EXHIBIT  23

                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

The Board of Directors
Webster Financial Corporation:



We consent to the  incorporation  by  reference in the  registration  statements
(Nos. 33-13244 and 33-38286) on Forms S-8 and the registration statement on Form
S-4 related to the  registration  of shares for the purchase of MECH  Financial,
Inc. of Webster  Financial  Corporation  of our report  dated  January 28, 2000,
relating  to the  consolidated  statements  of  condition  of Webster  Financial
Corporation  and  subsidiaries as of December 31, 1999 and 1998, and the related
consolidated  statements of income,  comprehensive income,  shareholders' equity
and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31,
1999,  which report  appears in the December 31, 1999 annual report on Form 10-K
of Webster Financial Corporation.

                                                  /s/ KPMG LLP


Hartford, Connecticut
March 29, 2000