SECURITIES AND OTHER INVESTMENTS (Schedule of Carrying Value, Gross Unrealized Gains and Losses and Estimated Fair Value of Securities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]
Total HTM Securities	$ 828,928	$ 837,378
Gross Unrealized Gains	2,986	6,334
Gross Unrealized Losses	(40,569)	(35,638)
Held-to-maturity Securities, Fair Value	791,345	808,074
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]
Total HTM Securities	695,952	699,189
Gross Unrealized Gains	2,851	6,175
Gross Unrealized Losses	(27,308)	(23,464)
Held-to-maturity Securities, Fair Value	671,495	681,900
Corporate and other bonds
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]
Total HTM Securities	4,230	4,349
Gross Unrealized Gains	0	0
Gross Unrealized Losses	(182)	(100)
Held-to-maturity Securities, Fair Value	4,048	4,249
Mortgage-backed securities
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]
Total HTM Securities	128,746	133,840
Commercial
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]
Total HTM Securities	50,814	51,980
Gross Unrealized Gains	14	37
Gross Unrealized Losses	(6,312)	(6,019)
Held-to-maturity Securities, Fair Value	44,516	45,998
Residential
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]
Total HTM Securities	77,932	81,860
Gross Unrealized Gains	121	122
Gross Unrealized Losses	(6,767)	(6,055)
Held-to-maturity Securities, Fair Value	71,286	75,927
Agency | Commercial
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]
Total HTM Securities	27,377	27,477
Gross Unrealized Gains	0	0
Gross Unrealized Losses	(5,819)	(5,570)
Held-to-maturity Securities, Fair Value	21,558	21,907
Agency | Residential
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]
Total HTM Securities	39,928	40,562
Gross Unrealized Gains	0	0
Gross Unrealized Losses	(6,365)	(5,713)
Held-to-maturity Securities, Fair Value	33,563	34,849
Non-agency | Commercial
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]
Total HTM Securities	23,437	24,503
Gross Unrealized Gains	14	37
Gross Unrealized Losses	(493)	(449)
Held-to-maturity Securities, Fair Value	22,958	24,091
Non-agency | Residential
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]
Total HTM Securities	38,004	41,298
Gross Unrealized Gains	121	122
Gross Unrealized Losses	(402)	(342)
Held-to-maturity Securities, Fair Value	$ 37,723	$ 41,078