INCOME TAXES - Federal statutory rate (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
INCOME TAXES
Tax at Federal statutory rate	$ 28,745	$ 44,502	$ 31,115
State and local taxes, net of federal income tax benefit	12,237	13,699	11,601
Benefit plan differences	(127)	(127)	(107)
Investment in BOLI	2,047	2,173	1,485
Equity based compensation	79	(141)	(301)
Salaries deduction limitation	2,381	2,054	3,419
Transaction costs			181
Other, net	(483)	1,545	(253)
Total	$ 40,785	$ 59,359	$ 44,170
Effective tax rate	29.80%	28.01%	29.81%