CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (UNAUDITED) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total	First Banks, Inc. Stockholders’ Equity, Preferred Stock [Member]	First Banks, Inc. Stockholders’ Equity, Common Stock [Member]	First Banks, Inc. Stockholders’ Equity, Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	First Banks, Inc. Stockholders’ Equity, Retained Earnings (Deficit) [Member]	First Banks, Inc. Stockholders’ Equity, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 263,671	$ 318,609	$ 5,915	$ 12,480	$ (183,351)	$ 16,066	$ 93,952
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	25,981				26,278		(297)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	29,193					29,193
Accretion of discount on preferred stock	0	3,554			(3,554)
Preferred stock dividends declared	(18,886)				(18,886)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	299,959	322,163	5,915	12,480	(179,513)	45,259	93,655
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	16,324				16,173		151
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(35,656)					(35,656)
Accretion of discount on preferred stock	0	1,806			(1,806)
Preferred stock dividends declared	(9,828)				(9,828)
Balance at Jun. 30, 2013	$ 270,799	$ 323,969	$ 5,915	$ 12,480	$ (174,974)	$ 9,603	$ 93,806