8-K

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): August 7, 2014

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):

[ ] 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-KFirst Financial Bancorp.

Item 8.01Other Events.

On December 18 and December 20, 2013, First Financial Bancorp (the “Company”) announced that it had entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger with each of The First Bexley Bank and Insight Bank, respectively. On July 23, 2014, the Company received notice from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the “Comptroller”) that both of these transactions have been approved by the Comptroller. Both transactions have been consummated effective August 7, 2014.

The Agreement and Plan of Merger with The First Bexley Bank was filed as an exhibit to a Form 8-K filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on December 23, 2013. The Agreement and Plan of Merger with Insight Bank was filed as an exhibit to a separate Form 8-K filed by the Company with the SEC on December 23, 2013.

Item 9.01Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)	Exhibits:
99.1	Press Release dated August 7, 2014.

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:	August 7, 2014

Form 8-KFirst Financial Bancorp.

Exhibit Index

Exhibit No.	Description
99.1	Press Release dated August 7, 2014.

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jenny Keighley

513-979-5852 (office)

513-515-8214 (cell)

jennifer.keighley@bankatfirst.com

First Financial Bank Officially Enters the Columbus, Ohio Market

The bank closes First Bexley Bank and Insight Bank mergers; announces transition weekend

Columbus, OH - August 7, 2014 - First Financial Bank announces that it has officially closed The First Bexley Bank and Insight Bank transactions.

“We’re proud to expand into the Columbus market, a key strategic area for the bank,” said Claude Davis, CEO of First Financial Bank. “We look forward to building on the success of these two banks and offering our full suite of products and services to the local community, including consumer, business, mortgage, and wealth management solutions.”

While both First Bexley Bank and Insight Bank are officially First Financial Bank, it is business as usual for associates and clients until transition weekend in September. During the transition weekend of September 6 and 7, First Bexley Bank and Insight Bank banking centers in Columbus along with the client relationships and deposit accounts will convert to First Financial Bank. Local banking centers will be closed on Saturday, September 6 in order to take on the First Financial look and feel with new signage and interior merchandising.

The banking centers will reopen under the First Financial brand on Monday, September 8, and clients will have access to a network of more than 100 banking centers and 130 ATMs across a three-state footprint. Clients will receive a welcome guide to explain the transition and the benefits of being a First Financial client. Associates are prepared to assist clients, answer their questions and process transactions as usual.

The First brand of banking focuses on building long-term relationships with clients by providing the sophisticated services offered by the large regional banks with the personalized attention and care of a community bank. Clients enjoy a full array of products and services including personal, business and wealth management solutions.

First Financial also expects to close the Guernsey Bank transaction this month, which will provide three additional banking center locations and position the bank as the largest community bank operating in the area.

For more information about First Financial Bank, visit www.bankatfirst.com or www.facebook.com/firstfinancialbank.

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About First Financial Bancorp

First Financial Bancorp is a Cincinnati, Ohio based bank holding company. As of June 30, 2014, the Company had $6.5 billion in assets, $4.0 billion in loans, $4.9 billion in deposits and $706 million in shareholders’ equity. The Company’s subsidiary, First Financial Bank, N.A., founded in 1863, provides banking and financial services products through its four lines of business: commercial, consumer, wealth management and mortgage. The commercial, consumer and mortgage units provide traditional banking services to business and retail clients. First Financial Wealth Management provides wealth planning, portfolio management, trust and estate, brokerage and retirement plan services and had approximately $2.5 billion in assets under management as of June 30, 2014. The Company’s strategic operating markets are located in Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky where it operates 105 banking centers. Additional information about the Company, including its products, services and banking locations is available at www.bankatfirst.com.

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