CHANGES IN ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Balance, at the beginning of period	$ (17,788)
Change in net unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities, net of taxes	(774)	740
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of taxes	1,697	1,364
Cash flow hedges, net of taxes	220	152
Pension liability adjustment, net of taxes	(90)	37
Change	1,053	2,293
Balance, at the end of period	(16,735)
Reclassification after tax realized gains or losses on sales and impairments of securities	406	(686)
HDFC
Change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
After tax realized gains from sales of minority investments	672
SPDB
Change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
After tax realized gains from sales of minority investments	421
Akbank
Change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Impairment charge related to total investment, after-tax	763
Net unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities
Change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Balance, at the beginning of period	(35)	(2,395)
Change in net unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities, net of taxes	(774)	740
Change	(774)	740
Balance, at the end of period	(809)	(1,655)
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of hedges
Change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Balance, at the beginning of period	(10,651)	(7,127)
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of taxes	1,697	1,364
Change	1,697	1,364
Balance, at the end of period	(8,954)	(5,763)
Cash flow hedges
Change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Balance, at the beginning of period	(2,820)	(2,650)
Cash flow hedges, net of taxes	220	152
Change	220	152
Balance, at the end of period	(2,600)	(2,498)
Pension liability adjustments
Change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Balance, at the beginning of period	(4,282)	(4,105)
Pension liability adjustment, net of taxes	(90)	37
Change	(90)	37
Balance, at the end of period	(4,372)	(4,068)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Balance, at the beginning of period	(17,788)	(16,277)
Change in net unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities, net of taxes	(774)	740
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of taxes	1,697	1,364
Cash flow hedges, net of taxes	220	152
Pension liability adjustment, net of taxes	(90)	37
Change	1,053	2,293
Balance, at the end of period	(16,735)	(13,984)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | Akbank
Change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Impairment charge related to total investment, after-tax	$ 636