Company: WBS-PG
Filing Date: 2025-03-03
Form Type: 10-K
Source: 0000801337-25-000004
Chunk: 203

Company: WEBSTER FINANCIAL CORP
Filing Date: 2025-03-03
Form: 10-K
Item: Item 1A
Chunk 203
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 regulation that is imposed on bank holding companies and federally insured depository institutions, which may give them greater flexibility in accessing funding and providing various services. Moreover, organizations that are larger than we are may be able to achieve greater economies of scale or offer a broader range of products and services, or better pricing on products and services, than what we can offer.

The financial services industry could become even more competitive as a result of legislative and regulatory changes, and continued consolidation. In addition, as customer preferences and expectations continue to evolve, technology has lowered barriers to entry and has made it possible for non-banks to offer products and services traditionally provided by banks. The financial services industry also faces increasing competitive pressure from the introduction of disruptive new technologies, such as blockchain and digital payments, often by non-traditional competitors and financial technology companies. Among other things, technology and other changes are allowing customers to complete financial transactions that historically have involved banks at one or both ends of the transaction.

Our ability to compete successfully depends on a number of factors, including, among other things:

•the ability to develop, maintain, and build upon long-term customer relationships based on top quality service, high ethical standards, and safe, sound financial position;

•the ability to expand our market position;

•the scope, relevance, and pricing of products and services offered to meet customer needs and demands, including within the HSA market;

•the rate at which we introduce new products and services relative to our competitors;

•customer satisfaction with our level of service and products; and

•industry and general economic trends.

Failure to perform in any of these areas could significantly weaken our competitive position, which could adversely affect our growth and profitability, and in turn, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Failure to keep pace with and adapt to technological change could adversely impact our business.

The financial services industry is continually undergoing rapid technological change with frequent introductions of new technology-driven products and services and the use of artificial intelligence. These new technologies may be superior to, or render obsolete, the technologies currently used in our products and services. Our future success depends, in part, upon our ability to address the needs of our customers by using technology and information to provide products and services that will satisfy customer demands, as well as to create additional efficiencies in our operations. Many of our competitors have substantially greater resources to invest in technological improvements because of their larger size and available capital. Developing or acquiring new technologies and incorporating them into our products and services may require significant investment, take