<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!--XBRL document created by Certent CDM version: 22.2.0 using Fujitsu Interstage XWand -->
<schema targetNamespace="http://www.firstbankpr.com/20221231" elementFormDefault="qualified" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema" xmlns:fbp="http://www.firstbankpr.com/20221231" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns:link="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" xmlns:xbrli="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance" xmlns:dtr-types="http://www.xbrl.org/dtr/type/2020-01-21" xmlns:xbrldt="http://xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt">
    <annotation>
        <appinfo>
            <link:linkbaseRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="fbp-20221231_pre.xml" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationLinkbaseRef" xlink:arcrole="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink/properties/linkbase" />
            <link:linkbaseRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="fbp-20221231_cal.xml" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/calculationLinkbaseRef" xlink:arcrole="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink/properties/linkbase" />
            <link:linkbaseRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="fbp-20221231_def.xml" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/definitionLinkbaseRef" xlink:arcrole="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink/properties/linkbase" />
            <link:linkbaseRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="fbp-20221231_lab.xml" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/labelLinkbaseRef" xlink:arcrole="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink/properties/linkbase" />
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/DocumentDocumentAndEntityInformation" id="ELRID_DocumentAndEntityInformation">
                <link:definition>000100 - Document - Document and Entity Information</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFFINANCIALCONDITION" id="ELRID_CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFFINANCIALCONDITION">
                <link:definition>000200 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFFINANCIALCONDITIONParenthetical" id="ELRID_CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFFINANCIALCONDITIONParenthetical">
                <link:definition>000300 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION (Parenthetical)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFINCOME" id="ELRID_CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFINCOME">
                <link:definition>000400 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCOMPREHENSIVELOSSINCOME" id="ELRID_CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCOMPREHENSIVELOSSINCOME">
                <link:definition>000500 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCASHFLOWS" id="ELRID_CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCASHFLOWS">
                <link:definition>000600 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCHANGESINSTOCKHOLDERSEQUITY" id="ELRID_CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCHANGESINSTOCKHOLDERSEQUITY">
                <link:definition>000700 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/NATUREOFBUSINESSANDSUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIES" id="ELRID_NATUREOFBUSINESSANDSUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIES">
                <link:definition>010001 - Disclosure - NATURE OF BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/EARNINGSPERCOMMONSHARE" id="ELRID_EARNINGSPERCOMMONSHARE">
                <link:definition>010021 - Disclosure - EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/STOCKBASEDCOMPENSATION" id="ELRID_STOCKBASEDCOMPENSATION">
                <link:definition>010022 - Disclosure - STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/DEBTSECURITIES" id="ELRID_DEBTSECURITIES">
                <link:definition>010005 - Disclosure - DEBT SECURITIES</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/LOANSHELDFORINVESTMENT" id="ELRID_LOANSHELDFORINVESTMENT">
                <link:definition>010008 - Disclosure - LOANS HELD FOR INVESTMENT</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/DERIVATIVEINSTRUMENTSANDHEDGINGACTIVITIES" id="ELRID_DERIVATIVEINSTRUMENTSANDHEDGINGACTIVITIES">
                <link:definition>010030 - Disclosure - DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/GOODWILLANDOTHERINTANGIBLES" id="ELRID_GOODWILLANDOTHERINTANGIBLES">
                <link:definition>010014 - Disclosure - GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLES</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/NONCONSOLIDATEDVARIABLEINTERESTENTITIESANDSERVICINGASSETS" id="ELRID_NONCONSOLIDATEDVARIABLEINTERESTENTITIESANDSERVICINGASSETS">
                <link:definition>010015 - Disclosure - NON-CONSOLIDATED VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES AND SERVICING ASSETS</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/DEPOSITSANDRELATEDINTEREST" id="ELRID_DEPOSITSANDRELATEDINTEREST">
                <link:definition>010016 - Disclosure - DEPOSITS AND RELATED INTEREST</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/SECURITIESSOLDUNDERAGREEMENTSTOREPURCHASE" id="ELRID_SECURITIESSOLDUNDERAGREEMENTSTOREPURCHASE">
                <link:definition>010017 - Disclosure - SECURITIES SOLD UNDER AGREEMENTS TO REPURCHASE</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/ADVANCESFROMTHEFEDERALHOMELOANBANKFHLB" id="ELRID_ADVANCESFROMTHEFEDERALHOMELOANBANKFHLB">
                <link:definition>010018 - Disclosure - ADVANCES FROM THE FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK (FHLB)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/OTHERBORROWINGS" id="ELRID_OTHERBORROWINGS">
                <link:definition>010020 - Disclosure - OTHER BORROWINGS</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/STOCKHOLDERSEQUITY" id="ELRID_STOCKHOLDERSEQUITY">
                <link:definition>010023 - Disclosure - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/INCOMETAXES" id="ELRID_INCOMETAXES">
                <link:definition>010028 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/FAIRVALUE" id="ELRID_FAIRVALUE">
                <link:definition>010032 - Disclosure - FAIR VALUE</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/SUPPLEMENTALCASHFLOWINFORMATION" id="ELRID_SUPPLEMENTALCASHFLOWINFORMATION">
                <link:definition>010035 - Disclosure - SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/SEGMENTINFORMATION" id="ELRID_SEGMENTINFORMATION">
                <link:definition>010034 - Disclosure - SEGMENT INFORMATION</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/REGULATORYMATTERSCASHRESTRICTIONSCOMMITMENTSANDCONTINGENCIES" id="ELRID_REGULATORYMATTERSCASHRESTRICTIONSCOMMITMENTSANDCONTINGENCIES">
                <link:definition>010036 - Disclosure - REGULATORY MATTERS, CASH RESTRICTIONS, COMMITMENTS, AND CONTINGENCIES</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/FIRSTBANCORPHoldingCompanyOnlyFinancialInformation" id="ELRID_FIRSTBANCORPHoldingCompanyOnlyFinancialInformation">
                <link:definition>010037 - Disclosure - FIRST BANCORP. (Holding Company Only) Financial Information</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/EARNINGSPERCOMMONSHARETables" id="ELRID_EARNINGSPERCOMMONSHARETables">
                <link:definition>030021 - Disclosure - EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (Tables)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/STOCKBASEDCOMPENSATIONTables" id="ELRID_STOCKBASEDCOMPENSATIONTables">
                <link:definition>030022 - Disclosure - STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Tables)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/DEBTSECURITIESTables" id="ELRID_DEBTSECURITIESTables">
                <link:definition>030005 - Disclosure - DEBT SECURITIES (Tables)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/LOANSHELDFORINVESTMENTTables" id="ELRID_LOANSHELDFORINVESTMENTTables">
                <link:definition>030008 - Disclosure - LOANS HELD FOR INVESTMENT (Tables)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/ALLOWANCEFORCREDITLOSSESONLOANSANDFINANCELEASESTables" id="ELRID_ALLOWANCEFORCREDITLOSSESONLOANSANDFINANCELEASESTables">
                <link:definition>030009 - Disclosure - ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES ON LOANS AND FINANCE LEASES (Tables)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/DERIVATIVEINSTRUMENTSANDHEDGINGACTIVITIESTables" id="ELRID_DERIVATIVEINSTRUMENTSANDHEDGINGACTIVITIESTables">
                <link:definition>030030 - Disclosure - DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Tables)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/GOODWILLANDOTHERINTANGIBLESTables" id="ELRID_GOODWILLANDOTHERINTANGIBLESTables">
                <link:definition>030014 - Disclosure - GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLES (Tables)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/NONCONSOLIDATEDVARIABLEINTERESTENTITIESANDSERVICINGASSETSTables" id="ELRID_NONCONSOLIDATEDVARIABLEINTERESTENTITIESANDSERVICINGASSETSTables">
                <link:definition>030015 - Disclosure - NON-CONSOLIDATED VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES AND SERVICING ASSETS (Tables)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/DEPOSITSANDRELATEDINTERESTTables" id="ELRID_DEPOSITSANDRELATEDINTERESTTables">
                <link:definition>030016 - Disclosure - DEPOSITS AND RELATED INTEREST (Tables)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/SECURITIESSOLDUNDERAGREEMENTSTOREPURCHASETables" id="ELRID_SECURITIESSOLDUNDERAGREEMENTSTOREPURCHASETables">
                <link:definition>030018 - Disclosure - SECURITIES SOLD UNDER AGREEMENTS TO REPURCHASE (Tables)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/ADVANCESFROMTHEFEDERALHOMELOANBANKFHLBTables" id="ELRID_ADVANCESFROMTHEFEDERALHOMELOANBANKFHLBTables">
                <link:definition>030019 - Disclosure - ADVANCES FROM THE FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK (FHLB) (Tables)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/OTHERBORROWINGSTables" id="ELRID_OTHERBORROWINGSTables">
                <link:definition>030020 - Disclosure - OTHER BORROWINGS (Tables)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/FAIRVALUETables" id="ELRID_FAIRVALUETables">
                <link:definition>030030 - Disclosure - FAIR VALUE (Tables)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/SUPPLEMENTALCASHFLOWINFORMATIONTables" id="ELRID_SUPPLEMENTALCASHFLOWINFORMATIONTables">
                <link:definition>030032 - Disclosure - SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION (Tables)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/SEGMENTINFORMATIONTables" id="ELRID_SEGMENTINFORMATIONTables">
                <link:definition>030036 - Disclosure - SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/FIRSTBANCORPHoldingCompanyOnlyFinancialInformationTables" id="ELRID_FIRSTBANCORPHoldingCompanyOnlyFinancialInformationTables">
                <link:definition>030037 - Disclosure - FIRST BANCORP. (Holding Company Only) Financial Information (Tables)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/EARNINGSPERCOMMONSHARECalculationsOfEarningsPerCommonShareDetail" id="ELRID_EARNINGSPERCOMMONSHARECalculationsOfEarningsPerCommonShareDetail">
                <link:definition>043700 - Disclosure - EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE - Calculations of Earnings Per Common Share (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/STOCKBASEDCOMPENSATIONOmnibusPlanAdditionalInformationDetail" id="ELRID_STOCKBASEDCOMPENSATIONOmnibusPlanAdditionalInformationDetail">
                <link:definition>043710 - Disclosure - STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION - Omnibus Plan - Additional Information (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/STOCKBASEDCOMPENSATIONRestrictedStockActivityUnderOmnibusPlanDetail" id="ELRID_STOCKBASEDCOMPENSATIONRestrictedStockActivityUnderOmnibusPlanDetail">
                <link:definition>043712 - Disclosure - STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION - Restricted Stock Activity Under Omnibus Plan (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/DEBTSECURITIESInvestmentSecuritiesAvailableForSaleDetail" id="ELRID_DEBTSECURITIESInvestmentSecuritiesAvailableForSaleDetail">
                <link:definition>040300 - Disclosure - DEBT SECURITIES - Investment Securities Available for Sale (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/DEBTSECURITIESAdditionalInformationDetail" id="ELRID_DEBTSECURITIESAdditionalInformationDetail">
                <link:definition>040302 - Disclosure - DEBT SECURITIES - Additional Information (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/DEBTSECURITIESAvailableForSaleInvestmentsFairValueAndGrossUnrealizedLossesDetail" id="ELRID_DEBTSECURITIESAvailableForSaleInvestmentsFairValueAndGrossUnrealizedLossesDetail">
                <link:definition>040303 - Disclosure - DEBT SECURITIES - Available-For-Sale Investments' Fair Value And Gross Unrealized Losses (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/DEBTSECURITIESOTTILossesOnAvailableforSaleDebtSecuritiesDetail" id="ELRID_DEBTSECURITIESOTTILossesOnAvailableforSaleDebtSecuritiesDetail">
                <link:definition>040365 - Disclosure - DEBT SECURITIES - OTTI Losses on Available-for-Sale Debt Securities (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/DEBTSECURITIESSignificantAssumptionsInValuationOfPrivateLabelMBSDetail" id="ELRID_DEBTSECURITIESSignificantAssumptionsInValuationOfPrivateLabelMBSDetail">
                <link:definition>040350 - Disclosure - DEBT SECURITIES - Significant Assumptions in Valuation of Private Label MBS (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/LOANSHELDFORINVESTMENTLoanPortfolioHeldForInvestmentDetail" id="ELRID_LOANSHELDFORINVESTMENTLoanPortfolioHeldForInvestmentDetail">
                <link:definition>040600 - Disclosure - LOANS HELD FOR INVESTMENT - Loan Portfolio Held for Investment (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/LOANSHELDFORINVESTMENTCorporationsAgingOfLoansHeldForInvestmentPortfolioDetail" id="ELRID_LOANSHELDFORINVESTMENTCorporationsAgingOfLoansHeldForInvestmentPortfolioDetail">
                <link:definition>040800 - Disclosure - LOANS HELD FOR INVESTMENT - Corporation's Aging of Loans Held for Investment Portfolio (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/LOANSHELDFORINVESTMENTCorporationsAgingOfLoansHeldForInvestmentPortfolioParentheticalDetail" id="ELRID_LOANSHELDFORINVESTMENTCorporationsAgingOfLoansHeldForInvestmentPortfolioParentheticalDetail">
                <link:definition>040850 - Disclosure - LOANS HELD FOR INVESTMENT - Corporation's Aging of Loans Held for Investment Portfolio (Parenthetical) (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/LOANSHELDFORINVESTMENTAdditionalInformationDetail" id="ELRID_LOANSHELDFORINVESTMENTAdditionalInformationDetail">
                <link:definition>041100 - Disclosure - LOANS HELD FOR INVESTMENT - Additional Information (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/LOANSHELDFORINVESTMENTSelectedInformationOnTDRsIncludesRecordedInvestmentByLoanClassAndModificationTypeDetail" id="ELRID_LOANSHELDFORINVESTMENTSelectedInformationOnTDRsIncludesRecordedInvestmentByLoanClassAndModificationTypeDetail">
                <link:definition>041400 - Disclosure - LOANS HELD FOR INVESTMENT - Selected Information on TDRs includes Recorded Investment by Loan Class and Modification Type (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/LOANSHELDFORINVESTMENTLoanModificationsAreConsideredTDRsDetail" id="ELRID_LOANSHELDFORINVESTMENTLoanModificationsAreConsideredTDRsDetail">
                <link:definition>041650 - Disclosure - LOANS HELD FOR INVESTMENT - Loan Modifications are Considered TDRs (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/LOANSHELDFORINVESTMENTLoanModificationsConsideredTroubledDebtRestructuringsDefaultedDetail" id="ELRID_LOANSHELDFORINVESTMENTLoanModificationsConsideredTroubledDebtRestructuringsDefaultedDetail">
                <link:definition>041700 - Disclosure - LOANS HELD FOR INVESTMENT - Loan Modifications Considered Troubled Debt Restructurings Defaulted (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/ALLOWANCEFORCREDITLOSSESONLOANSANDFINANCELEASESAdditionalInformationDetail" id="ELRID_ALLOWANCEFORCREDITLOSSESONLOANSANDFINANCELEASESAdditionalInformationDetail">
                <link:definition>041870 - Disclosure - ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES ON LOANS AND FINANCE LEASES - Additional Information (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/DERIVATIVEINSTRUMENTSANDHEDGINGACTIVITIESNotionalAmountsOfAllDerivativeInstrumentsDetail" id="ELRID_DERIVATIVEINSTRUMENTSANDHEDGINGACTIVITIESNotionalAmountsOfAllDerivativeInstrumentsDetail">
                <link:definition>044171 - Disclosure - DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES - Notional Amounts of All Derivative Instruments (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/DERIVATIVEINSTRUMENTSANDHEDGINGACTIVITIESEffectOfDerivativeInstrumentsOnStatementOfIncomeLossDetail" id="ELRID_DERIVATIVEINSTRUMENTSANDHEDGINGACTIVITIESEffectOfDerivativeInstrumentsOnStatementOfIncomeLossDetail">
                <link:definition>044173 - Disclosure - DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES - Effect of Derivative Instruments on Statement of Income (Loss) (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/DisclosureGOODWILLANDOTHERINTANGIBLESAdditionalInformationDetail" id="ELRID_GOODWILLANDOTHERINTANGIBLESAdditionalInformationDetail">
                <link:definition>042000 - Disclosure - GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLES - Additional Information (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/DisclosureGOODWILLANDOTHERINTANGIBLESGrossAmountAndAccumulatedAmortizationOfOtherIntangibleAssetsDetail" id="ELRID_GOODWILLANDOTHERINTANGIBLESGrossAmountAndAccumulatedAmortizationOfOtherIntangibleAssetsDetail">
                <link:definition>042050 - Disclosure - GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLES - Gross Amount and Accumulated Amortization of Other Intangible Assets (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/DisclosureNONCONSOLIDATEDVARIABLEINTERESTENTITIESANDSERVICINGASSETSAdditionalInformationDetail" id="ELRID_NONCONSOLIDATEDVARIABLEINTERESTENTITIESANDSERVICINGASSETSAdditionalInformationDetail">
                <link:definition>042100 - Disclosure - NON-CONSOLIDATED VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES AND SERVICING ASSETS - Additional Information (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/DisclosureNONCONSOLIDATEDVARIABLEINTERESTENTITIESANDSERVICINGASSETSChangesInServicingAssetsDetail" id="ELRID_NONCONSOLIDATEDVARIABLEINTERESTENTITIESANDSERVICINGASSETSChangesInServicingAssetsDetail">
                <link:definition>042150 - Disclosure - NON-CONSOLIDATED VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES AND SERVICING ASSETS - Changes in Servicing Assets (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/DisclosureNONCONSOLIDATEDVARIABLEINTERESTENTITIESANDSERVICINGASSETSChangesInImpairmentAllowanceDetail" id="ELRID_NONCONSOLIDATEDVARIABLEINTERESTENTITIESANDSERVICINGASSETSChangesInImpairmentAllowanceDetail">
                <link:definition>042250 - Disclosure - NON-CONSOLIDATED VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES AND SERVICING ASSETS - Changes in Impairment Allowance (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/DisclosureNONCONSOLIDATEDVARIABLEINTERESTENTITIESANDSERVICINGASSETSComponentsOfNetServicingIncomeDetail" id="ELRID_NONCONSOLIDATEDVARIABLEINTERESTENTITIESANDSERVICINGASSETSComponentsOfNetServicingIncomeDetail">
                <link:definition>042300 - Disclosure - NON-CONSOLIDATED VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES AND SERVICING ASSETS - Components of Net Servicing Income (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/DisclosureNONCONSOLIDATEDVARIABLEINTERESTENTITIESANDSERVICINGASSETSKeyEconomicAssumptionsUsedInDeterminingFairValueAtTimeOfSaleOfLoansDetail" id="ELRID_NONCONSOLIDATEDVARIABLEINTERESTENTITIESANDSERVICINGASSETSKeyEconomicAssumptionsUsedInDeterminingFairValueAtTimeOfSaleOfLoansDetail">
                <link:definition>042350 - Disclosure - NON-CONSOLIDATED VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES AND SERVICING ASSETS - Key Economic Assumptions Used in Determining Fair Value at Time of Sale of Loans (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/DisclosureNONCONSOLIDATEDVARIABLEINTERESTENTITIESANDSERVICINGASSETSWeightedAveragesOfKeyEconomicAssumptionsInValuationModelDetail" id="ELRID_NONCONSOLIDATEDVARIABLEINTERESTENTITIESANDSERVICINGASSETSWeightedAveragesOfKeyEconomicAssumptionsInValuationModelDetail">
                <link:definition>042400 - Disclosure - NON-CONSOLIDATED VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES AND SERVICING ASSETS - Weighted-Averages of Key Economic Assumptions in Valuation Model (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/DEPOSITSANDRELATEDINTERESTSummaryOfDepositBalancesDetail" id="ELRID_DEPOSITSANDRELATEDINTERESTSummaryOfDepositBalancesDetail">
                <link:definition>042425 - Disclosure - DEPOSITS AND RELATED INTEREST - Summary of Deposit Balances (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/DEPOSITSANDRELATEDINTERESTBrokeredCertificatesOfDepositMatureDetail" id="ELRID_DEPOSITSANDRELATEDINTERESTBrokeredCertificatesOfDepositMatureDetail">
                <link:definition>042430 - Disclosure - DEPOSITS AND RELATED INTEREST- Brokered Certificates Of Deposit Mature (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/DisclosureSECURITIESSOLDUNDERAGREEMENTSTOREPURCHASESecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseDetail" id="ELRID_SECURITIESSOLDUNDERAGREEMENTSTOREPURCHASESecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseDetail">
                <link:definition>042600 - Disclosure - SECURITIES SOLD UNDER AGREEMENTS TO REPURCHASE - Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/DisclosureSECURITIESSOLDUNDERAGREEMENTSTOREPURCHASESecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseParentheticalDetail" id="ELRID_SECURITIESSOLDUNDERAGREEMENTSTOREPURCHASESecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseParentheticalDetail">
                <link:definition>042650 - Disclosure - SECURITIES SOLD UNDER AGREEMENTS TO REPURCHASE - Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase (Parenthetical) (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/DisclosureSECURITIESSOLDUNDERAGREEMENTSTOREPURCHASEScheduleOfRepurchaseAgreementMaturityDetail" id="ELRID_SECURITIESSOLDUNDERAGREEMENTSTOREPURCHASEScheduleOfRepurchaseAgreementMaturityDetail">
                <link:definition>042700 - Disclosure - SECURITIES SOLD UNDER AGREEMENTS TO REPURCHASE - Schedule of Repurchase Agreement Maturity (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/DisclosureSECURITIESSOLDUNDERAGREEMENTSTOREPURCHASERepurchaseAgreementsGroupedByCounterpartyDetail" id="ELRID_SECURITIESSOLDUNDERAGREEMENTSTOREPURCHASERepurchaseAgreementsGroupedByCounterpartyDetail">
                <link:definition>042750 - Disclosure - SECURITIES SOLD UNDER AGREEMENTS TO REPURCHASE - Repurchase Agreements Grouped by Counterparty (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/DisclosureADVANCESFROMTHEFEDERALHOMELOANBANKFHLBSummaryOfAdvancesFromFHLBDetail" id="ELRID_ADVANCESFROMTHEFEDERALHOMELOANBANKFHLBSummaryOfAdvancesFromFHLBDetail">
                <link:definition>042800 - Disclosure - ADVANCES FROM THE FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK (FHLB) - Summary of Advances from FHLB (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/DisclosureADVANCESFROMTHEFEDERALHOMELOANBANKFHLBSummaryOfAdvancesFromFHLBParentheticalDetail" id="ELRID_ADVANCESFROMTHEFEDERALHOMELOANBANKFHLBSummaryOfAdvancesFromFHLBParentheticalDetail">
                <link:definition>042850 - Disclosure - ADVANCES FROM THE FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK (FHLB) - Summary of Advances from FHLB (Parenthetical) (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/DisclosureADVANCESFROMTHEFEDERALHOMELOANBANKFHLBAdvancesFromFHLBMatureDetail" id="ELRID_ADVANCESFROMTHEFEDERALHOMELOANBANKFHLBAdvancesFromFHLBMatureDetail">
                <link:definition>042900 - Disclosure - ADVANCES FROM THE FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK (FHLB) - Advances from FHLB Mature (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/DisclosureADVANCESFROMTHEFEDERALHOMELOANBANKFHLBAdditionalInformationDetail" id="ELRID_ADVANCESFROMTHEFEDERALHOMELOANBANKFHLBAdditionalInformationDetail">
                <link:definition>042950 - Disclosure - ADVANCES FROM THE FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK (FHLB) - Additional Information (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/DisclosureOTHERBORROWINGSComponentsOfOtherBorrowingsDetail" id="ELRID_OTHERBORROWINGSComponentsOfOtherBorrowingsDetail">
                <link:definition>043500 - Disclosure - OTHER BORROWINGS - Components of Other Borrowings (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/DisclosureOTHERBORROWINGSComponentsOfOtherBorrowingsParentheticalDetail" id="ELRID_OTHERBORROWINGSComponentsOfOtherBorrowingsParentheticalDetail">
                <link:definition>043550 - Disclosure - OTHER BORROWINGS - Components of Other Borrowings (Parenthetical) (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/DisclosureSTOCKHOLDERSEQUITYAdditionalInformationDetail" id="ELRID_STOCKHOLDERSEQUITYAdditionalInformationDetail">
                <link:definition>043750 - Disclosure - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - Additional Information (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/DisclosureINCOMETAXESAdditionalInformationDetail" id="ELRID_INCOMETAXESAdditionalInformationDetail">
                <link:definition>044000 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES - Additional Information (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/DisclosureFAIRVALUEAdditionalInformationDetail" id="ELRID_FAIRVALUEAdditionalInformationDetail">
                <link:definition>044220 - Disclosure - FAIR VALUE - Additional Information (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/DisclosureFAIRVALUEAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredAtFairValueOnRecurringBasisDetail" id="ELRID_FAIRVALUEAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredAtFairValueOnRecurringBasisDetail">
                <link:definition>044250 - Disclosure - FAIR VALUE - Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/DisclosureFAIRVALUEFairValueOfAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisDetail" id="ELRID_FAIRVALUEFairValueOfAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisDetail">
                <link:definition>044400 - Disclosure - FAIR VALUE - Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/DisclosureFAIRVALUEAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredAtFairValueOnRecurringBasisUsingSignificantUnobservableInputsLevel3Detail" id="ELRID_FAIRVALUEAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredAtFairValueOnRecurringBasisUsingSignificantUnobservableInputsLevel3Detail">
                <link:definition>044450 - Disclosure - FAIR VALUE - Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/DisclosureFAIRVALUEImpairmentOfValuationAdjustmentsWereRecordedForAssetsRecognizedAtFairValueDetail" id="ELRID_FAIRVALUEImpairmentOfValuationAdjustmentsWereRecordedForAssetsRecognizedAtFairValueDetail">
                <link:definition>044500 - Disclosure - FAIR VALUE - Impairment of Valuation Adjustments were Recorded for Assets Recognized at Fair Value (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/FAIRVALUEQualitativeInformationRegardingFairValueMeasurementsForLevel3FinancialInstrumentsDetail" id="ELRID_FAIRVALUEQualitativeInformationRegardingFairValueMeasurementsForLevel3FinancialInstrumentsDetail">
                <link:definition>044480 - Disclosure - FAIR VALUE - Qualitative Information Regarding Fair Value Measurements for Level 3 Financial Instruments (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/DisclosureFAIRVALUEFairValueDetail" id="ELRID_FAIRVALUEFairValueDetail">
                <link:definition>044650 - Disclosure - FAIR VALUE - Fair Value (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/DisclosureSUPPLEMENTALCASHFLOWINFORMATIONSupplementalCashFlowInformationDetail" id="ELRID_SUPPLEMENTALCASHFLOWINFORMATIONSupplementalCashFlowInformationDetail">
                <link:definition>044750 - Disclosure - SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION - Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/SEGMENTINFORMATIONAdditionalInformationDetail" id="ELRID_SEGMENTINFORMATIONAdditionalInformationDetail">
                <link:definition>044680 - Disclosure - SEGMENT INFORMATION - Additional Information (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/SEGMENTINFORMATIONInformationAboutReportableSegmentsDetail" id="ELRID_SEGMENTINFORMATIONInformationAboutReportableSegmentsDetail">
                <link:definition>044681 - Disclosure - SEGMENT INFORMATION - Information about Reportable Segments (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/SEGMENTINFORMATIONReconciliationOfReportableSegmentFinancialInformationDetail" id="ELRID_SEGMENTINFORMATIONReconciliationOfReportableSegmentFinancialInformationDetail">
                <link:definition>044682 - Disclosure - SEGMENT INFORMATION - Reconciliation of Reportable Segment Financial Information (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/REGULATORYMATTERSCASHRESTRICTIONSCOMMITMENTSANDCONTINGENCIESAdditionalInformationDetail" id="ELRID_REGULATORYMATTERSCASHRESTRICTIONSCOMMITMENTSANDCONTINGENCIESAdditionalInformationDetail">
                <link:definition>045000 - Disclosure - REGULATORY MATTERS, CASH RESTRICTIONS, COMMITMENTS, AND CONTINGENCIES - Additional Information (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/DisclosureFIRSTBANCORPHoldingCompanyOnlyFinancialInformationStatementsOfFinancialConditionDetail" id="ELRID_FIRSTBANCORPHoldingCompanyOnlyFinancialInformationStatementsOfFinancialConditionDetail">
                <link:definition>045300 - Disclosure - FIRST BANCORP. (Holding Company Only) Financial Information - Statements of Financial Condition (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/FIRSTBANCORPHoldingCompanyOnlyFinancialInformationStatementsOfIncomeDetail" id="ELRID_FIRSTBANCORPHoldingCompanyOnlyFinancialInformationStatementsOfIncomeDetail">
                <link:definition>045350 - Disclosure - FIRST BANCORP. (Holding Company Only) Financial Information - Statements of Income (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/NATUREOFBUSINESSANDSUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIESPolicies" id="ELRID_NATUREOFBUSINESSANDSUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIESPolicies">
                <link:definition>020000 - Disclosure - NATURE OF BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/PREMISESANDEQUIPMENT" id="ELRID_PREMISESANDEQUIPMENT">
                <link:definition>010010 - Disclosure - PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/PREMISESANDEQUIPMENTTables" id="ELRID_PREMISESANDEQUIPMENTTables">
                <link:definition>030010 - Disclosure - PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT (Tables)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/PREMISESANDEQUIPMENTDetail" id="ELRID_PREMISESANDEQUIPMENTDetail">
                <link:definition>041880 - Disclosure - PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/MONEYMARKETINVESTMENTS" id="ELRID_MONEYMARKETINVESTMENTS">
                <link:definition>010004 - Disclosure - MONEY MARKET INVESTMENTS</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/RELATEDPARTYTRANSACTIONS" id="ELRID_RELATEDPARTYTRANSACTIONS">
                <link:definition>010012 - Disclosure - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/EMPLOYEEBENEFITPLANS" id="ELRID_EMPLOYEEBENEFITPLANS">
                <link:definition>010025 - Disclosure - EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/OTHERNONINTERESTINCOME" id="ELRID_OTHERNONINTERESTINCOME">
                <link:definition>010026 - Disclosure - OTHER NON- INTEREST INCOME</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/OTHERNONINTERESTEXPENSES" id="ELRID_OTHERNONINTERESTEXPENSES">
                <link:definition>010027 - Disclosure - OTHER NON- INTEREST EXPENSES</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/OPERATINGLEASES" id="ELRID_OPERATINGLEASES">
                <link:definition>010029 - Disclosure - OPERATING LEASES</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/MONEYMARKETINVESTMENTSTables" id="ELRID_MONEYMARKETINVESTMENTSTables">
                <link:definition>030004 - Disclosure - MONEY MARKET INVESTMENTS (Tables)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/RELATEDPARTYTRANSACTIONSTables" id="ELRID_RELATEDPARTYTRANSACTIONSTables">
                <link:definition>030012 - Disclosure - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (Tables)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/OTHERNONINTERESTINCOMETables" id="ELRID_OTHERNONINTERESTINCOMETables">
                <link:definition>030026 - Disclosure - OTHER NON- INTEREST INCOME (Tables)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/OTHERNONINTERESTEXPENSESTables" id="ELRID_OTHERNONINTERESTEXPENSESTables">
                <link:definition>030027 - Disclosure - OTHER NON- INTEREST EXPENSES (Tables)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/INCOMETAXESTables" id="ELRID_INCOMETAXESTables">
                <link:definition>030028 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES (Tables)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/OPERATINGLEASESTables" id="ELRID_OPERATINGLEASESTables">
                <link:definition>030029 - Disclosure - OPERATING LEASES (Tables)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/REGULATORYMATTERSCASHRESTRICTIONSCOMMITMENTSANDCONTINGENCIESTables" id="ELRID_REGULATORYMATTERSCASHRESTRICTIONSCOMMITMENTSANDCONTINGENCIESTables">
                <link:definition>030033 - Disclosure - REGULATORY MATTERS, CASH RESTRICTIONS, COMMITMENTS, AND CONTINGENCIES (Tables)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/REGULATORYMATTERSCASHRESTRICTIONSCOMMITMENTSANDCONTINGENCIESAdditionalInformationIIDetail" id="ELRID_REGULATORYMATTERSCASHRESTRICTIONSCOMMITMENTSANDCONTINGENCIESAdditionalInformationIIDetail">
                <link:definition>045001 - Disclosure - REGULATORY MATTERS, CASH RESTRICTIONS, COMMITMENTS, AND CONTINGENCIES - Additional Information II (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/MONEYMARKETINVESTMENTSDetail" id="ELRID_MONEYMARKETINVESTMENTSDetail">
                <link:definition>040050 - Disclosure - MONEY MARKET INVESTMENTS (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/DEBTSECURITIESAggregateAmortizedCostAndMarketValueOfTheSecuritiesByIssuersWhenTheAggregateAmortizedCostOfTheSucuritiesOfSuchIssuersExceed10OfTheCorporationsStockholdersEquityDetail" id="ELRID_DEBTSECURITIESAggregateAmortizedCostAndMarketValueOfTheSecuritiesByIssuersWhenTheAggregateAmortizedCostOfTheSucuritiesOfSuchIssuersExceed10OfTheCorporationsStockholdersEquityDetail">
                <link:definition>040370 - Disclosure - DEBT SECURITIES - Aggregate amortized cost and market value of the securities by issuers when the aggregate amortized cost of the sucurities of such issuers exceed 10% of the Corporation's stockholders' equity (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/RELATEDPARTYTRANSACTIONSMovementAndBalanceOfTheseLoansDetail" id="ELRID_RELATEDPARTYTRANSACTIONSMovementAndBalanceOfTheseLoansDetail">
                <link:definition>041957 - Disclosure - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS- Movement and balance of these loans (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/DEPOSITSANDRELATEDINTERESTNarrativesDetail" id="ELRID_DEPOSITSANDRELATEDINTERESTNarrativesDetail">
                <link:definition>042420 - Disclosure - DEPOSITS AND RELATED INTEREST - Narratives (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/DEPOSITSANDRELATEDINTERESTInterestExpensesOnDepositsDetail" id="ELRID_DEPOSITSANDRELATEDINTERESTInterestExpensesOnDepositsDetail">
                <link:definition>042525 - Disclosure - DEPOSITS AND RELATED INTEREST - Interest Expenses on deposits (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/SECURITIESSOLDUNDERAGREEMENTSTOREPURCHASENarrativesDetail" id="ELRID_SECURITIESSOLDUNDERAGREEMENTSTOREPURCHASENarrativesDetail">
                <link:definition>042575 - Disclosure - SECURITIES SOLD UNDER AGREEMENTS TO REPURCHASE - Narratives (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/SECURITIESSOLDUNDERAGREEMENTSTOREPURCHASESecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseUnderlyingSecuritiesDetail" id="ELRID_SECURITIESSOLDUNDERAGREEMENTSTOREPURCHASESecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseUnderlyingSecuritiesDetail">
                <link:definition>042725 - Disclosure - SECURITIES SOLD UNDER AGREEMENTS TO REPURCHASE - Securities sold under agreements to repurchase, Underlying Securities (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/EMPLOYEEBENEFITPLANSNarrativesDetail" id="ELRID_EMPLOYEEBENEFITPLANSNarrativesDetail">
                <link:definition>043870 - Disclosure - EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS - Narratives (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/OTHERNONINTERESTINCOMEDetailOfOtherNoninterestIncomeDetail" id="ELRID_OTHERNONINTERESTINCOMEDetailOfOtherNoninterestIncomeDetail">
                <link:definition>043951 - Disclosure - OTHER NON- INTEREST INCOME- Detail of other non-interest income (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/OTHERNONINTERESTEXPENSESDetailOfOtherNoninterestExpensesDetail" id="ELRID_OTHERNONINTERESTEXPENSESDetailOfOtherNoninterestExpensesDetail">
                <link:definition>043952 - Disclosure - OTHER NON- INTEREST EXPENSES- Detail of other non-interest expenses (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/FIRSTBANCORPHoldingCompanyOnlyFinancialInformationStatementsOfCashFlowsDetail" id="ELRID_FIRSTBANCORPHoldingCompanyOnlyFinancialInformationStatementsOfCashFlowsDetail">
                <link:definition>045400 - Disclosure - FIRST BANCORP. (Holding Company Only) Financial Information - Statements of Cash Flows (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/INCOMETAXESComponentsOfIncomeTaxExpenseDetail" id="ELRID_INCOMETAXESComponentsOfIncomeTaxExpenseDetail">
                <link:definition>044050 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES- Components of income tax expense (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/INCOMETAXESReconciliationsOfIncomeTaxExpensesDetail" id="ELRID_INCOMETAXESReconciliationsOfIncomeTaxExpensesDetail">
                <link:definition>044100 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES- Reconciliations of Income tax expenses (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/INCOMETAXESSignificantComponentsOfDeferredTaxAssetsAndLiabilitiesDetail" id="ELRID_INCOMETAXESSignificantComponentsOfDeferredTaxAssetsAndLiabilitiesDetail">
                <link:definition>044150 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES- Significant components of deferred tax assets and liabilities (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/OPERATINGLEASESSupplementalBalanceSheetInformationDetail" id="ELRID_OPERATINGLEASESSupplementalBalanceSheetInformationDetail">
                <link:definition>044160 - Disclosure - OPERATING LEASES - Supplemental Balance Sheet Information (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/REGULATORYMATTERSCASHRESTRICTIONSCOMMITMENTSANDCONTINGENCIESRegulatoryCapitalPositionsDetail" id="ELRID_REGULATORYMATTERSCASHRESTRICTIONSCOMMITMENTSANDCONTINGENCIESRegulatoryCapitalPositionsDetail">
                <link:definition>045001 - Disclosure - REGULATORY MATTERS, CASH RESTRICTIONS, COMMITMENTS, AND CONTINGENCIES - Regulatory capital positions (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/DERIVATIVEINSTRUMENTSANDHEDGINGACTIVITIESNarrativesDetail" id="ELRID_DERIVATIVEINSTRUMENTSANDHEDGINGACTIVITIESNarrativesDetail">
                <link:definition>044170 - Disclosure - DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES - Narratives (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/SEGMENTINFORMATIONRevenuesAndSelectedBalanceSheetDataByGeographyBasedOnTheLocationDetail" id="ELRID_SEGMENTINFORMATIONRevenuesAndSelectedBalanceSheetDataByGeographyBasedOnTheLocationDetail">
                <link:definition>044683 - Disclosure - SEGMENT INFORMATION - revenues and selected balance sheet data by geography based on the location (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/DisclosureFAIRVALUEChangeInUnrealizedLossesIncludedInEarningsDetail" id="ELRID_FAIRVALUEChangeInUnrealizedLossesIncludedInEarningsDetail">
                <link:definition>044475 - Disclosure - FAIR VALUE - Change in unrealized losses included in earnings (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/MONEYMARKETINVESTMENTSAdditionalInformationDetail" id="ELRID_MONEYMARKETINVESTMENTSAdditionalInformationDetail">
                <link:definition>040051 - Disclosure - MONEY MARKET INVESTMENTS - Additional Information (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/LOANSHELDFORINVESTMENTLoanPortfolioHeldForInvestmentParentheticalDetail" id="ELRID_LOANSHELDFORINVESTMENTLoanPortfolioHeldForInvestmentParentheticalDetail">
                <link:definition>040610 - Disclosure - LOANS HELD FOR INVESTMENT - Loan Portfolio Held for Investment (Parenthetical) (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/OTHERREALESTATEOWNEDTables" id="ELRID_OTHERREALESTATEOWNEDTables">
                <link:definition>030011 - Disclosure - OTHER REAL ESTATE OWNED (Tables)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/OTHERREALESTATEOWNEDOtherRealEstateOwnedDetail" id="ELRID_OTHERREALESTATEOWNEDOtherRealEstateOwnedDetail">
                <link:definition>041955 - Disclosure - OTHER REAL ESTATE OWNED- Other real estate owned (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/OTHERREALESTATEOWNEDAdditionalInformationDetail" id="ELRID_OTHERREALESTATEOWNEDAdditionalInformationDetail">
                <link:definition>041956 - Disclosure - OTHER REAL ESTATE OWNED- Additional information (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/OTHERREALESTATEOWNED" id="ELRID_OTHERREALESTATEOWNED">
                <link:definition>010011 - Disclosure - OTHER REAL ESTATE OWNED</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/NATUREOFBUSINESSANDSUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIESNatureOfBusinessDetail" id="ELRID_NATUREOFBUSINESSANDSUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIESNatureOfBusinessDetail">
                <link:definition>040001 - Disclosure - NATURE OF BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Nature of business (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/DEBTSECURITIESInvestmentSecuritiesHeldToMaturityDetail" id="ELRID_DEBTSECURITIESInvestmentSecuritiesHeldToMaturityDetail">
                <link:definition>040380 - Disclosure - DEBT SECURITIES - Investment Securities Held to Maturity (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/GOODWILLANDOTHERINTANGIBLESYearlyAmortizationExpenseDetail" id="ELRID_GOODWILLANDOTHERINTANGIBLESYearlyAmortizationExpenseDetail">
                <link:definition>042052 - Disclosure - GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLES - Yearly Amortization Expense (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/DEPOSITSANDRELATEDINTERESTCertificatesOfDepositsMatureDetail" id="ELRID_DEPOSITSANDRELATEDINTERESTCertificatesOfDepositsMatureDetail">
                <link:definition>042427 - Disclosure - DEPOSITS AND RELATED INTEREST - Certificates of Deposits Mature (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/PREMISESANDEQUIPMENTAdditionalInformationDetail" id="ELRID_PREMISESANDEQUIPMENTAdditionalInformationDetail">
                <link:definition>041885 - Disclosure - PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT- Additional information (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/DEBTSECURITIESInvestmentsSecuritiesHeldToMaturitySecuritiesInContinousUnrealizedLossPositionDetail" id="ELRID_DEBTSECURITIESInvestmentsSecuritiesHeldToMaturitySecuritiesInContinousUnrealizedLossPositionDetail">
                <link:definition>040385 - Disclosure - DEBT SECURITIES - Investments Securities Held to Maturity (Securities in continous unrealized loss position) (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/NATUREOFBUSINESSANDSUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIESLoansHeldForInvestmentDetail" id="ELRID_NATUREOFBUSINESSANDSUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIESLoansHeldForInvestmentDetail">
                <link:definition>040003 - Disclosure - NATURE OF BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Loans held for investment (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/NATUREOFBUSINESSANDSUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIESAllowanceForLoanAndLeaseLossesDetail" id="ELRID_NATUREOFBUSINESSANDSUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIESAllowanceForLoanAndLeaseLossesDetail">
                <link:definition>040004 - Disclosure - NATURE OF BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Allowance for loan and lease losses (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/NATUREOFBUSINESSANDSUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIESServicingAssetsDetail" id="ELRID_NATUREOFBUSINESSANDSUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIESServicingAssetsDetail">
                <link:definition>040005 - Disclosure - NATURE OF BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Servicing Assets (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/NATUREOFBUSINESSANDSUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIESSecuritiesPurchasedAndSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseDetail" id="ELRID_NATUREOFBUSINESSANDSUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIESSecuritiesPurchasedAndSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseDetail">
                <link:definition>040008 - Disclosure - NATURE OF BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Securities purchased and sold under agreements to repurchase (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/OTHERCOMPREHENSIVELOSSINCOMETables" id="ELRID_OTHERCOMPREHENSIVELOSSINCOMETables">
                <link:definition>030024 - Disclosure - OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME (Tables)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/REVENUEFROMCONTRACTSWITHCUSTOMERSTables" id="ELRID_REVENUEFROMCONTRACTSWITHCUSTOMERSTables">
                <link:definition>030031 - Disclosure - REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS (Tables)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/REVENUEFROMCONTRACTSWITHCUSTOMERS" id="ELRID_REVENUEFROMCONTRACTSWITHCUSTOMERS">
                <link:definition>010033 - Disclosure - REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/OTHERCOMPREHENSIVELOSSINCOME" id="ELRID_OTHERCOMPREHENSIVELOSSINCOME">
                <link:definition>010024 - Disclosure - OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/ALLOWANCEFORCREDITLOSSESONLOANSANDFINANCELEASESCarryingAmountOfPortfoliosDetail" id="ELRID_ALLOWANCEFORCREDITLOSSESONLOANSANDFINANCELEASESCarryingAmountOfPortfoliosDetail">
                <link:definition>041845 - Disclosure - ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES ON LOANS AND FINANCE LEASES - Carrying Amount of Portfolios (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/OTHERCOMPREHENSIVELOSSINCOMEChangeInAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossByComponentDetail" id="ELRID_OTHERCOMPREHENSIVELOSSINCOMEChangeInAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossByComponentDetail">
                <link:definition>043770 - Disclosure - OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME - Change in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss by Component (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/OTHERCOMPREHENSIVELOSSINCOMEReclassificationsOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossDetail" id="ELRID_OTHERCOMPREHENSIVELOSSINCOMEReclassificationsOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossDetail">
                <link:definition>043771 - Disclosure - OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME - Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/REVENUEFROMCONTRACTSWITHCUSTOMERSDetail" id="ELRID_REVENUEFROMCONTRACTSWITHCUSTOMERSDetail">
                <link:definition>044660 - Disclosure - REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/REVENUEFROMCONTRACTSWITHCUSTOMERSAdditionalInformationDetail" id="ELRID_REVENUEFROMCONTRACTSWITHCUSTOMERSAdditionalInformationDetail">
                <link:definition>044670 - Disclosure - REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS - Additional Information (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/STOCKBASEDCOMPENSATIONRestrictedStockAdditionalInformationDetail" id="ELRID_STOCKBASEDCOMPENSATIONRestrictedStockAdditionalInformationDetail">
                <link:definition>043711 - Disclosure - STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION - Restricted Stock - Additional Information (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/STOCKBASEDCOMPENSATIONPerformanceUnitsAdditionalInformationDetail" id="ELRID_STOCKBASEDCOMPENSATIONPerformanceUnitsAdditionalInformationDetail">
                <link:definition>043714 - Disclosure - STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION - Performance Units - Additional Information (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/REGULATORYMATTERSCASHRESTRICTIONSCOMMITMENTSANDCONTINGENCIESSummaryOfCommitmentsDetail" id="ELRID_REGULATORYMATTERSCASHRESTRICTIONSCOMMITMENTSANDCONTINGENCIESSummaryOfCommitmentsDetail">
                <link:definition>045002 - Disclosure - REGULATORY MATTERS, CASH RESTRICTIONS, COMMITMENTS, AND CONTINGENCIES - Summary of Commitments (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/NATUREOFBUSINESSANDSUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIESSegmentReportingDetail" id="ELRID_NATUREOFBUSINESSANDSUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIESSegmentReportingDetail">
                <link:definition>040011 - Disclosure - NATURE OF BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Segment Reporting (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/OPERATINGLEASESSupplementalCashFlowInformationRelatedToLeasesDetail" id="ELRID_OPERATINGLEASESSupplementalCashFlowInformationRelatedToLeasesDetail">
                <link:definition>044161 - Disclosure - OPERATING LEASES - Supplemental Cash Flow Information Related to Leases (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/OPERATINGLEASESMaturitiesUnderLeaseLiabilityDetail" id="ELRID_OPERATINGLEASESMaturitiesUnderLeaseLiabilityDetail">
                <link:definition>044163 - Disclosure - OPERATING LEASES - Maturities Under Lease Liability (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/OPERATINGLEASESAdditionalInformationDetail" id="ELRID_OPERATINGLEASESAdditionalInformationDetail">
                <link:definition>044166 - Disclosure - OPERATING LEASES - Additional Information (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/ALLOWANCEFORCREDITLOSSESONLOANSANDFINANCELEASESCarryingAmountOfPortfoliosParentheticalDetail" id="ELRID_ALLOWANCEFORCREDITLOSSESONLOANSANDFINANCELEASESCarryingAmountOfPortfoliosParentheticalDetail">
                <link:definition>041847 - Disclosure - ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES ON LOANS AND FINANCE LEASES - Carrying Amount of Portfolios (Parenthetical) (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/NATUREOFBUSINESSANDSUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIESLeasesDetail" id="ELRID_NATUREOFBUSINESSANDSUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIESLeasesDetail">
                <link:definition>040006 - Disclosure - NATURE OF BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Leases (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCHANGESINSTOCKHOLDERSEQUITYParenthetical" id="ELRID_CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCHANGESINSTOCKHOLDERSEQUITYParenthetical">
                <link:definition>000705 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Parenthetical)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/REVENUEFROMCONTRACTSWITHCUSTOMERSActivityOfContractLiabilityDetail" id="ELRID_REVENUEFROMCONTRACTSWITHCUSTOMERSActivityOfContractLiabilityDetail">
                <link:definition>044671 - Disclosure - REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS - Activity of Contract Liability (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/LOANSHELDFORINVESTMENTCorporationsCommercialAndConstructionLoansByPortfolioClassesAndByOriginationYearBasedOnTheInternalCreditRiskCategoryDetail" id="ELRID_LOANSHELDFORINVESTMENTCorporationsCommercialAndConstructionLoansByPortfolioClassesAndByOriginationYearBasedOnTheInternalCreditRiskCategoryDetail">
                <link:definition>040900 - Disclosure - LOANS HELD FOR INVESTMENT - Corporation's Commercial and Construction Loans by Portfolio Classes and by Origination Year Based on the Internal Credit Risk Category (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/LOANSHELDFORINVESTMENTCorporationsResidentialMortgageLoansByOriginationYearBasedOnAccrualStatusDetail" id="ELRID_LOANSHELDFORINVESTMENTCorporationsResidentialMortgageLoansByOriginationYearBasedOnAccrualStatusDetail">
                <link:definition>040925 - Disclosure - LOANS HELD FOR INVESTMENT - Corporation's Residential Mortgage Loans By Origination Year Based on Accrual Status (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/LOANSHELDFORINVESTMENTCorporationsConsumerLoansByOriginationYearBasedOnAccrualStatusDetail" id="ELRID_LOANSHELDFORINVESTMENTCorporationsConsumerLoansByOriginationYearBasedOnAccrualStatusDetail">
                <link:definition>040975 - Disclosure - LOANS HELD FOR INVESTMENT - Corporation's Consumer Loans by Origination Year Based on Accrual Status (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/LOANSHELDFORINVESTMENTCollateralDependentLonsIndividuallyEvaluatedForPurposesOfDetermingTheACLDetail" id="ELRID_LOANSHELDFORINVESTMENTCollateralDependentLonsIndividuallyEvaluatedForPurposesOfDetermingTheACLDetail">
                <link:definition>040980 - Disclosure - LOANS HELD FOR INVESTMENT - Collateral Dependent Lons Individually Evaluated For Purposes of Determing the ACL (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/NATUREOFBUSINESSANDSUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIESTables" id="ELRID_NATUREOFBUSINESSANDSUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIESTables">
                <link:definition>030000 - Disclosure - NATURE OF BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES  (Tables)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/GOODWILLANDOTHERINTANGIBLESGoodwillBySegmentDetail" id="ELRID_GOODWILLANDOTHERINTANGIBLESGoodwillBySegmentDetail">
                <link:definition>042002 - Disclosure - GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLES - Goodwill by Segment (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/OTHERBORROWINGSAdditionalInformationDetail" id="ELRID_OTHERBORROWINGSAdditionalInformationDetail">
                <link:definition>043555 - Disclosure - OTHER BORROWINGS - Additional Information (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/NATUREOFBUSINESSANDSUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIESInvestmentSecuritiesDetail" id="ELRID_NATUREOFBUSINESSANDSUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIESInvestmentSecuritiesDetail">
                <link:definition>040002 - Disclosure - NATURE OF BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Investment Securities (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/NATUREOFBUSINESSANDSUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIESIncomeTaxesDetail" id="ELRID_NATUREOFBUSINESSANDSUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIESIncomeTaxesDetail">
                <link:definition>040010 - Disclosure - NATURE OF BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Income Taxes (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/ALLOWANCEFORCREDITLOSSESONLOANSANDFINANCELOSSESActivityInACLOnLoansAndFinanceLeasesDetail" id="ELRID_ALLOWANCEFORCREDITLOSSESONLOANSANDFINANCELOSSESActivityInACLOnLoansAndFinanceLeasesDetail">
                <link:definition>041800 - Disclosure - ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES ON LOANS AND FINANCE LOSSES - Activity in ACL on loans and finance leases (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/ALLOWANCEFORCREDITLOSSESONLOANSANDFINANCELOSSESActivityInACLForUnfundedLoanCommitmentsAndStandbyLettersOfCreditDetail" id="ELRID_ALLOWANCEFORCREDITLOSSESONLOANSANDFINANCELOSSESActivityInACLForUnfundedLoanCommitmentsAndStandbyLettersOfCreditDetail">
                <link:definition>041860 - Disclosure - ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES ON LOANS AND FINANCE LOSSES - Activity in ACL for unfunded loan commitments and standby letters of credit (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/ALLOWANCEFORCREDITLOSSESONLOANSANDFINANCELOSSESActivityInACLOnLoansAndFinanceLeasesParentheticalDetail" id="ELRID_ALLOWANCEFORCREDITLOSSESONLOANSANDFINANCELOSSESActivityInACLOnLoansAndFinanceLeasesParentheticalDetail">
                <link:definition>041830 - Disclosure - ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES ON LOANS AND FINANCE LOSSES - Activity in ACL on loans and finance leases (Parenthetical) (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/ALLOWANCEFORCREDITLOSSESONLOANSANDFINANCELEASES" id="ELRID_ALLOWANCEFORCREDITLOSSESONLOANSANDFINANCELEASES">
                <link:definition>010009 - Disclosure - ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES ON LOANS AND FINANCE LEASES</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/DEBTSECURITIESACLForDebtSecuritiesAvailableforSaleDetail" id="ELRID_DEBTSECURITIESACLForDebtSecuritiesAvailableforSaleDetail">
                <link:definition>040360 - Disclosure - DEBT SECURITIES - ACL for Debt Securities Available-for-Sale (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/DEBTSECURITIESACLOnDebtSecuritiesHeldToMaturityDetail" id="ELRID_DEBTSECURITIESACLOnDebtSecuritiesHeldToMaturityDetail">
                <link:definition>040390 - Disclosure - DEBT SECURITIES - ACL on Debt Securities Held-To-Maturity (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/EMPLOYEEBENEFITPLANSChangesInProjectedBenefitObligationAndChangesInPlanAssetsDetail" id="ELRID_EMPLOYEEBENEFITPLANSChangesInProjectedBenefitObligationAndChangesInPlanAssetsDetail">
                <link:definition>043800 - Disclosure - EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS - Changes in Projected Benefit Obligation and Changes in Plan Assets (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/EMPLOYEEBENEFITPLANSPretaxAmountsRecognizedInAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossDetail" id="ELRID_EMPLOYEEBENEFITPLANSPretaxAmountsRecognizedInAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossDetail">
                <link:definition>043840 - Disclosure - EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS - Pre-tax Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/EMPLOYEEBENEFITPLANSComponentsOfNetPeriodicBenefitDetail" id="ELRID_EMPLOYEEBENEFITPLANSComponentsOfNetPeriodicBenefitDetail">
                <link:definition>043820 - Disclosure - EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS - Components of Net Periodic Benefit (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/EMPLOYEEBENEFITPLANSChangesInAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossOfThePensionPlansAndPostretirementBenefitPlanDetail" id="ELRID_EMPLOYEEBENEFITPLANSChangesInAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossOfThePensionPlansAndPostretirementBenefitPlanDetail">
                <link:definition>043830 - Disclosure - EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS - Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss of the Pension Plans and Postretirement Benefit Plan (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/EMPLOYEEBENEFITPLANSProjectedBenefitObligationAndAccumulatedBenefitObligationInExcessOfPlanAssetsDetail" id="ELRID_EMPLOYEEBENEFITPLANSProjectedBenefitObligationAndAccumulatedBenefitObligationInExcessOfPlanAssetsDetail">
                <link:definition>043805 - Disclosure - EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS - Projected Benefit Obligation and Accumulated Benefit Obligation in Excess of Plan Assets (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/EMPLOYEEBENEFITPLANSPensionPlansWeigthedaverageAssetAllocationsDetail" id="ELRID_EMPLOYEEBENEFITPLANSPensionPlansWeigthedaverageAssetAllocationsDetail">
                <link:definition>043850 - Disclosure - EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS - Pension Plans Weigthed-average Asset Allocations (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/EMPLOYEEBENEFITPLANSExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsForThePlansDetail" id="ELRID_EMPLOYEEBENEFITPLANSExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsForThePlansDetail">
                <link:definition>043860 - Disclosure - EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS - Expected Future Benefit Payments for the Plans (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/EMPLOYEEBENEFITPLANSTables" id="ELRID_EMPLOYEEBENEFITPLANSTables">
                <link:definition>030025 - Disclosure - EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Tables)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/STOCKBASEDCOMPENSATIONPerformanceUnitsPerformanceUnitActivityDetail" id="ELRID_STOCKBASEDCOMPENSATIONPerformanceUnitsPerformanceUnitActivityDetail">
                <link:definition>043715 - Disclosure - STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION - Performance Units - Performance Unit Activity (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/STOCKBASEDCOMPENSATIONOtherAwardsAdditionalInformationDetail" id="ELRID_STOCKBASEDCOMPENSATIONOtherAwardsAdditionalInformationDetail">
                <link:definition>043716 - Disclosure - STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION - Other Awards - Additional Information (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/STOCKHOLDERSEQUITYCommonStockDetail" id="ELRID_STOCKHOLDERSEQUITYCommonStockDetail">
                <link:definition>043760 - Disclosure - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - Common Stock (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/STOCKHOLDERSEQUITYCommonStockParentheticalDetail" id="ELRID_STOCKHOLDERSEQUITYCommonStockParentheticalDetail">
                <link:definition>043761 - Disclosure - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - Common Stock (Parenthetical) (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/STOCKHOLDERSEQUITYTables" id="ELRID_STOCKHOLDERSEQUITYTables">
                <link:definition>030023 - Disclosure - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Tables)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/OPERATINGLEASESMaturitiesUnderLeaseLiabilityIIDetail" id="ELRID_OPERATINGLEASESMaturitiesUnderLeaseLiabilityIIDetail">
                <link:definition>044164 - Disclosure - OPERATING LEASES - Maturities Under Lease Liability II (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/STOCKBASEDCOMPENSATIONTreasuryStockAdditionalInformationDetail" id="ELRID_STOCKBASEDCOMPENSATIONTreasuryStockAdditionalInformationDetail">
                <link:definition>043717 - Disclosure - STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION - Treasury Stock - Additional Information (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/STOCKBASEDCOMPENSATIONRestrictedStockActivityUnderOmnibusPlanParentheticalDetail" id="ELRID_STOCKBASEDCOMPENSATIONRestrictedStockActivityUnderOmnibusPlanParentheticalDetail">
                <link:definition>043713 - Disclosure - STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION - Restricted Stock Activity Under Omnibus Plan (Parenthetical) (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/NATUREOFBUSINESSANDSUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIESAdoptionOfNewAccountingPronouncementsDetail" id="ELRID_NATUREOFBUSINESSANDSUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIESAdoptionOfNewAccountingPronouncementsDetail">
                <link:definition>040012 - Disclosure - NATURE OF BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Adoption of new Accounting Pronouncements (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/NATUREOFBUSINESSANDSUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIESChangeInAccountingMethodDetail" id="ELRID_NATUREOFBUSINESSANDSUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIESChangeInAccountingMethodDetail">
                <link:definition>040003 - Disclosure - NATURE OF BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Change in accounting method (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/EMPLOYEEBENEFITPLANSWeightedAverageAssumptionUsedToDetermineTheNetPeriodicBenefitForPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDetail" id="ELRID_EMPLOYEEBENEFITPLANSWeightedAverageAssumptionUsedToDetermineTheNetPeriodicBenefitForPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDetail">
                <link:definition>043825 - Disclosure - EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS - Weighted-Average Assumption Used to Determine the Net Periodic Benefit for Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/OPERATINGLEASESSupplementalCashFlowInformationRelatedToLeasesParentheticalDetail" id="ELRID_OPERATINGLEASESSupplementalCashFlowInformationRelatedToLeasesParentheticalDetail">
                <link:definition>044162 - Disclosure - OPERATING LEASES - Supplemental Cash Flow Information Related to Leases (Parenthetical) (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/EARNINGSPERCOMMONSHAREAdditionalInformationDetail" id="ELRID_EARNINGSPERCOMMONSHAREAdditionalInformationDetail">
                <link:definition>043705 - Disclosure - EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE - Additional Information (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/STOCKHOLDERSEQUITYTreasuySharesDetail" id="ELRID_STOCKHOLDERSEQUITYTreasuySharesDetail">
                <link:definition>043765 - Disclosure - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - Treasuy Shares (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
            <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.firstbankpr.com/role/STOCKHOLDERSEQUITYTreasurySharesParentheticalDetail" id="ELRID_STOCKHOLDERSEQUITYTreasurySharesParentheticalDetail">
                <link:definition>043766 - Disclosure - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - Treasury Shares (Parenthetical) (Detail)</link:definition>
                <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
                <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
            </link:roleType>
        </appinfo>
    </annotation>
    <import namespace="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance" schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/xbrl-instance-2003-12-31.xsd" />
    <import namespace="http://xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt" schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd" />
    <import namespace="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negated" schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/lrr/role/negated-2009-12-16.xsd" />
    <import namespace="http://fasb.org/us-gaap/2022" schemaLocation="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd" />
    <import namespace="http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022" schemaLocation="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd" />
    <import namespace="http://xbrl.sec.gov/stpr/2022" schemaLocation="https://xbrl.sec.gov/stpr/2022/stpr-2022.xsd" />
    <import namespace="http://www.xbrl.org/dtr/type/2020-01-21" schemaLocation="https://www.xbrl.org/dtr/type/2020-01-21/types.xsd" />
    <element name="AcquiredEquityInterestOnDisposalOfLoansHeldForSale" id="fbp_AcquiredEquityInterestOnDisposalOfLoansHeldForSale" type="dtr-types:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="AmortizationOfBrokerPlacementFees" id="fbp_AmortizationOfBrokerPlacementFees" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="AmortizationOfPremiumsAndDiscountsOnDeferredLoanFeesAndCosts" id="fbp_AmortizationOfPremiumsAndDiscountsOnDeferredLoanFeesAndCosts" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="BrokeredCertificatesOfDepositMaturityTableTextBlock" id="fbp_BrokeredCertificatesOfDepositMaturityTableTextBlock" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="CashPaidAbstract" id="fbp_CashPaidAbstract" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="ConsolidatedAverageAssets" id="fbp_ConsolidatedAverageAssets" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="ConventionalNonConformingMortgageLoansMember" id="fbp_ConventionalNonConformingMortgageLoansMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="CpgGsMember" id="fbp_CpgGsMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="DepositsLineItems" id="fbp_DepositsLineItems" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="DepositsTable" id="fbp_DepositsTable" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:hypercubeItem" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="DirectNonInterestExpenses" id="fbp_DirectNonInterestExpenses" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="FirstBankMember" id="fbp_FirstBankMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="InsuranceAndSupervisoryFees" id="fbp_InsuranceAndSupervisoryFees" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="InvestmentInBankingSubsidiaryMember" id="fbp_InvestmentInBankingSubsidiaryMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="LegalSurplusReserveRate" id="fbp_LegalSurplusReserveRate" type="dtr-types:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="MediumTermLoanPrincipalOutstandingAmount" id="fbp_MediumTermLoanPrincipalOutstandingAmount" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="PercentageOfDebtSecuritiesGovernmentAndGovernmentSponsoredAgencies" id="fbp_PercentageOfDebtSecuritiesGovernmentAndGovernmentSponsoredAgencies" type="dtr-types:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="MortgageServicingRightsMember" id="fbp_MortgageServicingRightsMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="NetChargeCreditForTransferOfFunds" id="fbp_NetChargeCreditForTransferOfFunds" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="NetLossOnRealEstateOwnedOperations" id="fbp_NetLossOnRealEstateOwnedOperations" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="NoncashLoanSecuritizations" id="fbp_NoncashLoanSecuritizations" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="NumberOfCorporateBondsCollateralizedUnderDebtObligation" id="fbp_NumberOfCorporateBondsCollateralizedUnderDebtObligation" type="xbrli:integerItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="OmnibusPlanMember" id="fbp_OmnibusPlanMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="OtherInvestmentSecuritiesAvailableForSale" id="fbp_OtherInvestmentSecuritiesAvailableForSale" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="OtherRealEstateOwnedMember" id="fbp_OtherRealEstateOwnedMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="PaymentToBeMadeOnProRataBasis" id="fbp_PaymentToBeMadeOnProRataBasis" type="dtr-types:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="PercentageOfPriorityInterestToBeReceivedOnInvestedCapital" id="fbp_PercentageOfPriorityInterestToBeReceivedOnInvestedCapital" type="dtr-types:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="PercentageOfVariationInAssumptions" id="fbp_PercentageOfVariationInAssumptions" type="dtr-types:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="FairValueAdjustmentInEarningsPrepaidDebt" id="fbp_FairValueAdjustmentInEarningsPrepaidDebt" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="ScheduleOfChangesInFairValueForItemsMeasuredAtFairValuePursuantToElectionOfFairValueOptionTableTextBlock" id="fbp_ScheduleOfChangesInFairValueForItemsMeasuredAtFairValuePursuantToElectionOfFairValueOptionTableTextBlock" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="ScheduleOfComponentsOfNetServicingIncomeTableTextBlock" id="fbp_ScheduleOfComponentsOfNetServicingIncomeTableTextBlock" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="SecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseAndOtherShortTermBorrowingsLineItems" id="fbp_SecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseAndOtherShortTermBorrowingsLineItems" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="SecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseAndOtherShortTermBorrowingsTable" id="fbp_SecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseAndOtherShortTermBorrowingsTable" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:hypercubeItem" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="SegmentReportingInformationAverageAssetsAbstract" id="fbp_SegmentReportingInformationAverageAssetsAbstract" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="SegmentReportingInformationAverageEarningAssets" id="fbp_SegmentReportingInformationAverageEarningAssets" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="SegmentReportingInformationAverageNonEarningAssets" id="fbp_SegmentReportingInformationAverageNonEarningAssets" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="OtherExpenseNotAllocated" id="fbp_OtherExpenseNotAllocated" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="StatutoryTrustOneMember" id="fbp_StatutoryTrustOneMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="StatutoryTrustTwoMember" id="fbp_StatutoryTrustTwoMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="ConservationBuffer" id="fbp_ConservationBuffer" type="dtr-types:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="NonBankingSubsidiaryMember" id="fbp_NonBankingSubsidiaryMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="BrokeredCertificateOfDepositsMember" id="fbp_BrokeredCertificateOfDepositsMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="UnitedStatesAndPuertoRicoGovernmentObligationsMember" id="fbp_UnitedStatesAndPuertoRicoGovernmentObligationsMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="PrincipalRepaymentsAndAmortization" id="fbp_PrincipalRepaymentsAndAmortization" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="FdicMaximumInsuredAmount" id="fbp_FdicMaximumInsuredAmount" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="LoansHeldForSaleMember" id="fbp_LoansHeldForSaleMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="OtherNoninterestIncomeTextBlock" id="fbp_OtherNoninterestIncomeTextBlock" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="OtherNonInterestExpensesAbstract" id="fbp_OtherNonInterestExpensesAbstract" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="OtherNoninterestExpensesTextBlock" id="fbp_OtherNoninterestExpensesTextBlock" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="NatureOfBusinessPolicyTextBlock" id="fbp_NatureOfBusinessPolicyTextBlock" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="ServicingAssetsPolicyTextBlock" id="fbp_ServicingAssetsPolicyTextBlock" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="TreasuryStockPolicyTextBlock" id="fbp_TreasuryStockPolicyTextBlock" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="ScheduleOfOtherNonInterestExpensesTableTextBlock" id="fbp_ScheduleOfOtherNonInterestExpensesTableTextBlock" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="AverageWeeklyDemandDepositReserve" id="fbp_AverageWeeklyDemandDepositReserve" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="RepurchaseAgreementAverageBalanceOutstanding" id="fbp_RepurchaseAgreementAverageBalanceOutstanding" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="QualifyingMortgageCollateralWithMarketValueHigherThanOutstandingAdvances" id="fbp_QualifyingMortgageCollateralWithMarketValueHigherThanOutstandingAdvances" type="dtr-types:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="SuppliesAndPrintingExpenses" id="fbp_SuppliesAndPrintingExpenses" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="DeferredTaxAssetsUnrealizedNetLossOnReoValuation" id="fbp_DeferredTaxAssetsUnrealizedNetLossOnReoValuation" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="DeferredTaxAssetsSettlementPaymentClosingAgreement" id="fbp_DeferredTaxAssetsSettlementPaymentClosingAgreement" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="DeferredTaxLiabilitiesDifferencesBetweenAssignedValuesAndTaxBasesOfAssetsAndLiabilitiesRecognizedInPurchaseBusinessCombinations" id="fbp_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesDifferencesBetweenAssignedValuesAndTaxBasesOfAssetsAndLiabilitiesRecognizedInPurchaseBusinessCombinations" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationNonRecurringBasisAssetGainLossIncludedInEarnings1" id="fbp_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationNonRecurringBasisAssetGainLossIncludedInEarnings1" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="CommercialLettersOfCreditMember" id="fbp_CommercialLettersOfCreditMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="CommitmentsAndContingenciesTableTextBlock" id="fbp_CommitmentsAndContingenciesTableTextBlock" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="ScheduleOfRevenuesAssetsLoansDepositByGeographyTableTextBlock" id="fbp_ScheduleOfRevenuesAssetsLoansDepositByGeographyTableTextBlock" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="WeightedAverageRateTimeDeposits" id="fbp_WeightedAverageRateTimeDeposits" type="dtr-types:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="ServicingPortfolio" id="fbp_ServicingPortfolio" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="UnamortizedBrokerPlacementFees" id="fbp_UnamortizedBrokerPlacementFees" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="PrepaidRepurchaseAgreementsMember" id="fbp_PrepaidRepurchaseAgreementsMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="FinancialInstrumentsOwnedandPledgedAsCollateralAmountEligibleToBeRepledgedByCounterpartyAmortizedCost" id="fbp_FinancialInstrumentsOwnedandPledgedAsCollateralAmountEligibleToBeRepledgedByCounterpartyAmortizedCost" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="LoansPledgedAsCollateralFairValue" id="fbp_LoansPledgedAsCollateralFairValue" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="NatureOfBusinessLineItems" id="fbp_NatureOfBusinessLineItems" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="CallableRepurchaseAgreementsMember" id="fbp_CallableRepurchaseAgreementsMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="GuaranteedLoansPastDue" id="fbp_GuaranteedLoansPastDue" type="xbrli:durationItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="NonDeferrableLoanFees" id="fbp_NonDeferrableLoanFees" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="PublicCorporationsMember" id="fbp_PublicCorporationsMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="NumberOfBranches" id="fbp_NumberOfBranches" type="xbrli:integerItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="DepartmentOfTreasuryMember" id="fbp_DepartmentOfTreasuryMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="OtherFeesAndCommissionsCreditCards" id="fbp_OtherFeesAndCommissionsCreditCards" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="Commonequitytier1capitaltoriskweightassetsratiopluscommonequitytier1capitalconservationbuffer" id="fbp_Commonequitytier1capitaltoriskweightassetsratiopluscommonequitytier1capitalconservationbuffer" type="dtr-types:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="TotalTier1CapitalToRiskWeightAssetsRatioPlusCommonEquityTier1CapitalConservationBuffer" id="fbp_TotalTier1CapitalToRiskWeightAssetsRatioPlusCommonEquityTier1CapitalConservationBuffer" type="dtr-types:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="PuertoRicoElectricPowerAuthorityMember" id="fbp_PuertoRicoElectricPowerAuthorityMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="AccretionAmortizationOfDiscountsAndPremiumsLoans" id="fbp_AccretionAmortizationOfDiscountsAndPremiumsLoans" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="ScheduleOfChangesInUnrealizedGainsLossesTableTextBlock" id="fbp_ScheduleOfChangesInUnrealizedGainsLossesTableTextBlock" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="ModifiedRepurchaseAgreementsThreshold" id="fbp_ModifiedRepurchaseAgreementsThreshold" type="dtr-types:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="TroubledDebtRestructuringsSustainedPerformancePeriod" id="fbp_TroubledDebtRestructuringsSustainedPerformancePeriod" type="xbrli:durationItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="CreditAndDebitProcessingFees" id="fbp_CreditAndDebitProcessingFees" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="LegalSurplusAmountAdditions" id="fbp_LegalSurplusAmountAdditions" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="AutomatedTellerMachineAndPointOfSaleFees" id="fbp_AutomatedTellerMachineAndPointOfSaleFees" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="OtherAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMember" id="fbp_OtherAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="ScheduleOfOtherRealEstateAssetsAndForeclosedPropertiesTableTextBlock" id="fbp_ScheduleOfOtherRealEstateAssetsAndForeclosedPropertiesTableTextBlock" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="CommonEquityTier1CapitalToRiskWeightAssetsRatioCapitalAdequacy" id="fbp_CommonEquityTier1CapitalToRiskWeightAssetsRatioCapitalAdequacy" type="dtr-types:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="TrustPreferredSecurtiesDiscount" id="fbp_TrustPreferredSecurtiesDiscount" type="dtr-types:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="TrustPreferredSecuritiesWinningBid" id="fbp_TrustPreferredSecuritiesWinningBid" type="dtr-types:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="IncomeTaxRateReconciliationNOLCarryforwards" id="fbp_IncomeTaxRateReconciliationNOLCarryforwards" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationsNOLCarryforwards" id="fbp_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationsNOLCarryforwards" type="dtr-types:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="IncomeTaxRateReconciliationPriorPeriodsIncomeTaxReturns" id="fbp_IncomeTaxRateReconciliationPriorPeriodsIncomeTaxReturns" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationsPriorPeriodsIncomeTaxReturns" id="fbp_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationsPriorPeriodsIncomeTaxReturns" type="dtr-types:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="PuertoRicoHousingFinanceAuthorityMember" id="fbp_PuertoRicoHousingFinanceAuthorityMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="PercentageOfHeldToMaturitySecurities" id="fbp_PercentageOfHeldToMaturitySecurities" type="dtr-types:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="OverdraftsPrearrangedLinesOfCredit" id="fbp_OverdraftsPrearrangedLinesOfCredit" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="TimeDepositMaturitiesNextThreeMonths" id="fbp_TimeDepositMaturitiesNextThreeMonths" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="TimeDepositMaturitiesOverThreeMonthsToSixMonths" id="fbp_TimeDepositMaturitiesOverThreeMonthsToSixMonths" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="TimeDepositMaturitiesOverSixMonthsToOneYear" id="fbp_TimeDepositMaturitiesOverSixMonthsToOneYear" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="MailAndCableTransmisionCommissionsRevenue" id="fbp_MailAndCableTransmisionCommissionsRevenue" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="NumberOfSubsidiaries" id="fbp_NumberOfSubsidiaries" type="xbrli:integerItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="FirstFederalFinanceCorpMember" id="fbp_FirstFederalFinanceCorpMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="ThresholdPeriodPastDueOfFinancingReceivablesToBeConsideredNonperforming" id="fbp_ThresholdPeriodPastDueOfFinancingReceivablesToBeConsideredNonperforming" type="xbrli:durationItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="PeriodOfGuaranteedResidentialMortgageLoansThatAreNoLongerAccruingInterest" id="fbp_PeriodOfGuaranteedResidentialMortgageLoansThatAreNoLongerAccruingInterest" type="xbrli:durationItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="ThresholdPeriodPastDueOfFinancingReceivablesToBeConsideredDelinquent" id="fbp_ThresholdPeriodPastDueOfFinancingReceivablesToBeConsideredDelinquent" type="xbrli:durationItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="BoatLoansMember" id="fbp_BoatLoansMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="PersonalLoansMember" id="fbp_PersonalLoansMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="SmallLoansMember" id="fbp_SmallLoansMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTaxWithinOneYear" id="fbp_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTaxWithinOneYear" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTaxWithinOneYear" id="fbp_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTaxWithinOneYear" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTaxAfterOneThroughFiveYears" id="fbp_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTaxAfterOneThroughFiveYears" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTaxAfterOneThroughFiveYears" id="fbp_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTaxAfterOneThroughFiveYears" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTaxAfterFiveThroughTenYears" id="fbp_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTaxAfterFiveThroughTenYears" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTaxAfterFiveThroughTenYears" id="fbp_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTaxAfterFiveThroughTenYears" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTaxAfterTenYears" id="fbp_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTaxAfterTenYears" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTaxAfterTenYears" id="fbp_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTaxAfterTenYears" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleMaturityWeightedAverageYield" id="fbp_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleMaturityWeightedAverageYield" type="dtr-types:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="HeldToMaturitySecuritiesAccumulatedUnrecognizedHoldingGainAfterOneThroughFiveYears" id="fbp_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesAccumulatedUnrecognizedHoldingGainAfterOneThroughFiveYears" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="HeldToMaturitySecuritiesAccumulatedUnrecognizedHoldingLossAfterOneThroughFiveYears" id="fbp_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesAccumulatedUnrecognizedHoldingLossAfterOneThroughFiveYears" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="HeldToMaturitySecuritiesAccumulatedUnrecognizedHoldingGainAfterFiveThroughTenYears" id="fbp_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesAccumulatedUnrecognizedHoldingGainAfterFiveThroughTenYears" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="HeldToMaturitySecuritiesAccumulatedUnrecognizedHoldingLossAfterFiveThroughTenYears" id="fbp_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesAccumulatedUnrecognizedHoldingLossAfterFiveThroughTenYears" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="HeldToMaturitySecuritiesAccumulatedUnrecognizedHoldingGainAfterTenYears" id="fbp_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesAccumulatedUnrecognizedHoldingGainAfterTenYears" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="HeldToMaturitySecuritiesAccumulatedUnrecognizedHoldingLossAfterTenYears" id="fbp_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesAccumulatedUnrecognizedHoldingLossAfterTenYears" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="DebtSecuritiesHeldToMaturityMaturityWeightedAverageYield" id="fbp_DebtSecuritiesHeldToMaturityMaturityWeightedAverageYield" type="dtr-types:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="DoralbanktransactionmembermemberMember" id="fbp_DoralbanktransactionmembermemberMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="OtherLoansMember" id="fbp_OtherLoansMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="PrlpMember" id="fbp_PrlpMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="Brokeredcertificatesofdepositmatureinonetoninetydays" id="fbp_Brokeredcertificatesofdepositmatureinonetoninetydays" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="Brokeredcertificatesofdepositmatureinoverthreemonthstosixmonths" id="fbp_Brokeredcertificatesofdepositmatureinoverthreemonthstosixmonths" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="Brokeredcertificatesofdepositmatureinoversixmonthstooneyear" id="fbp_Brokeredcertificatesofdepositmatureinoversixmonthstooneyear" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="Brokeredcertificatesofdepositmatureinonetothreeyears" id="fbp_Brokeredcertificatesofdepositmatureinonetothreeyears" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="Brokeredcertificatesofdepositmatureinthreetofiveyears" id="fbp_Brokeredcertificatesofdepositmatureinthreetofiveyears" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="Brokeredcertificatesofdepositmatureinoverfiveyears" id="fbp_Brokeredcertificatesofdepositmatureinoverfiveyears" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="AccretionOfPremiumFromAcquisition" id="fbp_AccretionOfPremiumFromAcquisition" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="CombinationOfInterestRateBelowMarketReductionAndExtendedMaturityMember" id="fbp_CombinationOfInterestRateBelowMarketReductionAndExtendedMaturityMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="PrincipalAndOrInterestForgivenessMember" id="fbp_PrincipalAndOrInterestForgivenessMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="OtherLoanModificationsMember" id="fbp_OtherLoanModificationsMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="AbNoteRestructureWorkoutStrategyMember" id="fbp_AbNoteRestructureWorkoutStrategyMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="FederalHomeLoanBankAdvancesMaturitiesDueOneToThreeYears" id="fbp_FederalHomeLoanBankAdvancesMaturitiesDueOneToThreeYears" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="NonRedeemableMember" id="fbp_NonRedeemableMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="ManagementAssumptionsMember" id="fbp_ManagementAssumptionsMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="ConsumerRetailBankingSegmentMember" id="fbp_ConsumerRetailBankingSegmentMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="CommercialAndCorporateSegmentMember" id="fbp_CommercialAndCorporateSegmentMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="TreasuryAndInvestmentsSegmentMember" id="fbp_TreasuryAndInvestmentsSegmentMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="UnitedStatesOperationsSegmentMember" id="fbp_UnitedStatesOperationsSegmentMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="VirginIslandsOperationsSegmentMember" id="fbp_VirginIslandsOperationsSegmentMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="MerchantRelatedIncomeMember" id="fbp_MerchantRelatedIncomeMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="Notinscopeoftopic606memberMember" id="fbp_Notinscopeoftopic606memberMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAggregateAmortizedCostBasisThatExceed10PercentOfStockholdersEquity" id="fbp_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAggregateAmortizedCostBasisThatExceed10PercentOfStockholdersEquity" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesThatExceed10PercentOfStockholdersEquity" id="fbp_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesThatExceed10PercentOfStockholdersEquity" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="Federalhomeloanbankadvancesmaturitiesduesixmonthstooneyear" id="fbp_Federalhomeloanbankadvancesmaturitiesduesixmonthstooneyear" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="DepositLiabilitiesCollateralIssuedFinancialInstrumentsMarketValue" id="fbp_DepositLiabilitiesCollateralIssuedFinancialInstrumentsMarketValue" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="ServicingFeesIncome" id="fbp_ServicingFeesIncome" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="DisposalGroupNotDiscontinuedOperationLossGainOnWriteDownPreviouslyEstablishedReserve" id="fbp_DisposalGroupNotDiscontinuedOperationLossGainOnWriteDownPreviouslyEstablishedReserve" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="ProvisionLoansTransferredToHeldForSale" id="fbp_ProvisionLoansTransferredToHeldForSale" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="FnmaFhlmcLoansMember" id="fbp_FnmaFhlmcLoansMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="RepurchaseOptionProgramMember" id="fbp_RepurchaseOptionProgramMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="LoansTranferredToHeldForSaleMember" id="fbp_LoansTranferredToHeldForSaleMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="OtherTaxableDomesticCorporationsMember" id="fbp_OtherTaxableDomesticCorporationsMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="HoldingCompanyAndFirstManagementMember" id="fbp_HoldingCompanyAndFirstManagementMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="UsviAndBviMember" id="fbp_UsviAndBviMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="NumberOfOffices" id="fbp_NumberOfOffices" type="xbrli:integerItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="Nonacrualsustainedperformanceperiod" id="fbp_Nonacrualsustainedperformanceperiod" type="xbrli:durationItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="SuplementalInformationRelatedToLesseeRightOfUseAssetsAndLiabilitiesTableTextBlock" id="fbp_SuplementalInformationRelatedToLesseeRightOfUseAssetsAndLiabilitiesTableTextBlock" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="FinanceLeasesMember" id="fbp_FinanceLeasesMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="LoansForeclosureDelinquencyThreshold" id="fbp_LoansForeclosureDelinquencyThreshold" type="xbrli:durationItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="IndependentInstrumentalityMember" id="fbp_IndependentInstrumentalityMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="LoanRestructuringTrialModificationsPeriod" id="fbp_LoanRestructuringTrialModificationsPeriod" type="xbrli:durationItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="FinancingReceivableRemovedFromTroubledDebtRestructuringsClassification" id="fbp_FinancingReceivableRemovedFromTroubledDebtRestructuringsClassification" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="MinimumPeriodToBeConsideredForLoanToHaveDefaulted" id="fbp_MinimumPeriodToBeConsideredForLoanToHaveDefaulted" type="xbrli:durationItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="HeldToMaturitySecuritiesAccumulatedUnrecognizedHoldingGainWithinOneYear" id="fbp_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesAccumulatedUnrecognizedHoldingGainWithinOneYear" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="HeldToMaturitySecuritiesAccumulatedUnrecognizedHoldingLossWithinOneYear" id="fbp_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesAccumulatedUnrecognizedHoldingLossWithinOneYear" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="GainFromInsuranceProceeds" id="fbp_GainFromInsuranceProceeds" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="OvernightDepositsMember" id="fbp_OvernightDepositsMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="WeightedAverageRateOtherShortTermInvestments" id="fbp_WeightedAverageRateOtherShortTermInvestments" type="dtr-types:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="SecuritiessoldunderagreementstorepurchasematureoveroneyeartothreeyearsmemberMember" id="fbp_SecuritiessoldunderagreementstorepurchasematureoveroneyeartothreeyearsmemberMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="IncreaseDeceaseDividendsPerShareDeclared" id="fbp_IncreaseDeceaseDividendsPerShareDeclared" type="dtr-types:perShareItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="PuertoRicoBankingLawDescription" id="fbp_PuertoRicoBankingLawDescription" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="FederalHomeLoanBankAdvancesMaturitiesDueWithinOneMonth" id="fbp_FederalHomeLoanBankAdvancesMaturitiesDueWithinOneMonth" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="RepurchaseAgreementWeightedAverageInterestRateForYear" id="fbp_RepurchaseAgreementWeightedAverageInterestRateForYear" type="dtr-types:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="Reversionperiod" id="fbp_Reversionperiod" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="InterestBearingDomesticDepositBrokeredGreaterThan100000Member" id="fbp_InterestBearingDomesticDepositBrokeredGreaterThan100000Member" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="BaselIIIMember" id="fbp_BaselIIIMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="TrustPreferredPurchasePricePercent" id="fbp_TrustPreferredPurchasePricePercent" type="dtr-types:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="AdditionsToContractLiability" id="fbp_AdditionsToContractLiability" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="FeesAndCommissionsIncomeDebitCards" id="fbp_FeesAndCommissionsIncomeDebitCards" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="ServicingAndProcessingFees" id="fbp_ServicingAndProcessingFees" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="FinancingReceivableDeferralPaymentNumberOfAgreements" id="fbp_FinancingReceivableDeferralPaymentNumberOfAgreements" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="RequiredVisaDebitPortfolioRatio" id="fbp_RequiredVisaDebitPortfolioRatio" type="dtr-types:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="TermOfContract" id="fbp_TermOfContract" type="xbrli:durationItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="GrowthAgreementMember" id="fbp_GrowthAgreementMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="RevenueSharingMember" id="fbp_RevenueSharingMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="ExtraordinaryItemEventMember" id="fbp_ExtraordinaryItemEventMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="PRAndVIMember" id="fbp_PRAndVIMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="LtvLessThanOrEqual90PercentMember" id="fbp_LtvLessThanOrEqual90PercentMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="Ltv91to100percentmemberMember" id="fbp_Ltv91to100percentmemberMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="Ltvgreaterthan100percentmemberMember" id="fbp_Ltvgreaterthan100percentmemberMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="FicoScoreLessThan620Member" id="fbp_FicoScoreLessThan620Member" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="Ficoscore620to679memberMember" id="fbp_Ficoscore620to679memberMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="Ficoscore680to739Member" id="fbp_Ficoscore680to739Member" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="FicoScoreGreaterThanOrEqual740Member" id="fbp_FicoScoreGreaterThanOrEqual740Member" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="SantanderMember" id="fbp_SantanderMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="CollateralDependentFinancingReceivableIndividuallyEvaluatedWithRelatedAllowanceRecordedInvestment" id="fbp_CollateralDependentFinancingReceivableIndividuallyEvaluatedWithRelatedAllowanceRecordedInvestment" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="CollateralDependentFinancingReceivableIndividuallyEvaluatedWithNoRelatedAllowanceRecordedInvestment" id="fbp_CollateralDependentFinancingReceivableIndividuallyEvaluatedWithNoRelatedAllowanceRecordedInvestment" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="CollateralDependentFinancingReceivableIndividuallyEvaluatedRecordedInvestment" id="fbp_CollateralDependentFinancingReceivableIndividuallyEvaluatedRecordedInvestment" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="InterestExpenseFederalReserveBankAdvances" id="fbp_InterestExpenseFederalReserveBankAdvances" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="HeldToMaturitySecuritiesNetOfAllowanceForCreditLosses" id="fbp_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesNetOfAllowanceForCreditLosses" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="FederalReserveBankAmountOfAvailableUnusedFunds" id="fbp_FederalReserveBankAmountOfAvailableUnusedFunds" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="UnscorableMember" id="fbp_UnscorableMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="LoanToValueCoveragePercentage" id="fbp_LoanToValueCoveragePercentage" type="dtr-types:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableINputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetMergerAdditions" id="fbp_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableINputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetMergerAdditions" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="LoanOriginations" id="fbp_LoanOriginations" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="MainStreetLendingProgramMember" id="fbp_MainStreetLendingProgramMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="LoanOriginationsNumberOfAgreements" id="fbp_LoanOriginationsNumberOfAgreements" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="Section4013Member" id="fbp_Section4013Member" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="ProvisionForCreditLossesMember" id="fbp_ProvisionForCreditLossesMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="AssetsHeldInCustody" id="fbp_AssetsHeldInCustody" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="ForecastPeriod" id="fbp_ForecastPeriod" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="Loansreceivablewithhybridajustablerate" id="fbp_Loansreceivablewithhybridajustablerate" type="dtr-types:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="FinancingReceivableThresholdPeriodCollateralDependent" id="fbp_FinancingReceivableThresholdPeriodCollateralDependent" type="xbrli:durationItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="HomeEquityLinesMember" id="fbp_HomeEquityLinesMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="AllowanceForCreditLossesOnOffBalanceSheetCreditExposuresAndOtherAssetsPolicyTextBlock" id="fbp_AllowanceForCreditLossesOnOffBalanceSheetCreditExposuresAndOtherAssetsPolicyTextBlock" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="FinancingReceivablePurchaseWithCreditDeteriorationTableTextBlock" id="fbp_FinancingReceivablePurchaseWithCreditDeteriorationTableTextBlock" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="PropertyTaxRevenueMember" id="fbp_PropertyTaxRevenueMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="MunicipalSpecialObligationBondMember" id="fbp_MunicipalSpecialObligationBondMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesImpactNewAccountingPrincipleInPeriodOfAdoption" id="fbp_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesImpactNewAccountingPrincipleInPeriodOfAdoption" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="SecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseMatureOverThreeYearsToFiveYearsMember" id="fbp_SecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseMatureOverThreeYearsToFiveYearsMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="OffBalanceSheetCreditLossLiabilityImpactNewAccountingPrincipleInPeriodOfAdoption" id="fbp_OffBalanceSheetCreditLossLiabilityImpactNewAccountingPrincipleInPeriodOfAdoption" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="CreditLossesSubsequentUnrealizedGainOnDebtSecurities" id="fbp_CreditLossesSubsequentUnrealizedGainOnDebtSecurities" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="CreditLossesSubsequentUnrealizedGainOnDebtSecuritiesTax" id="fbp_CreditLossesSubsequentUnrealizedGainOnDebtSecuritiesTax" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAdjustmentForProvisionForCreditLossTax" id="fbp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAdjustmentForProvisionForCreditLossTax" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="PensionAndPostretirementBenefitPlansMember" id="fbp_PensionAndPostretirementBenefitPlansMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="ProvsionForCreditLossesMemberMember" id="fbp_ProvsionForCreditLossesMemberMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="OtherThanTemporaryImpairmenMember" id="fbp_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmenMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="ProvisionForLoanAndLeaseLossesPeriodIncreaseDecrease" id="fbp_ProvisionForLoanAndLeaseLossesPeriodIncreaseDecrease" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="AllowanceForLoanAndLeaseLossesWriteoffsNetPeriodIncreaseDecrease" id="fbp_AllowanceForLoanAndLeaseLossesWriteoffsNetPeriodIncreaseDecrease" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAllowanceForCreditLossWithinOneYear" id="fbp_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAllowanceForCreditLossWithinOneYear" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAllowanceForCreditLossAfterOneThroughFiveYears" id="fbp_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAllowanceForCreditLossAfterOneThroughFiveYears" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAllowanceForCreditLossAfterFiveThroughTenYears" id="fbp_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAllowanceForCreditLossAfterFiveThroughTenYears" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAllowanceForCreditLossAfterTenYears" id="fbp_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAllowanceForCreditLossAfterTenYears" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="Provisionforothercreditlossesnopreviousexpectedcreditlosses" id="fbp_Provisionforothercreditlossesnopreviousexpectedcreditlosses" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="DebtSecuritiesHeldToMaturityAllowanceForCreditLossWithinOneYear" id="fbp_DebtSecuritiesHeldToMaturityAllowanceForCreditLossWithinOneYear" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="DebtSecuritiesHeldToMaturityAllowanceForCreditLossAfterOneThroughFiveYears" id="fbp_DebtSecuritiesHeldToMaturityAllowanceForCreditLossAfterOneThroughFiveYears" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="DebtSecuritiesHeldToMaturityAllowanceForCreditLossAfterFiveThroughTenYears" id="fbp_DebtSecuritiesHeldToMaturityAllowanceForCreditLossAfterFiveThroughTenYears" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="DebtSecuritiesHeldToMaturityAllowanceForCreditLossAfterTenYears" id="fbp_DebtSecuritiesHeldToMaturityAllowanceForCreditLossAfterTenYears" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="DebtSecuritiesHeldToMaturityAllowanceForCreditLossImpactNewAccountingPrincipleInPeriodOfAdoption" id="fbp_DebtSecuritiesHeldToMaturityAllowanceForCreditLossImpactNewAccountingPrincipleInPeriodOfAdoption" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="ScheduleOfChangesInProjectedBenefitObligationAndChangesInPlanAssetsTableTextBlock" id="fbp_ScheduleOfChangesInProjectedBenefitObligationAndChangesInPlanAssetsTableTextBlock" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="CumulativeEffectOfNewAccountingPrincipleInPeriodOfAdoption1" id="fbp_CumulativeEffectOfNewAccountingPrincipleInPeriodOfAdoption1" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="UnrestrictedStockMember" id="fbp_UnrestrictedStockMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="CapitalRequiredForCapitalAdequacyToRiskWeightedAssetsPlusCommonEquityTier1CapitalConservationBuffe" id="fbp_CapitalRequiredForCapitalAdequacyToRiskWeightedAssetsPlusCommonEquityTier1CapitalConservationBuffe" type="dtr-types:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="PercentageOfIncreaseInACLAdjustedInCapitalMeasures" id="fbp_PercentageOfIncreaseInACLAdjustedInCapitalMeasures" type="dtr-types:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="PayableOnUnsettledSecuritiesPurchases" id="fbp_PayableOnUnsettledSecuritiesPurchases" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="IncreaseDecreaseInDeferredTaxAssets" id="fbp_IncreaseDecreaseInDeferredTaxAssets" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="PurchasesOfServicingAssets" id="fbp_PurchasesOfServicingAssets" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="DebtSecuritiesHeldToMaturityPurchaseWithCreditDeteriorationTableTextBlock" id="fbp_DebtSecuritiesHeldToMaturityPurchaseWithCreditDeteriorationTableTextBlock" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="NewAccountingPolicyOrChangeInAccountingPolicyEffectOfAdoption" id="fbp_NewAccountingPolicyOrChangeInAccountingPolicyEffectOfAdoption" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="FinancingReceivableSignificantSalesBookValue" id="fbp_FinancingReceivableSignificantSalesBookValue" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="EscrowDepositRelatedToLoansSold" id="fbp_EscrowDepositRelatedToLoansSold" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="FinancingReceivablePercentOfBookValueBeforeReserves" id="fbp_FinancingReceivablePercentOfBookValueBeforeReserves" type="dtr-types:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="BulkSaleOfNonaccrualLoansMember" id="fbp_BulkSaleOfNonaccrualLoansMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="OneTimeChargeToProvision" id="fbp_OneTimeChargeToProvision" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="PersonalLoansAndCreditCardLoansMember" id="fbp_PersonalLoansAndCreditCardLoansMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="AllowanceForLoanAndLeaseLossesWriteoffsNetPeriodIncreaseDecreasePercent" id="fbp_AllowanceForLoanAndLeaseLossesWriteoffsNetPeriodIncreaseDecreasePercent" type="dtr-types:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchasefixedInterestRate" id="fbp_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchasefixedInterestRate" type="dtr-types:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="OpenMarketMember" id="fbp_OpenMarketMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="PrivateNegotiatedMember" id="fbp_PrivateNegotiatedMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="ReductionInRetainedEarningsFromPreferredStockLiquidation" id="fbp_ReductionInRetainedEarningsFromPreferredStockLiquidation" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="IncreaseDeceaseDividendsPerShareDeclaredPercent" id="fbp_IncreaseDeceaseDividendsPerShareDeclaredPercent" type="dtr-types:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="NumberOfRedeemedPreferredStock" id="fbp_NumberOfRedeemedPreferredStock" type="xbrli:sharesItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfNetLoss" id="fbp_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfNetLoss" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPayments" id="fbp_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPayments" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="DeferredTaxLiabilitiesPension" id="fbp_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesPension" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="DeferredTaxAssetDifferenceInPurchasePrice" id="fbp_DeferredTaxAssetDifferenceInPurchasePrice" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="NonBankingSubsidiariesMember" id="fbp_NonBankingSubsidiariesMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="PastDue15MonthsDelinquentMember" id="fbp_PastDue15MonthsDelinquentMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="LessThanTwoPaymentsInArrearsMember" id="fbp_LessThanTwoPaymentsInArrearsMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="LoanPortfolioMember" id="fbp_LoanPortfolioMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="Evertec2015ContractLiabilityMember" id="fbp_Evertec2015ContractLiabilityMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="RewardLiabilityIncludedInOtherLiabilities" id="fbp_RewardLiabilityIncludedInOtherLiabilities" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="ServicingFairValueRecognized" id="fbp_ServicingFairValueRecognized" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="InterestExpenseDepositsNoBrokerPlacementFees" id="fbp_InterestExpenseDepositsNoBrokerPlacementFees" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="AccretionOfPremiumFromAcquisitions" id="fbp_AccretionOfPremiumFromAcquisitions" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="SixMonthsToOneYearMember" id="fbp_SixMonthsToOneYearMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="IncreaseInCashDividendDeclaredPercent" id="fbp_IncreaseInCashDividendDeclaredPercent" type="dtr-types:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="ScheduleOfRepurchasesSharesTextBlock" id="fbp_ScheduleOfRepurchasesSharesTextBlock" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="MinimumPercentageOfBankNetTaxableIncomeForPayingIncomeTaxAtNormalRate" id="fbp_MinimumPercentageOfBankNetTaxableIncomeForPayingIncomeTaxAtNormalRate" type="dtr-types:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRateEstimate1" id="fbp_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRateEstimate1" type="dtr-types:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRateEstimate2" id="fbp_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRateEstimate2" type="dtr-types:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="EffectiveIncomeTaxRateExcludingDiscreteItems" id="fbp_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateExcludingDiscreteItems" type="dtr-types:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="UnsettledPurchasesOfAvailableForSaleInvestmentSecurities" id="fbp_UnsettledPurchasesOfAvailableForSaleInvestmentSecurities" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="CeclAmountExcludedToBePhasedOnDuringAfterTwoYears" id="fbp_CeclAmountExcludedToBePhasedOnDuringAfterTwoYears" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="CommercialAndFinancialStandbyLettersOfCreditMember" id="fbp_CommercialAndFinancialStandbyLettersOfCreditMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="NewStockRepurchaseProgramMember" id="fbp_NewStockRepurchaseProgramMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="MortgageBankingSegmentMember" id="fbp_MortgageBankingSegmentMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="JpMorganChaseMember" id="fbp_JpMorganChaseMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="CreditSuisseFirstBostonMember" id="fbp_CreditSuisseFirstBostonMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="CentralGovernmentMember" id="fbp_CentralGovernmentMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="FederalHomeLoanBankAdvancesMaturitiesDueThreeMonthsToSixMonths" id="fbp_FederalHomeLoanBankAdvancesMaturitiesDueThreeMonthsToSixMonths" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="OverallTotalMember" id="fbp_OverallTotalMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="UnsettledCommonStockShareRepurchases" id="fbp_UnsettledCommonStockShareRepurchases" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="FinancingReceivableInterestIncomeCashBasisMethod" id="fbp_FinancingReceivableInterestIncomeCashBasisMethod" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="PreviousStockRepurchaseProgramMember" id="fbp_PreviousStockRepurchaseProgramMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="PreferredStockLiquidationValueDifferenceFromNetCarryingValue" id="fbp_PreferredStockLiquidationValueDifferenceFromNetCarryingValue" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="RecognizedRevenueContingentCommissionIncomePaymentsConfirmedAndReleased" id="fbp_RecognizedRevenueContingentCommissionIncomePaymentsConfirmedAndReleased" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="FederalHomeLoanBankAdvancesMaturitiesDueOneToThreeMonths" id="fbp_FederalHomeLoanBankAdvancesMaturitiesDueOneToThreeMonths" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="EmployeesMember" id="fbp_EmployeesMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="CommonEquityTier1CapitalToRiskWeightAssetsRatio1" id="fbp_CommonEquityTier1CapitalToRiskWeightAssetsRatio1" type="xbrli:pureItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="CommonEquityTier1CapitalToRiskWeightAssetsRatioCapitalAdequacy1" id="fbp_CommonEquityTier1CapitalToRiskWeightAssetsRatioCapitalAdequacy1" type="xbrli:pureItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="CommonEquityTier1CapitalToRiskWeightAssetsRatioWellCapitalized1" id="fbp_CommonEquityTier1CapitalToRiskWeightAssetsRatioWellCapitalized1" type="xbrli:pureItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="IndividuallyEvaluatesLoansThresholdBalancesAmount" id="fbp_IndividuallyEvaluatesLoansThresholdBalancesAmount" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="AccountingStandardsUpdate202202Member" id="fbp_AccountingStandardsUpdate202202Member" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="AccruedInterestReceivableExcludedFromEstimateOfCreditLosses" id="fbp_AccruedInterestReceivableExcludedFromEstimateOfCreditLosses" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="MbsAndGovernmentObligationsHeldByInternationalBankingEntitiesMember" id="fbp_MbsAndGovernmentObligationsHeldByInternationalBankingEntitiesMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="HeldToMaturityAccruedInterestReceivableExcludedFromEstimateOfCreditLosses" id="fbp_HeldToMaturityAccruedInterestReceivableExcludedFromEstimateOfCreditLosses" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="OtherNonInterestIncomeMember" id="fbp_OtherNonInterestIncomeMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="WithinOneMonthMember" id="fbp_WithinOneMonthMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="OverOneMonthToThreeMonthsMember" id="fbp_OverOneMonthToThreeMonthsMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="FederalHomeLoanBankAdvancesMaturitiesDueThreeToFiveYears" id="fbp_FederalHomeLoanBankAdvancesMaturitiesDueThreeToFiveYears" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="LoansPledgedAsCollateralCarryingAmount" id="fbp_LoansPledgedAsCollateralCarryingAmount" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="StockRepurchasesProgramsMember" id="fbp_StockRepurchasesProgramsMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="BenefitRecognizedFromExpirationOfUncertainTaxPositionsAcquired" id="fbp_BenefitRecognizedFromExpirationOfUncertainTaxPositionsAcquired" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="NaturalDisasterDeferralOrExtensionProgramMember" id="fbp_NaturalDisasterDeferralOrExtensionProgramMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="DeferralOrExtensionAgreements" id="fbp_DeferralOrExtensionAgreements" type="xbrli:integerItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="RedemptionOfPreferredStock" id="fbp_RedemptionOfPreferredStock" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="ChangeInAccountingMethodPolicyPolicyTextBlock" id="fbp_ChangeInAccountingMethodPolicyPolicyTextBlock" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="ClaimsArisingFromFhavaGovernmentGuaranteedResidentialMortgageLoansPolicyPolicyTextBlock" id="fbp_ClaimsArisingFromFhavaGovernmentGuaranteedResidentialMortgageLoansPolicyPolicyTextBlock" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="FederalReserveDiscountWindowMember" id="fbp_FederalReserveDiscountWindowMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="FhlbMember" id="fbp_FhlbMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="ComponentsOfFinanceLeaseTableTextBlock" id="fbp_ComponentsOfFinanceLeaseTableTextBlock" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="AmountOfReserveReleasedAssociatedWithClassifiedLoans" id="fbp_AmountOfReserveReleasedAssociatedWithClassifiedLoans" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="MaximumAggregateBalanceOfAdvancesFromTheFhlbOutstandingAtAnyMonthEndDuringPeriod" id="fbp_MaximumAggregateBalanceOfAdvancesFromTheFhlbOutstandingAtAnyMonthEndDuringPeriod" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="FhlbForCollateralPurposesHaircutPercent" id="fbp_FhlbForCollateralPurposesHaircutPercent" type="dtr-types:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="EstimatedValueOfUsGovernmentSponsoredAgenciesObligationsAndUsAgenciesMbsPledgedAsCollateralAmount" id="fbp_EstimatedValueOfUsGovernmentSponsoredAgenciesObligationsAndUsAgenciesMbsPledgedAsCollateralAmount" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="ChangesInShareOfCommonStockTableTextBlock" id="fbp_ChangesInShareOfCommonStockTableTextBlock" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="LesseeOperatingLeaseLeaseNotYetCommencedAmount" id="fbp_LesseeOperatingLeaseLeaseNotYetCommencedAmount" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="RightOfUseAssetObtainedInExchangeForOperatingLeaseLiabilityExcludingLeaseTermination" id="fbp_RightOfUseAssetObtainedInExchangeForOperatingLeaseLiabilityExcludingLeaseTermination" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="HeldToMaturitySecuritiesAndEquitySecuritiesTotal" id="fbp_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesAndEquitySecuritiesTotal" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="CardAndProcessingIncome" id="fbp_CardAndProcessingIncome" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="ProceedsFromInsuranceRelatedToInsuranceClaims" id="fbp_ProceedsFromInsuranceRelatedToInsuranceClaims" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="Year2023Member" id="fbp_Year2023Member" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="Year2022Member" id="fbp_Year2022Member" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="NetServicingIncomeOther" id="fbp_NetServicingIncomeOther" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="BasicAndDilutedEarningsPerShareAbstract" id="fbp_BasicAndDilutedEarningsPerShareAbstract" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="ResidentialPassThroughMortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByPrhfaMember" id="fbp_ResidentialPassThroughMortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByPrhfaMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="HeldToMaturitySecuritiesClassifiedAsCashAndCashEquivalents" id="fbp_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesClassifiedAsCashAndCashEquivalents" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="NumberOfCriticizedLoansSold" id="fbp_NumberOfCriticizedLoansSold" type="xbrli:integerItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="NumberOfNewExecutiveOfficers" id="fbp_NumberOfNewExecutiveOfficers" type="xbrli:integerItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="NumberOfDepartedExecutiveOfficers" id="fbp_NumberOfDepartedExecutiveOfficers" type="xbrli:integerItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAociForProvisionForCreditLossOfSecuritiesNetOfTax" id="fbp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAociForProvisionForCreditLossOfSecuritiesNetOfTax" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNetExcludingLandAndConstructionInProgress" id="fbp_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNetExcludingLandAndConstructionInProgress" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="LoansPledgedIncludingCollateral" id="fbp_LoansPledgedIncludingCollateral" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="FinancingReceivableUnearnedIncome" id="fbp_FinancingReceivableUnearnedIncome" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="LoansSoldMember" id="fbp_LoansSoldMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="DeferredTaxAssetsOperatingLossCarryforwardsAndCapitalLossCarryforwards" id="fbp_DeferredTaxAssetsOperatingLossCarryforwardsAndCapitalLossCarryforwards" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="GainLossOnSaleOfPropertyPlantEquipmentNetOfImpairment" id="fbp_GainLossOnSaleOfPropertyPlantEquipmentNetOfImpairment" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="TransferToOtherRepossessedAssets" id="fbp_TransferToOtherRepossessedAssets" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
    <element name="MinimumBalanceOfUncollectibleLoansToBeWrittenDown" id="fbp_MinimumBalanceOfUncollectibleLoansToBeWrittenDown" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
    <element name="Year2023Through2027Member" id="fbp_Year2023Through2027Member" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
</schema>
