First Financial Bancorp

                            P R E S S   R E L E A S E

    For Immediate Release                                       February 9, 2001

    Contact Person:
    Leon Zimmerman
    President and CEO
    (209) 367-2000

                         First Financial Bancorp Reports

                  Year to Date and Fourth Quarter 2000 Earnings

              Lodi, Calif. (February 9, 2001) - First Financial Bancorp (Symbol:
     FLLC),  parent company of Bank of Lodi,  N.A.,  today reported year to date
     earnings of  $1,283,000,  or $0.83 per diluted  share.  This  represents an
     increase  in  earnings  of  10.7%  over  1999  year  to  date  earnings  of
     $1,159,000,  or $0.76 per diluted share. "Exceeding our prior year earnings
     by 10.7%  confirms our ability to provide our  shareholders  with  enhanced
     value while  continuing to implement our strategic plan for growth into new
     markets, products and services," noted Leon Zimmerman,  President and Chief
     Executive Officer.

              For the three months ended  December  31, 2000,  earnings  totaled
     $494,000,  or $0.32 per  diluted  share.  This  compares  with  earnings of
     $373,000, or 0.27 per diluted share for the same period in 1999.

              Total assets of the Company increased $8.7 million, or 4.9% during
     2000, increasing from $176.3 million at December 31, 1999 to $185.0 million
     at December  31,  2000.  President  Zimmerman  commented  on the  Company's
     continued  growth  following  the 1997  acquisition  of three  Wells  Fargo
     Branches by stating  "loans have  increased by 79% in the past three years,
     going from $64.1  million at December  31,  1997 to over $114.6  million at
     December 31, 2000. This has been an incredible  achievement for our



     Company  and  reflects  the hard  work  and  dedication  of our  employees,
     directors, shareholders and customers."

              Based upon 2000 year to date earnings,  the  annualized  return on
     average  assets  and  equity  were  0.71% and  8.74%,  respectively.  Under
     regulatory standards,  the Bank is categorized as "well-capitalized" with a
     ratio of  risk-adjusted  assets to  capital  of 11.26% and a ratio of total
     capital to total assets of 8.89%.

              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 or at any one of its eight branches located in the communities
     of Lodi, Woodbridge, Lockeford, Galt, Plymouth, San Andreas, Elk Grove, and
     Folsom.   Bank  of  Lodi  also  offers  investment   services  through  its
     affiliation with Investment Centers of America.

                                       END