Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
NET INCOME INCLUDING NONCONTROLLING INTEREST	$ 259,092		$ 76,708	$ 2,476,050		$ 550,134
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/LOSS, NET OF TAX
Net unrealized gains on cash flow hedge derivative financial instruments	17,381		6,171	24,022		31,225
Net unrealized gains/(losses) on investment securities	(17,697)		(18,463)	111,291		(291,331)
Pension and post-retirement actuarial gain	272	[1]	549	1,107	[1]	1,647
TOTAL OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS)	(44)		(11,743)	136,420		(258,459)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/LOSS	259,048		64,965	2,612,470		291,675
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTEREST	54,420		0	298,633		0
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO SHUSA	$ 204,628		$ 64,965	$ 2,313,837		$ 291,675

[1] Included in the computation of net periodic pension costs.