The Washington Trust Company has earned designation as the top Small Business Lender in R.I., in dollar volume for the 2007 fiscal year, according to reports released by the U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) as of September 30th. Washington Trust approved 80 loans totaling $10.87 million during the 2007 fiscal year. "Small business is the engine of our local economy," said John Warren, chairman and CEO of Washington Trust. "I congratulate Washington Trust for their continuing commitment to the small business community," said Mark Hayward, director of the SBA Rhode Island District Office.