EXHIBIT 23 - CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

The Board of Directors
First Financial Bancorp:


We consent to incorporation  by reference in the  registration  statements (Nos.
33-40954 and  333-29201)  on Form S-8 of First  Financial  Bancorp of our report
dated,  relating to the consolidated  balance sheets of First Financial  Bancorp
and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2002 and 2001, and the related  consolidated
statements of income,  stockholders'  equity and  comprehensive  income and cash
flows for each of the years in the  three-year  period ended  December 31, 2002,
which  report  appears in the  December  31, 2002 annual  report on Form 10-K of
First Financial Bancorp.


                                  /s/ KPMG LLP


Sacramento, California
March 24, 2003