<SUBMISSION>
<ACCESSION-NUMBER>0000950152-04-007806
<TYPE>8-K
<PUBLIC-DOCUMENT-COUNT>1
<PERIOD>20041029
<ITEMS>1.02
<FILING-DATE>20041102
<DATE-OF-FILING-DATE-CHANGE>20041102
<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>041112728
</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>l10344ae8vk.htm
<DESCRIPTION>FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
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<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>UNITED STATES<BR>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION<BR>
Washington, D.C. 20549</B>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><FONT style="font-size:12pt"><B>FORM 8-K</B></FONT>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>CURRENT REPORT<BR>
Pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 OR 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934</B>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October&nbsp;29, 2004



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><FONT style="font-size:14pt"><B>FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.</B></FONT><BR>
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


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    <TD align="center" valign="top">Ohio<BR>
(State or other jurisdiction<BR>
of incorporation)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">0-12379<BR>
(Commission File<BR>
Number)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">31-1042001<BR>
(IRS Employer<BR>
Identification No.)</TD>
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    <TD align="center" valign="top">300 High Street, Hamilton, Ohio<BR>
(Address of principal executive offices)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">45011<BR>
(Zip Code)</TD>
</TR>

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<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">Registrant&#146;s telephone number, including area code: (513)&nbsp;867-5447



<P align="left" style="margin-left: 0%; text-indent: 0%; margin-right: 0%; font-size: 10pt">Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):


<P align="left" style="margin-left: 0%; text-indent: 0%; margin-right: 0%; font-size: 10pt"><FONT face="wingdings">&#111;</FONT>
Written communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)


<P align="left" style="margin-left: 0%; text-indent: 0%; margin-right: 0%; font-size: 10pt"><FONT face="wingdings">&#111;</FONT>
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule&nbsp;14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)


<P align="left" style="margin-left: 0%; text-indent: 0%; margin-right: 0%; font-size: 10pt"><FONT face="wingdings">&#111;</FONT>
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))


<P align="left" style="margin-left: 0%; text-indent: 0%; margin-right: 0%; font-size: 10pt"><FONT face="wingdings">&#111;</FONT>
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))


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<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;1.02 Termination of a Material Definitive Agreement.</B>



<P align="left" style="margin-left: 0%; text-indent: 0%; margin-right: 0%; font-size: 10pt">(a)&nbsp;On October&nbsp;29, 2004, First Financial Bancorp. delivered to James C. Hall,
its Executive Vice President, a written 30-day notice of termination
terminating that certain Employment Agreement between James C. Hall and First
Financial Bancorp., dated June&nbsp;21, 2001, as amended (the &#147;Employment
Agreement&#148;). Mr.&nbsp;Hall&#146;s termination is a result of a decision to eliminate his
position as Executive Vice President. Other than the Employment Agreement,
there does not exist any material relationship between First Financial Bancorp.
or its affiliates and Mr.&nbsp;Hall.


<P align="left" style="margin-left: 0%; text-indent: 0%; margin-right: 0%; font-size: 10pt">Pursuant to the terms of the Employment Agreement, Mr.&nbsp;Hall is entitled to
receive his full salary and benefits during the 30-day notice period commencing
October&nbsp;29, 2004 and terminating November&nbsp;29, 2004. After November&nbsp;29, 2004,
provided that Mr.&nbsp;Hall provides First Financial Bancorp. with a release and a
covenant not to sue for all claims arising out of his employment and
termination of employment as provided in the Employment Agreement, Mr.&nbsp;Hall is
entitled to receive the following benefits: (i)&nbsp;his base salary ($260,728 per
year) for a period of 24&nbsp;months from November&nbsp;29, 2004; (ii)&nbsp;a lump sum payment
in an amount equal to 2.0 times Mr.&nbsp;Hall&#146;s most recent payment under the
performance incentive plan ($30,082); (iii)&nbsp;continuation of employer paid
health benefits as if employed until November&nbsp;29, 2006; and (iv)&nbsp;payment for
outplacement services (at a cost not to exceed $13,037).


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<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>SIGNATURES</B>



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&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.

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    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" valign="top" align="left"><B>FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.<BR><BR><BR></B></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">By:
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">/s/ C. Douglas Lefferson</TD>
</TR>

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    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
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    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><HR size="1" noshade>&nbsp;</TD>
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</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">C. Douglas Lefferson<BR>
Senior Vice President and<BR>
Chief Financial Officer</TD>
</TR>
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</DIV>



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">Date: November&nbsp;2, 2004




<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
</DIV>


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