NON-COVERED LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Details 12) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Allowance for loan losses disclosures
Allowance on covered loans	$ 10,110		$ 5,153
Percentage of allowance allocated to covered loans	4.20%
Provision for covered loans	5,089	1,621
Percentage of income from covered loans under loss-sharing agreements with the FDIC	80.00%
United Commercial Bank (UCB)
Allowance for loan losses disclosures
Period before which the acquisition was made	3 years 6 months
Washington First International Bank (WFIB)
Allowance for loan losses disclosures
Period before which the acquisition was made	3 years
Covered loans accounted for under ASC 310-30
Allowance for loan losses disclosures
Provision for covered loans	2,000
Covered loans accounted for under ASC 310-30 | Commercial Real Estate ("CRE")
Allowance for loan losses disclosures
Allowance on covered loans	2,000
Specific covered loans outside of the scope of ASC 310-30
Allowance for loan losses disclosures
Allowance allocated to additional advances	8,100		5,200
Percentage of allowance allocated to covered loans	3.40%		2.20%
Provision for covered loans	3,100		1,600
Charge-offs		0
Income from covered loans under loss-sharing agreements with the FDIC	106
Percentage of income from covered loans under loss-sharing agreements with the FDIC	80.00%
Net impact to earnings due to charge-offs	(26)
Specific covered loans outside of the scope of ASC 310-30 | Commercial and Industrial ("C&I")
Allowance for loan losses disclosures
Allowance allocated to additional advances	4,800		2,400
Charge-offs	132
Specific covered loans outside of the scope of ASC 310-30 | Commercial Real Estate ("CRE")
Allowance for loan losses disclosures
Allowance allocated to additional advances	$ 2,800		$ 2,500