Meridian Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company” or “Meridian”) (NASDAQ: EBSB), the holding company for East Boston Savings Bank (the “Bank”), announced net income of $17.4 million, or $0.33 per diluted share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2018, up from $14.1 million, or $0.27 per diluted share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2018 and $13.3 million, or $0.25 per diluted share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2017. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, net income was $43.4 million, or $0.82 per diluted share, up from $33.9 million, or $0.65 per diluted share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. Net income for the quarter and nine months ended September 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 1.22% for the quarter ended September 30, 2018, up from 1.01% for the quarter ended June 30, 2018 and 1.10% for the quarter ended September 30, 2017. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company’s return on average assets was 1.05%, up from 0.97% for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. The Company’s return on average equity was 10.28% for the quarter ended September 30, 2018, up from 8.50% for the quarter ended June 30, 2018 and 8.40% for the quarter ended September 30, 2017.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company’s return on average equity was 8.72%, up from 7.25% for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.

Richard J. Gavegnano, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “I am pleased to report record net income of $17.4 million, or $0.33 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2018, and $43.4 million, or $0.82 per diluted share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. Our net income rose 23% from the second quarter of 2018, 30% from the third quarter of 2017 and 28% for the first nine months of 2018 from the same period last year. We are also gratified by the increases in our returns on average assets and average equity, which were 1.22% and 10.28% for the third quarter and 1.05% and 8.72% for the first nine months of 2018. On a pre-tax basis, our income would have increased 15% from the second quarter of 2018, 10% from the third quarter of 2017 and 14% from the first nine months of 2017 if changes in the fair value of marketable equity securities recognized in 2018 and gains on sale of securities for these periods as reported in non-interest income were excluded.”

Mr. Gavegnano added, “Our earnings continue to be driven by growth in net interest income and strong asset quality as enhanced this year by income tax expense reductions resulting from the Tax Act’s lower federal income tax rate. In recognition of our rising earnings trends, the Board of Directors intends to declare an increase in our quarterly dividend by $0.02 per share, or 40%, to $0.07 per share in the fourth quarter.”

The Company’s net interest income was $41.4 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2018, up $320,000 or 0.8%, from the quarter ended June 30, 2018 and $3.3 million, or 8.7%, from the quarter ended September 30, 2017. The interest rate spread and net interest margin on a tax-equivalent basis were 2.70% and 2.99%, respectively, for the quarter ended September 30, 2018 compared to 2.81% and 3.07%, respectively, for the quarter ended June 30, 2018 and 3.08% and 3.30%, respectively, for the quarter ended September 30, 2017. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, net interest income increased $15.4 million, or 14.4%, to $122.3 million from the nine months ended September 30, 2017.  The net interest rate spread and net interest margin on a tax-equivalent basis were 2.81% and 3.07%, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to 3.03% and 3.25%, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. The increases in net interest income were primarily due to growth in average loan balances, partially offset by increases in the average balances of total deposits and borrowings and the cost of funds for the quarter and nine months ended September 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 nine months ended September 30, 2018 reflect the reduction in the federal income tax rate to 21% from 35%.

Total interest and dividend income increased to $58.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2018, up $2.3 million, or 4.1%, from the quarter ended June 30, 2018 and $10.1 million, or 21.1%, from the quarter ended September 30, 2017, primarily due to growth in the Company’s average loan balances to $5.214 billion, partially offset by declines in the yield on loans to 4.30% on a tax-equivalent basis, reflecting reductions in prepayment fees of $313,000 compared to the second quarter of 2018 and $440,000 compared to the third quarter of 2017. The Company’s yield on interest-earning assets on a tax-equivalent basis was 4.18% for the quarter ended September 30, 2018, up two basis points from the quarter ended June 30, 2018 and up five basis points from the quarter ended September 30, 2017.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company’s total interest and dividend income increased $31.7 million, or 23.6%, to $166.0 million from the nine months ended September 30, 2017 primarily due to growth in the average loan balances of $816.7 million, or 19.5%, to $5.013 billion, and by an increase in the yield on loans on a tax-equivalent basis of four basis points to 4.31% for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2017. The Company’s yield on interest-earning assets on a tax-equivalent basis increased 10 basis points to 4.15% for the nine months ended September 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 nine months ended September 30, 2018 also reflect the reduction in the federal income tax rate to 21% from 35%.

Total interest expense increased to $16.7 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2018, up $1.9 million, or 13.2%, from the quarter ended June 30, 2018 and $6.8 million, or 68.9%, from the quarter ended September 30, 2017. Interest expense on deposits increased to $14.3 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2018, up $1.5 million, or 12.0%, from the quarter ended June 30, 2018 and $5.8 million, or 67.5%, from the quarter ended September 30, 2017 primarily due to growth in average total deposits to $4.385 billion and increases in the cost of average total deposits to 1.29% from 1.19% for the quarter ended June 30, 2018, and 0.91% for the quarter ended September 30, 2017. Interest expense on borrowings increased to $2.5 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2018, up $414,000, or 20.2%, from the quarter ended June 30, 2018 and $1.1 million, or 77.4%, from the quarter ended September 30, 2017 primarily due to growth in average total borrowings to $612.2 million. The Company’s total cost of funds was 1.33% for the quarter ended September 30, 2018, up 11 basis points from the quarter ended June 30, 2018 and 39 basis points from the quarter ended September 30, 2017. Total interest expense increased $16.3 million, or 59.7%, to $43.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 from the nine months ended September 30, 2017. Interest expense on deposits increased $13.7 million, or 57.2%, to $37.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 from the nine months ended September 30, 2017 due to the growth in average total deposits of $617.6 million, or 17.0%, to $4.261 billion and an increase in the cost of average total deposits of 30 basis points to 1.18%. Interest expense on borrowings increased $2.7 million, or 76.5%, to $6.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 from the nine months ended September 30, 2017 due to the growth in average total borrowings of $189.7 million, or 49.2%, to $575.4 million and an increase in the cost of average total borrowings of 22 basis points to 1.43%. The Company’s cost of funds increased 30 basis points to 1.21% for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2017.

Mr. Gavegnano noted, “Our earnings continue to be driven by the robust loan growth. Our net loan growth was $111 million, or 2%, for the third quarter of 2018, $603 million, or 13%, for the first nine months of 2018, and $724 million, or 16%, since September 30, 2017. Our yield on loans was 4.30% for the third quarter and 4.31% for the first nine months of 2018, while our net interest margin was 2.99% for the third quarter and 3.07% for the first nine months of 2018, reflecting increases in our cost of funds in the current market interest rate environment. However, without the tax rate change under the Tax Act, our yields on loans and the net interest margin on a tax-equivalent basis would have been five basis points higher than reported for 2018 periods. Although third quarter loan growth was lower than the preceding quarters this year due to the timing of loan closings, we expect loan growth to be strong in the fourth quarter based on our current pipeline.”

The Company's provision for loan losses was $226,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2018, down $1.6 million from the quarter ended June 30, 2018 and down $2.2 million from the quarter ended September 30, 2017. The allowance for loan losses was $49.6 million or 0.94% of total loans at September 30, 2018, compared to $49.4 million or 0.96% of total loans at June 30, 2018, $45.2 million or 0.97% of total loans at December 31, 2017, and $45.6 million or 1.00% of total loans at September 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. Such changes reflected the conversion of construction loans to permanent status in the commercial real estate and commercial and industrial loan portfolios totaling $90.3 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2018 and $312.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

Net charge-offs totaled $18,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2018 compared to net recoveries of $43,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2018 and net charge-offs of $44,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2017. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, net recoveries totaled $139,000, compared to net charge-offs of $80,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.

Non-accrual loans were $8.0 million, or 0.15% of total loans outstanding, at September 30, 2018; up $101,000, or 1.3%, from June 30, 2018; down $357,000, or 4.3%, from December 31, 2017; and down $1.2 million, or 12.8%, from September 30, 2017. Non-performing assets were $8.0 million, or 0.14% of total assets, at September 30, 2018, compared to $7.9 million, or 0.14% of total assets, at June 30, 2018, $8.4 million, or 0.16% of total assets at December 31, 2017, and $10.9 million, or 0.21% of total assets, at September 30, 2017.

Non-interest income was $3.7 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2018, up from $2.9 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2018 and down from $5.3 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2017. Non-interest income increased $819,000, or 28.7%, compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2018, primarily due to increases of $459,000 in loan fees and $393,000 in the gain on equity securities, net. Compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2017, non-interest income decreased $1.6 million, or 30.0%, primarily due to decreases of $1.7 million in gain on life insurance distribution related to a bank-owned life insurance claim recognized during the third quarter of 2017 and $865,000 in gain on sales of securities available for sale, net, partially offset by increases of $781,000 in gain on equity securities, net and $161,000 in customer service fees. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, non-interest income decreased $5.5 million, or 38.2%, to $8.9 million from $14.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, primarily due to decreases of $3.2 million in gain on sales of securities available for sale, net, $1.7 million in gain on life insurance distribution and $1.4 million in loan fees due to $1.3 million of loan swap fee income recognized in the second quarter of 2017, partially offset by increases of $632,000 in gain on equity securities, net and $347,000 in customer service fees.

Non-interest expenses were $23.0 million, or 1.61% of average assets for the quarter ended September 30, 2018, compared to $23.5 million, or 1.69% of average assets for the quarter ended June 30, 2018 and $20.8 million, or 1.71% of average assets for the quarter ended September 30, 2017.  Non-interest expenses decreased $458,000, or 2.0%, compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2018, due primarily to decreases of $317,000 in professional services and $174,000 in marketing and advertising. Non-interest expenses increased $2.2 million, or 10.5%, compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2017, due primarily to increases of $1.4 million in salaries and employee benefits, $305,000 in occupancy and equipment, $219,000 in data processing, $191,000 in deposit insurance and $134,000 in other general and administrative expenses, partially offset by a decrease of $245,000 in merger and acquisition expenses.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, non-interest expenses increased $7.1 million, or 11.0%, to $71.2 million from $64.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, due to increases of $4.8 million in salaries and employee benefits, $810,000 in occupancy and equipment expenses, $702,000 in data processing expenses, $560,000 in other general and administrative expenses, and $283,000 in marketing and advertising expenses, partially offset by a $217,000 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, another new branch opened in October 2018, and two 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 September 30, 2018 and $442,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. The Company’s efficiency ratio was 51.92% for the quarter ended September 30, 2018 compared to 53.89% for the quarter ended June 30, 2018 and 48.40% for the quarter ended September 30, 2017. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the efficiency ratio was 54.44% compared to 54.10% for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.

Mr. Gavegnano added, “Our efficiency ratio improved to 51.92% for the third quarter of 2018 from 53.89% for the second quarter of 2018 reflecting the rise in our net interest income and declines in non-interest expenses. We remain committed to prudent investment in branch network expansion as an important element of our goals for organic growth and financial performance.  We opened our 35th full-service branch in Boston’s Brigham Circle as we prepare for the opening of two new branches in Burlington and Lynnfield later in the fourth quarter and evaluate several additional locations in the Boston metropolitan area.”

The Company recorded a provision for income taxes of $4.5 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2018, reflecting an effective tax rate of 20.4%, compared to $4.5 million, or an effective tax rate of 24.3%, for the quarter ended June 30, 2018, and $6.7 million, or an effective tax rate of 33.5%, for the quarter ended September 30, 2017. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the provision for income taxes was $12.3 million, reflecting an effective tax rate of 22.0%, compared to $17.6 million, or an effective tax rate of 34.2%, for the nine months ended September 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 $5.775 billion at September 30, 2018, up $97.7 million, or 1.7%, from $5.678 billion at June 30, 2018 and $475.9 million, or 9.0%, from $5.299 billion at December 31, 2017.  Net loans were $5.226 billion at September 30, 2018, up $111.0 million, or 2.2%, from June 30, 2018, and up $603.1 million, or 13.0%, from December 31, 2017. Loan originations totaled $271.7 million during the quarter ended September 30, 2018 and $1.114 billion during the nine months ended September 30, 2018. The net increase in loans for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was primarily due to increases of $374.4 million in commercial real estate loans, $190.0 million in multi-family loans, $59.6 million in commercial and industrial loans, and $32.7 million in one- to four-family loans.  Cash and due from banks was $313.7 million at September 30, 2018, a decrease of $89.0 million, or 22.1% from December 31, 2017.  Securities, at fair value, were $33.6 million at September 30, 2018, a decrease of $4.7 million, or 12.3%, from $38.4 million at December 31, 2017.

Total deposits were $4.411 billion at September 30, 2018, an increase of $21.7 million, or 0.5%, from $4.390 billion at June 30, 2018 and an increase of $303.4 million, or 7.4%, from $4.108 billion at December 31, 2017.  Core deposits, which exclude certificates of deposit, increased $77.3 million, or 2.8%, during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 to $2.815 billion, or 63.8% of total deposits. Total borrowings were $650.8 million, up $59.1 million, or 10.0%, from June 30, 2018 and up $137.3 million, or 26.7%, from December 31, 2017.

Total stockholders’ equity increased $14.5 million, or 2.2%, to $679.1 million at September 30, 2018 from $664.7 million at June 30, 2018, and $32.7 million, or 5.1%, from $646.4 million at December 31, 2017. The increase for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was primarily due to net income of $43.4 million and $3.3 million related to stock-based compensation plans, partially offset by the repurchase of 314,010 shares of the Company’s common stock related to the stock repurchase program at a total cost of $6.1 million, dividends of $0.15 per share totaling $7.7 million, and the surrender of 117,313 shares of the Company’s stock related to the tax withholdings resulting from stock option exercises at a total cost of $2.0 million during the third quarter of 2018. Stock options exercised by the Company’s employees and directors totaled 544,869 during the third quarter of 2018 and 762,332 shares during the nine months ended September 30, 2018, including 706,610 shares from stock options granted in 2008 and exercised prior to expiration on October 13, 2018. Stockholders’ equity to assets was 11.76% at September 30, 2018, compared to 11.71% at June 30, 2018 and 12.20% at December 31, 2017. Book value per share increased to $12.52 at September 30, 2018 from $11.96 at December 31, 2017. Tangible book value per share increased to $12.11 at September 30, 2018 from $11.54 at December 31, 2017. Market price per share decreased $3.60, or 17.5%, to $17.00 at September 30, 2018 from $20.60 at December 31, 2017. At September 30, 2018, the Company and the Bank continued to exceed all regulatory capital requirements.

As of September 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. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018 the Company had repurchased 314,010 shares of its stock at an average price of $19.30 per share. The Company did not repurchase any of its shares under its repurchase program during the quarter ended September 30, 2018.

Mr. Gavegnano concluded, “Although the Company did not repurchase any shares during the third quarter of 2018 under the current repurchase program, 117,313 shares were surrendered at an average price of $17.31 per share in connection with income taxes withheld from employees from shares that would have been issued from stock options exercised. We will consider buying additional shares under our repurchase program 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 35 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 SUBSIDIARIESCONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS(Unaudited)

    September 30, 2018     June 30, 2018     December 31, 2017     September 30, 2017  
       
    (Dollars in thousands)  
ASSETS                                
Cash and due from banks   $ 313,668     $ 329,588     $ 402,687     $ 300,297  
Certificates of deposit     20,891       23,885       69,326       75,192  
Securities available for sale, at fair value     17,510       18,437       38,364       44,661  
Equity securities, at fair value     16,135       15,428              
Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost     31,100       29,546       24,947       22,976  
Loans held for sale     843       1,052       3,772       3,707  
Loans:                                
One- to four-family     636,419       635,708       603,680       560,393  
Home equity lines of credit     46,534       45,812       48,393       42,042  
Multi-family     969,628       911,562       779,637       702,631  
Commercial real estate     2,438,139       2,386,926       2,063,781       2,070,761  
Construction     594,611       610,946       641,306       604,487  
Commercial and industrial     585,215       568,897       525,604       561,769  
Consumer     10,934       10,455       10,761       10,222  
Total loans     5,281,480       5,170,306       4,673,162       4,552,305  
Allowance for loan losses     (49,609 )     (49,401 )     (45,185 )     (45,643 )
Net deferred loan origination fees     (5,970 )     (6,045 )     (5,179 )     (4,794 )
Loans, net     5,225,901       5,114,860       4,622,798       4,501,868  
Bank-owned life insurance     41,164       40,885       40,336       40,052  
Premises and equipment, net     42,448       41,584       40,967       40,077  
Accrued interest receivable     13,409       12,699       12,902       11,580  
Deferred tax asset, net     15,998       15,896       15,244       21,487  
Goodwill     19,638       19,638       19,638       13,687  
Core deposit intangible     2,801       2,948       3,243        
Other assets     13,822       11,142       5,231       10,830  
Total assets   $ 5,775,328     $ 5,677,588     $ 5,299,455     $ 5,086,414  
                                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                                
Deposits:                                
Non interest-bearing demand deposits   $ 490,703     $ 486,334     $ 477,428     $ 455,540  
Interest-bearing demand deposits     1,151,955       1,129,657       1,004,155       896,561  
Money market deposits     844,183       865,349       921,895       975,246  
Regular savings and other deposits     327,721       337,796       333,774       324,895  
Certificates of deposit     1,596,691       1,570,435       1,370,609       1,293,227  
Total deposits     4,411,253       4,389,571       4,107,861       3,945,469  
Short-term borrowings     40,000                    
Long-term debt     610,772       591,660       513,444       471,069  
Accrued expenses and other liabilities     34,160       31,691       31,751       29,472  
Total liabilities     5,096,185       5,012,922       4,653,056       4,446,010  
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; 54,233,331, 53,905,279, 54,039,316 and 53,947,394 shares issued at September 30, 2018, June 30, 2018, December 31, 2017 and September 30, 2017, respectively     542       539       540       539  
Additional paid-in capital     392,545       392,955       395,716       393,903  
Retained earnings     304,725       289,949       268,533       262,079  
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)     (812 )     (699 )     128       2,622  
Unearned compensation - ESOP, 2,465,713, 2,496,154, 2,557,036 and 2,587,477 at September 30, 2018, June 30, 2018, December 31, 2017 and September 30, 2017, respectively     (17,857 )     (18,078 )     (18,518 )     (18,739 )
Total stockholders' equity     679,143       664,666       646,399       640,404  
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity   $ 5,775,328     $ 5,677,588     $ 5,299,455     $ 5,086,414  
                                 
                                 

MERIDIAN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESCONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF NET INCOME(Unaudited)

    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30, 2018     June 30, 2018     September 30, 2017     September 30, 2018     September 30, 2017  
       
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)  
Interest and dividend income:                                        
Interest and fees on loans   $ 55,849     $ 53,904     $ 46,597     $ 159,738     $ 130,281  
Interest on debt securities:                                        
Taxable     115       126       58       367       260  
Tax-exempt     13       15             43       18  
Dividends on equity securities     101       134       275       383       843  
Interest on certificates of deposit     104       141       221       448       629  
Other interest and dividend income     1,932       1,527       819       4,981       2,200  
Total interest and dividend income     58,114       55,847       47,970       165,960       134,231  
Interest expense:                                        
Interest on deposits     14,284       12,751       8,528       37,544       23,882  
Interest on short-term borrowings     8                   8       4  
Interest on long-term debt     2,455       2,049       1,388       6,146       3,482  
Total interest expense     16,747       14,800       9,916       43,698       27,368  
Net interest income     41,367       41,047       38,054       122,262       106,863  
Provision for loan losses     226       1,870       2,458       4,285       5,574  
Net interest income, after provision for loan losses     41,141       39,177       35,596       117,977       101,289  
Non-interest income:                                        
Customer service fees     2,242       2,282       2,081       6,694       6,347  
Loan fees (costs)     301       (158 )     180       438       1,882  
Mortgage banking gains, net     74       63       176       270       348  
Gain on sales of securities available for sale, net                 865             3,247  
Gain on equity securities, net     781       388             632        
Income from bank-owned life insurance     279       277       294       828       874  
Gain on life insurance distribution                 1,657             1,657  
Other income           6             6        
Total non-interest income     3,677       2,858       5,253       8,868       14,355  
Non-interest expenses:                                        
Salaries and employee benefits     14,386       14,438       12,973       44,218       39,400  
Occupancy and equipment     2,981       3,025       2,676       9,545       8,735  
Data processing     1,747       1,653       1,528       5,083       4,381  
Marketing and advertising     832       1,006       715       2,805       2,522  
Professional services     683       1,000       624       2,648       2,865  
Deposit insurance     851       782       660       2,430       2,164  
Merger and acquisition     26       14       271       114       271  
Other general and administrative     1,501       1,547       1,367       4,318       3,758  
Total non-interest expenses     23,007       23,465       20,814       71,161       64,096  
Income before income taxes     21,811       18,570       20,035       55,684       51,548  
Provision for income taxes     4,454       4,508       6,702       12,271       17,624  
Net income   $ 17,357     $ 14,062     $ 13,333     $ 43,413     $ 33,924  
                                         
Earnings per share:                                        
Basic   $ 0.34     $ 0.27     $ 0.26     $ 0.84     $ 0.66  
Diluted   $ 0.33     $ 0.27     $ 0.25     $ 0.82     $ 0.65  
Weighted average shares:                                        
Basic     51,492,448       51,437,726       51,229,203       51,487,192       51,061,959  
Diluted     52,732,340       52,867,787       52,672,962       52,894,503       52,541,752  
                                         
                                         

MERIDIAN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESNET INTEREST INCOME ANALYSIS(Unaudited)

    Three Months Ended
    September 30, 2018   June 30, 2018   September 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)   $ 5,213,832     $ 56,488       4.30 %   $ 5,043,367     $ 54,491       4.33 %   $ 4,402,966     $ 47,855       4.31 %
Securities and certificates of deposit     57,489       355       2.45       70,155       443       2.53       132,972       658       1.96  
Other interest-earning assets (3)     310,622       1,932       2.47       328,659       1,527       1.86       208,193       819       1.56  
Total interest-earning assets     5,581,943       58,775       4.18       5,442,181       56,461       4.16       4,744,131       49,332       4.13  
Noninterest-earning assets     118,253                       118,324                       115,491                  
Total assets   $ 5,700,196                     $ 5,560,505                     $ 4,859,622                  
Liabilities and stockholders' equity:                                                                        
Interest-bearing liabilities:                                                                        
Interest-bearing demand deposits   $ 1,133,916     $ 4,032       1.41     $ 1,104,003     $ 3,486       1.27     $ 819,965     $ 1,874       0.91  
Money market deposits     869,248       2,658       1.21       849,177       2,326       1.10       966,340       2,240       0.92  
Regular savings and other deposits     329,586       114       0.14       339,004       118       0.14       323,621       113       0.14  
Certificates of deposit     1,557,998       7,480       1.90       1,504,883       6,821       1.82       1,169,264       4,301       1.46  
Total interest-bearing deposits     3,890,748       14,284       1.46       3,797,067       12,751       1.35       3,279,190       8,528       1.03  
Borrowings     612,171       2,463       1.60       591,862       2,049       1.39       468,642       1,388       1.18  
Total interest-bearing liabilities     4,502,919       16,747       1.48       4,388,929       14,800       1.35       3,747,832       9,916       1.05  
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits     494,366                       482,903                       450,890                  
Other noninterest-bearing liabilities     27,388                       27,018                       26,228                  
Total liabilities     5,024,673                       4,898,850                       4,224,950                  
Total stockholders' equity     675,523                       661,655                       634,672                  
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity   $ 5,700,196                     $ 5,560,505                     $ 4,859,622                  
Net interest-earning assets   $ 1,079,024                     $ 1,053,252                     $ 996,299                  
Fully tax-equivalent net interest income             42,028                       41,661                       39,416          
Less: tax-equivalent adjustments             (661 )                     (614 )                     (1,362 )        
Net interest income           $ 41,367                     $ 41,047                     $ 38,054          
Interest rate spread (1)(4)                     2.70 %                     2.81 %                     3.08 %
Net interest margin (1)(5)                     2.99 %                     3.07 %                     3.30 %
Average interest-earning assets to average                                                                        
interest-bearing liabilities             123.96 %                     124.00 %                     126.58 %        
                                                                         
Supplemental Information:                                                                        
Total deposits, including noninterest-bearing demand deposits   $ 4,385,114     $ 14,284       1.29 %   $ 4,279,970     $ 12,751       1.19 %   $ 3,730,080     $ 8,528       0.91 %
Total deposits and borrowings, including noninterest-bearing demand deposits   $ 4,997,285     $ 16,747       1.33 %   $ 4,871,832     $ 14,800       1.22 %   $ 4,198,722     $ 9,916       0.94 %

_____________________________ 

(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 September 30, 2018, June 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017, yields on loans before tax-equivalent adjustments were 4.25%, 4.29% and 4.20%, respectively, yields on securities and certificates of deposit before tax-equivalent adjustments were 2.30%, 2.38% and 1.65%, respectively, and yield on total interest-earning assets before tax-equivalent adjustments were 4.13%, 4.12% and 4.01%, respectively. Interest rate spread before tax-equivalent adjustments for the three months ended September 30, 2018, June 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017 was 2.65%, 2.77% and 2.96%, respectively, while net interest margin before tax-equivalent adjustments for the three months ended September 30, 2018, June 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017 was 2.94%, 3.03% and 3.18%, 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 SUBSIDIARIESNET INTEREST INCOME ANALYSIS(Unaudited)

    Nine Months Ended
    September 30, 2018   September 30, 2017
    Average           Yield/   Average           Yield/
    Balance   Interest (1)   Cost (1)(6)   Balance   Interest (1)   Cost (1)(6)
     
    (Dollars in thousands)
Assets:                                          
Interest-earning assets:                                          
Loans (2)   $ 5,012,959   $ 161,552     4.31 %   $ 4,196,281   $ 133,976       4.27 %
Securities and certificates of deposit     74,575     1,321     2.37       140,277     2,076       1.98  
Other interest-earning assets (3)     319,028     4,981     2.09       230,291     2,200       1.28  
Total interest-earning assets     5,406,562     167,854     4.15       4,566,849     138,252       4.05  
Noninterest-earning assets     120,139                   112,600                
Total assets   $ 5,526,701                 $ 4,679,449                
                                           
Liabilities and stockholders' equity:                                          
Interest-bearing liabilities:                                          
Interest-bearing demand deposits   $ 1,090,516   $ 10,309     1.26     $ 743,531   $ 4,691       0.84  
Money market deposits     867,272     7,041     1.09       988,884     6,689       0.90  
Regular savings and other deposits     334,605     346     0.14       316,463     335       0.14  
Certificates of deposit     1,480,331     19,848     1.79       1,150,472     12,167       1.41  
Total interest-bearing deposits     3,772,724     37,544     1.33       3,199,350     23,882       1.00  
Borrowings     575,375     6,154     1.43       385,696     3,486       1.21  
Total interest-bearing liabilities     4,348,099     43,698     1.34       3,585,046     27,368       1.02  
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits     488,597                   444,324                
Other noninterest-bearing liabilities     26,559                   26,421                
Total liabilities     4,863,255                   4,055,791                
Total stockholders' equity     663,446                   623,658                
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity   $ 5,526,701                 $ 4,679,449                
Net interest-earning assets   $ 1,058,463                 $ 981,803                
Fully tax-equivalent net interest income           124,156                   110,884          
Less: tax-equivalent adjustments           (1,894 )                  (4,021 )         
Net interest income         $ 122,262                 $ 106,863          
Interest rate spread (1)(4)                 2.81 %                   3.03 %
Net interest margin (1)(5)                 3.07 %                   3.25 %
Average interest-earning assets to average                                          
interest-bearing liabilities           124.34 %                 127.39 %        
                                           
Supplemental Information:                                          
Total deposits, including noninterest-bearing demand deposits   $ 4,261,321   $ 37,544     1.18 %   $ 3,643,674   $ 23,882       0.88 %
Total deposits and borrowings, including noninterest-bearing demand deposits   $ 4,836,696   $ 43,698     1.21 %   $ 4,029,370   $ 27,368       0.91 %

_______________________________ 

(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 nine months ended September 30, 2018, and 2017, yields on loans before tax-equivalent adjustments were 4.26% and 4.15%, respectively, yields on securities and certificates of deposit before tax-equivalent adjustments were 2.22% and 1.67%, respectively, and yield on total interest-earning assets before tax-equivalent adjustments were 4.10% and 3.93%, respectively. Interest rate spread before tax-equivalent adjustments for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, and 2017 was 2.76% and 2.91%, respectively, while net interest margin before tax-equivalent adjustments for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, and 2017 was 3.02% and 3.13%, 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 SUBSIDIARIESSELECTED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS(Unaudited)

    Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
    September 30, 2018   June 30, 2018   September 30, 2017   September 30, 2018   September 30, 2017
Key Performance Ratios                              
Return on average assets (1)   1.22 %   1.01 %   1.10 %   1.05 %   0.97 %
Return on average equity (1)   10.28     8.50     8.40     8.72     7.25  
Interest rate spread  (1) (2)   2.70     2.81     3.08     2.81     3.03  
Net interest margin  (1) (3)   2.99     3.07     3.30     3.07     3.25  
Non-interest expense to average assets  (1)   1.61     1.69     1.71     1.72     1.83  
Efficiency ratio (4)   51.92     53.89     48.40     54.44     54.10  
     September 30, 2018   June 30, 2018   December 31, 2017   September 30, 2017
                                 
    (Dollars in thousands)
Asset Quality                                
Non-accrual loans:                                
One- to four-family   $ 6,977     $ 6,457     $ 6,890     $ 7,055  
Home equity lines of credit           563       562       563  
Commercial real estate     353       366       388       862  
Commercial and industrial     676       519       523       525  
Total non-accrual loans     8,006       7,905       8,363       9,178  
Foreclosed assets                       1,690  
Total non-performing assets   $ 8,006     $ 7,905     $ 8,363     $ 10,868  
                                 
Allowance for loan losses/total loans     0.94 %     0.96     0.97 %     1.00 %
Allowance for loan losses/non-accrual loans     619.65       624.93       540.30       497.31  
Non-accrual loans/total loans     0.15       0.15       0.18       0.20  
Non-accrual loans/total assets     0.14       0.14       0.16       0.18  
Non-performing assets/total assets     0.14       0.14       0.16       0.21  
                                 
Capital and Share Related                                
Stockholders' equity to total assets     11.76 %     11.71 %     12.20 %     12.59 %
Book value per share   $ 12.52     $ 12.33     $ 11.96     $ 11.87  
Tangible book value per share (5)   $ 12.11     $ 11.91     $ 11.54     $ 11.62  
Market value per share   $ 17.00     $ 19.15     $ 20.60     $ 18.65  
Shares outstanding   54,233,331       53,905,279       54,039,316       53,947,394  

______________________________

(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 51.08%, 53.44% and 48.06% for the quarters ended September 30, 2018, June 30, 2018, and September 30, 2017, respectively, and 54.27% and 52.88% for the nine months ended September 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

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