Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2013	Apr. 30, 2012	Apr. 30, 2011
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$ 433,948	$ 265,932	$ 406,110
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	92,407	103,576	121,633
Provision for bad debt and loan losses	90,685	97,365	180,951
Provision for deferred taxes	(21,846)	13,227	9,432
Stock-based compensation	15,293	14,968	14,500
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets	3,581	113,951	22,700
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Cash and cash equivalents — restricted	(69,737)	(2,917)	(14,033)
Receivables	(72,662)	49,755	(105,708)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(3,465)	538	(37,892)
Other noncurrent assets	78,778	25,552	(98,818)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities	(37,017)	(45,114)	(111,727)
Accrued salaries, wages and payroll taxes	(28,861)	(58,210)	56,009
Accrued income taxes	88,459	(92,843)	5,962
Other noncurrent liabilities	(71,998)	(88,870)	119,428
Other, net	(457)	(34,861)	(56,044)
Net cash provided by operating activities	497,108	362,049	512,503
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	(227,177)	(256,173)	(138,824)
Sales, maturities and payments received on available-for-sale securities	118,411	66,382	16,797
Principal payments on mortgage loans held for investment, net	44,031	49,142	58,471
Purchases of property and equipment, net	(113,239)	(82,457)	(62,959)
Payments made for acquisitions of businesses and intangibles, net	(20,742)	(15,258)	(54,171)
Proceeds from sale of businesses, net	3,785	560,499	71,083
Franchise loans:
Loans funded	(70,807)	(46,246)	(92,455)
Payments received	83,445	56,591	57,552
Surrender of company-owned life insurance policies	81,125	0	0
Other, net	(9,769)	19,387	34,349
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(110,937)	351,867	(110,157)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Repayments of commercial paper	(1,214,238)	(664,167)	(4,818,766)
Proceeds from issuance of commercial paper	1,214,238	664,167	4,818,766
Repayments of Long-term Debt	(636,621)	0	0
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt	497,185	0	0
Repayments of long-term debt	0	(25,000)	(50,000)
Customer banking deposits, net	103,608	(26,091)	(11,440)
Dividends paid	(217,201)	(208,801)	(186,802)
Repurchase of common stock, including shares surrendered	(340,413)	(180,592)	(283,534)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options, net	25,139	12,275	424
Other, net	(16,238)	(16,853)	(3,039)
Net cash used in financing activities	(584,541)	(445,062)	(534,391)
Effects of exchange rates on cash	1,620	(2,364)	5,844
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(196,750)	266,490	(126,201)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year	1,944,334	1,677,844	1,804,045
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year	1,747,584	1,944,334	1,677,844
SUPPLEMENTARY CASH FLOW DATA:
Income taxes paid, net	155,617	218,444	244,917
Interest paid on borrowings	73,559	69,681	73,791
Interest paid on deposits	5,665	6,843	8,541
Transfers of foreclosed loans to other assets	10,357	10,308	16,463
Accrued additions to property and equipment	4,261	801	1,269
Accrued purchase of common stock	$ 0	$ 22,484	$ 0