The Company's Capital Ratios (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Tier 1 common	$ 13,509	$ 12,254
Tier 1 capital	14,975	14,490
Total capital	18,131	18,177
Tier 1 common	10.04%	9.22%
Tier 1 capital	11.13%	10.90%
Total capital	13.48%	13.67%
Tier 1 leverage	8.91%	8.75%
Sun Trust Bank [Member]
Tier 1 capital	15,121	14,026
Total capital	$ 18,056	$ 17,209
Tier 1 capital	11.38%	10.70%
Total capital	13.59%	13.13%
Tier 1 leverage	9.23%	8.69%