<SUBMISSION>
<ACCESSION-NUMBER>0000950152-08-001374
<TYPE>8-K
<PUBLIC-DOCUMENT-COUNT>1
<PERIOD>20080214
<ITEMS>5.02
<FILING-DATE>20080225
<DATE-OF-FILING-DATE-CHANGE>20080225
<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>08640048
</FILING-VALUES>
<BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>300 HIGH ST
<CITY>HAMILTON
<STATE>OH
<ZIP>45011
<PHONE>5138674951
</BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<MAIL-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>300 HIGH ST
<CITY>HAMILTON
<STATE>OH
<ZIP>45011
</MAIL-ADDRESS>
</FILER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>8-K
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>l30303ae8vk.htm
<DESCRIPTION>FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.   8-K
<TEXT>
<HTML>
<HEAD>
<TITLE>FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.   8-K</TITLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>
<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">


<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>








<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 14pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 18pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>FORM 8-K</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>CURRENT REPORT<BR>
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE<BR>
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt">Date of Report: February&nbsp;14, 2008
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 24pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</DIV>


<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<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>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <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>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">300 High Street <BR>
Hamilton, Ohio<BR>
(Address of principal <BR>
executive offices)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><br>
45011<BR>
(Zip Code)</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt">
Registrant&#146;s telephone number, including area code: (513)&nbsp;979-5770</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">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):</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt; background: transparent; color: #000000">
<TR>
    <TD width="3%"></TD>
    <TD width="1%"></TD>
    <TD></TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD><FONT face="Wingdings">&#111;</FONT></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Written communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt; background: transparent; color: #000000">
<TR>
    <TD width="3%"></TD>
    <TD width="1%"></TD>
    <TD></TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD><FONT face="Wingdings">&#111;</FONT></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Soliciting material pursuant to Rule&nbsp;14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt; background: transparent; color: #000000">
<TR>
    <TD width="3%"></TD>
    <TD width="1%"></TD>
    <TD></TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD><FONT face="Wingdings">&#111;</FONT></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt; background: transparent; color: #000000">
<TR>
    <TD width="3%"></TD>
    <TD width="1%"></TD>
    <TD></TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD><FONT face="Wingdings">&#111;</FONT></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; margin-top: 10pt; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>











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

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<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">








<DIV align="left" style="margin-top: 12pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt; background: transparent; color: #000000">
<TR>
    <TD width="3%"></TD>
    <TD width="1%"></TD>
    <TD></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><B>Item&nbsp;5.02</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD><B>Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of
Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.</B></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</DIV>
<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><B>(e)</B></DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><U>Named Executive Officer Compensation / Stock Awards</U>
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">On February&nbsp;14, 2008, the Compensation Committee approved base salary increases, short-term
incentive target percentages under the Plan, long-term restricted stock awards and stock option
grants for the Named Executive Officers, as disclosed in the table below.</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="30%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Number of</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Short-</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Shares</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Value of</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Term</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Number of</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Value of</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Underlying</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Stock</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Incentive</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Shares of</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Shares of</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Stock</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Option</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><B>Named Executive Officer</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Base</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Target</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Restricted</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Restricted</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Option</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Grant</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>and Principal Position</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Salary (1)</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Percentage</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Stock (#)</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Stock ($)(2)</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Grant (#)</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>($)(3)__</B></TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Claude E. Davis<br>
President and Chief Executive Officer
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="bottom">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="bottom">517,500</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="bottom">50</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="bottom">%</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="bottom">26,700</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="bottom">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="bottom">310,788</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="bottom">313,600</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="bottom">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="bottom">310,464</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">C. Douglas Lefferson<br>
EVP and Chief Operating Officer
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="bottom">285,000</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="bottom">40</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="bottom">%</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="bottom">6,100</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="bottom">71,004</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="bottom">72,000</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="bottom">71,280</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">J. Franklin Hall<br>
EVP and Chief Financial Officer
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="bottom">260,000</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="bottom">40</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="bottom">%</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="bottom">4,500</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="bottom">52,380</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="bottom">52,500</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="bottom">51,975</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Gregory A. Gehlmann<br>
SVP, General Counsel &#038; Chief Risk Officer
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="bottom">260,000</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="bottom">40</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="bottom">%</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="bottom">4,500</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="bottom">52,380</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="bottom">52,500</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="bottom">51,975</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Samuel J. Munafo<br>
EVP, Banking Markets
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="bottom">250,000</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="bottom">35</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="bottom">%</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="bottom">4,300</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="bottom">50,052</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="bottom">50,500</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="bottom">49,995</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>



<DIV align="left">
<DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 18%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
</DIV>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="3%"></TD>
    <TD width="1%"></TD>
    <TD width="96"></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">(1)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The increases in base salaries are effective as of February&nbsp;4, 2008.</TD>
</TR>

<TR style="font-size: 3pt"><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">(2)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The value of the restricted stock awards is based upon the closing
price of the Company&#146;s common stock as of February&nbsp;14, 2008, which was
$11.64 per share. Restricted stock awards vest 25% per year for four
years beginning on the first anniversary of the grant (February&nbsp;14,
2009). Restricted shares are subject to a performance benchmark of
minimum return on equity (&#147;ROE&#148;) equal to the 25<SUP style="font-size: 85%; vertical-align: text-top">th</SUP>
percentile of a national peer group for the vesting period. If a
grant does not vest in any year, then that portion of the grant is
carried forward to subsequent years and may vest if the cumulative
average of the Company&#146;s ROE is above the cumulative average of the
peer&#146;s 25<SUP style="font-size: 85%; vertical-align: text-top">th</SUP> percentile for the grant period.</TD>
</TR>

<TR style="font-size: 3pt"><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">(3)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The value of the stock options granted was estimated using the
Black-Scholes option valuation model. Options vest 25% per year for
four years beginning on the first anniversary of the grant (February
14, 2009). The strike price for each option is based upon the closing
price of the Company&#146;s common stock as of February&nbsp;14, 2008, which was
$11.64 per share.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>



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

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<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="80%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="0%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="20%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><B>Form&nbsp;8-K</B>
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><B>First Financial Bancorp.</B></TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>SIGNATURES</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&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.
</DIV>

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    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left"><B>FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.</B><BR>
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">By:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000" align="left">/s/ J. Franklin Hall
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">J. Franklin Hall&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">Executive Vice President and<br>
Chief Financial Officer&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt">Date: February&nbsp;25, 2008
</DIV>


<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
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    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
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    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>


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




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