Allowance for Credit Losses (Aging Analysis of Past Due Loans and Leases) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Loans and Leases Excluding Covered Current	$ 106,913	[1]	$ 99,148	[1]
Loans and Leases Excluding Covered 30-89 Days Past Due	1,112	[1]	1,177	[1]
Loans and Leases Excluding Covered 90 Days Or More Past Due	382	[1]	405	[1]
Nonaccrual Loans and Leases Excluding Covered	1,540	[1]	1,872	[1]
Total Loans And Leases Excluding Covered Loans	109,947	[1]	102,602	[1]
Mortgage Loans Guaranteed By Gnma 90 Days Or More Past Due	499		426
Mortgage loans guaranteed by GNMA 30-89 days past due	6
Commercial and Industrial [Member]
Loans and Leases Excluding Covered Current	37,373		35,746
Loans and Leases Excluding Covered 30-89 Days Past Due	41		85
Loans and Leases Excluding Covered 90 Days Or More Past Due	1		2
Nonaccrual Loans and Leases Excluding Covered	597		582
Total Loans And Leases Excluding Covered Loans	38,012		36,415
Commercial Real Estate - Other [Member]
Loans and Leases Excluding Covered Current	10,645		10,273
Loans and Leases Excluding Covered 30-89 Days Past Due	9		22
Loans and Leases Excluding Covered 90 Days Or More Past Due	0		0
Nonaccrual Loans and Leases Excluding Covered	259		394
Total Loans And Leases Excluding Covered Loans	10,913		10,689
Commercial Real Estate - Residential ADC [Member]
Loans and Leases Excluding Covered Current	1,242		1,671
Loans and Leases Excluding Covered 30-89 Days Past Due	8		14
Loans and Leases Excluding Covered 90 Days Or More Past Due	0		0
Nonaccrual Loans and Leases Excluding Covered	204		376
Total Loans And Leases Excluding Covered Loans	1,454		2,061
Commercial Other Lending Subsidiaries [Member]
Loans and Leases Excluding Covered Current	4,082		3,589
Loans and Leases Excluding Covered 30-89 Days Past Due	25		25
Loans and Leases Excluding Covered 90 Days Or More Past Due	4		4
Nonaccrual Loans and Leases Excluding Covered	4		8
Total Loans And Leases Excluding Covered Loans	4,115		3,626
Direct Retail Lending [Member]
Loans and Leases Excluding Covered Current	15,399		14,146
Loans and Leases Excluding Covered 30-89 Days Past Due	136		162
Loans and Leases Excluding Covered 90 Days Or More Past Due	41		56
Nonaccrual Loans and Leases Excluding Covered	134		142
Total Loans And Leases Excluding Covered Loans	15,710		14,506
Retail Revolving Credit [Member]
Loans and Leases Excluding Covered Current	2,256		2,173
Loans and Leases Excluding Covered 30-89 Days Past Due	21		22
Loans and Leases Excluding Covered 90 Days Or More Past Due	14		17
Nonaccrual Loans and Leases Excluding Covered	0		0
Total Loans And Leases Excluding Covered Loans	2,291		2,212
Retail Residential Mortgage [Member]
Loans and Leases Excluding Covered Current	22,627	[1]	19,442	[1]
Loans and Leases Excluding Covered 30-89 Days Past Due	585	[1]	524	[1]
Loans and Leases Excluding Covered 90 Days Or More Past Due	310	[1]	307	[1]
Nonaccrual Loans and Leases Excluding Covered	266	[1]	308	[1]
Total Loans And Leases Excluding Covered Loans	23,788	[1]	20,581	[1]
Retail Sales Finance [Member]
Loans and Leases Excluding Covered Current	7,652		7,301
Loans and Leases Excluding Covered 30-89 Days Past Due	53		75
Loans and Leases Excluding Covered 90 Days Or More Past Due	11		18
Nonaccrual Loans and Leases Excluding Covered	7		7
Total Loans And Leases Excluding Covered Loans	7,723		7,401
Retail Other Lending Subsidiaries [Member]
Loans and Leases Excluding Covered Current	5,637		4,807
Loans and Leases Excluding Covered 30-89 Days Past Due	234		248
Loans and Leases Excluding Covered 90 Days Or More Past Due	1		1
Nonaccrual Loans and Leases Excluding Covered	69		55
Total Loans And Leases Excluding Covered Loans	5,941		5,111
Government Guaranteed Loans [Member]
Loans and Leases Excluding Covered 30-89 Days Past Due	84		81
Loans and Leases Excluding Covered 90 Days Or More Past Due	$ 230		$ 203

[1] Residential mortgage loans include $84 million and $81 million in government guaranteed loans 30-89 days past due, and $230 million and $203 million in government guaranteed loans 90 days or more past due as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. Residential mortgage loans exclude $6 million and $499 million in loans guaranteed by GNMA that BB&T has the option, but not the obligation, to repurchase, which are past due 30-89 days and 90 days or more, respectively, at September 30, 2012.