LOANS AND LEASES (Details 3) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses on Non-Covered Loans and Leases:
Beginning balance		$ 85,313		$ 98,653	$ 85,313	$ 98,653
Charge-offs					(13,070)	(28,560)
Recoveries					3,406	4,715
Provision (negative provision)	(2,000)	(10,000)	5,500	7,800	(9,750)	10,505
Ending balance					65,899	85,313
Amount of the allowance applicable to loans and leases:
Individually evaluated for impairment					12,988	20,773
Collectively evaluated for impairment					52,911	64,540
Non-Covered Loan and Lease Balances:
Ending balance					3,049,505	2,812,105
Individually evaluated for impairment					145,572	175,051
Collectively evaluated for impairment					2,903,933	2,637,054
Real estate mortgage
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses on Non-Covered Loans and Leases:
Beginning balance		50,205		51,657	50,205	51,657
Charge-offs					(7,680)	(10,180)
Recoveries					1,598	513
Provision (negative provision)					(5,423)	8,215
Ending balance					38,700	50,205
Amount of the allowance applicable to loans and leases:
Individually evaluated for impairment					7,827	11,494
Collectively evaluated for impairment					30,873	38,711
Non-Covered Loan and Lease Balances:
Ending balance					1,917,670	1,982,464
Individually evaluated for impairment					106,542	118,821
Collectively evaluated for impairment					1,811,128	1,863,643
Real estate construction
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses on Non-Covered Loans and Leases:
Beginning balance		8,697		8,766	8,697	8,766
Charge-offs					(492)	(6,886)
Recoveries					49	1,025
Provision (negative provision)					(5,033)	5,792
Ending balance					3,221	8,697
Amount of the allowance applicable to loans and leases:
Individually evaluated for impairment					371	2,073
Collectively evaluated for impairment					2,850	6,624
Non-Covered Loan and Lease Balances:
Ending balance					129,959	113,059
Individually evaluated for impairment					25,450	31,792
Collectively evaluated for impairment					104,509	81,267
Commercial
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses on Non-Covered Loans and Leases:
Beginning balance		23,308		33,229	23,308	33,229
Charge-offs					(4,580)	(10,072)
Recoveries					1,600	1,668
Provision (negative provision)					267	(1,517)
Ending balance					20,595	23,308
Amount of the allowance applicable to loans and leases:
Individually evaluated for impairment					4,525	6,793
Collectively evaluated for impairment					16,070	16,515
Non-Covered Loan and Lease Balances:
Ending balance					787,775	671,939
Individually evaluated for impairment					12,708	23,710
Collectively evaluated for impairment					775,067	648,229
Leases
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses on Non-Covered Loans and Leases:
Charge-offs					(28)
Provision (negative provision)					1,587
Ending balance					1,559
Amount of the allowance applicable to loans and leases:
Collectively evaluated for impairment					1,559
Non-Covered Loan and Lease Balances:
Ending balance					174,373
Individually evaluated for impairment					244
Collectively evaluated for impairment					174,129
Consumer
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses on Non-Covered Loans and Leases:
Beginning balance		2,768		4,652	2,768	4,652
Charge-offs					(290)	(1,422)
Recoveries					137	1,394
Provision (negative provision)					(889)	(1,856)
Ending balance					1,726	2,768
Amount of the allowance applicable to loans and leases:
Individually evaluated for impairment					265	413
Collectively evaluated for impairment					1,461	2,355
Non-Covered Loan and Lease Balances:
Ending balance					22,487	23,711
Individually evaluated for impairment					628	728
Collectively evaluated for impairment					21,859	22,983
Foreign
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses on Non-Covered Loans and Leases:
Beginning balance		335		349	335	349
Recoveries					22	115
Provision (negative provision)					(259)	(129)
Ending balance					98	335
Amount of the allowance applicable to loans and leases:
Collectively evaluated for impairment					98	335
Non-Covered Loan and Lease Balances:
Ending balance					17,241	20,932
Collectively evaluated for impairment					$ 17,241	$ 20,932