Webster Reports Second Quarter 2008 Results; Announces Quarterly Cash Dividend of $.30 Per Share

Jul 22, 2008

Net loss of $28.9 million or ($.56) per diluted share includes the impact of:

- OneWebster costs and other charges totaling $12.5 million or $0.16 per share.

- Increased provision for credit losses for the continuing portfolios to $25.0 million against net charge-offs in the continuing portfolios of $11.2 million; credit reserves increased from 1.21 percent to 1.30 percent of the $12.4 billion continuing loan portfolio; overall credit reserves at 1.52 percent.

- An impairment charge of $8.5 million based on an evaluation of all goodwill associated with its reporting units (charge has no impact to tangible capital).

- Charges for other-than-temporary impairment on certain investment securities totaling $53.7 million and a $1.2 million write-down in direct investments.

WATERBURY, Conn., July 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Webster Financial Corporation (NYSE: WBS), the holding company for Webster Bank, N.A., today announced a net loss of $28.9 million or ($.56) per diluted share for the second quarter of 2008, compared to net income of $24.4 million or $.47 per diluted share for the first quarter of 2008 and $35.5 million in net income or $.63 in earnings per share for the second quarter of 2007. As detailed below, results in the second quarter of 2008 reflect certain cash and non-cash charges in the quarter aggregating to $.98 per share. For the first six months of 2008, net loss totaled $4.6 million, or $.09 per diluted share, compared to net income of $70.5 million, or $1.25 per diluted share in the year-ago period.

    Detail of Charges to Second Quarter 2008 Earnings (Loss) Per Share:
    Reported diluted loss per share                        $(0.56)
      Adjustments:
        Write-down of certain investments to fair value      0.66
        Impairment of goodwill                               0.16
        Severance and other costs                            0.11
        Other charges                                        0.05
        Adjusted diluted EPS                                $0.42

Other items in the quarter include:

-- Capital ratios were strengthened through the issuance of $225 million of convertible preferred stock; tangible equity now at 6.8 percent; projected total risk-based capital ratio at 13.2 percent.

-- Solid growth in demand, NOW, and savings deposits resulting in core deposits improving to 62.0 percent of total deposits.

-- Results of OneWebster earnings optimization program produce estimated annual cost saves of $40 million, pre-tax, plus $10 million in pre-tax incremental annual revenue growth when the program is fully implemented over the next 24 months.

-- Completed the sale of Webster Risk Services.

Webster Chairman and Chief Executive Officer James C. Smith said: "These non-cash charges reflect the current depressed values for financial assets and offset the solid core operating results that otherwise would be the focus of this quarter. Additionally, Webster has taken steps to increase the allowance for credit losses in light of continuing economic uncertainty in the second half of 2008."

Smith added, "We have very strong capital levels that are critical in these uncertain times. Webster's capital position is a huge asset as we pursue our vision to be New England's bank."

Webster also announced today that its Board of Directors has declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $.30 per common share. The dividend is payable on August 18, 2008 to shareholders of record on August 4, 2008. This is the 84th consecutive quarterly dividend since Webster first paid a dividend in 1987. Smith said, "The solid core operating performance in the quarter supported the Board's decision to declare the regular quarterly cash dividend. We plan to balance the desire to maintain the current dividend against Webster's capital needs in the quarters ahead."

Webster will provide details on its second quarter performance in a conference call at 9:00 a.m. today (refer to details for the conference call at the end of this release). In addition, Webster has posted supplemental information regarding its investment securities portfolio and the results of the OneWebster program. Additional details are also available on our website at www.wbst.com.

There were several charges specific to the quarter, including $53.7 million in write-downs for other-than-temporary impairment of certain investment securities classified as available for sale and a $1.2 million write-down in a direct investment. Webster had previously announced an expected $14.5 million in securities write-downs; the increase to $53.7 million is primarily from subsequent analysis based on current information and management's determination subsequent to the preannouncement that we should act as of the end of the second quarter to impair certain BBB rated pooled capital trust securities where interest payments to Webster have been deferred as provided under the original structure. In addition, the company also evaluated the balance of its remaining BBB rated pooled securities and determined that based on the best estimate of cash flows, there was the likelihood of an implied adverse change and elected to impair these securities as well and write them down to fair value. Webster also recorded $12.5 million in other pre-tax charges, consisting of $7.7 million in charges related to the OneWebster earnings optimization initiative, and $4.8 million in other charges, including $1.6 million in severance and other expenses related to early retirement and other executive changes.

Webster recently completed an evaluation of all goodwill associated with its reporting units. Having completed this analysis, the company has determined that $8.5 million in goodwill attributable to its insurance premium finance subsidiary was impaired, and this charge is reflected in second quarter results. Such a charge is non-cash in nature and does not affect Webster's liquidity, tangible equity or regulatory capital ratios. Webster will evaluate the goodwill associated with its reporting units again in the third quarter as part of its established annual review process.

Revenues

Total revenue, which consists of net interest income plus total noninterest income, totaled $119.9 million in the second quarter of 2008 compared to $172.7 million in the first quarter of 2008 and $185.9 million a year ago. Total revenue declined in the second quarter of 2008 as a result of the $53.7 million in write-downs for other-than-temporary impairment of certain investment securities classified as available for sale and the $1.2 million write-down in direct investments.

Net interest income totaled $125.7 million in the second quarter compared to $124.9 million in the first quarter and $130.4 million in the year-ago period. The $0.8 million increase from the first quarter reflects an increase in earning assets while the $4.7 million reduction from a year ago reflects a lower net interest margin partially offset by a higher level of earning assets. The net interest margin was 3.26 percent in the second quarter compared to 3.27 percent in the first quarter and 3.47 percent a year ago. The spread between the yield on interest-earning assets and the cost of interest- bearing liabilities in the second quarter of 2008 was flat with the first quarter of 2008 at 3.20 percent compared to 3.37 percent in the second quarter of 2007.

Noninterest income was $49.2 million in the second quarter of 2008 compared to $47.5 million in the first quarter and $53.4 million in the year- ago period. Total noninterest income inclusive of charges in the second quarter of 2008 was ($5.7) million compared to $55.5 million which included a gain of $2.1 million. Deposit service fees totaled $29.9 million in the second quarter of 2008, an increase of $1.5 million and $1.1 million, respectively compared to $28.4 million in the first quarter and $28.8 million a year ago. Loan-related fees were $7.9 million for the second quarter compared to $6.9 million in the first quarter and $7.9 million in the year-ago period. Wealth and investment services revenues totaled $7.6 million in the second quarter compared to $7.0 million in the first quarter and $7.6 million a year ago. Income from mortgage banking activities was $0.1 million in the second quarter compared to income of $0.7 million in the first quarter and $4.0 million a year ago. The decline from each of the prior periods reflects the decision to exit the national wholesale mortgage business in the fourth quarter of 2007. Other noninterest income was $0.9 million compared to $1.8 million in the first quarter and $2.0 million a year ago.

Provision For Credit Losses

The provision for credit losses was $25.0 million compared to $15.8 million in the first quarter and $4.3 million a year ago. The decision to increase the provision for credit losses in the second quarter reflects increased levels of nonperforming loans and management's decision to build reserve levels given continued economic uncertainty.

Net loan charge-offs from the continuing portfolios totaled $11.2 million in the second quarter compared with $15.8 million in the first quarter. Additional net charge-offs of $3.7 million and $5.5 million were recorded in the second quarter against the discontinued indirect national construction loans and indirect, out-of-market home equity loans in the liquidating portfolio respectively, compared with net charge-offs of $4.3 million and $3.5 million in the first quarter.

The total allowance for credit losses, which consists of the allowance for loan losses and the reserve for unfunded credit commitments, was $194.4 million or 1.52 percent of total loans at June 30, 2008, compared to 1.51 percent at March 31, 2008 and 1.23 percent at June 30, 2007. Of the total allowance for credit losses as of June 30, 2008, $161.5 million was allocated toward the continuing portfolios, or 1.30 percent of continuing loans, up from $147.7 million or 1.21 percent of loans as of March 31, 2008 and $32.9 million was allocated to the liquidating portfolio, or 8.65 percent of liquidating loans, a decline from $42.1 million, or 10.67 percent, as of March 31, 2008.

Noninterest Expenses

Total noninterest expenses were $137.7 million in the second quarter compared to $116.1 million in the first quarter of 2008 and $128.9 million a year ago. The second quarter of 2008 included the $8.5 million goodwill impairment charge and $12.5 million of other costs consisting of $7.7 million of previously disclosed amounts related to the OneWebster earnings optimization initiative, $1.6 million in severance and other expenses related to early retirement and other executive changes, and $3.2 million of other charges. The first quarter of 2008 included $5.0 million of seasonally higher compensation costs primarily related to payroll taxes and benefits and a credit for the partial release of the Visa-related litigation reserve of $650,000 established in the fourth quarter of 2007.

Balance Sheet Trends

Total assets were $17.5 billion at June 30, 2008 compared to $17.2 billion at March 31, 2008 and $17.0 billion a year ago. Total loans were $12.8 billion compared to $12.6 billion in the first quarter and $12.4 billion a year ago. Commercial real estate increased by $118 million in the second quarter as continued disruption in the capital markets has provided more opportunities to book high quality, low loan to value loans. Commercial & Industrial loans grew by $65 million in the second quarter, while residential mortgage loans declined by $41 million and consumer loans grew by $23 million. Securities totaled $3.0 billion compared to $2.5 billion a year ago, offsetting a decline in loans held for sale of $369 million.

Total deposits were $12.1 billion, a decrease of $0.7 billion or 6 percent from a year ago, as brokered certificates of deposits declined $231 million and other certificates of deposit declined $549 million from a year ago. The company now has only $170 million in brokered deposits of which $106 million mature in the last six months of 2008 and are not expected to be replaced. Core deposits increased $38 million from a year ago, and as a percent of total deposits increased to 62.0 percent at June 30, 2008 from 60.7 percent in the first quarter and 58.1 percent a year ago. Borrowings totaled $3.3 billion or an increase of $1.3 billion, primarily in repurchase agreements and FHLB borrowings, from a year ago. While short-term borrowings have represented an attractive alternative to certificates of deposits given recent market conditions, the company does not currently intend to further increase the use of borrowings.

Book value per common share of $31.71 at June 30, 2008 compared to $33.63 a year ago. Tangible book value per share was $17.57 at June 30, 2008 compared to $19.79 a year ago. The ratio of tangible equity to tangible assets was 6.8 percent at June 30, 2008 compared to 6.6 percent a year ago. Webster's projected Tier 1 leverage ratio is 9.0 percent at June 30, 2008 compared to 8.6 percent a year ago, and projected total risk based capital ratio is 13.3 percent at June 30, 2008 compared with 12.3 percent a year ago.

Asset Quality

Nonperforming assets for the continuing portfolios totaled $182.1 million or 1.47 percent of total loans and other real estate owned at June 30, 2008 compared to $113.3 million or 0.93 percent at March 31, 2008. The $68.8 million increase in nonperforming assets from continuing portfolios was primarily comprised of $36.6 million in commercial real estate (primarily 4 residential development projects) and $26.5 million in commercial loans, $3.7 million in consumer loans and $2.0 million in other real estate owned. Nonperforming loans in the liquidating indirect national construction and indirect out of footprint home equity portfolio totaled $29.0 million and $10.7 million at June 30, 2008, respectively compared to $29.8 million and $9.4 million at March 31, 2008 and $13.4 million and $2.7 million a year ago.

Past due loans for the continuing portfolios totaled $67.7 million at June 30, 2008, a decline of $29.8 million compared to $97.5 million at March 31, 2008, primarily due to a decline in commercial real estate loans. Past due loans for the liquidating portfolio totaled $11.5 million at June 30, 2008, down from $15.5 million at March 31, 2008, due to a decline in indirect national construction loans.

The ratio of the allowance for credit losses to nonperforming loans for the continuing portfolios was 96 percent at June 30, 2008 compared to 147 percent at March 31, 2008. At June 30, 2008, the $32.8 million allowance for the liquidating portfolio was 83 percent of non-performing loans from this portfolio compared to 108 percent at March 31, 2008.

Webster Financial Corporation is the holding company for Webster Bank, National Association. With $17.5 billion in assets, Webster provides business and consumer banking, mortgage, financial planning, trust and investment services through 181 banking offices, 484 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. Member FDIC and equal housing lender. 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 second quarter earnings announcement will be held today, Tuesday, July 22, 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 1-877-407-8289 or 201-689-8341 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 2007. 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.

    WEBSTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION


    Selected Financial Highlights (unaudited)
                                  At or for the Three     At or for the Six
    (In thousands, except        Months Ended June 30,   Months Ended June 30,
     per share data)             2008        2007 (c)    2008        2007 (c)

    Net income (loss) and
     performance ratios
     (annualized):

    Net income (loss)          $(28,940)    $35,467     $(4,575)    $70,503
    Net income (loss) per
     diluted common share         (0.56)       0.63       (0.09)       1.25
    Return on average
     shareholders' equity           N/M        7.49%        N/M        7.44%
    Return on average tangible
     equity                         N/M       12.50         N/M       12.40
    Return on average assets        N/M        0.84         N/M        0.84

    Income (loss) from
     continuing operations and
     performance ratios
     (annualized):

    Income (loss) from
     continuing operations     $(28,501)    $35,872     $(2,012)    $70,952
    Net income (loss) from
     continuing operations per
     diluted common share         (0.55)       0.64       (0.04)       1.26
    Return on average
     shareholders' equity           N/M        7.58%        N/M        7.49%
    Return on average tangible
     equity                         N/M       12.64         N/M       12.48
    Return on average assets        N/M        0.85         N/M        0.84
    Noninterest income as a
     percentage of total
     revenue                        N/M%      29.86         N/M       28.47
    Efficiency ratio (a)            N/M       69.37         N/M       69.22

    Asset quality:

    Allowance for credit
     losses                    $194,368    $152,750    $194,368    $152,750
    Nonperforming assets        224,100      78,654     224,100      78,654
    Allowance for credit
     losses / total loans          1.52%       1.23%       1.52%       1.23%
    Net charge-offs / average
     loans (annualized)            0.64        0.14        0.70        0.15
    Nonperforming loans /
     total loans                   1.62        0.58        1.62        0.58
    Nonperforming assets /
     total loans plus OREO         1.75        0.63        1.75        0.63
    Allowance for credit
     losses / nonperforming
     loans                        93.87      210.61       93.87      210.61

    Other ratios (annualized):

    Tangible capital ratio         6.79%       6.59%       6.79%       6.59%
    Total-risk based capital (e)  13.17       12.28       13.17       12.28
    Shareholders' equity /
     total assets                 10.82       10.84       10.82       10.84
    Interest-rate spread           3.20        3.37        3.20        3.34
    Net interest margin            3.26        3.47        3.27        3.44

    Share related:

    Book value per common share  $31.71      $33.63      $31.71      $33.63
    Tangible book value per
     common share                 17.57       19.79       17.57       19.79
    Common stock closing price    18.60       42.67       18.60       42.67
    Dividends declared per
     common share                  0.30        0.30        0.60        0.57

    Common shares issued and
     outstanding                 52,551      54,643      52,551      54,643
    Basic shares (average)       52,017      55,677      52,009      55,894
    Diluted shares (average)     52,017      56,243      52,009      56,497

Footnotes:

(a) Noninterest expense as a percentage of net interest income plus noninterest income.

(b) For purposes of the yield computation, unrealized gains (losses) on securities available for sale are excluded from the average balance.

(c) Certain previously reported information has been reclassified for the effect of reporting Webster Insurance as discontinued operations.

(d) NCLC is defined as National Construction Lending Center.

(e) The ratios presented are projected for the 2008 reporting periods and actual for the 2007 reporting periods.

    WEBSTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION

    Consolidated Statements of Condition   (unaudited)
                                  June 30,         March 31,        June 30,
    (In thousands)                  2008             2008           2007 (c)

     Assets:

     Cash and due from
      depository institutions     $323,480         $274,321         $293,223
     Short-term investments          2,996            4,042            8,222

     Investment securities:
       Trading, at fair value        2,280            1,049            5,935
       Available for sale, at
        fair value                 849,591          760,502          299,599
       Held-to-maturity          2,065,771        2,091,918        2,046,891
       Other securities            132,210          117,213          110,962
         Total securities        3,049,852        2,970,682        2,463,387

     Loans held for sale             3,972            8,223          372,891

     Loans:
       Residential mortgages     3,594,100        3,635,314        3,736,313
       Commercial                3,637,395        3,571,954        3,554,846
       Commercial real estate    2,314,497        2,196,110        1,938,656
       Consumer                  3,220,462        3,197,591        3,210,457
         Total loans            12,766,454       12,600,969       12,440,272
     Allowance for loan losses    (184,868)        (180,308)        (144,974)
         Loans, net             12,581,586       12,420,661       12,295,298

     Accrued interest
      receivable                    73,060           77,593           85,078
     Premises and equipment,
      net                          190,273          192,928          190,895
     Goodwill and other
      intangible assets, net       756,503          766,467          771,454
     Cash surrender value of
      life insurance               274,570          271,947          264,100
     Assets held for
      disposition                      900            6,912           61,918
     Prepaid expenses and
      other assets                 221,444          249,786          144,124

     Total Assets              $17,478,636      $17,243,562      $16,950,590

     Liabilities and
      Shareholders' Equity:

     Deposits:
       Demand deposits          $1,583,686       $1,475,258       $1,544,695
       NOW accounts              1,861,997        1,825,963        1,797,701
       Money market deposit
        accounts                 1,591,857        1,704,655        1,916,097
       Savings accounts          2,452,831        2,361,522        2,194,215
       Certificates of deposit   4,416,165        4,564,887        4,965,140
       Brokered deposits           170,031          211,007          401,213
         Total deposits         12,076,567       12,143,292       12,819,061

     Securities sold under
      agreements to repurchase
      and other short-term
      debt                       1,275,024        1,642,320          899,852
     Federal Home Loan Bank
      advances                   1,419,570          869,079          531,117
     Long-term debt                653,995          666,891          656,455
     Reserve for unfunded
      credit commitments             9,500            9,500            7,776
     Liabilities held for
      disposition                        -              806            6,257
     Accrued expenses and
      other liabilities            142,698          185,381          182,844
         Total liabilities      15,577,354       15,517,269       15,103,362

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

     Shareholders' equity        1,891,705        1,716,716        1,837,651

     Total Liabilities and
      Shareholders' Equity     $17,478,636      $17,243,562      $16,950,590

    See Selected Financial Highlights for footnotes.



    WEBSTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION

    Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited)
                                    Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended
    (In thousands, except per            June 30,              June 30,
     share data)                     2008        2007      2008        2007

      Interest income:
      Loans                        $175,786    $210,337  $367,058    $419,501
      Investment securities and
       short-term investments        38,115      32,563    77,447      65,843
      Loans held for sale                92       7,419     1,492      13,668
         Total interest income      213,993     250,319   445,997     499,012

      Interest expense:
      Deposits                       60,056      89,683   135,298     177,313
      Borrowings                     28,251      30,283    60,157      63,265
         Total interest expense      88,307     119,966   195,455     240,578

         Net interest income        125,686     130,353   250,542     258,434
      Provision for credit losses    25,000       4,250    40,800       7,250
         Net interest income after
          provision for credit
          losses                    100,686     126,103   209,742     251,184

      Noninterest income:
      Deposit service fees           29,943      28,758    58,376      54,112
      Loan related fees               7,891       7,901    14,749      15,841
      Wealth and investment
       services                       7,634       7,637    14,590      14,515
      Mortgage banking activities       104       3,962       844       6,191
      Increase in cash surrender
       value of life insurance        2,623       2,586     5,204       5,120
      Gain on sale of securities,
       net                              126         503       249       1,044
      Other                             854       2,025     2,638       3,903
                                     49,175      53,372    96,650     100,726
      Visa share redemption             -           -       1,625         -
      Loss on write-down of
       investments to fair value    (54,924)        -     (56,177)        -
      Gain on Webster Capital
       Trust I and II securities        -         2,130       -         2,130
          Total noninterest income   (5,749)     55,502    42,098     102,856

      Noninterest expenses:
      Compensation and benefits      62,866      60,899   126,309     122,434
      Occupancy                      13,128      12,064    26,810      24,625
      Furniture and equipment        15,634      15,014    30,794      29,572
      Intangible amortization         1,464       3,144     3,012       6,466
      Marketing                       4,940       4,175     8,583       8,363
      Professional services           3,706       3,181     7,859       7,692
      Other                          18,117      16,224    33,249      32,188
                                    119,855     114,701   236,616     231,340
      Debt redemption premium           -         8,940       -         8,940
      Severance and other costs       9,368       5,291     8,718       9,813
      Impairment of goodwill          8,500         -       8,500         -
         Total noninterest
          expenses                  137,723     128,932   253,834     250,093

      Income (loss) from
       continuing operations
       before income taxes          (42,786)     52,673    (1,994)    103,947
      Income taxes (benefit)        (14,285)     16,801        18      32,995
         Income (loss) from
          continuing operations     (28,501)     35,872    (2,012)     70,952
      Loss from discontinued
       operations, net of tax          (439)       (405)   (2,563)       (449)
         Net income (loss)         $(28,940)    $35,467   $(4,575)    $70,503

      Diluted shares (average)       52,017      56,243    52,009      56,497

      Net income (loss) per common
       share:
      Basic
         Income (loss) from
          continuing operations      $(0.55)      $0.64    $(0.04)      $1.27
         Net income (loss)            (0.56)       0.64     (0.09)       1.26
      Diluted
         Income (loss) from
          continuing operations       (0.55)       0.64     (0.04)       1.26
         Net income (loss)            (0.56)       0.63     (0.09)       1.25

    See Selected Financial Highlights for footnotes.



    WEBSTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION

    Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited)

                                            Three Months Ended

    (In thousands, except    June 30, March 31,  Dec. 31, Sept. 30,  June 30,
     per share data)           2008      2008      2007      2007      2007

    Interest income:
    Loans                    $175,786  $191,272  $205,363  $212,847  $210,337
    Investment securities
     and short-term
     investments               38,115    39,332    36,318    34,163    32,563
    Loans held for sale            92     1,400     3,276     4,616     7,419
       Total interest income  213,993   232,004   244,957   251,626   250,319

    Interest expense:
    Deposits                   60,056    75,242    89,510    94,484    89,683
    Borrowings                 28,251    31,906    32,748    30,083    30,283
       Total interest expense  88,307   107,148   122,258   124,567   119,966

       Net interest income    125,686   124,856   122,699   127,059   130,353
    Provision for credit
     losses                    25,000    15,800    45,250    15,250     4,250
       Net interest income
        after provision for
        credit losses         100,686   109,056    77,449   111,809   126,103

    Noninterest income:
    Deposit service fees       29,943    28,433    30,577    29,956    28,758
    Loan related fees           7,891     6,858     7,328     7,661     7,901
    Wealth and investment
     services                   7,634     6,956     7,507     7,142     7,637
    Mortgage banking
     activities                   104       740     1,276     1,849     3,962
    Increase in cash
     surrender value of life
     insurance                  2,623     2,581     2,637     2,629     2,586
    Gain on sale of
     securities, net              126       123       195       482       503
    Other                         854     1,784     2,094     1,688     2,025
                               49,175    47,475    51,614    51,407    53,372
    VISA share redemption         -       1,625       -         -         -
    Loss on write-down of
     investments to fair
     value                    (54,924)   (1,253)   (3,565)      -         -
    Gain on Webster Capital
     Trust I and II
     securities                   -         -         -         -       2,130
       Total noninterest
        income                 (5,749)   47,847    48,049    51,407    55,502

    Noninterest expenses:
    Compensation and
     benefits                  62,866    63,443    59,910    61,171    60,899
    Occupancy                  13,128    13,682    12,321    11,932    12,064
    Furniture and equipment    15,634    15,160    15,353    14,846    15,014
    Intangible amortization     1,464     1,548     1,881     2,027     3,144
    Marketing                   4,940     3,643     1,727     4,123     4,175
    Professional services       3,706     4,153     3,721     3,625     3,181
    Other                      18,117    15,132    18,513    15,377    16,224
                              119,855   116,761   113,426   113,101   114,701
    Debt redemption premium       -         -         -         -       8,940
    Severance and other
     costs                      9,368      (650)    6,898       452     5,291
    Impairment of goodwill      8,500       -         -         -         -
       Total noninterest
        expenses              137,723   116,111   120,324   113,553   128,932

    Income (loss) from
     continuing operations
     before income taxes      (42,786)   40,792     5,174    49,663    52,673
    Income taxes (benefit)    (14,285)   14,303         5    15,088    16,801
       Income (loss) from
        continuing
        operations            (28,501)   26,489     5,169    34,575    35,872
    (Loss) income from
     discontinued
     operations, net of tax      (439)   (2,124)  (13,867)      393      (405)
       Net income (loss)     $(28,940)  $24,365   $(8,698)  $34,968   $35,467

    Diluted shares (average)   52,017    52,297    52,795    54,259    56,243

    Net income (loss) per
     common share:
    Basic
       Income (loss) from
        continuing
        operations             $(0.55)    $0.51     $0.10     $0.64     $0.64
       Net income (loss)        (0.56)     0.47     (0.17)     0.65      0.64
    Diluted
       Income (loss) from
        continuing
        operations              (0.55)     0.51      0.10      0.64      0.64
       Net income (loss)        (0.56)     0.47     (0.16)     0.64      0.63

    See Selected Financial Highlights for footnotes.



    WEBSTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION

    Interest-Rate Spread (unaudited)
                                            Three Months Ended
                              June 30,  March 31, December  September June 30,
                                2008      2008    31, 2007   30, 2007   2007

      Interest-rate spread
      Yield on interest-earning
       assets                    5.51%     6.02%     6.42%     6.61%     6.62%
      Cost of interest-bearing
       liabilities               2.31      2.82      3.24      3.32      3.25
          Interest-rate spread   3.20%     3.20%     3.18%     3.29%     3.37%

          Net interest margin    3.26%     3.27%     3.26%     3.38%     3.47%



    Consolidated Average Statements of Condition   (unaudited)

    Three Months Ended June 30,                             2008
                                                                   Fully tax-
                                             Average               equivalent
    (Dollars in thousands)                   balance     Interest  yield/rate

    Assets:
      Interest-earning assets:
      Loans                                 $12,686,784    $175,786    5.52%
      Investment securities (b)               3,008,582      41,801    5.43
      Loans held for sale                         5,705          92    6.45
      Short-term investments                      6,374          40    2.50
         Total interest-earning assets       15,707,445     217,719    5.51
      Noninterest-earning assets              1,541,441
         Total assets                       $17,248,886

    Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity:
      Interest-bearing liabilities:
      Demand deposits                        $1,487,433        $-       -  %
      Savings, NOW and money market
       deposit accounts                       5,891,261      19,305    1.31
      Time deposits                           4,626,051      40,751    3.53
         Total deposits                      12,004,745      60,056    2.01
      Securities sold under agreements to
       repurchase and other short-term
       debt                                   1,298,709       8,561    2.61
      Federal Home Loan Bank advances         1,358,648      10,548    3.07
      Long-term debt                            660,642       9,142    5.54
         Total borrowings                     3,317,999      28,251    3.38
         Total interest-bearing
          liabilities                        15,322,744      88,307    2.31
      Noninterest-bearing liabilities           149,693
         Total liabilities                   15,472,437

      Preferred stock of subsidiary
       corporation                                9,577

      Shareholders' equity                    1,766,872
         Total liabilities and
          shareholders' equity              $17,248,886
      Tax-equivalent net interest income                    129,412
      Less: tax-equivalent adjustment                        (3,726)

      Net interest income                                  $125,686

      Interest-rate spread                                             3.20%
      Net interest margin                                              3.26%


    See Selected Financial Highlights for footnotes.


    Consolidated Average Statements of Condition   (unaudited)

    Three Months Ended June 30,                             2007
                                                                   Fully tax-
                                             Average               equivalent
    (Dollars in thousands)                   balance     Interest  yield/rate

    Assets:
      Interest-earning assets:
      Loans                                 $12,306,789    $210,337    6.81%
      Investment securities (b)               2,430,989      35,035    5.78
      Loans held for sale                       481,583       7,419    6.16
      Short-term investments                     10,708         145    5.36
         Total interest-earning assets       15,230,069     252,936    6.62
      Noninterest-earning assets              1,597,103
         Total assets                       $16,827,172

    Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity:
      Interest-bearing liabilities:
      Demand deposits                        $1,515,877        $-       -  %
      Savings, NOW and money market
       deposit accounts                       5,720,081      30,388    2.13
      Time deposits                           5,243,115      59,295    4.53
         Total deposits                      12,479,073      89,683    2.88
      Securities sold under agreements to
       repurchase and other short-term
       debt                                   1,078,192      12,596    4.62
      Federal Home Loan Bank advances           727,371       8,675    4.72
      Long-term debt                            492,020       9,012    7.33
         Total borrowings                     2,297,583      30,283    5.23
         Total interest-bearing
          liabilities                        14,776,656     119,966    3.25
      Noninterest-bearing liabilities           147,312
         Total liabilities                   14,923,968

      Preferred stock of subsidiary
       corporation                                9,577

      Shareholders' equity                    1,893,627
         Total liabilities and
          shareholders' equity              $16,827,172
      Tax-equivalent net interest income                    132,970
      Less: tax-equivalent adjustment                        (2,617)

      Net interest income                                  $130,353

      Interest-rate spread                                             3.37%
      Net interest margin                                              3.47%


    See Selected Financial Highlights for footnotes.



    WEBSTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION

    Consolidated Average Statements of Condition (unaudited)

    Six Months Ended June 30,                               2008
                                                                   Fully tax-
                                             Average               equivalent
    (Dollars in thousands)                   balance      Interest yield/rate

    Assets:
       Interest-earning assets:
       Loans                                $12,613,449    $367,058    5.80%
       Investment securities (b)              2,981,734      84,774    5.59
       Loans held for sale                       51,039       1,492    5.85
       Short-term investments                     5,032          77    3.05
          Total interest-earning assets      15,651,254     453,401    5.76
       Noninterest-earning assets             1,540,169
          Total assets                      $17,191,423

    Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity:
       Interest-bearing liabilities:
       Demand deposits                       $1,462,493          $-     -  %
       Savings, NOW and money market
        deposit accounts                      5,843,966      43,485    1.49
       Time deposits                          4,782,166      91,813    3.85
          Total deposits                     12,088,625     135,298    2.25
       Securities sold under agreements
        to repurchase and other short-term
        debt                                  1,329,236      19,780    2.94
       Federal Home Loan Bank advances        1,199,292      20,427    3.37
       Long-term debt                           659,715      19,950    6.05
          Total borrowings                    3,188,243      60,157    3.75
          Total interest-bearing
           liabilities                       15,276,868     195,455    2.56
       Noninterest-bearing liabilities          155,120
          Total liabilities                  15,431,988

       Preferred stock of subsidiary
        corporation                               9,577

       Shareholders' equity                   1,749,858
          Total liabilities and
           shareholders' equity             $17,191,423
                                                            257,946
       Less: tax-equivalent adjustment                       (7,404)

       Net interest income                                 $250,542

       Interest-rate spread                                            3.20%
       Net interest margin                                             3.27%


    See Selected Financial Highlights for footnotes.



    WEBSTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION

    Consolidated Average Statements of Condition (unaudited)

    Six Months Ended June 30,                               2007
                                                                   Fully tax-
                                             Average               equivalent
    (Dollars in thousands)                   balance      Interest yield/rate

    Assets:
       Interest-earning assets:
       Loans                                $12,375,526    $419,501    6.78%
       Investment securities (b)              2,367,443      69,238    5.87
       Loans held for sale                      438,084      13,668    6.24
       Short-term investments                    63,851       1,729    5.39
          Total interest-earning assets      15,244,904     504,136    6.61
       Noninterest-earning assets             1,599,293
          Total assets                      $16,844,197

    Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity:
       Interest-bearing liabilities:
       Demand deposits                       $1,510,766        $-       -  %
       Savings, NOW and money market
        deposit accounts                      5,644,312      59,150    2.11
       Time deposits                          5,273,269     118,163    4.52
          Total deposits                     12,428,347     177,313    2.88
       Securities sold under agreements
        to repurchase and other short-term
        debt                                    981,222      22,475    4.56
       Federal Home Loan Bank advances          822,221      19,584    4.74
       Long-term debt                           555,881      21,206    7.63
          Total borrowings                    2,359,324      63,265    5.34
          Total interest-bearing
           liabilities                       14,787,671     240,578    3.27
       Noninterest-bearing liabilities          151,521
          Total liabilities                  14,939,192

       Preferred stock of subsidiary
        corporation                               9,577

       Shareholders' equity                   1,895,428
          Total liabilities and
           shareholders' equity             $16,844,197
                                                            263,558
       Less: tax-equivalent adjustment                       (5,124)

       Net interest income                                 $258,434

       Interest-rate spread                                            3.34%
       Net interest margin                                             3.44%


    See Selected Financial Highlights for footnotes.



    WEBSTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION

    Nonperforming Assets (unaudited)
                               June 30, March 31,  Dec. 31, Sept. 30, June 30,
    (Dollars in thousands)      2008      2008      2007      2007     2007

    Nonperforming loans:
     Continuing Portfolio:
      Commercial:
        Commercial             $55,788   $30,264   $26,804   $25,845  $20,142
        Equipment financing      6,718     5,719     6,473     5,054    2,584
           Total commercial     62,506    35,983    33,277    30,899   22,726

      Commercial real estate    57,840    21,211    12,896    14,238   12,242
      Residential:
        Residential
         construction to
         permanent               6,660     4,200     2,820       -        -
        All other               19,633    22,042    19,532    14,811   13,288
           Total residential    26,293    26,242    22,352    14,811   13,288

      Consumer                  20,745    17,084    14,455    12,688    8,164
      Nonperforming loans -
       continuing portfolio    167,384   100,520    82,980    72,636   56,420

       Liquidating Portfolio:
        NCLC (d)                29,025    29,804    22,797    18,486   13,395
        Consumer                10,651     9,378     7,126     4,199    2,711
      Nonperforming loans -
       liquidating portfolio    39,676    39,182    29,923    22,685   16,106
    Total nonperforming loans  207,060   139,702   112,903    95,321   72,526

    Other real estate owned
     and repossessed assets:
      Commercial                 6,776     6,590     2,211     5,233    3,950
      Residential                4,071     1,820     1,062       985      711
      Consumer                   6,193     5,872     4,896     2,635    1,467
     Total other real estate
      owned and repossessed
      assets                    17,040    14,282     8,169     8,853    6,128

    Total nonperforming
     assets                   $224,100  $153,984  $121,072  $104,174  $78,654

     Accruing loans 90 or
      more days past due        $1,380    $1,032    $1,891    $1,286   $2,088


    See Selected Financial Highlights for footnotes.



    WEBSTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION

    Past Due Loans (unaudited)
                              June 30, March 31,  Dec. 31, Sept. 30, June 30,
    (Dollars in thousands)      2008      2008      2007     2007      2007

    Past Due 30-89 days:
     Continuing Portfolio:
       Commercial:
         Commercial             $8,337   $10,229   $13,291   $4,237   $9,999
         Equipment financing     9,414    10,269     5,644    3,057    3,355
            Total commercial    17,751    20,498    18,935    7,294   13,354
       Commercial real estate    5,241    30,654    12,054   21,017   13,452
       Residential:
         Residential
          construction to
          permanent              1,914     3,339     3,743    1,656      536
         All other              24,621    22,295    19,967   22,501   14,556
            Total residential   26,535    25,634    23,710   24,157   15,092
       Consumer                 18,137    20,721    22,347   17,836   17,005
       Past Due 30-89 days -
        continuing portfolio    67,664    97,507    77,046   70,304   58,903

     Liquidating Portfolio:
         NCLC (d)                3,486     4,983    13,143   10,209    9,037
         Consumer                8,063    10,473     8,793    7,815    5,379
       Past Due 30-89 days -
        liquidating portfolio   11,549    15,456    21,936   18,024   14,416

    Past Due 90 days or more:
       Commercial                1,380       596     1,141    1,031    1,188
       Commercial real estate      -         436       750      255      900
         Total                 $80,593  $113,995  $100,873  $89,614  $75,407

    See Selected Financial Highlights for footnotes.



    WEBSTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION

    Allowance for Credit Losses (unaudited)
                                                 For the Three Months Ended
                                                 June 30,         March 31,
    (Dollars in thousands)                        2008              2008

    Beginning balance                           $189,808          $197,586
     Provision                                    25,000            15,800

    Charge-offs continuing portfolio:
          Commercial                               8,664            11,439
          Residential                              1,036             1,480
          Consumer                                 2,784             3,697
         Charge-offs continuing portfolio:        12,484            16,616
    Recoveries                                    (1,290)             (827)
          Net loan charge-offs                    11,194            15,789
    Charge-offs liquidating portfolio:
          NCLC (d)                                 4,203             4,341
          Consumer                                 5,450             3,448
         Charge-offs liquidating portfolio:        9,653             7,789
    Recoveries                                      (407)              -
          Net loan charge-offs                     9,246             7,789
    Total net charge-offs                         20,440            23,578

    Ending balance                              $194,368          $189,808

     Components:
        Allowance for loan losses               $184,868          $180,308
        Reserve for unfunded credit
         commitments                               9,500             9,500
          Allowance for credit losses           $194,368          $189,808

    Asset Quality Ratios:

    Allowance for loan losses / total loans         1.45%             1.43%
    Allowance for credit losses / total loans       1.52              1.51
    Net charge-offs / average loans
     (annualized)                                   0.64              0.75
    Nonperforming loans / total loans               1.62              1.11
    Nonperforming assets / total loans
     plus OREO                                      1.75              1.22
    Allowance for credit losses /
     nonperforming loans                           93.87            135.87

    Continuing Portfolio
    Allowance for loan losses / total loans         1.23%             1.13%
    Allowance for credit losses / total loans       1.30              1.21
    Net charge-offs / average loans
     (annualized)                                   0.36              0.52
    Nonperforming loans / total loans               1.35              0.82
    Nonperforming assets / total loans
     plus OREO                                      1.47              0.93
    Allowance for credit losses /
     nonperforming loans                           96.48            146.92

    Liquidating Portfolio

    NCLC
    Allowance for loan losses / total loans        14.26%            18.77%
    Net charge-offs / average loans
     (annualized)                                  23.00             25.78
    Nonperforming loans / total loans              45.68             43.49
    Allowance for loan losses /
     nonperforming loans                           31.22             43.15

    Consumer
    Allowance for loan losses / total loans         7.53%             8.96%
    Net charge-offs / average loans
     (annualized)                                   6.75              4.20
    Nonperforming loans / total loans               3.37              2.87
    Allowance for loan losses /
     nonperforming loans                          223.63            312.09

    See Selected Financial Highlights for footnotes.


    WEBSTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION

    Allowance for Credit Losses (unaudited)
                                              For the Three Months Ended
                                            Dec. 31,   Sept. 30,    June 30,
    (Dollars in thousands)                   2007        2007        2007

    Beginning balance                      $164,011    $152,750    $152,660
     Provision                               45,250      15,250       4,250

    Charge-offs continuing portfolio:
         Commercial                           2,485       1,992       2,034
         Residential                             71         364         286
         Consumer                             1,833       1,613       1,892
        Charge-offs continuing portfolio:     4,389       3,969       4,212
    Recoveries                               (1,611)     (1,018)     (1,336)
         Net loan charge-offs                 2,778       2,951       2,876
    Charge-offs liquidating portfolio:
         NCLC (d)                             7,051          69         -
         Consumer                             1,846         969       1,284
        Charge-offs liquidating portfolio:    8,897       1,038       1,284
    Recoveries                                  -           -           -
         Net loan charge-offs                 8,897       1,038       1,284
    Total net charge-offs                    11,675       3,989       4,160

    Ending balance                         $197,586    $164,011    $152,750

     Components:
       Allowance for loan losses           $188,086    $154,532    $144,974
       Reserve for unfunded credit
        commitments                           9,500       9,479       7,776
         Allowance for credit losses       $197,586    $164,011    $152,750

    Asset Quality Ratios:

    Allowance for loan losses / total
     loans                                     1.51%       1.24%       1.17%
    Allowance for credit losses / total
     loans                                     1.58        1.32        1.23
    Net charge-offs / average loans
     (annualized)                              0.38        0.13        0.14
    Nonperforming loans / total loans          0.90        0.77        0.58
    Nonperforming assets / total loans
     plus OREO                                 0.97        0.84        0.63
    Allowance for credit losses /
     nonperforming loans                     175.01      172.06      210.61

    Continuing Portfolio
    Allowance for loan losses / total
     loans                                     1.15%        n/a         n/a
    Allowance for credit losses / total
     loans                                     1.23         n/a         n/a
    Net charge-offs / average loans
     (annualized)                              0.09         n/a         n/a
    Nonperforming loans / total loans          0.69         n/a         n/a
    Nonperforming assets / total loans
     plus OREO                                 0.76         n/a         n/a
    Allowance for credit losses /
     nonperforming loans                     177.98         n/a         n/a

    Liquidating Portfolio

    NCLC
    Allowance for loan losses / total
     loans                                    20.65%        n/a         n/a
    Net charge-offs / average loans
     (annualized)                             25.43         n/a         n/a
    Nonperforming loans / total loans         27.37         n/a         n/a
    Allowance for loan losses /
     nonperforming loans                      75.45         n/a         n/a

    Consumer
    Allowance for loan losses / total
     loans                                     9.60%        n/a         n/a
    Net charge-offs / average loans
     (annualized)                              2.17         n/a         n/a
    Nonperforming loans / total loans          2.09         n/a         n/a
    Allowance for loan losses /
     nonperforming loans                     458.88         n/a         n/a

    See Selected Financial Highlights for footnotes.

SOURCE Webster Financial Corporation

CONTACT: Media Contact:
Ed Steadham, 203-578-2287
esteadham@websterbank.com
or
Investor Contact:
Terry Mangan, 203-578-2318
tmangan@websterbank.com/
Web site: http://www.websteronline.com
http://www.wbst.com