COVERED ASSETS AND FDIC INDEMNIFICATION ASSET (Details 6) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011		Dec. 31, 2011
FDIC indemnification asset activity
Balance at beginning of period	$ 409,287,000		$ 630,437,000		$ 511,135,000		$ 785,035,000
(Amortization)	(7,060,000)		(14,325,000)		(24,918,000)		(48,034,000)
Reductions	(30,918,000)	[1]	(43,349,000)	[1]	(107,936,000)	[1]	(164,238,000)	[1]
Estimate of FDIC repayment	(2,836,000)	[2]	(3,606,000)	[2]	(9,808,000)	[2]	(3,606,000)	[2]
Balance at end of period	368,473,000		569,157,000		368,473,000		569,157,000
FDIC Receivable
FDIC loss sharing receivable	$ 62,900,000				$ 62,900,000				$ 76,600,000
Percentage of eligible losses for which the FDIC is obligated to reimburse the Company	80.00%				80.00%
Percentage of reimbursable expenses that are loan-related and OREO expenses that are recorded as non-interest expense	100.00%				100.00%
Percentage of any reimbursable expense recorded as noninterest income	80.00%				80.00%
Percentage of actual expense paid by the Company	20.00%				20.00%
Percentage of Recoveries received	80.00%				80.00%

[1] Reductions relate to charge-offs, partial prepayments, loan payoffs and loan sales which result in a corresponding reduction of the indemnification asset.

[2] This represents the change in the calculated estimate the Company will be required to pay the FDIC at the end of the FDIC loss share agreements, due to lower thresholds of losses.