Accounting Policies and Other Matters	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Accounting Policies and Other Matters	Accounting Policies and Basis of Presentation The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (US GAAP) for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by US GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, the consolidated financial statements contain all material adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position of First Citizens BancShares, Inc. and Subsidiaries (BancShares) as of and for each of the periods presented, and all such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Management has evaluated subsequent events through the filing date of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes included in BancShares’ 2011 Form 10-K. Certain amounts for prior periods have been reclassified to conform with statement presentations for 2012. The reclassifications have no effect on shareholders’ equity or net income as previously reported. Fair values are subject to refinement for up to one year after the closing date of the transaction as additional information regarding closing date fair values becomes available. There were no adjustments to previously reported acquisition gains during the first quarter of 2012. Recently Adopted Accounting Policies and Other Regulatory Issues In May 2011, the FASB issued Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs (ASU 2011-04). ASU 2011-04 creates a uniform framework for applying fair value measurement principles for companies around the world. It eliminates differences between GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. New disclosures required by the guidance include: quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs used for Level 3 measurements; a qualitative discussion about the sensitivity of recurring Level 3 measurements to changes in the unobservable inputs disclosed, including the interrelationship between inputs; and a description of the company’s valuation processes. The updates in ASU 2011-04 are effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011, and all amendments are to be applied prospectively with any changes in measurements recognized in income in the period of adoption. The provisions of this update have affected BancShares' financial statement disclosures, but had no impact on BancShares' financial condition, results of operations or liquidity. In June, 2011, the FASB issued Comprehensive Income: Presentation of Comprehensive Income (ASU 2011-05). ASU 2011-05 allows financial statement issuers to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. Additionally, in December, 2011, the FASB issued Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05 (ASU 2011-12) which deferred the portion of ASU 2011-05 that relates to the presentation of reclassification adjustments. ASU 2011-05 eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in shareholders' equity, which is the presentation method previously utilized by BancShares. The updates in ASU 2011-05 and ASU 2011-12 are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011 and have been applied retrospectively. The provisions of these updates have affected BancShares' financial statement format, but had no impact on BancShares' financial condition, results of operations or liquidity. In September, 2011, the FASB issued Intangibles - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets: Testing Goodwill for Impairment (ASU 2011-08), which allows an entity the option to first assess the qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that is it more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. Under ASU 2011-08, if, after that assessment is made, an entity determines that it is more likely than not that the carrying value of goodwill is not impaired, then the two-step impairment test is not required. However, if the entity concludes otherwise, the two-step impairment test would be required. The provisions of ASU 2011-08 are effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011, although early adoption was allowed. Adoption of ASU 2011-08 has had no material impact on BancShares' financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

Accounting Policies and Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (US GAAP) for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by US GAAP for complete financial statements.

In the opinion of management, the consolidated financial statements contain all material adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position of First Citizens BancShares, Inc. and Subsidiaries (BancShares) as of and for each of the periods presented, and all such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Management has evaluated subsequent events through the filing date of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes included in BancShares’ 2011 Form 10-K. Certain amounts for prior periods have been reclassified to conform with statement presentations for 2012. The reclassifications have no effect on shareholders’ equity or net income as previously reported. Fair values are subject to refinement for up to one year after the closing date of the transaction as additional information regarding closing date fair values becomes available. There were no adjustments to previously reported acquisition gains during the first quarter of 2012.

Recently Adopted Accounting Policies and Other Regulatory Issues

In May 2011, the FASB issued Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs (ASU 2011-04). ASU 2011-04 creates a uniform framework for applying fair value measurement principles for companies around the world. It eliminates differences between GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. New disclosures required by the guidance include: quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs used for Level 3 measurements; a qualitative discussion about the sensitivity of recurring Level 3 measurements to changes in the unobservable inputs disclosed, including the interrelationship between inputs; and a description of the company’s valuation processes. The updates in ASU 2011-04 are effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011, and all amendments are to be applied prospectively with any changes in measurements recognized in income in the period of adoption. The provisions of this update have affected BancShares' financial statement disclosures, but had no impact on BancShares' financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

In June, 2011, the FASB issued Comprehensive Income: Presentation of Comprehensive Income (ASU 2011-05). ASU 2011-05 allows financial statement issuers to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. Additionally, in December, 2011, the FASB issued Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05 (ASU 2011-12) which deferred the portion of ASU 2011-05 that relates to the presentation of reclassification adjustments. ASU 2011-05 eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in shareholders' equity, which is the presentation method previously utilized by BancShares. The updates in ASU 2011-05 and ASU 2011-12 are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011 and have been applied retrospectively. The provisions of these updates have affected BancShares' financial statement format, but had no impact on BancShares' financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

In September, 2011, the FASB issued Intangibles - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets: Testing Goodwill for Impairment (ASU 2011-08), which allows an entity the option to first assess the qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that is it more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. Under ASU 2011-08, if, after that assessment is made, an entity determines that it is more likely than not that the carrying value of goodwill is not impaired, then the two-step impairment test is not required. However, if the entity concludes otherwise, the two-step impairment test would be required. The provisions of ASU 2011-08 are effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011, although early adoption was allowed. Adoption of ASU 2011-08 has had no material impact on BancShares' financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.