Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Components of Other Comprehensive Income (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended						9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Foreign currency translation adjustments:
Foreign currency translation adjustments arising during the period	$ (505)		$ 49		$ 295		$ (432)		$ 57
Unrealized gain (loss) on assets available-for-sale:
Unrealized gain (loss) arising during period	(18)		287		(112)		519		(1,336)
Reclassification adjustment	(20)	[1]	(18)	[1]	(10)	[1]	(60)	[1]	(90)	[1]
Net unrealized gain (loss) on assets available-for-sale	(38)		269		(122)		459		(1,426)
Defined benefit plans:
Amortization of prior service credit, net loss and initial obligation included in net periodic benefit cost	31	[1]	31	[1]	52	[1]	92	[1]	171	[1]
Total defined benefit plans	31		31		52		92		171
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges:
Unrealized hedge gain (loss) arising during period	15		(3)		(57)		18		127
Reclassification adjustment	(31)	[1]	1	[1]	74	[1]	(34)	[1]	(123)	[1]
Net unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges	(16)		(2)		17		(16)		4
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	(528)		347		242		103		(1,194)
Foreign currency translation adjustments:
Foreign currency translation adjustments arising during the period	(84)		28		90		(43)		24
Unrealized gain (loss) on assets available-for-sale:
Unrealized gain (loss) arising during period	22		(77)		40		(143)		522
Reclassification adjustment	7	[1]	4	[1]	8	[1]	20	[1]	41	[1]
Net unrealized gain (loss) on assets available-for-sale	29		(73)		48		(123)		563
Defined benefit plans:
Amortization of prior service credit, net loss and initial obligation included in net periodic benefit cost	(12)	[1]	(14)	[1]	(21)	[1]	(37)	[1]	(66)	[1]
Total defined benefit plans	(12)		(14)		(21)		(37)		(66)
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges:
Unrealized hedge gain (loss) arising during period	(6)		(3)		25		(9)		(51)
Reclassification adjustment	10	[1]	3	[1]	(30)	[1]	12	[1]	51	[1]
Net unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges	4		0		(5)		3		0
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	(63)		(59)		112		(200)		521
Foreign currency translation adjustments:
Foreign currency translation adjustments arising during the period	(589)		77		385		(475)		81
Unrealized gain (loss) on assets available-for-sale:
Unrealized gain (loss) arising during period	4		210		(72)		376		(814)
Reclassification adjustment	(13)	[1]	(14)	[1]	(2)	[1]	(40)	[1]	(49)	[1]
Total unrealized gain (loss) on assets available-for-sale	(9)		196		(74)		336		(863)
Defined benefit plans:
Amortization of prior service credit, net loss and initial obligation included in net periodic benefit cost	19	[1]	17	[1]	31	[1]	55	[1]	105	[1]
Total defined benefit plans	19		17		31		55		105
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges:
Unrealized hedge gain (loss) arising during period	9		(6)		(32)		9		76
Reclassification adjustment	(21)	[1]	4	[1]	44	[1]	(22)	[1]	(72)	[1]
Net unrealized gain on cash flow hedges	(12)		(2)		12		(13)		4
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	$ (591)	[2]	$ 288	[2]	$ 354	[2]	$ (97)	[2]	$ (673)	[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 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the location of the 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 $(514) million for the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2014, $287 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2014 , $312 million for the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2013, $(24) million for the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2014 and $(696) million for the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2013.