Condensed Financial Statements of Parent Company (Balance Sheets) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Other assets	$ 32,771us-gaap_OtherAssets	$ 36,051us-gaap_OtherAssets
Total assets	2,997,572us-gaap_Assets	2,781,118us-gaap_Assets
Long-term debt	0us-gaap_LongTermDebt	15,800us-gaap_LongTermDebt
Other liabilities	17,902us-gaap_OtherLiabilities	17,764us-gaap_OtherLiabilities
Total liabilities	2,732,049us-gaap_Liabilities	2,550,935us-gaap_Liabilities
Total stockholders' equity	265,523us-gaap_StockholdersEquity	230,183us-gaap_StockholdersEquity	235,387us-gaap_StockholdersEquity	220,020us-gaap_StockholdersEquity
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	2,997,572	2,781,118
Metro Bancorp, Inc.
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash	18,976	10,308
Other assets	61	40
Total assets	266,522	246,477
Long-term debt	0	15,800
Other liabilities	999	494
Total liabilities	999	16,294
Total stockholders' equity	265,523	230,183
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	266,522	246,477
Metro Bancorp, Inc. \| Banking Subsidiary [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Investments in subsidiaries	247,485	235,329
Metro Bancorp, Inc. \| Non-banking Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Investments in subsidiaries	$ 0	$ 800

Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all assets that are recognized. Assets are probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events.

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Amount of currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. Includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits. Excludes cash and cash equivalents within disposal group and discontinued operation.

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Total investments in (A) an entity in which the entity has significant influence, but does not have control, (B) subsidiaries that are not required to be consolidated and are accounted for using the equity and or cost method, and (C) an entity in which the reporting entity shares control of the entity with another party or group. Includes long-term advances receivable from a party that is affiliated with the reporting entity by means of direct or indirect ownership.

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Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all liabilities that are recognized. Liabilities are probable future sacrifices of economic benefits arising from present obligations of an entity to transfer assets or provide services to other entities in the future.

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Amount of liabilities and equity items, including the portion of equity attributable to noncontrolling interests, if any.

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Carrying amount of long-term debt, net of unamortized discount or premium, including current and noncurrent amounts. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

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The aggregate carrying amounts, as of the balance sheet date, of assets not separately disclosed in the balance sheet.

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The aggregate carrying amount, as of the balance sheet date, of liabilities not separately disclosed in the balance sheet.

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Total of all stockholders' equity (deficit) items, net of receivables from officers, directors, owners, and affiliates of the entity which are attributable to the parent. The amount of the economic entity's stockholders' equity attributable to the parent excludes the amount of stockholders' equity which is allocable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent (noncontrolling interest, minority interest). This excludes temporary equity and is sometimes called permanent equity.

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