CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Interest income
Loans	$ 72,910	$ 69,462	$ 66,736
Investment securities – taxable	799	519	64
Investment securities – tax-exempt	25,483	13,644	12,520
Mortgage-backed securities	20,085	32,118	51,467
FHLB stock and other investments	182	240	233
Other interest earning assets	143	37	18
Total interest income	119,602	116,020	131,038
Interest expense
Deposits	8,179	10,841	15,647
Short-term obligations	1,875	6,340	6,577
Long-term obligations	7,914	9,714	13,407
Total interest expense	17,968	26,895	35,631
Net interest income	101,634	89,125	95,407
Provision for loan losses	8,879	10,736	7,496
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	92,755	78,389	87,911
Noninterest income
Deposit services	15,560	15,433	15,943
Gain on sale of securities available for sale	8,472	17,966	11,795
(Loss) gain on sale of securities carried at fair value through income	0	(498)	937
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses	(52)	(21)	0
Portion of loss recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) (before taxes)	10	(160)	0
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings	(42)	(181)	0
Fair value gains – securities	0	0	6,693
FHLB advance option impairment charges	0	(2,031)	(8,923)
Gain on sale of loans	770	1,119	1,230
Trust income	3,024	2,794	2,610
Bank owned life insurance income	3,122	1,110	1,087
Other	4,339	4,309	3,950
Total noninterest income	35,245	40,021	35,322
Noninterest expense
Salaries and employee benefits	52,054	48,084	45,421
Occupancy expense	7,539	7,498	7,205
Advertising, travel & entertainment	2,642	2,463	2,414
ATM and debit card expense	1,328	1,063	987
Director fees	1,212	1,213	914
Professional fees	2,782	2,928	2,718
Telephone and communications	1,529	1,665	1,325
FDIC insurance	1,713	1,744	1,817
FHLB prepayment fees	1,048	0	0
Other	9,866	9,449	9,547
Total noninterest expense	81,713	76,107	72,348
Income before income tax expense	46,287	42,303	50,885
Provision for income tax expense	5,097	7,608	10,394
Net income	41,190	34,695	40,491
Less: Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest	0	0	(1,358)
Net income attributable to Southside Bancshares, Inc.	$ 41,190	$ 34,695	$ 39,133
Earnings per common share - basic (in dollars per share)	$ 2.30	$ 1.91	$ 2.16
Earnings per common share - diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 2.30	$ 1.91	$ 2.16
Dividends paid on common stock (in dollars per share)	$ 0.91	$ 1.11	$ 0.90