Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Financial information for reportable business segments [Abstract]
Total assets	$ 801,681	$ 857,363	$ 801,681	$ 857,363	$ 848,448
Total deposits	571,250	577,891	571,250	577,891	575,916
Interest income	7,761	10,049	24,990	30,623
Interest expense	2,379	3,217	7,709	11,076
Net Interest Income	5,382	6,832	17,281	19,547
Provision for loan and lease losses	1,761	428	3,360	5,568
Total other income	1,151	73	3,757	4,224
Total other expenses	9,409	8,109	26,068	24,863
Income tax expense (benefit)	0	0	0	0
Net Loss	(4,637)	(1,632)	(8,390)	(6,660)
Noncontrolling interest	175	261	(759)	969
Net income (loss) attributable to Royal Bancshares	(4,812)	(1,893)	(7,631)	(7,629)
Community Banking [Member]
Financial information for reportable business segments [Abstract]
Total assets	759,099	780,257	759,099	780,257
Total deposits	571,250	577,891	571,250	577,891
Interest income	6,542	8,275	20,833	24,622
Interest expense	1,782	2,635	5,494	9,138
Net Interest Income	4,760	5,640	15,339	15,484
Provision for loan and lease losses	1,796	180	3,239	5,016
Total other income	847	72	3,434	3,738
Total other expenses	8,851	7,662	21,435	23,486
Income tax expense (benefit)	(156)	(193)	201	(1,022)
Net Loss	(4,884)	(1,937)	(6,102)	(8,258)
Noncontrolling interest	76	139	156	330
Net income (loss) attributable to Royal Bancshares	(4,960)	(2,076)	(6,258)	(8,588)
Tax Lien Operation [Member]
Financial information for reportable business segments [Abstract]
Total assets	42,582	77,106	42,582	77,106
Total deposits	0	0	0	0
Interest income	1,219	1,774	4,157	6,001
Interest expense	597	582	2,215	1,938
Net Interest Income	622	1,192	1,942	4,063
Provision for loan and lease losses	(35)	248	121	552
Total other income	304	1	323	486
Total other expenses	558	447	4,633	1,377
Income tax expense (benefit)	156	193	(201)	1,022
Net Loss	247	305	(2,288)	1,598
Noncontrolling interest	99	122	(915)	639
Net income (loss) attributable to Royal Bancshares	$ 148	$ 183	$ (1,373)	$ 959