Goodwill and other intangible assets - Gross amount of goodwill and accumulated impairment losses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022
Goodwill [RollForward]
Beginning Balance			$ 827,428	$ 720,293
Goodwill on acquisition			0	116,135
Goodwill impairment	$ (23,000)	$ (9,000)	(23,000)	(9,000)
Ending Balance	804,428	827,428	804,428	827,428
Banco Popular de Puerto Rico
Goodwill [RollForward]
Beginning Balance			436,383	320,248
Goodwill on acquisition			0	116,135
Goodwill impairment			0	0
Ending Balance	436,383	436,383	436,383	436,383
Popular U.S.
Goodwill [RollForward]
Beginning Balance			391,045	400,045
Goodwill on acquisition			0	0
Goodwill impairment			(23,000)	(9,000)
Ending Balance	$ 368,045	$ 391,045	$ 368,045	$ 391,045