CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
ASSETS:
Cash and due from banks	$ 79,076	$ 43,309
Federal funds sold and other short-term investments	0	951
Total cash and cash equivalents	79,076	44,260
Investment securities held-to-maturity (estimated fair value of $6,267 and $4,924 at December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively) (Fully unencumbered)	5,927	6,511
Investment securities available-for-sale, at fair value:
Encumbered	0	124,282
Unencumbered	32,950	50,586
Investment securities available-for-sale, at fair value:	32,950	174,868
Mortgage-backed securities available-for-sale, at fair value:
Encumbered	0	90,164
Unencumbered	49,021	3,713
Mortgage-backed securities available-for-sale, fair value disclosure	49,021	93,877
Trading securities	4,874	1,774
Loans:
Real estate, net	3,503,385	3,458,416
Consumer loans	2,423	2,449
Less allowance for loan losses	(20,550)	(20,254)
Total loans, net	3,485,258	3,440,611
Loans held for sale	560	3,022
Premises and fixed assets, net	30,518	32,646
Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (FHLBNY) capital stock	45,011	49,489
Goodwill	55,638	55,638
Other assets	116,566	118,484
Total Assets	3,905,399	4,021,180
Due to depositors [Abstract]
Interest bearing deposits	2,320,285	2,202,622
Non-interest bearing deposits	159,144	141,079
Total deposits	2,479,429	2,343,701
Escrow and other deposits	82,753	71,812
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase	0	195,000
FHLBNY advances	842,500	939,775
Trust Preferred securities payable	70,680	70,680
Other liabilities	38,463	39,178
Total Liabilities	3,513,825	3,660,146
Stockholders' Equity:
Preferred stock ($0.01 par, 9,000,000 shares authorized, none issued or outstanding at December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011)	0	0
Common stock ($0.01 par, 125,000,000 shares authorized, 52,021,149 shares and 51,566,098 shares issued at December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively and 35,714,269 shares and 35,109,045 shares outstanding at December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively)	520	516
Additional paid-in capital	239,041	231,521
Retained earnings	379,166	358,079
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of deferred taxes	(9,640)	(9,709)
Unallocated common stock of Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)	(3,007)	(3,239)
Unearned Restricted Stock Award common stock	(3,122)	(3,037)
Common stock held by Benefit Maintenance Plan (BMP)	(8,800)	(8,655)
Treasury stock, at cost (16,306,880 shares and 16,457,053 shares at December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively)	(202,584)	(204,442)
Total Stockholders' Equity	391,574	361,034
Total Liabilities And Stockholders' Equity	$ 3,905,399	$ 4,021,180