NON-COVERED LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Details 13) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Financing Receivable Allowance for Credit Losses Roll Forward
Beginning balance	$ 216,523		$ 234,633
Provision for loan losses	65,184		95,006		200,159
Allowance for unfunded loan commitments and letters of credit	1,563		(1,048)
Charge-offs	(64,912)		(124,691)
Recoveries	16,177		12,623
Net charge-offs	(48,735)		(112,068)
Ending balance	234,535		216,523		234,633
Ending balance allocated to:
Loans individually evaluated for impairment	11,527		13,041
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment	223,008		203,482
Ending balance	234,535		216,523		234,633
Residential
Financing Receivable Allowance for Credit Losses Roll Forward
Beginning balance	52,180		49,491
Provision for loan losses	3,255		15,416
Charge-offs	(7,700)		(13,323)
Recoveries	1,614		596
Net charge-offs	(6,086)		(12,727)
Ending balance	49,349		52,180
Ending balance allocated to:
Loans individually evaluated for impairment	3,131		2,255
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment	46,218		49,925
Ending balance	49,349		52,180
Commercial Real Estate ("CRE")
Financing Receivable Allowance for Credit Losses Roll Forward
Beginning balance	66,457		117,752
Provision for loan losses	20,977		22,817
Charge-offs	(27,060)		(78,803)
Recoveries	9,482		4,691
Net charge-offs	(17,578)		(74,112)
Ending balance	69,856		66,457
Ending balance allocated to:
Loans individually evaluated for impairment	5,561		5,951
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment	64,295		60,506
Ending balance	69,856		66,457
Commercial and Industrial ("C&I")
Financing Receivable Allowance for Credit Losses Roll Forward
Beginning balance	87,020		59,737
Provision for loan losses	35,204		50,848
Charge-offs	(21,818)		(30,606)
Recoveries	4,970		7,041
Net charge-offs	(16,848)		(23,565)
Ending balance	105,376		87,020
Ending balance allocated to:
Loans individually evaluated for impairment	2,835		4,835
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment	102,541		82,185
Ending balance	105,376		87,020
Consumer
Financing Receivable Allowance for Credit Losses Roll Forward
Beginning balance	4,219		3,428
Provision for loan losses	2,295		2,455
Charge-offs	(1,824)		(1,959)
Recoveries	111		295
Net charge-offs	(1,713)		(1,664)
Ending balance	4,801		4,219
Ending balance allocated to:
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment	4,801		4,219
Ending balance	4,801		4,219
Covered Loans Subject to Allowance For Loan Losses
Financing Receivable Allowance for Credit Losses Roll Forward
Beginning balance	6,647	[1]	4,225	[1]
Provision for loan losses	5,016	[1]	2,422	[1]
Charge-offs	(6,510)	[1]
Net charge-offs	(6,510)	[1]
Ending balance	5,153	[1]	6,647	[1]
Ending balance allocated to:
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment	5,153	[1]	6,647	[1]
Ending balance	5,153	[1]	6,647	[1]
Unallocated
Financing Receivable Allowance for Credit Losses Roll Forward
Provision for loan losses	(1,563)		1,048
Allowance for unfunded loan commitments and letters of credit	$ 1,563		$ (1,048)

[1] This allowance is related to drawdowns on commitments that were in existence as of the acquisition dates of WFIB and UCB and, therefore, are covered under the shared-loss agreements with the FDIC. Allowance on these subsequent drawdowns is accounted for as part of the allowance for loan losses.