<SUBMISSION>
<ACCESSION-NUMBER>0000950152-03-009808
<TYPE>8-K
<PUBLIC-DOCUMENT-COUNT>2
<PERIOD>20030902
<ITEMS>11
<ITEMS>7
<FILING-DATE>20031117
<FILER>
<COMPANY-DATA>
<CONFORMED-NAME>FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP /OH/
<CIK>0000708955
<ASSIGNED-SIC>6021
<IRS-NUMBER>311042001
<STATE-OF-INCORPORATION>OH
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>1231
</COMPANY-DATA>
<FILING-VALUES>
<FORM-TYPE>8-K
<ACT>34
<FILE-NUMBER>000-12379
<FILM-NUMBER>031006678
</FILING-VALUES>
<BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>300 HIGH ST
<CITY>HAMILTON
<STATE>OH
<ZIP>45011
<PHONE>5138674700
</BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<MAIL-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>300 HIGH ST
<CITY>HAMILTON
<STATE>OH
<ZIP>45011
</MAIL-ADDRESS>
</FILER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>8-K
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>l04199ae8vk.htm
<DESCRIPTION>FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP
<TEXT>
<HTML>
<HEAD>
<TITLE>FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP</TITLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION<BR>
Washington, D.C. 20549</B>
</FONT>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>FORM 8-K</B>
</FONT>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>CURRENT REPORT<BR>
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE<BR>
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934</B>
</FONT>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): September&nbsp;2, 2003
</FONT>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.</B><BR>
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
</FONT>
<CENTER>
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="30%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="30%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="30%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">Ohio</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">31-1042001</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">(State or other jurisdiction</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">0-12379</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">(IRS Employer</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">of incorporation)</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">(Commission File Number)</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">Identification No.)</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">300 High Street</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">Hamilton, Ohio</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">(Address of principal executive</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">45011</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">offices)</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">(Zip Code)</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">Registrant&#146;s telephone number, including area code: (513)&nbsp;867-5240
</FONT>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<!-- TOC -->
<A name="toc"><DIV align="CENTER" style="page-break-before:always"><U><B>TABLE OF CONTENTS</B></U></DIV></A>

<P><CENTER>
<TABLE border="0" width="90%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="76%"></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#000">Item 7. &nbsp;Exhibits</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#001">Item 11. Temporary Suspension of Trading Under Registrant&#146;s Employee Benefit Plans</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#002">SIGNATURES</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#003">Exhibit Index</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="l04199aexv99w1.htm">EX-99.1 NOTICE</A></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
<!-- /TOC -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>










<CENTER>
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="25%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="70%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2"><B>Form&nbsp;8-K</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2"><B>First Financial Bancorp.</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>

<!-- link2 "Item 7. &nbsp;Exhibits" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="000"></A></DIV>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2"><B>Item&nbsp;7.&nbsp;&nbsp;Exhibits.</B>
</FONT>

<CENTER>
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="85%">
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="92%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">(c)</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">Exhibits:</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">99.1</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">Notice to Directors and Section&nbsp;16 Executive Officers of First
Financial Bancorp. regarding temporary suspension of trading
related to a blackout period under the registrant&#146;s employee
benefit plan.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT>
<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>
<CENTER>
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="25%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="70%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2"><B>Form&nbsp;8-K</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2"><B>First Financial Bancorp.</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
<!-- link2 "Item 11. Temporary Suspension of Trading Under Registrant&#146;s Employee Benefit Plans" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="001"></A></DIV>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2"><B>Item&nbsp;11.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Temporary
Suspension of Trading Under Registrant&#146;s Employee Benefit Plans.</B>
</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">On September&nbsp;2, 2003, First Financial Bancorp. received a notice required by
section 101(i)(2)(E) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of a
blackout period for its First Financial Bancorp. Thrift Plan (the &#147;Plan&#148;)
because the Plan is changing record-keepers and is changing from a quarterly
balance forward valuation method to a daily valuation method. During the
blackout period, participants in the Plan temporarily will be unable to change
investments in their Plan accounts and to receive distributions from the Plan.
The length of the blackout period is from October&nbsp;1, 2003 to the calendar week
beginning February&nbsp;22, 2004.
</FONT>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">First Financial Bancorp. notified its directors and executive officers subject
to Section&nbsp;16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
&#147;Executive Officers&#148;) that in accordance with Section&nbsp;306(a) of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the Securities and Exchange Commission&#146;s
Regulation&nbsp;BTR, the directors and Executive Officers of First Financial
Bancorp. are prohibited from trading in the equity securities of First
Financial Bancorp. (subject to certain exceptions allowed by law and
regulation) during the blackout period. A copy of the notice sent to the
directors and Executive Officers is attached as Exhibit&nbsp;99.1 to this Form&nbsp;8-K
and is incorporated herein by reference.
</FONT>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">During the blackout period and for a period of two years after the ending date
of the blackout period, a security holder or other interested person may
obtain, without charge, the actual beginning and ending dates of the blackout
period by contacting Ms.&nbsp;Betty Irvine, Human Resources, First Financial
Bancorp., 300 High Street, Hamilton, Ohio 45012, telephone 1-800-990-3421.
</FONT>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT>
<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<!-- link1 "SIGNATURES" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="002"></A></DIV>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>SIGNATURES</B>
</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 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 hereunto duly authorized.
</FONT>
<CENTER>
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="45%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="45%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2"><B>FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">By:</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;/s/ C. Douglas Lefferson<BR>
</FONT><HR size="1" noshade><FONT size="2">
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;C. Douglas Lefferson<BR>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Senior Vice President and<BR>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Chief Financial Officer</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">Date: November&nbsp;17, 2003
</FONT>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>
<CENTER>
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="25%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="70%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2"><B>Form&nbsp;8-K</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2"><B>First Financial Bancorp.</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>

<!-- link1 "Exhibit Index" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="003"></A></DIV>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>Exhibit&nbsp;Index</B>
</FONT>

<CENTER>
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="8%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="89%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><FONT size="2"><B>Exhibit No.</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left"><FONT size="2"><B>Description</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">99.1</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Notice to Directors and Section&nbsp;16 Executive Officers of First Financial
Bancorp. regarding temporary suspension of trading related to a blackout
period under the registrant&#146;s employee benefit plan.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT>



</BODY>
</HTML>

</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-99.1
<SEQUENCE>3
<FILENAME>l04199aexv99w1.htm
<DESCRIPTION>EX-99.1 NOTICE
<TEXT>
<HTML>
<HEAD>
<TITLE>EX-99.1 NOTICE</TITLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<P align="right"><FONT size="2">Exhibit&nbsp;99.1
</FONT>

<CENTER>
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="94%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">To:</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">Directors and Section&nbsp;16 Executive Officers of First Financial Bancorp.</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">From:</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">Janie McCauley, Legal Officer &#038; Secretary</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">Date:</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">November&nbsp;14, 2003</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">Re:</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Blackout on Trading in First Financial Bancorp. Equity Securities</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">From Wednesday, October&nbsp;1, 2003, through the week beginning February&nbsp;22, 2004,
you are subject to a blackout on all trading in First Financial Bancorp. equity
securities. This blackout is required under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and SEC
Regulation&nbsp;BTR in order to coordinate with the blackout affecting the First
Financial Bancorp. Thrift Plan during this same time period. The Thrift Plan
is undergoing a blackout period in order to change record-keeping vendors and
to change from a quarterly balance forward valuation method to a daily
valuation method.
</FONT>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">There is a possibility the blackout period may end sooner if the Thrift Plan
changes can be completed earlier. To find out whether the blackout has ended
earlier, please contact the person listed at the end of this notice.
</FONT>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">During this blackout period, the Thrift Plan participants will be unable to
transfer among the Thrift Plan&#146;s investment funds or receive benefit
distributions. Since all investment transactions are being suspended, the
participants will be unable to direct the sale or purchase of any shares of
First Financial Bancorp. stock for their accounts.
</FONT>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">The Sarbanes-Oxley Act and SEC Regulation&nbsp;BTR generally provide that whenever
our Thrift Plan participants are restricted from trading in the First Financial
Bancorp. stock in their accounts for at least three business days, our
directors and Section&nbsp;16 Executive Officers also are prohibited from trading in
the equity securities of First Financial Bancorp. during the same time period.
</FONT>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">This Thrift Plan-related blackout period is separate from and in addition to
any other suspension on trading in the equity securities of First Financial
Bancorp. that may then be in effect due to any other securities law
requirements applicable to our directors and Section&nbsp;16 Executive Officers.
</FONT>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">The blackout applies not only to your First Financial Bancorp. stock but also
to your stock options as well, since these are also treated as &#147;equity
securities&#148; under Regulation&nbsp;BTR. Consequently, you may not exercise your
stock options during this blackout period.
</FONT>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">The blackout applies not only to the securities you own directly but also to
those owned by certain members of your family since Regulation&nbsp;BTR also extends
the blackout to any equity securities in which you have a &#147;beneficial
ownership.&#148; As a result, the prohibition on trading during this blackout
period covers any of the securities that would be reflected on your Form&nbsp;4 or
Form&nbsp;5 report, including any securities beneficially owned by:
</FONT>
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR valign="top">
    <TD width="1%" align="left" nowrap><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&#149;</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="96%"><FONT size="2">Your spouse or minor children;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
    <TD width="1%" align="left" nowrap><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&#149;</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="96%"><FONT size="2">Adult children who are dependents;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
    <TD width="1%" align="left" nowrap><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&#149;</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="96%"><FONT size="2">Other family members who share your home; or</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
    <TD width="1%" align="left" nowrap><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&#149;</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="96%"><FONT size="2">Trusts in which you have an interest.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT>
<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>



<P align="left"><FONT size="2">Regulation&nbsp;BTR exempts limited types of transactions, such as gifts and certain
transactions involving securities that were not acquired in connection with
your service or employment as a First Financial Bancorp. director or Section&nbsp;16
Executive Officer. However, Regulation&nbsp;BTR states that any such security you
sell or otherwise transfer automatically will be treated as having been
acquired in connection with your service or employment unless you can show that
your acquisition of these securities was not connected to your services or
employment and also show that claiming these securities are not connected to
your services or employment is consistent with your treatment of the securities
for tax purposes and all other disclosure and reporting requirements.
</FONT>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">If you have any questions regarding this notice or need further clarification
regarding the permitted transactions, please contact Janie McCauley, Legal
Officer &#038; Secretary, First Financial Bancorp., 300 High Street, Hamilton, OH
45012, 513-867-4729, fax 513-785-3434, or by email at
janie.mccauley@ffbc-oh.com
</FONT>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT>


</BODY>
</HTML>

</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SUBMISSION>
