Loan Servicing (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012
Reduction in the value of residential mortgage servicing rights due to revised servicing cost assumptions	$ 22

Reduction in the value of residential mortgage servicing rights due to updated prepayment speed and House Price Index forecast assumptions

No definition available.

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Namespace Prefix:	bbt_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration