Washington Trust welcomes Lighthouse Financial clients and team in strategic acquisition

Rhea-AI Summary

Washington Trust Advisors (NASDAQ:WASH) has completed the acquisition of Lighthouse Financial Management, a Westerly-based advisory firm managing approximately $190 million in assets. The transaction, which closed on July 31, 2025, strengthens Washington Trust's wealth management division.

The acquisition brings over the entire Lighthouse Financial team, including founder Stephen C. Poplaski and key team members. Lighthouse Financial, established in 2003, specializes in investment, tax, and retirement planning services. The integration aims to enhance client services through expanded expertise in tax planning, business planning, and behavioral personal finance.

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WESTERLY, R.I., Aug. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Washington Trust Advisors, Inc. has finalized a transaction with Westerly-based Lighthouse Financial Management, LLC, an advisory firm with assets under management valued at approximately $190 million, resulting in the Lighthouse Financial team joining Washington Trust Wealth Management. The deal closed on July 31 and supports Washington Trust's focus on growing its wealth management division.

Washington Trust Advisors, Inc. is a Registered Investment Advisor and wholly-owned subsidiary of The Washington Trust Company and operates under the name "Washington Trust Wealth Management." 

Lighthouse Financial is a registered wealth advisory firm that provides investment, tax and retirement planning services.  Stephen C. Poplaski, PhD, CPA, CFP® established the financial management firm in 2003, after operating his own public accounting and tax service firm for more than 20 years. 

"Stephen and his team bring client-focused experience in tax and business planning, as well as unique expertise in behavioral personal finance and planning, to Washington Trust Wealth Management," said Executive Vice President and Chief Wealth Management Officer Kathleen Ryan. "We are excited by the opportunities presented with combining our firms. Our expanded team and recent investments in technology will provide clients with additional resources to enhance their service experience." 

Poplaski and several other colleagues will join the Washington Trust Wealth Management team through this transaction, including: Vice President and Wealth Advisor Aaron Wade, CFP®, Enrolled Agent Paul Drechsler-Martell, and Wealth Associate and Enrolled Agent Larry "Matt" Henderson.

ABOUT WASHINGTON TRUST WEALTH MANAGEMENT^®
Washington Trust Wealth Management ("WTWM") is a premier regional wealth advisory group with more than $7.2 billion in assets under administration, as of June 30, 2025. WTWM provides client-focused financial solutions to individuals, families, foundations, endowments, municipalities, and businesses. WTWM delivers customized financial planning, broad investment management, and full trust services to clients from its offices in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. Washington Trust Wealth Management is a registered trademark of The Washington Trust Company,  which has licensed its use to its parent, affiliates, and subsidiaries, including Washington Trust Advisors, Inc., an SEC-registered investment adviser. Additional information can be found at www.washtrustwealth.com.

ABOUT WASHINGTON TRUST^®
Founded in 1800, The Washington Trust Company is recognized as the oldest community bank in the nation, the largest state-chartered bank headquartered in Rhode Island and one of the Northeast's premier financial services companies. Washington Trust values its role as a community bank and is committed to helping the people, businesses, and organizations of New England improve their financial lives. The Bank offers a wide range of commercial banking, mortgage banking, personal banking and wealth management services through its offices in Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts and a full suite of convenient digital tools. Washington Trust is a member of the FDIC and an equal housing lender. Washington Trust is a subsidiary of Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc., a publicly-owned holding company which trades on NASDAQ: WASH. For more information, visit the Bank's website at www.washtrust.com or the Corporation's website at ir.washtrust.com.

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SOURCE The Washington Trust Company

FAQ

How much assets under management did Washington Trust (WASH) acquire with Lighthouse Financial?

Washington Trust acquired approximately $190 million in assets under management through the Lighthouse Financial acquisition.

When did Washington Trust complete the Lighthouse Financial acquisition?

The acquisition was completed on July 31, 2025.

Who are the key team members joining Washington Trust from Lighthouse Financial?

Key team members joining include founder Stephen C. Poplaski, Vice President and Wealth Advisor Aaron Wade, Enrolled Agent Paul Drechsler-Martell, and Wealth Associate and Enrolled Agent Larry 'Matt' Henderson.

What services did Lighthouse Financial provide before the acquisition by Washington Trust?

Lighthouse Financial provided investment, tax and retirement planning services as a registered wealth advisory firm.

How will the Lighthouse Financial acquisition benefit Washington Trust's clients?

The acquisition will provide clients with additional resources, enhanced service experience, and expanded expertise in tax planning, business planning, and behavioral personal finance.