Basis of Presentation (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Changes in Accounting Principles and Effects of New Accounting Pronouncements

Changes in Accounting Principles and Effects of New Accounting Pronouncements

Standard/ Adoption Date	Description	Effects on the Financial Statements
Standards Adopted During the Current Period
Revenue from Contracts with Customers Jan 1, 2018	Requires an entity to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.	BB&T adopted this guidance using the modified retrospective approach for in-scope contracts at the date of adoption. The impact was not material.
Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost Jan 1, 2018	Requires that the service cost component of net benefit costs of pension and postretirement benefit plans be reported in the same line item as other compensation costs in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The other components of net benefit cost are required to be presented in a separate line item.	The service cost component is included in personnel expense and the other components of net benefit costs are included in other expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The prior period was reclassified to conform to the current presentation. See Note 11. Benefit Plans.
Derivatives and Hedging Jan 1, 2018	Expands the risk management activities that qualify for hedge accounting, and simplifies certain hedge documentation and assessment requirements. Eliminates the concept of separately recording hedge ineffectiveness, and expands disclosure requirements.	BB&T early adopted this guidance using the modified retrospective approach. The impact was not material. New required disclosures have been included in Note 14. Derivative Financial Instruments.
Standards Not Yet Adopted
Leases Jan 1, 2019	Requires lessees to recognize assets and liabilities related to certain operating leases on the balance sheet, requires additional disclosures by lessees, and contains targeted changes to accounting by lessors.	BB&T expects assets and liabilities will likely be significantly higher. Implementation efforts are ongoing, including implementation of software solutions.
Credit Losses Jan 1, 2020	Replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology with an expected credit loss methodology and requires consideration of a broader range of information to determine credit loss estimates. Financial assets measured at amortized cost will be presented at the net amount expected to be collected by using an allowance for credit losses. Purchased credit deteriorated loans will receive an allowance for expected credit losses. Any credit impairment on AFS debt securities for which the fair value is less than cost will be recorded through an allowance for expected credit losses.	BB&T expects that the ACL could be materially higher; however, the magnitude of the increase and its impact has not yet been quantified and depends on economic conditions at the time of adoption. The standard also requires expanded disclosures related to credit losses and asset quality.