Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flow (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities Abstract
Net Income	$ 86,409,000	$ (120,307,000)
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries	0	0
Provision for loan losses	73,072,000	223,856,000
Amortization of intangibles	2,504,000	2,468,000
Depreciation, Nonproduction	11,965,000	12,254,000
Net (accretion of discounts) amortization of premiums and deferred fees	(39,571,000)	(14,257,000)
Mortgage Servicing Rights MSR Impairment Recovery	(8,096,000)	(5,615,000)
FDIC loss share (income) expense	24,206,000	26,266,000
Adjustments (expense) to indemnity reserves on loans sold	10,347,000	16,143,000
Losses (earnings) from investments under equity method	(16,930,000)	(9,594,000)
Stock Option Plan Expense	0	0
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	13,898,000	(60,528,000)
Loss Gain [Abstract]
Disposition of premises and equipment	(1,671,000)	(1,468,000)
Gain Loss On Sales Of Loans Net Including Mortgage Banking Activities	(18,953,000)	48,959,000
Gains Losses On Sales Of Other Real Estate	(1,199,000)	38,363,000
Acquisitions of loans held-for-sale	(76,125,000)	(15,335,000)
Proceeds from sale of loans held-for-sale	45,115,000	51,000,000
Net disbursements on loans held-for-sale	(179,057,000)	(382,810,000)
Increase (Decrease) in Operating Assets [Abstract]
Trading securities	218,997,000	423,236,000
Accrued income receivable	5,641,000	(9,815,000)
Other assets	(1,463,000)	28,181,000
Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities [Abstract]
Interest payable	(2,680,000)	(255,000)
Pension and other postretirement benefit obligations	(1,562,000)	1,470,000
Other liabilities	(1,193,000)	(28,586,000)
Adjustments To Reconcile Net Income Loss To Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities	73,437,000	355,163,000
Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities	159,846,000	234,856,000
Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities Abstract
Change In Money Market Investments	(763,980,000)	(258,664,000)
Payments To Acquire Investments Abstract
Available-for-sale	(436,233,000)	(736,069,000)
Held-to-maturity	0	(250,000)
Other	(34,768,000)	(49,018,000)
Proceeds From Sale Maturity And Collections Of Investments Abstract
Proceeds From Maturities Prepayments And Calls Of Available For Sale Securities	194,949,000	497,175,000
Proceeds From Maturities Prepayments And Calls Of Held To Maturity Securities	1,888,000	2,078,000
Other	49,964,000	35,884,000
Net repayments on loans	205,660,000	468,309,000
Proceeds From Sale Of Loans Receivable	42,238,000	43,044,000
Acquisition of loan portfolios	(201,385,000)	(1,026,485,000)
Payments received from FDIC under loss sharing agreements	81,327,000	(107,000)
Proceeds From Equity Method Investment Dividends Or Distributions Return Of Capital	0	438,000
Capital Contribution Subsidiaries		0
Mortgage servicing rights purchased	0	(45,000)
Acquisition of premises and equipment	(11,017,000)	(11,983,000)
Proceeds from sale of: [Abstract]
Premises and equipment	6,385,000	4,205,000
Foreclosed assets	38,830,000	71,930,000
Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities	(826,142,000)	(959,558,000)
Net Increase Decrease In [Abstract]
Deposits	559,972,000	(3,795,000)
Federal funds purchased and assets sold under agreements to repurchase	548,921,000	248,923,000
Other short-term borrowings	(400,000,000)	315,000,000
Payments of notes payable	(110,514,000)	(48,281,000)
Proceeds From Notes Payable	31,905,000	14,882,000
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	1,666,000	1,545,000
Dividends paid	(931,000)	(620,000)
Net Payments For Repurchase Of Common Stock	(17,000)	(25,000)
Proceeds From Contributions From Parent		0
Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities	631,002,000	527,629,000
Cash And Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease	(35,294,000)	(197,073,000)
Cash and due from banks at beginning of period	423,211,000	439,363,000
Cash and due from banks at end of period	387,917,000	242,290,000
Popular, Inc. Holding Co.
Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities Abstract
Net Income	86,409,000	(120,307,000)
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries	(107,446,000)	101,624,000
Provision for loan losses	(208,000)	(40,000)
Amortization of intangibles	0	0
Depreciation, Nonproduction	157,000	162,000
Net (accretion of discounts) amortization of premiums and deferred fees	265,000	8,034,000
Mortgage Servicing Rights MSR Impairment Recovery	0	0
Fair value change in equity appreciation instrument	0	0
FDIC loss share (income) expense	0	0
Amortization Of Prepaid F D I C Assesment		0
Adjustments (expense) to indemnity reserves on loans sold	0	0
Losses (earnings) from investments under equity method	(3,401,000)	(870,000)
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	(1,577,000)	136,000
Loss Gain [Abstract]
Disposition of premises and equipment	0	0
Net Gain Loss On Sale And Valuation Adjustments On Investment Securities		0
Gain Loss On Sales Of Loans Net Including Mortgage Banking Activities	0	0
Sale of stock in equity method investee	0
Gains (Losses) on Sales of Other Assets		0
Gains Losses On Sales Of Other Real Estate	0	0
Acquisitions of loans held-for-sale	0	0
Proceeds from sale of loans held-for-sale	0	0
Net disbursements on loans held-for-sale	0	0
Increase (Decrease) in Operating Assets [Abstract]
Trading securities	(107,000)	(164,000)
Accrued income receivable	(58,000)	(730,000)
Other assets	1,488,000	(264,000)
Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities [Abstract]
Interest payable	2,080,000	0
Pension and other postretirement benefit obligations	0	0
Other liabilities	(3,245,000)	(2,427,000)
Adjustments To Reconcile Net Income Loss To Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities	(112,052,000)	105,461,000
Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities	(25,643,000)	(14,846,000)
Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities Abstract
Change In Money Market Investments	(11,192,000)	(54,000)
Payments To Acquire Investments Abstract
Available-for-sale	0	0
Held-to-maturity	0	0
Other	0	0
Proceeds From Sale Maturity And Collections Of Investments Abstract
Proceeds From Maturities Prepayments And Calls Of Available For Sale Securities	0	0
Proceeds From Maturities Prepayments And Calls Of Held To Maturity Securities	0	0
Other	0	0
Proceeds from sale of investment securities available for sale	0	0
Net repayments on loans	27,886,000	26,255,000
Proceeds From Sale Of Loans Receivable	0	0
Acquisition of loan portfolios	0	0
Payments received from FDIC under loss sharing agreements	0	0
Proceeds From Equity Method Investment Dividends Or Distributions Return Of Capital	0	0
Capital Contribution Subsidiaries	0	(8,300,000)
Proceeds From Sale Of Stock In Equity Method Investee	0
Mortgage servicing rights purchased	0	0
Acquisition of premises and equipment	(72,000)	(145,000)
Proceeds from sale of: [Abstract]
Premises and equipment	13,000	26,000
Proceeds from Sale of Other Productive Assets		0
Foreclosed assets	0	0
Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities	16,635,000	17,782,000
Net Increase Decrease In [Abstract]
Deposits	0	0
Federal funds purchased and assets sold under agreements to repurchase	0	0
Other short-term borrowings	0	0
Payments of notes payable	0	0
Proceeds From Notes Payable	0	0
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	1,666,000	1,545,000
Cash Dividends Paid To Parent Company	0	0
Dividends paid	(931,000)	(620,000)
Net Payments For Repurchase Of Common Stock	(17,000)	(25,000)
Proceeds From Contributions From Parent	0	0
Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities	718,000	900,000
Cash And Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease	(8,290,000)	3,836,000
Cash and due from banks at beginning of period	10,595,000	1,103,000
Cash and due from banks at end of period	2,305,000	4,939,000
PNA Holding Co.
Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities Abstract
Net Income	34,304,000	9,183,000
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries	(37,597,000)	(13,946,000)
Provision for loan losses	0	0
Amortization of intangibles	0	0
Depreciation, Nonproduction	0	1,000
Net (accretion of discounts) amortization of premiums and deferred fees	0	19,000
Mortgage Servicing Rights MSR Impairment Recovery	0	0
Fair value change in equity appreciation instrument	0	0
FDIC loss share (income) expense	0	0
Amortization Of Prepaid F D I C Assesment		0
Adjustments (expense) to indemnity reserves on loans sold	0	0
Losses (earnings) from investments under equity method	(661,000)	(2,563,000)
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	0	0
Loss Gain [Abstract]
Disposition of premises and equipment	0	0
Net Gain Loss On Sale And Valuation Adjustments On Investment Securities		0
Gain Loss On Sales Of Loans Net Including Mortgage Banking Activities	0	0
Sale of stock in equity method investee	0
Gains (Losses) on Sales of Other Assets		0
Gains Losses On Sales Of Other Real Estate	0	0
Acquisitions of loans held-for-sale	0	0
Proceeds from sale of loans held-for-sale	0	0
Net disbursements on loans held-for-sale	0	0
Increase (Decrease) in Operating Assets [Abstract]
Trading securities	0	0
Accrued income receivable	83,000	81,000
Other assets	(7,096,000)	47,000
Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities [Abstract]
Interest payable	(2,632,000)	1,809,000
Pension and other postretirement benefit obligations	0	0
Other liabilities	(31,708,000)	(3,000)
Adjustments To Reconcile Net Income Loss To Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities	(79,611,000)	(14,555,000)
Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities	(45,307,000)	(5,372,000)
Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities Abstract
Change In Money Market Investments	3,986,000	(368,000)
Payments To Acquire Investments Abstract
Available-for-sale	0	0
Held-to-maturity	0	0
Other	0	0
Proceeds From Sale Maturity And Collections Of Investments Abstract
Proceeds From Maturities Prepayments And Calls Of Available For Sale Securities	0	0
Proceeds From Maturities Prepayments And Calls Of Held To Maturity Securities	0	0
Other	0	0
Proceeds from sale of investment securities available for sale	0	0
Net repayments on loans	0	0
Proceeds From Sale Of Loans Receivable	0	0
Acquisition of loan portfolios	0	0
Payments received from FDIC under loss sharing agreements	0	0
Proceeds From Equity Method Investment Dividends Or Distributions Return Of Capital	0	438,000
Capital Contribution Subsidiaries	0	0
Proceeds From Sale Of Stock In Equity Method Investee	0
Mortgage servicing rights purchased	0	0
Acquisition of premises and equipment	0	0
Proceeds from sale of: [Abstract]
Premises and equipment	0	0
Proceeds from Sale of Other Productive Assets		0
Foreclosed assets	0	0
Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities	3,986,000	70,000
Net Increase Decrease In [Abstract]
Deposits	0	0
Federal funds purchased and assets sold under agreements to repurchase	0	0
Other short-term borrowings	41,319,000	0
Payments of notes payable	0	(3,000,000)
Proceeds From Notes Payable	0	0
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	0	0
Cash Dividends Paid To Parent Company	0	0
Dividends paid	0	0
Net Payments For Repurchase Of Common Stock	0	0
Proceeds From Contributions From Parent	0	8,300,000
Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities	41,319,000	5,300,000
Cash And Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease	(2,000)	(2,000)
Cash and due from banks at beginning of period	616,000	624,000
Cash and due from banks at end of period	614,000	622,000
Other Subsidiaries
Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities Abstract
Net Income	110,347,000	(97,294,000)
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries	0	0
Provision for loan losses	73,280,000	223,896,000
Amortization of intangibles	2,504,000	2,468,000
Depreciation, Nonproduction	11,808,000	12,091,000
Net (accretion of discounts) amortization of premiums and deferred fees	(39,836,000)	(22,310,000)
Mortgage Servicing Rights MSR Impairment Recovery	(8,096,000)	(5,615,000)
Fair value change in equity appreciation instrument	0	0
FDIC loss share (income) expense	24,206,000	26,266,000
Amortization Of Prepaid F D I C Assesment		0
Adjustments (expense) to indemnity reserves on loans sold	10,347,000	16,143,000
Losses (earnings) from investments under equity method	(12,868,000)	(6,161,000)
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	15,224,000	(60,849,000)
Loss Gain [Abstract]
Disposition of premises and equipment	(1,671,000)	(1,468,000)
Net Gain Loss On Sale And Valuation Adjustments On Investment Securities		0
Gain Loss On Sales Of Loans Net Including Mortgage Banking Activities	(18,953,000)	48,959,000
Sale of stock in equity method investee	0
Gains (Losses) on Sales of Other Assets		0
Gains Losses On Sales Of Other Real Estate	(1,199,000)	38,363,000
Acquisitions of loans held-for-sale	(76,125,000)	(15,335,000)
Proceeds from sale of loans held-for-sale	45,115,000	51,000,000
Net disbursements on loans held-for-sale	(179,057,000)	(382,810,000)
Increase (Decrease) in Operating Assets [Abstract]
Trading securities	219,104,000	423,400,000
Accrued income receivable	5,564,000	(9,065,000)
Other assets	30,505,000	24,806,000
Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities [Abstract]
Interest payable	(2,076,000)	(2,040,000)
Pension and other postretirement benefit obligations	(1,562,000)	1,470,000
Other liabilities	8,043,000	(26,619,000)
Adjustments To Reconcile Net Income Loss To Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities	120,449,000	347,820,000
Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities	230,796,000	250,526,000
Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities Abstract
Change In Money Market Investments	(763,988,000)	(258,610,000)
Payments To Acquire Investments Abstract
Available-for-sale	(436,233,000)	(736,069,000)
Held-to-maturity	0	(250,000)
Other	(34,768,000)	(49,018,000)
Proceeds From Sale Maturity And Collections Of Investments Abstract
Proceeds From Maturities Prepayments And Calls Of Available For Sale Securities	194,949,000	497,175,000
Proceeds From Maturities Prepayments And Calls Of Held To Maturity Securities	1,888,000	2,078,000
Other	49,964,000	35,884,000
Proceeds from sale of investment securities available for sale	0	0
Net repayments on loans	205,955,000	468,008,000
Proceeds From Sale Of Loans Receivable	42,238,000	43,044,000
Acquisition of loan portfolios	(201,385,000)	(1,026,485,000)
Payments received from FDIC under loss sharing agreements	81,327,000	(107,000)
Proceeds From Equity Method Investment Dividends Or Distributions Return Of Capital	0	0
Capital Contribution Subsidiaries	0	0
Proceeds From Sale Of Stock In Equity Method Investee	0
Mortgage servicing rights purchased	0	(45,000)
Acquisition of premises and equipment	(10,945,000)	(11,838,000)
Proceeds from sale of: [Abstract]
Premises and equipment	6,372,000	4,179,000
Proceeds from Sale of Other Productive Assets		0
Foreclosed assets	38,830,000	71,930,000
Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities	(825,796,000)	(960,124,000)
Net Increase Decrease In [Abstract]
Deposits	547,943,000	4,866,000
Federal funds purchased and assets sold under agreements to repurchase	560,121,000	248,923,000
Other short-term borrowings	(469,500,000)	289,000,000
Payments of notes payable	(110,514,000)	(45,281,000)
Proceeds From Notes Payable	31,905,000	14,882,000
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	0	0
Cash Dividends Paid To Parent Company	0	0
Dividends paid	0	0
Net Payments For Repurchase Of Common Stock	0	0
Proceeds From Contributions From Parent	0	0
Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities	559,955,000	512,390,000
Cash And Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease	(35,045,000)	(197,208,000)
Cash and due from banks at beginning of period	422,967,000	439,552,000
Cash and due from banks at end of period	387,922,000	242,344,000
Elimination
Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities Abstract
Net Income	(144,651,000)	88,111,000
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries	145,043,000	(87,678,000)
Provision for loan losses	0	0
Amortization of intangibles	0	0
Depreciation, Nonproduction	0	0
Net (accretion of discounts) amortization of premiums and deferred fees	0	0
Mortgage Servicing Rights MSR Impairment Recovery	0	0
Fair value change in equity appreciation instrument	0	0
FDIC loss share (income) expense	0	0
Amortization Of Prepaid F D I C Assesment		0
Adjustments (expense) to indemnity reserves on loans sold	0	0
Losses (earnings) from investments under equity method	0	0
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	251,000	185,000
Loss Gain [Abstract]
Disposition of premises and equipment	0	0
Net Gain Loss On Sale And Valuation Adjustments On Investment Securities		0
Gain Loss On Sales Of Loans Net Including Mortgage Banking Activities	0	0
Sale of stock in equity method investee	0
Gains (Losses) on Sales of Other Assets		0
Gains Losses On Sales Of Other Real Estate	0	0
Acquisitions of loans held-for-sale	0	0
Proceeds from sale of loans held-for-sale	0	0
Net disbursements on loans held-for-sale	0	0
Increase (Decrease) in Operating Assets [Abstract]
Trading securities	0	0
Accrued income receivable	52,000	(101,000)
Other assets	(26,360,000)	3,592,000
Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities [Abstract]
Interest payable	(52,000)	(24,000)
Pension and other postretirement benefit obligations	0	0
Other liabilities	25,717,000	463,000
Adjustments To Reconcile Net Income Loss To Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities	144,651,000	(83,563,000)
Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities	0	4,548,000
Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities Abstract
Change In Money Market Investments	7,214,000	368,000
Payments To Acquire Investments Abstract
Available-for-sale	0	0
Held-to-maturity	0	0
Other	0	0
Proceeds From Sale Maturity And Collections Of Investments Abstract
Proceeds From Maturities Prepayments And Calls Of Available For Sale Securities	0	0
Proceeds From Maturities Prepayments And Calls Of Held To Maturity Securities	0	0
Other	0	0
Proceeds from sale of investment securities available for sale	0	0
Net repayments on loans	(28,181,000)	(25,954,000)
Proceeds From Sale Of Loans Receivable	0	0
Acquisition of loan portfolios	0	0
Payments received from FDIC under loss sharing agreements	0	0
Proceeds From Equity Method Investment Dividends Or Distributions Return Of Capital	0	0
Capital Contribution Subsidiaries	0	8,300,000
Proceeds From Sale Of Stock In Equity Method Investee	0
Mortgage servicing rights purchased	0	0
Acquisition of premises and equipment	0	0
Proceeds from sale of: [Abstract]
Premises and equipment	0	0
Proceeds from Sale of Other Productive Assets		0
Foreclosed assets	0	0
Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities	(20,967,000)	(17,286,000)
Net Increase Decrease In [Abstract]
Deposits	12,029,000	(8,661,000)
Federal funds purchased and assets sold under agreements to repurchase	(11,200,000)	0
Other short-term borrowings	28,181,000	26,000,000
Payments of notes payable	0	0
Proceeds From Notes Payable	0	0
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	0	0
Cash Dividends Paid To Parent Company	0	0
Dividends paid	0	0
Net Payments For Repurchase Of Common Stock	0	0
Proceeds From Contributions From Parent	0	(8,300,000)
Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities	29,010,000	9,039,000
Cash And Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease	8,043,000	(3,699,000)
Cash and due from banks at beginning of period	(10,967,000)	(1,916,000)
Cash and due from banks at end of period	$ (2,924,000)	$ (5,615,000)