Commitments and Guarantees (Reinsurance Agreements Exposure and Reserves) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Accidental Death and Dismemberment [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Maximum Exposure	$ 2,142	[1]		$ 2,255	[1]
Credit Life Accident and Health [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Maximum Exposure	883	[1]		951	[1]
Lender Placed Hazard [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Maximum Exposure	2,721	[1],[2]		2,899	[1],[2]
Borrower and Lender Paid Mortgage Insurance [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Maximum Exposure	258	[1]		327	[1]
Agreements With Full Reinsurance [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Maximum Exposure	882	[1]		950	[1]
Reinsurance Agreements [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Maximum Exposure	6,004	[1]		6,432	[1]
Excess of Loss	4.00%	[1]		4.00%	[1]
Quota Share	96.00%	[1]		96.00%	[1]
Reserves, Beginning balance	82		150
Paid Losses	(35)		(73)
Net Provision	23		16
Reserves, Ending balance	$ 70		$ 93

[1] Reinsurance agreements exposure balances represent estimates based on availability of financial information from insurance carriers.

[2] Through the purchase of catastrophe reinsurance connected to the Lender Placed Hazard Exposure, should a catastrophic event occur PNC will benefit from this reinsurance. No credit for the catastrophe reinsurance protection is applied to the aggregate exposure figure.