FIRST BANCORP. (Holding Company Only) Financial Information - Statements of Loss (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Income:
Interest income on investment securities	$ 11,894	$ 14,422	$ 40,850	$ 37,650
Expense:
Impairement on equity securities	0	0	291	(42)
Loss before income taxes and equity in undistributed earnings (losses) of subsidiaries	23,265	19,616	62,184	(174,957)
Income tax expense	(64)	(3,676)	(675)	(4,319)
Net income (loss)	23,201	15,940	61,509	(179,276)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(5,916)	(18,343)	44,413	(86,917)
Comprehensive (loss) income	17,285	(2,403)	105,922	(266,193)
Holding Company [Member]
Income:
Interest Income Other	5	5	15	16
Other income	55	54	163	178
Total interest income	60	59	178	194
Expense:
Notes payable and other borrowings	1,818	1,790	5,365	5,299
Other operating expenses	693	2,484	1,967	5,093
Total operating expenses	2,511	4,274	7,332	10,392
Impairement on equity securities	0	0	0	(42)
Loss before income taxes and equity in undistributed earnings (losses) of subsidiaries	(2,451)	(4,215)	(7,154)	(10,240)
Income tax expense	1	0	(3)	0
Equity in undistributed earnings (losses) of subsidiaries	25,651	20,155	68,666	(169,036)
Net income (loss)	23,201	15,940	61,509	(179,276)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(5,916)	(18,343)	44,413	(86,917)
Comprehensive (loss) income	$ 17,285	$ (2,403)	$ 105,922	$ (266,193)