General Information (Policies)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2012

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Consolidation Policy

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Bancorp and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Corporation” or “Washington Trust”).  All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated.  Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year classification.  Such reclassifications have no effect on previously reported net income or shareholders’ equity.

Use of Estimates Policy

The accounting and reporting policies of the Corporation conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and to general practices of the banking industry.  In preparing the financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the balance sheet and revenues and expenses for the period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.  Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to change are the determination of the allowance for loan losses and the review of goodwill, other intangible assets and investments for impairment.  The current economic environment has increased the degree of uncertainty inherent in such estimates and assumptions.