Commitments and Guarantees (Reinsurance Agreements Exposure and Reserves) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Reinsurance Agreements [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Maximum Exposure	$ 5,969	[1]		$ 6,432	[1]
Excess of Loss	3.00%	[1]		4.00%	[1]
Quota Share	97.00%	[1]		96.00%	[1]
Reserves, Beginning balance	82		150
Paid Losses	(51)		(94)
Net Provision	33		28
Reserves, Ending balance	64		84
Accidental Death and Dismemberment [Member] | Reinsurance Agreements [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Maximum Exposure	2,094	[1]		2,255	[1]
Credit Life Accident and Health [Member] | Reinsurance Agreements [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Maximum Exposure	841	[1]		951	[1]
Lender Placed Hazard [Member] | Reinsurance Agreements [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Maximum Exposure	2,795	[1],[2]		2,899	[1],[2]
Borrower and Lender Paid Mortgage Insurance [Member] | Reinsurance Agreements [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Maximum Exposure	239	[1]		327	[1]
Agreements With Full Reinsurance [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Maximum Exposure	$ 840	[1]		$ 950	[1]

[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.