First Financial Bancorp. (FFBC) 10-Q 8 May 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information Document	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	7-May-15
DOCUMENT AND ENTITY INFORMATION [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Trading Symbol	FFBC
Entity Registrant Name	FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP /OH/
Entity Central Index Key	708955
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		61,685,656

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks	$111,011	$110,122
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks	25,350	22,630
Investment securities available-for-sale, at market value (cost $893,123 at March 31, 2015 and $849,504 at December 31, 2014)	892,169	840,468
Investment securities held-to-maturity (market value $855,083 at March 31, 2015 and $874,749 at December 31, 2014)	839,666	867,996
Other investments	53,393	52,626
Loans held for sale	14,937	11,005
Loans
Commercial	1,298,874	1,315,114
Real estate - construction	227,969	197,571
Real estate-commercial	2,120,084	2,140,667
Real estate-residential	496,852	501,894
Installment	43,798	47,320
Home equity	456,278	458,627
Credit card	37,886	38,475
Lease financing	81,796	77,567
Total loans and leases	4,763,537	4,777,235
Allowance for loan and lease losses	53,076	52,858
Net loans and leases	4,710,461	4,724,377
Premises and equipment	140,477	141,381
Goodwill	137,739	137,739
Other intangibles	7,847	8,114
FDIC indemnification asset	20,397	22,666
Accrued interest and other assets	292,349	278,697
Total assets	7,245,796	7,217,821
Deposits
Interest-bearing	1,214,882	1,225,378
Savings	1,922,815	1,889,473
Time	1,277,291	1,255,364
Total interest-bearing deposits	4,414,988	4,370,215
Noninterest-bearing	1,299,602	1,285,527
Total deposits	5,714,590	5,655,742
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase	68,142	103,192
Federal Home Loan Bank short-term borrowings	523,500	558,200
Total short-term borrowings	591,642	661,392
Long-term debt	47,598	48,241
Total borrowed funds	639,240	709,633
Accrued interest and other liabilities	96,224	68,369
Total liabilities	6,450,054	6,433,744
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock - no par value Authorized - 160,000,000 shares Issued - 68,730,731 shares in 2015 and 2014	570,623	574,643
Retained earnings	360,390	352,893
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-17,054	-21,409
Treasury stock, at cost, 7,043,844 shares in 2015 and 7,274,184 shares in 2014	-118,217	-122,050
Total shareholders' equity	795,742	784,077
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$7,245,796	$7,217,821

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_CO

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	$893,123	$849,504
Held-to-maturity Securities, Fair Value	$855,083	$874,749
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	7,043,844	7,274,184

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_INC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Interest income
Loans, including fees	$54,464	$49,147
Investment securities
Taxable	9,608	10,437
Tax-exempt	1,117	810
Total interest on investment securities	10,725	11,247
Other earning assets	-1,181	-1,406
Total interest income	64,008	58,988
Interest expense
Deposits	4,820	3,316
Short-term borrowings	303	329
Long-term borrowings	299	524
Total interest expense	5,422	4,169
Net interest income	58,586	54,819
Provision for loan and lease losses	2,060	-1,033
Net interest income after provision for loan and lease losses	56,526	55,852
Noninterest income
Service charges on deposit accounts	4,523	4,772
Trust and wealth management fees	3,634	3,746
Bankcard income	2,620	2,433
Net gains from sales of loans	1,464	396
Gains on sales of investment securities	0	50
FDIC loss sharing income	-1,046	-508
Accelerated discount on covered/formerly covered loans	2,092	1,015
Other	4,326	2,271
Total noninterest income	17,613	14,175
Noninterest expenses
Salaries and employee benefits	26,941	25,261
Net occupancy	5,005	5,299
Furniture and equipment	2,153	2,077
Data processing	2,772	2,858
Marketing	888	786
Communication	570	623
Professional services	1,970	1,724
State intangible tax	577	644
FDIC assessments	1,090	1,134
Loss (gain) - other real estate owned	474	451
Loss sharing expense	301	1,569
Other	5,327	5,416
Total noninterest expenses	48,068	47,842
Income before income taxes	26,071	22,185
Income tax expense	8,450	7,081
Net income	$17,621	$15,104
Earnings per common share
Basic	$0.29	$0.26
Diluted	$0.29	$0.26
Cash dividends declared per share	$0.16	$0.15
Average common shares outstanding - basic	61,013,489	57,091,604
Average common shares outstanding - diluted	61,731,844	57,828,179

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_COM

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$17,621	$15,104
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax
Unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities arising during the period	5,008	3,862
Change in retirement obligation	183	237
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	-816	-457
Unrealized gain (loss) on foreign currency exchange	-20	-9
Other comprehensive income (loss)	4,355	3,633
Comprehensive income	$21,976	$18,737

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, 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	15,104		15,104
Other comprehensive income (loss)	3,633			3,633
Cash dividends declared :
Common stock at $0.16 per share in 2015 and $0.15 per share in 2014	-8,624		-8,624
Purchase of common stock, in shares					-40,255
Purchase of common stock	-697				-697
Excess tax benefit on share-based compensation	254	254
Exercise of stock options, net of shares purchased (in shares)					33,794
Exercise of stock options, net of shares purchased	-139	-703			564
Restricted stock awards, net of forfeitures (in shares)					183,352
Restricted stock awards, net of forfeitures	-1,155	-4,194			3,039
Share-based compensation expense	810	810
Ending Balances at Mar. 31, 2014	691,347	573,243	330,672	-27,648	-184,920
Ending Balances (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2014		68,730,731			-11,020,794
Beginning Balance-Stockholders' Equity, Adjusted Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	783,771
Beginning Balances at Dec. 31, 2014	784,077	574,643	352,587	-21,409	-122,050
Beginning Balances (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014		68,730,731			-7,274,184
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	17,621		17,621
Other comprehensive income (loss)	4,355			4,355
Cash dividends declared :
Common stock at $0.16 per share in 2015 and $0.15 per share in 2014	-9,818		-9,818
Excess tax benefit on share-based compensation	99	99
Exercise of stock options, net of shares purchased (in shares)					15,217
Exercise of stock options, net of shares purchased	86	-170			256
Restricted stock awards, net of forfeitures (in shares)					215,123
Restricted stock awards, net of forfeitures	-1,230	-4,807			3,577
Share-based compensation expense	858	858
Ending Balances at Mar. 31, 2015	$795,742	$570,623	$360,390	($17,054)	($118,217)
Ending Balances (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2015		68,730,731			-7,043,844

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CHA1

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared	$0.16	$0.15

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Operating activities
Net income	$17,621	$15,104
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Provision for loan and lease losses	2,060	-1,033
Depreciation and amortization	3,208	3,178
Stock-based compensation expense	858	810
Pension expense (income)	-300	-253
Net amortization of premiums/accretion of discounts on investment securities	1,741	1,730
Gains on sales of investment securities	0	-50
Originations of loans held for sale	-59,541	-18,297
Net gains from sales of loans held for sale	-1,464	-396
Proceeds from sales of loans held for sale	56,816	19,012
Deferred income taxes	2,313	0
Decrease (increase) in interest receivable	-2,354	-2,663
Decrease (increase) in cash surrender value of life insurance	-480	-418
Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses	-919	-892
Decrease (increase) in indemnification asset	-2,269	-6,088
(Decrease) increase in accrued expenses	-7,396	-7,760
(Decrease) increase in interest payable	0	-130
Other	670	-906
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	15,102	13,124
Investing activities
Proceeds from sales of securities available-for-sale	25	92,573
Proceeds from calls, paydowns and maturities of securities available-for-sale	26,103	26,247
Purchases of securities available-for-sale	-55,005	-61,081
Proceeds from calls, paydowns and maturities of securities held-to-maturity	27,155	22,584
Purchases of securities held-to-maturity	0	67,350
Net decrease (increase) in interest-bearing deposits with other banks	-2,720	16,149
Net decrease (increase) in loans and leases	8,883	-68,533
Proceeds from disposal of other real estate owned	4,557	12,082
Purchases of premises and equipment	-2,255	-1,567
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	6,743	-28,896
Financing activities
Net (decrease) increase in total deposits	58,848	-17,118
Net (decrease) increase in short-term borrowings	-69,750	86,344
Payments on long-term borrowings	-532	-610
Cash dividends paid on common stock	-9,745	-8,570
Treasury stock purchase	0	-697
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	124	64
Excess tax benefit on share-based compensation	99	254
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	-20,956	59,667
Cash and due from banks:
Net increase (decrease) in cash and due from banks	889	43,895
Cash and due from banks at beginning of period	110,122	117,620
Cash and due from banks at end of period	$111,011	$161,515

BASIS_OF_PRESENTATION

BASIS OF PRESENTATION	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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, including covered loans and the related allowance for loan and lease losses in the Consolidated Balance Sheets have been made to conform to current year presentation. Such reclassifications had no effect on net earnings.
	Effective October 1, 2014, the five-year loss sharing coverage period for non-single family assets expired and the majority of the Company’s formerly covered assets were no longer subject to FDIC loss sharing protection. As a result of this expiration, and the insignificant balance of assets that remain subject to FDIC loss sharing protection through the October 1, 2019 relative to the Company’s total assets, all covered loans and the related allowance for loan and lease losses-covered, as well as provision for covered loan and lease losses, have been reclassified in the Consolidated Financial Statements, and all credit quality metrics have been updated to include covered and formerly covered assets.
	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, 2014.  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 it is suggested that these interim statements be read in conjunction with 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, 2014 has been derived from the audited financial statements in the Company’s 2014 Form 10-K.

RECENTLY_ADOPTED_AND_ISSUED_AC

RECENTLY ADOPTED AND ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 2014-01, Accounting for Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing
	Projects) that permits First Financial to make an accounting policy election to account for its investments in qualified
	affordable housing projects using a proportional amortization method if certain conditions are met. Under the proportional
	amortization method, First Financial would amortize the initial cost of the investment in proportion to the tax credits and other
	tax benefits received and recognize the net investment performance in the income statement as a component of income tax
	expense. The amended guidance requires disclosure of the nature of First Financial’s investments in qualified affordable
	housing projects, and the effect of the measurement of the investments in qualified affordable housing projects and the related
	tax credits on First Financial’s financial position and results of operation. The provisions of this update became effective for the interim reporting period ended March 31, 2015. First Financial made the election to adopt the proportional amortization method during the first quarter 2015 and had $14.8 million of affordable housing commitments as of March 31, 2015. This update did not have a material impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.
	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 this update became effective for the interim reporting period ended March 31, 2015. This update did not have a material impact on the Company's 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 this update became effective for the interim reporting period ended March 31, 2015. This update did not have a material impact on the Company's 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 this update became effective for the interim reporting period ended March 31, 2015. This update did not have a material impact on the Company's 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 provisions of this update became effective for the interim reporting period ended March 31, 2015. This update did not have a material impact on the Company's 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	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 March 31, 2015:
			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	$	2		$	0		$	99
	Securities of U.S. government agencies and corporations		17,041			209				0				17,250			11,318		186			0			11,504
	Mortgage-backed securities		774,331			14,934				(482		)		788,783			588,766		5,419			(8,615		)	585,570
	Obligations of state and other political subdivisions		43,495			955				(250		)		44,200			85,401		2,376			(1,018		)	86,759
	Asset-backed securities		0			0				0				0			125,338		304			(181		)	125,461
	Other securities		4,799			51				0				4,850			82,203		1,449			(876		)	82,776
	Total		$	839,666		$	16,149			$	(732	)		$	855,083		$	893,123	$	9,736		$	(10,690	)	$	892,169
	The following is a summary of held-to-maturity and available-for-sale investment securities as of December 31, 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		$	0		$	97
	Securities of U.S. government agencies and corporations		17,570			24				(23		)		17,571			11,814		67			(1		)	11,880
	Mortgage-backed securities		801,465			7,813				(2,064		)		807,214			611,497		4,462			(13,211		)	602,748
	Obligations of state and other political subdivisions		44,164			1,275				(193		)		45,246			73,649		883			(947		)	73,585
	Asset-backed securities		0			0				0				0			74,784		155			(103		)	74,836
	Other securities		4,797			0				(79		)		4,718			77,663		1,193			(1,534		)	77,322
	Total		$	867,996		$	9,112			$	(2,359	)		$	874,749		$	849,504	$	6,760		$	(15,796	)	$	840,468
	The following table provides a summary of investment securities by estimated weighted average life as of March 31, 2015. 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	$	5,426		$	5,545			$	25,034			$	25,125
	Due after one year through five years	360,042			364,027				365,068				367,463
	Due after five years through ten years	244,118			249,477				167,204				168,454
	Due after ten years	230,080			236,034				335,817				331,127
	Total	$	839,666		$	855,083			$	893,123			$	892,169
	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:
			March 31, 2015
			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		$	0		$	0			$	0			$	0		$	0	$	0
	Mortgage-backed securities		27,187			(47		)		299,124				(8,545		)	326,311		(8,592		)
	Obligations of state and other political subdivisions		21,688			(214		)		23,393				(1,054		)	45,081		(1,268		)
	Asset-backed securities		59,696			(203		)		0				0			59,696		(203		)
	Other securities		16,094			(297		)		16,803				(579		)	32,897		(876		)
	Total		$	124,665		$	(761	)		$	339,320			$	(10,178	)	$	463,985	$	(10,939	)
			December 31, 2014
			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		$	493		$	(1	)		$	97			$	0		$	590	$	(1	)
	Mortgage-backed securities		119,641			(420		)		428,486				(13,780		)	548,127		(14,200		)
	Obligations of state and other political subdivisions		12,746			(126		)		37,516				(1,014		)	50,262		(1,140		)
	Asset-backed securities		32,045			(103		)		0				0			32,045		(103		)
	Other securities		12,831			(317		)		30,005				(1,296		)	42,836		(1,613		)
	Total		$	177,756		$	(967	)		$	496,104			$	(16,090	)	$	673,860	$	(17,057	)
	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 and payment performance as well as 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 March 31, 2015 or December 31, 2014.
	For further detail on the fair value of investment securities, see Note 14 – Fair Value Disclosures.

LOANS

LOANS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Receivables [Abstract]
LOANS AND LEASES	LOANS AND LEASES
	First Financial offers clients a variety of commercial and consumer loan and lease products with various interest rates and payment terms. Lending activities are primarily concentrated in Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky, states where the Bank currently operates banking centers. Additionally, First Financial provides equipment and leasehold improvement financing for franchisees in the quick service and casual dining restaurant sector throughout the United States. Commercial loan categories include commercial and industrial (commercial), commercial real estate, construction real estate and lease financing. Consumer loan categories include residential real estate, home equity, installment and credit card.
	Purchased impaired loans. Loans accounted for under FASB ASC Topic 310-30, Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality, are referred to as purchased impaired loans. First Financial accounts for the majority of loans acquired in FDIC transactions as purchased impaired loans, except for loans with revolving privileges, which are outside the scope of FASB ASC Topic 310-30, and loans for which cash flows could not be estimated, which are accounted for under the cost recovery method. Purchased impaired loans include loans previously covered under loss sharing agreements as well as loans that remain subject to FDIC loss sharing coverage.
	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 purchased impaired loans.
	First Financial had purchased impaired loans totaling $249.1 million and $264.9 million, at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. The outstanding balance of all purchased impaired loans, including all contractual principal, interest, fees and penalties, was $289.6 million and $314.5 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, 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
			March 31,
	(Dollars in thousands)		2015				2014
	Balance at beginning of period		$	106,622			$	133,671
	Reclassification from/(to) nonaccretable difference		(1,576		)		13,216
	Accretion		(6,357		)		(9,717		)
	Other net activity (1)		(6,701		)		(5,772		)
	Balance at end of period		$	91,988			$	131,398
	(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 reclassifications from accretable to nonaccretable difference of $1.6 million during the first quarter of 2015, and recognized $13.2 million in reclassifications from nonaccretable to accretable difference during the same period in 2014 due to changes in the cash flow expectations related to certain loan pools. 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.
	Covered loans. Loans acquired in FDIC-assisted transactions 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 the loss sharing agreements, covered loans are subject to a stated loss threshold whereby the FDIC will reimburse First Financial for 80% of losses up to a 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, on the same pro-rata basis.
	The Company's loss sharing agreements with the FDIC related to non-single family loans expired effective October 1, 2014, and the ten year period of loss protection on all other covered loans and covered OREO expires October 1, 2019. Covered loans totaled $131.2 million as of March 31, 2015 and $135.7 million as of December 31, 2014.
	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 to be the best indicator of credit quality for consumer loans. Consumer loans that have principal and interest payments that are past due by 90 days or more are generally classified as nonperforming. Additionally, consumer loans that have been modified in a TDR are also classified as nonperforming.
	Commercial and consumer credit exposure by risk attribute was as follows:
			As of March 31, 2015
							Real Estate
	(Dollars in thousands)		Commercial				Construction				Commercial			Leasing			Total
	Pass		$	1,250,649			$	226,090			$	2,005,998		$	80,218		$	3,562,955
	Special Mention		27,689				136				26,119			1,453			55,397
	Substandard		20,536				1,743				87,967			125			110,371
	Doubtful		0				0				0			0			0
	Total		$	1,298,874			$	227,969			$	2,120,084		$	81,796		$	3,728,723
	(Dollars in thousands)		Real Estate				Installment				Home Equity			Other			Total
			Residential
	Performing		$	486,466			$	43,458			$	450,733		$	37,886		$	1,018,543
	Nonperforming		10,386				340				5,545			0			16,271
	Total		$	496,852			$	43,798			$	456,278		$	37,886		$	1,034,814
			As of December 31, 2014
							Real Estate
	(Dollars in thousands)		Commercial				Construction				Commercial			Leasing			Total
	Pass		$	1,265,116			$	195,787			$	2,027,897		$	75,839		$	3,564,639
	Special Mention		30,903				0				25,928			1,728			58,559
	Substandard		19,095				1,784				86,842			0			107,721
	Doubtful		0				0				0			0			0
	Total		$	1,315,114			$	197,571			$	2,140,667		$	77,567		$	3,730,919
	(Dollars in thousands)		Real Estate				Installment				Home Equity			Other			Total
			Residential
	Performing		$	490,314			$	46,806			$	452,281		$	38,475		$	1,027,876
	Nonperforming		11,580				514				6,346			0			18,440
	Total		$	501,894			$	47,320			$	458,627		$	38,475		$	1,046,316
	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 March 31, 2015
	(Dollars in thousands)		30 – 59				60 – 89				> 90 days			Total			Current			Subtotal		Purchased impaired		Total		> 90 days
			days				days				past due			past												past due
			past due				past due							due												and still
																										accruing
	Loans
	Commercial		$	2,169			$	511			$	3,660		$	6,340		$	1,277,267		$	1,283,607	$	15,267	$	1,298,874	$	0
	Real estate - construction		0				0				223			223			226,403			226,626		1,343		227,969		0
	Real estate - commercial		9,852				1,722				13,838			25,412			1,933,639			1,959,051		161,033		2,120,084		0
	Real estate - residential		1,049				151				3,251			4,451			424,523			428,974		67,878		496,852		0
Installment		283				8				121			412			40,860			41,272		2,526		43,798		0
Home equity		410				426				3,202			4,038			451,179			455,217		1,061		456,278		0
Other		274				167				85			526			119,156			119,682		0		119,682		85
Total		$	14,037			$	2,985			$	24,380		$	41,402		$	4,473,027		$	4,514,429	$	249,108	$	4,763,537	$	85
		As of December 31, 2014
(Dollars in thousands)		30 – 59				60 – 89				> 90 days			Total			Current			Subtotal		Purchased impaired		Total		> 90 days
		days				days				past due			past												past due
		past due				past due							due												and still
																									accruing
Loans
Commercial		$	1,002			$	3,647			$	2,110		$	6,759		$	1,290,975		$	1,297,734	$	17,380	$	1,315,114	$	0
Real estate - construction		276				0				223			499			195,773			196,272		1,299		197,571		0
Real estate - commercial		8,356				838				13,952			23,146			1,944,207			1,967,353		173,314		2,140,667		0
Real estate - residential		1,198				344				4,224			5,766			426,908			432,674		69,220		501,894		0
Installment		133				17				272			422			44,235			44,657		2,663		47,320		0
Home equity		697				466				4,079			5,242			452,357			457,599		1,028		458,627		0
Other		1,133				128				216			1,477			114,565			116,042		0		116,042		216
Total		$	12,795			$	5,440			$	25,076		$	43,311		$	4,469,020		$	4,512,331	$	264,904	$	4,777,235	$	216
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 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 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.
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.
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 254 TDRs totaling $35.7 million at March 31, 2015, including $15.4 million on accrual status and $20.3 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 March 31, 2015. At March 31, 2015, the allowance for loan and lease losses included reserves of $4.3 million related to TDRs. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, First Financial charged off an insignificant amount for the portion of TDRs determined to be uncollectible. Additionally, at March 31, 2015, approximately $9.0 million of accruing TDRs have been performing in accordance with the restructured terms for more than one year.
First Financial had 262 TDRs totaling $28.2 million at December 31, 2014, including $15.9 million of loans on accrual status and $12.3 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, 2014, the allowance for loan and lease losses included reserves of $3.7 million related to TDRs. For the year ended December 31, 2014, First Financial charged off $1.0 million for the portion of TDRs determined to be uncollectible. At December 31, 2014, approximately $10.5 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 months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:
	Three months ended
	March 31, 2015											March 31, 2014
(Dollars in thousands)	Number of loans			Pre-modification loan balance				Period end balance				Number of loans		Pre-modification loan balance			Period end balance
Commercial	8			$	360			$	359			3		$	73		$	73
Real estate - construction	0			0				0				0		0			0
Real estate - commercial	6			12,914				9,343				6		1,857			1,849
Real estate - residential	0			0				0				9		545			539
Installment	0			0				0				1		3			3
Home equity	0			0				0				8		247			246
Total	14			$	13,274			$	9,702			27		$	2,725		$	2,710
The following table provides information on how TDRs were modified during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
	Three months ended
	March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	2015				2014
Extended maturities	$	9,481			$	669
Adjusted interest rates	0				293
Combination of rate and maturity changes	62				1,253
Forbearance	0				66
Other (1)	159				429
Total	$	9,702			$	2,710
(1) Includes covenant modifications and other concessions, or combination of concessions, that do not consist of interest rate adjustments, forbearance and maturity extensions
First Financial considers repayment performance as an indication of the effectiveness of the Company's loan modifications. Borrowers classified as a TDR that are 90 days or more past due on any principal or interest payments, or who prematurely terminate a restructured loan agreement without paying off 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
		March 31, 2015						March 31, 2014
(Dollars in thousands)		Number		Period end				Number of loans		Period end
		of loans		balance						balance
Commercial		0		$	0			1		$	143
Real estate - construction		0		0				0		0
Real estate - commercial		3		967				0		0
Real estate - residential		1		73				0		0
Installment		0		0				1		1
Home equity		0		0				1		24
Total		4		$	1,040			3		$	168
Impaired Loans. Loans classified as nonaccrual, excluding purchased impaired loans, and loans modified as TDRs are considered impaired. The following table provides information on nonaccrual loans, TDRs and total impaired loans.
(Dollars in thousands)		March 31, 2015				December 31, 2014
Impaired loans
Nonaccrual loans (1)
Commercial		$	7,376			$	6,627
Real estate-construction		223				223
Real estate-commercial		30,180				27,969
Real estate-residential		6,100				7,241
Installment		278				451
Home equity		4,996				5,958
Nonaccrual loans (1)		49,153				48,469
Accruing troubled debt restructurings		15,429				15,928
Total impaired loans		$	64,582			$	64,397
(1) Nonaccrual loans include nonaccrual TDRs of $20.3 million and $12.3 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
	Three months ended
	March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	2015				2014
Interest income effect on impaired loans
Gross amount of interest that would have been recorded under original terms	$	967			$	879
Interest included in income
Nonaccrual loans	171				84
Troubled debt restructurings	132				109
Total interest included in income	303				193
Net impact on interest income	$	664			$	686
Commitments outstanding to borrowers with nonaccrual loans	$	0			$	29
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 discounted cash flows 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 March 31, 2015
(Dollars in thousands)		Current balance				Contractual				Related			Average			YTD interest
						principal				allowance			current			income
						balance							balance			recognized
Loans with no related allowance recorded
Commercial		$	8,649			$	10,841			$	0		$	8,130		$	45
Real estate - construction		223				443				0			223			0
Real estate - commercial		22,729				27,633				0			21,007			108
Real estate - residential		8,597				9,917				0			9,079			47
Installment		340				381				0			427			2
Home equity		5,444				7,768				0			5,845			19
Other		0				0				0			0			0
Total		45,982				56,983				0			44,711			221
Loans with an allowance recorded
Commercial		1,620				2,104				742			2,009			3
Real estate - construction		0				0				0			0			0
Real estate - commercial		15,090				15,564				3,512			15,765			69
Real estate - residential		1,789				1,825				290			1,904			9
Installment		0				0				0			0			0
Home equity		101				101				2			101			1
Other		0				0				0			0			0
Total		18,600				19,594				4,546			19,779			82
Total
Commercial		10,269				12,945				742			10,139			48
Real estate - construction		223				443				0			223			0
Real estate - commercial		37,819				43,197				3,512			36,772			177
Real estate - residential		10,386				11,742				290			10,983			56
Installment		340				381				0			427			2
Home equity		5,545				7,869				2			5,946			20
Other		0				0				0			0			0
Total		$	64,582			$	76,577			$	4,546		$	64,490		$	303
		As of December 31, 2014
(Dollars in thousands)		Current				Contractual				Related			Average			Interest
		balance				principal				allowance			current			income
						balance							balance			recognized
Loans with no related allowance recorded
Commercial		$	7,611			$	9,284			$	0		$	7,146		$	146
Real estate - construction		223				443				0			223			0
Real estate - commercial		19,285				23,631				0			15,653			285
Real estate - residential		9,561				10,867				0			9,485			182
Installment		514				577				0			513			8
Home equity		6,246				9,041				0			5,658			85
Other		0				0				0			0			0
Total		43,440				53,843				0			38,678			706
Loans with an allowance recorded
Commercial		2,398				2,605				739			4,234			57
Real estate - construction		0				0				0			0			0
Real estate - commercial		16,439				17,662				4,002			11,471			187
Real estate - residential		2,019				2,080				310			2,088			40
Installment		0				0				0			0			0
Home equity		101				101				2			101			3
Other		0				0				0			0			0
Total		20,957				22,448				5,053			17,894			287
Total
Commercial		10,009				11,889				739			11,380			203
Real estate - construction		223				443				0			223			0
Real estate - commercial		35,724				41,293				4,002			27,124			472
Real estate - residential		11,580				12,947				310			11,573			222
Installment		514				577				0			513			8
Home equity		6,347				9,142				2			5,759			88
Other		0				0				0			0			0
Total		$	64,397			$	76,291			$	5,053		$	56,572		$	993
OREO. OREO is comprised of properties acquired by the Company primarily 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
	March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	2015 (1)				2014 (1)
Balance at beginning of period	$	22,674			$	46,926
Additions
Commercial	2,173				1,564
Residential	1,058				398
Total additions	3,231				1,962
Disposals
Commercial	4,145				11,838
Residential	412				244
Total disposals	4,557				12,082
Valuation adjustment
Commercial	418				930
Residential	24				85
Total valuation adjustment	442				1,015
Balance at end of period	$	20,906			$	35,791
(1) Includes OREO subject to loss sharing agreements of $0.3 million and $23.0 million at March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
FDIC indemnification asset. Changes in the balance of the FDIC indemnification asset and the related impact to the Consolidated Statements of Income are presented in the table that follows:
	Three months ended
	March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	2015				2014				Affected Line Item in the Consolidated Statements of Income
Balance at beginning of period	$	22,666			$	45,091
Adjustments not reflected in income
Net FDIC claims (received) / paid	204				(104		)
Adjustments reflected in income
Amortization	(1,195		)		(1,416		)		Interest income, other earning assets
FDIC loss sharing income	(1,046		)		(508		)		Noninterest income, FDIC loss sharing income
Offset to accelerated discount	(232		)		(4,060		)		Noninterest income, accelerated discount on covered loans
Impairment valuation adjustment	0				0				Noninterest expenses, FDIC indemnification impairment
Balance at end of period	$	20,397			$	39,003
The accounting for FDIC indemnification assets is closely related to the accounting for the underlying, indemnified assets as well as on-going assessment of the collectibility of the indemnification assets. The primary activities impacting the FDIC indemnification asset are FDIC claims, amortization, FDIC loss sharing income and accelerated discount.
FDIC claims - First Financial files quarterly certifications with the FDIC and submits claims for losses, valuation adjustments and collection expenses incurred, less recoveries of any previous amounts claimed that are reimbursable back to the FDIC, as allowed under the loss sharing agreements. Cash reimbursements are generally received within 30 days of filing and are recorded as a credit to the indemnification asset balance, thus reducing its carrying value.
Amortization - As the yield on covered loans increased over time as a result of improvement in the expected cash flows on covered loans, the yield on the indemnification asset declined. The yield on the indemnification asset became negative in the first quarter of 2011 at which time the indemnification asset began to decline through monthly amortization at the negative yield.
FDIC loss sharing income - FDIC loss sharing income represents the proportionate share of credit costs on covered assets that First Financial expects to receive from the FDIC. Credit costs on covered assets include provision expense on covered loans, losses on covered OREO and other covered collection and asset resolution costs recorded as loss sharing expense under noninterest expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Offset to accelerated discount - Accelerated discounts on covered loans occur when covered loans prepay and represent the accelerated recognition of the remaining discount that would have been recognized over the life of the loan had the loan not prepaid. In conjunction with the recognition of accelerated discount, First Financial also recognizes a related offset through noninterest income and reduction to the indemnification asset for a portion of the discount representing expected credit loss included in the discount recorded at acquisition.

ALLOWANCE_FOR_LOAN_AND_LEASE_L

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Receivables [Abstract]
ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES	ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES
	Loans and leases. 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. Management determines the adequacy of the allowance based on historical loss experience as well as other significant factors such as composition of the portfolio, economic conditions, geographic footprint, the results of periodic internal and external evaluations of delinquent, nonaccrual and classified loans and any other adverse situations that may affect a specific borrower's ability to repay (including the timing of future payments). This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires utilizing material estimates that may be susceptible to significant change. 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 three months of 2015.
	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.
	During 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 15 - Business Combinations for further detail.
	Covered/formerly covered loans. The majority of covered/formerly covered loans are purchased impaired loans, whereby First Financial is required to periodically re-estimate the expected cash flows on the loans. First Financial updated the valuations related to covered/formerly covered loans during the first quarter of 2015 and, as a result of improved cash flow expectations from the updated valuations, recognized negative provision expense, or impairment recapture, of $0.3 million and realized net recoveries of $0.5 million, resulting in an ending allowance of $10.3 million as of March 31, 2015. For the first quarter of 2014, First Financial recognized negative provision expense of $2.2 million and net charge-offs of $6.1 million, resulting in an ending allowance of $10.6 million.
	First Financial recognized loss sharing expenses primarily related to attorney fees, appraisal costs and delinquent taxes of $0.3 million and $1.6 million for the first quarters of 2015 and 2014, respectively. The Company also recognized gains on covered OREO of $0.3 million for the first quarter of 2015 and losses on covered OREO of $33 thousand for the first quarter of 2014. 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 $1.0 million was recognized as negative FDIC loss sharing income and a corresponding decrease to the FDIC indemnification asset during the first quarter of 2015. The net payable due to the FDIC under loss sharing agreements of $0.5 million for the first quarter of 2014, was recognized as negative FDIC loss sharing income and a corresponding decrease to the FDIC indemnification asset.
	Changes in the allowance for loan and lease losses were as follows:
		Three months ended
		March 31,
	(Dollars in thousands)	2015			2014
	Changes in the allowance for loan and lease losses on loans, excluding covered/formerly covered loans
	Balance at beginning of period	$	42,820		$	43,829
	Provision for loan and lease losses	2,343			1,159
	Loans charged off	(3,128		)	(2,424		)
	Recoveries	750			459
	Balance at end of period	$	42,785		$	43,023
	Changes in the allowance for loan and lease losses on covered/formerly covered loans
	Balance at beginning of period	$	10,038		$	18,901
	Provision for loan and lease losses	(283		)	(2,192		)
	Loans charged-off	(1,916		)	(7,240		)
	Recoveries	2,452			1,104
	Balance at end of period	$	10,291		$	10,573
	Changes in the allowance for loan and lease losses on total loans
	Balance at beginning of period	$	52,858		$	62,730
	Provision for loan and lease losses	2,060			(1,033		)
	Loans charged-off	(5,044		)	(9,664		)
	Recoveries	3,202			1,563
	Balance at end of period	$	53,076		$	53,596
	Year-to-date changes in the allowance for loan and lease losses by loan category were as follows:
			Three months ended March 31, 2015
							Real Estate
	(Dollars in thousands)		Comm				Constr				Comm				Resid			Install			Home Equity			Other			Total			Covered/formerly covered				Grand Total
	Allowance for loan and lease losses:
	Balance at beginning of period		$	11,259			$	1,045			$	20,668			$	2,828		$	323		$	4,260		$	2,437		$	42,820		$	10,038			$	52,858
	Provision for loan and lease losses		1,852				163				(722		)		294			51			566			139			2,343			(283		)		2,060
	Gross charge-offs		1,481				0				208				314			131			700			294			3,128			1,916				5,044
	Recoveries		44				29				354				64			60			154			45			750			2,452				3,202
	Total net charge-offs		1,437				(29		)		(146		)		250			71			546			249			2,378			(536		)		1,842
	Ending allowance for loan and lease losses		$	11,674			$	1,237			$	20,092			$	2,872		$	303		$	4,280		$	2,327		$	42,785		$	10,291			$	53,076
	Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment		$	742			$	0			$	3,512			$	290		$	0		$	2		$	0		$	4,546		$	0			$	4,546
	Ending allowance on loans collectively evaluated for impairment		10,932				1,237				16,580				2,582			303			4,278			2,327			38,239			10,291				48,530
	Ending allowance for loan and lease losses		$	11,674			$	1,237			$	20,092			$	2,872		$	303		$	4,280		$	2,327		$	42,785		$	10,291			$	53,076
	Loans
	Ending balance of loans individually evaluated for impairment		$	7,991			$	0			$	28,133			$	2,679		$	0		$	367		$	0		$	39,170		$	0			$	39,170
	Ending balance of loans collectively evaluated for impairment		1,275,496		0		226,626				1,938,201				426,295			40,893			415,631			117,616			4,440,758			283,609				4,724,367
	Total loans		$	1,283,487			$	226,626			$	1,966,334			$	428,974		$	40,893		$	415,998		$	117,616		$	4,479,928		$	283,609			$	4,763,537
			Twelve months ended December 31, 2014
						Real Estate
	(Dollars in thousands)		Comm			Constr				Comm				Resid			Install			Home Equity			Other			Total			Covered/formerly covered				Grand 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		$	18,901			$	62,730
	Provision for loan and lease losses		871			221				1,325				181			23			565			183			3,369			(1,841		)		1,528
	Gross charge-offs		1,440			0				2,329				922			283			1,745			1,158			7,877			18,096				25,973
	Recoveries		1,260			0				1,194				190			218			231			406			3,499			11,074				14,573
	Total net charge-offs		180			0				1,135				732			65			1,514			752			4,378			7,022				11,400
	Ending allowance for loan and lease losses		$	11,259		$	1,045			$	20,668			$	2,828		$	323		$	4,260		$	2,437		$	42,820		$	10,038			$	52,858
	Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment		$	739		$	0			$	4,002			$	310		$	0		$	2		$	0		$	5,053		$	0			$	5,053
	Ending allowance on loans collectively evaluated for impairment		10,520			1,045				16,666				2,518			323			4,258			2,437			37,767			10,038				47,805
	Ending allowance for loan and lease losses		$	11,259		$	1,045			$	20,668			$	2,828		$	323		$	4,260		$	2,437		$	42,820		$	10,038			$	52,858
	Loans - excluding covered loans
	Ending balance of loans individually evaluated for impairment		$	6,122		$	0			$	25,938			$	2,963		$	0		$	609		$	0		$	35,632		$	0			$	35,632
	Ending balance of loans collectively evaluated for impairment		1,291,190			196,272				1,948,757				429,712			44,269			415,420			113,969			4,439,589			302,014				4,741,603
	Total loans - excluding covered loans		$	1,297,312		$	196,272			$	1,974,695			$	432,675		$	44,269		$	416,029		$	113,969		$	4,475,221		$	302,014			$	4,777,235

GOODWILL_AND_OTHER_INTANGIBLE_

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 15 – Business Combinations.
	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, 2014 and no impairment was indicated.  As of March 31, 2015, no events or changes in circumstances indicated that the fair value of a reporting unit was below its carrying value, and no changes to goodwill were recorded for the quarter ended March 31, 2015. Therefore, as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, First Financial had goodwill of $137.7 million.
	Other intangible assets. Other intangible assets primarily consists 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 $7.3 million and $7.7 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. First Financial's core deposit intangibles have an estimated weighted average remaining life of 6.3 years. Amortization expense was $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

BORROWINGS

BORROWINGS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 $523.5 million in short-term borrowings with the FHLB at March 31, 2015 and $558.2 million as of December 31, 2014. 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 that matures on June 1, 2015. 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 March 31, 2015, there was no outstanding balance. The credit agreement requires First Financial to comply with certain covenants including those related to asset quality and capital levels, and First Financial was in compliance with all covenants associated with this line of credit as of March 31, 2015.
	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% as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.  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 First Financial's long-term debt:
		March 31, 2015				December 31, 2014
	(Dollars in thousands)	Amount		Average rate		Amount		Average rate
	FHLB Advances	$	21,823	1.62	%	$	22,466	2.52	%
	National Market Repurchase Agreement	25,000		3.54	%	25,000		3.54	%
	Capital loan with municipality	775		0	%	775		0	%
	Total long-term debt	$	47,598	2.6	%	$	48,241	3.01	%

ACCUMULATED_OTHER_COMPREHENSIV

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 March 31, 2015
		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	$	7,808		$	0		$	7,808		$	(2,800	)	$	5,008		$	(2,506	)	$	5,008		$	2,502
	Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	(1,293		)	0			(1,293		)	477			(816		)	(949		)	(816		)	(1,765		)
	Retirement obligation	0			(350		)	350			(167		)	183			(17,904		)	183			(17,721		)
	Foreign currency translation	(20		)	0			(20		)	0			(20		)	(50		)	(20		)	(70		)
	Total	$	6,495		$	(350	)	$	6,845		$	(2,490	)	$	4,355		$	(21,409	)	$	4,355		$	(17,054	)
		Three months ended March 31, 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	$	6,098		$	50		$	6,048		$	(2,186	)	$	3,862		$	(16,289	)	$	3,862		$	(12,427	)
	Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	(844		)	(115		)	(729		)	272			(457		)	602			(457		)	145
	Retirement obligation	0			(378		)	378			(141		)	237			(15,565		)	237			(15,328		)
	Foreign currency translation	(9		)	0			(9		)	0			(9		)	(29		)	(9		)	(38		)
	Total	$	5,245		$	(443	)	$	5,688		$	(2,055	)	$	3,633		$	(31,281	)	$	3,633		$	(27,648	)
	The following table presents the activity reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into income during the three month period:
		Amount reclassified from
		accumulated other comprehensive income (1)
		Three months ended
		March 31,
	(Dollars in thousands)	2015			2014			Affected Line Item in the Consolidated Statements of Income
	Gains and losses on cash flow hedges
	Interest rate contracts	$	0		$	(115	)	Interest expense - deposits
	Realized gains and losses on securities available-for-sale	0			50			Gains on sales of investments securities
	Defined benefit pension plan
	Amortization of prior service cost (2)	100			103			Salaries and employee benefits
	Recognized net actuarial loss (2)	(450		)	(481		)	Salaries and employee benefits
	Amortization and settlement charges of defined benefit pension items	(350		)	(378		)	Salaries and employee benefits
	Total reclassifications for the period, before tax	$	(350	)	$	(443	)
	(1) Negative amount are reductions to net income.
	(2) Included in the computation of net periodic pension cost (see Note 12 - Employee Benefit Plans for additional details).

DERIVATIVES

DERIVATIVES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 does not use derivatives for speculative purposes.
	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.
	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 March 31, 2015, the Company had a total counterparty notional amount outstanding of approximately $600.6 million, spread among nine counterparties, with an outstanding liability from these contracts of $17.1 million. At December 31, 2014, the Company had a total counterparty notional amount outstanding of approximately $566.2 million, spread among nine counterparties, with an outstanding liability from these contracts of $12.4 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:
					March 31, 2015											December 31, 2014
									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		$	6,987			$	0		$	(377	)		$	8,739			$	0			$	(440	)
	Matched interest rate swaps with borrower		Accrued interest and other assets		443,620				14,352			0				407,423				11,150				(249		)
	Matched interest rate swaps with counterparty		Accrued interest and other liabilities		443,620				0			(14,420		)		407,423				249				(11,227		)
	Total				$	894,227			$	14,352		$	(14,797	)		$	823,585			$	11,399			$	(11,916	)
	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:
		March 31, 2015											December 31, 2014
	(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 assets presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
	Fair value hedges
	Pay fixed interest rate swaps with counterparty	$	377			$	0			$	377		$	440			$	0			$	440
	Matched interest rate swaps with counterparty	14,431				(13,688		)		743			11,476				(12,260		)		(784		)
	Total	$	14,808			$	(13,688	)		$	1,120		$	11,916			$	(12,260	)		$	(344	)
	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 March 31, 2015:
												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		$	6,987			1.9		$	(377	)	2.05	%		6.85	%
	Receive fixed, matched interest rate swaps with borrower		443,620				4.2		14,352			4.59	%		2.66	%
	Pay fixed, matched interest rate swaps with counterparty		443,620				4.2		(14,420		)	2.66	%		4.59	%
	Total asset conversion swaps		$	894,227			4.2		$	(445	)	3.61	%		3.65	%
	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 $150.0 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. 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 3.7 years. Accrued interest and other liabilities included $3.0 million at March 31, 2015 and $1.7 million at December 31, 2014, 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 $26.3 million as of March 31, 2015 and $26.4 million as of December 31, 2014. The fair value of these agreements were recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as liabilities of $0.1 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

INCOME_TAXES

INCOME TAXES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
INCOME TAXES	INCOME TAXES
	For the first quarter 2015, income tax expense was $8.5 million, resulting in an effective tax rate of 32.4%, compared with income tax expense of $7.1 million and an effective tax rate of 31.9% for the comparable period in 2014. The increase in the effective tax rate for the first quarter 2015, as compared to the same period in 2014, was primarily the result of a favorable adjustment related to a change in state tax laws in 2014, partially offset by an increase in tax-exempt income during the period.
	At March 31, 2015, and December 31, 2014, First Financial had no FASB ASC Topic 740-10 unrecognized tax benefits recorded.  First Financial 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. These evaluations are inherently subjective as they require material estimates and may be susceptible to significant change.  Management determined that no reserve for income tax-related uncertainties was necessary as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
	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 2012 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 2011 through 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	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 counterparty 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.
	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 $1.8 billion at both March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
	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 $19.5 million and $22.8 million at March 31, 2015, and December 31, 2014, respectively. Management conducts regular reviews of these instruments on an individual client basis.
	Investments in Affordable housing projects. First Financial has made investments in certain qualified affordable housing projects. These projects provide tax incentives to encourage investment in the development, acquisition and rehabilitation of affordable rental housing, and First Financial receives corresponding tax credits that are an indirect federal subsidy that finances low-income housing and allows investors to claim tax credits and other tax benefits (such as deductions from taxable income for operating losses) on their federal income tax returns. The principal risk associated with qualified affordable housing investments is the potential for noncompliance with the tax code requirements, such as, failure to rent property to qualified tenants, resulting in unavailability or recapture of the tax credits and other tax benefits. First Financial's affordable housing commitments totaled $14.8 million and $14.9 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, and First Financial had no affordable housing contingent commitments as of March 31, 2015 or December 31, 2014. The affordable housing investments resulted in $0.4 million and $0.3 million of tax credits for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, 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 March 31, 2015. 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	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 three months ended March 31, 2015 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 2014.  As a result of the plan’s actuarial projections for 2015, First Financial recorded income related to its pension plan of $0.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
	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
		March 31,
	(Dollars in thousands)	2015			2014
	Service cost	$	1,175		$	1,041
	Interest cost	550			620
	Expected return on assets	(2,375		)	(2,292		)
	Amortization of prior service cost	(100		)	(103		)
	Net actuarial loss	450			481
	Net periodic benefit (income) cost	$	(300	)	$	(253	)

EARNINGS_PER_COMMON_SHARE

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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
		March 31,
	(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)	2015		2014
	Numerator
	Net income available to common shareholders	$	17,621	$	15,104
	Denominator
	Basic earnings per common share - weighted average shares	61,013,489		57,091,604
	Effect of dilutive securities
	Employee stock awards	567,806		591,659
	Warrants	150,549		144,916
	Diluted earnings per common share - adjusted weighted average shares	61,731,844		57,828,179
	Earnings per share available to common shareholders
	Basic	$	0.29	$	0.26
	Diluted	$	0.29	$	0.26
	Warrants to purchase 465,117 shares of the Company's common stock were outstanding as of March 31, 2015 and 2014. 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 20,626 and 24,026 using a period end price at March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
	During the second quarter of 2014, the Company received shareholder authorization to issue up to 10,000,000 preferred shares. As of March 31, 2015, no preferred shares were issued or outstanding.

FAIR_VALUE_DISCLOSURES

FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 and leases. 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 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 allocated to the allowance for loan and lease losses are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis.  Any fair value adjustments are recorded in the period incurred as provision for loan and lease losses on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
	Fair values for purchased impaired loans were based on a discounted cash flow methodology that considered factors including the type of loan and related collateral, classification status, fixed or variable interest rate, term of 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 loans were 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 acquired 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 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, and may be impacted by the relatively short remaining term of loss sharing coverage on covered commercial assets. The five year period of loss protection expired for the majority of First Financial's covered commercial loans and covered OREO during the third quarter of 2014. The Company classifies the estimated fair value of the indemnification asset as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.
	Deposits liabilities. 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 interest rate swaps 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 swap if First Financial should choose to do so. Additionally, First Financial utilizes a vendor-developed, proprietary model 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
	March 31, 2015
	Financial assets
	Cash and short-term investments	$	136,361		$	136,361		$	136,361	$	0	$	0
	Investment securities held-to-maturity	839,666			855,083			0		855,083		0
	Other investments	53,393			53,393			0		53,393		0
	Loans held for sale	14,937			14,937			0		14,937		0
	Loans and leases, net of ALLL	4,710,461			4,763,351			0		0		4,763,351
	FDIC indemnification asset	20,397			11,546			0		0		11,546
	Financial liabilities
	Deposits
	Noninterest-bearing	$	1,299,602		$	1,299,602		$	0	$	1,299,602	$	0
	Interest-bearing demand	1,214,882			1,214,882			0		1,214,882		0
	Savings	1,922,815			1,922,815			0		1,922,815		0
	Time	1,277,291			1,282,550			0		1,282,550		0
	Total deposits	5,714,590			5,719,849			0		5,719,849		0
	Short-term borrowings	591,642			591,642			591,642		0		0
	Long-term debt	47,598			48,792			0		48,792		0
		Carrying			Estimated fair value
	(Dollars in thousands)	value			Total			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	December 31, 2014
	Financial assets
	Cash and short-term investments	$	132,752		$	132,752		$	132,752	$	0	$	0
	Investment securities held-to-maturity	867,996			874,749			0		874,749		0
	Other investments	52,626			52,626			0		52,626		0
	Loans held for sale	11,005			11,005			0		11,005		0
	Loans and leases, net of ALLL	4,724,377			4,763,619			0		0		4,763,619
	FDIC indemnification asset	22,666			12,449			0		0		12,449
	Financial liabilities
	Deposits
	Noninterest-bearing	$	1,285,527		$	1,285,527		$	0	$	1,285,527	$	0
	Interest-bearing demand	1,225,378			1,225,378			0		1,225,378		0
	Savings	1,889,473			1,889,473			0		1,889,473		0
	Time	1,255,364			1,254,070			0		1,254,070		0
	Total deposits	5,655,742			5,654,448			0		5,654,448		0
	Short-term borrowings	661,392			661,392			661,392		0		0
	Long-term debt	48,241			49,674			0		49,674		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
March 31, 2015
Assets
Derivatives		$	0			$	14,352		$	0		$	14,352
Investment securities available-for-sale		8,533				883,636			0			892,169
Total		$	8,533			$	897,988		$	0		$	906,521
Liabilities
Derivatives		$	0			$	17,847		$	0		$	17,847
		Fair value measurements using
(Dollars in thousands)		Level 1				Level 2			Level 3			Assets/liabilities
												at fair value
December 31, 2014
Assets
Derivatives		$	0			$	11,399		$	0		$	11,399
Investment securities available-for-sale		8,406				832,062			0			840,468
Total		$	8,406			$	843,461		$	0		$	851,867
Liabilities
Derivatives		$	0			$	13,662		$	0		$	13,662
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
March 31, 2015
Assets
Impaired loans (1)		$	0			$	0		$	12,456
OREO		0				0			12,566
		Fair value measurements using
(Dollars in thousands)		Level 1				Level 2			Level 3
December 31, 2014
Assets
Impaired loans (1)		$	0			$	0		$	14,096
OREO		0				0			13,094
(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	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
BUSINESS COMBINATIONS	BUSINESS COMBINATIONS
	First Financial completed three business combinations in the Columbus, Ohio market during 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 Company continues to finalize the fair values of loans and intangible assets and liabilities. As a result, the fair value adjustment in the accounts are preliminary and may change as information becomes available but no later than 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	25,456		30,799		61,238		117,493
	Total assets	$	341,543	$	251,084	$	134,685	$	727,312
	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	$	26,229	$	20,302	$	7,922	$	54,453
	Goodwill	$	18,280	$	16,308	$	8,101	$	42,689
	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)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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, including covered loans and the related allowance for loan and lease losses in the Consolidated Balance Sheets have been made to conform to current year presentation. Such reclassifications had no effect on net earnings.
	Effective October 1, 2014, the five-year loss sharing coverage period for non-single family assets expired and the majority of the Company’s formerly covered assets were no longer subject to FDIC loss sharing protection. As a result of this expiration, and the insignificant balance of assets that remain subject to FDIC loss sharing protection through the October 1, 2019 relative to the Company’s total assets, all covered loans and the related allowance for loan and lease losses-covered, as well as provision for covered loan and lease losses, have been reclassified in the Consolidated Financial Statements, and all credit quality metrics have been updated to include covered and formerly covered assets.
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.
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 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 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.
	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.
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, excluding purchased impaired loans, 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 discounted cash flows 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	OREO is comprised of properties acquired by the Company primarily through the loan foreclosure or repossession process, or other resolution activity that results in partial or total satisfaction of problem loans.
Certain Loans and Debt Securities Acquired in Transfer, Recognizing Interest Income on Impaired Loans, Policy	Loans accounted for under FASB ASC Topic 310-30, Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality, are referred to as purchased impaired loans. First Financial accounts for the majority of loans acquired in FDIC transactions as purchased impaired loans, except for loans with revolving privileges, which are outside the scope of FASB ASC Topic 310-30, and loans for which cash flows could not be estimated, which are accounted for under the cost recovery method. Purchased impaired loans include loans previously covered under loss sharing agreements as well as loans that remain subject to FDIC loss sharing coverage.
	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 purchased impaired 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. Management determines the adequacy of the allowance based on historical loss experience as well as other significant factors such as composition of the portfolio, economic conditions, geographic footprint, the results of periodic internal and external evaluations of delinquent, nonaccrual and classified loans and any other adverse situations that may affect a specific borrower's ability to repay (including the timing of future payments). This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires utilizing material estimates that may be susceptible to significant change. 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 three months of 2015.
	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.
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 primarily consists 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. These evaluations are inherently subjective as they require material estimates and may be susceptible to significant change.
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 counterparty 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 and leases. 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 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 allocated to the allowance for loan and lease losses are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis.  Any fair value adjustments are recorded in the period incurred as provision for loan and lease losses on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
	Fair values for purchased impaired loans were based on a discounted cash flow methodology that considered factors including the type of loan and related collateral, classification status, fixed or variable interest rate, term of 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 loans were 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 acquired 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 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, and may be impacted by the relatively short remaining term of loss sharing coverage on covered commercial assets. The five year period of loss protection expired for the majority of First Financial's covered commercial loans and covered OREO during the third quarter of 2014. The Company classifies the estimated fair value of the indemnification asset as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.
	Deposits liabilities. 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 interest rate swaps 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 swap if First Financial should choose to do so. Additionally, First Financial utilizes a vendor-developed, proprietary model 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	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.
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)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 March 31, 2015:
			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	$	2		$	0		$	99
	Securities of U.S. government agencies and corporations		17,041			209				0				17,250			11,318		186			0			11,504
	Mortgage-backed securities		774,331			14,934				(482		)		788,783			588,766		5,419			(8,615		)	585,570
	Obligations of state and other political subdivisions		43,495			955				(250		)		44,200			85,401		2,376			(1,018		)	86,759
	Asset-backed securities		0			0				0				0			125,338		304			(181		)	125,461
	Other securities		4,799			51				0				4,850			82,203		1,449			(876		)	82,776
	Total		$	839,666		$	16,149			$	(732	)		$	855,083		$	893,123	$	9,736		$	(10,690	)	$	892,169
	The following is a summary of held-to-maturity and available-for-sale investment securities as of December 31, 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		$	0		$	97
	Securities of U.S. government agencies and corporations		17,570			24				(23		)		17,571			11,814		67			(1		)	11,880
	Mortgage-backed securities		801,465			7,813				(2,064		)		807,214			611,497		4,462			(13,211		)	602,748
	Obligations of state and other political subdivisions		44,164			1,275				(193		)		45,246			73,649		883			(947		)	73,585
	Asset-backed securities		0			0				0				0			74,784		155			(103		)	74,836
	Other securities		4,797			0				(79		)		4,718			77,663		1,193			(1,534		)	77,322
	Total		$	867,996		$	9,112			$	(2,359	)		$	874,749		$	849,504	$	6,760		$	(15,796	)	$	840,468
Summary of Investment Securities by Estimated Maturity	The following table provides a summary of investment securities by estimated weighted average life as of March 31, 2015. 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	$	5,426		$	5,545			$	25,034			$	25,125
	Due after one year through five years	360,042			364,027				365,068				367,463
	Due after five years through ten years	244,118			249,477				167,204				168,454
	Due after ten years	230,080			236,034				335,817				331,127
	Total	$	839,666		$	855,083			$	893,123			$	892,169
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:
			March 31, 2015
			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		$	0		$	0			$	0			$	0		$	0	$	0
	Mortgage-backed securities		27,187			(47		)		299,124				(8,545		)	326,311		(8,592		)
	Obligations of state and other political subdivisions		21,688			(214		)		23,393				(1,054		)	45,081		(1,268		)
	Asset-backed securities		59,696			(203		)		0				0			59,696		(203		)
	Other securities		16,094			(297		)		16,803				(579		)	32,897		(876		)
	Total		$	124,665		$	(761	)		$	339,320			$	(10,178	)	$	463,985	$	(10,939	)
			December 31, 2014
			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		$	493		$	(1	)		$	97			$	0		$	590	$	(1	)
	Mortgage-backed securities		119,641			(420		)		428,486				(13,780		)	548,127		(14,200		)
	Obligations of state and other political subdivisions		12,746			(126		)		37,516				(1,014		)	50,262		(1,140		)
	Asset-backed securities		32,045			(103		)		0				0			32,045		(103		)
	Other securities		12,831			(317		)		30,005				(1,296		)	42,836		(1,613		)
	Total		$	177,756		$	(967	)		$	496,104			$	(16,090	)	$	673,860	$	(17,057	)

LOANS_Tables

LOANS (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
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
			March 31,
	(Dollars in thousands)		2015				2014
	Balance at beginning of period		$	106,622			$	133,671
	Reclassification from/(to) nonaccretable difference		(1,576		)		13,216
	Accretion		(6,357		)		(9,717		)
	Other net activity (1)		(6,701		)		(5,772		)
	Balance at end of period		$	91,988			$	131,398
Commercial and Consumer Credit Exposure by Risk Attribute	Commercial and consumer credit exposure by risk attribute was as follows:
			As of March 31, 2015
							Real Estate
	(Dollars in thousands)		Commercial				Construction				Commercial			Leasing			Total
	Pass		$	1,250,649			$	226,090			$	2,005,998		$	80,218		$	3,562,955
	Special Mention		27,689				136				26,119			1,453			55,397
	Substandard		20,536				1,743				87,967			125			110,371
	Doubtful		0				0				0			0			0
	Total		$	1,298,874			$	227,969			$	2,120,084		$	81,796		$	3,728,723
	(Dollars in thousands)		Real Estate				Installment				Home Equity			Other			Total
			Residential
	Performing		$	486,466			$	43,458			$	450,733		$	37,886		$	1,018,543
	Nonperforming		10,386				340				5,545			0			16,271
	Total		$	496,852			$	43,798			$	456,278		$	37,886		$	1,034,814
			As of December 31, 2014
							Real Estate
	(Dollars in thousands)		Commercial				Construction				Commercial			Leasing			Total
	Pass		$	1,265,116			$	195,787			$	2,027,897		$	75,839		$	3,564,639
	Special Mention		30,903				0				25,928			1,728			58,559
	Substandard		19,095				1,784				86,842			0			107,721
	Doubtful		0				0				0			0			0
	Total		$	1,315,114			$	197,571			$	2,140,667		$	77,567		$	3,730,919
	(Dollars in thousands)		Real Estate				Installment				Home Equity			Other			Total
			Residential
	Performing		$	490,314			$	46,806			$	452,281		$	38,475		$	1,027,876
	Nonperforming		11,580				514				6,346			0			18,440
	Total		$	501,894			$	47,320			$	458,627		$	38,475		$	1,046,316
Loan Delinquency, including Nonaccrual Loans	Loan delinquency, including loans classified as nonaccrual, was as follows:
			As of March 31, 2015
	(Dollars in thousands)		30 – 59				60 – 89				> 90 days			Total			Current			Subtotal		Purchased impaired		Total		> 90 days
			days				days				past due			past												past due
			past due				past due							due												and still
																										accruing
	Loans
	Commercial		$	2,169			$	511			$	3,660		$	6,340		$	1,277,267		$	1,283,607	$	15,267	$	1,298,874	$	0
	Real estate - construction		0				0				223			223			226,403			226,626		1,343		227,969		0
	Real estate - commercial		9,852				1,722				13,838			25,412			1,933,639			1,959,051		161,033		2,120,084		0
	Real estate - residential		1,049				151				3,251			4,451			424,523			428,974		67,878		496,852		0
	Installment		283				8				121			412			40,860			41,272		2,526		43,798		0
	Home equity		410				426				3,202			4,038			451,179			455,217		1,061		456,278		0
	Other		274				167				85			526			119,156			119,682		0		119,682		85
	Total		$	14,037			$	2,985			$	24,380		$	41,402		$	4,473,027		$	4,514,429	$	249,108	$	4,763,537	$	85
			As of December 31, 2014
	(Dollars in thousands)		30 – 59				60 – 89				> 90 days			Total			Current			Subtotal		Purchased impaired		Total		> 90 days
			days				days				past due			past												past due
			past due				past due							due												and still
																										accruing
	Loans
	Commercial		$	1,002			$	3,647			$	2,110		$	6,759		$	1,290,975		$	1,297,734	$	17,380	$	1,315,114	$	0
	Real estate - construction		276				0				223			499			195,773			196,272		1,299		197,571		0
	Real estate - commercial		8,356				838				13,952			23,146			1,944,207			1,967,353		173,314		2,140,667		0
	Real estate - residential		1,198				344				4,224			5,766			426,908			432,674		69,220		501,894		0
	Installment		133				17				272			422			44,235			44,657		2,663		47,320		0
	Home equity		697				466				4,079			5,242			452,357			457,599		1,028		458,627		0
	Other		1,133				128				216			1,477			114,565			116,042		0		116,042		216
	Total		$	12,795			$	5,440			$	25,076		$	43,311		$	4,469,020		$	4,512,331	$	264,904	$	4,777,235	$	216
Loans Restructured During Period	The following tables provide information on loan modifications classified as TDRs during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:
		Three months ended
		March 31, 2015											March 31, 2014
	(Dollars in thousands)	Number of loans			Pre-modification loan balance				Period end balance				Number of loans		Pre-modification loan balance			Period end balance
	Commercial	8			$	360			$	359			3		$	73		$	73
	Real estate - construction	0			0				0				0		0			0
	Real estate - commercial	6			12,914				9,343				6		1,857			1,849
	Real estate - residential	0			0				0				9		545			539
	Installment	0			0				0				1		3			3
	Home equity	0			0				0				8		247			246
	Total	14			$	13,274			$	9,702			27		$	2,725		$	2,710
Loans Restructured, Modifications	The following table provides information on how TDRs were modified during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
		Three months ended
		March 31,
	(Dollars in thousands)	2015				2014
	Extended maturities	$	9,481			$	669
	Adjusted interest rates	0				293
	Combination of rate and maturity changes	62				1,253
	Forbearance	0				66
	Other (1)	159				429
	Total	$	9,702			$	2,710
	(1) Includes covenant modifications and other concessions, or combination of concessions, that do not consist of interest rate adjustments, forbearance and maturity extensions
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
			March 31, 2015						March 31, 2014
	(Dollars in thousands)		Number		Period end				Number of loans		Period end
			of loans		balance						balance
	Commercial		0		$	0			1		$	143
	Real estate - construction		0		0				0		0
	Real estate - commercial		3		967				0		0
	Real estate - residential		1		73				0		0
	Installment		0		0				1		1
	Home equity		0		0				1		24
	Total		4		$	1,040			3		$	168
Nonaccrual, Restructured and Impaired Loans	The following table provides information on nonaccrual loans, TDRs and total impaired loans.
	(Dollars in thousands)		March 31, 2015				December 31, 2014
	Impaired loans
	Nonaccrual loans (1)
	Commercial		$	7,376			$	6,627
	Real estate-construction		223				223
	Real estate-commercial		30,180				27,969
	Real estate-residential		6,100				7,241
	Installment		278				451
	Home equity		4,996				5,958
	Nonaccrual loans (1)		49,153				48,469
	Accruing troubled debt restructurings		15,429				15,928
	Total impaired loans		$	64,582			$	64,397
	(1) Nonaccrual loans include nonaccrual TDRs of $20.3 million and $12.3 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
		Three months ended
		March 31,
	(Dollars in thousands)	2015				2014
	Interest income effect on impaired loans
	Gross amount of interest that would have been recorded under original terms	$	967			$	879
	Interest included in income
	Nonaccrual loans	171				84
	Troubled debt restructurings	132				109
	Total interest included in income	303				193
	Net impact on interest income	$	664			$	686
	Commitments outstanding to borrowers with nonaccrual loans	$	0			$	29
Investment in Impaired Loans	First Financial's investment in impaired loans was as follows:
			As of March 31, 2015
	(Dollars in thousands)		Current balance				Contractual				Related			Average			YTD interest
							principal				allowance			current			income
							balance							balance			recognized
	Loans with no related allowance recorded
	Commercial		$	8,649			$	10,841			$	0		$	8,130		$	45
	Real estate - construction		223				443				0			223			0
	Real estate - commercial		22,729				27,633				0			21,007			108
	Real estate - residential		8,597				9,917				0			9,079			47
	Installment		340				381				0			427			2
	Home equity		5,444				7,768				0			5,845			19
	Other		0				0				0			0			0
	Total		45,982				56,983				0			44,711			221
	Loans with an allowance recorded
	Commercial		1,620				2,104				742			2,009			3
	Real estate - construction		0				0				0			0			0
	Real estate - commercial		15,090				15,564				3,512			15,765			69
	Real estate - residential		1,789				1,825				290			1,904			9
	Installment		0				0				0			0			0
	Home equity		101				101				2			101			1
	Other		0				0				0			0			0
	Total		18,600				19,594				4,546			19,779			82
	Total
	Commercial		10,269				12,945				742			10,139			48
	Real estate - construction		223				443				0			223			0
	Real estate - commercial		37,819				43,197				3,512			36,772			177
	Real estate - residential		10,386				11,742				290			10,983			56
	Installment		340				381				0			427			2
	Home equity		5,545				7,869				2			5,946			20
	Other		0				0				0			0			0
	Total		$	64,582			$	76,577			$	4,546		$	64,490		$	303
			As of December 31, 2014
	(Dollars in thousands)		Current				Contractual				Related			Average			Interest
			balance				principal				allowance			current			income
							balance							balance			recognized
	Loans with no related allowance recorded
	Commercial		$	7,611			$	9,284			$	0		$	7,146		$	146
	Real estate - construction		223				443				0			223			0
	Real estate - commercial		19,285				23,631				0			15,653			285
	Real estate - residential		9,561				10,867				0			9,485			182
	Installment		514				577				0			513			8
	Home equity		6,246				9,041				0			5,658			85
	Other		0				0				0			0			0
	Total		43,440				53,843				0			38,678			706
	Loans with an allowance recorded
	Commercial		2,398				2,605				739			4,234			57
	Real estate - construction		0				0				0			0			0
	Real estate - commercial		16,439				17,662				4,002			11,471			187
	Real estate - residential		2,019				2,080				310			2,088			40
	Installment		0				0				0			0			0
	Home equity		101				101				2			101			3
	Other		0				0				0			0			0
	Total		20,957				22,448				5,053			17,894			287
	Total
	Commercial		10,009				11,889				739			11,380			203
	Real estate - construction		223				443				0			223			0
	Real estate - commercial		35,724				41,293				4,002			27,124			472
	Real estate - residential		11,580				12,947				310			11,573			222
	Installment		514				577				0			513			8
	Home equity		6,347				9,142				2			5,759			88
	Other		0				0				0			0			0
	Total		$	64,397			$	76,291			$	5,053		$	56,572		$	993
Changes in Other Real Estate Owned	Changes in OREO were as follows:
		Three months ended
		March 31,
	(Dollars in thousands)	2015 (1)				2014 (1)
	Balance at beginning of period	$	22,674			$	46,926
	Additions
	Commercial	2,173				1,564
	Residential	1,058				398
	Total additions	3,231				1,962
	Disposals
	Commercial	4,145				11,838
	Residential	412				244
	Total disposals	4,557				12,082
	Valuation adjustment
	Commercial	418				930
	Residential	24				85
	Total valuation adjustment	442				1,015
	Balance at end of period	$	20,906			$	35,791
Indemnification Asset Rollforward	Changes in the balance of the FDIC indemnification asset and the related impact to the Consolidated Statements of Income are presented in the table that follows:
		Three months ended
		March 31,
	(Dollars in thousands)	2015				2014				Affected Line Item in the Consolidated Statements of Income
	Balance at beginning of period	$	22,666			$	45,091
	Adjustments not reflected in income
	Net FDIC claims (received) / paid	204				(104		)
	Adjustments reflected in income
	Amortization	(1,195		)		(1,416		)		Interest income, other earning assets
	FDIC loss sharing income	(1,046		)		(508		)		Noninterest income, FDIC loss sharing income
	Offset to accelerated discount	(232		)		(4,060		)		Noninterest income, accelerated discount on covered loans
	Impairment valuation adjustment	0				0				Noninterest expenses, FDIC indemnification impairment
	Balance at end of period	$	20,397			$	39,003

ALLOWANCE_FOR_LOAN_AND_LEASE_L1

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Changes in the Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses for the Current and Comparable Quarter	Changes in the allowance for loan and lease losses were as follows:
		Three months ended
		March 31,
	(Dollars in thousands)	2015			2014
	Changes in the allowance for loan and lease losses on loans, excluding covered/formerly covered loans
	Balance at beginning of period	$	42,820		$	43,829
	Provision for loan and lease losses	2,343			1,159
	Loans charged off	(3,128		)	(2,424		)
	Recoveries	750			459
	Balance at end of period	$	42,785		$	43,023
	Changes in the allowance for loan and lease losses on covered/formerly covered loans
	Balance at beginning of period	$	10,038		$	18,901
	Provision for loan and lease losses	(283		)	(2,192		)
	Loans charged-off	(1,916		)	(7,240		)
	Recoveries	2,452			1,104
	Balance at end of period	$	10,291		$	10,573
	Changes in the allowance for loan and lease losses on total loans
	Balance at beginning of period	$	52,858		$	62,730
	Provision for loan and lease losses	2,060			(1,033		)
	Loans charged-off	(5,044		)	(9,664		)
	Recoveries	3,202			1,563
	Balance at end of period	$	53,076		$	53,596
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:
			Three months ended March 31, 2015
							Real Estate
	(Dollars in thousands)		Comm				Constr				Comm				Resid			Install			Home Equity			Other			Total			Covered/formerly covered				Grand Total
	Allowance for loan and lease losses:
	Balance at beginning of period		$	11,259			$	1,045			$	20,668			$	2,828		$	323		$	4,260		$	2,437		$	42,820		$	10,038			$	52,858
	Provision for loan and lease losses		1,852				163				(722		)		294			51			566			139			2,343			(283		)		2,060
	Gross charge-offs		1,481				0				208				314			131			700			294			3,128			1,916				5,044
	Recoveries		44				29				354				64			60			154			45			750			2,452				3,202
	Total net charge-offs		1,437				(29		)		(146		)		250			71			546			249			2,378			(536		)		1,842
	Ending allowance for loan and lease losses		$	11,674			$	1,237			$	20,092			$	2,872		$	303		$	4,280		$	2,327		$	42,785		$	10,291			$	53,076
	Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment		$	742			$	0			$	3,512			$	290		$	0		$	2		$	0		$	4,546		$	0			$	4,546
	Ending allowance on loans collectively evaluated for impairment		10,932				1,237				16,580				2,582			303			4,278			2,327			38,239			10,291				48,530
	Ending allowance for loan and lease losses		$	11,674			$	1,237			$	20,092			$	2,872		$	303		$	4,280		$	2,327		$	42,785		$	10,291			$	53,076
	Loans
	Ending balance of loans individually evaluated for impairment		$	7,991			$	0			$	28,133			$	2,679		$	0		$	367		$	0		$	39,170		$	0			$	39,170
	Ending balance of loans collectively evaluated for impairment		1,275,496		0		226,626				1,938,201				426,295			40,893			415,631			117,616			4,440,758			283,609				4,724,367
	Total loans		$	1,283,487			$	226,626			$	1,966,334			$	428,974		$	40,893		$	415,998		$	117,616		$	4,479,928		$	283,609			$	4,763,537
			Twelve months ended December 31, 2014
						Real Estate
	(Dollars in thousands)		Comm			Constr				Comm				Resid			Install			Home Equity			Other			Total			Covered/formerly covered				Grand 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		$	18,901			$	62,730
	Provision for loan and lease losses		871			221				1,325				181			23			565			183			3,369			(1,841		)		1,528
	Gross charge-offs		1,440			0				2,329				922			283			1,745			1,158			7,877			18,096				25,973
	Recoveries		1,260			0				1,194				190			218			231			406			3,499			11,074				14,573
	Total net charge-offs		180			0				1,135				732			65			1,514			752			4,378			7,022				11,400
	Ending allowance for loan and lease losses		$	11,259		$	1,045			$	20,668			$	2,828		$	323		$	4,260		$	2,437		$	42,820		$	10,038			$	52,858
	Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment		$	739		$	0			$	4,002			$	310		$	0		$	2		$	0		$	5,053		$	0			$	5,053
	Ending allowance on loans collectively evaluated for impairment		10,520			1,045				16,666				2,518			323			4,258			2,437			37,767			10,038				47,805
	Ending allowance for loan and lease losses		$	11,259		$	1,045			$	20,668			$	2,828		$	323		$	4,260		$	2,437		$	42,820		$	10,038			$	52,858
	Loans - excluding covered loans
	Ending balance of loans individually evaluated for impairment		$	6,122		$	0			$	25,938			$	2,963		$	0		$	609		$	0		$	35,632		$	0			$	35,632
	Ending balance of loans collectively evaluated for impairment		1,291,190			196,272				1,948,757				429,712			44,269			415,420			113,969			4,439,589			302,014				4,741,603
	Total loans - excluding covered loans		$	1,297,312		$	196,272			$	1,974,695			$	432,675		$	44,269		$	416,029		$	113,969		$	4,475,221		$	302,014			$	4,777,235

BORROWINGS_Tables

BORROWINGS (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Long-term Debt [Table Text Block]	The following is a summary of First Financial's long-term debt:
		March 31, 2015				December 31, 2014
	(Dollars in thousands)	Amount		Average rate		Amount		Average rate
	FHLB Advances	$	21,823	1.62	%	$	22,466	2.52	%
	National Market Repurchase Agreement	25,000		3.54	%	25,000		3.54	%
	Capital loan with municipality	775		0	%	775		0	%
	Total long-term debt	$	47,598	2.6	%	$	48,241	3.01	%

ACCUMULATED_OTHER_COMPREHENSIV1

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 March 31, 2015
		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	$	7,808		$	0		$	7,808		$	(2,800	)	$	5,008		$	(2,506	)	$	5,008		$	2,502
	Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	(1,293		)	0			(1,293		)	477			(816		)	(949		)	(816		)	(1,765		)
	Retirement obligation	0			(350		)	350			(167		)	183			(17,904		)	183			(17,721		)
	Foreign currency translation	(20		)	0			(20		)	0			(20		)	(50		)	(20		)	(70		)
	Total	$	6,495		$	(350	)	$	6,845		$	(2,490	)	$	4,355		$	(21,409	)	$	4,355		$	(17,054	)
		Three months ended March 31, 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	$	6,098		$	50		$	6,048		$	(2,186	)	$	3,862		$	(16,289	)	$	3,862		$	(12,427	)
	Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	(844		)	(115		)	(729		)	272			(457		)	602			(457		)	145
	Retirement obligation	0			(378		)	378			(141		)	237			(15,565		)	237			(15,328		)
	Foreign currency translation	(9		)	0			(9		)	0			(9		)	(29		)	(9		)	(38		)
	Total	$	5,245		$	(443	)	$	5,688		$	(2,055	)	$	3,633		$	(31,281	)	$	3,633		$	(27,648	)
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 month period:
		Amount reclassified from
		accumulated other comprehensive income (1)
		Three months ended
		March 31,
	(Dollars in thousands)	2015			2014			Affected Line Item in the Consolidated Statements of Income
	Gains and losses on cash flow hedges
	Interest rate contracts	$	0		$	(115	)	Interest expense - deposits
	Realized gains and losses on securities available-for-sale	0			50			Gains on sales of investments securities
	Defined benefit pension plan
	Amortization of prior service cost (2)	100			103			Salaries and employee benefits
	Recognized net actuarial loss (2)	(450		)	(481		)	Salaries and employee benefits
	Amortization and settlement charges of defined benefit pension items	(350		)	(378		)	Salaries and employee benefits
	Total reclassifications for the period, before tax	$	(350	)	$	(443	)
	(1) Negative amount are reductions to net income.
	(2) Included in the computation of net periodic pension cost (see Note 12 - Employee Benefit Plans for additional details).

DERIVATIVES_Tables

DERIVATIVES (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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:
					March 31, 2015											December 31, 2014
									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		$	6,987			$	0		$	(377	)		$	8,739			$	0			$	(440	)
	Matched interest rate swaps with borrower		Accrued interest and other assets		443,620				14,352			0				407,423				11,150				(249		)
	Matched interest rate swaps with counterparty		Accrued interest and other liabilities		443,620				0			(14,420		)		407,423				249				(11,227		)
	Total				$	894,227			$	14,352		$	(14,797	)		$	823,585			$	11,399			$	(11,916	)
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:
		March 31, 2015											December 31, 2014
	(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 assets presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
	Fair value hedges
	Pay fixed interest rate swaps with counterparty	$	377			$	0			$	377		$	440			$	0			$	440
	Matched interest rate swaps with counterparty	14,431				(13,688		)		743			11,476				(12,260		)		(784		)
	Total	$	14,808			$	(13,688	)		$	1,120		$	11,916			$	(12,260	)		$	(344	)
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 March 31, 2015:
												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		$	6,987			1.9		$	(377	)	2.05	%		6.85	%
	Receive fixed, matched interest rate swaps with borrower		443,620				4.2		14,352			4.59	%		2.66	%
	Pay fixed, matched interest rate swaps with counterparty		443,620				4.2		(14,420		)	2.66	%		4.59	%
	Total asset conversion swaps		$	894,227			4.2		$	(445	)	3.61	%		3.65	%

EMPLOYEE_BENEFIT_PLANS_Tables

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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
		March 31,
	(Dollars in thousands)	2015			2014
	Service cost	$	1,175		$	1,041
	Interest cost	550			620
	Expected return on assets	(2,375		)	(2,292		)
	Amortization of prior service cost	(100		)	(103		)
	Net actuarial loss	450			481
	Net periodic benefit (income) cost	$	(300	)	$	(253	)

EARNINGS_PER_COMMON_SHARE_Tabl

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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
		March 31,
	(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)	2015		2014
	Numerator
	Net income available to common shareholders	$	17,621	$	15,104
	Denominator
	Basic earnings per common share - weighted average shares	61,013,489		57,091,604
	Effect of dilutive securities
	Employee stock awards	567,806		591,659
	Warrants	150,549		144,916
	Diluted earnings per common share - adjusted weighted average shares	61,731,844		57,828,179
	Earnings per share available to common shareholders
	Basic	$	0.29	$	0.26
	Diluted	$	0.29	$	0.26

FAIR_VALUE_DISCLOSURES_Tables

FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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
	March 31, 2015
	Financial assets
	Cash and short-term investments	$	136,361		$	136,361		$	136,361	$	0	$	0
	Investment securities held-to-maturity	839,666			855,083			0		855,083		0
	Other investments	53,393			53,393			0		53,393		0
	Loans held for sale	14,937			14,937			0		14,937		0
	Loans and leases, net of ALLL	4,710,461			4,763,351			0		0		4,763,351
	FDIC indemnification asset	20,397			11,546			0		0		11,546
	Financial liabilities
	Deposits
	Noninterest-bearing	$	1,299,602		$	1,299,602		$	0	$	1,299,602	$	0
	Interest-bearing demand	1,214,882			1,214,882			0		1,214,882		0
	Savings	1,922,815			1,922,815			0		1,922,815		0
	Time	1,277,291			1,282,550			0		1,282,550		0
	Total deposits	5,714,590			5,719,849			0		5,719,849		0
	Short-term borrowings	591,642			591,642			591,642		0		0
	Long-term debt	47,598			48,792			0		48,792		0
		Carrying			Estimated fair value
	(Dollars in thousands)	value			Total			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	December 31, 2014
	Financial assets
	Cash and short-term investments	$	132,752		$	132,752		$	132,752	$	0	$	0
	Investment securities held-to-maturity	867,996			874,749			0		874,749		0
	Other investments	52,626			52,626			0		52,626		0
	Loans held for sale	11,005			11,005			0		11,005		0
	Loans and leases, net of ALLL	4,724,377			4,763,619			0		0		4,763,619
	FDIC indemnification asset	22,666			12,449			0		0		12,449
	Financial liabilities
	Deposits
	Noninterest-bearing	$	1,285,527		$	1,285,527		$	0	$	1,285,527	$	0
	Interest-bearing demand	1,225,378			1,225,378			0		1,225,378		0
	Savings	1,889,473			1,889,473			0		1,889,473		0
	Time	1,255,364			1,254,070			0		1,254,070		0
	Total deposits	5,655,742			5,654,448			0		5,654,448		0
	Short-term borrowings	661,392			661,392			661,392		0		0
	Long-term debt	48,241			49,674			0		49,674		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
	March 31, 2015
	Assets
	Derivatives		$	0			$	14,352		$	0		$	14,352
	Investment securities available-for-sale		8,533				883,636			0			892,169
	Total		$	8,533			$	897,988		$	0		$	906,521
	Liabilities
	Derivatives		$	0			$	17,847		$	0		$	17,847
			Fair value measurements using
	(Dollars in thousands)		Level 1				Level 2			Level 3			Assets/liabilities
													at fair value
	December 31, 2014
	Assets
	Derivatives		$	0			$	11,399		$	0		$	11,399
	Investment securities available-for-sale		8,406				832,062			0			840,468
	Total		$	8,406			$	843,461		$	0		$	851,867
	Liabilities
	Derivatives		$	0			$	13,662		$	0		$	13,662
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
	March 31, 2015
	Assets
	Impaired loans (1)		$	0			$	0		$	12,456
	OREO		0				0			12,566
			Fair value measurements using
	(Dollars in thousands)		Level 1				Level 2			Level 3
	December 31, 2014
	Assets
	Impaired loans (1)		$	0			$	0		$	14,096
	OREO		0				0			13,094
	(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)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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	25,456		30,799		61,238		117,493
	Total assets	$	341,543	$	251,084	$	134,685	$	727,312
	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	$	26,229	$	20,302	$	7,922	$	54,453
	Goodwill	$	18,280	$	16,308	$	8,101	$	42,689

RECENTLY_ADOPTED_AND_ISSUED_AC1

RECENTLY ADOPTED AND ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS RECENTLY ADOPTED AND ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Affordable Housing Program Obligation	$14.80	$14.90

INVESTMENTS_Summary_of_HeldToM

INVESTMENTS - Summary of Held-To-Maturity and Available-For-Sale Investment Securities (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Total	$839,666	$867,996
Held-to-maturity Securities, Accumulated Unrecognized Holding Gain	16,149	9,112
Held-to-maturity Securities, Accumulated Unrecognized Holding Loss	-732	-2,359
Held-to-Maturity Market Value	855,083	874,749
Total	893,123	849,504
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Gain Accumulated In Investments	9,736	6,760
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Loss Accumulated In Investments	-10,690	-15,796
Investment securities available-for-sale	892,169	840,468
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	2	0
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Loss Accumulated In Investments	0	0
Investment securities available-for-sale	99	97
Securities of U.S. government agencies and corporations
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Total	17,041	17,570
Held-to-maturity Securities, Accumulated Unrecognized Holding Gain	209	24
Held-to-maturity Securities, Accumulated Unrecognized Holding Loss	0	-23
Held-to-Maturity Market Value	17,250	17,571
Total	11,318	11,814
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Gain Accumulated In Investments	186	67
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Loss Accumulated In Investments	0	-1
Investment securities available-for-sale	11,504	11,880
Mortgage-backed securities
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Total	774,331	801,465
Held-to-maturity Securities, Accumulated Unrecognized Holding Gain	14,934	7,813
Held-to-maturity Securities, Accumulated Unrecognized Holding Loss	-482	-2,064
Held-to-Maturity Market Value	788,783	807,214
Total	588,766	611,497
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Gain Accumulated In Investments	5,419	4,462
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Loss Accumulated In Investments	-8,615	-13,211
Investment securities available-for-sale	585,570	602,748
Obligations of state and other political subdivisions
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Total	43,495	44,164
Held-to-maturity Securities, Accumulated Unrecognized Holding Gain	955	1,275
Held-to-maturity Securities, Accumulated Unrecognized Holding Loss	-250	-193
Held-to-Maturity Market Value	44,200	45,246
Total	85,401	73,649
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Gain Accumulated In Investments	2,376	883
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Loss Accumulated In Investments	-1,018	-947
Investment securities available-for-sale	86,759	73,585
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	125,338	74,784
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Gain Accumulated In Investments	304	155
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Loss Accumulated In Investments	-181	-103
Investment securities available-for-sale	125,461	74,836
Other securities
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Total	4,799	4,797
Held-to-maturity Securities, Accumulated Unrecognized Holding Gain	51	0
Held-to-maturity Securities, Accumulated Unrecognized Holding Loss	0	-79
Held-to-Maturity Market Value	4,850	4,718
Total	82,203	77,663
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Gain Accumulated In Investments	1,449	1,193
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Loss Accumulated In Investments	-876	-1,534
Investment securities available-for-sale	$82,776	$77,322

INVESTMENTS_Summary_of_Investm

INVESTMENTS - Summary of Investment Securities by Estimated Maturity (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Held-to-Maturity Amortized Cost
Due in one year or less	$5,426
Due after one year through five years	360,042
Due after five years through ten years	244,118
Due after ten years	230,080
Total	839,666	867,996
Held-to-Maturity Market Value
Due in one year or less	5,545
Due after one year through five years	364,027
Due after five years through ten years	249,477
Due after ten years	236,034
Held-to-Maturity Market Value	855,083	874,749
Available-for-Sale Amortized Cost
Due in one year or less	25,034
Due after one year through five years	365,068
Due after five years through ten years	167,204
Due after ten years	335,817
Total	893,123	849,504
Available-for-Sale Market Value
Due in one year or less	25,125
Due after one year through five years	367,463
Due after five years through ten years	168,454
Due after ten years	331,127
Available-for-Sale Market Value	$892,169	$840,468

INVESTMENTS_Age_of_Gross_Unrea

INVESTMENTS - Age of Gross Unrealized Losses and Associated Fair Value by Investment Category (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]
Less than 12 Months Fair Value	$124,665	$177,756
Less than 12 Months Unrealized Loss	-761	-967
12 Months or More Fair Value	339,320	496,104
12 Months or More Unrealized Loss	-10,178	-16,090
Total Fair Value	463,985	673,860
Total Unrealized Loss	-10,939	-17,057
Securities of U.S. government agencies and corporations
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]
Less than 12 Months Fair Value	0	493
Less than 12 Months Unrealized Loss	0	-1
12 Months or More Fair Value	0	97
12 Months or More Unrealized Loss	0	0
Total Fair Value	0	590
Total Unrealized Loss	0	-1
Mortgage-backed securities
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]
Less than 12 Months Fair Value	27,187	119,641
Less than 12 Months Unrealized Loss	-47	-420
12 Months or More Fair Value	299,124	428,486
12 Months or More Unrealized Loss	-8,545	-13,780
Total Fair Value	326,311	548,127
Total Unrealized Loss	-8,592	-14,200
Obligations of state and other political subdivisions
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]
Less than 12 Months Fair Value	21,688	12,746
Less than 12 Months Unrealized Loss	-214	-126
12 Months or More Fair Value	23,393	37,516
12 Months or More Unrealized Loss	-1,054	-1,014
Total Fair Value	45,081	50,262
Total Unrealized Loss	-1,268	-1,140
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]
Less than 12 Months Fair Value	59,696	32,045
Less than 12 Months Unrealized Loss	-203	-103
12 Months or More Fair Value	0	0
12 Months or More Unrealized Loss	0	0
Total Fair Value	59,696	32,045
Total Unrealized Loss	-203	-103
Other securities
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]
Less than 12 Months Fair Value	16,094	12,831
Less than 12 Months Unrealized Loss	-297	-317
12 Months or More Fair Value	16,803	30,005
12 Months or More Unrealized Loss	-579	-1,296
Total Fair Value	32,897	42,836
Total Unrealized Loss	($876)	($1,613)

LOANS_Additional_Information_D

LOANS - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Purchased impaired loans, carrying balance	$249,108,000		$264,904,000
Purchased impaired loans	289,600,000		314,500,000
Reclassification from/(to) non-accretable difference	-1,576,000	13,216,000
Restructured Loans, Nonaccrual Status	20,300,000		12,300,000
Total loans	131,200,000		135,700,000
Write-downs	442,000	1,015,000
Gain (loss) on sale of other real estate owned	-474,000	-451,000
Real Estate Acquired Through Foreclosure	20,906,000	35,791,000	22,674,000	46,926,000
Covered Loans
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%
Real Estate Acquired Through Foreclosure	300,000	23,000,000
Commercial | Non Covered Loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Restructured Loans, Loan Relationships, Review Threshold Amount Minimum	$250,000

LOANS_LOANS_Carrying_Amount_of

LOANS LOANS - Carrying Amount of Accretable Yield for Purchased Impaired and Nonimpaired Loans (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Receivables [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of period	$106,622	$133,671
Reclassification from/(to) non-accretable difference	-1,576	13,216
Accretion	-6,357	-9,717
Other net activity	-6,701	-5,772
Balance at end of period	$91,988	$131,398

LOANS_Commercial_and_Consumer_

LOANS - Commercial and Consumer Credit Exposure by Risk Attribute (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Commercial	$1,298,874	$1,315,114
Real Estate - Construction	227,969	197,571
Real Estate - Commercial	2,120,084	2,140,667
Lease financing	81,796	77,567
Total Commercial	3,728,723	3,730,919
Real Estate Residential	496,852	501,894
Installment	43,798	47,320
Home equity	456,278	458,627
Other	37,886	38,475
Total	1,034,814	1,046,316
Pass
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Commercial	1,250,649	1,265,116
Real Estate - Construction	226,090	195,787
Real Estate - Commercial	2,005,998	2,027,897
Lease financing	80,218	75,839
Total Commercial	3,562,955	3,564,639
Special Mention
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Commercial	27,689	30,903
Real Estate - Construction	136	0
Real Estate - Commercial	26,119	25,928
Lease financing	1,453	1,728
Total Commercial	55,397	58,559
Substandard
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Commercial	20,536	19,095
Real Estate - Construction	1,743	1,784
Real Estate - Commercial	87,967	86,842
Lease financing	125	0
Total Commercial	110,371	107,721
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	486,466	490,314
Installment	43,458	46,806
Home equity	450,733	452,281
Other	37,886	38,475
Total	1,018,543	1,027,876
Nonperforming
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Real Estate Residential	10,386	11,580
Installment	340	514
Home equity	5,545	6,346
Other	0	0
Total	$16,271	$18,440

LOANS_Loan_Delinquency_includi

LOANS - Loan Delinquency, including Nonaccrual Loans (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
30 - 59 days past due	$14,037	$12,795
60 - 89 days past due	2,985	5,440
> 90 days past due	24,380	25,076
Total Past due	41,402	43,311
Current	4,473,027	4,469,020
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross	4,514,429	4,512,331
Purchased impaired loans, carrying balance	249,108	264,904
Total loans and leases	4,763,537	4,777,235
> 90 days past due and still accruing	85	216
Commercial
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
30 - 59 days past due	2,169	1,002
60 - 89 days past due	511	3,647
> 90 days past due	3,660	2,110
Total Past due	6,340	6,759
Current	1,277,267	1,290,975
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross	1,283,607	1,297,734
Purchased impaired loans, carrying balance	15,267	17,380
Total loans and leases	1,298,874	1,315,114
> 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	276
60 - 89 days past due	0	0
> 90 days past due	223	223
Total Past due	223	499
Current	226,403	195,773
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross	226,626	196,272
Purchased impaired loans, carrying balance	1,343	1,299
Total loans and leases	227,969	197,571
> 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	9,852	8,356
60 - 89 days past due	1,722	838
> 90 days past due	13,838	13,952
Total Past due	25,412	23,146
Current	1,933,639	1,944,207
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross	1,959,051	1,967,353
Purchased impaired loans, carrying balance	161,033	173,314
Total loans and leases	2,120,084	2,140,667
> 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	1,049	1,198
60 - 89 days past due	151	344
> 90 days past due	3,251	4,224
Total Past due	4,451	5,766
Current	424,523	426,908
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross	428,974	432,674
Purchased impaired loans, carrying balance	67,878	69,220
Total loans and leases	496,852	501,894
> 90 days past due and still accruing	0	0
Installment
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
30 - 59 days past due	283	133
60 - 89 days past due	8	17
> 90 days past due	121	272
Total Past due	412	422
Current	40,860	44,235
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross	41,272	44,657
Purchased impaired loans, carrying balance	2,526	2,663
Total loans and leases	43,798	47,320
> 90 days past due and still accruing	0	0
Home equity
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
30 - 59 days past due	410	697
60 - 89 days past due	426	466
> 90 days past due	3,202	4,079
Total Past due	4,038	5,242
Current	451,179	452,357
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross	455,217	457,599
Purchased impaired loans, carrying balance	1,061	1,028
Total loans and leases	456,278	458,627
> 90 days past due and still accruing	0	0
All other
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
30 - 59 days past due	274	1,133
60 - 89 days past due	167	128
> 90 days past due	85	216
Total Past due	526	1,477
Current	119,156	114,565
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross	119,682	116,042
Purchased impaired loans, carrying balance	0	0
Total loans and leases	119,682	116,042
> 90 days past due and still accruing	85	216
Non Covered Loans
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total loans and leases	4,479,928	4,475,221
Non Covered Loans | Commercial
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total loans and leases	1,283,487	1,297,312
Non Covered Loans | Real estate-construction
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total loans and leases	226,626	196,272
Non Covered Loans | Real estate-commercial
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total loans and leases	1,966,334	1,974,695
Non Covered Loans | Real estate - residential
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total loans and leases	428,974	432,675
Non Covered Loans | Installment
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total loans and leases	40,893	44,269
Non Covered Loans | Home equity
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total loans and leases	415,998	416,029
Non Covered Loans | All other
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total loans and leases	$117,616	$113,969

LOANS_Restructured_Loans_Detai

LOANS - Restructured Loans (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
	D	loans	loans
	loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Extended Maturities	$9,481,000	$669,000
Adjusted Interest Rates	0	293,000
Combined Rate And Maturity	62,000	1,253,000
Forebearance Agreements	0	66,000
Other	159,000	429,000
Total	9,702,000	2,710,000
Restructured loans, Number of Loans	14	27
Restructured loans, Restructured loans, Pre-Modification Loan Balance	13,274,000	2,725,000
Restructured loans, Period End Balance	9,702,000	2,710,000
Restructured loans with payment default within 12 months of modification, Number of Loans	4	3
Restructured loans with payment default within 12 months of modification, Period End Balance	1,040,000	168,000
Number of Restructured Loans	254		262
Total restructured loans	35,700,000		28,200,000
Restructured loans on accrual status	15,429,000		15,928,000
Restructured Loans, Nonaccrual Status	20,300,000		12,300,000
Allowance for loan and lease losses lncluded in reserves for restructured loans	4,300,000		3,700,000
Restructured loans uncollectible portion written off			1,000,000
Accruing TDRs performing in accordance with restructured terms for more than one year	9,000,000		10,500,000
Restructured loans performance threshold (days)	90
Commercial
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Restructured loans, Number of Loans	8	3
Restructured loans, Restructured loans, Pre-Modification Loan Balance	360,000	73,000
Restructured loans, Period End Balance	359,000	73,000
Restructured loans with payment default within 12 months of modification, Number of Loans	0	1
Restructured loans with payment default within 12 months of modification, Period End Balance	0	143,000
Real estate-construction
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Restructured loans, Number of Loans	0	0
Restructured loans, Restructured loans, Pre-Modification Loan Balance	0	0
Restructured loans, Period End Balance	0	0
Restructured loans with payment default within 12 months of modification, Number of Loans	0	0
Restructured loans with payment default within 12 months of modification, Period End Balance	0	0
Real estate-commercial
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Restructured loans, Number of Loans	6	6
Restructured loans, Restructured loans, Pre-Modification Loan Balance	12,914,000	1,857,000
Restructured loans, Period End Balance	9,343,000	1,849,000
Restructured loans with payment default within 12 months of modification, Number of Loans	3	0
Restructured loans with payment default within 12 months of modification, Period End Balance	967,000	0
Residential
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Restructured loans, Number of Loans	0	9
Restructured loans, Restructured loans, Pre-Modification Loan Balance	0	545,000
Restructured loans, Period End Balance	0	539,000
Restructured loans with payment default within 12 months of modification, Number of Loans	1	0
Restructured loans with payment default within 12 months of modification, Period End Balance	73,000	0
Installment
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Restructured loans, Number of Loans	0	1
Restructured loans, Restructured loans, Pre-Modification Loan Balance	0	3,000
Restructured loans, Period End Balance	0	3,000
Restructured loans with payment default within 12 months of modification, Number of Loans	0	1
Restructured loans with payment default within 12 months of modification, Period End Balance	0	1,000
Home equity
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Restructured loans, Number of Loans	0	8
Restructured loans, Restructured loans, Pre-Modification Loan Balance	0	247,000
Restructured loans, Period End Balance	0	246,000
Restructured loans with payment default within 12 months of modification, Number of Loans	0	1
Restructured loans with payment default within 12 months of modification, Period End Balance	0	24,000
Non Covered Loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Restructured loans on accrual status	15,400,000
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		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Nonaccrual loans	$49,153,000		$48,469,000
Accruing trouble debt restructurings	15,429,000		15,928,000
Total impaired loans	64,582,000		64,397,000
Restructured loans - nonaccrual status	20,300,000		12,300,000
Interest income effect
Gross amount of interest that would have been recorded under original terms	967,000	879,000
Interest included in income
Nonaccrual loans	171,000	84,000
Troubled debt restructurings	132,000	109,000
Total interest included in income	303,000	193,000	993,000
Net impact on interest income	664,000	686,000
Commitments outstanding to borrowers with nonaccrual loans	0		29,000
Commercial
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Nonaccrual loans	7,376,000		6,627,000
Total impaired loans	10,269,000		10,009,000
Interest included in income
Total interest included in income	48,000		203,000
Real estate-construction
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Nonaccrual loans	223,000		223,000
Total impaired loans	223,000		223,000
Interest included in income
Total interest included in income	0		0
Real estate-commercial
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Nonaccrual loans	30,180,000		27,969,000
Total impaired loans	37,819,000		35,724,000
Interest included in income
Total interest included in income	177,000		472,000
Real estate - residential
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Nonaccrual loans	6,100,000		7,241,000
Total impaired loans	10,386,000		11,580,000
Interest included in income
Total interest included in income	56,000		222,000
Installment
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Nonaccrual loans	278,000		451,000
Total impaired loans	340,000		514,000
Interest included in income
Total interest included in income	2,000		8,000
Home equity
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Nonaccrual loans	4,996,000		5,958,000
Total impaired loans	5,545,000		6,347,000
Interest included in income
Total interest included in income	$20,000		$88,000

LOANS_Investment_in_Impaired_L

LOANS - Investment in Impaired Loans (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	$64,582		$64,397
Contractual Principal Balance	76,577		76,291
Related Allowance	4,546		5,053
Average current balance	64,490		56,572
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Interest Income, Accrual Method	221		706
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Interest Income, Accrual Method	82		287
Interest income recognized	303	193	993
Commercial
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	10,269		10,009
Contractual Principal Balance	12,945		11,889
Related Allowance	742		739
Average current balance	10,139		11,380
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Interest Income, Accrual Method	45		146
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Interest Income, Accrual Method	3		57
Interest income recognized	48		203
Real estate-construction
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	223		223
Contractual Principal Balance	443		443
Related Allowance	0		0
Average current balance	223		223
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Interest Income, Accrual Method	0		0
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Interest Income, Accrual Method	0		0
Interest income recognized	0		0
Real estate-commercial
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	37,819		35,724
Contractual Principal Balance	43,197		41,293
Related Allowance	3,512		4,002
Average current balance	36,772		27,124
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Interest Income, Accrual Method	108		285
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Interest Income, Accrual Method	69		187
Interest income recognized	177		472
Real estate - residential
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	10,386		11,580
Contractual Principal Balance	11,742		12,947
Related Allowance	290		310
Average current balance	10,983		11,573
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Interest Income, Accrual Method	47		182
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Interest Income, Accrual Method	9		40
Interest income recognized	56		222
Installment
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	340		514
Contractual Principal Balance	381		577
Related Allowance	0		0
Average current balance	427		513
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Interest Income, Accrual Method	2		8
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Interest Income, Accrual Method	0		0
Interest income recognized	2		8
Home equity
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	5,545		6,347
Contractual Principal Balance	7,869		9,142
Related Allowance	2		2
Average current balance	5,946		5,759
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Interest Income, Accrual Method	19		85
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Interest Income, Accrual Method	1		3
Interest income recognized	20		88
Other
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	0		0
Contractual Principal Balance	0		0
Related Allowance	0		0
Average current balance	0		0
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Interest Income, Accrual Method	0		0
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Interest Income, Accrual Method	0		0
Interest income recognized	0		0
Loans with no related allowance recorded [member]
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	45,982		43,440
Contractual Principal Balance	56,983		53,843
Related Allowance	0		0
Average current balance	44,711		38,678
Loans with no related allowance recorded [member] | Commercial
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	8,649		7,611
Contractual Principal Balance	10,841		9,284
Related Allowance	0		0
Average current balance	8,130		7,146
Loans with no related allowance recorded [member] | Real estate-construction
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	223		223
Contractual Principal Balance	443		443
Related Allowance	0		0
Average current balance	223		223
Loans with no related allowance recorded [member] | Real estate-commercial
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	22,729		19,285
Contractual Principal Balance	27,633		23,631
Related Allowance	0		0
Average current balance	21,007		15,653
Loans with no related allowance recorded [member] | Real estate - residential
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	8,597		9,561
Contractual Principal Balance	9,917		10,867
Related Allowance	0		0
Average current balance	9,079		9,485
Loans with no related allowance recorded [member] | Installment
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	340		514
Contractual Principal Balance	381		577
Related Allowance	0		0
Average current balance	427		513
Loans with no related allowance recorded [member] | Home equity
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	5,444		6,246
Contractual Principal Balance	7,768		9,041
Related Allowance	0		0
Average current balance	5,845		5,658
Loans with no related allowance recorded [member] | Other
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	0		0
Contractual Principal Balance	0		0
Related Allowance	0		0
Average current balance	0		0
Impaired Financing Receivables With Related Allowance [Member]
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	18,600		20,957
Contractual Principal Balance	19,594		22,448
Related Allowance	4,546		5,053
Average current balance	19,779		17,894
Impaired Financing Receivables With Related Allowance [Member] | Commercial
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	1,620		2,398
Contractual Principal Balance	2,104		2,605
Related Allowance	742		739
Average current balance	2,009		4,234
Impaired Financing Receivables With Related Allowance [Member] | Real estate-construction
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	0		0
Contractual Principal Balance	0		0
Related Allowance	0		0
Average current balance	0		0
Impaired Financing Receivables With Related Allowance [Member] | Real estate-commercial
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	15,090		16,439
Contractual Principal Balance	15,564		17,662
Related Allowance	3,512		4,002
Average current balance	15,765		11,471
Impaired Financing Receivables With Related Allowance [Member] | Real estate - residential
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	1,789		2,019
Contractual Principal Balance	1,825		2,080
Related Allowance	290		310
Average current balance	1,904		2,088
Impaired Financing Receivables With Related Allowance [Member] | Installment
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	0		0
Contractual Principal Balance	0		0
Related Allowance	0		0
Average current balance	0		0
Impaired Financing Receivables With Related Allowance [Member] | Home equity
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	101		101
Contractual Principal Balance	101		101
Related Allowance	2		2
Average current balance	101		101
Impaired Financing Receivables With Related Allowance [Member] | Other
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	0		0
Contractual Principal Balance	0		0
Related Allowance	0		0
Average current balance	$0		$0

LOANS_Changes_in_Other_Real_Es

LOANS - Changes in Other Real Estate Owned (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of period	$22,674	$46,926
Additions	3,231	1,962
Disposals	4,557	12,082
Write-downs	442	1,015
Balance at end of period	20,906	35,791
Commercial
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Additions	2,173	1,564
Disposals	4,145	11,838
Write-downs	418	930
Residential
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Additions	1,058	398
Disposals	412	244
Write-downs	$24	$85

LOANS_LOANS_Indemnification_As

LOANS LOANS - Indemnification Asset Rollforward (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Receivables [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of period	$22,666	$45,091
Net FDIC claims received / paid	204	-104
Amortization	-1,195	-1,416
FDIC loss sharing income	-1,046	-508
Offset to accelerated discount	-232	-4,060
Impairment valuation adjustment	0	0
Balance at end of period	$20,397	$39,003

ALLOWANCE_FOR_LOAN_AND_LEASE_L2

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Net charge-offs	($536,000)	$6,100,000	$7,022,000
Provision for loan and lease losses	-283,000	-2,192,000	-1,841,000
Allowance for covered loan losses	10,300,000	10,600,000
Loss sharing expense	301,000	1,569,000
Loss (gain) - covered other real estate owned	300,000	0
FDIC loss sharing income	($1,046,000)	($508,000)

ALLOWANCE_FOR_LOAN_AND_LEASE_L3

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		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Receivables [Abstract]
Provision for loan and lease losses covered	($283,000)	($2,192,000)	($1,841,000)
Balance at beginning of period	42,820,000	43,829,000	43,829,000
Provision for loan and lease losses	2,343,000	1,159,000
Allowance for loan and lease losses, write-off, covered	-1,916,000	-7,240,000	-18,096,000
Loans charged off	-3,128,000	-2,424,000
Allowance For Loan And Lease Loss Recovery Of Bad Debts, Covered	2,452,000	1,104,000	11,074,000
Recoveries	750,000	459,000
Balance at end of period	42,785,000	43,023,000	42,820,000
Total loans	4,514,429,000		4,512,331,000
Loans and Leases Receivable, Allowance, Covered	10,291,000	10,573,000	10,038,000	18,901,000
Total loans	131,200,000		135,700,000
Allowance for loan and lease losses	53,076,000	53,596,000	52,858,000	62,730,000
Provision for Loan and Lease Losses, Covered and Uncovered	2,060,000	-1,033,000	1,528,000
Allowance for Loan and Lease Write-Offs, Covered and Noncovered	-5,044,000	-9,664,000	-25,973,000
Allowance for Loan and Lease Loss, Recovery of Bad Debts, Covered and Noncovered	3,202,000	1,563,000	14,573,000
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross, Carrying Amount, Covered and Noncovered	$4,763,537,000		$4,777,235,000

ALLOWANCE_FOR_LOAN_AND_LEASE_L4

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES - Changes in the Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Allowance for loan and lease losses:
Balance at beginning of period	$42,820	$43,829	$43,829
Provision for loan and lease losses	2,343	1,159
Gross charge-offs	3,128	2,424
Recoveries	750	459
Total net charge-offs	2,378
Balance at end of period	42,785	43,023	42,820
Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment	4,546		5,053
Ending allowance on loans collectively evaluated for impairment	48,530		47,805
Loans and Leases:
Ending balance of loans individually evaluated for impairment	39,170		35,632
Ending balance of loans collectively evaluated for impairment	4,724,367		4,741,603
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net of Deferred Income	4,763,537		4,777,235
Loans and Leases Receivable Covered Loans	283,609		302,014
Loans and Leases Receivable, Allowance, Covered	10,291	10,573	10,038	18,901
Allowance for loan and lease losses, write-off, covered	1,916	7,240	18,096
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses Write-offs, Net, Covered and Noncovered	1,842		11,400
Non Covered Loans
Allowance for loan and lease losses:
Balance at beginning of period	42,820	43,829	43,829
Provision for loan and lease losses	2,343		3,369
Gross charge-offs	3,128		7,877
Recoveries	750		3,499
Total net charge-offs			4,378
Balance at end of period			42,820
Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment	4,546		5,053
Ending allowance on loans collectively evaluated for impairment	38,239		37,767
Loans and Leases:
Ending balance of loans individually evaluated for impairment	39,170		35,632
Ending balance of loans collectively evaluated for impairment	4,440,758		4,439,589
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net of Deferred Income	4,479,928		4,475,221
Covered Loans
Allowance for loan and lease losses:
Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment	0		0
Ending allowance on loans collectively evaluated for impairment	10,291		10,038
Loans and Leases:
Ending balance of loans individually evaluated for impairment	0		0
Ending balance of loans collectively evaluated for impairment	283,609		302,014
Loans and Leases Receivable, Allowance, Covered	10,291
Commercial
Allowance for loan and lease losses:
Balance at beginning of period	11,259			10,568
Total net charge-offs	1,437
Balance at end of period	11,674			10,568
Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment	742		739
Loans and Leases:
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net of Deferred Income	1,298,874		1,315,114
Commercial | Non Covered Loans
Allowance for loan and lease losses:
Balance at beginning of period	11,259
Provision for loan and lease losses	1,852		871
Gross charge-offs	1,481		1,440
Recoveries	44		1,260
Total net charge-offs			180
Balance at end of period			11,259
Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment	742		739
Ending allowance on loans collectively evaluated for impairment	10,932		10,520
Loans and Leases:
Ending balance of loans individually evaluated for impairment	7,991		6,122
Ending balance of loans collectively evaluated for impairment	1,275,496		1,291,190
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net of Deferred Income	1,283,487		1,297,312
Real estate-construction
Allowance for loan and lease losses:
Balance at beginning of period	1,045			824
Total net charge-offs	-29
Balance at end of period	1,237			824
Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment	0		0
Loans and Leases:
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net of Deferred Income	227,969		197,571
Real estate-construction | Non Covered Loans
Allowance for loan and lease losses:
Balance at beginning of period	1,045
Provision for loan and lease losses	163		221
Gross charge-offs	0		0
Recoveries	29		0
Total net charge-offs			0
Balance at end of period			1,045
Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment	0		0
Ending allowance on loans collectively evaluated for impairment	1,237		1,045
Loans and Leases:
Ending balance of loans individually evaluated for impairment	0		0
Ending balance of loans collectively evaluated for impairment	226,626		196,272
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net of Deferred Income	226,626		196,272
Real estate-commercial
Allowance for loan and lease losses:
Balance at beginning of period	20,668			20,478
Total net charge-offs	-146
Balance at end of period	20,092			20,478
Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment	3,512		4,002
Loans and Leases:
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net of Deferred Income	2,120,084		2,140,667
Real estate-commercial | Non Covered Loans
Allowance for loan and lease losses:
Balance at beginning of period	20,668
Provision for loan and lease losses	-722		1,325
Gross charge-offs	208		2,329
Recoveries	354		1,194
Total net charge-offs			1,135
Balance at end of period			20,668
Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment	3,512		4,002
Ending allowance on loans collectively evaluated for impairment	16,580		16,666
Loans and Leases:
Ending balance of loans individually evaluated for impairment	28,133		25,938
Ending balance of loans collectively evaluated for impairment	1,938,201		1,948,757
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net of Deferred Income	1,966,334		1,974,695
Real estate - residential
Allowance for loan and lease losses:
Balance at beginning of period	2,828			3,379
Total net charge-offs	250
Balance at end of period	2,872			3,379
Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment	290		310
Loans and Leases:
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net of Deferred Income	496,852		501,894
Real estate - residential | Non Covered Loans
Allowance for loan and lease losses:
Balance at beginning of period	2,828
Provision for loan and lease losses	294		181
Gross charge-offs	314		922
Recoveries	64		190
Total net charge-offs			732
Balance at end of period			2,828
Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment	290		310
Ending allowance on loans collectively evaluated for impairment	2,582		2,518
Loans and Leases:
Ending balance of loans individually evaluated for impairment	2,679		2,963
Ending balance of loans collectively evaluated for impairment	426,295		429,712
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net of Deferred Income	428,974		432,675
Installment
Allowance for loan and lease losses:
Balance at beginning of period	323			365
Total net charge-offs	71
Balance at end of period	303			365
Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment	0		0
Loans and Leases:
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net of Deferred Income	43,798		47,320
Installment | Non Covered Loans
Allowance for loan and lease losses:
Balance at beginning of period	323
Provision for loan and lease losses	51		23
Gross charge-offs	131		283
Recoveries	60		218
Total net charge-offs			65
Balance at end of period			323
Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment	0		0
Ending allowance on loans collectively evaluated for impairment	303		323
Loans and Leases:
Ending balance of loans individually evaluated for impairment	0		0
Ending balance of loans collectively evaluated for impairment	40,893		44,269
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net of Deferred Income	40,893		44,269
Home equity
Allowance for loan and lease losses:
Balance at beginning of period	4,260			5,209
Total net charge-offs	546
Balance at end of period	4,280			5,209
Loans and Leases:
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net of Deferred Income	456,278		458,627
Home equity | Non Covered Loans
Allowance for loan and lease losses:
Balance at beginning of period	4,260
Provision for loan and lease losses	566		565
Gross charge-offs	700		1,745
Recoveries	154		231
Total net charge-offs			1,514
Balance at end of period			4,260
Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment	2		2
Ending allowance on loans collectively evaluated for impairment	4,278		4,258
Loans and Leases:
Ending balance of loans individually evaluated for impairment	367		609
Ending balance of loans collectively evaluated for impairment	415,631		415,420
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net of Deferred Income	415,998		416,029
All other
Allowance for loan and lease losses:
Balance at beginning of period	2,437			3,006
Total net charge-offs	249
Balance at end of period	2,327			3,006
Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment	0		0
Loans and Leases:
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net of Deferred Income	119,682		116,042
All other | Non Covered Loans
Allowance for loan and lease losses:
Balance at beginning of period	2,437
Provision for loan and lease losses	139		183
Gross charge-offs	294		1,158
Recoveries	45		406
Total net charge-offs			752
Balance at end of period			2,437
Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment	0		0
Ending allowance on loans collectively evaluated for impairment	2,327		2,437
Loans and Leases:
Ending balance of loans individually evaluated for impairment	0		0
Ending balance of loans collectively evaluated for impairment	117,616		113,969
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net of Deferred Income	$117,616		$113,969

GOODWILL_AND_OTHER_INTANGIBLE_1

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS--Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill, Period Increase (Decrease)	$0
Goodwill	137,739,000		137,739,000
Finite-Lived Core Deposits, Gross	7,300,000		7,700,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense	$400,000	$399,000
Core Deposits [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets amortization method			accelerated basis
Estimated weighted average life (in years)	6 years 4 months

BORROWINGS_Borrowings_Addition

BORROWINGS Borrowings - - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Federal Home Loan Bank short-term borrowings	523,500,000	$558,200,000
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	$25,000,000
Assets Sold under Agreements to Repurchase, Interest Rate	3.54%	3.54%
Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Securities Sold under Agreements to Repurchase, Remaining Contractual Term	1 year

BORROWINGS_Schedule_of_Longter

BORROWINGS - Schedule of Long-term Debt (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Amount
FHLB long-term advances	$21,823	$22,466
Securities Sold under Agreements to Repurchase	25,000	25,000
Other Long-term Debt	775	775
Total long-term debt	$47,598	$48,241
Average Rate [Abstract]
Federal Home Loan Bank	1.62%	2.52%
Weighted average rate on repurchase agreements	3.54%	3.54%
Weighted average rate on other long-term debt	0.00%	0.00%
Total long-term debt	2.60%	3.01%

ACCUMULATED_OTHER_COMPREHENSIV2

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassification Adjustments and Tax [Abstract]
Unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities	$7,808	$6,098
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	-1,293	-844
Retirement obligation	0	0
Foreign Currency Translation	-20	-9
Total	6,495	5,245
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Reclassifications before Tax [Abstract]
Unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities	0	50
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	0	-115
Retirement obligation	-350	-378
Foreign Currency Translation	0	0
Total	-350	-443
Transactions Pre-tax
Unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities	7,808	6,048
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	-1,293	-729
Unfunded pension obligation	350	378
Foreign currency translation	-20	-9
Total	6,845	5,688
Transactions Tax-effect
Unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities	-2,800	-2,186
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	477	272
Retirement obligation	-167	-141
Foreign currency translation	0	0
Total	-2,490	-2,055
Transactions Net of tax
Unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities	5,008	3,862
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	-816	-457
Retirement obligation	183	237
Foreign currency translation	-20	-9
Total	4,355	3,633
Balances Net of tax
Unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities	2,502	-12,427	-2,506	-16,289
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges	-1,765	145	-949	602
Retirement obligation	-17,721	-15,328	-17,904	-15,565
Foreign currency translation	-70	-38	-50	-29
Total	($17,054)	($27,648)	($21,409)	($31,281)

ACCUMULATED_OTHER_COMPREHENSIV3

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME AMOUNT RECLASSIFIED FROM ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Other Accumulated Comprehensive income reclassified from AOCI [Line Items]
Gains on sales of investment securities	$0	$50
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit)	100	103
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Gains (Losses)	-450	-481
Other Comprehensive Income, Reclassification, Amortization of Defined Benefit Plans items, Pre-tax	-350	-378
Total	-350	-443
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	$0	($115)

DERIVATIVES_Additional_Informa

DERIVATIVES - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015
	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	823,585,000	894,227,000
Number of counterparties	9	9
Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	11,916,000	14,797,000
Credit Derivative Term	3 years 8 months
Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Asset at Fair Value	-1,700,000	-3,000,000
Outstanding liability from counterparty contracts	100,000	100,000
Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Inerest-bearing deposit liability	150,000,000	150,000,000
Other Credit Derivatives [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Inerest-bearing deposit liability	26,400,000	26,300,000
Accrued interest and other liabilities | Derivative [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Inerest-bearing deposit liability	566,200,000	600,600,000
Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	$12,400,000	$17,100,000

DERIVATIVES_Summary_of_Derivat

DERIVATIVES - Summary of Derivative Financial Instruments and Balances (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Inerest-bearing deposit liability	$894,227	$823,585
Estimate Fair Value Gain	14,352	11,399
Estimate Fair Value Loss	-14,797	-11,916
Fair Value Hedges | Pay fixed interest rate swaps with counterparty | Accrued interest and other liabilities
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Inerest-bearing deposit liability	6,987	8,739
Estimate Fair Value Gain	0	0
Estimate Fair Value Loss	-377	-440
Fair Value Hedges | Matched interest rate swaps | Accrued interest and other liabilities
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Inerest-bearing deposit liability	443,620	407,423
Estimate Fair Value Gain	0	249
Estimate Fair Value Loss	-14,420	-11,227
Fair Value Hedges | Matched interest rate swaps | Accrued interest and other assets
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Inerest-bearing deposit liability	443,620	407,423
Estimate Fair Value Gain	14,352	11,150
Estimate Fair Value Loss	$0	($249)

DERIVATIVES_DERIVATIVES_Disclo

DERIVATIVES DERIVATIVES - Disclosure by Type of Financial Instrument (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Gross amounts of recognized liabilities	$14,808	$11,916
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Asset	-13,688	-12,260
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	1,120
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral		-344
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	377	440
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Asset	0	0
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	377
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral		440
Fair Value Hedges | Matched interest rate swaps | Accrued interest and other liabilities
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Gross amounts of recognized liabilities	14,431	11,476
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Asset	-13,688	-12,260
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	743
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral		($784)

DERIVATIVES_Derivative_Financi

DERIVATIVES - Derivative Financial Instruments, Average Remaining Maturity and the Weighted-Average Interest Rates being Paid and Received (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Value	$894,227	$823,585
Interest Rate Swap
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Value	894,227
Average Maturity (years)	4 years 2 months
Fair Value	-445
Weighted-Average Rate Receive	3.61%
Weighted-Average Rate Pay	3.65%
Interest Rate Swap | Pay fixed interest rate swaps with counterparty
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Value	6,987
Average Maturity (years)	1 year 11 months
Fair Value	-377
Weighted-Average Rate Receive	2.05%
Weighted-Average Rate Pay	6.85%
Interest Rate Swap | Matched interest rate swaps | Derivative Financial Instruments Receive Fixed Pay Variable
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Value	443,620
Average Maturity (years)	4 years 2 months
Fair Value	14,352
Weighted-Average Rate Receive	4.59%
Weighted-Average Rate Pay	2.66%
Interest Rate Swap | Matched interest rate swaps | Derivative Financial Instruments Receive Variable Pay Fixed
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Value	443,620
Average Maturity (years)	4 years 2 months
Fair Value	($14,420)
Weighted-Average Rate Receive	2.66%
Weighted-Average Rate Pay	4.59%

INCOME_TAXES_Details

INCOME TAXES (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income tax expense	$8,450	$7,081
Effective tax rate	32.40%	31.90%

COMMITMENTS_AND_CONTINGENCIES_

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Commitments outstanding to extend credit	$0
Letters of credit issued to guarantee performance of a client to a third party	19,500,000		22,800,000
Affordable Housing Program Obligation	14,800,000		14,900,000
Affordable housing contingent commitment	0		0
Low-income housing tax credit	400,000	300,000
Commitments to Extend Credit
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Commitments outstanding to extend credit	$1,800,000,000		$1,759,441,000

EMPLOYEE_BENEFIT_PLANS_Additio

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Employer Contributions in Current Fiscal Year	$0
Pension Contributions	0		0
Pension Expense	($300,000)	($253,000)

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
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Service cost	$1,175	$1,041
Interest cost	550	620
Expected return on plan assets	-2,375	-2,292
Amortization of prior service cost	-100	-103
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Gains (Losses)	450	481
Net periodic benefit cost (income)	($300)	($253)

EARNINGS_PER_COMMON_SHARE_Comp

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE - Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share -income available to common shareholders:
Net income	$17,621	$15,104
Denominator for basic earnings per share - weighted average shares	61,013,489	57,091,604
Effect of dilutive securities -
Employee stock awards	567,806	591,659
Warrants	150,549	144,916
Denominator for diluted earnings per share - adjusted weighted average shares	61,731,844	57,828,179
Basic	$0.29	$0.26
Diluted	$0.29	$0.26

EARNINGS_PER_COMMON_SHARE_Addi

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
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	20,626	24,026
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 $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 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	$14,797	$11,916
Financial assets
Investment securities held-to-maturity	839,666	867,996
Other investments	53,393	52,626
FDIC indemnification asset	20,397	22,666	39,003	45,091
Deposits
Noninterest-bearing	1,299,602	1,285,527
Savings	1,922,815	1,889,473
Time	1,277,291	1,255,364
Carrying value
Financial assets
Cash and short-term investments	136,361	132,752
Investment securities held-to-maturity	839,666	867,996
Other investments	53,393	52,626
Loans held for sale	14,937	11,005
Loans and leases, net of ALLL	4,710,461	4,724,377
FDIC indemnification asset	20,397	22,666
Deposits
Noninterest-bearing	1,299,602	1,285,527
Interest-bearing demand	1,214,882	1,225,378
Savings	1,922,815	1,889,473
Time	1,277,291	1,255,364
Total deposits	5,714,590	5,655,742
Short-term borrowings	591,642	661,392
Long-term debt	47,598	48,241
Fair value
Financial assets
Cash and short-term investments	136,361	132,752
Investment securities held-to-maturity	855,083	874,749
Other investments	53,393	52,626
Loans held for sale	14,937	11,005
Loans and leases, net of ALLL	4,763,351	4,763,619
FDIC indemnification asset	11,546	12,449
Deposits
Noninterest-bearing	1,299,602	1,285,527
Interest-bearing demand	1,214,882	1,225,378
Savings	1,922,815	1,889,473
Time	1,282,550	1,254,070
Total deposits	5,719,849	5,654,448
Short-term borrowings	591,642	661,392
Long-term debt	48,792	49,674
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Fair value
Financial assets
Cash and short-term investments	136,361	132,752
Investment securities held-to-maturity	0	0
Other investments	0	0
Loans held for sale	0	0
Loans and leases, net of ALLL	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	591,642	661,392
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	855,083	874,749
Other investments	53,393	52,626
Loans held for sale	14,937	11,005
Loans and leases, net of ALLL	0	0
FDIC indemnification asset	0	0
Deposits
Noninterest-bearing	1,299,602	1,285,527
Interest-bearing demand	1,214,882	1,225,378
Savings	1,922,815	1,889,473
Time	1,282,550	1,254,070
Total deposits	5,719,849	5,654,448
Short-term borrowings	0	0
Long-term debt	48,792	49,674
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 and leases, net of ALLL	4,763,351	4,763,619
FDIC indemnification asset	11,546	12,449
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 $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets
Derivatives	$14,352	$11,399
Investment securities available-for-sale	892,169	840,468
Liabilities
Derivatives	14,797	11,916
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Assets
Derivatives	14,352	11,399
Investment securities available-for-sale	892,169	840,468
Total	906,521	851,867
Liabilities
Derivatives	17,847	13,662
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Fair Value Measurements Using Level 1
Assets
Derivatives	0	0
Investment securities available-for-sale	8,533	8,406
Total	8,533	8,406
Liabilities
Derivatives	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Fair Value Measurements Using Level 2
Assets
Derivatives	14,352	11,399
Investment securities available-for-sale	883,636	832,062
Total	897,988	843,461
Liabilities
Derivatives	17,847	13,662
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 $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
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
Fair Value Measurements Using Level 2
Assets
Impaired loans	0	0
Other Real Estate Owned, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value Measurements Using Level 3
Assets
Impaired loans	12,456	14,096
Other Real Estate Owned, Fair Value Disclosure	$12,566	$13,094

BUSINESS_COMBINATIONS_Details

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Aug. 07, 2014	Aug. 21, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash consideration	$34,190
Stock consideration	60,429
Other consideration	2,523
Total purchase consideration	97,142
Loans	606,263
Intangible assets	3,556
Other assets	117,493
Total assets	727,312
Deposits	568,605
Borrowings	94,891
Other liabilities	9,363
Total liabilities	672,859
Net identifiable assets	54,453
Goodwill	42,689
The First Bexley Bank [Domain]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash consideration	10,810
Stock consideration	33,699
Other consideration	0
Total purchase consideration	44,509
Loans		314,807
Intangible assets		1,280
Other assets		25,456
Total assets		341,543
Deposits		273,860
Borrowings		40,000
Other liabilities		1,454
Total liabilities		315,314
Net identifiable assets		26,229
Goodwill	18,280
Insight Bank [Domain]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash consideration	9,880
Stock consideration	26,730
Other consideration	0
Total purchase consideration	36,610
Loans		219,008
Intangible assets		1,277
Other assets		30,799
Total assets		251,084
Deposits		179,330
Borrowings		44,149
Other liabilities		7,303
Total liabilities		230,782
Net identifiable assets		20,302
Goodwill	16,308
Guernsey Bank [Domain]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash consideration	13,500
Stock consideration	0
Other consideration	2,523
Total purchase consideration	16,023
Loans			72,448
Intangible assets			999
Other assets			61,238
Total assets			134,685
Deposits			115,415
Borrowings			10,742
Other liabilities			606
Total liabilities			126,763
Net identifiable assets			7,922
Goodwill	$8,101