First Financial Bancorp reported unaudited consolidated earnings results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2015. For the quarter, the company reported net income of $19,820,000 or $0.32 per diluted common share compared to net income was $18,599,000 or $0.30 per diluted common share in 2014. Return on average assets was 0.99%. Return on average tangible common equity was 12.98%. Tangible book value per share as on December 31, 2015 was $9.69. Net interest income was $66,083,000 compared to $61,139,000 a year ago. Income before income taxes was $28,754,000 compared to $26,367,000 a year ago. Return on average shareholders' equity was 9.62% compared to 9.46% a year ago.

For the year, the company reported net income of $75,063,000 or $1.21 per diluted common share compared to net income was $65,000,000 or $1.09 per diluted common share in 2014. Return on average assets was 1.00%. Return on average tangible common equity was 12.66%. Net interest income was $246,502,000 compared to $228,625,000 a year ago. Income before income taxes was $110,933,000 compared to $95,028,000 a year ago. Return on average shareholders' equity was 9.33% compared to 8.94% a year ago.

For the fourth quarter, net charge-offs totaled $1.8 million, a decrease of $0.4 million, or 17.9% compared to the linked quarter, and were 0.14% of average loans on an annualized basis.