Delinquency Aging Analysis by Loan Class (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Current	$ 9,809		$ 9,786
30-59 days past due	26		24
60-89 days past due	6		4
Greater than 90 days	47		52
Total past due	79		80
Total loans to banking clients	9,888	[1]	9,866	[1]
Residential real estate mortgages, originated and purchased first mortgages
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Current	5,458
30-59 days past due	19
60-89 days past due	3
Greater than 90 days	34
Total past due	56
Total loans to banking clients	5,514	[2]
Residential real estate mortgages, other purchased first mortgages
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Current	153
30-59 days past due	2
60-89 days past due	1
Greater than 90 days	4
Total past due	7
Total loans to banking clients	160	[2]
Residential real estate mortgages, originated first mortgages
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Current			5,380
30-59 days past due			16
60-89 days past due			2
Greater than 90 days			39
Total past due			57
Total loans to banking clients			5,437	[3]
Residential real estate mortgages, purchased first mortgages
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Current			152
30-59 days past due			2
Greater than 90 days			5
Total past due			7
Total loans to banking clients			159	[3]
Home equity lines of credit
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Current	3,392		3,494
30-59 days past due	5		5
60-89 days past due	2		2
Greater than 90 days	9		8
Total past due	16		15
Total loans to banking clients	3,408	[2]	3,509	[3]
Personal loans secured by securities
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Current	787		741
30-59 days past due			1
Total past due			1
Total loans to banking clients	787		742
Other
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Current	19		19
Total loans to banking clients	$ 19		$ 19

[1] All loans are 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 June 30, 2012, $746 million of $3.4 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, 2011, $755 million of $3.5 billion in HELOCs were in a first lien position.