BANK LOANS, NET, Nonperforming Loans Held for Investment and Total Nonperforming Assets (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2009	Sep. 30, 2008	Sep. 30, 2007
Nonaccrual loans:
Total nonaccrual loans	$ 132,586	$ 147,896	$ 129,058	$ 52,033	$ 1,391
Accruing loans which are 90 days past due:
Total accruing loans which are 90 days past due	737	6,087	29,324	6,131	2,674
Total nonperforming loans	133,323	153,983	158,382	58,164	4,065
Real estate owned and other repossessed assets, net:
Total real estate owned and other repossessed assets, net	14,572	27,925	8,691	4,144	1,653
Total nonperforming assets, net	147,895	181,908	167,073	62,308	5,718
Total nonperforming assets as a percentage of total loans, net and other real estate owned, net (in hundredths)	2.25%	2.97%	2.53%	0.88%	0.12%
Amount excluded from nonperforming assets schedule	10,300	8,200	1,300
Interest income on nonperforming loans [Abstract]
Gross interest income related to nonperforming loans	5,100	7,900	7,800
Interest income recognized on nonperforming loans	1,200	1,300	607
C&I loans [Member]
Nonaccrual loans:
Total nonaccrual loans	25,685	0	0	0	0
CRE loans [Member]
Nonaccrual loans:
Total nonaccrual loans	15,842	67,071	73,961	37,462	0
Accruing loans which are 90 days past due:
Total accruing loans which are 90 days past due	0	830	12,461	0	682
Real estate owned and other repossessed assets, net:
Total real estate owned and other repossessed assets, net	7,707	19,486	4,646	1,928	0
Commitments to lend [Abstract]
Commitments to lend additional amounts on nonperforming loan classified as a troubled debt restructuring		623
Number of nonperforming loans on which there are commitments to lend		1
Residential mortgage - First mortgage [Member]
Nonaccrual loans:
Total nonaccrual loans	90,992	80,754	54,986	14,571	1,391
Accruing loans which are 90 days past due:
Total accruing loans which are 90 days past due	690	5,098	16,863	6,113	1,992
Real estate owned and other repossessed assets, net:
Total real estate owned and other repossessed assets, net	6,852	8,439	4,045	2,216	1,653
Nonaccrual loans for which a charge-off had previously been recorded	78,100	68,700	43,800
Residential mortgage - Home equity loans/lines [Member]
Nonaccrual loans:
Total nonaccrual loans	67	71	111	0	0
Accruing loans which are 90 days past due:
Total accruing loans which are 90 days past due	47	159	0	18	0
Real estate owned and other repossessed assets, net:
Total real estate owned and other repossessed assets, net	$ 13	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0