BANNER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Accrual of dividends per share of common stock	$ 0.10	$ 0.28	$ 0.28
Common Stock - Shares Issued:
Common Stock, shares issued, beginning of period	16,165	3,077	2,450
Issuance of unvested restricted common stock or exercise of stock options	16	17
Issuance of common stock for stockholder reinvestment program	1,372	837	627
Issuance of common stock through public offering		12,234
Net number of shares issued during period	1,388	13,088	627
Common Stock, shares issued, end of period	17,553	16,165	3,077
Unearned, Restricted ESOP Shares:
Number of shares, beginning of period	(34)	(34)	(34)
Number of shares, end of period	(34)	(34)	(34)
Net Common Stock - Shares Outstanding	17,519	16,131	3,043