NON-COVERED LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Details 14) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 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	$ 156,521		$ 200,496
Covered loans individually evaluated for impairment	3,162	[1]	5,237	[1]
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment	13,725,076		12,184,825
Covered loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality	2,549,928	[2]	3,019,271	[2]
Ending balance	16,434,687		15,409,829
Covered nonaccrual loans	178,431	[3],[4],[5]	204,310	[3],[4],[5]
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	31,100		29,600
Residential
Recorded investment in total loans receivable related to each balance in the allowance for loan losses
Loans individually evaluated for impairment	56,200		72,475
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment	3,449,642		3,015,556
Covered loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality	816,300	[2]	976,969	[2]
Ending balance	4,322,142		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	75,381		96,841
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment	4,075,003		3,797,854
Covered loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality	1,360,107	[2]	1,727,159	[2]
Ending balance	5,510,491		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	23,388		26,652
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment	4,686,287		4,204,613
Covered loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality	168,387	[2]	261,622	[2]
Ending balance	4,878,062		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	1,552		4,528
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment	1,158,461		740,354
Covered loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality	47,637	[2]	53,521	[2]
Ending balance	1,207,650		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	3,162	[1]	5,237	[1]
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment	355,683		426,448
Ending balance	358,845		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	157,497	[2]
Ending balance	$ 157,497

[1] Excludes $31.1 million and $29.6 million of covered non-accrual loans at June 30, 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.

[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] Includes $31.1 million and $29.6 million of loans at June 30, 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.

[4] 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.

[5] Represents principal balance net of discount.