v2.4.0.6
Fair Value Hierarchy for Financial Instruments Not Recorded at Fair Value (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Mar. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Carrying Amount
    
Assets:    
Cash and cash equivalents $ 6,180 $ 11,174
Cash and investments segregated and on deposit for regulatory purposes 22,501 23,723
Receivables from brokers, dealers, and clearing organizations 467 333
Receivables from brokerage clients - net 12,448 13,453
Securities held to maturity 22,920 18,194
Loans to banking clients - net 11,300 10,726
Other assets 64 64
Total 75,880 77,667
Liabilities:    
Deposits from banking clients 82,424 79,377
Payables to brokers, dealers, and clearing organizations 1,152 1,068
Payables to brokerage clients 36,888 40,330
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 528 353
Long-term debt 1,631 1,632
Total 122,623 122,760
Carrying Amount | Residential real estate mortgages
    
Assets:    
Loans to banking clients - net 7,062 6,471
Carrying Amount | Home equity lines of credit
    
Assets:    
Loans to banking clients - net 3,174 3,267
Carrying Amount | Personal loans secured by securities
    
Assets:    
Loans to banking clients - net 1,035 963
Carrying Amount | Other
    
Assets:    
Loans to banking clients - net 29 25
Carrying Amount | U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities
    
Assets:    
Securities held to maturity 22,188 17,750
Carrying Amount | Other securities
    
Assets:    
Securities held to maturity 732 444
Fair Value
    
Assets:    
Cash and cash equivalents 6,180 11,174
Cash and investments segregated and on deposit for regulatory purposes 22,501 23,723
Receivables from brokers, dealers, and clearing organizations 467 333
Receivables from brokerage clients - net 12,448 13,453
Securities held to maturity 23,316 18,732
Loans to banking clients - net 11,446 10,969
Other assets 64 64
Total 76,422 78,448
Liabilities:    
Deposits from banking clients 82,424 79,377
Payables to brokers, dealers, and clearing organizations 1,152 1,068
Payables to brokerage clients 36,888 40,330
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 528 353
Long-term debt 1,794 1,782
Total 122,786 122,910
Fair Value | Residential real estate mortgages
    
Assets:    
Loans to banking clients - net 7,231 6,687
Fair Value | Home equity lines of credit
    
Assets:    
Loans to banking clients - net 3,151 3,295
Fair Value | Personal loans secured by securities
    
Assets:    
Loans to banking clients - net 1,035 963
Fair Value | Other
    
Assets:    
Loans to banking clients - net 29 24
Fair Value | U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities
    
Assets:    
Securities held to maturity 22,595 18,289
Fair Value | Other securities
    
Assets:    
Securities held to maturity 721 443
Fair Value | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
    
Assets:    
Cash and cash equivalents 6,180 11,174
Cash and investments segregated and on deposit for regulatory purposes 22,501 23,723
Receivables from brokers, dealers, and clearing organizations 467 333
Receivables from brokerage clients - net 12,448 13,453
Securities held to maturity 23,316 18,732
Loans to banking clients - net 11,446 10,969
Other assets 64 64
Total 76,422 78,448
Liabilities:    
Deposits from banking clients 82,424 79,377
Payables to brokers, dealers, and clearing organizations 1,152 1,068
Payables to brokerage clients 36,888 40,330
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 528 353
Long-term debt 1,794 1,782
Total 122,786 122,910
Fair Value | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Residential real estate mortgages
    
Assets:    
Loans to banking clients - net 7,231 6,687
Fair Value | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Home equity lines of credit
    
Assets:    
Loans to banking clients - net 3,151 3,295
Fair Value | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Personal loans secured by securities
    
Assets:    
Loans to banking clients - net 1,035 963
Fair Value | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Other
    
Assets:    
Loans to banking clients - net 29 24
Fair Value | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities
    
Assets:    
Securities held to maturity 22,595 18,289
Fair Value | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Other securities
    
Assets:    
Securities held to maturity $ 721 $ 443