Note 25 - Firstbank Corporation (Parent Company Only) Condensed Financial Information (Details) - Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Cash flows from operating actsivities
Net income	$ 12,234	$ 10,534	$ 5,623
Stock option and restricted stock grant compensation expense	161	96	118
Change in other assets	6,404	(860)	4,513
Change in other liabilities	(3,143)	1,886	(1,007)
Net cash from operating activities	25,681	23,193	28,882
Cash flows from investing activities
Net cash from/(used in) investing activities	(25,700)	357	(46,076)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	858	903	421
Dividends on preferred stock, net of accretion	(389)	(1,247)	(1,650)
Dividends on common stock	(1,935)	(2,314)	(313)
Net cash used for financing activities	(24,928)	235	19,472
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(24,947)	23,785	2,278
Beginning cash and cash equivalents	74,654	99,601	75,816
Ending cash and cash equivalents	74,654	99,601	75,816
Parent Company [Member]
Cash flows from operating actsivities
Net income	12,234	10,534	5,623
Unrealized (gain)/loss on trading account securities	(12)	(4)	11
Equity in undistributed subsidiary income	515	(5,190)	(3,618)
Change in other assets	1,954	(223)	3,797
Change in other liabilities	(997)	745	138
Net cash from operating activities	13,855	5,958	6,069
Cash flows from investing activities
Net decrease in commercial loans	0	0	1,000
Return from/(payments for) investments in subsidiaries	6,000	8,000	(4,220)
Net cash from/(used in) investing activities	6,000	8,000	(3,220)
Cash flows from financing activities
Borrowing on line of credit	8,000	0	0
Repayment of borrowing on line of credit	(8,000)	0	0
Redemption of preferred stock	(17,000)	(15,056)	0
Redemption of common stock warrants	0	(1,947)	0
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	858	903	421
Dividends on preferred stock, net of accretion	(389)	(1,247)	(1,650)
Dividends on common stock	(1,935)	(2,314)	(313)
Net cash used for financing activities	(18,466)	(19,661)	(1,542)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	1,389	(5,703)	1,307
Beginning cash and cash equivalents	12,556	11,167
Ending cash and cash equivalents	12,556	11,167
Parent Company [Member] | Beginning [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities
Beginning cash and cash equivalents	11,167	16,870	15,563
Ending cash and cash equivalents	11,167	16,870	15,563
Parent Company [Member] | Ending [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities
Beginning cash and cash equivalents	12,556	11,167	16,870
Ending cash and cash equivalents	$ 12,556	$ 11,167	$ 16,870