Investment in Receivable Portfolios, Net - Summary of Accretable Yield and an Estimate of Zero Basis Future Cash Flows (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands			12 Months Ended
	Aug. 06, 2014	Feb. 07, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer Not Accounted for as Debt Securities, Accretable Yield and Estimate of Zero Basis Future Cash Flows Movement Schedule [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			$ 3,059,713	$ 2,399,936
Revenue recognized, net			(1,072,436)	(992,832)	$ (744,870)
Net additions on existing portfolios			529,965	432,579
Additions for current purchases			846,632	1,332,121
Effect of foreign currency translation			(93,203)	(112,091)
Ending balance			3,270,671	3,059,713	2,399,936
Purchase price of receivable portfolios			1,023,722	1,251,360	1,204,779
Marlin [Member]
Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer Not Accounted for as Debt Securities, Accretable Yield and Estimate of Zero Basis Future Cash Flows Movement Schedule [Roll Forward]
Purchase price of receivable portfolios		$ 208,500
Atlantic Credit & Finance [Member]
Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer Not Accounted for as Debt Securities, Accretable Yield and Estimate of Zero Basis Future Cash Flows Movement Schedule [Roll Forward]
Purchase price of receivable portfolios	$ 105,400
Accretable Yield [Member]
Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer Not Accounted for as Debt Securities, Accretable Yield and Estimate of Zero Basis Future Cash Flows Movement Schedule [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			2,993,321	2,391,471
Revenue recognized, net			(964,225)	(958,332)
Net additions on existing portfolios			263,713	340,152
Additions for current purchases			846,632	1,332,121
Effect of foreign currency translation			(91,801)	(112,091)
Ending balance			3,047,640	2,993,321	2,391,471
Estimate of Zero Basis Cash Flows [Member]
Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer Not Accounted for as Debt Securities, Accretable Yield and Estimate of Zero Basis Future Cash Flows Movement Schedule [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			66,392	8,465
Revenue recognized, net			(108,211)	(34,500)
Net additions on existing portfolios			266,252	92,427
Additions for current purchases			0	0
Effect of foreign currency translation			(1,402)	0
Ending balance			$ 223,031	$ 66,392	$ 8,465