CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks	$ 112,048	$ 92,369
Short-term investments	229,187	98,066
Total cash and cash equivalents	341,235	190,435
Investment securities:
Available for sale	1,408,172	1,611,745
Held to maturity (fair value of $704,977 and $719,183, respectively)	718,672	740,186
Total investment securities	2,126,844	2,351,931
Loans:
Commercial, financial and agricultural	632,089	600,704
Real estate construction and development	121,237	121,662
Real estate mortgage	2,099,442	2,091,026
Consumer and installment	17,399	18,681
Loans held for sale	21,402	25,548
Net deferred loan fees	(588)	(526)
Total loans	2,890,981	2,857,095
Allowance for loan losses	(79,831)	(81,033)
Net loans	2,811,150	2,776,062
Federal Reserve Bank and Federal Home Loan Bank stock	32,148	27,357
Bank premises and equipment, net	123,246	124,328
Deferred income taxes	330,833	315,881
Other real estate	61,485	66,702
Other assets	63,618	66,287
Total assets	5,890,559	5,918,983
LIABILITIES
Noninterest-bearing demand	1,273,662	1,243,545
Interest-bearing demand	699,158	679,527
Savings and money market	1,841,905	1,844,710
Time deposits of $100 or more	389,675	389,056
Other time deposits	638,031	657,057
Total deposits	4,842,431	4,813,895
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase	36,713	43,143
Subordinated debentures	354,229	354,210
Deferred income taxes	49,609	28,397
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	110,271	191,082
Total liabilities	5,393,253	5,430,727
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 earnings	48,124	42,719
Accumulated other comprehensive income	11,202	7,502
Total First Banks, Inc. stockholders’ equity	403,527	394,422
Noncontrolling interest in subsidiary	93,779	93,834
Total stockholders’ equity	497,306	488,256
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	5,890,559	5,918,983
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	295,400	295,400
Class D Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock [Member]
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Preferred stock	$ 17,343	$ 17,343