DERIVATIVES (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Summary of Derivative Financial Instruments by Nature of Underlying Asset or Liability

The following table summarizes the notional values of derivative financial instruments utilized by First Financial by the nature of the underlying asset or liability:

(Dollars in thousands)	September 30, 2013		December 31, 2012
Fair value hedges
Instruments associated with loans	$	916,011	$	935,493

Summary of Derivative Financial Instruments and Balances

The following table summarizes the derivative financial instruments utilized by First Financial and their balances:

		September 30, 2013							December 31, 2012
				Estimated fair value							Estimated fair value
(Dollars in thousands)	Balance Sheet Classification	Notional amount		Gain		Loss			Notional amount		Gain		Loss
Fair value hedges
Pay fixed interest rate swaps with counterparty	Accrued interest and other liabilities	$	10,431	$	0	$	(999	)	$	12,739	$	0	$	(1,445	)
Matched interest rate swaps with borrower	Accrued interest and other assets	452,790		13,798		(1,050		)	461,377		24,135		0
Matched interest rate swaps with counterparty	Accrued interest and other liabilities	452,790		1,050		(13,995		)	461,377		0		(24,978		)
Total		$	916,011	$	14,848	$	(16,044	)	$	935,493	$	24,135	$	(26,423	)

Disclosure by Type of Financial Instrument [Table Text Block]

The following table discloses the gross and net amounts of liabilities recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets:

	September 30, 2013							December 31, 2012
(Dollars in thousands)	Gross amounts of recognized liabilities		Gross amounts offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets			Net amounts of liabilities presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets		Gross amounts of recognized liabilities		Gross amounts offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets			Net amounts of liabilities presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
Fair value hedges
Pay fixed interest rate swaps with counterparty	$	999	$	(393	)	$	606	$	1,445	$	(669	)	$	776
Matched interest rate swaps with counterparty	15,045		(12,103		)	2,942		24,978		(23,057		)	1,921
Total	$	16,044	$	(12,496	)	$	3,548	$	26,423	$	(23,726	)	$	2,697

Derivative Financial Instruments, Average Remaining Maturity and the Weighted-Average Interest Rates being Paid and Received

The following table details the derivative financial instruments, the average remaining maturities and the weighted-average interest rates being paid and received by First Financial at September 30, 2013:

							Weighted-average rate
(Dollars in thousands)	Notional amount		Average maturity (years)	Fair value			Receive		Pay
Asset conversion swaps
Pay fixed interest rate swaps with counterparty	$	10,431	3.0	$	(999	)	2.21	%	6.85	%
Receive fixed, matched interest rate swaps with borrower	452,790		4.1	12,748			4.88	%	2.94	%
Pay fixed, matched interest rate swaps with counterparty	452,790		4.1	(12,945		)	2.94	%	4.88	%
Total asset conversion swaps	$	916,011	4.1	$	(1,196	)	3.89	%	3.95	%

Location and Amounts Recognized for Fair Value Hedges

The following table details the location and amounts recognized for fair value hedges:

		Decrease to Interest income
(Dollars in thousands)		Three months ended						Nine months ended
Derivatives in fair value hedging relationships	Location of change in fair value	September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
Interest rate contracts
Loans	Interest income - loans	$	(123	)	$	(167	)	$	(393	)	$	(555	)
Total		$	(123	)	$	(167	)	$	(393	)	$	(555	)