Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements	Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Revenue from Contracts with Customers - Topic 606 Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“ASU 2014-09”), was issued in May 2014 and provides a revenue recognition framework for any entity that either enters into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or enters into contracts for the transfer of non-financial assets unless those contracts are within the scope of other accounting standards. As issued, ASU 2014-09 was effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period with early adoption not permitted. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. In August 2015, Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-14, “Deferral of the Effective Date” (“ASU 2015-14”) was issued and delayed the effective date of ASU 2014-09 to annual and interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. In 2016, Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-08, “Principal versus Agent Considerations” (“ASU 2016-08”), Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-10, “Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing” (“ASU 2016-10”) and Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-12, “Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients” (“ASU 2016-12”) were issued. These ASUs do not change the core principle for revenue recognition in Topic 606; instead, the amendments provide more detailed guidance in a few areas and additional implementation guidance and examples, which are expected to reduce the degree of judgment necessary to comply with Topic 606. The effective date and transition requirements for ASU 2016-08, ASU 2016-10 and ASU 2016-12 are the same as those provided by ASU 2015-14. Management has assembled a project team to address the changes pursuant to Topic 606. The project team has made an initial scope assessment and additional progress is expected to be made in the second quarter of 2017. The Corporation has not yet determined the impact this ASU will have on its consolidated financial statements. Financial Instruments - Topic 825 Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-01, “Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (“ASU 2016-01”), was issued in January 2016 and provides revised guidance related to the accounting for and reporting of financial instruments. Some of the main provisions include: requiring most equity securities to be reported at fair value with unrealized gains and losses reported in the income statement; requiring separate presentation of financial assets and liabilities by measurement category and form (i.e. securities or loans); clarifying that entities must assess valuation allowances on a deferred tax asset related to available for sale debt securities in combination with their other deferred tax assets; and eliminating the requirement to disclose the method and significant assumptions used to estimate fair value for financial instruments measured at amortized cost on the balance sheet. ASU 2016-01 is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017. Management has met to discuss the impact and will assemble a project team to assess the steps required for adoption. The Corporation has not yet determined the impact ASU 2016-01 will have on its consolidated financial statements. Leases - Topic 842 Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, “Leases” (“ASU 2016-02”), was issued in February 2016 and provides revised guidance related to the accounting and reporting of leases. ASU 2016-02 requires lessees to recognize most leases on the balance sheet. The recognition, measurement and presentation of expenses and cash flows arising from a lease by a lessee will depend on its classification as a finance or operating lease. ASU 2016-02 requires a modified retrospective transition, with a number of practical expedients that entities may elect to apply. ASU 2016-02 is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. Washington Trust expects to adopt the provisions of ASU 2016-02 effective January 1, 2019. Management has met to discuss the impact and will assemble a project team to assess steps required for adoption. The Corporation has not yet determined the impact ASU 2016-02 will have on its consolidated financial statements. Derivatives and Hedging - Topic 815 Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-05, “Effect of Derivative Contract Novations on Existing Hedge Accounting Relationships” (“ASU 2016-05”), was issued in March 2016. ASU 2016-05 clarifies that a change in the counterparty to a derivative instrument that has been designated as the hedging instrument does not, in and of itself, require de-designation of that hedging relationship provided that all other hedge accounting criteria continue to be met. ASU 2016-05 allows for either a prospective approach or modified retrospective approach for adoption. ASU 2016-05 is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2016. ASU 2016-05 will not have a material impact on the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements. Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-06, “Contingent Put and Call Options in Debt Instruments” (“ASU 2016-06”), was issued in March 2016. ASU 2016-06 clarifies the requirements for assessing whether contingent call or put options that can accelerate the payment of principal on debt instruments are clearly and closely related to their debt hosts by providing a four-step decision sequence to assess whether the economic characteristics of the embedded call and put options are clearly and closely related to the economic characteristics of their debt hosts. ASU 2016-06 allows for a modified retrospective approach for adoption. ASU 2016-06 is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2016. ASU 2016-06 will not have a material impact on the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements. Stock Compensation - Topic 718 Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-09, “Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting” (“ASU 2016-09”), was issued in March 2016. ASU 2016-09 includes multiple provisions intended to simplify several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including income tax consequences and the classification of certain tax-related transactions on the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-09 is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption was permitted in any interim or annual period. Provisions should be applied using the appropriate transition method as detailed by the provisions of ASU 2016-09. Management adopted the provisions of this ASU on January 1, 2017. For Washington Trust, the most significant provision of this ASU pertained to the accounting of excess tax benefits or tax deficiencies on share based award exercises and vestings. ASU 2016-09 requires that excess tax benefits or tax deficiencies be recognized as income tax benefit or expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income in the period that they occur. The ASU also requires that the excess tax benefits or tax deficiencies be reported as an operating activity in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. In accordance with the ASU, management utilized the prospective approach in adopting this provision. It is difficult to predict the amount of excess tax benefit or tax deficiency that may occur upon the exercise or vesting of a share award. The average annual excess tax benefit that the Corporation recognized as additional paid in capital over the last three years was approximately $760 thousand. The remaining provisions of ASU 2016-09 will not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements. Credit Losses - Topic 326 Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses” (“ASU 2016-13”), was issued in June 2016. ASU 2016-13 requires the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts and requires enhanced disclosures related to the significant estimates and judgments used in estimating credit losses, as well as the credit quality and underwriting standards of an organization’s portfolio. In addition, ASU 2016-13 amends the accounting for credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities and purchased financial assets with credit deterioration. ASU 2016-13 provides for a modified retrospective transition, resulting in a cumulative-effect adjustment to equity as of the beginning of the period in which the guidance is effective, except for debt securities for which an other-than-temporary impairment has previously been recognized. For these debt securities, a prospective transition approach will be adopted in order to maintain the same amortized cost prior to and subsequent to the effective date of ASU 2016-13. This ASU is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted, for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2018. Management has assembled a project team that meets regularly to evaluate the provisions of this ASU, identify additional data requirements necessary and determine an approach for implementation. The Corporation has not yet determined if it will early adopt ASU 2016-13 or the impact it will have on its consolidated financial statements. Statement of Cash Flows - Topic 230 Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-15, “Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments” (“ASU 2016-15”), was issued in August 2016. ASU 2016-15 provides classification guidance on certain cash receipts and cash payments, including, but not limited to, debt prepayment costs, contingent consideration payments made after a business combination, proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims, proceeds from the settlement of bank-owned life insurance policies and distributions received from equity method investees. The adoption of ASU 2016-15 requires a retrospective transition method applied to each period presented. This ASU is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of ASU 2016-15 is not expected to have a material impact on the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements. Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-18, “Restricted Cash” (“ASU 2016-18”), was issued in November 2016. ASU 2016-18 requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents and amounts generally described as restricted cash. Restricted cash should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. The adoption of ASU 2016-18 requires a retrospective transition method applied to each period presented. This ASU is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of ASU 2016-18 is not expected to have a material impact on the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements. Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Topic 350 Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-04, “Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment” (“ASU 2017-04”), was issued in January 2017 and eliminates Step 2 of the annual goodwill impairment test. Step 2 is a more detailed analysis, which involves measuring the excess of the fair value of the reporting unit, as determined in Step 1, over the aggregate fair value of the individual assets, liabilities, and identifiable intangibles as if the reporting unit was being acquired in a business combination. Under ASU 2017-04, an impairment charge would be recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeded the reporting unit’s fair value under Step 1. ASU 2015-16 is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2019 and the provisions should be applied on a prospective basis. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The adoption of ASU 2017-04 is not expected to have a material impact on the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

Revenue from Contracts with Customers - Topic 606

Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“ASU 2014-09”), was issued in May 2014 and provides a revenue recognition framework for any entity that either enters into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or enters into contracts for the transfer of non-financial assets unless those contracts are within the scope of other accounting standards. As issued, ASU 2014-09 was effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period with early adoption not permitted. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. In August 2015, Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-14, “Deferral of the Effective Date” (“ASU 2015-14”) was issued and delayed the effective date of ASU 2014-09 to annual and interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. In 2016, Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-08, “Principal versus Agent Considerations” (“ASU 2016-08”), Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-10, “Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing” (“ASU 2016-10”) and Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-12, “Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients” (“ASU 2016-12”) were issued. These ASUs do not change the core principle for revenue recognition in Topic 606; instead, the amendments provide more detailed guidance in a few areas and additional implementation guidance and examples, which are expected to reduce the degree of judgment necessary to comply with Topic 606. The effective date and transition requirements for ASU 2016-08, ASU 2016-10 and ASU 2016-12 are the same as those provided by ASU 2015-14. Management has assembled a project team to address the changes pursuant to Topic 606. The project team has made an initial scope assessment and additional progress is expected to be made in the second quarter of 2017. The Corporation has not yet determined the impact this ASU will have on its consolidated financial statements.

Financial Instruments - Topic 825

Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-01, “Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (“ASU 2016-01”), was issued in January 2016 and provides revised guidance related to the accounting for and reporting of financial instruments. Some of the main provisions include: requiring most equity securities to be reported at fair value with unrealized gains and losses reported in the income statement; requiring separate presentation of financial assets and liabilities by measurement category and form (i.e. securities or loans); clarifying that entities must assess valuation allowances on a deferred tax asset related to available for sale debt securities in combination with their other deferred tax assets; and eliminating the requirement to disclose the method and significant assumptions used to estimate fair value for financial instruments measured at amortized cost on the balance sheet. ASU 2016-01 is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017. Management has met to discuss the impact and will assemble a project team to assess the steps required for adoption. The Corporation has not yet determined the impact ASU 2016-01 will have on its consolidated financial statements.

Leases - Topic 842

Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, “Leases” (“ASU 2016-02”), was issued in February 2016 and provides revised guidance related to the accounting and reporting of leases. ASU 2016-02 requires lessees to recognize most leases on the balance sheet. The recognition, measurement and presentation of expenses and cash flows arising from a lease by a lessee will depend on its classification as a finance or operating lease. ASU 2016-02 requires a modified retrospective transition, with a number of practical expedients that entities may elect to apply. ASU 2016-02 is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. Washington Trust expects to adopt the provisions of ASU 2016-02 effective January 1, 2019. Management has met to discuss the impact and will assemble a project team to assess steps required for adoption. The Corporation has not yet determined the impact ASU 2016-02 will have on its consolidated financial statements.

Derivatives and Hedging - Topic 815

Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-05, “Effect of Derivative Contract Novations on Existing Hedge Accounting Relationships” (“ASU 2016-05”), was issued in March 2016. ASU 2016-05 clarifies that a change in the counterparty to a derivative instrument that has been designated as the hedging instrument does not, in and of itself, require de-designation of that hedging relationship provided that all other hedge accounting criteria continue to be met. ASU 2016-05 allows for either a prospective approach or modified retrospective approach for adoption. ASU 2016-05 is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2016. ASU 2016-05 will not have a material impact on the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-06, “Contingent Put and Call Options in Debt Instruments” (“ASU 2016-06”), was issued in March 2016. ASU 2016-06 clarifies the requirements for assessing whether contingent call or put options that can accelerate the payment of principal on debt instruments are clearly and closely related to their debt hosts by providing a four-step decision sequence to assess whether the economic characteristics of the embedded call and put options are clearly and closely related to the economic characteristics of their debt hosts. ASU 2016-06 allows for a modified retrospective approach for adoption. ASU 2016-06 is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2016. ASU 2016-06 will not have a material impact on the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements.

Stock Compensation - Topic 718

Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-09, “Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting” (“ASU 2016-09”), was issued in March 2016. ASU 2016-09 includes multiple provisions intended to simplify several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including income tax consequences and the classification of certain tax-related transactions on the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-09 is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption was permitted in any interim or annual period. Provisions should be applied using the appropriate transition method as detailed by the provisions of ASU 2016-09. Management adopted the provisions of this ASU on January 1, 2017. For Washington Trust, the most significant provision of this ASU pertained to the accounting of excess tax benefits or tax deficiencies on share based award exercises and vestings. ASU 2016-09 requires that excess tax benefits or tax deficiencies be recognized as income tax benefit or expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income in the period that they occur. The ASU also requires that the excess tax benefits or tax deficiencies be reported as an operating activity in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. In accordance with the ASU, management utilized the prospective approach in adopting this provision. It is difficult to predict the amount of excess tax benefit or tax deficiency that may occur upon the exercise or vesting of a share award. The average annual excess tax benefit that the Corporation recognized as additional paid in capital over the last three years was approximately $760 thousand. The remaining provisions of ASU 2016-09 will not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

Credit Losses - Topic 326

Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses” (“ASU 2016-13”), was issued in June 2016. ASU 2016-13 requires the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts and requires enhanced disclosures related to the significant estimates and judgments used in estimating credit losses, as well as the credit quality and underwriting standards of an organization’s portfolio. In addition, ASU 2016-13 amends the accounting for credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities and purchased financial assets with credit deterioration. ASU 2016-13 provides for a modified retrospective transition, resulting in a cumulative-effect adjustment to equity as of the beginning of the period in which the guidance is effective, except for debt securities for which an other-than-temporary impairment has previously been recognized. For these debt securities, a prospective transition approach will be adopted in order to maintain the same amortized cost prior to and subsequent to the effective date of ASU 2016-13. This ASU is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted, for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2018. Management has assembled a project team that meets regularly to evaluate the provisions of this ASU, identify additional data requirements necessary and determine an approach for implementation. The Corporation has not yet determined if it will early adopt ASU 2016-13 or the impact it will have on its consolidated financial statements.

Statement of Cash Flows - Topic 230

Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-15, “Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments” (“ASU 2016-15”), was issued in August 2016. ASU 2016-15 provides classification guidance on certain cash receipts and cash payments, including, but not limited to, debt prepayment costs, contingent consideration payments made after a business combination, proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims, proceeds from the settlement of bank-owned life insurance policies and distributions received from equity method investees. The adoption of ASU 2016-15 requires a retrospective transition method applied to each period presented. This ASU is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of ASU 2016-15 is not expected to have a material impact on the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-18, “Restricted Cash” (“ASU 2016-18”), was issued in November 2016. ASU 2016-18 requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents and amounts generally described as restricted cash. Restricted cash should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. The adoption of ASU 2016-18 requires a retrospective transition method applied to each period presented. This ASU is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of ASU 2016-18 is not expected to have a material impact on the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements.

Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Topic 350

Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-04, “Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment” (“ASU 2017-04”), was issued in January 2017 and eliminates Step 2 of the annual goodwill impairment test. Step 2 is a more detailed analysis, which involves measuring the excess of the fair value of the reporting unit, as determined in Step 1, over the aggregate fair value of the individual assets, liabilities, and identifiable intangibles as if the reporting unit was being acquired in a business combination. Under ASU 2017-04, an impairment charge would be recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeded the reporting unit’s fair value under Step 1. ASU 2015-16 is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2019 and the provisions should be applied on a prospective basis. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The adoption of ASU 2017-04 is not expected to have a material impact on the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements.