Exhibit 99.1


                          NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS

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                                                  [LOGO] First Financial Bancorp



September 22, 2004




                      FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP NAMES NEW CEO

HAMILTON, Ohio - Bruce E. Leep, chairman of the board of First Financial Bancorp
(Nasdaq: FFBC), announced today that the board of directors has chosen a new
president and chief executive officer.

Claude E. Davis, 43, who is currently a senior vice president at the $5.1
billion Irwin Financial Corporation (NYSE: IFC) and chairman of Irwin Union Bank
and Trust in Columbus, Indiana, will join First Financial Bancorp on October 1,
2004, as president, chief executive officer, and a member of the board of
directors.

Leep, who has been serving as interim president and chief executive officer of
First Financial Bancorp, said, "ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, I HEARTILY
ENDORSE THE SELECTION OF CLAUDE DAVIS AS THE SENIOR EXECUTIVE FOR OUR COMPANY.
HE HAS A STRONG AND DIVERSE BACKGROUND IN A BANKING ORGANIZATION WITH MARKETS
AND COMMUNITIES THAT ARE SIMILAR TO THOSE FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP SERVES."

Davis said, "I AM EXCITED TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEAD FIRST FINANCIAL
BANCORP AS ITS CEO. I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THE STAFF AND THE BOARD TO
DEVELOP AND EXECUTE A STRATEGY THAT WILL CAPITALIZE ON THE STRENGTHS OF BANCORP
TO EXPAND THE BUSINESS AND REALIZE IMPROVED PROFITABILITY."

After graduating from Butler University in Indianapolis with a bachelor's degree
in accounting, Davis earned the designation of certified public accountant. He
spent four years on the audit staff of Coopers & Lybrand, a public accounting
firm. In 1987, he joined Irwin Financial Corporation and Irwin Union Bank (the
company's lead bank) as vice president and controller. During his 17 years with
the corporation, he has taken on increasing responsibilities in sales
management, finance, information technology, and operations.

Davis was named president of Irwin Union Bank in January of 1996 and served in
that capacity until 2003 when he was named to his current role. Under his
leadership, Irwin


Union Bank expanded its market presence through a de novo expansion program to
20 markets in 9 states. This expansion produced more than 20 percent annual
growth rates in loans and deposits.

In addition to serving on the board of trustees of Butler University, Davis
serves on the boards of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis, the Indiana
Bankers Association, and the Irwin Financial Foundation. He has also served in
leadership positions with the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce, the Columbus
Area Arts Council, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Columbus, and other community and
state organizations.

With assets of $3.9 billion, First Financial Bancorp is a publicly traded bank
holding company with 6 banking affiliates in Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, and
Indiana with a total of 106 retail banking centers. The holding company's
non-banking affiliates are First Financial Capital Advisors LLC and First
Financial Bancorp Service Corporation. Insurance services are offered through
Flagstone Insurance and Financial Services.


                                                         First Financial Bancorp
                                                                    P.O. Box 476
                                                              Hamilton, OH 45012
                                           Analyst Contact: C. Douglas Lefferson
                                                                    513-867-4993
                                                      doug.lefferson@ffbc-oh.com
                                                   Media Contact: Cheryl R. Lipp
                                                                    513-867-4929
                                                        cheryl.lipp@comfirst.com
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