Geographic information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Revenue	$ 450,751	[1]	$ 617,721	[1]	$ 901,362	[1]	$ 1,595,804	[1]
PUERTO RICO
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Revenue	384,805	[1]	540,721	[1]	661,565	[1]	1,378,361	[1]
UNITED STATES
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Revenue	47,519	[1]	57,504	[1]	174,994	[1]	157,955	[1]
Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Revenue	$ 18,427	[1]	$ 19,496	[1]	$ 64,803	[1]	$ 59,488	[1]

[1] Total revenues include net interest income (expense), 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.