Parent Company Financial Information (Condensed Statement of Operations) (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Income:
Noninterest income	$ 86,693	$ 63,588	$ 50,115
Interest and dividend income from operating activities	150,287	158,642	162,403
Expenses:
Interest expense	(23,288)	(32,605)	(41,732)
Other operating expenses	(18,533)	(17,589)	(14,894)
Net interest income	126,999	126,037	120,671
Consolidated net income	31,311	22,677	14,117
Dividends on preferred stock and accretion of discount	(2,770)	(2,770)	(2,770)
Net income allocable to common stockholders	28,541	19,907	11,347
WSFS Bank [Member]
Income:
Interest income	1,853	1,021	2,207
Noninterest income	139	153	120
Interest and dividend income from operating activities	1,992	1,174	2,327
Expenses:
Interest expense	2,776	1,375	1,390
Other operating expenses	(186)	419	656
Net interest income	2,590	1,794	2,046
(Loss) income before equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries	(598)	(620)	281
Equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries	31,909	23,297	13,836
Consolidated net income	31,311	22,677	14,117
Dividends on preferred stock and accretion of discount	(2,770)	(2,770)	(2,770)
Net income allocable to common stockholders	$ 28,541	$ 19,907	$ 11,347