Regulatory Requirements and Other Restrictions (Summary information regarding regulatory capital) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
BB&T [Member]
Compliance with Regulatory Capital Requirements under Banking Regulations [Line Items]
Tier 1 actual capital ratio	12.50%	11.80%
Tier 1 actual capital amount	$ 14,913	$ 13,959
Tier 1 minimum capital requirements	4,789	4,725
Tier 1 well-capitalized requirements	7,184	7,088
Total actual capital ratio	15.70%	15.50%
Total actual capital amount	18,802	18,319
Total minimum capital requirements	9,578	9,450
Total well-capitalized requirements	11,973	11,813
Actual leverage capital ratio	9.00%	9.10%
Actual leverage capital amount	14,913	13,959
Leverage capital minimum requirements	6,614	6,134
Leverage capital well-capitalized requirements	8,267	7,667
Branch Bank [Member]
Compliance with Regulatory Capital Requirements under Banking Regulations [Line Items]
Tier 1 actual capital ratio	13.40%	13.00%
Tier 1 actual capital amount	15,274	14,650
Tier 1 minimum capital requirements	4,567	4,499
Tier 1 well-capitalized requirements	6,851	6,749
Total actual capital ratio	15.60%	15.50%
Total actual capital amount	17,855	17,417
Total minimum capital requirements	9,135	8,998
Total well-capitalized requirements	11,418	11,248
Actual leverage capital ratio	9.50%	9.90%
Actual leverage capital amount	15,274	14,650
Leverage capital minimum requirements	4,801	4,425
Leverage capital well-capitalized requirements	$ 8,002	$ 7,375