Earnings per Common Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
Basic EPS:
Net income attributable to City National Corporation	$ 63,633	$ 59,780	$ 174,897	[1]	$ 160,803	[1]
Less: Dividends on preferred stock	2,407		7,219
Net income available to common shareholders	61,226	59,780	167,678		160,803
Less: Earnings allocated to participating securities	688	842	1,975		2,380
Earnings allocated to common shareholders	60,538	58,938	165,703		158,423
Weighted average common shares outstanding	54,274,000	53,425,000	54,039,000		53,092,000
Basic earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.12	$ 1.10	$ 3.07		$ 2.98
Diluted EPS:
Earnings allocated to common shareholders	$ 60,543	$ 58,941	$ 165,716		$ 158,432
Weighted average common shares outstanding	54,274,000	53,425,000	54,039,000		53,092,000
Dilutive effect of equity awards (in shares)	546,000	286,000	425,000		284,000
Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding	54,820,000	53,711,000	54,464,000		53,376,000
Diluted earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.10	$ 1.10	$ 3.04		$ 2.97
Average outstanding stock options
Antidilutive securities not included in calculation of diluted EPS:
Antidilutive securities not included in calculation of diluted EPS (in shares)	1,000,000	2,400,000	1,900,000		2,700,000

[1] Net income excludes net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest of $1,657 and $1,024 for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Redeemable noncontrolling interest is reflected in the mezzanine section of the consolidated balance sheets. See Note 18 of the Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.