8-K

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 (Date of earliest event reported): May 25, 2021

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (877) 322-9530

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company     ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.     ☐

Item 5.07 Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

(a)    On May 25, 2021, First Financial Bancorp., an Ohio corporation (the “Company”), held its Annual Meeting of Shareholders for the purpose of considering and acting upon the following matters:

1.    To elect the following nominees as directors with terms expiring in 2022: William G. Barron, Vincent A. Berta, Cynthia O. Booth, Archie M. Brown, Claude E. Davis, Corinne R. Finnerty, Susan L. Knust, William J. Kramer, John T. Neighbours, Thomas M. O’Brien, and Maribeth S. Rahe;

2.    To ratify the appointment of Crowe LLP as the Company’s independent registered accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021; and

3.    To approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company's executive officers.

As of March 26, 2021, the record date for the Annual Meeting, 97,524,259 shares of the Company's common stock were eligible to vote. There were a total of 86,077,491 shares present at the Annual Meeting (88.26% of the shares eligible to vote), constituting a quorum.

(b)    The voting results for each proposal, including the votes for and against, and any abstentions or broker non-votes, are described below.

Item 1 - Election of Directors

The Company’s shareholders elected all eleven nominees for director. Each nominee will serve for a one-year term ending in 2022. For each nominee, the votes cast for and withheld, as well as the abstentions and broker non-votes, were as follows:

Item 2 - Ratification of Auditors

The Company’s shareholders ratified the Audit Committee’s selection of Crowe LLP as the Company’s independent registered public account firm for 2021. The votes cast for and against this proposal, as well as the abstentions and broker non-votes, were as follows:

Item 3 - Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation

The Company’s shareholders approved the advisory vote on the compensation of the Company’s executive officers named in the proxy statement for the 2021 annual meeting of shareholders. The advisory resolution approved by the shareholders is also referred to as “say on pay.” The votes cast for and against this proposal, as well as the abstentions and broker non-votes, were as follows:

Item 9.01    Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)    Exhibits:

Exhibit No.    Description

104         Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

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.