FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Brenda D. Farrell, Corporate Communications Manager, 401-348-1363
DATE: April 21, 2004

Washington Trust Hosts 'National Volunteer Week'

Bank launches new employee volunteerism program and participants in a series of events

Westerly, Rhode Island... The Washington Trust Company is celebrating National Volunteer Week, April 19 - 26, 2004, by hosting the Volunteer Center of Rhode Island's National Volunteer Week activities, as well as participating in a series of community events.

"Community volunteerism and support is one of Washington Trust's core values," said John C. Warren, the Bank's Chairman and CEO. "From the American Bankers Association's 'Teach Children to Save' program to the Westerly - Pawcatuck Chamber of Commerce's annual 'Duck Race' fundraiser, Washington Trust employees will be out and about this week, volunteering in our community." He continued, "To encourage and reward employee volunteerism, we are kicking off a bank-wide volunteer recognition program this week, called 'Reach for the Stars'. Employees who volunteer for bank-sponsored events will earn 'stars' that can be redeemed for merchandise. We had a similar program several years ago that was very successful, and we expect that the new program will also be well received."

Now through May 8, Washington Trust and its employees will participate in the following events:

April 19 - 24: Washington Trust is the sole corporate sponsor of the Volunteer Center of Rhode Island's National Volunteer Week festivities. The Bank officially kicks off "Reach for the Stars," a bank-wide recognition program for employees who volunteer for bank-sponsored events.

April 22: Washington Trust bankers visit local elementary schools on "Teach Children to Save Day," an America's Promise program of the American Bankers Association. Washington Trust hosts the Volunteer Center of Rhode Island's Salute to Volunteerism at the Rhode Island Foundation, beginning at 4 p.m. Harvey Perry, the Bank's Senior Vice President and Director, Office for Non-Profit Resources, will bring greetings from Washington Trust.

April 24: Team Washington Trust participates in the March of Dimes WalkAmerica event at Roger Williams Park, Providence, 8:30 a.m. until noon; Washington Trust employees will help build the Matty's Place playground at Hazard School in Wakefield, 8 a.m. until 4 p.m., Rhode Island, Washington Trust's branch located at 126 Franklin Street in Westerly will host a fundraising and awareness event for Stand Up for Animals, a local organization that is raising fund to build a new sanctuary for homeless pets in Westerly, 9 a.m. until noon; Washington Trust employees volunteer at the Greater Westerly-Pawcatuck Chamber of Commerce's Annual Duck Race, a fundraiser local schools and nonprofit organizations, 12:30 until 4 p.m. in downtown Westerly.

Founded in 1800, The Washington Trust Company is the largest independent bank headquartered in Rhode Island. It is a state-chartered bank, offering a full range of financial services, including trust and investment management, with branch offices located throughout Rhode Island and southeastern Connecticut. The Bank is a subsidiary of Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc. whose common stock trades on The NASDAQ Stock Market® under the symbol WASH. Web site address: www.washtrust.com.