EXHIBIT 23

                        INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS' CONSENT




The Board of Directors
Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc.:


We consent to incorporation  by reference in the  registration  statements (Nos.
333-72277,   333-48315,  333-13167  and  33-23048)  on  Forms  S-8  and  in  the
registration statements (Nos. 333-13821 and 33-28065) on Forms S-3 of Washington
Trust  Bancorp,  Inc.  and  Subsidiary  of our report  dated  January 21,  1999,
relating to the consolidated  balance sheets of Washington  Trust Bancorp,  Inc.
and  Subsidiary as of December 31, 1998 and 1997,  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, 1998, which report appears
in the December 31, 1998 annual report on Form 10-K of Washington Trust Bancorp,
Inc.


KPMG LLP


Providence, Rhode Island
March 18, 1999