Webster Reports Quarterly Earnings Per Share of $.84; Deposits Increase by $1.1 Billion Over the Past Year

Jan 26, 2006

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WATERBURY, Conn., Jan. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Webster Financial Corporation (NYSE: WBS), the holding company for Webster Bank, N.A., today announced net income of $45.5 million in the fourth quarter compared to $16.3 million a year ago, which reflected a nonrecurring charge in conjunction with a balance sheet de-leveraging program. Net income per diluted share was $.84 compared to $.30 a year ago. For the full year, net income was $185.9 million compared to $153.8 million in 2004. Net income per share was $3.43 for 2005 and $3.00 in the prior year.

Cash net income, which adds stock-based compensation and intangible amortization expenses back to net income, was $50.1 million compared to $20.7 million in the year-ago quarter. Cash net income per share was $.93 in the fourth quarter compared to $.38 a year ago. For the full year, cash net income was $204.6 million compared to $170.2 million a year ago. Cash net income per share was $3.77 and $3.32 in the respective years.

Results in 2004 reflect the impact of Webster's balance sheet de-leveraging program including $32.4 million of after-tax costs. Those costs reduced earnings per share by $.60 in the fourth quarter and by $.63 for the full year. Results in 2005 reflect one-time expenses equivalent to $.02 per share in the fourth quarter and $.10 for the full year incurred in support of Webster's now-completed core infrastructure conversion project.

"We committed ourselves in 2005 to a set of core operating principles designed to increase tangible capital and reduce our exposure to rising interest rates while maintaining our focus on growing loans and deposits," stated Webster Chairman and Chief Executive Officer James C. Smith. "Progress in each of these areas has strengthened our balance sheet and contributed to higher quality earnings. In addition, completion of our core infrastructure conversion project means that Webster now has the technology platform in place to support our vision to be the leading regional financial services provider."

Included in net income are gains on the sale of securities. In the fourth quarter, these gains represented $.01 per share compared to $.02 a year ago exclusive of losses on securities under the de-leveraging transaction. For the full year 2005, securities gains were $.04 per share compared to $.25 a year ago apart from the de-leveraging transaction. The reduced level of securities gains in 2005 is consistent with Webster's emphasis on delivering high quality earnings.

Revenues

Total revenues (net interest income plus total noninterest income) were $187.9 million in the fourth quarter compared to $180.6 million a year ago adjusted for the de-leveraging transaction, an increase of 4 percent. Adjusting both periods to exclude securities gains, total revenues grew by 4 percent as well. On this same basis, total revenues for all of 2005 were $734.6 million and increased by 10 percent from the prior year when also excluding Duff & Phelps, which was sold in the first quarter of 2004.

Net interest income totaled $129.7 million in the fourth quarter compared to $127.6 million in the year-ago period, an increase of 2 percent. This increase primarily reflects growth in earning assets over the past year, led by growth in commercial loans in particular, partially offset by the effects of a flatter yield curve and narrowing margins. Net interest income totaled $517.3 million in the full year 2005 and grew by 11 percent from 2004 as a result of growth in earning assets and margin benefit from the de-leveraging transaction.

Webster's net interest margin (annualized tax-equivalent net interest income as a percentage of average earning assets) was 3.22 percent in the fourth quarter compared to 3.25 percent a year ago and 3.26 percent in the third quarter. The decline from each period reflects the recent interest rate environment, which has resulted in asset yields not rising at the same pace as the cost of liabilities. For the full year 2005, however, the net interest margin improved to 3.29 percent compared to 3.11 percent the prior year, with the increase reflecting the benefit of Webster's de-leveraging in the fourth quarter of 2004.

Total noninterest income was $58.2 million in the fourth quarter compared to $53.0 million a year ago adjusted for the de-leveraging transaction. Excluding securities gains of $1.0 million and $3.2 million of revenue particular to the quarter, noninterest income increased 9 percent from a year ago and totaled $54.0 million. Deposit service fees totaled $22.9 million and increased 11 percent from a year ago reflecting growth in customer transactions. Wealth management fees totaled $6.2 million and increased 19 percent reflecting strength in trust fees and investment product sales. Loan and loan servicing fees totaled $9.3 million and increased 20 percent. Other income totaled $3.5 million compared to $2.7 million a year ago.

The provision for loan losses totaled $2.0 million in the fourth quarter and exceeded net loan charge-offs by $0.6 million. The provision was $4.0 million a year ago which exceeded net loan charge-offs by $1.3 million. For the full year, the provision totaled $9.5 million and exceeded net loan charge-offs by $5.5 million compared to the full year 2004 provision of $18.0 million which exceeded net loan charge-offs by $7.7 million. The annualized net loan charge-off ratio was 0.05 percent of average loans in the fourth quarter compared to 0.09 percent a year ago and 0.03 percent for all of 2005 compared to 0.10 percent in 2004.

Expenses

Total noninterest expenses of $119.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2005 reflected $4.3 million of expenses that were particular to the quarter, including $1.3 million of non-recurring charges under Webster's core infrastructure conversion project. This compares to total noninterest expenses of $154.0 million a year ago, which included $45.8 million of de-leveraging costs. Further adjusting each period for acquisitions and investments in de novo branch expansion, total noninterest expenses were $108.8 million in the fourth quarter and $102.8 million a year ago. The increase from a year ago reflects investments in customer contact personnel, other employee-related costs and investments in technology to support Webster's new core systems.

Balance Sheet Trends

Total assets were $17.8 billion at December 31, 2005 and increased by 5 percent from a year ago. Total loans were $12.3 billion and also increased by 5 percent from a year ago. Deposits were $11.6 billion and increased by $1.1 billion, or 10 percent, from a year ago aided by our de novo branching program and the acquisition of HSA Bank in March 2005. The ratio of loans to deposits improved to 106 percent at December 31, 2005 compared to 111 percent a year ago.

"We opened eight new retail banking branches in 2005 across our southern New England franchise," stated Webster President and Chief Operating Officer William T. Bromage. "These eight offices contributed to the $273 million of new deposits during the year under our de novo branch expansion program that now has 19 branches opened since 2002 with a total of $572 million in deposits."

At the end of the fourth quarter, commercial loans were $4.7 billion, including commercial and industrial loans at $2.9 billion, up 11 percent from a year ago, and commercial real estate loans at $1.8 billion, up 5 percent. Consumer loans, primarily home equity loans and lines, increased 5 percent to $2.8 billion compared to $2.6 billion a year ago. Commercial, commercial real estate and consumer loans comprised 61 percent of total loans at December 31, 2005 compared to 59 percent a year ago.

Demand and NOW deposits have grown by 10 percent and 19 percent, respectively, compared to a year ago while certificates of deposit balances have grown by 26 percent as consumer preferences have shifted to this product offering. Wholesale borrowings as a percent of total assets declined to 25 percent at December 31, 2005 compared to 28 percent a year ago as total deposit growth exceeded loan growth by almost $500 million over the past year.

"Deposits grew at twice the level of loans over the past year, which allowed us to reduce higher-cost borrowings by over $300 million," stated Webster Chief Financial Officer William J. Healy. "As a result of our balance sheet management, the ratios of loans to deposits and borrowings to total assets, as well as our tangible equity ratio, improved significantly compared to a year ago."

Book value per common share of $30.70 at December 31, 2005 increased from $28.79 a year ago. Tangible book value per share of $18.03 at December 31, 2005 increased from $16.30 last year. The ratio of tangible equity to tangible assets increased to 5.54 percent at December 31, 2005 compared to 5.21 percent a year ago. Return on average tangible equity was 18.8 percent in the fourth quarter compared to 22.4 percent a year ago apart from de-leveraging costs while the cash return on average tangible equity was 20.7 percent and 24.4 percent in the respective periods.

Asset Quality

Nonperforming assets increased during the quarter and totaled $73.0 million, or 0.41 percent of total assets, at December 31, 2005 compared to $60.4 million, or 0.34 percent, at September 30 and $39.2 million, or 0.23 percent, a year ago.

The allowance for loan losses was $155.6 million, or 1.27 percent of total loans, at December 31, 2005 compared to $150.1 million, or 1.28 percent, a year ago and $155.1 million, or 1.27 percent, at September 30. The ratio of the allowance to nonperforming loans at December 31, 2005 was 232 percent compared to 416 percent a year ago and 265 percent at September 30.

Webster Financial Corporation is the holding company for Webster Bank, National Association and Webster Insurance. With $17.8 billion in assets, Webster provides business and consumer banking, mortgage, insurance, financial planning, trust and investment services through 157 banking offices, 304 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.

Conference Call

A conference call covering Webster's 2005 fourth quarter earnings announcement will be held today, Thursday, January 26, 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.

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 2004. 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 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.

    WEBSTER FINANCIAL CORP.


    Selected Financial Highlights (unaudited)

                                At or for the Three        At or for the Year
                              Months Ended December 31,    Ended December 31,


    (In thousands, except per      2005        2004        2005        2004
    share data)

    Net income and performance
     ratios (annualized):

    Net income                  $45,500     $16,306    $185,855    $153,833
    Net income per diluted
     common share                  0.84        0.30        3.43        3.00
    Return on average
     shareholders' equity         11.04 %      4.28  %    11.52 %     11.14  %
    Return on average tangible
     equity                       18.81        7.50       19.95       18.03
    Return on average assets       1.02        0.38        1.06        0.94
    Noninterest income as a
     percentage of total
     revenue                      30.99       27.67       29.92       31.94
    Efficiency ratio (a,d)        63.53       87.33       61.71       65.00

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

    Net income                  $45,500     $16,306    $185,855    $153,833
    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        45,500      48,753     185,855     186,280

    Net income per diluted
     common share                  0.84        0.90        3.43        3.63
    Return on average
     shareholders' equity         11.04 %     12.81  %    11.52 %     13.49  %
    Return on average tangible
     equity                       18.81       22.43       19.95       21.84
    Return on average assets       1.02        1.13        1.06        1.13
    Noninterest income as a
     percentage of total
     revenue                      30.99       29.33       29.92       32.35
    Efficiency Ratio (a)          63.53       59.97       61.71       58.00

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

    Net income                  $45,500     $16,306    $185,855    $153,833
    Stock-based compensation,
     net of tax                   1,352       1,248       5,845       4,490
    Intangible amortization,
     net of tax                   3,250       3,149      12,943      11,924
    Cash income                  50,102      20,703     204,643     170,247

    Cash income per diluted
     common share                  0.93        0.38        3.77        3.32
    Cash return on average
     shareholders' equity         12.15 %      5.44  %    12.69  %    12.33  %
    Cash return on average
     tangible equity              20.72        9.52       21.97       19.96
    Cash return on average
     assets                        1.12        0.48        1.17        1.04

    Cash income and
     performance ratios before
     deleveraging charges
     (annualized) (b):

    Net income before
     deleveraging charges       $45,500     $48,753    $185,855    $186,280
    Stock-based compensation,
     net of tax                   1,352       1,248       5,845       4,490
    Intangible amortization,
     net of tax                   3,250       3,149      12,943      11,924
    Cash income                  50,102      53,150     204,643     202,694

    Cash income per diluted
     common share                  0.93        0.98        3.77        3.95
    Cash return on average
     shareholders' equity         12.15 %     13.97  %    12.69  %    14.68  %
    Cash return on average
     tangible equity              20.72       24.45       21.97       23.76
    Cash return on average
     assets                        1.12        1.23        1.17        1.23

    Asset quality:

    Allowance for loan losses  $155,632    $150,112    $155,632    $150,112
    Nonperforming assets         73,014      39,166      73,014      39,166
    Allowance for loan losses
     / total loans                 1.27 %      1.28  %     1.27 %      1.28  %
    Net charge-offs/ average
     loans (annualized)            0.05        0.09        0.03        0.10
    Nonperforming loans /
     total loans                   0.55        0.31        0.55        0.31
    Nonperforming assets /
     total assets                  0.41        0.23        0.41        0.23
    Allowance for loan losses
     / nonperforming loans       231.50      415.50      231.50      415.50

    Other ratios (annualized):

    Tangible capital ratio         5.54 %      5.21  %     5.54  %     5.21  %
    Shareholders' equity /
     total assets                  9.24        9.07        9.24        9.07
    Interest-rate spread           3.18        3.22        3.25        3.09
    Net interest margin            3.22        3.25        3.29        3.11

    Share related:

    Book value per common
     share                       $30.70      $28.79      $30.70      $28.79
    Tangible book value per
     common share                 18.03       16.30       18.03       16.30
    Common stock closing price    46.90       50.64       46.90       50.64
    Dividends declared per
     common share                  0.25        0.23        0.98        0.90

    Common shares issued and
     outstanding                 53,662      53,628      53,662      53,628
    Basic shares (average)       53,473      53,187      53,577      50,506
    Diluted shares (average)     54,129      54,045      54,236      51,352

    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, the efficiency ratio
         would be 62.84% and 87.16% for the three months ending December 31,
         2005 and 2004 and 60.61% and 64.93% for twelve months ended December
         31, 2005 and 2004, respectively.



    Consolidated Statements of Condition   (unaudited)

                                       December 31, September 30, December 31,
    (In thousands)                         2005         2005         2004

      Assets:

      Cash and due from depository
       institutions                      $293,706    $269,859      $248,825
      Short-term investments               36,302       9,224        17,629

      Securities:
        Trading, at fair value              2,257       1,901            --
        Available for sale, at fair
         value                          2,555,419   2,668,226     2,494,406

        Held-to-maturity securities     1,142,909   1,161,507     1,229,613
           Total securities             3,700,585   3,831,634     3,724,019

      Loans held for sale                 267,919     247,365       147,211

      Loans:
        Residential mortgages           4,828,564    4,812,298    4,775,344
        Commercial                      2,876,528    2,978,537    2,584,738
        Commercial real estate          1,808,494    1,666,384    1,715,047
        Consumer                        2,771,700    2,740,019    2,637,646
          Total loans                  12,285,286   12,197,238   11,712,775
      Allowance for loan losses          (155,632)    (155,052)    (150,112)
          Loans, net                   12,129,654   12,042,186   11,562,663

      Accrued interest receivable          85,779       73,253       63,406
      Premises and equipment, net         182,856      179,463      149,069
      Goodwill and intangible assets      698,570      703,740      694,165
      Cash surrender value of life
       insurance                          237,822      235,467      228,120
      Prepaid expenses and other assets   191,198      214,865      185,490

      Total Assets                    $17,824,391  $17,807,056  $17,020,597

      Liabilities and Shareholders'
       Equity:

      Deposits:
        Demand deposits                $1,546,096   $1,431,642   $1,409,682
        NOW accounts                    1,622,403    1,600,481    1,368,213
        Money market deposit accounts   1,789,781    1,971,075    1,996,918
        Savings accounts                2,015,045    2,032,927    2,253,073
        Certificates of deposit         4,249,874    4,118,765    3,376,718
          Total retail deposits        11,223,199   11,154,890   10,404,604
        Treasury deposits                 407,946      507,302      166,684
          Total deposits               11,631,145   11,662,192   10,571,288

      Federal Home Loan Bank advances   2,215,722    2,064,963    2,590,335
      Securities sold under agreements
       to repurchase and other
       short-term debt                  1,525,906    1,633,906    1,438,483
      Other long-term debt                648,682      673,999      670,015
      Accrued expenses and other
       liabilities                        146,133      126,537      196,925
          Total liabilities            16,167,588   16,161,597   15,467,046

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

      Shareholders' equity              1,647,226    1,635,882    1,543,974

      Total Liabilities and
       Shareholders' Equity           $17,824,391  $17,807,056  $17,020,597


      See Selected Financial Highlights for footnotes.



    Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited)
                                       Three Months Ended  Twelve Months Ended
                                            December 31,       December 31,
    (In thousands, except per share data)
                                           2005      2004      2005      2004

      Interest income:
      Loans                            $187,607  $154,177  $689,041  $547,308
      Securities and short-term
       investments                       42,503    42,807   169,861   178,118
      Loans held for sale                 3,563     1,718    12,945     6,682
        Total interest income           233,673   198,702   871,847   732,108

      Interest expense:
      Deposits                           57,132    32,993   188,437   120,606
      Borrowings                         46,879    38,109   166,069   143,341
        Total interest expense          104,011    71,102   354,506   263,947

        Net interest income             129,662   127,600   517,341   468,161
      Provision for loan losses           2,000     4,000     9,500    18,000
        Net interest income after
         provision for loan losses      127,662   123,600   507,841   450,161

      Noninterest income:
      Deposit service fees               22,909    20,712    85,967    77,743
      Insurance revenue                  10,678    10,348    44,015    43,506
      Loan and loan servicing fees        9,290     7,727    33,232    28,574
      Wealth and investment services      6,174     5,198    23,151    22,207
      Gain on sale of loans and loan
       servicing, net                     2,322     2,492    11,573    13,305
      Increase in cash surrender value
       of life insurance                  2,360     2,283     9,241     8,835
      Financial advisory services            --        --        --     3,808
      Other                               3,470     2,692    10,073     7,416
                                         57,203    51,452   217,252   205,394
      Gain (loss) on sale of
       securities, net                    1,026    (2,646)    3,633    14,313
         Total noninterest income        58,229    48,806   220,885   219,707

      Noninterest expenses:
      Compensation and benefits          64,905    57,128   241,469   219,320
      Occupancy                          11,141     9,909    43,292    35,820
      Furniture and equipment            14,810    10,889    50,228    37,626
      Intangible amortization             5,001     4,844    19,913    18,345
      Marketing                           3,981     2,533    14,267    13,380
      Professional services               3,594     5,523    14,962    15,654
      Conversion and infrastructure costs 1,281       300     8,138       500
      Debt prepayment penalties             -      45,761       -      45,761
      Other                              14,646    17,161    63,301    60,731
        Total noninterest expenses      119,359   154,048   455,570   447,137


      Income before income taxes         66,532    18,358   273,156   222,731
      Income taxes                       21,032     2,052    87,301    68,898
        Net income                      $45,500   $16,306  $185,855  $153,833

      Diluted shares (average)           54,129    54,045    54,236    51,352

      Net income per common share:
        Basic                             $0.85     $0.31     $3.47     $3.05
        Diluted                            0.84      0.30      3.43      3.00

       See Selected Financial Highlights for footnotes.


    Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited)

                                            Three Months Ended
                              Dec. 31, Sept. 30, June 30,  March 31,  Dec. 31
    (In thousands, except       2005      2005      2005    2005        2004
      per share data)
    Interest income:
    Loans                    $187,607  $175,680  $166,967  $158,787  $154,177
    Securities and short-
     term investments          42,503    43,775    42,684    40,899    42,807
    Loans held for sale         3,563     3,686     2,964     2,732     1,718
      Total interest income   233,673   223,141   212,615   202,418   198,702

    Interest expense:
    Deposits                   57,132    51,338    44,099    35,868    32,993
    Borrowings                 46,879    42,191    38,681    38,318    38,109
      Total interest expense  104,011    93,529    82,780    74,186    71,102

      Net interest income     129,662   129,612   129,835   128,232   127,600
    Provision for loan losses   2,000     2,000     2,000     3,500     4,000
     Net interest income
      after provision for
      loan losses             127,662   127,612   127,835   124,732   123,600

    Noninterest income:
    Deposit service fees       22,909    22,182    21,747    19,129    20,712
    Insurance revenue          10,678    10,973    10,562    11,802    10,348
    Loan and loan servicing
     fees                       9,290     7,739     7,274     8,929     7,727
    Wealth and investment
     services                   6,174     5,554     6,028     5,395     5,198
    Gain on sale of loans
     and loan servicing, net    2,322     3,703     3,012     2,536     2,492
    Increase in cash
     surrender value of life
     insurance                  2,360     2,341     2,302     2,238     2,283
    Other                       3,470     2,347     2,013     2,243     2,692
                               57,203    54,839    52,938    52,272    51,452
    Gain (loss) on sale of
     securities, net            1,026     1,141       710       756    (2,646)
       Total noninterest
        income                 58,229    55,980    53,648    53,028    48,806


    Noninterest expenses:
    Compensation and
     benefits                  64,905    60,808    57,854    57,902    57,128
    Occupancy                  11,141    10,482    10,810    10,859     9,909
    Furniture and equipment    14,810    13,009    11,611    10,798    10,889
    Intangible amortization     5,001     5,001     5,009     4,902     4,844
    Marketing                   3,981     3,339     3,664     3,283     2,533
    Professional services       3,594     3,626     3,972     3,770     5,523
    Conversion and
     infrastructure costs       1,281     2,217     3,506     1,134       300
    Debt prepayment
     penalties                     --        --        --        --    45,761
    Other                      14,646    16,450    17,079    15,126    17,161
      Total noninterest
       expenses               119,359   114,932   113,505   107,774   154,048


    Income before income
     taxes                     66,532    68,660    67,978    69,986    18,358
    Income taxes               21,032    22,058    21,720    22,491     2,052
      Net income              $45,500   $46,602   $46,258   $47,495   $16,306

    Diluted shares (average)   54,129    54,310    54,278    54,217    54,045

    Net income per common share:
      Basic                     $0.85     $0.87     $0.86     $0.89     $0.31
      Diluted                    0.84      0.86      0.85      0.88      0.30

      See Selected Financial Highlights for footnotes.


    Retail and Wholesale Interest-Rate Spreads  (unaudited)

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

    Interest-rate spread

    Yield on interest-
     earning assets    5.73%        5.55%        5.40%       5.22%       5.02%
    Cost of interest-
     bearing
     liabilities       2.55         2.33         2.11        1.94        1.80

      Interest-rate
       spread          3.18%        3.22%        3.29%       3.28%       3.22%
      Net interest
       margin          3.22         3.26         3.32        3.32        3.25


    Retail interest-rate spread

    Yield on loans and
     loans held
     for sale          6.02%        5.83%        5.66%       5.44%       5.25%
    Cost of deposits   1.94         1.76         1.57        1.37        1.25

      Spread           4.08%        4.07%        4.09%       4.07%       4.00%

    Wholesale interest-rate spread

    Yield on securities
     and short-term
     investments       4.75%        4.67%        4.62%       4.52%       4.37%
    Cost of
     borrowings        4.19         3.84         3.54        3.23        2.91

      Spread           0.56%        0.83%        1.08%       1.29%       1.46%


    Consolidated Average Statements of Condition   (unaudited)

       Three Months Ended December 31,                      2005
                                                                    Fully tax-
                                             Average                equivalent
       (Dollars in thousands)                balance      Interest  yield/rate

    Assets:
       Interest-earning assets:
       Loans                               $12,328,141    $187,608    6.03 %
       Securities                            3,715,720      44,733    4.76 (c)
       Loans held for sale                     251,169       3,563    5.67
       Short-term investments                   19,846         147    2.90
          Total interest-earning assets     16,314,876     236,051    5.73
       Noninterest-earning assets            1,537,062
          Total assets                     $17,851,938

    Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity:
       Interest-bearing liabilities:
       Demand deposits                      $1,522,306       $  --      --   %
       Savings, NOW and money market
        deposit accounts                     5,502,733      19,065    1.37
       Time deposits                         4,665,580      38,067    3.24
          Total deposits                    11,690,619      57,132    1.94
       Federal Home Loan Bank advances       2,280,934      22,742    3.90
       Repurchase agreements and other
        short-term debt                      1,454,730      12,568    3.38
       Other long-term debt                    665,062      11,569    6.96
          Total borrowings                   4,400,726      46,879    4.19
          Total interest-bearing
           liabilities                      16,091,345     104,011    2.55
       Noninterest-bearing liabilities         101,994
          Total liabilities                 16,193,339

       Preferred stock of subsidiary
        corporation                              9,577

       Shareholders' equity                  1,649,022
          Total liabilities and
           shareholders' equity            $17,851,938
                                                           132,040
       Less: tax-equivalent adjustment                      (2,378)

       Net interest income                                $129,662

       Interest-rate spread                                           3.18 %
       Net interest margin                                            3.22 %



       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 (c)
       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
       Repurchase agreements and other
        short-term debt                      1,778,435       8,455     1.86
       Other long-term debt                    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

       Preferred stock of subsidiary
        corporation                              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.



    Consolidated Average Statements of Condition   (unaudited)

       Twelve Months Ended December 31,                2005
                                                                    Fully tax-
                                              Average               equivalent
       (Dollars in thousands)                 balance    Interest   yield/rate


    Assets:
       Interest-earning assets:
       Loans                              $11,930,776     $689,048    5.78 %
       Securities                           3,806,289      178,106    4.68 (c)

       Loans held for sale                    232,695       12,945    5.56
       Short-term investments                  19,982          537    2.69
          Total interest-earning assets    15,989,742      880,636    5.50
       Noninterest-earning assets           1,484,723
          Total assets                    $17,474,465

    Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity:
       Interest-bearing liabilities:
       Demand deposits                     $1,449,596        $  --      --   %
       Savings, NOW and money market
        deposit accounts                    5,633,897       66,226    1.18
       Time deposits                        4,215,801      122,211    2.90
          Total deposits                   11,299,294      188,437    1.67
       Federal Home Loan Bank advances      2,256,216       78,623    3.48
       Repurchase agreements and other
        short-term debt                     1,520,086       43,842    2.88
       Other long-term debt                   673,562       43,604    6.47
          Total borrowings                  4,449,864      166,069    3.73
          Total interest-bearing
           liabilities                     15,749,158      354,506    2.25
       Noninterest-bearing liabilities        102,732
          Total liabilities                15,851,890

       Preferred stock of subsidiary
        corporation                             9,577

       Shareholders' equity                 1,612,998
          Total liabilities and
           shareholders' equity           $17,474,465
                                                           526,130
       Less: tax-equivalent adjustment                      (8,789)

       Net interest income                                $517,341

       Interest-rate spread                                           3.25 %
       Net interest margin                                            3.29 %



       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 %
       Securities                          4,331,385     183,028      4.23 (c)
       Loans held for sale                   129,945       6,682      5.14
       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
       Repurchase agreements and other
        short-term debt                    1,834,605     24,693       1.35
       Other long-term debt                  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

       Preferred stock of subsidiary
        corporation                            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 %


      See Selected Financial Highlights for footnotes.


                                   At or for the Three Months Ended

    (Unaudited)              Dec. 31, Sept. 30,  June 30,  March 31,  Dec. 31,
    (Dollars in                 2005     2005      2005      2005      2004
     thousands)

    Asset Quality

    Nonperforming loans:
         Commercial:
              Commercial     $43,309   $27,544   $19,073   $17,112   $14,624
              Equipment
               financing       3,065     3,209     3,466     3,800     3,383
                Total
                commercial    46,374    30,753    22,539    20,912    18,007

         Commercial real
          estate              12,047    19,650    11,654    15,609     8,431
         Residential           6,979     6,436     6,690     7,528     7,796
         Consumer              1,829     1,699     1,019     1,586     1,894

    Total nonperforming
     loans                    67,229    58,538    41,902    45,635    36,128

    Loans held for sale          -         181       -         492       -

    Other real estate
     owned and
     repossessed assets:
         Commercial            5,126     1,408     2,217     2,472     2,824
         Residential             232       218       112       446       100
         Consumer                427        10        10        85       114


    Total other real
     estate owned and
     repossessed assets        5,785     1,636     2,339     3,003     3,038

    Total nonperforming
     assets                  $73,014   $60,355   $44,241   $49,130   $39,166



    Allowance for Loan
     Losses

    Beginning balance       $155,052  $154,822  $152,519  $150,112  $148,179
    Allowance for
     purchased loans             -         -         -         -         617
    Provision                  2,000     2,000     2,000     3,500     4,000

    Charge-offs:
         Commercial            3,272     2,204     1,432     2,155     3,432
         Residential             110       378       178       167       367
         Consumer                153       137       201       142       147
              Total
               charge-offs     3,535     2,719     1,811     2,464     3,946
    Recoveries                (2,115)     (949)   (2,114)   (1,371)   (1,262)
              Net loan
               charge-offs
               (recoveries)    1,420     1,770      (303)    1,093     2,684

    Ending balance          $155,632  $155,052  $154,822  $152,519  $150,112

    Asset Quality
     Ratios:

    Allowance for loan
     losses / total
     loans                      1.27 %    1.27 %    1.31 %    1.30 %    1.28 %
    Net charge-offs
     (recoveries)/
     average loans
     (annualized)               0.05      0.06     (0.01)     0.04      0.09
    Nonperforming loans
     / total loans              0.55      0.48      0.35      0.39      0.31
    Nonperforming assets
     / total assets             0.41      0.34      0.25      0.28      0.23
    Allowance for loan
     losses /
     nonperforming loans      231.50    264.87    369.49    334.21    415.50


Media Contact                    Investor Contact
Clark Finley 203-578-2287        Terry Mangan 203-578-2318
cfinley@websterbank.com          tmangan@websterbank.com


SOURCE  Webster Financial Corporation
    -0-                             01/26/2006
    /CONTACT:  Media Contact
               Clark Finley 203-578-2287
               cfinley@websterbank.com
               or
               Investor Contact
               Terry Mangan 203-578-2318
               tmangan@websterbank.com /
    /Photo:  NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050421/NYTH039LOGO
              AP Archive:  http://photoarchive.ap.org
              PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com /
    /Web site:  http://www.websteronline.com
                http://www.wbst.com /
    (WBS)

CO:  Webster Financial Corporation
ST:  Connecticut
IN:  FIN
SU:  CCA ERN

RM
-- NYTH063 --
4445 01/26/2006 07:30 EST http://www.prnewswire.com