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 21, 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 April 29, 2014, First Financial Bancorp (the “Company”) announced that it had entered into an Agreement of Merger with Guernsey Bancorp Inc. (“Guernsey”) and Robert Patrella, the sole shareholder of Guernsey. On July 30, 2014, the Company received notice from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the “Comptroller”) that the transaction has been approved by the Comptroller. The transaction was consummated effective August 21, 2014.

The Agreement of Merger among Company, Guernsey and Robert Patrella was filed as an exhibit to a Form 8-K filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on May 2, 2014.

Item 9.01Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)	Exhibits:
99.1	Press Release dated August 21, 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 21, 2014

Form 8-KFirst Financial Bancorp.

Exhibit Index

Exhibit No.	Description
99.1	Press Release dated August 21, 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 Bancorp Completes Acquisition of The Guernsey Bank

The bank announces transition weekend will take place in December

Columbus, OH - August 21, 2014 - First Financial Bancorp (Nasdaq: FFBC) announces that it has officially closed its acquisition of The Guernsey Bank.

“We’re excited about this opportunity and look forward to welcoming The Guernsey Bank clients to First Financial,” said Claude Davis, CEO of First Financial Bank. “This marks thenext significant step in building our brand in Columbus and positions First Financial as the largest community bank operating in the area.”

While The Guernsey Bank is officially First Financial Bank, it is business as usual for associates and clients until transition weekend now scheduled in December. During the transition weekend of December 6 and 7, Guernsey 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, December 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, December 8, and clients will have access to a network of more than 100 banking centers, including five in Columbus, 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. For more information about First Financial, 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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