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): December 30, 2016

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))

Form 8-KFirst Financial Bancorp.

Item 8.01. Other Events.

First Financial Bancorp. today announced that, effective as of the close of business on December 30, 2016, its subsidiary, First Financial Bank, National Association, converted from a national association to an Ohio state chartered bank and changed its name to First Financial Bank.  First Financial Bank is now a member bank of the Federal Reserve System through the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland.  The conversion is not expected to affect the Bank’s clients in any way, and deposit clients will continue to receive the same protection on deposits through the FDIC. 

The press release issued by the Company in connection with the charter conversion is included as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated into this Item 8.01 by reference.

Item 9.01Financial Statements and Exhibits.

The following exhibit shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

(d)Exhibits:

99.1    First Financial Bancorp. Press Release dated January 3, 2017.

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 3, 2017

Form 8-KFirst Financial Bancorp.

Exhibit Index

Exhibit No.Description

99.1            First Financial Bancorp. Press Release dated January 3, 2017.

EX-99.1

EXHIBIT 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts:    Adam Kiefaber

513-979-5735 (office)

adam.kiefaber@bankatfirst.com

First Financial converts to an Ohio state chartered bank

Cincinnati, Ohio - Jan. 3, 2017 - First Financial Bancorp. today announced that effective as of the close of business on December 30, 2016, its subsidiary, First Financial Bank, National Association, converted from a national association to an Ohio state chartered bank and changed its name to First Financial Bank.

First Financial Bank is now a member bank of the Federal Reserve System through the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland. The conversion is not expected to affect the Bank’s clients in any way, and they continue to receive the same protection on deposits through the FDIC.

Claude Davis, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, stated, “The charter conversion is a strategic move for the long-term benefit of our shareholders, clients and associates. The charter conversion will not impact any of the products and services we provide to our clients and we will continue to deliver the highest level of service they have come to expect from us every day.”

Additional information about First Financial can be found by visiting bankatfirst.com.

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About First Financial Bancorp

First Financial Bancorp. is a Cincinnati, Ohio based bank holding company. As of September 30, 2016, the Company had $8.4 billion in assets, $5.8 billion in loans, $6.3 billion in deposits and $861.1 million in shareholders’ equity. The Company’s subsidiary, First Financial Bank, founded in 1863, provides banking and financial services products through its four lines of business: Commercial and Private Banking, Retail Banking, Investment Commercial Real Estate and Commercial Finance. These business units provide traditional banking services to business and retail clients. Commercial and Private Banking includes First Financial Wealth Management, which provides wealth planning, portfolio management, trust and estate, brokerage and retirement plan services and had approximately $2.4 billion in assets under management as of September 30, 2016. The Company’s primary operating markets are located in Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky where it operates 101 banking centers, while the Commercial Finance business lends into targeted industry verticals on a nationwide basis. Additional information about the Company, including its products, services and banking locations is available at www.bankatfirst.com.