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UNITED STATES
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 18, 1996
FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
COMMISSION FILE NUMBER : 0-12499
CALIFORNIA 94-28222858
(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION) IDENTIFICATION 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)
NA
(FORMER NAME OR IF CHANGED SINCE LAST REPORT.)
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ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS
Branch Acquisition
Please refer to Exhibit 99 which contains a press release regarding the
purchase of branches from Wells Fargo Bank by First Financial Bancorp's wholly
owned subsidiary, Bank of Lodi.
ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS
Exhibits
(99) Press release dated October 16, 1996.
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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
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Date October 18, 1996 /s/ David M. Philipp
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David M. Philipp
Executive Vice-President & CFO
Corporate Secretary
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Exhibit 99 - Press Release
Bank of Lodi, NA
P R E S S R E L E A S E
Wednesday, October 16, 1996
For Immediate Release
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CONTACT: Joyce K. Mitchell, Marketing Officer
Bank of Lodi, N.A.
209.367.2069
Bank of Lodi Acquires Three Wells Fargo Bank Branches
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Bank of Lodi, N.A. - with branches in Lodi, Woodbridge, and Lockeford -
today announced it has reached a definitive agreement with Wells Fargo Bank to
purchase three of Wells Fargo's branches located in Galt, San Andreas, and
Plymouth.
Leon Zimmerman, president and chief executive officer, Bank of Lodi, said,
" We are very pleased and excited about bringing these three branches into our
system, and we believe the communities will welcome the benefits of this
endeavor as well."
He continues, "Customers will enjoy the personalized service provided by
Bank of Lodi, employees will become part of a progressive organization dedicated
to the communities in which it serves, and shareholder value will be
strengthened further as we expand and explore additional opportunities." "
The decision to sell was difficult," said Joe Stiglich, executive vice
president, Wells Fargo Bank. "However, these branches are located in rural
communities; therefore, we are unable to deliver the advantages of our banking
system to these communities. Rather than offer limited services, we believe
these communities would be better served by a dynamic, local community bank,
such as Bank of Lodi, which offers a full range of personal and business banking
services."
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Zimmerman explains, "Our goal is to make this opportunity as beneficial as
possible for all those involved, as we are extremely sensitive to meeting the
personal and business banking needs in each of the communities. Wells Fargo
staff members can rest assure they will be welcomed additions to the Bank of
Lodi family."
Once the acquisition is complete, Bank of Lodi total assets will total
approximately $150 million.
For more information about Bank of Lodi's products and services, interested
individuals are encouraged to visit the bank's web site at
http:/www.banklodi.com.
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