FDIC Indemnification Asset (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Fdic Indemnification Asset Details 1
Balance, beginning	$ 121,677
Increase related to unfavorable changes in loss estimates	14,493
Increase related to reimbursable expenses	5,097
Cash received	(25,116)	(59,411)
Accretion of loan discount	(8,364)
Other	(172)
Balance, ending	$ 107,615	$ 120,950

Decrease to the indemnification asset due to other activity with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).

No definition available.

Name:	FBP_FDICIndeminficationAssetOtherActivity
Namespace Prefix:	FBP_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Decrease to the indemnification asset due to accretion of the loan discount relating to loss sharing agreements with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	FBP_FDICIndemnificationAssetAccretionOfDiscount1
Namespace Prefix:	FBP_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	FBP_FdicIndemnificationAssetDetails1Abstract
Namespace Prefix:	FBP_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Change in carrying amount of the indemnification asset relating to reimburseable expenses related to loss sharing agreements with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	FBP_FDICIndemnificationAssetIncreaseRelatedToReimbursableExpenses
Namespace Prefix:	FBP_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Carrying amount of receivable assets originating from the indemnification agreement with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), in which the FDIC is to partially cover losses.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FDICIndemnificationAsset
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of increases to the indemnification asset due to additional estimated losses assumed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), relating to loss sharing agreements with the FDIC.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FDICIndemnificationAssetAdditionalEstimatedLosses
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of decreases to the indemnification asset due to cash payments received relating to loss sharing agreements with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FDICIndemnificationAssetCashPaymentsReceived
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration