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Kathleen Stanley runs marathons while also keeping a steady pace in her role as an executive managing director and head of verticals and regional banking at Connecticut-based Webster Bank.
As a part of her current remit, Stanley oversees coverage for more than 7,000 clients spanning six core businesses worth a combined $14 billion. Her business lines run along the East Coast from Boston to Philadelphia and New Jersey and provide core lending, deposit and treasury management to select industries and mid-sized businesses.
Stanley brings 33 years of experience to her role at Webster Bank, which has more than $81 billion in assets. Prior to joining Webster, Stanley led treasury and deposit solutions for the East Coast at City National Bank and led the treasury management sales team for Capital One's Northeast Commercial Bank.
She was appointed to run verticals and regional banking in 2022, and currently leads an 80-member team, including 10 direct reports. In 2024, Stanley led the launch of three strategic initiatives for the bank, including adding five states to its IOLTA (Interest on Lawyers' Trust Accounts) program. IOLTA is a national program where banks provide interest on these accounts which help to fund civil legal services for low-income individuals.
Like many bankers, one of her biggest challenges this past year has been navigating the market uncertainty and instability. "How can we be successful in an environment where we don't have a lot of control?" Stanley said. "For me, it's really about communication and ensuring that the team understands how the bank is performing, how we are performing as a team and reassuring them to continue to talk about their individual roles. Collectively, we have the ability to leverage one another and be open and transparent in this constantly changing environment."
In 2024, the $81 billion-asset bank reported $752 in earnings and its loans and deposit
grew 3.5% and 6.5%, respectively, over the prior year. Webster reported $715.8 million in revenue for the second quarter of this year, and net interest income was $621.2 million compared to $572.3 million for the same period in 2024.
Within Webster, Stanley is the executive sponsor of the Allies for Disability and Accessibility business resource group. In addition to providing support and resources for colleagues, clients and their communities, Stanley and other bank executives are designing a workforce initiative where Webster will employ neurodivergent individuals to fill open roles in IT and operations.
Outside of work, as a longtime runner, Stanley has successfully completed 10 full marathons and 30 half marathons and also coaches other runners.
She also serves as a board chair for the American Heart Association of Long Island and is active on the board for Hofstra University.
