Loan Servicing (Commercial Mortgage Banking Activities) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Loan Servicing [Abstract]
UPB of CRE mortgages serviced for others	$ 28,049	$ 29,520
CRE mortgages serviced for others covered by recourse provisions	4,850	4,970
Maximum recourse exposure from CRE mortgages sold with recourse liability	1,368	1,368
Recorded reserves related to recourse exposure	13	13
Originated CRE mortgages during the period - year to date	$ 3,274	$ 4,934

Represents the total amount of commercial real estate mortgage loans serviced for others that were covered by recourse provisions at period end.

No definition available.

Name:	bbt_CommercialMortgageLoansSoldWithRecourseLiability
Namespace Prefix:	bbt_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Represents the total exposure to the Registrant from commercial real estate mortgage loans sold with recourse liability.

No definition available.

Name:	bbt_MaximumRecourseExposureOnCommercialMortgageLoansSold
Namespace Prefix:	bbt_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Represents the dollar amount of commercial real estate mortgage loans originated during the period.

No definition available.

Name:	bbt_OriginationOfCommercialRealEstateMortgages
Namespace Prefix:	bbt_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Represents the reserve recorded on the Registrant's books for expected losses related to commercial real estate mortgage loans sold with recourse.

No definition available.

Name:	bbt_ReserveForCommercialMortgageLoansSoldWithRecourse
Namespace Prefix:	bbt_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Represents the total unpaid principal balance of commercial real estate mortgage loans serviced by the Registrant for others.

No definition available.

Name:	bbt_UnpaidPrincipalBalanceOfCommercialMortgageLoansServicedForOthers
Namespace Prefix:	bbt_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant