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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)
November 25, 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, includng 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
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99.1 Letter to shareholders regarding third quarter and
year to date 2003 performance and response to
November 17, 2003 dissident director letter
Item 9. Regulation FD disclosure
On November 25, 2003 a letter signed by the Chairman of the Board,
Benjamin Goehring and the President and CEO, Leon Zimmerman, was sent to
shareholders in response to a November 17, 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: November 25, 2003
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit Description
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99.1 Letter to shareholders dated November 25, 2003