Variable Interest Entities (Summary Of VIE Consolidated By FHN) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	Sep. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010		Jun. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Sep. 30, 2011 Variable Interest Entity Consolidated Carrying Amount Assets [Member] On-Balance Sheet Consumer Loan Securitizations [Member]	Sep. 30, 2010 Variable Interest Entity Consolidated Carrying Amount Assets [Member] On-Balance Sheet Consumer Loan Securitizations [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Variable Interest Entity Consolidated Carrying Amount Assets [Member] Rabbi Trusts Used for Deferred Compensation Plans [Member]	Sep. 30, 2010 Variable Interest Entity Consolidated Carrying Amount Assets [Member] Rabbi Trusts Used for Deferred Compensation Plans [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Variable Interest Entity Consolidated Carrying Amount Liabilities [Member] On-Balance Sheet Consumer Loan Securitizations [Member]	Sep. 30, 2010 Variable Interest Entity Consolidated Carrying Amount Liabilities [Member] On-Balance Sheet Consumer Loan Securitizations [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Variable Interest Entity Consolidated Carrying Amount Liabilities [Member] Rabbi Trusts Used for Deferred Compensation Plans [Member]	Sep. 30, 2010 Variable Interest Entity Consolidated Carrying Amount Liabilities [Member] Rabbi Trusts Used for Deferred Compensation Plans [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Subordinated Debentures Subject To Mandatory Redemption - Amounts Redeemed [Member]	Mar. 31, 2011 Subordinated Debentures Subject To Mandatory Redemption - Amounts Redeemed [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Cash and due from banks	$ 339,895			$ 344,384	$ 331,743				$ 4,719
Loans, net of unearned income	16,241,402	[1],[2]		16,782,572	17,059,489	[1],[2]			665,744	796,529
Allowance for loan losses	449,645	[1],[2]	524,091	664,799	719,899	[1],[2]	781,269	896,914	32,369	47,840
Total net loans	15,791,757			16,117,773	16,339,590				633,375	748,689
Other assets	2,169,628			2,121,506	2,199,087				13,645	19,078	60,113	60,340
Total assets	25,571,469			24,698,952	25,384,181				651,739	767,767	60,113	60,340
Noninterest-bearing deposits	4,412,375			4,376,285	4,393,107									1,058
Term borrowings	2,509,804			3,228,070	2,805,731								653,120	796,120			309,300	103,100
Other liabilities	915,945			861,577	868,547								66	96	49,911	54,439
Total liabilities	$ 22,828,239			$ 22,020,947	$ 22,077,293								$ 653,186	$ 797,274	$ 49,911	$ 54,439

[1] Q3 2011 and Q3 2010 include $26.9 million and $41.9 million of reserves, respectively, and $623.3 million and $735.8 million of balances in restricted consumer real estate loans, respectively.

[2] Q3 2011 and Q3 2010 include $5.5 million and $5.9 million of reserves, respectively, and $42.4 million and $60.7 million of balances in restricted permanent mortgage loans, respectively.