WATERBURY, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 18, 2004--Webster Bank, the
largest independent bank headquartered in southern New England, today
began its expansion into Westchester County, New York, by opening a
branch at 17 Popham Road in Scarsdale. This is Webster's first branch
in Westchester County and the 145th branch in its four state
franchise.
William T. Bromage, President and COO of Webster, stated:
"Webster's debut in Scarsdale is just the beginning for us in
Westchester County. Our de novo program includes plans to open twelve
to fifteen branches in the county over the next few years. We look
forward to developing strong relationships in these communities."
Bromage was joined at the ribbon cutting by State Senator Suzi
Oppenheimer, Scarsdale Mayor Beverly Sved, Executive Vice President,
Consumer Banking Candace Fitzek, Senior Vice President, Southern
Region Market Manager Mike Fitzsimmons and Branch Manager Matthew
Farrell.
Webster completed its merger with FIRST FEDERAL Savings Bank of
America, headquartered in Swansea, MA, on Friday, May 14, 2004. With
the acquisition, Webster is the 45th largest bank in the United
States, with $17 billion in assets. Its branch network stretches from
Westchester County through Connecticut, Rhode Island and
Massachusetts.
Webster Financial Corporation is the holding company for Webster
Bank, National Association and Webster Insurance. With $17 billion in
assets, Webster provides business and consumer banking, mortgage,
insurance, financial planning, trust and investment services through
145 banking offices, 266 ATMs, telephone banking and the Internet.
Webster Bank owns the asset-based lending firm Webster Business Credit
Corporation, the insurance premium finance company Budget Installment
Corp., and Center Capital Corporation, an equipment finance company
headquartered in Farmington, Connecticut. For more information about
Webster, including past press releases and the latest Annual Report,
visit the Webster website at www.websteronline.com.
CONTACT: Media Contact:
Webster Bank
Meghan Thompson 203-578-2287
mthompson@websterbank.com
SOURCE: Webster Financial Corporation