Hartford Business Journal

20 Hartford Business Journal • May 14, 2018 • www.HartfordBusiness.com Women T he fact that women-owned and women-run businesses have long been supported and guided by Webster Bank in reaching their potential is part of its legacy of service. The bank — based in Waterbury — has had a robust, decades-long history of helping women-owned companies access capital, utilize business loans and manage cash fl ow in order to more eff ectively reach their business goals. The banking institution is well respected in the business community as one that works with each client to understand their unique challenges and then tailors solutions that best suit their needs today and in the future. But where Webster Bank diff erentiates itself is with its innovative, comprehensive approach to supporting women and their businesses. Those needs, said Erin Dorman, senior vice president of commercial banking with Webster Bank, go beyond matters of money and tap into much more relevant insight that stem from current trends. Support systems More and more Connecticut women are starting companies. According to the 2017 State of Women-Owned Business Report released late last year, Connecticut's women-owned businesses grew by 56 percent over the last two decades. Yet business women usually do not have as many mentors compared with their male counterparts. "It's often the isolation that aff ects women, when you consider traditional routes," of becoming a part of the local business community, Dorman said. "It's a little daunting for a woman to integrate herself." Yet the power of active networking, relationship-building and active collaboration for women in business cannot be overstated in terms of results. Webster Bank is a fi rm believer that — in addition to an array of fi nancing tools — networking and collaboration will help improve these community businesses and the women who own them. It understands the need for collaboration among this unique brand of business clients. 20 Hartford Business Journal • May 14, 2018 • www.HartfordBusiness.com | With WeWIN, Webster Bank began its comprehensive commitment to business women in the community, starting with women in its own ranks. From left, Holly Campo de la Vera, the bank's SBA relationship manager, and Erin Dorman, senior vice president of commerical banking. | PHOTOS BY GARY LEWIS BY SUSAN SHALHOUB Women Women Women Supporting Sponsored Content WEBSTER BANK INTELLIGENCE SERIES

• Cover