Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011	Jun. 30, 2009
Financial information for reportable business segments [Abstract]
Total assets	$ 830,626	$ 909,684	$ 830,626	$ 909,684	$ 848,448	$ 1,300,000
Total deposits	582,292	628,961	582,292	628,961	575,916
Interest income	8,423	10,000	17,229	20,574
Interest expense	2,517	3,840	5,330	7,859
Net Interest Income	5,906	6,160	11,899	12,715
Provision for loan and lease losses	1,515	3,056	1,599	5,140
Total other income	1,945	2,787	2,606	4,151
Total other expenses	8,592	9,785	16,659	16,754
Income tax expense (benefit)	0	0	0	0
Net Loss	(2,256)	(3,894)	(3,753)	(5,028)
Noncontrolling interest	(306)	331	(934)	708
Net income (loss) attributable to Royal Bancshares	(1,950)	(4,225)	(2,819)	(5,736)
Community Banking [Member]
Financial information for reportable business segments [Abstract]
Total assets	779,932	824,344	779,932	824,344
Total deposits	582,292	628,961	582,292	628,961
Interest income	7,074	8,162	14,291	16,347
Interest expense	1,811	3,197	3,712	6,503
Net Interest Income	5,263	4,965	10,579	9,844
Provision for loan and lease losses	1,334	2,863	1,443	4,836
Total other income	1,797	2,755	2,586	3,665
Total other expenses	6,811	9,259	12,583	15,824
Income tax expense (benefit)	306	(196)	357	(830)
Net Loss	(1,392)	(4,206)	(1,218)	(6,321)
Noncontrolling interest	40	206	80	190
Net income (loss) attributable to Royal Bancshares	(1,432)	(4,412)	(1,298)	(6,511)
Tax Lien Operation [Member]
Financial information for reportable business segments [Abstract]
Total assets	50,694	85,340	50,694	85,340
Total deposits	0	0	0	0
Interest income	1,349	1,838	2,938	4,227
Interest expense	706	643	1,618	1,356
Net Interest Income	643	1,195	1,320	2,871
Provision for loan and lease losses	181	193	156	304
Total other income	148	32	20	486
Total other expenses	1,781	526	4,076	930
Income tax expense (benefit)	(306)	196	(357)	830
Net Loss	(864)	312	(2,535)	1,293
Noncontrolling interest	(346)	125	(1,014)	518
Net income (loss) attributable to Royal Bancshares	$ (518)	$ 187	$ (1,521)	$ 775