First Financial Bancorp. (FFBC) 10-Q 6 Nov 14 2014 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information Document	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Nov. 05, 2014
DOCUMENT AND ENTITY INFORMATION [Abstract]	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Trading Symbol	'FFBC	'
Entity Registrant Name	'FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP /OH/	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000708955	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	61,372,311

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
ASSETS	'	'
Cash and due from banks	$121,360	$117,620
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks	22,365	25,830
Investment securities available-for-sale, at market value (cost $944,217 at September 30, 2014 and $945,052 at December 31, 2013)	929,594	913,601
Investment securities held-to-maturity (market value $901,659 at September 30, 2014 and $824,985 at December 31, 2013)	900,521	837,272
Other investments	49,986	47,427
Loans held for sale	16,816	8,114
Loans	'	'
Commercial	1,304,782	1,035,668
Real estate - construction	193,776	80,741
Real estate-commercial	1,952,055	1,496,987
Real estate-residential	426,558	352,931
Installment	47,561	47,133
Home equity	416,099	376,454
Credit card	35,925	35,592
Lease financing	73,216	80,135
Total loans, excluding covered loans	4,449,972	3,505,641
Less: Allowance for loan and lease losses - uncovered	42,454	43,829
Net loans - excluding covered loans	4,407,518	3,461,812
Covered loans	332,265	457,873
Less: Allowance for loan and lease losses - covered	11,535	18,901
Net loans - covered	320,730	438,972
Net loans	4,728,248	3,900,784
Premises and equipment	141,851	137,110
Goodwill	137,458	95,050
Other intangibles	8,542	5,924
FDIC indemnification asset	24,160	45,091
Interest Receivable and Other Assets	272,568	283,390
Total assets	7,353,469	6,417,213
Deposits	'	'
Interest-bearing	1,214,726	1,125,723
Savings	1,827,590	1,612,005
Time	1,247,334	952,327
Total interest-bearing deposits	4,289,650	3,690,055
Noninterest-bearing	1,243,367	1,147,452
Total deposits	5,533,017	4,837,507
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase	113,303	94,749
Federal Home Loan Bank short-term borrowings	806,000	654,000
Total short-term borrowings	919,303	748,749
Long-term debt	52,656	60,780
Total borrowed funds	971,959	809,529
Accrued interest and other liabilities	74,581	88,016
Total liabilities	6,579,557	5,735,052
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	'	'
Common stock - no par value Authorized - 160,000,000 shares Issued - 68,730,731 shares in 2014 and 2013	574,209	577,076
Retained earnings	344,118	324,192
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-20,888	-31,281
Treasury stock, at cost, 7,362,258 shares in 2014 and 11,197,685 shares in 2013	-123,527	-187,826
Total shareholders' equity	773,912	682,161
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$7,353,469	$6,417,213

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_CO

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	$944,217	$945,052
Held-to-maturity Securities, Fair Value	$901,659	$824,985
Common Stock, No Par Value	$0	$0
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	160,000,000	160,000,000
Common Stock, Shares, Issued	68,730,731	68,730,731
Treasury Stock, Shares	7,362,258	11,197,685

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_INC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Interest income	'	'	'	'
Loans, including fees	$53,725	$52,908	$151,749	$163,955
Investment securities	'	'	'	'
Taxable	10,227	8,267	31,019	24,938
Tax-exempt	894	541	2,500	1,681
Total interest on investment securities	11,121	8,808	33,519	26,619
Other earning assets	-1,455	-2,185	-4,162	-5,213
Total interest income	63,391	59,531	181,106	185,361
Interest expense	'	'	'	'
Deposits	4,218	2,856	11,140	10,000
Short-term borrowings	354	286	975	920
Long-term borrowings	456	617	1,505	1,925
Total interest expense	5,028	3,759	13,620	12,845
Net interest income	58,363	55,772	167,486	172,516
Provision for Loan and Lease Losses	1,093	1,413	2,281	6,863
Provision for loan and lease losses covered	-200	5,293	-2,805	6,052
Net interest income after provision for loan and lease losses	57,470	49,066	168,010	159,601
Noninterest income	'	'	'	'
Service charges on deposit accounts	5,263	5,447	15,172	15,369
Trust and wealth management fees	3,207	3,366	10,258	10,813
Bankcard income	2,859	2,637	8,101	8,215
Net gains from sales of loans	1,660	751	2,793	2,546
Gains on sales of investment securities	0	0	50	1,724
FDIC loss sharing income	-192	5,555	408	7,105
Accelerated discount on covered loans	789	1,711	2,425	5,581
Other	2,925	2,824	7,816	9,251
Total noninterest income	16,511	22,291	47,023	60,604
Noninterest expenses	'	'	'	'
Salaries and employee benefits	28,686	23,834	79,562	77,379
Pension settlement charges	0	-1,396	0	-5,712
Net occupancy	4,577	5,101	14,381	16,650
Furniture and equipment	2,265	2,213	6,325	6,834
Data processing	4,393	2,584	10,021	7,612
Marketing	939	1,192	2,555	3,271
Communication	541	865	1,726	2,479
Professional services	1,568	1,528	4,741	5,095
State intangible tax	648	1,010	1,936	3,028
FDIC assessments	1,126	1,107	3,334	3,380
Loss (gain) - other real estate owned	844	184	1,575	902
Loss (gain) - covered other real estate owned	1,433	-204	1,002	2,165
Loss sharing expense	1,002	1,724	4,036	5,588
Other	6,263	5,859	17,182	19,425
Total noninterest expenses	51,419	48,801	146,372	155,190
Income before income taxes	22,562	22,556	68,661	65,015
Income tax expense	7,218	7,645	22,260	20,451
Net income	$15,344	$14,911	$46,401	$44,564
Earnings per common share	'	'	'	'
Basic	$0.26	$0.26	$0.80	$0.78
Diluted	$0.26	$0.26	$0.79	$0.77
Cash dividends declared per share	$0.15	$0.27	$0.45	$0.79
Average common shares outstanding - basic	59,403,109	57,201,390	57,907,203	57,309,934
Average common shares outstanding - diluted	60,112,932	58,012,588	58,639,394	58,143,372

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_COM

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net income	$15,344	$14,911	$46,401	$44,564
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	'	'	'	'
Unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities arising during the period	-256	-4,003	10,077	-22,570
Change in retirement obligation	189	1,166	663	11,976
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	760	-818	-334	-2
Unrealized gain (loss) on foreign currency exchange	-12	6	-13	-21
Other comprehensive income (loss)	681	-3,649	10,393	-10,617
Comprehensive income	$16,025	$11,262	$56,794	$33,947

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CHA

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (USD $)	Total	Common Stock	Retained earnings	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	Treasury stock
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Beginning Balances at Dec. 31, 2012	$710,425	$579,293	$330,004	($18,677)	($180,195)
Beginning Balances (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012	'	68,730,731	'	'	-10,684,496
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'
Net income	44,564	'	44,564	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-10,617	'	'	-10,617	'
Cash dividends declared :	'	'	'	'	'
Common stock at $0.45 per share in 2014 and $0.79 per share in 2013	-45,575	'	-45,575	'	'
Purchase of common stock, in shares	'	'	'	'	-540,400
Purchase of common stock	-8,339	'	'	'	-8,339
Excess tax benefit on share-based compensation	133	133	'	'	'
Exercise of stock options, net of shares purchased (in shares)	'	'	'	'	44,105
Exercise of stock options, net of shares purchased	-275	-1,016	'	'	741
Restricted stock awards, net of forfeitures (in shares)	'	'	'	'	152,504
Restricted stock awards, net of forfeitures	-1,326	-4,030	'	'	2,704
Share-based compensation expense	3,049	3,049	'	'	'
Ending Balances at Sep. 30, 2013	692,039	577,429	328,993	-29,294	-185,089
Ending Balances (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2013	'	68,730,731	'	'	-11,028,287
Beginning Balances at Dec. 31, 2013	682,161	577,076	324,192	-31,281	-187,826
Beginning Balances (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013	'	68,730,731	'	'	-11,197,685
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'
Net income	46,401	'	46,401	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss)	10,393	'	'	10,393	'
Cash dividends declared :	'	'	'	'	'
Common stock at $0.45 per share in 2014 and $0.79 per share in 2013	-26,475	'	-26,475	'	'
Purchase of common stock, in shares	'	'	'	'	-40,255
Purchase of common stock	-697	'	'	'	-697
Common stock ssued in connection with business combinations, in shares	'	'	'	'	3,657,937
Common stock ssued in connection with business combinations	60,429	-946	'	'	61,375
Excess tax benefit on share-based compensation	149	149	'	'	'
Exercise of stock options, net of shares purchased (in shares)	'	'	'	'	36,830
Exercise of stock options, net of shares purchased	-155	-771	'	'	616
Restricted stock awards, net of forfeitures (in shares)	'	'	'	'	180,915
Restricted stock awards, net of forfeitures	-1,186	-4,191	'	'	3,005
Share-based compensation expense	2,892	2,892	'	'	'
Ending Balances at Sep. 30, 2014	$773,912	$574,209	$344,118	($20,888)	($123,527)
Ending Balances (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2014	'	68,730,731	'	'	-7,362,258

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CHA1

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared	$0.15	$0.27	$0.45	$0.79

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Operating activities	'	'
Net income	$46,401	$44,564
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Provision for loan and lease losses	-524	12,915
Depreciation and amortization	9,465	11,057
Stock-based compensation expense	2,892	3,049
Pension (income) expense	-853	5,309
Net amortization of premiums/accretion of discounts on investment securities	5,523	11,327
Gains on sales of investment securities	-50	-1,724
Originations of loans held for sale	-93,561	-126,881
Net gains from sales of loans held for sale	-2,793	-2,546
Proceeds from sales of loans held for sale	85,977	131,979
Deferred income taxes	-20,137	-5,621
Increase in interest receivable	-2,849	-462
Increase in cash surrender value of life insurance	-4,608	-3,781
Increase in prepaid expenses	-2,303	-2,688
Decrease in indemnification asset	-20,931	-41,475
Decrease in accrued expenses	-5,515	-6,013
Decrease in interest payable	-72	-418
Other	5,917	13,699
Net cash provided by operating activities	43,841	125,240
Investing activities	'	'
Proceeds from sales of securities available-for-sale	92,573	92,684
Proceeds from calls, paydowns and maturities of securities available-for-sale	75,691	160,460
Purchases of securities available-for-sale	-142,307	-109,816
Proceeds from calls, paydowns and maturities of securities held-to-maturity	74,392	134,089
Purchases of securities held-to-maturity	140,426	13,476
Net decrease in interest-bearing deposits with other banks	3,465	13,927
Net increase in loans and leases - excluding covered loans	-343,050	-261,546
Net decrease in covered assets	116,701	180,074
Proceeds from disposal of other real estate owned	28,713	23,590
Purchases of premises and equipment	-7,591	-6,017
Cash acquired from business combinations	34,300	0
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	-207,539	213,969
Financing activities	'	'
Net increase (decrease) in total deposits	126,905	-226,833
Net increase (decrease) in short-term borrowings	95,663	-898
Payments on long-term borrowings	-28,930	-14,093
Cash dividends paid on common stock	-25,717	-45,983
Treasury stock purchase	-697	-8,339
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	65	0
Excess tax benefit on share-based compensation	149	133
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	167,438	-296,013
Cash and due from banks:	'	'
Net increase in cash and due from banks	3,740	43,196
Cash and due from banks at beginning of period	117,620	134,502
Cash and due from banks at end of period	121,360	177,698
Supplemental schedule for investing activities	'	'
Assets acquired, net of purchase considerations	630,451	0
Liabilities assumed	672,859	0
Goodwill	$42,408	$0

BASIS_OF_PRESENTATION

BASIS OF PRESENTATION	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
BASIS OF PRESENTATION	'
	BASIS OF PRESENTATION
	The Consolidated Financial Statements of First Financial Bancorp. (First Financial or the Company), a bank holding company principally serving Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky, include the accounts and operations of First Financial and its wholly-owned subsidiary – First Financial Bank, N.A. (First Financial Bank or the Bank).  All significant intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation.  Certain reclassifications of prior periods’ amounts have been made to conform to the current period’s presentation and had no effect on net earnings.
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) requires management to make estimates, assumptions and judgments that affect the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying Notes.  These estimates, assumptions and judgments are inherently subjective and may be susceptible to significant change.  Actual realized amounts could differ materially from these estimates.
	These interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X and serve to update the First Financial Bancorp. Annual Report on Form 10-K (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2013.  These interim financial statements may not include all information and notes necessary to constitute a complete set of financial statements under GAAP applicable to annual periods and accordingly should be read in conjunction with the financial information contained in the Form 10-K.  Management believes these unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments of a normal recurring nature which are necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods presented.  The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year or any other interim period.  The Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2013 has been derived from the audited financial statements in the Company’s 2013 Form 10-K.

RECENTLY_ADOPTED_AND_ISSUED_AC

RECENTLY ADOPTED AND ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Recently Adopted and Issued Accounting Standards [Abstract]	'
Recently Adopted and Issued Accounting Standards Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	RECENTLY ADOPTED AND ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
	In January 2014, the FASB issued an update (ASU 2014-04, Reclassification of Residential Real Estate Collateralized Consumer Mortgage Loans upon Foreclosure) which clarifies when an in substance repossession or foreclosure occurs, that is, when a creditor should be considered to have received physical possession of residential real estate property collateralizing a consumer mortgage loan such that the loan receivable should be de-recognized and the real estate property recognized. The provisions of ASU 2014-04 become effective for First Financial for the interim reporting period ended March 31, 2015. First Financial does not anticipate this update will have a material impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements.
	In April 2014, the FASB issued an update (ASU 2014-08, Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity) which redefines what constitutes a discontinued operation. Under the revised standard, a discontinued operation is a component of an entity or group of components that has been disposed of by sale, disposed of other than by sale or is classified as held for sale, that represents a strategic shift that has or will have a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results or an acquired business or nonprofit activity that is classified as held for sale on the date of the acquisition. A strategic shift that has or will have a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results could include the disposal of a major line of business, a major geographic area, a major equity method investment or other major parts of an entity. The new guidance eliminates the criteria prohibiting an entity from reporting a discontinued operation if it has certain continuing cash flows or involvement with the component after the disposal and requires additional disclosures for discontinued operations and new disclosures for individually material disposal transactions that do not meet the definition of a discontinued operation. The provisions of ASU 2014-08 become effective for all interim and annual periods subsequent to January 1, 2015. First Financial does not anticipate this update will have a material impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued an update (ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers) which outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. Under the revised standard, an entity recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The ASU applies to all contracts with customers except those that are within the scope of other topics in the FASB Accounting Standards Codification. Certain of the ASU’s provisions also apply to transfers of nonfinancial assets, including in-substance nonfinancial assets that are not an output of an entity’s ordinary activities, such as sales of property, plant, and equipment; real estate; or intangible assets. The ASU also requires significantly expanded disclosures about revenue recognition. The provisions of ASU 2014-09 become effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early application is not permitted. First Financial is currently evaluating the impact of this update on its Consolidated Financial Statements.
	In June 2014, the FASB issued an update (ASU 2014-11, Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures) that requires repurchase-to-maturity transactions to be accounted for as secured borrowings rather than as sales with a forward repurchase commitment and eliminates current guidance on repurchase financings. The ASU requires separate accounting for a transfer of a financial asset executed contemporaneously with a repurchase agreement with the same counterparty. If the derecognition criteria are met, the initial transfer will generally be accounted for as a sale and the repurchase agreement will generally be accounted for as a secured borrowing. The ASU requires new disclosures for repurchase agreements, securities lending transactions and repurchase-to-maturity transactions that are accounted for as secured borrowings. The ASU also requires new disclosures for transfers of financial assets that are accounted for as sales that involve an agreement with the transferee entered into in contemplation of the initial transfer that result in the transferor retaining substantially all of the exposure to the economic return on the transferred financial assets throughout the term of the transaction. The provisions of ASU 2014-11 become effective for all interim and annual periods subsequent to December 15, 2014. Early adoption is prohibited. First Financial is currently evaluating the impact of this update on its Consolidated Financial Statements.
	In August 2014, the FASB issued an update (ASU 2014-14, Receivables - Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditors: Classification of Certain Government-Guaranteed Mortgage Loans upon Foreclosure) that requires a mortgage loan be derecognized and a separate other receivable be recognized upon foreclosure if the following conditions are met: a) the loan has a government guarantee that is not separable from the loan before foreclosure, b) at the time of foreclosure, the creditor has the intent to convey the real estate property to the guarantor and make a claim on the guarantee, and the creditor has the ability to recover under that claim and c) at the time of foreclosure, any amount of the claim that is determined on the basis of the fair value of the real estate is fixed. Upon foreclosure, the separate other receivable should be measured based on the amount of the loan balance (principal and interest) expected to be recovered from the guarantor. The amendments in this ASU become effective for all interim and annual periods subsequent to December 15, 2014. First Financial does not anticipate this update will have a material impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements.
	In August 2014, the FASB issued an update (ASU 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements-Going Concern: Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern) that requires management perform a going concern evaluation similar to the auditor’s evaluation required by standards issued by the PCAOB and the AICPA. The ASU requires management to evaluate relevant conditions, events and certain management plans that are known or reasonably knowable as of the evaluation date when determining whether substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern exists for both annual and interim reporting periods. If management concludes that substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern, the notes to the financial statements are required to include a statement that there is substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued. The provisions in this ASU become effective for interim and annual periods ending after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. First Financial does not anticipate this update will have a material impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

INVESTMENTS

INVESTMENTS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]	'
INVESTMENTS	'
	INVESTMENTS
	The following is a summary of held-to-maturity and available-for-sale investment securities as of September 30, 2014:
			Held-to-maturity														Available-for-sale
	(Dollars in thousands)		Amortized			Unrealized				Unrealized				Market			Amortized		Unrealized			Unrealized			Market
			cost			gain				loss				value			cost		gain			loss			value
	U.S. Treasuries		$	0		$	0			$	0			$	0		$	97	$	0		$	(3	)	$	94
	Securities of U.S. government agencies and corporations		17,917			0				(231		)		17,686			12,304		3			(37		)	12,270
	Mortgage-backed securities		832,728			5,290				(4,656		)		833,362			700,167		4,967			(19,273		)	685,861
	Obligations of state and other political subdivisions		26,308			442				(418		)		26,332			49,824		588			(1,008		)	49,404
	Asset-backed securities		0			0				0				0			76,693		244			(1		)	76,936
	Other securities		23,568			770				(59		)		24,279			105,132		1,576			(1,679		)	105,029
	Total		$	900,521		$	6,502			$	(5,364	)		$	901,659		$	944,217	$	7,378		$	(22,001	)	$	929,594
	The following is a summary of held-to-maturity and available-for-sale investment securities as of December 31, 2013:
			Held-to-maturity														Available-for-sale
	(Dollars in thousands)		Amortized			Unrealized				Unrealized				Market			Amortized		Unrealized			Unrealized			Market
			cost			gain				loss				value			cost		gain			loss			value
	U.S. Treasuries		$	0		$	0			$	0			$	0		$	97	$	0		$	(7	)	$	90
	Securities of U.S. government agencies and corporations		18,981			0				(791		)		18,190			9,980		0			(404		)	9,576
	Mortgage-backed securities		775,025			1,337				(12,229		)		764,133			678,267		5,372			(28,593		)	655,046
	Obligations of state and other political subdivisions		25,788			152				(1,039		)		24,901			33,410		10			(3,097		)	30,323
	Asset-backed securities		0			0				0				0			114,209		1			(616		)	113,594
	Other securities		17,478			283				0				17,761			109,089		262			(4,379		)	104,972
	Total		$	837,272		$	1,772			$	(14,059	)		$	824,985		$	945,052	$	5,645		$	(37,096	)	$	913,601
	The following table provides a summary of investment securities by estimated weighted average life as of September 30, 2014. Estimated lives on certain investment securities may differ from contractual maturities as issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
		Held-to-maturity							Available-for-sale
	(Dollars in thousands)	Amortized			Market				Amortized				Market
		cost			value				cost				value
	Due in one year or less	$	268		$	271			$	12,735			$	12,738
	Due after one year through five years	402,027			401,829				348,661				346,665
	Due after five years through ten years	354,896			355,179				266,513				260,869
	Due after ten years	143,330			144,380				316,308				309,322
	Total	$	900,521		$	901,659			$	944,217			$	929,594
	The following tables provide the fair value and gross unrealized losses on investment securities in an unrealized loss position, aggregated by investment category and the length of time the individual securities have been in a continuous loss position:
			September 30, 2014
			Less than 12 months							12 months or more							Total
	(Dollars in thousands)		Fair			Unrealized				Fair				Unrealized			Fair		Unrealized
			value			loss				value				loss			value		loss
	Securities of U.S. government agencies and corporations		$	1,470		$	(5	)		$	17,944			$	(126	)	$	19,414	$	(131	)
	Mortgage-backed securities		252,959			(2,616		)		496,254				(20,077		)	749,213		(22,693		)
	Obligations of state and other political subdivisions		14,267			(174		)		38,578				(1,323		)	52,845		(1,497		)
	Asset-backed securities		10,510			(1		)		0				0			10,510		(1		)
	Other securities		9,254			(93		)		30,440				(1,304		)	39,694		(1,397		)
	Total		$	288,460		$	(2,889	)		$	583,216			$	(22,830	)	$	871,676	$	(25,719	)
			December 31, 2013
			Less than 12 months							12 months or more							Total
			Fair			Unrealized				Fair				Unrealized			Fair		Unrealized
	(Dollars in thousands)		value			loss				value				loss			value		loss
	Securities of U.S. government agencies and corporations		$	27,851		$	(970	)		$	0			$	0		$	27,851	$	(970	)
	Mortgage-backed securities		966,718			(32,432		)		108,929				(6,101		)	1,075,647		(38,533		)
	Obligations of state and other political subdivisions		66,502			(5,294		)		1,935				(46		)	68,437		(5,340		)
	Asset-backed securities		93,355			(616		)		0				0			93,355		(616		)
	Other securities		54,866			(2,142		)		7,798				(561		)	62,664		(2,703		)
	Total		$	1,209,292		$	(41,454	)		$	118,662			$	(6,708	)	$	1,327,954	$	(48,162	)
	Gains and losses on debt securities are generally due to fluctuations in current market yields relative to the yields of the debt securities at their amortized cost. All securities with unrealized losses are reviewed quarterly to determine if any impairment is considered other than temporary, requiring a write-down to fair value. First Financial considers the percentage loss on a security, duration of the loss, average life or duration of the security, credit rating of the security as well as payment performance and the Company's intent and ability to hold the security to maturity when determining whether any impairment is other than temporary. At this time First Financial does not intend to sell, and it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell debt securities temporarily impaired prior to maturity or recovery of the recorded value. First Financial had no other than temporary impairment related to its investment securities portfolio as of September 30, 2014 or December 31, 2013.
	For further detail on the fair value of investment securities, see Note 15 – Fair Value Disclosures.

LOANS

LOANS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Receivables [Abstract]	'
LOANS (excluding covered loans)	'
	LOANS - EXCLUDING COVERED LOANS
	First Financial offers clients a variety of commercial and consumer loan and lease products with various interest rates and payment terms. While lending activities are primarily concentrated in Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky, where the Bank currently operates banking centers, First Financial also provides equipment and leasehold improvement financing for franchisees in the quick service and casual dining restaurant sector throughout the United States.
	During the third quarter 2014, First Financial completed the mergers of The First Bexley Bank (First Bexley), Insight Bank (Insight) and Guernsey Bancorp, Inc (Guernsey). Loans acquired in connection with those mergers were recorded at estimated fair value at the acquisition date with no carryover of the related allowance for loan and lease loss (ALLL). See Note 16 – Business Combinations for further detail.
	First Financial also has loans that were previously acquired that are covered under loss sharing agreements. See Note 5 – Covered Loans for further detail.
	Credit Quality. To facilitate the monitoring of credit quality for commercial loans, and for purposes of determining an appropriate allowance for loan and lease losses, First Financial utilizes the following categories of credit grades:
	Pass - Higher quality loans that do not fit any of the other categories described below.
	Special Mention - First Financial assigns a special mention rating to loans and leases with potential weaknesses that deserve management's close attention. If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the loan or lease or in First Financial's credit position at some future date.
	Substandard - First Financial assigns a substandard rating to loans or leases that are inadequately protected by the current sound financial worth and paying capacity of the borrower or of the collateral pledged, if any. Substandard loans and leases have well-defined weaknesses that jeopardize repayment of the debt. Substandard loans and leases are characterized by the distinct possibility that the Company will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not addressed.
	Doubtful - First Financial assigns a doubtful rating to loans and leases with all the attributes of a substandard rating with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions and values, highly questionable and improbable. The possibility of loss is extremely high, but because of certain important and reasonably specific pending factors that may work to the advantage and strengthening of the credit quality of the loan or lease, its classification as an estimated loss is deferred until its more exact status may be determined. Pending factors include proposed merger, acquisition or liquidation procedures, capital injection, perfecting liens on additional collateral and refinancing plans.
	The credit grades described above, which are derived from standard regulatory rating definitions, are assigned upon initial approval of credit to borrowers and updated periodically thereafter.
	First Financial considers repayment performance as the best indicator of credit quality for consumer loans. Consumer loans that have principal and interest payments that are past due by ninety days or more are generally classified as nonperforming. Additionally, consumer loans that have been modified in a troubled debt restructuring (TDR) are also classified as nonperforming.
	Commercial and consumer credit exposure by risk attribute was as follows:
			As of September 30, 2014
							Real Estate
	(Dollars in thousands)		Commercial				Construction				Commercial				Leasing			Total
	Pass		$	1,262,525			$	188,144			$	1,867,535			$	71,314		$	3,389,518
	Special Mention		23,592				3,830				26,917				1,902			56,241
	Substandard		18,665				1,802				57,603				0			78,070
	Doubtful		0				0				0				0			0
	Total		$	1,304,782			$	193,776			$	1,952,055			$	73,216		$	3,523,829
	(Dollars in thousands)		Real Estate				Installment				Home Equity				Other			Total
			Residential
	Performing		$	419,862			$	47,163			$	413,518			$	35,925		$	916,468
	Nonperforming		6,696				398				2,581				0			9,675
	Total		$	426,558			$	47,561			$	416,099			$	35,925		$	926,143
			As of December 31, 2013
							Real Estate
	(Dollars in thousands)		Commercial				Construction				Commercial				Leasing			Total
	Pass		$	991,161			$	78,872			$	1,422,215			$	80,135		$	2,572,383
	Special Mention		23,053				65				23,832				0			46,950
	Substandard		21,454				1,804				50,940				0			74,198
	Doubtful		0				0				0				0			0
	Total		$	1,035,668			$	80,741			$	1,496,987			$	80,135		$	2,693,531
	(Dollars in thousands)		Real Estate				Installment				Home Equity				Other			Total
			Residential
	Performing		$	344,325			$	46,559			$	373,472			$	35,592		$	799,948
	Nonperforming		8,606				574				2,982				0			12,162
	Total		$	352,931			$	47,133			$	376,454			$	35,592		$	812,110
	Delinquency. Loans are considered past due or delinquent when the contractual principal or interest due in accordance with the terms of the loan agreement or any portion thereof remains unpaid after the date of the scheduled payment.
	Loan delinquency, including loans classified as nonaccrual, was as follows:
			As of September 30, 2014
	(Dollars in thousands)		30 – 59				60 – 89				> 90 days				Total			Current			Total		> 90 days
			days				days				past due				past								past due
			past due				past due								due								and
																							accruing
	Loans
	Commercial		$	2,063			$	333			$	1,727			$	4,123		$	1,300,659		$	1,304,782	$	0
	Real estate - construction		0				0				223				223			193,553			193,776		0
	Real estate - commercial		5,697				2,359				12,144				20,200			1,931,855			1,952,055		0
	Real estate - residential		1,384				311				4,225				5,920			420,638			426,558		0
	Installment		106				82				223				411			47,150			47,561		0
	Home equity		1,043				553				951				2,547			413,552			416,099		0
	Other		490				215				249				954			108,187			109,141		249
	Total		$	10,783			$	3,853			$	19,742			$	34,378		$	4,415,594		$	4,449,972	$	249
			As of December 31, 2013
	(Dollars in thousands)		30 - 59				60 - 89				> 90 days				Total			Current			Total		> 90 days
			days				days				past due				past								past due and accruing
			past due				past due								due
	Loans
	Commercial		$	2,016			$	161			$	7,136			$	9,313		$	1,026,355		$	1,035,668	$	0
	Real estate - construction		0				0				223				223			80,518			80,741		0
	Real estate - commercial		7,800				4,269				12,732				24,801			1,472,186			1,496,987		0
	Real estate - residential		2,030				685				5,526				8,241			344,690			352,931		0
Installment		213				40				379				632			46,501			47,133		0
Home equity		985				292				1,648				2,925			373,529			376,454		0
Other		680				144				218				1,042			114,685			115,727		218
Total		$	13,724			$	5,591			$	27,862			$	47,177		$	3,458,464		$	3,505,641	$	218
Nonaccrual. Loans are classified as nonaccrual when, in the opinion of management, collection of principal or interest is doubtful or when principal or interest payments are ninety days or more past due. Generally, loans are classified as nonaccrual due to the continued failure to adhere to contractual payment terms by the borrower, coupled with other pertinent factors such as insufficient collateral value. When a loan is classified as nonaccrual, the accrual of interest income is discontinued, and previously accrued but unpaid interest is reversed. Any payments received while a loan is on nonaccrual status are applied as a reduction to the carrying value of the loan. A loan may return to accrual status if collection of future principal and interest payments is no longer doubtful.
Troubled Debt Restructurings. A loan modification is considered a TDR when two conditions are met: 1) the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty and 2) concessions are made by the Company that would not otherwise be considered for a borrower with similar credit characteristics. The most common types of modifications include interest rate reductions, maturity extensions and modifications to principal amortization, including interest only structures. Modified terms are dependent upon the financial position and needs of the individual borrower. If the modification agreement is violated, the loan is managed by the Company’s credit administration group for resolution, which may result in foreclosure in the case of real estate.
TDRs are generally classified as nonaccrual for a minimum period of six months and may qualify for return to accrual status once they have demonstrated performance with the restructured terms of the loan agreement.
First Financial had 246 TDRs totaling $26.6 million at September 30, 2014, including $13.4 million on accrual status and $13.2 million classified as nonaccrual. First Financial had an insignificant amount of commitments outstanding to lend additional funds to borrowers whose loan terms have been modified through TDRs at September 30, 2014. At September 30, 2014, the allowance for loan and lease losses included reserves of $2.9 million related to TDRs. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, First Financial charged off $0.1 million and $0.9 million, respectively, for the portion of TDRs determined to be uncollectible. Additionally, at September 30, 2014, approximately $10.8 million of accruing TDRs have been performing in accordance with the restructured terms for more than one year.
First Financial had 217 TDRs totaling $28.1 million at December 31, 2013, including $15.1 million of loans on accrual status and $13.0 million classified as nonaccrual. First Financial had an insignificant amount of commitments outstanding to lend additional funds to borrowers whose loan terms had been modified through TDRs. At December 31, 2013, the allowance for loan and lease losses included reserves of $4.4 million related to TDRs. For the year ended December 31, 2013, First Financial charged off $2.8 million for the portion of TDRs determined to be uncollectible. At December 31, 2013, approximately $9.0 million of the accruing TDRs had been performing in accordance with the restructured terms for more than one year.
The following tables provide information on loan modifications classified as TDRs during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.
	Three months ended
	September 30, 2014											September 30, 2013
(Dollars in thousands)	Number of loans			Pre-modification loan balance				Period end balance				Number of loans			Pre-modification loan balance			Period end balance
Commercial	6			$	3,712			$	3,384			4			$	494		$	490
Real estate - construction	0			0				0				0			0			0
Real estate - commercial	2			375				373				10			2,502			2,493
Real estate - residential	7			322				264				3			387			367
Installment	3			6				6				3			34			33
Home equity	6			126				125				5			294			216
Total	24			$	4,541			$	4,152			25			$	3,711		$	3,599
	Nine months ended
	September 30, 2014											September 30, 2013
(Dollars in thousands)	Number of loans			Pre-modification loan balance				Period end balance				Number of loans			Pre-modification loan balance			Period end balance
Commercial	11			$	3,938			$	3,594			14			$	8,233		$	6,105
Real estate - construction	0			0				0				0			0			0
Real estate - commercial	11			2,583				2,453				17			4,752			4,719
Real estate - residential	30			1,712				1,527				33			2,356			2,178
Installment	6			21				19				14			188			115
Home equity	26			791				758				35			1,176			887
Total	84			$	9,045			$	8,351			113			$	16,705		$	14,004
The following table provides information on how TDRs were modified during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.
	Three months ended								Nine months ended
	September 30, (2)								September 30, (2)
(Dollars in thousands)	2014				2013				2014				2013
Extended maturities	$	3,505			$	2,179			$	4,402			$	8,848
Adjusted interest rates	0				0				301				520
Combination of rate and maturity changes	402				613				1,643				850
Forbearance	0				0				320				0
Other (1)	245				807				1,685				3,786
Total	$	4,152			$	3,599			$	8,351			$	14,004
(1) Includes covenant modifications and other concessions, or combination of concessions, that do not consist of interest rate adjustments, forbearance and maturity extensions
(2) Balances are as of period end
First Financial considers repayment performance as an indication of the effectiveness of the Company's loan modifications. Borrowers classified as a TDR that are ninety days or more past due on any principal or interest payments, or that prematurely terminate a restructured loan agreement without satisfying the contractual principal balance (for example, in a deed-in-lieu arrangement), are considered to be in payment default of the terms of the TDR agreement.
The following table provides information on TDRs for which there was a payment default during the period that occurred within twelve months of the loan modification:
		Three months ended
		September 30, 2014						September 30, 2013
(Dollars in thousands)		Number		Period end				Number of loans		Period end
		of loans		balance						balance
Commercial		0		$	0			1		$	29
Real estate - construction		0		0				0		0
Real estate - commercial		0		0				1		3
Real estate - residential		1		1				0		0
Installment		0		0				1		17
Home equity		0		0				2		54
Total		1		$	1			5		$	103
		Nine months ended
		September 30, 2014						September 30, 2013
(Dollars in thousands)		Number		Period end				Number of loans		Period end
		of loans		balance						balance
Commercial		1		$	143			4		$	4,882
Real estate - construction		0		0				0		0
Real estate - commercial		0		0				2		63
Real estate - residential		3		28				3		185
Installment		1		0				4		26
Home equity		3		92				5		64
Total		8		$	263			18		$	5,220
Impaired Loans. Loans classified as nonaccrual and loans modified as TDRs are considered impaired. The following table provides information on nonaccrual loans, TDRs and total impaired loans.
(Dollars in thousands)		September 30, 2014				December 31, 2013
Impaired loans
Nonaccrual loans (1)
Commercial		$	6,486			$	7,934
Real estate-construction		223				223
Real estate-commercial		25,262				17,286
Real estate-residential		6,696				8,606
Installment		398				574
Home equity		2,581				2,982
Other		0				0
Nonaccrual loans (1)		41,646				37,605
Accruing troubled debt restructurings		13,369				15,094
Total impaired loans		$	55,015			$	52,699
(1) Nonaccrual loans include nonaccrual TDRs of $13.2 million and $13.0 million as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
	Three months ended								Nine months ended
	September 30,								September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	2014				2013				2014				2013
Interest income effect on impaired loans
Gross amount of interest that would have been recorded under original terms	$	838			$	1,142			$	2,342			$	3,399
Interest included in income
Nonaccrual loans	168				130				329				472
Troubled debt restructurings	110				115				320				316
Total interest included in income	278				245				649				788
Net impact on interest income	$	560			$	897			$	1,693			$	2,611
Commitments outstanding to borrowers with nonaccrual loans									$	0			$	0
First Financial individually reviews all impaired commercial loan relationships greater than $250,000, as well as consumer loan TDRs greater than $100,000, to determine if a specific allowance is necessary based on the borrower’s overall financial condition, resources and payment record, support from guarantors and the realizable value of any collateral. Specific allowances are based on expected cash flows, discounted using the loan's initial effective interest rate, or the fair value of the collateral for certain collateral dependent loans.
First Financial's investment in impaired loans was as follows:
		As of September 30, 2014
(Dollars in thousands)		Current balance				Contractual				Related				Average			YTD interest			Quarterly interest
						principal				allowance				current			income			income
						balance								balance			recognized			recognized
Loans with no related allowance recorded
Commercial		$	6,581			$	7,981			$	0			$	6,095		$	97		$	44
Real estate - construction		223				443				0				223			0			0
Real estate - commercial		19,031				23,970				0				13,927			201			75
Real estate - residential		9,077				10,520				0				9,466			128			45
Installment		415				459				0				512			6			2
Home equity		3,009				3,968				0				3,018			40			15
Other		0				0				0				0			0			0
Total		38,336				47,341				0				33,241			472			181
Loans with an allowance recorded
Commercial		3,076				3,284				802				4,694			43			17
Real estate - construction		0				0				0				0			0			0
Real estate - commercial		11,372				12,467				3,338				10,229			102			69
Real estate - residential		2,130				2,190				368				2,106			30			10
Installment		0				0				0				0			0			0
Home equity		101				101				2				101			2			1
Other		0				0				0				0			0			0
Total		16,679				18,042				4,510				17,130			177			97
Total
Commercial		9,657				11,265				802				10,789			140			61
Real estate - construction		223				443				0				223			0			0
Real estate - commercial		30,403				36,437				3,338				24,156			303			144
Real estate - residential		11,207				12,710				368				11,572			158			55
Installment		415				459				0				512			6			2
Home equity		3,110				4,069				2				3,119			42			16
Other		0				0				0				0			0			0
Total		$	55,015			$	65,383			$	4,510			$	50,371		$	649		$	278
		As of December 31, 2013
(Dollars in thousands)		Current				Contractual				Related				Average			Interest
		balance				principal				allowance				current			income
						balance								balance			recognized
Loans with no related allowance recorded
Commercial		$	5,212			$	7,083			$	0			$	10,712		$	165
Real estate - construction		223				443				0				599			0
Real estate - commercial		12,355				16,431				0				16,563			380
Real estate - residential		10,291				12,087				0				10,225			152
Installment		642				663				0				463			6
Home equity		3,208				4,108				0				3,145			44
Other		0				0				0				148			0
Total		31,931				40,815				0				41,855			747
Loans with an allowance recorded
Commercial		7,013				8,353				2,080				5,047			71
Real estate - construction		0				0				0				726			7
Real estate - commercial		11,638				14,424				2,872				21,098			110
Real estate - residential		2,016				2,072				348				1,997			37
Installment		0				0				0				0			0
Home equity		101				101				2				101			2
Other		0				0				0				167			0
Total		20,768				24,950				5,302				29,136			227
Total
Commercial		12,225				15,436				2,080				15,759			236
Real estate - construction		223				443				0				1,325			7
Real estate - commercial		23,993				30,855				2,872				37,661			490
Real estate - residential		12,307				14,159				348				12,222			189
Installment		642				663				0				463			6
Home equity		3,309				4,209				2				3,246			46
Other		0				0				0				315			0
Total		$	52,699			$	65,765			$	5,302			$	70,991		$	974
OREO. Other real estate owned (OREO) is comprised of properties acquired by the Company through the loan foreclosure or repossession process, or other resolution activity that results in partial or total satisfaction of problem loans.
Changes in OREO were as follows:
		Three months ended								Nine months ended
		September 30,								September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)		2014				2013				2014				2013
Balance at beginning of period		$	13,370			$	11,798			$	19,806			$	12,526
Additions
Commercial		883				608				2,274				2,924
Residential		174				265				1,517				645
Total additions		1,057				873				3,791				3,569
Disposals
Commercial		2,197				500				10,243				2,382
Residential		77				154				505				805
Total disposals		2,274				654				10,748				3,187
Valuation adjustment
Commercial		772				71				1,310				632
Residential		65				142				223				472
Total valuation adjustment		837				213				1,533				1,104
Balance at end of period		$	11,316			$	11,804			$	11,316			$	11,804

COVERED_LOANS

COVERED LOANS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Covered Loans [Abstract]	'
LOANS (covered)	'
	COVERED LOANS
	Loans acquired in Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)-assisted transactions initially covered under loss sharing agreements whereby the FDIC will reimburse First Financial for the majority of any losses incurred are referred to as covered loans. Pursuant to the terms of each loss sharing agreement, covered loans are subject to a stated loss threshold whereby the FDIC will reimburse First Financial for 80% of losses up to the stated loss threshold and 95% of losses in excess of the threshold. These loss sharing agreements provide for partial loss protection on single-family, residential loans for a period of ten years and First Financial is required to share any recoveries of previously charged-off amounts for the same time period, on the same pro-rata basis with the FDIC. All other loans are provided loss protection for a period of five years and recoveries of previously charged-off amounts must be shared with the FDIC for an additional three year period, again on the same pro-rata basis.
	Covered loans totaled $332.3 million as of September 30, 2014 and $457.9 million as of December 31, 2013. The Company's loss sharing agreements with the FDIC related to non-single family loans expired effective October 1, 2014, and as a result, approximately $190.3 million, or 57.3%, of the Company's covered loan portfolio will no longer be covered by FDIC loss sharing effective that date. The ten year period of loss protection on all other covered loans and covered OREO will expire during the third quarter of 2019. The expiration of loss sharing protection will result in a reclassification of loan balances and the related allowance for loan and lease losses in the Consolidated Balance Sheets from covered loans to uncovered loans as of October 1, 2014, but will not have an effect on the accounting for these loans.
	The following table reflects the carrying value of all covered loans:
			September 30, 2014												December 31, 2013
	(Dollars in thousands)		Loans				Loans				Total				Loans				Loans			Total
			accounted				excluded				covered				accounted				excluded			covered
			for under				from FASB				loans				for under				from FASB			loans
			FASB ASC				ASC Topic								FASB ASC				ASC Topic
			Topic 310-30				310-30								Topic 310-30				310-30
	Commercial		$	22,403			$	1,341			$	23,744			$	41,172			$	1,144		$	42,316
	Real estate - construction		1,748				0				1,748				8,556				0			8,556
	Real estate - commercial		178,618				5,295				183,913				263,146				5,487			268,633
	Real estate - residential		72,315				0				72,315				80,733				0			80,733
	Installment		3,073				497				3,570				5,073				568			5,641
	Home equity		1,128				43,730				44,858				975				48,649			49,624
	Other covered loans		0				2,117				2,117				0				2,370			2,370
	Total covered loans		$	279,285			$	52,980			$	332,265			$	399,655			$	58,218		$	457,873
	Purchased Impaired Loans. First Financial accounts for the majority of loans acquired in FDIC transactions under FASB ASC Topic 310-30, Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality, except loans with revolving privileges, which are outside the scope of this guidance, and loans for which cash flows could not be estimated, which are accounted for under the cost recovery method. These loans include loans previously covered under loss sharing agreements as well as loans that remain subject to FDIC loss sharing coverage. Loans accounted for under FASB ASC Topic 310-30 are referred to as purchased impaired loans. Purchased impaired loans are not classified as nonperforming assets as the loans are considered to be performing under FASB ASC Topic 310-30. Therefore, interest income, through accretion of the difference between the carrying value of the loans and the expected cash flows (accretable difference) is recognized on all covered purchased impaired loans.
	The outstanding balance of all purchased impaired loans, including all contractual principal, interest, fees and penalties, was $337.5 million and $493.6 million as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. These balances exclude contractual interest not yet accrued.
	Changes in the carrying amount of accretable difference for purchased impaired loans were as follows:
			Three months ended								Nine months ended
			September 30,								September 30,
	(Dollars in thousands)		2014				2013				2014				2013
	Balance at beginning of period		$	127,764			$	173,920			$	133,671			$	224,694
	Reclassification from/(to) nonaccretable difference		(2,295		)		(4,979		)		19,864				(5,687		)
	Accretion		(8,158		)		(13,772		)		(26,808		)		(46,971		)
	Other net activity (1)		(4,250		)		(8,347		)		(13,666		)		(25,214		)
	Balance at end of period		$	113,061			$	146,822			$	113,061			$	146,822
	(1) Includes the impact of loan repayments and charge-offs.
	First Financial regularly reviews its forecast of expected cash flows for purchased impaired loans. The Company recognized a reclassification from accretable to nonaccretable difference of $2.3 million during the third quarter of 2014 due to changes in the cash flow expectations related to certain loan pools. However, First Financial recognized a $19.9 million reclassification from nonaccretable difference to accretable difference during the first nine months of 2014. During the third quarter of 2013, First Financial recognized a $5.0 million reclassification from accretable to nonaccretable difference and $5.7 million for the first nine months of 2013. These reclassifications can result in impairment and provision expense in the current period or yield adjustments on the related loan pools on a prospective basis. For further detail on impairment and provision expense related to covered purchased impaired loans, see "Covered Loans" in Note 6 - Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses.
	Credit Quality. For further discussion of First Financial's monitoring of credit quality for commercial and consumer loans, including discussion of the risk attributes noted below, please see Note 4 - Loans, excluding covered loans.
	Covered commercial and consumer credit exposure by risk attribute was as follows:
			As of September 30, 2014
							Real Estate
	(Dollars in thousands)		Commercial				Construction				Commercial				Total
	Pass		$	14,790			$	1,605			$	150,628			$	167,023
	Special Mention		418				0				4,924				5,342
	Substandard		8,536				143				28,361				37,040
	Doubtful		0				0				0				0
	Total		$	23,744			$	1,748			$	183,913			$	209,405
	(Dollars in thousands)		Real estate				Installment				Home equity				Other				Total
			residential
	Performing		$	72,315			$	3,570			$	41,416			$	2,117			$	119,418
	Nonperforming		0				0				3,442				0				3,442
	Total		$	72,315			$	3,570			$	44,858			$	2,117			$	122,860
			As of December 31, 2013
							Real Estate
	(Dollars in thousands)		Commercial				Construction				Commercial				Total
	Pass		$	25,196			$	1,714			$	182,621			$	209,531
	Special Mention		2,011				0				12,904				14,915
	Substandard		14,693				6,842				73,108				94,643
	Doubtful		416				0				0				416
	Total		$	42,316			$	8,556			$	268,633			$	319,505
	(Dollars in thousands)		Real estate				Installment				Home				Other				Total
			residential								equity
	Performing		$	80,733			$	5,636			$	47,731			$	2,370			$	136,470
	Nonperforming		0				5				1,893				0				1,898
	Total		$	80,733			$	5,641			$	49,624			$	2,370			$	138,368
	Delinquency. Covered loans are considered past due or delinquent when the contractual principal or interest due in accordance with the terms of the loan agreement or any portion thereof remains unpaid after the due date of the scheduled payment.
	Covered loan delinquency, excluding loans accounted for under FASB ASC Topic 310-30, was as follows:
		As of September 30, 2014
	(Dollars in thousands)	30 - 59				60 - 89				> 90 days				Total				Current			Total			> 90 days
days			days			past due				past				past due and
past due			past due							due				accruing
Loans
Commercial	$	0			$	49			$	656			$	705			$	636		$	1,341		$	0
Real estate - commercial	0				144				251				395				4,900			5,295			0
Installment	0				0				0				0				497			497			0
Home equity	361				0				3,086				3,447				40,283			43,730			0
All other	23				3				3				29				2,088			2,117			3
Total	$	384			$	196			$	3,996			$	4,576			$	48,404		$	52,980		$	3
	As of December 31, 2013
(Dollars in thousands)	30 - 59				60 - 89				> 90 days				Total				Current			Total			> 90 days
	days				days				past due				past										past due and
	past due				past due								due										accruing
Loans
Commercial	$	60			$	335			$	483			$	878			$	266		$	1,144		$	0
Real estate - commercial	184				0				1,263				1,447				4,040			5,487			0
Installment	0				0				5				5				563			568			0
Home equity	239				36				1,727				2,002				46,647			48,649			0
All other	9				4				0				13				2,357			2,370			0
Total	$	492			$	375			$	3,478			$	4,345			$	53,873		$	58,218		$	0
Nonaccrual. Purchased impaired loans are classified as performing, even though they may be contractually past due, as any nonpayment of contractual principal or interest is considered in the periodic re-estimation of expected cash flows and is included in the resulting recognition of current period covered loan loss provision or prospective yield adjustments.
Similar to uncovered loans, covered loans accounted for outside FASB ASC Topic 310-30 are classified as nonaccrual when, in the opinion of management, collection of principal or interest is doubtful or when principal or interest payments are 90 days or more past due. Generally, loans are classified as nonaccrual due to the continued failure to adhere to contractual payment terms by the borrower coupled with other pertinent factors, such as insufficient collateral value. The accrual of interest income is discontinued and previously accrued, but unpaid interest is reversed when a loan is classified as nonaccrual. Any payments received while a loan is classified as nonaccrual are applied as a reduction to the carrying value of the loan. A loan may be returned to accrual status if collection of future principal and interest payments is no longer doubtful.
Information as to covered nonaccrual loans, excluding loans accounted for under FASB ASC Topic 310-30, was as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)		September 30, 2014				December 31, 2013
Impaired loans
Nonaccrual loans (1)
Commercial		$	906			$	540
Real estate-commercial		256				1,349
Installment		0				5
Home equity		3,442				1,893
All other		0				0
Nonaccrual loans		4,604				3,787
Accruing troubled debt restructurings		70				335
Total impaired loans		$	4,674			$	4,122
(1) Nonaccrual loans include nonaccrual TDRs of $0.9 million and $0.9 million as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
		Three months ended								Nine months ended
		September 30,								September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)		2014				2013				2014				2013
Interest income effect on impaired loans
Gross amount of interest that would have been recorded under original terms		$	72			$	81			$	201			$	334
Interest included in income
Nonaccrual loans		18				6				34				20
Troubled debt restructurings		0				3				1				6
Total interest included in income		18				9				35				26
Net impact on interest income		$	54			$	72			$	166			$	308
Impaired Loans. Covered loans classified as nonaccrual, excluding loans accounted for under FASB ASC Topic 310-30, are considered impaired. First Financial’s investment in covered impaired loans, excluding loans accounted for under FASB ASC Topic 310-30, was as follows:
		As of September 30, 2014
(Dollars in thousands)		Current balance				Unpaid				Related				Average				YTD interest			Quarterly interest
						principal				allowance				balance				income			income
						balance												recognized			recognized
Loans with no related allowance recorded
Commercial		$	960			$	1,302			$	0			$	936			$	16		$	6
Real estate - commercial		256				395				0				819				2			1
Installment		0				0				0				1				0			0
Home equity		0				4,908				0				2,493				17			11
All other		3,458				0				0				0				0			0
Total		$	4,674			$	6,605			$	0			$	4,249			$	35		$	18
		As of December 31, 2013
(Dollars in thousands)		Current balance				Unpaid				Related				Average				Interest
						principal				allowance				balance				income
						balance												recognized
Loans with no related allowance recorded
Commercial		$	875			$	1,131			$	0			$	1,832			$	11
Real estate - commercial		1,349				2,648				0				1,786				4
Installment		5				5				0				2				0
Home equity		1,893				2,899				0				2,611				15
All other		0				0				0				8				0
Total		$	4,122			$	6,683			$	0			$	6,239			$	30
Covered OREO. Covered OREO is comprised of properties acquired by the Company through the loan foreclosure or repossession process, or other resolution activities that result in partial or total satisfaction of problem covered loans. These properties remain subject to loss sharing agreements whereby the FDIC reimburses First Financial for the majority of any losses incurred.
Changes in covered OREO were as follows:
		Three months ended								Nine months ended
		September 30,								September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)		2014				2013				2014				2013
Balance at beginning of period		$	19,439			$	22,475			$	27,120			$	28,862
Additions
Commercial		0				8,572				3,937				21,063
Residential		118				95				409				472
Total additions		118				8,667				4,346				21,535
Disposals
Commercial		7,498				2,865				17,429				19,513
Residential		38				76				536				890
Total disposals		7,536				2,941				17,965				20,403
Valuation adjustment
Commercial		718				451				2,186				2,133
Residential		123				0				135				111
Total valuation adjustment		841				451				2,321				2,244
Balance at end of period		$	11,180			$	27,750			$	11,180			$	27,750

ALLOWANCE_FOR_LOAN_AND_LEASE_L

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Receivables [Abstract]	'
ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES	'
	ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES
	Loans, excluding covered loans. For each reporting period, management maintains the allowance for loan and lease losses at a level that it considers sufficient to absorb probable loan and lease losses inherent in the portfolio. There were no material changes to First Financial's accounting policies or methodology related to the allowance for loan and lease losses during the first nine months of 2014.
	The allowance is increased by provision expense and decreased by actual charge-offs, net of recoveries of amounts previously charged-off. First Financial's policy is to charge-off all or a portion of a loan when, in management's opinion, it is unlikely to collect the principal amount owed in full either through payments from the borrower or from the liquidation of collateral.
		Three months ended						Nine months ended
		September 30,						September 30,
	(Dollars in thousands)	2014			2013			2014			2013
	Balance at beginning of period	$	42,027		$	47,047		$	43,829		$	47,777
	Provision for loan and lease losses	1,093			1,413			2,281			6,863
	Loans charged off	(1,816		)	(5,111		)	(6,427		)	(12,515		)
	Recoveries	1,150			2,165			2,771			3,389
	Balance at end of period	$	42,454		$	45,514		$	42,454		$	45,514
	Total loans	$	4,449,972		$	3,430,916		$	4,449,972		$	3,430,916
	Allowance for loan and lease losses to total ending loans	0.95		%	1.33		%	0.95		%	1.33		%
	Year-to-date changes in the allowance for loan and lease losses by loan category were as follows:
		Nine months ended September 30, 2014
					Real Estate
	(Dollars in thousands)	Commercial			Construction			Commercial			Residential			Installment			Home Equity		Other		Total
	Allowance for loan and lease losses:
	Balance at beginning of period	$	10,568		$	824		$	20,478		$	3,379		$	365		$	5,209	$	3,006	$	43,829
	Provision for loan and lease losses	517			274			855			61			(153		)	721		6		2,281
	Gross charge-offs	1,310			0			1,944			701			205			1,396		871		6,427
	Recoveries	1,185			0			771			161			173			186		295		2,771
	Total net charge-offs	125			0			1,173			540			32			1,210		576		3,656
	Ending allowance for loan and lease losses	$	10,960		$	1,098		$	20,160		$	2,900		$	180		$	4,720	$	2,436	$	42,454
	Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment	$	802		$	0		$	3,338		$	368		$	0		$	2	$	0	$	4,510
	Ending allowance on loans collectively evaluated for impairment	10,158			1,098			16,822			2,532			180			4,718		2,436		37,944
	Ending allowance for loan and lease losses	$	10,960		$	1,098		$	20,160		$	2,900		$	180		$	4,720	$	2,436	$	42,454
	Loans
	Ending balance of loans individually evaluated for impairment	$	7,913		$	0		$	20,763		$	3,215		$	104		$	614	$	0	$	32,609
	Ending balance of loans collectively evaluated for impairment	1,296,869			193,776			1,931,292			423,343			47,457			415,485		109,141		4,417,363
	Total loans	$	1,304,782		$	193,776		$	1,952,055		$	426,558		$	47,561		$	416,099	$	109,141	$	4,449,972
		Twelve months ended December 31, 2013
					Real Estate
	(Dollars in thousands)	Commercial			Construction			Commercial			Residential			Installment			Home Equity		Other		Total
	Allowance for loan and lease losses:
	Balance at beginning of period	$	7,926		$	3,268		$	24,151		$	3,599		$	522		$	5,173	$	3,138	$	47,777
	Provision for loan and lease losses	5,385			(3,115		)	2,659			593			(132		)	1,937		1,387		8,714
	Gross charge-offs	3,415			1			8,326			1,016			335			2,409		1,781		17,283
	Recoveries	672			672			1,994			203			310			508		262		4,621
	Total net charge-offs	2,743			(671		)	6,332			813			25			1,901		1,519		12,662
	Ending allowance for loan and lease losses	$	10,568		$	824		$	20,478		$	3,379		$	365		$	5,209	$	3,006	$	43,829
	Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment	$	2,080		$	0		$	2,872		$	348		$	0		$	2	$	0	$	5,302
	Ending allowance on loans collectively evaluated for impairment	8,488			824			17,606			3,031			365			5,207		3,006		38,527
	Ending allowance for loan and lease losses	$	10,568		$	824		$	20,478		$	3,379		$	365		$	5,209	$	3,006	$	43,829
	Loans - excluding covered loans
	Ending balance of loans individually evaluated for impairment	$	10,391		$	0		$	18,023		$	3,493		$	122		$	648	$	0	$	32,677
	Ending balance of loans collectively evaluated for impairment	1,025,277			80,741			1,478,964			349,438			47,011			375,806		115,727		3,472,964
	Total loans - excluding covered loans	$	1,035,668		$	80,741		$	1,496,987		$	352,931		$	47,133		$	376,454	$	115,727	$	3,505,641
	Covered Loans. The majority of covered loans are accounted for under FASB ASC Topic 310-30, whereby First Financial is required to periodically re-estimate the expected cash flows on the loans. First Financial updated the valuations related to covered loans during the third quarter 2014 and realized net recoveries of $0.7 million during the quarter. As a result of improved cash flow expectations from the updated valuations as well as net charge-off activity during the period, First Financial recognized negative provision expense, or impairment recapture, of $0.2 million during the third quarter, resulting in an allowance for covered loan losses of $11.5 million as of September 30, 2014. First Financial recognized negative provision expense on covered loans of $2.8 million and realized net charge-offs of $4.6 million for the first nine months of 2014. For the third quarter of 2013, First Financial recognized provision expense on covered loans of $5.3 million related to net charge-offs of $15.0 million during the period. For the first nine months of 2013, the Company recognized provision expense on covered loans of $6.1 million and net charge-offs of $28.0 million.
	First Financial recognized loss sharing expenses of $1.0 million and $1.7 million for the third quarters of 2014 and 2013, respectively, primarily related to attorney fees, appraisal costs and delinquent taxes. The Company also recognized gains on covered OREO of $1.4 million for the third quarter of 2014 and losses on covered OREO of $0.2 million for the third quarter of 2013. The net payable due to the FDIC under loss sharing agreements related to covered loan provision expense, gains/losses on covered OREO and loss sharing expenses of $0.2 million was recognized as negative FDIC loss sharing income and a corresponding decrease to the FDIC indemnification asset during the third quarter of 2014. The net receivable due from the FDIC under loss sharing agreements of $5.6 million for the third quarter of 2013, was recognized as negative FDIC loss sharing income and a corresponding decrease to the FDIC indemnification asset.
	On a year-to-date basis, First Financial recognized loss sharing expenses of $4.0 million and $5.6 million for 2014 and 2013 respectively. Similarly, on a year-to-date basis, First Financial recognized gains on covered OREO of $1.0 million for 2014 and $2.2 million for 2013. The receivable due from the FDIC under loss sharing agreements related to covered loan provision expense, gains/losses on covered OREO and loss sharing expenses of $0.4 million for the first nine months of 2014 and $7.1 million for the comparable period in 2013, was recognized as FDIC loss sharing income and a corresponding increase to the FDIC indemnification asset.
	The allowance for loan and lease losses on covered loans is presented in the table below:
	(Dollars in thousands)	September 30, 2014			31-Dec-13
	Commercial	$	5,468		$	9,400
	Real estate - commercial	5,186			8,515
	Real estate - residential	750			761
	Installment	131			225
	Total	$	11,535		$	18,901
	Changes in the allowance for loan and lease losses on covered loans were as follows:
		Three months ended						Nine months ended
		September 30,						September 30,
	(Dollars in thousands)	2014			2013			2014			2013
	Balance at beginning of period	$	12,425		$	32,961		$	18,901		$	45,190
Provision for loan and lease losses	(200		)	5,293			(2,805		)	6,052
Loans charged-off	(3,053		)	(21,009		)	(13,778		)	(35,374		)
Recoveries	2,363			6,014			9,217			7,391
Balance at end of period	$	11,535		$	23,259		$	11,535		$	23,259
Total loans	$	332,265		$	518,524		$	332,265		$	518,524
Allowance for loan and lease losses to total ending loans	3.47		%	4.49		%	3.47		%	4.49		%

GOODWILL_AND_OTHER_INTANGIBLE_

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS	'
	GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
	Goodwill. Assets and liabilities acquired in a business combination are recorded at their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date. The excess cost of the acquisition over the fair value of net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. During the third quarter of 2014, First Financial recorded additions to goodwill related to the acquisitions of First Bexley, Insight and Guernsey. For further detail, see Note 16 – Business Combinations.
	Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the quarter ended September 30, 2014 are shown below.
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Balance at January 1, 2014	$	95,050
	Goodwill resulting from business combinations	42,408
	Balance at September 30, 2014	$	137,458
	Goodwill is not amortized, but is measured for impairment on an annual basis as of October 1 of each year, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the fair value of a reporting unit may be below its carrying value.  First Financial performed its most recent annual impairment test as of October 1, 2013 and no impairment was indicated.  As of September 30, 2014, no events or changes in circumstances indicated that the fair value of a reporting unit was below its carrying value.
	Other intangible assets. Other intangible assets consist primarily of core deposit intangibles.  Core deposit intangibles represent the estimated fair value of acquired customer deposit relationships. Core deposit intangibles are recorded at their estimated fair value as of the acquisition date and are then amortized on an accelerated basis over their estimated useful lives. Core deposit intangibles were $8.2 million and $5.9 million as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. First Financial recorded additions to core deposit intangibles of $3.5 million related to the third quarter 2014 acquisitions. First Financial's core deposit intangibles have an estimated weighted average remaining life of 6.8 years. Amortization expense for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was $0.5 million and $0.4 million, respectively. Amortization expense recognized on intangible assets for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was $1.2 million and $1.1 million, respectively.

BORROWINGS

BORROWINGS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
BORROWINGS	'
	BORROWINGS
	Short-term borrowings on the Consolidated Balance Sheets include repurchase agreements utilized for corporate sweep accounts with cash management account agreements in place, overnight advances from the Federal Loan Home Bank (FHLB) and a short-term line of credit. All repurchase agreements are subject to terms and conditions of repurchase/security agreements between First Financial Bank and the client. To secure the Bank's liability to the client, First Financial Bank is authorized to sell or repurchase U.S. Treasury, government agency and mortgage-backed securities.
	First Financial had $806.0 million in short-term borrowings with the FHLB at September 30, 2014, including $74.9 million of advances that were added as a result of acquisitions during the third quarter 2014, and $654.0 million as of December 31, 2013. These short-term borrowings are used to manage the Company's normal liquidity needs and support the Company's asset and liability management strategies.
	During the second quarter of 2014, First Financial entered into a short-term credit facility with an unaffiliated bank for $15.0 million. This facility can have a variable or fixed interest rate and provides First Financial additional liquidity, if needed, for various corporate activities, including the repurchase of First Financial shares and the payment of dividends to shareholders. As of September 30, 2014, there was no outstanding balance. The credit agreement requires First Financial to maintain certain covenants related to asset quality and capital levels. First Financial was in compliance with all covenants associated with this line of credit as of September 30, 2014.
	Long-term debt primarily consists of FHLB long-term advances and repurchase agreements utilizing investment securities pledged as collateral.  These instruments are primarily utilized to reduce overnight liquidity risk and to mitigate interest rate sensitivity on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.  First Financial has $25.0 million in repurchase agreements which have remaining maturities of less than 1 year and a weighted average rate of 3.54%.  Securities pledged as collateral in conjunction with the repurchase agreements are included within Investment securities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	The following is a summary of long-term debt:
		September 30, 2014				December 31, 2013
	(Dollars in thousands)	Amount		Average rate		Amount		Average rate
	Federal Home Loan Bank	$	26,881	3.01	%	$	7,505	3.72	%
	National Market Repurchase Agreement	25,000		3.54	%	52,500		3.49	%
	Capital loan with municipality	775		0	%	775		0	%
	Total long-term debt	$	52,656	3.22	%	$	60,780	3.48	%
	Under Federal Reserve Board guidelines, a company can issue qualifying debentures up to 25% of qualifying Tier I capital. First Financial has the capacity to issue approximately $167.7 million in additional qualifying debentures under these guidelines.

ACCUMULATED_OTHER_COMPREHENSIV

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	'
	ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
	Shareholders’ equity is affected by transactions and valuations of asset and liability positions that require adjustments to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).  The related tax effects allocated to other comprehensive income and reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are as follows:
		Three months ended September 30, 2014
		Total other comprehensive income																			Total accumulated
																					other comprehensive income
	(Dollars in thousands)	Prior to				Reclassification				Pre-tax				Tax-effect				Net of tax			Beginning Balance			Net Activity			Ending Balance
		Reclassification				from
	Unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities	$	(374	)		$	0			$	(374	)		$	118			$	(256	)	$	(5,956	)	$	(256	)	$	(6,212	)
	Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	1,096				(117		)		1,213				(453		)		760			(492		)	760			268
	Retirement obligation	0				(302		)		302				(113		)		189			(15,091		)	189			(14,902		)
	Foreign currency translation	(12		)		0				(12		)		0				(12		)	(30		)	(12		)	(42		)
	Total	$	710			$	(419	)		$	1,129			$	(448	)		$	681		$	(21,569	)	$	681		$	(20,888	)
		Three months ended September 30, 2013
		Total other comprehensive income																			Total accumulated
																					other comprehensive income
	(Dollars in thousands)	Prior to				Reclassification				Pre-tax				Tax-effect				Net of tax			Beginning Balance			Net Activity			Ending Balance
		Reclassification				from
	Unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities	$	(5,956	)		$	0			$	(5,956	)		$	1,953			$	(4,003	)	$	(5,765	)	$	(4,003	)	$	(9,768	)
	Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	(1,475		)		(161		)		(1,314		)		496				(818		)	673			(818		)	(145		)
	Retirement obligation	0				(1,873		)		1,873				(707		)		1,166			(20,528		)	1,166			(19,362		)
	Foreign currency translation	6				0				6				0				6			(25		)	6			(19		)
	Total	$	(7,425	)		$	(2,034	)		$	(5,391	)		$	1,742			$	(3,649	)	$	(25,645	)	$	(3,649	)	$	(29,294	)
		Nine months ended September 30, 2014
		Total other comprehensive income																			Total accumulated
																					other comprehensive income
	(Dollars in thousands)	Prior to				Reclassification				Pre-tax				Tax-effect				Net of tax			Beginning Balance			Net Activity			Ending Balance
		Reclassification				from
	Unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities	$	15,869			$	50			$	15,819			$	(5,742	)		$	10,077		$	(16,289	)	$	10,077		$	(6,212	)
	Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	(881		)		(348		)		(533		)		199				(334		)	602			(334		)	268
	Retirement obligation	0				(1,059		)		1,059				(396		)		663			(15,565		)	663			(14,902		)
	Foreign currency translation	(13		)		0				(13		)		0				(13		)	(29		)	(13		)	(42		)
	Total	$	14,975			$	(1,357	)		$	16,332			$	(5,939	)		$	10,393		$	(31,281	)	$	10,393		$	(20,888	)
		Nine months ended September 30, 2013
		Total other comprehensive income																			Total accumulated
																					other comprehensive income
	(Dollars in thousands)	Prior to				Reclassification				Pre-tax				Tax-effect				Net of tax			Beginning Balance			Net Activity			Ending Balance
		Reclassification				from
	Unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities	$	(34,212	)		$	1,724			$	(35,936	)		$	13,366			$	(22,570	)	$	12,802		$	(22,570	)	$	(9,768	)
	Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	(298		)		(295		)		(3		)		1				(2		)	(143		)	(2		)	(145		)
	Retirement obligation	11,719				(7,523		)		19,242				(7,266		)		11,976			(31,338		)	11,976			(19,362		)
	Foreign currency translation	(21		)		0				(21		)		0				(21		)	2			(21		)	(19		)
	Total	$	(22,812	)		$	(6,094	)		$	(16,718	)		$	6,101			$	(10,617	)	$	(18,677	)	$	(10,617	)	$	(29,294	)
	The following table presents the activity reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into income during the three and nine month periods:
			Amount reclassified from
			accumulated other comprehensive income (1)
			Three months ended								Nine months ended
			September 30,								September 30,
	(Dollars in thousands)		2014				2013				2014				2013				Affected Line Item in the Consolidated Statements of Income
	Gains and losses on cash flow hedges
	Interest rate contracts		$	(117	)		$	(161	)		$	(348	)		$	(295	)		Interest expense - deposits
	Realized gains and losses on securities available-for-sale		0				0				50				1,724				Gains on sales of investments securities
	Defined benefit pension plan
	Amortization of prior service cost (2)		103				105				309				317				Salaries and employee benefits
	Recognized net actuarial loss (2)		(405		)		(582		)		(1,368		)		(2,128		)		Salaries and employee benefits
	Pension settlement charges		0				(1,396		)		0				(5,712		)		Pension settlement charges
	Amortization and settlement charges of defined benefit pension items		(302		)		(1,873		)		(1,059		)		(7,523		)
	Total reclassifications for the period, before tax		$	(419	)		$	(2,034	)		$	(1,357	)		$	(6,094	)
	(1) Negative amount are reductions to net income.
	(2) Included in the computation of net periodic pension cost (see Note 13 - Employee Benefit Plans for additional details).

DERIVATIVES

DERIVATIVES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
DERIVATIVES	'
	DERIVATIVES
	First Financial uses derivative instruments, including interest rate caps, floors and swaps, to meet the needs of its clients while managing the interest rate risk associated with certain transactions.  First Financial primarily utilizes interest rate swaps as a means to offer borrowers credit-based products that meet their needs and may from time to time utilize interest rate swaps to manage the interest rate risk profile of the Company. First Financial does not use derivatives for speculative purposes.
	Interest rate swap agreements establish the basis on which interest rate payments are exchanged with counterparties, referred to as the notional amount. As only interest rate payments are exchanged, the cash requirements and credit risk associated with interest rate swaps are significantly less than the notional amount and the Company’s credit risk exposure is limited to the market value of the instruments. First Financial manages this market value credit risk through counterparty credit policies. These policies require the Company to maintain a total derivative notional position of less than 35% of assets, total credit exposure of less than 3% of capital and no single counterparty credit risk exposure greater than $20.0 million. The Company is currently below all single counterparty and portfolio limits. At September 30, 2014, the Company had a total counterparty notional amount outstanding of approximately $697.4 million, spread among nine counterparties, with an outstanding liability from these contracts of $8.4 million. At December 31, 2013, the Company had a total counterparty notional amount outstanding of approximately $561.6 million, spread among nine counterparties, with an outstanding liability from these contracts of $9.3 million.
	First Financial’s exposure to credit loss, in the event of nonperformance by a borrower, is limited to the market value of the derivative instrument associated with that borrower. First Financial monitors its derivative credit exposure to borrowers by monitoring the creditworthiness of the related loan customers through the normal credit review processes the Company performs on all borrowers. Additionally, the Company monitors derivative credit risk exposure related to problem loans through the Company's allowance for loan and lease losses committee. First Financial considers the market value of a derivative instrument to be part of the carrying value of the related loan for these purposes as the borrower is contractually obligated to pay First Financial this amount in the event the derivative contract is terminated.
	Fair Value Hedges. First Financial utilizes interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges as a means to offer commercial borrowers fixed rate funding while providing the Company with floating rate assets.  The following table details the location and amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for fair value hedges:
					September 30, 2014											December 31, 2013
									Estimated fair value											Estimated fair value
	(Dollars in thousands)		Balance sheet location		Notional				Gain			Loss				Notional				Gain			Loss
					amount											amount
	Fair value hedges - instruments associated with loans
	Pay fixed interest rate swaps with counterparty		Accrued interest and other liabilities		$	8,913			$	0		$	(528	)		$	9,836			$	0		$	(865	)
	Matched interest rate swaps with borrower		Accrued interest and other assets		406,276				9,373			(753		)		451,744				11,710			(1,767		)
	Matched interest rate swaps with counterparty		Accrued interest and other liabilities		406,276				753			(9,469		)		451,744				1,767			(11,799		)
	Total				$	821,465			$	10,126		$	(10,750	)		$	913,324			$	13,477		$	(14,431	)
	In connection with its use of derivative instruments, First Financial and its counterparties are required to post cash collateral to offset the market position of the derivative instruments under certain conditions. First Financial maintains the right to offset these derivative positions with the collateral posted against them by or with the relevant counterparties. First Financial classifies the derivative cash collateral outstanding with its counterparties as an adjustment to the fair value of the derivative contracts within Accrued interest and other assets or Accrued interest and other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	The following table discloses the gross and net amounts of liabilities recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets:
		September 30, 2014											December 31, 2013
	(Dollars in thousands)	Gross amounts of recognized liabilities				Gross amounts offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets				Net amounts of liabilities presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets			Gross amounts of recognized liabilities				Gross amounts offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets				Net amounts of liabilities presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
	Fair value hedges
	Pay fixed interest rate swaps with counterparty	$	528			$	0			$	528		$	865			$	(663	)		$	202
	Matched interest rate swaps with counterparty	10,222				(8,610		)		1,612			13,566				(9,533		)		4,033
	Total	$	10,750			$	(8,610	)		$	2,140		$	14,431			$	(10,196	)		$	4,235
	The following table details the derivative financial instruments, the average remaining maturities and the weighted-average interest rates being paid and received by First Financial at September 30, 2014:
												Weighted-average rate
	(Dollars in thousands)		Notional				Average		Fair			Receive			Pay
			amount				maturity		value
							(years)
	Asset conversion swaps
	Pay fixed interest rate swaps with counterparty		$	8,913			2.3		$	(528	)	2.11	%		6.85	%
	Receive fixed, matched interest rate swaps with borrower		406,276				4.1		8,620			4.67	%		2.71	%
	Pay fixed, matched interest rate swaps with counterparty		406,276				4.1		(8,716		)	2.71	%		4.67	%
	Total asset conversion swaps		$	821,465			4		$	(624	)	3.67	%		3.72	%
	Cash Flow Hedges. First Financial utilizes interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges to hedge against interest rate volatility on indexed floating rate deposits, totaling $250.0 million as of September 30, 2014 and $100.0 million as of December 31, 2013. These interest rate swaps qualify for hedge accounting and involve the receipt by First Financial of variable-rate interest amounts in exchange for fixed-rate interest payments by First Financial and have a remaining weighted average term of approximately 5 years. Accrued interest and other assets included $0.2 million at September 30, 2014 and $0.8 million at December 31, 2013, respectively, reflecting the fair value of these cash flow hedges.
	Credit Derivatives. In conjunction with participating interests in commercial loans, First Financial periodically enters into risk participation agreements with other counterparties whereby First Financial assumes a portion of the credit exposure associated with an interest rate swap on the participated loan in exchange for a fee. Under these agreements, First Financial will make payments to the counterparty if the loan customer defaults on its obligation to perform under the interest rate swap contract with the counterparty. The total notional value of these agreements totaled $32.3 million as of September 30, 2014 and $13.3 million as of December 31, 2013. The fair value of these agreements were recorded as liabilities of $49 thousand and $28 thousand on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

INCOME_TAXES

INCOME TAXES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
INCOME TAXES	'
	INCOME TAXES
	For the third quarter 2014, income tax expense was $7.2 million, resulting in an effective tax rate of 32.0%, compared with income tax expense of $7.6 million and an effective tax rate of 33.9% for the comparable period in 2013. For the first nine months of 2014, income tax expense was $22.3 million, resulting in an effective tax rate of 32.4%, compared with income tax expense of $20.5 million, and an effective tax rate of 31.5% for the comparable period in 2013. The decrease in the effective tax rate for the third quarter 2014, as compared to the same period in 2013, was primarily the result of higher tax-exempt income earned in 2014 and lower state tax expense, partially offset by non-deductible acquisition costs. The increase in the effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, as compared to the same periods in 2013, was primarily the result of a favorable tax reversal related to both an intercompany tax obligation associated with an unconsolidated former Irwin subsidiary as well as a favorable change in state tax laws in 2013, partially offset by higher tax-exempt income earned in 2014.
	First Financial had no FASB ASC Topic 740-10 unrecognized tax benefits recorded at September 30, 2014, and December 31, 2013.  Further, the Company does not expect the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits to significantly increase within the next twelve months.
	First Financial regularly reviews its tax positions and establishes reserves for income tax-related uncertainties based on estimates of whether it is more likely than not that the tax uncertainty would be sustained upon challenge by the appropriate tax authorities, which would then result in additional taxes, penalties and interest due.  Management determined that no reserve for income tax-related uncertainties was necessary as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
	First Financial and its subsidiaries are subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as state and local income tax in several jurisdictions.  Tax years prior to 2011 have been closed and are no longer subject to U.S. federal income tax examinations. The tax year 2011 is currently under examination by the federal taxing authority. At this time, First Financial is not aware of any material impact to the Company's financial position and results of operations as a result of this examination. Tax years 2012 and 2013 remain open to examination by the federal taxing authority.
	First Financial is no longer subject to state and local income tax examinations for years prior to 2010.  Tax years 2010 through 2013 remain open to state and local examination in various jurisdictions.

COMMITMENTS_AND_CONTINGENCIES

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	'
	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
	In the normal course of business, First Financial offers a variety of financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk to assist clients in meeting their requirements for liquidity and credit enhancement. These financial instruments include standby letters of credit and outstanding commitments to extend credit.  GAAP does not require these financial instruments to be recorded in the Consolidated Financial Statements.
	First Financial’s exposure to credit loss, in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for standby letters of credit, and outstanding commitments to extend credit, is represented by the contractual amounts of those instruments.  First Financial uses the same credit policies in issuing commitments and conditional obligations as it does for credit instruments recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	First Financial utilizes the allowance for loan and lease losses methodology to maintain a reserve that it considers sufficient to absorb probable losses inherent in standby letters of credit and outstanding loan commitments and records the reserve within Accrued interest and other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	Letters of credit. Letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by First Financial to guarantee the performance of a client to a third party.  First Financial’s portfolio of standby letters of credit consists primarily of performance assurances made on behalf of clients who have a contractual commitment to produce or deliver goods or services.  The risk to First Financial arises from its obligation to make payment in the event of the client's contractual default to produce the contracted good or service to a third party.  First Financial issued letters of credit (including standby letters of credit) aggregating $22.1 million and $14.0 million at September 30, 2014, and December 31, 2013, respectively. Management conducts regular reviews of these instruments on an individual client basis.
	Loan commitments. Loan commitments are agreements to extend credit to a client as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the commitment agreement.  Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee.  Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.  The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by First Financial upon extension of credit, is based on management’s credit evaluation of the client.  The collateral held varies, but may include securities, real estate, inventory, plant or equipment.  First Financial had commitments outstanding to extend credit totaling $1.7 billion and $1.4 billion at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
	Contingencies/Litigation. First Financial and its subsidiaries are engaged in various matters of litigation, other assertions of improper or fraudulent loan practices or lending violations and other matters from time to time, and have a number of unresolved claims pending. Additionally, as part of the ordinary course of business, First Financial and its subsidiaries are parties to litigation involving claims to the ownership of funds in particular accounts, the collection of delinquent accounts, challenges to security interests in collateral and foreclosure interests that are incidental to our regular business activities. While the ultimate liability with respect to these other litigation matters and claims cannot be determined at this time, First Financial believes that damages, if any, and other amounts relating to pending matters are not probable or cannot be reasonably estimated as of September 30, 2014. Reserves are established for these various matters of litigation, when appropriate, under FASB ASC Topic 450, Contingencies, based in part upon the advice of legal counsel.

EMPLOYEE_BENEFIT_PLANS

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS	'
	EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
	First Financial sponsors a non-contributory defined benefit pension plan covering substantially all employees and uses a December 31 measurement date for the plan.
	First Financial made no cash contributions to fund the pension plan during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and does not expect to make cash contributions to the plan through the remainder of the year. First Financial made no cash contributions to fund the pension plan in 2013.  As a result of the plan’s actuarial projections for 2014, First Financial recorded income related to its pension plan of $0.3 million for the third quarter of 2014 and $0.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.
	As a result of lump sum distributions from the pension plan during 2013, First Financial was required to re-measure the plan's assets and liabilities and recognized pension settlement charges of $1.4 million and $5.7 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. Consistent with FASB ASC Topic 715, Compensation - Retirement Benefits, pension settlement charges are an acceleration of previously deferred costs that would have been recognized in future periods and are triggered when lump sum distributions exceed an annual accounting threshold for the plan. Associates are eligible to request a lump sum distribution from the Company's pension plan at retirement or upon leaving the Company.
	First Financial recorded $19.2 million of pre-tax adjustments to other comprehensive income related to changes in the values of the Company's plan assets and pension obligations for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 as a result of the pension plan re-measurement and pension settlement charges discussed above. Including the pension settlement charges as well as the impact of the plan's updated actuarial projections, First Financial recorded expenses related to its pension plan of $1.1 million and $5.3 million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively.
	The accounting threshold for lump sum distributions from the plan reset on January 1, 2014. However, the Company could incur pension settlement charges again if lump sum distributions exceed the annual accounting threshold in future periods.
	The following table sets forth information concerning amounts recognized in First Financial’s Consolidated Statements of Income related to the Company's pension plan:
		Three months ended						Nine months ended
		September 30,						September 30,
	(Dollars in thousands)	2014			2013			2014			2013
	Service cost	$	1,007		$	916		$	3,089		$	2,789
	Interest cost	551			566			1,791			1,752
	Expected return on assets	(2,208		)	(2,231		)	(6,792		)	(6,755		)
	Amortization of prior service cost	(103		)	(105		)	(309		)	(317		)
	Net actuarial loss	405			582			1,368			2,128
	Settlement charge	0			1,396			0			5,712
	Net periodic benefit (income) cost	$	(348	)	$	1,124		$	(853	)	$	5,309

EARNINGS_PER_COMMON_SHARE

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE	'
	EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:
		Three months ended				Nine months ended
		September 30,				September 30,
	(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)	2014		2013		2014		2013
	Numerator
	Net income available to common shareholders	$	15,344	$	14,911	$	46,401	$	44,564
	Denominator
	Basic earnings per common share - weighted average shares	59,403,109		57,201,390		57,907,203		57,309,934
	Effect of dilutive securities —
	Employee stock awards	576,543		698,194		594,082		725,862
	Warrants	133,280		113,004		138,109		107,576
	Diluted earnings per common share - adjusted weighted average shares	60,112,932		58,012,588		58,639,394		58,143,372
	Earnings per share available to common shareholders
	Basic	$	0.26	$	0.26	$	0.8	$	0.78
	Diluted	$	0.26	$	0.26	$	0.79	$	0.77
	Warrants to purchase 465,117 shares of the Company's common stock were outstanding as of September 30, 2014 and 2013. These warrants, each representing the right to purchase one share of common stock, no par value per share, have an exercise price of $12.12 and expire on December 23, 2018.
	Stock options and warrants, where the exercise price was greater than the average market price of the common shares, were not included in the computation of net income per diluted share as they would have been antidilutive.  These out-of-the-money options were 378,017 and 596,666 at September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	During the second quarter of 2014, the Company received shareholder authorization to issue up to 10,000,000 preferred shares. As of September 30, 2014, no preferred shares were issued or outstanding.

FAIR_VALUE_DISCLOSURES

FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES	'
	FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES
	Fair Value Measurement
	The fair value framework as disclosed in the Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure Topic of FASB ASC Topic 825, Financial Instruments (Fair Value Topic) includes a hierarchy which focuses on prioritizing the inputs used in valuation techniques.  The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1), a lower priority to observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities (Level 2) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3).  When determining the fair value measurements for assets and liabilities, First Financial looks to active markets to price identical assets or liabilities whenever possible and classifies such items in Level 1.  When identical assets and liabilities are not traded in active markets, First Financial looks to observable market data for similar assets and liabilities and classifies such items as Level 2.  Certain assets and liabilities are not actively traded in observable markets and First Financial must use alternative techniques, based on unobservable inputs, to determine the fair value and classifies such items as Level 3. The level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant in the fair value measurement.
	The following methods, assumptions and valuation techniques were used by First Financial to measure different financial assets and liabilities at fair value and in estimating its fair value disclosures for financial instruments.
	Cash and short-term investments. The carrying amounts reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for cash and short-term investments, such as federal funds sold, approximated the fair value of those instruments. The Company classifies cash and short-term investments in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.
	Investment securities. Investment securities classified as trading and available-for-sale are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis.  Fair value measurement is based upon quoted market prices, when available (Level 1).  If quoted market prices are not available, fair values are measured utilizing independent valuation techniques of identical or similar investment securities.  First Financial compiles prices from various sources who may apply such techniques as matrix pricing to determine the value of identical or similar investment securities (Level 2).  Matrix pricing is a mathematical technique widely used in the banking industry to value investment securities without relying exclusively on quoted prices for the specific investment securities but rather relying on the investment securities’ relationship to other benchmark quoted investment securities.  Any investment securities not valued based upon the methods above are considered Level 3.
	First Financial utilizes information provided by a third-party investment securities administrator in analyzing the investment securities portfolio in accordance with the fair value hierarchy of the Fair Value Topic.  The administrator’s evaluation of investment security portfolio pricing is performed using a combination of prices and data from other sources, along with internally developed matrix pricing models and assistance from the administrator’s internal fixed income analysts and trading desk.  The administrator’s month-end pricing process includes a series of quality assurance activities where prices are compared to recent market conditions, previous evaluation prices and between the various pricing services.  These processes produce a series of quality assurance reports on which price exceptions are identified, reviewed and where appropriate, securities are repriced.  In the event of a materially different price, the administrator will report the variance as a “price challenge” and review the pricing methodology in detail.  The results of the quality assurance process are incorporated into the selection of pricing providers by the portfolio manager.
	First Financial reviews the pricing methodologies utilized by the administrator to ensure the fair value determination is consistent with the applicable accounting guidance and that the investments are properly classified in the fair value hierarchy. Further, the Company periodically validates the fair values for a sample of securities in the portfolio by comparing the fair values provided by the administrator to prices from other independent sources for the same or similar securities. First Financial analyzes unusual or significant variances, conducts additional research with the administrator, if necessary, and takes appropriate action based on its findings.
	Loans held for sale. Loans held for sale are carried at the lower of cost or fair value.  These loans currently consist of one-to-four family residential real estate loans originated for sale to qualified third parties.  Fair value is based on the contractual price to be received from these third parties, which is not materially different than cost due to the short duration between origination and sale (Level 2).  As such, First Financial records any fair value adjustments on a nonrecurring basis.  Gains and losses on the sale of loans are recorded as net gains from sales of loans within noninterest income in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
	Loans - excluding covered loans. The fair value of commercial, commercial real estate, residential real estate and consumer loans were estimated by discounting the future cash flows using the current rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings and for the same remaining maturities or repricing frequency.  The Company classifies the estimated fair value of uncovered loans as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.
	Loans are designated as impaired when, in the judgment of management based on current information and events, it is probable that all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement will not be collected.  Impaired loans are valued at the lower of cost or fair value for purposes of determining the appropriate amount of impairment to be allocated to the allowance for loan and lease losses.  Fair value is generally measured based on the value of the collateral securing the loans.  Collateral may be in the form of real estate or business assets including equipment, inventory and accounts receivable.  The vast majority of the collateral is real estate.  The value of real estate collateral is determined utilizing an income or market valuation approach based on an appraisal conducted by an independent, licensed third party appraiser (Level 3). The value of business equipment is based upon an outside appraisal if deemed significant, or the net book value on the applicable borrower financial statements if not considered significant.  Likewise, values for inventory and accounts receivable collateral are based on borrower financial statement balances or aging reports on a discounted basis as appropriate (Level 3).  Impaired loans are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis through the Company's allowance for loan and lease losses process.  Any fair value adjustments are recorded in the period incurred as provision for loan and lease losses on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
	Covered loans. Fair values for covered loans accounted for under FASB ASC Topic 310-30 are based on a discounted cash flow methodology that considers factors including the type of loan and related collateral, classification status, fixed or variable interest rate, term of the loan and whether or not the loan was amortizing and a discount rate reflecting the Company's assessment of risk inherent in the cash flow estimates. These covered loans are grouped together according to similar characteristics and were treated in the aggregate when applying various valuation techniques. First Financial estimated the cash flows expected to be collected on these loans based upon the expected remaining life of the underlying loans, which includes the effects of estimated prepayments. These cash flow evaluations are inherently subjective as they require material estimates, all of which may be susceptible to significant change.
	Fair values for covered loans accounted for outside of FASB ASC Topic 310-30 were estimated by discounting the future cash flows using current interest rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings and for the same remaining maturities or repricing frequency. The carrying amount of accrued interest approximates its fair value.
	The Company classifies the estimated fair value of covered loans as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.
	FDIC indemnification asset. Fair value of the FDIC indemnification asset was estimated using projected cash flows related to the loss sharing agreements based on the expected reimbursements for losses and the applicable loss sharing percentages. The expected cash flows are discounted to reflect the uncertainty of the timing and receipt of the loss sharing reimbursement from the FDIC. These cash flow evaluations are inherently subjective as they require material estimates, all of which may be susceptible to significant change. The Company classifies the estimated fair value of the indemnification asset as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.
	Deposits. The fair value of demand deposits, savings accounts and certain money-market deposits was the amount payable on demand at the reporting date.  The carrying amounts for variable-rate certificates of deposit approximated their fair values at the reporting date.  The fair value of fixed-rate certificates of deposit was estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation which applies the interest rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities.  The carrying amount of accrued interest approximates its fair value. The Company classifies the estimated fair value of deposit liabilities as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.
	Borrowings. The carrying amounts of federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase and other short-term borrowings approximate their fair values.  The Company classifies the estimated fair value of short-term borrowings as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.
	The fair value of long-term debt is estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation which utilizes the interest rates currently offered for borrowings of similar remaining maturities.  Third-party valuations are used for long-term debt with embedded options, such as call features. The Company classifies the estimated fair value of long-term debt as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.
	Commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. Pricing of these financial instruments is based on the credit quality and relationship, fees, interest rates, probability of funding and compensating balance and other covenants or requirements.  Loan commitments generally have fixed expiration dates, are variable rate and contain termination and other clauses which provide for relief from funding in the event that there is a significant deterioration in the credit quality of the client.  Many loan commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon.  The rates and terms of the commitments to extend credit and the standby letters of credit are competitive with those in First Financial’s market area.  The carrying amounts are reasonable estimates of the fair value of these financial instruments.  Carrying amounts, which are comprised of the
	unamortized fee income and, where necessary, reserves for any expected credit losses from these financial instruments, are immaterial.
	Derivatives. The fair values of derivative instruments are based primarily on a net present value calculation of the cash flows related to the derivative instruments at the reporting date, using primarily observable market inputs such as interest rate yield curves.  The discounted net present value calculated represents the cost to terminate the derivative instrument if First Financial should choose to do so. Additionally, First Financial utilizes the allowance for loan and lease losses methodology to value the credit risk component of both the derivative assets and liabilities.  The credit valuation adjustment is recorded as an adjustment to the fair value of the derivative asset or liability on the reporting date. Derivative instruments are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.
	The estimated fair values of First Financial’s financial instruments not measured at fair value on a recurring or nonrecurring basis in the consolidated financial statements were as follows:
		Carrying			Estimated fair value
	(Dollars in thousands)	value			Total			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	September 30, 2014
	Financial assets
	Cash and short-term investments	$	143,725		$	143,725		$	143,725	$	0	$	0
	Investment securities held-to-maturity	900,521			901,659			0		901,659		0
	Other investments	49,986			49,986			0		49,986		0
	Loans held for sale	16,816			16,816			0		16,816		0
	Loans - excluding covered loans	4,407,518			4,416,740			0		0		4,416,740
	Covered loans	320,730			318,372			0		0		318,372
	FDIC indemnification asset	24,160			12,482			0		0		12,482
	Financial liabilities
	Deposits
	Noninterest-bearing	$	1,243,367		$	1,243,367		$	0	$	1,243,367	$	0
	Interest-bearing demand	1,214,726			1,214,726			0		1,214,726		0
	Savings	1,827,590			1,827,590			0		1,827,590		0
	Time	1,247,334			1,244,218			0		1,244,218		0
	Total deposits	5,533,017			5,529,901			0		5,529,901		0
	Short-term borrowings	919,303			919,303			919,303		0		0
	Long-term debt	52,656			54,385			0		54,385		0
		Carrying			Estimated fair value
	(Dollars in thousands)	value			Total			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	31-Dec-13
	Financial assets
	Cash and short-term investments	$	143,450		$	143,450		$	143,450	$	0	$	0
	Investment securities held-to-maturity	837,272			824,985			0		824,985		0
	Other investments	47,427			47,427			0		47,427		0
	Loans held for sale	8,114			8,114			0		8,114		0
	Loans - excluding covered loans	3,461,812			3,455,776			0		0		3,455,776
	Covered loans	438,972			451,545			0		0		451,545
	FDIC indemnification asset	45,091			34,820			0		0		34,820
	Financial liabilities
	Deposits
	Noninterest-bearing	$	1,147,452		$	1,147,452		$	0	$	1,147,452	$	0
	Interest-bearing demand	1,125,723			1,125,723			0		1,125,723		0
	Savings	1,612,005			1,612,005			0		1,612,005		0
	Time	952,327			951,220			0		951,220		0
	Total deposits	4,837,507			4,836,400			0		4,836,400		0
	Short-term borrowings	748,749			748,749			748,749		0		0
	Long-term debt	60,780			62,706			0		62,706		0
	The financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the consolidated financial statements were as follows:
		Fair value measurements using
(Dollars in thousands)		Level 1				Level 2			Level 3			Assets/liabilities
												at fair value
September 30, 2014
Assets
Derivatives		$	0			$	10,126		$	0		$	10,126
Investment securities available-for-sale		8,258				921,336			0			929,594
Total		$	8,258			$	931,462		$	0		$	939,720
Liabilities
Derivatives		$	0			$	10,578		$	0		$	10,578
		Fair value measurements using
(Dollars in thousands)		Level 1				Level 2			Level 3			Assets/liabilities
												at fair value
December 31, 2013
Assets
Derivatives		$	0			$	13,477		$	0		$	13,477
Investment securities available-for-sale		7,976				905,625			0			913,601
Total		$	7,976			$	919,102		$	0		$	927,078
Liabilities
Derivatives		$	0			$	14,431		$	0		$	14,431
(1) Amounts represent the impact of legally enforceable master netting arrangements that allow First Financial to settle positive and negative positions and also cash collateral held with the same counterparties.
Certain financial assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis.  Adjustments to the fair market value of these assets usually result from the application of lower of cost or fair value accounting or write-downs of individual assets.  The following table summarizes financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis.
		Fair value measurements using
(Dollars in thousands)		Level 1				Level 2			Level 3
September 30, 2014
Assets
Impaired loans (1)		$	0			$	0		$	10,308
OREO		0				0			7,316
Covered OREO		0				0			6,605
		Fair value measurements using
(Dollars in thousands)		Level 1				Level 2			Level 3
December 31, 2013
Assets
Impaired loans (1)		$	0			$	0		$	13,699
OREO		0				0			5,358
Covered OREO		0				0			8,937
(1) Amounts represent the fair value of collateral for impaired loans allocated to the allowance for loan and lease losses.  Fair values are determined using actual market prices (Level 1), observable market data for similar assets and liabilities (Level 2), and independent third party valuations and borrower records, discounted as appropriate (Level 3).

BUSINESS_COMBINATIONS

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
BUSINESS COMBINATIONS	'
	BUSINESS COMBINATIONS
	First Financial completed three business combinations in the Columbus, Ohio market during the quarter ended September 30, 2014 as follows:
	First Bexley. Founded in 2006 and conducting operations out of one full service branch location in Bexley, Ohio, First Bexley served commercial and consumer clients throughout Columbus and central Ohio. Under the merger agreement, First Financial acquired First Bexley in a cash and stock transaction in which First Bexley was merged with and into First Financial Bank on August 7, 2014.
	Insight. Insight was founded in 2006 and conducted operations out of one full service location in Worthington, Ohio, and a mortgage origination office in Newark, Ohio, and provided commercial and consumer banking services to clients throughout Columbus and central Ohio. Under the merger agreement, First Financial acquired Insight in a cash and stock transaction in which Insight merged with and into First Financial Bank on August 7, 2014.
	Guernsey. Headquartered in Worthington, Ohio, Guernsey conducted operations out of three full service branches, and served commercial and consumer clients throughout Columbus and central Ohio. Under the terms of the merger agreement, First Financial acquired Guernsey for cash consideration and the transfer of a single bank-owned property to Guernsey's sole shareholder. The Company also paid off all amounts due under a promissory note to a third party on behalf of Guernsey. The Guernsey Bank, an Ohio state chartered bank and wholly-owned subsidiary of Guernsey, merged with and into First Financial as part of the agreement on August 21, 2014.
	The First Bexley, Insight and Guernsey transactions were accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting and accordingly, assets acquired, liabilities assumed and consideration exchanged were recorded at estimated fair value on the acquisition dates, in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 805, Business Combinations. The fair value measurements of assets acquired and liabilities assumed are subject to refinement for up to one year after the closing date of the acquisitions as additional information relative to closing date fair values become available. The measurement periods end in August 2015.
	The following table provides the purchase price calculation as of the acquisition dates and the identifiable assets purchased and the liabilities assumed at their estimated fair value. These fair value measurements are based on third-party valuations.
	(Dollars in thousands)	First Bexley		Insight		Guernsey		Total
	Purchase consideration
	Cash consideration	$	10,810	$	9,880	$	13,500	$	34,190
	Stock consideration	33,699		26,730		0		60,429
	Other consideration	0		0		2,523		2,523
	Total purchase consideration	$	44,509	$	36,610	$	16,023	$	97,142
	Assets acquired
	Loans	$	314,807	$	219,008	$	72,448	$	606,263
	Intangible assets	1,280		1,277		999		3,556
	Other assets	25,517		30,882		61,375		117,774
	Total assets	$	341,604	$	251,167	$	134,822	$	727,593
	Liabilities assumed
	Deposits	$	273,860	$	179,330	$	115,415	$	568,605
	Borrowings	40,000		44,149		10,742		94,891
	Other liabilities	1,454		7,303		606		9,363
	Total liabilities	$	315,314	$	230,782	$	126,763	$	672,859
	Net identifiable assets	$	26,290	$	20,385	$	8,059	$	54,734
	Goodwill	$	18,219	$	16,225	$	7,964	$	42,408
	The amount of goodwill arising from the First Bexley, Insight and Guernsey acquisitions reflects the increased market share and related synergies that are expected to result from the acquisitions. The goodwill arising from the First Bexley and Insight transactions is not deductible for income tax purposes as the mergers were accounted for as tax-free exchanges. The tax-free exchanges resulted in a carryover of tax attributes and tax basis to the Company's subsequent income tax filings and was adjusted for any fair value adjustments required in accounting for the acquisitions. The goodwill arising from the Guernsey transaction is deductible for tax purposes as the Guernsey transaction is considered a taxable exchange.

SUMMARY_OF_SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNT

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Basis of Presentation Policy	'
	The Consolidated Financial Statements of First Financial Bancorp. (First Financial or the Company), a bank holding company principally serving Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky, include the accounts and operations of First Financial and its wholly-owned subsidiary – First Financial Bank, N.A. (First Financial Bank or the Bank).  All significant intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation.  Certain reclassifications of prior periods’ amounts have been made to conform to the current period’s presentation and had no effect on net earnings.
Use of Estimates, Policy	'
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) requires management to make estimates, assumptions and judgments that affect the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying Notes.  These estimates, assumptions and judgments are inherently subjective and may be susceptible to significant change.  Actual realized amounts could differ materially from these estimates.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Goodwill, Policy	'
	Assets and liabilities acquired in a business combination are recorded at their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date. The excess cost of the acquisition over the fair value of net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Goodwill Impairment Policy	'
	Goodwill is not amortized, but is measured for impairment on an annual basis as of October 1 of each year, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the fair value of a reporting unit may be below its carrying value.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Policy	'
	Other intangible assets consist primarily of core deposit intangibles.  Core deposit intangibles represent the estimated fair value of acquired customer deposit relationships. Core deposit intangibles are recorded at their estimated fair value as of the acquisition date and are then amortized on an accelerated basis over their estimated useful lives.
Income Tax, Policy	'
	First Financial regularly reviews its tax positions and establishes reserves for income tax-related uncertainties based on estimates of whether it is more likely than not that the tax uncertainty would be sustained upon challenge by the appropriate tax authorities, which would then result in additional taxes, penalties and interest due.
Commitments and Contingencies, Policy	'
	In the normal course of business, First Financial offers a variety of financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk to assist clients in meeting their requirements for liquidity and credit enhancement. These financial instruments include standby letters of credit and outstanding commitments to extend credit.  GAAP does not require these financial instruments to be recorded in the Consolidated Financial Statements.
	First Financial’s exposure to credit loss, in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for standby letters of credit, and outstanding commitments to extend credit, is represented by the contractual amounts of those instruments.  First Financial uses the same credit policies in issuing commitments and conditional obligations as it does for credit instruments recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy	'
	Fair Value Measurement
	The fair value framework as disclosed in the Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure Topic of FASB ASC Topic 825, Financial Instruments (Fair Value Topic) includes a hierarchy which focuses on prioritizing the inputs used in valuation techniques.  The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1), a lower priority to observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities (Level 2) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3).  When determining the fair value measurements for assets and liabilities, First Financial looks to active markets to price identical assets or liabilities whenever possible and classifies such items in Level 1.  When identical assets and liabilities are not traded in active markets, First Financial looks to observable market data for similar assets and liabilities and classifies such items as Level 2.  Certain assets and liabilities are not actively traded in observable markets and First Financial must use alternative techniques, based on unobservable inputs, to determine the fair value and classifies such items as Level 3. The level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant in the fair value measurement.
	The following methods, assumptions and valuation techniques were used by First Financial to measure different financial assets and liabilities at fair value and in estimating its fair value disclosures for financial instruments.
	Cash and short-term investments. The carrying amounts reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for cash and short-term investments, such as federal funds sold, approximated the fair value of those instruments. The Company classifies cash and short-term investments in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.
	Investment securities. Investment securities classified as trading and available-for-sale are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis.  Fair value measurement is based upon quoted market prices, when available (Level 1).  If quoted market prices are not available, fair values are measured utilizing independent valuation techniques of identical or similar investment securities.  First Financial compiles prices from various sources who may apply such techniques as matrix pricing to determine the value of identical or similar investment securities (Level 2).  Matrix pricing is a mathematical technique widely used in the banking industry to value investment securities without relying exclusively on quoted prices for the specific investment securities but rather relying on the investment securities’ relationship to other benchmark quoted investment securities.  Any investment securities not valued based upon the methods above are considered Level 3.
	First Financial utilizes information provided by a third-party investment securities administrator in analyzing the investment securities portfolio in accordance with the fair value hierarchy of the Fair Value Topic.  The administrator’s evaluation of investment security portfolio pricing is performed using a combination of prices and data from other sources, along with internally developed matrix pricing models and assistance from the administrator’s internal fixed income analysts and trading desk.  The administrator’s month-end pricing process includes a series of quality assurance activities where prices are compared to recent market conditions, previous evaluation prices and between the various pricing services.  These processes produce a series of quality assurance reports on which price exceptions are identified, reviewed and where appropriate, securities are repriced.  In the event of a materially different price, the administrator will report the variance as a “price challenge” and review the pricing methodology in detail.  The results of the quality assurance process are incorporated into the selection of pricing providers by the portfolio manager.
	First Financial reviews the pricing methodologies utilized by the administrator to ensure the fair value determination is consistent with the applicable accounting guidance and that the investments are properly classified in the fair value hierarchy. Further, the Company periodically validates the fair values for a sample of securities in the portfolio by comparing the fair values provided by the administrator to prices from other independent sources for the same or similar securities. First Financial analyzes unusual or significant variances, conducts additional research with the administrator, if necessary, and takes appropriate action based on its findings.
	Loans held for sale. Loans held for sale are carried at the lower of cost or fair value.  These loans currently consist of one-to-four family residential real estate loans originated for sale to qualified third parties.  Fair value is based on the contractual price to be received from these third parties, which is not materially different than cost due to the short duration between origination and sale (Level 2).  As such, First Financial records any fair value adjustments on a nonrecurring basis.  Gains and losses on the sale of loans are recorded as net gains from sales of loans within noninterest income in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
	Loans - excluding covered loans. The fair value of commercial, commercial real estate, residential real estate and consumer loans were estimated by discounting the future cash flows using the current rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings and for the same remaining maturities or repricing frequency.  The Company classifies the estimated fair value of uncovered loans as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.
	Loans are designated as impaired when, in the judgment of management based on current information and events, it is probable that all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement will not be collected.  Impaired loans are valued at the lower of cost or fair value for purposes of determining the appropriate amount of impairment to be allocated to the allowance for loan and lease losses.  Fair value is generally measured based on the value of the collateral securing the loans.  Collateral may be in the form of real estate or business assets including equipment, inventory and accounts receivable.  The vast majority of the collateral is real estate.  The value of real estate collateral is determined utilizing an income or market valuation approach based on an appraisal conducted by an independent, licensed third party appraiser (Level 3). The value of business equipment is based upon an outside appraisal if deemed significant, or the net book value on the applicable borrower financial statements if not considered significant.  Likewise, values for inventory and accounts receivable collateral are based on borrower financial statement balances or aging reports on a discounted basis as appropriate (Level 3).  Impaired loans are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis through the Company's allowance for loan and lease losses process.  Any fair value adjustments are recorded in the period incurred as provision for loan and lease losses on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
	Covered loans. Fair values for covered loans accounted for under FASB ASC Topic 310-30 are based on a discounted cash flow methodology that considers factors including the type of loan and related collateral, classification status, fixed or variable interest rate, term of the loan and whether or not the loan was amortizing and a discount rate reflecting the Company's assessment of risk inherent in the cash flow estimates. These covered loans are grouped together according to similar characteristics and were treated in the aggregate when applying various valuation techniques. First Financial estimated the cash flows expected to be collected on these loans based upon the expected remaining life of the underlying loans, which includes the effects of estimated prepayments. These cash flow evaluations are inherently subjective as they require material estimates, all of which may be susceptible to significant change.
	Fair values for covered loans accounted for outside of FASB ASC Topic 310-30 were estimated by discounting the future cash flows using current interest rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings and for the same remaining maturities or repricing frequency. The carrying amount of accrued interest approximates its fair value.
	The Company classifies the estimated fair value of covered loans as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.
	FDIC indemnification asset. Fair value of the FDIC indemnification asset was estimated using projected cash flows related to the loss sharing agreements based on the expected reimbursements for losses and the applicable loss sharing percentages. The expected cash flows are discounted to reflect the uncertainty of the timing and receipt of the loss sharing reimbursement from the FDIC. These cash flow evaluations are inherently subjective as they require material estimates, all of which may be susceptible to significant change. The Company classifies the estimated fair value of the indemnification asset as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.
	Deposits. The fair value of demand deposits, savings accounts and certain money-market deposits was the amount payable on demand at the reporting date.  The carrying amounts for variable-rate certificates of deposit approximated their fair values at the reporting date.  The fair value of fixed-rate certificates of deposit was estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation which applies the interest rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities.  The carrying amount of accrued interest approximates its fair value. The Company classifies the estimated fair value of deposit liabilities as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.
	Borrowings. The carrying amounts of federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase and other short-term borrowings approximate their fair values.  The Company classifies the estimated fair value of short-term borrowings as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.
	The fair value of long-term debt is estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation which utilizes the interest rates currently offered for borrowings of similar remaining maturities.  Third-party valuations are used for long-term debt with embedded options, such as call features. The Company classifies the estimated fair value of long-term debt as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.
	Commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. Pricing of these financial instruments is based on the credit quality and relationship, fees, interest rates, probability of funding and compensating balance and other covenants or requirements.  Loan commitments generally have fixed expiration dates, are variable rate and contain termination and other clauses which provide for relief from funding in the event that there is a significant deterioration in the credit quality of the client.  Many loan commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon.  The rates and terms of the commitments to extend credit and the standby letters of credit are competitive with those in First Financial’s market area.  The carrying amounts are reasonable estimates of the fair value of these financial instruments.  Carrying amounts, which are comprised of the
	unamortized fee income and, where necessary, reserves for any expected credit losses from these financial instruments, are immaterial.
	Derivatives. The fair values of derivative instruments are based primarily on a net present value calculation of the cash flows related to the derivative instruments at the reporting date, using primarily observable market inputs such as interest rate yield curves.  The discounted net present value calculated represents the cost to terminate the derivative instrument if First Financial should choose to do so. Additionally, First Financial utilizes the allowance for loan and lease losses methodology to value the credit risk component of both the derivative assets and liabilities.  The credit valuation adjustment is recorded as an adjustment to the fair value of the derivative asset or liability on the reporting date. Derivative instruments are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.
Credit Risk	'
Derivatives, Methods of Accounting, Hedging Derivatives, Policy	'
	These policies require the Company to maintain a total derivative notional position of less than 35% of assets, total credit exposure of less than 3% of capital and no single counterparty credit risk exposure greater than $20.0 million.
Non Covered Loans	'
Loans and Leases Receivable, Past Due Status, Policy	'
	Loans are considered past due or delinquent when the contractual principal or interest due in accordance with the terms of the loan agreement or any portion thereof remains unpaid after the date of the scheduled payment.
Loans and Leases Receivable, Nonaccrual Loan and Lease Status, Policy	'
	Loans are classified as nonaccrual when, in the opinion of management, collection of principal or interest is doubtful or when principal or interest payments are ninety days or more past due. Generally, loans are classified as nonaccrual due to the continued failure to adhere to contractual payment terms by the borrower, coupled with other pertinent factors such as insufficient collateral value. When a loan is classified as nonaccrual, the accrual of interest income is discontinued, and previously accrued but unpaid interest is reversed. Any payments received while a loan is on nonaccrual status are applied as a reduction to the carrying value of the loan. A loan may return to accrual status if collection of future principal and interest payments is no longer doubtful.
Loans and Leases Receivable, Troubled Debt Restructuring Policy	'
	A loan modification is considered a TDR when two conditions are met: 1) the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty and 2) concessions are made by the Company that would not otherwise be considered for a borrower with similar credit characteristics. The most common types of modifications include interest rate reductions, maturity extensions and modifications to principal amortization, including interest only structures. Modified terms are dependent upon the financial position and needs of the individual borrower. If the modification agreement is violated, the loan is managed by the Company’s credit administration group for resolution, which may result in foreclosure in the case of real estate.
	TDRs are generally classified as nonaccrual for a minimum period of six months and may qualify for return to accrual status once they have demonstrated performance with the restructured terms of the loan agreement.
Impaired Financing Receivable, Policy	'
	Loans classified as nonaccrual and loans modified as TDRs are considered impaired.
	First Financial individually reviews all impaired commercial loan relationships greater than $250,000, as well as consumer loan TDRs greater than $100,000, to determine if a specific allowance is necessary based on the borrower’s overall financial condition, resources and payment record, support from guarantors and the realizable value of any collateral. Specific allowances are based on expected cash flows, discounted using the loan's initial effective interest rate, or the fair value of the collateral for certain collateral dependent loans.
Loans and Leases Receivable, Real Estate Acquired Through Foreclosure, Policy	'
	Other real estate owned (OREO) is comprised of properties acquired by the Company through the loan foreclosure or repossession process, or other resolution activity that results in partial or total satisfaction of problem loans.
Loans and Leases Receivable, Allowance for Loan Losses Policy	'
	For each reporting period, management maintains the allowance for loan and lease losses at a level that it considers sufficient to absorb probable loan and lease losses inherent in the portfolio. There were no material changes to First Financial's accounting policies or methodology related to the allowance for loan and lease losses during the first nine months of 2014.
	The allowance is increased by provision expense and decreased by actual charge-offs, net of recoveries of amounts previously charged-off. First Financial's policy is to charge-off all or a portion of a loan when, in management's opinion, it is unlikely to collect the principal amount owed in full either through payments from the borrower or from the liquidation of collateral.
Covered Loans	'
Loans and Leases Receivable, Past Due Status, Policy	'
	Covered loans are considered past due or delinquent when the contractual principal or interest due in accordance with the terms of the loan agreement or any portion thereof remains unpaid after the due date of the scheduled payment.
Impaired Financing Receivable, Policy	'
	Covered loans classified as nonaccrual, excluding loans accounted for under FASB ASC Topic 310-30, are considered impaired.
Loans and Leases Receivable, Real Estate Acquired Through Foreclosure, Policy	'
	Covered OREO is comprised of properties acquired by the Company through the loan foreclosure or repossession process, or other resolution activities that result in partial or total satisfaction of problem covered loans. These properties remain subject to loss sharing agreements whereby the FDIC reimburses First Financial for the majority of any losses incurred.
Certain Loans and Debt Securities Acquired in Transfer, Recognizing Interest Income on Impaired Loans, Policy	'
	First Financial accounts for the majority of loans acquired in FDIC transactions under FASB ASC Topic 310-30, Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality, except loans with revolving privileges, which are outside the scope of this guidance, and loans for which cash flows could not be estimated, which are accounted for under the cost recovery method. These loans include loans previously covered under loss sharing agreements as well as loans that remain subject to FDIC loss sharing coverage. Loans accounted for under FASB ASC Topic 310-30 are referred to as purchased impaired loans. Purchased impaired loans are not classified as nonperforming assets as the loans are considered to be performing under FASB ASC Topic 310-30. Therefore, interest income, through accretion of the difference between the carrying value of the loans and the expected cash flows (accretable difference) is recognized on all covered purchased impaired loans.
Loans and Leases Receivable, Allowance for Loan Losses Policy	'
	The majority of covered loans are accounted for under FASB ASC Topic 310-30, whereby First Financial is required to periodically re-estimate the expected cash flows on the loans.
Covered Loans | Loans Accounted for Under FASB ASC Topic 310-30	'
Loans and Leases Receivable, Nonperforming Loan and Lease, Policy	'
	Purchased impaired loans are classified as performing, even though they may be contractually past due, as any nonpayment of contractual principal or interest is considered in the periodic re-estimation of expected cash flows and is included in the resulting recognition of current period covered loan loss provision or prospective yield adjustments.
Covered Loans | Loans Excluded from FASB ASC Topic 310-30	'
Loans and Leases Receivable, Nonperforming Loan and Lease, Policy	'
	Similar to uncovered loans, covered loans accounted for outside FASB ASC Topic 310-30 are classified as nonaccrual when, in the opinion of management, collection of principal or interest is doubtful or when principal or interest payments are 90 days or more past due. Generally, loans are classified as nonaccrual due to the continued failure to adhere to contractual payment terms by the borrower coupled with other pertinent factors, such as insufficient collateral value. The accrual of interest income is discontinued and previously accrued, but unpaid interest is reversed when a loan is classified as nonaccrual. Any payments received while a loan is classified as nonaccrual are applied as a reduction to the carrying value of the loan. A loan may be returned to accrual status if collection of future principal and interest payments is no longer doubtful.
Fair Value Hedges	'
Derivatives, Methods of Accounting, Hedging Derivatives, Policy	'
	First Financial utilizes interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges as a means to offer commercial borrowers fixed rate funding while providing the Company with floating rate assets.

INVESTMENTS_Tables

INVESTMENTS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]	'
Summary of Held-To-Maturity and Available-For-Sale Investment Securities	'
	The following is a summary of held-to-maturity and available-for-sale investment securities as of September 30, 2014:
			Held-to-maturity														Available-for-sale
	(Dollars in thousands)		Amortized			Unrealized				Unrealized				Market			Amortized		Unrealized			Unrealized			Market
			cost			gain				loss				value			cost		gain			loss			value
	U.S. Treasuries		$	0		$	0			$	0			$	0		$	97	$	0		$	(3	)	$	94
	Securities of U.S. government agencies and corporations		17,917			0				(231		)		17,686			12,304		3			(37		)	12,270
	Mortgage-backed securities		832,728			5,290				(4,656		)		833,362			700,167		4,967			(19,273		)	685,861
	Obligations of state and other political subdivisions		26,308			442				(418		)		26,332			49,824		588			(1,008		)	49,404
	Asset-backed securities		0			0				0				0			76,693		244			(1		)	76,936
	Other securities		23,568			770				(59		)		24,279			105,132		1,576			(1,679		)	105,029
	Total		$	900,521		$	6,502			$	(5,364	)		$	901,659		$	944,217	$	7,378		$	(22,001	)	$	929,594
	The following is a summary of held-to-maturity and available-for-sale investment securities as of December 31, 2013:
			Held-to-maturity														Available-for-sale
	(Dollars in thousands)		Amortized			Unrealized				Unrealized				Market			Amortized		Unrealized			Unrealized			Market
			cost			gain				loss				value			cost		gain			loss			value
	U.S. Treasuries		$	0		$	0			$	0			$	0		$	97	$	0		$	(7	)	$	90
	Securities of U.S. government agencies and corporations		18,981			0				(791		)		18,190			9,980		0			(404		)	9,576
	Mortgage-backed securities		775,025			1,337				(12,229		)		764,133			678,267		5,372			(28,593		)	655,046
	Obligations of state and other political subdivisions		25,788			152				(1,039		)		24,901			33,410		10			(3,097		)	30,323
	Asset-backed securities		0			0				0				0			114,209		1			(616		)	113,594
	Other securities		17,478			283				0				17,761			109,089		262			(4,379		)	104,972
	Total		$	837,272		$	1,772			$	(14,059	)		$	824,985		$	945,052	$	5,645		$	(37,096	)	$	913,601
Summary of Investment Securities by Estimated Maturity	'
	The following table provides a summary of investment securities by estimated weighted average life as of September 30, 2014. Estimated lives on certain investment securities may differ from contractual maturities as issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
		Held-to-maturity							Available-for-sale
	(Dollars in thousands)	Amortized			Market				Amortized				Market
		cost			value				cost				value
	Due in one year or less	$	268		$	271			$	12,735			$	12,738
	Due after one year through five years	402,027			401,829				348,661				346,665
	Due after five years through ten years	354,896			355,179				266,513				260,869
	Due after ten years	143,330			144,380				316,308				309,322
	Total	$	900,521		$	901,659			$	944,217			$	929,594
Age of Gross Unrealized Losses and Associated Fair Value by Investment Category	'
	The following tables provide the fair value and gross unrealized losses on investment securities in an unrealized loss position, aggregated by investment category and the length of time the individual securities have been in a continuous loss position:
			September 30, 2014
			Less than 12 months							12 months or more							Total
	(Dollars in thousands)		Fair			Unrealized				Fair				Unrealized			Fair		Unrealized
			value			loss				value				loss			value		loss
	Securities of U.S. government agencies and corporations		$	1,470		$	(5	)		$	17,944			$	(126	)	$	19,414	$	(131	)
	Mortgage-backed securities		252,959			(2,616		)		496,254				(20,077		)	749,213		(22,693		)
	Obligations of state and other political subdivisions		14,267			(174		)		38,578				(1,323		)	52,845		(1,497		)
	Asset-backed securities		10,510			(1		)		0				0			10,510		(1		)
	Other securities		9,254			(93		)		30,440				(1,304		)	39,694		(1,397		)
	Total		$	288,460		$	(2,889	)		$	583,216			$	(22,830	)	$	871,676	$	(25,719	)
			December 31, 2013
			Less than 12 months							12 months or more							Total
			Fair			Unrealized				Fair				Unrealized			Fair		Unrealized
	(Dollars in thousands)		value			loss				value				loss			value		loss
	Securities of U.S. government agencies and corporations		$	27,851		$	(970	)		$	0			$	0		$	27,851	$	(970	)
	Mortgage-backed securities		966,718			(32,432		)		108,929				(6,101		)	1,075,647		(38,533		)
	Obligations of state and other political subdivisions		66,502			(5,294		)		1,935				(46		)	68,437		(5,340		)
	Asset-backed securities		93,355			(616		)		0				0			93,355		(616		)
	Other securities		54,866			(2,142		)		7,798				(561		)	62,664		(2,703		)
	Total		$	1,209,292		$	(41,454	)		$	118,662			$	(6,708	)	$	1,327,954	$	(48,162	)

LOANS_Tables

LOANS (Tables) (Non Covered Loans)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Non Covered Loans	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'
Commercial and Consumer Credit Exposure by Risk Attribute	'
	Commercial and consumer credit exposure by risk attribute was as follows:
			As of September 30, 2014
							Real Estate
	(Dollars in thousands)		Commercial				Construction				Commercial				Leasing			Total
	Pass		$	1,262,525			$	188,144			$	1,867,535			$	71,314		$	3,389,518
	Special Mention		23,592				3,830				26,917				1,902			56,241
	Substandard		18,665				1,802				57,603				0			78,070
	Doubtful		0				0				0				0			0
	Total		$	1,304,782			$	193,776			$	1,952,055			$	73,216		$	3,523,829
	(Dollars in thousands)		Real Estate				Installment				Home Equity				Other			Total
			Residential
	Performing		$	419,862			$	47,163			$	413,518			$	35,925		$	916,468
	Nonperforming		6,696				398				2,581				0			9,675
	Total		$	426,558			$	47,561			$	416,099			$	35,925		$	926,143
			As of December 31, 2013
							Real Estate
	(Dollars in thousands)		Commercial				Construction				Commercial				Leasing			Total
	Pass		$	991,161			$	78,872			$	1,422,215			$	80,135		$	2,572,383
	Special Mention		23,053				65				23,832				0			46,950
	Substandard		21,454				1,804				50,940				0			74,198
	Doubtful		0				0				0				0			0
	Total		$	1,035,668			$	80,741			$	1,496,987			$	80,135		$	2,693,531
	(Dollars in thousands)		Real Estate				Installment				Home Equity				Other			Total
			Residential
	Performing		$	344,325			$	46,559			$	373,472			$	35,592		$	799,948
	Nonperforming		8,606				574				2,982				0			12,162
	Total		$	352,931			$	47,133			$	376,454			$	35,592		$	812,110
Loan Delinquency, including Nonaccrual Loans	'
	Loan delinquency, including loans classified as nonaccrual, was as follows:
			As of September 30, 2014
	(Dollars in thousands)		30 – 59				60 – 89				> 90 days				Total			Current			Total		> 90 days
			days				days				past due				past								past due
			past due				past due								due								and
																							accruing
	Loans
	Commercial		$	2,063			$	333			$	1,727			$	4,123		$	1,300,659		$	1,304,782	$	0
	Real estate - construction		0				0				223				223			193,553			193,776		0
	Real estate - commercial		5,697				2,359				12,144				20,200			1,931,855			1,952,055		0
	Real estate - residential		1,384				311				4,225				5,920			420,638			426,558		0
	Installment		106				82				223				411			47,150			47,561		0
	Home equity		1,043				553				951				2,547			413,552			416,099		0
	Other		490				215				249				954			108,187			109,141		249
	Total		$	10,783			$	3,853			$	19,742			$	34,378		$	4,415,594		$	4,449,972	$	249
			As of December 31, 2013
	(Dollars in thousands)		30 - 59				60 - 89				> 90 days				Total			Current			Total		> 90 days
			days				days				past due				past								past due and accruing
			past due				past due								due
	Loans
	Commercial		$	2,016			$	161			$	7,136			$	9,313		$	1,026,355		$	1,035,668	$	0
	Real estate - construction		0				0				223				223			80,518			80,741		0
	Real estate - commercial		7,800				4,269				12,732				24,801			1,472,186			1,496,987		0
	Real estate - residential		2,030				685				5,526				8,241			344,690			352,931		0
	Installment		213				40				379				632			46,501			47,133		0
	Home equity		985				292				1,648				2,925			373,529			376,454		0
	Other		680				144				218				1,042			114,685			115,727		218
	Total		$	13,724			$	5,591			$	27,862			$	47,177		$	3,458,464		$	3,505,641	$	218
Loans Restructured During Period	'
	The following tables provide information on loan modifications classified as TDRs during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.
		Three months ended
		September 30, 2014											September 30, 2013
	(Dollars in thousands)	Number of loans			Pre-modification loan balance				Period end balance				Number of loans			Pre-modification loan balance			Period end balance
	Commercial	6			$	3,712			$	3,384			4			$	494		$	490
	Real estate - construction	0			0				0				0			0			0
	Real estate - commercial	2			375				373				10			2,502			2,493
	Real estate - residential	7			322				264				3			387			367
	Installment	3			6				6				3			34			33
	Home equity	6			126				125				5			294			216
	Total	24			$	4,541			$	4,152			25			$	3,711		$	3,599
		Nine months ended
		September 30, 2014											September 30, 2013
	(Dollars in thousands)	Number of loans			Pre-modification loan balance				Period end balance				Number of loans			Pre-modification loan balance			Period end balance
	Commercial	11			$	3,938			$	3,594			14			$	8,233		$	6,105
	Real estate - construction	0			0				0				0			0			0
	Real estate - commercial	11			2,583				2,453				17			4,752			4,719
	Real estate - residential	30			1,712				1,527				33			2,356			2,178
	Installment	6			21				19				14			188			115
	Home equity	26			791				758				35			1,176			887
	Total	84			$	9,045			$	8,351			113			$	16,705		$	14,004
Loans Restructured, Modifications	'
	The following table provides information on how TDRs were modified during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.
		Three months ended								Nine months ended
		September 30, (2)								September 30, (2)
	(Dollars in thousands)	2014				2013				2014				2013
	Extended maturities	$	3,505			$	2,179			$	4,402			$	8,848
	Adjusted interest rates	0				0				301				520
	Combination of rate and maturity changes	402				613				1,643				850
	Forbearance	0				0				320				0
	Other (1)	245				807				1,685				3,786
	Total	$	4,152			$	3,599			$	8,351			$	14,004
	(1) Includes covenant modifications and other concessions, or combination of concessions, that do not consist of interest rate adjustments, forbearance and maturity extensions
	(2) Balances are as of period end
Loan Restructuring, Loans with a Payment Default Within 12 Months of Loan Modification	'
	The following table provides information on TDRs for which there was a payment default during the period that occurred within twelve months of the loan modification:
			Three months ended
			September 30, 2014						September 30, 2013
	(Dollars in thousands)		Number		Period end				Number of loans		Period end
			of loans		balance						balance
	Commercial		0		$	0			1		$	29
	Real estate - construction		0		0				0		0
	Real estate - commercial		0		0				1		3
	Real estate - residential		1		1				0		0
	Installment		0		0				1		17
	Home equity		0		0				2		54
	Total		1		$	1			5		$	103
			Nine months ended
			September 30, 2014						September 30, 2013
	(Dollars in thousands)		Number		Period end				Number of loans		Period end
			of loans		balance						balance
	Commercial		1		$	143			4		$	4,882
	Real estate - construction		0		0				0		0
	Real estate - commercial		0		0				2		63
	Real estate - residential		3		28				3		185
	Installment		1		0				4		26
	Home equity		3		92				5		64
	Total		8		$	263			18		$	5,220
Nonaccrual, Restructured and Impaired Loans	'
	The following table provides information on nonaccrual loans, TDRs and total impaired loans.
	(Dollars in thousands)		September 30, 2014				December 31, 2013
	Impaired loans
	Nonaccrual loans (1)
	Commercial		$	6,486			$	7,934
	Real estate-construction		223				223
	Real estate-commercial		25,262				17,286
	Real estate-residential		6,696				8,606
	Installment		398				574
	Home equity		2,581				2,982
	Other		0				0
	Nonaccrual loans (1)		41,646				37,605
	Accruing troubled debt restructurings		13,369				15,094
	Total impaired loans		$	55,015			$	52,699
	(1) Nonaccrual loans include nonaccrual TDRs of $13.2 million and $13.0 million as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
		Three months ended								Nine months ended
		September 30,								September 30,
	(Dollars in thousands)	2014				2013				2014				2013
	Interest income effect on impaired loans
	Gross amount of interest that would have been recorded under original terms	$	838			$	1,142			$	2,342			$	3,399
	Interest included in income
	Nonaccrual loans	168				130				329				472
	Troubled debt restructurings	110				115				320				316
	Total interest included in income	278				245				649				788
	Net impact on interest income	$	560			$	897			$	1,693			$	2,611
	Commitments outstanding to borrowers with nonaccrual loans									$	0			$	0
Investment in Impaired Loans	'
	First Financial's investment in impaired loans was as follows:
			As of September 30, 2014
	(Dollars in thousands)		Current balance				Contractual				Related				Average			YTD interest			Quarterly interest
							principal				allowance				current			income			income
							balance								balance			recognized			recognized
	Loans with no related allowance recorded
	Commercial		$	6,581			$	7,981			$	0			$	6,095		$	97		$	44
	Real estate - construction		223				443				0				223			0			0
	Real estate - commercial		19,031				23,970				0				13,927			201			75
	Real estate - residential		9,077				10,520				0				9,466			128			45
	Installment		415				459				0				512			6			2
	Home equity		3,009				3,968				0				3,018			40			15
	Other		0				0				0				0			0			0
	Total		38,336				47,341				0				33,241			472			181
	Loans with an allowance recorded
	Commercial		3,076				3,284				802				4,694			43			17
	Real estate - construction		0				0				0				0			0			0
	Real estate - commercial		11,372				12,467				3,338				10,229			102			69
	Real estate - residential		2,130				2,190				368				2,106			30			10
	Installment		0				0				0				0			0			0
	Home equity		101				101				2				101			2			1
	Other		0				0				0				0			0			0
	Total		16,679				18,042				4,510				17,130			177			97
	Total
	Commercial		9,657				11,265				802				10,789			140			61
	Real estate - construction		223				443				0				223			0			0
	Real estate - commercial		30,403				36,437				3,338				24,156			303			144
	Real estate - residential		11,207				12,710				368				11,572			158			55
	Installment		415				459				0				512			6			2
	Home equity		3,110				4,069				2				3,119			42			16
	Other		0				0				0				0			0			0
	Total		$	55,015			$	65,383			$	4,510			$	50,371		$	649		$	278
			As of December 31, 2013
	(Dollars in thousands)		Current				Contractual				Related				Average			Interest
			balance				principal				allowance				current			income
							balance								balance			recognized
	Loans with no related allowance recorded
	Commercial		$	5,212			$	7,083			$	0			$	10,712		$	165
	Real estate - construction		223				443				0				599			0
	Real estate - commercial		12,355				16,431				0				16,563			380
	Real estate - residential		10,291				12,087				0				10,225			152
	Installment		642				663				0				463			6
	Home equity		3,208				4,108				0				3,145			44
	Other		0				0				0				148			0
	Total		31,931				40,815				0				41,855			747
	Loans with an allowance recorded
	Commercial		7,013				8,353				2,080				5,047			71
	Real estate - construction		0				0				0				726			7
	Real estate - commercial		11,638				14,424				2,872				21,098			110
	Real estate - residential		2,016				2,072				348				1,997			37
	Installment		0				0				0				0			0
	Home equity		101				101				2				101			2
	Other		0				0				0				167			0
	Total		20,768				24,950				5,302				29,136			227
	Total
	Commercial		12,225				15,436				2,080				15,759			236
	Real estate - construction		223				443				0				1,325			7
	Real estate - commercial		23,993				30,855				2,872				37,661			490
	Real estate - residential		12,307				14,159				348				12,222			189
	Installment		642				663				0				463			6
	Home equity		3,309				4,209				2				3,246			46
	Other		0				0				0				315			0
	Total		$	52,699			$	65,765			$	5,302			$	70,991		$	974
Changes in Other Real Estate Owned	'
	Changes in OREO were as follows:
			Three months ended								Nine months ended
			September 30,								September 30,
	(Dollars in thousands)		2014				2013				2014				2013
	Balance at beginning of period		$	13,370			$	11,798			$	19,806			$	12,526
	Additions
	Commercial		883				608				2,274				2,924
	Residential		174				265				1,517				645
	Total additions		1,057				873				3,791				3,569
	Disposals
	Commercial		2,197				500				10,243				2,382
	Residential		77				154				505				805
	Total disposals		2,274				654				10,748				3,187
	Valuation adjustment
	Commercial		772				71				1,310				632
	Residential		65				142				223				472
	Total valuation adjustment		837				213				1,533				1,104
	Balance at end of period		$	11,316			$	11,804			$	11,316			$	11,804

LOANS_covered_Tables

LOANS (covered) (Tables) (Covered Loans)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Covered Loans	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'
Carrying Value of Purchased Impaired and Nonimpaired Loans	'
	The following table reflects the carrying value of all covered loans:
			September 30, 2014												December 31, 2013
	(Dollars in thousands)		Loans				Loans				Total				Loans				Loans			Total
			accounted				excluded				covered				accounted				excluded			covered
			for under				from FASB				loans				for under				from FASB			loans
			FASB ASC				ASC Topic								FASB ASC				ASC Topic
			Topic 310-30				310-30								Topic 310-30				310-30
	Commercial		$	22,403			$	1,341			$	23,744			$	41,172			$	1,144		$	42,316
	Real estate - construction		1,748				0				1,748				8,556				0			8,556
	Real estate - commercial		178,618				5,295				183,913				263,146				5,487			268,633
	Real estate - residential		72,315				0				72,315				80,733				0			80,733
	Installment		3,073				497				3,570				5,073				568			5,641
	Home equity		1,128				43,730				44,858				975				48,649			49,624
	Other covered loans		0				2,117				2,117				0				2,370			2,370
	Total covered loans		$	279,285			$	52,980			$	332,265			$	399,655			$	58,218		$	457,873
Carrying Amount of Accretable Yield for Purchased Impaired and Nonimpaired Loans	'
	Changes in the carrying amount of accretable difference for purchased impaired loans were as follows:
			Three months ended								Nine months ended
			September 30,								September 30,
	(Dollars in thousands)		2014				2013				2014				2013
	Balance at beginning of period		$	127,764			$	173,920			$	133,671			$	224,694
	Reclassification from/(to) nonaccretable difference		(2,295		)		(4,979		)		19,864				(5,687		)
	Accretion		(8,158		)		(13,772		)		(26,808		)		(46,971		)
	Other net activity (1)		(4,250		)		(8,347		)		(13,666		)		(25,214		)
	Balance at end of period		$	113,061			$	146,822			$	113,061			$	146,822
	(1) Includes the impact of loan repayments and charge-offs
Commercial and Consumer Credit Exposure by Risk Attribute	'
	Covered commercial and consumer credit exposure by risk attribute was as follows:
			As of September 30, 2014
							Real Estate
	(Dollars in thousands)		Commercial				Construction				Commercial				Total
	Pass		$	14,790			$	1,605			$	150,628			$	167,023
	Special Mention		418				0				4,924				5,342
	Substandard		8,536				143				28,361				37,040
	Doubtful		0				0				0				0
	Total		$	23,744			$	1,748			$	183,913			$	209,405
	(Dollars in thousands)		Real estate				Installment				Home equity				Other				Total
			residential
	Performing		$	72,315			$	3,570			$	41,416			$	2,117			$	119,418
	Nonperforming		0				0				3,442				0				3,442
	Total		$	72,315			$	3,570			$	44,858			$	2,117			$	122,860
			As of December 31, 2013
							Real Estate
	(Dollars in thousands)		Commercial				Construction				Commercial				Total
	Pass		$	25,196			$	1,714			$	182,621			$	209,531
	Special Mention		2,011				0				12,904				14,915
	Substandard		14,693				6,842				73,108				94,643
	Doubtful		416				0				0				416
	Total		$	42,316			$	8,556			$	268,633			$	319,505
	(Dollars in thousands)		Real estate				Installment				Home				Other				Total
			residential								equity
	Performing		$	80,733			$	5,636			$	47,731			$	2,370			$	136,470
	Nonperforming		0				5				1,893				0				1,898
	Total		$	80,733			$	5,641			$	49,624			$	2,370			$	138,368
Loan Delinquency, including Nonaccrual Loans	'
	Covered loan delinquency, excluding loans accounted for under FASB ASC Topic 310-30, was as follows:
		As of September 30, 2014
	(Dollars in thousands)	30 - 59				60 - 89				> 90 days				Total				Current			Total			> 90 days
		days				days				past due				past										past due and
		past due				past due								due										accruing
	Loans
	Commercial	$	0			$	49			$	656			$	705			$	636		$	1,341		$	0
	Real estate - commercial	0				144				251				395				4,900			5,295			0
	Installment	0				0				0				0				497			497			0
	Home equity	361				0				3,086				3,447				40,283			43,730			0
	All other	23				3				3				29				2,088			2,117			3
	Total	$	384			$	196			$	3,996			$	4,576			$	48,404		$	52,980		$	3
		As of December 31, 2013
	(Dollars in thousands)	30 - 59				60 - 89				> 90 days				Total				Current			Total			> 90 days
		days				days				past due				past										past due and
		past due				past due								due										accruing
	Loans
	Commercial	$	60			$	335			$	483			$	878			$	266		$	1,144		$	0
	Real estate - commercial	184				0				1,263				1,447				4,040			5,487			0
	Installment	0				0				5				5				563			568			0
	Home equity	239				36				1,727				2,002				46,647			48,649			0
	All other	9				4				0				13				2,357			2,370			0
	Total	$	492			$	375			$	3,478			$	4,345			$	53,873		$	58,218		$	0
Covered Nonaccrual Loans	'
	Information as to covered nonaccrual loans, excluding loans accounted for under FASB ASC Topic 310-30, was as follows:
	(Dollars in thousands)		September 30, 2014				December 31, 2013
	Impaired loans
	Nonaccrual loans (1)
	Commercial		$	906			$	540
	Real estate-commercial		256				1,349
	Installment		0				5
	Home equity		3,442				1,893
	All other		0				0
	Nonaccrual loans		4,604				3,787
	Accruing troubled debt restructurings		70				335
	Total impaired loans		$	4,674			$	4,122
	(1) Nonaccrual loans include nonaccrual TDRs of $0.9 million and $0.9 million as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
			Three months ended								Nine months ended
			September 30,								September 30,
	(Dollars in thousands)		2014				2013				2014				2013
	Interest income effect on impaired loans
	Gross amount of interest that would have been recorded under original terms		$	72			$	81			$	201			$	334
	Interest included in income
	Nonaccrual loans		18				6				34				20
	Troubled debt restructurings		0				3				1				6
	Total interest included in income		18				9				35				26
	Net impact on interest income		$	54			$	72			$	166			$	308
Investment in Impaired Loans	'
	First Financial’s investment in covered impaired loans, excluding loans accounted for under FASB ASC Topic 310-30, was as follows:
			As of September 30, 2014
	(Dollars in thousands)		Current balance				Unpaid				Related				Average				YTD interest			Quarterly interest
							principal				allowance				balance				income			income
							balance												recognized			recognized
	Loans with no related allowance recorded
	Commercial		$	960			$	1,302			$	0			$	936			$	16		$	6
	Real estate - commercial		256				395				0				819				2			1
	Installment		0				0				0				1				0			0
	Home equity		0				4,908				0				2,493				17			11
	All other		3,458				0				0				0				0			0
	Total		$	4,674			$	6,605			$	0			$	4,249			$	35		$	18
			As of December 31, 2013
	(Dollars in thousands)		Current balance				Unpaid				Related				Average				Interest
							principal				allowance				balance				income
							balance												recognized
	Loans with no related allowance recorded
	Commercial		$	875			$	1,131			$	0			$	1,832			$	11
	Real estate - commercial		1,349				2,648				0				1,786				4
	Installment		5				5				0				2				0
	Home equity		1,893				2,899				0				2,611				15
	All other		0				0				0				8				0
	Total		$	4,122			$	6,683			$	0			$	6,239			$	30
Changes in Other Real Estate Owned	'
	Changes in covered OREO were as follows:
			Three months ended								Nine months ended
			September 30,								September 30,
	(Dollars in thousands)		2014				2013				2014				2013
	Balance at beginning of period		$	19,439			$	22,475			$	27,120			$	28,862
	Additions
	Commercial		0				8,572				3,937				21,063
	Residential		118				95				409				472
	Total additions		118				8,667				4,346				21,535
	Disposals
	Commercial		7,498				2,865				17,429				19,513
	Residential		38				76				536				890
	Total disposals		7,536				2,941				17,965				20,403
	Valuation adjustment
	Commercial		718				451				2,186				2,133
	Residential		123				0				135				111
	Total valuation adjustment		841				451				2,321				2,244
	Balance at end of period		$	11,180			$	27,750			$	11,180			$	27,750

ALLOWANCE_FOR_LOAN_AND_LEASE_L1

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses by Classification	'
	Year-to-date changes in the allowance for loan and lease losses by loan category were as follows:
		Nine months ended September 30, 2014
					Real Estate
	(Dollars in thousands)	Commercial			Construction			Commercial			Residential			Installment			Home Equity		Other		Total
	Allowance for loan and lease losses:
	Balance at beginning of period	$	10,568		$	824		$	20,478		$	3,379		$	365		$	5,209	$	3,006	$	43,829
	Provision for loan and lease losses	517			274			855			61			(153		)	721		6		2,281
	Gross charge-offs	1,310			0			1,944			701			205			1,396		871		6,427
	Recoveries	1,185			0			771			161			173			186		295		2,771
	Total net charge-offs	125			0			1,173			540			32			1,210		576		3,656
	Ending allowance for loan and lease losses	$	10,960		$	1,098		$	20,160		$	2,900		$	180		$	4,720	$	2,436	$	42,454
	Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment	$	802		$	0		$	3,338		$	368		$	0		$	2	$	0	$	4,510
	Ending allowance on loans collectively evaluated for impairment	10,158			1,098			16,822			2,532			180			4,718		2,436		37,944
	Ending allowance for loan and lease losses	$	10,960		$	1,098		$	20,160		$	2,900		$	180		$	4,720	$	2,436	$	42,454
	Loans
	Ending balance of loans individually evaluated for impairment	$	7,913		$	0		$	20,763		$	3,215		$	104		$	614	$	0	$	32,609
	Ending balance of loans collectively evaluated for impairment	1,296,869			193,776			1,931,292			423,343			47,457			415,485		109,141		4,417,363
	Total loans	$	1,304,782		$	193,776		$	1,952,055		$	426,558		$	47,561		$	416,099	$	109,141	$	4,449,972
		Twelve months ended December 31, 2013
					Real Estate
	(Dollars in thousands)	Commercial			Construction			Commercial			Residential			Installment			Home Equity		Other		Total
	Allowance for loan and lease losses:
	Balance at beginning of period	$	7,926		$	3,268		$	24,151		$	3,599		$	522		$	5,173	$	3,138	$	47,777
	Provision for loan and lease losses	5,385			(3,115		)	2,659			593			(132		)	1,937		1,387		8,714
	Gross charge-offs	3,415			1			8,326			1,016			335			2,409		1,781		17,283
	Recoveries	672			672			1,994			203			310			508		262		4,621
	Total net charge-offs	2,743			(671		)	6,332			813			25			1,901		1,519		12,662
	Ending allowance for loan and lease losses	$	10,568		$	824		$	20,478		$	3,379		$	365		$	5,209	$	3,006	$	43,829
	Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment	$	2,080		$	0		$	2,872		$	348		$	0		$	2	$	0	$	5,302
	Ending allowance on loans collectively evaluated for impairment	8,488			824			17,606			3,031			365			5,207		3,006		38,527
	Ending allowance for loan and lease losses	$	10,568		$	824		$	20,478		$	3,379		$	365		$	5,209	$	3,006	$	43,829
	Loans - excluding covered loans
	Ending balance of loans individually evaluated for impairment	$	10,391		$	0		$	18,023		$	3,493		$	122		$	648	$	0	$	32,677
	Ending balance of loans collectively evaluated for impairment	1,025,277			80,741			1,478,964			349,438			47,011			375,806		115,727		3,472,964
	Total loans - excluding covered loans	$	1,035,668		$	80,741		$	1,496,987		$	352,931		$	47,133		$	376,454	$	115,727	$	3,505,641
Changes in the Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses for the Current and Comparable Quarter	'
		Three months ended						Nine months ended
		September 30,						September 30,
	(Dollars in thousands)	2014			2013			2014			2013
	Balance at beginning of period	$	42,027		$	47,047		$	43,829		$	47,777
	Provision for loan and lease losses	1,093			1,413			2,281			6,863
	Loans charged off	(1,816		)	(5,111		)	(6,427		)	(12,515		)
	Recoveries	1,150			2,165			2,771			3,389
	Balance at end of period	$	42,454		$	45,514		$	42,454		$	45,514
	Total loans	$	4,449,972		$	3,430,916		$	4,449,972		$	3,430,916
	Allowance for loan and lease losses to total ending loans	0.95		%	1.33		%	0.95		%	1.33		%
Covered Loans	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses by Classification	'
	The allowance for loan and lease losses on covered loans is presented in the table below:
	(Dollars in thousands)	September 30, 2014			31-Dec-13
	Commercial	$	5,468		$	9,400
	Real estate - commercial	5,186			8,515
	Real estate - residential	750			761
	Installment	131			225
	Total	$	11,535		$	18,901
Changes in the Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses for the Current and Comparable Quarter	'
	Changes in the allowance for loan and lease losses on covered loans were as follows:
		Three months ended						Nine months ended
		September 30,						September 30,
	(Dollars in thousands)	2014			2013			2014			2013
	Balance at beginning of period	$	12,425		$	32,961		$	18,901		$	45,190
	Provision for loan and lease losses	(200		)	5,293			(2,805		)	6,052
	Loans charged-off	(3,053		)	(21,009		)	(13,778		)	(35,374		)
	Recoveries	2,363			6,014			9,217			7,391
	Balance at end of period	$	11,535		$	23,259		$	11,535		$	23,259
	Total loans	$	332,265		$	518,524		$	332,265		$	518,524
	Allowance for loan and lease losses to total ending loans	3.47		%	4.49		%	3.47		%	4.49		%

GOODWILL_AND_OTHER_INTANGIBLE_1

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS GOODWILL (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Changes in the Carrying Amount of Goodwill	'
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Balance at January 1, 2014	$	95,050
	Goodwill resulting from business combinations	42,408
	Balance at September 30, 2014	$	137,458

BORROWINGS_Tables

BORROWINGS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Summary of Long-term Debt [Table Text Block]	'
	The following is a summary of long-term debt:
		September 30, 2014				December 31, 2013
	(Dollars in thousands)	Amount		Average rate		Amount		Average rate
	Federal Home Loan Bank	$	26,881	3.01	%	$	7,505	3.72	%
	National Market Repurchase Agreement	25,000		3.54	%	52,500		3.49	%
	Capital loan with municipality	775		0	%	775		0	%
	Total long-term debt	$	52,656	3.22	%	$	60,780	3.48	%

ACCUMULATED_OTHER_COMPREHENSIV1

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Related Tax Effects Allocated to Other Comprehensive Income and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'
	The related tax effects allocated to other comprehensive income and reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are as follows:
		Three months ended September 30, 2014
		Total other comprehensive income																			Total accumulated
																					other comprehensive income
	(Dollars in thousands)	Prior to				Reclassification				Pre-tax				Tax-effect				Net of tax			Beginning Balance			Net Activity			Ending Balance
		Reclassification				from
	Unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities	$	(374	)		$	0			$	(374	)		$	118			$	(256	)	$	(5,956	)	$	(256	)	$	(6,212	)
	Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	1,096				(117		)		1,213				(453		)		760			(492		)	760			268
	Retirement obligation	0				(302		)		302				(113		)		189			(15,091		)	189			(14,902		)
	Foreign currency translation	(12		)		0				(12		)		0				(12		)	(30		)	(12		)	(42		)
	Total	$	710			$	(419	)		$	1,129			$	(448	)		$	681		$	(21,569	)	$	681		$	(20,888	)
		Three months ended September 30, 2013
		Total other comprehensive income																			Total accumulated
																					other comprehensive income
	(Dollars in thousands)	Prior to				Reclassification				Pre-tax				Tax-effect				Net of tax			Beginning Balance			Net Activity			Ending Balance
		Reclassification				from
	Unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities	$	(5,956	)		$	0			$	(5,956	)		$	1,953			$	(4,003	)	$	(5,765	)	$	(4,003	)	$	(9,768	)
	Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	(1,475		)		(161		)		(1,314		)		496				(818		)	673			(818		)	(145		)
	Retirement obligation	0				(1,873		)		1,873				(707		)		1,166			(20,528		)	1,166			(19,362		)
	Foreign currency translation	6				0				6				0				6			(25		)	6			(19		)
	Total	$	(7,425	)		$	(2,034	)		$	(5,391	)		$	1,742			$	(3,649	)	$	(25,645	)	$	(3,649	)	$	(29,294	)
		Nine months ended September 30, 2014
		Total other comprehensive income																			Total accumulated
																					other comprehensive income
	(Dollars in thousands)	Prior to				Reclassification				Pre-tax				Tax-effect				Net of tax			Beginning Balance			Net Activity			Ending Balance
		Reclassification				from
	Unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities	$	15,869			$	50			$	15,819			$	(5,742	)		$	10,077		$	(16,289	)	$	10,077		$	(6,212	)
	Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	(881		)		(348		)		(533		)		199				(334		)	602			(334		)	268
	Retirement obligation	0				(1,059		)		1,059				(396		)		663			(15,565		)	663			(14,902		)
	Foreign currency translation	(13		)		0				(13		)		0				(13		)	(29		)	(13		)	(42		)
	Total	$	14,975			$	(1,357	)		$	16,332			$	(5,939	)		$	10,393		$	(31,281	)	$	10,393		$	(20,888	)
		Nine months ended September 30, 2013
		Total other comprehensive income																			Total accumulated
																					other comprehensive income
	(Dollars in thousands)	Prior to				Reclassification				Pre-tax				Tax-effect				Net of tax			Beginning Balance			Net Activity			Ending Balance
		Reclassification				from
	Unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities	$	(34,212	)		$	1,724			$	(35,936	)		$	13,366			$	(22,570	)	$	12,802		$	(22,570	)	$	(9,768	)
	Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	(298		)		(295		)		(3		)		1				(2		)	(143		)	(2		)	(145		)
	Retirement obligation	11,719				(7,523		)		19,242				(7,266		)		11,976			(31,338		)	11,976			(19,362		)
	Foreign currency translation	(21		)		0				(21		)		0				(21		)	2			(21		)	(19		)
	Total	$	(22,812	)		$	(6,094	)		$	(16,718	)		$	6,101			$	(10,617	)	$	(18,677	)	$	(10,617	)	$	(29,294	)
Other Accumulated Comprehensive income reclassified from AOCI [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table presents the activity reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into income during the three and nine month periods:
			Amount reclassified from
			accumulated other comprehensive income (1)
			Three months ended								Nine months ended
			September 30,								September 30,
	(Dollars in thousands)		2014				2013				2014				2013				Affected Line Item in the Consolidated Statements of Income
	Gains and losses on cash flow hedges
	Interest rate contracts		$	(117	)		$	(161	)		$	(348	)		$	(295	)		Interest expense - deposits
	Realized gains and losses on securities available-for-sale		0				0				50				1,724				Gains on sales of investments securities
	Defined benefit pension plan
	Amortization of prior service cost (2)		103				105				309				317				Salaries and employee benefits
	Recognized net actuarial loss (2)		(405		)		(582		)		(1,368		)		(2,128		)		Salaries and employee benefits
	Pension settlement charges		0				(1,396		)		0				(5,712		)		Pension settlement charges
	Amortization and settlement charges of defined benefit pension items		(302		)		(1,873		)		(1,059		)		(7,523		)
	Total reclassifications for the period, before tax		$	(419	)		$	(2,034	)		$	(1,357	)		$	(6,094	)
	(1) Negative amount are reductions to net income.
	(2) Included in the computation of net periodic pension cost (see Note 13 - Employee Benefit Plans for additional details).

DERIVATIVES_Tables

DERIVATIVES (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Summary of Derivative Financial Instruments and Balances	'
	The following table details the location and amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for fair value hedges:
					September 30, 2014											December 31, 2013
									Estimated fair value											Estimated fair value
	(Dollars in thousands)		Balance sheet location		Notional				Gain			Loss				Notional				Gain			Loss
					amount											amount
	Fair value hedges - instruments associated with loans
	Pay fixed interest rate swaps with counterparty		Accrued interest and other liabilities		$	8,913			$	0		$	(528	)		$	9,836			$	0		$	(865	)
	Matched interest rate swaps with borrower		Accrued interest and other assets		406,276				9,373			(753		)		451,744				11,710			(1,767		)
	Matched interest rate swaps with counterparty		Accrued interest and other liabilities		406,276				753			(9,469		)		451,744				1,767			(11,799		)
	Total				$	821,465			$	10,126		$	(10,750	)		$	913,324			$	13,477		$	(14,431	)
Disclosure by Type of Financial Instrument [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table discloses the gross and net amounts of liabilities recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets:
		September 30, 2014											December 31, 2013
	(Dollars in thousands)	Gross amounts of recognized liabilities				Gross amounts offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets				Net amounts of liabilities presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets			Gross amounts of recognized liabilities				Gross amounts offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets				Net amounts of liabilities presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
	Fair value hedges
	Pay fixed interest rate swaps with counterparty	$	528			$	0			$	528		$	865			$	(663	)		$	202
	Matched interest rate swaps with counterparty	10,222				(8,610		)		1,612			13,566				(9,533		)		4,033
	Total	$	10,750			$	(8,610	)		$	2,140		$	14,431			$	(10,196	)		$	4,235
Derivative Financial Instruments, Average Remaining Maturity and the Weighted-Average Interest Rates being Paid and Received	'
	The following table details the derivative financial instruments, the average remaining maturities and the weighted-average interest rates being paid and received by First Financial at September 30, 2014:
												Weighted-average rate
	(Dollars in thousands)		Notional				Average		Fair			Receive			Pay
			amount				maturity		value
							(years)
	Asset conversion swaps
	Pay fixed interest rate swaps with counterparty		$	8,913			2.3		$	(528	)	2.11	%		6.85	%
	Receive fixed, matched interest rate swaps with borrower		406,276				4.1		8,620			4.67	%		2.71	%
	Pay fixed, matched interest rate swaps with counterparty		406,276				4.1		(8,716		)	2.71	%		4.67	%
	Total asset conversion swaps		$	821,465			4		$	(624	)	3.67	%		3.72	%

EMPLOYEE_BENEFIT_PLANS_Tables

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Employee Benefit Plan Amounts Recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and Consolidated Statements of Income	'
	The following table sets forth information concerning amounts recognized in First Financial’s Consolidated Statements of Income related to the Company's pension plan:
		Three months ended						Nine months ended
		September 30,						September 30,
	(Dollars in thousands)	2014			2013			2014			2013
	Service cost	$	1,007		$	916		$	3,089		$	2,789
	Interest cost	551			566			1,791			1,752
	Expected return on assets	(2,208		)	(2,231		)	(6,792		)	(6,755		)
	Amortization of prior service cost	(103		)	(105		)	(309		)	(317		)
	Net actuarial loss	405			582			1,368			2,128
	Settlement charge	0			1,396			0			5,712
	Net periodic benefit (income) cost	$	(348	)	$	1,124		$	(853	)	$	5,309

EARNINGS_PER_COMMON_SHARE_Tabl

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share	'
	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:
		Three months ended				Nine months ended
		September 30,				September 30,
	(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)	2014		2013		2014		2013
	Numerator
	Net income available to common shareholders	$	15,344	$	14,911	$	46,401	$	44,564
	Denominator
	Basic earnings per common share - weighted average shares	59,403,109		57,201,390		57,907,203		57,309,934
	Effect of dilutive securities —
	Employee stock awards	576,543		698,194		594,082		725,862
	Warrants	133,280		113,004		138,109		107,576
	Diluted earnings per common share - adjusted weighted average shares	60,112,932		58,012,588		58,639,394		58,143,372
	Earnings per share available to common shareholders
	Basic	$	0.26	$	0.26	$	0.8	$	0.78
	Diluted	$	0.26	$	0.26	$	0.79	$	0.77

FAIR_VALUE_DISCLOSURES_Tables

FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Estimated Fair Values of Financial Instruments	'
	The estimated fair values of First Financial’s financial instruments not measured at fair value on a recurring or nonrecurring basis in the consolidated financial statements were as follows:
		Carrying			Estimated fair value
	(Dollars in thousands)	value			Total			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	September 30, 2014
	Financial assets
	Cash and short-term investments	$	143,725		$	143,725		$	143,725	$	0	$	0
	Investment securities held-to-maturity	900,521			901,659			0		901,659		0
	Other investments	49,986			49,986			0		49,986		0
	Loans held for sale	16,816			16,816			0		16,816		0
	Loans - excluding covered loans	4,407,518			4,416,740			0		0		4,416,740
	Covered loans	320,730			318,372			0		0		318,372
	FDIC indemnification asset	24,160			12,482			0		0		12,482
	Financial liabilities
	Deposits
	Noninterest-bearing	$	1,243,367		$	1,243,367		$	0	$	1,243,367	$	0
	Interest-bearing demand	1,214,726			1,214,726			0		1,214,726		0
	Savings	1,827,590			1,827,590			0		1,827,590		0
	Time	1,247,334			1,244,218			0		1,244,218		0
	Total deposits	5,533,017			5,529,901			0		5,529,901		0
	Short-term borrowings	919,303			919,303			919,303		0		0
	Long-term debt	52,656			54,385			0		54,385		0
		Carrying			Estimated fair value
	(Dollars in thousands)	value			Total			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	31-Dec-13
	Financial assets
	Cash and short-term investments	$	143,450		$	143,450		$	143,450	$	0	$	0
	Investment securities held-to-maturity	837,272			824,985			0		824,985		0
	Other investments	47,427			47,427			0		47,427		0
	Loans held for sale	8,114			8,114			0		8,114		0
	Loans - excluding covered loans	3,461,812			3,455,776			0		0		3,455,776
	Covered loans	438,972			451,545			0		0		451,545
	FDIC indemnification asset	45,091			34,820			0		0		34,820
	Financial liabilities
	Deposits
	Noninterest-bearing	$	1,147,452		$	1,147,452		$	0	$	1,147,452	$	0
	Interest-bearing demand	1,125,723			1,125,723			0		1,125,723		0
	Savings	1,612,005			1,612,005			0		1,612,005		0
	Time	952,327			951,220			0		951,220		0
	Total deposits	4,837,507			4,836,400			0		4,836,400		0
	Short-term borrowings	748,749			748,749			748,749		0		0
	Long-term debt	60,780			62,706			0		62,706		0
Summary of Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis	'
	The financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the consolidated financial statements were as follows:
			Fair value measurements using
	(Dollars in thousands)		Level 1				Level 2			Level 3			Assets/liabilities
													at fair value
	September 30, 2014
	Assets
	Derivatives		$	0			$	10,126		$	0		$	10,126
	Investment securities available-for-sale		8,258				921,336			0			929,594
	Total		$	8,258			$	931,462		$	0		$	939,720
	Liabilities
	Derivatives		$	0			$	10,578		$	0		$	10,578
			Fair value measurements using
	(Dollars in thousands)		Level 1				Level 2			Level 3			Assets/liabilities
													at fair value
	December 31, 2013
	Assets
	Derivatives		$	0			$	13,477		$	0		$	13,477
	Investment securities available-for-sale		7,976				905,625			0			913,601
	Total		$	7,976			$	919,102		$	0		$	927,078
	Liabilities
	Derivatives		$	0			$	14,431		$	0		$	14,431
	(1) Amounts represent the impact of legally enforceable master netting arrangements that allow First Financial to settle positive and negative positions and also cash collateral held with the same counterparties.
Summary of Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis	'
	The following table summarizes financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis.
			Fair value measurements using
	(Dollars in thousands)		Level 1				Level 2			Level 3
	September 30, 2014
	Assets
	Impaired loans (1)		$	0			$	0		$	10,308
	OREO		0				0			7,316
	Covered OREO		0				0			6,605
			Fair value measurements using
	(Dollars in thousands)		Level 1				Level 2			Level 3
	December 31, 2013
	Assets
	Impaired loans (1)		$	0			$	0		$	13,699
	OREO		0				0			5,358
	Covered OREO		0				0			8,937
	(1) Amounts represent the fair value of collateral for impaired loans allocated to the allowance for loan and lease losses.  Fair values are determined using actual market prices (Level 1), observable market data for similar assets and liabilities (Level 2), and independent third party valuations and borrower records, discounted as appropriate (Level 3).

BUSINESS_COMBINATIONS_Tables

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Purchase price calculation as of the acquisition dates	'
	The following table provides the purchase price calculation as of the acquisition dates and the identifiable assets purchased and the liabilities assumed at their estimated fair value. These fair value measurements are based on third-party valuations.
	(Dollars in thousands)	First Bexley		Insight		Guernsey		Total
	Purchase consideration
	Cash consideration	$	10,810	$	9,880	$	13,500	$	34,190
	Stock consideration	33,699		26,730		0		60,429
	Other consideration	0		0		2,523		2,523
	Total purchase consideration	$	44,509	$	36,610	$	16,023	$	97,142
	Assets acquired
	Loans	$	314,807	$	219,008	$	72,448	$	606,263
	Intangible assets	1,280		1,277		999		3,556
	Other assets	25,517		30,882		61,375		117,774
	Total assets	$	341,604	$	251,167	$	134,822	$	727,593
	Liabilities assumed
	Deposits	$	273,860	$	179,330	$	115,415	$	568,605
	Borrowings	40,000		44,149		10,742		94,891
	Other liabilities	1,454		7,303		606		9,363
	Total liabilities	$	315,314	$	230,782	$	126,763	$	672,859
	Net identifiable assets	$	26,290	$	20,385	$	8,059	$	54,734
	Goodwill	$	18,219	$	16,225	$	7,964	$	42,408

INVESTMENTS_Summary_of_HeldToM

INVESTMENTS - Summary of Held-To-Maturity and Available-For-Sale Investment Securities (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'
Total	$900,521	$837,272
Held-to-maturity Securities, Accumulated Unrecognized Holding Gain	6,502	1,772
Held-to-maturity Securities, Accumulated Unrecognized Holding Loss	-5,364	-14,059
Held-to-Maturity Market Value	901,659	824,985
Total	944,217	945,052
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Gain Accumulated In Investments	7,378	5,645
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Loss Accumulated In Investments	-22,001	-37,096
Investment securities available-for-sale	929,594	913,601
U.S. Treasuries	'	'
Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'
Total	0	0
Held-to-maturity Securities, Accumulated Unrecognized Holding Gain	0	0
Held-to-maturity Securities, Accumulated Unrecognized Holding Loss	0	0
Held-to-Maturity Market Value	0	0
Total	97	97
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Gain Accumulated In Investments	0	0
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Loss Accumulated In Investments	-3	-7
Investment securities available-for-sale	94	90
Securities of U.S. government agencies and corporations	'	'
Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'
Total	17,917	18,981
Held-to-maturity Securities, Accumulated Unrecognized Holding Gain	0	0
Held-to-maturity Securities, Accumulated Unrecognized Holding Loss	-231	-791
Held-to-Maturity Market Value	17,686	18,190
Total	12,304	9,980
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Gain Accumulated In Investments	3	0
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Loss Accumulated In Investments	-37	-404
Investment securities available-for-sale	12,270	9,576
Mortgage-backed securities	'	'
Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'
Total	832,728	775,025
Held-to-maturity Securities, Accumulated Unrecognized Holding Gain	5,290	1,337
Held-to-maturity Securities, Accumulated Unrecognized Holding Loss	-4,656	-12,229
Held-to-Maturity Market Value	833,362	764,133
Total	700,167	678,267
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Gain Accumulated In Investments	4,967	5,372
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Loss Accumulated In Investments	-19,273	-28,593
Investment securities available-for-sale	685,861	655,046
Obligations of state and other political subdivisions	'	'
Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'
Total	26,308	25,788
Held-to-maturity Securities, Accumulated Unrecognized Holding Gain	442	152
Held-to-maturity Securities, Accumulated Unrecognized Holding Loss	-418	-1,039
Held-to-Maturity Market Value	26,332	24,901
Total	49,824	33,410
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Gain Accumulated In Investments	588	10
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Loss Accumulated In Investments	-1,008	-3,097
Investment securities available-for-sale	49,404	30,323
Asset-backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'
Total	0	0
Held-to-maturity Securities, Accumulated Unrecognized Holding Gain	0	0
Held-to-maturity Securities, Accumulated Unrecognized Holding Loss	0	0
Held-to-Maturity Market Value	0	0
Total	76,693	114,209
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Gain Accumulated In Investments	244	1
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Loss Accumulated In Investments	-1	-616
Investment securities available-for-sale	76,936	113,594
Other securities	'	'
Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'
Total	23,568	17,478
Held-to-maturity Securities, Accumulated Unrecognized Holding Gain	770	283
Held-to-maturity Securities, Accumulated Unrecognized Holding Loss	-59	0
Held-to-Maturity Market Value	24,279	17,761
Total	105,132	109,089
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Gain Accumulated In Investments	1,576	262
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Loss Accumulated In Investments	-1,679	-4,379
Investment securities available-for-sale	$105,029	$104,972

INVESTMENTS_Summary_of_Investm

INVESTMENTS - Summary of Investment Securities by Estimated Maturity (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Held-to-Maturity Amortized Cost	'	'
Due in one year or less	$268	'
Due after one year through five years	402,027	'
Due after five years through ten years	354,896	'
Due after ten years	143,330	'
Total	900,521	837,272
Held-to-Maturity Market Value	'	'
Due in one year or less	271	'
Due after one year through five years	401,829	'
Due after five years through ten years	355,179	'
Due after ten years	144,380	'
Held-to-Maturity Market Value	901,659	824,985
Available-for-Sale Amortized Cost	'	'
Due in one year or less	12,735	'
Due after one year through five years	348,661	'
Due after five years through ten years	266,513	'
Due after ten years	316,308	'
Total	944,217	945,052
Available-for-Sale Market Value	'	'
Due in one year or less	12,738	'
Due after one year through five years	346,665	'
Due after five years through ten years	260,869	'
Due after ten years	309,322	'
Available-for-Sale Market Value	$929,594	$913,601

INVESTMENTS_Age_of_Gross_Unrea

INVESTMENTS - Age of Gross Unrealized Losses and Associated Fair Value by Investment Category (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]	'	'
Less than 12 Months Fair Value	$288,460	$1,209,292
Less than 12 Months Unrealized Loss	-2,889	-41,454
12 Months or More Fair Value	583,216	118,662
12 Months or More Unrealized Loss	-22,830	-6,708
Total Fair Value	871,676	1,327,954
Total Unrealized Loss	-25,719	-48,162
Securities of U.S. government agencies and corporations	'	'
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]	'	'
Less than 12 Months Fair Value	1,470	27,851
Less than 12 Months Unrealized Loss	-5	-970
12 Months or More Fair Value	17,944	0
12 Months or More Unrealized Loss	-126	0
Total Fair Value	19,414	27,851
Total Unrealized Loss	-131	-970
Mortgage-backed securities	'	'
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]	'	'
Less than 12 Months Fair Value	252,959	966,718
Less than 12 Months Unrealized Loss	-2,616	-32,432
12 Months or More Fair Value	496,254	108,929
12 Months or More Unrealized Loss	-20,077	-6,101
Total Fair Value	749,213	1,075,647
Total Unrealized Loss	-22,693	-38,533
Obligations of state and other political subdivisions	'	'
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]	'	'
Less than 12 Months Fair Value	14,267	66,502
Less than 12 Months Unrealized Loss	-174	-5,294
12 Months or More Fair Value	38,578	1,935
12 Months or More Unrealized Loss	-1,323	-46
Total Fair Value	52,845	68,437
Total Unrealized Loss	-1,497	-5,340
Asset-backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]	'	'
Less than 12 Months Fair Value	10,510	93,355
Less than 12 Months Unrealized Loss	-1	-616
12 Months or More Fair Value	0	0
12 Months or More Unrealized Loss	0	0
Total Fair Value	10,510	93,355
Total Unrealized Loss	-1	-616
Other securities	'	'
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]	'	'
Less than 12 Months Fair Value	9,254	54,866
Less than 12 Months Unrealized Loss	-93	-2,142
12 Months or More Fair Value	30,440	7,798
12 Months or More Unrealized Loss	-1,304	-561
Total Fair Value	39,694	62,664
Total Unrealized Loss	($1,397)	($2,703)

LOANS_Additional_Information_D

LOANS - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restructured Loans, Nonaccrual Status	$13,200,000	'	$13,200,000	'	'	$13,000,000	'	'
Total loans	332,265,000	518,524,000	332,265,000	518,524,000	'	457,873,000	'	'
Gain (loss) on sale of other real estate owned	-844,000	-184,000	-1,575,000	-902,000	'	'	'	'
Non Covered Loans	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restructured Loans, Nonaccrual Status	13,200,000	'	13,200,000	'	'	13,000,000	'	'
Real Estate Acquired Through Foreclosure	11,316,000	11,804,000	11,316,000	11,804,000	13,370,000	19,806,000	11,798,000	12,526,000
Write-downs	837,000	213,000	1,533,000	1,104,000	'	'	'	'
Covered Loans	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restructured Loans, Nonaccrual Status	900,000	'	900,000	'	'	900,000	'	'
Loans, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Reimbursement Percentage on Losses Below Threshold	'	'	80.00%	'	'	'	'	'
Loans, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Reimbursement Percentage on Losses Above Threshold	'	'	95.00%	'	'	'	'	'
Real Estate Acquired Through Foreclosure	11,180,000	27,750,000	11,180,000	27,750,000	19,439,000	27,120,000	22,475,000	28,862,000
Write-downs	841,000	451,000	2,321,000	2,244,000	'	'	'	'
Commercial | Non Covered Loans	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restructured Loans, Loan Relationships, Review Threshold Amount Minimum	'	'	250,000	'	'	'	'	'
Loans Accounted for Under FASB ASC Topic 310-30	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total loans	279,285,000	'	279,285,000	'	'	399,655,000	'	'
Loans Accounted for Under FASB ASC Topic 310-30 | Covered Loans	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Outstanding balance including contractual principal, interest, fees, and penalties	$337,500,000	'	$337,500,000	'	'	$493,600,000	'	'

LOANS_Commercial_and_Consumer_

LOANS - Commercial and Consumer Credit Exposure by Risk Attribute (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'
Commercial	$1,304,782	$1,035,668
Real Estate - Construction	193,776	80,741
Real Estate - Commercial	1,952,055	1,496,987
Lease financing	73,216	80,135
Total Commercial	3,523,829	2,693,531
Real Estate Residential	426,558	352,931
Installment	47,561	47,133
Home equity	416,099	376,454
Other	35,925	35,592
Total	926,143	812,110
Pass	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'
Commercial	1,262,525	991,161
Real Estate - Construction	188,144	78,872
Real Estate - Commercial	1,867,535	1,422,215
Lease financing	71,314	80,135
Total Commercial	3,389,518	2,572,383
Special Mention	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'
Commercial	23,592	23,053
Real Estate - Construction	3,830	65
Real Estate - Commercial	26,917	23,832
Lease financing	1,902	0
Total Commercial	56,241	46,950
Substandard	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'
Commercial	18,665	21,454
Real Estate - Construction	1,802	1,804
Real Estate - Commercial	57,603	50,940
Lease financing	0	0
Total Commercial	78,070	74,198
Doubtful	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'
Commercial	0	0
Real Estate - Construction	0	0
Real Estate - Commercial	0	0
Lease financing	0	0
Total Commercial	0	0
Performing	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'
Real Estate Residential	419,862	344,325
Installment	47,163	46,559
Home equity	413,518	373,472
Other	35,925	35,592
Total	916,468	799,948
Nonperforming	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'
Real Estate Residential	6,696	8,606
Installment	398	574
Home equity	2,581	2,982
Other	0	0
Total	$9,675	$12,162

LOANS_Loan_Delinquency_includi

LOANS - Loan Delinquency, including Nonaccrual Loans (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]	'	'
30 - 59 days past due	$10,783	$13,724
60 - 89 days past due	3,853	5,591
> 90 days past due	19,742	27,862
Total Past due	34,378	47,177
Current	4,415,594	3,458,464
Total loans, excluding covered loans	4,449,972	3,505,641
> 90 days past due and still accruing	249	218
Commercial	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]	'	'
30 - 59 days past due	2,063	2,016
60 - 89 days past due	333	161
> 90 days past due	1,727	7,136
Total Past due	4,123	9,313
Current	1,300,659	1,026,355
Total loans, excluding covered loans	1,304,782	1,035,668
> 90 days past due and still accruing	0	0
Real estate-construction	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]	'	'
30 - 59 days past due	0	0
60 - 89 days past due	0	0
> 90 days past due	223	223
Total Past due	223	223
Current	193,553	80,518
Total loans, excluding covered loans	193,776	80,741
> 90 days past due and still accruing	0	0
Real estate-commercial	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]	'	'
30 - 59 days past due	5,697	7,800
60 - 89 days past due	2,359	4,269
> 90 days past due	12,144	12,732
Total Past due	20,200	24,801
Current	1,931,855	1,472,186
Total loans, excluding covered loans	1,952,055	1,496,987
> 90 days past due and still accruing	0	0
Real estate - residential	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]	'	'
30 - 59 days past due	1,384	2,030
60 - 89 days past due	311	685
> 90 days past due	4,225	5,526
Total Past due	5,920	8,241
Current	420,638	344,690
Total loans, excluding covered loans	426,558	352,931
> 90 days past due and still accruing	0	0
Installment	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]	'	'
30 - 59 days past due	106	213
60 - 89 days past due	82	40
> 90 days past due	223	379
Total Past due	411	632
Current	47,150	46,501
Total loans, excluding covered loans	47,561	47,133
> 90 days past due and still accruing	0	0
Home equity	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]	'	'
30 - 59 days past due	1,043	985
60 - 89 days past due	553	292
> 90 days past due	951	1,648
Total Past due	2,547	2,925
Current	413,552	373,529
Total loans, excluding covered loans	416,099	376,454
> 90 days past due and still accruing	0	0
All other	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]	'	'
30 - 59 days past due	490	680
60 - 89 days past due	215	144
> 90 days past due	249	218
Total Past due	954	1,042
Current	108,187	114,685
Total loans, excluding covered loans	109,141	115,727
> 90 days past due and still accruing	249	218
Non Covered Loans | Commercial	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]	'	'
Total loans, excluding covered loans	1,304,782	1,035,668
Non Covered Loans | Real estate-construction	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]	'	'
Total loans, excluding covered loans	193,776	80,741
Non Covered Loans | Real estate-commercial	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]	'	'
Total loans, excluding covered loans	1,952,055	1,496,987
Non Covered Loans | Real estate - residential	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]	'	'
Total loans, excluding covered loans	426,558	352,931
Non Covered Loans | Installment	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]	'	'
Total loans, excluding covered loans	47,561	47,133
Non Covered Loans | Home equity	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]	'	'
Total loans, excluding covered loans	416,099	376,454
Non Covered Loans | All other	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]	'	'
Total loans, excluding covered loans	$109,141	$115,727

LOANS_Restructured_Loans_Detai

LOANS - Restructured Loans (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
	loans		D		loans
			loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructured loans, Number of Loans	24	25	84	113	'
Restructured loans, Restructured loans, Pre-Modification Loan Balance	$4,541,000	$3,711,000	$9,045,000	$16,705,000	'
Restructured loans, Period End Balance	4,152,000	3,599,000	8,351,000	14,004,000	'
Restructured loans with payment default within 12 months of modification, Number of Loans	1	5	8	18	'
Restructured loans with payment default within 12 months of modification, Period End Balance	1,000	103,000	263,000	5,220,000	'
Restructured loans on accrual status	13,369,000	'	13,369,000	'	15,094,000
Restructured Loans, Nonaccrual Status	13,200,000	'	13,200,000	'	13,000,000
Commercial	'	'	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructured loans, Number of Loans	6	4	11	14	'
Restructured loans, Restructured loans, Pre-Modification Loan Balance	3,712,000	494,000	3,938,000	8,233,000	'
Restructured loans, Period End Balance	3,384,000	490,000	3,594,000	6,105,000	'
Restructured loans with payment default within 12 months of modification, Number of Loans	0	1	1	4	'
Restructured loans with payment default within 12 months of modification, Period End Balance	0	29,000	143,000	4,882,000	'
Real estate-construction	'	'	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructured loans, Number of Loans	0	0	0	0	'
Restructured loans, Restructured loans, Pre-Modification Loan Balance	0	0	0	0	'
Restructured loans, Period End Balance	0	0	0	0	'
Restructured loans with payment default within 12 months of modification, Number of Loans	0	0	0	0	'
Restructured loans with payment default within 12 months of modification, Period End Balance	0	0	0	0	'
Real estate-commercial	'	'	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructured loans, Number of Loans	2	10	11	17	'
Restructured loans, Restructured loans, Pre-Modification Loan Balance	375,000	2,502,000	2,583,000	4,752,000	'
Restructured loans, Period End Balance	373,000	2,493,000	2,453,000	4,719,000	'
Restructured loans with payment default within 12 months of modification, Number of Loans	0	1	0	2	'
Restructured loans with payment default within 12 months of modification, Period End Balance	0	3,000	0	63,000	'
Residential	'	'	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructured loans, Number of Loans	7	3	30	33	'
Restructured loans, Restructured loans, Pre-Modification Loan Balance	322,000	387,000	1,712,000	2,356,000	'
Restructured loans, Period End Balance	264,000	367,000	1,527,000	2,178,000	'
Restructured loans with payment default within 12 months of modification, Number of Loans	1	0	3	3	'
Restructured loans with payment default within 12 months of modification, Period End Balance	1,000	0	28,000	185,000	'
Installment	'	'	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructured loans, Number of Loans	3	3	6	14	'
Restructured loans, Restructured loans, Pre-Modification Loan Balance	6,000	34,000	21,000	188,000	'
Restructured loans, Period End Balance	6,000	33,000	19,000	115,000	'
Restructured loans with payment default within 12 months of modification, Number of Loans	0	1	1	4	'
Restructured loans with payment default within 12 months of modification, Period End Balance	0	17,000	0	26,000	'
Home equity	'	'	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructured loans, Number of Loans	6	5	26	35	'
Restructured loans, Restructured loans, Pre-Modification Loan Balance	126,000	294,000	791,000	1,176,000	'
Restructured loans, Period End Balance	125,000	216,000	758,000	887,000	'
Restructured loans with payment default within 12 months of modification, Number of Loans	0	2	3	5	'
Restructured loans with payment default within 12 months of modification, Period End Balance	0	54,000	92,000	64,000	'
Non Covered Loans	'	'	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Extended Maturities	3,505,000	2,179,000	4,402,000	8,848,000	'
Adjusted Interest Rates	0	0	301,000	520,000	'
Combined Rate And Maturity	402,000	613,000	1,643,000	850,000	'
Forebearance Agreements	0	0	320,000	0	'
Other	245,000	807,000	1,685,000	3,786,000	'
Total	4,152,000	3,599,000	8,351,000	14,004,000	'
Number of Restructured Loans	246	'	246	'	217
Total restructured loans	26,600,000	'	26,600,000	'	28,100,000
Restructured loans on accrual status	13,400,000	'	13,400,000	'	15,100,000
Restructured Loans, Nonaccrual Status	13,200,000	'	13,200,000	'	13,000,000
Allowance for loan and lease losses lncluded in reserves for restructured loans	2,900,000	'	2,900,000	'	4,400,000
Restructured loans uncollectible portion written off	100,000	'	900,000	'	2,800,000
Accruing TDRs performing in accordance with restructured terms for more than one year	10,800,000	'	10,800,000	'	9,000,000
Restructured loans performance threshold (days)	'	'	90	'	'
Non Covered Loans | Residential	'	'	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructured Loans, Loan Relationships, Review Threshold Amount Minimum	'	'	$100,000	'	'

LOANS_Nonaccrual_Restructured_

LOANS - Nonaccrual, Restructured and Impaired Loans (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Commercial

Commercial

Commercial

Real estate-construction

Real estate-construction

Real estate-construction

Real estate-commercial

Real estate-commercial

Real estate-commercial

Real estate - residential

Real estate - residential

Real estate - residential

Installment

Installment

Installment

Home equity

Home equity

Home equity

Other

Other

Other

Non Covered Loans

Non Covered Loans

Non Covered Loans

Non Covered Loans

Non Covered Loans

Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Nonaccrual loans

$41,646,000

$41,646,000

$37,605,000

'

$6,486,000

$6,486,000

$7,934,000

$223,000

$223,000

$223,000

$25,262,000

$25,262,000

$17,286,000

$6,696,000

$6,696,000

$8,606,000

$398,000

$398,000

$574,000

$2,581,000

$2,581,000

$2,982,000

$0

$0

$0

'

'

'

'

'

Restructured loans - accrual status

13,369,000

13,369,000

15,094,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

13,400,000

'

13,400,000

'

15,100,000

Restructured loans - nonaccrual status

13,200,000

13,200,000

13,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

13,200,000

'

13,200,000

'

13,000,000

Total restructured loans

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

26,600,000

'

26,600,000

'

28,100,000

Total impaired loans

55,015,000

55,015,000

52,699,000

'

9,657,000

9,657,000

12,225,000

223,000

223,000

223,000

30,403,000

30,403,000

23,993,000

11,207,000

11,207,000

12,307,000

415,000

415,000

642,000

3,110,000

3,110,000

3,309,000

0

0

0

'

'

'

'

'

Interest income effect

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Gross amount of interest that would have been recorded under original terms

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

838,000

1,142,000

2,342,000

3,399,000

'

Interest included in income

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Nonaccrual loans

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

168,000

130,000

329,000

472,000

'

Restructured loans

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

110,000

115,000

320,000

316,000

'

Interest income recognized

278,000

649,000

974,000

'

61,000

140,000

236,000

0

0

7,000

144,000

303,000

490,000

55,000

158,000

189,000

2,000

6,000

6,000

16,000

42,000

46,000

0

0

0

278,000

245,000

649,000

788,000

'

Loans and Leases Receivable, Impaired, Interest Lost on Nonaccrual Loans

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

560,000

897,000

1,693,000

2,611,000

'

Loans and Leases Receivable-Nonaccrual, future commitment to lend

$0

$0

'

$0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

LOANS_Investment_in_Impaired_L

LOANS - Investment in Impaired Loans (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Commercial

Commercial

Commercial

Real estate-construction

Real estate-construction

Real estate-construction

Real estate-commercial

Real estate-commercial

Real estate-commercial

Real estate - residential

Real estate - residential

Real estate - residential

Installment

Installment

Installment

Home equity

Home equity

Home equity

Other

Other

Other

Non Covered Loans

Non Covered Loans

Non Covered Loans

Non Covered Loans

Non Covered Loans

Non Covered Loans

Non Covered Loans

Non Covered Loans

Non Covered Loans

Non Covered Loans

Non Covered Loans

Non Covered Loans

Non Covered Loans

Non Covered Loans

Non Covered Loans

Non Covered Loans

Non Covered Loans

Loans with no related allowance recorded [member]

Loans with no related allowance recorded [member]

Loans with no related allowance recorded [member]

Loans with no related allowance recorded [member]

Loans with no related allowance recorded [member]

Loans with no related allowance recorded [member]

Loans with no related allowance recorded [member]

Loans with no related allowance recorded [member]

Loans with no related allowance recorded [member]

Loans with no related allowance recorded [member]

Loans with no related allowance recorded [member]

Loans with no related allowance recorded [member]

Loans with no related allowance recorded [member]

Loans with no related allowance recorded [member]

Loans with no related allowance recorded [member]

Loans with no related allowance recorded [member]

Impaired Financing Receivables With Related Allowance [Member]

Impaired Financing Receivables With Related Allowance [Member]

Impaired Financing Receivables With Related Allowance [Member]

Impaired Financing Receivables With Related Allowance [Member]

Impaired Financing Receivables With Related Allowance [Member]

Impaired Financing Receivables With Related Allowance [Member]

Impaired Financing Receivables With Related Allowance [Member]

Impaired Financing Receivables With Related Allowance [Member]

Impaired Financing Receivables With Related Allowance [Member]

Impaired Financing Receivables With Related Allowance [Member]

Impaired Financing Receivables With Related Allowance [Member]

Impaired Financing Receivables With Related Allowance [Member]

Impaired Financing Receivables With Related Allowance [Member]

Impaired Financing Receivables With Related Allowance [Member]

Impaired Financing Receivables With Related Allowance [Member]

Impaired Financing Receivables With Related Allowance [Member]

Commercial

Commercial

Real estate-construction

Real estate-construction

Real estate-commercial

Real estate-commercial

Real estate - residential

Real estate - residential

Installment

Installment

Other

Other

Commercial

Commercial

Real estate-construction

Real estate-construction

Real estate-commercial

Real estate-commercial

Real estate - residential

Real estate - residential

Installment

Installment

Home equity

Home equity

Other

Other

Commercial

Commercial

Real estate-construction

Real estate-construction

Real estate-commercial

Real estate-commercial

Real estate - residential

Real estate - residential

Installment

Installment

Home equity

Home equity

Other

Other

Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Current balance

$55,015

$55,015

$52,699

$9,657

$9,657

$12,225

$223

$223

$223

$30,403

$30,403

$23,993

$11,207

$11,207

$12,307

$415

$415

$642

$3,110

$3,110

$3,309

$0

$0

$0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$38,336

$31,931

$6,581

$5,212

$223

$223

$19,031

$12,355

$9,077

$10,291

$415

$642

$3,009

$3,208

$0

$0

$16,679

$20,768

$3,076

$7,013

$0

$0

$11,372

$11,638

$2,130

$2,016

$0

$0

$101

$101

$0

$0

Contractual Principal Balance

65,383

65,383

65,765

11,265

11,265

15,436

443

443

443

36,437

36,437

30,855

12,710

12,710

14,159

459

459

663

4,069

4,069

4,209

0

0

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

47,341

40,815

7,981

7,083

443

443

23,970

16,431

10,520

12,087

459

663

3,968

4,108

0

0

18,042

24,950

3,284

8,353

0

0

12,467

14,424

2,190

2,072

0

0

101

101

0

0

Related Allowance

4,510

4,510

5,302

802

802

2,080

0

0

0

3,338

3,338

2,872

368

368

348

0

0

0

2

2

2

0

0

0

4,510

'

4,510

'

5,302

802

2,080

0

0

3,338

2,872

368

348

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

4,510

5,302

802

2,080

0

0

3,338

2,872

368

348

0

0

2

2

0

0

Average current balance

'

50,371

70,991

'

10,789

15,759

'

223

1,325

'

24,156

37,661

'

11,572

12,222

'

512

463

'

3,119

3,246

'

0

315

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

33,241

41,855

6,095

10,712

223

599

13,927

16,563

9,466

10,225

512

463

3,018

3,145

0

148

17,130

29,136

4,694

5,047

0

726

10,229

21,098

2,106

1,997

0

0

101

101

0

167

Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Interest Income, Accrual Method

181

472

747

44

97

165

0

0

0

75

201

380

45

128

152

2

6

6

15

40

44

0

0

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Interest Income, Accrual Method

97

177

227

17

43

71

0

0

7

69

102

110

10

30

37

0

0

0

1

2

2

0

0

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest income recognized

$278

$649

$974

$61

$140

$236

$0

$0

$7

$144

$303

$490

$55

$158

$189

$2

$6

$6

$16

$42

$46

$0

$0

$0

$278

$245

$649

$788

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

LOANS_Changes_in_Other_Real_Es

LOANS - Changes in Other Real Estate Owned (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Disposals	'	'	$28,713	$23,590
Non Covered Loans	'	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	13,370	11,798	19,806	12,526
Additions	1,057	873	3,791	3,569
Disposals	2,274	654	10,748	3,187
Write-downs	837	213	1,533	1,104
Balance at end of period	11,316	11,804	11,316	11,804
Non Covered Loans | Commercial	'	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Additions	883	608	2,274	2,924
Disposals	2,197	500	10,243	2,382
Write-downs	772	71	1,310	632
Non Covered Loans | Residential	'	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Additions	174	265	1,517	645
Disposals	77	154	505	805
Write-downs	$65	$142	$223	$472

LOANS_covered_Additional_Infor

LOANS (covered) - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended					3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
				Loans Accounted for Under FASB ASC Topic 310-30	Loans Accounted for Under FASB ASC Topic 310-30	Covered Loans	Covered Loans	Covered Loans	Covered Loans	Covered Loans	Covered Loans
										Loans Accounted for Under FASB ASC Topic 310-30	Loans Accounted for Under FASB ASC Topic 310-30
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Loans, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Reimbursement Percentage on Losses Below Threshold	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	80.00%	'	'	'
Loans, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Reimbursement Percentage on Losses Above Threshold	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	95.00%	'	'	'
Loans-FDIC Coverage Lost	$190,300,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Loans-FDIC Coverage Lost percentage	57.30%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Covered loans	332,265,000	457,873,000	518,524,000	279,285,000	399,655,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Outstanding balance including contractual principal, interest, fees, and penalties	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	337,500,000	493,600,000
Reclassification from/(to) non-accretable difference	'	'	'	'	'	($2,295,000)	($4,979,000)	$19,864,000	($5,687,000)	'	'

LOANS_covered_Carrying_Value_o

LOANS (covered) - Carrying Value of Purchased Impaired and Nonimpaired Loans (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total loans	$332,265	$457,873	$518,524
Commercial	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total loans	23,744	42,316	'
Real estate-construction	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total loans	1,748	8,556	'
Real estate-commercial	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total loans	183,913	268,633	'
Real estate - residential	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total loans	72,315	80,733	'
Installment	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total loans	3,570	5,641	'
Home equity	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total loans	44,858	49,624	'
Other	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total loans	2,117	2,370	'
Loans Accounted for Under FASB ASC Topic 310-30	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total loans	279,285	399,655	'
Loans Accounted for Under FASB ASC Topic 310-30 | Commercial	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total loans	22,403	41,172	'
Loans Accounted for Under FASB ASC Topic 310-30 | Real estate-construction	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total loans	1,748	8,556	'
Loans Accounted for Under FASB ASC Topic 310-30 | Real estate-commercial	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total loans	178,618	263,146	'
Loans Accounted for Under FASB ASC Topic 310-30 | Real estate - residential	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total loans	72,315	80,733	'
Loans Accounted for Under FASB ASC Topic 310-30 | Installment	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total loans	3,073	5,073	'
Loans Accounted for Under FASB ASC Topic 310-30 | Home equity	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total loans	1,128	975	'
Loans Accounted for Under FASB ASC Topic 310-30 | Other	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total loans	0	0	'
Loans Excluded from FASB ASC Topic 310-30	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total loans	52,980	58,218	'
Loans Excluded from FASB ASC Topic 310-30 | Commercial	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total loans	1,341	1,144	'
Loans Excluded from FASB ASC Topic 310-30 | Real estate-construction	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total loans	0	0	'
Loans Excluded from FASB ASC Topic 310-30 | Real estate-commercial	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total loans	5,295	5,487	'
Loans Excluded from FASB ASC Topic 310-30 | Real estate - residential	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total loans	0	0	'
Loans Excluded from FASB ASC Topic 310-30 | Installment	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total loans	497	568	'
Loans Excluded from FASB ASC Topic 310-30 | Home equity	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total loans	43,730	48,649	'
Loans Excluded from FASB ASC Topic 310-30 | Other	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total loans	$2,117	$2,370	'

LOANS_covered_Carrying_Amount_

LOANS (covered) - Carrying Amount of Accretable Yield for Purchased Impaired and Nonimpaired Loans (Details) (Covered Loans, USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Covered Loans	'	'	'	'
Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer Not Accounted for as Debt Securities, Accretable Yield Movement Schedule [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	$127,764	$173,920	$133,671	$224,694
Reclassification from/(to) non-accretable difference	-2,295	-4,979	19,864	-5,687
Accretion	-8,158	-13,772	-26,808	-46,971
Other net activity	-4,250	-8,347	-13,666	-25,214
Balance at end of period	$113,061	$146,822	$113,061	$146,822

LOANS_covered_Covered_Commerci

LOANS (covered) - Covered Commercial and Consumer Credit Exposure by Risk Attribute (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total loans	$332,265	$457,873	$518,524
Commercial	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total loans	23,744	42,316	'
Real estate-commercial	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total loans	183,913	268,633	'
Residential real estate	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total loans	72,315	80,733	'
Installment	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total loans	3,570	5,641	'
Home equity	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total loans	44,858	49,624	'
Other	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total loans	2,117	2,370	'
Commercial total	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total loans	209,405	319,505	'
Commercial total | Pass	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total loans	167,023	209,531	'
Commercial total | Special Mention	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total loans	5,342	14,915	'
Commercial total | Substandard	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total loans	37,040	94,643	'
Commercial total | Doubtful	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total loans	0	416	'
Commercial total | Commercial	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total loans	23,744	42,316	'
Commercial total | Commercial | Pass	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total loans	14,790	25,196	'
Commercial total | Commercial | Special Mention	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total loans	418	2,011	'
Commercial total | Commercial | Substandard	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total loans	8,536	14,693	'
Commercial total | Commercial | Doubtful	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total loans	0	416	'
Commercial total | Real estate - construction	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total loans	1,748	8,556	'
Commercial total | Real estate - construction | Pass	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total loans	1,605	1,714	'
Commercial total | Real estate - construction | Special Mention	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total loans	0	0	'
Commercial total | Real estate - construction | Substandard	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total loans	143	6,842	'
Commercial total | Real estate - construction | Doubtful	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total loans	0	0	'
Commercial total | Real estate-commercial	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total loans	183,913	268,633	'
Commercial total | Real estate-commercial | Pass	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total loans	150,628	182,621	'
Commercial total | Real estate-commercial | Special Mention	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total loans	4,924	12,904	'
Commercial total | Real estate-commercial | Substandard	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total loans	28,361	73,108	'
Commercial total | Real estate-commercial | Doubtful	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total loans	0	0	'
Total	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total loans	122,860	138,368	'
Total | Performing	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total loans	119,418	136,470	'
Total | Nonperforming	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total loans	3,442	1,898	'
Total | Residential real estate	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total loans	72,315	80,733	'
Total | Residential real estate | Performing	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total loans	72,315	80,733	'
Total | Residential real estate | Nonperforming	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total loans	0	0	'
Total | Installment	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total loans	3,570	5,641	'
Total | Installment | Performing	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total loans	3,570	5,636	'
Total | Installment | Nonperforming	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total loans	0	5	'
Total | Home equity	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total loans	44,858	49,624	'
Total | Home equity | Performing	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total loans	41,416	47,731	'
Total | Home equity | Nonperforming	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total loans	3,442	1,893	'
Total | Other	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total loans	2,117	2,370	'
Total | Other | Performing	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total loans	2,117	2,370	'
Total | Other | Nonperforming	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total loans	$0	$0	'

LOANS_covered_Covered_Loan_Del

LOANS (covered) - Covered Loan Delinquency, Excluding Loans Accounted for Under FASB ASC Topic 310-30 (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]	'	'
30 - 59 days past due	$10,783	$13,724
60 - 89 days past due	3,853	5,591
> 90 days past due	19,742	27,862
Total Past due	34,378	47,177
Current	4,415,594	3,458,464
> 90 days past due and still accruing	249	218
Commercial	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]	'	'
30 - 59 days past due	2,063	2,016
60 - 89 days past due	333	161
> 90 days past due	1,727	7,136
Total Past due	4,123	9,313
Current	1,300,659	1,026,355
> 90 days past due and still accruing	0	0
Real estate-commercial	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]	'	'
30 - 59 days past due	5,697	7,800
60 - 89 days past due	2,359	4,269
> 90 days past due	12,144	12,732
Total Past due	20,200	24,801
Current	1,931,855	1,472,186
> 90 days past due and still accruing	0	0
Installment	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]	'	'
30 - 59 days past due	106	213
60 - 89 days past due	82	40
> 90 days past due	223	379
Total Past due	411	632
Current	47,150	46,501
> 90 days past due and still accruing	0	0
All other	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]	'	'
30 - 59 days past due	490	680
60 - 89 days past due	215	144
> 90 days past due	249	218
Total Past due	954	1,042
Current	108,187	114,685
> 90 days past due and still accruing	249	218
Covered Loans | Loans Excluded from FASB ASC Topic 310-30	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]	'	'
30 - 59 days past due	384	492
60 - 89 days past due	196	375
> 90 days past due	3,996	3,478
Total Past due	4,576	4,345
Current	48,404	53,873
Total	52,980	58,218
> 90 days past due and still accruing	3	0
Covered Loans | Commercial | Loans Excluded from FASB ASC Topic 310-30	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]	'	'
30 - 59 days past due	0	60
60 - 89 days past due	49	335
> 90 days past due	656	483
Total Past due	705	878
Current	636	266
Total	1,341	1,144
> 90 days past due and still accruing	0	0
Covered Loans | Real estate-commercial | Loans Excluded from FASB ASC Topic 310-30	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]	'	'
30 - 59 days past due	0	184
60 - 89 days past due	144	0
> 90 days past due	251	1,263
Total Past due	395	1,447
Current	4,900	4,040
Total	5,295	5,487
> 90 days past due and still accruing	0	0
Covered Loans | Installment | Loans Excluded from FASB ASC Topic 310-30	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]	'	'
30 - 59 days past due	0	0
60 - 89 days past due	0	0
> 90 days past due	0	5
Total Past due	0	5
Current	497	563
Total	497	568
> 90 days past due and still accruing	0	0
Covered Loans | Home equity | Loans Excluded from FASB ASC Topic 310-30	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]	'	'
30 - 59 days past due	361	239
60 - 89 days past due	0	36
> 90 days past due	3,086	1,727
Total Past due	3,447	2,002
Current	40,283	46,647
Total	43,730	48,649
> 90 days past due and still accruing	0	0
Covered Loans | All other | Loans Excluded from FASB ASC Topic 310-30	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]	'	'
30 - 59 days past due	23	9
60 - 89 days past due	3	4
> 90 days past due	3	0
Total Past due	29	13
Current	2,088	2,357
Total	2,117	2,370
> 90 days past due and still accruing	$3	$0

LOANS_covered_Covered_Nonaccru

LOANS (covered) - Covered Nonaccrual Loans (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Commercial

Commercial

Commercial

Real estate-commercial

Real estate-commercial

Real estate-commercial

Installment

Installment

Installment

Home equity

Home equity

Home equity

All other

All other

All other

Covered Loans

Covered Loans

Covered Loans

Covered Loans

Covered Loans

Covered Loans

Covered Loans

Covered Loans

Covered Loans

Covered Loans

Covered Loans

Covered Loans

Covered Loans

Covered Loans

Covered Loans

Commercial

Commercial

Real estate-commercial

Real estate-commercial

Installment

Installment

Home equity

Home equity

All other

All other

Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Nonaccrual loans

$41,646,000

$41,646,000

$37,605,000

$6,486,000

$6,486,000

$7,934,000

$25,262,000

$25,262,000

$17,286,000

$398,000

$398,000

$574,000

$2,581,000

$2,581,000

$2,982,000

$0

$0

$0

$4,604,000

'

$4,604,000

'

$3,787,000

$906,000

$540,000

$256,000

$1,349,000

$0

$5,000

$3,442,000

$1,893,000

$0

$0

Restructured loans - accrual status

13,369,000

13,369,000

15,094,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

70,000

'

70,000

'

335,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total impaired loans

55,015,000

55,015,000

52,699,000

9,657,000

9,657,000

12,225,000

30,403,000

30,403,000

23,993,000

415,000

415,000

642,000

3,110,000

3,110,000

3,309,000

0

0

0

4,674,000

'

4,674,000

'

4,122,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Restructured Loans, Nonaccrual Status

13,200,000

13,200,000

13,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

900,000

'

900,000

'

900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest income effect

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Gross amount of interest that would have been recorded under original terms

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

72,000

81,000

201,000

334,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Nonaccrual loans

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

18,000

6,000

34,000

20,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Financing Receivable, Impaired, Interest Income Recorded on Restructured Loans

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

3,000

1,000

6,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest income recognized

278,000

649,000

974,000

61,000

140,000

236,000

144,000

303,000

490,000

2,000

6,000

6,000

16,000

42,000

46,000

0

0

0

18,000

9,000

35,000

26,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net impact on interest income

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$54,000

$72,000

$166,000

$308,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

LOANS_covered_Investment_in_Co

LOANS (covered) - Investment in Covered Impaired Loans, excluding Loans Accounted for under FASB ASC Topic 310-30 (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended			9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
				Commercial	Commercial	Commercial	Real estate-commercial	Real estate-commercial	Real estate-commercial	Home equity	Home equity	Home equity	Installment	Installment	Installment	Other	Other	Other	Covered Loans	Covered Loans	Covered Loans	Covered Loans	Covered Loans	Loans with no related allowance recorded [member]	Loans with no related allowance recorded [member]	Loans with no related allowance recorded [member]	Loans with no related allowance recorded [member]	Loans with no related allowance recorded [member]	Loans with no related allowance recorded [member]	Loans with no related allowance recorded [member]	Loans with no related allowance recorded [member]	Loans with no related allowance recorded [member]	Loans with no related allowance recorded [member]	Loans with no related allowance recorded [member]	Loans with no related allowance recorded [member]	Loans with no related allowance recorded [member]	Loans with no related allowance recorded [member]	Loans with no related allowance recorded [member]	Loans with no related allowance recorded [member]	Loans with no related allowance recorded [member]	Loans with no related allowance recorded [member]	Loans with no related allowance recorded [member]	Loans with no related allowance recorded [member]	Loans with no related allowance recorded [member]	Loans with no related allowance recorded [member]	Loans with no related allowance recorded [member]	Loans with no related allowance recorded [member]	Loans with no related allowance recorded [member]	Loans with no related allowance recorded [member]	Loans with no related allowance recorded [member]	Loans with no related allowance recorded [member]	Loans with no related allowance recorded [member]	Loans with no related allowance recorded [member]
																										Commercial	Commercial	Real estate-commercial	Real estate-commercial	Home equity	Home equity	Installment	Installment	Other	Other	Covered Loans	Covered Loans	Covered Loans	Covered Loans	Covered Loans	Covered Loans	Covered Loans	Covered Loans	Covered Loans	Covered Loans	Covered Loans	Covered Loans	Covered Loans	Covered Loans	Covered Loans	Covered Loans	Covered Loans	Covered Loans
																																				Loans Excluded from FASB ASC Topic 310-30	Loans Excluded from FASB ASC Topic 310-30	Loans Excluded from FASB ASC Topic 310-30	Loans Excluded from FASB ASC Topic 310-30	Loans Excluded from FASB ASC Topic 310-30	Loans Excluded from FASB ASC Topic 310-30	Loans Excluded from FASB ASC Topic 310-30	Loans Excluded from FASB ASC Topic 310-30	Loans Excluded from FASB ASC Topic 310-30	Loans Excluded from FASB ASC Topic 310-30	Loans Excluded from FASB ASC Topic 310-30	Loans Excluded from FASB ASC Topic 310-30	Loans Excluded from FASB ASC Topic 310-30	Loans Excluded from FASB ASC Topic 310-30	Loans Excluded from FASB ASC Topic 310-30	Loans Excluded from FASB ASC Topic 310-30	Loans Excluded from FASB ASC Topic 310-30	Loans Excluded from FASB ASC Topic 310-30
																																							Commercial	Commercial	Commercial	Real estate-commercial	Real estate-commercial	Real estate-commercial	Home equity	Home equity	Home equity	Installment	Installment	Installment	Other	Other	Other
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Current balance	$55,015	$55,015	$52,699	$9,657	$9,657	$12,225	$30,403	$30,403	$23,993	$3,110	$3,110	$3,309	$415	$415	$642	$0	$0	$0	$4,674	'	$4,674	'	$4,122	$38,336	$31,931	$6,581	$5,212	$19,031	$12,355	$3,009	$3,208	$415	$642	$0	$0	$4,674	$4,674	$4,122	$960	$960	$875	$256	$256	$1,349	$0	$0	$1,893	$0	$0	$5	$3,458	$3,458	$0
Unpaid Principal Balance	65,383	65,383	65,765	11,265	11,265	15,436	36,437	36,437	30,855	4,069	4,069	4,209	459	459	663	0	0	0	'	'	'	'	'	47,341	40,815	7,981	7,083	23,970	16,431	3,968	4,108	459	663	0	0	6,605	6,605	6,683	1,302	1,302	1,131	395	395	2,648	4,908	4,908	2,899	0	0	5	0	0	0
Related Allowance	4,510	4,510	5,302	802	802	2,080	3,338	3,338	2,872	2	2	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	'	'	'	'	'	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Average current balance	'	50,371	70,991	'	10,789	15,759	'	24,156	37,661	'	3,119	3,246	'	512	463	'	0	315	'	'	'	'	'	33,241	41,855	6,095	10,712	13,927	16,563	3,018	3,145	512	463	0	148	'	4,249	6,239	'	936	1,832	'	819	1,786	'	2,493	2,611	'	1	2	'	0	8
Interest income recognized	$278	$649	$974	$61	$140	$236	$144	$303	$490	$16	$42	$46	$2	$6	$6	$0	$0	$0	$18	$9	$35	$26	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$18	$35	$30	$6	$16	$11	$1	$2	$4	$11	$17	$15	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0

LOANS_covered_Changes_in_Cover

LOANS (covered) - Changes in Covered Other Real Estate Owned (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Disposals	'	'	$28,713	$23,590
Covered Loans	'	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	19,439	22,475	27,120	28,862
Additions	118	8,667	4,346	21,535
Disposals	7,536	2,941	17,965	20,403
Write-downs	841	451	2,321	2,244
Balance at end of period	11,180	27,750	11,180	27,750
Covered Loans | Commercial	'	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Additions	0	8,572	3,937	21,063
Disposals	7,498	2,865	17,429	19,513
Write-downs	718	451	2,186	2,133
Covered Loans | Residential	'	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Additions	118	95	409	472
Disposals	38	76	536	890
Write-downs	$123	$0	$135	$111

ALLOWANCE_FOR_LOAN_AND_LEASE_L2

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES - Changes in the Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses for the Current and Comparable Quarter and Year-to-Date (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Receivables [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	$42,027	$47,047	$43,829	$47,777
Provision for loan and lease losses	1,093	1,413	2,281	6,863
Loans charged off	-1,816	-5,111	-6,427	-12,515
Recoveries	1,150	2,165	2,771	3,389
Balance at end of period	42,454	45,514	42,454	45,514
Total loans	$4,449,972	$3,430,916	$4,449,972	$3,430,916
Allowance for loan and lease losses to total ending loans	0.95%	1.33%	0.95%	1.33%

ALLOWANCE_FOR_LOAN_AND_LEASE_L3

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES - Changes in the Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Non Covered Loans

Non Covered Loans

Commercial

Commercial

Commercial

Commercial

Commercial

Real estate-construction

Real estate-construction

Real estate-construction

Real estate-construction

Real estate-construction

Real estate-commercial

Real estate-commercial

Real estate-commercial

Real estate-commercial

Real estate-commercial

Real estate - residential

Real estate - residential

Real estate - residential

Real estate - residential

Real estate - residential

Installment

Installment

Installment

Installment

Installment

Home equity

Home equity

Home equity

Home equity

Home equity

All other

All other

All other

All other

All other

Non Covered Loans

Non Covered Loans

Non Covered Loans

Non Covered Loans

Non Covered Loans

Non Covered Loans

Non Covered Loans

Non Covered Loans

Non Covered Loans

Non Covered Loans

Non Covered Loans

Non Covered Loans

Non Covered Loans

Non Covered Loans

Allowance for loan and lease losses:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Balance at beginning of period

$42,027

$47,047

$43,829

$47,777

'

$43,829

$47,777

$10,568

'

$7,926

$10,568

'

$824

'

$3,268

$824

'

$20,478

'

$24,151

$20,478

'

$3,379

'

$3,599

$3,379

'

$365

'

$522

$365

'

$5,209

'

$5,173

$5,209

'

$3,006

'

$3,138

$3,006

'

Provision for loan and lease losses

1,093

1,413

2,281

6,863

'

2,281

8,714

'

'

'

517

5,385

'

'

'

274

-3,115

'

'

'

855

2,659

'

'

'

61

593

'

'

'

-153

-132

'

'

'

721

1,937

'

'

'

6

1,387

Gross charge-offs

1,816

5,111

6,427

12,515

'

6,427

17,283

'

'

'

1,310

3,415

'

'

'

0

1

'

'

'

1,944

8,326

'

'

'

701

1,016

'

'

'

205

335

'

'

'

1,396

2,409

'

'

'

871

1,781

Recoveries

1,150

2,165

2,771

3,389

'

2,771

4,621

'

'

'

1,185

672

'

'

'

0

672

'

'

'

771

1,994

'

'

'

161

203

'

'

'

173

310

'

'

'

186

508

'

'

'

295

262

Total net charge-offs

'

'

3,656

'

'

'

12,662

125

'

'

'

2,743

0

'

'

'

-671

1,173

'

'

'

6,332

540

'

'

'

813

32

'

'

'

25

1,210

'

'

'

1,901

576

'

'

'

1,519

Balance at end of period

42,454

45,514

42,454

45,514

'

'

43,829

10,960

'

7,926

'

10,568

1,098

'

3,268

'

824

20,160

'

24,151

'

20,478

2,900

'

3,599

'

3,379

180

'

522

'

365

4,720

'

5,173

'

5,209

2,436

'

3,138

'

3,006

Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment

4,510

'

4,510

'

5,302

4,510

5,302

802

2,080

'

802

2,080

0

0

'

0

0

3,338

2,872

'

3,338

2,872

368

348

'

368

348

0

0

'

0

0

'

'

'

2

2

0

0

'

0

0

Ending allowance on loans collectively evaluated for impairment

'

'

'

'

'

37,944

38,527

'

'

'

10,158

8,488

'

'

'

1,098

824

'

'

'

16,822

17,606

'

'

'

2,532

3,031

'

'

'

180

365

'

'

'

4,718

5,207

'

'

'

2,436

3,006

Loans and Leases:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Ending balance of loans individually evaluated for impairment

'

'

'

'

'

32,609

32,677

'

'

'

7,913

10,391

'

'

'

0

0

'

'

'

20,763

18,023

'

'

'

3,215

3,493

'

'

'

104

122

'

'

'

614

648

'

'

'

0

0

Ending balance of loans collectively evaluated for impairment

'

'

'

'

'

4,417,363

3,472,964

'

'

'

1,296,869

1,025,277

'

'

'

193,776

80,741

'

'

'

1,931,292

1,478,964

'

'

'

423,343

349,438

'

'

'

47,457

47,011

'

'

'

415,485

375,806

'

'

'

109,141

115,727

Loans and Leases Receivable, Net of Deferred Income

$4,449,972

'

$4,449,972

'

$3,505,641

'

'

$1,304,782

$1,035,668

'

$1,304,782

$1,035,668

$193,776

$80,741

'

$193,776

$80,741

$1,952,055

$1,496,987

'

$1,952,055

$1,496,987

$426,558

$352,931

'

$426,558

$352,931

$47,561

$47,133

'

$47,561

$47,133

$416,099

$376,454

'

$416,099

$376,454

$109,141

$115,727

'

$109,141

$115,727

ALLOWANCE_FOR_LOAN_AND_LEASE_L4

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net charge-offs	$700,000	$15,000,000	$4,600,000	$28,000,000
Provision for loan and lease losses	-200,000	5,293,000	-2,805,000	6,052,000
Allowance for covered loan losses	11,500,000	'	11,500,000	'
Loss sharing expense	1,002,000	1,724,000	4,036,000	5,588,000
Loss (gain) - covered other real estate owned	1,433,000	-204,000	1,002,000	2,165,000
FDIC loss sharing income	($192,000)	$5,555,000	$408,000	$7,105,000

ALLOWANCE_FOR_LOAN_AND_LEASE_L5

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES - Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses on Covered Loans (Details) (Covered Loans, USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]	'	'
Ending allowance on loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality (ASC 310-30)	$11,535	$18,901
Commercial	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]	'	'
Ending allowance on loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality (ASC 310-30)	5,468	9,400
Real estate-commercial	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]	'	'
Ending allowance on loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality (ASC 310-30)	5,186	8,515
Real estate - residential	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]	'	'
Ending allowance on loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality (ASC 310-30)	750	761
Installment	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]	'	'
Ending allowance on loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality (ASC 310-30)	$131	$225

ALLOWANCE_FOR_LOAN_AND_LEASE_L6

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES - Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses on Covered Loans for the Current and Comparable Quarter and Year-to-Date (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Receivables [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	$12,425	$32,961	$18,901	$45,190	'
Provision for loan and lease losses	-200	5,293	-2,805	6,052	'
Loans charged-off	3,053	21,009	13,778	35,374	'
Recoveries	2,363	6,014	9,217	7,391	'
Balance at end of period	11,535	23,259	11,535	23,259	'
Total loans	$332,265	$518,524	$332,265	$518,524	$457,873
Percentage of Allowance to Ending Loans, Covered	3.47%	4.49%	3.47%	4.49%	'

GOODWILL_AND_OTHER_INTANGIBLE_2

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS--Schedule of Goodwill (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'	'
Balance at January 1, 2014	'	$95,050
Goodwill resulting from business combinations	42,408	'
Balance at September 30, 2014	$137,458	$95,050

GOODWILL_AND_OTHER_INTANGIBLE_3

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS--Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Core Deposits, Gross	$8.20	'	$8.20	'	$5.90
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Period Increase (Decrease)	3.5	'	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense	$0.50	$0.40	$1.20	$1.10	'
Core Deposits [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Intangible assets amortization method	'	'	'accelerated basis	'	'
Estimated weighted average life (in years)	'	'	'6 years 10 months	'	'

BORROWINGS_Borrowings_Addition

BORROWINGS Borrowings - - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Aug. 07, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014
				Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Short-term borrowings acquired	'	$74,900,000	'	'
Federal Home Loan Bank short-term borrowings	806,000,000	'	654,000,000	'
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	15,000,000	'	'	'
Commitments outstanding to extend credit	0	'	'	'
Securities Sold under Agreements to Repurchase	$25,000,000	'	$52,500,000	'
Securities Sold under Agreements to Repurchase, Remaining Contractual Term	'	'	'	'1 year
Assets Sold under Agreements to Repurchase, Interest Rate	3.54%	'	3.49%	'

BORROWINGS_Schedule_of_Longter

BORROWINGS - Schedule of Long-term Debt (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Tier One Capital Limitation Percentage	25.00%	'
Debt Instrument, Unused Borrowing Capacity, Amount	$167,700,000	'
Amount	'	'
FHLB long-term advances	26,881,000	7,505,000
Securities Sold under Agreements to Repurchase	25,000,000	52,500,000
Other Long-term Debt	775,000	775,000
Total long-term debt	$52,656,000	$60,780,000
Average Rate [Abstract]	'	'
Federal Home Loan Bank	3.01%	3.72%
Weighted average rate on repurchase agreements	3.54%	3.49%
Weighted average rate on other long-term debt	0.00%	0.00%
Total long-term debt	3.22%	3.48%

ACCUMULATED_OTHER_COMPREHENSIV2

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassification Adjustments and Tax [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities	($374)	($5,956)	$15,869	($34,212)	'	'	'	'
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	1,096	-1,475	-881	-298	'	'	'	'
Retirement obligation	0	0	0	11,719	'	'	'	'
Foreign Currency Translation	-12	6	-13	-21	'	'	'	'
Total	710	-7,425	14,975	-22,812	'	'	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Reclassifications before Tax [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities	0	0	50	1,724	'	'	'	'
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	-117	-161	-348	-295	'	'	'	'
Retirement obligation	-302	-1,873	-1,059	-7,523	'	'	'	'
Foreign Currency Translation	0	0	0	0	'	'	'	'
Total	-419	-2,034	-1,357	-6,094	'	'	'	'
Transactions Pre-tax	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities	-374	-5,956	15,819	-35,936	'	'	'	'
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	1,213	-1,314	-533	-3	'	'	'	'
Unfunded pension obligation	302	1,873	1,059	19,242	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation	-12	6	-13	-21	'	'	'	'
Total	1,129	-5,391	16,332	-16,718	'	'	'	'
Transactions Tax-effect	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities	118	1,953	-5,742	13,366	'	'	'	'
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	-453	496	199	1	'	'	'	'
Retirement obligation	-113	-707	-396	-7,266	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation	0	0	0	0	'	'	'	'
Total	-448	1,742	-5,939	6,101	'	'	'	'
Transactions Net of tax	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities	-256	-4,003	10,077	-22,570	'	'	'	'
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	760	-818	-334	-2	'	'	'	'
Retirement obligation	189	1,166	663	11,976	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation	-12	6	-13	-21	'	'	'	'
Total	681	-3,649	10,393	-10,617	'	'	'	'
Balances Net of tax	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities	-6,212	-9,768	-6,212	-9,768	-5,956	-16,289	-5,765	12,802
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges	268	-145	268	-145	-492	602	673	-143
Retirement obligation	-14,902	-19,362	-14,902	-19,362	-15,091	-15,565	-20,528	-31,338
Foreign currency translation	-42	-19	-42	-19	-30	-29	-25	2
Total	($20,888)	($29,294)	($20,888)	($29,294)	($21,569)	($31,281)	($25,645)	($18,677)

ACCUMULATED_OTHER_COMPREHENSIV3

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME AMOUNT RECLASSIFIED FROM ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Other Accumulated Comprehensive income reclassified from AOCI [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gains on sales of investment securities	$0	$0	$50	$1,724
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit)	103	105	309	317
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Gains (Losses)	-405	-582	-1,368	-2,128
Pension settlement charges	0	-1,396	0	-5,712
Other Comprehensive Income, Reclassification, Amortization of Defined Benefit Plans items, Pre-tax	-302	-1,873	-1,059	-7,523
Total	-419	-2,034	-1,357	-6,094
Deposits [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Interest Expense | Interest Rate Contracts	'	'	'	'
Other Accumulated Comprehensive income reclassified from AOCI [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net	($117)	($161)	($348)	($295)

DERIVATIVES_Additional_Informa

DERIVATIVES - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
	entity	entity
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Maximum derivative notional position as a percentage of assets	35.00%	'
Maximum credit exposure as a percentage of capital	3.00%	'
Maximum single counterparty credit risk exposure	$20,000,000	'
Inerest-bearing deposit liability	821,465,000	913,324,000
Number of counterparties	9	9
Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	10,750,000	14,431,000
Outstanding liability from counterparty contracts	49,000	28,000
Credit Derivative Term	'5 years	'
Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Asset at Fair Value	200,000	800,000
Cash Flow Hedging [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Inerest-bearing deposit liability	250,000,000	100,000,000
Other Credit Derivatives [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Inerest-bearing deposit liability	32,300,000	13,300,000
Accrued interest and other liabilities | Derivative [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Inerest-bearing deposit liability	697,400,000	561,600,000
Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	$8,400,000	$9,300,000

DERIVATIVES_Summary_of_Derivat

DERIVATIVES - Summary of Derivative Financial Instruments and Balances (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Inerest-bearing deposit liability	$821,465	$913,324
Estimate Fair Value Gain	10,126	13,477
Estimate Fair Value Loss	-10,750	-14,431
Fair Value Hedges | Pay fixed interest rate swaps with counterparty | Accrued interest and other liabilities	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Inerest-bearing deposit liability	8,913	9,836
Estimate Fair Value Gain	0	0
Estimate Fair Value Loss	-528	-865
Fair Value Hedges | Matched interest rate swaps | Accrued interest and other liabilities	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Inerest-bearing deposit liability	406,276	451,744
Estimate Fair Value Gain	753	1,767
Estimate Fair Value Loss	-9,469	-11,799
Fair Value Hedges | Matched interest rate swaps | Accrued interest and other assets	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Inerest-bearing deposit liability	406,276	451,744
Estimate Fair Value Gain	9,373	11,710
Estimate Fair Value Loss	($753)	($1,767)

DERIVATIVES_DERIVATIVES_Disclo

DERIVATIVES DERIVATIVES - Disclosure by Type of Financial Instrument (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Gross amounts of recognized liabilities	$10,750	$14,431
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Asset	-8,610	-10,196
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	2,140	4,235
Fair Value Hedges | Pay fixed interest rate swaps with counterparty | Accrued interest and other liabilities	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Gross amounts of recognized liabilities	528	865
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Asset	0	-663
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	528	202
Fair Value Hedges | Matched interest rate swaps | Accrued interest and other liabilities	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Gross amounts of recognized liabilities	10,222	13,566
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Asset	-8,610	-9,533
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	$1,612	$4,033

DERIVATIVES_Derivative_Financi

DERIVATIVES - Derivative Financial Instruments, Average Remaining Maturity and the Weighted-Average Interest Rates being Paid and Received (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified			Interest Rate Swap	Interest Rate Swap	Interest Rate Swap	Interest Rate Swap
				Pay fixed interest rate swaps with counterparty	Matched interest rate swaps	Matched interest rate swaps
					Derivative Financial Instruments Receive Fixed Pay Variable	Derivative Financial Instruments Receive Variable Pay Fixed
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Notional Value	$821,465	$913,324	$821,465	$8,913	$406,276	$406,276
Average Maturity (years)	'	'	'4 years 0 months	'2 years 3 months	'4 years 1 month	'4 years 1 month
Fair Value	'	'	($624)	($528)	$8,620	($8,716)
Weighted-Average Rate Receive	'	'	3.67%	2.11%	4.67%	2.71%
Weighted-Average Rate Pay	'	'	3.72%	6.85%	2.71%	4.67%

INCOME_TAXES_Details

INCOME TAXES (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Income tax expense	$7,218	$7,645	$22,260	$20,451
Effective tax rate	32.00%	33.90%	32.40%	31.50%

COMMITMENTS_AND_CONTINGENCIES_

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Letters of credit issued to guarantee performance of a client to a third party	$22.10	$14
Commitments outstanding to extend credit	0	'
Commitments to Extend Credit	'	'
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Commitments outstanding to extend credit	$1,700	$1,400

EMPLOYEE_BENEFIT_PLANS_Additio

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Employer Contributions in Current Fiscal Year	'	'	$0	'	'
Pension Contributions	'	'	0	'	0
Pension Expense	-348,000	1,124,000	-853,000	5,309,000	'
Pension settlement charges	0	-1,396,000	0	-5,712,000	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, before Tax	($302,000)	($1,873,000)	($1,059,000)	($19,242,000)	'

EMPLOYEE_BENEFIT_PLANS_EMPLOYE

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS - Employee benefit plan amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and Consolidated Statements of Income (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Service cost	$1,007	$916	$3,089	$2,789
Interest cost	551	566	1,791	1,752
Expected return on plan assets	-2,208	-2,231	-6,792	-6,755
Amortization of prior service cost	-103	-105	-309	-317
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Gains (Losses)	405	582	1,368	2,128
Pension settlement charges	0	-1,396	0	-5,712
Net periodic benefit cost (income)	($348)	$1,124	($853)	$5,309

EARNINGS_PER_COMMON_SHARE_Comp

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE - Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share -income available to common shareholders:	'	'	'	'
Net income	$15,344	$14,911	$46,401	$44,564
Denominator for basic earnings per share - weighted average shares	59,403,109	57,201,390	57,907,203	57,309,934
Effect of dilutive securities -	'	'	'	'
Employee stock awards	576,543	698,194	594,082	725,862
Warrants	133,280	113,004	138,109	107,576
Denominator for diluted earnings per share - adjusted weighted average shares	60,112,932	58,012,588	58,639,394	58,143,372
Basic	$0.26	$0.26	$0.80	$0.78
Diluted	$0.26	$0.26	$0.79	$0.77

EARNINGS_PER_COMMON_SHARE_Addi

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Investment Warrants, Exercise Price	12.12	'
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized	10,000,000	'
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	0	'
Antidilutive Stock Options	'	'
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Stock options and warrants with an exercise price greater than the average market price of the common shares not included in the computation of net income per diluted share	378,017	596,666
Antidilutive Warrants	'	'
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Stock options and warrants with an exercise price greater than the average market price of the common shares not included in the computation of net income per diluted share	465,117	465,117

FAIR_VALUE_DISCLOSURES_Estimat

FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES - Estimated Fair Values of Financial Instruments (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	$10,750	$14,431
Financial assets	'	'
Investment securities held-to-maturity	900,521	837,272
Other investments	49,986	47,427
Covered loans	320,730	438,972
FDIC indemnification asset	24,160	45,091
Deposits	'	'
Noninterest-bearing	1,243,367	1,147,452
Savings	1,827,590	1,612,005
Time	1,247,334	952,327
Carrying value	'	'
Financial assets	'	'
Cash and short-term investments	143,725	143,450
Investment securities held-to-maturity	900,521	837,272
Other investments	49,986	47,427
Loans held for sale	16,816	8,114
Loans - excluding covered loans	4,407,518	3,461,812
Covered loans	320,730	438,972
FDIC indemnification asset	24,160	45,091
Deposits	'	'
Noninterest-bearing	1,243,367	1,147,452
Interest-bearing demand	1,214,726	1,125,723
Savings	1,827,590	1,612,005
Time	1,247,334	952,327
Total deposits	5,533,017	4,837,507
Short-term borrowings	919,303	748,749
Long-term debt	52,656	60,780
Fair value	'	'
Financial assets	'	'
Cash and short-term investments	143,725	143,450
Investment securities held-to-maturity	901,659	824,985
Other investments	49,986	47,427
Loans held for sale	16,816	8,114
Loans - excluding covered loans	4,416,740	3,455,776
Covered loans	318,372	451,545
FDIC indemnification asset	12,482	34,820
Deposits	'	'
Noninterest-bearing	1,243,367	1,147,452
Interest-bearing demand	1,214,726	1,125,723
Savings	1,827,590	1,612,005
Time	1,244,218	951,220
Total deposits	5,529,901	4,836,400
Short-term borrowings	919,303	748,749
Long-term debt	54,385	62,706
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Fair value	'	'
Financial assets	'	'
Cash and short-term investments	143,725	143,450
Investment securities held-to-maturity	0	0
Other investments	0	0
Loans held for sale	0	0
Loans - excluding covered loans	0	0
Covered loans	0	0
FDIC indemnification asset	0	0
Deposits	'	'
Noninterest-bearing	0	0
Interest-bearing demand	0	0
Savings	0	0
Time	0	0
Total deposits	0	0
Short-term borrowings	919,303	748,749
Long-term debt	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Fair value	'	'
Financial assets	'	'
Cash and short-term investments	0	0
Investment securities held-to-maturity	901,659	824,985
Other investments	49,986	47,427
Loans held for sale	16,816	8,114
Loans - excluding covered loans	0	0
Covered loans	0	0
FDIC indemnification asset	0	0
Deposits	'	'
Noninterest-bearing	1,243,367	1,147,452
Interest-bearing demand	1,214,726	1,125,723
Savings	1,827,590	1,612,005
Time	1,244,218	951,220
Total deposits	5,529,901	4,836,400
Short-term borrowings	0	0
Long-term debt	54,385	62,706
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Fair value	'	'
Financial assets	'	'
Cash and short-term investments	0	0
Investment securities held-to-maturity	0	0
Other investments	0	0
Loans held for sale	0	0
Loans - excluding covered loans	4,416,740	3,455,776
Covered loans	318,372	451,545
FDIC indemnification asset	12,482	34,820
Deposits	'	'
Noninterest-bearing	0	0
Interest-bearing demand	0	0
Savings	0	0
Time	0	0
Total deposits	0	0
Short-term borrowings	0	0
Long-term debt	$0	$0

FAIR_VALUE_DISCLOSURES_Summary

FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES - Summary of Financial Assets and Liabilities Measure at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets	'	'
Derivatives	$10,126	$13,477
Investment securities available-for-sale	929,594	913,601
Liabilities	'	'
Derivatives	10,750	14,431
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring	'	'
Assets	'	'
Derivatives	10,126	13,477
Investment securities available-for-sale	929,594	913,601
Total	939,720	927,078
Liabilities	'	'
Derivatives	10,578	14,431
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Fair Value Measurements Using Level 1	'	'
Assets	'	'
Derivatives	0	0
Investment securities available-for-sale	8,258	7,976
Total	8,258	7,976
Liabilities	'	'
Derivatives	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Fair Value Measurements Using Level 2	'	'
Assets	'	'
Derivatives	10,126	13,477
Investment securities available-for-sale	921,336	905,625
Total	931,462	919,102
Liabilities	'	'
Derivatives	10,578	14,431
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Fair Value Measurements Using Level 3	'	'
Assets	'	'
Derivatives	0	0
Investment securities available-for-sale	0	0
Total	0	0
Liabilities	'	'
Derivatives	$0	$0

FAIR_VALUE_DISCLOSURES_Summary1

FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES - Summary of Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis (Details) (Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring, USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value Measurements Using Level 1	'	'
Assets	'	'
Impaired loans	$0	$0
Other Real Estate Owned, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Covered Other Real Estate Owned, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value Measurements Using Level 2	'	'
Assets	'	'
Impaired loans	0	0
Other Real Estate Owned, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Covered Other Real Estate Owned, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value Measurements Using Level 3	'	'
Assets	'	'
Impaired loans	10,308	13,699
Other Real Estate Owned, Fair Value Disclosure	7,316	5,358
Covered Other Real Estate Owned, Fair Value Disclosure	$6,605	$8,937

BUSINESS_COMBINATIONS_Details

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Aug. 07, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Aug. 07, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Aug. 21, 2014
				The First Bexley Bank [Domain]	The First Bexley Bank [Domain]	Insight Bank [Domain]	Insight Bank [Domain]	Guernsey Bank [Domain]	Guernsey Bank [Domain]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Cash consideration	$34,190	'	'	$10,810	'	$9,880	'	$13,500	'
Stock consideration	60,429	'	'	33,699	'	26,730	'	0	'
Other consideration	2,523	'	'	0	'	0	'	2,523	'
Total purchase consideration	97,142	'	'	44,509	'	36,610	'	16,023	'
Loans	606,263	606,263	'	'	314,807	'	219,008	'	72,448
Intangible assets	3,556	3,556	'	'	1,280	'	1,277	'	999
Other assets	117,774	117,774	'	'	25,517	'	30,882	'	61,375
Total assets	727,593	727,593	'	'	341,604	'	251,167	'	134,822
Deposits	568,605	568,605	'	'	273,860	'	179,330	'	115,415
Borrowings	94,891	94,891	'	'	40,000	'	44,149	'	10,742
Other liabilities	9,363	9,363	'	'	1,454	'	7,303	'	606
Total liabilities	672,859	672,859	0	'	315,314	'	230,782	'	126,763
Net identifiable assets	54,734	54,734	'	'	26,290	'	20,385	'	8,059
Goodwill	$42,408	$42,408	$0	$18,219	'	$16,225	'	$7,964	'