Note 5 - Loans - Components of Loans in Consolidated Balance Sheets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Type of Loans:
Loans	$ 11,201,275	$ 10,163,452
Less: Allowance for loan losses	(118,966)	(138,963)
Unamortized deferred loan fees, net	(4,994)	(8,262)
Total loans and leases, net	11,077,315	10,016,227
Loans held for sale	7,500	6,676
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member]
Type of Loans:
Loans	2,248,187	2,316,863
Less: Allowance for loan losses	(49,203)	(56,199)
Real Estate Construction Portfolio Segment [Member]
Type of Loans:
Loans	548,088	441,543
Less: Allowance for loan losses	(23,268)	(22,170)
Commercial Real Estate Portfolio Segment [Member]
Type of Loans:
Loans	5,785,248	5,301,218
Less: Allowance for loan losses	(34,864)	(49,440)
Residential Portfolio Segment [Member]
Type of Loans:
Loans	2,444,048	1,932,355
Equity Lines Portfolio Segment [Member]
Type of Loans:
Loans	171,711	168,980
Consumer Portfolio Segment [Member]
Type of Loans:
Loans	3,993	2,493
Less: Allowance for loan losses	$ (11)	$ (9)

Amount of allowance to cover probable credit losses on loans and leases. Includes carryover of or adjustments to the allowance for loan losses in connection with business combinations. Excludes allowance for loans and leases covered under loss sharing agreements.

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Amount after allowance and deduction of deferred interest and fees, unamortized costs and premiums and discounts from face amounts, of loans and leases held in portfolio, including but not limited to, commercial and consumer loans. Excludes loans and leases covered under loss sharing agreements and loans held for sale.

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Amount, after allowance for bad debt, of loan receivables held-for-sale that are not part of a disposal group. Excludes loans and leases covered under loss sharing agreements and loans classified as debt securities.

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