NON-COVERED LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Non-Covered loans receivable disclosures
Allowance for non-covered loans receivable	$ (246,468)		$ (241,930)
Non-covered loans receivable, excluding covered loans, net	18,025,711		15,412,715
Non-covered loans
Non-Covered loans receivable disclosures
Loans receivable, excluding covered loans, gross	18,277,768	[1]	15,678,317	[1]
Unearned fees, premiums and discounts, net	(5,589)		(23,672)
Allowance for non-covered loans receivable	(246,468)		(241,930)
Non-covered loans receivable, excluding covered loans, net	18,025,711		15,412,715
Residential | Non-covered loans
Non-Covered loans receivable disclosures
Loans receivable, excluding covered loans, gross	4,449,727		4,185,309
Residential | Single-family | Non-covered loans
Non-Covered loans receivable disclosures
Loans receivable, excluding covered loans, gross	3,316,581		3,192,875
Residential | Multifamily | Non-covered loans
Non-Covered loans receivable disclosures
Loans receivable, excluding covered loans, gross	1,133,146		992,434
Commercial Real Estate ("CRE") | Non-covered loans
Non-Covered loans receivable disclosures
Loans receivable, excluding covered loans, gross	5,798,303		4,585,077
Commercial Real Estate ("CRE") | Income producing | Non-covered loans
Non-Covered loans receivable disclosures
Loans receivable, excluding covered loans, gross	5,358,710		4,301,030
Commercial Real Estate ("CRE") | Construction | Non-covered loans
Non-Covered loans receivable disclosures
Loans receivable, excluding covered loans, gross	233,105		140,186
Commercial Real Estate ("CRE") | Land | Non-covered loans
Non-Covered loans receivable disclosures
Loans receivable, excluding covered loans, gross	206,488		143,861
Commercial and Industrial ("C&I") | Non-covered loans
Non-Covered loans receivable disclosures
Loans receivable, excluding covered loans, gross	6,673,303		5,360,193
Commercial and Industrial ("C&I") | Commercial Business | Non-covered loans
Non-Covered loans receivable disclosures
Loans receivable, excluding covered loans, gross	5,956,607		4,637,056
Commercial and Industrial ("C&I") | Trade finance | Non-covered loans
Non-Covered loans receivable disclosures
Loans receivable, excluding covered loans, gross	716,696		723,137
Consumer | Non-covered loans
Non-Covered loans receivable disclosures
Loans receivable, excluding covered loans, gross	1,356,435		1,547,738
Consumer | Student loans | Non-covered loans
Non-Covered loans receivable disclosures
Loans receivable, excluding covered loans, gross	139,736		679,220
Consumer | Other Consumer | Non-covered loans
Non-Covered loans receivable disclosures
Loans receivable, excluding covered loans, gross	$ 1,216,699		$ 868,518

[1] Loans net of ASC 310-30 discount.