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BUSINESS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES: (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Share Based Compensation [Policy Text Block] Stock based compensation: Compensation cost is recognized for restricted stock awards and units issued to employees based on the fair value of these awards at the date of grant. Market price of the Corporation’s common stock at the date of grant is used for restricted stock awards. Compensation expense is recognized over the requisite service period.
Organization Organization: The consolidated financial statements of First Financial Corporation and its subsidiaries (the Corporation) include the parent company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, First Financial Bank, N.A. headquartered in Vigo County, Indiana, The Morris Plan Company of Terre Haute (Morris Plan), First Chanticleer Corporation, a property rental entity headquartered in Terre Haute, Indiana, JBMM, LLC, Heritage USA Title LLC, and Fort Webb LP, LLC, and FFB Risk Management Co., Inc., a captive insurance subsidiary headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. Inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated. First Chanticleer Corporation was dissolved in December 2020.
Use of Estimates Use of Estimates: To prepare financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, management makes estimates and assumptions based on available information. These estimates and assumptions affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and disclosures provided, and actual results could differ.
Cash Flows Cash Flows: Cash and cash equivalents include cash and demand deposits with other financial institutions. Cash flows are reported for customer loan and deposit transactions and short-term borrowings.
Securities
Securities: The Corporation classifies all securities as "available for sale." Securities are classified as available for sale when they might be sold before maturity. Securities available for sale are carried at fair value with unrealized holdings gains and losses, net of taxes, reported in other comprehensive income within shareholders' equity.
 
Interest income includes amortization of purchase premium or discount. Premiums and discounts are amortized on the level yield method without anticipating prepayments. Mortgage-backed securities are amortized over the expected life. Realized gains and losses on sales are based on the amortized cost of the security sold. Management evaluates securities for impairment related to credit losses at least on a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or market conditions warrant such an evaluation.
Loans
Loans: Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future until maturity or pay-off are reported at the principal balance outstanding, net of unearned interest, purchase premiums and discounts, deferred loan fees and costs, and allowance for credit losses. Loans held for sale are reported at the lower of cost or fair value, on an aggregate basis. Interest income is accrued on the unpaid principal balance and includes amortization of net deferred loan fees and costs over the loan term without anticipating prepayments. The recorded investment in loans includes accrued interest receivable and net deferred loan fees and costs. Interest income is not reported when full loan repayment is in doubt, typically when the loan is collateral dependent or payments are significantly past due. Past-due status is based on the contractual terms of the loan.
 
All interest accrued but not received for loans placed on non-accrual is reversed against interest income. Interest received on such loans is accounted for on the cash-basis or cost-recovery method, until qualifying for return to accrual. Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured. In all cases, loans are placed on non-accrual or charged-off if collection of principal or interest is considered doubtful. The above policies are consistent for all segments of loans.
Certain Purchased Loans Purchased Credit Deteriorated (PCD) Loans: The Corporation purchases individual loans and groups of loans, some of which have experienced more than insignificant credit deterioration since origination. PCD loans are recorded at the amount paid. An allowance for credit losses is determined using the same methodology as other loans held for investment. The initial allowance for credit losses determined on a collective basis is allocated to individual loans. The sum of the loan's purchase price and initial allowance for credit losses becomes its amortized cost basis. The difference between the initial amortized cost basis and the par value of the loan is a noncredit discount or premium, which is accreted or amortized into interest income over the life of the loan. Subsequent changes to the allowance for credit losses are recorded through provision for credit losses.
Concentration of Credit Risk Concentration of Credit Risk: Most of the Corporation's business activity is with customers located within west-central Indiana, east-central Illinois, western Kentucky, and middle and western Tennessee. Therefore, the Corporation's exposure to credit risk is significantly affected by changes in the economy of this area. A major economic downturn in this area would have a negative effect on the Corporation's loan portfolio.
Allowance for Loan Losses
Allowance for Credit Losses: Credit quality of loans is continuously monitored by management and is reflected within the allowance for credit losses for loans. The allowance for credit losses is an estimate of expected losses inherent within the Company’s loan portfolio. Credit quality is assessed and monitored by evaluating various attributes and the results of those evaluations are utilized in underwriting new loans and in our process for estimating expected credit losses. The allowance for credit losses is adjusted by a credit loss expense, which is reported in earnings, and reduced by the charge-off of loan amounts, net of recoveries. We have made a policy election to report accrued interest receivable as a separate line item on the balance sheet.

The Corporation adopted ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (ASU 2016-13), on December 31, 2020 with an effective date of January 1, 2020. As of the adoption date, the Corporation increased the allowance for credit losses for loan, by $20 million, since the ASU covers credit losses over the expected life of a loan as well as considering future changes in macroeconomic conditions. As of January 1, 2020, the Corporation recorded a cumulative effect adjustment of $10.5 million to decrease retained earnings.

The allowance for credit loss estimation process involves procedures to appropriately consider the unique characteristics of the loan portfolio segments. These segments are further disaggregated into loan classes based on the level at which credit risk is monitored. When computing the level of expected credit losses, credit loss assumptions are estimated using a model that categorizes loan pools based on loss history, delinquency status, and other credit trends and risk characteristics, including current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts about the future. Determining the appropriateness of the allowance is complex and requires judgment by management about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. In future periods evaluations of the overall loan portfolio, in light of the factors and forecasts then prevailing, may result in significant changes in the allowance and credit loss expense in those future periods.

We utilize a cohort methodology to determine the allowance for credit losses. This method identifies and captures the balance of a pool of loans with similar risk characteristics at a particular point in time to form a cohort. Then it tracks the respective losses generated by that cohort of loans over their remaining life. When past performance may not be representative of future losses, loss rates are adjusted for qualitative and economic forecast factors.

The allowance level is influenced by loan volumes, loan quality rating migration or delinquency status, changes in historical loss experience, and other conditions influencing loss expectations, such as reasonable and supportable forecasts of economic conditions. The methodology for estimating the amount of expected credit losses reported in the allowance for credit losses consists of specific and pooled components. The specific component relates to loans that are individually evaluated. A loan is individually evaluated when the loan no longer shares similar risk characteristics with other loans in its respective loan pool. If
a loan is individually evaluated, a portion of the allowance is allocated so that the loan is reported at the fair value of collateral, adjusted for selling costs, if repayment is expected solely from the collateral. The pooled component covers pools of loans that share similar risk characteristics, and is based on historical loss experienced since 2008. This historical loss experience is supplemented with other current factors based on the risks present for each portfolio segment. These current factors include items such as changes in lending policies or procedures, asset specific risks, the impact of COVID-19 on customers’ operations, and economic uncertainty in forward-looking forecasts. Economic indicators utilized in forecasting include unemployment rate, gross domestic product, housing starts, and interest rates.
Foreclosed Assets Foreclosed Assets: Assets acquired through or instead of loan foreclosures are initially recorded at fair value less estimated selling costs when acquired, establishing a new cost basis. Physical possession of residential real estate property collateralizing a consumer mortgage loan occurs when legal title is obtained upon completion of foreclosure or when the borrower conveys all interest in the property to satisfy the loan through completion of a deed in lieu of foreclosure or similar legal agreement. These assets are subsequently accounted for at lower of cost or fair value less estimated costs to sell. If fair value declines, a valuation allowance is recorded through expense. Costs after acquisition are expensed.
Premises and Equipment Premises and Equipment: Land is carried at cost. Premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed over the useful lives of the assets, which range from 3 to 5 years for furniture and equipment and 33 to 39 years for buildings and leasehold improvements.
Restricted Stock Restricted Stock: Restricted stock includes Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) of Indianapolis and Federal Reserve stock. This restricted stock is carried at cost and periodically evaluated for impairment. Because this stock is viewed as a long-term investment, impairment is based on ultimate recovery of par value. Both cash and stock dividends are reported as income.
Servicing Rights
Servicing Rights: Servicing rights are recognized separately when they are acquired through sales of loans. When mortgage loans are sold, servicing rights are initially recorded at fair value with the income statement effect recorded in gains on sales of loans. Fair value is based on market prices for comparable mortgage servicing contracts, when available, or alternatively, is based on third-party valuations that incorporate assumptions that market participants would use in estimating future net servicing income, such as the cost to service, the discount rate, ancillary income, prepayment speeds and default rates and losses. All classes of servicing assets are subsequently measured using the amortization method, which requires servicing rights to be amortized into non-interest income in proportion to, and over the period of, the estimated future net servicing income of the underlying loans.
 
Servicing assets are evaluated for impairment based upon the fair value of the rights as compared to carrying amount. Impairment is determined by stratifying rights into groupings based on predominant risk characteristics, such as interest rate, loan type and investor type. Impairment is recognized through a valuation allowance for an individual grouping, to the extent that fair value is less than the carrying amount. If the Corporation later determines that all or a portion of the impairment no longer exists for a particular grouping, a reduction of the allowance may be recorded as an increase to income. Changes in valuation allowances are reported with Other Service Charges and Fees on the income statement. The fair values of servicing rights are subject to significant fluctuations as a result of changes in estimated and actual prepayment speeds and default rates and losses.
 
Servicing fee income, which is included in Other Service Charges and Fees on the income statement, is for fees earned for servicing loans.
 
The fees are based on a contractual percentage of the outstanding principal or a fixed amount per loan and are recorded as income when earned. The amortization of mortgage servicing rights is netted against loan servicing fee income.
Transfers of Financial Assets
Transfers of Financial Assets: Transfers of financial assets are accounted for as sales, when control over the assets has been
relinquished. Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when the assets have been isolated from the Corporation, the transferee obtains the right (free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of that right) to pledge or exchange the transferred assets, and the Corporation does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity.
Life Insurance Corporate Or Bank Owned Policy [Text Block] Bank-Owned Life Insurance: The Corporation has purchased life insurance policies on certain key executives. Bank-owned life insurance is recorded at its cash surrender value, or the amount that can be realized. Income on the investments in life insurance is included in other interest income.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets: Goodwill resulting from business combinations prior to January 1, 2009 represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net assets of businesses acquired. Goodwill resulting from business combinations after January 1, 2009 represents the future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired that are not individually identified and separately recognized. Goodwill and intangible assets acquired in a purchase business combination and determined to have an indefinite useful life are not amortized, but tested for impairment at least annually. The Corporation has selected December 31 as the date to perform the annual impairment test. The Corporation engaged a third party to conduct an in-depth analysis of the Corporation as of October 31, 2021. The final results determined that there was no impairment of goodwill. Intangible assets with definite useful lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values. Goodwill is the only intangible asset with an indefinite life on our balance sheet.
 
Other intangible assets consist of core deposit assets arising from the whole bank and branch acquisitions. They are initially measured at fair value and then are amortized on an accelerated basis over their estimated useful lives, which are 10 and 12 years, respectively.
Long-Term Assets Long-Term Assets: Premises and equipment and other long-term assets are reviewed for impairment when events indicate their carrying amount may not be recoverable from future undiscounted cash flows. If impaired, the assets are recorded at fair value.
Benefit Plans Benefit Plans: Pension expense is the net of service and interest cost, return on plan assets and amortization of gains and losses not immediately recognized. The amount contributed is determined by a formula as decided by the Board of Directors. Deferred compensation and supplemental retirement plan expense allocates the benefits over years of service.
Employee Stock Ownership Plan Employee Stock Ownership Plan: Shares of treasury stock are issued to the ESOP and compensation expense is recognized based upon the total market price of shares when contributed.
Deferred Compensation Plan Deferred Compensation Plan: Prior to 2011, a deferred compensation plan covered all directors. Under the plan, the Corporation pays each director, or their beneficiary, the amount of fees deferred plus interest over 10 years, beginning when the director achieves age 65. A liability is accrued for the obligation under these plans.
Incentive Plans Incentive Plans: A long-term incentive plan established in 2000 provides for the payment of incentive rewards as a 15-year annuity to all directors and certain key officers. That plan was in place through December 31, 2009, and compensation expense is recognized over the service period. Payments under the plan generally did not begin until the earlier of January 1, 2015, or the January 1 immediately following the year in which the participant reaches age 65. There was no compensation expense related to this plan for 2021, 2020 and 2019. There is a liability of $6.0 million and $6.8 million as of year-end 2021 and 2020. In 2011 the Corporation adopted the 2011 Short-term Incentive Plan and the 2011 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan designed to reward key officers based on certain performance measures.
Income Taxes
Income Taxes: Income tax expense is the total of the current year income tax due or refundable and the change in deferred tax assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are the expected future tax amounts for the temporary differences between carrying amounts and tax bases of assets and liabilities, computed using enacted tax rates. A valuation allowance, if needed, reduces deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.

A tax position is recognized as a benefit only if it is "more likely than not" that the tax position would be sustained in a tax examination, with a tax examination being presumed to occur. The amount recognized is the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized on examination. For tax positions not meeting the "more likely than not" test, no tax benefit is recorded.
 
The Corporation recognizes interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense.
Loan Commitments and Related Financial Instruments Loan Commitments and Related Financial Instruments: Financial instruments include credit instruments, such as commitments to make loans and standby letters of credit, issued to meet customer financing needs. The face amount for these items represents the exposure to loss, before considering customer collateral or ability to repay. Such financial instruments are recorded when they are funded.
Earnings Per Share Earnings Per Share: Earnings per common share is net income divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. The Corporation does not have any potentially dilutive securities as the restricted stock awards are included in outstanding shares.. Earnings and dividends per share are restated for stock splits and dividends through the date of issue of the financial statements.
Comprehensive Income Comprehensive Income: Comprehensive income consists of net income and other comprehensive income. Other comprehensive income includes unrealized gains and losses on securities available for sale and changes in the funded status of the retirement plans, net of taxes, which are also recognized as separate components of equity.
Loss Contingencies Loss Contingencies: Loss contingencies, including claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business, are recorded as liabilities when the likelihood of loss is probable and an amount of range of loss can be reasonably estimated. Management does not believe there are currently such matters that will have a material effect on the financial statements.
Dividend Restriction Dividend Restriction: Banking regulations require maintaining certain capital levels and may limit the dividends paid by the bank to the holding company or by the holding company to shareholders.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments Fair Value of Financial Instruments: Fair values of financial instruments are estimated using relevant market information and other assumptions, as more fully disclosed in a separate note. Fair value estimates involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment regarding interest rates, credit risk, prepayments and other factors, especially in the absence of broad markets for particular items. Changes in assumptions or market conditions could significantly affect the estimates.
Operating Segment Operating Segment: While the Corporation's chief decision-makers monitor the revenue streams of the various products and services, the operating results of significant segments are similar and operations are managed and financial performance is evaluated on a corporate-wide basis. Accordingly, all of the Corporation's financial service operations are considered by management to be aggregated in one reportable operating segment, which is banking.
Adoption of New Accounting Standards :In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2020-04 “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting.” These amendments provide temporary optional guidance to ease the potential burden in accounting for reference rate reform. The ASU provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying generally accepted accounting principles to contract modifications and hedging relationships, subject to meeting certain criteria, that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued. It is intended to help stakeholders during the global market-wide reference rate transition period. In January 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-01 which clarifies that certain optional expedients and exceptions in Topic 848 for contract modifications and hedge accounting apply to derivatives that are affected by the discounting transition. The guidance is effective for all entities as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. The Corporation is evaluating the impacts of this ASU and has not yet determined whether LIBOR transition and this ASU will have material effects on the Corporation's business operations and consolidated financial statements.