James C. Smith served as the Chairman and CEO of Webster Financial Corporation from 2013 to 2017. With a solid background in finance, he holds a Bachelor's degree in finance from a well-known university. Known for his strategic vision, Smith...

James C. Smith served as the Chairman and CEO of Webster Financial Corporation from 2013 to 2017. With a solid background in finance, he holds a Bachelor's degree in finance from a well-known university. Known for his strategic vision, Smith led the company through a period of significant growth. Under his leadership, Webster sought to align executive compensation with performance metrics that truly benefited shareholders. In 2017, his total compensation was an impressive $5.8 million, mainly derived from his salary and vested stock, although he didn't take a bonus that year, choosing to prioritize the company's stability and success over personal gain. Smith was planned to retire in December 2017 but continued to serve as the non-executive Chairman and advisor, ensuring a smooth transition. His insightful strategies were reflected in the company's increased shareholder value, highlighting his commitment to long-term growth. Interestingly, Smith's insider trading activities showed fluctuations in his holdings, peaking at around $20 million in early 2022. His tenure at Webster showcased a blend of finance expertise and a practical, results-driven approach to leadership.

Quick Links

1. Rivals

2. Holdings

3. Insider Trading

4. Compensation History

5. Other Webster Financial Corporation CEOs

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James C. Smith

Ex-CEO of Webster Financial Corporation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Journalism from Marshall University

Field of Expertise

Other - Journalism

Sector of Economy

Financial Services

Born

October 23, 1960 - 64 years ago

CEO of Webster Financial Corporation for

4 years 3 months (Sep 2013 - Dec 2017)

Previous Experience

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Risk Officer at Webster Financial Corporation

Rivals

Competitors/colleagues of James C. Smith

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Timothy S. Crane

CEO of Wintrust Financial

2023 Compensation

Stock

$276.30K

Salary

$1.00M

Bonus

$1.14M

Other

$33.85K

Total Holdings

$8.91M

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John F. Woods

CEO of Citizens Financial Group

2023 Compensation

Stock

$150.00K

Salary

$950.00K

Bonus

$300.00K

Other

$100.00K

Total Holdings

$13.28M

F

Vincent J. Delie, Jr.

CEO of F.N.B. Corporation

2023 Compensation

Stock

$11.00M

Salary

$1.19M

Bonus

$0.00

Other

$649.18K

Total Holdings

$24.80M

E

Dominic Ng

CEO of East-West Bancorp

2023 Compensation

Stock

$4.75M

Salary

$1.28M

Bonus

$2.22M

Other

$119.74K

Total Holdings

$85.15M

H

Joseph S. Exnicios

CEO of Hancock Whitney Corporation

2023 Compensation

Stock

$265.86K

Salary

$553.84K

Bonus

$383.43K

Other

$67.08K

Total Holdings

$2.37M

Holdings

See how much did James C. Smith make over time.

James C. Smith’s holdings demonstrated considerable fluctuations throughout his tenure at Webster Financial. The peak occurred in early 2022, where his holdings reached around $20 million. This came after a consistent growth trajectory during his leadership. Prior to that peak,...

James C. Smith’s holdings demonstrated considerable fluctuations throughout his tenure at Webster Financial. The peak occurred in early 2022, where his holdings reached around $20 million. This came after a consistent growth trajectory during his leadership. Prior to that peak, Smith's holdings hovered between $8 and $16 million from 2019 to 2021, showing a strong base of wealth tied to the company’s performance. While he experienced dips along the way, his ability to maintain substantial investments reflected confidence in the company's direction, especially after he transitioned from CEO to Chairman. His strategic actions in the market emphasized a hands-on approach, indicative of someone who is seriously invested in both the company and its shareholders' success.

Mar 18, 2025

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shares

WBS @ $50.93

Total Stock Sold

$18.50M

WBS

$18.50M

400,086 WBS shares

What if they kept their stock?

If James C. Smith didn't sell their stock, today they would have:
Extra WBS400,086 shares worth $10.05M.
This is -45.65% and $8.45M less than what they got when they sold the stock.

Charitable Transactions

WBS

142,130 shares

WBS

Recent Charitable Transactions

WBS

70,000 shares

WBS

Dec 31, 2018

Charity

WBS

4,000 shares

WBS

Dec 31, 2017

Charity

WBS

2,000 shares

WBS

Dec 31, 2016

Charity

WBS

3,116 shares

WBS

Nov 1, 2016

Charity

WBS

7,914 shares

WBS

Apr 12, 2016

Charity

WBS

2,000 shares

WBS

Dec 31, 2015

Charity

Insider Trading

See recent insider trades of James C. Smith.

WBS

$2.84M

WBS at $56.74/share

Feb 24, 2019

Received

WBS

$3.03M

WBS at $55.07/share

Feb 4, 2019

Sale

WBS

$2.47M

WBS at $53.94/share

Jan 31, 2019

Sale

WBS

70,000 shares

WBS

Dec 31, 2018

Charity

WBS

249.524 shares

WBS

Sep 4, 2018

Received

WBS

245.136 shares

WBS

Jul 2, 2018

Received

WBS

$3.63M

WBS at $60.54/share

Apr 26, 2018

Sale

WBS

$2.78M

WBS at $56.42/share

Feb 26, 2018

Received

WBS

$500.22K

WBS at $55.93/share

Oct 27, 2017

Sale

WBS

4,000 shares

WBS

Dec 31, 2017

Charity

Compensation History

See how much did James C. Smith make over time.

During his time as CEO of Webster Financial, James C. Smith's compensation package reflected a focus on long-term performance over immediate rewards. For 2017, he reported a total compensation of $5.8 million, composed primarily of a $950,000 salary and nearly $1.8 million from vested stock. Notably, he did not receive a bonus that year, indicating his preference for sustainable growth rather than short-term incentives. This approach aligned with Webster's compensation philosophy, which was about balancing executive rewards with company performance metrics, aiming for overall shareholder value. Historical data shows that his compensation varied throughout his tenure, pointing to a calculated strategy in rewarding performance over time rather than just base salary. Overall, his compensation strategy shed light on his commitment to long-term thinking for the company's future.

Year

2017

Total Compensation

$3.16M

Salary

$950.00K

Board Justification

The compensation program is designed to attract, engage, and retain qualified executives, rewarding actions and results that increase Economic Profits and maximize shareholder return.

Bonus

$0.00

Board Justification

No bonus was awarded in 2017.

Other

$386.36K

Board Justification

Includes contributions to retirement plans, dividends on unvested stock, and life insurance premiums.

Restricted Stock

$1.83M(2.44K Performance Shares)

Board Justification

Performance shares that vested based on achievement of performance metrics over a three-year period.

Performance Metrics

Performance metrics include return on equity and total shareholder return relative to peers.

Other Webster Financial Corporation CEOs

Here are other CEOs of Webster Financial Corporation

John R. Ciulla

CEO of Webster Financial Corporation

January 2018 - Present