Washington Trust Bancorp Partners with Cal Raleigh to Enhance Community Engagement Initiatives

Washington Trust Bancorp Partners with Cal Raleigh to Strengthen Community Ties

Washington Trust Bank, the largest privately held full-service bank in the Northwest, announces a significant three-year partnership with Cal Raleigh, the catcher for Major League Baseball's Seattle Mariners. This collaboration comes on the heels of Raleigh's impressive performance during the recent season and aligns with Washington Trust's ongoing commitment to the Pacific Northwest. The bank's recent expansions, including the opening of new full-service financial centers in Tacoma and Bellingham, underscore its dedication to serving local communities. Kevin Blair, president of Washington Trust, expresses enthusiasm for Raleigh's addition, emphasizing shared values of community engagement and teamwork that have defined the bank for over 120 years.

This partnership represents Washington Trust's inaugural collaboration with a professional athlete, marking a new chapter in its community outreach strategy. Raleigh, who shares a strong connection to the region, reflects on the pride he feels in teaming up with a bank that has a long-standing commitment to community support. Over the next three years, residents of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho can anticipate Raleigh's involvement in various campaigns and events designed to enhance community engagement and promote local initiatives. This exclusive partnership within the banking sector highlights Washington Trust's innovative approach to building relationships and investing in the well-being of the communities it serves.

The collaboration with Raleigh aligns with Washington Trust's broader mission of giving back to the community. Alongside this partnership, the bank announces a $10,000 matching gift to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank as part of WPRI-12's Day of Giving on November 13, 2025. This initiative aims to double the impact of the first $10,000 in donations, providing vital assistance to over 84,000 Rhode Islanders who rely on the Food Bank's services each month. Edward O. "Ned" Handy III, the bank's chairman and CEO, underscores the importance of addressing food insecurity during the holiday season, affirming that every contribution can significantly alter the lives of local families.

In addition to its partnership with Raleigh, Washington Trust continues its commitment to community support by celebrating its 225th anniversary with the "225 Community Checking" campaign. Through this initiative, the bank contributes $25 to the Food Bank for each new eligible customer, further reinforcing its dedication to local philanthropy. This dual focus on community engagement and support reflects Washington Trust Bancorp’s longstanding role as a pillar in the financial services landscape of the Northeast and the Pacific Northwest.