Regulatory Requirements and Other Restrictions

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Regulatory Capital Requirements [Abstract]

Regulatory Requirements and Other Restrictions

Regulatory Requirements and Other Restrictions

Branch Bank is required by the FRB to maintain reserve balances in the form of vault cash or deposits with the FRB based on specified percentages of certain deposit types, subject to various adjustments. At December 31, 2018, the net reserve requirement was met with vault cash.

Branch Bank is subject to laws and regulations that limit the amount of dividends it can pay. In addition, both BB&T and Branch Bank are subject to various regulatory restrictions relating to the payment of dividends, including requirements to maintain capital at or above regulatory minimums, and to remain "well-capitalized" under the prompt corrective action regulations. BB&T does not expect that any of these laws, regulations or policies will materially affect the ability of Branch Bank to pay dividends.

BB&T is subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the Federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary-actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Company must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities and certain off-balance-sheet items calculated pursuant to regulatory directives. BB&T's capital amounts and classification also are subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors. BB&T is in full compliance with these requirements. Banking regulations also identify five capital categories for IDIs: well-capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized and critically undercapitalized. At December 31, 2018 and 2017, BB&T and Branch Bank were classified as "well-capitalized," and management believes that no events or changes have occurred subsequent to year end that would change this designation.

Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require BB&T to maintain minimum ratios of CET1, Tier 1 and Total Capital (as defined in the regulations) to risk-weighted assets (as defined), and of Tier 1 capital to average tangible assets (leverage ratio).

Risk-based capital ratios, which include CET1, Tier 1 Capital and Total Capital, are calculated based on regulatory guidance related to the measurement of capital and risk-weighted assets. 

	2018								2017
	Actual Capital				Capital Requirements				Actual Capital				Capital Requirements
December 31, (Dollars in millions)	Ratio		Amount		Minimum		Well-Capitalized		Ratio		Amount		Minimum		Well-Capitalized
CET1 capital:
BB&T Corporation	10.2	%	$	18,405	$	8,157	$	11,782	10.2	%	$	18,051	$	7,975	$	11,519
Branch Bank	11.2		19,571		7,875		11,375		11.3		19,480		7,752		11,197
Tier 1 capital:
BB&T Corporation	11.8		21,456		10,876		14,501		11.9		21,102		10,633		14,177
Branch Bank	11.2		19,571		10,500		14,000		11.3		19,480		10,336		13,781
Total capital:
BB&T Corporation	13.8		24,963		14,501		18,126		13.9		24,653		14,177		17,722
Branch Bank	13.2		23,049		14,000		17,500		13.3		22,915		13,781		17,226
Leverage capital:
BB&T Corporation	9.9		21,456		8,635		10,794		9.9		21,102		8,567		10,708
Branch Bank	9.3		19,571		8,378		10,473		9.4		19,480		8,315		10,394

As an approved seller/servicer, Branch Bank is required to maintain minimum levels of capital, as specified by various agencies, including the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, GNMA, FHLMC and FNMA. At December 31, 2018 and 2017, Branch Bank's capital was above all required levels.