v3.26.1
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Tables)
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2026
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:
March 31, 2026December 31, 2025
(dollars in thousands)Unfunded commitmentLoan balanceUnfunded commitmentLoan balance
Commercial & industrial$2,153,967 $4,693,786 $2,066,620 $4,632,241 
Lease financing0649,6450638,527
Construction real estate711,584591,080680,920677,339
Commercial real estate-investor202,3413,318,301204,7473,246,889
Commercial real estate-owner36,9961,155,16739,9731,137,667
Residential real estate01,831,33801,832,184
Home equity1,171,0621,026,8391,103,5811,005,204
Installment57,442162,31448,606188,694
Credit card327,54266,371323,28165,325
Total$4,660,934 $13,494,841 $4,467,728 $13,424,070 
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)March 31, 2026December 31, 2025
InvestmentAccounting MethodInvestmentUnfunded commitmentInvestmentUnfunded commitment
LIHTCProportional amortization$177,994 $83,554 $169,031 $81,482 
HTCProportional amortization9,006 56 9,874 56 
HTCEquity7,653 5,846 8,322 5,855 
NMTCEquity150 0 290 0 
Renewable energyEquity24,630 12,140 24,765 15,597 
Total$219,433 $101,596 $212,282 $102,990 

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
March 31, 2026March 31, 2025
(Dollars in thousands)Accounting Method
Amortization expense (1)
Tax expense (benefit) recognized (2)
Amortization expense (1)
Tax expense (benefit) recognized (2)
LIHTCProportional amortization$4,851 $(5,377)$5,978 $(4,647)
HTCProportional amortization868 (1,033)53 (1,033)
HTCEquity669 (310)112 (101)
NMTCEquity0 0 0 0 
Renewable energyEquity0 0 0 0 
Total$6,388 $(6,720)$6,143 $(5,781)
(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).