<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001127602-18-005567.txt : 20180213
<SEC-HEADER>0001127602-18-005567.hdr.sgml : 20180213
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20180213170729
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001127602-18-005567
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	5
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20171231
FILED AS OF DATE:		20180213
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20180213

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Crawley Scott T
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001694120

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		5
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-34762
		FILM NUMBER:		18604672

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		255 E FIFTH STREET
		STREET 2:		SUITE 2900
		CITY:			CINCINNATI
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			45202

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP /OH/
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000708955
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS [6021]
		IRS NUMBER:				311042001
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			OH
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		255 EAST FIFTH STREET
		STREET 2:		SUITE 800
		CITY:			CINCINNATI
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			45202
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8773229530

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		255 EAST FIFTH STREET
		STREET 2:		SUITE 800
		CITY:			CINCINNATI
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			45202
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>5
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>form5.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0306</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>5</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2017-12-31</periodOfReport>

    <form3HoldingsReported>0</form3HoldingsReported>

    <form4TransactionsReported>0</form4TransactionsReported>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000708955</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP /OH/</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>FFBC</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001694120</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Crawley Scott T</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>255 EAST 5TH STREET, SUITE 700</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CINCINNATI</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>OH</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>45202</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <officerTitle>Controller &amp; Prin Actg Officer</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>223.078</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By 401k</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1445</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2923</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Restricted Stock (unvested)</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Since the date of the reporting person's last ownership report, he transferred 227.9679 shares of FFBC common stock from his 401K account to his ex-wife pursuant to a QDRO.  Also reflects updated shares per statement 12/31/2017.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Since the date of the reporting person's last ownership report, he transferred 830 shares of FFBC common stock to his ex-wife pursuant to a QDRO.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Billie L. Meents, POA</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2018-02-13</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
