STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Webster Financial Corporation (“Webster”) (NYSE: WBS), the holding company for Webster Bank, N.A., today announced net income available to common stockholders of $173.6 million, or $1.01 per diluted share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, compared to $181.2 million, or $1.05 per diluted share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2023.

Fourth quarter 2024 results include securities repositioning losses of $56.9 million, pre-tax, and a deferred tax asset valuation adjustment of $29.4 million. Excluding these items, adjusted earnings per diluted share would have been $1.43¹ for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, compared to $1.46 for the quarter ended December 31, 2023.

“Our financial performance for the quarter and full year 2024 illustrate the power and resiliency of Webster’s business model” said John R. Ciulla, chairman and chief executive officer. “At the same time, we are thoughtfully investing to facilitate future growth.”

Highlights for the fourth quarter of 2024:

• Revenue of $661.0 million.
• Period end loans and leases balance of $52.5 billion, up $0.6 billion or 1.1 percent from prior quarter.
• Period end deposits balance of $64.8 billion, up $0.2 billion or 0.4 percent from prior quarter.
• Provision for credit losses of $63.5 million.
• Return on average assets of 0.91 percent; adjusted 1.27 percent¹.
• Return on average tangible common equity of 12.73 percent¹; adjusted 17.73 percent¹.
• Net interest margin of 3.39 percent, up 3 basis points from prior quarter.
• Common equity tier 1 ratio of 11.50%².
• Efficiency ratio of 44.80 percent¹.
• Tangible common equity ratio of 7.45 percent¹.

“The actions we took in 2024 to enhance Webster’s capital and liquidity, unique funding attributes and investments in people and technology fortify the base for our company’s growth” said Neal Holland, executive vice president and chief financial officer.

Consolidated financial performance:

Quarterly net interest income compared to the fourth quarter of 2023:

• Net interest income was $608.5 million compared to $571.0 million.
• Net interest margin was 3.39 percent compared to 3.42 percent. The yield on interest-earning assets decreased by 1 basis point, and the cost of interest-bearing liabilities remained flat.
• Average interest-earning assets totaled $71.9 billion and increased by $4.4 billion, or 6.4 percent.
• Average loans and leases totaled $52.3 billion and increased by $1.9 billion, or 3.8 percent.
• Average deposits totaled $64.8 billion and increased by $4.8 billion, or 8.1 percent.

Quarterly provision for credit losses:

• The provision for credit losses was $63.5 million in the quarter, contributing to a $1.8 million increase in the allowance for credit losses on loans and leases from the prior quarter. The provision for credit losses was $54.0 million in the prior quarter, and $36.0 million a year ago.
• Net charge-offs were $60.9 million, compared to $35.4 million in the prior quarter, and $34.0 million a year ago. The ratio of net charge-offs to average loans and leases was 0.47 percent, compared to 0.27 percent in both the prior quarter and a year ago.
• The allowance for credit losses on loans and leases represented 1.31 percent of total loans and leases, compared to 1.32 percent at September 30, 2024, and 1.25 percent at December 31, 2023. The allowance represented 149 percent of nonperforming loans and leases, compared to 162 percent at September 30, 2024, and 303 percent at December 31, 2023.

Quarterly non-interest income compared to the fourth quarter of 2023:

• Total non-interest income was $52.5 million compared to $63.8 million, a decrease of $11.3 million. Total non-interest income includes $56.9 million and $16.8 million of losses on sales of investment securities for the fourth quarter of 2024 and 2023, respectively. Excluding these items, total non-interest income increased $28.8 million. The increase is primarily attributable to direct investment gains, a credit valuation adjustment, and the addition of Ametros.

Quarterly non-interest expense compared to the fourth quarter of 2023:

• Total non-interest expense was $340.4 million compared to $377.2 million, a decrease of $36.8 million. In the fourth quarter of 2023, total non-interest expense included $47.2 million related to the FDIC special assessment and a net $30.7 million of merger related expenses. Excluding those charges, total non-interest expense increased $41.0 million. The increase is primarily attributable to the addition of Ametros and the related intangible amortization, higher performance-based incentives, investments in human capital and technology, and a contribution to the Webster Charitable Foundation.

Quarterly income taxes compared to the fourth quarter of 2023:

• Income tax expense was $79.3 million compared to $36.2 million, and the effective tax rate was 30.9 percent compared to 16.3 percent. The higher tax expense and tax rate in the current period reflects a $29.4 million deferred tax asset valuation adjustment related to state and local net operating loss carryforwards, which impacted the rate by 11.4 percentage points. The lower effective tax rate in the period a year ago reflected the recognition of a discrete tax benefit attributable to tax return true-up adjustments, along with a lower level of pre-tax income in that period.

Investment securities:

• Total investment securities, net were $17.5 billion, compared to $17.2 billion at September 30, 2024, and $16.0 billion at December 31, 2023. The carrying value of the available-for-sale portfolio included $712.9 million of net unrealized losses, compared to $486.1 million at September 30, 2024, and $708.7 million at December 31, 2023. The carrying value of the held-to-maturity portfolio does not reflect $991.2 million of net unrealized losses, compared to $677.0 million at September 30, 2024, and $810.2 million at December 31, 2023.

Loans and leases:

• Total loans and leases were $52.5 billion, compared to $51.9 billion at September 30, 2024, and $50.7 billion at December 31, 2023. Compared to September 30, 2024, commercial loans and leases increased by $556.0 million, commercial real estate loans decreased by $300.3 million, residential mortgages increased by $277.1 million, and consumer loans increased by $25.5 million. Compared to a year ago, commercial loans and leases increased by $904.9 million, commercial real estate loans increased by $233.3 million, residential mortgages increased by $625.7 million, and consumer loans increased by $15.2 million.
• Loan originations for the portfolio were $3.4 billion, compared to $2.8 billion in the prior quarter, and $3.2 billion a year ago.

Asset quality:

• Total nonperforming loans and leases were $461.3 million, or 0.88 percent of total loans and leases, compared to $425.6 million, or 0.82 percent of total loans and leases, at September 30, 2024, and $209.5 million, or 0.41 percent of total loans and leases, at December 31, 2023.
• Past due loans and leases were $88.6 million, compared to $108.9 million at September 30, 2024, and $46.6 million at December 31, 2023. The decrease from prior quarter is driven primarily by commercial non-mortgage and residential mortgages, partially offset by commercial real estate.

Deposits and borrowings:

• Total deposits were $64.8 billion, compared to $64.5 billion at September 30, 2024, and $60.8 billion at December 31, 2023. During the quarter, seasonal declines in municipal deposits of $1.1 million were offset by short-duration time deposits. Core deposits to total deposits¹ were 87.3 percent, compared to 88.5 percent at September 30, 2024, and 86.1 percent at December 31, 2023. The loan to deposit ratio was 81.1 percent, compared to 80.5 percent at September 30, 2024, and 83.5 percent at December 31, 2023.
• Total borrowings were $3.4 billion, compared to $4.1 billion at September 30, 2024, and $3.9 billion at December 31, 2023.

Capital:

• The return on average common stockholders’ equity and the return on average tangible common stockholders’ equity¹ were 7.80 percent and 12.73 percent, respectively, compared to 8.67 percent and 14.29 percent, respectively, in the third quarter of 2024, and 9.03 percent and 14.49 percent, respectively, in the fourth quarter of 2023.
• The adjusted return on average tangible common stockholders’ equity¹ was 17.73 percent, compared to 17.28 percent in the third quarter of 2024, and 19.83 percent in the fourth quarter of 2023.
• The tangible equity¹ and tangible common equity¹ ratios were 7.82 percent and 7.45 percent, respectively, compared to 7.85 percent and 7.48 percent, respectively, at September 30, 2024, and 8.12 percent and 7.73 percent, respectively, at December 31, 2023. The common equity tier 1² ratio was 11.50 percent, compared to 11.25 percent at September 30, 2024, and 11.11 percent at December 31, 2023.
• Book value and tangible book value per common share¹ were $51.63 and $32.95, respectively, compared to $52.00 and $33.26, respectively, at September 30, 2024, and $48.87 and $32.39, respectively, at December 31, 2023.

Reportable segments:

Commercial Banking

Webster’s Commercial Banking segment serves businesses that have more than $10 million of revenue through its asset based lending, commercial services, commercial real estate, middle market, private banking, sponsor and specialty, verticals, regional banking, and treasury management business units. At December 31, 2024, Commercial Banking had $40.6 billion in loans and leases and $16.3 billion in deposits, as well as a combined $3.0 billion in assets under administration and management.

Commercial Banking Operating Results:

Pre-tax, pre-provision net revenue decreased $22.7 million, to $264.7 million, in the quarter as compared to prior year. Net interest income decreased $21.5 million, to $330.4 million, primarily driven by lower loan yields coupled with lower deposit interest spread. Non-interest income increased $8.3 million, to $41.0 million, primarily driven by direct investment gains, higher deposit and cash management fees, and increased fees from trust and investment services, partially offset by lower fees from client hedging activities and lower loan servicing fees. Non-interest expense increased $9.5 million, to $106.8 million, primarily driven by continued investments in technology and increased compensation-related expenses.

Healthcare Financial Services

Webster’s Healthcare Financial Services segment is comprised of HSA Bank and Ametros, which was acquired in the first quarter of 2024. This segment offers consumer-directed healthcare solutions that include health savings accounts, health reimbursement arrangements, administration of medical insurance claim settlements, flexible spending accounts, and commuter benefits. Accounts are distributed nationwide directly to employers and individual consumers, as well as through national and regional insurance carriers, benefit consultants, and financial advisors. At December 31, 2024, Healthcare Financial Services had $15.3 billion in total footings comprising $10.0 billion in deposits and $5.3 billion in assets under administration through linked investment accounts.

Healthcare Financial Services Operating Results:

Pre-tax net revenue increased $7.3 million, to $63.7 million, in the quarter as compared to prior year. Net interest income increased $17.1 million, to $95.2 million, primarily due to $12.0 million from Ametros coupled with deposit growth at HSA Bank. Non-interest income increased $4.9 million, to $25.1 million, primarily due to $6.1 million from Ametros, offset by a decrease of $1.2 million from HSA Bank. The decrease in HSA Bank was the net result of lower customer account fees partially offset by higher interchange revenue. Non-interest expense increased $14.7 million, to $56.7 million, primarily due to $11.4 million from Ametros. HSA Bank expenses were $3.3 million higher due to higher service contract expense related to account growth and support costs.

Consumer Banking

Webster’s Consumer Banking segment serves consumer and business banking customers primarily throughout southern New England and the New York metro and suburban markets. Consumer Banking is comprised of the residential and consumer lending, private client, and business banking business units, as well as a distribution network consisting of 196 banking centers and 347 ATMs, a customer care center, and a full range of digital and mobile-based banking services. Additionally, Webster Investment Services provides investment services to consumers and small business owners within Webster’s targeted markets and retail footprint. At December 31, 2024, Consumer Banking had $11.9 billion in loans and $27.3 billion in deposits, as well as $8.0 billion in assets under administration.

Consumer Banking Operating Results:

Pre-tax, pre-provision net revenue decreased $14.9 million, to $110.0 million, in the quarter as compared to prior year. Net interest income decreased $11.7 million, to $202.2 million, primarily driven by higher rates paid on deposits, partially offset by higher loan yields, as well as loan and deposit balance growth. Non-interest income decreased $0.5 million, to $27.0 million, primarily driven by lower loan servicing fees and a decrease in gains on sales of loans, partially offset by increased deposit related fees and higher miscellaneous fee income. Non-interest expense increased $2.7 million, to $119.1 million, primarily driven by continued investments in technology, partially offset by lower overall operating expenses.

***

Webster Financial Corporation (NYSE:WBS) is the holding company for Webster Bank, N.A. Webster is a leading commercial bank in the Northeast that provides a wide range of digital and traditional financial solutions across three differentiated lines of business: Commercial Banking, Consumer Banking, and Healthcare Financial Services, one of the country’s largest providers of employee benefit solutions and administrator of medical insurance claim settlements. Headquartered in Stamford, CT, Webster is a values-driven organization with $79 billion in assets. Its core footprint spans the northeastern U.S. from New York to Massachusetts, with certain businesses operating in extended geographies. Webster Bank is a member of the FDIC and an equal housing lender. For more information about Webster, including past press releases and the latest annual report, visit the Webster website at www.websterbank.com.

Conference Call

A conference call covering Webster’s fourth quarter 2024 earnings announcement will be held today, Friday, January 17, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time. To listen to the live call, please dial 888-330-2446, or 240-789-2732 for international callers. The passcode is 8607257. The webcast, along with related slides, will be available via Webster’s Investor Relations website at investors.websterbank.com. A replay of the conference call will be available for one week via the website listed above, beginning at approximately 12:00 noon (Eastern Time) on January 17, 2025. To access the replay, dial 800-770-2030, or 609-800-9909 for international callers. The replay conference ID number is 8607257.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as “believes,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “targeted,” “continue,” “remain,” “will,” “should,” “may,” “plans,” “estimates,” and similar references to future periods. However, these words are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. Examples of forward-looking statements include but are not limited to: projections of revenues, expenses, expense savings, income or loss, earnings or loss per share, and other financial items; statements of plans, objectives, and expectations of Webster or its management or Board of Directors; statements of future economic performance; and statements of assumptions underlying such statements. Forward-looking statements are based on Webster’s current expectations and assumptions regarding its business, the economy, and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks, and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Webster’s actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements, which are neither statements of historical fact nor guarantees or assurances of future performance. Factors that could cause Webster’s actual results to differ from those discussed in any forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: Webster’s ability to successfully execute its business plan and strategic initiatives, and manage any risks or uncertainties; continued regulatory changes or other mitigation efforts taken by government agencies in response to volatility in the banking industry; volatility in Webster’s stock price due to investor sentiment and perception of the banking industry; local, regional, national, and international economic conditions, and the impact they may have on Webster or its customers; volatility and disruption in national and international financial markets, including as a result of geopolitical conflict; the impact of unrealized losses in Webster’s available-for-sale securities portfolio; changes in laws and regulations, or existing laws and regulations that Webster becomes subject to, including those concerning banking, taxes, dividends, securities, insurance, cybersecurity, and healthcare administration, with which Webster and its subsidiaries must comply; adverse conditions in the securities markets that could lead to impairment in the value of Webster’s securities portfolio; inflation, monetary fluctuations, and changes in interest rates, including the impact of such changes on economic conditions, customer behavior, funding costs, and Webster’s loans and leases and securities portfolios; possible changes in governmental monetary and fiscal policies, including, but not limited to, the Federal Reserve policies in connection with continued inflationary pressures; the effects of any U.S. federal government shutdown; the impact of any new regulatory, policy, or enforcement developments resulting from the change in U.S. presidential administration; the timely development and acceptance of new products and services, and the perceived value of those products and services by customers; changes in deposit flows, consumer spending, borrowings, and savings habits; Webster’s ability to implement new technologies and maintain secure and reliable information and technology systems; the effects of any cybersecurity threats, attacks or disruptions, fraudulent activity, or other data breaches or security events, including those involving Webster’s third-party vendors and service providers; performance by Webster’s counterparties and third-party vendors; Webster’s ability to increase market share and control expenses; changes in the competitive environment among banks, financial holding companies, and other traditional and non-traditional financial service providers; Webster’s ability to maintain adequate sources of funding and liquidity; Webster’s ability to attract, develop, motivate, and retain skilled employees; changes in loan demand or real estate values; changes in the mix of loan geographies, sectors, or types and the level of nonperforming assets, charge-offs, and delinquencies; changes in our estimates of current expected credit losses based upon periodic review under relevant regulatory and accounting requirements; the effect of changes in accounting policies and practices applicable to Webster, including the impacts of recently adopted accounting guidance; legal and regulatory developments, including any due to judicial decisions, the resolution of legal proceedings or regulatory or other governmental inquiries, and the results of regulatory examinations or reviews; Webster’s ability to navigate differing environmental, social, governmental, and sustainability concerns among its stakeholders and other activists; Webster’s ability to assess and monitor the effect of artificial intelligence on its business and operations; the occurrence of natural disasters, severe weather events, and public health crises, and any governmental or societal responses thereto; and the other factors that are described in Webster’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and subsequent filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statement made by Webster in this release speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could cause Webster’s actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for Webster to predict all of them. Webster undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to results presented in accordance with GAAP, this press release contains certain non-GAAP financial measures. A reconciliation of net income, return on average tangible common stockholders’ equity, and other performance ratios, in each case as adjusted, is included in the accompanying selected financial highlights table.

Webster believes that providing certain non-GAAP financial measures provides investors with information useful in understanding its financial performance, performance trends, and financial position. Webster utilizes these measures for internal planning and forecasting purposes. Webster, as well as securities analysts, investors, and other interested parties, also use these measures to compare peer company operating performance. Webster believes that its presentation and discussion, together with the accompanying reconciliations, provides additional clarity of factors and trends affecting its business and allows investors to view performance in a manner similar to management.

The efficiency ratio, which represents the costs expended to generate a dollar of revenue, is calculated excluding certain non-operational items. The return on average tangible common stockholders’ equity (“ROATCE”) represents net income available to common stockholders, adjusted for the tax-effected amortization of intangible assets, as a percentage of average stockholders’ equity less average preferred stock and average goodwill and net intangible assets. The tangible equity ratio represents stockholders’ equity less goodwill and net intangible assets divided by total assets less goodwill and net intangible assets. The tangible common equity ratio represents stockholders’ equity less preferred stock and goodwill and net intangible assets divided by total assets less goodwill and net intangible assets. Tangible book value per common share represents stockholders’ equity less preferred stock and goodwill and net intangible assets divided by common shares outstanding at the end of the period. Core deposits reflect total deposits less certificates of deposit and brokered certificates of deposit. Adjusted pre-tax net income, adjusted net income available to common stockholders, adjusted diluted earnings per share (“EPS”), adjusted ROATCE, and adjusted return on average assets (“ROAA”) are calculated excluding losses on sales of investment securities, which have been tax-effected, and a deferred tax valuation adjustment.

These non-GAAP measures should not be considered a substitute for GAAP basis measures and results, and Webster strongly encourages investors to review its consolidated financial statements in their entirety and not to rely on any single financial measure. Because non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized, it may not be possible to compare these financial measures with other companies’ non-GAAP financial measures having the same or similar names.

Refer the tables beginning on page 19 for Non-GAAP to GAAP reconciliations.