CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 95,916	$ 66,593	$ 53,091
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Net amortization on loans	11,738	20,511	26,101
Net amortization on securities and borrowings	9,021	15,794	16,762
Net provision for loan and real estate losses (credited) charged to operations	(8,113)	20,899	43,314
Depreciation and amortization	11,872	11,566	11,861
Net gain on sales of loans and securities	(1,012)	(9,059)	(17,333)
Mortgage servicing rights amortization and valuation allowance adjustments, net	2,522	(2,172)	4,840
Stock-based compensation and allocation of ESOP stock	8,672	17,976	15,356
Originations of loans held-for-sale	(105,176)	(256,048)	(380,356)
Proceeds from sales and principal repayments of loans held-for-sale	104,947	325,088	324,520
Decrease in accrued interest receivable	1,298	3,762	4,840
Bank owned life insurance income and insurance proceeds received, net	(7,393)	(5,220)	(8,518)
(Increase) decrease in other assets	(10,407)	51,231	101,170
Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses and other liabilities	20,191	(28,257)	(8,235)
Net cash provided by operating activities	134,076	232,664	187,413
Cash flows from investing activities:
Originations of loans receivable	(1,560,090)	(2,228,450)	(3,272,511)
Loan purchases through third parties	(196,283)	(407,532)	(942,873)
Principal payments on loans receivable	1,985,246	3,302,519	4,135,995
Proceeds from sales of delinquent and non-performing loans	181,295	19,511	23,220
Purchases of securities held-to-maturity	(630,366)	(850,716)	(533,687)
Purchases of securities available-for-sale	(25,479)	(221,080)	(256,901)
Principal payments on securities held-to-maturity	338,691	687,902	948,994
Principal payments on securities available-for-sale	40,906	95,687	201,147
Proceeds from sales of securities available-for-sale	14,447	41,640	60,318
Net redemptions (purchases) of Federal Home Loan Bank of New York stock	11,453	18,987	(39,527)
Redemption of Astoria Capital Trust I common securities	0	3,866	0
Proceeds from sales of real estate owned, net	49,089	35,949	59,892
Purchases of premises and equipment, net of proceeds from sales	(10,961)	(9,621)	(6,435)
Net cash provided by investing activities	197,948	488,662	377,632
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net decrease in deposits	(350,401)	(588,648)	(801,656)
Net increase in borrowings with original terms of three months or less	200,000	317,000	448,000
Proceeds from borrowings with original terms greater than three months	0	0	950,000
Repayments of borrowings with original terms greater than three months	(150,000)	(553,866)	(1,144,000)
Cash payments for debt issuance costs	0	0	(2,653)
Net increase (decrease) in mortgage escrow funds	5,942	(3,643)	2,260
Proceeds from sales of treasury stock	8,121	0	0
Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock	0	135,000	0
Cash payments for preferred stock issuance costs	0	(5,204)	0
Cash dividends paid to stockholders	(24,643)	(20,688)	(24,104)
Net tax benefit excess (shortfall) from stock-based compensation	192	(800)	(4,123)
Net cash used in financing activities	(310,789)	(720,849)	(576,276)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	21,235	477	(11,231)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	121,950	121,473	132,704
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	143,185	121,950	121,473
Supplemental disclosures:
Interest paid	150,026	180,871	258,503
Income taxes paid	21,658	28,820	6,002
Additions to real estate owned	43,532	51,360	43,270
Loans transferred to held-for-sale	$ 190,594	$ 16,605	$ 6,501