Components of Other Comprehensive Income (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Mar. 31, 2012
Foreign currency translation adjustments arising during the period
Pre-tax amount	$ (229)		$ 40		$ 129
Unrealized gain (loss) on assets available-for-sale:
Unrealized gain (loss) arising during period	(9)		(33)		378
Reclassification adjustment (a)	(48)	[1]	(50)	[1]	(40)	[1]
Net unrealized gain (loss) on assets available-for-sale	(57)		(83)		338
Defined benefit plans:
Prior service cost arising during the period	0		98		0
Net loss arising during the period	0		(298)		0
Amortization of defined benefit items, prior service (cost) credit	68	[1]	42	[1]	44	[1]
Total defined benefit plans	(68)		158		(44)
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges:
Unrealized hedge gain (loss) arising during period	185		932		342
Reclassification adjustment	(184)	[1]	(936)	[1]	(336)	[1]
Net unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges	1		(4)		6
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	(217)		(205)		517
Foreign currency translation adjustments arising during the period
Foreign currency translation adjustments arising during the period	(80)		14		43
Unrealized gain (loss) on assets available-for-sale:
Unrealized gain (loss) arising during period	3		(32)		(141)
Reclassification adjustment	18	[1]	18	[1]	16	[1]
Net unrealized gain (loss) on assets available-for-sale	21		(14)		(125)
Defined benefit plans:
Prior service cost arising during the period	0		41		0
Net loss arising during the period	0		108		0
Amortization of prior service credit, net loss and initial obligation included in net periodic benefit cost	25	[1]	17	[1]	17	[1]
Total defined benefit plans	(25)		50		(17)
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges:
Unrealized hedge gain (loss) arising during period	(76)		(382)		(141)
Reclassification adjustment	76	[1]	383	[1]	138	[1]
Net unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges	0		1		(3)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	(84)		51		(102)
Foreign currency translation adjustments:
Foreign currency translation adjustments arising during the period	(309)		54		172
Unrealized gain (loss) on assets available-for-sale:
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, Net of Tax	(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
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Amortization, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net Prior Service Cost Recognized in Net Periodic Pension Cost, Net of Tax	43	[1]	25	[1]	27	[1]
Total defined benefit plans	43		(108)		27
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges:
Unrealized hedge gain (loss) arising during period	109		550		201
Reclassification adjustment	(108)	[1]	(553)	[1]	(198)	[1]
Total unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges	1		(3)		3
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	$ (301)	[2]	$ (154)	[2]	$ 415	[2]

[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.