Loans in non-performing status and accruing loans past-due 90 days or more by loan class (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	$ 19,729		$ 1,092
Commercial Real Estate Construction Financing Receivable Member
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	0		0
Mortgages [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	14,669		489
Legacy [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	10		0
Consumer [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	4,623		0
Non Covered Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	621,945	[1]	597,948	[2]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	426,429	[1]	417,300	[2]
Non Covered Loans [Member] | Commercial Multi Family [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	4,630		25,838
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		0
Non Covered Loans [Member] | Commercial Real Estate Non Owner Occupied [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	50,588		84,372
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		0
Non Covered Loans [Member] | Commercial Real Estate Owner Occupied [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	127,811		106,948
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		0
Non Covered Loans [Member] | Commercial And Industrial Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	69,302		61,895
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	370		556
Non Covered Loans [Member] | Commercial Real Estate Construction Financing Receivable Member
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	19,148		23,771
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		0
Non Covered Loans [Member] | Mortgages [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	295,125	[3],[4]	232,681	[5],[6]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	406,673	[3],[4]	395,645	[5],[6]
Non Covered Loans [Member] | Finance Leases Portfolio Segment Member
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	3,168		3,495
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		0
Non Covered Loans [Member] | Legacy [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	5,648		15,050
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		0
Non Covered Loans [Member] | Consumer [Member] | Consumer Credit Card Financing Receivable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	490		486
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	18,772		20,313
Non Covered Loans [Member] | Consumer [Member] | Home Equity Line of Credit [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	3,069		8,632
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		147
Non Covered Loans [Member] | Consumer [Member] | Personal [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	27,118		18,645
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		54
Non Covered Loans [Member] | Consumer [Member] | Consumer Loans Auto Financing Receivable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	12,179		10,564
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		0
Non Covered Loans [Member] | Consumer [Member] | Consumer Other Financing Receivable Member
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	3,669		5,571
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	614		585
Non Covered Loans [Member] | PUERTO RICO
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	592,229	[1]	447,255	[2]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	426,429	[1]	417,300	[2]
Non Covered Loans [Member] | PUERTO RICO | Commercial Multi Family [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	2,529		4,944
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		0
Non Covered Loans [Member] | PUERTO RICO | Commercial Real Estate Non Owner Occupied [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	49,421		41,959
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		0
Non Covered Loans [Member] | PUERTO RICO | Commercial Real Estate Owner Occupied [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	125,656		83,441
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		0
Non Covered Loans [Member] | PUERTO RICO | Commercial And Industrial Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	66,819		55,753
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	370		556
Non Covered Loans [Member] | PUERTO RICO | Commercial Real Estate Construction Financing Receivable Member
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	19,148		18,108
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		0
Non Covered Loans [Member] | PUERTO RICO | Mortgages [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	283,433	[3],[4]	206,389	[5],[6]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	406,673	[3],[4]	395,645	[5],[6]
Non Covered Loans [Member] | PUERTO RICO | Finance Leases Portfolio Segment Member
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	3,168		3,495
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		0
Non Covered Loans [Member] | PUERTO RICO | Legacy [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	0		0
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		0
Non Covered Loans [Member] | PUERTO RICO | Consumer [Member] | Consumer Credit Card Financing Receivable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	0		0
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	18,772		20,313
Non Covered Loans [Member] | PUERTO RICO | Consumer [Member] | Home Equity Line of Credit [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	0		0
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		147
Non Covered Loans [Member] | PUERTO RICO | Consumer [Member] | Personal [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	26,207		17,054
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		54
Non Covered Loans [Member] | PUERTO RICO | Consumer [Member] | Consumer Loans Auto Financing Receivable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	12,179		10,562
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		0
Non Covered Loans [Member] | PUERTO RICO | Consumer [Member] | Consumer Other Financing Receivable Member
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	3,669		5,550
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	614		585
Non Covered Loans [Member] | UNITED STATES
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	29,716	[1]	150,693	[2]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0	[1]	0	[2]
Non Covered Loans [Member] | UNITED STATES | Commercial Multi Family [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	2,101		20,894
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		0
Non Covered Loans [Member] | UNITED STATES | Commercial Real Estate Non Owner Occupied [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	1,167		42,413
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		0
Non Covered Loans [Member] | UNITED STATES | Commercial Real Estate Owner Occupied [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	2,155		23,507
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		0
Non Covered Loans [Member] | UNITED STATES | Commercial And Industrial Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	2,483		6,142
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		0
Non Covered Loans [Member] | UNITED STATES | Commercial Real Estate Construction Financing Receivable Member
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	0		5,663
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		0
Non Covered Loans [Member] | UNITED STATES | Mortgages [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	11,692	[3],[4]	26,292	[5],[6]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0	[3],[4]	0	[5],[6]
Non Covered Loans [Member] | UNITED STATES | Finance Leases Portfolio Segment Member
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	0		0
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		0
Non Covered Loans [Member] | UNITED STATES | Legacy [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	5,648		15,050
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		0
Non Covered Loans [Member] | UNITED STATES | Consumer [Member] | Consumer Credit Card Financing Receivable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	490		486
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		0
Non Covered Loans [Member] | UNITED STATES | Consumer [Member] | Home Equity Line of Credit [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	3,069		8,632
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		0
Non Covered Loans [Member] | UNITED STATES | Consumer [Member] | Personal [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	911		1,591
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		0
Non Covered Loans [Member] | UNITED STATES | Consumer [Member] | Consumer Loans Auto Financing Receivable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	0		2
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		0
Non Covered Loans [Member] | UNITED STATES | Consumer [Member] | Consumer Other Financing Receivable Member
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	0		21
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	$ 0		$ 0

[1] For purposes of this table non-performing loans exclude $ 20 million in non-performing loans held-for-sale.

[2] For purposes of this table non-performing loans exclude $ 1 million in non-performing loans held-for-sale.

[3] It is the Corporation’s policy to report delinquent residential mortgage loans insured by FHA or guaranteed by the VA as accruing loans past due 90 days or more as opposed to non-performing since the principal repayment is insured. These balances include $125 million of residential mortgage loans in Puerto Rico insured by FHA or guaranteed by the VA that are no longer accruing interest as of September 30, 2014. Furthermore, the Corporation has approximately $64 million in reverse mortgage loans in Puerto Rico which are guaranteed by FHA, but which are currently not accruing interest. Due to the guaranteed nature of the loans, it is the Corporation’s policy to exclude these balances from non-performing assets.

[4] Non-covered loans of $57 million accounted for under ASC Subtopic 310-30 are excluded from the above table as they are considered to be performing due to the application of the accretion method, in which these loans will accrete interest income over the remaining life of the loans using estimated cash flow analysis.

[5] Non-covered loans by $43 million accounted for under ASC Subtopic 310-30 are excluded from the above table as they are considered to be performing due to the application of the accretion method, in which these loans will accrete interest income over the remaining life of the loans using estimated cash flow analysis.

[6] It is the Corporation’s policy to report delinquent residential mortgage loans insured by FHA or guaranteed by the VA as accruing loans past due 90 days or more as opposed to non-performing since the principal repayment is insured. These balances include $115 million of residential mortgage loans in Puerto Rico insured by FHA or guaranteed by the VA that are no longer accruing interest as of December 31, 2013. Furthermore, the Corporation has approximately $50 million in reverse mortgage loans in Puerto Rico which are guaranteed by FHA, but which are currently not accruing interest. Due to the guaranteed nature of the loans, it is the Corporation’s policy to exclude these balances from non-performing assets.