INCOME TAX (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023
Reconciliation of Federal Statutory to Actual Tax Expense:
Federal statutory income tax at 21%	$ 11,833	$ 13,728	$ 32,572	$ 44,589
Tax-exempt interest income	(4,409)	(4,469)	(13,157)	(13,792)
Non-deductible FDIC premiums	180	126	462	299
Share-based compensation	98	(108)	113	(172)
Tax-exempt earnings and gains on life insurance	(579)	(369)	(1,318)	(1,080)
Tax credits	(305)	(84)	(969)	(249)
State Income Tax	333	254	142	1,474
Other	9	(73)	207	(48)
Actual Tax Expense	$ 7,160	$ 9,005	$ 18,052	$ 31,021
Effective Tax Rate	12.70%	13.80%	11.60%	14.60%