SEGMENT REPORTING (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2026 USD ($) segment	Mar. 31, 2025 USD ($)
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of reportable operating segment | segment	1
Number of operating segment | segment	1
INTEREST AND DIVIDEND INCOME:
Interest and fees on loans	$ 101,327	$ 72,379
Total interest and dividend income	112,038	82,379
Interest Expense:
Deposits	35,967	32,634
Total interest expense	38,715	33,948
NET INTEREST INCOME	73,323	48,431
PROVISION FOR CREDIT LOSS EXPENSE	998	1,556
NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR CREDIT LOSS EXPENSE	72,325	46,875
NON-INTEREST INCOME:
Service charges on deposit accounts	2,034	1,714
Other service charges and fees	422	510
Wealth and asset management fees	2,357	1,796
Mortgage banking	341	96
Bank owned life insurance	986	760
Card processing and interchange income	2,586	2,107
Other non-interest income	1,030	1,773
Total non-interest income	9,998	8,507
NON-INTEREST EXPENSES:
Net occupancy expense	5,449	4,038
Amortization of core deposit intangible	1,005	17
Technology expense	7,181	5,378
State and local taxes	821	1,292
Legal, professional, and examination fees	772	849
Advertising	788	514
FDIC insurance premiums	807	985
Card processing and interchange expenses	1,507	1,160
Merger and integration costs	0	1,529
Other non-interest expenses	5,874	4,712
Total non-interest expenses	49,187	41,038
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	33,136	14,344
INCOME TAX EXPENSE	6,100	2,863
NET INCOME	27,036	11,481
Reportable Segment
INTEREST AND DIVIDEND INCOME:
Interest and fees on loans	101,327	72,379
Investment Securities	10,711	10,000
Total interest and dividend income	112,038	82,379
Interest Expense:
Deposits	35,967	32,634
Borrowed funds and finance lease liabilities	2,748	1,314
Total interest expense	38,715	33,948
NET INTEREST INCOME	73,323	48,431
PROVISION FOR CREDIT LOSS EXPENSE	998	1,556
NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR CREDIT LOSS EXPENSE	72,325	46,875
NON-INTEREST INCOME:
Service charges on deposit accounts	2,034	1,714
Other service charges and fees	422	510
Wealth and asset management fees	2,357	1,796
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on securities	242	(249)
Mortgage banking	341	96
Bank owned life insurance	986	760
Card processing and interchange income	2,586	2,107
Other non-interest income	1,030	1,773
Total non-interest income	9,998	8,507
NON-INTEREST EXPENSES:
Salaries	16,944	13,726
Incentive	1,889	1,768
Benefits	6,150	5,070
Net occupancy expense	5,449	4,038
Amortization of core deposit intangible	1,005	17
Technology expense	7,181	5,378
State and local taxes	821	1,292
Legal, professional, and examination fees	772	849
Advertising	788	514
FDIC insurance premiums	807	985
Card processing and interchange expenses	1,507	1,160
Merger and integration costs	0	1,529
Other non-interest expenses	5,874	4,712
Total non-interest expenses	49,187	41,038
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	33,136	14,344
INCOME TAX EXPENSE	6,100	2,863
NET INCOME	$ 27,036	$ 11,481