Carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segments and Corporate group (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014 Segment, Discontinued Operations [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Segment, Discontinued Operations [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Segment, Discontinued Operations [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Segment, Discontinued Operations [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Banco Popular De Puerto Rico [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Banco Popular De Puerto Rico [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Banco Popular North America [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Banco Popular North America [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Beginning Balance		$ 647,757	$ 647,757					$ 245,679	$ 245,679	$ 402,078	$ 402,078
Goodwil, Acquired During Period		0	0					0	0	0	0
Goodwill Purchase Accounting Adjustments		0	0					0	0	0	0
Goodwill Written Off Related To Business Unit To Be Disposed	186,500			0	0	186,511	0	0		(186,511)
Other		0	0					0	0	0	0
Ending Balance		$ 461,246	$ 647,757					$ 245,679	$ 245,679	$ 215,567	$ 402,078