LOANS - Activity in Allowance for Credit Losses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Dec. 31, 2022
Allowance for loan losses:
Beginning balance	$ 52,614	$ 32,400	$ 38,917	$ 30,742	$ 30,742
Initial allowance on PCD loans		1,303	3,176	1,303	1,303
Provision for credit losses	1,000	4,300	12,500	4,750	3,900
Loans charged-off	(629)	(241)	(2,095)	(898)
Recoveries	580	594	1,067	2,459
Total ending allowance balance	53,565	38,356	53,565	38,356	38,917
Heritage Southeast Bank
Allowance for loan losses:
Provision for credit losses			10,700
Commercial, financial and agriculture
Allowance for loan losses:
Beginning balance	8,972	4,511	6,349	4,873	4,873
Initial allowance on PCD loans		614	727	614	614
Provision for credit losses	(709)	483	1,554	171
Loans charged-off	(48)	0	(472)	(146)
Recoveries	277	292	334	388
Total ending allowance balance	8,492	5,900	8,492	5,900	6,349
Commercial real estate
Allowance for loan losses:
Beginning balance	28,726	18,668	20,389	17,552	17,552
Initial allowance on PCD loans		576	2,260	576	576
Provision for credit losses	389	1,663	6,380	2,292
Loans charged-off	(27)	0	(27)	(27)
Recoveries	15	18	101	532
Total ending allowance balance	29,103	20,925	29,103	20,925	20,389
Consumer real estate
Allowance for loan losses:
Beginning balance	14,123	8,752	11,599	7,889	7,889
Initial allowance on PCD loans		113	182	113	113
Provision for credit losses	919	2,135	3,203	2,197
Loans charged-off	(21)	(55)	(45)	(202)
Recoveries	142	39	224	987
Total ending allowance balance	15,163	10,984	15,163	10,984	11,599
Consumer installment
Allowance for loan losses:
Beginning balance	793	469	580	428	428
Initial allowance on PCD loans		0	7	0	0
Provision for credit losses	401	19	1,363	90
Loans charged-off	(533)	(186)	(1,551)	(523)
Recoveries	146	245	408	552
Total ending allowance balance	$ 807	$ 547	$ 807	$ 547	$ 580