Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc. reports developments for a publicly owned bank holding company whose subsidiary, The Washington Trust Company, provides commercial banking, mortgage banking, personal banking and wealth management services in Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts. Recurring news covers quarterly earnings, net interest margin, deposits, lending activity, asset quality, capital ratios and dividends.
Company updates also include commercial and institutional banking expansion, services for education, healthcare, nonprofit and cultural organizations, leadership and board changes, annual shareholder meeting matters and digital banking capabilities.
Washington Trust Bancorp (NASDAQ: WASH) reported a Q4 2024 net loss of $60.8 million (-$3.46 per diluted share), primarily due to balance sheet repositioning transactions. Excluding these transactions, adjusted net income was $10.4 million ($0.59 per diluted share).
The company completed several strategic actions in December 2024: a public offering of 2.2 million shares raising $70.5 million, sale of debt securities resulting in a $31 million pre-tax loss, and sale of residential mortgage loans leading to a $62.9 million pre-tax loss. These moves aimed to support organic growth and capital generation.
Key Q4 metrics include: net interest margin improved to 1.95%, wealth management revenues increased 1%, and assets under administration reached $7.1 billion. Total loans decreased 7% to $5.1 billion, while in-market deposits grew 1% to $4.8 billion. The company maintained a total risk-based capital ratio of 12.47% and declared a quarterly dividend of $0.56 per share.
Washington Trust Bancorp (NASDAQ: WASH) has announced its schedule for the fourth quarter 2024 earnings release and conference call. The company will release its earnings after market close on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, followed by a conference call with executives on Thursday, January 30, 2025 at 8:30 a.m. ET.
Participants can join the call through a toll-free number (1-833-470-1428) or international dial-in options. The conference call will also be accessible via webcast on the company's investor relations website. A replay of the teleconference will be available until February 13, 2025, accessible through a toll-free number (1-866-813-9403).
Washington Trust has announced charitable contributions and in-kind donations to 40 local nonprofit organizations during the 2024 holiday season. The Washington Trust Charitable Foundation distributed $18,000 in grants, providing $1,000 each to 18 hunger relief agencies throughout Rhode Island to support food distribution efforts.
Additionally, employees from various Washington Trust branches and departments collaborated with 22 different nonprofits and community efforts, providing toys, gifts, gift cards, and other items to support holiday gift-giving programs. The initiative demonstrates the company's commitment to supporting basic needs and family services in local communities.
Washington Trust Bancorp (WASH) announced balance sheet repositioning transactions to enhance profitability and support organic growth. The Bank is selling approximately $409 million of available-for-sale debt securities yielding 2.65% and $345 million in residential mortgage loans with a 3.03% rate. The Bank has reinvested $378 million into debt securities yielding 5.30% and plans to pay down $352 million of wholesale funding at 4.50% rate.
The transactions will result in a $70 million net after-tax loss in Q4 2024, funded by previously raised capital through equity offering. While causing a net loss for Q4 and full-year 2024, management expects improved profitability in 2025 and beyond.
Washington Trust Bancorp (NASDAQ: WASH) has announced its quarterly dividend declaration. The Board of Directors has approved a dividend of 56 cents per share for the quarter ending December 31, 2024. Shareholders who are on record as of January 2, 2025, will receive the dividend payment on January 15, 2025.
Washington Trust has provided $800,000 in financing to the Rhode Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for the purchase of their new headquarters at 359 Broad Street in Providence, R.I. The property, known as the James Potter House, is a historic Queen Anne Mansion built in 1889 and is located in the Trinity Square National Historic District. The financing represents Washington Trust's commitment to supporting Hispanic and minority-owned businesses, while enabling the Chamber to establish a permanent presence to better serve its community.
Washington Trust Bancorp (NASDAQ: WASH) has successfully closed its upsized public stock offering, selling 1,911,764 shares at $34.00 per share. The offering included 286,764 additional shares through the underwriters' purchase option, bringing the total to 2,198,528 shares. BofA Securities acted as the sole book-running manager.
The company expects to receive approximately $71.01 million in proceeds after underwriting discounts and commissions. The funds will be used for general corporate purposes, including supporting organic growth, capital generation, Bank investments, and balance sheet optimization strategies such as selling lower-yielding loans, repaying wholesale funding, and purchasing higher-yielding debt securities.
Washington Trust Bancorp (NASDAQ: WASH) has announced the pricing of its upsized public offering of 1,911,764 shares of common stock at $34.00 per share. The offering is expected to generate approximately $61.75 million in proceeds after underwriting discounts and commissions. The company has also granted a 30-day option to purchase up to 286,764 additional shares.
The offering is expected to close on December 16, 2024. The proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes, including supporting organic growth, bank investments, and balance sheet optimization strategies. These strategies include selling lower-yielding loans, repaying wholesale funding, and purchasing higher-yielding debt securities. BofA Securities is serving as the sole book-running manager for the offering.
Washington Trust Bancorp (NASDAQ: WASH) has announced an underwritten public offering of $55 million of common stock, with an additional 30-day option for the underwriter to purchase up to 15% more shares. BofA Securities is the sole book-running manager for the offering.
The company plans to use the net proceeds for general corporate purposes to support organic growth and capital generation, including investments in The Washington Trust Company and Bank balance sheet optimization strategies. These strategies involve selling lower-yielding loans, available-for-sale debt securities, repaying wholesale funding balances, and purchasing debt securities with current market yields.
Washington Trust has appointed Michelle Kile as Executive Vice President and Chief Retail Banking Officer. With 20 years of experience in Retail Banking delivery from New England financial institutions, Kile will oversee retail sales and customer service across 28 retail branch offices, Customer Solutions Center, and digital banking services. Prior to joining Washington Trust, she led Retail branch services at Digital Federal Credit Union in Franklin, MA. A Rhode Island resident and graduate of Rhode Island College, Kile brings expertise in branch transformation, solution-oriented personal service, and digital optimization.