WATERBURY, Conn., Jun 27, 2002 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Webster Bank today celebrated
the opening of a new branch at 1101 Boston Post Road in Darien.
The opening marks the Waterbury-based bank's first branch in Darien and the
third branch opening in its aggressive expansion into lower Fairfield County.
Webster plans to establish at least 20 new branches and 35 ATM locations in the
region over the next three years.
"We look forward to being a contributing member of the Darien community," stated
Webster chairman and chief executive officer James C. Smith. "Our goal is to
find a way to assist Darien's citizens and businesses in achieving their
financial goals. As a leading regional financial services provider, we approach
each community individually and value our role as an investor in those
communities."
Webster also reports dramatic early success in its expansion plan. Its first
lower Fairfield County branch, at 1959 Summer Street in Stamford, has achieved
its annual deposit goal after its first three months of operation. The Stamford
branch opened in February of this year and experienced a growth rate in deposits
four times greater than initial projections.
"Webster's Fairfield County de novo branch expansion plan has had tremendous
early success," stated Webster's senior executive vice president, retail
banking, Peter Mulligan. "We are encouraged by our development in the Stamford
community and look forward to building strong personal and business
relationships in Darien. We believe that our banking and financial services will
offer the Darien community new and competitive options. "
Among the officials in attendance were Darien First Selectman Robert Harrel, Jr.
and Darien Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Thomas Dudeck.
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 investment banking and 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: Webster Bank, Waterbury
Clark Finley, 203/578-2429
cfinley@websterbank.com