FHLB STOCK	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012
Banking and Thrift [Abstract]
FHLB STOCK	FHLB STOCK The Banks’ investments in Federal Home Loan Bank of Seattle stock are carried at par value ($100 per share), which reasonably approximates its fair value. As members of the FHLB system, the Banks are required to maintain a minimum level of investment in FHLB stock based on specific percentages of their outstanding FHLB advances. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, the Banks did not receive any dividend income on FHLB stock. At September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, the Company had recorded $37.0 million and $37.4 million in FHLB stock. This stock is generally viewed as a long-term investment and is carried at par. It does not have a readily determinable fair value. Ownership of FHLB stock is restricted to the FHLB and member institutions and can only be purchased and redeemed at par. Management periodically evaluates FHLB stock for impairment. Management’s determination of whether these investments are impaired is based on its assessment of the ultimate recoverability of cost rather than by recognizing temporary declines in value. The determination of whether a decline affects the ultimate recoverability of cost is influenced by criteria such as (1) the significance of any decline in net assets of the FHLB as compared to the capital stock amount for the FHLB and the length of time this situation has persisted, (2) commitments by the FHLB to make payments required by law or regulation and the level of such payments in relation to the operating performance of the FHLB, (3) the impact of legislative and regulatory changes on institutions and, accordingly, the customer base of the FHLB, and (4) the liquidity position of the FHLB. The FHLB has communicated that it believes the calculation of risk-based capital under the current rules of the FHFA significantly overstates the market risk of the FHLB's private-label mortgage-backed securities in the current market environment and that it has enough capital to cover the risks reflected in its balance sheet. As a result, as of September 30, 2012, the Company has not recorded an impairment on its investment in FHLB stock. However, deterioration in the FHLB's financial position could result in impairment in the value of those securities. In addition, on October 25, 2010, the FHLB of Seattle received a Consent Order from the FHFA. The FHLB of Seattle reported, in its earnings release for the quarter ended June 30, 2012, that it continues to address the requirements of the Consent Agreement and that, as of June 30, 2012, it met all minimum financial metrics required under the Consent Agreement. Further, the FHLB of Seattle announced September 7, 2012 that the FHFA now considers the FHLB of Seattle to be adequately capitalized. Any dividends on, or repurchases of, the FHLB of Seattle stock continue to require consent of the FHFA. The FHFA recently approved the FHLB of Seattle repurchase of a portion of its stock and $333,000 of FHLB of Seattle stock was purchased from Banner Bank on September 24, 2012. The Company will continue to monitor the financial condition of the FHLB of Seattle as it relates to, among other things, the recoverability of Banner’s investment.

FHLB STOCK

The Banks’ investments in Federal Home Loan Bank of Seattle stock are carried at par value ($100 per share), which reasonably approximates its fair value. As members of the FHLB system, the Banks are required to maintain a minimum level of investment in FHLB stock based on specific percentages of their outstanding FHLB advances. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, the Banks did not receive any dividend income on FHLB stock. At September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, the Company had recorded $37.0 million and $37.4 million in FHLB stock. This stock is generally viewed as a long-term investment and is carried at par. It does not have a readily determinable fair value. Ownership of FHLB stock is restricted to the FHLB and member institutions and can only be purchased and redeemed at par.

Management periodically evaluates FHLB stock for impairment. Management’s determination of whether these investments are impaired is based on its assessment of the ultimate recoverability of cost rather than by recognizing temporary declines in value. The determination of whether a decline affects the ultimate recoverability of cost is influenced by criteria such as (1) the significance of any decline in net assets of the FHLB as compared to the capital stock amount for the FHLB and the length of time this situation has persisted, (2) commitments by the FHLB to make payments required by law or regulation and the level of such payments in relation to the operating performance of the FHLB, (3) the impact of legislative and regulatory changes on institutions and, accordingly, the customer base of the FHLB, and (4) the liquidity position of the FHLB. The FHLB has communicated that it believes the calculation of risk-based capital under the current rules of the FHFA significantly overstates the market risk of the FHLB's private-label mortgage-backed securities in the current market environment and that it has enough capital to cover the risks reflected in its balance sheet. As a result, as of September 30, 2012, the Company has not recorded an impairment on its investment in FHLB stock. However, deterioration in the FHLB's financial position could result in impairment in the value of those securities. In addition, on October 25, 2010, the FHLB of Seattle received a Consent Order from the FHFA. The FHLB of Seattle reported, in its earnings release for the quarter ended June 30, 2012, that it continues to address the requirements of the Consent Agreement and that, as of June 30, 2012, it met all minimum financial metrics required under the Consent Agreement. Further, the FHLB of Seattle announced September 7, 2012 that the FHFA now considers the FHLB of Seattle to be adequately capitalized. Any dividends on, or repurchases of, the FHLB of Seattle stock continue to require consent of the FHFA. The FHFA recently approved the FHLB of Seattle repurchase of a portion of its stock and $333,000 of FHLB of Seattle stock was purchased from Banner Bank on September 24, 2012. The Company will continue to monitor the financial condition of the FHLB of Seattle as it relates to, among other things, the recoverability of Banner’s investment.