INVESTMENTS (Details 6) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITY
Equity in (income) loss from equity method investments, net of dividends or distributions	$ (911,000,000)	$ (637,000,000)	$ (1,268,000,000)
Securities purchased through FRBNY's auction of Maiden Lane III assets	7,100,000,000
Maiden Lane III
VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITY
Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries	8,500,000,000
Equity in (income) loss from equity method investments, net of dividends or distributions	5,000,000,000
Securities purchased through FRBNY's auction of Maiden Lane III assets	$ 7,100,000,000