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FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2023
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]  
FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURESThe 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 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:
CarryingEstimated fair value
(Dollars in thousands)valueTotalLevel 1Level 2Level 3
September 30, 2023
Financial assets
Cash and short-term investments$673,202 $673,202 $673,202 $$
Investment securities held-to-maturity81,326 69,845 69,845 
Other investments133,725 133,725 992 123,413 9,320 
Loans and leases10,501,618 10,135,741 10,135,741 
Accrued interest receivable70,471 70,471 16,436 54,035 
Financial liabilities
Deposits12,915,553 12,889,572 12,889,572 
Short-term borrowings974,188 974,188 974,188 
Long-term debt340,902 343,815 343,815 
Accrued interest payable51,013 51,013 16,613 34,400 
CarryingEstimated fair value
(Dollars in thousands)valueTotalLevel 1Level 2Level 3
December 31, 2022
Financial assets
Cash and short-term investments$595,683 $595,683 $595,683 $$
Investment securities held-to-maturity84,021 76,485 76,485 
Other investments143,160 143,160 1,171 132,853 9,136 
Loans and leases10,165,994 9,916,353 9,916,353 
Accrued interest receivable63,721 63,721 16,233 47,488 
Financial liabilities
Deposits12,701,177 12,670,747 12,670,747 
Short-term borrowings1,287,156 1,287,156 1,287,156 
Long-term debt346,672 348,041 348,041 
Accrued interest payable11,150 11,150 3,835 7,315 

The following methods, assumptions and valuation techniques were used by First Financial to measure different financial assets and liabilities at fair value on a recurring or nonrecurring basis.

Investment securities. Investment securities classified as 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 value of a sample of securities in the
portfolio by comparing the fair values to prices from other independent sources for the same or similar securities.  First Financial analyzes unusual or significant variances, conducts additional research with the pricing vendor, and if necessary, takes appropriate action based on its findings.  The results of the quality assurance process are incorporated into the selection of pricing providers by the portfolio manager.

Loans held for sale. The fair value of the Company’s residential mortgage loans held for sale is determined on a recurring basis based on quoted prices for similar loans in active markets, and therefore, is classified as Level 2 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 and foreign exchange contracts 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.

Collateral dependent loans. Collateral dependent loans are defined as loans for which the repayment is expected to be provided substantially through the operation or sale of the collateral when the borrowers are experiencing financial difficulty. Collateral dependent loans are carried at fair value when the value of the operation or collateral less any costs to sell is not sufficient to cover the remaining balance. In these instances, the loans will either be partially charged-off or receive specific allocations of the allowance for credit losses. For collateral dependent loans, fair value is generally based on real estate appraisals, a calculation of enterprise value or a valuation of business assets including equipment, inventory and accounts receivable. These loans had a principal amount of $26.9 million and $11.9 million at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, with a valuation allowance of $7.5 million and $3.7 million at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.

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). These appraisals may utilize a single valuation approach or a combination of approaches including the comparable sales approach and the income approach. Adjustments are routinely made in the appraisal process by the independent appraisers to adjust for differences between the comparable sales and income data available. Collateral is then adjusted or discounted based on management’s historical knowledge, changes in market conditions from the time of the valuation, and management’s expertise and knowledge of the client and the client’s business, resulting in a Level 3 fair value classification. Collateral dependent loans are evaluated on a quarterly basis for additional write-downs and are adjusted accordingly.

Enterprise value is defined as imputed value for the entire underlying business. To determine an appropriate range of enterprise value, FFB relies on a standardized set of valuation methodologies that take into account future projected cash flows, market based multiples as well as asset values. Valuations involve both quantitative and qualitative considerations and professional judgments concerning differences in financial and operating characteristics in addition to other factors that may impact values over time (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).  

The fair value of collateral dependent loans is measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis.  Any fair value adjustments are recorded in the period incurred as provision for credit losses on the Consolidated Statements of Income.

OREO. Assets acquired through loan foreclosure are recorded at fair value less costs to sell, with any difference between the fair value of the property and the carrying value of the loan recorded as a charge-off establishing a new cost basis. Subsequent changes in value are reported as adjustments to the carrying amount and are recorded in noninterest expense. 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 differs from 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.

Operating leases. First Financial performs assessments of the recoverability of long-lived assets when events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying values may not be recoverable and therefore, the carrying value of Operating leases is re-measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. When evaluating whether an individual asset is impaired, First Financial considers the current fair value of the asset, the changes in overall market demand for the asset and the rate of change in
advancements associated with technological improvements that impact the demand for the specific asset under review. First Financial determines whether the carrying values of certain operating leases are not recoverable and as a result, records an impairment loss equal to the amount by which the carrying value of the assets exceeds the fair value. The fair value amounts are generally based on appraised values of the assets, resulting in a classification within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy.

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 1Level 2Level 3Assets/liabilities
at fair value
September 30, 2023
Assets    
Investment securities available-for-sale$32,141 $2,979,075 $33,145 $3,044,361 
Loans held for sale12,391 12,391 
Interest rate derivative contracts173,470 173,470 
Foreign exchange derivative contracts194,956 194,956 
Interest rate floor558 558 
Total$32,141 $3,360,450 $33,145 $3,425,736 
Liabilities    
Interest rate derivative contracts$$173,652 $$173,652 
Foreign exchange derivative contracts194,956 194,956 
Interest rate collars1,984 1,984 
Total$$370,592 $$370,592 

 Fair value measurements using
(Dollars in thousands)Level 1Level 2Level 3Assets/liabilities
at fair value
December 31, 2022
Assets    
Investment securities available-for-sale$32,696 $3,341,095 $35,857 $3,409,648 
Loans held for sale7,918 7,918 
Interest rate derivative contracts152,846 152,846 
Foreign exchange derivative contracts204,882 204,882 
Total$32,696 $3,706,741 $35,857 $3,775,294 
Liabilities    
Interest rate derivative contracts$$153,119 $$153,119 
Foreign exchange derivative contracts$$204,882 $$204,882 
Total$$358,001 $$358,001 
The following table presents a reconciliation for certain AFS securities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022.

Three months endedNine months ended
September 30,September 30,
(dollars in thousands)2023202220232022
Beginning balance$34,132 $36,796 $35,857 $38,181 
Accretion (amortization)(30)(22)(84)(45)
Increase (decrease) in fair value(162)(119)34 
Settlements(795)(730)(2,509)(2,117)
Ending balance$33,145 $36,053 $33,145 $36,053 

Certain financial assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis.  Adjustments to the fair value of these assets usually result from the application of 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 1Level 2Level 3
September 30, 2023
Assets   
Collateral dependent loans
Commercial$$$1,511 
Commercial real estate17,926 
OREO38 
Operating leases
 Fair value measurements using
(Dollars in thousands)Level 1Level 2Level 3
December 31, 2022
Assets   
Collateral dependent loans
Commercial$$$4,240 
Commercial real estate4,015 
OREO
Operating leases

Fair value option. First Financial may elect to report most financial instruments and certain other items at fair value on an instrument-by instrument basis with changes in fair value reported in net income. After the initial adoption, the election is made at the acquisition of an eligible financial asset, financial liability, or firm commitment or when certain specified reconsideration events occur. The fair value election may not be revoked once an election is made.

The Company elected the fair value option for residential mortgage loans held for sale. This election allows for a more effective offset of the changes in fair values of the loans held for sale and the derivative financial instruments used to financially hedge them without having to apply complex hedge accounting requirements. The fair value of the Company’s residential mortgage loans held for sale was determined based on quoted prices for similar loans in active markets.

The aggregate fair value of the Company’s residential mortgage loans held for sale as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 was $12.4 million and $7.9 million, respectively. The aggregate unpaid principal balance of the Company’s residential mortgage loans held for sale as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 was $11.4 million and $7.5 million, respectively. The resulting difference between the aggregate fair value and the aggregate remaining principal balance for loans for which the fair value option has been elected was $1.0 million and $0.4 million as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.
Changes in the estimated fair value of residential mortgage loans held for sale are reported as a component of Net gain from sales of loans in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income. The change in fair value of the Company’s residential mortgage loans held for sale resulted in a loss of $0.1 million and $0.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022, respectively. The change in fair value of the Company’s residential mortgage loans held for sale resulted in a gain of $0.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and a net loss of $1.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022.