Patrick T. Murphy Joins Webster, Named to Executive Post

Jun 18, 2002

WATERBURY, Conn., Jun 18, 2002 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Webster Financial Corporation (Nasdaq:WBST), the holding company for Webster Bank, announced today the appointment of Patrick T. Murphy as Executive Vice President, Human Resources for Webster Bank.

In this position he will oversee all aspects of human resources management and lead Webster's corporate training, best practices and support services operations.

"We are delighted to welcome Patrick Murphy to Webster," said James C. Smith, chairman and chief executive officer. "He brings a comprehensive set of experiences and skills in financial services and other industries that will help our management team to strengthen and grow our company in future years."

Before joining Webster, Murphy was Vice President, Human Resources at ING Aetna Financial Services in Hartford. In this position he provided leadership for the human resources function in several locations in the United States, and his responsibilities included the development of a human resources strategy emphasizing organizational effectiveness, performance management, talent management, recruitment, change management and rewards and recognition programs. At ING Aetna Financial Services Murphy created a leadership development program to strengthen leadership skills and behaviors during transitional periods.

Prior to ING Aetna, Murphy was Vice President, Human Resources - Americas for Lego Systems, Inc. in Enfield, Connecticut. He also spent thirteen years in a series of human resources positions of increasing responsibility at Richardson-Vicks, Inc. in Shelton, Connecticut, a subsidiary of the Proctor & Gamble Company, and prior to that seven years as a personnel director for Baker Instruments Corporation in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

In addition to his professional experience, Murphy currently is a member of the Board of Trustees for Western New England College in Springfield, Massachusetts, the School of Business Advisory Board for Oswego State University, Oswego, New York, and is a member of Leadership Greater Hartford's Quest Program for 2002.

Murphy replaces Executive Vice President, Human Resources Renee Seefried, who is retiring after more than seventeen years at Webster. James Smith said that Seefried "had served Webster loyally, capably and with exceptional foresight," during its rapid growth of the past several years. "She has contributed meaningfully to our transformation to a regional financial services provider. We will miss Renee's warmth and professional skill."

Murphy received a B.S. in business administration from the State University of New York--Oswego.

Murphy resides in Simsbury, CT.

Webster Financial Corporation is the holding company for Webster Bank and Webster Insurance. With $12 billion in assets, Connecticut-based Webster Bank provides business and consumer banking, mortgage, trust and investment services through more than 100 banking offices, 210 ATMs and the Internet (www.websterbank.com). Webster Financial Corporation is majority owner of Chicago-based Duff & Phelps, LLC, a leader in financial advisory services, and Webster Bank owns Center Capital Corporation, an equipment leasing and financing company headquartered in Farmington, Connecticut and Webster Trust Company, N.A. For information about Webster, including past releases and the latest Annual Report, visit the Webster Bank website at www.websterbank.com.

CONTACT: Webster Financial Corporation Clark Finley, 203/578-2429 cfinley@websterbank.com