LOANS AND LEASES (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Composition of non-covered loans and leases
Total gross non-covered loans and leases	$ 3,053,081,000		$ 2,812,105,000	$ 2,897,820,000
Less: Unearned income	(2,190,000)		(4,392,000)
Less: Allowance for loan and lease losses	(69,142,000)	(72,061,000)	(85,313,000)	(90,110,000)	(96,427,000)	(98,653,000)
Non-covered loans and leases, net	2,981,749,000		2,722,400,000	2,803,527,000
Total gross non-covered loans and leases (as a percent)	100.00%		100.00%
Real estate mortgage
Composition of non-covered loans and leases
Total gross non-covered loans and leases	1,928,890,000		1,982,464,000	2,031,893,000
Less: Allowance for loan and lease losses	(38,737,000)	(42,236,000)	(50,205,000)	(51,813,000)	(53,540,000)	(51,657,000)
Total gross non-covered loans and leases (as a percent)	63.00%		70.00%
Real estate construction
Composition of non-covered loans and leases
Total gross non-covered loans and leases	152,748,000		113,059,000	152,411,000
Less: Allowance for loan and lease losses	(6,597,000)	(5,496,000)	(8,697,000)	(10,333,000)	(11,185,000)	(8,766,000)
Total gross non-covered loans and leases (as a percent)	5.00%		4.00%
Commercial
Composition of non-covered loans and leases
Total gross non-covered loans and leases	772,768,000		671,939,000	671,963,000
Less: Allowance for loan and lease losses	(21,020,000)	(21,979,000)	(23,308,000)	(25,332,000)	(28,259,000)	(33,229,000)
Total gross non-covered loans and leases (as a percent)	25.00%		24.00%
Leases
Composition of non-covered loans and leases
Total gross non-covered loans and leases	161,934,000
Less: Allowance for loan and lease losses	(1,127,000)	(498,000)
Total gross non-covered loans and leases (as a percent)	5.00%
Leases in process	15,100,000
Consumer
Composition of non-covered loans and leases
Total gross non-covered loans and leases	20,615,000		23,711,000	20,621,000
Less: Allowance for loan and lease losses	(1,554,000)	(1,735,000)	(2,768,000)	(2,288,000)	(2,910,000)	(4,652,000)
Total gross non-covered loans and leases (as a percent)	1.00%		1.00%
Foreign
Composition of non-covered loans and leases
Total gross non-covered loans and leases	16,126,000		20,932,000	20,932,000
Less: Allowance for loan and lease losses	$ (107,000)	$ (117,000)	$ (335,000)	$ (344,000)	$ (533,000)	$ (349,000)
Total gross non-covered loans and leases (as a percent)	1.00%		1.00%