Geographic information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Revenue	$ 479,532	[1]	$ 380,370	[1]
PUERTO RICO
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Revenue	357,037	[1]	285,814	[1]
UNITED STATES
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Revenue	94,812	[1]	75,639	[1]
Other Countries [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Revenue	$ 27,683	[1]	$ 18,917	[1]

[1] Total revenues include net interest income, service charges on deposit accounts, other service fees, mortgage banking activities, net gain (loss) and valuation adjustments on investment securities, trading account (loss) profit, net (loss) gain on sale of loans and valuation adjustments on loans held-for-sale, adjustments to indemnity reserves on loans sold, FDIC loss share (expense) income and other operating income.