Parent company financial information (Condensed Statement of Cash Flows) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 5,918	$ 4,089	$ 4,824	$ 1,940	$ 5,567	$ 5,099	$ 4,795	$ 5,118	$ 16,771	$ 20,579	$ 3,737
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Stock-based compensation expense									3,124	2,482	1,214
Increase in other assets									7,468	(8,364)	(3,050)
(Decrease) increase in other liabilities									(7,216)	5,422	(2,830)
Net cash provided by operating activities									27,291	37,682	5,544
Cash flows from financing activities:
Tax effect of nonvested restricted stock									(577)	(556)	(339)
Proceeds from stock options exercised									7	0	0
Net cash provided by financing activities									6,722	102,382	26,315
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents									(5,228)	(5,284)	1,240
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period				77,805				83,089	77,805	83,089	81,849
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	72,577				77,805				72,577	77,805	83,089
Cascade Bancorp
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)									16,771	20,579	3,737
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Equity in undistributed net income of subsidiary									(19,597)	(22,417)	(6,238)
Stock-based compensation expense									3,124	2,482	1,214
Increase in deferred tax asset									(1,714)	(1,010)	(1,794)
Increase in other assets									(527)	17	(936)
(Decrease) increase in other liabilities									0	0	0
Net cash provided by operating activities									(1,943)	(349)	(4,017)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Tax effect of nonvested restricted stock									(577)	(556)	(339)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock									16,238	0	119,285
Increase due to business combination									(16,244)	0	(111,879)
Proceeds from stock options exercised									7	0	0
Dividend from Bank									1,500	0	0
Net cash provided by financing activities									924	(556)	7,067
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents									(1,019)	(905)	3,050
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period				$ 2,272				$ 3,177	2,272	3,177	127
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 1,253				$ 2,272				$ 1,253	$ 2,272	$ 3,177