Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Total		Preferred stock	Common stock	Additional paid-in capital	Retained earnings	Accumulated other comprehensive (loss), net of tax	Treasury stock	Non- redeemable noncontrolling interests of consolidated investment management funds	Redeemable non- controlling interests/ temporary equity
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 37,264	[1]	$ 1,068	$ 13	$ 23,485	$ 14,622	$ (643)	$ (2,114)	$ 833	$ 178
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Shares issued to shareholders of noncontrolling interests										35
Redemption of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests										(28)
Other net changes in noncontrolling interests	(75)				20	0			(95)	14
Net income	1,635					1,572			63	1
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(688)					(12)	(696)		20	3
Dividends, Common stock at $0.43 per share	(505)					(505)
Dividends, Preferred stock	(38)					(38)
Repurchase of common stock	(705)							(705)
Common stock issued under employee benefit plans	19				19
Common stock issued under direct stock purchase and dividend reinvestment plan	15				15
Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues	494		494
Stock awards and options exercised	364			0	364			0
Common stockholders' equity	36,959			35,397
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2013	$ 37,780	[1]	$ 1,562	$ 13	$ 23,903	$ 15,639	$ (1,339)	$ (2,819)	$ 821	$ 203

[1] Includes total The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation common shareholders’ equity of $35,363 million at Dec. 31, 2012 and $35,397 million at Sept. 30, 2013.