Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Employee Benefit Plans - Narrative (Details)

v2.4.1.9
Employee Benefit Plans - Narrative (Details) (USD $)
Share data in Millions, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Service period to become vested 3 years    
Threshold of highest consecutive paid years 5 years    
Threshold of years of employment 10 years    
Increase from change in mortality assumption $ 580,000,000bac_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligationIncreaseDecreaseFromChangeinMortalityAssumption    
Increase from change in weighted average discount rates 1,900,000,000bac_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligationIncreaseDecreaseFromChangeinWeightedAverageDiscountRates    
Percentage of prior years market gains (losses) recognized at next measurement date 60.00%bac_DefinedBenefitPlansPercentageofPriorYearsMarketGainsLossesRecognizedatNextMeasurementDate    
Percentage of prior years market gains (losses) recognized equally over 4 year period 40.00%bac_DefinedBenefitPlansPercentageofPriorYearsMarketGainsLossesRecognizedEquallyOverFourYearPeriod    
Defined Contribution Plan:      
Cost recognized 1,000,000,000us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanCostRecognized 1,100,000,000us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanCostRecognized 886,000,000us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanCostRecognized
Number of common stock shares held in plan 238bac_DefinedContributionPlanNumberofCommonStockSharesHeldinPlan 235bac_DefinedContributionPlanNumberofCommonStockSharesHeldinPlan  
Dividend payments to the plan 29,000,000bac_DefinedContributionPlanDividendPaymentstothePlan 10,000,000bac_DefinedContributionPlanDividendPaymentstothePlan 10,000,000bac_DefinedContributionPlanDividendPaymentstothePlan
Non-U.S. Pension Plans      
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Plan amendments 1,000,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanPlanAmendments
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2,000,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanPlanAmendments
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
 
Expected return on plan assets 5.52%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
5.50%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
6.65%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Estimated future employer contributions in next fiscal year 56,000,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansEstimatedFutureEmployerContributionsInNextFiscalYear
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
   
Nonqualified and Other Pension Plans      
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Plan amendments 0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanPlanAmendments
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= bac_NonqualifiedAndOtherPensionPlansMember
0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanPlanAmendments
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= bac_NonqualifiedAndOtherPensionPlansMember
 
Expected return on plan assets 4.60%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= bac_NonqualifiedAndOtherPensionPlansMember
3.75%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= bac_NonqualifiedAndOtherPensionPlansMember
5.25%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= bac_NonqualifiedAndOtherPensionPlansMember
Estimated future employer contributions in next fiscal year 101,000,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansEstimatedFutureEmployerContributionsInNextFiscalYear
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= bac_NonqualifiedAndOtherPensionPlansMember
   
Postretirement Health and Life Plans      
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Plan amendments 0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanPlanAmendments
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= bac_PostretirementHealthCoverageandLifeInsuranceMember
0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanPlanAmendments
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= bac_PostretirementHealthCoverageandLifeInsuranceMember
 
Expected return on plan assets 6.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= bac_PostretirementHealthCoverageandLifeInsuranceMember
6.50%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= bac_PostretirementHealthCoverageandLifeInsuranceMember
8.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= bac_PostretirementHealthCoverageandLifeInsuranceMember
Estimated future employer contributions in next fiscal year 87,000,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansEstimatedFutureEmployerContributionsInNextFiscalYear
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= bac_PostretirementHealthCoverageandLifeInsuranceMember
   
Percentage of unrecognized gain (loss) recognized during the period 50.00%bac_DefinedBenefitPlansPercentageofUnrecognizedGainLossRecognizedDuringPeriod
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= bac_PostretirementHealthCoverageandLifeInsuranceMember
   
Health care cost trend rate assumed for next fiscal year 7.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanHealthCareCostTrendRateAssumedForNextFiscalYear
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= bac_PostretirementHealthCoverageandLifeInsuranceMember
   
Ultimate health care cost trend rate 5.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanUltimateHealthCareCostTrendRate
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= bac_PostretirementHealthCoverageandLifeInsuranceMember
   
Effect of 1% increase on service and interest cost components 2,000,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanEffectOfOnePercentagePointIncreaseOnServiceAndInterestCostComponents
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= bac_PostretirementHealthCoverageandLifeInsuranceMember
   
Effect of 1% increase on accumulated postretirement benefit obligatio 47,000,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanEffectOfOnePercentagePointIncreaseOnAccumulatedPostretirementBenefitObligation
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= bac_PostretirementHealthCoverageandLifeInsuranceMember
   
Effect of 1% decrease on service and interest cost components 2,000,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanEffectOfOnePercentagePointDecreaseOnServiceAndInterestCostComponents1
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= bac_PostretirementHealthCoverageandLifeInsuranceMember
   
Effect of 1% decrease on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation 41,000,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanEffectOfOnePercentagePointDecreaseOnAccumulatedPostretirementBenefitObligation1
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= bac_PostretirementHealthCoverageandLifeInsuranceMember
   
Qualified Pension Plan      
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Plan amendments 0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanPlanAmendments
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= bac_QualifiedPensionPlansMember
0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanPlanAmendments
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= bac_QualifiedPensionPlansMember
1,300,000,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanPlanAmendments
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= bac_QualifiedPensionPlansMember
Increase in AOCI, net of tax   2,000,000,000us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlanNetPriorServiceCostsCreditArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= bac_QualifiedPensionPlansMember
832,000,000us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlanNetPriorServiceCostsCreditArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= bac_QualifiedPensionPlansMember
Expected return on plan assets 6.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= bac_QualifiedPensionPlansMember
6.50%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= bac_QualifiedPensionPlansMember
8.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= bac_QualifiedPensionPlansMember
Effect of 25 basis point decline in discount rate on net periodic benefit cost 7,000,000bac_DefinedBenefitPlansEffectof25BasisPointDeclineinDiscountRateonNetPeriodicBenefitCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= bac_QualifiedPensionPlansMember
   
Effect of 25 basis point decline in expected return on plan assets on net periodic benefit cost 43,000,000bac_DefinedBenefitPlansEffectof25BasisPointDeclineinExpectedReturnofPlanAssetsonNetPeriodicBenefitCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= bac_QualifiedPensionPlansMember
   
Plan assets recognized in the next fiscal year with respect to decline in discount rate 9,000,000bac_DefinedBenefitPlansEffectof25BasisPointDeclineinDiscountRateonNetPeriodicBenefitCostRecognizedinNextFiscalYear
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= bac_QualifiedPensionPlansMember
   
Plan assets recognized in the next fiscal year with respect to decline in expected return 44,000,000bac_DefinedBenefitPlansEffectof25BasisPointDeclineinExpectedReturnofPlanAssetsonNetPeriodicBenefitCostRecognizedinNextFiscalYear
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= bac_QualifiedPensionPlansMember
   
Postretirement Health and Life Plans      
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Effect of 25 basis point decline in expected return on plan assets on net periodic benefit cost 9,000,000bac_DefinedBenefitPlansEffectof25BasisPointDeclineinExpectedReturnofPlanAssetsonNetPeriodicBenefitCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
   
Plan assets recognized in the next fiscal year with respect to decline in expected return 10,000,000bac_DefinedBenefitPlansEffectof25BasisPointDeclineinExpectedReturnofPlanAssetsonNetPeriodicBenefitCostRecognizedinNextFiscalYear
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
   
Personnel expense | Qualified Pension Plan      
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Curtailments     (58,000,000)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanRecognizedNetGainLossDueToCurtailments
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= bac_QualifiedPensionPlansMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= bac_LaborandRelatedExpenseMember
Equity securities | Qualified Pension Plan      
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Amount of employer and related party securities included in plan assets $ 215,000,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmountOfEmployerAndRelatedPartySecuritiesIncludedInPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= bac_QualifiedPensionPlansMember
$ 200,000,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmountOfEmployerAndRelatedPartySecuritiesIncludedInPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= bac_QualifiedPensionPlansMember
 
Actual plan asset allocations 1.15%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanWeightedAverageAssetAllocations
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= bac_QualifiedPensionPlansMember
1.10%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanWeightedAverageAssetAllocations
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= bac_QualifiedPensionPlansMember