Statement of Operations- Popular, Inc. (Parenthetical) (Detail) (Parent Company [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Parent Company [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Interest income from subsidiaries and affiliate	$ 22,891	$ 24,800	$ 30,543
Expenses [Abstract]
Operating expenses for services by subsidiaries and affiliates	9,487	8,459	7,339
Expense reimbursement by subsidiaries for services provided by parent	$ 58,577	$ 56,671	$ 49,556

Generally recurring costs associated with normal operations except for the portion of these expenses which can be clearly related to production and included in cost of sales or services. Includes selling, general and administrative expense.

No definition available.

Name:	bpop_OperatingExpensesForServicesBySubsidiariesAndAffiliates
Namespace Prefix:	bpop_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration