EXHIBIT 99.1

        First Financial Bancorp Announces 10% Stock Dividend

    LODI, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 9, 2004--First Financial
Bancorp (OTCBB:FLLC), the parent company of Bank of Lodi, N.A., today
announced that the Board of Directors have declared a 10% stock
dividend payable to shareholders of record as of April 19, 2004. It is
anticipated that the dividend will be distributed on May 14, 2004.
    "Exceeding $321 million in assets at the end of last year was a
great achievement under the Company's current strategic plan and the
Board was desirous of sharing that success with our shareholders,"
reported Leon Zimmerman, President and Chief Executive Officer. "The
10% stock dividend reflects our excitement about the Company's
successful growth and our optimism about the future earnings capacity
of the Company."
    First Financial Bancorp is the parent of Bank of Lodi, N.A., a
locally owned community bank formed in 1982. Bank of Lodi, N.A. offers
financial services via the web at www.bankoflodi.com, by phone at
888-265-8577, at any one of its nine branches located in the
communities of Lodi, Woodbridge, Lockeford, Galt, Plymouth, San
Andreas, Elk Grove, Folsom and Sacramento or its loan production
office located in Folsom, Calif.

    This press release contains forward looking statements within the
meaning of "safe harbor" provisions of Section 27A of the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and as such, may involve
risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements, which are based
on certain assumptions and describe future plans, strategies, and
expectations, are generally identifiable by the use of words such as
"believe," "expect," "intend," "anticipate," "estimate," "project," or
similar expressions. These forward-looking statements relate to, among
other things, expectations of the business environment in which the
Company operates, projections of future performance, potential future
performance, potential future credit experience, perceived
opportunities in the market, and statements regarding the Company's
mission and vision. The Company's actual results, performance, and
achievements may differ materially from the results, performance, and
achievements expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements
due to a wide range of factors which are set forth in our annual
report on Form 10-K on file with the SEC.

    CONTACT: First Financial Bancorp
             Leon Zimmerman, 209-367-2000