FIRST BANCORP. (Holding Company Only) Financial Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021
Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract]
Statements of Financial Condition [Table Text Block]	Statements of Financial Condition As of December 31, 2021 2020 (In thousands) Assets Cash and due from banks $ 20,751 $ 10,909 Money market investments - 6,211 Other investment securities 285 285 Investment in First Bank Puerto Rico, at equity 2,247,289 2,396,963 Investment in First Bank Insurance Agency, at equity 19,521 41,313 Investment in FBP Statutory Trust I 1,951 1,951 Investment in FBP Statutory Trust II 3,561 3,561 Other assets 366 2,023 Total assets $ 2,293,724 $ 2,463,216 Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Liabilities: Other borrowings $ 183,762 $ 183,762 Accounts payable and other liabilities 8,195 4,275 Total liabilities 191,957 188,037 Stockholders' equity 2,101,767 2,275,179 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 2,293,724 $ 2,463,216
Statements of Income [Table Text Block]	Statements of Income Year Ended December 31, 2021 2020 2019 (In thousands) Income Interest income on money market investments $ 51 $ 71 $ 233 Dividend income from banking subsidiaries 98,060 52,707 42,243 Dividend income from non-banking subsidiaries 30,000 - - Other income 154 439 283 128,265 53,217 42,759 Expense Other borrowings 5,135 6,355 9,424 Other operating expenses 1,929 2,097 2,131 7,064 8,452 11,555 Gain on early extinguishment of debt - 94 - Income before income taxes and equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries 121,201 44,859 31,204 Income tax expense 2,854 2,429 2,752 Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries 162,678 59,843 138,925 Net income $ 281,025 $ 102,273 $ 167,377 Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax (139,454) 48,691 47,179 Comprehensive income $ 141,571 $ 150,964 $ 214,556
Statements of Cash Flow of holding company [Table Text Block]	Statements of Cash Flows Year Ended December 31, 2021 2020 2019 (In thousands) Cash flows from operating activities: Net income $ 281,025 $ 102,273 $ 167,377 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Stock-based compensation 149 231 314 Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries (162,678) (59,843) (138,925) Gain on early extinguishment of debt - (94) - Net decrease (increase) in other assets 1,657 (1,514) 11,710 Net increase (decrease) in other liabilities 3,578 (459) 526 Net cash provided by operating activities 123,731 40,594 41,002 Cash flows from investing activities: Return of capital from wholly-owned subsidiaries (1) 200,000 - - Net cash provided by investing activities 200,000 - - Cash flows from financing activities: Repurchase of common stock (216,522) (206) (1,959) Repayment of junior subordinated debentures - (282) - Dividends paid on common stock (65,021) (43,416) (30,356) Dividends paid on preferred stock (2,453) (2,676) (2,676) Redemption of preferred stock - Series A through E (36,104) - - Net cash used in financing activities (320,100) (46,580) (34,991) Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 3,631 (5,986) 6,011 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year 17,120 23,106 17,095 Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $ 20,751 $ 17,120 $ 23,106 Cash and cash equivalents include: Cash and due from banks $ 20,751 $ 10,909 $ 16,895 Money market instruments - 6,211 6,211 $ 20,751 $ 17,120 $ 23,106 (1) During 2021 First Bank of Puerto Rico, a wholly-owned subsidiary of First BanCorp., redeemed $ 200 million or 8 million shares of its preferred stock.