v3.25.2
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Tables)
 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2025
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies [Table Text Block]
The following table presents by type First Financial's active loan balances and related obligations to extend credit:
June 30, 2025December 31, 2024
(dollars in thousands)Unfunded commitmentLoan balanceUnfunded commitmentLoan balance
Commercial & industrial$1,863,402 $3,927,771 $1,887,965 $3,815,858 
Lease financing0587,1760598,045
Construction real estate449,305732,777327,743779,446
Commercial real estate-investor151,4163,007,23995,8103,093,384
Commercial real estate-owner40,816954,27440,791968,360
Residential real estate01,492,68876,4011,462,284
Home equity1,044,914903,2991,002,965849,039
Installment27,215116,59833,200133,051
Credit card317,59164,374285,78262,311
Total$3,894,659 $11,786,196 $3,750,657 $11,761,778 
Investment Holdings, Schedule of Investments
The following table summarizes First Financial's investments in affordable housing projects and other tax credit investments.

(Dollars in thousands)June 30, 2025December 31, 2024
InvestmentAccounting MethodInvestmentUnfunded commitmentInvestmentUnfunded commitment
LIHTCProportional amortization$154,944 $79,986 $148,942 $72,830 
HTCProportional amortization11,610 56 14,077 56 
HTCEquity8,558 5,855 8,781 6,656 
NMTCEquity867 0 1,191 0 
Renewable energyEquity25,251 15,147 10,571 222 
Total$201,230 $101,044 $183,562 $79,764 

The following table summarizes First Financial's amortization expense and tax benefit recognized in affordable housing projects and other tax credit investments.
Three months ended
June 30, 2025June 30, 2024
(Dollars in thousands)
Amortization expense (1)
Tax expense (benefit) recognized (2)
Amortization expense (1)
Tax expense (benefit) recognized (2)
LIHTCProportional amortization$2,995 $(4,653)$3,035 $(3,896)
HTCProportional amortization2,414 (1,033)66 (1,240)
HTCEquity111 (101)0 0 
NMTCEquity0 0 31 (1)
Renewable energyEquity0 0 0 0 
Total$5,520 $(5,787)$3,132 $(5,137)
Six months ended
June 30, 2025June 30, 2024
(Dollars in thousands)Accounting Method
Amortization expense (1)
Tax expense (benefit) recognized (2)
Amortization expense (1)
Tax expense (benefit) recognized (2)
LIHTCProportional amortization$8,973 $(9,300)$7,109 $(8,022)
HTCProportional amortization2,467 (2,066)899 (2,208)
HTCEquity223 (202)0 0 
NMTCEquity0 0 62 (3)
Renewable energyEquity0 0 0 0 
Total$11,663 $(11,568)$8,070 $(10,233)
(1) The amortization expense for investments using the proportional amortization method is included in income tax expense. The amortization expense for the equity method investments is included in other noninterest expense.
(2) All of the tax benefits recognized are included in Income tax expense. The tax benefit recognized for the equity method investments primarily reflects the tax credits generated from the investments and excludes the net tax expense (benefit) and deferred tax liability of the investments’ income (loss).