Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Regulatory Requirements (Details)

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Regulatory Requirements (Details) (USD $)
Dec. 31, 2012
Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith Incorporated
  
Brokers and Dealers [Line Items]  
Regulatory net capital $ 10,300,000,000
Capital requirement of consolidated broker-dealer subsidiary electing alternative method 683,000,000
Alternative excess net capital 9,600,000,000
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 19,400,000,000
Excess net capital 4,300,000,000
Merrill Lynch Japan Securities Co., Ltd. | Japan
  
Brokers and Dealers [Line Items]  
Regulatory net capital 2,600,000,000
Excess net capital 2,000,000,000
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 13,600,000,000
Excess net capital $ 4,100,000,000