Exhibit 99.1

News Release

FIRST FINANCIAL CORPORATION

One First Financial Plaza, Terre Haute, Indiana 47807 (812) 238-6000

First Financial Corporation Reports Second Quarter Results

Terre Haute, Indiana, July 28, 2026 – First Financial Corporation (NASDAQ:THFF) today announced results for the second quarter of 2026.

Net income was $22.7 million compared to $18.6 million reported for the same period of 2025;
Diluted net income per common share of $1.91 compared to $1.57 for the same period of 2025;
Return on average assets was 1.48% compared to 1.34% for the three months ended June 30, 2025;
Provision for credit losses was $1.3 million compared to provision of $2.0 million for the second quarter 2025; and
Pre-tax, pre-provision net income was $29.3 million compared to $24.9 million for the same period in 2025.1

The Corporation further reported results for the six months ended June 30, 2026:

Net income was $42.5 million compared to $37.0 million reported for the same period of 2025;
Diluted net income per common share of $3.58 compared to $3.12 for the same period of 2025;
Return on average assets was 1.42% compared to 1.34% for the six months ended June 30, 2025;
Provision for credit losses was $3.9 million compared to provision of $3.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025; and
Pre-tax, pre-provision net income was $56.6 million compared to $50.6 million for the same period in 2025.1


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

Acquisition

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

Average Total Loans

Average total loans for the second quarter of 2026 were $4.45 billion versus $3.88 billion for the comparable period in 2025, an increase of $575 million or 14.83%. On a linked quarter basis, average loans increased $282 million or 6.78% from $4.16 billion as of March 31, 2026.

Total Loans Outstanding

Total loans outstanding as of June 30, 2026, were $4.47 billion compared to $3.90 billion as of June 30, 2025, an increase of $571 million or 14.66%. On a linked quarter basis, total loans increased $44.0 million or 0.99% from $4.42 billion as of March 31, 2026.


Organic growth of $300 million year-over-year was primarily driven by increases in Commercial Construction and Development, Commercial Real Estate, and Consumer Auto loans.

Norman D. Lowery, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented “We are pleased with our second quarter results. The quarter marked the eleventh consecutive quarter of loan growth, contributing to another quarter of record net income. Our net interest margin and profitability remain strong with a 4.33% net interest margin and a 1.48% return on assets.”

Average Total Deposits

Average total deposits for the quarter ended June 30, 2026, were $4.87 billion versus $4.65 billion as of June 30, 2025, an increase of $218 million, or 4.68%. On a linked quarter basis, average deposits increased $205 million or 4.40% from $4.66 billion as of March 31, 2026.

Total Deposits

Total deposits were $4.83 billion as of June 30, 2026, compared to $4.66 billion as of June 30, 2025. On a linked quarter basis, total deposits decreased $9.0 million or 0.19% from $4.84 billion as of March 31, 2026. Non-interest bearing deposits were $999 million, and time deposits were $802 million as of June 30, 2026, compared to $860 million and $710 million, respectively for the same period of 2025.

Shareholders’ Equity

Shareholders’ equity at June 30, 2026, was $675.8 million compared to $587.7 million on June 30, 2025. During the last twelve months, the Corporation has not repurchased any shares of its common stock. 518,860 shares remain available for repurchase under the current repurchase authorization. The Corporation paid a $0.56 per share quarterly dividend in April and declared a $0.56 quarterly dividend, which was paid on July 15, 2026.

Book Value Per Share

Book Value per share was $56.83 as of June 30, 2026, compared to $49.59 as of June 30, 2025, an increase of $7.24 per share, or 14.60%. Tangible Book Value per share was $46.98 as of June 30, 2026, compared to $39.74 as of June 30, 2025, an increase of $7.24 per share or 18.22%.

Tangible Common Equity to Tangible Asset Ratio

The Corporation’s tangible common equity to tangible asset ratio was 9.22% at June 30, 2026, compared to 8.58% at June 30, 2025.

Net Interest Income

Net interest income for the second quarter of 2026 was a record $61.2 million, compared to $52.7 million reported for the same period of 2025, an increase of $8.5 million, or 16.2%. Interest income increased $10.0 million and interest expense increased $1.5 million year over year.

Net Interest Margin

The net interest margin for the quarter ended June 30, 2026, was 4.33% compared to the 4.15% reported at June 30, 2025.

Nonperforming Loans

Nonperforming loans as of June 30, 2026, were $27.1 million versus $9.8 million as of June 30, 2025. The ratio of nonperforming loans to total loans and leases was 0.61% as of June 30, 2026, versus 0.25% as of June 30, 2025. On a linked quarter basis, nonperforming loans were $28.5 million, and the ratio of nonperforming loans to total loans and leases was 0.64% as of March 31, 2026.

Credit Loss Provision

The provision for credit losses for the three months ended June 30, 2026, was $1.3 million, compared to $2.0 million for the same period 2025.


Net Charge-Offs

In the second quarter of 2026 net charge-offs were $2.7 million compared to $1.7 million in the same period of 2025.

Allowance for Credit Losses

The Corporation’s allowance for credit losses as of June 30, 2026, was $50.9 million compared to $47.1 million as of June 30, 2025. The allowance for credit losses as a percent of total loans was 1.14% as of June 30, 2026, compared to 1.21% as of June 30, 2025. On a linked quarter basis, the allowance for credit losses as a percent of total loans decreased four basis points from 1.18% as of March 31, 2026.

Non-Interest Income

Non-interest income for the three months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025 was $10.6 million and $10.4 million, respectively.

Non-Interest Expense

Non-interest expense for the three months ended June 30, 2026, was $42.5 million compared to $38.3 million in 2025.

Efficiency Ratio

The Corporation’s efficiency ratio was 57.95% for the quarter ending June 30, 2026, versus 59.37% for the same period in 2025.

Income Taxes

Income tax expense for the three months ended June 30, 2026, was $5.3 million versus $4.2 million for the same period in 2025. The effective tax rate for 2026 was 18.89% compared to 18.58% for 2025.

About First Financial Corporation

First Financial Corporation (NASDAQ:THFF) is the holding company for First Financial Bank N.A., which is the fifth oldest national bank in the United States, operating 79 banking centers in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Georgia. Additional information is available at www.first-online.bank.

Investor Contact:

Rodger A. McHargue

Chief Financial Officer

P: 812-238-6334

E: rmchargue@first-online.com


Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30, 

March 31,

June 30, 

June 30, 

June 30, 

  ​ ​ ​

2026

  ​ ​ ​

2026

  ​ ​ ​

2025

  ​ ​ ​

2026

  ​ ​ ​

2025

END OF PERIOD BALANCES

Assets

$

6,178,309

$

6,128,589

$

5,602,969

$

6,178,309

$

5,602,969

Deposits

$

4,833,399

$

4,842,386

$

4,662,889

$

4,833,399

$

4,662,889

Loans, including net deferred loan costs

$

4,467,897

$

4,423,921

$

3,896,563

$

4,467,897

$

3,896,563

Allowance for Credit Losses

$

50,938

$

52,338

$

47,087

$

50,938

$

47,087

Total Equity

$

675,785

$

655,288

$

587,668

$

675,785

$

587,668

Tangible Common Equity (a)

$

558,687

$

536,659

$

470,894

$

558,687

$

470,894

AVERAGE BALANCES

 

  ​

 

  ​

 

  ​

 

  ​

 

  ​

Total Assets

$

6,126,618

$

5,850,090

$

5,529,225

$

5,988,354

$

5,518,996

Earning Assets

$

5,799,062

$

5,523,970

$

5,213,220

$

5,661,516

$

5,203,849

Investments

$

1,256,470

$

1,263,714

$

1,244,208

$

1,260,092

$

1,255,254

Loans

$

4,452,394

$

4,160,366

$

3,877,246

$

4,306,380

$

3,859,499

Total Deposits

$

4,868,890

$

4,663,780

$

4,651,051

$

4,766,335

$

4,650,967

Interest-Bearing Deposits

$

3,987,492

$

3,718,070

$

3,843,143

$

3,852,781

$

3,840,411

Interest-Bearing Liabilities

$

554,935

$

480,073

$

269,338

$

517,504

$

265,256

Total Equity

$

663,602

$

663,896

$

576,288

$

663,749

$

570,515

INCOME STATEMENT DATA

 

  ​

 

  ​

 

  ​

 

  ​

 

  ​

Net Interest Income

$

61,222

$

56,933

$

52,671

$

118,155

$

104,646

Net Interest Income Fully Tax Equivalent (b)

$

62,739

$

58,397

$

54,091

$

121,137

$

107,464

Provision for Credit Losses

$

1,300

$

2,550

$

1,950

$

3,850

$

3,900

Non-interest Income

$

10,646

$

11,217

$

10,381

$

21,863

$

20,892

Non-interest Expense

$

42,529

$

40,879

$

38,276

$

83,408

$

75,035

Net Income

$

22,743

$

19,804

$

18,586

$

42,547

$

36,992

PER SHARE DATA

 

  ​

 

  ​

 

  ​

 

  ​

 

  ​

Basic and Diluted Net Income Per Common Share

$

1.91

$

1.67

$

1.57

$

3.58

$

3.12

Cash Dividends Declared Per Common Share

$

0.56

$

0.56

$

0.51

$

1.12

$

1.02

Book Value Per Common Share

$

56.83

$

55.10

$

49.59

$

56.83

$

49.59

Tangible Book Value Per Common Share (c)

$

45.96

$

45.13

$

38.78

$

46.98

$

39.74

Basic Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding

 

11,892

 

11,885

 

11,851

 

11,888

 

11,847


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


Key Ratios

  ​ ​ ​

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

 

June 30, 

  ​ ​ ​

March 31,

  ​ ​ ​

June 30, 

  ​ ​ ​

June 30, 

  ​ ​ ​

June 30, 

 

2026

  ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

2026

  ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

2025

  ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

2026

  ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

2025

 

Return on average assets

 

1.48

%

1.35

%

1.34

%

1.42

%

1.34

%

Return on average common shareholder's equity

 

13.71

%

11.93

%

12.90

%

12.82

%

12.97

%

Efficiency ratio

 

57.95

%

58.72

%

59.37

%

58.33

%

58.46

%

Average equity to average assets

 

10.83

%

11.35

%

10.42

%

11.08

%

10.34

%

Net interest margin (a)

 

4.33

%

4.23

%

4.15

%

4.28

%

4.13

%

Net charge-offs to average loans and leases

 

0.24

%

0.15

%

0.18

%

0.20

%

0.18

%

Credit loss reserve to loans and leases

 

1.14

%

1.18

%

1.21

%

1.14

%

1.21

%

Credit loss reserve to nonperforming loans

 

188.21

%

183.89

%

480.72

%

188.21

%

480.72

%

Nonperforming loans to loans and leases

 

0.61

%

0.64

%

0.25

%

0.61

%

0.25

%

Tier 1 leverage

 

10.81

%

11.03

%

10.91

%

10.81

%

10.91

%

Risk-based capital - Tier 1

 

12.78

%

12.50

%

12.86

%

12.78

%

12.86

%


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

Asset Quality

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

  ​ ​ ​

June 30, 

  ​ ​ ​

March 31,

  ​ ​ ​

June 30, 

  ​ ​ ​

June 30, 

  ​ ​ ​

June 30, 

2026

2026

2025

2026

2025

Accruing loans and leases past due 30-89 days

$

12,726

$

19,882

$

22,303

$

12,726

$

22,303

Accruing loans and leases past due 90 days or more

$

3,030

$

938

$

1,917

$

3,030

$

1,917

Nonaccrual loans and leases

$

24,035

$

27,524

$

7,878

$

24,035

$

7,878

Other real estate owned

$

1,039

$

184

$

383

$

1,039

$

383

Nonperforming loans and other real estate owned

$

28,104

$

28,646

$

10,178

$

28,104

$

10,178

Total nonperforming assets

$

30,755

$

31,288

$

13,087

$

30,755

$

13,087

Gross charge-offs

$

4,084

$

2,945

$

2,928

$

7,029

$

6,169

Recoveries

$

1,384

$

1,418

$

1,230

$

2,802

$

2,624

Net charge-offs/(recoveries)

$

2,700

$

1,527

$

1,698

$

4,227

$

3,545

Non-GAAP Reconciliations

Three Months Ended June 30, 

  ​ ​ ​

2026

  ​ ​ ​

2025

($in thousands, except EPS)

Income before Income Taxes

$

28,039

$

22,826

Provision for credit losses

 

1,300

 

1,950

Provision for unfunded commitments

 

 

100

Pre-tax, Pre-provision Income

$

29,339

$

24,876

Non-GAAP Reconciliations

Six Months Ended June 30, 

  ​ ​ ​

2026

  ​ ​ ​

2025

($ in thousands, except EPS)

Income before Income Taxes

$

52,760

$

46,603

Provision for credit losses

3,850

3,900

Provision for unfunded commitments

100

Pre-tax, Pre-provision Income

$

56,610

$

50,603


CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

  ​ ​ ​

June 30, 

  ​ ​ ​

December 31, 

2026

2025

 

(unaudited)

ASSETS

Cash and due from banks

$

96,633

$

130,369

Federal funds sold

 

 

475

Securities available-for-sale

 

1,168,202

 

1,149,526

Loans:

 

 

Commercial

 

2,424,325

 

2,375,344

Residential

 

1,316,108

 

986,955

Consumer

 

721,551

 

688,135

 

4,461,984

 

4,050,434

(Less) plus:

 

  ​

 

  ​

Net deferred loan costs

 

5,913

 

4,869

Allowance for credit losses

 

(50,938)

 

(47,995)

 

4,416,959

 

4,007,308

Restricted stock

 

23,475

 

18,536

Accrued interest receivable

 

28,320

 

27,762

Premises and equipment, net

 

88,313

 

78,582

Bank-owned life insurance

 

137,146

 

131,286

Goodwill

 

98,229

 

98,229

Other intangible assets

 

18,869

 

16,234

Other real estate owned

 

1,039

 

94

Other assets

 

101,124

 

97,725

TOTAL ASSETS

$

6,178,309

$

5,756,126

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

  ​

 

  ​

Deposits:

 

  ​

 

  ​

Non-interest-bearing

$

998,972

$

916,473

Interest-bearing:

 

 

Certificates of deposit exceeding the FDIC insurance limits

 

182,378

 

135,605

Other interest-bearing deposits

 

3,652,049

 

3,499,033

 

4,833,399

 

4,551,111

Short-term borrowings

 

310,091

 

292,468

FHLB advances

 

291,461

 

188,208

Other liabilities

 

67,573

 

73,470

TOTAL LIABILITIES

 

5,502,524

 

5,105,257

Shareholders’ equity

 

  ​

 

  ​

Common stock, $.125 stated value per share;

 

  ​

 

  ​

Authorized shares-40,000,000

 

  ​

 

  ​

Issued shares-16,206,804 in 2026 and 16,190,157 in 2025

 

  ​

 

  ​

Outstanding shares-11,891,896 in 2026 and 11,880,759 in 2025

 

2,022

 

2,021

Additional paid-in capital

 

147,844

 

147,442

Retained earnings

 

771,022

 

741,793

Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)

 

(91,065)

 

(86,681)

Less: Treasury shares at cost-4,314,908 in 2026 and 4,309,398 in 2025

 

(154,038)

 

(153,706)

TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

675,785

 

650,869

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

$

6,178,309

$

5,756,126


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30, 

June 30, 

  ​ ​ ​

2026

  ​ ​ ​

2025

  ​ ​ ​

2026

  ​ ​ ​

2025

 

(unaudited)

INTEREST INCOME:

Loans, including related fees

$

73,986

$

64,775

$

141,507

$

128,387

Securities:

 

 

 

 

  ​

Taxable

 

6,354

 

5,915

 

12,890

 

11,917

Tax-exempt

 

3,014

 

2,622

 

5,878

 

5,226

Other

 

865

 

865

 

1,890

 

1,679

TOTAL INTEREST INCOME

 

84,219

 

74,177

 

162,165

 

147,209

INTEREST EXPENSE:

 

  ​

 

  ​

 

  ​

 

  ​

Deposits

 

17,750

 

18,495

 

34,379

 

36,694

Short-term borrowings

 

2,620

 

1,398

 

4,972

 

3,091

Other borrowings

 

2,627

 

1,613

 

4,659

 

2,778

TOTAL INTEREST EXPENSE

 

22,997

 

21,506

 

44,010

 

42,563

NET INTEREST INCOME

 

61,222

 

52,671

 

118,155

 

104,646

Provision for credit losses

 

1,300

 

1,950

 

3,850

 

3,900

NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION

 

  ​

 

  ​

 

  ​

 

  ​

FOR LOAN LOSSES

 

59,922

 

50,721

 

114,305

 

100,746

NON-INTEREST INCOME:

 

  ​

 

  ​

 

 

  ​

Trust and financial services

 

1,503

 

1,490

 

2,994

 

2,883

Service charges and fees on deposit accounts

 

8,217

 

7,554

 

15,599

 

15,139

Other service charges and fees

 

345

 

256

 

719

 

572

Securities gains/(losses), net

 

(109)

 

(3)

 

(109)

 

(3)

Interchange income

 

214

 

180

 

400

 

394

Loan servicing fees

 

333

 

326

 

659

 

492

Gain on sales of mortgage loans

 

493

 

430

 

787

 

655

Bargain purchase gain (reversal)

(683)

33

Other

 

333

 

148

 

781

 

760

TOTAL NON-INTEREST INCOME

 

10,646

 

10,381

 

21,863

 

20,892

NON-INTEREST EXPENSE:

 

  ​

 

  ​

 

  ​

 

  ​

Salaries and employee benefits

 

21,272

 

19,689

 

42,633

 

38,937

Occupancy expense

 

2,714

 

2,472

 

5,672

 

5,148

Equipment expense

 

5,297

 

4,587

 

10,637

 

9,092

FDIC Expense

 

690

 

795

 

1,380

 

1,545

Other

 

12,556

 

10,733

 

23,086

 

20,313

TOTAL NON-INTEREST EXPENSE

 

42,529

 

38,276

 

83,408

 

75,035

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

 

28,039

 

22,826

 

52,760

 

46,603

Provision for income taxes

 

5,296

 

4,240

 

10,213

 

9,611

NET INCOME

 

22,743

 

18,586

 

42,547

 

36,992

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

 

  ​

 

  ​

 

  ​

 

  ​

Change in unrealized gains/(losses) on securities, net of reclassifications and taxes

 

4,132

 

2,946

 

(4,542)

 

14,046

Change in funded status of post retirement benefits, net of taxes

 

79

 

2

 

158

 

5

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

$

26,954

$

21,534

$

38,163

$

51,043

PER SHARE DATA

 

  ​

 

  ​

 

  ​

 

  ​

Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share

$

1.91

$

1.57

$

3.58

$

3.12

Weighted average number of shares outstanding (in thousands)

 

11,892

 

11,851

 

11,888

 

11,847