Washington Trust Co. - Providence Business News

MOVING IN:  Construction worker Fabiola Roman installs drywall at a new Bank Rhode Island branch in Newport in 2023. The bank is now called Beacon Bank. Several smaller banks expanded their branch networks in Rhode Island over the last five years, while bigger financial institutions shuttered some of their branches.  PBN FILE PHOTO/DAVID HANSEN

Banks adjust as borrowing costs climb

Financial Services 08/14/2026

In early 2022, Rhode Island’s banks were still operating in an environment defined by abundant liquidity and historically low interest rates. COVID-19 pandemic-era stimulus programs...

PBN celebrates 40th anniversary with business community

Business Services 08/07/2026

PAWTUCKET – Providence Business News on Thursday celebrated four decades of providing business journalism to Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts at its 40th Anniversary...

Centreville, Navigant top Forbes’ Best-in-State rankings for R.I.

Financial Services 06/22/2026

WEST WARWICK – Rhode Island’s community banking sector earned a strong showing in Forbes’ 2026 Best-In-State rankings, with Centreville Bank and Navigant Credit Union taking...

NEW NEIGHBOR: Centreville Bank is preparing to move into the Lauderdale Building on Westminster Street in downtown Providence, a few doors down from Chase Bank and The Washington Trust Co.  PBN PHOTO/WILLIAM HAMILTON

Banks doubling down on downtown branches

Financial Services 06/05/2026

Bristol County Savings Bank cut the ribbon on its new full-service branch at 5 Exchange St. in downtown Providence in March, placing another community...

Must R.I. give Citizens what it wants?

Financial Services 05/24/2024

The 11th-hour budget amendment submitted by Gov. Daniel J. McKee asking to overhaul how Rhode Island-based banks are taxed had some questioning whether the...

WASHINGTON TRUST BANCORP Inc., the parent company of Washington Trust Co., reports a net income of $10.9 million in the first quarter of 2024, down 14.8% from the same period a year ago. / PBN FILE PHOTO/SCOTT KINGSLEY

Washington Trust reports $10.9M profit in Q1, down 14.8%

Economic Activity 04/22/2024

WESTERLY – Washington Trust Bancorp Inc., the parent company of The Washington Trust Co., on Monday reported a net income of $10.9 million in...

NEW DIGS: Bank Rhode Island recently opened this standalone branch on Oaklawn Avenue in Cranston.  COURTESY BANK RHODE ISLAND/ ARTISTIC IMAGES

Branching out: In digital age, why are R.I. banks building more...

Cover Story 10/13/2023

No one would blame Jack Murphy if he’s feeling a little under siege lately. As CEO and president of BankNewport, Murphy considers Aquidneck Island his...

WORKING TOGETHER: Panelists discuss the ways government and businesses in Rhode Island can work hand in hand to increase access to funds and develop a larger talent pool for various industries during a virtual conversation moderated by PBN Editor Michael Mello, center, and Mark S. Murphy, top left. Clockwise from the top middle are: Eric M. Shorr, Michael E. McKelvy, Edward O. “Ned” Handy III, Marcela Betancur, Chris Parisi and Betty Robson.

Call to arms for government, businesses

Coronavirus 11/26/2021

On the occasion of Providence Business News’ 35th anniversary, six business and community leaders joined in a virtual discussion on Rhode Island’s economy –...

CASH FLOW: Russell Morrill of Westerly uses an ATM at The Washington Trust Co. branch in Westerly recently. Banks and credit unions are expecting to see a decline in the size of deposits as the COVID-19 crisis passes. / PBN PHOTO/ELIZABETH GRAHAM

As new deposits slow, bank strategies evolve

Economic Activity 06/11/2021

The billions of dollars doled out in forgivable small-business loans and personal stimulus checks made their way to recipients through their bank accounts. The result:...