INCOME TAXES	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
INCOME TAXES	INCOME TAXES For the second quarter 2017, income tax expense was $11.2 million, resulting in an effective tax rate of 33.0% compared with income tax expense of $11.3 million and an effective tax rate of 33.4% for the comparable period in 2016. For the first six months of 2017, income tax expense was $21.7 million, resulting in an effective tax rate of 31.5% compared with $21.2 million and an effective tax rate of 33.3% for the comparable period in 2016. ASU 2016-09, Compensation-Stock Compensation Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, became effective during the first quarter of 2017 and requires the recognition of the income tax effects of share-based awards through the income statement as a component income tax expense. First Financial recorded a $45 thousand tax benefit as a result of share awards vesting and exercised during the second quarter of 2017 and $1.2 million during the first six months of 2017. At December 31, 2016, First Financial had $2.4 million of unrecognized tax benefits, as determined in FASB ASC Topic 740-10, Income Taxes, that, if recognized, would favorably affect the effective income tax rate in future periods. The unrecognized tax benefits relate to state income tax exposures from taking tax positions where the Company believes it is likely that, upon examination, a state may take a position contrary to the position taken by the Company. The Company believes that resolution regarding our uncertain tax positions is reasonably possible within the next twelve months and could result in full, partial or no recognition of the benefit. First Financial recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits and penalties as income tax expense. At June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company had no interest or penalties recorded. First Financial and its subsidiaries are subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as state and local income tax in several jurisdictions. Tax years prior to 2013 have been closed and are no longer subject to U.S. federal income tax examinations. Tax years 2013 through 2016 remain open to examination by the federal taxing authority. First Financial is no longer subject to state and local income tax examinations for years prior to 2011. Tax years 2011 through 2016 remain open to state and local examination in various jurisdictions.

INCOME TAXES

For the second quarter 2017, income tax expense was $11.2 million, resulting in an effective tax rate of 33.0% compared with income tax expense of $11.3 million and an effective tax rate of 33.4% for the comparable period in 2016. For the first six months of 2017, income tax expense was $21.7 million, resulting in an effective tax rate of 31.5% compared with $21.2 million and an effective tax rate of 33.3% for the comparable period in 2016. ASU 2016-09, Compensation-Stock Compensation Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, became effective during the first quarter of 2017 and requires the recognition of the income tax effects of share-based awards through the income statement as a component income tax expense. First Financial recorded a $45 thousand tax benefit as a result of share awards vesting and exercised during the second quarter of 2017 and $1.2 million during the first six months of 2017.

At December 31, 2016, First Financial had $2.4 million of unrecognized tax benefits, as determined in FASB ASC Topic 740-10, Income Taxes, that, if recognized, would favorably affect the effective income tax rate in future periods. The unrecognized tax benefits relate to state income tax exposures from taking tax positions where the Company believes it is likely that, upon examination, a state may take a position contrary to the position taken by the Company. The Company believes that resolution regarding our uncertain tax positions is reasonably possible within the next twelve months and could result in full, partial or no recognition of the benefit.

First Financial recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits and penalties as income tax expense. At June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company had no interest or penalties recorded.

First Financial and its subsidiaries are subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as state and local income tax in several jurisdictions. Tax years prior to 2013 have been closed and are no longer subject to U.S. federal income tax examinations. Tax years 2013 through 2016 remain open to examination by the federal taxing authority.

First Financial is no longer subject to state and local income tax examinations for years prior to 2011. Tax years 2011 through 2016 remain open to state and local examination in various jurisdictions.