Webster Bank Enhances Customer Service with Extended Hours at 89 Branches

WATERBURY, Conn., April 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Webster Bank, N.A., a subsidiary of Webster Financial Corporation (NYSE: WBS), announced today expanded banking hours for businesses and consumers at branches across Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Westchester County, N.Y., in order to better serve customers.  

Effective today, 89 of Webster's 181 branches will operate from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Wednesday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday; and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday (click here for  list). In addition, drive-up windows at many Webster branches open before 9 a.m.  The branches chosen for extended hours were used by 84 percent of Webster customers in the last year, putting a branch with longer hours conveniently within the reach of most Webster customers.

"Customers increasingly expect banks to interact with them on their terms – when, where, and how the customer wants.  By extending our hours, we are meeting their expectation for convenience," said James C. Smith, Webster's chairman and CEO. "There is now a branch with extended hours within easy driving distance for the vast majority of Webster customers."

Longer branch hours are the first in a series of changes planned for 2010 to provide consumers and businesses the region's best service quality under Webster's new 'Expect It' theme in its advertising. Webster plans to announce extended hours for its Customer Care Center this summer.  Other service enhancements are planned for later in 2010.

The first nine branches to offer extended hours went on the new schedule in recent weeks, and customers have welcomed the change. "Customers have migrated to the extended hours quickly, and have told us that they appreciate the added convenience," Smith said.

In addition to providing extended hours at 89 branches, Webster's entire four-state branch network will be open two extra days beginning in 2010, including Columbus Day (October 11) and Veterans Day (November 11), as well as a third day for Rhode Island branches on Victory Day (August 9).

Serving businesses, consumers, and governmental entities stretching from Boston's financial district through Westchester County in New York, Webster Bank delivers the full suite of financial products and services of a big bank with the personal service of a local bank.

About Webster

Webster Financial Corporation is the holding company for Webster Bank, National Association. With $17.7 billion in assets, Webster provides business and consumer banking, mortgage, financial planning, trust and investment services through 181 banking offices, 501 ATMs, telephone banking and the Internet.  Webster Bank owns the asset-based lending firm Webster Business Credit Corporation, Center Capital Corporation, an equipment finance company headquartered in Farmington, Conn., 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.

SOURCE Webster Financial Corporation