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)
July 8, 2003
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First Financial Bancorp
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
California 94-2822858
(State or other jurisdiction of (IRS Employer Identification Number)
Incorporation or organization)
0-12499
(Commission File 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)
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
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Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits
(c) Exhibits
Exhibit No. Description
99.1 Letter to shareholders in response to June 23, 2003
dissident director letter
Item 9. Regulation FD disclosure; Item 12. Results of Operations and Financial
Condition.
On July 10, 2003 a letter dated July 8, 2002 signed by the registrant's
Chairman of the Board, Benjamin Goehring and its President and CEO, Leon
Zimmerman, was sent to shareholders in response to a June 23, 2003 shareholder
letter authored by three dissident directors. The response letter is attached as
Exhibit 99.1.
This information is being furnished pursuant to Item 12 of Form 8-K and
is being presented under Item 9 as provided in the Commission's interim guidance
regarding Form 8-K Item 12 filing requirements (Release No. 34-47583).
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.
First Financial Bancorp
By: /s/ Allen R. Christenson
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Allen R. Christenson
Senior Vice President
Chief Financial Officer
Date: July 8, 2003
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit Description
99.1 Response letter to shareholders dated July 8, 2003