Loan Sale and Servicing Activities and Variable Interest Entities (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Loan Sale and Servicing Activities and Variable Interest Entities [Abstract]
Balance of removal of account provisions asset and liability	$ 185,000,000	$ 265,000,000
Liquidity facilities fund obligations	11,500,000,000
Percentage of program level credit enhancement to cover net losses	10.00%
Date facility expires	June 2017
Amount outstanding on facility	$ 1,200,000,000

Certain loans transferred to the Agencies contain removal of account provisions (ROAPs). Under these ROAPs, we hold an option to repurchase at par individual delinquent loans that meet certain criteria. When we have the unilateral ability to repurchase a delinquent loan, effective control over the loan has been regained and we recognize the loan and a corresponding liability on the balance sheet regardless of our intent to repurchase the loan.

No definition available.

Name:	pnc_BalanceOfRemovalOfAccountProvisionAssetAndLiability
Namespace Prefix:	pnc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant