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Segment Information - Summary of Financial Information by Reportable Segment (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011
Revenues: |  |
Unaffiliated customers | $ 685,689 | $ 295,764
Total revenues before expenses and reorganization items | 685,689 | 295,764
Pre-tax loss from continuing operations: |  |
Unaffiliated customers | (256,505) | (1,882,949)
Pre-tax loss from continuing operations | (256,505) | (1,882,949)
Total assets | 27,007,164 | 27,113,695
National Public Finance Guarantee Corporation [Member] |  |
Revenues: |  |
Unaffiliated customers | 758,331 | 546,525
Intersegment | 5,189 | 26,481
Total revenues before expenses and reorganization items | 763,520 | 573,006
Pre-tax loss from continuing operations: |  |
Unaffiliated customers | (166,761) | (1,558,768)
Intersegment | 580 | 13,041
Pre-tax loss from continuing operations | (166,181) | (1,545,727)
Total assets | 26,519,480 | 25,935,817
Financial Services [Member] |  |
Revenues: |  |
Unaffiliated customers | (72,977) | (251,044)
Intersegment | (4,992) | (26,205)
Total revenues before expenses and reorganization items | (77,969) | (277,249)
Pre-tax loss from continuing operations: |  |
Unaffiliated customers | (83,015) | (269,580)
Intersegment | (5,775) | (23,397)
Pre-tax loss from continuing operations | (88,790) | (292,977)
Total assets | 455,427 | 1,133,438
Corporate and Other [Member] |  |
Revenues: |  |
Unaffiliated customers | 335 | 283
Intersegment | 645 | 7,386
Total revenues before expenses and reorganization items | 980 | 7,669
Pre-tax loss from continuing operations: |  |
Unaffiliated customers | (6,729) | (54,601)
Intersegment | (5,195) | 10,356
Pre-tax loss from continuing operations | (1,534) | (44,245)
Total assets | 32,257 | 44,440
Intersegment Elimination [Member] |  |
Revenues: |  |
Intersegment | (842) | (7,662)
Total revenues before expenses and reorganization items | $ (842) | $ (7,662)

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- Definition Sum of operating profit and nonoperating income or expense before Income or Loss from equity method investments, income taxes, extraordinary items, and noncontrolling interest. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(h)(1)(i)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6881521&loc=d3e23780-122690 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 08 -Paragraph h -Subparagraph 1(i) -Article 4 + Details
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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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- Definition Aggregate revenue recognized during the period (derived from goods sold, services rendered, insurance premiums, or other activities that constitute an entity's earning process). For financial services companies, also includes investment and interest income, and sales and trading gains. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 225 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 1 -Article 5 + Details
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- Definition Amount of revenue from transactions with other operating segments of the same entity. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 131 -Paragraph 27 -Subparagraph b -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. + Details
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