EXHIBIT 99.1

News News News News News News

April 20, 2004

First Financial Bancorp Reports Earnings

HAMILTON, Ohio — First Financial Bancorp (Nasdaq: FFBC) chairman of the board and interim president and chief executive officer, Bruce E. Leep, today announced first-quarter 2004 net earnings of $9,948,000 or 23 cents in diluted earnings per share, compared to $10,631,000 or 24 cents in diluted earnings per share for the same period in 2003. This represents a 4.17 percent decrease in earnings per share.

Leep said, “While earnings were slightly less than the comparable quarter last year, they were ahead of the consensus estimates, and we are encouraged by some positive trends in the quarter. Most notably, net interest income and margin increased over fourth quarter 2003, reversing a trend of net interest margin compression, which has negatively impacted much of our industry over the last two years.

“Credit quality indicators were also stable to improved with net charge-offs being at their lowest level since December 2002, while loans 90 days or more past due improved to levels we had not seen in five years.

“Going forward, we may still see some fluctuations in credit quality and margin as we work through the current economic and interest-rate environment. Nonetheless, we are encouraged by the progress we’ve seen in the first quarter.”

Return on assets was 1.03 percent for the first quarter of 2004 compared to 1.16 percent in 2003, while return on average shareholders equity was 10.88 percent compared to 11.52 percent for the first quarter of 2003.

(The preceding overview of First Financial Bancorp’s earnings is supplemented with the following detail:)

1

Net Interest Income:

Net interest income for the first quarter of 2004 was $1.1 million or 2.90 percent less than the first quarter of 2003. Bancorp’s net interest margin for 2004 was 4.00 percent compared to 4.37 percent in 2003.

The major contributing factor to the decline in net interest income was the net interest margin compression Bancorp experienced during 2003 due to the asset-sensitive position of Bancorp’s balance sheet. This margin compression was the result of the continued downward repricing of assets without a like decrease in deposit liability rates. The net interest margin began to stabilize in the fourth quarter of 2003 and this positive trend continued into the first quarter of 2004. On a linked-quarter basis (first quarter 2004 compared to fourth quarter 2003), net interest income increased $2.1 million. Of this increase, $1.5 million is attributable to the negative impact of the accelerated amortization in the fourth quarter of 2003 associated with a previously announced mobile home loan sale that closed as planned. Likewise net interest margin on a linked-quarter basis increased 26 basis points to 4.00 percent. Of this increase in margin, 16 basis points is attributable to the fourth quarter 2003 impact of accelerated amortization.

Average outstanding loan balances were 1.94 percent higher than in the first quarter of 2003. The primary area of loan growth from the prior year was the residential real estate category. This increase was achieved notwithstanding the $35 million of loans sold in December related to both the sale of the Sunman, Indiana, banking center and the distressed loan sale that was announced and completed in 2003. On a linked-quarter basis, commercial and real estate construction loans exhibited growth as demand improved primarily in Bancorp’s southwestern Ohio market.

Deposit balances decreased $16.5 million or 0.56 percent from a year ago, while average deposit balances increased $22.4 million or 0.77 percent from a year ago. Deposit balances were impacted by the sale of two banking centers since the first quarter of 2003 which reduced deposit balances by $53 million. Bancorp also opened three new banking centers in 2003, two of which were opened in the fourth quarter. Additionally, Bancorp opened a new banking center in Maineville, Ohio, in April of 2004 and plans to open three to five additional new banking centers in 2004 in growing markets.

Credit Quality:

The provision for loan loss expense for the first quarter of 2004 was $2.6 million or $614,000 less than the comparable period in 2003. Net charge-offs of $2.7 million for the first quarter of 2004 were $387,000 less than the $3.1 million in net charge-offs for the first quarter of 2003. Improvements in the

2

level of commercial loans charged-off and strong recoveries on consumer loans previously charged-off positively impacted net charge-offs. The net charge-offs for the first quarter of 2004 were at the lowest level since December of 2002. The percentage of net charge-offs to average loans improved to 0.38 percent for 2004 compared to 0.45 percent for the same period in 2003.

Bancorp continued to maintain appropriate reserves with an allowance to ending loans ratio of 1.68 percent at year-end versus 1.74 percent for the same period last year. It is management’s belief that the allowance for loan losses is adequate to absorb estimated probable credit losses. The nonperforming assets to ending loans ratio decreased to 1.16 percent as of March 31, 2004, from 1.19 percent as of the end of the first quarter of 2003. This is also an improvement from the linked-quarter percentage of 1.18 and a 2003 high of 1.34 percent at the end of the third quarter of 2003.

Total nonperforming assets — which includes nonaccrual loans, restructured loans, and other real estate owned — decreased slightly to $33.0 million at the end of the first quarter of 2004 from $33.2 million at the end of the first quarter of 2003. Loans delinquent over 90 days decreased significantly to $1.3 million in 2004 from $3.6 million in 2003. This represents the lowest level of 90 days past due loans in over five years.

Bancorp’s level of nonperforming assets over the last several quarters has been reflective of the uncertain economy in the corporation’s primary markets in Ohio and Indiana. In the first quarter of 2004, credit quality indicators stabilized and in some cases improved. The stabilization and improvement in regard to credit quality has been positively influenced by signs of economic improvement, strategies such as the fourth-quarter 2003 distressed loan sale, and improved credit risk disciplines. Given the current economic environment, Bancorp expects continued stable to improving credit quality trends through 2004 although moderate fluctuations could occur as Bancorp continues to work through credit issues.

Noninterest Income:

Noninterest income increased $591,000 or 4.27% in the first quarter of 2004 compared to the same period in 2003. Service charges on deposit accounts improved slightly over 2003. Trust revenues increased $185,000 or 4.99% as a result of year-over-year market value improvements. Other noninterest income was positively impacted by a gain of approximately $500,000 on life insurance due to the death of a retired senior executive officer of a Bancorp affiliate in 2003, recapture of impairment on the mortgage-servicing assets of approximately $246,000, and increased insurance agency revenue, partially offset by a decrease on gains on the sale of mortgage loans of $842,000.

3

Noninterest Expense:

Total noninterest expense for the first quarter of 2004 increased $1.5 million or 4.68 percent from the first quarter of 2003. Salaries and employee benefits increased $328,000 or 1.80%. In the benefits category, reduced healthcare costs were partially offset by increased pension expense. Net occupancy expenses for 2004 increased $127,000 or 6.11% as a result of increased building rent, depreciation, and related expenses. Data processing expense increased $376,000 or 25.29% due primarily to a reclassification of certain credit-card and merchant processing expenses from other noninterest expense. Other noninterest expense was impacted by costs associated with the mobile home loan sale completed in the quarter, direct consulting work in regard to Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 internal control documentation and testing, and the executive search.

Other Items:

Bancorp’s search for a new president and chief executive officer is progressing. Selection is expected to be finalized by the end of the second quarter.

Bancorp repurchased 108,000 shares of its common stock during the first quarter of 2004 under a previously approved and ongoing program for general corporate purposes.

A $3.9 billion publicly owned bank holding company with over 4,000 shareholders, First Financial Bancorp currently operates 8 banking affiliates in Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, and Indiana with a total of 103 retail banking centers, as well as an investment-advisor affiliate and an operations affiliate. Insurance services are offered through Flagstone Insurance and Financial Services.

This release should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements, notes, and tables attached and in the First Financial Bancorp Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003. Management’s analysis may contain forward-looking statements that are provided to assist in the understanding of anticipated future financial performance. However, such performance involves risk and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the strength of the local economies in which operations are conducted, the effects of and changes in policies and laws of regulatory agencies, inflation, and interest rates. For further discussion of certain factors that may cause such forward-looking statements to differ materially from actual results, refer to the 2003 Form 10-K.

First Financial Bancorp

P.O. Box 476

Hamilton, OH 45012

Analyst Contact: C. Douglas Lefferson

513-867-4993

doug.lefferson@ffbc-oh.com

Media Contact: Cheryl R. Lipp

513-867-4929

cheryl.lipp@comfirst.com

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FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

(Unaudited)

				Three months ended,
	Mar. 31,			Dec. 31,			Sep. 30,			Jun. 30,			Mar. 31,
	2004			2003			2003			2003			2003
EARNINGS
Net interest income	$	36,157		$	34,093		$	36,373		$	37,179		$	37,236
Net earnings		9,948			8,841			7,824			10,610			10,631
Net earnings per share — basic	$	0.23		$	0.20		$	0.18		$	0.24		$	0.24
Net earnings per share — diluted	$	0.23		$	0.20		$	0.18		$	0.24		$	0.24
KEY RATIOS
Return on average assets		1.03	%		0.90	%		0.80	%		1.11	%		1.16	%
Return on average shareholders’ equity		10.88	%		9.62	%		8.46	%		11.46	%		11.52	%
Average shareholders’ equity to average assets		9.44	%		9.38	%		9.42	%		9.66	%		10.03	%
Net interest margin		4.00	%		3.74	%		3.98	%		4.17	%		4.37	%
Net interest margin (fully tax equivalent)		4.10	%		3.84	%		4.08	%		4.28	%		4.48	%
COMMON STOCK DATA
Average basic shares outstanding		43,924,139			43,993,558			44,122,446			44,486,775			44,893,511
Average diluted shares outstanding		43,967,599			44,012,803			44,160,906			44,519,484			45,048,972
Ending shares outstanding		43,924,139			43,939,018			44,049,702			44,277,529			44,709,604
Market price:
High	$	18.82		$	16.92		$	16.60		$	17.00		$	17.19
Low	$	16.29		$	15.14		$	14.67		$	15.00		$	15.26
Close	$	18.50		$	15.95		$	14.75		$	15.83		$	15.86
Book value	$	8.44		$	8.34		$	8.34		$	8.40		$	8.34
Common dividend declared	$	0.15		$	0.15		$	0.15		$	0.15		$	0.15
AVERAGE BALANCE SHEET ITEMS
Loans less unearned income	$	2,819,711		$	2,805,667		$	2,829,582		$	2,811,848		$	2,765,970
Investment securities		799,823			798,727			778,365			747,090			650,619
Other earning assets		12,279			13,559			15,845			13,619			40,751
Total earning assets		3,631,813			3,617,953			3,623,792			3,572,557			3,457,340
Total assets		3,894,900			3,886,012			3,894,426			3,841,251			3,730,744
Noninterest-bearing deposits		395,894			399,611			392,862			406,730			416,824
Interest-bearing deposits		2,530,912			2,553,934			2,592,383			2,536,477			2,487,612
Total deposits		2,926,806			2,953,545			2,985,245			2,943,207			2,904,436
Borrowings		542,380			516,952			486,825			481,731			410,100
Shareholders’ equity		367,628			364,653			366,978			371,219			374,236
CREDIT QUALITY
Ending allowance for loan losses	$	47,672		$	47,771		$	48,680		$	48,876		$	48,305
Nonperforming assets:
Nonaccrual		26,586			25,980			28,374			28,210			24,276
Restructured		3,373			3,821			6,532			7,188			6,291
OREO		3,070			3,207			3,054			2,366			2,636
Total nonperforming assets		33,029			33,008			37,960			37,764			33,203
Loans delinquent over 90 days		1,345			1,872			3,186			3,490			3,575
Gross charge-offs:
Commercial real estate		(631	)		(3,377	)		(300	)		(424	)		(112	)
Commercial loans and leases		(1,036	)		(3,650	)		(2,771	)		(1,800	)		(1,699	)
Consumer		(2,588	)		(2,447	)		(2,351	)		(1,957	)		(2,354	)
All other		(27	)		(8	)		(38	)		(18	)		0
Total gross charge-offs		(4,282	)		(9,482	)		(5,460	)		(4,199	)		(4,165	)
Recoveries:
Commercial real estate		34			83			5			45			5
Commercial loans and leases		538			561			316			229			432
Consumer		1,011			498			576			553			642
All other		0			9			3			1			0
Total recoveries		1,583			1,151			900			828			1,079
Total net charge-offs		(2,699	)		(8,331	)		(4,560	)		(3,371	)		(3,086	)
CREDIT QUALITY RATIOS
Allowance to ending loans, net of unearned income		1.68	%		1.71	%		1.73	%		1.73	%		1.74	%
Nonperforming assets to ending loans, net of unearned income plus OREO		1.16	%		1.18	%		1.34	%		1.33	%		1.19	%
90 days past due to loans, net of unearned income		0.05	%		0.07	%		0.11	%		0.12	%		0.13	%
Net charge-offs to average loans, net of unearned income		0.38	%		1.18	%		0.64	%		0.48	%		0.45	%

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)

						Three months ended,
	Mar. 31,			Dec. 31,		Sep. 30,		Jun. 30,			Mar. 31,
	2004			2003		2003		2003			2003
Interest income Loans, including fees	$	42,522		$	41,393	$	45,256	$	46,418		$	46,704
Investment securities Taxable		6,813			6,060		5,263		5,220			5,258
Tax-exempt		1,449			1,555		1,579		1,632			1,664
Total investment securities interest		8,262			7,615		6,842		6,852			6,922
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks		28			36		26		28			51
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell		11			11		24		37			74
Total interest income		50,823			49,055		52,148		53,335			53,751
Interest expense Deposits		9,662			10,214		10,692		11,396			12,084
Short-term borrowings		499			471		443		530			380
Long-term borrowings		4,163			4,130		4,161		4,112			3,931
Subordinated debentures and capital securities		342			147		479		118			120
Total interest expense		14,666			14,962		15,775		16,156			16,515
Net interest income		36,157			34,093		36,373		37,179			37,236
Provision for loan losses		2,600			7,422		4,364		3,942			3,214
Net interest income after provision for loan losses		33,557			26,671		32,009		33,237			34,022
Noninterest income
Service charges on deposit accounts		4,613			4,917		4,984		4,923			4,598
Trust revenues		3,892			3,648		3,623		3,522			3,707
Investment securities (losses) gains		(2	)		4		28		(36	)		28
Other		5,938			10,458		6,494		5,797			5,517
Total noninterest income		14,441			19,027		15,129		14,206			13,850
Noninterest expenses
Salaries and employee benefits		18,519			18,625		21,664		18,028			18,191
Net occupancy		2,205			1,872		1,899		1,816			2,078
Furniture and equipment		1,804			1,701		1,752		1,847			1,801
Data processing		1,863			2,037		1,690		1,516			1,487
Deposit insurance		171			140		147		150			100
State taxes		344			442		432		434			460
Amortization of intangibles		216			205		207		211			201
Other		8,122			8,458		7,948		7,815			7,441
Total noninterest expenses		33,244			33,480		35,739		31,817			31,759
Income before income taxes		14,754			12,218		11,399		15,626			16,113
Income tax expense		4,806			3,377		3,575		5,016			5,482
Net earnings	$	9,948		$	8,841	$	7,824	$	10,610		$	10,631
ADDITIONAL DATA — FULLY TAX EQUIVALENT NET INTEREST INCOME
Interest income	$	50,823		$	49,055	$	52,148	$	53,335		$	53,751
Tax equivalent adjustment		860			885		900		918			938
Interest income — tax equivalent		51,683			49,940		53,048		54,253			54,689
Interest expense		14,666			14,962		15,775		16,156			16,515
Net interest income — tax equivalent	$	37,017		$	34,978	$	37,273	$	38,097		$	38,174

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CONDITION

(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)

	(Dollars in thousands) (Unaudited)
	Mar. 31,			Dec. 31,			Mar. 31,
	2004			2003			2003
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks	$	138,950		$	183,612		$	179,317
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks		8,195			5,014			6,925
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell		1,987			607			16,416
Investment securities, held-to-maturity		12,482			18,399			20,620
Investment securities, available-for-sale		771,765			794,762			673,620
Loans
Commercial		677,918			666,315			702,042
Real estate-construction		77,388			73,260			85,402
Real estate-mortgage		1,494,663			1,466,153			1,408,345
Installment		553,679			560,061			547,986
Credit card		20,159			21,680			20,355
Lease financing		10,353			12,241			18,446
Total loans		2,834,160			2,799,710			2,782,576
Less
Unearned income		48			86			334
Allowance for loan losses		47,672			47,771			48,305
Net loans		2,786,440			2,751,853			2,733,937
Premises and equipment		59,816			59,050			56,337
Goodwill		28,344			27,379			27,379
Other intangibles		7,943			7,530			8,818
Deferred income taxes receivable		4,909			6,227			6,386
Other assets		97,794			101,629			91,233
Total Assets	$	3,918,625		$	3,956,062		$	3,820,988
LIABILITIES
Deposits Noninterest-bearing	$	403,522		$	414,785		$	431,169
Interest-bearing		2,528,828			2,530,880			2,517,665
Total deposits		2,932,350			2,945,665			2,948,834
Short-term borrowings		195,191			258,909			133,282
Long-term borrowings		354,615			322,979			318,053
Junior subordinated debentures owed to unconsolidated subsidiary trusts		30,930			0			0
Corporation-obligated mandatorily redeemable capital securities of subsidiary trusts		0			30,000			10,000
Accrued interest and other liabilities		34,724			32,026			37,729
Total Liabilities		3,547,810			3,589,579			3,447,898
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Common stock		395,595			395,752			395,946
Retained earnings		53,680			50,325			42,914
Accumulated comprehensive income		4,648			2,344			6,407
Restricted stock awards		(4,403	)		(3,397	)		(5,902	)
Treasury stock, at cost		(78,705	)		(78,541	)		(66,275	)
Total Shareholders’ Equity		370,815			366,483			373,090
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	$	3,918,625		$	3,956,062		$	3,820,988

ADDITIONAL DATA — RISK BASED CAPITAL

	Mar. 31,			Dec. 31,			Sep. 30,			Jun. 30,			Mar. 31,
	2004			2003			2003			2003			2003
Tier 1 Capital	$	359,134		$	358,616		$	358,292		$	338,933		$	341,739
Tier 1 Ratio		13.19	%		13.20	%		12.92	%		12.50	%		12.66	%
Total Capital	$	393,331		$	392,735		$	393,122		$	373,011		$	375,662
Total Capital Ratio		14.45	%		14.46	%		14.18	%		13.76	%		13.92	%
Total Risk-Adjusted Assets	$	2,722,261		$	2,715,858		$	2,772,571		$	2,711,426		$	2,699,431
Leverage Ratio		9.30	%		9.30	%		9.28	%		8.90	%		9.24	%

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
AVERAGE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CONDITION

(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)

							Quarterly Averages
	Mar. 31,			Dec. 31,			Sep. 30,			Jun. 30,			Mar. 31,
	2004			2003			2003			2003			2003
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks	$	114,977		$	117,810		$	129,005		$	127,405		$	140,351
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks		7,588			9,252			5,671			7,235			9,294
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell		4,691			4,307			10,174			6,384			31,457
Investment securities		799,823			798,727			778,365			747,090			650,619
Loans
Commercial		669,188			658,205			695,980			700,439			701,288
Real estate-construction		76,193			68,621			69,072			77,879			86,466
Real estate-mortgage		1,488,463			1,480,587			1,469,535			1,443,940			1,388,330
Installment		554,374			564,684			559,600			552,301			549,668
Credit card		20,274			20,402			20,169			20,077			20,692
Lease financing		11,284			13,276			15,405			17,488			19,911
Total loans		2,819,776			2,805,775			2,829,761			2,812,124			2,766,355
Less Unearned income		65			108			179			276			385
Allowance for loan losses		47,877			48,754			48,849			48,168			48,625
Net loans		2,771,834			2,756,913			2,780,733			2,763,680			2,717,345
Premises and equipment		59,271			58,863			57,825			56,675			56,468
Deferred income tax		5,570			8,457			7,969			5,555			3,958
Other assets		131,146			131,683			124,684			127,227			121,252
Total Assets	$	3,894,900		$	3,886,012		$	3,894,426		$	3,841,251		$	3,730,744
LIABILITIES
Deposits
Interest-bearing	$	193,256		$	182,501		$	212,102		$	165,275		$	298,561
Savings		1,030,709			1,046,180			1,023,110			1,001,121			850,866
Time		1,306,947			1,325,253			1,357,171			1,370,081			1,338,185
Total interest-bearing deposits		2,530,912			2,553,934			2,592,383			2,536,477			2,487,612
Noninterest-bearing		395,894			399,611			392,862			406,730			416,824
Total deposits		2,926,806			2,953,545			2,985,245			2,943,207			2,904,436
Borrowed funds
Short-term borrowings		209,166			193,390			161,742			157,965			102,310
Long-term borrowings		333,214			323,562			325,083			323,766			307,790
Total borrowed funds		542,380			516,952			486,825			481,731			410,100
Junior subordinated debentures owed to unconsolidated subsidiary trusts		30,930			0			0			0			0
Corporation-obligated mandatorily redeemable capital securities of subsidiary trust		0			30,000			26,956			10,000			10,000
Accrued interest and other liabilities		27,156			20,862			28,422			35,094			31,972
Total Liabilities		3,527,272			3,521,359			3,527,448			3,470,032			3,356,508
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Common stock		395,648			395,808			395,894			395,916			396,033
Retained earnings		51,165			47,534			48,022			43,281			38,881
Accumulated comprehensive income		3,311			2,587			3,680			7,501			8,379
Restricted stock awards		(4,220	)		(3,619	)		(4,969	)		(5,613	)		(5,625	)
Treasury stock, at cost		(78,276	)		(77,657	)		(75,649	)		(69,866	)		(63,432	)
Total Shareholders’ Equity		367,628			364,653			366,978			371,219			374,236
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	$	3,894,900		$	3,886,012		$	3,894,426		$	3,841,251		$	3,730,744