CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income	Treasury Stock	Non- controlling Interests
Balances at Beginning at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 516,466	$ 1,502	$ 350,823	$ 197,445	$ (31,001)	$ (3,755)	$ 1,452
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests and Tompkins Financial Corporation	14,284			14,251			33
Other comprehensive income	12,660				12,660
Total Comprehensive Income	26,944
Cash dividends	(6,594)			(6,594)
Net exercise of stock options	102	1	101
Stock-based compensation expense	496		496
Common stock repurchased and returned to unissued status	(1,166)	(2)	(1,164)
Shares issued for employee stock ownership plan	1,938	3	1,935
Directors deferred compensation plan	0		(121)			121
Common stock issued for purchase acquisition	1,708	3	1,705
Restricted stock activity	(1)	(1)	0
Balances at Ending at Mar. 31, 2016	539,893	1,506	353,775	205,102	(18,341)	(3,634)	1,485
Balances at Beginning at Dec. 31, 2016	549,405	1,517	357,414	230,182	(37,109)	(4,051)	1,452
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests and Tompkins Financial Corporation	15,749			15,717			32
Other comprehensive income	1,425				1,425
Total Comprehensive Income	17,174
Cash dividends	(6,815)			(6,815)
Net exercise of stock options	(296)	1	(297)
Stock-based compensation expense	706		706
Shares issued for dividend reinvestment plan	1,078	1	1,077
Shares issued for employee stock ownership plan	2,296	3	2,293
Directors deferred compensation plan	0		6			(6)
Restricted stock activity	0	0	0
Stock issued for purchase acquisition	(30)						(30)
Balances at Ending at Mar. 31, 2017	$ 563,518	$ 1,522	$ 361,199	$ 239,084	$ (35,684)	$ (4,057)	$ 1,454