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Investment Securities - Investment Securities by Credit Rating Type (Detail) (USD $)
Mar. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 $ 1,399,428,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities $ 1,520,237,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
Municipal obligations [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 295,506,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember
299,037,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ 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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 854,503,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember
891,189,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember
Securities measured at fair value 1,788,000us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember
1,858,000us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ 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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 2,181,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterpriseMember
2,147,000us-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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 63,359,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
70,243,000us-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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 5,097,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
5,149,000us-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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014   37,702,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_MutualFundsMember
US Government-sponsored Enterprises Debt Securities [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 18,575,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_USGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesDebtSecuritiesMember
18,346,000us-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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 84,999,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_PreferredStockMember
82,612,000us-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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 25,487,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_TrustPreferredSecuritiesSubjectToMandatoryRedemptionMember
25,546,000us-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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 10,520,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CollateralizedDebtObligationsMember
11,445,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CollateralizedDebtObligationsMember
Corporate debt securities [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 13,515,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateBondSecuritiesMember
52,489,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateBondSecuritiesMember
CRA investments [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 25,686,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_CraInvestmentsMember
24,332,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ 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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 1,399,428,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_RatedSecuritiesMember
[1] 1,520,237,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_RatedSecuritiesMember
[2]
Rated Securities [Member] | Municipal obligations [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 295,506,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_RatedSecuritiesMember
299,037,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ 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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 854,503,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_RatedSecuritiesMember
891,189,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_RatedSecuritiesMember
Securities measured at fair value 1,788,000us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_RatedSecuritiesMember
1,858,000us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ 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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 2,181,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterpriseMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_RatedSecuritiesMember
2,147,000us-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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 63,359,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_RatedSecuritiesMember
70,243,000us-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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 5,097,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_RatedSecuritiesMember
5,149,000us-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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014   37,702,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_MutualFundsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_RatedSecuritiesMember
[3]
Rated Securities [Member] | US Government-sponsored Enterprises Debt Securities [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 18,575,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_USGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_RatedSecuritiesMember
18,346,000us-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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 84,999,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_PreferredStockMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_RatedSecuritiesMember
82,612,000us-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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 25,487,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_TrustPreferredSecuritiesSubjectToMandatoryRedemptionMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_RatedSecuritiesMember
25,546,000us-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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 10,520,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CollateralizedDebtObligationsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_RatedSecuritiesMember
11,445,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ 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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 13,515,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateBondSecuritiesMember
/ 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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 25,686,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_CraInvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_RatedSecuritiesMember
24,332,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ 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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 67,022,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaaMember
[1] 73,261,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaaMember
[2]
AAA [Member] | Municipal obligations [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 8,140,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaaMember
8,168,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ 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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 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
Securities measured at fair value 0us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaaMember
0us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ 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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterpriseMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaaMember
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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 53,785,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaaMember
59,944,000us-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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 5,097,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaaMember
5,149,000us-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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014   0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_MutualFundsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaaMember
[3]
AAA [Member] | US Government-sponsored Enterprises Debt Securities [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CollateralizedDebtObligationsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaaMember
0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ 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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateBondSecuritiesMember
/ 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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 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
Split-rated AAA/AA Plus [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 875,259,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorSplitAaaToAaPlusMember
[1] 911,682,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorSplitAaaToAaPlusMember
[2]
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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 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
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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 854,503,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorSplitAaaToAaPlusMember
891,189,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorSplitAaaToAaPlusMember
Securities measured at fair value 1,788,000us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorSplitAaaToAaPlusMember
1,858,000us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ 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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 2,181,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterpriseMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorSplitAaaToAaPlusMember
2,147,000us-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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014   0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_MutualFundsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorSplitAaaToAaPlusMember
[3]
Split-rated AAA/AA Plus [Member] | US Government-sponsored Enterprises Debt Securities [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 18,575,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_USGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorSplitAaaToAaPlusMember
18,346,000us-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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CollateralizedDebtObligationsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorSplitAaaToAaPlusMember
0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ 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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateBondSecuritiesMember
/ 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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 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
AA Plus to AA- [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 140,534,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaPlusToAaMinusMember
[1] 141,083,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaPlusToAaMinusMember
[2]
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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 137,718,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaPlusToAaMinusMember
138,256,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ 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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 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
Securities measured at fair value 0us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaPlusToAaMinusMember
0us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ 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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterpriseMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaPlusToAaMinusMember
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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 58,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaPlusToAaMinusMember
68,000us-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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014   0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_MutualFundsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaPlusToAaMinusMember
[3]
AA Plus to AA- [Member] | US Government-sponsored Enterprises Debt Securities [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CollateralizedDebtObligationsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorAaPlusToAaMinusMember
0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ 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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 2,758,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateBondSecuritiesMember
/ 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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 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
A Plus to A- [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 151,787,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorPlusToMinusMember
[1] 155,164,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorPlusToMinusMember
[2]
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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 143,238,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorPlusToMinusMember
146,155,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ 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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 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
Securities measured at fair value 0us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorPlusToMinusMember
0us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ 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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterpriseMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorPlusToMinusMember
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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 2,935,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorPlusToMinusMember
3,439,000us-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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014   0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_MutualFundsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorPlusToMinusMember
[3]
A Plus to A- [Member] | US Government-sponsored Enterprises Debt Securities [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CollateralizedDebtObligationsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorPlusToMinusMember
0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ 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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 5,614,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateBondSecuritiesMember
/ 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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 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
BBB Plus to BBB- [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 96,811,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbbPlusToBbbMinusMember
[1] 171,851,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbbPlusToBbbMinusMember
[2]
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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 6,215,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbbPlusToBbbMinusMember
6,263,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ 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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 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
Securities measured at fair value 0us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbbPlusToBbbMinusMember
0us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ 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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterpriseMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbbPlusToBbbMinusMember
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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 3,410,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbbPlusToBbbMinusMember
3,595,000us-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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014   37,702,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_MutualFundsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbbPlusToBbbMinusMember
[3]
BBB Plus to BBB- [Member] | US Government-sponsored Enterprises Debt Securities [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 56,556,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_PreferredStockMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbbPlusToBbbMinusMember
54,585,000us-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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 25,487,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_TrustPreferredSecuritiesSubjectToMandatoryRedemptionMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbbPlusToBbbMinusMember
25,546,000us-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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CollateralizedDebtObligationsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbbPlusToBbbMinusMember
0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ 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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 5,143,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateBondSecuritiesMember
/ 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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 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
BB Plus and below [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 32,272,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbPlusAndBelowMember
[1] 32,469,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbPlusAndBelowMember
[2]
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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 195,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbPlusAndBelowMember
195,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ 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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 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
Securities measured at fair value 0us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbPlusAndBelowMember
0us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ 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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterpriseMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbPlusAndBelowMember
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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 3,171,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbPlusAndBelowMember
3,197,000us-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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014   0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_MutualFundsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbPlusAndBelowMember
[3]
BB Plus and below [Member] | US Government-sponsored Enterprises Debt Securities [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 18,386,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_PreferredStockMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbPlusAndBelowMember
17,632,000us-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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 10,520,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CollateralizedDebtObligationsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorBbPlusAndBelowMember
11,445,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ 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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateBondSecuritiesMember
/ 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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 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
Corporate Credit Quality Indicator Unrated [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 35,743,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorUnratedMember
[1] 34,727,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorUnratedMember
[2]
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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 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
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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 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
Securities measured at fair value 0us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorUnratedMember
0us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ 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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterpriseMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorUnratedMember
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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014   0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_MutualFundsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorUnratedMember
[3]
Corporate Credit Quality Indicator Unrated [Member] | US Government-sponsored Enterprises Debt Securities [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 10,057,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_PreferredStockMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorUnratedMember
10,395,000us-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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CollateralizedDebtObligationsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorUnratedMember
0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ 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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateBondSecuritiesMember
/ 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 $1,361,998 at March 31, 2015 and $1,493,648 at December 31, 2014 $ 25,686,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_CraInvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorUnratedMember
$ 24,332,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis
= wal_CraInvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis
= wal_CorporateCreditQualityIndicatorUnratedMember
[1] The Company uses the average credit rating of the combination of S&P, Moody’s, and Fitch, where ratings differ
[2] The Company uses the average credit rating of the combination of S&P, Moody’s, and Fitch, where ratings differ.
[3] At least 80% of mutual funds are investment grade corporate debt securities.