First Financial Bancorp. (FFBC) 10-Q 5 May 17 2017 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information Document - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	May 04, 2017
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2017
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
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		62,130,532

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks	$ 117,914	$ 121,598
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks	39,058	82,450
Investment securities available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost $1,223,188 at March 31, 2017 and $1,045,337 at December 31, 2016)	1,220,046	1,039,870
Investment securities held-to-maturity (fair value $732,024 at March 31, 2017 and $763,575 at December 31, 2016)	730,796	763,254
Other investments	50,996	51,077
Loans held for sale	7,657	13,135
Loans
Commercial	1,779,635	1,781,948
Lease financing	88,888	93,108
Real estate - construction	446,332	399,434
Real estate-commercial	2,398,235	2,427,577
Real estate-residential	486,601	500,980
Home equity	458,974	460,388
Installment	52,063	50,639
Credit card	43,354	43,408
Total loans and leases	5,754,082	5,757,482
Allowance for loan and lease losses	56,326	57,961
Net loans and leases	5,697,756	5,699,521
Premises and equipment	131,808	131,579
Goodwill and other intangibles	210,324	210,625
FDIC indemnification asset	10,800	12,000
Accrued interest and other assets	324,815	324,858
Total assets	8,531,170	8,437,967
Deposits
Interest-bearing	1,494,892	1,513,771
Savings	2,284,821	2,142,189
Time	1,202,563	1,321,843
Total interest-bearing deposits	4,982,276	4,977,803
Noninterest-bearing	1,547,600	1,547,985
Total deposits	6,529,876	6,525,788
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase	52,484	120,212
Federal Home Loan Bank short-term borrowings	806,700	687,700
Total short-term borrowings	859,184	807,912
Long-term debt	119,629	119,589
Total borrowed funds	978,813	927,501
Accrued interest and other liabilities	142,416	119,454
Total liabilities	7,651,105	7,572,743
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock - no par value Authorized - 160,000,000 shares Issued - 68,730,731 shares in 2017 and 2016	567,911	570,382
Retained earnings	451,073	437,188
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(26,639)	(28,443)
Treasury stock, at cost, 6,596,446 shares in 2017 and 6,751,179 shares in 2016	(112,280)	(113,903)
Total shareholders' equity	880,065	865,224
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 8,531,170	$ 8,437,967

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS CON

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	$ 1,223,188	$ 1,045,337
Held-to-maturity Securities, Fair Value	$ 732,024	$ 763,575
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	6,596,446	6,751,179

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCO

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Interest income
Loans, including fees	$ 66,868	$ 63,399
Investment securities
Taxable	11,608	11,373
Tax-exempt	1,353	1,162
Total interest on investment securities	12,961	12,535
Other earning assets	(1,001)	(1,139)
Total interest income	78,828	74,795
Interest expense
Deposits	6,925	5,530
Short-term borrowings	1,432	1,170
Long-term borrowings	1,539	1,540
Total interest expense	9,896	8,240
Net interest income	68,932	66,555
Provision for loan and lease losses	367	1,655
Net interest income after provision for loan and lease losses	68,565	64,900
Noninterest income
Service charges on deposit accounts	4,644	4,381
Trust and wealth management fees	3,747	3,440
Bankcard income	3,135	2,882
Client derivative fees	1,103	1,095
Net gains from sales of loans	1,216	1,181
Net gains on sales of investment securities	516	24
Other	3,003	2,509
Total noninterest income	17,364	15,512
Noninterest expenses
Salaries and employee benefits	31,750	29,615
Net occupancy	4,515	4,957
Furniture and equipment	2,177	2,213
Data processing	3,298	2,718
Marketing	510	1,065
Communication	447	481
Professional services	1,758	1,813
State intangible tax	721	639
FDIC assessments	932	1,132
Loss (gain) - other real estate owned	24	(190)
Other	4,913	6,277
Total noninterest expenses	51,045	50,720
Income before income taxes	34,884	29,692
Income tax expense	10,470	9,878
Net income	$ 24,414	$ 19,814
Earnings per common share
Basic	$ 0.40	$ 0.32
Diluted	0.39	0.32
Cash dividends declared per share	$ 0.17	$ 0.16
Average common shares outstanding - basic	61,398,414	61,036,797
Average common shares outstanding - diluted	62,140,384	61,840,247

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 24,414	$ 19,814
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax
Unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities arising during the period	1,487	7,043
Change in retirement obligation	189	200
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	128	128
Other comprehensive income (loss)	1,804	7,371
Comprehensive income	$ 26,218	$ 27,185

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHAN

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Retained earnings	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	Treasury stock
Beginning Balances (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2015		68,730,731			(7,089,051)
Beginning Balances at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 809,376	$ 571,155	$ 388,240	$ (30,580)	$ (119,439)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	19,814		19,814
Other comprehensive income (loss)	7,371			7,371
Cash dividends declared :
Common stock at $0.17 per share in 2017 and $0.16 per share in 2016	(9,830)		(9,830)
Excess tax benefit on share-based compensation	105
Exercise of stock options, net of shares purchased (in shares)					9,937
Exercise of stock options, net of shares purchased	82				$ 167
Restricted stock awards, net of forfeitures (in shares)					203,410
Restricted stock awards, net of forfeitures	(1,338)				$ 3,347
Share-based compensation expense	1,007
Ending Balances (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2016		68,730,731			(6,875,704)
Ending Balances at Mar. 31, 2016	826,587	$ 567,497	398,224	(23,209)	$ (115,925)
Beginning Balances (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2015		68,730,731			(7,089,051)
Beginning Balances at Dec. 31, 2015	809,376	$ 571,155	388,240	(30,580)	$ (119,439)
Cash dividends declared :
Excess tax benefit on share-based compensation		105
Exercise of stock options, net of shares purchased		(85)
Restricted stock awards, net of forfeitures		(4,685)
Share-based compensation expense		$ 1,007
Ending Balances (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2016		68,730,731			(6,751,179)
Ending Balances at Dec. 31, 2016	865,224	$ 570,382	437,188	(28,443)	$ (113,903)
Ending Balance-Stockholders' Equity, Adjusted Balance at Dec. 31, 2016	865,224
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	24,414		24,414
Other comprehensive income (loss)	1,804			1,804
Cash dividends declared :
Common stock at $0.17 per share in 2017 and $0.16 per share in 2016	(10,529)		(10,529)
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Other					1,484
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Other	0	(25)			$ 25
Exercise of stock options, net of shares purchased (in shares)					34,037
Exercise of stock options, net of shares purchased	197	(377)			$ 574
Restricted stock awards, net of forfeitures (in shares)					119,212
Restricted stock awards, net of forfeitures	(2,532)	(3,556)			$ 1,024
Share-based compensation expense	1,487	$ 1,487
Ending Balances (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2017		68,730,731			(6,596,446)
Ending Balances at Mar. 31, 2017	$ 880,065	$ 567,911	$ 451,073	$ (26,639)	$ (112,280)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHA7

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared	$ 0.17	$ 0.16

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Operating activities
Net income	$ 24,414	$ 19,814
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Provision for loan and lease losses	367	1,655
Depreciation and amortization	3,260	3,287
Stock-based compensation expense	1,487	1,007
Pension expense (income)	(319)	(225)
Net amortization (accretion) on investment securities	2,176	1,911
Net gains on sales of investment securities	(516)	(24)
Originations of loans held for sale	(32,085)	(42,935)
Net gains from sales of loans held for sale	(1,216)	(1,181)
Proceeds from sales of loans held for sale	38,633	49,381
Deferred income taxes	75	0
Decrease (increase) cash surrender value of life insurance	(448)	(493)
Decrease (increase) in interest receivable	(1,735)	(2,471)
Decrease (increase) in indemnification asset	(1,244)	(1,374)
(Decrease) increase in interest payable	(1,424)	(1,353)
Decrease (increase) in other assets	957	(15,305)
(Decrease) increase in other liabilities	(3,082)	(3,923)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	31,788	10,519
Investing activities
Proceeds from sales of securities available-for-sale	22,239	42,696
Proceeds from calls, paydowns and maturities of securities available-for-sale	49,418	31,974
Purchases of securities available-for-sale	(219,761)	(36,851)
Proceeds from Sale of Held-to-maturity Securities	0
Proceeds from calls, paydowns and maturities of securities held-to-maturity	38,497	22,881
Payments to Acquire Held-to-maturity Securities	14,441	0
Net decrease (increase) in interest-bearing deposits with other banks	43,392	18,152
Net decrease (increase) in loans and leases	1,257	(117,755)
Proceeds from disposal of other real estate owned	1,162	2,035
Purchases of premises and equipment	(3,066)	(4,900)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(81,303)	(41,768)
Financing activities
Net (decrease) increase in total deposits	4,088	(2,847)
Net (decrease) increase in short-term borrowings	51,272	31,474
Cash dividends paid on common stock	(9,811)	(9,760)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	282	111
Excess tax benefit on share-based compensation	0	105
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	45,831	19,083
Cash and due from banks:
Change in cash and due from banks	(3,684)	(12,166)
Cash and due from banks at beginning of period	121,598	114,841
Cash and due from banks at end of period	$ 117,914	$ 102,675

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

BASIS OF PRESENTATION	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
BASIS OF PRESENTATION	BASIS OF PRESENTATION The Consolidated Financial Statements of First Financial Bancorp., a bank holding company principally serving Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky, include the accounts and operations of First Financial and its wholly-owned subsidiary, First Financial Bank. All significant intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain reclassifications of prior periods' amounts have been made to conform to current year presentation. Such reclassifications had no effect on net earnings. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates, assumptions and judgments that affect the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying Notes. These estimates, assumptions and judgments are inherently subjective and may be susceptible to significant change. Actual realized amounts could differ materially from these estimates. These interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X, and serve to update the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 . These interim financial statements may not include all information and notes necessary to constitute a complete set of financial statements under GAAP applicable to annual periods and it is suggested that these interim statements be read in conjunction with the Form 10-K. Management believes these unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments of a normal recurring nature which are necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods presented. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year or any other interim period. The Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2016 has been derived from the audited financial statements in the Company’s 2016 Form 10-K.

RECENTLY ADOPTED AND ISSUED ACC

RECENTLY ADOPTED AND ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Recently Adopted and Issued Accounting Standards [Abstract]
Recently Adopted and Issued Accounting Standards Disclosure [Text Block]	RECENTLY ADOPTED AND ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS 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. First Financial's revenue is balanced between net interest income on financial assets and liabilities, which is explicitly excluded from the scope of the new guidance, and noninterest income. First Financial is currently evaluating the impact of this update and does not anticipate that it will have a material impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements, however additional disclosures will be required. In January 2016, the FASB issued an update (ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments-Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities) which requires entities to measure many equity investments at fair value and recognize changes in fair value in net income. This update does not apply to equity investments that result in consolidation, those accounted for under the equity method and certain others, and will eliminate use of the available for sale classification for equity securities while providing a new measurement alternative for equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values and do not qualify for the net asset value practical expedient. The guidance in this ASU will become effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. First Financial does not anticipate this update will have a material impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements. In February 2016, the FASB issued an update (ASU 2016-02, Leases) which requires lessees to record most leases on their balance sheet and recognize leasing expenses in the income statement. Operating leases, except for short-term leases that are subject to an accounting policy election, will be recorded on the balance sheet for lessees by establishing a lease liability and corresponding right-of-use asset. The guidance in this ASU will become effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. Given leases outstanding as of March 31, 2017, First Financial does not expect this ASU to have a material impact on the income statement, but does anticipate an increase in the Company's assets and liabilities. Decisions to repurchase, modify or renew leases prior to the implementation date will impact this level of materiality. In March 2016, the FASB issued an update (ASU 2016-05, Derivatives and Hedging: Effect of Derivative Contract Novations on Existing Hedge Accounting Relationships) which clarifies that the novation of a derivative contract in a hedge accounting relationship does not, in and of itself, require de-designation of that hedge accounting relationship. In the event of a novation, hedge accounting relationships could continue if all other hedge accounting criteria are met, including the expectation that the hedge will be highly effective when the creditworthiness of the new counterparty to the derivative contract is considered. The guidance in this ASU became effective in the first quarter 2017 and did not have a material impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements. In March 2016, the FASB issued an update (ASU 2016-06, Derivatives and Hedging: Contingent Put and Call Options in Debt Instruments) which clarifies that an assessment of whether an embedded contingent put or call option is clearly and closely related to the debt host requires only an analysis of the four-step decision sequence in ASC 815-15-25-42. Entities are required to apply the guidance to existing debt instruments (or hybrid financial instruments that are determined to have a debt host) using a modified retrospective transition method as of the period of adoption. The guidance in this ASU became effective in the first quarter 2017 and did not have a material impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements. In March 2016, the FASB issued an update (ASU 2016-07, Investments-Equity Method and Joint Ventures: Simplifying the Transition to the Equity Method of Accounting) which eliminates the requirement to retrospectively apply the equity method when an investment that had been accounted for utilizing another method qualifies for use of the equity method. The guidance in this ASU became effective in the first quarter 2017 and did not have a material impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements. In March 2016, the FASB issued an update (ASU 2016-09, Compensation-Stock Compensation: Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting) which requires recognition of the income tax effects of share-based awards in the income statement when the awards vest or are settled (i.e., Additional Paid-in-Capital pools will be eliminated). The guidance in this ASU became effective in the first quarter 2017. Adoption of this guidance resulted in a $1.1 million reduction in income tax expense during the first quarter of 2017. In June 2016, the FASB issued an update (ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments) which significantly changes how entities are required to measure credit losses for most financial assets and certain other instruments that are not measured at fair value through net income. This update will replace the current incurred loss approach for estimating credit losses with an expected loss model for instruments measured at amortized cost, including loans and leases. Expected credit losses are required to be based on amortized cost and reflect losses expected over the remaining contractual life of the asset. Management is expected to consider any available information relevant to assessing the collectability of contractual cash flows, such as information about past events, current conditions, voluntary prepayments and reasonable and supportable forecasts, when developing expected credit loss estimates. In addition to the new framework for calculating the ALLL, this update requires allowances for available-for-sale debt securities rather than a reduction of the security's carrying amount under the current other-than-temporary impairment model. This update also simplifies the accounting model for purchased credit-impaired debt securities and loans and will require new and updated footnote disclosures. The guidance in this ASU will become effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for all entities for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. First Financial is currently evaluating the impact of this update on its Consolidated Financial Statements. In August 2016, the FASB issued an update (ASU 2016-15 Statement of Cash Flows: Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments) which may change how an entity classifies certain cash receipts and cash payments on its statement of cash flows to reduce diversity in practice. The update also provides guidance on when an entity should separate cash flows and classify them into more than one class and when an entity should classify the aggregate of those cash flows into a single class based on the predominance principle. The guidance in this ASU will become effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. First Financial does not anticipate this update will have a material impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements. In January 2017, the FASB issued an update (ASU 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805), Clarifying the Definition of a Business) which clarifies the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. The update also provides a more robust framework to use in determining when a set of assets and activities is a business. The guidance in this ASU will become effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those periods, and should be applied prospectively on or after the effective date, with early adoption permitted. First Financial does not anticipate this update will have a material impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements. In January 2017, the FASB issued an update (ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350), Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment) which simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill by eliminating Step 2 from goodwill impairment testing. This update requires an entity to perform its annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, and recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, with any loss recognized not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. Additionally, the update requires consideration of the income tax effects from any tax deductible goodwill on the carrying amount of the reporting unit when measuring the goodwill impairment loss, if applicable, and eliminates the requirements for any reporting unit with a zero or negative carrying amount to perform a qualitative assessment. The guidance in this ASU will become effective for annual or any interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted for goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. First Financial does not anticipate this update will have a material impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements. In March 2017, the FASB issued an update (ASU 2017-07, Compensation - Retirement Benefits (Topic 715), Improving the Presentation of the Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost) which requires disaggregation of the service cost component from the other components of net benefit cost. This update also provides explicit guidance on how to present the service cost component and the other components of net benefit cost in the income statement and allows only the service cost component of net benefit cost to be eligible for capitalization. The guidance in this ASU will become effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. First Financial does not anticipate this update will have a material impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements, but will result in updated disclosures. In March 2017, the FASB issued an update (ASU 2017-08, Receivables - Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20), Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities) which amends the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at a premium and shortens the amortization period for the premium to the earliest call date rather than as an adjustment of yield over the contractual life of the instrument. This update more closely aligns the amortization period of premiums and discounts to expectations incorporated in market pricing on the underlying securities, as in most cases, market participants price securities to the call date that produces the worst yield when the coupon is above current market rates (that is, the security is trading at a premium) and price securities to maturity when the coupon is below market rates (that is, the security is trading at a discount) in anticipation that the borrower will act in its economic best interest in an attempt to more closely align interest income recorded on bonds held at a premium or a discount with the economics of the underlying instrument. The guidance in this ASU will become effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. First Financial is currently evaluating the impact of this update on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

INVESTMENTS

INVESTMENTS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
INVESTMENTS	INVESTMENTS For the three months ended March 31, 2017 , proceeds on the sale of $22.2 million of available-for-sale securities resulted in gains of $0.5 million . For the three months ended March 31, 2016 , proceeds on the sale of $42.7 million of available-for-sale securities resulted in gains of $0.3 million and $0.3 million losses. The following is a summary of held-to-maturity and available-for-sale investment securities as of March 31, 2017 : Held-to-maturity Available-for-sale (Dollars in thousands) Amortized Unrecognized gain Unrecognized loss Fair Amortized cost Unrealized gain Unrealized loss Fair U.S. Treasuries $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 98 $ 0 $ 0 $ 98 Securities of U.S. government agencies and corporations 12,522 0 (50 ) 12,472 18,512 0 (67 ) 18,445 Mortgage-backed securities - residential 191,301 2,204 (1,010 ) 192,495 243,509 969 (2,855 ) 241,623 Mortgage-backed securities - commercial 269,507 2,822 (1,923 ) 270,406 159,575 294 (747 ) 159,122 Collateralized mortgage obligations 181,505 1,155 (1,352 ) 181,308 275,110 686 (2,177 ) 273,619 Obligations of state and other political subdivisions 75,961 444 (1,062 ) 75,343 104,741 1,711 (1,082 ) 105,370 Asset-backed securities 0 0 0 0 347,118 869 (1,006 ) 346,981 Other securities 0 0 0 0 74,525 1,039 (776 ) 74,788 Total $ 730,796 $ 6,625 $ (5,397 ) $ 732,024 $ 1,223,188 $ 5,568 $ (8,710 ) $ 1,220,046 The following is a summary of held-to-maturity and available-for-sale investment securities as of December 31, 2016 : Held-to-maturity Available-for-sale (Dollars in thousands) Amortized Unrecognized gain Unrecognized Fair Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Fair U.S. Treasuries $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 98 $ 0 $ (1 ) $ 97 Securities of U.S. government agencies and corporations 13,011 0 (110 ) 12,901 7,056 0 (40 ) 7,016 Mortgage-backed securities - residential 205,522 1,740 (1,166 ) 206,096 184,960 1,175 (2,740 ) 183,395 Mortgage-backed securities - commercial 278,728 3,254 (1,817 ) 280,165 154,239 188 (826 ) 153,601 Collateralized mortgage obligations 195,408 1,125 (1,476 ) 195,057 232,701 634 (2,321 ) 231,014 Obligations of state and other political subdivisions 70,585 117 (1,346 ) 69,356 96,934 1,461 (1,514 ) 96,881 Asset-backed securities 0 0 0 0 322,708 517 (2,013 ) 321,212 Other securities 0 0 0 0 46,641 741 (728 ) 46,654 Total $ 763,254 $ 6,236 $ (5,915 ) $ 763,575 $ 1,045,337 $ 4,716 $ (10,183 ) $ 1,039,870 The following table provides a summary of investment securities by contractual maturity as of March 31, 2017 , except for mortgage-backed securities, residential and commercial, collateralized mortgage obligations and asset-backed securities, which are shown as single totals, due to the unpredictability of the timing in principal repayments. Held-to-maturity Available-for-sale (Dollars in thousands) Amortized cost Fair value Amortized cost Fair value By Contractual Maturity: Due in one year or less $ 207 $ 207 $ 1,199 $ 1,203 Due after one year through five years 3,727 3,730 22,743 22,702 Due after five years through ten years 2,692 2,764 50,666 51,339 Due after ten years 81,857 81,114 123,268 123,457 Mortgage-backed securities - residential 191,301 192,495 243,509 241,623 Mortgage-backed securities - commercial 269,507 270,406 159,575 159,122 Collateralized mortgage obligations 181,505 181,308 275,110 273,619 Asset-backed securities 0 0 347,118 346,981 Total $ 730,796 $ 732,024 $ 1,223,188 $ 1,220,046 Gains and losses on debt securities are generally due to fluctuations in current market yields relative to the yields of the debt securities at their amortized cost. All securities with unrealized losses are reviewed quarterly to determine if any impairment is considered other than temporary, requiring a write-down to fair value. First Financial considers the percentage loss on a security, duration of the loss, average life or duration of the security, credit rating of the security and payment performance, as well as the Company's intent and ability to hold the security to maturity, when determining whether any impairment is other than temporary. At this time First Financial does not intend to sell, and it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell, debt securities temporarily impaired prior to maturity or recovery of the recorded value. First Financial had no other than temporary impairment related to its investment securities portfolio as of March 31, 2017 or December 31, 2016 . As of March 31, 2017, the Company's investment securities portfolio consisted of 723 securities, of which 222 were in an unrealized loss position. As of December 31, 2016, the Company's investment securities portfolio consisted of 706 securities, of which 255 securities were in an unrealized loss position. The following tables provide the fair value and gross unrealized losses on investment securities in an unrealized loss position, aggregated by investment category and the length of time the individual securities have been in a continuous loss position: March 31, 2017 Less than 12 months 12 months or more Total (Dollars in thousands) Fair value Unrealized loss Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized U.S. Treasuries $ 98 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 98 $ 0 Securities of U.S. Government agencies and corporations 26,987 (117 ) 0 0 26,987 (117 ) Mortgage-backed securities - residential 222,540 (3,597 ) 9,283 (268 ) 231,823 (3,865 ) Mortgage-backed securities - commercial 132,085 (1,300 ) 62,069 (1,371 ) 194,154 (2,671 ) Collateralized mortgage obligations 202,529 (2,659 ) 34,359 (870 ) 236,888 (3,529 ) Obligations of state and other political subdivisions 90,403 (2,055 ) 11,484 (88 ) 101,887 (2,143 ) Asset-backed securities 51,352 (429 ) 64,705 (577 ) 116,057 (1,006 ) Other securities 12,123 (370 ) 15,479 (406 ) 27,602 (776 ) Total $ 738,117 $ (10,527 ) $ 197,379 $ (3,580 ) $ 935,496 $ (14,107 ) December 31, 2016 Less than 12 months 12 months or more Total Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized (Dollars in thousands) value loss value loss value loss U.S. Treasuries $ 97 $ (1 ) $ 0 $ 0 $ 97 $ (1 ) Securities of U.S. Government agencies and corporations 19,917 (150 ) 0 0 19,917 (150 ) Mortgage-backed securities - residential 180,654 (3,621 ) 9,890 (285 ) 190,544 (3,906 ) Mortgage-backed securities - commercial 123,122 (1,200 ) 65,007 (1,443 ) 188,129 (2,643 ) Collateralized mortgage obligations 201,305 (2,882 ) 42,314 (915 ) 243,619 (3,797 ) Obligations of state and other political subdivisions 94,632 (2,710 ) 12,023 (150 ) 106,655 (2,860 ) Asset-backed securities 116,057 (764 ) 92,629 (1,249 ) 208,686 (2,013 ) Other securities 7,746 (237 ) 21,357 (491 ) 29,103 (728 ) Total $ 743,530 $ (11,565 ) $ 243,220 $ (4,533 ) $ 986,750 $ (16,098 ) For further detail on the fair value of investment securities, see Note 14 – Fair Value Disclosures.

LOANS AND LEASES

LOANS AND LEASES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Receivables [Abstract]
LOANS AND LEASES	LOANS AND LEASES First Financial offers clients a variety of commercial and consumer loan and lease products with distinct 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 primarily to insurance agents and brokers. Commercial loan categories include commercial and industrial, commercial real estate, construction real estate and lease financing. Consumer loan categories include residential real estate, home equity, installment and credit card. Credit Quality. To facilitate the monitoring of credit quality for commercial loans, and for purposes of determining an appropriate ALLL, 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 highly questionable and improbable, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions and values. 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 previously described are derived from standard regulatory rating definitions and are assigned upon initial approval of credit to borrowers and updated periodically thereafter. First Financial considers repayment performance to be the best indicator of credit quality for consumer loans. Consumer loans that have principal and interest payments that are past due by 90 days or more are generally classified as nonperforming. Additionally, consumer loans that have been modified in a TDR are classified as nonperforming. Purchased impaired loans are not classified as nonperforming assets as the loans are considered to be performing under FASB ASC Topic 310-30. Commercial and consumer credit exposure by risk attribute was as follows: As of March 31, 2017 Commercial Real Estate Lease (Dollars in thousands) and industrial Construction Commercial financing Total Pass $ 1,730,424 $ 443,164 $ 2,302,421 $ 88,054 $ 4,564,063 Special Mention 18,635 322 36,768 583 56,308 Substandard 30,576 2,846 59,046 251 92,719 Doubtful 0 0 0 0 0 Total $ 1,779,635 $ 446,332 $ 2,398,235 $ 88,888 $ 4,713,090 (Dollars in thousands) Residential real estate Home equity Installment Credit card Total Performing $ 477,768 $ 454,625 $ 51,674 $ 43,354 $ 1,027,421 Nonperforming 8,833 4,349 389 0 13,571 Total $ 486,601 $ 458,974 $ 52,063 $ 43,354 $ 1,040,992 As of December 31, 2016 Commercial Real Estate Lease (Dollars in thousands) and industrial Construction Commercial financing Total Pass $ 1,725,451 $ 398,155 $ 2,349,662 $ 92,540 $ 4,565,808 Special Mention 18,256 1,258 15,584 108 35,206 Substandard 38,241 21 62,331 460 101,053 Doubtful 0 0 0 0 0 Total $ 1,781,948 $ 399,434 $ 2,427,577 $ 93,108 $ 4,702,067 (Dollars in thousands) Residential real estate Home equity Installment Credit card Total Performing $ 491,380 $ 456,314 $ 50,202 $ 43,408 $ 1,041,304 Nonperforming 9,600 4,074 437 0 14,111 Total $ 500,980 $ 460,388 $ 50,639 $ 43,408 $ 1,055,415 Delinquency. Loans are considered past due or delinquent when the contractual principal or interest due in accordance with the terms of the loan agreement or any portion thereof remains unpaid after the date of the scheduled payment. Loan delinquency, including loans classified as nonaccrual, was as follows: As of March 31, 2017 (Dollars in thousands) 30 – 59 60 – 89 > 90 days Total Current Subtotal Purchased impaired Total > 90 days Loans Commercial and industrial $ 3,407 $ 3,269 $ 1,271 $ 7,947 $ 1,767,241 $ 1,775,188 $ 4,447 $ 1,779,635 $ 0 Lease financing 0 0 0 0 88,888 88,888 0 88,888 0 Construction real estate 3,129 0 1,075 4,204 441,590 445,794 538 446,332 0 Commercial real estate 1,379 8,000 2,166 11,545 2,313,256 2,324,801 73,434 2,398,235 0 Residential real estate 920 171 2,218 3,309 437,737 441,046 45,555 486,601 0 Home equity 244 91 1,665 2,000 454,330 456,330 2,644 458,974 0 Installment 134 11 227 372 50,802 51,174 889 52,063 0 Credit card 253 146 96 495 42,859 43,354 0 43,354 96 Total $ 9,466 $ 11,688 $ 8,718 $ 29,872 $ 5,596,703 $ 5,626,575 $ 127,507 $ 5,754,082 $ 96 As of December 31, 2016 (Dollars in thousands) 30 – 59 60 – 89 > 90 days Total Current Subtotal Purchased impaired Total > 90 days Loans Commercial and industrial $ 1,257 $ 208 $ 1,339 $ 2,804 $ 1,773,939 $ 1,776,743 $ 5,205 $ 1,781,948 $ 0 Lease financing 137 0 115 252 92,856 93,108 0 93,108 0 Construction real estate 0 0 0 0 398,877 398,877 557 399,434 0 Commercial real estate 777 134 5,589 6,500 2,339,327 2,345,827 81,750 2,427,577 2,729 Residential real estate 821 37 2,381 3,239 450,631 453,870 47,110 500,980 0 Home equity 195 145 1,776 2,116 456,143 458,259 2,129 460,388 0 Installment 24 1 258 283 49,058 49,341 1,298 50,639 0 Other 457 177 142 776 42,632 43,408 0 43,408 142 Total $ 3,668 $ 702 $ 11,600 $ 15,970 $ 5,603,463 $ 5,619,433 $ 138,049 $ 5,757,482 $ 2,871 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. When a loan is classified as nonaccrual, the accrual of interest income is discontinued and previously accrued but unpaid interest is reversed. Any payments received while a loan is on nonaccrual status are applied as a reduction to the carrying value of the loan. A loan classified as nonaccrual may return to accrual status if collection of future principal and interest payments is no longer doubtful. Purchased impaired loans are classified as performing, even though they may be contractually past due, as any nonpayment of contractual principal or interest is considered in the periodic re-estimation of expected cash flows and is included in the resulting recognition of current period provision for loan and lease losses or prospective yield adjustments. Troubled Debt Restructurings. A loan modification is considered a TDR when the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty and concessions are made by the Company that would not otherwise be considered for a borrower with similar credit characteristics. The most common types of modifications include interest rate reductions, maturity extensions and modifications to principal amortization, including interest-only structures. Modified terms are dependent upon the financial position and needs of the individual borrower. If the modification agreement is violated, the loan is managed by the Company’s credit administration group for resolution, which may result in foreclosure in the case of real estate. TDRs are generally classified as nonaccrual for a minimum period of six months and may qualify for return to accrual status once they have demonstrated performance with the restructured terms of the loan agreement. First Financial had 236 TDRs totaling $37.8 million at March 31, 2017 , including $29.9 million on accrual status and $7.8 million classified as nonaccrual. First Financial had $0.4 million of commitments outstanding to lend additional funds to borrowers whose loan terms have been modified through TDRs, and the ALLL included reserves of $1.4 million related to TDRs at March 31, 2017 . For the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, First Financial charged off $29 thousand and $0.2 million respectively, for the portion of TDRs determined to be uncollectible. Additionally, as of March 31, 2017 , approximately $24.3 million of accruing TDRs have been performing in accordance with the restructured terms for more than one year. First Financial had 247 TDRs totaling $35.4 million at December 31, 2016 , including $30.2 million of loans on accrual status and $5.1 million classified as nonaccrual. First Financial had $0.9 million of commitments outstanding to lend additional funds to borrowers whose loan terms had been modified through TDRs. At December 31, 2016 , the ALLL included reserves of $1.9 million related to TDRs, and $22.6 million of the accruing TDRs had been performing in accordance with the restructured terms for more than one year. The following tables provide information on loan modifications classified as TDRs during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 : Three months ended March 31, 2017 March 31, 2016 (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 2 $ 3,502 $ 3,441 8 $ 2,083 $ 2,095 Construction real estate 0 0 0 0 0 0 Commercial real estate 0 0 0 1 42 42 Residential real estate 0 0 0 2 281 247 Home equity 0 0 0 4 149 140 Installment 0 0 0 2 7 7 Total 2 $ 3,502 $ 3,441 17 $ 2,562 $ 2,531 The following table provides information on how TDRs were modified during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 : Three months ended March 31, (Dollars in thousands) 2017 2016 Extended maturities $ 625 $ 486 Adjusted interest rates 2,877 0 Combination of rate and maturity changes 0 162 Forbearance 0 0 Other (1) 0 1,883 Total $ 3,502 $ 2,531 (1) Includes covenant modifications and other concessions, or combination of concessions, that do not consist of interest rate adjustments, forbearance and maturity extensions First Financial considers repayment performance as an indication of the effectiveness of the Company's loan modifications. Borrowers that are 90 days or more past due on any principal or interest payments, or who prematurely terminate a restructured loan agreement without paying off the contractual principal balance (for example, in a deed-in-lieu arrangement), are considered to be in payment default of the terms of the TDR agreement. For the three months ended March 31, 2017 , there were no TDRs for which there was a payment default during the period that occurred within twelve months of the loan modification. For the comparable period in 2016, there were four TDRs with a balance of $0.3 million that experienced a payment default within twelve months of the modification. 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: (Dollars in thousands) March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Impaired loans Nonaccrual loans (1) Commercial and industrial $ 9,249 $ 2,419 Lease financing 102 195 Construction real estate 1,075 0 Commercial real estate 14,324 6,098 Residential real estate 4,520 5,251 Home equity 3,571 3,400 Installment 322 367 Credit card 0 0 Nonaccrual loans (1) 33,163 17,730 Accruing troubled debt restructurings 29,948 30,240 Total impaired loans $ 63,111 $ 47,970 (1) Nonaccrual loans include nonaccrual TDRs of $7.8 million and $5.1 million as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , respectively. Three months ended March 31, (Dollars in thousands) 2017 2016 Interest income effect on impaired loans Gross amount of interest that would have been recorded under original terms $ 816 $ 754 Interest included in income Nonaccrual loans 142 76 Troubled debt restructurings 226 232 Total interest included in income 368 308 Net impact on interest income $ 448 $ 446 First Financial individually reviews all impaired commercial loan relationships greater than $250,000 , as well as consumer loan TDRs greater than $100,000 , to determine if a specific allowance is necessary based on the borrower’s overall financial condition, resources and payment record, support from guarantors and the realizable value of any collateral. Specific allowances are based on discounted cash flows using the loan's initial effective interest rate or the fair value of the collateral for certain collateral dependent loans. First Financial's investment in impaired loans was as follows: As of March 31, 2017 As of December 31, 2016 (Dollars in thousands) Current balance Contractual principal balance Related allowance Current balance Contractual Related Loans with no related allowance recorded Commercial and industrial $ 19,080 $ 20,250 $ 0 $ 12,134 $ 12,713 $ 0 Lease financing 102 102 0 195 195 0 Construction real estate 1,075 1,075 0 0 0 0 Commercial real estate 27,646 30,475 0 12,232 14,632 0 Residential real estate 7,653 8,941 0 8,412 9,648 0 Home equity 4,249 5,739 0 3,973 5,501 0 Installment 389 563 0 437 603 0 Total 60,194 67,145 0 37,383 43,292 0 Loans with an allowance recorded Commercial and industrial 1,118 1,118 332 1,069 1,071 550 Lease financing 0 0 0 0 0 0 Construction real estate 0 0 0 0 0 0 Commercial real estate 519 519 56 8,228 8,277 593 Residential real estate 1,180 1,182 179 1,189 1,189 179 Home equity 100 100 2 101 101 2 Installment 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total 2,917 2,919 569 10,587 10,638 1,324 Total Commercial and industrial 20,198 21,368 332 13,203 13,784 550 Lease financing 102 102 0 195 195 0 Construction real estate 1,075 1,075 0 0 0 0 Commercial real estate 28,165 30,994 56 20,460 22,909 593 Residential real estate 8,833 10,123 179 9,601 10,837 179 Home equity 4,349 5,839 2 4,074 5,602 2 Installment 389 563 0 437 603 0 Total $ 63,111 $ 70,064 $ 569 $ 47,970 $ 53,930 $ 1,324 First Financial's average impaired loans by class and interest income recognized by class was as follows: Three months ended March 31, 2017 March 31, 2016 (Dollars in thousands) Average Interest Average Interest Loans with no related allowance recorded Commercial and industrial $ 15,607 $ 109 $ 14,965 $ 74 Lease financing 149 1 122 0 Construction real estate 538 0 0 0 Commercial real estate 19,939 160 15,152 70 Residential real estate 8,033 46 7,287 46 Home equity 4,111 24 5,455 21 Installment 413 2 236 1 Total 48,790 342 43,217 212 Loans with an allowance recorded Commercial and industrial 1,094 13 983 9 Lease financing 0 0 0 0 Construction real estate 0 0 0 0 Commercial real estate 4,374 5 8,663 77 Residential real estate 1,185 7 1,542 9 Home equity 101 1 101 1 Installment 0 0 0 0 Total 6,754 26 11,289 96 Total Commercial and industrial 16,701 122 15,948 83 Lease financing 149 1 122 0 Construction real estate 538 0 0 0 Commercial real estate 24,313 165 23,815 147 Residential real estate 9,218 53 8,829 55 Home equity 4,212 25 5,556 22 Installment 413 2 236 1 Total $ 55,544 $ 368 $ 54,506 $ 308 OREO. OREO consists of properties acquired by the Company primarily through the loan foreclosure or repossession process, or other resolution activity that results in partial or total satisfaction of problem loans. Changes in OREO were as follows: Three months ended March 31, (Dollars in thousands) 2017 2016 Balance at beginning of period $ 6,284 $ 13,254 Additions Commercial and industrial 122 786 Residential real estate 165 122 Total additions 287 908 Disposals Commercial and industrial (925 ) (200 ) Residential real estate (237 ) (1,835 ) Total disposals (1,162 ) (2,035 ) Valuation adjustment Commercial and industrial (46 ) (117 ) Residential real estate (63 ) (71 ) Total valuation adjustment (109 ) (188 ) Balance at end of period $ 5,300 $ 11,939 The preceding table includes OREO subject to loss sharing agreements of $0.5 million and $38 thousand at March 31, 2017 and 2016 , respectively. FDIC indemnification asset. First Financial recorded an FDIC indemnification asset of $10.8 million and $12.0 million on the consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , respectively. The FDIC indemnification asset results from the loss sharing agreements entered into in conjunction with First Financial's FDIC-assisted transactions, and represents expected reimbursements from the FDIC for losses on covered assets. The accounting for the FDIC indemnification asset is closely related to the accounting for the underlying, indemnified assets as well as the on-going assessment of the collectibility of the indemnification asset. The primary activities impacting the FDIC indemnification asset are FDIC claims, amortization, FDIC loss sharing income and accelerated discount. For a detailed discussion on the indemnification asset, please refer to the Loans and Leases note in the 2016 Form 10-K.

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE LO

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Receivables [Abstract]
ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES	ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES Loans and leases. Management maintains the ALLL at a level that it considers sufficient to absorb probable incurred 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. The ALLL 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. Covered/formerly covered loans. The majority of covered/formerly covered loans are purchased impaired loans, whereby First Financial is required to periodically re-estimate the expected cash flows on the loans. First Financial updated the valuations related to covered/formerly covered loans during the first quarter of 2017 . Changes in the allowance for loan and lease losses were as follows: Three months ended March 31, (Dollars in thousands) 2017 2016 Changes in the allowance for loan and lease losses on loans, excluding covered/formerly covered loans Balance at beginning of period $ 49,422 $ 43,149 Provision for loan and lease losses 1,481 1,735 Loans charged-off (2,514 ) (1,367 ) Recoveries 418 858 Balance at end of period $ 48,807 $ 44,375 Changes in the allowance for loan and lease losses on covered/formerly covered loans Balance at beginning of period $ 8,539 $ 10,249 Provision for loan and lease losses (1,114 ) (80 ) Loans charged-off (236 ) (1,075 ) Recoveries 330 263 Balance at end of period $ 7,519 $ 9,357 Changes in the allowance for loan and lease losses Balance at beginning of period $ 57,961 $ 53,398 Provision for loan and lease losses 367 1,655 Loans charged-off (2,750 ) (2,442 ) Recoveries 748 1,121 Balance at end of period $ 56,326 $ 53,732 Changes in the allowance for loan and lease losses by loan category were as follows: Three months ended March 31, 2017 Real Estate (Dollars in thousands) Commercial and industrial Lease financing Construction Commercial Residential Home equity Installment Credit card Total Allowance for loan and lease losses: Balance at beginning of period $ 19,225 $ 716 $ 3,282 $ 26,540 $ 3,208 $ 3,043 $ 388 $ 1,559 $ 57,961 Provision for loan and lease losses (596 ) (100 ) 325 (2,566 ) 2,329 805 9 161 367 Loans charged off (1,743 ) 0 0 (485 ) (61 ) (180 ) (49 ) (232 ) (2,750 ) Recoveries 262 0 0 256 9 106 71 44 748 Total net charge-offs (1,481 ) 0 0 (229 ) (52 ) (74 ) 22 (188 ) (2,002 ) Ending allowance for loan and lease losses $ 17,148 $ 616 $ 3,607 $ 23,745 $ 5,485 $ 3,774 $ 419 $ 1,532 $ 56,326 March 31, 2017 Real Estate Commercial and industrial Lease financing Construction Commercial Residential Home equity Installment Credit card Total Ending allowance balance attributable to loans Individually evaluated for impairment $ 332 $ 0 $ 0 $ 56 $ 179 $ 2 $ 0 $ 0 $ 569 Collectively evaluated for impairment 16,816 616 3,607 23,689 5,306 3,772 419 1,532 55,757 Ending allowance for loan and lease losses $ 17,148 $ 616 $ 3,607 $ 23,745 $ 5,485 $ 3,774 $ 419 $ 1,532 $ 56,326 Loans Individually evaluated for impairment $ 20,198 $ 102 $ 1,075 $ 28,165 $ 8,833 $ 4,349 $ 389 $ 0 $ 63,111 Collectively evaluated for impairment 1,759,437 88,786 445,257 2,370,070 477,768 454,625 51,674 43,354 5,690,971 Total loans $ 1,779,635 $ 88,888 $ 446,332 $ 2,398,235 $ 486,601 $ 458,974 $ 52,063 $ 43,354 $ 5,754,082 Three months ended March 31, 2016 Real Estate (Dollars in thousands) Commercial and industrial Lease financing Construction Commercial Residential Home equity Installment Credit card Total Allowance for loan and lease losses: Balance at beginning of period $ 16,995 $ 821 $ 1,810 $ 23,656 $ 4,014 $ 3,943 $ 386 $ 1,773 $ 53,398 Provision for loan and lease losses 1,432 45 439 (420 ) 8 185 (58 ) 24 1,655 Loans charged off (479 ) 0 (3 ) (1,262 ) (45 ) (340 ) (73 ) (240 ) (2,442 ) Recoveries 222 0 26 442 63 188 99 81 1,121 Total net charge-offs (257 ) 0 23 (820 ) 18 (152 ) 26 (159 ) (1,321 ) Ending allowance for loan and lease losses $ 18,170 $ 866 $ 2,272 $ 22,416 $ 4,040 $ 3,976 $ 354 $ 1,638 $ 53,732 December 31, 2016 Real Estate (Dollars in thousands) Commercial and industrial Lease financing Construction Commercial Residential Home equity Installment Credit card Total Ending allowance balance attributable to loans Individually evaluated for impairment $ 550 $ 0 $ 0 $ 593 $ 179 $ 2 $ 0 $ 0 $ 1,324 Collectively evaluated for impairment 18,675 716 3,282 25,947 3,029 3,041 388 1,559 56,637 Ending allowance for loan and lease losses $ 19,225 $ 716 $ 3,282 $ 26,540 $ 3,208 $ 3,043 $ 388 $ 1,559 $ 57,961 Loans Individually evaluated for impairment $ 13,203 $ 195 $ 0 $ 20,460 $ 9,601 $ 4,074 $ 437 $ 0 $ 47,970 Collectively evaluated for impairment 1,768,745 92,913 399,434 2,407,117 491,379 456,314 50,202 43,408 5,709,512 Total loans $ 1,781,948 $ 93,108 $ 399,434 $ 2,427,577 $ 500,980 $ 460,388 $ 50,639 $ 43,408 $ 5,757,482

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE A

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
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. First Financial recorded no additions to goodwill during 2017 or 2016. First Financial had goodwill of $204.1 million as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , respectively. Goodwill is not amortized, but is evaluated for impairment on an annual basis as of October 1 of each year, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the fair value of a reporting unit may be below its carrying value. First Financial performed its most recent annual impairment test as of October 1, 2016 and no impairment was indicated. As of March 31, 2017 , 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 March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , First Financial had $6.2 million and $6.5 million , respectively, of other intangible assets, which primarily consist of core deposit intangibles and are included in Goodwill and other intangibles in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Core deposit intangibles represent the estimated fair value of acquired customer deposit relationships. Core deposit intangibles are recorded at 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 $4.2 million and $4.5 million as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , respectively. First Financial's core deposit intangibles have an estimated weighted average remaining life of 4.5 years . Amortization expense recognized on intangible assets for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 was $0.3 million and $0.4 million , respectively.

BORROWINGS

BORROWINGS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
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 the Bank and the client. To secure it's liability to the client, the Bank is authorized to sell or repurchase U.S. Treasury, government agency and mortgage-backed securities. First Financial had $806.7 million in short-term borrowings with the FHLB at March 31, 2017 and $687.7 million as of December 31, 2016 . These short-term borrowings are used to manage normal liquidity needs and support the Company's asset and liability management strategies. First Financial has a $15.0 million short-term credit facility with an unaffiliated bank that matures on May 29, 2017. 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 common stock and the payment of dividends to shareholders. As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , there was no outstanding balance. The credit agreement requires First Financial to comply with certain covenants including those related to asset quality and capital levels, and First Financial was in compliance with all covenants associated with this facility as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 . In 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 are treated as Tier 2 capital for regulatory capital purposes and are included in Long-term debt on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Long-term debt also includes $0.3 million and $0.4 million of FHLB long-term advances as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , respectively. These instruments are primarily utilized to reduce overnight liquidity risk and to mitigate interest rate sensitivity on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The following is a summary of First Financial's long-term debt: March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 (Dollars in thousands) Amount Average rate Amount Average rate Subordinated debt $ 120,000 5.13 % $ 120,000 5.13 % Unamortized debt issuance costs (1,493 ) N/A (1,537 ) N/A FHLB 347 1.45 % 351 1.43 % Capital loan with municipality 775 0.00 % 775 0.00 % Total long-term debt $ 119,629 5.15 % $ 119,589 5.15 %

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Equity [Abstract]
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) Shareholders’ equity is affected by transactions and valuations of asset and liability positions that require adjustments to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). The related tax effects allocated to other comprehensive income and reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are as follows: Three months ended March 31, 2017 Total other comprehensive income Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (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 $ 2,832 $ 516 $ 2,316 $ (829 ) $ 1,487 $ (4,549 ) $ 1,487 $ (3,062 ) Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives 203 0 203 (75 ) 128 (1,091 ) 128 (963 ) Retirement obligation 0 (335 ) 335 (146 ) 189 (22,803 ) 189 (22,614 ) Total $ 3,035 $ 181 $ 2,854 $ (1,050 ) $ 1,804 $ (28,443 ) $ 1,804 $ (26,639 ) Three months ended March 31, 2016 Total other comprehensive income Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (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 $ 10,975 $ 24 $ 10,951 $ (3,908 ) $ 7,043 $ (4,933 ) $ 7,043 $ 2,110 Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives 202 0 202 (74 ) 128 (1,599 ) 128 (1,471 ) Retirement obligation 0 (317 ) 317 (117 ) 200 (24,048 ) 200 (23,848 ) Total $ 11,177 $ (293 ) $ 11,470 $ (4,099 ) $ 7,371 $ (30,580 ) $ 7,371 $ (23,209 ) The following table presents the activity reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into income during the three month periods ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively: Amount reclassified from (1) Three months ended March 31, (Dollars in thousands) 2017 2016 Affected Line Item in the Consolidated Statements of Income Realized gains and losses on securities available-for-sale $ 516 $ 24 Gains on sales of investments securities Defined benefit pension plan Amortization of prior service cost (2) 103 103 Salaries and employee benefits Recognized net actuarial loss (2) (438 ) (420 ) Salaries and employee benefits Defined benefit pension plan total (335 ) (317 ) Total reclassifications for the period, before tax $ 181 $ (293 ) (1) Negative amounts are reductions to net income. (2) Included in the computation of net periodic pension cost (see Note 12 - Employee Benefit Plans for additional details).

DERIVATIVES

DERIVATIVES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
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. First Financial primarily utilizes interest rate swaps as a means to offer borrowers credit-based products that meet their needs. First Financial may also utilize interest rate swaps to manage the interest rate risk profile of the Company. Interest rate payments are exchanged with counterparties based on the notional amount established in the interest rate agreement. 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, which require the Company to maintain a total derivative notional position of less than 35% of assets, total credit exposure of less than 3% of capital and no single counterparty credit risk exposure greater than $20.0 million . The Company is currently below all single counterparty and portfolio limits. At March 31, 2017 , the Company had a total counterparty notional amount outstanding of $697.1 million , spread among ten counterparties, with an outstanding liability from these contracts of $2.5 million . At December 31, 2016 , the Company had a total counterparty notional amount outstanding of $677.8 million , spread among ten counterparties, with an outstanding liability from these contracts of $5.2 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 ALLL 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. Client Derivatives. First Financial utilizes interest rate swaps as a means to offer commercial borrowers fixed rate funding while providing the Company with floating rate assets. The following table details the classification and amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for client derivatives: March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Estimated fair value Estimated fair value (Dollars in thousands) Balance sheet classification Notional amount Gain Loss Notional amount Gain Loss Client derivatives - instruments associated with loans Matched interest rate swaps with borrower Accrued interest and other assets $ 697,051 $ 7,211 $ (4,844 ) $ 677,028 $ 8,401 $ (4,158 ) Matched interest rate swaps with counterparty Accrued interest and other liabilities 697,051 4,844 (7,214 ) 677,028 4,158 (8,429 ) Total $ 1,394,102 $ 12,055 $ (12,058 ) $ 1,354,056 $ 12,559 $ (12,587 ) In connection with its use of derivative instruments, First Financial and its counterparties are required to post cash collateral to offset the market position of the derivative instruments under certain conditions. First Financial maintains the right to offset these derivative positions with the collateral posted against them by or with the relevant counterparties. First Financial classifies the derivative cash collateral outstanding with its counterparties as an adjustment to the fair value of the derivative contracts within Accrued interest and other assets or Accrued interest and other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The following table discloses the gross and net amounts of liabilities recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets: March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 (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 Client derivatives Matched interest rate swaps with counterparty $ 12,058 $ 744 $ 12,802 $ 12,587 $ (462 ) $ 12,125 The following table details the derivative financial instruments, the average remaining maturities and the weighted-average interest rates being paid and received by First Financial at March 31, 2017 : Weighted-average rate (Dollars in thousands) Notional amount Average maturity (years) Fair value Receive Pay Client derivatives Receive fixed, matched interest rate swaps with borrower $ 697,051 5.6 $ 2,367 3.89 % 2.92 % Pay fixed, matched interest rate swaps with counterparty 697,051 5.6 (2,370 ) 2.92 % 3.89 % Total client derivatives $ 1,394,102 5.6 $ (3 ) 3.44 % 3.37 % 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 $64.6 million as of March 31, 2017 and $64.9 million as of December 31, 2016 . The fair value of these agreements was recorded in Accrued interest and other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and was $22 thousand and $29 thousand at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , respectively. 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 loans held for sale. At March 31, 2017 , the notional amount of the IRLCs was $18.0 million and the notional amount of forward commitments was $17.5 million . As of December 31, 2016 , the notional amount of IRLCs was $13.2 million and the notional amount of forward commitments was $17.8 million . The fair value of these agreements was recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets in Accrued interest and other assets and was $0.2 million at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 .

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES First Financial offers a variety of financial instruments including standby letters of credit and outstanding commitments to extend credit to assist clients in meeting their requirement for liquidity and credit enhancement. 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 is represented by the contractual amounts of those instruments. First Financial utilizes the ALLL methodology to maintain a reserve that it considers sufficient to absorb probable incurred losses inherent in standby letters of credit and outstanding loan commitments and records the reserve within Accrued interest and other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Loan commitments. Loan commitments are agreements to extend credit to a client, absent any violation of conditions established in the commitment agreement. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by First Financial upon extension of credit, is based on management’s credit evaluation of the client. The collateral held varies, but may include securities, real estate, inventory, plant or equipment. First Financial had commitments outstanding to extend credit totaling $2.0 billion at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 . As of March 31, 2017 , loan commitments with a fixed interest rate totaled $83.9 million while commitments with variable interest rates totaled $1.9 billion . The fixed rate loan commitments have interest rates ranging from 0.00% to 21.00% and maturities ranging from one year to 19 years . Letters of credit. Letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by First Financial to guarantee the performance of a client to a third party. First Financial’s portfolio of standby letters of credit consists primarily of performance assurances made on behalf of clients who have a contractual commitment to produce or deliver goods or services. The risk to First Financial arises from its obligation to make payment in the event of the client's contractual default to produce the contracted good or service to a third party. First Financial issued letters of credit (including standby letters of credit) aggregating $18.8 million and $18.4 million at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , respectively. Management conducts regular reviews of these instruments on an individual client basis. Investments in affordable housing tax credits. First Financial has made investments in certain qualified affordable housing tax credits. These credits 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 the unavailability or recapture of the tax credits and other tax benefits. Investments in affordable housing projects are accounted for under the proportional amortization method and are included in Accrued interest and other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. First Financial's affordable housing commitments totaled $32.0 million and $32.7 million as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , respectively. The Company recognized tax credits of $0.8 million and $0.5 million related to its investments in affordable housing projects for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 , respectively. The Company recognized amortization expense which was included in income tax expense of $1.0 million and $0.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 , respectively. First Financial had no affordable housing contingent commitments as of March 31, 2017 or December 31, 2016 . Investments in historic tax credits. First Financial has noncontrolling financial investments in private investment funds and partnerships which are not consolidated. These investments may generate a return through the realization of federal and state income tax credits, as well as other tax benefits, such as tax deductions from net operating losses of the investments over a period of time. Investments in historic tax credits are accounted for under the equity method of accounting and are carried in Accrued interest and other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company’s recorded investment in these entities was approximately $4.9 million at both March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 . The maximum exposure to loss related to these investments was $13.7 million at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , respectively, representing the Company’s investment balance and its unfunded commitments to invest additional amounts. Investments in historic tax credits resulted in $0.1 million and $0.2 million of tax credits for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2016 , respectively. Contingencies/Litigation. First Financial and its subsidiaries are engaged in various matters of litigation, other assertions of improper or fraudulent loan practices or lending violations and other matters from time to time, and have a number of unresolved claims pending. Additionally, as part of the ordinary course of business, First Financial and its subsidiaries are parties to litigation involving claims to the ownership of funds in particular accounts, the collection of delinquent accounts, challenges to security interests in collateral and foreclosure interests that are incidental to our regular business activities. While the ultimate liability with respect to these other litigation matters and claims cannot be determined at this time, First Financial believes that damages, if any, and other amounts relating to pending matters are not probable or cannot be reasonably estimated as of March 31, 2017 . 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 no reserves related to litigation matters as of March 31, 2017 or December 31, 2016 .

INCOME TAXES

INCOME TAXES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
INCOME TAXES	INCOME TAXES For the first quarter 2017 , income tax expense was $10.5 million , resulting in an effective tax rate of 30.0% compared with income tax expense of $9.9 million and an effective tax rate of 33.3% for the comparable period in 2016. The decrease in the effective tax rate relates primarily to the adoption of ASU 2016-09 regarding employee share-based compensation. ASU 2016-09, Compensation-Stock Compensation Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, became effective during the first quarter of 2017 and requires the recognition of the income tax effects of share-based awards through the income statement as a component income tax expense. First Financial recorded a $1.1 million tax benefit as a result of share awards vesting and exercised during the first quarter. At December 31, 2016 , First Financial had $2.4 million of unrecognized tax benefits, as determined in FASB ASC Topic 740-10, Income Taxes, that, if recognized, would favorably affect the effective income tax rate in future periods. The unrecognized tax benefits relate to state income tax exposures from taking tax positions where the Company believes it is likely that, upon examination, a state may take a position contrary to the position taken by the Company. The Company believes that resolution regarding our uncertain tax positions is reasonably possible within the next twelve months and could result in full, partial or no recognition of the benefit. First Financial recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits and penalties as income tax expense. At March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , the Company had no interest or penalties recorded. First Financial and its subsidiaries are subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as state and local income tax in several jurisdictions. Tax years prior to 2013 have been closed and are no longer subject to U.S. federal income tax examinations. Tax years 2013 through 2016 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 2016 remain open to state and local examination in various jurisdictions.

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS	EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS First Financial sponsors a non-contributory defined benefit pension plan covering substantially all employees and uses a December 31 measurement date for the plan. Plan assets were primarily invested in fixed income and publicly traded equity mutual funds. The pension plan does not directly own any shares of First Financial common stock or any other First Financial security or product. First Financial made no cash contributions to fund the pension plan during the three months ended March 31, 2017 , or the year ended December 31, 2016, and does not expect to make cash contributions to the plan through the remainder of 2017. As a result of the plan’s actuarial projections, First Financial recorded income of $0.3 million and $0.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The following table sets forth information concerning amounts recognized in First Financial’s Consolidated Statements of Income related to the Company's pension plan: Three months ended March 31, (Dollars in thousands) 2017 2016 Service cost $ 1,238 $ 1,308 Interest cost 589 581 Expected return on assets (2,481 ) (2,431 ) Amortization of prior service cost (103 ) (103 ) Net actuarial loss 438 420 Net periodic benefit (income) cost $ (319 ) $ (225 )

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE	EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share: Three months ended March 31, (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) 2017 2016 Numerator Net income available to common shareholders $ 24,414 $ 19,814 Denominator Basic earnings per common share - weighted average shares 61,398,414 61,036,797 Effect of dilutive securities Employee stock awards 674,589 705,779 Warrants 67,381 97,671 Diluted earnings per common share - adjusted weighted average shares 62,140,384 61,840,247 Earnings per share available to common shareholders Basic $ 0.40 $ 0.32 Diluted $ 0.39 $ 0.32 Warrants to purchase 112,233 and 322,312 shares of the Company's common stock were outstanding as of March 31, 2017 and 2016 , 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 exercise prices greater than the average market price of the common shares, were not included in the computation of net income per diluted share, as they would have been antidilutive. Using the end of period price, there were no antidilutive options at March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2016 .

FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES

FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES	FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES Fair Value Measurement The fair value framework as disclosed in the 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 previously described 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 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. Other investments. Other investments include holdings in FRB and FHLB stock, which are carried at cost due to the inability to determine the fair value as a result of restrictions placed on transferability. Loans held for sale. Loans held for sale are carried at fair value. These loans currently consist of one-to-four family residential real estate loans originated for sale to qualified third parties. Fair value is based on the market price or contractual price to be received from these third parties, which is not materially different than cost due to the short duration between origination and sale (Level 2). As such, First Financial records any fair value adjustments on a nonrecurring basis. Gains and losses on the sale of loans are recorded as net gains from sales of loans within noninterest income in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Loans and leases. The fair value of commercial and industrial, lease financing, 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 and leases 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. Impaired loans are specifically reviewed for purposes of determining the appropriate amount of impairment to be allocated to the ALLL. 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 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 on an outside appraisal, if deemed significant, or the net book value on the applicable borrower financial statements. Likewise, values for inventory and accounts receivable collateral are based on borrower financial statement balances or aging reports on a discounted basis as appropriate (Level 3). Impaired loans are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. Any fair value adjustments are recorded in the period incurred as provision for loan and lease losses on the Consolidated Statements of Income. OREO. Assets acquired through loan foreclosure are initially recorded at the lower of cost or fair value less costs to sell. The carrying value of OREO is not re-measured to fair value on a recurring basis, but is subject to fair value adjustments when the carrying value exceeds the fair value, less estimated selling costs. Fair value is based on recent real estate appraisals and is updated at least annually. The Company classifies OREO in level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. FDIC indemnification asset. Fair value of the FDIC indemnification asset is 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. The five year period of loss protection expired for the majority of First Financial's non-single family assets effective October 1, 2014, and the ten year period of loss protection on all other covered loans and covered OREO expires October 1, 2019. The Company classifies the estimated fair value of the indemnification asset as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. Accrued interest receivable and payable. The carrying amount of accrued interest receivable and accrued interest payable approximate their fair values and is aligned with the underlying assets or liabilities (Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3). 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 is estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation which applies the interest rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities. The Company classifies the estimated fair value of deposit liabilities as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. Borrowings. The carrying amounts of federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase and other short-term borrowings approximate their fair values. The Company classifies the estimated fair value of short-term borrowings as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of long-term debt is estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation which utilizes the interest rates currently offered for borrowings of similar remaining maturities. The Company classifies the estimated fair value of long-term debt as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. Derivatives. The fair values of derivative instruments are based primarily on a net present value calculation of the cash flows related to the interest rate swaps at the reporting date, using primarily observable market inputs such as interest rate yield curves which represents the cost to terminate the swap if First Financial should choose to do so. Additionally, First Financial utilizes an internally-developed model to value the credit risk component of derivative assets and liabilities, which is recorded as an adjustment to the fair value of the derivative asset or liability on the reporting date. Derivative instruments are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. The estimated fair values of First Financial’s financial instruments not measured at fair value on a recurring or nonrecurring basis in the consolidated financial statements were as follows: Carrying Estimated fair value (Dollars in thousands) value Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 March 31, 2017 Financial assets Cash and short-term investments $ 156,972 $ 156,972 $ 156,972 $ 0 $ 0 Investment securities held-to-maturity 730,796 732,024 0 732,024 0 Other investments 50,996 N/A N/A N/A N/A Loans held for sale 7,657 7,657 0 7,657 0 Loans and leases, net of ALLL 5,697,756 5,724,790 0 0 5,724,790 FDIC indemnification asset 10,773 6,031 0 0 6,031 Accrued interest receivable 19,500 19,500 0 6,633 12,867 Financial liabilities Deposits Noninterest-bearing $ 1,547,600 $ 1,547,600 $ 0 $ 1,547,600 $ 0 Interest-bearing demand 1,494,892 1,494,892 0 1,494,892 0 Savings 2,284,821 2,284,821 0 2,284,821 0 Time 1,202,563 1,198,807 0 1,198,807 0 Total deposits 6,529,876 6,526,120 0 6,526,120 0 Short-term borrowings 859,184 859,184 859,184 0 0 Long-term debt 119,629 118,390 0 118,390 0 Accrued interest payable 3,625 3,625 680 2,945 0 Carrying Estimated fair value (Dollars in thousands) value Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 December 31, 2016 Financial assets Cash and short-term investments $ 204,048 $ 204,048 $ 204,048 $ 0 $ 0 Investment securities held-to-maturity 763,254 763,575 0 763,575 0 Other investments 51,077 N/A N/A N/A N/A Loans held for sale 13,135 13,135 0 13,135 0 Loans and leases, net of ALLL 5,699,521 5,754,845 0 0 5,754,845 FDIC indemnification asset 12,017 6,720 0 0 6,720 Accrued interest receivable 18,503 18,503 0 5,705 12,798 Financial liabilities Deposits Noninterest-bearing $ 1,547,985 $ 1,547,985 $ 0 $ 1,547,985 $ 0 Interest-bearing demand 1,513,771 1,513,771 0 1,513,771 0 Savings 2,142,189 2,142,189 0 2,142,189 0 Time 1,321,843 1,316,333 0 1,316,333 0 Total deposits 6,525,788 6,520,278 0 6,520,278 0 Short-term borrowings 807,912 807,912 807,912 0 0 Long-term debt 119,589 117,878 0 117,878 0 Accrued interest payable 5,049 5,049 410 4,639 0 The financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the consolidated financial statements were as follows: Fair value measurements using (Dollars in thousands) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets/liabilities at fair value March 31, 2017 Assets Derivatives $ 0 $ 12,301 $ 0 $ 12,301 Investment securities available-for-sale 8,764 1,211,282 0 1,220,046 Total $ 8,764 $ 1,223,583 $ 0 $ 1,232,347 Liabilities Derivatives $ 0 $ 12,111 $ 0 $ 12,111 Fair value measurements using (Dollars in thousands) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets/liabilities at fair value December 31, 2016 Assets Derivatives $ 0 $ 12,922 $ 0 $ 12,922 Investment securities available-for-sale 8,711 1,031,159 0 1,039,870 Total $ 8,711 $ 1,044,081 $ 0 $ 1,052,792 Liabilities Derivatives $ 0 $ 12,725 $ 0 $ 12,725 Certain financial assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. Adjustments to the fair market value of these assets usually result from the application of lower of cost or fair value accounting or write-downs of individual assets. The following table summarizes financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. Fair value measurements using (Dollars in thousands) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 March 31, 2017 Assets Impaired loans $ 0 $ 0 $ 1,249 OREO 0 0 4,098 Fair value measurements using (Dollars in thousands) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 December 31, 2016 Assets Impaired loans $ 0 $ 0 $ 8,154 OREO 0 0 3,921

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTI

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Off-Balance-Sheet Credit Exposure, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by First Financial to guarantee the performance of a client to a third party. First Financial’s portfolio of standby letters of credit consists primarily of performance assurances made on behalf of clients who have a contractual commitment to produce or deliver goods or services. The risk to First Financial arises from its obligation to make payment in the event of the client's contractual default to produce the contracted good or service to a third party.
Basis of Presentation Policy	The Consolidated Financial Statements of First Financial Bancorp., a bank holding company principally serving Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky, include the accounts and operations of First Financial and its wholly-owned subsidiary, First Financial Bank. All significant intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain reclassifications of prior periods' amounts have been made to conform to current year presentation. Such reclassifications had no effect on net earnings.
Use of Estimates, Policy	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates, assumptions and judgments that affect the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying Notes. These estimates, assumptions and judgments are inherently subjective and may be susceptible to significant change. Actual realized amounts could differ materially from these estimates.
Loans and Leases Receivable, Past Due Status, Policy	Loans are considered past due or delinquent when the contractual principal or interest due in accordance with the terms of the loan agreement or any portion thereof remains unpaid after the date of the scheduled payment.
Loans and Leases Receivable, Nonaccrual Loan and Lease Status, Policy	Loans are classified as nonaccrual when, in the opinion of management, collection of principal or interest is doubtful or when principal or interest payments are 90 days or more past due. Generally, loans are classified as nonaccrual due to the continued failure to adhere to contractual payment terms by the borrower, coupled with other pertinent factors. When a loan is classified as nonaccrual, the accrual of interest income is discontinued and previously accrued but unpaid interest is reversed. Any payments received while a loan is on nonaccrual status are applied as a reduction to the carrying value of the loan. A loan classified as nonaccrual may return to accrual status if collection of future principal and interest payments is no longer doubtful. Purchased impaired loans are classified as performing, even though they may be contractually past due, as any nonpayment of contractual principal or interest is considered in the periodic re-estimation of expected cash flows and is included in the resulting recognition of current period provision for loan and lease losses or prospective yield adjustments.
Loans and Leases Receivable, Troubled Debt Restructuring Policy	A loan modification is considered a TDR when the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty and concessions are made by the Company that would not otherwise be considered for a borrower with similar credit characteristics. The most common types of modifications include interest rate reductions, maturity extensions and modifications to principal amortization, including interest-only structures. Modified terms are dependent upon the financial position and needs of the individual borrower. If the modification agreement is violated, the loan is managed by the Company’s credit administration group for resolution, which may result in foreclosure in the case of real estate. TDRs are generally classified as nonaccrual for a minimum period of six months and may qualify for return to accrual status once they have demonstrated performance with the restructured terms of the loan agreement.
Impaired Financing Receivable, Policy	First Financial individually reviews all impaired commercial loan relationships greater than $250,000 , as well as consumer loan TDRs greater than $100,000 , to determine if a specific allowance is necessary based on the borrower’s overall financial condition, resources and payment record, support from guarantors and the realizable value of any collateral. Specific allowances are based on discounted cash flows using the loan's initial effective interest rate or the fair value of the collateral for certain collateral dependent loans. Loans classified as nonaccrual and loans modified as TDRs are considered impaired.
Loans and Leases Receivable, Real Estate Acquired Through Foreclosure, Policy	OREO consists of properties acquired by the Company primarily through the loan foreclosure or repossession process, or other resolution activity that results in partial or total satisfaction of problem loans.
Loans and Leases Receivable, Allowance for Loan Losses Policy	Management maintains the ALLL at a level that it considers sufficient to absorb probable incurred 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. The ALLL 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.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Goodwill, Policy	Assets and liabilities acquired in a business combination are recorded at their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date. The excess cost of the acquisition over the fair value of net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Goodwill Impairment Policy	Goodwill is not amortized, but is evaluated for impairment on an annual basis as of October 1 of each year, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the fair value of a reporting unit may be below its carrying value.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Policy	Core deposit intangibles represent the estimated fair value of acquired customer deposit relationships. Core deposit intangibles are recorded at estimated fair value at the date of acquisition and are then amortized on an accelerated basis over their estimated useful lives.
Income Tax, Policy	The unrecognized tax benefits relate to state income tax exposures from taking tax positions where the Company believes it is likely that, upon examination, a state may take a position contrary to the position taken by the Company.
Commitments and Contingencies, Policy	First Financial offers a variety of financial instruments including standby letters of credit and outstanding commitments to extend credit to assist clients in meeting their requirement for liquidity and credit enhancement. 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 is represented by the contractual amounts of those instruments. First Financial utilizes the ALLL methodology to maintain a reserve that it considers sufficient to absorb probable incurred 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.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy	Fair Value Measurement The fair value framework as disclosed in the 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 previously described 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 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. Other investments. Other investments include holdings in FRB and FHLB stock, which are carried at cost due to the inability to determine the fair value as a result of restrictions placed on transferability. Loans held for sale. Loans held for sale are carried at fair value. These loans currently consist of one-to-four family residential real estate loans originated for sale to qualified third parties. Fair value is based on the market price or contractual price to be received from these third parties, which is not materially different than cost due to the short duration between origination and sale (Level 2). As such, First Financial records any fair value adjustments on a nonrecurring basis. Gains and losses on the sale of loans are recorded as net gains from sales of loans within noninterest income in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Loans and leases. The fair value of commercial and industrial, lease financing, 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 and leases 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. Impaired loans are specifically reviewed for purposes of determining the appropriate amount of impairment to be allocated to the ALLL. 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 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 on an outside appraisal, if deemed significant, or the net book value on the applicable borrower financial statements. Likewise, values for inventory and accounts receivable collateral are based on borrower financial statement balances or aging reports on a discounted basis as appropriate (Level 3). Impaired loans are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. Any fair value adjustments are recorded in the period incurred as provision for loan and lease losses on the Consolidated Statements of Income. OREO. Assets acquired through loan foreclosure are initially recorded at the lower of cost or fair value less costs to sell. The carrying value of OREO is not re-measured to fair value on a recurring basis, but is subject to fair value adjustments when the carrying value exceeds the fair value, less estimated selling costs. Fair value is based on recent real estate appraisals and is updated at least annually. The Company classifies OREO in level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. FDIC indemnification asset. Fair value of the FDIC indemnification asset is 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. The five year period of loss protection expired for the majority of First Financial's non-single family assets effective October 1, 2014, and the ten year period of loss protection on all other covered loans and covered OREO expires October 1, 2019. The Company classifies the estimated fair value of the indemnification asset as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. Accrued interest receivable and payable. The carrying amount of accrued interest receivable and accrued interest payable approximate their fair values and is aligned with the underlying assets or liabilities (Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3). 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 is estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation which applies the interest rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities. The Company classifies the estimated fair value of deposit liabilities as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. Borrowings. The carrying amounts of federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase and other short-term borrowings approximate their fair values. The Company classifies the estimated fair value of short-term borrowings as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of long-term debt is estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation which utilizes the interest rates currently offered for borrowings of similar remaining maturities. The Company classifies the estimated fair value of long-term debt as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. Derivatives. The fair values of derivative instruments are based primarily on a net present value calculation of the cash flows related to the interest rate swaps at the reporting date, using primarily observable market inputs such as interest rate yield curves which represents the cost to terminate the swap if First Financial should choose to do so. Additionally, First Financial utilizes an internally-developed model to value the credit risk component of derivative assets and liabilities, which 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.
Loan Commitments, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Loan commitments are agreements to extend credit to a client, absent any violation of conditions established in the commitment agreement. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by First Financial upon extension of credit, is based on management’s credit evaluation of the client. The collateral held varies, but may include securities, real estate, inventory, plant or equipment.
Other Contract-Mortgage
Derivatives, Methods of Accounting, Hedging Derivatives, Policy	First Financial enters into IRLCs and forward commitments for the future delivery of mortgage loans to third party investors, which are considered derivatives. When borrowers secure an IRLC with First Financial and the loan is intended to be sold, First Financial will enter into forward commitments for the future delivery of the loans to third party investors in order to hedge against the effect of changes in interest rates impacting IRLCs and loans held for sale.
Credit Risk
Derivatives, Methods of Accounting, Hedging Derivatives, Policy	First Financial manages this market value credit risk through counterparty credit policies, which require the Company to maintain a total derivative notional position of less than 35% of assets, total credit exposure of less than 3% of capital and no single counterparty credit risk exposure greater than $20.0 million .
Fair Value Hedges
Derivatives, Methods of Accounting, Hedging Derivatives, Policy	First Financial utilizes interest rate swaps as a means to offer commercial borrowers fixed rate funding while providing the Company with floating rate assets.

INVESTMENTS (Tables)

INVESTMENTS (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Summary of Held-To-Maturity and Available-For-Sale Investment Securities	The following is a summary of held-to-maturity and available-for-sale investment securities as of March 31, 2017 : Held-to-maturity Available-for-sale (Dollars in thousands) Amortized Unrecognized gain Unrecognized loss Fair Amortized cost Unrealized gain Unrealized loss Fair U.S. Treasuries $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 98 $ 0 $ 0 $ 98 Securities of U.S. government agencies and corporations 12,522 0 (50 ) 12,472 18,512 0 (67 ) 18,445 Mortgage-backed securities - residential 191,301 2,204 (1,010 ) 192,495 243,509 969 (2,855 ) 241,623 Mortgage-backed securities - commercial 269,507 2,822 (1,923 ) 270,406 159,575 294 (747 ) 159,122 Collateralized mortgage obligations 181,505 1,155 (1,352 ) 181,308 275,110 686 (2,177 ) 273,619 Obligations of state and other political subdivisions 75,961 444 (1,062 ) 75,343 104,741 1,711 (1,082 ) 105,370 Asset-backed securities 0 0 0 0 347,118 869 (1,006 ) 346,981 Other securities 0 0 0 0 74,525 1,039 (776 ) 74,788 Total $ 730,796 $ 6,625 $ (5,397 ) $ 732,024 $ 1,223,188 $ 5,568 $ (8,710 ) $ 1,220,046 The following is a summary of held-to-maturity and available-for-sale investment securities as of December 31, 2016 : Held-to-maturity Available-for-sale (Dollars in thousands) Amortized Unrecognized gain Unrecognized Fair Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Fair U.S. Treasuries $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 98 $ 0 $ (1 ) $ 97 Securities of U.S. government agencies and corporations 13,011 0 (110 ) 12,901 7,056 0 (40 ) 7,016 Mortgage-backed securities - residential 205,522 1,740 (1,166 ) 206,096 184,960 1,175 (2,740 ) 183,395 Mortgage-backed securities - commercial 278,728 3,254 (1,817 ) 280,165 154,239 188 (826 ) 153,601 Collateralized mortgage obligations 195,408 1,125 (1,476 ) 195,057 232,701 634 (2,321 ) 231,014 Obligations of state and other political subdivisions 70,585 117 (1,346 ) 69,356 96,934 1,461 (1,514 ) 96,881 Asset-backed securities 0 0 0 0 322,708 517 (2,013 ) 321,212 Other securities 0 0 0 0 46,641 741 (728 ) 46,654 Total $ 763,254 $ 6,236 $ (5,915 ) $ 763,575 $ 1,045,337 $ 4,716 $ (10,183 ) $ 1,039,870
Summary of Investment Securities by Estimated Maturity	The following table provides a summary of investment securities by contractual maturity as of March 31, 2017 , except for mortgage-backed securities, residential and commercial, collateralized mortgage obligations and asset-backed securities, which are shown as single totals, due to the unpredictability of the timing in principal repayments. Held-to-maturity Available-for-sale (Dollars in thousands) Amortized cost Fair value Amortized cost Fair value By Contractual Maturity: Due in one year or less $ 207 $ 207 $ 1,199 $ 1,203 Due after one year through five years 3,727 3,730 22,743 22,702 Due after five years through ten years 2,692 2,764 50,666 51,339 Due after ten years 81,857 81,114 123,268 123,457 Mortgage-backed securities - residential 191,301 192,495 243,509 241,623 Mortgage-backed securities - commercial 269,507 270,406 159,575 159,122 Collateralized mortgage obligations 181,505 181,308 275,110 273,619 Asset-backed securities 0 0 347,118 346,981 Total $ 730,796 $ 732,024 $ 1,223,188 $ 1,220,046
Age of Gross Unrealized Losses and Associated Fair Value by Investment Category	The following tables provide the fair value and gross unrealized losses on investment securities in an unrealized loss position, aggregated by investment category and the length of time the individual securities have been in a continuous loss position: March 31, 2017 Less than 12 months 12 months or more Total (Dollars in thousands) Fair value Unrealized loss Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized U.S. Treasuries $ 98 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 98 $ 0 Securities of U.S. Government agencies and corporations 26,987 (117 ) 0 0 26,987 (117 ) Mortgage-backed securities - residential 222,540 (3,597 ) 9,283 (268 ) 231,823 (3,865 ) Mortgage-backed securities - commercial 132,085 (1,300 ) 62,069 (1,371 ) 194,154 (2,671 ) Collateralized mortgage obligations 202,529 (2,659 ) 34,359 (870 ) 236,888 (3,529 ) Obligations of state and other political subdivisions 90,403 (2,055 ) 11,484 (88 ) 101,887 (2,143 ) Asset-backed securities 51,352 (429 ) 64,705 (577 ) 116,057 (1,006 ) Other securities 12,123 (370 ) 15,479 (406 ) 27,602 (776 ) Total $ 738,117 $ (10,527 ) $ 197,379 $ (3,580 ) $ 935,496 $ (14,107 ) December 31, 2016 Less than 12 months 12 months or more Total Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized (Dollars in thousands) value loss value loss value loss U.S. Treasuries $ 97 $ (1 ) $ 0 $ 0 $ 97 $ (1 ) Securities of U.S. Government agencies and corporations 19,917 (150 ) 0 0 19,917 (150 ) Mortgage-backed securities - residential 180,654 (3,621 ) 9,890 (285 ) 190,544 (3,906 ) Mortgage-backed securities - commercial 123,122 (1,200 ) 65,007 (1,443 ) 188,129 (2,643 ) Collateralized mortgage obligations 201,305 (2,882 ) 42,314 (915 ) 243,619 (3,797 ) Obligations of state and other political subdivisions 94,632 (2,710 ) 12,023 (150 ) 106,655 (2,860 ) Asset-backed securities 116,057 (764 ) 92,629 (1,249 ) 208,686 (2,013 ) Other securities 7,746 (237 ) 21,357 (491 ) 29,103 (728 ) Total $ 743,530 $ (11,565 ) $ 243,220 $ (4,533 ) $ 986,750 $ (16,098 )

LOANS AND LEASES (Tables)

LOANS AND LEASES (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Receivables [Abstract]
Commercial and Consumer Credit Exposure by Risk Attribute	Commercial and consumer credit exposure by risk attribute was as follows: As of March 31, 2017 Commercial Real Estate Lease (Dollars in thousands) and industrial Construction Commercial financing Total Pass $ 1,730,424 $ 443,164 $ 2,302,421 $ 88,054 $ 4,564,063 Special Mention 18,635 322 36,768 583 56,308 Substandard 30,576 2,846 59,046 251 92,719 Doubtful 0 0 0 0 0 Total $ 1,779,635 $ 446,332 $ 2,398,235 $ 88,888 $ 4,713,090 (Dollars in thousands) Residential real estate Home equity Installment Credit card Total Performing $ 477,768 $ 454,625 $ 51,674 $ 43,354 $ 1,027,421 Nonperforming 8,833 4,349 389 0 13,571 Total $ 486,601 $ 458,974 $ 52,063 $ 43,354 $ 1,040,992 As of December 31, 2016 Commercial Real Estate Lease (Dollars in thousands) and industrial Construction Commercial financing Total Pass $ 1,725,451 $ 398,155 $ 2,349,662 $ 92,540 $ 4,565,808 Special Mention 18,256 1,258 15,584 108 35,206 Substandard 38,241 21 62,331 460 101,053 Doubtful 0 0 0 0 0 Total $ 1,781,948 $ 399,434 $ 2,427,577 $ 93,108 $ 4,702,067 (Dollars in thousands) Residential real estate Home equity Installment Credit card Total Performing $ 491,380 $ 456,314 $ 50,202 $ 43,408 $ 1,041,304 Nonperforming 9,600 4,074 437 0 14,111 Total $ 500,980 $ 460,388 $ 50,639 $ 43,408 $ 1,055,415
Loan Delinquency, including Nonaccrual Loans	Loan delinquency, including loans classified as nonaccrual, was as follows: As of March 31, 2017 (Dollars in thousands) 30 – 59 60 – 89 > 90 days Total Current Subtotal Purchased impaired Total > 90 days Loans Commercial and industrial $ 3,407 $ 3,269 $ 1,271 $ 7,947 $ 1,767,241 $ 1,775,188 $ 4,447 $ 1,779,635 $ 0 Lease financing 0 0 0 0 88,888 88,888 0 88,888 0 Construction real estate 3,129 0 1,075 4,204 441,590 445,794 538 446,332 0 Commercial real estate 1,379 8,000 2,166 11,545 2,313,256 2,324,801 73,434 2,398,235 0 Residential real estate 920 171 2,218 3,309 437,737 441,046 45,555 486,601 0 Home equity 244 91 1,665 2,000 454,330 456,330 2,644 458,974 0 Installment 134 11 227 372 50,802 51,174 889 52,063 0 Credit card 253 146 96 495 42,859 43,354 0 43,354 96 Total $ 9,466 $ 11,688 $ 8,718 $ 29,872 $ 5,596,703 $ 5,626,575 $ 127,507 $ 5,754,082 $ 96 As of December 31, 2016 (Dollars in thousands) 30 – 59 60 – 89 > 90 days Total Current Subtotal Purchased impaired Total > 90 days Loans Commercial and industrial $ 1,257 $ 208 $ 1,339 $ 2,804 $ 1,773,939 $ 1,776,743 $ 5,205 $ 1,781,948 $ 0 Lease financing 137 0 115 252 92,856 93,108 0 93,108 0 Construction real estate 0 0 0 0 398,877 398,877 557 399,434 0 Commercial real estate 777 134 5,589 6,500 2,339,327 2,345,827 81,750 2,427,577 2,729 Residential real estate 821 37 2,381 3,239 450,631 453,870 47,110 500,980 0 Home equity 195 145 1,776 2,116 456,143 458,259 2,129 460,388 0 Installment 24 1 258 283 49,058 49,341 1,298 50,639 0 Other 457 177 142 776 42,632 43,408 0 43,408 142 Total $ 3,668 $ 702 $ 11,600 $ 15,970 $ 5,603,463 $ 5,619,433 $ 138,049 $ 5,757,482 $ 2,871
Loans Restructured During Period	The following tables provide information on loan modifications classified as TDRs during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 : Three months ended March 31, 2017 March 31, 2016 (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 2 $ 3,502 $ 3,441 8 $ 2,083 $ 2,095 Construction real estate 0 0 0 0 0 0 Commercial real estate 0 0 0 1 42 42 Residential real estate 0 0 0 2 281 247 Home equity 0 0 0 4 149 140 Installment 0 0 0 2 7 7 Total 2 $ 3,502 $ 3,441 17 $ 2,562 $ 2,531
Loans Restructured, Modifications	The following table provides information on how TDRs were modified during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 : Three months ended March 31, (Dollars in thousands) 2017 2016 Extended maturities $ 625 $ 486 Adjusted interest rates 2,877 0 Combination of rate and maturity changes 0 162 Forbearance 0 0 Other (1) 0 1,883 Total $ 3,502 $ 2,531 (1) Includes covenant modifications and other concessions, or combination of concessions, that do not consist of interest rate adjustments, forbearance and maturity extensions
Nonaccrual, Restructured and Impaired Loans	The following table provides information on impaired loans, excluding purchased impaired loans: (Dollars in thousands) March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Impaired loans Nonaccrual loans (1) Commercial and industrial $ 9,249 $ 2,419 Lease financing 102 195 Construction real estate 1,075 0 Commercial real estate 14,324 6,098 Residential real estate 4,520 5,251 Home equity 3,571 3,400 Installment 322 367 Credit card 0 0 Nonaccrual loans (1) 33,163 17,730 Accruing troubled debt restructurings 29,948 30,240 Total impaired loans $ 63,111 $ 47,970 (1) Nonaccrual loans include nonaccrual TDRs of $7.8 million and $5.1 million as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , respectively. Three months ended March 31, (Dollars in thousands) 2017 2016 Interest income effect on impaired loans Gross amount of interest that would have been recorded under original terms $ 816 $ 754 Interest included in income Nonaccrual loans 142 76 Troubled debt restructurings 226 232 Total interest included in income 368 308 Net impact on interest income $ 448 $ 446
Investment in Impaired Loans	First Financial's investment in impaired loans was as follows: As of March 31, 2017 As of December 31, 2016 (Dollars in thousands) Current balance Contractual principal balance Related allowance Current balance Contractual Related Loans with no related allowance recorded Commercial and industrial $ 19,080 $ 20,250 $ 0 $ 12,134 $ 12,713 $ 0 Lease financing 102 102 0 195 195 0 Construction real estate 1,075 1,075 0 0 0 0 Commercial real estate 27,646 30,475 0 12,232 14,632 0 Residential real estate 7,653 8,941 0 8,412 9,648 0 Home equity 4,249 5,739 0 3,973 5,501 0 Installment 389 563 0 437 603 0 Total 60,194 67,145 0 37,383 43,292 0 Loans with an allowance recorded Commercial and industrial 1,118 1,118 332 1,069 1,071 550 Lease financing 0 0 0 0 0 0 Construction real estate 0 0 0 0 0 0 Commercial real estate 519 519 56 8,228 8,277 593 Residential real estate 1,180 1,182 179 1,189 1,189 179 Home equity 100 100 2 101 101 2 Installment 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total 2,917 2,919 569 10,587 10,638 1,324 Total Commercial and industrial 20,198 21,368 332 13,203 13,784 550 Lease financing 102 102 0 195 195 0 Construction real estate 1,075 1,075 0 0 0 0 Commercial real estate 28,165 30,994 56 20,460 22,909 593 Residential real estate 8,833 10,123 179 9,601 10,837 179 Home equity 4,349 5,839 2 4,074 5,602 2 Installment 389 563 0 437 603 0 Total $ 63,111 $ 70,064 $ 569 $ 47,970 $ 53,930 $ 1,324 First Financial's average impaired loans by class and interest income recognized by class was as follows: Three months ended March 31, 2017 March 31, 2016 (Dollars in thousands) Average Interest Average Interest Loans with no related allowance recorded Commercial and industrial $ 15,607 $ 109 $ 14,965 $ 74 Lease financing 149 1 122 0 Construction real estate 538 0 0 0 Commercial real estate 19,939 160 15,152 70 Residential real estate 8,033 46 7,287 46 Home equity 4,111 24 5,455 21 Installment 413 2 236 1 Total 48,790 342 43,217 212 Loans with an allowance recorded Commercial and industrial 1,094 13 983 9 Lease financing 0 0 0 0 Construction real estate 0 0 0 0 Commercial real estate 4,374 5 8,663 77 Residential real estate 1,185 7 1,542 9 Home equity 101 1 101 1 Installment 0 0 0 0 Total 6,754 26 11,289 96 Total Commercial and industrial 16,701 122 15,948 83 Lease financing 149 1 122 0 Construction real estate 538 0 0 0 Commercial real estate 24,313 165 23,815 147 Residential real estate 9,218 53 8,829 55 Home equity 4,212 25 5,556 22 Installment 413 2 236 1 Total $ 55,544 $ 368 $ 54,506 $ 308
Changes in Other Real Estate Owned	Changes in OREO were as follows: Three months ended March 31, (Dollars in thousands) 2017 2016 Balance at beginning of period $ 6,284 $ 13,254 Additions Commercial and industrial 122 786 Residential real estate 165 122 Total additions 287 908 Disposals Commercial and industrial (925 ) (200 ) Residential real estate (237 ) (1,835 ) Total disposals (1,162 ) (2,035 ) Valuation adjustment Commercial and industrial (46 ) (117 ) Residential real estate (63 ) (71 ) Total valuation adjustment (109 ) (188 ) Balance at end of period $ 5,300 $ 11,939
Indemnification Asset Rollforward

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE 26

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Changes in the Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses for the Current and Comparable Quarter	Changes in the allowance for loan and lease losses were as follows: Three months ended March 31, (Dollars in thousands) 2017 2016 Changes in the allowance for loan and lease losses on loans, excluding covered/formerly covered loans Balance at beginning of period $ 49,422 $ 43,149 Provision for loan and lease losses 1,481 1,735 Loans charged-off (2,514 ) (1,367 ) Recoveries 418 858 Balance at end of period $ 48,807 $ 44,375 Changes in the allowance for loan and lease losses on covered/formerly covered loans Balance at beginning of period $ 8,539 $ 10,249 Provision for loan and lease losses (1,114 ) (80 ) Loans charged-off (236 ) (1,075 ) Recoveries 330 263 Balance at end of period $ 7,519 $ 9,357 Changes in the allowance for loan and lease losses Balance at beginning of period $ 57,961 $ 53,398 Provision for loan and lease losses 367 1,655 Loans charged-off (2,750 ) (2,442 ) Recoveries 748 1,121 Balance at end of period $ 56,326 $ 53,732
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses by Classification	Changes in the allowance for loan and lease losses by loan category were as follows: Three months ended March 31, 2017 Real Estate (Dollars in thousands) Commercial and industrial Lease financing Construction Commercial Residential Home equity Installment Credit card Total Allowance for loan and lease losses: Balance at beginning of period $ 19,225 $ 716 $ 3,282 $ 26,540 $ 3,208 $ 3,043 $ 388 $ 1,559 $ 57,961 Provision for loan and lease losses (596 ) (100 ) 325 (2,566 ) 2,329 805 9 161 367 Loans charged off (1,743 ) 0 0 (485 ) (61 ) (180 ) (49 ) (232 ) (2,750 ) Recoveries 262 0 0 256 9 106 71 44 748 Total net charge-offs (1,481 ) 0 0 (229 ) (52 ) (74 ) 22 (188 ) (2,002 ) Ending allowance for loan and lease losses $ 17,148 $ 616 $ 3,607 $ 23,745 $ 5,485 $ 3,774 $ 419 $ 1,532 $ 56,326 March 31, 2017 Real Estate Commercial and industrial Lease financing Construction Commercial Residential Home equity Installment Credit card Total Ending allowance balance attributable to loans Individually evaluated for impairment $ 332 $ 0 $ 0 $ 56 $ 179 $ 2 $ 0 $ 0 $ 569 Collectively evaluated for impairment 16,816 616 3,607 23,689 5,306 3,772 419 1,532 55,757 Ending allowance for loan and lease losses $ 17,148 $ 616 $ 3,607 $ 23,745 $ 5,485 $ 3,774 $ 419 $ 1,532 $ 56,326 Loans Individually evaluated for impairment $ 20,198 $ 102 $ 1,075 $ 28,165 $ 8,833 $ 4,349 $ 389 $ 0 $ 63,111 Collectively evaluated for impairment 1,759,437 88,786 445,257 2,370,070 477,768 454,625 51,674 43,354 5,690,971 Total loans $ 1,779,635 $ 88,888 $ 446,332 $ 2,398,235 $ 486,601 $ 458,974 $ 52,063 $ 43,354 $ 5,754,082 Three months ended March 31, 2016 Real Estate (Dollars in thousands) Commercial and industrial Lease financing Construction Commercial Residential Home equity Installment Credit card Total Allowance for loan and lease losses: Balance at beginning of period $ 16,995 $ 821 $ 1,810 $ 23,656 $ 4,014 $ 3,943 $ 386 $ 1,773 $ 53,398 Provision for loan and lease losses 1,432 45 439 (420 ) 8 185 (58 ) 24 1,655 Loans charged off (479 ) 0 (3 ) (1,262 ) (45 ) (340 ) (73 ) (240 ) (2,442 ) Recoveries 222 0 26 442 63 188 99 81 1,121 Total net charge-offs (257 ) 0 23 (820 ) 18 (152 ) 26 (159 ) (1,321 ) Ending allowance for loan and lease losses $ 18,170 $ 866 $ 2,272 $ 22,416 $ 4,040 $ 3,976 $ 354 $ 1,638 $ 53,732 December 31, 2016 Real Estate (Dollars in thousands) Commercial and industrial Lease financing Construction Commercial Residential Home equity Installment Credit card Total Ending allowance balance attributable to loans Individually evaluated for impairment $ 550 $ 0 $ 0 $ 593 $ 179 $ 2 $ 0 $ 0 $ 1,324 Collectively evaluated for impairment 18,675 716 3,282 25,947 3,029 3,041 388 1,559 56,637 Ending allowance for loan and lease losses $ 19,225 $ 716 $ 3,282 $ 26,540 $ 3,208 $ 3,043 $ 388 $ 1,559 $ 57,961 Loans Individually evaluated for impairment $ 13,203 $ 195 $ 0 $ 20,460 $ 9,601 $ 4,074 $ 437 $ 0 $ 47,970 Collectively evaluated for impairment 1,768,745 92,913 399,434 2,407,117 491,379 456,314 50,202 43,408 5,709,512 Total loans $ 1,781,948 $ 93,108 $ 399,434 $ 2,427,577 $ 500,980 $ 460,388 $ 50,639 $ 43,408 $ 5,757,482

BORROWINGS (Tables)

BORROWINGS (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Long-term Debt	The following is a summary of First Financial's long-term debt: March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 (Dollars in thousands) Amount Average rate Amount Average rate Subordinated debt $ 120,000 5.13 % $ 120,000 5.13 % Unamortized debt issuance costs (1,493 ) N/A (1,537 ) N/A FHLB 347 1.45 % 351 1.43 % Capital loan with municipality 775 0.00 % 775 0.00 % Total long-term debt $ 119,629 5.15 % $ 119,589 5.15 %

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSI28

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Equity [Abstract]
Related Tax Effects Allocated to Other Comprehensive Income and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	The related tax effects allocated to other comprehensive income and reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are as follows: Three months ended March 31, 2017 Total other comprehensive income Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (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 $ 2,832 $ 516 $ 2,316 $ (829 ) $ 1,487 $ (4,549 ) $ 1,487 $ (3,062 ) Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives 203 0 203 (75 ) 128 (1,091 ) 128 (963 ) Retirement obligation 0 (335 ) 335 (146 ) 189 (22,803 ) 189 (22,614 ) Total $ 3,035 $ 181 $ 2,854 $ (1,050 ) $ 1,804 $ (28,443 ) $ 1,804 $ (26,639 ) Three months ended March 31, 2016 Total other comprehensive income Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (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 $ 10,975 $ 24 $ 10,951 $ (3,908 ) $ 7,043 $ (4,933 ) $ 7,043 $ 2,110 Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives 202 0 202 (74 ) 128 (1,599 ) 128 (1,471 ) Retirement obligation 0 (317 ) 317 (117 ) 200 (24,048 ) 200 (23,848 ) Total $ 11,177 $ (293 ) $ 11,470 $ (4,099 ) $ 7,371 $ (30,580 ) $ 7,371 $ (23,209 )
Other Accumulated Comprehensive income reclassified from AOCI	The following table presents the activity reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into income during the three month periods ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively: Amount reclassified from (1) Three months ended March 31, (Dollars in thousands) 2017 2016 Affected Line Item in the Consolidated Statements of Income Realized gains and losses on securities available-for-sale $ 516 $ 24 Gains on sales of investments securities Defined benefit pension plan Amortization of prior service cost (2) 103 103 Salaries and employee benefits Recognized net actuarial loss (2) (438 ) (420 ) Salaries and employee benefits Defined benefit pension plan total (335 ) (317 ) Total reclassifications for the period, before tax $ 181 $ (293 ) (1) Negative amounts are reductions to net income. (2) Included in the computation of net periodic pension cost (see Note 12 - Employee Benefit Plans for additional details).

DERIVATIVES (Tables)

DERIVATIVES (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Derivative Financial Instruments and Balances	The following table details the classification and amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for client derivatives: March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Estimated fair value Estimated fair value (Dollars in thousands) Balance sheet classification Notional amount Gain Loss Notional amount Gain Loss Client derivatives - instruments associated with loans Matched interest rate swaps with borrower Accrued interest and other assets $ 697,051 $ 7,211 $ (4,844 ) $ 677,028 $ 8,401 $ (4,158 ) Matched interest rate swaps with counterparty Accrued interest and other liabilities 697,051 4,844 (7,214 ) 677,028 4,158 (8,429 ) Total $ 1,394,102 $ 12,055 $ (12,058 ) $ 1,354,056 $ 12,559 $ (12,587 )
Disclosure by Type of Financial Instrument	The following table discloses the gross and net amounts of liabilities recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets: March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 (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 Client derivatives Matched interest rate swaps with counterparty $ 12,058 $ 744 $ 12,802 $ 12,587 $ (462 ) $ 12,125
Derivative Financial Instruments, Average Remaining Maturity and the Weighted-Average Interest Rates being Paid and Received	The following table details the derivative financial instruments, the average remaining maturities and the weighted-average interest rates being paid and received by First Financial at March 31, 2017 : Weighted-average rate (Dollars in thousands) Notional amount Average maturity (years) Fair value Receive Pay Client derivatives Receive fixed, matched interest rate swaps with borrower $ 697,051 5.6 $ 2,367 3.89 % 2.92 % Pay fixed, matched interest rate swaps with counterparty 697,051 5.6 (2,370 ) 2.92 % 3.89 % Total client derivatives $ 1,394,102 5.6 $ (3 ) 3.44 % 3.37 %

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Tables)

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Employee Benefit Plan Amounts Recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and Consolidated Statements of Income	The following table sets forth information concerning amounts recognized in First Financial’s Consolidated Statements of Income related to the Company's pension plan: Three months ended March 31, (Dollars in thousands) 2017 2016 Service cost $ 1,238 $ 1,308 Interest cost 589 581 Expected return on assets (2,481 ) (2,431 ) Amortization of prior service cost (103 ) (103 ) Net actuarial loss 438 420 Net periodic benefit (income) cost $ (319 ) $ (225 )

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (Tabl

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share: Three months ended March 31, (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) 2017 2016 Numerator Net income available to common shareholders $ 24,414 $ 19,814 Denominator Basic earnings per common share - weighted average shares 61,398,414 61,036,797 Effect of dilutive securities Employee stock awards 674,589 705,779 Warrants 67,381 97,671 Diluted earnings per common share - adjusted weighted average shares 62,140,384 61,840,247 Earnings per share available to common shareholders Basic $ 0.40 $ 0.32 Diluted $ 0.39 $ 0.32

FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES (Tables)

FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Estimated Fair Values of Financial Instruments	The estimated fair values of First Financial’s financial instruments not measured at fair value on a recurring or nonrecurring basis in the consolidated financial statements were as follows: Carrying Estimated fair value (Dollars in thousands) value Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 March 31, 2017 Financial assets Cash and short-term investments $ 156,972 $ 156,972 $ 156,972 $ 0 $ 0 Investment securities held-to-maturity 730,796 732,024 0 732,024 0 Other investments 50,996 N/A N/A N/A N/A Loans held for sale 7,657 7,657 0 7,657 0 Loans and leases, net of ALLL 5,697,756 5,724,790 0 0 5,724,790 FDIC indemnification asset 10,773 6,031 0 0 6,031 Accrued interest receivable 19,500 19,500 0 6,633 12,867 Financial liabilities Deposits Noninterest-bearing $ 1,547,600 $ 1,547,600 $ 0 $ 1,547,600 $ 0 Interest-bearing demand 1,494,892 1,494,892 0 1,494,892 0 Savings 2,284,821 2,284,821 0 2,284,821 0 Time 1,202,563 1,198,807 0 1,198,807 0 Total deposits 6,529,876 6,526,120 0 6,526,120 0 Short-term borrowings 859,184 859,184 859,184 0 0 Long-term debt 119,629 118,390 0 118,390 0 Accrued interest payable 3,625 3,625 680 2,945 0 Carrying Estimated fair value (Dollars in thousands) value Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 December 31, 2016 Financial assets Cash and short-term investments $ 204,048 $ 204,048 $ 204,048 $ 0 $ 0 Investment securities held-to-maturity 763,254 763,575 0 763,575 0 Other investments 51,077 N/A N/A N/A N/A Loans held for sale 13,135 13,135 0 13,135 0 Loans and leases, net of ALLL 5,699,521 5,754,845 0 0 5,754,845 FDIC indemnification asset 12,017 6,720 0 0 6,720 Accrued interest receivable 18,503 18,503 0 5,705 12,798 Financial liabilities Deposits Noninterest-bearing $ 1,547,985 $ 1,547,985 $ 0 $ 1,547,985 $ 0 Interest-bearing demand 1,513,771 1,513,771 0 1,513,771 0 Savings 2,142,189 2,142,189 0 2,142,189 0 Time 1,321,843 1,316,333 0 1,316,333 0 Total deposits 6,525,788 6,520,278 0 6,520,278 0 Short-term borrowings 807,912 807,912 807,912 0 0 Long-term debt 119,589 117,878 0 117,878 0 Accrued interest payable 5,049 5,049 410 4,639 0
Summary of Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis	The financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the consolidated financial statements were as follows: Fair value measurements using (Dollars in thousands) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets/liabilities at fair value March 31, 2017 Assets Derivatives $ 0 $ 12,301 $ 0 $ 12,301 Investment securities available-for-sale 8,764 1,211,282 0 1,220,046 Total $ 8,764 $ 1,223,583 $ 0 $ 1,232,347 Liabilities Derivatives $ 0 $ 12,111 $ 0 $ 12,111 Fair value measurements using (Dollars in thousands) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets/liabilities at fair value December 31, 2016 Assets Derivatives $ 0 $ 12,922 $ 0 $ 12,922 Investment securities available-for-sale 8,711 1,031,159 0 1,039,870 Total $ 8,711 $ 1,044,081 $ 0 $ 1,052,792 Liabilities Derivatives $ 0 $ 12,725 $ 0 $ 12,725
Summary of Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis	The following table summarizes financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. Fair value measurements using (Dollars in thousands) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 March 31, 2017 Assets Impaired loans $ 0 $ 0 $ 1,249 OREO 0 0 4,098 Fair value measurements using (Dollars in thousands) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 December 31, 2016 Assets Impaired loans $ 0 $ 0 $ 8,154 OREO 0 0 3,921

RECENTLY ADOPTED AND ISSUED A33

RECENTLY ADOPTED AND ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS RECENTLY ADOPTED AND ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS - Additional Information (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax Benefit from Compensation Expense	$ 1.1

INVESTMENTS INVESTMENTS - Addit

INVESTMENTS INVESTMENTS - Additional Information (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
NumberOfSecuritiesInSecurityPortfolio	723		706
NumberOfSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPosition	222		255
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gains (Losses), Sale Proceeds	$ 22.2	$ 42.7
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gains	0.5	0.3
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Losses		$ 0.3
Proceeds from Sale of Held-to-maturity Securities	$ 0

INVESTMENTS - Summary of Held-T

INVESTMENTS - Summary of Held-To-Maturity and Available-For-Sale Investment Securities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Total	$ 730,796	$ 763,254
Held-to-maturity Securities, Accumulated Unrecognized Holding Gain	6,625	6,236
Held-to-maturity Securities, Accumulated Unrecognized Holding Loss	(5,397)	(5,915)
Held-to-Maturity Market Value	732,024	763,575
Total	1,223,188	1,045,337
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Gain Accumulated In Investments	5,568	4,716
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Loss Accumulated In Investments	(8,710)	(10,183)
Investment securities available-for-sale	1,220,046	1,039,870
U.S. Treasuries
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Total	0	0
Held-to-maturity Securities, Accumulated Unrecognized Holding Gain	0	0
Held-to-maturity Securities, Accumulated Unrecognized Holding Loss	0	0
Held-to-Maturity Market Value	0	0
Total	98	98
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Gain Accumulated In Investments	0	0
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Loss Accumulated In Investments	0	(1)
Investment securities available-for-sale	98	97
Securities of U.S. government agencies and corporations
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Total	12,522	13,011
Held-to-maturity Securities, Accumulated Unrecognized Holding Gain	0	0
Held-to-maturity Securities, Accumulated Unrecognized Holding Loss	(50)	(110)
Held-to-Maturity Market Value	12,472	12,901
Total	18,512	7,056
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Gain Accumulated In Investments	0	0
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Loss Accumulated In Investments	(67)	(40)
Investment securities available-for-sale	18,445	7,016
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Total	191,301	205,522
Held-to-maturity Securities, Accumulated Unrecognized Holding Gain	2,204	1,740
Held-to-maturity Securities, Accumulated Unrecognized Holding Loss	(1,010)	(1,166)
Held-to-Maturity Market Value	192,495	206,096
Total	243,509	184,960
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Gain Accumulated In Investments	969	1,175
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Loss Accumulated In Investments	(2,855)	(2,740)
Investment securities available-for-sale	241,623	183,395
Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Total	269,507	278,728
Held-to-maturity Securities, Accumulated Unrecognized Holding Gain	2,822	3,254
Held-to-maturity Securities, Accumulated Unrecognized Holding Loss	(1,923)	(1,817)
Held-to-Maturity Market Value	270,406	280,165
Total	159,575	154,239
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Gain Accumulated In Investments	294	188
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Loss Accumulated In Investments	(747)	(826)
Investment securities available-for-sale	159,122	153,601
Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Total	181,505	195,408
Held-to-maturity Securities, Accumulated Unrecognized Holding Gain	1,155	1,125
Held-to-maturity Securities, Accumulated Unrecognized Holding Loss	(1,352)	(1,476)
Held-to-Maturity Market Value	181,308	195,057
Total	275,110	232,701
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Gain Accumulated In Investments	686	634
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Loss Accumulated In Investments	(2,177)	(2,321)
Investment securities available-for-sale	273,619	231,014
Obligations of state and other political subdivisions
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Total	75,961	70,585
Held-to-maturity Securities, Accumulated Unrecognized Holding Gain	444	117
Held-to-maturity Securities, Accumulated Unrecognized Holding Loss	(1,062)	(1,346)
Held-to-Maturity Market Value	75,343	69,356
Total	104,741	96,934
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Gain Accumulated In Investments	1,711	1,461
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Loss Accumulated In Investments	(1,082)	(1,514)
Investment securities available-for-sale	105,370	96,881
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Total	0	0
Held-to-maturity Securities, Accumulated Unrecognized Holding Gain	0	0
Held-to-maturity Securities, Accumulated Unrecognized Holding Loss	0	0
Held-to-Maturity Market Value	0	0
Total	347,118	322,708
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Gain Accumulated In Investments	869	517
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Loss Accumulated In Investments	(1,006)	(2,013)
Investment securities available-for-sale	346,981	321,212
Other securities
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Total	0	0
Held-to-maturity Securities, Accumulated Unrecognized Holding Gain	0	0
Held-to-maturity Securities, Accumulated Unrecognized Holding Loss	0	0
Held-to-Maturity Market Value	0	0
Total	74,525	46,641
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Gain Accumulated In Investments	1,039	741
Available for Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Loss Accumulated In Investments	(776)	(728)
Investment securities available-for-sale	$ 74,788	$ 46,654

INVESTMENTS - Summary of Invest

INVESTMENTS - Summary of Investment Securities by Estimated Maturity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Held-to-Maturity Amortized Cost
Amortized Cost	$ 730,796	$ 763,254
Held-to-Maturity Market Value
Held-to-maturity Securities, Fair Value	732,024	763,575
Available-for-Sale Amortized Cost
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	1,223,188	1,045,337
Available-for-Sale Market Value
Investment securities available-for-sale	1,220,046	1,039,870
One Year or Less [Member]
Held-to-Maturity Amortized Cost
Amortized Cost	207
Held-to-Maturity Market Value
Held-to-maturity Securities, Fair Value	207
Available-for-Sale Amortized Cost
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	1,199
Available-for-Sale Market Value
Investment securities available-for-sale	1,203
After One Year Through Five Years [Member]
Held-to-Maturity Amortized Cost
Amortized Cost	3,727
Held-to-Maturity Market Value
Held-to-maturity Securities, Fair Value	3,730
Available-for-Sale Amortized Cost
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	22,743
Available-for-Sale Market Value
Investment securities available-for-sale	22,702
After Five Years Through Ten Years [Member]
Held-to-Maturity Amortized Cost
Amortized Cost	2,692
Held-to-Maturity Market Value
Held-to-maturity Securities, Fair Value	2,764
Available-for-Sale Amortized Cost
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	50,666
Available-for-Sale Market Value
Investment securities available-for-sale	51,339
After Ten Years [Member]
Held-to-Maturity Amortized Cost
Amortized Cost	81,857
Held-to-Maturity Market Value
Held-to-maturity Securities, Fair Value	81,114
Available-for-Sale Amortized Cost
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	123,268
Available-for-Sale Market Value
Investment securities available-for-sale	123,457
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Held-to-Maturity Amortized Cost
Amortized Cost	191,301	205,522
Held-to-Maturity Market Value
Held-to-maturity Securities, Fair Value	192,495	206,096
Available-for-Sale Amortized Cost
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	243,509	184,960
Available-for-Sale Market Value
Investment securities available-for-sale	241,623	183,395
Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Held-to-Maturity Amortized Cost
Amortized Cost	269,507	278,728
Held-to-Maturity Market Value
Held-to-maturity Securities, Fair Value	270,406	280,165
Available-for-Sale Amortized Cost
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	159,575	154,239
Available-for-Sale Market Value
Investment securities available-for-sale	159,122	153,601
Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Held-to-Maturity Amortized Cost
Amortized Cost	181,505	195,408
Held-to-Maturity Market Value
Held-to-maturity Securities, Fair Value	181,308	195,057
Available-for-Sale Amortized Cost
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	275,110	232,701
Available-for-Sale Market Value
Investment securities available-for-sale	273,619	231,014
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Held-to-Maturity Amortized Cost
Amortized Cost	0	0
Held-to-Maturity Market Value
Held-to-maturity Securities, Fair Value	0	0
Available-for-Sale Amortized Cost
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	347,118	322,708
Available-for-Sale Market Value
Investment securities available-for-sale	$ 346,981	$ 321,212

INVESTMENTS - Age of Gross Unre

INVESTMENTS - Age of Gross Unrealized Losses and Associated Fair Value by Investment Category (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]
Less than 12 Months Fair Value	$ 738,117	$ 743,530
Less than 12 Months Unrealized Loss	(10,527)	(11,565)
12 Months or More Fair Value	197,379	243,220
12 Months or More Unrealized Loss	(3,580)	(4,533)
Total Fair Value	935,496	986,750
Total Unrealized Loss	(14,107)	(16,098)
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]
Less than 12 Months Fair Value	222,540	180,654
Less than 12 Months Unrealized Loss	(3,597)	(3,621)
12 Months or More Fair Value	9,283	9,890
12 Months or More Unrealized Loss	(268)	(285)
Total Fair Value	231,823	190,544
Total Unrealized Loss	(3,865)	(3,906)
U.S. Treasuries
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]
Less than 12 Months Fair Value	98	97
Less than 12 Months Unrealized Loss		(1)
12 Months or More Fair Value		0
12 Months or More Unrealized Loss		0
Total Fair Value	98	97
Total Unrealized Loss	0	(1)
Securities of U.S. government agencies and corporations
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]
Less than 12 Months Fair Value	26,987	19,917
Less than 12 Months Unrealized Loss	(117)	(150)
12 Months or More Fair Value	0	0
12 Months or More Unrealized Loss	0	0
Total Fair Value	26,987	19,917
Total Unrealized Loss	(117)	(150)
Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]
Less than 12 Months Fair Value	132,085	123,122
Less than 12 Months Unrealized Loss	(1,300)	(1,200)
12 Months or More Fair Value	62,069	65,007
12 Months or More Unrealized Loss	(1,371)	(1,443)
Total Fair Value	194,154	188,129
Total Unrealized Loss	(2,671)	(2,643)
Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]
Less than 12 Months Fair Value	202,529	201,305
Less than 12 Months Unrealized Loss	(2,659)	(2,882)
12 Months or More Fair Value	34,359	42,314
12 Months or More Unrealized Loss	(870)	(915)
Total Fair Value	236,888	243,619
Total Unrealized Loss	(3,529)	(3,797)
Obligations of state and other political subdivisions
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]
Less than 12 Months Fair Value	90,403	94,632
Less than 12 Months Unrealized Loss	(2,055)	(2,710)
12 Months or More Fair Value	11,484	12,023
12 Months or More Unrealized Loss	(88)	(150)
Total Fair Value	101,887	106,655
Total Unrealized Loss	(2,143)	(2,860)
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]
Less than 12 Months Fair Value	51,352	116,057
Less than 12 Months Unrealized Loss	(429)	(764)
12 Months or More Fair Value	64,705	92,629
12 Months or More Unrealized Loss	(577)	(1,249)
Total Fair Value	116,057	208,686
Total Unrealized Loss	(1,006)	(2,013)
Other securities
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]
Less than 12 Months Fair Value	12,123	7,746
Less than 12 Months Unrealized Loss	(370)	(237)
12 Months or More Fair Value	15,479	21,357
12 Months or More Unrealized Loss	(406)	(491)
Total Fair Value	27,602	29,103
Total Unrealized Loss	$ (776)	$ (728)

LOANS AND LEASES - Additional I

LOANS AND LEASES - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Provision for loan and lease losses covered	$ (1,114,000)	$ (80,000)
Restructured Loans, Nonaccrual Status	7,800,000		$ 5,100,000
Write-downs	109,000	188,000
Gain (loss) on sale of other real estate owned	(24,000)	190,000
Real Estate Acquired Through Foreclosure	5,300,000	11,939,000	6,284,000	$ 13,254,000
FDIC indemnification asset	10,800,000		$ 12,000,000
Covered Loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Real Estate Acquired Through Foreclosure	500,000	0
Commercial
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Restructured Loans, Loan Relationships, Review Threshold Amount Minimum	250,000
Residential real estate
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Restructured Loans, Loan Relationships, Review Threshold Amount Minimum	100,000
Write-downs	$ 63,000	$ 71,000

LOANS AND LEASES - Commercial a

LOANS AND LEASES - Commercial and Consumer Credit Exposure by Risk Attribute (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Commercial	$ 1,779,635	$ 1,781,948
Real Estate - Construction	446,332	399,434
Real Estate - Commercial	2,398,235	2,427,577
Lease financing	88,888	93,108
Total Commercial	4,713,090	4,702,067
Pass
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Commercial	1,730,424	1,725,451
Real Estate - Construction	443,164	398,155
Real Estate - Commercial	2,302,421	2,349,662
Lease financing	88,054	92,540
Total Commercial	4,564,063	4,565,808
Special Mention
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Commercial	18,635	18,256
Real Estate - Construction	322	1,258
Real Estate - Commercial	36,768	15,584
Lease financing	583	108
Total Commercial	56,308	35,206
Substandard
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Commercial	30,576	38,241
Real Estate - Construction	2,846	21
Real Estate - Commercial	59,046	62,331
Lease financing	251	460
Total Commercial	92,719	101,053
Doubtful
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Commercial	0	0
Real Estate - Construction	0	0
Real Estate - Commercial	0	0
Lease financing	0	0
Total Commercial	0	0
Residential real estate
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable before Fees, Gross	486,601	500,980
Residential real estate | Performing
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable before Fees, Gross	477,768	491,380
Residential real estate | Nonperforming
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable before Fees, Gross	8,833	9,600
Home equity
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable before Fees, Gross	458,974	460,388
Home equity | Performing
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable before Fees, Gross	454,625	456,314
Home equity | Nonperforming
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable before Fees, Gross	4,349	4,074
Installment
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable before Fees, Gross	52,063	50,639
Installment | Performing
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable before Fees, Gross	51,674	50,202
Installment | Nonperforming
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable before Fees, Gross	389	437
Credit card
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable before Fees, Gross	43,354	43,408
Credit card | Performing
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable before Fees, Gross	43,354	43,408
Credit card | Nonperforming
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable before Fees, Gross	0	0
Total consumer loans
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable before Fees, Gross	1,040,992	1,055,415
Total consumer loans | Performing
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable before Fees, Gross	1,027,421	1,041,304
Total consumer loans | Nonperforming
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable before Fees, Gross	$ 13,571	$ 14,111

LOANS AND LEASES - Loan Delinqu

LOANS AND LEASES - Loan Delinquency, including Nonaccrual Loans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	$ 29,872	$ 15,970
Current	5,596,703	5,603,463
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross	5,626,575	5,619,433
Purchased impaired loans	127,507	138,049
Total loans and leases	5,754,082	5,757,482
> 90 days past due and still accruing	96	2,871
Financing Receivables, 30 to 59 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	9,466	3,668
Financing Receivables, 60 to 89 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	11,688	702
Financing Receivables, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	8,718	11,600
Commercial
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	7,947	2,804
Current	1,767,241	1,773,939
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross	1,775,188	1,776,743
Purchased impaired loans	4,447	5,205
Total loans and leases	1,779,635	1,781,948
> 90 days past due and still accruing	0	0
Commercial | Financing Receivables, 30 to 59 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	3,407	1,257
Commercial | Financing Receivables, 60 to 89 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	3,269	208
Commercial | Financing Receivables, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	1,271	1,339
Lease financing
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	0	252
Current	88,888	92,856
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross	88,888	93,108
Purchased impaired loans	0	0
Total loans and leases	88,888	93,108
> 90 days past due and still accruing	0	0
Lease financing | Financing Receivables, 30 to 59 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	0	137
Lease financing | Financing Receivables, 60 to 89 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	0	0
Lease financing | Financing Receivables, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	0	115
Construction real estate
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	4,204	0
Current	441,590	398,877
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross	445,794	398,877
Purchased impaired loans	538	557
Total loans and leases	446,332	399,434
> 90 days past due and still accruing	0	0
Construction real estate | Financing Receivables, 30 to 59 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	3,129	0
Construction real estate | Financing Receivables, 60 to 89 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	0	0
Construction real estate | Financing Receivables, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	1,075	0
Commercial real estate
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	11,545	6,500
Current	2,313,256	2,339,327
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross	2,324,801	2,345,827
Purchased impaired loans	73,434	81,750
Total loans and leases	2,398,235	2,427,577
> 90 days past due and still accruing	0	2,729
Commercial real estate | Financing Receivables, 30 to 59 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	1,379	777
Commercial real estate | Financing Receivables, 60 to 89 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	8,000	134
Commercial real estate | Financing Receivables, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	2,166	5,589
Residential real estate
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	3,309	3,239
Current	437,737	450,631
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross	441,046	453,870
Purchased impaired loans	45,555	47,110
Total loans and leases	486,601	500,980
> 90 days past due and still accruing	0	0
Residential real estate | Financing Receivables, 30 to 59 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	920	821
Residential real estate | Financing Receivables, 60 to 89 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	171	37
Residential real estate | Financing Receivables, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	2,218	2,381
Home equity
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	2,000	2,116
Current	454,330	456,143
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross	456,330	458,259
Purchased impaired loans	2,644	2,129
Total loans and leases	458,974	460,388
> 90 days past due and still accruing	0	0
Home equity | Financing Receivables, 30 to 59 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	244	195
Home equity | Financing Receivables, 60 to 89 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	91	145
Home equity | Financing Receivables, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	1,665	1,776
Installment
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	372	283
Current	50,802	49,058
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross	51,174	49,341
Purchased impaired loans	889	1,298
Total loans and leases	52,063	50,639
> 90 days past due and still accruing	0	0
Installment | Financing Receivables, 30 to 59 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	134	24
Installment | Financing Receivables, 60 to 89 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	11	1
Installment | Financing Receivables, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	227	258
Credit card
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	495	776
Current	42,859	42,632
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross	43,354	43,408
Purchased impaired loans	0	0
Total loans and leases	43,354	43,408
> 90 days past due and still accruing	96	142
Credit card | Financing Receivables, 30 to 59 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	253	457
Credit card | Financing Receivables, 60 to 89 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	146	177
Credit card | Financing Receivables, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	$ 96	$ 142

LOANS AND LEASES - Restructured

LOANS AND LEASES - Restructured Loans (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)loansd	Mar. 31, 2016USD ($)loans	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Extended Maturities	$ 625,000	$ 486,000
Adjusted Interest Rates	2,877,000	0
Combined Rate And Maturity	0	162,000
Forebearance Agreements	0	0
Other	0	1,883,000
Total	$ 3,502,000	$ 2,531,000
Restructured loans, Number of Loans | loans	2	17
Restructured loans, Restructured loans, Pre-Modification Loan Balance	$ 3,502,000	$ 2,562,000
Restructured loans, Period End Balance	$ 3,441,000	$ 2,531,000
Restructured loans with payment default within 12 months of modification, Number of Loans | loans	0	4
Restructured loans with payment default within 12 months of modification, Period End Balance		$ 300,000
Number of Restructured Loans | loans	236		247
Total restructured loans	$ 37,800,000		$ 35,400,000
Restructured loans on accrual status	29,948,000		30,240,000
Restructured Loans, Nonaccrual Status	7,800,000		5,100,000
Loans and Leases Receivable, Impaired, Commitment to Lend	400,000		900,000
Allowance for loan and lease losses lncluded in reserves for restructured loans	1,400,000		1,900,000
Restructured loans uncollectible portion written off	0	$ 200,000
Accruing TDRs performing in accordance with restructured terms for more than one year	$ 24,300,000		$ 22,600,000
Restructured loans performance threshold (days) | d	90
Commercial
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Restructured loans, Number of Loans | loans	2	8
Restructured loans, Restructured loans, Pre-Modification Loan Balance	$ 3,502,000	$ 2,083,000
Restructured loans, Period End Balance	$ 3,441,000	$ 2,095,000
Construction real estate
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
Commercial real estate
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Restructured loans, Number of Loans | loans	0	1
Restructured loans, Restructured loans, Pre-Modification Loan Balance	$ 0	$ 42,000
Restructured loans, Period End Balance	$ 0	$ 42,000
Residential real estate
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Restructured loans, Number of Loans | loans	0	2
Restructured loans, Restructured loans, Pre-Modification Loan Balance	$ 0	$ 281,000
Restructured loans, Period End Balance	0	$ 247,000
Restructured Loans, Loan Relationships, Review Threshold Amount Minimum	$ 100,000
Home equity
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Restructured loans, Number of Loans | loans	0	4
Restructured loans, Restructured loans, Pre-Modification Loan Balance	$ 0	$ 149,000
Restructured loans, Period End Balance	$ 0	$ 140,000
Installment
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Restructured loans, Number of Loans | loans	0	2
Restructured loans, Restructured loans, Pre-Modification Loan Balance	$ 0	$ 7,000
Restructured loans, Period End Balance	$ 0	$ 7,000

LOANS AND LEASES - Nonaccrual,

LOANS AND LEASES - Nonaccrual, Restructured and Impaired Loans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Average current balance	$ 55,544	$ 54,506
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Interest Income, Accrual Method	26	96
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Interest Income, Accrual Method	342	212
Nonaccrual loans	33,163		$ 17,730
Accruing trouble debt restructurings	29,948		30,240
Total impaired loans	63,111		47,970
Restructured loans - nonaccrual status	7,800		5,100
Interest income effect
Gross amount of interest that would have been recorded under original terms	816	754
Interest included in income
Nonaccrual loans	142	76
Troubled debt restructurings	226	232
Total interest included in income	368	308
Net impact on interest income	448	446
Commercial
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Average current balance	16,701	15,948
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Interest Income, Accrual Method	13	9
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Interest Income, Accrual Method	109	74
Nonaccrual loans	9,249		2,419
Total impaired loans	20,198		13,203
Interest included in income
Total interest included in income	122	83
Lease financing
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Average current balance	149	122
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Interest Income, Accrual Method	0	0
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Interest Income, Accrual Method	1	0
Nonaccrual loans	102		195
Total impaired loans	102		195
Interest included in income
Total interest included in income	1	0
Construction real estate
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Average current balance	538	0
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Interest Income, Accrual Method	0	0
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Interest Income, Accrual Method	0	0
Nonaccrual loans	1,075		0
Total impaired loans	1,075		0
Interest included in income
Total interest included in income	0	0
Commercial real estate
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Average current balance	24,313	23,815
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Interest Income, Accrual Method	5	77
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Interest Income, Accrual Method	160	70
Nonaccrual loans	14,324		6,098
Total impaired loans	28,165		20,460
Interest included in income
Total interest included in income	165	147
Residential real estate
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Average current balance	9,218	8,829
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Interest Income, Accrual Method	7	9
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Interest Income, Accrual Method	46	46
Nonaccrual loans	4,520		5,251
Total impaired loans	8,833		9,601
Interest included in income
Total interest included in income	53	55
Installment
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Average current balance	413	236
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Interest Income, Accrual Method	0	0
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Interest Income, Accrual Method	2	1
Nonaccrual loans	322		367
Total impaired loans	389		437
Interest included in income
Total interest included in income	2	1
Home equity
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Average current balance	4,212	5,556
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Interest Income, Accrual Method	1	1
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Interest Income, Accrual Method	24	21
Nonaccrual loans	3,571		3,400
Total impaired loans	4,349		4,074
Interest included in income
Total interest included in income	25	22
Credit card
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Nonaccrual loans	0		0
Loans with no related allowance recorded [member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Average current balance	48,790	43,217
Total impaired loans	60,194		37,383
Loans with no related allowance recorded [member] | Commercial
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Average current balance	15,607	14,965
Total impaired loans	19,080		12,134
Loans with no related allowance recorded [member] | Lease financing
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Average current balance	149	122
Total impaired loans	102		195
Loans with no related allowance recorded [member] | Construction real estate
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Average current balance	538	0
Total impaired loans	1,075		0
Loans with no related allowance recorded [member] | Commercial real estate
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Average current balance	19,939	15,152
Total impaired loans	27,646		12,232
Loans with no related allowance recorded [member] | Residential real estate
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Average current balance	8,033	7,287
Total impaired loans	7,653		8,412
Loans with no related allowance recorded [member] | Installment
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Average current balance	413	236
Total impaired loans	389		437
Loans with no related allowance recorded [member] | Home equity
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Average current balance	4,111	5,455
Total impaired loans	4,249		3,973
Impaired Financing Receivables With Related Allowance [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Total impaired loans	2,917
Impaired Financing Receivables With Related Allowance [Member] | Commercial
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Average current balance	1,094	983
Total impaired loans	1,118		1,069
Impaired Financing Receivables With Related Allowance [Member] | Lease financing
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Average current balance	0	0
Total impaired loans	0		0
Impaired Financing Receivables With Related Allowance [Member] | Construction real estate
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Average current balance	0	0
Total impaired loans	0		0
Impaired Financing Receivables With Related Allowance [Member] | Commercial real estate
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Average current balance	4,374	8,663
Total impaired loans	519		8,228
Impaired Financing Receivables With Related Allowance [Member] | Residential real estate
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Average current balance	1,185	1,542
Total impaired loans	1,180		1,189
Impaired Financing Receivables With Related Allowance [Member] | Installment
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Average current balance	0	0
Total impaired loans	0		0
Impaired Financing Receivables With Related Allowance [Member] | Home equity
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Average current balance	101	101
Total impaired loans	100		101
Impaired Financing Receivables With Related Allowance [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Average current balance	$ 6,754	$ 11,289
Total impaired loans			$ 10,587

LOANS AND LEASES - Investment i

LOANS AND LEASES - Investment in Impaired Loans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Nonaccrual Status	$ 33,163		$ 17,730
Current balance	63,111		47,970
Contractual Principal Balance	70,064		53,930
Related Allowance	569		1,324
Average current balance	55,544	$ 54,506
Interest income recognized	368	308
Commercial
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Nonaccrual Status	9,249		2,419
Current balance	20,198		13,203
Contractual Principal Balance	21,368		13,784
Related Allowance	332		550
Average current balance	16,701	15,948
Interest income recognized	122	83
Lease financing
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Nonaccrual Status	102		195
Current balance	102		195
Contractual Principal Balance	102		195
Related Allowance	0		0
Average current balance	149	122
Interest income recognized	1	0
Construction real estate
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Nonaccrual Status	1,075		0
Current balance	1,075		0
Contractual Principal Balance	1,075		0
Related Allowance	0		0
Average current balance	538	0
Interest income recognized	0	0
Commercial real estate
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Nonaccrual Status	14,324		6,098
Current balance	28,165		20,460
Contractual Principal Balance	30,994		22,909
Related Allowance	56		593
Average current balance	24,313	23,815
Interest income recognized	165	147
Residential real estate
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Nonaccrual Status	4,520		5,251
Current balance	8,833		9,601
Contractual Principal Balance	10,123		10,837
Related Allowance	179		179
Average current balance	9,218	8,829
Interest income recognized	53	55
Home equity
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Nonaccrual Status	3,571		3,400
Current balance	4,349		4,074
Contractual Principal Balance	5,839		5,602
Related Allowance	2		2
Average current balance	4,212	5,556
Interest income recognized	25	22
Installment
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Nonaccrual Status	322		367
Current balance	389		437
Contractual Principal Balance	563		603
Related Allowance	0		0
Average current balance	413	236
Interest income recognized	2	1
Credit card
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Nonaccrual Status	0		0
Related Allowance	0		0
Loans with no related allowance recorded [member]
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	60,194		37,383
Contractual Principal Balance	67,145		43,292
Related Allowance	0		0
Average current balance	48,790	43,217
Loans with no related allowance recorded [member] | Commercial
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	19,080		12,134
Contractual Principal Balance	20,250		12,713
Related Allowance	0		0
Average current balance	15,607	14,965
Loans with no related allowance recorded [member] | Lease financing
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	102		195
Contractual Principal Balance	102		195
Related Allowance	0		0
Average current balance	149	122
Loans with no related allowance recorded [member] | Construction real estate
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	1,075		0
Contractual Principal Balance	1,075		0
Related Allowance	0		0
Average current balance	538	0
Loans with no related allowance recorded [member] | Commercial real estate
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	27,646		12,232
Contractual Principal Balance	30,475		14,632
Related Allowance	0		0
Average current balance	19,939	15,152
Loans with no related allowance recorded [member] | Residential real estate
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	7,653		8,412
Contractual Principal Balance	8,941		9,648
Related Allowance	0		0
Average current balance	8,033	7,287
Loans with no related allowance recorded [member] | Home equity
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	4,249		3,973
Contractual Principal Balance	5,739		5,501
Related Allowance	0		0
Average current balance	4,111	5,455
Loans with no related allowance recorded [member] | Installment
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	389		437
Contractual Principal Balance	563		603
Related Allowance	0		0
Average current balance	413	236
Impaired Financing Receivables With Related Allowance [Member]
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	2,917
Contractual Principal Balance	2,919
Related Allowance	569
Impaired Financing Receivables With Related Allowance [Member] | Commercial
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	1,118		1,069
Contractual Principal Balance	1,118		1,071
Related Allowance	332		550
Average current balance	1,094	983
Impaired Financing Receivables With Related Allowance [Member] | Lease financing
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	0		0
Contractual Principal Balance	0		0
Related Allowance	0		0
Average current balance	0	0
Impaired Financing Receivables With Related Allowance [Member] | Construction real estate
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	0		0
Contractual Principal Balance	0		0
Related Allowance	0		0
Average current balance	0	0
Impaired Financing Receivables With Related Allowance [Member] | Commercial real estate
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	519		8,228
Contractual Principal Balance	519		8,277
Related Allowance	56		593
Average current balance	4,374	8,663
Impaired Financing Receivables With Related Allowance [Member] | Residential real estate
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	1,180		1,189
Contractual Principal Balance	1,182		1,189
Related Allowance	179		179
Average current balance	1,185	1,542
Impaired Financing Receivables With Related Allowance [Member] | Home equity
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	100		101
Contractual Principal Balance	100		101
Related Allowance	2		2
Average current balance	101	101
Impaired Financing Receivables With Related Allowance [Member] | Installment
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance	0		0
Contractual Principal Balance	0		0
Related Allowance	0		0
Average current balance	0	0
Impaired Financing Receivables With Related Allowance [Member]
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Current balance			10,587
Contractual Principal Balance			10,638
Related Allowance			$ 1,324
Average current balance	$ 6,754	$ 11,289

LOANS AND LEASES - Changes in O

LOANS AND LEASES - Changes in Other Real Estate Owned (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 6,284	$ 13,254
Additions	287	908
Disposals	(1,162)	(2,035)
Write-downs	109	188
Balance at end of period	5,300	11,939
Commercial
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Additions	122	786
Disposals	(925)	(200)
Write-downs	46	117
Residential real estate
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Additions	165	122
Disposals	(237)	(1,835)
Write-downs	$ 63	$ 71

LOANS AND LEASES LOANS AND LEAS

LOANS AND LEASES LOANS AND LEASES - Indemnification Asset Rollforward (Details) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)
Receivables [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 12
Balance at end of period	$ 10.8

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE 46

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES - Changes in the Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses for the Current and Comparable Quarter and Year-to-Date (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Receivables [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 49,422	$ 43,149
Provision for loan and lease losses	1,481	1,735
Loans charged off	(2,514)	(1,367)
Recoveries	418	858
Balance at end of period	48,807	44,375
Balance at beginning of period	8,539	10,249
Provision for loan and lease losses covered	(1,114)	(80)
Loans charged-off	(236)	(1,075)
Recoveries	330	263
Balance at end of period	7,519	9,357
Balance at beginning of period	57,961	53,398
Provision for Loan and Lease Losses	367	1,655
Loans charged-off	(2,750)	(2,442)
Recoveries	748	1,121
Balance at end of period	$ 56,326	$ 53,732

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE 47

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES - Changes in the Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Allowance for loan and lease losses:
Balance at beginning of period	$ 57,961	$ 53,398
Provision for loan and lease losses	367	1,655
Loans charged-off	(2,750)	(2,442)
Recoveries	748	1,121
Total net charge-offs	(2,002)	(1,321)
Balance at end of period	56,326	53,732
Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment			$ 569	$ 1,324
Ending allowance on loans collectively evaluated for impairment			55,757	56,637
Ending allowance for loan and lease losses	57,961	53,398	56,326	57,961
Loans and Leases:
Ending balance of loans individually evaluated for impairment			63,111	47,970
Ending balance of loans collectively evaluated for impairment			5,690,971	5,709,512
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net of Deferred Income			5,754,082	5,757,482
Commercial
Allowance for loan and lease losses:
Balance at beginning of period	19,225	16,995
Provision for loan and lease losses	(596)	1,432
Loans charged-off	(1,743)	(479)
Recoveries	262	222
Total net charge-offs	(1,481)	(257)
Balance at end of period	17,148	18,170
Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment			332	550
Ending allowance on loans collectively evaluated for impairment			16,816	18,675
Ending allowance for loan and lease losses	19,225	16,995	17,148	19,225
Loans and Leases:
Ending balance of loans individually evaluated for impairment			20,198	13,203
Ending balance of loans collectively evaluated for impairment			1,759,437	1,768,745
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net of Deferred Income			1,779,635	1,781,948
Lease financing
Allowance for loan and lease losses:
Balance at beginning of period	716	821
Provision for loan and lease losses	(100)	45
Loans charged-off	0	0
Recoveries	0	0
Total net charge-offs	0	0
Balance at end of period	616	866
Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment			0	0
Ending allowance on loans collectively evaluated for impairment			616	716
Ending allowance for loan and lease losses	716	821	616	716
Loans and Leases:
Ending balance of loans individually evaluated for impairment			102	195
Ending balance of loans collectively evaluated for impairment			88,786	92,913
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net of Deferred Income			88,888	93,108
Construction real estate
Allowance for loan and lease losses:
Balance at beginning of period	3,282	1,810
Provision for loan and lease losses	325	439
Loans charged-off	0	(3)
Recoveries	0	26
Total net charge-offs	0	23
Balance at end of period	3,607	2,272
Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment			0	0
Ending allowance on loans collectively evaluated for impairment			3,607	3,282
Ending allowance for loan and lease losses	3,282	1,810	3,607	3,282
Loans and Leases:
Ending balance of loans individually evaluated for impairment			1,075	0
Ending balance of loans collectively evaluated for impairment			445,257	399,434
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net of Deferred Income			446,332	399,434
Commercial real estate
Allowance for loan and lease losses:
Balance at beginning of period	26,540	23,656
Provision for loan and lease losses	(2,566)	(420)
Loans charged-off	(485)	(1,262)
Recoveries	256	442
Total net charge-offs	(229)	(820)
Balance at end of period	23,745	22,416
Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment			56	593
Ending allowance on loans collectively evaluated for impairment			23,689	25,947
Ending allowance for loan and lease losses	26,540	23,656	23,745	26,540
Loans and Leases:
Ending balance of loans individually evaluated for impairment			28,165	20,460
Ending balance of loans collectively evaluated for impairment			2,370,070	2,407,117
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net of Deferred Income			2,398,235	2,427,577
Residential real estate
Allowance for loan and lease losses:
Balance at beginning of period	3,208	4,014
Provision for loan and lease losses	2,329	8
Loans charged-off	(61)	(45)
Recoveries	9	63
Total net charge-offs	(52)	18
Balance at end of period	5,485	4,040
Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment			179	179
Ending allowance on loans collectively evaluated for impairment			5,306	3,029
Ending allowance for loan and lease losses	3,208	4,014	5,485	3,208
Loans and Leases:
Ending balance of loans individually evaluated for impairment			8,833	9,601
Ending balance of loans collectively evaluated for impairment			477,768	491,379
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net of Deferred Income			486,601	500,980
Home equity
Allowance for loan and lease losses:
Balance at beginning of period	3,043	3,943
Provision for loan and lease losses	805	185
Loans charged-off	(180)	(340)
Recoveries	106	188
Total net charge-offs	(74)	(152)
Balance at end of period	3,774	3,976
Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment			2	2
Ending allowance on loans collectively evaluated for impairment			3,772	3,041
Ending allowance for loan and lease losses	3,043	3,943	3,774	3,043
Loans and Leases:
Ending balance of loans individually evaluated for impairment			4,349	4,074
Ending balance of loans collectively evaluated for impairment			454,625	456,314
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net of Deferred Income			458,974	460,388
Installment
Allowance for loan and lease losses:
Balance at beginning of period	388	386
Provision for loan and lease losses	9	(58)
Loans charged-off	(49)	(73)
Recoveries	71	99
Total net charge-offs	22	26
Balance at end of period	419	354
Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment			0	0
Ending allowance on loans collectively evaluated for impairment			419	388
Ending allowance for loan and lease losses	388	386	419	388
Loans and Leases:
Ending balance of loans individually evaluated for impairment			389	437
Ending balance of loans collectively evaluated for impairment			51,674	50,202
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net of Deferred Income			52,063	50,639
Credit card
Allowance for loan and lease losses:
Balance at beginning of period	1,559	1,773
Provision for loan and lease losses	161	24
Loans charged-off	(232)	(240)
Recoveries	44	81
Total net charge-offs	(188)	(159)
Balance at end of period	1,532	1,638
Ending allowance on loans individually evaluated for impairment			0	0
Ending allowance on loans collectively evaluated for impairment			1,532	1,559
Ending allowance for loan and lease losses	$ 1,559	$ 1,773	1,532	1,559
Loans and Leases:
Ending balance of loans individually evaluated for impairment			0	0
Ending balance of loans collectively evaluated for impairment			43,354	43,408
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net of Deferred Income			$ 43,354	$ 43,408

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE48

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS--Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 204,100		$ 204,084
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	6,200		6,500
Finite-Lived Core Deposits, Gross	4,200		$ 4,500
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense	$ 300	$ 381
Core Deposits [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets amortization method	accelerated basis
Estimated weighted average life (in years)	4 years 6 months

BORROWINGS Borrowings - - Addit

BORROWINGS Borrowings - - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Federal Home Loan Bank short-term borrowings	$ 806,700	$ 687,700
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	15,000
Commitments outstanding to extend credit	0	$ 0
Subordinated debt	$ 120,000
Subordinated Borrowing, Interest Rate	5.125%

BORROWINGS - Schedule of Long-t

BORROWINGS - Schedule of Long-term Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Amount
Subordinated debt	$ 120,000	$ 120,000
FHLB long-term advances	347	351
Capital loan with municipality	775	775
Total long-term debt	$ 119,629	$ 119,589
Average Rate [Abstract]
Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate	5.13%	5.13%
Federal Home Loan Bank	1.45%	1.43%
Weighted average rate on other long-term debt	0.00%	0.00%
Total long-term debt	5.15%	5.15%
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount (Premium) and Debt Issuance Costs, Net	$ (1,493)	$ (1,537)

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSI51

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassification Adjustments and Tax [Abstract]
Unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities	$ 2,832	$ 10,975
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	203	202
Retirement obligation	0	0
Total	3,035	11,177
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Reclassifications before Tax [Abstract]
Unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities	516	24
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	0	0
Retirement obligation	(335)	(317)
Total	181	(293)
Transactions Pre-tax
Unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities	2,316	10,951
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	203	202
Unfunded pension obligation	335	317
Total	2,854	11,470
Transactions Tax-effect
Unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities	(829)	(3,908)
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	(75)	(74)
Retirement obligation	(146)	(117)
Total	(1,050)	(4,099)
Transactions Net of tax
Unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities	1,487	7,043
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	128	128
Retirement obligation	189	200
Total	1,804	7,371
Balances Net of tax
Unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities	(3,062)	2,110	$ (4,549)	$ (4,933)
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges	(963)	(1,471)	(1,091)	(1,599)
Retirement obligation	(22,614)	(23,848)	(22,803)	(24,048)
Total	$ (26,639)	$ (23,209)	$ (28,443)	$ (30,580)

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSI52

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME AMOUNT RECLASSIFIED FROM ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Other Accumulated Comprehensive income reclassified from AOCI [Line Items]
Net gains on sales of investment securities	$ 516	$ 24
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit)	103	103
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Gains (Losses)	(438)	(420)
Other Comprehensive Income, Reclassification, Amortization of Defined Benefit Plans items, Pre-tax	(335)	(317)
Total	$ 181	$ (293)

DERIVATIVES - Additional Inform

DERIVATIVES - Additional Information (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)entity	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)entity
Derivative [Line Items]
Maximum derivative notional position as a percentage of assets	35.00%
Maximum credit exposure as a percentage of capital	3.00%
Maximum single counterparty credit risk exposure	$ 20,000
Inerest-bearing deposit liability	$ 1,394,102	$ 1,354,056
Number of counterparties | entity	10	10
Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 12,058	$ 12,587
Interest Rate Lock Commitments [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Inerest-bearing deposit liability	18,000	13,200
Other Credit Derivatives [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Inerest-bearing deposit liability	17,500	17,800
Outstanding liability from counterparty contracts	200	240
Credit Risk Contract [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Inerest-bearing deposit liability	64,600	64,900
Outstanding liability from counterparty contracts	0	0
Accrued interest and other liabilities | Derivative [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Inerest-bearing deposit liability	697,100	677,800
Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 2,500	$ 5,200

DERIVATIVES - Summary of Deriva

DERIVATIVES - Summary of Derivative Financial Instruments and Balances (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Inerest-bearing deposit liability	$ 1,394,102	$ 1,354,056
Estimate Fair Value Gain	12,055	12,559
Estimate Fair Value Loss	(12,058)	(12,587)
Fair Value Hedges | Matched interest rate swaps | Accrued interest and other liabilities
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Inerest-bearing deposit liability	697,051	677,028
Estimate Fair Value Gain	4,844	4,158
Estimate Fair Value Loss	(7,214)	(8,429)
Fair Value Hedges | Matched interest rate swaps | Accrued interest and other assets
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Inerest-bearing deposit liability	697,051	677,028
Estimate Fair Value Gain	7,211	8,401
Estimate Fair Value Loss	$ (4,844)	$ (4,158)

DERIVATIVES DERIVATIVES - Discl

DERIVATIVES DERIVATIVES - Disclosure by Type of Financial Instrument (Details) - Fair Value Hedges - Matched interest rate swaps - Accrued interest and other liabilities - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Gross amounts of recognized liabilities	$ 12,058	$ 12,587
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Asset	744	(462)
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	$ 12,802	$ 12,125

DERIVATIVES - Derivative Financ

DERIVATIVES - Derivative Financial Instruments, Average Remaining Maturity and the Weighted-Average Interest Rates being Paid and Received (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Value	$ 1,394,102	$ 1,354,056
Interest Rate Swap
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Value	$ 1,394,102
Average Maturity (years)	5 years 7 months
Fair Value	$ (3)
Weighted-Average Rate Receive	3.44%
Weighted-Average Rate Pay	3.37%
Interest Rate Swap | Derivative Financial Instruments Receive Fixed Pay Variable
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Value	$ 697,051
Average Maturity (years)	5 years 7 months
Fair Value	$ 2,367
Weighted-Average Rate Receive	3.89%
Weighted-Average Rate Pay	2.92%
Interest Rate Swap | Derivative Financial Instruments Receive Variable Pay Fixed
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Value	$ 697,051
Average Maturity (years)	5 years 7 months
Fair Value	$ (2,370)
Weighted-Average Rate Receive	2.92%
Weighted-Average Rate Pay	3.89%

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Commitments outstanding to extend credit	$ 0		$ 0
Letters of credit issued to guarantee performance of a client to a third party	18,800		18,400
Affordable Housing Program Obligation	32,000		32,700
Affordable housing contingent commitment	0		0
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets	4,900		4,900
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	13,700		13,700
Amortization Method Qualified Affordable Housing Project Investments, Amortization	1,000	$ 600
Estimated Litigation Liability	0		0
Loans and Leases Receivable, Commitments, Fixed Rates	83,900
Loans and Leases Receivable, Commitments, Variable Rates	$ 1,900,000
Loan Commitments, Fixed Interest Rate Range, Minimum	0.00%
Loan Commitments, Fixed Interest Rate Range, Maximum	21.00%
Loan Commitments, Fixed Rate, Maturities, Minimum	1 year
Loan Commitments, Fixed Rate, Maturities, Maximum	19 years
Commitments to Extend Credit
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Commitments outstanding to extend credit	$ 2,000,000		$ 2,000,000
Affordable housing investment [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Low-income housing tax credit	800	500
Historic tax credit [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Low-income housing tax credit	$ 100	$ 200

INCOME TAXES (Details)

INCOME TAXES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income tax expense	$ 10,470	$ 9,878
Effective tax rate	30.00%	33.30%
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax Benefit from Compensation Expense	$ 1,100
Unrecognized Tax Benefits that Would Impact Effective Tax Rate			$ 2,400

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS - Additi

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Employer Contributions in Current Fiscal Year	$ 0
Pension Contributions	0		$ 0
Pension Expense	$ (319,000)	$ (225,000)

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS EMPLOYEE

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS - Employee benefit plan amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and Consolidated Statements of Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Service cost	$ 1,238	$ 1,308
Interest cost	589	581
Expected return on plan assets	(2,481)	(2,431)
Amortization of prior service cost	(103)	(103)
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Gains (Losses)	438	420
Net periodic benefit cost (income)	$ (319)	$ (225)

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE - Com

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE - Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share -income available to common shareholders:
Net income	$ 24,414	$ 19,814
Denominator for basic earnings per share - weighted average shares	61,398,414	61,036,797
Effect of dilutive securities -
Employee stock awards	674,589	705,779
Warrants	67,381	97,671
Denominator for diluted earnings per share - adjusted weighted average shares	62,140,384	61,840,247
Basic	$ 0.40	$ 0.32
Diluted	$ 0.39	$ 0.32

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE - Add

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE - Additional Information (Details) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]
Investment Warrants, Exercise Price	$ 12.12
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	112,233	322,312
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	0

FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES - Estima

FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES - Estimated Fair Values of Financial Instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 12,058	$ 12,587
Financial assets
Investment securities held-to-maturity	730,796	763,254
Other investments	50,996	51,077
FDIC indemnification asset	10,800	12,000
Deposits
Noninterest-bearing	1,547,600	1,547,985
Savings	2,284,821	2,142,189
Time	1,202,563	1,321,843
Carrying value
Financial assets
Cash and short-term investments	156,972	204,048
Investment securities held-to-maturity	730,796	763,254
Other investments	50,996	51,077
Loans held for sale	7,657	13,135
Loans and leases, net of ALLL	5,697,756	5,699,521
FDIC indemnification asset	10,773	12,017
Interest Receivable	19,500	18,503
Deposits
Noninterest-bearing	1,547,600	1,547,985
Interest-bearing demand	1,494,892	1,513,771
Savings	2,284,821	2,142,189
Time	1,202,563	1,321,843
Total deposits	6,529,876	6,525,788
Short-term borrowings	859,184	807,912
Long-term debt	119,629	119,589
Interest Payable	3,625	5,049
Fair value
Financial assets
Cash and short-term investments	156,972	204,048
Investment securities held-to-maturity	732,024	763,575
Loans held for sale	7,657	13,135
Loans and leases, net of ALLL	5,724,790	5,754,845
FDIC indemnification asset	6,031	6,720
Interest Receivable	19,500	18,503
Deposits
Noninterest-bearing	1,547,600	1,547,985
Interest-bearing demand	1,494,892	1,513,771
Savings	2,284,821	2,142,189
Time	1,198,807	1,316,333
Total deposits	6,526,120	6,520,278
Short-term borrowings	859,184	807,912
Long-term debt	118,390	117,878
Interest Payable	3,625	5,049
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Fair value
Financial assets
Cash and short-term investments	156,972	204,048
Investment securities held-to-maturity	0	0
Loans held for sale	0	0
Loans and leases, net of ALLL	0	0
FDIC indemnification asset	0	0
Interest Receivable	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	859,184	807,912
Long-term debt	0	0
Interest Payable	680	410
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Fair value
Financial assets
Cash and short-term investments	0	0
Investment securities held-to-maturity	732,024	763,575
Loans held for sale	7,657	13,135
Loans and leases, net of ALLL	0	0
FDIC indemnification asset	0	0
Interest Receivable	6,633	5,705
Deposits
Noninterest-bearing	1,547,600	1,547,985
Interest-bearing demand	1,494,892	1,513,771
Savings	2,284,821	2,142,189
Time	1,198,807	1,316,333
Total deposits	6,526,120	6,520,278
Short-term borrowings	0	0
Long-term debt	118,390	117,878
Interest Payable	2,945	4,639
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Fair value
Financial assets
Cash and short-term investments	0	0
Investment securities held-to-maturity	0	0
Loans held for sale	0	0
Loans and leases, net of ALLL	5,724,790	5,754,845
FDIC indemnification asset	6,031	6,720
Interest Receivable	12,867	12,798
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
Interest Payable	$ 0	$ 0

FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES - Summar

FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES - Summary of Financial Assets and Liabilities Measure at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Assets
Derivatives	$ 12,055	$ 12,559
Investment securities available-for-sale	1,220,046	1,039,870
Liabilities
Derivatives	12,058	12,587
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Assets
Derivatives	12,301	12,922
Investment securities available-for-sale	1,220,046	1,039,870
Total	1,232,347	1,052,792
Liabilities
Derivatives	12,111	12,725
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Fair Value Measurements Using Level 1
Assets
Derivatives	0	0
Investment securities available-for-sale	8,764	8,711
Total	8,764	8,711
Liabilities
Derivatives	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Fair Value Measurements Using Level 2
Assets
Derivatives	12,301	12,922
Investment securities available-for-sale	1,211,282	1,031,159
Total	1,223,583	1,044,081
Liabilities
Derivatives	12,111	12,725
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Fair Value Measurements Using Level 3
Assets
Derivatives	0	0
Investment securities available-for-sale	0	0
Total	0	0
Liabilities
Derivatives	$ 0	$ 0

FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES - Summ65

FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES - Summary of Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis (Details) - Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Fair Value Measurements Using Level 1
Assets
Impaired loans	$ 0	$ 0
Other Real Estate Owned, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value Measurements Using Level 2
Assets
Impaired loans	0	0
Other Real Estate Owned, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value Measurements Using Level 3
Assets
Impaired loans	1,249	8,154
Other Real Estate Owned, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 4,098	$ 3,921