Note 5 - Loans (Detail) - Age analysis of recorded investment in loans: (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
30 - 59 Days Past Due	$ 52,890	$ 61,110
60 - 89 Days Past Due	7,187	13,833
Greater than 90 Days	75,310	82,703
Total Past Due	135,387	157,646
Current	3,053,315	3,063,729
Total Loans	3,188,702	3,221,375
Multi-Family Residential [Member]
30 - 59 Days Past Due	14,669	24,059
60 - 89 Days Past Due	2,879	4,828
Greater than 90 Days	18,688	13,095
Total Past Due	36,236	41,982
Current	1,492,117	1,492,456
Total Loans	1,528,353	1,534,438
Commercial Real Estate Loans [Member]
30 - 59 Days Past Due	11,067	9,764
60 - 89 Days Past Due	1,309	3,622
Greater than 90 Days	13,812	15,639
Total Past Due	26,188	29,025
Current	481,744	486,413
Total Loans	507,932	515,438
One-To-Four Family - Mixed-Use Property [Member]
30 - 59 Days Past Due	22,994	21,012
60 - 89 Days Past Due	2,293	3,368
Greater than 90 Days	10,135	16,554
Total Past Due	35,422	40,934
Current	580,239	596,419
Total Loans	615,661	637,353
One-To-Four Family - Residential [Member]
30 - 59 Days Past Due	4,067	3,407
60 - 89 Days Past Due	705	2,010
Greater than 90 Days	13,209	13,602
Total Past Due	17,981	19,019
Current	179,287	179,949
Total Loans	197,268	198,968
Co-Operative Apartments [Member]
Greater than 90 Days	161	234
Total Past Due	161	234
Current	8,060	6,069
Total Loans	8,221	6,303
Construction [Member]
30 - 59 Days Past Due		2,462
Greater than 90 Days	7,396	7,695
Total Past Due	7,396	10,157
Current	3,556	4,224
Total Loans	10,952	14,381
Small Business Administration [Member]
30 - 59 Days Past Due	31	404
Greater than 90 Days	458	283
Total Past Due	489	687
Current	8,323	8,809
Total Loans	8,812	9,496
Taxi Medallion [Member]
Current	8,777	9,922
Total Loans	8,777	9,922
Commercial Business And Other [Member]
30 - 59 Days Past Due	62	2
60 - 89 Days Past Due	1	5
Greater than 90 Days	11,451	15,601
Total Past Due	11,514	15,608
Current	291,212	279,468
Total Loans	$ 302,726	$ 295,076