INCOME TAXES - Federal statutory rate (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
INCOME TAXES
Tax at Federal statutory rate	$ 31,115	$ 11,546	$ 9,841
State and local taxes, net of federal income tax benefit	11,601	567	1,567
Benefit plan differences	(107)	(240)	(261)
Adjustments for prior period returns and tax items	(238)	125	19
Investment in BOLI	1,485	1,020	594
Equity based compensation	(301)	96	(33)
Salaries deduction limitation	3,419	1,428	126
Transaction costs	181	256
Other, net	(15)	(92)	11
Total	$ 44,170	$ 12,666	$ 10,676
Effective tax rate	29.81%	23.04%	22.78%