NON-COVERED LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Details 14) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Recorded investment in total loans receivable related to each balance in the allowance for loan losses
Loans individually evaluated for impairment	$ 156,109		$ 200,496
Covered loans individually evaluated for impairment	5,237	[1]	5,237	[1]
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment	12,622,540		12,184,825
Covered loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality	2,808,483	[2]	3,019,271	[2]
Ending balance	15,592,369		15,409,829
Covered nonaccrual loans	207,683	[1],[3],[4]	204,310	[1],[3],[4]
Covered 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	37,000		29,600
Residential
Recorded investment in total loans receivable related to each balance in the allowance for loan losses
Loans individually evaluated for impairment	52,303		72,475
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment	3,201,830		3,015,556
Covered loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality	899,754	[2]	976,969	[2]
Ending balance	4,153,887		4,065,000
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	75,551		96,841
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment	3,920,761		3,797,854
Covered loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality	1,531,686	[2]	1,727,159	[2]
Ending balance	5,527,998		5,621,854
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	26,151		26,652
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment	4,254,638		4,204,613
Covered loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality	229,856	[2]	261,622	[2]
Ending balance	4,510,645		4,492,887
Consumer
Recorded investment in total loans receivable related to each balance in the allowance for loan losses
Loans individually evaluated for impairment	2,104		4,528
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment	841,690		740,354
Covered loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality	50,894	[2]	53,521	[2]
Ending balance	894,688		798,403
Covered Loans under ASC 310-10 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	[5]	5,237	[5]
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment	403,621		426,448
Ending balance	408,858		431,685
Covered Loans under ASC 310-30 Subject to Allowance for Loan Losses
Recorded investment in total loans receivable related to each balance in the allowance for loan losses
Covered loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality	96,293	[2]
Ending balance	$ 96,293

[1] Includes $37.0 million and $29.6 million of loans at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, accounted forunder 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. The total principal balance is presented and excludes the purchase discount and any additional advances subsequent to acquisition date.

[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.

[5] Excludes $37.0 million and $29.6 million of covered non-accrual loans at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, accounted for under ASC 310-10, of which some loans have additional partial balances accounted for under ASC 310-30.