OTHER COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES, AND OFF-BALANCE SHEET ACTIVITIES (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Financial commitments whose contractual amount represents credit risk
Total commitments	$ 785,221	$ 676,340
Commitments to originate new loans
Financial commitments whose contractual amount represents credit risk
Total commitments	50,218	26,184
Unused funds on commercial and other lines of credit
Financial commitments whose contractual amount represents credit risk
Total commitments	339,738	229,084
Unadvanced funds on home equity lines of credit
Financial commitments whose contractual amount represents credit risk
Total commitments	255,340	225,315
Unadvanced funds on construction and real estate loans
Financial commitments whose contractual amount represents credit risk
Total commitments	98,945	163,135
Standby letters of credit
Financial commitments whose contractual amount represents credit risk
Total commitments	28,339	32,622
Lease obligation
Financial commitments whose contractual amount represents credit risk
Total commitments	$ 12,641