Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items] Accrued Liabilities Accrued expenses and other liabilities Net unrealized loss on cash flow hedging instruments Accumulated other comprehensive income Ending Balance Beginning Balance Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Axis] Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] Estimated Useful Life (In Years) Acquired Technology [Member] Technology Acquisition related costs, after tax, incurred by the Company and included in proforma net income for the prior period and excluded from proforma net income in the current period. Acquisition related costs, after tax, incurred by the Company and included in proforma net income for the prior period and excluded from proforma net income in the current period Additional paid-in capital Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Aging analysis by loan class in tabular format. Delinquency Aging Analysis by Loan Class Agreement Entry Date Settlement agreement date Changes in the Allowance for Loan Losses Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses, Provision for Loss, Gross Provision for loan losses Charge-offs Charge-offs Alt-A Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] Alt-A residential mortgage backed securities Net Capital in Excess of Required Net Capital Amendment Flag Intangible asset, amortization expense Amortization of purchase accounting adjustments related to the intangible assets of optionsXpress Holdings, Inc., net of tax Amortization of purchase accounting adjustments related to intangible assets of optionsXpress Holdings, Inc., net of tax Antidilutive stock options and restricted stock awards excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS Asset Backed and Other Securities [Member] Asset-backed and other securities Asset-backed securities Total assets Total assets Assets [Abstract] Assets Total Total Available-for-sale Securities Securities available for sale Securities available for sale Securities available for sale Amortized Cost Securities available for sale Amortized Cost Securities available for sale After 5 years through 10 years amortized cost Securities available for sale fair value After 5 years through 10 years Securities available for sale After 1 year through 5 years amortized cost Securities available for sale fair value After 1 year through 5 years Securities available for sale After 10 years amortized cost Securities available for sale fair value After 10 years Securities available for sale Within 1 year amortized cost Securities available for sale fair value Within 1 year Gross realized gains Gross realized losses Securities available for sale Gross Unrealized Gains Securities available for sale Gross Unrealized Losses Available-for-sale, Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Qualitative Disclosure, Number of Positions Number of investment positions with Unrealized Losses Securities available for sale Branch Offices Domestic branch offices Business Acquisition, Acquiree [Domain] Business Acquisition [Axis] Number of shares of the Company's common stock issued as a result of the aquistion of optionsXpress Holdings, Inc. Business acquisition, common stock issued share Business Acquisition, Cost of Acquired Entity, Consideration Paid Business acquisition, consideration paid Total consideration paid Fair value of common stock issued Fair value of equity awards assumed Fair value of stock-based compensation awards assumed from the acquisition Business Acquisition [Line Items] The fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, net, in the acquisition of optionsXpress. This amount does not include goodwill arising from the business combination. Fair value of net assets acquired Net assets acquired Basic EPS Diluted EPS Pro Forma Results of Operations Business acquisition, preliminary intangible assets Estimated Fair Value Intangible assets Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Assets [Abstract] Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Assets [Abstract] Assets Total assets acquired Total assets acquired The amount of acquisition cost of a business combination allocated to receivables from brokers, dealers, and clearing organizations. Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Assets, Receivables from Brokers Dealers and Clearing Organizations Receivables from brokers, dealers, and clearing organizations Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Current Assets, Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents Other securities owned Receivables from brokerage clients Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Current Assets, Restricted Cash Cash and investments segregated and on deposit for regulatory purposes Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Current Liabilities, Accounts Payable Payables to brokerage clients Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Deferred Income Tax Liabilities Deferred tax liability Preliminary goodwill Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Liabilities [Abstract] Liabilities Total liabilities assumed Total liabilities assumed Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Noncurrent Liabilities, Long-term Debt Long-term debt Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Other Assets Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Other Assets Other assets Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Other Liabilities and Accrued Expenses Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Other Liabilities and Accrued Expenses Accrued expenses and other liabilities Business Acquisition, Share Exchange Ratio Common shares issued per each share of acquiree Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Net Income (Loss) Net income Net revenues Business Combination, Acquisition Related Costs, Before Tax, Incurred by optionsXpress Holdings, Inc, Excluded From Proforma Net Income. Acquisition related costs, before tax, incurred by optionsXpress Holdings, Inc., prior to the acquisition date and excluded from proforma net income Acquisition related costs, after tax, incurred by the Company and excluded from proforma net income. Acquisition related costs, after tax, incurred by the Company and excluded from proforma net income Net loss, acquiree Net revenue, acquiree Capital Actual Amount Total Risk-Based Capital Capital Required for Capital Adequacy Minimum Capital Requirement Amount Capital Required for Capital Adequacy to Risk Weighted Assets Minimum Capital Requirement Ratio Capital Required to be Well Capitalized Minimum to be Well Capitalized Amount Capital Required to be Well Capitalized to Risk Weighted Assets Minimum to be Well Capitalized Ratio Capital to Risk Weighted Assets Actual Ratio Carrying Amount Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period Cash and cash equivalents Cash equivalents Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and investments segregated and on deposit for regulatory purposes (including resale agreements of $16,862 at September 30, 2011 and $12,697 at December 31, 2010) Non-cash investing activities: Cash Paid During Period For [Abstract] Cash paid during the period for: Certificates of deposit Collateral Requirements [Member] Collateral Requirements Minimum fair value percentage of collateral to ensure adequate collateralization of the principal amount of personal loans secured by securities. Minimum fair value percentage of collateral to principal amount of loan Commercial paper Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Table] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Table] Commitments and Contingent Liabilities Common stock, par value Common stock, shares authorized Common stock, shares issued Common stock - 3 billion shares authorized; $.01 par value per share; 1,487,543,446 shares issued at September 30, 2011 and 1,428,604,522 shares issued at December 31, 2010 Communications Compliance with Regulatory Capital Requirements for Mortgage Companies [Line Items] Compliance with Regulatory Capital Requirements under Banking Regulations [Line Items] The components of comprehensive income and the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Comprehensive Income and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Comprehensive income Comprehensive income Net Capital and Net Capital Requirements for Schwab and optionsXpress, Inc. Personal loans secured by securities Corporate debt securities Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings Balance at end of period Balance at beginning of period Current Fiscal Year End Date Customer Relationships Deposits from banking clients Depreciation and amortization Description of Net Capital Requirements under Alternative Method Permitted by Uniform Net Capital Rule Net capital under the alternative method permitted by the Uniform Net Capital Rule Description of Net Capital Requirements under Commodity Exchange Act Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss) Balances [Abstract] Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss) Balances [Abstract] Disclosure - Amortized Cost, Gross Unrealized Gains and Losses, and Fair Value of Securities Available for Sale and Securities Held to Maturity [Abstract] Disclosure - Amortized Cost, Gross Unrealized Gains and Losses, and Fair Value of Securities Available for Sale and Securities Held to Maturity [Abstract] Disclosure - Business Acquisition - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Business Acquisition - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill as Allocated to Reportable Segments [Abstract] Disclosure - Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill as Allocated to Reportable Segments [Abstract] Disclosure - Changes in the Allowance for Loan Losses [Abstract] Disclosure - Changes in the Allowance for Loan Losses [Abstract] Disclosure - Commitments and Contingent Liabilities - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Commitments and Contingent Liabilities - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Components of Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Disclosure - Components of Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Disclosure - Composition of Loans to Banking Clients [Abstract] Disclosure - Composition of Loans to Banking Clients [Abstract] Disclosure - Condensed Statement of Net Assets Acquired [Abstract] Disclosure - Condensed Statement of Net Assets Acquired [Abstract] Disclosure - Credit Quality of Residential Real Estate Mortgages and HELOCs by Reviewing FICO Scores at Origination, Current FICO Scores, Loan-To-Value Ratio [Abstract] Disclosure - Credit Quality of Residential Real Estate Mortgages and HELOCs by Reviewing FICO Scores at Origination, Current FICO Scores, Loan-To-Value Ratio [Abstract] Disclosure - Delinquency Aging Analysis by Loan Class [Abstract] Disclosure - Delinquency Aging Analysis by Loan Class [Abstract] Disclosure - EPS under Basic and Diluted Computations [Abstract] Disclosure - EPS under Basic and Diluted Computations [Abstract] Disclosure - Estimated Future Annual Amortization Expense for Intangible Assets [Abstract] Disclosure - Estimated Future Annual Amortization Expense for Intangible Assets [Abstract] Disclosure - Fair Value Estimates for Financial Instruments Excluding Short Term Financial Assets and Liabilities and Financial Instruments Recorded at Fair Value [Abstract] Disclosure - Fair Value Estimates for Financial Instruments Excluding Short Term Financial Assets and Liabilities and Financial Instruments Recorded at Fair Value [Abstract] Disclosure - Fair Value Hierarchy for Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value [Abstract] Disclosure - Fair Value Hierarchy for Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value [Abstract] Disclosure - Financial Information for the Company's Reportable Segments [Abstract] Disclosure - Financial Information for the Company's Reportable Segments [Abstract] Disclosure - Gross Carrying Value of Intangible Assets and Accumulated Amortization [Abstract] Disclosure - Gross Carrying Value of Intangible Assets and Accumulated Amortization [Abstract] Disclosure - Intangible Assets and Goodwill - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Intangible Assets and Goodwill - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Introduction and Basis of Presentation - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Introduction and Basis of Presentation - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Loans to Banking Clients and Related Allowance for Loan Losses - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Loans to Banking Clients and Related Allowance for Loan Losses - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Maturities of Securities Available for Sale and Securities Held to Maturity [Abstract] Disclosure - Maturities of Securities Available for Sale and Securities Held to Maturity [Abstract] Disclosure - Net Capital and Net Capital Requirements for Schwab and optionsXpress, Inc [Abstract] Disclosure - Net Capital and Net Capital Requirements for Schwab and optionsXpress, Inc [Abstract] Disclosure - Proceeds and Gross Realized Gains (Losses) from Sales of Securities Available for Sale [Abstract] Disclosure - Proceeds and Gross Realized Gains (Losses) from Sales of Securities Available for Sale [Abstract] Disclosure - Pro Forma Results of Operations [Abstract] Disclosure - Pro Forma Results of Operations [Abstract] Disclosure - Regulatory Capital and Ratios [Abstract] Disclosure - Regulatory Capital and Ratios [Abstract] Disclosure - Regulatory Requirements - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Regulatory Requirements - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Rollforward Amount of Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings for OTTI Securities Held by Company for Portion of Impairment Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Disclosure - Rollforward Amount of Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings for OTTI Securities Held by Company for Portion of Impairment Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Disclosure - Securities Available for Sale and Securities Held to Maturity - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Securities Available for Sale and Securities Held to Maturity - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Securities with Unrealized Losses, Aggregated by Category and Period of Continuous Unrealized Loss [Abstract] Disclosure - Securities with Unrealized Losses, Aggregated by Category and Period of Continuous Unrealized Loss [Abstract] Disclosure - Summary of Estimated Fair Value and Useful Lives of Intangible Assets [Abstract] Disclosure - Summary of Estimated Fair Value and Useful Lives of Intangible Assets [Abstract] Disclosure - Summary of Preliminary Allocation of Purchase Price to Net Assets of optionsXpress [Abstract] Disclosure - Summary of Preliminary Allocation of Purchase Price to Net Assets of optionsXpress [Abstract] Document - Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Document - Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Period End Date Document Type Earnings Per Share - Basic Basic EPS Earnings Per Share - Diluted Diluted EPS Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items] Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items] Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Table] Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Table] Earnings Per Share Entity Central Index Key Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity [Domain] Entity Filer Category Entity Registrant Name Equity And Bond Mutual Funds [Member] Equity and bond mutual funds Equity Component [Domain] Equity US Government And Corporate Debt And Other Securities [Member] Equity, U.S. Government and corporate debt, and other securities Fair Value Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Table] Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping, Disclosure Item Amounts [Axis] Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping [Table] Fair Value Estimates for Financial Instruments Excluding Short Term Financial Assets and Liabilities and Financial Instruments Recorded at Fair Value Fair Value, Hierarchy [Axis] Fair Value by Measurement Frequency [Axis] Fair Value, Disclosure Item Amounts [Domain] Fair Values of Assets and Liabilities Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Fair Value, Measurement Frequency [Domain] Fair Value, Measurements, Fair Value Hierarchy [Domain] Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring Fair Value, Option, Eligible Item or Group [Domain] Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures, by Eligible Item or Group [Axis] Maximum fee application by plaintiff's counsel. Fee application by plaintiff's counsel Asset management and administration fees Financial Assets: Assets Financial Liabilities: Liabilities Other securities owned - at fair value Other securities owned Financing Receivable Allowance [Domain] Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items] Credit Quality of Residential Real Estate Mortgages and HELOCs by Reviewing FICO Scores at Origination, Current FICO Scores, Loan-To-Value Ratio Financing Receivable Information by Portfolio Segment [Axis] Loans accruing interest contractually 90 days or more past due Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, by Class of Financing Receivable [Axis] Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Class of Financing Receivable [Domain] Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]