Goodwill and other intangible assets - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended			3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014 Segment, Discontinued Operations [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 Segment, Discontinued Operations [Member]	Jun. 30, 2014 Segment, Discontinued Operations [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 Segment, Discontinued Operations [Member]	Jun. 30, 2014 Segment, Continuing Operations [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 Segment, Continuing Operations [Member]	Jun. 30, 2014 Segment, Continuing Operations [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 Segment, Continuing Operations [Member]	Jun. 30, 2014 Banco Popular North America [Member]
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets	$ 6,000,000		$ 6,000,000
Amortization Of Intangible Assets	5,007,000	4,935,000						2,025,000	1,989,000	4,051,000	3,979,000
Approximate Amount												197,000,000
Goodwill Written Off Related To Business Unit To Be Disposed				$ 186,511,000	$ 0	$ 186,511,000	$ 0