Receivables Held for Sale - Summary of Activity in Receivables Held for Sale (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012 Additional lower of amortized cost [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 REO [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 REO [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 First Lien [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 First Lien [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Personal non-credit card [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Receivables held for sale, Beginning Balance	$ 6,800					$ 3,287	$ 3,300	$ 3,469
Receivables held-for-sale, Amount, Total	6,361	6,361				3,287	3,300	3,469
Lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment	(50)	(1,709)	(50)	26	26
Carrying value of real estate secured receivables held for sale settled through short sale or transfer to REO		(125)
Change in receivable balance	50	1,597		(26)	(220)
Receivables held for sale, Ending Balance	$ 6,361	$ 6,361				$ 3,287	$ 3,300	$ 3,469