EARNINGS PER SHARE (Reconciliation of the Denominators of the Basic and Diluted EPS Computations) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2023	Mar. 31, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022	Mar. 31, 2022	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022
Net Income:
Net income	$ 55,241	$ 35,653	$ 62,226	$ 43,690	$ 90,894	$ 105,916
Less: Preferred Stock Dividends	2,967		2,967		5,934	5,934
Net Income available to common shareholders	$ 52,274		$ 59,259		$ 84,960	$ 99,982
Basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding	74,995,450		74,847,899		74,914,247	75,194,347
Dilutive effect of stock awards	0		2,000		2,000	7,000
Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted	74,995,557		74,849,871		74,915,977	75,201,326
Basic EPS:
Earnings per common share, basic	$ 0.70		$ 0.79		$ 1.13	$ 1.33
Diluted EPS:
Earnings per common share, diluted	$ 0.70		$ 0.79		$ 1.13	$ 1.33