Receivables - Nonaccrual Receivables (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Nonaccrual receivables:
Total nonaccrual receivables	$ 5,193		$ 6,874
Real estate secured [Member]
Nonaccrual receivables:
Total nonaccrual receivables	3,032	[1]	6,544	[1]
Personal non-credit card [Member]
Nonaccrual receivables:
Total nonaccrual receivables			330
Nonaccrual receivables held for sale [Member]
Nonaccrual receivables:
Total nonaccrual receivables	$ 2,161

[1] At December 31, 2012 and 2011, nonaccrual real estate secured receivables held for investment include $1.7 billion and $4.7 billion, respectively, of receivables that are carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell.