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Fair Value Measurements - Information about Valuation Inputs for Variable Interest Entity Assets and Liabilities Classified as Level 3 (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 9 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 4 Months Ended |  | 4 Months Ended |  | 4 Months Ended |  | 4 Months Ended |  | 3 Months Ended | 5 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended |  |  |  | 3 Months Ended | 5 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended |  |  |  | 3 Months Ended | 5 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended |  |  |  | 3 Months Ended | 5 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended |  |  |  | 4 Months Ended |  | 3 Months Ended | 5 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended |  |  |  | 4 Months Ended |  | 3 Months Ended | 5 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended |  |  |  | 4 Months Ended |  | 3 Months Ended | 5 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended |  |  |
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Sep. 30, 2014 Successor Ambac [Member] European ABS Transactions [Member] | Dec. 31, 2013 Successor Ambac [Member] European ABS Transactions [Member] | Sep. 30, 2014 Successor Ambac [Member] US Commercial ABS Transaction [Member] | Dec. 31, 2013 Successor Ambac [Member] US Commercial ABS Transaction [Member] | Apr. 30, 2013 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Predecessor [Member] | Dec. 31, 2012 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Predecessor [Member] | Apr. 30, 2013 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Predecessor [Member] Investments [Member] | Dec. 31, 2012 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Predecessor [Member] Investments [Member] | Apr. 30, 2013 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Predecessor [Member] Other Assets [Member] | Dec. 31, 2012 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Predecessor [Member] Other Assets [Member] | Apr. 30, 2013 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Predecessor [Member] Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities [Member] | Dec. 31, 2012 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Predecessor [Member] Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities [Member] | Sep. 30, 2014 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Successor Ambac [Member] | Sep. 30, 2013 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Successor Ambac [Member] | Sep. 30, 2013 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Successor Ambac [Member] | Sep. 30, 2014 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Successor Ambac [Member] | Jun. 30, 2014 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Successor Ambac [Member] | Dec. 31, 2013 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Successor Ambac [Member] | Jun. 30, 2013 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Successor Ambac [Member] | Sep. 30, 2014 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Successor Ambac [Member] Investments [Member] | Sep. 30, 2013 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Successor Ambac [Member] Investments [Member] | Sep. 30, 2013 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Successor Ambac [Member] Investments [Member] | Sep. 30, 2014 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Successor Ambac [Member] Investments [Member] | Jun. 30, 2014 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Successor Ambac [Member] Investments [Member] | Dec. 31, 2013 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Successor Ambac [Member] Investments [Member] | Jun. 30, 2013 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Successor Ambac [Member] Investments [Member] | Sep. 30, 2014 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Successor Ambac [Member] Other Assets [Member] | Sep. 30, 2013 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Successor Ambac [Member] Other Assets [Member] | Sep. 30, 2013 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Successor Ambac [Member] Other Assets [Member] | Sep. 30, 2014 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Successor Ambac [Member] Other Assets [Member] | Jun. 30, 2014 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Successor Ambac [Member] Other Assets [Member] | Dec. 31, 2013 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Successor Ambac [Member] Other Assets [Member] | Jun. 30, 2013 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Successor Ambac [Member] Other Assets [Member] | Sep. 30, 2014 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Successor Ambac [Member] Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities [Member] | Sep. 30, 2013 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Successor Ambac [Member] Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities [Member] | Sep. 30, 2013 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Successor Ambac [Member] Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities [Member] | Sep. 30, 2014 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Successor Ambac [Member] Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities [Member] | Jun. 30, 2014 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Successor Ambac [Member] Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities [Member] | Dec. 31, 2013 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Successor Ambac [Member] Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities [Member] | Jun. 30, 2013 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Successor Ambac [Member] Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities [Member] | Apr. 30, 2013 Loan Origination Commitments [Member] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Predecessor [Member] | Dec. 31, 2012 Loan Origination Commitments [Member] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Predecessor [Member] | Sep. 30, 2014 Loan Origination Commitments [Member] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Successor Ambac [Member] | Sep. 30, 2013 Loan Origination Commitments [Member] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Successor Ambac [Member] | Sep. 30, 2013 Loan Origination Commitments [Member] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Successor Ambac [Member] | Sep. 30, 2014 Loan Origination Commitments [Member] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Successor Ambac [Member] | Jun. 30, 2014 Loan Origination Commitments [Member] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Successor Ambac [Member] | Dec. 31, 2013 Loan Origination Commitments [Member] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Successor Ambac [Member] | Jun. 30, 2013 Loan Origination Commitments [Member] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Successor Ambac [Member] | Apr. 30, 2013 Long-term Debt [Member] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Predecessor [Member] | Dec. 31, 2012 Long-term Debt [Member] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Predecessor [Member] | Sep. 30, 2014 Long-term Debt [Member] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Successor Ambac [Member] | Sep. 30, 2013 Long-term Debt [Member] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Successor Ambac [Member] | Sep. 30, 2013 Long-term Debt [Member] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Successor Ambac [Member] | Sep. 30, 2014 Long-term Debt [Member] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Successor Ambac [Member] | Jun. 30, 2014 Long-term Debt [Member] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Successor Ambac [Member] | Dec. 31, 2013 Long-term Debt [Member] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Successor Ambac [Member] | Jun. 30, 2013 Long-term Debt [Member] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Successor Ambac [Member] | Apr. 30, 2013 Investment Contracts [Member] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Predecessor [Member] | Dec. 31, 2012 Investment Contracts [Member] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Predecessor [Member] | Sep. 30, 2014 Investment Contracts [Member] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Successor Ambac [Member] | Sep. 30, 2013 Investment Contracts [Member] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Successor Ambac [Member] | Sep. 30, 2013 Investment Contracts [Member] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Successor Ambac [Member] | Sep. 30, 2014 Investment Contracts [Member] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Successor Ambac [Member] | Jun. 30, 2014 Investment Contracts [Member] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Successor Ambac [Member] | Dec. 31, 2013 Investment Contracts [Member] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Successor Ambac [Member] | Jun. 30, 2013 Investment Contracts [Member] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Successor Ambac [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Or Liability |  |  |  |  | $ 15,170,359 | $ 14,416,488 | $ 69,412 | $ 60,402 | $ 14,061 | $ 14,557 | $ (415,360) | $ (322,337) | $ 13,725,623 | $ 15,341,277 | $ 15,341,277 | $ 13,725,623 | $ 14,917,043 | $ 14,253,705 | $ 14,231,973 | $ 62,660 | $ 71,071 | $ 71,071 | $ 62,660 | $ 66,352 | $ 67,783 | $ 68,572 | $ 12,401 | $ 13,671 | $ 13,671 | $ 12,401 | $ 12,782 | $ 13,384 | $ 13,884 | $ (215,902) | $ (305,674) | $ (305,674) | $ (215,902) | $ (218,661) | $ (186,934) | $ (340,663) | $ 14,752,053 | $ 15,359,073 | $ 12,503,484 | $ 14,762,446 | $ 14,762,446 | $ 12,503,484 | $ 13,743,231 | $ 13,398,895 | $ 13,820,878 | $ (1,750,372) | $ (2,956,501) | $ (1,288,703) | $ (1,624,151) | $ (1,624,151) | $ (1,288,703) | $ (1,375,049) | $ (1,514,605) | $ (1,573,687) | $ 2,500,565 | $ 2,261,294 | $ 2,651,683 | $ 2,423,914 | $ 2,423,914 | $ 2,651,683 | $ 2,688,388 | $ 2,475,182 | $ 2,242,989
Coupon rate | 0.33% | 0.72% | 5.88% | 6.11% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Maturity | 21 years 5 months 23 days | 17 years 9 months 40 days | 15 years 10 months 18 days | 6 years 9 months 28 days |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Yield | 9.42% | 8.02% | 7.36% | 11.95% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Or Liability Additions Of Consolidated Vies |  |  |  |  | (409,300) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (409,300) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Or Liability Gain Loss Included In Earnings |  |  |  |  | (1,057,181) |  | 33 |  | 496 |  | 88,546 |  | (301,522) | (291,195) | 429,751 | (666,194) |  |  |  | (835) | (467) | (863) | (1,676) |  |  |  | 381 | 213 | 390 | 983 |  |  |  | (3,885) | (37,126) | (107,253) | 36,323 |  |  |  | (956,402) |  | (209,028) | (195,305) | 391,336 | (735,597) |  |  |  | 138,914 |  | 16,961 | (21,816) | (26,163) | 268,951 |  |  |  | (328,768) |  | (105,116) | (36,694) | 172,304 | (235,178) |  |  |
Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Or Liability Gain Loss Included In Other Comprehensive Income Loss |  |  |  |  | 776,014 |  | (12,329) |  |  |  |  |  | 758,705 | (916,364) | (613,641) | 305,933 |  |  |  | 254 | (5,951) | (6,013) | 595 |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  |  | 849,833 |  | 678,944 | (842,715) | (560,294) | 270,727 |  |  |  | (150,987) |  | (62,314) | 76,533 | 48,319 | (24,066) |  |  |  | 89,497 |  | 141,821 | (144,231) | (95,653) | 58,677 |  |  |
Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Or Liability Purchases |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 | (70,000) |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 | (70,000) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  |
Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Or Liability Issues |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 | 0 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  |
Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Or Liability Sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (3,388) |  | 0 | (3,388) |  |  |  | (3,388) |  | 0 | (3,388) |  |  |  |  | 0 | 0 |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  |
Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Or Liability Settlements |  |  |  |  | (716,488) |  | (3,286) |  |  |  | (4,477) |  | (70,951) | (102,781) | 157,369 | (294,849) |  |  |  | (885) | (4,192) | 5,490 | (2,608) |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  |  | (1,126) | (2,137) | (2,433) | 7,355 |  |  |  | (713,589) |  | (73,042) | (96,452) | 158,565 | (733,492) |  |  |  | 4,864 |  | 4,102 | 0 | (4,253) | 433,896 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  |
Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Or Liability Transfers Into Level Three |  |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 | 4,526 | (220,649) | 0 |  |  |  | 0 | 273 | 273 | 0 |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 | 0 |  |  |  |  | 0 |  |  | 4,253 | (220,922) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  |
Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Or Liability Transfers Out Of Level Three |  |  |  |  | 1,598,492 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (659,898) |  | (365,046) | (660,106) |  |  |  |  |  | 0 | (208) |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  |  |  |  | (696,789) |  | 0 | (696,789) |  |  |  | 1,598,492 |  | 36,891 |  | (365,046) | 36,891 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  |
Fair Value Asset Or Liability Measured On Recurring Basis Change In Unrealized Gains Losses Still Held |  |  |  |  | $ 1,053,758 |  |  |  | $ (496) |  | $ (92,002) |  | $ 307,213 | $ 286,586 | $ (472,358) | $ 666,198 |  |  |  |  | $ 0 | $ 0 |  |  |  |  | $ (381) | $ (213) | $ (390) | $ (983) |  |  |  | $ 3,229 | $ 32,984 | $ 65,509 | $ (39,830) |  |  |  | $ 956,402 |  | $ 215,296 | $ 195,305 | $ (391,336) | $ 736,732 |  |  |  | $ (138,914) |  | $ (16,047) | $ 21,816 | $ 26,163 | $ (264,899) |  |  |  | $ 328,768 |  | $ 105,116 | $ 36,694 | $ (172,304) | $ 235,178 |  |  |

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- Definition The amount of gains or losses included in earnings attributable to unrealized gains or losses on financial instruments measured on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs that are still held at the reporting date. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Fair value inputs coupon rate. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Fair value inputs maturity. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Fair value inputs yield. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Fair value measurement with unobservable inputs reconciliation recurring basis asset or liability. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Fair value of financial instruments measured on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs added as a result of new consolidated variable interest entities. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Amount of gain or loss included in earnings arising from financial instruments measured on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Amount of gain or loss included in other comprehensive income arising from financial instruments measured on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Amount of issuances related to financial instruments measured on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Amount of purchases of financial instruments measured on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Amount of sales of financial instruments measured on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Amount of settlements related to financial instruments measured on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Amount of change in fair value of financial instruments measured on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs arising from transfers into level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Amount of change in fair value of financial instruments measured on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs arising from transfers out of level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. + References No definition available. + Details
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