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): January 23, 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-KFirst Financial Bancorp.

Item 7.01Regulation FD Disclosure.

First Financial Bancorp has announced that the board of directors declared a 19-cent per share quarterly cash dividend at their meeting on January 23, 2018. This represents an increase of approximately 12% over the previous quarterly cash dividend. Payable on March 15, 2018, the dividend will be distributed to shareholders of record as of March 1, 2018.

For further details, a copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1.

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     Press Release dated January 23, 2018.

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 23, 2018

EX-99.1

EXHIBIT 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:    Lauren Ponti-Zins

513.246.2137

First Financial Announces 12% Increase to Quarterly Dividend

Dividend payment timing accelerated

Cincinnati, Ohio – January 23, 2018 – First Financial Bancorp (Nasdaq: FFBC) announced that the board of directors declared a 19-cent per share quarterly cash dividend at their meeting on January 23, 2018. This represents an increase of approximately 12% over the previous quarterly cash dividend. Payable on March 15, 2018, the dividend will be distributed to shareholders of record as of March 1, 2018.

Claude Davis, Chief Executive Officer, commented, "As we mentioned during our fourth quarter earnings call, the passage of the Tax Cut and Jobs Act in late December was a significant positive for First Financial and all of our stakeholders, and prompted evaluation of our dividend policy and capital allocation strategies. This increase in our dividend is consistent with our stated goal of consistently providing strong shareholder returns while supporting planned growth initiatives and maintaining target capital levels."

“In addition to the dividend increase, we will accelerate the timing of our dividend payment in an effort to align dividend practices in anticipation of our pending merger with MainSource Financial Group.”

First Financial Bancorp has paid a cash dividend every quarter since the holding company was formed in April of 1983. The Company's last dividend increase was in January of 2017.

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About First Financial Bancorp

First Financial Bancorp is a Cincinnati, Ohio based bank holding company. As of December 31, 2017, the Company had $8.9 billion in assets, $6.0 billion in loans, $6.9 billion in deposits and $930.7 million in shareholders’ equity. The Company’s subsidiary, First Financial Bank, founded in 1863, provides banking and financial services products through its five lines of business: commercial, consumer, wealth management, specialty finance and mortgage. The commercial, consumer, specialty finance 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 $2.7 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2017. The Company’s strategic operating markets are located in Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky where it operates 94 banking centers. Additional information about the Company, including its products, services and banking locations is available at www.bankatfirst.com.