Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Interest Income:
Interest and fees on loans and leases	$ 490,985	$ 485,666	$ 486,883
Taxable interest and dividends on securities	172,151	178,215	182,599
Non-taxable interest on securities	22,436	27,196	29,006
Loans held for sale	2,068	2,425	1,235
Total interest income	687,640	693,502	699,723
Interest Expense:
Deposits	46,582	59,586	80,808
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase and other borrowings	20,800	21,034	16,172
Federal Home Loan Bank advances	16,229	16,943	14,352
Long-term debt	7,301	17,031	24,623
Total interest expense	90,912	114,594	135,955
Net interest income	596,728	578,908	563,768
Provision for loan and lease losses	33,500	21,500	22,500
Net interest income after provision for loan and lease losses	563,228	557,408	541,268
Non-interest Income:
Deposit service fees	98,968	96,633	102,795
Loan related fees	21,860	18,043	20,237
Wealth and investment services	34,771	29,515	26,421
Mortgage banking activities	16,359	23,037	4,905
Increase in cash surrender value of life insurance policies	13,770	11,254	10,360
Net loss on trading securities	0	0	(1,799)
Net gain on sale of investment securities	712	3,347	3,823
Impairment loss recognized in earnings	(7,277)	0	0
Other income	11,887	10,929	10,300
Total non-interest income	191,050	192,758	177,042
Non-interest Expense:
Compensation and benefits	264,835	264,101	262,647
Occupancy	48,794	50,131	53,866
Technology and equipment	60,326	62,210	60,721
Intangible assets amortization	4,919	5,420	5,588
Marketing	15,502	16,827	18,456
Professional and outside services	9,532	11,348	11,203
Deposit insurance	21,114	22,749	20,927
Litigation	0	0	(9,523)
Other expense	73,037	69,018	87,091
Total non-interest expense	498,059	501,804	510,976
Income from continuing operations before income tax expense	256,219	248,362	207,334
Income tax expense	76,670	74,665	57,951
Income from continuing operations	179,549	173,697	149,383
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	0	1,995
Net income	179,549	173,697	151,378
Less: Net loss attributable to non controlling interests	0	0	(1)
Net income attributable to Webster Financial Corporation	179,549	173,697	151,379
Preferred stock dividends	(10,803)	(2,460)	(3,286)
Net income available to common shareholders	$ 168,746	$ 171,237	$ 148,093
Basic:
Net income from continuing operations per common share, Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.90	$ 1.96	$ 1.67
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax, Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.02
Net income available to common shareholders per common share, Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.90	$ 1.96	$ 1.69
Diluted:
Net income from continuing operations per common share, Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.86	$ 1.86	$ 1.59
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax, Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.02
Net income available to common shareholders per common share, Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.86	$ 1.86	$ 1.61