Sec Form 4 Filing - PONTIUS STANLEYN @ FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP /OH/ - 2003-10-02

FORM 4 Check this box if no longer subject to Section 16. Form 4 or Form 5 obligations may continue. See Instruction 1(b).

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP Filed pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Section 17(a) of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 or Section 30(h) of the Investment Company Act of 1940

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1. Name and Address of Reporting Person PONTIUS STANLEYN 2. Issuer Name and Ticker or Trading Symbol FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP /OH/ [ FFBC] 5. Relationship of Reporting Person(s) to Issuer (Check all applicable) X __ Director _____ 10% Owner X __ Officer (give title below) _____ Other (specify below) Executive Officer (Last) (First) (Middle) 8 CHURCHILL STREET 3. Date of Earliest Transaction (MM/DD/YY) 10/02/2003 (Street) HAMILTON, OH45013 4. If Amendment, Date Original Filed (MM/DD/YY) 6. Individual or Joint/Group Filing (Check Applicable Line) __ X __ Form filed by One Reporting Person _____ Form filed by More than One Reporting Person (City) (State) (Zip)

Table I - Non-Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned 1.Title of Security (Instr. 3) 2. Transaction Date (MM/DD/YY) 2A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (MM/DD/YY) 3. Transaction Code (Instr. 8) 4. Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed of (D) (Instr. 3, 4 and 5) 5. Amount of Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 3 and 4) 6. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4) 7. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4) Code V Amount (A) or (D) Price Common Stock 72,224 D Common Stock 7,731 I IRA Common Stock 13,739.4175 I 401-k Common Stock 71,769 I Restricted Award FFBC (Directors Fee Stock Plan) 10/02/2003 P 200 A $ 15.45 2,790 D

Table II - Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned ( e.g. , puts, calls, warrants, options, convertible securities) 1. Title of Derivative Security (Instr. 3) 2. Conversion or Exercise Price of Derivative Security 3. Transaction Date (MM/DD/YY) 3A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (MM/DD/YY) 4. Transaction Code (Instr. 8) 5. Number of Derivative Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed of (D) (Instr. 3, 4, and 5) 6. Date Exercisable and Expiration Date (MM/DD/YY) 7. Title and Amount of Underlying Securities (Instr. 3 and 4) 8. Price of Derivative Security (Instr. 5) 9. Number of Derivative Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 4) 10. Ownership Form of Derivative Security: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4) 11. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4) Code V (A) (D) Date Exercisable Expiration Date Title Amount or Number of Shares 1996 (ISO) Stock Option $ 11.2987 01/24/1997 01/24/2006 Common Stock 2,497 2,497 D 1997 (ISO) Stock Option $ 11.1342 01/28/1998 01/28/2007 Common Stock 8,981 8,981 D 1997 (NQ) Stock Option $ 11.1342 01/28/1998 01/28/2007 Common Stock 11,649 11,649 D 1998 (ISO) Stock Option $ 19.087 01/27/1999 01/27/2008 Common Stock 5,238 5,238 D 1998 (NQ) Stock Option $ 19.087 01/27/1999 01/27/2008 Common Stock 25,255 25,255 D 1999 (ISO) Stock Option $ 22.565 01/25/2000 01/25/2009 Common Stock 4,201 4,201 D 1999 (NQ) Stock Option $ 22.565 01/25/2000 01/25/2009 Common Stock 41,999 41,999 D 2000 (ISO) Stock Option $ 17.56 01/24/2001 01/24/2010 Common Stock 5,694 5,694 D 2000 (NQ) Stock Option $ 17.56 01/24/2001 01/24/2010 Common Stock 58,356 58,356 D 2001 (ISO) Stock Option $ 16.0124 01/23/2002 01/23/2011 Common Stock 6,244 6,244 D 2001 (NQ) Stock Option $ 16.0124 01/23/2002 01/23/2011 Common Stock 4,256 4,256 D 2002 (ISO) Stock Option $ 17.2 01/17/2003 01/17/2012 Common Stock 5,813 5,813 D 2002 (NQ) Stock Option $ 17.2 01/17/2003 01/17/2012 Common Stock 4,187 4,187 D 2003 (ISO) Stock Option $ 16.58 01/22/2004 01/22/2013 Common Stock 6,031 6,031 D 2003 (NQ) Stock Option $ 16.58 01/22/2004 01/22/2013 Common Stock $ 3,969 $ 3,969 D

Reporting Owners Reporting Owner Name / Address Relationships Director 10% Owner Officer Other PONTIUS STANLEYN 8 CHURCHILL STREET HAMILTON, OH45013 X Executive Officer Signatures Terri J. Ziepfel 10/06/2003 Signature of Reporting Person Date

Explanation of Responses:
Reminder: Report on a separate line for each class of securities beneficially owned directly or indirectly.

* If the form is filed by more than one reporting person, see Instruction 4(b)(v).

** Intentional misstatements or omissions of facts constitute Federal Criminal Violations. See 18 U.S.C. 1001 and 15 U.S.C. 78ff(a).

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