CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Interest income:
Interest and fees on loans	$ 118,242	$ 118,015	$ 142,003
Investment securities:
Taxable	48,289	52,199	56,547
Nontaxable	150	246	287
Federal Reserve Bank and Federal Home Loan Bank stock	1,442	1,216	1,146
Short-term investments	605	1,134	820
Total interest income	168,728	172,810	200,803
Interest expense:
Interest-bearing demand	418	368	437
Savings and money market	3,210	2,679	3,518
Time deposits of $100 or more	1,910	2,274	4,010
Other time deposits	2,713	3,738	6,817
Other borrowings	(8)	(9)	(18)
Subordinated debentures	12,935	15,054	14,847
Total interest expense	21,178	24,104	29,611
Net interest income	147,550	148,706	171,192
(Benefit) provision for loan losses	(7,000)	(5,000)	2,000
Net interest income, after (benefit) provision for loan losses	154,550	153,706	169,192
Noninterest income:
Service charges on deposit accounts and client service fees	34,530	34,320	36,078
Gain on loans sold and held for sale	5,839	5,041	12,931
Net gain on investment securities	1,686	36	1,306
Net gain on sale of other real estate	1,640	6,005	2,626
(Decrease) increase in fair value of servicing rights	(3,568)	439	(5,475)
Loan servicing fees	6,644	6,948	7,403
Other	9,269	11,188	9,766
Total noninterest income	56,040	63,977	64,635
Noninterest expense:
Salaries and employee benefits	82,205	78,141	75,205
Occupancy, net of rental income	22,950	23,302	21,899
Furniture and equipment	10,559	10,951	11,409
Postage, printing and supplies	2,300	2,470	2,586
Information technology fees	21,670	20,236	21,103
Legal, examination and professional fees	5,534	7,177	8,828
Goodwill impairment	0	107,267	0
Advertising and business development	2,750	2,542	1,994
FDIC insurance	5,004	6,609	11,313
Write-downs and expenses on other real estate	4,322	5,676	18,672
Other	19,558	21,113	26,155
Total noninterest expense	176,852	285,484	199,164
Income (loss) from continuing operations, before provision (benefit) for income taxes	33,738	(67,801)	34,663
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	12,159	(288,501)	(139)
Net income from continuing operations, net of tax	21,579	220,700	34,802
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	21,223	(8,821)
Net income	21,579	241,923	25,981
Less: net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interest in subsidiary	(76)	179	(297)
Net income attributable to First Banks, Inc.	21,655	241,744	26,278
Preferred stock dividends declared	0	15,869	18,886
Accretion of discount on preferred stock	0	3,643	3,554
Net income available to common stockholders	$ 21,655	$ 222,232	$ 3,838
Basic earnings per common share from continuing operations	$ 915.24	$ 8,495.35	$ 535.03
Diluted earnings per common share from continuing operations	$ 788.38	$ 8,495.35	$ 535.03
Basic earnings per common share	$ 915.24	$ 9,392.31	$ 162.22
Diluted earnings per common share	$ 788.38	$ 9,392.31	$ 162.22
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding (in shares)	23,661	23,661	23,661