NON-COVERED LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Non-Covered loans receivable disclosures
Loans receivable, excluding covered loans, gross	$ 11,958,873	$ 10,288,426
Unearned fees, premiums and discounts, net	(19,301)	(16,762)
Allowance for non-covered loans receivable	(229,382)	(209,876)
Non-covered loans receivable, excluding covered loans, net	11,710,190	10,061,788
Residential
Non-Covered loans receivable disclosures
Loans receivable, excluding covered loans, gross	3,088,031	2,729,803
Residential | Single-family
Non-Covered loans receivable disclosures
Loans receivable, excluding covered loans, gross	2,187,323	1,796,635
Residential | Multifamily
Non-Covered loans receivable disclosures
Loans receivable, excluding covered loans, gross	900,708	933,168
Commercial Real Estate ("CRE")
Non-Covered loans receivable disclosures
Loans receivable, excluding covered loans, gross	3,894,695	3,832,365
Commercial Real Estate ("CRE") | Income producing
Non-Covered loans receivable disclosures
Loans receivable, excluding covered loans, gross	3,644,035	3,487,866
Commercial Real Estate ("CRE") | Construction
Non-Covered loans receivable disclosures
Loans receivable, excluding covered loans, gross	121,589	171,410
Commercial Real Estate ("CRE") | Land
Non-Covered loans receivable disclosures
Loans receivable, excluding covered loans, gross	129,071	173,089
Commercial and Industrial ("C&I")
Non-Covered loans receivable disclosures
Loans receivable, excluding covered loans, gross	4,231,265	3,142,472
Commercial and Industrial ("C&I") | Commercial Business
Non-Covered loans receivable disclosures
Loans receivable, excluding covered loans, gross	3,569,388	2,655,917
Commercial and Industrial ("C&I") | Trade finance
Non-Covered loans receivable disclosures
Loans receivable, excluding covered loans, gross	661,877	486,555
Consumer
Non-Covered loans receivable disclosures
Loans receivable, excluding covered loans, gross	744,882	583,786
Consumer | Student loans
Non-Covered loans receivable disclosures
Loans receivable, excluding covered loans, gross	475,799	306,325
Consumer | Other Consumer
Non-Covered loans receivable disclosures
Loans receivable, excluding covered loans, gross	$ 269,083	$ 277,461