2019
Annual
Report
The Washington Trust Company
Executive Leadership
Edward O. Handy III
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Mark K. W. Gim
President and Chief Operating Officer
Ronald S. Ohsberg
Senior Executive Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
Kristen L. DiSanto
Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Human
Resources Officer and Corporate Secretary
William K. Wray Sr.
Senior Executive Vice President
and Chief Risk Officer
Dennis L. Algiere
Executive Vice President and Chief Compliance
Officer and Director of Community Affairs
Debra A. Gormley
Executive Vice President and
Chief Retail Banking Officer
James M. Hagerty
Executive Vice President
and Chief Lending Officer
Maria N. Janes, CPA
Executive Vice President and Controller
Mary E. Noons
Executive Vice President and
Chief Retail Lending Officer
Kathleen A. Ryan, Esq.
Executive Vice President and
Chief Wealth Management Officer
Elizabeth B. Eckel
Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing
and Corporate Communications Officer
C. Scott Ostrowski
Senior Vice President and
Chief Audit Executive
As of publication date
Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc.
Board of Directors
John J. Bowen
Chancellor Emeritus, Johnson & Wales University
Steven J. Crandall
Vice President, Ashaway Line & Twine Mfg. Co.
Robert A. DiMuccio, CPA
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Amica Mutual Insurance Company
Edward O. Handy III
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc.
Constance A. Howes, Esq.
Retired Healthcare Executive
Katherine W. Hoxsie, CPA
Retired Vice President, Hoxsie Buick-Pontiac-GMC Truck, Inc.
Joseph J. MarcAurele
Retired Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc.
Kathleen E. McKeough
Retired Senior Vice President of Human Resources, GTECH Holdings Corporation
H. Douglas Randall III
Chief Executive Officer, The Randall Family of Companies, Kinlin Grover,
Pequot Commercial, Page Taft & Randall
John T. Ruggieri
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Gilbane Building Company, and
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Gilbane, Inc.
Edwin J. Santos
Chairman, Prospect CharterCARE, LLC
John F. Treanor
Retired President and Chief Operating Officer, Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc.
Officers of the Corporation
Edward O. Handy III
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Mark K. W. Gim
President and Chief Operating Officer
Ronald S. Ohsberg
Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
Kristen L. DiSanto
Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer and Corporate Secretary
Maria N. Janes, CPA
Executive Vice President and Controller
The Washington Trust Company Directors’ Advisory Council
Alcino G. Almeida
Gary P. Bennett
Larry J. Hirsch
Barry G. Hittner
Joseph J. Kirby
Edward M. Mazze
James W. McCormick Jr.
Thomas F. Moore
Brendan P. O’Donnell
Victor J. Orsinger
Joseph H. Potter
Joyce Olson Resnikoff
Patrick J. Shanahan Jr.
Neil H. Thorp
John C. Warren
William Blunt White
Letter to
Shareholders
By Edward O. Handy III,
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
2019 was a good year for Washington Trust. Our Corporation posted record full year earnings of $69.1 million, or $3.96 per diluted share.
These results reflect the strength and stability of our core business model, which is built on a strong commercial banking foundation,
complemented by wealth management and mortgage banking. In 2019, this model worked as designed, and compensated for challenges
affecting us and the industry as a whole.
Total loans reached a record $3.9 billion at year-end, an increase of $213 million, and the credit quality of our portfolio remains very strong.
This helped us to weather a reversal in Federal Reserve interest rate policy that lowered interest rates three times during the year. We expand-
ed our commercial lending team in the Connecticut market in 2019 with two experienced lenders having strong connections to borrowers,
developers, and centers of influence in the area. We are entering 2020 with a healthy pipeline and good momentum.
Deposits for the year totaled $3.5 billion, which included an increase in our in-market deposits of $167 million. We opened a new branch in
North Providence, RI, in early 2019, our fifth de novo branch in as many years. We also had success opening checking accounts for residen-
tial mortgage customers outside of Rhode Island by offering attractive pricing with convenient online account opening.
Turning to our fee businesses, our wealth management assets under administration totaled $6.2 billion at year-end, an increase of $325
million, and benefitted from both strong financial market appreciation and the organic addition of new assets under administration. This
performance allowed us to overcome client attrition. We also launched a private clients initiative, which is building stronger relationships
between our wealth management group and commercial lending.
Mortgage banking, benefitting from lower market interest rates, simply had an outstanding year, posting record volumes of loans originated
and record revenues of $14.8 million, an increase of 43% over 2018.
We continue to be recognized in the industry for our strength, stability, and commitment to our employees and were named as the best and
only Rhode Island bank on Forbes magazine’s list of Best-In-State Banks, as well as being named as Best Banks To Work For by American
Banker® and one of Providence Business News’ Best Places To Work for the 9th consecutive year. We also received the Exemplary Worksite
Health Award from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island and the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce.
In addition to serving our customers, Washington Trust employees also are committed to the communities in which they live and work.
Throughout the year, they donate their time to support causes and organizations that make our communities special. In recognition of our
efforts, Rhode Island Monthly magazine presented us with honorable mention at its Common Good Awards for our employee volunteerism
program.
We are thankful for the support of our shareholders and are pleased to have provided solid returns and healthy dividends. Washington Trust
will continue to follow the strategy that has contributed to our success over the past 219 years: Putting the right products, right people, and
latest technology together to deliver the best financial solutions to our customers, all backed by top-notch, personalized service. We have a
solid foundation, strong capital and asset quality, and a business model that has provided a consistent stream of revenues during all types of
economic cycles. As we enter our 220th year, we remain committed to providing enhanced value to those who have contributed to our success
over time: our employees, our customers, our communities and our shareholders.
Financial Highlights
Net Income
$68.4
$69.1
Diluted Earnings
$3.93
$3.96
$45.9
$2.64
2017
2018
2019
In Millions
Cash Dividends
$2.00
$1.76
$1.54
2017
2018
2019
Declared Per Share; In Dollars
Total Loans
$3.9
$3.7
$3.4
8%
37%
55%
2017
2018
2019
Per Common Share; In Dollars
Revenues
$194.4
$200.5
$184.3
8%
7%
18%
67%
2017
2018
2019
In Millions
Net Interest Income
Mortgage Banking
Revenues
Wealth Management
Revenues
Other
Total Deposits
$3.5
$3.5
$3.2
37%
33%
30%
2017
2018
2019
Year-end; In Billions
Residential
Commercial
Consumer
2017
2018
2019
Year-end; In Billions
Money Market
& Savings
Demand
& NOW
Time Deposits
Financial Highlights
This report contains certain statements that may be considered “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Actual results, performance or achievements of Washington
Trust may differ materially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements, as a result of, among other factors, the factors described under
the caption “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, as filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission and updated by our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. You should carefully review all of these factors, and you should
be aware that there may be other factors that could cause these differences. These forward-looking statements were based on information, plans and
estimates at the date of this report, and Washington Trust assumes no obligation to update forward looking statements to reflect changes in underlying
assumptions or factors, new information, future events or other changes.
Shareholder
Information
Stock Transfer and Dividend Disbursing Agent: American Stock Transfer & Trust Company,
6201 15th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11219 800-852-0354 www.astfinancial.com
The Corporation’s 2019 Proxy Statement, Form 10-K and Annual Report for 2019 are available online by
visiting the Corporation’s website ir.washtrust.com/proxy, by calling the Corporation’s toll-free number
800-475-2265 extension 1566, or by email at investor.relations@washtrust.com.
Auditors: Crowe LLP, Livingston, New Jersey Counsel: Goodwin Procter LLP, Boston, Massachusetts
Question &
Answer
with Mark K.W. Gim,
President and Chief Operating Officer
As Washington Trust looks to celebrate its 220th year in 2020, President and Chief Operating Officer,
Mark Gim, provides some thoughts on what lies ahead for the nation’s oldest community bank.
What has been the key to Washington Trust’s
success?
Washington Trust has grown from a small, local community
bank into one of the Northeast’s leading financial institu-
tions. I believe consistency, relevance, and sustainability have
been critical to our success over time. We have remained
true to our core values, while generating consistent financial
returns through various economic cycles, competitive chal-
lenges, and expanded delivery channels that have changed
consumer behavior and our industry.
When Washington Trust was founded in 1800, our mission
was “to provide those little assistances from time to time
that only banks can give…” Our mission is still relevant.
In this age of technology and artificial intelligence, we
believe personal service and trusted advice are more import-
ant than ever. Our employees care about one another, their
customers, and their communities, and, at the end of the day,
that makes a difference for everyone, including our share-
holders.
How has technology changed the way Washington Trust
serves its customers?
At Washington Trust our customers come first, so to us it’s
always about the customer experience. Our focus has always
been to provide solutions and advice that help customers
meet their financial goals and the only thing that’s changed
is how we do it and where we do it. The “how we do it” is
augmented by technology and meeting the customer’s needs
on the customer’s terms where we can, whether it’s in person
at a physical location, or digitally. But the core value is still
understanding the customer’s needs and doing our best to
bring knowledgeable, experienced people empowered to
make decisions, to help the customer meet those needs in
the shortest time possible, or in the most convenient way
possible.
We truly believe in our ability to strike the perfect balance
of personal service, supplemented by the latest technology.
I think we’ve done a good job at adapting to the changing
ways in which customers access products and services. So, no
matter where they are in life, or how they’re doing business
with us, whether it’s digitally or in person, they expect and
will receive a great experience.
How does Washington Trust differentiate itself from
the larger competitors or other local financial
service providers?
Washington Trust offers a full range of financial services
so we can help our customers no matter what life stage or
business cycle they are in. We differentiate ourselves by strik-
ing the sweet spot: we are more broadly experienced than
For more than two centuries, Washington Trust is the Bank individuals and businesses have turned to
when they’ve had money matters on their mind or needed support in the communities we serve.
In today’s technology-driven world, our Trusted Advisors believe human interaction
and expert guidance are more important than ever. Financial questions
can be tricky. When they are, Ask WashTrust. Because sometimes
the most important connection is a human one.
smaller single-service institutions, and more accessible than
larger competitors offering cookie-cutter solutions. We offer a
more personal and holistic approach to providing financial
solutions, which allows us to build trust and deepen relation-
ships with our customers.
We have knowledgeable professionals who take the time to
understand our customers’ specific needs, as opposed to a
need that may work for a mass market solution. We un-
derstand that digital convenience is a part of everyday life,
but people often have more complicated financial needs –
buying a house, managing your business, transferring your
business to family members, planning for retirement or your
child’s education – that often require more information and
personal attention. There are times when a customer needs
to be able to talk to a knowledgeable person to find the right
financial solution, as opposed to the quickest way to get an
off-the-shelf solution. As long as these needs exist, having
local professionals, who are experienced and know their cus-
tomers and the marketplace, will set us apart from the 1-800
financial service providers.
What is Washington Trust’s vision for the future?
The key to future success and growth is consistency, rele-
vance, and sustainability. We must continue to stay customer-
focused, so we can deepen our relationships with them. We
do a good job of providing consistent services within each of
our business lines, but we need to go one step further. Wheth-
er it’s a loan, a wealth management account or a deposit
account, we need to ask the question, “What are you trying
to accomplish?” In doing so, we may uncover things the cus-
tomer didn’t know they needed, so we can better serve them
throughout their financial lifecycle. Our recent Marketing
campaign, “Ask WashTrust,” encourages our customers to do
just that…tell us what you need.
We also need to better understand the trends that affect
customer behavior and their journey, so we can execute
appropriately. We see technology as an opportunity and as an
extension of our expertise. We are no longer restricted to the
same time and space of when business is open from 9 to 5,
as we were even 20 years ago. Technology allows customers
to have access to us when they need it, and we are there for
them.
We truly believe that Washington Trust’s business model
is sustainable and scalable for years to come. We have a
sound financial foundation, a strong internal culture and
a full complement of financial solutions and technology to
support our customers’ needs. While a lot has changed since
we were founded in 1800, our commitment to be the best for
our employees, our customers, our communities and our
shareholders remains steadfast.