January 3, 2008 (Westerly, RI). . . The Washington Trust Company announces the promotion of James M. Vesey, of Coventry, R.I., to executive vice president, and chief credit officer. This promotion recognizes Vesey's strong performance in leading the Commercial Lending function of the Bank. Under his leadership, the commercial loan portfolio has grown significantly, and he has broadened the size, capabilities and expertise of the commercial lending team.
Vesey has more than 30 years of banking experience including branch banking, corporate lending, and credit administration. He is deeply committed to the community, and is on the board of trustees of Kent Hospital, a director of First Night – Westerly, a member of the Rhode Island Bankers Association, and a member of the Risk Management Association. He has also served on the Board of Governors of the Warwick Boys and Girls Club, as director of the Central RI Development Corporation and was the Westerly Chair of the 2000 and 2001 United Way Annual Campaign. Vesey has also served in leadership roles for the fundraising activities of the National Conference for Community and Justice, Meeting Street Center and Catholic Charities. He is a graduate of Bryant College.
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.