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):  March 6, 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 7.01
Regulation FD Disclosure.

 
On March 6, 2009, First Financial Bancorp filed a response (Response) with the Office of the Special Inspector General for Troubled Asset Relief Program (SIGTARP).  The Response provides information related to the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s investment in First Financial pursuant to the Capital Purchase Plan.  A copy of the Response is attached hereto 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. Response to SIGTARP dated March 6, 2009



 
 
 

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: March 12, 2009
    











 
 
 


Form 8-K
First Financial Bancorp.



Exhibit Index

Exhibit No.
Description
   
99.1
First Financial Bancorp. Response to SIGTARP dated March 6, 2009.