Document


 
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): January 25, 2018
 
 
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: 001-34762
 
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):

[ ] 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))

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined
in as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company     ¨

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 13(a) of the Exchange Act.     ¨






Form 8-K                                First Financial Bancorp.


Item 8.01    Other Events.

On January 25, 2018, First Financial Bancorp (NASDAQ: FFBC) (“First Financial”) and MainSource Financial Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: MSFG) (“MainSource”) entered into a Letter of Agreement with the United States Department of Justice (“DOJ”) regarding the divestiture of four (4) MainSource Bank branch locations in Columbus (Bartholomew County), Indiana, and one (1) MainSource Bank branch location in Greensburg (Decatur County), Indiana. The divestiture will include all deposits and loans, as well as all real and personal property, associated with the branches. The divestiture is designed to resolve competitive concerns raised by the DOJ regarding the pending merger of First Financial and MainSource. The divestiture is not expected to have a material impact on the financial metrics of the proposed merger or the combined company following the merger.

The Letter of Agreement provides, among other things, that the parties will take certain required steps to sell the branches to a competitively suitable purchaser or purchasers, subject to the approval of the DOJ. Prior to sale, First Financial and MainSource will preserve, maintain and continue to operate the branches, including maintaining all branch personnel. The sale of the branches must be consummated within 180 days following completion of the merger of First Financial and MainSource. Additionally, the agreement requires that if the parties determine to discontinue retail banking services at any branch located in Decatur or Bartholomew County within two years following the merger, the parties will notify the DOJ and sell or lease such branch to an FDIC insured institution. A divestiture statement identifying the subject branches is available on the website of each party.

The proposed merger remains subject to final approval of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve Board”) and other customary conditions.






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/ John M. Gavigan
 
 
John M. Gavigan
 
 
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
Date:
January 29, 2018