Income taxes - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Income Taxes
Valuation allowance	$ 515,169,000		$ 515,169,000		$ 499,975,000
Net deferred tax assets (net of valuation allowance)	913,575,000		913,575,000		886,353,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits Interest On Income Taxes Accrued	4,700,000		4,700,000		3,500,000
Income Tax Examination Penalties Accrued	0		0		0
Unrecognized Tax Benefits That Would Impact Effective Tax Rate	11,600,000		11,600,000		10,500,000
Significant Change In Unrecognized Tax Benefits Is Reasonably Possible Amount Of Unrecorded Benefit	2,200,000		2,200,000
Recognized Tax Benefits Current Interest On Income Taxes Accrued			1,300,000	$ 287,000
Income tax expense	24,628,000	$ 40,330,000	27,725,000	90,553,000
Other assets
Income Taxes
Net deferred tax assets (net of valuation allowance)	900,000,000		900,000,000		900,000,000
Other liabilities
Income Taxes
Net deferred tax liabilities	1,400,000		1,400,000		1,400,000
Popular, Inc Holding Co
Income Taxes
Valuation allowance	108,000,000		108,000,000
PUERTO RICO
Income Taxes
Valuation allowance	108,250,000		108,250,000		100,175,000
Net deferred tax assets (net of valuation allowance)	600,000,000		600,000,000
Income tax expense	24,628,000	$ 40,330,000	27,725,000	$ 90,553,000
UNITED STATES
Income Taxes
Valuation allowance	406,919,000		406,919,000		$ 399,800,000
Net deferred tax assets (net of valuation allowance)	312,000,000		312,000,000
Deferred Tax Assets	$ 719,000,000		$ 719,000,000