Allowance for Credit Losses (Aging Analysis of Past Due Loans and Leases) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Loans and Leases Excluding Covered Current	$ 103,675	[1]	$ 99,148	[1]
Loans and Leases Excluding Covered 30-89 Days Past Due	979	[1]	1,177	[1]
Loans and Leases Excluding Covered 90 Days Or More Past Due	361	[1]	405	[1]
Nonaccrual Loans and Leases Excluding Covered	1,647	[1]	1,872	[1]
Total Loans And Leases Excluding Covered Loans	106,662	[1]	102,602	[1]
Mortgage Loans Guaranteed By Gnma 90 Days Or More Past Due	453		426
Mortgage loans guaranteed by GNMA 30-89 days past due	5
Commercial and Industrial [Member]
Loans and Leases Excluding Covered Current	36,263		35,746
Loans and Leases Excluding Covered 30-89 Days Past Due	53		85
Loans and Leases Excluding Covered 90 Days Or More Past Due	2		2
Nonaccrual Loans and Leases Excluding Covered	620		582
Total Loans And Leases Excluding Covered Loans	36,938		36,415
Commercial Real Estate - Other [Member]
Loans and Leases Excluding Covered Current	10,140		10,273
Loans and Leases Excluding Covered 30-89 Days Past Due	16		22
Loans and Leases Excluding Covered 90 Days Or More Past Due	0		0
Nonaccrual Loans and Leases Excluding Covered	301		394
Total Loans And Leases Excluding Covered Loans	10,457		10,689
Commercial Real Estate - Residential ADC [Member]
Loans and Leases Excluding Covered Current	1,340		1,671
Loans and Leases Excluding Covered 30-89 Days Past Due	9		14
Loans and Leases Excluding Covered 90 Days Or More Past Due	0		0
Nonaccrual Loans and Leases Excluding Covered	241		376
Total Loans And Leases Excluding Covered Loans	1,590		2,061
Commercial Other Lending Subsidiaries [Member]
Loans and Leases Excluding Covered Current	4,126		3,589
Loans and Leases Excluding Covered 30-89 Days Past Due	14		25
Loans and Leases Excluding Covered 90 Days Or More Past Due	4		4
Nonaccrual Loans and Leases Excluding Covered	7		8
Total Loans And Leases Excluding Covered Loans	4,151		3,626
Direct Retail Lending [Member]
Loans and Leases Excluding Covered Current	14,865		14,109
Loans and Leases Excluding Covered 30-89 Days Past Due	119		161
Loans and Leases Excluding Covered 90 Days Or More Past Due	38		55
Nonaccrual Loans and Leases Excluding Covered	133		142
Total Loans And Leases Excluding Covered Loans	15,155		14,467
Retail Revolving Credit [Member]
Loans and Leases Excluding Covered Current	2,173		2,173
Loans and Leases Excluding Covered 30-89 Days Past Due	20		22
Loans and Leases Excluding Covered 90 Days Or More Past Due	13		17
Nonaccrual Loans and Leases Excluding Covered	0		0
Total Loans And Leases Excluding Covered Loans	2,206		2,212
Retail Residential Mortgage [Member]
Loans and Leases Excluding Covered Current	21,609	[1]	19,442	[1]
Loans and Leases Excluding Covered 30-89 Days Past Due	495	[1]	524	[1]
Loans and Leases Excluding Covered 90 Days Or More Past Due	292	[1]	307	[1]
Nonaccrual Loans and Leases Excluding Covered	263	[1]	308	[1]
Total Loans And Leases Excluding Covered Loans	22,659	[1]	20,581	[1]
Retail Sales Finance [Member]
Loans and Leases Excluding Covered Current	7,721		7,301
Loans and Leases Excluding Covered 30-89 Days Past Due	49		75
Loans and Leases Excluding Covered 90 Days Or More Past Due	11		18
Nonaccrual Loans and Leases Excluding Covered	13		7
Total Loans And Leases Excluding Covered Loans	7,794		7,401
Retail Other Lending Subsidiaries [Member]
Loans and Leases Excluding Covered Current	5,411		4,807
Loans and Leases Excluding Covered 30-89 Days Past Due	204		248
Loans and Leases Excluding Covered 90 Days Or More Past Due	0		1
Nonaccrual Loans and Leases Excluding Covered	69		55
Total Loans And Leases Excluding Covered Loans	5,684		5,111
Other Acquired [Member]
Loans and Leases Excluding Covered Current	27		37
Loans and Leases Excluding Covered 30-89 Days Past Due	0		1
Loans and Leases Excluding Covered 90 Days Or More Past Due	1		1
Nonaccrual Loans and Leases Excluding Covered	0		0
Total Loans And Leases Excluding Covered Loans	28		39
Government Guaranteed Loans [Member]
Loans and Leases Excluding Covered 30-89 Days Past Due	84		81
Loans and Leases Excluding Covered 90 Days Or More Past Due	$ 214		$ 203

[1] Residential mortgage loans include $84 million and $81 million in government guaranteed loans 30-89 days past due, and $214 million and $203 million in government guaranteed loans 90 days or more past due as of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. Residential mortgage loans exclude $5 million and $453 million in loans guaranteed by GNMA that BB&T has the option, but not the obligation, to repurchase, which are past due 30-89 days and 90 days or more, respectively, at June 30, 2012.