Condensed Financial Information Of Synovus Financial Corp. (Parent Company Only) (Condensed Balance Sheets) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Assets [Abstract]
Cash due from bank subsidiary	$ 614,630		$ 510,423
Other assets	660,378		744,686
Total assets	26,760,012		27,162,845
Liabilities and Equity [Abstract]
Long-term debt	1,726,455		1,364,727
Other liabilities	205,839		245,157
Total liabilities	23,190,581		24,335,393
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock	957,327		947,017
Common stock	792,273		790,989
Additional paid-in capital	2,189,874		2,241,171
Treasury stock	(114,176)		(114,176)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	4,101		21,093		57,158	84,806
Accumulated deficit	(259,968)		(1,058,642)
Total shareholders' equity	3,569,431		2,827,452
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	26,760,012		27,162,845
Parent Company [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Cash due from bank subsidiary	360,426		278,071
Funds due from other depository institutions	21,712	[1]	33,431	[1]
Investment in consolidated bank subsidiaries, at equity	3,728,704		2,998,006
Net accumulated deficit in consolidated nonbank subsidiaries, at equity	(208,183)	[2]	(279,962)	[2]
Notes receivable from nonbank subsidiaries	443,935		493,800
Other assets	104,848		55,103
Total assets	4,451,442		3,578,449
Liabilities and Equity [Abstract]
Long-term debt	841,667		726,167
Other liabilities	40,344		24,830
Total liabilities	882,011		750,997
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock	957,327		947,017
Common stock	792,273		790,989
Additional paid-in capital	2,189,874		2,241,171
Treasury stock	(114,176)		(114,176)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	4,101		21,093
Accumulated deficit	(259,968)		(1,058,642)
Total shareholders' equity	3,569,431		2,827,452
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 4,451,442		$ 3,578,449

[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.