Webster Reports 2006 Third Quarter Earnings; Announces Portfolio Repositioning

Oct 17, 2006

Click here for printable PDF format
Click here for financials in PDF Format


  • Net income of $40.8 million ($.77 per share) before available for sale portfolio repositioning
  • Available for sale portfolio repositioning charge of $31.8 million or $.60 per share
  • Net income of $9.0 million or $.17 per share for the quarter

    WATERBURY, Conn., Oct. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Webster Financial Corporation (NYSE: WBS), the holding company for Webster Bank, N.A., today announced net income of $9.0 million in the third quarter, reflecting a $31.8 million charge from an available for sale securities portfolio repositioning. Net income per diluted share before this charge was $.77 and is $.17 inclusive of this charge.

    Following an evaluation of its available for sale securities portfolio in light of changing market conditions and other factors, management has determined to sell all of its mortgage-backed securities classified as available for sale (approximately $1.9 billion as of September 30, 2006).

    Approximately $1.25 billion of proceeds from the sale of securities will be used to pay off wholesale funding (short term borrowings), and the remaining $650 million of proceeds is expected to be used to purchase different securities to extend duration and improve the overall portfolio yield.

    The repositioning of Webster's securities portfolio is expected to improve Webster's tangible capital ratio as a result of the net reduction in total assets. Webster expects that net interest income will improve relative to current estimates by approximately $15 million in 2007 and that the net interest margin will improve as a result of an improved yield on the portfolio and the reduction in high-cost, short-term borrowings.

    At September 30, 2006, the available for sale mortgage-backed securities portfolio had net unrealized losses of $48.9 million ($31.8 million after tax or $.60 per common share), which will be recognized as part of the third quarter results of operations. At current market levels, the sale of these securities is estimated to result in an additional aggregate pretax loss of approximately $6.0 million, which will be recognized in the fourth quarter.

    The third quarter loss on the write-down of available for sale securities to fair value was previously reflected as net unrealized securities losses within "accumulated other comprehensive loss" in the shareholders' equity section of Webster's Consolidated Balance Sheet. Accordingly, total shareholders' equity will not change as a result of the third quarter charge.

    Management focused on several key factors in making its determination regarding the securities portfolio, including overall interest rate risk as well as the future earnings and capital position of the Bank. As part of this process, management identified the securities where there is no longer the intent to hold to recovery. Driving the determination to sell the affected securities is Webster's belief that a significant portion of the securities will likely continue to yield less than the cost of short-term borrowings.

    "The actions we are taking with our securities portfolio are a major step toward the completion of our balance sheet transformation to a full-service commercial bank and are entirely consistent with our stated operating principles" stated Webster Chairman and Chief Executive Officer James C. Smith. "Our focus is on completing this transformation swiftly to position ourselves to become New England's bank."

    Excluding the impact of this portfolio repositioning, results for the quarter and the first nine months of 2006 reflect net interest margin compression resulting from the continued consumer preference for higher yielding MMDA and certificates of deposit and the impact of the inverted yield curve on net interest income. The net interest margin in the third quarter includes the benefit of the payment of the equivalent of two dividends from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston (FHLB Boston) during the quarter, as a result of its change in the timing of dividends.

    Commercial loans, including commercial real estate loans, were $5.1 billion at September 30, 2006, up 11 percent from a year ago. Commercial and industrial loans were $3.3 billion, up 13 percent, and commercial real estate loans were $1.8 billion, up 6 percent. Consumer loans, primarily home equity loans and lines, increased 11 percent to $3.0 billion compared to $2.7 billion a year ago. Commercial and consumer loans grew at a combined rate of 11 percent from a year ago while residential loans, which totaled $4.8 billion, grew by 1 percent as most mortgage originations are sold into the secondary market. Commercial and consumer loans now represent 63 percent of total loans compared to 61 percent a year ago.

    "We are pleased with the consistent growth and contribution we see from our commercial and retail lines of business. We have significant positive momentum in core franchise growth as we pursue our vision to be New England's bank," stated Mr. Smith. "Webster is fundamentally stronger than ever."

                                       Revenues

    Total revenues, which consist of net interest income plus total noninterest income, were $178.2 million in the third quarter apart from the securities portfolio repositioning charge compared to $183.9 million in the second quarter and $185.6 million a year ago. Net interest income was $122.4 million in the third quarter compared to $126.8 million in the second quarter and $129.6 million in the year-ago period. Continued strong growth in higher yielding commercial and consumer loans was more than offset by an increase in the cost of deposits and borrowings and reduced contributions from the residential mortgage and securities portfolios.

    Webster's net interest margin (annualized tax-equivalent net interest income as a percentage of average earning assets) was 3.01 percent compared to 3.13 percent in the second quarter and 3.26 percent in the third quarter of 2005. The net interest margin decline compared to a year ago primarily reflects loan and securities portfolio yields increasing 84 basis points and 38 basis points, respectively, compared to increases of 100 basis points in the cost of deposits and 147 basis points in the cost of borrowings.

    Total noninterest income was $55.7 million in the third quarter apart from the securities portfolio repositioning charge compared to $57.1 million in the prior quarter and $56.0 million a year ago. Deposit service fees totaled $25.3 million compared to $24.2 million in the second quarter and $22.2 million a year ago. Wealth management fees totaled $6.7 million compared to $6.9 million in the second quarter and $5.6 million a year ago. Insurance revenue was $9.8 million in the quarter compared to $10.0 million in the second quarter and $11.0 million a year ago. Gains on the sale of loans were ($0.2) million as a result of a lower of cost or market adjustment compared to $2.5 million in the second quarter and $3.7 million a year ago. A portion of the decline in gain on the sale of loans was offset by higher gains on the sale of securities, which totaled $2.3 million compared to $0.7 million in the second quarter and $1.1 million a year ago.

    The provision for credit losses was $3.0 million in the third quarter, same as in the second quarter, and $2.0 million in the third quarter of 2005. Net loan charge-offs were $3.1 million compared to $2.5 million in the second quarter and $1.8 million a year ago. The annualized net loan charge-off ratio was 0.10 percent of average loans compared to 0.08 in the second quarter and 0.06 percent a year ago.

                                       Expenses

    Total noninterest expenses were $115.9 million in the third quarter compared to $117.3 million in the second quarter and $114.9 million a year ago. Expenses were flat to a year ago excluding $0.9 million of non-recurring acquisition costs from the recently completed NewMil Bancorp acquisition. An additional $2.4 million of NewMil acquisition costs are expected to be incurred in the fourth quarter, consistent with our earlier estimates. Increases over the past year in compensation and benefits, furniture and equipment, occupancy, marketing and professional services were offset by declines in IT conversion and infrastructure costs, intangible amortization and other expenses.

                                  NewMil Acquisition

    As previously announced, Webster closed its acquisition of NewMil Bancorp on October 6, 2006. NewMil brings $506 million in loans and $614 million in deposits to Webster. "We are pleased to have successfully completed this transaction, which significantly bolsters our western Connecticut franchise," stated Mr. Smith. "We welcome our new colleagues to Webster and thank them for their partnership and specifically for their capable assistance during the integration."

                                 Balance Sheet Trends

    Total assets were $18.1 billion at September 30, 2006 compared with $17.8 billion at September 30, 2005. Total loans were $13.0 billion and increased $0.8 billion, or 7 percent, from a year ago while securities totaled $3.3 billion and declined by $0.5 billion, or 13 percent. Deposits were $12.3 billion and increased $0.6 billion, or 6 percent, with contributions from de novo branching and growth in health savings account deposits at HSA Bank.

    Demand and NOW deposits combined declined by 1 percent compared to a year ago while certificates of deposit balances grew by 11 percent as customer preference continued for this higher yielding product category. The $0.5 billion reduction in securities compared to a year ago funded $0.2 billion of loan growth in excess of deposit growth and contributed to a $0.4 billion reduction in wholesale borrowings over the past year. As a result, wholesale borrowings declined to 22 percent of total assets at September 30 compared to 25 percent a year ago.

    "The portfolio rebalancing actions we are undertaking will result in a stronger balance sheet and an improved interest rate risk position," stated Webster Chief Financial Officer Jerry Plush. "We will now have a higher yielding securities portfolio, a significantly reduced level of high-cost, short-term borrowings and an improved tangible capital ratio. We are focused on improving our performance against key peer group metrics and believe this is a significant step toward achieving this goal."

    Book value per common share of $32.07 at September 30, 2006 increased from $30.41 a year ago. Tangible book value per share of $19.16 at September 30 increased from $17.71 last year. The ratio of tangible equity to tangible assets increased to 5.68 percent at September 30 compared to 5.45 percent a year ago. Return on average tangible equity was 16.6 percent in the third quarter apart from the securities portfolio repositioning charge compared to 19.6 percent a year ago while the cash return on average tangible equity was 17.9 percent and 21.6 percent in the respective periods.

                                    Asset Quality

    Nonperforming assets totaled $61.4 million, or 0.34 percent of total assets, at September 30, 2006 compared to $61.8 million, or 0.34 percent, at June 30 and $58.1 million, or 0.33 percent, a year ago.

    The allowance for credit losses, which consists of the allowance for loan losses and the reserve for unfunded commitments, was $156.3 million, or 1.20 percent of total loans, at September 30 compared to $155.1 million, or 1.27 percent, a year ago. The ratio of the allowance to nonperforming loans was 264 percent at September 30 compared to 275 percent a year ago.

    Webster Financial Corporation is the holding company for Webster Bank, National Association and Webster Insurance. With $18.1 billion in assets, Webster provides business and consumer banking, mortgage, insurance, financial planning, trust and investment services through 175 banking offices, 328 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 www.websteronline.com.

                                         ***
    
        Conference Call
    

    A conference call covering Webster's 2006 third quarter earnings announcement will be held today, Tuesday, October 17, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time and may be heard through Webster's investor relations website at www.wbst.com, or in listen-only mode by calling 1-877-407-8293 or 201-689-8349 internationally. The call will be archived on the website and available for future retrieval.

    Forward-looking Statements

    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 2005. Except as required by law, Webster does not undertake to update any such forward looking information.

    Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    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 net income before giving effect to the sale of securities from a repositioning of the balance sheet, provides investors with information useful in understanding our financial performance, our performance trends and financial position. A reconciliation of net income and other performance ratios before the sale of those securities to net income is included in the accompanying financial tables, elsewhere in this report. We also provide a reconciliation of cash basis net income to net income in those accompanying financial tables.

    We believe that providing certain non-GAAP financial measures provides investors with information useful in understanding our financial performance, our performance trends and financial position. Specifically, we provide measures based on what we believe are our operating earnings on a consistent basis excluding non-cash items which affect the GAAP reporting of results of operations. Additionally, this quarter we show net income excluding the effect of the determination to sell our available for sale securities portfolio because we believe these items are not reflective of on-going operations. We utilize these measures for internal planning and forecasting purposes. We, as well as securities analysts, investors and other interested parties, also use these measures to compare peer company operating performance. We believe that our presentation and discussion, together with the accompanying reconciliations, provides a complete understanding of factors and trends affecting our business and allows investors to view performance in a manner similar to management. These non-GAAP measures should not be considered a substitute for GAAP basis measures and results and we strongly encourage investors to review our consolidated financial statements in their entirety and not to rely on any single financial measure. Because non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized, it may not be possible to compare these financial measures with other companies' non-GAAP financial measures having the same or similar names.

    Media Contact
    Clark Finley 203-578-2287
    cfinley@websterbank.com
    
    Investor Contact
    Terry Mangan 203-578-2318
    tmangan@websterbank.com
    
    
        WEBSTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
    
        Selected Financial Highlights (unaudited)
    
                                      At or for the Three      At or for the Nine
                                          Months Ended            Months Ended
        (In thousands, except per         September 30,           September 30,
         share data)                    2006        2005        2006        2005
    
        Net income and performance ratios before loss on
         write-down of AFS securities to fair value
         (annualized):
    
        Net income                     $8,997     $46,602     $95,992    $140,355
        Recognition of loss on AFS
         securities, net of tax        31,768         -        31,768         -
        Net income before recognition
         of loss on AFS securities     40,765      46,602     127,760     140,355
    
        Net income per diluted
         common share                    0.77        0.86        2.40        2.59
        Return on average
         shareholders' equity            9.80%      11.39%      10.23%      11.69%
        Return on average
         tangible equity                16.55       19.59       17.27       20.34
        Return on average assets         0.91        1.06        0.95        1.08
        Noninterest income as a
         percentage of total revenue    31.28       30.16       30.69       29.56
        Efficiency ratio (a,e)          65.03       61.93       64.37       61.09
    
        Net income and performance
         ratios (annualized):
    
        Net income                     $8,997     $46,602     $95,992    $140,355
        Net income per diluted
         common share                    0.17        0.86        1.80        2.59
        Return on average
         shareholders' equity            2.16%      11.39%       7.69%      11.69%
        Return on average
         tangible equity                 3.65       19.59       12.98       20.34
        Return on average assets         0.20        1.06        0.72        1.08
        Noninterest income as a
         percentage of total revenue     5.30       30.16       23.89       29.56
        Efficiency ratio (a,d)          89.61       61.93       70.68       61.09
    
        Cash income and performance ratios before loss
         on write-down of AFS securities to fair value
         (annualized) (b):
    
        Net income before recognition
         of loss on AFS securities    $40,765     $46,602    $127,760    $140,355
        Stock-based compensation,
         net of tax                     1,330       1,470       4,125       4,493
        Intangible amortization,
         net of tax                     2,001       3,251       7,150       9,693
        Cash income                    44,096      51,323     139,035     154,541
    
        Cash income per diluted
         common share                    0.83        0.95        2.61        2.85
        Cash return on average
         shareholders' equity           10.61%      12.55%      11.13%      12.87%
        Cash return on average
         tangible equity                17.91       21.57       18.80       22.39
        Cash return on average assets    0.98        1.16        1.04        1.19
    
        Cash income and performance ratios
         (annualized) (b):
    
        Net income                     $8,997     $46,602     $95,992    $140,355
        Stock-based compensation,
         net of tax                     1,330       1,470       4,125       4,493
        Intangible amortization,
         net of tax                     2,001       3,251       7,150       9,693
        Cash income                    12,328      51,323     107,267     154,541
    
        Cash income per diluted
         common share                    0.23        0.95        2.01        2.85
        Cash return on average
         shareholders' equity            2.96%      12.55%       8.59%      12.87%
        Cash return on average
         tangible equity                 5.01       21.57       14.50       22.39
        Cash return on average assets    0.27        1.16        0.80        1.19
    
        Asset quality:
    
        Allowance for credit losses  $156,331    $155,052    $156,331    $155,052
        Nonperforming assets           61,416      58,132      61,416      58,132
        Allowance for credit
         losses / total loans            1.20%       1.27%       1.20%       1.27%
        Net charge-offs  (recoveries)
         / average loans (annualized)    0.10        0.06        0.08        0.03
        Nonperforming loans /
         total loans                     0.45        0.46        0.45        0.46
        Nonperforming assets /
         total assets                    0.34        0.33        0.34        0.33
        Allowance for credit
         losses / nonperforming loans  264.47      275.33      264.47      275.33
    
        Other ratios (annualized):
    
        Tangible capital ratio           5.68%       5.45%       5.68%       5.45%
        Shareholders' equity /
         total assets                    9.28        9.19        9.28        9.19
        Interest-rate spread             2.93        3.22        3.06        3.26
        Net interest margin              3.01        3.26        3.13        3.30
    
        Share related:
    
        Book value per common share    $32.07      $30.41      $32.07       30.41
        Tangible book value per
         common share                   19.16       17.71       19.16       17.71
        Common stock closing price      47.11       44.96       47.11       44.96
        Dividends declared per
         common share                    0.27        0.25        0.79        0.73
    
        Common shares issued and
         outstanding                   52,476      53,795      52,476      53,795
        Basic shares (average)         52,241      53,648      52,654      53,612
        Diluted shares (average)       52,871      54,310      53,276      54,269
    
        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 acquisition, conversion and infrastructure costs, the
            efficiency ratio would have been 88.94% and 70.49% for the three and
            nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively, and 60.73% and
            59.85% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005,
            respectively.
        (e) Excluding acquisition, conversion and infrastructure costs, the
            efficiency ratio would have been 64.54% and 64.20% for the three and
            nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively, and 60.73% and
            59.85% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005,
            respectively.
        (f) Effective December 31, 2005, Webster transferred the portion of the
            allowance for loan losses related to commercial and consumer lending
            commitments and letters of credit to the reserve for unfunded credit
            commitments.
        (g) The recording of the FHLB dividend of $1.8 million, related to the
            second quarter of 2006, in the third quarter of 2006 increased the
            yield on securities by 21  basis points (bp).  Excluding the recording
            of this dividend the yield on securities would have been 4.85 and the
            wholesale spread would have been (.46) in the third quarter of 2006.
            The recording of the FHLB dividend of $1.8 million in the second
            quarter of 2006 would have increased the yield by 19 bp and improved
            the wholesale spread from (24) bp to (5) bp.
        (h) Cost of borrowings includes long-term debt such as Trust Preferred
            Securities and subordinated debt.
        (i) Amounts were previously shown as a component of nonperforming loans.
    
    
    
        Consolidated Statements of Condition (unaudited)
    
                                           September 30,   June 30,  September 30,
        (In thousands)                          2006         2006         2005
    
        Assets:
    
        Cash and due from depository
         institutions                         $243,434     $327,622     $269,859
        Short-term investments                   9,562       59,666        9,224
    
        Securities:
          Trading, at fair value                 2,848        2,698        1,901
          Available for sale, at fair value  2,249,935    2,317,645    2,668,226
          Held-to-maturity securities        1,064,188    1,088,206    1,161,507
            Total securities                 3,316,971    3,408,549    3,831,634
    
        Loans held for sale                    309,149      275,240      247,365
    
        Loans:
          Residential mortgages              4,845,198    4,875,134    4,812,298
          Commercial                         3,368,164    3,160,200    2,978,537
          Commercial real estate             1,770,674    1,819,635    1,666,384
          Consumer                           3,037,674    2,855,558    2,740,019
            Total loans                     13,021,710   12,710,527   12,197,238
        Allowance for loan losses             (147,446)    (147,401)    (155,052)
            Loans, net                      12,874,264   12,563,126   12,042,186
    
        Accrued interest receivable             93,844       85,719       73,253
        Premises and equipment, net            189,562      188,125      179,463
        Goodwill and intangible assets         692,388      695,014      703,740
        Cash surrender value of life insurance 245,108      242,740      235,467
        Prepaid expenses and other assets      164,532      176,341      214,865
    
        Total Assets                       $18,138,814  $18,022,142  $17,807,056
    
        Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity:
    
        Deposits:
          Demand deposits                   $1,453,317   $1,549,051   $1,431,642
          NOW accounts                       1,559,584    1,687,297    1,600,481
          Money market deposit accounts      2,078,797    1,888,179    1,971,075
          Savings accounts                   1,838,494    1,954,298    2,032,927
          Certificates of deposit            4,583,508    4,447,504    4,118,765
          Treasury deposits                    790,353      690,136      507,302
            Total deposits                  12,304,053   12,216,465   11,662,192
    
        Federal Home Loan Bank advances      1,867,393    1,804,140    2,064,963
        Securities sold under agreements
         to repurchase and other
         short-term debt                     1,466,845    1,528,224    1,633,906
        Other long-term debt                   636,028      622,267      673,999
        Reserve for unfunded commitments (f)     8,885        9,070          -
        Accrued expenses and other liabilities 163,192      187,445      126,537
            Total liabilities               16,446,396   16,367,611   16,161,597
    
        Preferred stock of subsidiary
         corporation                             9,577        9,577        9,577
    
        Shareholders' equity                 1,682,841    1,644,954    1,635,882
    
        Total Liabilities and
         Shareholders' Equity              $18,138,814  $18,022,142  $17,807,056
    
          See Selected Financial Highlights for footnotes.
    
    
    
        Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited)
    
                                         Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended
                                            September 30,          September 30,
        (In thousands, except per
         share data)                       2006        2005      2006        2005
    
        Interest income:
        Loans                          $215,094    $175,680  $617,765    $501,434
        Securities and short-term
         investments                     40,883      43,775   121,612     127,358
        Loans held for sale               4,366       3,686    11,022       9,382
          Total interest income         260,343     223,141   750,399     638,174
    
        Interest expense:
        Deposits                         85,058      51,338   220,005     131,305
        Borrowings                       52,849      42,191   150,994     119,190
          Total interest expense        137,907      93,529   370,999     250,495
    
          Net interest income           122,436     129,612   379,400     387,679
        Provision for credit losses       3,000       2,000     8,000       7,500
          Net interest income after
           provision for credit losses  119,436     127,612   371,400     380,179
    
        Noninterest income:
        Deposit service fees             25,252      22,182    71,271      63,058
        Insurance revenue                 9,793      10,973    30,505      33,337
        Loan and loan servicing fees      7,760       7,739    24,746      23,942
        Wealth and investment services    6,738       5,554    20,022      16,977
        Gain (loss) on sale of loans
         and loan servicing, net           (185)      3,703     5,626       9,251
        Increase in cash surrender
         value of life insurance          2,368       2,341     7,053       6,881
        Other                             1,693       2,347     4,752       6,603
                                         53,419      54,839   163,975     160,049
        Loss on write-down of AFS
         securities to fair value       (48,879)        -     (48,879)        -
        Gain on sale of securities, net   2,307       1,141     4,021       2,607
          Total noninterest income        6,847      55,980   119,117     162,656
    
        Noninterest expenses:
        Compensation and benefits        62,050      60,808   191,638     176,564
        Occupancy                        11,977      10,482    35,983      32,151
        Furniture and equipment          13,840      13,009    41,397      35,418
        Intangible amortization           3,079       5,001    11,000      14,912
        Marketing                         4,211       3,339    12,127      10,286
        Professional services             4,302       3,626    11,310      11,368
        Conversion and
         infrastructure costs               -         2,217       -         6,857
        Acquisition costs                   868         -         933         -
        Other                            15,523      16,450    47,951      48,655
          Total noninterest expenses    115,850     114,932   352,339     336,211
    
        Income before income taxes       10,433      68,660   138,178     206,624
        Income taxes                      1,436      22,058    42,186      66,269
          Net income                     $8,997     $46,602   $95,992    $140,355
    
        Diluted shares (average)         52,871      54,310    53,276      54,269
    
        Net income per common share:
          Basic                           $0.17       $0.87     $1.82       $2.62
          Diluted                          0.17        0.86      1.80        2.59
    
           See Selected Financial Highlights for footnotes.
    
    
    
        Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited)
    
                                                Three Months Ended
                                 Sept. 30,  June 30, March 31,  Dec. 31, Sept. 30,
        (In thousands, except
         per share data)            2006      2006      2006      2005      2005
    
        Interest income:
        Loans                    $215,094  $207,097  $195,574  $187,607  $175,680
        Securities and short-
         term investments          40,883    39,134    41,595    42,503    43,775
        Loans held for sale         4,366     3,317     3,339     3,563     3,686
          Total interest income   260,343   249,548   240,508   233,673   223,141
    
        Interest expense:
        Deposits                   85,058    72,593    62,354    57,132    51,338
        Borrowings                 52,849    50,150    47,995    46,879    42,191
          Total interest expense  137,907   122,743   110,349   104,011    93,529
    
          Net interest income     122,436   126,805   130,159   129,662   129,612
        Provision for
         credit losses              3,000     3,000     2,000     2,000     2,000
        Net interest income
         after provision for
         credit losses            119,436   123,805   128,159   127,662   127,612
    
        Noninterest income:
        Deposit service fees       25,252    24,150    21,869    22,909    22,182
        Insurance revenue           9,793     9,988    10,724    10,678    10,973
        Loan and loan
         servicing fees             7,760     9,162     7,824     9,290     7,739
        Wealth and investment
         services                   6,738     6,930     6,354     6,174     5,554
        Gain on sale of loans
         and loan servicing, net     (185)    2,538     3,273     2,322     3,703
        Increase in cash surrender
         value of life insurance    2,368     2,314     2,371     2,360     2,341
        Other                       1,693     1,284     1,775     3,470     2,347
                                   53,419    56,366    54,190    57,203    54,839
        Loss on write-down of AFS
         securities to fair value (48,879)      -         -         -         -
        Gain on sale of
         securities, net            2,307       702     1,012     1,026     1,141
          Total noninterest income  6,847    57,068    55,202    58,229    55,980
    
        Noninterest expenses:
        Compensation and benefits  62,050    64,585    65,003    64,905    60,808
        Occupancy                  11,977    11,824    12,182    11,141    10,482
        Furniture and equipment    13,840    13,962    13,595    14,810    13,009
        Intangible amortization     3,079     3,544     4,377     5,001     5,001
        Marketing                   4,211     4,292     3,624     3,981     3,339
        Professional services       4,302     3,464     3,544     3,594     3,626
        Conversion and
         infrastructure costs         -         -         -       1,281     2,217
        Acquisition costs             868        65       -         -         -
        Other                      15,523    15,582    16,846    14,646    16,450
          Total noninterest
           expenses               115,850   117,318   119,171   119,359   114,932
    
        Income before income
         taxes                     10,433    63,555    64,190    66,532    68,660
        Income taxes                1,436    20,412    20,338    21,032    22,058
          Net income               $8,997   $43,143   $43,852   $45,500   $46,602
    
        Diluted shares (average)   52,871    53,252    53,703    54,129    54,310
    
        Net income per common
         share:
          Basic                     $0.17     $0.82     $0.83     $0.85     $0.87
          Diluted                    0.17      0.81      0.82      0.84      0.86
    
          See Selected Financial Highlights for footnotes.
    
    
    
        Retail and Wholesale Interest-Rate Spreads (unaudited)
                                                    Three Months Ended
    
                                    September   June   March   December  September
                                       2006     2006    2006     2005      2005
    
        Interest-rate spread
        Yield on interest-earning
         assets                        6.31%   6.11%    5.97%    5.73%     5.55%
        Cost of interest-bearing
         liabilities                   3.38    3.05     2.78     2.55      2.33
          Interest-rate spread         2.93%   3.06%    3.19%    3.18%     3.22%
          Net interest margin          3.01    3.13     3.24     3.22      3.26
    
        Retail interest-rate spread
        Yield on loans and loans held
         for sale                      6.64%   6.52%    6.32%    6.02%     5.83%
        Cost of deposits               2.76    2.43     2.16     1.94      1.76
          Spread                       3.88%   4.09%    4.16%    4.08%     4.07%
    
        Wholesale interest-rate spread
        Yield on securities and short-
         term investments (g)          5.06%   4.61%    4.76%    4.75%     4.67%
        Cost of borrowings (h)         5.31    4.85     4.44     4.19      3.84
          Spread (g)                  (0.25)% (0.24)%   0.32%    0.56%     0.83%
    
    
    
        Consolidated Average Statements of Condition (unaudited)
    
        Three Months Ended September 30,
                                      2006                         2005
                                           Fully tax-                   Fully tax-
                                           equivalent                   equivalent
        (Dollars in       Average            yield     Average             yield
         thousands)       balance   Interest /rate     balance   Interest  /rate
    
        Assets:
          Interest-earning
           assets:
          Loans        $12,813,385  $215,094  6.65%  $11,974,880 $175,685  5.81%
          Securities     3,347,060    43,000  5.06(c)  3,906,118   45,997  4.68(c)
          Loans held
           for sale        277,181     4,366  6.30       223,002    3,686  6.61
          Short-term
           investments      18,484       190  4.02        20,044      117  2.28
            Total interest
             -earning
             assets     16,456,110   262,650  6.31    16,124,044  225,485  5.55
          Noninterest
           -earning
           assets        1,498,903                     1,505,579
            Total
             assets    $17,955,013                   $17,629,623
    
        Liabilities and
         Shareholders' Equity:
          Interest-bearing
           liabilities:
          Demand
           deposits     $1,451,171        $-     -%   $1,477,230       $-     -%
          Savings, NOW
           and money
           market deposit
           accounts      5,445,159    28,258  2.06     5,679,259   18,021  1.26
          Time deposits  5,308,496    56,800  4.23     4,413,329   33,317  3.00
            Total
             deposits   12,204,826    85,058  2.76    11,569,818   51,338  1.76
          Federal Home
           Loan Bank
           advances      2,069,417    26,328  4.98     2,128,760   19,134  3.52
          Repurchase
           agreements
           and other short
           -term debt    1,215,371    13,764  4.43     1,518,921   11,859  3.06
          Other long-term
           debt            627,379    12,757  8.13       674,056   11,198  6.65
            Total
             borrowings  3,912,167    52,849  5.31     4,321,737   42,191  3.84
            Total interest
             -bearing
            liabilities 16,116,993   137,907  3.38    15,891,555   93,529  2.33
          Noninterest
           -bearing
           liabilities     165,301                        92,381
            Total
            liabilities 16,282,294                    15,983,936
    
          Preferred stock
           of subsidiary
           corporation       9,577                         9,577
    
          Shareholders'
           equity        1,663,142                     1,636,110
    
           Total
           liabilities
           and shareholders'
           equity      $17,955,013                   $17,629,623
                                     124,743                      131,956
    
        Less: tax-equivalent
         adjustment                   (2,307)                      (2,344)
    
        Net interest income         $122,436                     $129,612
    
        Interest-rate spread                  2.93%                        3.22%
        Net interest margin                   3.01%                        3.26%
    
        See Selected Financial Highlights for footnotes.
    
    
    
    
        Consolidated Average Statements of Condition (unaudited)
    
    
    
        Nine Months Ended September 30
                                      2006                        2005
                                           Fully tax-                   Fully tax-
                                           equivalent                   equivalent
        (Dollars in       Average            yield     Average             yield
         thousands)       balance   Interest /rate     balance   Interest  /rate
    
        Assets:
          Interest-
           earning assets:
    
          Loans        $12,611,701  $617,765  6.51%  $11,796,868 $501,440  5.65%
          Securities     3,490,595   127,810  4.81 (c) 3,836,811  133,373  4.61(c)
          Loans held
           for sale        245,559    11,022  5.98       226,468    9,382  5.52
          Short-term
           investments      24,038       709  3.89        20,028      390  2.57
            Total interest
             -earning
             assets     16,371,893   757,306  6.13    15,880,175  644,585  5.39
          Noninterest
           -earning
           assets        1,502,282                     1,467,085
            Total
             assets    $17,874,175                   $17,347,260
    
        Liabilities
         and Shareholders'
         Equity:
          Interest-bearing
           liabilities:
          Demand
           deposits     $1,453,435        $-     -%   $1,425,093       $-     -%
          Savings, NOW
           and money market
           deposit
           accounts      5,375,789    70,555  1.75     5,678,099   47,161  1.11
          Time deposits  5,122,366   149,450  3.89     4,064,228   84,144  2.77
            Total
             deposits   11,951,590   220,005  2.46    11,167,420  131,305  1.57
          Federal Home
           Loan Bank
           advances      2,235,163    76,153  4.49     2,247,887   55,881  3.28
          Repurchase
           agreements
           and other short
           -term debt    1,244,686    38,200  4.05     1,542,111   31,274  2.67
          Other long-term
           debt            632,257    36,641  7.73       676,426   32,035  6.31
            Total
             borrowings  4,112,106   150,994  4.86     4,466,424  119,190  3.53
            Total interest
             -bearing
            liabilities 16,063,696   370,999  3.07    15,633,844  250,495  2.13
          Noninterest
           -bearing
           liabilities     135,496                       102,981
            Total
            liabilities 16,199,192                    15,736,825
    
          Preferred stock
           of subsidiary
           corporation       9,577                         9,577
    
          Shareholders'
           equity        1,665,406                     1,600,858
            Total
             liabilities
             and shareholders'
             equity    $17,874,175                   $17,347,260
                                     386,307                      394,090
          Less: tax-
           equivalent
           adjustment                 (6,907)                      (6,411)
    
          Net interest
           income                   $379,400                     $387,679
    
        Interest-rate spread                  3.06%                        3.26%
        Net interest margin                   3.13%                        3.30%
    
        See Selected Financial Highlights for footnotes.
    
    
    
        At or for the Three Months Ended
        (Unaudited)            Sept. 30,  June 30,  March 31,  Dec. 31,  Sept. 30,
        (Dollars in thousands)    2006      2006       2006      2005       2005
    
        Asset Quality
    
        Nonperforming loans:
          Commercial:
            Commercial          $29,321   $22,930    $19,719   $26,002    $25,321
            Equipment financing   2,450     2,693      2,864     3,065      3,209
              Total commercial   31,771    25,623     22,583    29,067     28,530
    
          Commercial real estate 16,811    23,291     24,012    22,678     19,650
          Residential             7,032     7,218      8,891     6,979      6,436
          Consumer                3,496     3,065      2,875     1,829      1,699
    
        Total nonperforming
         loans                   59,110    59,197     58,361    60,553     56,315
    
        Loans held for sale           -         -          -         -        181
    
        Other real estate owned
         and repossessed assets:
    
          Commercial              1,573     2,254      1,712     5,126      1,408
          Residential               607       316        456       232        218
          Consumer                  126        10        361       427         10
    
        Total other real
         estate owned and
         repossessed assets       2,306     2,580      2,529     5,785      1,636
    
        Total nonperforming
         assets                 $61,416   $61,777    $60,890   $66,338    $58,132
    
        Accruing loans 90 or
         more days past due (i)  $4,609     2,542      1,002     6,676      2,223
    
    
        Allowance for Credit Losses
    
        Beginning balance      $156,471  $155,957   $155,632  $155,052   $154,822
        Provision                 3,000     3,000      2,000     2,000      2,000
    
        Charge-offs:
          Commercial              3,369     2,775      1,629     3,272      2,204
          Residential                46        65         75       110        378
          Consumer                  265       239        362       153        137
            Total charge-offs     3,680     3,079      2,066     3,535      2,719
        Recoveries                 (540)     (593)      (391)   (2,115)      (949)
            Net loan charge-offs
             (recoveries)         3,140     2,486      1,675     1,420      1,770
    
        Ending balance         $156,331  $156,471   $155,957  $155,632   $155,052
    
        Components: (e)
          Allowance for
           loan losses         $147,446  $147,401   $146,383  $146,486   $155,052
          Reserve for unfunded
           credit commitments     8,885     9,070      9,574     9,146          -
            Allowance for
             credit losses     $156,331  $156,471   $155,957  $155,632   $155,052
    
        Asset Quality Ratios:
    
        Allowance for loan
         losses/total loans        1.13%     1.16%      1.16%     1.19%      1.27%
        Allowance for credit
         losses/total loans        1.20      1.23       1.24      1.27       1.27
        Net charge-offs
         (recoveries)/average
         loans (annualized)        0.10      0.08       0.05      0.05       0.06
        Nonperforming loans
         /total loans              0.45      0.47       0.46      0.49       0.46
        Nonperforming assets
         /total assets             0.34      0.34       0.34      0.37       0.33
        Allowance for credit losses
         /nonperforming loans    264.47    264.32     267.23    257.02     275.33
    
        See Selected Financial Highlights for footnotes.
    

    SOURCE Webster Financial Corporation
    CONTACT: Media Contact
    Clark Finley 203-578-2287
    cfinley@websterbank.com

    Investor Contact
    Terry Mangan 203-578-2318
    tmangan@websterbank.com

    Web site: http://www.websteronline.com (WBS)