EBSB Meridian Bancorp Inc

Meridian Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company” or “Meridian”) (NASDAQ:EBSB), the holding company for East Boston Savings Bank (the “Bank”), announced net income of $14.1 million, or $0.27 per diluted share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2018, up from $12.0 million, or $0.23 per diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 and $11.3 million, or $0.22 per diluted share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2017. For the six months ended June 30, 2018, net income was $26.1 million, or $0.49 per diluted share, up from $20.6 million, or $0.39 per diluted share, for the six months ended June 30, 2017. Net income for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2018 reflects a reduction in the statutory federal income tax rate to 21% from 35% effective January 1, 2018 related to enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”) in December 2017. The Company’s return on average assets was 1.01% for the quarter ended June 30, 2018, up from 0.90% for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 and 0.97% for the quarter ended June 30, 2017. For the six months ended June 30, 2018, the Company’s return on average assets was 0.96%, up from 0.90% for the six months ended June 30, 2017. The Company’s return on average equity was 8.50% for the quarter ended June 30, 2018, up from 7.35% for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 and 7.28% for the quarter ended June 30, 2017.  For the six months ended June 30, 2018, the Company’s return on average equity was 7.93%, up from 6.66% for the six months ended June 30, 2017.

Richard J. Gavegnano, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “I am proud to report record net income of $14.1 million for the second quarter of 2018, up 17% from the first quarter of 2018 and up 24% from the second quarter of 2017, and $26.1 million for the first half of 2018, up 27% from the first half of 2017. Although our earnings are enhanced this year by income tax expense reductions resulting from the Tax Act’s lower federal income tax rate, our pre-tax income also rose 7% during the first half, reflecting an 18% increase in net interest income. Our pre-tax income would have increased 14% from the first quarter of 2018, 8% from the second quarter of 2017 and 17% from the first half of 2017 if changes in the fair value of marketable equity securities required to be recognized beginning in 2018 and gains on sale of securities for these periods as reported in non-interest income were excluded.”

The Company’s net interest income was $41.0 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2018, up $1.2 million or 3.0%, from the quarter ended March 31, 2018 and $5.6 million, or 15.8%, from the quarter ended June 30, 2017. The interest rate spread and net interest margin on a tax-equivalent basis were 2.81% and 3.07%, respectively, for the quarter ended June 30, 2018 compared to 2.92% and 3.16%, respectively, for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 and 3.01% and 3.24%, respectively, for the quarter ended June 30, 2017. For the six months ended June 30, 2018, net interest income increased $12.1 million, or 17.6%, to $80.9 million from the six months ended June 30, 2017.  The net interest rate spread and net interest margin on a tax-equivalent basis were 2.87% and 3.11%, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2018 compared to 3.01% and 3.22%, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2017. The increases in net interest income were primarily due to growth in average loan balances and yields, partially offset by increases in the average balances of total deposits and borrowings and the cost of funds for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2018 compared to the respective prior periods. The interest rate spread and net interest margin on a tax-equivalent basis for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2018 reflect the reduction in the federal income tax rate to 21% from 35%.

Total interest and dividend income increased to $55.8 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2018, up $3.8 million, or 7.4%, from the quarter ended March 31, 2018 and $11.3 million, or 25.5%, from the quarter ended June 30, 2017, primarily due to growth in the Company’s average loan balances to $5.043 billion and yields on loans to 4.33%. The Company’s yield on interest-earning assets on a tax-equivalent basis was 4.16% for the quarter ended June 30, 2018, up five basis points from the quarter ended March 31, 2018 and up 13 basis points from the quarter ended June 30, 2017.  For the six months ended June 30, 2018, the Company’s total interest and dividend income increased $21.6 million, or 25.0%, to $107.8 million from the six months ended June 30, 2017 primarily due to growth in the average loan balances of $819.6 million, or 20.0%, to $4.911 billion, and by an increase in the yield on loans on a tax-equivalent basis of seven basis points to 4.31% for the six months ended June 30, 2018 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2017. The Company’s yield on interest-earning assets on a tax-equivalent basis increased 13 basis points to 4.14% for the six months ended June 30, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017. The yields on loans and interest-earning assets on a tax-equivalent basis for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2018 also reflect the reduction in the federal income tax rate to 21% from 35%.

Total interest expense increased to $14.8 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2018, up $2.6 million, or 21.8%, from the quarter ended March 31, 2018 and $5.7 million, or 63.5%, from the quarter ended June 30, 2017. Interest expense on deposits increased to $12.8 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2018, up $2.2 million, or 21.3%, from the quarter ended March 31, 2018 and $4.8 million, or 60.7%, from the quarter ended June 30, 2017 primarily due to growth in average total deposits to $4.280 billion and increases in the cost of average total deposits to 1.19% from 1.04% for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, and 0.87% for the quarter ended June 30, 2017. Interest expense on borrowings increased to $2.0 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2018, up $407,000, or 24.8%, from the quarter ended March 31, 2018 and $931,000, or 83.3%, from the quarter ended June 30, 2017 primarily due to growth in average total borrowings to $591.9 million. The Company’s total cost of funds was 1.22% for the quarter ended June 30, 2018, up 16 basis points from the quarter ended March 31, 2018 and 32 basis points from the quarter ended June 30, 2017. Total interest expense increased $9.5 million, or 54.4%, to $27.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 from the six months ended June 30, 2017. Interest expense on deposits increased $7.9 million, or 51.5%, to $23.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 from the six months ended June 30, 2017 due to the growth in average total deposits of $598.6 million, or 16.6%, to $4.198 billion and an increase in the cost of average total deposits of 26 basis points to 1.12%. Interest expense on borrowings increased $1.6 million, or 75.9%, to $3.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 from the six months ended June 30, 2017 due to the growth in average total borrowings of $213.1 million, or 62.0%, to $556.7 million and an increase in the cost of average total borrowings of 11 basis points to 1.34%. The Company’s cost of funds increased 25 basis points to 1.14% for the six months ended June 30, 2018 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2017.

Mr. Gavegnano noted, “Our strong loan pipeline continues to be the key driver of our rising net interest income. Our net loan growth was $215 million, or 4%, for the second quarter of 2018, $492 million, or 11%, for the first half of 2018, and $859 million, or 20%, since June 30, 2017. Our yield on loans also rose seven basis points to 4.33% for the second quarter of 2018 and seven basis points to 4.31% for the first half of 2018 from the same periods last year. This loan growth and improvement in our loan yield minimized the effect of the rise in our cost of funds and the lower federal income tax rate under the Tax Act on our net interest margin on a tax-equivalent basis, which declined to 3.07% for the second quarter and 3.11% for the first half of 2018. Without the tax rate change, our yields on loans and interest earning assets, the interest rate spread and the net interest margin on a tax-equivalent basis would have been four to five basis points higher than reported for 2018 periods.”

The Company's provision for loan losses was $1.9 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2018, down $319,000 from the quarter ended March 31, 2018 and up $373,000 from the quarter ended June 30, 2017. The allowance for loan losses was $49.4 million or 0.96% of total loans at June 30, 2018, compared to $47.5 million or 0.96% of total loans at March 31, 2018, $45.2 million or 0.97% of total loans at December 31, 2017, and $43.2 million or 1.00% of total loans at June 30, 2017. The changes in the provision and the allowance for loan losses were based on management’s assessment of loan portfolio growth and composition changes, declines in historical charge-off trends, reduced levels of problem loans and other improvements in asset quality trends.

Net recoveries totaled $43,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2018, compared to net recoveries of $114,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 and net charge-offs of $32,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2017. For the six months ended June 30, 2018, net recoveries totaled $157,000, or 0.01% of average loans outstanding on an annualized basis compared to net charge-offs of $36,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2017.

Non-accrual loans were $7.9 million, or 0.15% of total loans outstanding, at June 30, 2018; down $126,000, or 1.6%, from March 31, 2018; down $458,000, or 5.5%, from December 31, 2017; and down $3.6 million, or 31.1%, from June 30, 2017. Non-performing assets were $7.9 million, or 0.14% of total assets, at June 30, 2018, compared to $8.0 million, or 0.15% of total assets, at March 31, 2018, $8.4 million, or 0.16% of total assets at December 31, 2017, and $11.5 million, or 0.24% of total assets, at June 30, 2017.

Non-interest income was $2.9 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2018, up from $2.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 and down from $5.0 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2017. Non-interest income increased $525,000, or 22.5%, as compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2018, primarily due to an increase of $925,000 in the gain on equity securities, net, partially offset by a decrease of $453,000 in loan fees. As compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2017, non-interest income decreased $2.2 million, or 43.2%, primarily due to decreases of $1.8 million in loan fee income and $808,000 in gain on sales of securities available for sale, net, partially offset by increases of $388,000 in gain on equity securities, net. For the six months ended June 30, 2018, non-interest income decreased $3.9 million, or 43.0%, to $5.2 million from $9.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017, primarily due to a $2.4 million decrease in gain on sales of securities available for sale, net and a $1.6 million decrease in loan fees. The decreases in loan fees are primarily due to $1.3 million of loan swap fee income recognized in the second quarter of 2017.

Non-interest expenses were $23.5 million, or 1.69% of average assets for the quarter ended June 30, 2018, compared to $24.7 million, or 1.86% of average assets for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 and $21.4 million, or 1.83% of average assets for the quarter ended June 30, 2017.  Non-interest expenses decreased $1.2 million, or 5.0%, compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2018, due primarily to decreases of $956,000 in salaries and employee benefits and $514,000 in occupancy and equipment, partially offset by an increase of $277,000 in other general and administrative expenses. Non-interest expenses increased $2.1 million, or 9.6%, compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2017, due primarily to increases of $1.7 million in salaries and employee benefits, $276,000 in other general and administrative expenses, and $179,000 in data processing, partially offset by a decrease of $106,000 in professional services.  For the six months ended June 30, 2018, non-interest expenses increased $4.9 million, or 11.3%, to $48.2 million from $43.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017, due to increases of $3.4 million in salaries and employee benefits, $505,000 in occupancy and equipment expenses, $483,000 in data processing expenses, $426,000 in other general and administrative expenses, and $166,000 in marketing and advertising expenses, partially offset by a $276,000 decrease in professional services. The increases in salaries and employee benefits expenses reflect annual increases in employee compensation and health benefits during the first quarter of 2018.  In addition, the increases in salaries and employee benefits, and occupancy and equipment expenses and data processing include costs associated with the expansion of our branch and support staff, including two branches acquired from Meetinghouse Bank on December 29, 2017, one new branch opened in the first quarter of 2018 and three new branch openings planned for later in 2018. Other general and administrative expenses reflect core deposit intangible amortization of $147,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2018 and $295,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2018. The Company’s efficiency ratio was 53.89% for the quarter ended June 30, 2018 compared to 57.62% for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 and 53.95% for the quarter ended June 30, 2017. For the six months ended June 30, 2018, the efficiency ratio was 55.74% compared to 57.31% for the six months ended June 30, 2017.

Mr. Gavegnano added, “The improvement in our efficiency ratio to 53.89% for the second quarter of 2018 from 57.62% for the first quarter of 2018 was largely due to the 3% rise in net interest income coupled with the 5% decrease in non-interest expenses. Declines in our non-interest expenses in the second quarter of 2018 reflected payroll tax and 401(k) retirement plan employer-matching expenses incurred in the first quarter associated with the January 2018 payment of 2017 bonuses to the Bank’s employees and overhead cost savings following the first quarter integration of Meetinghouse Bank. Our investments in franchise expansion continue as we prepare for the opening of new branches in Boston’s Brigham Circle, Lynnfield and Burlington later in the year and evaluate additional opportunities within our metropolitan Boston market area. We believe such investments are vital to meeting our organic growth and financial performance goals.”

The Company recorded a provision for income taxes of $4.5 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2018, reflecting an effective tax rate of 24.3%, compared to $3.3 million, or an effective tax rate of 21.6%, for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, and $6.2 million, or an effective tax rate of 35.5%, for the quarter ended June 30, 2017. For the six months ended June 30, 2018, the provision for income taxes was $7.8 million, reflecting an effective tax rate of 23.1%, compared to $10.9 million, or an effective tax rate of 34.7%, for the six months ended June 30, 2017. The reductions in the provision for income taxes and the effective tax rate for 2018 primarily reflect the decrease in the statutory federal income tax rate to 21% from 35% effective January 1, 2018 as a result of the Tax Act.

Total assets were $5.678 billion at June 30, 2018, up $216.9 million, or 4.0%, from $5.461 billion at March 31, 2018 and $378.1 million, or 7.1%, from $5.299 billion at December 31, 2017.  Net loans were $5.115 billion at June 30, 2018, up $214.5 million, or 4.4%, from March 31, 2018, and up $492.1 million, or 10.6%, from December 31, 2017. Loan originations totaled $492.9 million during the quarter ended June 30, 2018 and $842.6 million during the six months ended June 30, 2018. The net increase in loans for the six months ended June 30, 2018 was primarily due to increases of $323.1 million in commercial real estate loans, $131.9 million in multi-family loans, $43.3 million in commercial and industrial loans, and $32.0 million in one- to four-family loans.  Cash and due from banks was $329.6 million at June 30, 2018, a decrease of $73.1 million, or 18.2% from December 31, 2017.  Securities, at fair value, were $33.9 million at June 30, 2018, a decrease of $4.5 million, or 11.7%, from $38.4 million at December 31, 2017.

Total deposits were $4.390 billion at June 30, 2018, an increase of $200.2 million, or 4.8%, from $4.189 billion at March 31, 2018 and an increase of $281.7 million, or 6.9%, from $4.108 billion at December 31, 2017.  Core deposits, which exclude certificate of deposits, increased $81.9 million, or 3.0%, during the six months ended June 30, 2018 to $2.819 billion, or 64.2% of total deposits. Total borrowings were $591.7 million, up $9.1 million, or 1.6%, from March 31, 2018 and up $78.2 million, or 15.2%, from December 31, 2017.

Total stockholders’ equity increased $9.1 million, or 1.4%, to $664.7 million at June 30, 2018 from $655.6 million at March 31, 2018, and $18.3 million, or 2.8%, from $646.4 million at December 31, 2017. The increase for the six months ended June 30, 2018 was primarily due to net income of $26.1 million and $3.7 million related to stock-based compensation plans, partially offset by the repurchase of 314,010 shares of the Company’s common stock at a total cost of $6.1 million, and dividends of $0.10 per share totaling $5.1 million. Stockholders’ equity to assets was 11.71% at June 30, 2018, compared to 12.01% at March 31, 2018 and 12.20% at December 31, 2017. Book value per share increased to $12.33 at June 30, 2018 from $11.96 at December 31, 2017. Tangible book value per share increased to $11.91 at June 30, 2018 from $11.54 at December 31, 2017. Market price per share decreased $1.45, or 7.0%, to $19.15 at June 30, 2018 from $20.60 at December 31, 2017. At June 30, 2018, the Company and the Bank continued to exceed all regulatory capital requirements.

During the quarter ended June 30, 2018, the Company repurchased 214,010 shares of its common stock at an average price of $18.99 per share. As of June 30, 2018, the Company had repurchased 2,373,621 shares of its stock at an average price of $14.45 per share, or 86.7% of the 2,737,334 shares authorized for repurchase under the Company’s repurchase program adopted in August 2015.

Mr. Gavegnano concluded, “With 363,713 shares remaining for repurchase under our current program, we will consider buying additional shares when conditions are determined to be favorable.”

Meridian 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 34 full-service locations and one mobile location in the greater Boston metropolitan area. We offer a variety of deposit and loan products to individuals and businesses located in our primary market, which consists of Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk 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 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 Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Should one or more of these risks materialize or should underlying beliefs or assumptions prove incorrect, Meridian 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.

MERIDIAN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
		June 30, 2018				March 31, 2018				December 31, 2017				June 30, 2017
		(Dollars in thousands)
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks		$	329,588			$	316,372			$	402,687			$	234,776
Certificates of deposit			23,885				44,133				69,326				85,323
Securities available for sale, at fair value			18,437				19,507				38,364				52,362
Equity securities, at fair value			15,428				14,722				—				—
Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost			29,546				27,572				24,947				22,579
Loans held for sale			1,052				1,136				3,772				2,257
Loans:
One- to four-family			635,708				614,043				603,680				552,762
Home equity lines of credit			45,812				45,193				48,393				42,599
Multi-family			911,562				858,894				779,637				695,602
Commercial real estate			2,386,926				2,253,014				2,063,781				1,927,572
Construction			610,946				638,751				641,306				517,471
Commercial and industrial			568,897				533,056				525,604				557,443
Consumer			10,455				10,466				10,761				10,058
Total loans			5,170,306				4,953,417				4,673,162				4,303,507
Allowance for loan losses			(49,401	)			(47,488	)			(45,185	)			(43,229	)
Net deferred loan origination fees			(6,045	)			(5,593	)			(5,179	)			(4,443	)
Loans, net			5,114,860				4,900,336				4,622,798				4,255,835
Bank-owned life insurance			40,885				40,608				40,336				41,325
Premises and equipment, net			41,584				41,415				40,967				40,621
Accrued interest receivable			12,699				12,281				12,902				11,068
Deferred tax asset, net			15,896				15,737				15,244				21,728
Goodwill			19,638				19,638				19,638				13,687
Core deposit intangible			2,948				3,096				3,243				—
Other assets			11,142				4,145				5,231				5,853
Total assets		$	5,677,588			$	5,460,698			$	5,299,455			$	4,787,414
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Deposits:
Non interest-bearing demand deposits		$	486,334			$	487,096			$	477,428			$	457,009
Interest-bearing demand deposits			1,129,657				1,098,646				1,004,155				779,208
Money market deposits			865,349				851,702				921,895				972,720
Regular savings and other deposits			337,796				343,466				333,774				321,674
Certificates of deposit			1,570,435				1,408,464				1,370,609				1,129,306
Total deposits			4,389,571				4,189,374				4,107,861				3,659,917
Short-term borrowings			—				—				—				40,000
Long-term debt			591,660				582,561				513,444				434,015
Accrued expenses and other liabilities			31,691				33,156				31,751				26,753
Total liabilities			5,012,922				4,805,091				4,653,056				4,160,685
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized; none issued			—				—				—				—
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized; 53,905,279, 54,068,874, 54,039,316 and 53,649,946 shares issued at June 30, 2018, March 31, 2018, December 31, 2017 and June 30, 2017, respectively			539				540				540				537
Additional paid-in capital			392,955				395,531				395,716				392,446
Retained earnings			289,949				278,450				268,533				250,800
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)			(699	)			(616	)			128				1,905
Unearned compensation - ESOP, 2,496,154, 2,526,595, 2,557,036 and 2,617,198 at June 30, 2018, March 31, 2018, December 31, 2017 and June 30, 2017, respectively			(18,078	)			(18,298	)			(18,518	)			(18,959	)
Total stockholders' equity			664,666				655,607				646,399				626,729
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity		$	5,677,588			$	5,460,698			$	5,299,455			$	4,787,414

MERIDIAN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF NET INCOME
(Unaudited)
		Three Months Ended												Six Months Ended
		June 30, 2018				March 31, 2018				June 30, 2017				June 30, 2018				June 30, 2017
		(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Interest and dividend income:
Interest and fees on loans		$	53,904			$	49,985			$	43,195			$	103,889			$	83,684
Interest on debt securities:
Taxable			126				126				83				252				202
Tax-exempt			15				15				8				30				18
Dividends on equity securities			134				148				291				282				568
Interest on certificates of deposit			141				203				196				344				408
Other interest and dividend income			1,527				1,522				736				3,049				1,381
Total interest and dividend income			55,847				51,999				44,509				107,846				86,261
Interest expense:
Interest on deposits			12,751				10,509				7,935				23,260				15,354
Interest on short-term borrowings			—				—				4				—				4
Interest on long-term debt			2,049				1,642				1,114				3,691				2,094
Total interest expense			14,800				12,151				9,053				26,951				17,452
Net interest income			41,047				39,848				35,456				80,895				68,809
Provision for loan losses			1,870				2,189				1,497				4,059				3,116
Net interest income, after provision for loan losses			39,177				37,659				33,959				76,836				65,693
Non-interest income:
Customer service fees			2,282				2,170				2,214				4,452				4,266
Loan fees			(158	)			295				1,634				137				1,702
Mortgage banking gains, net			63				133				82				196				172
Gain on sales of securities available for sale, net			—				—				808				—				2,382
Gain (loss) on equity securities, net			388				(537	)			—				(149	)			—
Income from bank-owned life insurance			277				272				292				549				580
Other income			6				—				—				6				—
Total non-interest income			2,858				2,333				5,030				5,191				9,102
Non-interest expenses:
Salaries and employee benefits			14,438				15,394				12,752				29,832				26,427
Occupancy and equipment			3,025				3,539				3,036				6,564				6,059
Data processing			1,653				1,683				1,474				3,336				2,853
Marketing and advertising			1,006				967				953				1,973				1,807
Professional services			1,000				965				1,106				1,965				2,241
Deposit insurance			782				797				813				1,579				1,504
Merger and acquisition			14				74				—				88				—
Other general and administrative			1,547				1,270				1,271				2,817				2,391
Total non-interest expenses			23,465				24,689				21,405				48,154				43,282
Income before income taxes			18,570				15,303				17,584				33,873				31,513
Provision for income taxes			4,508				3,309				6,237				7,817				10,922
Net income		$	14,062			$	11,994			$	11,347			$	26,056			$	20,591
Earnings per share:
Basic		$	0.27			$	0.23			$	0.22			$	0.51			$	0.40
Diluted		$	0.27			$	0.23			$	0.22			$	0.49			$	0.39
Weighted average shares:
Basic			51,437,726				51,531,835				51,003,967				51,484,521				50,976,950
Diluted			52,867,787				53,083,815				52,422,486				52,975,541				52,474,761

MERIDIAN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NET INTEREST INCOME ANALYSIS
(Unaudited)
		Three Months Ended
		June 30, 2018														March 31, 2018														June 30, 2017
		AverageBalance				Interest(1)					Yield/Cost (1)(6)					AverageBalance				Interest(1)					Yield/Cost (1)(6)					AverageBalance				Interest(1)					Yield/Cost (1)(6)
		(Dollars in thousands)
Assets:
Interest-earning assets:
Loans (2)		$	5,043,367			$	54,491					4.33		%		$	4,776,876			$	50,573					4.29		%		$	4,180,602			$	44,431					4.26		%
Securities and certificates of deposit			70,155				443					2.53					96,511				523					2.20					142,159				691					1.95
Other interest-earning assets (3)			328,659				1,527					1.86					317,883				1,522					1.94					239,590				736					1.23
Total interest-earning assets			5,442,181				56,461					4.16					5,191,270				52,618					4.11					4,562,351				45,858					4.03
Noninterest-earning assets			118,324														125,293														110,509
Total assets		$	5,560,505													$	5,316,563													$	4,672,860
Liabilities and stockholders' equity:
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest-bearing demand deposits		$	1,104,003			$	3,486					1.27				$	1,032,514			$	2,791					1.10				$	753,839			$	1,598					0.85
Money market deposits			849,177				2,326					1.10					883,549				2,057					0.94					992,382				2,219					0.90
Regular savings and other deposits			339,004				118					0.14					335,288				114					0.14					317,656				114					0.14
Certificates of deposit			1,504,883				6,821					1.82					1,376,113				5,547					1.63					1,147,440				4,004					1.40
Total interest-bearing deposits			3,797,067				12,751					1.35					3,627,464				10,509					1.17					3,211,317				7,935					0.99
Borrowings			591,862				2,049					1.39					521,090				1,642					1.28					356,325				1,118					1.26
Total interest-bearing liabilities			4,388,929				14,800					1.35					4,148,554				12,151					1.19					3,567,642				9,053					1.02
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits			482,903														488,459														456,447
Other noninterest-bearing liabilities			27,018														26,638														25,732
Total liabilities			4,898,850														4,663,651														4,049,821
Total stockholders' equity			661,655														652,912														623,039
Total liabilities and stockholders'  equity		$	5,560,505													$	5,316,563													$	4,672,860
Net interest-earning assets		$	1,053,252													$	1,042,716													$	994,709
Fully tax-equivalent net interest  income							41,661														40,467														36,805
Less: tax-equivalent adjustments							(614	)													(619	)													(1,349	)
Net interest income						$	41,047													$	39,848													$	35,456
Interest rate spread (1)(4)												2.81		%												2.92		%												3.01		%
Net interest margin (1)(5)												3.07		%												3.16		%												3.24		%
Average interest-earning assets to average
interest-bearing liabilities							124.00		%												125.13		%												127.88		%
Supplemental Information:
Total deposits, including noninterest-bearing
demand deposits		$	4,279,970			$	12,751					1.19		%		$	4,115,923			$	10,509					1.04		%		$	3,667,764			$	7,935					0.87		%
Total deposits and borrowings, including
noninterest-bearing demand deposits		$	4,871,832			$	14,800					1.22		%		$	4,637,013			$	12,151					1.06		%		$	4,024,089			$	9,053					0.90		%

(1)   Income on debt securities, equity securities and revenue bonds included in commercial real estate loans, as well as resulting yields, interest rate spread and net interest margin, are presented on a tax-equivalent basis. The tax-equivalent adjustments are deducted from tax-equivalent net interest income to agree to amounts reported in the consolidated statements of net income. For the three months ended June 30, 2018, March 31, 2018 and June 30, 2017, yields on loans before tax-equivalent adjustments were 4.29%, 4.24% and 4.14%, respectively, yields on securities and certificates of deposit before tax-equivalent adjustments were 2.38%, 2.07% and 1.63%, respectively, and yield on total interest-earning assets before tax-equivalent adjustments were 4.12%, 4.06% and 3.91%, respectively. Interest rate spread before tax-equivalent adjustments for the three months ended June 30, 2018, March 31, 2018 and June 30, 2017 was 2.77%, 2.87% and 2.89%, respectively, while net interest margin before tax-equivalent adjustments for the three months ended June 30, 2018, March 31, 2018 and June 30, 2017 was 3.03%, 3.11% and 3.12%, respectively. (2)   Loans on non-accrual status are included in average balances. (3)   Includes Federal Home Loan Bank stock and associated dividends. (4)   Interest rate spread represents the difference between the tax-equivalent yield on interest-earning assets and the cost of interest-bearing liabilities. (5)   Net interest margin represents net interest income (tax-equivalent basis) divided by average interest-earning assets. (6)   Annualized. 

MERIDIAN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NET INTEREST INCOME ANALYSIS
(Unaudited)
	Six Months Ended
	June 30, 2018														June 30, 2017
	Average									Yield/					Average									Yield/
	Balance				Interest (1)					Cost (1)					Balance				Interest (1)					Cost (1)
	(Dollars in thousands)
Assets:
Interest-earning assets:
Loans (2)	$	4,910,858			$	105,064					4.31		%		$	4,091,226			$	86,121					4.24		%
Securities and certificates of deposit		83,260				966					2.34					143,990				1,418					1.99
Other interest-earning assets (3)		323,301				3,049					1.90					241,523				1,381					1.15
Total interest-earning assets		5,317,419				109,079					4.14					4,476,739				88,920					4.01
Noninterest-earning assets		121,096														111,130
Total assets	$	5,438,515													$	4,587,869
Liabilities and stockholders' equity:
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest-bearing demand deposits	$	1,068,456			$	6,277					1.18				$	704,681			$	2,817					0.81
Money market deposits		866,268				4,383					1.02					1,000,343				4,449					0.90
Regular savings and other deposits		337,156				232					0.14					312,825				222					0.14
Certificates of deposit		1,440,854				12,368					1.73					1,140,921				7,866					1.39
Total interest-bearing deposits		3,712,734				23,260					1.26					3,158,770				15,354					0.98
Borrowings		556,672				3,691					1.34					343,536				2,098					1.23
Total interest-bearing liabilities		4,269,406				26,951					1.27					3,502,306				17,452					1.00
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits		485,665														440,986
Other noninterest-bearing liabilities		26,136														26,517
Total liabilities		4,781,207														3,969,809
Total stockholders' equity		657,308														618,060
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	5,438,515													$	4,587,869
Net interest-earning assets	$	1,048,013													$	974,433
Fully tax-equivalent net interest income						82,128														71,468
Less: tax-equivalent adjustments						(1,233	)													(2,659	)
Net interest income					$	80,895													$	68,809
Interest rate spread (1)(4)											2.87		%												3.01		%
Net interest margin (1)(5)											3.11		%												3.22		%
Average interest-earning assets to average
interest-bearing liabilities						124.55		%												127.82		%
Supplemental Information:
Total deposits, including noninterest-bearing
demand deposits	$	4,198,399			$	23,260					1.12		%		$	3,599,756			$	15,354					0.86		%
Total deposits and borrowings, including
noninterest-bearing demand deposits	$	4,755,071			$	26,951					1.14		%		$	3,943,292			$	17,452					0.89		%

(1)   Income on debt securities, equity securities and revenue bonds included in commercial real estate loans, as well as resulting yields, interest rate spread and net interest margin, are presented on a tax-equivalent basis. The tax-equivalent adjustments are deducted from tax-equivalent net interest income to agree to amounts reported in the consolidated statements of net income. For the six months ended June 30, 2018, and 2017, yields on loans before tax-equivalent adjustments were 4.27% and 4.12%, respectively, yields on securities and certificates of deposit before tax-equivalent adjustments were 2.20% and 1.67%, respectively, and yield on total interest-earning assets before tax-equivalent adjustments were 4.09% and 3.89%, respectively. Interest rate spread before tax-equivalent adjustments for the six months ended June 30, 2018, and 2017 was 2.82% and 2.89%, respectively, while net interest margin before tax-equivalent adjustments for the six months ended June 30, 2018, and 2017 was 3.07% and 3.10%, respectively. (2)   Loans on non-accrual status are included in average balances. (3)   Includes Federal Home Loan Bank stock and associated dividends. (4)   Interest rate spread represents the difference between the tax-equivalent yield on interest-earning assets and the cost of interest-bearing liabilities. (5)   Net interest margin represents net interest income (tax-equivalent basis) divided by average interest-earning assets. (6)   Annualized. 

MERIDIAN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SELECTED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended															Six Months Ended
	June 30, 2018					March 31, 2018					June 30, 2017					June 30, 2018				June 30, 2017
Key Performance Ratios
Return on average assets (1)		1.01		%			0.90		%			0.97		%			0.96		%		0.90		%
Return on average equity (1)		8.50					7.35					7.28					7.93				6.66
Interest rate spread  (1) (2)		2.81					2.92					3.01					2.87				3.01
Net interest margin  (1) (3)		3.07					3.16					3.24					3.11				3.22
Non-interest expense to average assets  (1)		1.69					1.86					1.83					1.77				1.89
Efficiency ratio (4)		53.89					57.62					53.95					55.74				57.31

	June 30, 2018					March 31, 2018					December 31, 2017					June 30, 2017
	(Dollars in thousands)
Asset Quality
Non-accrual loans:
One- to four-family	$	6,457				$	6,568				$	6,890				$	7,667
Home equity lines of credit		563					562					562					619
Commercial real estate		366					378					388					2,666
Commercial and industrial		519					523					523					529
Total non-accrual loans		7,905					8,031					8,363					11,481
Foreclosed assets		—					—					—					—
Total non-performing assets	$	7,905				$	8,031				$	8,363				$	11,481
Allowance for loan losses/total loans		0.96		%			0.96		%			0.97		%			1.00		%
Allowance for loan losses/non-accrual loans		624.93					591.31					540.30					376.53
Non-accrual loans/total loans		0.15					0.16					0.18					0.27
Non-accrual loans/total assets		0.14					0.15					0.16					0.24
Non-performing assets/total assets		0.14					0.15					0.16					0.24
Capital and Share Related
Stockholders' equity to total assets		11.71		%			12.01		%			12.20		%			13.09		%
Book value per share	$	12.33				$	12.13				$	11.96				$	11.68
Tangible book value per share (5)	$	11.91				$	11.70				$	11.54				$	11.43
Market value per share	$	19.15				$	20.15				$	20.60				$	16.90
Shares outstanding	53,905,279					54,068,874					54,039,316					53,649,946

(1)   Annualized.(2)   Interest rate spread represents the difference between the tax-equivalent yield on interest-earning assets and the cost of interest-bearing liabilities. (3)   Net interest margin represents net interest income (tax-equivalent basis) divided by average interest-earning assets. (4)   The efficiency ratio is a non-GAAP measure representing measure representing non-interest expense, excluding merger and acquisition expenses, divided by the sum of net interest income and non-interest income excluding gains or losses on sales of securities, and gains or losses on equity securities. The efficiency ratio is a common measure used by banks to understand expenses related to the generation of revenue. We have removed gains or losses on sales of securities and gains or losses on equity securities as management deems them to be either discretionary or market driven and not representative of operating performance. We have removed merger and acquisition expenses as management deems them to be not representative of operating performance. Presented on a basis including merger and acquisition expenses, gains or losses on sales of securities and gains or losses on equity securities, the efficiency ratio was 53.44%, 58.53% and 52.87% for the quarters ended June, 30, 2018, March 31, 2018, and June 30, 2017, respectively, and 55.94% and 55.55% for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. (5)   Tangible book value per share represents total stockholders’ equity less goodwill and other intangible assets divided by the number of shares outstanding.

Contact: Richard J. Gavegnano, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer(978) 977-2211