Meridian Interstate Bancorp, Inc. Reports Net Income for the Second Quarter and Six Months Ended June 30, 2011

BOSTON, July 26, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Meridian Interstate Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company" or "Meridian") (Nasdaq:EBSB), the holding company for East Boston Savings Bank (the "Bank"), which also operates under the name Mt. Washington Bank, a Division of East Boston Savings Bank ("Mt. Washington"), announced net income of $4.2 million, or $0.19 per diluted share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2011 compared to $3.2 million, or $0.15 per diluted share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2010. For the six months ended June 30, 2011, net income was $7.4 million, or $0.33 per diluted share compared to $6.1 million, or $0.28 per diluted share, for the six months ended June 30, 2010. The Company's return on average assets increased to 0.87% for the quarter ended June 30, 2011 compared to 0.75% for the quarter ended June 30, 2010. For the six months ended June 30, 2011, the Company's return on average assets increased to 0.78% from 0.72% for the six months ended June 30, 2010. The Company's return on average equity was 7.56% for the quarter ended June 30, 2011 compared to 6.24% for the quarter ended June 30, 2010. For the six months ended June 30, 2011, the Company's return on average equity increased to 6.73% from 5.94% for the six months ended June 30, 2010.

Richard J. Gavegnano, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, "I am pleased to report continued strength in our financial results for the second quarter of 2011, with net income of $4.2 million, earnings per share of $0.19, a return on assets of 0.87% and a return on equity of 7.56%. Through the halfway point of 2011, we have made great progress in our efforts to increase market share. Following the opening of an East Boston Savings Bank branch in the City of Revere and a Mt. Washington branch in Boston's West Roxbury area in January, another new Mt. Washington branch was opened in Boston's South End in late May. As announced earlier this month, the Bank established a new commercial and industrial lending division comprised of a veteran team of bankers. This new division will enhance our presence in all of our market areas and add strength to our business platform. The Bank also plans to open new East Boston Savings Bank branches in Cambridge and Danvers in the coming months."

Net interest income before provision for loan losses decreased $1.2 million, or 8.0%, to $14.1 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2011 from $15.3 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2010. The net interest rate spread and net interest margin were 3.02% and 3.20%, respectively, for the quarter ended June 30, 2011 compared to 3.67% and 3.85%, respectively, for the quarter ended June 30, 2010. For the six months ended June 30, 2011, net interest income before provision for loan losses decreased $1.6 million, or 5.2%, to $28.5 million from $30.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010. The net interest rate spread and net interest margin were 3.12% and 3.30%, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2011 compared to 3.71% and 3.88%, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2010. The decreases in net interest income were due primarily to deposit growth that was in excess of loan growth along with declines in yields on loans and securities for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2011 compared to the same periods in 2010.

The average balance of the Company's loan portfolio, which is principally comprised of real estate loans, increased by $21.9 million, or 1.9%, to $1.193 billion, which was partially offset by the decline in the yield on loans of 33 basis points to 5.43% for the quarter ended June 30, 2011 compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2010. The Company's cost of interest-bearing deposits declined by seven basis points to 1.32%, which was partially offset by the increase in the average balance of interest-bearing deposits of $158.3 million, or 12.8%, to $1.399 billion for the quarter ended June 30, 2011 compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2010. The Company's yield on interest-earning assets declined by 75 basis points to 4.42% for the quarter ended June 30, 2011 compared to 5.17% for the quarter ended June 30, 2010, while the cost of interest-bearing liabilities declined ten basis points to 1.40% for the quarter ended June 30, 2011 compared to 1.50% for the quarter ended June 30, 2010.

The Company's provision for loan losses was $486,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2011 compared to $794,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2010. For the six months ended June 30, 2011, the provision for loan losses was $828,000 compared to $2.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010. These changes were based primarily on management's assessment of loan portfolio growth and composition changes, an ongoing evaluation of credit quality and current economic conditions. In addition, the reductions in the provision for loan losses were primarily due to lower provision expense related to specific reserves recorded for impaired loans for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2011 compared to the same periods in 2010. The allowance for loan losses was $10.9 million or 0.89% of total loans outstanding at June 30, 2011, compared to $10.2 million or 0.86% of total loans outstanding at December 31, 2010.

Non-performing loans increased to $51.5 million, or 4.23% of total loans outstanding at June 30, 2011, from $43.1 million, or 3.64% of total loans outstanding at December 31, 2010. Non-performing assets increased to $56.6 million, or 2.94% of total assets, at June 30, 2011, from $47.2 million, or 2.57% of total assets, at December 31, 2010. Non-performing assets at June 30, 2011 were comprised of $22.2 million of construction loans, $9.5 million of commercial real estate loans, $12.9 million of one-to four-family mortgage loans, $3.9 million of multi-family mortgage loans, $2.6 million of home equity loans, $524,000 of commercial business loans and foreclosed real estate of $5.1 million. Non-performing assets at June 30, 2011 included $16.9 million acquired in the Mt. Washington Co-operative Bank merger, comprised of $13.7 million of non-performing loans and $3.2 million of foreclosed real estate.

Non-interest income increased $3.2 million, or 145.4%, to $5.5 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2011 from $2.2 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2010, primarily due to increases of $2.9 million in gain on sales of securities and $227,000 in equity income from the Company's Hampshire First Bank affiliate. For the six months ended June 30, 2011, non-interest income increased $4.4 million, or 92.4%, to $9.1 million from $4.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010, primarily due to increases of $3.8 million in gain on sales of securities and $642,000 in equity income from Hampshire First Bank.

Non-interest expense increased $744,000, or 6.3%, to $12.5 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2011 from $11.7 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2010, primarily due to increases of $612,000 in salaries and employee benefits and $160,000 in occupancy and equipment expenses. For the six months ended June 30, 2011, non-interest expense increased $2.0 million, or 8.7%, to $25.1 million from $23.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010, primarily due to increases of $1.5 million in salaries and employee benefits and $593,000 in occupancy and equipment expenses. The increases in salaries and employee benefits and occupancy and equipment expenses were associated with two new branches opened in January 2011, another new branch opened in May 2011 and costs associated with the expansion of residential and commercial lending capacity. The Company's efficiency ratio was 75.22% for the quarter ended June 30, 2011 compared to 67.06% for the quarter ended June 30, 2010. For the six months ended June 30, 2011, the efficiency ratio was 74.29% compared to 66.39% for the quarter ended June 30, 2010.

Mr. Gavegnano noted, "The increases in our non-interest expenses and the efficiency ratio for the first half of 2011 reflect the costs of additional staffing, facilities and other overhead expenses associated with our efforts to increase our market share, grow future earnings potential and enhance stockholder value."

The Company recorded a provision for income taxes of $2.4 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2010, reflecting an effective tax rate of 36.4%, compared to $1.7 million, or 34.8%, for the quarter ended June 30, 2010. For the six months ended June 30, 2011, the provision for income taxes was $4.3 million, reflecting an effective tax rate of 36.7%, compared to $3.4 million, or 35.9%, for the six months ended June 30, 2010. The increases in the income tax provision were primarily due to the increases in pre-tax income.

Total assets increased $88.1 million, or 4.8%, to $1.924 billion at June 30, 2011 from $1.836 billion at December 31, 2010. Cash and cash equivalents increased $71.3 million, or 45.8%, to $226.8 million at June 30, 2011 from $155.5 million at December 31, 2010. Securities available for sale decreased $8.8 million, or 2.4%, to $351.8 million at June 30, 2011 from $360.6 million at December 31, 2010. Net loans increased $33.5 million, or 2.9%, to $1.207 billion at June 30, 2011 from $1.174 billion at December 31, 2010.

Total deposits increased $81.6 million, or 5.6%, to $1.537 billion at June 30, 2011 from $1.455 billion at December 31, 2010, including net growth of $72.1 million in core deposits. The net deposit growth also reflects $26.8 million of new deposits in the three branches opened during the first half of 2011. Total borrowings decreased $10.2 million, or 6.8%, to $138.5 million at June 30, 2011 from $148.7 million at December 31, 2010, reflecting $20.7 million of reductions in Federal Home Loan Bank advances partially offset by a $10.5 million increase in short-term borrowings.

Total stockholders' equity increased $3.8 million, or 1.8%, to $219.5 million at June 30, 2011, from $215.6 million at December 31, 2010. The increase for the six months ended June 30, 2011 was due primarily to $7.4 million in net income, partially offset by a $3.4 million increase in treasury stock resulting from the Company's repurchase of 249,182 shares. Stockholders' equity to assets was 11.41% at June 30, 2011, compared to 11.74% at December 31, 2010. Book value per share increased to $9.87 at June 30, 2011 from $9.59 at December 31, 2010. Tangible book value per share increased to $9.25 at June 30, 2011 from $8.98 at December 31, 2010. Market price per share increased $1.90, or 16.1%, to $13.69 at June 30, 2011 from $11.79 at December 31, 2010. At June 30, 2011, the Company and the Bank continued to exceed all regulatory capital requirements.

As of June 30, 2011, the Company had repurchased 438,009 shares of its stock at an average price of $12.45 per share, or 92.7% of the 472,428 shares authorized for repurchase under the Company's third stock repurchase program announced on April 9, 2010.

Mr. Gavegnano added, "We have repurchased a total of 1,369,509 shares since late 2008, with only 34,419 remaining shares authorized for repurchase under our current repurchase program. We will continue to consider additional stock repurchases along with various other opportunities to enhance shareholder value."

Meridian Interstate Bancorp, Inc. is the holding company for East Boston Savings Bank. East Boston Savings Bank, a Massachusetts-chartered stock savings bank founded in 1848, operates 22 full service locations in the greater Boston metropolitan area including eight full service locations in its Mt. Washington Bank Division.  We offer a variety of deposit and loan products to individuals and businesses located in our primary market, which consists of Essex, Middlesex and Suffolk Counties, Massachusetts. For additional information, visit www.ebsb.com.

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements herein constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements may be identified by words such as "believes," "will," "expects," "project," "may," "could," "developments," "strategic," "launching," "opportunities," "anticipates," "estimates," "intends," "plans," "targets" and similar expressions. These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of Meridian Interstate Bancorp, Inc.'s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements as a result of numerous factors. Factors that could cause such differences to exist include, but are not limited to, general economic conditions, changes in interest rates, regulatory considerations, and competition and the risk factors described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Should one or more of these risks materialize or should underlying beliefs or assumptions prove incorrect, Meridian Interstate Bancorp, Inc.'s actual results could differ materially from those discussed. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release.