The first phase of the project involves consolidating nine banking offices into nearby branches in areas where Webster has an extensive--and, in effect, an overlapping--branch network. In the second phase, Webster will open new branches in communities not currently having a Webster office, bank officials state.

"Over the past 10 years, Webster has experienced considerable growth through acquisitions of several Connecticut community banks," says Peter Mulligan, senior executive vice president, retail banking. "The result is that the Webster branch network is highly concentrated and several branches in local markets serve the same customers and, in most cases, are less than a mile or two from each other."

The bank released a list of branch locations to be consolidated and to receive branch locations: in Danbury, the Shelter Rock Road branch will be consolidated into the City Center branch; the 290 Roberts Street branch in East Hartford will be consolidated into the 1085 Main St., location; the 70 West Road branch in Ellington will be consolidated into the 475 Talcottville Road in Vernon; the Enfield Square Mall branch will be consolidated into the 9 Hazard Ave. branch in Enfield; and the 100 Pearl Street branch in Hartford will be moving to the City Place branch.