Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Regulatory Requirements (Details)

v2.4.0.6
Regulatory Requirements (Details) (USD $)
Jun. 30, 2012
Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith Incorporated
  
Brokers and Dealers [Line Items]  
Regulatory net capital $ 10,800,000,000
Capital Requirement of Consolidated Broker-Dealer Subsidiary Electing Alternative Method 684,000,000
Alternative Excess Net Capital 10,100,000,000
Tentative Net Capital Requirement, Minimum 1,000,000,000
Minimum Net Capital Required for Broker-Dealer Subsidiary 500,000,000
Threshold Amount for SEC Notification Trigger 5,000,000,000
MLI | United Kingdom
  
Brokers and Dealers [Line Items]  
Regulatory net capital 19,500,000,000
Excess Net Capital 5,200,000,000
Merrill Lynch Japan Securities Co., Ltd. | Japan
  
Brokers and Dealers [Line Items]  
Regulatory net capital 2,600,000,000
Excess Net Capital 1,900,000,000
Excess of Net Capital Above Total Risk Equivalents, Percentage 120.00%
Merrill Lynch International Bank Limited | Ireland
  
Brokers and Dealers [Line Items]  
Regulatory net capital 13,500,000,000
Excess Net Capital $ 3,600,000,000