Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc. Announces 2023 Stock Repurchase Program

Rhea-AI Summary

Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: WASH) has initiated a stock buyback program, allowing for the repurchase of up to 850,000 shares, representing around 5% of its common stock. This program is set to commence on January 1, 2023, and will conclude on December 31, 2023. The actual repurchase will be subject to various factors including market conditions and regulatory considerations. As of November 30, 2022, the company had approximately 17.2 million shares outstanding.

Positive

• Authorization to repurchase 850,000 shares enhances shareholder value.
• The buyback could positively impact earnings per share (EPS).

Negative

• None.

WESTERLY, R.I., Dec. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq: WASH) today announced that the Corporation's Board of Directors adopted a stock repurchase program ("2023 Stock Repurchase Program"), which authorizes the repurchase of up to 850,000 shares, or approximately 5%, of the Corporation's common stock. This authority may be exercised from time to time and in such amounts as market conditions warrant, and subject to regulatory considerations. The timing and actual number of shares repurchased will depend on a variety of factors including price, corporate and regulatory requirements, market conditions, and other corporate liquidity requirements and priorities. The 2023 Stock Repurchase Program commences on January 1, 2023 and expires on December 31, 2023 and may be modified, suspended, or discontinued at any time. The Corporation had approximately 17.2 million shares outstanding as of November 30, 2022.

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 political, business and economic conditions, including inflation;
• 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 assets under administration;
• 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, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and future pandemics;
• 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, 2021, 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.

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SOURCE Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc.

FAQ

What is the purpose of the stock repurchase program by Washington Trust Bancorp (WASH)?

The stock repurchase program aims to enhance shareholder value by reducing the number of shares outstanding.

When does the stock buyback program for WASH start and end?

The buyback program starts on January 1, 2023 and ends on December 31, 2023.

How many shares is Washington Trust Bancorp authorized to repurchase under the 2023 program?

Washington Trust Bancorp is authorized to repurchase up to 850,000 shares.

What percentage of common stock does the buyback represent for WASH?

The buyback represents approximately 5% of Washington Trust's common stock.

What factors will influence the timing and number of shares repurchased by WASH?

The timing and number of shares repurchased will depend on market conditions, corporate liquidity requirements, and regulatory considerations.