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):  January 27, 2009


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):

o
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
   
o
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
   
o
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
   
o
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 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

(d) On January 27, 2009, the board of directors of First Financial Bancorp. elected Mark A. Collar as a director of the corporation.  Mr. Collar’s term shall expire at the next annual meeting of shareholders of the corporation.  It has not been determined on what committees of the board he will serve.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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.
     
     
     
 
By:
/s/ J. Franklin Hall
   
J. Franklin Hall
   
Executive Vice President and
   
Chief Financial Officer
     
     
     
Date:  February 2, 2009