Receivables Held for Sale - Summary of Activity in Receivables Held for Sale (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013		Mar. 31, 2013		Jun. 30, 2013
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses [Roll Forward]
Receivables held for sale at beginning of period	$ 6,354		$ 6,203		$ 6,203
Lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment on receivables held for sale	471				925
Carrying value of real estate secured receivables held for sale settled through short sale or transfer to REO	(171)				(318)
Change in receivable balance, including collections	(23)				(179)
Transfer of first lien real estate secured into held for sale at the lower of amortized cost or fair value	1,537				1,537
Receivables held for sale at end of period	4,991	[1]			4,991	[1]
Real Estate Owned [Member]
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses [Roll Forward]
Receivables held for sale at beginning of period	3,407		3,022		3,022
Receivable sales	(230)				(230)	[1]
Lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment on receivables held for sale	471				1,007
Carrying value of real estate secured receivables held for sale settled through short sale or transfer to REO	(171)				(318)
Change in receivable balance, including collections	(23)				(27)
Transfer of first lien real estate secured into held for sale at the lower of amortized cost or fair value	1,537				1,537
Receivables held for sale at end of period	4,991	[1]			4,991	[1]
Personal non-credit card [Member]
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses [Roll Forward]
Receivables held for sale at beginning of period	2,947		3,181	[2]	3,181	[2]
Receivable sales	(2,947)				(2,947)
Lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment on receivables held for sale	0		82		(82)
Carrying value of real estate secured receivables held for sale settled through short sale or transfer to REO	0				0
Change in receivable balance, including collections	0				(152)
Transfer of first lien real estate secured into held for sale at the lower of amortized cost or fair value	0				0
Receivables held for sale at end of period	$ 0	[1]	$ 2,947		$ 0	[1]

[1] Net of a valuation allowance of $309 million at June 30, 2013.

[2] The majority of the real estate secured receivables held for sale consider collateral value, among other items, in determining fair value. Collateral values are based on the most recently available broker's price opinion and the collateral loss severity rate averaged 31 percent and 37 percent at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.