Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Defined Benefit Plan, Recognized Net Gain (Loss) Due to Curtailments	$ 0		$ (88)		$ 0
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit
Service cost	0		62		69
Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost	119		128		129
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Return on Plan Assets	(173)		(188)		(183)
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit)	0		(16)		(11)
Recognized net actuarial loss	25		39		62
Defined Benefit Plan, Recognized Net Gain (Loss) Due to Curtailments	0		(88)		0
Defined Benefit Plan, Recognized Net Gain (Loss) Due to Settlements	2		0		0
Net periodic benefit cost	(27)		(63)		66
Defined Benefit Plan, Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Discount Rate	4.63%		5.59%	[1]	6.32%
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Expected Long-term Return on Assets	7.00%		7.72%	[2]	8.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Rate of Compensation Increase			4.00%		4.00%
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit
Service cost	0		0		0
Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost	7		9		10
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Return on Plan Assets	(7)		(7)		(7)
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit)	0		0		(1)
Recognized net actuarial loss	0		1		1
Defined Benefit Plan, Recognized Net Gain (Loss) Due to Curtailments	0		0		0
Defined Benefit Plan, Recognized Net Gain (Loss) Due to Settlements	0		0		0
Net periodic benefit cost	$ 0		$ 3		$ 3
Defined Benefit Plan, Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Discount Rate	4.10%		5.10%		5.70%
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Expected Long-term Return on Assets	4.06%	[3]	4.39%	[3]	4.39%	[3]

[1] 1Interim remeasurement was required on November 14, 2011 due to plan amendments adopted at that time. The discount rate as of the remeasurement date was selected based on economic conditions on that date.

[2] 2As part of the interim remeasurement on November 14, 2011, the expected return on plan assets was reduced from 7.75% to 7.25% for the SunTrust Pension Plan and the NCF Retirement Plan.

[3] 3The weighted average shown for the Other Postretirement Benefit plan is determined on an after-tax basis.