UNITED STATES

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-K

[X]  Annual Report  Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the  Securities  Exchange
     Act of 1934 For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 1999.

                                       OR

[ ]  Transition  Report  Pursuant  to  Section  13 or  15(d)  of the  Securities
     Exchange    Act    of    1934    For    the    transition    period    from
     _____________________________________ to _____________________________.

      Commission File Number:       0-15213

                          WEBSTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
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             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


                                                                                         
Delaware                                                                                                 06-1187536
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(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)                              (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

Webster Plaza, Waterbury, Connecticut                                                                       06702
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(Address of principal executive offices)                                                                 (Zip Code)

                                 (203) 753-2921
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              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

                                 Not Applicable
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          (Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act)

                          Common Stock, $.01 par value
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  (Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act, Title of class)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the  preceding 12 months (or for such  shorter  period that the  registrant  was
required  to file  such  reports),  and  (2) has  been  subject  to such  filing
requirements for the past 90 days.

                                                                  [X] Yes [ ] No

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent  filers  pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation  S-K is not contained  herein,  and will not be contained,  to the
best of registrant's  knowledge,  in definitive proxy or information  statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. [ ]

Based upon the closing  price of the  registrant's  common stock as of March 24,
2000,   the  aggregate   market  value  of  the  voting  common  stock  held  by
non-affiliates  of the registrant is  $913,166,330.  Solely for purposes of this
calculation,  the  shares  held  by  directors  and  executive  officers  of the
registrant  have  been  excluded  because  such  persons  may  be  deemed  to be
affiliates.  This reference to affiliate  status is not necessarily a conclusive
determination for other purposes.

The number of shares  outstanding of each of the registrant's  classes of common
stock, as of the latest practicable date is:

    Common Stock (par value $ .01)                    42,650,134 Shares
    ------------------------------      ----------------------------------------
                Class                   Issued and Outstanding at March 24, 2000

                       DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

          Part I and II: Portions of the Annual Report to Shareholders
                    for fiscal year ended December 31, 1999

              Part III: Portions of the Definitive Proxy Statement
      for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on April 27, 2000.



                          WEBSTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
                          1999 FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT
                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

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                                     PART I                                 Page
                                                                            ----

Item 1.    Business                                                            3
           General                                                             3
           Business Combinations                                               3
           Lending Activities                                                  4
           Investment Activities                                               9
           Trust Activities                                                   12
           Insurance Activities                                               12
           Sources of Funds                                                   12
           Bank Subsidiaries                                                  14
           Employees                                                          14
           Market Area and Competition                                        15
           Regulation                                                         15
           Taxation                                                           16

Item 2.    Properties                                                         17
Item 3.    Legal Proceedings                                                  17
Item 4.    Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders                17


                                     PART II

Item 5.    Market for Registrant's Common Equity and
            Related Stockholder Matter                                        18
Item 6.    Selected Financial Data                                            19
Item 7.    Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
             & Results of Operations                                          20
Item 7a.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk         20
Item 8.    Financial Statements and Supplementary Data                        20
Item 9.    Changes In and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and
             Financial Disclosures                                            20


                                    PART III

Item 10.   Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant                 20
Item 11.   Executive Compensation                                             20
Item 12.   Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management     21
Item 13.   Certain Relationships and Related Transactions                     21


                                     PART IV

Item 14.   Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K   21

Signatures                                                                    25

Exhibit Index                                                                 27



                                     PART I

ITEM 1.    BUSINESS
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GENERAL

     Webster Financial Corporation ("Webster" or the "Corporation"), through its
subsidiaries,  Webster Bank (the "Bank") and Damman Associates, Inc. ("Damman"),
delivers financial services to individuals, families and businesses primarily in
Connecticut. Webster emphasizes five business lines - consumer banking, business
banking,   mortgage  lending,  trust  and  investment  services,  and  insurance
services, each supported by centralized  administration and operations.  Webster
has  grown  significantly  in  recent  years,  primarily  through  a  series  of
acquisitions which have expanded and strengthened its franchise.

     Webster on a  consolidated  basis at  December  31, 1999 and 1998 had total
assets of $9.9 billion and $9.8  billion,  total  securities of $3.1 billion and
$3.7  billion  and net  loans  receivable  of $6.0  billion  and  $5.5  billion,
respectively.  Total deposits and shareholders'  equity at December 31, 1999 and
December  31,  1998 were $6.2  billion and $6.3  billion and $635.7  million and
$626.5 million, respectively.

     At December 31, 1999,  the assets of Webster,  on an  unconsolidated  basis
consisted  primarily  of its  investments  in the Bank and Damman  that  totaled
$732.1 million, investment securities of $118.6 million and $7.3 million of cash
and  interest-bearing  deposits.  Primary  sources of income to  Webster,  on an
unconsolidated  basis are dividend  payments received from the Bank and interest
and dividends from investment  securities.  Primary  expenses to Webster,  on an
unconsolidated  basis are interest  expense from borrowings and interest expense
related to the capital  securities.  See Note 22 to the  Consolidated  Financial
Statements  contained  in the 1999 Annual  Report to  Shareholders  incorporated
herein  by  reference  for  additional  information  concerning  Webster  on  an
unconsolidated basis.

     The Bank's deposits are federally  insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation  ("FDIC").  The  Bank  is  a  Bank  Insurance  Fund  ("BIF")  member
institution and at December 31, 1999,  approximately  74% of the Bank's deposits
were subject to BIF assessment rates and 26% were subject to Savings Association
Insurance Fund ("SAIF") assessment rates. (See "Regulation").

     Webster,  as a holding  company,  and the Bank are subject to comprehensive
regulation, examination and supervision by the Office of Thrift Supervision (the
"OTS"), as the primary federal regulator. Webster is also subject to regulation,
examination  and  supervision  by the  FDIC  as to  certain  matters.  Webster's
executive offices are located at Webster Plaza,  Waterbury,  Connecticut  06702.
Its  telephone  number  is  (203)  753-2921.   Webster's   internet  website  is
www.websterbank.com.

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

     Information  concerning  business  combinations  is  contained  in the 1999
Annual Report to Shareholders  within  "Management's  Discussion and Analysis of
Financial  Condition & Results of Operations"  ("MD&A") section and incorporated
herein by reference.


                                       3



LENDING ACTIVITIES

General

     Webster, through its consolidated Bank subsidiary, originates various types
of residential, business and consumer loans. Total gross loans receivable before
the allowance for loan losses were $6.1 billion and $5.6 billion at December 31,
1999  and  1998,  respectively.  The  Bank  offers  commercial  and  residential
permanent and construction  mortgage loans,  commercial and industrial loans and
various types of consumer loans including home equity credit lines,  home equity
loans and other types of small  business and  household  loans.  At December 31,
1999,  residential  mortgage loans and commercial  loans  comprised 64% and 27%,
respectively   of  gross   outstanding   loans  as  compared  to  70%  and  21%,
respectively,  at December 31, 1998.  Consumer  loans have  remained  relatively
stable  over  recent  years  and  represent  9% of the  gross  outstanding  loan
portfolio  at  December  31,  1999 and  1998.  At  December  31,  1999 and 1998,
residential   loans  represented  the  primary  part  of  Webster's  total  loan
portfolio.  Over  recent  years,  Webster  has  placed a  stronger  emphasis  on
originating  and developing its commercial  loan  portfolio.  In order to obtain
geographic and industry  diversification  within our commercial  loan portfolio,
the Bank is  participating  in the specialized  lending market.  At December 31,
1999,  the Bank held $297  million  in the  specialized  lending  market,  which
includes approximately $86 million in the manufacturing industry, $53 million in
the cable industry, $43 million in wireless communication,  $26 million in radio
broadcasting  and $89 million in other  industries.  At December 31,  1999,  the
Bank's  specialized  lending  portfolio  represented 18% of the total commercial
loan  portfolio.  The change in the loan portfolio mix brings an inherent higher
level of credit  risk that is  monitored  by credit  administration  management.
Credit administration  considers credit risk in addition to other factors in its
determination of required loan loss allowances.  The Bank, at December 31, 1999,
had loan loss  allowances  that were 191% of nonaccrual  loans and 1.2% of gross
loans receivable.

     The  Bank  originates  both  fixed-rate  and  adjustable-rate   residential
mortgage  loans.  At December  31,  1999,  approximately  $1.9 billion or 49% of
Webster's total residential mortgage loans were  adjustable-rate  loans. Webster
offers adjustable-rate  mortgage loans at initial interest rates discounted from
the fully indexed rate. Adjustable-rate loans originated during 1999, when fully
indexed,  will be 2.75% above the constant maturity one-year U.S. Treasury yield
index.  At December  31,  1999,  approximately  $2.0 billion or 51% of Webster's
total  residential  mortgage loans,  before net items, had fixed rates.  Webster
sells mortgage loans in the secondary market when such sales are consistent with
its asset/liability management objectives. At December 31, 1999 Webster had $7.0
million of residential mortgage loans held for sale.

       The loan  portfolio  table  that  follows  provides  further  information
concerning loan types, percentages and allowance detail.

     Nonaccrual  loans,  which  include loans  delinquent 90 days or more,  were
$38.4  million at December 31, 1999,  compared to $30.7  million at December 31,
1998.  The  ratio of  nonaccrual  loans to total  loans  was  0.63% and 0.55% at
December  31, 1999 and 1998,  respectively.  Nonaccrual  assets,  which  include
nonaccrual loans and foreclosed  properties were $43.3 million and $35.9 million
at  December  31,  1999  and  1998,  respectively.  For  additional  information
concerning  nonaccrual and past due loans, see the MD&A section contained in the
1999 Annual Report to Shareholders  incorporated  herein by reference.  Also see
"Business" and "Nonaccrual Assets and Delinquencies" within this report for more
information  about  Webster's  asset  quality,  allowance  for loan  losses  and
provisions for loan losses.


                                       4



     The following table sets forth the composition of the Bank's loan portfolio
in dollar amounts and in percentages at the dates shown.



                                                                  At December 31,
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              1999                      1998                      1997
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(Dollars in thousands)                Amount        %           Amount        %            Amount        %
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     
Residential mortgage loans:
1-4 family units                     $3,544,060   58.85%       $3,679,213     66.81%     $3,900,224    70.60%
Multi-family units                       52,573    0.87               689      0.01          16,736     0.30
Construction                            302,310    5.02           200,417      3.64         117,619     2.13
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total residential mortgage loans   3,898,943   64.74         3,880,319     70.46       4,034,579    73.03
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commercial and commercial
  real estate loans:

Commercial real estate                  695,520   11.55           548,487      9.96         530,080     9.59
Commercial construction                  45,648    0.76            67,717      1.23          58,888     1.07
Commercial non-mortgage                 915,035   15.20           548,734      9.96         369,658     6.69
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total commercial loans             1,656,203   27.51         1,164,938     21.15         958,626    17.35
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Consumer loans:
Home equity credit loans                492,684    8.18           458,981      8.33         494,537     8.95
Other consumer                           47,064    0.78            68,081      1.24         108,775     1.97
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total consumer loans                    539,748    8.96           527,062      9.57         603,312    10.92
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loans receivable (net of fees
   and costs)                         6,094,894  101.21         5,572,319    101.18       5,596,517   101.30
Allowance for loan losses              (72,658)   (1.21)          (65,201)    (1.18)        (71,599)   (1.30)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Loans receivable, net             $6,022,236  100.00%       $5,507,118    100.00%     $5,524,918   100.00%
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                                                     At December 31,
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                                             1996                      1995
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(Dollars in thousands)               Amount         %            Amount        %
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Residential mortgage loans:
1-4 family units                    $3,720,878    70.66%       $3,312,756    74.31%
Multi-family units                      39,257     0.75            48,369     1.09
Construction                           109,923     2.09            75,096     1.68
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total residential mortgage loan   3,870,058    73.50         3,436,221    77.08
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commercial and commercial
  real estate loans:

Commercial real estate                 525,697     9.98           418,019     9.38
Commercial construction                 34,749     0.66            34,954     0.78
Commercial non-mortgage                328,375     6.24           169,633     3.81
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   Total commercial loans              888,821    16.88           622,606    13.97
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Consumer loans:
Home equity credit loans               465,220     8.83           377,225     8.46
Other consumer                         104,681     1.99            90,783     2.04
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Total consumer loans                   569,901    10.82           468,008    10.50
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Loans receivable (net of fees
   and costs)                        5,328,780   101.20         4,526,835   101.55
Allowance for loan losses             (63,047)    (1.20)          (69,091)   (1.55)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Loans receivable, net          $  5,265,733   100.00%     $  4,457,744    100.00%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



                                       5



       The following table sets forth the contractual maturity and interest-rate
sensitivity  of  residential  and  commercial  construction  mortgage  loans and
commercial non-mortgage loans at December 31, 1999.



                                                              Contractual Maturity
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    More Than
                                             One Year                One to                 More Than
(In thousands)                                or Less              Five Years              Five Years               Total
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    
CONTRACTUAL MATURITY
   Construction loans:
      Residential mortgage                   $300,285               $    958                 $  1,067           $   302,310
      Commercial mortgage                      14,407                 16,459                   14,782                45,648
   Commercial non-mortgage loans              488,758                279,962                  146,315               915,035
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total                                $803,450               $297,379                 $162,164            $1,262,993
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

INTEREST-RATE SENSITIVITY

   Fixed rates                               $668,715               $179,960                 $ 73,340            $  922,015
   Variable rates                             134,735                117,419                   88,824               340,978
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total                                $803,450               $297,379                 $162,164            $1,262,993
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Purchase and Sale of Loans and Loan Servicing
- ---------------------------------------------

     The Bank has been a seller and purchaser of whole loans and  participations
in the secondary market.  Webster,  in general,  sells fixed-rate mortgage loans
and retains servicing for the loans sold whenever  possible.  Loans purchased in
the secondary market by Webster are typically adjustable-rate mortgage loans and
purchased,  in most cases, with servicing  retained by the seller. See Note 4 to
the  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  contained in the 1999 Annual Report to
Shareholders incorporated herein by reference for further discussion.


                                       6



       The table  below shows for the Bank,  residential  and  commercial  first
mortgage  loan  origination,  purchase,  sale and repayment  activities  for the
periods indicated.



                                                                                        Years ended December 31,
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands)                                                                     1999            1998            1997
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                        
FIRST MORTGAGE LOAN ORIGINATIONS AND PURCHASES:
   Permanent:
      Mortgage loans originated                                               $  913,693         $  960,322      $  598,862
   Construction:
      Mortgage loans originated                                                  422,823            291,833         194,772
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total permanent and construction loans originated                      1,336,516          1,252,155         793,634
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Loans and participations purchased                                              9,948             66,173         191,078
   Loans acquired through acquisition                                            157,156                  -          34,503
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total loans originated, acquired and purchased                         1,503,620          1,318,328       1,019,215
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FIRST MORTGAGE LOAN SALES AND PRINCIPAL REDUCTIONS:
   Loans sold                                                                    104,227            222,165         135,338
   Loan principal reductions                                                   1,218,361          1,237,173         359,754
   Reclassified to foreclosed properties                                           9,022             13,250          13,202
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total loans sold and principal reductions                                   1,331,610          1,472,588         508,294
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Increase (decrease) in gross mortgage loans receivable                     $  172,010         $(154,260)      $  510,921
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Nonaccrual Assets and Delinquencies

     When  an  insured   institution   classifies   problem   assets  as  either
"substandard" or "doubtful," it is required to establish general  allowances for
loan  losses in an amount  deemed  prudent  by  management.  General  allowances
represent loss allowances  which have been established to recognize the inherent
risk associated with lending activities,  but which, unlike specific allowances,
have  not  been  allocated  to  particular  problem  assets.   When  an  insured
institution  classifies  problem  assets as  "loss,"  it is  required  either to
establish  a specific  allowance  for losses  equal to 100% of the amount of the
asset so classified or to charge-off such amount. An institution's determination
as to  the  classification  of its  assets  and  the  amount  of  its  valuation
allowances is subject to review by the OTS which can order the  establishment of
additional valuation allowances. See "Classification of Assets" below.

     Interest on  nonaccrual  loans that would have been  recorded as additional
income for the years ended  December 31, 1999,  1998 and 1997 had the loans been
current in accordance with their original terms approximated $3.0 million,  $2.8
million, and $4.6 million, respectively.

     The following table shows the Bank's loans ninety days or more past due and
accruing at the indicated year ends.



                                                                           Years ended December 31,
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands)                                      1999              1998            1997               1996          1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                        
LOANS PAST DUE 90 DAYS OR MORE AND ACCRUING

    Residential Mortgage                            $ --            $   --          $   --               $ --          $ --
    Commercial Mortgage                               --                --              --                 --            --
    Commercial                                       698             1,209           1,060                395           273
    Consumer                                          --               --               --                 --            --
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total                                            $698            $1,209          $1,060               $395          $273
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


       See  "Asset  Quality"  within  the  MD&A  section  and  Note  1(d) to the
Consolidated  Financial  Statements  contained  in the  1999  Annual  Report  to
Shareholders  incorporated  herein by  reference  for  further  nonaccrual  loan
information and a description of Webster's nonaccrual loan policy.


                                       7


       The  following  table  sets  forth  information  as to the  Bank's  loans
past due 30-89 days and still accruing interest.



                                                                          December 31,
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       1999                1998                1997               1996                1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               Principal           Principal           Principal          Principal           Principal
(Dollars in thousands)          Balances      %     Balances     %      Balances     %     Balances      %     Balances      %
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                              
Past due 30-89 days and
  still accruing:

   Residential real estate       $20,499    0.34%    $26,727    0.48%    $31,479    0.56%   $29,826     0.56%   $32,952     0.74%
   Commercial real estate         11,865    0.19      12,369    0.22       8,686    0.16      4,138     0.08     11,406     0.26
   Commercial non-mortgage         7,104    0.12       5,613    0.10       4,061    0.07        794     0.01         16      --
   Consumer                        4,746    0.08       6,873    0.13       6,466    0.12      4,074     0.08      3,140     0.07
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total                         $44,214    0.73%    $51,582    0.93%    $50,692    0.91%   $38,832     0.73%   $47,514     1.07%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Troubled Debt Restructuring

     At  December  31,  1999  and  1998,   the  Bank  had  total  troubled  debt
restructurings  of approximately  $5.9 million and $11.0 million,  respectively.
Interest income booked for 1999 under the restructured terms totaled $421,000 as
compared to $746,000 that would have been booked had the restructured loans been
under their  original terms during 1999.  Interest  income booked for 1998 under
the restructured  terms totaled $612,000 as compared to $997,000 that would have
been booked had the  restructured  loans been under their  original terms during
1998.

Potential Problem Loans

     At December 31, 1999, the Bank had a commercial loan  relationship  with an
outstanding balance of approximately $9.7 million that was classified as a watch
loan and  identified  as a potential  problem  loan.  The loan  relationship  is
comprised  of  approximately  $6.3  million of lines of credit and a  commercial
mortgage of  approximately  $3.4  million.  The loan is on an accrual  basis and
current at December 31,  1999.  This loan  continues to be closely  monitored by
credit administration.

Classification of Assets

     Under  the  OTS'   problem   assets   classification   system,   a  savings
institution's  problem  assets are  classified as  "substandard,"  "doubtful" or
"loss" (collectively "classified assets"),  depending on the presence of certain
characteristics.  An asset is considered "substandard" if inadequately protected
by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral
pledged,  if  any.  "Substandard"  assets  include  those  characterized  by the
"distinct  possibility"  that the  institution  will sustain  "some loss" if the
deficiencies are not corrected.  Assets classified as "doubtful" have all of the
weaknesses   inherent  in  those   classified   "substandard"   with  the  added
characteristic  that  the  weaknesses  that  are  present  make  "collection  or
liquidation in full" on the basis of currently  existing  facts,  conditions and
values, "highly questionable and improbable." Assets classified "loss" are those
considered  "uncollectible"  and of such little value that to continue to report
them as assets  without  the  establishment  of a specific  loss  reserve is not
warranted.  In addition,  assets that do not currently warrant classification in
one of the foregoing  categories but which are deserving of  management's  close
attention are designated as "special mention" assets.

     At December 31, 1999,  the Bank's  classified  loans totaled $40.0 million,
consisting of $38.3 million in loans classified as  "substandard,"  $1.7 million
in loans classified as "doubtful" and none classified as "loss". At December 31,
1998, the Bank's  classified  loans totaled $48.3  million,  consisting of $45.7
million in loans classified as  "substandard,"  $2.6 million in loans classified
as "doubtful" and none  classified as "loss." In addition,  at December 31, 1999
and 1998, the Bank had $30.3 million and $29.9 million, respectively, of special
mention loans.

Allowance for Loan Losses

     The Bank's  allowance  for loan losses at December 31, 1999  totaled  $72.7
million.  See MD&A  "Asset  Quality"  and  "Comparison  of 1999 and 1998  Years"
contained  in the 1999  Annual  Report to  Shareholders  incorporated  herein by
reference. In assessing the specific risks inherent in the portfolio, management
takes  into  consideration  the  risk of loss on the  Bank's  nonaccrual  loans,
classified  loans and watch list loans  including an analysis of the  collateral
for the loans.  Other factors  considered are the Bank's loss  experience,  loan
concentrations, local economic conditions and other factors.

                                       8



     The following table presents an allocation of the Bank's allowance for loan
losses  at the  dates  indicated  and the  related  percentage  of loans in each
category to the Bank's loan receivable portfolio.



                                                                          December 31,
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       1999                1998                1997               1996                1995
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Dollars in thousands)            Amount      %       Amount     %        Amount     %       Amount      %       Amount      %
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                             

Balance at end of
  period applicable to:

   Residential mortgage loans    $25,197   63.97%    $23,237   69.64%    $30,635   72.09%   $22,397    72.63%   $34,658    75.91%
   Commercial mortgage loans      20,629   12.16      22,309   11.06      17,702   10.52     17,948    10.52     17,627    10.01
   Commercial non-mortgage loans  13,049   15.01      13,430    9.85      12,096    6.61     12,923     6.16      5,779     3.75
   Consumer loans                 13,783    8.86       6,225    9.45      11,166   10.78      9,779    10.69     11,027    10.33
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total                      $72,658  100.00%    $65,201  100.00%    $71,599  100.00%   $63,047   100.00%   $69,091   100.00%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES

     Webster, as a Delaware corporation, has the authority to invest in any type
of  investment  permitted  under  Delaware  law. As a unitary  holding  company,
however,   its  investment   activities   are  subject  to  certain   regulatory
restrictions.

     The Bank has the authority to acquire,  hold and transact  various types of
investment   securities  that  are  in  accordance   with   applicable   federal
regulations,  state  statutes and within the  guidelines of the Bank's  internal
investment  policy. The types of investments that the Bank may invest in include
in general:  interest-bearing  deposits of federal insured banks, federal funds,
U.S.  government  treasuries  and  agencies  including  agency   mortgage-backed
securities ("MBS") and collateralized  mortgage  obligations  ("CMOs"),  private
issue MBS and CMOs,  municipal  securities,  corporate debt,  commercial  paper,
banker's acceptances,  structured notes, trust preferred securities  (investment
grade  only),  mutual  funds  and  equity  securities  subject  to  restrictions
applicable to federally  chartered  institutions.  Investment  types acquired by
Webster are also subject to the guidelines of internal  investment  policy.  The
Corporation's  asset/liability  management  objectives also influence investment
activities at both the holding company and bank levels.  The Bank is required to
maintain  liquid  assets at  regulatory  minimum  levels which vary from time to
time.  The Bank uses various  investments as permitted by regulation for meeting
its liquidity requirement. See "Regulation" section within this report.

     Webster,  directly or through its bank subsidiary,  maintains an investment
portfolio  that is primarily  structured  to provide a source of  liquidity  for
operating  demands,  generate net interest  income as well as provide a means to
balance  interest-rate  sensitivity.   In  accordance  with  generally  accepted
accounting  principles,  the investment portfolio is classified into three major
categories  consisting  of:  held to  maturity,  available  for sale and trading
securities.

     The Bank uses  interest-rate  financial  instruments within internal policy
guidelines to hedge and manage interest-rate risk as part of its asset/liability
strategy.  See  Note 10 to the  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  in the 1999
Annual Report to Shareholders incorporated herein by reference.

     At December 31, 1999, the combined investment portfolios of Webster and the
Bank totaled $3.1  billion,  with $2.9 billion and $119 million held by the Bank
and Webster,  respectively.  Webster's portfolio was all classified as available
for sale and consisted  primarily of equity,  mutual funds and  corporate  trust
preferred   securities.    The   Bank's   portfolio   consisted   primarily   of
mortgage-backed securities and other debt securities.

     The securities  portfolio of Webster and the Bank are managed by the Bank's
Treasury Group in accordance with established  corporate  investment policy. See
Note 3 to the  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  in the 1999 Annual Report to
Shareholders incorporated herein by reference.


                                       9



     At December 31, 1999, the Bank held  securities  with the following  single
issuers  whose  aggregate  book value exceed ten percent of total  stockholders'
equity at current year end.



                                                             At December 31, 1999
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              Aggregate              Aggregate           10 %
       Issuer                                Book Value            Market Value        Threshold
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                              
       FHLMC                                  $504,058               $487,851          $63,567
       FNMA                                    827,271                804,152           63,567
       GNMA                                    401,671                402,510           63,567
       Nomura Asset
        Security Corp                          100,444                 90,459           63,567



                                       10






A summary of securities follows:



                                                                     December 31,
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  1999                                             1998
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Amortized        Unrealized         Estimated    Amortized        Unrealized         Estimated
(In thousands)                        Cost       Gains     Losses      Fair Value      Cost        Gains     Losses     Fair Value
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                               
TRADING SECURITIES:
Mortgage-backed securities (a)    $   50,854(b) $    --  $      --   $   50,854   $   91,114(b)  $    --   $     --    $   91,114
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AVAILABLE FOR SALE PORTFOLIO:
U.S. Treasury notes               $   17,070    $    18  $    (233)  $   16,855   $   25,617     $   400   $     --    $   26,017
U.S. Government Agency                92,733         --     (4,338)      88,395      106,427       1,018       (109)      107,336
Municipal bonds and notes             27,591          3     (1,463)      26,131       27,874         776        (29)       28,621
Corporate bonds and notes             75,068         --     (9,895)      65,173       92,062         601     (2,178)       90,485
Equity securities (c)                201,352      7,684    (11,060)     197,976      244,670       8,107     (4,763)      248,014
Mortgage-backed securities (a)     2,379,491      6,330    (88,848)   2,296,973    2,616,695      40,469     (5,299)    2,651,865
Purchased interest-rate
   contracts  (Note 10)               10,874         --     (1,792)       9,082       15,985          --     (3,437)       12,548
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  $2,804,179    $14,035  $(117,629)  $2,700,585   $3,129,330     $51,371   $(15,815)   $3,164,886
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HELD TO MATURITY PORTFOLIO:
U.S. Treasury Notes               $   10,396    $    --  $    (112)  $   10,284   $    2,955     $    18   $    --     $    2,973
U.S. Government Agency                 1,520         --         (6)       1,514        7,399          24        --          7,423
Municipal bonds and notes             24,861         39       (783)      24,117       15,339         477        --         15,816
Corporate bonds and notes            135,476        405    (12,322)     123,559      151,801       2,631    (1,171)       153,261
Mortgage-backed securities (a)       143,209        544     (2,945)     140,808      229,335       2,432    (1,044)       230,723
Preferred Stock                           --         --         --           --           --          --         --            --
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  $  315,462    $   988  $ (16,168)  $  300,282   $  406,829     $ 5,582   $ (2,215)   $  410,196
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total                          $3,170,495    $15,023  $(133,797)  $3,051,721   $3,627,273     $56,953   $(18,030)   $3,666,196
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------




                                                December 31,
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     1997
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  Amortized       Unrealized        Estimated
(In thousands)                      Cost       Gains     Losses    Fair Value
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       
TRADING SECURITIES:
Mortgage-backed securities (a)    $  84,749  $    --   $     --    $   84,749
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
AVAILABLE FOR SALE PORTFOLIO:
U.S. Treasury notes               $  46,760  $   266   $    (30)   $   46,996
U.S. Government Agency              120,310      809        (79)      121,040
Municipal bonds and notes            21,745       76       (136)       21,685
Corporate bonds and notes            21,445      122       (262)       21,305
Equity securities (c)               225,120   16,289     (1,285)      240,124
Mortgage-backed securities (a)    2,771,458   36,698     (7,754)    2,800,402
Purchased interest-rate
   contracts  (Note 10)              15,079       --     (7,262)        7,817
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  $3,221,917  $54,260   $(16,808)   $3,259,369
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
HELD TO MATURITY PORTFOLIO:
U.S. Treasury Notes               $   3,067   $    31   $    (2)   $    3,096
U.S. Government Agency               40,452        57       (96)       40,413
Municipal bonds and notes            15,341       196        (1)       15,536
Corporate bonds and notes             1,414         7        --         1,421
Mortgage-backed securities (a)      365,278     2,533    (2,787)      365,024
Preferred Stock                       1,000        4        --          1,004
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  $  426,552  $ 2,828  $ (2,886)   $  426,494
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total                          $3,733,218  $57,088  $(19,694)   $3,770,612
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------


(a)  Mortgage-backed  securities,  which are  guaranteed by Fannie Mae,  Federal
     Home  Loan  Mortgage   Corporation   and   Government   National   Mortgage
     Association, represent participating interests in direct pass through pools
     of mortgage loans originated and serviced by the issuers of the securities.

(b)  Stated at fair value, including the effect of short futures positions.

(c)  The fair value of equity  securities  at  December  31, 1999  consisted  of
     Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB")  stock of $103.9  million,  mutual funds of
     $13.6 million,  preferred  stock of $24.3 million and common stock of $56.2
     million.  As of  December  31,  1998,  the fair value of equity  securities
     consisted of FHLB stock of $102.5  million,  mutual funds of $35.1 million,
     preferred stock of $45.7 million and common stock of $64.7 million.


                                       11



TRUST ACTIVITIES

     The Bank, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Webster Trust Company, N.A.,
manages  the assets of and  provides a  comprehensive  range of trust,  custody,
estate  and  administrative  services  to  individuals,  small  to  medium  size
companies and  not-for-profit  organizations  (endowments and  foundations).  At
December  31,  1999,  there were  approximately  $810.0  million of assets under
management.

Additional  information  related to the trust subsidiary is included in the MD&A
and Notes to the Consolidated  Financial Statements contained in the 1999 Annual
Report to Shareholders incorporated herein by reference.

INSURANCE ACTIVITIES

     Webster, through its wholly-owned  subsidiary,  Damman, offers a full range
of insurance plans to both individuals and businesses.  The insurance subsidiary
is a regional insurance brokerage with three operating divisions: individual and
family insurance, financial services, and business and professional insurance.

     As of  February  1,  2000,  Webster  acquired  through  Damman,  The Levine
Companies,   a  privately  owned   Connecticut-based   insurance  company.   The
acquisition was accounted for as a purchase transaction.  Additional information
on this acquisition can be referenced in the MD&A section  contained in the 1999
Annual Report to Shareholders incorporated herein by reference.

     Additional  information related to the insurance  subsidiary is included in
the MD&A and Notes to Consolidated  Financial  Statements  contained in the 1999
Annual Report to Shareholders incorporated herein by reference.

SOURCES OF FUNDS

     Deposits, loan repayments,  securities payments and maturities,  as well as
earnings, are the primary sources of the Bank's funds for use in its lending and
investment  activities.  While scheduled loan repayments and securities payments
are a relatively stable source of funds,  deposit flows and loan prepayments are
influenced by prevailing interest rates and local economic conditions.  The Bank
also  derives  funds from  Federal  Home Loan Bank  ("FHLB")  advances and other
borrowings,  as necessary,  when the cost of these alternative  sources of funds
are favorable.

     Webster's main sources of liquidity are dividends  from the Bank,  interest
and  dividends  on  securities  and net  proceeds  from  capital  offerings  and
borrowings,  while the main  outflows  are the  payments of  dividends to common
stockholders  and interest expense on the capital  securities,  senior notes and
other borrowings.

     Webster  attempts  to  control  the flow of funds in its  deposit  accounts
according  to its need for funds and the cost of  alternative  sources of funds.
Webster  controls the flow of funds primarily by the pricing of deposits,  which
is  influenced to a large extent by  competitive  factors in its market area and
overall asset/liability management strategies.

Deposit Activities

       Webster has developed a variety of innovative  deposit  programs that are
designed to meet  depositors  needs and attract both  short-term  and  long-term
deposits from the general public.  Webster's  checking  account programs offer a
full line of accounts with varying features that include noninterest-bearing and
interest-bearing  account types.  Webster's  savings  account  programs  include
statement and passbook  accounts,  money market savings accounts,  club accounts
and  certificate  of deposit  accounts that offer short and  long-term  maturity
options.  Webster offers IRA savings and  certificate  of deposit  accounts that
earn interest on a tax-deferred basis.  Webster also offers special rollover IRA
accounts for individuals  who have received  lump-sum  distributions.  Webster's
checking and savings deposit  accounts have several  features that include:  ATM
Card and Check Card use, direct deposit, combined statements,  24-hour automated
telephone  banking  services,  bank by mail services and  overdraft  protection.
Deposit customers can access their accounts in a variety of ways including ATMs,
PC banking,  telephone banking or by visiting a nearby branch. Webster had $50.0
million of brokered certificate of deposits at December 31, 1999.


                                       12



     Webster   receives   retail  and  commercial   deposits   through  its  118
full-service  banking offices in Connecticut  and 2 full-service  offices in New
Hampshire.   Webster  relies  primarily  on  competitive  pricing  policies  and
effective  advertising  to attract and retain  deposits  while  emphasizing  the
objectives of quality customer service and customer convenience.  The WebsterOne
Account is a banking  relationship  that affords  customers the  opportunity  to
avoid fees,  receive  free checks,  earn  premium  rates on savings and simplify
their  bookkeeping  with one  combined  account  statement  that  links  account
balances.  Webster's  Check  Card  can be  used  at over  fifteen  million  Visa
merchants  worldwide  to pay for  purchases  with  money  in a  linked  checking
account.  The Check  Card also  serves as an ATM Card for  receiving  cash,  for
processing  deposits and transfers,  and obtaining account balances 24 hours per
day.  Customer  services also include ATM facilities  that use  state-of-the-art
technology  with membership in NYCE and PLUS networks and provide 24-hour access
to linked  accounts.  The Bank's Internet  Banking service allows  customers the
ability to transfer money between accounts,  review  statements,  check balances
and pay bills  through  personal  computer  use.  The Bank's  telephone  banking
service provides automated  customer access to account  information 24 hours per
day,  seven  days per  week,  and also to  service  representatives  at  certain
established  hours.  Customers  can  transfer  account  balances,  process  stop
payments and address  changes,  place check  reorders,  open  deposit  accounts,
inquire  about  account  transactions  and  request  general  information  about
Webster's  products and services.  Webster's services provide for automatic loan
payment  features  from its  accounts  as well as for  direct  deposit of Social
Security,  payroll,  and  other  retirement  benefits.   Additional  information
concerning  the  deposits of Webster is  included in Note 7 to the  Consolidated
Financial  Statements  contained  in the  1999  Annual  Report  to  Shareholders
incorporated herein by reference.

     The following  table sets forth the deposit  accounts of the Bank in dollar
amounts and as percentages of total deposits at the dates indicated.



                                                                          At December 31,
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             1999                              1998                             1997
                             -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             Weighted                   % of   Weighted                 % of     Weighted                  % of
                              average                   total   average                 total     average                  total
(Dollars in thousands)         rate         Amount    deposits   rate         Amount  deposits     rate        Amount    deposits
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                  
BALANCE BY ACCOUNT TYPE:
Demand deposits                  --%      $  675,449     10.9%     --%     $  626,996      9.9%      --%     $  568,843      8.9%
NOW accounts                   1.20          700,243     11.3    1.24         694,074     11.0     1.22         619,995      9.7
Regular savings and money
  market deposit accounts      2.56        1,719,562     27.8    2.52       1,582,424     25.1     2.46       1,555,003     24.3
Time deposits                  4.84        3,095,837     50.0    5.07       3,409,480     54.0     5.34       3,667,664     57.1
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total                    3.26%      $6,191,091    100.0%   3.53%     $6,312,974    100.0%    3.77%     $6,411,505    100.0%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Time  deposits of $100,000 or more  amounted to $493.6  million and  represented
approximately 8.0% of total deposits at December 31, 1999.

The following  table  represents the amount of time deposits of $100,000 or more
maturing during the periods indicated:



- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands)                                                                  Totals
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                             
Maturing:
   January 1, 2000 to March 31, 2000                                            $184,419
   April 1, 2000 to June 30, 2000                                                104,193
   July 1, 2000 to December 31, 2000                                              73,706
   January 1, 2001 and beyond                                                    131,282
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                $493,600
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



                                       13






Borrowings

     The  FHLB  system  functions  in a  reserve  credit  capacity  for  savings
institutions and certain other home financing institutions.  Members of the FHLB
system are required to own capital stock in the FHLB.  Members are authorized to
apply for advances on the security of such stock and certain home  mortgages and
other assets (principally securities which are obligations of, or guaranteed by,
the United States Government) provided certain  creditworthiness  standards have
been met. Under its current credit policies, the FHLB limits advances based on a
member's assets, total borrowings and net worth.

     The Bank uses long-term and short-term FHLB advances as a primary source of
funding to meet  liquidity  and planning  needs when the cost of these funds are
reasonable as compared to alternate funding sources.  At December 31, 1999, FHLB
advances totaled $1.7 billion and represented 61% of total outstanding  borrowed
funds.

     Additional sources of funding through borrowing transactions were available
to the Bank through  securities  sold under  agreement to repurchase,  purchased
federal funds and lines of credit with correspondent banks. Webster, in general,
utilizes  various  lines of credit  with  correspondent  banks when the need for
borrowed funds arises.  Borrowings  through  securities  sold under agreement to
repurchase  transactions are originated  through the Bank's Funding and Treasury
Sales Desk operations. Outstanding securities sold under agreement to repurchase
borrowings   totaled  $943.8  million  at  December  31,  1999  and  represented
approximately 34% of total outstanding borrowed funds.

     Additional  information  concerning  FHLB advances,  securities  sold under
agreement to repurchase and other borrowings is included in Notes 8 and 9 to the
Consolidated  Financial  Statements  contained  in the  1999  Annual  Report  to
Shareholders incorporated herein by reference.

BANK SUBSIDIARIES

     The Bank's direct investment in its service corporation subsidiary, Webster
Investment  Services,  Inc.,  totaled $1.5  million at December  31,  1999.  The
activities of this broker-dealer  subsidiary  consisted primarily of the selling
of mutual funds and annuities.  Webster  Investment  Services plans to introduce
new products  and  services,  including  asset  management  products and various
financial planning tools.

     The Bank's direct investment in its trust subsidiary  corporation,  Webster
Trust  Company,  N.A.,  totaled $8.6 million at December 31, 1999. The trust had
approximately  $810.0  million in trust assets under  management at December 31,
1999.

     The Bank's direct investment in its operating subsidiary  corporation,  FCB
Properties,  Inc.,  totaled  $2.0  million at  December  31,  1999.  The primary
function of this operating subsidiary is to dispose of foreclosed properties.

     The Bank's direct  investment in its real estate  investment trust ("REIT")
operating subsidiary corporation, Webster Preferred Capital Corporation, totaled
$916.7  million at December  31,  1999.  The primary  function of the REIT is to
provide  a  cost-effective  means of  raising  funds,  including  capital,  on a
consolidated  basis for the Bank.  The REIT's  strategy is to acquire,  hold and
manage real estate mortgage assets.

     The Bank's investment in its internet lending  subsidiary,  Nowlending LLC,
totaled  $2.3  million at  December  31,  1999.  The  primary  function  of this
subsidiary is to provide an efficient  national  network for the  origination of
residential mortgages through the internet.

     The Bank's direct investment in its passive investment subsidiary,  Webster
Mortgage  Investment  Corporation totaled $2.1 billion at December 31, 1999. The
primary  function  of  this  subsidiary  is  to  provide  servicing  on  passive
investments,  which  include loans secured by real estate, that yields state tax
benefits.

EMPLOYEES

       At  December  31,  1999,  Webster  had  2,253  employees  (including  340
part-time  employees),  none of whom were represented by a collective bargaining
group.  Webster  maintains a comprehensive  employee benefit program  providing,
among other  benefits,


                                       14


group medical and dental  insurance,  life insurance,  disability  insurance,  a
pension plan, an employee 401(k) investment plan and an employee stock ownership
plan. Management considers Webster's relations with its employees to be good.

MARKET AREA AND COMPETITION

     The Bank is headquartered in Waterbury,  Connecticut (New Haven County) and
conducts  business  from its home  office in downtown  Waterbury  and 120 branch
offices that are located in the states of  Connecticut  and New  Hampshire.  The
Connecticut branches are in Waterbury,  Ansonia,  Bethany,  Branford,  Cheshire,
Derby, East Haven, Hamden,  Madison,  Meriden,  Milford,  Naugatuck,  New Haven,
North Haven, Orange, Oxford, Prospect,  Seymour,  Southbury Wallingford and West
Haven (New  Haven  County);  New  Milford,  Torrington,  Watertown  and  Winsted
(Litchfield  County);  Danbury,  Fairfield,   Ridgefield,   Shelton,  Stratford,
Trumbull,  Westport and Wilton (Fairfield  County);  Avon,  Berlin,  Bloomfield,
Bristol, Canton, East Hartford, East Windsor, Enfield, Farmington,  Forestville,
Glastonbury,   Hartford,   Kensington,   Manchester,  New  Britain,   Newington,
Plainville,  Rocky  Hill,  Simsbury,   Southington,   South  Windsor,  Suffield,
Terryville,  West Hartford,  Wethersfield,  Windsor and Windsor Locks  (Hartford
County);  Cromwell,  Essex,  Middletown and Old Saybrook (Middlesex County); Old
Lyme (New London County) and Ellington,  Somers and Vernon (Tolland County). The
New  Hampshire  branches  are located in  Portsmouth  and Hampton of  Rockingham
County. Waterbury is approximately 30 miles southwest of Hartford and is located
on  Route  8  midway  between  Torrington  and  the  New  Haven  and  Bridgeport
metropolitan  areas.  Most  of the  Bank's  depositors  live,  and  most  of the
properties  securing  its mortgage  loans are  located,  in the same area or the
adjoining  counties.  The Bank's market area has a diversified  economy with the
workforce employed primarily in manufacturing,  financial services,  healthcare,
industrial and technology companies.

     The Bank faces  substantial  competition for deposits and loans  throughout
its market  areas.  The primary  factors  stressed by the Bank in competing  for
deposits are interest  rates,  personalized  services,  the quality and range of
financial  services,  convenience of office  locations,  automated  services and
office  hours.  Competition  for deposits  comes  primarily  from other  savings
institutions, commercial banks, credit unions, mutual funds and other investment
alternatives.  The primary  factors in competing  for loans are interest  rates,
loan   origination   fees,  the  quality  and  range  of  lending  services  and
personalized service.  Competition for origination of first mortgage loans comes
primarily from other savings  institutions,  mortgage  banking  firms,  mortgage
brokers,  commercial banks and insurance  companies.  The Bank faces competition
for  deposits  and  loans  throughout  its  market  area  not  only  from  local
institutions but also from out-of-state financial institutions which have opened
loan production offices or which solicit deposits in its market area.

     Webster has trust offices  located in the towns of Kensington and Westport.
The trust company  manages the assets of and provides a  comprehensive  range of
trust,  custody,  estate and  administrative  services to individuals,  small to
medium size companies and non-profit organizations.

     Webster  offers a full array of  insurance  services  to its  consumer  and
commercial  customer base through its subsidiary Damman Associates,  Inc. Damman
is a full-service Westport based insurance agency, providing  property-casualty,
life and group  coverage to  commercial  and  individual  customers.  Damman has
offices in Westport and Wallingford.

REGULATION

     Webster,  as a savings and loan holding  company,  and Webster  Bank,  as a
federally   chartered  savings  bank,  are  subject  to  extensive   regulation,
supervision  and  examination  by the OTS as their  primary  federal  regulator.
Webster Bank is also subject to regulation,  supervision  and examination by the
FDIC and as to certain  matters by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System (the "Federal  Reserve  Board").  See MD&A and Notes to the  Consolidated
Financial Statements, incorporated herein by reference in the 1999 Annual Report
to Shareholders,  as to the impact of certain laws, rules and regulations on the
operations of the  Corporation and the Bank. Set forth below is a description of
certain regulatory developments.

     The Bank is subject to substantial  regulatory  restrictions on its ability
to pay dividends to Webster.  Under OTS capital  distribution  regulations  that
became  effective  in early  1999,  as long as the Bank  meets  the OTS  capital
requirements  before  and  after  the  payment  of  dividends,  the Bank may pay
dividends to Webster,  without  prior OTS  approval,  equal to the net income to
date over the calendar  year,  plus  retained net income over the  preceding two
years. In addition,  the OTS has discretion to prohibit any otherwise  permitted
capital  distribution on general safety and soundness grounds, and must be given
30 days' advance notice of all capital  distributions,  during which time it may
object to any proposed distribution.


                                       15


     On November 12, 1999, President Clinton signed the  Gramm-Leach-Blilely Act
that reforms the U.S. banking laws to allow full affiliation  between commercial
banks,  insurance  companies and securities  firms.  The  legislation  primarily
addresses permissible activities of bank holding companies and national banks by
expanding the permissible nonbanking activities of these entities. Since Webster
is a unitary  saving and loan holding  company,  it is not currently  subject to
restrictions on its nonbanking  activities,  so the expanded  activities of bank
holding companies should not put Webster at a competitive disadvantage. Prior to
the  passage  of the  legislation,  any type of  company,  including  commercial
companies,  could  acquire  Webster.  The  ability of  companies  that engage in
nonfinancial  activities  to acquire  federal  savings  banks and their  holding
companies  has been  terminated by the  legislation.  Now, a company may acquire
Webster or the Bank and be treated as a savings and loan holding company only if
it restricts its activities to those financial  activities  permissible for bank
holding companies.

     Provisions of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act permit national banks to establish
financial subsidiaries that may engage in a broad range of financial activities,
including securities underwriting activities.  State-chartered  commercial banks
may also engage in these expanded activities if permitted by relevant state law.
As a result of the  legislation,  the Bank's national and state  commercial bank
competitors  may be  able to  engage  in  additional  financial  activities  not
permissible for the Bank and its subsidiaries.

     The  Gramm-Leach-Bliley  Act also imposes certain  obligations on financial
institutions,  including  federal  savings  banks  such as the Bank,  to develop
privacy  policies,   restrict  the  sharing  of  nonpublic  customer  data  with
nonaffiliated  parties at the customer's request,  and establish  procedures and
practices to protect and secure customer data. These privacy  provisions will be
implemented by regulations that will take effect on or after November 12, 2000.

TAXATION

Federal

     Webster,  on behalf of itself and its  subsidiaries,  files a calendar  tax
year  consolidated  federal  income  tax  return,  except  for the  Bank's  REIT
Subsidiary  and  Nowlending,  which file stand  alone  returns.  Webster and its
subsidiaries  report  their  income and  expenses  using the  accrual  method of
accounting.  Tax law changes were enacted in August 1996 to eliminate the thrift
bad debt method of calculating  bad debt deductions for tax years after 1995 and
to impose a  requirement  to  recapture  into  taxable  income  (over a six-year
period) all bad debt reserves  accumulated after 1987. Since Webster  previously
recorded a deferred tax liability with respect to these post-1987 reserves,  its
total tax expense for financial  reporting  purposes will not be affected by the
recapture  requirement.  The tax law changes also provide that taxes  associated
with the recapture of pre-1988 bad debt reserves would become payable under more
limited  circumstances  than under  prior law.  Under the tax laws,  as amended,
events that would result in recapture of the pre-1988 bad debt reserves  include
stock and cash  distributions  to the holding company from the Bank in excess of
specified  amounts.  Webster does not expect such reserves to be recaptured into
taxable  income.  At  December  31,  1999,  Webster  had  pre-1988  reserves  of
approximately $41.0 million.

     Depending on the composition of its items of income and expense,  a savings
institution  may be  subject  to the  alternative  minimum  tax.  For tax  years
beginning after 1986, a savings  institution must pay an alternative minimum tax
equal to the amount (if any) by which 20% of alternative  minimum taxable income
("AMTI"),  as reduced by an exemption varying with AMTI, exceeds the regular tax
due.  AMTI equals  regular  taxable  income  increased  or  decreased by certain
adjustments  and increased by certain tax  preferences,  including  depreciation
deductions in excess of those  allowable for  alternative  minimum tax purposes,
tax-exempt  interest on most private  activity bonds issued after August 7, 1986
(reduced by any related interest  expense  disallowed for regular tax purposes),
the amount of the bad debt reserve  deduction claimed in excess of the deduction
based on the experience  method and, for tax years after 1989, 75% of the excess
of adjusted  current  earnings over AMTI.  AMTI may be reduced only up to 90% by
net operating loss carryovers,  but the payment of alternative  minimum tax will
give rise to a minimum tax credit  which will be  available  with an  indefinite
carry forward  period,  to reduce  federal  income taxes of the  institution  in
future years (but not below the level of alternative minimum tax arising in each
of the carry forward years).

     Webster's  federal  income tax returns  have been  examined by the Internal
Revenue Service for tax years through 1993.


                                       16


State

     The State of Connecticut  enacted tax law changes in May 1998, allowing for
the formation of a Passive Investment Company ("PIC") by financial institutions.
This legislation exempts Passive Investment Companies from state income taxation
in  Connecticut,  and exempts from inclusion in  Connecticut  taxable income the
dividends  paid  from  a  passive  investment  company  to a  related  financial
institution.  Webster  Bank  qualifies  as a  financial  institution  under  the
statute,  and has organized a PIC that began  operations in the first quarter of
1999. The legislation is effective for tax year beginning on or after January 1,
1999.  Webster's  formation of a PIC has reduced its  Connecticut tax expense in
1999 and, as a result of the PIC's formation, a deferred tax charge was taken in
the fourth  quarter of 1998.  State income  taxation is in  accordance  with the
corporate  income tax laws of the State of  Connecticut  and other  states on an
apportioned  basis.  For the  State  of  Connecticut,  the  Corporation  and its
subsidiaries,  exclusive of the REIT subsidiary and PIC subsidiary, are required
to pay taxes under the larger of two methods but no less than the minimum tax of
$250 per entity.  Method one is 8.50% (scheduled to decrease to 7.5% by 2000) of
the year's taxable income (which, with certain  exceptions,  is equal to taxable
income for federal  purposes)  or method two  (additional  tax on  capital),  an
amount equal to 3 and 1/10 mills per dollar on its average capital.  The Bank is
not required to compute tax under method two, method one only.

     Webster  expects to pay no state taxes to Connecticut  for the  foreseeable
future, due to the operation of its PIC subsidiary.  Webster also pays state tax
in the State of Massachusetts and New Hampshire due to having business locations
in New Hampshire and business activity in  Massachusetts.  These state taxes are
minimal.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

     At December 31, 1999,  Webster had 33 banking  offices in New Haven County,
57 banking offices in Hartford County, 11 banking offices in Fairfield County, 8
banking offices in Litchfield  County, 4 banking offices in Middlesex  County, 3
banking offices in Tolland County, 2 banking offices in New London County, and 2
banking  offices in the state of New Hampshire.  Of these,  66 offices are owned
and 54 offices are leased.  Lease expiration dates range from 1 to 33 years with
renewal  options of 3 to 35 years.  Additionally,  the Bank  maintains two trust
offices: one in Fairfield County and one in Hartford County.

       The total net book value of properties  and furniture and fixtures  owned
and used for banking  offices at December  31,  1999 was $103.4  million,  which
includes the  aggregate net book value of leasehold  improvements  on properties
used for offices of $5.8 million at that date.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

     At December 31, 1999,  there were no material  pending  legal  proceedings,
other than ordinary  routine  litigation  incidental  to the business,  to which
Webster  or any of its  subsidiaries  was a party  to or of  which  any of their
property was the subject.

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

(a)  A special meeting of Webster's shareholders was held on November 9, 1999.

(b)  Not applicable.

(c)  The following matters were voted on and approved by Webster's  shareholders
     at the special  meeting held on November 9, 1999:  (i) to approve and adopt
     the  agreement  and plan of  merger,  dated as of June  29,  1999,  between
     Webster Financial Corporation and New England Community Bancorp., Inc., the
     merger of NECB into Webster and the other transactions  contemplated by the
     merger  agreement,  as  described  in the joint proxy  statement/prospectus
     (Proposal  1); and (ii) to amend  Webster's  Second  Amended  and  Restated
     Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of
     common stock from 50,000,000 to 200,000,000 (Proposal 2). As to Proposal 1,
     shareholders  cast  28,905,285  votes for,  423,161 votes against,  221,714
     abstentions  and 88,440 broker  non-votes.  As to Proposal 2,  shareholders
     cast 20,657,843 votes for, 8,704,329 votes against, 276,412 abstentions and
     16 broker non-votes.  The record date for the special meeting was September
     24, 1999.

(d)  Not applicable.


                                       17


                                     PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

     The  common  stock of  Webster  is traded  over-the-counter  on the  Nasdaq
National Market System under the symbol "WBST."

     The following table shows dividends declared and the market price per share
by quarter for 1999 and 1998.  Webster increased its quarterly  dividend to $.12
per share in 1999.



- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               COMMON STOCK (PER SHARE)

                                              Cash
                                            Dividends                 Market Price                    End of
                      1999                  Declared              Low              High               Period
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                        
                   Fourth                    $.12               $21 7/8             $28 3/4         $23 9/16
                   Third                      .12                24 3/4              28 13/16        25 1/2
                   Second                     .12                26 3/16             32              27 1/8
                   First                      .11                27 7/16             31 1/8          28 7/8




                                              Cash
                                            Dividends                  Market Price                   End of
                   1998                     Declared              Low              High               Period
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                        
                   Fourth                    $.11               $18 7/8             $28 1/8         $27 7/16
                   Third                      .11                20 5/8              34 5/8          24 3/8
                   Second                     .11                31 7/16             36 1/4          33 1/4
                   First                      .11                28 9/16             35              34 3/4


     Payment  of  dividends  from the Bank to  Webster  is  subject  to  certain
regulatory and other restrictions.  Payment of dividends by Webster on its stock
is subject  to  various  restrictions,  none of which is  expected  to limit any
dividend  policy which the Board of Directors may in the future decide to adopt.
Under  Delaware  law,  Webster may pay dividends out of surplus or, in the event
there is no  surplus,  out of net  profits  for the  fiscal  year in  which  the
dividend is declared and/or the preceding fiscal year. Dividends may not be paid
out of net profits, however, if the capital of Webster has been diminished to an
amount less than the aggregate  amount of capital  represented by all classes of
issued and outstanding preferred stock.

OTHER EVENTS

     The annual  meeting of  shareholders  of Webster  will be held on April 27,
2000.

     See page 72 of the 1999 Annual Report to Shareholders  incorporated  herein
by reference for additional  information concerning Webster's annual meeting and
common stock.


                                       18


ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA


- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    December 31,
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)      1999              1998           1997             1996              1995
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     
STATEMENT OF CONDITION DATA
Total assets                                    $9,931,744       $9,836,029     $9,902,775        $8,061,569        $7,063,945
Loans receivable, net                            6,022,236        5,507,118      5,524,918         5,265,733         4,353,976
Securities                                       3,066,901        3,662,829      3,770,670         2,263,374         2,141,773
Intangible assets                                  138,829           83,227         83,731            86,400            27,122
Deposits                                         6,191,091        6,312,974      6,411,505         6,441,412         5,588,053
Shareholders' equity                               635,667          626,454        585,603           535,087           509,808

OPERATING DATA
Net interest income                             $  303,513       $  282,611     $  285,758        $  252,643        $  210,866
Provision for loan losses                            9,000            8,103         26,449            15,741            11,989
Noninterest income                                  92,630           82,638         47,723            56,833            36,962
Noninterest expenses:
   Acquisition-related expenses                      9,500           20,993         31,989               500             4,271
   Other noninterest expenses                      234,961          208,440        197,544           196,686           161,271
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total noninterest expenses                      244,461          229,433        229,533           197,186           165,542
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income before income taxes                         142,682          127,713         77,499            96,549            70,297
Income taxes                                        47,332           49,694         29,887            35,713            24,122
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income                                          95,350           78,019         47,612            60,836            46,175
Preferred stock dividends                               --               --             --             1,149             1,296
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income available to common shareholders         $   95,350       $   78,019     $   47,612        $   59,687        $   44,879
===============================================================================================================================
SIGNIFICANT STATISTICAL DATA
Interest-rate spread                                  3.18%            2.83%           3.18%            3.22%             3.04%
Net interest margin                                   3.32             2.97            3.35             3.40              3.26
Return on average shareholders' equity               15.33            12.82            8.61            11.44             10.30
Return on average assets                               .98              .77             .53              .75               .65
Net income per common share:
     Basic                                      $     2.14       $     1.72     $     1.06        $     1.38        $     1.15
     Diluted                                          2.10             1.69           1.04              1.32              1.10
Dividends declared per common share                   0.47             0.44           0.40              0.33              0.31
Dividend payout ratio                                22.38%           26.04%         38.46%            25.00%            28.18%
Noninterest expenses to average assets                2.51             2.28           2.57              2.52              2.46
Noninterest expenses to average assets,
  adjusted (a)                                        2.07%            1.78%          2.04%             2.40%             2.22%
Diluted weighted average shares                     45,393           46,118         45,966            46,434            42,069
Book value per common share                     $    14.09       $    14.02     $    13.15        $    12.08        $    11.61
Tangible book value per common share                 11.02            12.16          11.27             10.10             10.96
Shareholders' equity to total assets                  6.40%            6.37%          5.91%             6.64%             7.22%


(a)  Noninterest   expenses   excluding    foreclosed    property,    intangible
     amortization,  acquisition-related,  non-recurring  tax, capital securities
     and preferred dividend expenses divided by average assets.

On  December  1, 1999,  under the  pooling of  interests  method of  accounting,
Webster  acquired New England  Community  Bancorp.,  Inc. All financial  data is
presented as if the combination occurred at the beginning of the earliest period
presented.

All per share data and the  number of  outstanding  shares of common  stock have
been adjusted  retroactively to give effect to stock dividends and a stock split
effected in the form of a stock dividend.


                                       19





ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S  DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
         OF OPERATIONS

       "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition & Results of
Operations"  on pages 23 through 33 of the  Corporation's  1999 Annual Report to
Shareholders is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

       The required  information is incorporated herein by reference to pages 27
through 28 of the Corporation's 1999 Annual Report to Shareholders.

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

       The required  information is incorporated herein by reference to pages 34
through 69 of the Corporation's 1999 Annual Report to Shareholders.

ITEM  9.  CHANGES  IN AND  DISAGREEMENTS  WITH  ACCOUNTANTS  ON  ACCOUNTING  AND
           FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.

     None.

                                    PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

     Information   regarding  the  directors  and  executive   officers  of  the
Corporation  is  omitted  from  this  report  as the  Corporation  has filed its
definitive  proxy  statement  within 120 days  after the end of the fiscal  year
covered by this Report,  and the  information  included  therein is incorporated
herein by reference.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

     Information  regarding  compensation of executive officers and directors is
omitted  from  this  Report as the  Corporation  has  filed a  definitive  proxy
statement  within  120 days  after the end of the  fiscal  year  covered by this
Report, and the information  included therein (excluding the Personnel Resources
Committee  Report  on  Executive   Compensation  and  the  Comparative   Company
Performance information) is incorporated herein by reference.


                                       20






ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

     Information  required  by this  Item is  omitted  from  this  Report as the
Corporation has filed a definitive proxy statement within 120 days after the end
of the fiscal year covered by this Report, and the information  included therein
is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

     Information  regarding certain  relationships  and related  transactions is
omitted  from  this  Report as the  Corporation  has  filed a  definitive  proxy
statement  within  120 days  after the end of the  fiscal  year  covered by this
Report,  and  the  information   included  therein  is  incorporated  herein  by
reference.

                                     PART IV

ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

     (a)(1) The following  Consolidated  Financial  Statements of the Registrant
and its subsidiaries  included in its Annual Report to Shareholders for the year
ended  December 31, 1999,  are  incorporated  herein by reference in Item 8. The
remaining  information  appearing in the Annual  Report to  Shareholders  is not
deemed to be filed as part of this Report, except as expressly provided herein.

     Consolidated Statements of Condition - December 31, 1999 and 1998
     Consolidated Statements of Income - Years Ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and
     1997
     Consolidated  Statements of Shareholders' Equity - Years Ended December 31,
     1999, 1998 and 1997
     Consolidated  Statements of Comprehensive Income - Years Ended December 31,
     1999, 1998 and 1997
     Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Years Ended December 31, 1999, 1998
     and 1997
     Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
     Independent Auditors' Report

     (a)(2)  All  schedules  for  which  provision  is  made  in the  applicable
accounting  regulations  of the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  are  not
required under the related  instructions or are  inapplicable and therefore have
been omitted.

     (a)(3) The  following  exhibits  are either filed as part of this Report or
are incorporated herein by reference;  references to First Federal Bank now mean
Webster Bank:

EXHIBIT NO.                          EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION

Exhibit No. 2.    Plan of Acquisition, Reorganization,  Arrangement, Liquidation
                  or Succession.

2.1               Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December 1, 1999, by
                  and between the Corporation and MECH Financial, Inc. (filed as
                  Exhibit 2.1 to the  Corporation's  Current  Report on Form 8-K
                  filed  with the SEC on  December  10,  1999  and  incorporated
                  herein by reference).

2.2               Option Agreement,  dated as of December 1, 1999,  between MECH
                  Financial,  Inc. and the Corporation  (filed as Exhibit 2.2 to
                  the  Corporation's  Current  Report on Form 8-K filed with the
                  SEC  on  December   10,  1999  and   incorporated   herein  by
                  reference).


                                       21



Exhibit No. 3.    Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws.

3.1               Second Restated Certificate of Incorporation.

3.2               Certificate of Amendment.

3.3               Bylaws,  as amended  (filed as Exhibit 3 to the  Corporation's
                  Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on August 13,
                  1999 and incorporated herein by reference).

Exhibit No. 4     Instruments Defining the Rights of Security Holders.

4.1               Specimen common stock certificate (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the
                  Corporation's  Registration  Statement  on Form S-3  (File No.
                  333-81563)   filed   with  the  SEC  on  June  25,   1999  and
                  incorporated herein by reference).

4.2               Rights  Agreement,  dated as of February 5, 1996,  between the
                  Corporation and Chemical Mellon Shareholder  Services,  L.L.C.
                  (filed as  Exhibit 1 to the  Corporation's  Current  Report on
                  Form  8-K  filed  with  the  SEC  on  February  12,  1996  and
                  incorporated herein by reference).

4.3               Amendment  No.  1 to  Rights  Agreement,  entered  into  as of
                  November  4,  1996,  by  and  between  the   Corporation   and
                  ChaseMellon Shareholder Services,  L.L.C. (filed as an exhibit
                  to the Corporation's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the
                  SEC  on  November   25,  1996  and   incorporated   herein  by
                  reference).

4.4               Amendment  No.  2 to  Rights  Agreement,  entered  into  as of
                  October 30, 1998,  between the  Corporation and American Stock
                  Transfer  &  Trust   Company   (filed  as  Exhibit  1  to  the
                  Corporation's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on
                  October 30, 1998 and incorporated herein by reference).

Exhibit No. 10.   Material Contracts.

10.1              1986 Stock Option Plan of Webster Financial Corporation (filed
                  as Exhibit  10(a) to the  Corporation's  Annual Report on Form
                  10-K  for  the  fiscal  year  ended   December  31,  1986  and
                  incorporated herein by reference).

10.2              1992 Stock Option Plan of Webster Financial Corporation (filed
                  as Exhibit  10.2 to the  Corporation's  Annual  Report on Form
                  10-K  for  the  fiscal  year  ended   December  31,  1993  and
                  incorporated herein by reference).

10.3              Amendment  to [1992]  Stock Option Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.3
                  to the Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
                  year  ended  December  31,  1998 and  incorporated  herein  by
                  reference).

10.4              Amendment  No. 1 to 1992 Stock  Option  Plan (filed as Exhibit
                  10.3 to the  Corporation's  Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
                  fiscal year ended December 31, 1993 and incorporated herein by
                  reference).

10.5              Amendment  No. 2 to 1992 Stock  Option  Plan (filed as Exhibit
                  10.4 to the  Corporation's  Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
                  fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 and incorporated herein by
                  reference).

10.6              Amendment  No. 3 to 1992 Stock  Option  Plan (filed as Exhibit
                  10.1 to the Corporation's  Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed
                  with the SEC on August  14,  1998 and  incorporated  herein by
                  reference).

10.7              Amendment  No. 4 to 1992 Stock  Option  Plan (filed as Exhibit
                  10.7 to the  Corporation's  Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
                  fiscal year ended December 31, 1998 and incorporated herein by
                  reference).

10.8              Economic Value Added  Incentive  Plan (the  description of the
                  plan  in the  last  paragraph  that  begins  on page 17 of the
                  Corporation's  definitive  proxy materials for the 2000 Annual
                  Meeting of Shareholders is incorporated herein by reference).


                                       22


10.9              Performance   Incentive  Plan  (filed  as  Exhibit  A  to  the
                  Corporation's definitive proxy materials for the Corporation's
                  1996 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and incorporated herein by
                  reference).

10.10             Amendment  to  Webster   Financial   Corporation   Performance
                  Incentive  Plan as amended and restated  effective  January 1,
                  1996  (filed  as  Exhibit  10.11 to the  Corporation's  Annual
                  Report on Form 10-K for the  fiscal  year ended  December  31,
                  1998 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.11             Amended and Restated Deferred  Compensation Plan for Directors
                  and  Officers of Webster  Bank (filed as Exhibit  10.12 to the
                  Corporation's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
                  ended December 31, 1998 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.12             First Amended and Restated Directors Retainer Fees Plan (filed
                  as Exhibit 10.3 to the Corporation's  Quarterly Report on Form
                  10-Q filed with the SEC on August  14,  1998 and  incorporated
                  herein by reference).

10.13             Supplemental  Retirement  Plan for  Employees of First Federal
                  Bank, as amended and restated  effective as of October 1, 1994
                  (filed as Exhibit 10.26 to the Corporation's  Annual Report on
                  Form 10-K for the fiscal  year  ended  December  31,  1994 and
                  incorporated herein by reference).

10.14             Amendment  No.  1 to  the  Supplemental  Retirement  Plan  for
                  Employees of First Federal Bank (filed as Exhibit 10.15 to the
                  Corporation's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
                  ended December 31, 1998 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.15             Amendment  No.  2 to  the  Supplemental  Retirement  Plan  for
                  Employees of First Federal Bank (filed as Exhibit 10.16 to the
                  Corporation's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
                  ended December 31, 1998 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.16             Amendment  No.  3 to  the  Supplemental  Retirement  Plan  for
                  Employees  of  Webster  Bank  (filed as  Exhibit  10.17 to the
                  Corporation's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
                  ended December 31, 1998 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.17             Qualified   Performance-Based   Compensation  Plan  (filed  as
                  Exhibit A to the Corporation's  definitive proxy materials for
                  the  Corporation's  1998 Annual  Meeting of  Shareholders  and
                  incorporated herein by reference).

10.18             Employment Agreement, dated as of January 1, 1998, among James
                  C. Smith,  the  Corporation and Webster Bank (filed as Exhibit
                  10.27 to the Corporation's  Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
                  fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 and incorporated herein by
                  reference; see Schedule 10.27 to that Exhibit 10.27 for a list
                  of other  executive  officers of the  Corporation  and Webster
                  Bank who have an Employment Agreement  substantially identical
                  in all material  respects to the  Employment  Agreement of Mr.
                  Smith,  except as to the name of the  executive who is a party
                  to  the  agreement  and as  otherwise  indicated  on  Schedule
                  10.27).

10.19             Amendment to  Employment  Agreement,  entered into as of March
                  17, 1998, by and among Webster Bank, the Corporation and James
                  C. Smith (filed as Exhibit 10.28 to the  Corporation's  Annual
                  Report on Form 10-K for the  fiscal  year ended  December  31,
                  1997 and incorporated herein by reference;  see Schedule 10.28
                  to that Exhibit 10.28 for a list of other  executive  officers
                  of the  Corporation  and Webster Bank who have an Amendment to
                  Employment Agreement  substantially  identical in all material
                  respects  to the  Amendment  to  Employment  Agreement  of Mr.
                  Smith,  except as to the name of the  executive who is a party
                  to the agreement).

10.20             Change of Control Employment  Agreement,  dated as of December
                  15, 1997,  by and between the  Corporation  and James C. Smith
                  (filed as Exhibit 10.29 to the Corporation's  Annual Report on
                  Form 10-K for the fiscal  year  ended  December  31,  1997 and
                  incorporated  herein by reference;  see Schedule 10.29 to that
                  Exhibit  10.29 for a list of other  executive  officers of the
                  Corporation who have a Change of Control Employment  Agreement
                  substantially identical in all material respects to the Change
                  of Control Employment Agreement of Mr. Smith, except as to the
                  name of the executive who is a party to the agreement).

                                       23



10.21             Purchase  and  Assumption  Agreement,  dated as of  October 2,
                  1992,  among the Federal Deposit  Insurance  Corporation  (the
                  "FDIC"),  in its  corporate  capacity  as  receiver  of  First
                  Constitution  Bank,  the FDIC and First Federal Bank (filed as
                  Exhibit  2 to the  Corporation's  Current  Report  on Form 8-K
                  filed with the SEC on October 19, 1992 and incorporated herein
                  by reference).

10.22             Amendment No. 1 to Purchase and Assumption Agreement,  made as
                  of August  8,  1994,  by and  between  the  FDIC,  the FDIC as
                  receiver of First  Constitution  Bank,  and First Federal Bank
                  (filed as Exhibit 10.36 to the Corporation's  Annual Report on
                  Form 10-K for the fiscal  year  ended  December  31,  1994 and
                  incorporated herein by reference).

10.23             Indenture,  dated as of June 15, 1993, between the Corporation
                  and Chemical Bank, as trustee,  relating to the  Corporation's
                  8 3/4%  Senior  Notes due 2000  (filed as Exhibit  99.5 to the
                  Corporation's  Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed with the SEC
                  on November 10, 1993 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.24             Junior  Subordinated  Indenture,  dated as of January 29, 1997
                  between the  Corporation and The Bank of New York, as trustee,
                  relating to the Corporation's  Junior Subordinated  Deferrable
                  Interest   Debentures   (filed   as   Exhibit   10.41  to  the
                  Corporation's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
                  ended December 31, 1996 and incorporated herein by reference).

Exhibit No. 13.   Portions of 1999 Annual Report to Shareholders.

Exhibit No. 21    Subsidiaries.

Exhibit No. 23.   Consent of KPMG LLP.

Exhibit No. 27.   Financial Data Schedules.


     (b) Reports on Form 8-K

     Webster filed the following Current Reports on Form 8-K with the Securities
     and Exchange  Commission  (the "SEC") during the quarter ended December 31,
     1999:

     (i)  Current  Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on  December  10,  1999
          (date of report  December  1,  1999)  (announcing  Webster's  proposed
          acquisition of MECH Financial, Inc.).

     (ii) Current  Report on Form 8-K  filed  with the SEC on  December  9, 1999
          (date of report  December  1,  1999)  (announcing  the  completion  of
          Webster's acquisition of New England Community Bancorp, Inc.)

     (c)  Exhibits  to this Form 10-K are  attached  or  incorporated  herein by
reference as stated above.

     (d) Not applicable.


                                       24



                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant  to the  requirements  of  Section  13 or 15(d) of the  Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, as of March 29, 2000.

                                            WEBSTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION


                                            By /s/ James C. Smith
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            James C. Smith
                                            Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

       Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report  has  been  signed  below  by the  following  persons  on  behalf  of the
registrant and in the capacities indicated as of March 29, 2000.

         Name:                                          Title:
         -----                                          ------


/s/ James C. Smith                       Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
- ----------------------------------       (Principal Executive Officer)
James C. Smith

/s/ Peter J. Swiatek                     Controller
- ----------------------------------       (Acting Principal Financial Officer and
Peter J. Swiatek                           Acting Principal Accounting Officer)

/s/ Richard H. Alden                     Director
- ----------------------------------
Richard H. Alden

/s/ Achille A. Apicella                  Director
- ----------------------------------
Achille A. Apicella

/s/ Joel S. Becker                       Director
- ----------------------------------
Joel S. Becker

/s/ O. Joseph Bizzozero, Jr.             Director
- -----------------------------------
O. Joseph Bizzozero, Jr.

/s/ George T. Carpenter                  Director
- ----------------------------------
George T. Carpenter


                                       25



/s/ John J. Crawford                     Director
- ----------------------------------
John J. Crawford

/s/ Harry P. DiAdamo, Jr                 Director
- ----------------------------------
Harry P. DiAdamo, Jr.

/s/ Robert A. Finkenzeller               Director
- ----------------------------------
Robert A. Finkenzeller

/s/ P. Anthony Giorgio                   Director
- ----------------------------------
P. Anthony Giorgio

/s/ C. Michael Jacobi                    Director
- ----------------------------------
C. Michael Jacobi

/s/ John F. McCarthy                     Director
- ----------------------------------
John F. McCarthy

/s/ Sister Marguerite F. Waite           Director
- ----------------------------------
Sister Marguerite F. Waite


                                       26



                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

EXHIBIT NO.                     EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Exhibit No. 2.    Plan of Acquisition, Reorganization,  Arrangement, Liquidation
                  or Succession.

2.1               Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December 1, 1999, by
                  and between the Corporation and MECH Financial, Inc. (filed as
                  Exhibit 2.1 to the  Corporation's  Current  Report on Form 8-K
                  filed  with the SEC on  December  10,  1999  and  incorporated
                  herein by reference).

2.2               Option Agreement,  dated as of December 1, 1999,  between MECH
                  Financial,  Inc. and the Corporation  (filed as Exhibit 2.2 to
                  the  Corporation's  Current  Report on Form 8-K filed with the
                  SEC  on  December   10,  1999  and   incorporated   herein  by
                  reference).

Exhibit No. 3.    Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws.

3.1               Second Restated Certificate of Incorporation.

3.2               Certificate of Amendment.

3.3               Bylaws,  as amended  (filed as Exhibit 3 to the  Corporation's
                  Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on August 13,
                  1999 and incorporated herein by reference).

Exhibit No. 4     Instruments Defining the Rights of Security Holders.

4.1               Specimen common stock certificate (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the
                  Corporation's  Registration  Statement  on Form S-3  (File No.
                  333-81563)   filed   with  the  SEC  on  June  25,   1999  and
                  incorporated herein by reference).

4.2               Rights  Agreement,  dated as of February 5, 1996,  between the
                  Corporation and Chemical Mellon Shareholder  Services,  L.L.C.
                  (filed as  Exhibit 1 to the  Corporation's  Current  Report on
                  Form  8-K  filed  with  the  SEC  on  February  12,  1996  and
                  incorporated herein by reference).

4.3               Amendment  No.  1 to  Rights  Agreement,  entered  into  as of
                  November  4,  1996,  by  and  between  the   Corporation   and
                  ChaseMellon Shareholder Services,  L.L.C. (filed as an exhibit
                  to the Corporation's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the
                  SEC  on  November   25,  1996  and   incorporated   herein  by
                  reference).

4.4               Amendment  No.  2 to  Rights  Agreement,  entered  into  as of
                  October 30, 1998,  between the  Corporation and American Stock
                  Transfer  &  Trust   Company   (filed  as  Exhibit  1  to  the
                  Corporation's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on
                  October 30, 1998 and incorporated herein by reference).

Exhibit No. 10.   Material Contracts.

10.1              1986 Stock Option Plan of Webster Financial Corporation (filed
                  as Exhibit  10(a) to the  Corporation's  Annual Report on Form
                  10-K  for  the  fiscal  year  ended   December  31,  1986  and
                  incorporated herein by reference).

10.2              1992 Stock Option Plan of Webster Financial Corporation (filed
                  as Exhibit  10.2 to the  Corporation's  Annual  Report on Form
                  10-K  for  the  fiscal  year  ended   December  31,  1993  and
                  incorporated herein by reference).

10.3              Amendment  to [1992] Stock  Option Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.3
                  to the Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
                  year  ended  December  31,  1998 and  incorporated  herein  by
                  reference).

10.4              Amendment  No. 1 to 1992 Stock  Option  Plan (filed as Exhibit
                  10.3 to the  Corporation's  Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
                  fiscal year ended December 31, 1993 and incorporated herein by
                  reference).


                                       27


10.5              Amendment  No. 2 to 1992 Stock  Option  Plan (filed as Exhibit
                  10.4 to the  Corporation's  Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
                  fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 and incorporated herein by
                  reference).

10.6              Amendment  No. 3 to 1992 Stock  Option  Plan (filed as Exhibit
                  10.1 to the Corporation's  Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed
                  with the SEC on August  14,  1998 and  incorporated  herein by
                  reference).

10.7              Amendment  No. 4 to 1992 Stock  Option  Plan (filed as Exhibit
                  10.7 to the  Corporation's  Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
                  fiscal year ended December 31, 1998 and incorporated herein by
                  reference).

10.8              Economic Value Added  Incentive  Plan (the  description of the
                  plan  in the  last  paragraph  that  begins  on page 17 of the
                  Corporation's  definitive  proxy materials for the 2000 Annual
                  Meeting of Shareholders is incorporated herein by reference).

10.9              Performance   Incentive  Plan  (filed  as  Exhibit  A  to  the
                  Corporation's definitive proxy materials for the Corporation's
                  1996 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and incorporated herein by
                  reference).

10.10             Amendment  to  Webster   Financial   Corporation   Performance
                  Incentive  Plan as amended and restated  effective  January 1,
                  1996  (filed  as  Exhibit  10.11 to the  Corporation's  Annual
                  Report on Form 10-K for the  fiscal  year ended  December  31,
                  1998 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.11             Amended and Restated Deferred  Compensation Plan for Directors
                  and  Officers of Webster  Bank (filed as Exhibit  10.12 to the
                  Corporation's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
                  ended December 31, 1998 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.12             First Amended and Restated Directors Retainer Fees Plan (filed
                  as Exhibit 10.3 to the Corporation's  Quarterly Report on Form
                  10-Q filed with the SEC on August  14,  1998 and  incorporated
                  herein by reference).

10.13             Supplemental  Retirement  Plan for  Employees of First Federal
                  Bank, as amended and restated  effective as of October 1, 1994
                  (filed as Exhibit 10.26 to the Corporation's  Annual Report on
                  Form 10-K for the fiscal  year  ended  December  31,  1994 and
                  incorporated herein by reference).

10.14             Amendment  No.  1 to  the  Supplemental  Retirement  Plan  for
                  Employees of First Federal Bank (filed as Exhibit 10.15 to the
                  Corporation's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
                  ended December 31, 1998 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.15             Amendment  No.  2 to  the  Supplemental  Retirement  Plan  for
                  Employees of First Federal Bank (filed as Exhibit 10.16 to the
                  Corporation's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
                  ended December 31, 1998 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.16             Amendment  No.  3 to  the  Supplemental  Retirement  Plan  for
                  Employees  of  Webster  Bank  (filed as  Exhibit  10.17 to the
                  Corporation's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
                  ended December 31, 1998 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.17             Qualified   Performance-Based   Compensation  Plan  (filed  as
                  Exhibit A to the Corporation's  definitive proxy materials for
                  the  Corporation's  1998 Annual  Meeting of  Shareholders  and
                  incorporated herein by reference).

10.18             Employment Agreement, dated as of January 1, 1998, among James
                  C. Smith,  the  Corporation and Webster Bank (filed as Exhibit
                  10.27 to the Corporation's  Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
                  fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 and incorporated herein by
                  reference; see Schedule 10.27 to that Exhibit 10.27 for a list
                  of other  executive  officers of the  Corporation  and Webster
                  Bank who have an Employment Agreement  substantially identical
                  in all material  respects to the  Employment  Agreement of Mr.
                  Smith,  except as to the name of the  executive who is a party
                  to  the  agreement  and as  otherwise  indicated  on  Schedule
                  10.27).


                                       28


10.19             Amendment to  Employment  Agreement,  entered into as of March
                  17, 1998, by and among Webster Bank, the Corporation and James
                  C. Smith (filed as Exhibit 10.28 to the  Corporation's  Annual
                  Report on Form 10-K for the  fiscal  year ended  December  31,
                  1997 and incorporated herein by reference;  see Schedule 10.28
                  to that Exhibit 10.28 for a list of other  executive  officers
                  of the  Corporation  and Webster Bank who have an Amendment to
                  Employment Agreement  substantially  identical in all material
                  respects  to the  Amendment  to  Employment  Agreement  of Mr.
                  Smith,  except as to the name of the  executive who is a party
                  to the agreement).

10.20             Change of Control Employment  Agreement,  dated as of December
                  15, 1997,  by and between the  Corporation  and James C. Smith
                  (filed as Exhibit 10.29 to the Corporation's  Annual Report on
                  Form 10-K for the fiscal  year  ended  December  31,  1997 and
                  incorporated  herein by reference;  see Schedule 10.29 to that
                  Exhibit  10.29 for a list of other  executive  officers of the
                  Corporation who have a Change of Control Employment  Agreement
                  substantially identical in all material respects to the Change
                  of Control Employment Agreement of Mr. Smith, except as to the
                  name of the executive who is a party to the agreement).

10.21             Purchase  and  Assumption  Agreement,  dated as of  October 2,
                  1992,  among the Federal Deposit  Insurance  Corporation  (the
                  "FDIC"),  in its  corporate  capacity  as  receiver  of  First
                  Constitution  Bank,  the FDIC and First Federal Bank (filed as
                  Exhibit  2 to the  Corporation's  Current  Report  on Form 8-K
                  filed with the SEC on October 19, 1992 and incorporated herein
                  by reference).

10.22             Amendment No. 1 to Purchase and Assumption Agreement,  made as
                  of August  8,  1994,  by and  between  the  FDIC,  the FDIC as
                  receiver of First  Constitution  Bank,  and First Federal Bank
                  (filed as Exhibit 10.36 to the Corporation's  Annual Report on
                  Form 10-K for the fiscal  year  ended  December  31,  1994 and
                  incorporated herein by reference).

10.23             Indenture,  dated as of June 15, 1993, between the Corporation
                  and Chemical Bank, as trustee, relating to the Corporation's 8
                  3/4%  Senior  Notes  due 2000  (filed as  Exhibit  99.5 to the
                  Corporation's  Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed with the SEC
                  on November 10, 1993 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.24             Junior  Subordinated  Indenture,  dated as of January 29, 1997
                  between the  Corporation and The Bank of New York, as trustee,
                  relating to the Corporation's  Junior Subordinated  Deferrable
                  Interest   Debentures   (filed   as   Exhibit   10.41  to  the
                  Corporation's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
                  ended December 31, 1996 and incorporated herein by reference).

Exhibit No. 13.   Portions of 1999 Annual Report to Shareholders.

Exhibit No. 21    Subsidiaries.

Exhibit No. 23.   Consent of KPMG LLP.

Exhibit No. 27.   Financial Data Schedules.


                                       29