Washington Trust Receives National Award
-ABA recognizes Bank for its annual "PB Xpress" peanut butter drive-

Elizabeth B. Eckel, senior vice president of marketing and investor relations, Washington Trust, receives the Award from Arthur Connelly, chairman of the American Bankers Association.

March 18, 2009 (Westerly, RI). . .Washington Trust was recently recognized for its contributions to the community through its annual "PB Xpress" peanut butter drive, at the American Bankers Association National Conference for Community Bankers in Phoenix, AZ, on Feb. 17. Washington Trust was awarded for its efforts in the "Reaching Out to the Underserved" category.

"Washington Trust is truly honored to be recognized for this award," said John C. Warren, Washington Trust chairman and chief executive officer. "Our annual ‘PB Xpress' peanut butter drive not only helps stock the shelves at local food banks during the critical winter months, but also helps raise awareness of the hunger needs of our neighbors in Rhode Island."

According to Elizabeth B. Eckel, Washington Trust senior vice president of marketing and investor relations, "The PB Xpress" began in 2001, as a way to meet a critical need in our State: feeding hungry children. Since then the Bank has collected 57 tons of peanut butter for the RI Community Food Bank and its member agencies." She added that the 2009 drive runs from March 2 – April 4. Eckel noted, "The need this year is greater than ever, particularly with the recent peanut butter product recall." She added that the Bank only collects jars of peanut butter, which are safe and not part of the recall. For more information about the peanut butter drive, please visit www.peanutbutterbank.com.

The ABA selection committee selected Washington Trust from a field of more than 100 nominations based on the innovation, creativity and effectiveness of the Bank's approach to making a difference in its community. The ABA Community Bank Awards program was established in 2005 to recognize community bank's outstanding charitable achievements.

The Washington Trust Company is a subsidiary of Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc., a $3.0 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.