Debt Securities Available for Sale - Weighted average yield and contractual maturities of debt securities AFS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Amortized cost
Amortized Cost	$ 22,643,708	$ 21,035,610
Gross unrealized gains
Gross unrealized gains	379,032	527,430
Gross unrealized loss
Gross unrealized losses	251,131	1,888
Fair Value
Debt Securities Available for sale, at fair value	$ 22,771,609	$ 21,561,152
Weighted average yield
Weighted Average Yield	1.69%	1.66%
US Treasury Securities
Amortized cost
Amortized cost - Within 1 year	$ 1,357,228	$ 4,900,055
Amortized cost - After 1 to 5 years	6,089,702	5,007,223
Amortized cost - After 5 to 10 years	4,226,436	567,367
Amortized Cost	11,673,366	10,474,645
Gross unrealized gains
Gross unrealized gain - Within 1 year	16,087	16,479
Gross unrealized gain - After 1 to 5 years	209,634	259,399
Gross unrealized gain - After 5 to 10 years	7,863	37,517
Gross unrealized gains	233,584	313,395
Gross unrealized loss
Gross unrealized losses - Within 1 year	0	0
Gross unrealized losses - After 1 to 5 years	7,620	0
Gross unrealized losses - After 5 to 10 years	41,553	0
Gross unrealized losses	49,173	0
Fair Value
Fair value - Within 1 year	1,373,315	4,916,534
Fair value - After 1 to 5 years	6,291,716	5,266,622
Fair value - After 5 to 10 years	4,192,746	604,884
Debt Securities Available for sale, at fair value	$ 11,857,777	$ 10,788,040
Weighted average yield
Weighted average yield - Within 1 year	2.25%	0.69%
Weighted average yield - After 1 to 5 years	1.72%	2.05%
Weighted average yield - After 5 to 10 years	1.11%	1.68%
Weighted Average Yield	1.56%	1.40%
Obligations of U.S. Government sponsored entities
Amortized cost
Amortized cost - Within 1 year		$ 59,993
Amortized cost - After 1 to 5 years	$ 90	90
Amortized Cost	90	60,083
Gross unrealized gains
Gross unrealized gain - Within 1 year		101
Gross unrealized gain - After 1 to 5 years	2	0
Gross unrealized gains	2	101
Gross unrealized loss
Gross unrealized losses - Within 1 year		0
Gross unrealized losses - After 1 to 5 years	0	0
Gross unrealized losses	0	0
Fair Value
Fair value - Within 1 year		60,094
Fair value - After 1 to 5 years	92	90
Debt Securities Available for sale, at fair value	$ 92	$ 60,184
Weighted average yield
Weighted average yield - Within 1 year		1.46%
Weighted average yield - After 1 to 5 years	5.63%	5.64%
Weighted Average Yield	5.63%	1.47%
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations - Federal agencies
Amortized cost
Amortized cost - After 1 to 5 years	$ 1,054	$ 1,388
Amortized cost - After 5 to 10 years	54,344	61,229
Amortized cost - After 10 years	273,644	318,292
Amortized Cost	329,042	380,909
Gross unrealized gains
Gross unrealized gain - After 1 to 5 years	11	14
Gross unrealized gain - After 5 to 10 years	1,085	1,050
Gross unrealized gain - After 10 years	7,930	10,202
Gross unrealized gains	9,026	11,266
Gross unrealized loss
Gross unrealized losses - After 1 to 5 years	0	0
Gross unrealized losses - After 5 to 10 years	0	0
Gross unrealized losses - After 10 years	104	43
Gross unrealized losses	104	43
Fair Value
Fair value - After 1 to 5 years	1,065	1,402
Fair value - After 5 to 10 years	55,429	62,279
Fair value - After 10 years	281,470	328,451
Debt Securities Available for sale, at fair value	$ 337,964	$ 392,132
Weighted average yield
Weighted average yield - After 1 to 5 years	2.86%	2.97%
Weighted average yield - After 5 to 10 years	1.55%	1.56%
Weighted average yield - After 10 years	2.04%	2.04%
Weighted Average Yield	1.96%	1.97%
Mortgage Backed Securities
Amortized cost
Amortized cost - Within 1 year	$ 5,572	$ 5,616
Amortized cost - After 1 to 5 years	63,882	50,393
Amortized cost - After 5 to 10 years	553,299	454,880
Amortized cost - After 10 years	10,018,263	9,608,860
Amortized Cost	10,641,016	10,119,749
Gross unrealized gains
Gross unrealized gain - Within 1 year	22	56
Gross unrealized gain - After 1 to 5 years	2,892	1,735
Gross unrealized gain - After 5 to 10 years	19,919	20,022
Gross unrealized gain - After 10 years	113,577	180,844
Gross unrealized gains	136,410	202,657
Gross unrealized loss
Gross unrealized losses - Within 1 year	0	0
Gross unrealized losses - After 1 to 5 years	9	0
Gross unrealized losses - After 5 to 10 years	5	6
Gross unrealized losses - After 10 years	201,840	1,839
Gross unrealized losses	201,854	1,845
Fair Value
Fair value - Within 1 year	5,594	5,672
Fair value - After 1 to 5 years	66,765	52,128
Fair value - After 5 to 10 years	573,213	474,896
Fair value - After 10 years	9,930,000	9,787,865
Debt Securities Available for sale, at fair value	$ 10,575,572	$ 10,320,561
Weighted average yield
Weighted average yield - Within 1 year	2.86%	2.83%
Weighted average yield - After 1 to 5 years	2.39%	2.35%
Weighted average yield - After 5 to 10 years	1.89%	1.91%
Weighted average yield - After 10 years	1.83%	1.94%
Weighted Average Yield	1.84%	1.94%
Other
Amortized cost
Amortized cost - After 1 to 5 years	$ 194	$ 224
Amortized Cost	194	224
Gross unrealized gains
Gross unrealized gain - After 1 to 5 years	10	11
Gross unrealized gains	10	11
Gross unrealized loss
Gross unrealized losses - After 1 to 5 years	0	0
Gross unrealized losses	0	0
Fair Value
Fair value - After 1 to 5 years	204	235
Debt Securities Available for sale, at fair value	$ 204	$ 235
Weighted average yield
Weighted average yield - After 1 to 5 years	3.62%	3.62%
Weighted Average Yield	3.62%	3.62%

No definition available.

Name:	bpop_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainAfterFiveThroughTenYears
Namespace Prefix:	bpop_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	bpop_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainAfterOneThroughFiveYears
Namespace Prefix:	bpop_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	bpop_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainAfterTenYears
Namespace Prefix:	bpop_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	bpop_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTaxAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	bpop_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	bpop_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTaxWithinOneYear
Namespace Prefix:	bpop_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	bpop_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossAfterFiveThroughTenYears
Namespace Prefix:	bpop_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	bpop_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossAfterOneThroughFiveYears
Namespace Prefix:	bpop_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	bpop_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossAfterTenYears
Namespace Prefix:	bpop_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	bpop_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTaxAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	bpop_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	bpop_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTaxWithinOneYear
Namespace Prefix:	bpop_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Available for sale Securities, Weighted Average Yield

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	bpop_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesWeightedAverageYield
Namespace Prefix:	bpop_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount, before tax, of unrealized gain in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) on investment in debt security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale).

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount, before tax, of unrealized loss in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) on investment in debt security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale).

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amortized cost of investment in debt security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121645371&loc=d3e27161-111563

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 326
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121558606&loc=SL82898722-210454

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amortized cost of investment in debt security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale), with single maturity date and allocated without single maturity date, maturing in sixth through tenth fiscal year following current fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported from current statement of financial position date (rolling approach).

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121645371&loc=d3e27198-111563

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterFiveThroughTenYearsAmortizedCost
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value of investment in debt security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale), with single maturity date and allocated without single maturity date, maturing in sixth through tenth fiscal year following current fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported from current statement of financial position date (rolling approach).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121645371&loc=d3e27198-111563

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 320
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3A
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120252992&loc=SL120269850-112803

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (d)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121645371&loc=d3e27161-111563

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterFiveThroughTenYearsFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amortized cost of investment in debt security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale), with single maturity date and allocated without single maturity date, maturing in second through fifth fiscal year following current fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported from current statement of financial position date (rolling approach).

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121645371&loc=d3e27198-111563

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterOneThroughFiveYearsAmortizedCost
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value of investment in debt security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale), with single maturity date and allocated without single maturity date, maturing in second through fifth fiscal year following current fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported from current statement of financial position date (rolling approach).

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (d)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121645371&loc=d3e27161-111563

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121645371&loc=d3e27198-111563

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 320
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3A
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120252992&loc=SL120269850-112803

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterOneThroughFiveYearsFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amortized cost of investment in debt security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale), with single maturity date and allocated without single maturity date, maturing after tenth fiscal year following current fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported from current statement of financial position date (rolling approach).

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (d)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121645371&loc=d3e27198-111563

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterTenYearsAmortizedCost
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value of investment in debt security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale), with single maturity date and allocated without single maturity date, maturing after tenth fiscal year following current fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported from current statement of financial position date (rolling approach).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 320
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3A
-Subparagraph (d)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120252992&loc=SL120269850-112803

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (d)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121645371&loc=d3e27161-111563

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (d)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121645371&loc=d3e27198-111563

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterTenYearsFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amortized cost of investment in debt security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale), with single maturity date and allocated without single maturity date, maturing in next fiscal year following current fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported from current statement of financial position date (rolling approach).

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121645371&loc=d3e27198-111563

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesWithinOneYearAmortizedCost
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value of investment in debt security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale), with single maturity date and allocated without single maturity date, maturing in next fiscal year following current fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported from current statement of financial position date (rolling approach).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 320
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3A
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120252992&loc=SL120269850-112803

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121645371&loc=d3e27198-111563

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (d)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121645371&loc=d3e27161-111563

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesWithinOneYearFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of investment in debt security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(6))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120398452&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 326
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121558606&loc=SL82898722-210454

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121553693&loc=d3e26610-111562

Reference 4: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (aa)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121645371&loc=d3e27161-111563

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Weighted average yield of investment in debt security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale), maturing after tenth fiscal year following current fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported from current statement of financial position date (rolling approach).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Industry Guide
-Number 3
-Section II
-Paragraph B

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleMaturityAfter10YearsWeightedAverageYield
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Weighted average yield of investment in debt security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale), maturing in sixth through tenth fiscal year following current fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported from current statement of financial position date (rolling approach).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Industry Guide
-Number 3
-Section II
-Paragraph B

+ Details

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

- Definition

Weighted average yield of investment in debt security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale), maturing in second through fifth fiscal year following current fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported from current statement of financial position date (rolling approach).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Industry Guide
-Number 3
-Section II
-Paragraph B

+ Details

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

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Weighted average yield of investment in debt security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale), maturing in next fiscal year following current fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported from current statement of financial position date (rolling approach).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Industry Guide
-Number 3
-Section II
-Paragraph B

+ Details

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

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis=us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis=us-gaap_USGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesDebtSecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis=bpop_CollateralizedMortgageObligationsIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesAndUSGovernmentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis=us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis=us-gaap_OtherDebtSecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: