WESTERLY, R.I.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Board of Directors of Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc., (NASDAQ Global Select®; symbol: WASH), today declared a quarterly dividend of 23 cents per share for the quarter ending March 31, 2012. The dividend will be paid on April 13, 2012 to shareholders of record on March 30, 2012. The dividend is a one cent increase over the amount paid in each of the previous four quarters.
“We’re pleased that our solid capital position has allowed us to increase the cash dividend for our shareholders,” stated Joseph J. MarcAurele, Washington Trust Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We are committed to increasing shareholder value by expanding our banking network and offering the best financial services in southeastern New England.”
Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc. is the parent of The Washington Trust Company, a state-chartered bank 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. Washington Trust offers a full range of financial services, including commercial banking, small business banking, personal banking, and wealth management and trust services through its offices located in Rhode Island, southeastern Connecticut and eastern Massachusetts. The Corporation’s common stock trades on The NASDAQ Global Select® Stock Market under the symbol WASH. Investor information is available on the Corporation’s web site: www.washtrust.com.