ACQUISITIONS (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Peoples Federal Bancshares, Inc [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Net interest income after provision for loan losses		$ 216,086	$ 203,296
Net income		69,816	$ 60,896
New England Bancorp, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	$ 228,927	221,252
Net income	$ 80,411	$ 65,623