WASHINGTON TRUST BANCORP INC

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Washington Trust Reports Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2023 Earnings

WESTERLY, R.I., January 24, 2024 (PR NEWSWIRE)…Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq: WASH), parent company of The Washington Trust Company, today announced fourth quarter 2023 net income of $12.9 million, or $0.76 per diluted share, compared to net income of $11.2 million, or $0.65 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2023. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2023 totaled of $48.2 million, or $2.82 per diluted share, compared to $71.7 million, or $4.11 per diluted share, reported for the prior year.

In October 2023, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts enacted into law a tax bill changing how corporations calculate their Massachusetts taxable income effective on January 1, 2025. As required, the Corporation revalued its deferred tax assets and liabilities and in the fourth quarter of 2023 increased its net deferred tax assets by $3.3 million with a corresponding decrease to income tax expense. This increased fourth quarter and full-year 2023 earnings per diluted share by $0.19.

“Washington Trust’s year-end results reflect the Corporation’s continued perseverance in facing economic headwinds and addressing numerous challenges posed by a difficult operating environment,” stated Edward O. Handy III, Washington Trust Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “While we remain cautious about economic growth in 2024, we believe our diversified business model, disciplined credit culture, and dedicated team will guide us going forward.”

Selected financial highlights for the fourth quarter and full-year 2023 include:

•Returns on average equity and average assets for the fourth quarter were 11.77% and 0.71%, respectively, compared to 9.65% and 0.62%, respectively, for the preceding quarter. Full-year returns on average equity and average assets for 2023 were 10.57% and 0.69%, respectively, compared to 14.49% and 1.17%, respectively, for the prior year.

•The net interest margin was 1.88% in the fourth quarter, compared to 1.97% in the preceding quarter. Full-year net interest margin for 2023 was 2.05%, down 64 basis points from the 2.69% reported in the prior year.

•In the fourth quarter, a provision for credit losses of $1.2 million was recognized, up by $700 thousand from the provision recognized in the preceding quarter. The provision for credit losses in 2023 totaled $3.2 million, compared to a negative provision of $1.3 million recognized in the prior year.

•Total loans amounted to $5.6 billion, up by 1% from the end of the preceding quarter.

•In-market deposits (total deposits less wholesale brokered deposits) amounted to $4.7 billion, down by 1% from September 30, 2023.

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