Exhibit 23.5

                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


We consent to the  incorporation by reference in the  registration  statement of
Webster Financial  Corporation on Form S-4 of our report dated January 20, 1998,
on our audits of the consolidated financial statements of Mechanics Savings Bank
and  subsidiaries  as of December  31, 1997 and for each of the two years in the
period then ended,  which  report is included in the 1998 Annual  Report on Form
10-K of MECH Financial, Inc., which is incorporated by reference herein. We also
consent to the reference to us under the heading  "Experts" in such registration
statement.


                                      /s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP


Hartford, Connecticut
March 24, 2000