v3.26.1
BORROWINGS
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2026
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]  
BORROWINGS BORROWINGS
On the Consolidated Balance Sheets, short-term borrowings, or borrowings that mature in less than one year, include repurchase agreements utilized for corporate sweep accounts with cash management account agreements in place, federal funds purchased, overnight advances from the FHLB and a short-term line of credit.

All repurchase agreements are subject to terms and conditions agreed to by the Bank and the client. To secure its liability to the client, the Bank is authorized to sell or repurchase U.S. Treasury, government agency and mortgage-backed securities. As of both March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, the Bank had no securities sold under agreements to repurchase.

First Financial had $550.0 million and $675.0 million in short-term FHLB advances at March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively. These short-term borrowings are used to manage normal liquidity needs and support the Company's asset and liability management strategies. Additionally, at March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, other short-term borrowings included $70.5 million and $0.3 million, respectively, of collateral owed to counterparty banks by First Financial.

First Financial also has a $40.0 million short-term credit facility with an unaffiliated bank that matures in December 2026, which is included in short-term borrowings. This facility has a variable interest rate and provides First Financial additional liquidity, if needed, for various corporate activities including the repurchase of First Financial common stock and the payment of dividends to shareholders. As of both March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, First Financial had no outstanding balance on this facility. The credit agreement requires First Financial to comply with certain covenants including those related to asset quality and capital levels, and First Financial was in compliance with all covenants associated with this facility as of both March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025. This credit facility also required First Financial to pledge as collateral the Bank's common stock where the lender is granted a security interest in this collateral.
The following is a summary of First Financial's short-term borrowings:

(Dollars in thousands)March 31, 2026December 31, 2025
FHLB short-term borrowings$550,000 $675,000 
Other short-term borrowings70,457 332 
Total short-term borrowings$620,457 $675,332 

The following is a summary of First Financial's long-term debt:
 March 31, 2026December 31, 2025
(Dollars in thousands)AmountAverage rateAmountAverage rate
Subordinated notes$363,153 6.27 %$495,077 7.19 %
Unamortized debt issuance costs(4,354)N/A(5,204)N/A
Notes issued in conjunction with acquisition of property and equipment20,253 5.50 %23,030 5.38 %
Capital lease liability1,124 4.42 %1,149 4.42 %
Total long-term debt$380,176 6.30 %$514,052 7.18 %

In 2020, First Financial issued $150.0 million of fixed to floating rate subordinated notes that mature in May 2030 and had an initial fixed interest rate of 5.25%. The Company elected to redeem these subordinated notes in whole on the February 2026 interest payment date. Therefore, these notes are not included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2026.

In November 2025, First Financial issued $300.0 million of fixed to floating rate subordinated notes. These subordinated notes have an initial fixed interest rate of 6.375% to, but excluding, December 1, 2030, payable semi-annually in arrears. From, and including, December 1, 2030, the interest rate on the subordinated notes will reset quarterly to a floating rate per annum equal to a benchmark rate, which is expected to be the then-current three-month term SOFR, plus 300 basis points, payable quarterly in arrears. These subordinated notes mature on December 1, 2035 and are redeemable by the Company in whole or in part beginning with the interest payment date of December 1, 2030. The subordinated notes issued in November 2025 are eligible to be treated as Tier 2 capital for 100% of its original issuance amount at March 31, 2026 for regulatory capital purposes.

In conjunction with the BankFinancial transaction, First Financial acquired $18.5 million of fixed to floating rate subordinated notes. These subordinated notes were originated in April 2021and have an initial fixed interest rate of 3.75% to, but excluding, May 15, 2026, payable semi-annually in arrears. From, and including, May 15, 2026, the interest rate on the subordinated notes will reset quarterly to a floating rate per annum equal to a benchmark rate, which is expected to be the then-current three-month term SOFR, plus 299 basis points, payable quarterly in arrears. These subordinated notes mature on May 15, 2031 and are redeemable by the Company, in whole or in part, on May 15, 2026, on any interest payment date thereafter, and at any time upon the occurrence of certain events. These acquired subordinated notes are eligible to be treated as Tier 2 capital for 100% of its original issuance amount at March 31, 2026 for regulatory capital purposes.

First Financial acquired $49.5 million of variable rate subordinated notes in the MSFG merger that were issued to previously formed trusts in exchange for the trust proceeds. These notes were recorded at fair value at the date of the MSFG merger and the Consolidated Balance Sheets include $45.2 million and $45.1 million for these notes at March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively. Interest on the acquired subordinated notes is payable quarterly, in arrears, and the Company has the option to defer interest payments for a period not to exceed 20 consecutive quarters. These acquired subordinated notes mature 30 years after the date of original issuance and may be called at par following the 5 year anniversary of issuance. These variable rate subordinated notes are callable as of March 31, 2026 and are treated as Tier 1 capital for regulatory capital purposes.

Additionally, long-term borrowings included $20.3 million and $23.0 million of term notes, both with and without recourse, with an average interest rate of 5.50% and 5.38% at March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively. These term notes were used to finance equity investments in the purchase of equipment to be leased to customers.