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: MARCH 8, 1996 FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER) COMMISSION FILE NUMBER : 0-12499 CALIFORNIA 94-28222858 (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF (I.R.S. EMPLOYER INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION) IDENTIFICATION NO.) 701 SOUTH HAM LANE, LODI, CALIFORNIA 95242 (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES) (ZIP CODE) (209)-367-2000 (REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE) NA (FORMER NAME OR IF CHANGED SINCE LAST REPORT.) ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS CASH DIVIDEND Please refer to Exhibit 99 which contains the First Financial Bancorp press release regarding earnings for the year ended December 31, 1995. ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS Exhibits -------- (99) Press release dated March 8, 1996 2 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 ----------------------- Date March 8, 1996 /s/ David M. Philipp ------------- -------------------- David M. Philipp Senior Vice-President & CFO Corporate Secretary 3