FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Elizabeth Eckel, SVP Marketing, 401-348-1309
DATE: May 31, 2005

Washington Trust Receives National Workplace Wellness Award

Westerly, Rhode Island... Washington Trust was presented with the Silver Well Workplace Award and Rhode Island's Superior Worksite Health Award by the Worksite Wellness Council of Rhode Island on Thursday, May 26. Washington Trust is the only bank in Rhode Island to have received this award since the inception of the award program in RI in 1998. The award was presented to the Bank during the RI Chamber of Business and Industry and Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce "Business Over Easy" breakfast held at the Marriott Providence Hotel. By achieving these designations, Washington Trust is now recognized by the Wellness Councils of America as one of America's Healthiest Companies.

The Silver Well Workplace Award is a national award established in 1991 as an international recognition program of the Wellness Councils of America. The Silver award is given to companies who not only demonstrate a commitment to improving employee health and well-being, but who also demonstrate the impact of these programs on the success of the company. Four designations of the Well Workplace Award are currently offered: Bronze, Silver, Gold and

Platinum. The Silver award "recognizes organizations that have expanded programming and started to align their efforts with the organization's strategic priorities." Applicants for the Silver award must have advancing programs that have been in place a minimum of two years. A total of 28 organizations in Rhode Island have received the Well Workplace Award.

The Superior Worksite Health Award is a program of the RI Chamber of Business and Industry and the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce. There were 53 companies that received a Worksite Health Award in four categories: Exemplary, Superior, Outstanding and Achievement.

Governor Carcieri and the First Lady are working towards the goal of Rhode Island becoming the first "Well State" in the nation. To accomplish this, twenty percent of the State's working population must be employed by companies that have received the Well Workplace designation.

In a congratulatory letter from the Governor to John C. Warren, Chairman and CEO of The Washington Trust Company, Governor Carcieri stated "Please accept my personal thanks for the Washington Trust Company's work to support our mutual goal of improving the health of Rhode Island's workforce." He added, "I appreciate your good work to promote wellness, and encourage your continued support to make Rhode Island a safe and healthy place for our working population."

"I am truly honored that Washington Trust has been chosen for these two prestigious awards," said John C. Warren, Chairman and CEO of The Washington Trust Company. "By providing programs and opportunities to improve the health and well-being of our employees we are also making Washington Trust a healthier company overall."

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.