Business Segments (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Reconciliation of IFRS Basis segment results
US Gaap based Net interest income	$ 391	$ 511	$ 799	$ 955
US Gaap based Other operating income (Total other revenues)	(1,865)	118	(2,060)	157
US Gaap based Total operating income (loss)	(1,474)	629	(1,261)	1,112
US Gaap based Loan impairment charges (Provision for credit losses)	738	583	1,529	1,291
Net interest income and other income less provision for credit losses	(2,212)	46	(2,790)	(179)
US Gaap based Operating expenses	239	383	454	686
Loss from continuing operations before income tax	(2,451)	(337)	(3,244)	(865)
Balances at end of period:
US Gaap based Customer loans (Receivables)	34,956	51,606	34,956	51,606
US Gaap based Assets	49,291	58,684	49,291	58,684
All Other [Member]
Reconciliation of IFRS Basis segment results
IFRS based Net Interest Income	27	156	74	238
IFRS based Other operating income (Total other revenues)	(422)	(67)	(701)	(203)
IFRS based Total operating income (loss)	(395)	89	(627)	35
IFRS based Loan impairment charges (Provision for credit losses)	(1)		(1)	(1)
IFRS based net interest income loss after provision for credit losses	(394)	89	(626)	36
IFRS based Operating expense	1	151	13	149
IFRS based Profit (loss) before tax	(395)	(62)	(639)	(113)
IFRS based Intersegment Revenues	(10)	(15)	(16)	(22)
Balances at end of period:
IFRS based Customer loans (Receivables)	300	1,910	300	1,910
IFRS based Assets of Continuing Operations	10,008	10,934	10,008	10,934
Consumer Segment [Member]
Reconciliation of IFRS Basis segment results
IFRS based Net Interest Income	593	670	1,190	1,327
IFRS based Other operating income (Total other revenues)	(6)	(10)	(37)	(42)
IFRS based Total operating income (loss)	587	660	1,153	1,285
IFRS based Loan impairment charges (Provision for credit losses)	721	873	1,576	2,150
IFRS based net interest income loss after provision for credit losses	(134)	(213)	(423)	(865)
IFRS based Operating expense	221	226	404	460
IFRS based Profit (loss) before tax	(355)	(439)	(827)	(1,325)
IFRS based Intersegment Revenues	11	21	23	34
Balances at end of period:
IFRS based Customer loans (Receivables)	44,372	51,978	44,372	51,978
IFRS based Assets of Continuing Operations	42,688	51,001	42,688	51,001
Adjustments Reconciling Items [Member]
Reconciliation of IFRS Basis segment results
IFRS based Other operating income (Total other revenues)	(1)	(6)	(7)	(12)
IFRS based Total operating income (loss)	(1)	(6)	(7)	(12)
IFRS based net interest income loss after provision for credit losses	(1)	(6)	(7)	(12)
IFRS based Operating expense	(1)	(6)	(7)	(12)
IFRS based Intersegment Revenues	(1)	(6)	(7)	(12)
IFRS Basis Consolidated Consolidated [Member]
Reconciliation of IFRS Basis segment results
IFRS based Net Interest Income	620	826	1,264	1,565
IFRS based Other operating income (Total other revenues)	(429)	(83)	(745)	(257)
IFRS based Total operating income (loss)	191	743	519	1,308
IFRS based Loan impairment charges (Provision for credit losses)	720	873	1,575	2,149
IFRS based net interest income loss after provision for credit losses	(529)	(130)	(1,056)	(841)
IFRS based Operating expense	221	371	410	597
IFRS based Profit (loss) before tax	(750)	(501)	(1,466)	(1,438)
Balances at end of period:
IFRS based Customer loans (Receivables)	44,672	53,888	44,672	53,888
IFRS based Assets of Continuing Operations	52,696	61,935	52,696	61,935
IFRS Adjustments(2) [Member]
Reconciliation of IFRS Basis segment results
IFRS based Net Interest Income	(127)	(162)	(249)	(296)
IFRS based Other operating income (Total other revenues)	(1,550)	39	(1,563)	18
IFRS based Total operating income (loss)	(1,677)	(123)	(1,812)	(278)
IFRS based Loan impairment charges (Provision for credit losses)	18	(290)	(46)	(858)
IFRS based net interest income loss after provision for credit losses	(1,695)	167	(1,766)	580
IFRS based Operating expense	6	3	12	7
IFRS based Profit (loss) before tax	(1,701)	164	(1,778)	573
Balances at end of period:
IFRS based Customer loans (Receivables)	(9,417)	(372)	(9,417)	(372)
IFRS based Assets of Continuing Operations	(3,383)	(3,251)	(3,383)	(3,251)
IFRS Reclassifications(3) [Member]
Reconciliation of IFRS Basis segment results
IFRS based Net Interest Income	(102)	(153)	(216)	(314)
IFRS based Other operating income (Total other revenues)	114	162	248	396
IFRS based Total operating income (loss)	12	9	32	82
IFRS based net interest income loss after provision for credit losses	12	9	32	82
IFRS based Operating expense	12	9	32	82
Balances at end of period:
IFRS based Customer loans (Receivables)	(299)	(1,910)	(299)	(1,910)
IFRS based Assets of Continuing Operations	$ (22)		$ (22)