UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C

FORM 11-K

{X} ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003

OR

{ } TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ____________ to _____________

Commission file number 0-12379

First Financial Bancorp Thrift Plan and Trust
300 High St.
Hamilton, OH 45011

First Financial Bancorp
300 High St.
Hamilton, OH 45011

Financial Statements and Supplemental Schedules

First Financial Bancorp Thrift Plan and Trust

Years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002
with Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

First Financial Bancorp Thrift Plan and Trust

Financial Statements and Supplemental Schedules

Years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002

Table of Contents

Report of Independent Auditors	1
Financial Statements
Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits, with Fund Information	2
Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits, with Fund Information	4
Notes to Financial Statements	6
Supplemental Schedules
Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year)	14
Schedule of Reportable Transactions	15
Exhibit 23A

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Thrift Plan and Trust Administrative Committee
First Financial Bancorp

We have audited the accompanying statements of net assets available for benefits of the First Financial Bancorp Thrift Plan and Trust as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, and the related statements of changes in net assets available for benefits for the years then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Plan’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the net assets available for benefits of the First Financial Bancorp Thrift Plan and Trust at December 31, 2003 and 2002, and changes in net assets available for benefits for the years then ended in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Our audits were performed for the purpose of forming an opinion on the financial statements taken as a whole. The accompanying supplemental schedules of assets held as of December 31, 2003, and reportable transactions for the year then ended, are presented for the purposes of complying with the Department of Labor’s Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, and are not a required part of the basic financial statements. The Fund Information in the statement of net assets available for benefits and the statement of changes in net assets available for benefits is presented for purposes of additional analysis rather than to present the net assets available for benefits and changes in net assets available for benefits of each fund. The supplemental schedules and Fund Information have been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in our audits of the basic financial statements and, in our opinion, are fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the financial statements taken as a whole.

Cincinnati, Ohio
June 18, 2004

1

First Financial Bancorp Thrift Plan and Trust

Statement of Net Assets Available for Benefits, with Fund Information

December 31, 2003

	Fund Information
											First
											Financial
											Bancorp
			Fixed								Common				Vanguard		Small
	Savings		Income		Balanced			Equity			Stock		International		500 Index		Cap		2003
	Fund		Fund		Fund			Fund			Fund		Fund		Fund		Fund		Total
Assets
Investments — at fair value:
Goldman Sachs Prime Corporate Money Fund	$	3,193,638	$	14,339	$	33,732		$	44,563		$	1,000,948	$	26,028	$	60,795	$	31,278	$	4,405,321
Legacy Core Bond Fund		—		3,130,431		1,177,967			—			—		—		—		—		4,308,398
Legacy Multi-Cap Core Equity Fund		—		—		1,922,821			5,840,762			—		—		—		—		7,763,583
First Financial Bancorp common stock		—		—		—			—			16,576,484		—		—		—		16,576,484
Manager International Equity Fund		—		—		—			—			—		281,927		—		—		281,927
T Rowe Price International Stock Fund		—		—		—			—			—		285,696		—		—		285,696
Templeton Foreign Fund-Class A		—		—		—			—			—		281,716		—		—		281,716
Vanguard 500 Index Fund		—		—		—			—			—		—		4,263,334		—		4,263,334
Neuberger and Berman Genesis Fund		—		—		—			—			—		—		—		739,980		739,980
Columbia Acorn Class Z		—		—		—			—			—		—		—		747,677		747,677
T Rowe Price New Horizons Fd		—		—		—			—			—		—		—		738,157		738,157
Total investments		3,193,638		3,144,770		3,134,520			5,885,325			17,577,432		875,367		4,324,129		2,257,092		40,392,273
Receivables:
Interest and dividends		2,534		11,105		4,184			22			156,646		12		24		122		174,649
Total Receivables		2,534		11,105		4,184			22			156,646		12		24		122		174,649
Cash		—		231		(119	)		(112	)		—		—		—		—		—
Total assets		3,196,172		3,156,106		3,138,585			5,885,235			17,734,078		875,379		4,324,153		2,257,214		40,566,922
Liabilities
Excess contributions to participants		—		—		—			—			—		—		—		—		—
Net assets available for benefits	$	3,196,172	$	3,156,106	$	3,138,585		$	5,885,235		$	17,734,078	$	875,379	$	4,324,153	$	2,257,214	$	40,566,922

See accompanying notes.

2

First Financial Bancorp Thrift Plan and Trust

Statement of Net Assets Available for Benefits, with Fund Information

December 31, 2002

	Fund Information
									First
									Financial
									Bancorp
			Fixed						Common				Vanguard		Small
	Savings		Income		Balanced		Equity		Stock		International		500 Index		Cap		2002
	Fund		Fund		Fund		Fund		Fund		Fund		Fund		Fund		Total
Assets
Investments — at fair value:
Goldman Sachs Prime Corporate Money Fund	$	2,972,077	$	62,399	$	8,627	$	27,132	$	93,111	$	59,010	$	30,961	$	14,170	$	3,267,487
Fixed Income Fund - Collective Investment Fund for Pension and Profit Sharing Trusts of First Financial Bank, National Association		—		2,631,818		1,078,234		—		—		—		—		—		3,710,052
Equity Fund - Collective Investment Fund for Pension and Profit Sharing Trusts of First Financial Bank, National Association		—		—		1,596,896		4,639,635		—		—		—		—		6,236,531
First Financial Bancorp common stock		—		—		—		—		18,976,353		—		—		—		18,976,353
Manager International Equity Fund		—		—		—		—		—		164,324		—		—		164,324
T Rowe Price International Stock Fund		—		—		—		—		—		161,090		—		—		161,090
Templeton Foreign Fund-Class A		—		—		—		—		—		161,193		—		—		161,193
Vanguard 500 Index Fund		—		—		—		—		—		—		2,559,192		—		2,559,192
Neuberger and Berman Genesis Fund		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		428,665		428,665
Liberty Acorn Class Z		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		428,033		428,033
T Rowe Price New Horizons Fd		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		417,160		417,160
Total investments		2,972,077		2,694,217		2,683,757		4,666,767		19,069,464		545,617		2,590,153		1,288,028		36,510,080
Receivables:
Interest and dividends		3,375		70		23		31		174,309		54		26		18		177,906
Total Receivables		3,375		70		23		31		174,309		54		26		18		177,906
Cash		2,533		2,868		5,029		5,352		13,830		1,381		19,051		2,733		52,777
Total assets		2,977,985		2,697,155		2,688,809		4,672,150		19,257,603		547,052		2,609,230		1,290,779		36,740,763
Liabilities
Excess contributions to participants		—		—		—		—		520		—		—		—		520
Net assets available for benefits	$	2,977,985	$	2,697,155	$	2,688,809	$	4,672,150	$	19,257,083	$	547,052	$	2,609,230	$	1,290,779	$	36,740,243

See accompanying notes.

3

First Financial Bancorp Thrift Plan and Trust

Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits, with Fund Information

December 31, 2003

	Fund Information
													First
													Financial
													Bancorp
				Fixed									Common						Vanguard			Small
	Savings			Income			Balanced			Equity			Stock			International			500 Index			Cap			2003
	Fund			Fund			Fund			Fund			Fund			Fund			Fund			Fund			Total
Investment income:
Net appreciation (depreciation) in fair value of investments	$	—		$	(37,271	)	$	374,732		$	1,171,529		$	(568,151	)	$	185,732		$	768,142		$	560,956		$	2,455,669
Dividends		—			—			3,486			10,767			668,084			11,133			54,196			659			748,325
Interest		32,991			82,852			28,392			372			3,321			143			456						148,527
Total investment income		32,991			45,581			406,610			1,182,668			103,254			197,008			822,794			561,615			3,352,521
Employer contributions		—			—			—			—			932,070			—			—			—			932,070
Participant contributions		179,148			268,668			312,035			455,459			545,318			96,597			434,203			229,894			2,521,322
Participant loan payments		208									208			624												1,040
Transfers from previous plans of new employeees		5,742			5,757			472			—			2,259			—			7,825			5,639			27,694
Service fee		—			—			—			—			(1,650	)		—			—			—			(1,650	)
Capital gain		—			—			—			—			—			746			—			842			1,588
Benefits payments		(159,642	)		(376,462	)		(234,953	)		(418,191	)		(1,333,798	)		(36,072	)		(264,289	)		(184,499	)		(3,007,906	)
Excess contributions due to participants		—			—												—			—			—			—
Net increase (decrease) prior to interfund transfers		58,447			(56,456	)		484,164			1,220,144			248,077			258,279			1,000,533			613,491			3,826,679
Interfund transfers		159,740			515,407			(34,388	)		(7,059	)		(1,771,082	)		70,048			714,390			352,944			—
Net increase (decrease) in net assets available for benefits		218,187			458,951			449,776			1,213,085			(1,523,005	)		328,327			1,714,923			966,435			3,826,679
Net assets available for benefits at beginning of year		2,977,985			2,697,155			2,688,809			4,672,150			19,257,083			547,052			2,609,230			1,290,779			36,740,243
Net assets available for benefits at end of year	$	3,196,172		$	3,156,106		$	3,138,585		$	5,885,235		$	17,734,078		$	875,379		$	4,324,153		$	2,257,214		$	40,566,922

See accompanying notes.

4

First Financial Bancorp Thrift Plan and Trust

Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits, with Fund Information

December 31, 2002

	Fund Information
													First
													Financial
													Bancorp
				Fixed									Common						Vanguard			Small
	Savings			Income			Balanced			Equity			Stock			International			500 Index			Cap			2002
	Fund			Fund			Fund			Fund			Fund			Fund			Fund			Fund			Total
Investment income:
Net appreciation (depreciation) in fair value of investments	$	—		$	205,886		$	(250,515	)	$	(1,108,554	)	$	(1,220,365	)	$	(78,294	)	$	(714,892	)	$	(190,648	)	$	(3,357,382	)
Dividends		—			—			—			—			722,762			4,994			41,311			—			769,067
Interest		53,534			676			704			1,193			2,699			279			1,058			776			60,919
Total investment income		53,534			206,562			(249,811	)		(1,107,361	)		(494,904	)		(73,021	)		(672,523	)		(189,872	)		(2,527,396	)
Employer contributions		—			—			—			—			924,958			—			—			—			924,958
Participant contributions		136,987			151,218			304,062			467,195			582,323			87,069			434,423			192,634			2,355,911
Transfers from previous plans of new employees		8,457			77,719			13,257			45,709			11,108			13,663			44,689			47,373			261,975
Service fee		—			—			—			—			(1,350	)		—			—			—			(1,350	)
Capital gain		—			—			—			—			—			—			—			1,520			1,520
Benefits payments		(290,252	)		(168,648	)		(119,704	)		(316,067	)		(3,501,620	)		(57,978	)		(354,136	)		(97,641	)		(4,906,046	)
Excess contributions due to participants		—			—			—			—			(520	)		—			—			—			(520	)
Net increase (decrease) prior to interfund transfers		(91,274	)		266,851			(52,196	)		(910,524	)		(2,480,005	)		(30,267	)		(547,547	)		(45,986	)		(3,890,428	)
Interfund transfers		286,554			442,697			(83,818	)		273,154			(1,860,537	)		70,047			405,469			466,434			—
Net increase (decrease) in net assets available for benefits		195,280			709,548			(136,014	)		(637,370	)		(4,340,542	)		39,780			(142,078	)		420,448			(3,890,948	)
Net assets available for benefits at beginning of year		2,782,705			1,987,607			2,824,823			5,309,520			23,597,625			507,272			2,751,308			870,331			40,631,191
Net assets available for benefits at end of year	$	2,977,985		$	2,697,155		$	2,688,809		$	4,672,150		$	19,257,083		$	547,052		$	2,609,230		$	1,290,779		$	36,740,243

See accompanying notes.

5

First Financial Bancorp Thrift Plan and Trust

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2003

1. Description of the Plan

The following brief description of the First Financial Bancorp Thrift Plan and Trust (the Plan) is provided for general information purposes only. Participants should refer to the summary plan description for more information.

First Financial Bancorp (Bancorp) is the sponsor of the Plan.

General

The Plan is a defined-contribution plan, qualified under Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code and is subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). The Plan covers substantially all employees of First Financial Bancorp (Plan Sponsor) and affiliates who have attained at least one year of service and are age twenty-one or older. The Plan is subject to the provisions of Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code whereby the participants’ discretionary contributions would not be reportable as compensation for federal and state income tax purposes. The Plan is a single plan of a controlled group as defined in Code Sections 414(b) and 414(c).

Funding

Employer contributions to the Plan are equal to 50 percent of the employee’s contribution up to the first 6% of the participant’s deferrals. Employer contributions are initially invested in the First Financial Bancorp Common Stock Fund and are fully vested upon contribution to the Plan. As of March 31, 2002, participants have the option of directing the Employer contributions out of the stock fund on the first valuation date following the date of contribution. Although the sponsor has not expressed any intention to do so, it has the right under the Plan to discontinue contributions at any time and terminate the Plan, subject to provisions set forth in ERISA.

Effective January 1, 2003, participants may elect to make contributions to the Plan of up to 50 percent of their eligible salary on a before-tax basis. Prior to January 1, 2003, participants were permitted to make contributions to the Plan of up to 12 percent of their eligible salary on a before-tax basis. Prior to January 1, 1986, participants were permitted to contribute certain amounts on an after-tax basis. All contributions are fully vested when made and can be made to any of the investment options.

6

First Financial Bancorp Thrift Plan and Trust

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

1. Description of the Plan (continued)

Participating Corporations

The terms of the Plan provide that any corporation that becomes a member of the controlled group may, with consent of Bancorp, adopt this plan for those employees which the Plan determines shall be eligible.

Benefit Payments

Participants may elect an in-service, non-hardship distribution comprised of the participant’s after tax contributions, employer contributions and the earnings of these accounts. Employer contributions withdrawn are limited to those made more than eight plan quarters prior to the quarter in which the withdrawal is being made. Such a withdrawal suspends the participant’s right to make contributions for one year.

Active employees may withdraw before-tax savings only if the participant can prove “financial hardship” as defined by the Plan Document. Any distribution of before-tax funds results in a one-year suspension of participation in the Plan. Earnings on the participant’s before-tax contributions are not eligible for distribution prior to termination or retirement.

Participants’ Accounts

Earnings are allocated on beginning account balances less any withdrawals during the quarter. A participant may elect to withdraw all or any part of his or her after-tax savings from the Plan. Such withdrawal suspends the participant’s rights to make future contributions for six months.

7

First Financial Bancorp Thrift Plan and Trust

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

1. Description of the Plan (continued)

Participants’ Accounts (continued)

Employee contributions to the Plan may be allocated, in 5 percent increments, among any of the eight available funds, as follows:

The Savings Fund invests primarily in the Goldman Sachs Prime Corporate Money Fund, which holds a diversified portfolio of high-grade short-term debt obligations that have minimal credit risk. The fund seeks to maintain a net asset value of $1.00 per unit. The investment objective is to provide income, preserve capital, and provide liquidity.

Beginning in 2003, the Fixed Income Fund invests primarily in the Legacy Core Bond Fund, which holds a diversified portfolio of U.S. Government bonds, notes, agencies, and high quality corporate bonds. The Fixed Income Fund only purchases bonds with a credit rating of A or better and a short to intermediate term maturity. The objectives of the Fixed Income Fund are to provide a reasonable level of income and stability of capital. On May 31, 2003, the investments held by the Fixed Income Fund were transferred to the Legacy Core Bond Fund, which is also a related party of the Plan. All investments previously held by the Employee Benefit Fixed Income Fund were transferred to the Legacy Core Bond Fund at their then current market values. The shares in the Legacy Core Bond Fund received by the Plan in exchange for the assets given were based on the then current market value of the respective Legacy Mutual Funds.

8

First Financial Bancorp Thrift Plan and Trust

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

1. Description of the Plan (continued)

Participants’ Accounts (continued)

Beginning in 2003, the Balanced Fund divides its investments between the Legacy Multi-Cap Core Equity Fund and the Legacy Core Bond Fund. The objectives of the Balanced Fund include providing current income, conserving capital, and long-term growth capital. The Balanced Fund’s risk is generally considered to be more than the Savings and Fixed Income Funds, but less than the Equity Fund and the First Financial Bancorp Common Stock Fund. As discussed above and below, on May 31, 2003, all shares in the Employee Benefit Fixed Income Fund and the Employee Benefit Equity Fund were transferred to the Legacy Core Bond Fund and the Legacy Multi-Cap Core Equity Fund, both of which are related parties to the Plan. All investments held by the Employee Benefit Fixed Income Fund and the Employee Benefit Equity Fund were transferred to the Legacy Core Bond Fund and the Legacy Multi-Cap Core Equity Fund at their current market values. The shares in the Legacy Core Bond Fund and the Legacy Multi-Cap Core Equity Fund received by the Plan in exchange for the assets given were based on the then current market value of the respective Legacy Mutual Funds.

Beginning in 2003, the Equity Fund invests in the Legacy Multi-Cap Core Equity Fund, which holds a diversified portfolio of common stocks. The investment objective is long-term growth of capital. See above for discussion regarding the exchange of assets with the Legacy Multi-Cap Core Equity Fund.

The First Financial Bancorp Common Stock Fund invests primarily in First Financial Bancorp Common Stock. The investment objective is long-term growth of capital. This fund is generally considered to be the riskiest investment alternative offered because of the absence of diversification.

9

First Financial Bancorp Thrift Plan and Trust

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

1. Description of the Plan (continued)

Participants’ Accounts (continued)

The International Fund invests primarily in international mutual funds, which invest in stocks of established and emerging foreign markets. Performances of foreign stocks are closely tied to the economic, political, and environmental condition of a country and region.

The Vanguard 500 Index Fund invests primarily in the Vanguard 500 Index, which seeks investment results that correspond with the price and yield performance of the S&P 500 index. Though the fund seeks to match the S&P 500 index, its performance typically can be expected to fall short by a small percentage representing operating costs.

The Small Cap Fund invests primarily in small cap mutual funds, which invest in stock of emerging companies whose market value generally is below $2 billion. These stocks tend to be more volatile and may perform differently than large cap stocks.

Plan Termination

In the event of termination, the net assets will be distributed to participants and beneficiaries in proportion to their respective account balances, which are 100 percent vested.

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Valuation of Investments

Separate trust accounts at First Financial Bank, National Association, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bancorp, are used to hold and invest the Plan’s assets. Investments are stated at fair values based on quoted closing market prices obtained by the trustee from published market data. Security transactions are recorded on the trade date.

10

First Financial Bancorp Thrift Plan and Trust

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

3. Investments

The Plan uses the average cost method for determining the cost of securities sold when determining realized gains and losses. The Plan’s investments (including investments bought, sold, and held during the year) appreciated fair value by $2,455,669 in 2003 and depreciated by $3,357,382 in 2002 as follows:

	Year ended December 31, 2003
										First
										Financial
										Bancorp
	Fixed									Common						Vanguard			Small
	Income			Balanced			Equity			Stock			Int’l			500			Cap
	Fund			Fund			Fund			Fund			Fund			Fund			Fund			Total
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) in fair value of:
First Financial Bancorp Common Stock	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	(1,503,895	)	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	(1,503,895	)
Legacy Multi-Cap Core Equity Fund		—			415,337			1,192,067			—			—			—			—			1,607,404
Legacy Core Bond Fund		(28,085	)		(37,336	)		—			—			—			—			—			(65,421	)
International Stock Fund		—			—			—			—			188,874			—			—			188,874
Vanguard 500 Index Fund		—			—			—			—			—			807,734			—			807,734
Small Cap Fund		—			—			—			—			—			—			592,316			592,316
Realized gain:
First Financial Bancorp Common Stock		—			—			—			935,744			—			—			—			935,744
Legacy Multi-Cap Core Equity Fund		—			(29,378	)		(20,538	)		—			—			—			—			(49,916	)
Legacy Core Bond Fund		(9,186	)		26,109			—			—			—			—			—			16,923
International Stock Fund		—			—			—			—			(3,142	)		—			—			(3,142	)
Vanguard 500 Index Fund		—			—			—			—			—			(39,592	)		—			(39,592	)
Small Cap Fund		—			—			—			—			—			—			(31,360	)		(31,360	)
Net appreciation (depreciation):	$	(37,271	)	$	374,732		$	1,171,529		$	(568,151	)	$	185,732		$	768,142		$	560,956		$	2,455,669

11

First Financial Bancorp Thrift Plan and Trust

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

3. Investments (continued)

	Year ended December 31, 2002
									First
									Financial Bancorp
	Fixed								Common						Vanguard			Small
	Income		Balanced			Equity			Stock			Int’l			500			Cap
	Fund		Fund			Fund			Fund			Fund			Fund			Fund			Total
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) in fair value of:
First Financial Bancorp Common Stock	$	—	$	—		$	—		$	(2,426,600	)	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	2,426,600
Employee Benefit Equity Fund		—		(337,832	)		(1,109,155	)		—			—			—			—			(1,446,987	)
Employee Benefit Fixed Income Fund		205,069		72,191			—			—			—			—			—			277,260
International Stock Fund		—		—			—			—			(75,249	)		—			—			(75,249	)
Vanguard 500 Index Fund		—		—			—			—			—			(601,085	)		—			(601,085	)
Small Cap Fund		—		—			—			—			—			—			(169,362	)		(169,362	)
Realized gain:
First Financial Bancorp Common Stock		—		—			—			1,206,235			—			—			—			1,206,235
Employee Benefit Equity Fund		—		15,126			601			—			—			—			—			15,727
Employee Benefit Fixed Income Fund		817		—			—			—			—			—			—			817
International Stock Fund		—		—			—			—			(3,045	)		—			—			(3,045	)
Vanguard 500 Index Fund		—		—			—			—			—			(113,807	)		—			(113,807	)
Small Cap Fund		—		—			—			—			—			—			(21,286	)		(21,286	)
Net appreciation (depreciation):	$	205,886	$	(250,515	)	$	(1,108,554	)	$	(1,220,365	)	$	(78,294	)	$	(714,892	)	$	(190,648	)	$	(3,357,382	)

The fair value of individual investments that represent five (5) percent or more of the Plan’s net assets are as follows:

	December 31
	2003		2002
First Financial Bancorp common stock	$	16,576,484	$	18,976,353
Employee Benefit Equity Fund		0		6,236,531
Legacy Multi-Cap Core Equity Fund		7,763,583		0
Employee Benefit Fixed Income Fund		0		3,710,052
Legacy Core Bond Fund		4,308,398		0
Goldman Sachs Prime Corporate Money Fund		4,405,321		3,267,487
Vanguard 500 Index Fund		4,263,334		2,559,192

12

First Financial Bancorp Thrift Plan and Trust

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

4. Income Tax Status

The Plan has received a determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service dated March 11, 2003, stating that the Plan is qualified under section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) and, therefore, the related trust is exempt from taxation. Subsequent to issuance of the determination letter, the Plan was amended. Once qualified, the Plan is required to operate in conformity with the Code to maintain its qualification. The Plan Administrator believes the Plan, as amended, is being operated in compliance with the applicable requirements of the Code and, therefore, believes that the Plan is qualified and the related trust is tax exempt.

5. Transactions with Parties-in-Interest

Administrative and other service fees are paid by the Plan Sponsor. The Trust is not charged for administrative services performed on its behalf by First Financial Bancorp.

The Trust invests in common stock of the Plan Sponsor.

An affiliate of the Plan Sponsor is the Plan Trustee.

Through May of 2003, the Trust invested in the Employee Benefit Fixed Income Fund and the Employee Benefit Equity Fund, which were managed by the Plan Trustee. On May 31, 2003, all investments held by the Employee Benefit Fixed Income Fund and the Employee Benefit Equity Fund were transferred to the Legacy Core Bond Fund and the Legacy Multi-Cap Core Equity Fund, which are also managed by the Plan Trustee.

13

First Financial Bancorp Thrift Plan and Trust

EIN 31-1042001/Plan 002

Schedule H, line 4i — Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year)

December 31, 2003

	Number of Shares or				Current
Identity of Issue/Description of Asset	Principal Amount		Cost		Value
First Financial Bancorp common stock*		1,039,278 shares	$	5,833,560	$	16,576,484
Goldman Sachs
Prime Corporate Money Fund		4,405,321 shares		4,405,321		4,405,321
Legacy Core Bond Fund		426,574 shares		3,507,542		4,308,398
Legacy Multi-Cap Core Equity Fund		750,105 shares		6,495,093		7,763,583
International Fund
Managers International Equity Fund		6,856 shares		307,459		281,927
T Rowe Price International Stock Fund		24,865 shares		341,041		285,696
Templeton Foreign Fund-Class A		26,477 shares		256,416		281,716
Vanguard 500
Vanguard 500 Index Fund		41,521 shares		4,665,663		4,263,334
Small Cap
Neuberger & Berman Genesis Fund		28,593 shares		618,117		739,980
Columbia Acorn Class Z		33,142 shares		604,640		747,677
T Rowe Price New Horizons Fd		29,764 shares		636,827		738,157
			$	27,671,679	$	40,392,273

* Indicates party-in-interest to the Plan

14

First Financial Bancorp Thrift Plan and Trust

EIN 31-1042001/Plan 002

Schedule H, Line 4 j - Schedule of Reportable Transactions

For the year ended December 31, 2003

					Expenses				Current
					Incurred				Value of		Net
	Purchase		Selling		with		Cost of		Asset on		Gain
Identity of Issue/Description of Asset	Price		Price		Transaction		Asset		Valuation Date		(Loss)
Category (iii)—series of transactions in excess of 5 percent of plan assets
* Goldman Sachs Prime Corporate Money Fund	$	8,864,738	$	—	$	—	$	8,864,738	$	8,864,738	$	—
* Goldman Sachs Prime Corporate Money Fund		—	$	7,726,904		—	$	7,726,904	$	7,726,904		—
* First Financial Bancorp common stock**		—	$	2,499,643		—	$	1,709,803	$	2,499,643	$	789,840
* Employee Benefit Fixed Income Fund**		—	$	3,521,760		—	$	3,521,760	$	3,521,760		—
* Legacy Core Bond Fund**	$	3,521,760		—		—	$	3,521,760	$	3,521,760		—
* Employee Benefit Equity Fund**		—	$	7,037,930		—	$	7,037,930	$	7,037,930		—
* Legacy Multi-Cap Core Equity Fund**	$	7,037,930		—		—	$	7,037,930	$	7,037,930		—

     There were no category (i), (ii), or (iv) reportable transactions during 2003.

*	Transaction occurred on the market.
**	Indicates party-in-interest to the Plan NOTE: Rental expense is not applicable

15

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Plan Administrator has caused this annual report to be signed by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

	FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP THRIFT AND TRUST
Date: June 23, 2004	By:	/s/ Betty S. Irvine
		Betty S. Irvine
		Asst. Vice President
		Human Resources
		First Financial Bancorp
		/s/ C. Douglas Lefferson
		C. Douglas Lefferson
		Sr. Vice President and Chief
		Financial Officer
		First Financial Bancorp