Note 17 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Detail) - Carrying amounts and estimated fair values of selected financial instruments as well as assumptions used in estimating fair value: (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Assets:
Carrying Amount, Assets	$ 4,451,416	$ 4,287,949
Liabilities:
Carrying Amount, Liabilities	4,009,051	3,871,038
Borrowings [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Liabilities:
Fair Value, Liabilities	968,147
Borrowings [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Liabilities:
Fair Value, Liabilities	23,922
Borrowings [Member]
Liabilities:
Carrying Amount, Liabilities	948,405	685,139
Fair Value, Liabilities	992,069	728,067
Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Liabilities:
Fair Value, Liabilities	1,922
Interest Rate Swaps [Member]
Liabilities:
Carrying Amount, Liabilities	1,922
Fair Value, Liabilities	1,922
Total Liabilities - Financial Instruments [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Liabilities:
Fair Value, Liabilities	1,761,964
Total Liabilities - Financial Instruments [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Liabilities:
Fair Value, Liabilities	2,265,257
Total Liabilities - Financial Instruments [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Liabilities:
Fair Value, Liabilities	23,922
Total Liabilities - Financial Instruments [Member]
Liabilities:
Carrying Amount, Liabilities	3,965,520	3,831,384
Fair Value, Liabilities	4,051,143	3,939,472
Cash And Due From Banks [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Assets:
Fair Value, Assets	40,425
Cash And Due From Banks [Member]
Assets:
Carrying Amount, Assets	40,425	55,721
Fair Value, Assets	40,425	55,721
Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Assets:
Fair Value, Assets	696,638
Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Assets:
Fair Value, Assets	23,475
Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets:
Carrying Amount, Assets	720,113	747,288
Fair Value, Assets	720,113	747,288
Other Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Assets:
Fair Value, Assets	213,374
Other Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Assets:
Fair Value, Assets	16,079
Other Securities [Member]
Assets:
Carrying Amount, Assets	229,453	65,242
Fair Value, Assets	229,453	65,242
Loans Held For Sale [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Assets:
Fair Value, Assets	5,313
Loans Held For Sale [Member]
Assets:
Carrying Amount, Assets	5,313
Fair Value, Assets	5,313
Loans [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Assets:
Fair Value, Assets	3,416,313
Loans [Member]
Assets:
Carrying Amount, Assets	3,234,121	3,228,881
Fair Value, Assets	3,416,313	3,407,454
FHLB - NY Stock [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Assets:
Fair Value, Assets	42,337
FHLB - NY Stock [Member]
Assets:
Carrying Amount, Assets	42,337	30,245
Fair Value, Assets	42,337	30,245
Interest Rate Caps [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Assets:
Fair Value, Assets	19
Interest Rate Caps [Member]
Assets:
Carrying Amount, Assets	19	356
Fair Value, Assets	19	356
Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Assets:
Fair Value, Assets	3
Interest Rate Swaps [Member]
Assets:
Carrying Amount, Assets	3
Fair Value, Assets	3
Other Real Estate Owned [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Assets:
Fair Value, Assets	5,278
Other Real Estate Owned [Member]
Assets:
Carrying Amount, Assets	5,278	3,179
Fair Value, Assets	5,278	3,179
Total Assets - Financial Instruments [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Assets:
Fair Value, Assets	40,425
Total Assets - Financial Instruments [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Assets:
Fair Value, Assets	952,371
Total Assets - Financial Instruments [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Assets:
Fair Value, Assets	3,466,458
Total Assets - Financial Instruments [Member]
Assets:
Carrying Amount, Assets	4,277,062	4,130,912
Fair Value, Assets	4,459,254	4,309,485
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Deposits [Member]
Liabilities:
Fair Value, Liabilities	1,761,964
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Deposits [Member]
Liabilities:
Fair Value, Liabilities	1,295,188
Deposits [Member]
Liabilities:
Carrying Amount, Liabilities	3,015,193	3,146,245
Fair Value, Liabilities	$ 3,057,152	$ 3,211,405