Note Stockholders' equity - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]
Puerto Rico Laws Restrictions On Banks Net Income			a minimum of 10% of BPPR’s net income
Equity Restrictions	$ 495,000		$ 495,000		$ 495,000
Transfers To Statutory Reserve	0	$ 0	0	$ 0
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash	$ 15,600		$ 31,102
Common Stock Dividends Per Share Declared	$ 0.15	$ 0	$ 0.3	$ 0
Dividend Payable Date To Be Paid Day Month And Year	Jul. 01, 2016
Dividends Payable Date Of Record Day Month And Year	Jun. 10, 2016