Long-Term Debt (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2008	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	May 28, 2009
Subordinated Borrowing [Line Items]
Convertible preferred stock, expiration date		Jun. 24, 2009
Preferred stock, dividend rate	8.50%
Common stock shares issued in exchange for each $1000 liquidation amount of Trust Securities					82.0755
Liquidation amount of trust securities					$ 1,000
Proceeds from issuance of common stock		689,000	118,359,000	1,031,000
Net gain on extinguishment of trust securities				24,300,000
Webster Capital Trust IV [Member]
Subordinated Borrowing [Line Items]
Issuance of common stock for exchange of junior subordinated debentures, shares		5,200,000
Liquidation amount of trust securities		63,900,000
Proceeds from issuance of common stock		$ 36,700,000
Series A Preferred Stock [Member]
Subordinated Borrowing [Line Items]
Preferred stock, dividend rate		8.50%