Being a responsible business is foundational to who we are at Washington Trust. We believe strong communities, trusted relationships, and thoughtful governance are essential to our long-term success. We are committed to supporting the financial well-being of our customers, investing in our employees, and partnering with community and nonprofit organizations to address real, local needs. The actions outlined here reflect how we put those commitments into practice—every day—as an employer, a financial institution, and a neighbor.
Corporate Governance
Since our founding in 1800, Washington Trust has operated with integrity, high ethical standards and a steadfast commitment to sound corporate governance. Regular engagement with stakeholders, a comprehensive board and management committee structure, and a robust framework of policies and procedures help ensure effective oversight and responsible management across all areas of our business.
Overarching this governance framework are our Corporate Governance Guidelines and Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct, which establish the principles, expectations, and accountability standards that shape our decisions, reinforce our culture of integrity, and guide the fulfillment of our responsibilities to shareholders, customers, employees, and the communities we serve.
These documents are available on our website at https://ir.washtrust.com/corporate-governance/.
Data Privacy and Security
Protecting our customers’ privacy, financial information, and accounts is a top priority at Washington Trust. Through a comprehensive information security program, ongoing monitoring, regular independent audits, and proactive fraud prevention efforts, we work to safeguard customer data and support secure banking.
We are equally committed to educating customers about emerging scams and best practices for protecting their personal information through resources, alerts, seminars, and expert guidance. By combining strong security measures with personalized oversight and customer education, we help our customers bank confidently and securely.
Learn more about our Privacy Policy, Fraud Awareness resources, current Fraud Alerts, and our Security Center.
Employee Engagement and Culture
At Washington Trust, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and engaging workplace where employees feel respected, supported, and empowered to succeed. As trusted advisors, colleagues, and community leaders, our employees bring our core values of Quality, Integrity, and Community to life every day by fostering meaningful relationships, providing exceptional service, and supporting our commitment to helping customers and communities thrive.
Employee engagement is a cornerstone of our success. Throughout the year, we celebrate achievements, recognize contributions, and create opportunities for employees to connect with one another and our mission. We invest in our employees' long-term success and support career growth through training, mentoring, leadership development, educational assistance, and meaningful career opportunities. We believe people do not simply find a job at Washington Trust-they build a career.
We strive to create an engaging and inclusive workplace where employees feel valued, respected, heard, and empowered to grow both professionally and personally. We are committed to providing a superior employee experience that fosters connection, development, and opportunity. Our Employee Resource Groups help strengthen our culture by promoting inclusion, community involvement, and diverse perspectives across the organization.
The culture our employees help shape every day has earned Washington Trust consistent recognition as one of the region's leading employers. We are proud to be recognized for our commitment to employee engagement, well-being, and workplace excellence, including:
- Providence Business News Best Places to Work (2011-2026)
- Providence Business News Healthiest Employer (2021-2026)
- Forbes Best-In-State Banks (2011-2026)
Employee Volunteerism
Community involvement is at the heart of Washington Trust's culture. Through our Reach for the STARS volunteer program, employees contribute their time, talents, and leadership to nonprofit organizations throughout the communities we serve. The program encourages volunteerism and recognizes employees who make a difference through service and nonprofit leadership.
Reach for the STARS Volunteer Program Impact for 2025
8,101 hours | 202 organizations | 409 employee volunteers
Community Investment
Washington Trust is committed to making a positive difference in the communities it serves. Our community support includes charitable giving, volunteerism, and community partnerships that help individuals, families, and businesses throughout the region. In 2025, our charitable foundation provided more than $800,000 for initiatives supporting safe and affordable housing, basic needs and family services, and financial literacy and economic empowerment, and our employees donated nearly $175,000 to local organizations and community initiatives through the United Way of Rhode Island's annual campaign. We also provided financial literacy training at 28 local middle and high schools throughout RI in 2025 — 50% of which serve low-to moderate income communities. Our 2026 annual peanut butter drive collected more than 5,000 jars of peanut butter for 25 food pantries across the region, enough to make more than 70,000 sandwiches for neighbors in need.
Community Development
As a community bank, we help expand access to homeownership through Affordable Housing Programs, down payment assistance, and state and federal housing initiatives in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. These programs help make homeownership more accessible, promote financial stability and economic opportunity for individuals and families, and contribute to the long-term strength and vitality of our communities. We are proud that our efforts were recognized in 2026 when Washington Trust received an Outstanding Community Reinvestment Act rating, reflecting our strong commitment to meeting the credit needs of the communities we serve.
Learn More
See what we are doing in our communities.
About us
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