Webster Reports Quarterly Earnings Per Share of $.85 with Strong Increases in Deposits and Commercial Loans

Jul 19, 2005

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WATERBURY, Conn., July 19, 2005 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Webster Financial Corporation (NYSE: WBS), the holding company for Webster Bank, N.A., today announced net income of $46.3 million in the second quarter compared to $45.8 million in the year-ago quarter. Net income per diluted share was $.85 compared to $.91 a year ago. For the first six months of 2005, net income was $93.8 million compared to $88.2 million a year ago. Net income per share was $1.73 and $1.81 in the respective periods. Average diluted shares outstanding are higher in 2005 as a result of shares issued in connection with the acquisition of FIRSTFED AMERICA BANCORP, INC. on May 14, 2004.

Gains on the sale of securities are included in all of the amounts above. These gains represented $.01 per share in the second quarter compared to $.07 in the year-ago quarter. For the first six months of 2005, securities gains were $.02 per share compared to $.15 a year ago. The reduced level of securities gains per share in 2005 is consistent with Webster's emphasis on delivering high quality earnings. In addition, one-time expenses equivalent to $.04 in the second quarter were incurred in support of Webster's core infrastructure conversion project.

Cash net income, which adds stock-based compensation and intangible amortization expenses back to net income, was $51.1 million compared to $50.0 million in the year-ago quarter. Cash net income per share was $.94 in the second quarter compared to $.99 a year ago. For the first six months of 2005, cash net income was $103.2 million compared to $95.8 million a year ago. Cash net income per share was $1.90 and $1.96 in the respective periods.

"The second quarter results show strong growth in deposits and commercial loans and ongoing progress toward achieving our strategic and financial goals," said Webster Chairman and Chief Executive Officer James C. Smith. "We remain focused on a strong balance sheet, solid organic growth and high quality earnings as we continue to invest in our future."

Revenues

Total revenues (net interest income plus total noninterest income) were $183.5 million in the second quarter, compared to $170.5 million a year ago, an increase of 8 percent. Adjusting both periods to exclude securities gains, total revenues grew by 11 percent.

Net interest income was $129.8 million in the second quarter of 2005 compared to $113.5 million in the year-ago period. The increase over the prior year reflects growth in the loan portfolio fully funded by deposit growth and a higher net interest margin.

Webster's net interest margin (annualized tax-equivalent net interest income as a percentage of average earning assets) was 3.32 percent in the second quarter, an improvement of 30 basis points from 3.02 percent in the year-ago period. The net interest margin also was 3.32 percent in the first quarter of 2005. The increase from a year ago reflects the benefit of Webster's de-leveraging in the fourth quarter of 2004 and the impact of higher interest rates on earning asset yields over the past year.

The provision for loan losses totaled $2.0 million in the second quarter. Recoveries on loans previously charged off exceeded loans charged off during the quarter by $0.3 million. As a result, the allowance for loan losses increased by $2.3 million during the quarter. This compares to a provision of $5.0 million a year ago, which exceeded net loan charge-offs by $2.8 million. The reduction in the provision from a year ago reflects Webster's favorable asset quality and the net recovery in the quarter. The annualized net loan charge-off ratio was (0.01) percent of average loans in the second quarter compared to 0.08 percent a year ago.

In the second quarter of 2005, total noninterest income was $53.6 million compared to $57.1 million in the year-ago period. Excluding securities gains of $0.7 million and $5.6 million in the respective periods, noninterest income increased in the second quarter to $52.9 million from $51.5 million in the year-ago period.

Webster's core fee revenues reflect growth in our businesses over the past year. They are revenues from deposit service fees, insurance, loan and loan servicing and wealth management, which totaled $45.6 million in the second quarter and grew by 6 percent compared to a year ago. Deposit service fees totaled $21.7 million and grew by 13 percent from a year ago aided by the FIRSTFED and HSA Bank acquisitions. Gains on sales of loans and loan servicing totaled $3.0 million in the quarter and decreased by $2.3 million from a year ago primarily as a result of lower mortgage origination volumes and sales into the secondary markets.

Expenses

Total noninterest expenses for the 2005 second quarter were $113.5 million, which includes $3.5 million of non-recurring charges under Webster's core infrastructure conversion project, compared to $97.2 million in the year- ago period. Adjusting each period for acquisitions, investments in de novo branch expansion and the core infrastructure conversion, total noninterest expenses were $93.0 million in the second quarter and $89.3 million a year ago for an increase of approximately 4 percent. On this basis, total noninterest expenses were $183.8 million for the first six months of 2005 and $175.9 million a year ago and also increased by approximately 4 percent.

Balance Sheet Trends

At June 30, 2005, total assets were $17.5 billion, up 3 percent from $17.0 billion a year ago. Total loans of $11.8 billion at June 30, 2005 increased 5 percent from $11.3 billion the prior year, while deposits were $11.6 billion, up 12 percent from $10.4 billion a year ago.

"Strong deposit growth exceeding the growth in loans has enabled Webster to make a meaningful reduction in total wholesale borrowings," stated Webster President and Chief Operating Officer William T. Bromage. "Commercial lending is a strategic focus which is reflected in our double-digit loan growth for this segment."

At the end of the second quarter, commercial loans were $4.4 billion, including Commercial & Industrial loans at $2.8 billion, up 13 percent from a year ago, and commercial real estate loans at $1.6 billion, up 6 percent. Consumer loans, primarily home equity loans and lines, increased 6 percent to $2.7 billion compared to $2.5 billion a year ago. Commercial, commercial real estate and consumer loans comprised 60 percent of total loans at June 30, 2005 compared to 58 percent a year ago.

Demand and NOW deposits have grown by 11 percent and 15 percent, respectively, compared to a year ago while certificates of deposit balances have grown by 20 percent as consumer preferences have shifted to this product offering. Wholesale borrowings as a percent of total assets declined to 23.7 percent at June 30, 2005 compared to 29.9 percent a year ago as total deposit growth exceeded loan growth by $687 million over the past year.

"Webster's performance has resulted in an improved tangible equity position," stated Webster Chief Financial Officer William J. Healy. "Earnings retention and balance sheet management have contributed to substantial improvement in our tangible equity ratio over the past year."

Book value per common share of $29.94 at June 30, 2005 increased from $27.37 a year ago. Tangible book value per share of $17.18 at June 30, 2005 increased from $15.02 last year. The ratio of tangible equity to tangible assets increased to 5.38 percent at June 30, 2005 compared to 4.71 percent a year ago. Return on average tangible equity was 20.2 percent in the second quarter compared to 22.1 percent a year ago while the cash return on average tangible equity was 22.3 percent and 24.1 percent in the respective periods.

Asset Quality

Nonperforming assets totaled $44.2 million or 0.25 percent of total assets at June 30, 2005, down from $47.7 million or 0.28 percent a year ago and $49.1 million or 0.28 percent at March 31, 2005.

The allowance for loan losses was $154.8 million, or 1.31 percent of total loans at June 30, 2005, compared to $146.5 million, or 1.30 percent, a year ago and $152.5 million, or 1.30 percent, at March 31, 2005. The ratio of the allowance to nonperforming loans at June 30, 2005 was 369 percent compared to 332 percent a year ago and 334 percent at March 31, 2005.

Strategic Actions

During the second quarter, Webster celebrated grand openings for de novo branches in Groton and Bridgeport, Conn., our first branches in these towns, bringing the total retail branch system to 153. The branches increase Webster's presence in New London and Fairfield Counties.

In April, Webster unveiled a new corporate identity including a new logo with a contemporary look meant to capture Webster's momentum and communicate the energy and approachability that are at the heart of Webster's We Find A Way brand promise.

Also in April, Webster named Scott McBrair head of Retail Banking, including consumer and small business operations. He is responsible for Webster's 153 branch system, the bank's contact center and on-line banking capabilities and Webster's full range of retail banking products including checking, money market funds, certificates of deposit and small business loans.

In June, Webster completed its acquisition of J. Bush & Co., an investment management business. J. Bush & Co. works closely with high-net worth individuals as well as institutions to provide them investment management advice. The company has retained its name and operates as a division of the Bank's investment management group, Webster Financial Advisors (WFA).

Webster Financial Corporation is the holding company for Webster Bank, National Association and Webster Insurance. With $17.5 billion in assets, Webster provides business and consumer banking, mortgage, insurance, financial planning, trust and investment services through 153 banking offices, 291 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., Center Capital Corporation, an equipment finance company headquartered in Farmington, Connecticut and provides health savings account trustee and administrative services through HSA Bank, a division of Webster Bank.

For more information about Webster, including past press releases and the latest Annual Report, visit the Webster website at http://www.websteronline.com.

CONTACT: Webster Bank
Media:
Meghan Thompson, 203-578-2287
mthompson@websterbank.com
or
Investors:
Terry Mangan, 203-578-2318
tmangan@websterbank.com


    Conference Call

A conference call covering Webster's 2005 second quarter earnings announcement will be held today, Tuesday, July 19, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time and may be heard through Webster's investor relations website at http://www.wbst.com, or in listen-only mode by calling 1-877-407-3980 or 201- 689-8475 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 2004. Except as required by law, Webster does not undertake to update any such forward looking information.

In addition to results presented in accordance with GAAP, this press release contains certain non-GAAP financial measures. We believe that providing certain non-GAAP financial measures, such as cash basis net income, provides investors with information useful in understanding our financial performance, our performance trends and financial position. A reconciliation of cash basis net income to net income is included in the accompanying financial tables, elsewhere in this report.

Selected Financial Highlights (unaudited)

                                At or for the Three      At or for the Six
                               Months Ended June 30,   Months Ended June 30,
    (In thousands, except per
     share data)                   2005       2004        2005        2004

    Net income and performance
     ratios (annualized):

    Net income                  $46,258     $45,843     $93,753     $88,166
    Net income per diluted
     common share                  0.85        0.91        1.73        1.81
    Return on average
     shareholders' equity         11.57%      13.86%      11.85%      14.06%
    Return on average tangible
     equity                       20.20       22.13       20.74       20.70
    Return on average assets       1.07        1.12        1.09        1.14
    Noninterest income as a
     percentage of total
     revenue                      29.24       33.47       29.25       33.77
    Efficiency ratio (a,d)        61.86       56.98       60.67       57.18

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

    Net income                  $46,258     $45,843     $93,753     $88,166
    Stock-based compensation,
     net of tax                   1,620       1,206       3,023       1,981
    Intangible amortization,
     net of tax                   3,256       2,978       6,442       5,638
    Cash income                  51,134      50,027     103,218      95,785

    Cash income per diluted
     common share                  0.94        0.99        1.90        1.96
    Cash return on average
     shareholders' equity         12.78%      15.12%      13.04%      15.27%
    Cash return on average
     tangible equity              22.33       24.15       22.83       22.48
    Cash return on average
     assets                        1.18        1.22        1.20        1.23

    Asset quality:

    Allowance for loan losses  $154,822    $146,511    $154,822    $146,511
    Nonperforming assets         44,241      47,658      44,241      47,658
    Allowance for loan losses
     / total loans                 1.31%       1.30%       1.31%       1.30%
    Net charge-offs/ average
     loans (annualized)           (0.01)       0.08        0.01        0.11
    Nonperforming loans /
     total loans                   0.35        0.39        0.35        0.39
    Nonperforming assets /
     total assets                  0.25        0.28        0.25        0.28
    Allowance for loan losses
     / nonperforming loans       369.49      332.24      369.49      332.24

    Other ratios (annualized):

    Tangible capital ratio         5.38%       4.71%       5.38%       4.71%
    Shareholders' equity /
     total assets                  9.22        8.52        9.22        8.52
    Interest-rate spread           3.29        2.99        3.28        3.02
    Net interest margin            3.32        3.02        3.32        3.05

    Share related:

    Book value per common
     share                       $29.94      $27.37      $29.94      $27.37
    Tangible book value per
     common share                 17.18       15.02       17.18       15.02
    Common stock closing price    46.69       47.02       46.69       47.02
    Dividends declared per
     common share                  0.25        0.23        0.48        0.44

    Common shares issued and
     outstanding                 53,807      53,016      53,807      53,016
    Basic shares (average)       53,618      49,699      53,594      47,922
    Diluted shares (average)     54,278      50,475      54,244      48,767

    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) For purposes of this computation, unrealized gains (losses) are
         excluded from the average balance for rate calculations.

     (d) Excluding conversion and infrastructure costs in 2005, the efficiency
         ratio would be 59.95% and 59.39% for the three and six months ended
         June 30, 2005, respectively.


    Consolidated Statements of Condition   (unaudited)

                                         June 30,     March 31,    June 30,
    (In thousands)                         2005         2005         2004

      Assets:

      Cash and due from depository
       institutions                      $322,376     $266,088     $252,818
      Short-term investments               13,088       79,676       39,887

      Securities:
        Trading, at fair value              1,409        1,038        1,944
        Available for sale, at fair
         value                          2,649,930    2,591,270    3,853,154
        Held-to-maturity securities     1,196,368    1,212,934      284,392
           Total securities             3,847,707    3,805,242    4,139,490

      Loans held for sale                 245,174      352,233      153,396

      Loans:
        Residential mortgages           4,690,318    4,722,897    4,731,950
        Commercial                      2,781,938    2,674,901    2,455,512
        Commercial real estate          1,666,235    1,690,973    1,572,289
        Consumer                        2,671,197    2,608,303    2,530,443
          Total loans                  11,809,688   11,697,074   11,290,194
      Allowance for loan losses          (154,822)    (152,519)    (146,511)
          Loans, net                   11,654,866   11,544,555   11,143,683

      Accrued interest receivable          67,380       67,953       59,737
      Premises and equipment, net         171,579      161,635      132,842
      Goodwill and intangible assets      708,387      714,490      681,252
      Cash surrender value of life
       insurance                          233,129      230,823      224,082
      Prepaid expenses and
       other assets                       208,511      190,133      198,683

      Total Assets                    $17,472,197  $17,412,828  $17,025,870

      Liabilities and Shareholders'
       Equity:

      Deposits:
        Demand deposits                $1,509,957   $1,426,798   $1,362,339
        NOW accounts                    1,640,692    1,535,595    1,423,822
        Money market deposit accounts   1,892,664    1,904,158    2,013,894
        Savings accounts                2,284,076    2,276,623    2,281,312
        Certificates of deposit         3,830,999    3,545,287    3,184,991
          Total retail deposits        11,158,388   10,688,461   10,266,358
        Treasury deposits                 420,846      295,073      106,564
        Deposits held in divested
         branches                              --       48,301           --
          Total deposits               11,579,234   11,031,835   10,372,922

      Federal Home Loan Bank advances   2,126,437    2,319,722    2,731,332
      Securities sold under agreements
       to repurchase and
       other short-term debt            1,345,910    1,670,950    1,670,594
      Other long-term debt                674,117      674,240      695,417
      Accrued expenses and other
       liabilities                        126,011      142,910       95,112
          Total liabilities            15,851,709   15,839,657   15,565,377


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

      Shareholders' equity              1,610,911    1,563,594    1,450,916

      Total Liabilities and
       Shareholders' Equity           $17,472,197  $17,412,828  $17,025,870

      See Selected Financial Highlights for footnotes.


    Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited)

                                      Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
                                           June 30,            June 30,
    (In thousands, except per share
     data)                              2005      2004      2005      2004

      Interest income:
      Loans                          $166,967  $129,084  $325,754  $247,675
      Securities and short-term
       investments                     42,684    45,162    83,583    89,770
      Loans held for sale               2,964     2,139     5,696     3,209
       Total interest income          212,615   176,385   415,033   340,654

      Interest expense:
      Deposits                         44,099    29,172    79,967    55,002
      Borrowings                       38,681    33,746    76,999    66,379
       Total interest expense          82,780    62,918   156,966   121,381

       Net interest income            129,835   113,467   258,067   219,273
      Provision for loan losses         2,000     5,000     5,500    10,000
       Net interest income after
        provision for loan losses     127,835   108,467   252,567   209,273

      Noninterest income:
      Deposit service fees             21,747    19,250    40,876    36,435
      Insurance revenue                10,562    10,596    22,364    22,234
      Loan and loan servicing fees      7,274     7,305    16,203    13,954
      Wealth and investment services    6,028     5,849    11,423    10,965
      Gain on sale of loans and loan
       servicing, net                   3,012     5,321     5,548     6,346
      Increase in cash surrender value
       of life insurance                2,302     2,177     4,540     4,131
      Financial advisory services          --        --        --     3,808
      Other                             2,013       964     4,256     2,812
                                       52,938    51,462   105,210   100,685
      Gain on sale of securities, net     710     5,616     1,466    11,116
       Total noninterest income        53,648    57,078   106,676   111,801

      Noninterest expenses:
      Compensation and benefits        57,854    53,659   115,756   106,786
      Occupancy                        10,810     8,402    21,669    16,767
      Furniture and equipment          11,611     8,993    22,409    16,634
      Intangible amortization           5,009     4,582     9,911     8,674
      Marketing                         3,664     3,630     6,947     6,614
      Professional services             3,972     2,938     7,742     5,837
      Conversion and infrastructure
       costs                            3,506        --     4,640        --
      Acquistion costs                    151       265       329       265
      Other                            16,928    14,710    31,876    27,743
       Total noninterest expenses     113,505    97,179   221,279   189,320


      Income before income taxes       67,978    68,366   137,964   131,754
      Income taxes                     21,720    22,523    44,211    43,588
       Net income                     $46,258   $45,843   $93,753   $88,166

      Diluted shares (average)         54,278    50,475    54,244    48,767

      Net income per common share:
        Basic                           $0.86     $0.92     $1.75     $1.84
        Diluted                          0.85      0.91      1.73      1.81

       See Selected Financial Highlights for footnotes.


    Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited)

                                            Three Months Ended

                             June 30, March 31,  Dec. 31  Sept. 30,  June 30,
    (In thousands, except       2005      2005      2004      2004      2004
     per share data)

    Interest income:
    Loans                    $166,967  $158,787  $154,177  $145,456  $129,084
    Securities and short-
     term investments          42,684    40,899    42,807    45,541    45,162
    Loans held for sale         2,964     2,732     1,718     1,755     2,139
     Total interest income    212,615   202,418   198,702   192,752   176,385

    Interest expense:
    Deposits                   44,099    35,868    32,993    32,611    29,172
    Borrowings                 38,681    38,318    38,109    38,853    33,746
     Total interest expense    82,780    74,186    71,102    71,464    62,918

     Net interest income      129,835   128,232   127,600   121,288   113,467
    Provision for loan
     losses                     2,000     3,500     4,000     4,000     5,000
     Net interest income
      after provision for
      loan losses             127,835   124,732   123,600   117,288   108,467

    Noninterest income:
    Deposit service fees       21,747    19,129    20,712    20,596    19,250
    Insurance revenue          10,562    11,802    10,348    10,924    10,596
    Loan and loan servicing
     fees                       7,274     8,929     7,727     6,893     7,305
    Wealth and investment
     services                   6,028     5,395     5,198     6,044     5,849
    Gain on sale of loans
     and loan servicing, net    3,012     2,536     2,492     4,467     5,321
    Increase in cash
     surrender value of life
     insurance                  2,302     2,238     2,283     2,421     2,177
    Other                       2,013     2,243     2,692     1,912       964
                               52,938    52,272    51,452    53,257    51,462
    Gain on sale of
     securities, net              710       756    (2,646)    5,843     5,616
     Total noninterest
      income                   53,648    53,028    48,806    59,100    57,078

    Noninterest expenses:
    Compensation and
     benefits                  57,854    57,902    57,128    55,406    53,659
    Occupancy                  10,810    10,859     9,909     9,144     8,402
    Furniture and equipment    11,611    10,798    10,889    10,103     8,993
    Intangible amortization     5,009     4,902     4,844     4,827     4,582
    Marketing                   3,664     3,283     2,533     4,233     3,630
    Professional services       3,972     3,770     5,523     4,294     2,938
    Conversion and
     infrastructure costs       3,506     1,134       300       200        --
    Acquistion costs              151       178       426        --       265
    Debt prepayment
     penalties                     --        --    45,761        --        --
    Other                      16,928    14,948    16,735    15,562    14,710
     Total noninterest
      expenses                113,505   107,774   154,048   103,769    97,179

    Income before income
     taxes                     67,978    69,986    18,358    72,619    68,366
    Income taxes               21,720    22,491     2,052    23,258    22,523
     Net income               $46,258   $47,495   $16,306   $49,361   $45,843

    Diluted shares (average)   54,278    54,217    54,045    53,767    50,475

    Net income per common
     share:
      Basic                     $0.86     $0.89     $0.31     $0.93     $0.92
      Diluted                    0.85      0.88      0.30      0.92      0.91

      See Selected Financial Highlights for footnotes.


    Retail and Wholesale Interest-Rate Spreads(unaudited)

    Three Months Ended,    June    March     December    September    June
                           2005     2005        2004         2004     2004

    Interest-rate spread

    Yield on interest-
     earning assets        5.40%    5.22%       5.02%        4.82%    4.68%
    Cost of interest-
     bearing liabilities   2.11     1.94        1.80         1.78     1.69
    Interest-rate spread   3.29%    3.28%       3.22%        3.04%    2.99%
    Net interest margin    3.32     3.32        3.25         3.06     3.02


    Retail interest-rate spread

    Yield on loans and
     loans held for sale   5.66%    5.44%       5.25%        5.07%    4.93%
    Cost of deposits       1.57     1.37        1.25         1.25     1.23

     Spread                4.09%    4.07%       4.00%        3.82%    3.70%

    Wholesale interest-rate spread

    Yield on securities
     and short-term
     investments           4.62%    4.52%       4.37%        4.18%    4.09%
    Cost of borrowings     3.54     3.23        2.91         2.80     2.50

     Spread                1.08%    1.29%       1.46%        1.38%    1.59%


    Consolidated Average Statements of Condition (unaudited)

    Three Months Ended June 30,                        2005
                                                                  Fully tax-
                                    Average                       equivalent
     (Dollars in thousands)         balance        Interest       yield/rate

    Assets:
     Interest-earning assets:
     Loans                       $11,727,278        $166,968          5.68%
     Securities                    3,851,741          44,687          4.62(c)
     Loans held for sale             242,351           2,964          4.89
     Short-term investments           13,260             131          3.91
      Total interest-earning
       assets                     15,834,630         214,750          5.40
     Noninterest-earning assets    1,493,233
      Total assets               $17,327,863

    Liabilities and Shareholders'
     Equity:
     Interest-bearing liabilities:
     Demand deposits              $1,451,236              --            --
     Savings, NOW and money market
      deposit accounts             5,749,931          16,181          1.13
     Time deposits                 4,078,793          27,918          2.75
     Total deposits               11,279,960          44,099          1.57
     Federal Home Loan Bank
      advances                     2,210,809          18,160          3.25
     Repurchase agreements
      and other short-term debt    1,449,355           9,872          2.69
     Other long-term debt            674,178          10,649          6.32
      Total borrowings             4,334,342          38,681          3.54
      Total interest-bearing
       liabilities                15,614,302          82,780          2.11
     Noninterest-bearing
      liabilities                    104,104
      Total liabilities           15,718,406

    Preferred stock of
     subsidiary corporation            9,577

    Shareholders' equity           1,599,880
     Total liabilities and
      shareholders' equity       $17,327,863
                                                     131,970
    Less: tax-equivalent
     adjustment                                       (2,135)

    Net interest income                             $129,835

    Interest-rate spread                                              3.29%
    Net interest margin                                               3.32%


    Three Months Ended June 30,                        2004
                                                                  Fully tax-
                                    Average                       equivalent
     (Dollars in thousands)         balance        Interest       yield/rate

    Assets:
     Interest-earning assets:
     Loans                       $10,440,916        $129,084          4.93%
     Securities                    4,485,738          46,277          4.11(c)
     Loans held for sale             169,092           2,139          5.06
     Short-term investments           29,891              84          1.11
      Total interest-earning
       assets                     15,125,637         177,584          4.68
     Noninterest-earning assets    1,219,002
      Total assets               $16,344,639

    Liabilities and Shareholders'
     Equity:
     Interest-bearing liabilities:
     Demand deposits              $1,205,224              --            --
     Savings, NOW and money market
      deposit accounts             5,282,018          11,456          0.87
     Time deposits                 3,056,167          17,716          2.33
     Total deposits                9,543,409          29,172          1.23
     Federal Home Loan Bank
      advances                     2,827,253          19,905          2.79
     Repurchase agreements
      and other short-term debt    1,860,747           4,888          1.04
     Other long-term debt            671,223           8,953          5.34
      Total borrowings             5,359,223          33,746          2.50
      Total interest-bearing
       liabilities                14,902,632          62,918          1.69
     Noninterest-bearing
      liabilities                    109,360
      Total liabilities           15,011,992

    Preferred stock of
     subsidiary corporation            9,577

    Shareholders' equity           1,323,070
     Total liabilities and
      shareholders' equity       $16,344,639
                                                     114,666
    Less: tax-equivalent
     adjustment                                       (1,199)

    Net interest income                             $113,467

    Interest-rate spread                                              2.99%
    Net interest margin                                               3.02%

    See Selected Financial Highlights for footnotes.

    Consolidated Average Statements of Condition   (unaudited)

    Six Months Ended June 30,                       2005
                                                               Fully tax-
                                    Average                    equivalent
     (Dollars in thousands)         balance        Interest    yield/rate

    Assets:
     Interest-earning assets:
     Loans                      $11,706,386        $325,755         5.56%
     Securities                   3,801,582          87,376         4.58(c)
     Loans held for sale            228,230           5,696         4.99
     Short-term investments          20,020             273         2.71
      Total interest-
       earning assets            15,756,218         419,100         5.31
     Noninterest-earning assets   1,447,520
      Total assets              $17,203,738

    Liabilities and Shareholders'
     Equity:
     Interest-bearing liabilities:
     Demand deposits              $1,398,593             --           --
     Savings, NOW and money
      market deposit accounts      5,677,509         29,140          1.04
     Time deposits                 3,886,783         50,827          2.64
     Total deposits               10,962,885         79,967          1.47
     Federal Home Loan Bank
      advances                     2,308,437         36,747          3.17
     Fed funds and repurchase
      agreements                   1,553,899         19,415          2.49
     Other long-term debt            677,630         20,837          6.15
      Total borrowings             4,539,966         76,999          3.38
      Total interest-bearing
       liabilities                15,502,851        156,966          2.03
     Noninterest-bearing
      liabilities                    108,370
      Total liabilities           15,611,221

     Preferred stock of
      subsidiary corporation           9,577

     Shareholders' equity          1,582,940
      Total liabilities and
       shareholders' equity      $17,203,738
                                                    262,134
     Less: tax-equivalent adjustment                 (4,067)

     Net interest income                           $258,067

     Interest-rate spread                                            3.28%
     Net interest margin                                             3.32%


    Six Months Ended June 30,                       2004
                                                               Fully tax-
                                    Average                    equivalent
     (Dollars in thousands)         balance        Interest    yield/rate

    Assets:
     Interest-earning assets:
     Loans                       $9,904,542        $247,675         4.99%
     Securities                   4,408,620          91,438         4.16(c)
     Loans held for sale            127,184           3,209         5.05
     Short-term investments          32,825             150         0.90
      Total interest-
       earning assets            14,473,171         342,472         4.73
     Noninterest-earning assets   1,054,197
      Total assets              $15,527,368

    Liabilities and Shareholders'
     Equity:
     Interest-bearing liabilities:
     Demand deposits             $1,132,037              --           --
     Savings, NOW and money
      market deposit accounts     4,910,528          20,440         0.84
     Time deposits                2,922,958          34,562         2.38
     Total deposits               8,965,523          55,002         1.23
     Federal Home Loan Bank
      advances                    2,628,041          38,909         2.93
     Fed funds and repurchase
      agreements                  1,977,133          10,319         1.03
     Other long-term debt           601,991          17,151         5.70
      Total borrowings            5,207,165          66,379         2.53
      Total interest-bearing
       liabilities               14,172,688         121,381         1.71
     Noninterest-bearing
      liabilities                    90,883
      Total liabilities          14,263,571

     Preferred stock of
      subsidiary corporation          9,577

     Shareholders' equity         1,254,220
      Total liabilities and
       shareholders' equity     $15,527,368
                                                    221,091
     Less: tax-equivalent adjustment                 (1,818)

     Net interest income                           $219,273

     Interest-rate spread                                           3.02%
     Net interest margin                                            3.05%

    See Selected Financial Highlights for footnotes.


                            At or for the Three Months Ended

                   June 30,   March 31,    Dec. 31,    Sept. 30,    June 30,
    (Dollars in     2005       2005         2004        2004        2004
      thousands)
    Asset Quality
    Nonperforming
     loans:
     Commercial:
      Commercial    $19,073    $17,112    $14,624      $12,407      $15,895
      Equipment
       financing      3,466      3,800      3,383        4,501        5,021
       Total
        commercial   22,539     20,912     18,007       16,908       20,916

     Commercial
      real estate    11,654     15,609      8,431       11,157       13,757
     Residential      6,690      7,528      7,796        7,695        8,599
     Consumer         1,019      1,586      1,894        1,204          826

    Total
     nonperforming
     loans           41,902     45,635     36,128       36,964       44,098

    Loans held
     for sale            --        492         --           --           --

    Other real
     estate owned
     and repossessed
     assets:
      Commercial      2,217      2,472      2,824        2,482        3,192
      Residential       112        446        100          527          238
      Consumer           10         85        114           20          130

    Total other real
     estate owned
     and repossessed
     assets           2,339      3,003      3,038        3,029        3,560

    Total nonperforming
     assets         $44,241    $49,130    $39,166      $39,993      $47,658


    Allowance for Loan Losses

    Beginning
     balance       $152,519   $150,112   $148,179     $146,511     $123,613
     Allowance for
      purchased loans    --         --        617           --       20,081
     Provision        2,000      3,500      4,000        4,000        5,000

    Charge-offs:
     Commercial       1,432      2,155      3,432        3,556        2,646
     Residential        178        167        367           92          187
     Consumer           201        142        147          195          174
      Total charge-
       offs           1,811      2,464      3,946        3,843        3,007
    Recoveries       (2,114)    (1,371)    (1,262)      (1,511)        (824)
      Net loan
      (recoveries)
      charge-offs      (303)     1,093      2,684        2,332        2,183

    Ending balance $154,822   $152,519   $150,112     $148,179     $146,511

    Asset Quality Ratios:

    Allowance for
     loan losses
     / total loans     1.31%      1.30%      1.28%        1.28%        1.30%
    Net charge-offs
    (recoveries)/
     average loans
    (annualized)      (0.01)      0.04       0.09         0.08         0.08
    Nonperforming
     loans / total
     loans             0.35       0.39       0.31         0.32         0.39
    Nonperforming
     assets / total
     assets            0.25       0.28       0.23         0.22         0.28
    Allowance for
     loan losses /
     nonperforming
     loans           369.49     334.21     415.50       400.87       332.24

SOURCE Webster Financial Corporation

Webster Bank Media: Meghan Thompson, 203-578-2287 mthompson@websterbank.com or
Investors: Terry Mangan, 203-578-2318 tmangan@websterbank.com
http://www.prnewswire.com