NON-COVERED LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Details 14) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 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	$ 200,496		$ 220,613
Covered loans individually evaluated for impairment	5,237	[1]
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment	12,184,825		10,651,617
Covered loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality	3,019,271	[2]	4,134,280	[2]
Ending balance	15,409,829		15,006,510
Covered nonaccrual loans	204,310	[1],[3],[4]	194,506	[1],[3],[4]
Loans accounted for under ASC 310-10
Recorded investment in total loans receivable related to each balance in the allowance for loan losses
Covered nonaccrual loans	29,600		18,900
Residential
Recorded investment in total loans receivable related to each balance in the allowance for loan losses
Loans individually evaluated for impairment	72,475		43,395
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment	3,015,556		2,686,408
Covered loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality	976,969	[2]	1,331,615	[2]
Ending balance	4,065,000		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	96,841		143,631
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment	3,797,854		3,688,734
Covered loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality	1,727,159	[2]	2,322,062	[2]
Ending balance	5,621,854		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	26,652		31,338
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment	4,204,613		3,111,135
Covered loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality	261,622	[2]	413,479	[2]
Ending balance	4,492,887		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	4,528		2,249
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment	740,354		581,536
Covered loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality	53,521	[2]	67,124	[2]
Ending balance	798,403		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
Covered loans individually evaluated for impairment	5,237	[1]
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment	426,448		583,804
Ending balance	$ 431,685		$ 583,804

[1] Includes $29.6 million and $18.9 million of loans at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, accounted for under ASC 310-10, of which some loans have additional partial balances accounted for under ASC 310-30.

[2] The Company has elected to account for all covered loans acquired in the FDIC-assisted acquisitions under ASC 310-30.

[3] Covered nonaccrual loans include loans that meet the criteria for nonaccrual but have a yield accreted through interest income under ASC 310-30 and all losses on covered loans are 80% reimbursed by the FDIC.

[4] Represents principal balance net of discount.