Summary of FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP /OH/

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

(b) On January 18, 2013, the Company announced that Anthony M. Stollings, EVP and Chief Risk Officer was named the Company's new Chief Financial Officer effective January 18, 2013. He will succeed J. Franklin Hall, EVP, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer. Any Chief Operating Officer responsibilities previously handled by Mr. Hall were assumed by Claude E. Davis, President and Chief Executive Officer also effective January 18, 2013.

It is expected that Mr. Hall will remain an employee of the Company and assist in the transition until his departure which is expected to be April 30, 2013. Mr. Hall's departure is unrelated to the Company's financial condition, financial reporting practices or investments. It is expected that Mr. Hall will be paid out in accordance with the terms of his Employment and Non-Competition Agreement dated January 2, 2011 ("Employment Agreement"), subject to Mr. Hall's execution and non-revocation of a general release as provided by the Employment Agreement.

Mr. Stollings, 58, joined First Financial in December 2006 as Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Controller. He has served as EVP and Chief Risk Officer since September 1, 2011. He previously spent 13 years with Provident Financial Group, Inc., a commercial banking and financial services company headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was the Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Controller from 2002 to 2004 and Senior Vice President and Controller from 1998 to 2002. Mr. Stollings will continue to report to Mr. Davis as Chief Financial Officer as well as serve as Interim Chief Risk Officer as the Company seeks a successor.

A copy of the press release announcing Mr. Hall's departure, and Mr. Stollings election as the Company's Chief Financial Officer is attached to this report as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference.

Any adjustments to Mr. Stollings' compensation as a result of changes to his responsibilities will be reviewed by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company.

The Wealth Management line of business at First Financial Bank, the Company's wholly owned subsidiary, will continue to be led by Kevin Woodard and Greg Harris with executive oversight from Doug Lefferson in his role as Chief Banking Officer. Mr. Hall previously provided such executive oversight. Mr. Lefferson will continue to also lead the Commercial Banking organization.

Item 9.01 Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits:

99.1 First Financial Bancorp. Press Release dated January 18, 2013.