Banco Santander to acquire Webster Financial (NYSE: WBS) in cash-and-stock deal

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Webster Financial Corporation announced it has entered into a definitive transaction agreement under which Banco Santander, S.A. will acquire Webster in a cash-and-stock deal, on the terms and subject to the conditions in that agreement.

The combination remains pending and depends on closing conditions, including regulatory, stockholder and other approvals, and could be delayed or terminated if those conditions are not met. The companies highlight numerous risks, such as integration challenges, potential business disruption, reputational impacts, market and macroeconomic changes, added regulatory requirements and possible effects on the share prices of Webster and Banco Santander.

Insights

Bank M&A and regulatory analyst

Webster agreed to be acquired by Banco Santander, but the cash-and-stock deal faces multiple regulatory, approval and integration risks before closing.

Webster Financial has signed a definitive agreement for Banco Santander to acquire it in a cash-and-stock transaction. This represents a fundamental change in Webster’s standalone trajectory, shifting future value to the combined company once the transaction is completed.

The agreement is explicitly conditional. Closing depends on regulatory, stockholder and other approvals, satisfaction of closing conditions and the absence of events that could trigger termination. The companies list extensive risk factors, including potential cost overruns, business disruption and reputational effects tied to the announcement and pendency of the deal.

They also flag challenges integrating operations, potential changes in economic conditions and interest rates, cybersecurity and regulatory pressures, and the impact of Banco Santander issuing additional ordinary shares and ADSs for the transaction. Details of the structure will be provided in a registration statement on Form F-4 and a joint proxy statement/prospectus that investors are urged to read when available.

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): February 3, 2026

WEBSTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware		001-31486		06-1187536
(State or other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)		(Commission File Number)		(IRS Employer Identification Number)

200 Elm Street

Stamford, Connecticut 06902

(Address of principal executive offices) (zip code)

(203) 578-2202

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☒ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class		Trading Symbol(s)		Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share		WBS		New York Stock Exchange
Depositary Shares, each representing a 1/1000th interest in a share of 5.25% Series F Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock		WBS-PrF		New York Stock Exchange
Depositary Shares, each representing a 1/40th interest in a share of 6.50% Series G Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock		WBS-PrG		New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR 230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR 240.12b-2).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

ITEM 8.01 OTHER EVENTS.

On February 3, 2026, Webster Financial Corporation (“Webster”) issued a press release announcing the execution of a definitive transaction agreement pursuant to which, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein, Banco Santander, S.A. will acquire Webster in a cash-and-stock transaction.

A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 9.01 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

(d) Exhibits

99.1		Press Release of Webster Financial Corporation, dated February 3, 2026.
104		Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).

NO OFFER OR SOLICITATION

This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). No investment activity should be undertaken on the basis of the information contained in this communication. By making this communication available, no advice or recommendation is being given to buy, sell or otherwise deal in any securities or investments whatsoever.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This communication contains statements that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of, and subject to the protections of, Section 27A of the Securities Act, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as “achieve,” “anticipate,” “assume,” “believe,” “could,” “deliver,” “drive,” “enhance,” “estimate,” “expect,” “focus,” “future,” “goal,” “grow,” “guidance,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “position,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “opportunity,”

“outlook,” “should,” “strategy,” “target,” “trajectory,” “trend,” “will,” “would,” and other similar words and expressions or the negative of such terms or other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about business strategy, goals and objectives, projected financial and operating results, including outlook for future growth, and future share dividends, share repurchases and other uses of capital. These statements are not historical facts, but instead represent our beliefs regarding future events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of our control. As forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements.

Webster Financial Corporation’s (“Webster”) and Banco Santander, S.A.’s (“Banco Santander”) actual results, financial condition and achievements may differ materially from those indicated in these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause Webster’s and Banco Santander’s actual results, financial condition and achievements to differ materially from those indicated in such forward-looking statements include, in addition to those set forth in Webster’s and Banco Santander’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”): (1) the risk that the cost savings, synergies and other benefits from the acquisition of Webster by Banco Santander (the “Transaction”) may not be fully realized or may take longer than anticipated to be realized, including as a result of changes in, or problems arising from, general economic and market conditions, interest and exchange rates, monetary policy, laws and regulations and their enforcement, and the degree of competition in the geographic and business areas in which Webster and Banco Santander operate; (2) the failure of the closing conditions in the Transaction agreement by and among Webster, Banco Santander and a wholly owned subsidiary of Webster providing for the Transaction to be satisfied, or any unexpected delay in closing the Transaction or the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could delay the Transaction or could give rise to the termination of the Transaction agreement; (3) the outcome of any legal or regulatory proceedings or governmental inquiries or investigations that may be currently pending or later instituted against Webster, Banco Santander or the combined company; (4) the possibility that the Transaction does not close when expected or at all because required regulatory, stockholder or other approvals and other conditions to closing are not received or satisfied on a timely basis or at all (and the risk that such approvals may result in the imposition of conditions that could adversely affect the combined company or the expected benefits of the proposed Transaction); (5) disruption to the parties’ businesses as a result of the announcement and pendency of the Transaction; (6) the costs associated with the anticipated length of time of the pendency of the Transaction, including the restrictions contained in the definitive Transaction agreement on the ability of Webster to operate its business outside the ordinary course during the pendency of the Transaction; (7) risks related to management and oversight of the expanded business and operations of the combined company following the closing of the proposed Transaction; (8) the risk that the integration of Webster’s operations with Banco Santander’s will be materially delayed or will be more costly or difficult than expected or that the parties are otherwise unable to successfully integrate each party’s businesses into the other’s businesses; (9) the possibility that the Transaction may be more expensive to complete than anticipated, including as a result of unexpected factors or events; (10) reputational risk and potential adverse reactions of Webster’s or Banco Santander’s customers, employees, vendors, contractors or other business partners, including those resulting from the announcement or completion of the Transaction; (11) the dilution caused by Banco Santander’s issuance of

additional ordinary shares and corresponding American depositary shares, each representing the right to receive one of its ordinary shares (“ADSs”) in connection with the Transaction; (12) the possibility that any announcements relating to the Transaction could have adverse effects on the market price of Webster’s common stock and Banco Santander’s ordinary shares and ADSs; (13) a material adverse change in the condition of Webster or Banco Santander; (14) the extent to which Webster’s or Banco Santander’s businesses perform consistent with management’s expectations; (15) Webster’s and Banco Santander’s ability to take advantage of growth opportunities and implement targeted initiatives in the timeframe and on the terms currently expected; (16) the inability to sustain revenue and earnings growth; (17) the execution and efficacy of recent strategic investments; (18) the impact of macroeconomic factors, such as changes in general economic conditions and monetary and fiscal policy, particularly on interest rates; (19) changes in customer behavior; (20) unfavorable developments concerning credit quality; (21) declines in the businesses or industries of Webster’s or Banco Santander’s customers; (22) the possibility that the combined company is subject to additional regulatory requirements as a result of the proposed Transaction of expansion of the combined company’s business operations following the proposed Transaction; (23) general competitive, political and market conditions and other factors that may affect future returns of Webster and Banco Santander including changes in asset quality and credit risk; (24) security risks, including cybersecurity and data privacy risks, and capital markets; (25) inflation; (26) the impact, extent and timing of technological changes; (27) capital management activities; (28) competitive product and pricing pressures; (29) the outcomes of legal and regulatory proceedings and related financial services industry matters; and (30) compliance with regulatory requirements. Any forward-looking statement made in this communication is based solely on information currently available to us and speaks only as of the date on which it is made.

Webster and Banco Santander undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except to the extent required by law. These and other important factors, including those discussed under “Risk Factors” in Webster’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 (available at: https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0000801337/000080133725000004/wbs-20241231.htm) and in Banco Santander’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2024 (available at: https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0000891478/000089147825000054/san-20241231.htm), as well as Webster’s and Banco Santander’s subsequent filings with the SEC, may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements herein are made only as of the date they were first issued, and unless otherwise required by applicable securities laws, Webster and Banco Santander disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRANSACTION AND WHERE TO FIND IT

INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM F-4 AND THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS

INCLUDED WITHIN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM F-4 WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE, AS WELL AS ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH THE TRANSACTION OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM F-4 AND THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING WEBSTER, BANCO SANTANDER, THE TRANSACTION AND RELATED MATTERS.

Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of these documents and other documents filed with the SEC by Webster or Banco Santander through the website maintained by the SEC at https://www.sec.gov or by contacting the investor relations department of Webster and Banco Santander at:

Webster Financial Corporation		Banco Santander, S.A.
200 Elm Street		Ciudad Grupo Santander
Stamford, Connecticut 06902 Attention: Investor Relations eharmon@websterbank.com		28660 Boadilla del Monte Spain Attention: Investor Relations investor@gruposantander.com
(212) 309-7646		+34 912899239

PARTICIPANTS IN THE SOLICITATION

Webster, Banco Santander and certain of their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of Webster in connection with the Transaction under the rules of the SEC. Information regarding the directors and executive officers of Webster and Banco Santander is set forth in (i) Webster’s definitive proxy statement for its 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, including under the headings entitled “Director Nominees,” “Director Independence,” “Non-Employee Director Compensation and Stock Ownership Guidelines,” “Compensation and Human Resources Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation,” “Executive Compensation,” “2024 Pay Versus Performance” and “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management,” which was filed with the SEC on April 11, 2025 and is available at https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0000801337/000080133725000015/wbs-20250411.htm, and (ii) Banco Santander’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ending December 31, 2024, including under the headings entitled “Directors and Senior Management,” “Compensation,” “Share Ownership” and “Majority Shareholders and Related Party Transactions,” which was filed with the SEC on February 28, 2025 and is available at https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0000891478/000089147825000054/san-20241231.htm. To the extent holdings of each of Webster’s or Banco Santander’s securities by its directors or executive officers have changed since the amounts set forth in Webster’s definitive proxy statement for its 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and in Banco Santander’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ending December 31, 2024, such changes have been or will be reflected on Webster’s Statements of Change of Ownership on Form 4 filed with the SEC and on Banco Santander’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ending December 31, 2025.

Other information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus of Webster and Banco Santander and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC when they become available. You may obtain free copies of these documents through the website maintained by the SEC at https://www.sec.gov.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

						WEBSTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
Date: February 3, 2026						/s/ Neal Holland
						Neal Holland
						Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

FAQ

What transaction did Webster Financial (WBS) and Banco Santander announce?

Webster Financial announced a definitive transaction agreement under which Banco Santander, S.A. will acquire Webster in a cash-and-stock transaction. The deal is subject to specified terms, closing conditions, regulatory reviews and approvals before it can be completed.

Is the Banco Santander acquisition of Webster Financial (WBS) already completed?

No, the acquisition has not closed. Webster and Banco Santander have only signed a definitive agreement, and completion depends on satisfying closing conditions, obtaining required regulatory, stockholder and other approvals, and avoiding events that could delay or terminate the transaction.

What risks to Webster Financial (WBS) are highlighted regarding the Banco Santander transaction?

The companies cite risks that expected cost savings and synergies may not be realized, closing conditions may not be satisfied, regulatory or legal proceedings could arise, integration may be delayed or costly, and business disruption, reputational effects and share price impacts could result from the transaction.

What regulatory filings will describe the Webster–Banco Santander transaction in detail?

A registration statement on Form F-4 with a joint proxy statement/prospectus will be filed with the SEC. Investors and security holders are urged to read that document and other related SEC filings when available, because they will contain important information about Webster, Banco Santander and the transaction.

Where can Webster Financial (WBS) investors obtain documents about the Banco Santander deal?

Investors can access free copies of relevant documents through the SEC’s website at sec.gov, or by contacting investor relations at Webster Financial in Stamford, Connecticut, or Banco Santander in Boadilla del Monte, Spain, using the email addresses and phone numbers provided.

Does this communication constitute an offer to buy or sell Webster Financial (WBS) securities?

No. The communication explicitly states it is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor a solicitation of any vote or approval. Any offer of securities will only be made through a prospectus meeting Securities Act requirements.