Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Securitizations and Other Variable Interest Entities (Details)

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Securitizations and Other Variable Interest Entities (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Sep. 30, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]    
Total retained securities $ 595,379 $ 556,463
Prime [Member] | Unconsolidated VIEs
    
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]    
Maximum loss exposure 12 [1] 16 [1]
Prime [Member] | Unconsolidated VIEs | Senior securities held [Member]
    
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]    
Trading assets 3 1
Prime [Member] | Unconsolidated VIEs | Subordinate securities held [Member]
    
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]    
Trading assets 0 0
Residual interests held 3 8
Total retained securities 6 [2] 9 [2]
Principal balance outstanding 254 [3] 191 [3]
Subprime [Member] | Unconsolidated VIEs
    
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]    
Maximum loss exposure 48 [1] 52 [1]
Subprime [Member] | Unconsolidated VIEs | Senior securities held [Member]
    
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]    
Trading assets 1 2
Subprime [Member] | Unconsolidated VIEs | Subordinate securities held [Member]
    
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]    
Trading assets 2 8
Residual interests held 0 0
Total retained securities 3 [2] 10 [2]
Principal balance outstanding 5,981 [3] 6,192 [3]
Commercial Mortgage [Member] | Unconsolidated VIEs
    
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]    
Maximum loss exposure 121 [1] 130 [1]
Commercial Mortgage [Member] | Unconsolidated VIEs | Senior securities held [Member]
    
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]    
Trading assets 9 19
Commercial Mortgage [Member] | Unconsolidated VIEs | Subordinate securities held [Member]
    
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]    
Trading assets 9 1
Residual interests held 40 42
Total retained securities 58 [2] 62 [2]
Principal balance outstanding $ 17,907 [3] $ 24,545 [3]
[1] Maximum loss exposure excludes liabilities for representations and warranties.
[2] Substantially all of the securities were in Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.
[3] Principal balance outstanding includes those loans that Merrill Lynch transferred and with which it has continuing involvement.