Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012
Operating activities
Net income (loss)	$ (237)	$ 646	$ 631
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(16)	(11)	(12)
Net income (loss) applicable to shareholders of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation	(253)		619
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used for) operating activities:
Provision for credit losses	(24)	(61)	5
Pension plan contribution	(15)		(11)
Depreciation and amortization	333		299
Deferred tax (benefit) expense	150		31
Net securities (gains) and venture capital (income)	(45)		(44)
Change in trading activities	(2,256)		176
Change in accruals and other, net	(634)		(961)
Net cash (used for) provided by operating activities	(2,744)		114
Investing activities
Change in interest-bearing deposits with banks	3,260		1,845
Change in interest-bearing deposits with the Federal Reserve and other central banks	11,985		28,213
Purchases of securities held-to-maturity	(1,425)		(1,441)
Paydowns of securities held-to-maturity	327		61
Maturities of securities held-to-maturity	16		131
Purchases of securities available-for-sale	(10,486)		(13,227)
Sales of securities available-for-sale	3,817		4,582
Paydowns of securities available-for-sale	2,450		2,182
Maturities of securities available-for-sale	954		2,273
Net change in loans	(2,651)		1,055
Sales of loans and other real estate	24		111
Change in federal funds sold and securities purchased under resale agreements	(411)		(927)
Change in seed capital investments	(20)		(11)
Purchases of premises and equipment/capitalized software	(126)		(129)
Proceeds from the sale of premises and equipment	0		5
Acquisitions, net of cash	(4)		0
Other, net	(449)		(356)
Net cash provided by investing activities	7,261		24,367
Financing activities
Change in deposits	(5,080)		(27,549)
Change in federal funds purchased and securities sold under repurchase agreements	1,175		2,018
Change in payables to customers and broker-dealers	(1,109)		288
Change in other borrowed funds	(577)		(126)
Change in commercial paper	(260)		1,060
Net proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt	1,497		1,264
Repayments of long-term debt	(43)		(773)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	111		3
Issuance of common stock	6		6
Treasury stock acquired	(252)		(398)
Common cash dividends paid	(153)		(158)
Preferred cash dividends paid	(13)		0
Other, net	(57)		13
Net cash (used for) financing activities	(4,755)		(24,352)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(49)		29
Change in cash and due from banks
Change in cash and due from banks	(287)		158
Cash and due from banks at beginning of period	4,727		4,175
Cash and due from banks at end of period	4,440	4,727	4,333
Supplemental disclosures
Interest paid	95		106
Income taxes paid	64		208
Income taxes refunded	$ 6		$ 2