Note 9 - Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase and Other Long-term Borrowings (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2007	Dec. 31, 2005	Sep. 30, 2016
Federal Home Loan Bank, Advances, Activity for Year, Average Interest Rate for Year		3.97%	3.98%
Federal Home Loan Bank Advances, General Debt Obligations, Remaining Maturity Period		292 days	1 year 292 days
Long-term Federal Home Loan Bank Advances		$ 18,646	$ 18,806
Federal Home Loan Bank, Advances, General Debt Obligations, Amount of Available, Unused Funds		147,000
Gain (Loss) on Extinguishment of Debt		4,050
Preferred Trust Securities Sold, Carrying Amount	$ 15,500
Junior Subordinated Debenture Owed to Unconsolidated Subsidiary Trust		33,506	48,970
Securities Sold under Agreements to Repurchase		$ 1,285	$ 101,474
Assets Sold under Agreements to Repurchase, Interest Rate		0.75%	3.90%
Amount Allowable in Tier 1 Capital [Member]
Proceeds from Issuance of Trust Preferred Securities		$ 32,500	$ 47,500
Trust Preferred Securities [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Extinguishment of Debt	4,100
Preferred Trust Securities Sold, Carrying Amount	15,000
Payments for Repurchase of Trust Preferred Securities	$ 11,000
Farmers Capital Bank Trust I [Member]
Proceeds from Issuance of Trust Preferred Securities						$ 10,000
Junior Subordinated Debenture Owed to Unconsolidated Subsidiary Trust		$ 10,300	$ 10,300
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage		2.50%	2.10%
Farmers Capital Bank Trust I [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		1.50%
Farmers Capital Bank Trust II [Member]
Proceeds from Issuance of Trust Preferred Securities						$ 15,000
Junior Subordinated Debenture Owed to Unconsolidated Subsidiary Trust			$ 15,500
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage			2.26%
Farmers Capital Bank Trust III [Member]
Proceeds from Issuance of Trust Preferred Securities					$ 22,500
Junior Subordinated Debenture Owed to Unconsolidated Subsidiary Trust		$ 23,200	$ 23,200
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage		2.21%	1.65%
Farmers Capital Bank Trust III [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		1.32%
Putable [Member]
Long-term Federal Home Loan Bank Advances		$ 18,000
Long-term Repurchase Agreements, Leverage Transaction [Member]
Securities Sold under Agreements to Repurchase					$ 200,000		$ 100,000
Assets Sold under Agreements to Repurchase, Interest Rate					3.95%
Other Long-term Repurchase Agreements [Member]
Securities Sold under Agreements to Repurchase		$ 1,300
Assets Sold under Agreements to Repurchase, Interest Rate		0.75%
Minimum [Member]
Federal Home Loan Bank, Advances, General Debt Obligations, Disclosures, Interest Rate at Period End		2.99%	2.99%
Maximum [Member]
Federal Home Loan Bank, Advances, General Debt Obligations, Disclosures, Interest Rate at Period End		5.81%	5.81%