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                                  EXHIBIT 23.2

               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS



         We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statement (Form S-8) pertaining to the First Financial Bancorp 1999 Stock
Incentive Plan for Officers and Employees (6,000,000 shares) and the First
Financial Bancorp 1999 Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors (500,000
shares), of our report dated January 15, 1999, with respect to the consolidated
financial statements of First Financial Bancorp incorporated by reference in its
Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 1998.


                                                     ERNST & YOUNG LLP


September 9, 1999
Cincinnati, Ohio