Subsequent events- Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011
Subsequent Events [Line Items]
Common Stock Shares Authorized	1,700,000,000	1,700,000,000	1,700,000,000
Equity Method Investments	$ 335,762,000	$ 313,152,000	$ 294,559,000
Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Events [Line Items]
Stockholders' Equity, Reverse Stock Split	Approval of reverse stock split On April 27, 2012, the stockholders of Popular, Inc. approved an amendment to the Corporation’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation to effect a reverse stock split of the Corporation’s common stock of 1-for-10, together with a corresponding reduction in the number of authorized shares of its common stock. The amendment will become effective upon the filing of a certificate of amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation with the Puerto Rico Department of State or at such later date and time specified in that certificate of amendment (the “effective date”). The reverse split is expected to become effective at 11:59 p.m. Atlantic Standard Time on May 29, 2012. If effective on that date, Popular, Inc.’s common stock will begin trading on a split-adjusted basis when the market opens on May 30, 2012. In connection with the reverse stock split, the Corporation will amend its Restated Certificate of Incorporation to reduce the number of shares of its authorized common stock. At the effective date, the number of authorized shares of common stock will be reduced from 1,700,000,000 to 170,000,000. The reverse stock split will not affect the par value of a share of the Corporation’s common stock. At the effective date of the reverse stock split, the stated capital attributable to common stock on its statement of financial condition will be reduced by dividing the amount of the stated capital prior to the reverse stock split by 10 (including a retroactive adjustment of prior periods), and the additional paid-in capital will be credited with the amount by which the stated capital is reduced. Reported per share net income or loss (both basic and diluted) and dividends per common share, if declared in the future, will be higher because there will be fewer shares of common stock outstanding. Basic earnings per share data will be retroactively adjusted for changes for all prior periods presented.
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Reverse Stock Splits	170,000,000
E V E R T E C Inc [Member]
Subsequent Events [Line Items]
Equity Method Investments	192,000,000	203,000,000	203,000,000
Equity Method Investment Ownership Percentage	49.00%
Equity method investments, distributions	131,000,000
Add On Notes Offering	40,000,000
Add On Term Note	170,000,000
Cash Dividend Paid To Parent Company	$ 270,000,000