Webster's Type W Personality Is "Bringing Back America"

WATERBURY, Conn., Dec. 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Sometimes life imitates art.  ABC World News with Diane Sawyer featured Webster Bank as part of its Bringing Back America series.  Just in time for the holidays, Jim Smith, chairman and CEO of Webster Bank, was called a real life George Bailey from the classic movie It's a Wonderful Life because Webster has been singularly proactive with its loan modification program to the benefit of more than 1,200 homeowners.

"The overall message is that 'We at Webster' respect the confidence our customers place in us.  We strive to fulfill our responsibility to invest in them, including when they need us most," said Smith.  "Since my father founded the bank during the Great Depression to help people buy and build their homes, 'doing the right thing' has been part of our DNA." 

The story with correspondent Chris Cuomo, as seen by about 8 million viewers on television and uncounted others worldwide via internet and social media, follows other national and statewide recognition of Webster's initiative in the Wall Street Journal, WNPR's Where We Live and The Hartford Courant.

Also featured in the ABC segment was a Connecticut family who shared their story of how Webster worked with them to modify their loan.  The story can be found at www.websteronline and http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/wonderful-life-bank-puts-community-15209961.  

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About Webster

Webster Financial Corporation (NYSE: WBS) is the holding company for Webster Bank, N.A. With $18 billion in assets, Webster provides business and consumer banking, mortgage, financial planning, trust and investment services through 168 banking offices, 473 ATMs, telephone and mobile banking, and the Internet.  Webster Bank owns the asset-based lending firm Webster Business Credit Corporation; the equipment finance firm Webster Capital Finance Corporation; 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