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INCOME TAXES
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2024
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
INCOME TAXES Income Taxes
Income tax expense consisted of the following components:
 
(Dollars in thousands)202420232022
Current expense
Federal$15,133 $46,800 $24,307 
State3,159 2,568 3,308 
Total current expense18,292 49,368 27,615 
Deferred expense (benefit)
Federal21,014 11,769 (4,399)
State188 1,596 894 
Total deferred expense (benefit)21,202 13,365 (3,505)
Income tax expense$39,494 $62,733 $24,110 

The difference between the federal income tax rates applied to income before income taxes and the effective rates were due to the following:
(Dollars in thousands)202420232022
Income taxes computed at federal statutory rate (21%) on income before income taxes
$56,348 $66,905 $50,762 
Benefit from tax-exempt income(4,892)(6,165)(5,743)
Tax credits(29,188)(15,271)(37,331)
Basis reduction on tax credit1,630 87 2,761 
Tax expense (benefit) of equity compensation(289)(418)(154)
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit1,676 3,290 3,320 
Affordable housing investments12,453 12,097 9,341 
Other1,756 2,208 1,154 
Income tax expense$39,494 $62,733 $24,110 
The major components of the temporary differences that gave rise to deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 2024, and 2023, were as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)20242023
Deferred tax assets
Allowance for credit losses$35,984 $32,453 
Deferred compensation430 326 
Postretirement benefits other than pension liability502 537 
Accrued stock-based compensation2,701 2,317 
Interest on nonaccrual loans398 336 
Accrued expenses7,978 7,822 
Net unrealized losses on investment securities72,464 79,652 
Net unrealized losses on derivatives354 0 
State net operating loss1,462 960 
Leasing liability14,185 15,290 
Reserve for unfunded commitments3,902 4,261 
Section 174 capitalized expense1,373 656 
Other283 13,400 
Total deferred tax assets142,016 158,010 
Deferred tax liabilities
Tax depreciation in excess of book depreciation(5,652)(7,568)
FHLB and FRB stock(3,910)(3,911)
Mortgage-servicing rights(4,262)(3,956)
Leasing activities(42,654)(36,940)
Retirement obligation(10,608)(9,811)
Intangible assets(23,138)(20,789)
Deferred loan fees and costs(3,406)(2,408)
Prepaid expenses(408)(353)
Limited partnership investments(9,394)(3,062)
Fair value adjustments on business combinations(5,716)(5,788)
Net unrealized gains on derivatives0 (1,130)
ASU 2016-01 unrealized gain/loss-equity securities(207)(2,401)
Right of use assets(11,839)(12,868)
Other(4,811)(3,918)
Total deferred tax liabilities(126,005)(114,903)
Total net deferred tax asset (liability)$16,011 $43,107 

At December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company had a state net operating loss carryforward from MSFG of $1.9 million and $1.7 million, respectively. This carryforward begins to expire in 2026. The Company expects to fully utilize this net operating loss and, therefore, a valuation allowance was not required at December 31, 2024 and 2023. The acquired MSFG state net operating loss is subject to IRC Section 382 and is limited annually.

The realization of the Company’s deferred tax assets is dependent upon the Company’s ability to generate taxable income in future periods and the reversal of deferred tax liabilities during the same period. The Company has evaluated the available evidence supporting the realization of its deferred tax assets and determined it is more likely than not that the assets will be realized and thus no valuation allowance was recorded at December 31, 2024 and 2023.

The Bank’s retained earnings at December 31, 2024 and 2023 included base-year bad debt reserves of $16.1 million.  Base-year reserves are subject to recapture in the event the Bank redeems its stock, makes distributions in excess of current and accumulated earnings and profits (as calculated for federal income tax purposes), loses its “bank” status or liquidates.  The
Bank has no intention of meeting any of the criteria for recapture.  Accordingly, a deferred income tax liability of $3.4 million has not been recorded.

First Financial had no unrecognized tax benefits at both December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 compared to $1.9 million at December 31, 2022. As defined by FASB ASC Topic 740-10, Income Taxes, an unrecognized tax benefit is a position that if recognized would favorably impact the effective income tax rate in future periods. The unrecognized tax benefit in 2022 was related to state income tax exposures where the Company believed it was likely that, upon examination, a state may have taken a position contrary to the position taken by First Financial. A resolution regarding the Company's uncertain tax position resulted in partial recognition of the benefit in the second quarter of 2023. First Financial recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits and penalties as income tax expense. At December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, the Company had no interest or penalties recorded.

A progression of gross unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 is as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)202420232022
Balance at beginning of year$0 $2,386 $2,386 
Reductions for tax positions of prior years0 (1,909)0 
Settlements0 (477)0 
Balance at end of year$0 $0 $2,386 

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 2021 have been closed and are no longer subject to U.S. federal income tax examinations. Tax years 2021 through 2024 remain open to examination by the federal taxing authority. With limited exception, First Financial is no longer subject to state and local income tax examinations for years prior to 2020.