Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses Activity in the Allowance for Credit Losses (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses [Roll Forward]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Allowance, Beginning Balance	$ 202,780	$ 223,903		$ 184,144
Loans charged off	(44,593)	(80,212)	(140,366)
Recoveries of loans previously charged off	13,107	19,190	13,628
Net loans charged off	(31,486)fult_LoansChargedOffNetOfRecoveries	(61,022)fult_LoansChargedOffNetOfRecoveries	(126,738)fult_LoansChargedOffNetOfRecoveries
Provision for loan losses (2)	12,850	39,899
Measured for impairment under FASB ASC Subtopic 450-20	123,277	139,582
Evaluated for impairment under FASB ASC Section 310-10-35	60,867	63,198
Loans and leases receivable, net of deferred income	13,111,716	12,782,220
Measured for impairment under FASB ASC Subtopic 450-20	12,923,015	12,580,356
Evaluated for impairment under FASB ASC Section 310-10-35	188,701	201,864
Percentage of Unallocated Allowance	4.00%fult_PercentageOfUnallocatedAllowance	8.00%fult_PercentageOfUnallocatedAllowance
Provision for loan losses gross	350fult_ProvisionForLoanLossesGross	601fult_ProvisionForLoanLossesGross
Provision for credit losses	12,500us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanAndLeaseLosses	40,500us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanAndLeaseLosses	94,000us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanAndLeaseLosses
Real estate – commercial mortgage
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses [Roll Forward]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Allowance, Beginning Balance	55,659	62,928		53,493
Loans charged off	(6,004)	(20,829)
Recoveries of loans previously charged off	1,960	3,494
Net loans charged off	(4,044)	(17,335)
Provision for loan losses (2)	1,878	10,066
Measured for impairment under FASB ASC Subtopic 450-20	36,778	41,215
Evaluated for impairment under FASB ASC Section 310-10-35	16,715	14,444
Loans and leases receivable, net of deferred income	5,197,155	5,101,922
Measured for impairment under FASB ASC Subtopic 450-20	5,133,896	5,041,598
Evaluated for impairment under FASB ASC Section 310-10-35	63,259	60,324
Commercial – industrial, financial and agricultural
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses [Roll Forward]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Allowance, Beginning Balance	50,330	60,205		51,378
Loans charged off	(24,516)	(30,383)
Recoveries of loans previously charged off	4,256	9,281
Net loans charged off	(20,260)	(21,102)
Provision for loan losses (2)	21,308	11,227
Measured for impairment under FASB ASC Subtopic 450-20	38,348	36,263
Evaluated for impairment under FASB ASC Section 310-10-35	13,030	14,067
Loans and leases receivable, net of deferred income	3,725,567	3,628,420
Measured for impairment under FASB ASC Subtopic 450-20	3,690,561	3,583,665
Evaluated for impairment under FASB ASC Section 310-10-35	35,006	44,755
Real estate – home equity
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses [Roll Forward]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Allowance, Beginning Balance	28,222	22,776		28,271
Loans charged off	(5,486)	(8,193)
Recoveries of loans previously charged off	1,025	860
Net loans charged off	(4,461)	(7,333)
Provision for loan losses (2)	4,510	12,779
Measured for impairment under FASB ASC Subtopic 450-20	19,047	19,163
Evaluated for impairment under FASB ASC Section 310-10-35	9,224	9,059
Loans and leases receivable, net of deferred income	1,736,688	1,764,197
Measured for impairment under FASB ASC Subtopic 450-20	1,723,230	1,749,560
Evaluated for impairment under FASB ASC Section 310-10-35	13,458	14,637
Real estate – residential mortgage
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses [Roll Forward]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Allowance, Beginning Balance	33,082	34,536		29,072
Loans charged off	(2,918)	(9,705)
Recoveries of loans previously charged off	451	548
Net loans charged off	(2,467)	(9,157)
Provision for loan losses (2)	(1,543)	7,703
Measured for impairment under FASB ASC Subtopic 450-20	10,480	11,337
Evaluated for impairment under FASB ASC Section 310-10-35	18,592	21,745
Loans and leases receivable, net of deferred income	1,377,068	1,337,380
Measured for impairment under FASB ASC Subtopic 450-20	1,325,717	1,286,283
Evaluated for impairment under FASB ASC Section 310-10-35	51,351	51,097
Real estate – construction
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses [Roll Forward]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Allowance, Beginning Balance	12,649	17,287		9,756
Loans charged off	(1,209)	(6,572)
Recoveries of loans previously charged off	3,177	2,682
Net loans charged off	1,968	(3,890)
Provision for loan losses (2)	(4,861)	(748)
Measured for impairment under FASB ASC Subtopic 450-20	6,485	8,778
Evaluated for impairment under FASB ASC Section 310-10-35	3,271	3,871
Loans and leases receivable, net of deferred income	690,601	573,672
Measured for impairment under FASB ASC Subtopic 450-20	665,012	542,634
Evaluated for impairment under FASB ASC Section 310-10-35	25,589	31,038
Consumer
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses [Roll Forward]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Allowance, Beginning Balance	3,260	2,367		3,015
Loans charged off	(2,325)	(1,877)
Recoveries of loans previously charged off	1,322	1,518
Net loans charged off	(1,003)	(359)
Provision for loan losses (2)	758	1,252
Measured for impairment under FASB ASC Subtopic 450-20	2,980	3,248
Evaluated for impairment under FASB ASC Section 310-10-35	35	12
Loans and leases receivable, net of deferred income	265,431	283,124
Measured for impairment under FASB ASC Subtopic 450-20	265,393	283,111
Evaluated for impairment under FASB ASC Section 310-10-35	38	13
Leasing and other and overdrafts
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses [Roll Forward]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Allowance, Beginning Balance	3,370	2,752		1,799
Loans charged off	(2,135)	(2,653)
Recoveries of loans previously charged off	916	807
Net loans charged off	(1,219)	(1,846)
Provision for loan losses (2)	(352)	2,464
Measured for impairment under FASB ASC Subtopic 450-20	1,799	3,370
Evaluated for impairment under FASB ASC Section 310-10-35	0	0
Loans and leases receivable, net of deferred income	119,206	93,505
Measured for impairment under FASB ASC Subtopic 450-20	119,206	93,505
Evaluated for impairment under FASB ASC Section 310-10-35	0	0
Unallocated
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses [Roll Forward]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Allowance, Beginning Balance	16,208	21,052		7,360
Loans charged off	0	0
Recoveries of loans previously charged off		0
Net loans charged off	0	0
Provision for loan losses (2)	(8,848)	(4,844)
Measured for impairment under FASB ASC Subtopic 450-20	$ 7,360	$ 16,208

Allowance for loan and lease losses, provision for loss, net of provision applied to unfunded commitments.

No definition available.

Name:	fult_AllowanceForLoanAndLeaseLossesProvisionForLossNetOfProvisionAppliedToUnfundedCommitments
Namespace Prefix:	fult_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Reflects the increase in the allowance account attributable to collections of loans and lease receivables which had previously been fully or partially charged off as bad debts.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	fult_LoansChargedOffNetOfRecoveries
Namespace Prefix:	fult_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage of Unallocated Allowance

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	fult_PercentageOfUnallocatedAllowance
Namespace Prefix:	fult_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the change in allocation needs for commitments to lend to borrowers.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	fult_ProvisionForLoanLossesGross
Namespace Prefix:	fult_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AllowanceForLoanAndLeaseLossesRollForward
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of loans and leases that have been written off from both loan receivables and allowance reserve for credit loss.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AllowanceForLoanAndLeaseLossesWriteOffs
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of recovery of loans and lease receivables which had previously been fully or partially written-off as bad debts.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 11B

-Subparagraph (c)(4)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35738203&loc=SL6953423-111524

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AllowanceForLoanAndLeaseLossRecoveryOfBadDebts
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The valuation allowance for financing receivables that are expected to be uncollectible that were collectively evaluated for impairment.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 11B

-Subparagraph (g)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35738203&loc=SL6953423-111524

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesCollectivelyEvaluatedForImpairment
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of valuation allowance for financing receivables that are expected to be uncollectible that were individually evaluated for impairment.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 11B

-Subparagraph (g)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35738203&loc=SL6953423-111524

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesIndividuallyEvaluatedForImpairment1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The balance of financing receivables that were collectively evaluated for impairment.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 11B

-Subparagraph (h)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35738203&loc=SL6953423-111524

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivableCollectivelyEvaluatedForImpairment
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The balance of financing receivables that were individually evaluated for impairment.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 11B

-Subparagraph (h)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35738203&loc=SL6953423-111524

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivableIndividuallyEvaluatedForImpairment
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of allowance to cover probable credit losses on loans and leases. Includes carryover of or adjustments to the allowance for loan losses in connection with business combinations. Excludes allowance for loans and leases covered under loss sharing agreements.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.7(d))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 7

-Subparagraph d

-Article 9

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 11B

-Subparagraph (g)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35738203&loc=SL6953423-111524

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 11B

-Subparagraph (c)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35738203&loc=SL6953423-111524

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (b)(1)(ii)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6379141&loc=d3e15032-111544

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 6

-Section L

-Subsection 1

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableAllowance
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount before allowance and after deduction of deferred interest and fees, unamortized costs and premiums and discounts from face amounts, of loans and leases held in portfolio, including but not limited to, commercial and consumer loans. Excludes loans and leases covered under loss sharing agreements.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35738203&loc=d3e5074-111524

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28367877&loc=d3e4428-111522

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of expense related to estimated loss from loan and lease transactions.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Paragraph 11

-Article 9

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 225

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-04.11)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879574&loc=d3e536633-122882

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 11B

-Subparagraph (c)(2)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35738203&loc=SL6953423-111524

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanAndLeaseLosses
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis=fult_LeasingAndOtherAndOverdraftsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis=us-gaap_CommercialPortfolioSegmentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis=us-gaap_CommercialRealEstateConstructionFinancingReceivableMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis=us-gaap_CommercialRealEstatePortfolioSegmentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis=us-gaap_ConsumerPortfolioSegmentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis=us-gaap_HomeEquityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis=us-gaap_ResidentialPortfolioSegmentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis=us-gaap_UnallocatedFinancingReceivablesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: