INCOME TAXES (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Deferred tax liabilities:
Core deposit intangibles	$ (24,853)	$ (35,164)
Affordable housing partnerships	(18,995)	(19,378)
Fixed assets	(27,945)	(36,557)
FHLB stock	(30,962)	(42,393)
Deferred loan fees	(3,885)	(5,048)
Purchased loan discounts	(204)	(260)
State taxes	(10,749)
Mortgage servicing assets	(3,271)	(4,226)
Section 597 gain	(146,522)
FDIC receivable	(380,363)	(389,726)
Acquired debt	(12,124)	(52,292)
Other, net	(5,141)	(3,585)
Total gross deferred tax (liabilities)	(665,014)	(588,629)
Deferred tax assets:
Allowance for loan losses and REO reserves	92,605	101,013
Deferred compensation	18,634	20,261
State taxes		2,734
Purchased loan premium	1,063	1,265
Unrealized loss on securities	89,506	102,096
Net operating loss carryforwards	35,447	39,911
Acquired loans and REOs	615,855	307,673
Other, net	14,390	15,861
Total gross deferred tax assets	867,500	590,814
Valuation allowance	(603)	(2,665)
Net deferred tax (liabilities) assets	201,883	(480)
Federal
Deferred tax liabilities:
Core deposit intangibles	(19,449)	(26,574)
Affordable housing partnerships	(15,091)	(14,889)
Fixed assets	(21,640)	(27,053)
FHLB stock	(24,088)	(32,191)
Deferred loan fees	(3,041)	(3,854)
Purchased loan discounts	(160)	(199)
State taxes	(10,749)
Mortgage servicing assets	(2,560)	(3,227)
Section 597 gain	(142,934)
FDIC receivable	(371,049)	(420,752)
Acquired debt	(10,812)	(51,070)
Other, net	(4,155)	(2,531)
Total gross deferred tax (liabilities)	(625,728)	(582,340)
Deferred tax assets:
Allowance for loan losses and REO reserves	79,269	84,337
Deferred compensation	14,533	15,407
State taxes		2,734
Purchased loan premium	832	966
Unrealized loss on securities	69,239	77,760
Net operating loss carryforwards	1,052	3,057
Acquired loans and REOs	577,883	303,045
Other, net	10,016	12,013
Total gross deferred tax assets	752,824	499,319
Net deferred tax (liabilities) assets	127,096	(83,021)
State
Deferred tax liabilities:
Core deposit intangibles	(5,537)	(8,723)
Affordable housing partnerships	(3,904)	(4,489)
Fixed assets	(6,305)	(9,504)
FHLB stock	(6,874)	(10,202)
Deferred loan fees	(844)	(1,194)
Purchased loan discounts	(44)	(61)
Mortgage servicing assets	(711)	(999)
Section 597 gain	(3,588)
FDIC receivable	(9,314)	31,026
Acquired debt	(1,012)	(922)
Other, net	(986)	(454)
Total gross deferred tax (liabilities)	(39,119)	(5,522)
Deferred tax assets:
Allowance for loan losses and REO reserves	18,556	21,896
Deferred compensation	4,101	4,854
Purchased loan premium	231	299
Unrealized loss on securities	20,267	24,336
Net operating loss carryforwards	34,395	34,813
Acquired loans and REOs	30,015	(7,298)
Other, net	4,277	3,751
Total gross deferred tax assets	111,842	82,651
Valuation allowance	(603)	(624)
Net deferred tax (liabilities) assets	72,120	76,505
Foreign
Deferred tax liabilities:
Core deposit intangibles	133	133
Acquired debt	(300)	(300)
Other, net		(600)
Total gross deferred tax (liabilities)	(167)	(767)
Deferred tax assets:
Allowance for loan losses and REO reserves	(5,220)	(5,220)
Net operating loss carryforwards		2,041
Acquired loans and REOs	7,957	11,926
Other, net	97	97
Total gross deferred tax assets	2,834	8,844
Valuation allowance		(2,041)
Net deferred tax (liabilities) assets	$ 2,667	$ 6,036