Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Investment Securities (Details)

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Investment Securities (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012
Sep. 30, 2011
Sep. 30, 2012
Sep. 30, 2011
Dec. 31, 2011
Investment Securities [Abstract]          
Available-for-sale, amortized cost $ 821 [1]   $ 821 [1]   $ 694
Available-for-sale, fair value 822 [1]   822 [1]   694
Equity investments 3,110   3,110   3,810
Other investments 2,457   2,457   2,180
Total 6,389   6,389   6,684
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments [Abstract]          
OTTI losses related to non-agency mortgage-backed AFS securities 0 12 6 59  
OTTI losses for AFS debt securities that Merrill Lynch does not intend to hold to recovery 0 5 6 49  
Corporate Asset Backed and Non-agency Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
         
Investment Securities [Abstract]          
Available-for-sale, amortized cost 416   416   296
Available-for-sale, fair value 417   417   296
Corporate ABS
         
Investment Securities [Abstract]          
Available-for-sale, amortized cost 371   371   47
Available-for-sale, fair value 372   372   47
Non-agency mortgage backed securities
         
Investment Securities [Abstract]          
Available-for-sale, amortized cost 45   45   249
Available-for-sale, fair value 45   45   249
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments [Abstract]          
OTTI losses related to non-agency mortgage-backed AFS securities 0 12 6 59  
U.S. Government and agencies
         
Investment Securities [Abstract]          
Available-for-sale, amortized cost 405   405   398
Available-for-sale, fair value $ 405   $ 405   $ 398
[1] Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay their obligations with or without prepayment penalties.