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Common and Preferred Shares and Warrants (Details Textuals) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2011 | Dec. 31, 2010 | Dec. 31, 2009
Component of Operating Other Cost and Expense [Line Items] |  |  |
Preferred shares |  |  | $ 20
Common shares repurchased | 48 | 14 |
Cost basis of treasury stock | 2,300.0 | 590.0 | 0
Cost basis of treasury stock | 217 | 219 | 235
Common And Preferred Shares And Warrants (Textuals) [Abstract] |  |  |
Common shares remaining under share repurchase authorizations | 38 |  |
Shares held as treasury shares | 4.2 | 4.7 | 5.0
Preferred shares, authorized | 20 |  |
Preferred shares, par value | 1.66 |  |
Issuance of American Express Series A preferred shares and warrants | 0 | 0 | 3,389
Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Shares Series A issued |  |  | 3.39
Fixed rate of Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Shares Series A |  |  | 5.00%
Common shares purchased related to a ten year warrant |  |  | 24
Exercise price of common shares purchased |  |  | $ 20.95
Repurchase of American Express Series A preferred shares | 0 | 0 | 3,389
Reduction to earnings per share (EPS) attributable to common shareholders |  |  | $ 0.18
Repurchase of warrants | 0 | 0 | 340
Accelerated Accretion Expense [Member] |  |  |
Component of Operating Other Cost and Expense [Line Items] |  |  |
Preferred shares |  |  | 212
Commissions Paid [Member] |  |  |
Component of Operating Other Cost and Expense [Line Items] |  |  |
Cost basis of treasury stock | $ 1.0 | $ 0.2 |

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- Definition The aggregate amount paid by the entity to reacquire the right to purchase equity shares at a predetermined price, usually issued together with corporate debt. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 15 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3291-108585 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 18 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 20 -Subparagraph a -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Financing Activities -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6513228 + Details
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