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): February 23, 2004 (February 17, 2004) FIRST BANCTRUST CORPORATION ------------------------------------------------------------------ (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) DELAWARE 000-32535 37-1406661 State or other jurisdiction (Commission (IRS Employer of Incorporation File Number) Identification No.) 206 SOUTH CENTRAL AVENUE, PARIS, IL 61944 ----------------------------------------- (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) (217) 465-6381 -------------- (Registrant's telephone number, including area code) ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS. (a) Exhibits. Exhibit Number 99.1 Press Release, dated February 17, 2004 issued by First BancTrust Corporation ITEM 12. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION). The following information, including the Exhibit attached hereto, shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. On February 17, 2004, First BancTrust Corporation issued a news release to report its financial results for the year ended December 31, 2003. The release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 hereto. -2- 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 BANCTRUST CORPORATION Dated: February 18, 2004 /s/Terry J. Howard -------------------------------- Terry J. Howard President and Chief Executive Officer Dated: February 18, 2004 /s/Ellen M. Litteral -------------------------------- Ellen M. Litteral Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer -3- EXHIBIT INDEX Exhibit Number 99.1 Press Release, dated February 17, 2004 issued by First BancTrust Corporation -4-