# Webster Bank: AI strategy

Source: https://www.bankingnewsai.com/banks/webster
Last updated: Oct 13, 2026

*A Northeast commercial bank that spent 2025 building data, cyber and risk infrastructure for the $100 billion line — and then became the $12.3 billion deal that made Santander a top-20 US bank.*

## How is Webster using AI?

Webster Bank's independent AI record is short because its independence ended on 20 August 2026, when Banco Santander completed a $12.3 billion cash-and-stock acquisition announced on 3 February. In the two years before, Webster's technology story was about scale rather than models: as it approached the $100 billion asset threshold that would make it a Category IV bank, CIO Vikram Nafde said the bank was investing in data, cybersecurity, digital and regulatory-reporting capability, hiring about 200 people in 2025 including around 25 in technology and cyber, and adding data-governance roles; CEO John Ciulla said the higher bar was 'not our base case' to disappear even if it became less onerous. Product work in 2026 was open banking and automation: an FDX-aligned FI-Streams connector on Plaid's Core Exchange for commercial clients went live in June 2026, and second-quarter internal awards recognised automation that converted more than 100 business online-banking profiles to the treasury platform and Splunk SOAR automation in the security operations centre. Its last annual report, the 2025 10-K filed in February 2026, drew the line plainly: Webster was 'in the early stages of incorporating AI into our business activities to increase employee productivity' and had 'not yet deployed AI-driven systems in critical decision-making or client-facing processes'. The transaction, approved by the OCC in June, the ECB in July and the Federal Reserve on 4 August 2026, folds Webster's businesses into Santander Bank, N.A.; Ciulla becomes CEO of that bank, Webster's Chris Motl leads commercial banking and James Griffin the 500-plus branch network, while Santander's Drew Burchard takes digital banking and the combined company targets an 18% US return on tangible equity by 2028. The AI strategy that now applies is Santander's: more than €1 billion of AI value by 2028, AI tools for all employees from June 2026, and agentic commerce through Getnet.

## At a glance

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Lead bank | Webster Bank, N.A. (merged into Santander Bank, N.A., August 2026) |
| Ticker | SAN |
| Headquarters | Stamford, CT |
| Consolidated assets | $85,527 million |
| Federal Reserve rank | 34 |
| Charter | National bank (OCC); acquired by Banco Santander on 20 August 2026 |

## What AI partnerships and patents does Webster Bank have?

Webster named no AI-lab, cloud or model partner, and no AI patent assigned to Webster Bank or Webster Financial was found in a Google Patents assignee search on 14 October 2026. Its public vendor record is an open-banking connector built on Plaid and Prolific Banking, Splunk SOAR and ServiceNow automation, and three acquisitions in its healthcare and deposit businesses. The partner that matters now is Santander, whose OpenAI collaboration is group-level and not shown to reach Webster staff. ([Business Wire via FT Markets](https://markets.ft.com/data/announce/full?dockey=600-202606111200BIZWIRE_USPRX____20260611_BW592775-1), [Webster Bank](https://websterbank.com/impact-makers-award-winners), [Banco Santander](https://www.santander.com/en/stories/santander-data-ai-first-strategy-accelerates-through-openai-collaboration), [Business Wire via FT Markets](https://markets.ft.com/data/announce/detail?dockey=600-202512041601BIZWIRE_USPRX____20251204_BW804852-1), [Webster Financial (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/801337/000080133726000008/wbs-20251231.htm))

| Item | What it is | Status | Date | Sources |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Plaid Core Exchange via Prolific Banking FI-Streams | FDX-aligned connector giving commercial clients data access for accounting, treasury and personal-finance apps | In production | 2026-06-11 | [Business Wire via FT Markets](https://markets.ft.com/data/announce/full?dockey=600-202606111200BIZWIRE_USPRX____20260611_BW592775-1) |
| Splunk SOAR | Security-operations automation platform extended with playbooks that speed threat handling | In production | 2026-06-10 | [Webster Bank](https://websterbank.com/impact-makers-award-winners) |
| ServiceNow | Workflow platform used in front-line controls automation (RCSA execution, voice of customer) | In production | 2026-06-10 | [Webster Bank](https://websterbank.com/impact-makers-award-winners) |
| Santander and OpenAI (group) | ChatGPT Enterprise rolled out to nearly 15,000 Santander employees; not shown to cover Webster staff | Group-level | 2025-08-12 | [Banco Santander](https://www.santander.com/en/stories/santander-data-ai-first-strategy-accelerates-through-openai-collaboration) |
| Getnet with Mastercard Agent Pay (Santander) | AI-agent payment acceptance proven in Mexico and Latin America; Santander's Payments business has no US presence | Outside the US | 2026-06-09 | [Banco Santander](https://santander.com/en/press-room/press-releases/2026/06/getnet-develops-infrastructure-that-enables-businesses-to-accept-ai-agent-initiated-payments), [Webster Financial (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/801337/000119312526143945/d133255d425.htm) |
| SecureSave (Secure Inc.) | Employer-sponsored emergency savings accounts bought by HSA Bank; $24.4 million net cash | Acquired | 2025-12-04 | [Business Wire via FT Markets](https://markets.ft.com/data/announce/detail?dockey=600-202512041601BIZWIRE_USPRX____20251204_BW804852-1), [Webster Financial (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/801337/000080133726000008/wbs-20251231.htm) |
| Ametros | Medical-settlement administrator; $359.5 million net cash, acquired in January 2024 | Acquired | 2024-01-24 | [Webster Financial (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/801337/000080133726000008/wbs-20251231.htm) |
| interLINK (now interSYNC) | Digital deposit-gathering platform bought from StoneCastle Partners; $157.6 million net cash in 2023 | Acquired | 2022-12-05 | [Banking Dive](https://www.bankingdive.com/news/webster-bank-interlink-stonecastle-veritex-acquisition-9b/638111/), [Webster Financial (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/801337/000080133726000008/wbs-20251231.htm) |

## Flagship platform: Category IV readiness: data, cyber and open banking

Webster's technology agenda before the Santander deal was preparation for crossing $100 billion in assets. CIO Vikram Nafde described a build-out 'in the space of data, cybersecurity, but also digital and the regulatory reporting', with about 25 of roughly 200 planned 2025 hires going to technology and cybersecurity and new roles in data collection, storage and governance. Its 2026 product work was connectivity: an FDX-aligned open-banking connector on Plaid's Core Exchange for commercial clients went live in June 2026, and internal awards in the same quarter went to automation of online-banking conversions and of security-operations playbooks. Under Santander, Webster's businesses fold into Santander Bank, N.A. with Webster CEO John Ciulla running the combined bank. ([Banking Dive](https://www.bankingdive.com/news/webster-bank-100b-threshold-hiring-tech-cybersecurity-nafde/742553/), [Business Wire via FT Markets](https://markets.ft.com/data/announce/full?dockey=600-202606111200BIZWIRE_USPRX____20260611_BW592775-1), [Webster Bank](https://websterbank.com/impact-makers-award-winners), [Banking Dive](https://www.bankingdive.com/news/santander-acquiring-webster-bank-12b/811270/))

## Key points

- Acquired: Santander's $12.3 billion deal announced 3 February 2026 and completed 20 August after OCC, ECB and Fed approvals; Webster's businesses integrate into Santander Bank, N.A.
- Pre-deal technology agenda: data, cybersecurity, digital and regulatory-reporting build-out for the $100 billion Category IV threshold; about 25 of 200 planned 2025 hires in technology and cyber; new data-governance roles.
- 2026 product work: an FDX-aligned open-banking connector on Plaid's Core Exchange for commercial clients (June 2026); internal automation of online-banking conversions and SOC playbooks.
- Leadership in the combined bank: John Ciulla (Webster CEO) becomes CEO of Santander Bank, N.A.; Chris Motl leads commercial banking; James Griffin leads national retail distribution; Santander's Drew Burchard leads digital.
- The AI strategy now in force is Santander's: over €1 billion of AI value targeted by 2028, AI tools for all employees, Getnet accepting AI-agent payments.
- Own AI use was early-stage: the 2025 10-K says AI was being introduced for employee productivity, with no AI-driven systems yet in critical decision-making or client-facing processes; the last earnings call (23 January 2026) carried no AI remarks.
- Integration: about $800 million of pre-tax cost synergies by 2028, mainly from overhead and technology and operational efficiencies; Santander US CEO Christiana Riley expects a core systems conversion by the end of 2027, with brands and systems unchanged for the first 12 months.
- Scale at close: nearly eight million US customers for the combined bank and a top-five Northeast deposit franchise; Webster had about $85 billion in assets.
- Technology leadership after close: CIO Vikram Nafde becomes Chief Technology Officer of Santander US, managing shared technology services including US infrastructure and architecture, under COO Luis Massiani; Santander's Ignacio Sarquis is CIO for retail, commercial and digital banking and Alberto Hernandez remains CISO.
- Last filings: AI appears in the 2025 10-K as an early-stage productivity tool and a risk factor, and in the Q3 2025, Q1 2026 and Q2 2026 10-Qs only as a forward-looking-statement item on 'evolving uses of artificial intelligence'; the Q2 10-Q, filed 27 July 2026, reports no material change to risk factors.
- No AI on the last call: the full transcript of Webster's Q4 2025 call (23 January 2026) has no reference to AI. President Luis Massiani said the 'vast majority of the investment in the technology is done' for HSA Bank's direct-to-consumer channel, with remaining spend going to marketing. Webster held no calls for Q1 or Q2 2026 because of the deal.
- Legal end state: Webster Bank, N.A. was merged into Santander Bank, N.A. on 20 August 2026, immediately after the holding-company steps, and Webster's shares were delisted from the NYSE. Approvals came from stockholders (26 May), the OCC (12 June), the ECB (21 July) and the Federal Reserve (4 August).
- HSA Bank and interSYNC continue as businesses: Chad Wilkins heads the combined Healthcare Financial Services line (HSA Bank and Ametros) and James Griffin continues to run interSYNC, the digital deposit platform formerly called interLINK, which Webster agreed to buy in December 2022. HSA Bank had $14.3 billion in total footings and over 3 million members at the end of 2024.
- Getnet caveat: Santander's AI-agent payments infrastructure (9 June 2026) was proven in Mexico and Latin America, and Santander's integration note says its Payments business has no presence in the US, so it does not reach Webster customers today.

## Timeline

- Aug 20, 2026 — **Webster Bank, N.A. merges into Santander Bank, N.A.** Completed immediately after the holding-company merger and share exchange; Webster's common and preferred stock is delisted from the NYSE. ([Webster Financial (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/801337/000119312526357758/d919931d8k.htm))
- Aug 20, 2026 — **Integration plan: one platform by end-2027** Santander US CEO Christiana Riley expects a core systems conversion by the end of 2027 and no changes in the first 12 months; the $800 million of cost cuts come mainly from integrating technology platforms and de-duplicating back-office roles. Luis Massiani leads the integration. ([American Banker](https://www.americanbanker.com/news/with-webster-in-hand-santander-says-its-poised-for-growth))
- Aug 20, 2026 — **Acquisition completed** Webster becomes part of Santander US; everyday banking unchanged for now. ([Webster Bank](https://websterbank.com/about/newsroom/santander-expands-u-s-presence-with-completion-of-webster-acquisition), [Business Wire via FT Markets](https://markets.ft.com/data/announce/full?dockey=600-202608200334BIZWIRE_USPRX____20260820_BW118649-1), [Webster Financial (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/801337/000119312526357758/d919931d8k.htm))
- Aug 4, 2026 — **Federal Reserve approves the acquisition** After the OCC (June) and ECB (July); closing set for 20 August. ([American Banker](https://americanbanker.com/news/fed-gives-final-approval-needed-for-santander-webster-merger), [Business Wire via FT Markets](https://markets.ft.com/data/announce/full?dockey=600-202608041952BIZWIRE_USPRX____20260804_BW258528-1))
- Jul 27, 2026 — **Last 10-Q filed** Total assets of $85.9 billion at 30 June 2026; AI appears only in the forward-looking-statement list; risk factors unchanged from the 10-K. ([Webster Financial (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/801337/000080133726000023/wbs-20260630.htm))
- Jul 22, 2026 — **Santander reports AI business value of 84 million euros** First-half 2026 value from higher revenue, lower costs and lower loan-loss provisions across the group, which Webster joins four weeks later. ([Banco Santander](https://santander.com/content/dam/santander-com/en/documentos/informacion-privilegiada/2026/07/hr-2026-07-22-second-quarter-2026-results-press-release-en.pdf))
- Jul 21, 2026 — **Q2 2026 results: no call, no outlook** Revenue of $740.0 million and EPS of $1.56; Webster stops giving forward guidance and holds no call. The ECB approves the deal the same day. ([Business Wire via FT Markets](https://markets.ft.com/data/announce/detail?dockey=600-202607211615BIZWIRE_USPRX____20260720_BW349926-1), [Webster Financial (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/801337/000080133726000021/wbs-20260721.htm))
- Jun 12, 2026 — **OCC approves the bank merger** Approval for Webster Bank, N.A. to merge into Santander Bank, N.A.; stockholders had approved the deal on 26 May. ([Webster Financial (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/801337/000080133726000017/wbs-20260612.htm), [Business Wire via FT Markets](https://markets.ft.com/data/announce/detail?dockey=600-202607211615BIZWIRE_USPRX____20260720_BW349926-1))
- Jun 11, 2026 — **Open-banking connector goes live** Prolific Banking's FI-Streams on Plaid's Core Exchange for commercial clients. ([Business Wire via FT Markets](https://markets.ft.com/data/announce/full?dockey=600-202606111200BIZWIRE_USPRX____20260611_BW592775-1))
- Jun 10, 2026 — **Automation recognised internally** Impact Makers awards for online-banking conversion automation and SOC playbook automation. ([Webster Bank](https://websterbank.com/impact-makers-award-winners))
- Jun 9, 2026 — **Santander's Getnet launches AI-agent payments** First real-world AI-agent payment accepted in Mexico and Latin America with Mastercard Agent Pay; Santander's note says its Payments business has no US presence. ([Banco Santander](https://santander.com/en/press-room/press-releases/2026/06/getnet-develops-infrastructure-that-enables-businesses-to-accept-ai-agent-initiated-payments), [Webster Financial (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/801337/000119312526143945/d133255d425.htm))
- Apr 30, 2026 — **Q1 2026 10-Q: AI only as a forward-looking item** Risk factors unchanged from the 10-K; Webster held no earnings call for the quarter. ([Webster Financial (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/801337/000080133726000015/wbs-20260331.htm), [Webster Financial (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/801337/000080133726000013/wbs-20260428.htm))
- Apr 29, 2026 — **Technology and operations leadership named** Nafde becomes Chief Technology Officer of Santander US; Sarquis is retail, commercial and digital CIO; Hernandez stays CISO; Krynick leads technology and operations integration; Schugel hands over risk duties. ([Banco Santander (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/891478/000095010326006412/dp245911_425.htm), [Webster Financial (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/801337/000119312526192078/d149222d425.htm))
- Apr 28, 2026 — **First-quarter 2026 results** EPS of $1.50, adjusted $1.57, ahead of the close. ([Business Wire via FT Markets](https://markets-data-api-proxy.ft.com/data/announce/detail?dockey=600-202604281615BIZWIRE_USPRX____20260428_BW786095-1))
- Apr 23, 2026 — **Proxy: technology pace among the reasons to sell** The board weighed 'the accelerating pace of technological change in the banking industry' and the challenges of staying independent; about $800 million of synergies are expected mainly from overhead and technology and operational efficiencies. ([Webster Financial (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/801337/000114036126016415/ny20070640x1_defm14a.htm))
- Apr 6, 2026 — **Post-deal management named** Motl to lead commercial, Griffin retail distribution, Burchard digital. ([Banking Dive](https://www.bankingdive.com/news/santander-webster-management-roles-swati-bhatia-leaving/816983/))
- Mar 30, 2026 — **Bank-merger agreement signed and OCC application filed** Santander Bank, N.A. applies to merge Webster Bank, N.A. into itself, under a merger agreement dated 30 March. ([Webster Financial (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/801337/000080133726000017/wbs-20260612.htm), [Webster Financial (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/801337/000119312526357758/d919931d8k.htm))
- Feb 27, 2026 — **Final 10-K: AI still early-stage** Webster says it is 'in the early stages of incorporating AI' for employee productivity and has 'not yet deployed AI-driven systems in critical decision-making or client-facing processes'; its AI risk factor covers generative-AI errors, bias, opacity and AI-enabled fraud. ([Webster Financial (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/801337/000080133726000008/wbs-20251231.htm))
- Feb 25, 2026 — **Santander's investor day sets the AI and US targets** More than €1 billion from AI by 2028; US RoTE of 18% with Webster integrated. ([American Banker](https://www.americanbanker.com/news/how-santander-plans-to-avoid-u-s-graveyard-for-european-banks), [Banco Santander (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/801337/000095010326002606/dp242029_425-2.htm))
- Feb 3, 2026 — **Santander tells staff AI is part of ONE Transformation** The group memo announcing Webster lists 'applying Artificial Intelligence to work more efficiently and serve our customers better' among its integration goals. ([Banco Santander (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/801337/000095010326001582/dp241044_425-internalmemo.htm), [Banco Santander](https://www.santander.com/en/press-room/press-releases/2026/02/santander-acquires-webster-bank))
- Feb 3, 2026 — **Santander agrees to buy Webster for $12.3 billion** Webster to become a wholly owned subsidiary; Ciulla to run Santander Bank, N.A. ([Banking Dive](https://www.bankingdive.com/news/santander-acquiring-webster-bank-12b/811270/), [Business Wire via FT Markets](https://markets.ft.com/data/announce/full?dockey=600-202602031338BIZWIRE_USPRX____20260203_BW901062-1))
- Jan 23, 2026 — **Last earnings call: no AI remarks** The Q4 2025 call's full transcript has no reference to AI; Massiani says the technology investment for HSA Bank's direct-to-consumer ACA channel is largely done and spend is now marketing. ([The Motley Fool (earnings call transcript)](https://fool.com/earnings/call-transcripts/2026/01/23/webster-wbs-q4-2025-earnings-call-transcript))
- Dec 4, 2025 — **HSA Bank acquires SecureSave** Secure Inc. (SecureSave), an employer-sponsored emergency savings account provider, joins HSA Bank; net cash paid was $24.4 million. ([Business Wire via FT Markets](https://markets.ft.com/data/announce/detail?dockey=600-202512041601BIZWIRE_USPRX____20251204_BW804852-1), [Webster Financial (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/801337/000080133726000008/wbs-20251231.htm))
- Nov 10, 2025 — **Q3 2025 10-Q: AI only as a forward-looking item** Webster lists its ability to assess and monitor the effect of evolving uses of artificial intelligence among forward-looking risks, the same wording used in the 2026 10-Qs. ([Webster Financial (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/801337/000080133725000104/wbs-20250930.htm))
- Sep 10, 2025 — **Transformation lead recognised** Katherine Lane, who unified SOX programmes after the Sterling merger and redesigned control testing, named to American Banker's NEXT list. ([American Banker](https://americanbanker.com/news/next-2025-no-13-katherine-lane-webster-bank))
- Aug 12, 2025 — **Santander and OpenAI: group-level AI rollout** Santander's Chief Data & AI Officer says ChatGPT Enterprise reached nearly 15,000 employees in two months, with 30,000 expected by year-end; the group later became Webster's parent. ([Banco Santander](https://www.santander.com/en/stories/santander-data-ai-first-strategy-accelerates-through-openai-collaboration))
- Jul 1, 2025 — **Jason Schugel named Chief Risk Officer** Former Ally CRO takes over from Daniel Bley, who is retiring after 14 years; his tenure starts 14 July. ([Banking Dive](https://bankingdive.com/news/webster-bank-taps-former-ally-cro-schugel-risk-chief/752083))
- Mar 14, 2025 — **Building for the $100 billion line** Data, cyber, digital and regulatory-reporting investment; about 200 hires planned for 2025. ([Banking Dive](https://www.bankingdive.com/news/webster-bank-100b-threshold-hiring-tech-cybersecurity-nafde/742553/))
- Feb 4, 2025 — **HSA Bank refreshes its brand** HSA Bank, a division of Webster Bank, N.A., reports over 3 million members and $14.3 billion in total footings ($9 billion deposits, $5.3 billion linked investments) at 31 December 2024. ([Business Wire](https://businesswire.com/news/home/20250204480542/en/HSA-Bank-Unveils-New-Brand-Identity))

## Where AI runs

| Use case | What | Status | Detail | Sources |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Third-party & vendor AI](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/by-use-case#third-party-vendors) | FDX open-banking connector for commercial clients | In production | Plaid Core Exchange access to accounting, treasury and PFM apps. | [Business Wire via FT Markets](https://markets.ft.com/data/announce/full?dockey=600-202606111200BIZWIRE_USPRX____20260611_BW592775-1) |
| [Cybersecurity](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/by-use-case#cybersecurity) | SOC automation (Splunk SOAR) | In production | Faster threat identification and consistent responses in the security operations centre. | [Webster Bank](https://websterbank.com/impact-makers-award-winners) |
| [AI governance (general)](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/by-use-case#governance-general) | Category IV data and risk infrastructure | In production | Data collection, storage and governance roles; regulatory-reporting capability. | [Banking Dive](https://www.bankingdive.com/news/webster-bank-100b-threshold-hiring-tech-cybersecurity-nafde/742553/) |
| [Model risk management](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/by-use-case#model-risk) | AI risk-factor disclosure (2025 10-K) | In production | Covers evolving AI law, generative-AI output that is incorrect, biased or leaks confidential data, the limited transparency of AI models, AI in the modelling process ('hallucinatory' output) and AI-enabled fraud and cyber-attacks. | [Webster Financial (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/801337/000080133726000008/wbs-20251231.htm) |
| [Generative & agentic AI](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/by-use-case#generative-agentic-ai) | Early-stage AI for employee productivity | Pilot | The 10-K describes AI being introduced to raise employee productivity, with no AI-driven systems yet in critical decision-making or client-facing processes. | [Webster Financial (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/801337/000080133726000008/wbs-20251231.htm) |
| [Generative & agentic AI](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/by-use-case#generative-agentic-ai) | Santander's enterprise AI tools (post-close) | Rolling out | The group extended AI tools to all employees in June 2026; applies to Webster staff on integration. | [PYMNTS](https://www.pymnts.com/news/artificial-intelligence/2026/santander-equips-all-workers-with-ai-and-seeks-1-15-billion-business-value/) |
| [Generative & agentic AI](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/by-use-case#generative-agentic-ai) | Santander ChatGPT Enterprise (group) | Rolling out | OpenAI collaboration that put ChatGPT Enterprise in front of nearly 15,000 Santander employees within two months of its August 2025 announcement; Webster staff are not named as users. | [Banco Santander](https://www.santander.com/en/stories/santander-data-ai-first-strategy-accelerates-through-openai-collaboration) |
| [Cybersecurity](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/by-use-case#cybersecurity) | CISO-led cyber and technology risk programme | In production | The 10-K places cyber and technology risk under a programme run by the CISO and CIO; its CISO sits on ISACA's Securing AI Certification Working Group and its CIO on the CNBC Technology Executive Council. | [Webster Financial (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/801337/000080133726000008/wbs-20251231.htm) |
| [Data & privacy](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/by-use-case#data-privacy) | Data-loss prevention and zero-trust controls | In production | Nafde described a defence-in-depth, assumed-breach posture with zero-trust principles and a focus on data-loss prevention to keep sensitive information from leaking. | [Banking Dive](https://www.bankingdive.com/news/webster-bank-100b-threshold-hiring-tech-cybersecurity-nafde/742553/) |
| [Third-party & vendor AI](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/by-use-case#third-party-vendors) | Third- and fourth-party risk protocols | In production | Webster assesses what information sits with third and fourth parties and applies stricter protocols to new partnerships. | [Banking Dive](https://www.bankingdive.com/news/webster-bank-100b-threshold-hiring-tech-cybersecurity-nafde/742553/) |
| [AI governance (general)](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/by-use-case#governance-general) | Santander-Webster integration programme | Rolling out | A Joint Integration Steering Committee and Integration Management Office run the plan; a May 2026 working session reviewed more than 250 dependencies and 225 milestones, with a core systems conversion expected by end-2027. | [Webster Financial (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/801337/000095010326007544/dp247015_425.htm), [Banco Santander (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/891478/000095010326006412/dp245911_425.htm), [American Banker](https://www.americanbanker.com/news/with-webster-in-hand-santander-says-its-poised-for-growth) |

## Disclosed numbers

| Measure | Value | As of | Sources |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Acquisition price | $12.3 billion (65% cash, 35% stock) | Feb 3, 2026 | [Banking Dive](https://www.bankingdive.com/news/santander-acquiring-webster-bank-12b/811270/) |
| Planned 2025 hires / technology and cyber | ≈ 200 / ≈ 25 | Mar 14, 2025 | [Banking Dive](https://www.bankingdive.com/news/webster-bank-100b-threshold-hiring-tech-cybersecurity-nafde/742553/) |
| Assets at announcement | $84 billion | Feb 3, 2026 | [Banking Dive](https://www.bankingdive.com/news/santander-acquiring-webster-bank-12b/811270/) |
| Expected pre-tax cost synergies | ≈ $800 million by 2028, mainly overhead and technology and operational efficiencies | Apr 23, 2026 | [Webster Financial (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/801337/000114036126016415/ny20070640x1_defm14a.htm), [American Banker](https://www.americanbanker.com/news/with-webster-in-hand-santander-says-its-poised-for-growth) |
| Group business value targeted from data and AI (Santander) | > €1 billion a year by 2028 (cost savings plus revenues) | Feb 25, 2026 | [Banco Santander (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/801337/000095010326002606/dp242029_425-2.htm) |
| Combined workforce after close | ≈ 14,000 | Aug 20, 2026 | [American Banker](https://www.americanbanker.com/news/with-webster-in-hand-santander-says-its-poised-for-growth) |
| Combined bank customers at close | ≈ 8 million | Aug 20, 2026 | [Business Wire via FT Markets](https://markets.ft.com/data/announce/full?dockey=600-202608200334BIZWIRE_USPRX____20260820_BW118649-1) |
| HSA Bank total footings / members | $14.3 billion ($9.0 billion deposits, $5.3 billion linked investments) / over 3 million | Dec 31, 2024 | [Business Wire](https://businesswire.com/news/home/20250204480542/en/HSA-Bank-Unveils-New-Brand-Identity) |
| HSA Bank expected incremental deposits from ACA bronze and catastrophic plans | $1 billion to $2.5 billion over five years; $50 million to $100 million in 2026 | Jan 23, 2026 | [The Motley Fool (earnings call transcript)](https://fool.com/earnings/call-transcripts/2026/01/23/webster-wbs-q4-2025-earnings-call-transcript) |
| interLINK (now interSYNC) purchase | More than $9 billion of core deposits agreed in December 2022; $157.6 million net cash paid in 2023 | Dec 5, 2022 | [Banking Dive](https://www.bankingdive.com/news/webster-bank-interlink-stonecastle-veritex-acquisition-9b/638111/), [Webster Financial (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/801337/000080133726000008/wbs-20251231.htm) |
| Webster total assets | $85.9 billion | Jun 30, 2026 | [Webster Financial (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/801337/000080133726000023/wbs-20260630.htm) |
| Former Webster branches in the combined network | ≈ 195 of more than 550 | Aug 20, 2026 | [American Banker](https://www.americanbanker.com/news/with-webster-in-hand-santander-says-its-poised-for-growth) |
| TSB and Webster integration synergies (Santander target) | ≈ €1.2 billion | Feb 25, 2026 | [Banco Santander (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/801337/000095010326002645/dp242127_425.htm) |
| Santander AI business value, first half 2026 | €84 million | Jul 22, 2026 | [Banco Santander](https://santander.com/content/dam/santander-com/en/documentos/informacion-privilegiada/2026/07/hr-2026-07-22-second-quarter-2026-results-press-release-en.pdf) |
| Santander ChatGPT Enterprise rollout | ≈ 15,000 users in two months; 30,000 (≈ 15% of workforce) expected by end-2025 | Aug 12, 2025 | [Banco Santander](https://www.santander.com/en/stories/santander-data-ai-first-strategy-accelerates-through-openai-collaboration) |
| Integration working session scope | More than 250 dependencies and 225 milestones reviewed | May 20, 2026 | [Webster Financial (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/801337/000095010326007544/dp247015_425.htm) |

## Quotes

> "There's a big component of technology … as we get closer and closer to the $100 billion mark." — Vikram Nafde, Chief Information Officer, Mar 14, 2025 ([Banking Dive](https://www.bankingdive.com/news/webster-bank-100b-threshold-hiring-tech-cybersecurity-nafde/742553/))

> "As a larger organization, we will unlock greater scale, broader capabilities and new opportunities for growth — while remaining deeply focused on the people who define our success." — John Ciulla, Chairman and CEO, Webster Financial, Feb 3, 2026 ([Banking Dive](https://www.bankingdive.com/news/santander-acquiring-webster-bank-12b/811270/))

> "We can't confuse our customers as to who can serve them until we can serve them across a single platform." — Christiana Riley, CEO, Santander US, Aug 20, 2026 ([American Banker](https://www.americanbanker.com/news/with-webster-in-hand-santander-says-its-poised-for-growth))

> "Because risk is out there, a passive approach is not going to work." — Vikram Nafde, Chief Information Officer, Webster Bank, Mar 14, 2025 ([Banking Dive](https://www.bankingdive.com/news/webster-bank-100b-threshold-hiring-tech-cybersecurity-nafde/742553/))

> "The vast majority of the investment in the technology is done." — Luis Massiani, President and Chief Operating Officer, Webster Bank, Jan 23, 2026 ([The Motley Fool (earnings call transcript)](https://fool.com/earnings/call-transcripts/2026/01/23/webster-wbs-q4-2025-earnings-call-transcript))

> "Our execution is commendable, in that our colleagues continue to deliver for our clients while they also prepare to integrate our proposed Transaction with Banco Santander." — John Ciulla, Chairman and CEO, Webster Financial, Jul 21, 2026 ([Business Wire via FT Markets](https://markets.ft.com/data/announce/detail?dockey=600-202607211615BIZWIRE_USPRX____20260720_BW349926-1))

> "We're not going to do anything that's premature or not appropriately planned out." — Christiana Riley, CEO, Santander US, Aug 20, 2026 ([American Banker](https://www.americanbanker.com/news/with-webster-in-hand-santander-says-its-poised-for-growth))

> "We are in the early stages of incorporating AI into our business activities to increase employee productivity." — Webster Financial Corporation, 2025 annual report (Form 10-K), Feb 27, 2026 ([Webster Financial (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/801337/000080133726000008/wbs-20251231.htm))

## Who runs AI

- **John Ciulla** — CEO, Santander Bank, N.A.; former Chairman and CEO, Webster Financial ([LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-r-ciulla/)) ([Banking Dive](https://www.bankingdive.com/news/santander-acquiring-webster-bank-12b/811270/), [Banking Dive](https://www.bankingdive.com/news/webster-bank-100b-threshold-hiring-tech-cybersecurity-nafde/742553/))
- **Vikram Nafde** — Chief Information Officer, Webster Bank (CIO since 2022); Chief Technology Officer, Santander US, from the close ([LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/vikramnafde/)) ([Banking Dive](https://www.bankingdive.com/news/webster-bank-100b-threshold-hiring-tech-cybersecurity-nafde/742553/), [Banco Santander (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/891478/000095010326006412/dp245911_425.htm), [Webster Financial (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/801337/000119312526192078/d149222d425.htm))
- **Chris Motl** — Head of Commercial Banking, combined bank ([LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-motl-17b6a895/)) ([Banking Dive](https://www.bankingdive.com/news/santander-webster-management-roles-swati-bhatia-leaving/816983/))
- **James Griffin** — Head of National Retail Distribution and Consumer Lending, combined bank ([LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesmgriffinnyc/)) ([Banking Dive](https://www.bankingdive.com/news/santander-webster-management-roles-swati-bhatia-leaving/816983/))
- **Luis Massiani** — COO, Santander Holdings USA and Santander Bank, N.A.; leads the Webster integration (former President and COO, Webster) ([LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/luis-massiani-a3a52b110/)) ([American Banker](https://www.americanbanker.com/news/with-webster-in-hand-santander-says-its-poised-for-growth))
- **Christiana Riley** — CEO, Santander US (country head) ([LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/christiana-riley/)) ([American Banker](https://www.americanbanker.com/news/with-webster-in-hand-santander-says-its-poised-for-growth))
- **Katherine Lane** — Senior Managing Director, Transformation Lead and Finance Front Lines Control Officer ([LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-lane-cpa-cia-01358816/)) ([American Banker](https://americanbanker.com/news/next-2025-no-13-katherine-lane-webster-bank))
- **Ricardo Martín Manjón** — Chief Data & AI Officer, Banco Santander (as of August 2025); owns the group AI strategy that now applies to Webster ([Banco Santander](https://www.santander.com/en/stories/santander-data-ai-first-strategy-accelerates-through-openai-collaboration))
- **Juan Olaizola** — Group Chief Operating & Technology Officer, Banco Santander; Luis Massiani has a reporting line to him for the Webster integration ([Banco Santander (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/891478/000095010326006412/dp245911_425.htm), [Webster Financial (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/801337/000119312526192078/d149222d425.htm))
- **Ignacio Sarquis** — Retail, Commercial & Digital Banking CIO, Santander US (combined bank, from close) ([Banco Santander (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/891478/000095010326006412/dp245911_425.htm), [Webster Financial (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/801337/000119312526192078/d149222d425.htm))
- **Alberto Hernandez** — Chief Information Security Officer, Santander US (continues in the combined bank) ([Banco Santander (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/891478/000095010326006412/dp245911_425.htm))
- **Patty Voight** — Chief Information Security Officer, Webster Bank (named March 2025) ([Banking Dive](https://www.bankingdive.com/news/webster-bank-100b-threshold-hiring-tech-cybersecurity-nafde/742553/))
- **Drew Burchard** — Head of Digital Banking, combined bank; previously Santander US head of product and platforms ([Banking Dive](https://www.bankingdive.com/news/santander-webster-management-roles-swati-bhatia-leaving/816983/), [Webster Financial (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/801337/000119312526143945/d133255d425.htm))
- **Chad Wilkins** — Head of Healthcare Financial Services (HSA Bank and Ametros), combined bank; previously President, HSA Bank ([Webster Financial (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/801337/000119312526143945/d133255d425.htm), [Business Wire via FT Markets](https://markets.ft.com/data/announce/detail?dockey=600-202512041601BIZWIRE_USPRX____20251204_BW804852-1))
- **Jason Schugel** — Chief Risk Officer, Webster Bank (from 14 July 2025); transitions responsibilities to Santander's CRO after close ([Banking Dive](https://bankingdive.com/news/webster-bank-taps-former-ally-cro-schugel-risk-chief/752083), [Banco Santander (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/891478/000095010326006412/dp245911_425.htm))
- **Ben Krynick** — Technology & Operations Integration Lead, Santander US (joined from Webster) ([Banco Santander (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/891478/000095010326006412/dp245911_425.htm), [Webster Financial (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/801337/000119312526192078/d149222d425.htm))
- **Anh Duong** — COO of Technology & Operations, Santander US (continues in the combined bank) ([Webster Financial (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/801337/000119312526192078/d149222d425.htm))

## Which AI vendors and fintechs does Webster work with?

| Company | What Webster uses it for | Status | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Plaid](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/fintech/plaid) | Open-banking connector on Plaid Core Exchange (Prolific Banking) for commercial clients | In production | Fintech · Business finance & infrastructure |

Each vendor and fintech page cites the source for the relationship. [AI tools for banks](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-tools) · [fintech and neobank AI dossiers](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/fintech).

## Regulators it answers to

- [OCC](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/occ) — Webster Bank was a national bank and its businesses now sit inside Santander Bank, N.A.; the OCC approved the merger in June 2026. See [OCC Bulletin 2026-13](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/documents/occ-bulletin-2026-13).
- [Federal Reserve](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/federal-reserve) — The Fed's 4 August 2026 approval and the Category IV build-out define the supervisory frame; Plaid and Prolific are third-party relationships. See [SR 23-4](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/documents/fed-sr-23-4), [SR 26-2](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/documents/fed-sr-26-2).
- [ECB](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/ecb) — Santander's home supervisor approved the deal in July 2026 and sets group AI expectations. See [SSM supervisory priorities 2026–28](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/documents/ecb-ssm-supervisory-priorities-2026-28).
- [NY DFS](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/ny-dfs) — Webster's New York operations and the combined bank's Northeast footprint fall under the DFS cyber rule. See [23 NYCRR Part 500](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/documents/ny-dfs-23-nycrr-part-500).

## What the record suggests

### Webster's AI future is Santander's ONE Transformation

The relevant questions are now about integration: which Webster systems move to the group's shared platforms and how Santander's AI tools reach Webster's commercial bankers.

### The Category IV build-out becomes a group asset

Data governance and regulatory-reporting capability built for $100 billion is what a $250 billion Santander US needs; that investment did not go to waste.

### Open banking on a Plaid-aligned standard is the durable product decision

FDX connectivity for commercial clients will outlast the brand and is the kind of API layer agentic finance will rely on.

### Watch who owns digital

Santander's Drew Burchard leading digital for the combined bank means Openbank's approach, not Webster's, sets the customer-facing AI roadmap.

## FAQ

### What happened to Webster Bank?

Banco Santander completed its $12.3 billion acquisition of Webster Financial on 20 August 2026, after OCC, ECB and Federal Reserve approvals. Webster's businesses are being integrated into Santander Bank, N.A., with former Webster CEO John Ciulla as its CEO. Everyday banking for Webster customers was unchanged at closing.

### Did Webster have an AI strategy of its own?

Its public technology agenda before the deal was preparation for the $100 billion Category IV threshold: data, cybersecurity, digital and regulatory-reporting investment, with roughly 25 technology and cyber hires among about 200 planned in 2025, plus open-banking connectivity and internal automation in 2026. The AI strategy that now applies is Santander's, which targets more than €1 billion of AI value by 2028.

### Who leads AI at Webster Bank?

Webster had no chief AI officer and named no AI head in its filings. Technology, including early AI use for staff productivity, sat with CIO Vikram Nafde, who became Chief Technology Officer of Santander US at the 20 August 2026 close, reporting to COO Luis Massiani. The group AI strategy that now applies is owned by Santander's Chief Data & AI Officer, Ricardo Martín Manjón, and Group Chief Operating & Technology Officer Juan Olaizola. Webster's CISO was Patty Voight and its CRO Jason Schugel.

### What happened to HSA Bank and interSYNC after the Santander deal?

Both continue inside Santander Bank, N.A. Chad Wilkins, formerly President of HSA Bank, heads the combined Healthcare Financial Services line, which includes HSA Bank and Ametros; HSA Bank reported $14.3 billion in total footings and over 3 million members at the end of 2024. James Griffin continues to run interSYNC, the digital deposit platform formerly called interLINK, which Webster agreed to buy in December 2022 with more than $9 billion of core deposits.

### What did Webster say about AI in its last 10-K and 10-Q?

The 2025 10-K, filed 27 February 2026, says Webster was 'in the early stages of incorporating AI' to increase employee productivity and had not deployed AI in critical decision-making or client-facing processes, and adds a risk factor on AI law, bias, opacity and AI-enabled fraud. The Q1 and Q2 2026 10-Qs, the last periodic reports, mention AI only in the forward-looking-statement list and report no material change to risk factors. Webster held no earnings calls after January 2026.

## Sources (41)

1. Webster eyes $100B threshold, invests in hiring and tech — Banking Dive, Mar 14, 2025. https://www.bankingdive.com/news/webster-bank-100b-threshold-hiring-tech-cybersecurity-nafde/742553/
2. Santander to buy Webster for $12.3B — Banking Dive, Feb 3, 2026. https://www.bankingdive.com/news/santander-acquiring-webster-bank-12b/811270/
3. Santander, Webster lay out post-deal management plan — Banking Dive, Apr 8, 2026. https://www.bankingdive.com/news/santander-webster-management-roles-swati-bhatia-leaving/816983/
4. The Most Powerful Women in Banking NEXT No. 13, Katherine Lane, Webster Bank — American Banker, Sep 10, 2025. https://americanbanker.com/news/next-2025-no-13-katherine-lane-webster-bank
5. How Santander plans to avoid US 'graveyard' for European banks — American Banker, Feb 25, 2026. https://www.americanbanker.com/news/how-santander-plans-to-avoid-u-s-graveyard-for-european-banks
6. Fed gives final approval needed for Santander-Webster merger — American Banker, Aug 4, 2026. https://americanbanker.com/news/fed-gives-final-approval-needed-for-santander-webster-merger
7. Webster Financial Corporation Enters Into Merger Agreement With Banco Santander, S.A. for $12.3 Billion — Business Wire via FT Markets, Feb 3, 2026. https://markets.ft.com/data/announce/full?dockey=600-202602031338BIZWIRE_USPRX____20260203_BW901062-1
8. Webster Reports First Quarter 2026 EPS of $1.50; Adjusted EPS of $1.57 — Business Wire via FT Markets, Apr 28, 2026. https://markets-data-api-proxy.ft.com/data/announce/detail?dockey=600-202604281615BIZWIRE_USPRX____20260428_BW786095-1
9. Webster Bank Implements Prolific Banking's FI-Streams Connector to Enable Commercial Client Financial Data Connectivity — Business Wire via FT Markets, Jun 11, 2026. https://markets.ft.com/data/announce/full?dockey=600-202606111200BIZWIRE_USPRX____20260611_BW592775-1
10. Santander Receives Federal Reserve Approval for the Acquisition of Webster Financial Corporation — Business Wire via FT Markets, Aug 4, 2026. https://markets.ft.com/data/announce/full?dockey=600-202608041952BIZWIRE_USPRX____20260804_BW258528-1
11. Santander Expands U.S. Presence with Completion of Webster Acquisition — Business Wire via FT Markets, Aug 20, 2026. https://markets.ft.com/data/announce/full?dockey=600-202608200334BIZWIRE_USPRX____20260820_BW118649-1
12. Santander Expands U.S. Presence with Completion of Webster Acquisition — Webster Bank, Aug 20, 2026. https://websterbank.com/about/newsroom/santander-expands-u-s-presence-with-completion-of-webster-acquisition
13. Impact Makers Award Winners – Q2 2026 — Webster Bank, Jun 10, 2026. https://websterbank.com/impact-makers-award-winners
14. Webster Financial Corporation Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 — Webster Financial (SEC filings), Feb 27, 2026. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/801337/000080133726000008/wbs-20251231.htm
15. Webster Financial Corporation definitive proxy statement/prospectus for the Banco Santander transaction (DEFM14A) — Webster Financial (SEC filings), Apr 23, 2026. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/801337/000114036126016415/ny20070640x1_defm14a.htm
16. Santander sets a new standard for profitable growth (Investor Day press release, filed on Form 425 regarding Webster) — Banco Santander (SEC filings), Feb 25, 2026. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/801337/000095010326002606/dp242029_425-2.htm
17. Webster Financial Corporation Form 8-K: completion of the acquisition by Banco Santander and merger of Webster Bank into Santander Bank, N.A. — Webster Financial (SEC filings), Aug 20, 2026. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/801337/000119312526357758/d919931d8k.htm
18. Santander isn't rushing into Webster integration: US CEO — American Banker, Aug 20, 2026. https://www.americanbanker.com/news/with-webster-in-hand-santander-says-its-poised-for-growth
19. Santander Equips All Workers With AI and Seeks $1.15 Billion Business Value — PYMNTS, Jun 21, 2026. https://www.pymnts.com/news/artificial-intelligence/2026/santander-equips-all-workers-with-ai-and-seeks-1-15-billion-business-value/
20. Webster Financial Corporation Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2025 — Webster Financial (SEC filings), Nov 10, 2025. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/801337/000080133725000104/wbs-20250930.htm
21. Webster Financial Corporation Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2026 — Webster Financial (SEC filings), Apr 30, 2026. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/801337/000080133726000015/wbs-20260331.htm
22. Webster Financial Corporation Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2026 — Webster Financial (SEC filings), Jul 27, 2026. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/801337/000080133726000023/wbs-20260630.htm
23. Webster Financial Corporation Form 8-K: first-quarter 2026 results; no earnings call because of the Santander transaction — Webster Financial (SEC filings), Apr 28, 2026. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/801337/000080133726000013/wbs-20260428.htm
24. Webster Financial Corporation Form 8-K: second-quarter 2026 results; no earnings call because of the Santander transaction — Webster Financial (SEC filings), Jul 21, 2026. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/801337/000080133726000021/wbs-20260721.htm
25. Webster Financial Corporation Form 8-K: OCC approves merger of Webster Bank, N.A. into Santander Bank, N.A. (approval dated 12 June 2026) — Webster Financial (SEC filings), Jun 16, 2026. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/801337/000080133726000017/wbs-20260612.htm
26. Webster Reports Second Quarter 2026 EPS of $1.56; Adjusted EPS of $1.60 — Business Wire via FT Markets, Jul 21, 2026. https://markets.ft.com/data/announce/detail?dockey=600-202607211615BIZWIRE_USPRX____20260720_BW349926-1
27. Webster (WBS) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript — The Motley Fool (earnings call transcript), Jan 23, 2026. https://fool.com/earnings/call-transcripts/2026/01/23/webster-wbs-q4-2025-earnings-call-transcript
28. Form 425: Santander US CEO memo, Webster Acquisition Update: Corporate Function Leadership Appointments — Banco Santander (SEC filings), Apr 29, 2026. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/891478/000095010326006412/dp245911_425.htm
29. Form 425: Webster colleague memo on corporate function leadership appointments after closing — Webster Financial (SEC filings), Apr 29, 2026. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/801337/000119312526192078/d149222d425.htm
30. Form 425: joint business leadership and segment structure after closing — Webster Financial (SEC filings), Apr 6, 2026. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/801337/000119312526143945/d133255d425.htm
31. Form 425: transcript of the 2026 Santander Investor Day presentations — Banco Santander (SEC filings), Feb 25, 2026. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/801337/000095010326002645/dp242127_425.htm
32. Form 425: Santander internal communication to Group employees on 2025 results and the acquisition of Webster — Banco Santander (SEC filings), Feb 3, 2026. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/801337/000095010326001582/dp241044_425-internalmemo.htm
33. Form 425: Santander and Webster integration teams hold 'Walk the Walls' session — Webster Financial (SEC filings), May 20, 2026. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/801337/000095010326007544/dp247015_425.htm
34. Santander to acquire Webster Bank for $12.2 billion, allowing the group to achieve 18% RoTE in the U.S. by 2028 — Banco Santander, Feb 3, 2026. https://www.santander.com/en/press-room/press-releases/2026/02/santander-acquires-webster-bank
35. Santander adds 12 million customers as underlying profit rises 15% to 7.3 billion euros in the first half — Banco Santander, Jul 22, 2026. https://santander.com/content/dam/santander-com/en/documentos/informacion-privilegiada/2026/07/hr-2026-07-22-second-quarter-2026-results-press-release-en.pdf
36. Santander's data & AI-first strategy accelerates through OpenAI collaboration — Banco Santander, Aug 12, 2025. https://www.santander.com/en/stories/santander-data-ai-first-strategy-accelerates-through-openai-collaboration
37. Getnet develops infrastructure that enables businesses to accept AI agent-initiated payments — Banco Santander, Jun 9, 2026. https://santander.com/en/press-room/press-releases/2026/06/getnet-develops-infrastructure-that-enables-businesses-to-accept-ai-agent-initiated-payments
38. Webster Bank taps former Ally CRO — Banking Dive, Jul 1, 2025. https://bankingdive.com/news/webster-bank-taps-former-ally-cro-schugel-risk-chief/752083
39. Webster Bank gets $9B boost with interLINK acquisition — Banking Dive, Dec 6, 2022. https://www.bankingdive.com/news/webster-bank-interlink-stonecastle-veritex-acquisition-9b/638111/
40. HSA Bank Acquires SecureSave — Business Wire via FT Markets, Dec 4, 2025. https://markets.ft.com/data/announce/detail?dockey=600-202512041601BIZWIRE_USPRX____20251204_BW804852-1
41. HSA Bank Unveils New Brand Identity — Business Wire, Feb 4, 2025. https://businesswire.com/news/home/20250204480542/en/HSA-Bank-Unveils-New-Brand-Identity

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Canonical page: https://www.bankingnewsai.com/banks/webster
Part of [BankingNewsAI](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/) — a free daily brief on AI in banking, an AI regulation tracker (43 authorities, 244 documents) and AI-strategy profiles of the 120 largest US banks. Markdown versions of every reference page: append `.md` to the page URL; index at https://www.bankingnewsai.com/llms.txt.