FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Brenda D. Farrell, Corporate Communications Manager, 401-348-1363
DATE: June 3, 2004
Washington Trust Refer-A-Friend Promotion 'Takes the Cake'
Westerly, Rhode Island... The Washington Trust Company is offering its customers a "sweet deal" to encourage referrals to the Bank's new free checking account, Freedom Checking. From now until the end of the summer, any Washington Trust customer who refers a new Freedom Checking customer will receive a gift certificate good for a free cake or pie from Gregg's Restaurants.
Even before referral forms were sent to more than 40,000 Washington Trust customers in their May statements, the Bank had already given away more than 50 cakes through an in-branch and online promotion. "We've brought together two winning products - Washington Trust's free checking account and Gregg's famous desserts - to create a promotion that really takes the cake," says Elizabeth B. Eckel, Senior Vice President, Marketing.
Introduced in April, Freedom Checking does not require direct deposit. There is no minimum balance requirement, and the account also offers free check writing, ATM/debit cards, ATM transactions, teller transactions and online banking and bill payment. "However, we are rewarding new customers who use direct deposit by putting $50 into their checking accounts after the first direct deposit transaction is made," Eckel says.
"And as an incentive for new Freedom Checking customers to start using our free online banking and bill payment services, Washington Trust will deposit $50 into their account after they have made their first three online bill payment transactions, " Eckel adds.
For more information about Washington Trust's free checking or cake referral program, visit any one of the Bank's 16 branches, log on to www.washtrust.com and click the Gregg's cake photo, or call the Bank's Account Information Center, (401) 348-1200 or toll-free (800) 475-2265.
The Washington Trust Company is the largest independent bank headquartered in Rhode Island. A state-chartered bank, Washington Trust offers a full range of financial services, including trust and investment management, and has 16 branch offices located throughout Rhode Island and southeastern Connecticut. Founded in 1800, 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.
