Webster Reports Increase in Per Share Net Income for the Fourth Quarter and Full Year

Jan 22, 2004

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WATERBURY, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 22, 2004--Webster Financial Corporation (NYSE: WBS), the holding company for Webster Bank, today announced net income of $41.4 million in the fourth quarter, compared to $39.4 million in the year-ago period, an increase of 5 percent. Net income per diluted share also increased 5 percent to $.89 in the fourth quarter, compared to $.85 in the year-ago period. Included in the fourth quarter of 2003 are $1.3 million of non-recurring merger expenses, or $.02 per diluted share, related to the acquisition of North American Bank and Trust Company.

Net income in 2003 totaled $163.2 million, compared to $152.7 million in the prior year. Net income per diluted share was $3.52 in 2003, compared to $3.16 in the prior year, an increase of 11 percent. Excluding the cumulative effect of a change in accounting method in the 2002 first quarter, net income in 2002 was $160.0 million or $3.31 per diluted share.

"We are pleased to report solid quarterly results in a year of significant achievement, including double-digit growth in loans and deposits," stated Webster chairman and chief executive officer James C. Smith. "The fourth quarter was marked by notable improvement in net interest margin and exceptional asset quality."

"Upon the expected approval of Webster Bank's application for a national bank charter, we will have completed our transformation to a commercial bank. As the largest publicly-traded bank based in southern New England, we are in the unique position to fill the competitive need for a homegrown provider of banking, insurance and investment services in our markets. We will build on this competitive advantage to grow loans and deposits faster than the market and to drive revenue from our fee-based businesses," Smith said.

Revenues and Expenses

Total revenues (net interest income plus total noninterest income) were $163.8 million in the fourth quarter, compared to $162.5 million a year ago. Total revenues, excluding securities gains, increased 8 percent to $161.1 million in the fourth quarter from $148.5 million a year ago. For the full-year 2003, total revenues increased 9 percent to $646.0 million. Total revenues, excluding securities gains, increased 10 percent to $627.4 million for the full-year 2003. Revenue growth over the past year has been led by increases in Webster's fee revenue categories.

Net interest income was $107.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2003, compared to $104.1 million in the year-ago period and $100.9 million in the third quarter. The improvement reflects a reduction in the amount of premium amortization within the securities portfolio compared to the first three quarters of 2003 when Webster experienced an acceleration of prepayments due to low market interest rates. Lower funding costs for deposits and borrowings also contributed to the higher level of net interest income during the quarter. Net interest income in the full-year 2003 totaled $413.5 million, compared to $405.7 million in 2002.

Webster's net interest margin (annualized net interest income as a percentage of average earning assets) was 3.18 percent in the quarter, compared to 3.39 percent in the year-ago period and 2.99 percent in the third quarter. Webster's net interest margin for all of 2003 was 3.14 percent, compared to 3.50 percent for 2002. Strong loan growth in 2003 helped to offset compression of the net interest margin caused by the lower interest rate environment over the course of the year.

In the fourth quarter of 2003, total noninterest income decreased 3 percent to $56.5 million, compared $58.4 million in the year-ago period. Total fee revenue (total noninterest income excluding securities gains) grew 21 percent in the fourth quarter to $53.8 million from the year-ago period. This growth was led by increases in insurance revenues, loan and loan servicing fees and financial advisory services. For the full-year 2003, total noninterest income increased 25 percent to $232.5 million. Total fee revenue increased 32 percent to $213.9 million in 2003, due primarily to the growth of deposit and loan service fees, insurance revenues and net gains on sales of loans and loan servicing. In the fourth quarter, securities gains totaled $2.7 million, compared to $13.9 million in the year-ago period, and for the full-year 2003 totaled $18.6 million, compared to $23.4 million in 2002.

Total noninterest expenses for the 2003 fourth quarter were $98.3 million, up from $89.2 million one year ago. Growth from the year-ago period includes the $1.3 million of expenses from the acquisition of North American Bank and Trust Company completed in November 2003. In the entire 2003 year, total noninterest expenses were $378.0 million, compared to $328.3 million in 2002, an increase of 15 percent that reflects the impact of acquisitions and continuing investment in personnel, technology and infrastructure to meet our strategic plan for growth.

Balance Sheet Growth

At December 31, 2003, total assets were $14.6 billion, up 8 percent from $13.5 billion one year ago. Total loans of $9.2 billion at December 31, 2003 increased 16 percent from $7.9 billion a year ago. Deposits totaled $8.4 billion at December 31, 2003, up almost $800 million, or 10 percent, compared to a year ago. Over the past year, core deposit growth was especially strong at 14 percent.

"Our strategic initiatives have driven double-digit growth in loans and deposits over the past year," stated Webster president and chief operating officer William T. Bromage. "The strength of this growth demonstrates customer recognition of the depth and breadth of our product set and our ability to meet their financial needs."

At the end of the fourth quarter, commercial loans, including commercial real estate, were $3.3 billion, up 17 percent from $2.8 billion a year ago. Consumer loans increased 26 percent to $2.1 billion, compared to $1.7 billion one year ago, with growth over the past year led by Webster's home equity product offering. Commercial and consumer loans comprised 59 percent of total loans at December 31, 2003, compared to 57 percent a year ago.

Core deposits (consisting of checking, money market and savings accounts) of $5.6 billion at December 31, 2003 increased by 14 percent from a year ago and represented 67 percent of total deposits, up from 65 percent at December 31, 2002. Webster's growth in deposits was driven in part by its High Performance Checking products and the continuing success of its de novo branches in Fairfield County, Connecticut. During 2003, Webster continued its de novo expansion by opening new branches in Norwalk, CT and Scarsdale, NY.

Book value per common share of $24.91 at December 31, 2003 increased from $22.69 one year ago. Tangible book value per share of $18.18 at December 31, 2003 increased from $16.64 one year ago.

Asset Quality

Nonperforming assets totaled $42.9 million or 0.29 percent of total assets at

December 31, 2003, compared to $50.0 million or 0.37 percent a year ago and $46.1 million or 0.32 percent at September 30, 2003.

"Webster's disciplined approach to credit management has been a hallmark of our institution through many economic cycles," stated Webster chief financial officer William J. Healy. "Our efforts to identify and address potential problem loans at an early stage continue to drive our approach to portfolio management."

The allowance for loan losses totaled $121.7 million, or 1.32 percent of total loans at December 31, 2003, compared to $116.8 million, or 1.48 percent, a year ago and $117.7 million, or 1.29 percent, at September 30, 2003. The ratio of the allowance to nonperforming loans at December 31, 2003 increased to 323 percent, compared to 270 percent a year ago and 284 percent at September 30, 2003. The improvements in this ratio are due primarily to the decline in nonperforming loans.

The provision for loan losses totaled $5.0 million in the fourth quarter compared to $16.0 million in the year-ago period. The higher provision in the fourth quarter of 2002 offset a write-down against the allowance for loan losses of loans that were transferred to held for sale in that quarter. The full-year 2003 provision for loan losses totaled $25.0 million, compared to $29.0 million in the prior year.

Webster's net loan charge-offs in the fourth quarter of 2003 were $3.0 million compared to $2.9 million in the year-ago period. The annualized net charge-off ratio was 0.13 percent in the 2003 fourth quarter, compared to 0.14 percent in the year-ago period. The full-year 2003 charge-off ratio was 0.25 percent, compared to 0.18 percent in 2002.

Strategic Actions

Webster announced in December an agreement to acquire Phoenix National Trust Company, which provides trust, custody and other financial services. Upon completion of the transaction, Phoenix National Trust will become part of Webster Bank's investment and trust division, Webster Financial Advisors.

On November 7, 2003, Webster completed the acquisition of North American Bank and Trust Company, a Connecticut state-chartered commercial bank with $195 million in assets and 8 offices in the Greater Waterbury area.

Webster expanded its footprint beyond Connecticut's borders when it announced in October that it had reached a definitive agreement to acquire FIRSTFED AMERICA BANCORP, INC. (AMEX: FAB), headquartered in Swansea, Massachusetts, the holding company for First Federal Savings Bank of America. FIRSTFED is a federally-chartered savings and loan holding company with $2.5 billion in assets at September 30, 2003 and 26 branches, 19 in Massachusetts and 7 in Rhode Island. The combined bank would rank among the 50 largest in the United States, with $16 billion in assets, market capitalization of $2.6 billion and a 142-branch retail footprint in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Webster expects the acquisition to close in the second quarter of 2004.

In September, Webster Bank announced it filed an application with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to convert to a national bank charter. Webster Bank has been a federal savings bank regulated by the Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS). As part of the conversion, Webster also is filing an application with the Federal Reserve System to become a financial holding company. Webster expects to complete the conversion in the second quarter of 2004.

Webster Financial Corporation is the holding company for Webster Bank and Webster Insurance. With $14.6 billion in assets, Webster provides business and consumer banking, mortgage, insurance, financial planning, trust and investment services through 119 banking offices, 233 ATMs, a Connecticut-based call center and the Internet. Webster Financial Corporation is majority owner of Chicago-based Duff & Phelps, LLC, a leader in financial advisory services. Webster Bank owns the asset-based lending firm Webster Business Credit Corporation, the insurance premium finance company Budget Installment Corp., Center Capital Corporation, an equipment finance 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 website at www.websteronline.com.

Conference Call

A conference call covering Webster's 2003 fourth quarter earnings announcement will be held today, Thursday, January 22, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time and may be heard through Webster's investor relations website at www.wbst.com, or in listen-only mode by calling 1-800-299-8538 (Access Code: 21041266). The call will be archived on the website and available for future retrieval.

Statements in this press release regarding Webster Financial Corporation's business that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statement, see "Forward Looking Statements" in Webster's Annual Report for 2002.

Webster Financial Corporation

--------------------------------------------------------------------
Selected Financial Highlights (unaudited)
--------------------------------------------------------------------
                          At or for the Three   At or for the Twelve
                              Months Ended          Months Ended
                              December 31,          December 31,
(In thousands, except
 per share data)            2003      2002        2003      2002
--------------------------------------------------------------------

Net income and
 performance ratios
 (annualized):
-----------------------

Net income             $  41,386   $  39,401   $ 163,248  $ 152,732
Net income per diluted
 common share               0.89        0.85        3.52       3.16
Return on average
 shareholders' equity      14.92 %     15.41 %     15.16 %    14.78 %
Return on average
 assets                     1.15        1.18        1.15       1.22

Net income and
 performance ratios
  before cumulative
   effect of change in
    accounting method
    (annualized):
-----------------------

Net income             $  41,386   $  39,401   $ 163,248  $ 152,732
Cumulative effect of
 change in accounting
  method (a)                   -           -           -      7,280
                          ------      ------      ------     ------
Net income before
 cumulative effect of
  change in accounting
   method                 41,386      39,401     163,248    160,012

Net income per diluted
 common share               0.89        0.85        3.52       3.31
Return on average
 shareholders' equity      14.92 %     15.41 %     15.16 %    15.48 %
Return on average
 assets                     1.15        1.18        1.15       1.28
Noninterest income as a
 percentage of total
  revenue                  34.51       35.93       35.99      31.38
Efficiency ratio (b)       59.99       54.88       58.51      55.53

Cash income and
 performance ratios
 (annualized) (c):
-----------------------

Net income             $  41,386   $  39,401   $ 163,248  $ 152,732
Cumulative effect of
 change in accounting
  method (a)                   -           -           -      7,280
Tax-effected stock-
 based compensation          965         551       3,749      2,235
Tax-effected intangible
 amortization              2,644       2,598      10,399     10,411
                          ------      ------     -------    -------
Cash income               44,995      42,550     177,396    172,658

Cash income per diluted
 common share               0.96        0.92        3.83       3.57
Cash return on average
 shareholders' equity      16.22 %    16.64 %      16.48 %    16.70 %
Cash return on average
 assets                     1.25        1.28        1.25       1.38

Asset Quality:
-----------------------

Allowance for loan
 losses                $ 121,674   $ 116,804   $ 121,674  $ 116,804
Nonperforming assets      42,882      50,035      42,882     50,035
Allowance for loan
 losses / total loans       1.32 %      1.48 %      1.32 %     1.48 %
Net charge-offs/
 average loans
  (annualized)              0.13        0.14        0.25       0.18
Nonperforming loans /
 total loans                0.41        0.55        0.41       0.55
Nonperforming assets /
 total assets               0.29        0.37        0.29       0.37
Allowance for loan
 losses / nonperforming
  loans                   323.22      270.05      323.22     270.05

Other ratios
 (annualized):
-----------------------

Shareholders' equity /
 total assets               7.91 %      7.69 %      7.91 %     7.69 %
Interest-rate spread        3.13        3.35        3.10       3.43
Net interest margin         3.18        3.39        3.14       3.50

Share related:
-----------------------

Book value per common
 share                 $   24.91   $   22.69   $   24.91  $   22.69
Tangible book value per
 common share              18.18       16.64       18.18      16.64
Common stock closing
 price                     45.86       34.80       45.86      34.80
Dividends declared per
 common share               0.21        0.19        0.82       0.74

Common shares issued
 and outstanding          46,276      45,626      46,276     45,626
Basic shares (average)    45,814      45,640      45,542     47,584
Diluted shares (average)  46,699      46,321      46,362     48,392

Footnotes:

 (a) Cumulative effect of change in accounting method for 2002 is a
  SFAS No. 142 transitional goodwill impairment charge of $11.2
  million, net of taxes, $7.3 million.
 (b) Noninterest expense as a percentage of net interest income
  plus noninterest income.
 (c) Cash income represents net income excluding the after tax effects
  of non-cash charges for cumulative effect of change in accounting
  method, stock-based compensation, which includes stock options and
  restricted stock, and amortization of intangible assets.
 (d) Webster adopted FIN 46 on December 31, 2003, and in accordance
  with its provisions, deconsolidated the capital trusts and reported
  the associated liabilities as other long-term debt.
 (e) For purposes of this computation, unrealized gains (losses) are
  excluded from the average balance for rate calculations.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Consolidated Statements of Condition   (unaudited)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                           December 31,   September 30,  December 31,
(In thousands)                2003            2003          2002
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Assets:

Cash and due from
 depository institutions   $    209,234   $    214,566  $    266,463
Short-term investments           42,420         26,196        15,596

Securities:
 Trading, at fair value             555             56         5,752
 Available for sale, at
  fair value                  4,128,255      4,284,134     4,119,245
 Held-to-maturity
  securities                    173,371              -             -
                           -------------  -------------  ------------
 Total securities             4,302,181      4,284,190     4,124,997

Loans held for sale              89,830        278,402       405,157

Loans:
 Residential mortgages        3,744,013      3,758,106     3,386,207
 Commercial                   2,040,921      2,018,279     1,798,898
 Commercial real estate       1,281,516      1,187,065     1,029,332
 Consumer                     2,146,359      2,131,878     1,698,202
                           -------------  -------------  ------------
 Total loans                  9,212,809      9,095,328     7,912,639
Allowance for loan losses      (121,674)      (117,707)     (116,804)
                           -------------  -------------  ------------
 Loans, net                   9,091,135      8,977,621     7,795,835

Accrued interest receivable      52,756         53,091        54,601
Premises and equipment, net      95,631         85,521        84,683
Goodwill and intangible
 assets                         330,929        315,556       297,359
Cash surrender value of
 life insurance                 180,556        178,474       172,066
Prepaid expenses and other
 assets                         174,018        195,166       251,247
                           -------------  -------------  ------------
 Total assets              $ 14,568,690   $ 14,608,783  $ 13,468,004
                           =============  ============= =============

Liabilities and
 Shareholders' Equity:

Deposits:
 Demand deposits           $  1,090,060   $  1,017,870  $    982,735
 NOW accounts                 1,052,690      1,010,071       945,145
 Money market deposits
  accounts                    1,581,276      1,606,342     1,296,303
 Savings accounts             1,869,398      1,807,891     1,691,292
 Certificates of deposit      2,681,986      2,590,513     2,592,701
                           -------------  -------------  ------------
   Total retail deposits      8,275,410      8,032,687     7,508,176
 Treasury deposits               96,725        100,884        97,946
                           -------------  -------------  ------------
   Total deposits             8,372,135      8,133,571     7,606,122

Federal Home Loan Bank
 advances                     2,511,495      2,149,762     2,163,029
Federal funds purchased and
 securities sold under
  agreements to repurchase    1,892,138      2,531,875     2,166,640
Other long-term debt            532,760        326,000       126,000
Accrued expenses and other
 liabilities                     97,690        169,301       239,923
                           -------------  -------------  ------------
   Total liabilities         13,406,218     13,310,509    12,301,714

Corporation-obligated
 mandatorily redeemable
  capital securities of
   subsidiary trusts(d)               -        185,255       121,255

Preferred stock of
 subsidiary corporation           9,577          9,577         9,577

Shareholders' equity          1,152,895      1,103,442     1,035,458
                           -------------  -------------  ------------

 Total liabilities and
  shareholders' equity     $ 14,568,690   $ 14,608,783  $ 13,468,004
                           =============  ============= =============


See Selected Financial Highlights for footnotes.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                               Three Months Ended  Twelve Months Ended
                                   December 31,        December 31,
(In thousands, except per
 share data)                     2003      2002      2003      2002
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Interest income:
Loans and loans held for
 sale                       $ 119,773  $ 120,386  $ 476,086 $ 464,400
Securities and short-term
 investments                   43,065     53,189    182,632   227,634
                            ---------  ---------  --------- ---------
  Total interest income       162,838    173,575    658,718   692,034
                            ---------  ---------  --------- ---------

Interest expense:
Deposits                       26,319     33,375    111,311   146,162
Borrowings                     29,224     36,110    133,888   140,144
                            ---------  ---------  --------- ---------
  Total interest expense       55,543     69,485    245,199   286,306
                            ---------  ---------  --------- ---------

  Net interest income         107,295    104,090    413,519   405,728
Provision for loan losses       5,000     16,000     25,000    29,000
                            ---------  ---------  --------- ---------
  Net interest income after
   provision for loan losses  102,295     88,090    388,519   376,728
                            ---------  ---------  --------- ---------

Noninterest income:
Deposit service fees           17,731     17,083     70,018    61,610
Insurance revenue               9,077      6,875     39,975    27,073
Loan and loan servicing
 fees                           8,001      6,089     26,384    18,531
Financial advisory services     7,265      4,964     22,758    19,277
Wealth and investment
 advisors                       4,416      3,693     18,341    15,918
Gain on sale of loans and
 loan servicing, net            2,854      2,337     19,520     5,808
Increase in cash surrender
 value of life insurance        2,082      2,263      8,490     9,042
Other                           2,402      1,129      8,423     4,936
                            ---------  ---------  --------- ---------
  Total fee revenue            53,828     44,433    213,909   162,195
Gain on sale of securities,
 net                            2,715     13,934     18,574    23,377
                            ---------  ---------  --------- ---------
  Total noninterest income     56,543     58,367    232,483   185,572
                            ---------  ---------  --------- ---------

Noninterest expenses:
Compensation and benefits      53,722     46,343    206,381   171,042
Occupancy                       7,470      7,444     30,698    26,606
Furniture and equipment         7,792      8,228     31,143    29,167
Intangible amortization         4,067      3,997     15,998    16,017
Marketing                       2,058      3,038     11,508    10,522
Professional services           3,654      3,503     11,708    11,404
Capital securities and
 preferred stock dividend       3,701      3,355     12,787    14,388
Acquistion costs                1,349          -      1,497     1,965
Other                          14,467     13,244     56,262    47,212
                            ---------  ---------  --------- ---------
  Total noninterest expenses   98,280     89,152    377,982   328,323
                            ---------  ---------  --------- ---------

Income before income taxes
 and cumulative effect of
  change in accounting
    method                     60,558     57,305    243,020   233,977
Income taxes                   19,172     17,904     79,772    73,965
                            ---------  ---------  --------- ---------
  Income before cumulative
   effect of change in
    accounting method          41,386     39,401    163,248   160,012
Cumulative effect of change
 in accounting method, net
  of taxes (a)                      -          -          -    (7,280)
                            ---------  ---------  --------- ---------
  Net income                $  41,386  $  39,401  $ 163,248 $ 152,732
                            =========  =========  ========= =========

Net income per common share
 before cumulative effect
  of change in accounting
   method:
  Basic                     $    0.90  $    0.86  $    3.58 $    3.36
  Diluted                        0.89       0.85       3.52      3.31

Net income per common
 share:
  Basic                     $    0.90  $    0.86  $    3.58 $    3.21
  Diluted                        0.89       0.85       3.52      3.16


See  Selected Financial Highlights for footnotes.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

                                    Three Months Ended

                     December  September   June      March    December
(In thousands,          31,       30,       30,       31,       31,
except per share data) 2003      2003      2003      2003      2002
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest income:
Loans and loans
 held for sale     $ 119,773  $ 119,646 $ 118,965 $ 117,702 $ 120,386
Securities and
 short-term
  investments         43,065     42,050    45,772    51,745    53,189
                   ---------  --------- --------- --------- ---------
  Total interest
   income            162,838    161,696   164,737   169,447   173,575
                   ---------  --------- --------- --------- ---------

Interest expense:
Deposits              26,319     26,824    28,750    29,418    33,375
Borrowings            29,224     33,943    35,368    35,353    36,110
                   ---------  --------- --------- --------- ---------
  Total interest
   expense            55,543     60,767    64,118    64,771    69,485
                   ---------  --------- --------- --------- ---------

  Net interest
   income            107,295    100,929   100,619   104,676   104,090
Provision for loan
 losses                5,000     10,000     5,000     5,000    16,000
                   ---------  --------- --------- --------- ---------
  Net interest
   income after
    provision for
     loan losses     102,295     90,929    95,619    99,676    88,090
                   ---------  --------- --------- --------- ---------

Noninterest income:
Deposit service
 fees                 17,731     17,868    17,529    16,890    17,083
Insurance revenue      9,077      9,954     9,980    10,964     6,875
Loan and loan
 servicing fees        8,001      7,755     4,723     5,905     6,089
Financial advisory
 services              7,265      4,833     5,229     5,431     4,964
Wealth and
 investment
  advisors             4,416      4,826     4,521     4,578     3,693
Gain on sale of
 loans and loan
  servicing, net       2,854      9,829     4,066     2,771     2,337
Increase in cash
 surrender value
  of life insurance    2,082      2,150     2,143     2,115     2,263
Other                  2,402      2,737     1,423     1,861     1,129
                   ---------  --------- --------- --------- ---------
  Total fee revenue   53,828     59,952    49,614    50,515    44,433
Gain on sale of
 securities, net       2,715      4,560     8,666     2,633    13,934
                   ---------  --------- --------- --------- ---------
  Total noninterest
   income             56,543     64,512    58,280    53,148    58,367

Noninterest expenses:
Compensation and
 benefits             53,722     51,592    50,506    50,561    46,343
Occupancy              7,470      7,457     7,672     8,099     7,444
Furniture and
 equipment             7,792      8,255     7,575     7,521     8,228
Intangible
 amortization          4,067      4,001     3,968     3,962     3,997
Marketing              2,058      2,729     3,236     3,485     3,038
Professional
 services              3,654      2,582     2,994     2,478     3,503
Capital securities
 and preferred
  stock dividend       3,701      2,990     2,958     3,138     3,355
Acquistion costs       1,349        142         6         -         -
Other                 14,467     13,949    14,284    13,562    13,244
                   ---------  --------- --------- --------- ---------
  Total noninterest
   expenses           98,280     93,697    93,199    92,806    89,152
                   ---------  --------- --------- --------- ---------

Income before
 income taxes and
  cumulative
   effect of change
    in accounting
     method           60,558     61,744    60,700    60,018    57,305
Income taxes          19,172     20,429    20,090    20,081    17,904
                   ---------  --------- --------- --------- ---------
  Income before
   cumulative
    effect of
     change in
      accounting
       method         41,386     41,315    40,610    39,937    39,401
Cumulative effect
 of change in
  accounting
   method, net of
    taxes                  -          -         -         -         -
                   ---------  --------- --------- --------- ---------
Net income         $  41,386  $  41,315 $  40,610 $  39,937 $  39,401
                   =========  ========= ========= ========= =========

Net income per
 common share
  before cumulative
   effect of change
    in accounting
     method:
  Basic            $    0.90  $    0.91 $    0.89 $    0.88 $    0.86
  Diluted               0.89       0.89      0.88      0.86      0.85

Net income per
 common share:
  Basic            $    0.90  $    0.91 $    0.89 $    0.88 $    0.86
  Diluted               0.89       0.89      0.88      0.86      0.85

See Selected Financial Highlights for footnotes.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Retail and Wholesale Interest-Rate Spreads   (unaudited)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Three Months Ended,   December  September    June    March  December
                        2003      2003       2003     2003    2002
----------------------------------------------------------------------

 Interest-rate spread
 --------------------
 Total interest-
  earning assets        4.81 %   4.75 %      5.06 %   5.35 %   5.61 %
 Total interest-
  bearing
   liabilities          1.68     1.80        2.00     2.09     2.26
                        ----     ----        ----     ----     ----
   Interest-rate
    spread              3.13 %   2.95 %      3.06 %   3.26 %   3.35 %
   Net interest margin  3.18     2.99        3.10     3.30     3.39

 Retail interest-rate
  spread
 --------------------
 Yield on loans and
  loans held for sale   5.09 %   5.09 %      5.30 %   5.52 %   5.71 %
 Cost of deposits       1.26     1.32        1.46     1.57     1.77
                        ----     ----        ----     ----     ----
   Spread               3.83 %   3.77 %      3.84 %   3.95 %   3.94 %
                        ====     ====        ====     ====     ====

 Wholesale
  interest-rate spread
 ---------------------
 Yield on securities
  and short-term
   investments          4.17 %   4.02 %      4.52 %   5.02 %   5.40 %
 Cost of borrowings     2.41     2.55        2.88     2.90     3.07
                        ----     ----        ----     ----     ----
   Spread               1.76 %   1.47 %      1.64 %   2.12 %   2.33 %
                        ====     ====        ====     ====     ====

Consolidated Average Statements of Condition
 (unaudited)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Three Months Ended December 31,                 2003
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Fully tax-
                                   Average               equivalent
 (Dollars in                       balance    Interest   yield/rate
  thousands)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Assets:
 Interest-earning assets:
 Loans                          $  9,206,436 $ 117,983       5.08   %
 Loans held for sale                 135,632     1,790       5.28
 Securities                        4,153,607    43,486       4.20  (e)
 Short-term investments               32,791        76       0.91
                                ------------ --------- -----------
  Total interest-earning assets   13,528,466   163,335       4.81
                                             ---------
 Noninterest-earning assets          903,477
                                ------------
    Total assets                $ 14,431,943
                                ============

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity:
 Interest-bearing liabilities:
 Demand deposits                $  1,058,875 $       -          -   %
 Savings, NOW and money market
  deposit accounts                 4,471,260     9,115       0.81
 Time deposits                     2,755,184    17,204       2.48
                                ------------ --------- -----------
  Total interest-bearing
   deposits                        8,285,319    26,319       1.26
                                ------------ --------- -----------
 Federal Home Loan Bank advances   2,299,456    19,641       3.34
 Fed funds and repurchase
  agreements                       2,139,619     5,587       1.02
 Other long-term debt                317,509     3,996       5.03
                                ------------ --------- -----------
  Total borrowings                 4,756,584    29,224       2.41
                                ------------ --------- -----------
  Total interest-bearing
   liabilities                    13,041,903    55,543       1.68
 Noninterest-bearing                         ---------
   liabilities                        85,714
                                ------------
  Total liabilities               13,127,617

 Capital securities and
  preferred stock of subsidiary
   corporation                       194,832

 Shareholders' equity              1,109,494
                                ------------
  Total liabilities and
   shareholders' equity         $ 14,431,943
                                ============
                                               107,792
 Less: tax-equivalent
  adjustment                                      (497)
                                             ---------

 Net interest income                         $ 107,295
                                             =========

 Interest-rate spread                                        3.13   %
                                                       ===========
 Net interest margin                                         3.18   %
                                                       ===========


See Selected Financial Highlights for footnotes.


Consolidated Average Statements of Condition
 (unaudited)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

 Three Months Ended December 31,                   2002
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Fully tax-
                                   Average                 equivalent
 (Dollars in                       balance    Interest     yield/rate
  thousands)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Assets:
 Interest-earning assets:
 Loans                          $  8,035,293  $ 115,746      5.72   %
 Loans held for sale                 339,742      4,642      5.47
 Securities                        4,028,148     53,445      5.42  (e)
 Short-term investments               22,652         66      1.14
                                ------------  ---------   --------
  Total interest-earning assets   12,425,835    173,899      5.61
                                              ---------
 Noninterest-earning assets          922,021
                                ------------
  Total assets                  $ 13,347,856
                                ============

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity:
 Interest-bearing liabilities:
 Demand deposits                $    969,282  $       -         -   %
 Savings, NOW and money market
  deposit accounts                 3,827,364     12,796      1.33
 Time deposits                     2,702,745     20,579      3.02
                                ------------  ---------  --------
  Total interest-bearing
   deposits                        7,499,391     33,375      1.77
                                ------------  ---------  --------
 Federal Home Loan Bank advances   2,377,163     25,163      4.14
 Fed funds and repurchase
  agreements                       2,111,537      8,157      1.51
 Other long-term debt                126,000      2,790      8.86
                                ------------  ---------  --------
  Total borrowings                 4,614,700     36,110      3.07
                                ------------  ---------  --------
  Total interest-bearing
   liabilities                    12,114,091     69,485      2.26
 Noninterest-bearing                          ---------
   liabilities                        71,552
                                ------------
  Total liabilities               12,185,643

 Capital securities and
  preferred stock of subsidiary
   corporation                       139,378

 Shareholders' equity              1,022,835
                                ------------
  Total liabilities and
   shareholders' equity         $ 13,347,856
                                ============
                                                104,414
 Less: tax-equivalent
  adjustment                                       (324)
                                              ---------

 Net interest income                          $ 104,090
                                              =========

 Interest-rate spread                                       3.35   %
                                                         ========
 Net interest margin                                        3.39   %
                                                         ========


See Selected Financial Highlights for footnotes.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Consolidated Average Statements of Condition (unaudited)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Twelve Months Ended December 31,               2003
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        Fully tax-
                                  Average               equivalent
 (Dollars in                      balance    Interest   yield/rate
  thousands)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Assets:
 Interest-earning assets:
 Loans                          $  8,756,883 $ 460,677       5.26   %
 Loans held for sale                 292,514    15,409       5.27
 Securities                        4,177,490   184,007       4.45  (e)
 Short-term investments               25,588       250       0.98
                                ------------ --------- -----------
  Total interest-earning
   assets                         13,252,475   660,343       5.00
                                             ---------
 Noninterest-earning assets          951,575
                                ------------
    Total assets                $ 14,204,050
                                ============

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity:
 Interest-bearing liabilities:
 Demand deposits                $  1,010,952 $       -          -   %
 Savings, NOW and money market
  deposit accounts                 4,282,536    41,519       0.97
 Time deposits                     2,677,863    69,792       2.61
                                ------------ --------- -----------
  Total interest-bearing
   deposits                        7,971,351   111,311       1.40
                                ------------ --------- -----------
 Federal Home Loan Bank
  advances                         2,395,814    88,845       3.71
 Fed funds and repurchase
  agreements                       2,218,799    26,108       1.18
 Other long-term debt                316,736    18,935       5.98
                                ------------ --------- -----------
  Total borrowings                 4,931,349   133,888       2.72
                                ------------ --------- -----------
  Total interest-bearing
   liabilities                    12,902,700   245,199       1.90
 Noninterest-bearing                         ---------
  liabilities                         79,491
                                ------------
  Total liabilities               12,982,191

 Capital securities and
  preferred stock of subsidiary
   corporation                       145,227

 Shareholders' equity              1,076,632
                                ------------
  Total liabilities and
   shareholders' equity         $ 14,204,050
                                ============
                                               415,144
 Less: tax-equivalent adjustment                (1,625)
                                             ---------

 Net interest income                         $ 413,519
                                             =========

 Interest-rate spread                                        3.10   %
                                                       ===========
 Net interest margin                                         3.14   %
                                                       ===========


See Selected Financial Highlights for footnotes.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Consolidated Average Statements of Condition   (unaudited)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Twelve Months Ended December 31,               2002
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Fully tax-
                                  Average                 equivalent
 (Dollars in                       balance   Interest     yield/rate
  thousands)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Assets:
 Interest-earning assets:
 Loans                          $  7,451,370 $ 454,673       6.10   %
 Loans held for sale                 177,928     9,729       5.47
 Securities                        4,025,566   228,493       5.77  (e)
 Short-term investments               22,188       364       1.64
                                ------------ --------- -----------
  Total interest-earning
   assets                         11,677,052   693,259       5.97
                                             ---------
 Noninterest-earning assets          867,310
                                ------------
  Total assets                  $ 12,544,362
                                ============

Liabilities and Shareholders'
 Equity:
 Interest-bearing liabilities:
 Demand deposits                $    902,908 $       -          -   %
 Savings, NOW and money market
  deposit accounts                 3,551,731    49,521       1.39
 Time deposits                     2,810,220    96,641       3.44
                                ------------ --------- -----------
  Total interest-bearing
   deposits                        7,264,859   146,162       2.01
                                ------------ --------- -----------
 Federal Home Loan Bank
  advances                         2,337,688   102,789       4.40
 Fed funds and repurchase
  agreements                       1,555,552    26,195       1.68
 Other long-term debt                126,000    11,160       8.86
                                ------------ --------- -----------
  Total borrowings                 4,019,240   140,144       3.49
                                ------------ --------- -----------
  Total interest-bearing
   liabilities                    11,284,099   286,306       2.54
 Noninterest-bearing                         ---------
  liabilities                         76,914
                                ------------
  Total liabilities               11,361,013

 Capital securities and
  preferred stock of subsidiary
   corporation                       149,666

 Shareholders' equity              1,033,683
                                ------------
  Total liabilities and
   shareholders' equity         $ 12,544,362
                                ============
                                               406,953
 Less: tax-equivalent
  adjustment                                    (1,225)
                                             ---------

 Net interest income                         $ 405,728
                                             =========

 Interest-rate spread                                        3.43   %
                                                       ===========
 Net interest margin                                         3.50   %
                                                       ===========


See Selected Financial Highlights for footnotes.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Asset Quality (unaudited)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

                                 At or for the Three Months Ended,
                         ---------------------------------------------

                         Dec. 31, Sept.30, June 30, March 31, Dec. 31,
(Dollars in thousands)     2003     2003     2003     2003     2002
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Nonperforming Assets
--------------------

Nonperforming loans:
   Commercial:
    Commercial        $ 14,266  $ 17,024 $ 27,881  $ 27,784  $ 16,001
    Specialized
     industry            6,427     6,493    3,399     3,399     3,399
    Equipment
     financing           5,583     8,241    8,722     8,960     6,586
                       -----------------------------------------------
       Total
        commercial      26,276    31,758   40,002    40,143    25,986

   Commercial real
    estate               4,281     1,940    4,920     6,910     9,109
   Residential           6,128     7,087    6,596     5,712     7,263
   Consumer                959       718      767     1,510       894
                       -----------------------------------------------

Total nonperforming
 loans                  37,644    41,503   52,285    54,275    43,252
                       -----------------------------------------------

Loans held for sale          -         -        -     3,444     3,706
                       -----------------------------------------------

Other real estate owned
 and repossessed assets:
    Commercial           4,296     4,019    4,224     3,967     2,568
    Residential            942       541      520       234       477
    Consumer                 -         -        9         1        32
                       -----------------------------------------------

Total other real
 estate owned and
  repossessed assets     5,238     4,560    4,753     4,202     3,077
                       -----------------------------------------------

Total nonperforming
 assets               $ 42,882  $ 46,063 $ 57,038  $ 61,921  $ 50,035
                       ===============================================


----------------------------------------------------------------------

Summary of Classified
 Loans
---------------------

   Substandard:
    Accruing          $ 72,638  $ 69,216 $ 62,064  $ 74,398  $ 70,245
    Nonaccruing         29,403    36,365   44,313    45,005    38,994
                       -----------------------------------------------
     Total substandard 102,041   105,581  106,377   119,403   109,239

   Doubtful:
    Nonaccruing          6,791     3,792    6,617     7,279     3,743

    Loss                     -         -        -         -         -
                       -----------------------------------------------

    Total classified
     loans            $108,832  $109,373 $112,994  $126,682  $112,982
                       ===============================================

Classified as a percent
 of total loans           1.2%      1.2%     1.3%      1.5%      1.4%
                       -----------------------------------------------



----------------------------------------------------------------------
Allowance for Loan Losses (unaudited)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

                                 At or for the Three Months Ended,
                         ---------------------------------------------

                       Dec. 31, Sept.30, June 30, March 31, Dec. 31,
( Dollars in thousands)  2003     2003     2003     2003     2002
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Allowance for Loan
 Losses
-------------------

Beginning balance     $117,707  $119,239 $118,596  $116,804 $116,118

  Allowance for
   purchased loans       1,970         -        -       146        -
  Provision              5,000    10,000    5,000     5,000   16,000
  Write-down of loans
   transferred to
    held for sale            -         -        -         -  (12,432)

  Charge-offs:

  Commercial:
   Specialized
    industry               558     3,870      327      -       2,569
  All other commercial   2,949     9,361    4,232     3,601    1,031
                       -----------------------------------------------
      Total commercial   3,507    13,231    4,559     3,601    3,600
  Residential              330        39      160        78       84
  Commercial real
   estate                    -         -        -         -        -
  Consumer                 174       122      153       195      220
                       -----------------------------------------------
       Total
        charge-offs      4,011    13,392    4,872     3,874    3,904
  Recoveries            (1,008)   (1,860)    (515)     (520)  (1,022)
                       -----------------------------------------------
       Net loan
        charge-offs      3,003    11,532    4,357     3,354    2,882
                       -----------------------------------------------

Ending balance        $121,674  $117,707 $119,239  $118,596 $116,804
                       ===============================================




Asset Quality Ratios:
--------------------

Allowance for loan
 losses / total loans     1.32 %    1.29 %   1.37 %    1.39 %   1.48 %
Net charge-offs/
 average loans
  (annualized)            0.13      0.52     0.20      0.16     0.14
Nonperforming loans /
 total loans              0.41      0.46     0.60      0.64     0.55
Nonperforming assets /
 total assets             0.29      0.32     0.39      0.43     0.37
Allowance for loan
 losses /
  nonperforming loans   323.22    283.61   228.06    218.51   270.05
CONTACT: Webster Financial Corporation
Media Contact:
Clark Finley, 203-578-2429
cfinley@websterbank.com
or
Investor Contact:
Terry Mangan, 203-578-2318
tmangan@websterbank.com

SOURCE: Webster Financial Corporation