CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss) attributable to First Banks, Inc.	$ 14,406	$ (23,197)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest in subsidiary	(445)	(862)
Less: net loss from discontinued operations	(5,004)	(5,911)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	18,965	(18,148)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization of bank premises and equipment	5,944	6,818
Amortization of intangible assets	0	1,566
Amortization and accretion of investment securities	6,759	5,216
Originations of loans held for sale	(191,526)	(104,863)
Proceeds from sales of loans held for sale	179,001	143,589
Payments received on loans held for sale	791	107
Provision for loan losses	2,000	33,000
Provision for current income taxes	216	124
Provision (benefit) for deferred income taxes	883	(8,053)
(Decrease) increase in deferred tax asset valuation allowance	(883)	8,053
Decrease in accrued interest receivable	2,253	2,509
Increase in accrued interest payable	5,770	3,554
Gain on loans sold and held for sale	(5,983)	(1,408)
Net gain on investment securities	(517)	(1,117)
Decrease in fair value of servicing rights	2,191	2,369
Write-downs on other real estate and repossessed assets	6,253	6,806
Other operating activities, net	4,656	7,066
Net cash provided by operating activities - continuing operations	36,773	87,188
Net cash used in operating activities - discontinued operations	(4,732)	(5,108)
Net cash provided by operating activities	32,041	82,080
Cash flows from investing activities:
Net cash paid for sale of assets and liabilities of discontinued operations, net of cash and cash equivalents sold	0	(51,339)
Cash paid for sale of branches, net of cash and cash equivalents sold	0	(16,256)
Proceeds from sales of investment securities available for sale	207,619	127,469
Maturities of investment securities available for sale	390,460	119,046
Maturities of investment securities held to maturity	228	467
Purchases of investment securities available for sale	(957,724)	(914,967)
Purchases of investment securities held to maturity	0	(3,450)
Net redemptions of Federal Reserve Bank and Federal Home Loan Bank stock	963	3,179
Proceeds from sales of commercial loans	18,283	65,537
Net decrease in loans	198,786	527,667
Recoveries of loans previously charged-off	14,917	13,316
Purchases of bank premises and equipment	(3,282)	(2,471)
Net proceeds from sales of other real estate and repossessed assets	26,548	49,394
Other investing activities, net	761	(146)
Net cash used in investing activities - continuing operations	(102,441)	(82,554)
Net cash provided by investing activities - discontinued operations	209	2,722
Net cash used in investing activities	(102,232)	(79,832)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Increase (decrease) in demand, savings and money market deposits	61,924	(60,410)
Decrease in time deposits	(122,491)	(294,011)
(Decrease) increase in other borrowings	(13,096)	19,438
Net cash used in financing activities - continuing operations	(73,663)	(334,983)
Net cash used in financing activities - discontinued operations	(6,450)	(34,267)
Net cash used in financing activities	(80,113)	(369,250)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(150,304)	(367,002)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	472,011	995,758
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	321,707	628,756
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest on liabilities	9,732	20,260
Cash (received) paid for income taxes	(12)	11
Noncash investing and financing activities:
Reclassification of investment securities from available for sale to held to maturity	729,142	0
Loans transferred to other real estate and repossessed assets	$ 12,948	$ 36,525