| Organization, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies) | 12 Months Ended |
| Dec. 31, 2015 |
| Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] | |
| Organization (policy) | Organization —E*TRADE Financial Corporation is a financial services company that provides brokerage and related products and services primarily to individual retail investors under the brand "E*TRADE Financial." The Company also provides investor-focused banking products, primarily sweep deposits, to retail investors. The Company’s most significant, wholly-owned subsidiaries are described below: • E*TRADE Securities is a registered broker-dealer and is the primary provider of brokerage products and services to the Company’s customers; • E*TRADE Clearing is the clearing firm for the Company’s brokerage subsidiaries and its main purpose is to clear and settle securities transactions for customers of E*TRADE Securities; • E*TRADE Bank is a federally chartered savings bank utilized by E*TRADE's broker-dealers to maximize the value of customer deposits. It provides the Company's customers with FDIC insurance on a certain amount of customer deposits and provides other banking products to its customers; and • E*TRADE Financial Corporate Services is the provider of software and services for managing equity compensation plans to the Company's corporate customers. As of December 31, 2015 , the Company's two U.S. broker-dealers, E*TRADE Clearing and E*TRADE Securities, were no longer operating subsidiaries of E*TRADE Bank. E*TRADE Securities was moved out from under E*TRADE Bank in February 2015 and E*TRADE Clearing was moved out from under E*TRADE Bank in July 2015. This revised organizational structure provides increased capital flexibility as it enables the Company to dividend excess regulatory capital at the broker-dealers to the parent company with proper regulatory notifications. |
| Basis of Presentation (policy) | Basis of Presentation —The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its majority-owned subsidiaries as determined under the voting interest model. Entities in which the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence but in which the Company does not possess control are generally accounted for by the equity method. Entities in which the Company does not have the ability to exercise significant influence are generally carried at cost. However, investments in marketable equity securities where the Company does not have the ability to exercise significant influence over the entities are accounted for as available-for-sale equity securities. The Company also evaluates its initial and continuing involvement with certain entities to determine if the Company is required to consolidate the entities under the variable interest entity ("VIE") model. This evaluation is based on a qualitative assessment of whether the Company is the primary beneficiary of the VIE, which requires the Company to possess both: 1) the power to direct activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE; and 2) the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The Company's consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation. These consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, which are all normal and recurring in nature, necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. The Company updated the presentation of its consolidated balance sheet and income statement line items, as follows, primarily as a result of the change in composition of its balance sheet after the termination of its wholesale funding obligations. Prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation: • Reclassified the revenue earned on customer assets held by third parties from operating interest income to fees and service charges; • Reclassified certain receivables from other assets to receivables from brokers, dealers, and clearing organizations; • Reclassified the Company’s investment in FHLB stock to other assets; • Reclassified net deferred tax assets from other assets to deferred tax assets, net; • Reclassified certain payables from other liabilities to payables to brokers, dealers, and clearing organizations; • Renamed FHLB advances and other borrowings to other borrowings; and • Reclassified securities sold under agreements to repurchase to other borrowings. The Company reports corporate interest expense separately from operating interest expense. The Company believes reporting these items separately provides a clearer picture of the financial performance of the Company’s operations than would a presentation that combined these two items. Operating interest expense is generated from the operations of the Company. Corporate debt is the primary source of corporate interest expense. Similarly, the Company reports corporate gains (losses) on sales of investments separately from gains (losses) on securities and other . The Company believes reporting these two items separately provides a clearer picture of the financial performance of the Company's operations than would a presentation that combined these two items. Gains (losses) on securities and other are the result of activities in the Company’s operations, namely its balance sheet management segment. Corporate gains (losses) on sales of investments are reported in other income (expense) on the consolidated statement of income. |
| Use of Estimates (policy) | Use of Estimates —Preparing the Company's consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and related notes for the periods presented. Actual results could differ from management’s estimates. Certain significant accounting policies are critical because they are based on estimates and assumptions that require complex and subjective judgments by management. Changes in these estimates or assumptions could materially impact the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. Material estimates in which management believes changes could reasonably occur include: allowance for loan losses; asset impairment, including goodwill impairment and OTTI; estimates of effective tax rates, deferred taxes and valuation allowance; accounting for derivative instruments; and fair value measurements. |
| Cash and equivalents (policy) | Cash and Equivalents —The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original or remaining maturities of three months or less at the time of purchase that are not required to be segregated under federal or other regulations to be cash and equivalents. Cash and equivalents included $1.6 billion and $0.9 billion at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, of overnight cash deposits, a portion of which the Company is required to maintain with the Federal Reserve Bank. |
| Cash required to be segregated under federal or other regulations (policy) | Cash Required to be Segregated Under Federal or Other Regulations —Certain cash balances that are required to be segregated for the exclusive benefit of the Company’s brokerage customers are included in the cash required to be segregated under federal or other regulations line item. |
| Available-for-sale securities (policy) | Available-for-Sale Securities —Available-for-sale securities consist primarily of debt securities and also include equity securities. Securities classified as available-for-sale are carried at fair value, with the unrealized gains and losses, after any applicable hedge accounting adjustments, reflected as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax. Realized and unrealized gains or losses on available-for-sale debt and equity securities are computed using the specific identification method. Interest earned on available-for-sale debt and equity securities is included in operating interest income. Amortization or accretion of premiums and discounts on available-for-sale debt securities is also recognized in operating interest income using the effective interest method over the contractual life of the security and is adjusted to reflect actual prepayments. Realized gains and losses on available-for-sale debt and equity securities, other than OTTI, are included in the gains (losses) on securities and other line item. Available-for-sale securities that have an unrealized loss (impaired securities) are evaluated for OTTI at each balance sheet date. |
| Held-to-maturity securities (policy) | Held-to-Maturity Securities —Held-to-maturity securities consist of debt securities, primarily residential mortgage-backed securities and agency debt securities. Held-to-maturity securities are carried at amortized cost based on the Company’s intent and ability to hold these securities to maturity. Interest earned on held-to-maturity debt securities is included in operating interest income. Amortization or accretion of premiums and discounts is also recognized in operating interest income using the effective interest method over the contractual life of the security and is adjusted to reflect actual prepayments. Held-to-maturity securities that have an unrecognized loss (impaired securities) are evaluated for OTTI at each balance sheet date in a manner consistent with available-for-sale debt securities. |
| Receivables from and payables to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations (policy) | Receivables from and Payables to Brokers, Dealers and Clearing Organizations —Receivables from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations include deposits paid for securities borrowed, clearing deposits and net receivables arising from unsettled trades. Payables to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations include deposits received for securities loaned and net payables arising from unsettled trades. Deposits paid for securities borrowed and deposits received for securities loaned are recorded at the amount of cash collateral advanced or received. Deposits paid for securities borrowed transactions require the Company to deposit cash with the lender. With respect to deposits received for securities loaned, the Company receives collateral in the form of cash in an amount generally in excess of the market value of the securities loaned. Interest income and interest expense are recorded on an accrual basis. The Company monitors the market value of the securities borrowed and loaned on a daily basis, with additional collateral obtained or refunded, as necessary. |
| Margin receivables (policy) | Margin Receivables —Margin receivables represent credit extended to customers to finance their purchases of securities by borrowing against securities the customers own. Securities owned by customers are held as collateral for amounts due on the margin receivables, the value of which is not reflected in the consolidated balance sheet. The Company is permitted to sell or re-pledge these securities held as collateral and use the securities to enter into securities lending transactions, to collateralize borrowings or for delivery to counterparties to cover customer short positions. The fair value of securities that the Company received as collateral in connection with margin receivables and securities borrowing activities, where the Company is permitted to sell or re-pledge the securities, was approximately $10.1 billion and $10.8 billion at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , respectively. Of this amount, $2.5 billion and $2.9 billion had been pledged or sold in connection with securities loans and deposits with clearing organizations at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , respectively. |
| Loans receivable, net (policy) and Impaired loans (policy) | Loans Receivable, Net —Loans receivable, net consists of real estate and consumer loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity, also known as loans held-for-investment. Loans held-for-investment are carried at amortized cost adjusted for unamortized premiums or discounts on purchased loans, deferred fees or costs on originated loans, net charge-offs, and the allowance for loan losses. Premiums or discounts on purchased loans and deferred fees or costs on originated loans are recognized in operating interest income using the effective interest method over the contractual life of the loans and are adjusted for actual prepayments. The Company’s classes of loans are one- to four-family, home equity and consumer and other loans. Impaired Loans —The Company considers a loan to be impaired when it meets the definition of a TDR. Impaired loans exclude smaller-balance homogeneous one- to four-family, home equity and consumer and other loans that have not been modified as TDRs and are collectively evaluated for impairment. |
| TDRs (policy) | TDRs —Loan modifications completed under the Company’s loss mitigation programs in which economic concessions were granted to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty are considered TDRs. TDRs also include loans that have been charged-off based on the estimated current value of the underlying property less estimated selling costs due to bankruptcy notification even if the loan has not been modified under the Company’s programs. Upon being classified as a TDR, such loan is categorized as an impaired loan and is considered impaired until maturity regardless of whether the borrower performs under the terms of the loan. The Company also processes minor modifications on a number of loans through traditional collections actions taken in the normal course of servicing delinquent accounts. Minor modifications resulting in an insignificant delay in the timing of payments are not considered economic concessions and therefore are not classified as TDRs. Impairment on loan modifications is measured on an individual loan level basis, generally using a discounted cash flow model. When certain characteristics of the modified loan cast substantial doubt on the borrower’s ability to repay the loan, the Company identifies the loan as collateral dependent and charges-off the amount of the modified loan balance in excess of the estimated current value of the underlying property less estimated selling costs. Collateral dependent TDRs are identified based on the terms of the modification, which includes assigning a higher level of risk to loans in which the LTV or CLTV is greater than 110% or 125% , respectively, a borrower’s credit score is less than 600 and certain types of modifications, such as interest-only payments. TDRs that are not identified as higher risk using this risk assessment process and for which impairment is measured using a discounted cash flow model, continue to be evaluated in the event that they become higher risk collateral dependent TDRs. TDRs, excluding loans in bankruptcy, are classified as nonperforming loans at the time of modification. Such TDRs return to accrual status after six consecutive payments are made in accordance with the modified terms. Accruing TDRs that subsequently become delinquent will immediately return to nonaccrual status. Bankruptcy loans are classified as nonperforming loans within 60 days of bankruptcy notification and remain on nonaccrual status regardless of the payment history. |
| Nonperforming loans (policy) | Nonperforming Loans —The Company classifies loans as nonperforming when they are no longer accruing interest, which includes loans that are 90 days and greater past due, TDRs that are on nonaccrual status for all classes of loans (including loans in bankruptcy) and certain junior liens that have a delinquent senior lien. Interest previously accrued, but not collected, is reversed against current income when a loan is placed on nonaccrual status. Interest payments received on nonperforming loans are recognized on a cash basis in operating interest income until it is doubtful that full payment will be collected, at which point payments are applied to principal. The recognition of deferred fees or costs on originated loans and premiums or discounts on purchased loans in operating interest income is discontinued for nonperforming loans. Nonperforming loans, excluding TDRs, loans in bankruptcy and certain junior liens that have a delinquent senior lien, return to accrual status when the loan becomes less than 90 days past due. Loans modified as TDRs return to accrual status after six consecutive payments have been made in accordance with the modified terms. All bankruptcy loans remain on nonaccrual status regardless of the payment history. Certain junior liens that have a delinquent senior lien remain on nonaccrual status until certain performance criteria are met. |
| Allowance for loan losses (policy) | Allowance for Loan Losses —The allowance for loan losses is management’s estimate of probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio as of the balance sheet date. In determining the adequacy of the allowance, the Company performs ongoing evaluations of the loan portfolio and loss forecasting assumptions. As of December 31, 2015 , the allowance for loan losses was $353 million on $4.9 billion of total loans receivable designated as held-for-investment. For loans that are not TDRs, the Company established a general allowance and evaluated the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses by loan portfolio segment: one- to four-family, home equity and consumer and other. For modified loans accounted for as TDRs that are valued using the discounted cash flow model, the Company established a specific allowance by forecasting losses, including economic concessions to borrowers, over the estimated remaining life of these loans. The estimate of the allowance for loan losses continues to be based on a variety of quantitative and qualitative factors, including: • the composition and quality of the portfolio; • delinquency levels and trends; • current and historical charge-off and loss experience; • the Company's historical loss mitigation experience; • the condition of the real estate market and geographic concentrations within the loan portfolio; • the interest rate climate; • the overall availability of housing credit; and • general economic conditions. During the year ended December 31, 2015 , the Company implemented a new loss forecasting model that better aligned to our run-off one- to four-family and home equity loan portfolios with loans approaching amortization resets. While there were no material changes in assumptions and methodologies in the new model and the implementation did not have a material impact on the allowance for loan losses, the implementation process triggered a re-evaluation of the time period of forecasted loan losses included in the general allowance. Based on reviews of recent loan performance, current economic conditions and their impact on borrower behavior and the timing of default in the new model, the Company extended the loss emergence period from 12 months to 18 months for both portfolios. The extended emergence period resulted in approximately $40 million of additional allowance for loan losses as of December 31, 2015. The new loss forecasting model continues to be sensitive to key risk factors within the one- to four-family and home equity loan portfolios, which include but are not limited to loan type, delinquency history, LTV/CLTV ratio and borrowers’ credit scores and the forecasted loan losses are estimated based on these types of loan-level attributes. The Company utilizes historical mortgage loan performance data to develop the forecast of delinquency and default for these risk segments. During the year ended December 31, 2015 , the Company also made the following enhancements to its quantitative allowance methodology for identifying higher risk loans in one- to four-family and home equity loan portfolios due to newly available performance information. These enhancements resulted in approximately $45 million of additional allowance for loan losses as of December 31, 2015 : • The Company extended the period of our forecasted loan losses captured within the general allowance to include the total probable loss over the remaining life on a subset of higher risk interest-only loans in the one- to four-family loan portfolio. • The Company further refined the criteria utilized in identifying higher risk home equity lines of credit for which the total probable loss over the remaining life is included within the general allowance. The general allowance for loan losses also included a qualitative component to account for a variety of factors that present additional uncertainty that may not be fully considered in the quantitative loss model but are factors the Company believes may impact the level of credit losses. The Company utilizes a qualitative factor framework whereby, on a quarterly basis, management assesses the risk associated with three primary sets of factors: external factors, internal factors, and portfolio specific factors. The uncertainty related to these factors may expand over time, temporarily increasing the qualitative component in advance of the more precise identification of these probable losses being captured within the quantitative component of the general allowance. The total qualitative component was $13 million and $37 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. |
| Property and Equipment, Net (policy) | Property and Equipment, Net —Property and equipment are carried at cost and depreciated on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, generally three to seven years . Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the lesser of their estimated useful lives or lease terms. An impairment loss is recognized if the carrying amount of the long-lived asset is not recoverable and exceeds its fair value. The costs of internally developed software that qualify for capitalization are included in the property and equipment, net line item. For qualifying internal-use software costs, capitalization begins when the conceptual formulation, design and testing of possible software project alternatives are complete and management authorizes and commits to funding the project. The Company does not capitalize pilot projects and projects where it believes that future economic benefits are less than probable. Technology development costs incurred in the development and enhancement of software used in connection with services provided by the Company that do not otherwise qualify for capitalization treatment are expensed as incurred. Completed projects are carried at cost and are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives of four years . |
| Goodwill and other intangibles, net (policy) | Goodwill and Other Intangibles, Net —Goodwill is acquired through business combinations and represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net tangible assets and identifiable intangible assets. The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment on an annual basis as of November 30 and in interim periods when events or changes indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. The Company has the option of performing a qualitative assessment of goodwill for any of its reporting units to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value is less than the carrying value of a reporting unit. If it is more likely than not that the fair value exceeds the carrying value of the reporting unit, then no further testing is necessary; otherwise, the Company must perform a two-step quantitative assessment of goodwill. The Company may elect to bypass the qualitative assessment and proceed directly to performing a two-step quantitative assessment. The Company currently does not have any intangible assets with indefinite lives other than goodwill. The Company evaluates intangible assets with finite lives for impairment on an annual basis or when events or changes indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. The Company also evaluates the remaining useful lives of intangible assets with finite lives each reporting period to determine whether events and circumstances warrant a revision to the remaining period of amortization. For additional information on goodwill and other intangibles, net, see Note 9—Goodwill and Other Intangibles, Net . |
| Real estate owned and repossessed assets (policy) | Real Estate Owned and Repossessed Assets —Real estate owned and repossessed assets are included in the other assets line item in the consolidated balance sheet. Real estate owned represents real estate acquired through foreclosure and also includes those properties acquired through a deed in lieu of foreclosure or similar legal agreement. Both real estate owned and repossessed assets are carried at the lower of carrying value or fair value, less estimated selling costs. |
| Equity and cost method investments (policy) | Equity Method, Cost Method and Other Investments —The Company’s equity method, cost method and other investments are generally limited liability investments in partnerships, companies and other similar entities, including tax credit partnerships and community development entities, that are not required to be consolidated. These investments are reported in the other assets line item in the consolidated balance sheet. Under the equity method, the Company recognizes its share of the investee’s net income or loss in the other income (expense) line item in the consolidated statement of income. The Company’s other investments include those accounted for using the proportional amortization method. Additionally, the Company recognizes a liability for all legally binding unfunded equity commitments to the investees in the other liabilities line item in the consolidated balance sheet. The Company evaluates its equity and cost method investments for impairment when events or changes indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. If the impairment is determined to be other-than-temporary, the Company will recognize an impairment loss in the other income (expense) line item equal to the difference between the expected realizable value and the carrying value of the investment. The Company is a member of, and owns capital stock in, the FHLB system. The FHLB provides the Company with reserve credit capacity and authorizes advances based on the security of pledged home mortgages and other assets (principally securities that are obligations of, or guaranteed by, the U.S. Government) provided the Company meets certain creditworthiness standards. As a condition of its membership in the FHLB, the Company is required to maintain a FHLB stock investment which was $15 million at December 31, 2015. The Company accounts for its investment in FHLB stock as a cost method investment. FHLB advances, included in the other borrowings line item, is a wholesale funding source of E*TRADE Bank. |
| Income taxes (policy) | Income Taxes —Deferred income taxes are recorded when revenues and expenses are recognized in different periods for financial statement purposes than for tax purposes. Deferred tax asset or liability account balances are calculated at the balance sheet date using current tax laws and rates in effect. Valuation allowances for deferred tax assets are established if it is determined, based on evaluation of available evidence at the time the determination is made, that it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Income tax expense (benefit) includes (i) deferred tax expense (benefit), which generally represents the net change in the deferred tax asset or liability balance during the year plus any change in valuation allowances, and (ii) current tax expense (benefit), which represents the amount of tax currently payable to or receivable from a taxing authority. Uncertain tax positions are only recognized to the extent it is more likely than not that the uncertain tax position will be sustained upon examination. For uncertain tax positions, a tax benefit is recognized for cases in which it is more than fifty percent likely of being sustained on ultimate settlement. For additional information on income taxes, see Note 14—Income Taxes . |
| Customer payables (policy) | Customer Payables —Customer payables represent credit balances in customer accounts arising from deposits of funds and sales of securities and other funds pending completion of securities transactions. Customer payables primarily represent customer cash contained within the Company’s broker-dealer subsidiaries. The Company pays interest on certain customer payables balances. |
| Other borrowings (policy) | Other Borrowings —Other borrowings includes securities sold under agreements to repurchase, FHLB advances, borrowings from E*TRADE Clearing's lines of credit and TRUPs. Securities sold under agreements to repurchase the same or similar securities, also known as repurchase agreements, are collateralized by fixed- and variable-rate mortgage-backed securities or investment grade securities. Repurchase agreements are treated as secured borrowings for financial statement purposes and the obligations to repurchase securities sold are therefore reflected as liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet. |
| Comprehensive income (loss) (policy) | Comprehensive Income (Loss) —The Company’s comprehensive income (loss) is composed of net income, noncredit portion of OTTI on debt securities, unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, the effective portion of the unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives in cash flow hedge relationships and foreign currency translation gains, net of reclassification adjustments and related tax. |
| Derivative instruments and hedging activities (policy) | Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities —The Company enters into derivative transactions primarily to protect against interest rate risk on the value of certain assets, liabilities and future cash flows. Each derivative instrument is recorded on the consolidated balance sheet at fair value as a freestanding asset or liability. For financial statement purposes, the Company’s policy is to not offset fair value amounts recognized for derivative instruments and fair value amounts related to collateral arrangements under master netting arrangements. Accounting for derivatives differs significantly depending on whether a derivative is designated as a hedge based on the applicable accounting guidance and, if designated as a hedge, the type of hedge designation. Derivative instruments designated in hedging relationships that mitigate the exposure to the variability in expected future cash flows or other forecasted transactions are considered cash flow hedges. Derivative instruments in hedging relationships that mitigate exposure to changes in the fair value of assets or liabilities are considered fair value hedges. In order to qualify for hedge accounting, the Company formally documents at inception all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items and the risk management objective and strategy for each hedge transaction. Cash flow and fair value hedge ineffectiveness is measured on a quarterly basis and is included in the gains (losses) on securities and other line item in the consolidated statement of income. Cash flows from derivative instruments in hedging relationships are classified in the same category on the consolidated statement of cash flows as the cash flows from the items being hedged. The Company also recognizes certain contracts and commitments as derivatives when the characteristics of those contracts and commitments meet the definition of a derivative. Gains and losses on derivatives that are not held as accounting hedges are recognized in the gains (losses) on securities and other line item in the consolidated statement of income. For additional information on derivative instruments and hedging activities, see Note 7—Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities . |
| Fair value (policy) | Fair Value —Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Company determines the fair value for its financial instruments and for nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the consolidated financial statements on a recurring basis. In addition, the Company determines the fair value for nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities on a nonrecurring basis as required during impairment testing or by other accounting guidance. For additional information on fair value, see Note 3—Fair Value Disclosures . |
| Operating interest income (policy) | Operating Interest Income —Operating interest income is recognized as earned through holding interest-earning assets, such as loans, available-for-sale securities, held-to-maturity securities, margin receivables, cash and equivalents, segregated cash, and from securities lending activities. Operating interest income also includes the impact of the Company’s derivative transactions related to interest-earning assets. |
| Operating interest expense (policy) | Operating Interest Expense —Operating interest expense is recognized as incurred through holding interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits, customer payables, securities sold under agreements to repurchase, FHLB advances and other borrowings, and from securities lending activities and other balances. Operating interest expense also includes the impact of the Company’s derivative transactions related to interest-bearing liabilities. |
| Commissions (policy) | Commissions —Commissions are derived from the Company’s customers and are impacted by both trade type and trade mix. Commissions from securities transactions are recognized on a trade-date basis. |
| Fees and service charges (policy) | Fees and Service Charges —Fees and service charges consist of order flow revenue, mutual fund service fees, advisor management fees, foreign exchange revenue, reorganization fees and other fees and service charges. Fees and service charges also includes revenue earned on customer assets held by third parties. |
| Principal transactions (policy) | Principal Transactions —Principal transactions consisted of revenue from market making activities. The Company completed the sale of its market making business on February 10, 2014 and therefore no longer records revenue from principal transactions. The sale of the market making business resulted in a gain of $4 million which was recorded in the restructuring and other exit activities line item on the consolidated statement of income. |
| Gains (losses) on securities and other (policy) | Gains (Losses) on Securities and Other —Gains (losses) on securities and other includes the reclassification of deferred losses on cash flow hedges; gains or losses resulting from the sale of available-for-sale securities; gains or losses resulting from sales of loans; hedge ineffectiveness; and gains or losses on derivative instruments that are not accounted for as hedging instruments. Gains or losses resulting from the sale of available-for-sale securities are recognized at the trade-date, based on the difference between the anticipated proceeds and the amortized cost of the specific securities sold. |
| Other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) (policy) | OTTI —The Company considers OTTI for an available-for-sale or held-to-maturity debt security to have occurred if one of the following conditions are met: the Company intends to sell the impaired debt security; it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the impaired debt security before recovery of the security’s amortized cost basis; or the Company does not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security. The Company’s evaluation of whether it intends to sell an impaired debt security considers whether management has decided to sell the security as of the balance sheet date. The Company’s evaluation of whether it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell an impaired debt security before recovery of the security’s amortized cost basis considers the likelihood of sales that involve legal, regulatory or operational requirements. For impaired debt securities that the Company does not intend to sell and it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell before recovery of the security’s amortized cost basis, the Company uses both qualitative and quantitative valuation measures to evaluate whether the Company expects to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security. The Company considers all available information relevant to the collectability of the security, including credit enhancements, security structure, vintage, credit ratings and other relevant collateral characteristics. If the Company intends to sell an impaired debt security or if it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the impaired debt security before recovery of the security’s amortized cost basis, the Company will recognize OTTI in earnings equal to the entire difference between the security’s amortized cost basis and the security’s fair value. If the Company does not intend to sell the impaired debt security and it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the impaired debt security before recovery of its amortized cost basis but the Company does not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security, the Company will separate OTTI into two components: 1) the amount related to credit loss, recognized in earnings; and 2) the noncredit portion of OTTI, recognized through other comprehensive income (loss). The Company considers OTTI for an available-for-sale equity security to have occurred if the decline in the security’s fair value below its cost basis is deemed other than temporary based on evaluation of both qualitative and quantitative valuation measures. If the impairment of an available-for-sale equity security is determined to be other-than-temporary, the Company will recognize OTTI in earnings equal to the entire difference between the security’s amortized cost basis and the security’s fair value. If the Company intends to sell an impaired equity security and the Company does not expect to recover the entire cost basis of the security prior to the sale, the Company will recognize OTTI in the period the decision to sell is made. |
| Net impairment (policy) | Net Impairment —Net impairment includes OTTI net of the noncredit portion of OTTI on debt securities recognized through other comprehensive income (loss) before tax. |
| Other revenues (policy) | Other Revenues —Other revenues primarily consist of fees from software and services for managing equity compensation plans, which are recognized in accordance with software revenue recognition accounting guidance. Other revenues also include revenue ancillary to the Company’s customer transactions and income from the cash surrender value of BOLI. |
| Share-based payments (policy) | Share-Based Payments —In 2015, the Company adopted and the shareholders approved the 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan ("2015 Plan"), which replaced the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan ("2005 Plan"). The 2015 Plan provides the Company the ability to grant equity awards to officers, directors, employees and consultants, including, but not limited to, nonqualified or incentive stock options, restricted stock awards and restricted stock units at a price determined by the Board on the date of the grant. The Company does not have a specific policy for issuing shares upon stock option exercises and share unit conversions; however, new shares are typically issued in connection with exercises and conversions. The Company intends to continue to issue new shares for future exercises and conversions. Through 2011, the Company issued options to directors and to certain of the Company's officers and employees. Options generally vest ratably over a two - to four -year period from the date of grant and expire within seven to ten years from the date of grant. Certain options provide for accelerated vesting upon a change of control. Exercise prices are equal to the fair value of the shares on the grant date. As of December 31, 2015, there were 0.3 million options outstanding and no unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested stock options. The Company issues restricted stock awards and deferred restricted stock units to directors and restricted stock units to certain of the Company's officers and employees. Each restricted stock unit can be converted into one share of the Company’s common stock upon vesting. These shares of restricted stock and restricted stock units are issued at the fair value on the date of grant and vest ratably over the requisite service period, generally one to four years. Beginning in 2015, the Company also issued performance share units to certain of the Company’s officers. Each performance share unit can be converted into one share of the Company’s common stock upon vesting. Vesting of performance share units is contingent upon achievement of certain predefined individual and Company performance targets over the performance period. These performance share units are issued at the fair value on the date of grant and vest on a graded basis over the requisite service period, which is one to two years. As of December 31, 2015, there were 3.1 million restricted stock awards and units outstanding and $25 million of total unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested restricted stock awards. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.1 years . As of December 31, 2015, there were also 0.1 million performance share units outstanding. The total fair value of restricted stock awards, restricted stock units and performance share units vested was $28 million , $34 million and $19 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The Company recognized $34 million , $24 million and $20 million in compensation expense for its options, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units and performance share units for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 , respectively. Under the 2015 Plan, the remaining unissued authorized shares of the 2005 Plan that are not subject to outstanding awards thereunder were authorized for issuance. Additionally, any shares that had been awarded but remained unissued under the 2005 Plan that were subsequently canceled, forfeited, or reacquired by the Company would be authorized for issuance under the 2015 Plan. As of December 31, 2015, 12.2 million shares were available for grant under the 2015 Plan. The Company records share-based compensation expense in accordance with the stock compensation accounting guidance. The Company recognizes compensation expense at the grant date fair value of a share-based payment award over the requisite service period less estimated forfeitures. Compensation expense for performance share units is also adjusted based on the Company’s estimated outcome of meeting the performance conditions. Share-based compensation expense is included in the compensation and benefits line item. |
| Advertising and market development (policy) | Advertising and Market Development —Advertising production costs are expensed when the initial advertisement is run. |
| Earnings (loss) per share (policy) | Earnings Per Share —Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock. The Company excludes from the calculation of diluted net income per share stock options, unvested restricted stock awards and units, unvested performance share units and shares related to convertible debentures that would have been anti-dilutive. |
| New accounting and disclosure guidance (policy) | New Accounting and Disclosure Guidance —Below is the new accounting and disclosure guidance that relates to activities in which the Company is engaged. Adoption of New Accounting Standards Accounting for Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects In January 2014, the FASB amended the accounting guidance for investments in qualified affordable housing projects. The amended accounting guidance permits reporting entities to make an accounting policy election to account for their investments in qualified affordable housing projects using the proportional amortization method if certain conditions are met. Under the proportional amortization method, the initial cost of the investment is amortized in proportion to the tax credits and other tax benefits received and the net investment performance is recognized in the consolidated statement of income as a component of income tax expense. The Company adopted the amended accounting guidance for its qualifying investments on a full retrospective basis for annual and interim periods beginning on January 1, 2015. The adoption of the amended guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows for the periods presented. For the year ended December 31, 2015, $5 million of amortization and $4 million of tax credits associated with these investments were recognized as income tax expense in the consolidated statement of income. As of December 31, 2015 , the carrying value of these investments was $35 million and is included within other assets in the consolidated balance sheet. Presentation and Disclosure of Discontinued Operations In April 2014, the FASB amended the presentation and disclosure guidance on disposal transactions. The amended guidance raises the threshold for a disposal to qualify as a discontinued operation and requires new disclosures of both discontinued operations and certain other disposals that do not meet the definition of a discontinued operation. The amended guidance became effective for all disposals or classifications as held for sale occurring in annual and interim periods beginning on January 1, 2015 for the Company. The adoption of the amended guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Accounting and Disclosures for Repurchase Agreements In June 2014, the FASB amended the accounting and disclosure guidance on repurchase agreements. The amended guidance requires entities to account for repurchase-to-maturity transactions as secured borrowings, eliminates accounting guidance on linked repurchase financing transactions, and expands the disclosure requirements related to transfers of financial assets accounted for as sales and as secured borrowings. The amended accounting guidance and the amended disclosure guidance for transfers of financial assets accounted for as sales became effective for annual and interim periods beginning on January 1, 2015 for the Company and was applied using a cumulative-effect approach as of that date. The adoption of this amended guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. The amended disclosure guidance for transfers of financial assets accounted for as secured borrowings became effective for annual periods beginning on January 1, 2015 and interim periods beginning on April 1, 2015 for the Company. The Company's disclosures in Note 4—Offsetting Assets and Liabilities reflect the adoption of this amended disclosure guidance. Classification of Government-Guaranteed Mortgage Loans upon Foreclosure In August 2014, the FASB amended the accounting and disclosure guidance related to the classification of certain government-guaranteed mortgage loans upon foreclosure. The amended guidance requires entities to derecognize a mortgage loan and recognize a separate other receivable upon foreclosure if certain conditions are met. The separate other receivable is recorded based on the amount of principal and interest expected to be recovered under the guarantee. The amended guidance became effective for annual and interim periods beginning on January 1, 2015 for the Company and was applied on a modified retrospective basis to qualifying loans at that date. The adoption of the amended guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs In April 2015, the FASB amended the presentation guidance on debt issuance costs. The amended presentation guidance requires that debt issuance costs be presented in an entity’s balance sheet as a direct deduction from the related debt liability rather than as an asset. In August 2015, the FASB issued additional guidance clarifying that debt issuance costs related to line-of-credit arrangements may be presented as an asset in an entity’s balance sheet, regardless of whether there are any outstanding borrowings on the arrangement. As this guidance is consistent with the Company's historical presentation of debt issuance costs, the Company's adoption of the amended guidance as of January 1, 2015 did not impact the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. New Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted Revenue Recognition on Contracts with Customers In May 2014, the FASB amended the guidance on revenue recognition on contracts with customers. The new standard outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to apply in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers. The amended guidance will be effective for annual and interim periods beginning on January 1, 2018 for the Company and may be applied on either a full retrospective or modified retrospective basis. Early adoption is permitted. While the Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new accounting guidance, the adoption of the amended guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Disclosures of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern In August 2014, the FASB amended the guidance related to an entity’s evaluations and disclosures of going concern uncertainties. The new guidance requires management to perform interim and annual assessments of the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year of the date the financial statements are issued, and to provide certain disclosures if conditions or events raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. The amended guidance became effective for the Company for annual periods beginning on January 1, 2016 and will be effective for interim periods beginning on January 1, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of the amended guidance will not impact the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Consolidation In February 2015, the FASB amended the guidance on consolidation of certain legal entities. The amended guidance modifies the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are VIEs or voting interest entities, eliminates the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership, and clarifies how to determine whether a group of equity holders has power over an entity. The amended guidance became effective for annual and interim periods beginning on January 1, 2016 for the Company and may be applied on either a full retrospective or modified retrospective basis. The adoption of the amended guidance will not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Accounting for Customer Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement In April 2015, the FASB amended the accounting guidance on customer fees paid in a cloud computing arrangement. The amended guidance requires that internal-use software accessed by a customer in a cloud computing arrangement be accounted for as a software license if specific criteria are met; otherwise they should be accounted for as service contracts. The amended guidance became effective for annual and interim periods beginning on January 1, 2016 for the Company and may be applied on either a full retrospective or prospective basis. The adoption of the amended guidance will not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Classification and Measurement of Financial Instruments In January 2016, the FASB amended the accounting and disclosure guidance on the classification and measurement of financial instruments. Relevant changes in the amended guidance include the requirement that equity investments, excluding those accounted for under the equity method of accounting or those resulting in consolidation of the investee, be measured at fair value in the consolidated balance sheet with changes in fair value recognized in net income. For disclosure purposes, the Company will no longer be required to disclose the methods and significant assumptions used to estimate fair value for financial instruments measured at amortized cost in the consolidated balance sheet. The amended guidance will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning on January 1, 2018 for the Company and is required to be applied on a modified retrospective basis by means of a cumulative-effect adjustment to the consolidated balance sheet on that date. While the Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new accounting guidance, the adoption of the amended guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. |
