PARENT COMPANY ONLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Cash Flows) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023	Sep. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2023	Mar. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Sep. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2022	Mar. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ (70,363)	$ 48,091	$ 49,416	$ 52,776	$ 60,654	$ 56,564	$ 51,873	$ 43,089	$ 79,920	$ 212,180	$ 219,923
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Other, net									(62,303)	71,167	(2,712)
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES									280,312	388,008	326,037
Cash flows from investing activities:
NET CASH PROVIDED (USED) BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES									802,195	(1,813,043)	(1,525,100)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from other borrowings									0	0	147,614
Repayments of other borrowings									(740)	(228)	(233,794)
Cash dividends paid									(59,151)	(54,249)	(48,559)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock									2,467	2,875	2,925
NET CASH PROVIDED (USED) BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES									(1,122,581)	1,352,523	1,296,759
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents									(40,074)	(72,512)	97,696
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year				363,087				435,599	363,087	435,599	337,903
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD	323,013				363,087				323,013	363,087	435,599
Supplemental disclosure:
Dividends declared, not paid	2,205				2,013				2,205	2,013	2,013
Dividend Declared
Supplemental disclosure:
Dividends declared, not paid	2,013				2,013				2,013	2,013	2,013
Parent
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income									79,920	212,180	219,923
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Undistributed earnings of subsidiaries									(57,799)	(98,983)	(75,368)
Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses and other liabilities									(17,090)	(8,946)	8,723
Increase (decrease) in other assets									23,335	(13,933)	(13,069)
Excess tax (expense) benefit from stock-based compensation									(123)	131	312
Other, net									11,537	9,958	12,632
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES									39,780	100,407	153,153
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital contributions to subsidiaries									0	0	(34,000)
NET CASH PROVIDED (USED) BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES									0	0	(34,000)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from other borrowings									0	0	147,614
Repayments of other borrowings									0	0	(44,417)
Cash dividends paid									(59,151)	(54,249)	(48,559)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock									548	1,038	1,311
NET CASH PROVIDED (USED) BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES									(58,603)	(53,211)	55,949
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents									(18,823)	47,196	175,102
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year				$ 307,026				$ 259,830	307,026	259,830	84,728
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD	$ 288,203				$ 307,026				288,203	307,026	259,830
Supplemental disclosure:
Stock consideration granted for acquisitions									$ 883	$ 0	$ 0