Berkshire Hills Bancorp (BHLB) 10-K 16 Mar 15 2014 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 09, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	BERKSHIRE HILLS BANCORP INC
Entity Central Index Key	1108134
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-14
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$569
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		25,250,136
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets
Cash and due from banks	$54,179	$56,841
Short-term investments	17,575	18,698
Total cash and cash equivalents	71,754	75,539
Trading security	14,909	14,840
Securities available for sale, at fair value	1,091,818	760,048
Securities held to maturity (fair values of $44,997 and $45,764)	43,347	44,921
Federal Home Loan Bank stock and other restricted securities	55,720	50,282
Total securities	1,205,794	870,091
Loans held for sale, at fair value	19,493	15,840
Residential mortgages	1,496,204	1,384,274
Commercial real estate	1,611,567	1,417,120
Commercial and industrial loans	804,366	687,293
Consumer loans	768,463	691,836
Total loans	4,680,600	4,180,523
Less: Allowance for loan losses	35,662	33,323
Net loans	4,644,938	4,147,200
Premises and equipment, net	87,279	84,459
Other real estate owned	2,049	2,758
Goodwill	264,742	256,871
Other intangible assets	11,528	13,791
Cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance	104,588	101,530
Deferred tax assets, net	28,776	50,711
Other assets	61,090	54,009
Total assets	6,502,031	5,672,799
Liabilities
Demand deposits	869,302	677,917
NOW deposits	426,108	353,612
Money market deposits	1,407,179	1,383,856
Savings deposits	496,344	431,496
Time deposits	1,455,746	1,001,648
Total deposits	4,654,679	3,848,529
Short-term debt	900,900	872,510
Long-term Federal Home Loan Bank advances	61,676	101,918
Subordinated notes	89,747	89,679
Total borrowings	1,052,323	1,064,107
Other liabilities	85,742	82,101
Total liabilities	5,792,744	4,994,737
Commitments and contingencies (See note 17)
Stockholders' equity
Common stock ($.01 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized and 26,525,466 shares issued and 25,182,566 shares outstanding in 2014; 50,000,000 shares authorized; 26,525,466 shares issued and 25,036,169 shares outstanding in 2013)	265	265
Additional paid-in capital	585,289	587,247
Unearned compensation	-6,147	-5,563
Retained earnings	156,446	141,958
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	6,579	-9,057
Treasury stock, at cost (1,342,900 shares in 2014 and 1,489,297 shares in 2013)	-33,145	-36,788
Total stockholders' equity	709,287	678,062
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$6,502,031	$5,672,799

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
Securities held to maturity, fair values (in dollars)	$44,997	$45,764
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	50,000,000	50,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	26,525,466	26,525,466
Common stock, shares outstanding	25,182,566	25,036,169
Treasury stock, shares	1,342,900	1,489,297

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_INC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Interest and dividend income
Loans	$174,467	$186,115	$160,936
Securities and other	32,575	17,626	15,003
Total interest and dividend income	207,042	203,741	175,939
Interest expense
Deposits	19,185	20,859	22,482
Borrowings and subordinated notes	9,166	14,130	10,069
Total interest expense	28,351	34,989	32,551
Net interest income	178,691	168,752	143,388
Non-interest income
Loan related income	6,328	8,247	5,152
Mortgage banking income	2,561	5,235	12,403
Deposit related fees	24,635	18,340	15,593
Insurance commissions and fees	10,364	10,020	10,821
Wealth management fees	9,546	8,683	7,296
Total fee income	53,434	50,525	51,265
Other	2,646	2,949	1,306
Gain on securities, net	482	4,758	300
Non-recurring gain, net			1,185
Loss on termination of hedges	-8,792
Total non-interest income	47,770	58,232	54,056
Total net revenue	226,461	226,984	197,444
Provision for loan losses	14,968	11,378	9,590
Non-interest expense
Compensation and benefits	81,768	71,134	64,081
Occupancy and equipment	26,905	22,540	19,469
Technology and communications	14,764	12,944	9,467
Marketing and promotion	2,572	2,596	2,031
Professional services	4,211	6,569	5,785
FDIC premiums and assessments	4,284	3,473	3,377
Other real estate owned and foreclosures	801	700	281
Amortization of intangible assets	4,812	5,268	5,339
Merger, restructuring and conversion related expenses	8,491	14,848	18,019
Other	17,378	17,287	12,957
Total non-interest expense	165,986	157,359	140,806
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	45,507	58,247	47,048
Income tax expense	11,763	17,104	13,223
Net income from continuing operations	33,744	41,143	33,825
Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes (including gain on disposals $63 in 2012)			-261
Income tax expense from discontinued operations			376
Net loss from discontinued operations			-637
Net income	$33,744	$41,143	$33,188
Basic earnings per share:
Continuing Operations (in dollars per share)	$1.36	$1.66	$1.52
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)			($0.03)
Total basic earning per share (in dollars per share)	$1.36	$1.66	$1.49
Diluted earnings per share:
Continuing Operations (in dollars per share)	$1.36	$1.65	$1.52
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)			($0.03)
Total diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$1.36	$1.65	$1.49
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	24,730	24,802	22,201
Diluted (in shares)	24,854	24,965	22,329

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_INC1

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes, gain on disposal	$63

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_COM

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Net income	$33,744	$41,143	$33,188
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Changes in unrealized gains and losses on securities available-for-sale	25,287	-20,012	4,419
Changes in unrealized gains and losses on derivative hedges	-1,010	8,666	-2,072
Changes in unrealized gains and losses on terminated swaps	3,237	942	942
Changes in unrealized gains and losses on pension	-2,308	1,282	-136
Total other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	25,206	-9,122	3,153
Income taxes related to other comprehensive income (loss):
Changes in unrealized gains and losses on securities available-for-sale	-9,595	7,524	-1,667
Changes in unrealized gains and losses on derivative hedges	407	-3,474	688
Changes in unrealized gains and losses on terminated swaps	-1,312	-489	-324
Changes in unrealized gains and losses on pension	930	-517	56
Total income tax (expense) benefit related to other comprehensive income (loss)	-9,570	3,044	-1,247
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	15,636	-6,078	1,906
Total comprehensive income	$49,380	$35,065	$35,094

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CHA

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (USD $)	Common stock	Common stock	Common stock	Additional paid-in capital	Additional paid-in capital	Additional paid-in capital	Unearned compensation	Retained earnings	Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	Treasury stock	CBT	Beacon Federal	Total
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	CBT	Beacon Federal		CBT	Beacon Federal
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011			$229			$494,304	($2,790)	$107,920	($4,885)	($42,970)			$551,808
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011			21,148
Comprehensive income:
Net income								33,188					33,188
Other net comprehensive income									1,906				1,906
Total comprehensive income													35,094
Cash dividends declared $0.69, $0.72 and $0.72 for the period ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 respectively								-15,634					-15,634
Forfeited shares						11	169			-180
Forfeited shares (in shares)			-8
Exercise of stock options								-3,460		6,504			3,044
Exercise of stock options (in shares)			254
Restricted stock grants						-280	-2,434			2,714
Restricted stock grants (in shares)			108
Stock-based compensation						240	2,020						2,260
Net tax benefit related to stock-based compensation						1,126							1,126
Other, net										-428			-428
Other, net (in shares)			-19
Acquisition	9	27		21,981	67,978						21,990	68,005
Acquisition (in shares)	965	2,700
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012			265			585,360	-3,035	122,014	-2,979	-34,360			667,265
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012			25,148
Comprehensive income:
Net income								41,143					41,143
Other net comprehensive income									-6,078				-6,078
Total comprehensive income													35,065
Cash dividends declared $0.69, $0.72 and $0.72 for the period ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 respectively								-18,118					-18,118
Treasury stock purchased										-12,249			-12,249
Treasury stock purchased (in shares)			-480
Forfeited shares						224	1,330			-1,554
Forfeited shares (in shares)			-58
Exercise of stock options								-3,081		6,126			3,045
Exercise of stock options (in shares)			237
Restricted stock grants						-634	-5,958			6,592
Restricted stock grants (in shares)			243
Stock-based compensation						860	2,100						2,960
Net tax benefit related to stock-based compensation						1,451							1,451
Other, net						-14				-1,343			-1,357
Other, net (in shares)			-54
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013			265			587,247	-5,563	141,958	-9,057	-36,788			678,062
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013			25,036
Comprehensive income:
Net income								33,744					33,744
Other net comprehensive income									15,636				15,636
Total comprehensive income													49,380
Cash dividends declared $0.69, $0.72 and $0.72 for the period ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 respectively								-18,075					-18,075
Treasury stock purchased										-2,468			-2,468
Treasury stock purchased (in shares)			-100
Forfeited shares						-3	221			-218
Forfeited shares (in shares)			-9
Exercise of stock options								-1,181		2,245			1,064
Exercise of stock options (in shares)			90
Restricted stock grants						-19	-4,604			4,623
Restricted stock grants (in shares)			187
Stock-based compensation						41	3,799						3,840
Net tax benefit related to stock-based compensation						-1,971							-1,971
Other, net						-6				-539			-545
Other, net (in shares)			-21
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014			$265			$585,289	($6,147)	$156,446	$6,579	($33,145)			$709,287
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014			25,183

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CHA1

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Cash dividends declared, per share	$0.72	$0.72	$0.69

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$33,744	$41,143	$33,188
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Provision for loan losses	14,968	11,378	9,590
Net amortization of securities	2,447	1,635	1,937
Unamortized net loan costs and premiums	-2,237	-8,350	-1,377
Premises and equipment depreciation and amortization expense	8,292	7,120	6,045
Stock-based compensation expense	3,839	2,960	2,260
Accretion of purchase accounting entries, net	-6,938	-20,313	-9,281
Amortization of other intangibles	4,812	5,268	5,339
Write down of other real estate owned	196	135	45
Excess tax loss from stock-based payment arrangements	-102	-1,451	-1,126
Income from cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance policies	-3,058	-3,518	-2,716
Gain on sales of securities, net	-482	-4,758	-1,655
Net (increase) decrease in loans held for sale	-3,653	69,528	-35,451
Loss on disposition of assets	662	4,232	2,124
Loss (gain) on sale of real estate	231	-2	128
Loss on termination of hedges	3,237
Net change in other	-135	22,404	19,604
Net cash provided by operating activities	55,823	127,411	28,654
Cash flows from investing activities:
Net decrease in trading security	541	512	486
Proceeds from sales of securities available for sale	143,488	19,386	85,711
Proceeds from maturities, calls and prepayments of securities available for sale	131,202	113,749	102,590
Purchases of securities available for sale	-575,504	-443,906	-124,183
Proceeds from maturities, calls and prepayments of securities held to maturity	4,800	8,991	30,282
Purchases of securities held to maturity	-3,227	-2,888	-21,965
Net change in loans	-481,846	-181,039	-160,204
Acquisitions, net of cash paid	423,416		-111,328
Net cash used for divestiture			-48,890
Proceeds from surrender of bank-owned life insurance		186	766
Purchase of bank-owned life insurance		-10,000
Proceeds from sale of Federal Home Loan Bank stock	5,340	2,434	6,781
Purchase of Federal Home Loan Bank stock	-10,778	-12,932
Proceeds of premises and equipment	2,315		260
Purchase of premises and equipment, net	-8,451	-13,103	-18,890
Net investment in limited partnership tax credits	-5,384		-565
Proceeds from sale of other real estate	4,784	3,416	3,626
Net cash used in investing activities	-369,304	-515,194	-255,523
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net increase (decrease) in deposits	340,856	-225,070	167,002
Proceeds from Federal Home Loan Bank advances and other borrowings	5,432,069	1,488,182	485,625
Repayments of Federal Home Loan Bank advances and other borrowings	-5,443,853	-872,163	-465,970
Issuance of long term debt, net			74,138
Purchase of treasury stock			3,044
Net proceeds from reissuance of treasury stock	-2,467	-12,249
Exercise of stock options	1,064	3,045
Excess tax loss from stock-based payment arrangements	102	1,451	1,126
Common stock cash dividends paid	-18,075	-18,118	-15,634
Net cash provided by financing activities	309,696	365,078	249,331
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	-3,785	-22,705	22,462
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	75,539	98,244	75,782
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	71,754	75,539	98,244
Supplemental cash flow information:
Interest paid on deposits	18,439	20,967	22,921
Interest paid on borrowed funds	9,988	14,056	9,376
Income taxes (refunded) paid, net	746	-3,729	8,869
Acquisition of non-cash assets and liabilities:
Assets acquired	18,064		1,185,957
Liabilities assumed	-441,550	-1,672	-969,598
Acquisition's stock owned by the Company			5,193
Other non-cash changes:
Other net comprehensive income (loss)	15,636	-6,078	1,906
Real estate owned acquired in settlement of loans	$4,500	$4,378	$2,243

SUMMARY_OF_SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNT

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
	NOTE 1.SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
	Basis of Presentation and Consolidation
	The consolidated financial statements (the “financial statements”) of Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company” or “Berkshire”) have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The Company is a Delaware corporation and the holding company for Berkshire Bank (the “Bank”), a Massachusetts-chartered savings bank headquartered in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and Berkshire Insurance Group, Inc. (“Berkshire Insurance Group” or “BIG”). These financial statements include the accounts of the Company, its wholly-owned subsidiaries and the Bank’s consolidated subsidiaries. In consolidation, all significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated. The results of operations of companies or assets acquired are included only from the dates of acquisition. All material wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries are consolidated unless GAAP requires otherwise.
	Discontinued Operations
	Assets and liabilities related to discontinued operations are carried at the lower of cost or estimated fair value in the aggregate and presented in a separate line item on the consolidated balance sheets. Revenue and expense related to discontinued operations are not reported separately, and net income related to these operations is presented in a separate line item on the consolidated statements of operations.
	Reclassifications
	Certain items in prior financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation. The Company has evaluated subsequent events for potential recognition and/or disclosure through the date these consolidated financial statements were issued.
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses; the valuation of deferred tax assets; the estimates related to the initial measurement of goodwill and intangible assets and subsequent impairment analyses; the determination of other-than-temporary impairment of securities; and the determination of fair value of financial instruments and subsequent impairment analysis.
	Business Combinations
	Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting. Under this method, the accounts of an acquired entity are included with the acquirer’s accounts as of the date of acquisition with any excess of purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired (including identifiable intangibles) capitalized as goodwill.
	To consummate an acquisition, the Company will typically issue common stock and/or pay cash, depending on the terms of the acquisition agreement. The value of common shares issued is determined based upon the market price of the stock as of the closing of the acquisition.
	Cash and Cash equivalents
	Cash and cash equivalents include cash, balances due from banks, and short-term investments, all of which mature within ninety days. Due to the nature of cash and cash equivalents and the near term maturity, the Company estimated that the carrying amount of such instruments approximated fair value. The nature of the Bank’s business requires that it maintain amounts due from banks which at times, may exceed federally insured limits. The Bank has not experienced any losses on such amounts and all amounts are maintained with well-capitalized institutions.
	Trading Security
	The Company elected the fair value option permitted by Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” , on a tax advantaged economic development bond originated in 2008. The bond has been designated as a trading account security and is recorded at fair value, with changes in unrealized gains and losses recorded through earnings each period as part of non-interest income.
	Securities
	Debt securities that management has the intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as held to maturity and carried at amortized cost. All other securities, including equity securities with readily determinable fair values, are classified as available for sale and carried at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses reported as a component of other net comprehensive income. Management determines the appropriate classification of securities at the time of purchase. Restricted equity securities, such as stock in the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston (“FHLBB”) are carried at cost. There are no quoted market prices for the Company’s restricted equity securities. The Bank is a member of the FHLBB, which requires that members maintain an investment in FHLBB stock, which may be redeemed based on certain conditions. The Bank reviews for impairment based on the ultimate recoverability of the cost bases in the FHLBB stock.
	Purchase premiums and discounts are recognized in interest income using the interest method over the terms of the securities. Gains and losses on the sale of securities are recorded on the trade date and are determined using the specific identification method.
	The Company evaluates debt and equity securities within the Company’s available for sale and held to maturity portfolios for other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”), at least quarterly. If the fair value of a debt security is below the amortized cost basis of the security, OTTI is required to be recognized if any of the following are met: (1) the Company intends to sell the security; (2) it is “more likely than not” that the Company will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis; or (3) for debt securities, the present value of expected cash flows is not sufficient to recover the entire amortized cost basis. For all impaired debt securities that the Company intends to sell, or more likely than not will be required to sell, the full amount of the depreciation is recognized as OTTI through earnings. Credit-related OTTI for all other impaired debt securities is recognized through earnings. Non-credit related OTTI for such debt securities is recognized in other comprehensive income, net of applicable taxes. In evaluating its marketable equity securities portfolios for OTTI, the Company considers its intent and ability to hold an equity security to recovery of its cost basis in addition to various other factors, including the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost and the financial condition and near term prospects of the issuer. Any OTTI on marketable equity securities is recognized immediately through earnings.
	Loans Held for Sale
	Loans originated with the intent to be sold in the secondary market are accounted for under the fair value option. Non-refundable fees and direct loan origination costs related to residential mortgage loans held for sale are recognized in noninterest income or noninterest expense as earned or incurred. Fair value is primarily determined based on quoted prices for similar loans in active markets. Gains and losses on sales of residential mortgage loans (sales proceeds minus carrying value) are recorded in noninterest income.
	Loans that were previously held for investment that the Company has an active plan to sell are transferred to loans held for sale at fair value. Fair value is primarily determined based on quoted prices for similar loans in active markets or agreed upon sales prices.  Gains are recorded in noninterest income to the extent that the fair value exceeds the carrying value of the loans transferred.  Any reduction in the loan’s value, prior to being transferred to loans held for sale, is reflected as a charge-off of the recorded investment in the loan resulting in a new cost basis, with a corresponding reduction in the allowance for loan losses.  Further changes in the fair value of the loan are recognized in noninterest income or expense, accordingly.
	Loans
	Loans are reported at their outstanding unpaid principal balances adjusted for charge-offs, the allowance for loan losses, the unamortized balance of any deferred fees or costs on originated loans and the unamortized balance of any premiums or discounts on loans purchased or acquired through mergers. Interest income is accrued on the unpaid principal balance.  Interest income includes net accretion or amortization of deferred fees or costs and of premiums or discounts.  Interest income is also net of recoveries or losses recorded on acquired impaired loans. Direct loan origination costs, net of any origination fees, in addition to premiums and discounts on loans, are deferred and recognized as an adjustment of the related loan yield using the interest method. Interest on loans, excluding automobile loans, is generally not accrued on loans which are ninety days or more past due unless the loan is well-secured and in the process of collection. Past due status is based on contractual terms of the loan. Automobile loans generally continue accruing until one hundred and twenty days delinquent, at which time they are charged off. All interest accrued but not collected for loans that are placed on non-accrual or charged-off is reversed against interest income, except for certain loans designated as well-secured. The interest on non-accrual loans is accounted for on the cash-basis or cost-recovery method, until qualifying for return to accrual.  All payments received on non-accrual loans are applied against the principal balance of the loan.  Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured.
	Acquired Loans
	Loans that the Company acquired in acquisitions are initially recorded at fair value with no carryover of the related allowance for credit losses. Determining the fair value of the loans involves estimating the amount and timing of principal and interest cash flows initially expected to be collected on the loans and discounting those cash flows at an appropriate market rate of interest.
	For loans that meet the criteria stipulated in ASC 310-30, “Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality”, the Company recognizes the accretable yield, which is defined as the excess of all cash flows expected at acquisition over the initial fair value of the loan, as interest income on a level-yield basis over the expected remaining life of the loan. The excess of the loan’s contractually required payments over the cash flows expected to be collected is the nonaccretable difference. The nonaccretable difference is not recognized as an adjustment of yield, a loss accrual, or a valuation allowance. Going forward, the Company continues to evaluate whether the timing and the amount of cash to be collected are reasonably expected. Subsequent significant increases in cash flows the Company expects to collect will first reduce any previously recognized valuation allowance and then be reflected prospectively as an increase to the level yield. Subsequent decreases in expected cash flows may result in the loan being considered impaired. Interest income is not recognized to the extent that the net investment in the loan would increase to an amount greater than the estimated payoff amount.
	For ASC 310-30 loans, the expected cash flows reflect anticipated prepayments, determined on a loan by loan basis according to the anticipated collection plan of these loans. The expected prepayments used to determine the accretable yield are consistent between the cash flows expected to be collected and projections of contractual cash flows so as to not affect the nonaccretable difference.  For ASC 310-30 loans, prepayments result in the recognition of the nonaccretable balance as current period yield. Changes in prepayment assumptions may change the amount of interest income and principal expected to be collected.
	For loans that do not meet the ASC 310-30 criteria, the Company accretes interest income based on the contractually required cash flows. The Company subjects loans that do not meet the ASC 310-30 criteria to ASC Topic 450, “Contingencies” by collectively evaluating these loans for an allowance for loan loss.
	Acquired loans that met the criteria for nonaccrual of interest prior to the acquisition are considered performing upon acquisition, regardless of whether the customer is contractually delinquent, if the Company can reasonably estimate the timing and amount of the expected cash flows on such loans and if the Company expects to fully collect the new carrying value of the loans. As such, the Company may no longer consider the loan to be nonaccrual or nonperforming and may accrue interest on these loans, including the impact of any accretable yield. The Company has determined that the Company can reasonably estimate future cash flows on the Company’s current portfolio of acquired loans that are past due 90 days or more and on which the Company is accruing interest and the Company expects to fully collect the carrying value of the loans.
	Allowance for Loan Losses
	The allowance for loan losses is established based upon the level of estimated probable losses in the current loan portfolio. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the collectability of a loan balance is doubtful. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. The allowance for loan losses includes allowance allocations calculated in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 310, “Receivables” and allowance allocations calculated in accordance with ASC Topic 450, “Contingencies.”  The allowance for loan losses is allocated to loan types using both a formula-based approach applied to groups of loans and an analysis of certain individual loans for impairment. The formula-based approach emphasizes loss factors derived from actual historical and industry portfolio loss rates, which are combined with an assessment of certain qualitative factors to determine the allowance amounts allocated to the various loan categories. Allowance amounts are based on an estimate of historical average annual percentage rate of loan loss for each loan segment, a temporal estimate of the incurred loss emergence and confirmation period for each loan category, and certain qualitative risk factors considered in the computation of the allowance for loan losses.
	Qualitative risk factors impacting the inherent risk of loss within the portfolio include the following:
		·	National and local economic conditions, regulatory/legislative changes, or other competitive factors affecting the collectability of the portfolio
		·	Trends in underwriting characteristics, composition of the portfolio, and/or asset quality
		·	Changes in underwriting standards and/or collection, charge off, recovery, and account management practices
		·	The existence and effect of any concentrations of credit
	Risk characteristics relevant to each portfolio segment are as follows:
	Residential mortgage — The Company generally does not originate loans with a loan-to-value ratio greater than 80 percent and does not grant subprime loans.  The Company requires private mortgage insurance (PMI) in cases when the loan-to-value ratio exceeds 80 percent.  All loans in this segment are collateralized by residential real estate and repayment is dependent on the credit quality of the individual borrower. The overall health of the economy, including unemployment rates and housing prices, will have an effect on the credit quality in this segment.
	Commercial real estate — Loans in this segment are primarily owner-occupied or income-producing properties throughout New England and Northeastern New York. The underlying cash flows generated by the properties are adversely impacted by a downturn in the economy, which in turn, will have an effect on the credit quality in this segment. Management monitors the cash flows of these loans.  In addition, construction loans in this segment primarily include real estate development loans for which payment is derived from sale of the property or long term financing at completion. Credit risk is affected by cost overruns, time to sell at an adequate price, and market conditions.
	Commercial and industrial loans — Loans in this segment are made to businesses and are generally secured by assets of the business. Repayment is expected from the cash flows of the business. Loans in this segment include asset based loans which generally have no scheduled repayment and which are closely monitored against formula based collateral advance ratios.  A weakened economy, and resultant decreased consumer spending, will have an effect on the credit quality in this segment.
	Consumer loans — Loans in this segment are primarily home equity lines of credit and second mortgages, together with automobile loans and other consumer loans. The overall health of the economy, including unemployment rates and housing prices, will have an effect on the credit quality in this segment.
	The Company utilizes a blend of historical and industry portfolio loss rates for commercial mortgage and commercial business loans that are assessed by internal risk rating. Historical loss rates for residential mortgages, home equity and other consumer loans are not risk graded but are assessed based on the total of each loan segment. This approach incorporates qualitative adjustments based upon management’s assessment of various market and portfolio specific risk factors into its formula-based estimate. Due to the imprecise nature of the loan loss estimation process and ever changing conditions, the qualitative risk attributes may not adequately capture amounts of incurred loss in the formula-based loan loss components used to determine allocations in the Company’s analysis of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses.
	The Company evaluates certain loans individually for specific impairment. Large groups of small balance homogeneous loans such as the residential mortgage, home equity, and other consumer portfolios are collectively evaluated for impairment. A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value, and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. Loans are selected for evaluation based upon a change in internal risk rating, occurrence of delinquency, loan classification, or non-accrual status. The evaluation of certain loans individually for specific impairment includes loans that were previously classified as Troubled Debt Restructurings (“TDRs”) or continue to be classified as TDRs. A specific allowance amount is allocated to an individual loan when such loan has been deemed impaired and when the amount of the probable loss is able to be estimated. Estimates of loss may be determined by the present value of anticipated future cash flows or the loan’s observable fair market value, or the fair value of the collateral, if the loan is collateral dependent. However, for collateral dependent loans, the amount of the recorded investment in a loan that exceeds the fair value of the collateral is charged-off against the allowance for loan losses in lieu of an allocation of a specific allowance amount when such an amount has been identified definitively as uncollectible.
	Bank-Owned Life Insurance
	Bank-owned life insurance policies are reflected on the consolidated balance sheets at cash surrender value. Changes in the net cash surrender value of the policies, as well as insurance proceeds received, are reflected in non-interest income on the consolidated statements of operations and are not subject to income taxes.
	Foreclosed and Repossessed Assets
	Assets acquired through, or in lieu of, loan foreclosure or repossession are held for sale and are initially recorded at the lower of the investment in the loan or fair value less estimated costs to sell at the date of foreclosure or repossession, establishing a new cost basis. Subsequently, valuations are periodically performed by management and the assets are carried at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less estimated costs to sell. Revenue and expenses from operations, changes in the valuation allowance, any direct write-downs and gains or losses on sales are included in other real estate owned expense.
	Capitalized Mortgage Servicing Rights
	Capitalized mortgage servicing rights are included in “other assets” in the consolidated balance sheet. Servicing assets are initially recognized as separate assets at fair value when rights are acquired through purchase or through sale of financial assets with servicing retained. The Company uses the amortization method to subsequently measure servicing assets. Under that method, capitalized mortgage servicing rights are charged to expense in proportion to and over the period of estimated net servicing income. Fair value of the mortgage servicing rights is based on a valuation model that calculates the present value of estimated future net servicing income. The valuation model incorporates assumptions that market participants would use in estimating future net servicing income, such as the cost to service, the discount rate, prepayment speeds and default rates and losses. Impairment is recognized through a valuation allowance for an individual tranche, to the extent that fair value is less than the capitalized amount for the tranches. If the Company later determines that all or a portion of the impairment no longer exists for a particular tranche, a reduction of the allowance may be recorded as an increase to income.
	Premises and Equipment
	Land is carried at cost. Buildings, improvements and equipment are carried at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization computed on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the initial term of the lease, plus optional terms if certain conditions are met.
	Goodwill
	Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired in a business combination. Goodwill is assigned to reporting units, which are operating segments or one level below an operating segment. Goodwill is assigned to the Company’s reporting units that are expected to benefit from the business combination. Goodwill is assessed annually for impairment, and more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that there may be an impairment. Adverse changes in the economic environment, declining operations, unanticipated competition, loss of key personnel, or other factors could result in a decline in the implied fair value of goodwill. If the implied fair value of goodwill is less than the carrying amount, a loss would be recognized in other noninterest expense to reduce the carrying amount to the implied fair value of goodwill. A goodwill impairment analysis is comprised of two steps. Step 1, used to identify instances of potential impairment, compares the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, including goodwill, the reporting unit’s goodwill is not considered impaired. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit, including goodwill, exceeds its fair value, the second step of the goodwill impairment analysis is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. Step 2 of the goodwill impairment analysis compares the implied fair value of reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. If the carrying amount of goodwill for that reporting unit exceeds the implied fair value of that reporting unit’s goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess. Subsequent reversals of goodwill impairment are prohibited.
	Other Intangibles
	Intangible assets are acquired assets that lack physical substance but can be distinguished from goodwill because of contractual or other legal rights or the asset is capable of being sold or exchanged either on its own or in combination with a related contract, asset or liability.
	The fair values of these assets are generally determined based on appraisals and are subsequently amortized on a straight-line basis or an accelerated basis over their estimated lives. Management assesses the recoverability of these intangible assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying value may not be recoverable. If the carrying amount exceeds fair value, an impairment charge is recorded to income.
	Transfers of Financial Assets
	Transfers of an entire financial asset, group of entire financial assets, or a participating interest in an entire financial asset are accounted for as sales when control over the assets has been surrendered. Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when (1) the assets have been isolated from the Company, (2) the transferee obtains the right to pledge or exchange the transferred assets, and (3) the Company does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets.
	Income Taxes
	Deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequences of temporary differences by applying enacted statutory tax rates applicable for future years to differences between financial statement and tax bases of existing assets and liabilities. The effect of tax rate changes on deferred taxes is recognized in the income tax provision in the period that includes the enactment date. A tax valuation allowance is established, as needed, to reduce net deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. In the event it becomes more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax asset allowances will not be needed, the valuation allowance will be adjusted.
	In the ordinary course of business there is inherent uncertainty in quantifying the Company’s income tax positions.  Income tax positions and record tax benefits assessed for all years subject to examination based upon management’s evaluation of the facts, circumstances, and information available at the reporting date. For those tax positions where it is more likely than not that a tax benefit will be sustained, we have determined the amount of the tax benefit to be recognized by estimating the largest amount of tax benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with a taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. For those income tax positions where it is not more-likely-than-not that a tax benefit will be sustained, no tax benefit has been recognized in the financial statements. Where applicable, associated interest and penalties has also been recognized. We recognize accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense.
Insurance Commissions
Commission revenue is recognized as of the effective date of the insurance policy or the date the customer is billed, whichever is later, net of return commissions related to policy cancellations. In addition, the Company may receive additional performance commissions based on achieving certain sales and loss experience measures. Such commissions are recognized when determinable, which is generally when such commissions are received or when the Company receives data from the insurance companies that allows the reasonable estimation of these amounts.
Advertising Costs
Advertising costs are expensed as incurred.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company measures and recognizes compensation cost relating to share-based payment transactions based on the grant-date fair value of the equity instruments issued. The fair value of restricted stock is recorded as unearned compensation. The deferred expense is amortized to compensation expense based on one of several permitted attribution methods over the longer of the required service period or performance period. For performance-based restricted stock awards, the Company estimates the degree to which performance conditions will be met to determine the number of shares that will vest and the related compensation expense. Compensation expense is adjusted in the period such estimates change.
Income tax benefits related to stock compensation in excess of grant date fair value, less any proceeds on exercise, are recognized as an increase to additional paid-in capital upon vesting or exercising and delivery of the stock. Any income tax benefits that are less than grant date fair value less any proceeds on exercise would be recognized as a reduction of additional paid-in capital to the extent of previously recognized income tax benefits and then as compensation expense for the remaining amount.
Earnings per Common Share
Basic earnings per share represents income available to common stockholders divided by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. If rights to dividends on unvested options/awards are non-forfeitable, these unvested awards/options are considered outstanding in the computation of basic earnings per share. Diluted earnings per share reflects additional common shares that would have been outstanding if dilutive potential common shares had been issued, as well as any adjustments to income that would result from the assumed issuance. Potential common shares that may be issued by the Company relate to outstanding stock options and restricted stock awards and are determined using the treasury stock method. Treasury shares are not deemed outstanding for earnings per share calculations.
Wealth Management Assets
Wealth management assets held in a fiduciary or agent capacity are not included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets because they are not assets of the Company.
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
The Company enters into interest rate swap agreements as part of the Company’s interest rate risk management strategy for certain assets and liabilities and not for speculative purposes. Based on the Company’s intended use for the interest rate swap at inception, the Company designates the derivative as either an economic hedge of an asset or liability or a hedging instrument subject to the hedge accounting provisions of FASB ASC Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging.”
Interest rate swaps designated as economic hedges are recorded at fair value within other assets or liabilities. Changes in the fair value of these derivatives are recorded directly through earnings.
For interest rate swaps that management intends to apply the hedge accounting provisions of Topic 815, the Company formally documents at inception all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as its risk management objectives and strategies for undertaking the various hedges. Additionally, the Company uses dollar offset or regression analysis at the hedge’s inception and for each reporting period thereafter, to assess whether the derivative used in its hedging transaction is expected to be and has been highly effective in offsetting changes in the fair value or cash flows of the hedged item. The Company discontinues hedge accounting when it is determined that a derivative is not expected to be or has ceased to be highly effective as a hedge, and then reflects changes in fair value of the derivative in earnings after termination of the hedge relationship.
The Company has characterized its interest rate swaps that qualify under Topic 815 hedge accounting as cash flow hedges. Cash flow hedges are used to minimize the variability in cash flows of assets or liabilities, or forecasted transactions caused by interest rate fluctuations, and are recorded at fair value in other assets or liabilities within the Company’s balance sheets. Changes in the fair value of these cash flow hedges are initially recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss and subsequently reclassified into earnings when the forecasted transaction affects earnings. Any hedge ineffectiveness assessed as part of the Company’s quarterly analysis is recorded directly to earnings.
The Company enters into interest rate lock commitments with borrowers, and forward commitments to sell loans or to-be-announced mortgage-backed bonds to investors to hedge against the inherent interest rate and pricing risk associated with selling loans. The interest rate lock commitments generally terminate once the loan is funded, the lock period expires or the borrower decides not to contract for the loan. The forward commitments generally terminate once the loan is sold, the commitment period expires or the borrower decides not to contract for the loan. These commitments are considered derivatives which are accounted for by recognizing their estimated fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as either a freestanding asset or liability. See Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on interest rate lock commitments and forward commitments.
Off-Balance Sheet Financial Instruments
In the ordinary course of business, the Company enters into off-balance sheet financial instruments, consisting primarily of credit related financial instruments. These financial instruments are recorded in the financial statements when they are funded or related fees are incurred or received.
Fair Value Hierarchy
The Company groups assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value in three levels, based on the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value.
Level 1 — Valuation is based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Valuations are obtained from readily available pricing sources for market transactions involving identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2 — Valuation is based on observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
Level 3 — Valuation is based on unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. Level 3 assets and liabilities include financial instruments whose value is determined using unobservable techniques, as well as instruments for which the determination of fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation.
Employee Benefits
The Company maintains an employer sponsored 401(k) plan to which participants may make contributions in the form of salary deferrals and the Company provides matching contributions in accordance with the terms of the plan. Contributions due under the terms of the defined contribution plans are accrued as earned by employees.
Due to the Rome Bancorp acquisition in 2011, the Company inherited a noncontributory, qualified, defined benefit pension plan for certain employees who met age and service requirements; as well as other post-retirement benefits, principally health care and group life insurance. The Rome pension plan and postretirement benefits that were acquired in connection with the whole-bank acquisition in the second quarter of 2011 were frozen prior to the close of the transaction. The pension benefit in the form of a life annuity is based on the employee’s combined years of service, age, and compensation.  The Company also has a long-term care post-retirement benefit plan for certain executives where upon disability, associated benefits are funded by insurance policies or paid directly by the Company.
In order to measure the expense associated with the Plans, various assumptions are made including the discount rate, expected return on plan assets, anticipated mortality rates, and expected future healthcare costs. The assumptions are based on historical experience as well as current facts and circumstances. The Company uses a December 31 measurement date for its Plans. As of the measurement date, plan assets are determined based on fair value, generally representing observable market prices. The projected benefit obligation is primarily determined based on the present value of projected benefit distributions at an assumed discount rate.
Net periodic pension benefit costs include interest costs based on an assumed discount rate, the expected return on plan assets based on actuarially derived market-related values, and the amortization of net actuarial losses. Net periodic postretirement benefit costs include service costs, interest costs based on an assumed discount rate, and the amortization of prior service credits and net actuarial gains. Differences between expected and actual results in each year are included in the net actuarial gain or loss amount, which is recognized in other comprehensive income. The net actuarial gain or loss in excess of a 10% corridor is amortized in net periodic benefit cost over the average remaining service period of active participants in the Plans. The prior service credit is amortized over the average remaining service period to full eligibility for participating employees expected to receive benefits.
The Company recognizes in its statement of condition an asset for a plan’s overfunded status or a liability for a plan’s underfunded status. The Company also measures the Plans’ assets and obligations that determine its funded status as of the end of the fiscal year and recognizes those changes in other comprehensive income, net of tax.
Out of Period Adjustments
In the first quarter of 2014, the Company recorded a correction of an error to adjust ($1.4) million in prior period interest income earned on loans acquired in bank acquisitions all of which relates to prior periods.  After evaluating the quantitative and qualitative aspects of these adjustments, the Company concluded that its prior period financial statements were not materially misstated and, therefore, no restatement was required.
Recently Adopted Accounting Principles
On January 2014, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) ASU 2013-11, “Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists” to eliminate diversity in practice. This ASU requires that companies net their unrecognized tax benefits against all same-jurisdiction net operating losses or tax credit carryforwards that would be used to settle the position with a tax authority. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Future Application of Accounting Pronouncements
In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-14 related to classification of certain government-guaranteed mortgage loans upon foreclosure.  The objective of this guidance is to reduce diversity in practice related to how creditors classify government-guaranteed mortgage loans, including FHA or VA guaranteed loans, upon foreclosure. Some creditors reclassify those loans to real estate consistent with other foreclosed loans that do not have guarantees; others reclassify the loans to other receivables. The amendments in this guidance require that a mortgage loan be derecognized and that a separate other receivable be recognized upon foreclosure if the following conditions are met: (1) The loan has a government guarantee that is not separable from the loan before foreclosure; (2) At the time of foreclosure, the creditor has the intent to convey the real estate property to the guarantor and make a claim on the guarantee, and the creditor has the ability to recover under that claim; and (3) At the time of foreclosure, any amount of the claim that is determined on the basis of the fair value of the real estate is fixed. Upon foreclosure, the separate other receivable should be measured based on the amount of the loan balance (principal and interest) expected to be recovered from the guarantor. The pronouncement is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2014.  The adoption of this pronouncement is not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-11 related to repurchase-to-maturity transactions, repurchase financing and disclosures. The pronouncement changes the accounting for repurchase-to-maturity transactions and linked repurchase financings to secured borrowing accounting, which is consistent with the accounting for other repurchase agreements. The pronouncement also requires two new disclosures. The first disclosure requires an entity to disclose information on transfers accounted for as sales in transactions that are economically similar to repurchase agreements. The second disclosure provides increased transparency about the types of collateral pledged in repurchase agreements and similar transactions accounted for as secured borrowings. The pronouncement is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2014. Early adoption is not permitted. The adoption of this pronouncement is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09 related to the recognition of revenue from contracts with customers. The new revenue pronouncement creates a single source of revenue guidance for all companies in all industries and is more principles-based than current revenue guidance. The pronouncement provides a five-step model for a company to recognize revenue when it transfers control of goods or services to customers at an amount that reflects the consideration to which it expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The five steps are (1) identify the contract with the customer, (2) identify the separate performance obligations in the contract, (3) determine the transaction price, (4) allocate the transaction price to the separate performance obligations and (5) recognize revenue when each performance obligation is satisfied. The pronouncement is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2016 using either a full retrospective approach for all periods presented in the period of adoption or a modified retrospective approach. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this pronouncement on its Consolidated Financial Statements.
In January 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-01, “Accounting for Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects.” ASU No. 2014-01 permits reporting entities to make an accounting policy election to account for investments in qualified affordable housing projects using the proportional amortization method if certain conditions are met. Under the proportional amortization method, an entity amortizes the initial cost of the investment in proportion to the tax credits and other tax benefits received and recognizes the net investment performance in the income statement as a component of income tax expense. This new guidance also requires new disclosures for all investors in these projects. ASU No. 2014-01 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2014. Upon adoption, the guidance must be applied retrospectively to all periods presented. However, entities that use the effective yield method to account for investments in these projects before adoption may continue to do so for these pre-existing investments. The Company currently accounts for such investments using the effective yield method and plans to continue to do so for these pre-existing investments after adopting ASU No. 2014-01 on January 1, 2015. The Company expects investments made after January 1, 2015 to meet the criteria required for the proportional amortization method and plans to elect that accounting policy. The adoption of ASU No. 2014-01 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.
Also in January 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-04, “Reclassification of Residential Real Estate Collateralized Consumer Mortgage Loans upon Foreclosure.” The objective of this guidance is to clarify when an in substance repossession or foreclosure occurs, that is, when a creditor should be considered to have received physical possession of residential real estate property collateralizing a consumer mortgage loan such that the loan receivable should be derecognized and the real estate property recognized. ASU No. 2014-04 states that an in substance repossession or foreclosure occurs, and a creditor is considered to have received physical possession of residential real estate property collateralizing a consumer mortgage loan, upon either (1) the creditor obtaining legal title to the residential real estate property upon completion of a foreclosure or (2) the borrower conveying all interest in the residential real estate property to the creditor to satisfy that loan through completion of a deed in lieu of foreclosure or through a similar legal agreement. Additionally, ASU No. 2014-04 requires interim and annual disclosure of both (1) the amount of foreclosed residential real estate property held by the creditor and (2) the recorded investment in consumer mortgage loans collateralized by residential real estate property that are in the process of foreclosure according to local requirements of the applicable jurisdiction. ASU No. 2014-04 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2014. The adoption of ASU No. 2014-04 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

ACQUISITIONS

ACQUISITIONS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
ACQUISITIONS
MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS
	NOTE 2.ACQUISITION
	New York Branch Acquisition
	On January 17, 2014, Berkshire Bank purchased twenty branch banking offices located in central and eastern New York State, from Bank of America, National Association. Berkshire Bank received $423.1 million in cash, which was net of $17.1 million cash consideration paid and $0.3 million in other costs, and assumed certain related deposit liabilities associated with these branches (the “branch acquisition”).  Consideration paid included a 2.25% premium on deposits received. The branch acquisition increased the Bank’s customer base and lending opportunities, and enhanced the Bank’s geographical market presence between Albany and Syracuse, New York.  In addition, the acquired deposits augmented the Bank’s sources of liquidity.
	On the acquisition date, the acquired branches had assets with a carrying value of approximately $8.9 million, including loans outstanding with a carrying value of approximately $4.5 million, as well as deposits with a carrying value of approximately $440.5 million. The results from the acquired branch operations are included in the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Income from the date of acquisition.
	The assets and liabilities obtained and assumed in the branch acquisition were recorded at fair value based on management’s best estimate using information available at the date of acquisition.  Consideration paid, and fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed are summarized in the following table (in thousands):
						Fair Value			As Recorded at
	(in thousands)		As Acquired			Adjustments			Acquisition
	Consideration paid:
	Cash consideration paid to Bank of Amercia								$	17,105
	Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed, at fair value:
	Cash and short-term investments		$	440,521		$	—		$	440,521
	Loans		4,541			(533		)(a)	4,008
	Premises and equipment		2,381			1,290		(b)	3,671
	Core deposit intangibles		—			2,550		(c)	2,550
	Other intangibles		—			(79		)(d)	(79		)
	Deposits		(440,507		)	(15		)(e)	(440,522		)
	Other liabilities		—			(944		)(f)	(944		)
	Total identifiable net assets		$	6,936		$	2,269		$	9,205
	Goodwill								$	7,900
	Explanation of Certain Fair Value Adjustments
		(a)		The adjustment represents the write down of the book value of loans to their estimated fair value based on current interest rates and expected cash flows, which includes an estimate of expected loan loss inherent in the portfolio.  Loans that met the criteria and are being accounted for in accordance with ASC 310-30 had a carrying amount of $201 thousand.  Non-impaired loans not accounted for under 310-30 had a carrying value of $4.3 million.
		(b)		The amount represents the adjustment of the book value of buildings, and furniture and equipment, to their estimated fair value based on appraisals and other methods.  The adjustments will be depreciated over the estimated economic lives of the assets.
		(c)		The adjustment represents the value of the core deposit base assumed in the acquisition.  The core deposit asset was recorded as an identifiable intangible asset and will be amortized over the estimated useful life of the deposit base.
		(d)		Represents an intangible liability related to assumed leases, which was recorded as an identifiable intangible and will be amortized over the remaining life of the leases.
		(e)		The adjustment is driven by the weighted average interest rate of deposits exceeded the cost of similar funding at the time of acquisition.
		(f)		Represents an establishment of a reserve on certain acquired lines of credit, which were determined to have specific credit risk at the time of acquisition.
	Except for collateral dependent loans with deteriorated credit quality, the fair values for loans acquired were estimated using cash flow projections based on the remaining maturity and repricing terms.  Cash flows were adjusted by estimating future credit losses and the rate of prepayments.  Projected monthly cash flows were then discounted to present value using a risk-adjusted market rate for similar loans.  For collateral dependent loans with deteriorated credit quality, to estimate the fair value we analyzed the value of the underlying collateral of the loans, assuming the fair values of the loans were derived from the eventual sale of the collateral.  Those values were discounted using market derived rates of return, with consideration given to the period of time and costs associated with the foreclosure and disposition of the collateral.  There was no carryover of the seller’s allowance for credit losses associated with the loans that were acquired in the branch acquisition as the loans were initially recorded at fair value.
	Information about the acquired loan portfolio subject to ASC 310-30 as of January 17, 2014 is, as follows (in thousands):
			ASC 310-30 Loans
	Contractually required principal and interest at acquisition		$	201
	Contractual cash flows not expected to be collected (nonaccretable discount)		(100		)
	Expected cash flows at acquisition		101
	Interest component of expected cash flows (accretable premium)		20
	Fair value of acquired loans		$	121
	The core deposit intangible asset recognized is being amortized over its estimated useful life of approximately nine years utilizing a straight-line method.  Other intangibles consist of leasehold intangible liability, which is amortized over the remaining life of three years using a straight-line method.
	The goodwill, which is not amortized for book purposes, was assigned to our banking segment and is not deductible for tax purposes.
	The fair value of savings and transaction deposit accounts acquired in the branch acquisition was assumed to approximate the carrying value as these accounts have no stated maturity and are payable on demand.  The fair value of time deposits was estimated by discounting the contractual future cash flows using market rates offered for time deposits of similar remaining maturities.
	Direct acquisition costs including swap termination fees and integration costs of the branch acquisition were expensed as incurred, and totaled $4.0 million and $1.6 million for the years ending December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	The following table presents selected unaudited pro forma financial information reflecting the branch acquisition assuming it was completed as of January 1, 2013.   The unaudited pro forma financial information is presented for illustrative purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the combined financial results of the Company and acquired branches had the transaction actually been completed at the beginning of the periods presented, nor does it indicate future results for any other interim or full-year period.   Pro forma basic and diluted earnings per common share were calculated using Berkshire’s actual weighted-average shares outstanding for the periods presented.  The unaudited pro forma information is based on the actual financial statements of Berkshire for the periods shown, and on the calculated results of the acquired branches for the 2013 period shown and in 2014 until the date of acquisition, at which time their operations became included in Berkshire’s financial statements.
	The unaudited pro forma information, for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, set forth below reflects adjustments related to (a) purchase accounting fair value adjustments; (b) amortization of core deposit and other intangibles; (c) estimated adjustments to interest income and expense due to the additional acquired deposits and additional investments and borrowings reductions as a result of the branch acquisition; (d) estimated non-interest income and expenses from branch operations; and (e) an estimated tax rate of 40.5 percent.  Direct acquisition expenses incurred by the Company during 2014 and 2013 are reversed for the purposes of this unaudited pro forma information.   Furthermore, the unaudited pro forma information does not reflect management’s estimate of any revenue-enhancing opportunities beyond investment of cash received from deposits, or anticipated cost-savings.
	Information in the following table is shown in thousands, except earnings per share:
			Pro Forma (unaudited)
			Years ended December 31,
			2014			2013
	Net interest income		$	179,249		$	180,220
	Non-interest income		56,750			62,452
	Net income		41,443			43,552
	Pro forma earnings per share:
	Basic		$	1.68		$	1.76
	Diluted		$	1.67		$	1.74

CASH_AND_CASH_EQUIVALENTS

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
	NOTE 3.CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
	Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, amounts due from banks, and short-term investments with original maturities of three months or less.  Short-term investments included $9.9 million and $1.8 million pledged as collateral support for derivative financial contracts at year-end 2014 and 2013, respectively.  The Federal Reserve Bank requires the Bank to maintain certain reserve requirements of vault cash and/or deposits. The reserve requirement, included in cash and equivalents, was $2.9 million and $17.2 million at year-end 2014 and 2013, respectively.

TRADING_SECURITY

TRADING SECURITY	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
TRADING SECURITY.
TRADING SECURITY
	NOTE 4.TRADING SECURITY
	The Company holds a tax advantaged economic development bond that is being accounted for at fair value. The security had an amortized cost of $12.6 million and $13.1 million and a fair value of $14.9 million and $14.8 million at year-end 2014 and 2013, respectively.  Unrealized gains (losses) recorded through income on this security totaled $0.6 million, ($1.5) million, and ($15) thousand for 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively. As discussed further in Note 16 - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, the Company has entered into a swap contract to swap-out the fixed rate of the security in exchange for a variable rate. The Company does not purchase securities with the intent of selling them in the near term, and there are no other securities in the trading portfolio at year-end 2014 and 2013.

SECURITIES

SECURITIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
SECURITIES
SECURITIES
	NOTE 5.SECURITIES
	The following is a summary of securities available for sale (“AFS”) and securities held to maturity (“HTM”):
	(In thousands)	Amortized			Gross		Gross			Fair Value
		Cost			Unrealized		Unrealized
					Gains		Losses
	December 31, 2014
	Securities available for sale
	Debt securities:
	Municipal bonds and obligations	$	127,014		$	6,859	$	(174	)	$	133,699
	Government guaranteed residential mortgage-backed securities	68,972			702		(206		)	69,468
	Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities	755,893			7,421		(3,130		)	760,184
	Corporate bonds	55,134			120		(1,103		)	54,151
	Trust preferred securities	16,607			820		(1,212		)	16,215
	Other bonds and obligations	3,211			—		(52		)	3,159
	Total debt securities	1,026,831			15,922		(5,877		)	1,036,876
	Marketable equity securities	48,993			7,322		(1,373		)	54,942
	Total securities available for sale	1,075,824			23,244		(7,250		)	1,091,818
	Securities held to maturity
	Municipal bonds and obligations	4,997			—		—			4,997
	Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities	70			4		—			74
	Tax advantaged economic development bonds	37,948			1,680		(34		)	39,594
	Other bonds and obligations	332			—		—			332
	Total securities held to maturity	43,347			1,684		(34		)	44,997
	Total	$	1,119,171		$	24,928	$	(7,284	)	$	1,136,815
	December 31, 2013
	Securities available for sale
	Debt securities:
	Municipal bonds and obligations	$	77,852		$	1,789	$	(1,970	)	$	77,671
	Government guaranteed residential mortgage-backed securities	78,885			544		(658		)	78,771
	Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities	531,441			2,000		(10,783		)	522,658
	Corporate bonds	40,945			157		(1,822		)	39,280
	Trust preferred securities	16,927			1,249		(1,565		)	16,611
	Other bonds and obligations	3,250			—		(166		)	3,084
	Total debt securities	749,300			5,739		(16,964		)	738,075
	Marketable equity securities	20,042			2,266		(335		)	21,973
	Total securities available for sale	769,342			8,005		(17,299		)	760,048
	Securities held to maturity
	Municipal bonds and obligations	4,244			—		—			4,244
	Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities	73			2		—			75
	Tax advantaged economic development bonds	40,260			1,255		(414		)	41,101
	Other bonds and obligations	344			—		—			344
	Total securities held to maturity	44,921			1,257		(414		)	45,764
	Total	$	814,263		$	9,262	$	(17,713	)	$	805,812
	At year-end 2014 and 2013, accumulated net unrealized gains/(losses) on AFS securities included in accumulated other comprehensive income were $16.0 million and $(9.3) million, respectively.  The year-end 2014 and 2013 related income tax liability/(benefit) of $6.1 million and $(3.5) million, respectively, was also included in accumulated other comprehensive income.
	The amortized cost and estimated fair value of available for sale (AFS) and held to maturity (HTM) securities, segregated by contractual maturity at year-end 2014 are presented below. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations. Mortgage-backed securities are shown in total, as their maturities are highly variable.  Equity securities have no maturity and are also shown in total.
		Available for sale					Held to maturity
		Amortized			Fair		Amortized			Fair
	(In thousands)	Cost			Value		Cost			Value
	Within 1 year	$	30,732		$	29,738	$	1,047		$	1,047
	Over 1 year to 5 years	1,257			1,271		17,248			18,139
	Over 5 years to 10 years	17,687			17,944		12,360			12,524
	Over 10 years	152,290			158,271		12,622			13,213
	Total bonds and obligations	201,966			207,224		43,277			44,923
	Marketable equity securities	48,993			54,942		—			—
	Residential mortgage-backed securities	824,865			829,652		70			74
	Total	$	1,075,824		$	1,091,818	$	43,347		$	44,997
	At year-end 2014 and 2013, the Company had pledged securities as collateral for certain municipal deposits and for interest rate swaps with certain counterparties. The total amortized cost and fair values of these pledged securities follows. Additionally, there is a blanket lien on certain securities to collateralize borrowings from the FHLBB, as discussed further in Note 12 - Borrowed Funds.
		2014					2013
		Amortized			Fair		Amortized			Fair
	(In thousands)	Cost			Value		Cost			Value
	Securities pledged to swap counterparties	$	25,875		$	26,083	$	26,227		$	26,442
	Securities pledged for municipal deposits	41,281			42,098		44,777			44,438
	Total	$	67,156		$	68,181	$	71,004		$	70,880
Proceeds from the sale of AFS securities in 2014, 2013, and 2012 were $143.5 million, $19.4 million, and $85.5 million, respectively.  The components of net realized gains and losses on the sale of AFS securities are as follows.  These amounts were reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive loss and into earnings:
(In thousands)	2014			2013		2012
Gross realized gains	$	2,601		$	4,758	$	820
Gross realized losses	(2,119		)	—		(520		)
Net realized gain/(losses)	$	482		$	4,758	$	300
Securities with unrealized losses, segregated by the duration of their continuous unrealized loss positions, are summarized as follows:
	Less Than Twelve Months					Over Twelve Months					Total
	Gross					Gross					Gross
	Unrealized			Fair		Unrealized			Fair		Unrealized		Fair
(In thousands)	Losses			Value		Losses			Value		Losses		Value
December 31, 2014
Securities available for sale
Debt securities:
Municipal bonds and obligations	$	8		$	1,001	$	166		$	7,206	$	174	$	8,207
Government guaranteed residential mortgage-backed securities	46			7,122		160			16,727		206		23,849
Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities	236			30,672		2,894			167,473		3,130		198,145
Corporate bonds	1,103			39,571		—			—		1,103		39,571
Trust preferred securities	65			935		1,147			2,408		1,212		3,343
Other bonds and obligations	—			—		52			3,035		52		3,035
Total debt securities	1,458			79,301		4,419			196,849		5,877		276,150
Marketable equity securities	1,039			9,902		334			4,755		1,373		14,657
Total securities available for sale	$	2,497		$	89,203	$	4,753		$	201,604	$	7,250	$	290,807
Securities held to maturity
Tax advantaged economic development bonds	—			—		34			7,972		34		7,972
Total securities held to maturity	—			—		34			7,972		34		7,972
Total	$	2,497		$	89,203	$	4,787		$	209,576	$	7,284	$	298,779
December 31, 2013
Securities available for sale
Debt securities:
Municipal bonds and obligations	$	1,657		$	17,776	$	313		$	1,854	$	1,970	$	19,630
Government guaranteed residential mortgage-backed securities	658			35,631		—			—		658		35,631
Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities	10,783			423,203		—			—		10,783		423,203
Corporate bonds	1,822			29,124		—			—		1,822		29,124
Trust preferred securities	—			—		1,565			2,039		1,565		2,039
Other bonds and obligations	166			3,082		—			—		166		3,082
Total debt securities	15,086			508,816		1,878			3,893		16,964		512,709
Marketable equity securities	117			1,653		218			1,782		335		3,435
Total securities available for sale	$	15,203		$	510,469	$	2,096		$	5,675	$	17,299	$	516,144
Securities held to maturity
Tax advantaged economic development bonds	57			9,429		357			7,901		414		17,330
Total securities held to maturity	57			9,429		357			7,901		414		17,330
Total	$	15,260		$	519,898	$	2,453		$	13,576	$	17,713	$	533,474
Debt Securities
The Company expects to recover its amortized cost basis on all debt securities in its AFS and HTM portfolios. Furthermore, the Company does not intend to sell nor does it anticipate that it will be required to sell any of its securities in an unrealized loss position as of December 31, 2014, prior to this recovery.  The Company’s ability and intent to hold these securities until recovery is supported by the Company’s strong capital and liquidity positions as well as its historical low portfolio turnover. The following summarizes, by investment security type, the basis for the conclusion that the debt securities in an unrealized loss position within the Company’s AFS and HTM portfolios were not other-than-temporarily impaired at year-end 2014:
AFS municipal bonds and obligations
At year-end 2014, 14 of the 178 securities in the Company’s portfolio of AFS municipal bonds and obligations were in unrealized loss positions. Aggregate unrealized losses represented 2% of the amortized cost of securities in unrealized loss positions. The Company continually monitors the municipal bond sector of the market carefully and periodically evaluates the appropriate level of exposure to the market.  At this time, the Company feels that the bonds in this portfolio carry minimal risk of default and that the Company is appropriately compensated for that risk.  The bonds are investment grade rated, and there were no material underlying credit downgrades during 2014. All securities are performing.
AFS residential mortgage-backed securities
At year-end 2014, 46 out of a total of 196 securities in the Company’s portfolio of AFS residential mortgage-backed securities were in unrealized loss positions. Aggregate unrealized losses represented 1.5% of the amortized cost of securities in unrealized loss positions. The Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”), Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”) and Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”) guarantees the contractual cash flows of the Company’s residential mortgage-backed securities. The securities are investment grade rated and there were no material underlying credit downgrades during 2014. All securities are performing.
AFS corporate bonds
At year-end 2014, 4 out of 6 securities in the Company’s portfolio of AFS corporate bonds were in an unrealized loss position. The aggregate unrealized loss represents 2.7% of the amortized cost of bonds in unrealized loss positions. Of the 4 securities, 1 security is investment grade rated.  The Company reviews the financial strength of all of these bonds and has concluded that the amortized cost remains supported by the expected future cash flows of these securities.
At year-end 2014, $1.0 million of the total unrealized losses was attributable to a $30.7 million investment.  The Company evaluated these securities, with a Level 2 fair value of $29.7 million, for potential other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) at December 31, 2014 and determined that OTTI was not evident based on both the Company’s ability and intent to hold the security until the recovery of its remaining amortized cost.
AFS trust preferred securities
At year-end 2014, 3 out of 6 securities in the Company’s portfolio of AFS trust preferred securities were in unrealized loss positions. Aggregate unrealized losses represented 27% of the amortized cost of securities in unrealized loss positions. The Company’s evaluation of the present value of expect cash flows on these securities supports its conclusions about the recoverability of the securities’ amortized cost basis. Of the 3 securities, 2 securities have investment grade ratings.  The Company reviews the financial strength of all of the single issue trust issuers and has concluded that the amortized cost remains supported by the market value of these securities and they are performing.
At year-end 2014, $1.0 million of the total unrealized losses was attributable to a $2.6 million investment in a Mezzanine Class B tranche of a $360 million pooled trust preferred security collateralized by banking and insurance entities.  The Company evaluated the security, with a Level 3 fair value of $1.5 million, for potential other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) at December 31, 2014 and determined that OTTI was not evident based on both the Company’s ability and intent to hold the security until the recovery of its remaining amortized cost and the protection from credit loss afforded by $50 million in excess subordination above current and projected losses.  The security is performing.
AFS other bonds and obligations
At year-end 2014, 5 of the 8 securities in the Company’s portfolio of other bonds and obligations were in unrealized loss positions. Aggregate unrealized losses represented 1.7% of the amortized cost of securities in unrealized loss positions. The securities are all investment grade rated, and there were no material underlying credit downgrades during 2014. All securities are performing.
HTM tax advantaged economic development bonds
At year-end 2014, 1 of the 7 securities in the Company’s portfolio of tax advantaged economic development bonds were in an unrealized loss position. Aggregate unrealized losses represented 0.4% of the amortized cost of securities in unrealized loss positions. The Company has the ability and intent of maintaining these bonds to the recovery. These securities are performing.  The Company expects to receive all future cash flows associated with these securities.
Marketable Equity Securities
In evaluating its marketable equity securities portfolio for OTTI, the Company considers its ability to more likely than not hold an equity security to recovery. The Company additionally considers other various factors including the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost and the financial condition and near term prospects of the issuer. Any OTTI is recognized immediately through earnings.
At year-end 2014, 7 out of a total of 30 securities in the Company’s portfolio of marketable equity securities were in an unrealized loss position. The unrealized loss represented 9% of the amortized cost of the securities. The Company has the ability and intent to hold the securities until a recovery of their cost basis and does not consider the securities other-than-temporarily impaired at year-end 2014. As new information becomes available in future periods, changes to the Company’s assumptions may be warranted and could lead to a different conclusion regarding the OTTI of these securities.

LOANS

LOANS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
LOANS
LOANS
	NOTE 6.LOANS
	The Company’s loan portfolio is segregated into the following segments: residential mortgage, commercial real estate, commercial and industrial, and consumer. Residential mortgage loans include classes for 1- 4 family owner occupied and construction loans.  Commercial real estate loans include construction, single and multi-family, and other commercial real estate classes.  Commercial and industrial loans include asset based lending loans, lease financing and other commercial business loan classes.  Consumer loans include home equity, direct and indirect auto and other consumer loan classes.  These portfolio segments each have unique risk characteristics that are considered when determining the appropriate level for the allowance for loan losses.
	A substantial portion of the loan portfolio is secured by real estate in western Massachusetts, southern Vermont, northeastern New York, and in the Bank’s New England lending areas. The ability of many of the Bank’s borrowers to honor their contracts is dependent, among other things, on the specific economy and real estate markets of these areas.
	Total loans include business activity loans and acquired loans. Acquired loans are those loans acquired from the acquisitions of the 20 acquired branches, Beacon Federal Bancorp, Inc., The Connecticut Bank and Trust Company, Legacy Bancorp, Inc., and Rome Bancorp, Inc. The following is a summary of total loans:
			2014								2013
	(In thousands)		Business Activities			Acquired Loans			Total		Business Activities		Acquired Loans		Total
	Residential mortgages:
	1-4 family		$	1,199,408		$	268,734		$	1,468,142	$	1,027,737	$	333,367	$	1,361,104
	Construction		27,044			1,018			28,062		18,158		5,012		23,170
	Total residential mortgages		1,226,452			269,752			1,496,204		1,045,895		338,379		1,384,274
	Commercial real estate:
	Construction		169,189			4,201			173,390		125,247		13,770		139,017
	Single and multi-family		140,050			53,168			193,218		63,493		64,827		128,320
	Commercial real estate		1,030,837			214,122			1,244,959		871,271		278,512		1,149,783
	Total commercial real estate		1,340,076			271,491			1,611,567		1,060,011		357,109		1,417,120
	Commercial and industrial loans:
	Asset based lending		341,246			—			341,246		294,241		3,130		297,371
	Other commercial and industrial loans		411,945			51,175			463,120		323,196		66,726		389,922
	Total commercial and industrial loans		753,191			51,175			804,366		617,437		69,856		687,293
	Total commercial loans		2,093,267			322,666			2,415,933		1,677,448		426,965		2,104,413
	Consumer loans:
	Home equity		252,681			65,951			318,632		232,677		74,154		306,831
	Auto and other		346,480			103,351			449,831		213,171		171,834		385,005
	Total consumer loans		599,161			169,302			768,463		445,848		245,988		691,836
	Total loans		$	3,918,880		$	761,720		$	4,680,600	$	3,169,191	$	1,011,332	$	4,180,523
	Total unamortized net costs and premiums included in the year-end total loans for business activity loans were the following:
	(In thousands)		2014			2013
	Unamortized net loan origination costs		$	14,268		$	13,898
	Unamortized net premium on purchased loans		4,604			3,652
	Total unamortized net costs and premiums		$	18,872		$	17,550
	The Company occasionally transfers a portion of its originated commercial loans to participating lending partners.  The amounts transferred have been accounted for as sales and are therefore not included in the Company’s accompanying consolidated balance sheets.  The Company and its lending partners share ratably in any gains or losses that may result from a borrower’s lack of compliance with contractual terms of the loan.  The Company continues to service the loans, collects cash payments from the borrowers, remits payments (net of servicing fees), and disburses required escrow funds to relevant parties.  At year-end 2014 and 2013, the Company was servicing loans for participants totaling $95.4 million and $84.7 million, respectively.
	In 2014, the Company purchased loans aggregating $50.2 million and sold loans aggregating $290.1 million.  In 2013, the Company purchased loans aggregating $178.6 million and sold loans aggregating $932.5 million.  Net gains (losses) on sales of loans were $4 million, ($1) million, and $11.8 million for the years 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.
	Most of the Company’s lending activity occurs within its primary markets in Western Massachusetts, Southern Vermont, and Northeastern New York. Most of the loan portfolio is secured by real estate, including residential mortgages, commercial mortgages, and home equity loans.  Year-end loans to operators of non-residential buildings totaled $691.3 million, or 14.8%, and $556.75 million, or 13.3% of total loans in 2014 and 2013, respectively.  There were no other concentrations of loans related to any one industry in excess of 10% of total loans at year-end 2014 or 2013.
	At year-end 2014, the Company had pledged loans totaling $100 million to the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston as collateral for certain borrowing arrangements.  Also, residential first mortgage loans are subject to a blanket lien for FHLBB advances.  See Note 12 - Borrowings & Subordinated Notes.
	At year-end 2014 and 2013, the Company’s commitments outstanding to related parties totaled $3.3 million and $2.8 million, respectively, and the loans outstanding against these commitments totaled $2.0 million and $1.2 million, respectively.  Related parties include directors and executive officers of the Company and its subsidiaries and their respective affiliates in which they have a controlling interest, and immediate family members.  For the years 2014 and 2013, all related party loans were performing.
	The carrying amount of the acquired loans at December 31, 2014 totaled $762 million. A subset of these loans was determined to have evidence of credit deterioration at acquisition date, which is accounted for in accordance with ASC 310-30. These purchased credit-impaired loans presently maintain a carrying value of $13.8 million. These loans are evaluated for impairment through the periodic reforecasting of expected cash flows. Of the 13.8 million, $375 thousand are Residential Mortgages, $12.3 million are Commercial Real Estate, $986 thousand are Commercial and Industrial loans, and $171 thousand are Consumer loans.
	The carrying amount of the acquired loans at December 31, 2013 totaled $1.01 billion. A subset of these loans was determined to have evidence of credit deterioration at acquisition date, which is accounted for in accordance with ASC 310-30. These purchased credit-impaired loans presently maintain a carrying value of $29.9 million. These loans are evaluated for impairment through the periodic reforecasting of expected cash flows. Of the 29.9 million, $329 thousand are Residential Mortgages, $26.5 million are Commercial Real Estate, and $3.0 million are Commercial and Industrial loans.
	The following table summarizes activity in the accretable yield for the acquired loan portfolio that falls under the purview of ASC 310-30, Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality.
	(In thousands)		2014			2013
	Balance at beginning of period		$	2,559		$	8,247
	Acquisitions		—			—
	Sales		—			(301		)
	Reclassification from nonaccretable difference for loans with improved cash flows		2,644			2,252
	Changes in expected cash flows that do not affect nonaccretable difference		—			—
	Accretion		(2,662		)	(7,639		)
	Balance at end of period		$	2,541		$	2,559
	The following is a summary of past due loans at December 31, 2014 and 2013:
	Business Activities Loans
	(in thousands)		30-59 Days			60-89 Days			Greater		Total Past		Current		Total Loans		Past Due >
			Past Due			Past Due			Than 90		Due						90 days and
									Days Past								Accruing
									Due
	December 31, 2014
	Residential mortgages:
	1-4 family		$	5,580		$	146		$	4,053	$	9,779	$	1,189,629	$	1,199,408	$	1,527
	Construction		666			410			—		1,076		25,968		27,044		—
	Total		6,246			556			4,053		10,855		1,215,597		1,226,452		1,527
	Commercial real estate:
	Construction		—			2,000			720		2,720		166,469		169,189		—
	Single and multi-family		178			156			458		792		139,258		140,050		—
	Commercial real estate		692			705			9,383		10,780		1,020,057		1,030,837		621
	Total		870			2,861			10,561		14,292		1,325,784		1,340,076		621
	Commercial and industrial loans
Asset based lending		—			—			—		—		341,246		341,246		—
Other commercial and industrial loans		1,040			498			856		2,394		409,551		411,945		6
Total		1,040			498			856		2,394		750,797		753,191		6
Consumer loans:
Home equity		333			1,000			1,387		2,720		249,961		252,681		230
Auto and other		831			65			315		1,211		345,269		346,480		10
Total		1,164			1,065			1,702		3,931		595,230		599,161		240
Total		$	9,320		$	4,980		$	17,172	$	31,472	$	3,887,408	$	3,918,880	$	2,394
Business Activities Loans
(in thousands)		30-59 Days			60-89 Days			Greater		Total Past		Current		Total Loans		Past Due >
		Past Due			Past Due			Than 90		Due						90 days and
								Days Past								Accruing
								Due
December 31, 2013
Residential mortgages:
1-4 family		$	2,500		$	623		$	7,382	$	10,505	$	1,017,232	$	1,027,737	$	1,451
Construction		—			—			41		41		18,117		18,158		—
Total		2,500			623			7,423		10,546		1,035,349		1,045,895		1,451
Commercial real estate:
Construction		174			—			3,176		3,350		121,897		125,247		—
Single and multi-family		139			654			679		1,472		62,021		63,493		168
Commercial real estate		622			4,801			6,912		12,335		858,936		871,271		865
Total		935			5,455			10,767		17,157		1,042,854		1,060,011		1,033
Commercial and industrial loans
Asset based lending		—			—			—		—		294,241		294,241		—
Other commercial and industrial loans		1,136			386			1,477		2,999		320,197		323,196		42
Total		1,136			386			1,477		2,999		614,438		617,437		42
Consumer loans:
Home equity		732			54			1,655		2,441		230,236		232,677		572
Auto and other		524			231			390		1,145		212,026		213,171		142
Total		1,256			285			2,045		3,586		442,262		445,848		714
Total		$	5,827		$	6,749		$	21,712	$	34,288	$	3,134,903	$	3,169,191	$	3,240
Acquired Loans
(in thousands)		30-59 Days			60-89 Days			Greater		Total Past		Acquired		Total Loans		Past Due >
		Past Due			Past Due			Than 90		Due		Credit				90 days and
								Days Past				Impaired				Accruing
								Due
December 31, 2014
Residential mortgages:
1-4 family		$	1,133		$	638		$	1,651	$	3,422	$	375	$	268,734	$	269
Construction		—			—			—		—		—		1,018		—
Total		1,133			638			1,651		3,422		375		269,752		269
Commercial real estate:
Construction		—			—			691		691		1,296		4,201		—
Single and multi-family		277			—			572		849		5,477		53,168		—
Commercial real estate		—			715			2,004		2,719		5,504		214,122		329
Total		277			715			3,267		4,259		12,277		271,491		329
Commercial and industrial loans
Asset based lending		—			—			—		—		—		—		—
Other commercial and industrial loans		202			32			855		1,089		986		51,175		—
Total		202			32			855		1,089		986		51,175		—
Consumer loans:
Home equity		176			95			1,049		1,320		171		65,951		466
Auto and other		1,170			944			1,363		3,477		—		103,351		194
Total		1,346			1,039			2,412		4,797		171		169,302		660
Total		$	2,958		$	2,424		$	8,185	$	13,567	$	13,809	$	761,720	$	1,258
Acquired Loans
(in thousands)		30-59 Days			60-89 Days			Greater		Total Past		Acquired		Total Loans		Past Due >
		Past Due			Past Due			Than 90		Due		Credit				90 days and
								Days Past				Impaired				Accruing
								Due
December 31, 2013
Residential mortgages:
1-4 family		$	1,891		$	437		$	2,507	$	4,835	$	329	$	333,367	$	735
Construction		134			32			625		791				5,012		501
Total		2,025			469			3,132		5,626		329		338,379		1,236
Commercial real estate:
Construction		—			—			—		—		6,616		13,770		—
Single and multi-family		350			188			823		1,361		9,666		64,827		—
Commercial real estate		537			518			3,455		4,510		10,252		278,512		272
Total		887			706			4,278		5,871		26,534		357,109		272
Commercial and industrial loans
Asset based lending		—			—			—		—		—		3,130		—
Other commercial and industrial loans		440			135			1,074		1,649		3,036		66,726		153
Total		440			135			1,074		1,649		3,036		69,856		153
Consumer loans:
Home equity		425			545			637		1,607		—		74,154		35
Auto and other		2,606			641			1,641		4,888		—		171,834		82
Total		3,031			1,186			2,278		6,495		—		245,988		117
Total		$	6,383		$	2,496		$	10,762	$	19,641	$	29,899	$	1,011,332	$	1,778
The following is summary information pertaining to non-accrual loans at year-end 2014 and 2013:
		2014								2013
(In thousands)		Business Activities			Acquired Loans			Total		Business Activities		Acquired Loans		Total
		Loans								Loans
Residential mortgages:
1-4 family		$	2,526		$	1,382		$	3,908	$	5,931	$	1,772	$	7,703
Construction		—			—			—		41		123		164
Total		2,526			1,382			3,908		5,972		1,895		7,867
Commercial real estate:
Construction		720			—			720		3,176		—		3,176
Single and multi-family		458			141			599		511		823		1,334
Other commerical real estate		8,762			1,675			10,437		6,047		3,183		9,230
Total		9,940			1,816			11,756		9,734		4,006		13,740
Commercial and industrial loans:
Asset based lending		—			—			—		—		—		—
Other commercial and industrial loans		850			811			1,661		1,434		921		2,355
Total		850			811			1,661		1,434		921		2,355
Consumer loans:
Home equity		1,157			583			1,740		1,083		602		1,685
Auto and other		305			1,169			1,474		249		1,559		1,808
Total		1,462			1,752			3,214		1,332		2,161		3,493
Total non-accrual loans		$	14,778		$	5,761		$	20,539	$	18,472	$	8,983	$	27,455
At year end 2014, Acquired credit impaired loans account for $1.2 million of non-accrual loans that are not presented in the above table.
Loans evaluated for impairment as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 were as follows:
Business Activities Loans
(In thousands)		Residential			Commercial			Commercial
2014		mortgages			real estate			and industrial		Consumer		Total
Loans receivable:
Balance at end of year
Individually evaluated for impairment		$	3,238		$	22,015		$	743	$	452	$	26,448
Collectively evaluated		1,223,214			1,318,061			752,448		598,709		3,892,432
Total		$	1,226,452		$	1,340,076		$	753,191	$	599,161	$	3,918,880
Business Activities Loans
(In thousands)		Residential			Commercial			Commercial
2013		mortgages			real estate			and industrial		Consumer		Total
Loans receivable:
Balance at end of year
Individually evaluated for impairment		$	6,237		$	22,429		$	1,380	$	515	$	30,561
Collectively evaluated		1,039,658			1,037,582			616,057		445,333		3,138,630
Total		$	1,045,895		$	1,060,011		$	617,437	$	445,848	$	3,169,191
Acquired Loans
(In thousands)		Residential			Commercial			Commercial
2014		mortgages			real estate			and industrial		Consumer		Total
Loans receivable:
Balance at end of year
Individually evaluated for impairment		$	695		$	5,637		$	39	$	199	$	6,570
Collectively evaluated		269,057			265,854			51,136		169,103		755,150
Total		$	269,752		$	271,491		$	51,175	$	169,302	$	761,720
Acquired Loans
(In thousands)		Residential			Commercial			Commercial
2013		mortgages			real estate			and industrial		Consumer		Total
Loans receivable:
Balance at end of year
Individually evaluated for impairment		$	1,568		$	6,295		$	367	$	154	$	8,384
Collectively evaluated		336,811			350,814			69,489		245,834		1,002,948
Total		$	338,379		$	357,109		$	69,856	$	245,988	$	1,011,332
The following is a summary of impaired loans at year-end 2014 and 2013 and for the years then ended:
Business Activities Loans
		At December 31, 2014
(In thousands)		Recorded Investment			Unpaid Principal			Related Allowance
					Balance
With no related allowance:
Residential mortgages - 1-4 family		$	2,528		$	2,528		$	—
Commercial real estate - construction		16,990			16,990			—
Commercial real estate - single and multifamily		—			—			—
Other commercial real estate		102			102			—
Other commercial and industrial loans		743			743			—
Consumer - home equity		87			87			—
Consumer - other		—			—			—
With an allowance recorded:
Residential mortgages - 1-4 family		$	555		$	710		$	155
Commercial real estate - construction		3,511			4,431			920
Commercial real estate - single and multifamily		490			492			2
Other commercial real estate		—			—			—
Other commercial and industrial loans		—			—			—
Consumer - home equity		194			248			54
Consumer - other		105			117			12
Total
Residential mortgages		$	3,083		$	3,238		$	155
Commercial real estate		21,093			22,015			922
Commercial and industrial		743			743			—
Consumer		386			452			66
Total impaired loans		$	25,305		$	26,448		$	1,143
Acquired Loans
		At December 31, 2014
(In thousands)		Recorded Investment			Unpaid Principal			Related Allowance
					Balance
With no related allowance:
Residential mortgages - 1-4 family		$	189		$	189		$	—
Other commercial real estate loans		5,206			5,206			—
Other commercial and industrial loans		39			39			—
Consumer - home equity		—			—			—
With an allowance recorded:
Residential mortgages - 1-4 family		458			506			$	48
Other commercial real estate loans		383			431			48
Other commercial and industrial loans		—			—			—
Consumer - home equity		124			199			75
Total
Residential mortgages		$	647		$	695		$	48
Commercial real estate		5,589			5,637			48
Commercial and industrial		39			39			—
Consumer		124			199			75
Total impaired loans		$	6,399		$	6,570		$	171
Business Activities Loans
		At December 31, 2013
(In thousands)		Recorded Investment			Unpaid Principal			Related Allowance
					Balance
With no related allowance:
Residential mortgages - 1-4 family		$	3,406		$	3,406		$	—
Commercial real estate - construction		3,176			3,176			—
Commercial real estate - single and multifamily		—			—			—
Other commercial real estate loans		18,909			18,909			—
Other commercial and industrial loans		811			811			—
Consumer - home equity		270			270			—
With an allowance recorded:
Residential mortgages - 1-4 family		$	1,926		$	2,831		$	905
Commercial real estate - construction		—			—			—
Commercial real estate - single and multifamily		—			—			—
Other commercial real estate loans		125			344			219
Other commercial and industrial loans		514			569			55
Consumer - home equity		142			245			103
Total
Residential mortgages		$	5,332		$	6,237		$	905
Commercial real estate		22,210			22,429			219
Commercial and industrial loans		1,325			1,380			55
Consumer		412			515			103
Total impaired loans		$	29,279		$	30,561		$	1,282
Acquired Loans
		At December 31, 2013
(In thousands)		Recorded Investment			Unpaid Principal			Related Allowance
					Balance
With no related allowance:
Residential mortgages - 1-4 family		$	381		$	381		$	—
Other commercial real estate loans		3,853			3,853			—
Other commercial and industrial loans		367			367			—
With an allowance recorded:
Residential mortgages - 1-4 family		$	957		$	1,187		$	230
Other commercial real estate loans		1,954			2,442			488
Consumer - home equity		115			154			39
Total
Residential mortgages		$	1,338		$	1,568		$	230
Other commercial real estate loans		5,807			6,295			488
Other commercial and industrial loans		367			367			—
Consumer - home equity		115			154			39
Total impaired loans		$	7,627		$	8,384		$	757
The following is a summary of the average recorded investment and interest income recognized on impaired loans as of December 31, 2014 and 2013:
Business Activities Loans
		For the Year Ended December 31, 2014						For the Year Ended December 31, 2013
(in thousands)		Average Recorded			Cash Basis Interest			Average Recorded		Cash Basis Interest
		Investment			Income Recognized			Investment		Income Recognized
With no related allowance:
Residential mortgages - 1-4 family		$	3,807		$	141		$	4,208	$	150
Commercial real estate - construction		18,218			704			3,997		30
Commercial real estate - single and multifamily		519			—			—		—
Other commercial real estate		9			—			22,653		885
Commercial and industrial		1,877			70			1,833		61
Consumer-home equity		234			3			1,008		9
Consumer-other		—			—			129		5
With an allowance recorded:
Residential mortgages - 1-4 family		$	648		$	31		$	2,359	$	44
Commercial mortages - construction		2,837			84			—		—
Commercial real estate - single and multifamily		1,213			—			—		—
Other commercial real estate		—			—			103		—
Commercial and industrial		—			—			14		3
Consumer-home equity		207			6			103		3
Consumer - other		120			4			—		—
Total
Residential mortgages		$	4,455		$	172		$	6,567	$	194
Commercial real esate		22,796			788			26,753		915
Commercial and industrial		1,877			70			1,847		64
Consumer loans		561			13			1,240		17
Total impaired loans		$	29,689		$	1,043		$	36,407	$	1,190
Acquired Loans
		For the Year Ended December 31, 2014						For the Year Ended December 31, 2013
(in thousands)		Average Recorded			Cash Basis Interest			Average Recorded		Cash Basis Interest
		Investment			Income Recognized			Investment		Income Recognized
With no related allowance:
Residential mortgages - 1-4 family		$	841		$	8		$	736	$	5
Commercial real estate - construction		5,484			227			—		—
Other commercial real estate		—			—			2,864		111
Commercial and industrial		356			13			231		6
Consumer-home equity		41			—			—		—
With an allowance recorded:
Residential mortgages - 1-4 family		$	241		$	14		$	414	$	23
Commercial real estate - construction		108			4			—		—
Commercial real estate - single and multifamily		—			—			—		—
Other commercial real estate		—			—			1,997		67
Commercial and industrial		—			—			—		—
Consumer-home equity		51			6			38		3
Total
Residential mortgages		$	1,082		$	22		$	1,150	$	28
Commercial real esate		5,592			231			4,861		178
Commercial and industrial		356			13			231		6
Consumer loans		92			6			38		3
Total impaired loans		$	7,122		$	272		$	6,280	$	215
No additional funds are committed to be advanced in connection with impaired loans.
Troubled Debt Restructuring Loans
The Company’s loan portfolio also includes certain loans that have been modified in a Troubled Debt Restructuring (TDR), where economic concessions have been granted to borrowers who have experienced or are expected to experience financial difficulties. These concessions typically result from the Company’s loss mitigation activities and could include reductions in the interest rate, payment extensions, forgiveness of principal, forbearance, or other actions. Certain TDRs are classified as nonperforming at the time of restructure and may only be returned to performing status after considering the borrower’s sustained repayment performance for a reasonable period, generally six months.  TDRs are evaluated individually for impairment and may result in a specific allowance amount allocated to an individual loan.
The following tables include the recorded investment and number of modifications for modified loans identified during the years-ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 respectively.  The table includes the recorded investment in the loans prior to a modification and also the recorded investment in the loans after the loans were restructured. The modifications for the year-ended December 31, 2014 were attributable to interest rate concessions, debt consolidations, and changes to payment terms. The modifications for the year-ended December 31, 2013 were attributable to interest rate concessions, debt consolidations, and maturity date extensions.  The modifications for the year ended December 31, 2012 were attributable to maturity date extensions.
		Modifications by Class
		For the twelve months ending December 31, 2014
		Number of		Pre-Modification			Post-Modification
		Modifications		Outstanding Recorded			Outstanding Recorded
				Investment (In thousands)			Investment
Troubled Debt Restructurings
Residential- 1-4 Family		5		$	600		$	598
Residential- Construction		1		102			102
Commercial - Single and multifamily		1		623			623
Commercial - Other		10		9,190			9,190
		17		$	10,515		$	10,513
		Modifications by Class
		For the twelve months ending December 31, 2013
		Number of		Pre-Modification			Post-Modification
		Modifications		Outstanding Recorded			Outstanding Recorded
				Investment (In thousands)			Investment
Troubled Debt Restructurings
Residential- 1-4 Family		7		$	1,152		$	1,152
Commercial - Single and multifamily		1		320			320
Commercial - Other		2		2,366			2,406
Commercial and industrial- Other		10		3,882			3,450
Consumer- Auto and other		7		443			442
		27		$	8,163		$	7,770
		Modifications by Class
		For the twelve months ending December 31, 2012
		Number of		Pre-Modification			Post-Modification
		Modifications		Outstanding Recorded			Outstanding Recorded
				Investment (In thousands)			Investment
Troubled Debt Restructurings
Residential- 1-4 Family		3		$	468		$	467
Commercial - Single and multifamily		4		225			225
Commercial - Other		3		2,493			2,493
Commercial and industrial- Other		3		1,308			1,308
Consumer- Auto and other		1		133			133
		14		$	4,627		$	4,626
The following table discloses the recorded investment and number of modifications for TDRs within the last year where a concession has been made, that then defaulted in the current reporting period.
		Modifications that Subsequently Defaulted
		For the twelve months ending December 31, 2014
		Number of Contracts		Recorded Investment
Troubled Debt Restructurings
Commercial and industrial- Other		2		$	101
		Modifications that Subsequently Defaulted
		For the twelve months ending December 31, 2013
		Number of Contracts		Recorded Investment
Troubled Debt Restructurings
Residential- 1-4 Family		1		$	201
Commercial - Single and multifamily		5		261
Commercial - Other		7		1,961
Commercial and industrial- Other		1		55
		14		$	2,478
For twelve months ended December 31, 2012, there were no loans that were restructured within the last twelve months that have subsequently defaulted.
The following table presents the Company’s TDR activity in 2014 and 2013:
(In thousands)		2014			2013
Balance at beginning of year		$	10,822		$	4,626
Principal payments		(2,651		)	(118		)
TDR status change (1)		(52		)	(1,164		)
Other reductions (2)		(1,918		)	(292		)
Newly identified TDRs		10,513			7,770
Balance at end of year		$	16,714		$	10,822
	-1		TDR Status change classification represents TDR loans with a specified interest rate equal to or greater than the rate that the Company was willing to accept at the time of the restructuring for a new loan with comparable risk and  the loan was on current payment status and not impaired based on the terms specified by the restructuring agreement.
	-2		Other Reductions classification consists of transfer to other real estate owned, charge-offs to loans, and other loan sale payoffs.
The evaluation of certain loans individually for specific impairment includes loans that were previously classified as TDRs or continue to be classified as TDRs.

LOAN_LOSS_ALLOWANCE

LOAN LOSS ALLOWANCE	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
LOAN LOSS ALLOWANCE
LOAN LOSS ALLOWANCE
	NOTE 7.LOAN LOSS ALLOWANCE
	Activity in the allowance for loan losses for 2014, 2013, and 2012 was as follows:
	Business Activities Loans
	(In thousands)	Residential		Commercial			Commercial
	2014	mortgages		real estate			and industrial		Consumer		Unallocated			Total
	Balance at beginning of year	$	6,937	$	13,705		$	5,173	$	3,644	$	68		$	29,527
	Charged-off loans	1,455		4,207			2,500		1,308		—			9,470
	Recoveries on charged-off loans	186		9			193		285		—			673
	Provision for loan losses	1,168		5,183			2,340		3,307		67			12,065
	Balance at end of year	$	6,836	$	14,690		$	5,206	$	5,928	$	135		$	32,795
	Individually evaluated for impairment	155		922			—		66		—			1,143
	Collectively evaluated	6,681		13,768			5,206		5,862		135			31,652
	Total	$	6,836	$	14,690		$	5,206	$	5,928	$	135		$	32,795
	Acquired Loans
	(In thousands)	Residential		Commercial			Commercial
	2014	mortgages		real estate			and industrial		Consumer		Unallocated			Total
	Balance at beginning of year	$	625	$	2,339		$	597	$	235	$	—		$	3,796
	Charged-off loans	1,141		1,477			510		1,255		—			4,383
	Recoveries on charged-off loans	179		261			35		76		—			551
	Provision for loan losses	952		(333		)	971		1,313		—			2,903
	Balance at end of year	$	615	$	790		$	1,093	$	369	$	—		$	2,867
	Individually evaluated for impairment	48		48			—		75		—			171
	Collectively evaluated	567		742			1,093		294		—			2,696
	Total	$	615	$	790		$	1,093	$	369	$	—		$	2,867
	Business Activities Loans
	(In thousands)	Residential		Commercial			Commercial
	2013	mortgages		real estate			and industrial		Consumer		Unallocated			Total
	Balance at beginning of year	$	5,928	$	18,863		$	5,605	$	1,466	$	29		$	31,891
	Charged-off loans	1,761		3,378			2,046		917		—			8,102
	Recoveries on charged-off loans	398		540			121		270		—			1,329
	Provision for loan losses	2,372		(2,320		)	1,493		2,825		39			4,409
	Balance at end of year	$	6,937	$	13,705		$	5,173	$	3,644	$	68		$	29,527
	Individually evaluated for impairment	905		219			55		103		—			1,282
	Collectively evaluated	6,032		13,486			5,118		3,541		68			28,245
	Total	$	6,937	$	13,705		$	5,173	$	3,644	$	68		$	29,527
	Acquired Loans
	(In thousands)	Residential		Commercial			Commercial
	2013	mortgages		real estate			and industrial		Consumer		Unallocated			Total
	Balance at beginning of year	$	509	$	390		$	96	$	314	$	8		$	1,317
	Charged-off loans	636		1,748			771		1,580		—			4,735
	Recoveries on charged-off loans	1		15			84		145		—			245
	Provision for loan losses	751		3,682			1,188		1,356		(8		)	6,969
	Balance at end of year	$	625	$	2,339		$	597	$	235	$	—		$	3,796
	Individually evaluated for impairment	230		488			—		39		—			757
	Collectively evaluated	395		1,851			597		196		—			3,039
	Total	$	625	$	2,339		$	597	$	235	$	—		$	3,796
	Business Activities Loans
	(In thousands)	Residential		Commercial			Commercial
	2012	mortgages		real estate			and industrial		Consumer		Unallocated			Total
	Balance at beginning of year	$	3,150	$	22,095		$	4,540	$	2,203	$	(90	)	$	31,898
	Charged-off loans	2,604		4,229			697		1,537		—			9,067
	Recoveries on charged-off loans	103		52			96		165		—			416
	Provision for loan losses	5,279		945			1,666		635		119			8,644
	Balance at end of year	$	5,928	$	18,863		$	5,605	$	1,466	$	29		$	31,891
	Individually evaluated for impairment	287		1,444			1,205		273		—			3,209
	Collectively evaluated	5,641		17,419			4,400		1,193		29			28,682
	Total	$	5,928	$	18,863		$	5,605	$	1,466	$	29		$	31,891
	Acquired Loans
	(In thousands)	Residential		Commercial			Commercial
	2012	mortgages		real estate			and industrial		Consumer		Unallocated			Total
	Balance at beginning of year	$	281	$	158		$	38	$	87	$	(18	)	$	546
	Charged-off loans	43		—			—		340		—			383
	Recoveries on charged-off loans	—		—			—		208		—			208
Provision for loan losses	271		232			58		359		26			946
Balance at end of year	$	509	$	390		$	96	$	314	$	8		$	1,317
Individually evaluated for impairment	55		—			—		—		—			55
Collectively evaluated	454		390			96		314		8			1,262
Total	$	509	$	390		$	96	$	314	$	8		$	1,317
Credit Quality Information
Business Activities Loans Credit Quality Analysis
The Company monitors the credit quality of its portfolio by using internal risk ratings that are based on regulatory guidance. Loans that are given a Pass rating are not considered a problem credit. Loans that are classified as Special Mention loans are considered to have potential weaknesses and are evaluated closely by management. Substandard and non-accruing loans are loans for which a definitive weakness has been identified and which may make full collection of contractual cash flows questionable. Doubtful loans are those with identified weaknesses that make full collection of contractual cash flows, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values, highly questionable and improbable.  The Company assigns an internal risk rating at origination and reviews the rating annual, semiannually, or quarterly depending on the risk rating. The rating is also reassessed at any point in time when management becomes aware of information that may affect the borrower’s ability to fulfill their obligations.
The Company risk rates its residential mortgages, including 1-4 family and residential construction loans, based on a three rating system: Pass, Special Mention, and Substandard.  Loans that are current within 59 days are rated Pass.  Residential mortgages that are 60-89 days delinquent are rated Special Mention. Loans delinquent for 90 days or greater are rated Substandard and generally placed on non-accrual status.  Home equity loans are risk rated based on the same rating system as the Company’s residential mortgages.
Ratings for other consumer loans, including auto loans, are based on a two rating system. Loans that are current within 119 days are rated Performing while loans delinquent for 120 days or more are rated Non-performing. Other consumer loans are placed on non-accrual at such time as they become Non-performing.
Acquired Loans Credit Quality Analysis
Upon acquiring a loan portfolio, the Company’s Internal Loan Review function undertakes the same process of assigning risk ratings as historical loans. This may differ from the risk rating policy of the predecessor company.  Loans which are rated Substandard or lower according to the rating process outlined below are deemed to be credit impaired loans accounted for under ASC 310-30, regardless of whether they are classified as performing or non-performing.
The Bank utilizes an eleven grade internal loan rating system for each of its acquired commercial real estate, construction and commercial loans.  Non-performing other consumer loans are deemed to be credit impaired loans accounted for under ASC 310-30.
The Company subjects loans that do not meet the ASC 310-30 criteria to ASC 450-20 by collectively evaluating these loans for an allowance for loan loss.  The Company applies a methodology similar to the methodology prescribed for originated loans, which includes the application of environmental factors to each category of loans.  The methodology to collectively evaluate the acquired loans outside the scope of ASC 310-30 includes the application of a number of environmental factors that reflect management’s best estimate of the level of incremental credit losses that might be recognized given current conditions.  This is reviewed as part of the allowance for loan loss adequacy analysis.  As the loan portfolio matures and environmental factors change, the loan portfolio will be reassessed each quarter to determine an appropriate reserve allowance.
Additionally, the Company considers the need for an additional reserve for acquired loans accounted for outside of the scope of ASC 310-30 under ASC 310-20. At acquisition date, the Bank determined a fair value mark with credit and interest rate components. Under the Company’s model, the impairment evaluation process involves comparing the carrying value of acquired loans, including the entire unamortized premium or discount, to the recorded reserve allowance. If necessary, the Company books an additional reserve to account for shortfalls identified through this calculation. Fair value marks are not bifurcated when evaluating for impairment.
A decrease in the expected cash flows in subsequent periods requires the establishment of an allowance for loan losses at that time for ASC 310-30 loans. At December 31, 2013, there had not been such a decrease and therefore there was no allowance for losses on acquired loans under Subtopic ASC 310-30.
The Company presented several tables within this footnote of business activity loans and acquired loans in order to distinguish the credit performance of the newly acquired loans.
The following table presents the Company’s loans by risk rating at year-end 2014 and 2013:
Business Activities Loans
Residential Mortgages
Credit Risk Profile by Internally Assigned Grade
	1-4 family					Construction				Total residential mortgages
(In thousands)	2014		2013			2014		2013		2014			2013
Grade:
Pass	$	1,195,209	$	1,019,732		$	26,634	$	18,117	$	1,221,843		$	1,037,849
Special mention	146		623			410		—		556			623
Substandard	4,053		7,382			—		41		4,053			7,423
Total	$	1,199,408	$	1,027,737		$	27,044	$	18,158	$	1,226,452		$	1,045,895
Commercial Mortgages
Credit Risk Profile by Creditworthiness Category
	Construction					Single and multi-family				Other					Total commercial real estate
(In thousands)	2014		2013			2014		2013		2014			2013		2014		2013
Grade:
Pass	$	166,295	$	120,071		$	137,533	$	59,636	$	959,836		$	800,672	$	1,263,664	$	980,379
Special mention	—		—			—		140		6,933			8,150		6,933		8,290
Substandard	2,894		5,176			2,517		3,717		63,995			61,807		69,406		70,700
Doubtful	—		—			—		—		73			642		73		642
Total	$	169,189	$	125,247		$	140,050	$	63,493	$	1,030,837		$	871,271	$	1,340,076	$	1,060,011
Commercial Business Loans
Credit Risk Profile by Creditworthiness Category
	Asset based lending					Other				Total comm. and industrial
(In thousands)	2014		2013			2014		2013		2014			2013
Grade:
Pass	$	341,246	$	294,241		$	404,846	$	313,984	$	746,092		$	608,225
Special mention	—		—			560		884		560			884
Substandard	—		—			6,539		7,725		6,539			7,725
Doubtful	—		—			—		603		—			603
Total	$	341,246	$	294,241		$	411,945	$	323,196	$	753,191		$	617,437
Consumer Loans
Credit Risk Profile Based on Payment Activity
	Home equity					Auto and other				Total consumer
(In thousands)	2014		2013			2014		2013		2014			2013
Performing	$	251,524	$	231,594		$	346,175	$	212,922	$	597,699		$	444,516
Nonperforming	1,157		1,083			305		249		1,462			1,332
Total	$	252,681	$	232,677		$	346,480	$	213,171	$	599,161		$	445,848
Acquired Loans
Residential Mortgages
Credit Risk Profile by Internally Assigned Grade
	1-4 family					Construction				Total residential mortgages
(In thousands)	2014		2013			2014		2013		2014			2013
Grade:
Pass	$	266,445	$	330,353		$	1,018	$	1,081	$	267,463		$	331,434
Special mention	638		437			—		—		638			437
Substandard	1,651		2,577			—		3,931		1,651			6,508
Total	$	268,734	$	333,367		$	1,018	$	5,012	$	269,752		$	338,379
Commercial Mortgages
Credit Risk Profile by Creditworthiness Category
	Construction					Single and multi-family				Other					Total commercial real estate
(In thousands)	2014		2013			2014		2013		2014			2013		2014		2013
Grade:
Pass	$	2,904	$	7,154		$	44,497	$	46,961	$	195,681		$	254,787	$	243,082	$	308,902
Special mention	—		—			533		4,799		4,868			9,034		5,401		13,833
Substandard	1,297		6,616			8,138		13,067		13,573			14,691		23,008		34,374
Total	$	4,201	$	13,770		$	53,168	$	64,827	$	214,122		$	278,512	$	271,491	$	357,109
Commercial Business Loans
Credit Risk Profile by Creditworthiness Category
	Asset based lending					Other				Total comm. and industrial
(In thousands)	2014		2013			2014		2013		2014			2013
Grade:
Pass	$	—	$	3,130		$	45,757	$	59,615	$	45,757		$	62,745
Special mention	—		—			1,723		2,396		1,723			2,396
Substandard	—		—			3,695		4,715		3,695			4,715
Total	$	—	$	3,130		$	51,175	$	66,726	$	51,175		$	69,856
Consumer Loans
Credit Risk Profile Based on Payment Activity
	Home equity					Auto and other				Total consumer
(In thousands)	2014		2013			2014		2013		2014			2013
Performing	$	65,368	$	73,552		$	102,182	$	170,275	$	167,550		$	243,827
Nonperforming	583		602			1,169		1,559		1,752			2,161
Total	$	65,951	$	74,154		$	103,351	$	171,834	$	169,302		$	245,988
The following table summarizes information about total loans rated Special Mention or lower.  The table below includes consumer loans that are Special Mention and Substandard accruing that are classified in the above table as performing based on payment activity.
	December 31, 2014							December 31, 2013
(In thousands)	Business		Acquired Loans			Total		Business		Acquired Loans			Total
	Activities Loans							Activities Loans
Non-Accrual	$	14,778	$	6,927		$	21,705	$	18,472	$	8,983		$	27,455
Substandard Accruing	66,995		23,839			90,834		70,667		38,891			109,558
Total Classified	81,773		30,766			112,539		89,139		47,874			137,013
Special Mention	9,113		8,800			17,913		10,081		17,853			27,934
Total Criticized	$	90,886	$	39,566		$	130,452	$	99,220	$	65,727		$	164,947

PREMISES_AND_EQUIPMENT

PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT
PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT
	NOTE 8.PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT
	Year-end premises and equipment are summarized as follows:
	(In thousands)	2014			2013			Estimated Useful
								Life
	Land	$	10,638		$	10,177		N/A
	Buildings and improvements	75,984			69,873			5 - 39 years
	Furniture and equipment	31,893			24,865			3 - 7 years
	Construction in process	1,191			4,336
	Premises and equipment, gross	119,706			109,251
	Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(32,427		)	(24,792		)
	Premises and equipment, net	$	87,279		$	84,459
	Depreciation and amortization expense for the years 2014, 2013, and 2012 amounted to $8.3 million, $7.1 million, and $6.0 million, respectively.

GOODWILL_AND_OTHER_INTANGIBLES

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLES
GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLES
	NOTE 9.GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLES
	Goodwill and other intangible assets are presented in the tables below.  The Company completed one acquisition during 2014.  In accordance with applicable accounting guidance, we allocated the amount paid to the fair value of the net assets acquired, with any excess amounts recorded as goodwill.  There were no acquisitions during 2013.
	The increase in goodwill in 2014 and 2013 is as follows:
	(In thousands)		2014		2013
	Balance, beginning of the period		$	256,871	$	255,199
	Goodwill aquired:
	New York Branch Acquisition		7,871		—
	Beacon Federal Bancorp, Inc. (1)		—		1,672
	Balance, end of the period		$	264,742	$	256,871
	(1)	Goodwill related to the acquisition of Beacon was adjusted due to the subsequent recognition of certain identifiable liabilities that had not been recognized as part of the original accounting.
	Year-end goodwill relates to the following reporting units:
	(In thousands)		2014		2013
	Banking		$	241,566	$	233,695
	Insurance		23,176		23,176
	Total		$	264,742	$	256,871
	The Company tests goodwill impairment annually in the fourth quarter or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that impairment is possible. No impairment was recorded on goodwill for 2014 and 2013.
	The components of other intangible assets are as follows:
	(In thousands)		Gross Intangible		Accumulated			Net Intangible
			Assets		Amortization			Assets
	December 31, 2014
	Non-maturity deposits		$	34,053	$	(25,656	)	$	8,397
	Insurance contracts		7,558		(6,094		)	1,464
	All other intangible assets		3,894		(2,227		)	1,667
	Total		$	45,505	$	(33,977	)	$	11,528
	December 31, 2013
	Non-maturity deposits		$	31,503	$	(22,106	)	$	9,397
	Insurance contracts		7,558		(5,320		)	2,238
	All other intangible assets		3,894		(1,738		)	2,156
	Total		$	42,955	$	(29,164	)	$	13,791
	Other intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line or accelerated basis over their estimated lives, which range from eight to eleven years. Amortization expense related to intangible assets totaled $4.8 million in 2014, $5.3 million in 2013, and $5.3 million in 2012.
	The estimated aggregate future amortization expense for intangible assets remaining at year-end 2014 is as follows: 2015- $3.3 million; 2016- $2.7 million; 2017- $1.7 million; 2018- $1.3 million; 2019- $1.0 million and thereafter- $1.5 million.
	For the years 2014, 2013, and 2012, no impairment charges were identified for the Company’s intangible assets.

OTHER_ASSETS

OTHER ASSETS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
OTHER ASSETS
OTHER ASSETS
	NOTE 10.OTHER ASSETS
	Year-end other assets are summarized as follows:
	(In thousands)	2014			2013
	Capitalized mortgage servicing rights	$	3,757		$	4,112
	Accrued interest receivable	17,274			15,070
	Investment in tax credits	9,045			5,771
	Prepaid FDIC insurance	746			739
	Accrued federal and state tax receivable	5,055			5,343
	Derivative assets	12,443			8,318
	Assets held for sale	1,280			3,969
	Other	11,490			10,687
	Total other assets	$	61,090		$	54,009
	The Bank has sold loans in the secondary market and has retained the servicing responsibility and receives fees for the services provided. Mortgage loans sold and serviced for others amounted to $625.4 million, $641.2 million, and $603.7 million at year-end 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.  Mortgage loans serviced for others are not included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.  The risks inherent in mortgage servicing assets relate primarily to changes in prepayments that result from shifts in mortgage interest rates.  Contractually specified servicing fees were $1.5 million, $1.5 million, and $2.8 million for the years 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively, and included as a component of loan related fees within non-interest income.  The significant assumptions used in the valuation at year-end 2014 included a weighted average discount rate of 10.4% and pre-payment speed assumptions ranging from 7.83% to 19.00%.
	Mortgage servicing rights activity was as follows:
	(In thousands)	2014			2013
	Balance at beginning of year	$	4,112		$	3,198
	Additions	680			1,056
	Amortization	(1,035		)	(915		)
	Allowance Adjustment	—			773
	Balance at end of year	$	3,757		$	4,112

DEPOSITS

DEPOSITS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
DEPOSITS
DEPOSITS
	NOTE 11.DEPOSITS
	A summary of year-end time deposits is as follows:
	(In thousands)	2014		2013
	Maturity date:
	Within 1 year	$	858,200	$	530,781
	Over 1 year to 2 years	404,445		282,370
	Over 2 years to 3 years	112,624		104,550
	Over 3 years to 4 years	45,212		48,052
	Over 4 years to 5 years	27,923		27,884
	Over 5 years	7,342		8,011
	Total	$	1,455,746	$	1,001,648
	Account balances:
	Less than $100,000	$	515,570	$	490,902
	$100,000 or more	940,176		510,746
	Total	$	1,455,746	$	1,001,648
	Included in time deposits are brokered deposits of $379.6 million and $23.4 million at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.  Also included are certificates of deposit through the Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service (CDARS) network of $24.8 million at December 31, 2014.  There were no CDARS deposits at December 31, 2013. Included in money market deposits presented on the consolidated balance sheet are reciprocal deposits of $9.4 million at December 31, 2014. There were no reciprocal deposits at December 31, 2013.

BORROWED_FUNDS

BORROWED FUNDS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
BORROWED FUNDS
BORROWED FUNDS
	NOTE 12.BORROWED FUNDS
	Borrowed funds at December 31, 2014 and 2013 are summarized, as follows:
		2014				2013
				Weighted				Weighted
				Average				Average
	(in thousands, except rates)	Principal		Rate		Principal		Rate
	Short-term borrowings:
	Advances from the FHLBB	$	890,900	0.24	%	$	862,510	0.22	%
	Other Borrowings	10,000		1.80		10,000		1.92
	Total short-term borrowings:	900,900		0.23		872,510		0.24
	Long-term borrowings:
	Advances from the FHLBB	61,676		0.93		101,918		1.23
	Subordinated notes	74,283		7.00		74,215		7.00
	Junior subordinated notes	15,464		2.08		15,464		2.09
	Total long-term borrowings:	151,423		4.03		191,597		3.53
	Total	$	1,052,323	0.79	%	$	1,064,107	0.83	%
	Short-term debt includes Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston (“FHLBB”) advances with an original maturity of less than one year and a short-term line-of-credit drawdown through a correspondent bank. The Bank also maintains a $3.0 million secured line of credit with the FHLBB that bears a daily adjustable rate calculated by the FHLBB. There was no outstanding balance on the FHLBB line of credit for the period ended December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013. The Company is in compliance with all debt covenants as of December 31, 2014.
	The Bank is approved to borrow on a short-term basis from the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston as a non-member bank. The Bank has pledged certain loans and securities to the Federal Reserve Bank to support this arrangement. No borrowings with the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston took place for the period ended December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
	Long-term FHLBB advances consist of advances with an original maturity of more than one year.  The advances outstanding at December 31, 2014 include callable advances totaling $5.0 million, and amortizing advances totaling $5.1 million.  The advances outstanding at December 31, 2013 include callable advances totaling $5.0 million, and amortizing advances totaling $5.5 million. All FHLBB borrowings, including the line of credit, are secured by a blanket security agreement on certain qualified collateral, principally all residential first mortgage loans and certain securities.
	A summary of maturities of FHLBB advances at year-end 2014 and 2013 is as follows:
		2014				2013
				Weighted				Weighted
	(In thousands)	Amount		Average Rate		Amount		Average Rate
	Fixed rate advances maturing:
	2015	$	940,900	0.24	%	$	882,525	0.28	%
	2016	1,519		0.88		—		—
	2017	5,000		4.33		1,583		0.79
	2018	—		0.00		5,000		4.33
	2019 and beyond	5,157		3.85		5,320		3.83
	Total fixed rate advances	952,576		0.28		894,428		0.35
	Variable rate advances maturing:
	2015	—		0.00		10,000		0.32
	2016	—		0.00		20,000		0.30
	2017	—		0.00		10,000		0.30
	2018	—		0.00		—		0.00
	2019 and beyond	—		0.00		30,000		0.30
	Total variable rate advances	—		0.00		70,000		0.30
	Total FHLBB advances	$	952,576	0.28	%	$	964,428	0.32	%
	In September 2012, the Company issued fifteen year subordinated notes in the amount of $75.0 million at a discount of 1.15%.  The interest rate is fixed at 6.875% for the first ten years.  After ten years, the notes become callable and convert to an interest rate of three month LIBOR plus 5.113%.
	The Company holds 100% of the common stock of Berkshire Hills Capital Trust I (“Trust I”) which is included in other assets with a cost of $0.5 million.  The sole asset of Trust I is $15.5 million of the Company’s junior subordinated debentures due in 2035. These debentures bear interest at a variable rate equal to LIBOR plus 1.85% and had a rate of 2.08% and 2.09% at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. The Company has the right to defer payments of interest for up to five years on the debentures at any time, or from time to time, with certain limitations, including a restriction on the payment of dividends to stockholders while such interest payments on the debentures have been deferred.  The Company has not exercised this right to defer payments.  The Company has the right to redeem the debentures at par value. Trust I is considered a variable interest entity for which the Company is not the primary beneficiary.  Accordingly, Trust I is not consolidated into the Company’s financial statements.

OTHER_LIABILITIES

OTHER LIABILITIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
OTHER LIABILITIES:
OTHER LIABILITIES
	NOTE 13.OTHER LIABILITIES
	Year-end other liabilities are summarized as follows:
	(In thousands)	2014		2013
	Derivative liabilities	$	18,259	$	11,964
	Capital lease obligation	12,224		12,457
	Liabilities held for sale	—		24,834
	Due to broker	22,438		—
	Other	32,821		32,846
	Total other liabilities	$	85,742	$	82,101

EMPLOYEE_BENEFIT_PLANS

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
	NOTE 14.EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
	Pension Plans
	The Company maintains a legacy employer sponsored defined benefit pension plan (the “Plan”) for which participation and benefit accruals were frozen on January 1, 2003. Accordingly, no employees are permitted to commence participation in the Plan and future salary increases and years of credited service are not considered when computing an employee’s benefits under the Plan. As of December 31, 2014, all minimum Employee Retirement Income Security Act (“ERISA”) funding requirements have been met.
	Information regarding the pension plan at December 31, 2014 and 2013 is as follows:
	(In thousands)	2014			2013
	Change in projected benefit obligation:
	Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	5,666		$	6,363
	Interest cost	271			250
	Actuarial loss/gain	1,607			(504		)
	Benefits paid	(334		)	(356		)
	Settlements	(17		)	(87		)
	Projected benefit obligation at end of year	7,193			5,666
	Accumulated beenfit obligation	7,193			5,666
	Change in fair value of plan assets:
	Fair value of plan assets at plan beginning of year	5,520			4,595
	Actual return on plan assets	331			883
	Contributions by employer	256			485
	Benefits paid	(334		)	(356		)
	Settlements	(17		)	(87		)
	Fair value of plan assets at end of year	5,756			5,520
	Underfunded status	$	1,437		$	146
	Amounts Recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheet
	Other Liabilities	$	(1,437	)	$	(146	)
	Net periodic pension cost is comprised of the following for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013:
	(In thousands)	2014			2013
	Interest Cost	$	271		$	250
	Expected return on plan assets	(437		)	(367		)
	Amortization of unrecognized actuarial loss	—			101
	Net periodic pension costs	$	(166	)	$	(16	)
	Changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income during 2014 and 2013 are as follows:
	(In thousands)	2014			2013
	Amortization of actuarial loss	$	—		$	(101	)
	Actuarial loss (gain)	1,713			(1,019		)
	Total loss (gain) recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income	1,713			(1,120		)
	Total loss (gain) recognized in net periodic pension cost recognized and other comprehensive income	$	1,547		$	(1,136	)
	The amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income that have not yet been recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost are a net loss of $2.0 million and $321 thousand in 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	The Company expects to make cash contributions of $245 thousand to the pension trust during the 2014 fiscal year.
	The amount expected to be amortized from other comprehensive income into net periodic pension cost over the next fiscal year is $176 thousand.
	The principal actuarial assumptions used at December 31, 2014 and 2013 were as follows:
		2014		2013
	Projected benefit obligation
	Discount rate	3.820	%	4.950	%
	Net periodic pension cost
	Discount rate	4.950	%	4.050	%
	Long term rate of return on plan assets	8.000	%	8.000	%
	The discount rate that is used in the measurement of the pension obligation is determined by comparing the expected future retirement payment cash flows of the pension plan to the Citigroup Above Median Double-A Curve as of the measurement date. The expected long-term rate of return on Plan assets reflects long-term earnings expectations on existing Plan assets and those contributions expected to be received during the current plan year. In estimating that rate, appropriate consideration was given to historical returns earned by Plan assets in the fund and the rates of return expected to be available for reinvestment. The rates of return were adjusted to reflect current capital market assumptions and changes in investment allocations.
	The Company’s overall investment strategy with respect to the Plan’s assets is primarily for preservation of capital and to provide regular dividend and interest payments. The Plan’s targeted asset allocation is 65% equity securities via investment in the Long-Term Growth - Equity Portfolio (‘LTGE’), 34% intermediate-term investment grade bonds via investment in the Long-Term Growth - Fixed-Income Portfolio (‘LTGFI’), and 1% in cash equivalents portfolio (for liquidity). Equity securities include investments in a diverse mix of equity funds to gain exposure in the US and international markets. The fixed income portion of the Plan assets is a diversified portfolio that primarily invests in intermediate-term bond funds. The overall rate of return is based on the historical performance of the assets applied against the Plan’s target allocation, and is adjusted for the long-term inflation rate.
	The fair values for investment securities are determined by quoted prices in active markets, if available (Level 1). For securities where quoted prices are not available, fair values are calculated based on market prices of similar securities (Level 2). For securities where quoted prices or market prices of similar securities are not available, fair values are calculated using discounted cash flows or other market indicators (Level 3).
	The fair values of the Plan’s assets by asset category and level within the fair value hierarchy are as follows at December 31, 2014:
	Asset Category (In thousands)	Total			Level 1			Level 2
	Equity Mutual Funds:
	Large-Cap	$	1,847		$	—		$	1,847
	Small-Cap	488			—			488
	International	461			—			461
	Equity Trusts	926			—			926
	Large-Cap
	Fixed Income Trusts	1,822			—			1,822
	Fixed Income Mutual Funds	212			99			113
	Total	$	5,756		$	99		$	5,657
	The fair values of the Plan’s assets by asset category and level within the fair value hierarchy are as follows at December 31, 2013:
	Asset Category (In thousands)	Total			Level 1			Level 2
	Equity Mutual Funds:
	Large-Cap	$	1,515		$	1,515		$	—
Small-Cap	792			792			—
International	637			637			—
Equity Trusts
Large-Cap	1,015			—			1,015
Fixed Income Trusts	1,030			—			1,030
Fixed Income Mutual Funds	531			531			—
Total	$	5,520		$	3,475		$	2,045
The Plan did not hold any assets classified as Level 3, and there were no transfers between levels during 2014 or 2013.
Estimated benefit payments under the Company’s pension plans over the next ten years at December 31, 2014 are as follows:
Year	Payments (In thousands)
2015	377
2016	376
2017	378
2018	374
2019	419
2020 - 2024	2,051
Postretirement Benefits
The Company has an unfunded post-retirement medical plan which was assumed in connection with the Rome Bancorp acquisition in 2011.  The postretirement plan has been modified so that participation is closed to those employees who did not meet the retirement eligibility requirements by March 31, 2011. The Company contributes partially to medical benefits and life insurance coverage for retirees. Such retirees and their surviving spouses are responsible for the remainder of the medical benefits, including increases in premiums levels, between the total premium and the Company’s contribution.
The Company also has an executive long-term care (“LTC”) postretirement benefit plan which started August 1, 2014.  The LTC plan reimburses executives for certain costs in the event of a future chronic illness. Funding of the plan comes from Company paid insurance policies or direct payments.  At plan’s inception, a $558 thousand benefit obligation was recorded against equity representing the prior service cost of plan participants.
Information regarding the postretirement plan at December 31, 2014 and 2013 is as follows:
(In thousands)	2014			2013
Change in accumulated post retirement benefit obligation:
Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	996		$	1,184
Prior service cost of long-term care plan particpants	558			—
Service Cost	12			—
Interest cost	48			37
Participant contributions	44			40
Actuarial loss/ (gain)	26			(187		)
Benefits paid	(80		)	(78		)
Amendments	—			—
Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation at end of year	$	1,604		$	996
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	—		$	—
Contributions by employer	36			38
Contributions by participant	44			40
Benefits paid	(80		)	(78		)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	—		$	—
Amounts Recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheet
Other Liabilities	$	(1,604	)	$	(996	)
Net periodic postretirement cost is comprised of the following for the year ended December 31, 2014 and 2013:
(In thousands)	2014			2013
Service cost	$	12		$	—
Interest costs	48			37
Amortization of net prior service credit	(11		)	(34		)
Amortization of net actuarial loss	—			7
Net periodic postretirement costs	$	49		$	10
Changes in benefit obligations recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income during 2014 and 2013 are as follows:
(In thousands)	2014			2013
Amortization of actuarial loss	$	—		$	(9	)
Amortization of prior service credit	11			34
Net actuarial (gain) loss	27			(187		)
Total recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income	38			(162		)
Accrued postretirement liability recognized	$	1,347		$	1,333
The amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income that have not yet been recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost are as follows:
(In thousands)	2014			2013
Net prior service cost (credit)	$	231		$	(338	)
Net actuarial (gain) loss	27			1
Total recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income	258			(337		)
The amount expected to be amortized from other comprehensive income into net periodic postretirement cost over the next fiscal year is $22 thousand.
The discount rates used in the measurement of the postretirement medical and LTC plan obligations are determined by comparing the expected future retirement payment cash flows of the plans to the Citigroup Above Median Double-A Curve as of the measurement date.
The assumed discount rates on a weighted-average basis were 3.75% and 4.00% as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. The assumed health care cost trend rate used in measuring the accumulated post-retirement benefit medical obligation is expected to be 7.50% for 2015, and is gradually expected to decrease to 6.38% by 2019. This assumption may have a significant effect on the amounts reported.  However, as noted above, increases in premium levels are the financial responsibility of the plan beneficiary.  Thus an increase or decrease in 1% of the health care cost trend rates utilized would have had an immaterial effect on the service and interest cost as well as the accumulated post-retirement benefit obligation for the postretirement plan as of December 31, 2014.
For participants in the LTC plan covered by insurance policies, no increase in annual premiums is assumed based on the history of the corresponding insurance provider.
The Company expects to contribute $88 thousand to the postretirement benefit plans during the next fiscal year. This amount is equal to the expected benefit payments in this unfunded plan.
Estimated benefit payments under the postretirement benefit plan over the next ten years at December 31, 2014 are as follows:
Year	Payments (In thousands)
2015	88
2016	88
2017	88
2018	98
2019	97
2020 - 2024	503
401(k) Plan
The Company provides a 401(k) Plan in which most employees participate. The Company contributes a non-elective 3% of gross annual wages for each participant, regardless of the participant’s deferral, in addition to a 100% match up to 4% of gross annual wages. The Company’s contributions vest immediately. Expense related to the plan was $3.0 million in 2014, $2.9 million in 2013, and $2.5 million in 2012.
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”)
As part of the acquisition of Beacon during 2012, along with two acquisitions during 2011, the Company acquired ESOP plans that were frozen and terminated prior to the completion of those transactions. On the acquisition dates, all amounts in the plans were vested and the loans under the plans were repaid from the sale proceeds of unallocated shares.
Other Plans
The Company maintains a supplemental executive retirement plan (“SERP”) for a few select executives. Benefits generally commence no earlier than age sixty-two and are payable at the executive’s option, either as an annuity or as a lump sum. Some of these SERPs were assumed in connection with the Beacon acquisition in 2012. At year-end 2014 and 2013, the accrued liability for these SERPs were $4.6 million and $4.2 million, respectively. SERP expense was $583 thousand in 2014, $453 thousand in 2013, and $373 thousand in 2012, and is recognized over the required service period.
The Company has endorsement split-dollar life insurance arrangements pertaining to certain current and prior executives. Under these arrangements, the Company purchased policies insuring the lives of the executives, and separately entered into agreements to split the policy benefits with the executive. There are no post-retirement benefits associated with these policies.

INCOME_TAXES

INCOME TAXES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
INCOME TAXES
INCOME TAXES
	NOTE 15.INCOME TAXES
	Provision for Income Taxes
	The components of the Company’s provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 were, as follows:
	(In thousands)	2014			2013			2012
	Current:
	Federal tax expense	$	294		$	5,124		$	2,298
	State tax expense	305			2,171			1,278
	Total current expense	599			7,295			3,576
	Deferred:
	Federal tax expense	8,685			9,445			9,247
	State tax expense	2,509			2,115			912
	Total deferred tax expense	11,194			11,560			10,159
	Decrease in valuation allowance	(30		)	(1,751		)	(136		)
	Total income tax expense	$	11,763		$	17,104		$	13,599
	Effective Tax Rate
	The following is a reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate to the Company’s effective tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012:
		2014					2013					2012
	(In thousands, except rates)	Amount			Rate		Amount			Rate		Amount			Rate
	Statutory tax rate	$	15,928		35	%	$	20,387		35	%	$	16,375		35	%
	Increase (decrease) resulting from:
	State taxes, net of federal tax benefit	1,810			4		2,760			4.7		1,715			3.7
	Tax exempt income - investments, net	(2,796		)	(6.1	)	(2,211		)	(3.8	)	(2,187		)	(4.7	)
	Bank-owned life insurance	(1,070		)	(2.4	)	(631		)	(1.1	)	(950		)	(2.0	)
	Disallowed merger costs	206			0.5		—			—		523			1.1
	Non-deductible goodwill on branch divestiture	—			—		—			—		419			0.9
	Tax credits, net of basis reduction	(1,658		)	(3.6	)	(995		)	(1.7	)	(1,148		)	(2.5	)
	Reduction in valuation allowance	—			—		(1,712		)	(2.9	)	(428		)	(0.9	)
	Other, net	(657		)	(1.5	)	(494		)	(0.9	)	(720		)	(1.5	)
	Effective tax rate	$	11,763		25.9	%	$	17,104		29.3	%	$	13,599		29.1	%
	Deferred Tax Liabilities and Assets
	As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, significant components of the Company’s deferred tax asset and liabilities were, as follows:
	(In thousands)	2014			2013
	Deferred tax assets:
	Allowance for loan losses	$	14,710		$	14,391
	Tax credit carryforwards	11,238			9,867
	Net unrealized loss on swaps, securities available for sale, and pension in OCI	—			5,740
	Employee benefit plans	6,103			5,331
	Purchase accounting adjustments	7,126			18,350
	Net operating loss and capital loss carryforwards	5,538			7,731
	Other	2,134			2,256
	Deferred tax assets, net before valuation allowances	46,849			63,666
	Valuation allowance	(968		)	(998		)
	Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowances	$	45,881		$	62,668
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Investments	$	(773	)	$	(896	)
	Premises and equipment	(4,575		)	(2,836		)
	Net unrealized gain on swaps, securities available for sale, and pension in OCI	(3,823		)	—
	Intangible amortization	(7,934		)	(8,225		)
	Deferred tax liabilities	$	(17,105	)	$	(11,957	)
	Deferred tax assets, net	$	28,776		$	50,711
	The Company’s net deferred tax asset decreased by $21.9 million during 2014, reflecting an $11.2 million deferred tax expense and $10.8 million expense recognized as a decrease in shareholder’s equity.
	Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowances, are expected to be realized through the reversal of existing taxable temporary differences and future taxable income.
	Valuation Allowances
	The components of the Company’s valuation allowance on its deferred tax asset, net as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 were, as follows:
	(in thousands)	2014			2013
	State net operating loss carry-forward, net of Federal tax benefit (of 35%)	$	(739	)	$	(762	)
	State tax basis difference, net of Federal tax benefit (of 35%)	(229		)	(236		)
	Valuation allowances	$	(968	)	$	(998	)
	The state net operating loss carry-forward, net of Federal tax benefit was originally recorded in 2012 in connection with the Connecticut Bank and Trust Company acquisition.  That valuation allowance is based on management’s assessment that is it more likely than not that the Company will not be able to utilize the net operating loss carry-forwards to offset future taxable earnings in the state of Connecticut.
	The state tax basis difference, net of Federal tax benefit was also originally recorded in 2012, due to management’s assessment that it is more likely than not that certain deferred tax assets recorded for the difference between the book basis and the state tax basis in certain tax credit limited partnership investments (LPs) will not be realized.  Management anticipates that the remaining excess state tax basis will be realized as a capital loss upon disposition, and that it is unlikely that the Company will have capital gains against which to offset such capital losses.
	The valuation allowances as of December 31, 2014 are subject to change in the future as the Company continues to periodically assess the likelihood of realizing its deferred tax assets.
	Tax Attributes
	At December 31, 2014, the Company has $13.3 million of federal US net operating loss carryforwards, $11.3 million of New York State net operating losses and $13.9 million of Connecticut net operating losses available that were obtained through acquisitions, the utilization of which are limited under Internal Revenue Code 382.  These net operating losses begin to expire in 2024. The related deferred tax asset is $5.5 million which is comprised of a federal deferred tax asset of $4.6 million and a state deferred tax asset of $0.9m. The state deferred tax asset reflects the impact of state apportionment and state statutory rates that are applied to the state net operating losses. We believe that it is more likely than not that the benefits of the Connecticut net operating loss carryforwards will not be realized and, accordingly, we have recorded a valuation allowance of $0.7 million as of December 31, 2014. In addition, the Company has general business tax credit carryforwards of $7.5 million available that expire beginning in 2027, and alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards of $3.8 million with no expiration date. The Company anticipates utilizing these carryforwards prior to their expirations.
Unrecognized Tax Benefits
On a periodic basis, the Company evaluates its income tax positions based on tax laws and regulations and financial reporting considerations, and records adjustments as appropriate. This evaluation takes into consideration the status of taxing authorities’ current examinations of the Company’s tax returns, recent positions taken by the taxing authorities on similar transactions, if any, and the overall tax environment in relation to uncertain tax positions.
The following table presents changes in unrecognized tax benefits for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012:
(In thousands)	2014			2013			2012
Unrecognized tax benefits at January 1	$	477		$	492		$	774
Increase in gross amounts of tax positions related to prior years	55			321			173
Decrease in gross amounts of tax positions related to prior years	—			(150		)	(140		)
Decrease due to settlement with taxing authority	—			(186		)	(240		)
Increase in gross amounts of tax positions related to current year	93			—			50
Decrease due to lapse in statute of limitations	(72		)	—			(125		)
Unrecognized tax benefits at December 31	$	553		$	477		$	492
It is reasonably possible that over the next twelve months the amount of unrecognized tax benefits may change from the reevaluation of uncertain tax positions arising in examinations, in appeals, or in the courts, or from the closure of tax statutes.  The Company does not expect any significant changes in unrecognized tax benefits during the next twelve months.
All of the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits, if recognized, would be recorded as a component of income tax expense, therefore, affecting the effective tax rate.  The Company recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to the liability for uncertain tax positions as a component in income tax expense.  The accrual for interest and penalties was not material in all years.
The Company and its subsidiaries file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction as well as in various states.  In the normal course of business, the Company is subject to U.S. federal, state and local income tax examinations by tax authorities.  The Company is no longer subject to examination for tax years prior to 2010 including any related income tax filings from its recent acquisitions.  The Company is currently under audit in the state of New York for tax years 2010-2012.

DERIVATIVE_INSTRUMENTS_AND_HED

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES
DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES
	NOTE 16.DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES
	At year-end 2014, the Company held derivatives with a total notional amount of $1 billion.  That amount included $300 million in forward starting interest rate swap derivatives that were designated as cash flow hedges for accounting purposes.  The Company also had economic hedges and non-hedging derivatives totaling $695.1 million and $39.6 million, respectively, which are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes and are therefore recorded at fair value with changes in fair value recorded directly through earnings.  Economic hedges included interest rate swaps totaling $606.9 million, risk participation agreements with dealer banks of $45.8 million, and $42.4 million in forward commitment contracts.
	As part of the Company’s risk management strategy, the Company enters into interest rate swap agreements to mitigate the interest rate risk inherent in certain of the Company’s assets and liabilities. Interest rate swap agreements involve the risk of dealing with both Bank customers and institutional derivative counterparties and their ability to meet contractual terms. The agreements are entered into with counterparties that meet established credit standards and contain master netting and collateral provisions protecting the at-risk party. The derivatives program is overseen by the Risk Management Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors. Based on adherence to the Company’s credit standards and the presence of the netting and collateral provisions, the Company believes that the credit risk inherent in these contracts was not significant at December 31, 2014.
	The Company pledged collateral to derivative counterparties in the form of cash totaling $3.4 million and securities with an amortized cost of $22.8 million and a fair value of $23.1 million at year-end 2014. The Company does not typically require its commercial customers to post cash or securities as collateral on its program of back-to-back economic hedges. However certain language is written into the International Swaps Dealers Association, Inc. (“ISDA”) and loan documents where, in default situations, the Bank 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 in the future in proportion to potential increases in unrealized loss positions.
	Information about interest rate swap agreements and non-hedging derivative assets and liabilities at December 31, 2014 follows:
						Weighted						Estimated
			Notional			Average		Weighted Average Rate				Fair Value
	December 31, 2014		Amount			Maturity		Received		Contract pay rate		Asset (Liability)
			(In thousands)			(In years)						(In thousands)
	Cash flow hedges:
	Forward-starting interest rate swaps on FHLBB borrowings		300,000			4.3		—		2.29	%	(3,299		)
	Total cash flow hedges		300,000									(3,299		)
	Economic hedges:
	Interest rate swap on tax advantaged economic development bond		12,554			14.9		0.52	%	5.09	%	(2,578		)
	Interest rate swaps on loans with commercial loan customers		297,158			6		2.23	%	4.54	%	(12,183		)
	Reverse interest rate swaps on loans with commercial loan customers		297,158			6		4.54	%	2.23	%	12,221
	Risk participation agreements with dealer banks		45,842			16.6						(91		)
	Forward sale commitments		42,366			0.2						(510		)
	Total economic hedges		695,078									(3,141		)
	Non-hedging derivatives:
	Interest rate lock commitments		39,589			0.2						625
	Total non-hedging derivatives		39,589									625
	Total		$	1,034,667								$	(5,815	)
	Information about interest rate swap agreements and non-hedging derivative asset and liabilities at December 31, 2013 follows:
						Weighted						Estimated
			Notional			Average		Weighted Average Rate				Fair Value
	December 31, 2013		Amount			Maturity		Received		Contract pay rate		Asset (Liability)
			(In thousands)			(In years)						(In thousands)
	Cash flow hedges:
	Interest rate swaps on FHLBB borrowings		$	150,000		2.5		0.25	%	2.61	%	$	(3,102	)
	Forward-starting interest rate swaps on FHLBB borrowings		260,000			4.5		—		1.88	%	1,015
	Interest rate swaps on junior subordinated notes		15,000			0.4		2.09	%	5.54	%	(203		)
	Total cash flow hedges		425,000									(2,290		)
	Economic hedges:
	Interest rate swap on tax advantaged economic development bond		13,095			15.9		0.54	%	5.09	%	(1,889		)
	Interest rate swaps on loans with commercial loan customers		206,933			5.4		2.44	%	4.68	%	(6,278		)
	Reverse interest rate swaps on loans with commercial loan customers		206,933			5.4		4.68	%	2.44	%	6,286
	Forward sale commitments		32,911			0.2						261
	Total economic hedges		459,872									(1,620		)
	Non-hedging derivatives:
	Interest rate lock commitments		20,199			0.2						258
	Total non-hedging derivatives		20,199									258
	Total		$	905,071								$	(3,652	)
	Cash Flow Hedges
	The effective portion of unrealized changes in the fair value of derivatives accounted for as cash flow hedges is reported in other comprehensive income and subsequently reclassified to earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. Each quarter, the Company assesses the effectiveness of each hedging relationship by comparing the changes in cash flows of the derivative hedging instrument with the changes in cash flows of the designated hedged item or transaction. The ineffective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivatives is recognized directly in earnings.
	The Company has entered into six forward-starting interest rate swaps contracts with a combined notional value of $300.0 million as of year-end 2014. The six forward-starting swaps become effective in 2016 having durations of three years. This hedge strategy converts the one month rolling FHLBB borrowings based on the FHLBB’s one month fixed interest rate to fixed interest rates, thereby protecting the Company from floating interest rate variability.
	Amounts included in the Consolidated Statements of Income and in the other comprehensive income section of the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (related to interest rate derivatives designated as hedges of cash flows), were as follows:
			Years Ended December 31,
	(In thousands)		2014			2013
	Interest rate swaps on FHLBB borrowings:
	Unrealized (loss) gain recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss		$	(6,405	)	$	11,783
	Reclassification of unrealized (loss) from accumulated other comprehensive loss to interest expense		—			(3,620		)
	Reclassification of unrealized loss from accumulated other comprehensive loss to other non-interest expense for termination of swaps		8,630			943
	Reclassification of unrealized deferred tax (benefit) from accumulated other comprehensive loss to tax expense for terminated swaps		(3,611		)	(489		)
	Net tax benefit (expense) on items recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss		2,583			(3,276		)
	Interest rate swaps on junior subordinated notes:
	Unrealized (loss) recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss		(1		)	(18		)
	Reclassification of unrealized loss from accumulated other comprehensive loss to interest expense		204			519
	Net tax expense on items recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss		(80		)	(197		)
	Other comprehensive income recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of reclassification adjustments and tax effects		$	1,320		$	5,645
	Net interest expense recognized in interest expense on hedged FHLBB borrowings		$	—		$	4,374
	Net interest expense recognized in interest expense on junior subordinated notes		$	204		$	519
	Hedge ineffectiveness on interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges was immaterial to the Company’s financial statements during the year-ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.
Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive income related to derivatives will be reclassified to interest expense as interest payments are made on the Company’s variable-rate liabilities. During the next twelve months, the Company does not anticipate any such reclassifications.
As a result of the branch acquisition, in the first quarter of 2014, the Company initiated and subsequently terminated all of its interest rate swaps, with various institutions, associated with FHLB advances with 3-month LIBOR based floating interest rates with an aggregate notional amount of $30 million, all of its interest rate swaps associated with 90 day rolling FHLB advances issued using the FHLB’s 3-month fixed interest rate with an aggregate notional amount of $145 million and all of its forward-starting interest rate swaps associated with 90 day rolling FHLB advances issued using the FHLB’s 3-month fixed interest rate with an aggregate notional amount of $235 million. In the first quarter of 2014, the Company elected to extinguish $215 million of FHLB advances related to the terminated swaps. As a result the Company reclassified $8.6 million of losses from the effective portion of the unrealized changes in the fair value of the terminated derivatives from other comprehensive income to non-interest income as the forecasted transactions to the related FHLB advances will not occur.
Economic hedges
As of December 31, 2014 the Company has an interest rate swap with a $12.6 million notional amount to swap out the fixed rate of interest on an economic development bond bearing a fixed rate of 5.09%, currently within the Company’s trading portfolio under the fair value option, in exchange for a LIBOR-based floating rate. The intent of the economic hedge is to improve the Company’s asset sensitivity to changing interest rates in anticipation of favorable average floating rates of interest over the 21-year life of the bond.  The fair value changes of the economic development bond are mostly offset by fair value changes of the related interest rate swap.
The Company also offers certain derivative products directly to qualified commercial borrowers.  The Company economically hedges derivative transactions executed with commercial borrowers by entering into mirror-image, offsetting derivatives with third-party financial institutions.  The transaction allows the Company’s customer to convert a variable-rate loan to a fixed rate loan. Because the Company acts as an intermediary for its customer, changes in the fair value of the underlying derivative contracts mostly offset each other in earnings. Credit valuation adjustments arising from the difference in credit worthiness of the commercial loan and financial institution counterparties totaled $37.3 thousand at year-end 2014.  The interest income and expense on these mirror image swaps exactly offset each other.
The Company has risk participation agreements with dealer banks. Risk participation agreements occur when the Company participates on a loan and a swap where another bank is the lead.  The Company gets paid a fee to take on the risk associated with having to make the lead bank whole on Berkshire’s portion of the pro-rated swap should the borrower default.
The Company utilizes forward sale commitments to hedge interest rate risk and the associated effects on the fair value of interest rate lock commitments and loans held for sale.  The forward sale commitments are accounted for as derivatives with changes in fair value recorded in current period earnings.
The company uses the following types of forward sale commitments contracts:
	·		Best efforts loan sales,
	·		Mandatory delivery loan sales, and
	·		To be announced (TBA) mortgage-backed securities sales.
A best efforts contract refers to a loan sales agreement where the Company commits to deliver an individual mortgage loan of a specified principal amount and quality to an investor if the loan to the underlying borrower closes.  The Company may enter into a best efforts contract once the price is known, which is shortly after the potential borrower’s interest rate is locked.
A mandatory delivery contract is a loan sales agreement where the Company commits to deliver a certain principal amount of mortgage loans to an investor at a specified price on or before a specified date.  Generally, the Company may enter into mandatory delivery contracts shortly after the loan closes with a customer.
The Company may sell to-be-announced mortgage-backed securities to hedge the changes in fair value of interest rate lock commitments and held for sale loans, which do not have corresponding best efforts or mandatory delivery contracts.  These security sales transactions are closed once mandatory contracts are written.  On the closing date the price of the security is locked-in, and the sale is paired-off with a purchase of the same security.  Settlement of the security purchase/sale transaction is done with cash on a net-basis.
Non-hedging derivatives
The Company enters into interest rate lock commitments (“IRLCs”) for residential mortgage loans, which commit the Company to lend funds to a potential borrower at a specific interest rate and within a specified period of time.  IRLCs that relate to the origination of mortgage loans that will be held for sale are considered derivative financial instruments under applicable accounting guidance.  Outstanding IRLCs expose the Company to the risk that the price of the mortgage loans underlying the commitments may decline due to increases in mortgage interest rates from inception of the rate lock to the funding of the loan.  The IRLCs are free-standing derivatives which are carried at fair value with changes recorded in noninterest income in the Company’s consolidated statements of income.  Changes in the fair value of IRLCs subsequent to inception are based on changes in the fair value of the underlying loan resulting from the fulfillment of the commitment and changes in the probability that the loan will fund within the terms of the commitment, which is affected primarily by changes in interest rates and the passage of time.
Amounts included in the Consolidated Statements of Income related to economic hedges and non-hedging derivatives were as follows:
		Years Ended December 31,
(In thousands)		2014			2013
Economic hedges
Interest rate swap on industrial revenue bond:
Unrealized (loss) gain recognized in other non-interest income		$	(1,333	)	$	972
Interest rate swaps on loans with commercial loan customers:
Unrealized gain recognized in other non-interest income		(4,514		)	(6,004		)
Reverse interest rate swaps on loans with commercial loan customers:
Unrealized loss recognized in other non-interest income		4,514			6,004
Favorable change in credit valuation adjustment recognized in other non-interest income		20			450
Risk Participation Agreements:
Unrealized loss recognized in other non-interest income		(91		)	—
Forward Commitments:
Unrealized (loss) gain recognized in other non-interest income		(510		)	261
Realized (loss) gain in other non-interest income		(1,494		)	7,501
Non-hedging derivatives
Interest rate lock commitments:
Unrealized gain recognized in other non-interest income		625			258
Realized gain (loss) in other non-interest income		$	3,938		$	(2,467	)
Assets and Liabilities Subject to Enforceable Master Netting Arrangements
Interest Rate Swap Agreements (“Swap Agreements”)
The Company enters into swap agreements to facilitate the risk management strategies for commercial banking customers. The Company mitigates this risk by entering into equal and offsetting swap agreements with highly rated third party financial institutions. The swap agreements are free-standing derivatives and are recorded at fair value in the Company’s consolidated statements of condition. The Company is party to master netting arrangements with its financial institution counterparties; however, the Company does not offset assets and liabilities under these arrangements for financial statement presentation purposes. The master netting arrangements provide for a single net settlement of all swap agreements, as well as collateral, in the event of default on, or termination of, any one contract. Collateral generally in the form of marketable securities is received or posted by the counterparty with net liability positions, respectively, in accordance with contract thresholds.  The Company had net asset positions with its commercial banking counterparties totaling $12.3 million and $7.8 million as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.  The Company had net liability positions with its financial institution counterparties totaling $18.2 million and $11.2 million as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.  At December 31, 2014, the Company also had a net liability position of $0.1 million with its commercial banking counterparties as compared to $720 thousand liability at December 31, 2013.  The collateral posted by the Company that covered liability positions was $18.2 million and $11.2 million as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
The following table presents the assets and liabilities subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
Offsetting of Financial Assets and Derivative Assets
								Net Amounts
		Gross			Gross Amounts			of Assets			Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statements
		Amounts of			Offset in the			Presented in the			of Condition
		Recognized			Statements of			Statements of			Financial			Cash
(in thousands)		Assets			Condition			Condition			Instruments			Collateral Received		Net Amount
As of December 31, 2014
Interest Rate Swap Agreements:
Institutional counterparties		$	23		$	—		$	23		$	—		$	—	$	23
Commercial counterparties		12,270			—			12,270			—			—		12,270
Total		$	12,293		$	—		$	12,293		$	—		$	—	$	12,293
Offsetting of Financial Liabilities and Derivative Liaibilities
								Net Amounts
		Gross			Gross Amounts			of Liabilities			Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statements
		Amounts of			Offset in the			Presented in the			of Condition
		Recognized			Statements of			Statements of			Financial			Cash
(in thousands)		Liabilities			Condition			Condition			Instruments			Collateral Pledged		Net Amount
As of December 31, 2014
Interest Rate Swap Agreements:
Institutional counterparties		$	(18,232	)	$	58		$	(18,174	)	$	14,984		$	3,190	$	—
Commercial counterparties		(50		)	—			(50		)	—			—		(50		)
Total		$	(18,282	)	$	58		$	(18,224	)	$	14,984		$	3,190	$	(50	)
Offsetting of Financial Assets and Derivative Assets
								Net Amounts
		Gross			Gross Amounts			of Assets			Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statements
		Amounts of			Offset in the			Presented in the			of Condition
		Recognized			Statements of			Statements of			Financial			Cash
(in thousands)		Assets			Condition			Condition			Instruments			Collateral Received		Net Amount
As of December 31, 2013
Interest Rate Swap Agreements:
Institutional counterparties		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—	$	—
Commercial counterparties		7,799			—			7,799			—			—		7,799
Total		$	7,799		$	—		$	7,799		$	—		$	—	$	7,799
Offsetting of Financial Liabilities and Derivative Liaibilities
								Net Amounts
		Gross			Gross Amounts			of Liabilities			Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statements
		Amounts of			Offset in the			Presented in the			of Condition
		Recognized			Statements of			Statements of			Financial			Cash
(in thousands)		Liabilities			Condition			Condition			Instruments			Collateral Pledged		Net Amount
As of December 31, 2013
Interest Rate Swap Agreements:
Institutional counterparties		$	(13,157	)	$	1,913		$	(11,244	)	$	9,544		$	1,700	$	—
Commercial counterparties		(720		)	—			(720		)	—			—		(720		)
Total		$	(13,877	)	$	1,913		$	(11,964	)	$	9,544		$	1,700	$	(720	)

OTHER_COMMITMENTS_CONTINGENCIE

OTHER COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES, AND OFF-BALANCE SHEET ACTIVITIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
OTHER COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES, AND OFF-BALANCE SHEET ACTIVITIES
OTHER COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES, AND OFF-BALANCE SHEET ACTIVITIES
	NOTE 17.OTHER COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES, AND OFF-BALANCE SHEET ACTIVITIES
	Credit Related Financial Instruments. The Company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. Such commitments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
	The Company’s exposure to credit loss in the event of non-performance by the other party to the financial instrument is represented by the contractual amount of these commitments. The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments as it does for on-balance-sheet instruments.
	A summary of financial instruments outstanding whose contract amounts represent credit risk is as follows at year-end:
	(In thousands)	2014		2013
	Commitments to originate new loans	$	67,817	$	129,699
	Unused funds on commercial and other lines of credit	514,179		523,090
	Unadvanced funds on home equity lines of credit	225,731		226,330
	Unadvanced funds on construction and real estate loans	183,301		158,131
	Standby letters of credit	12,462		14,996
	Lease obligation	12,206		12,448
	Total	$	1,015,696	$	1,064,694
	Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. The commitments for lines of credit may expire without being drawn upon. Therefore, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. The Company evaluates each customer’s creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis.
	Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Company to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. These letters of credit are primarily issued to support borrowing arrangements. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loan facilities to customers. The Company considers standby letters of credit to be guarantees and the amount of the recorded liability related to such guarantees was not material at year-end 2014.
	Operating Lease Commitments. Future minimum rental payments required under operating leases at year-end 2014 are as follows: 2015 — $7.2 million; 2016 — $5.1 million; 2017 — $4.4 million; 2018 - $3.6 million; 2019- $2.8 million; and all years thereafter — $27.0 million. The leases contain options to extend for periods up to twenty years. The cost of such rental options is not included above. Total rent expense for the years 2014, 2013, and 2012 amounted to $7.2 million, $5.7 million, and $4.7 million, respectively.
	Lease Obligations. Future obligations required under the capital lease at year-end 2014 are $751 thousand in 2015; $715 thousand in 2016; $680 thousand in 2017; $647 thousand in 2018; $646 thousand in 2019 and $6.8 million all years thereafter.  Amortization under the capital lease is included with premises and equipment depreciation and amortization expense.
	Future obligations required under the financing lease at year-end 2014 are $80 thousand in 2015; $80 thousand in 2016; $81 thousand in 2017; $86 thousand in 2018; $86 thousand in 2019; and $1.7 million all years thereafter.  Amortization under the financing lease is included with premises and equipment depreciation and amortization expense.
	Employment and Change in Control Agreements. The Company and the Bank have entered into a three-year employment agreement with one senior executive.  The Company and the Bank also have change in control agreements with several officers which provide a severance payment in the event employment is terminated in conjunction with a defined change in control.
	Legal Claims. Various legal claims arise from time to time in the normal course of business. In the opinion of management, claims outstanding at year-end 2014 will have no material effect on the Company’s financial statements.

STOCKHOLDERS_EQUITY_AND_EARNIN

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY AND EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY AND EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY AND EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
	NOTE 18.STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
	Minimum Regulatory Capital Requirements
	The Company and Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal and state banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if imposed, could have a direct material impact on the Company’s financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Company and Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of its assets, liabilities and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weighting and other factors.
	Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Company and Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the following table) of total and Tier 1 capital (as defined in the regulations) to risk-weighted assets (as defined) and of Tier 1 capital to average assets (as defined). As of year-end 2014 and 2013, the Bank met the capital adequacy requirements.  As required starting in 2014, the Company met the capital adequacy requirements. Regulators may set higher expected capital requirements in some cases based on their examinations.
	As of year-end 2014 and 2013, the Bank met the conditions to be classified as “well capitalized” under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. As of year-end 2014, the Company met the conditions to be classified as “well capitalized” under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as well capitalized, an institution must maintain minimum total risk-based, Tier 1 risk-based, and Tier 1 leverage ratios as set forth in the following tables.
	The Company and Bank’s actual and required capital amounts were as follows:
												Minimum to be Well
							Minimum					Capitalized Under
							Capital					Prompt Corrective
		Actual					Requirement					Action Provisions
	(Dollars in thousands)	Amount			Ratio		Amount			Ratio		Amount			Ratio
	December 31, 2014
	Company (Consolidated)
	Total capital to risk-weighted assets	$	542,608		11.38		$	381,463		8.00	%	$	476,829		10.00	%
	Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets	430,374			9.03		190,731			4.00		286,097			6.00
	Tier 1 capital to average assets	430,374			7.01		245,558			4.00		306,947			5.00
	Bank
	Total capital to risk-weighted assets	$	513,368		10.78		$	380,959		8.00		$	476,199		10.00	%
	Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets	440,420			9.25		190,479			4.00		285,719			6.00
	Tier 1 capital to average assets	440,420			7.18		245,494			4.00		306,867			5.00
	December 31, 2013
	Company (Consolidated)
	Total capital to risk-weighted assets	N/A			N/A		N/A			8.00	%	N/A			10.00	%
	Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets	N/A			N/A		N/A			4.00		N/A			6.00
	Tier 1 capital to average assets	N/A			N/A		N/A			4.00		N/A			5.00
	Bank
	Total capital to risk-weighted assets	$	486,075		11.62	%	$	334,555		8.00	%	$	418,193		10.00	%
	Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets	416,803			9.97		167,277			4.00		250,916			6.00
	Tier 1 capital to average assets	416,803			7.99		208,685			4.00		260,857			5.00
	A reconciliation of the Company’s year-end total stockholders’ equity to the Company’s regulatory capital is as follows:
	(In thousands)	2014			2013
	Total stockholders’ equity per consolidated financial statements	$	709,287		N/A
	Adjustments for Bank Tier 1 Capital:
	Net unrealized loss (gain) on available for sale securities	(9,916		)	N/A
	Net unrealized loss on cash flow hedges	3,338			N/A
	Qualifying restricted core capital elements	15,000			N/A
	Disallowed goodwill and other intangible assets	(276,270		)	N/A
	Disallowed deferred taxes	(11,065		)	N/A
	Total Bank Tier 1 Capital	430,374			N/A
	Adjustments for total capital:
	Qualifying subordinated debt	74,283			N/A
	Includible allowances for loan losses	35,722			N/A
	Net unrealized loss on available for sale securities includible in Tier 2 capital	2,229			N/A
	Total Bank capital per regulatory reporting	$	542,608		N/A
	A reconciliation of the Company’s year-end total stockholders’ equity to the Bank’s regulatory capital is as follows:
	(In thousands)	2014			2013
	Total stockholders’ equity per consolidated financial statements	$	709,287		$	678,062
	Adjustments for Bank Tier 1 Capital:
	Holding company equity adjustment	1,868			(3,764		)
	Net unrealized loss (gain) on available for sale securities	(9,912		)	5,749
	Net unrealized loss on cash flow hedges	3,338			3,158
	Disallowed goodwill and other intangible assets	(251,748		)	(245,405		)
	Disallowed deferred taxes	(12,413		)	(20,997		)
	Total Bank Tier 1 Capital	440,420			416,803
	Adjustments for total capital:
	Qualifying subordinated debt	35,000			35,000
	Includible allowances for loan losses	35,722			33,383
	Net unrealized loss on available for sale securities includible in Tier 2 capital	2,226			889
	Total Bank capital per regulatory reporting	$	513,368		$	486,075
	Common stock
	The Bank is subject to dividend restrictions imposed by various regulators, including a limitation on the total of all dividends that the Bank may pay to the Company in any calendar year. The total of all dividends shall not exceed the Bank’s net income for the current year (as defined by statute), plus the Bank’s net income retained for the two previous years, without regulatory approval.  Dividends from the Bank are an important source of funds to the Company to make dividend payments on its common and preferred stock, to make payments on its borrowings, and for its other cash needs.  The ability of the Company and the Bank to pay dividends is dependent on regulatory policies and regulatory capital requirements.  The ability to pay such dividends in the future may be adversely affected by new legislation or regulations, or by changes in regulatory policies relating to capital, safety and soundness, and other regulatory concerns.
	The payment of dividends by the Company is subject to Delaware law, which generally limits dividends to an amount equal to an excess of the net assets of a company (the amount by which total assets exceed total liabilities) over statutory capital, or if there is no excess, to the Company’s net profits for the current and/or immediately preceding fiscal year.
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Year-end components of accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) are as follows:
(In thousands)	2014			2013
Other accumulated comprehensive income/(loss), before tax:
Net unrealized holding gain (loss) on AFS securities	$	15,993		$	(9,294	)
Net loss on effective cash flow hedging derivatives	(3,299		)	(2,289		)
Net loss on terminated swap	—			(3,237		)
Net unrealized holding (loss) gain on pension plans	(2,291		)	17
Income taxes related to items of accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss):
Net unrealized holding (loss) gain on AFS securities	(6,077		)	3,518
Net loss on effective cash flow hedging derivatives	1,330			923
Net loss on terminated swap	—			1,312
Net unrealized holding gain (loss) on pension plans	923			(7		)
Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)	$	6,579		$	(9,057	)
The following table presents the components of other comprehensive income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012:
(In thousands)	Before Tax			Tax Effect			Net of Tax
Year Ended December 31, 2014
Net unrealized holding gain on AFS securities:
Net unrealized gain arising during the period	$	25,769		$	(9,791	)	$	15,978
Less: reclassification adjustment for (gains) realized in net income	(482		)	196			(286		)
Net unrealized holding gain on AFS securities	25,287			(9,595		)	15,692
Net loss on cash flow hedging derivatives:
Net unrealized (loss) arising during the period	(6,403		)	2,608			(3,795		)
Less: reclassification adjustment for losses realized in net income	5,393			(2,201		)	3,192
Net loss on cash flow hedging derivatives	(1,010		)	407			(603		)
Net loss on terminated swap:
Net unrealized loss arising during the period	—			—			—
Less: reclassification adjustment for losses realized in net income	3,237			(1,312		)	1,925
Net loss on terminated swap	3,237			(1,312		)	1,925
Net unrealized holding loss on pension plans
Net unrealized loss arising during the period	(2,308		)	930			(1,378		)
Less: reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses realized in net income	—			—			—
Net unrealized holding loss on pension plans	(2,308		)	930			(1,378		)
Other Comprehensive Income	$	25,206		$	(9,570	)	$	15,636
(In thousands)	Before Tax			Tax Effect			Net of Tax
Year Ended December 31, 2013
Net unrealized holding loss on AFS securities:
Net unrealized (loss) arising during the period	$	(15,254	)	$	5,604		$	(9,650	)
Less: reclassification adjustment for (gains) realized in net income	(4,758		)	1,920			(2,838		)
Net unrealized holding loss on AFS securities	(20,012		)	7,524			(12,488		)
Net gain on cash flow hedging derivatives:
Net unrealized gain arising during the period	5,046			(2,014		)	3,032
Less: reclassification adjustment for losses realized in net income	3,620			(1,460		)	2,160
Net gain on cash flow hedging derivatives	8,666			(3,474		)	5,192
Net loss on terminated swap:
Net unrealized loss arising during the period	—			—			—
Less: reclassification adjustment for losses realized in net income	942			(489		)	453
Net loss on terminated swap	942			(489		)	453
Net unrealized holding gain on pension plans
Net unrealized gain arising during the period	1,282			(517		)	765
Less: reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses realized in net income	—			—			—
Net unrealized holding gain on pension plans	1,282			(517		)	765
Other Comprehensive Income	$	(9,122	)	$	3,044		$	(6,078	)
(In thousands)	Before Tax			Tax Effect			Net of Tax
Year Ended December 31, 2012
Net unrealized holding gain on AFS securities:
Net unrealized gain arising during the period	$	5,861		$	(2,246	)	$	3,615
Less: reclassification adjustment for (gains) realized in net income	(1,442		)	579			(863		)
Net unrealized holding gain on AFS securities	4,419			(1,667		)	2,752
Net gain on cash flow hedging derivatives:
Net unrealized gain arising during the period	(5,653		)	2,129			(3,524		)
Less: reclassification adjustment for losses realized in net income	3,581			(1,441		)	2,140
Net loss on cash flow hedging derivatives	(2,072		)	688			(1,384		)
Net loss on terminated swap:
Net unrealized loss arising during the period	—			—			—
Less: reclassification adjustment for losses realized in net income	942			(324		)	618
Net loss on terminated swap	942			(324		)	618
Net unrealized holding loss on pension plans
Net unrealized loss arising during the period	(136		)	56			(80		)
Less: reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses realized in net income	—			—			—
Net unrealized holding loss on pension plans	(136		)	56			(80		)
Other Comprehensive Income	$	3,153		$	(1,247	)	$	1,906
The following table presents the changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012:
	Net unrealized			Net loss on			Net loss			Net unrealized
	holding gain (loss)			effective cash			on			holding gain (loss)
	on AFS			flow hedging			terminated			on
(in thousands)	Securities			derivatives			swap			pension plans			Total
Year Ended December 31, 2014
Balance at Beginning of Year	$	(5,776	)	$	(1,366	)	$	(1,925	)	$	10		$	(9,057	)
Other Comprehensive Gain (Loss) before reclassifications	15,978			(3,795		)	—			(1,378		)	10,805
Amounts Reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive income	(286		)	3,192			1,925			—			4,831
Total Other Comprehensive Income	15,692			(603		)	1,925			(1,378		)	15,636
Balance at End of Period	$	9,916		$	(1,969	)	$	0		$	(1,368	)	$	6,579
Year Ended December 31, 2013
Balance at Beginning of Year	$	6,712		$	(6,558	)	$	(2,378	)	$	(755	)	$	(2,979	)
Other Comprehensive (Loss) Gain before reclassifications	(9,650		)	3,032			—			765			(5,853		)
Amounts Reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive income	(2,838		)	2,160			453			—			(225		)
Total Other Comprehensive Loss	(12,488		)	5,192			453			765			(6,078		)
Balance at End of Period	$	(5,776	)	$	(1,366	)	$	(1,925	)	$	10		$	(9,057	)
Year Ended December 31, 2012
Balance at Beginning of Year	$	3,960		$	(5,174	)	$	(2,996	)	$	(675	)	$	(4,885	)
Other Comprehensive Gain (Loss) Before reclassifications	3,615			(3,524		)	—			(80		)	11
Amounts Reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive income	(863		)	2,140			618			—			1,895
Total Other Comprehensive Income	2,752			(1,384		)	618			(80		)	1,906
Balance at End of Period	$	6,712		$	(6,558	)	$	(2,378	)	$	(755	)	$	(2,979	)
The following table presents the amounts reclassified out of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012:
										Affected Line Item in the
	Years Ended Decemeber 31,									Statement Where Net Income
(in thousands)	2014			2013			2012			Is Presented
Realized (gains) on AFS securities:
	$	(482	)	$	(4,758	)	$	(1,442	)	Non-interest income
	196			1,920			579			Tax expense
	(286		)	(2,838		)	(863		)
Realized losses on cash flow hedging derivatives:
	5,393			3,620			3,581			Interest income
	(2,201		)	(1,460		)	(1,441		)	Tax expense
	3,192			2,160			2,140
Amortization of realized losses on terminated swap:
	3,237			942			942			Interest income
	(1,312		)	(489		)	(324		)	Tax expense
	1,925			453			618
Total reclassifications for the period	$	4,831		$	(225	)	$	1,895
Earnings Per Common Share
Basic earnings per common share (“EPS”) excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income applicable to common stock by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the year. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock (such as stock options) were exercised or converted into additional common shares that would then share in the earnings of the entity. Diluted EPS is computed by dividing net income applicable to common stock by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the year, plus an incremental number of common-equivalent shares computed using the treasury stock method.
Earnings per common share has been computed based on the following (average diluted shares outstanding is calculated using the treasury stock method):
	Years Ended December 31,
(In thousands, except per share data)	2014			2013			2012
Net income from continuing operations	$	33,744		$	41,143		$	33,825
Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes (including gain on disposal of $63 in 2012)	—			—			(261		)
Income tax benefit	—			—			376
Net loss from discontinued operations	—			—			(637		)
Net income	$	33,744		$	41,143		$	33,188
Average number of common shares issued	26,525			26,525			24,081
Less: average number of treasury shares	1,386			1,424			1,626
Less: average number of unvested stock award shares	409			299			254
Average number of basic common shares outstanding	24,730			24,802			22,201
Plus: dilutive effect of unvested stock award shares	67			60			41
Plus: dilutive effect of stock options outstanding	57			103			87
Average number of diluted common shares outstanding	24,854			24,965			22,329
Basic earnings per share:
Continuing Operations	$	1.36		$	1.66		$	1.52
Discontinued operations	—			—			(0.03		)
Total basic earning per share	$	1.36		$	1.66		$	1.49
Diluted earnings per share:
Continuing Operations	$	1.36		$	1.65		$	1.52
Discontinued operations	—			—			(0.03		)
Total diluted earnings per share	$	1.36		$	1.65		$	1.49
For the year ended 2014, 225 thousand options were anti-dilutive and therefore excluded from the earnings per share calculations.  For the year ended 2013, 338 thousand options were anti-dilutive and therefore excluded from the earnings per share calculations.  For the year ended 2012, 600 thousand options were anti-dilutive and therefore excluded from the earnings per share calculations.

STOCKBASED_COMPENSATION_PLANS

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS
	NOTE 19.STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS
	The 2013 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2013 Plan”) permits the granting of a combination of Restricted Stock awards and incentive and non-qualified stock options (“Stock Options”) to employees and directors. A total of 1.03 million shares was authorized under the Plan.  Awards may be granted as either Restricted Stock or Stock Options provided that any shares that are granted as Restricted Stock are counted against the share limit set forth as (1) three for every one share of Restricted Stock granted and (2) one for every one share of Stock Option granted.  As of year-end 2014, the Company had the ability to grant approximately 961 thousand shares under this plan.
	The 2011 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2011 Plan”) permits the granting of a combination of Restricted Stock awards and incentive and non-qualified stock options to employees and directors. A total of 1.4 million shares was authorized under the Plan.  Awards may be granted as either Restricted Stock or Stock Options provided that any shares that are granted as Restricted Stock are counted against the share limit set forth as (1) three for every one share of Restricted Stock granted and (2) one for every one share of Stock Option granted.  As of year-end 2014, the Company had the ability to grant approximately 7 thousand shares under this plan.
	A summary of activity in the Company’s stock compensation plans is shown below:
		Non-vested Stock				Stock Options Outstanding
		Awards Outstanding
				Weighted-				Weighted-
				Average				Average
		Number of		Grant Date		Number of		Exercise
	(Shares in thousands)	Shares		Fair Value		Shares		Price
	Balance, December 31, 2013	334		$	23.26	442		$	20.41
	Granted	187		24.6		—		—
	Stock options exercised	—		—		(90	)	11.77
	Stock awards vested	(88	)	22.86		—		—
	Forfeited	(9	)	23.46		—		—
	Expired	—		—		(70	)	37.22
	Balance, December 31, 2014	424		$	24.33	282		$	20.42
	Exercisable options, December 31, 2014					282		$	20.72
	Stock Awards
	The total compensation cost for stock awards recognized as expense was $3.8 million, $2.1 million, and $2.0 million, in the years 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively. The total recognized tax benefit associated with this compensation cost was $1.5 million, $0.9 million, and $0.8 million, respectively.
	The weighted average fair value of stock awards granted was $24.60, $24.49, and $23.76 in 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively. Stock awards vest over periods up to five years and are valued at the closing price of the stock on the grant date.
	The total fair value of stock awards vested during 2014, 2013, and 2012 was $2.0 million, $1.9 million, and $1.4 million respectively. The unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to unvested stock awards was $6.1 million as of year-end 2014. This amount is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of two years.
	Option Awards
	Option awards are granted with an exercise price equal to the market price of the Company’s stock at the date of grant, and vest over periods up to five years. The options grant the holder the right to acquire a share of the Company’s common stock for each option held, and have a contractual life of ten years. As of year-end 2014, the weighted average remaining contractual term for options outstanding is four years.
	The Company generally issues shares from treasury stock as options are exercised. The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The expected dividend yield and expected term are based on management estimates. The expected volatility is based on historical volatility. The risk-free interest rates for the expected term are based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of the grant.  The Company acquired options in the Beacon transaction in 2012 but did not grant additional options in 2014, 2013, or 2012.
	The total intrinsic value of options exercised was $1.2 million, $2.9 million, and $2.7 million for the years 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.  The expense pertaining to options vesting in the years 2014, 2013, and 2012 was $41 thousand, $860 thousand, and $240 thousand, respectively.  The total recognized tax benefit associated with stock option expense for the years 2014, 2013 and 2012 were $16 thousand, $347 thousand, and $97 thousand, respectively.  There was no unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to unvested stock options as of year-end 2014. The unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to unvested stock options was $41 thousand as of year-end 2013.

FAIR_VALUE_MEASUREMENTS

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
	NOTE 20.FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
	A description of the valuation methodologies used for instruments measured at fair value, as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy, is set forth below. These valuation methodologies were applied to all of the Company’s financial assets and financial liabilities that are carried at fair value.
	Recurring Fair Value Measurements of Financial Instruments
	The following table summarizes assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of year-end 2014 and 2013, segregated by the level of the valuation inputs within the fair value hierarchy utilized to measure fair value.
		December 31, 2014
		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Total
	(In thousands)	Inputs			Inputs			Inputs			Fair Value
	Trading security	$	—		$	—		$	14,909		$	14,909
	Available-for-sale securities:
	Municipal bonds and obligations	—			133,699			—			133,699
	Government guaranteed residential mortgage-backed securities	—			69,468			—			69,468
	Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities	—			760,184			—			760,184
	Corporate bonds	—			54,151			—			54,151
	Trust preferred securities	—			14,667			1,548			16,215
	Other bonds and obligations	—			3,159			—			3,159
	Marketable equity securities	53,806			358			778			54,942
	Loans held for sale	—			19,493			—			19,493
	Derivative assets	—			12,328			625			12,953
	Derivative liabilities	417			18,259			93			18,769
		December 31, 2013
		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Total
	(In thousands)	Inputs			Inputs			Inputs			Fair Value
	Trading security	$	—		$	—		$	14,840		$	14,840
	Available-for-sale securities:
	Municipal bonds and obligations	—			77,671			—			77,671
	Government guaranteed residential mortgage-backed securities	—			78,771			—			78,771
	Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities	—			522,658			—			522,658
	Corporate bonds	—			39,280			—			39,280
	Trust preferred securities	—			15,372			1,239			16,611
	Other bonds and obligations	—			3,084			—			3,084
	Marketable equity securities	20,891			357			725			21,973
	Loans held for sale	—			15,840			—			15,840
	Derivative assets	242			7,799			277			8,318
	Derivative liabilities	—			11,964			—			11,964
	There were no transfers between Level 1, 2, and 3 during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.
	Trading Security at Fair Value. The Company holds one security designated as a trading security. It is a tax advantaged economic development bond issued to the Company by a local nonprofit which provides wellness and health programs. The determination of the fair value for this security is determined based on a discounted cash flow methodology. Certain inputs to the fair value calculation are unobservable and there is little to no market activity in the security; therefore, the security meets the definition of a Level 3 security.  The discount rate used in the valuation of the security is sensitive to movements in the 3-month LIBOR rate.
	Securities Available for Sale. AFS securities classified as Level 1 consist of publicly-traded equity securities for which the fair values can be obtained through quoted market prices in active exchange markets. AFS securities classified as Level 2 include most of the Company’s debt securities quoted on stock exchange prices. The pricing on Level 2 was primarily sourced from third party pricing services, overseen by management, and is based on models that consider standard input factors such as 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 bond’s terms and condition, among other things. The Company holds one pooled trust preferred security and one privately owned equity security. Both securities fair values are based on unobservable issuer-provided financial information and the pooled security also utilizes discounted cash flow models derived from the underlying structured pool, therefore both are classified as Level 3.
	Loans held for sale. The Company elected the fair value option for all loans held for sale (HFS) that were originated on or after May 1, 2012.  Loans HFS are classified as Level 2 as the fair value is based on input factors such as quoted prices for similar loans in active markets.
								Aggregate Fair Value
		Aggregate			Aggregate			Less Aggregate
	December 31, 2014 (In thousands)	Fair Value			Unpaid Principal			Unpaid Principal
	Loans Held for Sale	$	19,493		$	18,885		$	608
								Aggregate Fair Value
		Aggregate			Aggregate			Less Aggregate
	December 31, 2013 (In thousands)	Fair Value			Unpaid Principal			Unpaid Principal
	Loans Held for Sale	$	15,840		$	15,641		$	199
	The changes in fair value of loans held for sale for years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 were losses of $409 thousand and gains of $2.6 million, respectively.  The changes in fair value are included in mortgage banking income in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
	Derivative Assets and Liabilities.
	Interest Rate Swap.  The valuation of the Company’s interest rate swaps is obtained from a third-party pricing service and is determined using a discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of each derivative. The pricing analysis is based on observable inputs for the contractual terms of the derivatives, including the period to maturity and interest rate curves.
	The Company incorporates credit valuation adjustments to appropriately reflect both its own nonperformance risk and the respective counterparty’s nonperformance risk in the fair value measurements.  In adjusting the fair value of its derivative contracts for the effect of nonperformance risk, the Company has considered the impact of netting and any applicable credit enhancements, such as collateral postings.
	Although the Company has determined that the majority of the inputs used to value its interest rate derivatives fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the credit valuation adjustments associated with its derivatives utilize Level 3 inputs, such as estimates of current credit spreads to evaluate the likelihood of default by itself and its counterparties.  However, as of year-end 2014, the Company has assessed the significance of the impact of the credit valuation adjustments on the overall valuation of its derivative positions and has determined that the credit valuation adjustments are not significant to the overall valuation of its derivatives. As a result, the Company has determined that its derivative valuations in their entirety are classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
	Interest Rate Lock Commitments. The Company enters into IRLCs for residential mortgage loans intended for sale, which commit the Company to lend funds to a potential borrower at a specific interest rate and within a specified period of time.  The estimated fair value of commitments to originate residential mortgage loans for sale is based on quoted prices for similar loans in active markets. However, this value is adjusted by a factor which considers the likelihood that the loan in a lock position will ultimately close, and by the non-refundable costs of originating the loan.  The closing ratio is derived from the Bank’s internal data and is adjusted using significant management judgment.  The costs to originate are primarily based on the Company’s internal commission rates that are not observable. As such, IRLCs are classified as Level 3 measurements.
	Forward Sale Commitments. The Company utilizes forward sale commitments as economic hedges against potential changes in the values of the IRLCs and loans held for sale.  To be announced (TBA) mortgage-backed securities forward commitment sales are used as hedging instruments, are classified as Level 1, and consist of publicly-traded debt securities for which identical fair values can be obtained through quoted market prices in active exchange markets.  The fair values of the Company’s best efforts and mandatory delivery loan sale commitments are determined similarly to the IRLCs using quoted prices in the market place that are observable. However, costs to originate and closing ratios included in the calculation are internally generated and are based on management’s judgment and prior experience, which are considered factors that are not observable.  As such, best efforts and mandatory forward sale commitments are classified as Level 3 measurements.
	The table below presents the changes in Level 3 assets that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis at year-end 2014 and 2013.
		Assets (Liabilities)
					Securities			Interest Rate
		Trading			Available			Lock			Forward
	(In thousands)	Security			for Sale			Commitments			Commitments
	Balance as of December 31, 2012	$	16,893		$	885		$	6,258		$	(1,055	)
	Purchase of marketable equity security	—			770			—			—
	Unrealized (loss) gain, net recognized in other non-interest income	(1,539		)	—			8,722			1,074
	Unrealized gain included in accumulated other comprehensive loss	—			309			—			—
	Paydown of trading security	(514		)	—			—			—
Transfers to held for sale loans	—			—			(14,722		)	—
Balance as of December 31, 2013	$	14,840		$	1,964		$	258		$	19
Purchase of marketable equity security	—			—			—			—
Unrealized (loss) gain, net recognized in other non-interest income	610			—			3,804			(112		)
Unrealized gain included in accumulated other comprehensive loss	—			362			—			—
Paydown of trading security	(541		)	—			—			—
Transfers to held for sale loans	—			—			(3,437		)	—
Balance as of December 31, 2014	$	14,909		$	2,326		$	625		$	(93	)
Unrealized gains (losses) relating to instruments still held at December 31, 2014	$	2,355		$	(999	)	$	625		$	(93	)
Unrealized gains (losses) relating to instruments still held at December 31, 2013	$	1,745		$	(1,410	)	$	258		$	19
Quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs within Level 3 recurring assets/(liabilities) as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:
	Fair Value							Significant
								Unobservable Input
(In thousands)	December 31, 2014			Valuation Techniques		Unobservable Inputs		Value
Assets
Trading Security	$	14,909		Discounted Cash Flow		Discount Rate		2.6	%
Securities Available for Sale	2,326			Discounted Cash Flow		Discount Rate		13.74	%
						Credit Spread		11.06	%
Forward Commitments	(93		)	Historical Trend		Closing Ratio		91.07	%
				Pricing Model		Origination Costs, per loan		2,500
Interest Rate Lock Commitment	625			Historical Trend		Closing Ratio		91.07	%
				Pricing Model		Origination Costs, per loan		2,500
Total	$	17,767
	Fair Value							Significant
								Unobservable Input
(In thousands)	December 31, 2013			Valuation Techniques		Unobservable Inputs		Value
Assets
Trading Security	$	14,840		Discounted Cash Flow		Discount Rate		3.39	%
Securities Available for Sale	1,964			Discounted Cash Flow		Discount Rate		13.17	%
						Credit Spread		9.45	%
Forward Commitments	19			Historical Trend		Closing Ratio		94.83	%
				Pricing Model		Origination Costs, per loan		2,500
Interest Rate Lock Commitment	258			Historical Trend		Closing Ratio		94.83	%
				Pricing Model		Origination Costs, per loan		2,500
Total	$	17,081
Non-Recurring Fair Value Measurements
The Company is required, on a non-recurring basis, to adjust the carrying value or provide valuation allowances for certain assets using fair value measurements in accordance with GAAP. The following is a summary of applicable non-recurring fair value measurements.  There are no liabilities measured on a non-recurring basis.
	December 31, 2014			Year ended
				December 31, 2014
	Level 3			Total
(In thousands)	Inputs			Losses (Gains)
Assets
Impaired loans	$	5,820		$	278
Capitalized mortgage servicing rights	3,757			—
Other real estate owned	2,049			231
Total	$	11,626		$	509
	December 31, 2013			Year ended
				December 31, 2013
	Level 3			Total
(In thousands)	Inputs			Losses
Assets
Impaired loans	$	5,542		$	(562	)
Capitalized mortgage servicing rights	4,112			(773		)
Other real estate owned	2,995			2
Total	$	12,649		$	(1,333	)
Quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs within Level 3 non-recurring assets as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:
(in thousands)	December 31, 2014			Valuation Techniques		Unobservable Inputs		Range (Weighted Average) (a)
Assets
Impaired loans	$	5,820		Fair value of collateral		Loss severity		.31% to 38.7% (12.65%)
						Appraised value		$5 to $1,600.0 ($912.7)
Capitalized mortgage servicing rights	3,757			Discounted cash flow		Constant prepayment rate (CPR)		7.83% to 19.00% (9.92%)
						Discount rate		10.00% to 13.00% (10.43%)
Other real estate owned	2,049			Fair value of collateral		Appraised value		$57 to $700.0 ($462.6)
Total	$	11,626
(a)Where dollar amounts are disclosed, the amounts represent the lowest and highest fair value of the respective assets in the population except for adjustments for market/property conditions, which represents the range of adjustments to individuals properties.
(in thousands)	December 31, 2013			Valuation Techniques		Unobservable Inputs		Range (Weighted Average) (a)
Assets
Impaired loans	$	5,542		Fair value of collateral		Loss severity		4.2% to 100.0% (57.41%)
						Appraised value		$0 to $900.0 ($505.4)
Capitalized mortgage servicing rights	4,112			Discounted cash flow		Constant prepayment rate (CPR)		6.96% to 15.97% (8.58%)
						Discount rate		10.00% to 13.00% (10.34%)
Other real estate owned	2,995			Fair value of collateral		Appraised value		$0 to $774.0 ($413.4)
Total Assets	$	12,649
(a)Where dollar amounts are disclosed, the amounts represent the lowest and highest fair value of the respective assets in the population except for adjustments for market/property conditions, which represents the range of adjustments to individuals properties.
There were no Level 1 or Level 2 nonrecurring fair value measurements for year-end 2014 and 2013.
Impaired Loans. Loans are generally not recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Periodically, the Company records non-recurring adjustments to the carrying value of loans based on fair value measurements for partial charge-offs of the uncollectible portions of those loans. Non-recurring adjustments can also include certain impairment amounts for collateral-dependent loans calculated when establishing the allowance for credit losses. Such 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 valuation amount does not necessarily represent the fair value of the loan.  Real estate collateral is typically valued using appraisals or other indications of value based on recent comparable sales of similar properties or assumptions generally observable in the marketplace.  However, the choice of observable data is subject to significant judgment, and there are often adjustments based on judgment in order to make observable data comparable and to consider the impact of time, the condition of properties, interest rates, and other market factors on current values.  Additionally, commercial real estate appraisals frequently involve discounting of projected cash flows, which relies inherently on unobservable data.  Therefore, real estate collateral related nonrecurring fair value measurement adjustments have generally been classified as Level 3. Estimates of fair value for other collateral that supports commercial loans are generally based on assumptions not observable in the marketplace and therefore such valuations have been classified as Level 3.
Capitalized mortgage loan servicing rights.   A loan servicing right asset represents the amount by which the present value of the estimated future net cash flows to be received from servicing loans exceed adequate compensation for performing the servicing. The fair value of servicing rights is estimated using a present value cash flow model. The most important assumptions used in the valuation model are the anticipated rate of the loan prepayments and discount rates. Adjustments are only recorded when the discounted cash flows derived from the valuation model are less than the carrying value of the asset. Although some assumptions in determining fair value are based on standards used by market participants, some are based on unobservable inputs and therefore are classified in Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy.
Other real estate owned (“OREO”). OREO results from the foreclosure process on residential or commercial loans issued by the Bank. Upon assuming the real estate, the Company records the property at the fair value of the asset less the estimated sales costs. Thereafter, OREO properties are recorded at the lower of cost or fair value less the estimated sales costs. OREO fair values are primarily determined based on Level 3 data including sales comparables and appraisals.
Summary of Estimated Fair Values of Financial Instruments
The estimated fair values, and related carrying amounts, of the Company’s financial instruments follow. Certain financial instruments and all non-financial instruments are excluded from disclosure requirements. Accordingly, the aggregate fair value amounts presented herein may not necessarily represent the underlying fair value of the Company.
	December 31, 2014
	Carrying			Fair
(In thousands)	Amount			Value			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
Financial Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	71,754		$	71,754		$	71,754		$	—		$	—
Trading security	14,909			14,909			—			—			14,909
Securities available for sale	1,091,818			1,091,818			53,806			1,035,686			2,326
Securities held to maturity	43,347			44,997			—			—			44,997
Restricted equity securities	55,720			55,720			—			55,720			—
Net loans	4,644,938			4,695,256			—			—			4,695,256
Loans held for sale	19,493			19,493			—			19,493			—
Accrued interest receivable	17,274			17,274			—			17,274			—
Cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance policies	104,588			104,588			—			104,588			—
Derivative assets	12,953			12,953			—			12,328			625
Assets held for sale	1,280			1,280			—			1,280			—
Financial Liabilities
Total deposits	4,654,679			4,655,234			—			4,655,234			—
Short-term debt	900,900			900,983			—			900,983			—
Long-term Federal Home Loan Bank advances	61,676			63,283			—			63,283			—
Subordinated notes	89,747			93,441			—			93,441			—
Derivative liabilities	18,769			18,769			417			18,259			93
Liabilities held for sale	—			—			—			—			—
	December 31, 2013
	Carrying			Fair
(In thousands)	Amount			Value			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
Financial Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	75,539		$	75,539		$	75,539		$	—		$	—
Trading security	14,840			14,840			—			—			14,840
Securities available for sale	760,048			760,048			20,891			737,193			1,964
Securities held to maturity	44,921			45,764			—			—			45,764
Restricted equity securities	50,282			50,282			—			50,282			—
Net loans	4,147,200			4,154,663			—			—			4,154,663
Loans held for sale	15,840			15,840			—			15,840			—
Accrued interest receivable	15,072			15,072			—			15,072			—
Cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance policies	101,530			101,530			—			101,530			—
Derivative assets	8,318			8,318			242			7,799			277
Assets held for sale	3,969			3,969			—			3,969			—
Financial Liabilities
Total deposits	$	3,848,529		$	3,848,926		$	—		$	3,848,926		$	—
Short-term debt	872,510			872,545			—			872,545			—
Long-term Federal Home Loan Bank advances	101,918			103,660			—			103,660			—
Subordinated notes	89,679			87,882			—			87,882			—
Derivative liabilities	11,964			11,964			—			11,964			—
Liabilities held for sale	24,834			24,834			—			24,834			—
Other than as discussed above, the following methods and assumptions were used by management to estimate the fair value of significant classes of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate that value.
Cash and cash equivalents. Carrying value is assumed to represent fair value for cash and cash equivalents that have original maturities of ninety days or less.
Restricted equity securities. Carrying value approximates fair value based on the redemption provisions of the issuers.
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies. Carrying value approximates fair value.
Loans, net. The carrying value of the loans in the loan portfolio is based on their outstanding unpaid principal balances adjusted for charge-offs, the allowance for loan losses, the unamortized balance of any deferred fees or costs on originated loans and the unamortized balance of any premiums or discounts on loans purchased or acquired through mergers. The fair value of the loans 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.
Accrued interest receivable. Carrying value approximates fair value.
Deposits. The fair value of demand, non-interest bearing checking, savings and money market deposits is determined as the amount payable on demand at the reporting date. The fair value of time deposits is estimated by discounting the estimated future cash flows using market rates offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities.
Borrowed funds. The fair value of borrowed funds is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using market rates for similar borrowings.  Such funds include all categories of debt and debentures in the table above.
Subordinated notes. The Company utilizes a pricing service along with internal models to estimate the valuation of its junior subordinated debentures. The junior subordinated debentures re-price every ninety days.
Off-balance-sheet financial instruments. Off-balance-sheet financial instruments include standby letters of credit and other financial guarantees and commitments considered immaterial to the Company’s financial statements.

OPERATING_SEGMENTS

OPERATING SEGMENTS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
OPERATING SEGMENTS
OPERATING SEGMENTS
	NOTE 21.OPERATING SEGMENTS
	The Company has two reportable operating segments, Banking and Insurance, which are delineated by the consolidated subsidiaries of Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.  Banking includes the activities of the Bank and its subsidiaries, which provide retail and commercial banking, along with wealth management and investment services.  Insurance includes the activities of Berkshire Insurance Group (BIG), which provides retail and commercial insurance services.  The only other consolidated financial activity of the Company is the Parent, which consists of the transactions of Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. Management fees for corporate services provided by the Bank to BIG and the Parent are eliminated.
	The accounting policies of each reportable segment are the same as those of the Company.  The Insurance segment and the Parent reimburse the Bank for administrative services provided to them.  Income tax expense for the individual segments is calculated based on the activity of the segments, and the Parent records the tax expense or benefit necessary to reconcile to the consolidated total.  The Parent does not allocate capital costs.  Average assets include securities available-for-sale based on amortized cost.
	A summary of the Company’s operating segments is as follows:
													Total
	(In thousands)	Banking			Insurance		Parent			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Year ended December 31, 2014
	Net interest income	$	182,221		$	—	$	8,470		$	(12,000	)	$	178,691
	Provision for loan losses	14,968			—		—			—			14,968
	Non-interest income	37,406			10,364		25,230			(25,230		)	47,770
	Non-interest expense	155,642			8,058		2,286			—			165,986
	Income before income taxes	49,017			2,306		31,414			(37,230		)	45,507
	Income tax expense (benefit)	13,085			1,008		(2,330		)	—			11,763
	Net income	$	35,932		$	1,298	$	33,744		$	(37,230	)	$	33,744
	Average assets (in millions)	$	6,149		$	27	$	27		$	(31	)	$	6,171
	(In thousands)	Banking			Insurance		Parent			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Year ended December 31, 2013
	Net interest income	$	172,634		$	—	$	25,618		$	(29,500	)	$	168,752
	Provision for loan losses	11,378			—		—			—			11,378
	Non-interest income	48,238			9,994		15,414			(15,414		)	58,232
	Non-interest expense	146,944			8,069		2,346			—			157,359
	Income before income taxes	62,550			1,925		38,686			(44,914		)	58,247
	Income tax expense (benefit)	18,802			759		(2,457		)	—			17,104
	Net income	$	43,748		$	1,166	$	41,143		$	(44,914	)	$	41,143
	Average assets (in millions)	$	5,279		$	27	$	741		$	(741	)	$	5,307
	(In thousands)	Banking			Insurance		Parent			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Year ended December 31, 2012
	Net interest income	$	145,167		$	—	$	15,221		$	(17,000	)	$	143,388
	Provision for loan losses	9,590			—		—			—			9,590
	Non-interest income	43,330			10,726		19,678			(19,678		)	54,056
	Non-interest expense	128,366			8,452		3,988			—			140,806
	Income before income taxes	50,541			2,274		30,911			(36,678		)	47,048
	Income tax expense (benefit)	14,597			903		(2,277		)	—			13,223
	Net income from continuing operations	35,944			1,371		33,188			(36,678		)	33,825
	Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes (including gain on disposal of $63)	(261		)	—		—			—			(261		)
	Income tax benefit	376			—		—			—			376
	Net loss from discontinued operations	(637		)	—		—			—			(637		)
	Net income	$	35,307		$	1,371	$	33,188		$	(36,678	)	$	33,188
	Average assets (in millions)	$	5,006		$	30	$	559		$	(392	)	$	5,203

CONDENSED_FINANCIAL_STATEMENTS

CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF PARENT COMPANY	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF PARENT COMPANY
CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF PARENT COMPANY
	NOTE 22.CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF PARENT COMPANY
	Condensed financial information pertaining only to the Parent, Berkshire Hills Bancorp, is as follows. Investment in subsidiaries at December 31, 2014 includes $35 million of intercompany subordinated notes.
	CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
		December 31,
	(In thousands)	2014			2013
	Assets
	Cash due from Berkshire Bank	$	30,533		$	40,154
	Investment in subsidiaries	736,908			698,943
	Other assets	43,023			41,489
	Total assets	$	810,464		$	780,586
	Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
	Short term debt	$	10,000		$	10,000
	Subordinated notes	89,748			89,680
	Accrued expenses	1,429			2,844
	Stockholders’ equity	709,287			678,062
	Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	810,464		$	780,586
	CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
		Years Ended December 31,
	(In thousands)	2014			2013			2012
	Income:
	Dividends from subsidiaries	$	12,000		$	29,500		$	17,000
	Other	2,317			2,317			481
	Total income	14,317			31,817			17,481
	Interest expense	5,847			6,199			2,260
	Operating expenses	2,286			2,346			3,988
	Total expense	8,133			8,545			6,248
	Income before income taxes and equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries	6,184			23,272			11,233
	Income tax benefit	(2,330		)	(2,457		)	(2,277		)
	Income before equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries	8,514			25,729			13,510
	Equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries	25,230			15,414			19,678
	Net income	$	33,744		$	41,143		$	33,188
	CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
		Years Ended December 31,
	(In thousands)	2014			2013			2012
	Cash flows from operating activities:
	Net income	$	33,744		$	41,143		$	33,188
	Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used) provided by operating activities:
	Equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries	(25,230		)	(15,414		)	(19,678		)
	Other, net	3,247			763			1,897
	Net cash provided by operating activities	11,761			26,492			15,407
	Cash flows from investing activities:
	Acquisitions, net of cash paid	—			—			(64,230		)
	Purchase of securities	—			(770		)	—
	Other, net	—			588			1,000
	Net cash (used) provided by investing activities	—			(182		)	(63,230		)
	Cash flows from financing activities:
	Proceeed from issuance of short term debt	—			—			10,000
	Proceeed from issuance of long term debt	—			—			74,153
	Net proceeds from common stock	—			3,045			—
	Net proceeds from reissuance of treasury stock	1,064			—			3,044
	Payment to repurchase common stock	(2,468		)	(12,249		)
	Common stock cash dividends paid	(18,075		)	(18,118		)	(15,634		)
	Other, net	(1,903		)	1,513			—
	Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	(21,382		)	(25,809		)	71,563
	Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(9,621		)	501			23,740
	Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	40,154			39,653			15,913
	Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$	30,533		$	40,154		$	39,653

QUARTERLY_DATA_UNAUDITED

QUARTERLY DATA (UNAUDITED)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
QUARTERLY DATA (UNAUDITED)
QUARTERLY DATA (UNAUDITED)
	NOTE 23.QUARTERLY DATA (UNAUDITED)
	Quarterly results of operations were as follows:
		2014									2013
		Fourth		Third		Second		First			Fourth		Third		Second		First
	(In thousands, except per share data)	Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter			Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter
	Interest and dividend income	$	54,016	$	52,056	$	51,175	$	49,795		$	48,659	$	54,504	$	49,697	$	50,881
	Interest expense	7,369		7,107		6,846		7,029			8,817		8,635		8,593		8,944
	Net interest income	46,647		44,949		44,329		42,766			39,842		45,869		41,104		41,937
	Non-interest income	14,200		14,641		14,506		4,423			15,714		12,114		15,606		14,798
	Total revenue	60,847		59,590		58,835		47,189			55,556		57,983		56,710		56,735
	Provision for loan losses	3,898		3,685		3,989		3,396			3,100		3,178		2,700		2,400
	Non-interest expense	41,676		39,687		39,263		45,360			37,157		42,784		37,935		39,483
	Income before income taxes	15,273		16,218		15,583		(1,567		)	15,299		12,021		16,075		14,852
	Income tax expense	3,875		4,230		4,119		(461		)	4,762		3,917		4,038		4,387
	Net income from continuing operations	11,398		11,988		11,464		(1,106		)	10,537		8,104		12,037		10,465
	Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	—		—		—		—			—		—		—		—
	Net income	$	11,398	$	11,988	$	11,464	$	(1,106	)	$	10,537	$	8,104	$	12,037	$	10,465
	Basic earnings per share:
	Continuing operations	$	0.46	$	0.48	$	0.46	$	(0.04	)	$	0.43	$	0.33	$	0.49	$	0.42
	Discontinued operations	—		—		—		—			—		—		—		—
	Total basic earnings per share	$	0.46	$	0.48	$	0.46	$	(0.04	)	$	0.43	$	0.33	$	0.49	$	0.42
	Diluted earnings per share:
	Continuing operations	$	0.46	$	0.48	$	0.46	$	(0.04	)	$	0.42	$	0.33	$	0.48	$	0.42
	Discontinued operations	—		—		—		—			—		—		—		—
	Total diluted earnings per share	$	0.46	$	0.48	$	0.46	$	(0.04	)	$	0.42	$	0.33	$	0.48	$	0.42
	Weighted average shares outstanding:
	Basic	24,758		24,747		24,715		24,698			24,701		24,748		24,779		24,948
	Diluted	24,912		24,861		24,809		24,698			24,857		24,873		24,956		25,143
	A correction was identified in 2014 for prior period interest income earned on loans acquired in bank acquisitions, which was deemed to be immaterial in relation to quarterly results.  The correction for fiscal year 2014 is included in first quarter 2014 financial results.  There has been no correction to quarterly results previously disclosed for 2013.
	A correction was identified in 2013 for prior period interest income earned on loans acquired in bank acquisitions and the accounting for a state income tax credit, which was deemed to be immaterial in relation to quarterly results.  The correction for fiscal year 2013 is included in third quarter 2013 financial results.  There has been no correction to quarterly results previously disclosed for 2013.

NET_INTEREST_INCOME_AFTER_PROV

NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES
NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES
	NOTE 24.NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES
	Presented below is net interest income after provision for loan losses for the three years ended 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively:
		Years Ended December 31,
	(In thousands)	2014		2013		2012
	Net interest income	178,691		168,752		143,388
	Provision for loan losses	14,968		11,378		9,590
	Net interest income after provision for loan losses	163,723		157,374		133,798
	Total non-interest income	47,770		58,232		54,056
	Total non-interest expense	165,986		157,359		140,806
	Income from continuing operations before income taxes	45,507		58,247		47,048
	Income tax expense	11,763		17,104		13,223
	Net income from continuing operations	33,744		41,143		33,825
	(Loss) income from discontinued operations before income taxes (including gain on disposals $63 in 2012)	—		—		(261		)
	Income tax expense	—		—		376
	Net (loss) income from discontinued operations	—		—		(637		)
	Net income	$	33,744	$	41,143	$	33,188

SUBSEQUENT_EVENTS

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
	NOTE 25.SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
	On November 3, 2014, the Company entered into a merger agreement with Hampden Bancorp, Inc. (“Hampden”), the parent company of Hampden Bank, pursuant to which Hampden will merge with and into the Company in a transaction to be accounted for as a business combination. It is expected that Hampden Bank will also merge with and into Berkshire Bank. Headquartered in Springfield, Mass., Hampden had $711 million in total assets as of December 31, 2014 (unaudited) and, through Hampden Bank, operates 10 banking offices providing a range of banking services in Western Massachusetts.
	The shareholders approved the deal on March 12, 2015. Under the terms of this merger agreement, each outstanding share of Hampden common stock will be converted into the right to receive 0.81 of a share of Company common stock.
	The transaction is subject to closing conditions, including the receipt of regulatory approvals and approval by the shareholders of Hampden. The merger is currently expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2015. The Company incurred $1.5 million of merger and acquisition expenses related to the Hampden merger for the year ended December 31, 2014.
	This merger agreement had no significant effect on the Company’s financial statements for the periods presented.

SUMMARY_OF_SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNT1

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICES (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation and Consolidation
	Basis of Presentation and Consolidation
	The consolidated financial statements (the “financial statements”) of Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company” or “Berkshire”) have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The Company is a Delaware corporation and the holding company for Berkshire Bank (the “Bank”), a Massachusetts-chartered savings bank headquartered in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and Berkshire Insurance Group, Inc. (“Berkshire Insurance Group” or “BIG”). These financial statements include the accounts of the Company, its wholly-owned subsidiaries and the Bank’s consolidated subsidiaries. In consolidation, all significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated. The results of operations of companies or assets acquired are included only from the dates of acquisition. All material wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries are consolidated unless GAAP requires otherwise.
Discontinued Operations
	Discontinued Operations
	Assets and liabilities related to discontinued operations are carried at the lower of cost or estimated fair value in the aggregate and presented in a separate line item on the consolidated balance sheets. Revenue and expense related to discontinued operations are not reported separately, and net income related to these operations is presented in a separate line item on the consolidated statements of operations.
Reclassifications
	Reclassifications
	Certain items in prior financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation. The Company has evaluated subsequent events for potential recognition and/or disclosure through the date these consolidated financial statements were issued.
Use of Estimates
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses; the valuation of deferred tax assets; the estimates related to the initial measurement of goodwill and intangible assets and subsequent impairment analyses; the determination of other-than-temporary impairment of securities; and the determination of fair value of financial instruments and subsequent impairment analysis.
Business Combinations
	Business Combinations
	Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting. Under this method, the accounts of an acquired entity are included with the acquirer’s accounts as of the date of acquisition with any excess of purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired (including identifiable intangibles) capitalized as goodwill.
	To consummate an acquisition, the Company will typically issue common stock and/or pay cash, depending on the terms of the acquisition agreement. The value of common shares issued is determined based upon the market price of the stock as of the closing of the acquisition.
Cash and Cash equivalents
	Cash and Cash equivalents
	Cash and cash equivalents include cash, balances due from banks, and short-term investments, all of which mature within ninety days. Due to the nature of cash and cash equivalents and the near term maturity, the Company estimated that the carrying amount of such instruments approximated fair value. The nature of the Bank’s business requires that it maintain amounts due from banks which at times, may exceed federally insured limits. The Bank has not experienced any losses on such amounts and all amounts are maintained with well-capitalized institutions.
Trading Security
	Trading Security
	The Company elected the fair value option permitted by Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” , on a tax advantaged economic development bond originated in 2008. The bond has been designated as a trading account security and is recorded at fair value, with changes in unrealized gains and losses recorded through earnings each period as part of non-interest income.
Securities
	Securities
	Debt securities that management has the intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as held to maturity and carried at amortized cost. All other securities, including equity securities with readily determinable fair values, are classified as available for sale and carried at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses reported as a component of other net comprehensive income. Management determines the appropriate classification of securities at the time of purchase. Restricted equity securities, such as stock in the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston (“FHLBB”) are carried at cost. There are no quoted market prices for the Company’s restricted equity securities. The Bank is a member of the FHLBB, which requires that members maintain an investment in FHLBB stock, which may be redeemed based on certain conditions. The Bank reviews for impairment based on the ultimate recoverability of the cost bases in the FHLBB stock.
	Purchase premiums and discounts are recognized in interest income using the interest method over the terms of the securities. Gains and losses on the sale of securities are recorded on the trade date and are determined using the specific identification method.
	The Company evaluates debt and equity securities within the Company’s available for sale and held to maturity portfolios for other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”), at least quarterly. If the fair value of a debt security is below the amortized cost basis of the security, OTTI is required to be recognized if any of the following are met: (1) the Company intends to sell the security; (2) it is “more likely than not” that the Company will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis; or (3) for debt securities, the present value of expected cash flows is not sufficient to recover the entire amortized cost basis. For all impaired debt securities that the Company intends to sell, or more likely than not will be required to sell, the full amount of the depreciation is recognized as OTTI through earnings. Credit-related OTTI for all other impaired debt securities is recognized through earnings. Non-credit related OTTI for such debt securities is recognized in other comprehensive income, net of applicable taxes. In evaluating its marketable equity securities portfolios for OTTI, the Company considers its intent and ability to hold an equity security to recovery of its cost basis in addition to various other factors, including the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost and the financial condition and near term prospects of the issuer. Any OTTI on marketable equity securities is recognized immediately through earnings.
Loans Held for Sale
	Loans Held for Sale
	Loans originated with the intent to be sold in the secondary market are accounted for under the fair value option. Non-refundable fees and direct loan origination costs related to residential mortgage loans held for sale are recognized in noninterest income or noninterest expense as earned or incurred. Fair value is primarily determined based on quoted prices for similar loans in active markets. Gains and losses on sales of residential mortgage loans (sales proceeds minus carrying value) are recorded in noninterest income.
	Loans that were previously held for investment that the Company has an active plan to sell are transferred to loans held for sale at fair value. Fair value is primarily determined based on quoted prices for similar loans in active markets or agreed upon sales prices.  Gains are recorded in noninterest income to the extent that the fair value exceeds the carrying value of the loans transferred.  Any reduction in the loan’s value, prior to being transferred to loans held for sale, is reflected as a charge-off of the recorded investment in the loan resulting in a new cost basis, with a corresponding reduction in the allowance for loan losses.  Further changes in the fair value of the loan are recognized in noninterest income or expense, accordingly.
Loans
	Loans
	Loans are reported at their outstanding unpaid principal balances adjusted for charge-offs, the allowance for loan losses, the unamortized balance of any deferred fees or costs on originated loans and the unamortized balance of any premiums or discounts on loans purchased or acquired through mergers. Interest income is accrued on the unpaid principal balance.  Interest income includes net accretion or amortization of deferred fees or costs and of premiums or discounts.  Interest income is also net of recoveries or losses recorded on acquired impaired loans. Direct loan origination costs, net of any origination fees, in addition to premiums and discounts on loans, are deferred and recognized as an adjustment of the related loan yield using the interest method. Interest on loans, excluding automobile loans, is generally not accrued on loans which are ninety days or more past due unless the loan is well-secured and in the process of collection. Past due status is based on contractual terms of the loan. Automobile loans generally continue accruing until one hundred and twenty days delinquent, at which time they are charged off. All interest accrued but not collected for loans that are placed on non-accrual or charged-off is reversed against interest income, except for certain loans designated as well-secured. The interest on non-accrual loans is accounted for on the cash-basis or cost-recovery method, until qualifying for return to accrual.  All payments received on non-accrual loans are applied against the principal balance of the loan.  Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured.
Acquired Loans
	Acquired Loans
	Loans that the Company acquired in acquisitions are initially recorded at fair value with no carryover of the related allowance for credit losses. Determining the fair value of the loans involves estimating the amount and timing of principal and interest cash flows initially expected to be collected on the loans and discounting those cash flows at an appropriate market rate of interest.
	For loans that meet the criteria stipulated in ASC 310-30, “Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality”, the Company recognizes the accretable yield, which is defined as the excess of all cash flows expected at acquisition over the initial fair value of the loan, as interest income on a level-yield basis over the expected remaining life of the loan. The excess of the loan’s contractually required payments over the cash flows expected to be collected is the nonaccretable difference. The nonaccretable difference is not recognized as an adjustment of yield, a loss accrual, or a valuation allowance. Going forward, the Company continues to evaluate whether the timing and the amount of cash to be collected are reasonably expected. Subsequent significant increases in cash flows the Company expects to collect will first reduce any previously recognized valuation allowance and then be reflected prospectively as an increase to the level yield. Subsequent decreases in expected cash flows may result in the loan being considered impaired. Interest income is not recognized to the extent that the net investment in the loan would increase to an amount greater than the estimated payoff amount.
	For ASC 310-30 loans, the expected cash flows reflect anticipated prepayments, determined on a loan by loan basis according to the anticipated collection plan of these loans. The expected prepayments used to determine the accretable yield are consistent between the cash flows expected to be collected and projections of contractual cash flows so as to not affect the nonaccretable difference.  For ASC 310-30 loans, prepayments result in the recognition of the nonaccretable balance as current period yield. Changes in prepayment assumptions may change the amount of interest income and principal expected to be collected.
	For loans that do not meet the ASC 310-30 criteria, the Company accretes interest income based on the contractually required cash flows. The Company subjects loans that do not meet the ASC 310-30 criteria to ASC Topic 450, “Contingencies” by collectively evaluating these loans for an allowance for loan loss.
	Acquired loans that met the criteria for nonaccrual of interest prior to the acquisition are considered performing upon acquisition, regardless of whether the customer is contractually delinquent, if the Company can reasonably estimate the timing and amount of the expected cash flows on such loans and if the Company expects to fully collect the new carrying value of the loans. As such, the Company may no longer consider the loan to be nonaccrual or nonperforming and may accrue interest on these loans, including the impact of any accretable yield. The Company has determined that the Company can reasonably estimate future cash flows on the Company’s current portfolio of acquired loans that are past due 90 days or more and on which the Company is accruing interest and the Company expects to fully collect the carrying value of the loans.
Allowance for Loan Losses
	Allowance for Loan Losses
	The allowance for loan losses is established based upon the level of estimated probable losses in the current loan portfolio. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the collectability of a loan balance is doubtful. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. The allowance for loan losses includes allowance allocations calculated in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 310, “Receivables” and allowance allocations calculated in accordance with ASC Topic 450, “Contingencies.”  The allowance for loan losses is allocated to loan types using both a formula-based approach applied to groups of loans and an analysis of certain individual loans for impairment. The formula-based approach emphasizes loss factors derived from actual historical and industry portfolio loss rates, which are combined with an assessment of certain qualitative factors to determine the allowance amounts allocated to the various loan categories. Allowance amounts are based on an estimate of historical average annual percentage rate of loan loss for each loan segment, a temporal estimate of the incurred loss emergence and confirmation period for each loan category, and certain qualitative risk factors considered in the computation of the allowance for loan losses.
	Qualitative risk factors impacting the inherent risk of loss within the portfolio include the following:
		·	National and local economic conditions, regulatory/legislative changes, or other competitive factors affecting the collectability of the portfolio
		·	Trends in underwriting characteristics, composition of the portfolio, and/or asset quality
		·	Changes in underwriting standards and/or collection, charge off, recovery, and account management practices
		·	The existence and effect of any concentrations of credit
	Risk characteristics relevant to each portfolio segment are as follows:
	Residential mortgage — The Company generally does not originate loans with a loan-to-value ratio greater than 80 percent and does not grant subprime loans.  The Company requires private mortgage insurance (PMI) in cases when the loan-to-value ratio exceeds 80 percent.  All loans in this segment are collateralized by residential real estate and repayment is dependent on the credit quality of the individual borrower. The overall health of the economy, including unemployment rates and housing prices, will have an effect on the credit quality in this segment.
	Commercial real estate — Loans in this segment are primarily owner-occupied or income-producing properties throughout New England and Northeastern New York. The underlying cash flows generated by the properties are adversely impacted by a downturn in the economy, which in turn, will have an effect on the credit quality in this segment. Management monitors the cash flows of these loans.  In addition, construction loans in this segment primarily include real estate development loans for which payment is derived from sale of the property or long term financing at completion. Credit risk is affected by cost overruns, time to sell at an adequate price, and market conditions.
	Commercial and industrial loans — Loans in this segment are made to businesses and are generally secured by assets of the business. Repayment is expected from the cash flows of the business. Loans in this segment include asset based loans which generally have no scheduled repayment and which are closely monitored against formula based collateral advance ratios.  A weakened economy, and resultant decreased consumer spending, will have an effect on the credit quality in this segment.
	Consumer loans — Loans in this segment are primarily home equity lines of credit and second mortgages, together with automobile loans and other consumer loans. The overall health of the economy, including unemployment rates and housing prices, will have an effect on the credit quality in this segment.
	The Company utilizes a blend of historical and industry portfolio loss rates for commercial mortgage and commercial business loans that are assessed by internal risk rating. Historical loss rates for residential mortgages, home equity and other consumer loans are not risk graded but are assessed based on the total of each loan segment. This approach incorporates qualitative adjustments based upon management’s assessment of various market and portfolio specific risk factors into its formula-based estimate. Due to the imprecise nature of the loan loss estimation process and ever changing conditions, the qualitative risk attributes may not adequately capture amounts of incurred loss in the formula-based loan loss components used to determine allocations in the Company’s analysis of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses.
	The Company evaluates certain loans individually for specific impairment. Large groups of small balance homogeneous loans such as the residential mortgage, home equity, and other consumer portfolios are collectively evaluated for impairment. A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value, and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. Loans are selected for evaluation based upon a change in internal risk rating, occurrence of delinquency, loan classification, or non-accrual status. The evaluation of certain loans individually for specific impairment includes loans that were previously classified as Troubled Debt Restructurings (“TDRs”) or continue to be classified as TDRs. A specific allowance amount is allocated to an individual loan when such loan has been deemed impaired and when the amount of the probable loss is able to be estimated. Estimates of loss may be determined by the present value of anticipated future cash flows or the loan’s observable fair market value, or the fair value of the collateral, if the loan is collateral dependent. However, for collateral dependent loans, the amount of the recorded investment in a loan that exceeds the fair value of the collateral is charged-off against the allowance for loan losses in lieu of an allocation of a specific allowance amount when such an amount has been identified definitively as uncollectible.
Bank-Owned Life Insurance
	Bank-Owned Life Insurance
	Bank-owned life insurance policies are reflected on the consolidated balance sheets at cash surrender value. Changes in the net cash surrender value of the policies, as well as insurance proceeds received, are reflected in non-interest income on the consolidated statements of operations and are not subject to income taxes.
Foreclosed and Repossessed Assets
	Foreclosed and Repossessed Assets
	Assets acquired through, or in lieu of, loan foreclosure or repossession are held for sale and are initially recorded at the lower of the investment in the loan or fair value less estimated costs to sell at the date of foreclosure or repossession, establishing a new cost basis. Subsequently, valuations are periodically performed by management and the assets are carried at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less estimated costs to sell. Revenue and expenses from operations, changes in the valuation allowance, any direct write-downs and gains or losses on sales are included in other real estate owned expense.
Capitalized Mortgage Servicing Rights
	Capitalized Mortgage Servicing Rights
	Capitalized mortgage servicing rights are included in “other assets” in the consolidated balance sheet. Servicing assets are initially recognized as separate assets at fair value when rights are acquired through purchase or through sale of financial assets with servicing retained. The Company uses the amortization method to subsequently measure servicing assets. Under that method, capitalized mortgage servicing rights are charged to expense in proportion to and over the period of estimated net servicing income. Fair value of the mortgage servicing rights is based on a valuation model that calculates the present value of estimated future net servicing income. The valuation model incorporates assumptions that market participants would use in estimating future net servicing income, such as the cost to service, the discount rate, prepayment speeds and default rates and losses. Impairment is recognized through a valuation allowance for an individual tranche, to the extent that fair value is less than the capitalized amount for the tranches. If the Company later determines that all or a portion of the impairment no longer exists for a particular tranche, a reduction of the allowance may be recorded as an increase to income.
Premises and Equipment
	Premises and Equipment
	Land is carried at cost. Buildings, improvements and equipment are carried at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization computed on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the initial term of the lease, plus optional terms if certain conditions are met.
Goodwill
	Goodwill
	Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired in a business combination. Goodwill is assigned to reporting units, which are operating segments or one level below an operating segment. Goodwill is assigned to the Company’s reporting units that are expected to benefit from the business combination. Goodwill is assessed annually for impairment, and more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that there may be an impairment. Adverse changes in the economic environment, declining operations, unanticipated competition, loss of key personnel, or other factors could result in a decline in the implied fair value of goodwill. If the implied fair value of goodwill is less than the carrying amount, a loss would be recognized in other noninterest expense to reduce the carrying amount to the implied fair value of goodwill. A goodwill impairment analysis is comprised of two steps. Step 1, used to identify instances of potential impairment, compares the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, including goodwill, the reporting unit’s goodwill is not considered impaired. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit, including goodwill, exceeds its fair value, the second step of the goodwill impairment analysis is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. Step 2 of the goodwill impairment analysis compares the implied fair value of reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. If the carrying amount of goodwill for that reporting unit exceeds the implied fair value of that reporting unit’s goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess. Subsequent reversals of goodwill impairment are prohibited.
Other Intangibles
	Other Intangibles
	Intangible assets are acquired assets that lack physical substance but can be distinguished from goodwill because of contractual or other legal rights or the asset is capable of being sold or exchanged either on its own or in combination with a related contract, asset or liability.
	The fair values of these assets are generally determined based on appraisals and are subsequently amortized on a straight-line basis or an accelerated basis over their estimated lives. Management assesses the recoverability of these intangible assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying value may not be recoverable. If the carrying amount exceeds fair value, an impairment charge is recorded to income.
Transfers of Financial Assets
	Transfers of Financial Assets
	Transfers of an entire financial asset, group of entire financial assets, or a participating interest in an entire financial asset are accounted for as sales when control over the assets has been surrendered. Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when (1) the assets have been isolated from the Company, (2) the transferee obtains the right to pledge or exchange the transferred assets, and (3) the Company does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets.
Income Taxes
	Income Taxes
	Deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequences of temporary differences by applying enacted statutory tax rates applicable for future years to differences between financial statement and tax bases of existing assets and liabilities. The effect of tax rate changes on deferred taxes is recognized in the income tax provision in the period that includes the enactment date. A tax valuation allowance is established, as needed, to reduce net deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. In the event it becomes more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax asset allowances will not be needed, the valuation allowance will be adjusted.
	In the ordinary course of business there is inherent uncertainty in quantifying the Company’s income tax positions.  Income tax positions and record tax benefits assessed for all years subject to examination based upon management’s evaluation of the facts, circumstances, and information available at the reporting date. For those tax positions where it is more likely than not that a tax benefit will be sustained, we have determined the amount of the tax benefit to be recognized by estimating the largest amount of tax benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with a taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. For those income tax positions where it is not more-likely-than-not that a tax benefit will be sustained, no tax benefit has been recognized in the financial statements. Where applicable, associated interest and penalties has also been recognized. We recognize accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense.
Insurance Commissions
	Insurance Commissions
	Commission revenue is recognized as of the effective date of the insurance policy or the date the customer is billed, whichever is later, net of return commissions related to policy cancellations. In addition, the Company may receive additional performance commissions based on achieving certain sales and loss experience measures. Such commissions are recognized when determinable, which is generally when such commissions are received or when the Company receives data from the insurance companies that allows the reasonable estimation of these amounts.
Advertising Costs
	Advertising Costs
	Advertising costs are expensed as incurred.
Stock-Based Compensation
	Stock-Based Compensation
	The Company measures and recognizes compensation cost relating to share-based payment transactions based on the grant-date fair value of the equity instruments issued. The fair value of restricted stock is recorded as unearned compensation. The deferred expense is amortized to compensation expense based on one of several permitted attribution methods over the longer of the required service period or performance period. For performance-based restricted stock awards, the Company estimates the degree to which performance conditions will be met to determine the number of shares that will vest and the related compensation expense. Compensation expense is adjusted in the period such estimates change.
	Income tax benefits related to stock compensation in excess of grant date fair value, less any proceeds on exercise, are recognized as an increase to additional paid-in capital upon vesting or exercising and delivery of the stock. Any income tax benefits that are less than grant date fair value less any proceeds on exercise would be recognized as a reduction of additional paid-in capital to the extent of previously recognized income tax benefits and then as compensation expense for the remaining amount.
Earnings per Common Share
	Earnings per Common Share
	Basic earnings per share represents income available to common stockholders divided by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. If rights to dividends on unvested options/awards are non-forfeitable, these unvested awards/options are considered outstanding in the computation of basic earnings per share. Diluted earnings per share reflects additional common shares that would have been outstanding if dilutive potential common shares had been issued, as well as any adjustments to income that would result from the assumed issuance. Potential common shares that may be issued by the Company relate to outstanding stock options and restricted stock awards and are determined using the treasury stock method. Treasury shares are not deemed outstanding for earnings per share calculations.
Wealth Management Assets
	Wealth Management Assets
	Wealth management assets held in a fiduciary or agent capacity are not included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets because they are not assets of the Company.
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
	Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
	The Company enters into interest rate swap agreements as part of the Company’s interest rate risk management strategy for certain assets and liabilities and not for speculative purposes. Based on the Company’s intended use for the interest rate swap at inception, the Company designates the derivative as either an economic hedge of an asset or liability or a hedging instrument subject to the hedge accounting provisions of FASB ASC Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging.”
	Interest rate swaps designated as economic hedges are recorded at fair value within other assets or liabilities. Changes in the fair value of these derivatives are recorded directly through earnings.
	For interest rate swaps that management intends to apply the hedge accounting provisions of Topic 815, the Company formally documents at inception all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as its risk management objectives and strategies for undertaking the various hedges. Additionally, the Company uses dollar offset or regression analysis at the hedge’s inception and for each reporting period thereafter, to assess whether the derivative used in its hedging transaction is expected to be and has been highly effective in offsetting changes in the fair value or cash flows of the hedged item. The Company discontinues hedge accounting when it is determined that a derivative is not expected to be or has ceased to be highly effective as a hedge, and then reflects changes in fair value of the derivative in earnings after termination of the hedge relationship.
	The Company has characterized its interest rate swaps that qualify under Topic 815 hedge accounting as cash flow hedges. Cash flow hedges are used to minimize the variability in cash flows of assets or liabilities, or forecasted transactions caused by interest rate fluctuations, and are recorded at fair value in other assets or liabilities within the Company’s balance sheets. Changes in the fair value of these cash flow hedges are initially recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss and subsequently reclassified into earnings when the forecasted transaction affects earnings. Any hedge ineffectiveness assessed as part of the Company’s quarterly analysis is recorded directly to earnings.
	The Company enters into interest rate lock commitments with borrowers, and forward commitments to sell loans or to-be-announced mortgage-backed bonds to investors to hedge against the inherent interest rate and pricing risk associated with selling loans. The interest rate lock commitments generally terminate once the loan is funded, the lock period expires or the borrower decides not to contract for the loan. The forward commitments generally terminate once the loan is sold, the commitment period expires or the borrower decides not to contract for the loan. These commitments are considered derivatives which are accounted for by recognizing their estimated fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as either a freestanding asset or liability. See Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on interest rate lock commitments and forward commitments.
Off-Balance Sheet Financial Instruments
	Off-Balance Sheet Financial Instruments
	In the ordinary course of business, the Company enters into off-balance sheet financial instruments, consisting primarily of credit related financial instruments. These financial instruments are recorded in the financial statements when they are funded or related fees are incurred or received.
Fair Value Hierarchy
	Fair Value Hierarchy
	The Company groups assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value in three levels, based on the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value.
	Level 1 — Valuation is based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Valuations are obtained from readily available pricing sources for market transactions involving identical assets or liabilities.
	Level 2 — Valuation is based on observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
	Level 3 — Valuation is based on unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. Level 3 assets and liabilities include financial instruments whose value is determined using unobservable techniques, as well as instruments for which the determination of fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation.
Employee Benefits
	Employee Benefits
	The Company maintains an employer sponsored 401(k) plan to which participants may make contributions in the form of salary deferrals and the Company provides matching contributions in accordance with the terms of the plan. Contributions due under the terms of the defined contribution plans are accrued as earned by employees.
	Due to the Rome Bancorp acquisition in 2011, the Company inherited a noncontributory, qualified, defined benefit pension plan for certain employees who met age and service requirements; as well as other post-retirement benefits, principally health care and group life insurance. The Rome pension plan and postretirement benefits that were acquired in connection with the whole-bank acquisition in the second quarter of 2011 were frozen prior to the close of the transaction. The pension benefit in the form of a life annuity is based on the employee’s combined years of service, age, and compensation.  The Company also has a long-term care post-retirement benefit plan for certain executives where upon disability, associated benefits are funded by insurance policies or paid directly by the Company.
	In order to measure the expense associated with the Plans, various assumptions are made including the discount rate, expected return on plan assets, anticipated mortality rates, and expected future healthcare costs. The assumptions are based on historical experience as well as current facts and circumstances. The Company uses a December 31 measurement date for its Plans. As of the measurement date, plan assets are determined based on fair value, generally representing observable market prices. The projected benefit obligation is primarily determined based on the present value of projected benefit distributions at an assumed discount rate.
	Net periodic pension benefit costs include interest costs based on an assumed discount rate, the expected return on plan assets based on actuarially derived market-related values, and the amortization of net actuarial losses. Net periodic postretirement benefit costs include service costs, interest costs based on an assumed discount rate, and the amortization of prior service credits and net actuarial gains. Differences between expected and actual results in each year are included in the net actuarial gain or loss amount, which is recognized in other comprehensive income. The net actuarial gain or loss in excess of a 10% corridor is amortized in net periodic benefit cost over the average remaining service period of active participants in the Plans. The prior service credit is amortized over the average remaining service period to full eligibility for participating employees expected to receive benefits.
	The Company recognizes in its statement of condition an asset for a plan’s overfunded status or a liability for a plan’s underfunded status. The Company also measures the Plans’ assets and obligations that determine its funded status as of the end of the fiscal year and recognizes those changes in other comprehensive income, net of tax.
Out of Period Adjustments
	Out of Period Adjustments
	In the first quarter of 2014, the Company recorded a correction of an error to adjust ($1.4) million in prior period interest income earned on loans acquired in bank acquisitions all of which relates to prior periods.  After evaluating the quantitative and qualitative aspects of these adjustments, the Company concluded that its prior period financial statements were not materially misstated and, therefore, no restatement was required.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	Recently Adopted Accounting Principles
	On January 2014, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) ASU 2013-11, “Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists” to eliminate diversity in practice. This ASU requires that companies net their unrecognized tax benefits against all same-jurisdiction net operating losses or tax credit carryforwards that would be used to settle the position with a tax authority. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Future Application of Accounting Pronouncements
	Future Application of Accounting Pronouncements
	In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-14 related to classification of certain government-guaranteed mortgage loans upon foreclosure.  The objective of this guidance is to reduce diversity in practice related to how creditors classify government-guaranteed mortgage loans, including FHA or VA guaranteed loans, upon foreclosure. Some creditors reclassify those loans to real estate consistent with other foreclosed loans that do not have guarantees; others reclassify the loans to other receivables. The amendments in this guidance require that a mortgage loan be derecognized and that a separate other receivable be recognized upon foreclosure if the following conditions are met: (1) The loan has a government guarantee that is not separable from the loan before foreclosure; (2) At the time of foreclosure, the creditor has the intent to convey the real estate property to the guarantor and make a claim on the guarantee, and the creditor has the ability to recover under that claim; and (3) At the time of foreclosure, any amount of the claim that is determined on the basis of the fair value of the real estate is fixed. Upon foreclosure, the separate other receivable should be measured based on the amount of the loan balance (principal and interest) expected to be recovered from the guarantor. The pronouncement is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2014.  The adoption of this pronouncement is not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
	In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-11 related to repurchase-to-maturity transactions, repurchase financing and disclosures. The pronouncement changes the accounting for repurchase-to-maturity transactions and linked repurchase financings to secured borrowing accounting, which is consistent with the accounting for other repurchase agreements. The pronouncement also requires two new disclosures. The first disclosure requires an entity to disclose information on transfers accounted for as sales in transactions that are economically similar to repurchase agreements. The second disclosure provides increased transparency about the types of collateral pledged in repurchase agreements and similar transactions accounted for as secured borrowings. The pronouncement is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2014. Early adoption is not permitted. The adoption of this pronouncement is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09 related to the recognition of revenue from contracts with customers. The new revenue pronouncement creates a single source of revenue guidance for all companies in all industries and is more principles-based than current revenue guidance. The pronouncement provides a five-step model for a company to recognize revenue when it transfers control of goods or services to customers at an amount that reflects the consideration to which it expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The five steps are (1) identify the contract with the customer, (2) identify the separate performance obligations in the contract, (3) determine the transaction price, (4) allocate the transaction price to the separate performance obligations and (5) recognize revenue when each performance obligation is satisfied. The pronouncement is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2016 using either a full retrospective approach for all periods presented in the period of adoption or a modified retrospective approach. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this pronouncement on its Consolidated Financial Statements.
	In January 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-01, “Accounting for Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects.” ASU No. 2014-01 permits reporting entities to make an accounting policy election to account for investments in qualified affordable housing projects using the proportional amortization method if certain conditions are met. Under the proportional amortization method, an entity amortizes the initial cost of the investment in proportion to the tax credits and other tax benefits received and recognizes the net investment performance in the income statement as a component of income tax expense. This new guidance also requires new disclosures for all investors in these projects. ASU No. 2014-01 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2014. Upon adoption, the guidance must be applied retrospectively to all periods presented. However, entities that use the effective yield method to account for investments in these projects before adoption may continue to do so for these pre-existing investments. The Company currently accounts for such investments using the effective yield method and plans to continue to do so for these pre-existing investments after adopting ASU No. 2014-01 on January 1, 2015. The Company expects investments made after January 1, 2015 to meet the criteria required for the proportional amortization method and plans to elect that accounting policy. The adoption of ASU No. 2014-01 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.
	Also in January 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-04, “Reclassification of Residential Real Estate Collateralized Consumer Mortgage Loans upon Foreclosure.” The objective of this guidance is to clarify when an in substance repossession or foreclosure occurs, that is, when a creditor should be considered to have received physical possession of residential real estate property collateralizing a consumer mortgage loan such that the loan receivable should be derecognized and the real estate property recognized. ASU No. 2014-04 states that an in substance repossession or foreclosure occurs, and a creditor is considered to have received physical possession of residential real estate property collateralizing a consumer mortgage loan, upon either (1) the creditor obtaining legal title to the residential real estate property upon completion of a foreclosure or (2) the borrower conveying all interest in the residential real estate property to the creditor to satisfy that loan through completion of a deed in lieu of foreclosure or through a similar legal agreement. Additionally, ASU No. 2014-04 requires interim and annual disclosure of both (1) the amount of foreclosed residential real estate property held by the creditor and (2) the recorded investment in consumer mortgage loans collateralized by residential real estate property that are in the process of foreclosure according to local requirements of the applicable jurisdiction. ASU No. 2014-04 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2014. The adoption of ASU No. 2014-04 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

ACQUISITIONS_Tables

ACQUISITIONS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
ACQUISITIONS
Summary of consideration paid, and fair values of entity's assets acquired and liabilities assumed
						Fair Value			As Recorded at
	(in thousands)		As Acquired			Adjustments			Acquisition
	Consideration paid:
	Cash consideration paid to Bank of Amercia								$	17,105
	Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed, at fair value:
	Cash and short-term investments		$	440,521		$	—		$	440,521
	Loans		4,541			(533		)(a)	4,008
	Premises and equipment		2,381			1,290		(b)	3,671
	Core deposit intangibles		—			2,550		(c)	2,550
	Other intangibles		—			(79		)(d)	(79		)
	Deposits		(440,507		)	(15		)(e)	(440,522		)
	Other liabilities		—			(944		)(f)	(944		)
	Total identifiable net assets		$	6,936		$	2,269		$	9,205
	Goodwill								$	7,900
	Explanation of Certain Fair Value Adjustments
		(a)		The adjustment represents the write down of the book value of loans to their estimated fair value based on current interest rates and expected cash flows, which includes an estimate of expected loan loss inherent in the portfolio.  Loans that met the criteria and are being accounted for in accordance with ASC 310-30 had a carrying amount of $201 thousand.  Non-impaired loans not accounted for under 310-30 had a carrying value of $4.3 million.
		(b)		The amount represents the adjustment of the book value of buildings, and furniture and equipment, to their estimated fair value based on appraisals and other methods.  The adjustments will be depreciated over the estimated economic lives of the assets.
		(c)		The adjustment represents the value of the core deposit base assumed in the acquisition.  The core deposit asset was recorded as an identifiable intangible asset and will be amortized over the estimated useful life of the deposit base.
		(d)		Represents an intangible liability related to assumed leases, which was recorded as an identifiable intangible and will be amortized over the remaining life of the leases.
		(e)		The adjustment is driven by the weighted average interest rate of deposits exceeded the cost of similar funding at the time of acquisition.
		(f)		Represents an establishment of a reserve on certain acquired lines of credit, which were determined to have specific credit risk at the time of acquisition.
Schedule of acquired loan portfolio
	Information about the acquired loan portfolio subject to ASC 310-30 as of January 17, 2014 is, as follows (in thousands):
			ASC 310-30 Loans
	Contractually required principal and interest at acquisition		$	201
	Contractual cash flows not expected to be collected (nonaccretable discount)		(100		)
	Expected cash flows at acquisition		101
	Interest component of expected cash flows (accretable premium)		20
	Fair value of acquired loans		$	121
Schedule of unaudited pro forma supplemental information from the combined results of operations
			Pro Forma (unaudited)
			Years ended December 31,
			2014			2013
	Net interest income		$	179,249		$	180,220
	Non-interest income		56,750			62,452
	Net income		41,443			43,552
	Pro forma earnings per share:
	Basic		$	1.68		$	1.76
	Diluted		$	1.67		$	1.74

SECURITIES_Tables

SECURITIES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
SECURITIES
Summary of securities available for sale ("AFS") and securities
	(In thousands)	Amortized			Gross		Gross			Fair Value
		Cost			Unrealized		Unrealized
					Gains		Losses
	December 31, 2014
	Securities available for sale
	Debt securities:
	Municipal bonds and obligations	$	127,014		$	6,859	$	(174	)	$	133,699
	Government guaranteed residential mortgage-backed securities	68,972			702		(206		)	69,468
	Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities	755,893			7,421		(3,130		)	760,184
	Corporate bonds	55,134			120		(1,103		)	54,151
	Trust preferred securities	16,607			820		(1,212		)	16,215
	Other bonds and obligations	3,211			—		(52		)	3,159
	Total debt securities	1,026,831			15,922		(5,877		)	1,036,876
	Marketable equity securities	48,993			7,322		(1,373		)	54,942
	Total securities available for sale	1,075,824			23,244		(7,250		)	1,091,818
	Securities held to maturity
	Municipal bonds and obligations	4,997			—		—			4,997
	Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities	70			4		—			74
	Tax advantaged economic development bonds	37,948			1,680		(34		)	39,594
	Other bonds and obligations	332			—		—			332
	Total securities held to maturity	43,347			1,684		(34		)	44,997
	Total	$	1,119,171		$	24,928	$	(7,284	)	$	1,136,815
	December 31, 2013
	Securities available for sale
	Debt securities:
	Municipal bonds and obligations	$	77,852		$	1,789	$	(1,970	)	$	77,671
	Government guaranteed residential mortgage-backed securities	78,885			544		(658		)	78,771
	Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities	531,441			2,000		(10,783		)	522,658
	Corporate bonds	40,945			157		(1,822		)	39,280
	Trust preferred securities	16,927			1,249		(1,565		)	16,611
	Other bonds and obligations	3,250			—		(166		)	3,084
	Total debt securities	749,300			5,739		(16,964		)	738,075
	Marketable equity securities	20,042			2,266		(335		)	21,973
	Total securities available for sale	769,342			8,005		(17,299		)	760,048
	Securities held to maturity
	Municipal bonds and obligations	4,244			—		—			4,244
	Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities	73			2		—			75
	Tax advantaged economic development bonds	40,260			1,255		(414		)	41,101
	Other bonds and obligations	344			—		—			344
	Total securities held to maturity	44,921			1,257		(414		)	45,764
	Total	$	814,263		$	9,262	$	(17,713	)	$	805,812
Schedule of amortized cost and estimated fair value of available for sale (AFS) and held to maturity (HTM) securities, segregated by contractual maturity
		Available for sale					Held to maturity
		Amortized			Fair		Amortized			Fair
	(In thousands)	Cost			Value		Cost			Value
	Within 1 year	$	30,732		$	29,738	$	1,047		$	1,047
	Over 1 year to 5 years	1,257			1,271		17,248			18,139
	Over 5 years to 10 years	17,687			17,944		12,360			12,524
	Over 10 years	152,290			158,271		12,622			13,213
	Total bonds and obligations	201,966			207,224		43,277			44,923
	Marketable equity securities	48,993			54,942		—			—
	Residential mortgage-backed securities	824,865			829,652		70			74
	Total	$	1,075,824		$	1,091,818	$	43,347		$	44,997
Schedule of amortized cost and fair values of pledged securities
		2014					2013
		Amortized			Fair		Amortized			Fair
	(In thousands)	Cost			Value		Cost			Value
	Securities pledged to swap counterparties	$	25,875		$	26,083	$	26,227		$	26,442
	Securities pledged for municipal deposits	41,281			42,098		44,777			44,438
	Total	$	67,156		$	68,181	$	71,004		$	70,880
Schedule of components of net realized gains and losses on the sale of AFS securities
	(In thousands)	2014			2013		2012
	Gross realized gains	$	2,601		$	4,758	$	820
	Gross realized losses	(2,119		)	—		(520		)
	Net realized gain/(losses)	$	482		$	4,758	$	300
Schedule of securities with unrealized losses, segregated by the duration of their continuous unrealized loss positions
		Less Than Twelve Months					Over Twelve Months					Total
		Gross					Gross					Gross
		Unrealized			Fair		Unrealized			Fair		Unrealized		Fair
	(In thousands)	Losses			Value		Losses			Value		Losses		Value
	December 31, 2014
	Securities available for sale
	Debt securities:
	Municipal bonds and obligations	$	8		$	1,001	$	166		$	7,206	$	174	$	8,207
	Government guaranteed residential mortgage-backed securities	46			7,122		160			16,727		206		23,849
	Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities	236			30,672		2,894			167,473		3,130		198,145
	Corporate bonds	1,103			39,571		—			—		1,103		39,571
	Trust preferred securities	65			935		1,147			2,408		1,212		3,343
	Other bonds and obligations	—			—		52			3,035		52		3,035
	Total debt securities	1,458			79,301		4,419			196,849		5,877		276,150
	Marketable equity securities	1,039			9,902		334			4,755		1,373		14,657
	Total securities available for sale	$	2,497		$	89,203	$	4,753		$	201,604	$	7,250	$	290,807
	Securities held to maturity
	Tax advantaged economic development bonds	—			—		34			7,972		34		7,972
	Total securities held to maturity	—			—		34			7,972		34		7,972
	Total	$	2,497		$	89,203	$	4,787		$	209,576	$	7,284	$	298,779
	December 31, 2013
	Securities available for sale
	Debt securities:
	Municipal bonds and obligations	$	1,657		$	17,776	$	313		$	1,854	$	1,970	$	19,630
	Government guaranteed residential mortgage-backed securities	658			35,631		—			—		658		35,631
	Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities	10,783			423,203		—			—		10,783		423,203
	Corporate bonds	1,822			29,124		—			—		1,822		29,124
	Trust preferred securities	—			—		1,565			2,039		1,565		2,039
	Other bonds and obligations	166			3,082		—			—		166		3,082
	Total debt securities	15,086			508,816		1,878			3,893		16,964		512,709
	Marketable equity securities	117			1,653		218			1,782		335		3,435
	Total securities available for sale	$	15,203		$	510,469	$	2,096		$	5,675	$	17,299	$	516,144
	Securities held to maturity
	Tax advantaged economic development bonds	57			9,429		357			7,901		414		17,330
	Total securities held to maturity	57			9,429		357			7,901		414		17,330
	Total	$	15,260		$	519,898	$	2,453		$	13,576	$	17,713	$	533,474

LOANS_Tables

LOANS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
LOANS
Schedule of loans
			2014								2013
	(In thousands)		Business Activities			Acquired Loans			Total		Business Activities		Acquired Loans		Total
	Residential mortgages:
	1-4 family		$	1,199,408		$	268,734		$	1,468,142	$	1,027,737	$	333,367	$	1,361,104
	Construction		27,044			1,018			28,062		18,158		5,012		23,170
	Total residential mortgages		1,226,452			269,752			1,496,204		1,045,895		338,379		1,384,274
	Commercial real estate:
	Construction		169,189			4,201			173,390		125,247		13,770		139,017
	Single and multi-family		140,050			53,168			193,218		63,493		64,827		128,320
	Commercial real estate		1,030,837			214,122			1,244,959		871,271		278,512		1,149,783
	Total commercial real estate		1,340,076			271,491			1,611,567		1,060,011		357,109		1,417,120
	Commercial and industrial loans:
	Asset based lending		341,246			—			341,246		294,241		3,130		297,371
	Other commercial and industrial loans		411,945			51,175			463,120		323,196		66,726		389,922
	Total commercial and industrial loans		753,191			51,175			804,366		617,437		69,856		687,293
	Total commercial loans		2,093,267			322,666			2,415,933		1,677,448		426,965		2,104,413
	Consumer loans:
	Home equity		252,681			65,951			318,632		232,677		74,154		306,831
	Auto and other		346,480			103,351			449,831		213,171		171,834		385,005
	Total consumer loans		599,161			169,302			768,463		445,848		245,988		691,836
	Total loans		$	3,918,880		$	761,720		$	4,680,600	$	3,169,191	$	1,011,332	$	4,180,523
Schedule of total unamortized net costs and premiums included in the total loans for historical loans
	(In thousands)		2014			2013
	Unamortized net loan origination costs		$	14,268		$	13,898
	Unamortized net premium on purchased loans		4,604			3,652
	Total unamortized net costs and premiums		$	18,872		$	17,550
Schedule of activity in the accretable yield for the acquired loan portfolio that falls under the purview of ASC 310-30, Accounting for Certain Loans or Debt Securities Acquired in a Transfer
	(In thousands)		2014			2013
	Balance at beginning of period		$	2,559		$	8,247
	Acquisitions		—			—
	Sales		—			(301		)
	Reclassification from nonaccretable difference for loans with improved cash flows		2,644			2,252
	Changes in expected cash flows that do not affect nonaccretable difference		—			—
	Accretion		(2,662		)	(7,639		)
	Balance at end of period		$	2,541		$	2,559
Summary of past due loans
	Business Activities Loans
	(in thousands)		30-59 Days			60-89 Days			Greater		Total Past		Current		Total Loans		Past Due >
			Past Due			Past Due			Than 90		Due						90 days and
									Days Past								Accruing
									Due
	December 31, 2014
	Residential mortgages:
	1-4 family		$	5,580		$	146		$	4,053	$	9,779	$	1,189,629	$	1,199,408	$	1,527
	Construction		666			410			—		1,076		25,968		27,044		—
	Total		6,246			556			4,053		10,855		1,215,597		1,226,452		1,527
	Commercial real estate:
	Construction		—			2,000			720		2,720		166,469		169,189		—
	Single and multi-family		178			156			458		792		139,258		140,050		—
	Commercial real estate		692			705			9,383		10,780		1,020,057		1,030,837		621
	Total		870			2,861			10,561		14,292		1,325,784		1,340,076		621
	Commercial and industrial loans
	Asset based lending		—			—			—		—		341,246		341,246		—
	Other commercial and industrial loans		1,040			498			856		2,394		409,551		411,945		6
	Total		1,040			498			856		2,394		750,797		753,191		6
	Consumer loans:
	Home equity		333			1,000			1,387		2,720		249,961		252,681		230
	Auto and other		831			65			315		1,211		345,269		346,480		10
	Total		1,164			1,065			1,702		3,931		595,230		599,161		240
	Total		$	9,320		$	4,980		$	17,172	$	31,472	$	3,887,408	$	3,918,880	$	2,394
	Business Activities Loans
	(in thousands)		30-59 Days			60-89 Days			Greater		Total Past		Current		Total Loans		Past Due >
			Past Due			Past Due			Than 90		Due						90 days and
									Days Past								Accruing
									Due
	December 31, 2013
	Residential mortgages:
	1-4 family		$	2,500		$	623		$	7,382	$	10,505	$	1,017,232	$	1,027,737	$	1,451
	Construction		—			—			41		41		18,117		18,158		—
	Total		2,500			623			7,423		10,546		1,035,349		1,045,895		1,451
	Commercial real estate:
	Construction		174			—			3,176		3,350		121,897		125,247		—
	Single and multi-family		139			654			679		1,472		62,021		63,493		168
	Commercial real estate		622			4,801			6,912		12,335		858,936		871,271		865
	Total		935			5,455			10,767		17,157		1,042,854		1,060,011		1,033
	Commercial and industrial loans
	Asset based lending		—			—			—		—		294,241		294,241		—
	Other commercial and industrial loans		1,136			386			1,477		2,999		320,197		323,196		42
	Total		1,136			386			1,477		2,999		614,438		617,437		42
	Consumer loans:
	Home equity		732			54			1,655		2,441		230,236		232,677		572
	Auto and other		524			231			390		1,145		212,026		213,171		142
	Total		1,256			285			2,045		3,586		442,262		445,848		714
	Total		$	5,827		$	6,749		$	21,712	$	34,288	$	3,134,903	$	3,169,191	$	3,240
	Acquired Loans
	(in thousands)		30-59 Days			60-89 Days			Greater		Total Past		Acquired		Total Loans		Past Due >
			Past Due			Past Due			Than 90		Due		Credit				90 days and
									Days Past				Impaired				Accruing
									Due
	December 31, 2014
	Residential mortgages:
	1-4 family		$	1,133		$	638		$	1,651	$	3,422	$	375	$	268,734	$	269
	Construction		—			—			—		—		—		1,018		—
	Total		1,133			638			1,651		3,422		375		269,752		269
	Commercial real estate:
	Construction		—			—			691		691		1,296		4,201		—
	Single and multi-family		277			—			572		849		5,477		53,168		—
	Commercial real estate		—			715			2,004		2,719		5,504		214,122		329
	Total		277			715			3,267		4,259		12,277		271,491		329
Commercial and industrial loans
Asset based lending		—			—			—		—		—		—		—
Other commercial and industrial loans		202			32			855		1,089		986		51,175		—
Total		202			32			855		1,089		986		51,175		—
Consumer loans:
Home equity		176			95			1,049		1,320		171		65,951		466
Auto and other		1,170			944			1,363		3,477		—		103,351		194
Total		1,346			1,039			2,412		4,797		171		169,302		660
Total		$	2,958		$	2,424		$	8,185	$	13,567	$	13,809	$	761,720	$	1,258
Acquired Loans
(in thousands)		30-59 Days			60-89 Days			Greater		Total Past		Acquired		Total Loans		Past Due >
		Past Due			Past Due			Than 90		Due		Credit				90 days and
								Days Past				Impaired				Accruing
								Due
December 31, 2013
Residential mortgages:
1-4 family		$	1,891		$	437		$	2,507	$	4,835	$	329	$	333,367	$	735
Construction		134			32			625		791				5,012		501
Total		2,025			469			3,132		5,626		329		338,379		1,236
Commercial real estate:
Construction		—			—			—		—		6,616		13,770		—
Single and multi-family		350			188			823		1,361		9,666		64,827		—
Commercial real estate		537			518			3,455		4,510		10,252		278,512		272
Total		887			706			4,278		5,871		26,534		357,109		272
Commercial and industrial loans
Asset based lending		—			—			—		—		—		3,130		—
Other commercial and industrial loans		440			135			1,074		1,649		3,036		66,726		153
Total		440			135			1,074		1,649		3,036		69,856		153
Consumer loans:
Home equity		425			545			637		1,607		—		74,154		35
Auto and other		2,606			641			1,641		4,888		—		171,834		82
Total		3,031			1,186			2,278		6,495		—		245,988		117
Total		$	6,383		$	2,496		$	10,762	$	19,641	$	29,899	$	1,011,332	$	1,778
Summary of information pertaining to non-accrual loans
			2014								2013
	(In thousands)		Business Activities			Acquired Loans			Total		Business Activities		Acquired Loans		Total
			Loans								Loans
	Residential mortgages:
	1-4 family		$	2,526		$	1,382		$	3,908	$	5,931	$	1,772	$	7,703
	Construction		—			—			—		41		123		164
	Total		2,526			1,382			3,908		5,972		1,895		7,867
	Commercial real estate:
	Construction		720			—			720		3,176		—		3,176
	Single and multi-family		458			141			599		511		823		1,334
	Other commerical real estate		8,762			1,675			10,437		6,047		3,183		9,230
	Total		9,940			1,816			11,756		9,734		4,006		13,740
	Commercial and industrial loans:
	Asset based lending		—			—			—		—		—		—
	Other commercial and industrial loans		850			811			1,661		1,434		921		2,355
	Total		850			811			1,661		1,434		921		2,355
	Consumer loans:
	Home equity		1,157			583			1,740		1,083		602		1,685
	Auto and other		305			1,169			1,474		249		1,559		1,808
	Total		1,462			1,752			3,214		1,332		2,161		3,493
	Total non-accrual loans		$	14,778		$	5,761		$	20,539	$	18,472	$	8,983	$	27,455
Schedule of loans evaluated for impairment
	Business Activities Loans
	(In thousands)		Residential			Commercial			Commercial
	2014		mortgages			real estate			and industrial		Consumer		Total
	Loans receivable:
	Balance at end of year
	Individually evaluated for impairment		$	3,238		$	22,015		$	743	$	452	$	26,448
	Collectively evaluated		1,223,214			1,318,061			752,448		598,709		3,892,432
	Total		$	1,226,452		$	1,340,076		$	753,191	$	599,161	$	3,918,880
	Business Activities Loans
	(In thousands)		Residential			Commercial			Commercial
	2013		mortgages			real estate			and industrial		Consumer		Total
	Loans receivable:
	Balance at end of year
	Individually evaluated for impairment		$	6,237		$	22,429		$	1,380	$	515	$	30,561
	Collectively evaluated		1,039,658			1,037,582			616,057		445,333		3,138,630
	Total		$	1,045,895		$	1,060,011		$	617,437	$	445,848	$	3,169,191
	Acquired Loans
	(In thousands)		Residential			Commercial			Commercial
	2014		mortgages			real estate			and industrial		Consumer		Total
	Loans receivable:
	Balance at end of year
	Individually evaluated for impairment		$	695		$	5,637		$	39	$	199	$	6,570
	Collectively evaluated		269,057			265,854			51,136		169,103		755,150
	Total		$	269,752		$	271,491		$	51,175	$	169,302	$	761,720
	Acquired Loans
	(In thousands)		Residential			Commercial			Commercial
	2013		mortgages			real estate			and industrial		Consumer		Total
	Loans receivable:
	Balance at end of year
	Individually evaluated for impairment		$	1,568		$	6,295		$	367	$	154	$	8,384
	Collectively evaluated		336,811			350,814			69,489		245,834		1,002,948
	Total		$	338,379		$	357,109		$	69,856	$	245,988	$	1,011,332
Summary of impaired loans
	Business Activities Loans
			At December 31, 2014
	(In thousands)		Recorded Investment			Unpaid Principal			Related Allowance
						Balance
	With no related allowance:
	Residential mortgages - 1-4 family		$	2,528		$	2,528		$	—
	Commercial real estate - construction		16,990			16,990			—
	Commercial real estate - single and multifamily		—			—			—
	Other commercial real estate		102			102			—
	Other commercial and industrial loans		743			743			—
	Consumer - home equity		87			87			—
	Consumer - other		—			—			—
	With an allowance recorded:
	Residential mortgages - 1-4 family		$	555		$	710		$	155
	Commercial real estate - construction		3,511			4,431			920
	Commercial real estate - single and multifamily		490			492			2
	Other commercial real estate		—			—			—
	Other commercial and industrial loans		—			—			—
	Consumer - home equity		194			248			54
	Consumer - other		105			117			12
	Total
	Residential mortgages		$	3,083		$	3,238		$	155
	Commercial real estate		21,093			22,015			922
	Commercial and industrial		743			743			—
	Consumer		386			452			66
	Total impaired loans		$	25,305		$	26,448		$	1,143
	Acquired Loans
			At December 31, 2014
	(In thousands)		Recorded Investment			Unpaid Principal			Related Allowance
						Balance
	With no related allowance:
	Residential mortgages - 1-4 family		$	189		$	189		$	—
	Other commercial real estate loans		5,206			5,206			—
	Other commercial and industrial loans		39			39			—
	Consumer - home equity		—			—			—
	With an allowance recorded:
	Residential mortgages - 1-4 family		458			506			$	48
	Other commercial real estate loans		383			431			48
	Other commercial and industrial loans		—			—			—
	Consumer - home equity		124			199			75
	Total
	Residential mortgages		$	647		$	695		$	48
	Commercial real estate		5,589			5,637			48
	Commercial and industrial		39			39			—
	Consumer		124			199			75
	Total impaired loans		$	6,399		$	6,570		$	171
	Business Activities Loans
			At December 31, 2013
	(In thousands)		Recorded Investment			Unpaid Principal			Related Allowance
						Balance
	With no related allowance:
	Residential mortgages - 1-4 family		$	3,406		$	3,406		$	—
	Commercial real estate - construction		3,176			3,176			—
	Commercial real estate - single and multifamily		—			—			—
	Other commercial real estate loans		18,909			18,909			—
	Other commercial and industrial loans		811			811			—
	Consumer - home equity		270			270			—
	With an allowance recorded:
	Residential mortgages - 1-4 family		$	1,926		$	2,831		$	905
	Commercial real estate - construction		—			—			—
	Commercial real estate - single and multifamily		—			—			—
	Other commercial real estate loans		125			344			219
	Other commercial and industrial loans		514			569			55
Consumer - home equity		142			245			103
Total
Residential mortgages		$	5,332		$	6,237		$	905
Commercial real estate		22,210			22,429			219
Commercial and industrial loans		1,325			1,380			55
Consumer		412			515			103
Total impaired loans		$	29,279		$	30,561		$	1,282
Acquired Loans
		At December 31, 2013
(In thousands)		Recorded Investment			Unpaid Principal			Related Allowance
					Balance
With no related allowance:
Residential mortgages - 1-4 family		$	381		$	381		$	—
Other commercial real estate loans		3,853			3,853			—
Other commercial and industrial loans		367			367			—
With an allowance recorded:
Residential mortgages - 1-4 family		$	957		$	1,187		$	230
Other commercial real estate loans		1,954			2,442			488
Consumer - home equity		115			154			39
Total
Residential mortgages		$	1,338		$	1,568		$	230
Other commercial real estate loans		5,807			6,295			488
Other commercial and industrial loans		367			367			—
Consumer - home equity		115			154			39
Total impaired loans		$	7,627		$	8,384		$	757
Summary of the average recorded investment and interest income recognized on impaired loans
	Business Activities Loans
			For the Year Ended December 31, 2014						For the Year Ended December 31, 2013
	(in thousands)		Average Recorded			Cash Basis Interest			Average Recorded		Cash Basis Interest
			Investment			Income Recognized			Investment		Income Recognized
	With no related allowance:
	Residential mortgages - 1-4 family		$	3,807		$	141		$	4,208	$	150
	Commercial real estate - construction		18,218			704			3,997		30
	Commercial real estate - single and multifamily		519			—			—		—
	Other commercial real estate		9			—			22,653		885
	Commercial and industrial		1,877			70			1,833		61
	Consumer-home equity		234			3			1,008		9
	Consumer-other		—			—			129		5
	With an allowance recorded:
	Residential mortgages - 1-4 family		$	648		$	31		$	2,359	$	44
	Commercial mortages - construction		2,837			84			—		—
	Commercial real estate - single and multifamily		1,213			—			—		—
	Other commercial real estate		—			—			103		—
	Commercial and industrial		—			—			14		3
	Consumer-home equity		207			6			103		3
	Consumer - other		120			4			—		—
	Total
	Residential mortgages		$	4,455		$	172		$	6,567	$	194
	Commercial real esate		22,796			788			26,753		915
	Commercial and industrial		1,877			70			1,847		64
	Consumer loans		561			13			1,240		17
	Total impaired loans		$	29,689		$	1,043		$	36,407	$	1,190
	Acquired Loans
			For the Year Ended December 31, 2014						For the Year Ended December 31, 2013
	(in thousands)		Average Recorded			Cash Basis Interest			Average Recorded		Cash Basis Interest
			Investment			Income Recognized			Investment		Income Recognized
	With no related allowance:
	Residential mortgages - 1-4 family		$	841		$	8		$	736	$	5
	Commercial real estate - construction		5,484			227			—		—
	Other commercial real estate		—			—			2,864		111
	Commercial and industrial		356			13			231		6
	Consumer-home equity		41			—			—		—
	With an allowance recorded:
	Residential mortgages - 1-4 family		$	241		$	14		$	414	$	23
	Commercial real estate - construction		108			4			—		—
	Commercial real estate - single and multifamily		—			—			—		—
	Other commercial real estate		—			—			1,997		67
	Commercial and industrial		—			—			—		—
	Consumer-home equity		51			6			38		3
	Total
	Residential mortgages		$	1,082		$	22		$	1,150	$	28
	Commercial real esate		5,592			231			4,861		178
	Commercial and industrial		356			13			231		6
	Consumer loans		92			6			38		3
	Total impaired loans		$	7,122		$	272		$	6,280	$	215
Schedule of recorded investment and number of modifications for TDRs identified during the period
			Modifications by Class
			For the twelve months ending December 31, 2014
			Number of		Pre-Modification			Post-Modification
			Modifications		Outstanding Recorded			Outstanding Recorded
					Investment (In thousands)			Investment
	Troubled Debt Restructurings
	Residential- 1-4 Family		5		$	600		$	598
	Residential- Construction		1		102			102
	Commercial - Single and multifamily		1		623			623
	Commercial - Other		10		9,190			9,190
			17		$	10,515		$	10,513
			Modifications by Class
			For the twelve months ending December 31, 2013
			Number of		Pre-Modification			Post-Modification
			Modifications		Outstanding Recorded			Outstanding Recorded
					Investment (In thousands)			Investment
	Troubled Debt Restructurings
	Residential- 1-4 Family		7		$	1,152		$	1,152
	Commercial - Single and multifamily		1		320			320
	Commercial - Other		2		2,366			2,406
	Commercial and industrial- Other		10		3,882			3,450
	Consumer- Auto and other		7		443			442
			27		$	8,163		$	7,770
			Modifications by Class
			For the twelve months ending December 31, 2012
			Number of		Pre-Modification			Post-Modification
			Modifications		Outstanding Recorded			Outstanding Recorded
					Investment (In thousands)			Investment
	Troubled Debt Restructurings
	Residential- 1-4 Family		3		$	468		$	467
	Commercial - Single and multifamily		4		225			225
	Commercial - Other		3		2,493			2,493
	Commercial and industrial- Other		3		1,308			1,308
	Consumer- Auto and other		1		133			133
			14		$	4,627		$	4,626
			Modifications that Subsequently Defaulted
			For the twelve months ending December 31, 2014
			Number of Contracts		Recorded Investment
	Troubled Debt Restructurings
	Commercial and industrial- Other		2		$	101
			Modifications that Subsequently Defaulted
			For the twelve months ending December 31, 2013
			Number of Contracts		Recorded Investment
	Troubled Debt Restructurings
	Residential- 1-4 Family		1		$	201
	Commercial - Single and multifamily		5		261
	Commercial - Other		7		1,961
	Commercial and industrial- Other		1		55
			14		$	2,478
Schedule of TDR activity
	(In thousands)		2014			2013
	Balance at beginning of year		$	10,822		$	4,626
	Principal payments		(2,651		)	(118		)
	TDR status change (1)		(52		)	(1,164		)
	Other reductions (2)		(1,918		)	(292		)
	Newly identified TDRs		10,513			7,770
	Balance at end of year		$	16,714		$	10,822
		-1		TDR Status change classification represents TDR loans with a specified interest rate equal to or greater than the rate that the Company was willing to accept at the time of the restructuring for a new loan with comparable risk and  the loan was on current payment status and not impaired based on the terms specified by the restructuring agreement.
		-2		Other Reductions classification consists of transfer to other real estate owned, charge-offs to loans, and other loan sale payoffs.

LOAN_LOSS_ALLOWANCE_Tables

LOAN LOSS ALLOWANCE (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
LOAN LOSS ALLOWANCE
Schedule of activity in the allowance for loan losses
	Business Activities Loans
	(In thousands)	Residential		Commercial			Commercial
	2014	mortgages		real estate			and industrial		Consumer		Unallocated			Total
	Balance at beginning of year	$	6,937	$	13,705		$	5,173	$	3,644	$	68		$	29,527
	Charged-off loans	1,455		4,207			2,500		1,308		—			9,470
	Recoveries on charged-off loans	186		9			193		285		—			673
	Provision for loan losses	1,168		5,183			2,340		3,307		67			12,065
	Balance at end of year	$	6,836	$	14,690		$	5,206	$	5,928	$	135		$	32,795
	Individually evaluated for impairment	155		922			—		66		—			1,143
	Collectively evaluated	6,681		13,768			5,206		5,862		135			31,652
	Total	$	6,836	$	14,690		$	5,206	$	5,928	$	135		$	32,795
	Acquired Loans
	(In thousands)	Residential		Commercial			Commercial
	2014	mortgages		real estate			and industrial		Consumer		Unallocated			Total
	Balance at beginning of year	$	625	$	2,339		$	597	$	235	$	—		$	3,796
	Charged-off loans	1,141		1,477			510		1,255		—			4,383
	Recoveries on charged-off loans	179		261			35		76		—			551
	Provision for loan losses	952		(333		)	971		1,313		—			2,903
	Balance at end of year	$	615	$	790		$	1,093	$	369	$	—		$	2,867
	Individually evaluated for impairment	48		48			—		75		—			171
	Collectively evaluated	567		742			1,093		294		—			2,696
	Total	$	615	$	790		$	1,093	$	369	$	—		$	2,867
	Business Activities Loans
	(In thousands)	Residential		Commercial			Commercial
	2013	mortgages		real estate			and industrial		Consumer		Unallocated			Total
	Balance at beginning of year	$	5,928	$	18,863		$	5,605	$	1,466	$	29		$	31,891
	Charged-off loans	1,761		3,378			2,046		917		—			8,102
	Recoveries on charged-off loans	398		540			121		270		—			1,329
	Provision for loan losses	2,372		(2,320		)	1,493		2,825		39			4,409
	Balance at end of year	$	6,937	$	13,705		$	5,173	$	3,644	$	68		$	29,527
	Individually evaluated for impairment	905		219			55		103		—			1,282
	Collectively evaluated	6,032		13,486			5,118		3,541		68			28,245
	Total	$	6,937	$	13,705		$	5,173	$	3,644	$	68		$	29,527
	Acquired Loans
	(In thousands)	Residential		Commercial			Commercial
	2013	mortgages		real estate			and industrial		Consumer		Unallocated			Total
	Balance at beginning of year	$	509	$	390		$	96	$	314	$	8		$	1,317
	Charged-off loans	636		1,748			771		1,580		—			4,735
	Recoveries on charged-off loans	1		15			84		145		—			245
	Provision for loan losses	751		3,682			1,188		1,356		(8		)	6,969
	Balance at end of year	$	625	$	2,339		$	597	$	235	$	—		$	3,796
	Individually evaluated for impairment	230		488			—		39		—			757
	Collectively evaluated	395		1,851			597		196		—			3,039
	Total	$	625	$	2,339		$	597	$	235	$	—		$	3,796
	Business Activities Loans
	(In thousands)	Residential		Commercial			Commercial
	2012	mortgages		real estate			and industrial		Consumer		Unallocated			Total
	Balance at beginning of year	$	3,150	$	22,095		$	4,540	$	2,203	$	(90	)	$	31,898
	Charged-off loans	2,604		4,229			697		1,537		—			9,067
	Recoveries on charged-off loans	103		52			96		165		—			416
	Provision for loan losses	5,279		945			1,666		635		119			8,644
	Balance at end of year	$	5,928	$	18,863		$	5,605	$	1,466	$	29		$	31,891
	Individually evaluated for impairment	287		1,444			1,205		273		—			3,209
	Collectively evaluated	5,641		17,419			4,400		1,193		29			28,682
	Total	$	5,928	$	18,863		$	5,605	$	1,466	$	29		$	31,891
	Acquired Loans
	(In thousands)	Residential		Commercial			Commercial
	2012	mortgages		real estate			and industrial		Consumer		Unallocated			Total
	Balance at beginning of year	$	281	$	158		$	38	$	87	$	(18	)	$	546
	Charged-off loans	43		—			—		340		—			383
	Recoveries on charged-off loans	—		—			—		208		—			208
	Provision for loan losses	271		232			58		359		26			946
	Balance at end of year	$	509	$	390		$	96	$	314	$	8		$	1,317
Individually evaluated for impairment	55		—			—		—		—			55
Collectively evaluated	454		390			96		314		8			1,262
Total	$	509	$	390		$	96	$	314	$	8		$	1,317
Schedule of loans by risk rating
	Business Activities Loans
	Residential Mortgages
	Credit Risk Profile by Internally Assigned Grade
		1-4 family					Construction				Total residential mortgages
	(In thousands)	2014		2013			2014		2013		2014			2013
	Grade:
	Pass	$	1,195,209	$	1,019,732		$	26,634	$	18,117	$	1,221,843		$	1,037,849
	Special mention	146		623			410		—		556			623
	Substandard	4,053		7,382			—		41		4,053			7,423
	Total	$	1,199,408	$	1,027,737		$	27,044	$	18,158	$	1,226,452		$	1,045,895
	Commercial Mortgages
	Credit Risk Profile by Creditworthiness Category
		Construction					Single and multi-family				Other					Total commercial real estate
	(In thousands)	2014		2013			2014		2013		2014			2013		2014		2013
	Grade:
	Pass	$	166,295	$	120,071		$	137,533	$	59,636	$	959,836		$	800,672	$	1,263,664	$	980,379
	Special mention	—		—			—		140		6,933			8,150		6,933		8,290
	Substandard	2,894		5,176			2,517		3,717		63,995			61,807		69,406		70,700
	Doubtful	—		—			—		—		73			642		73		642
	Total	$	169,189	$	125,247		$	140,050	$	63,493	$	1,030,837		$	871,271	$	1,340,076	$	1,060,011
	Commercial Business Loans
	Credit Risk Profile by Creditworthiness Category
		Asset based lending					Other				Total comm. and industrial
	(In thousands)	2014		2013			2014		2013		2014			2013
	Grade:
	Pass	$	341,246	$	294,241		$	404,846	$	313,984	$	746,092		$	608,225
	Special mention	—		—			560		884		560			884
	Substandard	—		—			6,539		7,725		6,539			7,725
	Doubtful	—		—			—		603		—			603
	Total	$	341,246	$	294,241		$	411,945	$	323,196	$	753,191		$	617,437
	Consumer Loans
	Credit Risk Profile Based on Payment Activity
		Home equity					Auto and other				Total consumer
	(In thousands)	2014		2013			2014		2013		2014			2013
	Performing	$	251,524	$	231,594		$	346,175	$	212,922	$	597,699		$	444,516
	Nonperforming	1,157		1,083			305		249		1,462			1,332
	Total	$	252,681	$	232,677		$	346,480	$	213,171	$	599,161		$	445,848
	Acquired Loans
	Residential Mortgages
	Credit Risk Profile by Internally Assigned Grade
		1-4 family					Construction				Total residential mortgages
	(In thousands)	2014		2013			2014		2013		2014			2013
	Grade:
	Pass	$	266,445	$	330,353		$	1,018	$	1,081	$	267,463		$	331,434
	Special mention	638		437			—		—		638			437
	Substandard	1,651		2,577			—		3,931		1,651			6,508
	Total	$	268,734	$	333,367		$	1,018	$	5,012	$	269,752		$	338,379
	Commercial Mortgages
	Credit Risk Profile by Creditworthiness Category
		Construction					Single and multi-family				Other					Total commercial real estate
	(In thousands)	2014		2013			2014		2013		2014			2013		2014		2013
	Grade:
	Pass	$	2,904	$	7,154		$	44,497	$	46,961	$	195,681		$	254,787	$	243,082	$	308,902
	Special mention	—		—			533		4,799		4,868			9,034		5,401		13,833
	Substandard	1,297		6,616			8,138		13,067		13,573			14,691		23,008		34,374
	Total	$	4,201	$	13,770		$	53,168	$	64,827	$	214,122		$	278,512	$	271,491	$	357,109
	Commercial Business Loans
	Credit Risk Profile by Creditworthiness Category
		Asset based lending					Other				Total comm. and industrial
	(In thousands)	2014		2013			2014		2013		2014			2013
	Grade:
	Pass	$	—	$	3,130		$	45,757	$	59,615	$	45,757		$	62,745
	Special mention	—		—			1,723		2,396		1,723			2,396
Substandard	—		—			3,695		4,715		3,695			4,715
Total	$	—	$	3,130		$	51,175	$	66,726	$	51,175		$	69,856
Consumer Loans
Credit Risk Profile Based on Payment Activity
	Home equity					Auto and other				Total consumer
(In thousands)	2014		2013			2014		2013		2014			2013
Performing	$	65,368	$	73,552		$	102,182	$	170,275	$	167,550		$	243,827
Nonperforming	583		602			1,169		1,559		1,752			2,161
Total	$	65,951	$	74,154		$	103,351	$	171,834	$	169,302		$	245,988
Summary of information about total loans rated special mention or lower
		December 31, 2014							December 31, 2013
	(In thousands)	Business		Acquired Loans			Total		Business		Acquired Loans			Total
		Activities Loans							Activities Loans
	Non-Accrual	$	14,778	$	6,927		$	21,705	$	18,472	$	8,983		$	27,455
	Substandard Accruing	66,995		23,839			90,834		70,667		38,891			109,558
	Total Classified	81,773		30,766			112,539		89,139		47,874			137,013
	Special Mention	9,113		8,800			17,913		10,081		17,853			27,934
	Total Criticized	$	90,886	$	39,566		$	130,452	$	99,220	$	65,727		$	164,947

PREMISES_AND_EQUIPMENT_Tables

PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT
Summary of premises and equipment
	(In thousands)	2014			2013			Estimated Useful
								Life
	Land	$	10,638		$	10,177		N/A
	Buildings and improvements	75,984			69,873			5 - 39 years
	Furniture and equipment	31,893			24,865			3 - 7 years
	Construction in process	1,191			4,336
	Premises and equipment, gross	119,706			109,251
	Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(32,427		)	(24,792		)
	Premises and equipment, net	$	87,279		$	84,459

GOODWILL_AND_OTHER_INTANGIBLES1

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLES
Schedule of increase in goodwill and goodwill by reporting units
	(In thousands)		2014		2013
	Balance, beginning of the period		$	256,871	$	255,199
	Goodwill aquired:
	New York Branch Acquisition		7,871		—
	Beacon Federal Bancorp, Inc. (1)		—		1,672
	Balance, end of the period		$	264,742	$	256,871
	(1)	Goodwill related to the acquisition of Beacon was adjusted due to the subsequent recognition of certain identifiable liabilities that had not been recognized as part of the original accounting.
	Year-end goodwill relates to the following reporting units:
	(In thousands)		2014		2013
	Banking		$	241,566	$	233,695
	Insurance		23,176		23,176
	Total		$	264,742	$	256,871
Schedule of components of other intangible assets
	(In thousands)		Gross Intangible		Accumulated			Net Intangible
			Assets		Amortization			Assets
	December 31, 2014
	Non-maturity deposits		$	34,053	$	(25,656	)	$	8,397
	Insurance contracts		7,558		(6,094		)	1,464
	All other intangible assets		3,894		(2,227		)	1,667
	Total		$	45,505	$	(33,977	)	$	11,528
	December 31, 2013
	Non-maturity deposits		$	31,503	$	(22,106	)	$	9,397
	Insurance contracts		7,558		(5,320		)	2,238
	All other intangible assets		3,894		(1,738		)	2,156
	Total		$	42,955	$	(29,164	)	$	13,791

OTHER_ASSETS_Tables

OTHER ASSETS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
OTHER ASSETS
Summary of other assets
	(In thousands)	2014			2013
	Capitalized mortgage servicing rights	$	3,757		$	4,112
	Accrued interest receivable	17,274			15,070
	Investment in tax credits	9,045			5,771
	Prepaid FDIC insurance	746			739
	Accrued federal and state tax receivable	5,055			5,343
	Derivative assets	12,443			8,318
	Assets held for sale	1,280			3,969
	Other	11,490			10,687
	Total other assets	$	61,090		$	54,009
Schedule of mortgage servicing rights activity
	(In thousands)	2014			2013
	Balance at beginning of year	$	4,112		$	3,198
	Additions	680			1,056
	Amortization	(1,035		)	(915		)
	Allowance Adjustment	—			773
	Balance at end of year	$	3,757		$	4,112

DEPOSITS_Tables

DEPOSITS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
DEPOSITS
Summary of time deposits
	(In thousands)	2014		2013
	Maturity date:
	Within 1 year	$	858,200	$	530,781
	Over 1 year to 2 years	404,445		282,370
	Over 2 years to 3 years	112,624		104,550
	Over 3 years to 4 years	45,212		48,052
	Over 4 years to 5 years	27,923		27,884
	Over 5 years	7,342		8,011
	Total	$	1,455,746	$	1,001,648
	Account balances:
	Less than $100,000	$	515,570	$	490,902
	$100,000 or more	940,176		510,746
	Total	$	1,455,746	$	1,001,648

BORROWED_FUNDS_Tables

BORROWED FUNDS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
BORROWED FUNDS
Schedule of borrowed funds
		2014				2013
				Weighted				Weighted
				Average				Average
	(in thousands, except rates)	Principal		Rate		Principal		Rate
	Short-term borrowings:
	Advances from the FHLBB	$	890,900	0.24	%	$	862,510	0.22	%
	Other Borrowings	10,000		1.80		10,000		1.92
	Total short-term borrowings:	900,900		0.23		872,510		0.24
	Long-term borrowings:
	Advances from the FHLBB	61,676		0.93		101,918		1.23
	Subordinated notes	74,283		7.00		74,215		7.00
	Junior subordinated notes	15,464		2.08		15,464		2.09
	Total long-term borrowings:	151,423		4.03		191,597		3.53
	Total	$	1,052,323	0.79	%	$	1,064,107	0.83	%
Summary of maturities of FHLBB advances
		2014				2013
				Weighted				Weighted
	(In thousands)	Amount		Average Rate		Amount		Average Rate
	Fixed rate advances maturing:
	2015	$	940,900	0.24	%	$	882,525	0.28	%
	2016	1,519		0.88		—		—
	2017	5,000		4.33		1,583		0.79
	2018	—		0.00		5,000		4.33
	2019 and beyond	5,157		3.85		5,320		3.83
	Total fixed rate advances	952,576		0.28		894,428		0.35
	Variable rate advances maturing:
	2015	—		0.00		10,000		0.32
	2016	—		0.00		20,000		0.30
	2017	—		0.00		10,000		0.30
	2018	—		0.00		—		0.00
	2019 and beyond	—		0.00		30,000		0.30
	Total variable rate advances	—		0.00		70,000		0.30
	Total FHLBB advances	$	952,576	0.28	%	$	964,428	0.32	%

OTHER_LIABILITIES_Tables

OTHER LIABILITIES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
OTHER LIABILITIES:
Summary of other liabilities
	(In thousands)	2014		2013
	Derivative liabilities	$	18,259	$	11,964
	Capital lease obligation	12,224		12,457
	Liabilities held for sale	—		24,834
	Due to broker	22,438		—
	Other	32,821		32,846
	Total other liabilities	$	85,742	$	82,101

EMPLOYEE_BENEFIT_PLANS_Tables

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Pension Plans
Employee benefit plans
Schedule of changes in the projected benefit obligation and plan assets
	(In thousands)	2014			2013
	Change in projected benefit obligation:
	Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	5,666		$	6,363
	Interest cost	271			250
	Actuarial loss/gain	1,607			(504		)
	Benefits paid	(334		)	(356		)
	Settlements	(17		)	(87		)
	Projected benefit obligation at end of year	7,193			5,666
	Accumulated beenfit obligation	7,193			5,666
	Change in fair value of plan assets:
	Fair value of plan assets at plan beginning of year	5,520			4,595
	Actual return on plan assets	331			883
	Contributions by employer	256			485
	Benefits paid	(334		)	(356		)
	Settlements	(17		)	(87		)
	Fair value of plan assets at end of year	5,756			5,520
	Underfunded status	$	1,437		$	146
Schedule of amounts recognized in statement of financial Position
	Amounts Recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheet
	Other Liabilities	$	(1,437	)	$	(146	)
Schedule of net periodic cost
	(In thousands)	2014			2013
	Interest Cost	$	271		$	250
	Expected return on plan assets	(437		)	(367		)
	Amortization of unrecognized actuarial loss	—			101
	Net periodic pension costs	$	(166	)	$	(16	)
Schedule of changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income
	(In thousands)	2014			2013
	Amortization of actuarial loss	$	—		$	(101	)
	Actuarial loss (gain)	1,713			(1,019		)
	Total loss (gain) recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income	1,713			(1,120		)
	Total loss (gain) recognized in net periodic pension cost recognized and other comprehensive income	$	1,547		$	(1,136	)
Schedule of principal actuarial assumptions
		2014		2013
	Projected benefit obligation
	Discount rate	3.820	%	4.950	%
	Net periodic pension cost
	Discount rate	4.950	%	4.050	%
	Long term rate of return on plan assets	8.000	%	8.000	%
Schedule of fair values of the plan's assets by asset category and level within the fair value hierarchy
	The fair values of the Plan’s assets by asset category and level within the fair value hierarchy are as follows at December 31, 2014:
	Asset Category (In thousands)	Total			Level 1			Level 2
	Equity Mutual Funds:
	Large-Cap	$	1,847		$	—		$	1,847
	Small-Cap	488			—			488
	International	461			—			461
	Equity Trusts	926			—			926
	Large-Cap
	Fixed Income Trusts	1,822			—			1,822
	Fixed Income Mutual Funds	212			99			113
	Total	$	5,756		$	99		$	5,657
	The fair values of the Plan’s assets by asset category and level within the fair value hierarchy are as follows at December 31, 2013:
	Asset Category (In thousands)	Total			Level 1			Level 2
	Equity Mutual Funds:
	Large-Cap	$	1,515		$	1,515		$	—
	Small-Cap	792			792			—
	International	637			637			—
	Equity Trusts
	Large-Cap	1,015			—			1,015
	Fixed Income Trusts	1,030			—			1,030
	Fixed Income Mutual Funds	531			531			—
	Total	$	5,520		$	3,475		$	2,045
Schedule of estimated benefit payments
	Year	Payments (In thousands)
	2015	377
	2016	376
	2017	378
	2018	374
	2019	419
	2020 - 2024	2,051
Postretirement Benefits
Employee benefit plans
Schedule of changes in the projected benefit obligation and plan assets
	(In thousands)	2014			2013
	Change in accumulated post retirement benefit obligation:
	Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	996		$	1,184
	Prior service cost of long-term care plan particpants	558			—
	Service Cost	12			—
	Interest cost	48			37
	Participant contributions	44			40
	Actuarial loss/ (gain)	26			(187		)
	Benefits paid	(80		)	(78		)
	Amendments	—			—
	Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation at end of year	$	1,604		$	996
	Change in plan assets:
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	—		$	—
	Contributions by employer	36			38
	Contributions by participant	44			40
	Benefits paid	(80		)	(78		)
	Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	—		$	—
Schedule of amounts recognized in statement of financial Position
	Amounts Recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheet
	Other Liabilities	$	(1,604	)	$	(996	)
Schedule of net periodic cost
	(In thousands)	2014			2013
	Service cost	$	12		$	—
	Interest costs	48			37
	Amortization of net prior service credit	(11		)	(34		)
	Amortization of net actuarial loss	—			7
	Net periodic postretirement costs	$	49		$	10
Schedule of changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income
	(In thousands)	2014			2013
	Amortization of actuarial loss	$	—		$	(9	)
	Amortization of prior service credit	11			34
	Net actuarial (gain) loss	27			(187		)
	Total recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income	38			(162		)
	Accrued postretirement liability recognized	$	1,347		$	1,333
Schedule of amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income that have not yet been recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost
	(In thousands)	2014			2013
	Net prior service cost (credit)	$	231		$	(338	)
	Net actuarial (gain) loss	27			1
	Total recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income	258			(337		)
Schedule of estimated benefit payments
	Year	Payments (In thousands)
	2015	88
	2016	88
	2017	88
	2018	98
	2019	97
	2020 - 2024	503

INCOME_TAXES_Tables

INCOME TAXES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
INCOME TAXES
Schedule of components of provision for income tax expense
	(In thousands)	2014			2013			2012
	Current:
	Federal tax expense	$	294		$	5,124		$	2,298
	State tax expense	305			2,171			1,278
	Total current expense	599			7,295			3,576
	Deferred:
	Federal tax expense	8,685			9,445			9,247
	State tax expense	2,509			2,115			912
	Total deferred tax expense	11,194			11,560			10,159
	Decrease in valuation allowance	(30		)	(1,751		)	(136		)
	Total income tax expense	$	11,763		$	17,104		$	13,599
Schedule of reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate to effective tax rate
		2014					2013					2012
	(In thousands, except rates)	Amount			Rate		Amount			Rate		Amount			Rate
	Statutory tax rate	$	15,928		35	%	$	20,387		35	%	$	16,375		35	%
	Increase (decrease) resulting from:
	State taxes, net of federal tax benefit	1,810			4		2,760			4.7		1,715			3.7
	Tax exempt income - investments, net	(2,796		)	(6.1	)	(2,211		)	(3.8	)	(2,187		)	(4.7	)
	Bank-owned life insurance	(1,070		)	(2.4	)	(631		)	(1.1	)	(950		)	(2.0	)
	Disallowed merger costs	206			0.5		—			—		523			1.1
	Non-deductible goodwill on branch divestiture	—			—		—			—		419			0.9
	Tax credits, net of basis reduction	(1,658		)	(3.6	)	(995		)	(1.7	)	(1,148		)	(2.5	)
	Reduction in valuation allowance	—			—		(1,712		)	(2.9	)	(428		)	(0.9	)
	Other, net	(657		)	(1.5	)	(494		)	(0.9	)	(720		)	(1.5	)
	Effective tax rate	$	11,763		25.9	%	$	17,104		29.3	%	$	13,599		29.1	%
Schedule of components of deferred tax assets and liabilities
	(In thousands)	2014			2013
	Deferred tax assets:
	Allowance for loan losses	$	14,710		$	14,391
	Tax credit carryforwards	11,238			9,867
	Net unrealized loss on swaps, securities available for sale, and pension in OCI	—			5,740
	Employee benefit plans	6,103			5,331
	Purchase accounting adjustments	7,126			18,350
	Net operating loss and capital loss carryforwards	5,538			7,731
	Other	2,134			2,256
	Deferred tax assets, net before valuation allowances	46,849			63,666
	Valuation allowance	(968		)	(998		)
	Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowances	$	45,881		$	62,668
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Investments	$	(773	)	$	(896	)
	Premises and equipment	(4,575		)	(2,836		)
	Net unrealized gain on swaps, securities available for sale, and pension in OCI	(3,823		)	—
	Intangible amortization	(7,934		)	(8,225		)
	Deferred tax liabilities	$	(17,105	)	$	(11,957	)
	Deferred tax assets, net	$	28,776		$	50,711
Schedule of components of the valuation allowance on deferred tax asset
	(in thousands)	2014			2013
	State net operating loss carry-forward, net of Federal tax benefit (of 35%)	$	(739	)	$	(762	)
	State tax basis difference, net of Federal tax benefit (of 35%)	(229		)	(236		)
	Valuation allowances	$	(968	)	$	(998	)
Schedule of changes in unrecognized tax benefits
	(In thousands)	2014			2013			2012
	Unrecognized tax benefits at January 1	$	477		$	492		$	774
	Increase in gross amounts of tax positions related to prior years	55			321			173
	Decrease in gross amounts of tax positions related to prior years	—			(150		)	(140		)
	Decrease due to settlement with taxing authority	—			(186		)	(240		)
	Increase in gross amounts of tax positions related to current year	93			—			50
	Decrease due to lapse in statute of limitations	(72		)	—			(125		)
	Unrecognized tax benefits at December 31	$	553		$	477		$	492

DERIVATIVE_INSTRUMENTS_AND_HED1

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES
Schedule of interest rate swap agreements and non-hedging derivative assets and liabilities
					Weighted						Estimated
		Notional			Average		Weighted Average Rate				Fair Value
	December 31, 2014	Amount			Maturity		Received		Contract pay rate		Asset (Liability)
		(In thousands)			(In years)						(In thousands)
	Cash flow hedges:
	Forward-starting interest rate swaps on FHLBB borrowings	300,000			4.3		—		2.29	%	(3,299		)
	Total cash flow hedges	300,000									(3,299		)
	Economic hedges:
	Interest rate swap on tax advantaged economic development bond	12,554			14.9		0.52	%	5.09	%	(2,578		)
	Interest rate swaps on loans with commercial loan customers	297,158			6		2.23	%	4.54	%	(12,183		)
	Reverse interest rate swaps on loans with commercial loan customers	297,158			6		4.54	%	2.23	%	12,221
	Risk participation agreements with dealer banks	45,842			16.6						(91		)
	Forward sale commitments	42,366			0.2						(510		)
	Total economic hedges	695,078									(3,141		)
	Non-hedging derivatives:
	Interest rate lock commitments	39,589			0.2						625
	Total non-hedging derivatives	39,589									625
	Total	$	1,034,667								$	(5,815	)
	Information about interest rate swap agreements and non-hedging derivative asset and liabilities at December 31, 2013 follows:
					Weighted						Estimated
		Notional			Average		Weighted Average Rate				Fair Value
	December 31, 2013	Amount			Maturity		Received		Contract pay rate		Asset (Liability)
		(In thousands)			(In years)						(In thousands)
	Cash flow hedges:
	Interest rate swaps on FHLBB borrowings	$	150,000		2.5		0.25	%	2.61	%	$	(3,102	)
	Forward-starting interest rate swaps on FHLBB borrowings	260,000			4.5		—		1.88	%	1,015
	Interest rate swaps on junior subordinated notes	15,000			0.4		2.09	%	5.54	%	(203		)
	Total cash flow hedges	425,000									(2,290		)
	Economic hedges:
	Interest rate swap on tax advantaged economic development bond	13,095			15.9		0.54	%	5.09	%	(1,889		)
	Interest rate swaps on loans with commercial loan customers	206,933			5.4		2.44	%	4.68	%	(6,278		)
	Reverse interest rate swaps on loans with commercial loan customers	206,933			5.4		4.68	%	2.44	%	6,286
	Forward sale commitments	32,911			0.2						261
	Total economic hedges	459,872									(1,620		)
	Non-hedging derivatives:
	Interest rate lock commitments	20,199			0.2						258
	Total non-hedging derivatives	20,199									258
	Total	$	905,071								$	(3,652	)
Schedule of amounts included in the consolidated statements of income and in the other comprehensive income section of the consolidated statements of comprehensive income
		Years Ended December 31,
	(In thousands)	2014			2013
	Interest rate swaps on FHLBB borrowings:
	Unrealized (loss) gain recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	(6,405	)	$	11,783
	Reclassification of unrealized (loss) from accumulated other comprehensive loss to interest expense	—			(3,620		)
	Reclassification of unrealized loss from accumulated other comprehensive loss to other non-interest expense for termination of swaps	8,630			943
	Reclassification of unrealized deferred tax (benefit) from accumulated other comprehensive loss to tax expense for terminated swaps	(3,611		)	(489		)
	Net tax benefit (expense) on items recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss	2,583			(3,276		)
	Interest rate swaps on junior subordinated notes:
	Unrealized (loss) recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss	(1		)	(18		)
	Reclassification of unrealized loss from accumulated other comprehensive loss to interest expense	204			519
	Net tax expense on items recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss	(80		)	(197		)
	Other comprehensive income recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of reclassification adjustments and tax effects	$	1,320		$	5,645
	Net interest expense recognized in interest expense on hedged FHLBB borrowings	$	—		$	4,374
	Net interest expense recognized in interest expense on junior subordinated notes	$	204		$	519
Schedule of amounts included in the consolidated statements of income related to economic hedges and non-hedging derivatives
		Years Ended December 31,
	(In thousands)	2014			2013
	Economic hedges
	Interest rate swap on industrial revenue bond:
	Unrealized (loss) gain recognized in other non-interest income	$	(1,333	)	$	972
	Interest rate swaps on loans with commercial loan customers:
	Unrealized gain recognized in other non-interest income	(4,514		)	(6,004		)
	Reverse interest rate swaps on loans with commercial loan customers:
	Unrealized loss recognized in other non-interest income	4,514			6,004
	Favorable change in credit valuation adjustment recognized in other non-interest income	20			450
	Risk Participation Agreements:
	Unrealized loss recognized in other non-interest income	(91		)	—
	Forward Commitments:
	Unrealized (loss) gain recognized in other non-interest income	(510		)	261
	Realized (loss) gain in other non-interest income	(1,494		)	7,501
	Non-hedging derivatives
	Interest rate lock commitments:
	Unrealized gain recognized in other non-interest income	625			258
	Realized gain (loss) in other non-interest income	$	3,938		$	(2,467	)
Schedule of assets subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement
	Offsetting of Financial Assets and Derivative Assets
								Net Amounts
		Gross			Gross Amounts			of Assets			Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statements
		Amounts of			Offset in the			Presented in the			of Condition
		Recognized			Statements of			Statements of			Financial			Cash
	(in thousands)	Assets			Condition			Condition			Instruments			Collateral Received		Net Amount
	As of December 31, 2014
	Interest Rate Swap Agreements:
	Institutional counterparties	$	23		$	—		$	23		$	—		$	—	$	23
	Commercial counterparties	12,270			—			12,270			—			—		12,270
	Total	$	12,293		$	—		$	12,293		$	—		$	—	$	12,293
	Offsetting of Financial Assets and Derivative Assets
								Net Amounts
		Gross			Gross Amounts			of Assets			Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statements
		Amounts of			Offset in the			Presented in the			of Condition
		Recognized			Statements of			Statements of			Financial			Cash
	(in thousands)	Assets			Condition			Condition			Instruments			Collateral Received		Net Amount
	As of December 31, 2013
	Interest Rate Swap Agreements:
	Institutional counterparties	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—	$	—
	Commercial counterparties	7,799			—			7,799			—			—		7,799
	Total	$	7,799		$	—		$	7,799		$	—		$	—	$	7,799
Schedule of liabilities subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement
	Offsetting of Financial Liabilities and Derivative Liaibilities
								Net Amounts
		Gross			Gross Amounts			of Liabilities			Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statements
		Amounts of			Offset in the			Presented in the			of Condition
		Recognized			Statements of			Statements of			Financial			Cash
	(in thousands)	Liabilities			Condition			Condition			Instruments			Collateral Pledged		Net Amount
	As of December 31, 2014
	Interest Rate Swap Agreements:
	Institutional counterparties	$	(18,232	)	$	58		$	(18,174	)	$	14,984		$	3,190	$	—
	Commercial counterparties	(50		)	—			(50		)	—			—		(50		)
	Total	$	(18,282	)	$	58		$	(18,224	)	$	14,984		$	3,190	$	(50	)
	Offsetting of Financial Liabilities and Derivative Liaibilities
								Net Amounts
		Gross			Gross Amounts			of Liabilities			Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statements
		Amounts of			Offset in the			Presented in the			of Condition
		Recognized			Statements of			Statements of			Financial			Cash
	(in thousands)	Liabilities			Condition			Condition			Instruments			Collateral Pledged		Net Amount
	As of December 31, 2013
	Interest Rate Swap Agreements:
	Institutional counterparties	$	(13,157	)	$	1,913		$	(11,244	)	$	9,544		$	1,700	$	—
	Commercial counterparties	(720		)	—			(720		)	—			—		(720		)
	Total	$	(13,877	)	$	1,913		$	(11,964	)	$	9,544		$	1,700	$	(720	)

OTHER_COMMITMENTS_CONTINGENCIE1

OTHER COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES, AND OFF-BALANCE SHEET ACTIVITIES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
OTHER COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES, AND OFF-BALANCE SHEET ACTIVITIES
Summary of financial instruments outstanding whose contract amounts represent credit risk
	(In thousands)	2014		2013
	Commitments to originate new loans	$	67,817	$	129,699
	Unused funds on commercial and other lines of credit	514,179		523,090
	Unadvanced funds on home equity lines of credit	225,731		226,330
	Unadvanced funds on construction and real estate loans	183,301		158,131
	Standby letters of credit	12,462		14,996
	Lease obligation	12,206		12,448
	Total	$	1,015,696	$	1,064,694

STOCKHOLDERS_EQUITY_AND_EARNIN1

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY AND EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY AND EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
Schedule of actual and required capital ratios
												Minimum to be Well
							Minimum					Capitalized Under
							Capital					Prompt Corrective
		Actual					Requirement					Action Provisions
	(Dollars in thousands)	Amount			Ratio		Amount			Ratio		Amount			Ratio
	December 31, 2014
	Company (Consolidated)
	Total capital to risk-weighted assets	$	542,608		11.38		$	381,463		8.00	%	$	476,829		10.00	%
	Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets	430,374			9.03		190,731			4.00		286,097			6.00
	Tier 1 capital to average assets	430,374			7.01		245,558			4.00		306,947			5.00
	Bank
	Total capital to risk-weighted assets	$	513,368		10.78		$	380,959		8.00		$	476,199		10.00	%
	Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets	440,420			9.25		190,479			4.00		285,719			6.00
	Tier 1 capital to average assets	440,420			7.18		245,494			4.00		306,867			5.00
	December 31, 2013
	Company (Consolidated)
	Total capital to risk-weighted assets	N/A			N/A		N/A			8.00	%	N/A			10.00	%
	Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets	N/A			N/A		N/A			4.00		N/A			6.00
	Tier 1 capital to average assets	N/A			N/A		N/A			4.00		N/A			5.00
	Bank
	Total capital to risk-weighted assets	$	486,075		11.62	%	$	334,555		8.00	%	$	418,193		10.00	%
	Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets	416,803			9.97		167,277			4.00		250,916			6.00
	Tier 1 capital to average assets	416,803			7.99		208,685			4.00		260,857			5.00
Schedule of reconciliation of the Company's year end total stockholders equity to the Company's regulatory capital
	(In thousands)	2014			2013
	Total stockholders’ equity per consolidated financial statements	$	709,287		N/A
	Adjustments for Bank Tier 1 Capital:
	Net unrealized loss (gain) on available for sale securities	(9,916		)	N/A
	Net unrealized loss on cash flow hedges	3,338			N/A
	Qualifying restricted core capital elements	15,000			N/A
	Disallowed goodwill and other intangible assets	(276,270		)	N/A
	Disallowed deferred taxes	(11,065		)	N/A
	Total Bank Tier 1 Capital	430,374			N/A
	Adjustments for total capital:
	Qualifying subordinated debt	74,283			N/A
	Includible allowances for loan losses	35,722			N/A
	Net unrealized loss on available for sale securities includible in Tier 2 capital	2,229			N/A
	Total Bank capital per regulatory reporting	$	542,608		N/A
Schedule of reconciliation of the Company's total stockholders' equity to the Bank's regulatory capital
	(In thousands)	2014			2013
	Total stockholders’ equity per consolidated financial statements	$	709,287		$	678,062
	Adjustments for Bank Tier 1 Capital:
	Holding company equity adjustment	1,868			(3,764		)
	Net unrealized loss (gain) on available for sale securities	(9,912		)	5,749
	Net unrealized loss on cash flow hedges	3,338			3,158
	Disallowed goodwill and other intangible assets	(251,748		)	(245,405		)
	Disallowed deferred taxes	(12,413		)	(20,997		)
	Total Bank Tier 1 Capital	440,420			416,803
	Adjustments for total capital:
	Qualifying subordinated debt	35,000			35,000
	Includible allowances for loan losses	35,722			33,383
	Net unrealized loss on available for sale securities includible in Tier 2 capital	2,226			889
	Total Bank capital per regulatory reporting	$	513,368		$	486,075
Schedule of components of accumulated other comprehensive loss
	(In thousands)	2014			2013
	Other accumulated comprehensive income/(loss), before tax:
	Net unrealized holding gain (loss) on AFS securities	$	15,993		$	(9,294	)
	Net loss on effective cash flow hedging derivatives	(3,299		)	(2,289		)
	Net loss on terminated swap	—			(3,237		)
	Net unrealized holding (loss) gain on pension plans	(2,291		)	17
	Income taxes related to items of accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss):
	Net unrealized holding (loss) gain on AFS securities	(6,077		)	3,518
	Net loss on effective cash flow hedging derivatives	1,330			923
	Net loss on terminated swap	—			1,312
	Net unrealized holding gain (loss) on pension plans	923			(7		)
	Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)	$	6,579		$	(9,057	)
Schedule of components of other comprehensive loss
	(In thousands)	Before Tax			Tax Effect			Net of Tax
	Year Ended December 31, 2014
	Net unrealized holding gain on AFS securities:
	Net unrealized gain arising during the period	$	25,769		$	(9,791	)	$	15,978
	Less: reclassification adjustment for (gains) realized in net income	(482		)	196			(286		)
	Net unrealized holding gain on AFS securities	25,287			(9,595		)	15,692
	Net loss on cash flow hedging derivatives:
	Net unrealized (loss) arising during the period	(6,403		)	2,608			(3,795		)
	Less: reclassification adjustment for losses realized in net income	5,393			(2,201		)	3,192
	Net loss on cash flow hedging derivatives	(1,010		)	407			(603		)
	Net loss on terminated swap:
	Net unrealized loss arising during the period	—			—			—
	Less: reclassification adjustment for losses realized in net income	3,237			(1,312		)	1,925
	Net loss on terminated swap	3,237			(1,312		)	1,925
	Net unrealized holding loss on pension plans
	Net unrealized loss arising during the period	(2,308		)	930			(1,378		)
	Less: reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses realized in net income	—			—			—
	Net unrealized holding loss on pension plans	(2,308		)	930			(1,378		)
	Other Comprehensive Income	$	25,206		$	(9,570	)	$	15,636
	(In thousands)	Before Tax			Tax Effect			Net of Tax
	Year Ended December 31, 2013
	Net unrealized holding loss on AFS securities:
	Net unrealized (loss) arising during the period	$	(15,254	)	$	5,604		$	(9,650	)
	Less: reclassification adjustment for (gains) realized in net income	(4,758		)	1,920			(2,838		)
	Net unrealized holding loss on AFS securities	(20,012		)	7,524			(12,488		)
	Net gain on cash flow hedging derivatives:
	Net unrealized gain arising during the period	5,046			(2,014		)	3,032
	Less: reclassification adjustment for losses realized in net income	3,620			(1,460		)	2,160
	Net gain on cash flow hedging derivatives	8,666			(3,474		)	5,192
	Net loss on terminated swap:
	Net unrealized loss arising during the period	—			—			—
	Less: reclassification adjustment for losses realized in net income	942			(489		)	453
	Net loss on terminated swap	942			(489		)	453
	Net unrealized holding gain on pension plans
	Net unrealized gain arising during the period	1,282			(517		)	765
	Less: reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses realized in net income	—			—			—
	Net unrealized holding gain on pension plans	1,282			(517		)	765
	Other Comprehensive Income	$	(9,122	)	$	3,044		$	(6,078	)
	(In thousands)	Before Tax			Tax Effect			Net of Tax
	Year Ended December 31, 2012
	Net unrealized holding gain on AFS securities:
	Net unrealized gain arising during the period	$	5,861		$	(2,246	)	$	3,615
	Less: reclassification adjustment for (gains) realized in net income	(1,442		)	579			(863		)
	Net unrealized holding gain on AFS securities	4,419			(1,667		)	2,752
	Net gain on cash flow hedging derivatives:
	Net unrealized gain arising during the period	(5,653		)	2,129			(3,524		)
	Less: reclassification adjustment for losses realized in net income	3,581			(1,441		)	2,140
	Net loss on cash flow hedging derivatives	(2,072		)	688			(1,384		)
	Net loss on terminated swap:
	Net unrealized loss arising during the period	—			—			—
	Less: reclassification adjustment for losses realized in net income	942			(324		)	618
	Net loss on terminated swap	942			(324		)	618
	Net unrealized holding loss on pension plans
	Net unrealized loss arising during the period	(136		)	56			(80		)
	Less: reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses realized in net income	—			—			—
	Net unrealized holding loss on pension plans	(136		)	56			(80		)
	Other Comprehensive Income	$	3,153		$	(1,247	)	$	1,906
Schedule of gross changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive income
		Net unrealized			Net loss on			Net loss			Net unrealized
		holding gain (loss)			effective cash			on			holding gain (loss)
		on AFS			flow hedging			terminated			on
	(in thousands)	Securities			derivatives			swap			pension plans			Total
	Year Ended December 31, 2014
	Balance at Beginning of Year	$	(5,776	)	$	(1,366	)	$	(1,925	)	$	10		$	(9,057	)
	Other Comprehensive Gain (Loss) before reclassifications	15,978			(3,795		)	—			(1,378		)	10,805
	Amounts Reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive income	(286		)	3,192			1,925			—			4,831
	Total Other Comprehensive Income	15,692			(603		)	1,925			(1,378		)	15,636
	Balance at End of Period	$	9,916		$	(1,969	)	$	0		$	(1,368	)	$	6,579
	Year Ended December 31, 2013
	Balance at Beginning of Year	$	6,712		$	(6,558	)	$	(2,378	)	$	(755	)	$	(2,979	)
	Other Comprehensive (Loss) Gain before reclassifications	(9,650		)	3,032			—			765			(5,853		)
	Amounts Reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive income	(2,838		)	2,160			453			—			(225		)
	Total Other Comprehensive Loss	(12,488		)	5,192			453			765			(6,078		)
	Balance at End of Period	$	(5,776	)	$	(1,366	)	$	(1,925	)	$	10		$	(9,057	)
	Year Ended December 31, 2012
	Balance at Beginning of Year	$	3,960		$	(5,174	)	$	(2,996	)	$	(675	)	$	(4,885	)
	Other Comprehensive Gain (Loss) Before reclassifications	3,615			(3,524		)	—			(80		)	11
	Amounts Reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive income	(863		)	2,140			618			—			1,895
	Total Other Comprehensive Income	2,752			(1,384		)	618			(80		)	1,906
	Balance at End of Period	$	6,712		$	(6,558	)	$	(2,378	)	$	(755	)	$	(2,979	)
Schedule of amounts reclassified out of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income
											Affected Line Item in the
		Years Ended Decemeber 31,									Statement Where Net Income
	(in thousands)	2014			2013			2012			Is Presented
	Realized (gains) on AFS securities:
		$	(482	)	$	(4,758	)	$	(1,442	)	Non-interest income
		196			1,920			579			Tax expense
		(286		)	(2,838		)	(863		)
	Realized losses on cash flow hedging derivatives:
		5,393			3,620			3,581			Interest income
		(2,201		)	(1,460		)	(1,441		)	Tax expense
		3,192			2,160			2,140
	Amortization of realized losses on terminated swap:
		3,237			942			942			Interest income
		(1,312		)	(489		)	(324		)	Tax expense
		1,925			453			618
	Total reclassifications for the period	$	4,831		$	(225	)	$	1,895
Schedule of earnings per share
		Years Ended December 31,
	(In thousands, except per share data)	2014			2013			2012
	Net income from continuing operations	$	33,744		$	41,143		$	33,825
	Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes (including gain on disposal of $63 in 2012)	—			—			(261		)
	Income tax benefit	—			—			376
	Net loss from discontinued operations	—			—			(637		)
	Net income	$	33,744		$	41,143		$	33,188
	Average number of common shares issued	26,525			26,525			24,081
	Less: average number of treasury shares	1,386			1,424			1,626
	Less: average number of unvested stock award shares	409			299			254
	Average number of basic common shares outstanding	24,730			24,802			22,201
	Plus: dilutive effect of unvested stock award shares	67			60			41
	Plus: dilutive effect of stock options outstanding	57			103			87
	Average number of diluted common shares outstanding	24,854			24,965			22,329
	Basic earnings per share:
	Continuing Operations	$	1.36		$	1.66		$	1.52
	Discontinued operations	—			—			(0.03		)
	Total basic earning per share	$	1.36		$	1.66		$	1.49
	Diluted earnings per share:
	Continuing Operations	$	1.36		$	1.65		$	1.52
	Discontinued operations	—			—			(0.03		)
	Total diluted earnings per share	$	1.36		$	1.65		$	1.49

STOCKBASED_COMPENSATION_PLANS_

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS
Summary of activity in the stock award and stock option plans
		Non-vested Stock				Stock Options Outstanding
		Awards Outstanding
				Weighted-				Weighted-
				Average				Average
		Number of		Grant Date		Number of		Exercise
	(Shares in thousands)	Shares		Fair Value		Shares		Price
	Balance, December 31, 2013	334		$	23.26	442		$	20.41
	Granted	187		24.6		—		—
	Stock options exercised	—		—		(90	)	11.77
	Stock awards vested	(88	)	22.86		—		—
	Forfeited	(9	)	23.46		—		—
	Expired	—		—		(70	)	37.22
	Balance, December 31, 2014	424		$	24.33	282		$	20.42
	Exercisable options, December 31, 2014					282		$	20.72

FAIR_VALUE_MEASUREMENTS_Tables

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs within Level 3
Summary of assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis segregated by the level of the valuation inputs within the fair value hierarchy utilized to measure fair value
		December 31, 2014
		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Total
	(In thousands)	Inputs			Inputs			Inputs			Fair Value
	Trading security	$	—		$	—		$	14,909		$	14,909
	Available-for-sale securities:
	Municipal bonds and obligations	—			133,699			—			133,699
	Government guaranteed residential mortgage-backed securities	—			69,468			—			69,468
	Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities	—			760,184			—			760,184
	Corporate bonds	—			54,151			—			54,151
	Trust preferred securities	—			14,667			1,548			16,215
	Other bonds and obligations	—			3,159			—			3,159
	Marketable equity securities	53,806			358			778			54,942
	Loans held for sale	—			19,493			—			19,493
	Derivative assets	—			12,328			625			12,953
	Derivative liabilities	417			18,259			93			18,769
		December 31, 2013
		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Total
	(In thousands)	Inputs			Inputs			Inputs			Fair Value
	Trading security	$	—		$	—		$	14,840		$	14,840
	Available-for-sale securities:
	Municipal bonds and obligations	—			77,671			—			77,671
	Government guaranteed residential mortgage-backed securities	—			78,771			—			78,771
	Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities	—			522,658			—			522,658
	Corporate bonds	—			39,280			—			39,280
	Trust preferred securities	—			15,372			1,239			16,611
	Other bonds and obligations	—			3,084			—			3,084
	Marketable equity securities	20,891			357			725			21,973
	Loans held for sale	—			15,840			—			15,840
	Derivative assets	242			7,799			277			8,318
	Derivative liabilities	—			11,964			—			11,964
Schedule of loans held for sale
								Aggregate Fair Value
		Aggregate			Aggregate			Less Aggregate
	December 31, 2014 (In thousands)	Fair Value			Unpaid Principal			Unpaid Principal
	Loans Held for Sale	$	19,493		$	18,885		$	608
								Aggregate Fair Value
		Aggregate			Aggregate			Less Aggregate
	December 31, 2013 (In thousands)	Fair Value			Unpaid Principal			Unpaid Principal
	Loans Held for Sale	$	15,840		$	15,641		$	199
Schedule of changes in level 3 assets and liabilities that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis
		Assets (Liabilities)
					Securities			Interest Rate
		Trading			Available			Lock			Forward
	(In thousands)	Security			for Sale			Commitments			Commitments
	Balance as of December 31, 2012	$	16,893		$	885		$	6,258		$	(1,055	)
	Purchase of marketable equity security	—			770			—			—
	Unrealized (loss) gain, net recognized in other non-interest income	(1,539		)	—			8,722			1,074
	Unrealized gain included in accumulated other comprehensive loss	—			309			—			—
	Paydown of trading security	(514		)	—			—			—
	Transfers to held for sale loans	—			—			(14,722		)	—
	Balance as of December 31, 2013	$	14,840		$	1,964		$	258		$	19
	Purchase of marketable equity security	—			—			—			—
	Unrealized (loss) gain, net recognized in other non-interest income	610			—			3,804			(112		)
	Unrealized gain included in accumulated other comprehensive loss	—			362			—			—
	Paydown of trading security	(541		)	—			—			—
	Transfers to held for sale loans	—			—			(3,437		)	—
	Balance as of December 31, 2014	$	14,909		$	2,326		$	625		$	(93	)
	Unrealized gains (losses) relating to instruments still held at December 31, 2014	$	2,355		$	(999	)	$	625		$	(93	)
	Unrealized gains (losses) relating to instruments still held at December 31, 2013	$	1,745		$	(1,410	)	$	258		$	19
Summary of applicable non-recurring fair value measurements
		December 31, 2014			Year ended
					December 31, 2014
		Level 3			Total
	(In thousands)	Inputs			Losses (Gains)
	Assets
	Impaired loans	$	5,820		$	278
	Capitalized mortgage servicing rights	3,757			—
	Other real estate owned	2,049			231
	Total	$	11,626		$	509
		December 31, 2013			Year ended
					December 31, 2013
		Level 3			Total
	(In thousands)	Inputs			Losses
	Assets
	Impaired loans	$	5,542		$	(562	)
	Capitalized mortgage servicing rights	4,112			(773		)
	Other real estate owned	2,995			2
	Total	$	12,649		$	(1,333	)
Summary of estimated fair values, and related carrying amounts, of financial instruments
		December 31, 2014
		Carrying			Fair
	(In thousands)	Amount			Value			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
	Financial Assets
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	71,754		$	71,754		$	71,754		$	—		$	—
	Trading security	14,909			14,909			—			—			14,909
	Securities available for sale	1,091,818			1,091,818			53,806			1,035,686			2,326
	Securities held to maturity	43,347			44,997			—			—			44,997
	Restricted equity securities	55,720			55,720			—			55,720			—
	Net loans	4,644,938			4,695,256			—			—			4,695,256
	Loans held for sale	19,493			19,493			—			19,493			—
	Accrued interest receivable	17,274			17,274			—			17,274			—
	Cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance policies	104,588			104,588			—			104,588			—
	Derivative assets	12,953			12,953			—			12,328			625
	Assets held for sale	1,280			1,280			—			1,280			—
	Financial Liabilities
	Total deposits	4,654,679			4,655,234			—			4,655,234			—
	Short-term debt	900,900			900,983			—			900,983			—
	Long-term Federal Home Loan Bank advances	61,676			63,283			—			63,283			—
	Subordinated notes	89,747			93,441			—			93,441			—
	Derivative liabilities	18,769			18,769			417			18,259			93
	Liabilities held for sale	—			—			—			—			—
		December 31, 2013
		Carrying			Fair
	(In thousands)	Amount			Value			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
	Financial Assets
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	75,539		$	75,539		$	75,539		$	—		$	—
	Trading security	14,840			14,840			—			—			14,840
	Securities available for sale	760,048			760,048			20,891			737,193			1,964
	Securities held to maturity	44,921			45,764			—			—			45,764
	Restricted equity securities	50,282			50,282			—			50,282			—
	Net loans	4,147,200			4,154,663			—			—			4,154,663
	Loans held for sale	15,840			15,840			—			15,840			—
	Accrued interest receivable	15,072			15,072			—			15,072			—
	Cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance policies	101,530			101,530			—			101,530			—
	Derivative assets	8,318			8,318			242			7,799			277
	Assets held for sale	3,969			3,969			—			3,969			—
	Financial Liabilities
	Total deposits	$	3,848,529		$	3,848,926		$	—		$	3,848,926		$	—
	Short-term debt	872,510			872,545			—			872,545			—
	Long-term Federal Home Loan Bank advances	101,918			103,660			—			103,660			—
	Subordinated notes	89,679			87,882			—			87,882			—
	Derivative liabilities	11,964			11,964			—			11,964			—
	Liabilities held for sale	24,834			24,834			—			24,834			—
Recurring
Quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs within Level 3
Schedule of quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs within Level 3
		Fair Value							Significant
									Unobservable Input
	(In thousands)	December 31, 2014			Valuation Techniques		Unobservable Inputs		Value
	Assets
	Trading Security	$	14,909		Discounted Cash Flow		Discount Rate		2.6	%
	Securities Available for Sale	2,326			Discounted Cash Flow		Discount Rate		13.74	%
							Credit Spread		11.06	%
	Forward Commitments	(93		)	Historical Trend		Closing Ratio		91.07	%
					Pricing Model		Origination Costs, per loan		2,500
	Interest Rate Lock Commitment	625			Historical Trend		Closing Ratio		91.07	%
					Pricing Model		Origination Costs, per loan		2,500
	Total	$	17,767
		Fair Value							Significant
									Unobservable Input
	(In thousands)	December 31, 2013			Valuation Techniques		Unobservable Inputs		Value
	Assets
	Trading Security	$	14,840		Discounted Cash Flow		Discount Rate		3.39	%
	Securities Available for Sale	1,964			Discounted Cash Flow		Discount Rate		13.17	%
							Credit Spread		9.45	%
	Forward Commitments	19			Historical Trend		Closing Ratio		94.83	%
					Pricing Model		Origination Costs, per loan		2,500
	Interest Rate Lock Commitment	258			Historical Trend		Closing Ratio		94.83	%
					Pricing Model		Origination Costs, per loan		2,500
	Total	$	17,081
Non-recurring
Quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs within Level 3
Schedule of quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs within Level 3
	(in thousands)	December 31, 2014			Valuation Techniques		Unobservable Inputs		Range (Weighted Average) (a)
	Assets
	Impaired loans	$	5,820		Fair value of collateral		Loss severity		.31% to 38.7% (12.65%)
							Appraised value		$5 to $1,600.0 ($912.7)
	Capitalized mortgage servicing rights	3,757			Discounted cash flow		Constant prepayment rate (CPR)		7.83% to 19.00% (9.92%)
							Discount rate		10.00% to 13.00% (10.43%)
	Other real estate owned	2,049			Fair value of collateral		Appraised value		$57 to $700.0 ($462.6)
	Total	$	11,626
	(a)Where dollar amounts are disclosed, the amounts represent the lowest and highest fair value of the respective assets in the population except for adjustments for market/property conditions, which represents the range of adjustments to individuals properties.
	(in thousands)	December 31, 2013			Valuation Techniques		Unobservable Inputs		Range (Weighted Average) (a)
	Assets
	Impaired loans	$	5,542		Fair value of collateral		Loss severity		4.2% to 100.0% (57.41%)
							Appraised value		$0 to $900.0 ($505.4)
	Capitalized mortgage servicing rights	4,112			Discounted cash flow		Constant prepayment rate (CPR)		6.96% to 15.97% (8.58%)
							Discount rate		10.00% to 13.00% (10.34%)
	Other real estate owned	2,995			Fair value of collateral		Appraised value		$0 to $774.0 ($413.4)
	Total Assets	$	12,649
	(a)Where dollar amounts are disclosed, the amounts represent the lowest and highest fair value of the respective assets in the population except for adjustments for market/property conditions, which represents the range of adjustments to individuals properties.

OPERATING_SEGMENTS_Tables

OPERATING SEGMENTS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
OPERATING SEGMENTS
Summary of the operating segments
													Total
	(In thousands)	Banking			Insurance		Parent			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Year ended December 31, 2014
	Net interest income	$	182,221		$	—	$	8,470		$	(12,000	)	$	178,691
	Provision for loan losses	14,968			—		—			—			14,968
	Non-interest income	37,406			10,364		25,230			(25,230		)	47,770
	Non-interest expense	155,642			8,058		2,286			—			165,986
	Income before income taxes	49,017			2,306		31,414			(37,230		)	45,507
	Income tax expense (benefit)	13,085			1,008		(2,330		)	—			11,763
	Net income	$	35,932		$	1,298	$	33,744		$	(37,230	)	$	33,744
	Average assets (in millions)	$	6,149		$	27	$	27		$	(31	)	$	6,171
	(In thousands)	Banking			Insurance		Parent			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Year ended December 31, 2013
	Net interest income	$	172,634		$	—	$	25,618		$	(29,500	)	$	168,752
	Provision for loan losses	11,378			—		—			—			11,378
	Non-interest income	48,238			9,994		15,414			(15,414		)	58,232
	Non-interest expense	146,944			8,069		2,346			—			157,359
	Income before income taxes	62,550			1,925		38,686			(44,914		)	58,247
	Income tax expense (benefit)	18,802			759		(2,457		)	—			17,104
	Net income	$	43,748		$	1,166	$	41,143		$	(44,914	)	$	41,143
	Average assets (in millions)	$	5,279		$	27	$	741		$	(741	)	$	5,307
	(In thousands)	Banking			Insurance		Parent			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Year ended December 31, 2012
	Net interest income	$	145,167		$	—	$	15,221		$	(17,000	)	$	143,388
	Provision for loan losses	9,590			—		—			—			9,590
	Non-interest income	43,330			10,726		19,678			(19,678		)	54,056
	Non-interest expense	128,366			8,452		3,988			—			140,806
	Income before income taxes	50,541			2,274		30,911			(36,678		)	47,048
	Income tax expense (benefit)	14,597			903		(2,277		)	—			13,223
	Net income from continuing operations	35,944			1,371		33,188			(36,678		)	33,825
	Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes (including gain on disposal of $63)	(261		)	—		—			—			(261		)
	Income tax benefit	376			—		—			—			376
	Net loss from discontinued operations	(637		)	—		—			—			(637		)
	Net income	$	35,307		$	1,371	$	33,188		$	(36,678	)	$	33,188
	Average assets (in millions)	$	5,006		$	30	$	559		$	(392	)	$	5,203

CONDENSED_FINANCIAL_STATEMENTS1

CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF PARENT COMPANY (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF PARENT COMPANY
Schedule of condensed balance sheets
		December 31,
	(In thousands)	2014			2013
	Assets
	Cash due from Berkshire Bank	$	30,533		$	40,154
	Investment in subsidiaries	736,908			698,943
	Other assets	43,023			41,489
	Total assets	$	810,464		$	780,586
	Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
	Short term debt	$	10,000		$	10,000
	Subordinated notes	89,748			89,680
	Accrued expenses	1,429			2,844
	Stockholders’ equity	709,287			678,062
	Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	810,464		$	780,586
Schedule of condensed statements of income
		Years Ended December 31,
	(In thousands)	2014			2013			2012
	Income:
	Dividends from subsidiaries	$	12,000		$	29,500		$	17,000
	Other	2,317			2,317			481
	Total income	14,317			31,817			17,481
	Interest expense	5,847			6,199			2,260
	Operating expenses	2,286			2,346			3,988
	Total expense	8,133			8,545			6,248
	Income before income taxes and equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries	6,184			23,272			11,233
	Income tax benefit	(2,330		)	(2,457		)	(2,277		)
	Income before equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries	8,514			25,729			13,510
	Equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries	25,230			15,414			19,678
	Net income	$	33,744		$	41,143		$	33,188
Schedule of condensed statements of cash flows
		Years Ended December 31,
	(In thousands)	2014			2013			2012
	Cash flows from operating activities:
	Net income	$	33,744		$	41,143		$	33,188
	Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used) provided by operating activities:
	Equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries	(25,230		)	(15,414		)	(19,678		)
	Other, net	3,247			763			1,897
	Net cash provided by operating activities	11,761			26,492			15,407
	Cash flows from investing activities:
	Acquisitions, net of cash paid	—			—			(64,230		)
	Purchase of securities	—			(770		)	—
	Other, net	—			588			1,000
	Net cash (used) provided by investing activities	—			(182		)	(63,230		)
	Cash flows from financing activities:
	Proceeed from issuance of short term debt	—			—			10,000
	Proceeed from issuance of long term debt	—			—			74,153
	Net proceeds from common stock	—			3,045			—
	Net proceeds from reissuance of treasury stock	1,064			—			3,044
	Payment to repurchase common stock	(2,468		)	(12,249		)
	Common stock cash dividends paid	(18,075		)	(18,118		)	(15,634		)
	Other, net	(1,903		)	1,513			—
	Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	(21,382		)	(25,809		)	71,563
	Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(9,621		)	501			23,740
	Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	40,154			39,653			15,913
	Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$	30,533		$	40,154		$	39,653

QUARTERLY_DATA_UNAUDITED_Table

QUARTERLY DATA (UNAUDITED) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
QUARTERLY DATA (UNAUDITED)
Schedule of quarterly results of operations
		2014									2013
		Fourth		Third		Second		First			Fourth		Third		Second		First
	(In thousands, except per share data)	Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter			Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter
	Interest and dividend income	$	54,016	$	52,056	$	51,175	$	49,795		$	48,659	$	54,504	$	49,697	$	50,881
	Interest expense	7,369		7,107		6,846		7,029			8,817		8,635		8,593		8,944
	Net interest income	46,647		44,949		44,329		42,766			39,842		45,869		41,104		41,937
	Non-interest income	14,200		14,641		14,506		4,423			15,714		12,114		15,606		14,798
	Total revenue	60,847		59,590		58,835		47,189			55,556		57,983		56,710		56,735
	Provision for loan losses	3,898		3,685		3,989		3,396			3,100		3,178		2,700		2,400
	Non-interest expense	41,676		39,687		39,263		45,360			37,157		42,784		37,935		39,483
	Income before income taxes	15,273		16,218		15,583		(1,567		)	15,299		12,021		16,075		14,852
	Income tax expense	3,875		4,230		4,119		(461		)	4,762		3,917		4,038		4,387
	Net income from continuing operations	11,398		11,988		11,464		(1,106		)	10,537		8,104		12,037		10,465
	Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	—		—		—		—			—		—		—		—
	Net income	$	11,398	$	11,988	$	11,464	$	(1,106	)	$	10,537	$	8,104	$	12,037	$	10,465
	Basic earnings per share:
	Continuing operations	$	0.46	$	0.48	$	0.46	$	(0.04	)	$	0.43	$	0.33	$	0.49	$	0.42
	Discontinued operations	—		—		—		—			—		—		—		—
	Total basic earnings per share	$	0.46	$	0.48	$	0.46	$	(0.04	)	$	0.43	$	0.33	$	0.49	$	0.42
	Diluted earnings per share:
	Continuing operations	$	0.46	$	0.48	$	0.46	$	(0.04	)	$	0.42	$	0.33	$	0.48	$	0.42
	Discontinued operations	—		—		—		—			—		—		—		—
	Total diluted earnings per share	$	0.46	$	0.48	$	0.46	$	(0.04	)	$	0.42	$	0.33	$	0.48	$	0.42
	Weighted average shares outstanding:
	Basic	24,758		24,747		24,715		24,698			24,701		24,748		24,779		24,948
	Diluted	24,912		24,861		24,809		24,698			24,857		24,873		24,956		25,143

NET_INTEREST_INCOME_AFTER_PROV1

NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES
Schedule of net interest income after provision for loan losses
		Years Ended December 31,
	(In thousands)	2014		2013		2012
	Net interest income	178,691		168,752		143,388
	Provision for loan losses	14,968		11,378		9,590
	Net interest income after provision for loan losses	163,723		157,374		133,798
	Total non-interest income	47,770		58,232		54,056
	Total non-interest expense	165,986		157,359		140,806
	Income from continuing operations before income taxes	45,507		58,247		47,048
	Income tax expense	11,763		17,104		13,223
	Net income from continuing operations	33,744		41,143		33,825
	(Loss) income from discontinued operations before income taxes (including gain on disposals $63 in 2012)	—		—		(261		)
	Income tax expense	—		—		376
	Net (loss) income from discontinued operations	—		—		(637		)
	Net income	$	33,744	$	41,143	$	33,188

SUMMARY_OF_SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNT2

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Loans
Minimum number of days past due for loans excluding automobile loans on which interest is generally not accrued	90 days
Number of days until which automobile loans accrue, after which they are charged off	20 days
Acquired Loans
Minimum period of past due for automobile loans to be charged-off	90 days
Allowance for Loan Losses
Threshold of loan-to-value ratio to originate a loan (as a percent)	80.00%
Threshold of loan-to-value ratio for private mortgage insurance (as a percent)	80.00%
Employee Benefits
Threshold percentage of amortization of net actuarial gain or loss in net periodic benefit cost over the average remaining service period of active participants in the Plans	10.00%

SUMMARY_OF_SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNT3

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details 2) (Revision in interest income with an income tax adjustment, USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
Revision in interest income with an income tax adjustment
Out of Period Adjustments
Increase in net income due to out of period adjustments	$1.40

ACQUISITIONS_Details

ACQUISITIONS (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Jan. 17, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
		item
Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and (liabilities assumed), at fair value:
Goodwill	$264,742,000		$256,871,000	$255,199,000
Information about the acquired loan portfolio
Estimated tax rate	25.90%
Minimum
Information about the acquired loan portfolio
Estimated useful life of core deposits intangible asset	8 years
Maximum
Information about the acquired loan portfolio
Estimated useful life of core deposits intangible asset	11 years
Acquisition of Bank of America Branches
MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS
Number of banking subsidiaries		20
Cash received		423,100,000
other costs		300,000
Percentage of premium on deposits received included in consideration paid		2.25%
Consideration Paid:
Cash consideration paid		17,105,000
Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and (liabilities assumed), at fair value:
Cash and short term investments		440,521,000
Loans		4,008,000
Premises and equipment		3,671,000
Core deposit intangibles		2,550,000
Other intangibles		-79,000
Deposits		-440,522,000
Other Liabilities		-944,000
Total identifiable net assets		9,205,000
Goodwill		7,900,000
Carrying amount of impaired loans		201,000
Carrying amount of nonimpaired loans		4,300,000
Information about the acquired loan portfolio
Contractually required principal and interest at acquisition		201,000
Contractually cash flows not expected to be collected (nonaccretable discount)		-100,000
Expected cash flows at acquisition		101,000
Interest component of expected cash flows (accretable premium)		20,000
Fair value of acquired loans		121,000
Acquisition related cost incurred	4,000,000		1,600,000
Estimated tax rate	40.50%		40.50%
Acquisition of Bank of America Branches | Core deposit intangible asset
Information about the acquired loan portfolio
Estimated useful life of core deposits intangible asset		9 years
Acquisition of Bank of America Branches | All other intangible assets
Information about the acquired loan portfolio
Estimated useful life of core deposits intangible asset		3 years
Acquisition of Bank of America Branches | As Acquired
Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and (liabilities assumed), at fair value:
Cash and short term investments		440,521,000
Loans		4,541,000
Premises and equipment		2,381,000
Deposits		-440,507,000
Total identifiable net assets		6,936,000
Acquisition of Bank of America Branches | Fair Value Adjustments
Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and (liabilities assumed), at fair value:
Loans		-533,000
Premises and equipment		1,290,000
Core deposit intangibles		2,550,000
Other intangibles		-79,000
Deposits		-15,000
Other Liabilities		-944,000
Total identifiable net assets		$2,269,000

ACQUISITIONS_Details_2

ACQUISITIONS (Details 2) (Acquisition of Bank of America Branches, USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Acquisition of Bank of America Branches
Unaudited pro forma supplemental information
Pro forma net interest income	$179,249	$180,220
Pro forma non-interest income	56,750	62,452
Pro forma net income from continuing operations	$41,443	$43,552
Pro forma earnings per share from continuing operations:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$1.68	$1.76
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$1.67	$1.74

CASH_AND_CASH_EQUIVALENTS_Deta

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Short-term investments	$71,754,000	$75,539,000
Reserve requirement, included in cash and equivalents	2,900,000	17,200,000
Short-term investments pledged as collateral
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Short-term investments	$9,900,000	$1,800,000

TRADING_SECURITY_Details

TRADING SECURITY (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
TRADING SECURITY.
Amortized cost	$12,600,000	$13,100,000
Fair value	14,909,000	14,840,000
Unrealized gains (losses)	600,000	-1,500,000	-15,000,000
Amount of other securities in the trading portfolio	$0	$0

SECURITIES_Details

SECURITIES (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Securities available for sale:
Amortized Cost	$1,075,824	$769,342
Gross Unrealized Gains	23,244	8,005
Gross Unrealized Losses	-7,250	-17,299
Fair Value	1,091,818	760,048
Securities held to maturity
Amortized Cost	43,347	44,921
Gross Unrealized Gains	1,684	1,257
Gross Unrealized Losses	-34	-414
Fair Value	44,997	45,764
Securities
Total Amortized Cost	1,119,171	814,263
Total Gross Unrealized Gains	24,928	9,262
Total Gross Unrealized Losses	-7,284	-17,713
Total Fair Value	1,136,815	805,812
Debt securities
Securities available for sale:
Amortized Cost	1,026,831	749,300
Gross Unrealized Gains	15,922	5,739
Gross Unrealized Losses	-5,877	-16,964
Fair Value	1,036,876	738,075
Debt securities | Municipal bonds and obligations
Securities available for sale:
Amortized Cost	127,014	77,852
Gross Unrealized Gains	6,859	1,789
Gross Unrealized Losses	-174	-1,970
Fair Value	133,699	77,671
Securities held to maturity
Amortized Cost	4,997	4,244
Fair Value	4,997	4,244
Debt securities | Government guaranteed residential mortgage-backed securities
Securities available for sale:
Amortized Cost	68,972	78,885
Gross Unrealized Gains	702	544
Gross Unrealized Losses	-206	-658
Fair Value	69,468	78,771
Debt securities | Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities
Securities available for sale:
Amortized Cost	755,893	531,441
Gross Unrealized Gains	7,421	2,000
Gross Unrealized Losses	-3,130	-10,783
Fair Value	760,184	522,658
Securities held to maturity
Amortized Cost	70	73
Gross Unrealized Gains	4	2
Fair Value	74	75
Debt securities | Corporate bonds
Securities available for sale:
Amortized Cost	55,134	40,945
Gross Unrealized Gains	120	157
Gross Unrealized Losses	-1,103	-1,822
Fair Value	54,151	39,280
Debt securities | Trust preferred securities
Securities available for sale:
Amortized Cost	16,607	16,927
Gross Unrealized Gains	820	1,249
Gross Unrealized Losses	-1,212	-1,565
Fair Value	16,215	16,611
Debt securities | Tax advantaged economic development bonds
Securities held to maturity
Amortized Cost	37,948	40,260
Gross Unrealized Gains	1,680	1,255
Gross Unrealized Losses	-34	-414
Fair Value	39,594	41,101
Debt securities | Other bonds and obligations
Securities available for sale:
Amortized Cost	3,211	3,250
Gross Unrealized Losses	-52	-166
Fair Value	3,159	3,084
Securities held to maturity
Amortized Cost	332	344
Fair Value	332	344
Marketable equity securities
Securities available for sale:
Amortized Cost	48,993	20,042
Gross Unrealized Gains	7,322	2,266
Gross Unrealized Losses	-1,373	-335
Fair Value	$54,942	$21,973

SECURITIES_Details_2

SECURITIES (Details 2) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Available for sale, Amortized Cost
Within 1 year	$30,732
Over 1 year to 5 years	1,257
Over 5 years to 10 years	17,687
Over 10 years	152,290
Total bonds and obligations	201,966
Marketable equity securities	48,993
Residential mortgage-backed securities	824,865
Amortized Cost	1,075,824	769,342
Available for sale, Fair Value
Within 1 year	29,738
Over 1 year to 5 years	1,271
Over 5 years to 10 years	17,944
Over 10 years	158,271
Total bonds and obligations	207,224
Marketable equity securities	54,942
Residential mortgage-backed securities	829,652
Fair Value	1,091,818	760,048
Held to maturity, Amortized Cost
Within 1 year	1,047
Over 1 year to 5 years	17,248
Over 5 years to 10 years	12,360
Over 10 years	12,622
Total bonds and obligations	43,277
Residential mortgage-backed securities	70
Amortized Cost	43,347	44,921
Held to maturity, Fair Value
Within 1 year	1,047
Over 1 year to 5 years	18,139
Over 5 years to 10 years	12,524
Over 10 years	13,213
Total bonds and obligations	44,923
Residential mortgage-backed securities	74
Fair Value	$44,997	$45,764

SECURITIES_Details_3

SECURITIES (Details 3) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Amortized Cost
Securities pledged to swap counterparties	$25,875	$26,227
Securities pledged for municipal deposits	41,281	44,777
Securities pledged, amortized cost	67,156	71,004
Fair Value
Securities pledged to swap counterparties	26,083	26,442
Securities pledged for municipal deposits	42,098	44,438
Securities pledged, fair value	68,181	70,880
Components of net realized gains and losses on the sale of AFS securities
Gross realized gains	2,601	4,758	820
Gross realized losses	-2,119		-520
Net realized gain/(losses)	$482	$4,758	$300

SECURITIES_Details_4

SECURITIES (Details 4) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
	security
Securities available for sale
Less Than Twelve Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	$2,497,000	$15,203,000
Less Than Twelve Months, Fair Value	89,203,000	510,469,000
Over Twelve Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	4,753,000	2,096,000
Over Twelve Months, Fair Value	201,604,000	5,675,000
Total Gross Unrealized Losses	7,250,000	17,299,000
Total Fair Value	290,807,000	516,144,000
Securities held to maturity
Less Than Twelve Months, Gross Unrealized Losses		57,000
Less Than Twelve Months, Fair Value		9,429,000
Over Twelve Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	34,000	357,000
Over Twelve Months, Fair Value	7,972,000	7,901,000
Total Gross Unrealized Losses	34,000	414,000
Total Fair Value	7,972,000	17,330,000
Securities available for sale and held to maturity
Less Than Twelve Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	2,497,000	15,260,000
Less Than Twelve Months, Fair Value	89,203,000	519,898,000
Over Twelve Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	4,787,000	2,453,000
Over Twelve Months, Fair Value	209,576,000	13,576,000
Total Gross Unrealized Losses	7,284,000	17,713,000
Total Fair Value	298,779,000	533,474,000
Debt Securities
Total unrealized losses	7,250,000	17,299,000
Fair value of investment	1,091,818,000	760,048,000
Level 2
Debt Securities
Fair value of investment	1,035,686,000	737,193,000
Level 3
Debt Securities
Fair value of investment	2,326,000	1,964,000
Corporate bonds | One investment | Level 2
Debt Securities
Fair value of investment	29,700,000
Trust preferred securities | Level 3
Debt Securities
Fair value of investment	1,500,000
Debt securities
Securities available for sale
Less Than Twelve Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	1,458,000	15,086,000
Less Than Twelve Months, Fair Value	79,301,000	508,816,000
Over Twelve Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	4,419,000	1,878,000
Over Twelve Months, Fair Value	196,849,000	3,893,000
Total Gross Unrealized Losses	5,877,000	16,964,000
Total Fair Value	276,150,000	512,709,000
Debt Securities
Total unrealized losses	5,877,000	16,964,000
Fair value of investment	1,036,876,000	738,075,000
Debt securities | Municipal bonds and obligations
Securities available for sale
Less Than Twelve Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	8,000	1,657,000
Less Than Twelve Months, Fair Value	1,001,000	17,776,000
Over Twelve Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	166,000	313,000
Over Twelve Months, Fair Value	7,206,000	1,854,000
Total Gross Unrealized Losses	174,000	1,970,000
Total Fair Value	8,207,000	19,630,000
Debt Securities
Number of securities in the portfolio of AFS	178
Number of AFS investment securities in unrealized loss positions	14
Aggregate unrealized losses as a percentage of the amortized cost of the securities in unrealized loss positions	2.00%
Total unrealized losses	174,000	1,970,000
Fair value of investment	133,699,000	77,671,000
Debt securities | Residential mortgage-backed securities
Debt Securities
Number of securities in the portfolio of AFS	196
Number of AFS investment securities in unrealized loss positions	46
Aggregate unrealized losses as a percentage of the amortized cost of the securities in unrealized loss positions	1.50%
Debt securities | Government guaranteed residential mortgage-backed securities
Securities available for sale
Less Than Twelve Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	46,000	658,000
Less Than Twelve Months, Fair Value	7,122,000	35,631,000
Over Twelve Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	160,000
Over Twelve Months, Fair Value	16,727,000
Total Gross Unrealized Losses	206,000	658,000
Total Fair Value	23,849,000	35,631,000
Debt Securities
Total unrealized losses	206,000	658,000
Fair value of investment	69,468,000	78,771,000
Debt securities | Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities
Securities available for sale
Less Than Twelve Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	236,000	10,783,000
Less Than Twelve Months, Fair Value	30,672,000	423,203,000
Over Twelve Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	2,894,000
Over Twelve Months, Fair Value	167,473,000
Total Gross Unrealized Losses	3,130,000	10,783,000
Total Fair Value	198,145,000	423,203,000
Debt Securities
Total unrealized losses	3,130,000	10,783,000
Fair value of investment	760,184,000	522,658,000
Debt securities | Corporate bonds
Securities available for sale
Less Than Twelve Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	1,103,000	1,822,000
Less Than Twelve Months, Fair Value	39,571,000	29,124,000
Total Gross Unrealized Losses	1,103,000	1,822,000
Total Fair Value	39,571,000	29,124,000
Debt Securities
Number of securities in the portfolio of AFS	6
Number of AFS investment securities in unrealized loss positions	4
Aggregate unrealized losses as a percentage of the amortized cost of the securities in unrealized loss positions	2.70%
Total unrealized losses	1,103,000	1,822,000
Fair value of investment	54,151,000	39,280,000
Debt securities | Corporate bonds | One investment
Debt Securities
Total unrealized losses	1,000,000
Fair value of investment	30,700,000
Debt securities | Trust preferred securities
Securities available for sale
Less Than Twelve Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	65,000
Less Than Twelve Months, Fair Value	935,000
Over Twelve Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	1,147,000	1,565,000
Over Twelve Months, Fair Value	2,408,000	2,039,000
Total Gross Unrealized Losses	1,212,000	1,565,000
Total Fair Value	3,343,000	2,039,000
Debt Securities
Number of securities in the portfolio of AFS	6
Number of AFS investment securities in unrealized loss positions	3
Aggregate unrealized losses as a percentage of the amortized cost of the securities in unrealized loss positions	27.00%
Total unrealized losses	1,212,000	1,565,000
Fair value of investment	16,215,000	16,611,000
Amount of security issued by banking and insurance entities	360,000,000
Protection from credit loss afforded in excess subordination above current and projected losses	50,000,000
Debt securities | Other bonds and obligations
Securities available for sale
Less Than Twelve Months, Gross Unrealized Losses		166,000
Less Than Twelve Months, Fair Value		3,082,000
Over Twelve Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	52,000
Over Twelve Months, Fair Value	3,035,000
Total Gross Unrealized Losses	52,000	166,000
Total Fair Value	3,035,000	3,082,000
Debt Securities
Number of securities in the portfolio of AFS	8
Number of AFS investment securities in unrealized loss positions	5
Aggregate unrealized losses as a percentage of the amortized cost of the securities in unrealized loss positions	1.70%
Total unrealized losses	52,000	166,000
Fair value of investment	3,159,000	3,084,000
Debt securities | Tax advantaged economic development bonds
Securities held to maturity
Less Than Twelve Months, Gross Unrealized Losses		57,000
Less Than Twelve Months, Fair Value		9,429,000
Over Twelve Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	34,000	357,000
Over Twelve Months, Fair Value	7,972,000	7,901,000
Total Gross Unrealized Losses	34,000	414,000
Total Fair Value	7,972,000	17,330,000
Debt Securities
Aggregate unrealized losses as a percentage of the amortized cost of the securities in unrealized loss positions	0.40%
Number of HTM investment securities in unrealized loss positions	1
Number of securities in the portfolio of HTM	7
Debt securities | Mezzanine Class B tranche
Debt Securities
Total unrealized losses	1,000,000
Fair value of investment	2,600,000
Marketable equity securities
Securities available for sale
Less Than Twelve Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	1,039,000	117,000
Less Than Twelve Months, Fair Value	9,902,000	1,653,000
Over Twelve Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	334,000	218,000
Over Twelve Months, Fair Value	4,755,000	1,782,000
Total Gross Unrealized Losses	1,373,000	335,000
Total Fair Value	14,657,000	3,435,000
Debt Securities
Number of securities in the portfolio of AFS	30
Number of AFS investment securities in unrealized loss positions	7
Aggregate unrealized losses as a percentage of the amortized cost of the securities in unrealized loss positions	9.00%
Total unrealized losses	1,373,000	335,000
Fair value of investment	$54,942,000	$21,973,000

LOANS_Details

LOANS (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Loans
Loans	$4,680,600,000	$4,180,523,000
Unamortized net loan origination costs	14,268,000	13,898,000
Unamortized net premium on purchased loans	4,604,000	3,652,000
Total unamortized net costs and premiums	18,872,000	17,550,000
Participating serving loans	95,400,000	84,700,000
Loans purchased	50,200,000	178,600,000
Loans sold	290,100,000	932,500,000
Net gains (losses) on sales of loans	4,000,000	-1,000,000	11,800,000
Loans pledged as collateral to the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston	100,000,000
Commitments outstanding to related parties	3,300,000	2,800,000
Amount of loan relationship	2,000,000	1,200,000
Activity in the accretable yield for the acquired loan portfolio
Balance at beginning of period	2,559,000	8,247,000
Sales		-301,000
Reclassification from nonaccretable difference for loans with improved cash flows	2,644,000	2,252,000
Accretion	-2,662,000	-7,639,000
Balance at end of period	2,541,000	2,559,000	8,247,000
Business Activity
Loans
Loans	3,918,880,000	3,169,191,000
Acquired Loans
Loans
Number of branches	20
Loans	761,720,000	1,011,332,000
Carrying amount of loans considered impaired at the acquisition date	13,800,000	29,900,000
Carrying amount of loans not considered impaired at the acquisition date	13,800,000	29,900,000
Total loans | Credit concentration | Operators of non-residential buildings
Loans
Loans	691,300,000	556,750,000
Loans to operators of non-residential buildings (as a percent)	14.80%	13.30%
Other commercial and industrial loans
Loans
Carrying amount of loans considered impaired at the acquisition date	986,000	3,000,000
Residential | Mortgages
Loans
Loans	1,496,204,000	1,384,274,000
Carrying amount of loans considered impaired at the acquisition date	375,000	329,000
Residential | Mortgages | Business Activity
Loans
Loans	1,226,452,000	1,045,895,000
Residential | Mortgages | Acquired Loans
Loans
Loans	269,752,000	338,379,000
Carrying amount of loans considered impaired at the acquisition date	375,000	329,000
Residential | Mortgages | 1-4 family
Loans
Loans	1,468,142,000	1,361,104,000
Residential | Mortgages | 1-4 family | Business Activity
Loans
Loans	1,199,408,000	1,027,737,000
Residential | Mortgages | 1-4 family | Acquired Loans
Loans
Loans	268,734,000	333,367,000
Carrying amount of loans considered impaired at the acquisition date	375,000	329,000
Residential | Mortgages | Construction
Loans
Loans	28,062,000	23,170,000
Residential | Mortgages | Construction | Business Activity
Loans
Loans	27,044,000	18,158,000
Residential | Mortgages | Construction | Acquired Loans
Loans
Loans	1,018,000	5,012,000
Commercial real estate
Loans
Loans	1,611,567,000	1,417,120,000
Carrying amount of loans considered impaired at the acquisition date	12,300,000	26,500,000
Commercial real estate | Business Activity
Loans
Loans	1,340,076,000	1,060,011,000
Commercial real estate | Acquired Loans
Loans
Loans	271,491,000	357,109,000
Carrying amount of loans considered impaired at the acquisition date	12,277,000	26,534,000
Commercial real estate | Construction
Loans
Loans	173,390,000	139,017,000
Commercial real estate | Construction | Business Activity
Loans
Loans	169,189,000	125,247,000
Commercial real estate | Construction | Acquired Loans
Loans
Loans	4,201,000	13,770,000
Carrying amount of loans considered impaired at the acquisition date	1,296,000	6,616,000
Commercial real estate | Single and multi-family
Loans
Loans	193,218,000	128,320,000
Commercial real estate | Single and multi-family | Business Activity
Loans
Loans	140,050,000	63,493,000
Commercial real estate | Single and multi-family | Acquired Loans
Loans
Loans	53,168,000	64,827,000
Carrying amount of loans considered impaired at the acquisition date	5,477,000	9,666,000
Commercial real estate | Other commercial real estate
Loans
Loans	1,244,959,000	1,149,783,000
Commercial real estate | Other commercial real estate | Business Activity
Loans
Loans	1,030,837,000	871,271,000
Commercial real estate | Other commercial real estate | Acquired Loans
Loans
Loans	214,122,000	278,512,000
Carrying amount of loans considered impaired at the acquisition date	5,504,000	10,252,000
Commercial real estate | Business loans
Loans
Loans	804,366,000	687,293,000
Commercial real estate | Business loans | Business Activity
Loans
Loans	753,191,000	617,437,000
Commercial real estate | Business loans | Acquired Loans
Loans
Loans	51,175,000	69,856,000
Carrying amount of loans considered impaired at the acquisition date	986,000	3,036,000
Commercial real estate | Business loans | Asset based lending
Loans
Loans	341,246,000	297,371,000
Commercial real estate | Business loans | Asset based lending | Business Activity
Loans
Loans	341,246,000	294,241,000
Commercial real estate | Business loans | Asset based lending | Acquired Loans
Loans
Loans		3,130,000
Commercial real estate | Business loans | Other commercial and industrial loans
Loans
Loans	463,120,000	389,922,000
Commercial real estate | Business loans | Other commercial and industrial loans | Business Activity
Loans
Loans	411,945,000	323,196,000
Commercial real estate | Business loans | Other commercial and industrial loans | Acquired Loans
Loans
Loans	51,175,000	66,726,000
Carrying amount of loans considered impaired at the acquisition date	986,000	3,036,000
Commercial real estate | Business loans | Other commercial real estate | Other commercial and industrial loans | Business Activity
Loans
Loans	411,945,000
Consumer
Loans
Loans	768,463,000	691,836,000
Carrying amount of loans considered impaired at the acquisition date	171,000
Consumer | Business Activity
Loans
Loans	599,161,000	445,848,000
Consumer | Acquired Loans
Loans
Loans	169,302,000	245,988,000
Carrying amount of loans considered impaired at the acquisition date	171,000
Consumer | Home equity
Loans
Loans	318,632,000	306,831,000
Consumer | Home equity | Business Activity
Loans
Loans	252,681,000	232,677,000
Consumer | Home equity | Acquired Loans
Loans
Loans	65,951,000	74,154,000
Carrying amount of loans considered impaired at the acquisition date	171,000
Consumer | Auto and other
Loans
Loans	449,831,000	385,005,000
Consumer | Auto and other | Business Activity
Loans
Loans	346,480,000	213,171,000
Consumer | Auto and other | Acquired Loans
Loans
Loans	103,351,000	171,834,000
Commercial
Loans
Loans	2,415,933,000	2,104,413,000
Commercial | Business Activity
Loans
Loans	2,093,267,000	1,677,448,000
Commercial | Acquired Loans
Loans
Loans	322,666,000	426,965,000
Commercial | Mortgages | Acquired Loans
Loans
Loans	271,491,000	357,109,000
Commercial | Mortgages | Construction | Acquired Loans
Loans
Loans	4,201,000	13,770,000
Commercial | Mortgages | Single and multi-family | Acquired Loans
Loans
Loans	53,168,000	64,827,000
Commercial | Mortgages | Other commercial real estate | Acquired Loans
Loans
Loans	214,122,000	278,512,000
Commercial | Business loans | Business Activity
Loans
Loans	753,191,000	617,437,000
Commercial | Business loans | Acquired Loans
Loans
Loans	51,175,000	69,856,000
Commercial | Business loans | Asset based lending | Business Activity
Loans
Loans	341,246,000	294,241,000
Commercial | Business loans | Asset based lending | Acquired Loans
Loans
Loans		3,130,000
Commercial | Business loans | Other commercial and industrial loans | Business Activity
Loans
Loans	411,945,000	323,196,000
Commercial | Business loans | Other commercial and industrial loans | Acquired Loans
Loans
Loans	$51,175,000	$66,726,000

LOANS_Details_2

LOANS (Details 2) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Past due loans
Total loans	$4,680,600,000	$4,180,523,000
Business Activity
Past due loans
30-59 Days Past Due	9,320,000	5,827,000
60-89 Days Past Due	4,980,000	6,749,000
Greater Than 90 Days Past Due	17,172,000	21,712,000
Total Past Due	31,472,000	34,288,000
Current	3,887,408,000	3,134,903,000
Total loans	3,918,880,000	3,169,191,000
Past Due > 90 days and Accruing	2,394,000	3,240,000
Acquired Loans
Past due loans
30-59 Days Past Due	2,958,000	6,383,000
60-89 Days Past Due	2,424,000	2,496,000
Greater Than 90 Days Past Due	8,185,000	10,762,000
Total Past Due	13,567,000	19,641,000
Current	13,809,000	29,899,000
Acquired Credit Impaired	13,800,000	29,900,000
Total loans	761,720,000	1,011,332,000
Past Due > 90 days and Accruing	1,258,000	1,778,000
Other commercial and industrial loans
Past due loans
Acquired Credit Impaired	986,000	3,000,000
Residential | Mortgages
Past due loans
Acquired Credit Impaired	375,000	329,000
Total loans	1,496,204,000	1,384,274,000
Residential | Mortgages | Business Activity
Past due loans
30-59 Days Past Due	6,246,000	2,500,000
60-89 Days Past Due	556,000	623,000
Greater Than 90 Days Past Due	4,053,000	7,423,000
Total Past Due	10,855,000	10,546,000
Current	1,215,597,000	1,035,349,000
Total loans	1,226,452,000	1,045,895,000
Past Due > 90 days and Accruing	1,527,000	1,451,000
Residential | Mortgages | Acquired Loans
Past due loans
30-59 Days Past Due	1,133,000	2,025,000
60-89 Days Past Due	638,000	469,000
Greater Than 90 Days Past Due	1,651,000	3,132,000
Total Past Due	3,422,000	5,626,000
Acquired Credit Impaired	375,000	329,000
Total loans	269,752,000	338,379,000
Past Due > 90 days and Accruing	269,000	1,236,000
Residential | Mortgages | 1-4 family
Past due loans
Total loans	1,468,142,000	1,361,104,000
Residential | Mortgages | 1-4 family | Business Activity
Past due loans
30-59 Days Past Due	5,580,000	2,500,000
60-89 Days Past Due	146,000	623,000
Greater Than 90 Days Past Due	4,053,000	7,382,000
Total Past Due	9,779,000	10,505,000
Current	1,189,629,000	1,017,232,000
Total loans	1,199,408,000	1,027,737,000
Past Due > 90 days and Accruing	1,527,000	1,451,000
Residential | Mortgages | 1-4 family | Acquired Loans
Past due loans
30-59 Days Past Due	1,133,000	1,891,000
60-89 Days Past Due	638,000	437,000
Greater Than 90 Days Past Due	1,651,000	2,507,000
Total Past Due	3,422,000	4,835,000
Acquired Credit Impaired	375,000	329,000
Total loans	268,734,000	333,367,000
Past Due > 90 days and Accruing	269,000	735,000
Residential | Mortgages | Construction
Past due loans
Total loans	28,062,000	23,170,000
Residential | Mortgages | Construction | Business Activity
Past due loans
30-59 Days Past Due	666,000
60-89 Days Past Due	410,000
Greater Than 90 Days Past Due		41,000
Total Past Due	1,076,000	41,000
Current	25,968,000	18,117,000
Total loans	27,044,000	18,158,000
Residential | Mortgages | Construction | Acquired Loans
Past due loans
30-59 Days Past Due		134,000
60-89 Days Past Due		32,000
Greater Than 90 Days Past Due		625,000
Total Past Due		791,000
Total loans	1,018,000	5,012,000
Past Due > 90 days and Accruing		501,000
Commercial real estate
Past due loans
Acquired Credit Impaired	12,300,000	26,500,000
Total loans	1,611,567,000	1,417,120,000
Commercial real estate | Business Activity
Past due loans
30-59 Days Past Due	870,000	935,000
60-89 Days Past Due	2,861,000	5,455,000
Greater Than 90 Days Past Due	10,561,000	10,767,000
Total Past Due	14,292,000	17,157,000
Current	1,325,784,000	1,042,854,000
Total loans	1,340,076,000	1,060,011,000
Past Due > 90 days and Accruing	621,000	1,033,000
Commercial real estate | Acquired Loans
Past due loans
30-59 Days Past Due	277,000	887,000
60-89 Days Past Due	715,000	706,000
Greater Than 90 Days Past Due	3,267,000	4,278,000
Total Past Due	4,259,000	5,871,000
Acquired Credit Impaired	12,277,000	26,534,000
Total loans	271,491,000	357,109,000
Past Due > 90 days and Accruing	329,000	272,000
Commercial real estate | Construction
Past due loans
Total loans	173,390,000	139,017,000
Commercial real estate | Construction | Business Activity
Past due loans
30-59 Days Past Due		174,000
60-89 Days Past Due	2,000,000
Greater Than 90 Days Past Due	720,000	3,176,000
Total Past Due	2,720,000	3,350,000
Current	166,469,000	121,897,000
Total loans	169,189,000	125,247,000
Commercial real estate | Construction | Acquired Loans
Past due loans
Greater Than 90 Days Past Due	691,000
Total Past Due	691,000
Acquired Credit Impaired	1,296,000	6,616,000
Total loans	4,201,000	13,770,000
Commercial real estate | Single and multi-family
Past due loans
Total loans	193,218,000	128,320,000
Commercial real estate | Single and multi-family | Business Activity
Past due loans
30-59 Days Past Due	178,000	139,000
60-89 Days Past Due	156,000	654,000
Greater Than 90 Days Past Due	458,000	679,000
Total Past Due	792,000	1,472,000
Current	139,258,000	62,021,000
Total loans	140,050,000	63,493,000
Past Due > 90 days and Accruing		168,000
Commercial real estate | Single and multi-family | Acquired Loans
Past due loans
30-59 Days Past Due	277,000	350,000
60-89 Days Past Due		188,000
Greater Than 90 Days Past Due	572,000	823,000
Total Past Due	849,000	1,361,000
Acquired Credit Impaired	5,477,000	9,666,000
Total loans	53,168,000	64,827,000
Commercial real estate | Other commercial real estate
Past due loans
Total loans	1,244,959,000	1,149,783,000
Commercial real estate | Other commercial real estate | Business Activity
Past due loans
30-59 Days Past Due	692,000	622,000
60-89 Days Past Due	705,000	4,801,000
Greater Than 90 Days Past Due	9,383,000	6,912,000
Total Past Due	10,780,000	12,335,000
Current	1,020,057,000	858,936,000
Total loans	1,030,837,000	871,271,000
Past Due > 90 days and Accruing	621,000	865,000
Commercial real estate | Other commercial real estate | Acquired Loans
Past due loans
30-59 Days Past Due		537,000
60-89 Days Past Due	715,000	518,000
Greater Than 90 Days Past Due	2,004,000	3,455,000
Total Past Due	2,719,000	4,510,000
Acquired Credit Impaired	5,504,000	10,252,000
Total loans	214,122,000	278,512,000
Past Due > 90 days and Accruing	329,000	272,000
Commercial real estate | Business loans
Past due loans
Total loans	804,366,000	687,293,000
Commercial real estate | Business loans | Business Activity
Past due loans
30-59 Days Past Due	1,040,000	1,136,000
60-89 Days Past Due	498,000	386,000
Greater Than 90 Days Past Due	856,000	1,477,000
Total Past Due	2,394,000	2,999,000
Current	750,797,000	614,438,000
Total loans	753,191,000	617,437,000
Past Due > 90 days and Accruing	6,000	42,000
Commercial real estate | Business loans | Acquired Loans
Past due loans
30-59 Days Past Due	202,000	440,000
60-89 Days Past Due	32,000	135,000
Greater Than 90 Days Past Due	855,000	1,074,000
Total Past Due	1,089,000	1,649,000
Acquired Credit Impaired	986,000	3,036,000
Total loans	51,175,000	69,856,000
Past Due > 90 days and Accruing		153,000
Commercial real estate | Business loans | Asset based lending
Past due loans
Total loans	341,246,000	297,371,000
Commercial real estate | Business loans | Asset based lending | Business Activity
Past due loans
Current	341,246,000	294,241,000
Total loans	341,246,000	294,241,000
Commercial real estate | Business loans | Asset based lending | Acquired Loans
Past due loans
Total loans		3,130,000
Commercial real estate | Business loans | Other commercial and industrial loans
Past due loans
Total loans	463,120,000	389,922,000
Commercial real estate | Business loans | Other commercial and industrial loans | Business Activity
Past due loans
30-59 Days Past Due		1,136,000
60-89 Days Past Due		386,000
Greater Than 90 Days Past Due		1,477,000
Total Past Due		2,999,000
Current		320,197,000
Total loans	411,945,000	323,196,000
Past Due > 90 days and Accruing		42,000
Commercial real estate | Business loans | Other commercial and industrial loans | Acquired Loans
Past due loans
30-59 Days Past Due	202,000	440,000
60-89 Days Past Due	32,000	135,000
Greater Than 90 Days Past Due	855,000	1,074,000
Total Past Due	1,089,000	1,649,000
Acquired Credit Impaired	986,000	3,036,000
Total loans	51,175,000	66,726,000
Past Due > 90 days and Accruing		153,000
Commercial real estate | Business loans | Other commercial real estate | Other commercial and industrial loans | Business Activity
Past due loans
30-59 Days Past Due	1,040,000
60-89 Days Past Due	498,000
Greater Than 90 Days Past Due	856,000
Total Past Due	2,394,000
Current	409,551,000
Total loans	411,945,000
Past Due > 90 days and Accruing	6,000
Commercial
Past due loans
Total loans	2,415,933,000	2,104,413,000
Commercial | Business Activity
Past due loans
Total loans	2,093,267,000	1,677,448,000
Commercial | Acquired Loans
Past due loans
Total loans	322,666,000	426,965,000
Commercial | Mortgages | Acquired Loans
Past due loans
Total loans	271,491,000	357,109,000
Commercial | Mortgages | Construction | Acquired Loans
Past due loans
Total loans	4,201,000	13,770,000
Commercial | Mortgages | Single and multi-family | Acquired Loans
Past due loans
Total loans	53,168,000	64,827,000
Commercial | Mortgages | Other commercial real estate | Acquired Loans
Past due loans
Total loans	214,122,000	278,512,000
Commercial | Business loans | Business Activity
Past due loans
Total loans	753,191,000	617,437,000
Commercial | Business loans | Acquired Loans
Past due loans
Total loans	51,175,000	69,856,000
Commercial | Business loans | Asset based lending | Business Activity
Past due loans
Total loans	341,246,000	294,241,000
Commercial | Business loans | Asset based lending | Acquired Loans
Past due loans
Total loans		3,130,000
Commercial | Business loans | Other commercial and industrial loans | Business Activity
Past due loans
Total loans	411,945,000	323,196,000
Commercial | Business loans | Other commercial and industrial loans | Acquired Loans
Past due loans
Total loans	51,175,000	66,726,000
Consumer
Past due loans
Acquired Credit Impaired	171,000
Total loans	768,463,000	691,836,000
Consumer | Business Activity
Past due loans
30-59 Days Past Due	1,164,000	1,256,000
60-89 Days Past Due	1,065,000	285,000
Greater Than 90 Days Past Due	1,702,000	2,045,000
Total Past Due	3,931,000	3,586,000
Current	595,230,000	442,262,000
Total loans	599,161,000	445,848,000
Past Due > 90 days and Accruing	240,000	714,000
Consumer | Acquired Loans
Past due loans
30-59 Days Past Due	1,346,000	3,031,000
60-89 Days Past Due	1,039,000	1,186,000
Greater Than 90 Days Past Due	2,412,000	2,278,000
Total Past Due	4,797,000	6,495,000
Acquired Credit Impaired	171,000
Total loans	169,302,000	245,988,000
Past Due > 90 days and Accruing	660,000	117,000
Consumer | Home equity
Past due loans
Total loans	318,632,000	306,831,000
Consumer | Home equity | Business Activity
Past due loans
30-59 Days Past Due	333,000	732,000
60-89 Days Past Due	1,000,000	54,000
Greater Than 90 Days Past Due	1,387,000	1,655,000
Total Past Due	2,720,000	2,441,000
Current	249,961,000	230,236,000
Total loans	252,681,000	232,677,000
Past Due > 90 days and Accruing	230,000	572,000
Consumer | Home equity | Acquired Loans
Past due loans
30-59 Days Past Due	176,000	425,000
60-89 Days Past Due	95,000	545,000
Greater Than 90 Days Past Due	1,049,000	637,000
Total Past Due	1,320,000	1,607,000
Acquired Credit Impaired	171,000
Total loans	65,951,000	74,154,000
Past Due > 90 days and Accruing	466,000	35,000
Consumer | Auto and other
Past due loans
Total loans	449,831,000	385,005,000
Consumer | Auto and other | Business Activity
Past due loans
30-59 Days Past Due	831,000	524,000
60-89 Days Past Due	65,000	231,000
Greater Than 90 Days Past Due	315,000	390,000
Total Past Due	1,211,000	1,145,000
Current	345,269,000	212,026,000
Total loans	346,480,000	213,171,000
Past Due > 90 days and Accruing	10,000	142,000
Consumer | Auto and other | Acquired Loans
Past due loans
30-59 Days Past Due	1,170,000	2,606,000
60-89 Days Past Due	944,000	641,000
Greater Than 90 Days Past Due	1,363,000	1,641,000
Total Past Due	3,477,000	4,888,000
Total loans	103,351,000	171,834,000
Past Due > 90 days and Accruing	$194,000	$82,000

LOANS_Details_3

LOANS (Details 3) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Non-accrual loans
Non-accrual loans	$20,539	$27,455
Business Activity
Non-accrual loans
Non-accrual loans	14,778	18,472
Acquired Loans
Non-accrual loans
Non-accrual loans	5,761	8,983
Acquired credit impaired loans
Non-accrual loans
Non-accrual loans	1,200
Residential | Mortgages
Non-accrual loans
Non-accrual loans	3,908	7,867
Residential | Mortgages | Business Activity
Non-accrual loans
Non-accrual loans	2,526	5,972
Residential | Mortgages | Acquired Loans
Non-accrual loans
Non-accrual loans	1,382	1,895
Residential | Mortgages | 1-4 family
Non-accrual loans
Non-accrual loans	3,908	7,703
Residential | Mortgages | 1-4 family | Business Activity
Non-accrual loans
Non-accrual loans	2,526	5,931
Residential | Mortgages | 1-4 family | Acquired Loans
Non-accrual loans
Non-accrual loans	1,382	1,772
Residential | Mortgages | Construction
Non-accrual loans
Non-accrual loans		164
Residential | Mortgages | Construction | Business Activity
Non-accrual loans
Non-accrual loans		41
Residential | Mortgages | Construction | Acquired Loans
Non-accrual loans
Non-accrual loans		123
Commercial real estate
Non-accrual loans
Non-accrual loans	11,756	13,740
Commercial real estate | Business Activity
Non-accrual loans
Non-accrual loans	9,940	9,734
Commercial real estate | Acquired Loans
Non-accrual loans
Non-accrual loans	1,816	4,006
Commercial real estate | Construction
Non-accrual loans
Non-accrual loans	720	3,176
Commercial real estate | Construction | Business Activity
Non-accrual loans
Non-accrual loans	720	3,176
Commercial real estate | Single and multi-family
Non-accrual loans
Non-accrual loans	599	1,334
Commercial real estate | Single and multi-family | Business Activity
Non-accrual loans
Non-accrual loans	458	511
Commercial real estate | Single and multi-family | Acquired Loans
Non-accrual loans
Non-accrual loans	141	823
Commercial real estate | Other commercial real estate
Non-accrual loans
Non-accrual loans	10,437	9,230
Commercial real estate | Other commercial real estate | Business Activity
Non-accrual loans
Non-accrual loans	8,762	6,047
Commercial real estate | Other commercial real estate | Acquired Loans
Non-accrual loans
Non-accrual loans	1,675	3,183
Commercial real estate | Business loans
Non-accrual loans
Non-accrual loans	1,661	2,355
Commercial real estate | Business loans | Business Activity
Non-accrual loans
Non-accrual loans	850	1,434
Commercial real estate | Business loans | Acquired Loans
Non-accrual loans
Non-accrual loans	811	921
Commercial real estate | Business loans | Other commercial and industrial loans
Non-accrual loans
Non-accrual loans	1,661	2,355
Commercial real estate | Business loans | Other commercial and industrial loans | Business Activity
Non-accrual loans
Non-accrual loans	850	1,434
Commercial real estate | Business loans | Other commercial and industrial loans | Acquired Loans
Non-accrual loans
Non-accrual loans	811	921
Consumer
Non-accrual loans
Non-accrual loans	3,214	3,493
Consumer | Business Activity
Non-accrual loans
Non-accrual loans	1,462	1,332
Consumer | Acquired Loans
Non-accrual loans
Non-accrual loans	1,752	2,161
Consumer | Home equity
Non-accrual loans
Non-accrual loans	1,740	1,685
Consumer | Home equity | Business Activity
Non-accrual loans
Non-accrual loans	1,157	1,083
Consumer | Home equity | Acquired Loans
Non-accrual loans
Non-accrual loans	583	602
Consumer | Auto and other
Non-accrual loans
Non-accrual loans	1,474	1,808
Consumer | Auto and other | Business Activity
Non-accrual loans
Non-accrual loans	305	249
Consumer | Auto and other | Acquired Loans
Non-accrual loans
Non-accrual loans	$1,169	$1,559

LOANS_Details_4

LOANS (Details 4) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Loans receivable: balance at end of period
Total loans	$4,680,600,000	$4,180,523,000
Business Activity
Loans receivable: balance at end of period
Individually evaluated for impairment	26,448,000	30,561,000
Collectively evaluated	3,892,432,000	3,138,630,000
Total loans	3,918,880,000	3,169,191,000
Acquired Loans
Loans receivable: balance at end of period
Individually evaluated for impairment	6,570,000	8,384,000
Collectively evaluated	755,150,000	1,002,948,000
Total loans	761,720,000	1,011,332,000
Residential | Mortgages
Loans receivable: balance at end of period
Total loans	1,496,204,000	1,384,274,000
Residential | Mortgages | Business Activity
Loans receivable: balance at end of period
Individually evaluated for impairment	3,238,000	6,237,000
Collectively evaluated	1,223,214,000	1,039,658,000
Total loans	1,226,452,000	1,045,895,000
Residential | Mortgages | Acquired Loans
Loans receivable: balance at end of period
Individually evaluated for impairment	695,000	1,568,000
Collectively evaluated	269,057,000	336,811,000
Total loans	269,752,000	338,379,000
Commercial real estate
Loans receivable: balance at end of period
Total loans	1,611,567,000	1,417,120,000
Commercial real estate | Business Activity
Loans receivable: balance at end of period
Individually evaluated for impairment	22,015,000	22,429,000
Collectively evaluated	1,318,061,000	1,037,582,000
Total loans	1,340,076,000	1,060,011,000
Commercial real estate | Acquired Loans
Loans receivable: balance at end of period
Individually evaluated for impairment	5,637,000	6,295,000
Collectively evaluated	265,854,000	350,814,000
Total loans	271,491,000	357,109,000
Commercial real estate | Business loans
Loans receivable: balance at end of period
Total loans	804,366,000	687,293,000
Commercial real estate | Business loans | Business Activity
Loans receivable: balance at end of period
Individually evaluated for impairment	743,000	1,380,000
Collectively evaluated	752,448,000	616,057,000
Total loans	753,191,000	617,437,000
Commercial real estate | Business loans | Acquired Loans
Loans receivable: balance at end of period
Individually evaluated for impairment	39,000	367,000
Collectively evaluated	51,136,000	69,489,000
Total loans	51,175,000	69,856,000
Consumer
Loans receivable: balance at end of period
Total loans	768,463,000	691,836,000
Consumer | Business Activity
Loans receivable: balance at end of period
Individually evaluated for impairment	452,000	515,000
Collectively evaluated	598,709,000	445,333,000
Total loans	599,161,000	445,848,000
Consumer | Acquired Loans
Loans receivable: balance at end of period
Individually evaluated for impairment	199,000	154,000
Collectively evaluated	169,103,000	245,834,000
Total loans	169,302,000	245,988,000
Commercial
Loans receivable: balance at end of period
Total loans	2,415,933,000	2,104,413,000
Commercial | Business Activity
Loans receivable: balance at end of period
Total loans	2,093,267,000	1,677,448,000
Commercial | Acquired Loans
Loans receivable: balance at end of period
Total loans	322,666,000	426,965,000
Commercial | Mortgages | Acquired Loans
Loans receivable: balance at end of period
Total loans	271,491,000	357,109,000
Commercial | Business loans | Business Activity
Loans receivable: balance at end of period
Total loans	753,191,000	617,437,000
Commercial | Business loans | Acquired Loans
Loans receivable: balance at end of period
Total loans	$51,175,000	$69,856,000

LOANS_Details_5

LOANS (Details 5) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Cash Basis Interest Income Recognized
Additional funds committed amount	$0
Business Activity
Recorded Investment
Total	25,305	29,279
Unpaid Principal Balance
Total	26,448	30,561
Related Allowance
With an allowance recorded	1,143	1,282
Average Recorded Investment
Total	29,689	36,407
Cash Basis Interest Income Recognized
Total	1,043	1,190
Acquired Loans
Recorded Investment
Total	6,399	7,627
Unpaid Principal Balance
Total	6,570	8,384
Related Allowance
With an allowance recorded	171	757
Average Recorded Investment
Total	7,122	6,280
Cash Basis Interest Income Recognized
Total	272	215
Other commercial real estate | Business Activity
Recorded Investment
With no related allowance	102	18,909
With an allowance recorded		125
Unpaid Principal Balance
With no related allowance	102	18,909
With an allowance recorded		344
Related Allowance
With an allowance recorded		219
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	102	18,909
Average Recorded Investment
With no related allowance	9	22,653
Cash Basis Interest Income Recognized
With no related allowance		885
Other commercial real estate | Acquired Loans
Recorded Investment
With no related allowance	5,206	3,853
With an allowance recorded	383	1,954
Total		5,807
Unpaid Principal Balance
With no related allowance	5,206	3,853
With an allowance recorded	431	2,442
Total		6,295
Related Allowance
With an allowance recorded	48	488
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	5,206	3,853
Average Recorded Investment
With no related allowance		2,864
With an allowance recorded		1,997
Cash Basis Interest Income Recognized
With no related allowance		111
With an allowance recorded		67
Residential | Mortgages | Business Activity
Recorded Investment
Total	3,083	5,332
Unpaid Principal Balance
Total	3,238	6,237
Related Allowance
With an allowance recorded	155	905
Average Recorded Investment
Total	4,455	6,567
Cash Basis Interest Income Recognized
Total	172	194
Residential | Mortgages | Acquired Loans
Recorded Investment
Total	647	1,338
Unpaid Principal Balance
Total	695	1,568
Related Allowance
With an allowance recorded	48	230
Average Recorded Investment
Total	1,082	1,150
Cash Basis Interest Income Recognized
Total	22	28
Residential | Mortgages | 1-4 family | Business Activity
Recorded Investment
With no related allowance	2,528	3,406
With an allowance recorded	555	1,926
Unpaid Principal Balance
With no related allowance	2,528	3,406
With an allowance recorded	710	2,831
Related Allowance
With an allowance recorded	155	905
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	2,528	3,406
Average Recorded Investment
With no related allowance	3,807	4,208
With an allowance recorded	648	2,359
Cash Basis Interest Income Recognized
With no related allowance	141	150
With an allowance recorded	31	44
Residential | Mortgages | 1-4 family | Acquired Loans
Recorded Investment
With no related allowance	189	381
With an allowance recorded	458	957
Unpaid Principal Balance
With no related allowance	189	381
With an allowance recorded	506	1,187
Related Allowance
With an allowance recorded	48	230
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	189	381
Average Recorded Investment
With no related allowance	841	736
With an allowance recorded	241	414
Cash Basis Interest Income Recognized
With no related allowance	8	5
With an allowance recorded	14	23
Commercial real estate | Business Activity
Recorded Investment
Total	21,093	22,210
Unpaid Principal Balance
Total	22,015	22,429
Related Allowance
With an allowance recorded	922	219
Average Recorded Investment
Total	22,796	26,753
Cash Basis Interest Income Recognized
Total	788	915
Commercial real estate | Acquired Loans
Recorded Investment
Total	5,589
Unpaid Principal Balance
Total	5,637
Related Allowance
With an allowance recorded	48
Average Recorded Investment
Total	5,592	4,861
Cash Basis Interest Income Recognized
Total	231	178
Commercial real estate | Construction | Business Activity
Recorded Investment
With no related allowance	16,990	3,176
With an allowance recorded	3,511
Unpaid Principal Balance
With no related allowance	16,990	3,176
With an allowance recorded	4,431
Related Allowance
With an allowance recorded	920
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	16,990	3,176
Average Recorded Investment
With no related allowance	18,218	3,997
Cash Basis Interest Income Recognized
With no related allowance	704	30
Commercial real estate | Construction | Acquired Loans
Average Recorded Investment
With no related allowance	5,484
Cash Basis Interest Income Recognized
With no related allowance	227
Commercial real estate | Single and multi-family | Business Activity
Recorded Investment
With an allowance recorded	490
Unpaid Principal Balance
With an allowance recorded	492
Related Allowance
With an allowance recorded	2
Average Recorded Investment
With no related allowance	519
With an allowance recorded	1,213
Commercial real estate | Other commercial real estate | Acquired Loans
Average Recorded Investment
With an allowance recorded	108
Cash Basis Interest Income Recognized
With an allowance recorded	4
Commercial real estate | Business loans | Business Activity
Recorded Investment
Total	743	1,325
Unpaid Principal Balance
Total	743	1,380
Related Allowance
With an allowance recorded		55
Average Recorded Investment
With no related allowance	1,877	1,833
With an allowance recorded		14
Total	1,877	1,847
Cash Basis Interest Income Recognized
With no related allowance	70	61
With an allowance recorded		3
Total	70	64
Commercial real estate | Business loans | Acquired Loans
Recorded Investment
Total	39
Unpaid Principal Balance
Total	39
Average Recorded Investment
With no related allowance	356	231
Total	356	231
Cash Basis Interest Income Recognized
With no related allowance	13	6
Total	13	6
Commercial real estate | Business loans | Other commercial and industrial loans | Business Activity
Recorded Investment
With no related allowance	743	811
With an allowance recorded		514
Unpaid Principal Balance
With no related allowance	743	811
With an allowance recorded		569
Related Allowance
With an allowance recorded		55
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	743	811
Commercial real estate | Business loans | Other commercial and industrial loans | Acquired Loans
Recorded Investment
With no related allowance	39	367
Total		367
Unpaid Principal Balance
With no related allowance	39	367
Total		367
Related Allowance
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	39	367
Consumer | Business Activity
Recorded Investment
Total	386	412
Unpaid Principal Balance
Total	452	515
Related Allowance
With an allowance recorded	66	103
Average Recorded Investment
Total	561	1,240
Cash Basis Interest Income Recognized
Total	13	17
Consumer | Acquired Loans
Recorded Investment
Total	124
Unpaid Principal Balance
Total	199
Related Allowance
With an allowance recorded	75
Average Recorded Investment
Total	92	38
Cash Basis Interest Income Recognized
Total	6	3
Consumer | Home equity | Business Activity
Recorded Investment
With no related allowance	87	270
With an allowance recorded	194	142
Unpaid Principal Balance
With no related allowance	87	270
With an allowance recorded	248	245
Related Allowance
With an allowance recorded	54	103
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	87	270
Average Recorded Investment
With no related allowance	234	1,008
With an allowance recorded	207	103
Cash Basis Interest Income Recognized
With no related allowance	3	9
With an allowance recorded	6	3
Consumer | Home equity | Acquired Loans
Recorded Investment
With an allowance recorded	124	115
Total		115
Unpaid Principal Balance
With an allowance recorded	199	154
Total		154
Related Allowance
With an allowance recorded	75	39
Average Recorded Investment
With no related allowance	41
Consumer | Other | Business Activity
Recorded Investment
With an allowance recorded	105
Unpaid Principal Balance
With an allowance recorded	117
Related Allowance
With an allowance recorded	12
Average Recorded Investment
With no related allowance		129
With an allowance recorded	120
Cash Basis Interest Income Recognized
With no related allowance		5
With an allowance recorded	4
Commercial | Home equity | Acquired Loans
Average Recorded Investment
With an allowance recorded	51	38
Cash Basis Interest Income Recognized
With an allowance recorded	6	3
Commercial | Mortgages | Construction | Business Activity
Average Recorded Investment
With an allowance recorded	2,837
Cash Basis Interest Income Recognized
With an allowance recorded	84
Commercial | Mortgages | Other commercial real estate | Business Activity
Average Recorded Investment
With an allowance recorded		$103

LOANS_Details_6

LOANS (Details 6) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
	item	item	item
		contract	loan
		loan
Troubled Debt Restructuring
Borrower's sustained repayment performance period	6 months
Number of Modifications	17	27	14
Pre-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment	$10,515	$8,163	$4,627
Post-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment	10,513	7,770	4,626
Number of loans restructured within the last twelve months, which subsequently defaulted			0
Modifications that subsequently defaulted
Number of Contracts		14
Recorded Investment		2,478
TDR activity
Balance at beginning of the period	10,822	4,626
Principal payments	-2,651	-118
TDR status change	-52	-1,164
Other reductions	-1,918	-292
Newly identified TDRs	10,513	7,770
Balance at end of the period	16,714	10,822	4,626
Residential | 1-4 family
Troubled Debt Restructuring
Number of Modifications	5	7	3
Pre-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment	600	1,152	468
Post-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment	598	1,152	467
Modifications that subsequently defaulted
Number of Contracts		1
Recorded Investment		201
Residential | Construction
Troubled Debt Restructuring
Number of Modifications	1
Pre-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment	102
Post-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment	102
Commercial real estate | Business loans | Other commercial and industrial loans
Troubled Debt Restructuring
Number of Modifications		10	3
Pre-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment		3,882	1,308
Post-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment		3,450	1,308
Modifications that subsequently defaulted
Number of Contracts	2	1
Recorded Investment	101	55
Consumer | Auto and other
Troubled Debt Restructuring
Number of Modifications		7	1
Pre-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment		443	133
Post-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment		442	133
Commercial | Other
Troubled Debt Restructuring
Number of Modifications	10	2	3
Pre-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment	9,190	2,366	2,493
Post-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment	9,190	2,406	2,493
Modifications that subsequently defaulted
Number of Contracts		7
Recorded Investment		1,961
Commercial | Single and multi-family
Troubled Debt Restructuring
Number of Modifications	1	1	4
Pre-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment	623	320	225
Post-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment	623	320	225
Modifications that subsequently defaulted
Number of Contracts		5
Recorded Investment		$261

LOAN_LOSS_ALLOWANCE_Details

LOAN LOSS ALLOWANCE (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Activity in the allowance for loan losses
Balance at beginning of period				$33,323					$33,323
Provision for loan losses	3,898	3,685	3,989	3,396	3,100	3,178	2,700	2,400	14,968	11,378	9,590
Balance at end of period	35,662				33,323				35,662	33,323
Allowance For Loan Losses
Total	35,662				33,323				35,662	33,323
Business Activity
Activity in the allowance for loan losses
Balance at beginning of period				29,527				31,891	29,527	31,891	31,898
Charged-off loans									9,470	8,102	9,067
Recoveries on charged-off loans									673	1,329	416
Provision for loan losses									12,065	4,409	8,644
Balance at end of period	32,795				29,527				32,795	29,527	31,891
Allowance For Loan Losses
Individually evaluated for impairment	1,143				1,282				1,143	1,282	3,209
Collectively evaluated	31,652				28,245				31,652	28,245	28,682
Total	32,795				29,527				32,795	29,527	31,891
Acquired Loans
Activity in the allowance for loan losses
Balance at beginning of period				3,796				1,317	3,796	1,317	546
Charged-off loans									4,383	4,735	383
Recoveries on charged-off loans									551	245	208
Provision for loan losses									2,903	6,969	946
Balance at end of period	2,867				3,796				2,867	3,796	1,317
Allowance For Loan Losses
Individually evaluated for impairment	171				757				171	757	55
Collectively evaluated	2,696				3,039				2,696	3,039	1,262
Total	2,867				3,796				2,867	3,796	1,317
Residential | Mortgages | Business Activity
Activity in the allowance for loan losses
Balance at beginning of period				6,937				5,928	6,937	5,928	3,150
Charged-off loans									1,455	1,761	2,604
Recoveries on charged-off loans									186	398	103
Provision for loan losses									1,168	2,372	5,279
Balance at end of period	6,836				6,937				6,836	6,937	5,928
Allowance For Loan Losses
Individually evaluated for impairment	155				905				155	905	287
Collectively evaluated	6,681				6,032				6,681	6,032	5,641
Total	6,836				6,937				6,836	6,937	5,928
Residential | Mortgages | Acquired Loans
Activity in the allowance for loan losses
Balance at beginning of period				625				509	625	509	281
Charged-off loans									1,141	636	43
Recoveries on charged-off loans									179	1
Provision for loan losses									952	751	271
Balance at end of period	615				625				615	625	509
Allowance For Loan Losses
Individually evaluated for impairment	48				230				48	230	55
Collectively evaluated	567				395				567	395	454
Total	615				625				615	625	509
Commercial real estate | Business Activity
Activity in the allowance for loan losses
Balance at beginning of period				13,705				18,863	13,705	18,863	22,095
Charged-off loans									4,207	3,378	4,229
Recoveries on charged-off loans									9	540	52
Provision for loan losses									5,183	-2,320	945
Balance at end of period	14,690				13,705				14,690	13,705	18,863
Allowance For Loan Losses
Individually evaluated for impairment	922				219				922	219	1,444
Collectively evaluated	13,768				13,486				13,768	13,486	17,419
Total	14,690				13,705				14,690	13,705	18,863
Commercial real estate | Acquired Loans
Activity in the allowance for loan losses
Balance at beginning of period				2,339				390	2,339	390	158
Charged-off loans									1,477	1,748
Recoveries on charged-off loans									261	15
Provision for loan losses									-333	3,682	232
Balance at end of period	790				2,339				790	2,339	390
Allowance For Loan Losses
Individually evaluated for impairment	48				488				48	488
Collectively evaluated	742				1,851				742	1,851	390
Total	790				2,339				790	2,339	390
Commercial real estate | Business loans | Business Activity
Activity in the allowance for loan losses
Balance at beginning of period				5,173				5,605	5,173	5,605	4,540
Charged-off loans									2,500	2,046	697
Recoveries on charged-off loans									193	121	96
Provision for loan losses									2,340	1,493	1,666
Balance at end of period	5,206				5,173				5,206	5,173	5,605
Allowance For Loan Losses
Individually evaluated for impairment					55					55	1,205
Collectively evaluated	5,206				5,118				5,206	5,118	4,400
Total	5,206				5,173				5,206	5,173	5,605
Commercial real estate | Business loans | Acquired Loans
Activity in the allowance for loan losses
Balance at beginning of period				597				96	597	96	38
Charged-off loans									510	771
Recoveries on charged-off loans									35	84
Provision for loan losses									971	1,188	58
Balance at end of period	1,093				597				1,093	597	96
Allowance For Loan Losses
Collectively evaluated	1,093				597				1,093	597	96
Total	1,093				597				1,093	597	96
Consumer | Business Activity
Activity in the allowance for loan losses
Balance at beginning of period				3,644				1,466	3,644	1,466	2,203
Charged-off loans									1,308	917	1,537
Recoveries on charged-off loans									285	270	165
Provision for loan losses									3,307	2,825	635
Balance at end of period	5,928				3,644				5,928	3,644	1,466
Allowance For Loan Losses
Individually evaluated for impairment	66				103				66	103	273
Collectively evaluated	5,862				3,541				5,862	3,541	1,193
Total	5,928				3,644				5,928	3,644	1,466
Consumer | Acquired Loans
Activity in the allowance for loan losses
Balance at beginning of period				235				314	235	314	87
Charged-off loans									1,255	1,580	340
Recoveries on charged-off loans									76	145	208
Provision for loan losses									1,313	1,356	359
Balance at end of period	369				235				369	235	314
Allowance For Loan Losses
Individually evaluated for impairment	75				39				75	39
Collectively evaluated	294				196				294	196	314
Total	369				235				369	235	314
Unallocated | Business Activity
Activity in the allowance for loan losses
Balance at beginning of period				68				29	68	29	-90
Provision for loan losses									67	39	119
Balance at end of period	135				68				135	68	29
Allowance For Loan Losses
Collectively evaluated	135				68				135	68	29
Total	135				68				135	68	29
Unallocated | Acquired Loans
Activity in the allowance for loan losses
Balance at beginning of period								8		8	-18
Provision for loan losses										-8	26
Balance at end of period											8
Allowance For Loan Losses
Collectively evaluated											8
Total											$8

LOAN_LOSS_ALLOWANCE_Details_2

LOAN LOSS ALLOWANCE (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Credit quality information
Loans	4,680,600,000	$4,180,523,000
Business Activity
Credit quality information
Loans	3,918,880,000	3,169,191,000
Acquired Loans
Credit quality information
Number of grades in internal loan rating system	11
Allowance for losses on acquired loans under Subtopic ASC 310-30		0
Loans	761,720,000	1,011,332,000
Residential | Mortgages
Credit quality information
Loans	1,496,204,000	1,384,274,000
Residential | Mortgages | Business Activity
Credit quality information
Loans	1,226,452,000	1,045,895,000
Residential | Mortgages | Acquired Loans
Credit quality information
Loans	269,752,000	338,379,000
Residential | Mortgages | 1-4 family
Credit quality information
Loans	1,468,142,000	1,361,104,000
Residential | Mortgages | 1-4 family | Business Activity
Credit quality information
Loans	1,199,408,000	1,027,737,000
Residential | Mortgages | 1-4 family | Acquired Loans
Credit quality information
Loans	268,734,000	333,367,000
Residential | Mortgages | Construction
Credit quality information
Loans	28,062,000	23,170,000
Residential | Mortgages | Construction | Business Activity
Credit quality information
Loans	27,044,000	18,158,000
Residential | Mortgages | Construction | Acquired Loans
Credit quality information
Loans	1,018,000	5,012,000
Commercial real estate
Credit quality information
Loans	1,611,567,000	1,417,120,000
Commercial real estate | Business Activity
Credit quality information
Loans	1,340,076,000	1,060,011,000
Commercial real estate | Acquired Loans
Credit quality information
Loans	271,491,000	357,109,000
Commercial real estate | Construction
Credit quality information
Loans	173,390,000	139,017,000
Commercial real estate | Construction | Business Activity
Credit quality information
Loans	169,189,000	125,247,000
Commercial real estate | Construction | Acquired Loans
Credit quality information
Loans	4,201,000	13,770,000
Commercial real estate | Single and multi-family
Credit quality information
Loans	193,218,000	128,320,000
Commercial real estate | Single and multi-family | Business Activity
Credit quality information
Loans	140,050,000	63,493,000
Commercial real estate | Single and multi-family | Acquired Loans
Credit quality information
Loans	53,168,000	64,827,000
Commercial real estate | Other commercial real estate
Credit quality information
Loans	1,244,959,000	1,149,783,000
Commercial real estate | Other commercial real estate | Business Activity
Credit quality information
Loans	1,030,837,000	871,271,000
Commercial real estate | Other commercial real estate | Acquired Loans
Credit quality information
Loans	214,122,000	278,512,000
Commercial real estate | Business loans
Credit quality information
Loans	804,366,000	687,293,000
Commercial real estate | Business loans | Business Activity
Credit quality information
Loans	753,191,000	617,437,000
Commercial real estate | Business loans | Acquired Loans
Credit quality information
Loans	51,175,000	69,856,000
Commercial real estate | Business loans | Asset based lending
Credit quality information
Loans	341,246,000	297,371,000
Commercial real estate | Business loans | Asset based lending | Business Activity
Credit quality information
Loans	341,246,000	294,241,000
Commercial real estate | Business loans | Asset based lending | Acquired Loans
Credit quality information
Loans		3,130,000
Commercial real estate | Business loans | Other commercial and industrial loans
Credit quality information
Loans	463,120,000	389,922,000
Commercial real estate | Business loans | Other commercial and industrial loans | Business Activity
Credit quality information
Loans	411,945,000	323,196,000
Commercial real estate | Business loans | Other commercial and industrial loans | Acquired Loans
Credit quality information
Loans	51,175,000	66,726,000
Commercial real estate | Business loans | Other commercial real estate | Other commercial and industrial loans | Business Activity
Credit quality information
Loans	411,945,000
Consumer
Credit quality information
Loans	768,463,000	691,836,000
Consumer | Business Activity
Credit quality information
Loans	599,161,000	445,848,000
Consumer | Acquired Loans
Credit quality information
Loans	169,302,000	245,988,000
Consumer | Home equity
Credit quality information
Loans	318,632,000	306,831,000
Consumer | Home equity | Business Activity
Credit quality information
Loans	252,681,000	232,677,000
Consumer | Home equity | Acquired Loans
Credit quality information
Loans	65,951,000	74,154,000
Consumer | Auto and other
Credit quality information
Loans	449,831,000	385,005,000
Consumer | Auto and other | Business Activity
Credit quality information
Loans	346,480,000	213,171,000
Consumer | Auto and other | Acquired Loans
Credit quality information
Loans	103,351,000	171,834,000
Consumer | Other
Credit quality information
Number of grades in internal loan rating system	2
Commercial
Credit quality information
Loans	2,415,933,000	2,104,413,000
Commercial | Business Activity
Credit quality information
Loans	2,093,267,000	1,677,448,000
Commercial | Acquired Loans
Credit quality information
Loans	322,666,000	426,965,000
Commercial | Mortgages | Acquired Loans
Credit quality information
Loans	271,491,000	357,109,000
Commercial | Mortgages | Construction | Acquired Loans
Credit quality information
Loans	4,201,000	13,770,000
Commercial | Mortgages | Single and multi-family | Acquired Loans
Credit quality information
Loans	53,168,000	64,827,000
Commercial | Mortgages | Other commercial real estate | Acquired Loans
Credit quality information
Loans	214,122,000	278,512,000
Commercial | Business loans | Business Activity
Credit quality information
Loans	753,191,000	617,437,000
Commercial | Business loans | Acquired Loans
Credit quality information
Loans	51,175,000	69,856,000
Commercial | Business loans | Asset based lending | Business Activity
Credit quality information
Loans	341,246,000	294,241,000
Commercial | Business loans | Asset based lending | Acquired Loans
Credit quality information
Loans		3,130,000
Commercial | Business loans | Other commercial and industrial loans | Business Activity
Credit quality information
Loans	411,945,000	323,196,000
Commercial | Business loans | Other commercial and industrial loans | Acquired Loans
Credit quality information
Loans	51,175,000	66,726,000
Pass | Residential | Mortgages | Maximum
Credit quality information
Period within which loans are current, based on which risk rating is assigned	59 days
Pass | Residential | Mortgages | Business Activity
Credit quality information
Loans	1,221,843,000	1,037,849,000
Pass | Residential | Mortgages | Acquired Loans
Credit quality information
Loans	267,463,000	331,434,000
Pass | Residential | Mortgages | 1-4 family | Business Activity
Credit quality information
Loans	1,195,209,000	1,019,732,000
Pass | Residential | Mortgages | 1-4 family | Acquired Loans
Credit quality information
Loans	266,445,000	330,353,000
Pass | Residential | Mortgages | Construction | Business Activity
Credit quality information
Loans	26,634,000	18,117,000
Pass | Residential | Mortgages | Construction | Acquired Loans
Credit quality information
Loans	1,018,000	1,081,000
Pass | Commercial real estate | Business Activity
Credit quality information
Loans	1,263,664,000	980,379,000
Pass | Commercial real estate | Construction | Business Activity
Credit quality information
Loans	166,295,000	120,071,000
Pass | Commercial real estate | Single and multi-family | Business Activity
Credit quality information
Loans	137,533,000	59,636,000
Pass | Commercial real estate | Other commercial real estate | Business Activity
Credit quality information
Loans	959,836,000	800,672,000
Pass | Commercial | Mortgages | Acquired Loans
Credit quality information
Loans	243,082,000	308,902,000
Pass | Commercial | Mortgages | Construction | Acquired Loans
Credit quality information
Loans	2,904,000	7,154,000
Pass | Commercial | Mortgages | Single and multi-family | Acquired Loans
Credit quality information
Loans	44,497,000	46,961,000
Pass | Commercial | Mortgages | Other commercial real estate | Acquired Loans
Credit quality information
Loans	195,681,000	254,787,000
Pass | Commercial | Business loans | Business Activity
Credit quality information
Loans	746,092,000	608,225,000
Pass | Commercial | Business loans | Acquired Loans
Credit quality information
Loans	45,757,000	62,745,000
Pass | Commercial | Business loans | Asset based lending | Business Activity
Credit quality information
Loans	341,246,000	294,241,000
Pass | Commercial | Business loans | Asset based lending | Acquired Loans
Credit quality information
Loans		3,130,000
Pass | Commercial | Business loans | Other commercial and industrial loans | Business Activity
Credit quality information
Loans	404,846,000	313,984,000
Pass | Commercial | Business loans | Other commercial and industrial loans | Acquired Loans
Credit quality information
Loans	45,757,000	59,615,000
Special mention
Credit quality information
Loans	17,913,000	27,934,000
Special mention | Business Activity
Credit quality information
Loans	9,113,000	10,081,000
Special mention | Acquired Loans
Credit quality information
Loans	8,800,000	17,853,000
Special mention | Residential | Mortgages | Minimum
Credit quality information
Delinquency period of loans based on which risk rating is assigned to loans	60 days
Special mention | Residential | Mortgages | Maximum
Credit quality information
Delinquency period of loans based on which risk rating is assigned to loans	89 days
Special mention | Residential | Mortgages | Business Activity
Credit quality information
Loans	556,000	623,000
Special mention | Residential | Mortgages | Acquired Loans
Credit quality information
Loans	638,000	437,000
Special mention | Residential | Mortgages | 1-4 family | Business Activity
Credit quality information
Loans	146,000	623,000
Special mention | Residential | Mortgages | 1-4 family | Acquired Loans
Credit quality information
Loans	638,000	437,000
Special mention | Residential | Mortgages | Construction | Business Activity
Credit quality information
Loans	410,000
Special mention | Commercial real estate | Business Activity
Credit quality information
Loans	6,933,000	8,290,000
Special mention | Commercial real estate | Single and multi-family | Business Activity
Credit quality information
Loans		140,000
Special mention | Commercial real estate | Other commercial real estate | Business Activity
Credit quality information
Loans	6,933,000	8,150,000
Special mention | Commercial | Mortgages | Acquired Loans
Credit quality information
Loans	5,401,000	13,833,000
Special mention | Commercial | Mortgages | Single and multi-family | Acquired Loans
Credit quality information
Loans	533,000	4,799,000
Special mention | Commercial | Mortgages | Other commercial real estate | Acquired Loans
Credit quality information
Loans	4,868,000	9,034,000
Special mention | Commercial | Business loans | Business Activity
Credit quality information
Loans	560,000	884,000
Special mention | Commercial | Business loans | Acquired Loans
Credit quality information
Loans	1,723,000	2,396,000
Special mention | Commercial | Business loans | Other commercial and industrial loans | Business Activity
Credit quality information
Loans	560,000	884,000
Special mention | Commercial | Business loans | Other commercial and industrial loans | Acquired Loans
Credit quality information
Loans	1,723,000	2,396,000
Substandard
Credit quality information
Loans	90,834,000	109,558,000
Substandard | Business Activity
Credit quality information
Loans	66,995,000	70,667,000
Substandard | Acquired Loans
Credit quality information
Loans	23,839,000	38,891,000
Substandard | Residential | Mortgages | Minimum
Credit quality information
Delinquency period of loans based on which risk rating is assigned to loans	90 days
Substandard | Residential | Mortgages | Business Activity
Credit quality information
Loans	4,053,000	7,423,000
Substandard | Residential | Mortgages | Acquired Loans
Credit quality information
Loans	1,651,000	6,508,000
Substandard | Residential | Mortgages | 1-4 family | Business Activity
Credit quality information
Loans	4,053,000	7,382,000
Substandard | Residential | Mortgages | 1-4 family | Acquired Loans
Credit quality information
Loans	1,651,000	2,577,000
Substandard | Residential | Mortgages | Construction | Business Activity
Credit quality information
Loans		41,000
Substandard | Residential | Mortgages | Construction | Acquired Loans
Credit quality information
Loans		3,931,000
Substandard | Commercial real estate | Business Activity
Credit quality information
Loans	69,406,000	70,700,000
Substandard | Commercial real estate | Construction | Business Activity
Credit quality information
Loans	2,894,000	5,176,000
Substandard | Commercial real estate | Single and multi-family | Business Activity
Credit quality information
Loans	2,517,000	3,717,000
Substandard | Commercial real estate | Other commercial real estate | Business Activity
Credit quality information
Loans	63,995,000	61,807,000
Substandard | Commercial | Mortgages | Acquired Loans
Credit quality information
Loans	23,008,000	34,374,000
Substandard | Commercial | Mortgages | Construction | Acquired Loans
Credit quality information
Loans	1,297,000	6,616,000
Substandard | Commercial | Mortgages | Single and multi-family | Acquired Loans
Credit quality information
Loans	8,138,000	13,067,000
Substandard | Commercial | Mortgages | Other commercial real estate | Acquired Loans
Credit quality information
Loans	13,573,000	14,691,000
Substandard | Commercial | Business loans | Business Activity
Credit quality information
Loans	6,539,000	7,725,000
Substandard | Commercial | Business loans | Acquired Loans
Credit quality information
Loans	3,695,000	4,715,000
Substandard | Commercial | Business loans | Other commercial and industrial loans | Business Activity
Credit quality information
Loans	6,539,000	7,725,000
Substandard | Commercial | Business loans | Other commercial and industrial loans | Acquired Loans
Credit quality information
Loans	3,695,000	4,715,000
Doubtful | Commercial real estate | Business Activity
Credit quality information
Loans	73,000	642,000
Doubtful | Commercial real estate | Other commercial real estate | Business Activity
Credit quality information
Loans	73,000	642,000
Doubtful | Commercial | Business loans | Business Activity
Credit quality information
Loans		603,000
Doubtful | Commercial | Business loans | Other commercial and industrial loans | Business Activity
Credit quality information
Loans		603,000
Performing | Consumer | Business Activity
Credit quality information
Loans	597,699,000	444,516,000
Performing | Consumer | Acquired Loans
Credit quality information
Loans	167,550,000	243,827,000
Performing | Consumer | Home equity | Business Activity
Credit quality information
Loans	251,524,000	231,594,000
Performing | Consumer | Home equity | Acquired Loans
Credit quality information
Loans	65,368,000	73,552,000
Performing | Consumer | Auto and other | Business Activity
Credit quality information
Loans	346,175,000	212,922,000
Performing | Consumer | Auto and other | Acquired Loans
Credit quality information
Loans	102,182,000	170,275,000
Performing | Consumer | Other | Maximum
Credit quality information
Period within which loans are current, based on which risk rating is assigned	119 days
Nonperforming | Consumer | Business Activity
Credit quality information
Loans	1,462,000	1,332,000
Nonperforming | Consumer | Acquired Loans
Credit quality information
Loans	1,752,000	2,161,000
Nonperforming | Consumer | Home equity | Business Activity
Credit quality information
Loans	1,157,000	1,083,000
Nonperforming | Consumer | Home equity | Acquired Loans
Credit quality information
Loans	583,000	602,000
Nonperforming | Consumer | Auto and other | Business Activity
Credit quality information
Loans	305,000	249,000
Nonperforming | Consumer | Auto and other | Acquired Loans
Credit quality information
Loans	1,169,000	1,559,000
Nonperforming | Consumer | Other | Minimum
Credit quality information
Delinquency period of loans based on which risk rating is assigned to loans	120 days
Non-Accrual
Credit quality information
Loans	21,705,000	27,455,000
Non-Accrual | Business Activity
Credit quality information
Loans	14,778,000	18,472,000
Non-Accrual | Acquired Loans
Credit quality information
Loans	6,927,000	8,983,000
Classified
Credit quality information
Loans	112,539,000	137,013,000
Classified | Business Activity
Credit quality information
Loans	81,773,000	89,139,000
Classified | Acquired Loans
Credit quality information
Loans	30,766,000	47,874,000
Criticized
Credit quality information
Loans	130,452,000	164,947,000
Criticized | Business Activity
Credit quality information
Loans	90,886,000	99,220,000
Criticized | Acquired Loans
Credit quality information
Loans	39,566,000	$65,727,000

PREMISES_AND_EQUIPMENT_Details

PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Premises and equipment
Premises and equipment, gross	$119,706	$109,251
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	-32,427	-24,792
Premises and equipment, net	87,279	84,459
Depreciation and amortization expense	8,292	7,120	6,045
Land
Premises and equipment
Premises and equipment, gross	10,638	10,177
Buildings and improvements
Premises and equipment
Premises and equipment, gross	75,984	69,873
Buildings and improvements | Minimum
Premises and equipment
Estimated Useful Life	5 years
Buildings and improvements | Maximum
Premises and equipment
Estimated Useful Life	39 years
Furniture and equipment
Premises and equipment
Premises and equipment, gross	31,893	24,865
Furniture and equipment | Minimum
Premises and equipment
Estimated Useful Life	3 years
Furniture and equipment | Maximum
Premises and equipment
Estimated Useful Life	7 years
Construction in process
Premises and equipment
Premises and equipment, gross	$1,191	$4,336

GOODWILL_AND_OTHER_INTANGIBLES2

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLES (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2011	Jan. 17, 2014
	item	item	item
Goodwill
Number of significant acquisitions completed	1	0	2
Goodwill
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	$256,871	$255,199
Goodwill, Ending Balance	264,742	256,871
Impairment loss on goodwill	0	0
Beacon Federal
Goodwill
Goodwill acquired		1,672
Acquisition of Bank of America Branches
Goodwill
Goodwill, Beginning Balance				7,900
Goodwill acquired	7,871
Goodwill, Ending Balance				7,900
Operating segment | Banking
Goodwill
Goodwill, Ending Balance	241,566	233,695
Operating segment | Insurance
Goodwill
Goodwill, Ending Balance	$23,176	$23,176

GOODWILL_AND_OTHER_INTANGIBLES3

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLES (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Goodwill and other intangible assets
Gross Intangible Assets	$45,505,000	$42,955,000
Accumulated Amortization	-33,977,000	-29,164,000
Net Intangible Assets	11,528,000	13,791,000
Amortization of Intangible Assets	4,812,000	5,268,000	5,339,000
Estimated aggregate future amortization expense
2015	3,300,000
2016	2,700,000
2017	1,700,000
2018	1,300,000
2019	1,000,000
Thereafter	1,500,000
Impairment charges on intangible assets	0	0	0
Minimum
Goodwill and other intangible assets
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	8 years
Maximum
Goodwill and other intangible assets
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	11 years
Non-maturity deposits
Goodwill and other intangible assets
Gross Intangible Assets	34,053,000	31,503,000
Accumulated Amortization	-25,656,000	-22,106,000
Net Intangible Assets	8,397,000	9,397,000
Insurance contracts
Goodwill and other intangible assets
Gross Intangible Assets	7,558,000	7,558,000
Accumulated Amortization	-6,094,000	-5,320,000
Net Intangible Assets	1,464,000	2,238,000
All other intangible assets
Goodwill and other intangible assets
Gross Intangible Assets	3,894,000	3,894,000
Accumulated Amortization	-2,227,000	-1,738,000
Net Intangible Assets	$1,667,000	$2,156,000

OTHER_ASSETS_Details

OTHER ASSETS (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
OTHER ASSETS
Capitalized mortgage servicing rights	$3,757	$4,112	$3,198
Interest Receivable	17,274	15,070
Investment in tax credits	9,045	5,771
Prepaid FDIC insurance	746	739
Accrued federal and state tax receivable	5,055	5,343
Derivative assets	12,443	8,318
Assets held for sale	1,280	3,969
Other	11,490	10,687
Total other assets	$61,090	$54,009

OTHER_ASSETS_Details_2

OTHER ASSETS (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Other assets
Mortgage loans sold and serviced for others	$625,400,000	$641,200,000	$603,700,000
Servicing fees	1,500,000	1,500,000	2,800,000
Significant assumptions used in the valuation of servicing rights
Weighted average discount rate (as a percent)	10.40%
Mortgage servicing rights activity
Balance at beginning of year	4,112,000	3,198,000
Additions	680,000	1,056,000
Amortization	-1,035,000	-915,000
Allowance Adjustment		773,000
Balance at end of year	$3,757,000	$4,112,000	$3,198,000
Minimum
Significant assumptions used in the valuation of servicing rights
Pre-payment speed (as a percent)	7.83%
Maximum
Significant assumptions used in the valuation of servicing rights
Pre-payment speed (as a percent)	19.00%

DEPOSITS_Details

DEPOSITS (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Maturity date:
Within 1 year	$858,200	$530,781
Over 1 year to 2 years	404,445	282,370
Over 2 years to 3 years	112,624	104,550
Over 3 years to 4 years	45,212	48,052
Over 4 years to 5 years	27,923	27,884
Over 5 years	7,342	8,011
Total	$1,455,746	$1,001,648

DEPOSITS_Details_2

DEPOSITS (Details 2) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Account balances
less than $100,000	$515,570,000	$490,902,000
$100,000 or more	940,176,000	510,746,000
Total	1,455,746,000	1,001,648,000
Brokered deposits	379,600,000	23,400,000
Certificates of deposit through the Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service (CDARS) network	24,800,000	0
Reciprocal deposits	$9,400,000	$0

BORROWED_FUNDS_Details

BORROWED FUNDS (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Borrowings and junior subordinated debentures
Short-term borrowings	$900,900,000	$872,510,000
Long-term borrowings	151,423,000	191,597,000
Total borrowings	1,052,323,000	1,064,107,000
Weighted average rate on short-term borrowings (as a percent)	0.23%	0.24%
Weighted average rate on long-term borrowings (as a percent)	4.03%	3.53%
Weighted Average Rate (as a percent)	0.79%	0.83%
Secured line of credit	3,000,000
Advances from the FHLB
Borrowings and junior subordinated debentures
Short-term borrowings	890,900,000	862,510,000
Long-term borrowings	61,676,000	101,918,000
Weighted average rate on short-term borrowings (as a percent)	0.24%	0.22%
Weighted average rate on long-term borrowings (as a percent)	0.93%	1.23%
Outstanding balance on FHLBB line of credit	0	0
Advances from the FHLB, callable advances
Borrowings and junior subordinated debentures
Long-term borrowings	5,000,000	5,000,000
Advances from the FHLB, amortizing advances
Borrowings and junior subordinated debentures
Long-term borrowings	5,100,000	5,500,000
Federal Reserve Bank Advances
Borrowings and junior subordinated debentures
Short-term borrowings	0	0
Notes
Borrowings and junior subordinated debentures
Long-term borrowings	74,283,000	74,215,000
Weighted average rate on long-term borrowings (as a percent)	7.00%	7.00%
Junior subordinated debentures
Borrowings and junior subordinated debentures
Long-term borrowings	15,464,000	15,464,000
Weighted average rate on long-term borrowings (as a percent)	2.08%	2.09%
Other borrowings
Borrowings and junior subordinated debentures
Short-term borrowings	$10,000,000	$10,000,000
Weighted average rate on short-term borrowings (as a percent)	1.80%	1.92%

BORROWED_FUNDS_Details_2

BORROWED FUNDS (Details 2) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Principal
Total	$952,576	$964,428
Weighted Average Rate (as a percent)
Total	0.28%	0.32%
Fixed rate advances
Principal
2015	940,900	882,525
2016	1,519
2017	5,000	1,583
2018		5,000
2019 and beyond	5,157	5,320
Total	952,576	894,428
Weighted Average Rate (as a percent)
2015	0.24%	0.28%
2016	0.88%
2017	4.33%	0.79%
2018	0.00%	4.33%
2019 and beyond	3.85%	3.83%
Total	0.28%	0.35%
Variable rate advances
Principal
2015		10,000
2016		20,000
2017		10,000
2019 and beyond		30,000
Total		$70,000
Weighted Average Rate (as a percent)
2015	0.00%	0.32%
2016	0.00%	0.30%
2017	0.00%	0.30%
2018	0.00%	0.00%
2019 and beyond	0.00%	0.30%
Total	0.00%	0.30%

BORROWED_FUNDS_Details_3

BORROWED FUNDS (Details 3) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Notes
Borrowings and junior subordinated debentures
Maturity period	15 years
Principal amount of debt issued	$75
Fixed interest rate (as a percent)	6.88%
Maturity period with fixed interest rate	10 years
Discount rate (as a percent)	1.15%
Notes | Three-month LIBOR rate
Borrowings and junior subordinated debentures
Variable interest rate base	three-month LIBOR
Interest rate margin (as a percent)	5.11%
Junior subordinated debentures | Trust I
Borrowings and junior subordinated debentures
Common stock of trust (as a percent)		100.00%
Common stock of trust included in other asset		0.5
Sole asset of trust in form of debt		15.5
Variable interest rate (as a percent)		2.08%	2.09%
Junior subordinated debentures | Trust I | Maximum
Borrowings and junior subordinated debentures
Period up to which interest payments can be deferred		5 years
Junior subordinated debentures | LIBOR | Trust I
Borrowings and junior subordinated debentures
Variable interest rate base		LIBOR
Interest rate margin (as a percent)		1.85%

OTHER_LIABILITIES_Details

OTHER LIABILITIES (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
OTHER LIABILITIES:
Derivative liability	$18,259	$11,964
Capital lease obligation	12,224	12,457
Liabilities held for sale		24,834
Due to broker	22,438
Other	32,821	32,846
Total other liabilities	$85,742	$82,101

EMPLOYEE_BENEFIT_PLANS_Details

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
	employee
Pension Plans
Employee benefit plans
Number of employees participation	0
Change in projected benefit obligation:
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year	$5,666	$6,363
Interest cost	271	250
Actuarial loss/gain	1,607	-504
Benefits paid	-334	-356
Settlements	-17	-87
Projected benefit obligation at end of year	7,193	5,666
Accumulated benefit obligation	7,193	5,666
Change in fair value of plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at plan beginning of year	5,520	4,595
Actual return on plan assets	331	883
Contributions by employer	256	485
Benefits paid	-334	-356
Settlements	-17	-87
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	5,756	5,520
Funded status of the plan
Underfunded status	1,437	146
Net periodic cost
Interest cost	271	250
Expected return on plan assets	-437	-367
Amortization of net actuarial loss		101
Net periodic cost	-166	-16
Changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income
Amortization of actuarial loss		-101
Net actuarial (gain) loss	1,713	-1,019
Total loss (gain) recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income	1,713	-1,120
Total loss (gain) recognized in net periodic pension cost recognized and other comprehensive income	1,547	-1,136
Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income not yet been recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost
Net actuarial (gain) loss	2,000	321
Employee benefit plans, additional disclosures
Expected cash contributions by employer in 2014	245
Amount expected to be amortized from other comprehensive income into net periodic pension cost over the next fiscal year	176
Projected benefit obligation
Discount rate (as a percent)	3.82%	4.95%
Net periodic pension cost
Discount rate (as a percent)	4.95%	4.05%
Long term rate of return on plan assets (as a percent)	8.00%	8.00%
Estimated benefit payments
2015	377
2016	376
2017	378
2018	374
2019	419
2020-2024	2,051
Pension Plans | Other Liabilities
Amounts Recognized in Statement of Financial Position
Other Liabilities	-1,437	-146
Postretirement Benefits
Change in projected benefit obligation:
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year	996	1,184
Prior service cost of long-term care plan participants	558
Service Cost	12
Interest cost	48	37
Participant contributions	44	40
Actuarial loss/gain	26	-187
Benefits paid	-80	-78
Projected benefit obligation at end of year	1,604	996
Change in fair value of plan assets:
Contributions by employer	36	38
Contributions by participant	44	40
Benefits paid	-80	-78
Net periodic cost
Service Cost	12
Interest cost	48	37
Amortization of net prior service credit	-11	-34
Amortization of net actuarial loss		7
Net periodic cost	49	10
Changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income
Amortization of actuarial loss		-9
Amortization of prior service credit	11	34
Net actuarial (gain) loss	27	-187
Total loss (gain) recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income	38	-162
Accrued postretirement liability recognized	1,347	1,333
Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income not yet been recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost
Net prior service cost (credit)	231	-338
Net actuarial (gain) loss	27	1
Total accumulated other comprehensive income not yet recognized	258	-337
Employee benefit plans, additional disclosures
Expected cash contributions by employer in 2014	88
Amount expected to be amortized from other comprehensive income into net periodic pension cost over the next fiscal year	22
Net periodic pension cost
Discount rate (as a percent)	3.75%	4.00%
Assumed health care cost trend rate
Assumed health care cost trend rate (as a percent)	7.50%
Assumed health care cost trend rate in 2019 (as a percent)	6.38%
Estimated benefit payments
2015	88
2016	88
2017	88
2018	98
2019	97
2020-2024	503
Postretirement Benefits | Other Liabilities
Amounts Recognized in Statement of Financial Position
Other Liabilities	($1,604)	($996)

EMPLOYEE_BENEFIT_PLANS_Details1

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Level 1
Employee benefit plans
Fair value		$3,475
Level 2
Employee benefit plans
Fair value		2,045
Equity mutual funds | Large-cap | Level 1
Employee benefit plans
Fair value		1,515
Equity mutual funds | Small-cap | Level 1
Employee benefit plans
Fair value		792
Equity mutual funds | International | Level 1
Employee benefit plans
Fair value		637
Equity trusts | Large-cap | Level 2
Employee benefit plans
Fair value		1,015
Fixed income trusts | Level 2
Employee benefit plans
Fair value		1,030
Fixed income mutual funds
Pension Plan Assets
Target Allocation (as a percent)	34.00%
Fixed income mutual funds | Level 1
Employee benefit plans
Fair value		531
Marketable equity securities
Pension Plan Assets
Target Allocation (as a percent)	65.00%
Cash and Cash Equivalents.
Pension Plan Assets
Target Allocation (as a percent)	1.00%
Pension Plans
Employee benefit plans
Fair value	5,756	5,520	4,595
Transfers between Level 1, 2, and 3	0	0
Pension Plans | Level 1
Employee benefit plans
Fair value	99
Pension Plans | Level 2
Employee benefit plans
Fair value	5,657
Pension Plans | Level 3
Employee benefit plans
Fair value	0	0
Pension Plans | Equity mutual funds | Large-cap
Employee benefit plans
Fair value	1,847	1,515
Pension Plans | Equity mutual funds | Large-cap | Level 2
Employee benefit plans
Fair value	1,847
Pension Plans | Equity mutual funds | Small-cap
Employee benefit plans
Fair value	488	792
Pension Plans | Equity mutual funds | Small-cap | Level 2
Employee benefit plans
Fair value	488
Pension Plans | Equity mutual funds | International
Employee benefit plans
Fair value	461	637
Pension Plans | Equity mutual funds | International | Level 2
Employee benefit plans
Fair value	461
Pension Plans | Equity trusts
Employee benefit plans
Fair value	926
Pension Plans | Equity trusts | Level 2
Employee benefit plans
Fair value	926
Pension Plans | Equity trusts | Large-cap
Employee benefit plans
Fair value		1,015
Pension Plans | Fixed income trusts
Employee benefit plans
Fair value	1,822	1,030
Pension Plans | Fixed income trusts | Level 2
Employee benefit plans
Fair value	1,822
Pension Plans | Fixed income mutual funds
Employee benefit plans
Fair value	212	531
Pension Plans | Fixed income mutual funds | Level 1
Employee benefit plans
Fair value	99
Pension Plans | Fixed income mutual funds | Level 2
Employee benefit plans
Fair value	113

EMPLOYEE_BENEFIT_PLANS_Details2

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Details 3) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
	item	item		item
401(k) Plan
Non-elective contribution by employer as percentage of gross annual wages	3.00%
Matching contribution by employer (as a percent)	100.00%
Percentage of gross annual wages matched by employer	4.00%
Expense under the plan	$3	$2.90	$2.50
Employee Stock Ownership Plan ("ESOP")
Number of significant acquisitions completed	1	0		2

EMPLOYEE_BENEFIT_PLANS_Details3

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Details 4) (Supplemental executive retirement plan, USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
	age
Supplemental executive retirement plan
Employee benefit plans
Eligible age for retirement plan	62
Accrued liability for other plans	$4,600	$4,200
Other plans expense	$583	$453	$373

INCOME_TAXES_Details

INCOME TAXES (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current:
Federal tax expense									$294
State tax expense									305
Total current expense									599
Deferred :
Federal tax expense									8,685
State tax expense									2,509
Total deferred tax expense									11,194
Decrease in valuation allowance									-30
Income tax expense (benefit)
Total income tax expense	3,875	4,230	4,119	-461	4,762	3,917	4,038	4,387	11,763	17,104	13,223
Effective income tax rate differs from the statutory tax rate
Statutory tax rate (as a percent)									35.00%
Increase (decrease) resulting from:
State taxes, net of federal tax benefit (as a percent)									4.00%
Tax exempt income - investments, net (as a percent)									-6.10%
Bank-owned life insurance (as a percent)									-2.40%
Disallowed merger costs (as a percent)									0.50%
Tax credits, net of basis reduction (as a percent)									-3.60%
Other, net (as a percent)									-1.50%
Effective tax rate (as a percent)									25.90%
Reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate to the effective tax rate
Statutory tax rate									15,928
Increase (decrease) resulting from:
State taxes, net of federal tax benefit									1,810
Tax exempt income - investments, net									-2,796
Bank-owned life insurance									-1,070
Disallowed merger costs									206
Tax credits, net of basis reduction									-1,658
Other, net									-657
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	3,875	4,230	4,119	-461	4,762	3,917	4,038	4,387	11,763	17,104	13,223
Continuing and discontinued operations
Current:
Federal tax expense										5,124	2,298
State tax expense										2,171	1,278
Total current expense										7,295	3,576
Deferred :
Federal tax expense										9,445	9,247
State tax expense										2,115	912
Total deferred tax expense										11,560	10,159
Decrease in valuation allowance										-1,751	-136
Income tax expense (benefit)
Total income tax expense										17,104	13,599
Effective income tax rate differs from the statutory tax rate
Statutory tax rate (as a percent)										35.00%	35.00%
Increase (decrease) resulting from:
State taxes, net of federal tax benefit (as a percent)										4.70%	3.70%
Tax exempt income - investments, net (as a percent)										-3.80%	-4.70%
Bank-owned life insurance (as a percent)										-1.10%	-2.00%
Disallowed merger costs (as a percent)											1.10%
Non-deductible goodwill on branch divestiture (as a percent)											0.90%
Tax credits, net of basis reduction (as a percent)										-1.70%	-2.50%
Reduction in valuation allowance (as a percent)										-2.90%	-0.90%
Other, net (as a percent)										-0.90%	-1.50%
Effective tax rate (as a percent)										29.30%	29.10%
Reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate to the effective tax rate
Statutory tax rate										20,387	16,375
Increase (decrease) resulting from:
State taxes, net of federal tax benefit										2,760	1,715
Tax exempt income - investments, net										-2,211	-2,187
Bank-owned life insurance										-631	-950
Disallowed merger costs											523
Non-deductible goodwill on branch divestiture											419
Tax credits, net of basis reduction										-995	-1,148
Reduction in valuation allowance										-1,712	-428
Other, net										-494	-720
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)										$17,104	$13,599

INCOME_TAXES_Details_2

INCOME TAXES (Details 2) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Deferred tax assets:
Allowance for loan losses	$14,710,000	$14,391,000
Tax credit carryforwards	11,238,000	9,867,000
Net unrealized loss on swaps, securities available for sale, and pension in OCI		5,740,000
Employee benefit plans	6,103,000	5,331,000
Purchase accounting adjustments	7,126,000	18,350,000
Net operating loss and capital loss carryforwards	5,538,000	7,731,000
Other	2,134,000	2,256,000
Deferred tax assets, net before valuation allowances	46,849,000	63,666,000
Valuation allowance	-968,000	-998,000
Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowances	45,881,000	62,668,000
Deferred tax liabilities:
Investments	-773,000	-896,000
Premises and equipment	-4,575,000	-2,836,000
Net unrealized gain on swaps, securities available for sale, and pension in OCI	-3,823,000
Intangible amortization	-7,934,000	-8,225,000
Deferred tax liabilities	-17,105,000	-11,957,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Total	28,776,000	50,711,000
Decrease in net deferred tax asset	21,900,000
Deferred tax expense recognized due to decrease in equity	$10,800,000

INCOME_TAXES_Details_3

INCOME TAXES (Details 3) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Valuation Allowances
State net operating loss carry-forward, net of Federal tax benefit (of 35%)	($739)	($762)
State tax basis difference, net of Federal tax benefit (of 35%)	-229	-236
Valuation allowances	($968)	($998)

INCOME_TAXES_Details_4

INCOME TAXES (Details 4) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Tax credit carryforwards
Deferred tax asset related to operating loss carryforwards	$5,538,000	$7,731,000
Alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards	3,800,000
Federal
Tax credit carryforwards
Net operating loss carryforwards	13,300,000
Deferred tax asset related to operating loss carryforwards	4,600,000
State
Tax credit carryforwards
Net operating loss carryforwards	11,300,000
Deferred tax asset related to operating loss carryforwards	900,000
General business tax credit carryforwards
Tax credit carryforwards
Tax credit carryforwards	7,500,000
CBT
Tax credit carryforwards
Net operating loss carryforwards	$13,900,000

INCOME_TAXES_Details_5

INCOME TAXES (Details 5) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Unrecognized income tax benefits
Unrecognized income tax benefits at the beginning of the period	$477	$492	$774
Increase in gross amounts of tax positions related to prior years	55	321	173
Decrease in gross amounts of tax positions related to prior years		-150	-140
Decrease due to settlement with taxing authority		-186	-240
Increase in gross amounts of tax positions related to current years	93		50
Decrease due to lapse in statute of limitations	-72		-125
Unrecognized income tax benefits at the end of the period	$553	$477	$492

DERIVATIVE_INSTRUMENTS_AND_HED2

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Derivative instruments and hedging activities
Cash pledged as collateral to derivative counterparties	$3,400,000								$3,400,000
Amortized cost of securities pledged as collateral to derivative counterparties	22,800,000								22,800,000
Fair value of securities as pledged collateral to derivative counterparties	23,100,000								23,100,000
Interest rate swap agreements and non-hedging derivative assets and liabilities
Notional Amount	1,034,667,000				905,071,000				1,034,667,000	905,071,000
Estimated Fair Value Asset (Liability)	-5,815,000				-3,652,000				-5,815,000	-3,652,000
Interest rate swaps
Reclassification of unrealized loss from accumulated other comprehensive loss to interest expense	-7,369,000	-7,107,000	-6,846,000	-7,029,000	-8,817,000	-8,635,000	-8,593,000	-8,944,000	-28,351,000	-34,989,000	-32,551,000
Net interest expense recognized in interest expense									9,166,000	14,130,000	10,069,000
FHLBB borrowings
Interest rate swaps
Extinguishment of FHLB advances				215,000,000
Loss reclassified from the effective portion of the unrealized changes in the fair value of the derivatives				8,600,000
Cash flow hedges
Interest rate swap agreements and non-hedging derivative assets and liabilities
Notional Amount	300,000,000				425,000,000				300,000,000	425,000,000
Estimated Fair Value Asset (Liability)	-3,299,000				-2,290,000				-3,299,000	-2,290,000
Economic hedges
Interest rate swap agreements and non-hedging derivative assets and liabilities
Notional Amount	695,078,000				459,872,000				695,078,000	459,872,000
Estimated Fair Value Asset (Liability)	-3,141,000				-1,620,000				-3,141,000	-1,620,000
Interest rate swaps
Credit valuation adjustments	37,300								37,300
Economic hedges | Tax advantaged economic development bonds
Interest rate swaps
Fixed rate of interest (as a percent)	5.09%								5.09%
Life of the bond									21 years
Non-hedging derivatives
Interest rate swap agreements and non-hedging derivative assets and liabilities
Notional Amount	39,589,000				20,199,000				39,589,000	20,199,000
Estimated Fair Value Asset (Liability)	625,000				258,000				625,000	258,000
Interest rate swaps | FHLBB borrowings
Interest rate swaps
Notional amount of derivative contract terminated				30,000,000
Interest rate swaps | 90 day rolling FHLB advances
Interest rate swaps
Notional amount of derivative contract terminated				145,000,000
Interest rate swaps | Cash flow hedges | FHLBB borrowings
Interest rate swap agreements and non-hedging derivative assets and liabilities
Notional Amount					150,000,000					150,000,000
Weighted Average Maturity										2 years 6 months
Weighted Average Rate, Received (as a percent)					0.25%					0.25%
Weighted Average Rate, Contract pay rate (as a percent)					2.61%					2.61%
Estimated Fair Value Asset (Liability)					-3,102,000					-3,102,000
Cash flow hedges:
Maturity period with fixed interest rate									1 month
Period of rolling advances									1 month
Interest rate swaps
Unrealized (loss) gain recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss									-6,405,000	11,783,000
Reclassification of unrealized loss from accumulated other comprehensive loss to interest expense										-3,620,000
Reclassification of unrealized loss from accumulated other comprehensive loss to other non-interest expense for termination of swaps									8,630,000	943,000
Reclassification of unrealized deferred tax (benefit) from accumulated other comprehensive loss to tax expense for terminated swaps									-3,611,000	-489,000
Net tax benefit (expense) on items recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss									2,583,000	-3,276,000
Net interest expense recognized in interest expense										4,374,000
Interest rate swaps | Cash flow hedges | Junior subordinated debentures
Interest rate swap agreements and non-hedging derivative assets and liabilities
Notional Amount					15,000,000					15,000,000
Weighted Average Maturity										4 months 24 days
Weighted Average Rate, Received (as a percent)					2.09%					2.09%
Weighted Average Rate, Contract pay rate (as a percent)					5.54%					5.54%
Estimated Fair Value Asset (Liability)					-203,000					-203,000
Interest rate swaps
Unrealized (loss) gain recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss									-1,000	-18,000
Reclassification of unrealized loss from accumulated other comprehensive loss to interest expense									-204,000	-519,000
Net tax benefit (expense) on items recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss									-80,000	-197,000
Other comprehensive income recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of reclassification adjustments and tax effects									1,320,000	5,645,000
Net interest expense recognized in interest expense									204,000	519,000
Interest rate swaps | Economic hedges
Interest rate swap agreements and non-hedging derivative assets and liabilities
Notional Amount	606,900,000								606,900,000
Interest rate swaps | Economic hedges | Tax advantaged economic development bonds
Interest rate swap agreements and non-hedging derivative assets and liabilities
Notional Amount	12,554,000				13,095,000				12,554,000	13,095,000
Weighted Average Maturity									14 years 10 months 24 days	15 years 10 months 24 days
Weighted Average Rate, Received (as a percent)	0.52%				0.54%				0.52%	0.54%
Weighted Average Rate, Contract pay rate (as a percent)	5.09%				5.09%				5.09%	5.09%
Estimated Fair Value Asset (Liability)	-2,578,000				-1,889,000				-2,578,000	-1,889,000
Interest rate swaps | Economic hedges | Loans with commercial loan customers
Interest rate swap agreements and non-hedging derivative assets and liabilities
Notional Amount	297,158,000				206,933,000				297,158,000	206,933,000
Weighted Average Maturity									6 years	5 years 4 months 24 days
Weighted Average Rate, Received (as a percent)	2.23%				2.44%				2.23%	2.44%
Weighted Average Rate, Contract pay rate (as a percent)	4.54%				4.68%				4.54%	4.68%
Estimated Fair Value Asset (Liability)	-12,183,000				-6,278,000				-12,183,000	-6,278,000
Economic hedges and non-hedging derivatives
Unrealized (loss) gain recognized in other non-interest income									-4,514,000	-6,004,000
Interest rate swaps | Economic hedges | Industrial revenue bond
Economic hedges and non-hedging derivatives
Unrealized (loss) gain recognized in other non-interest income									-1,333,000	972,000
Forward-starting interest rate swaps | 90 day rolling FHLB advances
Interest rate swaps
Notional amount of derivative contract terminated				235,000,000
Forward-starting interest rate swaps | Cash flow hedges
Cash flow hedges:
Number of instruments	6								6
Forward-starting interest rate swaps | Cash flow hedges | 2016 and 2017
Cash flow hedges:
Durations of derivative instruments									3 years
Forward-starting interest rate swaps | Cash flow hedges | FHLBB borrowings
Interest rate swap agreements and non-hedging derivative assets and liabilities
Notional Amount	300,000,000				260,000,000				300,000,000	260,000,000
Weighted Average Maturity									4 years 3 months 18 days	4 years 6 months
Weighted Average Rate, Contract pay rate (as a percent)	2.29%				1.88%				2.29%	1.88%
Estimated Fair Value Asset (Liability)	-3,299,000				1,015,000				-3,299,000	1,015,000
Reverse interest rate swaps | Economic hedges | Loans with commercial loan customers
Interest rate swap agreements and non-hedging derivative assets and liabilities
Notional Amount	297,158,000				206,933,000				297,158,000	206,933,000
Weighted Average Maturity									6 years	5 years 4 months 24 days
Weighted Average Rate, Received (as a percent)	4.54%				4.68%				4.54%	4.68%
Weighted Average Rate, Contract pay rate (as a percent)	2.23%				2.44%				2.23%	2.44%
Estimated Fair Value Asset (Liability)	12,221,000				6,286,000				12,221,000	6,286,000
Economic hedges and non-hedging derivatives
Unrealized (loss) gain recognized in other non-interest income									4,514,000	6,004,000
Favorable change in credit valuation adjustment recognized in other non-interest income									20,000	450,000
Risk participation agreements | Economic hedges
Interest rate swap agreements and non-hedging derivative assets and liabilities
Notional Amount	45,842,000								45,842,000
Weighted Average Maturity									16 years 7 months 6 days
Estimated Fair Value Asset (Liability)	-91,000								-91,000
Economic hedges and non-hedging derivatives
Unrealized (loss) gain recognized in other non-interest income									-91,000
Interest rate lock commitments | Non-hedging derivatives
Interest rate swap agreements and non-hedging derivative assets and liabilities
Notional Amount	39,589,000				20,199,000				39,589,000	20,199,000
Weighted Average Maturity									2 months 12 days	2 months 12 days
Estimated Fair Value Asset (Liability)	625,000				258,000				625,000	258,000
Economic hedges and non-hedging derivatives
Unrealized (loss) gain recognized in other non-interest income									625,000	258,000
Realized gain (loss) in other non-interest income									3,938,000	-2,467,000
Forward sale commitments | Economic hedges
Interest rate swap agreements and non-hedging derivative assets and liabilities
Notional Amount	42,366,000				32,911,000				42,366,000	32,911,000
Weighted Average Maturity									2 months 12 days	2 months 12 days
Estimated Fair Value Asset (Liability)	-510,000				261,000				-510,000	261,000
Economic hedges and non-hedging derivatives
Unrealized (loss) gain recognized in other non-interest income									-510,000	261,000
Realized gain (loss) in other non-interest income									($1,494,000)	$7,501,000

DERIVATIVE_INSTRUMENTS_AND_HED3

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Details 2) (Interest rate swaps, USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Offsetting of Financial Assets and Derivative Assets
Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets	$12,293	$7,799
Net Amounts of Assets Presented in the Statements of Condition	12,293	7,799
Net Amount	12,293	7,799
Institutional counterparties
Offsetting of Financial Assets and Derivative Assets
Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets	23
Net Amounts of Assets Presented in the Statements of Condition	23
Net Amount	23
Commercial counterparties
Offsetting of Financial Assets and Derivative Assets
Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets	12,270	7,799
Net Amounts of Assets Presented in the Statements of Condition	12,270	7,799
Net Amount	$12,270	$7,799

DERIVATIVE_INSTRUMENTS_AND_HED4

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Details 3) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Offsetting of Financial Liabilities and Derivative Liabilities
Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Statements of Condition	($18,259,000)	($11,964,000)
Interest rate swaps
Interest Rate Swap Agreements ("Swap Agreements")
Amount of collateral posted for the net liability positions	18,200,000	11,200,000
Offsetting of Financial Liabilities and Derivative Liabilities
Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities	-18,282,000	-13,877,000
Gross Amounts Offset in the Statements of Condition	58,000	1,913,000
Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Statements of Condition	-18,224,000	-11,964,000
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statements of Condition
Financial instruments	14,984,000	9,544,000
Securities and Cash Collateral Pledged	3,190,000	1,700,000
Net Amount	-50,000	-720,000
Institutional counterparties | Interest rate swaps
Offsetting of Financial Liabilities and Derivative Liabilities
Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities	-18,232,000	-13,157,000
Gross Amounts Offset in the Statements of Condition	58,000	1,913,000
Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Statements of Condition	-18,174,000	-11,244,000
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statements of Condition
Financial instruments	14,984,000	9,544,000
Securities and Cash Collateral Pledged	3,190,000	1,700,000
Commercial counterparties | Interest rate swaps
Offsetting of Financial Liabilities and Derivative Liabilities
Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities	-50,000	-720,000
Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Statements of Condition	-50,000	-720,000
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statements of Condition
Net Amount	($50,000)	($720,000)

OTHER_COMMITMENTS_CONTINGENCIE2

OTHER COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES, AND OFF-BALANCE SHEET ACTIVITIES) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Financial commitments whose contractual amount represents credit risk
Total commitments	$1,015,696	$1,064,694
Commitments to originate new loans
Financial commitments whose contractual amount represents credit risk
Total commitments	67,817	129,699
Unused funds on commercial and other lines of credit
Financial commitments whose contractual amount represents credit risk
Total commitments	514,179	523,090
Unadvanced funds on home equity lines of credit
Financial commitments whose contractual amount represents credit risk
Total commitments	225,731	226,330
Unadvanced funds on construction and real estate loans
Financial commitments whose contractual amount represents credit risk
Total commitments	183,301	158,131
Standby letters of credit
Financial commitments whose contractual amount represents credit risk
Total commitments	12,462	14,996
Lease obligation
Financial commitments whose contractual amount represents credit risk
Total commitments	$12,206	$12,448

OTHER_COMMITMENTS_CONTINGENCIE3

OTHER COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES, AND OFF-BALANCE SHEET ACTIVITIES (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
	item
OTHER COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES, AND OFF-BALANCE SHEET ACTIVITIES
Employment agreement term	3 years
Number of senior executives which entered into an employment agreement with the Company	1
Future minimum rental payments
2015	$7,200,000
2016	5,100,000
2017	4,400,000
2018	3,600,000
2019	2,800,000
Thereafter	27,000,000
Extendable term	20 years
Total rent expense	7,200,000	5,700,000	4,700,000
Lease Obligations
2015	751,000
2016	715,000
2017	680,000
2018	647,000
2019	646,000
Thereafter	6,800,000
Future obligations required under the financing lease
2015	80,000
2016	80,000
2017	81,000
2018	86,000
2019	86,000
Thereafter	$1,700,000

STOCKHOLDERS_EQUITY_AND_EARNIN2

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY AND EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Total capital to risk-weighted assets
Actual, Amount	$542,608
Actual, Ratio (as a percent)	11.38%
Minimum Capital Requirement, Amount	381,463
Minimum Capital Requirement, Ratio (as a percent)	8.00%	8.00%
Minimum to be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions, Amount	476,829
Capital Required to be Well Capitalized to Risk Weighted Assets	10.00%
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets
Actual, Amount	430,374
Tier One Risk Based Capital to Risk Weighted Assets	9.03%
Minimum Capital Requirement, Amount	190,731
Minimum Capital Requirement, Ratio (as a percent)	4.00%	4.00%
Minimum to be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions, Amount	286,097
Tier One Risk Based Capital Required to be Well Capitalized to Risk Weighted Assets	6.00%
Tier 1 capital to average assets
Actual, Amount	430,374
Tier One Leverage Capital to Average Assets	7.01%
Minimum Capital Requirement, Amount	245,558
Minimum Capital Requirement, Ratio (as a percent)	4.00%	4.00%
Minimum to be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions, Amount	306,947
Tier One Leverage Capital Required to be Well Capitalized to Average Assets	5.00%
Reconciliation of total stockholders' equity to the bank's regulatory capital
Total stockholders equity per consolidated financial statements	709,287	678,062	667,265	551,808
Adjustments for Bank Tier 1 Capital:
Net unrealized loss (gain) on available for sale securities	-9,916
Net unrealized loss on cash flow hedges	3,338
Qualifying restricted core capital elements	15,000
Disallowed goodwill and other intangible assets	-276,270
Disallowed deferred taxes	-11,065
Total Bank Tier 1 Capital	430,374
Adjustments for total capital:
Qualifying subordinated debt	74,283
Includible allowances for loan losses	35,722
Net unrealized loss on available for sale securities includible in Tier 2 capital	2,229
Total Bank capital per regulatory reporting	542,608
Bank
Total capital to risk-weighted assets
Actual, Amount	513,368	486,075
Actual, Ratio (as a percent)	10.78%	11.62%
Minimum Capital Requirement, Amount	380,959	334,555
Minimum Capital Requirement, Ratio (as a percent)	8.00%	8.00%
Minimum to be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions, Amount	476,199	418,193
Capital Required to be Well Capitalized to Risk Weighted Assets	10.00%	10.00%
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets
Actual, Amount	440,420	416,803
Tier One Risk Based Capital to Risk Weighted Assets	9.25%	9.97%
Minimum Capital Requirement, Amount	190,479	167,277
Minimum Capital Requirement, Ratio (as a percent)	4.00%	4.00%
Minimum to be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions, Amount	285,719	250,916
Tier One Risk Based Capital Required to be Well Capitalized to Risk Weighted Assets	6.00%	6.00%
Tier 1 capital to average assets
Actual, Amount	440,420	416,803
Tier One Leverage Capital to Average Assets	7.18%	7.99%
Minimum Capital Requirement, Amount	245,494	208,685
Minimum Capital Requirement, Ratio (as a percent)	4.00%	4.00%
Minimum to be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions, Amount	306,867	260,857
Tier One Leverage Capital Required to be Well Capitalized to Average Assets	5.00%	5.00%
Reconciliation of total stockholders' equity to the bank's regulatory capital
Total stockholders equity per consolidated financial statements	709,287	678,062
Adjustments for Bank Tier 1 Capital:
Holding company equity adjustment	1,868	-3,764
Net unrealized loss (gain) on available for sale securities	-9,912	5,749
Net unrealized loss on cash flow hedges	3,338	3,158
Disallowed goodwill and other intangible assets	-251,748	-245,405
Disallowed deferred taxes	-12,413	-20,997
Total Bank Tier 1 Capital	440,420	416,803
Adjustments for total capital:
Qualifying subordinated debt	35,000	35,000
Includible allowances for loan losses	35,722	33,383
Net unrealized loss on available for sale securities includible in Tier 2 capital	2,226	889
Total Bank capital per regulatory reporting	$513,368	$486,075

STOCKHOLDERS_EQUITY_AND_EARNIN3

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY AND EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (Details 2) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$6,579	($9,057)	($2,979)	($4,885)
Net unrealized holding gain on AFS securities:
Other accumulated comprehensive income (loss), before tax:	15,993	-9,294
Income taxes related to items of accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income:	-6,077	3,518
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	9,916	-5,776	6,712	3,960
Net loss on cash flow hedging derivatives
Other accumulated comprehensive income (loss), before tax:	-3,299	-2,289
Income taxes related to items of accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income:	1,330	923
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-1,969	-1,366	-6,558	-5,174
Net loss on terminated swap
Other accumulated comprehensive income (loss), before tax:		-3,237
Income taxes related to items of accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income:		1,312
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	0	-1,925	-2,378	-2,996
Net unrealized holding loss on pension plans
Other accumulated comprehensive income (loss), before tax:	-2,291	17
Income taxes related to items of accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income:	923	-7
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	($1,368)	$10	($755)	($675)

STOCKHOLDERS_EQUITY_AND_EARNIN4

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY AND EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (Details 3) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Net unrealized gain (loss) arising during the period
Net of Tax	$10,805	($5,853)	$11
Less: reclassification adjustment for losses realized in net income
Net of Tax	4,831	-225	1,895
Other Comprehensive Income
Before Tax	25,206	-9,122	3,153
Tax Effect	-9,570	3,044	-1,247
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	15,636	-6,078	1,906
Net unrealized holding gain on AFS securities:
Net unrealized gain (loss) arising during the period
Before Tax	25,769	-15,254	5,861
Tax Effect	-9,791	5,604	-2,246
Net of Tax	15,978	-9,650	3,615
Less: reclassification adjustment for losses realized in net income
Before Tax	-482	-4,758	-1,442
Tax Effect	196	1,920	579
Net of Tax	-286	-2,838	-863
Other Comprehensive Income
Before Tax	25,287	-20,012	4,419
Tax Effect	-9,595	7,524	-1,667
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	15,692	-12,488	2,752
Net loss on cash flow hedging derivatives
Net unrealized gain (loss) arising during the period
Before Tax	-6,403	5,046	-5,653
Tax Effect	2,608	-2,014	2,129
Net of Tax	-3,795	3,032	-3,524
Less: reclassification adjustment for losses realized in net income
Before Tax	5,393	3,620	3,581
Tax Effect	-2,201	-1,460	-1,441
Net of Tax	3,192	2,160	2,140
Other Comprehensive Income
Before Tax	-1,010	8,666	-2,072
Tax Effect	407	-3,474	688
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	-603	5,192	-1,384
Net loss on terminated swap
Less: reclassification adjustment for losses realized in net income
Before Tax	3,237	942	942
Tax Effect	-1,312	-489	-324
Net of Tax	1,925	453	618
Other Comprehensive Income
Before Tax	3,237	942	942
Tax Effect	-1,312	-489	-324
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	1,925	453	618
Net unrealized holding loss on pension plans
Net unrealized gain (loss) arising during the period
Before Tax	-2,308	1,282	-136
Tax Effect	930	-517	56
Net of Tax	-1,378	765	-80
Other Comprehensive Income
Before Tax	-2,308	1,282	-136
Tax Effect	930	-517	56
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	($1,378)	$765	($80)

STOCKHOLDERS_EQUITY_AND_EARNIN5

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY AND EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (Details 4) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Accumulated other comprehensive income
Balance at the beginning of the period	($9,057)	($2,979)	($4,885)
Reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax
Other Comprehensive Gain (Loss) before reclassifications	10,805	-5,853	11
Amounts Reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive income	4,831	-225	1,895
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	15,636	-6,078	1,906
Balance at the end of the period	6,579	-9,057	-2,979
Net unrealized holding gain on AFS securities:
Accumulated other comprehensive income
Balance at the beginning of the period	-5,776	6,712	3,960
Reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax
Other Comprehensive Gain (Loss) before reclassifications	15,978	-9,650	3,615
Amounts Reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive income	-286	-2,838	-863
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	15,692	-12,488	2,752
Balance at the end of the period	9,916	-5,776	6,712
Net loss on cash flow hedging derivatives
Accumulated other comprehensive income
Balance at the beginning of the period	-1,366	-6,558	-5,174
Reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax
Other Comprehensive Gain (Loss) before reclassifications	-3,795	3,032	-3,524
Amounts Reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive income	3,192	2,160	2,140
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	-603	5,192	-1,384
Balance at the end of the period	-1,969	-1,366	-6,558
Net loss on terminated swap
Accumulated other comprehensive income
Balance at the beginning of the period	-1,925	-2,378	-2,996
Reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax
Amounts Reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive income	1,925	453	618
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	1,925	453	618
Balance at the end of the period	0	-1,925	-2,378
Net unrealized holding loss on pension plans
Accumulated other comprehensive income
Balance at the beginning of the period	10	-755	-675
Reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax
Other Comprehensive Gain (Loss) before reclassifications	-1,378	765	-80
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	-1,378	765	-80
Balance at the end of the period	($1,368)	$10	($755)

STOCKHOLDERS_EQUITY_AND_EARNIN6

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY AND EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (Details 5) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Amounts reclassified out of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income
Non-interest income	$14,200	$14,641	$14,506	$4,423	$15,714	$12,114	$15,606	$14,798	$47,770	$58,232	$54,056
Tax expense	-3,875	-4,230	-4,119	461	-4,762	-3,917	-4,038	-4,387	-11,763	-17,104	-13,223
Net income	11,398	11,988	11,464	-1,106	10,537	8,104	12,037	10,465	33,744	41,143	33,188
Amount Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss)
Amounts reclassified out of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income
Net income									4,831	-225	1,895
Net unrealized holding gain on AFS securities: | Amount Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss)
Amounts reclassified out of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income
Non-interest income									-482	-4,758	-1,442
Tax expense									196	1,920	579
Net income									-286	-2,838	-863
Net loss on cash flow hedging derivatives | Amount Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss)
Amounts reclassified out of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income
Interest income									5,393	3,620	3,581
Tax expense									-2,201	-1,460	-1,441
Net income									3,192	2,160	2,140
Net loss on terminated swap | Amount Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss)
Amounts reclassified out of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income
Interest income									3,237	942	942
Tax expense									-1,312	-489	-324
Net income									$1,925	$453	$618

STOCKHOLDERS_EQUITY_AND_EARNIN7

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY AND EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (Details 6) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Earnings per share
Net income from continuing operations	$11,398	$11,988	$11,464	($1,106)	$10,537	$8,104	$12,037	$10,465	$33,744	$41,143	$33,825
Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes (including gain on disposals $63 in 2012)											-261
Gain on disposal											63
Income tax expense											376
Net loss from discontinued operations											-637
Net income	$11,398	$11,988	$11,464	($1,106)	$10,537	$8,104	$12,037	$10,465	$33,744	$41,143	$33,188
Average number of common shares issued									26,525	26,525	24,081
Less: average number of treasury shares									1,386	1,424	1,626
Less: average number of unvested stock award shares									409	299	254
Average number of basic common shares outstanding	24,758	24,747	24,715	24,698	24,701	24,748	24,779	24,948	24,730	24,802	22,201
Average number of diluted common shares outstanding	24,912	24,861	24,809	24,698	24,857	24,873	24,956	25,143	24,854	24,965	22,329
Basic earnings per share:
Continuing Operations (in dollars per share)	$0.46	$0.48	$0.46	($0.04)	$0.43	$0.33	$0.49	$0.42	$1.36	$1.66	$1.52
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)											($0.03)
Total basic earning per share (in dollars per share)	$0.46	$0.48	$0.46	($0.04)	$0.43	$0.33	$0.49	$0.42	$1.36	$1.66	$1.49
Diluted earnings per share:
Continuing Operations (in dollars per share)	$0.46	$0.48	$0.46	($0.04)	$0.42	$0.33	$0.48	$0.42	$1.36	$1.65	$1.52
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)											($0.03)
Total diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$0.46	$0.48	$0.46	($0.04)	$0.42	$0.33	$0.48	$0.42	$1.36	$1.65	$1.49
Unvested Stock Award shares
Earnings per share
Plus: dilutive effect of share-based payment arrangements (in shares)									67	60	41
Options
Earnings per share
Plus: dilutive effect of share-based payment arrangements (in shares)									57	103	87

STOCKHOLDERS_EQUITY_AND_EARNIN8

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY AND EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (Details 7) (Options)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Options
Anti-dilutive securities
Securities excluded from the earnings per share calculations (in shares)	225	338	600

STOCKBASED_COMPENSATION_PLANS_1

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Stock-based compensation plans
Number of shares counted against the share limit for each restricted stock granted	3
Unvested Stock Award shares
Non-vested Stock Awards Outstanding, Number of Shares
Balance at the beginning of the period (in shares)	334,000
Granted (in shares)	187,000
Stock awards vested (in shares)	-88,000
Forfeited (in shares)	-9,000
Balance at the end of the period (in shares)	424,000	334,000
Non-vested Stock Awards Outstanding, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
Balance at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)	$23.26
Granted (in dollars per share)	$24.60	$24.49	$23.76
Stock awards vested (in dollars per share)	$22.86
Forfeited (in dollars per share)	$23.46
Balance at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$24.33	$23.26
Stock-based compensation plans
Total compensation cost	$3,800,000	$2,100,000	$2,000,000
Total recognized tax benefit	1,500,000	900,000	800,000
Weighted average fair value of stock awards granted (in dollars per share)	$24.60	$24.49	$23.76
Total fair value of awards vested	2,000,000	1,900,000	1,400,000
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense	6,100,000
Unvested Stock Award shares | Maximum
Stock-based compensation plans
Vesting period	5 years
Expected weighted-average period for recognition of unrecognized compensation	2 years
Options
Stock Options Outstanding, Number of Shares
Balance at the beginning of the period (in shares)	442,000
Stock options exercised (in shares)	-90,000
Expired (in shares)	-70,000
Balance at the end of the period (in shares)	282,000	442,000
Exercisable options at the end of the period (in shares)	282,000
Stock Options Outstanding, Weighted-Average Exercise Price
Balance at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)	$20.41
Stock options exercised (in dollars per share)	$11.77
Expired (in dollars per share)	$37.22
Balance at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$20.42	$20.41
Exercisable options at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$20.72
Stock-based compensation plans
Total compensation cost	41,000	860,000	240,000
Total recognized tax benefit	16,000	347,000	97,000
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense	0	41,000
Contractual life	10 years
Weighted average remaining contractual term for options outstanding	4 years
Total intrinsic value	$1,200,000	$2,900,000	$2,700,000
Options | Maximum
Stock-based compensation plans
Vesting period	5 years
2011 Equity Compensation Plan
Stock-based compensation plans
Number of shares authorized under the plan	1,400,000
Number of shares available for grant under the plan	7,000
2011 Equity Compensation Plan | Options
Stock-based compensation plans
Number of shares counted against the share limit for each restricted stock granted	1
2013 Equity Compensation Plan
Stock-based compensation plans
Number of shares authorized under the plan	1,030,000
Number of shares available for grant under the plan	961,000
2013 Equity Compensation Plan | Unvested Stock Award shares
Stock-based compensation plans
Number of shares counted against the share limit for each restricted stock granted	3
2013 Equity Compensation Plan | Options
Stock-based compensation plans
Number of shares counted against the share limit for each restricted stock granted	1

FAIR_VALUE_MEASUREMENTS_Detail

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Trading security	$14,909	$14,840
Available-for-sale securities	1,091,818	760,048
Debt securities
Assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Available-for-sale securities	1,036,876	738,075
Debt securities | Municipal bonds and obligations
Assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Available-for-sale securities	133,699	77,671
Debt securities | Government guaranteed residential mortgage-backed securities
Assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Available-for-sale securities	69,468	78,771
Debt securities | Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities
Assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Available-for-sale securities	760,184	522,658
Debt securities | Corporate bonds
Assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Available-for-sale securities	54,151	39,280
Debt securities | Trust preferred securities
Assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Available-for-sale securities	16,215	16,611
Debt securities | Other bonds and obligations
Assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Available-for-sale securities	3,159	3,084
Marketable equity securities
Assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Available-for-sale securities	54,942	21,973
Total Fair Value
Assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Trading security	14,909	14,840
Available-for-sale securities	1,091,818	760,048
Loans held for sale	19,493	15,840
Derivative assets	12,953	8,318
Derivative liabilities	18,769	11,964
Level 1
Assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Available-for-sale securities	53,806	20,891
Derivative assets		242
Derivative liabilities	417
Level 2
Assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Available-for-sale securities	1,035,686	737,193
Loans held for sale	19,493	15,840
Derivative assets	12,328	7,799
Derivative liabilities	18,259	11,964
Level 3
Assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Trading security	14,909	14,840
Available-for-sale securities	2,326	1,964
Derivative assets	625	277
Derivative liabilities	93
Level 3 | Trust preferred securities
Assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Available-for-sale securities	1,500
Recurring
Assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Transfers between Level 1, 2, and 3	0	0
Recurring | Total Fair Value
Assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Trading security	14,909	14,840
Loans held for sale	19,493	15,840
Derivative assets	12,953	8,318
Derivative liabilities	18,769	11,964
Recurring | Total Fair Value | Debt securities | Municipal bonds and obligations
Assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Available-for-sale securities	133,699	77,671
Recurring | Total Fair Value | Debt securities | Government guaranteed residential mortgage-backed securities
Assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Available-for-sale securities	69,468	78,771
Recurring | Total Fair Value | Debt securities | Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities
Assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Available-for-sale securities	760,184	522,658
Recurring | Total Fair Value | Debt securities | Corporate bonds
Assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Available-for-sale securities	54,151	39,280
Recurring | Total Fair Value | Debt securities | Trust preferred securities
Assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Available-for-sale securities	16,215	16,611
Recurring | Total Fair Value | Debt securities | Other bonds and obligations
Assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Available-for-sale securities	3,159	3,084
Recurring | Total Fair Value | Marketable equity securities
Assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Available-for-sale securities	54,942	21,973
Recurring | Level 1
Assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Derivative assets		242
Derivative liabilities	417
Recurring | Level 1 | Marketable equity securities
Assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Available-for-sale securities	53,806	20,891
Recurring | Level 2
Assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Loans held for sale	19,493	15,840
Derivative assets	12,328	7,799
Derivative liabilities	18,259	11,964
Recurring | Level 2 | Debt securities | Municipal bonds and obligations
Assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Available-for-sale securities	133,699	77,671
Recurring | Level 2 | Debt securities | Government guaranteed residential mortgage-backed securities
Assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Available-for-sale securities	69,468	78,771
Recurring | Level 2 | Debt securities | Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities
Assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Available-for-sale securities	760,184	522,658
Recurring | Level 2 | Debt securities | Corporate bonds
Assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Available-for-sale securities	54,151	39,280
Recurring | Level 2 | Debt securities | Trust preferred securities
Assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Available-for-sale securities	14,667	15,372
Recurring | Level 2 | Debt securities | Other bonds and obligations
Assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Available-for-sale securities	3,159	3,084
Recurring | Level 2 | Marketable equity securities
Assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Available-for-sale securities	358	357
Recurring | Level 3
Assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Trading security	14,909	14,840
Derivative assets	625	277
Derivative liabilities	93
Recurring | Level 3 | Debt securities | Trust preferred securities
Assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Available-for-sale securities	1,548	1,239
Recurring | Level 3 | Marketable equity securities
Assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Available-for-sale securities	$778	$725

FAIR_VALUE_MEASUREMENTS_Detail1

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Loans Held for Sale
Aggregate Unpaid Principal	$1,280,000	$3,969,000
Level 2
Loans Held for Sale
Aggregate Fair Value	19,493,000	15,840,000
Aggregate Unpaid Principal	1,280,000	3,969,000
Loans Held for Sale
Loans Held for Sale
Gain (losses) in fair value of loans held for sale included in earnings	409,000,000	-2,600,000
Recurring | Level 2
Loans Held for Sale
Aggregate Fair Value	19,493,000	15,840,000
Recurring | Loans Held for Sale | Level 2
Loans Held for Sale
Aggregate Fair Value	19,493,000	15,840,000
Aggregate Unpaid Principal	18,885,000	15,641,000
Aggregate Fair Value Less Aggregate Unpaid Principal	$608,000	$199,000

FAIR_VALUE_MEASUREMENTS_Detail2

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Details 3) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Changes in Level 3 assets that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Paydown of trading security	$2,447	$1,635	$1,937
Trust preferred securities
Changes in Level 3 assets and liabilities that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Number of securities in the portfolio	1
Privately owned equity security
Changes in Level 3 assets and liabilities that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Number of securities in the portfolio	1
Forward Commitments.
Changes in Level 3 assets that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Unrealized (loss) gain, net recognized in other non-interest income		1,074
Unrealized gains (losses) relating to instruments still held at the end of the period	-93	19
Liabilities
Balance at the beginning of the period	19	-1,055
Unrealized (loss) gain recognized in other non-interest income	-112
Balance at the end of the period	-93	19
Trading Security
Changes in Level 3 assets and liabilities that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Number of securities in the portfolio	1
Changes in Level 3 assets that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Balance at the beginning of the period	14,840	16,893
Unrealized (loss) gain, net recognized in other non-interest income	610	-1,539
Paydown of trading security	-541	-514
Balance at the end of the period	14,909	14,840
Unrealized gains (losses) relating to instruments still held at the end of the period	2,355	1,745
Securities Available for Sale
Changes in Level 3 assets that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Balance at the beginning of the period	1,964	885
Purchase of Marketable Equity Security		770
Unrealized gain included in accumulated other comprehensive loss	362	309
Balance at the end of the period	2,326	1,964
Unrealized gains (losses) relating to instruments still held at the end of the period	-999	-1,410
Interest rate lock commitments
Changes in Level 3 assets that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Balance at the beginning of the period	258	6,258
Unrealized (loss) gain, net recognized in other non-interest income	3,804	8,722
Transfers to held for sale loans	-3,437	-14,722
Balance at the end of the period	625	258
Unrealized gains (losses) relating to instruments still held at the end of the period	$625	$258

FAIR_VALUE_MEASUREMENTS_Detail3

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Details 4) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs within Level 3
Other real estate owned	$2,049,000	$2,758,000
Recurring
Quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs within Level 3
Fair Value Instruments Transfers between Levels	0	0
Non-recurring
Quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs within Level 3
Fair Value Instruments Transfers between Levels	0	0
Non-recurring | Total Gains (Losses)
Quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs within Level 3
Impaired loans	278,000	-562,000
Capitalized mortgage servicing rights		-773,000
Other real estate owned	231,000	2,000
Total	509,000	-1,333,000
Level 3 | Recurring
Quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs within Level 3
Assets measured on recurring basis	17,767,000	17,081,000
Level 3 | Recurring | Trading Security | Discounted Cash Flow
Quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs within Level 3
Assets measured on recurring basis	14,909,000	14,840,000
Discount Rate (as percent)	2.60%	3.39%
Level 3 | Recurring | Securities Available for Sale | Discounted Cash Flow
Quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs within Level 3
Assets measured on recurring basis	2,326,000	1,964,000
Discount Rate (as percent)	13.74%	13.17%
Credit Spread (as a percent)	11.06%	9.45%
Level 3 | Recurring | Forward Commitments | Historical Trend
Quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs within Level 3
Assets measured on recurring basis	-93,000	19,000
Closing Ratio (as percent)	91.07%	94.83%
Level 3 | Recurring | Forward Commitments | Pricing Model
Quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs within Level 3
Origination Costs	2,500,000	2,500,000
Level 3 | Recurring | Interest rate lock commitments | Historical Trend
Quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs within Level 3
Assets measured on recurring basis	625,000	258,000
Closing Ratio (as percent)	91.07%	94.83%
Level 3 | Recurring | Interest rate lock commitments | Pricing Model
Quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs within Level 3
Origination Costs	2,500,000	2,500,000
Level 3 | Non-recurring
Quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs within Level 3
Impaired loans	5,820,000	5,542,000
Capitalized mortgage servicing rights	3,757,000	4,112,000
Other real estate owned	2,049,000	2,995,000
Total	11,626,000	12,649,000
Level 3 | Non-recurring | Minimum | Impaired loans | Fair value of collateral
Quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs within Level 3
Loss severity (as percent)	31.00%	4.20%
Appraised value	5,000	0
Level 3 | Non-recurring | Minimum | Capitalized mortgage servicing rights | Discounted Cash Flow
Quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs within Level 3
Discount Rate (as percent)	10.00%	10.00%
Constant prepayment rate (CPR) (as percent)	7.83%	6.96%
Level 3 | Non-recurring | Minimum | Other real estate owned | Fair value of collateral
Quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs within Level 3
Appraised value	57,000	0
Level 3 | Non-recurring | Maximum | Impaired loans | Fair value of collateral
Quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs within Level 3
Loss severity (as percent)	38.70%	100.00%
Appraised value	1,600,000	900,000
Level 3 | Non-recurring | Maximum | Capitalized mortgage servicing rights | Discounted Cash Flow
Quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs within Level 3
Discount Rate (as percent)	13.00%	13.00%
Constant prepayment rate (CPR) (as percent)	19.00%	15.97%
Level 3 | Non-recurring | Maximum | Other real estate owned | Fair value of collateral
Quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs within Level 3
Appraised value	700,000	774,000
Level 3 | Non-recurring | Weighted Average | Impaired loans | Fair value of collateral
Quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs within Level 3
Loss severity (as percent)	-12.65%	-57.41%
Appraised value	-912,700	-505,400
Level 3 | Non-recurring | Weighted Average | Capitalized mortgage servicing rights | Discounted Cash Flow
Quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs within Level 3
Discount Rate (as percent)	-10.43%	-10.34%
Constant prepayment rate (CPR) (as percent)	-9.92%	-8.58%
Level 3 | Non-recurring | Weighted Average | Other real estate owned | Fair value of collateral
Quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs within Level 3
Appraised value	($462,600)	($413,400)

FAIR_VALUE_MEASUREMENTS_Detail4

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Details 5) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Financial Assets
Trading security	$14,909	$14,840
Securities available for sale	1,091,818	760,048
Securities held to maturity	44,997	45,764
Accrued interest receivable	17,274	15,070
Assets held for sale	1,280	3,969
Financial Liabilities
Liabilities held for sale		24,834
Methods and assumptions used to estimate the fair value of significant classes of financial instruments
Junior subordinated debentures re-price period	90 days
Level 1
Financial Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	71,754	75,539
Securities available for sale	53,806	20,891
Derivative assets		242
Financial Liabilities
Derivative liabilities	417
Level 2
Financial Assets
Securities available for sale	1,035,686	737,193
Restricted equity securities	55,720	50,282
Loans held for sale	19,493	15,840
Accrued interest receivable	17,274	15,072
Cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance policies	104,588	101,530
Derivative assets	12,328	7,799
Assets held for sale	1,280	3,969
Financial Liabilities
Total deposits	4,655,234	3,848,926
Short-term debt	900,983	872,545
Long-term Federal Home Loan Bank advances	63,283	103,660
Subordinated borrowings	93,441	87,882
Derivative liabilities	18,259	11,964
Liabilities held for sale		24,834
Level 3
Financial Assets
Trading security	14,909	14,840
Securities available for sale	2,326	1,964
Securities held to maturity	44,997	45,764
Net loans	4,695,256	4,154,663
Derivative assets	625	277
Financial Liabilities
Derivative liabilities	93
Carrying Amount
Financial Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	71,754	75,539
Trading security	14,909	14,840
Securities available for sale	1,091,818	760,048
Securities held to maturity	43,347	44,921
Restricted equity securities	55,720	50,282
Net loans	4,644,938	4,147,200
Loans held for sale	19,493	15,840
Accrued interest receivable	17,274	15,072
Cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance policies	104,588	101,530
Derivative assets	12,953	8,318
Assets held for sale	1,280	3,969
Financial Liabilities
Total deposits	4,654,679	3,848,529
Short-term debt	900,900	872,510
Long-term Federal Home Loan Bank advances	61,676	101,918
Subordinated borrowings	89,747	89,679
Derivative liabilities	18,769	11,964
Liabilities held for sale		24,834
Total Fair Value
Financial Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	71,754	75,539
Trading security	14,909	14,840
Securities available for sale	1,091,818	760,048
Securities held to maturity	44,997	45,764
Restricted equity securities	55,720	50,282
Net loans	4,695,256	4,154,663
Loans held for sale	19,493	15,840
Accrued interest receivable	17,274	15,072
Cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance policies	104,588	101,530
Derivative assets	12,953	8,318
Assets held for sale	1,280	3,969
Financial Liabilities
Total deposits	4,655,234	3,848,926
Short-term debt	900,983	872,545
Long-term Federal Home Loan Bank advances	63,283	103,660
Subordinated borrowings	93,441	87,882
Derivative liabilities	18,769	11,964
Liabilities held for sale		$24,834

OPERATING_SEGMENTS_Details

OPERATING SEGMENTS (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
									segment
Operating segments
Number of reportable operating segments									2
Net interest income	$46,647,000	$44,949,000	$44,329,000	$42,766,000	$39,842,000	$45,869,000	$41,104,000	$41,937,000	$178,691,000	$168,752,000	$143,388,000
Provision for loan losses	3,898,000	3,685,000	3,989,000	3,396,000	3,100,000	3,178,000	2,700,000	2,400,000	14,968,000	11,378,000	9,590,000
Non-interest income	14,200,000	14,641,000	14,506,000	4,423,000	15,714,000	12,114,000	15,606,000	14,798,000	47,770,000	58,232,000	54,056,000
Non-interest expense	41,676,000	39,687,000	39,263,000	45,360,000	37,157,000	42,784,000	37,935,000	39,483,000	165,986,000	157,359,000	140,806,000
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	15,273,000	16,218,000	15,583,000	-1,567,000	15,299,000	12,021,000	16,075,000	14,852,000	45,507,000	58,247,000	47,048,000
Income tax expense (benefit)	3,875,000	4,230,000	4,119,000	-461,000	4,762,000	3,917,000	4,038,000	4,387,000	11,763,000	17,104,000	13,223,000
Net income from continuing operations	11,398,000	11,988,000	11,464,000	-1,106,000	10,537,000	8,104,000	12,037,000	10,465,000	33,744,000	41,143,000	33,825,000
Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes (including gain on disposal of$63)											-261,000
Gain on disposal											63,000
Income tax benefit											376,000
Net loss from discontinued operations											-637,000
Net income	11,398,000	11,988,000	11,464,000	-1,106,000	10,537,000	8,104,000	12,037,000	10,465,000	33,744,000	41,143,000	33,188,000
Average assets (in millions)									6,171,000,000	5,307,000,000	5,203,000,000
Operating segment | Banking
Operating segments
Net interest income									182,221,000	172,634,000	145,167,000
Provision for loan losses									14,968,000	11,378,000	9,590,000
Non-interest income									37,406,000	48,238,000	43,330,000
Non-interest expense									155,642,000	146,944,000	128,366,000
Income from continuing operations before income taxes									49,017,000	62,550,000	50,541,000
Income tax expense (benefit)									13,085,000	18,802,000	14,597,000
Net income from continuing operations											35,944,000
Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes (including gain on disposal of$63)											-261,000
Gain on disposal											63,000
Income tax benefit											376,000
Net loss from discontinued operations											-637,000
Net income									35,932,000	43,748,000	35,307,000
Average assets (in millions)									6,149,000,000	5,279,000,000	5,006,000,000
Operating segment | Insurance
Operating segments
Non-interest income									10,364,000	9,994,000	10,726,000
Non-interest expense									8,058,000	8,069,000	8,452,000
Income from continuing operations before income taxes									2,306,000	1,925,000	2,274,000
Income tax expense (benefit)									1,008,000	759,000	903,000
Net income from continuing operations											1,371,000
Net income									1,298,000	1,166,000	1,371,000
Average assets (in millions)									27,000,000	27,000,000	30,000,000
Reportable legal entity | Berkshire Hills Bancorp
Operating segments
Net interest income									8,470,000	25,618,000	15,221,000
Non-interest income									25,230,000	15,414,000	19,678,000
Non-interest expense									2,286,000	2,346,000	3,988,000
Income from continuing operations before income taxes									31,414,000	38,686,000	30,911,000
Income tax expense (benefit)									-2,330,000	-2,457,000	-2,277,000
Net income from continuing operations											33,188,000
Net income									33,744,000	41,143,000	33,188,000
Average assets (in millions)									27,000,000	741,000,000	559,000,000
Eliminations
Operating segments
Net interest income									-12,000,000	-29,500,000	-17,000,000
Non-interest income									-25,230,000	-15,414,000	-19,678,000
Income from continuing operations before income taxes									-37,230,000	-44,914,000	-36,678,000
Net income from continuing operations											-36,678,000
Net income									-37,230,000	-44,914,000	-36,678,000
Average assets (in millions)									($31,000,000)	($741,000,000)	($392,000,000)

CONDENSED_FINANCIAL_STATEMENTS2

CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF PARENT COMPANY (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Assets
Cash due from Berkshire Bank	$54,179,000	$56,841,000
Other assets	61,090,000	54,009,000
Total assets	6,502,031,000	5,672,799,000
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Short-term debt	900,900,000	872,510,000
Subordinated notes	89,747,000	89,679,000
Stockholders' equity	709,287,000	678,062,000	667,265,000	551,808,000
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	6,502,031,000	5,672,799,000
Reportable legal entity | Berkshire Hills Bancorp
Condensed balance sheets
Intercompany subordinated notes	35,000,000
Assets
Cash due from Berkshire Bank	30,533,000	40,154,000
Investment in subsidiaries	736,908,000	698,943,000
Other assets	43,023,000	41,489,000
Total assets	810,464,000	780,586,000
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Short-term debt	10,000,000	10,000,000
Subordinated notes	89,748,000	89,680,000
Accrued expenses	1,429,000	2,844,000
Stockholders' equity	709,287,000	678,062,000
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$810,464,000	$780,586,000

CONDENSED_FINANCIAL_STATEMENTS3

CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF PARENT COMPANY (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income:
Total net revenue	$60,847	$59,590	$58,835	$47,189	$55,556	$57,983	$56,710	$56,735	$226,461	$226,984	$197,444
Interest expense	7,369	7,107	6,846	7,029	8,817	8,635	8,593	8,944	28,351	34,989	32,551
Income tax expense (benefit)	3,875	4,230	4,119	-461	4,762	3,917	4,038	4,387	11,763	17,104	13,223
Net income	11,398	11,988	11,464	-1,106	10,537	8,104	12,037	10,465	33,744	41,143	33,188
Reportable legal entity | Berkshire Hills Bancorp
Income:
Dividends from subsidiaries									12,000	29,500	17,000
Other									2,317	2,317	481
Total net revenue									14,317	31,817	17,481
Interest expense									5,847	6,199	2,260
Operating expenses									2,286	2,346	3,988
Total expense									8,133	8,545	6,248
Income before income taxes and equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries									6,184	23,272	11,233
Income tax expense (benefit)									-2,330	-2,457	-2,277
Income before equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries									8,514	25,729	13,510
Equity in undistributed income (loss) of subsidiaries									25,230	15,414	19,678
Net income									$33,744	$41,143	$33,188

CONDENSED_FINANCIAL_STATEMENTS4

CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF PARENT COMPANY (Details 3) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$11,398	$11,988	$11,464	($1,106)	$10,537	$8,104	$12,037	$10,465	$33,744	$41,143	$33,188
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used) provided by operating activities:
Other, net									-135	22,404	19,604
Net cash provided by operating activities									55,823	127,411	28,654
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisitions, net of cash paid									423,416		-111,328
other, net									-5,384		-565
Net cash used in investing activities									-369,304	-515,194	-255,523
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceed from issuance of long term debt											74,138
Net proceeds from reissuance of treasury stock									-2,467	-12,249
Payment to repurchase common stock											3,044
Common stock cash dividends paid									-18,075	-18,118	-15,634
Net cash provided by financing activities									309,696	365,078	249,331
Net change in cash and cash equivalents									-3,785	-22,705	22,462
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year				75,539					75,539
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	71,754				75,539				71,754	75,539
Reportable legal entity | Berkshire Hills Bancorp
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income									33,744	41,143	33,188
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used) provided by operating activities:
Equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries									-25,230	-15,414	-19,678
Other, net									3,247	763	1,897
Net cash provided by operating activities									11,761	26,492	15,407
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisitions, net of cash paid											-64,230
Purchase of securities										-770
other, net										588	1,000
Net cash used in investing activities										-182	-63,230
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceed from issuance of short term debt											10,000
Proceed from issuance of long term debt											74,153
Net proceeds from common stock										3,045
Net proceeds from reissuance of treasury stock									1,064		3,044
Payment to repurchase common stock									-2,468	-12,249
Common stock cash dividends paid									-18,075	-18,118	-15,634
Other, net									-1,903	1,513
Net cash provided by financing activities									-21,382	-25,809	71,563
Net change in cash and cash equivalents									-9,621	501	23,740
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year				40,154				39,653	40,154	39,653	15,913
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$30,533				$40,154				$30,533	$40,154	$39,653

QUARTERLY_DATA_UNAUDITED_Detai

QUARTERLY DATA (UNAUDITED) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Interest and dividend income	$54,016	$52,056	$51,175	$49,795	$48,659	$54,504	$49,697	$50,881	$207,042	$203,741	$175,939
Interest expense	7,369	7,107	6,846	7,029	8,817	8,635	8,593	8,944	28,351	34,989	32,551
Net interest income	46,647	44,949	44,329	42,766	39,842	45,869	41,104	41,937	178,691	168,752	143,388
Non-interest income	14,200	14,641	14,506	4,423	15,714	12,114	15,606	14,798	47,770	58,232	54,056
Total net revenue	60,847	59,590	58,835	47,189	55,556	57,983	56,710	56,735	226,461	226,984	197,444
Provision for loan losses	3,898	3,685	3,989	3,396	3,100	3,178	2,700	2,400	14,968	11,378	9,590
Non-interest expense	41,676	39,687	39,263	45,360	37,157	42,784	37,935	39,483	165,986	157,359	140,806
Income before income taxes	15,273	16,218	15,583	-1,567	15,299	12,021	16,075	14,852	45,507	58,247	47,048
Income tax expense	3,875	4,230	4,119	-461	4,762	3,917	4,038	4,387	11,763	17,104	13,223
Net income from continuing operations	11,398	11,988	11,464	-1,106	10,537	8,104	12,037	10,465	33,744	41,143	33,825
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax											-637
Net income	$11,398	$11,988	$11,464	($1,106)	$10,537	$8,104	$12,037	$10,465	$33,744	$41,143	$33,188
Basic earnings per share:
Continuing Operations (in dollars per share)	$0.46	$0.48	$0.46	($0.04)	$0.43	$0.33	$0.49	$0.42	$1.36	$1.66	$1.52
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)											($0.03)
Total basic earning per share (in dollars per share)	$0.46	$0.48	$0.46	($0.04)	$0.43	$0.33	$0.49	$0.42	$1.36	$1.66	$1.49
Diluted earnings per share:
Continuing Operations (in dollars per share)	$0.46	$0.48	$0.46	($0.04)	$0.42	$0.33	$0.48	$0.42	$1.36	$1.65	$1.52
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)											($0.03)
Total diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$0.46	$0.48	$0.46	($0.04)	$0.42	$0.33	$0.48	$0.42	$1.36	$1.65	$1.49
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	24,758	24,747	24,715	24,698	24,701	24,748	24,779	24,948	24,730	24,802	22,201
Diluted (in shares)	24,912	24,861	24,809	24,698	24,857	24,873	24,956	25,143	24,854	24,965	22,329

NET_INTEREST_INCOME_AFTER_PROV2

NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Net interest income	$46,647	$44,949	$44,329	$42,766	$39,842	$45,869	$41,104	$41,937	$178,691	$168,752	$143,388
Provision for loan losses	3,898	3,685	3,989	3,396	3,100	3,178	2,700	2,400	14,968	11,378	9,590
Net interest income after provision for loan losses									163,723	157,374	133,798
Non-interest income	14,200	14,641	14,506	4,423	15,714	12,114	15,606	14,798	47,770	58,232	54,056
Total non-interest expense	41,676	39,687	39,263	45,360	37,157	42,784	37,935	39,483	165,986	157,359	140,806
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	15,273	16,218	15,583	-1,567	15,299	12,021	16,075	14,852	45,507	58,247	47,048
Income tax expense	3,875	4,230	4,119	-461	4,762	3,917	4,038	4,387	11,763	17,104	13,223
Net income from continuing operations	11,398	11,988	11,464	-1,106	10,537	8,104	12,037	10,465	33,744	41,143	33,825
(Loss) income from discontinued operations before income taxes (including gain on disposal of $63 in 2012 and $4,962 in 2011)											-261
Gain on disposal											63
Income tax expense											376
Net loss from discontinued operations											-637
Net income	$11,398	$11,988	$11,464	($1,106)	$10,537	$8,104	$12,037	$10,465	$33,744	$41,143	$33,188

SUBSEQUENT_EVENTS_Details

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 12, 2015
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Assets	$6,502,031,000	$5,672,799,000
Hampden
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Merger and acquisition expenses	1,500,000
Hampden | Subsequent event
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Number of shares into which each outstanding common share is converted in the merger			0.81
Hampden
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Assets	$711,000,000
Number of Stores	10