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EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Details 3) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
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Dec. 31, 2013
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Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
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401(k) Plan        
Non-elective contribution by employer as percentage of gross annual wages 3.00%bhlb_DefinedContributionPlanNonElectiveContributionByEmployerPercent      
Matching contribution by employer (as a percent) 100.00%us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerMatchingContributionPercent      
Percentage of gross annual wages matched by employer 4.00%us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanMaximumAnnualContributionsPerEmployeePercent      
Expense under the plan $ 3.0us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanCostRecognized $ 2.9us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanCostRecognized $ 2.5us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanCostRecognized  
Employee Stock Ownership Plan ("ESOP")        
Number of significant acquisitions completed 1bhlb_BusinessAcquisitionNumberOfSignificantAcquisitionsCompleted 0bhlb_BusinessAcquisitionNumberOfSignificantAcquisitionsCompleted   2bhlb_BusinessAcquisitionNumberOfSignificantAcquisitionsCompleted