Exhibit 23.1
Consent of Independent Registered
Public Accounting Firm
We
consent to the reference to our firm under the caption “Experts” in the
Registration Statement (Form S-3) and the related Prospectus of First Financial
Bancorp for the registration of senior debt securities, subordinated debt
securities, junior subordinated debt securities, common shares, purchase
contracts, units, warrants, rights, trust preferred capital securities and
guarantees, and to the incorporation by reference therein of our reports dated
March 3, 2009, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of First
Financial Bancorp, and the effectiveness of internal control over financial
reporting of First Financial Bancorp, included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K)
for the year ended December 31, 2008, filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
Cincinnati,
Ohio
April 30,
2009