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: October 16, 2003
FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Ohio 0-12379 31-1042001
(State or other jurisdiction (Commission (IRS Employer
of incorporation) File Number) Identification No.)
300 High Street
Hamilton, Ohio 45011
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (513) 867-5240
FORM 8-K FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS AND REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE.
On October 15, 2003, First Financial Bancorp. finalized and entered
into a separation agreement with Stanley N. Pontius, who had been the
company's president and chief executive officer since 1991. The
agreement, which supercedes a pre-existing employment agreement,
provides for Pontius's immediate departure from the positions of
director, president, and chief executive officer of the holding company
and all affiliate board responsibilities. The company's board of
directors has assembled a search committee. Bruce E. Leep, chairman of
the board of First Financial Bancorp., has been appointed by the
company's board to serve as interim president and chief executive
officer of the corporation. In addition, Leep will take on interim
responsibility as chairman of the board of First Financial Bank,
National Association, the lead bank of First Financial Bancorp. A copy
of the press release announcing the change in leadership is attached as
Exhibit 99.1. A copy of the Separation and Release Agreement is
attached as Exhibit 99.2.
ITEM 7. EXHIBITS.
(a) Exhibit:
99.1 First Financial Bancorp. Press Release dated
October 15, 2003.
99.2 Separation Agreement and Release between First
Financial Bancorp. and Stanley N. Pontius dated
October 15, 2003.
ITEM 12. DISCLOSURE OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION.
On October 15, 2003, First Financial Bancorp. issued a press release
announcing that the company finalized and entered into a separation
agreement with Stanley N. Pontius, who had been the company's president
and chief executive officer since 1991. As reported in the press
release, the financial impact of the separation agreement, which
supercedes a pre-existing employment agreement, will be approximately
five cents per share on First Financial Bancorp.'s third-quarter
earnings which will be announced in a press release on Monday, October
20, 2003. A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1.
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/ C. Douglas Lefferson
--------------------------------
C. Douglas Lefferson
Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
Date: October 16, 2003
FORM 8-K FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
EXHIBIT INDEX
EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION
99.1 First Financial Bancorp. Press Release dated April 21, 2003.
99.2 Separation Agreement and Release between First Financial
Bancorp. and Stanley N. Pontius dated October 15, 2003.