Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Document and Entity Information Statement [Table] Legal Entity [Axis] Entity [Domain] Parent Company [Member] Statement [Line Items] Document Type Amendment Flag Document Period End Date Trading Symbol Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Current Fiscal Year End Date Document Fiscal Year Focus Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Document Fiscal Period Focus Entity Filer Category Entity Public Float Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS Assets Cash and due from banks Cash and Due from Banks, Total Interest-bearing deposits with banks Federal funds sold and securities purchased under resale agreements or similar arrangements Federal Funds Sold and Securities Purchased under Agreements to Resell, Total Segregated cash due from banks Segregated cash deposits Trading securities at fair value Trading Securities, Total Securities available for sale, at fair value Securities available for sale at fair value ($1,539 and $1,201 covered by FDIC loss share at December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively) Securities available for sale, at fair value Securities available for sale, at fair value Loans held for sale at fair value ($127 million at lower of cost or market at June 30, 2010) Loans Receivable Held-for-sale, Net, Ending Balance Loans Receivable Held-for-sale, Net, Beginning Balance Loans held for sale ($3,176 and $2,551 at fair value at December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively) Loans Receivable Held-for-sale, Net, Total Held for sale Loans and leases ($0 and $8,019 covered by FDIC loss share at June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively) Loans and leases ($6,194 and $8,019 covered by FDIC loss share at December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively) Total loans and leases held for investment Total Allowance for loan and lease losses Allowance for loan and lease losses Loans and Leases Receivable, Allowance, Ending Balance Loans and Leases Receivable, Allowance, Beginning Balance Total Loans and Leases Receivable, Allowance, Total Related Allowance Loans and leases, net of allowance for loan and lease losses Loans and leases, net of allowance for loan and lease losses F D I C Loss Share Receivable F D I C Loss Share Receivable FDIC loss share receivable Premises and equipment Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Ending Balance Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Beginning Balance Premises and equipment Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Total Premises and equipment Goodwill Goodwill, ending balance Goodwill, beginning balance Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net Net Carrying Amount Intangible assets, net (excluding goodwill), total Core deposit and other intangible assets Residential mortgage servicing rights at fair value Carrying value, ending balance Carrying value, beginning balance Fair value of commercial mortgage servicing rights Fair value of residential mortgage servicing rights Other assets ($0 and $215 of foreclosed property and other assets covered by FDIC loss share at December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively) Other Assets, Total Other assets ($360 and $215 of foreclosed property and other assets covered by FDIC loss share at December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively) Total assets Identifiable segment assets (period end) Identifiable segment assets (period end) Identifiable segment assets (period end) Total assets Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity Deposits Deposits: Noninterest-bearing deposits Noninterest-bearing Deposit Liabilities, Total Interest-bearing Deposit Liabilities Interest-bearing deposits Interest-bearing Deposit Liabilities, Total Total deposits Deposits Total deposits Total deposits Federal funds purchased, securities sold under repurchase agreements and short-term borrowed funds Short-term borrowed funds Total Balance outstanding at end of year Long-term debt Long-term Debt, Total Accounts payable and other liabilities Other Liabilities, Total Total liabilities Total liabilities Commitments and contingencies 2009 Commitments and contingencies (Note 16) Shareholders' equity: Common stock, $5 par Common Stock, Value, Issued, Ending Balance Common Stock, Value, Issued, Beginning Balance Common Stock, Value, Issued, Total Additional Paid in Capital Additional Paid in Capital, Ending Balance Additional Paid in Capital, Beginning Balance Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid in Capital, Total Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Ending Balance Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Beginning Balance Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Total Retained earnings Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of deferred income taxes of $(209) at September 30, 2010 and $(257) at December 31, 2009 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of deferred income taxes of $(452) at December 31, 2010 and $(257) at December 31, 2009 Total Minority Interest Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Ending Balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Beginning Balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total Noncontrolling interest Total shareholders' equity Ending balance Beginning balance Total shareholders' equity Total liabilities and shareholders' equity Total liabilities and shareholders' equity Common shares issued and outstanding Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, Ending Balance Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, Beginning Balance Common shares outstanding Pension plan assets - common stock shares Common Stock Shares Authorized Common shares authorized Common stock shares authorized Preferred shares authorized Securities available for sale at fair value, covered by FDIC loss share Securities Available For Sale At Fair Value Covered By Fdic Loss Share Securities available for sale at fair value ($1,369 and $1,201 covered by FDIC loss share at June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively) Securities available for sale at fair value, covered by FDIC loss share Loans held for sale at fair value, at lower of cost or market Loans held for sale at fair value Loans And Leases Covered By FDIC Loss Share Loans and leases covered by FDIC loss share Other Assets Foreclosed Property And Other Assets Covered By FDIC Loss Share Other assets foreclosed property and other assets covered by FDIC loss share Foreclosed property and other assets covered by FDIC loss share Common shares, par value Common stock, par value per share Accumulated other comprehensive loss, deferred income taxes Accumulated other comprehensive loss, deferred income taxes Accumulated other comprehensive loss, deferred income taxes CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME Interest Income Interest and fees on loans and leases Interest and Fee Income, Loans and Leases, Total Interest and dividends on securities Interest and Dividend Income, Securities, Total Interest on other earning assets Total interest income Total interest income Interest Expense Interest on deposits Interest Expense, Deposits, Total Interest on federal funds purchased, securities sold under repurchase agreements and short-term borrowed funds Interest Expense, Short-term Borrowings, Total Interest on long-term debt Interest Expense, Long-term Debt, Total Total interest expense Interest expense Total interest expense Net Interest Income Net interest income (expense) Net Interest Income Provision for credit losses Economic provision for loan and lease losses Economic provision for loan and lease losses Provision for Loan, Lease, and Other Losses, Total Net Interest Income After Provision for Credit Losses Net Interest Income After Provision for Credit Losses Noninterest Income Insurance income Service charges on deposits The noninterest income derived from mortgage banking activities (fees and commissions), including fees earned from servicing third party assets. Mortgage banking income Investment banking and brokerage fees and commissions Investment Banking, Advisory, Brokerage, and Underwriting Fees and Commissions, Total Fees And Commissions Debit Cards Fees And Commissions Debit Cards Checkcard fees Other nondeposit fees and commissions Bankcard fees and merchant discounts Trust and investment advisory revenues Fees and Commissions, Fiduciary and Trust Activities, Total Income from bank-owned life insurance FDIC loss share income, net Fdic Loss Share Income Net FDIC loss share income, net Other income, net Other income (loss) Other income, net Securities gains (losses), net Securities gains, net (Gain) loss on sales of securities, net (Gain) loss on sales of securities, net Total securities gains (losses), net Net realized gains/(losses) Realized gains, net Other-than-temporary impairments Other-than-temporary impairments 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. Noncredit Portion Of Other Than Temporary Impairments Less non-credit portion recognized in other comprehensive income Less noncredit portion recognized in other comprehensive income Less non-credit portion recognized in other comprehensive income Non-credit portion recognized in other comprehensive income Realized gains, net Gain on sales of securities, net Total securities gains (losses), net Realized gains (losses), net Securities gains, net Gain on sales of securities, net Total securities gains, net Loss on sales of securities Total noninterest income Total noninterest income Noninterest income Total noninterest income Noninterest Expense Personnel expense Labor and Related Expense, Total Foreclosed property expense Occupancy and equipment expense Professional services Regulatory charges includes FDIC insurance expense and examination and other fees paid to federal and state regulatory authorities. Regulatory Assessments Regulatory charges Loan processing expenses Amortization of intangibles Amortization of Intangible Assets, Total This element represents software expense including depreciation. Software expense Software expense Merger-related and restructuring charges, net Restructuring Charges, Total Other expenses Total noninterest expense Noninterest expense Total noninterest expense Other expenses Earnings Income before income taxes Income (loss) before income taxes Income before income taxes Income before income taxes and equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries Provision for income taxes Provision (benefit) for income taxes Provision for income taxes Provision for income taxes Tax Effect Net income Segment net income (loss) Net income Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Noncontrolling interests Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total Noncontrolling interest Dividends and accretion on preferred stock Preferred Stock Dividends and Other Adjustments, Total Net income available to common shareholders Net income available to common shareholders Computation of Earnings Per Common Share Computation of Earnings Per Common Share [Abstract] Earnings Per Common Share Earnings Per Share, Basic Basic earnings per common share Earnings Per Share, Basic, Total Basic Earnings Per Share, Diluted Diluted earnings per common share Earnings Per Share, Diluted, Total Diluted Cash dividends declared Cash dividends declared on common stock, per share Weighted Average Shares Outstanding Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Weighted average number of common shares Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic, Total Basic Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Weighted average number of common shares Weighted average number of diluted common shares Diluted CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Statement, Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component [Domain] Common Stock Preferred Stock Additional Paid-In Capital Retained Earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Noncontrolling Interest Shares, Issued Ending balance (in shares) Beginning balance (in shares) Add (Deduct): Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Comprehensive income (loss): Net change in other comprehensive income (loss) Change in other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Total Total comprehensive income (loss) (Note 12) Total comprehensive income, net of tax Total comprehensive income, net of tax Total comprehensive income (loss) (Note 13) Stock Transactions [Abstract] Stock Transactions [Abstract] Stock issued: In purchase acquisitions (in shares) In purchase acquisitions In connection with stock option exercises and other employee benefits, net of cancellations (in shares) In connection with stock option exercises and other employee benefits, net of cancellations In connection with dividend reinvestment plan (in shares) In connection with dividend reinvestment plan Number of shares issued during the period to employees related to 401(k) plans. Stock Issued During Period Shares 401k Contribution In connection with 401(k) plan (in shares) Stock Issued During Period Value 401K Contribution Stock Issued During Period Value 401k Contribution In connection with 401(k) plan Other changes in the number of other shares issued. Other Stock Issued During Period Shares Other Stock Issued During Period Shares In connection with private placement to BB&T pension plan (in shares) Other Stock Issued During Period Value Other Stock Issued During Period Value In connection with private placement to BB&T pension plan In common stock offerings (in shares) In common stock offerings (in shares) In common stock offerings In common stock offerings Value of stock issued to the U.S. Treasury in connection with the Capital Purchase Program. Issuance Of Stock In Connection With Capital Purchase Program In connection with Capital Purchase Program In connection with Capital Purchase Program Warrants issued in connection with Capital Purchase Program Redemption of preferred stock and warrant Redemption of preferred stock and warrant 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 Cash dividends accrued on preferred stock Cash dividends accrued on preferred stock Cumulative effect of adoption of accounting principles Equity-based compensation expense Stockholders' Equity, Other Other, net CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS Cash Flows From Operating Activities: Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: Depreciation Equity-based compensation Share-based Compensation, Total Discount accretion and premium amortization on long-term debt, net Discount accretion and premium amortization Net (increase) decrease in trading account securities Net decrease (increase) in trading account securities Increase (Decrease) in Trading Securities, Total Net increase in loans held for sale Net increase in loans held for sale Increase (Decrease) in Loans Held-for-sale, Total The net change during the reporting period in the balance of the FDIC Loss Share Receivable. Increase Decrease In Fdic Loss Share Receivable Net decrease in FDIC loss share receivable Gain (Loss) on Sale of Other Assets Net writedowns on foreclosed property and other real estate held for sale Net writedowns on foreclosed property and other real estate held for sale Net increase in other assets Net increase in other assets Increase in other assets Net increase (decrease) in accounts payable and other liabilities Net increase (decrease) in accounts payable and other liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Operating Liabilities, Total (Decrease) increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities Decrease Increase In Segregated Cash Due From Banks Decrease Increase In Segregated Cash Due From Banks Decrease (increase) in segregated cash due from banks (Increase) decrease in segregated cash due from banks Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets and Liabilities, Net Other, net Other, net Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities Net cash provided by operating activities Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities Cash Flows From Investing Activities: Proceeds from sales of securities available for sale Proceeds from sales and maturities of securities available for sale Proceeds from Sale of Available-for-sale Securities, Total Proceeds from maturities, calls and paydowns of securities available for sale Purchases of securities available for sale Purchases of securities available for sale Purchases of securities available for sale Payments to Acquire Available-for-sale Securities, Total 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) Loans and Leases, Total Net cash paid for divestitures Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses, Net of Cash Divested Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses, Net of Cash Divested, Total Net cash (paid) received for divestitures Net cash acquired (paid) in business combinations Net cash (paid) acquired in business combinations Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired, Total Net cash paid in business combinations Purchases of premises and equipment Purchases of premises and equipment Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total Proceeds from sales of foreclosed property or other real estate held for sale Payments for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activities Other, net Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Net cash used in investing activities Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities Cash Flows From Financing Activities: Net (decrease) increase in deposits Increase (Decrease) in Deposits, Total Net (decrease) increase in federal funds purchased, securities sold under repurchase agreements and short-term borrowed funds Proceeds from (Repayments of) Other Debt, Total Net decrease in short-term borrowed funds Proceeds from long-term debt Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt, Total Net increase in long-term debt Repayment of long-term debt Repayment of long-term debt Repayments of Long-term Debt, Total Net proceeds from common stock issued Net proceeds from preferred stock issued Proceeds from preferred stock issuance 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 Other, net