Bank Rhode Island Donates $10,000 to The September 11 Fund; The Bank Will Accept Donations to the Fund At All 13 of Its Branches.

Business Editors

PROVIDENCE, R.I.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 17, 2001

In response to the tragic events of last week, Bank Rhode Island will contribute $10,000 to the September 11 Fund, a national fund created by the United Way of New York City and The New York Community Trust to assist victims of the recent attacks.

The Bank also will accept donations to The September 11 Fund at all 13 of its branch locations. All contributions to the Fund will go directly to a network of organizations that are providing assistance and counseling to victims and their families.

"We at Bank Rhode Island, like everyone else across the country, want to help in a meaningful way," said Merrill W. Sherman, President and CEO of Bank Rhode Island. "We chose The September 11 Fund because it supports the local community organizations that undoubtedly will be leaned on heavily by the victims and their families in the weeks and months to come."

"BankRI's tremendous gift of $10,000 and commitment to raise additional funds at its individual branches for the United Way September 11th Fund is certain to make an immediate and effective impact in helping the victims and their families of the recent attacks in New York City and Washington D.C.," said Dennis M. Murphy, President & CEO of the United Way of Southeastern New England. "We are fortunate to have hundreds of companies and businesses like BankRI committed to helping their fellow Americans."

Bank Rhode Island's 13 branches are located in Providence and Kent Counties. Directions to the branches can be found at . Bank Rhode Island, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bancorp Rhode Island, Inc., is a full service, FDIC insured financial institution headquartered in Providence.