CHANGES IN ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended						9 Months Ended				3 Months Ended																															6 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012 HDFC	Sep. 30, 2012 SPDB	Mar. 31, 2012 Akbank	Sep. 30, 2012 Net unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities	Jun. 30, 2012 Net unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities	Mar. 31, 2012 Net unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities	Sep. 30, 2011 Net unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities	Jun. 30, 2011 Net unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities	Mar. 31, 2011 Net unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities	Sep. 30, 2012 Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of hedges	Jun. 30, 2012 Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of hedges	Mar. 31, 2012 Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of hedges	Sep. 30, 2011 Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of hedges	Jun. 30, 2011 Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of hedges	Mar. 31, 2011 Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of hedges	Sep. 30, 2012 Cash flow hedges	Jun. 30, 2012 Cash flow hedges	Mar. 31, 2012 Cash flow hedges	Sep. 30, 2011 Cash flow hedges	Jun. 30, 2011 Cash flow hedges	Mar. 31, 2011 Cash flow hedges	Sep. 30, 2012 Pension liability adjustments	Jun. 30, 2012 Pension liability adjustments	Mar. 31, 2012 Pension liability adjustments	Sep. 30, 2011 Pension liability adjustments	Jun. 30, 2011 Pension liability adjustments	Mar. 31, 2011 Pension liability adjustments	Sep. 30, 2012 Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	Jun. 30, 2012 Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	Mar. 31, 2012 Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	Sep. 30, 2011 Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	Jun. 30, 2011 Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	Mar. 31, 2011 Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	Jun. 30, 2012 Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) Akbank
Change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Balance at the beginning of the period, after-tax	$ (17,749)	$ (16,735)	$ (17,788)	$ (12,222)	$ (13,984)	$ (16,277)	$ (17,788)	$ (16,277)				$ (245)	$ (809)	$ (35)	$ (603)	$ (1,655)	$ (2,395)	$ (10,550)	$ (8,954)	$ (10,651)	$ (4,987)	$ (5,763)	$ (7,127)	$ (2,689)	$ (2,600)	$ (2,820)	$ (2,567)	$ (2,498)	$ (2,650)	$ (4,265)	$ (4,372)	$ (4,282)	$ (4,065)	$ (4,068)	$ (4,105)	$ (17,749)	$ (16,735)	$ (17,788)	$ (12,222)	$ (13,984)	$ (16,277)
Change, net of taxes	2,183	(1,014)	1,053	(4,822)	1,762	2,293	2,222	(767)				776	564	(774)	505	1,052	740	1,245	(1,596)	1,697	(4,935)	776	1,364	186	(89)	220	(532)	(69)	152	(24)	107	(90)	140	3	37	2,183	(1,014)	1,053	(4,822)	1,762	2,293
Balance at the end of the period, after-tax	(15,566)	(17,749)	(16,735)	(17,044)	(12,222)	(13,984)	(15,566)	(17,044)				531	(245)	(809)	(98)	(603)	(1,655)	(9,305)	(10,550)	(8,954)	(9,922)	(4,987)	(5,763)	(2,503)	(2,689)	(2,600)	(3,099)	(2,567)	(2,498)	(4,289)	(4,265)	(4,372)	(3,925)	(4,065)	(4,068)	(15,566)	(17,749)	(16,735)	(17,044)	(12,222)	(13,984)
Reclassification after tax realized gains or losses on sales and impairments of securities							(1,255)	(26)
After tax realized gains from sales of minority investments									672	421
Impairment charge related to total investment, after-tax											$ 763																															$ 667