Washington Trust Teaches Students How To Get Smart About Credit

October 19, 2007 (Westerly, RI). . . Students at Chariho Regional High School were surprised to learn how much an individual’s credit score can impact an interest rate or even the ability to obtain a loan or credit card. As part of the American Bankers Association’s “Get Smart About Credit” day, 10 employees of The Washington Trust Company visited local high schools to teach young adults the importance of establishing and maintaining good credit. They taught high school students the difference between credit and debit cards, the cost of credit, budgeting and identity theft prevention. The employees visited Rhode Island high schools including Chariho Regional High School, Cranston West High School, North Kingstown High School, South Kingstown High School, and Westerly High School and made presentations to 10 classrooms reaching approximately 250 students.,/p>

“Get Smart About Credit” day, founded by the American Bankers Association, is a financial literacy program presented by bankers across the country as part of a nationwide effort to help young people take charge of their personal finances.

“Washington Trust is happy to participate in “Get Smart About Credit Day,” said John C. Warren, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Washington Trust. “Raising awareness to young adults about the importance of using credit responsibly, identity theft and budgeting, will help them to make smart financial choices later in life.”

The Washington Trust Company is a subsidiary of Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc., a $2.4 billion corporation headquartered in Westerly, Rhode Island. Founded in 1800, Washington Trust is the largest independent bank and the oldest community bank in the nation, headquartered in Rhode Island. A state-chartered bank, Washington Trust offers a full range of financial services, including business banking, personal banking, and wealth management and trust services, through its offices located in Rhode Island, southeastern Connecticut and Massachusetts. The Corporation’s common stock trades on The NASDAQ Stock Market under the symbol WASH. Web site address: www.washtrust.com.