Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Commitments and Contingencies
Letters of credit and financial guarantees written	$ 5,564	$ 6,095
Carrying amount of the liability for letter of credit guarantees	36	27
Investments related to affordable housing and historic building rehabilitation projects	1,113	1,159
Amount of future funding commitments included in investments related to affordable housing and historic rehabilitation projects	365	394
Lending exposure to affordable housing projects	198	178
Outstanding loans included in lending exposure to affordable housing projects	86	76
Investments in private equity and similar investments	311	261
Future funding commitments to private equity and similar investments	$ 159	$ 129

Carrying amount of the liability for letters of credit

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Outstanding commitments to fund affordable housing investments

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Future funding commitments to venture capital funds

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Investments in affordable housing and historic building rehabilitation projects

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Investments in venture capital and similar investments at fair value.

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Amounts funded to affordable housing investments under outstanding loan commitments

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Outstanding loan commitments to affordable housing investments

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Represents financial standby letters of credit, performance standby letters of credit, and commercial and similar letters of credit.

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