Parent Company Information (Schedule Of Condensed Statements Of Financial Condition) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2008
Interest bearing deposits with banks	$ 6,483	$ 63,657
Investment securities available for sale	566,520	1,035,282
Loans	9,527,797	9,009,140
Other assets	586,134	417,742
Total assets	14,244,507	14,143,826
Junior subordinated debentures issued to capital trusts (includes fair value of $160,478 at December 31, 2011 and $161,734 at December 31, 2010 for VNB Capital Trust I)	185,598	186,922
Total shareholders' equity	1,266,248	1,295,205	1,252,854	1,363,609
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	14,244,507	14,143,826
Junior subordinated debentures issued to capital trusts, fair value	160,478	161,734
Parent Company [Member]
Cash	42,593	32,415
Interest bearing deposits with banks	135	48,134
Investment securities available for sale	5,938	6,207
Investment in subsidiaries	1,384,925	1,413,158
Loans	36,990
Other assets	13,335	13,900
Total assets	1,483,916	1,513,814
Dividends payable to shareholders	29,355	29,063
Junior subordinated debentures issued to capital trusts (includes fair value of $160,478 at December 31, 2011 and $161,734 at December 31, 2010 for VNB Capital Trust I)	185,598	186,922
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	2,715	2,624
Total shareholders' equity	1,266,248	1,295,205
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	1,483,916	1,513,814
VNB Capital Trust I [Member] | Parent Company [Member]
Loans	160,478
Junior subordinated debentures issued to capital trusts, fair value		$ 161,734