NON-COVERED LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Details 14) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Recorded investment in total loans receivable related to each balance in the allowance for loan losses
Loans individually evaluated for impairment	$ 174,853		$ 220,613
Covered loans individually evaluated for impairment	5,136	[1]
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment	11,442,156		10,651,617
Covered loans acquired with detriorated credit quality	3,300,070	[2]
Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality			4,134,280	[2]
Ending balance	14,922,215		15,006,510
Covered nonaccrual loans	215,522	[3],[4],[5]	194,506	[3],[4],[5]
Covered Loans Accounted for Under ASC 310-10 [Member]
Recorded investment in total loans receivable related to each balance in the allowance for loan losses
Covered nonaccrual loans	26,200
Residential
Recorded investment in total loans receivable related to each balance in the allowance for loan losses
Loans individually evaluated for impairment	60,438		43,395
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment	2,916,965		2,686,408
Covered loans acquired with detriorated credit quality	1,067,858	[2]
Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality			1,331,615	[2]
Ending balance	4,045,261		4,061,418
Commercial Real Estate ("CRE")
Recorded investment in total loans receivable related to each balance in the allowance for loan losses
Loans individually evaluated for impairment	87,452		143,631
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment	3,683,021		3,688,734
Covered loans acquired with detriorated credit quality	1,888,037	[2]
Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality			2,322,062	[2]
Ending balance	5,658,510		6,154,427
Commercial and Industrial ("C&I")
Recorded investment in total loans receivable related to each balance in the allowance for loan losses
Loans individually evaluated for impairment	23,184		31,338
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment	3,709,601		3,111,135
Covered loans acquired with detriorated credit quality	288,291	[2]
Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality			413,479	[2]
Ending balance	4,021,076		3,555,952
Consumer
Recorded investment in total loans receivable related to each balance in the allowance for loan losses
Loans individually evaluated for impairment	3,779		2,249
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment	670,768		581,536
Covered loans acquired with detriorated credit quality	55,884	[2]
Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality			67,124	[2]
Ending balance	730,431		650,909
Covered Loans Subject to Allowance For Loan Losses
Recorded investment in total loans receivable related to each balance in the allowance for loan losses
Covered loans individually evaluated for impairment	5,136	[1]
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment	461,801		583,804
Ending balance	$ 466,937		$ 583,804

[1] Excludes $26.2 million of covered non-accrual loans accounted for under ASC 310-10, of which some loans have additional partial balances accounted for under ASC 310-30.

[2] The Company has elected to account for all covered loans acquired in the FDIC-assisted acquisitions under ASC 310-30. The total principal balance is presented and excludes the purchase discount and any additional advances subsequent to acquisition date.

[3] Covered nonaccrual loans include loans that meet the criteria for nonaccrual but have a yield accreted through interest income under ASC 310-30 and all losses on covered loans are 80% reimbursed by the FDIC.

[4] Represents principal balance net of discount.

[5] Includes $26.2 million of loans accounted for under ASC 310-10, of which some loans have additional partial balances accounted for under ASC 310-30.