Note Segment reporting (Geographic information) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Revenue	[1]	$ 491,272	$ 471,054	$ 969,239	$ 935,096
PUERTO RICO
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Revenue	[1]	394,086	384,902	778,534	764,938
UNITED STATES
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Revenue	[1]	78,283	67,543	153,126	132,183
Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Revenue	[1]	$ 18,903	$ 18,609	$ 37,579	$ 37,975

[1] Total revenues include net interest income (expense) , service charges on deposit accounts, other service fees, mortgage banking activities, net gain (loss) and valuation adjustments on investment securities, trading account (loss) profit, net (loss) gain on sale of loans and valuation adjustments on loans held-for-sale, adjustments to indemnity reserves on loans sold, FDIC loss share ( expense ) income and other operating income .