Document and Entity Information - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Billions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Feb. 17, 2017	Jun. 30, 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-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2016
Entity Public Float			$ 20.6
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		491,412,870
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