Condensed Financial Information Of Synovus Financial Corp. (Parent Company Only) (Condensed Balance Sheets) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Assets [Abstract]
Cash due from bank subsidiary	$ 510,423		$ 389,021
Other assets	746,824		875,160
Total assets	27,162,845		30,093,148
Liabilities and Equity [Abstract]
Long-term debt	1,364,727		1,808,161
Other liabilities	245,157		260,910
Total liabilities	24,335,393		27,068,601
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock	947,017		937,323
Common stock	790,989		790,956
Additional paid-in capital	2,241,171		2,293,264
Treasury stock	(114,176)		(114,176)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	21,093		57,158
Accumulated deficit	(1,058,642)		(966,607)
Total shareholders' equity	2,827,452		2,997,918
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	27,162,845		30,093,148
Parent Company [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Cash due from bank subsidiary	278,071		275,578
Funds due from other depository institutions	33,431	[1]	28,423	[1]
Investment in consolidated bank subsidiaries, at equity	2,998,006		2,979,596
Net accumulated deficit in consolidated nonbank subsidiaries, at equity	(279,962)	[2]	(148,172)	[2]
Notes receivable from nonbank subsidiaries	493,800		601,744
Other assets	55,103		81,966
Total assets	3,578,449		3,819,135
Liabilities and Equity [Abstract]
Long-term debt	726,167		754,783
Other liabilities	24,830		66,434
Total liabilities	750,997		821,217
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock	947,017		937,323
Common stock	790,989		790,956
Additional paid-in capital	2,241,171		2,293,264
Treasury stock	(114,176)		(114,176)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	21,093		57,158
Accumulated deficit	(1,058,642)		(966,607)
Total shareholders' equity	2,827,452		2,997,918
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 3,578,449		$ 3,819,135

[1] Restricted as to withdrawal.

[2] Includes non-bank subsidiary formed during 2008 that has incurred credit losses, including losses on the disposition of non-performing assets.