EXHIBIT 23

                              Accountants' Consent


The Board of Directors
Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc.:


We consent to  incorporation  by reference in the  Registration  Statement  Nos.
33-23048  and  333-13167  on Form  S-8 and in the  Registration  Statement  Nos.
33-28065 and  333-13821 on Form S-3 of  Washington  Trust  Bancorp,  Inc. of our
report dated January 14, 1997,  relating to the  consolidated  balance sheets of
Washington  Trust Bancorp,  Inc. and subsidiary as of December 31, 1996 and 1995
and the related  consolidated  statements  of income,  changes in  shareholders'
equity  and cash  flows  for each of the years in the three  year  period  ended
December  31,  1996,  which  report has been  incorporated  by  reference in the
December 31, 1996 annual report on Form 10-K of Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc.



KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

Providence, Rhode Island
March 24, 1997