PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$ (5,074)	$ (1,821)	$ 293	$ (3,036)	$ 325	$ 94	$ (233)	$ (1,083)	$ (9,638)	$ (897)	$ (1,667)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash provided by operating activities:
Stock-based compensation expense									209	338	390
Excess tax expense from stock-based arrangements									(106)	(45)	(20)
Net decrease (increase) in other assets									(1,652)	1,813	2,516
Net (decrease) increase in other liabilities									224	(2,265)	(4,429)
Net cash provided by operating activities									21,386	21,924	19,890
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of premises and equipment									(2,202)	(1,216)	(1,292)
Net cash used in investing activities									16,201	(3,108)	716
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayment of long-term debt									(455)	(477)	(497)
Excess tax expense from stock-based arrangements									106	45	20
Repurchase of warrant									0	(25)	0
Common stock dividends paid									(85)	(760)	(2,026)
Net cash used in financing activities									34,864	30,962	(18,288)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents									72,451	49,778	2,318
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF YEAR				127,742				77,964	127,742	77,964	75,646
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR	200,193				127,742				200,193	127,742	77,964
Shore Banc Shares [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss									(9,638)	(897)	(1,667)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash provided by operating activities:
Equity in undistributed net loss of subsidiaries									12,435	2,678	4,183
Depreciation and amortization									367	404	414
Stock-based compensation expense									209	338	390
Excess tax expense from stock-based arrangements									(106)	(45)	(20)
Net decrease (increase) in other assets									159	(253)	129
Net (decrease) increase in other liabilities									(828)	(99)	406
Net cash provided by operating activities									2,598	2,126	3,835
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of premises and equipment									(108)	(57)	(109)
Investment in unconsolidated subsidiary									0	(25)	(25)
Investment in subsidiaries									(2,000)	(550)	0
Net cash used in investing activities									(2,108)	(632)	(134)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net decrease in short-term borrowings									0	0	(3,378)
Proceeds from long-term debt									0	0	3,200
Repayment of long-term debt									(1,007)	(782)	(497)
Excess tax expense from stock-based arrangements									106	45	20
Repurchase of warrant									0	(25)	0
Common stock dividends paid									(85)	(760)	(2,026)
Net cash used in financing activities									(986)	(1,522)	(2,681)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents									(496)	(28)	1,020
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF YEAR				1,316				1,344	1,316	1,344	324
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR	$ 820				$ 1,316				$ 820	$ 1,316	$ 1,344