TOTAL EQUITY AND EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE (Details 5) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
A rollforward of non-controlling interests
Balance, beginning of year			$ 855
Exchange of consideration for preferred stock in connection with Recapitalization				(20,677)
Deconsolidation				(6)
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest				537
Comprehensive income:
Net income (loss)	7	217	248	421
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	7,791		7,791		5,153
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1)	134	245	374
Balance, end of period	820		820
Redeemable Noncontrolling interests
A rollforward of non-controlling interests
Balance, beginning of year			8,523	434
Exchange of consideration for preferred stock in connection with Recapitalization				20,292
Repayment to Department of the Treasury			(8,635)	(9,146)
Net (distributions)			23	(21)
Deconsolidation			(4)	(308)
Comprehensive income:
Net income (loss)			205	325
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests			205	325
Balance, end of period	112	11,576	112	11,576
Redeemable Noncontrolling interests | Department of the Treasury.
A rollforward of non-controlling interests
Balance, beginning of year			8,427
Exchange of consideration for preferred stock in connection with Recapitalization				20,292
Repayment to Department of the Treasury			(8,635)	(9,146)
Comprehensive income:
Net income (loss)			208	319
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests			208	319
Balance, end of period		11,465		11,465
Redeemable Noncontrolling interests | Other Minority Interests Holder
A rollforward of non-controlling interests
Balance, beginning of year			96	434
Net (distributions)			23	(21)
Deconsolidation			(4)	(308)
Comprehensive income:
Net income (loss)			(3)	6
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests			(3)	6
Balance, end of period	112	111	112	111
Non-redeemable Noncontrolling interests
A rollforward of non-controlling interests
Balance, beginning of year			855	27,920
Repurchase of SPV preferred interests in connection with Recapitalization				(26,432)
Net (distributions)			(54)	(74)
Deconsolidation				(6)
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest				(468)
Comprehensive income:
Net income (loss)			43	96
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments			2	(78)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(5)	31	(5)	31
Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(3)	(47)	(3)	(47)
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests			40	49
Other			(21)	(41)
Balance, end of period	820	948	820	948
Non-redeemable Noncontrolling interests | Federal Reserve Bank of New York (FRBNY)
A rollforward of non-controlling interests
Balance, beginning of year				26,358
Repurchase of SPV preferred interests in connection with Recapitalization				(26,432)
Comprehensive income:
Net income (loss)				74
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests				74
Non-redeemable Noncontrolling interests | Other Minority Interests Holder
A rollforward of non-controlling interests
Balance, beginning of year			855	1,562
Net (distributions)			(54)	(74)
Deconsolidation				(6)
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest				(468)
Comprehensive income:
Net income (loss)			43	22
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments			2	(78)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(5)	31	(5)	31
Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(3)	(47)	(3)	(47)
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests			40	(25)
Other			(21)	(41)
Balance, end of period	$ 820	$ 948	$ 820	$ 948