Selected Balance Sheet Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands	Jun. 30, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Jun. 30, 2010
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 39,013,342		$ 38,722,962		$ 42,347,839
Deposits	27,960,429		26,762,200		27,113,573
PUERTO RICO
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	28,711,644		28,464,243		31,111,794
Loans	18,708,521		18,729,654		18,858,989
Deposits	20,393,713		19,149,753		18,784,350
UNITED STATES
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	9,041,616		9,087,737		9,974,846
Loans	6,240,633		6,978,007		7,921,222
Deposits	6,443,794		6,566,710		7,250,120
Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	1,260,082		1,170,982		1,261,199
Loans	834,161		751,194		841,610
Deposits	$ 1,122,922	[1]	$ 1,045,737	[1]	$ 1,079,103	[1]

[1] Represents deposits from BPPR operations located in the US and British Virgin Islands.