Segment Results (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013 item		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Results
Number of reportable segments	3
Earnings Summary:
Net interest income	$ 823,715		$ 830,836		$ 772,990
Provision for credit losses on loans and leases, excluding covered loans			10,000		12,500
Provision for losses on covered loans	635		45,346		43,646
Noninterest income	355,169		357,603		341,867
Depreciation and amortization	39,784		39,753		35,323
Noninterest expense	811,330		785,385		769,772
Income before income taxes	327,135		307,955		253,616
Provision for income taxes	94,619		98,822		77,561
Net income	232,516		209,133		176,055
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	2,507		1,084		3,634
Net income attributable to City National Corporation	230,009	[1]	208,049	[1]	172,421	[1]
Selected Average Balances:
Loans and leases, excluding covered loans	15,775,880		13,285,220		11,698,388
Covered loans	865,640		1,268,513		1,699,182
Total assets	28,290,973		25,236,172		22,527,750
Deposits	23,954,163		21,628,868		19,305,703
Goodwill	642,622		573,849		486,502
Customer-relationship intangibles, net	44,437		43,388		39,428
Other segment
Earnings Summary:
Net interest income	65,248		102,791		30,453
Noninterest income	(39,109)		(44,430)		(42,650)
Depreciation and amortization	18,735		18,257		15,462
Noninterest expense	(73,233)		(67,856)		(59,673)
Income before income taxes	80,637		107,960		32,014
Provision for income taxes	23,503		34,767		9,412
Net income	57,134		73,193		22,602
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest					1,678
Net income attributable to City National Corporation	57,134		73,193		20,924
Selected Average Balances:
Loans and leases, excluding covered loans	53,999		61,360		56,412
Total assets	10,830,627		9,810,065		8,157,222
Deposits	432,354		462,878		378,083
Commercial and Private Banking
Earnings Summary:
Net interest income	757,472		724,377		740,426
Provision for credit losses on loans and leases, excluding covered loans			10,000		12,500
Provision for losses on covered loans	635		45,346		43,646
Noninterest income	161,330		214,195		222,279
Depreciation and amortization	13,687		14,207		14,656
Noninterest expense	687,895		684,932		682,288
Income before income taxes	216,585		184,087		209,615
Provision for income taxes	63,128		59,281		65,037
Net income	153,457		124,806		144,578
Net income attributable to City National Corporation	153,457		124,806		144,578
Selected Average Balances:
Loans and leases, excluding covered loans	15,721,881		13,223,860		11,641,976
Covered loans	865,640		1,268,513		1,699,182
Total assets	16,810,571		14,836,148		13,820,611
Deposits	23,423,943		21,063,846		18,862,701
Goodwill	393,176		370,487		324,872
Customer-relationship intangibles, net	4,812		7,790		11,713
Wealth Management
Earnings Summary:
Net interest income	995		3,668		2,111
Noninterest income	232,948		187,838		162,238
Depreciation and amortization	7,362		7,289		5,205
Noninterest expense	196,668		168,309		147,157
Income before income taxes	29,913		15,908		11,987
Provision for income taxes	7,988		4,774		3,112
Net income	21,925		11,134		8,875
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	2,507		1,084		1,956
Net income attributable to City National Corporation	19,418		10,050		6,919
Selected Average Balances:
Total assets	649,775		589,959		549,917
Deposits	97,866		102,144		64,919
Goodwill	249,446		203,362		161,630
Customer-relationship intangibles, net	$ 39,625		$ 35,598		$ 27,715

[1] Net income excludes net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest of $2,507, $1,084 and $1,956 for 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Redeemable noncontrolling interest is reflected in the mezzanine section in the consolidated balance sheets. See Note 22 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.