Segment Results (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013 segment		Sep. 30, 2012
Segment Results
Number of reportable segments			3
Earnings Summary:
Net interest income	$ 214,271	$ 209,922	$ 618,263		$ 627,114
Provision for credit losses on loans and leases, excluding covered loans		2,000			3,000
Provision for losses on covered loans	2,496	18,089	461		38,848
Noninterest income	88,883	107,257	264,620		257,725
Depreciation and amortization	9,759	10,256	30,043		29,101
Noninterest expense	199,605	197,630	602,090		574,021
Income before income taxes	91,294	89,204	250,289		239,869
Provision for income taxes	27,052	29,052	73,735		78,042
Net income	64,242	60,152	176,554		161,827
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	609	372	1,657		1,024
Net income attributable to City National Corporation	63,633	59,780	174,897	[1]	160,803	[1]
Selected Average Balances:
Loans and leases, excluding covered loans	16,039,753	13,587,508	15,432,239		13,050,523
Covered loans	818,928	1,207,031	905,411		1,328,484
Total assets	28,061,134	25,654,594	27,747,914		24,558,030
Deposits	24,301,647	21,940,820	23,284,065		21,038,791
Goodwill	642,622	632,473	642,622		551,065
Customer-relationship intangibles, net	43,469	54,751	45,371		41,413
Commercial and Private Banking
Earnings Summary:
Net interest income	194,678	184,552	563,662		541,125
Provision for credit losses on loans and leases, excluding covered loans		2,000			3,000
Provision for losses on covered loans	2,496	18,089	461		38,848
Noninterest income	38,601	59,911	119,418		156,884
Depreciation and amortization	3,263	3,569	10,505		10,565
Noninterest expense	170,019	169,652	512,234		506,437
Income before income taxes	57,501	51,153	159,880		139,159
Provision for income taxes	17,153	16,730	47,414		45,469
Net income	40,348	34,423	112,466		93,690
Net income attributable to City National Corporation	40,348	34,423	112,466		93,690
Selected Average Balances:
Loans and leases, excluding covered loans	15,989,181	13,526,284	15,378,936		12,994,726
Covered loans	818,928	1,207,031	905,411		1,328,484
Total assets	17,014,239	15,098,090	16,505,794		14,656,439
Deposits	23,817,083	21,298,105	22,696,050		20,469,604
Goodwill	393,176	393,176	393,176		362,868
Customer-relationship intangibles, net	4,445	7,392	5,174		8,173
Wealth Management
Earnings Summary:
Net interest income	243	1,133	805		2,396
Noninterest income	57,536	54,405	171,461		133,743
Depreciation and amortization	1,878	1,996	5,654		4,980
Noninterest expense	48,184	45,387	143,920		117,650
Income before income taxes	7,717	8,155	22,692		13,509
Provision for income taxes	2,120	2,545	6,238		4,080
Net income	5,597	5,610	16,454		9,429
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	609	372	1,657		1,024
Net income attributable to City National Corporation	4,988	5,238	14,797		8,405
Selected Average Balances:
Total assets	644,677	638,445	647,273		569,047
Deposits	76,052	104,195	100,922		100,038
Goodwill	249,446	239,297	249,446		188,197
Customer-relationship intangibles, net	39,024	47,359	40,197		33,240
Other
Earnings Summary:
Net interest income	19,350	24,237	53,796		83,593
Noninterest income	(7,254)	(7,059)	(26,259)		(32,902)
Depreciation and amortization	4,618	4,691	13,884		13,556
Noninterest expense	(18,598)	(17,409)	(54,064)		(50,066)
Income before income taxes	26,076	29,896	67,717		87,201
Provision for income taxes	7,779	9,777	20,083		28,493
Net income	18,297	20,119	47,634		58,708
Net income attributable to City National Corporation	18,297	20,119	47,634		58,708
Selected Average Balances:
Loans and leases, excluding covered loans	50,572	61,224	53,303		55,797
Total assets	10,402,218	9,918,059	10,594,847		9,332,544
Deposits	$ 408,512	$ 538,520	$ 487,093		$ 469,149

[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.