TOTAL EQUITY AND EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE (Details 4) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
A rollforward of non-controlling interests
Balance, beginning of year	$ 855
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle		(6,463)
Exchange of consideration for preferred stock in connection with Recapitalization		(20,677)
Consolidation (deconsolidation)		(109)
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest		538
Comprehensive income:
Net income	241	204
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	6,873		5,153
Total comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	246	240
Balance, end of period	893
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 contributions	18	(26)
Consolidation (deconsolidation)	(5)	(125)
Comprehensive income:
Net income	218	187
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Unrealized gains on investments	2	(1)
Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	2	(1)
Total comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	220	186
Other		(13)
Balance, end of period	121	11,602
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	208	178
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Total comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	208	178
Balance, end of period		11,324
Redeemable Noncontrolling interests | Other Minority Interests Holder
A rollforward of non-controlling interests
Balance, beginning of year	96	434
Net contributions	18	(26)
Consolidation (deconsolidation)	(5)	(125)
Comprehensive income:
Net income	10	9
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Unrealized gains on investments	2	(1)
Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	2	(1)
Total comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	12	8
Other		(13)
Balance, end of period	121	278
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 contributions	28	(96)
Consolidation (deconsolidation)		(109)
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest		(509)
Comprehensive income:
Net income	23	17
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Unrealized gains on investments	2	1
Foreign currency translation adjustments	1	36
Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	3	37
Total comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	26	54
Other	(16)	(9)
Balance, end of period	893	819
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		74
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Total comprehensive income 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 contributions	28	(96)
Consolidation (deconsolidation)		(109)
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest		(509)
Comprehensive income:
Net income	23	(57)
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Unrealized gains on investments	2	1
Foreign currency translation adjustments	1	36
Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	3	37
Total comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	26	(20)
Other	(16)	(9)
Balance, end of period	$ 893	$ 819