Fair Value Measurements, Measured On Recurring Basis Significant Unobservable Inputs (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring Basis Unobservable Reconciliation [Roll Forward]
Charitable contributions to BOKF Foundation	$ 0	$ 0	$ 2,420	$ 0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Municipal and other tax-exempt securities [Member]
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring Basis Unobservable Reconciliation [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	15,523	39,007	17,805	40,702
Transfer to Level 3 from Level 2	0	0	0	0
Purchases and capital calls	0	0	0	0
Redemptions and distributions	(5,165)	0	(7,487)	(98)
Other comprehensive gain (loss)	244	(160)	362	(1,757)
Balance at end of period	10,445	38,847	10,445	38,847
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Municipal and other tax-exempt securities [Member] | Gain (loss) on assets [Member]
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring Basis Unobservable Reconciliation [Roll Forward]
Gain (loss) recognized in earnings	0	0	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Municipal and other tax-exempt securities [Member] | Loss on available for sale securities, net [Member]
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring Basis Unobservable Reconciliation [Roll Forward]
Gain (loss) recognized in earnings	(157)		(235)
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Municipal and other tax-exempt securities [Member] | Charitable Contributions to BOKF Foundation [Member]
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring Basis Unobservable Reconciliation [Roll Forward]
Gain (loss) recognized in earnings	0		0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Other debt securities [Member]
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring Basis Unobservable Reconciliation [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	4,712	5,193	4,712	5,399
Transfer to Level 3 from Level 2	0	0	0	0
Purchases and capital calls	0	0	0	0
Redemptions and distributions	(500)	0	(500)	0
Other comprehensive gain (loss)	19	0	19	(206)
Balance at end of period	4,231	5,193	4,231	5,193
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Other debt securities [Member] | Gain (loss) on assets [Member]
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring Basis Unobservable Reconciliation [Roll Forward]
Gain (loss) recognized in earnings	0	0	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Other debt securities [Member] | Loss on available for sale securities, net [Member]
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring Basis Unobservable Reconciliation [Roll Forward]
Gain (loss) recognized in earnings	0		0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Other debt securities [Member] | Charitable Contributions to BOKF Foundation [Member]
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring Basis Unobservable Reconciliation [Roll Forward]
Gain (loss) recognized in earnings	0		0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Equity securities and mutual funds [Member]
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring Basis Unobservable Reconciliation [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	0	2,472	4,207	2,161
Transfer to Level 3 from Level 2	0	0	0
Purchases and capital calls	0	0	0	0
Redemptions and distributions	0	0	0	0
Other comprehensive gain (loss)	0	(225)	(1,787)	86
Balance at end of period	0	2,247	0	2,247
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Equity securities and mutual funds [Member] | Gain (loss) on assets [Member]
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring Basis Unobservable Reconciliation [Roll Forward]
Gain (loss) recognized in earnings	0	0	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Equity securities and mutual funds [Member] | Loss on available for sale securities, net [Member]
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring Basis Unobservable Reconciliation [Roll Forward]
Gain (loss) recognized in earnings	0		0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Equity securities and mutual funds [Member] | Charitable Contributions to BOKF Foundation [Member]
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring Basis Unobservable Reconciliation [Roll Forward]
Gain (loss) recognized in earnings	0		(2,420)
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Other Assets [Member] | Private equity funds [Member]
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring Basis Unobservable Reconciliation [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	27,466	29,216	27,341	28,169
Transfer to Level 3 from Level 2	0	0	0	0
Purchases and capital calls	220	148	425	640
Redemptions and distributions	(2,076)	(1,005)	(3,181)	(1,835)
Other comprehensive gain (loss)	0	0	0	0
Balance at end of period	27,833	28,379	27,833	28,379
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Other Assets [Member] | Private equity funds [Member] | Gain (loss) on assets [Member]
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring Basis Unobservable Reconciliation [Roll Forward]
Gain (loss) recognized in earnings	2,223	20	3,248	1,405
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Other Assets [Member] | Private equity funds [Member] | Loss on available for sale securities, net [Member]
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring Basis Unobservable Reconciliation [Roll Forward]
Gain (loss) recognized in earnings	0		0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Other Assets [Member] | Private equity funds [Member] | Charitable Contributions to BOKF Foundation [Member]
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring Basis Unobservable Reconciliation [Roll Forward]
Gain (loss) recognized in earnings	$ 0		$ 0