Changes In Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Balances (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013		Mar. 31, 2012
Balance as of December 31, 2012	$ (146,343,000)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications, Net of tax	(6,842,000)
Amounts reclassifed from accumulated other comprehensive income, Net of tax	1,546,000
Net current period other comprehensive income, Net of tax benefit of $4.2 million and tax expense of $.9 million for unrealized gain/(loss) on securities available-for-sale and pension and post retiremetn plans, respectively	(5,296,000)	[1]	5,543,000	[1]
Balance as of March 31, 2013	(151,639,000)		(124,613,000)
Reclassification From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Current Period Tax	(1,000,000)
Unrealized Gain Loss On Securities Available For Sale [Member]
Balance as of December 31, 2012	55,250,000
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications, Net of tax	(6,659,000)
Amounts reclassifed from accumulated other comprehensive income, Net of tax	0
Net current period other comprehensive income, Net of tax benefit of $4.2 million and tax expense of $.9 million for unrealized gain/(loss) on securities available-for-sale and pension and post retiremetn plans, respectively	(6,659,000)
Balance as of March 31, 2013	48,591,000
Other comprehensive income before reclassficiations, Net of tax benefit of $4.2 million and $.1 million for unrealized gain/(loss) on securities available-for-sale and pension and post retirement plans, respectively	(4,200,000)
Reclassification From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Current Period Tax
Other Comprehensive Income Loss Tax	(4,200,000)
Pension And Postretirement Plans [Member]
Balance as of December 31, 2012	(201,593,000)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications, Net of tax	(183,000)
Amounts reclassifed from accumulated other comprehensive income, Net of tax	1,546,000
Net current period other comprehensive income, Net of tax benefit of $4.2 million and tax expense of $.9 million for unrealized gain/(loss) on securities available-for-sale and pension and post retiremetn plans, respectively	1,363,000
Balance as of March 31, 2013	(200,230,000)
Other comprehensive income before reclassficiations, Net of tax benefit of $4.2 million and $.1 million for unrealized gain/(loss) on securities available-for-sale and pension and post retirement plans, respectively	(100,000)
Reclassification From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Current Period Tax	1,000,000
Other Comprehensive Income Loss Tax	$ 900,000

[1] Due to the nature of the preferred stock issued by FHN and its subsidiaries, all components of Other comprehensive income/(loss) have been attributed solely to FHN as the controlling interest holder.