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EXHIBIT 23

CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Annual Report (Form 10-K)
of First Financial Bancorp. of our report dated January 23, 2001 included in the
2000 Annual Report to Shareholders of First Financial Bancorp.

We also consent to the incorporation by reference of our report dated January
23, 2001 with respect to the consolidated financial statements of First
Financial Bancorp incorporated by reference in the Annual Report (Form 10-K) for
the year ended December 31, 2000 in the following documents:

- -        Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 33-46819) pertaining to the First
         Financial Bancorp 1991 Stock Incentive Plan and in the related
         Prospectus.

- -        Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-86781) pertaining to the First
         Financial Bancorp 1999 Stock Incentive Plan for Officers and Employees
         and in the related Prospectus.

- -        Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-86781) pertaining to the First
         Financial Bancorp 1999 Stock Incentive Plan for Non-Employee Directors
         and in the related Prospectus.

- -        Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-25745) pertaining to the First
         Financial Bancorp. Dividend Reinvestment and Share Purchase Plan and in
         the related Prospectus


/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Ernst & Young LLP

March 19, 2001
Cincinnati, Ohio