SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.  20549


FORM 8-K


CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): December 30, 2008


FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 
Ohio
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
0-12379
(Commission File Number)
31-1042001
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
 
4000 Smith Road
Cincinnati, Ohio
(Address of principal executive offices)
  
 
45209
(Zip Code)


Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:  (513) 979-5837


Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

r
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

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Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
   
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
 
 
 
Form 8-K
First Financial Bancorp.
   
 
 
Item 7.01
Regulation FD Disclosure.

On December 30, 2008, First Financial Bancorp. issued a press release announcing updated credit quality guidance to address its expectations for increased unemployment levels and declining economic conditions over the next several quarters.

A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1.

First Financial Bancorp does not intend for this Item 7.01 or Exhibit 99.1 to be treated as “filed” for purposes of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or incorporated by reference into its filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

  
Item 9.01
Exhibits.

The following exhibit shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

(c)  
Exhibit:

99.1           First Financial Bancorp. Press Release dated December 30, 2008.


SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

  FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.  
     
       
Date: December 30, 2008
By:
/s/ J. Franklin Hall  
    J. Franklin Hall  
    Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer  
       
 
 
 



 
Form 8-K
First Financial Bancorp.
   
 
Exhibit Index
 
 
Exhibit No. 
 Description
   
99.1 
First Financial Bancorp. Press Release dated December 30, 2008.