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Fair value of financial instruments (Details 1) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Financial assets:

Instruments with carrying value that approximates fair value (carrying value)

$ 746,006

$ 882,762

Securities held-to-maturity (carrying value)

34,113

26,536

Loans, net of allowance (carrying value)

5,635,480

^[1]

4,864,329

^[2]

Instruments with carrying value that approximates fair value (Fair value)

746,006

882,762

Securities held-to-maturity (Fair value)

34,149

26,637

Loans, net of allowance (Fair value)

5,784,172

^[1]

4,913,473

^[2]

Financial liabilities:

Instruments with carrying value that approximates fair value (carrying value)

2,494,734

2,693,408

Short-term borrowings

1,449,023

1,323,466

Borrowings and long-term debt (carrying value)

1,905,540

1,487,548

Commitments to extend credit, standby letters of credit, and financial guarantees written (carrying value)

5,781

10,497

Instruments with carrying value that approximates fair value (Fair value)

2,494,824

2,692,832

Short-term borrowings (Fair value)

1,453,159

1,319,350

Borrowings and long-term debt (Fair value)

1,922,544

1,441,919

Commitments to extend credit, standby letters of credit, and financial guarantees written (Fair value)

4,841

9,807

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]

Financial assets:

Instruments with carrying value that approximates fair value (Fair value)

0

Securities held-to-maturity (Fair value)

19,444

Loans, net of allowance (Fair value)

0

^[1]

Financial liabilities:

Instruments with carrying value that approximates fair value (Fair value)

0

Short-term borrowings (Fair value)

0

Borrowings and long-term debt (Fair value)

0

Commitments to extend credit, standby letters of credit, and financial guarantees written (Fair value)

0

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]

Financial assets:

Instruments with carrying value that approximates fair value (Fair value)

746,006

Securities held-to-maturity (Fair value)

14,705

Loans, net of allowance (Fair value)

5,784,172

^[1]

Financial liabilities:

Instruments with carrying value that approximates fair value (Fair value)

2,494,824

Short-term borrowings (Fair value)

1,453,159

Borrowings and long-term debt (Fair value)

1,922,544

Commitments to extend credit, standby letters of credit, and financial guarantees written (Fair value)

4,841

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]

Financial assets:

Instruments with carrying value that approximates fair value (Fair value)

0

Securities held-to-maturity (Fair value)

0

Loans, net of allowance (Fair value)

0

^[1]

Financial liabilities:

Instruments with carrying value that approximates fair value (Fair value)

0

Short-term borrowings (Fair value)

0

Borrowings and long-term debt (Fair value)

0

Commitments to extend credit, standby letters of credit, and financial guarantees written (Fair value)

$ 0

[1]	The carrying value of loans is net of the Allowance for loan losses of $73.0 million for December 31, 2012.
[2]	The carrying value of loans is net of the Allowance for loan losses of $88.5 million for December 31, 2011.

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Amount after allowance and deduction of deferred interest and fees, unamortized costs and premiums and discounts from face amounts, of loans and leases held in portfolio, including but not limited to, commercial and consumer loans. Excludes loans and leases covered under loss sharing agreements.

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