Webster Reports 2007 First Quarter Earnings

Apr 19, 2007

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First Quarter Highlights:

  • Diluted earnings per share of $.62 (includes the aggregate effect of $.11 per diluted share of severance


  • related charges from ongoing restructuring, the costs of closing the remaining operations of People's Mortgage Company (PMC) previously announced on April 5, 2007, the write down of a construction loan held for sale and seasonal compensation costs).


  • Tangible capital increased to 6.74 percent, up from 6.46 percent at December 31, 2006 and 5.68 percent at September 30, 2006.


  • Net interest margin improved to 3.41 percent, up from 3.23 percent in the fourth quarter of 2006 and 3.01 percent in the third quarter of 2006.


  • Loan to deposit ratio improved to 98 percent from 104 percent at December 31, 2006 and 106 percent at September 30, 2006.


  • Completion of the balance sheet repositioning actions announced in the fourth quarter with the securitization of $633 million in residential mortgage loans.


  • Moody's announced upgrade of Webster based on financial strength and credit ratings; Fitch raised outlook to "Positive."


  • Increased the quarterly cash dividend by 11% to $.30 per share from $.27 per share.

 

WATERBURY, Conn., April 19, 2007 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- Webster Financial Corporation (NYSE: WBS), the holding company for Webster Bank, N.A., today announced net income of $35.0 million or $.62 per diluted share for the first quarter of 2007, compared to $37.8 million or $.67 per diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2006 and to $43.9 million or $.82 per diluted share for the first quarter of 2006. First quarter 2007 net income includes charges for other items of $9.9 million ($6.4 million, net of tax) or $.11 per diluted share outlined in the following table.

                                         Earnings Reconciliation
                                        For the Three Months Ended
                                  March 31, 2007          December 31, 2006
    (In thousands except       Pre-    Tax              Pre-    Tax
    per share data)            Tax   Effected   EPS     Tax   Effected   EPS

    Reported Net Income      $51,222  $35,036  $0.62  $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
       curtailment               -        -      -       (300)    (195)   -
      Gain on sale of
       properties                -        -      -     (1,400)    (910) (0.02)
      Write-down of
       construction
        loan held for sale       700      455   0.01      -        -      -
      Compensation costs
       seasonal (A)            4,700    3,055   0.05      -        -      -
      Severance-related
       charges                 2,200    1,430   0.02      -        -      -
      Closure of Peoples
       Mortgage Company (PMC)  2,322    1,509   0.03      -        -      -
    Total other items          9,922    6,449   0.11      318      207   0.00

    Total balance sheet
     repositioning
     actions and other
     items                     9,922    6,449   0.11    8,431    5,480   0.10

    Adjusted net income
     excluding balance sheet
     repositioning actions
     and other items         $61,144  $41,485  $0.73  $63,326  $43,278  $0.77

      (A) Expect 25% of the seasonal increase to remain in the second quarter


As previously disclosed, Webster incurred seasonally higher expenses in the first quarter of 2007 primarily related to payroll taxes and 401(k) match. The impact of these seasonally higher expenses was $4.7 million ($3.1 million, net of taxes) or $.05 per diluted share. In addition, as also previously disclosed, one residential construction loan in Florida classified as held for sale was written down in value by $700,000 ($455,000, net of taxes) or $.01 per diluted share. This adjustment is reflected in mortgage banking activities as a reduction in noninterest income in the first quarter. Also, Webster incurred severance related charges from ongoing restructuring in insurance and other lines of business of $2.2 million ($1.4 million, net of taxes) or $.02 per diluted share and closing costs of $2.3 million ($1.5 million, net of taxes) or $.03 per share related to the remaining operations of PMC.

Additionally, as the final component of balance sheet repositioning actions announced in the fourth quarter, Webster completed the securitization of $633 million of residential mortgage loans during the first quarter of 2007. These securities are classified as held-to-maturity.

"Webster has begun to execute changes resulting from our previously announced strategic review with the objective of narrowing and sharpening our focus on our vision to be New England's bank," stated Webster Chairman and Chief Executive Officer James C. Smith. "To date outcomes from this review include the closure of PMC, the termination of mezzanine lending operations, the discontinuance of construction lending outside of our primary market, the restructuring of our insurance operations and the outsourcing of the back office operations of Webster Investment Services. We remain committed to completing this process by mid-year."

Commercial loans, including commercial real estate loans, and consumer loans, were $8.6 billion at March 31, 2007, up 11 percent from March 31, 2006. Commercial and consumer loans represent 70 percent of total loans at March 31, 2007 compared to 61 percent a year ago. "Webster continues to show consistent growth in these core lines of business," stated Webster President and Chief Operating Officer William T. Bromage. "As the results show, our plan has been to reduce our percentage of residential loans to total loans and to continue to focus on growth in commercial and consumer loans."

Revenues

Total revenue, which consists of net interest income plus total non-interest income, was $185.5 million in the first quarter, compared to $180.5 million in the fourth quarter and $185.4 million a year ago.

Net interest income was $128.1 million in the first quarter compared to $129.2 million in the fourth quarter and $130.2 million a year ago. Average interest-earning assets were lower in the first quarter of 2007 as a result of recent balance sheet repositioning actions in comparison to the fourth quarter and first quarter of 2006; however, Webster's net interest margin (annualized tax-equivalent net interest income as a percentage of average earning assets) increased to 3.41 percent compared to 3.23 percent in the fourth quarter and 3.24 percent a year ago. Webster's balance sheet repositioning actions have positively impacted the net interest margin as the proceeds from the sales of securities have paid down high-cost borrowings. Slightly offsetting the positive effect 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 increased to 3.87 percent in the first quarter compared to 3.83 percent in the fourth quarter and 4.17 percent a year ago.

Total non-interest income was $57.4 million in the first quarter compared to $51.4 million in the fourth quarter and $55.2 million a year ago. Non- interest income in the fourth quarter was affected by losses on sales of securities of $2.4 million and losses on sale of loans of $5.7 million. Deposit service fees totaled $25.4 million compared to $25.5 million in the fourth quarter and $21.9 million a year ago. Insurance revenue was $10.1 million in the quarter compared to $8.3 million in the fourth quarter and $10.7 million a year ago. Loan related fees were $7.9 million compared to $9.6 million in the fourth quarter and $7.8 million a year ago. The decrease in loan related fees compared to the fourth quarter reflects higher commercial real estate prepayment fees of $2.4 million in that period. Wealth management fees totaled $6.9 million compared to $7.2 million in the fourth quarter and $6.4 million a year ago. Income from mortgage banking activities was $2.2 million in the first quarter compared to $2.9 million in the fourth quarter and $3.3 million a year ago. The decline from the fourth quarter reflects the $700,000 write down in value of one previously-mentioned loan in Florida. Other non-interest income was $1.8 million compared to $3.7 million in the fourth quarter, and $1.8 million a year ago. Fourth quarter 2006 results included a $1.4 million gain on the sale of properties.

Provision For Credit Losses

The provision for credit losses was $3.0 million in the first and fourth quarter and $2.0 million a year ago. Net loan charge-offs totaled $5.3 million compared to $9.1 million in the fourth quarter and $1.7 million a year ago. The increase in net charge-offs when comparing the first quarter of 2007 to the first quarter of 2006 reflects the $2.1 million of previously-announced net charge-offs in connection with 13 residential construction loans in Florida. Net charge-offs in the fourth quarter reflected two commercial loans that had been identified and fully reserved earlier in 2006. The annualized net loan charge-off ratio was 0.17 percent of average loans compared to 0.27 percent in the fourth quarter and 0.05 percent a year ago. The allowance for credit losses to total loans was 1.24 percent at March 31, 2007 and 2006 and 1.20 percent at December 31, 2006.

Non-Interest Expenses

Total non-interest expenses were $131.3 million in the first quarter compared to $122.6 million in the fourth quarter and $119.2 million a year ago. First quarter expenses include the previously-discussed severance related charges from ongoing restructuring in insurance and other lines of business of $2.2 million, closing costs of $2.3 million related to the remaining operations of PMC and $4.7 million of seasonally higher expenses compared to the fourth quarter, primarily related to payroll tax and 401(k) match. The 2006 fourth quarter and 2007 first quarter include the expenses of operations related to the acquisition of NewMil Bancorp. "We are managing our expenses aggressively with the focus on improving operating leverage for the balance of 2007," stated Webster Chief Financial Officer Jerry Plush.

Balance Sheet Trends

Total assets were $16.9 billion at March 31, 2007 compared with $17.9 billion a year ago. Total assets have declined by $1 billion primarily from the balance sheet repositioning actions. Total loans were $12.3 billion, a decrease of $0.3 billion, or 2 percent, from a year ago, due primarily to the securitization of $371 million in residential loans and the sale of $250 million in residential loans in the fourth quarter of 2006 and the securitization of another $633 million in residential loans in the first quarter of 2007. Securities totaled $2.5 billion and declined by $1.1 billion, or 31 percent from a year ago. Deposits were $12.6 billion, an increase of $0.5 billion, or 4 percent, from a year ago as retail deposits increased $898 million, with contributions from the branches acquired from the NewMil Bank acquisition, de novo branching and growth in health savings account deposits at HSA Bank, which more than offset a $418 million decline in brokered deposits.

The $1.1 billion reduction in securities and $0.5 billion of total deposit growth, each compared to a year ago, contributed to a $1.8 billion reduction in wholesale borrowings over the past year. Wholesale borrowings declined to 13 percent of total assets at March 31 compared to 22 percent a year ago.

The loan to deposit ratio improved to 98 percent at March 31, 2007 from 104 percent at both December 31, 2006 and March 31, 2006. Improvement in this ratio reflects completion of balance sheet repositioning actions and deposit growth over the past year.

Book value per common share of $33.70 at March 31, 2007 increased from $31.09 a year ago. Tangible book value per share of $19.46 at March 31, 2007 increased from $18.18 last year. The ratio of tangible equity to tangible assets increased to 6.74 percent at March 31, 2007 compared to 5.48 percent a year ago.

Capital

As previously announced, Webster prepaid its Capital Trust I and Capital Trust II securities on April 2, 2007, at call prices of 104.68 percent and 105.0 percent, respectively, plus accrued and unpaid interest. As reported in the 2006 10-K, Webster will record a net pretax charge to income in the second quarter of 2007 of approximately $6.9 million ($9.0 million related to the redemption premiums and unamortized issuance costs, partially offset by a $2.1 million gain on Trust I and II securities positions held by Webster).

Mr. Plush noted: "Webster's tangible capital ratio improved to 6.74% at March 31, bringing us above our peer median; it has been our intention to improve our capital position to support our commercial bank balance sheet and the growth potential of our businesses. We have also been evaluating the optimal capital structure for the company. We took a first step on April 2, when we called the outstanding trust preferred securities that were carrying a weighted average coupon of 9.57%; however, $105 million of these securities qualified as Tier 1 capital for regulatory ratio purposes. We are continuing to explore the potential issuance of an even greater amount of enhanced Trust Preferred Securities at a significantly lower coupon, which would provide us

with improved regulatory and ratings agency ratios at an equivalent or lower funding cost."

During the quarter, Moody's upgraded Webster Financial Corporation's issuer rating to A3, Webster Bank's long-term deposit rating to A2 and short- term deposit rating to P1. The report cites Webster's diversified consumer, small- and middle-market commercial banking businesses, strong asset quality on a low-risk portfolio and healthy liquidity for both the holding company and the bank as the primary reasons for the upgrade. In addition, Fitch raised its outlook to "Positive."

Asset Quality

Nonperforming assets totaled $64.8 million, or 0.53 percent of total loans and other real estate owned, at March 31, 2007 compared to $61.8 million, or 0.48 percent, at December 31 and $60.9 million, or 0.48 percent, a year ago.

The allowance for credit losses, which consist of the allowance for loan losses and the reserve for unfunded commitments, was $152.7 million, or 1.24 percent of total loans, at March 31, 2007 compared to $156.0 million, or 1.24 percent at March 31, 2006 and $155.0 million, or 1.20 percent at December 31, 2006. The ratio of the allowance to nonperforming loans was 259 percent at March 31, 2007 compared to 267 percent at March 31, 2006.

Webster Financial Corporation is the holding company for Webster Bank, National Association and Webster Insurance. With $16.9 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 www.websteronline.com.

Conference Call

A conference call covering Webster's 2007 first quarter earnings announcement will be held today, Thursday, April 19, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time and may be heard through Webster's investor relations website at www.wbst.com, or in listen-only mode by calling 1-877-407-8293 or 201-689-8349 internationally. The call will be archived on the website and available for future retrieval.

Forward-looking Statements

Statements in this press release regarding Webster Financial Corporation's business that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statement, see "Forward Looking Statements" in Webster's Annual Report for 2006. 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.

    Webster Financial Corporation

    Selected Financial Highlights (unaudited)
                                                    At or for the Three
                                                   Months Ended March 31,
    (In thousands, except per share data)           2007             2006

    Adjusted net income and performance
     ratios, net of tax (annualized):

    Net income                                   $35,036          $43,852
    Seasonal compensation costs                    3,055            2,562
    Closing costs-Peoples Mortgage Company         1,509              -
    Severance costs                                1,430              -
    Write-down of construction loan held
     for sale                                        455              -
    Adjusted net income                           41,485           46,414

    Net income per diluted common share             0.73             0.86
    Return on average shareholders' equity          8.73%           11.16%
    Return on average tangible equity              15.15            18.86
    Return on average assets                        0.98             1.04
    Noninterest income as a percentage of
     total revenue                                 31.21            29.78
    Efficiency ratio (a)                           65.55            62.16

    Net income and performance ratios
     (annualized):

    Net income                                   $35,036          $43,852
    Net income per diluted common share             0.62             0.82
    Return on average shareholders' equity          7.38%           10.55%
    Return on average tangible equity              12.79            17.83
    Return on average assets                        0.83             0.99
    Noninterest income as a percentage of
     total revenue                                 30.95            29.78
    Efficiency ratio (a)                           70.77            64.29

    Asset quality:

    Allowance for credit losses                 $152,660         $155,957
    Nonperforming assets                          64,830           60,890
    Allowance for credit losses / total
     loans                                          1.24%            1.24%
    Net charge-offs / average loans
     (annualized)                                   0.17             0.05
    Nonperforming loans / total loans               0.48             0.46
    Nonperforming assets / total loans
     plus OREO                                      0.53             0.48
    Allowance for credit losses /
     nonperforming loans                          259.23           267.23

    Other ratios (annualized):

    Tangible capital ratio                          6.74%            5.48%
    Shareholders' equity / total assets            11.29             9.16
    Interest-rate spread                            3.32             3.19
    Net interest margin                             3.41             3.24

    Share related:

    Book value per common share                   $33.70           $31.09
    Tangible book value per common share           19.46            18.18
    Common stock closing price                     48.01            48.46
    Dividends declared per common share             0.27             0.25

    Common shares issued and outstanding          56,530           52,776
    Basic shares (average)                        56,113           53,094
    Diluted shares (average)                      56,762           53,703

    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)

                                          March 31,  December 31,   March 31,
    (In thousands)                          2007         2006         2006

      Assets:

      Cash and due from depository
       institutions                        $269,061     $311,888     $267,541
      Short-term investments                  6,161      175,648       11,889

      Securities:
        Trading, at fair value               14,076        4,842        1,042
        Available for sale, at fair
         value                              395,668      503,918    2,472,699
        Held-to-maturity                  2,066,763    1,453,973    1,116,386
           Total securities               2,476,507    1,962,733    3,590,127

      Loans held for sale                   456,033      354,798      201,210

      Loans:
        Residential mortgages             3,739,221    4,424,634    4,890,887
        Commercial                        3,444,612    3,386,274    3,038,930
        Commercial real estate            1,936,650    1,904,597    1,851,035
        Consumer                          3,182,765    3,207,986    2,809,785
          Total loans                    12,303,248   12,923,491   12,590,637
      Allowance for loan losses            (145,367)    (147,719)    (146,383)
          Loans, net                     12,157,881   12,775,772   12,444,254

      Accrued interest receivable            86,878       90,565       94,602
      Premises and equipment, net           196,232      195,909      184,831
      Goodwill and other intangible
       assets                               823,200      825,012      698,557
      Cash surrender value of life
       insurance                            261,852      259,318      240,426
      Prepaid expenses and other assets     145,395      145,828      173,749

      Total Assets                      $16,879,200  $17,097,471  $17,907,186

      Liabilities and Shareholders'
       Equity:

      Deposits:
        Demand deposits                  $1,505,074   $1,588,783   $1,459,855
        NOW accounts                      1,761,178    1,671,778    1,683,677
        Money market deposit accounts     1,887,602    1,908,496    1,761,016
        Savings accounts                  2,109,866    1,985,202    2,004,375
        Certificates of deposit           4,834,440    4,831,477    4,291,378
        Brokered deposits                   460,230      472,660      877,976
          Total deposits                 12,558,390   12,458,396   12,078,277

      Federal Home Loan Bank advances       655,709    1,074,933    2,383,118
      Securities sold under agreements
       to repurchase and
       other short-term debt                943,802      893,206    1,007,439
      Long-term debt                        623,091      621,936      631,568
      Reserve for unfunded credit
       commitments                            7,293        7,275        9,574
      Accrued expenses and other
       liabilities                          176,324      155,285      146,871
          Total liabilities              14,964,609   15,211,031   16,256,847

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

      Shareholders' equity                1,905,014    1,876,863    1,640,762

      Total Liabilities and
       Shareholders' Equity             $16,879,200  $17,097,471  $17,907,186

      See Selected Financial Highlights for footnotes.



    Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited)
                                                       Three Months Ended
                                                            March 31,
    (In thousands, except per share data)            2007               2006

      Interest income:
      Loans                                      $209,164           $195,574
      Securities and short-term
       investments                                 33,280             41,595
      Loans held for sale                           6,249              3,339
         Total interest income                    248,693            240,508

      Interest expense:
      Deposits                                     87,630             62,354
      Borrowings                                   32,982             47,995
         Total interest expense                   120,612            110,349

      Net interest income                         128,081            130,159
      Provision for credit losses                   3,000              2,000
         Net interest income after provision
           for credit losses                      125,081            128,159

      Noninterest income:
      Deposit service fees                         25,354             21,869
      Insurance revenue                            10,121             10,724
      Loan related fees                             7,940              7,824
      Wealth and investment services                6,878              6,354
      Mortgage banking activities                   2,229              3,273
      Increase in cash surrender value of
       life insurance                               2,534              2,371
      Other                                         1,824              1,775
                                                   56,880             54,190
      Gain on sale of securities, net                 541              1,012
         Total noninterest income                  57,421             55,202

      Noninterest expenses:
      Compensation and benefits                    68,391             65,003
      Occupancy                                    13,383             12,182
      Furniture and equipment                      14,969             13,595
      Intangible amortization                       3,473              4,377
      Marketing                                     4,211              3,624
      Professional services                         4,802              3,544
      Severance and closing costs                   4,522                -
      Other                                        17,529             16,846
         Total noninterest expenses               131,280            119,171

      Income before income taxes                   51,222             64,190
      Income taxes                                 16,186             20,338
         Net income                               $35,036            $43,852

      Diluted shares (average)                     56,762             53,703

      Net income per common share:
      Basic                                         $0.62              $0.83
      Diluted                                        0.62               0.82

       See  Selected Financial Highlights for footnotes.



    Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited)

                                            Three Months Ended

    (In thousands, except   March 31,  Dec. 31, Sept. 30,  June 30, March 31,
     per share data)           2007      2006      2006      2006      2006

    Interest income:
    Loans                    $209,164  $225,634  $215,094  $207,097  $195,574
    Securities and short-
     term investments          33,280    32,514    40,883    39,134    41,595
    Loans held for sale         6,249     6,191     4,366     3,317     3,339
       Total interest income  248,693   264,339   260,343   249,548   240,508

    Interest expense:
    Deposits                   87,630    90,195    85,058    72,593    62,354
    Borrowings                 32,982    44,994    52,849    50,150    47,995
       Total interest expense 120,612   135,189   137,907   122,743   110,349

       Net interest income    128,081   129,150   122,436   126,805   130,159
    Provision for credit
     losses                     3,000     3,000     3,000     3,000     2,000
       Net interest income
        after provision for
        credit losses         125,081   126,150   119,436   123,805   128,159

    Noninterest income:
    Deposit service fees       25,354    25,494    25,252    24,150    21,869
    Insurance revenue          10,121     8,301     9,793     9,988    10,724
    Loan related fees           7,940     9,643     7,760     9,162     7,824
    Wealth and investment
     services                   6,878     7,161     6,738     6,930     6,354
    Mortgage banking
     activities                 2,229     2,917      (185)    2,538     3,273
    Increase in cash surrender
     value of life insurance    2,534     2,550     2,368     2,314     2,371
    Other                       1,824     3,733     1,693     1,284     1,775
                               56,880    59,799    53,419    56,366    54,190
    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              541    (2,732)    2,307       702     1,012
        Total noninterest
         income                57,421    51,354     6,847    57,068    55,202

    Noninterest expenses:
    Compensation and
     benefits                  68,391    64,142    62,050    64,585    65,003
    Occupancy                  13,383    13,403    11,977    11,824    12,182
    Furniture and equipment    14,969    14,637    13,840    13,962    13,595
    Intangible amortization     3,473     3,473     3,079     3,544     4,377
    Marketing                   4,211     3,350     4,211     4,292     3,624
    Professional services       4,802     5,457     4,302     3,464     3,544
    Severance and closing
     costs                      4,522       -         -         -         -
    Acquisition costs             -       2,018       868        65       -
    Other                      17,529    16,129    15,523    15,582    16,846
       Total noninterest
        expenses              131,280   122,609   115,850   117,318   119,171


    Income before income
     taxes                     51,222    54,895    10,433    63,555    64,190
    Income taxes               16,186    17,097     1,436    20,412    20,338
       Net income             $35,036   $37,798    $8,997   $43,143   $43,852

    Diluted shares (average)   56,762    56,452    52,871    53,252    53,703

    Net income per common
     share:
      Basic                     $0.62     $0.68     $0.17     $0.82     $0.83
      Diluted                    0.62      0.67      0.17      0.81      0.82

      See Selected Financial Highlights for footnotes.



    Interest-Rate Spread   (unaudited)
                                                Three Months Ended
                                      March    Dec.   Sept.    June   March
                                       2007    2006    2006    2006    2006

      Interest-rate spread
      Yield on interest-earning assets 6.61%   6.52%   6.31%   6.11%   5.97%
      Cost of interest-bearing
       liabilities                     3.29    3.38    3.38    3.05    2.78
          Interest-rate spread         3.32%   3.14%   2.93%   3.06%   3.19%

          Net interest margin          3.41%   3.23%   3.01%   3.13%   3.24%



    Consolidated Average Statements of Condition   (unaudited)

    Three Months Ended March 31,                          2007
                                                                  Fully tax-
                                            Average               equivalent
    (Dollars in thousands)                  balance     Interest  yield/rate

    Assets:
      Interest-earning assets:
      Loans                                $12,445,025    $209,164    6.74%
      Securities                             2,303,191      34,203    5.97(b)
      Loans held for sale                      394,102       6,249    6.34
      Short-term investments                   117,584       1,585    5.39
         Total interest-earning assets      15,259,902     251,201    6.61
      Noninterest-earning assets             1,605,708
         Total assets                      $16,865,610

    Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity:
      Interest-bearing liabilities:
      Demand deposits                       $1,505,598        $ -      - %
      Savings, NOW and money market
       deposit accounts                      5,567,702      28,762    2.10
      Time deposits                          5,303,759      58,868    4.50
         Total deposits                     12,377,059      87,630    2.87
      Federal Home Loan Bank advances          918,125      10,909    4.75
      Repurchase agreements and other
       short-term debt                         883,172       9,878    4.47
      Long-term debt                           620,451      12,195    7.86
         Total borrowings                    2,421,748      32,982    5.45
         Total interest-bearing
          liabilities                       14,798,807     120,612    3.29
      Noninterest-bearing liabilities          157,247
         Total liabilities                  14,956,054

      Preferred stock of subsidiary
       corporation                               9,577

      Shareholders' equity                   1,899,979
         Total liabilities and
          shareholders' equity             $16,865,610
                                                           130,589
      Less: tax-equivalent adjustment                       (2,508)

      Net interest income                                 $128,081

      Interest-rate spread                                            3.32 %
      Net interest margin                                             3.41 %

      See Selected Financial Highlights for footnotes.


    Consolidated Average Statements of Condition   (unaudited)

    Three Months Ended March 31,                       2006
                                                               Fully tax-
                                          Average              equivalent
    (Dollars in thousands)                balance   Interest   yield/rate

    Assets:
       Interest-earning assets:
       Loans                            $12,392,022  $195,574    6.33%
       Securities                         3,630,986    43,819    4.77(b)

       Loans held for sale                  228,695     3,339    5.84
       Short-term investments                15,181       112    2.95
          Total interest-earning assets  16,266,884   242,844    5.97
       Noninterest-earning assets         1,500,627
          Total assets                  $17,767,511

    Liabilities and Shareholders'
     Equity:
       Interest-bearing liabilities:
       Demand deposits                   $1,451,677     $ -       - %
       Savings, NOW and money market
        deposit accounts                  5,309,282    19,808    1.51
       Time deposits                      4,906,912    42,546    3.52
          Total deposits                 11,667,871    62,354    2.16
       Federal Home Loan Bank advances    2,397,872    24,496    4.09
       Repurchase agreements and other
        short-term debt                   1,289,102    11,830    3.67
       Long-term debt                       640,804    11,669    7.28
          Total borrowings                4,327,778    47,995    4.44
          Total interest-bearing
           liabilities                   15,995,649   110,349    2.78
       Noninterest-bearing liabilities       98,991
          Total liabilities              16,094,640

       Preferred stock of subsidiary
        corporation                           9,577

       Shareholders' equity               1,663,294
          Total liabilities and
           shareholders' equity         $17,767,511
                                                      132,495
       Less: tax-equivalent adjustment                 (2,336)

       Net interest income                           $130,159

       Interest-rate spread                                      3.19%
       Net interest margin                                       3.24%

      See Selected Financial Highlights for footnotes.



                                            At or for the Three Months Ended
    (Unaudited)                            March 31,    Dec. 31,    Sept. 30,
    (Dollars in thousands)                   2007        2006        2006

    Asset Quality

    Nonperforming loans:
       Commercial:
         Commercial                         $13,679     $21,105     $29,321
         Equipment financing                  2,405       2,616       2,450
              Total commercial               16,084      23,721      31,771

       Commercial real estate                18,524      17,618      16,811
       Residential                           13,473      11,307       7,032
       Consumer                              10,808       6,266       3,496

    Total nonperforming loans                58,889      58,912      59,110

    Other real estate owned and
     repossessed assets:
       Commercial                             4,833       1,922       1,573
       Residential                              350         383         607
       Consumer                                 758         608         126

    Total other real estate owned and
     repossessed assets                       5,941       2,913       2,306

    Total nonperforming assets              $64,830     $61,825     $61,416

    Accruing loans 90 or more days past
     due                                     $4,636      $1,490      $4,609


    Allowance for Credit Losses

    Beginning balance                      $154,994    $156,331    $156,471
    Provision                                 3,000       3,000       3,000
    Allowance for acquired loans                  -       4,724         -

    Charge-offs:
       Commercial                             2,293       9,352       3,369
       Residential                            2,581         199          46
       Consumer                               1,993         454         265
         Total charge-offs                    6,867      10,005       3,680
    Recoveries                               (1,533)       (944)       (540)
         Net loan charge-offs                 5,334       9,061       3,140

    Ending balance                         $152,660    $154,994    $156,331

    Components:
       Allowance for loan losses           $145,367    $147,719    $147,446
       Reserve for unfunded credit
        commitments                           7,293       7,275       8,885
          Allowance for credit losses      $152,660    $154,994    $156,331

    Asset Quality Ratios:

    Allowance for loan losses / total
     loans                                     1.18%       1.14%       1.13%
    Allowance for credit losses / total
     loans                                     1.24        1.20        1.20
    Net charge-offs / average loans
     (annualized)                              0.17        0.27        0.10
    Nonperforming loans / total loans          0.48        0.46        0.45
    Nonperforming assets / total loans
     plus OREO                                 0.53        0.48        0.47
    Allowance for credit losses /
     nonperforming loans                     259.23      263.09      264.47

    See Selected Financial Highlights for footnotes.


                                           At or for the Three Months Ended
    (Unaudited)                                  June 30,         March 31,
    (Dollars in thousands)                         2006              2006

    Asset Quality

    Nonperforming loans:
        Commercial:
          Commercial                             $22,930           $19,719
          Equipment financing                      2,693             2,864
               Total commercial                   25,623            22,583

        Commercial real estate                    23,291            24,012
        Residential                                7,218             8,891
        Consumer                                   3,065             2,875

    Total nonperforming loans                     59,197            58,361

    Other real estate owned and
     repossessed assets:
        Commercial                                 2,254             1,712
        Residential                                  316               456
        Consumer                                      10               361

    Total other real estate owned and
     repossessed assets                            2,580             2,529

    Total nonperforming assets                   $61,777           $60,890

    Accruing loans 90 or more days past
     due                                          $2,542            $1,002


    Allowance for Credit Losses

    Beginning balance                           $155,957          $155,632
    Provision                                      3,000             2,000
    Allowance for acquired loans                     -                 -

    Charge-offs:
        Commercial                                 2,775             1,629
        Residential                                   65                75
        Consumer                                     239               362
          Total charge-offs                        3,079             2,066
    Recoveries                                      (593)             (391)
          Net loan charge-offs                     2,486             1,675

    Ending balance                              $156,471          $155,957

    Components:
        Allowance for loan losses               $147,401          $146,383
        Reserve for unfunded credit
         commitments                               9,070             9,574
           Allowance for credit losses          $156,471          $155,957

    Asset Quality Ratios:

    Allowance for loan losses / total
     loans                                          1.16  %           1.16  %
    Allowance for credit losses / total
     loans                                          1.23              1.24
    Net charge-offs / average loans
     (annualized)                                   0.08              0.05
    Nonperforming loans / total loans               0.47              0.46
    Nonperforming assets / total loans
     plus OREO                                      0.49              0.48
    Allowance for credit losses /
     nonperforming loans                          264.32            267.23

    See Selected Financial Highlights for footnotes.

CONTACT: Webster Bank
Media:
Clark Finley 203-578-2287
cfinley@websterbank.com
or
Investors:
Jim Sitro 203-578-2399
jsitro@websterbank.com

SOURCE Webster Financial Corporation

Webster Bank Media:
Clark Finley
203-578-2287
cfinley@websterbank.com
or Investors:
Jim Sitro
203-578-2399
jsitro@websterbank.com

http://www.websteronline.com