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Derivative Instruments - Summary of Notional for VIE Derivatives Outstanding (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | Sep. 30, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012
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Schedule Of Loans And Allowance For Loan By Class Individually And Collectively Evaluated For Impairment [Line Items] |  |
Derivative products, Notional Amount | $ 5,207,364 | $ 11,281,777
Derivative products, Notional Amount | 202,653 | 213,585
Successor Ambac [Member] |  |
Schedule Of Loans And Allowance For Loan By Class Individually And Collectively Evaluated For Impairment [Line Items] |  |
Derivative products, Notional Amount | 5,207,364 |
Successor Ambac [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member] |  |
Schedule Of Loans And Allowance For Loan By Class Individually And Collectively Evaluated For Impairment [Line Items] |  |
Derivative products, Notional Amount | 1,776,084 |
Successor Ambac [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps-Pay-Fixed/Receive-Variable [Member] |  |
Schedule Of Loans And Allowance For Loan By Class Individually And Collectively Evaluated For Impairment [Line Items] |  |
Derivative products, Notional Amount | 4,635,242 |
Successor Ambac [Member] | Currency Swaps [Member] |  |
Schedule Of Loans And Allowance For Loan By Class Individually And Collectively Evaluated For Impairment [Line Items] |  |
Derivative products, Notional Amount | 752,510 |
Successor Ambac [Member] | Credit Derivatives [Member] |  |
Schedule Of Loans And Allowance For Loan By Class Individually And Collectively Evaluated For Impairment [Line Items] |  |
Derivative products, Notional Amount | 19,665 |
Predecessor Ambac [Member] |  |
Schedule Of Loans And Allowance For Loan By Class Individually And Collectively Evaluated For Impairment [Line Items] |  |
Derivative products, Notional Amount |  | 11,281,777
Predecessor Ambac [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member] |  |
Schedule Of Loans And Allowance For Loan By Class Individually And Collectively Evaluated For Impairment [Line Items] |  |
Derivative products, Notional Amount |  | 1,782,999
Predecessor Ambac [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps-Pay-Fixed/Receive-Variable [Member] |  |
Schedule Of Loans And Allowance For Loan By Class Individually And Collectively Evaluated For Impairment [Line Items] |  |
Derivative products, Notional Amount |  | 4,707,454
Predecessor Ambac [Member] | Currency Swaps [Member] |  |
Schedule Of Loans And Allowance For Loan By Class Individually And Collectively Evaluated For Impairment [Line Items] |  |
Derivative products, Notional Amount |  | 755,438
Predecessor Ambac [Member] | Credit Derivatives [Member] |  |
Schedule Of Loans And Allowance For Loan By Class Individually And Collectively Evaluated For Impairment [Line Items] |  |
Derivative products, Notional Amount |  | $ 20,885

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- Definition Aggregate notional amount specified by the derivative(s). Expressed as an absolute value. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Article 12 -Section 13 -Sentence Column B + Details
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- Definition Fair value before effects of master netting arrangements, of a financial liability or contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 20 -Section 55 -Paragraph 7 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28370219&loc=SL20226000-175313 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=20225523&loc=SL20225862-175312 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4B -Subparagraph (a),(c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5624163-113959 + Details
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