Item 5.  Other Events

Press release on the following article:

1.   First Financial Bancorp announces third quarter net income.



                                   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.




Date:         11/03/00               FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP
      ------------------------
                                           (Registrant)


                                      /s/ Allen R. Christenson
                                 By:
                                      Allen R. Christenson
                                      Senior Vice President
                                      Chief Financial Officer