Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Interest Income:
Interest and fees on loans and leases	$ 121,367	$ 121,322	$ 363,487	$ 365,660
Taxable interest and dividends on securities	43,532	45,753	135,082	138,504
Non-taxable interest on securities	6,662	7,221	20,577	21,841
Loans held for sale	655	266	1,810	865
Total interest income	172,216	174,562	520,956	526,870
Interest Expense:
Deposits	14,543	18,930	45,701	63,540
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase and other short-term borrowings	5,594	4,384	15,388	11,723
Federal Home Loan Bank advances	3,943	3,551	12,933	10,201
Long-term debt	3,246	6,012	14,298	18,647
Total interest expense	27,326	32,877	88,320	104,111
Net interest income	144,890	141,685	432,636	422,759
Provision for loan and lease losses	5,000	5,000	14,000	20,000
Net interest income after provision for loan and lease losses	139,890	136,685	418,636	402,759
Non-interest Income:
Deposit service fees	24,728	27,074	71,810	78,509
Loan related fees	4,039	5,308	12,473	15,341
Wealth and investment services	7,186	6,486	21,656	20,662
Mortgage banking activities	6,515	1,324	14,522	3,811
Increase in cash surrender value of life insurance policies	2,680	2,642	7,758	7,751
Net loss on trading securities	0	0	0	(1,799)
Net gain on sale of investment securities	810	0	3,347	3,823
Other income	2,521	1,857	8,252	6,698
Total non-interest income	48,479	44,691	139,818	134,796
Non-interest Expense:
Compensation and benefits	66,126	61,897	198,332	194,501
Occupancy	12,462	13,150	37,922	40,741
Technology and equipment	15,118	15,141	46,721	45,667
Intangible assets amortization	1,384	1,397	4,178	4,191
Marketing	4,529	4,144	13,723	13,916
Professional and outside services	2,790	3,125	8,869	8,368
Deposit insurance	5,675	4,472	17,107	16,171
Litigation	0	(254)	0	232
Other expense	15,803	20,146	52,027	60,617
Total non-interest expense	123,887	123,218	378,879	384,404
Income from continuing operations before income tax expense	64,482	58,158	179,575	153,151
Income tax expense	19,489	15,927	54,404	44,152
Income from continuing operations	44,993	42,231	125,171	108,999
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	0	0	1,995
Net income	44,993	42,231	125,171	110,994
Less: Net loss attributable to non controlling interests	0	0	0	(1)
Net income attributable to Webster Financial Corporation	44,993	42,231	125,171	110,995
Preferred stock dividends	(615)	(831)	(1,845)	(2,493)
Net income available to common shareholders	$ 44,378	$ 41,400	$ 123,326	$ 108,502
Basic
Net income from continuing operations per common share, Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.51	$ 0.48	$ 1.41	$ 1.22
Net income available to common shareholders per common share, Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.51	$ 0.48	$ 1.41	$ 1.24
Diluted
Net income from continuing operations per common share, Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.48	$ 0.45	$ 1.34	$ 1.15
Net income available to common shareholders per common share, Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.48	$ 0.45	$ 1.34	$ 1.17