INCOME TAXES	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011
Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract]
INCOME TAXES	NOTE 13: INCOME TAXES First Financial’s effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2011 was 38.2% compared to 36.2% for the third quarter of 2010. The 2011 year-to-date effective tax rate was 36.3% compared to 35.4% for 2010. The increase in the effective tax rate during the third quarter 2011 was primarily driven by the completion of the 2010 federal and state tax returns and adjustments of this nature are typical for this calendar quarter. At September 30, 2011, and December 31, 2010, First Financial had no unrecognized tax benefits recorded under FASB ASC Topic 740-10, Income Taxes. First Financial does not expect the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits to significantly increase within the next twelve months. First Financial recognizes interest and penalties on income tax assessments or income tax refunds in the Consolidated Financial Statements as a component of noninterest expense. 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 2008 have been closed and are no longer subject to U.S. federal income tax examinations. First Financial is no longer subject to state and local income tax examinations for years prior to 2007. The Company’s 2007 state examination by the state of Indiana has closed with no material impact to the Company’s financial position as a result of the examinations. Tax years 2007 through 2010 remain open to state and local examination in various jurisdictions. First Financial was notified in the second quarter of 2011 that the Internal Revenue Service will commence a routine examination of its income tax return for the calendar year 2009. At this time, the Company cannot make an assessment of the outcome of this examination.

INCOME TAXES

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract]

NOTE 13: INCOME TAXES

First Financial’s effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2011 was 38.2% compared to 36.2% for the third quarter of 2010. The 2011 year-to-date effective tax rate was 36.3% compared to 35.4% for 2010. The increase in the effective tax rate during the third quarter 2011 was primarily driven by the completion of the 2010 federal and state tax returns and adjustments of this nature are typical for this calendar quarter.

At September 30, 2011, and December 31, 2010, First Financial had no unrecognized tax benefits recorded under FASB ASC Topic 740-10, Income Taxes. First Financial does not expect the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits to significantly increase within the next twelve months.

First Financial recognizes interest and penalties on income tax assessments or income tax refunds in the Consolidated Financial Statements as a component of noninterest expense.

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 2008 have been closed and are no longer subject to U.S. federal income tax examinations.

First Financial is no longer subject to state and local income tax examinations for years prior to 2007. The Company’s 2007 state examination by the state of Indiana has closed with no material impact to the Company’s financial position as a result of the examinations. Tax years 2007 through 2010 remain open to state and local examination in various jurisdictions.

First Financial was notified in the second quarter of 2011 that the Internal Revenue Service will commence a routine examination of its income tax return for the calendar year 2009. At this time, the Company cannot make an assessment of the outcome of this examination.