Carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segments and Corporate group (Detail) - Entity [Domain] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Goodwill [Line Items]
Beginning Balance			$ 465,676	$ 647,757
Goodwil, Acquired During Period			42,634	0
Goodwill Purchase Accounting Adjustments			(2,875)	0
Goodwill Written Off Related To Business Unit To Be Disposed				(186,511)
Other			0	0
Ending Balance	$ 505,435	$ 461,246	505,435	461,246
Segment, Discontinued Operations [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill Written Off Related To Business Unit To Be Disposed	0	186,511	0	186,511
Banco Popular De Puerto Rico [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Beginning Balance			250,109	245,679
Goodwil, Acquired During Period			3,899	0
Goodwill Purchase Accounting Adjustments			(2,875)	0
Goodwill Written Off Related To Business Unit To Be Disposed				0
Other			0	0
Ending Balance	251,133	245,679	251,133	245,679
Banco Popular North America [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Beginning Balance			215,567	402,078
Goodwil, Acquired During Period			38,735	0
Goodwill Purchase Accounting Adjustments			0	0
Goodwill Written Off Related To Business Unit To Be Disposed				(186,511)
Other			0	0
Ending Balance	$ 254,302	$ 215,567	$ 254,302	$ 215,567