Washington Trust Bancorp promoted two executives to new leadership roles. President and Chief Operating Officer Edward O. Handy, III assumed the role of chairman and chief executive officer of both corporation and bank, while Senior Executive Vice President of Wealth Management and Chief Strategy Officer Mark K.W. Gim took over as president and COO. Their appointments follow the annouced retirement of Joseph J. MarcAurele as chairman and CEO.

In his new role, Handy will lead a team of more than 600 employees dedicated to providing a full range of financial services, including commercial banking, mortgage banking, personal banking and wealth management and trust services through Washington Trust offices located throughout Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts.

“Washington Trust has a long, proud history as America’s oldest community bank and has attained an outstanding track record of success over the past two centuries,” Handy stated. “I am honored to assume the role of CEO of this remarkable organization and look forward to leading Washington Trust into the next chapter.”

Gim joined Washington Trust in 1993 and, through his leadership of Washington Trust Wealth Management, wealth management assets under administration grew from $4.8 to $6.7 billion. Gim’s responsibilities will include corporate strategic planning and daily operations of the company’s key business lines, including Retail Banking, Mortgage and Consumer Lending, and Wealth Management.