James C. Smith Appointed to Federal Advisory Council

WATERBURY, Conn., June 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Webster Financial Corporation announced that Chairman and Chief Executive Officer James C. Smith has been appointed to the Federal Advisory Council. The Federal Advisory Council plays an ongoing advisory role in the deliberations of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors.

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"I am pleased to participate in the Council's efforts to provide insight on matters affecting the banking industry. The constructive communication among colleagues on the Council results in productive guidance for the Federal Reserve Board of Governors," said Smith.

The Federal Advisory Council was created by the Federal Reserve Act of 1913. The Board of Directors for each of the twelve Federal Reserve Banks chooses one member from its Federal Reserve District to act as a representative on the Council, typically for a three-year term. According to the Federal Reserve Act, the Federal Advisory Council has the power to confer directly with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System on general business conditions and to make representations and recommendations concerning matters within the jurisdiction of the board.

The Council meets with the Federal Reserve Board at least four times a year in Washington, DC; the next meeting is scheduled for September.

Webster Financial Corporation is the holding company for Webster Bank, National Association and Webster Insurance. With $17.4 billion in assets, Webster provides business and consumer banking, mortgage, insurance, financial planning, trust and investment services through 153 banking offices, 291 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.

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 Meghan Thompson, +1-203-578-2287 Terry Mangan, +1-203-578-2318 mthompson@websterbank.com tmangan@websterbank.com