Company: WBS-PG
Filing Date: 2025-03-03
Form Type: 10-K
Source: 0000801337-25-000004
Chunk: 198

Company: WEBSTER FINANCIAL CORP
Filing Date: 2025-03-03
Form: 10-K
Item: Item 1A
Chunk 198
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 our ability to pay dividends, or sell or refrain from acquiring assets.

Our ability to grow is contingent upon access to capital, which may not be readily available to us.

Our ability to access the capital markets, if needed, will depend on a number of factors, including the state of the financial markets. Rising interest rates, disruptions in financial markets, negative perceptions of our business or our financial strength, negative perceptions of the overall banking industry or of other regional banks, or other factors may impact our ability to raise additional capital, if needed, on terms acceptable to us. For example, in the event of future turmoil in the banking industry or other idiosyncratic events, there is no guarantee that the U.S. government will invoke the systemic risk exception, create additional liquidity programs, or take any other action to stabilize the banking industry or provide liquidity. Any diminished ability to access short-term funding or capital markets to raise additional capital, if needed, could subject us to liability, restrict our ability to grow, require us to take actions that would affect our earnings negatively or otherwise adversely affect our business and our ability to implement our business plan, capital plan and strategic goals.

A reduction in our credit rating could adversely affect our access to capital and could increase our cost of funds.

The credit rating agencies regularly evaluate the Holding Company and the Bank, and credit ratings are based on a number of factors, including our financial strength and ability to generate earnings, as well as factors not entirely within our control, including conditions affecting the financial services industry, the economy, and changes in rating methodologies. There can be no assurance that we will maintain our current credit ratings. A downgrade of our credit ratings could adversely affect our access to liquidity and capital, and could significantly increase our cost of funds, trigger additional collateral or funding requirements, and decrease the number of investors and counterparties willing to lend to us or purchase our securities. This could affect our growth, profitability, and financial condition, including liquidity.

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Our stock price can be volatile.

Stock price volatility may make it more difficult for stockholders to resell their common stock when they want and at prices that they find attractive. Our stock price can fluctuate significantly in response to a variety of factors including, among other things:

•actual or anticipated variations in results of operations;

•recommendations or projections by securities analysts;

•operating and stock price performance of other companies that investors deem comparable to us;

•news reports relating to trends, concerns, and other issues in the financial services and healthcare industries;

•per