UNITED STATES

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 18, 2013

 

 

 

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Ohio		31-1042001
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. employer identification number)

 

Commission file number: 000-12379

 

255 East Fifth Street, Suite 700, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)

 

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (877) 322-9530

 

 

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):

 

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

 

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

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

 

¨ 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 8.01 Other Events

 

On December 18, 2013, First Financial Bancorp., an Ohio corporation (the “Company”) and The First Bexley Bank, an Ohio state-chartered commercial bank (“First Bexley”) issued a joint press release announcing the execution of an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December 17, 2013, by and among the Company, First Financial Bank, National Association, a national banking association and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, and First Bexley. The press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d)    Exhibits:

 

99.1

Press Release dated December 18, 2013.

 

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/ Anthony M. Stollings
		Anthony M. Stollings
		Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer

 

Date: December 18, 2013

 

 

Exhibit Index

 

Exhibit No.		Description
99.1		Press Release dated December 18, 2013.