NON-COVERED LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Details 12) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Financing Receivable Allowance for Credit Losses Roll Forward
Provision for loan losses	$ 15,225	$ 3,571	$ 30,158		$ 16,898
Non-covered loans
Financing Receivable Allowance for Credit Losses Roll Forward
Beginning balance	246,468	233,480	241,930		229,382
Provision for loan losses	7,556	4,535	24,454		12,050
Provision allocation for unfunded loan commitments and letters of credit	623	(3,445)	(421)		(2,297)
Charge-offs	(8,357)	(2,399)	(22,563)		(11,315)
Recoveries	2,978	2,065	5,868		6,416
Net charge-offs	(5,379)	(334)	(16,695)		(4,899)
Ending balance	249,268	234,236	249,268		234,236
Ending balance allocated to:
Individually evaluated for impairment	26,958	17,293	26,958		17,293
Collectively evaluated for impairment	222,020	216,943	222,020		216,943
Acquired with deteriorated credit quality	290		290
Ending balance	249,268	234,236	249,268		234,236
Non-covered loans | MetroCorp
Financing Receivable Allowance for Credit Losses Roll Forward
Charge-offs			523
Residential | Non-covered loans
Financing Receivable Allowance for Credit Losses Roll Forward
Beginning balance	45,783	47,337	50,717		49,349
Provision for loan losses	(835)	3,402	(5,625)		1,180
Charge-offs	(8)	(432)	(351)		(1,293)
Recoveries	95	469	294		1,540
Net charge-offs	87	37	(57)		247
Ending balance	45,035	50,776	45,035		50,776
Ending balance allocated to:
Individually evaluated for impairment	1,880	809	1,880		809
Collectively evaluated for impairment	43,155	49,967	43,155		49,967
Ending balance	45,035	50,776	45,035		50,776
Commercial Real Estate ("CRE") | Non-covered loans
Financing Receivable Allowance for Credit Losses Roll Forward
Beginning balance	60,600	72,830	64,677		69,856
Provision for loan losses	(16)	(3,169)	(3,839)		223
Charge-offs	(1,522)	(574)	(3,156)	[1]	(2,341)
Recoveries	259	270	1,639		1,619
Net charge-offs	(1,263)	(304)	(1,517)		(722)
Ending balance	59,321	69,357	59,321		69,357
Ending balance allocated to:
Individually evaluated for impairment	4,280	6,045	4,280		6,045
Collectively evaluated for impairment	54,751	63,312	54,751		63,312
Acquired with deteriorated credit quality	290		290
Ending balance	59,321	69,357	59,321		69,357
Commercial and Industrial ("C&I") | Non-covered loans
Financing Receivable Allowance for Credit Losses Roll Forward
Beginning balance	128,479	105,376	115,184		105,376
Provision for loan losses	8,406	(594)	32,621		3,347
Charge-offs	(6,693)	(1,387)	(18,917)		(6,464)
Recoveries	2,621	1,243	3,925		2,379
Net charge-offs	(4,072)	(144)	(14,992)		(4,085)
Ending balance	132,813	104,638	132,813		104,638
Ending balance allocated to:
Individually evaluated for impairment	20,797	10,439	20,797		10,439
Collectively evaluated for impairment	112,016	94,199	112,016		94,199
Ending balance	132,813	104,638	132,813		104,638
Consumer | Non-covered loans
Financing Receivable Allowance for Credit Losses Roll Forward
Beginning balance	11,606	7,937	11,352		4,801
Provision for loan losses	624	1,451	876		5,003
Charge-offs	(134)	(6)	(139)		(1,217)
Recoveries	3	83	10		878
Net charge-offs	(131)	77	(129)		(339)
Ending balance	12,099	9,465	12,099		9,465
Ending balance allocated to:
Individually evaluated for impairment	1		1
Collectively evaluated for impairment	12,098	9,465	12,098		9,465
Ending balance	12,099	9,465	12,099		9,465
Unallocated | Non-covered loans
Financing Receivable Allowance for Credit Losses Roll Forward
Provision for loan losses	(623)	3,445	421		2,297
Provision allocation for unfunded loan commitments and letters of credit	$ 623	$ (3,445)	$ (421)		$ (2,297)

[1] Includes charge-off of $523 thousand relating to PCI loans acquired from MetroCorp.