8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

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FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)

December 21, 2006

WASHINGTON TRUST BANCORP, INC.

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(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

Rhode Island	0-13091	05-0404671
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(State or Other Jurisdiction	(Commission	(IRS Employer
of Incorporation)	File Number)	Identification No.)

23 Broad Street, Westerly, Rhode Island 02891

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(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (401) 348-1200

Former name or address, if changed from last report: N/A

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 8.01Other Events.

On December 21, 2006, Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing that its Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 400,000 shares of the Company’s common stock.

A copy of the press release relating to such announcement, dated December 21, 2006, is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(c)	Exhibits.
	Exhibit No.	Exhibit
	99.1	Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc. Press Release dated December 21, 2006*
	*Filed herewith

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

	WASHINGTON TRUST BANCORP, INC.
Date: December 21, 2006	By:	/s/ David V. Devault
		David V. Devault
		Executive Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.	Exhibit
99.1	Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc. Press Release dated December 21, 2006*
* Filed herewith

EX-99

[Graphic Omitted]

NASDAQ: WASH

Contact: Elizabeth B. Eckel

Senior Vice President, Marketing

Telephone: (401) 348-1309

E-mail: ebeckel@washtrust.com

Date: December 21, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc. Announces New Stock Repurchase Plan

Westerly, Rhode Island, December 21, 2006 - Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc. (NasdaqGM: WASH) today announced that its Board of Directors has approved a new common stock repurchase plan to replace its existing stock repurchase plan. The new plan authorizes the repurchase of up to 400,000 shares, or approximately 3%, of the Corporation’s common stock in open market transactions. This authority may be exercised from time to time and in such amounts as market conditions warrant, and subject to regulatory considerations. The existing plan had approximately 112,000 shares remaining to be repurchased.

Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc. is the parent of The Washington Trust Company, a Rhode Island state-chartered bank founded in 1800. Washington Trust offers personal banking, business banking and wealth management services through its offices in Rhode Island, Massachusetts and southeastern Connecticut. Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc.’s common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol WASH. Investor information is available on the Corporation’s web site: www.washtrust.com.

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This press release contains certain statements that may be considered “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, including statements regarding our strategy, effectiveness of investment programs, evaluations of future interest rate trends and liquidity, expectations as to growth in assets, deposits and results of operations, success of acquisitions, future operations, market position, financial position, and prospects, plans, goals and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. The actual results, performance or achievements of the Corporation could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of, among other factors, changes in general national or regional economic conditions, changes in interest rates, reductions in the market value of wealth management and trust assets under administration, reductions in loan demand, reductions in deposit levels necessitating increased borrowing to fund loans and investments, changes in loan default and charge-off rates, changes in the size and nature of the Corporation’s competition, changes in legislation or regulation and accounting principles, policies and guidelines, and changes in the assumptions used in making such forward-looking statements. The Corporation assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements or update the reasons actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those provided in the forward-looking statements, except as required by law.