Personal Banking - eNews

October e-News

We've Lowered our Home Equity Line Rates!

Our new low rate Home Equity Line is the Perfect tool to get the job done

With rates at historic lows, there's no better time than now to use your home's equity to remodel the kitchen, put on an addition, or finish the basement. Making improvements to your home is a smart financial move. It can add value to your home as well as increase your comfort and convenience.

According to Remodeling Magazine, the five highest return home improvements for the New England region were:

Replacement of an entry door (steel)
Addition of an Attic Bedroom
Wood deck addition
Siding replacement (vinyl)
Minor Kitchen remodel

And SmartMoney Magazine says that exactly how much you'll recoup in costs depends on several factors, including the direction of the housing market, the value of the homes in your neighborhood, when you plan to sell the home and the nature of the project itself.

No matter what project is next on your list, our new low rate home equity line is an effective financial tool for getting the job done. You may even enjoy a tax deduction for any interest that you pay. (Consult your tax advisor regarding your situation.)

And, while you are making improvements to your home, why not make them to your finances as well? Consolidating your debt with a home equity line can lower your overall monthly payments. You can pay off high-rate credit cards and other debt, and simplify paperwork with a single monthly bill.

Setting up a home equity line at Washington Trust is easy - you can apply online and get your answer in 30 seconds! You can also apply at any Washington Trust branch or by calling us at 401-348-1200 or 800- 475-2265.

Earn Cashback When You Use Your Debit Card

With Washington Trust’s Freedom Rewards, you can earn cash back when you use your debit card at retailers such as Banana Republic, the Gap & Old Navy, RedBox, PetSmart, 7Eleven, Ruby Tuesdays and many more!

When you log into online banking, the offers will appear on your page. Just click on the offers you want to activate and that's it! There are no coupons to print and no codes to use. The rewards are automatic! You'll receive cash back when you use your debit card at that retailer in store or online (depending on the offer).

Its simple!

Choose your offers in Online Banking
Use your debit card at those retailers
Enjoy cash back deposited in your account at the end of the next month

Saving real money just got real easy! Log in to online banking to pick your Smart Rewards. If you don't have online banking yet, sign up here today!

Happy (and safe) Halloween!

Keep your home friendly and safe this Halloween. These tips will help you keep your house and your children safe on Halloween night.

HOME TIPS:

Create a Clear Path - Make sure there is a clear path to your door. Remove any objects that someone could trip over like garden hoses, toys, bikes and be mindful of where your Halloween decorations are placed.
Confine Your Pets – Keep your animals away from trick-or-treaters. Your loveable pets can become startled and unpredictable by the frequent ringing of the doorbell and the excited children at their door! Better to err on the side of caution and keep Fluffy and Fido out of sight!
Keep the Lights On – Although it’s tempting to make your home look dark and spooky, keep your walkway well lit to avoid any falls on your property.
Avoid Open Flames – While candles and luminaries set the spooky mood on Halloween, they can easily be overturned, potentially causing fire damage. Consider glow sticks and battery-powered lanterns instead of candles.
Home Security – Halloween is one night of the year when your home may be most vulnerable to vandalism and property crime. If you won’t be home during Halloween, be sure to set your security alarm system and notify a neighbor.
Candy – Only give out candy that is individually wrapped. Avoid giving away home made treats.

TRICK-OR-TREATER TIPS:

Elementary school aged children should always go out trick or treating accompanied by a responsible adult.
Plan a safe route for older children so parents know where they will be at all times. Set a time for their return home and be sure your child is old enough and responsible enough to go out without adult supervision – and make them take a cell phone with them.
Inspect all candy prior to letting your kids eat it. For young children, remove candy that is the size of a grape or smaller which can cause a choking hazard. Also consider allergies your child may have (i.e. nuts) and remove those items
Walk with a flashlight or glowstick in hand and consider putting reflective tape on your child’s costume.

For more tips like these, please visit www.washtrusthometips.com. You will find tips for around the house, great recipes and much more!

I Luv RI Photo Contest Grand Prize Drawing!

Washington Trust and I Luv RI will host a grand prize drawing for the 2012 I Luv RI Photo Contest on November 7th at the Warwick Mall. Join us from 6pm to 8pm at Center Court in the Mall as we display the twelve winning photographs, introduce the winning photographers and announce each photographers grand prize Rhode Island experience. There will also be the opportunity to enter to win a print of the winning photographs.

Throughout the year, Rhode Islanders have submitted more that 1,100 photos to the contest, which was hosted by Rhode Island Monthly at www.rimonthly.com/iluvri. Each month, one winning photo was selected and featured in an issue of Rhode Island Monthly. The winning photographers were awarded a Rhode Island themed gift basket and one of twelve Rhode Island experiences from an I Luv RI Corporate Partner. At the Grand Prize Drawing on November 7th, the photographers will be randomly awarded one of these twelve grand prize experiences.