BORROWINGS (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Short-term Debt [Table Text Block]

The following is a summary of short-term borrowings for the last three years:

	2012				2011				2010
(Dollars in thousands)	Amount		Rate		Amount		Rate		Amount		Rate
At December 31,
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase	$	122,570	0.13	%	$	99,431	0.10	%	$	59,842	0.20	%
Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings	502,000		0.17	%	0		N/A		0		N/A
Total	$	624,570	0.16	%	$	99,431	0.10	%	$	59,842	0.20	%
Average for the year
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase	$	86,980	0.08	%	$	96,060	0.17	%	$	47,531	0.20	%
Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings	111,295		0.17	%	0		N/A		0		N/A
Total	$	198,275	0.13	%	$	96,060	0.17	%	$	47,531	0.20	%
Maximum month-end balances
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase	$	170,751			$	105,291			$	64,995
Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings	502,000				0				0

Summary of Long-term Debt [Table Text Block]

The following is a summary of First Financial's long-term debt:

	2012				2011
(Dollars in thousands)	Amount		Average Rate		Amount		Average Rate
Federal Home Loan Bank	$	9,427	3.74	%	$	11,544	3.80	%
National Market Repurchase Agreement	65,000		3.50	%	65,000		3.50	%
Capital loan with municipality	775		0.00	%	0		0.00	%
Total long-term debt	$	75,202	3.49	%	$	76,544	3.55	%

Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt [Table Text Block]

As of December 31, 2012, the long-term debt matures as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)	FHLB		Repurchase Agreement
2013	$	28	$	12,500
2014	29		27,500
2015	28		25,000
2016	29		0
2017	28		0
Thereafter	9,285		0
Total	$	9,427	$	65,000