Rollforward of Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings Related to Securities (parenthetical) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2010
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Other Than Temporary Impairment Losses Debt Securities, No Portion Included in OCI	$ 2

Other Than Temporary Impairment Losses Debt Securities, no portion of the OTTI loss was included in OCI at any time during the period

No definition available.

Name:	sti_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesDebtSecuritiesNoPortionIncludedInOci
Namespace Prefix:	sti_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration