INCOME TAXES
 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
INCOME TAXES
 INCOME TAXES

For the third quarter 2016, income tax expense was $10.1 million, resulting in an effective tax rate of 30.7%, compared with income tax expense of $9.2 million and an effective tax rate of 33.0% for the comparable period in 2015. The decrease in effective tax rate when comparing third quarter 2016 to third quarter 2015 was primarily driven by favorable provision to return adjustments related to affordable housing and qualified rehabilitation investments and a decrease in non-deductible acquisition costs, which was partially offset by a decline in tax-exempt interest income. For the first nine months of 2016, income tax expense was $31.3 million, resulting in an effective tax rate of 32.4% compared with income tax expense of $26.9 million and an effective tax rate of 32.8% for the comparable period in 2015.

At September 30, 2016, and December 31, 2015, First Financial had no FASB ASC Topic 740-10 unrecognized tax benefits recorded. First Financial does not expect the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits to significantly increase within the next twelve months.

First Financial regularly reviews its tax positions and establishes reserves for income tax-related uncertainties based on estimates of whether it is more likely than not that the tax uncertainty would be sustained upon challenge by the appropriate tax authorities, which would then result in additional taxes, penalties and interest due. Management determined that no reserve for income tax-related uncertainties was necessary as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015.

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 2015 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 2015 remain open to state and local examination in various jurisdictions.