INCOME TAXES (Reconciliation Between Expected and Actual Income Tax Expense and Resulting Effective Tax Rate) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Deferred Tax Assets, Net [Abstract]
Expected federal income tax expense	$ 54,557	$ 50,361	$ 58,790
State income tax expense (benefit), net of federal effect	9,446	530	782
Tax-exempt income, net of expense disallowance	(11,104)	(11,123)	(11,615)
Bank owned life insurance	(3,282)	(2,469)	(2,415)
Other, net	1,046	784	(98)
Income tax expense	$ 50,663	$ 38,083	$ 45,444
Effective income tax rate	19.50%	15.90%	16.20%