Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012	Jan. 31, 2011
Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Net cash used in operating activities	$ (1,382,771)	$ (1,505,418)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	(178,014)
Principal repayments on mortgage loans held for investment, net	35,460	45,316
Purchases of property and equipment, net	(71,549)	(51,198)
Payments made for business acquisitions, net	(16,022)	(50,832)
Proceeds from sale of businesses, net	533,055	62,298
Franchise loans:
Loans funded	(43,649)	(90,304)
Payments received	8,455	9,926
Other, net	55,794	38,651
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	323,530	(36,143)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of commercial paper	(413,221)	(2,654,653)
Proceeds from commercial paper	644,168	3,286,603
Customer banking deposits, net	735,252	1,002,274
Dividends paid	(150,058)	(140,926)
Repurchase of common stock, including shares surrendered	(180,566)	(283,494)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options, net	(324)	(866)
Other, net	(31,424)	(10,062)
Net cash provided by financing activities	603,827	1,198,876
Effects of exchange rates on cash	(3,446)	4,330
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(458,860)	(338,355)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	1,677,844	1,804,045
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period	1,218,984	1,465,690
Supplementary cash flow data:
Income taxes paid	163,471	159,916
Interest paid on borrowings	55,266	69,313
Interest paid on deposits	5,170	6,191
Transfers of foreclosed loans to other assets	$ 6,521	$ 12,931