Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Interest income
Loans and leases, including fees	$ 25,266	$ 29,651	$ 42,643
Investment securities available for sale	6,677	9,645	14,464
Deposits in banks	38	78	154
Federal funds sold	0	3	1
Total Interest Income	31,981	39,377	57,262
Interest expense
Deposits	5,898	8,950	16,922
Short-term borrowings	309	149	3,835
Long-term borrowings	3,692	4,987	5,215
Obligations related to real estate owned via equity investments	0	0	22
Total Interest Expense	9,899	14,086	25,994
Net Interest Income	22,082	25,291	31,268
Provision for loan and lease losses	5,997	7,728	22,140
Net interest income (loss) after provision	16,085	17,563	9,128
Other income
Gains on sales of loans and leases	2,057	337	666
Service charges and fees	1,218	1,128	1,266
Net gains on the sale of AFS investment securities	1,030	1,782	1,290
Income from bank owned life insurance	553	391	379
Net gains on sales of other real estate owned	363	1,638	1,019
Income related to real estate owned via equity investments	0	478	564
Income from real estate joint ventures	0	1,750	0
Gain on sale of security claim	0	0	1,656
Gains on sale of premises and equipment related to real estate owned via equity investments	0	0	667
Other income	747	1,110	737
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses on investment securities	(2,359)	(1,796)	(566)
Less portion of loss recognized in other comprehensive loss	0	0	(87)
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings	(2,359)	(1,796)	(479)
Total Other Income	3,609	6,818	7,765
Other expenses
Employee salaries and benefits	11,576	11,013	11,626
OREO impairment charge	6,741	5,522	7,374
Professional and legal fees	4,180	4,137	4,237
Occupancy and equipment	2,192	2,328	3,216
Impairment of loans held for sale	2,002	340	0
Department of Justice fine	2,000	0	0
OREO expenses	1,660	1,724	1,090
Pennsylvania shares tax	1,148	1,123	1,320
FDIC and state assessments	1,056	1,990	3,047
Loan collection expense	465	901	1,446
Directors fees	401	339	355
Impairment related to real estate owned via equity investments	0	0	2,600
Impairment of real estate joint ventures	0	0	1,552
Expenses related to real estate owned via equity investments	0	0	529
Other operating expenses	2,903	2,652	2,351
Total Other Expenses	36,324	32,069	40,743
Loss Before Income Taxes	(16,630)	(7,688)	(23,850)
Income tax expense (benefit)	0	0	0
Net Loss	(16,630)	(7,688)	(23,850)
Less net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(1,005)	875	243
Net loss attributable to Royal Bancshares of Pennsylavania, Inc.	(15,625)	(8,563)	(24,093)
Less Preferred stock Series A accumulated dividend and accretion	2,038	2,003	1,970
Net Loss to Common Shareholders	$ (17,663)	$ (10,566)	$ (26,063)
Per common share data
Net loss per share - basic and diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (1.33)	$ (0.8)	$ (1.97)