Mergers and Acquisitions (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified				0 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 13, 2012 Savannah Bancorp ("SAVB")	Dec. 13, 2012 Savannah Bancorp ("SAVB") Fair Value Adjustments	Dec. 13, 2012 Savannah Bancorp ("SAVB") As previously recorded by acquiree
Mergers and Acquisitions
Fixed exchange ratio for shares issued (as a percent)				0.2503
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents				$ 86,244		$ 86,244
Investment securities				75,460	(1,288)	74,172
Loans				660,555	(59,196)	601,359
Premises and equipment				12,555	(1,843)	10,712
Intangible assets				3,357	9,546	12,903
Other real estate owned and repossessed assets				13,934	(5,315)	8,619
Bank owned life insurance	42,737	22,111		6,705		6,705
Deferred tax asset				(790)	39,143	38,353
Other assets				8,497	(2,348)	6,149
Total assets				866,517	(21,301)	845,216
Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing				129,902		129,902
Interest-bearing				619,198	2,530	621,728
Total deposits				749,100	2,530	751,630
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase	238,621	180,436		13,491		13,491
Other borrowings				30,613	(232)	30,381
Other liabilities				8,026	6,657	14,683
Total liabilities				801,230	8,955	810,185
Net identifiable assets acquired over (under) liabilities assumed				65,287	(30,256)	35,031
Goodwill	100,602	62,888	62,888		33,886	33,886
Net assets acquired over (under) liabilities assumed				65,287	3,630	68,917
Consideration:
SCBT Financial Corporation common shares issued				1,802,137
Purchase price per share of the Company's common stock (in dollars per share)				$ 38.20
Company common stock issued and cash exchanged for fractional shares				68,854
Cash paid for stock options outstanding				63
Fair value of total consideration transferred				$ 68,917
Income tax rate at which purchase accounting adjustments are made to adjust deferred tax asset (as a percent)					35.80%