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, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Commercial Real Estate Construction Financing Receivable Member
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	$ 0		$ 0
Mortgages [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	789		489
Legacy [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	0		0
Non Covered Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	635,334	[1]	597,948	[2]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	409,410	[1]	417,300	[2]
Non Covered Loans [Member] | Commercial Multi Family [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	14,006		25,838
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	73,223		84,372
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	126,073		106,948
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	93,627		61,895
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	691		556
Non Covered Loans [Member] | Commercial Real Estate Construction Financing Receivable Member
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	22,464		23,771
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		0
Non Covered Loans [Member] | Mortgages [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	252,021	[3],[4]	232,681	[5],[6]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	386,765	[3],[4]	395,645	[5],[6]
Non Covered Loans [Member] | Finance Leases Portfolio Segment Member
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	3,050		3,495
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	11,608		15,050
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		0
Non Covered Loans [Member] | Consumer [Member] | Consumer Credit Card Financing Receivable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	474		486
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	21,333		20,313
Non Covered Loans [Member] | Consumer [Member] | Home Equity Line of Credit [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	6,976		8,632
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	71		147
Non Covered Loans [Member] | Consumer [Member] | Personal [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	17,300		18,645
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		54
Non Covered Loans [Member] | Consumer [Member] | Consumer Loans Auto Financing Receivable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	10,889		10,564
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		0
Non Covered Loans [Member] | Consumer [Member] | Consumer Other Financing Receivable Member
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	3,623		5,571
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	550		585
Non Covered Loans [Member] | PUERTO RICO
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	532,223	[1]	447,255	[2]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	409,410	[1]	417,300	[2]
Non Covered Loans [Member] | PUERTO RICO | Commercial Multi Family [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	4,351		4,944
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	46,879		41,959
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	107,617		83,441
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	87,084		55,753
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	691		556
Non Covered Loans [Member] | PUERTO RICO | Commercial Real Estate Construction Financing Receivable Member
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	22,464		18,108
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		0
Non Covered Loans [Member] | PUERTO RICO | Mortgages [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	229,801	[3],[4]	206,389	[5],[6]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	386,765	[3],[4]	395,645	[5],[6]
Non Covered Loans [Member] | PUERTO RICO | Finance Leases Portfolio Segment Member
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	3,050		3,495
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 [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	21,333		20,313
Non Covered Loans [Member] | PUERTO RICO | Consumer [Member] | Home Equity Line of Credit [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	71		147
Non Covered Loans [Member] | PUERTO RICO | Consumer [Member] | Personal [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	16,467		17,054
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		54
Non Covered Loans [Member] | PUERTO RICO | Consumer [Member] | Consumer Loans Auto Financing Receivable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	10,887		10,562
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		0
Non Covered Loans [Member] | PUERTO RICO | Consumer [Member] | Consumer Other Financing Receivable Member
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	3,623		5,550
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	550		585
Non Covered Loans [Member] | UNITED STATES
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	103,111	[1]	150,693	[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	9,655		20,894
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	26,344		42,413
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	18,456		23,507
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	6,543		6,142
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	0		5,663
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		0
Non Covered Loans [Member] | UNITED STATES | Mortgages [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	22,220	[3],[4]	26,292	[5],[6]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0	[3],[4]	0	[5],[6]
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	11,608		15,050
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		0
Non Covered Loans [Member] | UNITED STATES | Consumer [Member] | Consumer Credit Card Financing Receivable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	474		486
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		0
Non Covered Loans [Member] | UNITED STATES | Consumer [Member] | Home Equity Line of Credit [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	6,976		8,632
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		0
Non Covered Loans [Member] | UNITED STATES | Consumer [Member] | Personal [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	833		1,591
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		0
Non Covered Loans [Member] | UNITED STATES | Consumer [Member] | Consumer Loans Auto Financing Receivable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	2		2
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	0		0
Non Covered Loans [Member] | UNITED STATES | Consumer [Member] | Consumer Other Financing Receivable Member
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Non-accrual loans	0		21
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment 90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing	$ 0		$ 0

[1] For purposes of this table non-performing loans exclude $ 789 thousand in non-performing loans held-for-sale.

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

[3] Non-covered loans by $49 million accounted for under ASC Subtopic 310-30 are excluded from the above table as they are considered to be performing due to the application of the accretion method, in which these loans will accrete interest income over the remaining life of the loans using estimated cash flow analysis.

[4] It is the Corporation’s policy to report delinquent residential mortgage loans insured by FHA or guaranteed by the VA as accruing loans past due 90 days or more as opposed to non-performing since the principal repayment is insured. These balances include $117 million of residential mortgage loans in Puerto Rico insured by FHA or guaranteed by the VA that are no longer accruing interest as of March 31, 2014. Furthermore, the Corporation has approximately $52 million in reverse mortgage loans in Puerto Rico which are guaranteed by FHA, but which are currently not accruing interest. Due to the guaranteed nature of the loans, it is the Corporation’s policy to exclude these balances from non-performing assets.

[5] Non-covered loans by $43 million accounted for under ASC Subtopic 310-30 are excluded from the above table as they are considered to be performing due to the application of the accretion method, in which these loans will accrete interest income over the remaining life of the loans using estimated cash flow analysis.

[6] It is the Corporation’s policy to report delinquent residential mortgage loans insured by FHA or guaranteed by the VA as accruing loans past due 90 days or more as opposed to non-performing since the principal repayment is insured. These balances include $115 million of residential mortgage loans in Puerto Rico insured by FHA or guaranteed by the VA that are no longer accruing interest as of December 31, 2013. Furthermore, the Corporation has approximately $50 million in reverse mortgage loans in Puerto Rico which are guaranteed by FHA, but which are currently not accruing interest. Due to the guaranteed nature of the loans, it is the Corporation’s policy to exclude these balances from non-performing assets.