Receivables - TDR Loans (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Total TDR Loans	$ 16,404	[1],[2],[3],[4]	$ 15,584	[1],[2],[3],[4]
Total credit loss reserves for TDR Loans	3,627	[3],[5]	4,409	[3],[5]
First Mortgage [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Total TDR Loans	14,607	[1],[2],[3],[6]	13,186	[1],[2],[3],[6]
Total credit loss reserves for TDR Loans	3,104		3,169
Second Mortgage [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Total TDR Loans	1,205	[1],[2],[3]	1,057	[1],[2],[3]
Total credit loss reserves for TDR Loans	523		534
Real estate secured [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Total TDR Loans	15,812	[1],[2],[3],[6],[7]	14,243	[1],[2],[3],[6],[7]
Total credit loss reserves for TDR Loans	3,627	[6]	3,703	[6]
Personal non-credit card [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Total TDR Loans	592	[1],[2],[3]	1,341	[1],[2],[3]
Total credit loss reserves for TDR Loans	$ 0		$ 706

[1] TDR Loans are considered to be impaired loans regardless of accrual status.

[2] The TDR Loan balances included in the table above reflect the current carrying amount of TDR Loans and includes all basis adjustments on the loan, such as unearned income, unamortized deferred fees and costs on originated loans and premiums or discounts on purchased loans as well as any charge-off recorded in accordance with our existing charge-off policies. Additionally, the carrying amount of TDR Loans classified as held for sale has been reduced by both the lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment as well as the credit loss reserves associated with these receivables prior to the transfer.

[3] At December 31, 2012, $2.5 billion of TDR Loans were reported as receivables held for sale for which there are no credit loss reserves as they are carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value. At December 31, 2011, there were no TDR Loans reported as receivables held for sale

[4] TDR Loan balances at December 31, 2012 have been impacted by the transfer of our entire personal non-credit card receivable portfolio and certain real estate secured receivables to held for sale during the second quarter of 2012 and are now carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value. See Note 7, “Receivables Held for Sale,” for additional information.

[5] Included in credit loss reserves.

[6] As discussed above, during the fourth quarter of 2012, we began classifying receivables discharged under Chapter 7 bankruptcy and not re-affirmed as TDR Loans. This resulted in an increase in real estate secured TDR Loans of $1.0 billion as of December 31, 2012 with an increase in credit loss reserves of approximately $40 million related to these loans.

[7] At December 31, 2012 and 2011, TDR Loans held for investment totaling $1.5 billion and $2.5 billion, respectively, are recorded at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell.