Washington Trust Declares Quarter‑End Payout, Sets Mid‑January Cash Distribution

Dividend announced and payment timing

Washington Trust Bancorp (WASH) said its board approved a quarterly dividend of $0.56 per share, with the company naming a mid‑January payment date. The press release gave the payout amount and the payment timing, but did not include clear record or ex‑dividend dates in the text we saw. That omission matters because those dates determine which shareholders must own the stock to receive the cash. Reporters and investors should follow up with the company or its filings to confirm the exact ex‑dividend and record dates.

How the dividend works and who qualifies

The dividend is a per‑share cash payment tied to the quarter just ended and appears to be a routine, regular quarterly distribution rather than a one‑time special payout. Washington Trust did not label the payment as a special dividend in the headline material, and the amount — typical of regional bank quarterly payouts — reads as the company maintaining its existing cash return pattern.

Eligibility for the dividend hinges on the company’s record date and the market’s ex‑dividend date. If you own the shares before the ex‑dividend date, you will be entitled to the payment; if you buy on or after the ex‑dividend date, the distributor goes to the seller. Since the press release did not clearly list the record or ex‑dividend dates, confirm those two items before making any trading moves or calendar notes.

What the payout means for yield and basic math investors use

To see how the cash changes income from the stock, investors annualize the quarterly number and divide by the share price. Annualized dividend = quarterly payout × 4. For this payout, that math is: $0.56 × 4 = $2.24 per share per year.

Forward yield is then annualized dividend divided by current share price. Formula: forward yield = (annualized dividend) ÷ (current share price). Plug in a live quote for Washington Trust to get the yield right now. For example, if WASH traded at $X per share, the forward yield would be $2.24 ÷ $X, expressed as a percentage. Because share prices move, the yield moves with them.

Investors also watch the payout ratio to gauge sustainability. Simple payout ratio = (annualized dividend) ÷ (trailing‑twelve‑month earnings per share). You will need the latest EPS from the company’s earnings release or its SEC filings to complete that calculation. If the ratio is low to moderate, the dividend is more likely to be comfortably covered by profits; if it’s very high, the payout may strain the company during profit dips.

Where this fits with Washington Trust’s recent finances and payout record

Washington Trust is a New England regional bank that has paid steady quarterly dividends in recent years. A regular, unchanged per‑share payout typically signals a board comfortable with capital levels and cash flow, while any increase or cut would be a stronger signal about the company’s outlook or capital needs.

To judge whether $0.56 is covered and prudent, look at three things in the company’s recent results: earnings, loan performance and capital ratios. Strong recent earnings and stable loan loss trends make the payout easier to support. Healthy regulatory capital ratios and deposit stability provide a cushion against shocks. If any of those metrics worsened in the latest quarter, the payout could come under pressure.

Because the press release did not include detailed financial tables, reporters should pull the most recent quarterly report and the company’s latest 10‑Q or 10‑K filing for up‑to‑date EPS, loan‑loss reserves and capital ratios before concluding whether the payout is conservative or generous.

Market impact and what income investors should watch

Dividend news like this matters most to income investors and to traders who watch dividend events for short‑term price moves. When a stock goes ex‑dividend, its price typically drops roughly by the dividend amount on the ex‑date, but broader market flows and sentiment often alter that mechanical move.

For regional banks such as Washington Trust, the interest‑rate environment and sector sentiment are big drivers. Rising rates can be a tailwind for net interest income, boosting bank profits and making dividends more secure. Conversely, worries about deposit flight, loan losses or regulatory headwinds can amplify downside risk to the stock even if the dividend looks covered today.

Watch intraday price reaction around the announced payment and the yet‑to‑be‑confirmed ex‑dividend date. If markets treat the payout as a sign of stability, the stock may trade firmer; if investors read it as a token gesture while fundamentals thin, the move could be muted or negative.

Key risks, tax notes and next steps for reporters

Dividends are set by the board and can change. Even a declared dividend is still subject to any further board action before the payment date, although mid‑quarter reversals are rare. For tax purposes, dividends are usually taxable in the year they are paid, but the tax rate depends on whether the payment is ordinary or qualified—check the company’s investor materials or tax guidance for specifics.

Reporters should confirm the ex‑dividend and record dates and pull the latest EPS and capital figures from the company’s filings. It’s also useful to seek a comment from Washington Trust’s investor relations about how the board weighed capital and earnings in setting the payout. Finally, include the company’s formal release and the relevant SEC filings when publishing to let readers see the underlying details for themselves.

Sources

• prnewswire.com