Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks	$ 10,128	$ 26,811
Interest bearing deposits	14,378	24,922
Total cash and cash equivalents	24,506	51,733
Investment securities available-for-sale (AFS) at fair value	329,006	315,617
Other investments, at cost	1,538	1,538
Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) stock, at cost	8,474	10,405
Loans and leases held for sale, at lower of cost or fair market value	12,569	29,621
Loans and leases	414,243	496,854
Less allowance for loan and lease losses	16,380	21,129
Net loans and leases	397,863	475,725
Bank owned life insurance	14,032	8,642
Real estate owned via equity investment	0	6,794
Accrued interest receivable	15,463	16,864
Other real estate owned (OREO), net	21,016	29,244
Premises and equipment, net	5,394	5,735
Other assets	18,587	28,708
Total assets	848,448	980,626
Deposits
Non-interest bearing	54,534	52,872
Interest bearing	521,382	641,041
Total deposits	575,916	693,913
Accrued interest payable	3,450	3,983
Short-term borrowings	54,218	22,000
Long-term borrowings	93,782	132,949
Subordinated debentures	25,774	25,774
Other liabilities	19,363	17,914
Total liabilities	772,503	896,533
Royal Bancshares of Pennsylvania, Inc. equity:
Preferred stock, Series A perpetual, $1,000 liquidation value, 500,000 shares authorized, 30,407 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2011 and 2010	28,878	28,395
Additional paid in capital	126,245	126,152
Accumulated deficit	(100,803)	(91,746)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	800	1,942
Treasury stock - at cost, shares of Class A, 498,488 at December 31, 2011and 2010	(6,971)	(6,971)
Total Royal Bancshares of Pennsylvania, Inc. shareholders' equity	71,080	80,692
Noncontrolling interest	4,865	3,401
Total shareholders' equity	75,945	84,093
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	848,448	980,626
Common Class A [Member]
Royal Bancshares of Pennsylvania, Inc. equity:
Common stock	22,723	22,711
Total shareholders' equity	22,723	22,711
Common Class B [Member]
Royal Bancshares of Pennsylvania, Inc. equity:
Common stock	208	209
Total shareholders' equity	$ 208	$ 209