CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks	$ 92,406	$ 114,841
Short-term investments	423,139	404,005
Total cash and cash equivalents	515,545	518,846
Investment securities:
Available for sale	1,704,262	2,043,727
Held to maturity (fair value of $787,791 and $637,024, respectively)	800,453	631,553
Total investment securities	2,504,715	2,675,280
Loans:
Commercial, financial and agricultural	593,403	610,301
Real estate construction and development	167,269	174,979
Real estate mortgage	1,996,817	2,060,131
Consumer and installment	18,159	19,262
Loans held for sale	45,239	66,133
Net deferred loan costs (fees)	62	(59)
Total loans	2,820,949	2,930,747
Allowance for loan losses	(85,633)	(91,602)
Net loans	2,735,316	2,839,145
Federal Reserve Bank and Federal Home Loan Bank stock	27,674	27,329
Bank premises and equipment, net	126,310	127,520
Goodwill	107,267	125,267
Deferred income taxes	16,321	29,042
Other real estate and repossessed assets	78,152	91,995
Other assets	66,612	67,996
Assets of discontinued operations	39,006	6,706
Total assets	6,216,918	6,509,126
LIABILITIES
Noninterest-bearing demand	1,198,846	1,327,183
Interest-bearing demand	636,582	1,000,666
Savings and money market	1,892,903	1,880,271
Time deposits of $100 or more	380,192	460,791
Other time deposits	713,763	823,936
Total deposits	4,822,286	5,492,847
Other borrowings	35,228	26,025
Subordinated debentures	354,172	354,133
Deferred income taxes	23,754	36,182
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	159,996	144,269
Liabilities of discontinued operations	550,683	155,711
Total liabilities	5,946,119	6,209,167
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock, $250.00 par value, 25,000 shares authorized, 23,661 shares issued and outstanding	5,915	5,915
Additional paid-in capital	12,480	12,480
Retained deficit	(174,974)	(179,513)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	9,603	45,259
Total First Banks, Inc. stockholders' equity	176,993	206,304
Noncontrolling interest in subsidiary	93,806	93,655
Total stockholders' equity	270,799	299,959
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	6,216,918	6,509,126
Class A Convertible Adjustable Rate Preferred Stock [Member]
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred stock	12,822	12,822
Class B Adjustable Rate Preferred Stock [Member]
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred stock	241	241
Class C Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock [Member]
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred stock	293,563	291,757
Class D Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock [Member]
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred stock	$ 17,343	$ 17,343