FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Elizabeth Eckel, SVP Marketing, 401-348-1309
DATE: December 22, 2004

Washington Trust Adopts 22 Families for the Holidays

Bank provides gifts and clothing for families throughout Rhode Island and Southeastern CT

Westerly, Rhode Island... The Washington Trust Company made the holidays a little merrier for twenty-two needy families in Rhode Island and southeastern Connecticut. Employees and customers of the Bank "adopted" families in need through local community groups. The Bank was given the first names, ages, clothing/shoe sizes, and "wish lists" of the children and their parents. Bank employees and customers then anonymously purchased gifts of clothing and toys for the families.

"No child should ever have to go without during the holidays," said John C. Warren, Chairman and CEO of The Washington Trust Company. "This year more than ever, there was an increased need for support and our employees and customers generously responded. Their gifts will surely put a smile on many faces."

Washington Trust worked with the following non-profit organizations to "adopt" local families:

• W.A.R.M. Shelter (Westerly)
• Bradford Jonnycake Center (Westerly)
• Pleasant Street Baptist Church (Westerly)
• Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center (Pawcatuck, CT)
• Wood River Health Services (Richmond)
• Ray of Hope (Charlestown)
• Elizabeth Buffum Chase House (Warwick)
• North Kingstown Welfare Department
• Peace Dale Jonnycake Center (Peace Dale)
• Domestic Violence Center of South County (Wakefield)
• Thundermist (Wakefield)
• Comprehensive Community Action (Cranston)
• PICA (Providence In-Church Association)

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, through its 16 branch offices located in 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.