WATERBURY, Conn., July 8, 2011 – Webster Bank employees have been honored with “40 Under 40” awards in Fairfield County, Conn., and Westchester County, N.Y., underscoring Webster's commitment to superior service and employing the best and brightest the banking industry has to offer.
Brian Reklaitis, 31, a Webster Bank branch manager in Danbury, Conn., was among those selected for the Fairfield County (Conn.) Business Journal 's 2011 “40Under40 Awards,” which “recognize creative young professionals who are dedicated to personal and professional development, as well as community involvement … serve as role models for their peers and are motivated to succeed as leaders in their distinct fields.”
Reklaitis left his job as a Catholic middle school algebra teacher in East Hartford in 2007 – without another job – because his wife secured a position in New York City. He walked into a Webster Bank branch in Rye, N.Y., without any banking experience, on a Friday to apply for a customer service representative position and was hired the next Tuesday. Six months later, based on his extraordinary relationship and customer service skills, he was promoted to assistant branch manager. In another six months, he was promoted to branch manager. And one year after that, he was made branch manager of Webster's Mill Plain Road branch in Danbury. In May 2010, Reklaitis, a Danbury resident, was made branch manager of Webster's Newtown Road branch in Danbury, which he still occupies today.
Maria Freburg, 38, Webster Bank vice president and its Westchester County, N.Y., market manager, was among those selected for The Business Council of Westchester's 2011 “Rising Stars – 40 Under 40 Awards,” individuals who “exemplify leadership, foresight and a vision for the future of Westchester County.”
Freburg joined Webster in 2010 and has helped Webster make significant strides in the Westchester County marketplace. Under her leadership, Webster's new account production in consumer and business and professional banking experienced major increases. And she has also played a critical role in increasing our consumer loan and small business loan production in 2010 over 2009. Freburg, a Hopewell Junction, N.Y., resident, was also cited for her dedication to giving back to the community by volunteering her time with nonprofit organizations such as the White Plains Youth Bureau, Girls, Inc. of Westchester County, Community Capital Resources, and Professional Women of Westchester. She also recently joined the board of the New Rochelle YMCA.
Earlier this year, Adam McLaughlin, a relationship manager with Webster Bank's middle market unit in downtown Hartford, Conn., was named one of the “40 Under 40” next generation of leaders by Connecticut magazine. McLaughlin, 32, a South Windsor, Conn., resident, oversees a $70 million-plus portfolio of commercial loans and deposits.
About Webster
Webster Financial Corporation (NYSE: WBS) is the holding company for Webster Bank, National Association. With $18 billion in assets, Webster provides business and consumer banking, mortgage, financial planning, trust and investment services through 176 banking offices, 492 ATMs, telephone banking and the Internet. Webster Bank owns the asset-based lending firm Webster Business Credit Corporation; the equipment finance firm Webster Capital Finance; 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.websterbank.com.
Forward-looking statements
This press release may contain forward looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Actual results could differ materially from management expectations, projections and estimates. Factors that could cause future results to vary from current management expectations include, but are not limited to, general economic conditions, legislative and regulatory changes, monetary and fiscal policies of the federal government, changes in tax policies, rates and regulations of federal, state and local tax authorities, changes in interest rates, deposit flows, the cost of funds, demand for loan products, demand for financial services, competition, changes in the quality or composition of our loan and investment portfolios, changes in accounting principles, policies or guidelines, and other economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors affecting our operations, markets, products, services and prices. Some of these and other factors are discussed in the annual and quarterly reports of Webster Financial Corporation previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such developments, or any combination thereof, could have an adverse impact on the company's financial position and results of operations. Except as required by law, Webster does not undertake to update any such forward looking statements.
Media Contact:
Robert Guenther,
Senior Vice President, Public Affairs
203-578-2391
rguenther@websterbank.com