Exhibit 23.6

                    CONSENT OF KEEFE, BRUYETTE & WOODS, INC.





                                                                    May 12, 2000




         We  hereby  consent  to the use of our  opinion  letter to the Board of
Directors of MECH Financial,  Inc. ("MECH") dated May 12, 2000 to be included as
an exhibit in the Form S-4  Registration  Statement  filed by Webster  Financial
Corp.  ("Webster") in connection  with the proposed  merger between  Webster and
MECH,  and to all  references  to our firm in such  Registration  Statement.  In
giving such  consent we do not admit that we come within the category of persons
whose consent is required  under,  and we do not admit that we are "experts" for
the  purposes  of, the  Securities  Act of 1933,  as amended,  and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder.


                                             KEEFE, BRUYETTE & WOODS, INC.



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