Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Regulatory Requirements (Details)

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Regulatory Requirements (Details) (USD $)
Mar. 31, 2013
Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith Incorporated
  
Brokers and Dealers [Line Items]  
Regulatory net capital $ 10,200,000,000
Capital Requirement of Consolidated Broker-Dealer Subsidiary Electing Alternative Method 776,000,000
Alternative Excess Net Capital 9,400,000,000
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 20,100,000,000
Excess Net Capital 4,000,000,000
Merrill Lynch Japan Securities Co., Ltd. | Japan
  
Brokers and Dealers [Line Items]  
Regulatory net capital 2,500,000,000
Excess Net Capital 1,700,000,000
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 13,700,000,000
Excess Net Capital $ 4,000,000,000