NON COVERED LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Details 8) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Recorded investment in total loans receivable related to each balance in the allowance for loan losses
Loans individually evaluated for impairment	$ 220,613		$ 281,006
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment	10,651,617		8,998,107
Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality	4,134,280	[1]	5,394,048	[1]
Ending balance	15,006,510		14,673,161
Residential
Recorded investment in total loans receivable related to each balance in the allowance for loan losses
Loans individually evaluated for impairment	43,395		51,519
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment	2,686,408		2,042,250
Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality	1,331,615	[1]	1,614,732	[1]
Ending balance	4,061,418		3,708,501
Commercial Real Estate ("CRE")
Recorded investment in total loans receivable related to each balance in the allowance for loan losses
Loans individually evaluated for impairment	143,631		201,926
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment	3,688,734		3,704,812
Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality	2,322,062	[1]	3,059,133	[1]
Ending balance	6,154,427		6,965,871
Commercial and Industrial ("C&I")
Recorded investment in total loans receivable related to each balance in the allowance for loan losses
Loans individually evaluated for impairment	31,338		26,941
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment	3,111,135		1,956,415
Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality	413,479	[1]	634,560	[1]
Ending balance	3,555,952		2,617,916
Consumer
Recorded investment in total loans receivable related to each balance in the allowance for loan losses
Loans individually evaluated for impairment	2,249		620
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment	581,536		732,905
Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality	67,124	[1]	85,623	[1]
Ending balance	650,909		819,148
Covered Loans Subject to Allowance For Loan Losses
Recorded investment in total loans receivable related to each balance in the allowance for loan losses
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment	583,804		561,725
Ending balance	$ 583,804		$ 561,725

[1] The Company has elected to account for all covered loans acquired in the FDIC-assisted acquisitions under ASC 310-30. The total principal balance is presented and excludes the purchase discount and any additional advances subsequent to acquisition date.