Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011	Jun. 29, 2011
Results of operations and selected financial information
Net interest income (expense)	$ 40,869	$ 38,006	$ 81,686	$ 75,295
Noninterest income	20,364	19,679	43,801	37,409
Income before taxes	18,422	16,062	40,466	33,896
Maximum limit to include the preferred securities in Tier 1 Capital	5,671,711	5,267,445	5,671,711	5,267,445	5,608,825	10,000,000
Metropolitan Banks [Member]
Results of operations and selected financial information
Net interest income (expense)	13,354	12,311	26,517	24,483
Noninterest income	2,672	2,706	5,353	5,512
Income before taxes	8,220	6,398	16,652	14,880
Maximum limit to include the preferred securities in Tier 1 Capital	1,801,752	1,656,064	1,801,752	1,656,064	1,738,426
Community Banks [Member]
Results of operations and selected financial information
Net interest income (expense)	26,384	24,921	53,015	49,058
Noninterest income	10,721	9,647	20,856	18,685
Income before taxes	14,944	13,616	30,199	26,836
Maximum limit to include the preferred securities in Tier 1 Capital	3,688,931	3,401,037	3,688,931	3,401,037	3,660,239
Other Financial Services [Member]
Results of operations and selected financial information
Net interest income (expense)	1,721	1,759	3,434	3,751
Noninterest income	6,214	6,427	16,078	11,581
Income before taxes	2,011	3,132	8,398	5,632
Maximum limit to include the preferred securities in Tier 1 Capital	130,762	151,220	130,762	151,220	153,872
Executive, Operations and Support [Member]
Results of operations and selected financial information
Net interest income (expense)	(590)	(985)	(1,280)	(1,997)
Noninterest income	13,245	11,616	28,626	24,264
Income before taxes	5,686	3,603	12,219	9,090
Maximum limit to include the preferred securities in Tier 1 Capital	607,662	605,726	607,662	605,726	602,577
Eliminations [Member]
Results of operations and selected financial information
Noninterest income	(12,488)	(10,717)	(27,112)	(22,633)
Income before taxes	(12,439)	(10,687)	(27,002)	(22,542)
Maximum limit to include the preferred securities in Tier 1 Capital	$ (557,396)	$ (546,602)	$ (557,396)	$ (546,602)	$ (546,289)