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Other Comprehensive Income, Components of Other Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013
Mar. 31, 2012
Foreign currency translation adjustments:    
Net unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period, Before tax $ (18) [1] $ 10 [1]
Net unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period, Net of tax (16) 6
Reclassification of net gains to net income, Net of tax 0 0
Net unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period, Before tax (18) 10
Net unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period, Tax effect 2 (4)
Net unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period, Net of tax (16) 6
Securities available for sale:    
Net unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period, Before tax (634) 1,874
Net unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period, Tax effect 230 (704)
Net unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period, Net of tax (404) 1,170
Reclassification of net (gains) losses to net income, Before tax (113) (226)
Reclassification of net (gains) losses to net income, Tax effect 43 80
Reclassification of net (gains) losses to net income, Net of tax (70) (146)
Net unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period, Before tax (747) 1,648
Net unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period, Tax effect 273 (624)
Net unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period, Net of tax (474) 1,024
Derivatives and hedging activities:    
Net unrealized gains arising during the period, Before tax 7 42
Net unrealized gains arising during the period, Tax effect (2) (12)
Net unrealized gains arising during the period, Net of tax 5 30
Reclassification of net (gains) losses on cash flow hedges to net income, Before tax (87) (107)
Reclassification of net (gains) losses on cash flow hedges to net income, Tax effect 36 40
Reclassification of net (gains) losses on cash flow hedges to net income, Net of tax (51) (67)
Net unrealized losses arising during the period, Before tax (80) (65)
Net unrealized losses arising during the period, Tax effect 34 28
Net unrealized losses arising during the period, Net of tax (46) (37)
Defined benefit plans adjustments:    
Net actuarial gains (losses) arising during the period, Before tax 6 (5)
Net actuarial gains (losses) arising during the period, Tax effect (2) 2
Net actuarial gains (losses) arising during the period, Net of tax 4 (3)
Amortization of net actuarial loss, before tax 46 36
Amortization of net actuarial loss, tax effect (18) (13)
Amortization of net actuarial loss, net of tax 28 23
Other, before tax 3 0
Other, tax effect (1) 0
Other, after tax 2 0
Reclassification to net periodic benefit costs, before tax 49 36
Reclassification to net periodic benefit costs, tax effect (19) (13)
Reclassification to net periodic benefit costs, net of tax 30 23
Net gains arising during the period, Before tax 55 31
Net gains arising during the period, Tax effect (21) (11)
Net gains arising during the period, Net of tax 34 20
Other comprehensive income (loss), Before tax (790) 1,624
Income tax (expense) benefit related to other comprehensive income 288 (611)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax (502) 1,013
Less: Other comprehensive income from noncontrolling interests, net of tax 3 4
Wells Fargo other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax (505) 1,009
Interest income on loans [Member]
    
Derivatives and hedging activities:    
Reclassification of net (gains) losses on cash flow hedges to net income, Before tax (116) (129)
Reclassification of net (gains) losses on cash flow hedges to net income, Tax effect 47 48
Reclassification of net (gains) losses on cash flow hedges to net income, Net of tax (69) (81)
Interest expense on long-term debt [Member]
    
Derivatives and hedging activities:    
Reclassification of net (gains) losses on cash flow hedges to net income, Before tax 27 22
Reclassification of net (gains) losses on cash flow hedges to net income, Tax effect (10) (8)
Reclassification of net (gains) losses on cash flow hedges to net income, Net of tax 17 14
Salaries expense [Member]
    
Derivatives and hedging activities:    
Reclassification of net (gains) losses on cash flow hedges to net income, Before tax 2 0
Reclassification of net (gains) losses on cash flow hedges to net income, Tax effect (1) 0
Reclassification of net (gains) losses on cash flow hedges to net income, Net of tax 1 0
Debt securities available for sale [Member]
    
Securities available for sale:    
Reclassification of net (gains) losses to net income, Before tax (45) 7
Reclassification of net (gains) losses to net income, Tax effect 17 (2)
Reclassification of net (gains) losses to net income, Net of tax (28) 5
Equity investments [Member]
    
Securities available for sale:    
Reclassification of net (gains) losses to net income, Before tax (68) (233)
Reclassification of net (gains) losses to net income, Tax effect 26 82
Reclassification of net (gains) losses to net income, Net of tax $ (42) $ (151)
[1] There was no sale or liquidation of an investment in a foreign entity, and therefore no reclassification adjustment for the quarters ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.