Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Assets
Investment securities	$ 567,611	$ 668,539
Restricted cash	346,631	113,703
Fair Value Measurements Using Level 1
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	1,048,751	1,357,212
Investment securities	100	255
Restricted cash	346,631	113,703
Fair Value Measurements Using Level 2
Assets
Investment securities	541,676	639,148
Note receivable from parent	537,989	537,989
Other assets:
Receivables from parent and affiliates	17,664	16,196
Liabilities
Long-term debt	12,694,404	12,912,712
Payable to affiliate		30,750
Fair Value Measurements Using Level 2 | Cross currency interest rate derivative
Other assets:
Derivative Assets		26,699
Fair Value Measurements Using Level 3
Assets
Investment securities	26,431	29,767
Net finance receivables, less allowance for finance receivable losses	11,097,113	11,608,720
Other assets:
Commercial mortgage loans	94,885	99,933
Escrow advance receivable	19,674	18,520
Total Fair Value
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	1,048,751	1,357,212
Investment securities	568,207	669,170
Net finance receivables, less allowance for finance receivable losses	11,097,113	11,608,720
Note receivable from parent	537,989	537,989
Restricted cash	346,631	113,703
Other assets:
Commercial mortgage loans	94,885	99,933
Escrow advance receivable	19,674	18,520
Receivables from parent and affiliates	17,664	16,196
Liabilities
Long-term debt	12,694,404	12,912,712
Payable to affiliate		30,750
Total Fair Value | Cross currency interest rate derivative
Other assets:
Derivative Assets		26,699
Total Carrying Value
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	1,048,751	1,357,212
Investment securities	568,207	669,170
Net finance receivables, less allowance for finance receivable losses	10,969,326	11,516,591
Note receivable from parent	537,989	537,989
Restricted cash	346,631	113,703
Other assets:
Commercial mortgage loans	102,798	110,398
Escrow advance receivable	19,674	18,520
Receivables from parent and affiliates	17,664	16,196
Liabilities
Long-term debt	11,740,773	12,454,316
Payable to affiliate		30,750
Total Carrying Value | Cross currency interest rate derivative
Other assets:
Derivative Assets		$ 26,699