Loans in non-performing status and accruing loans past-due 90 days or more by loan class (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Commercial Real Estate Construction Financing Receivable Member
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	$ 206,246		$ 236,045
Mortgages
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	53		59
Non Covered Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	1,681,803	[1]	1,737,850	[2]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	320,088	[1]	307,960	[2]
Non Covered Loans [Member] | Commercial Multi Family [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	31,526		29,331
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		0
Non Covered Loans [Member] | Commercial Real Estate Non Owner Occupied [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	148,603		131,833
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		0
Non Covered Loans [Member] | Commercial Real Estate Owner Occupied [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	430,602		445,029
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		0
Non Covered Loans [Member] | Commercial And Industrial Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	207,947		223,899
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	671		675
Non Covered Loans [Member] | Commercial Real Estate Construction Financing Receivable Member
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	69,470		96,286
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		0
Non Covered Loans [Member] | Mortgages
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	667,217		686,502
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	293,805		280,912
Non Covered Loans [Member] | Finance Leases Portfolio Segment Member
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	5,673		5,642
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		0
Non Covered Loans [Member] | Legacy [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	79,077		75,660
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		0
Non Covered Loans [Member] | Consumer Portfolio Segment Member | Consumer Credit Card Financing Receivable Member
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	623		735
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	24,478		25,748
Non Covered Loans [Member] | Consumer Portfolio Segment Member | Home Equity Member
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	12,212		10,065
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	439		157
Non Covered Loans [Member] | Consumer Portfolio Segment Member | Personal [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	19,269		20,833
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		0
Non Covered Loans [Member] | Consumer Portfolio Segment Member | Consumer Loans Auto Financing Receivable Member
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	6,565		6,864
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		0
Non Covered Loans [Member] | Consumer Portfolio Segment Member | Other
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	3,019		5,171
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	695		468
Non Covered Loans [Member] | PUERTO RICO
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	1,343,481	[1]	1,371,242	[2]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	320,088	[1]	307,960	[2]
Non Covered Loans [Member] | PUERTO RICO | Commercial Multi Family [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	14,666		15,396
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		0
Non Covered Loans [Member] | PUERTO RICO | Commercial Real Estate Non Owner Occupied [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	62,155		51,013
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		0
Non Covered Loans [Member] | PUERTO RICO | Commercial Real Estate Owner Occupied [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	377,623		385,303
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		0
Non Covered Loans [Member] | PUERTO RICO | Commercial And Industrial Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	166,472		179,459
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	671		675
Non Covered Loans [Member] | PUERTO RICO | Commercial Real Estate Construction Financing Receivable Member
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	56,247		53,859
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		0
Non Covered Loans [Member] | PUERTO RICO | Mortgages
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	633,517		649,279
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	293,805		280,912
Non Covered Loans [Member] | PUERTO RICO | Finance Leases Portfolio Segment Member
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	5,673		5,642
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		0
Non Covered Loans [Member] | PUERTO RICO | Legacy [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	0		0
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		0
Non Covered Loans [Member] | PUERTO RICO | Consumer Portfolio Segment Member | Consumer Credit Card Financing Receivable Member
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	0		0
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	24,478		25,748
Non Covered Loans [Member] | PUERTO RICO | Consumer Portfolio Segment Member | Home Equity Member
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	0		0
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	439		157
Non Covered Loans [Member] | PUERTO RICO | Consumer Portfolio Segment Member | Personal [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	17,630		19,317
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		0
Non Covered Loans [Member] | PUERTO RICO | Consumer Portfolio Segment Member | Consumer Loans Auto Financing Receivable Member
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	6,527		6,830
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		0
Non Covered Loans [Member] | PUERTO RICO | Consumer Portfolio Segment Member | Other
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	2,971		5,144
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	695		468
Non Covered Loans [Member] | UNITED STATES
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	338,322	[1]	366,608	[2]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0	[1]	0	[2]
Non Covered Loans [Member] | UNITED STATES | Commercial Multi Family [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	16,860		13,935
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		0
Non Covered Loans [Member] | UNITED STATES | Commercial Real Estate Non Owner Occupied [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	86,448		80,820
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		0
Non Covered Loans [Member] | UNITED STATES | Commercial Real Estate Owner Occupied [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	52,979		59,726
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		0
Non Covered Loans [Member] | UNITED STATES | Commercial And Industrial Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	41,475		44,440
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		0
Non Covered Loans [Member] | UNITED STATES | Commercial Real Estate Construction Financing Receivable Member
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	13,223		42,427
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		0
Non Covered Loans [Member] | UNITED STATES | Mortgages
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	33,700		37,223
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		0
Non Covered Loans [Member] | UNITED STATES | Finance Leases Portfolio Segment Member
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	0		0
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		0
Non Covered Loans [Member] | UNITED STATES | Legacy [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	79,077		75,660
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		0
Non Covered Loans [Member] | UNITED STATES | Consumer Portfolio Segment Member | Consumer Credit Card Financing Receivable Member
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	623		735
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		0
Non Covered Loans [Member] | UNITED STATES | Consumer Portfolio Segment Member | Home Equity Member
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	12,212		10,065
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		0
Non Covered Loans [Member] | UNITED STATES | Consumer Portfolio Segment Member | Personal [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	1,639		1,516
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		0
Non Covered Loans [Member] | UNITED STATES | Consumer Portfolio Segment Member | Consumer Loans Auto Financing Receivable Member
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	38		34
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		0
Non Covered Loans [Member] | UNITED STATES | Consumer Portfolio Segment Member | Other
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	48		27
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	$ 0		$ 0

[1] For purposes of this table non-performing loans exclude $ 232 million in non-performing loans held-for-sale.

[2] For purposes of this table non-performing loans exclude $ 262 million in non-performing loans held-for-sale.