Regulatory Requirements - Regulatory Capital Required (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Yadkin Valley Bank and Trust
Total Capital (to risk-weighted assets)
Actual, amount	$ 219,071	$ 189,961
Total risk-based capital ratio	14.40%	13.00%
For capital adequacy purposes, amount	121,635	116,923
For capital adequacy purposes, ratio	8.00%	8.00%
To be well capitalized under prompt corrective action provisions, amount	152,043	146,154
To be well capitalized under prompt corrective action provisions, ratio	10.00%	10.00%
Tier 1 Capital (to risk-weighted assets)
Actual, amount	200,891	171,505
Tier One Risk Based Capital to Risk Weighted Assets	13.20%	11.70%
For capital adequacy purposes, amount	60,817	58,462
For capital adequacy purposes, ratio	4.00%	4.00%
To be well capitalized under prompt corrective action provisions, amount	91,226	87,692
To be well capitalized under prompt corrective action provisions, ratio	6.00%	6.00%
Tier 1 Capital (to average assets)
Actual, amount	200,891	171,505
Actual, ratio	11.20%	8.90%
For capital adequacy purposes, amount	71,495	76,912
For capital adequacy purposes, ratio	4.00%	4.00%
To be well capitalized under prompt corrective action provisions, amount	89,369	96,139
To be well capitalized under prompt corrective action provisions, ratio	5.00%	5.00%
Yadkin Valley Financial Corporation
Total Capital (to risk-weighted assets)
Actual, amount	221,858	194,932
Total risk-based capital ratio	14.60%	13.30%
For capital adequacy purposes, amount	121,702	116,960
For capital adequacy purposes, ratio	8.00%	8.00%
To be well capitalized under prompt corrective action provisions, amount	152,128	146,200
To be well capitalized under prompt corrective action provisions, ratio	10.00%	10.00%
Tier 1 Capital (to risk-weighted assets)
Actual, amount	204,763	177,656
Tier One Risk Based Capital to Risk Weighted Assets	13.50%	12.20%
For capital adequacy purposes, amount	60,851	58,480
For capital adequacy purposes, ratio	4.00%	4.00%
To be well capitalized under prompt corrective action provisions, amount	91,277	87,720
To be well capitalized under prompt corrective action provisions, ratio	6.00%	6.00%
Tier 1 Capital (to average assets)
Actual, amount	204,763	177,656
Actual, ratio	11.50%	9.20%
For capital adequacy purposes, amount	71,556	76,998
For capital adequacy purposes, ratio	4.00%	4.00%
To be well capitalized under prompt corrective action provisions, amount	$ 89,445	$ 96,247
To be well capitalized under prompt corrective action provisions, ratio	5.00%	5.00%