Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Borrowings and Deposits - Junior Subordinated Notes (Details)

v2.4.0.6
Borrowings and Deposits - Junior Subordinated Notes (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Dec. 31, 2012
trust
Dec. 31, 2011
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Number of trusts that Issue Preferred Securities 6  
Junior Subordinated Notes $ 3,809 $ 3,789
ML Preferred Capital Trust III [Member]
    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Annual Distribution Rate 7.00%  
ML Preferred Capital Trust IV [Member]
    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Annual Distribution Rate 7.12%  
ML Preferred Capital Trust V [Member]
    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Annual Distribution Rate 7.28%  
ML Capital Trust I [Member]
    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Annual Distribution Rate 6.45% [1]  
ML Capital Trust II [Member]
    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Annual Distribution Rate 6.45% [2]  
ML Capital Trust III [Member]
    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Annual Distribution Rate 7.375% [3]  
Trust Securities [Member]
    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Investments 25  
Long-term Debt, Gross 4,750 [4]  
Trust Securities [Member] | ML Preferred Capital Trust III [Member]
    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Long-term Debt, Gross 750 [4]  
Trust Securities [Member] | ML Preferred Capital Trust IV [Member]
    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Long-term Debt, Gross 400 [4]  
Trust Securities [Member] | ML Preferred Capital Trust V [Member]
    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Long-term Debt, Gross 850 [4]  
Trust Securities [Member] | ML Capital Trust I [Member]
    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Long-term Debt, Gross 1,050 [1],[4]  
Trust Securities [Member] | ML Capital Trust II [Member]
    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Long-term Debt, Gross 950 [2],[4]  
Trust Securities [Member] | ML Capital Trust III [Member]
    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Long-term Debt, Gross 750 [3],[4]  
Notes Payable [Member]
    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Debt Instrument, Face Amount 5,154  
Notes Payable [Member] | ML Preferred Capital Trust III [Member]
    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Debt Instrument, Face Amount 900  
Junior Subordinated Notes 659  
Notes Payable [Member] | ML Preferred Capital Trust IV [Member]
    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Debt Instrument, Face Amount 480  
Junior Subordinated Notes 349  
Notes Payable [Member] | ML Preferred Capital Trust V [Member]
    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Debt Instrument, Face Amount 1,021  
Junior Subordinated Notes 762  
Notes Payable [Member] | ML Capital Trust I [Member]
    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Debt Instrument, Face Amount 1,051 [1]  
Junior Subordinated Notes 580 [1]  
Notes Payable [Member] | ML Capital Trust II [Member]
    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Debt Instrument, Face Amount 951 [2]  
Junior Subordinated Notes 907 [2]  
Notes Payable [Member] | ML Capital Trust III [Member]
    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Debt Instrument, Face Amount 751 [3]  
Junior Subordinated Notes $ 552 [3]  
[1] Merrill Lynch has the option to extend the maturity of the junior subordinated note until December, 2086.
[2] Merrill Lynch has the option to extend the maturity of the junior subordinated note until June, 2087.
[3] Merrill Lynch has the option to extend the maturity of the junior subordinated note until September, 2087.
[4] Includes related investments of $25 million.