LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Details 9) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Allowance for loan losses:
Beginning balance	$ 130,348	$ 183,973	$ 137,710	$ 201,033
Charge-offs	(17,947)	(49,258)	(34,400)	(86,163)
Recoveries	7,826	3,471	14,917	13,316
Provision (benefit) for loan losses	0	23,000	2,000	33,000
Balance, end of period	120,227	161,186	120,227	161,186
Commercial Financial and Agricultural [Member]
Allowance for loan losses:
Beginning balance	24,782	26,571	27,243	28,000
Charge-offs	(5,152)	(17,190)	(10,233)	(22,744)
Recoveries	2,686	1,076	5,744	3,966
Provision (benefit) for loan losses	(301)	18,481	(739)	19,716
Balance, end of period	22,015	28,938	22,015	28,938
Real Estate Construction and Development [Member]
Allowance for loan losses:
Beginning balance	24,518	52,334	24,868	58,439
Charge-offs	(3,339)	(9,372)	(6,423)	(19,686)
Recoveries	2,986	513	3,719	4,383
Provision (benefit) for loan losses	(2,336)	(7,707)	(335)	(7,368)
Balance, end of period	21,829	35,768	21,829	35,768
One To Four Family Residential [Member]
Allowance for loan losses:
Beginning balance	46,670	55,729	50,864	60,762
Charge-offs	(4,988)	(6,762)	(8,916)	(16,487)
Recoveries	1,223	1,339	2,475	2,621
Provision (benefit) for loan losses	797	2,303	(721)	5,713
Balance, end of period	43,702	52,609	43,702	52,609
Multi Family Residential [Member]
Allowance for loan losses:
Beginning balance	4,679	8,520	4,851	5,158
Charge-offs	(237)	(2,930)	(1,169)	(2,930)
Recoveries	32	43	43	43
Provision (benefit) for loan losses	342	(346)	1,091	3,016
Balance, end of period	4,816	5,287	4,816	5,287
Commercial Real Estate [Member]
Allowance for loan losses:
Beginning balance	29,273	40,123	29,448	47,880
Charge-offs	(4,037)	(12,927)	(7,390)	(24,021)
Recoveries	858	385	2,846	2,104
Provision (benefit) for loan losses	1,377	10,480	2,567	12,098
Balance, end of period	27,471	38,061	27,471	38,061
Consumer and Installment [Member]
Allowance for loan losses:
Beginning balance	426	696	436	794
Charge-offs	(194)	(77)	(269)	(295)
Recoveries	41	115	90	199
Provision (benefit) for loan losses	121	(211)	137	(175)
Balance, end of period	$ 394	$ 523	$ 394	$ 523