XML 118 R60.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Investment Securities - Investment Securities by Credit Rating Type (Detail) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 $ 1,520,237us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities $ 1,370,696us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
Investment securities - measured at fair value 1,858us-gaap_TradingSecurities 3,036us-gaap_TradingSecurities
Securities held to maturity Total, Amortized Cost 0us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities 283,006us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities
Municipal obligations [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 299,037us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember
115,665us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember
Securities held to maturity Total, Amortized Cost   183,579us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember
Residential mortgage-backed securities issued by GSEs    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 891,189us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember
1,021,421us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember
Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities Issued By US Government Sponsored Enterprise [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 2,147us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterpriseMember
 
Private label residential mortgage-backed securities [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 70,243us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
36,099us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
Private label commercial mortgage-backed securities [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 5,149us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
5,433us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
Mutual funds [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 37,702us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_MutualFundsMember
36,532us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_MutualFundsMember
U.S. Government-sponsored agency securities [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 18,346us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_USGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesDebtSecuritiesMember
46,975us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_USGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesDebtSecuritiesMember
Preferred Stock [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 82,612us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_PreferredStockMember
61,484us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_PreferredStockMember
Trust preferred securities [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 25,546us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_TrustPreferredSecuritiesSubjectToMandatoryRedemptionMember
23,805us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_TrustPreferredSecuritiesSubjectToMandatoryRedemptionMember
Collateralized debt obligations [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 11,445us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CollateralizedDebtObligationsMember
 
Securities held to maturity Total, Amortized Cost   50us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CollateralizedDebtObligationsMember
CRA investments [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 24,332us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_CraInvestmentsMember
23,282us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_CraInvestmentsMember
Securities held to maturity Total, Amortized Cost   1,600us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_CraInvestmentsMember
Rated Securities [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 1,520,237us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_RatedSecuritiesMember
1,370,696us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_RatedSecuritiesMember
Securities held to maturity Total, Amortized Cost   283,006us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_RatedSecuritiesMember
Rated Securities [Member] | Municipal obligations [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 299,037us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_RatedSecuritiesMember
115,665us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_RatedSecuritiesMember
Securities held to maturity Total, Amortized Cost   183,579us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_RatedSecuritiesMember
Rated Securities [Member] | Residential mortgage-backed securities issued by GSEs    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 891,189us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_RatedSecuritiesMember
1,021,421us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_RatedSecuritiesMember
Investment securities - measured at fair value 1,858us-gaap_TradingSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_RatedSecuritiesMember
3,036us-gaap_TradingSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_RatedSecuritiesMember
Rated Securities [Member] | Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities Issued By US Government Sponsored Enterprise [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 2,147us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterpriseMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_RatedSecuritiesMember
 
Rated Securities [Member] | Private label residential mortgage-backed securities [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 70,243us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_RatedSecuritiesMember
36,099us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_RatedSecuritiesMember
Rated Securities [Member] | Private label commercial mortgage-backed securities [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 5,149us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_RatedSecuritiesMember
5,433us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_RatedSecuritiesMember
Rated Securities [Member] | Mutual funds [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 37,702us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_MutualFundsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_RatedSecuritiesMember
36,532us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_MutualFundsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_RatedSecuritiesMember
Rated Securities [Member] | U.S. Government-sponsored agency securities [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 18,346us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_USGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_RatedSecuritiesMember
46,975us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_USGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_RatedSecuritiesMember
Rated Securities [Member] | Preferred Stock [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 82,612us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_PreferredStockMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_RatedSecuritiesMember
61,484us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_PreferredStockMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_RatedSecuritiesMember
Rated Securities [Member] | Trust preferred securities [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 25,546us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_TrustPreferredSecuritiesSubjectToMandatoryRedemptionMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_RatedSecuritiesMember
23,805us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_TrustPreferredSecuritiesSubjectToMandatoryRedemptionMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_RatedSecuritiesMember
Rated Securities [Member] | Collateralized debt obligations [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 11,445us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CollateralizedDebtObligationsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_RatedSecuritiesMember
 
Securities held to maturity Total, Amortized Cost   50us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CollateralizedDebtObligationsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_RatedSecuritiesMember
Rated Securities [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 52,489us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_RatedSecuritiesMember
 
Securities held to maturity Total, Amortized Cost   97,777us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_RatedSecuritiesMember
Rated Securities [Member] | CRA investments [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 24,332us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_CraInvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_RatedSecuritiesMember
23,282us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_CraInvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_RatedSecuritiesMember
Securities held to maturity Total, Amortized Cost   1,600us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_CraInvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_RatedSecuritiesMember
AAA [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 73,261us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaaMember
29,079us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaaMember
Securities held to maturity Total, Amortized Cost   7,965us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaaMember
AAA [Member] | Municipal obligations [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 8,168us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaaMember
0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaaMember
Securities held to maturity Total, Amortized Cost   7,965us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaaMember
AAA [Member] | Residential mortgage-backed securities issued by GSEs    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaaMember
0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaaMember
Investment securities - measured at fair value 0us-gaap_TradingSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaaMember
0us-gaap_TradingSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaaMember
AAA [Member] | Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities Issued By US Government Sponsored Enterprise [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterpriseMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaaMember
 
AAA [Member] | Private label residential mortgage-backed securities [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 59,944us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaaMember
23,646us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaaMember
AAA [Member] | Private label commercial mortgage-backed securities [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 5,149us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaaMember
5,433us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaaMember
AAA [Member] | Mutual funds [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_MutualFundsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaaMember
0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_MutualFundsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaaMember
AAA [Member] | U.S. Government-sponsored agency securities [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_USGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaaMember
0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_USGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaaMember
AAA [Member] | Preferred Stock [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_PreferredStockMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaaMember
0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_PreferredStockMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaaMember
AAA [Member] | Trust preferred securities [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_TrustPreferredSecuritiesSubjectToMandatoryRedemptionMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaaMember
0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_TrustPreferredSecuritiesSubjectToMandatoryRedemptionMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaaMember
AAA [Member] | Collateralized debt obligations [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CollateralizedDebtObligationsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaaMember
 
Securities held to maturity Total, Amortized Cost   0us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CollateralizedDebtObligationsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaaMember
AAA [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaaMember
 
Securities held to maturity Total, Amortized Cost   0us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaaMember
AAA [Member] | CRA investments [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_CraInvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaaMember
0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_CraInvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaaMember
Securities held to maturity Total, Amortized Cost   0us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_CraInvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaaMember
Split-rated AAA/AA Plus [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 911,682us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorSplitAaaToAaPlusMember
1,068,396us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorSplitAaaToAaPlusMember
Securities held to maturity Total, Amortized Cost   0us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorSplitAaaToAaPlusMember
Split-rated AAA/AA Plus [Member] | Municipal obligations [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorSplitAaaToAaPlusMember
0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorSplitAaaToAaPlusMember
Securities held to maturity Total, Amortized Cost   0us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorSplitAaaToAaPlusMember
Split-rated AAA/AA Plus [Member] | Residential mortgage-backed securities issued by GSEs    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 891,189us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorSplitAaaToAaPlusMember
1,021,421us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorSplitAaaToAaPlusMember
Investment securities - measured at fair value 1,858us-gaap_TradingSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorSplitAaaToAaPlusMember
3,036us-gaap_TradingSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorSplitAaaToAaPlusMember
Split-rated AAA/AA Plus [Member] | Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities Issued By US Government Sponsored Enterprise [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 2,147us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterpriseMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorSplitAaaToAaPlusMember
 
Split-rated AAA/AA Plus [Member] | Private label residential mortgage-backed securities [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorSplitAaaToAaPlusMember
0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorSplitAaaToAaPlusMember
Split-rated AAA/AA Plus [Member] | Private label commercial mortgage-backed securities [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorSplitAaaToAaPlusMember
0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorSplitAaaToAaPlusMember
Split-rated AAA/AA Plus [Member] | Mutual funds [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_MutualFundsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorSplitAaaToAaPlusMember
0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_MutualFundsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorSplitAaaToAaPlusMember
Split-rated AAA/AA Plus [Member] | U.S. Government-sponsored agency securities [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 18,346us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_USGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorSplitAaaToAaPlusMember
46,975us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_USGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorSplitAaaToAaPlusMember
Split-rated AAA/AA Plus [Member] | Preferred Stock [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_PreferredStockMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorSplitAaaToAaPlusMember
0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_PreferredStockMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorSplitAaaToAaPlusMember
Split-rated AAA/AA Plus [Member] | Trust preferred securities [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_TrustPreferredSecuritiesSubjectToMandatoryRedemptionMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorSplitAaaToAaPlusMember
0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_TrustPreferredSecuritiesSubjectToMandatoryRedemptionMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorSplitAaaToAaPlusMember
Split-rated AAA/AA Plus [Member] | Collateralized debt obligations [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CollateralizedDebtObligationsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorSplitAaaToAaPlusMember
 
Securities held to maturity Total, Amortized Cost   0us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CollateralizedDebtObligationsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorSplitAaaToAaPlusMember
Split-rated AAA/AA Plus [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorSplitAaaToAaPlusMember
 
Securities held to maturity Total, Amortized Cost   0us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorSplitAaaToAaPlusMember
Split-rated AAA/AA Plus [Member] | CRA investments [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_CraInvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorSplitAaaToAaPlusMember
0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_CraInvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorSplitAaaToAaPlusMember
Securities held to maturity Total, Amortized Cost   0us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_CraInvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorSplitAaaToAaPlusMember
AA Plus to AA- [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 141,083us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaPlusToAaMinusMember
58,186us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaPlusToAaMinusMember
Securities held to maturity Total, Amortized Cost   74,446us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaPlusToAaMinusMember
AA Plus to AA- [Member] | Municipal obligations [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 138,256us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaPlusToAaMinusMember
58,061us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaPlusToAaMinusMember
Securities held to maturity Total, Amortized Cost   71,749us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaPlusToAaMinusMember
AA Plus to AA- [Member] | Residential mortgage-backed securities issued by GSEs    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaPlusToAaMinusMember
0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaPlusToAaMinusMember
Investment securities - measured at fair value 0us-gaap_TradingSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaPlusToAaMinusMember
0us-gaap_TradingSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaPlusToAaMinusMember
AA Plus to AA- [Member] | Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities Issued By US Government Sponsored Enterprise [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterpriseMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaPlusToAaMinusMember
 
AA Plus to AA- [Member] | Private label residential mortgage-backed securities [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 68us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaPlusToAaMinusMember
125us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaPlusToAaMinusMember
AA Plus to AA- [Member] | Private label commercial mortgage-backed securities [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaPlusToAaMinusMember
0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaPlusToAaMinusMember
AA Plus to AA- [Member] | Mutual funds [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_MutualFundsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaPlusToAaMinusMember
0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_MutualFundsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaPlusToAaMinusMember
AA Plus to AA- [Member] | U.S. Government-sponsored agency securities [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_USGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaPlusToAaMinusMember
0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_USGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaPlusToAaMinusMember
AA Plus to AA- [Member] | Preferred Stock [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_PreferredStockMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaPlusToAaMinusMember
0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_PreferredStockMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaPlusToAaMinusMember
AA Plus to AA- [Member] | Trust preferred securities [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_TrustPreferredSecuritiesSubjectToMandatoryRedemptionMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaPlusToAaMinusMember
0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_TrustPreferredSecuritiesSubjectToMandatoryRedemptionMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaPlusToAaMinusMember
AA Plus to AA- [Member] | Collateralized debt obligations [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CollateralizedDebtObligationsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaPlusToAaMinusMember
 
Securities held to maturity Total, Amortized Cost   0us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CollateralizedDebtObligationsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaPlusToAaMinusMember
AA Plus to AA- [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 2,759us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaPlusToAaMinusMember
 
Securities held to maturity Total, Amortized Cost   2,697us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaPlusToAaMinusMember
AA Plus to AA- [Member] | CRA investments [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_CraInvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaPlusToAaMinusMember
0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_CraInvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaPlusToAaMinusMember
Securities held to maturity Total, Amortized Cost   0us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_CraInvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaPlusToAaMinusMember
A Plus to A- [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 155,164us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorPlusToMinusMember
61,490us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorPlusToMinusMember
Securities held to maturity Total, Amortized Cost   131,662us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorPlusToMinusMember
A Plus to A- [Member] | Municipal obligations [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 146,155us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorPlusToMinusMember
57,389us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorPlusToMinusMember
Securities held to maturity Total, Amortized Cost   96,560us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorPlusToMinusMember
A Plus to A- [Member] | Residential mortgage-backed securities issued by GSEs    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorPlusToMinusMember
0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorPlusToMinusMember
Investment securities - measured at fair value 0us-gaap_TradingSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorPlusToMinusMember
0us-gaap_TradingSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorPlusToMinusMember
A Plus to A- [Member] | Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities Issued By US Government Sponsored Enterprise [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterpriseMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorPlusToMinusMember
 
A Plus to A- [Member] | Private label residential mortgage-backed securities [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 3,439us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorPlusToMinusMember
4,101us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorPlusToMinusMember
A Plus to A- [Member] | Private label commercial mortgage-backed securities [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorPlusToMinusMember
0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorPlusToMinusMember
A Plus to A- [Member] | Mutual funds [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_MutualFundsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorPlusToMinusMember
0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_MutualFundsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorPlusToMinusMember
A Plus to A- [Member] | U.S. Government-sponsored agency securities [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_USGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorPlusToMinusMember
0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_USGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorPlusToMinusMember
A Plus to A- [Member] | Preferred Stock [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_PreferredStockMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorPlusToMinusMember
0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_PreferredStockMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorPlusToMinusMember
A Plus to A- [Member] | Trust preferred securities [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_TrustPreferredSecuritiesSubjectToMandatoryRedemptionMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorPlusToMinusMember
0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_TrustPreferredSecuritiesSubjectToMandatoryRedemptionMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorPlusToMinusMember
A Plus to A- [Member] | Collateralized debt obligations [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CollateralizedDebtObligationsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorPlusToMinusMember
 
Securities held to maturity Total, Amortized Cost   0us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CollateralizedDebtObligationsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorPlusToMinusMember
A Plus to A- [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 5,570us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorPlusToMinusMember
 
Securities held to maturity Total, Amortized Cost   35,102us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorPlusToMinusMember
A Plus to A- [Member] | CRA investments [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_CraInvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorPlusToMinusMember
0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_CraInvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorPlusToMinusMember
Securities held to maturity Total, Amortized Cost   0us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_CraInvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorPlusToMinusMember
BBB Plus to BBB- [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 171,851us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbbPlusToBbbMinusMember
110,809us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbbPlusToBbbMinusMember
Securities held to maturity Total, Amortized Cost   67,283us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbbPlusToBbbMinusMember
BBB Plus to BBB- [Member] | Municipal obligations [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 6,263us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbbPlusToBbbMinusMember
0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbbPlusToBbbMinusMember
Securities held to maturity Total, Amortized Cost   7,305us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbbPlusToBbbMinusMember
BBB Plus to BBB- [Member] | Residential mortgage-backed securities issued by GSEs    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbbPlusToBbbMinusMember
0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbbPlusToBbbMinusMember
Investment securities - measured at fair value 0us-gaap_TradingSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbbPlusToBbbMinusMember
0us-gaap_TradingSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbbPlusToBbbMinusMember
BBB Plus to BBB- [Member] | Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities Issued By US Government Sponsored Enterprise [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterpriseMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbbPlusToBbbMinusMember
 
BBB Plus to BBB- [Member] | Private label residential mortgage-backed securities [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 3,595us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbbPlusToBbbMinusMember
4,625us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbbPlusToBbbMinusMember
BBB Plus to BBB- [Member] | Private label commercial mortgage-backed securities [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbbPlusToBbbMinusMember
0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbbPlusToBbbMinusMember
BBB Plus to BBB- [Member] | Mutual funds [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 37,702us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_MutualFundsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbbPlusToBbbMinusMember
36,532us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_MutualFundsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbbPlusToBbbMinusMember
BBB Plus to BBB- [Member] | U.S. Government-sponsored agency securities [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_USGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbbPlusToBbbMinusMember
0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_USGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbbPlusToBbbMinusMember
BBB Plus to BBB- [Member] | Preferred Stock [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 54,585us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_PreferredStockMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbbPlusToBbbMinusMember
45,847us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_PreferredStockMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbbPlusToBbbMinusMember
BBB Plus to BBB- [Member] | Trust preferred securities [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 25,546us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_TrustPreferredSecuritiesSubjectToMandatoryRedemptionMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbbPlusToBbbMinusMember
23,805us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_TrustPreferredSecuritiesSubjectToMandatoryRedemptionMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbbPlusToBbbMinusMember
BBB Plus to BBB- [Member] | Collateralized debt obligations [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CollateralizedDebtObligationsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbbPlusToBbbMinusMember
 
Securities held to maturity Total, Amortized Cost   0us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CollateralizedDebtObligationsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbbPlusToBbbMinusMember
BBB Plus to BBB- [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 44,160us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbbPlusToBbbMinusMember
 
Securities held to maturity Total, Amortized Cost   59,978us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbbPlusToBbbMinusMember
BBB Plus to BBB- [Member] | CRA investments [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_CraInvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbbPlusToBbbMinusMember
0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_CraInvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbbPlusToBbbMinusMember
Securities held to maturity Total, Amortized Cost   0us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_CraInvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbbPlusToBbbMinusMember
BB Plus and below [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 32,469us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbPlusAndBelowMember
17,061us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbPlusAndBelowMember
Securities held to maturity Total, Amortized Cost   50us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbPlusAndBelowMember
BB Plus and below [Member] | Municipal obligations [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 195us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbPlusAndBelowMember
215us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbPlusAndBelowMember
Securities held to maturity Total, Amortized Cost   0us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbPlusAndBelowMember
BB Plus and below [Member] | Residential mortgage-backed securities issued by GSEs    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbPlusAndBelowMember
0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbPlusAndBelowMember
Investment securities - measured at fair value 0us-gaap_TradingSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbPlusAndBelowMember
0us-gaap_TradingSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbPlusAndBelowMember
BB Plus and below [Member] | Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities Issued By US Government Sponsored Enterprise [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterpriseMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbPlusAndBelowMember
 
BB Plus and below [Member] | Private label residential mortgage-backed securities [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 3,197us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbPlusAndBelowMember
3,602us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbPlusAndBelowMember
BB Plus and below [Member] | Private label commercial mortgage-backed securities [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbPlusAndBelowMember
0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbPlusAndBelowMember
BB Plus and below [Member] | Mutual funds [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_MutualFundsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbPlusAndBelowMember
0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_MutualFundsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbPlusAndBelowMember
BB Plus and below [Member] | U.S. Government-sponsored agency securities [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_USGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbPlusAndBelowMember
0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_USGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbPlusAndBelowMember
BB Plus and below [Member] | Preferred Stock [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 17,632us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_PreferredStockMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbPlusAndBelowMember
13,244us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_PreferredStockMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbPlusAndBelowMember
BB Plus and below [Member] | Trust preferred securities [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_TrustPreferredSecuritiesSubjectToMandatoryRedemptionMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbPlusAndBelowMember
0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_TrustPreferredSecuritiesSubjectToMandatoryRedemptionMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbPlusAndBelowMember
BB Plus and below [Member] | Collateralized debt obligations [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 11,445us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CollateralizedDebtObligationsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbPlusAndBelowMember
 
Securities held to maturity Total, Amortized Cost   50us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CollateralizedDebtObligationsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbPlusAndBelowMember
BB Plus and below [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbPlusAndBelowMember
 
Securities held to maturity Total, Amortized Cost   0us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbPlusAndBelowMember
BB Plus and below [Member] | CRA investments [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_CraInvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbPlusAndBelowMember
0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_CraInvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbPlusAndBelowMember
Securities held to maturity Total, Amortized Cost   0us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_CraInvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbPlusAndBelowMember
Corporate Credit Quality Indicator Unrated [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 34,727us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorUnratedMember
25,675us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorUnratedMember
Securities held to maturity Total, Amortized Cost   1,600us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorUnratedMember
Corporate Credit Quality Indicator Unrated [Member] | Municipal obligations [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorUnratedMember
0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorUnratedMember
Securities held to maturity Total, Amortized Cost   0us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorUnratedMember
Corporate Credit Quality Indicator Unrated [Member] | Residential mortgage-backed securities issued by GSEs    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorUnratedMember
0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorUnratedMember
Investment securities - measured at fair value 0us-gaap_TradingSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorUnratedMember
0us-gaap_TradingSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorUnratedMember
Corporate Credit Quality Indicator Unrated [Member] | Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities Issued By US Government Sponsored Enterprise [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterpriseMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorUnratedMember
 
Corporate Credit Quality Indicator Unrated [Member] | Private label residential mortgage-backed securities [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorUnratedMember
0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorUnratedMember
Corporate Credit Quality Indicator Unrated [Member] | Private label commercial mortgage-backed securities [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorUnratedMember
0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorUnratedMember
Corporate Credit Quality Indicator Unrated [Member] | Mutual funds [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_MutualFundsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorUnratedMember
0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_MutualFundsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorUnratedMember
Corporate Credit Quality Indicator Unrated [Member] | U.S. Government-sponsored agency securities [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_USGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorUnratedMember
0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_USGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorUnratedMember
Corporate Credit Quality Indicator Unrated [Member] | Preferred Stock [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 10,395us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_PreferredStockMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorUnratedMember
2,393us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_PreferredStockMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorUnratedMember
Corporate Credit Quality Indicator Unrated [Member] | Trust preferred securities [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_TrustPreferredSecuritiesSubjectToMandatoryRedemptionMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorUnratedMember
0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_TrustPreferredSecuritiesSubjectToMandatoryRedemptionMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorUnratedMember
Corporate Credit Quality Indicator Unrated [Member] | Collateralized debt obligations [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CollateralizedDebtObligationsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorUnratedMember
 
Securities held to maturity Total, Amortized Cost   0us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CollateralizedDebtObligationsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorUnratedMember
Corporate Credit Quality Indicator Unrated [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorUnratedMember
 
Securities held to maturity Total, Amortized Cost   0us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorUnratedMember
Corporate Credit Quality Indicator Unrated [Member] | CRA investments [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 and $1,404,048 at December 31, 2013 24,332us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_CraInvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorUnratedMember
23,282us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_CraInvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorUnratedMember
Securities held to maturity Total, Amortized Cost   $ 1,600us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_CraInvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorUnratedMember