Webster Announces ATM Branding Deal; Plans to Open 158 In-Store Webster ATMs in Select Walgreens' Drugstores

Dec 11, 2007
WATERBURY, Conn., Dec 11, 2007 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- Webster Financial Corporation (NYSE: WBS) announced today that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Webster Bank, National Association, has entered into an agreement to place its brand on 158 ATMs in select Walgreens' pharmacy stores in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut. Approximately 150 of the new ATMs will be in Webster's Massachusetts and Rhode Island market regions. The project is scheduled to begin and reach completion in the first quarter of 2008.

Webster will not charge withdrawal fees to customers who use their Webster debit or ATM cards in these new ATMs.

"Webster continues to find a way to provide our customers better convenience and access to our services," stated Webster Chairman and Chief Executive Officer James C. Smith. "This branding agreement is an excellent complement to Webster's branch expansion program and establishes another distribution platform for our future growth in Rhode Island and the Boston market."

With the completion of this ATM program coupled with the company's plans for continuing expansion strategies, Webster expects to have more than 500 ATMs operating in its footprint by the second quarter of 2008.

Webster Financial Corporation is the holding company for Webster Bank, National Association and Webster Insurance. With $16.8 billion in assets, Webster provides business and consumer banking, mortgage, insurance, financial planning, trust and investment services through 179 banking offices, 339 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.

CONTACT: Webster Bank
Media:
Arthur House 203-578-2391
ahouse@websterbank.com
or
Investors:
Terry Mangan 203-578-2318
tmangan@websterbank.com

SOURCE Webster Financial Corporation