INCOME TAXES - Federal statutory rate (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
INCOME TAXES
Tax at federal statutory rate	$ 10,802	$ 28,745	$ 44,502
State and local taxes, net of federal income tax benefit	5,583	12,237	13,699
Benefit plan differences	(131)	(127)	(127)
Investment in BOLI	(2,179)	(2,047)	(2,173)
Surrender of BOLI	7,415
Equity based compensation	200	79	(141)
Salaries deduction limitation	653	2,381	2,054
Other, net	12	(483)	1,545
Total	$ 22,355	$ 40,785	$ 59,359
Effective tax rate	43.46%	29.80%	28.01%