Note Stock-based compensation - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Thousands	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Award Vesting Period				10 years
Employee Service Share Based Compensation Nonvested Awards Total Compensation Cost Not Yet Recognized	$ 9,700,000			$ 9,700,000
Employee Service Share Based Compensation Nonvested Awards Total Compensation Cost Not Yet Recognized Period For Recognition				2 years 4 months
Stock Option Plan Expense	0	$ 0		$ 0	$ 0
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Intrinsic Value	$ 0	$ 0		0	0
Adjustments To Additional Paid In Capital Sharebased Compensation And Exercise Of Stock Options				$ (29,000)	$ 171,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Expirations in Period			44,797	0
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Expirations In Period Weighted Average Exercise Price			$ 272
Employee Stock Option
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Rights				all options granted are 20% exercisable after the first year and an additional 20% is exercisable after each subsequent year, subject to an acceleration clause at termination of employment due to retirement.
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]
Nonrecognized Windfall				$ 87,000
Windfall Net Of Shortfall				$ 100,000
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) | TARP Interim Final Rule
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Rights				Under the Incentive Plan, the Corporation has issued restricted shares, which become vested based on the employees’ continued service with Popular. Unless otherwise stated in an agreement, the compensation cost associated with the shares of restricted stock is determined based on a two-prong vesting schedule. The first part is vested ratably over five years commencing at the date of grant and the second part is vested at termination of employment after attainment of 55 years of age and 10 years of service. The five-year vesting part is accelerated at termination of employment after attaining 55 years of age and 10 years of service. The vesting schedule for restricted shares granted on 2014 and thereafter was modified as follows, the first part ratably over four years commencing at the date of the grant and the second part is vested at termination of employment after attaining the earlier of 55 years of age and 10 years of service or 60 years of age and 5 years of service. The four year vesting part is accelerated at termination of employment after attaining the earlier of 55 years of age and 10 years of service or 60 years of age and 5 years of service. The restricted shares granted consistent with the requirements of the TARP Interim Final Rule vest in two years from grant date.
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) | Executive Officers
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Grants In Period	118,390	231,830		279,890	231,830
Restricted Stock Expense	$ 1,900,000	$ 5,500,000		$ 5,600,000	$ 7,400,000
Employee Service Share Based Compensation Tax Benefit From Compensation Expense	$ 400,000	$ 800,000		1,000,000	$ 1,100,000
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Vested In Period Total Fair Value				6,500,000
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) | Executive Officers | Share Vesting On Grant Date
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Vested In Period Total Fair Value				$ 6,800,000
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) | Executive Officers | TARP Interim Final Rule
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Grants In Period	0			0	0
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) | Directors
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Grants In Period	38,179	15,386		40,517	18,029	22,119
Restricted Stock Expense	$ 300,000	$ 100,000		$ 500,000	$ 300,000
Employee Service Share Based Compensation Tax Benefit From Compensation Expense	$ 32,000	$ 18,000		53,000	$ 34,000
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Vested In Period Total Fair Value				$ 1,200,000
Performance Based Shares | Executive Officers
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Grants In Period	64,598	91,984		64,598	91,984
Restricted Stock Expense	$ 100,000	$ 2,000,000		$ 1,200,000	$ 2,000,000
Employee Service Share Based Compensation Tax Benefit From Compensation Expense	$ 11,000	$ 200,000		$ 100,000	$ 200,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Rights				The number of shares that will ultimately vest ranges from 50% to a 150% of target based on both market (TSR) and performance (EPS) conditions. The performance shares vest at the end of the three-year performance cycle. The vesting is accelerated at termination of employment after attaining the earlier of 55 years of age and 10 years of service or 60 years of age and 5 years of service.