Corporation's risk-based capital and leverage ratios (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Corporate [Member]
Compliance with Regulatory Capital Requirements under Banking Regulations [Line Items]
Capital	$ 4,761,555	$ 4,357,148
Capital to Risk Weighted Assets	20.42%	18.63%
Tier One Risk Based Capital	4,464,742	4,058,242
Tier One Risk Based Capital to Risk Weighted Assets	19.15%	17.35%
Tier One Leverage Capital	4,464,742	4,058,242
Tier One Leverage Capital to Average Assets	12.85%	11.52%
Corporate [Member] \| Capital Adequacy Minimum Requirement Total Capital [Member]
Compliance with Regulatory Capital Requirements under Banking Regulations [Line Items]
Capital Required for Capital Adequacy	1,865,494	1,871,326
Capital Required for Capital Adequacy to Risk Weighted Assets	8.00%	8.00%
Corporate [Member] \| Capital Adequacy Minimum Requirement Tier I Capital To Risk Weighted Asset [Member]
Compliance with Regulatory Capital Requirements under Banking Regulations [Line Items]
Tier One Risk Based Capital Required for Capital Adequacy	932,747	935,663
Tier One Risk Based Capital Required for Capital Adequacy to Risk Weighted Assets	4.00%	4.00%
Corporate [Member] \| Capital Adecuacy Minimum Requirement Tier I Capital To Average Asset 3 [Member]
Compliance with Regulatory Capital Requirements under Banking Regulations [Line Items]
Tier One Leverage Capital Required for Capital Adequacy	1,042,384	1,056,785
Tier One Leverage Capital Required for Capital Adequacy to Average Assets	3.00%	3.00%
Corporate [Member] \| Capital Adequacy Minimum Requirement Tier I Capital To Average Asset 4 [Member]
Compliance with Regulatory Capital Requirements under Banking Regulations [Line Items]
Tier One Leverage Capital Required for Capital Adequacy	1,389,845	1,409,047
Tier One Leverage Capital Required for Capital Adequacy to Average Assets	4.00%	4.00%
Banco Popular De Puerto Rico [Member]
Compliance with Regulatory Capital Requirements under Banking Regulations [Line Items]
Capital	2,607,018	2,699,339
Capital to Risk Weighted Assets	14.76%	15.25%
Tier One Risk Based Capital	2,381,347	2,288,076
Tier One Risk Based Capital to Risk Weighted Assets	13.48%	12.93%
Tier One Leverage Capital	2,381,347	2,288,076
Tier One Leverage Capital to Average Assets	9.21%	8.65%
Banco Popular De Puerto Rico [Member] \| Capital Adequacy Minimum Requirement Total Capital [Member]
Compliance with Regulatory Capital Requirements under Banking Regulations [Line Items]
Capital Required for Capital Adequacy	1,413,292	1,415,630
Capital Required for Capital Adequacy to Risk Weighted Assets	8.00%	8.00%
Banco Popular De Puerto Rico [Member] \| Capital Adequacy Minimum Requirement Tier I Capital To Risk Weighted Asset [Member]
Compliance with Regulatory Capital Requirements under Banking Regulations [Line Items]
Tier One Risk Based Capital Required for Capital Adequacy	706,646	707,815
Tier One Risk Based Capital Required for Capital Adequacy to Risk Weighted Assets	4.00%	4.00%
Banco Popular De Puerto Rico [Member] \| Capital Adecuacy Minimum Requirement Tier I Capital To Average Asset 3 [Member]
Compliance with Regulatory Capital Requirements under Banking Regulations [Line Items]
Tier One Leverage Capital Required for Capital Adequacy	775,562	793,517
Tier One Leverage Capital Required for Capital Adequacy to Average Assets	3.00%	3.00%
Banco Popular De Puerto Rico [Member] \| Capital Adequacy Minimum Requirement Tier I Capital To Average Asset 4 [Member]
Compliance with Regulatory Capital Requirements under Banking Regulations [Line Items]
Tier One Leverage Capital Required for Capital Adequacy	1,034,083	1,058,023
Tier One Leverage Capital Required for Capital Adequacy to Average Assets	4.00%	4.00%
Banco Popular North America [Member]
Compliance with Regulatory Capital Requirements under Banking Regulations [Line Items]
Capital	1,400,740	1,290,343
Capital to Risk Weighted Assets	25.47%	24.04%
Tier One Risk Based Capital	1,331,471	1,221,893
Tier One Risk Based Capital to Risk Weighted Assets	24.21%	22.77%
Tier One Leverage Capital	1,331,471	1,221,893
Tier One Leverage Capital to Average Assets	15.92%	15.00%
Banco Popular North America [Member] \| Capital Adequacy Minimum Requirement Total Capital [Member]
Compliance with Regulatory Capital Requirements under Banking Regulations [Line Items]
Capital Required for Capital Adequacy	439,908	429,387
Capital Required for Capital Adequacy to Risk Weighted Assets	8.00%	8.00%
Banco Popular North America [Member] \| Capital Adequacy Minimum Requirement Tier I Capital To Risk Weighted Asset [Member]
Compliance with Regulatory Capital Requirements under Banking Regulations [Line Items]
Tier One Risk Based Capital Required for Capital Adequacy	219,954	214,693
Tier One Risk Based Capital Required for Capital Adequacy to Risk Weighted Assets	4.00%	4.00%
Banco Popular North America [Member] \| Capital Adecuacy Minimum Requirement Tier I Capital To Average Asset 3 [Member]
Compliance with Regulatory Capital Requirements under Banking Regulations [Line Items]
Tier One Leverage Capital Required for Capital Adequacy	250,931	244,390
Tier One Leverage Capital Required for Capital Adequacy to Average Assets	3.00%	3.00%
Banco Popular North America [Member] \| Capital Adequacy Minimum Requirement Tier I Capital To Average Asset 4 [Member]
Compliance with Regulatory Capital Requirements under Banking Regulations [Line Items]
Tier One Leverage Capital Required for Capital Adequacy	$ 334,575	$ 325,853
Tier One Leverage Capital Required for Capital Adequacy to Average Assets	4.00%	4.00%

The amount of total capital as defined in the regulations.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 948

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 5

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6490092&loc=d3e47304-110998

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 505

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1H

-Subparagraph (c)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7881181&loc=d3e65071-112826

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 505

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1H

-Subparagraph (c)(2)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7881181&loc=d3e65071-112826

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 948

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (c)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6490092&loc=d3e47080-110998

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG)

-Number AAG-DEP

-Paragraph 54

-Subparagraph 3a

-IssueDate 2006-05-01

-Chapter 17

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG)

-Number AAG-DEP

-Paragraph 15

-Subparagraph 3a

-IssueDate 2006-05-01

-Chapter 17

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_Capital
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The minimum amount of Total Capital required for capital adequacy purposes under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CapitalRequiredForCapitalAdequacy
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The minimum Total risk based capital ratio (total capital divided by risk weighted assets) required for capital adequacy purposes under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 505

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1H

-Subparagraph (c)(2)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7881181&loc=d3e65071-112826

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG)

-Number AAG-DEP

-Paragraph 15

-Subparagraph 3a

-IssueDate 2006-05-01

-Chapter 17

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 505

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (c)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7881181&loc=SL5958568-112826

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG)

-Number AAG-DEP

-Paragraph 22

-IssueDate 2006-05-01

-Chapter 17

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 505

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1B

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7881181&loc=SL5958570-112826

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CapitalRequiredForCapitalAdequacyToRiskWeightedAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Total Capital divided by risk weighted assets as defined in the regulations.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CapitalToRiskWeightedAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ComplianceWithRegulatoryCapitalRequirementsUnderBankingRegulationsLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Tier 1 Leverage Capital as defined in the regulations. Also called Core Capital.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_TierOneLeverageCapital
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The minimum amount of Tier 1 Leverage Capital required for capital adequacy purposes under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_TierOneLeverageCapitalRequiredForCapitalAdequacy
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The minimum amount of Tier 1 Leverage Capital for capital adequacy purposes divided by average assets as defined in the regulations.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 505

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1H

-Subparagraph (c)(2)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7881181&loc=d3e65071-112826

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG)

-Number AAG-DEP

-Paragraph 15

-Subparagraph 3a

-IssueDate 2006-05-01

-Chapter 17

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 505

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (c)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7881181&loc=SL5958568-112826

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 505

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1B

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7881181&loc=SL5958570-112826

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_TierOneLeverageCapitalRequiredForCapitalAdequacyToAverageAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Tier 1 Leverage Capital divided by average assets as defined in the regulations.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_TierOneLeverageCapitalToAverageAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Tier 1 Risk Based Capital as defined in the regulations.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_TierOneRiskBasedCapital
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The minimum amount of Tier 1 Risk Based Capital required for capital adequacy purposes under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_TierOneRiskBasedCapitalRequiredForCapitalAdequacy
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The minimum Tier One Capital Ratio (Tier one capital divided by risk-weighted assets) required for capital adequacy purposes under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_TierOneRiskBasedCapitalRequiredForCapitalAdequacyToRiskWeightedAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Tier 1 capital divided by risk weighted assets as defined by regulations.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_TierOneRiskBasedCapitalToRiskWeightedAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant