Gross amount of goodwill and accumulated impairment losses by reportable segment and corporate group (Detail) - Entity [Domain] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill Gross	$ 669,846	$ 630,087		$ 812,168
Goodwill Impaired Accumulated Impairment Loss	164,411	164,411		164,411
Goodwill (net amounts)	505,435	465,676	$ 461,246	647,757
Banco Popular De Puerto Rico [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill Gross	251,133	250,109		245,679
Goodwill Impaired Accumulated Impairment Loss	0	0		0
Goodwill (net amounts)	251,133	250,109	245,679	245,679
Banco Popular North America [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill Gross	418,713	379,978		566,489
Goodwill Impaired Accumulated Impairment Loss	164,411	164,411		164,411
Goodwill (net amounts)	$ 254,302	$ 215,567	$ 215,567	$ 402,078