Washington Trust Projects Q4 2026 Margin of 2.85% to 2.90%

Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc. projects a fourth-quarter net interest margin of 2.85% to 2.90%, above its third-quarter result, while expecting noninterest expenses to rise by about $1.5 million.

The bank posted a 2.84% net interest margin in the third quarter, up 11 basis points from the second quarter. Its fourth-quarter forecast reflects a September rate increase and the bank's modest sensitivity to changes in interest rates.

Washington Trust also plans a $750,000 contribution to its charitable foundation. That contribution would be additional to the projected increase in noninterest expenses.

The forecast follows a third-quarter increase in earnings and net interest margin. Washington Trust earned $1.01 per diluted share under GAAP, compared with $0.83 in the second quarter. Net income rose about 21% to $19.4 million from $16 million.