Washington Trust Promotes 'United Way 2-1-1 in Rhode Island'

May 15, 2008 (Westerly, Rhode Island). . .The Washington Trust Company is helping to heighten awareness of the "United Way 2-1-1 in Rhode Island" hotline. This month more than 34,000 of the bank's checking account customers will receive a "United Way 2-1-1" stuffer with their checking account statements, and branches will display "United Way 2-1-1" posters and flyers. The bank will also create a link from its website www.washtrust.com to the United Way's 2-1-1 website www.211ri.org.

"United Way 2-1-1" is the fastest, easiest and most efficient way to get critical information when it's needed. With one call to an easily remembered phone number, Rhode Islanders can speak confidentially with an Information and Referral Specialist who assesses needs and directs the caller to the service provider best equipped to handle the caller's concern or crisis. Callers are connected to essential community services - everything from finding a kid's after-school program to locating a food bank, or accessing a job training program. And 2-1-1 help is free, completely confidential and available in numerous languages.

"'United Way's 2-1-1' is an important service to our community," said John C. Warren, chairman & chief executive officer of Washington Trust. "No one ever knows when they may need assistance, and it's a comfort to know that 'United Way 2-1-1' is there to help at a moment's notice." Warren serves as board chair of United Way of Rhode Island.

"We are delighted that Washington Trust is helping spread the word about 2-1-1," said Anthony Maione, president and chief executive officer, United Way of Rhode Island. "2-1-1 helps people cut through the red tape in times of need and stress, and we are grateful that our partners in the business community are committed to informing their customers of this helpful service."

The Washington Trust Company is a subsidiary of Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc., a $2.5 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.

United Way of Rhode Island (UWRI) has been working to improve the quality of life in Rhode Island communities for over 80 years. UWRI's mission is to mobilize the caring power of the community to improve the lives of people in need and address the issues Rhode Islanders care most about. Its goal is to create long-lasting changes that prevent problems from happening in the first place. UWRI believes that all Rhode Islanders deserve the opportunity to have a better life, as when any one of us succeeds, we all succeed. It's what United Way refers to as advancing the common good. For more information, visit www.uwri.org.