FIRST COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL CORP /PA/ - Quarter Report: 2008 September (Form 10-Q)

Form 10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

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

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2008

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

For the transition period from to

Commission File Number 001-11138

First Commonwealth Financial Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Pennsylvania		25-1428528
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

22 North Sixth Street, Indiana, PA		15701
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

724-349-7220

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

N/A

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Indicate by a check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer x Accelerated filer ¨ Smaller reporting company ¨ Non-accelerated filer ¨

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.): Yes ¨ No x.

The number of shares outstanding of issuer’s common stock, $1.00 Par Value as of October 28, 2008 was 73,525,687.

FIRST COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

FORM 10-Q

INDEX


		PAGE
	PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.	FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

	Included in Part I of this report:

	Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition	3
	Consolidated Statements of Income	4
	Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity	5
	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	7
	Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	8

ITEM 2.	MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS	17

ITEM 3.	QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK	36

ITEM 4.	CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES	36

	PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.	LEGAL PROCEEDINGS	37

ITEM 1A.	RISK FACTORS	37

ITEM 2.	UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS	37

ITEM 4.	SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS	37

ITEM 6.	EXHIBITS	37

	Signatures	38

FIRST COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION


	September 30, 2008			December 31, 2007
	(dollars in thousands, except share data)
Assets
Cash and due from banks	$	93,327		$	100,791
Interest-bearing bank deposits		267			1,719
Securities available for sale, at fair value		1,402,528			1,574,217
Securities held to maturity, at amortized cost, (Fair value $55,775 in 2008 and $72,928 in 2007)		56,839			71,497
Loans:
Loans, net of unearned income		4,184,600			3,697,819
Allowance for credit losses		(45,482	)		(42,396	)

Net loans		4,139,118			3,655,423

Premises and equipment, net		71,141			69,487
Other real estate owned		3,718			2,172
Goodwill		159,956			159,956
Amortizing intangibles, net		10,976			13,441
Other assets		265,920			234,915

Total assets	$	6,203,790		$	5,883,618

Liabilities
Deposits (all domestic):
Noninterest-bearing	$	564,443		$	523,203
Interest-bearing		3,696,687			3,824,016

Total deposits		4,261,130			4,347,219
Short-term borrowings		875,424			354,201
Other liabilities		43,385			65,464

Subordinated debentures		105,750			105,750
Other long-term debt		386,288			442,196

Total long-term debt		492,038			547,946

Total liabilities		5,671,977			5,314,830

Shareholders’ Equity
Preferred stock, $1 par value per share, 3,000,000 shares authorized, none issued		-0-			-0-
Common stock, $1 par value per share, 200,000,000 shares authorized; 75,100,431 shares issued and 73,509,724 shares outstanding at September 30, 2008; 100,000,000 shares authorized, 75,100,431 shares issued and 73,128,612 shares outstanding at December 31, 2007		75,100			75,100
Additional paid-in capital		205,953			206,889
Retained earnings		315,404			319,246
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net		(38,133	)		(147	)
Treasury stock (1,590,707 and 1,971,819 shares at September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively, at cost)		(18,411	)		(22,700	)
Unearned ESOP shares		(8,100	)		(9,600	)

Total shareholders’ equity		531,813			568,788

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	6,203,790		$	5,883,618

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

FIRST COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME


	For the Quarter Ended September 30,					For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2008			2007		2008			2007
	(dollars in thousands, except share data)
Interest Income
Interest and fees on loans	$	62,285		$	63,737	$	186,966		$	190,463
Interest and dividends on investments:
Taxable interest		15,013			14,259		46,122			45,293
Interest exempt from Federal income taxes		3,176			3,424		10,118			10,222
Dividends		663			753		1,950			2,206
Interest on Federal funds sold		-0-			57		2			83
Interest on bank deposits		2			8		9			29

Total interest income		81,139			82,238		245,167			248,296

Interest Expense
Interest on deposits		23,069			33,786		79,472			98,243
Interest on short-term borrowings		4,634			1,977		12,590			9,623

Interest on subordinated debentures		1,870			2,130		5,659			6,370
Interest on other long-term debt		3,639			4,211		11,504			12,836

Total interest on long-term debt		5,509			6,341		17,163			19,206

Total interest expense		33,212			42,104		109,225			127,072

Net Interest Income		47,927			40,134		135,942			121,224
Provision for credit losses		3,913			2,296		12,453			7,690

Net Interest Income after Provision for Credit Losses		44,014			37,838		123,489			113,534

Non-Interest Income
Net securities (losses) gains		(7,709	)		16		(7,659	)		771
Trust income		1,444			1,517		4,514			4,453
Service charges on deposit accounts		4,792			4,609		14,003			13,291
Insurance commissions		1,390			1,064		4,061			2,651
Income from bank owned life insurance		1,435			1,534		4,368			4,544
Card related interchange income		1,950			1,654		5,653			4,773
Letter of credit fees		982			149		1,549			260
Other income		1,990			1,670		6,330			5,297

Total non-interest income		6,274			12,213		32,819			36,040

Non-Interest Expense
Salaries and employee benefits		21,091			18,401		61,849			57,273
Net occupancy expense		3,613			3,475		11,248			10,226
Furniture and equipment expense		2,995			3,243		9,131			8,874
Advertising expense		550			475		1,579			1,910
Data processing expense		1,075			942		3,122			2,821
Pennsylvania shares tax expense		1,342			1,439		3,952			4,323
Intangible amortization		802			857		2,465			2,597
Other expenses		7,529			7,648		23,392			23,108

Total non-interest expense		38,997			36,480		116,738			111,132

Income before income taxes		11,291			13,571		39,570			38,442
Provision for income taxes		1,127			1,352		5,372			3,840

Net Income	$	10,164		$	12,219	$	34,198		$	34,602

Average Shares Outstanding		72,715,709			72,589,329		72,597,977			72,959,307
Average Shares Outstanding Assuming Dilution		72,817,216			72,705,753		72,704,279			73,128,040
Per Share Data:
Basic Earnings per Share	$	0.14		$	0.17	$	0.47		$	0.47
Diluted Earnings per Share	$	0.14		$	0.17	$	0.47		$	0.47
Cash Dividends Declared per Common Share	$	0.17		$	0.17	$	0.51		$	0.51

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

FIRST COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(dollars in thousands)


	Common Stock		Additional Paid-in Capital			Retained Earnings			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), net			Treasury Stock			Unearned ESOP Shares			Total Shareholders’ Equity
Balance at December 31, 2007	$	75,100	$	206,889		$	319,246		$	(147	)	$	(22,700	)	$	(9,600	)	$	568,788
Cumulative effect from adoption of EITF Issue No. 06-4 (net of tax)		-0-		-0-			(984	)		-0-			-0-			-0-			(984	)

Balance at January 1, 2008		75,100		206,889			318,262			(147	)		(22,700	)		(9,600	)		567,804
Comprehensive income
Net income		-0-		-0-			34,198			-0-			-0-			-0-			34,198
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Unrealized holding losses on securities arising during the period		-0-		-0-			-0-			(43,005	)		-0-			-0-			(43,005	)
Less: reclassification adjustment for losses on securities included in net income		-0-		-0-			-0-			5,019			-0-			-0-			5,019

Total other comprehensive loss																			(37,986	)

Total comprehensive income																			(3,788	)
Cash dividends declared		-0-		-0-			(37,056	)		-0-			-0-			-0-			(37,056	)
Net decrease in unearned ESOP shares		-0-		-0-			-0-			-0-			-0-			1,500			1,500
Discount on dividend reinvestment plan purchases		-0-		(688	)		-0-			-0-			-0-			-0-			(688	)
Tax benefit of stock options exercised		-0-		25			-0-			-0-			-0-			-0-			25
Treasury stock reissued		-0-		(280	)		-0-			-0-			4,175			-0-			3,895
Restricted stock		-0-		7			-0-			-0-			114			-0-			121

Balance at September 30, 2008	$	75,100	$	205,953		$	315,404		$	(38,133	)	$	(18,411	)	$	(8,100	)	$	531,813

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

FIRST COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(dollars in thousands)


	Common Stock		Additional Paid-in Capital			Retained Earnings			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), net			Treasury Stock			Unearned ESOP Shares			Total Shareholders’ Equity
Balance at December 31, 2006	$	75,100	$	208,313		$	322,415		$	(7,914	)	$	(14,953	)	$	(11,600	)	$	571,361
Comprehensive income
Net income		-0-		-0-			34,602			-0-			-0-			-0-			34,602
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Unrealized holding gains on securities arising during the period		-0-		-0-			-0-			1,587			-0-			-0-			1,587
Less: reclassification adjustment for gains on securities included in net income		-0-		-0-			-0-			(489	)		-0-			-0-			(489	)
Reclassification adjustment for losses realized in net income as a result of terminated cash flow hedges		-0-		-0-			-0-			80			-0-			-0-			80

Total other comprehensive income																			1,178

Total comprehensive income																			35,780
Cash dividends declared		-0-		-0-			(37,545	)		-0-			-0-			-0-			(37,545	)
Net decrease in unearned ESOP shares		-0-		-0-			-0-			-0-			-0-			1,500			1,500
Discount on dividend reinvestment plan purchases		-0-		(688	)		-0-			-0-			-0-			-0-			(688	)
Tax benefit of stock options exercised		-0-		28			-0-			-0-			-0-			-0-			28
Treasury stock acquired		-0-		-0-			-0-			-0-			(9,971	)		-0-			(9,971	)
Treasury stock reissued		-0-		(343	)		-0-			-0-			2,110			-0-			1,767

Balance at September 30, 2007	$	75,100	$	207,310		$	319,472		$	(6,736	)	$	(22,814	)	$	(10,100	)	$	562,232

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

FIRST COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS


	For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2008			2007
	(dollars in thousands)
Operating Activities
Net income	$	34,198		$	34,602
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Provision for credit losses		12,453			7,690
Deferred tax benefit		(3,287	)		(3,638	)
Depreciation and amortization		8,006			6,682
Net losses (gains) on sales of securities and other assets		7,123			(1,426	)
Net amortization of premiums and discounts on securities		2			587
Net amortization of premiums and discounts on long-term debt		(2,845	)		(3,552	)
Income from increase in cash surrender value of bank owned life insurance		(4,368	)		(4,544	)
Decrease in interest receivable		1,018			3,348
Decrease in interest payable		(7,062	)		(1,946	)
Increase in income taxes payable		259			2,004
Decrease in payable due to investments purchased/not settled		(15,064	)		(6,433	)
Other-net		(5,049	)		898

Net cash provided by operating activities		25,384			34,272

Investing Activities
Transactions in securities held to maturity:
Proceeds from maturities and redemptions		14,970			5,742
Transactions in securities available for sale:
Proceeds from sales		40,203			1,087
Proceeds from maturities and redemptions		320,361			342,937
Purchases		(255,288	)		(158,634	)
Proceeds from sales of other assets		6,403			5,273
Net decrease (increase) in interest-bearing deposits with banks		1,452			(75	)
Net (increase) decrease in loans		(502,526	)		112,855
Purchases of premises and equipment		(8,534	)		(7,818	)

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities		(382,959	)		301,367

Financing Activities
Repayments of other long-term debt		(87,873	)		(54,337	)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt		36,310			10,000
Discount on dividend reinvestment plan purchases		(688	)		(688	)
Dividends paid		(36,991	)		(37,687	)
Net decrease in Federal funds purchased		(33,800	)		(77,800	)
Net increase (decrease) in other short-term borrowings		555,023			(184,479	)
Net (decrease) increase in deposits		(85,790	)		8,893
Proceeds from sale of treasury stock		3,895			1,767
Purchase of treasury stock		-0-			(9,971	)
Stock option tax benefit		25			28

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		350,111			(344,274	)

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents		(7,464	)		(8,635	)
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1		100,791			95,134

Cash and cash equivalents at September 30	$	93,327		$	86,499

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

FIRST COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)

September 30, 2008

Note 1 Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of First Commonwealth Financial Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiaries (“First Commonwealth”). All material intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The accounting and reporting policies of First Commonwealth conform with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates, assumptions and judgments that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual realized amounts could differ from those estimates. In the opinion of management, the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements include all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of First Commonwealth’s financial position, results of operations, cash flows, and changes in shareholders’ equity as of and for the periods presented.

The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year or any other interim period. These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with First Commonwealth’s 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K which is available on First Commonwealth’s website at http://www.fcbanking.com. First Commonwealth’s website also provides additional information of interest to investors and clients, including other regulatory filings made to the Securities and Exchange Commission, press releases, historical stock prices, dividend declarations, corporate governance information, policies, and documents as well as information about products and services offered by First Commonwealth.

Note 2 Supplemental Comprehensive Income Disclosures

The following table identifies the related tax effects allocated to each component of other comprehensive income in the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity:


	September 30, 2008									September 30, 2007
	(dollars in thousands)
	Pre-tax Amount			Tax (Expense) Benefit			Net of Tax Amount			Pre-tax Amount			Tax (Expense) Benefit			Net of Tax Amount
Unrealized (losses) gains on securities:
Unrealized holding (losses) gains arising during the period	$	(66,161	)	$	23,156		$	(43,005	)	$	2,442		$	(855	)	$	1,587
Less: reclassification adjustment for losses (gains) realized in net income		7,721			(2,702	)		5,019			(752	)		263			(489	)
Reclassification adjustment for losses realized in net income as a result of terminated cash flow hedges		-0-			-0-			-0-			123			(43	)		80

Net unrealized (losses) gains		(58,440	)		20,454			(37,986	)		1,813			(635	)		1,178

Other comprehensive (loss) income	$	(58,440	)	$	20,454		$	(37,986	)	$	1,813		$	(635	)	$	1,178

FIRST COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)

September 30, 2008

Note 3 Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures


	For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2008			2007
	(dollars in thousands)
Cash paid for:
Interest	$	113,133		$	124,041
Income taxes	$	8,600		$	4,450
Noncash investing and financing activities:
ESOP loan reductions	$	1,500		$	1,500
Loans transferred to other real estate owned and repossessed assets	$	6,921		$	4,502
Gross (decrease) increase in market value adjustment to securities available for sale	$	(58,440	)	$	1,690

Note 4 Variable Interest Entities

In December 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FIN 46(R), “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities.” As defined by FIN 46(R), a Variable Interest Entity (“VIE”) is a corporation, partnership, trust or any other legal structure used for business purposes that either (a) does not have equity investors with voting rights or (b) has equity investors that do not provide sufficient financial resources for the entity to support its activities. Under FIN 46(R), an entity that holds a variable interest in a VIE is required to consolidate the VIE if the entity is deemed to be the primary beneficiary, which generally means it is subject to a majority of the risk of loss from the VIE’s activities, is entitled to receive a majority of the entity’s residual returns, or both.

As part of its community reinvestment initiatives, First Commonwealth invests in qualified affordable housing projects as a limited partner. First Commonwealth receives Federal affordable housing tax credits and rehabilitation tax credits for these limited partnership investments. First Commonwealth’s carrying value, or its maximum potential exposure, to these partnerships is $3.0 million as of September 30, 2008, which consists of twelve limited partnership investments. Management has evaluated the limited partnerships for impairment, and does not believe there is impairment in any of the investments as of September 30, 2008. Based on FIN 46(R), First Commonwealth has determined that these investments will not be consolidated but continue to be accounted for under the equity method whereby First Commonwealth’s portion of partnership gains (losses) are recognized as incurred.

Note 5 Commitments and Letters of Credit

Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by First Commonwealth to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. The contract or notional amount of these instruments reflects the maximum amount of future payments that First Commonwealth could be required to pay under the guarantees if there were a total default by the guaranteed parties, without consideration of possible recoveries under recourse provisions or from collateral held or pledged. In addition, many of these commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon; therefore, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.

FIRST COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)

September 30, 2008

Note 5 Commitments and Letters of Credit (Continued)

The following table identifies the notional amount of those instruments at September 30, 2008 (dollars in thousands):


Commitments to extend credit	$	1,430,273
Financial standby letters of credit	$	117,348
Performance standby letters of credit	$	79,588
Commercial letters of credit	$	20

The current notional amounts outstanding above include financial standby letters of credit of $70.8 million, performance standby letters of credit of $5.4 million, and commercial letters of credit of $20 thousand issued during the first nine months of 2008. A liability of $653 thousand has been recorded which represents the fair value of letters of credit issued in 2007 and 2008.

Note 6 Income Taxes

At January 1, 2008 and September 30, 2008, First Commonwealth had no material unrecognized tax benefits or accrued interest and penalties. First Commonwealth will record interest and penalties as a component of non-interest expense. Federal and state tax years 2005 through 2007 were open for examination as of January 1, 2008.

Note 7 Fair Values of Assets and Liabilities

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 159 (“SFAS 159”), “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115” and Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157 (“SFAS 157”), “Fair Value Measurements” became effective January 1, 2008. SFAS 159 permits entities to irrevocably elect to measure select financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. The unrealized gains and losses are required to be included in earnings each reporting period for the items that fair value measurement is elected. First Commonwealth elected not to measure any existing financial instruments at fair value under SFAS 159 at this time; however, in the future we may elect to adopt SFAS 159 for select financial instruments.

SFAS 157 defines fair value and the methods used for measuring fair value as well as requiring additional disclosures; however, it does not expand the use of fair value measurements. FASB Staff Position FAS 157-2 “Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157” delays the effective date of SFAS No. 157 for nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, except for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). First Commonwealth has elected to apply this deferral to all nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities that are measured on a nonrecurring basis. All nonfinancial assets are included in the “Other assets” category of the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. FASB also issued Staff Position FAS 157-3 “Determining the Fair Value of a Financial Asset When the Market for that Asset is not Active” in October 2008, which clarified the application of FAS 157 in a market that is not active.

In accordance with SFAS 157, First Commonwealth groups financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value in three levels, based on the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value. These levels are:

•

Level 1 – Valuations for assets and liabilities traded in active exchange markets, such as the New York Stock Exchange. Valuations are obtained from readily available pricing sources for market transactions involving identical assets or liabilities.

FIRST COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)

September 30, 2008

Note 7 Fair Values of Assets and Liabilities (Continued)

•

Level 2 – Valuations for assets and liabilities traded in less active dealer or broker markets. Valuations are obtained for identical or comparable assets or liabilities from alternative pricing sources with reasonable levels of price transparency.

•

Level 3 – Valuations for assets and liabilities that are derived from other valuation methodologies, including option pricing models, discounted cash flow models and similar techniques, and not based on market exchange, dealer, or broker traded transactions. If the inputs used to provide the evaluation are unobservable and/or there is very little, if any, market activity for the security or similar securities, the securities would be considered Level 3 securities. Level 3 valuations incorporate certain assumptions and projections in determining the fair value assigned to such assets or liabilities.

If the securities could not be priced using quoted market prices, observable market activity or comparable trades, the financial market was considered not active and the assets were classified as Level 3. The assets included in Level 3 are primarily trust preferred collateralized debt obligations. The trust preferred market has been severely impacted by the lack of liquidity in the credit markets and concern over the banking industry.

Fair values for single issue trust preferred securities were obtained from pricing sources with reasonable pricing transparency, taking into account other unobservable inputs related to the risks for each issuer. These valuations were classified as Level 3 due to the inactivity in the markets.

The pooled trust preferred collateralized debt obligations owned are collateralized by the trust preferred securities of individual banks and bank holding companies in the U.S. There has been little or no active trading in these securities for approximately 6 months; therefore it was more appropriate to determine fair value using a discounted cash flow analysis. To determine the appropriate discount rate and cash flows, a review was completed for each of the 376 issuer’s profitability, credit quality, operating efficiency, capital adequacy, leverage and liquidity position. These factors provided an assessment of the probability of default for each underlying piece of collateral for each year until maturity. Default rates for performing collateral ranged from 0.25% to 40.0%. A probability of default of 100% was used for collateral that was in deferral or default. In previous periods, a default rate of 1.2% was used for performing collateral, based on the historic performance for this type of investment. The change in probability of default for the two periods is a result of using default probabilities for each underlying piece of collateral instead of determining default on the entire tranche. Determining the appropriate discount rate for the discounted cash flow analysis combined current and observable market spreads for comparable structured credit products with specific risks identified within each issue. The observable market spreads incorporated both credit and liquidity premiums.

FIRST COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)

September 30, 2008

Note 7 Fair Values of Assets and Liabilities (Continued)

The table below presents the balances of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2008:


	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total Fair Value
	(dollars in thousands)
Securities Available for Sale	$	7,879	$	1,317,639	$	77,010	$	1,402,528
Other Assets		-0-		4,469		-0-		4,469

Total Assets	$	7,879	$	1,322,108	$	77,010	$	1,406,997

Other Liabilities	$	-0-	$	4,469	$	-0-	$	4,469

Total Liabilities	$	-0-	$	4,469	$	-0-	$	4,469

The Other Assets and Other Liabilities totals represent the fair value of interest rate derivatives, which are described in Note 9 “Derivative Instruments.”

The changes in Level 3 assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized as follows at September 30, 2008:


	For the Three Months Ended			For the Nine Months Ended
	(dollars in thousands)
Securities Available for Sale
Balance, beginning	$	97,272		$	2,604
Realized and unrealized gains (losses) included in earnings		(7,673	)		(7,736	)
Unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income		(19,680	)		(19,755	)
Purchases, settlements, pay downs, and maturities		-0-			(506	)
Transfers from Level 3 to Level 2		(3,629	)		(3,629	)
Transfers into Level 3		10,720			106,032

Balance, September 30, 2008	$	77,010		$	77,010

Losses of $7.7 million included in earnings for the period are attributable to the change in realized losses relating to assets held at September 30, 2008 and are reported in securities (losses) gains in the non-interest income section of the Consolidated Statements of Income.

The securities transferred from Level 3 to Level 2 were municipal securities. The securities are classified as Level 2 because the market for municipal securities became more active in the third quarter, which allowed pricing of the securities using actual trades on comparable securities.

Securities totaling $10.7 million transferred to Level 3 during the third quarter of 2008, which included $10.2 million of trust preferred securities and a $500 thousand Corporate security. The primary reason for the transfer into Level 3 was due to the inactivity in the market that resulted in a lack of observable market activity or comparable trades that could be used to establish a benchmark for valuation.

FIRST COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)

September 30, 2008

Note 7 Fair Values of Assets and Liabilities (Continued)

The table below presents the balances of assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis at September 30, 2008:


	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total Fair Value
	(dollars in thousands)
Impaired loans	$	-0-	$	-0-	$	37,905	$	37,905

Total Assets	$	-0-	$	-0-	$	37,905	$	37,905

Impaired loans over $100,000 are individually reviewed to determine the amount of each loan considered to be at risk of noncollection. The impaired loans are collateral based and the fair value is determined by reviewing real property appraisals, equipment valuations, accounts receivable and payable listings and other financial information.

Note 8 Other-Than-Temporary Impairment of Investments

The following table presents the gross unrealized losses and fair values at September 30, 2008 for both available for sale and held to maturity securities by investment category and the time frame for which the loss has been outstanding (dollars in thousands):


	Less Than 12 Months					12 Months or More					Total
Description of Securities	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
U.S. Government Corporations and Agencies	$	-0-	$	-0-		$	-0-	$	-0-		$	-0-	$	-0-
U.S. Government Agency CMO and MBS		379,326		(3,527	)		143,062		(3,023	)		522,388		(6,550	)
Corporate Securities		44,124		(23,805	)		24,428		(23,527	)		68,552		(47,332	)
Municipal Securities		153,125		(12,931	)		727		(144	)		153,852		(13,075	)
Other Mortgage Backed Securities		-0-		-0-			-0-		-0-			-0-		-0-

Total Debt Securities		576,575		(40,263	)		168,217		(26,694	)		744,792		(66,957	)
Equities		5,159		(1,437	)		118		(38	)		5,277		(1,475	)

Total Securities	$	581,734	$	(41,700	)	$	168,335	$	(26,732	)	$	750,069	$	(68,432	)

In the third quarter of 2008, a $7.7 million other-than-temporary impairment charge was recorded on a $13.0 million investment in one of the trust preferred collateralized debt obligation issues. This pool includes 20 issuers, one of which is in default and two that are on interest deferral, and it is expected that the pool will experience a principal shortfall at maturity. First Commonwealth reviews the investment portfolio on a quarterly basis for indications of impairment. This review includes analyzing the length of time and the extent to which the market value has been less than cost, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, including any specific events which may influence the operations of the issuer and the intent and ability to hold its investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in the market. There is a risk that this quarterly review could result in First Commonwealth recording other-than-temporary impairment charges in the future. As of September 30, 2008, our investment portfolio included 294 securities with a total unrealized loss of $68.4 million, which were partially offset by 463 securities with an unrealized gain of $8.8 million, for a net

FIRST COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)

September 30, 2008

Note 8 Other-Than-Temporary Impairment of Investments (Continued)

unrealized loss of $59.6 million. Management does not believe any individual unrealized loss as of September 30, 2008 represents an other-than-temporary impairment and has both the intent and ability to hold the securities represented in the table for the time necessary to collect the contractual principal and interest of the debt securities.

Corporate securities, which include trust preferred securities, had a total unrealized loss of $47.3 million as of September 30, 2008, or 69.2% of the total $68.4 million unrealized losses. First Commonwealth’s portfolio of trust preferred collateralized debt obligations and subordinated notes consists of 14 pooled issues and 21 single issue securities. The single issues are primarily from money center and large regional banks. The pooled instruments consist of securities issued by 376 banks and other financial institutions and are generally secured by over-collateralized or default protection provided by subordinated tranches. Two of our pooled securities are senior tranches and the remainder are mezzanine tranches. At the time of initial issue, the subordinated tranches ranged in size from approximately 7.3% to 35.4% of the total principal amount of the respective securities and each pooled security held 5% or less of any single institution.

As of September 30, 2008, our single issue securities had a book value of $24.0 million and an estimated fair value of $19.1 million, while the book value of the pooled securities totaled $98.7 million with an estimated fair value of $56.3 million. Based upon the analysis performed by management as of September 30, 2008, all of the single issues and the remainder of the pooled issues are expected to return 100% of their principal and interest.

Corporate securities, including single issue and pooled trust preferred collateralized debt obligations have a book value of $122.7 million and an average life of 23.7 years. Maturities for these investments range from May 2017 to May 2068 and occur as follows: $1.2 million mature over 8 years but less than 15 years; $19.5 million mature over 15 but less than 20 years; $57.1 million mature over 20 but less than 25 years and $44.1 million mature over 25 but less than 30 years. In addition, $750 thousand of these investments mature in 59 years.

Note 9 Derivative Instruments

First Commonwealth has interest rate derivatives that are not designated as hedging instruments. The derivatives relate to interest rate swaps that First Commonwealth enters into with customers to allow customers to convert variable rate loans to a fixed rate. First Commonwealth pays interest to the customer at a floating rate on the notional amount and receives interest from the customer at a fixed rate for the same notional amount. At the same time the interest rate swap is entered into with the customer, an offsetting interest rate swap is entered into with another financial institution. First Commonwealth pays the other financial institution interest at the same fixed rate on the same notional amount as the swap entered into with the customer, and receives interest from the financial institution for the same floating rate on the same notional amount. The valuation of the swaps considers the current credit risk of the counterparties and did not have a material impact on the market value of the swaps.

Note 10 Subsequent Events

On October 14, 2008, the United States Treasury Department announced a voluntary Capital Purchase Program whereby the Treasury will purchase senior preferred shares from qualifying United States controlled banks, savings associations, and certain bank and savings and loan holding companies. Each participating institution may sell an amount of senior preferred shares ranging from 1.0% to 3.0% of its total risk-weighted assets. The preferred shares are generally nonvoting, pay a cumulative dividend rate of 5.0% per year for the first five years and will reset to a rate of 9.0% per year after year five, and are callable at par after three years or sooner with the

FIRST COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)

September 30, 2008

Note 10 Subsequent Events (Continued)

proceeds of a qualifying offering of Tier 1 common or preferred stock. The Treasury will receive warrants from each participating institution to common stock with an aggregate market price equal to 15.0% of the senior preferred investment and an exercise price equal to the market price of the institution’s common stock at the time of issuance. Participating institutions must agree to certain limitations on executive compensation, share repurchases and dividend payments. The deadline for submitting an application to participate in the Capital Purchase Program is November 14, 2008. We are analyzing the benefits and costs of the Capital Purchase Program and have not yet determined whether or to what extent we will participate.

On October 30, 2008, First Commonwealth Financial Corporation entered into an underwriting agreement with Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc., as representative for the underwriters, for gross proceeds of $100 million, exclusive of any underwriter over-allotment option. The net proceeds of the offering after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses are expected to be approximately $94.6 million. The underwriters have been granted an option to purchase up to an additional 15% of the shares sold to cover over-allotments, if any. First Commonwealth expects to close the transaction, subject to customary conditions, on or about November 5, 2008. First Commonwealth expects to use the net proceeds of the offering to support the continued growth and capital needs of First Commonwealth Bank and for general corporate purposes.

Note 11 New Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2008, FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161 (“SFAS 161”) “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities- an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133.” Effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008, SFAS 161 amends and expands the disclosure requirements of Statement No. 133 by requiring enhanced disclosures for how and why an entity uses derivative instruments; how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under Statement No. 133 and its related interpretations; and how derivative instruments and related items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows. SFAS 161 only relates to disclosures and therefore will not have an impact on First Commonwealth’s financial condition or results of operations.

In December 2007, the FASB also issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141(revised) (“SFAS 141(R)”) “Business Combinations,” which will apply to any business combination entered into with an acquisition date that is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008. Under SFAS 141(R), an acquiring entity will be required to recognize all the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a transaction at fair value on the date of acquisition with limited exceptions. SFAS 141(R) also changes the accounting and disclosures for certain items related to business combinations to more accurately reflect the cost of the acquisition. The adoption of SFAS 141(R) will have an impact on accounting for business combinations once adopted, but the effect is dependent upon acquisitions at that time.

In February 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 159 (“SFAS 159”) “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities–Including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115.” Effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, SFAS 159 permits entities to irrevocably elect to measure select financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. The unrealized gains and losses are required to be included in earnings each reporting period for the items that fair value measurement is elected. SFAS 159 currently did not have an impact on First Commonwealth’s financial condition or results of operations because management elected not to measure any existing financial instruments at fair value per SFAS 159 at this time; however, in the future we may elect to adopt SFAS 159 for select financial instruments.

FIRST COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)

September 30, 2008

Note 11 New Accounting Pronouncements (Continued)

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157 (“SFAS 157”) “Fair Value Measurements.” Prior to SFAS 157 there were different definitions for fair value in the various accounting pronouncements that required fair value measurement, and there was limited guidance for applying the definitions, which created inconsistencies. Effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, SFAS 157 defines fair value and the methods used for measuring fair value as well as requiring additional disclosures; however, it does not expand the use of fair value measurements. FASB issued Staff Position FAS 157-2 “Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157” in February 2008, which delays the effective date of SFAS 157 to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008 for nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities that are not recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). First Commonwealth has elected to apply this deferral to all nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities that are measured on a nonrecurring basis. FASB also issued Staff Position FAS 157-3 “Determining the Fair Value of a Financial Asset When the Market for that Asset is not Active” in October 2008, which clarifies the application of FAS 157 in a market that is not active. The initial implementation of SFAS 157 for financial instruments did not have a material impact on First Commonwealth’s financial condition or results of operations. The third quarter of 2008 financial results were impacted by the fair value measurement for one trust preferred collateralized debt obligation that resulted in the recognition of an other-than-temporary impairment charge. Refer to Note 8 “Other-Than-Temporary Impairment of Investments” for further discussion.

In September 2006, the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force issued EITF 06-4 “Accounting for Deferred Compensation and Postretirement Benefit Aspects of Endorsement Split-Dollar Life Insurance Arrangements.” EITF 06-4 is limited to the recognition of a liability and related compensation costs for endorsement split-dollar life insurance arrangements that provide a benefit to an employee that extends to postretirement periods. Therefore, EITF 06-4 would not apply to a split-dollar life insurance arrangement that provides a specified benefit to an employee that is limited to the employee’s active service period with an employer. EITF 06-4 was effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2007, and the adoption did not have a material impact on First Commonwealth’s financial condition or results of operations.

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 158 (“SFAS 158”) “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans–an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132R.” This Statement requires an employer to measure the funded status of a plan as of the date of its year-end statement of financial position, with limited exceptions, effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2008. The implementation is not expected to have a material impact on First Commonwealth’s financial condition or results of operations.

In June 2006, the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force issued EITF 06-11 “Accounting for Income Tax Benefits of Dividends on Share-Based Payment Awards.” EITF 06-11 requires that tax benefits received for dividends related to share-based payments that are charged to retained earnings be recognized as an increase to additional paid-in capital and be included in the pool of excess tax benefits available to absorb tax deficiencies on share-based payment awards. EITF 06-11 was effective for dividends declared in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2007, and the implementation did not have a material impact on First Commonwealth’s financial condition or results of operations.

FIRST COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

This discussion and the related financial data are presented to assist in the understanding and evaluation of the consolidated financial condition and the results of operations of First Commonwealth Financial Corporation including its subsidiaries (“First Commonwealth”) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, and should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included in this Form 10-Q.

Forward-Looking Statements

This report may contain forward-looking statements that describe our future plans, strategies and expectations. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They often include words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “estimate” or words of similar meaning, or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could” or “may.” All forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control and which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results, performance or achievements contemplated by the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things:

•

Competitive pressures among depository and other financial institutions nationally and in our market areas may increase significantly.

•

Further declines in the market value of investment securities that are considered to be other-than-temporary would negatively impact our earnings and regulatory capital levels.

•

Increases in defaults by borrowers and other delinquencies could result in increases in our provision for credit losses and related expenses.

•

Our inability to manage growth effectively, including the successful expansion of our customer support, administrative infrastructure and internal management systems, could adversely affect our results of operations and prospects.

•

Fluctuations in interest rates and market prices could reduce our net interest margin and asset valuations and increase our expenses.

•

The consequences of continued bank acquisitions and mergers in our market areas, resulting in fewer but much larger and financially stronger competitors, could increase competition for financial services to our detriment.

•

Changes in legislative or regulatory requirements applicable to us and our subsidiaries could increase costs, limit certain operations and adversely affect results of operations.

•

Changes in tax requirements, including tax rate changes, new tax laws and revised tax law interpretations may increase our tax expense or adversely affect our customers’ businesses.

•

Other risks and uncertainties described in this report and the other reports that First Commonwealth files with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.

In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, you should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements in this report. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

FIRST COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Summary of Results

First Commonwealth has experienced positive developments during the third quarter of 2008 compared to the third quarter of 2007.

•

Total loans increased 14.3% and commercial loans increased 29.0%.

•

Net interest income increased 19.4%.

•

Net interest margin, on a tax equivalent basis, improved 22 basis points.

•

First Commonwealth Bank opened a new community banking office (McCandless Township), which was the second de novo office opened in the Pittsburgh market during 2008.

Our operating results were solid despite challenging conditions in the credit and capital markets. We experienced both loan growth and improvement in credit quality over the second quarter and we remain a well-capitalized institution with significant liquidity.

First Commonwealth is not a participant or underwriter in the sub-prime mortgage loan or collateralized debt marketplace and therefore does not have any direct exposure to risks associated with these activities. All mortgage backed securities in First Commonwealth’s investment portfolio are AAA rated and backed by U.S. Government agencies.

First Commonwealth reported third quarter 2008 net income of $10.2 million or $0.14 per diluted share compared to $12.2 million or $0.17 per diluted share in the same period last year. Third quarter results for 2008 were unfavorably impacted by other-than-temporary impairment charges of $5.6 million after tax, or $0.08 per diluted share. Third quarter 2008 return on average equity and average assets were 7.38% and 0.65%, respectively, compared to 8.59% and 0.85% for the prior year period.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2008, net income was $34.2 million, or $0.47 per diluted share, compared to the $34.6 million, or $0.47 per diluted share, reported for the same period of 2007. Year to date results for 2008 were unfavorably impacted by other-than-temporary impairment charges of $5.9 million after tax, or $0.08 per diluted share. Return on average equity and average assets for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 was 8.05% and 0.74%, respectively, compared to 8.08% and 0.80% for the first nine months of 2007.

FIRST COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

Summary of Results (Continued)

The following table illustrates the impact on diluted earnings per share of changes in certain components of net income for the three and nine months ending September 30, 2008 compared to the prior year periods:


	Three Months Ended September 30, 2008			Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008
Net income per diluted share, prior year period	$	0.17		$	0.47
Increase (decrease) from changes in:
Net interest income		0.11			0.21
Provision for credit losses		(0.02	)		(0.07	)
Security transactions (a)		(0.11	)		(0.11	)
Service charges on deposit accounts		0.00			0.01
Insurance commissions		0.00			0.02
Card related interchange income		0.01			0.01
Letter of credit fees		0.01			0.02
Other operating income		0.01			0.01
Salaries and employee benefits		(0.04	)		(0.07	)
Occupancy and equipment costs		0.00			(0.01	)
Pennsylvania shares tax expense		0.00			0.01
Other operating expenses		0.00			(0.01	)
Provision for income taxes		0.00			(0.02	)

Net income per diluted share	$	0.14		$	0.47

(a) For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 versus 2007, other-than-temporary impairment charges had a ($.12) impact on diluted earnings per share and securities gains (losses) had a $.01 impact, which netted to the ($.11) impact for security transactions.

Net Interest Income

Net interest income increased $7.8 million, or 19.4%, for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 compared to the same period in 2007 primarily due to increased levels of interest-earning assets and decreased costs on interest-bearing liabilities. Interest income decreased $1.1 million, or 1.3%, as the contribution from loan growth was negatively offset by lower interest rates. Interest expense decreased $8.9 million, or 21.1%, as a 105 basis point decline on rates paid for interest-bearing liabilities more than offset additional interest expense resulting from a $502.9 million, or 11.0%, increase in average interest-bearing liabilities.

Average interest-earning assets increased $505.7 million, or 9.8%, in the third quarter of 2008 compared to the third quarter of 2007 driven primarily by a $496.0 million, or 13.6%, increase in average loans. The higher level of interest-earning assets resulted in $8.9 million of additional interest income, but this increase was offset by a $10.0 million decline in interest income due to the lower level of interest rates in 2008 compared to 2007.

In the third quarter of 2008, average interest-bearing liabilities increased by $502.9 million when compared to the third quarter of 2007. During this period, the composition of interest-bearing liabilities shifted from higher priced time deposits and long-term debt to lower costing core deposits and short-term borrowings. In the third quarter of 2008 compared to the same period last year, average noninterest-bearing demand deposits increased $36.4

FIRST COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

Net Interest Income (Continued)

million, or 7.0%, average interest-bearing demand deposits increased $25.1 million, or 4.2%, and average savings deposits increased $68.2 million, or 6.2%. Average higher costing time deposits decreased $182.6 million or 8.6%. Average short-term borrowings and long-term debt increased $592.1 million helping to fund the strong loan growth. The higher level of interest-bearing liabilities increased interest expense by $3.9 million, but was more than offset by a $12.8 million decrease in interest expense due to the change in the mix of deposits and the lower level of interest rates in 2008.

The net interest margin on a tax equivalent basis for the three months ended September 30, 2008 increased 22 basis points to 3.58%, compared with 3.36% in the third quarter of 2007. The net interest margin is expressed as the percentage of net interest income, on a fully tax equivalent basis, to average earning assets. To compare the tax exempt asset yields to taxable yields, amounts are adjusted to the pretax equivalent amounts based on the marginal corporate Federal tax rate of 35%. The tax equivalent adjustment to net interest income was $3.2 million and $3.6 million for the third quarter of 2008 and 2007, respectively, and $9.9 million and $11.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2008, net interest income increased $14.7 million, or 12.1%, compared to the same period in 2007 primarily due to decreased costs on interest-bearing liabilities. Interest income decreased $3.1 million as a result of a 49 basis point decline in the yield on interest-earning assets. The affect of this yield decrease was largely offset by increases in average loan balances. Interest expense decreased $17.8 million, or 14.0%, as the rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities decreased 71 basis points, which was partly offset by additional interest expense related to increases in average interest-bearing liabilities.

The increase of $324.5 million in average interest-earning assets for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 compared to the corresponding period of 2007 was driven by an increase in average loans of $317.4 million. The higher level of interest-earning assets increased interest income by $17.1 million, but was more than offset by a $20.2 million decline in interest income due to the lower level of interest rates in 2008 compared to 2007.

The $307.6 million increase in average interest-bearing liabilities was mainly due to an increase of $358.3 million in average short-term borrowings and long-term debt used to fund loan growth. Interest expense decreased by $17.8 million for the nine month period ended September 30, 2008. Higher levels of interest-bearing liabilities increased interest expense by $9.3 million which was more than offset by a $27.1 million decrease in interest expense. This decrease can be attributed to both the lower level of interest rates and growth in core deposits and lower cost short-term borrowings. In our management of deposit levels and mix, we continue to evaluate the cost of time deposits compared to alternative funding sources. As a result, lower cost short-term borrowings have replaced higher cost time deposits that have matured.

The net interest margin on a tax equivalent basis increased 12 basis points for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 to 3.47% compared to 3.35% for the same period in 2007. Net loan prepayment fees of $1.6 million recorded in 2008 had a positive effect on the net interest margin of four basis points. Compared to the first nine months of 2007, the yield on interest-earning assets declined 49 basis points while the cost of our interest-bearing liabilities declined 71 basis points.

FIRST COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

Net Interest Income (Continued)

The following is an analysis of the average balance sheets and net interest income for the three months ended September 30:


	Average Balance Sheets and Net Interest Income Analysis
	2008							2007
	(dollars in thousands)
	Average Balance			Income/ Expense		Yield or Rate (a)		Average Balance			Income/ Expense		Yield or Rate (a)
Assets
Interest-earning assets:
Interest-bearing deposits with banks	$	355		$	2	1.94	%	$	526		$	8	5.62	%
Tax-free investment securities		279,792			3,176	6.95			301,648			3,424	6.93
Taxable investment securities		1,246,144			15,676	5.01			1,210,048			15,012	4.92
Federal funds sold		48			-0-	1.90			4,412			57	5.20
Loans, net of unearned income (b)(c)		4,149,186			62,285	6.11			3,653,196			63,737	7.12

Total interest-earning assets		5,675,525			81,139	5.91			5,169,830			82,238	6.59

Noninterest-earning assets:
Cash		80,393							79,514
Allowance for credit losses		(44,621	)						(44,248	)
Other assets		512,996							492,612

Total noninterest-earning assets		548,768							527,878

Total Assets	$	6,224,293						$	5,697,708

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest-bearing demand deposits (d)	$	623,686		$	1,225	0.78	%	$	598,571		$	2,705	1.79	%
Savings deposits (d)		1,165,568			4,348	1.48			1,097,321			6,459	2.34
Time deposits		1,938,709			17,496	3.59			2,121,318			24,622	4.61
Short-term borrowings		858,165			4,634	2.15			208,046			1,977	3.77
Long-term debt		495,170			5,509	4.43			553,158			6,341	4.55

Total interest-bearing liabilities		5,081,298			33,212	2.60			4,578,414			42,104	3.65

Noninterest-bearing liabilities and capital:
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits (d)		558,373							521,935
Other liabilities		36,527							32,763
Shareholders’ equity		548,095							564,596

Total noninterest-bearing funding sources		1,142,995							1,119,294

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	$	6,224,293						$	5,697,708

Net Interest Income and Net Yield on Interest-Earning Assets				$	47,927	3.58	%				$	40,134	3.36	%

(a)	Yields on interest-earning assets have been computed on a tax equivalent basis using the 35% Federal income tax statutory rate.

(b)	Income on nonaccrual loans is accounted for on the cash basis, and the loan balances are included in interest-earning assets.

(c)	Loan income includes loan fees.

(d)	Average balances do not include reallocations from noninterest-bearing demand deposits and interest-bearing demand deposits into savings deposits, which were made for regulatory purposes.

FIRST COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

Net Interest Income (Continued)

The following is an analysis of the average balance sheets and net interest income for the nine months ended September 30:


	Average Balance Sheets and Net Interest Income Analysis
	2008							2007
	(dollars in thousands)
	Average Balance			Income/ Expense		Yield or Rate (a)		Average Balance			Income/ Expense		Yield or Rate (a)
Assets
Interest-earning assets:
Interest-bearing deposits with banks	$	416		$	9	2.74	%	$	568		$	29	6.68	%
Tax-free investment securities		300,125			10,118	6.93			302,037			10,222	6.96
Taxable investment securities		1,300,267			48,072	4.94			1,289,083			47,499	4.93
Federal funds sold		125			2	2.49			2,128			83	5.23
Loans, net of unearned income (b)(c)		4,011,476			186,966	6.37			3,694,124			190,463	7.10

Total interest-earning assets		5,612,409			245,167	6.07			5,287,940			248,296	6.56

Noninterest-earning assets:
Cash		76,386							82,229
Allowance for credit losses		(43,003	)						(43,882	)
Other assets		499,632							490,087

Total noninterest-earning assets		533,015							528,434

Total Assets	$	6,145,424						$	5,816,374

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest-bearing demand deposits (d)	$	602,340		$	4,213	0.93	%	$	594,752		$	7,980	1.79	%
Savings deposits (d)		1,128,539			13,845	1.64			1,117,308			19,013	2.28
Time deposits		2,043,109			61,414	4.02			2,112,628			71,250	4.51
Short-term borrowings		709,586			12,590	2.37			302,405			9,623	4.25
Long-term debt		521,543			17,163	4.40			570,439			19,206	4.50

Total interest-bearing liabilities		5,005,117			109,225	2.91			4,697,532			127,072	3.62

Noninterest-bearing liabilities and capital:
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits (d)		536,837							514,242
Other liabilities		36,201							31,719
Shareholders’ equity		567,269							572,881

Total noninterest-bearing funding sources		1,140,307							1,118,842

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	$	6,145,424						$	5,816,374

Net Interest Income and Net Yield on Interest-Earning Assets				$	135,942	3.47	%				$	121,224	3.35	%

(a)	Yields on interest-earning assets have been computed on a tax equivalent basis using the 35% Federal income tax statutory rate.

(b)	Income on nonaccrual loans is accounted for on the cash basis, and the loan balances are included in interest-earning assets.

(c)	Loan income includes loan fees.

(d)	Average balances do not include reallocations from noninterest-bearing demand deposits and interest-bearing demand deposits into savings deposits, which were made for regulatory purposes.

FIRST COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

Net Interest Income (Continued)

The following table shows the effect of changes in volumes and rates on interest income and interest expense:


	Analysis of Changes in Net Interest Income
	(dollars in thousands)
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2008 Compared with September 30, 2007									Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008 Compared with September 30, 2007
	Total Change			Change Due to Volume			Change Due to Rate (a)			Total Change			Change Due to Volume			Change Due to Rate (a)
Interest-earning assets:
Interest-bearing deposits with banks	$	(6	)	$	(2	)	$	(4	)	$	(20	)	$	(8	)	$	(12	)
Tax-free investment securities		(248	)		(382	)		134			(104	)		(100	)		(4	)
Taxable investment securities		664			448			216			573			412			161
Federal funds sold		(57	)		(57	)		-0-			(81	)		(78	)		(3	)
Loans		(1,452	)		8,901			(10,353	)		(3,497	)		16,853			(20,350	)

Total interest income		(1,099	)		8,908			(10,007	)		(3,129	)		17,079			(20,208	)

Interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest-bearing demand deposits		(1,480	)		113			(1,593	)		(3,767	)		102			(3,869	)
Savings deposits		(2,111	)		402			(2,513	)		(5,168	)		191			(5,359	)
Time deposits		(7,126	)		(2,120	)		(5,006	)		(9,836	)		(2,345	)		(7,491	)
Short-term borrowings		2,657			6,178			(3,521	)		2,967			12,957			(9,990	)
Long-term debt		(832	)		(664	)		(168	)		(2,043	)		(1,646	)		(397	)

Total interest expense		(8,892	)		3,909			(12,801	)		(17,847	)		9,259			(27,106	)

Net interest income	$	7,793		$	4,999		$	2,794		$	14,718		$	7,820		$	6,898

(a)	Changes in interest income or expense not arising solely as a result of volume or rate variances are allocated to rate variances due to interest sensitivity of consolidated assets and liabilities.

Provision for Credit Losses

The provision for credit losses is determined based on management’s estimates of the appropriate level of allowance for credit losses needed to absorb probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio, after giving consideration to charge offs and recoveries for the period. The provision for credit losses is an amount added to the allowance against which credit losses are charged.

First Commonwealth’s provision for credit losses was $12.5 million for the first nine months of 2008, which exceeded net charge offs by $3.1 million and was $4.8 million higher than the provision for credit losses for the nine month period of 2007. The provision for credit losses for the third quarter of 2008 increased $1.6 million compared to the third quarter of 2007 and increased $1.4 million from the second quarter of this year. The increased provision was primarily due to growth in the commercial loan portfolio as well as the classification of a $5.0 million commercial construction loan as nonaccrual during the second quarter of 2008, which is collateralized with real estate.

FIRST COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

Provision for Credit Losses (Continued)

The allowance for credit losses was $45.5 million at September 30, 2008, which represents a ratio of 1.13% of average loans outstanding compared to 1.17% reported at September 30, 2007. Management believes that the allowance for credit losses is at a level deemed sufficient to absorb losses inherent in the loan portfolio at September 30, 2008.

Below is an analysis of the consolidated allowance for credit losses for the nine months ended September 30:


	2008		2007
	(dollars in thousands)
Balance, beginning of year	$	42,396	$	42,648
Loans charged off:
Commercial, financial and agricultural		2,509		1,925
Loans to individuals		3,128		2,965
Real estate-construction		68		50
Real estate-commercial		2,785		1,164
Real estate-residential		1,869		2,089
Lease financing receivables		-0-		-0-

Total loans charged off		10,359		8,193

Recoveries of loans previously charged off:
Commercial, financial and agricultural		356		383
Loans to individuals		396		500
Real estate-construction		-0-		-0-
Real estate-commercial		228		95
Real estate-residential		12		87
Lease financing receivables		-0-		-0-

Total recoveries		992		1,065

Net credit losses		9,367		7,128
Provision charged to expense		12,453		7,690

Balance, end of period	$	45,482	$	43,210

The increase in charge offs in real estate-commercial from $1.2 million as of September 30, 2007 to $2.8 million as of September 30, 2008 was primarily comprised of two loans. Collection of a nonaccrual commercial loan in the first quarter of 2008 resulted in a charge off of $978 thousand; however, the loan was provided for in 2007. Additionally, another large credit was placed in other real estate owned in the first quarter of 2008 and resulted in a charge off of $684 thousand.

FIRST COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

Non-Interest Income

The following table presents the components of non-interest income for the three and nine months ended September 30:


	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2008			2007		2008			2007
	(dollars in thousands)
Non-Interest Income
Net securities (losses) gains	$	(7,709	)	$	16	$	(7,659	)	$	771
Trust income		1,444			1,517		4,514			4,453
Service charges on deposit accounts		4,792			4,609		14,003			13,291
Insurance commissions		1,390			1,064		4,061			2,651
Income from bank owned life insurance		1,435			1,534		4,368			4,544
Card related interchange income		1,950			1,654		5,653			4,773
Letter of credit fees		982			149		1,549			260
Other income		1,990			1,670		6,330			5,297

Total non-interest income	$	6,274		$	12,213	$	32,819		$	36,040

Total non-interest income for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2008 decreased $5.9 million, or 48.6%, and $3.2 million, or 8.9%, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2007. The primary reason for the decline in non-interest income for both periods relates to net securities (losses) gains. Offsetting the decreases were increases in insurance commissions, service charges on deposit accounts, card related interchange income, letter of credit fees, and interest rate swap fee income that is included in other income.

Net securities (losses) gains for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2008 were impacted by other-than-temporary impairment charges of $7.7 million recorded on a trust preferred collateralized debt obligation security and $947 thousand on equity securities issued by two Pennsylvania based financial institutions. The third quarter impairment write-downs were partially offset by gains of $910 thousand on the sale of equity securities. The 2007 net securities gains were primarily due to trust preferred investment securities being called at a premium.

Service charges on deposit accounts increased $183 thousand, or 4.0%, for the third quarter of 2008 and $712 thousand, or 5.4%, for the first nine months of 2008 compared to the corresponding periods of 2007 primarily due to revenue generated from customer overdrafts. Increased fees from service charges on deposit accounts were also generated by the opening of three new branch offices.

Insurance commissions, including retail advisor fees, increased $326 thousand, or 30.6%, during the third quarter of 2008 and $1.4 million, or 53.2%, during the first nine months of 2008 compared to the corresponding periods in 2007. The growth in insurance commissions was the result of higher sales driven by additional producers and an enhanced calling program.

Card related interchange income increased $296 thousand, or 17.9%, for the third quarter and $880 thousand, or 18.4%, for the nine month period ended September 30, 2008 due to growth in usage of debit cards and larger dollar transactions. Part of this increase is offset by higher processing costs.

FIRST COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

Non-Interest Income (Continued)

Other income increased $320 thousand or 19.2% for the third quarter of 2008 and $1.0 million or 19.5% for the first nine months of 2008 compared to the same periods of 2007 primarily due to interest rate swap fee income and gains on the sale of other real estate owned properties.

Non-Interest Expense

The following table presents the components of non-interest expense for the three and nine months ended September 30:


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2008		2007		2008		2007
	(dollars in thousands)
Non-Interest Expense
Salaries and employee benefits	$	21,091	$	18,401	$	61,849	$	57,273
Net occupancy expense		3,613		3,475		11,248		10,226
Furniture and equipment expense		2,995		3,243		9,131		8,874
Advertising expense		550		475		1,579		1,910
Data processing expense		1,075		942		3,122		2,821
Pennsylvania shares tax expense		1,342		1,439		3,952		4,323
Intangible amortization		802		857		2,465		2,597
Other expenses		7,529		7,648		23,392		23,108

Total non-interest expense	$	38,997	$	36,480	$	116,738	$	111,132

Total non-interest expense was $39.0 million for the third quarter of 2008 and $116.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, reflecting increases of $2.5 million, or 6.9%, and $5.6 million, or 5.0%, over the corresponding periods in 2007. These increases for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 were primarily due to higher salaries and employee benefits, net occupancy expense, and furniture and equipment expense, partially offset by a decrease in advertising expense and Pennsylvania shares tax.

Salaries and employee benefits increased $2.7 million, or 14.6%, for the third quarter of 2008 and $4.6 million, or 8.0%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 compared with the same periods in 2007 primarily due to annual merit increases and the rise in incentive compensation related to the growth in loans, insurance sales and net income. Full time equivalent employees were 1,587 at the end of the third quarter of 2008 compared to 1,560 at the end of the third quarter of 2007.

Net occupancy expense increased $138 thousand, or 4.0%, for the third quarter of 2008 and $1.0 million, or 10.0%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 compared to the same periods in 2007 primarily due to branch expansion and higher building repairs and maintenance.

Furniture and equipment expense decreased $248 thousand, or 7.6%, for the third quarter of 2008 and increased $257 thousand, or 2.9%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 compared to the same periods in 2007 mainly due to technology related expenses.

Advertising expense decreased $331 thousand, or 17.3%, for the first nine months of 2008, compared to the prior year period primarily due to expenses associated with our branding efforts in 2007.

FIRST COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

Non-Interest Expense (Continued)

Data processing expense has increased $301 thousand, or 10.7%, for the nine month period comparison due to higher debit card related processing fees related to higher usage and a wider network.

Pennsylvania shares tax expense has decreased for the quarter and nine months comparison due to the allowable deduction of goodwill from the equity calculation.

Income Tax

Income tax expense decreased $225 thousand for the third quarter of 2008 and increased $1.5 million for the first nine months ended September 30, 2008 compared to the corresponding periods in 2007. First Commonwealth’s effective tax rate was 10.0% for the third quarter of 2008 and 13.6% for the first nine months of 2008 compared to 10.0% for the corresponding periods of 2007. Nontaxable income and tax credits had a smaller impact on the effective tax rate for the first nine months ended September 30, 2008 compared to 2007 due to an increase in pretax income of $1.1 million and a decrease in tax-free income and tax credits. Additionally, the effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2008 was lower due to the net securities losses of $7.7 million.

LIQUIDITY

Liquidity refers to our ability to meet the cash flow requirements of depositors and borrowers as well as our operating cash needs with cost-effective funding. We generate funds to meet these needs primarily through the core deposit base of First Commonwealth Bank and the maturity or repayment of loans and other interest-earning assets, including investments. Proceeds from the maturity and redemption of investment securities are used either for liquidity or to invest in securities of similar quality as our current investment portfolio. We also have access to external sources of liquidity, including overnight Federal funds, repurchase agreements and overnight or term borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank. We can also raise cash through the sale of earning assets, such as loans and marketable securities, or the sale of debt or equity securities in the capital markets. As indicated in Note 10 “Subsequent Events,” as of October 30, 2008 we entered into an agreement with Keefe, Bruyette &Woods, Inc. for the sale of additional common stock.

Liquidity risk arises from the possibility that we may not be able to meet our financial obligations and operating cash needs or may become overly reliant upon external funding sources. In order to manage this risk, our Board of Directors has established an Asset and Liability Management Policy that identifies primary sources of liquidity, establishes procedures for monitoring and measuring liquidity and quantifies minimum liquidity requirements based on limits approved by our Board. This policy designates our Asset/Liability Committee (ALCO) as the body responsible for meeting these objectives. The ALCO, which includes members of executive management, reviews liquidity on a periodic basis and approves significant changes in strategies that affect balance sheet or cash flow positions. Liquidity is centrally managed on a daily basis by our Treasury Department.

FIRST COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

LIQUIDITY (Continued)

First Commonwealth’s long-term liquidity source is a large core deposit base and a strong capital position. Core deposits are the most stable source of liquidity a bank can have due to the long-term relationship with a deposit customer. The level of deposits during any period is influenced by factors outside of management’s control, such as the level of short-term and long-term market interest rates and yields offered on competing investments, such as money market mutual funds. During the first nine months of 2008, total deposits decreased $86.1 million while loans increased $486.8 million, which was the primary cause of short-term borrowings increasing $521.2 million. The following table shows a breakdown of the components of First Commonwealth’s interest-bearing deposits:


	September 30, 2008		December 31, 2007
	(dollars in thousands)
Interest-bearing demand deposits	$	101,955	$	96,994
Savings deposits		1,703,804		1,547,117
Time deposits		1,890,928		2,179,905

Total interest-bearing deposits	$	3,696,687	$	3,824,016

As of September 30, 2008, noninterest-bearing deposits increased by $41.2 million and interest-bearing deposits decreased $127.3 million compared to December 31, 2007. The $156.7 million increase in savings deposits and $5.0 million increase in interest-bearing demand deposits for the first nine months of 2008 was more than offset by the $289.0 million decrease in time deposits.

The following table shows a breakdown of loans by classification as of the periods presented:


	September 30, 2008		June 30, 2008		March 31, 2008		December 31, 2007		September 30, 2007
	(dollars in thousands)
Commercial, financial, agricultural and other	$	1,148,666	$	1,115,536	$	1,052,971	$	926,904	$	901,679
Real estate-construction		338,303		307,278		241,114		207,708		143,680
Real estate-residential		1,227,225		1,235,334		1,230,928		1,237,986		1,268,313
Real estate-commercial		978,287		988,186		909,613		861,077		865,389
Loans to individuals		492,119		467,089		458,557		464,082		480,926
Leases, net of unearned income		-0-		-0-		-0-		62		136

Gross loans and leases	$	4,184,600	$	4,113,423	$	3,893,183	$	3,697,819	$	3,660,123

FIRST COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

MARKET RISK

Market risk refers to potential losses arising from changes in interest rates, foreign exchange rates, equity prices and commodity prices. Our market risk is composed primarily of interest rate risk. Interest rate risk is comprised of repricing risk, basis risk, yield curve risk and options risk. Repricing risk arises from differences in the cash flow or repricing between asset and liability portfolios. Basis risk arises when asset and liability portfolios are related to different market rate indices, which do not always change by the same amount. Yield curve risk arises when asset and liability portfolios are related to different maturities on a given yield curve; when the yield curve changes shape, the risk position is altered. Options risk arises from “embedded options” within asset and liability products as certain borrowers have the option to prepay their loans when rates fall while certain depositors can redeem their certificates early when rates rise.

The process by which we manage our interest rate risk is called asset/liability management. The goals of our asset/liability management are increasing net interest income without taking undue interest rate risk or material loss of net market value of our equity, while maintaining adequate liquidity. Net interest income is increased by widening the interest spread and increasing earning assets. Liquidity is measured by the ability to meet both depositors’ and credit customers’ requirements.

We use an asset/liability model to measure our interest rate risk. Interest rate risk measures include earnings simulation and gap analysis. Gap analysis is a static measure that does not incorporate assumptions regarding future business. Gap analysis, while a helpful diagnostic tool, displays cash flows for only a single rate environment. Net interest income simulations explicitly measure the exposure to earnings from changes in market rates of interest. Our current financial position is combined with assumptions regarding future business to calculate net interest income under various hypothetical rate scenarios. Our net interest income simulations assume a level balance sheet whereby new volumes equal run-offs. The ALCO reviews earnings simulations over multiple years under various interest rate scenarios. Reviewing these various measures provides us with a reasonably comprehensive view of our interest rate profile.

The following gap analysis compares the difference between the amount of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities subject to repricing over a period of time. The ratio of rate sensitive assets to rate sensitive liabilities repricing within a one year period was 0.64 at September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007. A ratio of less than one indicates a higher level of repricing liabilities over repricing assets over the next twelve months.

FIRST COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

MARKET RISK (Continued)

Following is the gap analysis as of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007:


	September 30, 2008
	(dollars in thousands)
	0-90 Days			91-180 Days			181-365 Days			Cumulative 0-365 Days			Over 1 Year Thru 5 Years			Over 5 Years
Loans	$	1,811,746		$	226,409		$	369,100		$	2,407,255		$	1,589,797		$	187,548
Investments		165,850			70,309			164,746			400,905			613,298			446,881
Other interest-earning assets		267			-0-			-0-			267			-0-			-0-

Total interest-sensitive assets (ISA)		1,977,863			296,718			533,846			2,808,427			2,203,095			634,429

Certificates of deposit		481,431			305,942			633,354			1,420,727			455,083			15,021
Other deposits		1,805,856			-0-			-0-			1,805,856			-0-			-0-
Borrowings		940,530			51,791			167,781			1,160,102			156,855			46,379

Total interest-sensitive liabilities (ISL)		3,227,817			357,733			801,135			4,386,685			611,938			61,400

Gap	$	(1,249,954	)	$	(61,015	)	$	(267,289	)	$	(1,578,258	)	$	1,591,157		$	573,029

ISA/ISL		0.61			0.83			0.67			0.64			3.60			10.33
Gap/Total assets		20.15	%		0.98	%		4.31	%		25.44	%		25.65	%		9.24	%


	December 31, 2007
	(dollars in thousands)
	0-90 Days			91-180 Days			181-365 Days			Cumulative 0-365 Days			Over 1 Year Thru 5 Years			Over 5 Years
Loans	$	1,389,601		$	181,132		$	371,834		$	1,942,567		$	1,540,670		$	214,582
Investments		210,972			129,592			168,023			508,587			798,857			338,382
Other interest-earning assets		1,719			-0-			-0-			1,719			-0-			-0-

Total interest-sensitive assets (ISA)		1,602,292			310,724			539,857			2,452,873			2,339,527			552,964

Certificates of deposit		660,483			538,584			484,661			1,683,728			477,219			18,854
Other deposits		1,644,215			-0-			-0-			1,644,215			-0-			-0-
Borrowings		437,500			26,665			40,169			504,334			349,759			41,083

Total interest-sensitive liabilities (ISL)		2,742,198			565,249			524,830			3,832,277			826,978			59,937

Gap	$	(1,139,906	)	$	(254,525	)	$	15,027		$	(1,379,404	)	$	1,512,549		$	493,027

ISA/ISL		0.58			0.55			1.03			0.64			2.83			9.23
Gap/Total assets		19.37	%		4.33	%		0.26	%		23.44	%		25.71	%		8.38	%

FIRST COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

MARKET RISK (Continued)

The following table presents an analysis of the potential sensitivity of our annual net interest income to immediate and parallel changes (shocks) in market rates versus if rates remained unchanged, based on September 30, 2008 information (dollars in thousands):


	+ 200			+ 100			- 100			- 200
Net interest income change (12 months):	($	479	)	($	605	)	($	257	)	($	3,040	)

The ALCO is responsible for the identification and management of interest rate risk exposure. As such, the ALCO continuously evaluates strategies to manage our exposure to interest rate fluctuations. We recognize that asset/liability models are based on methodologies that may have inherent shortcomings. Furthermore, asset/liability models require certain assumptions be made, such as prepayment rates on earning assets and pricing impact on non-maturity deposits, which may differ from actual experience. These business assumptions are based upon our experience, business plans and published industry experience. While management believes such assumptions to be reasonable, there can be no assurance that modeled results will approximate actual results.

FAIR VALUES OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157 (“SFAS 157”) “Fair Value Measurements,” fair values for investment securities were based on quoted market prices, if available, and were classified as Level 1. If quoted market prices were not available, the valuation for investments utilized pricing models that varied based on asset class and included available trade, bid and other market information. Securities priced using this information were classified as Level 2. If the securities could not be priced using quoted market prices, observable market activity or comparable trades, the financial market was considered not active and the assets were classified as Level 3. Additional information on Level 3 valuations is discussed in Note 7 “Fair Values of Assets and Liabilities.”

Pooled trust preferred collateralized debt obligations are measured by evaluating all relevant credit and structural aspects, determining appropriate performance assumptions and performing a discounted cash flow analysis. This evaluation includes detailed credit, performance and structural evaluations for each piece of collateral. Other factors in the valuation include terms of the structure, the cash flow waterfall (for both interest and principal), the over collateralization and interest coverage tests and events of default/liquidation.

The discount rate used in the analysis combines an evaluation of current and observable market yields for comparable structured credit products with an evaluation of the risks associated with the underlying cash flows. The specific risks identified in a given collateralized debt obligation’s cash flows are then evaluated and an adjustment is made to the credit spreads derived from market sources on the basis of this evaluation.

In order to test the model’s performance assumptions and default probabilities, our internal credit analysis area completes independent financial reviews for a sample of the collateral. A function independent of the area initiating the risk position is an integral part of the review and approval of the valuation adjustments.

The security prices obtained were not adjusted, and were non-binding quotes. Fair values used for investment securities are validated through periodic reviews of changes in total portfolio value, as well as key portfolio groups, compared to movements in interest rates, credit risks as well as underlying financial markets.

FIRST COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

CREDIT RISK

First Commonwealth maintains an allowance for credit losses at a level deemed sufficient to absorb losses inherent in the loan and lease portfolios. Management reviews the adequacy of the allowance on a quarterly basis to ensure that the provision for credit losses has been charged against earnings in an amount necessary to maintain the allowance at a level that is appropriate based on management’s assessment of probable estimated losses.

First Commonwealth’s methodology for assessing the appropriateness of the allowance for credit losses consists of several key elements. These elements include an assessment of individual problem loans, delinquency and loss experience trends, and other relevant factors. While allocations are made to specific loans and pools of loans, the total allowance is available for all loan losses.

Most of First Commonwealth’s business activity was with customers located within Pennsylvania. The portfolio is well diversified, and as of September 30, 2008 there were no significant concentrations of credit by industry and property type.

Real estate – construction loans have increased $131 million, or 62.9%, since December 31, 2007. The majority of the construction properties are located within Pennsylvania. Management reviews the draws on the lines, which are also reviewed by an independent engineer, and monitors the status of the projects weekly.

Nonperforming loans include nonaccrual loans and restructured loans. Nonaccrual loans represent loans on which interest accruals have been discontinued. Restructured loans are those loans whose terms have been renegotiated to provide a reduction or deferral of principal or interest as a result of the deteriorating financial position of the borrower.

We discontinue interest accruals on a loan when, based on current information and events, it is probable that we will be unable to fully collect principal or interest due according to the contractual terms of the loan. A loan is also placed in nonaccrual status when, based on regulatory definitions, the loan is maintained on a “cash basis” due to the weakened financial condition of the borrower. Past due loans are those loans which are contractually past due 90 days or more as to interest or principal payments but are well secured and in the process of collection.

Nonperforming loans are closely monitored on an ongoing basis as part of our loan review and work-out process. The potential risk of loss on these loans is evaluated by comparing the loan balance to the fair value of any underlying collateral or the present value of projected future cash flows. Losses are recognized when appropriate.

FIRST COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

CREDIT RISK (Continued)

The following table identifies amounts of loan losses and nonperforming loans:


	September 30,
	2008			2007
	(dollars in thousands)
Nonperforming Loans:
Loans on nonaccrual basis	$	49,692		$	50,161
Troubled debt restructured loans		136			150

Total nonperforming loans	$	49,828		$	50,311


Loans past due in excess of 90 days and still accruing	$	13,719		$	13,677

Other real estate owned	$	3,718		$	1,803

Loans outstanding at end of period	$	4,184,600		$	3,660,123

Average loans outstanding	$	4,011,476		$	3,694,124

Nonperforming loans as a percentage of total loans		1.19	%		1.37	%

Provision for credit losses	$	12,453		$	7,690

Allowance for credit losses	$	45,482		$	43,210

Net credit losses	$	9,367		$	7,128

Net credit losses as a percentage of average loans outstanding (annualized)		0.31	%		0.26	%

Provision for credit losses as a percentage of net credit losses		132.95	%		107.88	%

Allowance for credit losses as a percentage of average loans outstanding		1.13	%		1.17	%

Allowance for credit losses as a percentage of end-of-period loans outstanding		1.09	%		1.18	%

Allowance for credit losses as a percentage of nonperforming loans		91.28	%		85.89	%

The following table identifies impaired loans, and information regarding the relationship of impaired loans to the allowance for credit losses at September 30, 2008 and September 30, 2007:


	2008		2007
	(dollars in thousands)
Recorded investment in impaired loans at end of period	$	49,828	$	50,311
Average balance of impaired loans for the period	$	50,516	$	25,720
Allowance for credit losses related to impaired loans	$	13,328	$	12,138
Impaired loans with an allocation of the allowance for credit losses	$	41,912	$	41,087
Impaired loans with no allocation of the allowance for credit losses	$	7,916	$	9,224
Income recorded on impaired loans on a cash basis	$	391	$	321

Nonaccrual loans decreased $469 thousand to $49.7 million at September 30, 2008 compared to $50.2 million at September 30, 2007. Nonaccrual loans also decreased $1.2 million from the second quarter of 2008. The decrease was primarily due to the settlement of the Equipment Finance, LLC (“EFI”) loan portfolio in the third quarter. Included in nonaccrual loans is a $31.2 million commercial credit relationship that has been monitored since the second quarter of 2006 and was placed on nonaccrual during the second quarter of 2007. This credit is collateralized by real estate and equipment and a reserve has been allocated, primarily during 2006, to cover the

FIRST COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

CREDIT RISK (Continued)

expected losses. The payment of principal and interest on this credit has been deferred pursuant to a loan forbearance agreement that was extended to December 31, 2008. Management continues to monitor the borrower closely and is presently evaluating options with respect to the collection or resolution of this credit.

Loans past due in excess of 90 days and still accruing at September 30, 2008 were flat compared to September 30, 2007 and decreased $491 thousand from June 30, 2008.

Other real estate owned increased $1.9 million to $3.7 million compared to September 30, 2007, and increased $447 thousand compared to June 30, 2008. The large commercial credit previously disclosed as being placed in other real estate owned during the first quarter of 2008 was sold during the third quarter. The decrease from the sale was offset by a large commercial credit placed in other real estate owned in the third quarter, which was the primary reason for the $1.9 million increase from September 30, 2007 and the $447 thousand increase from June 30, 2008.

CAPITAL RESOURCES

At September 30, 2008, shareholders’ equity was $531.8 million, a decrease of $37.0 million from December 31, 2007. The decrease was primarily due to unrealized holding losses on securities. A strong capital base provides First Commonwealth with a foundation to expand lending, to protect depositors, and to provide for growth while protecting against future uncertainties. The evaluation of capital adequacy depends on a variety of factors, including asset quality, liquidity, earnings history and prospects. In consideration of these factors, management’s primary emphasis with respect to First Commonwealth’s capital position is to maintain an adequate and stable equity to assets ratio.

While First Commonwealth has no direct sub prime lending exposure, major financial institutions that do have such exposure have incurred significant losses. As a result, the supply of capital needed by these large institutions has outpaced the demand by investors, and regional financial institutions such as First Commonwealth may experience difficulty accessing the capital markets. First Commonwealth and its banking subsidiary are “well capitalized;” however, we may seek to raise additional capital in the future to fund growth in interest-earning assets or to expand our market area or product offerings through acquisitions or de novo expansion.

FIRST COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

CAPITAL RESOURCES (Continued)

The Federal Reserve Board has issued risk-based capital adequacy guidelines, which are designed principally as a measure of credit risk. These guidelines require: (1) at least 50% of a banking organization’s total capital be common and other “core” equity capital (“Tier I Capital”); (2) assets and off-balance-sheet items be weighted according to risk; (3) the total capital to risk-weighted assets ratio be at least 8%; and (4) a minimum leverage ratio of Tier I capital to average total assets of 4%.

The table below presents First Commonwealth’s capital position at September 30, 2008:


	Actual				Regulatory Minimum
	Capital Amount		Ratio		Capital Amount		Ratio
	(dollars in thousands)
Total Capital to Risk Weighted Assets
First Commonwealth Financial Corporation	$	545,573	11.0	%	$	397,199	8.0	%
First Commonwealth Bank	$	514,764	10.5	%	$	393,445	8.0	%

Tier I Capital to Risk Weighted Assets
First Commonwealth Financial Corporation	$	500,091	10.1	%	$	198,599	4.0	%
First Commonwealth Bank	$	469,282	9.5	%	$	196,722	4.0	%

Tier I Capital to Average Assets
First Commonwealth Financial Corporation	$	500,091	8.3	%	$	242,134	4.0	%
First Commonwealth Bank	$	469,282	7.8	%	$	240,101	4.0	%

For an institution to qualify as well capitalized under regulatory guidelines, Tier I, Total and Leverage Capital ratios must be at least 6.0%, 10.0%, and 5.0%, respectively. At September 30, 2008, First Commonwealth’s banking subsidiary exceeded those requirements.

FIRST COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Information appearing in Item 2 of this report under the caption “Market Risk” is incorporated by reference in response to this item.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

We carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report pursuant to Rule 13a-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in applicable rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

In addition, our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, also conducted an evaluation of our internal controls over financial reporting to determine whether any changes occurred during the current fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting. No such changes were identified in connection with this evaluation.

FIRST COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

There are no material legal proceedings to which First Commonwealth is a party, or of which any of their property is the subject, except proceedings which arise in the normal course of business and, in the opinion of management, will not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated operations or financial position of First Commonwealth.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

There were no material changes to the risk factors described in Item 1A in First Commonwealth’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2007.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

None.

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

None.

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS


Exhibit Number	Description	Incorporated by Reference to
31.1	Chief Executive Officer Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002	Filed herewith

31.2	Chief Financial Officer Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002	Filed herewith

32.1	Chief Executive Officer Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002	Filed herewith

32.2	Chief Financial Officer Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002	Filed herewith

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

FIRST COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL CORPORATION

(Registrant)


DATED: October 31, 2008		/s/ John J. Dolan
		John J. Dolan
		President and Chief Executive Officer

DATED: October 31, 2008		/s/ Edward J. Lipkus, III
		Edward J. Lipkus, III
		Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

FIRST COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL CORP /PA/ - Quarter Report: 2008 September (Form 10-Q)

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