First Financial Bancorp. (FFBC) 10-K 23 Feb 16 2015 Q4 Annual report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information Document - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Feb. 22, 2016
DOCUMENT AND ENTITY INFORMATION [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2015
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q4
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		61,640,943
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float	$ 1,068,586,000

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks	$ 114,841	$ 110,122
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks	33,734	22,630
Investment securities available-for-sale, at market value (cost $1,203,065 at December 31, 2015 and $849,504 at December 31, 2014)	1,190,642	840,468
Investment securities held-to-maturity (market value $731,951 at December 31, 2015 and $874,749 at December 31, 2014)	726,259	867,996
Other investments	53,725	52,626
Loans held for sale	20,957	11,005
Loans and leases
Commercial and industrial	1,663,102	1,315,114
Lease financing	93,986	77,567
Real estate - construction	311,712	197,571
Real estate - commercial	2,258,297	2,140,667
Real estate - residential	512,311	501,894
Home equity	466,629	458,627
Installment	41,506	47,320
Credit card	41,217	38,475
Total loans and leases	5,388,760	4,777,235
Less: Allowance for loan and lease losses	53,398	52,858
Net loans and leases	5,335,362	4,724,377
Premises and equipment	136,603	141,381
Goodwill and other intangibles	211,865	145,853
FDIC indemnification asset	17,630	22,666
Accrued interest and other assets	305,793	278,697
Total assets	8,147,411	7,217,821
Deposits
Interest-bearing demand	1,414,291	1,225,378
Savings	1,945,805	1,889,473
Time	1,406,124	1,255,364
Total interest-bearing deposits	4,766,220	4,370,215
Noninterest-bearing	1,413,404	1,285,527
Total deposits	6,179,624	5,655,742
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase	89,325	103,192
Federal Home Loan Bank short-term borrowings	849,100	558,200
Total short-term borrowings	938,425	661,392
Long-term debt	119,540	48,241
Total borrowed funds	1,057,965	709,633
Accrued interest and other liabilities	100,446	68,369
Total liabilities	7,338,035	6,433,744
Shareholders' equity
Common stock - no par value	571,155	574,643
Retained earnings	388,240	352,893
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(30,580)	(21,409)
Treasury stock, at cost, 7,089,051 shares in 2015 and 7,274,184 shares in 2014	(119,439)	(122,050)
Total shareholders' equity	809,376	784,077
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$ 8,147,411	$ 7,217,821

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS CON

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Investment securities available-for-sale, cost	$ 1,203,065	$ 849,504
Investment securities held-to-maturity, market value	$ 731,951	$ 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	7,089,051	7,274,184

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCO

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Interest income
Loans, including fees	$ 230,246	$ 208,836	$ 216,306
Investment securities
Taxable	39,577	40,924	34,147
Tax-exempt	4,611	3,560	2,400
Total investment securities interest	44,188	44,484	36,547
Other earning assets	(4,675)	(5,461)	(7,645)
Total interest income	269,759	247,859	245,208
Interest expense
Deposits	19,474	16,153	13,247
Short-term borrowings	1,364	1,268	1,177
Long-term borrowings	2,419	1,813	2,464
Total interest expense	23,257	19,234	16,888
Net interest income	246,502	228,625	228,320
Provision for loan and lease losses	9,641	1,528	8,909
Net interest income after provision for loan and lease losses	236,861	227,097	219,411
Noninterest income
Service charges on deposit accounts	19,015	20,274	20,595
Trust and wealth management fees	13,128	13,634	14,319
Bankcard income	11,578	10,740	10,914
Client derivative fees	4,389	1,519	2,037
Net gains from sales of loans	6,471	4,364	3,150
Gains on sales of investment securities	1,505	70	1,724
FDIC loss sharing income	(2,487)	365	3,720
Accelerated discount on covered/formerly covered loans	10,791	4,184	7,153
Other	10,812	8,815	10,035
Total noninterest income	75,202	63,965	73,647
Noninterest expenses
Salaries and employee benefits	111,792	107,702	101,402
Pension settlement charges	0	0	6,174
Net occupancy	18,232	19,187	21,207
Furniture and equipment	8,722	8,554	8,970
Data processing	10,863	12,963	10,229
Marketing	3,723	3,603	4,270
Communication	2,161	2,277	3,207
Professional services	9,622	6,170	6,876
State intangible tax	2,331	2,111	3,929
FDIC assessments	4,446	4,462	4,501
Loss (gain) - other real estate owned	1,861	862	31
Loss sharing expense	1,865	4,686	7,083
FDIC indemnification impairment	0	0	22,417
Other	25,512	23,457	25,179
Total noninterest expenses	201,130	196,034	225,475
Income before income taxes	110,933	95,028	67,583
Income tax expense	35,870	30,028	19,234
Net income	$ 75,063	$ 65,000	$ 48,349
Earnings per common share
Basic	$ 1.23	$ 1.11	$ 0.84
Diluted	$ 1.21	$ 1.09	$ 0.83
Average common shares outstanding-basic	61,062,657	58,662,836	57,270,233
Average common shares outstanding-diluted	61,847,547	59,392,667	58,073,054

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 75,063	$ 65,000	$ 48,349
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities arising during the period	(2,427)	13,783	(29,091)
Change in retirement obligation	(6,144)	(2,339)	15,773
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	(650)	(1,551)	745
Unrealized gain (loss) on foreign currency exchange	50	(21)	(31)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(9,171)	9,872	(12,604)
Comprehensive income	$ 65,892	$ 74,872	$ 35,745

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
Balances at January 1, 2012 at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 710,425	$ 579,293	$ 330,004	$ (18,677)	$ (180,195)
Balances at January 1, 2012 at Dec. 31, 2012		68,730,731			(10,684,496)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	48,349		48,349
Other comprehensive loss	(12,604)			(12,604)
Cash dividends declared:
Common stock at $0.64 per share in 2015, $0.61 per share in 2014, and $0.94 per share in 2013	(54,161)		(54,161)
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired					(750,145)
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method	(11,778)				$ (11,778)
Common stock issued in connection with business combinations	0
Excess tax benefit on share-based compensation	686	$ 686
Exercise of stock options, net of shares purchased (in shares)					121,597
Exercise of stock options, net of shares purchased	(1,230)	(3,271)			$ 2,041
Restricted stock awards, net of forfeitures (in shares)					115,359
Restricted stock awards, net of forfeitures	(1,329)	(3,435)			$ 2,106
Share-based compensation expense	3,803	$ 3,803
Ending Balances (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013		68,730,731			(11,197,685)
Ending Balances at Dec. 31, 2013	682,161	$ 577,076	324,192	(31,281)	$ (187,826)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	65,000		65,000
Other comprehensive loss	9,872			9,872
Cash dividends declared:
Common stock at $0.64 per share in 2015, $0.61 per share in 2014, and $0.94 per share in 2013	$ (36,299)		(36,299)
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired	(40,255)				(40,255)
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method	$ (697)				$ (697)
Common stock issued in connection with business combinations	60,429
Excess tax benefit on share-based compensation	153	153
Exercise of stock options, net of shares purchased (in shares)					120,441
Exercise of stock options, net of shares purchased	681	(1,337)			$ 2,018
Restricted stock awards, net of forfeitures (in shares)					185,378
Restricted stock awards, net of forfeitures	(1,193)	(4,273)			$ 3,080
Share-based compensation expense	3,970	$ 3,970
Ending Balances (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014		68,730,731			(7,274,184)
Ending Balances at Dec. 31, 2014	784,077	$ 574,643	352,893	(21,409)	$ (122,050)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	75,063		75,063
Other comprehensive loss	(9,171)			(9,171)
Cash dividends declared:
Common stock at $0.64 per share in 2015, $0.61 per share in 2014, and $0.94 per share in 2013	$ (39,410)		(39,410)
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired	(239,967)				(239,967)
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method	$ (4,498)				$ (4,498)
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Other	13	(975)			$ 988
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Other					58,812
Common stock issued in connection with business combinations	0
Excess tax benefit on share-based compensation	$ 146	146
Exercise of stock options, net of shares purchased (in shares)	93,712				62,261
Exercise of stock options, net of shares purchased	$ 679	(367)			$ 1,046
Restricted stock awards, net of forfeitures (in shares)					304,027
Restricted stock awards, net of forfeitures	(1,266)	(6,341)			$ 5,075
Share-based compensation expense	4,049	$ 4,049
Ending Balances (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2015		68,730,731			(7,089,051)
Ending Balances at Dec. 31, 2015	809,376	$ 571,155	388,240	$ (30,580)	$ (119,439)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Adjustment for accounting changes FASB ASU 2014-01 adjustment	$ (306)		$ (306)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHA7

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared	$ 0.64	$ 0.61	$ 0.94

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Operating activities
Net income	$ 75,063	$ 65,000	$ 48,349
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
Provision for loan and lease losses	9,641	1,528	8,909
Depreciation and amortization	13,266	12,785	14,270
Stock-based compensation expense	4,049	3,970	3,803
Pension expense (income)	(1,042)	(1,137)	5,496
Net amortization of premiums/accretion of discounts on investment securities	7,899	7,379	13,088
Gains on sales of investments securities	(1,505)	(70)	(1,724)
Originations of loans held for sale	(246,845)	(145,377)	(152,324)
Net gains from sales of loans held for sale	(6,471)	(4,364)	(3,150)
Proceeds from sales of loans held for sale	242,029	144,803	158,853
Deferred income taxes	4,192	(22,405)	(25,328)
Decrease (increase) in interest receivable	(995)	(1,903)	(1,181)
Decrease (increase) in cash surrender value of life insurance	(5,379)	(4,255)	(4,187)
Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses	(211)	(11,174)	495
Decrease (increase) in indemnification asset	(5,036)	(22,425)	(74,516)
(Decrease) increase in accrued expenses	(2,729)	(7,748)	(1,536)
(Decrease) increase in interest payable	2,296	30	(350)
Other	(6,727)	(2,833)	26,355
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	91,567	56,654	164,354
Investing activities
Proceeds from sales of investment securities available-for-sale	70,219	166,356	92,684
Proceeds from calls, paydowns and maturities of securities available-for-sale	120,953	101,420	186,820
Purchases of securities available-for-sale	(547,901)	(147,854)	(214,398)
Proceeds from calls, paydowns and maturities of securities held-to-maturity	140,059	105,623	157,647
Purchases of securities held-to-maturity	(3,520)	(140,426)	(233,111)
Net decrease (increase) in interest-bearing deposits with other banks	(11,104)	3,200	(1,489)
Net decrease (increase) in loans and leases	(390,312)	(226,558)	(108,417)
Proceeds from disposal of other real estate owned	15,817	30,570	27,319
Purchases of premises and equipment	(7,467)	(10,609)	(7,295)
Net cash (paid) acquired from business acquisitions	305,591
Cash Acquired from Acquisition		34,300	0
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(918,847)	(83,978)	(100,240)
Financing activities
Net (decrease) increase in total deposits	523,882	249,630	(118,333)
Net (decrease) increase in short-term borrowings	277,033	(162,248)	124,179
Payments on long-term borrowings	(46,238)	(33,220)	(14,394)
Proceeds from Issuance of Subordinated Long-term Debt	120,000	0	0
Cash dividends paid on common stock	(39,070)	(34,848)	(61,429)
Treasury stock purchase	(4,498)	(697)	(11,778)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	744	1,056	73
Excess tax benefit on share-based compensation	146	153	686
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	831,999	19,826	(80,996)
Cash and Due from Banks
Net increase (decrease) in Cash and Due from Banks	4,719	(7,498)	(16,882)
Cash and Due from Banks at beginning of year	110,122	117,620	134,502
Cash and Due from Banks at end of year	114,841	110,122	117,620
Supplemental disclosures
Interest paid	20,961	18,154	17,238
Income taxes paid	31,193	61,180	36,312
Acquisition of other real estate owned through foreclosure	8,398	10,537	37,700
Issuance of restricted stock awards	7,760	4,601	4,730
Common stock issued in bank acquisitions	$ 0	$ 60,429	$ 0

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTI

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
BASIS OF PRESENTATION	Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies Basis of presentation. The Consolidated Financial Statements of First Financial Bancorp. (First Financial or the Company), a bank holding company, principally serving Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky, include the accounts and operations of First Financial and its wholly owned subsidiary, First Financial Bank, N.A. (First Financial Bank or the Bank). All significant intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain reclassifications of prior years' amounts have been made to conform to current year presentation. Such reclassifications had no effect on net earnings. Use of estimates. The preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) requires management to make estimates, assumptions and judgments that affect the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying Notes. Actual realized amounts could differ materially from those estimates. Investment securities. First Financial classifies debt and equity securities into three categories: held-to-maturity, trading and available-for-sale. Management determines the appropriate classification of investment securities at the time of purchase and reevaluates such designation as appropriate. Investment securities are classified as held-to-maturity when First Financial has the positive intent and ability to hold the securities to maturity. Held-to-maturity securities are recorded at amortized cost. Investment securities classified as trading are held principally for resale in the near term and are recorded at fair value. Gains or losses, either unrealized or realized, are reported in noninterest income. Quoted market prices are used to determine the fair value of trading securities. Investment securities not classified as either held-to-maturity or trading are classified as available-for-sale. Available-for-sale securities are recorded at fair value, with the unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, reported as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in shareholders' equity. The amortized cost of investment securities classified as either held-to-maturity or available-for-sale is adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts to maturity, or in the case of mortgage-backed securities, over the estimated life of the security. Such amortization and accretion are considered an adjustment to the yield on the security and included in interest income from investments. Interest and dividends are included in interest income from investment securities. Realized gains and losses are based on the amortized cost of the security sold using the specific identification method. Available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities are reviewed quarterly for potential impairment. In performing this review, management considers the length of time and extent to which the fair value of the security has been less than amortized cost, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer and the ability and intent of First Financial to hold the security for a period sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value. If the fair value of a security is less than the amortized cost and the impairment is determined to be other-than-temporary, the security is written down, establishing a new and reduced cost basis. The related charge is recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Other investments include holdings in Federal Reserve Bank (FRB) stock and Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) stock. FRB and FHLB stock are both carried at cost. Loans held for sale. Loans held for sale consists of residential real estate loans newly originated for the purpose of sale to third parties, and in certain circumstances, loans previously originated that have been specifically identified by management for sale based on predetermined criteria. Loans originated for sale are immediately classified as held for sale upon origination and are considered to be at fair market value due to the commitment to sell in a short timeframe. Loans transferred to held for sale status are carried at the lower of cost or fair value with any difference charged to the allowance for loan and lease losses. Any subsequent change in the carrying value of transferred loans, not to exceed original cost, is recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Loans and leases, excluding purchased impaired loans. Loans and leases for which First Financial has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future, or until maturity or payoff, are classified in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as loans and leases. Except for loans which are subject to fair value requirements, loans and leases are carried at the principal amount outstanding, net of unamortized deferred loan origination fees and costs, and net of unearned income. Loan origination and commitment fees received, as well as certain direct loan origination costs paid, are deferred, and the net amount is amortized as an adjustment to the related loan's yield. Interest income is recorded on an accrual basis. When a loan is classified as nonaccrual, the accrual of interest income is discontinued and previously accrued, but unpaid interest is reversed. Any payments received while a loan is classified as nonaccrual 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. Acquired loans. Acquired loans are recorded at their estimated fair value at the time of acquisition. Estimated fair values for acquired loans are based on a discounted cash flow methodology that considers various factors including the type of loan and related collateral, classification status, 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. Acquired loans are grouped together according to similar characteristics and treated in the aggregate when applying various valuation techniques. Certain loans acquired in FDIC-assisted transactions were initially covered under loss sharing agreements and are referred to as covered loans during the indemnification period. Subsequent to the indemnification period, they are referred to as formerly covered loans. First Financial evaluates acquired loans for impairment in accordance with the provisions of FASB ASC Topic 310-30, Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality. Acquired loans with evidence of credit deterioration since origination are accounted for under FASB ASC Topic 310-30 and are referred to as purchased impaired loans. 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. For purposes of applying the guidance under FASB ASC Topic 310-30, First Financial groups acquired loans into pools based on common risk characteristics. Expected cash flows are re-estimated periodically for all purchased impaired loans. The cash flows expected to be collected are estimated based upon the expected remaining life of the underlying loans, which includes the effects of estimated prepayments. Generally, a decline in expected cash flows for a pool of loans is referred to as impairment and recorded as provision expense on a discounted basis during the period (see "Allowance for loan and lease losses" below). Improvement in expected cash flows for a pool of loans, once any previously recorded impairment is recaptured, is recognized prospectively as an adjustment to the yield on the loans in the pool. These cash flow evaluations are inherently subjective as they require material estimates, all of which may be susceptible to significant change. For acquired loans that prepay, noninterest income may be recorded related to the accelerated recognition of the remaining purchase discount that would have been recognized over the life of the loan had it not prepaid, offset by a related adjustment to the FDIC indemnification asset if the loan is still covered under FDIC loss sharing protection. This scenario can occur either through a loan sale or ordinary prepayments that are typical in a loan portfolio. Acquired loans outside the scope of FASB ASC Topic 310-30 are accounted for under FASB ASC Topic 310-20, Receivables-Nonrefundable Fees and Costs. Discounts created when the loans were recorded at their estimated fair values at acquisition are amortized over the remaining term of the loan as an adjustment to the related loan's yield. The accrual of interest income is discontinued when the collection of a loan or interest, in whole or in part, is doubtful. Allowance for loan and lease losses. 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 ALLL 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. Management's determination of the adequacy of the ALLL is based on an assessment of the probable loan and lease losses inherent in the portfolio given the conditions at the time. The ALLL is generally increased by provision expense and decreased by charge-offs, net of recoveries of amounts previously charged-off. Loans are charged off when management believes that the collection of the principal amount owed in full, either through payments from the borrower or from the liquidation of collateral, is unlikely. In the commercial portfolio, which includes time and demand notes, tax-exempt loans, C&I, construction, commercial real estate, mezzanine loans, and lease financing, loan and lease relationships greater than $250,000 that are considered impaired, or designated as a TDR, are evaluated to determine the need for a specific allowance based on the borrower's overall financial condition, resources, payment record, guarantor support and the realizable value of any collateral. The allowance for non-impaired commercial loan and lease and impaired commercial loan and lease relationships less than $250,000 includes a process of estimating the probable losses inherent in the portfolio by loan type, based on First Financial's internal system of credit risk ratings and historical loss data. These estimates may also be adjusted for management's estimate of probable losses dependent upon trends in the values of the underlying collateral, delinquent and nonaccrual loans, prevailing economic conditions, changes in lending strategies and other influencing factors. Consumer loans are generally evaluated by loan type, as these loans exhibit homogeneous characteristics. The allowance for consumer loans, which includes residential real estate, installment, home equity, credit card loans and overdrafts, is established by estimating losses inherent in each particular category of consumer loans. The estimate of losses is primarily based on historical loss rates for each category, as well as trends in delinquent and nonaccrual loans, prevailing economic conditions and other significant influencing factors. Consumer loans greater than $100,000 classified as TDRs are individually evaluated to determine an appropriate allowance. For purchased impaired loans, expected cash flows are re-estimated periodically with declines in gross expected cash flows at the pool level recorded as provision expense during the period. These cash flow evaluations are inherently subjective as they require material estimates, all of which may be susceptible to significant change. The related, estimated reimbursement for loan losses due from the FDIC under loss sharing agreements, if applicable, is recorded as both FDIC loss sharing income and an increase to the FDIC indemnification asset. Reserve for unfunded commitments . First Financial maintains a reserve that it considers sufficient to absorb probable losses inherent in standby letters of credit and outstanding loan commitments and is included in Accrued interest and other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The determination of the adequacy of the reserve is based upon an evaluation of the unfunded credit facilities, including consideration of historical commitment utilization experience, credit risk rating and historical loss rates, consistent with the allowance for loan and lease losses methodology previously discussed. Adjustments to the reserve for unfunded commitments are included in Other noninterest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income. FDIC indemnification asset. The FDIC indemnification asset results from the loss sharing agreements entered into in conjunction with First Financial's FDIC-assisted transactions, and is measured separately from the related assets covered by loss sharing agreements with the FDIC as it is not contractually embedded in those assets and is not transferable should First Financial choose to dispose of the covered assets. The FDIC indemnification asset represents expected reimbursements from the FDIC for losses on covered assets. Pursuant to the terms of the loss sharing agreements, covered assets are subject to stated loss thresholds whereby the FDIC will reimburse First Financial for 80% of losses up to the stated loss thresholds, and 95% of losses in excess of the thresholds. The FDIC indemnification asset was recorded at its estimated fair value at the time of the FDIC-assisted transactions. Fair values were estimated using projected cash flows related to the loss sharing agreements based on the expected reimbursements for losses and the applicable loss sharing percentages. These cash flows were discounted to reflect the uncertainty of the timing of the loss sharing reimbursement from the FDIC. The accounting for the FDIC indemnification asset is closely related to the accounting for the underlying, indemnified assets as well as on-going assessment of the collectibility of the assets. First Financial re-estimates the expected indemnification asset cash flows in conjunction with the periodic re-estimation of cash flows on covered loans accounted for under FASB ASC Topic 310-30. Improvements in cash flow expectations on covered loans generally result in a related decline in the expected indemnification cash flows and are reflected as a yield adjustment on the indemnification asset. Declines in cash flow expectations on covered loans generally result in an increase in expected indemnification cash flows and are reflected as both FDIC loss sharing income and an increase to the indemnification asset. First Financial performs a collectibility assessment which includes evaluation of claims activity with the FDIC, adjustments to the indemnification asset from the accelerated discount on covered loans, the yield on the indemnification asset in relation to the yield on the underlying covered loans and the remaining term of the loss sharing agreements. Changes in the assessed collectibility of the indemnification asset, if any, are recognized as FDIC indemnification impairment in Noninterest expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Premises and equipment. Premises and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are principally computed on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Useful lives generally range from 10 to 40 years for building and building improvements; 3 to 10 years for furniture, fixtures and equipment; and 3 to 5 years for software, hardware and data handling equipment. Land improvements are depreciated over 20 years and leasehold improvements are depreciated over the lesser of the base term of the respective lease or the useful life of the asset. Premises and equipment are evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred. Goodwill and other indefinite lived intangible assets. Under accounting for business combinations, the net assets of entities acquired by First Financial are recorded at their estimated fair value at the date of acquisition. The excess cost of the acquisition over the fair value of net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. Goodwill and intangible assets deemed to have indefinite lives, if any, are not amortized, but are subject to annual impairment tests. The Company is required to evaluate goodwill for impairment on an annual basis or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. First Financial performs its annual impairment test effective October 1, absent events or changes in circumstances that indicate the carrying value of goodwill may not be recoverable. The Company’s goodwill is accounted for in a single reporting unit representing the consolidated entity. Fair value is estimated using the market capitalization of the Company, as of the annual impairment testing date. First Financial also utilizes additional information and analysis to corroborate the use of the Company’s market capitalization as a proper indicator of fair value for purposes of the annual goodwill impairment test. Core deposit intangibles. Core deposit intangibles represent the estimated value of acquired relationships with deposit customers. The estimated fair value of core deposit intangibles are based on a discounted cash flow methodology that gives appropriate consideration to expected customer attrition rates, cost of the deposit base, reserve requirements and the net maintenance cost attributable to customer deposits. Core deposit intangibles are amortized on an accelerated basis over their useful lives. Other real estate owned. OREO represents 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. OREO properties are recorded at the lower of cost or fair value, less estimated disposal costs (net realizable value) upon acquisition. Losses arising at the time of acquisition of such properties are charged against the ALLL. Management performs periodic valuations to assess the adequacy of the recorded OREO balances and subsequent write-downs in the carrying value of OREO properties are expensed as incurred. Improvements to OREO properties may be capitalized if the improvements contribute to the overall value of the property, but may not be capitalized in excess of the net realizable value of the property. When management disposes of an OREO property, any gains or losses realized at the time of disposal are reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Certain OREO properties are subject to loss sharing agreements whereby the FDIC will reimburse First Financial for 80% of losses up to the stated loss thresholds, and 95% of losses in excess of the thresholds. When management disposes of an OREO property subject to loss sharing agreements, any gains or losses realized at the time of disposal are reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Income and are substantially offset by a related adjustment to the FDIC indemnification asset. 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. Investments in affordable housing projects are included in Accrued income and other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Income taxes. First Financial and its subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax return. Each subsidiary provides for income taxes on a separate return basis, and remits to First Financial amounts determined to be currently payable. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Interest and penalties on income tax assessments or income tax refunds are recognized in the Consolidated Financial Statements as a component of noninterest expense. Pension. First Financial sponsors a non-contributory defined benefit pension plan covering substantially all employees. The measurement of the accrued benefit liability and the annual pension expense involves actuarial and economic assumptions. The assumptions used in pension accounting include those related to the discount rates, the expected return on plan assets and the rate of compensation increase. Derivative instruments. First Financial accounts for its derivative financial instruments in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging. FASB ASC Topic 815 requires all derivative instruments to be carried at fair value on the balance sheet. The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on the intended use of the derivative and the resulting designation. Derivatives used to hedge the exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset, liability or firm commitment attributable to a particular risk, such as interest rate risk, are considered fair value hedges. Derivatives used to hedge the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows, or other types of forecasted transactions, are considered cash flow hedges. First Financial utilizes interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges as a means to offer commercial borrowers products that meet their needs, but are also designed to achieve First Financial’s desired interest rate risk profile. First Financial utilizes interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges to manage the variability of cash flows, primarily net interest income, attributable to changes in interest rates. Back to back swaps - First Financial enters into swap agreements with commercial borrowers and simultaneously enters into offsetting swap agreements, with substantially matching terms, with institutional counterparties. These matched interest rate swap agreements generally involve the receipt by First Financial of floating rate amounts from the counterparties in exchange for payments to these counterparties by First Financial of fixed rate amounts received from commercial borrowers over the life of the agreements. This results in First Financial’s loan customers receiving fixed rate funding, while providing First Financial with a floating rate asset. First Financial's matched interest rate swaps qualify as derivatives, but are not designated as hedging instruments. The net interest receivable or payable on matched interest rate swaps is accrued and recognized as an adjustment to interest income. The fair values of back to back swaps are included within Accrued interest and other assets and Accrued interest and other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Pay fixed interest rate swaps - For unmatched, pay fixed interest rate swaps, which qualify for hedge accounting, the corresponding fair-value adjustment is included on the Consolidated Balance Sheets in the carrying value of the hedged item. The net interest receivable or payable on unmatched interest rate swaps is accrued and recognized as an adjustment to the interest income of the hedged item. Gains and losses from derivatives not considered effective in hedging the change in fair value of the hedged item, if any, are recognized in income immediately. Cash flow hedges - The net interest receivable or payable on an interest rate swap designated as a cash flow hedge is accrued and recognized as an adjustment to interest income or interest expense, while the fair value is included within Accrued interest and other assets or Accrued interest and other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Changes in the fair value of interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Gains and losses from derivatives not considered effective in hedging the cash flows related to the hedged items, if any, are recognized in income immediately. 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 fair value of these agreements were recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets in Accrued interest and other liabilities. 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. The fair value of these agreements was recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets in Accrued interest and other assets. Like other financial instruments, derivatives contain an element of credit risk, which is the possibility that First Financial will incur a loss because a counterparty fails to meet its contractual obligations. Generally, the credit risk associated with interest rate swaps is significantly less than the notional values associated with these instruments. The notional values represent contractual balances on which the calculations of amounts to be exchanged are based. First Financial manages this credit risk through counterparty credit policies. Stock-based compensation. First Financial grants stock-based awards, including restricted stock awards for and options to purchase the Company’s common stock. Stock option grants are for a fixed number of shares to employees and directors with an exercise price equal to the fair value of the shares at the date of grant. Stock-based compensation expense is recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. The amortization of stock-based compensation expense reflects estimated forfeitures, adjusted for actual forfeiture experience. As compensation expense is recognized, a deferred tax asset is recorded that represents an estimate of the future tax deduction from exercise. At the time stock-based awards are exercised, canceled or expire, First Financial may be required to recognize an adjustment to tax expense. Earnings per share. Basic earnings per common share is computed by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted net earnings per common share is computed by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, unvested shares and dilutive common stock equivalents outstanding during the period. Common stock equivalents, which consist of common stock issuable under the assumed exercise of stock options granted under First Financial's stock-based compensation plans and the assumed conversion of common stock warrants, are calculated using the treasury stock method. Cash and due from banks. Cash and due from banks consist of currency, coin and cash items due from banks. Cash items due from banks include noninterest bearing deposits held at other banks. Segments and related information. While the Company monitors the operating results of its four lines of business, the operations are managed and financial performance is evaluated on a Company-wide basis. Accordingly, and consistent with prior years, all of the Company's operations are considered by management to be aggregated in one reportable operating segment.

RECENTLY ADOPTED AND ISSUED ACC

RECENTLY ADOPTED AND ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
RECENTLY ADOPTED AND ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS	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. 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 December 31, 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.

RESTRICTIONS ON CASH AND DIVIDE

RESTRICTIONS ON CASH AND DIVIDENDS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Subsidiaries [Member]
Restrictions on Subsidiary Dividends, Loans or Advances [Line Items]
Restrictions On Cash And Dividends [Text Block]	Restrictions On Cash And Dividends First Financial Bank is required to maintain average reserve balances either in the form of vault cash or reserves held on deposit with the Federal Reserve Bank, Federal Home Loan Bank or in pass-through reserve accounts with correspondent banks. The average amounts of these required reserve balances, based upon the average level of First Financial's transaction accounts for 2015 and 2014 were approximately $56.5 million and $56.2 million , respectively. Dividends paid by First Financial to its shareholders are principally funded through dividends paid to the Company by its subsidiaries. However, certain restrictions exist regarding the ability of bank subsidiaries to transfer funds to First Financial in the form of cash dividends, loans or advances. The approval of the subsidiaries' respective primary federal regulators is required for First Financial's subsidiaries to pay dividends in excess of the regulatory limit, which is equal to the net income of the current year through the dividend date, combined with its retained net income from the two preceding years. As of December 31, 2015 , First Financial's subsidiaries had retained earnings of $449.0 million of which $100.8 million was available for distribution to First Financial without prior regulatory approval.

INVESTMENTS

INVESTMENTS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
INVESTMENTS	Investment Securities The following is a summary of held-to-maturity and available-for-sale investment securities as of December 31, 2015 : Held-to-maturity Available-for-sale (Dollars in thousands) Amortized cost Unrealized gain Unrealized loss Market value Amortized cost Unrealized gain Unrealized loss Market value U.S. Treasuries $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 98 $ 0 $ (1 ) $ 97 Securities of U.S. government agencies and corporations 15,486 121 0 15,607 8,183 157 0 8,340 Mortgage-backed securities 678,318 7,452 (1,999 ) 683,771 775,285 2,708 (12,926 ) 765,067 Obligations of state and other political subdivisions 27,646 338 (99 ) 27,885 73,815 2,491 (671 ) 75,635 Asset-backed securities 0 0 0 0 236,411 35 (3,445 ) 233,001 Other securities 4,809 0 (121 ) 4,688 109,273 687 (1,458 ) 108,502 Total $ 726,259 $ 7,911 $ (2,219 ) $ 731,951 $ 1,203,065 $ 6,078 $ (18,501 ) $ 1,190,642 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 Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Market Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Market (Dollars in thousands) cost gain loss value cost gain loss value U.S. Treasuries $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 97 $ 0 $ 0 $ 97 Securities of U.S. government agencies and corporations 17,570 24 (23 ) 17,571 11,814 67 (1 ) 11,880 Mortgage-backed securities 801,465 7,813 (2,064 ) 807,214 611,497 4,462 (13,211 ) 602,748 Obligations of state and other political subdivisions 44,164 1,275 (193 ) 45,246 73,649 883 (947 ) 73,585 Asset-backed securities 0 0 0 0 74,784 155 (103 ) 74,836 Other securities 4,797 0 (79 ) 4,718 77,663 1,193 (1,534 ) 77,322 Total $ 867,996 $ 9,112 $ (2,359 ) $ 874,749 $ 849,504 $ 6,760 $ (15,796 ) $ 840,468 During the year ended December 31, 2015 , First Financial sold available-for-sale securities with a fair value of $68.7 million at the date of sale and recorded a $1.5 million net pre-tax gain. The net investment gain after taxes was $1.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 . During the year ended December 31, 2014 , First Financial sold available-for-sale securities with a fair value of $166.3 million at the date of sale and recorded a $0.1 million net pre-tax gain. The net investment gain after taxes was $44 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2014 . During the year ended December 31, 2013 , First Financial sold available-for-sale securities with a fair value of $91.0 million at the date of sale and recorded a $1.7 million net pre-tax gain. The net investment gain after taxes was $1.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 . The carrying value of investment securities pledged as collateral to secure public deposits, repurchase agreements and for other purposes as required by law totaled $1.0 billion at December 31, 2015 and $1.1 billion at December 31, 2014 , respectively. The following table provides a summary of investment securities by estimated weighted average life as of December 31, 2015 . Estimated lives on certain investment securities may differ from contractual maturities as issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties: Held-to-maturity Available-for-sale (Dollars in thousands) Amortized cost Market value Amortized cost Market value Due in one year or less $ 4,061 $ 4,148 $ 21,724 $ 21,652 Due after one year through five years 536,660 540,266 748,300 740,460 Due after five years through ten years 185,538 187,537 393,652 389,001 Due after ten years 0 0 39,389 39,529 Total $ 726,259 $ 731,951 $ 1,203,065 $ 1,190,642 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 unrealized loss position: December 31, 2015 Less than 12 months 12 months or more Total (Dollars in thousands) Fair value Unrealized loss Fair value Unrealized loss Fair value Unrealized loss Securities of U.S. government agencies and corporations $ 97 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 97 $ 0 Mortgage-backed securities 500,768 (5,363 ) 246,523 (9,563 ) 747,291 (14,926 ) Obligations of state and other political subdivisions 972 (6 ) 29,287 (764 ) 30,259 (770 ) Asset-backed securities 189,066 (3,042 ) 17,144 (403 ) 206,210 (3,445 ) Other securities 35,656 (651 ) 24,716 (928 ) 60,372 (1,579 ) Total $ 726,559 $ (9,062 ) $ 317,670 $ (11,658 ) $ 1,044,229 $ (20,720 ) 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 December 31, 2015 or 2014 . For further detail on the fair value of investment securities, see Note 19 – Fair Value Disclosures.

LOANS

LOANS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Loans [Abstract]
LOANS (excluding covered loans)	90 days past due Total past due Current Subtotal Purchased impaired Total > 90 days past due and still accruing Loans Commercial and industrial $ 2,255 $ 2,232 $ 1,937 $ 6,424 $ 1,648,902 $ 1,655,326 $ 7,776 $ 1,663,102 $ 0 Real estate - construction 0 17 0 17 310,872 310,889 823 311,712 0 Real estate - commercial 2,501 913 7,421 10,835 2,124,290 2,135,125 123,172 2,258,297 0 Real estate - residential 1,220 239 2,242 3,701 451,907 455,608 56,703 512,311 0 Installment 197 111 48 356 39,206 39,562 1,944 41,506 0 Home equity 696 248 2,830 3,774 461,647 465,421 1,208 466,629 0 Other 920 302 230 1,452 133,751 135,203 0 135,203 108 Total $ 7,789 $ 4,062 $ 14,708 $ 26,559 $ 5,170,575 $ 5,197,134 $ 191,626 $ 5,388,760 $ 108 As of December 31, 2014 (Dollars in thousands) 30 - 59 days past due 60 - 89 days past due > 90 days past due Total past due Current Subtotal Purchased impaired Total > 90 days past due and still accruing Loans Commercial and industrial $ 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 be returned to accrual status if collection of future principal and interest payments is no longer doubtful. Purchased impaired loans are classified as performing, even though they may be contractually past due, as any nonpayment of contractual principal or interest is considered in the periodic re-estimation of expected cash flows and is included in the resulting recognition of current period covered loan loss provision or prospective yield adjustments. Troubled debt restructurings. A loan modification is considered a TDR when two conditions are met: 1) the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty and 2) concessions are made by the Company that would not otherwise be considered for a borrower with similar credit characteristics. The most common types of modifications include interest rate reductions, maturity extensions and modifications to principal amortization including interest only structures. Modified terms are dependent upon the financial position and needs of the individual borrower. If the modification agreement is violated, the loan is managed by the Company’s credit administration group for resolution, which may result in foreclosure in the case of real estate. TDRs are generally classified as nonaccrual for a minimum period of six months and may qualify for return to accrual status once they have demonstrated sustained performance with the restructured terms of the loan agreement. First Financial had 271 TDRs totaling $38.2 million at December 31, 2015 , including $28.9 million of loans on accrual status and $9.3 million of loans classified as nonaccrual. First Financial has $1.8 million of commitments outstanding to lend additional funds to borrowers whose loan terms have been modified in TDRs as of December 31, 2015 . At December 31, 2015 , the allowance for loan and lease losses included reserves of $6.3 million related to TDRs and approximately $10.3 million of the accruing TDRs have been performing in accordance with the restructured terms for more than one year. For the year ended December 31, 2015 , First Financial charged off $2.7 million for the portion of TDRs determined to be uncollectible. 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 of loans classified as nonaccrual. First Financial had an insignificant amount of commitments outstanding to lend additional funds to borrowers whose loan terms have been modified in TDRs as of December 31, 2014 . At December 31, 2014 , the allowance for loan and lease losses included reserves of $3.7 million related to TDRs and approximately $10.5 million of the accruing TDRs had been performing in accordance with the restructured terms for more than one year. For the year ended December 31, 2014 , First Financial charged off $1.0 million for the portion of TDRs determined to be uncollectible. The following table provides information on loan modifications classified as TDRs during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 : Years ended December 31, 2015 2014 Total TDRs Total TDRs (Dollars in thousands) Number of loans Pre-modification loan balance Period end balance Number of loans Pre-modification loan balance Period end balance Commercial and industrial 33 $ 9,035 $ 8,203 24 $ 5,282 $ 4,256 Real estate - construction 0 0 0 0 0 0 Real estate - commercial 18 20,249 16,474 16 5,235 3,937 Real estate - residential 10 1,292 1,238 31 1,767 1,516 Installment 10 97 97 8 47 29 Home equity 25 2,859 2,221 36 1,977 1,036 Total 96 $ 33,532 $ 28,233 115 $ 14,308 $ 10,774 The following table provides information on how TDRs were modified during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 . Years Ended December 31, (Dollars in thousands) 2015 2014 Extended maturities $ 12,883 $ 6,961 Adjusted interest rates 0 299 Combination of rate and maturity changes 1,244 991 Forbearance 260 373 Other (1) 13,846 2,150 Total $ 28,233 $ 10,774 (1) Other 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 that are 90 days or more past due on any principal or interest payments for a TDR, 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: Years ended December 31, 2015 2014 (Dollars in thousands) Number of loans Period end balance Number of loans Period end balance Commercial and industrial 2 $ 344 1 $ 143 Real estate - construction 0 0 0 0 Real estate - commercial 4 1,146 2 182 Real estate - residential 2 83 3 29 Installment 1 14 0 0 Home equity 1 34 3 91 Total 10 $ 1,621 9 $ 445 Impaired loans. Loans classified as nonaccrual and loans modified as TDRs are considered impaired. The following table provides information on impaired loans, excluding purchased impaired loans, as of December 31: (Dollars in thousands) 2015 2014 2013 Impaired loans Nonaccrual loans (1) Commercial and industrial $ 8,405 $ 6,627 $ 8,474 Real estate-construction 0 223 223 Real estate-commercial 9,418 27,969 18,635 Real estate-residential 5,027 7,241 8,606 Installment 127 451 579 Home equity 4,898 5,958 4,875 Other 122 0 0 Total nonaccrual loans 27,997 48,469 41,392 Accruing troubled debt restructurings 28,876 15,928 15,429 Total impaired loans $ 56,873 $ 64,397 $ 56,821 Interest income effect Gross amount of interest that would have been recorded under original terms $ 3,595 $ 3,581 $ 4,698 Interest included in income Nonaccrual loans 475 537 560 Troubled debt restructurings 682 456 444 Total interest included in income 1,157 993 1,004 Net impact on interest income $ 2,438 $ 2,588 $ 3,694 Commitments outstanding to borrowers with nonaccrual loans $ 1 $ 0 $ 38 (1) Nonaccrual loans include nonaccrual TDRs of $9.3 million , $12.3 million and $13.8 million as of December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 , respectively. 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, 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, excluding purchased impaired loans, is as follows: As of December 31, 2015 (Dollars in thousands) Current balance Contractual principal balance Related allowance Average balance Interest income recognized Loans with no related allowance recorded Commercial and industrial $ 16,418 $ 17,398 $ 0 $ 10,468 $ 258 Real estate - construction 0 0 0 150 0 Real estate - commercial 16,301 20,479 0 19,363 344 Real estate - residential 7,447 8,807 0 8,143 184 Installment 253 276 0 380 7 Home equity 5,340 7,439 0 5,648 82 Other 122 122 0 24 0 Total 45,881 54,521 0 44,176 875 Loans with an allowance recorded Commercial and industrial 993 1,178 357 1,409 26 Real estate - construction 0 0 0 0 0 Real estate - commercial 8,351 8,706 979 12,928 213 Real estate - residential 1,547 1,560 235 1,696 40 Installment 0 0 0 0 0 Home equity 101 101 2 101 3 Other 0 0 0 0 0 Total 10,992 11,545 1,573 16,134 282 Total Commercial and industrial 17,411 18,576 357 11,877 284 Real estate - construction 0 0 0 150 0 Real estate - commercial 24,652 29,185 979 32,291 557 Real estate - residential 8,994 10,367 235 9,839 224 Installment 253 276 0 380 7 Home equity 5,441 7,540 2 5,749 85 Other 122 122 0 24 0 Total $ 56,873 $ 66,066 $ 1,573 $ 60,310 $ 1,157 As of December 31, 2014 (Dollars in thousands) Current balance Contractual principal balance Related allowance Average balance Interest income recognized Loans with no related allowance recorded Commercial and industrial $ 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 and industrial 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 and industrial 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 As of December 31, 2013 (Dollars in thousands) Current balance Contractual principal balance Related allowance Average balance Interest income recognized Loans with no related allowance recorded Commercial and industrial $ 6,087 $ 8,214 $ 0 $ 12,544 $ 176 Real estate - construction 223 443 0 599 0 Real estate - commercial 13,704 19,079 0 18,349 384 Real estate - residential 10,291 12,087 0 10,225 152 Installment 647 668 0 465 6 Home equity 5,101 7,007 0 5,756 59 Other 0 0 0 156 0 Total 36,053 47,498 0 48,094 777 Loans with an allowance recorded Commercial and industrial 7,013 8,353 2,080 5,047 71 Real estate - construction 0 0 0 726 7 Real estate - commercial 11,638 14,424 2,872 21,098 110 Real estate - residential 2,016 2,072 348 1,997 37 Installment 0 0 0 0 0 Home equity 101 101 2 101 2 Other 0 0 0 167 0 Total 20,768 24,950 5,302 29,136 227 Total Commercial and industrial 13,100 16,567 2,080 17,591 247 Real estate - construction 223 443 0 1,325 7 Real estate - commercial 25,342 33,503 2,872 39,447 494 Real estate - residential 12,307 14,159 348 12,222 189 Installment 647 668 0 465 6 Home equity 5,202 7,108 2 5,857 61 Other 0 0 0 323 0 Total $ 56,821 $ 72,448 $ 5,302 $ 77,230 $ 1,004 OREO. OREO is comprised of properties acquired by the Company primarily through the loan foreclosure or repossession process, or other resolution activities that result in partial or total satisfaction of problem loans. Changes in OREO were as follows: Years ended December 31, (Dollars in thousands) 2015 2014 2013 Balance at beginning of year $ 22,674 $ 46,926 $ 41,388 Additions Commercial 5,187 8,208 35,966 Residential 3,211 2,329 1,734 Total additions 8,398 10,537 37,700 Disposals Commercial (12,722 ) (28,933 ) (25,214 ) Residential (3,095 ) (1,637 ) (2,105 ) Total disposals (15,817 ) (30,570 ) (27,319 ) Valuation adjustments Commercial (1,617 ) (3,765 ) (4,184 ) Residential (384 ) (454 ) (659 ) Total valuation adjustments (2,001 ) (4,219 ) (4,843 ) Balance at end of year $ 13,254 $ 22,674 $ 46,926 The preceding table includes OREO subject to loss sharing agreements of $1.4 million , $0.3 million and $27.1 million at December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 , 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: (Dollars in thousands) Years ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Affected Line Item in the Consolidated Statements of Income Balance at beginning of year $ 22,666 $ 45,091 $ 119,607 Adjustments not reflected in income Net FDIC claims (received) / paid 2,423 (6,785 ) (22,103 ) Adjustments reflected in income Amortization (4,740 ) (5,531 ) (7,672 ) Interest income, other earning assets FDIC loss sharing income (2,487 ) 365 3,720 Noninterest income, FDIC loss sharing income Offset to accelerated discount (232 ) (10,474 ) (26,044 ) Noninterest income, accelerated discount on covered loans Impairment valuation adjustment 0 0 (22,417 ) Noninterest expenses, FDIC indemnification impairment Balance at end of year $ 17,630 $ 22,666 $ 45,091 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. First Financial’s periodic collectibility assessment includes evaluation of these primary sources of indemnification asset recovery, the resulting projected balances and collectibility / recovery of the indemnification asset upon expiration of the non-single family loss protection in the third quarter of 2014 and expiration of the single-family, residential loss protection in the third quarter 2019. As a result of improvement in future expected cash flows on covered loans, a meaningful decline in loss claims filed with the FDIC, higher reimbursements to the FDIC related to positive asset resolutions in recent periods and the significantly shorter remaining life of the indemnification asset in comparison to the weighted average life of the related covered loans, which extended covered assets and related losses beyond the commercial indemnification period, the Company recorded a valuation adjustment to reduce the value of the FDIC indemnification asset of $22.4 million during 2013." id="sjs-B4">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 C&I, commercial real estate, construction real estate and lease financing. Consumer loan categories include residential real estate, home equity, installment and credit card. For more information on First Financial's lending practices, see "Lending Practices" in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. 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 $191.6 million and $264.9 million , at December 31, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. The outstanding balance of all purchased impaired loans, including all contractual principal, interest, fees and penalties, was $213.3 million and $314.5 million as of December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , respectively. These balances exclude contractual interest not yet accrued. For more information on First Financial's accounting for purchased impaired loans, see Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. Changes in the carrying amount of accretable difference for purchased impaired loans for the years ended December 31 were as follows: (Dollars in thousands) 2015 2014 2013 Balance at beginning of year $ 106,622 $ 133,671 $ 224,694 Reclassification from non-accretable difference 1,075 23,216 1,470 Accretion (21,544 ) (33,730 ) (58,422 ) Other net activity (1) (21,296 ) (16,535 ) (34,071 ) Balance at end of year $ 64,857 $ 106,622 $ 133,671 (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 $1.1 million during 2015 , $23.2 million during 2014 and $1.5 million during 2013 due to changes in the cash flow expectations related to certain loan pools. These reclassifications can result in impairment and provision expense in the current period or yield adjustments on the related loan pools on a prospective basis. Covered loans. Loans acquired in FDIC-assisted transactions covered under loss sharing agreements whereby the FDIC will reimburse First Financial for the majority of any losses incurred are referred to as covered loans. Pursuant to the terms of the loss sharing agreements, covered loans are subject to a stated loss threshold whereby the FDIC will reimburse First Financial for 80% of losses up to a stated loss threshold and 95% of losses in excess of the threshold. These loss sharing agreements provide for partial loss protection on single-family, residential loans for a period of ten years and First Financial is required to share any recoveries of previously charged-off amounts for the same time period, on the same pro-rata basis with the FDIC. All other loans are provided loss protection for a period of five years and recoveries of previously charged-off amounts must be shared with the FDIC for an additional three year period, again on the same pro-rata basis. The Company's loss sharing agreements with the FDIC related to non-single family assets 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 $113.3 million as of December 31, 2015 and $135.7 million as of December 31, 2014 . Credit quality. To facilitate the monitoring of credit quality for commercial loans, and for purposes of determining an appropriate allowance for loan and lease losses, First Financial utilizes the following categories of credit grades: Pass - Higher quality loans that do not fit any of the other categories described below. Special Mention - First Financial assigns a special mention rating to loans and leases with potential weaknesses that deserve management's close attention. If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the loan or lease or in First Financial's credit position at some future date. Substandard - First Financial assigns a substandard rating to loans or leases that are inadequately protected by the current sound financial worth and paying capacity of the borrower or of the collateral pledged, if any. Substandard loans and leases have well-defined weaknesses that jeopardize repayment of the debt. Substandard loans and leases are characterized by the distinct possibility that the Company will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not addressed. Doubtful - First Financial assigns a doubtful rating to loans and leases with all the attributes of a substandard rating with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions and values, highly questionable and improbable. The possibility of loss is extremely high, but because of certain important and reasonably specific pending factors that may work to the advantage and strengthening of the credit quality of the loan or lease, its classification as an estimated loss is deferred until its more exact status may be determined. Pending factors include proposed merger, acquisition or liquidation procedures, capital injection, perfecting liens on additional collateral and refinancing plans. The credit grades described above, which are derived from standard regulatory rating definitions, are assigned upon initial approval of credit to borrowers and updated periodically thereafter. First Financial considers repayment performance as 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 December 31, 2015 Real Estate (Dollars in thousands) Commercial and industrial Construction Commercial Leasing Total Pass $ 1,596,415 $ 310,806 $ 2,179,701 $ 93,236 $ 4,180,158 Special Mention 27,498 128 19,903 0 47,529 Substandard 39,189 778 58,693 750 99,410 Doubtful 0 0 0 0 0 Total $ 1,663,102 $ 311,712 $ 2,258,297 $ 93,986 $ 4,327,097 Real Estate Residential Installment Home Equity Other Total Performing $ 503,317 $ 41,253 $ 461,188 $ 41,217 $ 1,046,975 Nonperforming 8,994 253 5,441 0 14,688 Total $ 512,311 $ 41,506 $ 466,629 $ 41,217 $ 1,061,663 As of December 31, 2014 Real Estate (Dollars in thousands) Commercial and industrial 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 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 due date of the scheduled payment. Loan delinquency, including nonaccrual loans, was as follows: As of December 31, 2015 (Dollars in thousands) 30 – 59 days past due 60 – 89 days past due > 90 days past due Total past due Current Subtotal Purchased impaired Total > 90 days past due and still accruing Loans Commercial and industrial $ 2,255 $ 2,232 $ 1,937 $ 6,424 $ 1,648,902 $ 1,655,326 $ 7,776 $ 1,663,102 $ 0 Real estate - construction 0 17 0 17 310,872 310,889 823 311,712 0 Real estate - commercial 2,501 913 7,421 10,835 2,124,290 2,135,125 123,172 2,258,297 0 Real estate - residential 1,220 239 2,242 3,701 451,907 455,608 56,703 512,311 0 Installment 197 111 48 356 39,206 39,562 1,944 41,506 0 Home equity 696 248 2,830 3,774 461,647 465,421 1,208 466,629 0 Other 920 302 230 1,452 133,751 135,203 0 135,203 108 Total $ 7,789 $ 4,062 $ 14,708 $ 26,559 $ 5,170,575 $ 5,197,134 $ 191,626 $ 5,388,760 $ 108 As of December 31, 2014 (Dollars in thousands) 30 - 59 days past due 60 - 89 days past due > 90 days past due Total past due Current Subtotal Purchased impaired Total > 90 days past due and still accruing Loans Commercial and industrial $ 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 be returned to accrual status if collection of future principal and interest payments is no longer doubtful. Purchased impaired loans are classified as performing, even though they may be contractually past due, as any nonpayment of contractual principal or interest is considered in the periodic re-estimation of expected cash flows and is included in the resulting recognition of current period covered loan loss provision or prospective yield adjustments. Troubled debt restructurings. A loan modification is considered a TDR when two conditions are met: 1) the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty and 2) concessions are made by the Company that would not otherwise be considered for a borrower with similar credit characteristics. The most common types of modifications include interest rate reductions, maturity extensions and modifications to principal amortization including interest only structures. Modified terms are dependent upon the financial position and needs of the individual borrower. If the modification agreement is violated, the loan is managed by the Company’s credit administration group for resolution, which may result in foreclosure in the case of real estate. TDRs are generally classified as nonaccrual for a minimum period of six months and may qualify for return to accrual status once they have demonstrated sustained performance with the restructured terms of the loan agreement. First Financial had 271 TDRs totaling $38.2 million at December 31, 2015 , including $28.9 million of loans on accrual status and $9.3 million of loans classified as nonaccrual. First Financial has $1.8 million of commitments outstanding to lend additional funds to borrowers whose loan terms have been modified in TDRs as of December 31, 2015 . At December 31, 2015 , the allowance for loan and lease losses included reserves of $6.3 million related to TDRs and approximately $10.3 million of the accruing TDRs have been performing in accordance with the restructured terms for more than one year. For the year ended December 31, 2015 , First Financial charged off $2.7 million for the portion of TDRs determined to be uncollectible. 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 of loans classified as nonaccrual. First Financial had an insignificant amount of commitments outstanding to lend additional funds to borrowers whose loan terms have been modified in TDRs as of December 31, 2014 . At December 31, 2014 , the allowance for loan and lease losses included reserves of $3.7 million related to TDRs and approximately $10.5 million of the accruing TDRs had been performing in accordance with the restructured terms for more than one year. For the year ended December 31, 2014 , First Financial charged off $1.0 million for the portion of TDRs determined to be uncollectible. The following table provides information on loan modifications classified as TDRs during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 : Years ended December 31, 2015 2014 Total TDRs Total TDRs (Dollars in thousands) Number of loans Pre-modification loan balance Period end balance Number of loans Pre-modification loan balance Period end balance Commercial and industrial 33 $ 9,035 $ 8,203 24 $ 5,282 $ 4,256 Real estate - construction 0 0 0 0 0 0 Real estate - commercial 18 20,249 16,474 16 5,235 3,937 Real estate - residential 10 1,292 1,238 31 1,767 1,516 Installment 10 97 97 8 47 29 Home equity 25 2,859 2,221 36 1,977 1,036 Total 96 $ 33,532 $ 28,233 115 $ 14,308 $ 10,774 The following table provides information on how TDRs were modified during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 . Years Ended December 31, (Dollars in thousands) 2015 2014 Extended maturities $ 12,883 $ 6,961 Adjusted interest rates 0 299 Combination of rate and maturity changes 1,244 991 Forbearance 260 373 Other (1) 13,846 2,150 Total $ 28,233 $ 10,774 (1) Other 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 that are 90 days or more past due on any principal or interest payments for a TDR, 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: Years ended December 31, 2015 2014 (Dollars in thousands) Number of loans Period end balance Number of loans Period end balance Commercial and industrial 2 $ 344 1 $ 143 Real estate - construction 0 0 0 0 Real estate - commercial 4 1,146 2 182 Real estate - residential 2 83 3 29 Installment 1 14 0 0 Home equity 1 34 3 91 Total 10 $ 1,621 9 $ 445 Impaired loans. Loans classified as nonaccrual and loans modified as TDRs are considered impaired. The following table provides information on impaired loans, excluding purchased impaired loans, as of December 31: (Dollars in thousands) 2015 2014 2013 Impaired loans Nonaccrual loans (1) Commercial and industrial $ 8,405 $ 6,627 $ 8,474 Real estate-construction 0 223 223 Real estate-commercial 9,418 27,969 18,635 Real estate-residential 5,027 7,241 8,606 Installment 127 451 579 Home equity 4,898 5,958 4,875 Other 122 0 0 Total nonaccrual loans 27,997 48,469 41,392 Accruing troubled debt restructurings 28,876 15,928 15,429 Total impaired loans $ 56,873 $ 64,397 $ 56,821 Interest income effect Gross amount of interest that would have been recorded under original terms $ 3,595 $ 3,581 $ 4,698 Interest included in income Nonaccrual loans 475 537 560 Troubled debt restructurings 682 456 444 Total interest included in income 1,157 993 1,004 Net impact on interest income $ 2,438 $ 2,588 $ 3,694 Commitments outstanding to borrowers with nonaccrual loans $ 1 $ 0 $ 38 (1) Nonaccrual loans include nonaccrual TDRs of $9.3 million , $12.3 million and $13.8 million as of December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 , respectively. 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, 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, excluding purchased impaired loans, is as follows: As of December 31, 2015 (Dollars in thousands) Current balance Contractual principal balance Related allowance Average balance Interest income recognized Loans with no related allowance recorded Commercial and industrial $ 16,418 $ 17,398 $ 0 $ 10,468 $ 258 Real estate - construction 0 0 0 150 0 Real estate - commercial 16,301 20,479 0 19,363 344 Real estate - residential 7,447 8,807 0 8,143 184 Installment 253 276 0 380 7 Home equity 5,340 7,439 0 5,648 82 Other 122 122 0 24 0 Total 45,881 54,521 0 44,176 875 Loans with an allowance recorded Commercial and industrial 993 1,178 357 1,409 26 Real estate - construction 0 0 0 0 0 Real estate - commercial 8,351 8,706 979 12,928 213 Real estate - residential 1,547 1,560 235 1,696 40 Installment 0 0 0 0 0 Home equity 101 101 2 101 3 Other 0 0 0 0 0 Total 10,992 11,545 1,573 16,134 282 Total Commercial and industrial 17,411 18,576 357 11,877 284 Real estate - construction 0 0 0 150 0 Real estate - commercial 24,652 29,185 979 32,291 557 Real estate - residential 8,994 10,367 235 9,839 224 Installment 253 276 0 380 7 Home equity 5,441 7,540 2 5,749 85 Other 122 122 0 24 0 Total $ 56,873 $ 66,066 $ 1,573 $ 60,310 $ 1,157 As of December 31, 2014 (Dollars in thousands) Current balance Contractual principal balance Related allowance Average balance Interest income recognized Loans with no related allowance recorded Commercial and industrial $ 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 and industrial 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 and industrial 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 As of December 31, 2013 (Dollars in thousands) Current balance Contractual principal balance Related allowance Average balance Interest income recognized Loans with no related allowance recorded Commercial and industrial $ 6,087 $ 8,214 $ 0 $ 12,544 $ 176 Real estate - construction 223 443 0 599 0 Real estate - commercial 13,704 19,079 0 18,349 384 Real estate - residential 10,291 12,087 0 10,225 152 Installment 647 668 0 465 6 Home equity 5,101 7,007 0 5,756 59 Other 0 0 0 156 0 Total 36,053 47,498 0 48,094 777 Loans with an allowance recorded Commercial and industrial 7,013 8,353 2,080 5,047 71 Real estate - construction 0 0 0 726 7 Real estate - commercial 11,638 14,424 2,872 21,098 110 Real estate - residential 2,016 2,072 348 1,997 37 Installment 0 0 0 0 0 Home equity 101 101 2 101 2 Other 0 0 0 167 0 Total 20,768 24,950 5,302 29,136 227 Total Commercial and industrial 13,100 16,567 2,080 17,591 247 Real estate - construction 223 443 0 1,325 7 Real estate - commercial 25,342 33,503 2,872 39,447 494 Real estate - residential 12,307 14,159 348 12,222 189 Installment 647 668 0 465 6 Home equity 5,202 7,108 2 5,857 61 Other 0 0 0 323 0 Total $ 56,821 $ 72,448 $ 5,302 $ 77,230 $ 1,004 OREO. OREO is comprised of properties acquired by the Company primarily through the loan foreclosure or repossession process, or other resolution activities that result in partial or total satisfaction of problem loans. Changes in OREO were as follows: Years ended December 31, (Dollars in thousands) 2015 2014 2013 Balance at beginning of year $ 22,674 $ 46,926 $ 41,388 Additions Commercial 5,187 8,208 35,966 Residential 3,211 2,329 1,734 Total additions 8,398 10,537 37,700 Disposals Commercial (12,722 ) (28,933 ) (25,214 ) Residential (3,095 ) (1,637 ) (2,105 ) Total disposals (15,817 ) (30,570 ) (27,319 ) Valuation adjustments Commercial (1,617 ) (3,765 ) (4,184 ) Residential (384 ) (454 ) (659 ) Total valuation adjustments (2,001 ) (4,219 ) (4,843 ) Balance at end of year $ 13,254 $ 22,674 $ 46,926 The preceding table includes OREO subject to loss sharing agreements of $1.4 million , $0.3 million and $27.1 million at December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 , 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: (Dollars in thousands) Years ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Affected Line Item in the Consolidated Statements of Income Balance at beginning of year $ 22,666 $ 45,091 $ 119,607 Adjustments not reflected in income Net FDIC claims (received) / paid 2,423 (6,785 ) (22,103 ) Adjustments reflected in income Amortization (4,740 ) (5,531 ) (7,672 ) Interest income, other earning assets FDIC loss sharing income (2,487 ) 365 3,720 Noninterest income, FDIC loss sharing income Offset to accelerated discount (232 ) (10,474 ) (26,044 ) Noninterest income, accelerated discount on covered loans Impairment valuation adjustment 0 0 (22,417 ) Noninterest expenses, FDIC indemnification impairment Balance at end of year $ 17,630 $ 22,666 $ 45,091 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. First Financial’s periodic collectibility assessment includes evaluation of these primary sources of indemnification asset recovery, the resulting projected balances and collectibility / recovery of the indemnification asset upon expiration of the non-single family loss protection in the third quarter of 2014 and expiration of the single-family, residential loss protection in the third quarter 2019. As a result of improvement in future expected cash flows on covered loans, a meaningful decline in loss claims filed with the FDIC, higher reimbursements to the FDIC related to positive asset resolutions in recent periods and the significantly shorter remaining life of the indemnification asset in comparison to the weighted average life of the related covered loans, which extended covered assets and related losses beyond the commercial indemnification period, the Company recorded a valuation adjustment to reduce the value of the FDIC indemnification asset of $22.4 million during 2013.

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE LO

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Receivables [Abstract]
ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES	Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses Loans and leases. For each reporting period, management maintains the allowance for loan and lease losses at a level that it considers sufficient to absorb probable loan and lease losses inherent in the portfolio. Management determines the adequacy of the allowance based on historical loss experience as well as other significant factors such as composition of the portfolio, economic conditions, geographic footprint, the results of periodic internal and external evaluations of delinquent, nonaccrual and classified loans and any other adverse situations that may affect a specific borrower's ability to repay (including the timing of future payments). This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires utilizing material estimates that may be susceptible to significant change. For further discussion of First Financial's allowance methodology, see Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. The allowance is increased by provision expense and decreased by charge-offs, net of recoveries of amounts previously charged-off. First Financial's policy is to charge-off all or a portion of a loan when, in management's opinion, it is unlikely to collect the principal amount owed in full either through payments from the borrower or from the liquidation of collateral. During 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. During 2014, First Financial completed the mergers of First Bexley, Insight and Guernsey. Loans acquired in connection with those mergers were recorded at estimated fair value at the acquisition date with no carryover of the related ALLL. See Note 20 – 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. For further detail regarding accounting for purchased impaired loans and the related allowance, see Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. First Financial updated the valuations related to covered/formerly covered loans periodically during 2015 . First Financial recognized provision expense of $1.7 million and realized net charge-offs of $1.5 million , resulting in an ending allowance of $10.2 million as of December 31, 2015 . During 2014 , the Company recognized negative provision expense, or impairment recapture, of $1.8 million and realized net charge-offs of $7.0 million , resulting in an ending allowance of $10.0 million . During 2013 , the Company recognized total provision expense of $0.2 million and realized net charge-offs of $26.5 million , resulting in an ending allowance of $18.9 million . First Financial also recognized loss sharing expenses of $2.6 million for 2015 , $3.6 million for 2014 and $5.9 million for 2013 primarily related to attorney fees, delinquent taxes, appraisals and losses on covered OREO during the period. The net payable of $2.5 million due to the FDIC under loss sharing agreements related to covered loan recoveries, gains/losses on covered OREO and loss sharing expenses was recognized as negative FDIC loss sharing income for 2015 and a corresponding decrease to the FDIC indemnification asset. The receivable due from the FDIC under loss sharing agreements of $0.4 million for 2014 and $3.7 million for 2013 , was recognized as FDIC loss sharing income and a corresponding increase to the FDIC indemnification asset. Changes in the allowance for loan and lease losses for the three years ended December 31 were as follows: (Dollars in thousands) 2015 2014 2013 Changes in the allowance for loan and lease losses on loans, excluding covered/formerly covered Balance at beginning of year $ 42,820 $ 43,829 $ 47,777 Provision for loan and lease losses 7,926 3,369 8,714 Loans charged-off (11,660 ) (7,877 ) (17,283 ) Recoveries 4,063 3,499 4,621 Balance at end of year $ 43,149 $ 42,820 $ 43,829 Changes in the allowance for loan and lease losses on covered/formerly covered loans Balance at beginning of year $ 10,038 $ 18,901 $ 45,190 Provision for loan and lease losses 1,715 (1,841 ) 195 Loans charged-off (8,896 ) (18,096 ) (39,224 ) Recoveries 7,392 11,074 12,740 Balance at end of year $ 10,249 $ 10,038 $ 18,901 Changes in the allowance for loan and lease losses on total loans Balance at beginning of year $ 52,858 $ 62,730 $ 92,967 Provision for loan and lease losses 9,641 1,528 8,909 Loans charged-off (20,556 ) (25,973 ) (56,507 ) Recoveries 11,455 14,573 17,361 Balance at end of year $ 53,398 $ 52,858 $ 62,730 Changes in the allowance for loan and lease losses by loan category as of December 31 were as follows: 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 year $ 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 5,634 720 (1,022 ) 854 188 588 964 7,926 1,715 9,641 Gross charge-offs 3,149 85 4,801 696 395 1,485 1,049 11,660 8,896 20,556 Recoveries 972 130 1,574 366 199 580 242 4,063 7,392 11,455 Total net charge-offs 2,177 (45 ) 3,227 330 196 905 807 7,597 1,504 9,101 Ending allowance for loan and lease losses $ 14,716 $ 1,810 $ 16,419 $ 3,352 $ 315 $ 3,943 $ 2,594 $ 43,149 $ 10,249 $ 53,398 Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment $ 357 $ 0 $ 979 $ 235 $ 0 $ 2 $ 0 $ 1,573 $ 0 $ 1,573 Ending allowance on loans collectively evaluated for impairment 14,359 1,810 15,440 3,117 315 3,941 2,594 41,576 10,249 51,825 Ending allowance for loan and lease losses $ 14,716 $ 1,810 $ 16,419 $ 3,352 $ 315 $ 3,943 $ 2,594 $ 43,149 $ 10,249 $ 53,398 Loans and Leases Ending balance of loans individually evaluated for impairment $ 14,159 $ 0 $ 18,262 $ 2,714 $ 0 $ 359 $ 0 $ 35,494 $ 0 $ 35,494 Ending balance of loans collectively evaluated for impairment 1,641,166 310,889 2,120,076 452,894 39,361 430,554 133,266 5,128,206 225,060 5,353,266 Total loans $ 1,655,325 $ 310,889 $ 2,138,338 $ 455,608 $ 39,361 $ 430,913 $ 133,266 $ 5,163,700 $ 225,060 $ 5,388,760 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 year $ 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 and Leases 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 $ 1,297,312 $ 196,272 $ 1,974,695 $ 432,675 $ 44,269 $ 416,029 $ 113,969 $ 4,475,221 $ 302,014 $ 4,777,235 2013 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 year $ 7,926 $ 3,268 $ 24,151 $ 3,599 $ 522 $ 5,173 $ 3,138 $ 47,777 $ 45,190 $ 92,967 Provision for loan and lease losses 5,385 (3,115 ) 2,659 593 (132 ) 1,937 1,387 8,714 195 8,909 Gross charge-offs 3,415 1 8,326 1,016 335 2,409 1,781 17,283 39,224 56,507 Recoveries 672 672 1,994 203 310 508 262 4,621 12,740 17,361 Total net charge-offs 2,743 (671 ) 6,332 813 25 1,901 1,519 12,662 26,484 39,146 Ending allowance for loan and lease losses $ 10,568 $ 824 $ 20,478 $ 3,379 $ 365 $ 5,209 $ 3,006 $ 43,829 $ 18,901 $ 62,730 Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment $ 2,080 $ 0 $ 2,872 $ 348 $ 0 $ 2 $ 0 $ 5,302 $ 0 $ 5,302 Ending allowance on loans collectively evaluated for impairment 8,488 824 17,606 3,031 365 5,207 3,006 38,527 18,901 57,428 Ending allowance for loan and lease losses $ 10,568 $ 824 $ 20,478 $ 3,379 $ 365 $ 5,209 $ 3,006 $ 43,829 $ 18,901 $ 62,730 Loans and Leases Ending balance of loans individually evaluated for impairment $ 10,391 $ 0 $ 18,023 $ 3,493 $ 122 $ 648 $ 0 $ 32,677 $ 0 $ 32,677 Ending balance of loans collectively evaluated for impairment 1,025,277 80,741 1,478,964 349,438 47,011 375,806 115,727 3,472,964 457,873 3,930,837 Total loans, excluding covered loans $ 1,035,668 $ 80,741 $ 1,496,987 $ 352,931 $ 47,133 $ 376,454 $ 115,727 $ 3,505,641 $ 457,873 $ 3,963,514

PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT

PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT	Premises and Equipment Premises and equipment at December 31 were as follows: (Dollars in thousands) 2015 2014 Land and land improvements $ 41,398 $ 42,238 Buildings 108,648 109,806 Furniture and fixtures 53,054 57,536 Leasehold improvements 19,806 17,948 Construction in progress 2,849 6,113 225,755 233,641 Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization 89,152 92,260 Total $ 136,603 $ 141,381 Rental expense recorded under operating leases in 2015 , 2014 and 2013 was $7.0 million , $7.6 million and $8.3 million , respectively. First Financial's future minimum lease payments for operating leases are as follows: (Dollars in thousands) 2016 $ 7,046 2017 6,081 2018 5,086 2019 4,732 2020 4,579 Thereafter 14,246 Total $ 41,770

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE A

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Goodwill. Assets and liabilities acquired in a business combination are recorded at their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date. The excess cost of the acquisition over the fair value of net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. During 2015, First Financial recorded additions to goodwill resulting from the Oak Street acquisition. During 2014, First Financial recorded additions to goodwill related to the acquisitions of First Bexley, Insight and Guernsey. For further detail, see Note 20 – Business Combinations. Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 are shown below. (Dollars in thousands) 2015 2014 Balance at beginning of year $ 137,739 $ 95,050 Goodwill resulting from business combinations 66,345 42,689 Balance at end of year $ 204,084 $ 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 annual impairment test of goodwill as of October 1, 2015 and no impairment was indicated. As of December 31, 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 December 31, 2015 and 2014 , First Financial had $7.8 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 at the date of acquisition and are then amortized on an accelerated basis over their estimated useful lives. Core deposit intangibles were $5.9 million and $7.7 million as of December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , respectively. First Financial recorded no additions to core deposit intangibles in 2015 and $3.5 million related to the Columbus acquisitions in 2014. First Financial's core deposit intangibles have an estimated weighted average remaining life of 5.6 years as of December 31, 2015 . Amortization expense recognized on intangible assets for 2015 , 2014 and 2013 was $1.9 million , $1.7 million and $1.5 million , respectively.

BORROWINGS

BORROWINGS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
BORROWINGS	Borrowings Short-term borrowings on the Consolidated Balance Sheets include repurchase agreements utilized for corporate sweep accounts with cash management account agreements in place, overnight advances from the 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 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 December 31, 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 line of credit as of December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 . The following is a summary of short-term borrowings for the last three years: 2015 2014 2013 (Dollars in thousands) Amount Rate Amount Rate Amount Rate At December 31, Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase $ 89,325 0.11 % $ 103,192 0.05 % $ 94,749 0.05 % FHLB borrowings 849,100 0.47 % 558,200 0.18 % 654,000 0.17 % Total $ 938,425 0.44 % $ 661,392 0.16 % $ 748,749 0.16 % Average for the year Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase $ 73,191 0.07 % $ 119,795 0.05 % $ 115,486 0.08 % FHLB borrowings 552,360 0.24 % 627,181 0.19 % 472,062 0.23 % Other short-term borrowings 123 3.30 % 0 0.00 % 0 0.00 % Total $ 625,674 0.22 % $ 746,976 0.17 % $ 587,548 0.20 % Maximum month-end balances Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase $ 123,374 $ 132,332 $ 158,911 FHLB borrowings 849,100 820,500 654,000 Other short-term borrowings 15,000 0 0 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 FHLB long-term advances as of December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , respectively. and repurchase agreements utilizing investment securities pledged as collateral. These instruments are primarily utilized to reduce overnight liquidity risk and to mitigate interest rate sensitivity on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. 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 are included within Investment securities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. FHLB advances, both short-term and long-term, must be collateralized with qualifying assets, typically certain commercial and residential real estate loans, as well as certain government and agency securities. For ease of borrowing execution, First Financial utilizes a blanket collateral agreement with the FHLB, and at December 31, 2015 , had collateral pledged with a book value of $3.3 billion . The following is a summary of First Financial's long-term debt: 2015 2014 (Dollars in thousands) Amount Average Rate Amount Average Rate Subordinated debt $ 118,312 5.20 % $ 0 0.00 % FHLB 453 2.37 % 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 $ 119,540 5.15 % $ 48,241 3.01 % As of December 31, 2015 , First Financial's long-term debt matures as follows: (Dollars in thousands) Long-term borrowings 2016 $ 15 2017 16 2018 15 2019 407 2020 0 Thereafter 119,087 Total $ 119,540

DERIVATIVES

DERIVATIVES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
DERIVATIVES	Derivatives First Financial uses certain 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. For discussion of First Financial's accounting for derivative instruments, see Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. 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 well below all single counterparty and portfolio limits. At December 31, 2015 , the Company had a total counterparty notional amount outstanding of approximately $551.7 million , spread among nine counterparties, with an outstanding liability from these contracts of $13.4 million . At December 31, 2014 , First Financial had a total counterparty notional amount outstanding of $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: December 31, 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 $ 5,216 $ 0 $ (120 ) $ 8,739 $ 0 $ (440 ) Matched interest rate swaps with borrower Accrued interest and other assets and other liabilities 546,458 13,981 (44 ) 407,423 11,150 (249 ) Matched interest rate swaps with counterparty Accrued interest and other liabilities 546,458 44 (14,015 ) 407,423 249 (11,227 ) Total $ 1,098,132 $ 14,025 $ (14,179 ) $ 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 assets and liabilities recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets: December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 (Dollars in thousands) Gross amounts of recognized liabilities Gross amounts offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets Net amounts of assets 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 $ 120 $ 0 $ 120 $ 440 $ 0 $ 440 Matched interest rate swaps 14,015 (16,710 ) (2,695 ) 11,476 (12,260 ) (784 ) Total $ 14,135 $ (16,710 ) $ (2,575 ) $ 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 December 31, 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 $ 5,216 1.6 $ (120 ) 2.21 % 6.95 % Receive fixed, matched interest rate swaps with borrower 546,458 4.9 13,937 4.41 % 2.60 % Pay fixed, matched interest rate swaps with counterparty 546,458 4.9 (13,971 ) 2.60 % 4.41 % Total asset conversion swaps $ 1,098,132 4.9 $ (154 ) 3.50 % 3.52 % 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 these cash flow hedges. First Financial terminated all cash flow hedges during the second quarter of 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 $33.6 million as of December 31, 2015 and $26.4 million as of December 31, 2014 . The fair value of these agreements were recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as liabilities of $0.1 million as of December 31, 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 December 31, 2015 , the notional amount of the IRLCs was $18.5 million and the notional amount of forward commitments was $25.1 million . The fair value of these agreements was $0.1 million as of December 31, 2015 and was recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets in Accrued interest and other assets. There were no such derivatives as of December 31, 2014.

LOANS TO RELATED PARTIES

LOANS TO RELATED PARTIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Loans to Related Parties	Loans to Related Parties Loans to directors, executive officers, principal holders of First Financial’s common stock and certain related persons were as follows: (Dollars in thousands) 2015 2014 2013 Beginning balance $ 6,195 $ 8,097 $ 10,426 Additions 5,609 5,034 827 Deductions (1,321 ) (6,936 ) (3,156 ) Ending balance $ 10,483 $ 6,195 $ 8,097 Loans 90 days past due $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 Related parties of First Financial, as defined for inclusion in the table above, were clients of, and had transactions with, subsidiaries of First Financial during the periods noted. Similar transactions with related parties may be expected in future periods.

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 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 its clients to assist them in meeting their requirement 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 as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the commitment agreement. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by First Financial upon extension of credit, is based on management’s credit evaluation of the client. The collateral held varies, but may include securities, real estate, inventory, plant or equipment. First Financial had commitments outstanding to extend credit totaling $2.0 billion and $1.8 billion at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , respectively. 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 clients’ contractual default to produce the contracted good or service to a third party. First Financial has issued letters of credit (including standby letters of credit) aggregating $16.3 million and $22.8 million at December 31, 2015 , and December 31, 2014 , respectively. Management conducts regular reviews of these instruments on an individual client basis. Investments in Affordable housing projects. First Financial has made investments in certain qualified affordable housing projects. These projects 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 $31.5 million and $14.9 million as of December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , respectively. The affordable housing investments resulted in $1.4 million and $1.1 million of tax credits for the year ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. First Financial had no affordable housing contingent commitments as of December 31, 2015 or December 31, 2014 . Contingencies/Litigation – First Financial and its subsidiaries are engaged in various matters of litigation, 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 is 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 December 31, 2015 . Reserves are established for these various matters of litigation, when appropriate, under FASB ASC Topic 450, Contingencies, based in part upon the advice of legal counsel. First Financial had $1.3 million and $0.6 million of reserves related to litigation matters as of December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , respectively.

INCOME TAXES

INCOME TAXES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
INCOME TAXES	Income Taxes Income tax expense consisted of the following components: (Dollars in thousands) 2015 2014 2013 Current expense Federal $ 31,428 $ 49,561 $ 41,679 State 250 2,872 2,883 Total current expense 31,678 52,433 44,562 Deferred (benefit) expense Federal 3,980 (19,368 ) (21,393 ) State 212 (3,037 ) (3,935 ) Total deferred (benefit) expense 4,192 (22,405 ) (25,328 ) Income tax expense $ 35,870 $ 30,028 $ 19,234 The difference between the federal income tax rates, applied to income before income taxes, and the effective rates were due to the following: (Dollars in thousands) 2015 2014 2013 Income taxes computed at federal statutory rate (35%) on income before income taxes $ 38,827 $ 33,260 $ 23,646 Tax-exempt income (2,380 ) (1,912 ) (1,266 ) Bank-owned life insurance (435 ) (392 ) (409 ) Tax credits (1,388 ) (1,100 ) (1,100 ) State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit 301 (107 ) (588 ) Tax settlement of unconsolidated subsidiary 0 0 (1,318 ) Other 945 279 269 Income tax expense $ 35,870 $ 30,028 $ 19,234 The major components of the temporary differences that give rise to deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 2015 , and 2014 , were as follows: (Dollars in thousands) 2015 2014 Deferred tax assets Allowance for loan and lease losses $ 19,397 $ 19,227 Deferred compensation 627 533 Postretirement benefits other than pension liability 971 938 Accrued stock-based compensation 1,354 1,170 Other real estate owned write-downs 1,714 1,962 Interest on nonaccrual loans 1,075 1,586 Accrued expenses 5,027 4,616 Net unrealized losses on investment securities and derivatives 3,574 1,926 Fair value adjustment on acquisitions 0 844 Other 1,004 438 Total deferred tax assets 34,743 33,240 Deferred tax liabilities Tax depreciation greater than book depreciation (6,011 ) (6,310 ) FHLB and FRB stock (5,685 ) (5,852 ) Mortgage-servicing rights (411 ) (136 ) Leasing activities (5,003 ) (5,297 ) Prepaid pension (11,384 ) (14,333 ) Intangible assets (14,764 ) (12,963 ) Deferred loan fees and costs (2,335 ) (1,167 ) Prepaid expenses (384 ) (364 ) Partnership investments (1,342 ) (1,220 ) Fair value adjustments on acquisitions (1,492 ) 0 Other (682 ) (604 ) Total deferred tax liabilities (49,493 ) (48,246 ) Total net deferred tax liability $ (14,750 ) $ (15,006 ) The realization of the Company’s deferred tax assets is dependent upon the Company’s ability to generate taxable income in future periods, the reversal of deferred tax liabilities during the same period and the ability to carryback any losses. The Company has evaluated the available evidence supporting the realization of its deferred tax assets and determined it is more likely than not that the assets will be realized and thus no valuation allowance was required at December 31, 2015 and 2014 . At December 31, 2015 and 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 December 31, 2015 and 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 federal examination for the tax year 2012 was completed in the third quarter of 2015. There was no impact to the Company's financial position or 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 2011. Tax years 2011 through 2014 remain open to state and local examination by various other jurisdictions.

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS	Employee Benefit Plans Pension plan. First Financial sponsors a non-contributory defined benefit pension plan covering substantially all employees and uses a December 31 measurement date for the plan. For all years presented, plan assets were primarily invested in publicly traded equity mutual funds and fixed income mutual funds. The pension plan does not directly own any shares of First Financial common stock or any other First Financial security or product. The investment objective of the Plan is to structure the assets to, as much as feasible, mirror the liabilities of the Plan. The Plan's asset allocation includes both equity and fixed income assets, with the aim to use the fixed income component to match the identified near and long-term plan distributions and the equity component to generate growth of capital to meet other future Plan liabilities. The determination of the overall expected long-term return on plan assets was based on the composition of plan assets and a consensus of estimates from similarly managed portfolios of expected future returns. Associates are eligible to request a lump sum distribution from the Company's pension plan at retirement or upon leaving the Company. As a result of lump sum distributions from the plan during 2013, First Financial was required to re-measure the plan's assets and liabilities and recognized pension settlement charges of $6.2 million . Consistent with FASB ASC Topic 715, Compensation - Retirement Benefits, pension settlement charges are an acceleration of previously deferred costs that would have been recognized in future periods and are triggered when lump sum distributions exceed an annual accounting threshold for the plan. The accounting threshold for lump sum distributions reset on January 1, 2014 and the annual accounting threshold was not exceeded during 2014 or 2015. Therefore, First Financial recognized no pension settlement charges for the years ended December 31, 2014 or 2015 . As a result of the plan’s updated actuarial projections for 2015 , First Financial recorded income related to its pension plan of $1.0 million for 2015 and $1.1 million for 2014 compared to expense of $5.5 million for 2013 . First Financial made no cash contributions to the pension plan in 2013 , 2014 or 2015 . The following tables set forth information concerning amounts recognized in First Financial's Consolidated Balance Sheets and Consolidated Statements of Income: December 31, (Dollars in thousands) 2015 2014 Change in benefit obligation Benefit obligation at beginning of year $ 59,780 $ 55,591 Service cost 4,807 4,119 Interest cost 2,120 2,388 Amendments 0 0 Actuarial gain (loss) (1,017 ) 6,025 Benefits paid, excluding settlement (5,026 ) (8,343 ) Settlements 0 0 Benefit obligation at end of year 60,664 59,780 Change in plan assets Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year 133,326 131,647 Actual return on plan assets (2,586 ) 10,022 Employer contribution 0 0 Benefits paid, excluding settlement (5,026 ) (8,343 ) Settlements 0 0 Fair value of plan assets at end of year 125,714 133,326 Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets Assets 65,050 73,546 Liabilities 0 0 Net amount recognized $ 65,050 $ 73,546 Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) Net actuarial loss $ 40,770 $ 31,644 Net prior service cost (2,747 ) (3,159 ) Deferred tax assets (13,975 ) (10,581 ) Net amount recognized $ 24,048 $ 17,904 Change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) $ 6,144 $ 2,339 Accumulated benefit obligation $ 60,040 $ 59,063 Components of net periodic benefit cost December 31, (Dollars in thousands) 2015 2014 2013 Service cost $ 4,807 $ 4,119 $ 3,705 Interest cost 2,120 2,388 2,319 Expected return on assets (9,444 ) (9,055 ) (8,988 ) Amortization of prior service cost (413 ) (413 ) (423 ) Recognized net actuarial loss 1,888 1,824 2,709 Settlement charges 0 0 6,174 Net periodic benefit (income) cost (1,042 ) (1,137 ) 5,496 Other changes recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income Net actuarial (gain) loss 11,014 5,058 (17,178 ) Prior service cost 0 0 124 Amortization of prior service cost 413 413 423 Amortization of gain (1,888 ) (1,824 ) (2,709 ) Settlement charges 0 0 (6,174 ) Total recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income 9,539 3,647 (25,514 ) Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and accumulated other comprehensive income $ 8,497 $ 2,510 $ (20,018 ) Amount expected to be recognized in net periodic pension expense in the coming year Amortization of loss $ 1,642 $ 1,780 $ 1,926 Amortization of prior service credit (413 ) (413 ) (413 ) Weighted-average assumptions to determine December 31, 2015 2014 Benefit obligations Discount rate 4.05 % 3.76 % Rate of compensation increase 3.50 % 3.50 % Net periodic benefit cost Discount rate 3.76 % 4.62 % Expected return on plan assets 7.50 % 7.50 % Rate of compensation increase 3.50 % 3.50 % The fair value of the plan assets as of December 31, 2015 by asset category is shown in the table that follows: Fair Value Measurements (Dollars in thousands) Total Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Asset Category Cash $ 181 $ 181 $ 0 $ 0 U. S. Government agencies 6,573 6,573 0 0 Fixed income mutual funds 63,885 63,885 0 0 Equity mutual funds 55,075 55,075 0 0 Total $ 125,714 $ 125,714 $ 0 $ 0 The fair value of the plan assets as of December 31, 2014 by asset category is shown below. Fair Value Measurements (Dollars in thousands) Total Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Asset Category Cash $ 172 $ 172 $ 0 $ 0 Fixed income mutual funds 49,938 49,938 0 0 Equity mutual funds 83,216 83,216 0 0 Total $ 133,326 $ 133,326 $ 0 $ 0 An asset’s or liability’s fair value measurement level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement. See Note 19 – Fair Value Disclosures for further information related to the framework for measuring fair value and the fair value hierarchy. The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid: (Dollars in thousands) Retirement Benefits 2016 $ 6,011 2017 3,815 2018 4,397 2019 4,499 2020 5,113 Thereafter 26,421 Effective January 1, 2014 all active plan participants immediately vest in their benefit, compared to the three year vesting period in effect as of December 31, 2013. Also beginning January 1, 2014, the Pension Plan no longer offers additional benefits for associates with compensation in excess of 50% of the Social Security wage base. 401(k) thrift plan. First Financial sponsors a defined contribution 401(k) thrift plan which covers substantially all employees. Employees may contribute up to 50.0% of their earnings into the plan, not to exceed applicable limitations prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service. First Financial contributions to the 401(k) plan are at the discretion of the board of directors and considers management's recommendation. First Financial measures the Company's performance compared to its identified peer group in determining whether to recommend a matching contribution, with the amount of the recommended matching contribution not to exceed 3% of the employee's annual earnings. Prior to January 1, 2014, First Financial contributed $1.00 for every $1.00 an employee contributed up to 3.00% of the employee's earnings and then contributed $0.50 for every $1.00 thereafter, up to a maximum First Financial total contribution of 4.00% of the employee's earnings. All First Financial matching contributions vest immediately. There were no matching contributions to the 401(k) plan during 2015 or 2014 . First Financial contributed $2.4 million during 2013 . Bank-owned life insurance. First Financial purchases life insurance policies on the lives of certain employees and is the owner and beneficiary of the policies. The Bank invests in these policies to provide an efficient form of funding for long-term retirement and other employee benefits costs. The policies are included within Accrued interest and other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at each policy’s respective cash surrender value, with changes recorded in other noninterest income in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The carrying value of bank-owned life insurance policies was $98.3 million and $93.0 million at December 31, 2015 , and 2014 , respectively.

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
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 accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are as follows: December 31, 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 $ (2,200 ) $ 1,505 $ (3,705 ) $ 1,278 $ (2,427 ) $ (2,506 ) $ (2,427 ) $ (4,933 ) Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives (1,020 ) 0 (1,020 ) 370 (650 ) (949 ) (650 ) (1,599 ) Retirement obligation (11,014 ) (1,475 ) (9,539 ) 3,395 (6,144 ) (17,904 ) (6,144 ) (24,048 ) Foreign currency translation 50 0 50 0 50 (50 ) 50 0 Total $ (14,184 ) $ 30 $ (14,214 ) $ 5,043 $ (9,171 ) $ (21,409 ) $ (9,171 ) $ (30,580 ) December 31, 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 $ 21,718 $ 70 $ 21,648 $ (7,865 ) $ 13,783 $ (16,289 ) $ 13,783 $ (2,506 ) Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives (2,902 ) (432 ) (2,470 ) 919 (1,551 ) 602 (1,551 ) (949 ) Retirement obligation (5,058 ) (1,411 ) (3,647 ) 1,308 (2,339 ) (15,565 ) (2,339 ) (17,904 ) Foreign currency translation (21 ) 0 (21 ) 0 (21 ) (29 ) (21 ) (50 ) Total $ 13,737 $ (1,773 ) $ 15,510 $ (5,638 ) $ 9,872 $ (31,281 ) $ 9,872 $ (21,409 ) December 31, 2013 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 $ (44,365 ) $ 1,724 $ (46,089 ) $ 16,998 $ (29,091 ) $ 12,802 $ (29,091 ) $ (16,289 ) Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives 778 (412 ) 1,190 (445 ) 745 (143 ) 745 602 Retirement obligation 17,054 (8,460 ) 25,514 (9,741 ) 15,773 (31,338 ) 15,773 (15,565 ) Foreign currency translation (31 ) 0 (31 ) 0 (31 ) 2 (31 ) (29 ) Total $ (26,564 ) $ (7,148 ) $ (19,416 ) $ 6,812 $ (12,604 ) $ (18,677 ) $ (12,604 ) $ (31,281 ) The following table details the activity reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into income during the period: Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (1) December 31, (Dollars in thousands) 2015 2014 2013 Affected Line Item in the Consolidated Statements of Income Gain and loss on cash flow hedges Interest rate contracts $ 0 $ (432 ) $ (412 ) Interest expense - deposits Realized gains and losses on securities available-for-sale 1,505 70 1,724 Gains on sales of investments securities Defined benefit pension plan Amortization of prior service cost (2) 413 413 423 Salaries and employee benefits Recognized net actuarial loss (2) (1,888 ) (1,824 ) (2,709 ) Salaries and employee benefits Pension settlement charges 0 0 (6,174 ) Pension settlement charges Amortization and settlement charges of defined benefit pension items (1,475 ) (1,411 ) (8,460 ) Total reclassifications for the period, before tax $ 30 $ (1,773 ) $ (7,148 ) (1) Negative amounts are debits to profit/loss. (2) Included in the computation of net periodic pension cost (see Note 14 - Employee Benefit Plans for additional details).

CAPITAL

CAPITAL	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Banking and Thrift [Abstract]
CAPITAL	Capital Risk-based capital. First Financial and its subsidiary, First Financial Bank, are subject to regulatory capital requirements administered by federal banking agencies. Capital adequacy guidelines and, additionally for banks, prompt corrective action regulations involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities and certain off-balance sheet items calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by regulators. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate regulatory action. Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require First Financial to maintain minimum amounts and ratios as defined by the regulations of Total and Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets and to average assets. Management believes, as of December 31, 2015 , that First Financial met all capital adequacy requirements to which it is subject. At December 31, 2015 and 2014 , regulatory notifications categorized First Financial as well-capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as well-capitalized, First Financial must maintain minimum Total risk-based capital, Tier 1 risk-based capital and Tier 1 leverage ratios as set forth in the table below. There have been no conditions or events since those notifications that management believes has changed the Company's categorization. For purposes of calculating the leverage ratio, average assets represents quarterly average assets less assets ineligible for total risk-based capital including all or portions of intangible assets, mortgage servicing assets and the allowance for loan and lease losses. First Financial's Tier 1 capital is comprised of total shareholders' equity less unrealized gains and losses on investment securities available-for-sale, accounted for under FASB ASC Topic 320, Investments-Debt and Equity Securities, and any amounts resulting from the application of FASB ASC Topic 715, Compensation-Retirement Benefits, that are recorded within accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), intangible assets and any valuation related to mortgage servicing rights. Total risk-based capital consists of Tier 1 capital plus the qualifying allowance for loan and lease losses and gross unrealized gains on equity securities. In 2013, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System approved a final rule implementing changes intended to strengthen the regulatory capital framework for all banking organizations (Basel III) which became effective January 1, 2015, subject to a phase-in period for certain provisions. Basel III establishes and defines quantitative measures to ensure capital adequacy which require First Financial to maintain minimum amounts and ratios of Common Equity tier 1 capital, total and tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets and tier 1 capital to average assets (leverage ratio) as set forth in the table that follows. The rule includes a new minimum ratio of common equity tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of 4.5% and a capital conservation buffer of 2.5% of risk-weighted assets that will begin on January 1, 2016 at 0.625% and be phased-in over a four-year period, increasing by the same amount each subsequent January 1, until fully phased-in on January 1, 2019. Further, the minimum ratio of tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets increased from 4.0% to 6.0% and all banks are now subject to a 4.0% minimum leverage ratio. The required total risk-based capital ratio is unchanged. Failure to maintain the required common equity Tier 1 capital conservation buffer will result in potential restrictions on a bank’s ability to pay dividends, repurchase stock and/or pay discretionary compensation to its employees. Management believes, as of December 31, 2015 , that First Financial met all capital adequacy requirements to which it was subject. As of December 31, 2015 , and December 31, 2014 , the most recent regulatory notifications categorized First Financial as "well-capitalized" under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. There have been no conditions or events since those notifications that management believes has changed the Company's categorization. Consolidated regulatory capital ratios at December 31, 2015 , included the leverage ratio of 8.33% , common equity tier 1 capital ratio of 10.28% , tier 1 capital ratio of 10.29% and total capital ratio of 13.04% . All regulatory capital ratios exceeded the amounts necessary to be classified as “well capitalized,” and total regulatory capital exceeded the “minimum” requirement by $317.8 million on a consolidated basis. The revised capital requirements also provide strict eligibility criteria for regulatory capital instruments and change the method for calculating risk-weighted assets in an effort to better identify riskier assets, such as highly volatile commercial real estate and nonaccrual loans, requiring higher capital allocations. First Financial's tier 1 and total capital ratios decreased from 12.69% and 13.71% , respectively, as of December 31, 2014 to 10.29% and 13.04% as of December 31, 2015 . The decline in the tier 1 capital ratio was due primarily to an increase in risk-weighted assets resulting from the Oak Street acquisition, organic loan growth and the previously mentioned changes in the calculation of risk-weighted assets, as well as a reduction in tier 1 capital due to the addition of goodwill from the Oak Street acquisition. The total capital ratio was positively impacted by the issuance of subordinated notes during the third quarter, which qualify as tier 2 capital and offset higher risk-weighted assets during the period. The leverage ratio declined to 8.33% at December 31, 2015 compared to 9.44% as of December 31, 2014 and the Company’s tangible common equity ratio decreased from 9.02% at December 31, 2014 to 7.53% during the current quarter primarily due to the increase in goodwill associated with the acquisition of Oak Street. The following table presents the actual and required capital amounts and ratios as of December 31, 2015 under the Basel III Capital Rules. The minimum required capital amounts presented include the minimum required capital levels as of December 31, 2015 based on the phase-in provisions of the Basel III Capital Rules as well as the minimum required capital levels as of January 1, 2019 when the Basel III Capital Rules have been fully phased-in. Capital levels required to be considered well capitalized are based upon prompt corrective action regulations, as amended to reflect the changes under the Basel III Capital Rules. Actual Minimum capital Required to be Minimum capital (Dollars in thousands) Capital Ratio Capital Ratio Capital Ratio Capital Ratio December 31, 2015 Common equity tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets Consolidated $ 648,748 10.28 % $ 283,866 4.50 % N/A N/A $ 441,570 7.00 % First Financial Bank 647,844 10.30 % 283,080 4.50 % $ 408,894 6.50 % 440,347 7.00 % Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets Consolidated 648,852 10.29 % 378,488 6.00 % N/A N/A 536,192 8.50 % First Financial Bank 647,948 10.30 % 377,440 6.00 % $ 503,254 8.00 % 534,707 8.50 % Total capital to risk-weighted assets Consolidated 822,431 13.04 % 504,651 8.00 % N/A N/A 662,355 10.50 % First Financial Bank 709,306 11.28 % 503,254 8.00 % 629,067 10.00 % 660,521 10.50 % Leverage Consolidated 648,852 8.33 % 311,481 4.00 % N/A N/A 311,481 4.00 % First Financial Bank 647,948 8.33 % 311,205 4.00 % 389,006 5.00 % 311,205 4.00 % Actual Minimum required Required to be (Dollars in thousands) Capital amount Ratio Capital Ratio Capital Ratio December 31, 2014 Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets Consolidated 673,955 12.69 % 212,463 4.00 % N/A N/A First Financial Bank 602,133 11.38 % 211,724 4.00 % 317,585 6.00 % Total capital to risk-weighted assets Consolidated 728,284 13.71 % 424,926 8.00 % N/A N/A First Financial Bank 662,865 12.52 % 423,447 8.00 % 529,309 10.00 % Leverage Consolidated 673,955 9.44 % 285,514 4.00 % N/A N/A First Financial Bank 602,133 8.44 % 285,311 4.00 % 356,639 5.00 % Shelf Registrations. On July 31, 2014, First Financial filed a shelf registration on Form S-3 with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This shelf registration allows First Financial to raise capital from time to time through the sale of various types of securities, subject to approval by the Company's board of directors, and expires on July 31, 2017. Under this shelf registration, First Financial issued $120.0 million of subordinated notes in 2015. Share repurchases. In October 2012, First Financial's board of directors approved a share repurchase plan under which the Company has the ability to repurchase up to 5,000,000 common shares. The Company repurchased 239,967 shares under the 2012 share repurchase plan during 2015 at an average price of $18.75 per share and 40,255 shares under this plan during 2014 at an average price of $17.32 . At December 31, 2015 , 3,509,133 common shares remained available for purchase under this repurchase plan. Preferred Stock. During the second quarter of 2014, First Financial's shareholders approved an amendment to the Company's Articles of Incorporation authorizing the Company to issue up to 10,000,000 preferred shares. The Company has not issued and has no current plans, arrangements or agreements to issue any of the authorized preferred shares at this time.

STOCK OPTIONS AND AWARDS

STOCK OPTIONS AND AWARDS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
STOCK OPTIONS AND AWARDS	Stock Options and Awards First Financial follows the provisions of FASB ASC Topic 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation, which requires measurement of compensation cost for all stock-based awards at fair value on the date of grant and recognition of compensation expense over the service period for all awards expected to vest. Share-based compensation expense for stock options and restricted stock awards included in salaries and employee benefits expense for the years ended December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 was $4.0 million . Total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested share-based compensation was $6.7 million at December 31, 2015 and is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.0 years . As of December 31, 2015 , First Financial had five stock-based compensation plans. The 1999 Stock Incentive Plan for Officers and Employees and the 1999 Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors (the 1999 Plans) provides incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options and stock awards to certain key employees and non-qualified stock options to non-employee directors of First Financial for up to 7,507,500 common shares. The options become exercisable at a rate of 25% per year on the anniversary date of the grant and remain outstanding for 10 years after the initial grant date with all options expiring at the end of the exercise period. No additional awards may be granted under the 1999 Plans. On June 15, 2009, First Financial shareholders approved the 2009 Employee Stock Plan and the 2009 Non-Employee Director Plan providing for the issuance of 1,500,000 shares and 75,000 shares, respectively. The 2009 Employee Stock Plan expired on June 15, 2012, and thus, no new awards may be granted under this plan. On May 22, 2012, shareholders approved the First Financial Bancorp. 2012 Stock Plan and amendments to the 2009 Non-Employee Director Plan. At December 31, 2015 , there were 882,560 shares available for issuance under the 2012 stock plan and no shares were available for issuance under the 2009 Non-Employee Director Plan. First Financial utilizes the Black-Scholes valuation model to determine the fair value of its stock options. In addition to the stock option strike price, the Black-Scholes valuation model incorporates the following assumptions: the expected dividend yield based on historical dividend payouts; the expected stock price volatility based on the historical volatility of Company stock for a period approximating the expected life of the options; the risk-free rate based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant for periods corresponding with the expected life of the option; and the expected option life represented by the period of time the options are expected to be outstanding, and is based on historical trends. No options were granted in 2015 , 2014 or 2013 . Stock option activity for the year ended December 31, 2015 , is summarized as follows: (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) Number of shares Weighted average exercise price Weighted average remaining contractual life Aggregate intrinsic value Outstanding at beginning of year 413,126 $ 14.32 Granted 0 0.00 Exercised (93,712 ) 13.40 Forfeited or expired (79,516 ) 17.57 Outstanding at end of year 239,898 $ 13.60 1.5 years $ 1,072 Exercisable at end of year 239,898 $ 13.60 1.5 years $ 1,072 The intrinsic value of stock options is defined as the difference between the current market value and the exercise price. First Financial uses treasury shares purchased under the Company's share repurchase program to satisfy share-based exercises. 2015 2014 2013 Total intrinsic value of options exercised $ 492 $ 1,479 $ 3,247 Cash received from exercises $ 744 $ 1,056 $ 73 Tax benefit from exercises $ 1,488 $ 1,475 $ 1,422 Restricted stock awards have historically been recorded as deferred compensation, a component of shareholders' equity, at the fair value of these awards as of the grant date and amortized on a straight-line basis to salaries and benefits expense over the specified vesting periods, which is currently three years for employees and one year for non-employee directors. The vesting of these awards for employees and non-employee directors only require a service period to be met, however, beginning in 2013, additional awards were granted which also require certain performance measures to be met. Activity in restricted stock for the previous three years ended December 31 is summarized as follows: 2015 2014 2013 Number of shares Weighted average grant date fair value Number of shares Weighted average grant date fair value Number of shares Weighted average grant date fair value Nonvested at beginning of year 494,452 $ 16.43 456,032 $ 16.00 518,756 $ 16.65 Granted 439,674 17.65 273,933 16.80 302,175 15.65 Vested (227,905 ) 16.45 (215,796 ) 16.19 (263,302 ) 16.63 Forfeited (62,580 ) 16.58 (19,717 ) 16.40 (101,597 ) 16.26 Nonvested at end of year 643,641 $ 17.21 494,452 $ 16.43 456,032 $ 16.00 The fair value of restricted stock is determined based on the number of shares granted and the quoted price of First Financial's common stock. The total fair value of restricted stock vested during 2015 was $3.8 million .

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE	Earnings Per Common Share The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share: (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) 2015 2014 2013 Numerator Net income $ 75,063 $ 65,000 $ 48,349 Denominator Basic earnings per common share - weighted average shares 61,062,657 58,662,836 57,270,233 Effect of dilutive securities Employee stock awards 670,282 589,157 692,050 Warrants 114,608 140,674 110,771 Diluted earnings per common share - adjusted weighted average shares 61,847,547 59,392,667 58,073,054 Earnings per share available to common shareholders Basic $ 1.23 $ 1.11 $ 0.84 Diluted $ 1.21 $ 1.09 $ 0.83 Warrants to purchase 322,312 , 465,117 and 465,117 shares of the Company's common stock were outstanding as of December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 , 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, with an exercise price 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 anti-dilutive. Using the period end price, there were no out-of-the-money options at December 31, 2015 and 20,626 and 215,452 out-of-the-money options at December 31, 2014 and 2013 , respectively. As of December 31, 2015 , 2014 , and 2013 , no preferred shares were issued or outstanding.

FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES

FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES	Fair Value Disclosures Fair Value Measurement The fair value framework as disclosed in the Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure Topic of FASB ASC Topic 825, Financial Instruments (Fair Value Topic), includes a hierarchy which focuses on prioritizing the inputs used in valuation techniques. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1), a lower priority to observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities (Level 2), and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). When determining the fair value measurements for assets and liabilities, First Financial looks to active markets to price identical assets or liabilities whenever possible and classifies such items in Level 1. When identical assets and liabilities are not traded in active markets, First Financial looks to observable market data for similar assets and liabilities and classifies such items as Level 2. Certain assets and liabilities are not actively traded in observable markets and First Financial must use alternative techniques, based on unobservable inputs, to determine the fair value and classifies such items as Level 3. The level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant in the fair value measurement. The following methods, assumptions and valuation techniques were used by First Financial to measure different financial assets and liabilities at fair value and in estimating its fair value disclosures for financial instruments. Cash and short-term investments. The carrying amounts reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for cash and short-term investments, such as federal funds sold, approximated the fair value of those instruments. The Company classifies cash and short-term investments in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Investment securities. Investment securities classified as trading and available-for-sale are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Fair value measurement is based upon quoted market prices, when available (Level 1). If quoted market prices are not available, fair values are measured utilizing independent valuation techniques of identical or similar investment securities. First Financial compiles prices from various sources who may apply such techniques as matrix pricing to determine the value of identical or similar investment securities (Level 2). Matrix pricing is a mathematical technique widely used in the banking industry to value investment securities without relying exclusively on quoted prices for the specific investment securities but rather relying on the investment securities’ relationship to other benchmark quoted investment securities. Any investment securities not valued based upon the methods above are considered Level 3. First Financial utilizes 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 the lower of cost or fair value. These loans currently consist of one-to-four family residential real estate loans originated for sale to qualified third parties. Fair value is based on the 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 C&I, 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 were 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 were estimated by discounting the future cash flows using current interest rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings and for the same remaining maturities or repricing frequency. The carrying amount of accrued interest approximates its fair value. 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 of the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of long-term debt is estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation which utilizes the interest rates currently offered for borrowings of similar remaining maturities. 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 December 31, 2015 Financial assets Cash and short-term investments $ 148,575 $ 148,575 $ 148,575 $ 0 $ 0 Investment securities held-to-maturity 726,259 731,951 0 731,951 0 Other investments 53,725 53,725 0 53,725 0 Loans held for sale 20,957 20,957 0 20,957 0 Loans and leases, net of ALLL 5,335,362 5,381,065 0 0 5,381,065 FDIC indemnification asset 17,630 9,756 0 0 9,756 Financial liabilities Deposits Noninterest-bearing $ 1,413,404 $ 1,413,404 $ 0 $ 1,413,404 $ 0 Interest-bearing demand 1,414,291 1,414,291 0 1,414,291 0 Savings 1,945,805 1,945,805 0 1,945,805 0 Time 1,406,124 1,406,489 0 1,406,489 0 Total deposits 6,179,624 6,179,989 0 6,179,989 0 Short-term borrowings 938,425 938,425 938,425 0 0 Long-term debt 119,540 118,691 0 118,691 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 following table summarizes the financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as follows: Fair Value Measurements Using Assets/Liabilities (Dollars in thousands) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 at Fair Value December 31, 2015 Assets Derivatives $ 0 $ 14,111 $ 0 $ 14,111 Available-for-sale investment securities 8,583 1,182,059 0 1,190,642 Total $ 8,583 $ 1,196,170 $ 0 $ 1,204,753 Liabilities Derivatives $ 0 $ 14,243 $ 0 $ 14,243 Fair Value Measurements Using Assets/Liabilities (Dollars in thousands) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 at Fair Value December 31, 2014 Assets Derivatives $ 0 $ 11,399 $ 0 $ 11,399 Available-for-sale investment securities 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-market 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 December 31, 2015 Assets Impaired loans $ 0 $ 0 $ 8,008 OREO 0 0 7,598 Fair Value Measurements Using (Dollars in thousands) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 December 31, 2014 Assets Impaired loans $ 0 $ 0 $ 14,096 OREO 0 0 13,094

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS (Notes)

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
BUSINESS COMBINATIONS	Business Combinations First Financial completed the following business combinations in 2015 and 2014: Oak Street. Oak Street is a nationwide lender based in Indianapolis, Indiana that provides loans, secured by commissions and cash collateral accounts, exclusively to insurance agents and brokers to grow their agency business and maximize their book-of-business value. Oak Street's lending activities are driven by agency acquisitions, agency ownership transitions, the purchase by agencies of books of business, as well as financing general working capital needs. The underwriting of these loans involves analyses of collateral (through use of Oak Street's proprietary software system) that consists of insurance commissions revenue, which collateral is then monitored by Oak Street Funding throughout the life of the loans. First Financial acquired Oak Street for cash consideration and concurrent with the close of the transaction, First Financial paid off all of Oak Street's existing long-term debt, replacing higher-cost funding with the Company's lower-cost funding sources. First Bexley. Founded in 2006 and conducting operations out of one full service branch location in Bexley, Ohio, First Bexley served commercial and consumer clients throughout Columbus and central Ohio. Under the merger agreement, First Financial acquired First Bexley in a cash and stock transaction in which First Bexley was merged with and into First Financial Bank on August 7, 2014. Insight. Founded in 2006 and conducting operations out of one full service location in Worthington, Ohio, and a mortgage origination office in Newark, Ohio, Insight provided commercial and consumer banking services to clients throughout Columbus and central Ohio. Under the merger agreement, First Financial acquired Insight in a cash and stock transaction in which Insight merged with and into First Financial Bank on August 7, 2014. Guernsey. Headquartered in Worthington, Ohio, Guernsey conducted operations out of three full service branches, and served commercial and consumer clients throughout Columbus and central Ohio. Under the terms of the merger agreement, First Financial acquired Guernsey for cash consideration and the transfer of a single bank-owned property to Guernsey's sole shareholder. The Company also paid off all amounts due under a promissory note to a third party on behalf of Guernsey. The Guernsey Bank, an Ohio state chartered bank and wholly-owned subsidiary of Guernsey, merged with and into First Financial as part of the agreement on August 21, 2014. Each of the acquisitions discussed above were accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting and accordingly, assets acquired, liabilities assumed and consideration exchanged were recorded at estimated fair value on the acquisition 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 acquisitions as additional information relative to closing date fair values become available. The Company finalized fair values during the third quarter of 2015 for the First Bexley, Insight and Guernsey acquisitions, with no changes to the originally recorded adjustments. The Company continues to finalize the fair values of loans, intangible assets and liabilities for the Oak Street acquisition. As a result, the fair value adjustments for Oak Street are preliminary and may change as information becomes available, but no later than August 2016. The following tables provide the purchase price calculation as of the acquisition dates and the identifiable assets purchased and the liabilities assumed at their estimated fair value. These fair value measurements are based on third-party valuations. 2015 (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 237,377 Intangible assets 813 Other assets 2,633 Total assets $ 243,071 Liabilities assumed Other liabilities 1,577 Total liabilities $ 1,577 Net identifiable assets $ 241,494 Goodwill $ 66,345 2014 (Dollars in thousands) First Bexley Insight Guernsey Total Purchase consideration Cash consideration $ 10,810 $ 9,880 $ 13,500 $ 34,190 Stock consideration 33,699 26,730 0 60,429 Other consideration 0 0 2,523 2,523 Total purchase consideration $ 44,509 $ 36,610 $ 16,023 $ 97,142 Assets acquired Loans $ 314,807 $ 219,008 $ 72,448 $ 606,263 Intangible assets 1,280 1,277 999 3,556 Other assets 25,456 30,799 61,238 117,493 Total assets $ 341,543 $ 251,084 $ 134,685 $ 727,312 Liabilities assumed Deposits $ 273,860 $ 179,330 $ 115,415 $ 568,605 Borrowings 40,000 44,149 10,742 94,891 Other liabilities 1,454 7,303 606 9,363 Total liabilities $ 315,314 $ 230,782 $ 126,763 $ 672,859 Net identifiable assets $ 26,229 $ 20,302 $ 7,922 $ 54,453 Goodwill $ 18,280 $ 16,308 $ 8,101 $ 42,689 The 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 arising from the First Bexley, Insight and Guernsey acquisitions reflects the increased market share and related synergies that are expected to result from the acquisitions. The goodwill arising from the Oak Street, First Bexley and Insight transactions is not deductible for income tax purposes as the mergers were accounted for as tax-free exchanges. The tax-free exchanges resulted in a carryover of tax attributes and tax basis to the Company's subsequent income tax filings and was adjusted for any fair value adjustments required in accounting for the acquisitions. The goodwill arising from the Guernsey transaction is deductible for tax purposes as the Guernsey transaction was considered a taxable exchange. For further detail, see Note 8 – Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP. (PAREN

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP. (PARENT COMPANY ONLY) FINANCIAL INFORMATION	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract]
Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Text Block]	First Financial Bancorp (Parent Company Only) Financial Information Balance Sheets December 31, (Dollars in thousands) 2015 2014 Assets Cash $ 106,072 $ 55,192 Investment securities, available for sale 335 276 Other investments 6,190 5,399 Subordinated notes from subsidiaries 7,500 7,500 Investment in subsidiaries Commercial banks 807,832 712,067 Total investment in subsidiaries 807,832 712,067 Premises and equipment 1,412 1,431 Other assets 12,312 13,870 Total assets $ 941,653 $ 795,735 Liabilities Subordinated debentures $ 118,312 $ 0 Dividends payable 10,251 10,249 Other liabilities 3,714 1,409 Total liabilities 132,277 11,658 Shareholders’ equity 809,376 784,077 Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 941,653 $ 795,735 Statements of Income Years Ended December 31, (Dollars in thousands) 2015 2014 2013 Income Interest income $ 81 $ 73 $ 75 Noninterest income 253 92 0 Dividends from subsidiaries 17,250 31,700 58,700 Total income 17,584 31,865 58,775 Expenses Interest expense 2,157 0 0 Salaries and employee benefits 4,224 4,041 4,042 Miscellaneous professional services 723 708 663 Other 5,564 5,307 5,059 Total expenses 12,668 10,056 9,764 Income before income taxes and equity in undistributed net earnings of subsidiaries 4,916 21,809 49,011 Income tax benefit (4,563 ) (3,674 ) (3,659 ) Equity in undistributed earnings (loss) of subsidiaries 65,584 39,517 (4,321 ) Net income $ 75,063 $ 65,000 $ 48,349 Statements of Cash Flows Years Ended December 31, (Dollars in thousands) 2015 2014 2013 Operating activities Net income $ 75,063 $ 65,000 $ 48,349 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities Equity in undistributed (earnings) loss of subsidiaries (65,584 ) (39,517 ) 4,321 Depreciation and amortization 78 24 26 Stock-based compensation expense 4,049 3,970 3,803 Deferred income taxes (85 ) 180 (676 ) (Decrease) increase in dividends payable 2 1,071 (7,691 ) (Decrease) increase in other liabilities 1,965 (1,654 ) 7,719 Decrease (increase) in other assets 1,459 (264 ) 1,266 Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 16,947 28,810 57,117 Investing activities Capital contributions to subsidiaries (40,000 ) (27,601 ) 0 Net cash (paid) acquired from business acquisitions 0 (17,065 ) 0 Proceeds from disposal of subsidiaries 0 18,695 0 Proceeds from calls and maturities of investment securities 87 29 48 Purchases of investment securities (412 ) (192 ) (88 ) Purchases of premises and equipment 0 0 (80 ) Other 0 0 307 Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities (40,325 ) (26,134 ) 187 Financing activities Proceeds from long-term borrowings 120,000 0 0 Cash dividends paid on common stock (39,070 ) (34,848 ) (61,429 ) Treasury stock purchase (4,498 ) (697 ) (11,778 ) Proceeds from exercise of stock options, net of shares purchased 744 1,056 73 Excess tax benefit on share-based compensation 146 153 686 Other (3,064 ) (1,568 ) (2,632 ) Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 74,258 (35,904 ) (75,080 ) Net increase (decrease) in cash 50,880 (33,228 ) (17,776 ) Cash at beginning of year 55,192 88,420 106,196 Cash at end of year $ 106,072 $ 55,192 $ 88,420

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN30

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Basis of Presentation Policy	Basis of presentation. The Consolidated Financial Statements of First Financial Bancorp. (First Financial or the Company), a bank holding company, principally serving Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky, include the accounts and operations of First Financial and its wholly owned subsidiary, First Financial Bank, N.A. (First Financial Bank or the Bank). All significant intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain reclassifications of prior years' amounts have been made to conform to current year presentation. Such reclassifications had no effect on net earnings.
Use of Estimates, Policy	Use of estimates. The preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) requires management to make estimates, assumptions and judgments that affect the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying Notes. Actual realized amounts could differ materially from those estimates.
Investment, Policy	Investment securities. First Financial classifies debt and equity securities into three categories: held-to-maturity, trading and available-for-sale. Management determines the appropriate classification of investment securities at the time of purchase and reevaluates such designation as appropriate. Investment securities are classified as held-to-maturity when First Financial has the positive intent and ability to hold the securities to maturity. Held-to-maturity securities are recorded at amortized cost. Investment securities classified as trading are held principally for resale in the near term and are recorded at fair value. Gains or losses, either unrealized or realized, are reported in noninterest income. Quoted market prices are used to determine the fair value of trading securities. Investment securities not classified as either held-to-maturity or trading are classified as available-for-sale. Available-for-sale securities are recorded at fair value, with the unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, reported as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in shareholders' equity. The amortized cost of investment securities classified as either held-to-maturity or available-for-sale is adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts to maturity, or in the case of mortgage-backed securities, over the estimated life of the security. Such amortization and accretion are considered an adjustment to the yield on the security and included in interest income from investments. Interest and dividends are included in interest income from investment securities. Realized gains and losses are based on the amortized cost of the security sold using the specific identification method. Available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities are reviewed quarterly for potential impairment. In performing this review, management considers the length of time and extent to which the fair value of the security has been less than amortized cost, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer and the ability and intent of First Financial to hold the security for a period sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value. If the fair value of a security is less than the amortized cost and the impairment is determined to be other-than-temporary, the security is written down, establishing a new and reduced cost basis. The related charge is recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Other investments include holdings in Federal Reserve Bank (FRB) stock and Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) stock. FRB and FHLB stock are both carried at cost.
Finance, Loan and Lease Receivables, Held-for-sale, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Loans held for sale. Loans held for sale consists of residential real estate loans newly originated for the purpose of sale to third parties, and in certain circumstances, loans previously originated that have been specifically identified by management for sale based on predetermined criteria. Loans originated for sale are immediately classified as held for sale upon origination and are considered to be at fair market value due to the commitment to sell in a short timeframe. Loans transferred to held for sale status are carried at the lower of cost or fair value with any difference charged to the allowance for loan and lease losses. Any subsequent change in the carrying value of transferred loans, not to exceed original cost, is recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Commitments and Contingencies, Policy	Reserve for unfunded commitments . First Financial maintains a reserve that it considers sufficient to absorb probable losses inherent in standby letters of credit and outstanding loan commitments and is included in Accrued interest and other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The determination of the adequacy of the reserve is based upon an evaluation of the unfunded credit facilities, including consideration of historical commitment utilization experience, credit risk rating and historical loss rates, consistent with the allowance for loan and lease losses methodology previously discussed. Adjustments to the reserve for unfunded commitments are included in Other noninterest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income. First Financial offers a variety of financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk to its clients to assist them in meeting their requirement 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.
FDIC Indemnification Assets Policy	FDIC indemnification asset. The FDIC indemnification asset results from the loss sharing agreements entered into in conjunction with First Financial's FDIC-assisted transactions, and is measured separately from the related assets covered by loss sharing agreements with the FDIC as it is not contractually embedded in those assets and is not transferable should First Financial choose to dispose of the covered assets. The FDIC indemnification asset represents expected reimbursements from the FDIC for losses on covered assets. Pursuant to the terms of the loss sharing agreements, covered assets are subject to stated loss thresholds whereby the FDIC will reimburse First Financial for 80% of losses up to the stated loss thresholds, and 95% of losses in excess of the thresholds. The FDIC indemnification asset was recorded at its estimated fair value at the time of the FDIC-assisted transactions. Fair values were estimated using projected cash flows related to the loss sharing agreements based on the expected reimbursements for losses and the applicable loss sharing percentages. These cash flows were discounted to reflect the uncertainty of the timing of the loss sharing reimbursement from the FDIC. The accounting for the FDIC indemnification asset is closely related to the accounting for the underlying, indemnified assets as well as on-going assessment of the collectibility of the assets. First Financial re-estimates the expected indemnification asset cash flows in conjunction with the periodic re-estimation of cash flows on covered loans accounted for under FASB ASC Topic 310-30. Improvements in cash flow expectations on covered loans generally result in a related decline in the expected indemnification cash flows and are reflected as a yield adjustment on the indemnification asset. Declines in cash flow expectations on covered loans generally result in an increase in expected indemnification cash flows and are reflected as both FDIC loss sharing income and an increase to the indemnification asset. First Financial performs a collectibility assessment which includes evaluation of claims activity with the FDIC, adjustments to the indemnification asset from the accelerated discount on covered loans, the yield on the indemnification asset in relation to the yield on the underlying covered loans and the remaining term of the loss sharing agreements. Changes in the assessed collectibility of the indemnification asset, if any, are recognized as FDIC indemnification impairment in Noninterest expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy	Premises and equipment. Premises and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are principally computed on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Useful lives generally range from 10 to 40 years for building and building improvements; 3 to 10 years for furniture, fixtures and equipment; and 3 to 5 years for software, hardware and data handling equipment. Land improvements are depreciated over 20 years and leasehold improvements are depreciated over the lesser of the base term of the respective lease or the useful life of the asset. Premises and equipment are evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Policy	Goodwill and other indefinite lived intangible assets. Under accounting for business combinations, the net assets of entities acquired by First Financial are recorded at their estimated fair value at the date of acquisition. The excess cost of the acquisition over the fair value of net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. Goodwill and intangible assets deemed to have indefinite lives, if any, are not amortized, but are subject to annual impairment tests.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Goodwill, Policy	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. 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 annual impairment test of goodwill as of October 1, 2015 and no impairment was indicated. As of December 31, 2015, no events or changes in circumstances indicated that the fair value of a reporting unit was below its carrying value.
Core Deposit Intangibles Policy	Core deposit intangibles. Core deposit intangibles represent the estimated value of acquired relationships with deposit customers. The estimated fair value of core deposit intangibles are based on a discounted cash flow methodology that gives appropriate consideration to expected customer attrition rates, cost of the deposit base, reserve requirements and the net maintenance cost attributable to customer deposits. Core deposit intangibles are amortized on an accelerated basis over their useful lives.
Affordable Housing Program Policy	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. Investments in affordable housing projects are included in Accrued income and other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Income Tax, Policy	Income taxes. First Financial and its subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax return. Each subsidiary provides for income taxes on a separate return basis, and remits to First Financial amounts determined to be currently payable. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Interest and penalties on income tax assessments or income tax refunds are recognized in the Consolidated Financial Statements as a component of noninterest expense.
Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, Pensions, Policy	Pension. First Financial sponsors a non-contributory defined benefit pension plan covering substantially all employees. The measurement of the accrued benefit liability and the annual pension expense involves actuarial and economic assumptions. The assumptions used in pension accounting include those related to the discount rates, the expected return on plan assets and the rate of compensation increase.
Derivatives, Policy	Derivative instruments. First Financial accounts for its derivative financial instruments in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging. FASB ASC Topic 815 requires all derivative instruments to be carried at fair value on the balance sheet. The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on the intended use of the derivative and the resulting designation. Derivatives used to hedge the exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset, liability or firm commitment attributable to a particular risk, such as interest rate risk, are considered fair value hedges. Derivatives used to hedge the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows, or other types of forecasted transactions, are considered cash flow hedges. First Financial utilizes interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges as a means to offer commercial borrowers products that meet their needs, but are also designed to achieve First Financial’s desired interest rate risk profile. First Financial utilizes interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges to manage the variability of cash flows, primarily net interest income, attributable to changes in interest rates. Back to back swaps - First Financial enters into swap agreements with commercial borrowers and simultaneously enters into offsetting swap agreements, with substantially matching terms, with institutional counterparties. These matched interest rate swap agreements generally involve the receipt by First Financial of floating rate amounts from the counterparties in exchange for payments to these counterparties by First Financial of fixed rate amounts received from commercial borrowers over the life of the agreements. This results in First Financial’s loan customers receiving fixed rate funding, while providing First Financial with a floating rate asset. First Financial's matched interest rate swaps qualify as derivatives, but are not designated as hedging instruments. The net interest receivable or payable on matched interest rate swaps is accrued and recognized as an adjustment to interest income. The fair values of back to back swaps are included within Accrued interest and other assets and Accrued interest and other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Pay fixed interest rate swaps - For unmatched, pay fixed interest rate swaps, which qualify for hedge accounting, the corresponding fair-value adjustment is included on the Consolidated Balance Sheets in the carrying value of the hedged item. The net interest receivable or payable on unmatched interest rate swaps is accrued and recognized as an adjustment to the interest income of the hedged item. Gains and losses from derivatives not considered effective in hedging the change in fair value of the hedged item, if any, are recognized in income immediately. Cash flow hedges - The net interest receivable or payable on an interest rate swap designated as a cash flow hedge is accrued and recognized as an adjustment to interest income or interest expense, while the fair value is included within Accrued interest and other assets or Accrued interest and other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Changes in the fair value of interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Gains and losses from derivatives not considered effective in hedging the cash flows related to the hedged items, if any, are recognized in income immediately. 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 fair value of these agreements were recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets in Accrued interest and other liabilities. 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. The fair value of these agreements was recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets in Accrued interest and other assets. Like other financial instruments, derivatives contain an element of credit risk, which is the possibility that First Financial will incur a loss because a counterparty fails to meet its contractual obligations. Generally, the credit risk associated with interest rate swaps is significantly less than the notional values associated with these instruments. The notional values represent contractual balances on which the calculations of amounts to be exchanged are based. First Financial manages this credit risk through counterparty credit policies.
Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy	Stock-based compensation. First Financial grants stock-based awards, including restricted stock awards for and options to purchase the Company’s common stock. Stock option grants are for a fixed number of shares to employees and directors with an exercise price equal to the fair value of the shares at the date of grant. Stock-based compensation expense is recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. The amortization of stock-based compensation expense reflects estimated forfeitures, adjusted for actual forfeiture experience. As compensation expense is recognized, a deferred tax asset is recorded that represents an estimate of the future tax deduction from exercise. At the time stock-based awards are exercised, canceled or expire, First Financial may be required to recognize an adjustment to tax expense.
Earnings Per Share, Policy	Earnings per share. Basic earnings per common share is computed by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted net earnings per common share is computed by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, unvested shares and dilutive common stock equivalents outstanding during the period. Common stock equivalents, which consist of common stock issuable under the assumed exercise of stock options granted under First Financial's stock-based compensation plans and the assumed conversion of common stock warrants, are calculated using the treasury stock method.
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy	Cash and due from banks. Cash and due from banks consist of currency, coin and cash items due from banks. Cash items due from banks include noninterest bearing deposits held at other banks.
Impaired Financing Receivable, Policy	Loans classified as nonaccrual and loans modified as TDRs are considered impaired.
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 activities that result in partial or total satisfaction of problem loans.
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 the lower of cost or fair value. These loans currently consist of one-to-four family residential real estate loans originated for sale to qualified third parties. Fair value is based on the 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 C&I, 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 were 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 were estimated by discounting the future cash flows using current interest rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings and for the same remaining maturities or repricing frequency. The carrying amount of accrued interest approximates its fair value. 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 of the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of long-term debt is estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation which utilizes the interest rates currently offered for borrowings of similar remaining maturities. 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.
Segment Reporting, Policy	Segments and related information. While the Company monitors the operating results of its four lines of business, the operations are managed and financial performance is evaluated on a Company-wide basis. Accordingly, and consistent with prior years, all of the Company's operations are considered by management to be aggregated in one reportable operating segment.
Credit Risk
Derivatives, Methods of Accounting, Hedging Derivatives	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 .
Non Covered Loans
Finance, Loans and Leases Receivable, Policy	Loans and leases, excluding purchased impaired loans. Loans and leases for which First Financial has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future, or until maturity or payoff, are classified in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as loans and leases. Except for loans which are subject to fair value requirements, loans and leases are carried at the principal amount outstanding, net of unamortized deferred loan origination fees and costs, and net of unearned income. Loan origination and commitment fees received, as well as certain direct loan origination costs paid, are deferred, and the net amount is amortized as an adjustment to the related loan's yield. Interest income is recorded on an accrual basis. When a loan is classified as nonaccrual, the accrual of interest income is discontinued and previously accrued, but unpaid interest is reversed. Any payments received while a loan is classified as nonaccrual are applied as a reduction to the carrying value of the loan. A loan may return to accrual status if collection of future principal and interest payments is no longer doubtful.
Loans and Leases Receivable, Allowance for Loan Losses Policy	Allowance for loan and lease losses. 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 ALLL 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. Management's determination of the adequacy of the ALLL is based on an assessment of the probable loan and lease losses inherent in the portfolio given the conditions at the time. The ALLL is generally increased by provision expense and decreased by charge-offs, net of recoveries of amounts previously charged-off. Loans are charged off when management believes that the collection of the principal amount owed in full, either through payments from the borrower or from the liquidation of collateral, is unlikely. In the commercial portfolio, which includes time and demand notes, tax-exempt loans, C&I, construction, commercial real estate, mezzanine loans, and lease financing, loan and lease relationships greater than $250,000 that are considered impaired, or designated as a TDR, are evaluated to determine the need for a specific allowance based on the borrower's overall financial condition, resources, payment record, guarantor support and the realizable value of any collateral. The allowance for non-impaired commercial loan and lease and impaired commercial loan and lease relationships less than $250,000 includes a process of estimating the probable losses inherent in the portfolio by loan type, based on First Financial's internal system of credit risk ratings and historical loss data. These estimates may also be adjusted for management's estimate of probable losses dependent upon trends in the values of the underlying collateral, delinquent and nonaccrual loans, prevailing economic conditions, changes in lending strategies and other influencing factors. Consumer loans are generally evaluated by loan type, as these loans exhibit homogeneous characteristics. The allowance for consumer loans, which includes residential real estate, installment, home equity, credit card loans and overdrafts, is established by estimating losses inherent in each particular category of consumer loans. The estimate of losses is primarily based on historical loss rates for each category, as well as trends in delinquent and nonaccrual loans, prevailing economic conditions and other significant influencing factors. Consumer loans greater than $100,000 classified as TDRs are individually evaluated to determine an appropriate allowance.
Other Real Estate Owned Policy	Other real estate owned. OREO represents 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. OREO properties are recorded at the lower of cost or fair value, less estimated disposal costs (net realizable value) upon acquisition. Losses arising at the time of acquisition of such properties are charged against the ALLL. Management performs periodic valuations to assess the adequacy of the recorded OREO balances and subsequent write-downs in the carrying value of OREO properties are expensed as incurred. Improvements to OREO properties may be capitalized if the improvements contribute to the overall value of the property, but may not be capitalized in excess of the net realizable value of the property. When management disposes of an OREO property, any gains or losses realized at the time of disposal are reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Loans and Leases Receivable, Nonaccrual Loan and Lease Status, Policy	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 be returned to accrual status if collection of future principal and interest payments is no longer doubtful.
Covered Loans
Finance, Loans and Leases Receivable, Policy	Acquired loans. Acquired loans are recorded at their estimated fair value at the time of acquisition. Estimated fair values for acquired loans are based on a discounted cash flow methodology that considers various factors including the type of loan and related collateral, classification status, 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. Acquired loans are grouped together according to similar characteristics and treated in the aggregate when applying various valuation techniques. Certain loans acquired in FDIC-assisted transactions were initially covered under loss sharing agreements and are referred to as covered loans during the indemnification period. Subsequent to the indemnification period, they are referred to as formerly covered loans. First Financial evaluates acquired loans for impairment in accordance with the provisions of FASB ASC Topic 310-30, Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality. Acquired loans with evidence of credit deterioration since origination are accounted for under FASB ASC Topic 310-30 and are referred to as purchased impaired loans. 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. For purposes of applying the guidance under FASB ASC Topic 310-30, First Financial groups acquired loans into pools based on common risk characteristics. Expected cash flows are re-estimated periodically for all purchased impaired loans. The cash flows expected to be collected are estimated based upon the expected remaining life of the underlying loans, which includes the effects of estimated prepayments. Generally, a decline in expected cash flows for a pool of loans is referred to as impairment and recorded as provision expense on a discounted basis during the period (see "Allowance for loan and lease losses" below). Improvement in expected cash flows for a pool of loans, once any previously recorded impairment is recaptured, is recognized prospectively as an adjustment to the yield on the loans in the pool. These cash flow evaluations are inherently subjective as they require material estimates, all of which may be susceptible to significant change. For acquired loans that prepay, noninterest income may be recorded related to the accelerated recognition of the remaining purchase discount that would have been recognized over the life of the loan had it not prepaid, offset by a related adjustment to the FDIC indemnification asset if the loan is still covered under FDIC loss sharing protection. This scenario can occur either through a loan sale or ordinary prepayments that are typical in a loan portfolio. Acquired loans outside the scope of FASB ASC Topic 310-30 are accounted for under FASB ASC Topic 310-20, Receivables-Nonrefundable Fees and Costs. Discounts created when the loans were recorded at their estimated fair values at acquisition are amortized over the remaining term of the loan as an adjustment to the related loan's yield. The accrual of interest income is discontinued when the collection of a loan or interest, in whole or in part, is doubtful.
Loans and Leases Receivable, Allowance for Loan Losses Policy	For purchased impaired loans, expected cash flows are re-estimated periodically with declines in gross expected cash flows at the pool level recorded as provision expense during the period. These cash flow evaluations are inherently subjective as they require material estimates, all of which may be susceptible to significant change. The related, estimated reimbursement for loan losses due from the FDIC under loss sharing agreements, if applicable, is recorded as both FDIC loss sharing income and an increase to the FDIC indemnification asset.
Other Real Estate Owned Policy	Certain OREO properties are subject to loss sharing agreements whereby the FDIC will reimburse First Financial for 80% of losses up to the stated loss thresholds, and 95% of losses in excess of the thresholds. When management disposes of an OREO property subject to loss sharing agreements, any gains or losses realized at the time of disposal are reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Income and are substantially offset by a related adjustment to the FDIC indemnification asset.
Fair Value Hedges
Derivatives, Methods of Accounting, Hedging Derivatives	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.
Cash Flow Hedges
Derivatives, Methods of Accounting, Hedging Derivatives	Cash flow hedges - The net interest receivable or payable on an interest rate swap designated as a cash flow hedge is accrued and recognized as an adjustment to interest income or interest expense, while the fair value is included within Accrued interest and other assets or Accrued interest and other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Changes in the fair value of interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Gains and losses from derivatives not considered effective in hedging the cash flows related to the hedged items, if any, are recognized in income immediately.

INVESTMENTS (Tables)

INVESTMENTS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
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 December 31, 2015 : Held-to-maturity Available-for-sale (Dollars in thousands) Amortized cost Unrealized gain Unrealized loss Market value Amortized cost Unrealized gain Unrealized loss Market value U.S. Treasuries $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 98 $ 0 $ (1 ) $ 97 Securities of U.S. government agencies and corporations 15,486 121 0 15,607 8,183 157 0 8,340 Mortgage-backed securities 678,318 7,452 (1,999 ) 683,771 775,285 2,708 (12,926 ) 765,067 Obligations of state and other political subdivisions 27,646 338 (99 ) 27,885 73,815 2,491 (671 ) 75,635 Asset-backed securities 0 0 0 0 236,411 35 (3,445 ) 233,001 Other securities 4,809 0 (121 ) 4,688 109,273 687 (1,458 ) 108,502 Total $ 726,259 $ 7,911 $ (2,219 ) $ 731,951 $ 1,203,065 $ 6,078 $ (18,501 ) $ 1,190,642 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 Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Market Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Market (Dollars in thousands) cost gain loss value cost gain loss value U.S. Treasuries $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 97 $ 0 $ 0 $ 97 Securities of U.S. government agencies and corporations 17,570 24 (23 ) 17,571 11,814 67 (1 ) 11,880 Mortgage-backed securities 801,465 7,813 (2,064 ) 807,214 611,497 4,462 (13,211 ) 602,748 Obligations of state and other political subdivisions 44,164 1,275 (193 ) 45,246 73,649 883 (947 ) 73,585 Asset-backed securities 0 0 0 0 74,784 155 (103 ) 74,836 Other securities 4,797 0 (79 ) 4,718 77,663 1,193 (1,534 ) 77,322 Total $ 867,996 $ 9,112 $ (2,359 ) $ 874,749 $ 849,504 $ 6,760 $ (15,796 ) $ 840,468
Summary of Investment Securities by Estimated Maturity	Held-to-maturity Available-for-sale (Dollars in thousands) Amortized cost Market value Amortized cost Market value Due in one year or less $ 4,061 $ 4,148 $ 21,724 $ 21,652 Due after one year through five years 536,660 540,266 748,300 740,460 Due after five years through ten years 185,538 187,537 393,652 389,001 Due after ten years 0 0 39,389 39,529 Total $ 726,259 $ 731,951 $ 1,203,065 $ 1,190,642
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 unrealized loss position: December 31, 2015 Less than 12 months 12 months or more Total (Dollars in thousands) Fair value Unrealized loss Fair value Unrealized loss Fair value Unrealized loss Securities of U.S. government agencies and corporations $ 97 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 97 $ 0 Mortgage-backed securities 500,768 (5,363 ) 246,523 (9,563 ) 747,291 (14,926 ) Obligations of state and other political subdivisions 972 (6 ) 29,287 (764 ) 30,259 (770 ) Asset-backed securities 189,066 (3,042 ) 17,144 (403 ) 206,210 (3,445 ) Other securities 35,656 (651 ) 24,716 (928 ) 60,372 (1,579 ) Total $ 726,559 $ (9,062 ) $ 317,670 $ (11,658 ) $ 1,044,229 $ (20,720 ) December 31, 2014 Less than 12 months 12 months or more Total Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized (Dollars in thousands) value loss value loss value loss Securities of U.S. government agencies and corporations $ 493 $ (1 ) $ 97 $ 0 $ 590 $ (1 ) Mortgage-backed securities 119,641 (420 ) 428,486 (13,780 ) 548,127 (14,200 ) Obligations of state and other political subdivisions 12,746 (126 ) 37,516 (1,014 ) 50,262 (1,140 ) Asset-backed securities 32,045 (103 ) 0 0 32,045 (103 ) Other securities 12,831 (317 ) 30,005 (1,296 ) 42,836 (1,613 ) Total $ 177,756 $ (967 ) $ 496,104 $ (16,090 ) $ 673,860 $ (17,057 )

LOANS (Tables)

LOANS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
LOANS - Carrying Amount of Accretable Yield for Purchased Impaired and Nonimpaired Loans [Abstract]
Commercial and Consumer Credit Exposure by Risk Attribute	Commercial and consumer credit exposure by risk attribute was as follows: As of December 31, 2015 Real Estate (Dollars in thousands) Commercial and industrial Construction Commercial Leasing Total Pass $ 1,596,415 $ 310,806 $ 2,179,701 $ 93,236 $ 4,180,158 Special Mention 27,498 128 19,903 0 47,529 Substandard 39,189 778 58,693 750 99,410 Doubtful 0 0 0 0 0 Total $ 1,663,102 $ 311,712 $ 2,258,297 $ 93,986 $ 4,327,097 Real Estate Residential Installment Home Equity Other Total Performing $ 503,317 $ 41,253 $ 461,188 $ 41,217 $ 1,046,975 Nonperforming 8,994 253 5,441 0 14,688 Total $ 512,311 $ 41,506 $ 466,629 $ 41,217 $ 1,061,663 As of December 31, 2014 Real Estate (Dollars in thousands) Commercial and industrial 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 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 nonaccrual loans, was as follows: As of December 31, 2015 (Dollars in thousands) 30 – 59 days past due 60 – 89 days past due > 90 days past due Total past due Current Subtotal Purchased impaired Total > 90 days past due and still accruing Loans Commercial and industrial $ 2,255 $ 2,232 $ 1,937 $ 6,424 $ 1,648,902 $ 1,655,326 $ 7,776 $ 1,663,102 $ 0 Real estate - construction 0 17 0 17 310,872 310,889 823 311,712 0 Real estate - commercial 2,501 913 7,421 10,835 2,124,290 2,135,125 123,172 2,258,297 0 Real estate - residential 1,220 239 2,242 3,701 451,907 455,608 56,703 512,311 0 Installment 197 111 48 356 39,206 39,562 1,944 41,506 0 Home equity 696 248 2,830 3,774 461,647 465,421 1,208 466,629 0 Other 920 302 230 1,452 133,751 135,203 0 135,203 108 Total $ 7,789 $ 4,062 $ 14,708 $ 26,559 $ 5,170,575 $ 5,197,134 $ 191,626 $ 5,388,760 $ 108 As of December 31, 2014 (Dollars in thousands) 30 - 59 days past due 60 - 89 days past due > 90 days past due Total past due Current Subtotal Purchased impaired Total > 90 days past due and still accruing Loans Commercial and industrial $ 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 table provides information on loan modifications classified as TDRs during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 : Years ended December 31, 2015 2014 Total TDRs Total TDRs (Dollars in thousands) Number of loans Pre-modification loan balance Period end balance Number of loans Pre-modification loan balance Period end balance Commercial and industrial 33 $ 9,035 $ 8,203 24 $ 5,282 $ 4,256 Real estate - construction 0 0 0 0 0 0 Real estate - commercial 18 20,249 16,474 16 5,235 3,937 Real estate - residential 10 1,292 1,238 31 1,767 1,516 Installment 10 97 97 8 47 29 Home equity 25 2,859 2,221 36 1,977 1,036 Total 96 $ 33,532 $ 28,233 115 $ 14,308 $ 10,774
Loans Restructured, Modifications	The following table provides information on how TDRs were modified during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 . Years Ended December 31, (Dollars in thousands) 2015 2014 Extended maturities $ 12,883 $ 6,961 Adjusted interest rates 0 299 Combination of rate and maturity changes 1,244 991 Forbearance 260 373 Other (1) 13,846 2,150 Total $ 28,233 $ 10,774 (1) Other 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: Years ended December 31, 2015 2014 (Dollars in thousands) Number of loans Period end balance Number of loans Period end balance Commercial and industrial 2 $ 344 1 $ 143 Real estate - construction 0 0 0 0 Real estate - commercial 4 1,146 2 182 Real estate - residential 2 83 3 29 Installment 1 14 0 0 Home equity 1 34 3 91 Total 10 $ 1,621 9 $ 445
Nonaccrual, Restructured and Impaired Loans	Loans classified as nonaccrual and loans modified as TDRs are considered impaired. The following table provides information on impaired loans, excluding purchased impaired loans, as of December 31: (Dollars in thousands) 2015 2014 2013 Impaired loans Nonaccrual loans (1) Commercial and industrial $ 8,405 $ 6,627 $ 8,474 Real estate-construction 0 223 223 Real estate-commercial 9,418 27,969 18,635 Real estate-residential 5,027 7,241 8,606 Installment 127 451 579 Home equity 4,898 5,958 4,875 Other 122 0 0 Total nonaccrual loans 27,997 48,469 41,392 Accruing troubled debt restructurings 28,876 15,928 15,429 Total impaired loans $ 56,873 $ 64,397 $ 56,821 Interest income effect Gross amount of interest that would have been recorded under original terms $ 3,595 $ 3,581 $ 4,698 Interest included in income Nonaccrual loans 475 537 560 Troubled debt restructurings 682 456 444 Total interest included in income 1,157 993 1,004 Net impact on interest income $ 2,438 $ 2,588 $ 3,694 Commitments outstanding to borrowers with nonaccrual loans $ 1 $ 0 $ 38 (1) Nonaccrual loans include nonaccrual TDRs of $9.3 million , $12.3 million and $13.8 million as of December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 , respectively.
Investment in Impaired Loans	First Financial's investment in impaired loans, excluding purchased impaired loans, is as follows: As of December 31, 2015 (Dollars in thousands) Current balance Contractual principal balance Related allowance Average balance Interest income recognized Loans with no related allowance recorded Commercial and industrial $ 16,418 $ 17,398 $ 0 $ 10,468 $ 258 Real estate - construction 0 0 0 150 0 Real estate - commercial 16,301 20,479 0 19,363 344 Real estate - residential 7,447 8,807 0 8,143 184 Installment 253 276 0 380 7 Home equity 5,340 7,439 0 5,648 82 Other 122 122 0 24 0 Total 45,881 54,521 0 44,176 875 Loans with an allowance recorded Commercial and industrial 993 1,178 357 1,409 26 Real estate - construction 0 0 0 0 0 Real estate - commercial 8,351 8,706 979 12,928 213 Real estate - residential 1,547 1,560 235 1,696 40 Installment 0 0 0 0 0 Home equity 101 101 2 101 3 Other 0 0 0 0 0 Total 10,992 11,545 1,573 16,134 282 Total Commercial and industrial 17,411 18,576 357 11,877 284 Real estate - construction 0 0 0 150 0 Real estate - commercial 24,652 29,185 979 32,291 557 Real estate - residential 8,994 10,367 235 9,839 224 Installment 253 276 0 380 7 Home equity 5,441 7,540 2 5,749 85 Other 122 122 0 24 0 Total $ 56,873 $ 66,066 $ 1,573 $ 60,310 $ 1,157 As of December 31, 2014 (Dollars in thousands) Current balance Contractual principal balance Related allowance Average balance Interest income recognized Loans with no related allowance recorded Commercial and industrial $ 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 and industrial 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 and industrial 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 As of December 31, 2013 (Dollars in thousands) Current balance Contractual principal balance Related allowance Average balance Interest income recognized Loans with no related allowance recorded Commercial and industrial $ 6,087 $ 8,214 $ 0 $ 12,544 $ 176 Real estate - construction 223 443 0 599 0 Real estate - commercial 13,704 19,079 0 18,349 384 Real estate - residential 10,291 12,087 0 10,225 152 Installment 647 668 0 465 6 Home equity 5,101 7,007 0 5,756 59 Other 0 0 0 156 0 Total 36,053 47,498 0 48,094 777 Loans with an allowance recorded Commercial and industrial 7,013 8,353 2,080 5,047 71 Real estate - construction 0 0 0 726 7 Real estate - commercial 11,638 14,424 2,872 21,098 110 Real estate - residential 2,016 2,072 348 1,997 37 Installment 0 0 0 0 0 Home equity 101 101 2 101 2 Other 0 0 0 167 0 Total 20,768 24,950 5,302 29,136 227 Total Commercial and industrial 13,100 16,567 2,080 17,591 247 Real estate - construction 223 443 0 1,325 7 Real estate - commercial 25,342 33,503 2,872 39,447 494 Real estate - residential 12,307 14,159 348 12,222 189 Installment 647 668 0 465 6 Home equity 5,202 7,108 2 5,857 61 Other 0 0 0 323 0 Total $ 56,821 $ 72,448 $ 5,302 $ 77,230 $ 1,004
Changes in Other Real Estate Owned	Changes in OREO were as follows: Years ended December 31, (Dollars in thousands) 2015 2014 2013 Balance at beginning of year $ 22,674 $ 46,926 $ 41,388 Additions Commercial 5,187 8,208 35,966 Residential 3,211 2,329 1,734 Total additions 8,398 10,537 37,700 Disposals Commercial (12,722 ) (28,933 ) (25,214 ) Residential (3,095 ) (1,637 ) (2,105 ) Total disposals (15,817 ) (30,570 ) (27,319 ) Valuation adjustments Commercial (1,617 ) (3,765 ) (4,184 ) Residential (384 ) (454 ) (659 ) Total valuation adjustments (2,001 ) (4,219 ) (4,843 ) Balance at end of year $ 13,254 $ 22,674 $ 46,926 The preceding table includes OREO subject to loss sharing agreements of $1.4 million , $0.3 million and $27.1 million at December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 , respectively.
Indemnification Asset Rollforward [Table Text Block]	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: (Dollars in thousands) Years ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Affected Line Item in the Consolidated Statements of Income Balance at beginning of year $ 22,666 $ 45,091 $ 119,607 Adjustments not reflected in income Net FDIC claims (received) / paid 2,423 (6,785 ) (22,103 ) Adjustments reflected in income Amortization (4,740 ) (5,531 ) (7,672 ) Interest income, other earning assets FDIC loss sharing income (2,487 ) 365 3,720 Noninterest income, FDIC loss sharing income Offset to accelerated discount (232 ) (10,474 ) (26,044 ) Noninterest income, accelerated discount on covered loans Impairment valuation adjustment 0 0 (22,417 ) Noninterest expenses, FDIC indemnification impairment Balance at end of year $ 17,630 $ 22,666 $ 45,091
Loans Excluded from FASB ASC Topic 310-30
LOANS - Carrying Amount of Accretable Yield for Purchased Impaired and Nonimpaired Loans [Abstract]
Accretable Yield for Acquired Loans	Changes in the carrying amount of accretable difference for purchased impaired loans for the years ended December 31 were as follows: (Dollars in thousands) 2015 2014 2013 Balance at beginning of year $ 106,622 $ 133,671 $ 224,694 Reclassification from non-accretable difference 1,075 23,216 1,470 Accretion (21,544 ) (33,730 ) (58,422 ) Other net activity (1) (21,296 ) (16,535 ) (34,071 ) Balance at end of year $ 64,857 $ 106,622 $ 133,671 (1) Includes the impact of loan repayments and charge-offs.

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE 33

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Changes in the Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses for the Previous Three Years	Changes in the allowance for loan and lease losses for the three years ended December 31 were as follows: (Dollars in thousands) 2015 2014 2013 Changes in the allowance for loan and lease losses on loans, excluding covered/formerly covered Balance at beginning of year $ 42,820 $ 43,829 $ 47,777 Provision for loan and lease losses 7,926 3,369 8,714 Loans charged-off (11,660 ) (7,877 ) (17,283 ) Recoveries 4,063 3,499 4,621 Balance at end of year $ 43,149 $ 42,820 $ 43,829 Changes in the allowance for loan and lease losses on covered/formerly covered loans Balance at beginning of year $ 10,038 $ 18,901 $ 45,190 Provision for loan and lease losses 1,715 (1,841 ) 195 Loans charged-off (8,896 ) (18,096 ) (39,224 ) Recoveries 7,392 11,074 12,740 Balance at end of year $ 10,249 $ 10,038 $ 18,901 Changes in the allowance for loan and lease losses on total loans Balance at beginning of year $ 52,858 $ 62,730 $ 92,967 Provision for loan and lease losses 9,641 1,528 8,909 Loans charged-off (20,556 ) (25,973 ) (56,507 ) Recoveries 11,455 14,573 17,361 Balance at end of year $ 53,398 $ 52,858 $ 62,730
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses by Classification	Changes in the allowance for loan and lease losses by loan category as of December 31 were as follows: 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 year $ 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 5,634 720 (1,022 ) 854 188 588 964 7,926 1,715 9,641 Gross charge-offs 3,149 85 4,801 696 395 1,485 1,049 11,660 8,896 20,556 Recoveries 972 130 1,574 366 199 580 242 4,063 7,392 11,455 Total net charge-offs 2,177 (45 ) 3,227 330 196 905 807 7,597 1,504 9,101 Ending allowance for loan and lease losses $ 14,716 $ 1,810 $ 16,419 $ 3,352 $ 315 $ 3,943 $ 2,594 $ 43,149 $ 10,249 $ 53,398 Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment $ 357 $ 0 $ 979 $ 235 $ 0 $ 2 $ 0 $ 1,573 $ 0 $ 1,573 Ending allowance on loans collectively evaluated for impairment 14,359 1,810 15,440 3,117 315 3,941 2,594 41,576 10,249 51,825 Ending allowance for loan and lease losses $ 14,716 $ 1,810 $ 16,419 $ 3,352 $ 315 $ 3,943 $ 2,594 $ 43,149 $ 10,249 $ 53,398 Loans and Leases Ending balance of loans individually evaluated for impairment $ 14,159 $ 0 $ 18,262 $ 2,714 $ 0 $ 359 $ 0 $ 35,494 $ 0 $ 35,494 Ending balance of loans collectively evaluated for impairment 1,641,166 310,889 2,120,076 452,894 39,361 430,554 133,266 5,128,206 225,060 5,353,266 Total loans $ 1,655,325 $ 310,889 $ 2,138,338 $ 455,608 $ 39,361 $ 430,913 $ 133,266 $ 5,163,700 $ 225,060 $ 5,388,760 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 year $ 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 and Leases 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 $ 1,297,312 $ 196,272 $ 1,974,695 $ 432,675 $ 44,269 $ 416,029 $ 113,969 $ 4,475,221 $ 302,014 $ 4,777,235 2013 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 year $ 7,926 $ 3,268 $ 24,151 $ 3,599 $ 522 $ 5,173 $ 3,138 $ 47,777 $ 45,190 $ 92,967 Provision for loan and lease losses 5,385 (3,115 ) 2,659 593 (132 ) 1,937 1,387 8,714 195 8,909 Gross charge-offs 3,415 1 8,326 1,016 335 2,409 1,781 17,283 39,224 56,507 Recoveries 672 672 1,994 203 310 508 262 4,621 12,740 17,361 Total net charge-offs 2,743 (671 ) 6,332 813 25 1,901 1,519 12,662 26,484 39,146 Ending allowance for loan and lease losses $ 10,568 $ 824 $ 20,478 $ 3,379 $ 365 $ 5,209 $ 3,006 $ 43,829 $ 18,901 $ 62,730 Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment $ 2,080 $ 0 $ 2,872 $ 348 $ 0 $ 2 $ 0 $ 5,302 $ 0 $ 5,302 Ending allowance on loans collectively evaluated for impairment 8,488 824 17,606 3,031 365 5,207 3,006 38,527 18,901 57,428 Ending allowance for loan and lease losses $ 10,568 $ 824 $ 20,478 $ 3,379 $ 365 $ 5,209 $ 3,006 $ 43,829 $ 18,901 $ 62,730 Loans and Leases Ending balance of loans individually evaluated for impairment $ 10,391 $ 0 $ 18,023 $ 3,493 $ 122 $ 648 $ 0 $ 32,677 $ 0 $ 32,677 Ending balance of loans collectively evaluated for impairment 1,025,277 80,741 1,478,964 349,438 47,011 375,806 115,727 3,472,964 457,873 3,930,837 Total loans, excluding covered loans $ 1,035,668 $ 80,741 $ 1,496,987 $ 352,931 $ 47,133 $ 376,454 $ 115,727 $ 3,505,641 $ 457,873 $ 3,963,514

PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT (Tables)

PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]	Premises and equipment at December 31 were as follows: (Dollars in thousands) 2015 2014 Land and land improvements $ 41,398 $ 42,238 Buildings 108,648 109,806 Furniture and fixtures 53,054 57,536 Leasehold improvements 19,806 17,948 Construction in progress 2,849 6,113 225,755 233,641 Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization 89,152 92,260 Total $ 136,603 $ 141,381
Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases [Table Text Block]		First Financial's future minimum lease payments for operating leases are as follows: (Dollars in thousands) 2016 $ 7,046 2017 6,081 2018 5,086 2019 4,732 2020 4,579 Thereafter 14,246 Total $ 41,770

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE35

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS GOODWILL(Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill	Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 are shown below. (Dollars in thousands) 2015 2014 Balance at beginning of year $ 137,739 $ 95,050 Goodwill resulting from business combinations 66,345 42,689 Balance at end of year $ 204,084 $ 137,739

BORROWINGS (Tables)

BORROWINGS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Short-term Debt [Table Text Block]	The following is a summary of short-term borrowings for the last three years: 2015 2014 2013 (Dollars in thousands) Amount Rate Amount Rate Amount Rate At December 31, Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase $ 89,325 0.11 % $ 103,192 0.05 % $ 94,749 0.05 % FHLB borrowings 849,100 0.47 % 558,200 0.18 % 654,000 0.17 % Total $ 938,425 0.44 % $ 661,392 0.16 % $ 748,749 0.16 % Average for the year Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase $ 73,191 0.07 % $ 119,795 0.05 % $ 115,486 0.08 % FHLB borrowings 552,360 0.24 % 627,181 0.19 % 472,062 0.23 % Other short-term borrowings 123 3.30 % 0 0.00 % 0 0.00 % Total $ 625,674 0.22 % $ 746,976 0.17 % $ 587,548 0.20 % Maximum month-end balances Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase $ 123,374 $ 132,332 $ 158,911 FHLB borrowings 849,100 820,500 654,000 Other short-term borrowings 15,000 0 0
Summary of Long-term Debt [Table Text Block]	The following is a summary of First Financial's long-term debt: 2015 2014 (Dollars in thousands) Amount Average Rate Amount Average Rate Subordinated debt $ 118,312 5.20 % $ 0 0.00 % FHLB 453 2.37 % 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 $ 119,540 5.15 % $ 48,241 3.01 %
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt [Table Text Block]	As of December 31, 2015 , First Financial's long-term debt matures as follows: (Dollars in thousands) Long-term borrowings 2016 $ 15 2017 16 2018 15 2019 407 2020 0 Thereafter 119,087 Total $ 119,540

DERIVATIVES (Tables)

DERIVATIVES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Derivative Financial Instruments and Balances	The following table details the location and amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for fair value hedges: December 31, 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 $ 5,216 $ 0 $ (120 ) $ 8,739 $ 0 $ (440 ) Matched interest rate swaps with borrower Accrued interest and other assets and other liabilities 546,458 13,981 (44 ) 407,423 11,150 (249 ) Matched interest rate swaps with counterparty Accrued interest and other liabilities 546,458 44 (14,015 ) 407,423 249 (11,227 ) Total $ 1,098,132 $ 14,025 $ (14,179 ) $ 823,585 $ 11,399 $ (11,916 )
Disclosure by Type of Financial Instrument [Table Text Block]	The following table discloses the gross and net amounts of assets and liabilities recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets: December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 (Dollars in thousands) Gross amounts of recognized liabilities Gross amounts offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets Net amounts of assets 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 $ 120 $ 0 $ 120 $ 440 $ 0 $ 440 Matched interest rate swaps 14,015 (16,710 ) (2,695 ) 11,476 (12,260 ) (784 ) Total $ 14,135 $ (16,710 ) $ (2,575 ) $ 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 December 31, 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 $ 5,216 1.6 $ (120 ) 2.21 % 6.95 % Receive fixed, matched interest rate swaps with borrower 546,458 4.9 13,937 4.41 % 2.60 % Pay fixed, matched interest rate swaps with counterparty 546,458 4.9 (13,971 ) 2.60 % 4.41 % Total asset conversion swaps $ 1,098,132 4.9 $ (154 ) 3.50 % 3.52 %

LOANS TO RELATED PARTIES (Table

LOANS TO RELATED PARTIES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Schedule of Loans to Related Parties [Table Text Block]	Loans to directors, executive officers, principal holders of First Financial’s common stock and certain related persons were as follows: (Dollars in thousands) 2015 2014 2013 Beginning balance $ 6,195 $ 8,097 $ 10,426 Additions 5,609 5,034 827 Deductions (1,321 ) (6,936 ) (3,156 ) Ending balance $ 10,483 $ 6,195 $ 8,097 Loans 90 days past due $ 0 $ 0 $ 0

INCOME TAXES INCOME TAXES (Tabl

INCOME TAXES INCOME TAXES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Table Text Block]	Income tax expense consisted of the following components: (Dollars in thousands) 2015 2014 2013 Current expense Federal $ 31,428 $ 49,561 $ 41,679 State 250 2,872 2,883 Total current expense 31,678 52,433 44,562 Deferred (benefit) expense Federal 3,980 (19,368 ) (21,393 ) State 212 (3,037 ) (3,935 ) Total deferred (benefit) expense 4,192 (22,405 ) (25,328 ) Income tax expense $ 35,870 $ 30,028 $ 19,234
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table Text Block]	The difference between the federal income tax rates, applied to income before income taxes, and the effective rates were due to the following: (Dollars in thousands) 2015 2014 2013 Income taxes computed at federal statutory rate (35%) on income before income taxes $ 38,827 $ 33,260 $ 23,646 Tax-exempt income (2,380 ) (1,912 ) (1,266 ) Bank-owned life insurance (435 ) (392 ) (409 ) Tax credits (1,388 ) (1,100 ) (1,100 ) State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit 301 (107 ) (588 ) Tax settlement of unconsolidated subsidiary 0 0 (1,318 ) Other 945 279 269 Income tax expense $ 35,870 $ 30,028 $ 19,234
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block]	The major components of the temporary differences that give rise to deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 2015 , and 2014 , were as follows: (Dollars in thousands) 2015 2014 Deferred tax assets Allowance for loan and lease losses $ 19,397 $ 19,227 Deferred compensation 627 533 Postretirement benefits other than pension liability 971 938 Accrued stock-based compensation 1,354 1,170 Other real estate owned write-downs 1,714 1,962 Interest on nonaccrual loans 1,075 1,586 Accrued expenses 5,027 4,616 Net unrealized losses on investment securities and derivatives 3,574 1,926 Fair value adjustment on acquisitions 0 844 Other 1,004 438 Total deferred tax assets 34,743 33,240 Deferred tax liabilities Tax depreciation greater than book depreciation (6,011 ) (6,310 ) FHLB and FRB stock (5,685 ) (5,852 ) Mortgage-servicing rights (411 ) (136 ) Leasing activities (5,003 ) (5,297 ) Prepaid pension (11,384 ) (14,333 ) Intangible assets (14,764 ) (12,963 ) Deferred loan fees and costs (2,335 ) (1,167 ) Prepaid expenses (384 ) (364 ) Partnership investments (1,342 ) (1,220 ) Fair value adjustments on acquisitions (1,492 ) 0 Other (682 ) (604 ) Total deferred tax liabilities (49,493 ) (48,246 ) Total net deferred tax liability $ (14,750 ) $ (15,006 )

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Tables)

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Schedule of Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet and Income Statement [Table Text Block]	The following tables set forth information concerning amounts recognized in First Financial's Consolidated Balance Sheets and Consolidated Statements of Income: December 31, (Dollars in thousands) 2015 2014 Change in benefit obligation Benefit obligation at beginning of year $ 59,780 $ 55,591 Service cost 4,807 4,119 Interest cost 2,120 2,388 Amendments 0 0 Actuarial gain (loss) (1,017 ) 6,025 Benefits paid, excluding settlement (5,026 ) (8,343 ) Settlements 0 0 Benefit obligation at end of year 60,664 59,780 Change in plan assets Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year 133,326 131,647 Actual return on plan assets (2,586 ) 10,022 Employer contribution 0 0 Benefits paid, excluding settlement (5,026 ) (8,343 ) Settlements 0 0 Fair value of plan assets at end of year 125,714 133,326 Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets Assets 65,050 73,546 Liabilities 0 0 Net amount recognized $ 65,050 $ 73,546 Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) Net actuarial loss $ 40,770 $ 31,644 Net prior service cost (2,747 ) (3,159 ) Deferred tax assets (13,975 ) (10,581 ) Net amount recognized $ 24,048 $ 17,904 Change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) $ 6,144 $ 2,339 Accumulated benefit obligation $ 60,040 $ 59,063
Schedule of Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Table Text Block]	Components of net periodic benefit cost December 31, (Dollars in thousands) 2015 2014 2013 Service cost $ 4,807 $ 4,119 $ 3,705 Interest cost 2,120 2,388 2,319 Expected return on assets (9,444 ) (9,055 ) (8,988 ) Amortization of prior service cost (413 ) (413 ) (423 ) Recognized net actuarial loss 1,888 1,824 2,709 Settlement charges 0 0 6,174 Net periodic benefit (income) cost (1,042 ) (1,137 ) 5,496 Other changes recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income Net actuarial (gain) loss 11,014 5,058 (17,178 ) Prior service cost 0 0 124 Amortization of prior service cost 413 413 423 Amortization of gain (1,888 ) (1,824 ) (2,709 ) Settlement charges 0 0 (6,174 ) Total recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income 9,539 3,647 (25,514 ) Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and accumulated other comprehensive income $ 8,497 $ 2,510 $ (20,018 ) Amount expected to be recognized in net periodic pension expense in the coming year Amortization of loss $ 1,642 $ 1,780 $ 1,926 Amortization of prior service credit (413 ) (413 ) (413 )
Schedule of Assumptions Used [Table Text Block]	Weighted-average assumptions to determine December 31, 2015 2014 Benefit obligations Discount rate 4.05 % 3.76 % Rate of compensation increase 3.50 % 3.50 % Net periodic benefit cost Discount rate 3.76 % 4.62 % Expected return on plan assets 7.50 % 7.50 % Rate of compensation increase 3.50 % 3.50 %
Schedule of Changes in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Table Text Block]	The fair value of the plan assets as of December 31, 2015 by asset category is shown in the table that follows: Fair Value Measurements (Dollars in thousands) Total Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Asset Category Cash $ 181 $ 181 $ 0 $ 0 U. S. Government agencies 6,573 6,573 0 0 Fixed income mutual funds 63,885 63,885 0 0 Equity mutual funds 55,075 55,075 0 0 Total $ 125,714 $ 125,714 $ 0 $ 0 The fair value of the plan assets as of December 31, 2014 by asset category is shown below. Fair Value Measurements (Dollars in thousands) Total Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Asset Category Cash $ 172 $ 172 $ 0 $ 0 Fixed income mutual funds 49,938 49,938 0 0 Equity mutual funds 83,216 83,216 0 0 Total $ 133,326 $ 133,326 $ 0 $ 0
Schedule of Expected Benefit Payments [Table Text Block]	The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid: (Dollars in thousands) Retirement Benefits 2016 $ 6,011 2017 3,815 2018 4,397 2019 4,499 2020 5,113 Thereafter 26,421

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSI41

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Related Tax Effects Allocated to Other Comprehensive Income and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	The related tax effects allocated to other comprehensive income and accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are as follows: December 31, 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 $ (2,200 ) $ 1,505 $ (3,705 ) $ 1,278 $ (2,427 ) $ (2,506 ) $ (2,427 ) $ (4,933 ) Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives (1,020 ) 0 (1,020 ) 370 (650 ) (949 ) (650 ) (1,599 ) Retirement obligation (11,014 ) (1,475 ) (9,539 ) 3,395 (6,144 ) (17,904 ) (6,144 ) (24,048 ) Foreign currency translation 50 0 50 0 50 (50 ) 50 0 Total $ (14,184 ) $ 30 $ (14,214 ) $ 5,043 $ (9,171 ) $ (21,409 ) $ (9,171 ) $ (30,580 ) December 31, 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 $ 21,718 $ 70 $ 21,648 $ (7,865 ) $ 13,783 $ (16,289 ) $ 13,783 $ (2,506 ) Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives (2,902 ) (432 ) (2,470 ) 919 (1,551 ) 602 (1,551 ) (949 ) Retirement obligation (5,058 ) (1,411 ) (3,647 ) 1,308 (2,339 ) (15,565 ) (2,339 ) (17,904 ) Foreign currency translation (21 ) 0 (21 ) 0 (21 ) (29 ) (21 ) (50 ) Total $ 13,737 $ (1,773 ) $ 15,510 $ (5,638 ) $ 9,872 $ (31,281 ) $ 9,872 $ (21,409 ) December 31, 2013 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 $ (44,365 ) $ 1,724 $ (46,089 ) $ 16,998 $ (29,091 ) $ 12,802 $ (29,091 ) $ (16,289 ) Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives 778 (412 ) 1,190 (445 ) 745 (143 ) 745 602 Retirement obligation 17,054 (8,460 ) 25,514 (9,741 ) 15,773 (31,338 ) 15,773 (15,565 ) Foreign currency translation (31 ) 0 (31 ) 0 (31 ) 2 (31 ) (29 ) Total $ (26,564 ) $ (7,148 ) $ (19,416 ) $ 6,812 $ (12,604 ) $ (18,677 ) $ (12,604 ) $ (31,281 )
Other Accumulated Comprehensive income reclassified from AOCI [Table Text Block]	The following table details the activity reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into income during the period: Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (1) December 31, (Dollars in thousands) 2015 2014 2013 Affected Line Item in the Consolidated Statements of Income Gain and loss on cash flow hedges Interest rate contracts $ 0 $ (432 ) $ (412 ) Interest expense - deposits Realized gains and losses on securities available-for-sale 1,505 70 1,724 Gains on sales of investments securities Defined benefit pension plan Amortization of prior service cost (2) 413 413 423 Salaries and employee benefits Recognized net actuarial loss (2) (1,888 ) (1,824 ) (2,709 ) Salaries and employee benefits Pension settlement charges 0 0 (6,174 ) Pension settlement charges Amortization and settlement charges of defined benefit pension items (1,475 ) (1,411 ) (8,460 ) Total reclassifications for the period, before tax $ 30 $ (1,773 ) $ (7,148 ) (1) Negative amounts are debits to profit/loss. (2) Included in the computation of net periodic pension cost (see Note 14 - Employee Benefit Plans for additional details).

CAPITAL (Tables)

CAPITAL (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Banking and Thrift [Abstract]
Schedule of Compliance with Regulatory Capital Requirements under Banking Regulations [Table Text Block]	Actual Minimum capital Required to be Minimum capital (Dollars in thousands) Capital Ratio Capital Ratio Capital Ratio Capital Ratio December 31, 2015 Common equity tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets Consolidated $ 648,748 10.28 % $ 283,866 4.50 % N/A N/A $ 441,570 7.00 % First Financial Bank 647,844 10.30 % 283,080 4.50 % $ 408,894 6.50 % 440,347 7.00 % Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets Consolidated 648,852 10.29 % 378,488 6.00 % N/A N/A 536,192 8.50 % First Financial Bank 647,948 10.30 % 377,440 6.00 % $ 503,254 8.00 % 534,707 8.50 % Total capital to risk-weighted assets Consolidated 822,431 13.04 % 504,651 8.00 % N/A N/A 662,355 10.50 % First Financial Bank 709,306 11.28 % 503,254 8.00 % 629,067 10.00 % 660,521 10.50 % Leverage Consolidated 648,852 8.33 % 311,481 4.00 % N/A N/A 311,481 4.00 % First Financial Bank 647,948 8.33 % 311,205 4.00 % 389,006 5.00 % 311,205 4.00 % Actual Minimum required Required to be (Dollars in thousands) Capital amount Ratio Capital Ratio Capital Ratio December 31, 2014 Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets Consolidated 673,955 12.69 % 212,463 4.00 % N/A N/A First Financial Bank 602,133 11.38 % 211,724 4.00 % 317,585 6.00 % Total capital to risk-weighted assets Consolidated 728,284 13.71 % 424,926 8.00 % N/A N/A First Financial Bank 662,865 12.52 % 423,447 8.00 % 529,309 10.00 % Leverage Consolidated 673,955 9.44 % 285,514 4.00 % N/A N/A First Financial Bank 602,133 8.44 % 285,311 4.00 % 356,639 5.00 %

STOCK OPTIONS AND AWARDS (Table

STOCK OPTIONS AND AWARDS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block]	tock option activity for the year ended December 31, 2015 , is summarized as follows: (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) Number of shares Weighted average exercise price Weighted average remaining contractual life Aggregate intrinsic value Outstanding at beginning of year 413,126 $ 14.32 Granted 0 0.00 Exercised (93,712 ) 13.40 Forfeited or expired (79,516 ) 17.57 Outstanding at end of year 239,898 $ 13.60 1.5 years $ 1,072 Exercisable at end of year 239,898 $ 13.60 1.5 years $ 1,072
Schedule of Cash Proceeds Received from Share-based Payment Awards [Table Text Block]	ntrinsic value of stock options is defined as the difference between the current market value and the exercise price. First Financial uses treasury shares purchased under the Company's share repurchase program to satisfy share-based exercises. 2015 2014 2013 Total intrinsic value of options exercised $ 492 $ 1,479 $ 3,247 Cash received from exercises $ 744 $ 1,056 $ 73 Tax benefit from exercises $ 1,488 $ 1,475 $ 1,422
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units Activity [Table Text Block]	Activity in restricted stock for the previous three years ended December 31 is summarized as follows: 2015 2014 2013 Number of shares Weighted average grant date fair value Number of shares Weighted average grant date fair value Number of shares Weighted average grant date fair value Nonvested at beginning of year 494,452 $ 16.43 456,032 $ 16.00 518,756 $ 16.65 Granted 439,674 17.65 273,933 16.80 302,175 15.65 Vested (227,905 ) 16.45 (215,796 ) 16.19 (263,302 ) 16.63 Forfeited (62,580 ) 16.58 (19,717 ) 16.40 (101,597 ) 16.26 Nonvested at end of year 643,641 $ 17.21 494,452 $ 16.43 456,032 $ 16.00

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (Tabl

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share: (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) 2015 2014 2013 Numerator Net income $ 75,063 $ 65,000 $ 48,349 Denominator Basic earnings per common share - weighted average shares 61,062,657 58,662,836 57,270,233 Effect of dilutive securities Employee stock awards 670,282 589,157 692,050 Warrants 114,608 140,674 110,771 Diluted earnings per common share - adjusted weighted average shares 61,847,547 59,392,667 58,073,054 Earnings per share available to common shareholders Basic $ 1.23 $ 1.11 $ 0.84 Diluted $ 1.21 $ 1.09 $ 0.83

FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES (Tables)

FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
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 December 31, 2015 Financial assets Cash and short-term investments $ 148,575 $ 148,575 $ 148,575 $ 0 $ 0 Investment securities held-to-maturity 726,259 731,951 0 731,951 0 Other investments 53,725 53,725 0 53,725 0 Loans held for sale 20,957 20,957 0 20,957 0 Loans and leases, net of ALLL 5,335,362 5,381,065 0 0 5,381,065 FDIC indemnification asset 17,630 9,756 0 0 9,756 Financial liabilities Deposits Noninterest-bearing $ 1,413,404 $ 1,413,404 $ 0 $ 1,413,404 $ 0 Interest-bearing demand 1,414,291 1,414,291 0 1,414,291 0 Savings 1,945,805 1,945,805 0 1,945,805 0 Time 1,406,124 1,406,489 0 1,406,489 0 Total deposits 6,179,624 6,179,989 0 6,179,989 0 Short-term borrowings 938,425 938,425 938,425 0 0 Long-term debt 119,540 118,691 0 118,691 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 following table summarizes the financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as follows: Fair Value Measurements Using Assets/Liabilities (Dollars in thousands) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 at Fair Value December 31, 2015 Assets Derivatives $ 0 $ 14,111 $ 0 $ 14,111 Available-for-sale investment securities 8,583 1,182,059 0 1,190,642 Total $ 8,583 $ 1,196,170 $ 0 $ 1,204,753 Liabilities Derivatives $ 0 $ 14,243 $ 0 $ 14,243 Fair Value Measurements Using Assets/Liabilities (Dollars in thousands) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 at Fair Value December 31, 2014 Assets Derivatives $ 0 $ 11,399 $ 0 $ 11,399 Available-for-sale investment securities 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 December 31, 2015 Assets Impaired loans $ 0 $ 0 $ 8,008 OREO 0 0 7,598 Fair Value Measurements Using (Dollars in thousands) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 December 31, 2014 Assets Impaired loans $ 0 $ 0 $ 14,096 OREO 0 0 13,094

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS (Tables)

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Purchase price calculation as of the acquisition dates	The following tables provide the purchase price calculation as of the acquisition dates and the identifiable assets purchased and the liabilities assumed at their estimated fair value. These fair value measurements are based on third-party valuations. 2015 (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 237,377 Intangible assets 813 Other assets 2,633 Total assets $ 243,071 Liabilities assumed Other liabilities 1,577 Total liabilities $ 1,577 Net identifiable assets $ 241,494 Goodwill $ 66,345 2014 (Dollars in thousands) First Bexley Insight Guernsey Total Purchase consideration Cash consideration $ 10,810 $ 9,880 $ 13,500 $ 34,190 Stock consideration 33,699 26,730 0 60,429 Other consideration 0 0 2,523 2,523 Total purchase consideration $ 44,509 $ 36,610 $ 16,023 $ 97,142 Assets acquired Loans $ 314,807 $ 219,008 $ 72,448 $ 606,263 Intangible assets 1,280 1,277 999 3,556 Other assets 25,456 30,799 61,238 117,493 Total assets $ 341,543 $ 251,084 $ 134,685 $ 727,312 Liabilities assumed Deposits $ 273,860 $ 179,330 $ 115,415 $ 568,605 Borrowings 40,000 44,149 10,742 94,891 Other liabilities 1,454 7,303 606 9,363 Total liabilities $ 315,314 $ 230,782 $ 126,763 $ 672,859 Net identifiable assets $ 26,229 $ 20,302 $ 7,922 $ 54,453 Goodwill $ 18,280 $ 16,308 $ 8,101 $ 42,689

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP. (PAR47

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP. (PARENT COMPANY ONLY) FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Condensed Balance Sheet	Balance Sheets December 31, (Dollars in thousands) 2015 2014 Assets Cash $ 106,072 $ 55,192 Investment securities, available for sale 335 276 Other investments 6,190 5,399 Subordinated notes from subsidiaries 7,500 7,500 Investment in subsidiaries Commercial banks 807,832 712,067 Total investment in subsidiaries 807,832 712,067 Premises and equipment 1,412 1,431 Other assets 12,312 13,870 Total assets $ 941,653 $ 795,735 Liabilities Subordinated debentures $ 118,312 $ 0 Dividends payable 10,251 10,249 Other liabilities 3,714 1,409 Total liabilities 132,277 11,658 Shareholders’ equity 809,376 784,077 Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 941,653 $ 795,735
Schedule of Condensed Income Statement	Statements of Income Years Ended December 31, (Dollars in thousands) 2015 2014 2013 Income Interest income $ 81 $ 73 $ 75 Noninterest income 253 92 0 Dividends from subsidiaries 17,250 31,700 58,700 Total income 17,584 31,865 58,775 Expenses Interest expense 2,157 0 0 Salaries and employee benefits 4,224 4,041 4,042 Miscellaneous professional services 723 708 663 Other 5,564 5,307 5,059 Total expenses 12,668 10,056 9,764 Income before income taxes and equity in undistributed net earnings of subsidiaries 4,916 21,809 49,011 Income tax benefit (4,563 ) (3,674 ) (3,659 ) Equity in undistributed earnings (loss) of subsidiaries 65,584 39,517 (4,321 ) Net income $ 75,063 $ 65,000 $ 48,349
Schedule of Condensed Cash Flow Statement	Statements of Cash Flows Years Ended December 31, (Dollars in thousands) 2015 2014 2013 Operating activities Net income $ 75,063 $ 65,000 $ 48,349 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities Equity in undistributed (earnings) loss of subsidiaries (65,584 ) (39,517 ) 4,321 Depreciation and amortization 78 24 26 Stock-based compensation expense 4,049 3,970 3,803 Deferred income taxes (85 ) 180 (676 ) (Decrease) increase in dividends payable 2 1,071 (7,691 ) (Decrease) increase in other liabilities 1,965 (1,654 ) 7,719 Decrease (increase) in other assets 1,459 (264 ) 1,266 Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 16,947 28,810 57,117 Investing activities Capital contributions to subsidiaries (40,000 ) (27,601 ) 0 Net cash (paid) acquired from business acquisitions 0 (17,065 ) 0 Proceeds from disposal of subsidiaries 0 18,695 0 Proceeds from calls and maturities of investment securities 87 29 48 Purchases of investment securities (412 ) (192 ) (88 ) Purchases of premises and equipment 0 0 (80 ) Other 0 0 307 Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities (40,325 ) (26,134 ) 187 Financing activities Proceeds from long-term borrowings 120,000 0 0 Cash dividends paid on common stock (39,070 ) (34,848 ) (61,429 ) Treasury stock purchase (4,498 ) (697 ) (11,778 ) Proceeds from exercise of stock options, net of shares purchased 744 1,056 73 Excess tax benefit on share-based compensation 146 153 686 Other (3,064 ) (1,568 ) (2,632 ) Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 74,258 (35,904 ) (75,080 ) Net increase (decrease) in cash 50,880 (33,228 ) (17,776 ) Cash at beginning of year 55,192 88,420 106,196 Cash at end of year $ 106,072 $ 55,192 $ 88,420

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN48

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Non Covered Loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Allowance threshold for impaired and non-impaired commercial loans	$ 250,000
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 - residential | Non Covered Loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Restructured loan relationships review threshold	$ 100,000

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN49

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Premises and Equipment (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life, Minimum	20 years
Minimum | Building and Building Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life, Minimum	10 years
Minimum | Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life, Minimum	3 years
Minimum | Software, Hardware, and Data Handling Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life, Minimum	3 years
Maximum | Building and Building Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life, Minimum	40 years
Maximum | Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life, Minimum	10 years
Maximum | Software, Hardware, and Data Handling Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life, Minimum	5 years

RECENTLY ADOPTED AND ISSUED A50

RECENTLY ADOPTED AND ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS RECENTLY ADOPTED AND ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Unamortized Debt Issuance Expense	$ 1.7	$ 0.1

RESTRICTIONS ON CASH AND DIVI51

RESTRICTIONS ON CASH AND DIVIDENDS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Restrictions on Subsidiary Dividends, Loans or Advances [Line Items]
Average Restriction on Cash and Due From Bank Accounts	$ 56.5	$ 56.2
Subsidiaries [Member]
Restrictions on Subsidiary Dividends, Loans or Advances [Line Items]
Retained Earnings, Unappropriated	449
Amount Available for Dividend Distribution without Affecting Capital Adequacy Requirements	$ 100.8

INVESTMENTS - Summary of Held-T

INVESTMENTS - Summary of Held-To-Maturity and Available-For-Sale Investment Securities (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Amortized cost	$ 726,259	$ 867,996
Held To Maturity Gross Unrealized Gain Accumulated In Investments	7,911	9,112
Held To Maturity Securities Gross Unrealized Loss Accumulated In Investments	2,219	2,359
Held-to-Maturity Market Value	731,951	874,749
Amortized Cost	1,203,065	849,504
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Gain Accumulated In Investments	6,078	6,760
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Loss Accumulated In Investments	18,501	15,796
Investment securities, available for sale	1,190,642	840,468
Available-for-sale Securities, Current	68,700	166,300	$ 91,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gains	1,500	100	1,700
Available-for-sale Securities, Gains, After Tax	1,000	0	$ 1,100
Securities Owned and Pledged as Collateral, Description	1,000,000	1,100,000
U.S. Treasuries
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Amortized cost	0	0
Held To Maturity Gross Unrealized Gain Accumulated In Investments	0	0
Held To Maturity Securities Gross Unrealized Loss Accumulated In Investments	0	0
Held-to-Maturity Market Value	0	0
Amortized Cost	98	97
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Gain Accumulated In Investments	0	0
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Loss Accumulated In Investments	1	0
Investment securities, available for sale	97	97
Securities of U.S. government agencies and corporations
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Amortized cost	15,486	17,570
Held To Maturity Gross Unrealized Gain Accumulated In Investments	121	24
Held To Maturity Securities Gross Unrealized Loss Accumulated In Investments	0	23
Held-to-Maturity Market Value	15,607	17,571
Amortized Cost	8,183	11,814
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Gain Accumulated In Investments	157	67
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Loss Accumulated In Investments	0	1
Investment securities, available for sale	8,340	11,880
Mortgage-backed securities
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Amortized cost	678,318	801,465
Held To Maturity Gross Unrealized Gain Accumulated In Investments	7,452	7,813
Held To Maturity Securities Gross Unrealized Loss Accumulated In Investments	1,999	2,064
Held-to-Maturity Market Value	683,771	807,214
Amortized Cost	775,285	611,497
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Gain Accumulated In Investments	2,708	4,462
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Loss Accumulated In Investments	12,926	13,211
Investment securities, available for sale	765,067	602,748
Obligations of state and other political subdivisions
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Amortized cost	27,646	44,164
Held To Maturity Gross Unrealized Gain Accumulated In Investments	338	1,275
Held To Maturity Securities Gross Unrealized Loss Accumulated In Investments	99	193
Held-to-Maturity Market Value	27,885	45,246
Amortized Cost	73,815	73,649
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Gain Accumulated In Investments	2,491	883
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Loss Accumulated In Investments	671	947
Investment securities, available for sale	75,635	73,585
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Amortized cost	0	0
Held To Maturity Gross Unrealized Gain Accumulated In Investments	0	0
Held To Maturity Securities Gross Unrealized Loss Accumulated In Investments	0	0
Held-to-Maturity Market Value	0	0
Amortized Cost	236,411	74,784
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Gain Accumulated In Investments	35	155
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Loss Accumulated In Investments	3,445	103
Investment securities, available for sale	233,001	74,836
Other securities
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Amortized cost	4,809	4,797
Held To Maturity Gross Unrealized Gain Accumulated In Investments	0	0
Held To Maturity Securities Gross Unrealized Loss Accumulated In Investments	121	79
Held-to-Maturity Market Value	4,688	4,718
Amortized Cost	109,273	77,663
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Gain Accumulated In Investments	687	1,193
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Loss Accumulated In Investments	1,458	1,534
Investment securities, available for sale	$ 108,502	$ 77,322

INVESTMENTS - Summary of Invest

INVESTMENTS - Summary of Investment Securities by Estimated Maturity (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Held-to-Maturity Amortized Cost
Due in one year or less	$ 4,061
Due after one year through five years	536,660
Due after five years through ten years	185,538
Due after ten years	0
Amortized cost	726,259	$ 867,996
Held-to-Maturity Market Value
Due in one year or less	4,148
Due after one year through five years	540,266
Due after five years through ten years	187,537
Due after ten years	0
Held-to-Maturity Market Value	731,951	874,749
Available-for-Sale Amortized Cost
Due in one year or less	21,724
Due after one year through five years	748,300
Due after five years through ten years	393,652
Due after ten years	39,389
Amortized Cost	1,203,065	849,504
Available-for-Sale Market Value
Due in one year or less	21,652
Due after one year through five years	740,460
Due after five years through ten years	389,001
Due after ten years	39,529
Available-for-Sale Market Value	$ 1,190,642	$ 840,468

INVESTMENTS - Age of Gross Unre

INVESTMENTS - Age of Gross Unrealized Losses and Associated Fair Value by Investment Category (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]
Less than 12 Months Fair Value	$ 726,559	$ 177,756
Less than 12 Months Unrealized Loss	(9,062)	(967)
12 Months or More Fair Value	317,670	496,104
12 Months or More Unrealized Loss	(11,658)	(16,090)
Total Fair Value	1,044,229	673,860
Total Unrealized Loss	(20,720)	(17,057)
Securities of U.S. government agencies and corporations
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]
Less than 12 Months Fair Value	97	493
Less than 12 Months Unrealized Loss	0	(1)
12 Months or More Fair Value	0	97
12 Months or More Unrealized Loss	0	0
Total Fair Value	97	590
Total Unrealized Loss	0	(1)
Mortgage-backed securities
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]
Less than 12 Months Fair Value	500,768	119,641
Less than 12 Months Unrealized Loss	(5,363)	(420)
12 Months or More Fair Value	246,523	428,486
12 Months or More Unrealized Loss	(9,563)	(13,780)
Total Fair Value	747,291	548,127
Total Unrealized Loss	(14,926)	(14,200)
Obligations of state and other political subdivisions
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]
Less than 12 Months Fair Value	972	12,746
Less than 12 Months Unrealized Loss	(6)	(126)
12 Months or More Fair Value	29,287	37,516
12 Months or More Unrealized Loss	(764)	(1,014)
Total Fair Value	30,259	50,262
Total Unrealized Loss	(770)	(1,140)
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]
Less than 12 Months Fair Value	189,066	32,045
Less than 12 Months Unrealized Loss	(3,042)	(103)
12 Months or More Fair Value	17,144	0
12 Months or More Unrealized Loss	(403)	0
Total Fair Value	206,210	32,045
Total Unrealized Loss	(3,445)	(103)
Other securities
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]
Less than 12 Months Fair Value	35,656	12,831
Less than 12 Months Unrealized Loss	(651)	(317)
12 Months or More Fair Value	24,716	30,005
12 Months or More Unrealized Loss	(928)	(1,296)
Total Fair Value	60,372	42,836
Total Unrealized Loss	$ (1,579)	$ (1,613)

LOANS - Additional Information

LOANS - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Restructured Loans, Accrual Status	$ 28,876,000	$ 15,928,000	$ 15,429,000
Purchased impaired loans, carrying balance	191,626,000	264,904,000
Purchased impaired loans	213,300,000	314,500,000
Reclassification from (to) nonaccretable difference	1,075,000	23,216,000	1,470,000
Restructured Loans, Nonaccrual Status	9,300,000	12,300,000	13,800,000
Gain (loss) on sale of other real estate owned	(1,861,000)	(862,000)	(31,000)
Covered loans	113,300,000	135,700,000
FDIC Indemnification Asset, Net Write Offs	0	0	(22,417,000)
Real Estate Acquired Through Foreclosure	13,254,000	22,674,000	46,926,000	$ 41,388,000
Loans and Leases Receivable, Impaired, Commitment to Lend	$ 1,800,000
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	$ 300,000	$ 27,100,000
Real estate - residential | Non Covered Loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Restructured Loans, Loan Relationships, Review Threshold Amount Minimum	$ 100,000

LOANS LOANS - Carrying Amount o

LOANS LOANS - Carrying Amount of Accretable Yield for Purchased Impaired and Nonimpaired Loans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 106,622	$ 133,671
Reclassification from (to) nonaccretable difference	1,075	23,216	$ 1,470
Accretion	(21,544)	(33,730)	(58,422)
Other net activity	(21,296)	(16,535)	(34,071)
Balance at end of period		106,622	133,671
Covered Loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of period	106,622	133,671	224,694
Balance at end of period	$ 64,857	$ 106,622	$ 133,671

LOANS - Commercial and Consumer

LOANS - Commercial and Consumer Credit Exposure by Risk Attribute (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Commercial and industrial	$ 1,663,102	$ 1,315,114
Real Estate - Construction	311,712	197,571
Real Estate - Commercial	2,258,297	2,140,667
Lease financing	93,986	77,567
Total Commercial	4,327,097	3,730,919
Real Estate Residential	512,311	501,894
Installment	41,506	47,320
Home equity	466,629	458,627
Other	41,217	38,475
Total	1,061,663	1,046,316
Pass
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Commercial and industrial	1,596,415	1,265,116
Real Estate - Construction	310,806	195,787
Real Estate - Commercial	2,179,701	2,027,897
Lease financing	93,236	75,839
Total Commercial	4,180,158	3,564,639
Special Mention
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Commercial and industrial	27,498	30,903
Real Estate - Construction	128	0
Real Estate - Commercial	19,903	25,928
Lease financing	0	1,728
Total Commercial	47,529	58,559
Substandard
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Commercial and industrial	39,189	19,095
Real Estate - Construction	778	1,784
Real Estate - Commercial	58,693	86,842
Lease financing	750	0
Total Commercial	99,410	107,721
Doubtful
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Commercial and industrial	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	503,317	490,314
Installment	41,253	46,806
Home equity	461,188	452,281
Other	41,217	38,475
Total	1,046,975	1,027,876
Nonperforming
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Real Estate Residential	8,994	11,580
Installment	253	514
Home equity	5,441	6,346
Other	0	0
Total	$ 14,688	$ 18,440

LOANS - Loan Delinquency, inclu

LOANS - Loan Delinquency, including Nonaccrual Loans (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing receivables, Past Due	$ 26,559	$ 43,311
Current	5,170,575	4,469,020
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross	5,197,134	4,512,331
Purchased impaired loans, carrying balance	191,626	264,904
Total loans and leases	5,388,760	4,777,235
Greater than 90 days past due and still accruing	108	216
30 to 59 days past due
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing receivables, Past Due	7,789	12,795
60 to 89 days past due
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing receivables, Past Due	4,062	5,440
Greater than 90 days past due
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing receivables, Past Due	14,708	25,076
Commercial
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing receivables, Past Due	6,424	6,759
Current	1,648,902	1,290,975
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross	1,655,326	1,297,734
Purchased impaired loans, carrying balance	7,776	17,380
Total loans and leases	1,663,102	1,315,114
Greater than 90 days past due and still accruing	0	0
Commercial | 30 to 59 days past due
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing receivables, Past Due	2,255	1,002
Commercial | 60 to 89 days past due
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing receivables, Past Due	2,232	3,647
Commercial | Greater than 90 days past due
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing receivables, Past Due	1,937	2,110
Real estate - construction
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing receivables, Past Due	17	499
Current	310,872	195,773
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross	310,889	196,272
Purchased impaired loans, carrying balance	823	1,299
Total loans and leases	311,712	197,571
Greater than 90 days past due and still accruing	0	0
Real estate - construction | 30 to 59 days past due
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing receivables, Past Due	0	276
Real estate - construction | 60 to 89 days past due
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing receivables, Past Due	17	0
Real estate - construction | Greater than 90 days past due
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing receivables, Past Due	0	223
Real estate - commercial
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing receivables, Past Due	10,835	23,146
Current	2,124,290	1,944,207
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross	2,135,125	1,967,353
Purchased impaired loans, carrying balance	123,172	173,314
Total loans and leases	2,258,297	2,140,667
Greater than 90 days past due and still accruing	0	0
Real estate - commercial | 30 to 59 days past due
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing receivables, Past Due	2,501	8,356
Real estate - commercial | 60 to 89 days past due
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing receivables, Past Due	913	838
Real estate - commercial | Greater than 90 days past due
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing receivables, Past Due	7,421	13,952
Real estate - residential
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing receivables, Past Due	3,701	5,766
Current	451,907	426,908
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross	455,608	432,674
Purchased impaired loans, carrying balance	56,703	69,220
Total loans and leases	512,311	501,894
Greater than 90 days past due and still accruing	0	0
Real estate - residential | 30 to 59 days past due
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing receivables, Past Due	1,220	1,198
Real estate - residential | 60 to 89 days past due
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing receivables, Past Due	239	344
Real estate - residential | Greater than 90 days past due
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing receivables, Past Due	2,242	4,224
Installment
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing receivables, Past Due	356	422
Current	39,206	44,235
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross	39,562	44,657
Purchased impaired loans, carrying balance	1,944	2,663
Total loans and leases	41,506	47,320
Greater than 90 days past due and still accruing	0	0
Installment | 30 to 59 days past due
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing receivables, Past Due	197	133
Installment | 60 to 89 days past due
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing receivables, Past Due	111	17
Installment | Greater than 90 days past due
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing receivables, Past Due	48	272
Home equity
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing receivables, Past Due	3,774	5,242
Current	461,647	452,357
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross	465,421	457,599
Purchased impaired loans, carrying balance	1,208	1,028
Total loans and leases	466,629	458,627
Greater than 90 days past due and still accruing	0	0
Home equity | 30 to 59 days past due
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing receivables, Past Due	696	697
Home equity | 60 to 89 days past due
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing receivables, Past Due	248	466
Home equity | Greater than 90 days past due
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing receivables, Past Due	2,830	4,079
Other
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing receivables, Past Due	1,452	1,477
Current	133,751	114,565
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross	135,203	116,042
Purchased impaired loans, carrying balance	0	0
Total loans and leases	135,203	116,042
Greater than 90 days past due and still accruing	108	216
Other | 30 to 59 days past due
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing receivables, Past Due	920	1,133
Other | 60 to 89 days past due
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing receivables, Past Due	302	128
Other | Greater than 90 days past due
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing receivables, Past Due	$ 230	$ 216

LOANS - Restructured Loans (Det

LOANS - Restructured Loans (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)loansd	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)loans	Dec. 31, 2013USD ($)
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Extended Maturities	$ 12,883,000	$ 6,961,000
Adjusted Interest Rates	0	299,000
Combined Rate And Maturity	1,244,000	991,000
Forebearance Agreements	260,000	373,000
Other	13,846,000	2,150,000
Total	$ 28,233,000	$ 10,774,000
Number of Restructured Loans | loans	271	262
Restructured loans, Number of Loans | loans	96	115
Restructured loans, Restructured loans, Pre-Modification Loan Balance	$ 33,532,000	$ 14,308,000
Restructured loans, Period End Balance	$ 28,233,000	$ 10,774,000
Restructured loans with payment default within 12 months of modification, Number of Loans | loans	10	9
Restructured loans with payment default within 12 months of modification, Period End Balance	$ 1,621,000	$ 445,000
Total restructured loans	38,200,000	28,200,000
Restructured Loans, Accrual Status	28,876,000	15,928,000	$ 15,429,000
Restructured Loans, Nonaccrual Status	9,300,000	12,300,000	$ 13,800,000
Allowance for loan and lease losses lncluded in reserves for restructured loans	6,300,000	3,700,000
Restructured loans uncollectible portion written off	2,700,000	1,000,000
Accruing TDRs performing in accordance with restructured terms for more than one year	$ 10,300,000	$ 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	33	24
Restructured loans, Restructured loans, Pre-Modification Loan Balance	$ 9,035,000	$ 5,282,000
Restructured loans, Period End Balance	$ 8,203,000	$ 4,256,000
Restructured loans with payment default within 12 months of modification, Number of Loans | loans	2	1
Restructured loans with payment default within 12 months of modification, Period End Balance	$ 344,000	$ 143,000
Real estate - construction
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Restructured loans, Number of Loans | loans	0	0
Restructured loans, Restructured loans, Pre-Modification Loan Balance	$ 0	$ 0
Restructured loans, Period End Balance	$ 0	$ 0
Restructured loans with payment default within 12 months of modification, Number of Loans | loans	0	0
Restructured loans with payment default within 12 months of modification, Period End Balance	$ 0	$ 0
Real estate - commercial
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Restructured loans, Number of Loans | loans	18	16
Restructured loans, Restructured loans, Pre-Modification Loan Balance	$ 20,249,000	$ 5,235,000
Restructured loans, Period End Balance	$ 16,474,000	$ 3,937,000
Restructured loans with payment default within 12 months of modification, Number of Loans | loans	4	2
Restructured loans with payment default within 12 months of modification, Period End Balance	$ 1,146,000	$ 182,000
Installment
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Restructured loans, Number of Loans | loans	10	8
Restructured loans, Restructured loans, Pre-Modification Loan Balance	$ 97,000	$ 47,000
Restructured loans, Period End Balance	$ 97,000	$ 29,000
Restructured loans with payment default within 12 months of modification, Number of Loans | loans	1	0
Restructured loans with payment default within 12 months of modification, Period End Balance	$ 14,000	$ 0
Home equity
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Restructured loans, Number of Loans | loans	25	36
Restructured loans, Restructured loans, Pre-Modification Loan Balance	$ 2,859,000	$ 1,977,000
Restructured loans, Period End Balance	$ 2,221,000	$ 1,036,000
Restructured loans with payment default within 12 months of modification, Number of Loans | loans	1	3
Restructured loans with payment default within 12 months of modification, Period End Balance	$ 34,000	$ 91,000
Residential
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Restructured loans, Number of Loans | loans	10	31
Restructured loans, Restructured loans, Pre-Modification Loan Balance	$ 1,292,000	$ 1,767,000
Restructured loans, Period End Balance	$ 1,238,000	$ 1,516,000
Restructured loans with payment default within 12 months of modification, Number of Loans | loans	2	3
Restructured loans with payment default within 12 months of modification, Period End Balance	$ 83,000	$ 29,000
Non Covered Loans | Residential
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Restructured loan relationships review threshold	$ 100,000

LOANS - Nonaccrual, Restructure

LOANS - Nonaccrual, Restructured and Impaired Loans (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Nonaccrual loans	$ 27,997	$ 48,469	$ 41,392
Restructured loans - accrual status	28,876	15,928	15,429
Total impaired loans	56,873	64,397	56,821
Interest income effect
Gross amount of interest that would have been recorded under original terms	3,595	3,581	4,698
Interest included in income
Nonaccrual loans	475	537	560
Restructured loans	682	456	444
Total interest included in income	1,157	993	1,004
Net impact on interest income	2,438	2,588	3,694
Loans and Leases Receivable-Nonaccrual, future commitment to lend	1	0	38
Restructured loans - nonaccrual status	9,300	12,300	13,800
Commercial
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Nonaccrual loans	8,405	6,627	8,474
Total impaired loans	17,411	10,009	13,100
Real estate - construction
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Nonaccrual loans	0	223	223
Total impaired loans	0	223	223
Real estate - commercial
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Nonaccrual loans	9,418	27,969	18,635
Total impaired loans	24,652	35,724	25,342
Real estate - residential
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Nonaccrual loans	5,027	7,241	8,606
Total impaired loans	8,994	11,580	12,307
Installment
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Nonaccrual loans	127	451	579
Total impaired loans	253	514	647
Home equity
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Nonaccrual loans	4,898	5,958	4,875
Total impaired loans	5,441	6,347	5,202
Other loans
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Nonaccrual loans	122	0	0
Total impaired loans	$ 122	$ 0	$ 0

LOANS - Investment in Impaired

LOANS - Investment in Impaired Loans (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	$ 56,873	$ 64,397	$ 56,821
Contractual Principal Balance	66,066	76,291	72,448
Related Allowance	1,573	5,053	5,302
Average Recorded Investment	60,310	56,572	77,230
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Interest Income, Accrual Method	282	287	227
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Interest Income, Accrual Method	875	706	777
Total interest included in income	1,157	993	1,004
Commercial
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	17,411	10,009	13,100
Contractual Principal Balance	18,576	11,889	16,567
Related Allowance	357	739	2,080
Average Recorded Investment	11,877	11,380	17,591
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Interest Income, Accrual Method	26	57	71
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Interest Income, Accrual Method	258	146	176
Total interest included in income	284	203	247
Real estate - construction
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	0	223	223
Contractual Principal Balance	0	443	443
Related Allowance	0	0	0
Average Recorded Investment	150	223	1,325
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Interest Income, Accrual Method	0	0	7
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Interest Income, Accrual Method	0	0	0
Total interest included in income	0	0	7
Real estate - commercial
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	24,652	35,724	25,342
Contractual Principal Balance	29,185	41,293	33,503
Related Allowance	979	4,002	2,872
Average Recorded Investment	32,291	27,124	39,447
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Interest Income, Accrual Method	213	187	110
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Interest Income, Accrual Method	344	285	384
Total interest included in income	557	472	494
Real estate - residential
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	8,994	11,580	12,307
Contractual Principal Balance	10,367	12,947	14,159
Related Allowance	235	310	348
Average Recorded Investment	9,839	11,573	12,222
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Interest Income, Accrual Method	40	40	37
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Interest Income, Accrual Method	184	182	152
Total interest included in income	224	222	189
Installment
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	253	514	647
Contractual Principal Balance	276	577	668
Related Allowance	0	0	0
Average Recorded Investment	380	513	465
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Interest Income, Accrual Method	0	0	0
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Interest Income, Accrual Method	7	8	6
Total interest included in income	7	8	6
Home equity
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	5,441	6,347	5,202
Contractual Principal Balance	7,540	9,142	7,108
Related Allowance	2	2	2
Average Recorded Investment	5,749	5,759	5,857
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Interest Income, Accrual Method	3	3	2
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Interest Income, Accrual Method	82	85	59
Total interest included in income	85	88	61
Other
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	122	0	0
Contractual Principal Balance	122	0	0
Related Allowance	0	0	0
Average Recorded Investment	24	0	323
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Interest Income, Accrual Method	0	0	0
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Interest Income, Accrual Method	0	0	0
Total interest included in income	0	0	0
Non Covered Loans
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Related Allowance	1,573	5,053	5,302
Non Covered Loans | Commercial
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Related Allowance	357	739	2,080
Non Covered Loans | Real estate - construction
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Related Allowance	0	0	0
Non Covered Loans | Real estate - commercial
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Related Allowance	979	4,002	2,872
Non Covered Loans | Real estate - residential
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Related Allowance	235	310	348
Non Covered Loans | Installment
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Related Allowance	0	0	0
Non Covered Loans | Other
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Related Allowance	0	0	0
Impaired Financing Receivables With Related Allowance [Member]
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	10,992	20,957	20,768
Contractual Principal Balance	11,545	22,448	24,950
Related Allowance	1,573	5,053	5,302
Average Recorded Investment	16,134	17,894	29,136
Loans with no related allowance recorded [member]
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance			36,053
Contractual Principal Balance			47,498
Related Allowance			0
Average Recorded Investment			48,094
Loans with no related allowance recorded [member]
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	45,881	43,440
Contractual Principal Balance	54,521	53,843
Related Allowance	0	0
Average Recorded Investment	44,176	38,678
Loans with no related allowance recorded [member] | Commercial
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	16,418	7,611	6,087
Contractual Principal Balance	17,398	9,284	8,214
Related Allowance	0	0	0
Average Recorded Investment	10,468	7,146	12,544
Loans with no related allowance recorded [member] | Real estate - construction
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	0	223	223
Contractual Principal Balance	0	443	443
Related Allowance	0	0	0
Average Recorded Investment	150	223	599
Loans with no related allowance recorded [member] | Real estate - commercial
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	16,301	19,285	13,704
Contractual Principal Balance	20,479	23,631	19,079
Related Allowance	0	0	0
Average Recorded Investment	19,363	15,653	18,349
Loans with no related allowance recorded [member] | Real estate - residential
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	7,447	9,561	10,291
Contractual Principal Balance	8,807	10,867	12,087
Related Allowance	0	0	0
Average Recorded Investment	8,143	9,485	10,225
Loans with no related allowance recorded [member] | Installment
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	253	514	647
Contractual Principal Balance	276	577	668
Related Allowance	0	0	0
Average Recorded Investment	380	513	465
Loans with no related allowance recorded [member] | Home equity
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	5,340	6,246	5,101
Contractual Principal Balance	7,439	9,041	7,007
Related Allowance	0	0	0
Average Recorded Investment	5,648	5,658	5,756
Loans with no related allowance recorded [member] | Other
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	122	0	0
Contractual Principal Balance	122	0	0
Related Allowance	0	0	0
Average Recorded Investment	24	0	156
Impaired Financing Receivables With Related Allowance [Member] | Commercial
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	993	2,398	7,013
Contractual Principal Balance	1,178	2,605	8,353
Related Allowance	357	739	2,080
Average Recorded Investment	1,409	4,234	5,047
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 Recorded Investment	0	0	726
Impaired Financing Receivables With Related Allowance [Member] | Real estate - commercial
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	8,351	16,439	11,638
Contractual Principal Balance	8,706	17,662	14,424
Related Allowance	979	4,002	2,872
Average Recorded Investment	12,928	11,471	21,098
Impaired Financing Receivables With Related Allowance [Member] | Real estate - residential
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	1,547	2,019	2,016
Contractual Principal Balance	1,560	2,080	2,072
Related Allowance	235	310	348
Average Recorded Investment	1,696	2,088	1,997
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 Recorded Investment	0	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 Recorded Investment	101	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 Recorded Investment	$ 0	$ 0	$ 167

LOANS - Changes in Other Real E

LOANS - Changes in Other Real Estate Owned (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of year	$ 22,674	$ 46,926	$ 41,388
Additions	8,398	10,537	37,700
Disposals	(15,817)	(30,570)	(27,319)
Valuation adjustments	(2,001)	(4,219)	(4,843)
Balance at end of year	13,254	22,674	46,926
Commercial
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Additions	5,187	8,208	35,966
Disposals	(12,722)	(28,933)	(25,214)
Valuation adjustments	(1,617)	(3,765)	(4,184)
Residential
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Additions	3,211	2,329	1,734
Disposals	(3,095)	(1,637)	(2,105)
Valuation adjustments	(384)	(454)	(659)
Covered Loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of year	300	27,100
Balance at end of year	$ 1,400	$ 300	$ 27,100

LOANS LOANS - Indemnification A

LOANS LOANS - Indemnification Asset Rollforward (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Receivables [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of year	$ 22,666	$ 45,091	$ 119,607
Net FDIC claims (received) / paid	2,423	(6,785)	(22,103)
Amortization	(4,740)	(5,531)	(7,672)
FDIC loss sharing income	(2,487)	365	3,720
Offset to accelerated discount	(232)	(10,474)	(26,044)
Impairment valuation adjustment	0	0	22,417
Balance at end of year	$ 17,630	$ 22,666	$ 45,091

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE 64

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES - Changes in the Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses for the Previous Three Years (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Receivables [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of year	$ 42,820	$ 43,829	$ 47,777
Provision for loan and lease losses	7,926	3,369	8,714
Loans charged off	(11,660)	(7,877)	(17,283)
Recoveries	4,063	3,499	4,621
Balance at end of year	43,149	42,820	43,829
Balance at beginning of year, covered	10,038	18,901	45,190
Provision for loan and lease losses - covered	1,715	(1,841)	195
Loans charged-off	8,896	18,096	39,224
Recoveries	7,392	11,074	12,740
Balance at end of year, covered	10,249	10,038	18,901
Balance at beginning of year, Covered and Noncovered	52,858	62,730	92,967
Provision for Loan and Lease Losses, Covered and Uncovered	9,641	1,528	8,909
Loans charged-off, Covered and Noncovered	20,556	25,973	56,507
Recoveries, Covered and Noncovered	11,455	14,573	17,361
Balance at end of year, Covered and Noncovered	$ 53,398	$ 52,858	$ 62,730

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE 65

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES - Changes in the Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Allowance for loan and lease losses:
Balance at beginning of year	$ 42,820	$ 43,829	$ 47,777
Provision for loan and lease losses	7,926	3,369	8,714
Gross charge-offs	11,660	7,877	17,283
Recoveries	4,063	3,499	4,621
Balance at end of year	43,149	42,820	43,829
Balance at beginning of year, covered	10,038	18,901	45,190
Provision for loan and lease losses - covered	1,715	(1,841)	195
Loans charged-off	8,896	18,096	39,224
Recoveries	7,392	11,074	12,740
Net charge-offs	1,504	7,022	26,484
Balance at end of year, covered	10,249	10,038	18,901
Balance at beginning of year, Covered and Noncovered	52,858	62,730	92,967
Provision for Loan and Lease Losses, Covered and Uncovered	9,641	1,528	8,909
Loans charged-off, Covered and Noncovered	20,556	25,973	56,507
Recoveries, Covered and Noncovered	11,455	14,573	17,361
Balance at end of year, Covered and Noncovered	53,398	52,858	62,730
Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment	1,573	5,053	5,302
Ending allowance on loans collectively evaluated for impairment	51,825	47,805	57,428
Loans and Leases:
Ending balance of loans individually evaluated for impairment	35,494	35,632	32,677
Ending balance of loans collectively evaluated for impairment	5,353,266	4,741,603	3,930,837
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net of Deferred Income	5,388,760	4,777,235
Loans and Leases Receivable Covered Loans	225,060	302,014	457,873
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses Write-offs, Net, Covered and Noncovered	9,101	11,400	39,146
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross, Carrying Amount, Covered and Noncovered	5,388,760	4,777,235	3,963,514
Non Covered Loans
Allowance for loan and lease losses:
Balance at beginning of year	42,820	43,829	47,777
Provision for loan and lease losses	7,926	3,369	8,714
Gross charge-offs	11,660	7,877	17,283
Recoveries	4,063	3,499	4,621
Total net charge-offs	7,597	4,378	12,662
Balance at end of year	43,149	42,820	43,829
Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment	1,573	5,053	5,302
Ending allowance on loans collectively evaluated for impairment	41,576	37,767	38,527
Impaired Financing Receivable, Related Allowance	43,149	42,820	43,829
Loans and Leases:
Ending balance of loans individually evaluated for impairment	35,494	35,632	32,677
Ending balance of loans collectively evaluated for impairment	5,128,206	4,439,589	3,472,964
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net of Deferred Income	5,163,700	4,475,221	3,505,641
Covered Loans
Allowance for loan and lease losses:
Balance at beginning of year, covered	10,038	18,901
Balance at end of year, covered	10,249	10,038	18,901
Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment	0	0	0
Ending allowance on loans collectively evaluated for impairment	10,249	10,038	18,901
Loans and Leases:
Ending balance of loans individually evaluated for impairment	0	0	0
Ending balance of loans collectively evaluated for impairment	225,060	302,014	457,873
Commercial
Allowance for loan and lease losses:
Balance at beginning of year	11,259	10,568
Balance at end of year		11,259	10,568
Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment	357	739	2,080
Commercial | Non Covered Loans
Allowance for loan and lease losses:
Balance at beginning of year	11,259	10,568	7,926
Provision for loan and lease losses	5,634	871	5,385
Gross charge-offs	3,149	1,440	3,415
Recoveries	972	1,260	672
Total net charge-offs	2,177	180	2,743
Balance at end of year	14,716	11,259	10,568
Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment	357	739	2,080
Ending allowance on loans collectively evaluated for impairment	14,359	10,520	8,488
Impaired Financing Receivable, Related Allowance	14,716	11,259	10,568
Loans and Leases:
Ending balance of loans individually evaluated for impairment	14,159	6,122	10,391
Ending balance of loans collectively evaluated for impairment	1,641,166	1,291,190	1,025,277
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net of Deferred Income	1,655,325	1,297,312	1,035,668
Real estate - construction
Allowance for loan and lease losses:
Balance at beginning of year	1,045	824
Balance at end of year		1,045	824
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 year	1,045	824	3,268
Provision for loan and lease losses	720	221	(3,115)
Gross charge-offs	85	0	1
Recoveries	130	0	672
Total net charge-offs	(45)	0	(671)
Balance at end of year	1,810	1,045	824
Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment	0	0	0
Ending allowance on loans collectively evaluated for impairment	1,810	1,045	824
Impaired Financing Receivable, Related Allowance	1,810	1,045	824
Loans and Leases:
Ending balance of loans individually evaluated for impairment	0	0	0
Ending balance of loans collectively evaluated for impairment	310,889	196,272	80,741
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net of Deferred Income	310,889	196,272	80,741
Real estate - commercial
Allowance for loan and lease losses:
Balance at beginning of year	20,668	20,478
Balance at end of year		20,668	20,478
Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment	979	4,002	2,872
Real estate - commercial | Non Covered Loans
Allowance for loan and lease losses:
Balance at beginning of year	20,668	20,478	24,151
Provision for loan and lease losses	(1,022)	1,325	2,659
Gross charge-offs	4,801	2,329	8,326
Recoveries	1,574	1,194	1,994
Total net charge-offs	3,227	1,135	6,332
Balance at end of year	16,419	20,668	20,478
Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment	979	4,002	2,872
Ending allowance on loans collectively evaluated for impairment	15,440	16,666	17,606
Impaired Financing Receivable, Related Allowance	16,419	20,668	20,478
Loans and Leases:
Ending balance of loans individually evaluated for impairment	18,262	25,938	18,023
Ending balance of loans collectively evaluated for impairment	2,120,076	1,948,757	1,478,964
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net of Deferred Income	2,138,338	1,974,695	1,496,987
Real estate - residential
Allowance for loan and lease losses:
Balance at beginning of year	2,828	3,379
Balance at end of year		2,828	3,379
Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment	235	310	348
Real estate - residential | Non Covered Loans
Allowance for loan and lease losses:
Balance at beginning of year	2,828	3,379	3,599
Provision for loan and lease losses	854	181	593
Gross charge-offs	696	922	1,016
Recoveries	366	190	203
Total net charge-offs	330	732	813
Balance at end of year	3,352	2,828	3,379
Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment	235	310	348
Ending allowance on loans collectively evaluated for impairment	3,117	2,518	3,031
Impaired Financing Receivable, Related Allowance	3,352	2,828	3,379
Loans and Leases:
Ending balance of loans individually evaluated for impairment	2,714	2,963	3,493
Ending balance of loans collectively evaluated for impairment	452,894	429,712	349,438
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net of Deferred Income	455,608	432,675	352,931
Installment
Allowance for loan and lease losses:
Balance at beginning of year	323	365
Balance at end of year		323	365
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 year	323	365	522
Provision for loan and lease losses	188	23	(132)
Gross charge-offs	395	283	335
Recoveries	199	218	310
Total net charge-offs	196	65	25
Balance at end of year	315	323	365
Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment	0	0	0
Ending allowance on loans collectively evaluated for impairment	315	323	365
Impaired Financing Receivable, Related Allowance	315	323	365
Loans and Leases:
Ending balance of loans individually evaluated for impairment	0	0	122
Ending balance of loans collectively evaluated for impairment	39,361	44,269	47,011
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net of Deferred Income	39,361	44,269	47,133
Home equity
Allowance for loan and lease losses:
Balance at beginning of year	4,260	5,209
Balance at end of year		4,260	5,209
Home equity | Non Covered Loans
Allowance for loan and lease losses:
Balance at beginning of year	4,260	5,209	5,173
Provision for loan and lease losses	588	565	1,937
Gross charge-offs	1,485	1,745	2,409
Recoveries	580	231	508
Total net charge-offs	905	1,514	1,901
Balance at end of year	3,943	4,260	5,209
Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment	2	2	2
Ending allowance on loans collectively evaluated for impairment	3,941	4,258	5,207
Impaired Financing Receivable, Related Allowance	3,943	4,260	5,209
Loans and Leases:
Ending balance of loans individually evaluated for impairment	359	609	648
Ending balance of loans collectively evaluated for impairment	430,554	415,420	375,806
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net of Deferred Income	430,913	416,029	376,454
Other
Allowance for loan and lease losses:
Balance at beginning of year	2,437	3,006
Balance at end of year		2,437	3,006
Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment	0	0	0
Other | Non Covered Loans
Allowance for loan and lease losses:
Balance at beginning of year	2,437	3,006	3,138
Provision for loan and lease losses	964	183	1,387
Gross charge-offs	1,049	1,158	1,781
Recoveries	242	406	262
Total net charge-offs	807	752	1,519
Balance at end of year	2,594	2,437	3,006
Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment	0	0	0
Ending allowance on loans collectively evaluated for impairment	2,594	2,437	3,006
Impaired Financing Receivable, Related Allowance	2,594	2,437	3,006
Loans and Leases:
Ending balance of loans individually evaluated for impairment	0	0	0
Ending balance of loans collectively evaluated for impairment	133,266	113,969	115,727
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net of Deferred Income	$ 133,266	$ 113,969	$ 115,727

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE 66

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Provision for loan and lease losses	$ 1,715,000	$ (1,841,000)	$ 195,000
Net charge-offs	1,504,000	7,022,000	26,484,000
FDIC loss sharing income	(2,487,000)	365,000	3,720,000
Allowance for covered loan losses	10,200,000	10,000,000	18,900,000
Covered Loans
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Loss share expenses primarily related to losses on covered OREO	2,600,000	$ 3,600,000	$ 5,900,000
Commercial
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Restructured Loans, Loan Relationships, Review Threshold Amount Minimum	250,000
Real estate - residential | Non Covered Loans
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Restructured loan relationships review threshold	100,000
Restructured Loans, Loan Relationships, Review Threshold Amount Minimum	$ 100,000

PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT - Schedu

PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT - Schedule of Premises and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Premises and equipment, gross	$ 225,755	$ 233,641
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	89,152	92,260
Total premises and equipment	136,603	141,381
Operating Leases, Rent Expense	7,000	7,600	$ 8,300
Land and land improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Premises and equipment, gross	41,398	42,238
Buildings [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Premises and equipment, gross	108,648	109,806
Furniture and fixtures [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Premises and equipment, gross	53,054	57,536
Leasehold improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Premises and equipment, gross	19,806	17,948
Construction in progress [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Premises and equipment, gross	$ 2,849	$ 6,113

PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT - Operat

PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT - Operating leases (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
2,012	$ 7,046
2,013	6,081
2,014	5,086
2,015	4,732
2,016	4,579
Thereafter	14,246
Total	$ 41,770

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE69

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS-Schedule of Goodwill (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of year	$ 137,739	$ 95,050
Goodwill	66,345	42,689
Balance at end of year	$ 204,084	$ 137,739

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE70

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS--Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Other intangibles	$ 7.8	$ 8.1
Finite-Lived Core Deposits, Gross	5.9	7.7
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Period Increase (Decrease)	0	3.5
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense	$ 1.9	$ 1.7	$ 1.5
Core Deposits [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets amortization method	accelerated basis
Estimated weighted average life (in years)	5 years 7 months

BORROWINGS - Schedule of Short-

BORROWINGS - Schedule of Short-term Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 15,000
Commitments outstanding to extend credit	0
Short-term Debt	$ 938,425	$ 661,392	$ 748,749
Total long-term debt	0.44%	0.16%	0.16%
Short-term debt, rate (as a percent)	0.22%	0.17%	0.20%
Short-term debt, average for the year	$ 625,674	$ 746,976	$ 587,548
Federal Funds Purchased and Securities Sold under Agreements to Repurchase [Member]
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Short-term Debt	$ 89,325	$ 103,192	$ 94,749
Total long-term debt	0.11%	0.05%	0.05%
Short-term debt, rate (as a percent)	0.07%	0.05%	0.08%
Short-term debt, average for the year	$ 73,191	$ 119,795	$ 115,486
Short-term debt, maximum month-end balances	123,374	132,332	158,911
Federal Home Loan Bank Borrowings [Member]
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Short-term Debt	$ 849,100	$ 558,200	$ 654,000
Total long-term debt	0.47%	0.18%	0.17%
Short-term debt, rate (as a percent)	0.24%	0.19%	0.23%
Short-term debt, average for the year	$ 552,360	$ 627,181	$ 472,062
Short-term debt, maximum month-end balances	$ 849,100	$ 820,500	$ 654,000
Short-term Debt [Member]
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Short-term debt, rate (as a percent)	3.30%	0.00%	0.00%
Short-term debt, average for the year	$ 123	$ 0	$ 0
Short-term debt, maximum month-end balances	$ 15,000	$ 0	$ 0

BORROWINGS - Schedule of Long-t

BORROWINGS - Schedule of Long-term Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Subordinated Debt	$ 118,312	$ 0
Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate	5.20%	0.00%
Amount
FHLB long-term advances	$ 453	$ 22,466
Securities Sold under Agreements to Repurchase	0	25,000
Other Long-term Debt	775	775
Total long-term debt	$ 119,540	$ 48,241
Average Rate [Abstract]
Federal Home Loan Bank	2.37%	2.52%
Weighted average rate on repurchase agreements	0.00%	3.54%
Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Fixed Interest, Percentage Rate	0.00%	0.00%
Long-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate	5.15%	3.01%
Maturities of Long-term Debt [Abstract]
2,013	$ 15
2,014	16
2,015	15
2,016	407
2,017	0
Thereafter	$ 119,087

BORROWINGS Borrowings - - Addit

BORROWINGS Borrowings - - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Subordinated debt, original issue	$ 120,000
Subordinated Borrowing, Interest Rate	5.125%
Securities Sold under Agreements to Repurchase	$ 0	$ 25,000
Book value of FHLB collateral	$ 3,300,000

DERIVATIVES - Additional Inform

DERIVATIVES - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 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
Number of counterparties | entity	9	9
Interest-bearing deposit swap	$ 1,098,132	$ 823,585
Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Derivative at Fair Value, Net		(1,700)
Derivative Liability	14,179	11,916
Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Interest-bearing deposit swap		150,000
Credit Risk Contract [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Outstanding liability from counterparty contracts	100	58
Interest-bearing deposit swap	33,600	26,400
Other Credit Derivatives [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Outstanding liability from counterparty contracts	100
Interest-bearing deposit swap	25,100
Interest Rate Lock Commitments [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Interest-bearing deposit swap	18,500
Derivative [Member] | Other Liabilities [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Interest-bearing deposit swap	551,700	566,200
Derivative Liability	$ 13,400	$ 12,400

DERIVATIVES - Summary of Deriva

DERIVATIVES - Summary of Derivative Financial Instruments and Balances (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Interest-bearing deposit swap	$ 1,098,132	$ 823,585
Estimate Fair Value Gain	14,025	11,399
Estimate Fair Value Loss	(14,179)	(11,916)
Fair Value Hedges | Pay fixed interest rate swaps with counterparty | Accrued interest and other liabilities
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Interest-bearing deposit swap	5,216	8,739
Estimate Fair Value Gain	0	0
Estimate Fair Value Loss	(120)	(440)
Fair Value Hedges | Matched interest rate swaps | Accrued interest and other liabilities
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Interest-bearing deposit swap	546,458	407,423
Estimate Fair Value Gain	44	249
Estimate Fair Value Loss	(14,015)	(11,227)
Fair Value Hedges | Matched interest rate swaps | Accrued interest and other assets
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Interest-bearing deposit swap	546,458	407,423
Estimate Fair Value Gain	13,981	11,150
Estimate Fair Value Loss	$ (44)	$ (249)

DERIVATIVES DERIVATIVES - Discl

DERIVATIVES DERIVATIVES - Disclosure by Type of Financial Instrument (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	$ 14,135	$ 11,916
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Asset	(16,710)	(12,260)
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	(2,575)	(344)
Fair Value Hedges | Pay fixed interest rate swaps with counterparty | Accrued interest and other liabilities
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	120	440
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Asset	0	0
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	120	440
Fair Value Hedges | Matched interest rate swaps | Accrued interest and other liabilities
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	14,015	11,476
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Asset	(16,710)	(12,260)
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	$ (2,695)	$ (784)

DERIVATIVES - Derivative Financ

DERIVATIVES - Derivative Financial Instruments, Average Remaining Maturity and the Weighted-Average Interest Rates being Paid and Received (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Value	$ 1,098,132	$ 823,585
Asset conversion swaps
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Value	$ 1,098,132
Average Maturity (years)	4 years 11 months
Fair Value	$ (154)
Weighted-Average Rate Receive	3.50%
Weighted-Average Rate Pay	3.52%
Asset conversion swaps | Pay fixed interest rate swaps with counterparty
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Value	$ 5,216
Average Maturity (years)	1 year 7 months
Fair Value	$ (120)
Weighted-Average Rate Receive	2.21%
Weighted-Average Rate Pay	6.95%
Asset conversion swaps | Matched interest rate swaps | Derivative Financial Instruments Receive Fixed Pay Variable
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Value	$ 546,458
Average Maturity (years)	4 years 11 months
Fair Value	$ 13,937
Weighted-Average Rate Receive	4.41%
Weighted-Average Rate Pay	2.60%
Asset conversion swaps | Matched interest rate swaps | Derivative Financial Instruments Receive Variable Pay Fixed
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Value	$ 546,458
Average Maturity (years)	4 years 11 months
Fair Value	$ (13,971)
Weighted-Average Rate Receive	2.60%
Weighted-Average Rate Pay	4.41%

LOANS TO RELATED PARTIES (Detai

LOANS TO RELATED PARTIES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Loans to Related Parties [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 6,195	$ 8,097	$ 10,426
Additions	5,609	5,034	827
Deductions	(1,321)	(6,936)	(3,156)
Ending balance	10,483	6,195	8,097
Loans 90 days past due	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Letters of credit issued to guarantee performance of a client to a third party	$ 16,300	$ 22,800
Affordable Housing Program Obligation	31,500	14,900
Commitments outstanding to extend credit	0
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Tax Credit, Amount	1,388	1,100	$ 1,100
Affordable housing contingent commitment	0	0
Estimated Litigation Liability	1,300	600
Commitments to Extend Credit
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Commitments outstanding to extend credit	$ 2,000,000	$ 1,800,000

INCOME TAXES (Detail)

INCOME TAXES (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Current expense [Abstract]
Federal	$ 31,428	$ 49,561	$ 41,679
State	250	2,872	2,883
Total current expense	31,678	52,433	44,562
Deferred (benefit) expense [Abstract]
Federal	3,980	(19,368)	(21,393)
State	212	(3,037)	(3,935)
Total deferred (benefit) expense	4,192	(22,405)	(25,328)
Income tax expense	35,870	30,028	19,234
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Amount [Abstract]
Income taxes computed at federal statutory rate (35%) on income before income taxes	38,827	33,260	23,646
Tax-exempt income	(2,380)	(1,912)	(1,266)
Bank-owned life insurance	(435)	(392)	(409)
Tax credits	(1,388)	(1,100)	(1,100)
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit	301	(107)	(588)
Tax settlement of unconsolidated subsidiary	0	0	(1,318)
Other	945	279	269
Income tax expense	35,870	30,028	$ 19,234
Deferred tax assets [Abstract]
Allowance for loan and lease losses	19,397	19,227
Deferred compensation	627	533
Postretirement benefits other than pension liability	971	938
Accrued stock-based compensation	1,354	1,170
Other real estate owned write-downs	1,714	1,962
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Reserves and Accruals, Impairment Losses	1,075	1,586
Accrued expenses	5,027	4,616
Deferred Tax Assets, Unrealized Losses on Investment Securities and Derivatives	3,574	1,926
Deferred Tax Assets, Fair Value Adjustments on Acquisitions	0	844
Other	1,004	438
Total deferred tax assets	34,743	33,240
Deferred tax liabilities [Abstract]
Tax depreciation greater than book depreciation	(6,011)	(6,310)
FHLB and FRB stock	(5,685)	(5,852)
Mortgage-servicing rights	(411)	(136)
Leasing activities	(5,003)	(5,297)
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Prepaid Pension Cost	11,384	14,333
Intangible assets	(14,764)	(12,963)
Deferred loan fees and costs	(2,335)	(1,167)
Prepaid expenses	(384)	(364)
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Partnership Interests	1,342	1,220
Fair value adjustments on acquisitions	(1,492)	0
Other	(682)	(604)
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Gross	(49,493)	(48,246)
Total deferred tax liabilities	$ (14,750)	$ (15,006)

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS EMPLOYEE

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Employer Contributions in Current Fiscal Year	$ 0
Defined Contribution Plan, Maximum Annual Contribution Percent by Employee		50.00%
Pension Contributions	0
Pension Expense	(1,042)	$ (1,137)	$ 5,496
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Benefit Obligation [Roll Forward]
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	59,780	55,591
Service cost	4,807	4,119	3,705
Interest cost	2,120	2,388	2,319
Amendments	0	0
Actuarial gain (loss)	(1,017)	6,025
Benefits paid, excluding settlement	(5,026)	(8,343)
Settlement	0	0
Benefit obligation at end of year	60,664	59,780	55,591
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	133,326	131,647
Actual return on plan assets	(2,586)	10,022
Employer contribution	0	0
Benefits paid, excluding settlement	(5,026)	(8,343)
Settlements	0	0
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	125,714	133,326	131,647
Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet [Abstract]
Assets				$ 65,050	$ 73,546
Liabilities				0	0
Net amount recognized				65,050	73,546
Defined Benefit Plan, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), after Tax [Abstract]
Net actuarial loss				40,770	31,644
Net prior service cost				(2,747)	(3,159)
Deferred tax assets				(13,975)	(10,581)
Net amount recognized				24,048	17,904	$ 15,565	$ 31,338
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, Net of Tax	6,144	2,339	(15,773)
Accumulated benefit obligation				$ 60,040	$ 59,063
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Service cost	4,807	4,119	3,705
Interest cost	2,120	2,388	2,319
Expected return on plan assets	(9,444)	(9,055)	(8,988)
Amortization of prior service cost	(413)	(413)	(423)
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Gains (Losses)	1,888	1,824	2,709
Settlement loss	0	0	6,174
Net periodic benefit (income) cost	(1,042)	(1,137)	5,496
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, Net of Tax [Abstract]
Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Gain (Loss), before Tax	11,014	5,058	(17,178)
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net Prior Service Cost (Credit) Arising During Period, before Tax	0	0	124
Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Prior Service Cost, before Tax	413	413	423
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, for Net Gain (Loss), before Tax	(1,888)	(1,824)	(2,709)
Other Comprehensive Income, Defined Benefit Plans Recognized Net Gain (Loss) Due To Settlements, before Tax	0	0	(6,174)
Total recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income	9,539	3,647	(25,514)
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and accumulated other comprehensive income	8,497	2,510	(20,018)
Amortization of loss	1,642	1,780	1,926
Amortization of prior service credit	$ (413)	$ (413)	(413)
Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Benefit Obligation [Abstract]
Discount rate				4.05%	3.76%
Rate of compensation increase				3.50%	3.50%
Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Discount rate	3.76%	4.62%
Expected return on plan assets	7.50%	7.50%
Rate of compensation increase	3.50%	3.50%
Fair value measurments	$ 133,326	$ 131,647	131,647	$ 125,714	$ 133,326	$ 131,647
Defined Benefit Plan, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Abstract]
2,016				6,011
2,017				3,815
2,018				4,397
2,019				4,499
2,020				5,113
Thereafter				26,421
Defined Contribution Pension and Other Postretirement Plans Disclosure [Abstract]
Defined Contribution Plan, Cost Recognized	0	$ 0	$ 2,400
Maximum annual contribution per employee, percent		4.00%
Employer matching contribution, percent on first 3% of Earnings		100.00%
Defined Contribution Plan Employee Contribution Percent on which employer matches half of next 2 percent of earnings		50.00%
Cash Surrender Value of Life Insurance				98,300	93,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets Excluding Accrued Interest and Dividends				125,714	133,326
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Defined Contribution Pension and Other Postretirement Plans Disclosure [Abstract]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets Excluding Accrued Interest and Dividends				125,714	133,326
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Defined Contribution Pension and Other Postretirement Plans Disclosure [Abstract]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets Excluding Accrued Interest and Dividends				0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Defined Contribution Pension and Other Postretirement Plans Disclosure [Abstract]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets Excluding Accrued Interest and Dividends				0	0
Cash
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	172
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	181	$ 172
Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Fair value measurments	172	172		181	172
Cash | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	172
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	181	172
Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Fair value measurments	172	172		181	172
Cash | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	0
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	0	0
Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Fair value measurments	0	0		0	0
Cash | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	0
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	0	0
Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Fair value measurments	0	0		0	0
US Government Agencies Debt Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	6,573
Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Fair value measurments	6,573			6,573
US Government Agencies Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	6,573
Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Fair value measurments	6,573			6,573
US Government Agencies Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	0
Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Fair value measurments	0			0
US Government Agencies Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	0
Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Fair value measurments	0			0
Fixed income mutual funds
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	49,938
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	63,885	49,938
Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Fair value measurments	49,938	49,938		63,885	49,938
Fixed income mutual funds | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	49,938
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	63,885	49,938
Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Fair value measurments	49,938	49,938		63,885	49,938
Fixed income mutual funds | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	0
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	0	0
Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Fair value measurments	0	0		0	0
Fixed income mutual funds | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	0
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	0	0
Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Fair value measurments	0	0		0	0
Equity mutual funds
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	83,216
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	55,075	83,216
Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Fair value measurments	83,216	83,216		55,075	83,216
Equity mutual funds | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	83,216
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	55,075	83,216
Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Fair value measurments	83,216	83,216		55,075	83,216
Equity mutual funds | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	0
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	0	0
Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Fair value measurments	0	0		0	0
Equity mutual funds | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	0
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	0	0
Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Fair value measurments	$ 0	$ 0		$ 0	$ 0

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS Defined

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value on Plan Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
defined benefit plan, fair value of plan assets excluding accrued interest and dividends [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets Excluding Accrued Interest and Dividends	$ 125,714	$ 133,326
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
defined benefit plan, fair value of plan assets excluding accrued interest and dividends [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets Excluding Accrued Interest and Dividends	125,714	133,326
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
defined benefit plan, fair value of plan assets excluding accrued interest and dividends [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets Excluding Accrued Interest and Dividends	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
defined benefit plan, fair value of plan assets excluding accrued interest and dividends [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets Excluding Accrued Interest and Dividends	$ 0	$ 0

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSI83

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassification Adjustments and Tax [Abstract]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, before Tax	$ (2,200)	$ 21,718	$ (44,365)
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	(1,020)	(2,902)	778
Retirement obligations	(11,014)	(5,058)	17,054
Foreign currency translation	50	(21)	(31)
Total	(14,184)	13,737	(26,564)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Reclassifications before Tax [Abstract]
Unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities	1,505	70	1,724
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	0	(432)	(412)
Retirement obligation	1,475	1,411	8,460
Foreign currency translation	0	0	0
Total	30	(1,773)	(7,148)
Transactions Pre-tax
Unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities	(3,705)	21,648	(46,089)
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	(1,020)	(2,470)	1,190
Retirement obligation	(9,539)	(3,647)	25,514
Foreign currency translation	50	(21)	(31)
Total	(14,214)	15,510	(19,416)
Transactions Tax-effect
Unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities	1,278	(7,865)	16,998
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	370	919	(445)
Retirement obligation	3,395	1,308	(9,741)
Foreign currency translation	0	0	0
Total	5,043	(5,638)	6,812
Transactions Net of tax
Unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities	(2,427)	13,783	(29,091)
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	(650)	(1,551)	745
Retirement obligation	(6,144)	(2,339)	15,773
Foreign currency translation	50	(21)	(31)
Total	(9,171)	9,872	(12,604)
Balances Net of tax
Unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities	(4,933)	(2,506)	(16,289)	$ 12,802
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	(1,599)	(949)	602	(143)
Retirement obligation	(24,048)	(17,904)	(15,565)	(31,338)
Foreign currency translation	0	(50)	(29)	2
Total	$ (30,580)	$ (21,409)	$ (31,281)	$ (18,677)

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSI84

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME AMOUNT RECLASSIFIED FROM ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Gains on sales of investment securities	$ 1,505	$ 70	$ 1,724
Amortization of prior service cost	413	413	423
Recognized net actuarial loss	(1,888)	(1,824)	(2,709)
Pension settlement charges	0	0	(6,174)
Other Comprehensive Income, Reclassification, Amortization of Defined Benefit Plans items, Pre-tax	(1,475)	(1,411)	(8,460)
Total reclassifications for the period, before tax	30	(1,773)	(7,148)
Deposits [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Interest Expense | Interest Rate Contracts
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net	$ 0	$ (432)	$ (412)

CAPITAL - Risk-Based Capital(De

CAPITAL - Risk-Based Capital(Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Compliance with Regulatory Capital Requirements under Banking Regulations [Line Items]
Subordinated debt, original issue	$ 120,000
Excess Capital	317,800
Risk Based Ratios [Abstract]
Common Equity Tier One Capital	$ 648,748
Common Equity Tier One Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets	10.28%
Common Equity Tier One Capital Required For Capital Adequacy	$ 283,866
Common Equity Tier One Risk Based Capital Required For Capital Adequacy To Risk Weighted Assets	4.50%
Common Equity Tier One Risk Based Capital Required for Capital Adequacy Fully Phased In Basel III	$ 441,570
Common Equity Tier One Risk Based Capital Required For Capital Adequacy To Risk Weighted Assets Fully Phased In Basel III	7.00%
Capital Conservation Buffer-Fully Phased-In	2.50%
Capital Conservation Buffer-Phased-In Incremental Change	0.00%
Tier One Risk Based Capital [Abstract]
Tier One Risk Based Capital	$ 648,852	$ 673,955
Tier One Risk Based Capital to Risk Weighted Assets	10.29%	12.69%
Tier One Risk Based Capital Required for Capital Adequacy	$ 378,488	$ 212,463
Tier One Risk Based Capital Required for Capital Adequacy to Risk Weighted Assets	6.00%	4.00%
Tier One Risk Based Capital Required for Capital Adequacy Fully Phased In Basel III	$ 536,192
Tier One Risk Based Capital Required for Capital Adequacy to Risk Weighted Assets Fully Phased In Basel III	8.50%
Capital [Abstract]
Capital	$ 822,431	$ 728,284
Capital to Risk Weighted Assets	13.04%	13.71%
Capital Required for Capital Adequacy	$ 504,651	$ 424,926
Capital Required for Capital Adequacy to Risk Weighted Assets	8.00%	8.00%
Capital Required for Capital Adequacy Fully Phased In Basel III	$ 662,355
Capital Required for Capital Adequacy to Risk Weighted Assets Fully Phased In Basel III	10.50%
Tier One Leverage Capital [Abstract]
Tier One Leverage Capital	$ 648,852	$ 673,955
Tier One Leverage Capital to Average Assets	8.33%	9.44%
Tier One Leverage Capital Required for Capital Adequacy	$ 311,481	$ 285,514
Tier One Leverage Capital Required for Capital Adequacy to Average Assets	4.00%	4.00%
Tier One Leverage Capital Required for Capital Adequacy Fully Phased In Basel III	$ 311,481
Tier One Leverage Capital Required for Capital Adequacy to Average Assets Fully Phased In Basel III	4.00%
Tangible Capital to Tangible Assets	9.02%
Subsidiaries [Member]
Risk Based Ratios [Abstract]
Common Equity Tier One Capital	$ 647,844
Common Equity Tier One Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets	10.30%
Common Equity Tier One Capital Required For Capital Adequacy	$ 283,080
Common Equity Tier One Risk Based Capital Required For Capital Adequacy To Risk Weighted Assets	4.50%
Common Equity Tier One Risk Based Capital Required for Capital Adequacy Fully Phased In Basel III	$ 440,347
Common Equity Tier One Risk Based Capital Required For Capital Adequacy To Risk Weighted Assets Fully Phased In Basel III	7.00%
Common Equity Tier One Risk Based Capital Required to be Well Capitalized	$ 408,894
Common Equity Tier One Risk Based Capital Required to be Well Capitalized To Risk Weighted Assets	6.50%
Tier One Risk Based Capital [Abstract]
Tier One Risk Based Capital	$ 647,948	$ 602,133
Tier One Risk Based Capital to Risk Weighted Assets	10.30%	11.38%
Tier One Risk Based Capital Required for Capital Adequacy	$ 377,440	$ 211,724
Tier One Risk Based Capital Required for Capital Adequacy to Risk Weighted Assets	6.00%	4.00%
Tier One Risk Based Capital Required for Capital Adequacy Fully Phased In Basel III	$ 534,707
Tier One Risk Based Capital Required for Capital Adequacy to Risk Weighted Assets Fully Phased In Basel III	8.50%
Tier One Risk Based Capital Required to be Well Capitalized	$ 503,254	$ 317,585
Tier One Risk Based Capital Required to be Well Capitalized to Risk Weighted Assets	8.00%	6.00%
Capital [Abstract]
Capital	$ 709,306	$ 662,865
Capital to Risk Weighted Assets	11.28%	12.52%
Capital Required for Capital Adequacy	$ 503,254	$ 423,447
Capital Required for Capital Adequacy to Risk Weighted Assets	8.00%	8.00%
Capital Required for Capital Adequacy Fully Phased In Basel III	$ 660,521
Capital Required for Capital Adequacy to Risk Weighted Assets Fully Phased In Basel III	10.50%
Capital Required to be Well Capitalized	$ 629,067	$ 529,309
Capital Required to be Well Capitalized to Risk Weighted Assets	10.00%	10.00%
Tier One Leverage Capital [Abstract]
Tier One Leverage Capital	$ 647,948	$ 602,133
Tier One Leverage Capital to Average Assets	8.33%	8.44%
Tier One Leverage Capital Required for Capital Adequacy	$ 311,205	$ 285,311
Tier One Leverage Capital Required for Capital Adequacy to Average Assets	4.00%	4.00%
Tier One Leverage Capital Required for Capital Adequacy Fully Phased In Basel III	$ 311,205
Tier One Leverage Capital Required for Capital Adequacy to Average Assets Fully Phased In Basel III	4.00%
Tier One Leverage Capital Required to be Well Capitalized	$ 389,006	$ 356,639
Tier One Leverage Capital Required to be Well Capitalized to Average Assets	5.00%	5.00%

CAPITAL - Share Repurchase (Det

CAPITAL - Share Repurchase (Details) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Oct. 23, 2012
Capital [Abstract]
Stock Repurchase Program, Number of Shares Authorized to be Repurchased			5,000,000
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired	239,967	40,255
Treasury Stock Acquired, Average Cost Per Share	$ 18.75	$ 17.32
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Number of Shares Authorized to be Repurchased	3,509,133
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized	10,000,000

STOCK OPTIONS AND AWARDS (Detai

STOCK OPTIONS AND AWARDS (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Dec. 31, 2013USD ($)$ / sharesshares	May. 22, 2012shares	Jun. 15, 2009shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation | $	$ 4,049,000	$ 3,970,000	$ 3,803,000
Total unrecognized compensation cost | $	$ 6,700,000
Unrecognized compensation cost, period for recognition (in years)		1 year 350 days
Number of plans	5
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Option Term		10 years
Activity for stock option plan [Roll Forward]
Outstanding at beginning of year (in shares)	413,126
Weighted average exercise price, outstanding at beginning of year (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 14.32
Weighted average remaining contractual term, outstanding at end of year (in years)	1 year 173 days
Aggregate intrinsic value, outstanding at end of year | $	$ 1,072
Aggregate intrinsic value, exercisable at end of year | $	$ 1,072
Granted (in shares)	0	0	0
Weighted average exercise price, granted (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 0
Exercised (in shares)	(93,712)
Weighted average exercise price, exercised (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 13.40
Forfeited or expired (in shares)	(79,516)
Weighted average exercise price, forfeited or expired (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 17.57
Exercised (in shares)	239,898
Weighted average exercise price, Exercisable (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 13.60
Weighted average remaining contractual life, exercisable at end of year (in years)	1 year 173 days
Outstanding at end of year (in shares)	239,898	413,126
Weighted average exercise price, outstanding at end of year (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 13.60	$ 14.32
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Aggregate Disclosures [Abstract]
Total intrinsic value of options exercised | $	$ 492,000	$ 1,479,000	$ 3,247,000
Cash received from exercises | $	744,000	1,056,000	73,000
Tax benefit from exercises | $	$ 1,488,000	1,475,000	$ 1,422,000
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vested in period, total fair value | $		$ 3,800,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested [Roll Forward]
Number of shares nonvested at beginning of year	494,452	456,032	518,756
Number of shares granted	439,674	273,933	302,175
Number of shares vested	(227,905)	(215,796)	(263,302)
Number of shares forfeited	(62,580)	(19,717)	(101,597)
Number of shares nonvested at end of year	643,641	494,452	456,032
Weighted average of shares fair value, nonvested at beginning of year | $ / shares	$ 16.43	$ 16	$ 16.65
Weighted average of shares fair value granted | $ / shares	17.65	16.80	15.65
Weighted average of shares fair value vested | $ / shares	16.45	16.19	16.63
Weighted average of shares fair value forfeited | $ / shares	16.58	16.40	16.26
Weighted average of shares fair value, nonvested at end of year | $ / shares	$ 17.21	$ 16.43	$ 16
1999 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares authorized	7,507,500
Award vesting rights (as a percent)		25.00%
2009 Employee Stock Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares authorized					1,500,000
2009 Non-Employee Director Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares authorized				0	75,000
2012 Stock Plan [Member] [Domain]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares authorized				882,560

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE - Com

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE - Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share -income available to common shareholders:
Net income	$ 75,063	$ 65,000	$ 48,349
Denominator for basic earnings per share - weighted average shares	61,062,657	58,662,836	57,270,233
Effect of dilutive securities -
Employee stock awards	670,282	589,157	692,050
Warrants	114,608	140,674	110,771
Denominator for diluted earnings per share - adjusted weighted average shares	61,847,547	59,392,667	58,073,054
Basic	$ 1.23	$ 1.11	$ 0.84
Diluted	$ 1.21	$ 1.09	$ 0.83

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE - Add

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE - Additional Information (Detail) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]
Investment Warrants, Exercise Price	$ 12.12
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized	10,000,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	0	0	0
Antidilutive Stock Options
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]
Stock options and warrants with an exercise price greater than the average market price of the common shares not included in the computation of net income per diluted share	0	20,626	215,452
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	322,312	465,117	465,117

FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES - Estima

FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES - Estimated Fair Values of Financial Instruments (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Financial assets
Investment securities held-to-maturity	$ 726,259	$ 867,996
Other investments	53,725	52,626
FDIC indemnification asset	17,630	22,666	$ 45,091	$ 119,607
Deposits
Noninterest-bearing	1,413,404	1,285,527
Savings	1,945,805	1,889,473
Time	1,406,124	1,255,364
Total deposits	6,179,624	5,655,742
Carrying value
Financial assets
Cash and short-term investments	148,575	132,752
Investment securities held-to-maturity	726,259	867,996
Other investments	53,725	52,626
Loans held for sale	20,957	11,005
Loans and leases, net of ALLL	5,335,362	4,724,377
FDIC indemnification asset	17,630	22,666
Deposits
Noninterest-bearing	1,413,404	1,285,527
Interest-bearing demand	1,414,291	1,225,378
Savings	1,945,805	1,889,473
Time	1,406,124	1,255,364
Total deposits	6,179,624	5,655,742
Short-term borrowings	938,425	661,392
Long-term debt	119,540	48,241
Fair value
Financial assets
Cash and short-term investments	148,575	132,752
Investment securities held-to-maturity	731,951	874,749
Other investments	53,725	52,626
Loans held for sale	20,957	11,005
Loans and leases, net of ALLL	5,381,065	4,763,619
FDIC indemnification asset	9,756	12,449
Deposits
Noninterest-bearing	1,413,404	1,285,527
Interest-bearing demand	1,414,291	1,225,378
Savings	1,945,805	1,889,473
Time	1,406,489	1,254,070
Total deposits	6,179,989	5,654,448
Short-term borrowings	938,425	661,392
Long-term debt	118,691	49,674
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Fair value
Financial assets
Cash and short-term investments	148,575	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	938,425	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	731,951	874,749
Other investments	53,725	52,626
Loans held for sale	20,957	11,005
Loans and leases, net of ALLL	0	0
FDIC indemnification asset	0	0
Deposits
Noninterest-bearing	1,413,404	1,285,527
Interest-bearing demand	1,414,291	1,225,378
Savings	1,945,805	1,889,473
Time	1,406,489	1,254,070
Total deposits	6,179,989	5,654,448
Short-term borrowings	0	0
Long-term debt	118,691	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	5,381,065	4,763,619
FDIC indemnification asset	9,756	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 (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Assets
Derivatives	$ 14,025	$ 11,399
Investment securities, available for sale	1,190,642	840,468
Liabilities
Derivatives	14,179	11,916
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Assets
Derivatives	14,111	11,399
Investment securities, available for sale	1,190,642	840,468
Total	1,204,753	851,867
Liabilities
Derivatives	14,243	13,662
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Assets
Derivatives	0	0
Investment securities, available for sale	8,583	8,406
Total	8,583	8,406
Liabilities
Derivatives	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Assets
Derivatives	14,111	11,399
Investment securities, available for sale	1,182,059	832,062
Total	1,196,170	843,461
Liabilities
Derivatives	14,243	13,662
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Assets
Derivatives	0	0
Investment securities, available for sale	0	0
Total	0	0
Liabilities
Derivatives	$ 0	$ 0

FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES - Summ92

FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES - Summary of Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis (Detail) - Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Assets
Impaired loans	$ 0	$ 0
Other Real Estate Owned, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Assets
Impaired loans	0	0
Other Real Estate Owned, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Assets
Impaired loans	8,008	14,096
Other Real Estate Owned, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 7,598	$ 13,094

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS - (Detail

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS - (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Aug. 14, 2015	Aug. 21, 2014	Aug. 07, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash consideration		$ 34,190
Stock consideration		60,429
Other consideration		2,523
Total purchase consideration	$ 307,839	97,142
Loans		606,263
Intangible assets		3,556
Other assets		117,493
Total assets		727,312
Deposits		568,605
Borrowings		94,891
Other liabilities		9,363
Total liabilities		672,859
Net identifiable assets		54,453
Goodwill	66,345	42,689
Oak Street Holdings Corporation [Domain]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash consideration	110,000
Payoff of long-term borrowings	197,839
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Cash and Equivalents			$ 2,248
Loans			237,377		$ 314,807
Intangible assets			813		1,280
Other assets			2,633		25,456
Total assets			243,071
Other liabilities			1,577
Total liabilities			1,577
Net identifiable assets			$ 241,494
Goodwill	$ 66,345
The First Bexley Bank [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash consideration		10,810
Stock consideration		33,699
Payoff of long-term borrowings		0
Total purchase consideration		44,509
Total assets					341,543
Deposits					273,860
Borrowings					40,000
Other liabilities					1,454
Total liabilities					315,314
Net identifiable assets					26,229
Goodwill		18,280
Insight Bank [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash consideration		9,880
Stock consideration		26,730
Other consideration		0
Total purchase consideration		36,610
Loans					219,008
Intangible assets					1,277
Other assets					30,799
Total assets					251,084
Deposits					179,330
Borrowings					44,149
Other liabilities					7,303
Total liabilities					230,782
Net identifiable assets					$ 20,302
Goodwill		16,308
Guernsey Bank [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash consideration		13,500
Stock consideration		0
Other consideration		2,523
Total purchase consideration		16,023
Loans				$ 72,448
Intangible assets				999
Other assets				61,238
Total assets				134,685
Deposits				115,415
Borrowings				10,742
Other liabilities				606
Total liabilities				126,763
Net identifiable assets				$ 7,922
Goodwill		$ 8,101

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP. (PAR94

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP. (PARENT COMPANY ONLY) FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Cash	$ 110,122	$ 117,620	$ 134,502	$ 114,841	$ 110,122	$ 117,620	$ 134,502
Investment securities, available for sale				1,190,642	840,468
Other investments				53,725	52,626
Premises and equipment				136,603	141,381
Total assets				8,147,411	7,217,821
Subordinated Debt				118,312	0
Other liabilities				100,446	68,369
Total liabilities				7,338,035	6,433,744
Shareholders’ equity				809,376	784,077	682,161	710,425
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity				8,147,411	7,217,821
Income Statement [Abstract]
Noninterest income	75,202	63,965	73,647
Interest Expense	23,257	19,234	16,888
Salaries and employee benefits	111,792	107,702	101,402
Miscellaneous professional services	9,622	6,170	6,876
Income before income taxes and equity in undistributed net earnings of subsidiaries	110,933	95,028	67,583
Income tax benefit	35,870	30,028	19,234
Net income	75,063	65,000	48,349
Operating activities
Net income	75,063	65,000	48,349
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
Depreciation and amortization	13,266	12,785	14,270
Stock-based compensation expense	4,049	3,970	3,803
Deferred income taxes	4,192	(22,405)	(25,328)
(Decrease) increase in other liabilities	(2,729)	(7,748)	(1,536)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	91,567	56,654	164,354
Investing activities
Net cash (paid) acquired from business acquisitions	(305,591)
Proceeds from calls and maturities of investment securities	120,953	101,420	186,820
Purchases of investment securities	(547,901)	(147,854)	(214,398)
Purchases of premises and equipment	(7,467)	(10,609)	(7,295)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(918,847)	(83,978)	(100,240)
Financing activities
Cash dividends paid on common stock	(39,070)	(34,848)	(61,429)
Treasury stock purchase	(4,498)	(697)	(11,778)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options, net of shares purchased	744	1,056	73
Excess tax benefit on share-based compensation	146	153	686
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	831,999	19,826	(80,996)
Net increase (decrease) in cash	4,719	(7,498)	(16,882)
Cash and Due from Banks at beginning of year	110,122	117,620	134,502
Cash and Due from Banks at end of year	114,841	110,122	117,620
Parent Company [Member]
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Cash	55,192	88,420	106,196	106,072	55,192	$ 88,420	$ 106,196
Investment securities, available for sale				335	276
Other investments				6,190	5,399
Subordinated notes from subsidiaries				7,500	7,500
Investment in subsidiaries				807,832	712,067
Premises and equipment				1,412	1,431
Other assets				12,312	13,870
Total assets				941,653	795,735
Subordinated Debt				118,312
Dividends payable				10,251	10,249
Other liabilities				3,714	1,409
Total liabilities				132,277	11,658
Shareholders’ equity				809,376	784,077
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity				941,653	795,735
Income Statement [Abstract]
Interest income	81	73	75
Noninterest income	253	92	0
Dividends from subsidiaries	17,250	31,700	58,700
Total income	17,584	31,865	58,775
Interest Expense	2,157	0	0
Salaries and employee benefits	4,224	4,041	4,042
Miscellaneous professional services	723	708	663
Other	5,564	5,307	5,059
Total expenses	12,668	10,056	9,764
Income before income taxes and equity in undistributed net earnings of subsidiaries	4,916	21,809	49,011
Income tax benefit	(4,563)	(3,674)	(3,659)
Equity in undistributed earnings (loss) of subsidiaries	(65,584)	(39,517)	4,321
Net income	75,063	65,000	48,349
Operating activities
Net income	75,063	65,000	48,349
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
Equity in undistributed earnings (loss) of subsidiaries	(65,584)	(39,517)	4,321
Depreciation and amortization	78	24	26
Stock-based compensation expense	4,049	3,970	3,803
Deferred income taxes	(85)	180	(676)
(Decrease) increase in dividends payable	2	1,071	(7,691)
(Decrease) increase in other liabilities	1,965	(1,654)	7,719
Decrease (increase) in other assets	1,459	(264)	1,266
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	16,947	28,810	57,117
Investing activities
Capital contributions to subsidiaries	(40,000)	(27,601)	0
Net cash (paid) acquired from business acquisitions	0	(17,065)	0
Proceeds from disposal of subsidiaries	0	18,695	0
Proceeds from calls and maturities of investment securities	87	29	48
Purchases of investment securities	(412)	(192)	(88)
Purchases of premises and equipment	0	0	(80)
Other	0	0	307
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(40,325)	(26,134)	187
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt	120,000	0	0
Financing activities
Cash dividends paid on common stock	(39,070)	(34,848)	(61,429)
Treasury stock purchase	(4,498)	(697)	(11,778)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options, net of shares purchased	744	1,056	73
Excess tax benefit on share-based compensation	146	153	686
Other	(3,064)	(1,568)	(2,632)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	74,258	(35,904)	(75,080)
Net increase (decrease) in cash	50,880	(33,228)	(17,776)
Cash and Due from Banks at beginning of year	55,192	88,420	106,196
Cash and Due from Banks at end of year	$ 106,072	$ 55,192	$ 88,420
Parent Company [Member] | Commercial Banks [Member]
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Investment in subsidiaries				$ 807,832	$ 712,067