Document and Entity Information - $ / shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jul. 28, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Entity Registrant Name	SUNTRUST BANKS INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000750556
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		495,738,819
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$ 1.00		$ 1.00
Scenario, Forecast [Member]
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share		$ 1.00