficial interests in such global Securities shall be exercised only through the Depository.

Section 2.13 <u>No Additional Amounts</u>.

In the event that any payment on the Notes is subject to withholding of any U.S. federal income tax or other tax or assessment (whether as a result of a change in law or otherwise), the Company will not pay additional amounts with respect to such tax or assessment.

Section 2.14 <u>Notices to Holders.</u><u> </u>

Any notices required to be given to Holders of the Notes shall also be given to the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office.

Section 2.15 <u>Additional Terms.</u><u> </u>

Other terms applicable to the Notes are as otherwise provided for in the Indenture, as supplemented by this Supplemental Indenture.

**ARTICLE III** 

**<u>ORIGINAL ISSUE OF NOTES</u>**

Section 3.1 <u>Original Issue of Notes</u>.

The Notes may, upon execution of this Supplemental Indenture, be executed by the Company and delivered to the Trustee for authentication, and the Trustee shall, upon Company Order, authenticate and deliver such Notes as in such Company Order provided.

**ARTICLE IV** 

**<u>DEFEASANCE</u>**

Section 4.1 <u>Defeasance Applicable to Notes</u>.

Pursuant to Section 301(18) and Section 403 of the Indenture, provision is hereby made for defeasance of the Notes under Section 403 of the Indenture upon the terms and conditions contained in Article IV of the Indenture.

------

**ARTICLE V** 

**<u>MISCELLANEOUS</u>**

Section 5.1 <u>Ratification of Indenture</u>.

The Indenture, as supplemented by this Supplemental Indenture, is in all respects ratified and confirmed, and this Supplemental Indenture shall be deemed part of the Indenture in the manner and to the extent herein and therein provided; *provided, however*, that the provisions of this Supplemental Indenture shall apply solely with respect to the Notes and shall govern in the event of any difference with the Indenture.

Section 5.2 <u>Conflict with Trust Indenture Act</u>.

If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with a provision of the Trust Indenture Act that is required under such Act to be a part of and govern this Indenture, the latter provision shall control. If any provision of this Supplemental Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the Trust Indenture Act that may be so modified or excluded, the latter provision shall be deemed to apply to this Indenture as so modified or to be excluded, as the case may be.

Section 5.3 <u>Effect of Headings and **Table of Contents**</u>.

The Article and Section headings herein and the **Table of Contents** are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

Section 5.4 <u>Successors and Assigns</u>.

All covenants and agreements in this Supplemental Indenture by the Company shall bind its successors and assigns, whether expressed or not.

Section 5.5 <u>Separability Clause</u><u>; Entire Agreement</u>.

In case any provision in this Supplemental Indenture or in the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. The Indenture, as supplemented by the Supplemental Indenture, and the exhibits hereto set forth the entire agreement and understanding of the Company and the Trustee related to this transaction and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, oral or written.

Section 5.6 <u>Benefits of Indenture</u>.

Nothing in this Supplemental Indenture or in the Notes, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the Holders of the Notes, the parties hereto and their successors hereunder, any benefit of any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Supplemental Indenture.

Section 5.7 <u>Governing Law</u><u>; Submission to Jurisdiction</u>.

This Supplemental Indenture and the Notes shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. ANY LEGAL SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR BASED UPON THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY MAY BE INSTITUTED IN THE FEDERAL COURTS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA LOCATED IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK OR THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK IN EACH CASE SITTING IN THE BOROUGH OF

------

MANHATTAN, LOCATED IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK, AND EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AND THE HOLDERS BY ACCEPTANCE OF THE SUBORDINATED NOTES HEREBY IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF SUCH COURTS IN ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING.

Section 5.8 <u>Waiver of Jury Trial</u>.

EACH OF THE COMPANY, THE TRUSTEE AND EACH HOLDER OF A NOTE BY ITS ACCEPTANCE THEREOF, HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, THE NOTES, THE INDENTURE OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY.

Section 5.9 <u>Counterparts</u>.

This Supplemental Indenture may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be an original and all of which shall constitute but one and the same instrument. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. The exchange of copies of this Supplemental Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Supplemental Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Supplemental Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.

Section 5.10 <u>Trustee</u>.

The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner for or in respect of, and makes no representation as to the validity, sufficiency or adequacy of this Supplemental Indenture or the Notes, and it shall not be responsible for any statement of the Company in this Supplemental Indenture or in the Notes. The recitals contained herein shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Company of the Notes or the proceeds thereof.

[*Signature page follows on next page*]

------

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed all as of the day and year first above written.

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP. | FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP. | FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP. |
| By: | /s/ James M. Anderson | /s/ James M. Anderson |
|  | Name: | James M. Anderson |
|  | Title: | Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer |
| WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee | WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee | WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee |
| By: | /s/ Iris Munoz | /s/ Iris Munoz |
|  | Name: | Iris Munoz |
|  | Title: | Assistant Vice President |

---

[Signature Page to First Supplemental Indenture]

------

**Exhibit A** 

**FORM OF NOTE** 

------

**FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.** 

**6.375% FIXED-TO-FLOATING RATE SUBORDINATED NOTE DUE DECEMBER 1, 2035** 

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| No.1  | $300000000  |

---

**CUSIP No. 320209AC3** 

**ISIN No. US320209AC31** 

THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO., THE NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (THE "*DEPOSITORY*"). EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN SECTION 305 OF THE INDENTURE, THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITORY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY TO THE DEPOSITORY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY OR BY THE DEPOSITORY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITORY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITORY.

UNLESS THIS SECURITY IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION ("*DTC*"), TO FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP. (THE "*COMPANY*") OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OR TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY SECURITY ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL SINCE THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

**THIS SECURITY IS *NOT* A DEPOSIT AND IT IS *NOT* INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION ("***FDIC***") OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCY.** 

THIS SECURITY IS SUBORDINATED, AS TO PRINCIPAL, INTEREST AND PREMIUM, AND ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS, IF ANY, TO ALL "*SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS*" OF THE COMPANY, INCLUDING ALL OBLIGATIONS TO THE COMPANY'S DEPOSITORS AND GENERAL CREDITORS (OTHER THAN OBLIGATIONS TO TRADE CREDITORS INCURRED IN THE ORDINARY COURSE OF THE COMPANY'S BUSINESS). THIS SECURITY IS NOT SECURED BY ANY ASSETS OF THE COMPANY OR BY THE ASSETS OF ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES OR AFFILIATES, IS NOT GUARANTEED BY ANY OF COMPANY'S SUBSIDIARIES OR AFFILIATES.

THIS SECURITY IS ISSUABLE IN DENOMINATIONS OF $1,000 AND INTEGRAL MULTIPLES OF $1,000 IN EXCESS THEREOF. AS PROVIDED IN THE INDENTURE AND SUBJECT TO CERTAIN LIMITATIONS THEREIN SET FORTH, SECURITIES OF THIS SERIES ARE EXCHANGEABLE FOR A LIKE AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF SECURITIES OF SUCH SERIES OF A DIFFERENT AUTHORIZED DENOMINATION, AS REQUESTED BY THE HOLDER SURRENDERING THE SAME.

------

First Financial Bancorp., an Ohio corporation, and any successor thereto, as provided below (the "*Company*"), for value received, hereby promises to pay or deliver, as the case may be, to CEDE & CO., or registered assigns, the principal sum of Three Hundred Million United States Dollars ($300,000,000) on December 1, 2035 (the "*Stated Maturity Date*"), unless redeemed prior to such date. This Security will bear interest at an initial rate of 6.375% per annum from and including November 10, 2025, to, but excluding, December 1, 2030 (the "*Fixed Rate Period*"), unless redeemed prior to such date. Interest accrued on this Security during the Fixed Rate Period will be payable semi-annually in arrears on June 1 and December 1 of each year (each such date, a "*Fixed Rate Interest Payment Date*"), with the first such Fixed Rate Interest Payment Date being June 1, 2026, and the last such Fixed Rate Interest Payment Date being December 1, 2030, unless redeemed prior to such date. This Security will bear interest at a floating per annum interest rate from and including December 1, 2030, to, but excluding, the Stated Maturity Date or any earlier redemption date (the "*Floating Rate Period*"). The floating interest rate will be reset quarterly, and the interest rate for any Floating Interest Period will be equal to the then-current Benchmark plus 300 basis points. During the Floating Rate Period, interest on this Security will be payable quarterly in arrears on March 1, June 1, September 1 and December 1 of each year (each such date, a "*Floating Rate Interest Payment Date*", and together with a Fixed Rate Interest Payment Date, an "*Interest Payment Date*"), with the first such Floating Rate Interest Payment Date being March 1, 2031, and the last such Floating Rate Interest Payment Date being the Stated Maturity Date or any earlier redemption date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Benchmark is less than zero, the Benchmark shall be deemed to be zero. Interest on each Fixed Rate Interest Payment Date is payable to holders of record on the Fixed Rate Regular Record Date pursuant to the Indenture. Interest on each Floating Rate Interest Payment Date is payable to holders of record on the Floating Rate Regular Record Date pursuant to the Indenture.

The interest payable on any Fixed Rate Interest Payment Date during the Fixed Rate Period will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months to, but excluding, December 1, 2030. The interest payable on any Floating Rate Interest Payment Date during the Floating Rate Period will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year and the number of days actually elapsed. Dollar amounts resulting from that calculation will be rounded to the nearest cent, with one-half cent being rounded upward. If a Fixed Rate Interest Payment Date or the Stated Maturity Date for this Security falls on a day that is not a Business Day, the interest payable on such Interest Payment Date or the payment of principal and interest on the Stated Maturity Date will be postponed to the next succeeding Business Day, but the payments made on such dates will be treated as being made on the date that the payment was first due and the Holder of this Security will not be entitled to any further interest or other payment in respect thereof. However, if a Floating Rate Interest Payment Date falls on a day that is not a Business Day, then such Floating Rate Interest Payment Date will be postponed to the next succeeding Business Day, unless such day falls in the next succeeding calendar month, in which case such Floating Rate Interest Payment Date will be accelerated to the immediately preceding Business Day, and, in each such case, the amounts payable on such Business Day will include interest accrued to, but excluding, such Business Day.

------

No sinking fund will be provided with respect to this Security. In no event shall any Holder of this Security have the right to require the Company to call, redeem or repurchase this Security, in whole or in part prior to maturity. Nothing in this paragraph, however, shall limit the ability of the Holder of this Security to enforce its rights to the payment of principal and Additional Amounts, if any, and interest on the Security at maturity as provided herein.

Payment of the principal of and interest on this Security will be made at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, or such other office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts; *provided*, *however*, that at the option of the Company, payment of interest may be made by check mailed to Holders of Registered Securities entitled thereto as such Holders shall appear in the Securities Register.

Under certain conditions, the Company may, without notice to or the consent of the Holder of this Security, create and issue additional notes ranking equally with this Security and otherwise the same in all respects (except for the issue date, issue price, initial interest accrual date and first Interest Payment Date), *provided that* no such additional notes may be issued unless (1) the additional notes are fungible with this Security for United States securities law purposes, (2) (a) the additional notes are issued pursuant to a "qualified reopening" of this Security for United States federal income tax purposes, or (b) this Security was, and the additional notes are, issued without any original issue discount for United States federal income tax purposes and (3) the additional notes have the same CUSIP number as this Security. No additional notes may be issued if any Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to this Security. Such additional notes shall be consolidated and form a single series with this Security.

The Securities shall be issued as registered securities in the form of one or more permanent global Securities, without coupons, registered in the name of the Depository or its nominee. The global Securities described above may be transferred by the Depository, in whole but not in part, only to a nominee of the Depository, or by a nominee of the Depository to the Depository, or to a successor Depository or to a nominee of such successor Depository.

Owners of beneficial interests in such global Securities will not be considered the Holders thereof for any purpose hereunder. The rights of owners of beneficial interests in such global Securities shall be exercised only through the Depository.

Any "depository institution," as defined in Section 3(c)(1) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, which holds a Security (or beneficial interest therein) shall be deemed to have agreed by acquiring such Security (or beneficial interest) to waive any rights to offset all or any portion of the indebtedness represented by such Security (or interest) against any indebtedness or other obligations of such institution to the Company.

Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Security set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

------

Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee by the manual signature of an authorized signatory, this Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.

(Remainder of page intentionally left blank)

------

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed by manual, electronic or facsimile signature.

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP. | FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP. |
| By: |  |
|  | Name: |
|  | Title: |

---

Dated:

**TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION** 

This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee

By:     <br> Authorized Signatory

Dated:

------

**REVERSE OF SECURITY** 

This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of 6.375% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due 2035 of the Company (the "*Securities*"), issued and to be issued in one or more series under a Subordinated Notes Indenture, dated as of November 5, 2025 (the "*Base Indenture*"), as supplemented by that First Supplemental Indenture, dated November 10, 2025 (the "*First Supplemental Indenture*," and together with the Base Indenture, the "*Indenture*"), between the Company and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee (herein called the "*Trustee*", which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture), to which the Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Trustee, the Company and the Holders of the Securities, and to which Indenture reference is hereby made for a statement of the terms upon which the Securities of this series are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered. By the terms of the Indenture, the Securities are issuable in series that may vary as to amount, date of maturity, rate of interest, rank and in any other respect provided in the Indenture.

The Company's indebtedness evidenced by this Security is, to the extent provided in the Indenture, subordinate and subject in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness, and this Security is issued subject to the provisions of the Indenture with respect thereto. Each Holder of this Security, by accepting the same, (a) agrees to and shall be bound by such provisions, (b) authorizes and directs the Trustee on his, her or its behalf to take such actions as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination so provided and (c) appoints the Trustee his, her or its attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes. Each Holder hereof, by his, her or its acceptance hereof, waives all notice of the acceptance of the subordination provisions contained herein and in the Indenture by each holder of Senior Indebtedness, whether now outstanding or hereafter created, incurred, assumed or guaranteed, and waives reliance by each such holder upon said provisions.

The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance of this Security upon compliance with certain conditions set forth in the Indenture.

If certain Events of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall occur and be continuing, the principal of the Securities of this series may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture. Any Event of Default with respect to this Security may be waived by the Holder hereof, as and if provided in the Indenture. The Company waives demand, presentment for prepayment, notice of nonpayment, notice of protest and all other notices to the extent it may lawfully do so.

The Company may, at its option, redeem the Securities, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Securities to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the date of redemption (the "*Redemption Date*"), on any Interest Payment Date on or after December 1, 2030. The Company may also, at its option, redeem the Securities before the Stated Maturity Date, in whole, but not in part, at any time, upon the occurrence of a Tier 2 Capital Event, a Tax Event or if the Company is required to register as an investment company pursuant to the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. Any such redemption will be at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Securities to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the Redemption Date fixed by the Company.

------

Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, to the extent then required under or pursuant to applicable regulations of the Federal Reserve, this Security may not be repaid prior to the Stated Maturity Date without the prior written consent of the Federal Reserve. In the event of redemption of this Security in part only, a new Security or Securities of this series and of like tenor for the unredeemed portion hereof will be issued in the name of the Holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof. The provisions of Article XI of the Base Indenture and Section 2.8 of the First Supplemental Indenture shall apply to the redemption of any Securities by the Company.

In the event that any payment on the Securities is subject to withholding of any U.S. federal income tax or other tax or assessment (whether as a result of a change in law or otherwise), the Company will not pay additional amounts with respect to such tax or assessment.

No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of, premium and Additional Amounts (if any) and interest on this Security at the times, place and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.

As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the transfer of this Security is registrable in the Security Register, upon surrender of this Security for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Company maintained under Section 1002 of the Indenture for such purpose, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed by, the Holder hereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Securities of this series and of like tenor, of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees. No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

Prior to due presentment of this Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Security is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

All terms used in this Security which are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

Nothing in this Security, express or implied, shall give to any person, other than the Holders of the Securities, the parties hereto and their permitted successors hereunder, any benefit of any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim hereunder.

------

The Securities of this series are issuable only in registered form without coupons in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, Securities of this series are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Securities of such series of a different authorized denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same.

All notices under this Security shall be in writing and in the case of the Company, addressed to the Company at 255 East Fifth Street, Suite 800, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202, Attention: Chief Financial Officer, or, in the case of the Trustee at 277 Park Avenue, 25th Floor, New York, NY, 10172, Attention: First Financial Bancorp. Administrator, or to such other address of the Trustee as the Trustee may notify the holders of the Securities. All notices to the Holder of this Security will be given to the Holder at its address as it appears in the Security Register.

All covenants and agreements by the Company in this Security and the Indenture shall bind the Company's successors and assigns, including successors by operation of law resulting from a merger or consolidation of the Company, or successors resulting from the transfer of the Company's assets and liabilities substantially or entirely, to another entity ("*Successors*"). Any Successor shall expressly assume in writing all the Company's obligations hereunder prior to becoming a Successor, and upon becoming a Successor, shall perform all the Company's obligations hereunder and make all payments due hereunder.

In case any provision in this Security shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

EACH OF THE COMPANY, THE TRUSTEE AND EACH HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS SECURITY, THE INDENTURE, OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY.

This Security shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York and, where applicable, the federal laws of the United States of America.

------

[FORM OF TRANSFER NOTICE]

To assign this Security, fill in the form below:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to:     &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br> (Insert Assignee's legal name)

(Insert assignee's Soc. Sec. or tax I.D. no.)

(Print or type assignee's name, address and zip code)

and irrevocably appoint to transfer this Security on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.

Date:

Your signature:     <br> (Sign exactly as your name appears on\| the face of this Security)

Signature Guarantee\*:

\* Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

## Exhibit 5.1

**Exhibit 5.1**![LOGO](g67495g1110100336151.jpg)

November 10, 2025

The Board of Directors

First Financial Bancorp.

255 E. Fifth Street, Suite 900

Cincinnati, OH 4250

**Re: First Financial Bancorp. 6.375% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes Due 2035** 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to First Financial Bancorp., an Ohio corporation (the "*Company*"), in connection with the issuance and sale by the Company of $300,000,000 million aggregate principal amount of 6.375% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due 2035 (the "*Notes*"), pursuant to an indenture by and between the Company and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (the "*Trustee*"), dated as of November 5, 2025 (the "*Base Indenture*"), as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of November 10, 2025 (the "*First Supplemental Indenture*" and, together with the Base Indenture, the "*Indenture*") by and between the Company and Trustee.

We have reviewed (i) the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (SEC File No. 333-291294) (the "*Registration Statement*") filed by the Company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "*SEC*") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "*Securities Act*"), (ii) the prospectus of the Company, dated November 5, 2025, as supplemented by the prospectus supplement, dated November 6, 2025, relating to the Notes, as filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act, (iii) the Indenture, (iv) the Underwriting Agreement, dated November 6, 2025, by and between the Company, First Financial Bank, Keefe, Bruyette and Woods, Inc. and Janney Montgomery Scott LLC, (v) corporate proceedings of the Company relating to the issuance of the Notes, and (vi) such other documents and records and such matters of law and fact as we have deemed necessary or advisable to enable us to render this opinion. In connection with the issuance and sale of the Notes, the Company has also filed with the SEC two free writing prospectuses, dated November 6, 2025 and November 7, 2025, respectively, pursuant to Rule 433 under the Securities Act.

In our examination, we have assumed, without verification, the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents and instruments submitted to us as originals, and the conformity to the originals of all documents and instruments submitted to us as certified or conformed copies. The opinion expressed below is limited to the laws of the States of Ohio and New York.

Based upon, and subject to, the foregoing, and subject to the limitations, qualifications and assumptions stated herein, we are of the opinion that, as of the date hereof, when the Notes have been duly authorized, executed, issued, and authenticated in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and delivered against payment therefor in the circumstances contemplated by the Underwriting Agreement, the Notes will be legally valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms.

------

First Financial Bancorp. Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP <br> November 10, 2025 Page 2 of 2

We hereby consent to the references to our firm under the captions "Legal Matters" in the prospectus supplement, dated November 6, 2025, and to the inclusion of this opinion as an exhibit to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 10, 2025, which is incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement and the prospectus, dated November 5, 2025, as supplemented by the prospectus supplement, dated November 6, 2025. In giving such consent, we do not admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder.

---

| |
|:---|
|  Respectfully submitted, |
|  /s/ Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP |

---

## Exhibit 99.1

**Exhibit 99.1**![LOGO](g67495g1110100612916.jpg)

![LOGO](g67495g1110100612791.jpg)

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE** 

**FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP. ANNOUNCES PRICING OF SUBORDINATED NOTES OFFERING** 

**Cincinnati, OH – November 6, 2025**– **First Financial Bancorp. (Nasdaq: "FFBC") (**"First Financial"**)**, the holding company for First Financial Bank (the "Bank"), today announced the pricing of a public offering of $300 million aggregate principal amount of First Financial's 6.375% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due 2035 (the "Notes"). Interest on the Notes will accrue at a rate equal to (i) 6.375% per annum from the original issue date to, but excluding, December 1, 2030, payable semiannually in arrears, and (ii) a floating rate per annum equal to a benchmark rate, which is expected to be Three-Month Term SOFR (as defined in the Notes), plus a spread of 300 basis points from, and including, December 1, 2030, payable quarterly in arrears. The Notes are intended to qualify as Tier 2 capital for regulatory purposes. First Financial estimates that the net proceeds from the offering will be approximately $296 million, after deducting underwriting discounts but before deducting estimated offering expenses payable by First Financial. First Financial intends to use the net proceeds of the offering for general corporate purposes, including the potential redemption of the Company's 5.25% Subordinated Notes due 2030. The closing of the offering of the Notes is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close on November 10, 2025.

Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, *A Stifel Company* and Janney Montgomery Scott LLC are acting as joint book-running managers for the offering. Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP is acting as legal counsel to the Company and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP is acting as legal counsel to the underwriters. The Notes are being offered pursuant to a prospectus supplement and an accompanying base prospectus describing the terms of the offering. First Financial has filed a registration statement (File No. 333-291294), and a preliminary prospectus supplement to the prospectus contained in the registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") for the Notes to which this communication relates and will file a final prospectus supplement relating to the Notes. Prospective investors should read the applicable prospectus supplement and base prospectus in the registration statement and other documents First Financial has filed or will file with the SEC for more complete information about First Financial and the relevant offering.

Copies of these documents relating to the offering can be obtained without charge by visiting the SEC's website at www.sec.gov, or may be obtained by emailing Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, *A Stifel Company* at USCapitalMarkets@kbw.com or by emailing Janney Montgomery Scott LLC at prospectus@janney.com. This press release is neither an offer to sell nor the solicitation of an offer to buy any of the Notes or any other securities. No such offer, solicitation or sale of the Notes is being made in any state or other jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The Notes have not been approved or disapproved by any regulatory authority, nor has any such authority passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of either prospectus supplement or the shelf registration statement or prospectus relating thereto.

**<u>About the Company</u>**

First Financial Bancorp. is a Cincinnati, Ohio based bank holding company. As of September 30, 2025, the Company had $18.6 billion in assets, $11.7 billion in loans, $14.4 billion in deposits and $2.6 billion in shareholders' equity. The Company's subsidiary, First Financial Bank, founded in 1863, provides banking and financial services products through its six lines of business: Commercial, Retail Banking, Investment Commercial Real Estate, Mortgage Banking, Commercial Finance and Wealth Management. These business units provide traditional banking services to business and retail clients. Wealth Management provides wealth planning, portfolio management, trust and estate, brokerage and retirement plan services and had approximately $4.0 billion in assets under management as of September 30, 2025. The Company operated 127 full service banking centers as of September 30, 2025, located in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Illinois, while the Commercial Finance business lends into targeted industry verticals on a nationwide basis. In 2025, First Financial Bank received its second consecutive Outstanding rating from the Federal Reserve for its performance under the Community Reinvestment Act and was recognized as a Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award winner, one of only 70 Gallup clients worldwide to receive this designation.

![LOGO](g67495snap3.jpg)

------

**<u>Forward-Looking Statements</u>**

This news release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In addition, we may make forward-looking statements orally or in writing to investors, analysts, members of the media, or others. Forward-looking statements reflect our current expectations, estimates or projections concerning future results or events. In some cases, you can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as "may," "might," "will," "should," "expects," "intends," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "potential" or "continue," the negative of these terms and other comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements, which are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions (some of which are beyond our control and ability to predict), may include projections of our future financial performance, future expenses, anticipated growth strategies, descriptions of new business initiatives and anticipated trends in our business or financial results. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are only predictions based on our current expectations and projections about future events. Undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. Among the important factors that could cause the Company's actual financial condition and results of operations, level of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements are the factors disclosed under "Risk Factors" in Item 1A of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the SEC on February 20, 2025, as such factors may be updated from time to time in our periodic filings with the SEC, as well as the other information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which such statements are made. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

While no list of assumptions, risks, or uncertainties could be complete, some of the factors that may cause actual results or other future events or circumstances to differ from those in forward-looking statements include:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• economic, market, liquidity, credit, interest rate, operational and technological risks associated with the
Company's business;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• future credit quality and performance, including our expectations regarding future loan losses and our allowance
for credit losses;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the effect of and changes in policies and laws or regulatory agencies, including the Dodd-Frank Wall Street
Reform and Consumer Protection Act and other legislation and regulation relating to the banking industry;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• management's ability to effectively execute its business plans;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• mergers and acquisitions, including costs or difficulties related to the integration of acquired companies;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the possibility that any of the anticipated benefits of the Company's acquisitions will not be realized or
will not be realized within the expected time period;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the effect of changes in accounting policies and practices;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• changes in consumer spending, borrowing and saving and changes in unemployment;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• changes in customers' performance and creditworthiness;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the costs and effects of litigation and of unexpected or adverse outcomes in such
litigation;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• current and future economic and market conditions, including the effects of changes in housing prices,
fluctuations in unemployment rates, U.S. fiscal debt, budget and tax matters, geopolitical matters, trade and tariff policies, and any slowdown in global economic growth;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• our capital and liquidity requirements (including under regulatory capital standards, such as the Basel III
capital standards) and our ability to generate capital internally or raise capital on favorable terms;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• financial services reform and other current, pending or future legislation or regulation that could have a
negative effect on our revenue and businesses, including the Dodd-Frank Act and other legislation and regulation relating to bank products and services;

------

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the effect of the current interest rate environment or changes in interest rates or in the level or composition
of our assets or liabilities on our net interest income, net interest margin and our mortgage originations, mortgage servicing rights and mortgage loans held for sale;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the effect of a fall in stock market prices on our brokerage, asset and wealth management businesses;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• a failure in or breach of our operational or security systems or infrastructure, or those of our third-party
vendors or other service providers, including as a result of cyber attacks;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the effect of changes in the level of checking or savings account deposits on our funding costs and net interest
margin; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• our ability to develop and execute effective business plans and strategies.

###