Receivables - Aging Analysis of Past Due Loans (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, 1 - 29 Days Past Due		$ 7,268
Financing receivable, 30 - 89 days past due		4,832
Financing Receivable, 90+ days		6,892
Financing Receivable, Past Due, Total		18,992
Financing Receivable, Current		28,920
Total receivables	33,963	47,912	49,799
First Lien [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, 1 - 29 Days Past Due	4,844	5,828
Financing receivable, 30 - 89 days past due	2,851	4,028
Financing Receivable, 90+ days	2,603	6,248
Financing Receivable, Past Due, Total	10,298	16,104
Financing Receivable, Current	19,845	22,131
Total receivables	30,143	38,235
Second Lien [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, 1 - 29 Days Past Due	686	754
Financing receivable, 30 - 89 days past due	330	416
Financing Receivable, 90+ days	244	329
Financing Receivable, Past Due, Total	1,260	1,499
Financing Receivable, Current	2,560	2,979
Total receivables	3,820	4,478
Real estate secured [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, 1 - 29 Days Past Due	5,530	6,582
Financing receivable, 30 - 89 days past due	3,181	4,444
Financing Receivable, 90+ days	2,847	6,577
Financing Receivable, Past Due, Total	11,558	17,603
Financing Receivable, Current	22,405	25,110
Total receivables	33,963	42,713
Personal non-credit card [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, 1 - 29 Days Past Due		686
Financing receivable, 30 - 89 days past due		388
Financing Receivable, 90+ days		315
Financing Receivable, Past Due, Total		1,389
Financing Receivable, Current		3,807
Total receivables		5,196
Commercial and Other [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Current		3
Total receivables		$ 3