Synchrony Financial (SYF) 10-Q 1 May 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information Document	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Apr. 29, 2015
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	Synchrony Financial
Entity Central Index Key	1601712
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		833,764,589

Condensed_Consolidated_and_Com

Condensed Consolidated and Combined Statements of Earnings (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Interest income:
Interest and fees on loans (Note 4)	$3,140	$2,928
Interest on investment securities	10	5
Total interest income	3,150	2,933
Interest expense:
Interest on deposits	137	96
Interest on third-party debt	82	0
Interest on related party debt (Note 13)	4	47
Total interest expense	275	190
Net interest income	2,875	2,743
Retailer share arrangements	-660	-594
Net interest income, after retailer share arrangements	2,215	2,149
Provision for loan losses (Note 4)	687	764
Net interest income, after retailer share arrangements and provision for loan losses	1,528	1,385
Other income:
Interchange revenue	100	76
Debt cancellation fees	65	70
Loyalty programs	-78	-43
Other	14	12
Total other income	101	115
Other expense:
Employee costs	239	193
Professional fees	162	130
Marketing and business development	82	83
Information processing	63	52
Other	200	152
Total other expense	746	610
Earnings before provision for income taxes	883	890
Provision for income taxes (Note 12)	331	332
Net earnings	552	558
Earnings per share
Basic (in usd per share)	$0.66	$0.79
Diluted (in usd per share)	$0.66	$0.79
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary
Interest expense:
Interest on borrowings of consolidated securitization entities	$52	$47

Condensed_Consolidated_and_Com1

Condensed Consolidated and Combined Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) Statement (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net earnings	$552	$558
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Investment securities	1	2
Currency translation adjustments	-6	1
Other	1	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-4	3
Comprehensive income	$548	$561

Condensed_Consolidated_and_Com2

Condensed Consolidated and Combined Statements of Financial Position (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Assets
Cash and equivalents	$11,218		$11,828
Investment securities (Note 3)	3,121		1,598
Loan receivables: (Notes 4 and 5)	58,248	[1],[2]	61,286	[1],[2]
Less: Allowance for loan losses	-3,255		-3,236
Loan receivables, net	54,993		58,050
Loan receivables held for sale (Note 4)	359		332
Goodwill	949		949
Intangible assets, net (Note 6)	557		519
Other assets(a)	1,524	[3]	2,431	[3]
Total assets	72,721		75,707
Deposits: (Note 7)
Interest-bearing deposit accounts	34,788		34,847
Non-interest-bearing deposit accounts	162		108
Total deposits	34,950		34,955
Borrowings: (Notes 5 and 8)
Bank term loan	5,651		8,245
Senior unsecured notes	4,592		3,593
Related party debt (Note 13)	0	[4]	655	[4]
Total borrowings	24,060	[4]	27,460	[4]
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	2,675		2,814
Total liabilities	61,685		65,229
Equity:
Common Stock, par share value $0.001 per share; 4,000,000,000 shares authorized, 833,764,589 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014	1		1
Additional paid-in capital	9,418		9,408
Retained earnings	1,631		1,079
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):
Investment securities	1		0
Currency translation adjustments	-14		-8
Other	-1		-2
Total equity	11,036		10,478
Total liabilities and equity	72,721		75,707
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	248		1,104
Unsecuritized loans held for investment
Assets
Loan receivables: (Notes 4 and 5)	33,424		34,335
Restricted loans of consolidated securitization entities
Assets
Loan receivables: (Notes 4 and 5)	24,824		26,951
Borrowings: (Notes 5 and 8)
Borrowings of consolidated securitization entities	$13,817		$14,967
[1]	Total loan receivables include $24.8 billion and $27.0 billion of restricted loans of consolidated securitization entities at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. See Note 5. Variable Interest Entities for further information on these restricted loans.
[2]	At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, loan receivables included deferred expense, net of deferred income, of $58 million and $46 million, respectively.
[3]	Other assets include restricted cash and equivalents of $248 million and $1,104 million at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
[4]	The amounts presented for outstanding borrowings include unamortized debt premiums and discounts.

Condensed_Consolidated_and_Com3

Condensed Consolidated and Combined Statements of Financial Position Statement (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Common stock par value (in usd per share)	$0.00	$0.00
Common Stock Shares Authorized	4,000,000,000	4,000,000,000
Common Stock Shares Issued	833,764,589	833,764,589
Common Stock Shares Outstanding	833,764,589	833,764,589

Condensed_Consolidated_and_Com4

Condensed Consolidated and Combined Statements of Changes in Equity (Unaudited) (USD $)	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Parent's Net Investment	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$5,960			$5,973		($13)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net earnings	558			558
Other comprehensive income	3					3
Changes in Parent's net investment	-479			-479
Balance at Mar. 31, 2014	6,042			6,052		-10
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	10,478	1	9,408		1,079	-10
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014	833,764,589	833,765,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net earnings	552				552
Other comprehensive income	-4					-4
Stock-based compensation	7		7
Other	3		3
Balance at Mar. 31, 2015	$11,036	$1	$9,418		$1,631	($14)
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2015	833,764,589	833,765,000

Condensed_Consolidated_and_Com5

Condensed Consolidated and Combined Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Cash flows - operating activities
Net earnings	$552	$558
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash provided from operating activities
Provision for loan losses	687	764
Deferred income taxes	86	20
Depreciation and amortization	37	31
(Increase) decrease in interest and fees receivable	134	137
(Increase) decrease in other assets	-7	59
Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses and other liabilities	62	204
All other operating activities	114	-1
Cash from (used for) operating activities	1,665	1,772
Cash flows - investing activities
Maturity and redemption of investment securities	317	5
Purchases of investment securities	-1,839	-31
Net (increase) decrease in restricted cash and equivalents	856	-92
Net (increase) decrease in loan receivables	2,124	2,184
All other investing activities	-108	-201
Cash from (used for) investing activities	1,350	1,865
Borrowings of consolidated securitization entities
Proceeds from issuance of securitized debt	750	0
Maturities and repayment of securitized debt	-1,899	-720
Third-party debt
Proceeds from issuance of third-party debt	998	0
Maturities and repayment of third-party debt	-2,594	0
Related party debt
Maturities and repayment of related party debt	-655	-897
Net increase (decrease) in deposits	-211	1,492
Net transfers (to) from Parent	0	-479
All other financing activities	-14	-21
Cash from (used for) financing activities	-3,625	-625
Increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents	-610	3,012
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period	11,828	2,319
Cash and equivalents at end of period	$11,218	$5,331

Business_Description

Business Description	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Business Description	BUSINESS DESCRIPTION
	Synchrony Financial (the “Company”) provides a range of credit products through programs it has established with a diverse group of national and regional retailers, local merchants, manufacturers, buying groups, industry associations and healthcare service providers. The Company is a holding company for the legal entities that historically conducted General Electric Company’s (“GE”) North American retail finance business, including GE Capital Retail Bank. Prior to the Company’s initial public offering of its common stock (the “IPO”), which closed on August 5, 2014, the Company was indirectly wholly-owned by General Electric Capital Corporation (“GECC” or “Parent”). Following the IPO, GE owned, and currently owns, approximately 84.6% of our common stock. We conduct our operations through a single business segment.
	References to the “Company”, “we”, “us” and “our” are to Synchrony Financial and its combined and consolidated subsidiaries unless the context otherwise requires.

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Summ

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying condensed consolidated and combined financial statements were prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”).
	Preparing financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates based on assumptions about current, and for some estimates future, economic and market conditions (for example, unemployment, housing, interest rates and market liquidity) which affect reported amounts and related disclosures in our condensed consolidated and combined financial statements. Although our current estimates contemplate current conditions and how we expect them to change in the future, as appropriate, it is reasonably possible that actual conditions could be different than anticipated in those estimates, which could materially affect our results of operations and financial position. Among other effects, such changes could result in incremental losses on loan receivables, future impairments of investment securities, goodwill and intangible assets, increases in reserves for contingencies, establishment of valuation allowances on deferred tax assets and increases in our tax liabilities.
	We conduct our operations within the United States and Canada. Substantially all of our revenues are from U.S. customers. The operating activities conducted by our non-U.S. affiliates use the local currency as their functional currency. The effects of translating the financial statements of these non-U.S. affiliates to U.S. dollars are included in equity. Asset and liability accounts are translated at year-end exchange rates, while revenues and expenses are translated at average rates for the respective periods.
	Consolidated Basis of Presentation
	The transfer of all of the assets of our business from GECC and its subsidiaries to the Company was completed in the second quarter of 2014. As a result, the Company’s financial statements have been prepared on a consolidated basis beginning June 30, 2014. Under this basis of presentation, our financial statements consolidate all of our subsidiaries – i.e., entities in which we have a controlling financial interest, most often because we hold a majority voting interest. All periods subsequent to June 30, 2014 are presented on a consolidated basis.
	To determine if we hold a controlling financial interest in an entity, we first evaluate if we are required to apply the variable interest entity (“VIE”) model to the entity, otherwise the entity is evaluated under the voting interest model. Where we hold current or potential rights that give us the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance (“power”) combined with a variable interest that gives us the right to receive potentially significant benefits or the obligation to absorb potentially significant losses (“significant economics”), we have a controlling financial interest in that VIE. Rights held by others to remove the party with power over the VIE are not considered unless one party can exercise those rights unilaterally. We consolidate certain securitization entities under the VIE model because we have both power and significant economics. See Note 5. Variable Interest Entities.
	Combined Basis of Presentation
	For all periods prior to June 30, 2014, the Company's financial statements were prepared on a combined basis. The combined financial statements combine all of our subsidiaries and certain accounts of GECC and its subsidiaries that were historically managed as part of our business.
	For all periods prior to the IPO, the Condensed Consolidated and Combined Statements of Earnings reflect intercompany expense allocations made to us by GE and GECC for certain corporate functions and for shared services provided by GE and GECC. Where possible, these allocations were made on a specific identification basis, and in other cases, these expenses were allocated by GE and GECC based on relative percentages of net operating costs or some other basis depending on the nature of the allocated cost. See Note 13. Related Party Transactions for further information on expenses allocated by GE and GECC.
	The historical financial results in the condensed consolidated and combined financial statements presented may not be indicative of the results that would have been achieved had we operated as a separate, standalone entity during those periods. We believe that the condensed consolidated and combined financial statements include all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the Company.
	Interim Period Presentation
	The condensed consolidated and combined financial statements and notes thereto are unaudited. These statements include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) that we considered necessary to present a fair statement of our results of operations, financial position and cash flows. The results reported in these condensed consolidated and combined financial statements should not be considered as necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for the entire year. These condensed consolidated and combined financial statements should be read in conjunction with our 2014 annual consolidated and combined financial statements and the related notes in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 (our "2014 Form 10-K"). Effective for the first quarter of 2015, the Company is following a calendar quarter. Previously, it was the longstanding practice of GE and GECC, our parent companies, to establish interim quarterly closing dates using a fiscal calendar, which required our business to close its books on a Sunday. We label our quarterly information using a calendar convention, that is, first quarter is labeled as ending on March 31, second quarter as ending on June 30, and third quarter as ending on September 30.
	We have reclassified certain prior-period amounts to conform to current-period presentation.
	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	See Note 2. Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to our 2014 annual consolidated and combined financial statements in our 2014 Form 10-K, for additional information on our significant accounting policies.

Investment_Securities

Investment Securities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Investment Securities	INVESTMENT SECURITIES
	All of our investment securities are classified as available-for-sale and are held to meet our liquidity objectives and to comply with the Community Reinvestment Act. Our investment securities consist of the following:
		March 31, 2015											December 31, 2014
				Gross			Gross								Gross		Gross
		Amortized		unrealized			unrealized			Estimated			Amortized		unrealized		unrealized			Estimated
	($ in millions)	cost		gains			losses			fair value			cost		gains		losses			fair value
	Debt
	U.S. government and federal agency	$	2,746	$	1		$	—		$	2,747		$	1,252	$	—	$	—		$	1,252
	State and municipal	55		1			(1		)	55			57		1		(1		)	57
	Residential mortgage-backed(a)	304		3			(3		)	304			271		3		(3		)	271
	U.S. corporate debt	—		—			—			—			3		—		—			3
	Equity	15		—			—			15			15		—		—			15
	Total	$	3,120	$	5		$	(4	)	$	3,121		$	1,598	$	4	$	(4	)	$	1,598
	_______________________
	(a)	At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 all of our residential mortgage-backed securities related to securities issued by government-sponsored entities and are pledged by the Bank as collateral to the Federal Reserve to secure Federal Reserve Discount Window advances. All residential mortgage-backed securities are collateralized by U.S. mortgages.
	The following table presents the estimated fair values and gross unrealized losses of our available-for-sale investment securities:
		In loss position for
		Less than 12 months					12 months or more
				Gross						Gross
		Estimated		unrealized			Estimated			unrealized
	($ in millions)	fair value		losses			fair value			losses
	At March 31, 2015
	Debt
	U.S. government and federal agency	$	1,496	$	—		$	—		$	—
	State and municipal	27		(1		)	7			—
	Residential mortgage-backed	110		(1		)	71			(2		)
	Total	$	1,633	$	(2	)	$	78		$	(2	)
	At December 31, 2014
	Debt
	U.S. government and federal agency	$	700	$	—		$	—		$	—
	State and municipal	—		—			34			(1		)
	Residential mortgage-backed	30		—			85			(3		)
	Total	$	730	$	—		$	119		$	(4	)
	At March 31, 2015, none of our equity securities were in a gross unrealized loss position. We regularly review investment securities for impairment using both qualitative and quantitative criteria. We presently do not intend to sell our debt securities that are in an unrealized loss position and believe that it is not more likely than not that we will be required to sell these securities before recovery of our amortized cost.
	There were no other-than-temporary impairments recognized for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
	Contractual Maturities of Investments in Available-for-Sale Debt Securities (excluding residential mortgage-backed securities)
		Amortized		Estimated
	At March 31, 2015 ($ in millions)	cost		fair value
	Due
	Within one year	$	1,897	$	1,897
	After one year through five years	$	849	$	850
	After five years through ten years	$	1	$	1
	After ten years	$	54	$	54
	We expect actual maturities to differ from contractual maturities because borrowers have the right to prepay certain obligations.
	There were no material realized gains or losses recognized for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
	Although we generally do not have the intent to sell any specific securities held at March 31, 2015, in the ordinary course of managing our investment securities portfolio, we may sell securities prior to their maturities for a variety of reasons, including diversification, credit quality, yield, liquidity requirements and funding obligations.

Loan_Receivables_and_Allowance

Loan Receivables and Allowance for Loan Losses	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Receivables [Abstract]
Loan Receivables and Allowance for Loan Losses	LOAN RECEIVABLES AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES
	($ in millions)	March 31, 2015				December 31, 2014
	Credit cards	$	55,866			$	58,880
	Consumer installment loans	1,062				1,063
	Commercial credit products	1,295				1,320
	Other	25				23
	Total loan receivables, before allowance for losses(a)(b)	$	58,248			$	61,286
	_______________________
	(a)	Total loan receivables include $24.8 billion and $27.0 billion of restricted loans of consolidated securitization entities at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. See Note 5. Variable Interest Entities for further information on these restricted loans.
	(b)	At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, loan receivables included deferred expense, net of deferred income, of $58 million and $46 million, respectively.
	Disposition of Loan Receivables
	In the fourth quarter of 2014 and first quarter of 2015, we entered into agreements to sell certain credit card portfolios associated with two retail partners whose program agreements with us were not extended beyond their contractual expiration dates in 2015.  As a result, at March 31, 2015, $359 million of loan receivables are classified as loan receivables held for sale on our Condensed Consolidated and Combined Statement of Financial Position. The sales of these portfolios, which are subject to customary closing conditions, are expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2015.
	Allowance for Loan Losses
	($ in millions)	Balance at January 1, 2015				Provision charged to operations				Gross charge-offs				Recoveries				Balance at March 31, 2015
	Credit cards	$	3,169			$	669			$	(834	)		$	180			$	3,184
	Consumer installment loans	22				7				(9		)		4				24
	Commercial credit products	45				11				(11		)		2				47
	Total	$	3,236			$	687			$	(854	)		$	186			$	3,255
	($ in millions)	Balance at January 1, 2014				Provision charged to operations				Gross charge-offs				Recoveries				Balance at March 31, 2014
	Credit cards	$	2,827			$	752			$	(781	)		$	137			$	2,935
	Consumer installment loans	19				2				(7		)		3				17
	Commercial credit products	46				10				(12		)		2				46
	Total	$	2,892			$	764			$	(800	)		$	142			$	2,998
	Delinquent and Non-accrual Loans
	At March 31, 2015 ($ in millions)	30-89 days delinquent				90 or more days delinquent				Total Past Due				90 or more days delinquent and accruing				Total non-accruing
	Credit cards	$	1,122			$	1,042			$	2,164			$	1,042			$	—
	Consumer installment loans	10				2				12				—				2
	Commercial credit products	21				12				33				12				—
	Total delinquent loans	$	1,153			$	1,056			$	2,209			$	1,054			$	2
	Percentage of total loan receivables(a)	2		%		1.8		%		3.8		%		1.8		%		—		%
	At December 31, 2014 ($ in millions)	30-89 days delinquent				90 or more days delinquent				Total Past Due				90 or more days delinquent and accruing				Total non-accruing
	Credit cards	$	1,331			$	1,147			$	2,478			$	1,147			$	—
	Consumer installment loans	15				2				17				—				2
	Commercial credit products	28				13				41				13				—
	Total delinquent loans	$	1,374			$	1,162			$	2,536			$	1,160			$	2
	Percentage of total loan receivables(a)	2.2		%		1.9		%		4.1		%		1.9		%		—		%
	______________________
	(a)	Percentages are calculated based on period-end balances.
	Impaired Loans and Troubled Debt Restructurings
	Most of our non-accrual loan receivables are smaller balance loans evaluated collectively, by portfolio, for impairment and therefore are outside the scope of the disclosure requirements for impaired loans. Accordingly, impaired loans represent restructured smaller balance homogeneous loans meeting the definition of a Troubled Debt Restructuring (“TDR”). We use certain loan modification programs for borrowers experiencing financial difficulties. These loan modification programs include interest rate reductions and payment deferrals in excess of three months, which were not part of the terms of the original contract.
	We have both internal and external loan modification programs. The internal loan modification programs include both temporary and permanent programs. For our credit card customers, the temporary hardship program primarily consists of a reduced minimum payment and an interest rate reduction, both lasting for a period no longer than 12 months. The permanent workout program involves changing the structure of the loan to a fixed payment loan with a maturity no longer than 60 months and reducing the interest rate on the loan. The permanent program does not normally provide for the forgiveness of unpaid principal, but may allow for the reversal of certain unpaid interest or fee assessments. We also make loan modifications for customers who request financial assistance through external sources, such as consumer credit counseling agency programs. These loans typically receive a reduced interest rate but continue to be subject to the original minimum payment terms and do not normally include waiver of unpaid principal, interest or fees. The following table provides information on loans that entered a loan modification program during the periods presented:
		Three months ended March 31,
	($ in millions)	2015				2014
	Credit cards	$	118			$	107
	Consumer installment loans	—				—
	Commercial credit products	2				2
	Total	$	120			$	109
	Loans classified as TDRs are recorded at their present value with impairment measured as the difference between the loan balance and the discounted present value of cash flows expected to be collected, discounted at the original effective interest rate of the loan. Our allowance for loan losses on TDRs is generally measured based on the difference between the recorded loan receivable and the present value of the expected future cash flows. Interest income from loans accounted for as TDRs is accounted for in the same manner as other accruing loans.
	The following table provides information about loans classified as TDRs and specific reserves. We do not evaluate credit card loans for impairment on an individual basis, but instead estimate an allowance for loan losses on a collective basis. As a result, there are no impaired loans for which there is no allowance.
	At March 31, 2015 ($ in millions)	Total recorded				Related allowance				Net recorded investment				Unpaid principal balance
		investment
	Credit cards	$	718			$	(241	)		$	477			$	617
	Consumer installment loans	—				—				—				—
	Commercial credit products	8				(3		)		5				8
	Total	$	726			$	(244	)		$	482			$	625
	At December 31, 2014 ($ in millions)	Total recorded				Related allowance				Net recorded investment				Unpaid principal balance
		investment
	Credit cards	$	716			$	(217	)		$	499			$	613
	Consumer installment loans	—				—				—				—
	Commercial credit products	8				(3		)		5				8
	Total	$	724			$	(220	)		$	504			$	621
	Financial Effects of TDRs
	As part of our loan modifications for borrowers experiencing financial difficulty, we may provide multiple concessions to minimize our economic loss and improve long-term loan performance and collectability. The following table presents the types and financial effects of loans modified and accounted for as TDRs during the periods presented:
	Three months ended March 31,	2015										2014
($ in millions)	Interest income recognized during period when loans were impaired			Interest income that would have been recorded with original terms			Average recorded investment				Interest income recognized during period when loans were impaired			Interest income that would have been recorded with original terms			Average recorded investment
Credit cards	$	13		$	36		$	717			$	15		$	36		$	787
Consumer installment loans	—			—			—				—			—			—
Commercial credit products	—			—			8				—			—			12
Total	$	13		$	36		$	725			$	15		$	36		$	799
Payment Defaults
The following table presents the type, number and amount of loans accounted for as TDRs that enrolled in a modification plan within the previous 12 months and experienced a payment default during the periods presented. A customer defaults from a modification program after two consecutive missed payments.
Three months ended March 31,	2015							2014
($ in millions)	Accounts defaulted			Loans defaulted				Accounts defaulted			Loans defaulted
Credit cards	11,384			$	23			15,180			$	29
Consumer installment loans	—			—				—			—
Commercial credit products	58			—				61			—
Total	11,442			$	23			15,241			$	29
Credit Quality Indicators
Our loan receivables portfolio includes both secured and unsecured loans. Secured loan receivables are largely comprised of consumer installment loans secured by equipment. Unsecured loan receivables are largely comprised of our open-ended revolving credit card and commercial loans. As part of our credit risk management activities, on an ongoing basis, we assess overall credit quality by reviewing information related to the performance of a customer’s account with us, as well as information from credit bureaus, such as a Fair Isaac Corporation (“FICO”) or other credit scores, relating to the customer’s broader credit performance. FICO scores are generally obtained at origination of the account and are refreshed, at a minimum quarterly, but could be as often as weekly, to assist in predicting customer behavior. We categorize these credit scores into the following three credit score categories: (i) 661 or higher, which are considered the strongest credits; (ii) 601 to 660, considered moderate credit risk; and (iii) 600 or less, which are considered weaker credits. There are certain customer accounts for which a FICO score is not available where we use alternative sources to assess their credit and predict behavior. The following table provides the most recent FICO scores available for our customers at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, as a percentage of each class of loan receivable. The table below excludes 0.8% of our total loan receivables balance at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, which represents those customer accounts for which a FICO score is not available.
	March 31, 2015									December 31, 2014
	661 or			601 to			600 or			661 or			601 to			600 or
	higher			660			less			higher			660			less
Credit cards	71.5	%		20.6	%		7.9	%		72.5	%		19.9	%		7.6	%
Consumer installment loans	78.7	%		15.9	%		5.4	%		78.9	%		15.7	%		5.4	%
Commercial credit products	85.7	%		9.2	%		5.1	%		86.5	%		8.6	%		4.8	%
Unfunded Lending Commitments
We manage the potential risk in credit commitments by limiting the total amount of credit, both by individual customer and in total, by monitoring the size and maturity of our portfolios and by applying the same credit standards for all of our credit products. Unused credit card lines available to our customers totaled approximately $301 billion and $297 billion at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. While these amounts represented the total available unused credit card lines, we have not experienced and do not anticipate that all of our customers will access their entire available line at any given point in time.
Interest Income by Product
The following table provides additional information about our interest and fees on loans from our loan receivables, including held for sale:
	Three months ended March 31,
($ in millions)	2015				2014
Credit cards	$	3,079			$	2,867
Consumer installment loans	25				23
Commercial credit products	36				38
Other	—				—
Total	$	3,140			$	2,928

Variable_Interest_Entities

Variable Interest Entities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Variable Interest Entities [Abstract]
Variable Interest Entities	VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES
	We use VIEs to securitize loans and arrange asset-backed financing in the ordinary course of business. Investors in these entities only have recourse to the assets owned by the entity and not to our general credit. We do not have implicit support arrangements with any VIE and we did not provide non-contractual support for previously transferred loan receivables to any VIE in the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. Our VIEs are able to accept new loan receivables and arrange new asset-backed financings, consistent with the requirements and limitations on such activities placed on the VIE by existing investors. Once an account has been designated to a VIE, the contractual arrangements we have require all existing and future loans originated under such account to be transferred to the VIE. The amount of loan receivables held by our VIEs in excess of the minimum amount required under the asset-backed financing arrangements with investors may be removed by us under random removal of accounts provisions. All loan receivables held by a VIE are subject to claims of third-party investors.
	In evaluating whether we have the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact its economic performance, we consider the purpose for which the VIE was created, the importance of each of the activities in which it is engaged and our decision-making role, if any, in those activities that significantly determine the entity’s economic performance as compared to other economic interest holders. This evaluation requires consideration of all facts and circumstances relevant to decision-making that affects the entity’s future performance and the exercise of professional judgment in deciding which decision-making rights are most important.
	In determining whether we have the right to receive benefits or the obligation to absorb losses that could potentially be significant to a VIE, we evaluate all of our economic interests in the entity, regardless of form (debt, equity, management and servicing fees, and other contractual arrangements). This evaluation considers all relevant factors of the entity’s design, including: the entity’s capital structure, contractual rights to earnings or losses, subordination of our interests relative to those of other investors, as well as any other contractual arrangements that might exist that could have the potential to be economically significant. The evaluation of each of these factors in reaching a conclusion about the potential significance of our economic interests is a matter that requires the exercise of professional judgment.
	We consolidate our VIEs because we have the power to direct the activities that significantly affect the VIEs' economic performance, typically because of our role as either servicer or administrator for the VIEs. The power to direct exists because of our role in the design and conduct of the servicing of the VIEs’ assets as well as directing certain affairs of the VIEs, including determining whether and on what terms debt of the VIEs will be issued.
	The loan receivables in these entities have risks and characteristics similar to our other financing receivables and were underwritten to the same standard. Accordingly, the performance of these assets has been similar to our other comparable loan receivables; however, the blended performance of the pools of receivables in these entities reflects the eligibility criteria that we apply to determine which receivables are selected for transfer. Contractually, the cash flows from these financing receivables must first be used to pay third-party debt holders, as well as other expenses of the entity. Excess cash flows, if any, are available to us. The creditors of these entities have no claim on our other assets.
	The table below summarizes the assets and liabilities of our consolidated securitization VIEs described above.
	($ in millions)	March 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
	Assets
	Loan receivables, net(a)	$	23,637	$	25,645
	Other assets	211		1,134
	Total	$	23,848	$	26,779
	Liabilities
	Borrowings	$	13,817	$	14,967
	Other liabilities	367		368
	Total	$	14,184	$	15,335
	_______________________
	(a)	Includes $1.2 billion and $1.3 billion of related allowance for loan losses resulting in gross restricted loans of $24.8 billion and $27.0 billion at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
	The balances presented above are net of intercompany balances and transactions that are eliminated in our condensed consolidated and combined financial statements.
	We provide servicing for all of our VIEs except one for which GECC provides servicing. Collections are required to be placed into segregated accounts owned by each VIE in amounts that meet contractually specified minimum levels. These segregated funds are invested in cash and cash equivalents and are restricted as to their use, principally to pay maturing principal and interest on debt and the related servicing fees. Collections above these minimum levels are remitted to us on a daily basis. At March 31, 2015, the net amounts we owed to the VIEs we directly service was $11 million, representing VIE collections temporarily held by us, net of servicing fees owed from these VIEs. These amounts have been eliminated in our Condensed Consolidated and Combined Statement of Financial Position. At March 31, 2015, the segregated funds held by the VIEs were $116 million and are classified as restricted cash and included as a component of other assets in our Condensed Consolidated and Combined Statement of Financial Position. For one of our VIEs, GECC is the servicer and we are the subservicer. At March 31, 2015, in our capacity as a subservicer, we temporarily held $68 million of VIE collections which are reflected in our Condensed Consolidated and Combined Statement of Financial Position within our other liabilities as amounts payable to GECC. The VIE reflected a corresponding amount as a receivable due from GECC within other assets. In addition, at March 31, 2015, we were owed $55 million, primarily related to unpaid subservicing fees, which is reflected in our Condensed Consolidated and Combined Statements of Financial Position within other assets as a receivable due from GECC. The VIE reflected a corresponding amount as a payable to GECC within other liabilities.
	Income (principally, interest and fees on loans) earned by our consolidated VIEs was $1.3 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. Related expenses consisted primarily of provision for loan losses of $212 million and $293 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and interest expense of $52 million and $47 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. These amounts do not include intercompany transactions, principally fees and interest, which are eliminated in our condensed consolidated and combined financial statements.

Intangible_Assets

Intangible Assets	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Intangible Assets	INTANGIBLE ASSETS
		31-Mar-15							December 31, 2014
	($ in millions)	Gross carrying amount		Accumulated amortization			Net		Gross carrying amount		Accumulated amortization			Net
	Customer-related	$	893	$	(429	)	$	464	$	849	$	(405	)	$	444
	Capitalized software	143		(50		)	93		120		(45		)	75
	Total	$	1,036	$	(479	)	$	557	$	969	$	(450	)	$	519
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015, we recorded net additions to intangible assets subject to amortization of $67 million, primarily related to payments made to acquire customer relationships or extend retail partner relationships, as well as capitalized software expenditures related to the build of our standalone information technology infrastructure.
	Amortization expense related to retail partner contracts was $20 million and $19 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and is included as a component of marketing and business development expense in our Condensed Consolidated and Combined Statements of Earnings. All other amortization expense was $9 million and $6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and is included as a component of other expense in our Condensed Consolidated and Combined Statements of Earnings.

Deposits

Deposits	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Banking and Thrift [Abstract]
Deposits	DEPOSITS
	Deposits
		March 31, 2015				December 31, 2014
	($ in millions)	Amount		Average rate(a)		Amount			Average rate(a)
	Interest-bearing deposits	$	34,788	1.6	%	$	34,847		1.6	%
	Non-interest-bearing deposits	162		—		108			—
	Total deposits	$	34,950			$	34,955
	____________________
	(a)	Based on interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and the year ended December 31, 2014 and average deposits balances.
	At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, interest-bearing deposits included $9.9 billion and $9.4 billion, respectively, of direct deposit certificates of $100,000 or more. At March 31, 2015, our interest-bearing time deposits maturing for the remainder of 2015 and over the next four years and thereafter were as follows:
	($ in millions)	2015		2016			2017			2018		2019		Thereafter
	Deposits	$	8,766	$	5,957		$	2,811		$	1,965	$	3,892	$	3,378
	The above maturity table excludes $6.8 billion of demand deposits with no defined maturity. In addition, at March 31, 2015, we had $1.2 billion of broker network deposit sweeps procured through a program arranger who channels brokerage account deposits to us. Unless extended, the contracts associated with these broker network deposit sweeps will terminate in 2015 and 2017, representing $927 million and $262 million, respectively.

Borrowings

Borrowings	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Banking and Thrift [Abstract]
Borrowings	BORROWINGS
				March 31, 2015							December 31, 2014
	($ in millions)	Maturity date		Amount(a)				Weighted average interest rate			Amount(a)			Weighted average interest rate
	Borrowings of consolidated securitization entities	2015 - 2020		$	13,817			1.2	%		$	14,967		1.2	%
	Bank term loan	2019		5,651				2.1	%		8,245			2.1	%
	Senior unsecured notes	2017 - 2024		4,592				3.2	%		3,593			3.4	%
	Related party debt	N/A		—				—	%		655			4.2	%
	Total borrowings			$	24,060						$	27,460
	___________________
	(a)	The amounts presented for outstanding borrowings include unamortized debt premiums and discounts.
	Borrowings of Consolidated Securitization Entities
	We securitize credit card receivables as an additional source of funding. At March 31, 2015, the maturities of the borrowings of our consolidated securitization entities, for the remainder of 2015 and over the next four years and thereafter were as follows:
	($ in millions)	2015				2016				2017			2018			2019		Thereafter
	Borrowings of consolidated securitization entities	$	1,203			$	2,016			$	6,551		$	2,134		$	1,163	$	750
	At March 31, 2015, we had an aggregate of $6.6 billion of undrawn committed capacity under our securitization programs.
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015, we completed new debt issuances through our securitized entities with proceeds of $750 million. We did not complete any new debt issuances in the three months ended March 31, 2014.
	Third-Party Debt
	Bank Term Loan
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015, we prepaid $2.6 billion in the aggregate of the Bank Term Loan, which included the use of a portion of the net proceeds from the issuance of senior unsecured notes in February 2015.
	Senior Unsecured Notes
	On February 2, 2015, we issued a total of $1.0 billion principal amount of senior unsecured notes, comprising $750 million aggregate principal amount of 2.700% senior unsecured notes due 2020, and $250 million aggregate principal amount of floating rate (three-month LIBOR plus 1.23%) senior unsecured notes due 2020. All of the net proceeds from this issuance were used to prepay the Bank Term Loan and GECC Term Loan on a pro rata basis.
	Related Party Debt
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015, we prepaid $655 million of the GECC Term Loan, which represented all of the remaining outstanding indebtedness under that agreement, and at March 31, 2015, GECC no longer provided funding to our business.
	During the three months ended March 31, 2014, GECC was a key source of funding for our business pursuant to various intercompany funding arrangements.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
	For a description of how we estimate fair value, see Note 2. Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in our 2014 annual consolidated and combined financial statements in our 2014 Form 10-K.
	The following tables present our assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis. Included in the tables are debt and equity securities.
	Recurring Fair Value Measurements
	The following tables present our assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis.
	At March 31, 2015 ($ in millions)	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total
	Assets
	Investment securities
	Debt
	U.S. government and federal agency	$	—		$	2,747		$	—	$	2,747
	State and municipal	—			—			55		55
	Residential mortgage-backed	—			304			—		304
	Equity	15			—			—		15
	Total	$	15		$	3,051		$	55	$	3,121
	At December 31, 2014 ($ in millions)
	Assets
	Investment securities
	Debt
	U.S. government and federal agency	$	—		$	1,252		$	—	$	1,252
	State and municipal	—			—			57		57
	Residential mortgage-backed	—			271			—		271
	U.S. corporate	—			—			3		3
	Equity	15			—			—		15
	Total	$	15		$	1,523		$	60	$	1,598
	For the three months ended March 31, 2015, there were no securities transferred between Level 1 and Level 2 or between Level 2 and Level 3. At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, we did not have any significant liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis.
	Our Level 3 recurring fair value measurements primarily relate to state and municipal debt instruments which are valued using non-binding broker quotes or other third-party sources. For a description of our process to evaluate third-party pricing servicers, see Note 2. Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in our 2014 annual consolidated and combined financial statements in our 2014 Form 10-K. Our state and municipal debt securities are classified as available-for-sale with changes in fair value included in accumulated other comprehensive income.
	The following table presents the changes in our Level 3 debt instruments that are measured on a recurring basis for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
	Changes in Level 3 Instruments
		Three months ended March 31,
	($ in millions)	2015			2014
	Balance at beginning of period	$	60		$	46
	Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)	3			1
	Purchases	—			8
	Sales	(6		)	—
	Settlements	(2		)	(2		)
	Balance at end of period	$	55		$	53
	Non-Recurring Fair Value Measurements
	We hold certain assets that have been measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis at March 31, 2015 and 2014. These assets can include repossessed assets and cost method investments that are written down to fair value when they are impaired, as well as loan receivables held for sale. Assets that are written down to fair value when impaired are not subsequently adjusted to fair value unless further impairment occurs. The assets held by us that were measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis and the effects of the remeasurement to fair value were not material for all periods presented. The estimated fair value of loan receivables held for sale exceeded their amortized cost and accordingly a remeasurement to fair value was not required during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
	Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities Carried at Other than Fair Value
		Carrying			Corresponding fair value amount
	At March 31, 2015 ($ in millions)	value			Total			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Financial Assets
	Financial assets for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value:
	Cash and equivalents(a)	$	11,218		$	11,218		$	9,918	$	1,300	$	—
	Other assets(b)	$	248		$	248		$	248	$	—	$	—
	Financial assets carried at other than fair value:
	Loan receivables, net(c)	$	54,993		$	61,151		$	—	$	—	$	61,151
	Loan receivables held for sale(c)	$	359		$	374		$	—	$	—	$	374
	Financial Liabilities
	Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value:
	Deposits	$	34,950		$	35,579		$	—	$	35,579	$	—
	Borrowings of consolidated securitization entities	$	13,817		$	13,859		$	—	$	7,326	$	6,533
	Bank term loan	$	5,651		$	5,637		$	—	$	—	$	5,637
	Senior unsecured notes	$	4,592		$	4,715		$	—	$	4,715	$	—
		Carrying			Corresponding fair value amount
	At December 31, 2014 ($ in millions)	value			Total			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Financial Assets
	Financial assets for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value:
	Cash and equivalents(a)	$	11,828		$	11,828		$	8,153	$	3,675	$	—
	Other assets(b)	$	1,104		$	1,104		$	1,104	$	—	$	—
	Financial assets carried at other than fair value:
	Loan receivables, net(c)	$	58,050		$	64,113		$	—	$	—	$	64,113
	Loan receivables held for sale(c)	$	332		$	351		$	—	$	—	$	351
	Financial Liabilities
Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value:
Deposits	$	34,955		$	35,442		$	—	$	35,442	$	—
Borrowings of consolidated securitization entities	$	14,967		$	14,985		$	—	$	7,912	$	7,073
Bank term loan	$	8,245		$	8,204		$	—	$	—	$	8,204
Senior unsecured notes	$	3,593		$	3,660		$	—	$	3,660	$	—
Related party debt	$	655		$	655		$	—	$	—	$	655
_______________________
(a)	For cash and cash equivalents carrying value approximates fair value due to the liquid nature and short maturity of these instruments. Cash equivalents classified as Level 2 represent U.S. Government and Federal Agency debt securities with original maturities of three months or less.
(b)	This balance relates to restricted cash and equivalents, which is included in other assets.
(c)	Under certain retail partner program agreements, the expected sales proceeds related to the sale of their credit card portfolio may be limited to the amounts owed by our customers, which may be less than the fair value indicated above.

Regulatory_and_Capital_Adequac

Regulatory and Capital Adequacy	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Banking and Thrift [Abstract]
Regulatory and Capital Adequacy	REGULATORY AND CAPITAL ADEQUACY
	As a savings and loan holding company, we are subject to extensive regulation, supervision and examination by the Federal Reserve Board. The Bank is a federally chartered savings association. As such, the Bank is subject to extensive regulation, supervision and examination by the OCC, which is its primary regulator, and by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”). In addition, the Bank, as an insured depository institution, is supervised by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
	As a savings and loan holding company, we historically have not been required to maintain any specific amount of minimum capital. In connection with our separation from GE and the related application to the Federal Reserve Board, we expect that we will be subject to capital requirements under the applicable U.S. Basel III capital rules. See Note 11. Regulatory and Capital Adequacy to our 2014 annual consolidated and combined financial statements in our 2014 Form 10-K for additional information on these capital requirements.
	Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and, possibly, additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could limit our business activities and have a material adverse effect on our financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines, the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the Bank’s assets, liabilities and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Bank’s capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors.
	At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Bank met all applicable requirements to be deemed well-capitalized pursuant to OCC regulations and for purposes of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act. To be categorized as well-capitalized, the Bank must maintain minimum common equity Tier 1, total risk-based, Tier 1 risk-based, and leverage ratios as set forth in the following table. The Federal Reserve Board and FDIC final rules applicable to the Bank include new minimum and "well-capitalized" risk-based capital and leverage ratios, effective January 1, 2015, and redefine the definition of what constitutes "capital" for purposes of calculating these ratios. There are no conditions or events subsequent to March 31, 2015 that management believes have changed the Bank’s capital category.
	The actual capital amounts and ratios and the required minimums of the Bank are as follows:
	At March 31, 2015 ($ in millions)	Actual				Minimum for capital				Minimum to be well-capitalized under prompt corrective action provisions
						adequacy purposes(b)
		Amount		Ratio(a)		Amount		Ratio		Amount		Ratio
	Common equity Tier I capital	$	7,179	17.6	%	$	1,831	4.5	%	$	2,645	6.5	%
	Total risk-based capital	$	7,712	19	%	$	3,255	8	%	$	4,069	10	%
	Tier 1 risk-based capital	$	7,179	17.6	%	$	2,441	6	%	$	3,255	8	%
	Tier 1 leverage	$	7,179	14.4	%	$	1,995	4	%	$	2,494	5	%
	At December 31, 2014 ($ in millions)	Actual				Minimum for capital				Minimum to be well-capitalized under prompt corrective action provisions
						adequacy purposes(b)
		Amount		Ratio(a)		Amount		Ratio		Amount		Ratio
	Total risk-based capital	$	7,100	17.1	%	$	3,322	8	%	$	4,152	10	%
	Tier 1 risk-based capital	$	6,559	15.8	%	$	1,661	4	%	$	2,491	6	%
	Tier 1 leverage	$	6,559	13.4	%	$	1,959	4	%	$	2,449	5	%
	_______________________
	(a)	Capital ratios are calculated based on the Basel III Standardized Approach framework, subject to applicable transition provisions, as of March 31, 2015 and are calculated based on Basel I capital framework as of December 31, 2014.
	(b)	Under the Bank’s Operating Agreement with the OCC entered into on January 11, 2013, the Bank must maintain minimum levels of capital (calculated in accordance with U.S. Basel I capital rules) as follows (i) Total risk-based capital of 11.0%; (ii) Tier 1 risk-based capital of 7.0%; and (iii) Tier 1 leverage of 6.0%. The Bank's regulatory capital was in excess of these thresholds at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
	The Bank may pay dividends on its stock, with consent or non-objection from the OCC and the Federal Reserve Board, among other things, if its regulatory capital would not thereby be reduced below the amount then required by the applicable regulatory capital requirements.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	EARNINGS PER SHARE
	Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing earnings available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the assumed conversion of all dilutive securities.
	The following table presents the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share:
		Three months ended March 31,
	(in millions, except per share data)	2015		2014
	Net earnings	$	552	$	558
	Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic	834		705
	Effect of dilutive securities	1		—
	Weighted average common shares outstanding, dilutive	835		705
	Earnings per basic common share	$	0.66	$	0.79
	Earnings per diluted common share	$	0.66	$	0.79
	We have issued certain stock based awards under the Synchrony Financial 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan. A total of less than 1 million shares related to these awards were considered anti-dilutive and therefore were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2015. There were no anti-dilutive securities outstanding during the three month period ended March 31, 2014.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	INCOME TAXES
	We are included in the consolidated U.S. federal and state income tax returns of GE where applicable, but also file certain separate state and foreign income tax returns. The tax provision is presented on a separate company basis as if we were a separate filer. The effects of tax adjustments and settlements from taxing authorities are presented in our consolidated and combined financial statements in the period to which they relate as if we were a separate filer. Our current obligations for taxes are settled with our parent on an estimated basis and adjusted in later periods in which those settlements occur. We recognize the current and deferred tax consequences of all transactions that have been recognized in the financial statements using the provisions of the enacted tax laws. In calculating the provision for interim income taxes, in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 740, Income Taxes, we apply an estimated annual effective tax rate to year-to-date ordinary income. At the end of each interim period, we estimate the effective tax rate expected to be applicable for the full fiscal year. See “Management's Discussion and Analysis—Critical Accounting Estimates” in our 2014 Form 10-K, for a discussion of the significant judgments and estimates related to income taxes.
	The Company is under continuous examination by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and the tax authorities of various states as part of their audit of GE’s tax returns. The IRS is currently auditing the GE consolidated U.S. income tax returns for 2010 and 2011. In addition, certain issues and refund claims for previous years are still unresolved. We are under examination in various states going back to 2007 as part of their audit of GE’s tax returns. We believe that there are no issues or claims that are likely to significantly impact our results of operations, financial position or cash flows. We further believe that we have made adequate provision for all income tax uncertainties that could result from such examinations.
	Tax Sharing and Separation Agreement
	In connection with the IPO, we entered into a Tax Sharing and Separation Agreement, (“TSSA”), which governs certain separation-related tax matters between the Company and GE following the IPO. The TSSA governs the allocation of the responsibilities for the taxes of the GE group between GE and the Company. The TSSA also allocates rights, obligations and responsibilities in connection with certain administrative matters relating to the preparation of tax returns and control of tax audits and other proceedings relating to taxes. We provide additional information on the TSSA in our 2014 Form 10-K in Note 15. Income Taxes.
	Unrecognized Tax Benefits
	($ in millions)	March 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
	Unrecognized tax benefits, excluding related interest expense and penalties	$	114	$	102
	Portion that, if recognized, would reduce tax expense and effective tax rate(a)	75		68
	Accrued interest on unrecognized tax benefits	1		1
	Accrued penalties on unrecognized tax benefits	—		—
	____________________
	(a)	Includes gross state and local unrecognized tax benefits net of the effects of associated U.S. federal income taxes. Excludes amounts attributable to any related valuation allowances resulting from associated increases in deferred tax assets.
	As a separate public company, we will continue to compute our unrecognized tax benefits on a separate return basis and we will settle our liabilities, as required, in accordance with the TSSA. It is reasonably possible that the gross balance of unrecognized tax benefits may increase or decrease in the next twelve months, however, it is not possible to estimate the amount. The amount of uncertain tax liabilities which may be resolved in the next twelve months is not expected to be material to our results of operations.

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions	RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
	Services Provided by GE
	GE and its subsidiaries, including GECC, have provided and continue to provide a variety of services to us.
	In connection with the IPO, we entered into various agreements with GE and its affiliates that now govern our relationship with GE and GECC following the IPO. On July 30, 2014, we entered into a Master Agreement with GECC and, for certain limited purposes only, GE (the “Master Agreement”). The Master Agreement sets forth our agreements with GE and GECC relating to the ownership of certain assets and the allocation of certain liabilities in connection with the separation of our company from GECC. It also sets forth other agreements governing our relationship with GECC and its affiliates after the IPO. For more information on agreements with GE and its affiliates, see Note 16. Related Party Transactions to our 2014 annual consolidated and combined financial statements in our 2014 Form 10-K.
	Funding Provided by GECC
	GECC no longer provides funding to our business. All related party debt owed by the Company to GECC outstanding on the closing date of the IPO was repaid, and GECC provided transitional funding pursuant to the $1.5 billion GECC Term Loan Facility. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, we prepaid all of the remaining outstanding indebtedness provided by the GECC Term Loan. Prior to the IPO, we used related party debt provided by GECC to meet our funding requirements after taking into account deposits held at the Bank, funding from securitized financings and cash generated from our operations. GECC assessed us an interest cost on a portion of the Parent’s total investment and historically we have reflected that portion as related party debt in the Condensed Consolidated and Combined Statements of Financial Position.
	The following table sets forth the direct costs, indirect costs and interest expenses related to services and funding provided by GE for the periods indicated.
	($ in millions)	Three months ended March 31,
		2015		2014
	Direct costs(a)	$	82	$	64
	Indirect costs(a)	—		61
	Interest expense(b)	4		47
	Total expenses for services and funding provided by GECC	$	86	$	172
	_______________________
	(a)	Direct and indirect costs are included in the other expense line items in our Condensed Consolidated and Combined Statements of Earnings.
	(b)	Included in interest expense in our Condensed Consolidated and Combined Statements of Earnings.
	Direct Costs
	Direct costs are costs associated with either services provided directly to us that are centralized at GE or services provided to us by third parties under contracts entered into by GE. These services included the provision of employee benefits and benefit administration; information technology services; telecommunication services; and other services, including leases for vehicles, equipment and facilities. GE allocated the costs associated with these services to us using established allocation methodologies.
	Under the Transitional Services Agreement which governs certain services provided by GE to us, all of the costs billed to us by GE subsequent to the IPO are included as a component of direct costs and are at GE’s cost in accordance with historic allocation methodologies.
	Indirect Costs
	GE and GECC no longer allocate costs to us related to corporate overhead. For periods prior to the IPO, GE and GECC allocated costs to us related to corporate overhead that directly or indirectly benefited our business. These assessments related to information technology, insurance coverage, tax services provided, executive incentive payments, advertising and branding and other functional support. These allocations were determined primarily using our percentage of GECC’s relevant expenses.
	Interest Expense
	For the three months ended March 31, 2015, interest expense represents interest accruing on the GECC Term Loan. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, interest expense represents interest cost assessed to us from GECC’s centralized treasury function based on fixed and floating interest rates, plus funding related costs that include charges for liquidity and other treasury costs.
	Other Related Party Transactions
	GECC is the servicer and we are the subservicer for one of our securitization entities. We perform substantially all of the servicing functions with respect to this entity pursuant to a subservicing agreement with GECC. The net cost recognized in our Condensed Consolidated and Combined Statements of Earnings in connection with these arrangements is de minimis. See Note 5. Variable Interest Entities.
	In addition to the related party activities described above, we have been party to certain cash management and payment processing arrangements with GE and GECC. Historically, most of our cash and equivalents that were not held for purposes of funding the Bank’s liquidity requirements were transferred to GECC on a daily basis and GECC subsequently funded the operating and investing activities of our business as needed. Following the IPO, we no longer transfer cash and equivalents to GECC, other than for purposes of the servicing arrangement discussed above.
	GE also makes payments for our payroll, corporate credit card bills and freight expenses through a centralized payment system and we reimburse GE in full for the amounts paid. Such expenses are included in other expense across the relevant categories in our Condensed Consolidated and Combined Statements of Earnings and are directly attributable to our business and our employees.

Legal_Proceedings_and_Regulato

Legal Proceedings and Regulatory Matters	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Legal Proceedings and Regulatory Matters	LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AND REGULATORY MATTERS
	In the normal course of business, from time to time, we have been named as a defendant in various legal proceedings, including arbitrations, class actions and other litigation, arising in connection with our business activities. Certain of the legal actions include claims for substantial compensatory and/or punitive damages, or claims for indeterminate amounts of damages. We are also involved, from time to time, in reviews, investigations and proceedings (both formal and informal) by governmental agencies regarding our business (collectively, “regulatory matters”), which could subject us to significant fines, penalties, obligations to change our business practices or other requirements resulting in increased expenses, diminished income and damage to our reputation. We contest liability and/or the amount of damages as appropriate in each pending matter. In accordance with applicable accounting guidance, we establish an accrued liability for legal and regulatory matters when those matters present loss contingencies which are both probable and estimable.
	Legal proceedings and regulatory matters are subject to many uncertain factors that generally cannot be predicted with assurance, and we may be exposed to losses in excess of any amounts accrued.
	For some matters, we are able to determine that an estimated loss, while not probable, is reasonably possible. For other matters, including those that have not yet progressed through discovery and/or where important factual information and legal issues are unresolved, we are unable to make such an estimate. We currently estimate that the reasonably possible losses for legal proceedings and regulatory matters, whether in excess of a related accrued liability or where there is no accrued liability, and for which we are able to estimate a possible loss, are immaterial. This represents management’s estimate of possible loss with respect to these matters and is based on currently available information. This estimate of possible loss does not represent our maximum loss exposure. The legal proceedings and regulatory matters underlying the estimate will change from time to time and actual results may vary significantly from current estimates.
	Our estimate of reasonably possible losses involves significant judgment, given the varying stages of the proceedings, the existence of numerous yet to be resolved issues, the breadth of the claims (often spanning multiple years), unspecified damages and/or the novelty of the legal issues presented. Based on our current knowledge, we do not believe that we are a party to any pending legal proceeding or regulatory matters that would have a material adverse effect on our condensed consolidated and combined financial condition or liquidity. However, in light of the uncertainties involved in such matters, the ultimate outcome of a particular matter could be material to our operating results for a particular period depending on, among other factors, the size of the loss or liability imposed and the level of our earnings for that period, and could adversely affect our business and reputation.
	Below is a description of certain of our legal proceedings and regulatory matters.
	Regulatory Matters
	On December 10, 2013, we entered into a Consent Order with the CFPB relating to our CareCredit platform, which requires us to pay up to $34.1 million to qualifying customers; provide additional training and monitoring of our CareCredit partners; include provisions in agreements with our CareCredit partners prohibiting charges for certain services not yet rendered; make changes to certain consumer disclosures, application procedures and procedures for resolution of customer complaints; and terminate CareCredit partners that have chargeback rates in excess of certain thresholds. Some of the business practice changes required by the Consent Order are similar to requirements in an Assurance of Discontinuance that we entered into with the Attorney General for the State of New York on June 3, 2013.
	Our settlements with the CFPB and the New York State Attorney General do not preclude other regulators or state attorneys general from seeking additional monetary or injunctive relief with respect to CareCredit. In this regard, in 2010 and 2012, respectively, we received formal requests for information from the Attorneys General for the states of Minnesota and New Jersey. We have cooperated fully with these inquiries.
	On June 19, 2014, we entered into a Consent Order with the CFPB (the “2014 CFPB Consent Order”) related to the CFPB’s review of the Bank’s debt cancellation products and its marketing practices in its telesales channel related to those products. The 2014 CFPB Consent Order requires us to refund $56 million to cardholders who enrolled in a debt cancellation product over the telephone from January 2010 to October 2012 ($11 million of which was refunded prior to the 2014 CFPB Consent Order), pay civil money penalties of $3.5 million, and implement a compliance plan related to the sale of “add-on” products to the extent the Bank restarts telesales of such products (which were discontinued in October 2012).
	The 2014 CFPB Consent Order also resolved a separate CFPB investigation related to potential violations of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act as a result of the Bank’s omission of certain Spanish-speaking customers and customers residing in Puerto Rico from certain statement credit and settlement offers that were made to certain delinquent customers. The Bank identified this issue through an audit of its collection operations, reported it to the CFPB and initiated a remediation program. The CFPB referred the issue to the Department of Justice (the “DOJ”), which initiated a civil investigation. At the same time we entered into the 2014 CFPB Consent Order, we entered into a consent order with the DOJ (the “2014 DOJ Consent Order,” and together with the 2014 CFPB Consent Order, the “2014 Consent Orders”) to settle a complaint filed by the DOJ on June 19, 2014 in the United States District Court for the District of Utah that made similar allegations to those alleged in the 2014 CFPB Consent Order. The 2014 DOJ Consent Order was approved by the Court on June 26, 2014. The 2014 DOJ Consent Order is similar to the 2014 CFPB Consent Order and does not impose any additional requirements on us. The 2014 Consent Orders require us to complete our remediation program by providing additional payments, balance credits and balance waivers of approximately $37 million and to update our credit bureau reporting relating to the affected accounts. In the first quarter of 2015, we determined that our remediation program will require us to provide approximately $35 million in additional remediation, approximately $32 million of which consists of balance credits and waivers to previously charged-off accounts. Of the approximately $204 million in total consumer remediation (including $132 million of voluntary remediations completed prior to the 2014 Consent Orders and approximately $72 million that remains to be completed), approximately $190 million consists of balance credits and waivers to previously charged-off accounts. In addition to the consumer remediation, the 2014 Consent Orders require us to implement a fair lending compliance plan (including fair lending reviews, audits and training), which will, in part, be satisfied by our existing compliance processes.
	Although we do not believe that the 2014 Consent Orders themselves will have a material adverse effect on our results of operations going forward, we cannot be sure whether the settlements will have an adverse impact on our reputation or whether any similar actions will be brought by state attorneys general or others, all of which could have a material adverse effect on us.
	Other Matters
	On September 27, 2013, Secure Axcess LLC, filed a complaint against the Bank as well as other defendants in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, for patent infringement related to the Bank’s alleged use of website authenticity technology referred to as “Safe Keys.” The complaint seeks unspecified damages. On September 9, 2014, the U.S. Patent Office instituted two petitions to review the validity of the Secure Axcess patent at issue in the pending litigation and on September 29, 2014, the Court stayed the action pending the resolution of the U.S. Patent Office’s review. On April 13, 2015, at the request of the Bank and several other parties, the U.S. Patent Office instituted a third petition to review the validity of the Secure Axcess patent at issue in the pending litigation.
	The Bank is a defendant in four putative class actions, and defending a third-party in a fifth putative class action, alleging claims under the federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”), where the plaintiffs assert that they received calls on their cellular telephones relating to accounts not belonging to them. In each case, the complaints allege that the Bank placed calls to consumers by an automated telephone dialing system or using a pre-recorded message or automated voice without their consent and seek up to $1,500 for each violation. The amount of damages sought in the aggregate is unspecified. Abdeljalil et al. v. GE Capital Retail Bank was filed on August 22, 2012 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, originally naming GECC as the defendant. In August 2013, the Court denied without prejudice GECC’s motion to dismiss the class allegations. GECC subsequently was dismissed and the plaintiffs amended the complaint to name the Bank as the defendant. On March 26, 2015, the Court entered an order granting class certification under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23(b)(3) (for damages) and denying class certification under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23(b)(2) (for injunctive relief). The Bank is seeking reconsideration of the order. Cowan v. GE Capital Retail Bank was filed on May 14, 2014 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut. On August 4, 2014, the Bank filed motions to stay and dismiss the action.  Pittman et al. v. GE Capital d/b/a GE Capital Retail Bank was filed on July 29, 2014 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama. The action is currently stayed pursuant to the parties’ agreement. Hofer et al. v. Synchrony Bank was filed on November 4, 2014 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. On January 15, 2015, the Bank filed a motion to stay the action. Dubanoski et al. v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., for which we are defending the defendant, was filed on February 27, 2015 in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. In addition to the Abdeljalil, Cowan, Pittman, Hofer, and Dubanoski actions, the Bank has resolved two other putative class actions that made similar claims under the TCPA, both of which were settled on an individual basis with the class representative. Travaglio et al. v. GE Capital Retail Bank and Allied Interstate LLC was filed on January 17, 2014 in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida and dismissed on October 9, 2014. Fitzhenry v. Lowe’s Companies Inc. and GE Capital Retail Bank was filed on May 29, 2014 in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina and dismissed on October 20, 2014.
	On October 30, 2014, the United States Trustee, which is part of the DOJ, filed an application in In re Nyree Belton, a Chapter 7 bankruptcy case pending in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York for orders authorizing discovery of the Bank pursuant to Rule 2004 of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, related to an investigation of the Bank’s credit reporting. The discovery, which is ongoing, concerns allegations made in Belton et al. v. GE Capital Consumer Lending, a putative class action adversary proceeding pending in the same Bankruptcy Court. In the Belton adversary proceeding, which was filed on April 30, 2014, plaintiff alleges that the Bank violates the discharge injunction under Section 524(a)(2) of the Bankruptcy Code by attempting to collect discharged debts and by failing to update and correct credit information to credit reporting agencies to show that such debts are no longer due and owing because they have been discharged in bankruptcy. Plaintiff seeks declaratory judgment, injunctive relief and an unspecified amount of damages. On December 15, 2014, the Court entered an order staying the adversary proceeding pending the appeal of an order denying the Bank’s motion to compel arbitration.

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Summ1

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying condensed consolidated and combined financial statements were prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”).
	Preparing financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates based on assumptions about current, and for some estimates future, economic and market conditions (for example, unemployment, housing, interest rates and market liquidity) which affect reported amounts and related disclosures in our condensed consolidated and combined financial statements. Although our current estimates contemplate current conditions and how we expect them to change in the future, as appropriate, it is reasonably possible that actual conditions could be different than anticipated in those estimates, which could materially affect our results of operations and financial position. Among other effects, such changes could result in incremental losses on loan receivables, future impairments of investment securities, goodwill and intangible assets, increases in reserves for contingencies, establishment of valuation allowances on deferred tax assets and increases in our tax liabilities.
	We conduct our operations within the United States and Canada. Substantially all of our revenues are from U.S. customers. The operating activities conducted by our non-U.S. affiliates use the local currency as their functional currency. The effects of translating the financial statements of these non-U.S. affiliates to U.S. dollars are included in equity. Asset and liability accounts are translated at year-end exchange rates, while revenues and expenses are translated at average rates for the respective periods.
	Consolidated Basis of Presentation
	The transfer of all of the assets of our business from GECC and its subsidiaries to the Company was completed in the second quarter of 2014. As a result, the Company’s financial statements have been prepared on a consolidated basis beginning June 30, 2014. Under this basis of presentation, our financial statements consolidate all of our subsidiaries – i.e., entities in which we have a controlling financial interest, most often because we hold a majority voting interest. All periods subsequent to June 30, 2014 are presented on a consolidated basis.
	To determine if we hold a controlling financial interest in an entity, we first evaluate if we are required to apply the variable interest entity (“VIE”) model to the entity, otherwise the entity is evaluated under the voting interest model. Where we hold current or potential rights that give us the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance (“power”) combined with a variable interest that gives us the right to receive potentially significant benefits or the obligation to absorb potentially significant losses (“significant economics”), we have a controlling financial interest in that VIE. Rights held by others to remove the party with power over the VIE are not considered unless one party can exercise those rights unilaterally. We consolidate certain securitization entities under the VIE model because we have both power and significant economics. See Note 5. Variable Interest Entities.
	Combined Basis of Presentation
	For all periods prior to June 30, 2014, the Company's financial statements were prepared on a combined basis. The combined financial statements combine all of our subsidiaries and certain accounts of GECC and its subsidiaries that were historically managed as part of our business.
	For all periods prior to the IPO, the Condensed Consolidated and Combined Statements of Earnings reflect intercompany expense allocations made to us by GE and GECC for certain corporate functions and for shared services provided by GE and GECC. Where possible, these allocations were made on a specific identification basis, and in other cases, these expenses were allocated by GE and GECC based on relative percentages of net operating costs or some other basis depending on the nature of the allocated cost. See Note 13. Related Party Transactions for further information on expenses allocated by GE and GECC.
	The historical financial results in the condensed consolidated and combined financial statements presented may not be indicative of the results that would have been achieved had we operated as a separate, standalone entity during those periods. We believe that the condensed consolidated and combined financial statements include all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the Company.
Interim Period Presentation	Interim Period Presentation
	The condensed consolidated and combined financial statements and notes thereto are unaudited. These statements include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) that we considered necessary to present a fair statement of our results of operations, financial position and cash flows. The results reported in these condensed consolidated and combined financial statements should not be considered as necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for the entire year. These condensed consolidated and combined financial statements should be read in conjunction with our 2014 annual consolidated and combined financial statements and the related notes in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 (our "2014 Form 10-K"). Effective for the first quarter of 2015, the Company is following a calendar quarter. Previously, it was the longstanding practice of GE and GECC, our parent companies, to establish interim quarterly closing dates using a fiscal calendar, which required our business to close its books on a Sunday. We label our quarterly information using a calendar convention, that is, first quarter is labeled as ending on March 31, second quarter as ending on June 30, and third quarter as ending on September 30.
	We have reclassified certain prior-period amounts to conform to current-period presentation.

Investment_Securities_Tables

Investment Securities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities Reconciliation	Our investment securities consist of the following:
		March 31, 2015											December 31, 2014
				Gross			Gross								Gross		Gross
		Amortized		unrealized			unrealized			Estimated			Amortized		unrealized		unrealized			Estimated
	($ in millions)	cost		gains			losses			fair value			cost		gains		losses			fair value
	Debt
	U.S. government and federal agency	$	2,746	$	1		$	—		$	2,747		$	1,252	$	—	$	—		$	1,252
	State and municipal	55		1			(1		)	55			57		1		(1		)	57
	Residential mortgage-backed(a)	304		3			(3		)	304			271		3		(3		)	271
	U.S. corporate debt	—		—			—			—			3		—		—			3
	Equity	15		—			—			15			15		—		—			15
	Total	$	3,120	$	5		$	(4	)	$	3,121		$	1,598	$	4	$	(4	)	$	1,598
	_______________________
	(a)	At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 all of our residential mortgage-backed securities related to securities issued by government-sponsored entities and are pledged by the Bank as collateral to the Federal Reserve to secure Federal Reserve Discount Window advances. All residential mortgage-backed securities are collateralized by U.S. mortgages.
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Loss Position, Fair Value	The following table presents the estimated fair values and gross unrealized losses of our available-for-sale investment securities:
		In loss position for
		Less than 12 months					12 months or more
				Gross						Gross
		Estimated		unrealized			Estimated			unrealized
	($ in millions)	fair value		losses			fair value			losses
	At March 31, 2015
	Debt
	U.S. government and federal agency	$	1,496	$	—		$	—		$	—
	State and municipal	27		(1		)	7			—
	Residential mortgage-backed	110		(1		)	71			(2		)
	Total	$	1,633	$	(2	)	$	78		$	(2	)
	At December 31, 2014
	Debt
	U.S. government and federal agency	$	700	$	—		$	—		$	—
	State and municipal	—		—			34			(1		)
	Residential mortgage-backed	30		—			85			(3		)
	Total	$	730	$	—		$	119		$	(4	)
Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date	Contractual Maturities of Investments in Available-for-Sale Debt Securities (excluding residential mortgage-backed securities)
		Amortized		Estimated
	At March 31, 2015 ($ in millions)	cost		fair value
	Due
	Within one year	$	1,897	$	1,897
	After one year through five years	$	849	$	850
	After five years through ten years	$	1	$	1
	After ten years	$	54	$	54

Loan_Receivables_and_Allowance1

Loan Receivables and Allowance for Loan Losses (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Receivables [Abstract]
Schedule of Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable
	($ in millions)	March 31, 2015				December 31, 2014
	Credit cards	$	55,866			$	58,880
	Consumer installment loans	1,062				1,063
	Commercial credit products	1,295				1,320
	Other	25				23
	Total loan receivables, before allowance for losses(a)(b)	$	58,248			$	61,286
	_______________________
	(a)	Total loan receivables include $24.8 billion and $27.0 billion of restricted loans of consolidated securitization entities at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. See Note 5. Variable Interest Entities for further information on these restricted loans.
	(b)	At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, loan receivables included deferred expense, net of deferred income, of $58 million and $46 million, respectively.
Allowance for Credit Losses on Financing Receivables	Allowance for Loan Losses
	($ in millions)	Balance at January 1, 2015				Provision charged to operations				Gross charge-offs				Recoveries				Balance at March 31, 2015
	Credit cards	$	3,169			$	669			$	(834	)		$	180			$	3,184
	Consumer installment loans	22				7				(9		)		4				24
	Commercial credit products	45				11				(11		)		2				47
	Total	$	3,236			$	687			$	(854	)		$	186			$	3,255
	($ in millions)	Balance at January 1, 2014				Provision charged to operations				Gross charge-offs				Recoveries				Balance at March 31, 2014
	Credit cards	$	2,827			$	752			$	(781	)		$	137			$	2,935
	Consumer installment loans	19				2				(7		)		3				17
	Commercial credit products	46				10				(12		)		2				46
	Total	$	2,892			$	764			$	(800	)		$	142			$	2,998
Past Due Financing Receivables	Delinquent and Non-accrual Loans
	At March 31, 2015 ($ in millions)	30-89 days delinquent				90 or more days delinquent				Total Past Due				90 or more days delinquent and accruing				Total non-accruing
	Credit cards	$	1,122			$	1,042			$	2,164			$	1,042			$	—
	Consumer installment loans	10				2				12				—				2
	Commercial credit products	21				12				33				12				—
	Total delinquent loans	$	1,153			$	1,056			$	2,209			$	1,054			$	2
	Percentage of total loan receivables(a)	2		%		1.8		%		3.8		%		1.8		%		—		%
	At December 31, 2014 ($ in millions)	30-89 days delinquent				90 or more days delinquent				Total Past Due				90 or more days delinquent and accruing				Total non-accruing
	Credit cards	$	1,331			$	1,147			$	2,478			$	1,147			$	—
	Consumer installment loans	15				2				17				—				2
	Commercial credit products	28				13				41				13				—
	Total delinquent loans	$	1,374			$	1,162			$	2,536			$	1,160			$	2
	Percentage of total loan receivables(a)	2.2		%		1.9		%		4.1		%		1.9		%		—		%
	______________________
	(a)	Percentages are calculated based on period-end balances
Troubled Debt Restructurings on Financing Receivables	The following table provides information on loans that entered a loan modification program during the periods presented:
		Three months ended March 31,
	($ in millions)	2015				2014
	Credit cards	$	118			$	107
	Consumer installment loans	—				—
	Commercial credit products	2				2
	Total	$	120			$	109
Impaired Financing Receivables	The following table provides information about loans classified as TDRs and specific reserves. We do not evaluate credit card loans for impairment on an individual basis, but instead estimate an allowance for loan losses on a collective basis. As a result, there are no impaired loans for which there is no allowance.
	At March 31, 2015 ($ in millions)	Total recorded				Related allowance				Net recorded investment				Unpaid principal balance
		investment
	Credit cards	$	718			$	(241	)		$	477			$	617
	Consumer installment loans	—				—				—				—
	Commercial credit products	8				(3		)		5				8
	Total	$	726			$	(244	)		$	482			$	625
	At December 31, 2014 ($ in millions)	Total recorded				Related allowance				Net recorded investment				Unpaid principal balance
		investment
	Credit cards	$	716			$	(217	)		$	499			$	613
	Consumer installment loans	—				—				—				—
	Commercial credit products	8				(3		)		5				8
	Total	$	724			$	(220	)		$	504			$	621
	The following table presents the types and financial effects of loans modified and accounted for as TDRs during the periods presented:
	Three months ended March 31,	2015										2014
	($ in millions)	Interest income recognized during period when loans were impaired			Interest income that would have been recorded with original terms			Average recorded investment				Interest income recognized during period when loans were impaired			Interest income that would have been recorded with original terms			Average recorded investment
	Credit cards	$	13		$	36		$	717			$	15		$	36		$	787
	Consumer installment loans	—			—			—				—			—			—
	Commercial credit products	—			—			8				—			—			12
	Total	$	13		$	36		$	725			$	15		$	36		$	799
Troubled Debt Restructurings on Financing Receivables, Subsequent Default	The following table presents the type, number and amount of loans accounted for as TDRs that enrolled in a modification plan within the previous 12 months and experienced a payment default during the periods presented. A customer defaults from a modification program after two consecutive missed payments.
	Three months ended March 31,	2015							2014
	($ in millions)	Accounts defaulted			Loans defaulted				Accounts defaulted			Loans defaulted
	Credit cards	11,384			$	23			15,180			$	29
	Consumer installment loans	—			—				—			—
	Commercial credit products	58			—				61			—
	Total	11,442			$	23			15,241			$	29
Financing Receivable Credit Quality Indicators	The following table provides the most recent FICO scores available for our customers at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, as a percentage of each class of loan receivable. The table below excludes 0.8% of our total loan receivables balance at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, which represents those customer accounts for which a FICO score is not available.
		March 31, 2015									December 31, 2014
		661 or			601 to			600 or			661 or			601 to			600 or
		higher			660			less			higher			660			less
	Credit cards	71.5	%		20.6	%		7.9	%		72.5	%		19.9	%		7.6	%
	Consumer installment loans	78.7	%		15.9	%		5.4	%		78.9	%		15.7	%		5.4	%
	Commercial credit products	85.7	%		9.2	%		5.1	%		86.5	%		8.6	%		4.8	%
Interest Income and Interest Expense Disclosure	The following table provides additional information about our interest and fees on loans from our loan receivables, including held for sale:
		Three months ended March 31,
	($ in millions)	2015				2014
	Credit cards	$	3,079			$	2,867
	Consumer installment loans	25				23
	Commercial credit products	36				38
	Other	—				—
	Total	$	3,140			$	2,928

Variable_Interest_Entities_Tab

Variable Interest Entities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Variable Interest Entities [Abstract]
Schedule of Variable Interest Entities	The table below summarizes the assets and liabilities of our consolidated securitization VIEs described above.
	($ in millions)	March 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
	Assets
	Loan receivables, net(a)	$	23,637	$	25,645
	Other assets	211		1,134
	Total	$	23,848	$	26,779
	Liabilities
	Borrowings	$	13,817	$	14,967
	Other liabilities	367		368
	Total	$	14,184	$	15,335
	_______________________
	(a)	Includes $1.2 billion and $1.3 billion of related allowance for loan losses resulting in gross restricted loans of $24.8 billion and $27.0 billion at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

Intangible_Assets_Tables

Intangible Assets (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
		31-Mar-15							December 31, 2014
	($ in millions)	Gross carrying amount		Accumulated amortization			Net		Gross carrying amount		Accumulated amortization			Net
	Customer-related	$	893	$	(429	)	$	464	$	849	$	(405	)	$	444
	Capitalized software	143		(50		)	93		120		(45		)	75
	Total	$	1,036	$	(479	)	$	557	$	969	$	(450	)	$	519

Deposits_Tables

Deposits (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Banking and Thrift [Abstract]
Schedule of Deposit Liabilities	Deposits
		March 31, 2015				December 31, 2014
	($ in millions)	Amount		Average rate(a)		Amount			Average rate(a)
	Interest-bearing deposits	$	34,788	1.6	%	$	34,847		1.6	%
	Non-interest-bearing deposits	162		—		108			—
	Total deposits	$	34,950			$	34,955
	____________________
	(a)	Based on interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and the year ended December 31, 2014 and average deposits balances.
Schedule of Maturities of Deposit Liabilities	At March 31, 2015, our interest-bearing time deposits maturing for the remainder of 2015 and over the next four years and thereafter were as follows:
	($ in millions)	2015		2016			2017			2018		2019		Thereafter
	Deposits	$	8,766	$	5,957		$	2,811		$	1,965	$	3,892	$	3,378

Borrowings_Tables

Borrowings (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Banking and Thrift [Abstract]
Schedule of Debt
				March 31, 2015							December 31, 2014
	($ in millions)	Maturity date		Amount(a)				Weighted average interest rate			Amount(a)			Weighted average interest rate
	Borrowings of consolidated securitization entities	2015 - 2020		$	13,817			1.2	%		$	14,967		1.2	%
	Bank term loan	2019		5,651				2.1	%		8,245			2.1	%
	Senior unsecured notes	2017 - 2024		4,592				3.2	%		3,593			3.4	%
	Related party debt	N/A		—				—	%		655			4.2	%
	Total borrowings			$	24,060						$	27,460
	___________________
	(a)	The amounts presented for outstanding borrowings include unamortized debt premiums and discounts.
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt	the maturities of the borrowings of our consolidated securitization entities, for the remainder of 2015 and over the next four years and thereafter were as follows:
	($ in millions)	2015				2016				2017			2018			2019		Thereafter
	Borrowings of consolidated securitization entities	$	1,203			$	2,016			$	6,551		$	2,134		$	1,163	$	750

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis	The following tables present our assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis.
	At March 31, 2015 ($ in millions)	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total
	Assets
	Investment securities
	Debt
	U.S. government and federal agency	$	—		$	2,747		$	—	$	2,747
	State and municipal	—			—			55		55
	Residential mortgage-backed	—			304			—		304
	Equity	15			—			—		15
	Total	$	15		$	3,051		$	55	$	3,121
	At December 31, 2014 ($ in millions)
	Assets
	Investment securities
	Debt
	U.S. government and federal agency	$	—		$	1,252		$	—	$	1,252
	State and municipal	—			—			57		57
	Residential mortgage-backed	—			271			—		271
	U.S. corporate	—			—			3		3
	Equity	15			—			—		15
	Total	$	15		$	1,523		$	60	$	1,598
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation	The following table presents the changes in our Level 3 debt instruments that are measured on a recurring basis for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
	Changes in Level 3 Instruments
		Three months ended March 31,
	($ in millions)	2015			2014
	Balance at beginning of period	$	60		$	46
	Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)	3			1
	Purchases	—			8
	Sales	(6		)	—
	Settlements	(2		)	(2		)
	Balance at end of period	$	55		$	53
Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping	Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities Carried at Other than Fair Value
		Carrying			Corresponding fair value amount
	At March 31, 2015 ($ in millions)	value			Total			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Financial Assets
	Financial assets for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value:
	Cash and equivalents(a)	$	11,218		$	11,218		$	9,918	$	1,300	$	—
	Other assets(b)	$	248		$	248		$	248	$	—	$	—
	Financial assets carried at other than fair value:
	Loan receivables, net(c)	$	54,993		$	61,151		$	—	$	—	$	61,151
	Loan receivables held for sale(c)	$	359		$	374		$	—	$	—	$	374
	Financial Liabilities
	Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value:
	Deposits	$	34,950		$	35,579		$	—	$	35,579	$	—
	Borrowings of consolidated securitization entities	$	13,817		$	13,859		$	—	$	7,326	$	6,533
	Bank term loan	$	5,651		$	5,637		$	—	$	—	$	5,637
	Senior unsecured notes	$	4,592		$	4,715		$	—	$	4,715	$	—
		Carrying			Corresponding fair value amount
	At December 31, 2014 ($ in millions)	value			Total			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Financial Assets
	Financial assets for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value:
	Cash and equivalents(a)	$	11,828		$	11,828		$	8,153	$	3,675	$	—
	Other assets(b)	$	1,104		$	1,104		$	1,104	$	—	$	—
	Financial assets carried at other than fair value:
	Loan receivables, net(c)	$	58,050		$	64,113		$	—	$	—	$	64,113
	Loan receivables held for sale(c)	$	332		$	351		$	—	$	—	$	351
	Financial Liabilities
	Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value:
	Deposits	$	34,955		$	35,442		$	—	$	35,442	$	—
	Borrowings of consolidated securitization entities	$	14,967		$	14,985		$	—	$	7,912	$	7,073
	Bank term loan	$	8,245		$	8,204		$	—	$	—	$	8,204
	Senior unsecured notes	$	3,593		$	3,660		$	—	$	3,660	$	—
	Related party debt	$	655		$	655		$	—	$	—	$	655
	_______________________
	(a)	For cash and cash equivalents carrying value approximates fair value due to the liquid nature and short maturity of these instruments. Cash equivalents classified as Level 2 represent U.S. Government and Federal Agency debt securities with original maturities of three months or less.
	(b)	This balance relates to restricted cash and equivalents, which is included in other assets.
	(c)	Under certain retail partner program agreements, the expected sales proceeds related to the sale of their credit card portfolio may be limited to the amounts owed by our customers, which may be less than the fair value indicated above.

Regulatory_and_Capital_Adequac1

Regulatory and Capital Adequacy (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Banking and Thrift [Abstract]
Schedule of Compliance with Regulatory Capital Requirements under Banking Regulations	The actual capital amounts and ratios and the required minimums of the Bank are as follows:
	At March 31, 2015 ($ in millions)	Actual				Minimum for capital				Minimum to be well-capitalized under prompt corrective action provisions
						adequacy purposes(b)
		Amount		Ratio(a)		Amount		Ratio		Amount		Ratio
	Common equity Tier I capital	$	7,179	17.6	%	$	1,831	4.5	%	$	2,645	6.5	%
	Total risk-based capital	$	7,712	19	%	$	3,255	8	%	$	4,069	10	%
	Tier 1 risk-based capital	$	7,179	17.6	%	$	2,441	6	%	$	3,255	8	%
	Tier 1 leverage	$	7,179	14.4	%	$	1,995	4	%	$	2,494	5	%
	At December 31, 2014 ($ in millions)	Actual				Minimum for capital				Minimum to be well-capitalized under prompt corrective action provisions
						adequacy purposes(b)
		Amount		Ratio(a)		Amount		Ratio		Amount		Ratio
	Total risk-based capital	$	7,100	17.1	%	$	3,322	8	%	$	4,152	10	%
	Tier 1 risk-based capital	$	6,559	15.8	%	$	1,661	4	%	$	2,491	6	%
	Tier 1 leverage	$	6,559	13.4	%	$	1,959	4	%	$	2,449	5	%
	_______________________
	(a)	Capital ratios are calculated based on the Basel III Standardized Approach framework, subject to applicable transition provisions, as of March 31, 2015 and are calculated based on Basel I capital framework as of December 31, 2014.
	(b)	Under the Bank’s Operating Agreement with the OCC entered into on January 11, 2013, the Bank must maintain minimum levels of capital (calculated in accordance with U.S. Basel I capital rules) as follows (i) Total risk-based capital of 11.0%; (ii) Tier 1 risk-based capital of 7.0%; and (iii) Tier 1 leverage of 6.0%. The Bank's regulatory capital was in excess of these thresholds at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted	The following table presents the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share:
		Three months ended March 31,
	(in millions, except per share data)	2015		2014
	Net earnings	$	552	$	558
	Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic	834		705
	Effect of dilutive securities	1		—
	Weighted average common shares outstanding, dilutive	835		705
	Earnings per basic common share	$	0.66	$	0.79
	Earnings per diluted common share	$	0.66	$	0.79

Incomes_Taxes_Tables

Incomes Taxes (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Unrecognized Tax Benefits
	($ in millions)	March 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
	Unrecognized tax benefits, excluding related interest expense and penalties	$	114	$	102
	Portion that, if recognized, would reduce tax expense and effective tax rate(a)	75		68
	Accrued interest on unrecognized tax benefits	1		1
	Accrued penalties on unrecognized tax benefits	—		—
	____________________
	(a)	Includes gross state and local unrecognized tax benefits net of the effects of associated U.S. federal income taxes. Excludes amounts attributable to any related valuation allowances resulting from associated increases in deferred tax assets.

Related_Party_Transactions_Tab

Related Party Transactions (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Schedule of Related Party Transactions	The following table sets forth the direct costs, indirect costs and interest expenses related to services and funding provided by GE for the periods indicated.
	($ in millions)	Three months ended March 31,
		2015		2014
	Direct costs(a)	$	82	$	64
	Indirect costs(a)	—		61
	Interest expense(b)	4		47
	Total expenses for services and funding provided by GECC	$	86	$	172
	_______________________
	(a)	Direct and indirect costs are included in the other expense line items in our Condensed Consolidated and Combined Statements of Earnings.
	(b)	Included in interest expense in our Condensed Consolidated and Combined Statements of Earnings.

Business_Description_Details

Business Description (Details) (General Electric)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Aug. 05, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015
General Electric
Subsidiary, Sale of Stock [Line Items]
Percentage of ownership after transaction	84.60%	84.60%

Investment_Securities_Schedule

Investment Securities - Schedule of Available for Sale Securities (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Equity
Amortized cost	$15		$15
Gross unrealized gains	0		0
Gross unrealized losses	0		0
Estimated fair value	15		15
Total
Amortized cost	3,120		1,598
Gross unrealized gains	5		4
Gross unrealized losses	-4		-4
Estimated fair value	3,121		1,598
U.S. government and federal agency
Debt
Amortized cost	2,746		1,252
Gross unrealized gains	1		0
Gross unrealized losses	0		0
Estimated fair value	2,747		1,252
State and municipal
Debt
Amortized cost	55		57
Gross unrealized gains	1		1
Gross unrealized losses	-1		-1
Estimated fair value	55		57
Residential mortgage-backed
Debt
Amortized cost	304	[1]	271	[1]
Gross unrealized gains	3	[1]	3	[1]
Gross unrealized losses	-3	[1]	-3	[1]
Estimated fair value	304	[1]	271	[1]
U.S. corporate debt
Debt
Amortized cost	0		3
Gross unrealized gains	0		0
Gross unrealized losses	0		0
Estimated fair value	$0		$3
[1]	At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 all of our residential mortgage-backed securities related to securities issued by government-sponsored entities and are pledged by the Bank as collateral to the Federal Reserve to secure Federal Reserve Discount Window advances. All residential mortgage-backed securities are collateralized by U.S. mortgages.

Investment_Securities_Continuo

Investment Securities - Continuous Unrealized Losses (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Other than temporary impairment	$0	$0
Estimated fair value
Less than 12 months	1,633,000,000	730,000,000
12 months or more	78,000,000	119,000,000
Gross unrealized losses
Less than 12 months	-2,000,000	0
12 months or more	-2,000,000	-4,000,000
U.S. government and federal agency
Estimated fair value
Less than 12 months	1,496,000,000	700,000,000
12 months or more	0	0
Gross unrealized losses
Less than 12 months	0	0
12 months or more	0	0
State and municipal
Estimated fair value
Less than 12 months	27,000,000	0
12 months or more	7,000,000	34,000,000
Gross unrealized losses
Less than 12 months	-1,000,000	0
12 months or more	0	-1,000,000
Residential mortgage-backed
Estimated fair value
Less than 12 months	110,000,000	30,000,000
12 months or more	71,000,000	85,000,000
Gross unrealized losses
Less than 12 months	-1,000,000	0
12 months or more	($2,000,000)	($3,000,000)

Investment_Securities_Contract

Investment Securities - Contractual Maturities (Details) (State and municipal, USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
State and municipal
Amortized Cost
Within one year	$1,897
After one year through five years	849
After five years through ten years	1
After ten years	54
Estimated Fair Value
Within one year	1,897
After one year through five years	850
After five years through ten years	1
After ten years	$54

Loan_Receivables_and_Allowance2

Loan Receivables and Allowance for Loan Losses - Loan Receivables (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loan receivables: (Notes 4 and 5)	$58,248	[1],[2]	$61,286	[1],[2]
Loans receivables, deferred income	58		46
Credit cards
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loan receivables: (Notes 4 and 5)	55,866		58,880
Consumer installment loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loan receivables: (Notes 4 and 5)	1,062		1,063
Commercial credit products
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loan receivables: (Notes 4 and 5)	1,295		1,320
Other
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loan receivables: (Notes 4 and 5)	25		23
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loan receivables: (Notes 4 and 5)	$24,800		$27,000
[1]	Total loan receivables include $24.8 billion and $27.0 billion of restricted loans of consolidated securitization entities at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. See Note 5. Variable Interest Entities for further information on these restricted loans.
[2]	At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, loan receivables included deferred expense, net of deferred income, of $58 million and $46 million, respectively.

Loan_Receivables_and_Allowance3

Loan Receivables and Allowance for Loan Losses - Allowance for Loan Losses (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	$3,236	$2,892
Provision for loan losses	687	764
Gross charge-offs	-854	-800
Recoveries	186	142
Ending Balance	3,255	2,998
Credit cards
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	3,169	2,827
Provision for loan losses	669	752
Gross charge-offs	-834	-781
Recoveries	180	137
Ending Balance	3,184	2,935
Consumer installment loans
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	22	19
Provision for loan losses	7	2
Gross charge-offs	-9	-7
Recoveries	4	3
Ending Balance	24	17
Commercial credit products
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	45	46
Provision for loan losses	11	10
Gross charge-offs	-11	-12
Recoveries	2	2
Ending Balance	$47	$46

Loan_Receivables_and_Allowance4

Loan Receivables and Allowance for Loan Losses - Delinquent and Non Accrual Status (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Financing Receivable, Past Due Amount
30-89 days delinquent	$1,153		$1,374
90 or more days delinquent	1,056		1,162
Total Past Due	2,209		2,536
90 or more days delinquent and accruing	1,054		1,160
Total non-accruing	2		2
Financing Receivable, Percentage of Total Loan Receivables
Percentage of total loan receivables, 30-89 days delinquent	2.00%	[1]	2.20%	[1]
Percentage of total loan receivables, 90 or more days delinquent	1.80%	[1]	1.90%	[1]
Percentage of total loan receivables, Past due	3.80%	[1]	4.10%	[1]
Percentage of total loan receivables, 90 or more days delinquent and accruing	1.80%	[1]	1.90%	[1]
Percentage of total loan receivables, Total non-accruing	0.00%	[1]	0.00%	[1]
Credit cards
Financing Receivable, Past Due Amount
30-89 days delinquent	1,122		1,331
90 or more days delinquent	1,042		1,147
Total Past Due	2,164		2,478
90 or more days delinquent and accruing	1,042		1,147
Total non-accruing	0		0
Consumer installment loans
Financing Receivable, Past Due Amount
30-89 days delinquent	10		15
90 or more days delinquent	2		2
Total Past Due	12		17
90 or more days delinquent and accruing	0		0
Total non-accruing	2		2
Commercial credit products
Financing Receivable, Past Due Amount
30-89 days delinquent	21		28
90 or more days delinquent	12		13
Total Past Due	33		41
90 or more days delinquent and accruing	12		13
Total non-accruing	$0		$0
[1]	Percentages are calculated based on period-end balances.

Loan_Receivables_and_Allowance5

Loan Receivables and Allowance for Loan Losses - Loans Entered into a Loan Modification Program (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total loans entered into a modification program	$120	$109
Credit cards
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total loans entered into a modification program	118	107
Consumer installment loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total loans entered into a modification program	0	0
Commercial credit products
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total loans entered into a modification program	$2	$2

Loan_Receivables_and_Allowance6

Loan Receivables and Allowance for Loan Losses - Classified as TDRs (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total recorded investment	$726	$724
Related allowance	-244	-220
Net recorded investment	482	504
Unpaid principal balance	625	621
Credit cards
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total recorded investment	718	716
Related allowance	-241	-217
Net recorded investment	477	499
Unpaid principal balance	617	613
Consumer installment loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total recorded investment	0	0
Related allowance	0	0
Net recorded investment	0	0
Unpaid principal balance	0	0
Commercial credit products
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total recorded investment	8	8
Related allowance	-3	-3
Net recorded investment	5	5
Unpaid principal balance	$8	$8

Loan_Receivables_and_Allowance7

Loan Receivables and Allowance for Loan Losses - Financial Effects of TDRs (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Interest income recognized during period when loans were impaired	$13	$15
Interest income that would have been recorded with original terms	36	36
Average recorded investment	725	799
Credit cards
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Interest income recognized during period when loans were impaired	13	15
Interest income that would have been recorded with original terms	36	36
Average recorded investment	717	787
Consumer installment loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Interest income recognized during period when loans were impaired	0	0
Interest income that would have been recorded with original terms	0	0
Average recorded investment	0	0
Commercial credit products
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Interest income recognized during period when loans were impaired	0	0
Interest income that would have been recorded with original terms	0	0
Average recorded investment	$8	$12

Loan_Receivables_and_Allowance8

Loan Receivables and Allowance for Loan Losses - Payment Defaults (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
	account	account
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts defaulted	11,442	15,241
Loans defaulted	$23	$29
Credit cards
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts defaulted	11,384	15,180
Loans defaulted	23	29
Consumer installment loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts defaulted	0	0
Loans defaulted	0	0
Commercial credit products
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts defaulted	58	61
Loans defaulted	$0	$0

Loan_Receivables_and_Allowance9

Loan Receivables and Allowance for Loan Losses - Credit Quality Indicators (Details)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
661 or higher | Credit cards
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of class of loan receivable	71.50%	72.50%
661 or higher | Consumer installment loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of class of loan receivable	78.70%	78.90%
661 or higher | Commercial credit products
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of class of loan receivable	85.70%	86.50%
601 to 660 | Credit cards
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of class of loan receivable	20.60%	19.90%
601 to 660 | Consumer installment loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of class of loan receivable	15.90%	15.70%
601 to 660 | Commercial credit products
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of class of loan receivable	9.20%	8.60%
600 or less | Credit cards
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of class of loan receivable	7.90%	7.60%
600 or less | Consumer installment loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of class of loan receivable	5.40%	5.40%
600 or less | Commercial credit products
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of class of loan receivable	5.10%	4.80%

Recovered_Sheet1

Loan Receivables and Allowance for Loan Losses - Interest Income by Product (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Interest and fees on loans (Note 4)	$3,140	$2,928
Credit cards
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Interest and fees on loans (Note 4)	3,079	2,867
Consumer installment loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Interest and fees on loans (Note 4)	25	23
Commercial credit products
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Interest and fees on loans (Note 4)	36	38
Other
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Interest and fees on loans (Note 4)	$0	$0

Recovered_Sheet2

Loan Receivables and Allowance for Loan Losses - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
	retail_partner	retail_partner
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loan receivables held for sale (Note 4)	359,000,000	332,000,000
Percentage of loan receivable with no FICO score	0.80%	0.80%
Credit Card Receivable
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Number of retail partners	2	2
Credit cards
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unused line of credit	301,000,000,000	297,000,000,000

Variable_Interest_Entities_Sum

Variable Interest Entities - Summary of Assets and Liabilities (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Loan receivables, net	$54,993		$58,050
Other assets	1,524	[1]	2,431	[1]
Total assets	72,721		75,707
Total liabilities	61,685		65,229
Allowance for loan losses	-3,255		-3,236		-2,998	-2,892
Loan receivable, before allowance for losses	58,248	[2],[3]	61,286	[2],[3]
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Loan receivables, net	23,637	[4]	25,645	[4]
Other assets	211		1,134
Total assets	23,848		26,779
Borrowings	13,817		14,967
Other liabilities	367		368
Total liabilities	14,184		15,335
Allowance for loan losses	-1,200		-1,300
Loan receivable, before allowance for losses	$24,800		$27,000
[1]	Other assets include restricted cash and equivalents of $248 million and $1,104 million at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
[2]	Total loan receivables include $24.8 billion and $27.0 billion of restricted loans of consolidated securitization entities at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. See Note 5. Variable Interest Entities for further information on these restricted loans.
[3]	At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, loan receivables included deferred expense, net of deferred income, of $58 million and $46 million, respectively.
[4]	Includes $1.2 billion and $1.3 billion of related allowance for loan losses resulting in gross restricted loans of $24.8 billion and $27.0 billion at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

Variable_Interest_Entities_Nar

Variable Interest Entities - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Interest and fees on loans (Note 4)	$3,140	$2,928
Provision for loan losses	687	764
Interest expense	275	190
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
VIE collections temporarily held, owed to the VIE	11
Interest and fees on loans (Note 4)	1,300	1,300
Provision for loan losses	212	293
Interest expense	52	47
Other Assets | Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	116
General Electric Capital Corporation Affiliate | Other Assets | Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Due from related parties	55
General Electric Capital Corporation Affiliate | Other Liabilities | Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Amounts payable to GECC	$68

Intangible_Assets_Schedule_of_

Intangible Assets - Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	$1,036	$969
Accumulated amortization	-479	-450
Net	557	519
Customer-related
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	893	849
Accumulated amortization	-429	-405
Net	464	444
Capitalized software
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	143	120
Accumulated amortization	-50	-45
Net	$93	$75

Intangible_Assets_Narrative_De

Intangible Assets Narrative (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets acquired	$67
Marketing Expense | Retail Partner Contracts
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization expense	20	19
Other Expense | Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Excluding Retail Partner Contracts
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization expense	$9	$6

Deposits_Schedule_of_Deposit_L

Deposits - Schedule of Deposit Liabilities (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Banking and Thrift [Abstract]
Interest-bearing deposits, amount	$34,788		$34,847
Interest-bearing deposits, average rate	1.60%	[1]	1.60%	[1]
Non-interest-bearing deposits, amount	162		108
Total deposits	$34,950		$34,955
[1]	Based on interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and the year ended December 31, 2014 and average deposits balances.

Deposits_Maturity_Schedule_Det

Deposits - Maturity Schedule (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Banking and Thrift [Abstract]
2015	$8,766
2016	5,957
2017	2,811
2018	1,965
2019	3,892
Thereafter	$3,378

Deposits_Narrative_Details

Deposits - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Compliance with Regulatory Capital Requirements under Banking Regulations [Line Items]
Interest bearing deposits with certificates of $100,000 or more	$9,900,000,000	$9,400,000,000
Program Arranger
Compliance with Regulatory Capital Requirements under Banking Regulations [Line Items]
Broker network deposit sweeps	1,200,000,000
Brokered network deposit sweeps terminating in the current fiscal year	927,000,000
Brokered network deposit sweeps terminating in two fiscal years	262,000,000
Demand deposits
Compliance with Regulatory Capital Requirements under Banking Regulations [Line Items]
Demand deposits	$6,800,000,000

Borrowings_Borrowings_Schedule

Borrowings - Borrowings Schedule (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Amount
Unsecured debt	$5,651		$8,245
Related party debt (Note 13)	0	[1]	655	[1]
Total borrowings	24,060	[1]	27,460	[1]
Average rate
Related party debt	0.00%		4.20%
Senior unsecured notes
Amount
Unsecured debt	4,592	[1]	3,593	[1]
Average rate
Weighted average interest rate	3.20%		3.40%
New Bank Term Loan Facility
Amount
Unsecured debt	5,651	[1]	8,245	[1]
Average rate
Weighted average interest rate	2.10%		2.10%
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary
Amount
Borrowings of consolidated securitization entities	$13,817	[1]	$14,967	[1]
Average rate
Weighted average interest rate	1.20%		1.20%
[1]	The amounts presented for outstanding borrowings include unamortized debt premiums and discounts.

Borrowings_Borrowings_Maturity

Borrowings - Borrowings Maturity Schedule (Details) (Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary, USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
2015	$1,203
2016	2,016
2017	6,551
2018	2,134
2019	1,163
Thereafter	$750

Borrowings_Narrative_Details

Borrowings - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Feb. 02, 2015
Compliance with Regulatory Capital Requirements under Banking Regulations [Line Items]
Repayments of related party debt	$655,000,000	$897,000,000
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary
Compliance with Regulatory Capital Requirements under Banking Regulations [Line Items]
Undrawn secured borrowing commitments	6,600,000,000
Proceeds from issuance of third party debt	750,000,000
Unsecured Debt | New Bank Term Loan Facility
Compliance with Regulatory Capital Requirements under Banking Regulations [Line Items]
Repayment of third party debt	2,600,000,000
Unsecured Debt | New GECC Term Loan Facility
Compliance with Regulatory Capital Requirements under Banking Regulations [Line Items]
Repayments of related party debt	655,000,000
Senior Notes
Compliance with Regulatory Capital Requirements under Banking Regulations [Line Items]
Principal amount			1,000,000,000
Senior Notes | 2.700% Senior Unsecured Notes Due 2020
Compliance with Regulatory Capital Requirements under Banking Regulations [Line Items]
Principal amount			750,000,000
Stated interest rate			2.70%
Senior Notes | Floating Rate Senior Notes Due 2020
Compliance with Regulatory Capital Requirements under Banking Regulations [Line Items]
Principal amount			250,000,000
LIBOR | Senior Notes | 2.700% Senior Unsecured Notes Due 2020
Compliance with Regulatory Capital Requirements under Banking Regulations [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate			1.23%

Fair_Value_Measurement_Recurri

Fair Value Measurement - Recurring Fair Value Measurements(Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equity securities	$15		$15
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equity securities	15		15
Total	3,121		1,598
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equity securities	15		15
Total	15		15
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equity securities	0		0
Total	3,051		1,523
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equity securities	0		0
Total	55		60
U.S. government and federal agency
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities	2,747		1,252
U.S. government and federal agency | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities	2,747		1,252
U.S. government and federal agency | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities	0		0
U.S. government and federal agency | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities	2,747		1,252
U.S. government and federal agency | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities	0		0
State and municipal
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities	55		57
State and municipal | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities	55		57
State and municipal | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities	0		0
State and municipal | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities	0		0
State and municipal | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities	55		57
Residential mortgage-backed
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities	304	[1]	271	[1]
Residential mortgage-backed | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities	304		271
Residential mortgage-backed | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities	0		0
Residential mortgage-backed | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities	304		271
Residential mortgage-backed | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities	0		0
U.S. corporate
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities	0		3
U.S. corporate | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities			3
U.S. corporate | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities			0
U.S. corporate | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities			0
U.S. corporate | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities			$3
[1]	At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 all of our residential mortgage-backed securities related to securities issued by government-sponsored entities and are pledged by the Bank as collateral to the Federal Reserve to secure Federal Reserve Discount Window advances. All residential mortgage-backed securities are collateralized by U.S. mortgages.

Fair_Value_Measurement_Changes

Fair Value Measurement - Changes in Level 3 Instruments (Details) (State and municipal, Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring, USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
State and municipal | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	$60	$46
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)	3	1
Purchases	0	8
Sales	-6	0
Settlements	-2	-2
Balance at end of period	$55	$53

Fair_Value_Measurement_Fair_Va

Fair Value Measurement - Fair Value Asset and Liabilities Carried at Other than Fair Value (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and equivalents	$11,218	[1]	$11,828	[1]
Other assets	248	[2]	1,104	[2]
Loan receivables, net	61,151	[3]	64,113	[3]
Loan receivables held for sale	374	[3]	351	[3]
Deposits	35,579		35,442
Related party debt			655
Carrying Value
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and equivalents	11,218	[1]	11,828	[1]
Other assets	248	[2]	1,104	[2]
Loan receivables, net	54,993	[3]	58,050	[3]
Loan receivables held for sale	359	[3]	332	[3]
Deposits	34,950		34,955
Related party debt			655
Level 1
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and equivalents	9,918	[1]	8,153	[1]
Other assets	248	[2]	1,104	[2]
Loan receivables, net	0	[3]	0	[3]
Loan receivables held for sale	0	[3]	0	[3]
Deposits	0		0
Related party debt			0
Level 2
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and equivalents	1,300	[1]	3,675	[1]
Other assets	0	[2]	0	[2]
Loan receivables, net	0	[3]	0	[3]
Loan receivables held for sale	0	[3]	0	[3]
Deposits	35,579		35,442
Related party debt			0
Level 3
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and equivalents	0	[1]	0	[1]
Other assets	0	[2]	0	[2]
Loan receivables, net	61,151	[3]	64,113	[3]
Loan receivables held for sale	374	[3]	351	[3]
Deposits	0		0
Related party debt			655
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Borrowings of consolidated securitization entities	13,859		14,985
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary | Carrying Value
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Borrowings of consolidated securitization entities	13,817		14,967
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary | Level 1
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Borrowings of consolidated securitization entities	0		0
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary | Level 2
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Borrowings of consolidated securitization entities	7,326		7,912
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary | Level 3
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Borrowings of consolidated securitization entities	6,533		7,073
Unsecured Debt
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	5,637		8,204
Unsecured Debt | Carrying Value
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	5,651		8,245
Unsecured Debt | Level 1
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	0		0
Unsecured Debt | Level 2
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	0		0
Unsecured Debt | Level 3
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	5,637		8,204
Senior Notes
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	4,715		3,660
Senior Notes | Carrying Value
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	4,592		3,593
Senior Notes | Level 1
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	0		0
Senior Notes | Level 2
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	4,715		3,660
Senior Notes | Level 3
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	$0		$0
[1]	For cash and cash equivalents carrying value approximates fair value due to the liquid nature and short maturity of these instruments. Cash equivalents classified as Level 2 represent U.S. Government and Federal Agency debt securities with original maturities of three months or less.
[2]	This balance relates to restricted cash and equivalents, which is included in other assets.
[3]	Under certain retail partner program agreements, the expected sales proceeds related to the sale of their credit card portfolio may be limited to the amounts owed by our customers, which may be less than the fair value indicated above.

Regulatory_and_Capital_Adequac2

Regulatory and Capital Adequacy (Capital Amounts and Ratios) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2015
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Basel I
Total risk-based capital
Actual	$7,100
Actual (percent)	17.10%	[1]
Minimum for capital adequacy purposes	3,322
Minimum for capital adequacy purposes (percent)	8.00%	[2]
Minimum to be well-capitalized under prompt corrective action provisions	4,152
Minimum to be well-capitalized under prompt corrective action provisions (percent)	10.00%
Tier 1 risk-based capital
Actual	6,559
Actual (percent)	15.80%	[1]
Minimum for capital adequacy purposes	1,661
Minimum for capital adequacy purposes (percent)	4.00%	[2]
Minimum to be well-capitalized under prompt corrective action provisions	2,491
Minimum to be well-capitalized under prompt corrective action provisions (percent)	6.00%
Tier 1 leverage
Actual	6,559
Actual (percent)	13.40%	[1]
Minimum for capital adequacy purposes	1,959
Minimum for capital adequacy purposes (percent)	4.00%	[2]
Minimum to be well-capitalized under prompt corrective action provisions	2,449
Minimum to be well-capitalized under prompt corrective action provisions (percent)	5.00%
Basel III
Common equity Tier I capital
Common equity, actual			7,179
Common equity, actual (percent)			17.60%
Common equity, minimum for capital adequacy purposes			1,831
Common equity, minimum for capital adequacy purposes (percent)			4.50%
Common equity, minimum to be well-capitalized under prompt corrective action provisions			2,645
Common equity, minimum to be well-capitalized under prompt corrective action provisions (percent)			6.50%
Total risk-based capital
Actual			7,712
Actual (percent)			18.96%
Minimum for capital adequacy purposes			3,255
Minimum for capital adequacy purposes (percent)			8.00%
Minimum to be well-capitalized under prompt corrective action provisions			4,069
Minimum to be well-capitalized under prompt corrective action provisions (percent)			10.00%
Tier 1 risk-based capital
Actual			7,179
Actual (percent)			17.60%
Minimum for capital adequacy purposes			2,441
Minimum for capital adequacy purposes (percent)			6.00%
Minimum to be well-capitalized under prompt corrective action provisions			3,255
Minimum to be well-capitalized under prompt corrective action provisions (percent)			8.00%
Tier 1 leverage
Actual			7,179
Actual (percent)			14.42%
Minimum for capital adequacy purposes			1,995
Minimum for capital adequacy purposes (percent)			4.00%
Minimum to be well-capitalized under prompt corrective action provisions			$2,494
Minimum to be well-capitalized under prompt corrective action provisions (percent)			5.00%
[1]	Capital ratios are calculated based on the Basel III Standardized Approach framework, subject to applicable transition provisions, as of March 31, 2015 and are calculated based on Basel I capital framework as of December 31, 2014.
[2]	Under the Bank’s Operating Agreement with the OCC entered into on January 11, 2013, the Bank must maintain minimum levels of capital (calculated in accordance with U.S. Basel I capital rules) as follows (i) Total risk-based capital of 11.0%; (ii) Tier 1 risk-based capital of 7.0%; and (iii) Tier 1 leverage of 6.0%. The Bank's regulatory capital was in excess of these thresholds at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

Regulatory_and_Capital_Adequac3

Regulatory and Capital Adequacy (OCC Requirements) (Details) (Basel I)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Compliance with Regulatory Capital Requirements under Banking Regulations [Line Items]
Total risk-based capital, minimum for capital adequacy purposes (percent)		8.00%	[1]
Tier 1 risk-based capital, minimum for capital adequacy purposes (percent)		4.00%	[1]
Tier 1 leverage, minimum for capital adequacy purposes (percent)		4.00%	[1]
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency [Member]
Compliance with Regulatory Capital Requirements under Banking Regulations [Line Items]
Total risk-based capital, minimum for capital adequacy purposes (percent)	11.00%	11.00%
Tier 1 risk-based capital, minimum for capital adequacy purposes (percent)	7.00%	7.00%
Tier 1 leverage, minimum for capital adequacy purposes (percent)	6.00%	6.00%
[1]	Under the Bank’s Operating Agreement with the OCC entered into on January 11, 2013, the Bank must maintain minimum levels of capital (calculated in accordance with U.S. Basel I capital rules) as follows (i) Total risk-based capital of 11.0%; (ii) Tier 1 risk-based capital of 7.0%; and (iii) Tier 1 leverage of 6.0%. The Bank's regulatory capital was in excess of these thresholds at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

Earnings_Per_Share_Basic_and_D

Earnings Per Share - Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net earnings	$552	$558
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic (in shares)	834	705
Effect of dilutive securities (in shares)	1	0
Weighted average common shares outstanding, dilutive (in shares)	835	705
Earnings per basic common share (in usd per share)	$0.66	$0.79
Earnings per diluted common share (in usd per share)	$0.66	$0.79

Earnings_Per_Share_Narrative_D

Earnings Per Share - Narrative (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share, amount less than	1,000,000	0

Income_Taxes_Unrecognized_Tax_

Income Taxes - Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Unrecognized tax benefits, excluding related interest expense and penalties	$114		$102
Portion that, if recognized, would reduce tax expense and effective tax rate	75	[1]	68	[1]
Accrued interest on unrecognized tax benefits	1		1
Accrued penalties on unrecognized tax benefits	$0		$0
[1]	Includes gross state and local unrecognized tax benefits net of the effects of associated U.S. federal income taxes. Excludes amounts attributable to any related valuation allowances resulting from associated increases in deferred tax assets.

Related_Party_Transactions_Det

Related Party Transactions (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014		Aug. 05, 2014
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Interest expense	$4,000,000		$47,000,000
General Electric and it's Subsidiaries
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Total expenses for services and funding provided by GECC	86,000,000		172,000,000
Other Expense | Direct costs | General Electric and it's Subsidiaries
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Non-interest expenses	82,000,000	[1]	64,000,000	[1]
Other Expense | Indirect costs | General Electric and it's Subsidiaries
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Non-interest expenses	0	[1]	61,000,000	[1]
Interest Expense | General Electric and it's Subsidiaries
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Interest expense	4,000,000	[2]	47,000,000	[2]
General Electric Capital Corporation [Member] | Unsecured Debt | New GECC Term Loan Facility
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Amounts payable to GECC					$1,500,000,000
[1]	Direct and indirect costs are included in the other expense line items in our Condensed Consolidated and Combined Statements of Earnings.
[2]	Included in interest expense in our Condensed Consolidated and Combined Statements of Earnings.

Legal_Proceedings_and_Regulato1

Legal Proceedings and Regulatory Matters (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
	Jun. 19, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Jan. 17, 2014	Dec. 10, 2013
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of putative class actions		4
CareCredit CFPB Consent Order
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Maximum amount of settlement				$34,100,000
CareCredit CFPB Consent Order | Customer Refund
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Amount of settlement	56,000,000
2014 CFPB Consent Order
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Customer refunds paid	11,000,000
Payment of civil money penalties	3,500,000
2014 CFPB and DOJ Consent Order
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Customer refunds paid	132,000,000
Additional payments, balance credits, and balance waivers	37,000,000
Remediation	204,000,000	35,000,000
Outstanding amount of settlement left to be refunded	72,000,000	32,000,000
Amount of settlement that consists of balance credits and waivers to previously charged-off account	190,000,000
Travaglio et al. v. GE Capital Retail Bank and Allied Interstate LLC
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Damages sought per violation			$1,500