Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Goodwill) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill	$ 26,895	$ 27,032
Intangible assets subject to amortization	1,311	1,294
Total	1,311	1,294
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	26,895	27,032
Acquisitions	21
Dispositions, currency exchange and other	(158)
Goodwill, period increase (decrease)	(137)
Deposit Business Acquisition [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, period increase (decrease)	21
CLL [Member]
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill	13,526	13,454
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	13,526	13,454
Acquisitions	0
Dispositions, currency exchange and other	72
Consumer [Member]
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill	10,866	10,943
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	10,866	10,943
Acquisitions	21
Dispositions, currency exchange and other	(98)
Real Estate [Member]
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill	795	926
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	795	926
Acquisitions	0
Dispositions, currency exchange and other	(131)
Energy Financial Services [Member]
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill	1,562	1,562
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	1,562	1,562
Acquisitions	0
Dispositions, currency exchange and other	0
GECAS [Member]
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill	146	147
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	146	147
Acquisitions	0
Dispositions, currency exchange and other	$ (1)

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date, which is the cumulative amount paid and (if applicable) the fair value of any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, adjusted for any amortization recognized prior to the adoption of any changes in generally accepted accounting principles (as applicable) and for any impairment charges, in excess of the fair value of net assets acquired in one or more business combination transactions.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 142

-Paragraph 45

-Subparagraph e

-Clause 1

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=14024403&loc=d3e13816-109267

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 20

-Section 45

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6388280&loc=d3e13770-109266

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141R

-Paragraph 68

-Subparagraph l

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141R

-Paragraph 34

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 142

-Paragraph 43

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 142

-Paragraph 45

-Subparagraph e

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141R

-Paragraph 72

-Subparagraph d

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

- Definition

The aggregate amount of goodwill acquired in the period and allocated to the reportable segment. The value is stated at fair value based on the purchase price allocation.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

Change in the carrying value of goodwill. The change could be the result of new goodwill acquired, goodwill impairment, if any, goodwill written off related to the sale of a business or other adjustments to goodwill.

+ References+ Details