Document And Entity Information (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	M&F BANCORP INC /NC/
Entity Central Index Key	0001094738
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Entity Public Float		$ 3,475,535
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	2,031,337
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2012