Consolidated Comprehensive Income Statement (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended						6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012		Mar. 31, 2012		Jun. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2011
Net income	$ 496		$ 631		$ 757		$ 1,127		$ 1,427
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments arising during the period	(265)		172		121		(93)		359
Unrealized gain (loss) on assets available-for-sale:
Unrealized gain (loss) arising during the period	197		237		159		434		294
Reclassification adjustment	(35)		(24)		(28)		(59)		(30)
Total unrealized gain (loss) on assets available-for-sale	162		213		131		375		264
Defined benefit plans:
Amortization of prior service credit, net loss and initial obligation included in net periodic benefit cost	24		27		17		51		34
Total defined benefit plans	24		27		17		51		34
Net unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges:
Unrealized hedge gain (loss) arising during the period	6				(1)		6		(1)
Reclassification adjustment	(6)		3		1		(3)		1
Total unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges			3				3
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(79)	[1]	415	[1]	269	[1]	336	[1]	657	[1]
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(30)		(12)		(22)		(42)		(67)
Other comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	28		(17)		(17)		11		(53)
Net comprehensive income (loss) applicable to the common shareholders of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation	$ 415		$ 1,017		$ 987		$ 1,432		$ 1,964

[1] Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation shareholders was $(51) million for the quarter ended June 30, 2012, $398 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2012, $252 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2011, $347 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and $604 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011.