Washington Trust appointed James C. Brown as senior executive vice president and chief commercial banking officer. In this key role, Brown will be responsible for all commercial banking activities, including commercial real estate, commercial and industrial, business banking, private clients group and cash management services. His leadership will support a broad range of clients across privately held businesses, nonprofit organizations, professional service firms, real estate developers and related investors, with a focus on growing the bank’s C&I and CRE lending portfolios, expanding commercial deposits and strengthening relationships with customers, business advisors and community leaders.
“We are very pleased to welcome Jim to Washington Trust as we grow our Commercial Banking business,” Edward O. “Ned” Handy III, chairman and CEO of Washington Trust, said. “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to bring on such a highly experienced and respected leader. With his proven track record, extensive network, regional insight and expertise, and a shared commitment to helping local businesses thrive, he will be a strong addition to our company.”
Brown has more than 38 years of experience in the financial services industry, with expertise in high-performing commercial banking teams. Prior to joining Washington Trust, he served as senior executive vice president at Berkshire Bank, overseeing all commercial and private banking activities across Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York and the mid-Atlantic asset-based lending team. Brown began his career in commercial banking and credit at Shawmut Bank and State Street Bank in Boston, where he built a strong foundation in the industry. He then spent 22 years at Boston Private Bank, where he served as co-president of the commercial bank.
He holds a bachelor’s degree from Nichols College, where he has served as a trustee for the past decade, and a master of business administration from the Carroll School of Management at Boston College. He serves on the board of Ranfac, a privately owned medical device manufacturing and design company in Avon, MA, and on various fundraising committees, including the Judge Baker Children’s Center, the Jim Lerner Charitable Foundation and its support for the Play Ball Foundation, as well as endowment funding and local community support for college scholarships.
