Note 3 - Loans (Detail) - Age analysis of recorded investment in loans: (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
30 - 59 Days Past Due	$ 61,110	$ 66,694
60 - 89 Days Past Due	13,833	13,941
Greater than 90 Days	82,703	112,502
Total Past Due	157,646	193,137
Current	3,063,729	3,020,856
Total Loans	3,221,375	3,213,993
Multi-Family Residential [Member]
30 - 59 Days Past Due	24,059	20,083
60 - 89 Days Past Due	4,828	6,341
Greater than 90 Days	13,095	26,233
Total Past Due	41,982	52,657
Current	1,492,456	1,338,564
Total Loans	1,534,438	1,391,221
Commercial Real Estate Loans [Member]
30 - 59 Days Past Due	9,764	10,804
60 - 89 Days Past Due	3,622	1,797
Greater than 90 Days	15,639	19,987
Total Past Due	29,025	32,588
Current	486,413	548,195
Total Loans	515,438	580,783
One-To-Four Family - Mixed-Use Property [Member]
30 - 59 Days Past Due	21,012	20,480
60 - 89 Days Past Due	3,368	3,027
Greater than 90 Days	16,554	27,950
Total Past Due	40,934	51,457
Current	596,419	642,475
Total Loans	637,353	693,932
One-To-Four Family - Residential [Member]
30 - 59 Days Past Due	3,407	4,699
60 - 89 Days Past Due	2,010	1,769
Greater than 90 Days	13,602	12,766
Total Past Due	19,019	19,234
Current	179,949	201,197
Total Loans	198,968	220,431
Co-Operative Apartments [Member]
Greater than 90 Days	234	152
Total Past Due	234	152
Current	6,069	5,353
Total Loans	6,303	5,505
Construction [Member]
30 - 59 Days Past Due	2,462	5,065
Greater than 90 Days	7,695	14,721
Total Past Due	10,157	19,786
Current	4,224	27,354
Total Loans	14,381	47,140
Small Business Administration [Member]
30 - 59 Days Past Due	404	16
60 - 89 Days Past Due		41
Greater than 90 Days	283	452
Total Past Due	687	509
Current	8,809	13,530
Total Loans	9,496	14,039
Taxi Medallion [Member]
30 - 59 Days Past Due		71
Total Past Due		71
Current	9,922	54,257
Total Loans	9,922	54,328
Commercial Business And Other [Member]
30 - 59 Days Past Due	2	5,476
60 - 89 Days Past Due	5	966
Greater than 90 Days	15,601	10,241
Total Past Due	15,608	16,683
Current	279,468	189,931
Total Loans	$ 295,076	$ 206,614