Geographic Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2010		Jun. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2010
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 498,702	[1]	$ 513,422	[1]	$ 1,006,429	[1]	$ 940,205	[1]
PUERTO RICO
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	387,091	[1]	397,087	[1]	783,340	[1]	705,667	[1]
UNITED STATES
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	87,809	[1]	87,334	[1]	176,213	[1]	176,972	[1]
Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 23,802	[1]	$ 29,001	[1]	$ 46,876	[1]	$ 57,566	[1]

[1] Total revenues include net interest income, service charges on deposit accounts, other service fees, net gain on sale and valuation adjustments of investment securities, trading account profit, net gain on sale of loans and valuation adjustments on loans held-for-sale, adjustments to indemnity reserves on loans sold, FDIC loss share income, fair value change in equity appreciation instrument and other operating income.