FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Elizabeth Eckel, SVP Marketing, 401-348-1309
DATE: February 2, 2006

Washington Trust Employees Receive Presidential Awards

February 2, 2006 (Westerly, RI) . . . Washington Trust presented awards to 17 of its employees to recognize them for their community service and company spirit during the Bank's recent Employee Fest at the Crowne Plaza in Warwick.

Fifteen Washington Trust employees were presented with the President's Volunteer Service Award, which is given to individuals, families and groups that have demonstrated outstanding volunteer service and civic participation over a twelve-month period. The fifteen employees were awarded the Bronze level of the award, which is given to anyone who has given between 100 and 249 hours of service to the community. The recipients are:

Linda M. Aldrich, post closing/quality control specialist, of Charlestown, RI
Dennis L. Algiere, senior vice president, chief compliance officer, and director of community affairs, of Westerly, RI
Amy U. Arruda, vice president and market manager, of Pawcatuck, of CT
Rachel G. Chudy, senior customer service representative, of Charlestown, RI
Ann M. Cook, branch manager, vice president, of Charlestown, RI
Vanessa O. Dillon, assistant vice president, Warwick branch manager, of Exeter, RI
Elizabeth B. Eckel, senior vice president, marketing, of Westerly, RI
Jey Paula Grenier, assistant vice president, systems support, of Westerly, RI
Melinda M. Hill, public and community relations coordinator, of Warwick, RI
Joseph J. Iacoi, vice president, business development officer, of Westerly, RI
Sandra Liese, commercial credit assistant, of Bradford, RI
Rogean B. Makowski, senior vice president and trust officer, of Wood River Junction, RI
Dawn M. Marriott, lending support officer, of Charlestown, RI
Peter J. Miniati, vice president, trust planning officer, of Barrington, RI
Cathleen A. Studley, vice president, North Kingstown branch manager, of Jamestown, RI

The Bank also presented its Washington Trust Community Service Award and its Spirit of Washington Trust Award during the event.

The WTC Community Service Award, which recognizes employees who have made a significant contribution to the community by volunteering their time and effort, was presented to Lina Carreiro, E-Commerce assistant, and Frank P. Cofone, assistant vice president, real estate assets officer. Carreiro, who has been with the Bank for 10 years, and Cofone, who has been with the Bank for 14 years, were both recently honored as recipients of the American Heart Association's Volunteer of the Year Award. They have served as team captains for AHA's Westerly Heart Walk for four years and eight years, respectively. Not only do they raise funds themselves for the Heart Walk, they recruit other employees to participate in the Walk and raise funds also. Thanks to their leadership and dedication, and the commitment of the Washington Trust employees who have participated in the Walk each year, the Washington Trust Team has been number one for the amount of funds raised for the Westerly Heart Walk for the last five years. Washington Trust will donate $1,000 to the American Heart Association in Carreiro's and Cofone's name.

Frank P. Cofone, of Bradford, R.I. (2nd from left) and Lina I. Carreiro, of Westerly, R.I., were presented with the WTC Community Service Award by John F. Treanor, president and chief operating officer (left) and John C. Warren, chairman and chief executive officer (right).

The Spirit of Washington Trust Award, which honors employees who exemplify the Washington Trust spirit and distinguish themselves as role models for others, was presented to George Luzzi, Jr., technology services officer. Luzzi is a resident of Pawcatuck, Conn., and has been with Washington Trust since 1998. "George is known throughout the Bank as a 'can do' person. He has been described by his co-workers as having high energy and the utmost professionalism, and
is always ready to help his co-workers out with a problem. George is truly an asset to his department and to the entire Bank," said Vernon Bliven, senior vice president of human resources. Washington Trust will make a $500 donation in Luzzi's name to the Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center.

George T. Luzzi Jr. (center), of Pawcatuck, Conn., was presented with the Spirit of Washington Trust Award by John C. Warren, chairman and chief executive officer (left) and John F. Treanor, president and chief operating officer (right).

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 wealth 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.