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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)
April 9, 2004
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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
(a) No financial statements are required to be filed with this report.
(b) No pro forma financial information is required to be filed with
this report.
(c) The following exhibit is filed with this Report:
Exhibit No. Description
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99.1 Press release issued by First Financial Bancorp on
April 9, 2004, furnished in accordance with Item 12
of this Current Report on Form 8-K
Item 9. Regulation FD disclosure
The following information is furnished under this Item 9 in
satisfaction of Item 12, "Disclosure of Results of Operations and Financial
Condition."
On March 25, 2004, the Board of Directors of First Financial Bancorp
declared a 10% stock dividend payable to shareholders of record on April 19,
2004. A copy of the press release dated April 9, 2004, 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: April 9, 2004
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit Description
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99.1 Press Release dated April 9, 2004