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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 RiXZVp+LeIrqSOYWohzfBnJLp4mH/W/B7sf01bpa2heHAJIm5kMPtlpTGDx6Von0
 dSGvIF6NkSPQOfh1lMdkFw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000750556-10-000065.txt : 20100315
<SEC-HEADER>0000750556-10-000065.hdr.sgml : 20100315
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20100315074012
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000750556-10-000065
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4/A
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20100315
FILED AS OF DATE:		20100315
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20100315

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Panther Thomas E
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001305894

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4/A
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-08918
		FILM NUMBER:		10679649

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		303 PEACHTREE STREET
		STREET 2:		MAIL CODE 0679
		CITY:			ATLANTA
		STATE:			GA
		ZIP:			30308

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SUNTRUST BANKS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000750556
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS [6021]
		IRS NUMBER:				581575035
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			GA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		303 PEACHTREE ST N E
		CITY:			ATLANTA
		STATE:			GA
		ZIP:			30308
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4045887711

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		303 PEACHTREE ST N E
		CITY:			ATLANTA
		STATE:			GA
		ZIP:			30308
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4/A
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4/A</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2010-03-15</periodOfReport>

    <dateOfOriginalSubmission>2010-02-13</dateOfOriginalSubmission>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000750556</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>SUNTRUST BANKS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>STI</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001305894</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Panther Thomas E</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>303 PEACHTREE STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ATLANTA</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>GA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>30308</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>SVP, Controller/ChiefAcct.Off.</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>18705</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Restricted stock held under the SunTrust Banks, Inc. 2004 Stock Plan and the 2009 Stock Plan which is subject to certain vesting conditions.  The restricted stock agreement contain tax withholding features allowing stock to be withheld to satisfy tax withholding obligations.  The plan is exempt under Rule 16(b)-3. Includes 2,000 shares which vest on 11/6/2011, 5,810 shares which vest on 02/10/2012, 3,690 shares which vest on 8/11/2012 and 4,205 shares which vest on 02/09/2013.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>David A. Wisniewski, Attorney-in-Fact for Thomas E. Panther</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2010-03-15</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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