Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Changes in Goodwill by Business Segment) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended																		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2012 RBC Bank Usa Acquisition [Member]		Sep. 30, 2012 Retail Banking [Member]		Sep. 30, 2012 Retail Banking [Member] RBC Bank Usa Acquisition [Member]		Sep. 30, 2012 Corporate & Institutional Banking [Member]		Sep. 30, 2012 Corporate & Institutional Banking [Member] RBC Bank Usa Acquisition [Member]		Sep. 30, 2012 Asset Management Group [Member]		Sep. 30, 2012 Residential Mortgage Banking [Member]		Dec. 31, 2011 Residential Mortgage Banking [Member]		Sep. 30, 2012 Residential Mortgage Banking [Member] RBC Bank Usa Acquisition [Member]		Sep. 30, 2012 All Other Segments [Member]		Sep. 30, 2012 All Other Segments [Member] RBC Bank Usa Acquisition [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	$ 8,285	[1]			$ 5,394	[2]			$ 2,763	[2]			$ 69	[2]	$ 45	[2]	$ 43	[2]			$ 16	[2]
RBC Bank (USA) Acquisition			950	[2]			429	[2]			473	[2]							2	[2]			46	[2]
Other adjustments to goodwill	(72)	[1],[2]			(29)	[2]			(22)	[2]			(5)	[2]							(16)	[2]
Goodwill, Ending Balance	$ 9,163	[1]			$ 5,794	[2]			$ 3,214	[2]			$ 64	[2]	$ 45	[2]	$ 43	[2]			$ 46	[2]

[1] Primarily related to correction of amount for an acquisition affecting prior periods.

[2] The Non-Strategic Assets Portfolio business segment does not have any goodwill allocated to it.