Investment in Receivable Portfolios, Net - Summary of Accretable Yield and an Estimate of Zero Basis Future Cash Flows (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Investment in Receivables Portfolio [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 3,270,671	$ 3,059,713
Revenue recognized, net	(270,094)	(264,110)
Net additions on existing portfolios	47,609	268,221
Additions for current purchases, net	193,654	85,907
Effect of foreign currency translation	(63,860)	(108,100)
Balance at end of period	3,177,980	3,041,631
Accretable Yield [Member]
Investment in Receivables Portfolio [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	3,047,640	2,993,321
Revenue recognized, net	(238,547)	(248,539)
Net additions on existing portfolios	39,538	228,560
Additions for current purchases, net	193,654	85,907
Effect of foreign currency translation	(64,330)	(108,046)
Balance at end of period	2,977,955	2,951,203
Estimate of Zero Basis Cash Flows [Member]
Investment in Receivables Portfolio [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	223,031	66,392
Revenue recognized, net	(31,547)	(15,571)
Net additions on existing portfolios	8,071	39,661
Additions for current purchases, net	0	0
Effect of foreign currency translation	470	(54)
Balance at end of period	$ 200,025	$ 90,428