v3.26.3
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Tables)
 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 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:
September 30, 2026December 31, 2025
(dollars in thousands)Unfunded commitmentLoan balanceUnfunded commitmentLoan balance
Commercial & industrial$2,233,733 $4,948,380 $2,066,620 $4,632,241 
Lease financing13,963678,4230638,527
Construction real estate706,294606,696680,920677,339
Commercial real estate-investor182,0543,400,040204,7473,246,889
Commercial real estate-owner48,3641,142,52839,9731,137,667
Residential real estate01,806,12301,832,184
Home equity1,199,1851,105,7901,103,5811,005,204
Installment70,272150,48548,606188,694
Credit card358,20466,617323,28165,325
Total$4,812,069 $13,905,082 $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)September 30, 2026December 31, 2025
InvestmentAccounting MethodInvestmentUnfunded commitmentInvestmentUnfunded commitment
LIHTCProportional amortization$189,186 $81,420 $169,031 $81,482 
HTCProportional amortization7,270 56 9,874 56 
HTCEquity16,798 15,619 8,322 5,855 
NMTCEquity51 0 290 0 
Renewable energyProportional amortization8,971 22 0 0 
Renewable energyEquity8,859 143 24,765 15,597 
Total$231,135 $97,260 $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
September 30, 2026September 30, 2025
(Dollars in thousands)
Amortization expense (1)
Tax expense (benefit) recognized (2)
Amortization expense (1)
Tax expense (benefit) recognized (2)
LIHTCProportional amortization$6,185 $(5,337)$4,001 $(4,092)
HTCProportional amortization868 (1,033)868 (1,033)
HTCEquity774 (310)112 (101)
NMTCEquity0 0 0 0 
Renewable energyProportional amortization6,441 (7,296)0 0 
Renewable energyEquity0 0 0 0 
Total$14,268 $(13,976)$4,981 $(5,226)
Nine months ended
September 30, 2026September 30, 2025
(Dollars in thousands)Accounting Method
Amortization expense (1)
Tax expense (benefit) recognized (2)
Amortization expense (1)
Tax expense (benefit) recognized (2)
LIHTCProportional amortization$17,103 $(16,046)$12,974 $(13,392)
HTCProportional amortization2,604 (3,099)3,335 (3,099)
HTCEquity2,112 (930)335 (303)
NMTCEquity0 0 0 0 
Renewable energyProportional amortization6,441 (7,296)0 0 
Renewable energyEquity0 0 0 0 
Total$28,260 $(27,371)$16,644 $(16,794)
(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).