Financial Data Pertaining to the Different Trusts (Detail) (Trust Preferred Securities Subject to Mandatory Redemption, USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011
BanPonce Trust I
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Capital securities	$ 52,865	[1],[2],[3]
Distribution rate	8.327	[1],[2],[3]
Common securities	1,637	[1],[2],[3]
Junior subordinated debentures aggregate liquidation amount	54,502	[1],[2],[3]
Stated maturity date	February 2027	[1],[2],[3]
Popular Capital Trust I
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Capital securities	181,063	[4],[5],[6]
Distribution rate	6.700	[4],[5],[6]
Common securities	5,601	[4],[5],[6]
Junior subordinated debentures aggregate liquidation amount	186,664	[4],[5],[6]
Stated maturity date	November 2033	[4],[5],[6]
Popular North America Capital Trust I
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Capital securities	91,651	[2],[3],[5]
Distribution rate	6.564	[2],[3],[5]
Common securities	2,835	[2],[3],[5]
Junior subordinated debentures aggregate liquidation amount	94,486	[2],[3],[5]
Stated maturity date	September 2034	[2],[3],[5]
Popular Capital Trust II
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Capital securities	101,023	[4],[5],[6]
Distribution rate	6.125	[4],[5],[6]
Common securities	3,125	[4],[5],[6]
Junior subordinated debentures aggregate liquidation amount	104,148	[4],[5],[6]
Stated maturity date	December 2034	[4],[5],[6]
Popular Capital Trust III
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Capital securities	935,000	[4],[6],[7],[8]
Distribution rate	5.000% until, but excluding December 5, and 2013 9.000% thereafter	[4],[6],[7],[8]
Common securities	1,000	[4],[6],[7],[8]
Junior subordinated debentures aggregate liquidation amount	$ 936,000	[4],[6],[7],[8]
Stated maturity date	Perpetual	[4],[6],[7],[8]

[1] Same as [5] above, except that the investment company event does not apply for early redemption.

[2] Statutory business trust that is wholly-owned by Popular North America ("PNA") and indirectly wholly-owned by the Corporation.

[3] The obligations of PNA under the junior subordinated debentures and its guarantees of the capital securities under the trust are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a subordinated basis by the Corporation to the extent set forth in the applicable guarantee agreement.

[4] Statutory business trust that is wholly-owned by the Corporation.

[5] The Corporation has the right, subject to any required prior approval from the Federal Reserve, to redeem after certain dates or upon the occurrence of certain events mentioned below, the junior subordinated debentures at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption. The maturity of the junior subordinated debentures may be shortened at the option of the Corporation prior to their stated maturity dates (i) on or after the stated optional redemption dates stipulated in the agreements, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, or (ii) in whole, but not in part, at any time within 90 days following the occurrence and during the continuation of a tax event, an investment company event or a capital treatment event as set forth in the indentures relating to the capital securities, in each case subject to regulatory approval.

[6] These capital securities are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a subordinated basis by the Corporation to the extent set forth in the applicable guarantee agreement.

[7] Carrying value of junior subordinates debentures of $457 million at June 30, 2011 ($936 million aggregate liquidation amount, net of $479 million discount) and $445 million at December 31, 2010 ($936 million aggregate liquidation amount, net of $491 million discount) and $434 million at June 30, 2010 ($936 million aggregate

[8] The debentures are perpetual and may be redeemed by Popular at any time, subject to the consent of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.