Contact: Elizabeth B. Eckel

EVP, Chief Marketing & Corporate Communications Officer

Telephone: (401) 348-1309

E-mail: ebeckel@washtrust.com

Date: July 22, 2024

WESTERLY, R.I., July 22, 2024 (PR NEWSWIRE)…Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq: WASH), parent company of The Washington Trust Company, today announced second quarter 2024 net income of $10.8 million, or $0.63 per diluted share, compared to net income of $10.9 million, or $0.64 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2024.

“Washington Trust’s second quarter performance reflects our continued focus on successfully managing through current economic conditions, while positioning the company for future growth,” stated Edward O. Handy III, Washington Trust Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “During the quarter, we recorded consistent earnings, maintained credit quality, and managed expenses; we also introduced new technology and invested in a marketing campaign designed to generate deposit growth.”

Selected financial highlights for the second quarter of 2024 include:

•Returns on average equity and average assets for the second quarter were 9.43% and 0.60%, respectively, compared to 9.33% and 0.61%, respectively, for the prior quarter.

•The net interest margin was 1.83% in the second quarter, compared to 1.84% in the preceding quarter.

•Asset and credit quality metrics remain solid. A provision for credit losses of $500 thousand was recognized for the second quarter, down by $200 thousand from the first quarter.

•Wealth management revenues and mortgage banking revenues, our two largest sources of noninterest income, increased by 4% and 10%, respectively, from the preceding quarter.

•Total noninterest expense declined by 1% from the previous quarter, with reductions in salaries and benefits expense.

•Total loans amounted to $5.6 billion, down by 1% from March 31, 2024.

•In-market deposits (total deposits less wholesale brokered deposits) amounted to $4.6 billion, down by 1% from March 31, 2024.

Net Interest Income

Net interest income was $31.6 million for the second quarter of 2024, down by $80 thousand, or 0.3%, from the first quarter of 2024. The net interest margin was 1.83% for the second quarter, a decrease of 1 basis point from the preceding quarter. Linked quarter changes included:

•Average interest-earning assets increased by $7 million. The yield on interest-earning assets for the second quarter was 4.97%, up by 4 basis points from the preceding quarter.

•Average interest-bearing liabilities increased by $11 million, as average in-market deposits increased by $36 million while average wholesale funding balances decreased by $25 million. The cost of interest-bearing liabilities for the second quarter of 2024 was 3.68%, up by 5 basis points from the preceding quarter.

Noninterest Income

Noninterest income totaled $16.7 million for the second quarter of 2024, down by $503 thousand, or 3%, from the first quarter of 2024. Included in other noninterest income in the second quarter of 2024 was a net gain of $988 thousand recognized on the sale of a bank-owned operations facility. Included in other noninterest income in the first quarter of 2024 was $2.1 million associated with a litigation settlement. Excluding these items, noninterest income was up by $609 thousand, or 4%, from the preceding quarter. Linked quarter changes included:

•Wealth management revenues amounted to $9.7 million in the second quarter of 2024, up by $340 thousand, or 4%. This included an increase of $190 thousand, or 76%, in transaction-based revenues, concentrated in seasonal tax servicing fee income, as well as an increase of $150 thousand, or 2%, in asset-based revenues. The change in asset-based revenues reflected an increase in the average balance of wealth management assets under administration ("AUA"), which was up by approximately $49 million, or 1%, from the preceding quarter. The end of period AUA balance at June 30, 2024 amounted to $6.8 billion, down by $55 million, or 1%, from March 31, 2024.

•Mortgage banking revenues totaled $2.8 million for the second quarter of 2024, up by $255 thousand, or 10%, reflecting higher realized gains, partially offset by the change in fair value of mortgage loans held for sale and forward loan commitments. Loans sold amounted to $110.1 million in the second quarter of 2024, up by $37.4 million, or 51%. In the second quarter of 2024, 81% of residential real estate loan originations were originated for sale, compared to 76% in the preceding quarter.

Noninterest Expense

Noninterest expense totaled $33.9 million for the second quarter of 2024, down by $453 thousand, or 1%, from the first quarter of 2024. Linked quarter changes included:

•Salaries and employee benefits expense amounted to $21.3 million, down by $515 thousand, or 2%. The decrease reflected lower staffing levels and payroll tax expense, partially offset by volume-related increases in mortgage originator commission expense.

•The remaining change in noninterest expense reflected increases in outsourced services and advertising and promotion, partially offset by declines in net occupancy and other expenses.

Income Tax

Income tax expense totaled $3.0 million for the second quarter of 2024, up by $191 thousand from the preceding quarter. The effective tax rate for the second quarter of 2024 was 21.8%, up from 20.6% in the preceding quarter, largely due to excess tax expense associated with the settlement of share-based awards in the second quarter of 2024. Based on current federal and applicable state income tax statutes, the Corporation currently expects its full-year 2024 effective tax rate to be approximately 21.2%.

Investment Securities

The securities portfolio totaled $952 million at June 30, 2024, down by $18 million, or 2%, from March 31, 2024, largely due to routine pay-downs. The securities portfolio represented 13% of total assets at both June 30, 2024 and March 31, 2024.

Loans

Total loans amounted to $5.6 billion at June 30, 2024, down by $56 million, or 1%, from the end of the preceding quarter. These changes included:

•Commercial loans decreased by $22 million, or 1%.

•Residential real estate loans decreased by $27 million, or 1%.

•The consumer loan portfolio decreased by $7 million, or 2%.

Deposits and Borrowings

Total deposits amounted to $5.0 billion at June 30, 2024, compared to $5.3 billion at the end of the preceding quarter. Uninsured deposits, after exclusions (as detailed in the financial tables below) amounted to $985 million, or 20% of total deposits, at June 30, 2024.

In-market deposits, which exclude wholesale brokered deposits, amounted to $4.6 billion at June 30, 2024, down by $37 million, or 1%, from March 31, 2024. As of June 30, 2024, in-market deposits were approximately 61% retail and 39% commercial. The average size of our in-market deposit accounts was approximately $35 thousand at June 30, 2024.

Wholesale brokered deposits amounted to $339 million and were down by $335 million, or 50%, from March 31, 2024.

FHLB advances totaled $1.6 billion at June 30, 2024, up by $310 million, or 25%, from March 31, 2024. As of June 30, 2024, contingent liquidity amounted to $1.6 billion and consisted of noninterest-bearing cash, unencumbered securities, and unused collateralized borrowing capacity.

Asset Quality

Nonaccrual loans were $30.5 million, or 0.54% of total loans, at June 30, 2024, compared to $30.7 million, or 0.54% of total loans, at March 31, 2024. The composition of nonaccrual loans at June 30, 2024 was 62% commercial and 38% residential and consumer.

Past due loans were $11.9 million, or 0.21% of total loans, at June 30, 2024, compared to $10.0 million, or 0.18% of total loans, at March 31, 2024. The composition of past due loans at June 30, 2024 was essentially all residential and consumer.

The allowance for credit losses ("ACL") on loans amounted to $42.4 million, or 0.75% of total loans, at June 30, 2024, compared to $41.9 million, or 0.74% of total loans, at March 31, 2024. The ACL on unfunded commitments, included in other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, was $1.7 million at June 30, 2024, unchanged from March 31, 2024.

The provision for credit losses totaled $500 thousand in the second quarter of 2024, down by $200 thousand from the preceding quarter. Net charge-offs amounted to $27 thousand in the second quarter of 2024, compared to $52 thousand in the preceding quarter.

Capital and Dividends

Total shareholders' equity was $471.0 million at June 30, 2024, up by $4.0 million, or 1%, from March 31, 2024. Net income of $10.8 million and an increase of $2.6 million in the accumulated other comprehensive income component of shareholders' equity were partially offset by $9.6 million in dividend declarations.

The Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of 56 cents per share for the quarter ended June 30, 2024. The dividend was paid on July 12, 2024 to shareholders of record on July 1, 2024.

Capital levels at June 30, 2024 exceeded the regulatory minimum levels to be considered well capitalized, with a total risk-based capital ratio of 11.81% at June 30, 2024, compared to 11.62% at March 31, 2024. Book value per share was $27.61 at June 30, 2024, compared to $27.41 at March 31, 2024.

Conference Call

Washington Trust will host a conference call to discuss its second quarter results, business highlights, and outlook on Tuesday, July 23, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. (Eastern Time). Individuals may dial in to the call at 1-833-470-1428 and enter Access Code 467066. An audio replay of the call will be available, shortly after the conclusion of the call, by dialing 1-866-813-9403 and entering the Replay Access Code 808623. The audio replay will be available through August 6, 2024. Also, a webcast of the call will be posted in the Investor Relations section of Washington Trust's website, https://ir.washtrust.com, and will be available through September 30, 2024.

Background

Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc. is the parent of The Washington Trust Company. Founded in 1800, Washington Trust is the oldest community bank in the nation, the largest state-chartered bank headquartered in Rhode Island and one of the Northeast's premier financial services companies. Washington Trust offers a full range of financial services, including commercial banking, mortgage banking, personal banking, and wealth management and trust services through its offices located in Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. The Corporation’s common stock trades on NASDAQ under the symbol WASH. Investor information is available on the Corporation’s website at https://ir.washtrust.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains statements that are “forward-looking statements.” We may also make forward-looking statements in other documents we file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), in our annual reports to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials, and in oral statements made by our officers, directors, or employees. You can identify forward-looking statements by the use of the words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “assume,” “outlook,” “will,” “should,” and other expressions that predict or indicate future events and trends and which do not relate to historical matters. You should not rely on forward-looking statements, because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, some of which are beyond our control. These risks, uncertainties, and other factors may cause our actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the anticipated future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.

Some of the factors that might cause these differences include the following:

•changes in general business and economic conditions on a national basis and in the local markets in which we operate;

•changes in customer behavior due to political, business, and economic conditions, including inflation and concerns about liquidity;

•interest rate changes or volatility, as well as changes in the balance and mix of loans and deposits;

•changes in loan demand and collectability;

•the possibility that future credit losses are higher than currently expected due to changes in economic assumptions or adverse economic developments;

•ongoing volatility in national and international financial markets;

•reductions in the market value or outflows of wealth management AUA;

•decreases in the value of securities and other assets;

•increases in defaults and charge-off rates;

•changes in the size and nature of our competition;

•changes in legislation or regulation and accounting principles, policies, and guidelines;

•operational risks including, but not limited to, changes in information technology, cybersecurity incidents, fraud, natural disasters, war, terrorism, civil unrest, and future pandemics;

•regulatory, litigation, and reputational risks; and

•changes in the assumptions used in making such forward-looking statements.

In addition, the factors described under “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, as updated by our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings submitted to the SEC, may result in these differences. 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 we assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect changes in underlying assumptions or factors, new information, future events or other changes.

Supplemental Information - Explanation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to results presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), this press release contains certain non-GAAP financial measures. Washington Trust's management believes that the supplemental non-GAAP information, which consists of measurements and ratios based on tangible equity and tangible assets, is utilized by regulators and market analysts to evaluate a company's financial condition and therefore, such information is useful to investors. These disclosures should not be viewed as a substitute for financial results determined in accordance with GAAP, nor are they necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures, which may be presented by other companies. Because non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized, it may not be possible to compare these financial measures with other companies' non-GAAP financial measures having the same or similar names.

(1)See the section labeled “Supplemental Information - Calculation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” at the end of this document.

(2)Estimated for June 30, 2024 and actuals for prior periods.

(3)Period-end balances of net loans and mortgage loans held for sale as a percentage of total deposits.

(4)Annualized based on the actual number of days in the period.

(5)Fully taxable equivalent (FTE) net interest income as a percentage of average-earnings assets.

(6)Total noninterest expense as percentage of total revenues (net interest income and noninterest income).

(1)Includes gains on loan sales, commission income on loans originated for others, servicing right gains, and gains (losses) on forward loan commitments.

(2)Represents fair value changes on mortgage loans held for sale and forward loan commitments.

(3)Represents loan servicing fee income, net of servicing right amortization and valuation adjustments.

(4)Includes the full commitment amount of homeowner construction loans.

(5)Includes brokered loans (loans originated for others).

(1)Commercial real estate loans consist of commercial mortgages and construction and development loans. Commercial mortgages are loans secured by income producing property.

(2)Residential real estate loans consist of mortgage and homeowner construction loans secured by one- to four-family residential properties.

(1)Approximately 68% of the total commercial real estate office balance of $301 million is secured by income producing properties located in suburban areas. Additionally, approximately 32% of the total commercial real estate office balance is expected to mature in two years.

(2)The balance of commercial real estate office consists of 49 loans.

(3)Does not include $27.0 million of unfunded commitments.

(4)Total commitment (outstanding loan balance plus unfunded commitments) divided by number of loans.

(1)    Determined in accordance with regulatory reporting requirements, which includes affiliate deposits and fully-collateralized preferred deposits.

(2)    Uninsured deposit balances of Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc. and its subsidiaries that are eliminated in consolidation.

(3)    Uninsured deposits of states and political subdivisions, which are secured or collateralized as required by state law.

(1)    Included in provision for credit losses in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

(2)     Included in other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The following tables present daily average balance, interest, and yield/rate information, as well as net interest margin on an FTE basis. Tax-exempt income is converted to an FTE basis using the statutory federal income tax rate adjusted for applicable state income taxes net of the related federal tax benefit. Unrealized gains (losses) on available for sale securities and changes in fair value on mortgage loans held for sale are excluded from the average balance and yield calculations. Nonaccrual loans, as well as interest recognized on these loans, are included in amounts presented for loans.