Washington Trust Hires New Branch Manager

December 1, 2008 (Westerly, RI). . .Jonathan A. Roderick, of Cumberland, R.I., has joined The Washington Trust Company as assistant vice president, branch manager of the Bank’s Oaklawn Avenue branch in Cranston. He is responsible for managing the daily operations of the branch, growing the branch’s deposit base and loan portfolios and representing Washington Trust in the community.

Roderick has more than five years of bank management experience, including retail branch management, and retention and development of new clients. His background includes retail management experience, and military service in the U.S. Navy. He is a member of the Greater Providence County Chamber of Commerce.

The Washington Trust Company is a subsidiary of Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc., a $2.7 billion corporation headquartered in Westerly, Rhode Island. Founded in 1800, Washington Trust is the oldest community bank in the nation and is the largest independent bank 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.Corporation's common stock trades on The NASDAQ Stock Market under the symbol WASH. Web site address: www.washtrust.com.