LEASE COMMITMENTS

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Lease Commitments [Abstract]

Lease Commitments [Text Block]

NOTE 27 – LEASE COMMITMENTS

As of December 31, 2016, certain premises are leased with terms expiring through the year 2050. The Corporation has the option to renew or extend certain leases beyond the original term. Some of these leases require the payment of insurance, increases in property taxes, and other incidental costs. As of December 31, 2016, the obligation under various leases is as follows:

	Amount
(In thousands)
2017	$	10,735
2018		10,282
2019		9,473
2020		7,490
2021		6,270
2022 and later years		41,928
Total	$	86,178

Rental expense for offices and premises included in occupancy and equipment expense was $11.3 million in 2016 (2015 - $10.9 million; 2014- $10.6 million).