Selected Balance Sheet information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 35,624,840		$ 33,096,695
Deposits	27,273,689		24,807,535
PUERTO RICO
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	27,646,641		26,276,561
Loans	18,349,897		17,704,170
Deposits	21,395,931		20,365,445
UNITED STATES
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	6,850,262		5,689,604
Loans	4,504,157		3,568,564
Deposits	4,836,699		3,442,084
Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	1,127,937		1,130,530
Loans	776,030		780,483
Deposits	$ 1,041,059	[1]	$ 1,000,006	[1]

[1] Represents deposits from BPPR operations located in the US and British Virgin Islands.