CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss) attributable to First Banks, Inc.	$ 6,898	$ (6,148)
Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interest in subsidiary	(60)	65
Less: net loss from discontinued operations	(2,538)	(3,205)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	9,376	(2,878)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization of bank premises and equipment	2,956	3,448
Amortization of intangible assets	0	783
Amortization and accretion of investment securities	3,441	2,382
Originations of loans held for sale	(85,469)	(57,515)
Proceeds from sales of loans held for sale	68,625	94,957
Payments received on loans held for sale	642	78
Provision for loan losses	2,000	10,000
Provision for current income taxes	95	52
Benefit for deferred income taxes	(2,104)	(1,497)
Increase in deferred tax asset valuation allowance	2,104	1,497
Decrease in accrued interest receivable	806	1,956
Increase in accrued interest payable	2,717	1,730
Gain on loans sold and held for sale	(2,388)	(386)
Net gain on investment securities	(522)	(527)
Decrease in fair value of servicing rights	210	489
Write-downs on other real estate and repossessed assets	2,138	2,563
Other operating activities, net	205	1,107
Net cash provided by operating activities - continuing operations	4,832	58,239
Net cash used in operating activities - discontinued operations	(2,592)	(3,114)
Net cash provided by operating activities	2,240	55,125
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash paid for sale of branches, net of cash and cash equivalents sold	0	(7,922)
Proceeds from sales of investment securities available for sale	54,410	25,641
Maturities of investment securities available for sale	146,812	58,143
Maturities of investment securities held to maturity	73	250
Purchases of investment securities available for sale	(366,232)	(298,293)
Purchases of investment securities held to maturity	0	(3,450)
Redemptions of Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank stock	654	1,919
Proceeds from sales of commercial loans	9,993	20,905
Net decrease in loans	112,759	280,229
Recoveries of loans previously charged-off	7,091	9,845
Purchases of bank premises and equipment	(1,705)	(1,124)
Net proceeds from sales of other real estate and repossessed assets	12,434	20,684
Other investing activities, net	804	(121)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities - continuing operations	(22,907)	106,706
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities - discontinued operations	(71)	3,642
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(22,978)	110,348
Cash flows from financing activities:
Increase (decrease) in demand, savings and money market deposits	114,197	(34,795)
Decrease in time deposits	(54,575)	(165,008)
(Decrease) increase in other borrowings	(13,258)	7,455
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities - continuing operations	46,364	(192,348)
Net cash used in financing activities - discontinued operations	(655)	(14,472)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	45,709	(206,820)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	24,971	(41,347)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	472,011	995,758
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	496,982	954,411
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest on liabilities	5,300	10,777
Cash received for income taxes	(30)	(47)
Noncash investing and financing activities:
Loans transferred to other real estate and repossessed assets	$ 3,502	$ 10,262