NON-COVERED LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Details 8) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Recorded investment in total loans receivable related to each balance in the allowance for loan losses
Loans individually evaluated for impairment	$ 134,070		$ 220,613
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment	10,901,287		10,651,617
Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality	3,865,864	[1]	4,134,280	[1]
Ending balance	14,901,221		15,006,510
Residential
Recorded investment in total loans receivable related to each balance in the allowance for loan losses
Loans individually evaluated for impairment	28,611		43,395
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment	2,841,265		2,686,408
Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality	1,262,390	[1]	1,331,615	[1]
Ending balance	4,132,266		4,061,418
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	87,742		143,631
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment	3,689,132		3,688,734
Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality	2,176,843	[1]	2,322,062	[1]
Ending balance	5,953,717		6,154,427
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	15,325		31,338
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment	3,223,281		3,111,135
Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality	363,311	[1]	413,479	[1]
Ending balance	3,601,917		3,555,952
Consumer
Recorded investment in total loans receivable related to each balance in the allowance for loan losses
Loans individually evaluated for impairment	2,392		2,249
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment	610,365		581,536
Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality	63,320	[1]	67,124	[1]
Ending balance	676,077		650,909
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	537,244		583,804
Ending balance	$ 537,244		$ 583,804

[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.