Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of deferred income taxes of $(257) at December 31, 2009 and $(438) at December 31, 2008 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid-In Capital Equity-based compensation expense Warrants issued in connection with Capital Purchase Program Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities: The allowance for loan and lease losses represents the reserve to cover probable credit losses related to specifically identified loans and leases, as well as probable credit losses inherent in the remainder of the loan portfolio as of the balance sheet date. For banks, include currently required allocated transfer risk reserves. Include carryover of or adjustments to the allowance for loan losses in connection with business combinations determined to be appropriate. Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses and Reserve for Unfunded Lending Commitments Amendment Flag Discount accretion and premium amortization on long-term debt, net Amortization of intangibles Total assets Total assets Assets Securities available for sale at fair value ($1,201 covered by FDIC loss share at December 31, 2009) Income from bank-owned life insurance Business Combinations Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and due from banks Noncash investing and financing activities: Cash Paid During Period For [Abstract] Cash paid during the year for: The aggregate amount of time deposits, including certificates of deposits, individual retirement accounts and open accounts, excluding wholesale certificates of deposits. Client certificates of deposit Commitments and contingencies (Note 15) Commitments and Contingencies Cash dividends declared Cash dividends declared on common stock, per share Common Stock Common stock, par Common shares authorized Common shares outstanding Common stock, $5 par Total comprehensive income (loss) (Note 12) Total comprehensive income (loss) (Note 12) Comprehensive income (loss): Comprehensive Income Note [Text Block] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Parent Company Financial Statements Cumulative effect of adoption of accounting principles Current Fiscal Year End Date Net change in restricted cash balances held by broker/dealer and other subsidiaries. Decrease (increase) in segregated cash due from banks Accumulated other comprehensive loss, deferred income taxes Total deposits Total deposits Deposits: Other client deposits Other interest-bearing deposits Depreciation Derivative Financial Instruments Cash dividends declared on common stock, $.92 in 2009, $1.87 in 2008, and $1.80 in 2007 per share Cash dividends declared on common stock, $.92 in 2009, $1.87 in 2008, and $1.80 in 2007 per share Cash dividends accrued on preferred stock Cash dividends accrued on preferred stock Document Information [Text Block] Document Period End Date Document Type Earnings Per Common Share Earnings Per Share, Basic Basic Earnings Per Share, Diluted Diluted Computation of Earnings Per Common Share Entity Central Index Key Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Current Reporting Status Entity [Domain] Entity Filer Category Entity Public Float Entity Registrant Name Entity [Text Block] Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Equity Component [Domain] Fair Value Disclosures The net present value of the amount expected to be received from the FDIC in connection with loss share agreements. FDIC loss share receivable Federal funds sold and securities purchased under resale agreements or similar arrangements Income earned from debit cards, such as interchange from point of sale purchases and fees for withdrawals at foreign ATMs. Checkcard fees Bankcard fees and merchant discounts Service charges on deposits Trust and investment advisory revenues Other nondeposit fees and commissions Foreclosed property expense (Gain) loss on sales of securities, net Total securities gains (losses), net (Gain) loss on sales of securities, net Securities gains (losses), net Goodwill Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Other-than-temporary impairments Other-than-temporary impairments Income before income taxes Income before income taxes Income Statement [Abstract] Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Income Taxes Income Taxes Paid, Net Income taxes Provision for income taxes Net (decrease) increase in deposits Net increase in loans held for sale Net increase in loans held for sale Net (decrease) increase in accounts payable and other liabilities Net increase in other assets Net increase in other assets Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets and Liabilities, Net Other, net Add (Deduct): Net (increase) decrease in trading account securities Net (increase) decrease in trading account securities Insurance income Core deposit and other intangible assets Total interest income Total interest income Interest Income Interest and dividends on securities Interest and fees on loans and leases Interest-bearing deposits with banks Interest checking Total interest expense Total interest expense Interest Expense Interest on deposits Interest on long-term debt Interest on federal funds purchased, securities sold under repurchase agreements and short-term borrowed funds Net Interest Income After Provision for Credit Losses Net Interest Income After Provision for Credit Losses Net Interest Income Net Interest Income Interest Investment banking and brokerage fees and commissions Securities Value of stock issued to the U.S. Treasury in connection with the Capital Purchase Program. In connection with Capital Purchase Program In connection with Capital Purchase Program Personnel expense Legal Entity [Axis] Total liabilities Total liabilities Total liabilities and shareholders' equity Total liabilities and shareholders' equity Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity Loan processing expenses The carrying amount of loans covered by FDIC in loss share agreements. Loans and leases, covered by FDIC loss share Allowance for loan and lease losses Allowance for loan and lease losses Loans and leases ($8,019 covered by FDIC loss share at December 31, 2009) Loans and leases, net of allowance for loan and lease losses Loans and leases, net of allowance for loan and lease losses Loans held for sale, fair value Loans and Leases Loans held for sale ($2,551 and $1,396 at fair value at December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively) Long-term debt Long-term Debt [Text Block] Long-Term Debt Realized gains (losses), net Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Noncontrolling interest The noninterest income derived from mortgage banking activities (fees and commissions), including fees earned from servicing third party assets. Mortgage banking income Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities Cash Flows From Financing Activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities Cash Flows From Investing Activities: Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities Cash Flows From Operating Activities: Earnings Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Noncontrolling interest Net income available to common shareholders Net income available to common shareholders Noncontrolling Interest Amount of unrealized losses of other than temporarily impaired securities that are non-credit related. These amounts are recognized as a component of other comprehensive income. Less non-credit portion recognized in other comprehensive income Less non-credit portion recognized in other comprehensive income Noninterest-bearing deposits Total noninterest expense Total noninterest expense Noninterest Expense Total noninterest income Total noninterest income Noninterest Income Other income Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract] Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract] Occupancy and equipment expense Other assets ($215 of foreclosed property and other assets covered by FDIC loss share at December 31, 2009) The carrying amount of foreclosed property and other assets covered by FDIC in loss share agreements. Other assets, foreclosed property and other assets covered by FDIC loss share Net change in other comprehensive income (loss) Interest on other earning assets Accounts payable and other liabilities Other expenses Other changes in the number of other shares issued. In connection with private placement to BB&T pension plan (in shares) Value of other stock issued during the period. In connection with private placement to BB&T pension plan Parent Company [Member] Originations and purchases of loans and leases, net of principal collected Originations and purchases of loans and leases, net of principal collected Payments for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activities Other, net Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock Redemption of common stock Retirement of preferred stock and warrant Retirement of preferred stock and warrant Cash dividends paid on common stock Cash dividends paid on common stock Cash dividends paid on preferred stock Cash dividends paid on preferred stock Purchases of securities available for sale Purchases of securities available for sale Net cash acquired (paid) in business combinations Net cash acquired (paid) in business combinations Purchases of premises and equipment Purchases of premises and equipment Benefit Plans Dividends and accretion on preferred stock Preferred stock, liquidation preference Preferred Stock Preferred shares authorized Preferred shares outstanding Preferred stock, liquidation preference of $1,000,000 per share Net proceeds from common stock issued Proceeds from long-term debt Net proceeds from preferred stock issued Proceeds from maturities, calls and paydowns of securities available for sale Other, net Net (decrease) increase in federal funds purchased, securities sold under repurchase agreements and short-term borrowed funds Proceeds from sales of securities available for sale Proceeds from sales of foreclosed property or other real estate held for sale Professional services Net income Net income Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block] Premises and Equipment Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Premises and equipment Provision for credit losses Regulatory charges includes FDIC insurance expense and examination and other fees paid to federal and state regulatory authorities. Regulatory charges Regulatory Requirements and Other Restrictions Repayment of long-term debt Repayment of long-term debt Segregated cash due from banks Merger-related and restructuring charges, net Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Retained earnings Retained Earnings The carrying amount of securities covered by FDIC in loss share agreements. Securities available for sale at fair value, covered by FDIC loss share Operating Segments Residential mortgage servicing rights at fair value Equity-based compensation Number of shares of stock held by shareholders. Shares, Outstanding Ending Balance (in shares) Beginning Balance (in shares) Federal funds purchased, securities sold under repurchase agreements and short-term borrowed funds Federal Funds Purchased, Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase and Short-Term Borrowed Funds