Consolidated Statements Of Changes In Shareholders' Equity And Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Preferred Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Noncontrolling Interests [Member]	Total
Balance at Dec. 31, 2008	$ 1,581,834	$ 2,599,916	$ 2,418,904	$ (98,958)	$ 27,320	$ 6,529,016
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2008		115,344,813
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, adoption of new guidance under ASC 320			137,462	(137,462)
Comprehensive income/loss:
Net income (loss)			(1,216,111)		(5,566)	(1,221,677)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Net realized and unrealized holding gains (losses) on investments and retained interests				(65,037)
Reclassification for net losses on investments included in earnings				162,206		162,206
Noncredit-related impairment losses on securities not expected to be sold				(174,244)
Accretion of securities with noncredit-related impairment losses not expected to be sold				996
Net unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments				(128,597)
Pension and postretirement				4,197
Other comprehensive loss				(200,479)		(200,479)
Total comprehensive income (loss)						(1,422,156)
Preferred stock redemption	(100,511)	1,763	52,266			(46,482)
Preferred stock exchanged for common stock	(71,537)	38,486	32,367			(684)
Preferred stock exchanged for common stock (in shares)		2,816,834
Subordinated debt converted to preferred stock	74,438	(10,998)				63,440
Issuance of common stock (in shares)		31,741,425
Issuance of common stock		464,110				464,110
Subordinated debt modification		202,814				202,814
Net activity under employee plans and related tax benefits		22,326				22,326
Net activity under employee plans and related tax benefits (in shares)		521,998
Dividends on preferred stock	18,560		(102,969)			(84,409)
Dividends on common stock, $0.10 per share			(11,862)			(11,862)
Change in deferred compensation			(1,701)			(1,701)
Other changes in noncontrolling interests					(4,155)	(4,155)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2009	1,502,784	3,318,417	1,308,356	(436,899)	17,599	5,710,257
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2009		150,425,070
Comprehensive income/loss:
Net income (loss)			(292,728)		(3,621)	(296,349)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Net realized and unrealized holding gains (losses) on investments and retained interests				4,248
Reclassification for net losses on investments included in earnings				45,689		45,689
Noncredit-related impairment losses on securities not expected to be sold				(43,920)
Accretion of securities with noncredit-related impairment losses not expected to be sold				131
Net unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments				(37,357)
Pension and postretirement				6,812
Other comprehensive loss				(24,397)		(24,397)
Total comprehensive income (loss)						(320,746)
Preferred stock exchanged for common stock	(8,615)	5,508	3,107
Preferred stock exchanged for common stock (in shares)		224,903
Subordinated debt converted to preferred stock	399,785	(56,834)				342,951
Issuance of preferred stock	142,500	(3,843)				138,657
Issuance of common stock warrants		214,563				214,563
Subordinated debt exchanged for common stock		46,902				46,902
Subordinated debt exchanged for common stock (in shares)		2,165,391
Issuance of common stock		623,469				623,469
Issuance of common stock (in shares)		29,553,957
Net activity under employee plans and related tax benefits		15,437				15,437
Net activity under employee plans and related tax benefits (in shares)		414,765
Dividends on preferred stock	20,218		(122,884)			(102,666)
Dividends on common stock, $0.10 per share			(6,650)			(6,650)
Change in deferred compensation			83			83
Other changes in noncontrolling interests					(15,043)	(15,043)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	2,056,672	4,163,619	889,284	(461,296)	(1,065)	6,647,214
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2010		182,784,086				182,784,086
Comprehensive income/loss:
Net income (loss)			323,804		(1,114)	322,690
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Net realized and unrealized holding gains (losses) on investments and retained interests				(77,280)
Reclassification for net losses on investments included in earnings				12,852		12,852
Noncredit-related impairment losses on securities not expected to be sold				(26,481)
Accretion of securities with noncredit-related impairment losses not expected to be sold				410
Net unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments				(21,298)
Pension and postretirement				(18,991)
Other comprehensive loss				(130,788)		(130,788)
Total comprehensive income (loss)						191,902
Subordinated debt converted to preferred stock	299,248	(43,139)				256,109
Issuance of common stock		25,048				25,048
Issuance of common stock (in shares)		1,067,540
Net activity under employee plans and related tax benefits		17,714				17,714
Net activity under employee plans and related tax benefits (in shares)		283,762
Dividends on preferred stock	21,640		(170,414)			(148,774)
Dividends on common stock, $0.10 per share			(7,361)			(7,361)
Change in deferred compensation			1,277			1,277
Other changes in noncontrolling interests					99	99
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 2,377,560	$ 4,163,242	$ 1,036,590	$ (592,084)	$ (2,080)	$ 6,983,228
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011		184,135,388				184,135,388