Stockholders' equity	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Stockholders Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 23 – Stockholders' equity The Corporation has 30,000,000 shares of authorized preferred stock that may be issued in one or more series, and the shares of each series shall have such rights and preferences as shall be fixed by the Board of Directors when authorizing the issuance of that particular series. The Corporation's shares of preferred stock issued and outstanding at December 31, 2012 and 2011 consisted of: 6.375% non-cumulative monthly income preferred stock, 2003 Series A, no par value, liquidation preference value of $25 per share. Holders on record of the 2003 Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors of the Corporation or an authorized committee thereof, out of funds legally available, non-cumulative cash dividends at the annual rate per share of 6.375% of their liquidation preference value, or $0.1328125 per share per month. These shares of preferred stock are perpetual, nonconvertible, have no preferential rights to purchase any securities of the Corporation and are redeemable solely at the option of the Corporation with the consent of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. The redemption price per share is $25.00. The shares of 2003 Series A Preferred Stock have no voting rights, except for certain rights in instances when the Corporation does not pay dividends for a defined period. These shares are not subject to any sinking fund requirement. Cash dividends declared and paid on the 2003 Series A Preferred Stock amounted to $ 1.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 (2010 - $ 117.6 thousand). Outstanding shares of 2003 Series A Preferred Stock amounted to 885,726 at December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010. 8.25% non-cumulative monthly income preferred stock, 2008 Series B, no par value, liquidation preference value of $25 per share. The shares of 2008 Series B Preferred Stock were issued in May 2008. Holders of record of the 2008 Series B Preferred Stock are entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors of the Corporation or an authorized committee thereof, out of funds legally available, non-cumulative cash dividends at the annual rate per share of 8.25% of their liquidation preferences, or $0.171875 per share per month. These shares of preferred stock are perpetual, nonconvertible, have no preferential rights to purchase any securities of the Corporation and are redeemable solely at the option of the Corporation with the consent of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System beginning on May 28, 2013. The redemption price per share is $25.50 from May 28, 2013 through May 28, 2014, $25.25 from May 28, 2014 through May 28, 2015 and $25.00 from May 28, 2015 and thereafter. Cash dividends declared and paid on the 2008 Series B Preferred Stock amounted to $ 2.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 (2010 - $ 192.6 thousand). Outstanding shares of 2008 Series B Preferred Stock amounted to 1,120,665 at December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010. As part of the Series C Preferred Stock transaction with the U.S. Treasury effected on December 5, 2008, the Corporation issued to the U.S. Treasury a warrant to purchase 2,093,284 shares of the Corporation's common stock at an exercise price of $67 per share, which continues to be outstanding in full and without amendment at December 31, 2012. The warrant is immediately exercisable, subject to certain restrictions, and has a 10-year term. The exercise price and number of shares subject to the warrant are both subject to anti-dilution adjustments. The U.S. Treasury may not exercise voting power with respect to shares of common stock issued upon exercise of the warrant. The trust preferred securities issued to the U.S. Treasury, which are described in Note 22 to the financial statements, the warrant or the shares issuable upon exercise of the warrant are not subject to any contractual restriction on transfer. The Corporation's common stock trades on the NASDAQ Stock Market (the “NASDAQ”) under the symbol BPOP. The Corporation voluntarily delisted its 2003 Series A and 2008 Series B Preferred Stock from the NASDAQ effective October 8, 2009. On May 29, 2012, the Corporation effected a 1-for-10 reverse split of its common stock previously approved by the Corporation's stockholders on April 27, 2012. Upon the effectiveness of the reverse split, each 10 shares of authorized and outstanding common stock were reclassified and combined into one new share of common stock. Popular, Inc.'s common stock began trading on a split-adjusted basis on May 30, 2012. All share and per share information in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the 1-for-10 reverse stock split. In connection with the reverse stock split, the Corporation amended its Restated Certificate of Incorporation to reduce the number of shares of its authorized common stock from 1,700,000,000 to 170,000,000. The reverse stock split did 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 the Corporation's consolidated statement of financial condition was reduced by dividing the amount of the stated capital prior to the reverse stock split by 10, and the additional paid-in capital (surplus) was credited with the amount by which the stated capital was reduced. This was also reflected retroactively for prior periods presented in the financial statements. In April 2010, the Corporation raised $1.15 billion through the sale of 46,000,000 depositary shares, each representing a 1/40th interest in a share of Contingent Convertible Perpetual Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series D, no par value, $1,000 liquidation preference per share. The preferred stock represented by depositary shares automatically converted into shares of the Corporation's common stock at a conversion rate of .83333 shares of common stock for each depositary share on May 11, 2010. The conversion of the depositary shares of preferred stock resulted in the issuance of 38,333,333 additional shares of common stock. The net proceeds from the public offering amounted to approximately $1.1 billion, after deducting the underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses. Note 34 to the consolidated financial statements provides information on the impact of the conversion on net income per common share. The Corporation's common stock ranks junior to all series of preferred stock as to dividend rights and / or as to rights on liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation. Dividends on each series of preferred stocks are payable if declared. The Corporation's ability to declare or pay dividends on, or purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, its common stock is subject to certain restrictions in the event that the Corporation fails to pay or set aside full dividends on the preferred stock for the latest dividend period. The ability of the Corporation to pay dividends in the future is limited by regulatory requirements and approval, the Corporation's agreements with the U.S. Treasury, legal availability of funds, recent and projected financial results, capital levels and liquidity of the Corporation, general business conditions and other factors deemed relevant by the Corporation's Board of Directors. During the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 the Corporation did not declare dividends on its common stock. The Banking Act of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico requires that a minimum of 10% of BPPR's net income for the year be transferred to a statutory reserve account until such statutory reserve equals the total of paid-in capital on common and preferred stock. Any losses incurred by a bank must first be charged to retained earnings and then to the reserve fund. Amounts credited to the reserve fund may not be used to pay dividends without the prior consent of the Puerto Rico Commissioner of Financial Institutions. The failure to maintain sufficient statutory reserves would preclude BPPR from paying dividends. BPPR's statutory reserve fund amounted to $ 432 million at December 31, 2012 (2011 - $ 415 million; 2010 - $ 402 million). During 2012, $ 17 million was transferred to the statutory reserve account (2011 - $ 13 million). There were no transfers to the statutory reserve during 2010. BPPR was in compliance with the statutory reserve requirement in 2012, 2011 and 2010.

Stockholders' equity

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]

Stockholders Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]

Note 23 – Stockholders' equity

The Corporation has 30,000,000 shares of authorized preferred stock that may be issued in one or more series, and the shares of each series shall have such rights and preferences as shall be fixed by the Board of Directors when authorizing the issuance of that particular series. The Corporation's shares of preferred stock issued and outstanding at December 31, 2012 and 2011 consisted of:

6.375% non-cumulative monthly income preferred stock, 2003 Series A, no par value, liquidation preference value of $25 per share. Holders on record of the 2003 Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors of the Corporation or an authorized committee thereof, out of funds legally available, non-cumulative cash dividends at the annual rate per share of 6.375% of their liquidation preference value, or $0.1328125 per share per month. These shares of preferred stock are perpetual, nonconvertible, have no preferential rights to purchase any securities of the Corporation and are redeemable solely at the option of the Corporation with the consent of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. The redemption price per share is $25.00. The shares of 2003 Series A Preferred Stock have no voting rights, except for certain rights in instances when the Corporation does not pay dividends for a defined period. These shares are not subject to any sinking fund requirement. Cash dividends declared and paid on the 2003 Series A Preferred Stock amounted to $ 1.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 (2010 - $ 117.6 thousand). Outstanding shares of 2003 Series A Preferred Stock amounted to 885,726 at December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010.
8.25% non-cumulative monthly income preferred stock, 2008 Series B, no par value, liquidation preference value of $25 per share. The shares of 2008 Series B Preferred Stock were issued in May 2008. Holders of record of the 2008 Series B Preferred Stock are entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors of the Corporation or an authorized committee thereof, out of funds legally available, non-cumulative cash dividends at the annual rate per share of 8.25% of their liquidation preferences, or $0.171875 per share per month. These shares of preferred stock are perpetual, nonconvertible, have no preferential rights to purchase any securities of the Corporation and are redeemable solely at the option of the Corporation with the consent of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System beginning on May 28, 2013. The redemption price per share is $25.50 from May 28, 2013 through May 28, 2014, $25.25 from May 28, 2014 through May 28, 2015 and $25.00 from May 28, 2015 and thereafter. Cash dividends declared and paid on the 2008 Series B Preferred Stock amounted to $ 2.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 (2010 - $ 192.6 thousand). Outstanding shares of 2008 Series B Preferred Stock amounted to 1,120,665 at December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010.

As part of the Series C Preferred Stock transaction with the U.S. Treasury effected on December 5, 2008, the Corporation issued to the U.S. Treasury a warrant to purchase 2,093,284 shares of the Corporation's common stock at an exercise price of $67 per share, which continues to be outstanding in full and without amendment at December 31, 2012. The warrant is immediately exercisable, subject to certain restrictions, and has a 10-year term. The exercise price and number of shares subject to the warrant are both subject to anti-dilution adjustments. The U.S. Treasury may not exercise voting power with respect to shares of common stock issued upon exercise of the warrant. The trust preferred securities issued to the U.S. Treasury, which are described in Note 22 to the financial statements, the warrant or the shares issuable upon exercise of the warrant are not subject to any contractual restriction on transfer.

The Corporation's common stock trades on the NASDAQ Stock Market (the “NASDAQ”) under the symbol BPOP. The Corporation voluntarily delisted its 2003 Series A and 2008 Series B Preferred Stock from the NASDAQ effective October 8, 2009.

On May 29, 2012, the Corporation effected a 1-for-10 reverse split of its common stock previously approved by the Corporation's stockholders on April 27, 2012. Upon the effectiveness of the reverse split, each 10 shares of authorized and outstanding common stock were reclassified and combined into one new share of common stock. Popular, Inc.'s common stock began trading on a split-adjusted basis on May 30, 2012. All share and per share information in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the 1-for-10 reverse stock split.

In connection with the reverse stock split, the Corporation amended its Restated Certificate of Incorporation to reduce the number of shares of its authorized common stock from 1,700,000,000 to 170,000,000.

The reverse stock split did 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 the Corporation's consolidated statement of financial condition was reduced by dividing the amount of the stated capital prior to the reverse stock split by 10, and the additional paid-in capital (surplus) was credited with the amount by which the stated capital was reduced. This was also reflected retroactively for prior periods presented in the financial statements.

In April 2010, the Corporation raised $1.15 billion through the sale of 46,000,000 depositary shares, each representing a 1/40th interest in a share of Contingent Convertible Perpetual Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series D, no par value, $1,000 liquidation preference per share. The preferred stock represented by depositary shares automatically converted into shares of the Corporation's common stock at a conversion rate of .83333 shares of common stock for each depositary share on May 11, 2010. The conversion of the depositary shares of preferred stock resulted in the issuance of 38,333,333 additional shares of common stock. The net proceeds from the public offering amounted to approximately $1.1 billion, after deducting the underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses. Note 34 to the consolidated financial statements provides information on the impact of the conversion on net income per common share.

The Corporation's common stock ranks junior to all series of preferred stock as to dividend rights and / or as to rights on liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation. Dividends on each series of preferred stocks are payable if declared. The Corporation's ability to declare or pay dividends on, or purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, its common stock is subject to certain restrictions in the event that the Corporation fails to pay or set aside full dividends on the preferred stock for the latest dividend period. The ability of the Corporation to pay dividends in the future is limited by regulatory requirements and approval, the Corporation's agreements with the U.S. Treasury, legal availability of funds, recent and projected financial results, capital levels and liquidity of the Corporation, general business conditions and other factors deemed relevant by the Corporation's Board of Directors.

During the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 the Corporation did not declare dividends on its common stock.

The Banking Act of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico requires that a minimum of 10% of BPPR's net income for the year be transferred to a statutory reserve account until such statutory reserve equals the total of paid-in capital on common and preferred stock. Any losses incurred by a bank must first be charged to retained earnings and then to the reserve fund. Amounts credited to the reserve fund may not be used to pay dividends without the prior consent of the Puerto Rico Commissioner of Financial Institutions. The failure to maintain sufficient statutory reserves would preclude BPPR from paying dividends. BPPR's statutory reserve fund amounted to $ 432 million at December 31, 2012 (2011 - $ 415 million; 2010 - $ 402 million). During 2012, $ 17 million was transferred to the statutory reserve account (2011 - $ 13 million). There were no transfers to the statutory reserve during 2010. BPPR was in compliance with the statutory reserve requirement in 2012, 2011 and 2010.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for shareholders' equity, comprised of portions attributable to the parent entity and noncontrolling interest, if any, including other comprehensive income (as applicable). Including, but not limited to: (1) balances of common stock, preferred stock, additional paid-in capital, other capital and retained earnings; (2) accumulated balance for each classification of other comprehensive income and total amount of comprehensive income; (3) amount and nature of changes in separate accounts, including the number of shares authorized and outstanding, number of shares issued upon exercise and conversion, and for other comprehensive income, the adjustments for reclassifications to net income; (4) rights and privileges of each class of stock authorized; (5) basis of treasury stock, if other than cost, and amounts paid and accounting treatment for treasury stock purchased significantly in excess of market; (6) dividends paid or payable per share and in the aggregate for each class of stock for each period presented; (7) dividend restrictions and accumulated preferred dividends in arrears (in aggregate and per share amount); (8) retained earnings appropriations or restrictions, such as dividend restrictions; (9) impact of change in accounting principle, initial adoption of new accounting principle and correction of an error in previously issued financial statements; (10) shares held in trust for Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP); (11) deferred compensation related to issuance of capital stock; (12) note received for issuance of stock; (13) unamortized discount on shares; (14) description, terms, and number of warrants or rights outstanding; (15) shares under subscription and subscription receivables, effective date of new retained earnings after quasi-reorganization and deficit eliminated by quasi-reorganization and, for a period of at least ten years after the effective date, the point in time from which the new retained dates; and (16) retroactive effective of subsequent change in capital structure.

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+ Details