Transactions with Related Parties (By Balance Sheet Grouping) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Federal funds sold	$ 2,335,000	$ 2,450,000
Investments	13,776,013	14,173,277
Advances	37,738,621	30,604,801
MPF loans	3,539,115	3,853,254
Deposits	1,054,956	1,099,694
Capital stock	3,091,724	3,389,863
Principal Owner [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Federal funds sold	0	200,000
Investments	185,510	201,670
Advances	21,172,429	20,708,461
Letters of credit	175,230	197,298
MPF loans	2,363,836	2,765,971
Deposits	6,765	22,697
Capital stock	$ 1,194,656	$ 1,792,872

Reflects the aggregate unpaid principal balance of all categories of loans and leases held in portfolio.

No definition available.

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- Definition

Value of shares of other common stock instruments held by shareholders, such as exchangeable shares. May be all or portion of the number of common shares authorized.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

The aggregate of all deposit liabilities held by the entity, including foreign and domestic, interest and noninterest bearing; may include demand deposits, saving deposits, Negotiable Order of Withdrawal (NOW) and time deposits among others.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.12)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 12

-Article 9

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

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG)

-Number AAG-DEP

-Paragraph 37, 38, 39

-IssueDate 2006-05-01

-Chapter 13

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.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.

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- Definition

The amount outstanding of funds lent to other depository institutions, securities brokers, or securities dealers in the form of Federal Funds sold; for example, immediately available funds lent under agreements or contracts that mature in one business day or roll over under a continuing contract, regardless of the nature of the transaction or the collateral involved, excluding overnight lending for commercial and industrial purposes. Also include Federal Funds sold under agreements to resell on a gross basis, excluding (1) sales of term Federal Funds, (2) due bills representing purchases of securities or other assets by the reporting bank that have not yet been delivered and similar instruments, (3) resale agreements that mature in more than one business day involving assets other than securities, and (4) yield maintenance dollar repurchase agreements.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

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

-Publisher OTS

-Name Federal Regulation (FR)

-Number Title 12

-Section 563c.102

-Chapter V

-Subsection I

-LegacyDoc This is a non-GAAP reference that was included in the 2009 taxonomy. It will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Article 9

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- Definition

Carrying amount of Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) loans (advances) to member financial institutions.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

The total amount of the contingent obligation under letters of credit outstanding as of the reporting date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Total debt and equity financial instruments including: (1) securities held-to-maturity, (2) trading securities, and (3) securities available-for-sale.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 320

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6872113&loc=d3e27161-111563

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 115

-Paragraph 19

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.4)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 320

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 5

-Subparagraph (d)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6872113&loc=d3e27232-111563

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