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 (Date of earliest event reported): March 28, 2002
First Financial Bancorp
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
California 94-2822858
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(State of Incorporation) (IRS Employer ID Number)
0-12499
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(Commission File No.)
First Financial Bancorp
701 South Ham Lane, Lodi, California 95242
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(209)-367-2000
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Registrant's telephone number, including area code
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Former name or former address, if changed since last report
Item 5. Other Events
Press release on the following article:
1. First Financial Bancorp Announces Completion of $5 million Trust
Preferred Security Transaction
Lodi, Calif. (Business Wire) - March 28, 2002 - First Financial Bancorp
(OTCBB: FLLC) parent company of Bank of Lodi, N.A., today announced the
completion of a private issuance of $5 million in trust preferred securities as
part of a pooled transaction with several other financial institutions. First
Financial Bancorp has contributed a portion of the net proceeds into Bank of
Lodi, N.A. to increase the Bank's capital levels and intends to use the
remaining net proceeds for general corporate purposes. Leon Zimmerman, President
and Chief Executive Officer of First Financial Bancorp stated, "With the
completion of this offering, First Financial Bancorp believes it has adequate
capital to support its long term strategic plan for growth and expansion."
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 to owner-operated businesses, members of the professional community and
individuals seeking personalized service. The Bank offers innovative financial
solutions and an enhanced product line of convenient banking alternatives which
include on-line banking, telephone banking, debit and credit cards, digital
imaging (to be released in May 2002) and a wide range of credit products. For
more information contact us 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.
This press release contains forward looking statements within the
meaning 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.
END
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: 03/28/02 FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP
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/s/ Allen R. Christenson
By: ---------------------------
Allen R. Christenson
Senior Vice President
Chief Financial Officer