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                                                                    EXHIBIT 32.1
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      WRITTEN STATEMENT OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER PURSUANT TO SECTION 906
                        OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

The undersigned, the Chief Executive Officer of Webster Financial Corporation
(the "Company"), hereby certifies that, to his knowledge on the date hereof:

             (a)    the Form 10-Q Report of the Company for the quarter ended
                    June 30, 2003 filed on the date hereof with the Securities
                    and Exchange Commission (the "Report") fully complies with
                    the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities
                    Exchange Act of 1934; and

             (b)    information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all
                    material respects, the financial condition and results of
                    operations of the Company.

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

Date:  August 12, 2003

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been
provided to Webster Financial Corporation and will be retained by Webster
Financial Corporation and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or
its staff upon request.