Exhibit 23.6



                   [KEEFE, BRUYETTE & WOODS, INC. LETTERHEAD]


                                 March 24, 2000




         We  hereby  consent  to the use of our  opinion  letter to the Board of
Directors of MECH Financial,  Inc.  ("MECH") to be included as an exhibit in the
Form S-4 Registration  Statement filed by Webster Financial Corp. ("Webster") in
connection  with the  proposed  merger  between  Webster  and  MECH,  and to all
references to our firm in such Registration Statement. In giving such consent we
do not admit  that we come  within the  category  of  persons  whose  consent is
required  under,  and we do not admit that we are "experts" for the purposes of,
the Securities Act of 1933,as amended and the rules and regulations  promulgated
thereunder.



                                                  KEEFE, BRUYETTE & WOODS, INC.



                                                  By: /s/ Frederick W. Wassmundt
                                                      --------------------------
                                                     Name:Frederick W. Wassmundt
                                                     Title: Vice President