Selected Balance Sheet information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 36,684,594		$ 36,507,535
Deposits	26,759,428		27,000,613
PUERTO RICO
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	26,515,496		26,582,248
Loans	18,170,567		18,484,977
Deposits	19,617,123		19,984,830
UNITED STATES
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	9,045,478		8,816,143
Loans	5,984,916		5,852,705
Deposits	6,088,033		6,049,168
Other Countries [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	1,123,620		1,109,144
Loans	757,026		755,950
Deposits	$ 1,054,272	[1]	$ 966,615	[1]

[1] Represents deposits from BPPR operations located in the US and British Virgin Islands.