Note Commitments and contingencies (Legal Proceedings) - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($)
RadioShack ERISA litigation \| Banco Popular de Puerto Rico
Legal Matters And Contingencies [Line Items]
Payments For Legal Settlements	$ 45
Multiple Arbitration Proceedings Against Popular Securities And Two Other PR Broker Dealers \| Popular Securities
Legal Matters And Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency Aggregate Claims Damages Sought	140,000
Loss Contingency Claim Of One Single Arbitration Case	78,000
Minimum
Legal Matters And Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency Range Of Possible Loss Portion Not Accrued	0
Maximum
Legal Matters And Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency Range Of Possible Loss Portion Not Accrued	$ 37,600

Legal Matters And Contingencies [Line Items]

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- Definition

The aggregate claimed damages that the plaintiffs seek in legal matters.

+ References

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- Definition

Claimed damages in a particular legal matter in which broker dealers in Puerto Rico including Popular Securities are co-defendants.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

The difference between the maximum amount of estimated loss and the amount recorded as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section 05
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6395354&loc=d3e12631-108344

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- Definition

The amount of cash paid for the settlement of litigation or for other legal issues during the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 25
-Subparagraph (g)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3536-108585

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