First Financial Bancorp, Westfield Jointly Announce First Financial's Acquisition Of Westfield Bancorp

June 23 (Reuters) - First Financial Bancorp FFBC.O:

• FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP AND WESTFIELD JOINTLY ANNOUNCE FIRST FINANCIAL'S ACQUISITION OF WESTFIELD BANCORP

• FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP - DEAL VALUED AT $325 MILLION, PAID 80% IN CASH, 20% IN STOCK

• FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP - WESTFIELD BANK LOCATIONS TO BE REBRANDED AS FIRST FINANCIAL BANK

• FIRST FINANCIAL: DEAL EXPECTED TO BE 12% ACCRETIVE TO CO'S EARNINGS WITH TANGIBLE BOOK VALUE EARN-BACK OF ABOUT 2.9 YEARS