Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Interest Income:
Interest and fees on loans and leases	$ 485,666	$ 486,883	$ 493,244
Taxable interest and dividends on securities	178,215	182,599	184,571
Non-taxable interest on securities	27,196	29,006	29,862
Loans held for sale	2,425	1,235	970
Total interest income	693,502	699,723	708,647
Interest Expense:
Deposits	59,586	80,808	112,629
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase and other short-term borrowings	21,034	16,172	15,900
Federal Home Loan Bank advances	16,943	14,352	17,628
Long-term debt	17,031	24,623	25,219
Total interest expense	114,594	135,955	171,376
Net interest income	578,908	563,768	537,271
Provision for loan and lease losses	21,500	22,500	115,000
Net interest income after provision for loan and lease losses	557,408	541,268	422,271
Non-interest Income:
Deposit service fees	96,633	102,795	108,977
Loan related fees	18,043	20,237	20,286
Wealth and investment services	29,515	26,421	24,925
Mortgage banking activities	23,037	4,905	4,169
Increase in cash surrender value of life insurance policies	11,254	10,360	10,517
Net (loss) gain on trading securities	0	(1,799)	12,045
Net gain on sale of investment securities	3,347	3,823	9,748
Total other-than-temporary impairment loss on securities	0	0	(14,445)
Less: Portion of loss recognized in other comprehensive income	0	0	8,607
Net impairment loss recognized in earnings	0	0	(5,838)
Other income	10,929	10,300	16,396
Total non-interest income	192,758	177,042	201,225
Non-interest Expense:
Compensation and benefits	264,101	262,647	245,343
Occupancy	50,131	53,866	55,634
Technology and equipment	62,210	60,721	62,855
Intangible assets amortization	5,420	5,588	5,588
Marketing	16,827	18,456	18,968
Professional and outside services	11,348	11,203	14,721
Deposit insurance	22,749	20,927	24,535
Litigation	0	(9,523)	22,476
Other expense	69,018	87,091	88,854
Total non-interest expense	501,804	510,976	538,974
Income from continuing operations before income tax expense	248,362	207,334	84,522
Income tax expense	74,665	57,951	12,358
Income from continuing operations	173,697	149,383	72,164
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	1,995	94
Net income	173,697	151,378	72,258
Less: Net (loss) income attributable to non controlling interests	0	(1)	3
Net income attributable to Webster Financial Corporation	173,697	151,379	72,255
Preferred stock dividends	(2,460)	(3,286)	(18,086)
Accretion of preferred stock discount	0	0	(6,830)
Net income available to common shareholders	$ 171,237	$ 148,093	$ 47,339
Basic:
Net income from continuing operations per common share, Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.96	$ 1.67	$ 0.60
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax, Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.00	$ 0.02	$ 0.00
Net income available to common shareholders per common share, Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.96	$ 1.69	$ 0.60
Diluted:
Net income from continuing operations per common share, Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.86	$ 1.59	$ 0.57
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax, Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.00	$ 0.02	$ 0.00
Net income available to common shareholders per common share, Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.86	$ 1.61	$ 0.57