Sterling Bancorp (STL) 10-Q 8 May 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	6-May-15
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Entity Registrant Name	STERLING BANCORP
Entity Central Index Key	1070154
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		91,129,031

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
ASSETS:
Cash and due from banks	$186,701	$121,520
Securities:
Available for sale, at fair value	1,214,404	1,140,846
Held to maturity, at amortized cost (fair value of $605,144 and $586,346, at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively)	585,633	572,337
Total securities	1,800,037	1,713,183
Loans held for sale	53,737	46,599
Portfolio loans	4,938,906	4,815,641
Allowance for loan losses	-42,884	-42,374
Portfolio loans, net	4,896,022	4,773,267
Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) and Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”) stock, at cost	68,864	75,437
Accrued interest receivable	21,367	19,301
Premises and equipment, net	45,076	46,156
Goodwill	400,941	388,926
Core deposit and other intangible assets	51,757	43,332
Bank owned life insurance	151,323	150,522
Other real estate owned	8,231	5,867
Other assets	43,459	40,712
Total assets	7,727,515	7,424,822
LIABILITIES:
Deposits	5,555,946	5,212,325
FHLB borrowings	857,138	1,003,209
Other borrowings (repurchase agreements)	25,245	9,846
Senior notes	98,595	98,498
Mortgage escrow funds	5,805	4,167
Other liabilities	104,243	121,577
Total liabilities	6,646,972	6,449,622
Commitments and Contingent liabilities
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Preferred stock (par value $0.01 per share; 10,000,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding)	0	0
Common stock (par value $0.01 per share; 190,000,000 shares authorized; 98,146,024 shares and 91,246,024 shares issued at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014; 91,121,531 and 83,927,572 shares outstanding at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively)	981	912
Additional paid-in capital	943,764	858,489
Treasury stock, at cost (7,024,493 shares at March 31, 2015 and 7,318,452 at December 31, 2014)	-79,530	-82,908
Retained earnings	220,067	208,958
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss), net of tax (benefit) of ($3,499) at March 31, 2015 and ($7,576) at December 31, 2014	-4,739	-10,251
Total stockholders’ equity	1,080,543	975,200
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$7,727,515	$7,424,822

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Securities held to maturity	$605,144	$586,346
Preferred stock, par value (USD per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	10,000,000	10,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value (USD per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	190,000,000	190,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	98,146,024	91,246,024
Common stock, shares outstanding	91,121,531	83,927,572
Treasury stock, shares	7,024,493	7,318,452
Accumulated other comprehensive income, tax	($3,499)	($7,576)

Consolidated_Income_Statements

Consolidated Income Statements (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Interest and dividend income:
Loans and loan fees	$55,271	$50,312
Securities taxable	7,632	7,573
Securities non-taxable	2,867	2,674
Other earning assets	902	766
Total interest and dividend income	66,672	61,325
Interest expense:
Deposits	3,091	2,394
Borrowings	4,714	4,903
Total interest expense	7,805	7,297
Net interest income	58,867	54,028
Provisions for loan losses	2,100	4,800
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	56,767	49,228
Non-interest income:
Accounts receivable management / factoring commissions and other fees	3,502	3,500
Mortgage banking income	3,157	2,383
Deposit fees and service charges	3,622	3,904
Net gain on sale of securities	1,534	60
Bank owned life insurance	1,076	729
Investment management fees	360	542
Other	759	1,297
Total non-interest income	14,010	12,415
Non-interest expense:
Compensation and benefits	23,165	25,263
Stock-based compensation plans	1,109	927
Occupancy and office operations	6,580	7,254
Amortization of intangible assets	1,399	2,511
FDIC insurance and regulatory assessments	1,428	1,567
Other real estate owned (income) expense, net	-37	61
Merger-related expense	2,455	388
Other	9,822	8,752
Total non-interest expense	45,921	46,723
Income before income tax expense	24,856	14,920
Income tax expense	8,078	4,588
Net income	$16,778	$10,332
Weighted average common shares:
Basic (in shares)	87,839,029	83,497,765
Diluted (in shares)	88,252,768	83,794,107
Earnings per common share:
Basic (USD per share)	$0.19	$0.12
Diluted (USD per share)	$0.19	$0.12

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$16,778	$10,332
Other comprehensive income, before tax:
Change in unrealized holding gains on securities available for sale	10,378	10,057
Accretion of net unrealized loss on securities transferred to held to maturity	539	313
Reclassification adjustment for net realized gains included in net income	-1,534	-60
Change in the actuarial gain (loss) of defined benefit plan and post-retirement benefit plans	203	-1,301
Total other comprehensive income, before tax	9,586	9,009
Deferred tax expense related to other comprehensive income	-4,074	-3,829
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	5,512	5,180
Comprehensive income	$22,290	$15,512

Consolidated_Statement_of_Chan

Consolidated Statement of Changes In Stockholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Common stock	Additional paid-in capital	Treasury stock	Retained earnings	Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$975,200	$912	$858,489	($82,908)	$208,958	($10,251)
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2014		83,927,572
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	16,778	0	0	0	16,778	0
Other comprehensive income	5,512	0	0	0	0	5,512
Stock option & other stock transactions, net	2,735	0	279	2,384	72	0
Stock option & other stock transactions, net, shares		208,054
Restricted stock awards, net	1,132	0	6	994	132	0
Restricted stock awards, net, shares		85,905
Common equity issued, net of costs of issuance		69	84,990	0	0	0
Common equity issued, net of costs of issuance, shares		6,900,000
Proceeds From Issuance Of Common Stock, Net Of Issuance Costs	85,059
Cash dividends declared	-5,873	0	0	0	-5,873	0
Balance at Mar. 31, 2015	$1,080,543	$981	$943,764	($79,530)	$220,067	($4,739)
Balance, shares at Mar. 31, 2015		91,121,531

Consolidated_Statement_of_Chan1

Consolidated Statement of Changes In Stockholders' Equity (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Cash dividends paid (USD per share)	$0.07

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$16,778	$10,332
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Provisions for loan losses	2,100	4,800
(Gain) net of losses and write-downs on other real estate owned	-487	-185
Depreciation of premises and equipment	1,633	1,802
Impairment of premises and equipment and leases	312	0
Amortization of intangibles	1,399	2,511
Amortization of low income housing tax credit	50	0
Net gain on sale of securities	-1,534	-60
Net gain on loans held for sale	-3,157	-2,383
Net amortization of premium and discount on securities	1,155	1,077
Net amortization of prepayment fees and other amortizable acquisition costs	-790	239
Accretion of discount, amortization of premium on borrowings, net	86	75
Restricted stock compensation and ESOP expense	828	692
Stock option compensation expense	281	235
Originations of loans held for sale	-137,538	-114,428
Proceeds from sales of loans held for sale	111,155	119,946
Increase in cash surrender value of BOLI	-1,076	-542
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	2,516	-819
Other adjustments (principally net changes in other assets and other liabilities)	-8,926	6,705
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	-15,215	29,997
Cash flows from investing activities:
Available for sale	-237,602	-152,101
Held to maturity	-28,161	-46,526
Proceeds from maturities, calls and other principal payments on securities:
Available for sale	41,017	25,545
Held to maturity	14,639	5,984
Proceeds from sales of securities available for sale	115,554	55,778
Loan originations, net	-143,695	-118,048
Proceeds from sale of loans held for investment	44,020	0
Redemption (purchases) of FHLB and FRB stock, net	6,573	-10,020
Proceeds from sales of other real estate owned	997	2,880
Purchases of premises and equipment	-334	-918
Cash paid for acquisitions, net	-24,670	0
Net cash (used in) investing activities	-211,662	-237,426
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net increase in transaction, savings and money market deposits	310,430	407,536
Net increase (decrease) in time deposits	33,191	-116,376
Net decrease in short-term FHLB borrowings	-151,000	0
Advances of term FHLB borrowings	80,000	0
Repayments of term FHLB borrowings	-75,059	-219
Repayment of other term borrowings	0	-20,263
Repayment of debt assumed in acquisition	-4,485	0
Net increase (decrease) in repurchase agreements and other short-term borrowings	15,399	-41,587
Net increase (decrease) in mortgage escrow funds	1,638	-4,749
Stock option transactions	2,758	923
Equity capital raise, net of costs of issuance	85,059	0
Cash dividends paid	-5,873	-5,853
Net cash provided by financing activities	292,058	219,412
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	65,181	11,983
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	121,520	152,662
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	186,701	164,645
Supplemental cash flow information:
Interest payments	9,376	8,819
Income tax payments	17,808	4,019
Real estate acquired in settlement of loans	2,874	219
Unsettled securities transactions	0	2,213
Loans transfered from held for investment to held for sale	44,020	0
Non-cash assets acquired:
Total loans, net	22,307	0
Goodwill	11,931	0
Customer list	8,950	0
Premises and equipment, net	219	0
Other assets	56	0
Total non-cash assets acquired	43,463	0
Liabilities assumed:
Other liabilities	19,045	0
Total liabilities assumed	19,045	0
Net non-cash assets acquired	24,418	0
Cash and cash equivalents acquired in acquisitions	252	0
Total consideration paid	$24,670	$0

Basis_of_Financial_Statement_P

Basis of Financial Statement Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Financial Statement Presentation	Basis of Financial Statement Presentation
	Merger with Sterling Bancorp
	On October 31, 2013, Provident New York Bancorp (“Legacy Provident”) merged with Sterling Bancorp (“Legacy Sterling”). In connection with the merger, the following corporate actions occurred:
	•	Legacy Sterling merged with and into Legacy Provident. Legacy Provident was the accounting acquirer and the surviving entity.
	•	Legacy Provident changed its legal entity name to Sterling Bancorp and became a bank holding company and a financial holding company as defined by the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (“Sterling” or the “Company”).
	•	Provident Bank converted to a national bank charter.
	•	Sterling National Bank merged into Provident Bank.
	•	Provident Bank changed its legal entity name to Sterling National Bank.
	•	Provident Municipal Bank merged into Sterling National Bank.
	We refer to the transactions detailed above collectively as the “Provident Merger.”
	Change in Fiscal Year End
	On January 27, 2015, the Board of Directors amended the Company’s bylaws to change the fiscal year end from September 30 to December 31.
	Nature of Operations and Principles of Consolidation
	The unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Sterling; STL Holdings, Inc. (formerly PBNY Holdings, Inc.) which has an investment in Sterling Silver Title Agency L.P. (formerly PB Madison Title Agency L.P.), a company that provides title searches and title insurance for residential and commercial real estate; Sterling Risk Management, Inc. (formerly Provident Risk Management, Inc., a captive insurance company); Sterling National Bank (the “Bank”) and the Bank’s wholly-owned subsidiaries. These subsidiaries included at March 31, 2015: (i) Sterling REIT, Inc., a real estate investment trust that holds a portion of the Company’s real estate loans; (ii) Provest Services Corp. I, which has invested in a low-income housing partnership; (iii) Provest Services Corp. II, which has engaged a third-party provider to sell mutual funds and annuities to the Bank’s customers, and (iv) several limited liability companies, which hold other real estate owned. Intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated in consolidation.
	The consolidated financial statements have been prepared by management and, in the opinion of management, include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial position and results of its operations as of the dates and for the periods presented. Although certain information and footnote disclosures have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission applicable to quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented clear. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for other interim periods or the entire calendar year ending December 31, 2015. The unaudited consolidated financial statements presented herein should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements included in the Company’s Transition Report on Form 10-K filed March 6, 2015.
	The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). In preparing the consolidated financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expense. Actual results could differ significantly from these estimates.

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisitions	Acquisitions
	On February 27, 2015, the Bank acquired 100% of the outstanding common stock of Damian Services Corporation (“Damian”), a payroll services provider located in Chicago, Illinois. In connection with the acquisition, the Bank acquired $22.3 million of outstanding payroll finance loans and assumed $14.6 million of liabilities. The Bank recognized a customer list intangible asset of $9.0 million that will be amortized over its 16 year estimated life, and $11.9 million of goodwill. In the quarter ended March 31, 2015, we recognized a $1.5 million restructuring charge consisting mainly of retention and severance compensation and asset write- downs related ot the consolidation of Damian’s operations.

Securities

Securities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Securities	Securities
	A summary of amortized cost and estimated fair value of our securities is presented below:
		March 31, 2015
		Available for Sale												Held to Maturity
		Amortized			Gross			Gross			Fair			Amortized		Gross			Gross			Fair
		cost			unrealized			unrealized			value			cost		unrealized			unrealized			value
					gains			losses								gains			losses
	Residential MBS:
	Agency-backed	$	573,294		$	7,663		$	(633	)	$	580,324		$	142,808	$	4,425		$	(89	)	$	147,144
	CMO/Other MBS	80,502			406			(515		)	80,393			57,668		467			(111		)	58,024
	Total residential MBS	653,796			8,069			(1,148		)	660,717			200,476		4,892			(200		)	205,168
	Other securities:
	Federal agencies	117,852			37			(632		)	117,257			131,810		5,749			(186		)	137,373
	Corporate	265,486			2,226			(848		)	266,864			5,000		1			—			5,001
	State and municipal	128,481			2,822			(126		)	131,177			243,347		9,058			(159		)	252,246
	Trust preferred	37,690			822			(123		)	38,389			—		—			—			—
	Other	—			—			—			—			5,000		356			—			5,356
	Total other securities	549,509			5,907			(1,729		)	553,687			385,157		15,164			(345		)	399,976
	Total securities	$	1,203,305		$	13,976		$	(2,877	)	$	1,214,404		$	585,633	$	20,056		$	(545	)	$	605,144
		31-Dec-14
		Available for Sale												Held to Maturity
		Amortized			Gross			Gross			Fair			Amortized		Gross			Gross			Fair
		cost			unrealized			unrealized			value			cost		unrealized			unrealized			value
					gains			losses								gains			losses
	Residential MBS:
	Agency-backed	$	528,818		$	5,398		$	(553	)	$	533,663		$	138,589	$	2,763		$	(2	)	$	141,350
	CMO/Other MBS	85,619			178			(959		)	84,838			60,166		58			(564		)	59,660
	Total residential MBS	614,437			5,576			(1,512		)	618,501			198,755		2,821			(566		)	201,010
	Other securities:
	Federal agencies	150,623			4			(3,471		)	147,156			136,618		4,328			(548		)	140,398
	Corporate	206,267			319			(1,755		)	204,831			—		—			—			—
	State and municipal	129,576			2,737			(248		)	132,065			231,964		7,713			(89		)	239,588
	Trust preferred	37,687			652			(46		)	38,293			—		—			—			—
	Other	—			—			—			—			5,000		350			—			5,350
	Total other securities	524,153			3,712			(5,520		)	522,345			373,582		12,391			(637		)	385,336
	Total securities	$	1,138,590		$	9,288		$	(7,032	)	$	1,140,846		$	572,337	$	15,212		$	(1,203	)	$	586,346
	The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities at March 31, 2015 are presented below by contractual maturity. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations. Residential mortgage-backed securities are shown separately since they are not due at a single maturity date.
		March 31, 2015
		Available for sale						Held to maturity
		Amortized			Fair			Amortized			Fair
		cost			value			cost			value
	Other securities remaining period to contractual maturity:
	One year or less	$	2,680		$	2,709		$	9,958		$	10,073
	One to five years	264,348			265,587			5,548			5,961
	Five to ten years	239,986			241,925			212,747			220,150
	Greater than ten years	42,495			43,466			156,904			163,792
	Total other securities	549,509			553,687			385,157			399,976
	Residential MBS	653,796			660,717			200,476			205,168
	Total securities	$	1,203,305		$	1,214,404		$	585,633		$	605,144
	Sales of securities for the period indicated below were as follows:
		For the three months ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
	Available for sale:
	Proceeds from sales	$	115,554		$	55,778
	Gross realized gains	1,663			65
	Gross realized losses	(129		)	(5		)
	Income tax expense on realized net gains	499			18
	At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, there were no holdings of securities of any one issuer, other than the U.S. Government and its agencies, in an amount greater than 10% of stockholders’ equity.
	The following table summarizes securities available for sale with unrealized losses, segregated by the length of time in a continuous unrealized loss position:
		Continuous unrealized loss position
		Less than 12 months						12 months or longer						Total
		Fair			Unrealized			Fair			Unrealized			Fair		Unrealized
		value			losses			value			losses			value		losses
Available for sale
March 31, 2015
Residential MBS:
Agency-backed	$	62,179		$	(254	)	$	21,077		$	(379	)	$	83,256	$	(633	)
CMO/Other MBS	14,103			(65		)	27,860			(450		)	41,963		(515		)
Total residential MBS	76,282			(319		)	48,937			(829		)	125,219		(1,148		)
Other securities:
Federal agencies	40,154			(74		)	69,839			(558		)	109,993		(632		)
Corporate	62,163			(570		)	15,459			(278		)	77,622		(848		)
State and municipal	11,694			(72		)	3,902			(54		)	15,596		(126		)
Trust preferred	9,645			(123		)	—			—			9,645		(123		)
Total other securities	123,656			(839		)	89,200			(890		)	212,856		(1,729		)
Total	$	199,938		$	(1,158	)	$	138,137		$	(1,719	)	$	338,075	$	(2,877	)
December 31, 2014
Residential MBS:
Agency-backed	$	17,379		$	(37	)	$	21,616		$	(516	)	$	38,995	$	(553	)
CMO/Other MBS	25,551			(206		)	43,475			(753		)	69,026		(959		)
Total residential MBS	42,930			(243		)	65,091			(1,269		)	108,021		(1,512		)
Other securities:
Federal agencies	5,959			(87		)	140,699			(3,384		)	146,658		(3,471		)
Corporate	85,055			(731		)	65,648			(1,024		)	150,703		(1,755		)
State and municipal	12,012			(68		)	11,400			(180		)	23,412		(248		)
Trust preferred	3,900			(46		)	—			—			3,900		(46		)
Total other securities	106,926			(932		)	217,747			(4,588		)	324,673		(5,520		)
Total	$	149,856		$	(1,175	)	$	282,838		$	(5,857	)	$	432,694	$	(7,032	)
The following table summarizes securities held to maturity with unrealized losses, segregated by the length of time in a continuous unrealized loss position:
	Continuous unrealized loss position
	Less than 12 months						12 months or longer						Total
	Fair			Unrealized			Fair			Unrealized			Fair		Unrealized
	value			losses			value			losses			value		losses
Held to maturity
March 31, 2015
Residential MBS:
Agency-backed	$	6,567		$	(89	)	$	—		$	—		$	6,567	$	(89	)
CMO/Other MBS	3,011			(1		)	17,049			(110		)	20,060		(111		)
Total residential MBS	9,578			(90		)	17,049			(110		)	26,627		(200		)
Other securities:
Federal agencies	—			—			14,814			(186		)	14,814		(186		)
State and municipal	16,403			(157		)	120			(2		)	16,523		(159		)
Total other securities	16,403			(157		)	14,934			(188		)	31,337		(345		)
Total	$	25,981		$	(247	)	$	31,983		$	(298	)	$	57,964	$	(545	)
31-Dec-14
Residential MBS:
Agency-backed	$	1,208		$	(2	)	$	—		$	—		$	1,208	$	(2	)
CMO/Other MBS	—						42,979			(564		)	42,979		(564		)
Total residential MBS	1,208			(2		)	42,979			(564		)	44,187		(566		)
Other securities:
Federal agencies	9,711			(289		)	14,741			(259		)	24,452		(548		)
State and municipal	11,501			(86		)	233			(3		)	11,734		(89		)
Total other securities	21,212			(375		)	14,974			(262		)	36,186		(637		)
Total	$	22,420		$	(377	)	$	57,953		$	(826	)	$	80,373	$	(1,203	)
At March 31, 2015, a total of 97 available for sale securities were in a continuous unrealized loss position for less than 12 months and 48 securities were in an unrealized loss position for 12 months or longer. Declines in the fair value of held to maturity and available for sale securities below their cost that are deemed to be other than temporary are reflected in earnings as realized losses to the extent the impairment is related to credit losses. The amount of the impairment related to other factors is recognized in other comprehensive income. In estimating other than temporary impairment (“OTTI”) losses, management considers, among other things, (i) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, (ii) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, and (iii) the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in cost.
Management has the ability and intent to hold the securities classified as held to maturity in the table above until they mature, at which time the Company will receive full value for the securities. Furthermore, as of March 31, 2015, management does not have the intent to sell any of the securities classified as available for sale in the table above and believes that it is more likely than not that the Company will not have to sell any such securities before a recovery of cost. Any unrealized losses are largely due to increases in market interest rates over the yields available at the time the underlying securities were purchased. The fair value is expected to recover as the securities approach their maturity date or repricing date or if market yields for such investments decline. Management does not believe any of the securities are impaired due to reasons of credit quality. As of March 31, 2015, management believes the impairments detailed in the table above are temporary and no impairment loss has been realized in the Company’s consolidated income statement.
Securities pledged for borrowings at FHLB and other institutions, and securities pledged for municipal deposits and other purposes were as follows:
	March 31,			December 31,
	2015			2014
Available for sale securities pledged for borrowings, at fair value	$	84,635		$	187,314
Available for sale securities pledged for municipal deposits, at fair value	705,741			550,681
Available for sale securities pledged for customer back-to-back swaps, at fair value	1,891			1,959
Held to maturity securities pledged for borrowings, at amortized cost	207,679			154,712
Held to maturity securities pledged for municipal deposits, at amortized cost	334,298			352,843
Total securities pledged	$	1,334,244		$	1,247,509

Portfolio_Loans

Portfolio Loans	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Receivables [Abstract]
Portfolio Loans	Portfolio Loans
	The composition of the Company’s loan portfolio, excluding loans held for sale, was the following:
		March 31,				December 31,
		2015				2014
	Commercial:
	Commercial & industrial	$	1,191,717			$	1,244,555
	Payroll finance	181,687				154,229
	Warehouse lending	241,434				173,786
	Factored receivables	152,354				161,625
	Equipment financing	465,250				411,449
	Total commercial	2,232,442				2,145,644
	Commercial mortgage:
	Commercial real estate	1,531,066				1,458,277
	Multi-family	385,871				384,544
	Acquisition, development & construction	95,567				96,995
	Total commercial mortgage	2,012,504				1,939,816
	Total commercial and commercial mortgage	4,244,946				4,085,460
	Residential mortgage	494,106				529,766
	Consumer:
	Home equity lines of credit	163,488				163,569
	Other consumer loans	36,366				36,846
	Total consumer	199,854				200,415
	Total portfolio loans	4,938,906				4,815,641
	Allowance for loan losses	(42,884		)		(42,374		)
	Portfolio loans, net	$	4,896,022			$	4,773,267
	Total loans include net deferred loan origination costs of $1,836 at March 31, 2015, and $1,609 at December 31, 2014.
	At March 31, 2015, the net recorded amount of loans subject to accounting as purchased with credit impairment was $2,897. Loans acquired in the Provident Merger that were determined to be purchased credit impaired were all considered collateral dependent loans. Therefore, estimated fair value calculations and projected cash flows included only return of principal and no interest income. There was no accretable yield associated with these loans during the three months ended March 31, 2015.
	At March 31, 2015, the Company pledged loans totaling $1,224,090 to the FHLB as collateral for certain borrowing arrangements. See Note 7. “Borrowings and Senior Notes”.
	The following tables set forth the amounts and status of the Company’s loans and troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”) at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
		March 31, 2015
		Current				30-59				60-89			90+			Non-			Total
						days				days			days			accrual
						past due				past due			past due
	Commercial & industrial	$	1,176,500			$	7,733			$	2,764		$	—		$	4,720		$	1,191,717
	Payroll finance	181,356				206				—			73			52			181,687
	Warehouse lending	241,434				—				—			—			—			241,434
	Factored receivables	152,109				—				—			—			245			152,354
	Equipment financing	463,968				472				500			—			310			465,250
	Commercial real estate	1,507,414				8,040				4,431			644			10,537			1,531,066
	Multi-family	385,472				—				312			—			87			385,871
	Acquisition, development & construction	84,692				4,462				—			—			6,413			95,567
	Residential mortgage	474,011				2,128				1,445			123			16,399			494,106
	Consumer	190,274				1,812				923			132			6,713			199,854
	Total loans	$	4,857,230			$	24,853			$	10,375		$	972		$	45,476		$	4,938,906
	Total TDRs included above	$	16,981			$	262			$	420		$	—		$	10,813		$	28,476
	Non-performing loans:
	Loans 90+ days past due and still accruing																		972
	Non-accrual loans																		45,476
	Total non-performing loans																		$	46,448
		December 31, 2014
		Current				30-59				60-89			90+			Non-			Total
						days				days			days			accrual
						past due				past due			past due
	Commercial & industrial	$	1,232,363			$	6,237			$	920		$	60		$	4,975		$	1,244,555
	Payroll finance	154,114				—				—			115			—			154,229
	Warehouse lending	173,786				—				—			—			—			173,786
	Factored receivables	161,381				—				—			—			244			161,625
	Equipment financing	410,483				707				19			—			240			411,449
	Commercial real estate	1,433,235				7,982				5,322			452			11,286			1,458,277
	Multi-family	383,799				317				—			156			272			384,544
	Acquisition, development & construction	89,730				401				451			—			6,413			96,995
	Residential mortgage	509,597				2,935				975			—			16,259			529,766
	Consumer	191,528				1,110				1,607			—			6,170			200,415
	Total loans	$	4,740,016			$	19,689			$	9,294		$	783		$	45,859		$	4,815,641
Total TDRs included above	$	16,238			$	847			$	176		$	—		$	11,427		$	28,688
Non-performing loans:
Loans 90+ days past due and still accruing																		$	783
Non-accrual loans																		45,859
Total non-performing loans																		$	46,642
Activity in the allowance for loan losses for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 is summarized below:
	For the three months ended March 31, 2015
	Beginning				Charge-offs				Recoveries			Net			Provision			Ending balance
	balance											charge-offs
Commercial & industrial	$	11,027			$	(842	)		$	101		$	(741	)	$	400		$	10,686
Payroll finance	1,506				(303		)		11			(292		)	686			1,900
Warehouse lending	608				—				—			—			251			859
Factored receivables	1,205				(72		)		19			(53		)	20			1,172
Equipment financing	2,569				(153		)		172			19			103			2,691
Commercial real estate	10,121				(62		)		16			(46		)	1,018			11,093
Multi-family	2,111				(17		)		—			(17		)	196			2,290
Acquisition, development & construction	2,987				—				9			9			(280		)	2,716
Residential mortgage	5,843				(181		)		2			(179		)	(537		)	5,127
Consumer	4,397				(342		)		52			(290		)	243			4,350
Total allowance for loan losses	$	42,374			$	(1,972	)		$	382		$	(1,590	)	$	2,100		$	42,884
Annualized net charge-offs to average loans outstanding																		0.13		%
	For the three months ended March 31, 2014
	Beginning				Charge-offs				Recoveries			Net			Provision			Ending balance
	balance											charge-offs
Commercial & industrial	$	6,886			$	(1,164	)		$	74		$	(1,090	)	$	873		$	6,669
Payroll finance	—				—				—			—			610			610
Warehouse lending	—				—				—			—			132			132
Factored receivables	—				(289		)		—			(289		)	668			379
Equipment financing	—				(167		)		—			(167		)	1,473			1,306
Commercial real estate	8,040				(280		)		19			(261		)	1,135			8,914
Multi-family	1,952				—				—			—			—			1,952
Acquisition, development & construction	5,857				(1,260		)		—			(1,260		)	(1,038		)	3,559
Residential mortgage	4,600				(148		)		1			(147		)	112			4,565
Consumer	3,277				(204		)		21			(183		)	835			3,929
Total allowance for loan losses	$	30,612			$	(3,512	)		$	115		$	(3,397	)	$	4,800		$	32,015
Annualized net charge-offs to average loans outstanding																		0.34		%
Management considers a loan to be impaired when, based on current information and events, it is determined that the Company will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the loan contract, including scheduled interest payments. Evaluation of impairment is treated the same across all classes of loans on a loan-by-loan basis, except residential mortgage loans and home equity lines of credit with an outstanding balance of $500 or less, which are evaluated for impairment on a homogeneous pool basis. When management identifies a loan as impaired, the impairment is measured based on the present value of expected future cash flows, discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, except when the sole remaining source of repayment of the loan is the operation or liquidation of the collateral. In these cases, management uses the current fair value of the collateral, less selling costs when foreclosure or liquidation is probable, instead of discounted cash flows. If management determines that the value of the impaired loan is less than the recorded investment in the loan (net of previous charge-offs, deferred loan fees or costs and unamortized premium or discount), impairment is generally recognized through a charge-off to the allowance for loan losses.
When the ultimate collectibility of the total principal of an impaired loan is in doubt and the loan is on non-accrual status, all payments are applied to principal, under the cost recovery method. When the ultimate collectibility of the total principal of an impaired loan is not in doubt and the loan is on non-accrual status, contractual interest is credited to interest income when received, under the cash basis method.
The following table sets forth loans evaluated for impairment by segment and the allowance evaluated by segment at March 31, 2015:
	Loans evaluated by segment														Allowance evaluated by segment
	Individually				Collectively				Purchased credit impaired loans			Total			Individually			Collectively			Total allowance for loan losses
	evaluated for				evaluated for							loans			evaluated for			evaluated for
	impairment				impairment										impairment			impairment
Commercial & industrial	$	4,000			$	1,186,988			$	729		$	1,191,717		$	—		$	10,686		$	10,686
Payroll finance	—				181,687				—			181,687			—			1,900			1,900
Warehouse lending	—				241,434				—			241,434			—			859			859
Factored receivables	—				152,354				—			152,354			—			1,172			1,172
Equipment financing	—				465,250				—			465,250			—			2,691			2,691
Commercial real estate	13,245				1,517,682				139			1,531,066			—			11,093			11,093
Multi-family	—				385,871				—			385,871			—			2,290			2,290
Acquisition, development & construction	11,570				83,997				—			95,567			—			2,716			2,716
Residential mortgage	515				491,562				2,029			494,106			—			5,127			5,127
Consumer	—				199,854				—			199,854			—			4,350			4,350
Total loans	$	29,330			$	4,906,679			$	2,897		$	4,938,906		$	—		$	42,884		$	42,884
There was no amount included in the allowance for loan losses associated with purchased credit impaired loans at March 31, 2015, as there was no further deterioration in the credit quality of these loans since the Provident Merger date.
The following table sets forth loans evaluated for impairment by segment and the allowance evaluated by segment at December 31, 2014:
	Loans evaluated by segment														Allowance evaluated by segment
	Individually				Collectively				Purchased credit impaired loans			Total			Individually			Collectively			Total allowance for loan losses
	evaluated for				evaluated for							loans			evaluated for			evaluated for
	impairment				impairment										impairment			impairment
Commercial & industrial	$	4,461			$	1,238,899			$	1,195		$	1,244,555		$	—		$	11,027		$	11,027
Payroll finance	—				154,229				—			154,229			—			1,506			1,506
Warehouse lending	—				173,786				—			173,786			—			608			608
Factored receivables	—				161,625				—			161,625			—			1,205			1,205
Equipment financing	—				411,449				—			411,449			—			2,569			2,569
Commercial real estate	14,423				1,443,714				140			1,458,277			—			10,121			10,121
Multi-family	—				384,544				—			384,544			—			2,111			2,111
Acquisition, development & construction	11,624				85,371				—			96,995			—			2,987			2,987
Residential mortgage	515				527,171				2,080			529,766			—			5,843			5,843
Consumer	—				200,415				—			200,415			—			4,397			4,397
Total loans	$	31,023			$	4,781,203			$	3,415		$	4,815,641		$	—		$	42,374		$	42,374
The following table presents loans individually evaluated for impairment by segment of loans at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
	Commercial & industrial				Commercial real estate				Acquisition, development & construction			Residential mortgage			Total
Loans with no related allowance recorded:
March 31, 2015
Unpaid principal balance	$	4,000			$	13,459			$	12,794		$	515		$	30,768
Recorded investment	4,000				13,245				11,570			515			29,330
December 31, 2014
Unpaid principal balance	4,571				14,635				12,848			515			32,569
Recorded investment	4,461				14,423				11,624			515			31,023
During the quarter ended March 31, 2014, the Company modified its allowance for loan loss policy to generally require a charge-off of the difference between the book balance of a collateral dependent impaired loan and the net value of the collateral securing the loan. As a result, there were no impaired loans with an allowance recorded at March 31, 2015 or December 31, 2014.
The following tables present the average recorded investment and interest income recognized related to loans individually evaluated for impairment by segment for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014:
	March 31, 2015											March 31, 2014
	YTD average				Interest				Cash-basis			YTD average			Interest			Cash-basis
	recorded				income				interest			recorded			income			interest
	investment				recognized				income			investment			recognized			income
									recognized									recognized
With no related allowance recorded:
Commercial & industrial	$	3,316			$	—			$	—		$	1,850		$	—		$	—
Factored receivables	—				—				—			992			—			—
Commercial real estate	13,275				67				—			12,512			40			—
Multi-family	—				—				—			264			—			—
Acquisition, development & construction	11,597				57				—			21,940			66			—
Residential mortgage	515				—				—			515			—			—
Total	$	28,703			$	124			$	—		$	38,073		$	106		$	—
There were no impaired loans with an allowance recorded at March 31, 2015 or March 31, 2014. At March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014 there were no payroll finance, warehouse lending, equipment finance or consumer impaired loans.
Troubled Debt Restructuring:
The following tables set forth the amounts and past due status of the Company’s TDRs at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
	March 31, 2015
	Current loans				30-59				60-89			90+			Non-			Total
					days				days			days			accrual
					past due				past due			past due
Commercial & industrial	$	226			$	—			$	—		$	—		$	2,065		$	2,291
Equipment financing	389				—				—			—			—			389
Commercial real estate	4,829				262				—			—			—			5,091
Acquisition, development & construction	5,398				—				—			—			6,372			11,770
Residential mortgage	6,139				—				420			—			2,155			8,714
Consumer	—				—				—			—			221			221
Total	$	16,981			$	262			$	420		$	—		$	10,813		$	28,476
	December 31, 2014
	Current loans				30-59				60-89			90+			Non-			Total
					days				days			days			accrual
					past due				past due			past due
Commercial & industrial	$	245			$	—			$	—		$	—		$	2,065		$	2,310
Equipment financing	409				—				—			—			—			409
Commercial real estate	4,833				263				—			—			—			5,096
Acquisition, development & construction	5,487				—				—			—			6,373			11,860
Residential mortgage	5,264				584				176			—			2,768			8,792
Consumer	—				—				—			—			221			221
Total	$	16,238			$	847			$	176		$	—		$	11,427		$	28,688
There were no payroll finance, warehouse lending, factored receivable, or multifamily loans that were TDRs for the periods presented. The Company had outstanding commitments to lend additional amounts of $0 and $0 to customers with loans classified as TDRs as of March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014, respectively.
There were no loans modified as TDRs that occurred during the three months ended March 31, 2015. The following table presents loans by segment modified as TDRs that occurred during the first three months of 2015 and 2014:
	March 31, 2015										March 31, 2014
				Recorded investment									Recorded investment
	Number			Pre-				Post-			Number		Pre-			Post-
				modification				modification					modification			modification
Acquisition, development & construction	—			—				—			2		1,060			1,060
Total restructured loans	—			$	—			$	—		2		$	1,060		$	1,060
The TDRs presented above increased the allowance for loan losses by $0 and $0 and resulted in charge-offs of $0 and $0 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014, respectively.
There were no TDRs that were modified during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 that had subsequently defaulted during the period.
Credit Quality Indicators
As part of the on-going monitoring of the credit quality of the Company’s loan portfolio, management tracks certain credit quality indicators including trends related to (i) the weighted-average risk grade of commercial loans, (ii) the level of classified commercial loans, (iii) the delinquency status of consumer loans (residential mortgage, homeowner and home equity lines of credit (“HELOC”)), (iv) net charge-offs, (v) non-performing loans (see details above) and (vi) the general economic conditions in the greater New York metropolitan region. The Bank analyzes loans individually by classifying the loans as to credit risk, except residential mortgage loans and consumer loans, which are evaluated on a homogeneous pool basis unless the loan balance is greater than $500. This analysis is performed at least quarterly on all criticized/classified loans. The Bank uses the following definitions of risk ratings:
1 and 2 - These grades include loans that are secured by cash, marketable securities or cash surrender value of life insurance policies.
3 - This grade includes loans to borrowers with strong earnings and cash flow and that have the ability to service debt. The borrower’s assets and liabilities are generally well matched and are above average quality. The borrower has ready access to multiple sources of funding including alternatives such as term loans, private equity placements or trade credit.
4 - This grade includes loans to borrowers with above average cash flow, adequate earnings and debt service coverage ratios. The borrower generates discretionary cash flow, assets and liabilities are reasonably matched, and the borrower has access to other sources of debt funding or additional trade credit at market rates.
5 - This grade includes loans to borrowers with adequate earnings and cash flow and reasonable debt service coverage ratios. Overall leverage is acceptable and there is average reliance upon trade credit. Management has a reasonable amount of experience and depth, and owners are willing to invest available outside capital as necessary.
6 - This grade includes loans to borrowers where there is evidence of some strain, earnings are inconsistent and volatile, and the borrowers’ outlook is uncertain. Generally such borrowers have higher leverage than those with a better risk rating. These borrowers typically have limited access to alternative sources of bank debt and may be dependent upon debt funding for working capital support.
7 - Special Mention (OCC definition) - Other Assets Especially Mentioned (OAEM) are loans that have potential weaknesses which may, if not reversed or corrected, weaken the asset or inadequately protect the Bank’s credit position at some future date. Such assets constitute an undue and unwarranted credit risk but not to the point of justifying a classification of “Substandard.” The credit risk may be relatively minor yet constitute an unwarranted risk in light of the circumstances surrounding a specific asset.
8 - Substandard (OCC definition) - These loans are inadequately protected by the current sound worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any. Assets so classified must have a well-defined weakness that jeopardizes the liquidation of the debt. They are characterized by the distinct possibility that the Bank will sustain some losses if the deficiencies are not corrected. Loss potential, while existing in the aggregate amount of substandard assets, does not have to exist in individual assets classified as substandard.
9 - Doubtful (OCC definition) - These loans have all the weakness inherent in one classified as “Substandard” with the added characteristics that the weakness makes collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values, highly questionable and improbable. The possibility of loss is extremely high, but because of certain important and reasonably specific pending factors which may work to the advantage and strengthening of the asset, its classification as an estimated loss is deferred until its more exact status may be determined. Pending factors include proposed merger, acquisition, or liquidating procedures, capital injection, perfecting liens or additional collateral and refinancing plans.
10 - Loss (OCC definition) - These loans are charged-off because they are determined to be uncollectible and unbankable assets. This classification does not reflect that the asset has no absolute recovery or salvage value, but rather it is not practical or desirable to defer writing-off this asset even though partial recovery may be affected in the future. Losses should be taken in the period in which they are determined to be uncollectible.
Loans that are risk-rated 1 through 6 as defined above are considered to be pass-rated loans. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the risk category of gross loans by segment was as follows:
	March 31, 2015											December 31, 2014
	Special				Substandard				Doubtful			Special			Substandard
	mention											mention
Commercial & industrial	$	3,262			$	6,749			$	24		$	13,060		$	7,730
Payroll finance	6,709				125				—			996			115
Factored receivables	36				1,596				—			34			244
Equipment financing	—				310				—			—			240
Commercial real estate	11,820				25,730				—			12,707			28,194
Multi-family	312				87				—			317			272
Acquisition, development & construction	1,017				16,108				—			1,027			16,016
Residential mortgage	1,445				16,664				—			975			16,402
Consumer	1,456				6,727				132			1,200			6,690
Total	$	26,057			$	74,096			$	156		$	30,316		$	75,903
There were no loans rated loss at March 31, 2015 and no loans rated doubtful or loss at December 31, 2014.

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	The changes in goodwill and other intangible assets for the periods presented were as follows:
		March 31,		December 31,
		2015		2014
	Goodwill	$	400,941	$	388,926
	Other intangible assets:
	Core deposits	$	17,683	$	18,473
	Customer list	8,851		—
	Non-compete agreements	4,398		3,959
	Trade name	20,500		20,500
	Fair value of below market leases	325		400
		$	51,757	$	43,332
	The estimated aggregate future amortization expense for intangible assets remaining as of March 31, 2015 was as follows:
		Amortization expense
	Remainder of 2015	$	5,203
	2016	6,012
	2017	3,617
	2018	3,335
	2019	2,864
	Thereafter	10,226
	Total	$	31,257

Deposits

Deposits	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Deposits [Abstract]
Deposits	Deposits
	Deposit balances at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are summarized as follows:
		March 31,		December 31,
		2015		2014
	Non-interest bearing demand	$	1,499,161	$	1,481,870
	Interest bearing demand	828,731		747,667
	Savings	745,495		711,509
	Money market	1,980,274		1,790,435
	Certificates of deposit	502,285		480,844
	Total deposits	$	5,555,946	$	5,212,325
	Municipal deposits totaled $1,013,835 and $883,350 at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. See Note 3. “Securities” for the amount of securities that were pledged as collateral for municipal deposits and other purposes.
	Listed below are the Company’s brokered deposits:
		March 31,		December 31,
		2015		2014
	Money market	$	100,018	$	75,462
	Reciprocal CDAR’s 1	6,152		6,666
	CDAR’s one way	79,904		86,530
	Total brokered deposits	$	186,074	$	168,658
	1 Certificate of deposit account registry service

Borrowings_and_Senior_Notes

Borrowings and Senior Notes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Instruments [Abstract]
Borrowings and Senior Notes	Borrowings and Senior Notes
	The Company’s borrowings and weighted average interest rates are summarized as follows:
		March 31,				December 31,
		2015				2014
		Amount		Rate		Amount		Rate
	By type of borrowing:
	FHLB advances and overnight	$	857,138	1.54	%	$	1,003,209	1.37	%
	Other borrowings (repurchase agreements)	25,245		0.3		9,846		0.3
	Senior notes	98,595		5.98		98,498		5.98
	Total borrowings	$	980,978	1.95	%	$	1,111,553	1.77	%
	By remaining period to maturity:
	Less than one year	$	402,245	0.39	%	$	532,835	0.39	%
	One to two years	152,735		0.71		152,760		0.69
	Two to three years	255,000		3.54		255,000		3.54
	Three to four years	168,595		4.37		168,498		4.38
	Greater than five years	2,403		4.92		2,460		4.92
	Total borrowings	$	980,978	1.95	%	$	1,111,553	1.77	%
	FHLB advances and overnight. As a member of the FHLB, the Bank may borrow up to the amount of eligible mortgages and securities that have been pledged as collateral under a blanket security agreement. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Bank had pledged residential mortgage and commercial real estate loans totaling $1,224,090 and $1,302,681, respectively. The Bank had also pledged securities to secure borrowings, which are disclosed in Note 3. “Securities.” As of March 31, 2015, the Bank may increase its borrowing capacity by pledging securities and mortgage loans not required to be pledged for other purposes with a collateral value of $507,314.
	FHLB borrowings which are putable quarterly at the discretion of the FHLB were $200,000 at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. These borrowings have a weighted average remaining term to the contractual maturity dates of approximately 2.06 and 2.31 years and a weighted average interest rate of 4.23% at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
	Other borrowings (repurchase agreements). We utilize securities sold under repurchase agreements to facilitate the needs of our customers and to facilitate secured short-term funding needs. Securities sold under agreements to repurchase at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are secured short-term borrowings that mature in one to 17 days and are generally renewed on a continuous basis. Repurchase agreements are stated at the amount of cash received in connection with these transactions. Securities pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements are maintained with our safekeeping agents. The Bank continuously monitors collateral levels and may be required to provide additional collateral based on the fair value of the underlying securities.
	Revolving line of credit. On September 5, 2014, the Company entered into a $15,000 revolving line of credit facility with a financial institution that matures on September 5, 2015. The balance was zero at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. The use of proceeds are for general corporate purposes. The line and accrued interest is payable at maturity, and is required to maintain a zero balance for at least 30 days during its term. The line bears interest at one-month LIBOR plus 1.25%. Under the terms of the facility, the Company and the Bank must maintain certain ratios related to capital, non-performing assets to capital, reserves to non-performing loans and debt service coverage. The Company and the Bank were in compliance with all requirements of the facility at March 31, 2015.
	Senior Notes. On July 2, 2013, the Company issued $100,000 principal amount of 5.50% fixed rate senior notes (the “Senior Notes”)through a private placement at a discount of 1.75%. The cost of issuance was $303, and at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 the unamortized discount was $1,404 and $1,502, respectively, which will be accreted to interest expense over the life of the Senior Notes, resulting in an effective yield of 5.98%. Interest is due semi-annually in arrears on January 2 and July 2 until maturity on July 2, 2018. The Senior Notes were issued under an indenture between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee.

Derivatives

Derivatives	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedges, Assets [Abstract]
Derivatives	Derivatives
	The Company has entered into certain interest rate swap contracts that are not designated as hedging instruments. These derivative contracts relate to transactions in which the Company enters into an interest rate swap with a customer while at the same time entering into an offsetting interest rate swap with another financial institution. In connection with each swap transaction, the Company agrees to pay interest to the customer on a notional amount at a variable interest rate and receive interest from the customer on a similar notional amount at a fixed interest rate. At the same time, the Company agrees to pay another financial institution the same fixed interest rate on the same notional amount and receive the same variable interest rate on the same notional amount. The transaction allows the Company’s customers to effectively convert a variable rate loan to a fixed rate. Because the Company acts as an intermediary for its customer, changes in the fair value of the underlying derivative contracts for the most part offset each other and do not significantly impact the Company’s results of operations.
	The Company pledged collateral to another financial institution in the form of investment securities with an amortized cost of $1,891 and a fair value of $2,004 as of March 31, 2015. The Company does not typically require its commercial customers to post cash or securities as collateral on its program of back-to-back swaps. However, certain language is written into the International Swaps and Derivatives Association agreement and loan documents where, in default situations, the Company is allowed to access collateral supporting the loan relationship to recover any losses suffered on the derivative asset or liability. The Company may need to post additional collateral to swap counterparties in the future in proportion to potential increases in unrealized loss positions.
	Summary information as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 regarding these derivatives is presented below:
		Notional			Average	Weighted		Weighted	Fair value
		amount			maturity (in years)	average		average
						fixed rate		variable rate
	March 31, 2015
	3rd party interest rate swap	$	66,868		4.46	4.13	%	1 m Libor +2.36	$	1,874
	Customer interest rate swap	(66,868		)	4.46	4.13		1 m Libor +2.36	(1,874		)
	December 31, 2014
	3rd party interest rate swap	67,551			4.7	4.13		1 m Libor + 2.36	1,332
	Customer interest rate swap	(67,551		)	4.7	4.13		1 m Libor + 2.36	(1,332		)
	The Company enters into various commitments to sell real estate loans into the secondary market. Such commitments are considered to be derivative financial instruments; however, the fair value of these commitments is not material.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes
	Actual income tax expense differs from the tax computed based on pre-tax income and the applicable statutory Federal tax rate for the following reasons:
		For the three months ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
	Income before income tax expense	$	24,856		$	14,920
	Tax at Federal statutory rate of 35%	8,700			5,224
	State and local income taxes, net of Federal tax benefit	875			(210		)
	Tax-exempt interest, net of disallowed interest	(984		)	(987		)
	BOLI income	(251		)	(190		)
	Non-deductible acquisition related costs	140			—
	Low income housing tax credits	(54		)	(55		)
	Other, net	(348		)	806
	Actual income tax expense	$	8,078		$	4,588
	Effective income tax rate	32.5		%	30.8		%
	Net deferred tax assets totaled $4,804 at March 31, 2015 and $14,857 at December 31, 2014. No valuation allowance was recorded against deferred tax assets at March 31, 2015 as management believes it is more likely than not that all of the deferred tax assets will be realized as they were supported by recoverable taxes paid in prior years. There were no unrecognized tax benefits during any of the reported periods. Interest and/or penalties related to income taxes are reported as a component of other non-interest expense. Such amounts were not significant during the reported periods.
	The Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2010.

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Stock-Based Compensation	Stock-Based Compensation
	The Company has active stock-based compensation plans, as described below.
	The Company’s stockholders approved the 2014 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2014 Plan”) on February 20, 2014. The 2014 Plan permits the grant of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock (both time-based and performance-based), restricted stock units, performance units, deferred stock, and other stock-based awards for up to 3,400,000 shares of common stock. At March 31, 2015 there were 1,654,318 shares available for future grant. The 2014 Plan replaced the Company’s 2012 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2012 Plan”).
	Under the 2014 Plan, any shares that are subject to stock options or stock appreciation rights are counted as one share deducted from the 2014 Plan for every one share delivered under those awards. Any shares granted under the 2014 Plan that are subject to awards other than stock options and stock appreciation rights are counted as 3.5 shares deducted from the 2014 Plan for every one share delivered under those awards.
	Stock option awards are granted with a fair value equal to the market price of the Company’s common stock at the date of grant. The awards generally vest in equal installments annually on the anniversary date and have total vesting periods ranging from 2 to 5 years and stock options have 10 year contractual terms.
	In addition to the 2014 Plan, the Company previously provided awards under its 2011 Employment Inducement Stock Program, which included options to purchase 107,256 shares of common stock and restricted stock awards covering 29,550 shares of common stock, both of which vest in four equal installments through July 2015.
	In connection with the Provident Merger, the Company granted 104,152 options at an exercise price of $14.25 per share pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-8 under which the Company assumed all outstanding fully vested Legacy Sterling stock options. All of these options expire March 15, 2017. The Company also granted 95,991 shares under the Sterling Bancorp 2013 Employment Inducement Award Plan to certain executive officers of Legacy Sterling. In addition, the Company issued 255,973 shares of restricted stock from shares available under the Company’s 2012 Plan to certain executives of Legacy Sterling. The weighted average grant date fair value was $11.72 per share and the restricted stock awards vest in equal annual installments on the anniversary date over a three-year period.
	The following table summarizes the activity in the Company’s active stock-based compensation plans for the three months ended March 31, 2015:
				Non-vested stock awards/stock units outstanding					Stock options outstanding
		Shares available for grant		Number of shares			Weighted average grant date fair value		Number of shares		Weighted average exercise price
	Balance at January 1, 2015	1,999,022		643,887			$	11.79	2,040,299		$	11.1
	Granted (1)	(403,371	)	110,960			13.21		15,000		13.84
	Stock awards vested	—		(36,549	)		11.82		—		—
	Exercised	—		—			—		(260,433	)	12.19
	Forfeited	64,667		(16,619	)		13.21		(6,500	)	13.03
	Canceled/expired	(6,000	)	—			—		—		—
	Balance at March 31, 2015	1,654,318		701,679			$	11.97	1,788,366		$	10.96
	Exercisable at March 31, 2015								896,353		$	10.16
	(1) Reflects certain non-vested stock awards that count as 3.5 shares for each share granted.
	The total intrinsic value of outstanding in-the-money stock options and outstanding in-the-money exercisable stock options was $4,465 and $2,970, at March 31, 2015.
	Proceeds from stock option exercises were $2,758, and $923, for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
	The Company uses an option pricing model to estimate the grant date fair value of stock options granted. The weighted average estimated value per option granted was $2.08 for the three months ended March 31, 2015. There were no stock options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2014.
	The fair value of options granted was determined using the following weighted average assumptions as of the grant date:
		For the three months
		ended March 31,
		2015		2014
	Risk-free interest rate	1.9	%	—	%
	Expected stock price volatility	20.9		—
	Dividend yield (1)	3.1		—
	Expected term in years	5.76		—
	(1) Represents the approximate annualized cash dividend rate paid with respect to a share of common stock at or near the grant date.
	Stock-based compensation expense is recognized ratably over the requisite service period for all awards. Stock-based compensation expense associated with stock options and non-vested stock awards and the related income tax benefit was as follows:
		For the three months
		ended March 31,
		2015			2014
	Stock options	$	281		$	235
	Non-vested stock awards/performance units	828			558
	Total	$	1,109		$	793
	Income tax benefit	377			244
	Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense at March 31, 2015 was as follows:
		March 31, 2015
	Stock options	$	1,468
	Non-vested stock awards/performance units	6,417
	Total	$	7,885
	The weighted average period over which unrecognized stock options is expected to be recognized is 1.89 years. The weighted average period over which unrecognized non-vested awards/performance units is expected to be recognized is 1.97 years.

Pension_and_Other_Post_Retirem

Pension and Other Post Retirement Plans	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Pension and Other Post Retirement Plans	Pension and Other Post Retirement Plans
	Net pension (benefit) expense and post-retirement expense, which is recorded in compensation and employee benefits expense in the consolidated income statements, is comprised of the following:
		Pension plan						Other post retirement plans
		For the three months ended						For the three months ended
		March 31,						March 31,
		2015			2014			2015		2014
	Service cost	$	—		$	—		$	2	$	11
	Interest cost	589			1,377			94		32
	Expected return on plan assets	(729		)	(1,701		)	—		—
	Amortization of unrecognized actuarial loss	91			48			40		18
	Partial settlement charge	—			1,352			—		—
	Total (benefit) expense	$	(49	)	$	1,076		$	136	$	61
	There were no pension plan assets consisting of Sterling Bancorp common stock at March 31, 2015 or December 31, 2014. The Company does not anticipate that a contribution will be made to the pension plan in 2015. The plan’s over funded status increased to $15,611 at March 31, 2015 compared to $14,290 at December 31, 2014. The over funded status is included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheet.
	The Company’s other post retirement plans include a non-qualified Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”) that provides certain officers and executives with supplemental retirement benefits in addition to the benefits provided by the pension plan. The Company contributed $26 and $95 to fund SERP benefits during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Total post retirement plan liabilities were $11,500 at March 31, 2015 and are included in other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet.

Other_NonInterest_Expense

Other Non-Interest Expense	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Other Non-interest Expense	Other Non-interest Expense
	Other non-interest expense items are presented in the following table. Components exceeding 1% of the aggregate of total net interest income and total non-interest income are presented separately.
		For the three months ended
		March 31,
		2015		2014
	Other non-interest expense:
	Professional fees	$	1,915	$	1,500
	Data and check processing	2,148		663
	Insurance & surety bond premium	648		637
	Other	5,111		5,952
	Total other non-interest expense	$	9,822	$	8,752

Earnings_Per_Common_Share

Earnings Per Common Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Common Share	Earnings Per Common Share
	The following is a summary of the calculation of earnings per share (“EPS”):
		For the three months ended March 31,
		2015		2014
	Net income	$	16,778	$	10,332
	Weighted average common shares outstanding for computation of basic EPS (1)	87,839,029		83,497,765
	Common-equivalent shares due to the dilutive effect of stock options (2)	413,739		296,342
	Weighted average common shares for computation of diluted EPS	88,252,768		83,794,107
	Earnings per common share:
	Basic	$	0.19	$	0.12
	Diluted	0.19		0.12
	-1	Includes earned ESOP shares.
	-2	Represents incremental shares computed using the treasury stock method.
	As of March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014, 112,891 and 653,146 weighted average common shares that could be exercised under stock options plans were anti-dilutive for the three month periods, respectively. Anti-dilutive shares are not included in determining diluted earnings per share.

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity	Stockholders’ Equity
	(a) Regulatory Capital Requirements
	In connection with the Provident Merger, the Company became a bank holding company and a financial holding company as defined by the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended.
	Banks and bank holding companies are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Capital adequacy guidelines, and additionally for banks, prompt corrective action regulations, involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance sheet items calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by regulators about components, risk-weighting, and other factors.
	The Basel III Capital Rules became effective for Sterling Bancorp and Sterling National Bank on January 1, 2015 (subject to a phase-in period for certain provisions). Quantitative measures established by the Basel III Capital Rules to ensure capital adequacy require the maintenance of minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the table below) of Common Equity Tier 1 capital (as defined in the regulations), Tier 1 capital and Total capital (as defined in the regulations) to risk-weighted assets (as defined, “RWA”), and of Tier 1 capital to adjusted quarterly average assets (as defined).
	The Company’s and the Bank’s Common Equity Tier 1 capital consists of common stock and related paid-in capital, net of treasury stock, and retained earnings. In connection with the adoption of the Basel III Capital Rules, we elected to opt-out of the requirement to include most components of accumulated other comprehensive income in Common Equity Tier 1 capital. Common Equity Tier 1 capital for both the Company and the Bank is reduced by goodwill and other intangible assets, net of associated deferred tax liabilities and subject to transition provisions.
	Tier 1 capital includes Common Equity Tier 1 capital and additional Tier 1 capital. Total capital includes Tier 1 capital and Tier 2 capital. Tier 2 capital for both the Company and the Bank includes a permissible portion of the allowance for loan losses. Prior to January 1, 2015, the Company’s and the Bank’s Tier 1 capital consisted of total shareholders’ equity excluding accumulated other comprehensive income, goodwill and other intangible assets.
	The Common Equity Tier 1 (beginning in 2015), Tier 1 and Total capital ratios are calculated by dividing the respective capital amounts by RWA. RWA is calculated based on regulatory requirements and includes total assets, excluding goodwill and other intangible assets, allocated by risk weight category, and certain off-balance-sheet items, among other things.
	The leverage ratio is calculated by dividing Tier 1 capital by adjusted quarterly average total assets, which exclude goodwill and other intangible assets, among other things.When fully phased-in on January 1, 2019, the Basel III Capital Rules will require the Company and the Bank to maintain (i) a minimum ratio of Common Equity Tier 1 capital to RWA of at least 4.5%, plus a 2.5% “capital conservation buffer” (which is added to the 4.5% Common Equity Tier 1 capital ratio as that buffer is phased in, effectively resulting in a minimum ratio of Common Equity Tier 1 capital to RWA of at least 7.0% upon full implementation), (ii) a minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to RWA of at least 6.0%, plus the capital conservation buffer (which is added to the 6.0% Tier 1 capital ratio as that buffer is phased in, effectively resulting in a minimum Tier 1 capital ratio of 8.5% upon full implementation), (iii) a minimum ratio of Total capital (that is, Tier 1 plus Tier 2) to RWA of at least 8.0%, plus the capital conservation buffer (which is added to the 8.0% total capital ratio as that buffer is phased in, effectively resulting in a minimum total capital ratio of 10.5% upon full implementation) and (iv) a minimum leverage ratio of 4.0%, calculated as the ratio of Tier 1 capital to average quarterly assets.
	The implementation of the capital conservation buffer will begin on January 1, 2016 at the 0.625% level and be phased in over a four-year period (increasing by that amount on each subsequent January 1, until it reaches 2.5% on January 1, 2019). The Basel III Capital Rules also provide for a “countercyclical capital buffer” that is applicable to only certain covered institutions and does not have any current applicability to the Company or the Bank.
	The aforementioned capital conservation buffer is designed to absorb losses during periods of economic stress. Banking institutions with a ratio of Common Equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets above the minimum but below the conservation buffer (or below the combined capital conservation buffer and countercyclical capital buffer, when the latter is applied) will face constraints on dividends, equity repurchases and compensation based on the amount of the shortfall.
	The following table presents actual and required capital ratios as of March 31, 2015 for the Company and the Bank under the Basel III Capital Rules. The minimum required capital amounts presented include the minimum required capital levels as of March 31, 2015 based on the phase-in provisions of the Basel III Capital Rules and the minimum required capital levels as of January 1, 2019 when the Basel III Capital Rules have been fully phased-in. Capital levels required to be considered well capitalized are based upon prompt corrective action regulations, as amended to reflect the changes under the Basel III Capital Rules.
		Actual						Minimum capital required - Basel III phase-in schedule						Minimum capital required - Basel III fully phased-in						Required to be considered well capitalized
		Capital amount			Ratio			Capital amount			Ratio			Capital amount			Ratio			Capital amount		Ratio
	March 31, 2015
	Common equity tier 1 to RWA:
	Sterling National Bank	$	739,580		12.92	%		$	257,612		4.5	%		$	400,730		7	%		$	372,107	6.5	%
	Sterling Bancorp	671,633			9.55			259,039			4.5			402,949			7			N/A		N/A
	Tier 1 capital to RWA:
	Sterling National Bank	739,580			12.92	%		343,483			6	%		486,601			8.5	%		457,977		8	%
	Sterling Bancorp	671,633			11.67			345,385			6			489,295			8.5			N/A		N/A
	Total capital to RWA:
	Sterling National Bank	782,859			13.68	%		457,977			8	%		601,095			10.5	%		572,472		10	%
	Sterling Bancorp	714,912			12.42			460,513			8			604,424			10.5			N/A		N/A
	Tier 1 leverage ratio:
	Sterling National Bank	739,580			10.53	%		280,901			4	%		280,901			4	%		351,127		5	%
	Sterling Bancorp	671,633			9.55			281,354			4			281,354			4			N/A		N/A
	The following table presents actual and required capital ratios as of December 31, 2014 for the Bank and the Company under the regulatory capital rules then in effect:
									Regulatory requirements
			Actual						Minimum capital						Classification as well-
									adequacy						capitalized
			Capital amount			Ratio			Capital amount			Ratio			Capital amount			Ratio
		December 31, 2014
		Tier 1 capital to RWA:
		Sterling National Bank	$	651,203		12	%		$	216,988		4	%		$	325,481		6	%
		Sterling Bancorp	569,609			10.43			218,405			4			N/A			N/A
		Total capital to RWA:
		Sterling National Bank	693,972			12.79	%		433,975			8	%		542,469			10	%
		Sterling Bancorp	612,378			11.22			436,809			8			N/A			N/A
		Tier 1 leverage ratio:
		Sterling National Bank	651,203			9.39	%		277,534			4	%		346,918			5	%
		Sterling Bancorp	569,609			8.21			277,352			4			N/A			N/A
	As of March 31, 2015, capital levels at the Bank and the Company exceeded all capital adequacy requirements under the Basel III Capital Rule on a fully phased-in basis. Based on the ratios presented above, capital levels as of March 31, 2015 at the Bank and the Company exceed the minimum levels necessary to be considered “well-capitalized”.
	The Bank and the Company are subject to the regulatory capital requirements administered by the Federal Reserve; and for the Bank, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. Regulatory authorities can initiate certain mandatory actions if the Bank or the Company fail to meet the minimum capital requirements, which could have a direct material effect on our financial statements. Management believes, as of March 31, 2015, that the Bank and the Company meet all capital adequacy requirements to which they are subject.
	(b) Dividend Restrictions
	The Company is mainly dependent upon dividends from the Bank to provide funds for the payment of dividends to stockholders and to provide for other cash requirements. Banking regulations may limit the amount of dividends that may be paid. Approval by regulatory authorities is required if the effect of dividends declared would cause the regulatory capital of the Bank to fall below specified minimum levels. Approval is also required if dividends declared exceed the net profits for that fiscal year combined with the retained net profits for the preceding two fiscal years. Under the foregoing dividend restrictions and while maintaining its “well-capitalized” status, at March 31, 2015, the Bank had capacity to pay aggregate dividends of up to $46,003 to the Company without prior regulatory approval.
	(c) Capital Raise
	On February 11, 2015, the Company completed a public offering of 6.9 million shares of common stock at an offering price of $13.00 per share for gross proceeds of approximately $89.7 million, and net proceeds, after underwriting discounts, commissions and other costs of issuance of $85.1 million.
	(d) Stock Repurchase Plans
	From time to time, the Company’s board of directors has authorized stock repurchase plans. The Company has 776,713 shares that are available to be purchased under the currently announced stock repurchase program. There were no shares repurchased under the repurchase program during the three months ended March 31, 2015 or March 31, 2014.
	(e ) Liquidation Rights
	Upon completion of the second-step conversion in January 2004, the Bank established a special “liquidation account” in accordance with Office of Comptroller of the Currency regulations. The account was established for the benefit of Eligible Account Holders and Supplemental Eligible Account Holders (as defined in the plan of conversion) in an amount equal to the greater of (i) the Mutual Holding Company’s (as defined in the plan of conversion) ownership interest in the retained earnings of the Bank as of the date of its latest balance sheet contained in the prospectus, or (ii) the retained earnings of the Bank at the time that the Bank reorganized into the Mutual Holding Company in 1999. Each Eligible Account Holder and Supplemental Eligible Account Holder that continues to maintain his or her deposit account at the Bank would be entitled, in the event of a complete liquidation of the Bank, to a pro rata interest in the liquidation account prior to any payment to the stockholders of the Company. The liquidation account is reduced annually on September 30 to the extent that Eligible Account Holders and Supplemental Eligible Account Holders have reduced their qualifying deposits as of each anniversary date. At March 31, 2015, the liquidation account had a balance of $13,300. Subsequent increases in deposits do not restore such account holder’s interest in the liquidation account. The Bank may not pay cash dividends or make other capital distributions if the effect thereof would be to reduce its stockholder’s equity below the amount of the liquidation account.

Commitment_and_Contingencies

Commitment and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies
	(a) Off-Balance-Sheet Financial Instruments
	In the normal course of business, the Company enters into various transactions, which in accordance with GAAP are not included in its consolidated balance sheet. The Company enters into these transactions to meet the financing needs of its customers. These transactions include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit, which involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk and interest rate risk in excess of the amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets. The Company minimizes its exposure to losses under these commitments by subjecting them to credit approval and monitoring procedures.
	The Company enters into contractual commitments to extend credit, normally with fixed expiration dates or termination clauses, at specified rates and for specific purposes.  Substantially all of the Company’s commitments to extend credit are contingent upon customers maintaining specific credit standards at the time of loan funding. Standby letters of credit are written conditional commitments issued by the Company to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third-party. In the event the customer does not perform in accordance with the terms of the agreement with the third-party, the Company would be required to fund the commitment. The maximum potential amount of future payments the Company could be required to make is represented by the contractual amount of the commitment. If the commitment were funded, the Company would be entitled to seek recovery from the customer. Based on the Company’s credit risk exposure assessment of standby letter of credit arrangements, the arrangements contain security and debt covenants similar to those contained in loan agreements.
	The contractual or notional amounts of these instruments, which reflect the extent of the Company’s involvement in particular classes of off-balance sheet financial instruments, are summarized as follows:
		March 31,		December 31,
		2015		2014
	Loan origination commitments	$	178,262	$	208,486
	Unused lines of credit	376,633		332,295
	Letters of credit	75,889		83,316
	(b) Lease Commitments
	The Company leases certain premises and equipment under operating leases with terms expiring through 2033. Included in occupancy and office operations expense was net rent expense of $1,577 and $1,986 during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. There has been no significant change in the future minimum lease payments payable by the Company since December 31, 2014. See the Transition Report on Form 10-K filed March 6, 2015 for information regarding these commitments.
	(c)Litigation
	The Company and the Bank are involved in a number of judicial proceedings concerning matters arising from conducting their business activities. These include routine legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. These proceedings also include actions brought against the Company and the Bank with respect to corporate matters and transactions in which the Company and the Bank were involved. In addition, the Company and the Bank may be requested to provide information or otherwise cooperate with government authorities in the conduct of investigations of other persons or industry groups.
	There can be no assurance as to the ultimate outcome of a legal proceeding; however, the Company and the Bank have generally denied, or believe they have meritorious defenses and will deny, liability in all significant litigation pending against us, including the matter described below, and we intend to defend vigorously each case, other than matters we determine are appropriate to be settled. We accrue a liability for legal claims when payments associated with the claims become probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated. The actual costs of resolving legal claims may be substantially higher or lower than the amounts accrued for those claims.
	On November 25, 2014, an action captioned Graner v. Hudson Valley Holding Corp., et al., Index No. 70348/2014 (Sup. Ct., Westchester Cnty.), was filed on behalf of a putative class of Hudson Valley (as defined below) shareholders against Hudson Valley, its current directors, and Sterling. On January 7, 2015, the plaintiff filed an amended complaint. As amended, the complaint alleges that the Hudson Valley board breached its fiduciary duties by agreeing to the HVB Merger (as defined below) and certain terms of the Merger Agreement and by failing to disclose all material information concerning the HVB Merger to the Hudson Valley shareholders. The complaint further alleges that Sterling aided and abetted those alleged fiduciary breaches. The action sought, among other things, an order enjoining the operation of certain provisions of the Merger Agreement (as defined below), enjoining any shareholder vote on the HVB Merger, as well as other equitable relief and/or monetary damages in the event that the HVB Merger is consummated.
	On April 9, 2015, the parties entered into a memorandum of understanding (the “MOU”) regarding the settlement of the putative class action. Under the terms of the MOU, the Company, Hudson Valley, the other named defendants and the plaintiff reached an agreement in principle to settle the action. Pursuant to the terms of the MOU, the plaintiff agreed to release the defendants from all claims relating to the HVB Merger in exchange for certain additional disclosure to the Hudson Valley shareholders, which disclosure was made on April 13, 2015 by Hudson Valley via filing with the SEC on Form 8-K. Under the terms of the MOU, plaintiff’s counsel also has reserved the right to seek an award of attorneys’ fees and expenses. The settlement is subject to approval by the Court, and, if the Court approves the settlement contemplated by the MOU, the action will be dismissed with prejudice. The settlement will not affect the merger consideration to be paid to Hudson Valley’s shareholders pursuant to, and subject to the conditions set forth in, the Merger Agreement. The Merger Agreement and the HVB Merger were approved by the Company’s stockholders at a special meeting held on April 28, 2015 and by Hudson Valley’s shareholders at a special meeting held on April 30, 2015, and consummation of the HVB Merger remains subject to the satisfaction of the remaining customary conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement. The Company, Hudson Valley and the other defendants deny all of the allegations made by the plaintiff. Nevertheless, the Company, Hudson Valley and the other defendants have agreed to settle the action in order to avoid the costs, disruption and distraction of further litigation.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair value measurements	Fair value measurements
	Fair value is the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. There are three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair values:
	Level 1 Inputs – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date.
	Level 2 Inputs – Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These might include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (such as interest rates, volatilities, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.) or inputs that are derived principally from, or corroborated by, market data by correlation or other means.
	Level 3 Inputs – Unobservable inputs for determining the fair value of assets or liabilities that reflect an entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the assets or liabilities.
	In general, fair value is based on quoted market prices, when available. If quoted market prices in active markets are not available, fair value is based on internally developed models that primarily use, as inputs, observable market-based parameters. Valuation adjustments may be made to ensure that financial instruments are recorded at fair value.  These adjustments may include amounts to reflect counterparty credit quality and the Company’s creditworthiness, among other things, as well as unobservable parameters. Any such valuation adjustments are applied consistently over time. The Company’s valuation methodologies may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values. While management believes the Company’s valuation methodologies are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different estimate of fair value at the reporting date. Furthermore, the reported fair value amounts have not been comprehensively revalued since the presentation dates, and therefore, estimates of fair value after the balance sheet date may differ significantly from the amounts presented herein. A more detailed description of the valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities measured at fair value is set forth below. Transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy are recognized on the actual date of the event or circumstances that caused the transfer, which generally coincide with the Company’s monthly and/or quarterly valuation process.
	Investment Securities Available for Sale
	The majority of the Company’s available for sale investment securities are reported at fair value utilizing Level 2 inputs. For these securities, the Company obtains fair value measurements from an independent pricing service. The fair value measurements consider observable data that may include dealer quotes, market spreads, cash flows, the U.S. Treasury yield curve, live trading levels, trade execution data, market consensus prepayment speeds, credit information and the securities’ terms and conditions, among other things.
	The Company reviews the prices supplied by the independent pricing service, as well as their underlying pricing methodologies, for reasonableness and to ensure such prices are aligned with traditional pricing matrices. In general, the Company does not purchase investment securities that have a complicated structure. The Company’s entire portfolio consists of traditional investments, nearly all of which are mortgage pass-through securities, state and municipal general obligation or revenue bonds, U.S. agency bullet and callable securities and corporate bonds. Pricing for such instruments is fairly generic and is easily obtained. From time to time, the Company validates, on a sample basis, prices supplied by the independent pricing service by comparison to prices obtained from third-party sources or derived using internal models.
	At March 31, 2015, we do not believe any of our securities are OTTI; however, we review all of our securities on at least a quarterly basis to assess whether impairment, if any, is OTTI.
	Derivatives
	The fair values of derivatives are based on valuation models using current market terms (including interest rates and fees), the remaining terms of the agreements and the credit worthiness of the counterparty as of the measurement date (Level 2). The Company’s derivatives consist of twelve interest rate swaps. See Note 8. “Derivatives.”
	Commitments to Sell Real Estate Loans
	The Company enters into various commitments to sell real estate loans in the secondary market. Such commitments are considered to be derivative financial instruments and therefore are carried at estimated fair value on the consolidated balance sheets. The estimated fair values of these commitments were generally calculated by reference to quoted prices in secondary markets for commitments to sell to certain government sponsored agencies. The fair values of these commitments generally result in a Level 2 classification. The fair value of these commitments is not material.
	A summary of assets and liabilities at March 31, 2015 measured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis is as follows:
		March 31, 2015
		Fair value			Level 1 inputs				Level 2 inputs			Level 3 inputs
	Assets:
	Investment securities available for sale:
	Residential MBS:
	Agency-backed	$	580,324		$	—			$	580,324		$	—
	CMO/Other MBS	80,393			—				80,393			—
	Total residential MBS	660,717			—				660,717			—
	Federal agencies	117,257			—				117,257			—
	Corporate bonds	266,864			—				266,864			—
	State and municipal	131,177			—				131,177			—
	Trust preferred	38,389			—				38,389			—
	Total other securities	553,687			—				553,687			—
	Total investment securities available for sale	1,214,404			—				1,214,404			—
	Swaps	1,874			—				1,874			—
	Total assets	$	1,216,278		$	—			$	1,216,278		$	—
	Liabilities:
	Swaps	1,874			—				1,874			—
	Total liabilities	$	1,874		$	—			$	1,874		$	—
	A summary of assets and liabilities at December 31, 2014 measured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis is as follows:
		December 31, 2014
		Fair value			Level 1 inputs				Level 2 inputs			Level 3 inputs
	Assets:
	Investment securities available for sale:
	Residential MBS:
	Agency-backed	$	533,663		$	—			$	533,663		$	—
	CMO/Other MBS	84,838			—				84,838			—
	Privately issued CMOs	—			—				—			—
	Total residential MBS	618,501			—				618,501			—
	Federal agencies	147,156			—				147,156			—
	Corporate bonds	204,831			—				204,831			—
	State and municipal	132,065			—				132,065			—
	Trust preferred	38,293			—				38,293			—
	Total investment securities available for sale	522,345			—				522,345			—
	Total available for sale securities	1,140,846			—				1,140,846			—
	Interest rate caps and swaps	1,332			—				1,332			—
	Total assets	$	1,142,178		$	—			$	1,142,178		$	—
	Liabilities:
	Swaps	1,332			—				1,332			—
	Total liabilities	$	1,332		$	—			$	1,332		$	—
	The following categories of financial assets are not measured at fair value on a recurring basis, but are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances.
	Loans Held for Sale and Impaired Loans
	Mortgage loans originated and intended for sale in the secondary market are carried at the lower of aggregate cost or fair value as determined by outstanding commitments from investors. Fair value of loans held for sale is determined using quoted prices for similar assets (Level 2 inputs).
	When mortgage loans held for sale are sold with servicing rights retained, the carrying value of mortgage loans sold is reduced by the amount allocated to the value of the servicing rights, which is equal to its fair value. Gains and losses on sales of mortgage loans are based on the difference between the selling price and the carrying value of the related loan sold.
	The Company may record adjustments to the carrying value of loans based on fair value measurements for partial charge-offs of the uncollectible portions of these loans. These adjustments also include certain impairment amounts for collateral dependent loans calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 310 – Receivables, when establishing the allowance for loan losses. Impairment amounts are generally based on the fair value of the underlying collateral supporting the loan and, as a result, the carrying value of the loan less the calculated impairment amount applicable to that loan does not necessarily represent the fair value of the loan. Real estate collateral is valued using independent appraisals or other indications of value based on recent comparable sales of similar properties or assumptions generally observable by market participants. However, due to the substantial judgment applied and limited volume of activity as compared to other assets, fair value is based on Level 3 inputs. Estimates of fair value used for collateral supporting commercial loans generally are based on assumptions not observable in the market place and are also based on Level 3 inputs. Impaired loans are evaluated on at least a quarterly basis for additional impairment and their carrying values are adjusted as needed. Loans subject to non-recurring fair value measurements were $29,330 and $37,085 at March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014, respectively. Changes in fair value recognized as a charge-off on loans held by the Company were $280 and $447 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
	When valuing impaired loans that are collateral dependent, the Company charges-off the difference between the recorded investment in the loan and the appraised value, which is generally less than 12 months old. A discount for estimated costs to dispose of the asset is used when evaluating the impaired loans.
	A summary of impaired loans at March 31, 2015 measured at estimated fair value on a non-recurring basis is the following:
		March 31, 2015
		Fair value			Level 1 inputs				Level 2 inputs			Level 3 inputs
Commercial real estate	$	1,950		$	—			$	—		$	1,950
Acquisition, development and construction	2,773			—				—			2,773
Total impaired loans measured at fair value	$	4,723		$	—			$	—		$	4,723
A summary of impaired loans at December 31, 2014 measured at estimated fair value on a non-recurring basis is the following:
	December 31, 2014
	Fair value			Level 1 inputs				Level 2 inputs			Level 3 inputs
Commercial & industrial	$	65		$	—			$	—		$	65
Commercial real estate	1,950			—				—			1,950
Acquisition, development and construction	3,800			—				—			3,800
Total impaired loans measured at fair value	$	5,815		$	—			$	—		$	5,815
Mortgage Servicing Rights
When mortgage loans are sold with servicing retained, servicing rights are initially recorded at fair value with the income statement effect recorded in net gain on sales of loans. Fair value is based on market prices for comparable mortgage servicing contracts, when available, or alternatively, is based on a valuation model that calculates the present value of estimated future net servicing income.
The Company utilizes the amortization method to subsequently measure the carrying value of its servicing rights. In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 860 - Transfers and Servicing, the Company must record impairment charges on a non-recurring basis, when the carrying value exceeds the estimated fair value. To estimate the fair value of servicing rights, the Company utilizes a third-party, which on a quarterly basis, considers the market prices for similar assets and the present value of expected future cash flows associated with the servicing rights. Assumptions utilized include estimates of the cost of servicing, loan default rates, an appropriate discount rate and prepayment speeds. The determination of fair value of servicing rights relies upon Level 3 inputs. The fair value of mortgage servicing rights at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were $1,393 and $1,456, respectively.
OREO - Assets Taken in Foreclosure of Defaulted Loans
Assets taken in foreclosure of defaulted loans are initially recorded at fair value less costs to sell when acquired, which establishes a new cost basis. These assets are subsequently accounted for at the lower of cost or fair value less costs to sell and are primarily comprised of commercial and residential real estate property and upon initial recognition, are re-measured and reported at fair value through a charge-off to the allowance for loan losses based on the fair value of the foreclosed asset. The fair value is generally determined using appraisals or other indications of value based on recent comparable sales of similar properties or assumptions generally observable in the market place. Adjustments are routinely made in the appraisal process by the independent appraisers to adjust for differences between comparable sales and income data available. The fair value is derived using Level 3 inputs. Appraisals are reviewed by our credit department, our external loan review consultant and verified by officers in our credit administration area. Assets taken in foreclosure of defaulted loans and facilities held for sale subject to non-recurring fair value measurement were $8,231 and $5,867 at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. There were no write downs related to changes in fair value recognized through income for those foreclosed assets held by the Company during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014, respectively.
Significant Unobservable Inputs to Level 3 Measurements
The following table presents quantitative information about significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurements for Level 3 assets at March 31, 2015:
Non-recurring fair value measurements		Fair value			Valuation technique		Unobservable input / assumptions		Range (1) (weighted average)
Impaired loans:
Commercial & industrial		$	—		Appraisal		Adjustments for comparable properties		10.0% -25.0% (14.4%)
Commercial real estate		1,950			Appraisal		Adjustments for comparable properties		22.0% (22.0%)
Acquisition, development & construction		2,773			Appraisal		Adjustments for comparable properties		10.0% - 22.0% (13.5%)
Assets taken in foreclosure:
Residential mortgage		1,181			Appraisal		Adjustments by management to reflect current conditions/selling costs		10.0% - 22.0% (21.6%)
Commercial real estate(2)		3,961			Appraisal		Adjustments by management to reflect current conditions/selling costs		10.0% - 22.0% (22.0%)
Acquisition, development & construction		1,796			Appraisal		Adjustments by management to reflect current conditions/selling costs		10.0% - 22.0% (22.0%)
Mortgage servicing rights		1,393			Third-party		Discount rates		8.3% - 11.3% (9.3%)
					Third-party		Prepayment speeds		100 - 512 (210)
(1) Represents range of discount factors applied to the appraisal to determine fair value. The amounts used for mortgage servicing rights are discounts applied by a third-party valuation provider which the Company believes are appropriate.
(2) Excludes $1,293 of commercial properties that are former financial centers held for sale. These assets were not taken in foreclosure and their fair value is determined by third-party appraisals and our internal assessment of the market for this type of real estate.
Fair Values of Financial Instruments
FASB Codification Topic 825 - Financial Instruments, requires disclosure of fair value information for those financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate fair value, whether or not such financial instruments are recognized in the consolidated statements of financial condition for interim and annual periods. Fair value is the amount for which a financial instrument could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties, other than in a forced sale or liquidation.
Quoted market prices are used to estimate fair values when those prices are available, although active markets do not exist for many types of financial instruments. Fair values for these instruments must be estimated by management using techniques such as discounted cash flow analysis and comparison to similar instruments. These estimates are highly subjective and require judgments regarding significant matters, such as the amount and timing of future cash flows and the selection of discount rates that appropriately reflect market and credit risks. Changes in these judgments often have a material effect on the fair value estimates. Since these estimates are made as of a specific point in time, they are susceptible to material near-term changes. Fair values disclosed in accordance with FASB Topic 825 do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from the sale of a large volume of a particular financial instrument, nor do they reflect possible tax ramifications or estimated transaction costs.
The following is a summary of the carrying amounts and estimated fair value of financial assets and liabilities (none of which were held for trading purposes) as of March 31, 2015:
	March 31, 2015
	Carrying			Level 1 inputs				Level 2 inputs			Level 3 inputs
	amount
Financial assets:
Cash and due from banks	$	186,701		$	186,701			$	—		$	—
Securities available for sale	1,214,404			—				1,214,404			—
Securities held to maturity	585,633			—				605,144			—
Portfolio loans, net	4,896,022			—				—			4,962,567
Loans held for sale	53,737			—				53,737			—
Accrued interest receivable on securities	9,720			—				9,720			—
Accrued interest receivable on loans	11,647			—				—			11,647
FHLB stock and Federal Reserve Bank stock	68,864			—				—			—
Swaps	1,874			—				1,874			—
Financial liabilities:
Non-maturity deposits	(5,053,661		)	(5,053,661		)		—			—
Certificates of deposit	(502,285		)	—				(502,792		)	—
FHLB borrowings	(857,138		)	—				(873,912		)	—
Other borrowings	(25,245		)	—				(25,245		)	—
Senior notes	(98,595		)					(101,487		)
Mortgage escrow funds	(5,805		)	—				(5,805		)	—
Accrued interest payable on deposits	(208		)	—				(208		)	—
Accrued interest payable on borrowings	(2,904		)	—				(2,904		)	—
Swaps	(1,874		)	—				(1,874		)	—
The following is a summary of the carrying amounts and estimated fair value of financial assets and liabilities (none of which were held for trading purposes) as of December 31, 2014:
	December 31, 2014
	Carrying			Level 1 inputs				Level 2 inputs			Level 3 inputs
	amount
Financial assets:
Cash and due from banks	$	121,520		$	121,520			$	—		$	—
Securities available for sale	1,140,846			—				1,140,846			—
Securities held to maturity	572,337			—				586,346			—
Portfolio loans, net	4,773,267			—				—			4,783,508
Loans held for sale	46,599			—				46,599			—
Accrued interest receivable on securities	7,742			—				7,742			—
Accrued interest receivable on loans	11,559			—				—			11,559
FHLB stock and Federal Reserve Bank stock	75,437			—				—			—
Interest rate caps and swaps	1,332			—				1,332			—
Financial liabilities:
Non-maturity deposits	(4,731,481		)	(4,731,481		)		—			—
Certificates of deposit	(480,844		)	—				(480,621		)	—
FHLB borrowings	(1,003,209		)	—				(1,019,690		)	—
Other borrowings	(9,846		)	—				(9,846		)	—
Senior Notes	(98,498		)					(100,769		)
Mortgage escrow funds	(4,167		)	—				(4,167		)	—
Accrued interest payable on deposits	(329		)	—				(329		)	—
Accrued interest payable on borrowings	(4,354		)	—				(4,354		)	—
Interest rate caps and swaps	(1,332		)	—				(1,332		)	—
The following paragraphs summarize the principal methods and assumptions used by the Company to estimate the fair value of the Company’s financial instruments:
Loans
The estimated fair value approximates carrying value for variable-rate loans that reprice frequently and with no significant change in credit risk. The fair value of fixed-rate loans and variable-rate loans which reprice on an infrequent basis is estimated by discounting future cash flows using the current interest rates at which similar loans with similar terms would be made to borrowers of similar credit quality. An overall valuation adjustment is made for specific credit risks as well as general portfolio credit risk.
FHLB of New York Stock and Federal Reserve Bank Stock
The redeemable carrying amount of these securities with limited marketability approximates their fair value.
Deposits and Mortgage Escrow Funds
In accordance with FASB Codification Topic 825, deposits with no stated maturity (such as demand, money market and saving deposits) are assigned fair values equal to the carrying amounts payable on demand. Certificates of deposit and mortgage escrow funds are segregated by account type and original term, and fair values are estimated by discounting the contractual cash flows. The discount rate for each account grouping is equivalent to the current market rates for deposits of similar type and maturity.
These fair values do not include the value of core deposit relationships that comprise a significant portion of the Company’s deposits. We believe that the Company’s core deposit relationships provide a relatively stable, low-cost funding source that has a substantial value separate from the deposit balances.
FHLB Borrowings, other borrowings and Senior notes
The estimated fair value approximates carrying value for short-term borrowings. The fair value of long-term fixed-rate borrowings is estimated using quoted market prices, if available, or by discounting future cash flows using current interest rates for similar financial instruments.
Other Financial Instruments
Other financial assets and liabilities listed in the table above have estimated fair values that approximate the respective carrying amounts because the instruments are payable on demand or have short-term maturities and present relatively low credit risk and interest rate risk.
The fair values of the Company’s off-balance-sheet financial instruments described in the “Off-Balance Sheet Financial Instruments” section of Note 15. “Commitments and Contingencies” were estimated based on current market terms (including interest rates and fees), considering the remaining terms of the agreements and the credit worthiness of the counterparties. At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the estimated fair value of these instruments approximated the related carrying amounts, which were not material.
Accrued interest receivable/payable
The carrying amounts of accrued interest approximate fair value and are classified in accordance with the related instrument.

Recent_Accounting_Standards_No

Recent Accounting Standards, Not Yet Adopted	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
Recently Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted	Recently Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted
	Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)." ASU 2014-09 implements a common revenue standard that clarifies the principles for recognizing revenue. The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. To achieve that core principle, an entity should apply the following steps: (i) identify the contract(s) with a customer, (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract, (iii) determine the transaction price, (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. ASU 2014-09 is currently effective for us on January 1, 2017; however, the FASB recently decided to propose deferring the effective date by one year which would make ASU 2014-09 effective for us on January 1, 2018. We are currently evaluating the potential impact of ASU 2014-09 on our financial statements.
	ASU 2014-11, “Transfers and Servicing (Topic 860).” ASU 2014-11 requires that repurchase-to-maturity transactions be accounted for as secured borrowings consistent with the accounting for other repurchase agreements. In addition, ASU 2014-11 requires separate accounting for repurchase financings, which entails the transfer of a financial asset executed contemporaneously with a repurchase agreement with the same counterparty. ASU 2014-11 requires entities to disclose certain information about transfers accounted for as sales in transactions that are economically similar to repurchase agreements. In addition, ASU 2014-11 requires disclosures related to collateral, remaining contractual tenor and of the potential risks associated with repurchase agreements, securities lending transactions and repurchase-to-maturity transactions. ASU 2014-11 became effective for us on January 1, 2015 and did not have a significant impact on our financial statements. The new disclosures required by ASU 2014-11 are in Note 7. “Borrowings and Senior Notes”.
	ASU 2015-01, “Income Statement - Extraordinary and Unusual Items (Subtopic 225-20) – Simplifying Income Statement Presentation by Eliminating the Concept of Extraordinary Items.” ASU 2015-01 eliminates from U.S. GAAP the concept of extraordinary items, which, among other things, required an entity to segregate extraordinary items considered to be unusual and infrequent from the results of ordinary operations and show the item separately in the income statement, net of tax, after income from continuing operations. As permitted, we adopted ASU 2015-01 effective January 1, 2015 and its adoption did not have a significant impact on our financial statements.
	ASU 2015-02, “Consolidation (Topic 810) – Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis.” ASU 2015-02 implements changes to both the variable interest consolidation model and the voting interest consolidation model. ASU 2015-02 (i) eliminates certain criteria that must be met when determining when fees paid to a decision maker or service provider do not represent a variable interest, (ii) amends the criteria for determining whether a limited partnership is a variable interest entity and (iii)  eliminates the presumption that a general partner controls a limited partnership in the voting model. ASU 2015-02 will be effective for us on January 1, 2016 and is not expected to have a significant impact on our financial statements.
	ASU 2015-03, “Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30) – Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs.” ASU 2015-03 requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs are not affected by the amendments in ASU 2015-03. ASU 2015-03 will be effective for us on January 1, 2016, though early adoption is permitted. ASU 2015-03 is not expected to have a significant impact on our financial statements.
	ASU 2015-05, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40) – Customer’s Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement.” ASU 2015-05 addresses accounting for fees paid by a customer in cloud computing arrangements such as (i) software as a service, (ii) platform as a service (iii) infrastructure as a service and (iv) other similar hosting arrangements. ASU 2015-05 provides guidance to customers about whether a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license. If a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license, then the customer should account for the software license element of the arrangement consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses. If a cloud computing arrangement does not include a software license, the customer should account for the arrangement as a service contract. ASU 2015-05 will be effective for us on January 1, 2016 and is not expected to have a significant impact on our financial statements.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income	Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income
	Components of accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income (“AOCI”) were as follows as of the dates shown below:
		March 31,			December 31,
		2015			2014
	Net unrealized holding gain on available for sale securities	$	11,099		$	2,256
	Related income tax (expense)	(4,717		)	(959		)
	Available for sale securities AOCI, net of tax	6,382			1,297
	Net unrealized holding loss on securities transferred to held to maturity	(8,099		)	(8,638		)
	Related income tax benefit	3,442			3,671
	Securities transferred to held to maturity AOCI, net of tax	(4,657		)	(4,967		)
	Net unrealized holding loss on retirement plans	(11,242		)	(11,445		)
	Related income tax benefit	4,778			4,864
	Retirement plans AOCI, net of tax	(6,464		)	(6,581		)
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	(4,739	)	$	(10,251	)
	The following table presents the changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:
		Net unrealized holding gain (loss) on AFS securities			Net unrealized holding gain (loss) on securities transferred to held to maturity			Net unrealized holding gain (loss) on retirement plans			Total
	Three months ended March 31, 2015
	Balance beginning of the period	$	1,297		$	(4,967	)	$	(6,581	)	$	(10,251	)
	Other comprehensive gain before reclassification	4,203			—			—			4,203
	Amounts reclassified from AOCI	882			310			117			1,309
	Total other comprehensive income	5,085			310			117			5,512
	Balance at end of period	$	6,382		$	(4,657	)	$	(6,464	)	$	(4,739	)
	Three months ended March 31, 2014
	Balance beginning of the period	$	(11,395	)	$	(5,659	)	$	(2,411	)	$	(19,465	)
	Other comprehensive gain before reclassification	5,713			—			—			5,713
	Amounts reclassified from AOCI	35			180			(748		)	(533		)
	Total other comprehensive income (loss)	5,748			180			(748		)	5,180
	Balance at end of period	$	(5,647	)	$	(5,479	)	$	(3,159	)	$	(14,285	)
	Location in statement of operations where reclassification from AOCI is included	Net gain (loss) on sale of securities			Interest income on securities			Compensation and benefits expense

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	Subsequent Events
	Merger with Hudson Valley Holding Corp.
	On November 5, 2014, the Company announced it had entered into a definitive merger agreement with Hudson Valley Holding Corp. (NYSE: HVB). In the merger, which is a stock-for-stock transaction valued at approximately $541,444 based on the closing price of Sterling common stock on November 4, 2014, Hudson Valley Holding Corp. shareholders will receive a fixed ratio of 1.92 shares of Sterling common stock for each share of Hudson Valley Holding Corp. common stock. Upon closing, Sterling shareholders will own approximately 70% of stock in the combined company and Hudson Valley Holding Corp. shareholders will own approximately 30%. On a pro forma combined basis, for the three months ended March 31, 2015, the companies had revenue of $150,751 and $24,964 in net income. Upon completion of the merger, the combined company is expected to have $11,169,815 in total assets, $6,868,469 in total portfolio loans, and total deposits of $8,414,758.
	On April 30, 2015, the Company filed Amendment No. 3 to its registration statement on Form S-4, that included historical and pro forma information regarding Hudson Valley Holding Corp. and the Company, which is required in connection with the merger.
	On April 28, 2015, the stockholders of Sterling Bancorp approved the merger. On April 30, 2015, the stockholders of Hudson Valley Holding Corp. also approved the merger. The merger also requires approvals from the Federal Reserve and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency; management currently anticipates the transaction will be consummated in the second quarter of 2015.

Basis_of_Financial_Statement_P1

Basis of Financial Statement Presentation (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Consolidation	Nature of Operations and Principles of Consolidation
	The unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Sterling; STL Holdings, Inc. (formerly PBNY Holdings, Inc.) which has an investment in Sterling Silver Title Agency L.P. (formerly PB Madison Title Agency L.P.), a company that provides title searches and title insurance for residential and commercial real estate; Sterling Risk Management, Inc. (formerly Provident Risk Management, Inc., a captive insurance company); Sterling National Bank (the “Bank”) and the Bank’s wholly-owned subsidiaries. These subsidiaries included at March 31, 2015: (i) Sterling REIT, Inc., a real estate investment trust that holds a portion of the Company’s real estate loans; (ii) Provest Services Corp. I, which has invested in a low-income housing partnership; (iii) Provest Services Corp. II, which has engaged a third-party provider to sell mutual funds and annuities to the Bank’s customers, and (iv) several limited liability companies, which hold other real estate owned. Intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated in consolidation.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted	Recently Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted
	Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)." ASU 2014-09 implements a common revenue standard that clarifies the principles for recognizing revenue. The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. To achieve that core principle, an entity should apply the following steps: (i) identify the contract(s) with a customer, (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract, (iii) determine the transaction price, (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. ASU 2014-09 is currently effective for us on January 1, 2017; however, the FASB recently decided to propose deferring the effective date by one year which would make ASU 2014-09 effective for us on January 1, 2018. We are currently evaluating the potential impact of ASU 2014-09 on our financial statements.
	ASU 2014-11, “Transfers and Servicing (Topic 860).” ASU 2014-11 requires that repurchase-to-maturity transactions be accounted for as secured borrowings consistent with the accounting for other repurchase agreements. In addition, ASU 2014-11 requires separate accounting for repurchase financings, which entails the transfer of a financial asset executed contemporaneously with a repurchase agreement with the same counterparty. ASU 2014-11 requires entities to disclose certain information about transfers accounted for as sales in transactions that are economically similar to repurchase agreements. In addition, ASU 2014-11 requires disclosures related to collateral, remaining contractual tenor and of the potential risks associated with repurchase agreements, securities lending transactions and repurchase-to-maturity transactions. ASU 2014-11 became effective for us on January 1, 2015 and did not have a significant impact on our financial statements. The new disclosures required by ASU 2014-11 are in Note 7. “Borrowings and Senior Notes”.
	ASU 2015-01, “Income Statement - Extraordinary and Unusual Items (Subtopic 225-20) – Simplifying Income Statement Presentation by Eliminating the Concept of Extraordinary Items.” ASU 2015-01 eliminates from U.S. GAAP the concept of extraordinary items, which, among other things, required an entity to segregate extraordinary items considered to be unusual and infrequent from the results of ordinary operations and show the item separately in the income statement, net of tax, after income from continuing operations. As permitted, we adopted ASU 2015-01 effective January 1, 2015 and its adoption did not have a significant impact on our financial statements.
	ASU 2015-02, “Consolidation (Topic 810) – Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis.” ASU 2015-02 implements changes to both the variable interest consolidation model and the voting interest consolidation model. ASU 2015-02 (i) eliminates certain criteria that must be met when determining when fees paid to a decision maker or service provider do not represent a variable interest, (ii) amends the criteria for determining whether a limited partnership is a variable interest entity and (iii)  eliminates the presumption that a general partner controls a limited partnership in the voting model. ASU 2015-02 will be effective for us on January 1, 2016 and is not expected to have a significant impact on our financial statements.
	ASU 2015-03, “Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30) – Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs.” ASU 2015-03 requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs are not affected by the amendments in ASU 2015-03. ASU 2015-03 will be effective for us on January 1, 2016, though early adoption is permitted. ASU 2015-03 is not expected to have a significant impact on our financial statements.
	ASU 2015-05, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40) – Customer’s Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement.” ASU 2015-05 addresses accounting for fees paid by a customer in cloud computing arrangements such as (i) software as a service, (ii) platform as a service (iii) infrastructure as a service and (iv) other similar hosting arrangements. ASU 2015-05 provides guidance to customers about whether a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license. If a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license, then the customer should account for the software license element of the arrangement consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses. If a cloud computing arrangement does not include a software license, the customer should account for the arrangement as a service contract. ASU 2015-05 will be effective for us on January 1, 2016 and is not expected to have a significant impact on our financial statements.

Securities_Tables

Securities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Summary of securities available for sale	A summary of amortized cost and estimated fair value of our securities is presented below:
		March 31, 2015
		Available for Sale												Held to Maturity
		Amortized			Gross			Gross			Fair			Amortized		Gross			Gross			Fair
		cost			unrealized			unrealized			value			cost		unrealized			unrealized			value
					gains			losses								gains			losses
	Residential MBS:
	Agency-backed	$	573,294		$	7,663		$	(633	)	$	580,324		$	142,808	$	4,425		$	(89	)	$	147,144
	CMO/Other MBS	80,502			406			(515		)	80,393			57,668		467			(111		)	58,024
	Total residential MBS	653,796			8,069			(1,148		)	660,717			200,476		4,892			(200		)	205,168
	Other securities:
	Federal agencies	117,852			37			(632		)	117,257			131,810		5,749			(186		)	137,373
	Corporate	265,486			2,226			(848		)	266,864			5,000		1			—			5,001
	State and municipal	128,481			2,822			(126		)	131,177			243,347		9,058			(159		)	252,246
	Trust preferred	37,690			822			(123		)	38,389			—		—			—			—
	Other	—			—			—			—			5,000		356			—			5,356
	Total other securities	549,509			5,907			(1,729		)	553,687			385,157		15,164			(345		)	399,976
	Total securities	$	1,203,305		$	13,976		$	(2,877	)	$	1,214,404		$	585,633	$	20,056		$	(545	)	$	605,144
		31-Dec-14
		Available for Sale												Held to Maturity
		Amortized			Gross			Gross			Fair			Amortized		Gross			Gross			Fair
		cost			unrealized			unrealized			value			cost		unrealized			unrealized			value
					gains			losses								gains			losses
	Residential MBS:
	Agency-backed	$	528,818		$	5,398		$	(553	)	$	533,663		$	138,589	$	2,763		$	(2	)	$	141,350
	CMO/Other MBS	85,619			178			(959		)	84,838			60,166		58			(564		)	59,660
	Total residential MBS	614,437			5,576			(1,512		)	618,501			198,755		2,821			(566		)	201,010
	Other securities:
	Federal agencies	150,623			4			(3,471		)	147,156			136,618		4,328			(548		)	140,398
	Corporate	206,267			319			(1,755		)	204,831			—		—			—			—
	State and municipal	129,576			2,737			(248		)	132,065			231,964		7,713			(89		)	239,588
	Trust preferred	37,687			652			(46		)	38,293			—		—			—			—
	Other	—			—			—			—			5,000		350			—			5,350
	Total other securities	524,153			3,712			(5,520		)	522,345			373,582		12,391			(637		)	385,336
	Total securities	$	1,138,590		$	9,288		$	(7,032	)	$	1,140,846		$	572,337	$	15,212		$	(1,203	)	$	586,346
Summary of securities held-to-maturity	A summary of amortized cost and estimated fair value of our securities is presented below:
		March 31, 2015
		Available for Sale												Held to Maturity
		Amortized			Gross			Gross			Fair			Amortized		Gross			Gross			Fair
		cost			unrealized			unrealized			value			cost		unrealized			unrealized			value
					gains			losses								gains			losses
	Residential MBS:
	Agency-backed	$	573,294		$	7,663		$	(633	)	$	580,324		$	142,808	$	4,425		$	(89	)	$	147,144
	CMO/Other MBS	80,502			406			(515		)	80,393			57,668		467			(111		)	58,024
	Total residential MBS	653,796			8,069			(1,148		)	660,717			200,476		4,892			(200		)	205,168
	Other securities:
	Federal agencies	117,852			37			(632		)	117,257			131,810		5,749			(186		)	137,373
	Corporate	265,486			2,226			(848		)	266,864			5,000		1			—			5,001
	State and municipal	128,481			2,822			(126		)	131,177			243,347		9,058			(159		)	252,246
	Trust preferred	37,690			822			(123		)	38,389			—		—			—			—
	Other	—			—			—			—			5,000		356			—			5,356
	Total other securities	549,509			5,907			(1,729		)	553,687			385,157		15,164			(345		)	399,976
	Total securities	$	1,203,305		$	13,976		$	(2,877	)	$	1,214,404		$	585,633	$	20,056		$	(545	)	$	605,144
		31-Dec-14
		Available for Sale												Held to Maturity
		Amortized			Gross			Gross			Fair			Amortized		Gross			Gross			Fair
		cost			unrealized			unrealized			value			cost		unrealized			unrealized			value
					gains			losses								gains			losses
	Residential MBS:
	Agency-backed	$	528,818		$	5,398		$	(553	)	$	533,663		$	138,589	$	2,763		$	(2	)	$	141,350
	CMO/Other MBS	85,619			178			(959		)	84,838			60,166		58			(564		)	59,660
	Total residential MBS	614,437			5,576			(1,512		)	618,501			198,755		2,821			(566		)	201,010
	Other securities:
	Federal agencies	150,623			4			(3,471		)	147,156			136,618		4,328			(548		)	140,398
	Corporate	206,267			319			(1,755		)	204,831			—		—			—			—
	State and municipal	129,576			2,737			(248		)	132,065			231,964		7,713			(89		)	239,588
	Trust preferred	37,687			652			(46		)	38,293			—		—			—			—
	Other	—			—			—			—			5,000		350			—			5,350
	Total other securities	524,153			3,712			(5,520		)	522,345			373,582		12,391			(637		)	385,336
	Total securities	$	1,138,590		$	9,288		$	(7,032	)	$	1,140,846		$	572,337	$	15,212		$	(1,203	)	$	586,346
Summary of amortized cost and fair value of investment securities available for sale by remaining period to contractual maturity
		March 31, 2015
		Available for sale						Held to maturity
		Amortized			Fair			Amortized			Fair
		cost			value			cost			value
	Other securities remaining period to contractual maturity:
	One year or less	$	2,680		$	2,709		$	9,958		$	10,073
	One to five years	264,348			265,587			5,548			5,961
	Five to ten years	239,986			241,925			212,747			220,150
	Greater than ten years	42,495			43,466			156,904			163,792
	Total other securities	549,509			553,687			385,157			399,976
	Residential MBS	653,796			660,717			200,476			205,168
	Total securities	$	1,203,305		$	1,214,404		$	585,633		$	605,144
Sale of securities	Sales of securities for the period indicated below were as follows:
		For the three months ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
	Available for sale:
	Proceeds from sales	$	115,554		$	55,778
	Gross realized gains	1,663			65
	Gross realized losses	(129		)	(5		)
	Income tax expense on realized net gains	499			18
Securities available for sale with unrealized losses, by length of time in continuous unrealized loss position	The following table summarizes securities available for sale with unrealized losses, segregated by the length of time in a continuous unrealized loss position:
		Continuous unrealized loss position
		Less than 12 months						12 months or longer						Total
		Fair			Unrealized			Fair			Unrealized			Fair		Unrealized
		value			losses			value			losses			value		losses
	Available for sale
	March 31, 2015
	Residential MBS:
	Agency-backed	$	62,179		$	(254	)	$	21,077		$	(379	)	$	83,256	$	(633	)
	CMO/Other MBS	14,103			(65		)	27,860			(450		)	41,963		(515		)
	Total residential MBS	76,282			(319		)	48,937			(829		)	125,219		(1,148		)
	Other securities:
	Federal agencies	40,154			(74		)	69,839			(558		)	109,993		(632		)
	Corporate	62,163			(570		)	15,459			(278		)	77,622		(848		)
	State and municipal	11,694			(72		)	3,902			(54		)	15,596		(126		)
	Trust preferred	9,645			(123		)	—			—			9,645		(123		)
	Total other securities	123,656			(839		)	89,200			(890		)	212,856		(1,729		)
	Total	$	199,938		$	(1,158	)	$	138,137		$	(1,719	)	$	338,075	$	(2,877	)
	December 31, 2014
	Residential MBS:
	Agency-backed	$	17,379		$	(37	)	$	21,616		$	(516	)	$	38,995	$	(553	)
	CMO/Other MBS	25,551			(206		)	43,475			(753		)	69,026		(959		)
	Total residential MBS	42,930			(243		)	65,091			(1,269		)	108,021		(1,512		)
	Other securities:
	Federal agencies	5,959			(87		)	140,699			(3,384		)	146,658		(3,471		)
	Corporate	85,055			(731		)	65,648			(1,024		)	150,703		(1,755		)
	State and municipal	12,012			(68		)	11,400			(180		)	23,412		(248		)
	Trust preferred	3,900			(46		)	—			—			3,900		(46		)
	Total other securities	106,926			(932		)	217,747			(4,588		)	324,673		(5,520		)
	Total	$	149,856		$	(1,175	)	$	282,838		$	(5,857	)	$	432,694	$	(7,032	)
Securities held to maturity with unrealized losses, by length of time in continuous unrealized loss position	The following table summarizes securities held to maturity with unrealized losses, segregated by the length of time in a continuous unrealized loss position:
		Continuous unrealized loss position
		Less than 12 months						12 months or longer						Total
		Fair			Unrealized			Fair			Unrealized			Fair		Unrealized
		value			losses			value			losses			value		losses
	Held to maturity
	March 31, 2015
	Residential MBS:
	Agency-backed	$	6,567		$	(89	)	$	—		$	—		$	6,567	$	(89	)
	CMO/Other MBS	3,011			(1		)	17,049			(110		)	20,060		(111		)
	Total residential MBS	9,578			(90		)	17,049			(110		)	26,627		(200		)
	Other securities:
	Federal agencies	—			—			14,814			(186		)	14,814		(186		)
	State and municipal	16,403			(157		)	120			(2		)	16,523		(159		)
	Total other securities	16,403			(157		)	14,934			(188		)	31,337		(345		)
	Total	$	25,981		$	(247	)	$	31,983		$	(298	)	$	57,964	$	(545	)
	31-Dec-14
	Residential MBS:
	Agency-backed	$	1,208		$	(2	)	$	—		$	—		$	1,208	$	(2	)
	CMO/Other MBS	—						42,979			(564		)	42,979		(564		)
	Total residential MBS	1,208			(2		)	42,979			(564		)	44,187		(566		)
	Other securities:
	Federal agencies	9,711			(289		)	14,741			(259		)	24,452		(548		)
	State and municipal	11,501			(86		)	233			(3		)	11,734		(89		)
	Total other securities	21,212			(375		)	14,974			(262		)	36,186		(637		)
	Total	$	22,420		$	(377	)	$	57,953		$	(826	)	$	80,373	$	(1,203	)
Securities pledged for borrowings at FHLB and other institutions, and securities pledged for municipal deposits and other purposes	Securities pledged for borrowings at FHLB and other institutions, and securities pledged for municipal deposits and other purposes were as follows:
		March 31,			December 31,
		2015			2014
	Available for sale securities pledged for borrowings, at fair value	$	84,635		$	187,314
	Available for sale securities pledged for municipal deposits, at fair value	705,741			550,681
	Available for sale securities pledged for customer back-to-back swaps, at fair value	1,891			1,959
	Held to maturity securities pledged for borrowings, at amortized cost	207,679			154,712
	Held to maturity securities pledged for municipal deposits, at amortized cost	334,298			352,843
	Total securities pledged	$	1,334,244		$	1,247,509

Portfolio_Loans_Tables

Portfolio Loans (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Receivables [Abstract]
Components of loan portfolio excluding loans held for sale	The composition of the Company’s loan portfolio, excluding loans held for sale, was the following:
		March 31,				December 31,
		2015				2014
	Commercial:
	Commercial & industrial	$	1,191,717			$	1,244,555
	Payroll finance	181,687				154,229
	Warehouse lending	241,434				173,786
	Factored receivables	152,354				161,625
	Equipment financing	465,250				411,449
	Total commercial	2,232,442				2,145,644
	Commercial mortgage:
	Commercial real estate	1,531,066				1,458,277
	Multi-family	385,871				384,544
	Acquisition, development & construction	95,567				96,995
	Total commercial mortgage	2,012,504				1,939,816
	Total commercial and commercial mortgage	4,244,946				4,085,460
	Residential mortgage	494,106				529,766
	Consumer:
	Home equity lines of credit	163,488				163,569
	Other consumer loans	36,366				36,846
	Total consumer	199,854				200,415
	Total portfolio loans	4,938,906				4,815,641
	Allowance for loan losses	(42,884		)		(42,374		)
	Portfolio loans, net	$	4,896,022			$	4,773,267
Schedule of amounts and status of loans and TDRs	The following tables set forth the amounts and status of the Company’s loans and troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”) at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
		March 31, 2015
		Current				30-59				60-89			90+			Non-			Total
						days				days			days			accrual
						past due				past due			past due
	Commercial & industrial	$	1,176,500			$	7,733			$	2,764		$	—		$	4,720		$	1,191,717
	Payroll finance	181,356				206				—			73			52			181,687
	Warehouse lending	241,434				—				—			—			—			241,434
	Factored receivables	152,109				—				—			—			245			152,354
	Equipment financing	463,968				472				500			—			310			465,250
	Commercial real estate	1,507,414				8,040				4,431			644			10,537			1,531,066
	Multi-family	385,472				—				312			—			87			385,871
	Acquisition, development & construction	84,692				4,462				—			—			6,413			95,567
	Residential mortgage	474,011				2,128				1,445			123			16,399			494,106
	Consumer	190,274				1,812				923			132			6,713			199,854
	Total loans	$	4,857,230			$	24,853			$	10,375		$	972		$	45,476		$	4,938,906
	Total TDRs included above	$	16,981			$	262			$	420		$	—		$	10,813		$	28,476
	Non-performing loans:
	Loans 90+ days past due and still accruing																		972
	Non-accrual loans																		45,476
	Total non-performing loans																		$	46,448
		December 31, 2014
		Current				30-59				60-89			90+			Non-			Total
						days				days			days			accrual
						past due				past due			past due
	Commercial & industrial	$	1,232,363			$	6,237			$	920		$	60		$	4,975		$	1,244,555
	Payroll finance	154,114				—				—			115			—			154,229
	Warehouse lending	173,786				—				—			—			—			173,786
	Factored receivables	161,381				—				—			—			244			161,625
	Equipment financing	410,483				707				19			—			240			411,449
	Commercial real estate	1,433,235				7,982				5,322			452			11,286			1,458,277
	Multi-family	383,799				317				—			156			272			384,544
	Acquisition, development & construction	89,730				401				451			—			6,413			96,995
	Residential mortgage	509,597				2,935				975			—			16,259			529,766
	Consumer	191,528				1,110				1,607			—			6,170			200,415
	Total loans	$	4,740,016			$	19,689			$	9,294		$	783		$	45,859		$	4,815,641
	Total TDRs included above	$	16,238			$	847			$	176		$	—		$	11,427		$	28,688
	Non-performing loans:
	Loans 90+ days past due and still accruing																		$	783
	Non-accrual loans																		45,859
	Total non-performing loans																		$	46,642
Allowance for loan losses activity	Activity in the allowance for loan losses for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 is summarized below:
		For the three months ended March 31, 2015
		Beginning				Charge-offs				Recoveries			Net			Provision			Ending balance
		balance											charge-offs
	Commercial & industrial	$	11,027			$	(842	)		$	101		$	(741	)	$	400		$	10,686
	Payroll finance	1,506				(303		)		11			(292		)	686			1,900
	Warehouse lending	608				—				—			—			251			859
	Factored receivables	1,205				(72		)		19			(53		)	20			1,172
	Equipment financing	2,569				(153		)		172			19			103			2,691
	Commercial real estate	10,121				(62		)		16			(46		)	1,018			11,093
	Multi-family	2,111				(17		)		—			(17		)	196			2,290
	Acquisition, development & construction	2,987				—				9			9			(280		)	2,716
	Residential mortgage	5,843				(181		)		2			(179		)	(537		)	5,127
	Consumer	4,397				(342		)		52			(290		)	243			4,350
	Total allowance for loan losses	$	42,374			$	(1,972	)		$	382		$	(1,590	)	$	2,100		$	42,884
	Annualized net charge-offs to average loans outstanding																		0.13		%
		For the three months ended March 31, 2014
		Beginning				Charge-offs				Recoveries			Net			Provision			Ending balance
		balance											charge-offs
	Commercial & industrial	$	6,886			$	(1,164	)		$	74		$	(1,090	)	$	873		$	6,669
	Payroll finance	—				—				—			—			610			610
	Warehouse lending	—				—				—			—			132			132
	Factored receivables	—				(289		)		—			(289		)	668			379
	Equipment financing	—				(167		)		—			(167		)	1,473			1,306
	Commercial real estate	8,040				(280		)		19			(261		)	1,135			8,914
	Multi-family	1,952				—				—			—			—			1,952
	Acquisition, development & construction	5,857				(1,260		)		—			(1,260		)	(1,038		)	3,559
	Residential mortgage	4,600				(148		)		1			(147		)	112			4,565
	Consumer	3,277				(204		)		21			(183		)	835			3,929
	Total allowance for loan losses	$	30,612			$	(3,512	)		$	115		$	(3,397	)	$	4,800		$	32,015
	Annualized net charge-offs to average loans outstanding																		0.34		%
Impaired financing receivables	The following table sets forth loans evaluated for impairment by segment and the allowance evaluated by segment at March 31, 2015:
		Loans evaluated by segment														Allowance evaluated by segment
		Individually				Collectively				Purchased credit impaired loans			Total			Individually			Collectively			Total allowance for loan losses
		evaluated for				evaluated for							loans			evaluated for			evaluated for
		impairment				impairment										impairment			impairment
	Commercial & industrial	$	4,000			$	1,186,988			$	729		$	1,191,717		$	—		$	10,686		$	10,686
	Payroll finance	—				181,687				—			181,687			—			1,900			1,900
	Warehouse lending	—				241,434				—			241,434			—			859			859
	Factored receivables	—				152,354				—			152,354			—			1,172			1,172
	Equipment financing	—				465,250				—			465,250			—			2,691			2,691
	Commercial real estate	13,245				1,517,682				139			1,531,066			—			11,093			11,093
	Multi-family	—				385,871				—			385,871			—			2,290			2,290
	Acquisition, development & construction	11,570				83,997				—			95,567			—			2,716			2,716
	Residential mortgage	515				491,562				2,029			494,106			—			5,127			5,127
	Consumer	—				199,854				—			199,854			—			4,350			4,350
	Total loans	$	29,330			$	4,906,679			$	2,897		$	4,938,906		$	—		$	42,884		$	42,884
	There was no amount included in the allowance for loan losses associated with purchased credit impaired loans at March 31, 2015, as there was no further deterioration in the credit quality of these loans since the Provident Merger date.
	The following table sets forth loans evaluated for impairment by segment and the allowance evaluated by segment at December 31, 2014:
		Loans evaluated by segment														Allowance evaluated by segment
		Individually				Collectively				Purchased credit impaired loans			Total			Individually			Collectively			Total allowance for loan losses
		evaluated for				evaluated for							loans			evaluated for			evaluated for
		impairment				impairment										impairment			impairment
	Commercial & industrial	$	4,461			$	1,238,899			$	1,195		$	1,244,555		$	—		$	11,027		$	11,027
	Payroll finance	—				154,229				—			154,229			—			1,506			1,506
	Warehouse lending	—				173,786				—			173,786			—			608			608
	Factored receivables	—				161,625				—			161,625			—			1,205			1,205
	Equipment financing	—				411,449				—			411,449			—			2,569			2,569
	Commercial real estate	14,423				1,443,714				140			1,458,277			—			10,121			10,121
	Multi-family	—				384,544				—			384,544			—			2,111			2,111
	Acquisition, development & construction	11,624				85,371				—			96,995			—			2,987			2,987
	Residential mortgage	515				527,171				2,080			529,766			—			5,843			5,843
	Consumer	—				200,415				—			200,415			—			4,397			4,397
	Total loans	$	31,023			$	4,781,203			$	3,415		$	4,815,641		$	—		$	42,374		$	42,374
	The following table presents loans individually evaluated for impairment by segment of loans at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
		Commercial & industrial				Commercial real estate				Acquisition, development & construction			Residential mortgage			Total
	Loans with no related allowance recorded:
	March 31, 2015
	Unpaid principal balance	$	4,000			$	13,459			$	12,794		$	515		$	30,768
	Recorded investment	4,000				13,245				11,570			515			29,330
	December 31, 2014
	Unpaid principal balance	4,571				14,635				12,848			515			32,569
	Recorded investment	4,461				14,423				11,624			515			31,023
	The following tables present the average recorded investment and interest income recognized related to loans individually evaluated for impairment by segment for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014:
		March 31, 2015											March 31, 2014
		YTD average				Interest				Cash-basis			YTD average			Interest			Cash-basis
		recorded				income				interest			recorded			income			interest
		investment				recognized				income			investment			recognized			income
										recognized									recognized
	With no related allowance recorded:
	Commercial & industrial	$	3,316			$	—			$	—		$	1,850		$	—		$	—
	Factored receivables	—				—				—			992			—			—
	Commercial real estate	13,275				67				—			12,512			40			—
	Multi-family	—				—				—			264			—			—
	Acquisition, development & construction	11,597				57				—			21,940			66			—
	Residential mortgage	515				—				—			515			—			—
	Total	$	28,703			$	124			$	—		$	38,073		$	106		$	—
Troubled debt restructurings	The following tables set forth the amounts and past due status of the Company’s TDRs at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
		March 31, 2015
		Current loans				30-59				60-89			90+			Non-			Total
						days				days			days			accrual
						past due				past due			past due
	Commercial & industrial	$	226			$	—			$	—		$	—		$	2,065		$	2,291
	Equipment financing	389				—				—			—			—			389
	Commercial real estate	4,829				262				—			—			—			5,091
	Acquisition, development & construction	5,398				—				—			—			6,372			11,770
	Residential mortgage	6,139				—				420			—			2,155			8,714
	Consumer	—				—				—			—			221			221
	Total	$	16,981			$	262			$	420		$	—		$	10,813		$	28,476
		December 31, 2014
		Current loans				30-59				60-89			90+			Non-			Total
						days				days			days			accrual
						past due				past due			past due
	Commercial & industrial	$	245			$	—			$	—		$	—		$	2,065		$	2,310
	Equipment financing	409				—				—			—			—			409
	Commercial real estate	4,833				263				—			—			—			5,096
	Acquisition, development & construction	5,487				—				—			—			6,373			11,860
	Residential mortgage	5,264				584				176			—			2,768			8,792
	Consumer	—				—				—			—			221			221
	Total	$	16,238			$	847			$	176		$	—		$	11,427		$	28,688
	There were no loans modified as TDRs that occurred during the three months ended March 31, 2015. The following table presents loans by segment modified as TDRs that occurred during the first three months of 2015 and 2014:
		March 31, 2015										March 31, 2014
					Recorded investment									Recorded investment
		Number			Pre-				Post-			Number		Pre-			Post-
					modification				modification					modification			modification
	Acquisition, development & construction	—			—				—			2		1,060			1,060
	Total restructured loans	—			$	—			$	—		2		$	1,060		$	1,060
Financing receivable credit quality indicators	Loans that are risk-rated 1 through 6 as defined above are considered to be pass-rated loans. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the risk category of gross loans by segment was as follows:
		March 31, 2015											December 31, 2014
		Special				Substandard				Doubtful			Special			Substandard
		mention											mention
	Commercial & industrial	$	3,262			$	6,749			$	24		$	13,060		$	7,730
	Payroll finance	6,709				125				—			996			115
	Factored receivables	36				1,596				—			34			244
	Equipment financing	—				310				—			—			240
	Commercial real estate	11,820				25,730				—			12,707			28,194
	Multi-family	312				87				—			317			272
	Acquisition, development & construction	1,017				16,108				—			1,027			16,016
	Residential mortgage	1,445				16,664				—			975			16,402
	Consumer	1,456				6,727				132			1,200			6,690
	Total	$	26,057			$	74,096			$	156		$	30,316		$	75,903

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_1

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of goodwill and intangible assets	The changes in goodwill and other intangible assets for the periods presented were as follows:
		March 31,		December 31,
		2015		2014
	Goodwill	$	400,941	$	388,926
	Other intangible assets:
	Core deposits	$	17,683	$	18,473
	Customer list	8,851		—
	Non-compete agreements	4,398		3,959
	Trade name	20,500		20,500
	Fair value of below market leases	325		400
		$	51,757	$	43,332
Future amortization expense	The estimated aggregate future amortization expense for intangible assets remaining as of March 31, 2015 was as follows:
		Amortization expense
	Remainder of 2015	$	5,203
	2016	6,012
	2017	3,617
	2018	3,335
	2019	2,864
	Thereafter	10,226
	Total	$	31,257

Deposits_Tables

Deposits (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Deposits [Abstract]
Summary of major classification of deposits	Deposit balances at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are summarized as follows:
		March 31,		December 31,
		2015		2014
	Non-interest bearing demand	$	1,499,161	$	1,481,870
	Interest bearing demand	828,731		747,667
	Savings	745,495		711,509
	Money market	1,980,274		1,790,435
	Certificates of deposit	502,285		480,844
	Total deposits	$	5,555,946	$	5,212,325
List of Company's Brokered deposits	Listed below are the Company’s brokered deposits:
		March 31,		December 31,
		2015		2014
	Money market	$	100,018	$	75,462
	Reciprocal CDAR’s 1	6,152		6,666
	CDAR’s one way	79,904		86,530
	Total brokered deposits	$	186,074	$	168,658
	1 Certificate of deposit account registry service

Borrowings_and_Senior_Notes_Ta

Borrowings and Senior Notes (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Instruments [Abstract]
Schedule of debt	The Company’s borrowings and weighted average interest rates are summarized as follows:
		March 31,				December 31,
		2015				2014
		Amount		Rate		Amount		Rate
	By type of borrowing:
	FHLB advances and overnight	$	857,138	1.54	%	$	1,003,209	1.37	%
	Other borrowings (repurchase agreements)	25,245		0.3		9,846		0.3
	Senior notes	98,595		5.98		98,498		5.98
	Total borrowings	$	980,978	1.95	%	$	1,111,553	1.77	%
	By remaining period to maturity:
	Less than one year	$	402,245	0.39	%	$	532,835	0.39	%
	One to two years	152,735		0.71		152,760		0.69
	Two to three years	255,000		3.54		255,000		3.54
	Three to four years	168,595		4.37		168,498		4.38
	Greater than five years	2,403		4.92		2,460		4.92
	Total borrowings	$	980,978	1.95	%	$	1,111,553	1.77	%

Derivatives_Tables

Derivatives (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedges, Assets [Abstract]
Summary of derivatives	Summary information as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 regarding these derivatives is presented below:
		Notional			Average	Weighted		Weighted	Fair value
		amount			maturity (in years)	average		average
						fixed rate		variable rate
	March 31, 2015
	3rd party interest rate swap	$	66,868		4.46	4.13	%	1 m Libor +2.36	$	1,874
	Customer interest rate swap	(66,868		)	4.46	4.13		1 m Libor +2.36	(1,874		)
	December 31, 2014
	3rd party interest rate swap	67,551			4.7	4.13		1 m Libor + 2.36	1,332
	Customer interest rate swap	(67,551		)	4.7	4.13		1 m Libor + 2.36	(1,332		)

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation	Actual income tax expense differs from the tax computed based on pre-tax income and the applicable statutory Federal tax rate for the following reasons:
		For the three months ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
	Income before income tax expense	$	24,856		$	14,920
	Tax at Federal statutory rate of 35%	8,700			5,224
	State and local income taxes, net of Federal tax benefit	875			(210		)
	Tax-exempt interest, net of disallowed interest	(984		)	(987		)
	BOLI income	(251		)	(190		)
	Non-deductible acquisition related costs	140			—
	Low income housing tax credits	(54		)	(55		)
	Other, net	(348		)	806
	Actual income tax expense	$	8,078		$	4,588
	Effective income tax rate	32.5		%	30.8		%

StockBased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Company's stock option activity	The following table summarizes the activity in the Company’s active stock-based compensation plans for the three months ended March 31, 2015:
				Non-vested stock awards/stock units outstanding					Stock options outstanding
		Shares available for grant		Number of shares			Weighted average grant date fair value		Number of shares		Weighted average exercise price
	Balance at January 1, 2015	1,999,022		643,887			$	11.79	2,040,299		$	11.1
	Granted (1)	(403,371	)	110,960			13.21		15,000		13.84
	Stock awards vested	—		(36,549	)		11.82		—		—
	Exercised	—		—			—		(260,433	)	12.19
	Forfeited	64,667		(16,619	)		13.21		(6,500	)	13.03
	Canceled/expired	(6,000	)	—			—		—		—
	Balance at March 31, 2015	1,654,318		701,679			$	11.97	1,788,366		$	10.96
	Exercisable at March 31, 2015								896,353		$	10.16
	(1) Reflects certain non-vested stock awards that count as 3.5 shares for each share granted.
Schedule of valuation assumptions	The fair value of options granted was determined using the following weighted average assumptions as of the grant date:
		For the three months
		ended March 31,
		2015		2014
	Risk-free interest rate	1.9	%	—	%
	Expected stock price volatility	20.9		—
	Dividend yield (1)	3.1		—
	Expected term in years	5.76		—
	(1) Represents the approximate annualized cash dividend rate paid with respect to a share of common stock at or near the grant date.
Schedule of stock-based compensation expense associated with stock options and non-vested stock awards	Stock-based compensation expense associated with stock options and non-vested stock awards and the related income tax benefit was as follows:
		For the three months
		ended March 31,
		2015			2014
	Stock options	$	281		$	235
	Non-vested stock awards/performance units	828			558
	Total	$	1,109		$	793
	Income tax benefit	377			244
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense	Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense at March 31, 2015 was as follows:
		March 31, 2015
	Stock options	$	1,468
	Non-vested stock awards/performance units	6,417
	Total	$	7,885

Pension_and_Other_Post_Retirem1

Pension and Other Post Retirement Plans (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of net pension (benefit) expense and post-retirement expense	Net pension (benefit) expense and post-retirement expense, which is recorded in compensation and employee benefits expense in the consolidated income statements, is comprised of the following:
		Pension plan						Other post retirement plans
		For the three months ended						For the three months ended
		March 31,						March 31,
		2015			2014			2015		2014
	Service cost	$	—		$	—		$	2	$	11
	Interest cost	589			1,377			94		32
	Expected return on plan assets	(729		)	(1,701		)	—		—
	Amortization of unrecognized actuarial loss	91			48			40		18
	Partial settlement charge	—			1,352			—		—
	Total (benefit) expense	$	(49	)	$	1,076		$	136	$	61

Other_Noninterest_Expense_Tabl

Other Non-interest Expense (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Schedule of Other Non-interest Expense	Other non-interest expense items are presented in the following table. Components exceeding 1% of the aggregate of total net interest income and total non-interest income are presented separately.
		For the three months ended
		March 31,
		2015		2014
	Other non-interest expense:
	Professional fees	$	1,915	$	1,500
	Data and check processing	2,148		663
	Insurance & surety bond premium	648		637
	Other	5,111		5,952
	Total other non-interest expense	$	9,822	$	8,752

Earnings_Per_Common_Share_Tabl

Earnings Per Common Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Computation of basic and diluted earnings per share	The following is a summary of the calculation of earnings per share (“EPS”):
		For the three months ended March 31,
		2015		2014
	Net income	$	16,778	$	10,332
	Weighted average common shares outstanding for computation of basic EPS (1)	87,839,029		83,497,765
	Common-equivalent shares due to the dilutive effect of stock options (2)	413,739		296,342
	Weighted average common shares for computation of diluted EPS	88,252,768		83,794,107
	Earnings per common share:
	Basic	$	0.19	$	0.12
	Diluted	0.19		0.12
	-1	Includes earned ESOP shares.
	-2	Represents incremental shares computed using the treasury stock method.

Stockholders_Equity_Tables

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Schedule of Compliance with Regulatory Capital Requirements under Banking Regulations
		Actual						Minimum capital required - Basel III phase-in schedule						Minimum capital required - Basel III fully phased-in						Required to be considered well capitalized
		Capital amount			Ratio			Capital amount			Ratio			Capital amount			Ratio			Capital amount		Ratio
	March 31, 2015
	Common equity tier 1 to RWA:
	Sterling National Bank	$	739,580		12.92	%		$	257,612		4.5	%		$	400,730		7	%		$	372,107	6.5	%
	Sterling Bancorp	671,633			9.55			259,039			4.5			402,949			7			N/A		N/A
	Tier 1 capital to RWA:
	Sterling National Bank	739,580			12.92	%		343,483			6	%		486,601			8.5	%		457,977		8	%
	Sterling Bancorp	671,633			11.67			345,385			6			489,295			8.5			N/A		N/A
	Total capital to RWA:
	Sterling National Bank	782,859			13.68	%		457,977			8	%		601,095			10.5	%		572,472		10	%
	Sterling Bancorp	714,912			12.42			460,513			8			604,424			10.5			N/A		N/A
	Tier 1 leverage ratio:
	Sterling National Bank	739,580			10.53	%		280,901			4	%		280,901			4	%		351,127		5	%
	Sterling Bancorp	671,633			9.55			281,354			4			281,354			4			N/A		N/A
	The following table presents actual and required capital ratios as of December 31, 2014 for the Bank and the Company under the regulatory capital rules then in effect:
									Regulatory requirements
			Actual						Minimum capital						Classification as well-
									adequacy						capitalized
			Capital amount			Ratio			Capital amount			Ratio			Capital amount			Ratio
		December 31, 2014
		Tier 1 capital to RWA:
		Sterling National Bank	$	651,203		12	%		$	216,988		4	%		$	325,481		6	%
		Sterling Bancorp	569,609			10.43			218,405			4			N/A			N/A
		Total capital to RWA:
		Sterling National Bank	693,972			12.79	%		433,975			8	%		542,469			10	%
		Sterling Bancorp	612,378			11.22			436,809			8			N/A			N/A
		Tier 1 leverage ratio:
		Sterling National Bank	651,203			9.39	%		277,534			4	%		346,918			5	%
		Sterling Bancorp	569,609			8.21			277,352			4			N/A			N/A

Commitment_and_Contingencies_T

Commitment and Contingencies (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of off-balance-sheet financial instruments	The contractual or notional amounts of these instruments, which reflect the extent of the Company’s involvement in particular classes of off-balance sheet financial instruments, are summarized as follows:
		March 31,		December 31,
		2015		2014
	Loan origination commitments	$	178,262	$	208,486
	Unused lines of credit	376,633		332,295
	Letters of credit	75,889		83,316

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Estimated fair value on a recurring basis	A summary of assets and liabilities at March 31, 2015 measured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis is as follows:
		March 31, 2015
		Fair value			Level 1 inputs				Level 2 inputs			Level 3 inputs
	Assets:
	Investment securities available for sale:
	Residential MBS:
	Agency-backed	$	580,324		$	—			$	580,324		$	—
	CMO/Other MBS	80,393			—				80,393			—
	Total residential MBS	660,717			—				660,717			—
	Federal agencies	117,257			—				117,257			—
	Corporate bonds	266,864			—				266,864			—
	State and municipal	131,177			—				131,177			—
	Trust preferred	38,389			—				38,389			—
	Total other securities	553,687			—				553,687			—
	Total investment securities available for sale	1,214,404			—				1,214,404			—
	Swaps	1,874			—				1,874			—
	Total assets	$	1,216,278		$	—			$	1,216,278		$	—
	Liabilities:
	Swaps	1,874			—				1,874			—
	Total liabilities	$	1,874		$	—			$	1,874		$	—
	A summary of assets and liabilities at December 31, 2014 measured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis is as follows:
		December 31, 2014
		Fair value			Level 1 inputs				Level 2 inputs			Level 3 inputs
	Assets:
	Investment securities available for sale:
	Residential MBS:
	Agency-backed	$	533,663		$	—			$	533,663		$	—
	CMO/Other MBS	84,838			—				84,838			—
	Privately issued CMOs	—			—				—			—
	Total residential MBS	618,501			—				618,501			—
	Federal agencies	147,156			—				147,156			—
	Corporate bonds	204,831			—				204,831			—
	State and municipal	132,065			—				132,065			—
	Trust preferred	38,293			—				38,293			—
	Total investment securities available for sale	522,345			—				522,345			—
	Total available for sale securities	1,140,846			—				1,140,846			—
	Interest rate caps and swaps	1,332			—				1,332			—
	Total assets	$	1,142,178		$	—			$	1,142,178		$	—
	Liabilities:
	Swaps	1,332			—				1,332			—
	Total liabilities	$	1,332		$	—			$	1,332		$	—
Impaired loans measured at estimated fair value on nonrecurring basis	A summary of impaired loans at March 31, 2015 measured at estimated fair value on a non-recurring basis is the following:
		March 31, 2015
		Fair value			Level 1 inputs				Level 2 inputs			Level 3 inputs
	Commercial real estate	$	1,950		$	—			$	—		$	1,950
	Acquisition, development and construction	2,773			—				—			2,773
	Total impaired loans measured at fair value	$	4,723		$	—			$	—		$	4,723
	A summary of impaired loans at December 31, 2014 measured at estimated fair value on a non-recurring basis is the following:
		December 31, 2014
		Fair value			Level 1 inputs				Level 2 inputs			Level 3 inputs
	Commercial & industrial	$	65		$	—			$	—		$	65
	Commercial real estate	1,950			—				—			1,950
	Acquisition, development and construction	3,800			—				—			3,800
	Total impaired loans measured at fair value	$	5,815		$	—			$	—		$	5,815
Quantitative information of Level 3 assets	The following table presents quantitative information about significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurements for Level 3 assets at March 31, 2015:
	Non-recurring fair value measurements		Fair value			Valuation technique		Unobservable input / assumptions		Range (1) (weighted average)
	Impaired loans:
	Commercial & industrial		$	—		Appraisal		Adjustments for comparable properties		10.0% -25.0% (14.4%)
	Commercial real estate		1,950			Appraisal		Adjustments for comparable properties		22.0% (22.0%)
	Acquisition, development & construction		2,773			Appraisal		Adjustments for comparable properties		10.0% - 22.0% (13.5%)
	Assets taken in foreclosure:
	Residential mortgage		1,181			Appraisal		Adjustments by management to reflect current conditions/selling costs		10.0% - 22.0% (21.6%)
	Commercial real estate(2)		3,961			Appraisal		Adjustments by management to reflect current conditions/selling costs		10.0% - 22.0% (22.0%)
	Acquisition, development & construction		1,796			Appraisal		Adjustments by management to reflect current conditions/selling costs		10.0% - 22.0% (22.0%)
	Mortgage servicing rights		1,393			Third-party		Discount rates		8.3% - 11.3% (9.3%)
						Third-party		Prepayment speeds		100 - 512 (210)
	(1) Represents range of discount factors applied to the appraisal to determine fair value. The amounts used for mortgage servicing rights are discounts applied by a third-party valuation provider which the Company believes are appropriate.
	(2) Excludes $1,293 of commercial properties that are former financial centers held for sale. These assets were not taken in foreclosure and their fair value is determined by third-party appraisals and our internal assessment of the market for this type of real estate.
Carrying amounts and estimated fair value of financial assets and liabilities	The following is a summary of the carrying amounts and estimated fair value of financial assets and liabilities (none of which were held for trading purposes) as of March 31, 2015:
		March 31, 2015
		Carrying			Level 1 inputs				Level 2 inputs			Level 3 inputs
		amount
	Financial assets:
	Cash and due from banks	$	186,701		$	186,701			$	—		$	—
	Securities available for sale	1,214,404			—				1,214,404			—
	Securities held to maturity	585,633			—				605,144			—
	Portfolio loans, net	4,896,022			—				—			4,962,567
	Loans held for sale	53,737			—				53,737			—
	Accrued interest receivable on securities	9,720			—				9,720			—
	Accrued interest receivable on loans	11,647			—				—			11,647
	FHLB stock and Federal Reserve Bank stock	68,864			—				—			—
	Swaps	1,874			—				1,874			—
	Financial liabilities:
	Non-maturity deposits	(5,053,661		)	(5,053,661		)		—			—
	Certificates of deposit	(502,285		)	—				(502,792		)	—
	FHLB borrowings	(857,138		)	—				(873,912		)	—
	Other borrowings	(25,245		)	—				(25,245		)	—
	Senior notes	(98,595		)					(101,487		)
	Mortgage escrow funds	(5,805		)	—				(5,805		)	—
	Accrued interest payable on deposits	(208		)	—				(208		)	—
	Accrued interest payable on borrowings	(2,904		)	—				(2,904		)	—
	Swaps	(1,874		)	—				(1,874		)	—
	The following is a summary of the carrying amounts and estimated fair value of financial assets and liabilities (none of which were held for trading purposes) as of December 31, 2014:
		December 31, 2014
		Carrying			Level 1 inputs				Level 2 inputs			Level 3 inputs
		amount
	Financial assets:
	Cash and due from banks	$	121,520		$	121,520			$	—		$	—
	Securities available for sale	1,140,846			—				1,140,846			—
	Securities held to maturity	572,337			—				586,346			—
	Portfolio loans, net	4,773,267			—				—			4,783,508
	Loans held for sale	46,599			—				46,599			—
	Accrued interest receivable on securities	7,742			—				7,742			—
	Accrued interest receivable on loans	11,559			—				—			11,559
	FHLB stock and Federal Reserve Bank stock	75,437			—				—			—
	Interest rate caps and swaps	1,332			—				1,332			—
	Financial liabilities:
	Non-maturity deposits	(4,731,481		)	(4,731,481		)		—			—
	Certificates of deposit	(480,844		)	—				(480,621		)	—
	FHLB borrowings	(1,003,209		)	—				(1,019,690		)	—
	Other borrowings	(9,846		)	—				(9,846		)	—
	Senior Notes	(98,498		)					(100,769		)
	Mortgage escrow funds	(4,167		)	—				(4,167		)	—
	Accrued interest payable on deposits	(329		)	—				(329		)	—
	Accrued interest payable on borrowings	(4,354		)	—				(4,354		)	—
	Interest rate caps and swaps	(1,332		)	—				(1,332		)	—

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Components of accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income (“AOCI”) were as follows as of the dates shown below:
		March 31,			December 31,
		2015			2014
	Net unrealized holding gain on available for sale securities	$	11,099		$	2,256
	Related income tax (expense)	(4,717		)	(959		)
	Available for sale securities AOCI, net of tax	6,382			1,297
	Net unrealized holding loss on securities transferred to held to maturity	(8,099		)	(8,638		)
	Related income tax benefit	3,442			3,671
	Securities transferred to held to maturity AOCI, net of tax	(4,657		)	(4,967		)
	Net unrealized holding loss on retirement plans	(11,242		)	(11,445		)
	Related income tax benefit	4,778			4,864
	Retirement plans AOCI, net of tax	(6,464		)	(6,581		)
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	(4,739	)	$	(10,251	)
	The following table presents the changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:
		Net unrealized holding gain (loss) on AFS securities			Net unrealized holding gain (loss) on securities transferred to held to maturity			Net unrealized holding gain (loss) on retirement plans			Total
	Three months ended March 31, 2015
	Balance beginning of the period	$	1,297		$	(4,967	)	$	(6,581	)	$	(10,251	)
	Other comprehensive gain before reclassification	4,203			—			—			4,203
	Amounts reclassified from AOCI	882			310			117			1,309
	Total other comprehensive income	5,085			310			117			5,512
	Balance at end of period	$	6,382		$	(4,657	)	$	(6,464	)	$	(4,739	)
	Three months ended March 31, 2014
	Balance beginning of the period	$	(11,395	)	$	(5,659	)	$	(2,411	)	$	(19,465	)
	Other comprehensive gain before reclassification	5,713			—			—			5,713
	Amounts reclassified from AOCI	35			180			(748		)	(533		)
	Total other comprehensive income (loss)	5,748			180			(748		)	5,180
	Balance at end of period	$	(5,647	)	$	(5,479	)	$	(3,159	)	$	(14,285	)
	Location in statement of operations where reclassification from AOCI is included	Net gain (loss) on sale of securities			Interest income on securities			Compensation and benefits expense

Acquisitions_Details

Acquisitions (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Feb. 27, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill	$400,941,000		$388,926,000
Damian Services Corporation
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Percentage of outstanding common stock acquired		100.00%
Outstanding finance loans acquired		22,300,000
Liabilities assumed		14,600,000
Goodwill		11,900,000
Restructuring charges	1,500,000
Customer Lists | Damian Services Corporation
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible asset acquired		$9,000,000
Estimated life		16 years

Securities_Details

Securities (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized cost	$1,203,305	$1,138,590
Gross unrealized gains	13,976	9,288
Gross unrealized losses	-2,877	-7,032
Available for sale, at fair value	1,214,404	1,140,846
Amortized cost	585,633	572,337
Gross unrealized gains	20,056	15,212
Gross unrealized losses	-545	-1,203
Fair value	605,144	586,346
Residential MBS:
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized cost	653,796	614,437
Gross unrealized gains	8,069	5,576
Gross unrealized losses	-1,148	-1,512
Available for sale, at fair value	660,717	618,501
Amortized cost	200,476	198,755
Gross unrealized gains	4,892	2,821
Gross unrealized losses	-200	-566
Fair value	205,168	201,010
Other securities:
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized cost	549,509	524,153
Gross unrealized gains	5,907	3,712
Gross unrealized losses	-1,729	-5,520
Available for sale, at fair value	553,687	522,345
Amortized cost	385,157	373,582
Gross unrealized gains	15,164	12,391
Gross unrealized losses	-345	-637
Fair value	399,976	385,336
Agency-backed | Residential MBS:
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized cost	573,294	528,818
Gross unrealized gains	7,663	5,398
Gross unrealized losses	-633	-553
Available for sale, at fair value	580,324	533,663
Amortized cost	142,808	138,589
Gross unrealized gains	4,425	2,763
Gross unrealized losses	-89	-2
Fair value	147,144	141,350
CMO/Other MBS | Residential MBS:
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized cost	80,502	85,619
Gross unrealized gains	406	178
Gross unrealized losses	-515	-959
Available for sale, at fair value	80,393	84,838
Amortized cost	57,668	60,166
Gross unrealized gains	467	58
Gross unrealized losses	-111	-564
Fair value	58,024	59,660
Federal agencies | Other securities:
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized cost	117,852	150,623
Gross unrealized gains	37	4
Gross unrealized losses	-632	-3,471
Available for sale, at fair value	117,257	147,156
Amortized cost	131,810	136,618
Gross unrealized gains	5,749	4,328
Gross unrealized losses	-186	-548
Fair value	137,373	140,398
Corporate | Other securities:
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized cost	265,486	206,267
Gross unrealized gains	2,226	319
Gross unrealized losses	-848	-1,755
Available for sale, at fair value	266,864	204,831
Amortized cost	5,000	0
Gross unrealized gains	1	0
Gross unrealized losses	0	0
Fair value	5,001	0
State and municipal | Other securities:
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized cost	128,481	129,576
Gross unrealized gains	2,822	2,737
Gross unrealized losses	-126	-248
Available for sale, at fair value	131,177	132,065
Amortized cost	243,347	231,964
Gross unrealized gains	9,058	7,713
Gross unrealized losses	-159	-89
Fair value	252,246	239,588
Trust preferred | Other securities:
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized cost	37,690	37,687
Gross unrealized gains	822	652
Gross unrealized losses	-123	-46
Available for sale, at fair value	38,389	38,293
Amortized cost	0	0
Gross unrealized gains	0	0
Gross unrealized losses	0	0
Fair value	0	0
Other | Other securities:
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized cost	0	0
Gross unrealized gains	0	0
Gross unrealized losses	0	0
Available for sale, at fair value	0	0
Amortized cost	5,000	5,000
Gross unrealized gains	356	350
Gross unrealized losses	0	0
Fair value	$5,356	$5,350

Securities_Details_1

Securities (Details 1) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost, One year or less	$2,680
Amortized cost, One to five years	264,348
Amortized cost, Five to ten years	239,986
Amortized cost, Greater than ten years	42,495
Amortized cost, Total other securities	549,509
Amortized cost, Available for sale securities	1,203,305	1,138,590
Fair value, One year or less	2,709
Fair value, One to five years	265,587
Fair value, Five to ten years	241,925
Fair value, Greater than ten years	43,466
Fair value, Total other securities	553,687
Fair value, Available for sale securities	1,214,404	1,140,846
Held-to-Maturity Securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost, One year or less	9,958
Amortized cost, One to five years	5,548
Amortized cost, Five to ten years	212,747
Amortized cost, Greater than ten years	156,904
Amortized cost, Total other securities	385,157
Amortized cost, Held to maturity securities	585,633	572,337
Fair value, One year or less	10,073
Fair value, One to five years	5,961
Fair value, Five to ten years	220,150
Fair value, Greater than ten years	163,792
Fair value, Total other securities	399,976
Fair value	605,144	586,346
Residential MBS:
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost, Available for sale securities	653,796	614,437
Fair value, Available for sale securities	660,717	618,501
Held-to-Maturity Securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost, Held to maturity securities	200,476
Fair value	$205,168	$201,010

Securities_Details_2

Securities (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Proceeds from sales of securities available for sale	$115,554	$55,778
Gross realized gains from securities available for sale	1,663	65
Gross realized losses from securities available for sale	-129	-5
Income tax expense on realized net gains of securities available for sale	$499	$18

Securities_Details_3

Securities (Details 3) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair value, Less than 12 months	$199,938	$149,856
Unrealized losses, Less than 12 months	-1,158	-1,175
Fair value, 12 months or longer	138,137	282,838
Unrealized losses, 12 months or longer	-1,719	-5,857
Fair value, Total	338,075	432,694
Unrealized losses, Total	-2,877	-7,032
Other securities:
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair value, Less than 12 months	123,656	106,926
Unrealized losses, Less than 12 months	-839	-932
Fair value, 12 months or longer	89,200	217,747
Unrealized losses, 12 months or longer	-890	-4,588
Fair value, Total	212,856	324,673
Unrealized losses, Total	-1,729	-5,520
Residential MBS:
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair value, Less than 12 months	76,282	42,930
Unrealized losses, Less than 12 months	-319	-243
Fair value, 12 months or longer	48,937	65,091
Unrealized losses, 12 months or longer	-829	-1,269
Fair value, Total	125,219	108,021
Unrealized losses, Total	-1,148	-1,512
Agency-backed | Residential MBS:
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair value, Less than 12 months	62,179	17,379
Unrealized losses, Less than 12 months	-254	-37
Fair value, 12 months or longer	21,077	21,616
Unrealized losses, 12 months or longer	-379	-516
Fair value, Total	83,256	38,995
Unrealized losses, Total	-633	-553
CMO/Other MBS | Residential MBS:
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair value, Less than 12 months	14,103	25,551
Unrealized losses, Less than 12 months	-65	-206
Fair value, 12 months or longer	27,860	43,475
Unrealized losses, 12 months or longer	-450	-753
Fair value, Total	41,963	69,026
Unrealized losses, Total	-515	-959
Federal agencies | Other securities:
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair value, Less than 12 months	40,154	5,959
Unrealized losses, Less than 12 months	-74	-87
Fair value, 12 months or longer	69,839	140,699
Unrealized losses, 12 months or longer	-558	-3,384
Fair value, Total	109,993	146,658
Unrealized losses, Total	-632	-3,471
Corporate | Other securities:
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair value, Less than 12 months	62,163	85,055
Unrealized losses, Less than 12 months	-570	-731
Fair value, 12 months or longer	15,459	65,648
Unrealized losses, 12 months or longer	-278	-1,024
Fair value, Total	77,622	150,703
Unrealized losses, Total	-848	-1,755
State and municipal | Other securities:
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair value, Less than 12 months	11,694	12,012
Unrealized losses, Less than 12 months	-72	-68
Fair value, 12 months or longer	3,902	11,400
Unrealized losses, 12 months or longer	-54	-180
Fair value, Total	15,596	23,412
Unrealized losses, Total	-126	-248
Trust preferred | Other securities:
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair value, Less than 12 months	9,645	3,900
Unrealized losses, Less than 12 months	-123	-46
Fair value, 12 months or longer	0	0
Unrealized losses, 12 months or longer	0	0
Fair value, Total	9,645	3,900
Unrealized losses, Total	($123)	($46)

Securities_Details_4

Securities (Details 4) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]
Fair value, Less than 12 months	$25,981	$22,420
Unrealized losses, Less than 12 months	-247	-377
Fair value, 12 months or longer	31,983	57,953
Unrealized losses, 12 months or longer	-298	-826
Fair value, Total	57,964	80,373
Unrealized losses, Total	-545	-1,203
Residential MBS:
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]
Fair value, Less than 12 months	9,578	1,208
Unrealized losses, Less than 12 months	-90	-2
Fair value, 12 months or longer	17,049	42,979
Unrealized losses, 12 months or longer	-110	-564
Fair value, Total	26,627	44,187
Unrealized losses, Total	-200	-566
Residential MBS: | Agency-backed
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]
Fair value, Less than 12 months	6,567	1,208
Unrealized losses, Less than 12 months	-89	-2
Fair value, 12 months or longer	0	0
Unrealized losses, 12 months or longer	0	0
Fair value, Total	6,567	1,208
Unrealized losses, Total	-89	-2
Residential MBS: | CMO/Other MBS
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]
Fair value, Less than 12 months	3,011	0
Unrealized losses, Less than 12 months	-1
Fair value, 12 months or longer	17,049	42,979
Unrealized losses, 12 months or longer	-110	-564
Fair value, Total	20,060	42,979
Unrealized losses, Total	-111	-564
Other securities:
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]
Fair value, Less than 12 months	16,403	21,212
Unrealized losses, Less than 12 months	-157	-375
Fair value, 12 months or longer	14,934	14,974
Unrealized losses, 12 months or longer	-188	-262
Fair value, Total	31,337	36,186
Unrealized losses, Total	-345	-637
Other securities: | Federal agencies
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]
Fair value, Less than 12 months	0	9,711
Unrealized losses, Less than 12 months	0	-289
Fair value, 12 months or longer	14,814	14,741
Unrealized losses, 12 months or longer	-186	-259
Fair value, Total	14,814	24,452
Unrealized losses, Total	-186	-548
Other securities: | State and municipal
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]
Fair value, Less than 12 months	16,403	11,501
Unrealized losses, Less than 12 months	-157	-86
Fair value, 12 months or longer	120	233
Unrealized losses, 12 months or longer	-2	-3
Fair value, Total	16,523	11,734
Unrealized losses, Total	($159)	($89)

Securities_Details_5

Securities (Details 5) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Financial Instruments Owned and Pledged as Collateral [Line Items]
Total securities pledged	$1,334,244	$1,247,509
Federal Home Loan Bank Borrowings
Financial Instruments Owned and Pledged as Collateral [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities pledged as collateral	84,635	187,314
Held-to-maturity securities pledged as collateral	207,679	154,712
Municipal Deposits
Financial Instruments Owned and Pledged as Collateral [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities pledged as collateral	705,741	550,681
Held-to-maturity securities pledged as collateral	334,298	352,843
Interest Rate Swap
Financial Instruments Owned and Pledged as Collateral [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities pledged as collateral	$1,891	$1,959

Securities_Details_Textual

Securities (Details Textual)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
	Security
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Number of securities which were in continuous unrealized loss position for 12 months or more	97
Number of securities which were in continuous unrealized loss position for less than 12 months	48

Portfolio_Loans_Details

Portfolio Loans (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Components of loan portfolio, excluding loans held for sale
Commercial & industrial	$1,191,717	$1,244,555
Payroll finance	181,687	154,229
Warehouse lending	241,434	173,786
Factored receivables	152,354	161,625
Equipment financing	465,250	411,449
Total commercial	2,232,442	2,145,644
Commercial real estate	1,531,066	1,458,277
Multi-family	385,871	384,544
Acquisition, development & construction	95,567	96,995
Total commercial mortgage	2,012,504	1,939,816
Total commercial and commercial mortgage	4,244,946	4,085,460
Residential mortgage	494,106	529,766
Consumer loans:
Home equity lines of credit	163,488	163,569
Other consumer loans	36,366	36,846
Total consumer	199,854	200,415
Portfolio loans	4,938,906	4,815,641
Allowance for loan losses	-42,884	-42,374	-32,015	-30,612
Portfolio loans, net	$4,896,022	$4,773,267

Portfolio_Loans_Details_1

Portfolio Loans (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Non-Performing loans:
Current Loans	$4,857,230	$4,740,016
Non-performing loans, 30-59 Days Past Due	24,853	19,689
Non-performing loans, 60-89 Days Past Due	10,375	9,294
Non-performing loans, 90+ Days Past Due	972	783
Non accrual loans	45,476	45,859
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross	4,938,906	4,815,641
Current loans	16,981	16,238
30-59 days past due	262	847
60-89 days past due	420	176
90 plus days past due	0	0
Non-Accrual	10,813	11,427
Total	28,476	28,688
Nonperforming loans
Non-Performing loans:
Non accrual loans	45,476	45,859
Non-performing loans:
Loans 90 days past due and still accruing	972	783
Total non-performing loans	46,448	46,642
Commercial & industrial
Non-Performing loans:
Current Loans	1,176,500	1,232,363
Non-performing loans, 30-59 Days Past Due	7,733	6,237
Non-performing loans, 60-89 Days Past Due	2,764	920
Non-performing loans, 90+ Days Past Due	0	60
Non accrual loans	4,720	4,975
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross	1,191,717	1,244,555
Payroll finance
Non-Performing loans:
Current Loans	181,356	154,114
Non-performing loans, 30-59 Days Past Due	206	0
Non-performing loans, 60-89 Days Past Due	0	0
Non-performing loans, 90+ Days Past Due	73	115
Non accrual loans	52	0
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross	181,687	154,229
Warehouse lending
Non-Performing loans:
Current Loans	241,434	173,786
Non-performing loans, 30-59 Days Past Due	0	0
Non-performing loans, 60-89 Days Past Due	0	0
Non-performing loans, 90+ Days Past Due	0	0
Non accrual loans	0	0
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross	241,434	173,786
Factored receivables
Non-Performing loans:
Current Loans	152,109	161,381
Non-performing loans, 30-59 Days Past Due	0	0
Non-performing loans, 60-89 Days Past Due	0	0
Non-performing loans, 90+ Days Past Due	0	0
Non accrual loans	245	244
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross	152,354	161,625
Equipment financing
Non-Performing loans:
Current Loans	463,968	410,483
Non-performing loans, 30-59 Days Past Due	472	707
Non-performing loans, 60-89 Days Past Due	500	19
Non-performing loans, 90+ Days Past Due	0	0
Non accrual loans	310	240
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross	465,250	411,449
Commercial real estate
Non-Performing loans:
Current Loans	1,507,414	1,433,235
Non-performing loans, 30-59 Days Past Due	8,040	7,982
Non-performing loans, 60-89 Days Past Due	4,431	5,322
Non-performing loans, 90+ Days Past Due	644	452
Non accrual loans	10,537	11,286
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross	1,531,066	1,458,277
Multi-family
Non-Performing loans:
Current Loans	385,472	383,799
Non-performing loans, 30-59 Days Past Due	0	317
Non-performing loans, 60-89 Days Past Due	312	0
Non-performing loans, 90+ Days Past Due	0	156
Non accrual loans	87	272
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross	385,871	384,544
Acquisition, development & construction
Non-Performing loans:
Current Loans	84,692	89,730
Non-performing loans, 30-59 Days Past Due	4,462	401
Non-performing loans, 60-89 Days Past Due	0	451
Non-performing loans, 90+ Days Past Due	0	0
Non accrual loans	6,413	6,413
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross	95,567	96,995
Residential mortgage
Non-Performing loans:
Current Loans	474,011	509,597
Non-performing loans, 30-59 Days Past Due	2,128	2,935
Non-performing loans, 60-89 Days Past Due	1,445	975
Non-performing loans, 90+ Days Past Due	123	0
Non accrual loans	16,399	16,259
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross	494,106	529,766
Consumer
Non-Performing loans:
Current Loans	190,274	191,528
Non-performing loans, 30-59 Days Past Due	1,812	1,110
Non-performing loans, 60-89 Days Past Due	923	1,607
Non-performing loans, 90+ Days Past Due	132	0
Non accrual loans	6,713	6,170
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross	$199,854	$200,415

Portfolio_Loans_Details_2

Portfolio Loans (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Summary of activity in allowance for loan losses and recorded investments in loans by portfolio segment based on impairment method
Beginning Allowance for loan losses	$42,374	$30,612
Charge-offs	-1,972	-3,512
Recoveries	382	115
Net Charge-offs	-1,590	-3,397
Provision	2,100	4,800
Ending Allowance for Loan Losses	42,884	32,015
Annualized net charge-offs to average loans outstanding	0.13%	0.34%
Commercial & industrial
Summary of activity in allowance for loan losses and recorded investments in loans by portfolio segment based on impairment method
Beginning Allowance for loan losses	11,027	6,886
Charge-offs	-842	-1,164
Recoveries	101	74
Net Charge-offs	-741	-1,090
Provision	400	873
Ending Allowance for Loan Losses	10,686	6,669
Payroll finance
Summary of activity in allowance for loan losses and recorded investments in loans by portfolio segment based on impairment method
Beginning Allowance for loan losses	1,506	0
Charge-offs	-303	0
Recoveries	11	0
Net Charge-offs	-292	0
Provision	686	610
Ending Allowance for Loan Losses	1,900	610
Warehouse lending
Summary of activity in allowance for loan losses and recorded investments in loans by portfolio segment based on impairment method
Beginning Allowance for loan losses	608	0
Charge-offs	0	0
Recoveries	0	0
Net Charge-offs	0	0
Provision	251	132
Ending Allowance for Loan Losses	859	132
Factored receivables
Summary of activity in allowance for loan losses and recorded investments in loans by portfolio segment based on impairment method
Beginning Allowance for loan losses	1,205	0
Charge-offs	-72	-289
Recoveries	19	0
Net Charge-offs	-53	-289
Provision	20	668
Ending Allowance for Loan Losses	1,172	379
Equipment financing
Summary of activity in allowance for loan losses and recorded investments in loans by portfolio segment based on impairment method
Beginning Allowance for loan losses	2,569	0
Charge-offs	-153	-167
Recoveries	172	0
Net Charge-offs	19	-167
Provision	103	1,473
Ending Allowance for Loan Losses	2,691	1,306
Commercial real estate
Summary of activity in allowance for loan losses and recorded investments in loans by portfolio segment based on impairment method
Beginning Allowance for loan losses	10,121	8,040
Charge-offs	-62	-280
Recoveries	16	19
Net Charge-offs	-46	-261
Provision	1,018	1,135
Ending Allowance for Loan Losses	11,093	8,914
Multi-family
Summary of activity in allowance for loan losses and recorded investments in loans by portfolio segment based on impairment method
Beginning Allowance for loan losses	2,111	1,952
Charge-offs	-17	0
Recoveries	0	0
Net Charge-offs	-17	0
Provision	196	0
Ending Allowance for Loan Losses	2,290	1,952
Acquisition, development & construction
Summary of activity in allowance for loan losses and recorded investments in loans by portfolio segment based on impairment method
Beginning Allowance for loan losses	2,987	5,857
Charge-offs	0	-1,260
Recoveries	9	0
Net Charge-offs	9	-1,260
Provision	-280	-1,038
Ending Allowance for Loan Losses	2,716	3,559
Residential mortgage
Summary of activity in allowance for loan losses and recorded investments in loans by portfolio segment based on impairment method
Beginning Allowance for loan losses	5,843	4,600
Charge-offs	-181	-148
Recoveries	2	1
Net Charge-offs	-179	-147
Provision	-537	112
Ending Allowance for Loan Losses	5,127	4,565
Consumer
Summary of activity in allowance for loan losses and recorded investments in loans by portfolio segment based on impairment method
Beginning Allowance for loan losses	4,397	3,277
Charge-offs	-342	-204
Recoveries	52	21
Net Charge-offs	-290	-183
Provision	243	835
Ending Allowance for Loan Losses	$4,350	$3,929

Portfolio_Loans_Details_3

Portfolio Loans (Details 3) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Loans evaluated for impairment by segment
Loans evaluated by segment, Individually evaluated for impairment	$29,330	$31,023
Loans evaluated by segment, Collectively evaluated for impairment	4,906,679	4,781,203
Total loans	4,938,906	4,815,641
Allowance evaluated by segment, Individually evaluated for impairment	0	0
Allowance evaluated by segment, Collectively evaluated for impairment	42,884	42,374
Total allowance for loan losses	42,884	42,374
Commercial & industrial
Loans evaluated for impairment by segment
Loans evaluated by segment, Individually evaluated for impairment	4,000	4,461
Loans evaluated by segment, Collectively evaluated for impairment	1,186,988	1,238,899
Total loans	1,191,717	1,244,555
Allowance evaluated by segment, Individually evaluated for impairment	0	0
Allowance evaluated by segment, Collectively evaluated for impairment	10,686	11,027
Total allowance for loan losses	10,686	11,027
Payroll finance
Loans evaluated for impairment by segment
Loans evaluated by segment, Individually evaluated for impairment	0	0
Loans evaluated by segment, Collectively evaluated for impairment	181,687	154,229
Total loans	181,687	154,229
Allowance evaluated by segment, Individually evaluated for impairment	0	0
Allowance evaluated by segment, Collectively evaluated for impairment	1,900	1,506
Total allowance for loan losses	1,900	1,506
Warehouse lending
Loans evaluated for impairment by segment
Loans evaluated by segment, Individually evaluated for impairment	0	0
Loans evaluated by segment, Collectively evaluated for impairment	241,434	173,786
Total loans	241,434	173,786
Allowance evaluated by segment, Individually evaluated for impairment	0	0
Allowance evaluated by segment, Collectively evaluated for impairment	859	608
Total allowance for loan losses	859	608
Factored receivables
Loans evaluated for impairment by segment
Loans evaluated by segment, Individually evaluated for impairment	0	0
Loans evaluated by segment, Collectively evaluated for impairment	152,354	161,625
Total loans	152,354	161,625
Allowance evaluated by segment, Individually evaluated for impairment	0	0
Allowance evaluated by segment, Collectively evaluated for impairment	1,172	1,205
Total allowance for loan losses	1,172	1,205
Equipment financing
Loans evaluated for impairment by segment
Loans evaluated by segment, Individually evaluated for impairment	0	0
Loans evaluated by segment, Collectively evaluated for impairment	465,250	411,449
Total loans	465,250	411,449
Allowance evaluated by segment, Individually evaluated for impairment	0	0
Allowance evaluated by segment, Collectively evaluated for impairment	2,691	2,569
Total allowance for loan losses	2,691	2,569
Commercial real estate
Loans evaluated for impairment by segment
Loans evaluated by segment, Individually evaluated for impairment	13,245	14,423
Loans evaluated by segment, Collectively evaluated for impairment	1,517,682	1,443,714
Total loans	1,531,066	1,458,277
Allowance evaluated by segment, Individually evaluated for impairment	0	0
Allowance evaluated by segment, Collectively evaluated for impairment	11,093	10,121
Total allowance for loan losses	11,093	10,121
Multi-family
Loans evaluated for impairment by segment
Loans evaluated by segment, Individually evaluated for impairment	0	0
Loans evaluated by segment, Collectively evaluated for impairment	385,871	384,544
Total loans	385,871	384,544
Allowance evaluated by segment, Individually evaluated for impairment	0	0
Allowance evaluated by segment, Collectively evaluated for impairment	2,290	2,111
Total allowance for loan losses	2,290	2,111
Acquisition, development & construction
Loans evaluated for impairment by segment
Loans evaluated by segment, Individually evaluated for impairment	11,570	11,624
Loans evaluated by segment, Collectively evaluated for impairment	83,997	85,371
Total loans	95,567	96,995
Allowance evaluated by segment, Individually evaluated for impairment	0	0
Allowance evaluated by segment, Collectively evaluated for impairment	2,716	2,987
Total allowance for loan losses	2,716	2,987
Residential mortgage
Loans evaluated for impairment by segment
Loans evaluated by segment, Individually evaluated for impairment	515	515
Loans evaluated by segment, Collectively evaluated for impairment	491,562	527,171
Total loans	494,106	529,766
Allowance evaluated by segment, Individually evaluated for impairment	0	0
Allowance evaluated by segment, Collectively evaluated for impairment	5,127	5,843
Total allowance for loan losses	5,127	5,843
Consumer
Loans evaluated for impairment by segment
Loans evaluated by segment, Individually evaluated for impairment	0	0
Loans evaluated by segment, Collectively evaluated for impairment	199,854	200,415
Total loans	199,854	200,415
Allowance evaluated by segment, Individually evaluated for impairment	0	0
Allowance evaluated by segment, Collectively evaluated for impairment	4,350	4,397
Total allowance for loan losses	4,350	4,397
Purchased credit impaired loans
Loans evaluated for impairment by segment
Loans evaluated by segment, Purchased credit impaired loans	2,897	3,415
Purchased credit impaired loans | Commercial & industrial
Loans evaluated for impairment by segment
Loans evaluated by segment, Purchased credit impaired loans	729	1,195
Purchased credit impaired loans | Payroll finance
Loans evaluated for impairment by segment
Loans evaluated by segment, Purchased credit impaired loans	0	0
Purchased credit impaired loans | Warehouse lending
Loans evaluated for impairment by segment
Loans evaluated by segment, Purchased credit impaired loans	0	0
Purchased credit impaired loans | Factored receivables
Loans evaluated for impairment by segment
Loans evaluated by segment, Purchased credit impaired loans	0	0
Purchased credit impaired loans | Equipment financing
Loans evaluated for impairment by segment
Loans evaluated by segment, Purchased credit impaired loans	0	0
Purchased credit impaired loans | Commercial real estate
Loans evaluated for impairment by segment
Loans evaluated by segment, Purchased credit impaired loans	139	140
Purchased credit impaired loans | Multi-family
Loans evaluated for impairment by segment
Loans evaluated by segment, Purchased credit impaired loans	0	0
Purchased credit impaired loans | Acquisition, development & construction
Loans evaluated for impairment by segment
Loans evaluated by segment, Purchased credit impaired loans	0	0
Purchased credit impaired loans | Residential mortgage
Loans evaluated for impairment by segment
Loans evaluated by segment, Purchased credit impaired loans	2,029	2,080
Purchased credit impaired loans | Consumer
Loans evaluated for impairment by segment
Loans evaluated by segment, Purchased credit impaired loans	$0	$0

Portfolio_Loans_Details_4

Portfolio Loans (Details 4) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
With no related allowance recorded:
Unpaid principal balance with no related allowance recorded	$30,768	$32,569
Recorded investment with no related allowance recorded	29,330	31,023
Commercial & industrial
With no related allowance recorded:
Unpaid principal balance with no related allowance recorded	4,000	4,571
Recorded investment with no related allowance recorded	4,000	4,461
Commercial real estate
With no related allowance recorded:
Unpaid principal balance with no related allowance recorded	13,459	14,635
Recorded investment with no related allowance recorded	13,245	14,423
Acquisition, development & construction
With no related allowance recorded:
Unpaid principal balance with no related allowance recorded	12,794	12,848
Recorded investment with no related allowance recorded	11,570	11,624
Residential mortgage
With no related allowance recorded:
Unpaid principal balance with no related allowance recorded	515	515
Recorded investment with no related allowance recorded	$515	$515

Portfolio_Loans_Details_5

Portfolio Loans (Details 5) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Average recorded investment with no related allowance	$28,703	$38,073
Interest income recognized with no related allowance	124	106
Cash-basis interest income recognized with no related allowance	0	0
Commercial & industrial
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Average recorded investment with no related allowance	3,316	1,850
Interest income recognized with no related allowance	0	0
Cash-basis interest income recognized with no related allowance	0	0
Factored receivables
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Average recorded investment with no related allowance	0	992
Interest income recognized with no related allowance	0	0
Cash-basis interest income recognized with no related allowance	0	0
Commercial real estate
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Average recorded investment with no related allowance	13,275	12,512
Interest income recognized with no related allowance	67	40
Cash-basis interest income recognized with no related allowance	0	0
Multi-family
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Average recorded investment with no related allowance	0	264
Interest income recognized with no related allowance	0	0
Cash-basis interest income recognized with no related allowance	0	0
Acquisition, development & construction
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Average recorded investment with no related allowance	11,597	21,940
Interest income recognized with no related allowance	57	66
Cash-basis interest income recognized with no related allowance	0	0
Residential mortgage
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Average recorded investment with no related allowance	515	515
Interest income recognized with no related allowance	0	0
Cash-basis interest income recognized with no related allowance	$0	$0

Portfolio_Loans_Details_6

Portfolio Loans (Details 6) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Current loans	$16,981	$16,238
30-59 days past due	262	847
60-89 days past due	420	176
90 plus days past due	0	0
Non- accrual	10,813	11,427
Total	28,476	28,688
Commercial & industrial
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Current loans	226	245
30-59 days past due	0	0
60-89 days past due	0	0
90 plus days past due	0	0
Non- accrual	2,065	2,065
Total	2,291	2,310
Equipment financing
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Current loans	389	409
30-59 days past due	0	0
60-89 days past due	0	0
90 plus days past due	0	0
Non- accrual	0	0
Total	389	409
Commercial real estate
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Current loans	4,829	4,833
30-59 days past due	262	263
60-89 days past due	0	0
90 plus days past due	0	0
Non- accrual	0	0
Total	5,091	5,096
Acquisition, development & construction
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Current loans	5,398	5,487
30-59 days past due	0	0
60-89 days past due	0	0
90 plus days past due	0	0
Non- accrual	6,372	6,373
Total	11,770	11,860
Residential mortgage
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Current loans	6,139	5,264
30-59 days past due	0	584
60-89 days past due	420	176
90 plus days past due	0	0
Non- accrual	2,155	2,768
Total	8,714	8,792
Consumer
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Current loans	0	0
30-59 days past due	0	0
60-89 days past due	0	0
90 plus days past due	0	0
Non- accrual	221	221
Total	$221	$221

Portfolio_Loans_Details_7

Portfolio Loans (Details 7) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
	loan	loan
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number	0	2
Recorded investment, Pre-modification	$0	$1,060
Recorded investment, Post-modification	0	1,060
Acquisition, development & construction
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number	0	2
Recorded investment, Pre-modification	0	1,060
Recorded investment, Post-modification	$0	$1,060

Portfolio_Loans_Details_8

Portfolio Loans (Details 8) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Special mention
Risk category of loans by segment of gross loans
Gross loans by segment	$26,057,000	$30,316,000
Substandard
Risk category of loans by segment of gross loans
Gross loans by segment	74,096,000	75,903,000
Doubtful
Risk category of loans by segment of gross loans
Gross loans by segment	156,000	0
Loss
Risk category of loans by segment of gross loans
Gross loans by segment		0
Commercial & industrial | Special mention
Risk category of loans by segment of gross loans
Gross loans by segment	3,262,000	13,060,000
Commercial & industrial | Substandard
Risk category of loans by segment of gross loans
Gross loans by segment	6,749,000	7,730,000
Commercial & industrial | Doubtful
Risk category of loans by segment of gross loans
Gross loans by segment	24,000
Payroll finance | Special mention
Risk category of loans by segment of gross loans
Gross loans by segment	6,709,000	996,000
Payroll finance | Substandard
Risk category of loans by segment of gross loans
Gross loans by segment	125,000	115,000
Payroll finance | Doubtful
Risk category of loans by segment of gross loans
Gross loans by segment	0
Factored receivables | Special mention
Risk category of loans by segment of gross loans
Gross loans by segment	36,000	34,000
Factored receivables | Substandard
Risk category of loans by segment of gross loans
Gross loans by segment	1,596,000	244,000
Factored receivables | Doubtful
Risk category of loans by segment of gross loans
Gross loans by segment	0
Equipment financing | Special mention
Risk category of loans by segment of gross loans
Gross loans by segment	0	0
Equipment financing | Substandard
Risk category of loans by segment of gross loans
Gross loans by segment	310,000	240,000
Equipment financing | Doubtful
Risk category of loans by segment of gross loans
Gross loans by segment	0
Commercial real estate | Special mention
Risk category of loans by segment of gross loans
Gross loans by segment	11,820,000	12,707,000
Commercial real estate | Substandard
Risk category of loans by segment of gross loans
Gross loans by segment	25,730,000	28,194,000
Commercial real estate | Doubtful
Risk category of loans by segment of gross loans
Gross loans by segment	0
Multi-family | Special mention
Risk category of loans by segment of gross loans
Gross loans by segment	312,000	317,000
Multi-family | Substandard
Risk category of loans by segment of gross loans
Gross loans by segment	87,000	272,000
Multi-family | Doubtful
Risk category of loans by segment of gross loans
Gross loans by segment	0
Acquisition, development & construction | Special mention
Risk category of loans by segment of gross loans
Gross loans by segment	1,017,000	1,027,000
Acquisition, development & construction | Substandard
Risk category of loans by segment of gross loans
Gross loans by segment	16,108,000	16,016,000
Acquisition, development & construction | Doubtful
Risk category of loans by segment of gross loans
Gross loans by segment	0
Residential mortgage | Special mention
Risk category of loans by segment of gross loans
Gross loans by segment	1,445,000	975,000
Residential mortgage | Substandard
Risk category of loans by segment of gross loans
Gross loans by segment	16,664,000	16,402,000
Residential mortgage | Doubtful
Risk category of loans by segment of gross loans
Gross loans by segment	0
Consumer | Special mention
Risk category of loans by segment of gross loans
Gross loans by segment	1,456,000	1,200,000
Consumer | Substandard
Risk category of loans by segment of gross loans
Gross loans by segment	6,727,000	6,690,000
Consumer | Doubtful
Risk category of loans by segment of gross loans
Gross loans by segment	$132,000

Portfolio_Loans_Details_Textua

Portfolio Loans (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Net deferred loan origination costs	$1,836,000		$1,609,000
Recorded amount of loans	2,897,000
Interest income	0
Pledged loans	1,224,090,000		1,302,681,000
Maximum outstanding loan balance to be evaluated for impairment on a homogeneous pool basis	500,000
Increased allowance for loan losses	0	0
Charge-offs	0	0
Maximum loan balance for credit risk to be evaluated on a homogeneous basis	500,000
Additional restricted loan
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Additional restricted loan	0	0
Sterling Bancorp (Legacy)
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Accretable yield	0
Sterling Bancorp (Legacy) | Purchased credit impaired loans | Commercial & industrial
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Amount included in allowance for loan losses associated with purchased credit impaired loans	$0

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_2

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill	$400,941	$388,926
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Net intangible assets	51,757	43,332
Core Deposits
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Net intangible assets	17,683	18,473
Customer Lists
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Net intangible assets	8,851	0
Non-compete Agreements
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Net intangible assets	4,398	3,959
Trade Names
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Net intangible assets	20,500	20,500
Fair Value of Below Market Leases
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Net intangible assets	$325	$400

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_3

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details 1) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Remainder of 2015	$5,203
2016	6,012
2017	3,617
2018	3,335
2019	2,864
Thereafter	10,226
Total	$31,257

Deposits_Details

Deposits (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Deposits [Abstract]
Non-interest bearing demand	$1,499,161	$1,481,870
Interest bearing demand	828,731	747,667
Savings	745,495	711,509
Money market	1,980,274	1,790,435
Certificates of deposit	502,285	480,844
Deposits	$5,555,946	$5,212,325

Deposits_Details_1

Deposits (Details 1) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
List of Company's Brokered deposits
Brokered deposits	$186,074	$168,658
Money Market
List of Company's Brokered deposits
Brokered deposits	100,018	75,462
Reciprocal CDAR's
List of Company's Brokered deposits
Brokered deposits	6,152	6,666
CDAR's one way
List of Company's Brokered deposits
Brokered deposits	$79,904	$86,530

Deposits_Details_Textual

Deposits (Details Textual) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Deposits [Abstract]
Municipal deposits	$1,013,835	$883,350

Borrowings_and_Senior_Notes_De

Borrowings and Senior Notes (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Jul. 02, 2013
By period to maturity:
Less than one year, Amount	$402,245,000	$532,835,000
Less than one year, Rate	0.39%	0.39%
One to two years, Amount	152,735,000	152,760,000
One to two years, Rate	0.71%	0.69%
Two to three years, Amount	255,000,000	255,000,000
Two to three years, Rate	3.54%	3.54%
Three to four years, Amount	168,595,000	168,498,000
Three to four years, Rate	4.37%	4.38%
Greater than five years, Amount	2,403,000	2,460,000
Greater than five years, Rate	4.92%	4.92%
Total borrowings, Amount	980,978,000	1,111,553,000
Total borrowings, Rate	1.95%	1.77%
FHLB Advances
By period to maturity:
Total borrowings, Amount	857,138,000	1,003,209,000
Total borrowings, Rate	1.54%	1.37%
Repurchase Agreements
By period to maturity:
Total borrowings, Amount	25,245,000	9,846,000
Total borrowings, Rate	0.30%	0.30%
Senior Notes
By period to maturity:
Total borrowings, Amount	$98,595,000	$98,498,000	$100,000,000
Total borrowings, Rate	5.98%	5.98%

Borrowings_and_Senior_Notes_De1

Borrowings and Senior Notes (Details Textual) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2013	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 05, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Bank pledged mortgages		$1,224,090,000	$1,302,681,000
Increased borrowing capacity by pledging securities		507,314,000
Federal home loan bank borrowings		200,000,000	200,000,000
Long term debt weighted average remaining term		2 years 0 months 22 days	2 years 3 months 21 days
Weighted average interest rates		4.23%	4.23%
Long-term debt		980,978,000	1,111,553,000
Private placement discount rate	1.75%
Interest expense cost over the life of Senior note		5.98%
Brokered deposits		186,074,000	168,658,000
Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	100,000,000	98,595,000	98,498,000
Fixed interest rate (percent)	5.50%
Cost of issuance	303,000
Unamortized discount		1,404,000	1,502,000
Revolving Credit Facility | Line of Credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving line of credit amount				15,000,000
Revolving line of credit balance		0	0
Required balance				$0
Duration of minimum outstanding balance				30 days
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) | Revolving Credit Facility | Line of Credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on one-month LIBOR				1.25%
Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements maturity		1 day	1 day
Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements maturity		17 days	17 days

Derivatives_Details

Derivatives (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
3rd party interest rate swap
Summary of derivatives
Notional amount	$66,868	$67,551
Average maturity (in years)	4 years 5 months 16 days	4 years 8 months 12 days
Weighted average fixed rate	4.13%	4.13%
Fair value	1,874	1,332
3rd party interest rate swap | One Month Libor
Summary of derivatives
Weighted average variable rate	1 m Libor +2.36	1 m Libor + 2.36
Basis spread	2.36%	2.36%
Customer interest rate swap
Summary of derivatives
Notional amount	66,868	67,551
Average maturity (in years)	4 years 5 months 16 days	4 years 8 months 12 days
Weighted average fixed rate	4.13%	4.13%
Fair value	($1,874)	($1,332)
Customer interest rate swap | One Month Libor
Summary of derivatives
Weighted average variable rate	1 m Libor +2.36	1 m Libor + 2.36
Basis spread	2.36%	2.36%

Derivatives_Details_Textual

Derivatives (Details Textual) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Derivative Instruments and Hedges, Assets [Abstract]
Amortized cost of investment securities pledged as collateral	$1,891
Fair value of investment securities pledged as collateral	$2,004

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Efftective tax rate reconciliation:
Income before income tax expense	$24,856	$14,920
Federal statutory rate	35.00%	35.00%
Tax at Federal statutory rate of 35%	8,700	5,224
State and local income taxes, net of Federal tax benefit	875	-210
Tax-exempt interest, net of disallowed interest	-984	-987
BOLI income	-251	-190
Non-deductible acquisition related costs	140	0
Low income housing tax credits	-54	-55
Other, net	-348	806
Actual income tax expense	8,078	4,588
Effective income tax rate	32.50%	30.80%
Components of deferred tax assets and liabilities:
Net deferred tax asset	$4,804		$14,857

StockBased_Compensation_Stockb

Stock-Based Compensation - Stock-based Compensation Activity (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Shares available for grant (in shares)
Beginning balance	1,999,022
Granted	-403,371
Stock awards vested	0
Forfeited	64,667
Canceled/expired	-6,000
Stock options outstanding - Number of shares
Beginning balance	2,040,299
Granted	15,000	0
Exercised	-260,433
Forfeited	-6,500
Canceled/expired	0
Ending balance	1,788,366
Exercisable at March 31, 2015	896,353
Stock options outstanding - Weighted average exercise price (in usd per share)
Beginning balance	$11.10
Granted	$13.84
Exercised	$12.19
Forfeited	$13.03
Canceled/expired	$0
Ending balance	$10.96
Exercisable at March 31, 2015	$10.16
Recognition and Retention Plan | Non-vested Stock Awards and Performance Units
Non-vested stock awards/stock units outstanding - Number of shares
Beginning balance	643,887
Granted	110,960
Stock awards vested	-36,549
Forfeited	-16,619
Ending balance	701,679
Non-vested stock awards/stock units outstanding - Weighted average grant date fair value (in usd per share)
Beginning balance	$11.79
Granted	$13.21
Stock awards vested	$11.82
Forfeited	$13.21
Ending balance	$11.97

StockBased_Compensation_Assump

Stock-Based Compensation - Assumptions (Details) (Stock Options, 2011 Employment Inducement Stock Program)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Stock Options | 2011 Employment Inducement Stock Program
Fair value of options granted determined using weighted-average assumptions as grant date
Risk-free interest rate	1.90%	0.00%
Expected stock price volatility	20.90%	0.00%
Dividend yield	3.10%	0.00%
Expected term in years	5 years 9 months 4 days	0 years

StockBased_Compensation_Stockb1

Stock-Based Compensation - Stock-based Compensation Expense (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$1,109	$793
Stock-based compensation expense, income tax benefit	377	244
Unrecognized stock-based compensation, stock options	1,468
Unrecognized stock-based compensation, non-vested stock awards/performance units	6,417
Total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense	7,885
Stock Options
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	281	235
Non-vested Stock Awards and Performance Units
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$828	$558

StockBased_Compensation_Detail

Stock-Based Compensation (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Feb. 20, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares remaining that are authorized and available for future grant			1,999,022
Grant of share options (in shares)	15,000	0
Exercise price (in usd per share)	$13.84
Intrinsic value of options outstanding	$4,465
Intrinsic value of options exercisable	2,970
Proceeds from stock option exercises	$2,758	$923
Stock Options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted-average period total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested shares granted	1 year 10 months 20 days
Non-vested Stock Awards and Performance Units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted-average period total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested shares granted	1 year 11 months 18 days
2014 Stock Incentive Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares authorized				3,400,000
Shares remaining that are authorized and available for future grant	1,654,318
Number of shares granted for each share received	3.5
2011 Employment Inducement Stock Program
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Grant of share options (in shares)	107,256
Weighted average fair value of options granted (in usd per share)	$2.08
Restricted Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Grant of share options (in shares)	29,550
Recognition and Retention Plan | Non-vested Stock Awards and Performance Units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Grants in period, other than options (in shares)	110,960
Weighted average grant date fair value (in usd per share)	$13.21
Stock Options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Term of contract	10 years
Stock Options | Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period for awards	2 years
Stock Options | Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period for awards	5 years
Sterling Bancorp (Legacy) | Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period for awards	3 years
Sterling Bancorp (Legacy) | Fully Vested legacy Sterling options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Grant of share options (in shares)	104,152
Sterling Bancorp (Legacy) | Sterling Bancorp 2013 Employment Inducement Award Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Grant of share options (in shares)	95,991
Sterling Bancorp (Legacy) | 2012 Stock Plan | Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Grants in period, other than options (in shares)	255,973
Stock Compensation Grants associated with legacy Sterling Merger | Stock Options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Exercise price (in usd per share)	$14.25
Stock Compensation Grants associated with legacy Sterling Merger | Recognition and Retention Plan | Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted average grant date fair value (in usd per share)	$11.72

Pension_and_Other_Post_Retirem2

Pension and Other Post Retirement Plans - Net Pension and Post-retirement Expense (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Pension Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	$0	$0
Interest cost	589	1,377
Expected return on plan assets	-729	-1,701
Amortization of unrecognized actuarial loss	91	48
Partial settlement charge	0	1,352
Total (benefit) expense	-49	1,076
Other Post retirement Benefit Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	2	11
Interest cost	94	32
Expected return on plan assets	0	0
Amortization of unrecognized actuarial loss	40	18
Partial settlement charge	0	0
Total (benefit) expense	$136	$61

Pension_and_Other_Post_Retirem3

Pension and Other Post Retirement Plans (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension plan assets consisting of company common stock	0
Other Post retirement Benefit Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Employer contributions to fund SERP		$26	$95
Other Assets | Pension Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Over funded status	14,290	15,611
Other Liabilities | Other Post retirement Benefit Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total post retirement plan liabilities		$11,500

Other_Noninterest_Expense_Deta

Other Non-interest Expense (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Professional fees	$1,915	$1,500
Data and check processing	2,148	663
Insurance & surety bond premium	648	637
Other	5,111	5,952
Total other non-interest expense	$9,822	$8,752

Earnings_Per_Common_Share_Deta

Earnings Per Common Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:
Net income	$16,778	$10,332
Weighted average common shares outstanding for computation of basic EPS (in shares)	87,839,029	83,497,765
Common-equivalent shares due to the dilutive effect of stock options (in shares)	413,739	296,342
Weighted average common shares for computation of diluted EPS (in shares)	88,252,768	83,794,107
Basic (USD per share)	$0.19	$0.12
Diluted (USD per share)	$0.19	$0.12
Antidilutive securities excluded from earnings per share (in shares)	112,891	653,146

Stockholders_Equity_Compliance

Stockholders' Equity - Compliance with Regulatory Capital Requirements (Schedule) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Sterling National Bank
Common equity tier 1 to RWA:
Tier 1 common equity	$739,580
Tier 1 common equity ratio	12.92%
Tier 1 common equity required for minimum capital adequacy, phase-in schedule	257,612
Tier 1 common equity required for minimum capital adequacy ratio, phase-in schedule	4.50%
Tier 1 common equity required for minimum capital adequacy, fully phased-in	400,730
Tier 1 common equity required for minimum capital adequacy ratio, phase-in schedule	7.00%
Tier 1 common equity required to be well capitalized	372,107
Tier 1 common equity required to be well capitalized ratio	6.50%
Tier 1 capital to RWA:
Tier 1 risk-based capital	739,580	651,203
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio	12.92%	12.00%
Tier 1 risk-based capital required for capital adequacy		216,988
Tier 1 risk-based capital required for capital adequacy ratio		4.00%
Tier 1 risk-based capital required for minimum capital adequacy, phase-in schedule	343,483
Tier 1 risk-based capital required for minimum capital adequacy ratio, phase-in schedule	6.00%
Tier 1 risk-based capital required for minimum capital adequacy, fully phased-in	486,601
Tier 1 risk-based capital required for minimum capital adequacy, fully phased-in	8.50%
Tier 1 risk-based capital required to be well capitalized	457,977	325,481
Tier 1 risk-based capital required to be well capitalized ratio	8.00%	6.00%
Total capital to RWA:
Total risk-based capital	782,859	693,972
Total risk-based capital ratio	13.68%	12.79%
Total risk-based capital required for minimum capital adequacy		433,975
Total risk-based capital required for minimum capital adequacy ratio		8.00%
Total risk-based capital required for minimum capital adequacy, phase-in schedule	457,977
Total risk-based capital required for minimum capital adequacy ratio, phase-in schedule	8.00%
Total risk-based capital required for minimum capital adequacy, fully phased-in	601,095
Total risk-based capital required for minimum capital adequacy ratio, fully phased-in	10.50%
Total risk-based capital required to be well capitalized	572,472	542,469
Total risk-based capital required to be well capitalized ratio	10.00%	10.00%
Tier 1 leverage ratio:
Tier 1 (core) capital	739,580	651,203
Tier 1 (core) capital ratio	10.53%	9.39%
Tier 1 (core) captial required for minimum capital adequacy		277,534
Tier 1 (core) capital required for minimum capital adequacy ratio		4.00%
Tier 1 (core) capital required for minimum capital adequacy, phase-in schedule	280,901
Tier 1 (core) capital required for minimum capital adequacy ratio, phase-in schedule	4.00%
Tier 1 (core) capital required for minimum capital adequacy, fully phased- in	280,901
Tier 1 (core) capital required for minimum capital adequacy ratio, fully phased-in	4.00%
Tier 1 (core) capital required to be well capitalized	351,127	346,918
Tier 1 (core) capital required to be well capitalized ratio	5.00%	5.00%
Sterling Bancorp
Common equity tier 1 to RWA:
Tier 1 common equity	671,633
Tier 1 common equity ratio	9.55%
Tier 1 common equity required for minimum capital adequacy, phase-in schedule	259,039
Tier 1 common equity required for minimum capital adequacy ratio, phase-in schedule	4.50%
Tier 1 common equity required for minimum capital adequacy, fully phased-in	402,949
Tier 1 common equity required for minimum capital adequacy ratio, phase-in schedule	7.00%
Tier 1 capital to RWA:
Tier 1 risk-based capital	671,633	569,609
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio	11.67%	10.43%
Tier 1 risk-based capital required for capital adequacy		218,405
Tier 1 risk-based capital required for capital adequacy ratio		4.00%
Tier 1 risk-based capital required for minimum capital adequacy, phase-in schedule	345,385
Tier 1 risk-based capital required for minimum capital adequacy ratio, phase-in schedule	6.00%
Tier 1 risk-based capital required for minimum capital adequacy, fully phased-in	489,295
Tier 1 risk-based capital required for minimum capital adequacy, fully phased-in	8.50%
Total capital to RWA:
Total risk-based capital	714,912	612,378
Total risk-based capital ratio	12.42%	11.22%
Total risk-based capital required for minimum capital adequacy		436,809
Total risk-based capital required for minimum capital adequacy ratio		8.00%
Total risk-based capital required for minimum capital adequacy, phase-in schedule	460,513
Total risk-based capital required for minimum capital adequacy ratio, phase-in schedule	8.00%
Total risk-based capital required for minimum capital adequacy, fully phased-in	604,424
Total risk-based capital required for minimum capital adequacy ratio, fully phased-in	10.50%
Tier 1 leverage ratio:
Tier 1 (core) capital	671,633
Tier 1 (core) capital ratio	9.55%	8.21%
Tier 1 (core) captial required for minimum capital adequacy		277,352
Tier 1 (core) capital required for minimum capital adequacy ratio		4.00%
Tier 1 (core) capital required for minimum capital adequacy, phase-in schedule	281,354
Tier 1 (core) capital required for minimum capital adequacy ratio, phase-in schedule	4.00%
Tier 1 (core) capital required for minimum capital adequacy, fully phased- in	$281,354
Tier 1 (core) capital required for minimum capital adequacy ratio, fully phased-in	4.00%

Stockholders_Equity_Narrative_

Stockholders' Equity (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 11, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Aggregate dividend capacity without prior regulatory approval		$46,003
Capital raise, shares	6,900,000
Capital raise, price per share	$13
Total proceeds from public offering	89,700	85,059	0
Net proceeds from public offering		85,059
Shares available for repurchase program		776,713
Sterling Bancorp
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Shares repurchased under repurchase program		0	0
Sterling National Bank
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Liquidation account		$13,300

Commitment_and_Contingencies_D

Commitment and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Off-balance Sheet Risks, Disclosure Information [Line Items]
Rent expense	$1,577	$1,986
Loan origination commitments
Fair Value, Off-balance Sheet Risks, Disclosure Information [Line Items]
Lending-related instruments	178,262		208,486
Unused lines of credit
Fair Value, Off-balance Sheet Risks, Disclosure Information [Line Items]
Lending-related instruments	376,633		332,295
Letters of credit
Fair Value, Off-balance Sheet Risks, Disclosure Information [Line Items]
Lending-related instruments	$75,889		$83,316

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details 1) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Investment securities
Securities available for sale	$1,214,404	$1,140,846
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Mortgage-backed securities-residential
Mortgage-backed securities-residential	660,717	618,501
Investment securities
Total investment securities available for sale	553,687	522,345
Securities available for sale	1,214,404	1,140,846
Swaps	1,874	1,332
Total Assets	1,216,278	1,142,178
Swaps	1,874	1,332
Total Liabilities	1,874	1,332
Agency-backed | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Mortgage-backed securities-residential
Mortgage-backed securities-residential	580,324	533,663
CMO/Other MBS | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Mortgage-backed securities-residential
Mortgage-backed securities-residential	80,393	84,838
Privately issued collateralized mortgage obligations | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Mortgage-backed securities-residential
Mortgage-backed securities-residential		0
Federal agencies | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Investment securities
Total investment securities available for sale	117,257	147,156
Corporate bonds | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Investment securities
Total investment securities available for sale	266,864	204,831
State and municipal | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Investment securities
Total investment securities available for sale	131,177	132,065
Trust preferred | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Investment securities
Total investment securities available for sale	38,389	38,293
Quoted Prices in Active markets for Identical Assets Level 1
Investment securities
Securities available for sale	0	0
Swaps	0	0
Swaps		0
Quoted Prices in Active markets for Identical Assets Level 1 | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Mortgage-backed securities-residential
Mortgage-backed securities-residential	0	0
Investment securities
Total investment securities available for sale	0	0
Securities available for sale	0	0
Swaps	0	0
Total Assets	0	0
Swaps	0	0
Total Liabilities	0	0
Quoted Prices in Active markets for Identical Assets Level 1 | Agency-backed | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Mortgage-backed securities-residential
Mortgage-backed securities-residential	0	0
Quoted Prices in Active markets for Identical Assets Level 1 | CMO/Other MBS | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Mortgage-backed securities-residential
Mortgage-backed securities-residential	0	0
Quoted Prices in Active markets for Identical Assets Level 1 | Privately issued collateralized mortgage obligations | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Mortgage-backed securities-residential
Mortgage-backed securities-residential		0
Quoted Prices in Active markets for Identical Assets Level 1 | Federal agencies | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Investment securities
Total investment securities available for sale	0	0
Quoted Prices in Active markets for Identical Assets Level 1 | Corporate bonds | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Investment securities
Total investment securities available for sale	0	0
Quoted Prices in Active markets for Identical Assets Level 1 | State and municipal | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Investment securities
Total investment securities available for sale	0	0
Quoted Prices in Active markets for Identical Assets Level 1 | Trust preferred | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Investment securities
Total investment securities available for sale	0	0
Significant Other Observable Inputs Level 2
Investment securities
Securities available for sale	1,214,404	1,140,846
Swaps	1,874	1,332
Swaps	1,874	1,332
Significant Other Observable Inputs Level 2 | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Mortgage-backed securities-residential
Mortgage-backed securities-residential	660,717	618,501
Investment securities
Total investment securities available for sale	553,687	522,345
Securities available for sale	1,214,404	1,140,846
Swaps	1,874	1,332
Total Assets	1,216,278	1,142,178
Swaps	1,874	1,332
Total Liabilities	1,874	1,332
Significant Other Observable Inputs Level 2 | Agency-backed | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Mortgage-backed securities-residential
Mortgage-backed securities-residential	580,324	533,663
Significant Other Observable Inputs Level 2 | CMO/Other MBS | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Mortgage-backed securities-residential
Mortgage-backed securities-residential	80,393	84,838
Significant Other Observable Inputs Level 2 | Privately issued collateralized mortgage obligations | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Mortgage-backed securities-residential
Mortgage-backed securities-residential		0
Significant Other Observable Inputs Level 2 | Federal agencies | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Investment securities
Total investment securities available for sale	117,257	147,156
Significant Other Observable Inputs Level 2 | Corporate bonds | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Investment securities
Total investment securities available for sale	266,864	204,831
Significant Other Observable Inputs Level 2 | State and municipal | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Investment securities
Total investment securities available for sale	131,177	132,065
Significant Other Observable Inputs Level 2 | Trust preferred | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Investment securities
Total investment securities available for sale	38,389	38,293
Significant Unobservable Inputs Level 3
Investment securities
Securities available for sale	0	0
Swaps	0	0
Swaps	0	0
Significant Unobservable Inputs Level 3 | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Mortgage-backed securities-residential
Mortgage-backed securities-residential	0	0
Investment securities
Total investment securities available for sale	0	0
Securities available for sale	0	0
Swaps	0	0
Total Assets	0	0
Swaps	0	0
Total Liabilities	0	0
Significant Unobservable Inputs Level 3 | Agency-backed | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Mortgage-backed securities-residential
Mortgage-backed securities-residential	0	0
Significant Unobservable Inputs Level 3 | CMO/Other MBS | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Mortgage-backed securities-residential
Mortgage-backed securities-residential	0	0
Significant Unobservable Inputs Level 3 | Privately issued collateralized mortgage obligations | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Mortgage-backed securities-residential
Mortgage-backed securities-residential		0
Significant Unobservable Inputs Level 3 | Federal agencies | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Investment securities
Total investment securities available for sale	0	0
Significant Unobservable Inputs Level 3 | Corporate bonds | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Investment securities
Total investment securities available for sale	0	0
Significant Unobservable Inputs Level 3 | State and municipal | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Investment securities
Total investment securities available for sale	0	0
Significant Unobservable Inputs Level 3 | Trust preferred | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Investment securities
Total investment securities available for sale	$0	$0

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail1

Fair Value Measurements (Details 2) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Quoted Prices in Active markets for Identical Assets Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Portfolio loans, net	$0	$0
Significant Other Observable Inputs Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Portfolio loans, net	0	0
Significant Unobservable Inputs Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Portfolio loans, net	4,962,567	4,783,508
Impaired | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Portfolio loans, net	4,723	5,815
Impaired | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring | Quoted Prices in Active markets for Identical Assets Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Portfolio loans, net	0	0
Impaired | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring | Significant Other Observable Inputs Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Portfolio loans, net	0	0
Impaired | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring | Significant Unobservable Inputs Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Portfolio loans, net	4,723	5,815
Impaired | Commercial & industrial | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Portfolio loans, net		65
Impaired | Commercial & industrial | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring | Quoted Prices in Active markets for Identical Assets Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Portfolio loans, net		0
Impaired | Commercial & industrial | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring | Significant Other Observable Inputs Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Portfolio loans, net		0
Impaired | Commercial & industrial | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring | Significant Unobservable Inputs Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Portfolio loans, net		65
Impaired | Commercial Real Estate | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Portfolio loans, net	1,950	1,950
Impaired | Commercial Real Estate | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring | Quoted Prices in Active markets for Identical Assets Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Portfolio loans, net	0	0
Impaired | Commercial Real Estate | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring | Significant Other Observable Inputs Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Portfolio loans, net	0	0
Impaired | Commercial Real Estate | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring | Significant Unobservable Inputs Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Portfolio loans, net	1,950	1,950
Impaired | Acquisition development and construction | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Portfolio loans, net	2,773	3,800
Impaired | Acquisition development and construction | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring | Quoted Prices in Active markets for Identical Assets Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Portfolio loans, net	0	0
Impaired | Acquisition development and construction | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring | Significant Other Observable Inputs Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Portfolio loans, net	0	0
Impaired | Acquisition development and construction | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring | Significant Unobservable Inputs Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Portfolio loans, net	$2,773	$3,800

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail2

Fair Value Measurements (Details 3) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Mortgage servicing rights	$1,393	$1,456
Significant Unobservable Inputs Level 3
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Portfolio loans, net	4,962,567	4,783,508
Market Approach Valuation Technique | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring | Commercial Real Estate | Significant Unobservable Inputs Level 3
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Portfolio loans, net	1,293
Impaired | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Portfolio loans, net	4,723	5,815
Impaired | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring | Significant Unobservable Inputs Level 3
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Portfolio loans, net	4,723	5,815
Impaired | Market Approach Valuation Technique | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring | Commercial & industrial | Significant Unobservable Inputs Level 3
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Portfolio loans, net	0
Impaired | Market Approach Valuation Technique | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring | Commercial Real Estate | Significant Unobservable Inputs Level 3
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Portfolio loans, net	1,950
Comparability adjustments	22.00%
Impaired | Market Approach Valuation Technique | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring | Acquisition development and construction | Significant Unobservable Inputs Level 3
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Portfolio loans, net	2,773
Impaired | Minimum | Market Approach Valuation Technique | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring | Commercial & industrial | Significant Unobservable Inputs Level 3
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Comparability adjustments	10.00%
Impaired | Minimum | Market Approach Valuation Technique | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring | Acquisition development and construction | Significant Unobservable Inputs Level 3
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Comparability adjustments	10.00%
Impaired | Maximum | Market Approach Valuation Technique | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring | Commercial & industrial | Significant Unobservable Inputs Level 3
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Comparability adjustments	25.00%
Impaired | Maximum | Market Approach Valuation Technique | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring | Acquisition development and construction | Significant Unobservable Inputs Level 3
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Comparability adjustments	22.00%
Impaired | Weighted Average | Market Approach Valuation Technique | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring | Commercial & industrial | Significant Unobservable Inputs Level 3
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Comparability adjustments	14.40%
Impaired | Weighted Average | Market Approach Valuation Technique | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring | Commercial Real Estate | Significant Unobservable Inputs Level 3
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Comparability adjustments	22.00%
Impaired | Weighted Average | Market Approach Valuation Technique | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring | Acquisition development and construction | Significant Unobservable Inputs Level 3
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Comparability adjustments	13.50%
Taken in Foreclosure | Market Approach Valuation Technique | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring | Commercial Real Estate | Significant Unobservable Inputs Level 3
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Portfolio loans, net	1,796
Taken in Foreclosure | Market Approach Valuation Technique | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring | Residential mortgage | Significant Unobservable Inputs Level 3
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Portfolio loans, net	3,961
Taken in Foreclosure | Market Approach Valuation Technique | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring | Acquisition development and construction | Significant Unobservable Inputs Level 3
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Portfolio loans, net	$1,181
Taken in Foreclosure | Minimum | Market Approach Valuation Technique | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring | Commercial Real Estate | Significant Unobservable Inputs Level 3
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Management adjustments	10.00%
Taken in Foreclosure | Minimum | Market Approach Valuation Technique | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring | Residential mortgage | Significant Unobservable Inputs Level 3
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Management adjustments	10.00%
Taken in Foreclosure | Minimum | Market Approach Valuation Technique | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring | Acquisition development and construction | Significant Unobservable Inputs Level 3
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Management adjustments	10.00%
Taken in Foreclosure | Minimum | Market Approach Valuation Technique | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring | Mortgage Servicing Rights | Significant Unobservable Inputs Level 3
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Discount rates	8.80%
Prepayment speed	100
Taken in Foreclosure | Maximum | Market Approach Valuation Technique | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring | Commercial Real Estate | Significant Unobservable Inputs Level 3
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Management adjustments	22.00%
Taken in Foreclosure | Maximum | Market Approach Valuation Technique | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring | Residential mortgage | Significant Unobservable Inputs Level 3
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Management adjustments	22.00%
Taken in Foreclosure | Maximum | Market Approach Valuation Technique | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring | Acquisition development and construction | Significant Unobservable Inputs Level 3
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Management adjustments	10.00%
Taken in Foreclosure | Maximum | Market Approach Valuation Technique | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring | Mortgage Servicing Rights | Significant Unobservable Inputs Level 3
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Discount rates	11.30%
Prepayment speed	512
Taken in Foreclosure | Weighted Average | Market Approach Valuation Technique | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring | Commercial Real Estate | Significant Unobservable Inputs Level 3
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Management adjustments	22.00%
Taken in Foreclosure | Weighted Average | Market Approach Valuation Technique | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring | Residential mortgage | Significant Unobservable Inputs Level 3
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Management adjustments	21.60%
Taken in Foreclosure | Weighted Average | Market Approach Valuation Technique | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring | Acquisition development and construction | Significant Unobservable Inputs Level 3
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Management adjustments	22.00%
Taken in Foreclosure | Weighted Average | Market Approach Valuation Technique | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring | Mortgage Servicing Rights | Significant Unobservable Inputs Level 3
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Discount rates	9.30%
Prepayment speed	210

Recovered_Sheet1

Fair value Measurements (Details 4) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Securities available for sale	$1,214,404	$1,140,846
Securities held to maturity	605,144	586,346
FHLB borrowings	-200,000	-200,000
Senior notes	-98,595	-98,498
Carrying Amount
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and due from banks	186,701	121,520
Securities available for sale	1,214,404	1,140,846
Securities held to maturity	585,633	572,337
Portfolio loans, net	4,896,022	4,773,267
Loans held for sale	53,737	46,599
Accrued interest receivable on securities	9,720	7,742
Accrued interest receivable on loans	11,647	11,559
FHLB stock and Federal Reserve Bank stock	68,864	75,437
Swaps	1,874	1,332
Non-maturity deposits	-5,053,661	-4,731,481
Certificates of deposit	-502,285	-480,844
FHLB borrowings	-857,138	-1,003,209
Other borrowings	-25,245	-9,846
Senior notes	-98,595	-98,498
Mortgage escrow funds	-5,805	-4,167
Accrued interest payable on deposits	-208	-329
Accrued interest payable on borrowings	-2,904	-4,354
Interest rate caps and swaps	-1,874	-1,332
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and due from banks	186,701	121,520
Securities available for sale	0	0
Securities held to maturity	0	0
Portfolio loans, net	0	0
Loans held for sale	0	0
Accrued interest receivable on securities	0	0
Accrued interest receivable on loans	0	0
FHLB stock and Federal Reserve Bank stock	0	0
Swaps	0	0
Non-maturity deposits	-5,053,661	-4,731,481
Certificates of deposit	0	0
FHLB borrowings	0	0
Other borrowings	0	0
Senior notes
Mortgage escrow funds	0	0
Accrued interest payable on deposits	0	0
Accrued interest payable on borrowings	0	0
Interest rate caps and swaps		0
Significant Other Observable Inputs Level 2
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and due from banks	0	0
Securities available for sale	1,214,404	1,140,846
Securities held to maturity	605,144	586,346
Portfolio loans, net	0	0
Loans held for sale	53,737	46,599
Accrued interest receivable on securities	9,720	7,742
Accrued interest receivable on loans	0	0
FHLB stock and Federal Reserve Bank stock	0	0
Swaps	1,874	1,332
Non-maturity deposits	0	0
Certificates of deposit	-502,792	-480,621
FHLB borrowings	-873,912	-1,019,690
Other borrowings	-25,245	-9,846
Senior notes	-101,487	-100,769
Mortgage escrow funds	-5,805	-4,167
Accrued interest payable on deposits	-208	-329
Accrued interest payable on borrowings	-2,904	-4,354
Interest rate caps and swaps	-1,874	-1,332
Significant Unobservable Inputs Level 3
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and due from banks	0	0
Securities available for sale	0	0
Securities held to maturity	0	0
Portfolio loans, net	4,962,567	4,783,508
Loans held for sale	0	0
Accrued interest receivable on securities	0	0
Accrued interest receivable on loans	11,647	11,559
FHLB stock and Federal Reserve Bank stock	0	0
Swaps	0	0
Non-maturity deposits	0	0
Certificates of deposit	0	0
FHLB borrowings	0	0
Other borrowings	0	0
Senior notes
Mortgage escrow funds	0	0
Accrued interest payable on deposits	0	0
Accrued interest payable on borrowings	0	0
Interest rate caps and swaps	$0	$0

Recovered_Sheet2

Fair value measurements (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Changes in fair value recognized on provisions on loans held by the Company	$280	$447
Mortgage servicing rights	1,393		1,456
Assets taken in foreclosure, defaulted loans and facilities held for sale	8,231		5,867
Changes in fair value recognized through income for foreclosed assets held by the Company	0	0
Significant Unobservable Inputs Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Portfolio loans, net	4,962,567		4,783,508
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Portfolio loans, net	29,330	37,085
Market Approach Valuation Technique | Commercial Real Estate | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring | Significant Unobservable Inputs Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Portfolio loans, net	$1,293

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Equity [Abstract]
Net unrealized holding gain on available for sale securities	$11,099	$2,256
Related income tax (expense)	-4,717	-959
Available for sale securities AOCI, net of tax	6,382	1,297
Net unrealized holding loss on securities transferred to held to maturity	-8,099	-8,638
Related income tax benefit	3,442	3,671
Securities transferred to held to maturity AOCI, net of tax	-4,657	-4,967
Net unrealized holding loss on retirement plans	-11,242	-11,445
Related income tax benefit	4,778	4,864
Retirement plans AOCI, net of tax	-6,464	-6,581
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	($4,739)	($10,251)	($14,285)	($19,465)

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv3

Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance beginning of the period	($10,251)	($19,465)
Other comprehensive gain (loss) before reclassification	4,203	5,713
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	1,309	-533
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	5,512	5,180
Balance at end of period	-4,739	-14,285
Net unrealized holding gain (loss) on AFS securities
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance beginning of the period	1,297	-11,395
Other comprehensive gain (loss) before reclassification	4,203	5,713
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	882	35
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	5,085	5,748
Balance at end of period	6,382	-5,647
Net unrealized holding gain (loss) on securities transferred to held to maturity
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance beginning of the period	-4,967	-5,659
Other comprehensive gain (loss) before reclassification	0	0
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	310	180
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	310	180
Balance at end of period	-4,657	-5,479
Net unrealized holding gain (loss) on retirement plans
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance beginning of the period	-6,581	-2,411
Other comprehensive gain (loss) before reclassification	0	0
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	117	-748
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	117	-748
Balance at end of period	($6,464)	($3,159)

Subsequent_Events_Subsequent_E

Subsequent Events Subsequent Events (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Nov. 05, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Consideration paid	$24,670	$0
Total assets	7,727,515			7,424,822
Total loans	4,938,906			4,815,641
Deposits	5,555,946			5,212,325
Hudson Valley Holding Corp
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Consideration paid			541,444
Number of shares each shareholder received from merger			1.92
Ownership percentage (percent)			70.00%
Hudson Valley Holding Corp ownership percentage (percent)			30.00%
Pro forma revenue	150,751
Pro forma net income	24,964
Total assets			11,169,815
Total loans			6,868,469
Deposits			$8,414,758