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): April 23, 2004 (April 19, 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 5. OTHER EVENTS. On April 19, 2004, First BancTrust Corporation issued a news release announcing that its Board of Directors has declared a 2-for-1 stock split payable in the form of a 100% stock dividend on May 21, 2004, to shareholders of record on April 30, 2004. The release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference. ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS. (a) Exhibits. Exhibit Number 99.1 Press Release, dated April 19, 2004 issued by First BancTrust Corporation 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: April 22, 2004 /s/Terry J. Howard ---------------------------------------- Terry J. Howard President and Chief Executive Officer Dated: April 22, 2004 /s/Ellen M. Litteral ---------------------------------------- Ellen M. Litteral Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer 3 EXHIBIT INDEX Exhibit Number 99.1 Press Release, dated April 19, 2004 issued by First BancTrust Corporation 4