Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity (unaudited) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation shareholders’ equity	$ 38,459	$ 38,037
Dividends on common stock, cash paid (dollars per share)	$ 0.17
Common stock
The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation shareholders’ equity	$ 35,907	$ 35,485