BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	0 Months Ended
May 30, 2012
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Purchased credit cards portfolio	$ 406.0

Credit card portfolio purchased during the period.

No definition available.

Name:	fbp_PaymentToAcquireCreditCardPortfolio
Namespace Prefix:	fbp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration