Sep 23, 2013 (Menafn - M2 EQUITYBITES via COMTEX) --The board of directors of Washington Trust Bancorp Inc WASH, the holding company of the Washington Trust Company, has elected Edward "Ned" O Handy III as president and chief operating officer (COO) as of late November 2013 and David V Devault as vice chairman, secretary and chief financial officer (CFO), the company revealed on Friday.<br /><br />Also, the company's chairman and chief executive officer (CEO), Joseph J MarcAurele will continue to serve in those roles, it said.<br /><br />Most recently, Handy was president of Citizens Bank, Rhode Island since 2009 and Citizens Bank, Connecticut since 2010, both divisions of RBS Citizens NA.<br /><br />Handy began his career as a commercial banker with Fleet National Bank and served in different roles of increasing authority like president and CEO of Citizens subsidiary Charter One Bank of Ohio and as head of Citizens national commercial real estate finance division, over the past 27 years. Also, he served as a member of Citizens' Executive Leadership Group.<br /><br />Having joined the company in 1986, Devault has served in different leadership roles and most recently as senior executive vice president, secretary and CFO, oversees the company's financial affairs, governance matters and investment community relations, besides being in charge of managing various operational areas. He also serves as a director of the Ocean Community YMCA.<br /><br />Comments on this story may be sent to info@m2.com