Consolidated Comprehensive Income Statement (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Mar. 31, 2012
Statement of Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ (237)		$ 646		$ 631
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(309)		54		172
Unrealized gain (loss) on assets available-for-sale:
Unrealized gain (loss) arising during the period	(6)		(65)		237
Reclassification adjustment	(30)	[1]	(32)	[1]	(24)	[1]
Total unrealized gain (loss) on assets available-for-sale	(36)		(97)		213
Defined benefit plans:
Prior service cost arising during the period	0		57		0
Net loss arising during the period	0		(190)		0
Amortization of prior service credit, net loss and initial obligation included in net periodic benefit cost	43	[1]	25	[1]	27	[1]
Total defined benefit plans	43		(108)		27
Net unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges	1		(3)		3
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(301)	[2]	(154)	[2]	415	[2]
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(16)		(11)		(12)
Other comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	29		(18)		(17)
Net comprehensive income (loss)	$ (525)		$ 463		$ 1,017

[1] The reclassification adjustment related to the unrealized gain (loss) on assets available-for-sale is recorded as net securities gains on the Consolidated Income Statement. The amortization of prior service credit, net loss and initial obligation included in net periodic benefit cost is recorded as staff expense on the Consolidated Income Statement. See Note 17 for the location of reclassification adjustment related to cash flow hedges on the Consolidated Income Statement.

[2] Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation shareholders was $(272) million for the quarter ended March 31, 2013, $(172) million for the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2012 and $398 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2012.