First Financial Bancorp. (FFBC) 10-Q 6 Nov 15 2015 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information Document - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Nov. 05, 2015
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2015
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Trading Symbol	FFBC
Entity Registrant Name	FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP /OH/
Entity Central Index Key	708,955
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		61,644,723

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks	$ 112,298	$ 110,122
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks	24,191	22,630
Investment securities available-for-sale, at market value (cost $1,071,558 at September 30, 2015 and $849,504 at December 31, 2014)	1,069,667	840,468
Investment securities held-to-maturity (market value $770,512 at September 30, 2015 and $874,749 at December 31, 2014)	756,035	867,996
Other investments	53,431	52,626
Loans held for sale	26,287	11,005
Loans
Commercial	1,637,467	1,315,114
Real estate - construction	276,240	197,571
Real estate-commercial	2,169,662	2,140,667
Real estate-residential	506,653	501,894
Installment	39,974	47,320
Home equity	463,629	458,627
Credit card	39,759	38,475
Lease financing	82,679	77,567
Total loans and leases	5,216,063	4,777,235
Allowance for loan and lease losses	53,332	52,858
Net loans and leases	5,162,731	4,724,377
Premises and equipment	139,020	141,381
Goodwill and other intangibles	211,732	145,853
FDIC indemnification asset	18,931	22,666
Accrued interest and other assets	306,210	278,697
Total assets	7,880,533	7,217,821
Deposits
Interest-bearing	1,330,673	1,225,378
Savings	1,979,627	1,889,473
Time	1,440,223	1,255,364
Total interest-bearing deposits	4,750,523	4,370,215
Noninterest-bearing	1,330,905	1,285,527
Total deposits	6,081,428	5,655,742
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase	62,317	103,192
Federal Home Loan Bank short-term borrowings	701,200	558,200
Total short-term borrowings	763,517	661,392
Long-term debt	119,515	48,241
Total borrowed funds	883,032	709,633
Accrued interest and other liabilities	103,061	68,369
Total liabilities	7,067,521	6,433,744
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock - no par value Authorized - 160,000,000 shares Issued - 68,730,731 shares in 2015 and 2014	570,025	574,643
Retained earnings	378,258	352,893
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(17,219)	(21,409)
Treasury stock, at cost, 7,017,098 shares in 2015 and 7,274,184 shares in 2014	(118,052)	(122,050)
Total shareholders' equity	813,012	784,077
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 7,880,533	$ 7,217,821

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS CON

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	$ 1,071,558	$ 849,504
Held-to-maturity Securities, Fair Value	$ 770,512	$ 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	7,017,098	7,274,184

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCO

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Interest income
Loans, including fees	$ 58,694	$ 53,725	$ 167,744	$ 151,749
Investment securities
Taxable	9,986	10,227	28,875	31,019
Tax-exempt	1,163	894	3,419	2,500
Total interest on investment securities	11,149	11,121	32,294	33,519
Other earning assets	(1,168)	(1,455)	(3,511)	(4,162)
Total interest income	68,675	63,391	196,527	181,106
Interest expense
Deposits	4,861	4,218	14,302	11,140
Short-term borrowings	374	354	930	975
Long-term borrowings	281	456	876	1,505
Total interest expense	5,516	5,028	16,108	13,620
Net interest income	63,159	58,363	180,419	167,486
Provision for loan and lease losses	2,647	893	7,777	(524)
Net interest income after provision for loan and lease losses	60,512	57,470	172,642	168,010
Noninterest income
Service charges on deposit accounts	4,934	5,263	14,260	15,172
Trust and wealth management fees	3,134	3,207	10,042	10,258
Bankcard income	2,909	2,859	8,501	8,101
Net gains from sales of loans	1,758	1,660	5,146	2,793
Net gains on sales of investment securities	409	0	1,503	50
FDIC loss sharing income	(973)	(192)	(2,323)	408
Accelerated discount on covered/formerly covered loans	3,820	789	10,006	2,425
Other	4,364	2,925	12,248	7,816
Total noninterest income	20,355	16,511	59,383	47,023
Noninterest expenses
Salaries and employee benefits	27,768	28,686	82,160	79,562
Net occupancy	4,510	4,577	13,895	14,381
Furniture and equipment	2,165	2,265	6,537	6,325
Data processing	2,591	4,393	8,020	10,021
Marketing	810	939	2,671	2,555
Communication	531	541	1,659	1,726
Professional services	4,092	1,568	7,789	4,741
State intangible tax	579	648	1,733	1,936
FDIC assessments	1,103	1,126	3,307	3,334
Loss (gain) - other real estate owned	196	(589)	1,089	573
Loss sharing expense	574	1,002	1,451	4,036
Other	8,073	6,263	19,535	17,182
Total noninterest expenses	52,992	51,419	149,846	146,372
Income before income taxes	27,875	22,562	82,179	68,661
Income tax expense	9,202	7,218	26,936	22,260
Net income	$ 18,673	$ 15,344	$ 55,243	$ 46,401
Earnings per common share
Basic	$ 0.31	$ 0.26	$ 0.90	$ 0.80
Diluted	0.30	0.26	0.89	0.79
Cash dividends declared per share	$ 0.16	$ 0.15	$ 0.48	$ 0.45
Average common shares outstanding - basic	61,135,749	59,403,109	61,088,794	57,907,203
Average common shares outstanding - diluted	61,987,795	60,112,932	61,858,724	58,639,394

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 18,673	$ 15,344	$ 55,243	$ 46,401
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax
Unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities arising during the period	3,057	(256)	4,287	10,077
Change in retirement obligation	220	189	624	663
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	128	760	(771)	(334)
Unrealized gain (loss) on foreign currency exchange	91	(12)	50	(13)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	3,496	681	4,190	10,393
Comprehensive income	$ 22,169	$ 16,025	$ 59,433	$ 56,794

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHAN

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Retained earnings	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	Treasury stock
Beginning Balances (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013		68,730,731			(11,197,685)
Beginning Balances at Dec. 31, 2013	$ 682,161	$ 577,076	$ 324,192	$ (31,281)	$ (187,826)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	46,401		46,401
Other comprehensive income (loss)	10,393			10,393
Cash dividends declared :
Common stock at $0.16 per share in 2015 and $0.15 per share in 2014	(26,475)		(26,475)
Purchase of common stock, in shares					(40,255)
Purchase of common stock	(697)				$ (697)
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Acquisitions	60,429	(946)			$ 61,375
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Acquisitions					3,657,937
Excess tax benefit on share-based compensation	149	149
Exercise of stock options, net of shares purchased (in shares)					36,830
Exercise of stock options, net of shares purchased	(155)	(771)			$ 616
Restricted stock awards, net of forfeitures (in shares)					180,915
Restricted stock awards, net of forfeitures	(1,186)	(4,191)			$ 3,005
Share-based compensation expense	2,892	$ 2,892
Ending Balances (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2014		68,730,731			(7,362,258)
Ending Balances at Sep. 30, 2014	773,912	$ 574,209	344,118	(20,888)	$ (123,527)
Beginning Balances (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014		68,730,731			(7,274,184)
Beginning Balances at Dec. 31, 2014	784,077	$ 574,643	352,587	(21,409)	$ (122,050)
Beginning Balance-Stockholders' Equity, Adjusted Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	783,771
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	55,243		55,243
Other comprehensive income (loss)	4,190			4,190
Cash dividends declared :
Common stock at $0.16 per share in 2015 and $0.15 per share in 2014	(29,572)		(29,572)
Purchase of common stock, in shares					(148,935)
Purchase of common stock	(2,783)				$ (2,783)
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Other	13	(645)			$ 658
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Other					39,217
Excess tax benefit on share-based compensation	85	85
Exercise of stock options, net of shares purchased (in shares)					30,458
Exercise of stock options, net of shares purchased	316	(195)			$ 511
Restricted stock awards, net of forfeitures (in shares)					336,346
Restricted stock awards, net of forfeitures	(1,257)	(6,869)			$ 5,612
Share-based compensation expense	3,006	$ 3,006
Ending Balances (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2015		68,730,731			(7,017,098)
Ending Balances at Sep. 30, 2015	$ 813,012	$ 570,025	$ 378,258	$ (17,219)	$ (118,052)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHA7

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared	$ 0.16	$ 0.15	$ 0.48	$ 0.45

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Operating activities
Net income	$ 55,243	$ 46,401
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Provision for loan and lease losses	7,777	(524)
Depreciation and amortization	9,697	9,465
Stock-based compensation expense	3,006	2,892
Pension expense (income)	(900)	(853)
Net amortization of premiums/accretion of discounts on investment securities	5,874	5,523
Gains on sales of investment securities	(1,503)	(50)
Originations of loans held for sale	(197,621)	(93,561)
Net gains from sales of loans held for sale	(5,146)	(2,793)
Proceeds from sales of loans held for sale	187,364	85,977
Deferred income taxes	2,954	(20,137)
Decrease (increase) in interest receivable	(1,912)	(2,849)
Decrease (increase) in cash surrender value of life insurance	(4,889)	(4,608)
Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses	(443)	(2,303)
Decrease (increase) in indemnification asset	(3,735)	(20,931)
(Decrease) increase in accrued expenses	(1,630)	(5,515)
(Decrease) increase in interest payable	706	(72)
Other	(4,561)	5,917
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	57,751	43,841
Investing activities
Proceeds from sales of securities available-for-sale	68,615	92,573
Proceeds from calls, paydowns and maturities of securities available-for-sale	88,336	75,691
Purchases of securities available-for-sale	(375,244)	(142,307)
Proceeds from calls, paydowns and maturities of securities held-to-maturity	111,499	74,392
Purchases of securities held-to-maturity	3,520	140,426
Net decrease (increase) in interest-bearing deposits with other banks	(1,561)	3,465
Net decrease (increase) in loans and leases	(213,936)	(226,349)
Proceeds from disposal of other real estate owned	12,238	28,713
Purchases of premises and equipment	(6,371)	(7,591)
Net cash paid from business combinations	305,591
Net cash acquired from business combinations		34,300
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(625,535)	(207,539)
Financing activities
Net (decrease) increase in total deposits	425,686	126,905
Net (decrease) increase in short-term borrowings	102,125	95,663
Payments on long-term debt	(46,238)	(28,930)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	120,000	0
Cash dividends paid on common stock	(29,282)	(25,717)
Treasury stock purchase	(2,783)	(697)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	367	65
Excess tax benefit on share-based compensation	85	149
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	569,960	167,438
Cash and due from banks:
Net increase (decrease) in cash and due from banks	2,176	3,740
Cash and due from banks at beginning of period	110,122	117,620
Cash and due from banks at end of period	$ 112,298	$ 121,360

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

BASIS OF PRESENTATION	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
BASIS OF PRESENTATION	BASIS OF PRESENTATION The Consolidated Financial Statements of First Financial Bancorp., 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. 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 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 October 1, 2019 relative to the Company’s total assets, all covered loans and the related allowance for loan and lease losses, 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 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 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 ACC

RECENTLY ADOPTED AND ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 $23.6 million of affordable housing commitments as of September 30, 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, 2017. Early adoption is permitted beginning January 1, 2017. 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 of this update 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. In April 2015, the FASB issued an update (ASU 2015-03, Interest-Imputation of Interest: Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs) that requires debt issuance costs to be presented as a deduction from the corresponding debt liability. Upon adoption, an entity must apply the new guidance retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. The provisions of this update are effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. First Financial adopted this accounting standard during the third quarter of 2015 and recorded $1.7 million of deferred debt issuance costs as a reduction to long-term debt in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2015. Management concluded that the debt issuance costs capitalized in prior periods was immaterial as a component of other assets, total assets, total long-term debt and total liabilities, and as such, the Company's prior periods have not been restated. The amount of unamortized debt issuance costs not reclassified was $0.1 million as of December 31, 2014. In May 2015, the FASB issued an update (ASU 2015-07, Fair Value Measurement: Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share) which will eliminate the requirement to categorize investments whose fair values are measured at net asset value within the fair value hierarchy using the practical expedient. This update will require entities to disclose the fair values of such investments so that financial statement users can reconcile amounts reported in the fair value hierarchy table and the amounts reported on the balance sheet. The provisions of this update become effective for the interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. First Financial does not anticipate this update will have a material impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements. In September 2015, the FASB issued an update (ASU 2015-16, Business Combinations: Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments) which eliminates the requirement for an acquirer in a business combination to account for measurement-period adjustments retrospectively. This update will require acquiring companies to recognize measurement-period adjustments during the period in which they determine the amounts, including the effect on earnings of any amounts they would have recorded in previous periods if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. The guidance in this ASU is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015 with early adoption permitted. First Financial does not anticipate this update will have a material impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

INVESTMENTS

INVESTMENTS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 September 30, 2015 : Held-to-maturity Available-for-sale (Dollars in thousands) Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Market Amortized cost Unrealized gain Unrealized loss Market value U.S. Treasuries $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 98 $ 1 $ 0 $ 99 Securities of U.S. government agencies and corporations 15,968 222 0 16,190 8,717 247 0 8,964 Mortgage-backed securities 707,124 15,048 (520 ) 721,652 660,881 5,040 (6,879 ) 659,042 Obligations of state and other political subdivisions 28,138 168 (317 ) 27,989 75,845 2,311 (928 ) 77,228 Asset-backed securities 0 0 0 0 215,036 221 (1,801 ) 213,456 Other securities 4,805 0 (124 ) 4,681 110,981 919 (1,022 ) 110,878 Total $ 756,035 $ 15,438 $ (961 ) $ 770,512 $ 1,071,558 $ 8,739 $ (10,630 ) $ 1,069,667 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 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 September 30, 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 cost Market value Amortized cost Market value Due in one year or less $ 4,473 $ 4,587 $ 22,066 $ 22,118 Due after one year through five years 534,431 543,735 667,783 666,906 Due after five years through ten years 217,131 222,190 334,447 332,881 Due after ten years 0 0 47,262 47,762 Total $ 756,035 $ 770,512 $ 1,071,558 $ 1,069,667 The following tables provide the fair value and gross unrealized losses on investment securities in an unrealized loss position, aggregated by investment category and the length of time the individual securities have been in a continuous loss position: September 30, 2015 Less than 12 months 12 months or more Total (Dollars in thousands) Fair value Unrealized loss Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized Mortgage-backed securities $ 216,209 $ (856 ) $ 257,294 $ (6,543 ) $ 473,503 $ (7,399 ) Obligations of state and other political subdivisions 1,268 (3 ) 36,309 (1,242 ) 37,577 (1,245 ) Asset-backed securities 157,585 (1,781 ) 5,780 (20 ) 163,365 (1,801 ) Other securities 37,492 (540 ) 25,483 (606 ) 62,975 (1,146 ) Total $ 412,554 $ (3,180 ) $ 324,866 $ (8,411 ) $ 737,420 $ (11,591 ) 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 September 30, 2015 or December 31, 2014 . For further detail on the fair value of investment securities, see Note 14 – Fair Value Disclosures.

LOANS AND LEASES

LOANS AND LEASES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 states where the Bank currently operates banking centers (Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky). Additionally, First Financial has two national lending platforms, one that provides equipment and leasehold improvement financing for franchisees in the quick service and casual dining restaurant sector and another that provides loans secured by commissions and cash collateral accounts exclusively to insurance agents and brokers. 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 $207.8 million and $264.9 million , at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , respectively. The outstanding balance of all purchased impaired loans, including all contractual principal, interest, fees and penalties, was $236.5 million and $314.5 million as of September 30, 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 Nine months ended September 30, September 30, (Dollars in thousands) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Balance at beginning of period $ 78,945 $ 127,764 $ 106,622 $ 133,671 Reclassification from/(to) nonaccretable difference 76 (2,295 ) (2,048 ) 19,864 Accretion (4,945 ) (8,158 ) (17,046 ) (26,808 ) Other net activity (1) (4,746 ) (4,250 ) (18,198 ) (13,666 ) Balance at end of period $ 69,330 $ 113,061 $ 69,330 $ 113,061 (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 nonaccretable to accretable difference of $0.1 million for the third quarter of 2015 , however, during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , the Company recognized reclassifications from accretable to nonaccretable difference of $2.0 million . During the third quarter of 2014, First Financial recognized $2.3 million of reclassifications from accretable to nonaccretable difference, while in the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company recognized reclassifications from nonaccretable to accretable difference of $19.9 million due to changes in the cash flow expectations related to certain loan pools. Reclassifications from nonaccretable to accretable difference can result in impairment and provision expense in the current period and reclassifications from accretable to nonaccretable difference can result in 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 $117.6 million as of September 30, 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 classified as nonperforming. Commercial and consumer credit exposure by risk attribute was as follows: As of September 30, 2015 Real Estate (Dollars in thousands) Commercial Construction Commercial Leasing Total Pass $ 1,571,656 $ 275,197 $ 2,081,930 $ 81,053 $ 4,009,836 Special Mention 40,433 130 20,414 1,626 62,603 Substandard 25,378 913 67,318 0 93,609 Doubtful 0 0 0 0 0 Total $ 1,637,467 $ 276,240 $ 2,169,662 $ 82,679 $ 4,166,048 (Dollars in thousands) Real Estate Residential Installment Home Equity Other Total Performing $ 497,643 $ 39,547 $ 457,893 $ 39,759 $ 1,034,842 Nonperforming 9,010 427 5,736 0 15,173 Total $ 506,653 $ 39,974 $ 463,629 $ 39,759 $ 1,050,015 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 Residential Installment Home Equity Other Total 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 September 30, 2015 (Dollars in thousands) 30 – 59 60 – 89 > 90 days Total Current Subtotal Purchased impaired Total > 90 days Loans Commercial $ 949 $ 887 $ 4,125 $ 5,961 $ 1,622,274 $ 1,628,235 $ 9,232 $ 1,637,467 $ 0 Real estate - construction 0 0 79 79 275,351 275,430 810 276,240 0 Real estate - commercial 1,094 1,120 14,510 16,724 2,018,164 2,034,888 134,774 2,169,662 0 Real estate - residential 1,964 391 2,365 4,720 442,154 446,874 59,779 506,653 0 Installment 20 50 257 327 37,531 37,858 2,116 39,974 0 Home equity 512 150 3,309 3,971 458,574 462,545 1,084 463,629 0 Other 684 131 58 873 121,565 122,438 0 122,438 58 Total $ 5,223 $ 2,729 $ 24,703 $ 32,655 $ 4,975,613 $ 5,008,268 $ 207,795 $ 5,216,063 $ 58 As of December 31, 2014 (Dollars in thousands) 30 – 59 60 – 89 > 90 days Total Current Subtotal Purchased impaired Total > 90 days 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 loan loss provision or prospective yield adjustments. Troubled Debt Restructurings. A loan modification is considered a TDR when the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty and 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 271 TDRs totaling $33.8 million at September 30, 2015 , including $20.2 million on accrual status and $13.6 million classified as nonaccrual. First Financial had an insignificant amount of commitments outstanding to lend additional funds to borrowers whose loan terms have been modified through TDRs at September 30, 2015 . At September 30, 2015 , the allowance for loan and lease losses included reserves of $2.4 million related to TDRs. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , First Financial charged off $0.7 million and $2.5 million , respectively, for the portion of TDRs determined to be uncollectible. Additionally, at September 30, 2015 , approximately $8.8 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 and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 : Three months ended September 30, 2015 September 30, 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 5 $ 171 $ 166 6 $ 3,712 $ 3,384 Real estate - construction 0 0 0 0 0 0 Real estate - commercial 2 2,159 2,000 2 375 373 Real estate - residential 6 920 901 7 322 264 Installment 2 50 50 3 6 6 Home equity 6 231 229 6 126 125 Total 21 $ 3,531 $ 3,346 24 $ 4,541 $ 4,152 Nine months ended September 30, 2015 September 30, 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 27 $ 1,686 $ 1,676 11 $ 3,938 $ 3,594 Real estate - construction 0 0 0 0 0 0 Real estate - commercial 14 17,499 13,734 11 2,583 2,453 Real estate - residential 9 1,282 1,228 30 1,712 1,527 Installment 9 96 96 6 21 19 Home equity 16 2,281 1,768 26 791 758 Total 75 $ 22,844 $ 18,502 84 $ 9,045 $ 8,351 The following table provides information on how TDRs were modified during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 . Three months ended Nine months ended September 30, September 30, (Dollars in thousands) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Extended maturities $ 2,166 $ 3,505 $ 12,827 $ 4,402 Adjusted interest rates 0 0 0 301 Combination of rate and maturity changes 0 402 1,219 1,643 Forbearance 0 0 260 320 Other (1) 1,180 245 4,196 1,685 Total $ 3,346 $ 4,152 $ 18,502 $ 8,351 (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 September 30, 2015 September 30, 2014 (Dollars in thousands) Number of loans Period end balance Number of loans Period end balance Commercial 2 $ 344 0 $ 0 Real estate - construction 0 0 0 0 Real estate - commercial 0 0 0 0 Real estate - residential 0 0 1 1 Installment 0 0 0 0 Home equity 1 14 0 0 Total 3 $ 358 1 $ 1 Nine months ended September 30, 2015 September 30, 2014 (Dollars in thousands) Number of loans Period end balance Number of loans Period end balance Commercial 2 $ 344 1 $ 143 Real estate - construction 0 0 0 0 Real estate - commercial 4 1,146 0 0 Real estate - residential 1 73 3 28 Installment 0 0 1 0 Home equity 1 14 3 92 Total 8 $ 1,577 8 $ 263 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) September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 Impaired loans Nonaccrual loans (1) Commercial $ 7,438 $ 6,627 Real estate-construction 79 223 Real estate-commercial 17,732 27,969 Real estate-residential 4,940 7,241 Installment 321 451 Home equity 5,203 5,958 Nonaccrual loans (1) 35,713 48,469 Accruing troubled debt restructurings 20,226 15,928 Total impaired loans $ 55,939 $ 64,397 (1) Nonaccrual loans include nonaccrual TDRs of $13.6 million and $12.3 million as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , respectively. Three months ended Nine months ended September 30, September 30, (Dollars in thousands) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Interest income effect on impaired loans Gross amount of interest that would have been recorded under original terms $ 852 $ 910 $ 2,750 $ 2,543 Interest included in income Nonaccrual loans 91 186 370 363 Troubled debt restructurings 168 110 436 321 Total interest included in income 259 296 806 684 Net impact on interest income $ 593 $ 614 $ 1,944 $ 1,859 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 September 30, 2015 (Dollars in thousands) Current balance Contractual principal balance Related allowance Average current balance YTD interest income recognized Quarterly interest income recognized Loans with no related allowance recorded Commercial $ 9,981 $ 11,848 $ 0 $ 8,981 $ 153 $ 47 Real estate - construction 79 383 0 187 0 0 Real estate - commercial 20,834 26,044 0 20,129 263 77 Real estate - residential 7,452 8,787 0 8,317 136 44 Installment 427 460 0 412 6 2 Home equity 5,635 7,503 0 5,725 58 19 Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total 44,408 55,025 0 43,751 616 189 Loans with an allowance recorded Commercial 868 868 478 1,513 16 6 Real estate - construction 0 0 0 0 0 0 Real estate - commercial 9,004 9,633 938 14,072 145 54 Real estate - residential 1,558 1,570 235 1,734 27 9 Installment 0 0 0 0 0 0 Home equity 101 101 2 101 2 1 Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total 11,531 12,172 1,653 17,420 190 70 Total Commercial 10,849 12,716 478 10,494 169 53 Real estate - construction 79 383 0 187 0 0 Real estate - commercial 29,838 35,677 938 34,201 408 131 Real estate - residential 9,010 10,357 235 10,051 163 53 Installment 427 460 0 412 6 2 Home equity 5,736 7,604 2 5,826 60 20 Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total $ 55,939 $ 67,197 $ 1,653 $ 61,171 $ 806 $ 259 As of and for the year December 31, 2014 (Dollars in thousands) Current balance Contractual principal balance Related allowance Average current balance Interest income 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 Nine months ended September 30, September 30, (Dollars in thousands) 2015 (1) 2014 (1) 2015 (1) 2014 (1) Balance at beginning of period $ 16,401 $ 32,809 $ 22,674 $ 46,926 Additions Commercial 178 883 2,745 6,211 Residential 1,405 292 3,210 1,926 Total additions 1,583 1,175 5,955 8,137 Disposals Commercial (852 ) (9,695 ) (9,394 ) (27,672 ) Residential (1,708 ) (115 ) (2,844 ) (1,041 ) Total disposals (2,560 ) (9,810 ) (12,238 ) (28,713 ) Valuation adjustment Commercial (183 ) (1,490 ) (963 ) (3,496 ) Residential (54 ) (188 ) (241 ) (358 ) Total valuation adjustment (237 ) (1,678 ) (1,204 ) (3,854 ) Balance at end of period $ 15,187 $ 22,496 $ 15,187 $ 22,496 (1) Includes OREO subject to loss sharing agreements of $1.4 million and $11.2 million at September 30, 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 Nine months ended September 30, September 30, (Dollars in thousands) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Affected Line Item in the Consolidated Statements of Income Balance at beginning of period $ 20,338 $ 30,420 $ 22,666 $ 45,091 Adjustments not reflected in income Net FDIC claims (received) / paid 758 (1,423 ) 2,382 (7,422 ) Adjustments reflected in income Amortization (1,192 ) (1,486 ) (3,562 ) (4,215 ) Interest income, other earning assets FDIC loss sharing income (973 ) (192 ) (2,323 ) 408 Noninterest income, FDIC loss sharing income Offset to accelerated discount 0 (3,159 ) (232 ) (9,702 ) Noninterest income, accelerated discount on covered loans Balance at end of period $ 18,931 $ 24,160 $ 18,931 $ 24,160 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 LO

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 ALLL 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 nine 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. In the third quarter of 2015, First Financial closed its merger with Oak Street. Loans acquired in this transaction were recorded at estimated fair value at the acquisition date with no carryover of the related 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 third quarter of 2015 . First Financial recognized provision expense of $1.3 million and net charge-offs of $1.0 million during the third quarter of 2015, resulting in an ending allowance of $11.0 million as of September 30, 2015 . First Financial recognized provision expense of $1.7 million and realized net charge-offs of $0.7 million for the first nine months of 2015. For the third quarter of 2014 , First Financial recognized negative provision expense, or impairment recapture, on covered loans of $0.2 million and net charge-offs of $0.7 million , resulting in an ending allowance of $11.5 million . For the first nine months of 2014, the Company recognized negative provision expense on covered loans of $2.8 million and net charge-offs of $4.6 million . First Financial recognized loss sharing expenses of $0.6 million and $1.0 million for the third quarters of 2015 and 2014 , respectively. The Company also recognized losses on covered/formerly covered OREO of $0.1 million for the third quarter of 2015 and gains on covered OREO of $1.4 million for the third quarter of 2014 . The net payable due to the FDIC under loss sharing agreements related to covered loan recoveries, gains/losses on covered OREO and loss sharing expenses of $1.0 million was recognized as negative FDIC loss sharing income during the third quarter of 2015 . The net payable due to the FDIC under loss sharing agreements of $0.2 million for the third quarter of 2014 , was recognized as negative FDIC loss sharing income and a corresponding decrease to the FDIC indemnification asset. First Financial recognized loss sharing expenses of $1.5 million and $4.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. First Financial also recognized losses on covered/formerly covered OREO of $0.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and gains on covered/formerly covered OREO of $1.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The net payable due to the FDIC under loss sharing agreements of $2.3 million for the first nine months of 2015 was recognized as negative loss sharing income. The receivable due from the FDIC under loss sharing agreements of $0.4 million for the first nine months of 2014, was recognized as loss sharing income and a corresponding increase to the FDIC indemnification asset. Changes in the allowance for loan and lease losses were as follows: Three months ended Nine months ended September 30, September 30, (Dollars in thousands) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Changes in the allowance for loan and lease losses on loans, excluding covered/formerly covered loans Balance at beginning of period $ 42,128 $ 42,027 $ 42,820 $ 43,829 Provision for loan and lease losses 1,382 1,093 6,114 2,281 Loans charged-off (2,385 ) (1,816 ) (9,200 ) (6,427 ) Recoveries 1,194 1,150 2,585 2,771 Balance at end of period $ 42,319 $ 42,454 $ 42,319 $ 42,454 Changes in the allowance for loan and lease losses on covered/formerly covered loans Balance at beginning of period $ 10,748 $ 12,425 $ 10,038 $ 18,901 Provision for loan and lease losses 1,265 (200 ) 1,663 (2,805 ) Loans charged-off (1,577 ) (3,053 ) (5,078 ) (13,778 ) Recoveries 577 2,363 4,390 9,217 Balance at end of period $ 11,013 $ 11,535 $ 11,013 $ 11,535 Changes in the allowance for loan and lease losses on total loans Balance at beginning of period $ 52,876 $ 54,452 $ 52,858 $ 62,730 Provision for loan and lease losses 2,647 893 7,777 (524 ) Loans charged-off (3,962 ) (4,869 ) (14,278 ) (20,205 ) Recoveries 1,771 3,513 6,975 11,988 Balance at end of period $ 53,332 $ 53,989 $ 53,332 $ 53,989 Year-to-date changes in the allowance for loan and lease losses by loan category were as follows: Nine months ended September 30, 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 5,034 540 (2,282 ) 1,324 77 905 516 6,114 1,663 7,777 Gross charge-offs 2,528 84 3,664 665 267 1,185 807 9,200 5,078 14,278 Recoveries 586 39 977 174 163 478 168 2,585 4,390 6,975 Total net charge-offs 1,942 45 2,687 491 104 707 639 6,615 688 7,303 Ending allowance for loan and lease losses $ 14,351 $ 1,540 $ 15,699 $ 3,661 $ 296 $ 4,458 $ 2,314 $ 42,319 $ 11,013 $ 53,332 Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment $ 478 $ 0 $ 938 $ 235 $ 0 $ 2 $ 0 $ 1,653 $ 0 $ 1,653 Ending allowance on loans collectively evaluated for impairment 13,873 1,540 14,761 3,426 296 4,456 2,314 40,666 11,013 51,679 Ending allowance for loan and lease losses $ 14,351 $ 1,540 $ 15,699 $ 3,661 $ 296 $ 4,458 $ 2,314 $ 42,319 $ 11,013 $ 53,332 Loans Ending balance of loans individually evaluated for impairment $ 7,651 $ 0 $ 22,287 $ 2,742 $ 0 $ 362 $ 0 $ 33,042 $ 0 $ 33,042 Ending balance of loans collectively evaluated for impairment 1,620,696 275,430 2,019,783 444,132 37,609 427,038 120,508 4,945,196 237,825 5,183,021 Total loans $ 1,628,347 $ 275,430 $ 2,042,070 $ 446,874 $ 37,609 $ 427,400 $ 120,508 $ 4,978,238 $ 237,825 $ 5,216,063 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 A

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 2015, First Financial recorded additions to goodwill resulting from the Oak Street acquisition. For further detail on the Oak Street acquisition, see Note 15 – Business Combinations. Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 and the year ended December 31, 2014 are shown below. (Dollars in thousands) September 30, December 31, Balance at beginning of year $ 137,739 $ 95,050 Goodwill resulting from business combinations 66,276 42,689 Balance at end of period $ 204,015 $ 137,739 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 September 30, 2015 , no events or changes in circumstances indicated that the fair value of a reporting unit was below its carrying value. Other intangible assets. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , First Financial has $7.7 million and $8.1 million , respectively, of other intangibles which are included in Goodwill and other intangibles in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and primarily consist 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 $6.4 million and $7.7 million as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , respectively. First Financial's core deposit intangibles have an estimated weighted average remaining life of 5.9 years . Amortization expense was $0.4 million and $0.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. Amortization expense recognized on intangible assets for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 was $1.3 million and $1.2 million , respectively.

BORROWINGS

BORROWINGS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 $701.2 million in short-term borrowings with the FHLB at September 30, 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. First Financial has a $15.0 million short-term credit facility with an unaffiliated bank that matures on May 30, 2016. This facility can have a variable or fixed interest rate and provides First Financial additional liquidity, if needed, for various corporate activities, including the repurchase of First Financial shares and the payment of dividends to shareholders. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , 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 facility as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 . During the third quarter of 2015, First Financial issued $120.0 million of subordinated notes. The subordinated notes have a fixed interest rate of 5.125% payable semiannually and mature on August 25, 2025. These notes are not redeemable by the Company or callable by the holders of the notes prior to maturity. The subordinated notes will be treated as Tier 2 capital for regulatory capital purposes and are included in Long-term debt on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Long-term debt also includes $0.5 million and $22.5 million of FHLB long-term advances as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , respectively. These instruments are primarily utilized to reduce overnight liquidity risk and to mitigate interest rate sensitivity on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of December 31, 2014, First Financial also had $25.0 million in repurchase agreements recorded in Long-term debt on the Consolidated Balance Sheets which matured during the third quarter of 2015. Securities pledged as collateral in conjunction with the repurchase agreements were included within Investment securities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The following is a summary of First Financial's long-term debt: September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 (Dollars in thousands) Amount Average rate Amount Average rate Subordinated debt $ 118,286 5.20 % $ 0 0.00 % FHLB advances 454 2.36 % 22,466 2.52 % National market repurchase agreement 0 0.00 % 25,000 3.54 % Capital loan with municipality 775 0.00 % 775 0.00 % Total long-term debt $ 119,515 5.15 % $ 48,241 3.01 %

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 September 30, 2015 Total other comprehensive income Total accumulated other comprehensive income (Dollars in thousands) Prior to Reclassification Reclassification from Pre-tax Tax-effect Net of tax Beginning Balance Net Activity Ending Balance Unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities $ 5,213 $ 409 $ 4,804 $ (1,747 ) $ 3,057 $ (1,276 ) $ 3,057 $ 1,781 Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives 203 0 203 (75 ) 128 (1,848 ) 128 (1,720 ) Retirement obligation 0 (350 ) 350 (130 ) 220 (17,500 ) 220 (17,280 ) Foreign currency translation 91 0 91 0 91 (91 ) 91 0 Total $ 5,507 $ 59 $ 5,448 $ (1,952 ) $ 3,496 $ (20,715 ) $ 3,496 $ (17,219 ) Three months ended September 30, 2014 Total other comprehensive income Total accumulated other comprehensive income (Dollars in thousands) Prior to Reclassification Reclassification from Pre-tax Tax-effect Net of tax Beginning Balance Net Activity Ending Balance Unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities $ (374 ) $ 0 $ (374 ) $ 118 $ (256 ) $ (5,956 ) $ (256 ) $ (6,212 ) Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives 1,096 (117 ) 1,213 (453 ) 760 (492 ) 760 268 Retirement obligation 0 (302 ) 302 (113 ) 189 (15,091 ) 189 (14,902 ) Foreign currency translation (12 ) 0 (12 ) 0 (12 ) (30 ) (12 ) (42 ) Total $ 710 $ (419 ) $ 1,129 $ (448 ) $ 681 $ (21,569 ) $ 681 $ (20,888 ) Nine months ended September 30, 2015 Total other comprehensive income Total accumulated other comprehensive income (Dollars in thousands) Prior to Reclassification Reclassification from Pre-tax Tax-effect Net of tax Beginning Balance Net Activity Ending Balance Unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities $ 8,219 $ 1,503 $ 6,716 $ (2,429 ) $ 4,287 $ (2,506 ) $ 4,287 $ 1,781 Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives (1,222 ) 0 (1,222 ) 451 (771 ) (949 ) (771 ) (1,720 ) Retirement obligation 0 (1,050 ) 1,050 (426 ) 624 (17,904 ) 624 (17,280 ) Foreign currency translation 50 0 50 0 50 (50 ) 50 0 Total $ 7,047 $ 453 $ 6,594 $ (2,404 ) $ 4,190 $ (21,409 ) $ 4,190 $ (17,219 ) Nine months ended September 30, 2014 Total other comprehensive income Total accumulated other comprehensive income (Dollars in thousands) Prior to Reclassification Reclassification from Pre-tax Tax-effect Net of tax Beginning Balance Net Activity Ending Balance Unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities $ 15,869 $ 50 $ 15,819 $ (5,742 ) $ 10,077 $ (16,289 ) $ 10,077 $ (6,212 ) Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives (881 ) (348 ) (533 ) 199 (334 ) 602 (334 ) 268 Retirement obligation 0 (1,059 ) 1,059 (396 ) 663 (15,565 ) 663 (14,902 ) Foreign currency translation (13 ) 0 (13 ) 0 (13 ) (29 ) (13 ) (42 ) Total $ 14,975 $ (1,357 ) $ 16,332 $ (5,939 ) $ 10,393 $ (31,281 ) $ 10,393 $ (20,888 ) 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 Nine months ended September 30, September 30, (Dollars in thousands) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Affected Line Item in the Consolidated Statements of Income Gains and losses on cash flow hedges Interest rate contracts $ 0 $ (117 ) $ 0 $ (348 ) Interest expense - deposits Realized gains and losses on securities available-for-sale 409 0 1,503 50 Gains on sales of investments securities Defined benefit pension plan Amortization of prior service cost (2) 100 103 300 309 Salaries and employee benefits Recognized net actuarial loss (2) (450 ) (405 ) (1,350 ) (1,368 ) Salaries and employee benefits Amortization and settlement charges of defined benefit pension items (350 ) (302 ) (1,050 ) (1,059 ) Salaries and employee benefits Total reclassifications for the period, before tax $ 59 $ (419 ) $ 453 $ (1,357 ) (1) Negative amounts 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	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 September 30, 2015 , the Company had a total counterparty notional amount outstanding of approximately $528.5 million , spread among seven counterparties, with an outstanding liability from these contracts of $18.3 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: September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 Estimated fair value Estimated fair value (Dollars in thousands) Balance sheet location Notional amount Gain Loss Notional amount Gain Loss Fair value hedges - instruments associated with loans Pay fixed interest rate swaps with counterparty Accrued interest and other liabilities $ 6,261 $ 0 $ (235 ) $ 8,739 $ 0 $ (440 ) Matched interest rate swaps with borrower Accrued interest and other assets 522,260 18,555 0 407,423 11,150 (249 ) Matched interest rate swaps with counterparty Accrued interest and other liabilities 522,260 0 (18,601 ) 407,423 249 (11,227 ) Total $ 1,050,781 $ 18,555 $ (18,836 ) $ 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: September 30, 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 $ 235 $ (84 ) $ 151 $ 440 $ 0 $ 440 Matched interest rate swaps with counterparty 18,600 (17,916 ) 684 11,476 (12,260 ) (784 ) Total $ 18,835 $ (18,000 ) $ 835 $ 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 September 30, 2015 : Weighted-average rate (Dollars in thousands) Notional amount Average maturity (years) Fair value Receive Pay Asset conversion swaps Pay fixed interest rate swaps with counterparty $ 6,261 2.0 $ (235 ) 2.01 % 6.85 % Receive fixed, matched interest rate swaps with borrower 522,260 4.7 18,555 4.46 % 2.56 % Pay fixed, matched interest rate swaps with counterparty 522,260 4.7 (18,601 ) 2.56 % 4.46 % Total asset conversion swaps $ 1,050,781 4.7 $ (281 ) 3.51 % 3.53 % 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. 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. As of December 31, 2014 , the Company had active interest rate swaps with a notional value of $150.0 million . Accrued interest and other liabilities included $1.7 million at December 31, 2014 , reflecting the fair value of the cash flow hedges. First Financial terminated all cash flow hedges during the second quarter 2015. Credit Derivatives. In conjunction with participating interests in commercial loans, First Financial periodically enters into risk participation agreements with 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 $31.0 million as of September 30, 2015 and $26.4 million as of December 31, 2014 . The fair value of these agreements were recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as Accrued interest and other liabilities of $0.1 million as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 . Mortgage Derivatives. First Financial enters into IRLCs and forward commitments for the future delivery of mortgage loans to third party investors, which are considered derivatives. When borrowers secure an IRLC with First Financial and the loan is intended to be sold, First Financial will enter into forward commitments for the future delivery of the loans to third party investors in order to hedge against the effect of changes in interest rates impacting IRLCs and and Loans held for sale. At September 30, 2015 , the notional amount of the IRLCs was $29.0 million and the notional amount of forward commitments was $60.3 million . The fair value of these agreements was $0.3 million as of September 30, 2015 and was recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets in Accrued interest and other assets.

INCOME TAXES

INCOME TAXES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
INCOME TAXES	INCOME TAXES For the third quarter 2015 , income tax expense was $9.2 million , resulting in an effective tax rate of 33.0% , compared with income tax expense of $7.2 million and an effective tax rate of 32.0% for the comparable period in 2014 . For the first nine months of 2015 , income tax expense was $26.9 million , resulting in an effective tax rate of 32.8% . compared with income tax expense of $22.3 million and an effective tax rate of 32.4% for the comparable period in 2014. At September 30, 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 September 30, 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. The examination for the tax year 2012 was completed in the third quarter of 2015. There was no impact to the Company's financial position and results of operations as a result of this examination. Tax years prior to 2013 have been closed and are no longer subject to U.S. federal income tax examinations. Tax years 2013 and 2014 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 2014 remain open to state and local examination in various jurisdictions.

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES 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 utilizes the same credit policies in issuing commitments and conditional obligations as it does for credit instruments recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. 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 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. Loan commitments. Loan commitments are agreements to extend credit to a client, absent any violation of conditions 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 September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 . 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 $17.0 million and $22.8 million at September 30, 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 are an indirect federal subsidy that provide tax incentives to encourage investment in the development, acquisition and rehabilitation of affordable rental housing, and allow 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 $23.6 million and $14.9 million as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , respectively. The affordable housing investments resulted in $0.4 million and $0.3 million of tax credits for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively, and $1.1 million and $0.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. First Financial had no affordable housing contingent commitments as of September 30, 2015 or December 31, 2014 . Contingencies/Litigation. First Financial and its subsidiaries are engaged in various matters of litigation, other assertions of improper or fraudulent loan practices or lending violations and other matters from time to time, and have a number of unresolved claims pending. Additionally, as part of the ordinary course of business, First Financial and its subsidiaries are parties to litigation involving claims to the ownership of funds in particular accounts, the collection of delinquent accounts, challenges to security interests in collateral and foreclosure interests that are incidental to our regular business activities. While the ultimate liability with respect to these other litigation matters and claims cannot be determined at this time, First Financial believes that damages, if any, and other amounts relating to pending matters are not probable or cannot be reasonably estimated as of September 30, 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. First Financial had $1.3 million and $0.6 million of reserves related to litigation matters as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , respectively.

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 nine months ended September 30, 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 of $0.3 million for each quarter ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 . First Financial recorded income related to its pension plan of $0.9 million for each of the nine months ended September 30, 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 Nine months ended September 30, September 30, (Dollars in thousands) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Service cost $ 1,175 $ 1,007 $ 3,525 $ 3,089 Interest cost 550 551 1,650 1,791 Expected return on assets (2,375 ) (2,208 ) (7,125 ) (6,792 ) Amortization of prior service cost (100 ) (103 ) (300 ) (309 ) Net actuarial loss 450 405 1,350 1,368 Net periodic benefit (income) cost $ (300 ) $ (348 ) $ (900 ) $ (853 )

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 Nine months ended September 30, September 30, (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Numerator Net income available to common shareholders $ 18,673 $ 15,344 $ 55,243 $ 46,401 Denominator Basic earnings per common share - weighted average shares 61,135,749 59,403,109 61,088,794 57,907,203 Effect of dilutive securities Employee stock awards 715,585 576,543 643,536 594,082 Warrants 136,461 133,280 126,394 138,109 Diluted earnings per common share - adjusted weighted average shares 61,987,795 60,112,932 61,858,724 58,639,394 Earnings per share available to common shareholders Basic $ 0.31 $ 0.26 $ 0.90 $ 0.80 Diluted $ 0.30 $ 0.26 $ 0.89 $ 0.79 Warrants to purchase 369,377 and 465,117 shares of the Company's common stock were outstanding as of September 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. 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. Using the period-end price, there were no out-of-the-money options at September 30, 2015 and 378,017 out-of-the-money options at September 30, 2014 . During the second quarter of 2014, the Company received shareholder authorization to issue up to 10,000,000 preferred shares. As of September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014 , no preferred shares were issued or outstanding.

FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES

FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 values provided by third-party pricing vendors to price the investment securities portfolio in accordance with the fair value hierarchy of the Fair Value Topic and reviews the pricing methodologies utilized by the pricing vendors to ensure that the fair value determination is consistent with the applicable accounting guidance. First Financial’s month-end pricing process includes a series of quality assurance activities where prices are compared to recent market conditions, historical prices and other independent pricing services. Further, the Company periodically validates the fair values of a sample of securities in the portfolio by comparing the fair values to prices from other independent sources for the same or similar securities. First Financial analyzes unusual or significant variances, conducts additional research with the pricing vendor, and if necessary, takes appropriate action based on its findings. The results of the quality assurance process are incorporated into the selection of pricing providers by the portfolio manager. Loans held for sale. Loans held for sale are carried at 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 market price or 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 specifically reviewed 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 are based on a discounted cash flow methodology that consider factors including the type of loan and related collateral, classification status, fixed or variable interest rate, term of loan, 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 are grouped together according to similar characteristics and are treated in the aggregate when applying various valuation techniques. First Financial estimates 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 are 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. The five year period of loss protection expired for the majority of First Financial's covered commercial loans and covered OREO effective October 1, 2014. The Company classifies the estimated fair value of the indemnification asset as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. Deposits. The fair value of demand deposits, savings accounts and certain money-market deposits represents the amount payable on demand at the reporting date. The carrying amounts for variable-rate CDs approximated their fair values at the reporting date. The fair value of fixed-rate CDs 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 in 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. The Company classifies the estimated fair value of long-term debt as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. 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 September 30, 2015 Financial assets Cash and short-term investments $ 136,489 $ 136,489 $ 136,489 $ 0 $ 0 Investment securities held-to-maturity 756,035 770,512 0 770,512 0 Other investments 53,431 53,431 0 53,431 0 Loans held for sale 26,287 26,287 0 26,287 0 Loans and leases, net of ALLL 5,162,731 5,256,031 0 0 5,256,031 FDIC indemnification asset 18,931 10,547 0 0 10,547 Financial liabilities Deposits Noninterest-bearing $ 1,330,905 $ 1,330,905 $ 0 $ 1,330,905 $ 0 Interest-bearing demand 1,330,673 1,330,673 0 1,330,673 0 Savings 1,979,627 1,979,627 0 1,979,627 0 Time 1,440,223 1,440,365 0 1,440,365 0 Total deposits 6,081,428 6,081,570 0 6,081,570 0 Short-term borrowings 763,517 763,517 763,517 0 0 Long-term debt 119,515 120,865 0 120,865 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 September 30, 2015 Assets Derivatives $ 0 $ 18,855 $ 0 $ 18,855 Investment securities available-for-sale 8,595 1,061,072 0 1,069,667 Total $ 8,595 $ 1,079,927 $ 0 $ 1,088,522 Liabilities Derivatives $ 0 $ 18,920 $ 0 $ 18,920 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 September 30, 2015 Assets Impaired loans (1) $ 0 $ 0 $ 8,456 OREO 0 0 9,996 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	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
BUSINESS COMBINATIONS	BUSINESS COMBINATIONS First Financial completed the acquisition of Oak Street during the third quarter of 2015 and Oak Street became a wholly-owned subsidiary of First Financial Bank. Oak Street, a nationwide lender based in Indianapolis, Indiana, was formed in 2003 to provide loans, secured by commissions and cash collateral accounts, exclusively to insurance agents and brokers to maximize their book-of-business value and grow their agency business. First Financial acquired Oak Street for $110.0 million in cash and, concurrent with the close of the transaction, paid off $197.8 million of existing long-term debt on behalf of Oak Street. The Company recorded $2.6 million of noninterest expenses related to the acquisition of Oak Street during the third quarter 2015. The Oak Street transaction was 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 date, 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 acquisition 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 adjustments are preliminary and may change as information becomes available, but no later than August 2016. The following table provides the purchase price calculation as of the acquisition date and the identifiable assets purchased and the liabilities assumed at their estimated fair value: (Dollars in thousands) Oak Street Purchase consideration Cash consideration $ 110,000 Payoff of long-term borrowings 197,839 Total purchase consideration $ 307,839 Assets acquired Cash $ 2,248 Loans 238,029 Intangible assets 268 Other assets 2,633 Total assets $ 243,178 Liabilities assumed Other liabilities $ 1,615 Total liabilities $ 1,615 Net identifiable assets $ 241,563 Goodwill $ 66,276 The goodwill arising from the Oak Street acquisition reflects the business’s high growth potential and scalable platform. The acquisition leverages First Financial’s excess capital and is expected to provide additional revenue growth and diversification. The goodwill is not deductible for income tax purposes as the merger was accounted for as a tax-free exchange. The tax-free exchange 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. For further detail, see Note 6 – Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTI

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Basis of Presentation Policy	The Consolidated Financial Statements of First Financial Bancorp., 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. 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 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 October 1, 2019 relative to the Company’s total assets, all covered loans and the related allowance for loan and lease losses, 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 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.
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, 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 loan loss provision or prospective yield adjustments.
Loans and Leases Receivable, Troubled Debt Restructuring Policy	A loan modification is considered a TDR when the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty and 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.
Loans and Leases Receivable, Allowance for Loan Losses Policy	For each reporting period, management maintains the ALLL 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 nine 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	primarily consist 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	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 utilizes the same credit policies in issuing commitments and conditional obligations as it does for credit instruments recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. 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.
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 values provided by third-party pricing vendors to price the investment securities portfolio in accordance with the fair value hierarchy of the Fair Value Topic and reviews the pricing methodologies utilized by the pricing vendors to ensure that the fair value determination is consistent with the applicable accounting guidance. First Financial’s month-end pricing process includes a series of quality assurance activities where prices are compared to recent market conditions, historical prices and other independent pricing services. Further, the Company periodically validates the fair values of a sample of securities in the portfolio by comparing the fair values to prices from other independent sources for the same or similar securities. First Financial analyzes unusual or significant variances, conducts additional research with the pricing vendor, and if necessary, takes appropriate action based on its findings. The results of the quality assurance process are incorporated into the selection of pricing providers by the portfolio manager. Loans held for sale. Loans held for sale are carried at 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 market price or 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 specifically reviewed 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 are based on a discounted cash flow methodology that consider factors including the type of loan and related collateral, classification status, fixed or variable interest rate, term of loan, 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 are grouped together according to similar characteristics and are treated in the aggregate when applying various valuation techniques. First Financial estimates 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 are 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. The five year period of loss protection expired for the majority of First Financial's covered commercial loans and covered OREO effective October 1, 2014. The Company classifies the estimated fair value of the indemnification asset as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. Deposits. The fair value of demand deposits, savings accounts and certain money-market deposits represents the amount payable on demand at the reporting date. The carrying amounts for variable-rate CDs approximated their fair values at the reporting date. The fair value of fixed-rate CDs 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 in 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. The Company classifies the estimated fair value of long-term debt as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. 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.
Other Contract-Mortgage
Derivatives, Methods of Accounting, Hedging Derivatives, Policy	First Financial enters into IRLCs and forward commitments for the future delivery of mortgage loans to third party investors, which are considered derivatives. When borrowers secure an IRLC with First Financial and the loan is intended to be sold, First Financial will enter into forward commitments for the future delivery of the loans to third party investors in order to hedge against the effect of changes in interest rates impacting IRLCs and and Loans held for sale.
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.
Cash Flow Hedges
Derivatives, Methods of Accounting, Hedging Derivatives, Policy	First Financial utilizes interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges to hedge against interest rate volatility on indexed floating rate deposits.

INVESTMENTS (Tables)

INVESTMENTS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 September 30, 2015 : Held-to-maturity Available-for-sale (Dollars in thousands) Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Market Amortized cost Unrealized gain Unrealized loss Market value U.S. Treasuries $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 98 $ 1 $ 0 $ 99 Securities of U.S. government agencies and corporations 15,968 222 0 16,190 8,717 247 0 8,964 Mortgage-backed securities 707,124 15,048 (520 ) 721,652 660,881 5,040 (6,879 ) 659,042 Obligations of state and other political subdivisions 28,138 168 (317 ) 27,989 75,845 2,311 (928 ) 77,228 Asset-backed securities 0 0 0 0 215,036 221 (1,801 ) 213,456 Other securities 4,805 0 (124 ) 4,681 110,981 919 (1,022 ) 110,878 Total $ 756,035 $ 15,438 $ (961 ) $ 770,512 $ 1,071,558 $ 8,739 $ (10,630 ) $ 1,069,667 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 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 September 30, 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 cost Market value Amortized cost Market value Due in one year or less $ 4,473 $ 4,587 $ 22,066 $ 22,118 Due after one year through five years 534,431 543,735 667,783 666,906 Due after five years through ten years 217,131 222,190 334,447 332,881 Due after ten years 0 0 47,262 47,762 Total $ 756,035 $ 770,512 $ 1,071,558 $ 1,069,667
Age of Gross Unrealized Losses and Associated Fair Value by Investment Category	The following tables provide the fair value and gross unrealized losses on investment securities in an unrealized loss position, aggregated by investment category and the length of time the individual securities have been in a continuous loss position: September 30, 2015 Less than 12 months 12 months or more Total (Dollars in thousands) Fair value Unrealized loss Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized Mortgage-backed securities $ 216,209 $ (856 ) $ 257,294 $ (6,543 ) $ 473,503 $ (7,399 ) Obligations of state and other political subdivisions 1,268 (3 ) 36,309 (1,242 ) 37,577 (1,245 ) Asset-backed securities 157,585 (1,781 ) 5,780 (20 ) 163,365 (1,801 ) Other securities 37,492 (540 ) 25,483 (606 ) 62,975 (1,146 ) Total $ 412,554 $ (3,180 ) $ 324,866 $ (8,411 ) $ 737,420 $ (11,591 ) 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 AND LEASES (Tables)

LOANS AND LEASES (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 Nine months ended September 30, September 30, (Dollars in thousands) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Balance at beginning of period $ 78,945 $ 127,764 $ 106,622 $ 133,671 Reclassification from/(to) nonaccretable difference 76 (2,295 ) (2,048 ) 19,864 Accretion (4,945 ) (8,158 ) (17,046 ) (26,808 ) Other net activity (1) (4,746 ) (4,250 ) (18,198 ) (13,666 ) Balance at end of period $ 69,330 $ 113,061 $ 69,330 $ 113,061
Commercial and Consumer Credit Exposure by Risk Attribute	Commercial and consumer credit exposure by risk attribute was as follows: As of September 30, 2015 Real Estate (Dollars in thousands) Commercial Construction Commercial Leasing Total Pass $ 1,571,656 $ 275,197 $ 2,081,930 $ 81,053 $ 4,009,836 Special Mention 40,433 130 20,414 1,626 62,603 Substandard 25,378 913 67,318 0 93,609 Doubtful 0 0 0 0 0 Total $ 1,637,467 $ 276,240 $ 2,169,662 $ 82,679 $ 4,166,048 (Dollars in thousands) Real Estate Residential Installment Home Equity Other Total Performing $ 497,643 $ 39,547 $ 457,893 $ 39,759 $ 1,034,842 Nonperforming 9,010 427 5,736 0 15,173 Total $ 506,653 $ 39,974 $ 463,629 $ 39,759 $ 1,050,015 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 Residential Installment Home Equity Other Total 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 September 30, 2015 (Dollars in thousands) 30 – 59 60 – 89 > 90 days Total Current Subtotal Purchased impaired Total > 90 days Loans Commercial $ 949 $ 887 $ 4,125 $ 5,961 $ 1,622,274 $ 1,628,235 $ 9,232 $ 1,637,467 $ 0 Real estate - construction 0 0 79 79 275,351 275,430 810 276,240 0 Real estate - commercial 1,094 1,120 14,510 16,724 2,018,164 2,034,888 134,774 2,169,662 0 Real estate - residential 1,964 391 2,365 4,720 442,154 446,874 59,779 506,653 0 Installment 20 50 257 327 37,531 37,858 2,116 39,974 0 Home equity 512 150 3,309 3,971 458,574 462,545 1,084 463,629 0 Other 684 131 58 873 121,565 122,438 0 122,438 58 Total $ 5,223 $ 2,729 $ 24,703 $ 32,655 $ 4,975,613 $ 5,008,268 $ 207,795 $ 5,216,063 $ 58 As of December 31, 2014 (Dollars in thousands) 30 – 59 60 – 89 > 90 days Total Current Subtotal Purchased impaired Total > 90 days 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 and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 : Three months ended September 30, 2015 September 30, 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 5 $ 171 $ 166 6 $ 3,712 $ 3,384 Real estate - construction 0 0 0 0 0 0 Real estate - commercial 2 2,159 2,000 2 375 373 Real estate - residential 6 920 901 7 322 264 Installment 2 50 50 3 6 6 Home equity 6 231 229 6 126 125 Total 21 $ 3,531 $ 3,346 24 $ 4,541 $ 4,152 Nine months ended September 30, 2015 September 30, 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 27 $ 1,686 $ 1,676 11 $ 3,938 $ 3,594 Real estate - construction 0 0 0 0 0 0 Real estate - commercial 14 17,499 13,734 11 2,583 2,453 Real estate - residential 9 1,282 1,228 30 1,712 1,527 Installment 9 96 96 6 21 19 Home equity 16 2,281 1,768 26 791 758 Total 75 $ 22,844 $ 18,502 84 $ 9,045 $ 8,351
Loans Restructured, Modifications	The following table provides information on how TDRs were modified during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 . Three months ended Nine months ended September 30, September 30, (Dollars in thousands) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Extended maturities $ 2,166 $ 3,505 $ 12,827 $ 4,402 Adjusted interest rates 0 0 0 301 Combination of rate and maturity changes 0 402 1,219 1,643 Forbearance 0 0 260 320 Other (1) 1,180 245 4,196 1,685 Total $ 3,346 $ 4,152 $ 18,502 $ 8,351 (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 September 30, 2015 September 30, 2014 (Dollars in thousands) Number of loans Period end balance Number of loans Period end balance Commercial 2 $ 344 0 $ 0 Real estate - construction 0 0 0 0 Real estate - commercial 0 0 0 0 Real estate - residential 0 0 1 1 Installment 0 0 0 0 Home equity 1 14 0 0 Total 3 $ 358 1 $ 1 Nine months ended September 30, 2015 September 30, 2014 (Dollars in thousands) Number of loans Period end balance Number of loans Period end balance Commercial 2 $ 344 1 $ 143 Real estate - construction 0 0 0 0 Real estate - commercial 4 1,146 0 0 Real estate - residential 1 73 3 28 Installment 0 0 1 0 Home equity 1 14 3 92 Total 8 $ 1,577 8 $ 263
Nonaccrual, Restructured and Impaired Loans	The following table provides information on nonaccrual loans, TDRs and total impaired loans. (Dollars in thousands) September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 Impaired loans Nonaccrual loans (1) Commercial $ 7,438 $ 6,627 Real estate-construction 79 223 Real estate-commercial 17,732 27,969 Real estate-residential 4,940 7,241 Installment 321 451 Home equity 5,203 5,958 Nonaccrual loans (1) 35,713 48,469 Accruing troubled debt restructurings 20,226 15,928 Total impaired loans $ 55,939 $ 64,397 (1) Nonaccrual loans include nonaccrual TDRs of $13.6 million and $12.3 million as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , respectively. Three months ended Nine months ended September 30, September 30, (Dollars in thousands) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Interest income effect on impaired loans Gross amount of interest that would have been recorded under original terms $ 852 $ 910 $ 2,750 $ 2,543 Interest included in income Nonaccrual loans 91 186 370 363 Troubled debt restructurings 168 110 436 321 Total interest included in income 259 296 806 684 Net impact on interest income $ 593 $ 614 $ 1,944 $ 1,859
Investment in Impaired Loans	First Financial's investment in impaired loans was as follows: As of September 30, 2015 (Dollars in thousands) Current balance Contractual principal balance Related allowance Average current balance YTD interest income recognized Quarterly interest income recognized Loans with no related allowance recorded Commercial $ 9,981 $ 11,848 $ 0 $ 8,981 $ 153 $ 47 Real estate - construction 79 383 0 187 0 0 Real estate - commercial 20,834 26,044 0 20,129 263 77 Real estate - residential 7,452 8,787 0 8,317 136 44 Installment 427 460 0 412 6 2 Home equity 5,635 7,503 0 5,725 58 19 Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total 44,408 55,025 0 43,751 616 189 Loans with an allowance recorded Commercial 868 868 478 1,513 16 6 Real estate - construction 0 0 0 0 0 0 Real estate - commercial 9,004 9,633 938 14,072 145 54 Real estate - residential 1,558 1,570 235 1,734 27 9 Installment 0 0 0 0 0 0 Home equity 101 101 2 101 2 1 Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total 11,531 12,172 1,653 17,420 190 70 Total Commercial 10,849 12,716 478 10,494 169 53 Real estate - construction 79 383 0 187 0 0 Real estate - commercial 29,838 35,677 938 34,201 408 131 Real estate - residential 9,010 10,357 235 10,051 163 53 Installment 427 460 0 412 6 2 Home equity 5,736 7,604 2 5,826 60 20 Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total $ 55,939 $ 67,197 $ 1,653 $ 61,171 $ 806 $ 259 As of and for the year December 31, 2014 (Dollars in thousands) Current balance Contractual principal balance Related allowance Average current balance Interest income 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 Nine months ended September 30, September 30, (Dollars in thousands) 2015 (1) 2014 (1) 2015 (1) 2014 (1) Balance at beginning of period $ 16,401 $ 32,809 $ 22,674 $ 46,926 Additions Commercial 178 883 2,745 6,211 Residential 1,405 292 3,210 1,926 Total additions 1,583 1,175 5,955 8,137 Disposals Commercial (852 ) (9,695 ) (9,394 ) (27,672 ) Residential (1,708 ) (115 ) (2,844 ) (1,041 ) Total disposals (2,560 ) (9,810 ) (12,238 ) (28,713 ) Valuation adjustment Commercial (183 ) (1,490 ) (963 ) (3,496 ) Residential (54 ) (188 ) (241 ) (358 ) Total valuation adjustment (237 ) (1,678 ) (1,204 ) (3,854 ) Balance at end of period $ 15,187 $ 22,496 $ 15,187 $ 22,496
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 Nine months ended September 30, September 30, (Dollars in thousands) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Affected Line Item in the Consolidated Statements of Income Balance at beginning of period $ 20,338 $ 30,420 $ 22,666 $ 45,091 Adjustments not reflected in income Net FDIC claims (received) / paid 758 (1,423 ) 2,382 (7,422 ) Adjustments reflected in income Amortization (1,192 ) (1,486 ) (3,562 ) (4,215 ) Interest income, other earning assets FDIC loss sharing income (973 ) (192 ) (2,323 ) 408 Noninterest income, FDIC loss sharing income Offset to accelerated discount 0 (3,159 ) (232 ) (9,702 ) Noninterest income, accelerated discount on covered loans Balance at end of period $ 18,931 $ 24,160 $ 18,931 $ 24,160

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE 27

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 Nine months ended September 30, September 30, (Dollars in thousands) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Changes in the allowance for loan and lease losses on loans, excluding covered/formerly covered loans Balance at beginning of period $ 42,128 $ 42,027 $ 42,820 $ 43,829 Provision for loan and lease losses 1,382 1,093 6,114 2,281 Loans charged-off (2,385 ) (1,816 ) (9,200 ) (6,427 ) Recoveries 1,194 1,150 2,585 2,771 Balance at end of period $ 42,319 $ 42,454 $ 42,319 $ 42,454 Changes in the allowance for loan and lease losses on covered/formerly covered loans Balance at beginning of period $ 10,748 $ 12,425 $ 10,038 $ 18,901 Provision for loan and lease losses 1,265 (200 ) 1,663 (2,805 ) Loans charged-off (1,577 ) (3,053 ) (5,078 ) (13,778 ) Recoveries 577 2,363 4,390 9,217 Balance at end of period $ 11,013 $ 11,535 $ 11,013 $ 11,535 Changes in the allowance for loan and lease losses on total loans Balance at beginning of period $ 52,876 $ 54,452 $ 52,858 $ 62,730 Provision for loan and lease losses 2,647 893 7,777 (524 ) Loans charged-off (3,962 ) (4,869 ) (14,278 ) (20,205 ) Recoveries 1,771 3,513 6,975 11,988 Balance at end of period $ 53,332 $ 53,989 $ 53,332 $ 53,989
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses by Classification	Year-to-date changes in the allowance for loan and lease losses by loan category were as follows: Nine months ended September 30, 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 5,034 540 (2,282 ) 1,324 77 905 516 6,114 1,663 7,777 Gross charge-offs 2,528 84 3,664 665 267 1,185 807 9,200 5,078 14,278 Recoveries 586 39 977 174 163 478 168 2,585 4,390 6,975 Total net charge-offs 1,942 45 2,687 491 104 707 639 6,615 688 7,303 Ending allowance for loan and lease losses $ 14,351 $ 1,540 $ 15,699 $ 3,661 $ 296 $ 4,458 $ 2,314 $ 42,319 $ 11,013 $ 53,332 Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment $ 478 $ 0 $ 938 $ 235 $ 0 $ 2 $ 0 $ 1,653 $ 0 $ 1,653 Ending allowance on loans collectively evaluated for impairment 13,873 1,540 14,761 3,426 296 4,456 2,314 40,666 11,013 51,679 Ending allowance for loan and lease losses $ 14,351 $ 1,540 $ 15,699 $ 3,661 $ 296 $ 4,458 $ 2,314 $ 42,319 $ 11,013 $ 53,332 Loans Ending balance of loans individually evaluated for impairment $ 7,651 $ 0 $ 22,287 $ 2,742 $ 0 $ 362 $ 0 $ 33,042 $ 0 $ 33,042 Ending balance of loans collectively evaluated for impairment 1,620,696 275,430 2,019,783 444,132 37,609 427,038 120,508 4,945,196 237,825 5,183,021 Total loans $ 1,628,347 $ 275,430 $ 2,042,070 $ 446,874 $ 37,609 $ 427,400 $ 120,508 $ 4,978,238 $ 237,825 $ 5,216,063 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 INTANGIBLE28

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS GOODWILL (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill	Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 and the year ended December 31, 2014 are shown below. (Dollars in thousands) September 30, December 31, Balance at beginning of year $ 137,739 $ 95,050 Goodwill resulting from business combinations 66,276 42,689 Balance at end of period $ 204,015 $ 137,739

BORROWINGS (Tables)

BORROWINGS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Long-term Debt	The following is a summary of First Financial's long-term debt: September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 (Dollars in thousands) Amount Average rate Amount Average rate Subordinated debt $ 118,286 5.20 % $ 0 0.00 % FHLB advances 454 2.36 % 22,466 2.52 % National market repurchase agreement 0 0.00 % 25,000 3.54 % Capital loan with municipality 775 0.00 % 775 0.00 % Total long-term debt $ 119,515 5.15 % $ 48,241 3.01 %

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSI30

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 September 30, 2015 Total other comprehensive income Total accumulated other comprehensive income (Dollars in thousands) Prior to Reclassification Reclassification from Pre-tax Tax-effect Net of tax Beginning Balance Net Activity Ending Balance Unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities $ 5,213 $ 409 $ 4,804 $ (1,747 ) $ 3,057 $ (1,276 ) $ 3,057 $ 1,781 Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives 203 0 203 (75 ) 128 (1,848 ) 128 (1,720 ) Retirement obligation 0 (350 ) 350 (130 ) 220 (17,500 ) 220 (17,280 ) Foreign currency translation 91 0 91 0 91 (91 ) 91 0 Total $ 5,507 $ 59 $ 5,448 $ (1,952 ) $ 3,496 $ (20,715 ) $ 3,496 $ (17,219 ) Three months ended September 30, 2014 Total other comprehensive income Total accumulated other comprehensive income (Dollars in thousands) Prior to Reclassification Reclassification from Pre-tax Tax-effect Net of tax Beginning Balance Net Activity Ending Balance Unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities $ (374 ) $ 0 $ (374 ) $ 118 $ (256 ) $ (5,956 ) $ (256 ) $ (6,212 ) Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives 1,096 (117 ) 1,213 (453 ) 760 (492 ) 760 268 Retirement obligation 0 (302 ) 302 (113 ) 189 (15,091 ) 189 (14,902 ) Foreign currency translation (12 ) 0 (12 ) 0 (12 ) (30 ) (12 ) (42 ) Total $ 710 $ (419 ) $ 1,129 $ (448 ) $ 681 $ (21,569 ) $ 681 $ (20,888 ) Nine months ended September 30, 2015 Total other comprehensive income Total accumulated other comprehensive income (Dollars in thousands) Prior to Reclassification Reclassification from Pre-tax Tax-effect Net of tax Beginning Balance Net Activity Ending Balance Unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities $ 8,219 $ 1,503 $ 6,716 $ (2,429 ) $ 4,287 $ (2,506 ) $ 4,287 $ 1,781 Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives (1,222 ) 0 (1,222 ) 451 (771 ) (949 ) (771 ) (1,720 ) Retirement obligation 0 (1,050 ) 1,050 (426 ) 624 (17,904 ) 624 (17,280 ) Foreign currency translation 50 0 50 0 50 (50 ) 50 0 Total $ 7,047 $ 453 $ 6,594 $ (2,404 ) $ 4,190 $ (21,409 ) $ 4,190 $ (17,219 ) Nine months ended September 30, 2014 Total other comprehensive income Total accumulated other comprehensive income (Dollars in thousands) Prior to Reclassification Reclassification from Pre-tax Tax-effect Net of tax Beginning Balance Net Activity Ending Balance Unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities $ 15,869 $ 50 $ 15,819 $ (5,742 ) $ 10,077 $ (16,289 ) $ 10,077 $ (6,212 ) Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives (881 ) (348 ) (533 ) 199 (334 ) 602 (334 ) 268 Retirement obligation 0 (1,059 ) 1,059 (396 ) 663 (15,565 ) 663 (14,902 ) Foreign currency translation (13 ) 0 (13 ) 0 (13 ) (29 ) (13 ) (42 ) Total $ 14,975 $ (1,357 ) $ 16,332 $ (5,939 ) $ 10,393 $ (31,281 ) $ 10,393 $ (20,888 )
Other Accumulated Comprehensive income reclassified from AOCI	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 Nine months ended September 30, September 30, (Dollars in thousands) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Affected Line Item in the Consolidated Statements of Income Gains and losses on cash flow hedges Interest rate contracts $ 0 $ (117 ) $ 0 $ (348 ) Interest expense - deposits Realized gains and losses on securities available-for-sale 409 0 1,503 50 Gains on sales of investments securities Defined benefit pension plan Amortization of prior service cost (2) 100 103 300 309 Salaries and employee benefits Recognized net actuarial loss (2) (450 ) (405 ) (1,350 ) (1,368 ) Salaries and employee benefits Amortization and settlement charges of defined benefit pension items (350 ) (302 ) (1,050 ) (1,059 ) Salaries and employee benefits Total reclassifications for the period, before tax $ 59 $ (419 ) $ 453 $ (1,357 ) (1) Negative amounts 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)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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: September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 Estimated fair value Estimated fair value (Dollars in thousands) Balance sheet location Notional amount Gain Loss Notional amount Gain Loss Fair value hedges - instruments associated with loans Pay fixed interest rate swaps with counterparty Accrued interest and other liabilities $ 6,261 $ 0 $ (235 ) $ 8,739 $ 0 $ (440 ) Matched interest rate swaps with borrower Accrued interest and other assets 522,260 18,555 0 407,423 11,150 (249 ) Matched interest rate swaps with counterparty Accrued interest and other liabilities 522,260 0 (18,601 ) 407,423 249 (11,227 ) Total $ 1,050,781 $ 18,555 $ (18,836 ) $ 823,585 $ 11,399 $ (11,916 )
Disclosure by Type of Financial Instrument	The following table discloses the gross and net amounts of liabilities recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets: September 30, 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 $ 235 $ (84 ) $ 151 $ 440 $ 0 $ 440 Matched interest rate swaps with counterparty 18,600 (17,916 ) 684 11,476 (12,260 ) (784 ) Total $ 18,835 $ (18,000 ) $ 835 $ 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 September 30, 2015 : Weighted-average rate (Dollars in thousands) Notional amount Average maturity (years) Fair value Receive Pay Asset conversion swaps Pay fixed interest rate swaps with counterparty $ 6,261 2.0 $ (235 ) 2.01 % 6.85 % Receive fixed, matched interest rate swaps with borrower 522,260 4.7 18,555 4.46 % 2.56 % Pay fixed, matched interest rate swaps with counterparty 522,260 4.7 (18,601 ) 2.56 % 4.46 % Total asset conversion swaps $ 1,050,781 4.7 $ (281 ) 3.51 % 3.53 %

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Tables)

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 Nine months ended September 30, September 30, (Dollars in thousands) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Service cost $ 1,175 $ 1,007 $ 3,525 $ 3,089 Interest cost 550 551 1,650 1,791 Expected return on assets (2,375 ) (2,208 ) (7,125 ) (6,792 ) Amortization of prior service cost (100 ) (103 ) (300 ) (309 ) Net actuarial loss 450 405 1,350 1,368 Net periodic benefit (income) cost $ (300 ) $ (348 ) $ (900 ) $ (853 )

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (Tabl

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 Nine months ended September 30, September 30, (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Numerator Net income available to common shareholders $ 18,673 $ 15,344 $ 55,243 $ 46,401 Denominator Basic earnings per common share - weighted average shares 61,135,749 59,403,109 61,088,794 57,907,203 Effect of dilutive securities Employee stock awards 715,585 576,543 643,536 594,082 Warrants 136,461 133,280 126,394 138,109 Diluted earnings per common share - adjusted weighted average shares 61,987,795 60,112,932 61,858,724 58,639,394 Earnings per share available to common shareholders Basic $ 0.31 $ 0.26 $ 0.90 $ 0.80 Diluted $ 0.30 $ 0.26 $ 0.89 $ 0.79

FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES (Tables)

FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 September 30, 2015 Financial assets Cash and short-term investments $ 136,489 $ 136,489 $ 136,489 $ 0 $ 0 Investment securities held-to-maturity 756,035 770,512 0 770,512 0 Other investments 53,431 53,431 0 53,431 0 Loans held for sale 26,287 26,287 0 26,287 0 Loans and leases, net of ALLL 5,162,731 5,256,031 0 0 5,256,031 FDIC indemnification asset 18,931 10,547 0 0 10,547 Financial liabilities Deposits Noninterest-bearing $ 1,330,905 $ 1,330,905 $ 0 $ 1,330,905 $ 0 Interest-bearing demand 1,330,673 1,330,673 0 1,330,673 0 Savings 1,979,627 1,979,627 0 1,979,627 0 Time 1,440,223 1,440,365 0 1,440,365 0 Total deposits 6,081,428 6,081,570 0 6,081,570 0 Short-term borrowings 763,517 763,517 763,517 0 0 Long-term debt 119,515 120,865 0 120,865 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 September 30, 2015 Assets Derivatives $ 0 $ 18,855 $ 0 $ 18,855 Investment securities available-for-sale 8,595 1,061,072 0 1,069,667 Total $ 8,595 $ 1,079,927 $ 0 $ 1,088,522 Liabilities Derivatives $ 0 $ 18,920 $ 0 $ 18,920 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 September 30, 2015 Assets Impaired loans (1) $ 0 $ 0 $ 8,456 OREO 0 0 9,996 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)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Purchase price calculation as of the acquisition dates	The following table provides the purchase price calculation as of the acquisition date and the identifiable assets purchased and the liabilities assumed at their estimated fair value: (Dollars in thousands) Oak Street Purchase consideration Cash consideration $ 110,000 Payoff of long-term borrowings 197,839 Total purchase consideration $ 307,839 Assets acquired Cash $ 2,248 Loans 238,029 Intangible assets 268 Other assets 2,633 Total assets $ 243,178 Liabilities assumed Other liabilities $ 1,615 Total liabilities $ 1,615 Net identifiable assets $ 241,563 Goodwill $ 66,276

RECENTLY ADOPTED AND ISSUED A36

RECENTLY ADOPTED AND ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS RECENTLY ADOPTED AND ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Affordable Housing Program Obligation	$ 23.6	$ 14.9
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Unamortized Debt Issuance Expense	$ 1.7	$ 0.1

INVESTMENTS - Summary of Held-T

INVESTMENTS - Summary of Held-To-Maturity and Available-For-Sale Investment Securities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Total	$ 756,035	$ 867,996
Held-to-maturity Securities, Accumulated Unrecognized Holding Gain	15,438	9,112
Held-to-maturity Securities, Accumulated Unrecognized Holding Loss	(961)	(2,359)
Held-to-Maturity Market Value	770,512	874,749
Total	1,071,558	849,504
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Gain Accumulated In Investments	8,739	6,760
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Loss Accumulated In Investments	(10,630)	(15,796)
Investment securities available-for-sale	1,069,667	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	98	97
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Gain Accumulated In Investments	1	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	15,968	17,570
Held-to-maturity Securities, Accumulated Unrecognized Holding Gain	222	24
Held-to-maturity Securities, Accumulated Unrecognized Holding Loss	0	(23)
Held-to-Maturity Market Value	16,190	17,571
Total	8,717	11,814
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Gain Accumulated In Investments	247	67
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Loss Accumulated In Investments	0	(1)
Investment securities available-for-sale	8,964	11,880
Mortgage-backed securities
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Total	707,124	801,465
Held-to-maturity Securities, Accumulated Unrecognized Holding Gain	15,048	7,813
Held-to-maturity Securities, Accumulated Unrecognized Holding Loss	(520)	(2,064)
Held-to-Maturity Market Value	721,652	807,214
Total	660,881	611,497
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Gain Accumulated In Investments	5,040	4,462
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Loss Accumulated In Investments	(6,879)	(13,211)
Investment securities available-for-sale	659,042	602,748
Obligations of state and other political subdivisions
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Total	28,138	44,164
Held-to-maturity Securities, Accumulated Unrecognized Holding Gain	168	1,275
Held-to-maturity Securities, Accumulated Unrecognized Holding Loss	(317)	(193)
Held-to-Maturity Market Value	27,989	45,246
Total	75,845	73,649
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Gain Accumulated In Investments	2,311	883
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Loss Accumulated In Investments	(928)	(947)
Investment securities available-for-sale	77,228	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	215,036	74,784
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Gain Accumulated In Investments	221	155
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Loss Accumulated In Investments	(1,801)	(103)
Investment securities available-for-sale	213,456	74,836
Other securities
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Total	4,805	4,797
Held-to-maturity Securities, Accumulated Unrecognized Holding Gain	0	0
Held-to-maturity Securities, Accumulated Unrecognized Holding Loss	(124)	(79)
Held-to-Maturity Market Value	4,681	4,718
Total	110,981	77,663
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Gain Accumulated In Investments	919	1,193
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Loss Accumulated In Investments	(1,022)	(1,534)
Investment securities available-for-sale	$ 110,878	$ 77,322

INVESTMENTS - Summary of Invest

INVESTMENTS - Summary of Investment Securities by Estimated Maturity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Held-to-Maturity Amortized Cost
Due in one year or less	$ 4,473
Due after one year through five years	534,431
Due after five years through ten years	217,131
Due after ten years	0
Total	756,035	$ 867,996
Held-to-Maturity Market Value
Due in one year or less	4,587
Due after one year through five years	543,735
Due after five years through ten years	222,190
Due after ten years	0
Held-to-Maturity Market Value	770,512	874,749
Available-for-Sale Amortized Cost
Due in one year or less	22,066
Due after one year through five years	667,783
Due after five years through ten years	334,447
Due after ten years	47,262
Total	1,071,558	849,504
Available-for-Sale Market Value
Due in one year or less	22,118
Due after one year through five years	666,906
Due after five years through ten years	332,881
Due after ten years	47,762
Available-for-Sale Market Value	$ 1,069,667	$ 840,468

INVESTMENTS - Age of Gross Unre

INVESTMENTS - Age of Gross Unrealized Losses and Associated Fair Value by Investment Category (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]
Less than 12 Months Fair Value	$ 412,554	$ 177,756
Less than 12 Months Unrealized Loss	(3,180)	(967)
12 Months or More Fair Value	324,866	496,104
12 Months or More Unrealized Loss	(8,411)	(16,090)
Total Fair Value	737,420	673,860
Total Unrealized Loss	(11,591)	(17,057)
Securities of U.S. government agencies and corporations
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]
Less than 12 Months Fair Value		493
Less than 12 Months Unrealized Loss		(1)
12 Months or More Fair Value		97
12 Months or More Unrealized Loss		0
Total Fair Value		590
Total Unrealized Loss		(1)
Mortgage-backed securities
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]
Less than 12 Months Fair Value	216,209	119,641
Less than 12 Months Unrealized Loss	(856)	(420)
12 Months or More Fair Value	257,294	428,486
12 Months or More Unrealized Loss	(6,543)	(13,780)
Total Fair Value	473,503	548,127
Total Unrealized Loss	(7,399)	(14,200)
Obligations of state and other political subdivisions
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]
Less than 12 Months Fair Value	1,268	12,746
Less than 12 Months Unrealized Loss	(3)	(126)
12 Months or More Fair Value	36,309	37,516
12 Months or More Unrealized Loss	(1,242)	(1,014)
Total Fair Value	37,577	50,262
Total Unrealized Loss	(1,245)	(1,140)
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]
Less than 12 Months Fair Value	157,585	32,045
Less than 12 Months Unrealized Loss	(1,781)	(103)
12 Months or More Fair Value	5,780	0
12 Months or More Unrealized Loss	(20)	0
Total Fair Value	163,365	32,045
Total Unrealized Loss	(1,801)	(103)
Other securities
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]
Less than 12 Months Fair Value	37,492	12,831
Less than 12 Months Unrealized Loss	(540)	(317)
12 Months or More Fair Value	25,483	30,005
12 Months or More Unrealized Loss	(606)	(1,296)
Total Fair Value	62,975	42,836
Total Unrealized Loss	$ (1,146)	$ (1,613)

LOANS AND LEASES - Additional I

LOANS AND LEASES - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Purchased impaired loans, carrying balance	$ 207,795,000		$ 207,795,000			$ 264,904,000
Purchased impaired loans	236,500,000		236,500,000			314,500,000
Reclassification from/(to) non-accretable difference	76,000	$ (2,295,000)	(2,048,000)	$ 19,864,000
Restructured Loans, Nonaccrual Status	13,600,000		13,600,000			12,300,000
Total loans	117,600,000		117,600,000			135,700,000
Write-downs	237,000	1,678,000	1,204,000	3,854,000
Gain (loss) on sale of other real estate owned	(196,000)	589,000	(1,089,000)	(573,000)
Real Estate Acquired Through Foreclosure	15,187,000	22,496,000	$ 15,187,000	22,496,000	$ 16,401,000	$ 22,674,000	$ 32,809,000	$ 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	1,400,000	11,200,000	$ 1,400,000	11,200,000
Commercial | Non Covered Loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Restructured Loans, Loan Relationships, Review Threshold Amount Minimum			250,000
Residential
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Write-downs	$ 54,000	$ 188,000	241,000	$ 358,000
Residential | Non Covered Loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Restructured Loans, Loan Relationships, Review Threshold Amount Minimum			$ 100,000

LOANS AND LEASES LOANS AND LEAS

LOANS AND LEASES LOANS AND LEASES - Carrying Amount of Accretable Yield for Purchased Impaired and Nonimpaired Loans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Receivables [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 78,945	$ 127,764	$ 106,622	$ 133,671
Reclassification from/(to) non-accretable difference	76	(2,295)	(2,048)	19,864
Accretion	(4,945)	(8,158)	(17,046)	(26,808)
Other net activity	(4,746)	(4,250)	(18,198)	(13,666)
Balance at end of period	$ 69,330	$ 113,061	$ 69,330	$ 113,061

LOANS AND LEASES - Commercial a

LOANS AND LEASES - Commercial and Consumer Credit Exposure by Risk Attribute (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Commercial	$ 1,637,467	$ 1,315,114
Real Estate - Construction	276,240	197,571
Real Estate - Commercial	2,169,662	2,140,667
Lease financing	82,679	77,567
Total Commercial	4,166,048	3,730,919
Real Estate Residential	506,653	501,894
Installment	39,974	47,320
Home equity	463,629	458,627
Other	39,759	38,475
Total	1,050,015	1,046,316
Pass
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Commercial	1,571,656	1,265,116
Real Estate - Construction	275,197	195,787
Real Estate - Commercial	2,081,930	2,027,897
Lease financing	81,053	75,839
Total Commercial	4,009,836	3,564,639
Special Mention
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Commercial	40,433	30,903
Real Estate - Construction	130	0
Real Estate - Commercial	20,414	25,928
Lease financing	1,626	1,728
Total Commercial	62,603	58,559
Substandard
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Commercial	25,378	19,095
Real Estate - Construction	913	1,784
Real Estate - Commercial	67,318	86,842
Lease financing	0	0
Total Commercial	93,609	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	497,643	490,314
Installment	39,547	46,806
Home equity	457,893	452,281
Other	39,759	38,475
Total	1,034,842	1,027,876
Nonperforming
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Real Estate Residential	9,010	11,580
Installment	427	514
Home equity	5,736	6,346
Other	0	0
Total	$ 15,173	$ 18,440

LOANS AND LEASES - Loan Delinqu

LOANS AND LEASES - Loan Delinquency, including Nonaccrual Loans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	$ 32,655	$ 43,311
Current	4,975,613	4,469,020
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross	5,008,268	4,512,331
Purchased impaired loans	207,795	264,904
Total loans and leases	5,216,063	4,777,235
> 90 days past due and still accruing	58	216
Financing Receivables, 30 to 59 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	5,223	12,795
Financing Receivables, 60 to 89 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	2,729	5,440
Financing Receivables, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	24,703	25,076
Commercial
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	5,961	6,759
Current	1,622,274	1,290,975
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross	1,628,235	1,297,734
Purchased impaired loans	9,232	17,380
Total loans and leases	1,637,467	1,315,114
> 90 days past due and still accruing	0	0
Commercial | Financing Receivables, 30 to 59 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	949	1,002
Commercial | Financing Receivables, 60 to 89 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	887	3,647
Commercial | Financing Receivables, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	4,125	2,110
Real estate - construction
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	79	499
Current	275,351	195,773
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross	275,430	196,272
Purchased impaired loans	810	1,299
Total loans and leases	276,240	197,571
> 90 days past due and still accruing	0	0
Real estate - construction | Financing Receivables, 30 to 59 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	0	276
Real estate - construction | Financing Receivables, 60 to 89 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	0	0
Real estate - construction | Financing Receivables, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	79	223
Real estate - commercial
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	16,724	23,146
Current	2,018,164	1,944,207
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross	2,034,888	1,967,353
Purchased impaired loans	134,774	173,314
Total loans and leases	2,169,662	2,140,667
> 90 days past due and still accruing	0	0
Real estate - commercial | Financing Receivables, 30 to 59 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	1,094	8,356
Real estate - commercial | Financing Receivables, 60 to 89 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	1,120	838
Real estate - commercial | Financing Receivables, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	14,510	13,952
Real estate - residential
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	4,720	5,766
Current	442,154	426,908
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross	446,874	432,674
Purchased impaired loans	59,779	69,220
Total loans and leases	506,653	501,894
> 90 days past due and still accruing	0	0
Real estate - residential | Financing Receivables, 30 to 59 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	1,964	1,198
Real estate - residential | Financing Receivables, 60 to 89 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	391	344
Real estate - residential | Financing Receivables, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	2,365	4,224
Installment
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	327	422
Current	37,531	44,235
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross	37,858	44,657
Purchased impaired loans	2,116	2,663
Total loans and leases	39,974	47,320
> 90 days past due and still accruing	0	0
Installment | Financing Receivables, 30 to 59 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	20	133
Installment | Financing Receivables, 60 to 89 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	50	17
Installment | Financing Receivables, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	257	272
Home equity
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	3,971	5,242
Current	458,574	452,357
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross	462,545	457,599
Purchased impaired loans	1,084	1,028
Total loans and leases	463,629	458,627
> 90 days past due and still accruing	0	0
Home equity | Financing Receivables, 30 to 59 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	512	697
Home equity | Financing Receivables, 60 to 89 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	150	466
Home equity | Financing Receivables, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	3,309	4,079
Other
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	873	1,477
Current	121,565	114,565
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross	122,438	116,042
Purchased impaired loans	0	0
Total loans and leases	122,438	116,042
> 90 days past due and still accruing	58	216
Other | Financing Receivables, 30 to 59 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	684	1,133
Other | Financing Receivables, 60 to 89 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	131	128
Other | Financing Receivables, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	$ 58	$ 216

LOANS AND LEASES - Restructured

LOANS AND LEASES - Restructured Loans (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)loans	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)loans	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)loansd	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)loans	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Reclassification from/(to) non-accretable difference	$ 76,000	$ (2,295,000)	$ (2,048,000)	$ 19,864,000
Extended Maturities	2,166,000	3,505,000	12,827,000	4,402,000
Adjusted Interest Rates	0	0	0	301,000
Combined Rate And Maturity	0	402,000	1,219,000	1,643,000
Forebearance Agreements	0	0	260,000	320,000
Other	1,180,000	245,000	4,196,000	1,685,000
Total	$ 3,346,000	$ 4,152,000	$ 18,502,000	$ 8,351,000
Restructured loans, Number of Loans | loans	21	24	75	84
Restructured loans, Restructured loans, Pre-Modification Loan Balance	$ 3,531,000	$ 4,541,000	$ 22,844,000	$ 9,045,000
Restructured loans, Period End Balance	$ 3,346,000	$ 4,152,000	$ 18,502,000	$ 8,351,000
Restructured loans with payment default within 12 months of modification, Number of Loans | loans	3	1	8	8
Restructured loans with payment default within 12 months of modification, Period End Balance	$ 358,000	$ 1,000	$ 1,577,000	$ 263,000
Number of Restructured Loans | loans	271		271		262
Total restructured loans	$ 33,800,000		$ 33,800,000		$ 28,200,000
Restructured loans on accrual status	20,226,000		20,226,000		15,928,000
Restructured Loans, Nonaccrual Status	13,600,000		13,600,000		12,300,000
Allowance for loan and lease losses lncluded in reserves for restructured loans	2,400,000		2,400,000		3,700,000
Restructured loans uncollectible portion written off			2,500,000		1,000,000
Accruing TDRs performing in accordance with restructured terms for more than one year	$ 8,800,000		$ 8,800,000		$ 10,500,000
Restructured loans performance threshold (days) | d			90
Commercial
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Restructured loans, Number of Loans | loans	5	6	27	11
Restructured loans, Restructured loans, Pre-Modification Loan Balance	$ 171,000	$ 3,712,000	$ 1,686,000	$ 3,938,000
Restructured loans, Period End Balance	$ 166,000	$ 3,384,000	$ 1,676,000	$ 3,594,000
Restructured loans with payment default within 12 months of modification, Number of Loans | loans	2	0	2	1
Restructured loans with payment default within 12 months of modification, Period End Balance	$ 344,000	$ 0	$ 344,000	$ 143,000
Real estate - construction
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Restructured loans, Number of Loans | loans	0	0	0	0
Restructured loans, Restructured loans, Pre-Modification Loan Balance	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Restructured loans, Period End Balance	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Restructured loans with payment default within 12 months of modification, Number of Loans | loans	0	0	0	0
Restructured loans with payment default within 12 months of modification, Period End Balance	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Real estate - commercial
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Restructured loans, Number of Loans | loans	2	2	14	11
Restructured loans, Restructured loans, Pre-Modification Loan Balance	$ 2,159,000	$ 375,000	$ 17,499,000	$ 2,583,000
Restructured loans, Period End Balance	$ 2,000,000	$ 373,000	$ 13,734,000	$ 2,453,000
Restructured loans with payment default within 12 months of modification, Number of Loans | loans	0	0	4	0
Restructured loans with payment default within 12 months of modification, Period End Balance	$ 0	$ 0	$ 1,146,000	$ 0
Residential
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Restructured loans, Number of Loans | loans	6	7	9	30
Restructured loans, Restructured loans, Pre-Modification Loan Balance	$ 920,000	$ 322,000	$ 1,282,000	$ 1,712,000
Restructured loans, Period End Balance	$ 901,000	$ 264,000	$ 1,228,000	$ 1,527,000
Restructured loans with payment default within 12 months of modification, Number of Loans | loans	0	1	1	3
Restructured loans with payment default within 12 months of modification, Period End Balance	$ 0	$ 1,000	$ 73,000	$ 28,000
Installment
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Restructured loans, Number of Loans | loans	2	3	9	6
Restructured loans, Restructured loans, Pre-Modification Loan Balance	$ 50,000	$ 6,000	$ 96,000	$ 21,000
Restructured loans, Period End Balance	$ 50,000	$ 6,000	$ 96,000	$ 19,000
Restructured loans with payment default within 12 months of modification, Number of Loans | loans	0	0	0	1
Restructured loans with payment default within 12 months of modification, Period End Balance	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Home equity
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Restructured loans, Number of Loans | loans	6	6	16	26
Restructured loans, Restructured loans, Pre-Modification Loan Balance	$ 231,000	$ 126,000	$ 2,281,000	$ 791,000
Restructured loans, Period End Balance	$ 229,000	$ 125,000	$ 1,768,000	$ 758,000
Restructured loans with payment default within 12 months of modification, Number of Loans | loans	1	0	1	3
Restructured loans with payment default within 12 months of modification, Period End Balance	$ 14,000	$ 0	$ 14,000	$ 92,000
Non Covered Loans | Residential
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Restructured Loans, Loan Relationships, Review Threshold Amount Minimum			$ 100,000

LOANS AND LEASES - Nonaccrual,

LOANS AND LEASES - Nonaccrual, Restructured and Impaired Loans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Nonaccrual loans	$ 35,713		$ 35,713		$ 48,469
Accruing trouble debt restructurings	20,226		20,226		15,928
Total impaired loans	55,939		55,939		64,397
Restructured loans - nonaccrual status	13,600		13,600		12,300
Interest income effect
Gross amount of interest that would have been recorded under original terms	852	$ 910	2,750	$ 2,543
Interest included in income
Nonaccrual loans	91	186	370	363
Troubled debt restructurings	168	110	436	321
Total interest included in income	259	296	806	684	993
Net impact on interest income	593	$ 614	1,944	$ 1,859
Commercial
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Nonaccrual loans	7,438		7,438		6,627
Total impaired loans	10,849		10,849		10,009
Interest included in income
Total interest included in income	53		169		203
Real estate - construction
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Nonaccrual loans	79		79		223
Total impaired loans	79		79		223
Interest included in income
Total interest included in income	0		0		0
Real estate - commercial
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Nonaccrual loans	17,732		17,732		27,969
Total impaired loans	29,838		29,838		35,724
Interest included in income
Total interest included in income	131		408		472
Real estate - residential
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Nonaccrual loans	4,940		4,940		7,241
Total impaired loans	9,010		9,010		11,580
Interest included in income
Total interest included in income	53		163		222
Installment
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Nonaccrual loans	321		321		451
Total impaired loans	427		427		514
Interest included in income
Total interest included in income	2		6		8
Home equity
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Nonaccrual loans	5,203		5,203		5,958
Total impaired loans	5,736		5,736		6,347
Interest included in income
Total interest included in income	$ 20		$ 60		$ 88

LOANS AND LEASES - Investment i

LOANS AND LEASES - Investment in Impaired Loans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	$ 55,939		$ 55,939		$ 64,397
Contractual Principal Balance	67,197		67,197		76,291
Related Allowance	1,653		1,653		5,053
Average current balance			61,171		56,572
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Interest Income, Accrual Method	189		616		706
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Interest Income, Accrual Method	70		190		287
Interest income recognized	259	$ 296	806	$ 684	993
Commercial
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	10,849		10,849		10,009
Contractual Principal Balance	12,716		12,716		11,889
Related Allowance	478		478		739
Average current balance			10,494		11,380
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Interest Income, Accrual Method	47		153		146
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Interest Income, Accrual Method	6		16		57
Interest income recognized	53		169		203
Real estate - construction
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	79		79		223
Contractual Principal Balance	383		383		443
Related Allowance	0		0		0
Average current balance			187		223
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Interest Income, Accrual Method	0		0		0
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Interest Income, Accrual Method	0		0		0
Interest income recognized	0		0		0
Real estate - commercial
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	29,838		29,838		35,724
Contractual Principal Balance	35,677		35,677		41,293
Related Allowance	938		938		4,002
Average current balance			34,201		27,124
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Interest Income, Accrual Method	77		263		285
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Interest Income, Accrual Method	54		145		187
Interest income recognized	131		408		472
Real estate - residential
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	9,010		9,010		11,580
Contractual Principal Balance	10,357		10,357		12,947
Related Allowance	235		235		310
Average current balance			10,051		11,573
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Interest Income, Accrual Method	44		136		182
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Interest Income, Accrual Method	9		27		40
Interest income recognized	53		163		222
Installment
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	427		427		514
Contractual Principal Balance	460		460		577
Related Allowance	0		0		0
Average current balance			412		513
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Interest Income, Accrual Method	2		6		8
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Interest Income, Accrual Method	0		0		0
Interest income recognized	2		6		8
Home equity
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	5,736		5,736		6,347
Contractual Principal Balance	7,604		7,604		9,142
Related Allowance	2		2		2
Average current balance			5,826		5,759
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Interest Income, Accrual Method	19		58		85
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Interest Income, Accrual Method	1		2		3
Interest income recognized	20		60		88
Other
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	0		0		0
Contractual Principal Balance	0		0		0
Related Allowance	0		0		0
Average current balance			0		0
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Interest Income, Accrual Method	0		0		0
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Interest Income, Accrual Method	0		0		0
Interest income recognized	0		0		0
Loans with no related allowance recorded [member]
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	44,408		44,408		43,440
Contractual Principal Balance	55,025		55,025		53,843
Related Allowance	0		0		0
Average current balance			43,751		38,678
Loans with no related allowance recorded [member] | Commercial
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	9,981		9,981		7,611
Contractual Principal Balance	11,848		11,848		9,284
Related Allowance	0		0		0
Average current balance			8,981		7,146
Loans with no related allowance recorded [member] | Real estate - construction
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	79		79		223
Contractual Principal Balance	383		383		443
Related Allowance	0		0		0
Average current balance			187		223
Loans with no related allowance recorded [member] | Real estate - commercial
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	20,834		20,834		19,285
Contractual Principal Balance	26,044		26,044		23,631
Related Allowance	0		0		0
Average current balance			20,129		15,653
Loans with no related allowance recorded [member] | Real estate - residential
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	7,452		7,452		9,561
Contractual Principal Balance	8,787		8,787		10,867
Related Allowance	0		0		0
Average current balance			8,317		9,485
Loans with no related allowance recorded [member] | Installment
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	427		427		514
Contractual Principal Balance	460		460		577
Related Allowance	0		0		0
Average current balance			412		513
Loans with no related allowance recorded [member] | Home equity
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	5,635		5,635		6,246
Contractual Principal Balance	7,503		7,503		9,041
Related Allowance	0		0		0
Average current balance			5,725		5,658
Loans with no related allowance recorded [member] | Other
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	0		0		0
Contractual Principal Balance	0		0		0
Related Allowance	0		0		0
Average current balance			0		0
Impaired Financing Receivables With Related Allowance [Member]
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	11,531		11,531		20,957
Contractual Principal Balance	12,172		12,172		22,448
Related Allowance	1,653		1,653		5,053
Average current balance			17,420		17,894
Impaired Financing Receivables With Related Allowance [Member] | Commercial
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	868		868		2,398
Contractual Principal Balance	868		868		2,605
Related Allowance	478		478		739
Average current balance			1,513		4,234
Impaired Financing Receivables With Related Allowance [Member] | Real estate - construction
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	0		0		0
Contractual Principal Balance	0		0		0
Related Allowance	0		0		0
Average current balance			0		0
Impaired Financing Receivables With Related Allowance [Member] | Real estate - commercial
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	9,004		9,004		16,439
Contractual Principal Balance	9,633		9,633		17,662
Related Allowance	938		938		4,002
Average current balance			14,072		11,471
Impaired Financing Receivables With Related Allowance [Member] | Real estate - residential
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	1,558		1,558		2,019
Contractual Principal Balance	1,570		1,570		2,080
Related Allowance	235		235		310
Average current balance			1,734		2,088
Impaired Financing Receivables With Related Allowance [Member] | Installment
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	0		0		0
Contractual Principal Balance	0		0		0
Related Allowance	0		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		101
Contractual Principal Balance	101		101		101
Related Allowance	2		2		2
Average current balance			101		101
Impaired Financing Receivables With Related Allowance [Member] | Other
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	0		0		0
Contractual Principal Balance	0		0		0
Related Allowance	$ 0		0		0
Average current balance			$ 0		$ 0

LOANS AND LEASES - Changes in O

LOANS AND LEASES - Changes in Other Real Estate Owned (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 16,401	$ 32,809	$ 22,674	$ 46,926
Additions	1,583	1,175	5,955	8,137
Disposals	(2,560)	(9,810)	(12,238)	(28,713)
Write-downs	237	1,678	1,204	3,854
Balance at end of period	15,187	22,496	15,187	22,496
Commercial
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Additions	178	883	2,745	6,211
Disposals	(852)	(9,695)	(9,394)	(27,672)
Write-downs	183	1,490	963	3,496
Residential
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Additions	1,405	292	3,210	1,926
Disposals	(1,708)	(115)	(2,844)	(1,041)
Write-downs	$ 54	$ 188	$ 241	$ 358

LOANS AND LEASES LOANS AND LE48

LOANS AND LEASES LOANS AND LEASES - Indemnification Asset Rollforward (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Receivables [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 20,338	$ 30,420	$ 22,666	$ 45,091
Net FDIC claims received / paid	758	(1,423)	2,382	(7,422)
Amortization	(1,192)	(1,486)	(3,562)	(4,215)
FDIC loss sharing income	(973)	(192)	(2,323)	408
Offset to accelerated discount	0	(3,159)	(232)	(9,702)
Balance at end of period	$ 18,931	$ 24,160	$ 18,931	$ 24,160

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE 49

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Net charge-offs	$ 1,000	$ 700	$ 688	$ 4,600	$ 7,022
Provision for loan and lease losses	1,265	(200)	1,663	(2,805)	$ (1,841)
Allowance for covered loan losses	11,000	11,500	11,000	11,500
Loss sharing expense	574	1,002	1,451	4,036
Loss (gain) - covered other real estate owned	100	(1,400)	500	(1,000)
FDIC loss sharing income	$ (973)	$ (192)	$ (2,323)	$ 408

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE 50

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 ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Receivables [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 42,128	$ 42,027	$ 42,820	$ 43,829	$ 43,829
Provision for loan and lease losses	1,382	1,093	6,114	2,281
Loans charged off	(2,385)	(1,816)	(9,200)	(6,427)
Recoveries	1,194	1,150	2,585	2,771
Balance at end of period	42,319	42,454	42,319	42,454	42,820
Balance at beginning of period	10,748	12,425	10,038	18,901	18,901
Provision for loan and lease losses covered	1,265	(200)	1,663	(2,805)	(1,841)
Loans charged-off	(1,577)	(3,053)	(5,078)	(13,778)	(18,096)
Recoveries	577	2,363	4,390	9,217	11,074
Balance at end of period	11,013	11,535	11,013	11,535	10,038
Balance at beginning of period	52,876	54,452	52,858	62,730	62,730
Provision for Loan and Lease Losses	2,647	893	7,777	(524)	1,528
Loans charged-off	(3,962)	(4,869)	(14,278)	(20,205)	(25,973)
Recoveries	1,771	3,513	6,975	11,988	14,573
Balance at end of period	$ 53,332	$ 53,989	$ 53,332	$ 53,989	$ 52,858

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE 51

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES - Changes in the Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Allowance for loan and lease losses:
Balance at beginning of period	$ 42,128	$ 42,027	$ 42,820	$ 43,829	$ 43,829
Provision for loan and lease losses	1,382	1,093	6,114	2,281
Gross charge-offs	2,385	1,816	9,200	6,427
Recoveries	1,194	1,150	2,585	2,771
Total net charge-offs			6,615
Balance at end of period	42,319	42,454	42,319	42,454	42,820
Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment	1,653		1,653		5,053
Ending allowance on loans collectively evaluated for impairment	51,679		51,679		47,805
Loans and Leases:
Ending balance of loans individually evaluated for impairment	33,042		33,042		35,632
Ending balance of loans collectively evaluated for impairment	5,183,021		5,183,021		4,741,603
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net of Deferred Income	5,216,063		5,216,063		4,777,235
Loans and Leases Receivable Covered Loans	237,825		237,825		302,014
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross, Carrying Amount, Covered and Noncovered	5,216,063		5,216,063		4,777,235
Loans and Leases Receivable, Allowance, Covered	11,013	11,535	11,013	11,535	10,038	$ 10,748	$ 12,425	$ 18,901
Loans charged-off	1,577	$ 3,053	5,078	13,778	18,096
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses Write-offs, Net, Covered and Noncovered			7,303		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			6,114		3,369
Gross charge-offs			9,200		7,877
Recoveries			2,585		3,499
Total net charge-offs					4,378
Balance at end of period					42,820
Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment	1,653		1,653		5,053
Ending allowance on loans collectively evaluated for impairment	40,666		40,666		37,767
Loans and Leases:
Ending balance of loans individually evaluated for impairment	33,042		33,042		35,632
Ending balance of loans collectively evaluated for impairment	4,945,196		4,945,196		4,439,589
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net of Deferred Income	4,978,238		4,978,238		4,475,221
Covered Loans
Allowance for loan and lease losses:
Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment	0		0		0
Ending allowance on loans collectively evaluated for impairment	11,013		11,013		10,038
Loans and Leases:
Ending balance of loans individually evaluated for impairment	0		0		0
Ending balance of loans collectively evaluated for impairment	237,825		237,825		302,014
Loans and Leases Receivable, Allowance, Covered	11,013		11,013
Commercial
Allowance for loan and lease losses:
Balance at beginning of period			11,259	10,568	10,568
Total net charge-offs			1,942
Balance at end of period	14,351		14,351		11,259
Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment	478		478		739
Commercial | Non Covered Loans
Allowance for loan and lease losses:
Balance at beginning of period			11,259
Provision for loan and lease losses			5,034		871
Gross charge-offs			2,528		1,440
Recoveries			586		1,260
Total net charge-offs					180
Balance at end of period					11,259
Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment	478		478		739
Ending allowance on loans collectively evaluated for impairment	13,873		13,873		10,520
Loans and Leases:
Ending balance of loans individually evaluated for impairment	7,651		7,651		6,122
Ending balance of loans collectively evaluated for impairment	1,620,696		1,620,696		1,291,190
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net of Deferred Income	1,628,347		1,628,347		1,297,312
Real estate - construction
Allowance for loan and lease losses:
Balance at beginning of period			1,045	824	824
Total net charge-offs			45
Balance at end of period	1,540		1,540		1,045
Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment	0		0		0
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			540		221
Gross charge-offs			84		0
Recoveries			39		0
Total net charge-offs					0
Balance at end of period					1,045
Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment	0		0		0
Ending allowance on loans collectively evaluated for impairment	1,540		1,540		1,045
Loans and Leases:
Ending balance of loans individually evaluated for impairment	0		0		0
Ending balance of loans collectively evaluated for impairment	275,430		275,430		196,272
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net of Deferred Income	275,430		275,430		196,272
Real estate - commercial
Allowance for loan and lease losses:
Balance at beginning of period			20,668	20,478	20,478
Total net charge-offs			2,687
Balance at end of period	15,699		15,699		20,668
Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment	938		938		4,002
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			(2,282)		1,325
Gross charge-offs			3,664		2,329
Recoveries			977		1,194
Total net charge-offs					1,135
Balance at end of period					20,668
Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment	938		938		4,002
Ending allowance on loans collectively evaluated for impairment	14,761		14,761		16,666
Loans and Leases:
Ending balance of loans individually evaluated for impairment	22,287		22,287		25,938
Ending balance of loans collectively evaluated for impairment	2,019,783		2,019,783		1,948,757
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net of Deferred Income	2,042,070		2,042,070		1,974,695
Real estate - residential
Allowance for loan and lease losses:
Balance at beginning of period			2,828	3,379	3,379
Total net charge-offs			491
Balance at end of period	3,661		3,661		2,828
Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment	235		235		310
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			1,324		181
Gross charge-offs			665		922
Recoveries			174		190
Total net charge-offs					732
Balance at end of period					2,828
Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment	235		235		310
Ending allowance on loans collectively evaluated for impairment	3,426		3,426		2,518
Loans and Leases:
Ending balance of loans individually evaluated for impairment	2,742		2,742		2,963
Ending balance of loans collectively evaluated for impairment	444,132		444,132		429,712
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net of Deferred Income	446,874		446,874		432,675
Installment
Allowance for loan and lease losses:
Balance at beginning of period			323	365	365
Total net charge-offs			104
Balance at end of period	296		296		323
Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment	0		0		0
Installment | Non Covered Loans
Allowance for loan and lease losses:
Balance at beginning of period			323
Provision for loan and lease losses			77		23
Gross charge-offs			267		283
Recoveries			163		218
Total net charge-offs					65
Balance at end of period					323
Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment	0		0		0
Ending allowance on loans collectively evaluated for impairment	296		296		323
Loans and Leases:
Ending balance of loans individually evaluated for impairment	0		0		0
Ending balance of loans collectively evaluated for impairment	37,609		37,609		44,269
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net of Deferred Income	37,609		37,609		44,269
Home equity
Allowance for loan and lease losses:
Balance at beginning of period			4,260	5,209	5,209
Total net charge-offs			707
Balance at end of period	4,458		4,458		4,260
Home equity | Non Covered Loans
Allowance for loan and lease losses:
Balance at beginning of period			4,260
Provision for loan and lease losses			905		565
Gross charge-offs			1,185		1,745
Recoveries			478		231
Total net charge-offs					1,514
Balance at end of period					4,260
Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment	2		2		2
Ending allowance on loans collectively evaluated for impairment	4,456		4,456		4,258
Loans and Leases:
Ending balance of loans individually evaluated for impairment	362		362		609
Ending balance of loans collectively evaluated for impairment	427,038		427,038		415,420
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net of Deferred Income	427,400		427,400		416,029
All other
Allowance for loan and lease losses:
Balance at beginning of period			2,437	$ 3,006	3,006
Total net charge-offs			639
Balance at end of period	2,314		2,314		2,437
Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment	0		0		0
All other | Non Covered Loans
Allowance for loan and lease losses:
Balance at beginning of period			2,437
Provision for loan and lease losses			516		183
Gross charge-offs			807		1,158
Recoveries			168		406
Total net charge-offs					752
Balance at end of period					2,437
Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment	0		0		0
Ending allowance on loans collectively evaluated for impairment	2,314		2,314		2,437
Loans and Leases:
Ending balance of loans individually evaluated for impairment	0		0		0
Ending balance of loans collectively evaluated for impairment	120,508		120,508		113,969
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net of Deferred Income	$ 120,508		$ 120,508		$ 113,969

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE52

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS-Schedule of Goodwill (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of year	$ 137,739	$ 95,050
Goodwill	66,276	42,689
Balance at end of period	$ 204,015	$ 137,739

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE53

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS--Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	$ 7.7		$ 7.7		$ 8.1
Finite-Lived Core Deposits, Gross	6.4		6.4		$ 7.7
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense	$ 0.4	$ 0.5	$ 1.3	$ 1.2
Core Deposits [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets amortization method			accelerated basis
Estimated weighted average life (in years)			5 years 11 months

BORROWINGS Borrowings - - Addit

BORROWINGS Borrowings - - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Federal Home Loan Bank short-term borrowings	$ 701,200	$ 558,200
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	15,000
Commitments outstanding to extend credit	0	0
Subordinated debt	$ 120,000
Subordinated Borrowing, Interest Rate	5.125%
National market repurchase agreements	$ 0	$ 25,000
Assets Sold under Agreements to Repurchase, Interest Rate	0.00%	3.54%

BORROWINGS - Schedule of Long-t

BORROWINGS - Schedule of Long-term Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Amount
Subordinated debt	$ 118,286	$ 0
FHLB long-term advances	454	22,466
National market repurchase agreements	0	25,000
Capital loan with municipality	775	775
Total long-term debt	$ 119,515	$ 48,241
Average Rate [Abstract]
Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate	5.20%	0.00%
Federal Home Loan Bank	2.36%	2.52%
Weighted average rate on repurchase agreements	0.00%	3.54%
Weighted average rate on other long-term debt	0.00%	0.00%
Total long-term debt	5.15%	3.01%

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSI56

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassification Adjustments and Tax [Abstract]
Unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities	$ 5,213	$ (374)	$ 8,219	$ 15,869
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	203	1,096	(1,222)	(881)
Retirement obligation	0	0	0	0
Foreign Currency Translation	91	(12)	50	(13)
Total	5,507	710	7,047	14,975
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Reclassifications before Tax [Abstract]
Unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities	409	0	1,503	50
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	0	(117)	0	(348)
Retirement obligation	(350)	(302)	(1,050)	(1,059)
Foreign Currency Translation	0	0	0	0
Total	59	(419)	453	(1,357)
Transactions Pre-tax
Unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities	4,804	(374)	6,716	15,819
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	203	1,213	(1,222)	(533)
Unfunded pension obligation	350	302	1,050	1,059
Foreign currency translation	91	(12)	50	(13)
Total	5,448	1,129	6,594	16,332
Transactions Tax-effect
Unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities	(1,747)	118	(2,429)	(5,742)
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	(75)	(453)	451	199
Retirement obligation	(130)	(113)	(426)	(396)
Foreign currency translation	0	0	0	0
Total	(1,952)	(448)	(2,404)	(5,939)
Transactions Net of tax
Unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities	3,057	(256)	4,287	10,077
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	128	760	(771)	(334)
Retirement obligation	220	189	624	663
Foreign currency translation	91	(12)	50	(13)
Total	3,496	681	4,190	10,393
Balances Net of tax
Unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities	1,781	(6,212)	1,781	(6,212)	$ (1,276)	$ (2,506)	$ (5,956)	$ (16,289)
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges	(1,720)	268	(1,720)	268	(1,848)	(949)	(492)	602
Retirement obligation	(17,280)	(14,902)	(17,280)	(14,902)	(17,500)	(17,904)	(15,091)	(15,565)
Foreign currency translation	0	(42)	0	(42)	(91)	(50)	(30)	(29)
Total	$ (17,219)	$ (20,888)	$ (17,219)	$ (20,888)	$ (20,715)	$ (21,409)	$ (21,569)	$ (31,281)

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSI57

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME AMOUNT RECLASSIFIED FROM ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Other Accumulated Comprehensive income reclassified from AOCI [Line Items]
Net gains on sales of investment securities	$ 409	$ 0	$ 1,503	$ 50
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit)	100	103	300	309
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Gains (Losses)	(450)	(405)	(1,350)	(1,368)
Other Comprehensive Income, Reclassification, Amortization of Defined Benefit Plans items, Pre-tax	(350)	(302)	(1,050)	(1,059)
Total	59	(419)	453	(1,357)
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	$ (117)	$ 0	$ (348)

DERIVATIVES - Additional Inform

DERIVATIVES - Additional Information (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)entity	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)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
Inerest-bearing deposit liability	$ 1,050,781	$ 823,585
Number of counterparties | entity	7	9
Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 18,836	$ 11,916
Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Asset at Fair Value		(1,700)
Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Inerest-bearing deposit liability		150,000
Credit Risk Contract [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Inerest-bearing deposit liability	31,000	26,400
Outstanding liability from counterparty contracts	100	100
Interest Rate Lock Commitments [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Inerest-bearing deposit liability	29,000
Other Credit Derivatives [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Inerest-bearing deposit liability	60,300
Outstanding liability from counterparty contracts	300
Accrued interest and other liabilities | Derivative [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Inerest-bearing deposit liability	528,500	566,200
Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 18,300	$ 12,400

DERIVATIVES - Summary of Deriva

DERIVATIVES - Summary of Derivative Financial Instruments and Balances (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Inerest-bearing deposit liability	$ 1,050,781	$ 823,585
Estimate Fair Value Gain	18,555	11,399
Estimate Fair Value Loss	(18,836)	(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	6,261	8,739
Estimate Fair Value Gain	0	0
Estimate Fair Value Loss	(235)	(440)
Fair Value Hedges | Matched interest rate swaps | Accrued interest and other liabilities
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Inerest-bearing deposit liability	522,260	407,423
Estimate Fair Value Gain	0	249
Estimate Fair Value Loss	(18,601)	(11,227)
Fair Value Hedges | Matched interest rate swaps | Accrued interest and other assets
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Inerest-bearing deposit liability	522,260	407,423
Estimate Fair Value Gain	18,555	11,150
Estimate Fair Value Loss	$ 0	$ (249)

DERIVATIVES DERIVATIVES - Discl

DERIVATIVES DERIVATIVES - Disclosure by Type of Financial Instrument (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Gross amounts of recognized liabilities	$ 18,835	$ 11,916
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Asset	(18,000)	(12,260)
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	835
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	235	440
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Asset	(84)	0
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	151
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	18,600	11,476
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Asset	(17,916)	(12,260)
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	$ 684
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral		$ 784

DERIVATIVES - Derivative Financ

DERIVATIVES - Derivative Financial Instruments, Average Remaining Maturity and the Weighted-Average Interest Rates being Paid and Received (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Value	$ 1,050,781	$ 823,585
Interest Rate Swap
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Value	$ 1,050,781
Average Maturity (years)	4 years 8 months
Fair Value	$ (281)
Weighted-Average Rate Receive	3.51%
Weighted-Average Rate Pay	3.53%
Interest Rate Swap | Pay fixed interest rate swaps with counterparty
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Value	$ 6,261
Average Maturity (years)	2 years
Fair Value	$ (235)
Weighted-Average Rate Receive	2.01%
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	$ 522,260
Average Maturity (years)	4 years 8 months
Fair Value	$ 18,555
Weighted-Average Rate Receive	4.46%
Weighted-Average Rate Pay	2.56%
Interest Rate Swap | Matched interest rate swaps | Derivative Financial Instruments Receive Variable Pay Fixed
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Value	$ 522,260
Average Maturity (years)	4 years 8 months
Fair Value	$ (18,601)
Weighted-Average Rate Receive	2.56%
Weighted-Average Rate Pay	4.46%

INCOME TAXES (Details)

INCOME TAXES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income tax expense	$ 9,202	$ 7,218	$ 26,936	$ 22,260
Effective tax rate	33.00%	32.00%	32.80%	32.40%

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Commitments outstanding to extend credit	$ 0		$ 0		$ 0
Letters of credit issued to guarantee performance of a client to a third party	17,000		17,000		22,800
Affordable Housing Program Obligation	23,600		23,600		14,900
Affordable housing contingent commitment	0		0		0
Low-income housing tax credit	400	$ 275	1,100	$ 800
Estimated Litigation Liability	1,300		1,300		600
Commitments to Extend Credit
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Commitments outstanding to extend credit	$ 1,800,000		$ 1,800,000		$ 1,759,441

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS - Additi

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 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)	$ (348)	$ (900)	$ (853)

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS EMPLOYEE

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS - Employee benefit plan amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and Consolidated Statements of Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Service cost	$ 1,175	$ 1,007	$ 3,525	$ 3,089
Interest cost	550	551	1,650	1,791
Expected return on plan assets	(2,375)	(2,208)	(7,125)	(6,792)
Amortization of prior service cost	(100)	(103)	(300)	(309)
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Gains (Losses)	450	405	1,350	1,368
Net periodic benefit cost (income)	$ (300)	$ (348)	$ (900)	$ (853)

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE - Com

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE - Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share -income available to common shareholders:
Net income	$ 18,673	$ 15,344	$ 55,243	$ 46,401
Denominator for basic earnings per share - weighted average shares	61,135,749	59,403,109	61,088,794	57,907,203
Effect of dilutive securities -
Employee stock awards	715,585	576,543	643,536	594,082
Warrants	136,461	133,280	126,394	138,109
Denominator for diluted earnings per share - adjusted weighted average shares	61,987,795	60,112,932	61,858,724	58,639,394
Basic	$ 0.31	$ 0.26	$ 0.90	$ 0.80
Diluted	$ 0.30	$ 0.26	$ 0.89	$ 0.79

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE - Add

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE - Additional Information (Details) - $ / shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 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	0
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	369,377	465,117
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	0	378,017

FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES - Estima

FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES - Estimated Fair Values of Financial Instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 18,836		$ 11,916
Financial assets
Investment securities held-to-maturity	756,035		867,996
Other investments	53,431		52,626
FDIC indemnification asset	18,931	$ 20,338	22,666	$ 24,160	$ 30,420	$ 45,091
Deposits
Noninterest-bearing	1,330,905		1,285,527
Savings	1,979,627		1,889,473
Time	1,440,223		1,255,364
Carrying value
Financial assets
Cash and short-term investments	136,489		132,752
Investment securities held-to-maturity	756,035		867,996
Other investments	53,431		52,626
Loans held for sale	26,287		11,005
Loans and leases, net of ALLL	5,162,731		4,724,377
FDIC indemnification asset	18,931		22,666
Deposits
Noninterest-bearing	1,330,905		1,285,527
Interest-bearing demand	1,330,673		1,225,378
Savings	1,979,627		1,889,473
Time	1,440,223		1,255,364
Total deposits	6,081,428		5,655,742
Short-term borrowings	763,517		661,392
Long-term debt	119,515		48,241
Fair value
Financial assets
Cash and short-term investments	136,489		132,752
Investment securities held-to-maturity	770,512		874,749
Other investments	53,431		52,626
Loans held for sale	26,287		11,005
Loans and leases, net of ALLL	5,256,031		4,763,619
FDIC indemnification asset	10,547		12,449
Deposits
Noninterest-bearing	1,330,905		1,285,527
Interest-bearing demand	1,330,673		1,225,378
Savings	1,979,627		1,889,473
Time	1,440,365		1,254,070
Total deposits	6,081,570		5,654,448
Short-term borrowings	763,517		661,392
Long-term debt	120,865		49,674
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Fair value
Financial assets
Cash and short-term investments	136,489		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	763,517		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	770,512		874,749
Other investments	53,431		52,626
Loans held for sale	26,287		11,005
Loans and leases, net of ALLL	0		0
FDIC indemnification asset	0		0
Deposits
Noninterest-bearing	1,330,905		1,285,527
Interest-bearing demand	1,330,673		1,225,378
Savings	1,979,627		1,889,473
Time	1,440,365		1,254,070
Total deposits	6,081,570		5,654,448
Short-term borrowings	0		0
Long-term debt	120,865		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	5,256,031		4,763,619
FDIC indemnification asset	10,547		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 - Summar

FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES - Summary of Financial Assets and Liabilities Measure at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Assets
Derivatives	$ 18,555	$ 11,399
Investment securities available-for-sale	1,069,667	840,468
Liabilities
Derivatives	18,836	11,916
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Assets
Derivatives	18,855	11,399
Investment securities available-for-sale	1,069,667	840,468
Total	1,088,522	851,867
Liabilities
Derivatives	18,920	13,662
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Fair Value Measurements Using Level 1
Assets
Derivatives	0	0
Investment securities available-for-sale	8,595	8,406
Total	8,595	8,406
Liabilities
Derivatives	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Fair Value Measurements Using Level 2
Assets
Derivatives	18,855	11,399
Investment securities available-for-sale	1,061,072	832,062
Total	1,079,927	843,461
Liabilities
Derivatives	18,920	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 - Summ70

FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES - Summary of Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis (Details) - Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
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	8,456	14,096
Other Real Estate Owned, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 9,996	$ 13,094

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS (Details)

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Aug. 14, 2015
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Transaction Costs			$ 2,600
Goodwill	$ 66,276	$ 42,689
Oak Street Holdings Corporation [Domain]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash consideration	110,000
Payoff of long-term borrowings	197,839
Total purchase consideration	307,839
Cash			2,248
Loans			238,029
Intangible assets			268
Other assets			2,633
Total assets			243,178
Other liabilities			1,615
Total liabilities			1,615
Net identifiable assets			$ 241,563
Goodwill	$ 66,276