Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity (USD $) In Thousands	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Capital Surplus [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Total shareholders' equity [Member]	Non-Controlling Interest [Member]
Balances at Dec. 31, 2009	$ 2,225,374	$ 4	$ (10,740)	$ 758,723	$ 1,563,683	$ (105,857)	$ 2,205,813	$ 19,561
Shares at Dec. 31, 2009		70,312				2,509
Comprehensive income:
Net income attributable to BOKF	123,655	0	0	0	123,655	0	123,655	0
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest	2,245	0	0	0	0	0	0	2,245
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	124,511	0	124,511	0	0	0	124,511	0
Comprehensive income	250,411						248,166	2,245
Exercise of stock options	2,887	0	0	6,511	0	(3,624)	2,887	0
Exercise of stock options, shares		304				27
Tax benefit on exercise of stock options	335	0	0	335	0	0	335	0
Stock-based compensation	4,359	0	0	4,359	0	0	4,359	0
Cash dividends on common stock	(32,822)	0	0	0	(32,822)	0	(32,822)	0
Capital calls and distributions, net	(517)	0	0	0	0	0	0	(517)
Balances at Jun. 30, 2010	2,450,027	4	113,771	769,928	1,654,516	(109,481)	2,428,738	21,289
Shares at Jun. 30, 2010		70,616				2,536
Balances at Dec. 31, 2010	2,543,878	4	107,839	782,805	1,743,880	(112,802)	2,521,726	22,152
Shares at Dec. 31, 2010		70,816				2,608
Comprehensive income:
Net income attributable to BOKF	133,781	0	0	0	133,781	0	133,781	0
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest	2,680	0	0	0	0	0	0	2,680
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	38,416	0	38,416	0	0	0	38,416	0
Comprehensive income	174,877						172,197	2,680
Exercise of stock options	4,291	0	0	6,345	0	(2,054)	4,291	0
Exercise of stock options, shares		284				30
Tax benefit on exercise of stock options	339	0	0	339	0	0	339	0
Stock-based compensation	4,803	0	0	4,803	0	0	4,803	0
Cash dividends on common stock	(35,639)	0	0	0	(35,639)	0	(35,639)	0
Capital calls and distributions, net	(375)	0	0	0	0	0	0	(375)
Balances at Jun. 30, 2011	$ 2,692,174	$ 4	$ 146,255	$ 794,292	$ 1,842,022	$ (114,856)	$ 2,667,717	$ 24,457
Shares at Jun. 30, 2011		71,100				2,638