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The two largest Connecticut-based banks, both with strong presences in Massachusetts, had fewer clients needing loan deferrals during the third quarter compared to the early months of the pandemic.

Bridgeport-based People’s United Bank had total loan deferrals of $1.6 billion or 3.5 percent of total loans on Sept. 30, down from down from more than $7.1 billion or 15.8 percent of total loans at the end of June, according to the bank’s third quarter earnings presentation.

Waterbury-based Webster Bank saw loan deferrals drop from 7 percent to 2 percent of its portfolio. Deferrals dropped from almost $1.38 billion on June 30 to $482 million on Sept. 30.

“True to our heritage and our values, we are pleased to be able to do our part to help consumers and businesses manage through uncertainties brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Webster Chairman and CEO John Ciulla, chairman and chief executive officer said in the third quarter earnings statement. “Webster bankers have continued to distinguish themselves in supporting their customers and their communities.”

During a conference call Thursday to discus third-quarter earnings, Ciulla said the bank had not seen higher deferral rates based on geography but rather by sector. Webster has branches in Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York and the Greater Boston area, as well as real estate exposure in New Jersey and the Philadelphia area.

Jason Soto, Webster’s chief lending officer, said the bank is watching hotels, travel and leisure, media and restaurants.

People’s United Chairman and CEO Jack Barnes said during the bank’s conference call that the hospitality portfolio, including hotels, had $670 million in total deferrals at the end of the third quarter, with $640 million of that portfolio in a second deferral phase, the bank’s largest concentration of second deferrals. Total deferrals for People’s United’s $1.1 billion hospitality portfolio had been $876 million at the end of the second quarter.

“The total impact of the pandemic on the long-term economy is unknown. However, improvements in economic activity during the quarter provide us a level of cautious optimism as we look ahead. We are particularly pleased with the significant reduction in customers needing relief…” Barnes said in the third quarter earnings statement. “Our relationship managers have continued to maintain a high level of contact to help borrowers navigate their specific situations.”

People’s United, which had total assets as of Sept. 30 of $60.8 billion, had net income available to shareholders of $141.1 million, or $0.34 per common share, compared to $86.40, or $0.21 per common share, in the second quarter and $131.6 million, or $0.33 per common share, in the third quarter of 2019.

Webster Bank, which had total assets of nearly $33 billion, had net income available to common shareholders of $66.9 million, or $0.75 diluted earnings per share, compared to $50.7 million, or $0.57 diluted earnings per share, in the second quarter and $91.4 million, or $1 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2019.