Webster Reports Fourth Quarter Earnings and Completion of Balance Sheet Restructuring; Net Interest Margin Improves 19 Basis Points

Jan 25, 2005

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WATERBURY, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 25, 2005--Webster Financial Corporation (NYSE:WBS), the holding company for Webster Bank, N.A., today announced net income of $16.3 million in the fourth quarter compared to $41.4 million a year ago. For the full year, net income was $153.8 million compared to $163.2 million the prior year. The decline for the quarter and the year is entirely attributable to Webster's previously announced fourth quarter balance sheet de-leveraging program, which resulted in $32.4 million of after-tax costs.

Net income per diluted share was $.30 in the fourth quarter compared to $.89 the prior year. For the full year, net income per share was $3.00 compared to $3.52 in 2003. Excluding the balance sheet de-leveraging costs, net income per diluted share was $.90 in the fourth quarter and $3.63 for the full year 2004.

As described in Webster's 2004 third quarter earnings release, a balance sheet de-leveraging of $750 million was implemented and completed during the fourth quarter. With this transaction, $750 million of securities were sold and the proceeds used to repay an equal amount of borrowings. The de-leveraging resulted in $49.9 million of pre-tax costs consisting of $4.1 million in losses on the sale of securities and $45.8 million in debt prepayment penalties.

The de-leveraging resulted in a decline in the securities portfolio to 22 percent of assets at December 31, 2004 compared to 25 percent at September 30 while borrowings were reduced to 28 percent of assets from 32 percent at September 30. The balance sheet restructuring also strengthened Webster's capital position and improved its ability to respond to rising interest rates by moving to a modestly asset sensitive position.

"2004 was a transformational year for Webster," said Webster Chairman and Chief Executive Officer James C. Smith. "We expanded our franchise in four states, converted to a commercial bank charter and grew to be the largest independent bank headquartered in southern New England. Webster is well positioned as a leading financial services provider in the markets we serve."

Revenues and Expenses

Total revenues (net interest income plus total noninterest income) were $176.4 million in the fourth quarter, compared to $163.8 million a year ago, an increase of 8 percent. For the full year 2004, total revenues were $687.9 million for an increase of 6 percent from a year ago. Impacting the quarter and the full year 2004 was the implementation on December 31, 2003 of Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. ("FIN") 46 (revised), which required the reclassification of capital trust securities expense as of January 1, 2004 from noninterest expenses to interest expense. Adjusting the year 2003 for FIN 46R and excluding Duff & Phelps, which was sold in the first quarter of 2004, total revenues would have grown by 15 percent in the fourth quarter and 12 percent for the full year.

Net interest income was $127.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2004, compared to $107.3 million in the year-ago period and $121.3 million in the third quarter. Adjusting for FIN 46R, net interest income grew by $23.8 million, or 23 percent, from a year ago and by $6.3 million, or 5 percent, from the third quarter. Net interest income for the full year 2004 was $468.2 million compared to an adjusted $401.6 million in 2003, an increase of 17 percent. The increases over the prior year reflect double-digit growth in earning assets and a higher net interest margin, while the increase over the third quarter is due entirely to a higher net interest margin.

Webster's net interest margin (annualized tax-equivalent net interest income as a percentage of average earning assets) improved 19 basis points to 3.25 percent from 3.06 percent in the third quarter and compares to 3.08 percent in the year-ago period adjusted for FIN 46R. The increases reflect the benefit of the fourth quarter de-leveraging and the impact of higher interest rates on earning asset yields. Webster's net interest margin for the full year 2004 was 3.11 percent compared to 3.05 percent adjusted for FIN 46R in 2003.

In the fourth quarter of 2004, total noninterest income was $48.8 million, compared to $56.5 million in the year-ago period. Excluding securities transactions, noninterest income declined in the fourth quarter to $51.5 million from $53.8 million in the year-ago period. This decline is explained by the absence of revenue from Duff & Phelps in the fourth quarter compared to $7.3 million a year ago. For the full year 2004, noninterest income excluding securities gains and Duff & Phelps increased by 5 percent from the year-ago period.

Webster's growth in core fees remains strong as revenues from deposit services, insurance, loan and loan servicing and wealth management grew by 12 percent in the fourth quarter and 11 percent for the full year 2004. Gains on sales of loans and loan servicing declined during the quarter and for the full year primarily as a result of lower mortgage origination volumes. Other income of $2.7 million in the fourth quarter included $1.7 million of non-recurring insurance proceeds.

Total noninterest expenses for the 2004 fourth quarter were $154.0 million compared to $98.3 million in the year-ago period, and $447.1 million for the full year 2004 compared to $378.0 million in 2003. Adjusting for de-leveraging costs, acquisitions, Duff & Phelps, FIN 46R and $3.4 million of non-recurring items in the fourth quarter of 2004, total noninterest expenses increased approximately 5 percent for both the quarter and the full year. This reflects continuing investment in personnel, technology and de novo branches under our strategic plan for growth.

Income tax expense was $2.1 million in the fourth quarter and $68.9 million for the full year 2004. This reflects tax benefits of $17.5 million from the balance sheet de-leveraging and $2.0 million related to favorable resolution of audits in the fourth quarter.

Balance Sheet Trends

At December 31, 2004, total assets were $17.0 billion, up 17 percent from $14.6 billion a year ago. Total loans of $11.7 billion at December 31, 2004 increased 27 percent from $9.2 billion the prior year, while deposits were $10.6 billion, up 26 percent from $8.4 billion a year ago. Excluding FIRSTFED, total loans increased by $1.0 billion, or 11 percent, over the past year, while total deposits increased $0.7 billion, or 8 percent.

"With solid growth of our core franchise from innovative additions to our products and services, Webster is in an enhanced competitive position in our markets," stated Webster President and Chief Operating Officer William T. Bromage. "Even as we continue to grow loans and deposits faster than the market, we will be especially focused on increasing the net interest margin."

At the end of the fourth quarter, commercial loans including commercial real estate were $4.3 billion, up 29 percent from $3.3 billion a year ago. Commercial real estate loans were $1.7 billion, up 34 percent. Consumer loans, primarily home equity loans and lines, increased 23 percent to $2.6 billion compared to $2.1 billion a year ago. Excluding FIRSTFED, commercial loans including commercial real estate were up 14 percent, commercial real estate loans were up 17 percent, and consumer loans increased 11 percent.

Core deposits (consisting of checking, money market and savings accounts) of $7.0 billion at December 31, 2004 increased by 26 percent from a year ago and represented 66 percent of total deposits. Excluding FIRSTFED, core deposits grew 8 percent. Webster's overall growth in deposits has been driven in part by its High Performance Checking products and the continuing success of its de novo branches in Fairfield County, Connecticut and Westchester County, New York.

Book value per common share of $28.79 at December 31, 2004 increased from $24.91 one year ago. Tangible book value per share of $16.30 at December 31, 2004 decreased from $18.18 one year ago, principally reflecting an increase in intangible assets related to the FIRSTFED acquisition.

Asset Quality

Nonperforming assets totaled $39.2 million or 0.23 percent of total assets at December 31, 2004, compared to $42.9 million or 0.29 percent a year ago and $40.0 million or 0.22 percent at September 30, 2004.

"Our nonperforming assets declined during the quarter and were below the levels of both a year ago and the prior quarter," stated Webster Chief Financial Officer William J. Healy. "Webster maintains a disciplined approach to credit risk management."

The allowance for loan losses was $150.1 million, or 1.28 percent of total loans at December 31, 2004, compared to $121.7 million, or 1.32 percent, a year ago and $148.2 million, or 1.28 percent, at September 30, 2004. The ratio of the allowance to nonperforming loans at December 31, 2004 was 416 percent, compared to 323 percent a year ago and 401 percent at September 30, 2004.

The provision for loan losses totaled $4.0 million in the fourth quarter, $1.3 million more than net loan charge-offs of $2.7 million, compared to a provision of $5.0 million and net loan charge-offs of $3.0 million a year ago. The provision totaled $18.0 million for the full year 2004, $7.7 million more than net loan charge-offs of $10.3 million, compared to a provision of $25.0 million and net loan charge-offs of $22.2 million a year ago. The annualized net charge-off ratio was 0.09 percent of average loans in the fourth quarter compared to 0.13 percent a year ago, and 0.10 percent for the full year 2004 compared to 0.25 percent in 2003.

Webster Financial Corporation is the holding company for Webster Bank, National Association and Webster Insurance. With $17.0 billion in assets, Webster provides business and consumer banking, mortgage, insurance, financial planning, trust and investment services through 152 banking offices, 289 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.

Conference Call

A conference call covering Webster's 2004 fourth quarter earnings announcement will be held today, Tuesday, January 25, 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 1-877-407-8291 or 201-689-8345 internationally. 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 2003.

WEBSTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Selected Financial Highlights (unaudited)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                               At or for the         At or for the
                             Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
(In thousands, except           December 31,          December 31,
per share data)               2004       2003       2004       2003
----------------------------------------------------------------------

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

Net income                  $ 16,306  $ 41,386    $153,833  $163,248
Net income per diluted
 common share                   0.30      0.89        3.00      3.52
Return on average
 shareholders' equity           4.28 %   14.92 %     11.14 %   15.16 %
Return on average tangible
 equity                         7.50     20.59       18.03     20.98
Return on average assets        0.38      1.15        0.94      1.15
Noninterest income as a
 percentage of total
  revenue                      27.67     34.51       31.94     35.99
Efficiency Ratio (a)           87.33     59.99       65.00     58.51

Net income and performance
 ratios before deleveraging
  charges (annualized):
----------------------------

Net income                  $ 16,306  $ 41,386    $153,833  $163,248
Debt prepayment penalties,
 net of tax                   29,745       -        29,745       -
Loss on sale of securities,
 net of tax                    2,702       -         2,702       -
                             --------  --------    --------  --------
Net income before
 deleveraging charges         48,753    41,386     186,280   163,248

Net income per diluted
 common share                   0.90      0.89        3.63      3.52
Return on average
 shareholders' equity          12.81 %   14.92 %     13.49 %   15.16 %
Return on average tangible
 equity                        22.43     20.59       21.84     20.98
Return on average assets        1.13      1.15        1.13      1.15
Noninterest income as a
 percentage of total revenue   29.33     34.51       32.35     35.99
Efficiency Ratio (a)           59.97     59.99       58.00     58.51

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

Net income                  $ 16,306  $ 41,386    $153,833  $163,248
Stock-based compensation,
 net of tax                    1,248       965       4,490     3,749
Intangible amortization, net
 of tax                        3,149     2,644      11,924    10,399
                             --------  --------    --------  --------
Cash income                   20,703    44,995     170,247   177,396

Cash income per diluted
 common share                   0.38      0.96        3.32      3.83
Cash return on average
 shareholders' equity           5.44 %   16.22 %     12.33 %   16.48 %
Cash return on average
 tangible equity                9.52     22.39       19.96     22.80
Cash return on average
 assets                         0.48      1.25        1.04      1.25


Cash income and performance
 ratios before deleveraging
  charges (annualized) (b)
----------------------------
Net income before
 deleveraging charges       $ 48,753  $ 41,386    $186,280  $163,248
Stock-based compensation,
 net of tax                    1,248       965       4,490     3,749
Intangible amortization, net
 of tax                        3,149     2,644      11,924    10,399
                             --------  --------    --------  --------
Cash income                   53,150    44,995     202,694   177,396

Cash income per diluted
 common share                   0.98      0.96        3.95      3.83
Cash return on average
 shareholders' equity          13.97 %   16.22 %     14.68 %   16.48 %
Cash return on average
 tangible equity               24.45     22.39       23.76     22.80
Cash return on average
 assets                         1.23      1.25        1.23      1.25

Asset quality:
----------------------------

Allowance for loan losses   $150,112  $121,674    $150,112  $121,674
Nonperforming assets          39,166    42,882      39,166    42,882
Allowance for loan losses /
 total loans                    1.28 %    1.32 %      1.28 %    1.32 %
Net charge-offs/ average
 loans (annualized)             0.09      0.13        0.10      0.25
Nonperforming loans / total
 loans                          0.31      0.41        0.31      0.41
Nonperforming assets /
 total assets                   0.23      0.29        0.23      0.29
Allowance for loan losses /
 nonperforming loans          415.50    323.22      415.50    323.22

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

Tangible capital ratio          5.21 %    5.77 %      5.21 %    5.77 %
Shareholders' equity /
 total assets                   9.07      7.91        9.07      7.91
Interest-rate spread   (c)      3.22      3.13        3.09      3.10
Net interest margin    (c)      3.25      3.18        3.11      3.14

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

Book value per common share $  28.79  $  24.91    $  28.79  $  24.91
Tangible book value per
 common share                  16.30     18.18       16.30     18.18
Common stock closing price     50.64     45.86       50.64     45.86
Dividends declared per
 common share                   0.23      0.21        0.90      0.82

Common shares issued and
 outstanding                  53,628    46,276      53,628    46,276
Basic shares (average)        53,187    45,814      50,506    45,542
Diluted shares (average)      54,045    46,699      51,352    46,362

Footnotes:

(a) Noninterest expense as a percentage of net interest income plus
     noninterest income.
(b) Cash income represents net income excluding the after tax effects
     of non-cash charges related to the amortization of intangible
     assets and stock-based compensation, which includes stock options
     and restricted stock.
(c) Webster adopted FIN 46R on December 31, 2003, and in accordance
     with its provisions, deconsolidated the capital trusts and
     reported the associated liabilities as other long-term debt.
     Commencing in 2004, the costs have been reclassified from
     noninterest expenses to interest expense.
(d) For purposes of this computation, unrealized gains (losses) are
     excluded from the average balance for rate calculations.

WEBSTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Consolidated Statements of Condition   (unaudited)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                             December 31,  September 30,  December 31,
(In thousands)                  2004          2004           2003
----------------------------------------------------------------------

  Assets:

  Cash and due from depository
   institutions                $   248,825  $   234,449   $   209,234
  Short-term investments            17,629       25,783        42,420

  Securities:
    Trading, at fair value               -        2,635           555
    Available for sale, at fair
     value                       2,494,406    4,164,056     4,128,255
    Held-to-maturity securities  1,229,613      323,378       173,371
                               ------------ ------------  ------------
        Total securities         3,724,019    4,490,069     4,302,181

  Loans held for sale              147,211      111,175        89,830

  Loans:
    Residential mortgages        4,775,344    4,773,284     3,744,013
    Commercial                   2,584,738    2,586,351     2,040,921
    Commercial real estate       1,715,047    1,619,968     1,281,516
    Consumer                     2,637,646    2,595,629     2,146,359
                               ------------ ------------  ------------
       Total loans              11,712,775   11,575,232     9,212,809
  Allowance for loan losses       (150,112)    (148,179)     (121,674)
                               ------------ ------------  ------------
       Loans, net               11,562,663   11,427,053     9,091,135

  Accrued interest receivable       63,406       65,812        52,756
  Premises and equipment, net      149,069      136,385        95,631
  Goodwill and intangible
   assets                          694,165      676,176       330,929
  Cash surrender value of life
   insurance                       228,120      226,503       180,556
  Prepaid expenses and other
   assets                          185,490      408,837       174,018
                               ------------ ------------  ------------

  Total Assets                 $17,020,597  $17,802,242   $14,568,690
                               ============ ============  ============

  Liabilities and Shareholders'
   Equity:

  Deposits:
    Demand deposits            $ 1,409,682  $ 1,356,924   $ 1,090,060
    NOW accounts                 1,368,213    1,271,553     1,052,690
    Money market deposit
     accounts                    1,996,918    2,153,852     1,581,276
    Savings accounts             2,253,073    2,243,949     1,869,398
    Certificates of deposit      3,376,718    3,204,624     2,681,986
                               ------------ ------------  ------------
       Total retail deposits    10,404,604   10,230,902     8,275,410
    Treasury deposits              166,684      208,521        96,725
                               ------------ ------------  ------------
       Total deposits           10,571,288   10,439,423     8,372,135

  Federal Home Loan Bank
   advances                      2,590,335    3,021,503     2,511,495
  Federal funds purchased and
   securities sold under
    agreements to repurchase     1,438,483    1,973,478     1,892,138
  Other long-term debt  (c)        670,015      695,316       532,760
  Accrued expenses and other
   liabilities                     196,925      144,963        97,690
                               ------------ ------------  ------------
       Total liabilities        15,467,046   16,274,683    13,406,218

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

  Shareholders' equity           1,543,974    1,517,982     1,152,895
                               ------------ ------------  ------------

  Total Liabilities and
   Shareholders' Equity        $17,020,597  $17,802,242   $14,568,690
                               ============ ============  ============


  See Selected Financial Highlights for footnotes.

WEBSTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                               Three Months Ended  Twelve Months Ended
                                  December 31,        December 31,
(In thousands, except per
  share data)                      2004      2003      2004      2003
----------------------------------------------------------------------

   Interest income:
   Loans                       $154,177  $117,983  $547,308  $460,677
   Securities and short-term
    investments                  42,807    43,065   178,118   182,632
   Loans held for sale            1,718     1,790     6,682    15,409
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------
     Total interest income      198,702   162,838   732,108   658,718
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------

   Interest expense:
   Deposits                      32,993    26,319   120,606   111,311
   Borrowings                    38,109    29,224   143,341   133,888
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------
     Total interest expense      71,102    55,543   263,947   245,199
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------

     Net interest income        127,600   107,295   468,161   413,519
   Provision for loan losses      4,000     5,000    18,000    25,000
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------
     Net interest income after
      provision for loan losses 123,600   102,295   450,161   388,519
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------

   Noninterest income:
   Deposit service fees          20,712    17,731    77,743    70,018
   Insurance revenue             10,348     9,077    43,506    39,975
   Loan and loan servicing
    fees                          7,727     8,001    28,574    26,384
   Wealth and investment
    services                      5,198     4,416    22,207    18,341
   Financial advisory
    services                          -     7,265     3,808    22,758
   Gain on sale of loans and
    loan servicing, net           2,492     2,854    13,305    19,520
   Increase in cash surrender
    value of life insurance       2,283     2,082     8,835     8,490
   Other                          2,692     2,402     7,416     8,423
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------
                                 51,452    53,828   205,394   213,909
   Gain on sale of
    securities, net              (2,646)    2,715    14,313    18,574
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------
      Total noninterest income   48,806    56,543   219,707   232,483
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------

   Noninterest expenses:
   Compensation and benefits     57,428    53,722   219,820   206,381
   Occupancy                      9,909     7,470    35,820    30,698
   Furniture and equipment       10,889     7,792    37,626    31,143
   Intangible amortization        4,844     4,067    18,345    15,998
   Marketing                      2,533     2,058    13,380    11,508
   Professional services          5,523     3,654    15,654    11,708
   Acquisition costs                426     1,349       706     1,497
   Debt prepayment penalties     45,761         -    45,761         -
   Capital trust securities (c)       -     3,485         -    11,924
   Other                         16,735    14,683    60,025    57,125
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------
     Total noninterest expenses 154,048    98,280   447,137   377,982
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------


   Income before income taxes    18,358    60,558   222,731   243,020
   Income taxes                   2,052    19,172    68,898    79,772
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------
     Net income                $ 16,306  $ 41,386  $153,833  $163,248
                               ========= ========= ========= =========

   Diluted shares (average)      54,045    46,699    51,352    46,362

   Net income per common
    share:
     Basic                     $   0.31  $   0.90  $   3.05  $   3.58
     Diluted                       0.30      0.89      3.00      3.52


     See Selected Financial Highlights for footnotes.

WEBSTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Consolidated Statements of Income  (unaudited)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Three Months Ended

                     Dec. 31,  Sept. 30, June 30,  March 31, Dec. 31,
(In thousands,
 except per share
  data)                2004      2004      2004      2004      2003
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Interest income:
Loans                $154,177  $145,456  $129,084  $118,591  $117,983
Securities and
 short-term
  investments          42,807    45,541    45,162    44,608    43,065
Loans held for sale     1,718     1,755     2,139     1,070     1,790
                     --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
  Total interest
   income             198,702   192,752   176,385   164,269   162,838
                     --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------

Interest expense:
Deposits               32,993    32,611    29,172    25,830    26,319
Borrowings             38,109    38,853    33,746    32,633    29,224
                     --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
  Total interest
   expense             71,102    71,464    62,918    58,463    55,543
                     --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------

  Net interest
   income             127,600   121,288   113,467   105,806   107,295
Provision for loan
 losses                 4,000     4,000     5,000     5,000     5,000
                     --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
  Net interest
   income after
    provision for
     loan losses      123,600   117,288   108,467   100,806   102,295
                     --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------

Noninterest income:
Deposit service
 fees                  20,712    20,596    19,250    17,185    17,731
Insurance revenue      10,348    10,924    10,596    11,638     9,077
Loan and loan
 servicing fees         7,727     6,893     7,305     6,649     8,001
Wealth and
 investment
  services              5,198     6,044     5,849     5,116     4,416
Financial advisory
 services                   -         -         -     3,808     7,265
Gain on sale of
 loans and loan
  servicing, net        2,492     4,467     5,321     1,025     2,854
Increase in cash
 surrender value of
  life insurance        2,283     2,421     2,177     1,954     2,082
Other                   2,692     1,912       964     1,848     2,402
                     --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
                       51,452    53,257    51,462    49,223    53,828
Gain on sale of
 securities, net       (2,646)    5,843     5,616     5,500     2,715
                     --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
  Total noninterest
   income              48,806    59,100    57,078    54,723    56,543
                     --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------

Noninterest
 expenses:
Compensation and
 benefits              57,428    55,606    53,659    53,127    53,722
Occupancy               9,909     9,144     8,402     8,365     7,470
Furniture and
 equipment             10,889    10,103     8,993     7,641     7,792
Intangible
 amortization           4,844     4,827     4,582     4,092     4,067
Marketing               2,533     4,233     3,630     2,984     2,058
Professional
 services               5,523     4,294     2,938     2,899     3,654
Acquisition costs         426         -       265         -     1,349
Debt prepayment
 penalties             45,761         -         -         -         -
Capital trust
 securities  (c)            -         -         -         -     3,485
Other                  16,735    15,562    14,710    13,033    14,683
                     --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
  Total noninterest
   expenses           154,048   103,769    97,179    92,141    98,280
                     --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------


Income before
 income taxes          18,358    72,619    68,366    63,388    60,558
Income taxes            2,052    23,258    22,523    21,065    19,172
                     --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
  Net income         $ 16,306  $ 49,361  $ 45,843  $ 42,323  $ 41,386
                     ========= ========= ========= ========= =========

Diluted shares
 (average)             54,045    53,767    50,475    47,059    46,699

Net income per
 common share:
  Basic              $   0.31  $   0.93  $   0.92  $   0.92  $   0.90
  Diluted                0.30      0.92      0.91      0.90      0.89

  See Selected Financial Highlights for footnotes.

WEBSTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Retail and Wholesale Interest-Rate Spreads  (unaudited)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Three Months Ended,  December  September   June    March    December
                       2004      2004      2004     2004      2003
----------------------------------------------------------------------

 Interest-rate
  spread
 ------------------
 Total interest-
  earning assets        5.02 %    4.82 %    4.68 %    4.78 %    4.81 %
 Total interest-
  bearing liabilities   1.80      1.78      1.69      1.74      1.68
                     --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
   Interest-rate
    spread              3.22 %    3.04 %    2.99 %    3.04 %    3.13 %
   Net interest
    margin              3.25      3.06      3.02      3.09      3.18

 Retail interest-
  rate spread
 ------------------
 Yield on loans and
  loans held for sale   5.25 %    5.07 %    4.93 %    5.05 %    5.09 %
 Cost of deposits       1.25      1.25      1.23      1.24      1.26
                     --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
   Spread               4.00 %    3.82 %    3.70 %    3.81 %    3.83 %
                     ========  ========  ========  ========  ========

 Wholesale interest-
  rate spread
 -------------------
 Yield on securities
  and short-term
   investments          4.37 %    4.18 %    4.09 %    4.19 %    4.17 %
 Cost of borrowings     2.91      2.80      2.50      2.56      2.41
                     --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
   Spread               1.46 %    1.38 %    1.59 %    1.63 %    1.76 %
                     ========  ========  ========  ========  ========


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

  Three Months Ended December 31,             2004
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        Fully tax-
                               Average                  equivalent
  (Dollars in thousands)       balance      Interest    yield/rate
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Assets:
  Interest-earning assets:
  Loans                      $11,649,909  $   154,177         5.25  %
  Securities                   4,053,134       44,495         4.39 (d)
  Loans held for sale            136,197        1,718         5.05
  Short-term investments          25,772          134         2.03
                             ------------ ------------ ------------
     Total interest-earning
      assets                  15,865,012      200,524         5.02
                                          ------------
  Noninterest-earning
   assets                      1,411,162
                             ------------
     Total assets            $17,276,174
                             ============

Liabilities and
 Shareholders' Equity:
  Interest-bearing
   liabilities:
  Demand deposits            $ 1,399,592  $         -            -  %
  Savings, NOW and money
   market deposit accounts     5,643,515       12,340         0.87
  Time deposits                3,434,389       20,653         2.39
                             ------------ ------------ ------------
     Total deposits           10,477,496       32,993         1.25
                              -----------  ----------- ------------
  Federal Home Loan Bank
   advances                    2,690,001       19,810         2.88
  Fed funds and repurchase
   agreements                  1,778,435        8,455         1.86
  Other long-term debt (c)       686,226        9,844         5.74
                             ------------ ------------ ------------
     Total borrowings          5,154,662       38,109         2.91
                             ------------ ------------ ------------
     Total interest-bearing
      liabilities             15,632,158       71,102         1.80
                                          ------------
  Noninterest-bearing
   liabilities                   112,063
                             ------------
     Total liabilities        15,744,221

  Capital securities and
   preferred stock of
    subsidiary corporation (c)     9,577

  Shareholders' equity         1,522,376
                             ------------
     Total liabilities and
      shareholders' equity   $17,276,174
                             ============
                                              129,422
  Less: tax-equivalent
   adjustment                                  (1,822)
                                          ------------

  Net interest income                     $   127,600
                                          ============

  Interest-rate spread                                        3.22  %
                                                       ============
  Net interest margin                                         3.25  %
                                                       ============


  See Selected Financial Highlights for footnotes.

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

Assets:
  Interest-earning assets:
  Loans                      $ 9,206,436  $   117,983         5.08  %
  Securities                   4,153,607       43,486         4.20 (d)
  Loans held for sale            135,632        1,790         5.28
  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 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 (c)       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 (c)   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.

WEBSTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Consolidated Average Statements of Condition (unaudited)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

 Twelve Months Ended December 31,                  2004
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Fully tax-
                                      Average              equivalent
 (Dollars in thousands)               balance    Interest  yield/rate
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Assets:
  Interest-earning assets:
  Loans                             $10,719,446  $547,308    5.11 %
  Loans held for sale                   129,945     6,682    5.14
  Securities                          4,331,385   183,028    4.23 (d)
  Short-term investments                 30,651       390    1.27
                                    -----------  --------  -----------
    Total interest-earning assets    15,211,427   737,408    4.85
                                                 --------
  Noninterest-earning assets          1,234,124
                                    -----------
    Total assets                    $16,445,551
                                    ===========

Liabilities and Shareholders'
 Equity:
  Interest-bearing liabilities:
  Demand deposits                    $1,255,897  $      -       - %
  Savings, NOW and money market
   deposit accounts                   5,286,637    47,683    0.90
  Time deposits                       3,162,939    72,923    2.31
                                    -----------  --------  -----------
    Total deposits                    9,705,473   120,606    1.24
                                    -----------  --------  -----------
  Federal Home Loan Bank advances     2,774,287    82,092    2.96
  Fed funds and repurchase
   agreements                         1,834,605    24,693    1.35
  Other long-term debt (c)              646,636    36,556    5.65
                                    -----------  --------  -----------
    Total borrowings                  5,255,528   143,341    2.73
                                    -----------  --------  -----------
    Total interest-bearing
     liabilities                     14,961,001   263,947    1.76
                                                 --------
  Noninterest-bearing liabilities        94,145
                                    -----------
    Total liabilities                15,055,146

  Capital securities and preferred
   stock of subsidiary corporation
    (c)                                   9,577

  Shareholders' equity                1,380,828
                                    -----------
    Total liabilities and
     shareholders' equity           $16,445,551
                                    ===========
                                                  473,461
  Less: tax-equivalent adjustment                  (5,300)
                                                 --------

  Net interest income                            $468,161
                                                 ========

  Interest-rate spread                                       3.09 %
                                                           ===========
  Net interest margin                                        3.11 %
                                                           ===========

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

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 (d)
  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 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 (c)              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
    (c)                                 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.

WEBSTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Asset Quality (unaudited)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

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

(Dollars in          Dec. 31,  Sept. 30, June 30,  March 31, Dec. 31,
 thousands)            2004      2004      2004      2004      2003
----------------------------------------------------------------------

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

Nonperforming loans:
  Commercial:
   Commercial        $14,624    $12,407  $15,895    $11,832  $14,266
   Specialized
    industry               -          -        -      5,019    6,427
   Equipment
    financing          3,383      4,501    5,021      5,561    5,583
                     -------------------------------------------------
     Total commercial 18,007     16,908   20,916     22,412   26,276

  Commercial real
   estate              8,431     11,157   13,757      5,583    4,281
  Residential          7,796      7,695    8,599      7,941    6,128
  Consumer             1,894      1,204      826        604      959
                     -------------------------------------------------

Total nonperforming
 loans                36,128     36,964   44,098     36,540   37,644
                     -------------------------------------------------

Other real estate
 owned and
  repossessed assets:
   Commercial          2,824      2,482    3,192      4,273    4,296
   Residential           100        527      238        325      942
   Consumer              114         20      130        124        -
                     -------------------------------------------------

Total other real
 estate owned and
  repossessed assets   3,038      3,029    3,560      4,722    5,238
                     -------------------------------------------------

Total nonperforming
 assets              $39,166    $39,993  $47,658    $41,262  $42,882
                     =================================================

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

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

Substandard:
  Accruing           $79,292    $89,463  $90,421    $87,477  $72,638
  Nonaccruing         33,896     32,234   39,600     31,595   29,403
                     -------------------------------------------------
     Total
      substandard    113,188    121,697  130,021    119,072  102,041

Doubtful:
  Nonaccruing          1,110      3,615    3,286      4,377    6,791

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

Total classified
 loans              $114,298   $125,312 $133,307   $123,449 $108,832
                     =================================================

Classified as a
 percent of total
  loans                  1.0%       1.1%     1.2%       1.3%     1.2%
                     -------------------------------------------------

WEBSTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Allowance for Loan Losses (unaudited)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

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

(Dollars in          Dec. 31,  Sept. 30, June 30,  March 31, Dec. 31,
 thousands)            2004      2004      2004      2004      2003
----------------------------------------------------------------------

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

Beginning balance   $148,179   $146,511 $123,613   $121,674 $117,707

Allowance for
 purchased loans         617          -   20,081          -    1,970
Provision              4,000      4,000    5,000      5,000    5,000

Charge-offs:
  Commercial:
   Specialized
    industry               -          -        -        826      558
   All other
    commercial         3,432      3,556    2,646      2,249    2,949
                     -------------------------------------------------
     Total commercial  3,432      3,556    2,646      3,075    3,507
  Residential            367         92      187        983      330
  Consumer               147        195      174         97      174
                     -------------------------------------------------
     Total charge-
      offs             3,946      3,843    3,007      4,155    4,011
Recoveries            (1,262)    (1,511)    (824)    (1,094)  (1,008)
                     -------------------------------------------------
     Net loan charge-
      offs             2,684      2,332    2,183      3,061    3,003
                     -------------------------------------------------

Ending balance      $150,112   $148,179 $146,511   $123,613 $121,674
                     =================================================

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

Allowance for loan
 losses/total loans     1.28 %     1.28 %   1.30 %     1.30 %   1.32 %
Net charge-offs/
 average loans
  (annualized)          0.09       0.08     0.08       0.13     0.13
Nonperforming loans/
 total loans            0.31       0.32     0.39       0.38     0.41
Nonperforming assets/
 total assets           0.23       0.22     0.28       0.27     0.29
Allowance for loan
 losses/nonperforming
  loans               415.50     400.87   332.24     338.30   323.22
CONTACT: Webster Financial Corporation
Media Contact:
Meghan Thompson, 203-578-2287
mthompson@websterbank.com
or
Investor Contact:
Terry Mangan, 203-578-2318
tmangan@websterbank.com

SOURCE: Webster Financial Corporation