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Segment Information - Summary of Financial Information by Reportable Segment (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Sep. 30, 2012 | Sep. 30, 2011 | Sep. 30, 2012 | Sep. 30, 2011
Revenues: |  |  |  |
Unaffiliated customers | $ 197,162 | $ 25,717 | $ 515,337 | $ 377,195
Total revenues before expenses and reorganization items | 197,162 | 25,717 | 515,337 | 377,195
Pre-tax loss from continuing operations: |  |  |  |
Unaffiliated customers | 158,040 | (498) | (401,899) | (919,270)
Pre-tax income (loss) from continuing operations | 158,040 | (498) | (401,899) | (919,270)
Total assets | 26,947,892 | 27,626,582 | 26,947,892 | 27,626,582
Financial Guarantee [Member] |  |  |  |
Revenues: |  |  |  |
Unaffiliated customers | 230,014 | 232,845 | 587,506 | 610,945
Intersegment | 1,244 | 1,088 | 4,140 | 25,174
Total revenues before expenses and reorganization items | 231,258 | 233,933 | 591,646 | 636,119
Pre-tax loss from continuing operations: |  |  |  |
Unaffiliated customers | 196,302 | 221,612 | (314,598) | (628,260)
Intersegment | 2,530 | (3,660) | 2,845 | 17,971
Pre-tax income (loss) from continuing operations | 198,832 | 217,952 | (311,753) | (610,289)
Total assets | 26,206,822 | 26,349,572 | 26,206,822 | 26,349,572
Financial Services [Member] |  |  |  |
Revenues: |  |  |  |
Unaffiliated customers | (33,021) | (207,190) | (72,451) | (233,961)
Intersegment | (1,197) | (1,022) | (3,986) | (24,963)
Total revenues before expenses and reorganization items | (34,218) | (208,212) | (76,437) | (258,924)
Pre-tax loss from continuing operations: |  |  |  |
Unaffiliated customers | (35,434) | (211,852) | (80,021) | (248,159)
Intersegment | (1,897) | (465) | (3,681) | (22,619)
Pre-tax income (loss) from continuing operations | (37,331) | (212,317) | (83,702) | (270,778)
Total assets | 703,945 | 1,220,087 | 703,945 | 1,220,087
Corporate and Other [Member] |  |  |  |
Revenues: |  |  |  |
Unaffiliated customers | 169 | 62 | 282 | 211
Intersegment |  | 2,883 | 645 | 2,883
Total revenues before expenses and reorganization items | 169 | 2,945 | 927 | 3,094
Pre-tax loss from continuing operations: |  |  |  |
Unaffiliated customers | (2,828) | (10,258) | (7,280) | (42,851)
Intersegment | (633) | 3,955 | 836 | 4,648
Pre-tax income (loss) from continuing operations | (3,461) | (6,303) | (6,444) | (38,203)
Total assets | 37,125 | 56,923 | 37,125 | 56,923
Intersegment Elimination [Member] |  |  |  |
Revenues: |  |  |  |
Intersegment | (47) | (2,949) | (799) | (3,094)
Total revenues before expenses and reorganization items | (47) | (2,949) | (799) | (3,094)
Pre-tax loss from continuing operations: |  |  |  |
Intersegment |  | 170 |  |
Pre-tax income (loss) from continuing operations |  | $ 170 |  |

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- Definition Aggregate revenue from unaffiliated entities earned during the period from providing administrative services to investment managers or funds seeking to outsource all or part of their mutual fund service functions. Examples of such administrative or support services include the following: legal advice, centralized cash management, filing of reports with the SEC and the IRS, registering of fund shares, corresponding with shareholders, and determination of compliance with various restrictions. An affiliate is a party that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the entity. + References No definition available. + Details
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