Washington Trust Joins VA Veterans Benefits Banking Program
Washington Trust Company becomes one of only two community banks with participating branches in Rhode Island offering the Veterans Benefits Banking Program.
Washington Trust Company has joined the Veterans Benefits Banking Program, a partnership between the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and participating financial institutions, the Westerly, R.I.-based bank announced Nov. 9, 2026.
The move positions Washington Trust as one of only two community banks with participating branches in Rhode Island, expanding access to the program for veterans in the state who may prefer local banking relationships over larger national institutions.
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The Veterans Benefits Banking Program is designed to help veterans, particularly those who are unbanked or underbanked, receive their VA benefits payments electronically through accounts at federally insured financial institutions, reducing reliance on paper checks and prepaid cards.
By joining the program, Washington Trust gains the ability to open accounts for veterans who might otherwise face barriers to traditional banking, while veterans gain access to a local community banking option with direct ties to their federal benefits disbursements.
Community bank participation in the program is considered significant because it broadens geographic and institutional reach for veterans who may live in areas underserved by larger national banks. Continue reading at All Financial Services & Investing.
