Delinquency Aging Analysis by Loan Class (Detail) (USD $) In Millions	Sep. 30, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Current	$ 9,679		$ 8,694
30-59 days past due	20		25
60-89 days past due	6		8
Greater than 90 days	48		51
Total past due	74		84
Total loans to banking clients	9,753	[1]	8,778	[1]
Residential real estate mortgages, originated first mortgages
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Current	5,305		4,527
30-59 days past due	13		18
60-89 days past due	4		5
Greater than 90 days	33		38
Total past due	50		61
Total loans to banking clients	5,355	[2]	4,588	[3]
Residential real estate mortgages, purchased first mortgages
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Current	145		100
30-59 days past due	1		2
60-89 days past due			1
Greater than 90 days	4		4
Total past due	5		7
Total loans to banking clients	150	[2]	107	[3]
Home equity lines of credit
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Current	3,515		3,489
30-59 days past due	4		5
60-89 days past due	2		2
Greater than 90 days	6		4
Total past due	12		11
Total loans to banking clients	3,527	[2]	3,500	[3]
Personal loans secured by securities
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Current	694		557
30-59 days past due	2
Greater than 90 days	5		5
Total past due	7		5
Total loans to banking clients	701		562
Other
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Current	20		21
Total loans to banking clients	$ 20		$ 21

[1] All loans are collectively evaluated for impairment by loan segment.

[2] The computation of the Origination LTV ratio for a HELOC includes any first lien mortgage outstanding on the same property at the time of origination. At September 30, 2011, $756 million of $3.5 billion in HELOCs were in a first lien position.

[3] The computation of the Origination LTV ratio for a HELOC includes any first lien mortgage outstanding on the same property at the time of origination. At December 31, 2010, $742 million of $3.5 billion in HELOCs were in a first lien position.