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EXHIBIT 23.1--CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


         We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in
the Registration Statement on Form S-4 and related Prospectus of First
Financial Bancorp. for the registration of 540,000 shares of its common stock
and to the incorporation by reference therein of our report dated January 20,
1995, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of First Financial
Bancorp. incorporated by reference in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the
year ended December 31, 1994, filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.




                                                 ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Cincinnati, Ohio
June 1, 1995
