Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations (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
Interest Expense Abstract
Provision for loan losses			$ 215,378	$ 545,927
Adjustments To Indemnity Reserves On Loans Sold			(27,281)	(30,162)
Noninterest Expense Abstract
Taxes Other			31,800
Amortization of intangibles			7,351	7,403
Equity in undistributed earnings (losses) of subsidiaries			0	0
Net Income	62,573	229,135	(362,332)	436,296
Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax	42,797	198,168	(323,654)	282,158
Restructuring Charges Member
Noninterest Expense Abstract
Labor And Related Expense	6,194		9,824
Occupancy Net	152		423
Equipment Expense	141		331
Professional fees	1,431		1,879
Other operating expenses	372		407
Segment, Continuing Operations [Member]
Interest And Dividend Income Operating Abstract
Dividend income from subsidiaries	0	0	0	0
Loans	362,592	366,267	1,121,180	1,097,081
Money market investments	1,007	848	3,111	2,632
Investment securities	33,154	33,561	102,270	107,490
Trading account securities	4,446	5,242	15,047	16,212
Total interest income	401,199	405,918	1,241,608	1,223,415
Interest Expense Abstract
Deposits	26,533	29,115	79,614	96,176
Short-term borrowings	28,955	9,563	46,887	29,111
Interest Expense Long Term Debt	19,290	36,228	496,896	108,061
Total interest expense	74,778	74,906	623,397	233,348
Net interest income	326,421	331,012	618,211	990,067
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	245,792	264,864	396,068	442,795
Fees And Commissions Depositor Accounts	40,585	40,517	119,181	123,056
Other service fees	54,839	57,041	164,125	169,264
Mortgage banking activities	14,402	18,892	21,868	57,270
Sale and valuation adjustments of investment securities	(1,763)	0	(1,763)	5,856
Trading account profit	740	(6,607)	3,772	(11,936)
Net gain on sale of loans, including valuation adjustments on loans held-for-sale	15,593	2,374	29,645	(56,054)
Adjustments To Indemnity Reserves On Loans Sold	(9,480)	(2,387)	(27,281)	(30,162)
F D I C Loss Share Income	(4,864)	(14,866)	(84,331)	(44,887)
Fair value change in equity appreciation instrument	0	0	0	0
Noninterest Income Other Operating Income	14,278	191,745	57,935	393,330
Total non-interest income	124,330	286,709	283,151	605,737
Noninterest Expense Abstract
Labor And Related Expense	104,542	108,352	307,943	322,292
Occupancy Net	21,203	21,386	62,830	62,937
Equipment Expense	12,370	11,387	35,826	34,492
Taxes Other	15,369	17,680	42,575	44,433
Professional fees	67,649	69,237	201,672	203,989
Communication	6,455	6,290	19,565	19,236
Marketing And Advertising Expense	13,062	14,809	40,486	42,751
FDIC deposit insurance	9,511	15,143	30,969	42,056
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	0	3,388	0	3,388
Other Real Estate Owned Expense Net Of Gain Loss On Sale Or Disposition	19,745	16,632	29,595	70,156
Other operating expenses	30,418	21,998	73,276	65,682
Amortization of intangibles	2,026	1,990	6,077	5,969
Total operating expenses	310,640	308,292	863,678	917,381
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax	59,482	243,281	(184,459)	131,151
Income tax expense	26,667	17,768	45,807	(276,489)
Income Loss Before Equity In Undistributed Earnings Of Subsidiaries	32,815	225,513	(230,266)	407,640
Equity in undistributed earnings (losses) of subsidiaries	0	0	0	0
Income (loss) from continuing operations	32,815	225,513	(230,266)	407,640
Segment, Continuing Operations [Member] | Restructuring Charges Member
Noninterest Expense Abstract
Restructuring Charges	8,290	0	12,864	0
Segment, Continuing Operations [Member] | Non Covered Under Loss Sharing Agreements With F D I C [Member]
Interest Expense Abstract
Provision for loan losses	68,166	48,715	172,362	486,783
Segment, Continuing Operations [Member] | Covered Under Loss Sharing Agreements With F D I C [Member]
Interest Expense Abstract
Provision for loan losses	12,463	17,433	49,781	60,489
Segment, Discontinued Operations [Member]
Interest Expense Abstract
Net interest income	16,022	23,195	56,911	66,172
Provision for loan losses	0	6,515	(6,764)	(1,345)
Noninterest Income Other Operating Income	6,567,000	5,250,000	26,488,000	13,642,000
Total non-interest income	32,342,000	5,250,000	52,263,000	13,642,000
Noninterest Expense Abstract
Labor And Related Expense	11,941	8,487	32,910	25,215
Occupancy Net	(1,305)	3,325	5,871	9,355
Professional fees	4,916	2,802	13,612	8,511
Other operating expenses	3,054	3,694	9,100	9,422
Total operating expenses	18,606,000	18,308,000	248,004,000	52,503,000
Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax	29,758	3,622	(132,066)	28,656
Popular, Inc. Holding Co.
Interest Expense Abstract
Provision for loan losses			(195)	32
Adjustments To Indemnity Reserves On Loans Sold			0	0
Noninterest Expense Abstract
Amortization of intangibles			0	0
Equity in undistributed earnings (losses) of subsidiaries			113,176	144,498
Net Income	62,573	229,135	(362,332)	436,296
Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax	42,797	198,168	(323,654)	282,158
Popular, Inc. Holding Co. | Segment, Continuing Operations [Member]
Interest And Dividend Income Operating Abstract
Dividend income from subsidiaries	0	0	0	0
Loans	103	416	1,163	3,342
Money market investments	5	27	17	113
Investment securities	144	3,091	475	10,634
Trading account securities	0	0	0	0
Total interest income	252	3,534	1,655	14,089
Interest Expense Abstract
Deposits	0	0	0	0
Short-term borrowings	0	0	0	0
Interest Expense Long Term Debt	13,337	25,455	479,524	75,312
Total interest expense	13,337	25,455	479,524	75,312
Net interest income	(13,085)	(21,921)	(477,869)	(61,223)
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	(13,066)	(21,973)	(477,674)	(61,255)
Fees And Commissions Depositor Accounts	0	0	0	0
Other service fees	0	0	0	0
Mortgage banking activities	0	0	0	0
Sale and valuation adjustments of investment securities	0	0	0	5,856
Trading account profit	(33)	64	40	134
Net gain on sale of loans, including valuation adjustments on loans held-for-sale	0	0	0	0
Adjustments To Indemnity Reserves On Loans Sold	0	0	0	0
F D I C Loss Share Income	0	0	0	0
Fair value change in equity appreciation instrument	0	0	0	0
Noninterest Income Other Operating Income	2,792	178,946	9,301	345,818
Total non-interest income	2,759	179,010	9,341	351,808
Noninterest Expense Abstract
Labor And Related Expense	9,151	8,012	25,661	23,152
Occupancy Net	1,029	903	2,974	2,649
Equipment Expense	980	1,049	3,000	3,113
Taxes Other	840	113	1,200	280
Professional fees	3,169	4,120	8,481	9,814
Communication	138	120	387	323
Marketing And Advertising Expense	378	385	1,228	1,254
FDIC deposit insurance	0	0	0	0
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	0	0	0	0
Other Real Estate Owned Expense Net Of Gain Loss On Sale Or Disposition	0	0	0	0
Other operating expenses	(14,976)	(15,305)	(43,995)	(40,654)
Amortization of intangibles	0	0	0	0
Restructuring Charges	0		0
Total operating expenses	709	(603)	(1,064)	(69)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax	(11,016)	157,640	(467,269)	290,622
Income tax expense	89	(4,797)	8,239	(1,176)
Income Loss Before Equity In Undistributed Earnings Of Subsidiaries	(11,105)	162,437	(475,508)	291,798
Equity in undistributed earnings (losses) of subsidiaries	43,920	63,076	245,242	115,842
Income (loss) from continuing operations	32,815	225,513	(230,266)	407,640
Popular, Inc. Holding Co. | Segment, Continuing Operations [Member] | Non Covered Under Loss Sharing Agreements With F D I C [Member]
Interest Expense Abstract
Provision for loan losses	(19)	52	(195)	32
Popular, Inc. Holding Co. | Segment, Continuing Operations [Member] | Covered Under Loss Sharing Agreements With F D I C [Member]
Interest Expense Abstract
Provision for loan losses	0	0	0	0
Popular, Inc. Holding Co. | Segment, Discontinued Operations [Member]
Noninterest Expense Abstract
Equity in undistributed earnings (losses) of subsidiaries	29,758	3,622	(132,066)	28,656
Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax	0	0	0	0
PNA Holding Co.
Interest Expense Abstract
Provision for loan losses			0	0
Adjustments To Indemnity Reserves On Loans Sold			0	0
Noninterest Expense Abstract
Amortization of intangibles			0	0
Equity in undistributed earnings (losses) of subsidiaries			(81,156)	59,718
Net Income	13,356	8,348	(90,397)	37,984
Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax	4,510	3,393	(75,501)	(18,572)
PNA Holding Co. | Segment, Continuing Operations [Member]
Interest And Dividend Income Operating Abstract
Dividend income from subsidiaries	0	0	0	0
Loans	0	0	0	0
Money market investments	1	1	6	3
Investment securities	81	81	242	242
Trading account securities	0	0	0	0
Total interest income	82	82	248	245
Interest Expense Abstract
Deposits	0	0	0	0
Short-term borrowings	33	81	339	81
Interest Expense Long Term Debt	2,707	7,028	8,120	21,542
Total interest expense	2,740	7,109	8,459	21,623
Net interest income	(2,658)	(7,027)	(8,211)	(21,378)
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	(2,658)	(7,027)	(8,211)	(21,378)
Fees And Commissions Depositor Accounts	0	0	0	0
Other service fees	0	0	0	0
Mortgage banking activities	0	0	0	0
Sale and valuation adjustments of investment securities	0	0	0	0
Trading account profit	0	0	0	0
Net gain on sale of loans, including valuation adjustments on loans held-for-sale	0	0	0	0
Adjustments To Indemnity Reserves On Loans Sold	0	0	0	0
F D I C Loss Share Income	0	0	0	0
Fair value change in equity appreciation instrument	0	0	0	0
Noninterest Income Other Operating Income	1,058	578	371	3,427
Total non-interest income	1,058	578	371	3,427
Noninterest Expense Abstract
Labor And Related Expense	0	0	0	0
Occupancy Net	0	0	0	2
Equipment Expense	0	0	0	0
Taxes Other	0	0	0	0
Professional fees	312	23	1,075	68
Communication	0	0	0	0
Marketing And Advertising Expense	0	0	0	0
FDIC deposit insurance	0	0	0	0
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	0	3,388	0	3,388
Other Real Estate Owned Expense Net Of Gain Loss On Sale Or Disposition	0	0	0	0
Other operating expenses	109	108	326	325
Amortization of intangibles	0	0	0	0
Restructuring Charges	0		0
Total operating expenses	421	3,519	1,401	3,783
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax	(2,021)	(9,968)	(9,241)	(21,734)
Income tax expense	0	0	0	0
Income Loss Before Equity In Undistributed Earnings Of Subsidiaries	(2,021)	(9,968)	(9,241)	(21,734)
Equity in undistributed earnings (losses) of subsidiaries	(14,381)	14,694	50,910	31,062
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(16,402)	4,726	41,669	9,328
PNA Holding Co. | Segment, Continuing Operations [Member] | Non Covered Under Loss Sharing Agreements With F D I C [Member]
Interest Expense Abstract
Provision for loan losses	0	0	0	0
PNA Holding Co. | Segment, Continuing Operations [Member] | Covered Under Loss Sharing Agreements With F D I C [Member]
Interest Expense Abstract
Provision for loan losses	0	0	0	0
PNA Holding Co. | Segment, Discontinued Operations [Member]
Noninterest Expense Abstract
Equity in undistributed earnings (losses) of subsidiaries	29,758	3,622	(132,066)	28,656
Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax	0	0	0	0
Other Subsidiaries
Interest Expense Abstract
Provision for loan losses			215,573	545,895
Adjustments To Indemnity Reserves On Loans Sold			(27,281)	(30,162)
Noninterest Expense Abstract
Amortization of intangibles			7,351	7,403
Equity in undistributed earnings (losses) of subsidiaries			0	0
Net Income	75,318	76,242	121,992	165,732
Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax	55,418	45,299	161,632	13,013
Other Subsidiaries | Segment, Continuing Operations [Member]
Interest And Dividend Income Operating Abstract
Dividend income from subsidiaries	0	0	0	0
Loans	362,569	366,248	1,121,116	1,094,523
Money market investments	1,005	847	3,108	2,630
Investment securities	32,929	33,301	101,553	105,350
Trading account securities	4,446	5,242	15,047	16,212
Total interest income	400,949	405,638	1,240,824	1,218,715
Interest Expense Abstract
Deposits	26,534	29,116	79,620	96,179
Short-term borrowings	29,005	9,905	47,661	29,925
Interest Expense Long Term Debt	3,246	6,657	9,252	19,943
Total interest expense	58,785	45,678	136,533	146,047
Net interest income	342,164	359,960	1,104,291	1,072,668
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	261,516	293,864	881,953	525,428
Fees And Commissions Depositor Accounts	40,585	40,517	119,181	123,056
Other service fees	54,894	57,093	165,498	170,715
Mortgage banking activities	14,402	18,892	21,868	57,270
Sale and valuation adjustments of investment securities	(1,763)	0	(1,763)	0
Trading account profit	773	(6,671)	3,732	(12,070)
Net gain on sale of loans, including valuation adjustments on loans held-for-sale	15,593	2,374	29,645	(56,054)
Adjustments To Indemnity Reserves On Loans Sold	(9,480)	(2,387)	(27,281)	(30,162)
F D I C Loss Share Income	(4,864)	(14,866)	(84,331)	(44,887)
Fair value change in equity appreciation instrument	0	0	0	0
Noninterest Income Other Operating Income	10,430	12,221	48,265	44,085
Total non-interest income	120,570	107,173	274,814	251,953
Noninterest Expense Abstract
Labor And Related Expense	95,391	100,340	282,282	299,140
Occupancy Net	20,174	20,483	59,856	60,286
Equipment Expense	11,390	10,338	32,826	31,379
Taxes Other	14,529	17,567	41,375	44,153
Professional fees	64,224	65,146	192,293	194,274
Communication	6,317	6,170	19,178	18,913
Marketing And Advertising Expense	12,684	14,424	39,258	41,497
FDIC deposit insurance	9,511	15,143	30,969	42,056
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	0	0	0	0
Other Real Estate Owned Expense Net Of Gain Loss On Sale Or Disposition	19,745	16,632	29,595	70,156
Other operating expenses	45,909	37,842	118,840	107,911
Amortization of intangibles	2,026	1,990	6,077	5,969
Restructuring Charges	8,290		12,864
Total operating expenses	310,190	306,075	865,413	915,734
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax	71,896	94,962	291,354	(138,353)
Income tax expense	26,336	22,342	37,296	(275,429)
Income Loss Before Equity In Undistributed Earnings Of Subsidiaries	45,560	72,620	254,058	137,076
Equity in undistributed earnings (losses) of subsidiaries	0	0	0	0
Income (loss) from continuing operations	45,560	72,620	254,058	137,076
Other Subsidiaries | Segment, Continuing Operations [Member] | Non Covered Under Loss Sharing Agreements With F D I C [Member]
Interest Expense Abstract
Provision for loan losses	68,185	48,663	172,557	486,751
Other Subsidiaries | Segment, Continuing Operations [Member] | Covered Under Loss Sharing Agreements With F D I C [Member]
Interest Expense Abstract
Provision for loan losses	12,463	17,433	49,781	60,489
Other Subsidiaries | Segment, Discontinued Operations [Member]
Noninterest Expense Abstract
Equity in undistributed earnings (losses) of subsidiaries	0	0	0	0
Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax	29,758	3,622	(132,066)	28,656
Elimination
Interest Expense Abstract
Provision for loan losses			0	0
Adjustments To Indemnity Reserves On Loans Sold			0	0
Noninterest Expense Abstract
Amortization of intangibles			0	0
Equity in undistributed earnings (losses) of subsidiaries			(32,020)	(204,216)
Net Income	(88,674)	(84,590)	(31,595)	(203,716)
Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax	(59,928)	(48,692)	(86,131)	5,559
Elimination | Segment, Continuing Operations [Member]
Interest And Dividend Income Operating Abstract
Dividend income from subsidiaries	0	0	0	0
Loans	(80)	(397)	(1,099)	(784)
Money market investments	(4)	(27)	(20)	(114)
Investment securities	0	(2,912)	0	(8,736)
Trading account securities	0	0	0	0
Total interest income	(84)	(3,336)	(1,119)	(9,634)
Interest Expense Abstract
Deposits	(1)	(1)	(6)	(3)
Short-term borrowings	(83)	(423)	(1,113)	(895)
Interest Expense Long Term Debt	0	(2,912)	0	(8,736)
Total interest expense	(84)	(3,336)	(1,119)	(9,634)
Net interest income	0	0	0	0
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	0	0	0	0
Fees And Commissions Depositor Accounts	0	0	0	0
Other service fees	(55)	(52)	(1,373)	(1,451)
Mortgage banking activities	0	0	0	0
Sale and valuation adjustments of investment securities	0	0	0	0
Trading account profit	0	0	0	0
Net gain on sale of loans, including valuation adjustments on loans held-for-sale	0	0	0	0
Adjustments To Indemnity Reserves On Loans Sold	0	0	0	0
F D I C Loss Share Income	0	0	0	0
Fair value change in equity appreciation instrument	0	0	0	0
Noninterest Income Other Operating Income	(2)	0	(2)	0
Total non-interest income	(57)	(52)	(1,375)	(1,451)
Noninterest Expense Abstract
Labor And Related Expense	0	0	0	0
Occupancy Net	0	0	0	0
Equipment Expense	0	0	0	0
Taxes Other	0	0	0	0
Professional fees	(56)	(52)	(177)	(167)
Communication	0	0	0	0
Marketing And Advertising Expense	0	0	0	0
FDIC deposit insurance	0	0	0	0
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	0	0	0	0
Other Real Estate Owned Expense Net Of Gain Loss On Sale Or Disposition	0	0	0	0
Other operating expenses	(624)	(647)	(1,895)	(1,900)
Amortization of intangibles	0	0	0	0
Restructuring Charges	0		0
Total operating expenses	(680)	(699)	(2,072)	(2,067)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax	623	647	697	616
Income tax expense	242	223	272	116
Income Loss Before Equity In Undistributed Earnings Of Subsidiaries	381	424	425	500
Equity in undistributed earnings (losses) of subsidiaries	(29,539)	(77,770)	(296,152)	(146,904)
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(29,158)	(77,346)	(295,727)	(146,404)
Elimination | Segment, Continuing Operations [Member] | Non Covered Under Loss Sharing Agreements With F D I C [Member]
Interest Expense Abstract
Provision for loan losses	0	0	0	0
Elimination | Segment, Continuing Operations [Member] | Covered Under Loss Sharing Agreements With F D I C [Member]
Interest Expense Abstract
Provision for loan losses	0	0	0	0
Elimination | Segment, Discontinued Operations [Member]
Noninterest Expense Abstract
Equity in undistributed earnings (losses) of subsidiaries	(59,516)	(7,244)	264,132	(57,312)
Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0