<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001104659-20-065931.txt : 20200526
<SEC-HEADER>0001104659-20-065931.hdr.sgml : 20200526
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20200526171508
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001104659-20-065931
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	S-8
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		4
FILED AS OF DATE:		20200526
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20200526
EFFECTIVENESS DATE:		20200526

FILER:

	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

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		S-8
		SEC ACT:		1933 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	333-238698
		FILM NUMBER:		20911729

	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>S-8
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>tm2020839d1_s8.htm
<DESCRIPTION>FORM S-8
<TEXT>
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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt"><B>As
filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on May </B></FONT><B>26, 2020</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: right"><B>Registration No. 333-&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: right">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B></B></P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B></B>&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 18pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>UNITED STATES</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 18pt"><B>SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B></FONT><BR>
<FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549</B></FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B></B></P>

<!-- Field: Rule-Page --><DIV STYLE="margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; width: 100%"><DIV STYLE="font-size: 1pt; border-top: Black 1pt solid">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV><!-- Field: /Rule-Page -->

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B></B>&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 18pt"><B>FORM
S-8</B></FONT><BR>
<FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 18pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><B>REGISTRATION
STATEMENT UNDER</B></FONT><B><BR>
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"></P>

<!-- Field: Rule-Page --><DIV STYLE="margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; width: 100%"><DIV STYLE="font-size: 1pt; border-top: Black 1pt solid">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV><!-- Field: /Rule-Page -->

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>



<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 18pt"><B>FIRST
FINANCIAL BANCORP.</B></FONT><BR>
<FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">
<TR>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; width: 49%; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt"><B>Ohio</B></FONT><BR>
<FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">(State or other jurisdiction of</FONT><BR>
<FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">incorporation or organization)</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: bottom; width: 2%; font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; width: 49%; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt"><B>31-1042001</B></FONT><BR>
<FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)</FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><B>255
E</B></FONT><B>ast Fifth Street, Suite 800<BR>
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202<BR>
(Address, including zip code, of registrant&rsquo;s principal executive office)</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">Registrant&rsquo;s telephone number, including
area code: (877) 322-9530</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>



<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"></P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><B>First
Financial Bancorp. </B></FONT><B>2020 Stock Plan</B><BR>
(Full title of the plans)</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"></P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><B>Karen
B. Woods, Esq.</B></FONT><B><BR>
General Counsel</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><B>First
Financial Bancorp.</B></FONT><B><BR>
255 East Fifth Street, Suite 2900</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><B>Cincinnati,
OH 45202</B></FONT><BR>
<B>(877) 322-9530</B><BR>
(Name, address including zip code, and telephone number including area code, of agent for service)</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>



<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"></P>

<!-- Field: Rule-Page --><DIV STYLE="margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; width: 100%"><DIV STYLE="font-size: 1pt; border-top: Black 1pt solid">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV><!-- Field: /Rule-Page -->

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated
filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting Registrant. See the definitions of &ldquo;large accelerated filer,&rdquo;
 &ldquo;accelerated filer,&rdquo; &ldquo;smaller reporting company&rdquo; and &ldquo;emerging growth company&rdquo; in Rule 12b-2
of the Exchange Act.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="width: 49%"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Large accelerated filer </FONT><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">&#120;</FONT></FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 49%"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Accelerated filer </FONT><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">&#168;</FONT></FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Non-accelerated filer </FONT><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">&#168;</FONT></FONT> <FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">(Do not check if a smaller reporting Registrant)</FONT></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Smaller reporting Registrant </FONT><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">&#168;</FONT></FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Emerging growth company </FONT><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">&#168;</FONT></FONT></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">If
an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for
complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act.&nbsp;
</FONT><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">&#168;</FONT></FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"></P>



<P STYLE="font: 10pt Wingdings; margin: 0pt 0"></P>

<!-- Field: Rule-Page --><DIV STYLE="margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; width: 100%"><DIV STYLE="font-size: 1pt; border-top: Black 2pt solid">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV><!-- Field: /Rule-Page -->

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Wingdings; margin: 0pt 0"></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"></P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif">
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD COLSPAN="17" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; text-align: center"><P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"></P><P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</B></P> <P STYLE="font: 18pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"></P></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD STYLE="border-bottom: Black 1pt solid; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; text-align: center"><P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B><BR><BR>Title of Securities</B></P> <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>to be Registered</B></P></TD><TD STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="border-bottom: Black 1pt solid; font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt"><B><BR><BR>Amount to be<BR> Registered<SUP>(1)</SUP></B></FONT></TD><TD STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</TD><TD STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="border-bottom: Black 1pt solid; font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; text-align: center">Proposed<BR> Maximum<BR> Offering Price<BR> Per Share</TD><TD STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</TD><TD STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="border-bottom: Black 1pt solid; font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; text-align: center">Proposed<BR> Maximum<BR> Aggregate<BR> Offering Price</TD><TD STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</TD><TD STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="border-bottom: Black 1pt solid; font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; text-align: center">Amount of<BR> Registration<BR> Fee</TD><TD STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom; background-color: rgb(204,238,255)">
    <TD STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 39%">Common shares, without par value</TD><TD STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="border-bottom: Black 1pt solid; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 1%; text-align: left">&nbsp;</TD><TD STYLE="border-bottom: Black 1pt solid; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 12%; text-align: right">4,400,000</TD><TD STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 1%; text-align: left">&nbsp;</TD><TD STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="border-bottom: Black 1pt solid; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 1%; text-align: left">$</TD><TD STYLE="border-bottom: Black 1pt solid; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 12%; text-align: right">12.17<FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt"><SUP>(2)</SUP></FONT></TD><TD STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 1%; text-align: left">&nbsp;</TD><TD STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="border-bottom: Black 1pt solid; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 1%; text-align: left">$</TD><TD STYLE="border-bottom: Black 1pt solid; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 12%; text-align: right">53,548,000<FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt"><SUP>(2)</SUP></FONT></TD><TD STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 1%; text-align: left">&nbsp;</TD><TD STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="border-bottom: Black 1pt solid; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 1%; text-align: left">$</TD><TD STYLE="border-bottom: Black 1pt solid; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 13%; text-align: right"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">6,950.53</FONT></TD><TD STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 1%; text-align: left">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
</TABLE>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"></P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"></P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="width: 3%"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">(1)</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 97%"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Represents 4,400,000 </FONT><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">common shares of First Financial Bancorp. (the &ldquo;Registrant&rdquo;) available for issuance pursuant to the First Financial Bancorp. 2020 Stock Plan (the &ldquo;Plan&rdquo;). Pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the &ldquo;Securities Act&rdquo;), this Registration Statement shall also cover any additional shares of common stock which become issuable under the Plan by reason of any anti-dilution provisions, stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization or other similar transaction effected without the receipt of consideration that increases the number of the Registrant&rsquo;s outstanding common shares.</FONT></TD>
    </TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="width: 3%"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">(2)</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 97%"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating
the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(c) and Rule 457(h) under the Securities Act and computed on the basis of the average
of the high and low sales prices for a common share of the Registrant on </FONT><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">May 22, 2020.</FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"></P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"></P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>EXPLANATORY NOTE</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">First
Financial Bancorp. (&ldquo;First Financial&rdquo; or the &ldquo;Company&rdquo;)</FONT> is filing this Registration Statement to
register 4,400,000 common shares, no par value, reserved for issuance under the First Financial Bancorp. 2020 Stock Plan (the &ldquo;2020
Stock Plan&rdquo;). The Board of Directors of First Financial recommended for approval and, on May 26, 2020, the shareholders of
First Financial approved, the 2020 Stock Plan. The 2020 Stock Plan became effective on May 26, 2020.<B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>PART I </B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a)
PROSPECTUS</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">In
accordance with Rule 428 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the &ldquo;Securities Act&rdquo;), and the Note to Part
I of Form S-8, the information required by Part I to be contained in the Section 10(a) prospectus is omitted from this Registration
Statement. The documents containing the information specified in Part I have been or will be delivered to the participants in the</FONT>
2020 Stock Plan as required by Rule 428(b).</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B></B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>PART II</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION
STATEMENT</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><B>ITEM 3. INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE.</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">The following documents filed by the Registrant with the SEC
pursuant to the requirements of Sections 13(a), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (&ldquo;Exchange
Act&rdquo;), are incorporated herein by reference:</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="width: 48px">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 48px"><A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/708955/000070895520000011/q42019form10-k.htm" STYLE="-sec-extract: exhibit"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">(a)</FONT></A></TD>
    <TD><A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/708955/000070895520000011/q42019form10-k.htm" STYLE="-sec-extract: exhibit"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, </FONT><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">2019, filed with the SEC on February 21, 2020;</FONT></A></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="width: 48px">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 48px"><A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/708955/000070895520000023/q110q-2020331.htm"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">(b)</FONT></A></TD>
    <TD><A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/708955/000070895520000023/q110q-2020331.htm"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2020, filed </FONT><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">with the SEC on May 8, 2020; </FONT></A></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top; text-align: justify">
<TD STYLE="width: 48px"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 48px; text-align: left">(c)</TD><TD>Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on <A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/708955/000110465920050683/tm2016593-1_8k.htm" STYLE="-sec-extract: exhibit">April 24, 2020,</A> and <A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/708955/000110465920054136/tm2015795d5_8k.htm" STYLE="-sec-extract: exhibit">April 30, 2020;</A></TD>
</TR></TABLE>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="width: 48px">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 48px"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">(d)</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for the </FONT><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, filed on April <A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/708955/000104746920002349/a2240789zdef14a.htm" STYLE="-sec-extract: exhibit">16, 2020,</A> and Supplemental Material to<A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/708955/000104746920002349/a2240789zdef14a.htm" STYLE="-sec-extract: exhibit"> Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for the 2020 Annual</A> <A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/708955/000104746920002349/a2240789zdef14a.htm" STYLE="-sec-extract: exhibit">Meeting of Shareholders, filed on May 13, 2020;</A> and</FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="width: 48px">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 48px"><A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/708955/000070895520000011/a201910-kex419.htm" STYLE="-sec-extract: exhibit"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">(d)</FONT></A></TD>
    <TD><A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/708955/000070895520000011/a201910-kex419.htm" STYLE="-sec-extract: exhibit"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">the description of the Registrant&rsquo;s Securities filed as Exhibit 4.1</FONT><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">9 to the Registrant&rsquo;s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, filed on February 21, 2020, together with any amendment or report filed with the SEC for the purpose of updating such description.</FONT></A></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">All documents subsequently filed by the Registrant with the
SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which
indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which de-registers all securities then remaining unsold, are deemed
to be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement and to be part hereof from the date of filing of such documents.
To the extent that any information contained in any Current Report on Form 8-K, or any exhibit thereto, was or is furnished to,
rather than filed with, the Commission, such information or exhibit is specifically not incorporated by reference into this Registration
Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no report of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Registrant,
no Report of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Registrant and no performance graph included in any Proxy Statement
or Information Statement filed pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act shall be deemed to be incorporated herein by reference,
and to the extent that any information contained in any Current Report on Form 8-K, or any exhibit thereto, was or is &ldquo;furnished&rdquo;
to, rather than &ldquo;filed&rdquo; with, the SEC, such information or exhibit is specifically not incorporated by reference into
this Registration Statement.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">Any statement contained in a document incorporated, or deemed
to be incorporated, by reference herein or deemed to be a part of this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be modified or
superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently
filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein or deemed to be a part of this Registration Statement
modifies or replaces such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded,
to constitute a part of this Registration Statement.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><B>ITEM
4. </B></FONT><B>DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES.</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">Not applicable.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><B>ITEM 5. INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL.</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">Not applicable.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"></P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><B>ITEM
6. </B></FONT><B>INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; background-color: white">Under Section&nbsp;1701.13(E)(1) of
the Ohio General Corporation Law (&ldquo;OGCL&rdquo;), directors, officers, employees and agents of an Ohio corporation have an
absolute right to indemnification for expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by them in any action,
suit or proceeding to the extent they are successful, on the merits or otherwise, in defense of the action, suit or proceeding,
including derivative actions, brought against them, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter asserted in any such proceeding.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; background-color: white">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; background-color: white">Section&nbsp;1701.13(E)(1) of the OGCL
permits a corporation to indemnify its directors, officers, employees or agents or individuals who are or were serving at the request
of the corporation as a director, trustee, officer, employee, member, manager or agent of another corporation or entity in circumstances
where indemnification is not mandated by the statute if certain statutory standards are satisfied. A corporation may grant indemnification
in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, investigative or administrative, other
than actions by or in the right of a corporation or derivative actions, if the indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner he
or she reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the corporation, and with respect to any criminal
action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. Such indemnification is permitted against
expenses (including attorneys' fees) as well as judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred
by the indemnitee in connection with the action, suit or proceeding.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; background-color: white">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; background-color: white">Under Section&nbsp;1701.13(E)(2) of
the OGCL, a corporation may also provide indemnification in actions by or in the right of a corporation or in derivative actions
for expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred in connection with the defense or settlement of an action
or suit if the officer, director, employee or agent acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in,
or not opposed to, the best interests of the corporation. Ohio law does not expressly authorize indemnification against judgments,
fines and amounts paid in settlement of derivative actions. A corporation may not indemnify a director, officer, employee or agent
in actions by or in the right of the corporation or derivative actions for expenses (including attorneys' fees) if such person
is adjudged to be liable for negligence or misconduct in the performance of such person's duties to the corporation, unless and
only to the extent that a court determines that, despite the adjudication of liability, but in view of all the circumstances of
the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity as the court deems proper. In addition, a corporation may
not indemnify a director in any action or suit in which the only liability asserted against the director is for approving unlawful
loans, dividends or distributions of assets under Section&nbsp;1701.95 of the OGCL.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; background-color: white">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; background-color: white">Section&nbsp;1701.13(E)(5) of the OGCL
permits a corporation to pay expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred by a director, officer, employee or agent as they are
incurred, in advance of the final disposition of the action, suit or proceeding, as authorized by the corporation's directors and
upon receipt of an undertaking by such person to repay such amount if it is ultimately determined that such person is not entitled
to indemnification.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; background-color: white">Section&nbsp;1701.13(E)(6) of the OGCL
states that the indemnification provided thereby is not exclusive of, and is in addition to, any other rights granted to persons
seeking indemnification under a corporation's articles or regulations, any agreement, a vote of the corporation's shareholders
or disinterested directors, or otherwise. In addition, Section&nbsp;1701.13(E)(7) of the OGCL grants express power to a corporation
to purchase and maintain insurance or furnish similar protection, including trust funds, letters of credit and self-insurance,
for director, officer, employee or agent liability, regardless of whether that individual is otherwise eligible for indemnification
by the corporation.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; background-color: white">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; background-color: white">The foregoing discussion is necessarily
subject to the complete text of Section&nbsp;1701.13(E) of the OGCL, which provides for indemnification of directors, officers
and other parties in certain circumstances, and is qualified in its entirety by reference thereto.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; background-color: white">Article SIXTH of the Amended and Restated
Articles of Incorporation of the Company, as amended, provides that each person who is or was a director, officer, employee or
agent of the Company shall be indemnified by the Company to the full extent permitted by the OGCL against any liability, cost or
expense incurred by such person in such capacity, or arising out of such person's status as a director, officer, employee or agent
of the Company. Article&nbsp;IV of the Amended and Restated Regulations of the Company, as amended, provides that the Company shall,
to the full extent permitted by the OGCL, indemnify all persons whom it may indemnify.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; background-color: white">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; background-color: white">The Company maintains insurance policies
under which directors and officers of the Company and its subsidiaries are insured, within the limits and subject to the limitations
of such policies, against expenses in connection with the defense of actions, suits or proceedings, and certain liabilities that
might be imposed as a result of such actions, suits or proceedings, to which they are parties by reason of being or having been
directors or officers of the Company or its subsidiaries.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><B>ITEM 7. EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED.</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0pt">Not Applicable.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><B>ITEM 8. EXHIBITS</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0pt">See the Index to Exhibits attached hereto
and beginning on page 4.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><B>&nbsp;
</B></FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 1.5in; text-indent: -1.5in"><B>ITEM 9. UNDERTAKINGS.</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 1.5in; text-indent: -1.5in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0pt">(a)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The undersigned
Registrant hereby undertakes:</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0pt">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.25in">(1)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;To
file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.25in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in">(i)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;To
include any prospectus required by Section&nbsp;10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in">(ii)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;To
reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most recent&nbsp;post-effective
amendment&nbsp;thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in
the Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total
dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the
estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if,
in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20&nbsp;percent change in the maximum aggregate offering
price set forth in the &ldquo;Calculation of Registration Fee&rdquo; table in the effective Registration Statement;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in">(iii)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;To
include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement
or any material change to such information in the Registration Statement;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 55.1pt">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.25in"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><I>provided</I></FONT>,&nbsp;<I>however</I>,
that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) above do not apply if the Registration Statement is on Form&nbsp;S-8,&nbsp;and the information
required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the
Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or Section&nbsp;15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference
in the Registration Statement.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.25in">(2)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;That,
for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be
a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall
be deemed to be the initial&nbsp;<I>bona fide</I>&nbsp;offering thereof.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.25in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.25in">(3)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;To
remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
termination of the offering.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.25in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0pt">(b)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The undersigned
Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant&rsquo;s
annual report pursuant to Section&nbsp;13(a) or Section&nbsp;15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an
employee benefit plan&rsquo;s annual report pursuant to Section&nbsp;15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference
in the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and
the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial&nbsp;<I>bona fide</I>&nbsp;offering thereof.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 24.5pt">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 24.5pt"></P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 24.5pt">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0pt">(c)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Insofar as indemnification
for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant
pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director,
officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the
opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the
question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0pt">&nbsp;</P>

<DIV STYLE="padding: 0in 0in 1pt; border-bottom: Black 1.5pt solid">

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 24.5pt"></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 24.5pt"></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center; text-indent: 24.5pt">INDEX TO EXHIBITS</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center; text-indent: 24.5pt">&nbsp;</P>

</DIV>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="border-bottom: black 1pt solid; width: 12%">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><B>Exhibit</B></P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><B>Number</B></P></TD>
    <TD STYLE="border-bottom: black 1pt solid; text-align: left; width: 88%; vertical-align: bottom">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><B>DESCRIPTION</B></P></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD><A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/708955/000114420414046172/v385117_ex3-2.htm" STYLE="-sec-extract: exhibit"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">4.1</FONT></A></TD>
    <TD><A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/708955/000114420414046172/v385117_ex3-2.htm" STYLE="-sec-extract: exhibit"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Amended
Articles of Incorporation of First Financial Bancorp</FONT><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">. (reflecting all amendments filed with
the Ohio Secretary of State) [for purposes of SEC reporting compliance only - not filed with the Ohio Secretary of State] (filed
as Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant&rsquo;s Form S-3 on July 31, 2014, and incorporated hereby by reference) (File No. 333-197771)</FONT></A></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD><A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/708955/000070895515000044/ex31amendedandrestatedregu.htm" STYLE="-sec-extract: exhibit"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">4.2</FONT></A></TD>
    <TD><A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/708955/000070895515000044/ex31amendedandrestatedregu.htm" STYLE="-sec-extract: exhibit"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Amended
and Restated Regulations of First Financial Bancorp, amended as of July 28, 2015 (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the</FONT> <FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">the
Registrant&rsquo;s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 29, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference) (File No. 001-34762)</FONT></A></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD><A HREF="tm2020839d1_ex5-1.htm" STYLE="-sec-extract: exhibit"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">5.1</FONT></A></TD>
    <TD><A HREF="tm2020839d1_ex5-1.htm" STYLE="-sec-extract: exhibit"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Opinion of </FONT><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP (filed herewith)</FONT></A></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD><A HREF="tm2020839d1_ex10-1.htm"> 10.1</A></TD>
    <TD><A HREF="tm2020839d1_ex10-1.htm">Form of Agreement for Restricted Stock Award For Non-Employee Directors (filed herewith)</A></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD><A HREF="tm2020839d1_ex23-1.htm" STYLE="-sec-extract: exhibit"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">23.1</FONT></A></TD>
    <TD><A HREF="tm2020839d1_ex23-1.htm" STYLE="-sec-extract: exhibit"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Consent of Crowe LLP (filed herewith)</FONT></A></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD><A HREF="tm2020839d1_ex5-1.htm" STYLE="-sec-extract: exhibit"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">23.2</FONT></A></TD>
    <TD><A HREF="tm2020839d1_ex5-1.htm" STYLE="-sec-extract: exhibit"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Consent of </FONT><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP (contained in Exhibit 5.1 hereto) (filed herewith)</FONT></A></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD><A HREF="#a_001">24.1</A></TD>
    <TD><A HREF="#a_001">Powers of Attorney (included on the signature page of this Registration Statement) (filed herewith)</A></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD><A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/708955/000104746920002349/a2240789zdef14a.htm#AnnexA" STYLE="-sec-extract: exhibit"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">99.1</FONT></A></TD>
    <TD><A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/708955/000104746920002349/a2240789zdef14a.htm#AnnexA" STYLE="-sec-extract: exhibit"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">First
Financial Bancorp. </FONT><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">2020 Stock Plan (filed as Annex A to the Registrant&rsquo;s Proxy Statement
filed on April 16, 2020, and incorporated herein by reference) (File No. 001-34762)</FONT></A></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 1.5in; text-indent: -1.5in"></P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 1.5in; text-indent: -1.5in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><A NAME="a_001"></A>&lsquo;<B>SIGNATURES</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities
Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing
on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized,
in the City of Cincinnati, and the State of Ohio, on May 26, 2020.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: right">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 88%; border-collapse: collapse">
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD COLSPAN="2"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">First Financial Bancorp.</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="width: 49%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 3%"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">By: </FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="border-bottom: black 1pt solid; width: 46%"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">/s/</FONT> <FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Karen B. Woods</FONT></TD>
    </TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Karen B. Woods</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">General Counsel and Chief Risk Officer</FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"></P>



<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in">KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature
appears below constitutes and appoints James M. Anderson, and Karen B. Woods,<B>&nbsp;</B>and each of them, his or her true and
lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in
any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement and
to file the same with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite
and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully and to all intents and purposes as they might or could not in person,
hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their or his substitute or substitutes
may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in">Pursuant to the requirements
of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated
on May 26, 2020.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in"></P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt"><B>Signature</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap; padding-bottom: 1pt">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt"><B>Capacity</B></FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="white-space: nowrap; text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap; text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD STYLE="border-bottom: Black 1pt solid; white-space: nowrap; width: 7%"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">/s/ Archie M. Brown </FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap; width: 42%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap; width: 2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap; width: 49%"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">President, Chief Executive Officer and Director </FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="white-space: nowrap"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Archie M. Brown</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">(Principal Executive Officer)</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD STYLE="border-bottom: Black 1pt solid; white-space: nowrap"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">/s/ James M. Anderson </FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer </FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="white-space: nowrap"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">James M. Anderson</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">(Principal Financial Officer)</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD STYLE="border-bottom: Black 1pt solid; white-space: nowrap"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">/s/ Scott T. Crawley </FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Corporate Controller </FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="white-space: nowrap"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Scott T. Crawley</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">(Principal Accounting Officer)</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD STYLE="border-bottom: Black 1pt solid; white-space: nowrap"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">/s/ Claude E. Davis </FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Chairman of the Board and Director</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="white-space: nowrap"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Claude E. Davis</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD STYLE="border-bottom: Black 1pt solid; white-space: nowrap"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">/s/ J. Wickliffe Ach </FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Director</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="white-space: nowrap"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">J. Wickliffe Ach</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD STYLE="border-bottom: Black 1pt solid; white-space: nowrap"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">/s/ William G. Barron </FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Director</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="white-space: nowrap"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">William G. Barron</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD STYLE="border-bottom: Black 1pt solid; white-space: nowrap"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">/s/ Vincent A. Berta </FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Director</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="white-space: nowrap"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Vincent A. Berta</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD STYLE="border-bottom: Black 1pt solid; white-space: nowrap"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">/s/ Cynthia O. Booth </FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Director</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="white-space: nowrap"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Cynthia O. Booth</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD STYLE="border-bottom: Black 1pt solid; white-space: nowrap"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">/s/ Corinne R. Finnerty </FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Director</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="white-space: nowrap"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Corinne R. Finnerty</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD STYLE="border-bottom: Black 1pt solid; white-space: nowrap"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">/s/ Susan L. Knust </FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Director</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="white-space: nowrap"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Susan L. Knust</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD STYLE="border-bottom: Black 1pt solid; white-space: nowrap"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">/s/ William J. Kramer </FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Director</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="white-space: nowrap"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">William J. Kramer</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD STYLE="border-bottom: Black 1pt solid; white-space: nowrap"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">/s/ John T. Neighbours </FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Director</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="white-space: nowrap"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">John T. Neighbours</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD STYLE="border-bottom: Black 1pt solid; white-space: nowrap"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">/s/ Thomas M. O&rsquo;Brien </FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Director</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="white-space: nowrap"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Thomas M. O&rsquo;Brien</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD STYLE="border-bottom: Black 1pt solid; white-space: nowrap"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">/s/ Maribeth S. Rahe </FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Director</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="white-space: nowrap"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Maribeth S. Rahe</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
</TABLE>


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<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-5.1
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>tm2020839d1_ex5-1.htm
<DESCRIPTION>EXHIBIT 5.1
<TEXT>
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<P STYLE="margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="text-align: right; margin: 0"><B>Exhibit 5.1</B></P>

<P STYLE="margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">[Letterhead of Vorys, Sater, Seymour and
Pease LLP]</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">May 26, 2020</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">First Financial Bancorp.<BR>
255 East Fifth Street, Suite 800<BR>
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 0.5in"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.5in">Re:</TD><TD><U>First Financial Bancorp. 2020 Stock Plan &mdash; Registration Statement on Form S-8</U></TD></TR></TABLE>

<P STYLE="margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">Ladies and Gentlemen:</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in">We have acted as counsel to First Financial
Bancorp., an Ohio corporation (the &ldquo;Company&rdquo;), in connection with the Company&rsquo;s Registration Statement on Form
S-8 (the &ldquo;Registration Statement&rdquo;) to be filed today with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the provisions
of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the &ldquo;Securities Act&rdquo;), and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder
(the &ldquo;Rules and Regulations&rdquo;), for the registration of (i)&nbsp;4,400,000 common shares, no par value, of the Company
(the &ldquo;Shares&rdquo;), to be issued and delivered pursuant to the First Financial Bancorp. 2020 Stock Plan (the &ldquo;2020
Stock Plan&rdquo;).</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in">In connection with rendering the opinions
expressed in this letter, we have examined, to the extent deemed necessary, originals or copies, the authenticity of which has
been established to our satisfaction, of: (a)&nbsp;the Registration Statement; (b)&nbsp;the 2020 Stock Plan; (c)&nbsp;the Company&rsquo;s
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, as currently in effect (the &ldquo;Articles&rdquo;); (d)&nbsp;the Company&rsquo;s
Amended and Restated Regulations, as currently in effect (the &ldquo;Regulations&rdquo;); and (e)&nbsp;all such corporate records
of the Company, including, without limitation, resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company (and committees thereof)
and by the shareholders of the Company, as we have deemed relevant as a basis for these opinions. We have also relied upon such
oral or written statements and representations of the officers of the Company and examined such certificates of public officials
and authorities of law as we have deemed relevant as a basis for the opinions expressed herein.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in">In our examination of the aforesaid records,
documents and certificates, we have assumed, without independent verification or investigation, the authenticity of all records,
documents and certificates examined by us, the correctness of the information contained in all records, documents and certificates
examined by us, the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of all individuals who have executed any of the aforesaid
documents and certificates, the authority of all individuals entering and maintaining records, and the conformity to authentic
originals of all items submitted to us as copies (whether certified, conformed, photostatic or by other electronic means) of records,
documents or certificates. In making our examination of records, documents and certificates executed by any party other than the
Company, we have assumed that such other party had the power and authority, corporate or other, to enter into and perform all of
such other party&rsquo;s obligations thereunder, and we have assumed the due authorization by all requisite action, corporate or
other, of such other party, the valid execution and delivery by such other party of such documents and certificates and the validity,
binding effect and enforceability thereof with respect to such other party. In addition, we have assumed that the agreements that
accompany each award under the 2020 Stock Plan will be consistent with the terms of the 2020 Stock Plan and will not expand, modify
or otherwise affect the terms of the 2020 Stock Plan or the respective rights or obligations of the participants thereunder. Further,
we have assumed the accuracy of all information provided to us by the Company, orally or in writing, during the course of our investigations.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in"></P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0pt">First Financial Bancorp.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">May 26, 2020</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Page
</FONT>2</P>



<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0pt">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in">We have further assumed that (a) the common
shares of the Company currently reserved for issuance under the 2020 Stock Plan will remain available for under the 2020 Stock
Plan, and (b) neither the Articles, the Regulations nor any of the proceedings relating to either the 2020 Stock Plan or any of
the award agreements relating to the Shares will be rescinded, amended or otherwise modified prior to the issuance of the Shares.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in">We have relied solely upon the examinations
and inquiries recited herein, and, except for the examinations and inquiries recited herein, we have not undertaken any independent
investigation to determine the existence or absence of any facts, and no inference as to our knowledge concerning such facts should
be drawn.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in">Based upon and subject to the foregoing
and subject to the further assumptions and the qualifications and limitations set forth below, as of the date hereof, we are of
the opinion that the Shares, when issued, delivered and paid for, as appropriate, in the manner provided and for the consideration
prescribed in the 2020 Stock Plan and in any award agreements entered into by participants in the 2020 Stock Plan with the Company
as contemplated by the 2020 Stock Plan, when appropriate, will be legally and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, assuming
compliance with applicable securities laws.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in">The opinions expressed in this letter are
rendered as of, and are based upon the laws and legal interpretations in effect and the facts and circumstances existing on, the
date first written above. We disclaim any obligation to (a) advise you of facts, circumstances, events or developments which hereafter
may be brought to our attention and which may alter, affect or modify the opinions expressed herein or (b) revise or supplement
this opinion should any such law or legal interpretation be changed by legislative action, judicial interpretation or otherwise
or should there be any change in such facts or circumstances. Our opinions are expressly limited to the matters set forth above,
and we render no opinion, whether by implication or otherwise, as to any other matters relating to the Company, the 2020 Stock
Plan or the Shares.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in">This opinion is furnished
by us solely for the benefit of the Company in connection with the Registration Statement. No portion of this opinion may be quoted,
relied upon or otherwise used by any other person or for any other purpose without our prior written consent.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in">Notwithstanding the foregoing, we consent
to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and further consent to the use of our name wherever appearing
in the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto. By giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are &ldquo;experts&rdquo;
within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Rules and Regulations with respect to any part of the Registration Statement, including
this exhibit.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

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    <TD STYLE="font-size: 10pt; width: 50%"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 50%; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Sincerely,</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size: 10pt; vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size: 10pt; vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">/s/ Vorys, Sater, Seymour and
    Pease LLP</FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE>


<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 2.5in; text-indent: 0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

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<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-10.1
<SEQUENCE>3
<FILENAME>tm2020839d1_ex10-1.htm
<DESCRIPTION>EXHIBIT 10.1
<TEXT>
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<P STYLE="margin: 0"></P>

<P STYLE="text-align: right; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><B>Exhibit 10.1</B></P>

<P STYLE="margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="margin: 0"></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>AGREEMENT FOR RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>FOR NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">This Agreement for Restricted Stock Award (the &quot;Agreement&quot;)
is made between <B>FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.</B>, an Ohio corporation (the &ldquo;Corporation&rdquo;), and [Participant Name] who,
as of [Grant Date], which is the date of this Agreement, is a non-employee director of First Financial Bancorp. (the &quot;Director&quot;):</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">WHEREAS, the Corporation established the First Financial Bancorp.
2020 Stock Plan (the &quot;Plan&quot;), and a Committee of the Board of Directors of the Corporation designated in the Plan (the
 &quot;Committee&quot;) approved the execution of this Agreement containing the Restricted Stock Award herein set forth to the Director
upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">WHEREAS, a Prospectus is delivered to the Director simultaneously
with this Agreement and is attached as Appendix A.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual obligations contained
herein, it is hereby agreed:</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top"><TD STYLE="width: 0in"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.5in">1.</TD><TD><B><U>Award
of Restricted Stock</U>.</B> The Corporation hereby awards to Director as of the date of this Agreement [ ] shares of restricted
Common Stock of the Corporation (&quot;Common Stock&quot;), without par value, in consideration of services to be rendered (the
 &ldquo;Award&rdquo;).</TD></TR></TABLE>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 0.25in">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top"><TD STYLE="width: 0in"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.5in">2.</TD><TD><B><U>Restrictions
on Transfer</U>.</B> The shares of restricted Common Stock so received by the Director and any additional shares attributable
thereto received by the Director as a result of any stock dividend, recapitalization, merger, reorganization or similar event
are subject to the restrictions set forth herein and may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered during
the Restriction Period, except as permitted hereby.</TD></TR></TABLE>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top"><TD STYLE="width: 0in"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.5in">3.</TD><TD><B><U>Restriction
Period</U>. </B>The Restriction Period begins as of the date of this Agreement and, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement
or the Plan, all restrictions on restricted Common Stock granted pursuant to the Award shall end (and the restricted Common Stock
shall thereupon become vested) on the applicable anniversary date(s) of the date of this Agreement (the &quot;Anniversary Dates&quot;)
as set forth below:</TD></TR></TABLE>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 1in; text-indent: 2in">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" ALIGN="CENTER" STYLE="border-collapse: collapse; width: 50%">
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif">Anniversary Date</TD><TD STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif">First Eligible to Vest on</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid">of this Agreement</TD><TD STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; padding-bottom: 1pt">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid">Indicated Anniversary Date</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom; background-color: rgb(204,238,255)">
    <TD STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 47%; text-align: left">1st anniversary date</TD><TD STYLE="width: 4%; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 49%; text-align: center">100.00%</TD></TR>
</TABLE>


<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 0.25in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 0.5in">Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything in this
Agreement to the contrary, the Restriction Period with respect to restricted Common Stock granted pursuant to the Award shall end
(and the restricted Common Stock shall thereupon become vested) (i) as of the effective date of a Change in Control (as such term
is defined in the Plan); or (ii) as of the date of the Director&rsquo;s termination of service to the Corporation resulting from
the Director&rsquo;s death or Disability.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top"><TD STYLE="width: 0in"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.5in">4.</TD><TD><B><U>Terms
and Conditions</U>.</B> Awards are subject to terms and conditions of the Plan.</TD></TR></TABLE>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top"><TD STYLE="width: 0in"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.5in">5.</TD><TD><B><U>Issuance
of Stock Awards</U>.</B></TD></TR></TABLE>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 0.5in"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.25in">(a)</TD><TD>Upon award of the restricted Common Stock to the Director, shares of restricted Common Stock shall be evidenced by a book-entry
registration by the Corporation for the benefit of the Director. Each such registration will be held by the Corporation or its
agent. Any restricted Common Stock of the Corporation resulting from any stock dividend, recapitalization, merger, reorganization
or similar event will also be held by the Corporation or its agent. All such Common Stock evidenced thereby will be subject to
the forfeiture provisions, limitations on transferability and all other restrictions herein contained.</TD></TR></TABLE>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in"></P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 0.5in"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.25in">(b)</TD><TD>With regard to any shares of restricted Common Stock which cease to be subject to restrictions pursuant to Section 3, the Corporation
will, upon the request of the Director, transfer Common Stock for such shares free of all restrictions set forth in the Plan and
this Agreement to the Director or the Director's designee, or in the event of such Director's death subsequent to expiration of
the Restriction Period, to the Director's legal representative, heir or legatee.</TD></TR></TABLE>

<P STYLE="font: italic 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0.25in 0pt 58.5pt; text-indent: -22.5pt"><FONT STYLE="font-style: normal">&nbsp;</FONT></P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 0.5in"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.25in">(c)</TD><TD>By accepting shares of restricted Common Stock, the Director agrees not to sell shares at a time when applicable laws or the
Corporation's rules prohibit a sale. This restriction shall apply as long as the Director is a director of the Corporation or a
Subsidiary. The Director agrees, if requested by the Corporation, to hold such shares for investment and not with a view of resale
or distribution to the public, and if requested by the Corporation, the Director must deliver to the Corporation a written statement
satisfactory to the Corporation to that effect.</TD></TR></TABLE>

<P STYLE="font: italic 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0.25in 0pt 0; text-indent: 0in"><FONT STYLE="font-style: normal">&nbsp;</FONT></P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%" STYLE="font: italic 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 0"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.5in"><FONT STYLE="font-style: normal">6.</FONT></TD><TD STYLE="padding-right: 13.5pt"><FONT STYLE="font-style: normal"><B><U>Shareholder's Rights</U></B></FONT><B>.</B> <FONT STYLE="font-style: normal">Subject
to the terms of this Agreement, during the Restriction Period:</FONT></TD></TR></TABLE>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 0.5in"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.25in">(a)</TD><TD STYLE="text-align: left">The Director will have, with respect to the restricted Common Stock, the right to vote all shares
of the restricted Common Stock received under or as a result of this Agreement, including shares which are subject to the restrictions
on transfer in Section 2.</TD></TR></TABLE>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 0.5in; text-align: left; text-indent: 0in">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 0.5in"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.25in">(b)</TD><TD STYLE="text-align: left">The Director shall not be paid any cash dividends with respect to the restricted Common Stock until
the Director has become vested in the shares. At the time of vesting, the Director shall receive a cash payment equal to the aggregate
dividends (without interest) that the Director would have received if the Director had owned all the shares in which the Director
had vested for the period beginning on the date of grant of those shares, and ending on the date of vesting. No dividends shall
be paid to the Director with respect to any shares of restricted Common Stock that are forfeited by the Director.</TD></TR></TABLE>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: left; text-indent: 0in">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 0"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.5in">7.</TD><TD><B><U>Regulatory Compliance</U>.</B> The issuance of shares of restricted Common Stock and Common Stock will be subject to
full compliance with all then-applicable requirements of law and the requirements of the exchange upon which Common Stock may be
traded, as set forth in the Plan. Furthermore, the Corporation shall have the right to refuse to issue or transfer any shares under
this Agreement if the Corporation, acting in its absolute discretion, determines that the issuance or transfer of such Common Stock
might violate any applicable law or regulation.</TD></TR></TABLE>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 0"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.5in">8.</TD><TD><B><U>Withholding Tax</U>.</B> The Corporation shall have the right
                                         to retain or sell without notice sufficient Common Stock to cover the amount of any federal
                                         income tax required to be withheld with respect to such Common Stock being issued or
                                         vested, remitting any balance to the Director; provided, however, that the Director shall
                                         have the right to provide the Corporation with the funds to enable it to pay such tax.
                                         Alternatively, the Corporation reserves the right to not withhold taxes and to reflect
                                         any income on a Form 1099 or such other appropriate tax form.</TD></TR></TABLE>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in"></P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 0"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.5in">9.</TD><TD><B><U>Investment Representation</U>.</B> The Director represents and agrees that if he or she is awarded and receives the restricted
Common Stock at a time when there is not in effect under the Securities Act of 1933 a registration statement pertaining to the
shares and there is not available for delivery a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10(A)(3) of said Act, (i) he or
she will accept and receive such shares for the purpose of investment and not with a view to their resale or distribution, (ii)
that upon such award and receipt, he or she will furnish to the Corporation an investment letter in form and substance satisfactory
to the Corporation, (iii) prior to selling or offering for sale any such shares, he or she will furnish the Corporation with an
opinion of counsel satisfactory to the Corporation to the effect that such sale may lawfully be made and will furnish the Corporation
with such certificates as to factual matters as the Corporation may reasonably request, and (iv) that certificates representing
such shares may be marked with an appropriate legend describing such conditions precedent to sale or transfer.</TD></TR></TABLE>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 0.25in">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 0"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.5in">10.</TD><TD><B><U>Federal Income Tax Election</U>.</B> The Director hereby acknowledges receipt of advice that, pursuant to current federal
income tax laws, (i) he or she has thirty (30) days in which to elect to be taxed in the current taxable year on the fair market
value of the restricted Common Stock in accordance with the provisions of Internal Revenue Code Section 83(b), and (ii) if no such
election is made, the taxable event will occur upon expiration of restrictions on transfer at termination of the Restriction Period
and the tax will be measured by the fair market value of the restricted Common Stock on the date of the taxable event.</TD></TR></TABLE>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 0"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.5in">11.</TD><TD><B><U>Adjustments</U>.</B> If, after the date of this Agreement, the Common Stock of the Corporation is, as a result of a merger,
reorganization, consolidation, recapitalization, reclassification, split-up, spin-off, separation, liquidation, stock dividend,
stock split, reverse stock split, property dividend, share repurchase, share combination, share exchange, issuance of warrants,
rights or debentures or other change in corporate structure of the Corporation, increased or decreased or changed into or exchanged
for a different number or kind of shares of stock or other securities of the Corporation or of another corporation, then:</TD></TR></TABLE>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 0.5in"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.5in">(a)</TD><TD>for each share of restricted Common Stock for which the Restriction Period has not ended under this Agreement, there automatically
will be substituted the number and kind of shares of stock or other securities into which each outstanding share is changed or
for which each such share is exchanged; and</TD></TR></TABLE>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 0.5in"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.5in">(b)</TD><TD>the Corporation will make such other adjustments to the securities subject to provisions of the Plan and this Agreement as
may be appropriate and equitable; provided, however, that the number of shares of restricted Common Stock will always be a whole
number.</TD></TR></TABLE>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 0"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.5in">12.</TD><TD STYLE="text-align: left"><B><U>Notices</U>.</B> Each notice relating to this Agreement must be in writing and delivered in
person or by registered mail to the Corporation at its office, 255 East Fifth Street, Suite 700, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202, attention
of the Secretary, or at such other place as the Corporation has designated by notice. All notices to the Director or other person
or persons succeeding to his or her interest will be delivered to the Director or such other person or persons at the Director's
address below specified or such other address as specified in a notice filed with the Corporation.</TD></TR></TABLE>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 0.5in; text-align: left; text-indent: 0in"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 0"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.5in">13.</TD><TD STYLE="text-align: left"><B><U>Determinations of the Corporation Final</U>.</B> Any dispute or disagreement which arises under,
as a result of, or in any way relates to the interpretation or construction of this Agreement will be determined by the Board of
Directors of the Corporation or by a committee appointed by the Board of Directors of the Corporation (or any successor corporation).
The Director hereby agrees to accept any such determination as final, binding and conclusive for all purposes.</TD></TR></TABLE>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 0.5in; text-align: left; text-indent: 0in"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 0"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.5in">14.</TD><TD STYLE="text-align: left"><B><U>Successors</U>.</B> All rights under this Agreement are personal to the Director and are not
transferable except that in the event of the Director's death, such rights are transferable to the Director's legal representatives,
heirs or legatees. This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Corporation and its successors and assigns.</TD></TR></TABLE>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in"></P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 0"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.5in">15.</TD><TD><B><U>Obligations of the Corporation</U>.</B> The liability of the Corporation under the Plan and this Agreement is limited
to the obligations set forth therein. No term or provision of the Plan or this Agreement will be construed to impose any liability
on the Corporation in favor of the Director with respect to any loss, cost or expense which the Director may incur in connection
with or arising out of any transaction in connection therewith.</TD></TR></TABLE>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 0"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.5in">16.</TD><TD><B><U>Governing Law</U>.</B> This Agreement will be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of
Ohio.</TD></TR></TABLE>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 0"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.5in">17.</TD><TD><B><U>Plan</U>.</B> The Plan will control if there is any conflict between the Plan and this Agreement and on any matters that
are not contained in this Agreement. A copy of the Plan has been provided to the Director and is incorporated by reference and
made a part of this Agreement. Capitalized terms used but not specifically defined in this Agreement will have the definitions
given to them in the Plan.</TD></TR></TABLE>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 0"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.5in">18.</TD><TD><B><U>Entire Agreement</U>.</B> This Agreement and the Plan supersede any other agreement, whether written or oral, that may
have been made or entered into by the Corporation and/or any of its Subsidiaries and the Director relating to the shares of restricted
Common Stock that are granted under this Agreement. This Agreement and the Plan constitute the entire agreement by the parties
with respect to such matters, and there are no agreements or commitments except as set forth herein and in the Plan.</TD></TR></TABLE>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 0"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.5in">19.</TD><TD><B><U>Captions; Counterparts</U>.</B> The captions in this Agreement are for convenience only and will not be considered a
part of or affect the construction or interpretation of any provision of this Agreement. This Agreement may be executed in any
number of counterparts, each of which will constitute one and the same instrument.</TD></TR></TABLE>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement for Restricted Stock Award
has been executed and dated by the parties as of the date first set forth above.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; text-align: left"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD STYLE="width: 50%"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 5%"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: left; width: 45%"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">By:</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="border-bottom: Black 1pt solid; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Title:</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; text-align: left"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Chief Executive Officer</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: left"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: left"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="border-bottom: Black 1pt solid; text-align: left"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif"></TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: left"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Signature of Director</FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE>


<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">2020 Director RSA</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"></P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>APPENDIX A</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><I>&nbsp;</I></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><I>This document constitutes part of a prospectus
covering securities that have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.</I></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>PROSPECTUS</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">[Intentionally omitted.]</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

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<FILENAME>tm2020839d1_ex23-1.htm
<DESCRIPTION>EXHIBIT 23.1
<TEXT>
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<P STYLE="margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 1in; text-align: right; text-indent: -1in"><B>Exhibit 23.1&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 1in; text-align: center; text-indent: -1in"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 1in; text-align: center; text-indent: -1in"><B>CONSENT OF
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 1in; text-align: center; text-indent: -1in"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration
Statement on Form S-8 of First Financial Bancorp. of our report dated February 21, 2020 relating to the consolidated financial
statements and effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of First
Financial Bancorp. for the year ended December 31, 2019.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

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    <TD STYLE="border-bottom: Black 1pt solid; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 50%">/s/ Crowe</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif">Crowe LLP</TD></TR>
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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">Indianapolis, Indiana</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">May 26, 2020</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

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