Commitments and Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies

Credit-Related Financial Instruments

In the normal course of business, Webster offers financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk to meet the financing needs of its customers. These transactions include commitments to extend credit, standby letters of credit, and commercial letters of credit, which involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk.

The following table summarizes the outstanding amounts of credit-related financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk:

	At December 31,
(In thousands)	2021		2020
Commitments to extend credit	$	6,870,095	$	6,517,840
Standby letters of credit	224,061		207,201
Commercial letters of credit	58,175		30,522
Total credit-related financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk	$	7,152,331	$	6,755,563

Webster enters into contractual commitments to extend credit to its customers, such as revolving credit arrangements, term loan commitments, and short-term borrowing agreements, generally with fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and that require payment of a fee. Substantially all of the Company's commitments to extend credit are contingent upon its customers maintaining specific credit standards at the time of loan funding, and are often secured by real estate collateral. Since the majority of the Company's commitments typically expire without being funded, the total contractual amount does not necessarily represent Webster's future payment requirements.

Standby letters of credit are written conditional commitments issued by the Company to guarantee its customers' performance to a third party. In the event the customer does not perform in accordance with the terms of its agreement with a third-party, Webster would be required to fund the commitment. The contractual amount of each standby letter of credit represents the maximum amount of potential future payments the Company could be required to make. Historically, the majority of Webster's standby letters of credit expire without being funded. However, if the commitment were funded, the Company has recourse against the customer. Webster's standby letter of credit agreements are often secured by cash or other collateral.

Commercial letters of credit are issued to finance either domestic or foreign customer trade arrangements. As a general rule, drafts are committed to be drawn when the goods underlying the transaction are in-transit. Similar to standby letters of credit, Webster's commercial letter of credit agreements are often secured by the underlying goods subject to trade.

An ACL is recorded within accrued expenses and other liabilities on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets to provide for the unused portion of commitments to lend that are not unconditionally cancellable by Webster. Under the CECL methodology, the calculation of the allowance generally includes the probability of funding to occur and a corresponding estimate of expected lifetime credit losses on amounts assumed to be funded. Loss calculation factors are consistent with those for funded loans using the PD and LGD applied to the underlying borrower's risk and facility grades, a draw down factor applied to utilization rates, relevant forecast information, and management's qualitative factors.

The following table summarizes the activity in the ACL on unfunded loan commitments:

	Years ended December 31,
(In thousands)	2021		2020		2019
Balance, beginning of period	$	12,755	$	2,367	$	2,506
Adoption of CECL	—		9,139		—
Provision (benefit)	349		1,249		(139)
Balance, end of period	$	13,104	$	12,755	$	2,367

Litigation

Webster is subject to certain legal proceedings and unasserted claims and assessments in the ordinary course of business. Legal contingencies are evaluated based on information currently available, including advice of counsel and assessment of available insurance coverage. The Company establishes an accrual for specific legal matters when it determines that the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome is probable and the loss is reasonably estimable. Once established, each accrual is adjusted to reflect any subsequent developments. Legal contingencies are subject to inherent uncertainties, and unfavorable rulings may occur that could cause Webster to either adjust its litigation accrual or incur actual losses that exceed the current estimate, which ultimately could have a material adverse effect, either individually or in the aggregate, on its business, financial condition, or operating results. Webster will consider settlement of cases when it is in the best interests of the Company and its stakeholders. Webster intends to defend itself in all claims asserted against it, and management currently believes that the outcome of these contingencies will not be material, either individually or in the aggregate, to Webster or its consolidated financial position.