Webster Reports 2007 Third Quarter Earnings

Oct 23, 2007

Third Quarter Highlights:

  • Diluted earnings per share of $.64 (includes the effect of an $11.0 million or $.14 per share increase in the provision for credit losses compared with the second quarter of 2007 that is specifically related to the Company's consumer home equity portfolio).
  • Achieved positive operating leverage of 0.8 percent in the quarter.
  • Repurchased over 1.1 million shares of common stock during the quarter while maintaining capital ratios within target ranges.
  • Opened new branches in September 2007 in New Rochelle, New York and Longmeadow, Massachusetts; 27 branches now opened since 2002.

    WATERBURY, Conn., Oct. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Webster Financial Corporation (NYSE: WBS), the holding company for Webster Bank, N.A., today announced net income of $35.0 million or $.64 per diluted share for the third quarter of 2007, compared to $35.5 million or $.63 per share for the second quarter of 2007 and $9.0 million or $.17 per share for the third quarter of 2006. Results in the third quarter of 2007 reflect an increase in the provision for credit losses of $11.0 million compared to the second quarter of 2007 ($7.6 million net of tax or $.14 per diluted share) in connection with the Company's home equity portfolio. For the first nine months of 2007, net income totaled $105.5 million, or $1.89 per diluted share, compared to $96.0 million, or $1.80 per diluted share a year ago.

    (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050421/NYTH039LOGO )

    "In an otherwise solid quarter, we have increased our provision for credit losses based on higher delinquency and non-accrual loans in our home equity portfolio, specifically for nationally originated loans with high combined loan to value," stated Webster Chairman and Chief Executive Officer James C. Smith. "Delinquency for the month of September rose substantially, and we believe taking this step is prudent given this emerging trend."

    Commercial loans (consisting of commercial and industrial and commercial real estate) and consumer loans posted solid growth year over year to $8.7 billion at September 30, 2007, up 7 percent from September 30, 2006. Commercial and consumer loans represent 70 percent of total loans at September 30, 2007 compared to 63 percent a year ago. "We are intensely focused on our direct, core franchise business and our progress is evident" stated Webster President and Chief Operating Officer William T. Bromage.

                                       Revenues

    Total revenue, which consists of net interest income plus total noninterest income, totaled $187.3 million in the third quarter. This compares to total revenue of $192.2 million in the second quarter apart from a $2.1 million gain on Webster Capital Trust I and II securities held by Webster and $178.2 million a year ago apart from a $48.9 million charge in connection with an available for sale securities portfolio repositioning. Deducting securities gains from each period results in adjusted total revenue of $186.8 million in the third quarter, $191.7 million in the second quarter and $175.9 million a year ago, or growth of 6.2 percent for the third quarter of 2007 compared to the third quarter of 2006.

    Net interest income totaled $127.1 million in the third quarter compared to $130.4 million in the second quarter and $122.4 million a year ago. Average interest-earning assets have been lower in 2007 compared to a year ago as a result of Webster's balance sheet repositioning actions, with the third quarter of 2007 being 7 percent lower than the third quarter of 2006. However, Webster's net interest margin (annualized tax-equivalent net interest income as a percentage of average earning assets) has improved compared to year-ago levels. The net interest margin was 3.38 percent in the third quarter of 2007 compared to 3.01 percent in the third quarter of 2006, with the 37 basis point increase in the net interest margin contributing to 4 percent growth in net interest income compared to a year ago. The net interest margin of 3.38 percent in the third quarter declined by 9 basis points from the second quarter, mainly due to the effect of increased share repurchase activity and the impact of the issuance of $200 million in trust preferred securities in June 2007. The spread between the yield on loans and the cost of deposits was 3.84 percent in the third quarter compared to 3.93 percent in the second quarter and 3.89 percent a year ago.

    Total noninterest income was $60.2 million in the third quarter. This compares to $64.0 million in the second quarter, which included a $2.1 million gain on Webster Capital Trust I and II securities held by Webster, and $6.8 million a year ago, which was reduced by the $48.9 million securities portfolio repositioning charge. Deposit service fees totaled $30.0 million compared to $28.8 million in the second quarter and $25.3 million a year ago, the growth partly reflecting the growth in core deposits and the recent implementation of a new consumer fee structure. Insurance revenue was $8.9 million compared to $9.1 million in the second quarter and $9.8 million a year ago. Loan-related fees were $7.7 million compared to $7.9 million in the second quarter and $7.8 million a year ago. Wealth and investment services revenues totaled $7.1 million compared to $7.6 million in the second quarter and $6.7 million a year ago. Income from mortgage banking activities was $1.8 million in the third quarter compared to income of $4.0 million in the second quarter, inclusive of a $948,000 write-down on $96.3 million of loans previously held for sale that were transferred into portfolio, and a loss of $0.2 million a year ago. Other non-interest income was $1.6 million compared to $1.4 million in the second quarter and $1.7 million a year ago.

                             Provision For Credit Losses

    The provision for credit losses was $15.25 million compared to $4.25 million in the second quarter and $3.0 million a year ago. $11.0 million of the provision for credit losses recorded in the third quarter was specifically for the Company's $3.2 billion home equity loan and lines of credit portfolio. The increase in provision compared with second quarter 2007 is based on the Company's analysis of third quarter data developed post quarter end. This takes into account the higher level of estimated losses inherent in this portfolio at September 30, 2007 and reflects recent adverse trends in property values and delinquencies, including higher September delinquencies on the home equity loans secured by properties outside the Company's retail banking footprint.

    Net loan charge-offs totaled $4.0 million during the third quarter of 2007 compared to $4.2 million in the second quarter and $3.1 million a year ago. Included in net charge-offs in the third and second quarters of 2007 were $0.5 million and $0.6 million, respectively, of consumer overdraft losses. Prior to the second quarter, overdraft losses were shown as a reduction of deposit fee income. The allowance for credit losses, which consists of the allowance for loan losses and the reserve for unfunded credit commitments, was $164.0 million, or 1.32 percent of total loans at September 30, 2007 compared to $152.8 million, or 1.23 percent at June 30, 2007 and $156.3 million, or 1.20 percent at September 30, 2006.

                                 Noninterest Expenses

    Total noninterest expenses were $121.7 million in the third quarter, or $121.2 million apart from $0.5 million of severance and other costs. This compares to $138.1 million in the second quarter, which included $8.9 million of debt redemption premium costs related to prepayment of the capital trust securities and $5.3 million of severance and other costs in connection with Webster's recently completed strategic review, and $115.9 million a year ago, which included $0.9 million of acquisition costs. Noninterest expenses declined by $2.6 million from the second quarter of 2007 (excluding the effect of the debt redemption premium and severance and other costs). Noninterest expenses increased by 5.4 percent for the third quarter of 2007 compared to the third quarter of 2006 (excluding the current quarter severance and other costs and the acquisition costs of $0.9 million incurred in the year ago period).

    Webster Chief Financial Officer Jerry Plush noted: "The effects of the repositioning steps we have taken over the past 15 months are now evidenced by our achieving positive operating leverage with adjusted revenue growth exceeding expense growth compared to a year ago. We're committed to further reducing expenses in low contribution businesses identified in our recently completed strategic review and to centralizing shared services functions, which should benefit operating leverage in future periods."

                                 Balance Sheet Trends

    Total assets were $16.8 billion at September 30, 2007 compared to $18.1 billion a year ago, with the decrease primarily related to balance sheet repositioning actions taken in the fourth quarter of 2006 and first quarter 2007. Total loans were $12.4 billion, a decrease of $0.6 billion, or 5 percent, from a year ago, as residential loans declined by $1.2 billion primarily due to repositioning actions. Securities totaled $2.5 billion and declined by $0.8 billion, or 24 percent from a year ago. Total deposits were $12.6 billion, an increase of $0.3 billion, or 2 percent from a year ago, which includes a $0.6 billion decline in brokered deposits. Excluding the decline in brokered deposits, retail deposits increased $0.9 billion with contributions from the branches acquired from the NewMil Bank acquisition, organic growth from our branch network and growth in health savings account deposits at HSA Bank.

    The $0.6 billion reduction in loans, $0.8 billion reduction in securities and $0.3 billion of total deposit growth, each compared to a year ago, contributed to a $1.7 billion reduction in wholesale borrowings over the past year. Wholesale borrowings declined to 14 percent of total assets at September 30, 2007 compared to 22 percent a year ago.

    The loan to deposit ratio was 99 percent at September 30, 2007 compared to 97 percent at June 30 and 106 percent a year ago. Improvement from a year ago reflects completion of balance sheet repositioning actions and the increase in deposits over the past year.

    Book value per common share of $33.73 at September 30, 2007 increased from $32.02 a year ago. Tangible book value per share was $18.77 at September 30, 2007 compared to $19.11 a year ago. The ratio of tangible equity to tangible assets increased to 6.17 percent at September 30, 2007 compared to 5.66 percent a year ago.

                                       Capital

    Webster repurchased 1,152,800 shares of its common stock during the third quarter at a total cost of $48.9 million. As of September 30, 2007, Webster had 0.7 million shares of remaining availability under the 2.8 million share repurchase authorization that was announced on June 5, 2007 and 2.7 million shares of availability under an additional authorization that was announced on September 26, 2007, for combined availability of approximately 3.4 million shares.

    Mr. Plush noted: "Our improved capital position enabled us to repurchase over 1.1 million shares in the quarter and 3.1 million shares year to date while maintaining our principal capital ratios within the target ranges we outlined in our most recent investor presentation in September. We intend to continue to selectively repurchase our shares given the current level of our stock price."

                                    Asset Quality

    Nonperforming assets totaled $104.2 million, or 0.84 percent of total loans and other real estate owned at September 30, 2007, compared to $78.7 million, or 0.63 percent, at June 30 and $61.4 million, or 0.47 percent, a year ago. Nonperforming assets in the residential portfolio totaled $34.3 million at September 30 compared to $27.4 million at June 30 and $7.6 million a year ago, with the majority of the increase coming from residential construction loans originated by Webster's National Wholesale Lending operation. Webster previously announced it had discontinued residential construction lending outside of its New England market area, and has allocated reserves against these loans. Nonperforming assets in the consumer portfolio totaled $19.5 million at September 30 compared to $12.3 million at June 30 and $3.6 million a year ago, with the majority of the increase coming from home equity loans and lines of credit originated out of footprint. Webster is currently following a retail/in market origination strategy in its ongoing home equity activity.

    The allowance for credit losses, which consists of the allowance for loan losses and the reserve for unfunded credit commitments, was $164.0 million, or 1.32 percent of total loans, at September 30, 2007 compared to $152.8 million, or 1.23 percent at June 30, 2007 and $156.3 million, or 1.20 percent at September 30, 2006. The ratio of the allowance for credit losses to nonperforming loans was 172 percent at September 30, 2007 compared to 211 percent at June 30 and 264 percent a year ago.

    Webster Financial Corporation is the holding company for Webster Bank, National Association and Webster Insurance. With $16.8 billion in assets, Webster provides business and consumer banking, mortgage, insurance, financial planning, trust and investment services through 179 banking offices, 339 ATMs, telephone banking and the Internet. Webster Bank owns the asset-based lending firm Webster Business Credit Corporation, the insurance premium finance company Budget Installment Corp., Center Capital Corporation, an equipment finance company headquartered in Farmington, Connecticut and provides health savings account trustee and administrative services through HSA Bank, a division of Webster Bank.

    For more information about Webster, including past press releases and the latest Annual Report, visit the Webster website at www.websteronline.com.

    Conference Call

    A conference call covering Webster's 2007 third quarter earnings announcement will be held today, Tuesday, October 23, at 9:00 a.m. EDT 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. A reconciliation of net income and other performance ratios, as adjusted is included in the accompanying selected financial highlights table.

    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.

    CONTACT: Webster Bank
    Media:
    Clark Finley, 203-578-2287
    cfinley@websterbank.com
    or
    Investors:
    Terry Mangan, 203-578-2318
    tmangan@websterbank.com
    
    
        WEBSTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
    
        Selected Financial Highlights (unaudited)
    
                                 At or for the Three      At or for the Nine
                             Months Ended September 30, Months Ended September 30,
    
        (In thousands, except per
         share data)                  2007      2006 (c)      2007      2006 (c)
    
        Adjusted net income and
         performance ratios, net
         of tax (annualized):
    
        Net income                  $34,968      $8,997    $105,471     $95,992
        Net debt prepayment
         expense                        -           -         4,427         -
        Software development cost
         write-off                      -           -         2,212         -
        Severance costs                 294         -         2,951         -
        Closing costs-Peoples
         Mortgage Company               -           -         1,509         -
        Write-down of construction
         loans held for sale            -           -         1,071         -
        Recognition of loss on AFS
         securities                     -        31,768         -        31,768
        Adjusted net income          35,262      40,765     117,641     127,760
    
        Net income per diluted
         common share                  0.65        0.77        2.11        2.40
        Return on average
         shareholders' equity          7.70 %      9.80  %     8.37 %     10.23  %
        Return on average tangible
         equity                       13.68       16.55       14.65       17.27
        Return on average assets       0.84        0.91        0.93        0.95
        Noninterest income as a
         percentage of total
         revenue                      32.16       31.28       31.97       30.69
        Efficiency ratio (a)          64.72       65.03       65.62       64.37
    
        Net income and performance
         ratios (annualized):
    
        Net income                  $34,968      $8,997    $105,471     $95,992
        Net income per diluted
         common share                  0.64        0.17        1.89        1.80
        Return on average
         shareholders' equity          7.63 %      2.17  %     7.50 %      7.70  %
        Return on average tangible
         equity                       13.57        3.66       13.13       13.01
        Return on average assets       0.83        0.20        0.83        0.72
        Noninterest income as a
         percentage of total
         revenue                      32.16        5.30       32.03       23.89
        Efficiency ratio (a)          64.96       89.61       68.95       70.68
    
        Asset quality:
    
        Allowance for credit
         losses                    $164,011    $156,331    $164,011    $156,331
        Nonperforming assets        104,174      61,416     104,174      61,416
        Allowance for credit
         losses / total loans          1.32 %      1.20  %     1.32 %      1.20  %
        Net charge-offs / average
         loans (annualized)            0.13        0.10        0.15        0.08
        Nonperforming loans /
         total loans                   0.77        0.45        0.77        0.45
        Nonperforming assets /
         total loans plus OREO &
         repos                         0.84        0.47        0.84        0.47
        Allowance for credit
         losses / nonperforming
         loans                       172.06      264.47      172.06      264.47
    
        Other ratios (annualized):
    
        Tangible capital ratio         6.17 %      5.66  %     6.17 %      5.66  %
        Shareholders' equity /
         total assets                 10.72        9.26       10.72        9.26
        Interest-rate spread           3.29        2.93        3.32        3.06
        Net interest margin            3.38        3.01        3.42        3.13
    
        Share related:
    
        Book value per common
         share                       $33.73      $32.02      $33.73       32.02
        Tangible book value per
         common share                 18.77       19.11       18.77       19.11
        Common stock closing price    42.12       47.11       42.12       47.11
        Dividends declared per
         common share                  0.30        0.27        0.87        0.79
    
        Common shares issued and
         outstanding                 53,520      52,476      53,520      52,476
        Basic shares (average)       53,735      52,241      55,166      52,654
        Diluted shares (average)     54,259      52,871      55,753      53,276
    
        Footnotes:
        (a) Noninterest expense as a percentage of net interest income plus
            noninterest income.
        (b) For purposes of the yield computation, unrealized gains (losses) are
            excluded from the average balance.
        (c) Certain previously reported information has been revised for the
            effect of a $4.2 million reduction in insurance commissions
            receivable, including a $2.7 million after-tax reduction in
            shareholders' equity. There was no effect on net income for the
            periods presented.
    
    
    
        Consolidated Statements of Condition   (unaudited)
    
                                           September 30,  June 30,   September 30,
        (In thousands)                         2007         2007       2006 (c)
    
          Assets:
    
          Cash and due from depository
           institutions                        $264,929     $293,223     $243,434
          Short-term investments                 80,270        8,222        9,562
    
          Securities:
            Trading, at fair value                  635        5,935        2,848
            Available for sale, at fair
             value                              455,508      411,309    2,249,935
            Held-to-maturity                  2,051,277    2,046,891    1,064,188
               Total securities               2,507,420    2,464,135    3,316,971
    
          Loans held for sale                   211,659      372,891      309,149
    
          Loans:
            Residential mortgages             3,677,682    3,736,313    4,845,198
            Commercial                        3,562,394    3,554,846    3,368,164
            Commercial real estate            1,896,566    1,938,656    1,770,674
            Consumer                          3,283,914    3,210,457    3,037,674
              Total loans                    12,420,556   12,440,272   13,021,710
          Allowance for loan losses            (154,532)    (144,974)    (147,446)
              Loans, net                     12,266,024   12,295,298   12,874,264
    
          Accrued interest receivable            86,654       85,078       93,844
          Premises and equipment, net           197,852      194,412      189,562
          Goodwill and other intangible
           assets                               816,471      818,422      692,388
          Cash surrender value of life
           insurance                            266,729      264,100      245,108
          Prepaid expenses and other assets     147,399      151,475      161,803
    
          Total Assets                      $16,845,407  $16,947,256  $18,136,085
    
          Liabilities and Shareholders'
           Equity:
    
          Deposits:
            Demand deposits                  $1,479,503   $1,544,695   $1,453,317
            NOW accounts                      1,664,025    1,797,701    1,559,584
            Money market deposit accounts     2,065,474    1,916,097    2,078,797
            Savings accounts                  2,211,125    2,194,215    1,838,494
            Certificates of deposit           4,847,060    4,965,140    4,477,191
            Brokered deposits                   286,806      401,213      896,670
              Total deposits                 12,553,993   12,819,061   12,304,053
    
          Federal Home Loan Bank advances       628,445      531,117    1,867,393
          Securities sold under agreements
           to repurchase and
           other short-term debt                994,624      899,852    1,466,845
          Long-term debt                        666,236      656,455      636,028
          Reserve for unfunded credit
           commitments                            9,479        7,776        8,885
          Accrued expenses and other
           liabilities                          178,010      185,767      163,192
              Total liabilities              15,030,787   15,100,028   16,446,396
    
    
          Preferred stock of subsidiary
           corporation                            9,577        9,577        9,577
    
          Shareholders' equity                1,805,043    1,837,651    1,680,112
    
          Total Liabilities and
           Shareholders' Equity             $16,845,407  $16,947,256  $18,136,085
    
    
        See Selected Financial Highlights for footnotes.
    
    
    
        Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited)
    
                                        Three Months Ended    Nine Months Ended
                                          September 30,         September 30,
        (In thousands, except per
         share data)                     2007        2006      2007        2006
    
          Interest income:
          Loans                        $212,847    $215,094  $632,348    $617,765
          Securities and short-term
           investments                   34,163      40,883   100,006     121,612
          Loans held for sale             4,616       4,366    18,284      11,022
             Total interest income      251,626     260,343   750,638     750,399
    
          Interest expense:
          Deposits                       94,484      85,058   271,797     220,005
          Borrowings                     30,083      52,849    93,348     150,994
             Total interest expense     124,567     137,907   365,145     370,999
    
          Net interest income           127,059     122,436   385,493     379,400
          Provision for credit losses    15,250       3,000    22,500       8,000
             Net interest income after
              provision for credit
              losses                    111,809     119,436   362,993     371,400
    
          Noninterest income:
          Deposit service fees           29,956      25,252    84,068      71,271
          Insurance revenue               8,948       9,793    28,210      30,505
          Loan related fees               7,661       7,760    23,502      24,746
          Wealth and investment services  7,142       6,738    21,657      20,022
          Mortgage banking activities     1,849        (185)    8,040       5,626
          Increase in cash surrender
           value of life insurance        2,629       2,368     7,749       7,053
          Gain on sale of securities,
           net                              482       2,307     1,526       4,021
          Other                           1,568       1,693     4,759       4,752
                                         60,235      55,726   179,511     167,996
          Loss on write-down of AFS
           securities to fair value         -       (48,879)      -       (48,879)
          Gain on Webster Capital
           Trust I and II securities        -           -       2,130         -
             Total noninterest income    60,235       6,847   181,641     119,117
    
          Noninterest expenses:
          Compensation and benefits      66,958      62,050   202,237     191,638
          Occupancy                      12,516      11,977    39,099      35,983
          Furniture and equipment        15,039      13,840    45,397      41,397
          Intangible amortization         2,153       3,079     8,970      11,000
          Marketing                       4,134       4,211    12,554      12,127
          Professional services           3,557       4,302    11,791      11,310
          Other                          16,867      15,523    51,794      47,951
                                        121,224     114,982   371,842     351,406
          Debt redemption premium            -          -       8,940         -
          Severance and other costs         452         -      10,265         -
          Acquisition costs                  -          868       -           933
             Total noninterest expenses 121,676     115,850   391,047     352,339
    
          Income before income taxes     50,368      10,433   153,587     138,178
          Income taxes                   15,400       1,436    48,116      42,186
             Net income                 $34,968      $8,997  $105,471     $95,992
    
          Diluted shares (average)       54,259      52,871    55,753      53,276
    
          Net income per common share:
          Basic                           $0.65       $0.17     $1.91       $1.82
          Diluted                          0.64        0.17      1.89        1.80
    
        See Selected Financial Highlights for footnotes.
    
    
    
        Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited)
    
                                                Three Months Ended
    
    
        (In thousands, except   Sept. 30,  June 30,  March 31, Dec. 31,  Sept. 30,
         per share data)          2007      2007       2007      2006      2006
    
        Interest income:
        Loans                    $212,847  $210,337  $209,164  $225,634  $215,094
        Securities and short-
         term investments          34,163    32,563    33,280    32,514    40,883
        Loans held for sale         4,616     7,419     6,249     6,191     4,366
           Total interest income  251,626   250,319   248,693   264,339   260,343
    
        Interest expense:
        Deposits                   94,484    89,683    87,630    90,195    85,058
        Borrowings                 30,083    30,283    32,982    44,994    52,849
           Total interest expense 124,567   119,966   120,612   135,189   137,907
    
           Net interest income    127,059   130,353   128,081   129,150   122,436
        Provision for credit
         losses                    15,250     4,250     3,000     3,000     3,000
           Net interest income
            after provision for
            credit losses         111,809   126,103   125,081   126,150   119,436
    
        Noninterest income:
        Deposit service fees       29,956    28,758    25,354    25,494    25,252
        Insurance revenue           8,948     9,141    10,121     8,301     9,793
        Loan related fees           7,661     7,901     7,940     9,643     7,760
        Wealth and investment
         services                   7,142     7,637     6,878     7,161     6,738
        Mortgage banking
         activities                 1,849     3,962     2,229     2,917      (185)
        Increase in cash
         surrender value of life
         insurance                  2,629     2,586     2,534     2,550     2,368
        Gain (loss) on sale of
         securities, net              482       503       541    (2,732)    2,307
        Other                       1,568     1,367     1,824     3,733     1,693
                                   60,235    61,855    57,421    57,067    55,726
        Gain on Webster Capital
         Trust I and II
         securities                   -       2,130       -         -         -
        Loss on write-down of
         AFS securities to fair
         value                        -         -         -         -     (48,879)
        Loss on sale of mortgage
         loans                        -         -         -      (5,713)      -
           Total noninterest
            income                 60,235    63,985    57,421    51,354     6,847
    
        Noninterest expenses:
        Compensation and
         benefits                  66,958    66,888    68,391    64,142    62,050
        Occupancy                  12,516    13,200    13,383    13,403    11,977
        Furniture and equipment    15,039    15,389    14,969    14,637    13,840
        Intangible amortization     2,153     3,344     3,473     3,473     3,079
        Marketing                   4,134     4,209     4,211     3,350     4,211
        Professional services       3,557     3,432     4,802     5,457     4,302
        Other                      16,867    17,398    17,529    16,129    15,523
                                  121,224   123,860   126,758   120,591   114,982
        Debt redemption premium       -       8,940       -         -         -
        Severance and other
         costs                        452     5,291     4,522       -         -
        Acquisition costs             -         -         -       2,018       868
           Total noninterest
            expenses              121,676   138,091   131,280   122,609   115,850
    
    
        Income before income
         taxes                     50,368    51,997    51,222    54,895    10,433
        Income taxes               15,400    16,530    16,186    17,097     1,436
           Net income             $34,968   $35,467   $35,036   $37,798    $8,997
    
        Diluted shares (average)   54,259    56,243    56,762    56,452    52,871
    
        Net income per common
         share:
           Basic                    $0.65     $0.64     $0.62     $0.68     $0.17
           Diluted                   0.64      0.63      0.62      0.67      0.17
    
          See Selected Financial Highlights for footnotes.
    
    
    
        Interest-Rate Spread   (unaudited)
    
                                                     Three Months Ended
                                           Sept.   June    March   Dec.    Sept.
                                            30,     30,     31,     31,     30,
                                           2007    2007    2007    2006    2006
    
          Interest-rate spread
          Yield on interest-earning
           assets                          6.61 %  6.62 %  6.61 %  6.52 %  6.31 %
          Cost of interest-bearing
           liabilities                     3.32    3.25    3.29    3.38    3.38
              Interest-rate spread         3.29 %  3.37 %  3.32 %  3.14 %  2.93 %
    
              Net interest margin          3.38 %  3.47 %  3.41 %  3.23 %  3.01 %
    
    
    
        Consolidated Average Statements of Condition   (unaudited)
    
        Three Months Ended September 30,                        2007
                                                                       Fully tax-
                                                 Average               equivalent
        (Dollars in thousands)                   balance     Interest  yield/rate
    
        Assets:
           Interest-earning assets:
           Loans                                $12,390,191    $212,847    6.80 %
           Securities (b)                         2,470,938      35,783    5.79
           Loans held for sale                      297,330       4,616    6.21
           Short-term investments                    91,362       1,185    5.08
              Total interest-earning assets      15,249,821     254,431    6.61
           Noninterest-earning assets             1,597,950
              Total assets                      $16,847,771
    
        Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity:
           Interest-bearing liabilities:
           Demand deposits                       $1,512,450        $-       -   %
           Savings, NOW and money market
               deposit accounts                   5,909,836      34,832    2.34
           Time deposits                          5,224,511      59,652    4.53
              Total deposits                     12,646,797      94,484    2.96
           Federal Home Loan Bank advances          589,427       6,906    4.58
           Repurchase agreements and other
              short-term debt                       949,452      10,733    4.42
           Long-term debt                           661,075      12,444    7.53
              Total borrowings                    2,199,954      30,083    5.40
              Total interest-bearing
               liabilities                       14,846,751     124,567    3.32
           Noninterest-bearing liabilities          159,375
              Total liabilities                  15,006,126
    
           Preferred stock of subsidiary
            corporation                               9,577
    
           Shareholders' equity                   1,832,068
              Total liabilities and
               shareholders' equity             $16,847,771
                                                                129,864
           Less: tax-equivalent adjustment                       (2,805)
    
           Net interest income                                 $127,059
    
           Interest-rate spread                                            3.29 %
           Net interest margin                                             3.38 %
    
    
        Three Months Ended September 30,                        2006
                                                                       Fully tax-
                                                 Average               equivalent
        (Dollars in thousands)                 balance (c)   Interest  yield/rate
    
        Assets:
           Interest-earning assets:
           Loans                                $12,813,385    $215,094    6.65 %
           Securities (b)                         3,347,060      43,000    5.06
           Loans held for sale                      277,181       4,366    6.30
           Short-term investments                    18,484         190    4.02
              Total interest-earning assets      16,456,110     262,650    6.31
           Noninterest-earning assets             1,496,171
              Total assets                      $17,952,281
    
        Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity:
           Interest-bearing liabilities:
           Demand deposits                       $1,451,171        $-       -   %
           Savings, NOW and money market
               deposit accounts                   5,445,159      28,258    2.06
           Time deposits                          5,308,496      56,800    4.23
              Total deposits                     12,204,826      85,058    2.76
           Federal Home Loan Bank advances        2,069,417      26,328    4.98
           Repurchase agreements and other
              short-term debt                     1,215,371      13,764    4.43
           Long-term debt                           627,379      12,757    8.13
              Total borrowings                    3,912,167      52,849    5.31
              Total interest-bearing
               liabilities                       16,116,993     137,907    3.38
           Noninterest-bearing liabilities          165,298
              Total liabilities                  16,282,291
    
           Preferred stock of subsidiary
            corporation                               9,577
    
           Shareholders' equity                   1,660,413
              Total liabilities and
               shareholders' equity             $17,952,281
                                                                124,743
           Less: tax-equivalent adjustment                       (2,307)
    
           Net interest income                                 $122,436
    
           Interest-rate spread                                            2.93 %
           Net interest margin                                             3.01 %
    
          See Selected Financial Highlights for footnotes.
    
    
    
        Consolidated Average Statements of Condition   (unaudited)
    
        Nine Months Ended September 30,                     2007
                                                                       Fully tax-
                                                 Average               equivalent
        (Dollars in thousands)                   balance      Interest yield/rate
    
        Assets:
           Interest-earning assets:
           Loans                                $12,380,468    $632,348    6.78 %
           Securities (b)                         2,402,321     105,023    5.84
           Loans held for sale                      390,651      18,284    6.24
           Short-term investments                    73,122       2,913    5.25
              Total interest-earning assets      15,246,562     758,568    6.61
           Noninterest-earning assets             1,598,840
              Total assets                      $16,845,402
    
        Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity:
           Interest-bearing liabilities:
           Demand deposits                       $1,511,333          $-     -   %
           Savings, NOW and money market
               deposit accounts                   5,733,793      93,982    2.19
           Time deposits                          5,256,838     177,815    4.52
              Total deposits                     12,501,964     271,797    2.91
           Federal Home Loan Bank advances          743,770      26,490    4.70
           Repurchase agreements and other
              short-term debt                       970,515      33,208    4.51
           Long-term debt                           591,331      33,650    7.59
              Total borrowings                    2,305,616      93,348    5.36
              Total interest-bearing
               liabilities                       14,807,580     365,145    3.29
           Noninterest-bearing liabilities          154,169
              Total liabilities                  14,961,749
    
           Preferred stock of subsidiary
            corporation                               9,577
    
           Shareholders' equity                   1,874,076
              Total liabilities and
               shareholders' equity             $16,845,402
                                                                393,423
           Less: tax-equivalent adjustment                       (7,930)
    
           Net interest income                                 $385,493
    
           Interest-rate spread                                            3.32 %
           Net interest margin                                             3.42 %
    
    
        Nine Months Ended September 30,                            2006
                                                                       Fully tax-
                                                 Average               equivalent
        (Dollars in thousands)                 balance (c)    Interest yield/rate
    
        Assets:
           Interest-earning assets:
           Loans                                $12,611,701    $617,765    6.51 %
           Securities (b)                         3,490,595     127,810    4.81
           Loans held for sale                      245,559      11,022    5.98
           Short-term investments                    24,038         709    3.89
              Total interest-earning assets      16,371,893     757,306    6.13
           Noninterest-earning assets             1,498,577
              Total assets                      $17,870,470
    
        Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity:
           Interest-bearing liabilities:
           Demand deposits                       $1,453,435        $-       -   %
           Savings, NOW and money market
               deposit accounts                   5,375,789      70,555    1.75
           Time deposits                          5,122,366     149,450    3.89
              Total deposits                     11,951,590     220,005    2.46
           Federal Home Loan Bank advances        2,235,163      76,153    4.49
           Repurchase agreements and other
              short-term debt                     1,244,686      38,200    4.05
           Long-term debt                           632,257      36,641    7.73
              Total borrowings                    4,112,106     150,994    4.86
              Total interest-bearing
               liabilities                       16,063,696     370,999    3.07
           Noninterest-bearing liabilities          134,520
              Total liabilities                  16,198,216
    
           Preferred stock of subsidiary
            corporation                               9,577
    
           Shareholders' equity                   1,662,677
              Total liabilities and
               shareholders' equity             $17,870,470
                                                                386,307
           Less: tax-equivalent adjustment                       (6,907)
    
           Net interest income                                 $379,400
    
           Interest-rate spread                                            3.06 %
           Net interest margin                                             3.13 %
    
          See Selected Financial Highlights for footnotes.
    
    
    
                                          At or for the Three Months Ended
    
        (Unaudited)                Sept. 30, June 30, March 31, Dec. 31, Sept. 30,
        (Dollars in thousands)        2007     2007      2007     2006      2006
    
        Asset Quality
    
        Nonperforming loans:
           Commercial:
             Commercial              $25,845   $20,142   $13,679  $21,105  $29,321
             Equipment financing       5,054     2,584     2,405    2,616    2,450
                  Total commercial    30,899    22,726    16,084   23,721   31,771
    
           Commercial real estate     14,238    12,242    18,524   17,618   16,811
           Residential                33,297    26,683    13,473   11,307    7,032
           Consumer                   16,887    10,875    10,808    6,266    3,496
    
         Total nonperforming loans    95,321    72,526    58,889   58,912   59,110
    
        Other real estate owned and
         repossessed assets:
           Commercial                  5,233     3,950     4,833    1,922    1,573
           Residential                   985       711       350      383      607
           Consumer                    2,635     1,467       758      608      126
    
    
         Total other real estate
          owned and repossessed
          assets                       8,853     6,128     5,941    2,913    2,306
    
        Total nonperforming assets  $104,174   $78,654   $64,830  $61,825  $61,416
    
         Accruing loans 90 or more
          days past due               $1,286    $2,088    $4,636   $1,490   $4,609
    
    
    
    
        Allowance for Credit Losses
    
        Beginning balance        $152,750  $152,660  $154,994  $156,331  $156,471
         Provision                 15,250     4,250     3,000     3,000     3,000
         Allowance for acquired
          loans                         -         -         -     4,724         -
    
         Charge-offs:
           Commercial               1,992     2,034     2,293     9,352     3,369
           Residential                433       286     2,581       199        46
           Consumer                 2,582     3,176     1,993       454       265
             Total charge-offs      5,007     5,496     6,867    10,005     3,680
         Recoveries                (1,018)   (1,336)   (1,533)     (944)     (540)
             Net loan charge-offs   3,989     4,160     5,334     9,061     3,140
    
        Ending balance           $164,011  $152,750  $152,660  $154,994  $156,331
    
         Components:
           Allowance for loan
            losses               $154,532  $144,974  $145,367  $147,719  $147,446
           Reserve for unfunded
            credit commitments      9,479     7,776     7,293     7,275     8,885
              Allowance for credit
               losses            $164,011  $152,750  $152,660  $154,994  $156,331
    
        Asset Quality Ratios:
    
        Allowance for loan
         losses / total loans        1.24  %   1.17  %   1.18  %   1.14 %   1.13%
        Allowance for credit
         losses / total loans        1.32      1.23      1.24      1.20      1.20
        Net charge-offs / average
         loans (annualized)          0.13      0.14      0.17      0.27      0.10
        Nonperforming loans /
         total loans                 0.77      0.58      0.48      0.46      0.45
        Nonperforming assets /
         total loans plus
         OREO & repos                0.84      0.63      0.53      0.48      0.47
        Allowance for credit
         losses / nonperforming
         loans                     172.06    210.61    259.23    263.09    264.47
    
        See Selected Financial Highlights for footnotes.
    
    

    SOURCE Webster Financial Corporation
    CONTACT: Webster Bank
    Media:
    Clark Finley, 203-578-2287
    cfinley@websterbank.com
    or
    Investors:
    Terry Mangan, 203-578-2318
    tmangan@websterbank.com/