Webster Reports 2006 Fourth Quarter Earnings

Jan 18, 2007

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Fourth Quarter Highlights:

  • Diluted earnings per share of $.67 (includes the effect of charges aggregating $.10 per diluted share, primarily related to previously announced balance sheet repositioning actions)
  • Increased tangible capital to 6.46 percent (up from 5.68 percent at September 30, 2006)
  • Improved net interest margin to 3.23 percent (up from 3.01 percent in the third quarter)
  • Completed the acquisition of NewMil Bancorp, Inc., adding more than $500 million in loans, $600 million in deposits and 14 additional retail branches
  • Opened new branches in Waterford, Connecticut and Westerly, Rhode Island
  • Completed the sale of $250 million in residential mortgage loans and $1.9 billion in available for sale mortgage-backed securities as part of previously announced balance sheet repositioning actions

    WATERBURY, Conn., Jan. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Webster Financial Corporation (NYSE: WBS), the holding company for Webster Bank, N.A., today announced net income of $37.8 million or $.67 per diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2006, compared to $45.5 million or $.84 per diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2005. Fourth quarter 2006 net income includes net charges totaling $8.4 million ($5.5 million, net of taxes) or $.10 per diluted share from previously announced balance sheet repositioning charges and acquisition costs of NewMil, and gains on the sale of properties and pension plan curtailment. Net income was $133.8 million or $2.47 per diluted share, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2006, compared to $185.8 million or $3.43 per diluted share for the twelve months ended December 31, 2005. Net income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2006, includes net charges totaling $58.2 million ($37.8 million, net of taxes) or $.70 per diluted share from the balance sheet repositioning charges, acquisition costs of NewMil, gains on the sale of properties and pension plan curtailment.

        Earnings Reconciliation
                                                      For the Three Months
        (in thousands except                         Ended December 31, 2006
         per share data)                        Pre-Tax    Tax Effected      EPS
    
        Reported Net Income                     $54,895       $37,798       $0.67
    
        Balance Sheet Repositioning Actions:
          Loss on sale of $250 million of
           mortgage loans                         5,713         3,713        0.07
          Loss on sale of AFS securities, net     2,400         1,560        0.03
            Total - balance sheet repositioning
             actions                              8,113         5,273        0.10
    
        Other Items:
          Acquisition costs (NewMil)              2,018         1,312        0.02
          Net gain from pension plan curtailment   (300)         (195)       0.00
          Gain on sale of properties             (1,400)         (910)      (0.02)
          Total Other Items                         318           207        0.00
            Total - balance sheet repositioning
             actions and other items              8,431         5,480        0.10
              Adjusted net income excluding
               balance sheet repositioning
               actions and other items          $63,326       $43,278       $0.77
    
    

    Net pre-tax items of $8.4 million in the fourth quarter include a previously announced $5.7 million loss on the sale of $250 million of residential mortgage loans, a $2.4 million loss related to the previously announced sale of $1.9 billion of mortgage-backed securities classified as available for sale and $2.0 million of previously announced acquisition related expenses. Offsetting these charges were a $300,000 net gain from the recently announced pension plan curtailment and $1.4 million of gains on the sale of properties.

    The Company announced that it had elected in the fourth quarter to curtail its defined benefit pension and supplemental executive retirement plans and replace them with an enhanced 401(k) retirement savings plan. This change will be effective as of January 1, 2008. Overall retirement program expenses are expected to remain essentially unchanged in future periods. A net gain of $300,000 from the plan curtailment was recognized in the fourth quarter of 2006.

    Additionally, as part of its repositioning plans, the Company had previously announced in the fourth quarter its decision to securitize $1.0 billion in residential loans and to hold these securities for collateral needs. As of December 31, 2006, $370 million of these loans had been securitized, with another $633 million in loans scheduled to be securitized by January 31, 2007.

    "In the fourth quarter, Webster began to realize the positive results of our repositioning actions," stated Webster Chairman and Chief Executive Officer James C. Smith. "We are seeing a more reliable and stable earnings stream as the increasingly negative effects that wholesale borrowings have had on prior quarters is no longer a significant factor."

    Commercial loans, including commercial real estate loans, and consumer loans were $8.5 billion at December 31, 2006 up, 14 percent from December 31, 2005. Commercial and consumer loans represent 66 percent of total loans at December 31, 2006 compared to 61 percent a year ago. "Webster has shown consistent growth and contributions from our commercial and consumer lending businesses," stated Webster President and Chief Operating Officer William T. Bromage. "We continue to gain momentum in our core businesses even in a very competitive market and a challenging interest rate environment."

    The Company opened two new branches, one in Waterford, Connecticut and one in Westerly, Rhode Island in the fourth quarter. In 2006, Webster added six de novo branches and an additional 14 locations in conjunction with the NewMil Bank acquisition. "As we have previously stated, we are following a 'build and buy' strategy to grow our retail presence," stated Mr. Smith. "It is our intention to continue with this strategy in 2007."

                                       Revenues

    Total revenue, which consists of net interest income plus total noninterest income, was $180.5 million in the fourth quarter, compared to $129.3 million in the third quarter and $187.9 million a year ago.

    Net interest income was $129.2 million in the fourth quarter compared to $122.4 million in the third quarter and $129.7 million a year ago. Continued strong growth in the fourth quarter of 2006 in higher yielding commercial and consumer loans more than offset the increase in the cost of deposits and borrowings as well as 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) increased to 3.23 percent compared to 3.01 percent in the third quarter and 3.22 percent a year ago. The net interest margin has been positively impacted by the balance sheet repositioning actions as the proceeds from the sales of securities have been utilized to pay-down high cost borrowings. Slightly offsetting the positive impact of the balance sheet restructuring is continued consumer preference for higher yielding certificates of deposit as well as the impact of the inverted yield curve. The spread between the yield on loans and the cost of deposits decreased to 3.80 percent in the fourth quarter compared to 3.88 percent in the third quarter, primarily from increased deposit costs.

    Total non-interest income was $51.4 million in the fourth quarter compared to $6.8 million in the third quarter and $58.2 million a year ago. Non-interest income in the fourth quarter was impacted by charges from losses on sales of securities of $2.4 million and loss on sale of loans of $5.7 million, while in the third quarter non-interest income included a $48.9 million charge for loss on the write-down of the available for sale securities portfolio to fair value. Deposit service fees totaled $25.5 million compared to $25.3 million in the third quarter and $22.9 million a year ago. Insurance revenue was $8.3 million in the quarter compared to $9.8 million in the third quarter and $10.7 million a year ago. The decrease in insurance revenue reflects a reduction in contingent commission income of $1.3 million in the fourth quarter. Loan and loan servicing fees were $9.6 million compared to $7.8 million in the third quarter and $9.3 million a year ago. The increase in loan and loan servicing fees in the quarter reflects higher commercial real estate prepayment fees of $2.4 million. Wealth management fees totaled $7.2 million compared to $6.7 million in the third quarter and $6.2 million a year ago. Other noninterest income, including a $1.4 million gain on the sale of properties, was $3.7 million compared to $1.7 million in the third quarter and $3.5 million a year ago.

                             Provision For Credit Losses

    The provision for credit losses was $3.0 million in the fourth quarter compared to $3.0 million in the third quarter and $2.0 million a year ago. Net loan charge-offs totaled $9.1 million compared to $3.1 million in the third quarter and $1.4 million a year ago. The increase was primarily related to two commercial loans which had been identified and fully reserved prior to the fourth quarter of 2006. The annualized net loan charge-off ratio was 0.27 percent of average loans compared to 0.10 percent in the third quarter and 0.05 percent a year ago. The allowance for credit losses to total loans was 1.20 percent at both December 31, 2006 and September 30, 2006.

                                Non Interest Expenses

    Total noninterest expenses were $122.6 million in the fourth quarter compared to $115.9 million in the third quarter and $119.4 million a year ago. Fourth quarter expenses increased primarily from the acquisition of NewMil Bancorp on October 6, 2006. Expenses include NewMil acquisition costs of $2.0 million and additional costs of approximately $3.4 million for NewMil ongoing operations. Fourth quarter results also include the write-offs of $200,000 in leasehold improvements from the early termination of two leased properties and $440,000 in other lease termination expenses.

                                 Balance Sheet Trends

    Total assets were $17.1 billion at December 31, 2006 compared with $17.8 billion a year ago. Total assets have declined due to the balance sheet repositioning actions previously discussed. Total loans were $12.9 billion, an increase of $0.6 billion, or 5 percent, from a year ago while securities totaled $2.0 billion and declined by $1.7 billion, or 47 percent. Deposits were $12.5 billion, an increase of $0.8 billion, or 7 percent, from a year ago with contributions from the branches acquired from the NewMil Bank acquisition, de novo branching and growth in health savings account deposits at HSA Bank.

    Certificates of deposit balances grew by 16 percent during 2006 as consumer preference continued for this higher yielding product category. The $1.7 billion reduction in securities compared to a year ago contributed to a $1.7 billion reduction in wholesale borrowings over the past year. Wholesale borrowings declined to 15 percent of total assets at December 31 compared to 25 percent a year ago.

    The loan to deposit ratio improved to 104 percent at December 31, 2006 from 106 percent at both September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005. The Company anticipates that this ratio will further improve in the first quarter of 2007 upon the completion of the previously discussed $633 million mortgage securitization.

    "We have previously stated that several of our goals were to improve our tangible capital ratio, significantly reduce our reliance on securities and borrowings and to substantially improve the net interest margin and our loan to deposit ratio," stated Webster Chief Financial Officer Jerry Plush. "The positive impact of the balance sheet repositioning actions taken in the fourth quarter is evident as we have made significant progress toward each of these goals. Further improvement in the loan to deposit ratio will be seen upon the completion of the mortgage securitization at the end of this month."

    Book value per common share of $33.30 at December 31, 2006 increased from $30.70 a year ago. Tangible book value per share of $19.00 at December 31, 2006 increased from $18.03 last year. The ratio of tangible equity to tangible assets increased to 6.46 percent at December 31, 2006 compared to 5.54 percent a year ago.

                                       Capital

    The Company also announced today that, subject to regulatory notices, it intends to call its Capital Trust I and Capital Trust II securities which have a call price of 104.7 percent and 105.0 percent, respectively. The Company will take a pretax charge to income in 2007 of approximately $6.5 million related to the redemption premium and write-off of unamortized issuance costs. The Company is considering the replacement of these legacy trust preferred securities with enhanced trust preferred securities which have greater equity content for rating agency purposes. "Based on the current interest rate environment, we may replace the legacy trust preferred securities at a reduced cost or elect to further boost our capital levels by issuing a higher dollar amount of enhanced trust preferred securities with no impact to earnings per share in future periods," stated Mr. Plush.

                                    Asset Quality

    Nonperforming assets totaled $61.8 million, or 0.48 percent of total loans and other real estate owned, at December 31, 2006 compared to $61.4 million, or 0.47 percent, at September 30 and $66.3 million, or 0.54 percent, a year ago.

    The allowance for credit losses, which consists of the allowance for loan losses and the reserve for unfunded commitments, was $155.0 million, or 1.20 percent of total loans, at December 31, 2006 compared to $155.6 million, or 1.27 percent at December 31, 2005. The ratio of the allowance to nonperforming loans was 263 percent at December 31, 2006 compared to 257 percent at December 31, 2005.

    Webster Financial Corporation is the holding company for Webster Bank, National Association and Webster Insurance. With $17.1 billion in assets, Webster provides business and consumer banking, mortgage, insurance, financial planning, trust and investment services through 177 banking offices, 334 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 2006 fourth quarter earnings announcement will be held today, Thursday, January 18, at 2:00 p.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 1-877-407-8293 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 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, as adjusted is included in the accompanying selected financial highlights table, elsewhere in this report.

    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 and exclude non-core operating items which affect the GAAP reporting of results of 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
    James Sitro 203-578-2399
    jsitro@websterbank.com
    
    
    
        WEBSTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
    
        Financial Highlights (unaudited)
    
                                        At or for the          At or for the
                                     Three Months Ended     Twelve Months Ended
                                         December 31,            December  31,
        (In thousands, except per
         share data)                  2006        2005       2006        2005
    
        Adjusted net income and
         performance ratios, net
         of tax, (annualized):
    
        Net income                  $37,798     $45,500    $133,790    $185,855
        Recognition of loss on AFS
         securities                   1,560         -        33,328         -
        Loss on sale of mortgage
         loans                        3,713         -         3,713         -
        NewMil acquisition Costs      1,312         -         1,918         -
        Net gain from pension plan
         curtailment                   (195)        -          (195)        -
        Gain on sale of properties     (910)        -          (910)        -
        Adjusted net income          43,278      45,500     171,644     185,855
                                          -                       -
        Net income per diluted
         common share                  0.77        0.84        3.17        3.43
        Return on average
         shareholders' equity          9.24%      11.04%       9.99%      11.52%
        Return on average tangible
         equity                       16.09       18.81       17.02       19.95
        Return on average assets       0.97        1.02        0.96        1.06
        Noninterest income as a
         percentage of total
         revenue                      31.02       30.99       30.77       29.92
        Efficiency ratio(a)           64.57       63.53       64.29       61.71
    
        Net income and performance
         ratios (annualized):
    
        Net income                  $37,798     $45,500    $133,790    $185,855
        Net income per diluted
         common share                  0.67        0.84        2.47        3.43
        Return on average
         shareholders' equity          8.07%      11.04%       7.79%      11.52%
        Return on average tangible
         equity                       14.06       18.81       13.26       19.95
        Return on average assets       0.85        1.02        0.75        1.06
        Noninterest income as a
         percentage of total
         revenue                      28.45       30.99       25.11       29.92
        Efficiency ratio(a)           67.93       63.53       69.95       61.71
    
        Asset quality:
    
        Allowance for credit
         losses                    $154,994    $155,632    $154,994    $155,632
        Nonperforming assets         61,825      66,338      61,825      66,338
        Allowance for credit
         losses / total loans          1.20%       1.27%       1.20%       1.27%
        Net charge-offs
         (recoveries) / average
         loans (annualized)            0.27        0.05        0.13        0.03
        Nonperforming loans /
         total loans                   0.46        0.49        0.46        0.49
        Nonperforming assets /
         total loans plus OREO         0.48        0.54        0.48        0.54
        Allowance for credit
         losses / nonperforming
         loans                       263.09      257.02      263.09      257.02
    
        Other ratios (annualized):
    
        Tangible capital ratio         6.46%       5.54%       6.46%       5.54%
        Shareholders' equity /
         total assets                 10.98        9.24       10.98        9.24
        Interest-rate spread           3.14        3.18        3.09        3.25
        Net interest margin            3.23        3.22        3.16        3.29
    
        Share related:
    
        Book value per common
         share                       $33.30      $30.70      $33.30       30.70
        Tangible book value per
         common share                 19.00       18.03       19.00       18.03
        Common stock closing price    48.72       46.90       48.72       46.90
        Dividends declared per
         common share                  0.27        0.25        1.06        0.98
    
        Common shares issued and
         outstanding                 56,362      53,662      56,362      53,662
        Basic shares (average)       55,753      53,473      53,435      53,577
        Diluted shares (average)     56,452      54,129      54,065      54,236
    
    
        Footnotes:
    
        (a) Noninterest expense as a percentage of net interest income plus
            noninterest income.
    
        (b) For purposes of this computation, unrealized gains (losses) are
            excluded from the average balance for rate calculations.
    
    
    
        Consolidated Statements of Condition (unaudited)
    
                                               December    September     December
                                                  31,          30,          31,
        (In thousands)                           2006         2006         2005
    
          Assets:
    
          Cash and due from depository
           institutions                        $311,888     $243,434     $293,706
          Short-term investments                175,648        9,562       36,302
    
          Securities:
            Trading, at fair value                4,842        2,848        2,257
            Available for sale, at fair
             value                              503,918    2,249,935    2,555,419
            Held-to-maturity securities       1,453,973    1,064,188    1,142,909
               Total securities               1,962,733    3,316,971    3,700,585
    
          Loans held for sale                   354,798      309,149      267,919
    
          Loans:
            Residential mortgages             4,424,634    4,845,198    4,828,564
            Commercial                        3,386,274    3,368,164    2,876,528
            Commercial real estate            1,904,597    1,770,674    1,808,494
            Consumer                          3,207,986    3,037,674    2,771,700
              Total loans                    12,923,491   13,021,710   12,285,286
          Allowance for loan losses            (147,719)    (147,446)    (146,486)
              Loans, net                     12,775,772   12,874,264   12,138,800
    
          Accrued interest receivable            90,565       93,844       85,779
          Premises and equipment, net           195,909      189,562      182,856
          Goodwill and intangible assets        825,012      692,388      698,570
          Cash surrender value of life
           insurance                            259,318      245,108      237,822
          Prepaid expenses and other assets     145,828      164,532      194,223
    
          Total Assets                      $17,097,471  $18,138,814  $17,836,562
    
          Liabilities and Shareholders'
           Equity:
    
          Deposits:
            Demand deposits                  $1,588,783   $1,453,317   $1,546,096
            NOW accounts                      1,671,778    1,559,584    1,622,403
            Money market deposit accounts     1,908,496    2,078,797    1,789,781
            Savings accounts                  1,985,202    1,838,494    2,015,045
            Certificates of deposit           4,911,860    4,583,508    4,249,874
            Treasury deposits                   392,277      790,353      407,946
              Total deposits                 12,458,396   12,304,053   11,631,145
    
          Federal Home Loan Bank advances     1,074,933    1,867,393    2,214,010
          Securities sold under agreements
           to repurchase and
           other short-term debt                893,206    1,466,845    1,522,381
          Other long-term debt                  621,936      636,028      640,906
          Reserve for unfunded commitments        7,275        8,885        9,146
          Accrued expenses and other
           liabilities                          155,285      162,886      162,171
              Total liabilities              15,211,031   16,446,090   16,179,759
    
    
          Preferred stock of subsidiary
           corporation                            9,577        9,577        9,577
    
          Shareholders' equity                1,876,863    1,683,147    1,647,226
    
          Total Liabilities and
           Shareholders' Equity             $17,097,471  $18,138,814  $17,836,562
    
    
          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)                    2006        2005       2006        2005
    
          Interest income:
          Loans                      $225,634    $187,607   $843,398    $689,041
          Securities and short-term
           investments                 32,514      42,503    154,127     169,861
          Loans held for sale           6,191       3,563     17,213      12,945
            Total interest income     264,339     233,673  1,014,738     871,847
    
          Interest expense:
          Deposits                     90,195      57,132    310,199     188,437
          Borrowings                   44,994      46,879    195,989     166,069
            Total interest expense    135,189     104,011    506,188     354,506
    
            Net interest income       129,150     129,662    508,550     517,341
          Provision for credit
           losses                       3,000       2,000     11,000       9,500
            Net interest income after
             provision for credit
             losses                   126,150     127,662    497,550     507,841
    
          Noninterest income:
          Deposit service fees         25,494      22,909     96,765      85,967
          Insurance revenue             8,301      10,678     38,806      44,015
          Loan and loan servicing
           fees                         9,643       9,290     34,389      33,232
          Wealth and investment
           services                     7,161       6,174     27,183      23,151
          Gain from mortgage banking
           activities                   2,917       2,322      8,542      11,573
          Increase in cash surrender
           value of life insurance      2,550       2,360      9,603       9,241
          Other                         3,733       3,470      8,486      10,073
                                       59,799      57,203    223,774     217,252
          Loss on write-down of AFS
           securities to fair value       -           -      (48,879)        -
          Loss on sale of mortgage
           loans                       (5,713)        -       (5,713)        -
          (Loss) gain on sale of
           securities, net             (2,732)      1,026      1,289       3,633
             Total noninterest income  51,354      58,229    170,471     220,885
    
          Noninterest expenses:
          Compensation and benefits    64,142      64,905    255,780     241,469
          Occupancy                    13,403      11,141     49,386      43,292
          Furniture and equipment      14,637      14,810     56,033      50,228
          Intangible amortization       3,473       5,001     14,473      19,913
          Marketing                     3,350       3,981     15,477      14,267
          Professional services         5,457       3,594     16,767      14,962
          Conversion and
           infrastructure costs           -         1,281        -         8,138
          Acquisition costs             2,018         -        2,951         -
          Other                        16,129      14,646     64,081      63,301
            Total noninterest
             expenses                 122,609     119,359    474,948     455,570
    
    
          Income before income taxes   54,895      66,532    193,073     273,156
          Income taxes                 17,097      21,032     59,283      87,301
            Net income                $37,798     $45,500   $133,790    $185,855
    
          Diluted shares (average)     56,452      54,129     54,065      54,236
    
          Net income per common share:
          Basic                         $0.68       $0.85      $2.50       $3.47
          Diluted                        0.67        0.84       2.47        3.43
    
    
           See Selected Financial Highlights for footnotes.
    
    
    
        Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited)
    
                                                Three Months Ended
    
        (In thousands, except     Dec. 31, Sept. 30,  June 30, March 31,  Dec. 31,
         per share data)            2006      2006      2006      2006      2005
    
        Interest income:
        Loans                    $225,634  $215,094  $207,097  $195,574  $187,607
        Securities and short-
         term investments          32,514    40,883    39,134    41,595    42,503
        Loans held for sale         6,191     4,366     3,317     3,339     3,563
          Total interest income   264,339   260,343   249,548   240,508   233,673
    
        Interest expense:
        Deposits                   90,195    85,058    72,593    62,354    57,132
        Borrowings                 44,994    52,849    50,150    47,995    46,879
          Total interest expense  135,189   137,907   122,743   110,349   104,011
    
          Net interest income     129,150   122,436   126,805   130,159   129,662
        Provision for credit
         losses                     3,000     3,000     3,000     2,000     2,000
          Net interest income
           after provision for
           credit losses          126,150   119,436   123,805   128,159   127,662
    
        Noninterest income:
        Deposit service fees       25,494    25,252    24,150    21,869    22,909
        Insurance revenue           8,301     9,793     9,988    10,724    10,678
        Loan and loan servicing
         fees                       9,643     7,760     9,162     7,824     9,290
        Wealth and investment
         services                   7,161     6,738     6,930     6,354     6,174
        Gain (loss) from
         mortgage banking
         activities                 2,917      (185)    2,538     3,273     2,322
        Increase in cash
         surrender value of life
         insurance                  2,550     2,368     2,314     2,371     2,360
        Other                       3,733     1,693     1,284     1,775     3,470
                                   59,799    53,419    56,366    54,190    57,203
        Loss on write-down of
         AFS securities to fair
         value                        -     (48,879)      -         -         -
        Loss on sale of mortgage
         loans                     (5,713)      -         -         -         -
        (Loss) gain on sale of
         securities, net           (2,732)    2,307       702     1,012     1,026
           Total noninterest
            income                 51,354     6,847    57,068    55,202    58,229
    
        Noninterest expenses:
        Compensation and
         benefits                  64,142    62,050    64,585    65,003    64,905
        Occupancy                  13,403    11,977    11,824    12,182    11,141
        Furniture and equipment    14,637    13,840    13,962    13,595    14,810
        Intangible amortization     3,473     3,079     3,544     4,377     5,001
        Marketing                   3,350     4,211     4,292     3,624     3,981
        Professional services       5,457     4,302     3,464     3,544     3,594
        Conversion and
         infrastructure costs         -         -         -         -       1,281
        Acquisition costs           2,018       868        65       -         -
        Other                      16,129    15,523    15,582    16,846    14,646
          Total noninterest
           expenses               122,609   115,850   117,318   119,171   119,359
    
    
        Income before income
         taxes                     54,895    10,433    63,555    64,190    66,532
        Income taxes               17,097     1,436    20,412    20,338    21,032
          Net income              $37,798    $8,997   $43,143   $43,852   $45,500
    
        Diluted shares (average)   56,452    52,871    53,252    53,703    54,129
    
        Net income per common share:
          Basic                     $0.68     $0.17     $0.82     $0.83     $0.85
          Diluted                    0.67      0.17      0.81      0.82      0.84
    
          See Selected Financial Highlights for footnotes.
    
    
    
        Interest-Rate Spread   (unaudited)
                                                     Three Months Ended
    
                                        December September  June   March  December
                                           2006    2006     2006    2006    2005
          Interest-rate spread
          Yield on interest-earning
           assets                          6.52%   6.31%    6.11%   5.97%   5.73%
          Cost of interest-bearing
           liabilities                     3.38    3.38     3.05    2.78    2.55
              Interest-rate spread         3.14%   2.93%    3.06%   3.19%   3.18%
    
              Net interest margin          3.23%   3.01%    3.13%   3.24%   3.22%
    
    
    
        Consolidated Average Statements of Condition (unaudited)
    
        Three Months Ended December 31,                        2006
    
                                                                       Fully tax-
                                                 Average                equivalent
        (Dollars in thousands)                   balance      Interest  yield/rate
    
        Assets:
          Interest-earning assets:
          Loans                                $13,362,185    $225,634    6.69%
          Securities                             2,435,986      34,695    5.72(b)
          Loans held for sale                      417,479       6,191    5.93
          Short-term investments                    29,896         368    4.82
             Total interest-earning assets      16,245,546     266,888    6.52
          Noninterest-earning assets             1,617,888
             Total assets                      $17,863,434
    
        Liabilities and Shareholders'
         Equity:
          Interest-bearing liabilities:
          Demand deposits                       $1,522,571          $-       -%
          Savings, NOW and money market
              deposit accounts                   5,582,187      29,609    2.10
          Time deposits                          5,405,010      60,586    4.44
             Total deposits                     12,509,768      90,195    2.86
          Federal Home Loan Bank advances        1,444,155      18,169    4.92
          Repurchase agreements and other
             short-term debt                     1,239,065      14,100    4.45
          Other long-term debt                     637,853      12,725    7.98
             Total borrowings                    3,321,073      44,994    5.33
             Total interest-bearing
              liabilities                       15,830,841     135,189    3.38
          Noninterest-bearing liabilities          149,623
             Total liabilities                  15,980,464
    
          Preferred stock of subsidiary
           corporation                               9,577
    
          Shareholders' equity                   1,873,393
             Total liabilities and
              shareholders' equity             $17,863,434
                                                               131,699
          Less: tax-equivalent adjustment                       (2,549)
    
          Net interest income                                 $129,150
    
          Interest-rate spread                                            3.14%
          Net interest margin                                             3.23%
    
    
    
        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(b)
          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%
    
    
          See Selected Financial Highlights for footnotes.
    
    
    
        Consolidated Average Statements of Condition (unaudited)
    
        Twelve Months Ended December 31,                        2006
    
                                                                        Fully tax-
                                                  Average               equivalent
        (Dollars in thousands)                    balance     Interest  yield/rate
    
        Assets:
          Interest-earning assets:
           Loans                                $12,800,864    $843,398   6.59%
           Securities                             3,224,776     162,504   4.98(b)
           Loans held for sale                      288,892      17,213   5.96
           Short-term investments                    25,514       1,079   4.23
              Total interest-earning assets      16,340,046   1,024,194   6.25
           Noninterest-earning assets             1,531,421
              Total assets                      $17,871,467
    
        Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity:
           Interest-bearing liabilities:
           Demand deposits                       $1,470,861          $-      -%
           Savings, NOW and money market
               deposit accounts                   5,427,812     100,165   1.85
           Time deposits                          5,193,608     210,034   4.04
              Total deposits                     12,092,281     310,199   2.57
           Federal Home Loan Bank advances        2,035,786      94,322   4.63
           Repurchase agreements and other
              short-term debt                     1,243,269      52,301   4.21
           Other long-term debt                     633,667      49,366   7.79
              Total borrowings                    3,912,722     195,989   5.01
              Total interest-bearing
               liabilities                       16,005,003     506,188   3.16
           Noninterest-bearing liabilities          139,057
              Total liabilities                  16,144,060
    
           Preferred stock of subsidiary
            corporation                               9,577
    
           Shareholders' equity                   1,717,830
              Total liabilities and
               shareholders' equity             $17,871,467
                                                                518,006
           Less: tax-equivalent adjustment                       (9,456)
    
           Net interest income                                 $508,550
    
           Interest-rate spread                                           3.09%
           Net interest margin                                            3.16%
    
    
        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(b)
           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%
    
    
          See Selected Financial Highlights for footnotes.
    
    
    
                                                At or for the Three Months Ended
    
    
        (Unaudited)                             Dec. 31,    Sept. 30,    June 30,
        (Dollars in thousands)                    2006         2006        2006
    
        Asset Quality
    
        Nonperforming loans:
          Commercial:
             Commercial                         $21,105      $29,321      $22,930
             Equipment financing                  2,616        2,450        2,693
                  Total commercial               23,721       31,771       25,623
    
           Commercial real estate                17,618       16,811       23,291
           Residential                           11,307        7,032        7,218
           Consumer                               6,266        3,496        3,065
    
        Total nonperforming loans                58,912       59,110       59,197
    
        Other real estate owned and
         repossessed assets:
           Commercial                             1,922        1,573        2,254
           Residential                              383          607          316
           Consumer                                 608          126           10
    
    
        Total other real estate owned and
         repossessed assets                       2,913        2,306        2,580
    
        Total nonperforming assets              $61,825      $61,416      $61,777
    
        Accruing loans 90 or more days past
         due                                     $1,490        4,609        2,542
    
    
        Allowance for Credit Losses
    
        Beginning balance                      $156,331     $156,471     $155,957
        Provision                                 3,000        3,000        3,000
        Allowance for acquired loans              4,724            -            -
    
        Charge-offs:
           Commercial                             9,352        3,369        2,775
           Residential                              199           46           65
           Consumer                                 454          265          239
             Total charge-offs                   10,005        3,680        3,079
        Recoveries                                 (944)        (540)        (593)
             Net loan charge-offs (recoveries)    9,061        3,140        2,486
    
        Ending balance                         $154,994     $156,331     $156,471
    
        Components:
           Allowance for loan losses           $147,719     $147,446     $147,401
           Reserve for unfunded credit
            commitments                           7,275        8,885        9,070
              Allowance for credit losses      $154,994     $156,331     $156,471
    
        Asset Quality Ratios:
    
        Allowance for loan losses / total loans    1.14%        1.13%        1.16
        Allowance for credit losses / total loans  1.20         1.20         1.23
        Net charge-offs (recoveries)/ average
         loans (annualized)                        0.27         0.10         0.08
        Nonperforming loans / total loans          0.46         0.45         0.47
        Nonperforming assets / total loans
         plus OREO                                 0.48         0.47         0.49
        Allowance for credit losses /
         nonperforming loans                     263.09       264.47       264.32
    
    
                                                  At or for the Three Months Ended
    
        (Unaudited)                                   March 31,          Dec. 31,
        (Dollars in thousands)                          2006               2005
    
        Asset Quality
    
        Nonperforming loans:
          Commercial:
              Commercial                              $19,719            $26,002
              Equipment financing                       2,864              3,065
                   Total commercial                    22,583             29,067
    
            Commercial real estate                     24,012             22,678
            Residential                                 8,891              6,979
            Consumer                                    2,875              1,829
    
        Total nonperforming loans                      58,361             60,553
    
        Other real estate owned and
         repossessed assets:
            Commercial                                  1,712              5,126
            Residential                                   456                232
            Consumer                                      361                427
    
    
        Total other real estate owned and
         repossessed assets                             2,529              5,785
    
        Total nonperforming assets                    $60,890            $66,338
    
        Accruing loans 90 or more days past due         1,002              6,676
    
    
        Allowance for Credit Losses
    
        Beginning balance                            $155,632           $155,052
        Provision                                       2,000              2,000
        Allowance for acquired loans                      -                  -
    
        Charge-offs:
            Commercial                                  1,629              3,272
            Residential                                    75                110
            Consumer                                      362                153
              Total charge-offs                         2,066              3,535
        Recoveries                                       (391)            (2,115)
              Net loan charge-offs (recoveries)         1,675              1,420
    
        Ending balance                               $155,957           $155,632
    
        Components:
            Allowance for loan losses                $146,383           $146,486
            Reserve for unfunded credit
             commitments                                9,574              9,146
               Allowance for credit losses           $155,957           $155,632
    
        Asset Quality Ratios:
    
        Allowance for loan losses / total loans          1.16%              1.19
        Allowance for credit losses / total loans        1.24               1.27
        Net charge-offs (recoveries)/ average loans
         (annualized)                                    0.05               0.05
        Nonperforming loans / total loans                0.46               0.49
        Nonperforming assets / total loans plus OREO     0.48               0.54
        Allowance for credit losses / nonperforming
         loans                                         267.23             257.02
    
        See Selected Financial Highlights for footnotes.
    
    

    SOURCE
    Webster Financial Corporation

    CONTACT:
    Media Contact
    Clark Finley 203-578-2287
    cfinley@websterbank.com

    Investor Contact
    James Sitro 203-578-2399
    jsitro@websterbank.com