Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Net cash used in operating activities	$ (582,628)	$ (548,001)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	(155,159)
Principal repayments on mortgage loans held for investment, net	22,978	30,829
Purchases of property and equipment, net	(40,510)	(35,005)
Payments made for business acquisitions, net	(8,164)	(43,310)
Proceeds from sale of businesses, net	37,036	58,834
Franchise loans:
Loans funded	(27,682)	(64,851)
Payments received	7,447	8,673
Other, net	36,934	28,195
Net cash used in investing activities	(127,120)	(16,635)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of commercial paper	(37,989)	(75,000)
Proceeds from commercial paper	77,979	114,490
Customer banking deposits, net	(129,285)	77,023
Dividends paid	(91,446)	(95,068)
Repurchase of common stock, including shares surrendered	(180,222)	(283,470)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options, net	(430)	1,493
Other, net	(28,057)	(21,352)
Net cash used in financing activities	(389,450)	(281,884)
Effects of exchange rates on cash	(6,035)	2,221
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(1,105,233)	(844,299)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	1,677,844	1,804,045
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period	572,611	959,746
Supplementary cash flow data:
Income taxes paid	122,832	103,803
Interest paid on borrowings	27,748	30,933
Interest paid on deposits	3,323	3,828
Transfers of foreclosed loans to other assets	4,438	11,185
Accrued additions to property and equipment	$ 10,798	$ 4,141