Differences between income tax expense (benefit) applicable to income before income taxes and amount computed by applying the statutory tax rate in Puerto Rico (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2011
Income Tax Expense Benefit Continuing Operations Income Tax Reconciliation Abstract
Income tax (benefit) expense	$ (77,893)		$ (38,100)		$ (61,701)		$ 109,127
PUERTO RICO
Income Tax Expense Benefit Continuing Operations Income Tax Reconciliation Abstract
Computed income tax at statutory rates	(3,646)		21,776		15,734		68,984
Net benefit of net tax exempt interest income	(3,739)		(15,206)		(10,753)		(17,613)
Deferred tax asset valuation allowance	(48)		3,945		1,119		(1,360)
Non-deductible expenses	5,726		5,400		11,365		10,726
Difference in tax rates due to multiple jurisdictions	(1,149)		(1,866)		(4,356)		(4,344)
Adjustment for enacted changes in income tax laws	0		0		0		103,287
Income Tax Reconciliation Other Adjustments	(1,739)		1,566		(541)		3,394
Income tax (benefit) expense	(77,893)		(38,100)		(61,701)		109,127
Effective Income Tax Rate Continuing Operations Tax Rate Reconciliation Abstract
Computed income tax at statutory rates	30.00%		30.00%		30.00%		30.00%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Tax Exempt Income	31.00%		(21.00%)		(21.00%)		(8.00%)
Deferred tax asset valuation allowance	0.00%		5.00%		2.00%		(1.00%)
Non-deductible expenses	(47.00%)		7.00%		22.00%		5.00%
Difference in tax rates due to multiple jurisdictions	9.00%		(2.00%)		(8.00%)		(2.00%)
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Change In Enacted Tax Rate	0.00%		0.00%		0.00%		45.00%
Income tax (benefit) expense	640.00%		(53.00%)		(118.00%)		47.00%
PUERTO RICO | Effect Of Income Subject To Preferential Tax Rate [Member]
Income Tax Expense Benefit Continuing Operations Income Tax Reconciliation Abstract
Income tax reconciliation, other deductions	(73,298)	[1]	(100)	[1]	(74,269)	[1]	(332)	[1]
Effective Income Tax Rate Continuing Operations Tax Rate Reconciliation Abstract
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Deductions Other	603.00%	[1]		[1]	(142.00%)	[1]	0.00%	[1]
PUERTO RICO | Recognition Of Tax Benefits From Previous Years [Member]
Income Tax Expense Benefit Continuing Operations Income Tax Reconciliation Abstract
Income tax reconciliation, other deductions	$ 0	[2]	$ (53,615)	[2]	$ 0	[2]	$ (53,615)	[2]
Effective Income Tax Rate Continuing Operations Tax Rate Reconciliation Abstract
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Prior Year Income Taxes	0.00%	[2]	(74.00%)	[2]	0.00%	[2]	(23.00%)	[2]
PUERTO RICO | State Taxes And Others [Member]
Effective Income Tax Rate Continuing Operations Tax Rate Reconciliation Abstract
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Deductions Other	14.00%		2.00%		(1.00%)		1.00%

[1] Includes the impact of the Closing Agreement with the P.R. Treasury signed in June 2012.

[2] Represents the impact of the Ruling and Closing Agreement with the P.R. Treasury signed in June 2011.