INDIANA, Pa., Dec. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- First Commonwealth Financial Corporation (NYSE: FCF) today announced that E. James Trimarchi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of First Commonwealth, retired effective as of the close of business on December 20, 2005. Under the Corporation's existing succession plan, Joseph E. O'Dell, the current President and Chief Executive Officer of First Commonwealth, will assume the additional duties of the Chairman until the Board of Directors names a permanent successor.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20051221/CLW054 )

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030416/FIRSTLOGO )

"Jim has been an integral part of First Commonwealth since its inception over thirty years ago, and First Commonwealth has benefited tremendously from his leadership and insight," said Mr. O'Dell. "Jim's passion for our business, our community and our customers has contributed greatly to the growth and development of the First Commonwealth brand throughout Western Pennsylvania. Everyone at First Commonwealth joins me in wishing Jim and his family every happiness in his retirement years."

Mr. Trimarchi's career in banking began in 1963 when he and a group of Indiana County businessmen founded the Conemaugh Valley Bank in Blairsville, Pennsylvania. In 1967, Conemaugh Valley merged with the First National Bank in Indiana, and the name was changed soon after to National Bank of the Commonwealth, now known as First Commonwealth Bank. In 1970, the bank began the renovation of the Old Courthouse Complex in Indiana, which still houses the central offices of the bank to this day. In 1983, Mr. Trimarchi was appointed as the first President and CEO of First Commonwealth Financial Corporation, then a newly formed bank holding company. He was appointed Chairman in 1990.

Under Mr. Trimarchi's leadership, First Commonwealth joined the New York Stock Exchange and significantly expanded its geographic reach and the breadth of its financial service offerings, acquiring various banking and financial institutions throughout Western Pennsylvania. Most recently, he is responsible for the development and implementation of the balanced scorecard measurement system currently in use in the bank and the entire organization. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Pennsylvania State University and is a past member of the Pittsburgh office of the Cleveland branch of the Federal Reserve System. He is also a past director of the First National Bank of Santa Fe, New Mexico.

When asked to comment on his tenure at First Commonwealth, Mr. Trimarchi stated, "Having been born and raised in Indiana, Pennsylvania, on the fourth of July, the entire experience has made me proud. First Commonwealth enters the new year on solid ground. Active and interested shareholders and customers, experienced and involved directors, knowledgeable and hard working management and employees have made us what we are today and assure confidence in the organization's continuing success."

First Commonwealth Financial Corporation is a $6.0 billion bank holding company headquartered in Indiana, Pennsylvania. It operates in 15 counties in western and central Pennsylvania through First Commonwealth Bank, a Pennsylvania chartered bank. Financial services and insurance products are also provided through First Commonwealth Insurance Agency, First Commonwealth Trust Company, and First Commonwealth Financial Advisors, Inc. The company also operates First Commonwealth Systems Corporation, a data processing subsidiary, First Commonwealth Professional Resources, a support services subsidiary, FraMal Holdings Corporation, an investment services company, and jointly owns Commonwealth Trust Credit Life Insurance Company, a credit life reinsurance company.

SOURCE  First Commonwealth Financial Corporation
    -0-                             12/21/2005
    /CONTACT:  John Dolan, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer of First Commonwealth Financial Corporation, +1-724-349-7220/
    /Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20051221/CLW054http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030416/FIRSTLOGO
             AP Archive:  http://photoarchive.ap.org
             PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com /
    (FCF)

CO:  First Commonwealth Financial Corporation
ST:  Pennsylvania
IN:  FIN
SU:  PER

AK-CF
-- CLW054 --
1244 12/21/200516:30 ESThttp://www.prnewswire.com