Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Interest income
Loans and leases, including fees	$ 29,651	$ 42,643	$ 45,757
Taxable interest	9,645	14,464	20,102
Tax exempt interest	0	0	19
Deposits in banks	78	154	164
Federal funds sold	3	1	1
Total Interest Income	39,377	57,262	66,043
Interest expense
Deposits	8,950	16,922	25,342
Short-term borrowings	149	3,835	169
Long-term borrowings	4,987	5,215	11,685
Obligations related to real estate owned via equity investments	0	22	243
Total Interest Expense	14,086	25,994	37,439
Net Interest Income	25,291	31,268	28,604
Provision for loan and lease losses	7,728	22,140	20,605
Net Interest Income after Provision for Loan and Lease Losses	17,563	9,128	7,999
Other income (loss)
Net gains on the sale of AFS investment securities	1,782	1,290	1,892
Income from real estate joint ventures	1,750	0	0
Net gains on sales of other real estate owned	1,638	1,019	294
Service charges and fees	1,128	1,266	1,419
Income from bank owned life insurance	391	379	1,099
Gains on sales of loans and leases	337	666	914
Income related to real estate owned via equity investments	478	564	1,302
Gain on sale of security claim	0	1,656	0
Gains on sale of premises and equipment related to real estate owned via equity investments	0	667	1,817
Other income	1,110	737	578
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses on investment securities	(1,796)	(566)	(13,431)
Portion of loss recognized in other comprehensive loss	0	(87)	(2,390)
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings	(1,796)	(479)	(11,041)
Total Other Income (Loss)	6,818	7,765	(1,726)
Other expenses
Employee salaries and benefits	10,920	11,591	12,235
OREO impairment charge	5,522	7,374	4,537
Professional and legal fees	4,137	4,237	4,367
OREO and loan collection expenses	2,625	2,536	3,218
Occupancy and equipment	2,328	3,216	3,381
FDIC and state assessments	1,990	3,047	3,801
Pennsylvania shares tax	1,123	1,320	1,299
Impairment of loans held for sale	340	0	0
Directors fees	339	355	676
Stock option expense	93	35	226
Impairment related to real estate owned via equity investments	0	2,600	0
Impairment of real estate joint ventures	0	1,552	0
Expenses related to real estate owned via equity investments	0	529	907
Other operating expenses	2,652	2,351	3,009
Total Other Expenses	32,069	40,743	37,656
Loss Before Income Taxes	(7,688)	(23,850)	(31,383)
Income tax expense	0	0	474
Net Loss	(7,688)	(23,850)	(31,857)
Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	875	243	1,402
Net Loss Attributable to Royal Bancshares of Pennsylvania, Inc.	(8,563)	(24,093)	(33,259)
Less Preferred stock Series A accumulated dividend and accretion	2,003	1,970	1,672
Net Loss to Common Shareholders	$ (10,566)	$ (26,063)	$ (34,931)
Per common share data
Net loss per share - basic and diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.80)	$ (1.97)	$ (2.64)