Webster Appoints Jo Keeler to Corporate Executive Post

Jun 13, 2002

WATERBURY, Conn., Jun 13, 2002 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Webster Financial Corporation (Nasdaq:WBST), the holding company for Webster Bank, announced today the appointment of Jo Keeler as Corporate Executive Vice President, Risk Management.

Keeler joined Webster in August of 2001 as Executive Vice President, Risk Management for Webster Bank.

Since joining Webster, Keeler has been responsible for managing credit approval, portfolio management, risk review and asset recovery for Webster and served as a member of the Asset and Liability Committee (ALCO). In his new capacity, Keeler's responsibilities have expanded to include managing enterprise risk and directing the management responsibilities for business entities of Webster Financial Corporation and Webster Bank.

"Jo is a strong contributor and key member of our management team, and we envisioned broader responsibilities for him from the outset," stated James C. Smith, chairman and chief executive officer of Webster Financial Corporation. "His extensive experience in financial services and his background and skills in credit management have equipped him well for his new responsibilities."

Prior to joining Webster, Keeler was executive credit officer for FleetBoston Financial in Boston, Massachusetts, from 1993 to 2001. Before that position, Keeler spent thirteen years with Mellon Bank in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, holding positions as director of structured finance and manager of Mellon's energy lending business.

Keeler received a B.A. and an M.B.A. from Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.

Keeler resides in Wellesley, Massachusetts.

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, insurance, trust and investment services through more than 100 banking offices, 210 ATMs and the Internet. 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 more information about Webster, including past press releases and the latest Annual Report, visit the Webster Bank web site at www.websterbank.com.

CONTACT: For Webster Financial Corporation Media Contact: Clark Finley, 203/578-2429 cfinley@websterbank.com or Webster Investor Contact: James Sitro, 203/578-2399 jsitro@websterbank.com