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 12, 1998,  relating to the  consolidated  balance sheets of
Washington  Trust Bancorp,  Inc. and Subsidiary as of December 31, 1997 and 1996
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, 1997,  which report  appears in the December 31, 1997 annual report
on Form 10-K of Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc.


                                                           KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP

Providence, Rhode Island
March 17, 1998