GlobeNewswire Inc | Jan 26, 2021 04:05PM EST

January 26, 2021

BOSTON, Jan. 26, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Meridian Bancorp, Inc. (the Company or Meridian) (NASDAQ: EBSB), the holding company for East Boston Savings Bank (the Bank), announced net income of $18.1 million, or $0.36 per diluted share, for the quarter ended December31, 2020, compared to $17.1 million, or $0.33 per diluted share, for the quarter ended December31, 2019. For the year ended December 31, 2020, net income was $65.1 million, or $1.29 per diluted share, down from $67.0 million, or $1.30 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2019. The Companys return on average assets was 1.10% for the quarter ended December31, 2020, compared to 1.08% for the quarter ended December31, 2019. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Companys return on average assets was 1.01%, down from 1.06% for the year ended December 31, 2019. The Companys return on average equity was 9.51% for the quarter ended December31, 2020, compared to 9.45% for the quarter ended December31, 2019. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Companys return on average equity was 8.76%, down from 9.56% for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Richard J. Gavegnano, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, I am pleased to report record net income of $18.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2020, an increase of $1.1 million, or 6.2% compared to the fourth quarter of 2019, and $65.1 million for the year 2020. These earnings reflect significant increases in net interest income for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2020, improving the net interest margin to 3.24% and 3.12%, respectively, a result of managements focus on maintaining loan yields while aggressively decreasing our cost of funds. Also, with the adoption of CECL as of the end of the quarter, our percentage of allowance to total loans increased to 1.25% at December 31, 2020, from 0.87% at December 31, 2019, after provisions of $8.9 million and a $26.5 million for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2020, respectively.

Mr. Gavegnano continued, Our commercial lending team has worked diligently with our customers throughout the pandemic to ensure the Bank is providing these relationships with the support necessary to best address their needs in navigating through these unprecedented times. These efforts have resulted in a sharp decrease in the Banks COVID-19 related modifications, with substantially all remaining modifications being interest-only payments over a temporary period. As of December 31, 2020, the Bank had not executed any second modifications to customers that required full payment deferrals.

The Companys net interest income was $51.5 million for the quarter ended December31, 2020, up $2.6 million, or 5.4%, from the quarter ended September30, 2020, and up $7.8 million, or 17.9%, from the quarter ended December31, 2019. The interest rate spread and net interest margin on a tax-equivalent basis were 3.06% and 3.24%, respectively, for the quarter ended December31, 2020 compared to 2.91% and 3.13%, respectively, for the quarter ended September30, 2020 and 2.51% and 2.84%, respectively, for the quarter ended December31, 2019. For the year ended December 31, 2020, net interest income increased $19.8 million, or 11.4%, to $192.7 million from the year ended December 31, 2019. The interest rate spread and net interest margin on a tax-equivalent basis were 2.87% and 3.12% for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to 2.52% and 2.86% for the year ended December 31, 2019. The increases in net interest income for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2020 compared to the respective prior periods were primarily due to the substantial reduction in the cost of funds.

Total interest and dividend income totaled $62.3 million for the quarter ended December31, 2020, up $733,000, or 1.2%, from the quarter ended September 30, 2020. The Companys yield on interest-earning assets on a tax-equivalent basis was 3.92% for the quarter ended December31, 2020, down two basis points from the quarter ended September30, 2020 and 41 basis points from the quarter ended December31, 2019. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Companys total interest and dividend income totaled $252.1 million, a decrease of $14.0 million, or 5.3%, from the year ended December 31, 2019, primarily due to a decrease in the yield on other interest-earning assets of 190 basis points to 0.58%. The Companys yield on interest-earning assets on a tax-equivalent basis decreased 31 basis points to 4.06% for the year ended December31, 2020 compared to the year ended December 31, 2019, primarily due to the increase of $224.2 million, or 65.6%, in the Companys average other interest-earning assets to $566.0 million and a 190 basis point, or 73.6%, decrease in the yield on other interest-earning assets.

Total interest expense totaled $10.9 million for the quarter ended December31, 2020, down $1.9 million, or 14.9%, from the quarter ended September30, 2020, and down $12.3 million, or 53.0%, from the quarter ended December31, 2019. Interest expense on deposits decreased to $6.9 million for the quarter ended December31, 2020, down $1.9 million, or 21.3%, from the quarter ended September30, 2020 and down $12.1 million, or 63.8%, from the quarter ended December31, 2019 primarily due to a decrease in the cost of average total deposits to 0.55% from 0.72% for the quarter ended September30, 2020, and 1.53% for the quarter ended December31, 2019. Interest expense on borrowings totaled $4.0 million for the quarter ended December31, 2020, down $180,000, or 4.3%, from the quarter ended December 31, 2019. The Companys total cost of funds was 0.75% for the quarter ended December31, 2020, down 15 basis points from the quarter ended September30, 2020 and down 90 basis points from 1.65% for the quarter ended December31, 2019. Interest expense totaled $59.4 million for the year ended December31, 2020, down $33.8 million, or 36.3%, from the year ended December31, 2019. Interest expense on deposits decreased to $43.0 million for the year ended December31, 2020, down $36.0 million, or 45.6%, primarily due to a decrease in the cost of average total deposits to 0.88% from 1.59% for the year ended December31, 2019. Interest expense on borrowings totaled $16.4 million for the year ended December31, 2020, up $2.2 million, or 15.5%, from the year ended December31, 2019 primarily due to an increase in average total borrowings to $750.6 million. The Companys total cost of funds was 1.05% for the year ended December31, 2020, down 63 basis points from 1.68% for the year ended December31, 2019.

Mr. Gavegnano noted, Our net interest margin improved to 3.24% for the quarter and 3.12% for the year ended December 31, 2020, due to increases in net interest income of 17.9% and 11.5%, respectively. These increases are primarily driven from the decline in our cost of funds, decreasing 90 basis points to 0.75% for the fourth quarter of 2020 and 63 basis points to 1.05% for the year 2020, from 1.65% and 1.68%, respectively, from the same periods in 2019.

The Companys provision for credit losses was $8.9 million for the quarter ended December31, 2020, compared to $7.2 million for the quarter ended September30, 2020 and a reversal of $504,000 for the quarter ended December31, 2019. The provision for credit losses was $26.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, compared to a reversal of $2.6 million for 2019. The allowance for credit losses on loans was $68.8 million or 1.25% of total loans at December31, 2020, compared to $67.6 million or 1.20% of total loans at September30, 2020, and $50.3 million or 0.87% of total loans at December31, 2019. In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Boards Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments Credit Losses (Topic 326), the Company adopted the new credit loss accounting standard as of December 31, 2020, with a retroactive adjustment as of January 1, 2020. The Company previously deferred the adoption of ASU No. 2016-03, an option provided under the CARES Act. The adoption resulted in a $7.7 million decrease in the allowance for credit losses on loans recognized through an adjustment to retained earnings, net of deferred taxes.

Net charge-offs totaled $43,000 for the quarter ended December31, 2020 compared to net charge-offs of $5,000 for the quarter ended December31, 2019. For the year ended December31, 2020, net charge-offs totaled $255,000 compared to net charge-offs of $348,000 for year ended December31, 2019. Non-performing assets were $3.2 million, or 0.05% of total assets, at December31, 2020, compared to $3.4 million, or 0.05% of total assets, at December31, 2019.

Mr. Gavegnano noted, Management has been very successful in sustaining the Companys historically low levels of non-performing assets and substandard loans. Our asset quality, despite the COVID-19 related modifications, has the Company well-positioned as we approach the latter stages of the pandemic response and look to the resumption of economic activity, even in the hardest hit industries. We are confident that the work we have put in to strengthening our loan relationships has not only protected these relationships during the pandemic but also reinforces our position as reliable business partners when executing their post-pandemic strategies.

Non-interest income was $5.9 million for the quarter ended December31, 2020, up from $3.6 million for the quarter ended September30, 2020 and up from $3.7 million for the quarter ended December31, 2019. Non-interest income increased $2.3 million, or 64.2%, compared to the quarter ended September30, 2020, due primarily to an increase of $2.7 million in gain on marketable equity securities, net, reflecting increases in market valuations in the fourth quarter of 2020, partially offset by a decrease of $686,000 in loan fees. Compared to the quarter ended December31, 2019, non-interest income increased $2.2 million, or 59.3%, due primarily to increases of $1.9 million in valuation increase on marketable equity securities, net, and $659,000 in mortgage banking gains, net, partially offset by a decrease of $405,000 in loan fees. For the year ended December 31, 2020, non-interest income increased $4.0 million, or 29.7%, to $17.3 million from $13.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, due primarily to a $4.2 million gain on sale of asset and an increase of $1.7 million in mortgage banking gains, net, partially offset by a $1.4 million valuation decrease on marketable equity securities, net, and a $627,000 decrease in customer service fees for the year ended December31, 2020, compared to the year ended December31, 2019.

Non-interest expenses were $24.1 million, or 1.46% of average assets for the quarter ended December31, 2020, compared to $25.3 million, or 1.59% of average assets for the quarter ended December31, 2019. Non-interest expenses decreased $1.2 million, or 4.6%, compared to the quarter ended December31, 2019, due primarily to decreases of $1.0 million in salaries and employee benefits. For the year ended December 31, 2020, non-interest expenses decreased $3.5 million, or 3.5%, to $96.5 million from $100.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, due primarily to decreases of $3.5 million in salaries and employee benefits, $652,000 in marketing and advertising and $542,000 in other general and administrative, partially offset by increases of $636,000 in occupancy and equipment and $592,000 in data processing. The Companys efficiency ratio was 44.23% for the quarter ended December31, 2020 compared to 43.69% for the quarter ended September30, 2020 and 54.44% for the quarter ended December31, 2019. For the year ended December 31, 2020 the efficiency ratio was 47.07%, a decrease of 722 basis points compared to 54.29% for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Mr. Gavegnano added, We decreased our efficiency ratio to 47% for the year ended December 31, 2020, from 54% for 2019. The Companys efforts towards limiting operating expenses throughout the pandemic proved successful, even as we opened three de novo branches in Brookline, Salem and Woburn during 2020.

The Company recorded a provision for income taxes of $6.2 million for the quarter ended December31, 2020, reflecting an effective tax rate of 25.4%, compared to $5.5 million, or an effective tax rate of 24.4%, for the quarter ended December31, 2019. For the year ended December 31, 2020 the provision for income taxes was $21.9 million, reflecting an effective tax rate of 25.2%, compared to $21.8 million, reflecting an effective rate of 24.5% for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Total assets were $6.620 billion at December31, 2020, up $276.2 million, or 4.4%, from $6.344 billion at December31, 2019. Net loans were $5.444 billion at December31, 2020 down $253.7 million, or 4.5%, from December31, 2019. Loan originations totaled $505.2 million during the quarter ended December31, 2020 and $1.461 billion for the year ended December 31, 2020. The net decrease in loans for the year ended December31, 2020 was primarily due to decreases of $197.0 million in commercial real estate loans, $122.9 million in multi-family loans and $95.2 million in one- to four-family loans, partially offset by increases of $160.3 million in commercial and industrial loans and $24.1 million in construction loans. The increase in commercial and industrial loans includes the origination of $123.7 million in PPP loans. The allowance for credit losses on loans increased $18.5 million, or 36.8%, to $68.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2020. Cash and due from banks was $914.6 million at December31, 2020, an increase of $508.2 million, or 125.1% from December31, 2019.

Total deposits were $5.081 billion at December31, 2020, up $159.6 million, or 3.2%, from $4.922 billion at December 31, 2019. Core deposits, which exclude certificates of deposit, increased $510.3 million, or 15.2%, during the year ended December31, 2020 to $3.862 billion, or 76.0% of total deposits, compared to 68.1% at December 31, 2019. The net increase in deposits for the year ended December 31, 2020 includes a $187.4 million increase, or 35.8%, in non-interest bearing demand deposits and a $350.7 million decrease in certificates of deposit, including a $192.5 million reduction in brokered deposits. Total borrowings were $708.2 million at December31, 2020, up $72.0 million, or 11.3%, from December31, 2019.

Total stockholders equity increased $42.3 million, or 5.8%, to $768.9 million at December31, 2020 from $726.6 million at December31, 2019. The increase for the year ended December31, 2020 was primarily due to net income of $65.1 million, $5.5 million related to the adoption of ASU 2016-13, net of taxes, and $5.3 million related to stock-based compensation plans, partially offset by the repurchase of one million shares of the Companys common stock related to the stock repurchase program at a total cost of $17.7 million and dividends of $0.32 per share totaling $16.0 million. Stockholders equity to assets was 11.61% at December31, 2020, compared to 11.45% at December31, 2019. Book value per share increased to $14.67 at December31, 2020 from $13.61 at December31, 2019. Tangible book value per share increased to $14.25 at December31, 2020 from $13.19 at December31, 2019. Market price per share decreased 25.8% to $14.91 at December31, 2020 from $20.09 at December31, 2019. The Company and the Bank elected to be subject to the Community Bank Leverage Ratio and at December31, 2020 exceeded the minimum requirement to be considered well capitalized.

Mr. Gavegnano concluded, The year 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic have posed unprecedented challenges to the integrity of the economy and financial markets, especially the financial services industry. Managements depth in industry experience, along with strong capital and liquidity positions, have the Company prepared to meet the challenges of 2021 and beyond. We will continue to support our customers and communities we serve through these difficult times, testing our steadfast resolve to be a true community bank.

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 43 branches in the greater Boston metropolitan area, including 42 full-service locations and one mobile branch. 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, the effects of any health pandemic, changes in interest rates, regulatory considerations, and competition and the risk factors described in the Companys 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)

December September December 31, 30, 31, 2020 2020 2019 (Dollars in thousands)ASSETS Cash and due from banks $ 914,586 $ 702,138 $ 406,382 Certificates of deposit ? ? 247 Securities available for 11,326 12,183 15,076 sale, at fair valueMarketable equity securities, 12,189 16,203 15,243 at fair valueFederal Home Loan Bank stock, 30,658 33,282 28,947 at costLoans held for sale 8,224 11,662 2,455 Loans: One- to four-family 564,146 604,037 659,366 Home equity lines of credit 68,721 73,581 69,491 Multi-family 880,552 941,409 1,003,418 Commercial real estate 2,499,660 2,595,124 2,696,671 Construction 731,432 666,375 707,370 Commercial and industrial 765,195 766,418 604,889 Consumer 10,707 12,213 12,196 Total loans 5,520,413 5,659,157 5,753,401 Allowance for credit losses (68,824 ) (67,639 ) (50,322 ) on loansNet deferred loan origination (7,784 ) (7,717 ) (5,539 ) feesLoans, net 5,443,805 5,583,801 5,697,540 Bank-owned life insurance 41,877 41,606 41,155 Premises and equipment, net 66,850 67,917 65,841 Accrued interest receivable 23,173 21,460 14,481 Deferred tax asset, net 21,355 17,007 16,726 Goodwill 20,378 20,378 20,378 Core deposit intangible 1,651 1,769 2,123 Other assets 23,776 37,327 17,100 Total assets $ 6,619,848 $ 6,566,733 $ 6,343,694 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITYDeposits: Non interest-bearing demand $ 711,573 $ 707,458 $ 524,154 depositsInterest-bearing demand 1,364,548 1,353,153 1,269,211 depositsMoney market deposits 930,507 789,712 675,702 Regular savings and other 855,329 850,810 882,550 depositsCertificates of deposit 1,219,210 1,250,894 1,569,916 Total deposits 5,081,167 4,952,027 4,921,533 Short-term borrowings ? 25,000 ? Long-term debt 708,245 779,279 636,245 Accrued expenses and other 61,551 62,163 59,329 liabilitiesTotal liabilities 5,850,963 5,818,469 5,617,107 Stockholders' equity: Preferred stock, $0.01 parvalue, 50,000,000 shares ? ? ? authorized; none issuedCommon stock, $0.01 parvalue, 100,000,000 sharesauthorized; 52,415,061,52,413,120 and 53,377,506 524 524 534 shares issued at December 31,2020, September 30, 2020 andDecember 31, 2019,respectivelyAdditional paid-in capital 363,995 363,093 377,213 Retained earnings 420,297 400,649 365,742 Accumulated other (58 ) 91 (147 ) comprehensive income (loss)Unearned compensation - ESOP;2,191,745, 2,222,186 and2,313,509 shares at December (15,873 ) (16,093 ) (16,755 ) 31, 2020, September 30, 2020and December 31, 2019,respectivelyTotal stockholders' equity 768,885 748,264 726,587 Total liabilities and $ 6,619,848 $ 6,566,733 $ 6,343,694 stockholders' equity

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

Three Months Ended Years Ended December 31, September December 31, December 31, December 31, 2020 30, 2019 2020 2019 2020 (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) Interest anddividend income:Interest and $ 61,599 $ 60,918 $ 64,801 $ 247,999 $ 256,603 fees on loansInterest ondebt 68 76 109 331 466 securitiesDividends onequity 158 118 109 515 493 securitiesInterest oncertificates ? ? 1 1 74 of depositOther interestand dividend 514 494 1,811 3,267 8,467 incomeTotal interestand dividend 62,339 61,606 66,831 252,113 266,103 incomeInterest expense:Interest on 6,883 8,746 18,996 42,989 78,978 depositsInterest on 4,001 4,051 4,181 16,391 14,187 borrowingsTotal interest 10,884 12,797 23,177 59,380 93,165 expenseNet interest 51,455 48,809 43,654 192,733 172,938 incomeProvision(reversal) for 8,927 7,163 (504 ) 26,456 (2,561 )credit lossesNet interestincome, after 42,528 41,646 44,158 166,277 175,499 provision forcredit lossesNon-interest income:Customer 2,355 2,193 2,407 8,593 9,220 service feesLoan (costs) (422 ) 264 (17 ) 481 549 feesMortgagebanking gains, 728 704 69 1,961 309 netGain on sale ? ? ? 4,195 ? of assetGain onmarketableequity 2,853 122 930 656 2,016 securities,netIncome frombank-owned 271 272 281 1,113 1,127 life insuranceOther income 82 17 12 267 92 Totalnon-interest 5,867 3,572 3,682 17,266 13,313 incomeNon-interest expenses:Salaries andemployee 14,704 13,426 15,722 57,902 61,371 benefitsOccupancy and 3,833 3,734 3,691 15,230 14,594 equipmentData 2,205 2,196 2,074 8,671 8,079 processingMarketing and 1,165 554 1,151 3,979 4,631 advertisingProfessional 594 688 858 2,974 3,182 servicesDeposit 404 692 255 2,371 2,206 insuranceOther generaland 1,189 1,540 1,512 5,418 5,960 administrativeTotalnon-interest 24,094 22,830 25,263 96,545 100,023 expensesIncome before 24,301 22,388 22,577 86,998 88,789 income taxesProvision for 6,180 5,714 5,509 21,947 21,793 income taxesNet income $ 18,121 $ 16,674 $ 17,068 $ 65,051 $ 66,996 Earnings per share:Basic $ 0.36 $ 0.33 $ 0.33 $ 1.29 $ 1.31 Diluted $ 0.36 $ 0.33 $ 0.33 $ 1.29 $ 1.30 Weightedaverage shares outstanding:Basic 50,201,720 50,169,024 51,027,229 50,283,704 51,030,318 Diluted 50,295,295 50,248,048 51,539,436 50,418,169 51,492,755

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

Three Months Ended December 31, 2020 September 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 Yield Average Interest Yield/ Average Interest / Average Interest Yield/ Balance (1) Cost Balance (1) Cost Balance (1) Cost (1)(6) (1) (1)(6) (6) (Dollars in thousands)Assets: Interest-earning assets: Loans (2) $ 5,613,834 $ 62,400 4.42 % $ 5,671,957 $ 61,682 4.33 % $ 5,772,817 $ 65,525 4.50 %Securities and certificates of 25,855 258 3.97 29,263 219 2.98 30,377 236 3.08 depositOther interest-earning assets 777,307 514 0.26 604,916 494 0.32 388,136 1,811 1.85 (3)Total interest-earning assets 6,416,996 63,172 3.92 6,306,136 62,395 3.94 6,191,330 67,572 4.33 Noninterest-earning assets 164,339 161,886 155,912 Total assets $ 6,581,335 $ 6,468,022 $ 6,347,242 Liabilities and stockholders' equity:Interest-bearing liabilities: Interest-bearing demand deposits $ 1,362,686 $ 1,727 0.50 $ 1,291,341 $ 1,946 0.60 $ 1,263,108 $ 5,169 1.62 Money market deposits 839,992 1,026 0.49 769,571 1,270 0.66 674,620 2,210 1.30 Regular savings and other 851,711 729 0.34 834,368 966 0.46 861,523 2,834 1.31 depositsCertificates of deposit 1,221,585 3,401 1.11 1,262,433 4,564 1.44 1,604,383 8,783 2.17 Total interest-bearing deposits 4,275,974 6,883 0.64 4,157,713 8,746 0.84 4,403,634 18,996 1.71 Borrowings 787,406 4,001 2.02 804,281 4,051 2.00 636,370 4,181 2.61 Total interest-bearing 5,063,380 10,884 0.86 4,961,994 12,797 1.03 5,040,004 23,177 1.82 liabilitiesNoninterest-bearing demand 700,341 702,717 527,723 depositsOther noninterest-bearing 55,742 57,636 57,400 liabilitiesTotal liabilities 5,819,463 5,722,347 5,625,127 Total stockholders' equity 761,872 745,675 722,115 Total liabilities and $ 6,581,335 $ 6,468,022 $ 6,347,242 stockholders' equityNet interest-earning assets $ 1,353,616 $ 1,344,142 $ 1,151,326 Fully tax-equivalent net 52,288 49,598 44,395 interest incomeLess: tax-equivalent adjustments (833 ) (789 ) (741 ) Net interest income $ 51,455 $ 48,809 $ 43,654 Interest rate spread (1)(4) 3.06 % 2.91 % 2.51 %Net interest margin (1)(5) 3.24 % 3.13 % 2.84 %Average interest-earning assets to averageinterest-bearing liabilities 126.73 % 127.09 % 122.84 % Supplemental Information: Total deposits, including noninterest-bearingdemand deposits $ 4,976,315 $ 6,883 0.55 % $ 4,860,430 $ 8,746 0.72 % $ 4,931,357 $ 18,996 1.53 %Total deposits and borrowings, includingnoninterest-bearing demand $ 5,763,721 $ 10,884 0.75 % $ 5,664,711 $ 12,797 0.90 % $ 5,567,727 $ 23,177 1.65 %deposits

(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 December 31, 2020, September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, yields on loans before tax-equivalent adjustments were 4.37%, 4.27% and 4.45%, respectively, yields on securities and certificates of deposit before tax-equivalent adjustments were 3.48%, 2.64% and 2.86%, respectively, and yield on total interest-earning assets before tax-equivalent adjustments were 3.86%, 3.89% and 4.28%, respectively. Interest rate spread before tax-equivalent adjustments for the three months ended December 31, 2020, September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 was 3.00%, 2.86% and 2.46%, respectively, while net interest margin before tax-equivalent adjustments for the three months ended December 31, 2020, September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 was 3.19%, 3.08% and 2.80%, 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)

Years Ended December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 Average Interest(1) Yield/ Average Interest(1) Yield/ Balance Cost (1) Balance Cost (1) (Dollars in thousands)Assets: Interest-earning assets:Loans (2) $ 5,687,214 $ 251,003 4.41 % $ 5,779,924 $ 259,427 4.49 %Securities and 28,286 926 3.27 34,343 1,109 3.23 certificates of depositOther interest-earning 566,003 3,267 0.58 341,786 8,467 2.48 assets (3)Total interest-earning 6,281,503 255,196 4.06 6,156,053 269,003 4.37 assetsNoninterest-earning 160,444 138,983 assetsTotal assets $ 6,441,947 $ 6,295,036 Liabilities and stockholders' equity:Interest-bearing liabilities:Interest-bearing demand $ 1,307,881 $ 10,463 0.80 $ 1,215,989 $ 20,951 1.72 depositsMoney market deposits 756,169 5,577 0.74 683,051 8,797 1.29 Regular savings and 858,360 5,221 0.61 901,650 13,796 1.53 other depositsCertificates of deposit 1,322,317 21,728 1.64 1,648,089 35,434 2.15 Total interest-bearing 4,244,727 42,989 1.01 4,448,779 78,978 1.78 depositsBorrowings 750,621 16,391 2.18 593,711 14,187 2.39 Total interest-bearing 4,995,348 59,380 1.19 5,042,490 93,165 1.85 liabilitiesNoninterest-bearing 647,735 505,520 demand depositsOthernoninterest-bearing 56,091 46,250 liabilitiesTotal liabilities 5,699,174 5,594,260 Total stockholders' 742,773 700,776 equityTotal liabilities and $ 6,441,947 $ 6,295,036 stockholders' equityNet interest-earning $ 1,286,155 $ 1,113,563 assetsFully tax-equivalent 195,816 175,838 net interest incomeLess: tax-equivalent (3,083 ) (2,900 ) adjustmentsNet interest income $ 192,733 $ 172,938 Interest rate spread 2.87 % 2.52 %(1)(4)Net interest margin (1) 3.12 % 2.86 %(5)Averageinterest-earning assets to averageinterest-bearing 125.75 % 122.08 % liabilities Supplemental Information:Total deposits,including noninterest-bearingdemand deposits $ 4,892,462 $ 42,989 0.88 % $ 4,954,299 $ 78,978 1.59 %Total deposits and borrowings, includingnoninterest-bearing $ 5,643,083 $ 59,380 1.05 % $ 5,548,010 $ 93,165 1.68 %demand deposits

____________________ (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 year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, yields on loans before tax-equivalent adjustments were 4.36% and 4.44%, respectively, yields on securities and certificates of deposit before tax-equivalent adjustments were 2.99% and 3.01%, respectively, and yield on total interest-earning assets before tax-equivalent adjustments were 4.01%, and 4.32%, respectively. Interest rate spread before tax-equivalent adjustments for the year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 was 2.82%, and 2.47%, respectively, while net interest margin before tax-equivalent adjustments for the year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 was 3.07% and 2.81%, 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.

MERIDIAN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESSELECTED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended Years Ended December September December December December 31, 30, 31, 31, 31, 2020 2020 2019 2020 2019KeyPerformance RatiosReturn onaverage 1.10 % 1.03 % 1.08 % 1.01 % 1.06 %assets (1)Return onaverage 9.51 8.94 9.45 8.76 9.56 equity (1)Interestrate spread 3.06 2.91 2.51 2.87 2.52 (1) (2)Net interestmargin (1) 3.24 3.13 2.84 3.12 2.86 (3)Non-interestexpense to 1.46 1.41 1.59 1.50 1.59 averageassets (1)Efficiency 44.23 43.69 54.44 47.07 54.29 ratio (4)

December 31, September December 31, 2020 30, 2019 2020 (Dollars in thousands)Asset Quality Non-accrual loans: One- to four-family $ 2,617 $ 3,041 $ 3,082 Home equity lines of credit 20 20 ? Commercial and industrial 527 541 323 Total non-accrual loans 3,164 3,602 3,405 Foreclosed assets ? ? ? Total non-performing assets $ 3,164 $ 3,602 $ 3,405 Allowance for credit losses on 1.25 % 1.20 % 0.87 %loans/total loansAllowance for credit losses on 2,175.22 1,877.82 1,477.89 loans/non-accrual loansNon-accrual loans/total loans 0.06 0.06 0.06 Non-accrual loans/total assets 0.05 0.05 0.05 Non-performing assets/total assets 0.05 0.05 0.05 Capital and Share Related Stockholders' equity to total 11.61 % 11.39 % 11.45 %assetsBook value per share $ 14.67 $ 14.28 $ 13.61 Tangible book value per share (5) $ 14.25 $ 13.85 $ 13.19 Market value per share $ 14.91 $ 10.35 $ 20.09 Shares outstanding 52,415,061 52,413,120 53,377,506

(1)Quarterly amounts are 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 non-interest expense divided by the sum of net interest income and non-interest income excluding gains and losses on marketable equity securities and gains and losses on sale of assets. The efficiency ratio is a common measure used by banks to understand expenses related to the generation of revenue. We have removed gains and losses on marketable equity securities and gains and losses on sale of assets as management deems them to be either discretionary or market driven and not representative of operating performance. Presented on a basis including gains and losses on marketable equity securities and gains and losses on sale of assets the efficiency ratio was 42.03%, 43.58% and 53.37% for the quarters ended December 31, 2020, September 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019, respectively and 45.97% and 53.70% for the year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, 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