Note 7 - Senior and Subordinated Debt (Detail) - Senior and Subordinated Debt (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Long Term Notes		[1]		[1]
Total junior subordinated debentures due in 2033	$ 66,198		$ 87,277
Total senior and subordinated debt	231,138		252,153
Total subordinated notes due in 2016	50,479		50,476
Total senior notes due in 2016	114,461		114,400
Senior Note [Member]
Principal amount	115,000		115,000
Discount	(539)		(600)
Subordinated Notes [Member]
Principal amount	50,500		50,500
Discount	(21)		(24)
Junior Subordinated Notes [Member]
Principal amount	66,253		87,351
Discount	$ (55)		$ (74)

[1] These notes were issued to partially fund the redemption of $193.0 million of Series B preferred stock held by the U.S. Department of the Treasury (the "Treasury") under the U.S. government's Troubled Asset Relief Program ("TARP").