Webster Lowers Prime Lending Rate

WATERBURY, Conn., Oct. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Webster Bank, National Association, a subsidiary of Webster Financial Corporation , announced today that it has lowered its prime lending rate to 7.50% from 7.75%, effective today, October 31, 2007. The prime rate last changed on September 18, 2007.

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, 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 http://www.websteronline.com/

Media Contact: Investor Contact: Clark Finley, 203-578-2287 Terry Mangan, 203-578-2318 cfinley@websterbank.com tmangan@websterbank.com