STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY AND REGULATORY CAPITAL MATTERS - REGULATORY (Details)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016
USD ($)
item
Dec. 31, 2015
USD ($)
REGULATORY CAPITAL MATTERS    
Number of classifications | item 5  
Capital Conversion Buffer Due in Year One 0.625%  
Capital Conversion Buffer Due in Year Two 1.25%  
Capital Conversion Buffer Due in Year Three 1.875%  
Capital Conversion Buffer Due in Year Four 2.50%  
Republic Bancorp, Inc.    
Actual Amount    
Total capital to risk weighted assets $ 655,908 $ 631,820
Common equity tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets 584,530 564,329
Tier 1 (core) capital to risk weighted assets 622,988 604,329
Tier 1 leverage capital to average assets $ 622,988 $ 604,329
Actual Ratio    
Total capital to risk weighted assets (as a percent) 16.37% 20.58%
Common equity tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets (as a percent) 14.59% 18.39%
Tier 1 (core) capital to risk weighted assets (as a percent) 15.55% 19.69%
Tier 1 leverage capital to average assets (as a percent) 13.54% 14.82%
Minimum Requirement for Capital Adequacy Purposes Amount    
Total capital to risk weighted assets $ 320,540 $ 245,556
Common equity Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets 180,304 138,125
Tier 1 (core) capital to risk weighted assets 240,405 184,167
Tier 1 leverage capital to average assets $ 184,087 $ 163,114
Minimum Requirement for Capital Adequacy Purposes Ratio    
Total capital to risk weighted assets (as a percent) 8.00% 8.00%
Common equity tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets (as a percent) 4.50% 4.50%
Tier 1 (core) capital to risk weighted assets (as a percent) 6.00% 6.00%
Tier 1 leverage capital to average assets (as a percent) 4.00% 4.00%
Republic Bank & Trust Co.    
Actual Amount    
Total capital to risk weighted assets $ 553,905 $ 494,575
Common equity tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets 520,985 467,084
Tier 1 (core) capital to risk weighted assets 520,985 467,084
Tier 1 leverage capital to average assets $ 520,985 $ 467,084
Actual Ratio    
Total capital to risk weighted assets (as a percent) 13.86% 16.12%
Common equity tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets (as a percent) 13.03% 15.23%
Tier 1 (core) capital to risk weighted assets (as a percent) 13.03% 15.23%
Tier 1 leverage capital to average assets (as a percent) 11.34% 11.46%
Minimum Requirement for Capital Adequacy Purposes Amount    
Total capital to risk weighted assets $ 319,785 $ 245,426
Common equity Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets 179,879 138,052
Tier 1 (core) capital to risk weighted assets 239,839 184,069
Tier 1 leverage capital to average assets $ 183,698 $ 163,018
Minimum Requirement for Capital Adequacy Purposes Ratio    
Total capital to risk weighted assets (as a percent) 8.00% 8.00%
Common equity tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets (as a percent) 4.50% 4.50%
Tier 1 (core) capital to risk weighted assets (as a percent) 6.00% 6.00%
Tier 1 leverage capital to average assets (as a percent) 4.00% 4.00%
Minimum Requirement to be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions Amount    
Total capital to risk weighted assets $ 399,731 $ 306,782
Common equity Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets 259,825 199,408
Tier 1 (core) capital to risk weighted assets 319,785 245,426
Tier 1 leverage capital to average assets $ 229,622 $ 203,772
Minimum Requirement to be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions Ratio    
Total capital to risk weighted assets (as a percent) 10.00% 10.00%
Common equity tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets (as a percent) 6.50% 6.50%
Tier 1 (core) capital to risk weighted assets (as a percent) 8.00% 8.00%
Tier 1 leverage capital to average assets (as a percent) 5.00% 5.00%
Implementation of Basel III regulatory capital reforms and changes required by the Dodd-Frank Act    
Minimum Requirement to be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions Ratio    
Total capital to risk weighted assets (as a percent) 10.00%  
Common equity tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets (as a percent) 6.50%  
Tier 1 (core) capital to risk weighted assets (as a percent) 8.00%  
Tier 1 leverage capital to average assets (as a percent) 5.00%