Segment Results (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014 item	Mar. 31, 2013
Segment Results
Number of reportable segments	3
Earnings Summary:
Net interest income	$ 199,798	$ 201,073
Provision for losses on covered loans	4,655	9,892
Noninterest income	101,248	93,528
Depreciation and amortization	9,315	10,104
Noninterest expense	205,578	201,236
Income before income taxes	81,498	73,369
Provision for income taxes	26,288	21,261
Net income	55,210	52,108
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	699	585
Net income attributable to City National Corporation	54,511	51,523
Selected Average Balances:
Loans and leases, excluding covered loans	17,338,419	14,809,341
Covered loans	696,163	989,452
Total assets	29,426,360	27,709,159
Deposits	25,371,598	22,410,953
Goodwill	642,622	642,622
Customer-relationship intangibles, net	40,055	47,310
Other segment
Earnings Summary:
Net interest income	9,931	16,798
Noninterest income	(11,059)	(12,187)
Depreciation and amortization	4,747	4,586
Noninterest expense	(19,223)	(16,741)
Income before income taxes	13,348	16,766
Provision for income taxes	4,343	4,898
Net income	9,005	11,868
Net income attributable to City National Corporation	9,005	11,868
Selected Average Balances:
Loans and leases, excluding covered loans	55,009	54,652
Total assets	10,526,261	11,078,903
Deposits	232,082	464,425
Commercial and Private Banking
Earnings Summary:
Net interest income	189,542	183,959
Provision for losses on covered loans	4,655	9,892
Noninterest income	48,214	50,263
Depreciation and amortization	2,821	3,618
Noninterest expense	171,857	170,958
Income before income taxes	58,423	49,754
Provision for income taxes	19,008	14,533
Net income	39,415	35,221
Net income attributable to City National Corporation	39,415	35,221
Selected Average Balances:
Loans and leases, excluding covered loans	17,283,410	14,754,689
Covered loans	696,163	989,452
Total assets	18,242,376	15,985,918
Deposits	25,051,747	21,840,183
Goodwill	393,177	393,177
Customer-relationship intangibles, net	3,134	5,916
Wealth Management
Earnings Summary:
Net interest income	325	316
Noninterest income	64,093	55,452
Depreciation and amortization	1,747	1,900
Noninterest expense	52,944	47,019
Income before income taxes	9,727	6,849
Provision for income taxes	2,937	1,830
Net income	6,790	5,019
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	699	585
Net income attributable to City National Corporation	6,091	4,434
Selected Average Balances:
Total assets	657,723	644,338
Deposits	87,769	106,345
Goodwill	249,445	249,445
Customer-relationship intangibles, net	$ 36,921	$ 41,394