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, beginning of period 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	22,146				22,033		113
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(38,166)					(38,166)
Accretion of discount on preferred stock		2,725			(2,725)
Preferred stock dividends declared	(14,841)				(14,841)
Balance, end of period at Sep. 30, 2013	269,098	324,888	5,915	12,480	(175,046)	7,093	93,768
Balance, beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2013	488,256	325,806	5,915	12,480	42,719	7,502	93,834
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	16,592				16,678		(86)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	3,845					3,845
Balance, end of period at Sep. 30, 2014	$ 508,693	$ 325,806	$ 5,915	$ 12,480	$ 59,397	$ 11,347	$ 93,748