Loan Servicing (Commercial Mortgage Banking Activities) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Loan Servicing [Abstract]
UPB of CRE mortgages serviced for others	$ 27,739	$ 28,095
CRE mortgages serviced for others covered by recourse provisions	4,566	4,594
Maximum recourse exposure from CRE mortgages sold with recourse liability	1,317	1,320
Recorded reserves related to recourse exposure	9	9
Originated CRE mortgages during the period - year to date	$ 3,588	$ 4,881

Represents the total amount of commercial real estate mortgage loans serviced for others that were covered by recourse provisions at period end.

No definition available.

Name:	bbt_CommercialMortgageLoansSoldWithRecourseLiability
Namespace Prefix:	bbt_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Represents the total exposure to the Registrant from commercial real estate mortgage loans sold with recourse liability.

No definition available.

Name:	bbt_MaximumRecourseExposureOnCommercialMortgageLoansSold
Namespace Prefix:	bbt_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Represents the dollar amount of commercial real estate mortgage loans originated during the period.

No definition available.

Name:	bbt_OriginationOfCommercialRealEstateMortgages
Namespace Prefix:	bbt_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Represents the reserve recorded on the Registrant's books for expected losses related to commercial real estate mortgage loans sold with recourse.

No definition available.

Name:	bbt_ReserveForCommercialMortgageLoansSoldWithRecourse
Namespace Prefix:	bbt_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Represents the total unpaid principal balance of commercial real estate mortgage loans serviced by the Registrant for others.

No definition available.

Name:	bbt_UnpaidPrincipalBalanceOfCommercialMortgageLoansServicedForOthers
Namespace Prefix:	bbt_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant