NOTE 4 - DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES - cash flow hedging and fair value (Details) - Non Designated - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Interest And Dividend Income
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net [Abstract]
Income and expense line items presented in the consolidated statements of income	$ 51,667	$ 50,890	$ 148,135	$ 148,522
Interest Expense
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net [Abstract]
Income and expense line items presented in the consolidated statements of income	5,438	6,309	16,415	25,279
Interest Rate Swap on Wholesale Funding | Interest Expense
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net [Abstract]
Gain Loss From Components Excluded From Assessment Of Cash Flow Hedge Effectiveness Net		79		114
Interest Rate Swap on Variable Rate Loans | Interest And Dividend Income
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net [Abstract]
Gain Loss From Components Excluded From Assessment Of Cash Flow Hedge Effectiveness Net	502		502
Interest Rate Cap On Deposits | Interest Expense
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net [Abstract]
Gain Loss From Components Excluded From Assessment Of Cash Flow Hedge Effectiveness Net	$ 181	$ 128	$ 495	$ 336