LOANS AND LEASES (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses on Non-Covered Loans and Leases:
Beginning balance	$ 65,899	$ 85,313
Charge-offs	(1,153)	(3,260)
Recoveries	930	1,214
Provision (negative provision)	(460)	(8,500)
Ending balance	65,216	74,767
Amount of the allowance applicable to loans and leases:
Individually evaluated for impairment	12,667	17,840
Collectively evaluated for impairment	52,549	56,927
Non-Covered Loan and Lease Balances:
Ending balance	2,958,321	2,868,220	3,049,505
Individually evaluated for impairment	122,394	158,224
Collectively evaluated for impairment	2,835,927	2,709,996
Real estate mortgage
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses on Non-Covered Loans and Leases:
Beginning balance	38,700	50,205
Charge-offs	(322)	(2,190)
Recoveries	177	329
Provision (negative provision)	(1,290)	(6,134)
Ending balance	37,265	42,210
Amount of the allowance applicable to loans and leases:
Individually evaluated for impairment	7,805	9,369
Collectively evaluated for impairment	29,460	32,841
Non-Covered Loan and Lease Balances:
Ending balance	1,796,484	1,896,052	1,917,670
Individually evaluated for impairment	95,189	104,923
Collectively evaluated for impairment	1,701,295	1,791,129
Real estate construction
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses on Non-Covered Loans and Leases:
Beginning balance	3,221	8,697
Recoveries	323	10
Provision (negative provision)	(244)	(2,232)
Ending balance	3,300	6,475
Amount of the allowance applicable to loans and leases:
Individually evaluated for impairment	122	1,312
Collectively evaluated for impairment	3,178	5,163
Non-Covered Loan and Lease Balances:
Ending balance	126,707	118,304	129,959
Individually evaluated for impairment	13,688	30,026
Collectively evaluated for impairment	113,019	88,278
Commercial
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses on Non-Covered Loans and Leases:
Beginning balance	20,661	23,308
Charge-offs	(708)	(871)
Recoveries	407	824
Provision (negative provision)	693	295
Ending balance	21,053	23,556
Amount of the allowance applicable to loans and leases:
Individually evaluated for impairment	4,467	6,897
Collectively evaluated for impairment	16,586	16,659
Non-Covered Loan and Lease Balances:
Ending balance	794,419	665,441	787,775
Individually evaluated for impairment	12,644	22,544
Collectively evaluated for impairment	781,775	642,897
Leases
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses on Non-Covered Loans and Leases:
Beginning balance	1,493
Charge-offs	(114)
Provision (negative provision)	627	458
Ending balance	2,006	458
Amount of the allowance applicable to loans and leases:
Collectively evaluated for impairment	2,006	458
Non-Covered Loan and Lease Balances:
Ending balance	204,766	153,845	174,373
Individually evaluated for impairment	244	233
Collectively evaluated for impairment	204,522	153,612
Consumer
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses on Non-Covered Loans and Leases:
Beginning balance	1,726	2,768
Charge-offs	(9)	(199)
Recoveries	23	31
Provision (negative provision)	(246)	(692)
Ending balance	1,494	1,908
Amount of the allowance applicable to loans and leases:
Individually evaluated for impairment	273	262
Collectively evaluated for impairment	1,221	1,646
Non-Covered Loan and Lease Balances:
Ending balance	18,677	15,826	22,487
Individually evaluated for impairment	629	498
Collectively evaluated for impairment	18,048	15,328
Foreign
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses on Non-Covered Loans and Leases:
Beginning balance		335	98
Recoveries		20
Provision (negative provision)		(195)
Ending balance	98	160	98
Amount of the allowance applicable to loans and leases:
Collectively evaluated for impairment	98	160
Non-Covered Loan and Lease Balances:
Ending balance	17,268	18,752	17,241
Collectively evaluated for impairment	$ 17,268	$ 18,752