Press Release

Independent Bank Corp. Earns $24 Million in 2008

1/26/2009 4:07 PM ET

ROCKLAND, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Independent Bank Corp., (NASDAQ: INDB), parent of Rockland Trust Company, today announced net income of $3.0 million, or $0.18 on a per diluted share basis, for the three months ending December 31, 2008, compared to net income and diluted earnings per share for the three months ended December 31, 2007 of $7.7 million and $0.56, respectively. Net income was $24.0 million, or $1.52 on a diluted earnings per share basis, for the year ending December 31, 2008 compared to net income and diluted earnings per share basis for the year ended December 31, 2007 of $28.4 million and $2.00, respectively.

The decline in earnings from the prior period is primarily the result of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment ("OTTI") losses recorded in the fourth quarter. The quarterly comparisons also reflect higher loan loss provisioning in the fourth quarter to increase loan loss reserves in light of economic weakening.

Fourth quarter 2008 loan and deposit growth was strong, despite the challenging economic environment, as the Company took advantage of opportunities created by market turmoil. During the three month period which ended December 31, 2008 total deposits increased by $41.0 million and loans increased by $75.3 million, quarterly increases which equate to annualized growth rates of 6.5% and 11.7%, respectively.

In the fourth quarter the Company recorded $4.6 million of OTTI on various trust preferred securities. The after tax impact of this charge was $3.0 million, or $0.18 on a diluted earnings per share basis for the quarter ending December 31, 2008. For the year ending December 31, 2008 the aggregate charges amounted to $4.7 million, net of tax, or $0.30 diluted earnings per share.

"All in all, 2008 was a very successful year," said Christopher Oddleifson, the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer. "Our strong loan and deposit growth confirms that the current challenging economic climate has actually been a time of opportunity for us. The successful integration of Slade's Ferry Bancorp. early in the year was a significant accomplishment and our franchise will continue to grow with the upcoming Benjamin Franklin Bancorp, Inc. acquisition, which we expect to close in the near future. While our fourth quarter earnings were restrained by security impairments and higher credit costs, we have a solid balance sheet and remain in a strong position to continue to expand our franchise and achieve long term growth in a disciplined manner."

Total deposits were $2.6 billion at December 31, 2008, a 27.3% increase when compared to $2.0 billion in total deposits at December 31, 2007. Of the year-to-date deposit increase, $410.8 million is a result of the March 2008 acquisition of Slade's Ferry Bancorp ("Slades"). Excluding the impact of the Slades acquisition, total deposits have grown during 2008 at an annualized rate of 7.0%.

Total loans grew by $617.9 million, or 30.3%, during the twelve months ended December 31, 2008, with the Slades acquisition contributing $471.2 million to total loan growth. Excluding the Slades acquisition, loan growth achieved in 2008 amounted to $146.7 million, or 7.2%, on an annualized basis, and was concentrated in the commercial (12.6%) and home equity (19.0%) lending categories.

Certain non-core items are included in the computation of earnings in accordance with the United States of America's generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") in both 2008 and 2007 as indicated by the table below. In an effort to provide investors with information regarding the Company's results, the Company has disclosed the following non-GAAP information, which management believes provides useful information to the investor. This information should not be viewed as a substitute for operating results determined in accordance with GAAP, nor is it necessarily comparable to non-GAAP information which may be presented by other companies.

 Dollars in Thousands, Except       Twelve Months Ending
 Per Share Data

                                    December 31,

 RECONCILIATION TABLE - NON-GAAP    2008        2007      $ Variance  % Variance
 FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 NET INCOME (GAAP)                $ 23,964    $ 28,381  $ (4,417 )    -15.6 %

 Net Interest Income Components

 Add - Write-Off of Debt            -           590       (590   )    n/a
 Issuance Cost, net of tax

 Non-Interest Income Components

 Add - Net Loss on Sale of          396         -         396         n/a
 Securities, net of tax

 Non-Interest Expense Components

 Add - Executive Early              -           264       (264   )    n/a
 Retirement Costs, net of tax

 Add - Merger & Acquisition         728         -         728         n/a
 Expenses, net of tax

 Add - Litigation Reserve (net      488         885       (397   )    -44.9 %
 of recovery), net of tax

 Less - WorldCom Bond Loss          (272   )    -         (272   )    n/a
 Recovery, net of tax

 NET OPERATING EARNINGS           $ 25,304    $ 30,120  $ (4,816 )    -16.0 %
 (NON-GAAP)

 Diluted Operating Earnings Per   $ 1.61      $ 2.13    $ (0.52  )    -24.4 %
 Share



As shown above, net operating earnings were $25.3 million, or $1.61 on a per diluted share basis, for the year ending December 31, 2008 compared to net operating earnings and diluted earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 2007 of $30.1 million and $2.13, respectively. The $7.2 million in charges for OTTI of securities recognized during 2008 decreased net operating earnings on a diluted earnings per share basis by approximately $0.30. There were no non-core items for the fourth quarter of 2008.

Comparing the three months ending December 31, 2008 to the same period last year, net interest income increased $6.0 million, or 24.5%. For the year ended December 31, 2008, net interest income increased $21.3 million, or 22.1%, from the year ago period, due to the Slades acquisition in the first quarter of this year and organic growth. The net interest margin for the three and twelve month periods ended December 31, 2008 was 3.81% and 3.95%, respectively. The net interest margin was 3.94% and 3.90% for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2007. See the tables below for reconciliations of net interest income and the net interest margin as adjusted:

                           Three Months Ended        Twelve Months Ended

                           December 31,              December 31,

                           2008          2007        2008         2007

                           (Dollars in Thousands)

      Net Interest Income  $ 30,495      $ 24,491    $ 117,462    $ 96,183
      GAAP

      Add - Write-Off of     -             -           -            907      *
      Debt Issuance Cost

      Net Interest Income  $ 30,495      $ 24,491    $ 117,462    $ 97,090
      as Adjusted

                           Three Months Ended        Twelve Months Ended

                           December 31,              December 31,

                           2008          2007        2008         2007

      Net Interest Margin    3.81   %      3.94   %    3.95    %    3.90   %
      GAAP

      Add - Write-Off of     -             -           -            0.04   % *
      Debt Issuance Cost

      Net Interest Margin    3.81   %      3.94   %    3.95    %    3.94   %
      as Adjusted

      *April 2007 refinance of Trust
      Preferred Securities



On a linked quarter basis the net interest margin decreased from 4.09% in the third quarter of 2008 to 3.81% in the fourth quarter. The primary reason for this change is the drop in the Federal Funds rate, which caused asset yields to drop faster than liability costs. Deposit costs, in particular, did not decline as rapidly given the opportunity realized early in the fourth quarter to raise deposits at attractive rates to retain customers and attract prospects.

Non-interest income decreased by $4.8 million, or (57.0%), and by $4.0 million, or (12.4%), during the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2008, respectively, as compared to the same periods in the prior year. See the table below for a run rate calculation of non-interest income:

                                 Three Months Ended

                                 December 31,

                                 2008      2007          $ Variance   % Variance

                                 (Dollars in Thousands)

Non-Interest Income GAAP         $ 3,652   $ 8,499         ($4,847 )  -57.0 %

Add -
Other-Than-Temporary-Impairment
on Certain

Pooled Trust Preferred             4,646     -             4,646      n/a
Securities

Non-Interest Income as Adjusted  $ 8,298   $ 8,499         ($201   )  -2.4  %

                                 Twelve Months Ended

                                 December 31,

                                 2008      2007          $ Variance   % Variance

                                 (Dollars in Thousands)

Non-Interest Income GAAP         $ 28,084  $ 32,051        ($3,967 )  -12.4 %

Add - Net Loss on Sale of          609       -             609        n/a
Securities

Add -
Other-Than-Temporary-Impairment
on Certain

Pooled Trust Preferred             7,216     -             7,216      n/a
Securities

Non-Interest Income as Adjusted  $ 35,909  $ 32,051      $ 3,858      12.0  %



The change in non-interest income is attributable to the following:

    --  Service charges on deposit accounts increased by $194,000, or 5.2%, and
        by $1.2 million, or 8.2% for the three and twelve months ended December
        31, 2008, as compared to the same periods in 2007, primarily due to the
        Slades acquisition.
    --  Wealth management revenue increased by $340,000, or 15.2%, and $3.0
        million, or 37.3%, for the three and twelve months ended December 31,
        2008, as compared to the same periods in 2007. Assets under management
        at December 31, 2008 and 2007 were $1.1 billion and $1.3 billion,
        respectively.
    --  Mortgage banking income decreased by $452,000, or (47.6%), and by
        $94,000, or (3.0%), for the three and twelve months ended December 31,
        2008, as compared to the same periods in 2007. The balance of the
        mortgage servicing asset was $1.5 million and loans serviced amounted to
        $250.5 million as of December 31, 2008, as compared to a mortgage
        servicing asset balance of $2.1 million and loans serviced amounting to
        $255.2 million at December 31, 2007.
    --  There were no gains or losses on the sale of securities during the
        fourth quarter of 2008 or 2007. There was a net loss on the sale of
        securities of $609,000 during the first quarter of 2008. Of this loss,
        $742,000 is associated with the sale of the majority of the Slades
        securities portfolio, which was partially offset by gains on the sale of
        agency securities recorded in the first quarter.
    --  The Company recorded OTTI on certain investment grade pooled trust
        preferred securities, resulting in a negative charge to non-interest
        income of approximately $4.6 million and $7.2 million for the three and
        twelve month periods ending December 31, 2008.
    --  Other non-interest income decreased by $431,000, or (43.1%), and by
        $803,000, or (18.4%), for the three and twelve months ended December 31,
        2008, as compared to the same period in 2007. The decrease for the
        quarter-to-date and year-to-date periods is primarily attributable to
        trading asset losses due to the stock market decrease and declines in
        1031 exchange income as a result of the slowdown in national commercial
        real estate markets.

Non-interest expense increased by $4.6 million, or 20.8%, and by $16.2 million, or 18.4%, for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2008, as compared to the same periods in 2007. When adjusting the twelve month period for the items listed below, non-interest expense increased $16.5 million, or 19.2%, as compared to the same periods in 2007. There were no adjustments for the three months ended December 31, 2008 and 2007. See the table below for a reconciliation of non-interest expense as adjusted:

                                 Twelve Months Ended

                                 December 31,

                                 2008         2007        $ Variance  % Variance

                                 (Dollars in Thousands)

      Non-Interest Expense GAAP  $ 104,143    $ 87,932    $ 16,211    18.4  %

      Less - Executive Early       -            (406   )    406       n/a
      Retirement Costs

      Less - Merger &              (1,120  )    -           (1,120 )  n/a
      Acquisition Expenses

      Less - Litigation Reserve    (750    )    (1,361 )    611       -44.9 %
      (net of Recovery)

      Add - WorldCom Bond Loss     418          -           418       n/a
      Recovery

      Non-Interest Expense as    $ 102,691    $ 86,165    $ 16,526    19.2  %
      Adjusted



    --  Salaries and employee benefits increased by $1.2 million, or 9.2%, and
        $5.8 million, or 11.0%, for the three and twelve months ended December
        31, 2008, as compared to the same periods in 2007. The increase in
        salaries and benefits is primarily attributable to the Slades
        acquisition in the first quarter of 2008 and annual merit and medical
        insurance increases.
    --  Occupancy and equipment expense increased by $1.0 million, or 44.0%, and
        $2.8 million, or 28.4%, for the three and twelve month periods ending
        December 31, 2008, as compared to the same periods in 2007. The increase
        is mainly due to an increase in rent expense due to two new branch
        locations, increased utility costs, depreciation expense and the effects
        of the Slades acquisition.
    --  Data processing and facilities management expense increased by $187,000,
        or 15.4%, and $990,000, or 21.6%, for the three and twelve month periods
        ending December 31, 2008, as compared to the same periods in 2007. The
        increase is partially a result of new functionality as well as an
        increase in volume primarily attributable to the Slades acquisition
        during the first quarter of 2008.
    --  Merger and acquisition related expenditures totaled $1.1 million, for
        the twelve month period ending December 31, 2008, associated with the
        Slades acquisition in March 2008. There were no merger and acquisition
        expenses for the comparable 2007 periods.
    --  Other non-interest expense increased by $2.1 million, or 41.4%, and $5.9
        million, or 28.4%, for the three and twelve month periods ending
        December 31, 2008, as compared to the same periods in 2007. The increase
        in the twelve-month period is primarily attributable to the amortization
        of intangible assets of $1.5 million, FDIC deposit insurance assessment
        of $1.1 million, consulting fees of $779,000, litigation settlement of
        $750,000, legal loan collection fees of $489,000 due to collection
        activity, and advertising expense of $299,000.

Total assets increased by $860.1 million, or 31.1%, to $3.6 billion at December 31, 2008 as compared to December 31, 2007. This increase is primarily a result of the Slades acquisition, which closed during the first quarter of 2008.

Securities increased by $152.9 million, or 30.1%, during the twelve months ended December 31, 2008. Securities represented approximately 18% of total assets at both December 31, 2008 and 2007. On a linked quarter basis, securities increased $99.5 million in anticipation of proceeds from the United States Treasury Capital Purchase Program ("CPP"). As previously mentioned, during 2008, the Company recorded OTTI on certain investment grade pooled trust preferred securities amounting to $4.6 million and $7.2 million for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2008, respectively. See table below for details regarding the Company's trust preferred securities and related other-than-temporary impairment charges as of December 31, 2008.

                                  Trust Preferred Detail as of December 31, 2008

                                                           Amortized

                                                           Cost

                                   Amortized               After

                                   Cost       OTTI         Impairment

                                   (Dollars in Thousands)

    Pooled Trust Preferred         $ 18,677   $ 7,216      $ 11,461

    Single Issuer Trust Preferred    14,803     -            14,803

    Total Trust Preferred          $ 33,480   $ 7,216      $ 26,264



Certain BBB rated and two of the three A rated pooled trust preferred securities held by the Company were written down to prices of approximately 13% and 24% per dollar, respectively.

The following table summarizes loan growth during the year ending December 31, 2008:

                    December 31,    December 31,    Slades         Organic

                    2008            2007            Acquisition    Growth/(Loss)

                    (Dollars in Thousands)

Loans

Commercial and
Commercial Real   $ 1,569,082     $ 1,121,310     $ 306,824      $ 140,948
Estate Loans

Small Business      86,670          69,977          9,257          7,436

Residential Real    432,325         341,090         114,432        (23,197)
Estate

Consumer - Home     406,240         308,744         38,723         58,773
Equity

Consumer - Other    166,570         201,831         2,009          (37,270)

Total Loans       $ 2,660,887     $ 2,042,952     $ 471,245      $ 146,690



Excluding the Slades acquisition, organic loan growth achieved in the twelve months of 2008 amounted to $146.7 million, or 7.2%, on an annualized basis, and was concentrated in the commercial (12.6%) and home equity (19.0%) lending categories, while the residential real estate and consumer (primarily indirect automobile lending) categories were reduced. Total commercial loans (including small business loans) following the Slades acquisition now represent 62.2% of the total loan portfolio.

The following table summarizes deposit growth during the year ending December 31, 2008:

                   December 31,    December 31,    Slades         Organic

                   2008            2007            Acquisition    Growth/(Loss)

                   (Dollars in Thousands)

   Deposits

   Demand        $ 519,326       $ 471,164       $ 74,584       $ (26,422)
   Deposits

   Savings and
   Interest        725,313         587,474         119,908        17,931
   Checking
   Accounts

   Money Market    488,345         435,792         38,668         13,885

   Time
   Certificates    846,096         532,180         177,609        136,307
   of Deposit

   Total         $ 2,579,080     $ 2,026,610     $ 410,769      $ 141,701
   Deposits



Borrowings increased by $191.0 million, or 37.9%, during the twelve months ending December 31, 2008, as compared to December 31, 2007, attributable to the Slades acquisition and organic loan growth. Additionally, the Company issued $30.0 million of subordinated debt during the quarter ended September 30, 2008, which will be used to support additional loan growth, particularly in commercial lending. The subordinated debt, which qualifies as Tier 2 regulatory capital, has a 10 year maturity and may be called at the option of the Company after five years, and is priced at a fixed rate of 7.02% for the first five year period.

As previously announced, on January 9, 2009 the Company raised $78,158,000 through the issuance of preferred stock and warrants associated with its participation in the CPP. The CPP funding strengthened the Company's already strong capital position. On a pro forma basis as of December 31, 2008, the CPP funding increased the Company's Tier 1 leverage ratio from 7.58% to 9.63% and its total risk-based capital ratio from 11.79% to 14.58%.

Management anticipates using CPP funds to expand lending to creditworthy consumers and businesses and, when appropriate, to modify residential mortgages. The Company's fourth quarter 2008 loan growth was expanded in anticipation of successfully raising capital through CPP participation. The Company fully intends to deploy its CPP capital in a deliberate and responsible manner.

The Company reported a return on average assets and a return on average equity in the fourth quarter of 2008 of 0.34% and 3.92%, respectively, as compared to 1.13% and 14.08% for the same periods in 2007.

Stockholders' equity at December 31, 2008 totaled $305.3 million, as compared to $220.5 million at December 31, 2007. The Tier 1 leverage capital ratio at December 31, 2008 was 7.58%, maintaining the Company's well-capitalized position.

At December 31, 2008, the balance of goodwill was $116.4 million and other intangible assets, primarily core deposit intangibles, were $9.3 million. The amount of goodwill and core deposit intangible assets derived from the Slades acquisition was $58.1 million and $9.0 million, respectively.

The allowance for loan losses was $37.0 million at December 31, 2008 and $26.8 million at December 31, 2007. A portion of the increase in allowance for loan losses is due to the Slades acquisition with the remainder reflective of overall credit softening. Nonperforming assets totaled $29.9 million at December 31, 2008, or 0.82% of total assets, and $8.3 million at December 31, 2007, or 0.30% of total assets. The primary increase on a linked quarter basis was in the commercial and commercial real estate categories of $7.4 million, residential real estate of $2.7 million, and non-accrual securities of $910,000. The Company's allowance for loan losses as a percentage of loans was 1.39% at December 31, 2008 and 1.29% at September 30, 2008. The provision for loan losses was $5.6 million and $10.9 million for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2008, respectively, as compared to $1.4 million and $3.1 million for the year ago comparative periods. Net charge-offs were $1.8 million and $6.2 million for the three and twelve month periods of 2008 as compared to $717,000 and $3.1 million for the three and twelve month periods of 2007. The provision was increased in the fourth quarter to account for the significant loan growth experienced in the quarter in addition to the increase in non-performing loans, particularly in commercial real estate.

Christopher Oddleifson and Denis K. Sheahan, Chief Financial Officer, of Independent Bank Corp. and Rockland Trust Company, will host a conference call to discuss fourth quarter earnings at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, January 26, 2009. Internet access to the call is available on the Company's website at http://www.RocklandTrust.com or by telephonic access by dial-in at 1-800-860-2442 reference: INDB. A replay of the call will be available by calling 1-877-344-7529, Replay Passcode: 426542. The web cast replay will be available until January 26, 2010 and the telephone replay will be available until February 10, 2009.

Independent Bank Corp.'s sole bank subsidiary, Rockland Trust Company, currently has $3.6 billion in assets. Rockland Trust Company is a full-service community bank serving southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod, and Rhode Island. To find out more about the products and services available at Rockland Trust Company, please visit our website at www.RocklandTrust.com.

This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business of the Company. Actual results may differ from those contemplated by these statements. The Company wishes to caution readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any such forward-looking statements, whether in response to new information, future events or otherwise.

This press release contains financial information determined by methods other than in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). The Company's management uses these non-GAAP measures in its analysis of the Company's performance. These non-GAAP measures may exclude significant gains or losses that are unusual in nature, such as securities losses. Because these gains and losses and their impact on the Company's performance are difficult to predict, management believes that presentations of adjusted financial measures excluding the impact of these gains and losses provide useful information that is essential to a proper understanding of the operating results of the Company. These disclosures should not be viewed as a substitute for operating results determined in accordance with GAAP, nor are they necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures which may be presented by other companies.

INDEPENDENT BANK CORP.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY

(Unaudited -
Dollars in
Thousands)

                                                                                    September
                                                                                    30, 2008
                                                                                    vs.

CONSOLIDATED     December       December                             September      December
BALANCE          31,            31,           $          %           30,            31, 2008   %
SHEETS

               2008           2007           Variance    Change    2008           Variance     Change

Assets

Cash and Due   $ 50,007       $ 67,416        (17,409 )  -25.82 %  $ 92,752       $ (42,745 )  -46.09 %
From Banks

Fed Funds
Sold and         100            -             100        n/a         100            -          n/a
Short Term
Investments

Securities

Trading          2,701          1,687         1,014      60.11  %    3,048          (347    )  -11.38 %
Assets

Securities
Available for    600,291        444,258       156,033    35.12  %    499,879        100,412    20.09  %
Sale

Securities
Held to          32,789         45,265        (12,476 )  -27.56 %    33,354         (565    )  -1.69  %
Maturity

Federal Home
Loan Bank        24,603         16,260        8,343      51.31  %    24,603         -          n/a
Stock

Total            660,384        507,470       152,914    30.13  %    560,884        99,500     17.74  %
Securities

Loans

Commercial
and              270,832        190,522       80,310     42.15  %    250,469        20,363     8.13   %
Industrial

Commercial       1,126,295      797,416       328,879    41.24  %    1,092,811      33,484     3.06   %
Real Estate

Commercial       171,955        133,372       38,583     28.93  %    150,615        21,340     14.17  %
Construction

Small            86,670         69,977        16,693     23.85  %    85,120         1,550      1.82   %
Business

Residential      413,024        323,847       89,177     27.54  %    420,809        (7,785  )  -1.85  %
Real Estate

Residential      10,950         6,115         4,835      79.07  %    12,868         (1,918  )  -14.91 %
Construction

Residential
Loans Held       8,351          11,128        (2,777  )  -24.96 %    5,511          2,840      51.53  %
for Sale

Consumer -       406,240        308,744       97,496     31.58  %    391,416        14,824     3.79   %
Home Equity

Consumer -       127,956        156,006       (28,050 )  -17.98 %    134,866        (6,910  )  -5.12  %
Auto

Consumer -       38,614         45,825        (7,211  )  -15.74 %    41,073         (2,459  )  -5.99  %
Other

Total Loans      2,660,887      2,042,952     617,935    30.25  %    2,585,558      75,329     2.91   %

Less -
Allowance for    (37,049   )    (26,831   )   (10,218 )  38.08  %    (33,287   )    (3,762  )  11.30  %
Loan Losses

Net Loans        2,623,838      2,016,121     607,717    30.14  %    2,552,271      71,567     2.80   %

Bank Premises    36,429         39,085        (2,656  )  -6.80  %    35,246         1,183      3.36   %
and Equipment

Goodwill and
Core Deposit     125,710        60,411        65,299     108.09 %    126,412        (702    )  -0.56  %
Intangible

Other Assets     132,001        77,910        54,091     69.43  %    109,570        22,431     20.47  %

Total Assets   $ 3,628,469    $ 2,768,413     860,056    31.07  %  $ 3,477,235    $ 151,234    4.35   %

Liabilities
and
Stockholders'
Equity

Deposits

Demand         $ 519,326      $ 471,164       48,162     10.22  %  $ 573,904      $ (54,578 )  -9.51  %
Deposits

Savings and
Interest         725,313        587,474       137,839    23.46  %    711,862        13,451     1.89   %
Checking
Accounts

Money Market     488,345        435,792       52,553     12.06  %    464,983        23,362     5.02   %

Time
Certificates     846,096        532,180       313,916    58.99  %    787,282        58,814     7.47   %
of Deposit

Total            2,579,080      2,026,610     552,470    27.26  %    2,538,031      41,049     1.62   %
Deposits

Borrowings

Federal Home
Loan Bank        429,634        311,125       118,509    38.09  %    336,792        92,842     27.57  %
Borrowings

Fed Funds
Purchased and
Assets Sold      170,880        138,603       32,277     23.29  %    166,417        4,463      2.68   %
Under
Repurchase
Agreements

Junior
Subordinated     61,857         51,547        10,310     20.00  %    61,857         -          n/a
Debentures

Subordinated     30,000         -             30,000     n/a         30,000         -          n/a
Debentures

Other            2,946          3,069         (123    )  -4.01  %    2,103          843        40.09  %
Borrowings

Total            695,317        504,344       190,973    37.87  %    597,169        98,148     16.44  %
Borrowings

Total
Deposits and     3,274,397      2,530,954     743,443    29.37  %    3,135,200      139,197    4.44   %
Borrowings

Other            48,798         16,994        31,804     187.15 %    37,295         11,503     30.84  %
Liabilities

Stockholders'    305,274        220,465       84,809     38.47  %    304,740        534        0.18   %
Equity

Total
Liabilities
and            $ 3,628,469    $ 2,768,413     860,056    31.07  %  $ 3,477,235    $ 151,234    4.35   %
Stockholders'
Equity



INDEPENDENT BANK CORP.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY

(Unaudited - Dollars in
Thousands, Except Per Share
Data)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF         Three Months Ended                                     Twelve Months Ended
INCOME

                                   December 31,                    $         %            December 31,                    $         %

                                   2008            2007            Variance  Change       2008            2007            Variance  Change

INTEREST INCOME

Interest on Fed Funds Sold and   $ 51            $ 56            $ (5     )  -8.93   %  $ 148           $ 1,468         $ (1,320 )  -89.92 %
Short Term Investments

Interest and Dividends on          7,351           6,071           1,280     21.08   %    25,135          22,879          2,256     9.86   %
Securities

Interest on Loans                  38,080          34,033          4,047     11.89   %    151,105         135,391         15,714    11.61  %

Total Interest Income              45,482          40,160          5,322     13.25   %    176,388         159,738         16,650    10.42  %

INTEREST EXPENSE

Interest on Deposits               9,964           10,611          (647   )  -6.10   %    38,896          43,639          (4,743 )  -10.87 %

Interest on Borrowed Funds         5,023           5,058           (35    )  -0.69   %    20,030          19,916          114       0.57   %

Total Interest Expense             14,987          15,669          (682   )  -4.35   %    58,926          63,555          (4,629 )  -7.28  %

Net Interest Income                30,495          24,491          6,004     24.52   %    117,462         96,183          21,279    22.12  %

Less - Provision for Loan          5,575           1,355           4,220     311.44  %    10,888          3,130           7,758     247.86 %
Losses

Net Interest Income after          24,920          23,136          1,784     7.71    %    106,574         93,053          13,521    14.53  %
Provision for Loan Losses

NON-INTEREST INCOME

Service Charges on Deposit         3,914           3,720           194       5.22    %    15,595          14,414          1,181     8.19   %
Accounts

Wealth Management                  2,580           2,240           340       15.18   %    11,133          8,110           3,023     37.27  %

Mortgage Banking Income            497             949             (452   )  -47.63  %    3,072           3,166           (94    )  -2.97  %

BOLI Income                        739             591             148       25.04   %    2,555           2,004           551       27.50  %

Net Loss on Sale of Securities     -               -               -         n/a          (609       )    -               (609   )  n/a

Other-Than-Temporary-Impairment
on Certain Pooled Trust            (4,646     )    -               (4,646 )  n/a          (7,216     )    -               (7,216 )  n/a
Preferred Securities

Other Non-Interest                 568             999             (431   )  -43.14  %    3,554           4,357           (803   )  -18.43 %
(Loss)/Income

Total Non-Interest Income          3,652           8,499           (4,847 )  -57.03  %    28,084          32,051          (3,967 )  -12.38 %

NON-INTEREST EXPENSE

Salaries and Employee Benefits     14,468          13,252          1,216     9.18    %    58,275          52,520          5,755     10.96  %

Occupancy and Equipment            3,419           2,375           1,044     43.96   %    12,757          9,932           2,825     28.44  %
Expenses

Data Processing and Facilities     1,403           1,216           187       15.38   %    5,574           4,584           990       21.60  %
Management

Merger & Acquisition Expense       -               -               -         n/a          1,120           -               1,120     n/a

WorldCom Bond Loss Recovery        -               -               -         n/a          (418       )    -               (418   )  n/a

Other Non-Interest Expense         7,300           5,164           2,136     41.36   %    26,835          20,896          5,939     28.42  %

Total Non-Interest Expense         26,590          22,007          4,583     20.83   %    104,143         87,932          16,211    18.44  %

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES         1,982           9,628           (7,646 )  -79.41  %    30,515          37,172          (6,657 )  -17.91 %

PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES         (1,039     )    1,898           (2,937 )  -154.74 %    6,551           8,791           (2,240 )  -25.48 %

NET INCOME                       $ 3,021         $ 7,730         $ (4,709 )  -60.92  %  $ 23,964        $ 28,381        $ (4,417 )  -15.56 %

BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE         $ 0.19          $ 0.56                      -67.86  %  $ 1.53          $ 2.02                      -24.26 %

DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE       $ 0.18          $ 0.56                      -67.86  %  $ 1.52          $ 2.00                      -24.00 %

BASIC AVERAGE SHARES               16,280,552      13,734,231                18.54   %    15,694,555      14,033,257                11.84  %

DILUTED AVERAGE SHARES             16,331,118      13,840,654                17.99   %    15,759,482      14,160,598                11.29  %

PERFORMANCE RATIOS:

Net Interest Margin (FTE)          3.81       %    3.94       %              -3.30   %    3.95       %    3.90       %              1.28   %

Return on Average Assets           0.34       %    1.13       %              -69.91  %    0.73       %    1.05       %              -30.48 %

Return on Average Equity           3.92       %    14.08      %              -72.09  %    8.20       %    12.93      %              -36.66 %

RECONCILIATION TABLE - NON-GAAP
FINANCIAL INFORMATION

NET INCOME (GAAP)                $ 3,021         $ 7,730         $ (4,709 )  -60.92  %  $ 23,964        $ 28,381        $ (4,417 )  -15.56 %

Net Interest Income Components

Add - Write-Off of Debt            -               -               -                      -               590             (590   )
Issuance Cost, net of tax

Non-Interest Income Components

Add - Net Loss on Sale of          -               -               -                      396             -               396
Securities, net of tax

Non-Interest Expense Components

Add - Executive Early              -               -               -                      -               264             (264   )
Retirement Costs, net of tax

Add - Merger and Acquisition       -               -               -                      728             -               728
Expenses, net of tax

(Less)/Add - Litigation            -               -               -                      488             885             (397   )
Reserve/(Recovery), net of tax

Less - WorldCom Bond Loss          -               -               -                      (272       )    -               (272   )
Recovery, net of tax

NET OPERATING EARNINGS           $ 3,021         $ 7,730         $ (4,709 )  -60.92  %  $ 25,304        $ 30,120        $ (4,816 )  -15.99 %

Diluted Earnings Per Share, on   $ 0.18          $ 0.56          $ (0.38  )  -67.86  %  $ 1.61          $ 2.13          $ (0.52  )  -24.41 %
an Operating Basis



INDEPENDENT BANK
CORP.

SUPPLEMENTAL
FINANCIAL                        Three Months Ended December 31,
INFORMATION

CONSOLIDATED
AVERAGE BALANCE
SHEETS AND                       2008                              2007
AVERAGE RATE
DATA

(Unaudited -
Dollars in                                    Interest                          Interest
Thousands)

                    Ending       Average      Earned/    Yield/    Average      Earned/     Yield/

                    Balance      Balance      Paid       Rate      Balance      Paid        Rate

Interest-Earning
Assets:

Federal Funds
Sold and Short    $ 100        $ 19,979     $ 51         1.02%   $ 1,073      $ 56          20.88%
Term Investments

Securities:

Trading Assets      2,701        3,036        45         5.93%     1,724        15          3.48%

Taxable
Investment          619,213      558,345      6,937      4.97%     458,080      5,552       4.85%
Securities

Non-taxable
Investment          38,470       38,461       568        5.91%     49,449       776         6.28%
Securities (1)

Total               660,384      599,842      7,550      5.03%     509,253      6,343       4.98%
Securities:

Loans (1)           2,660,887    2,617,938    38,200     5.84%     2,015,811    34,154      6.78%

Total
Interest-Earning  $ 3,321,371  $ 3,237,759  $ 45,801     5.66%   $ 2,526,137  $ 40,553      6.42%
Assets

Cash and Due        50,007       65,772                            57,305
from Banks

Other Assets        257,091      244,772                           147,935

Total Assets      $ 3,628,469  $ 3,548,303                       $ 2,731,377

Interest-bearing
Liabilities:

Deposits:

Savings and
Interest          $ 725,313    $ 720,695    $ 1,490      0.83%   $ 574,727    $ 1,865       1.30%
Checking
Accounts

Money Market        488,345      498,845      2,356      1.89%     447,431      3,155       2.82%

Time Deposits       846,096      859,894      6,118      2.85%     521,902      5,591       4.29%

Total
interest-bearing    2,059,754    2,079,434    9,964      1.92%     1,544,060    10,611      2.75%
deposits:

Borrowings:

Federal Home
Loan Bank         $ 429,634    $ 309,653    $ 2,335      3.02%   $ 277,127    $ 3,050       4.40%
Borrowings

Federal Funds
Purchased and
Assets Sold

Under Repurchase    170,880      168,343      1,144      2.72%     136,040      1,107       3.25%
Agreement

Junior
Subordinated        61,857       61,857       995        6.43%     51,547       861         6.68%
Debentures

Subordinated        30,000       30,000       546        7.28%     -            -           -
Debentures

Other Borrowings    2,946        2,736        3          0.44%     3,025        40          5.29%

Total               695,317      572,589      5,023      3.51%     467,739      5,058       4.33%
Borrowings:

Total
Interest-Bearing  $ 2,755,071  $ 2,652,023  $ 14,987     2.26%   $ 2,011,799  $ 15,669      3.12%
Liabilities

Demand Deposits     519,326      550,073                           485,923

Other               48,798       38,261                            14,017
Liabilities

Total             $ 3,323,195  $ 3,240,357                       $ 2,511,739
Liabilities

Stockholders'       305,274      307,946                           219,638
Equity

Total
Liabilities and   $ 3,628,469  $ 3,548,303                       $ 2,731,377
Stockholders'
Equity

Net Interest                                  $30,814                           $24,884
Income

Interest Rate                                            3.40%                              3.30%
Spread (2)

Net Interest                                             3.81%                              3.94%
Margin (3)

Supplemental
Information:

Total Deposits,
including Demand  $ 2,579,080  $ 2,629,507  $ 9,964              $ 2,029,983  $ 10,611
Deposits

Cost of Total                                            1.52%                              2.09%
Deposits

Total Funding
Liabilities,      $ 3,274,397  $ 3,202,096  $ 14,987             $ 2,497,722  $ 15,669
including Demand
Deposits

Cost of Total
Funding                                                  1.87%                              2.51%
Liabilities



(1) The total amount of adjustment to present interest income and yield on a
fully tax-equivalent

basis is $319 and $393 for the three months ended December 31, 2008 and 2007,
respectively.

(2) Interest rate spread represents the difference between the weighted average
yield on interest-earning assets and the

weighted average cost of interest-bearing liabilities.

(3) Net interest margin represents annualized net interest income as a
percentage of average interest-earning assets.



INDEPENDENT BANK
CORP.

SUPPLEMENTAL
FINANCIAL                        Twelve Months Ended December 31,
INFORMATION

CONSOLIDATED
AVERAGE BALANCE
SHEETS AND                       2008                             2007
AVERAGE RATE
DATA

(Unaudited -
Dollars in                                    Interest                         Interest
Thousands)

                    Ending       Average      Earned/   Yield/    Average      Earned/   Yield/

                    Balance      Balance      Paid      Rate      Balance      Paid      Rate

Interest-Earning
Assets:

Federal Funds
Sold and Short    $ 100        $ 5,908      $ 148       2.51%   $ 26,630     $ 1,468     5.51%
Term Investments

Securities:

Trading Assets      2,701        3,060        140       4.58%     1,692        48        2.84%

Taxable
Investment          619,213      470,668      23,307    4.95%     433,186      20,694    4.78%
Securities

Non-taxable
Investment          38,470       41,203       2,597     6.30%     51,181       3,288     6.42%
Securities (1)

Total               660,384      514,931      26,044    5.06%     486,059      24,030    4.94%
Securities:

Loans (1)           2,660,887    2,489,028    151,572   6.09%     1,994,273    135,874   6.81%

Total
Interest-Earning  $ 3,321,371  $ 3,009,867  $ 177,764   5.91%   $ 2,506,962  $ 161,372   6.44%
Assets

Cash and Due        50,007       65,992                           59,009
from Banks

Other Assets        257,091      219,517                          148,494

Total Assets      $ 3,628,469  $ 3,295,376                      $ 2,714,465

Interest-bearing
Liabilities:

Deposits:

Savings and
Interest          $ 725,313    $ 688,336    $ 6,229     0.90%   $ 575,269    $ 7,731     1.34%
Checking
Accounts

Money Market        488,345      472,065      9,182     1.95%     462,434      13,789    2.98%

Time Deposits       846,096      740,779      23,485    3.17%     531,016      22,119    4.17%

Total
interest-bearing    2,059,754    1,901,180    38,896    2.05%     1,568,719    43,639    2.78%
deposits:

Borrowings:

Federal Home
Loan Bank         $ 429,634    $ 312,451    $ 10,714    3.43%   $ 254,516    $ 11,316    4.45%
Borrowings

Federal Funds
Purchased and
Assets Sold

Under Repurchase    170,880      154,440      4,663     3.02%     109,344      3,395     3.10%
Agreement

Junior
Subordinated        61,857       60,166       3,842     6.39%     59,950       5,048     8.42%
Debentures

Subordinated        30,000       10,410       750       7.20%     -            -         -
Debentures

Other Borrowings    2,946        2,381        61        2.56%     2,627        157       5.98%

Total               695,317      539,848      20,030    3.71%     426,437      19,916    4.67%
Borrowings:

Total
Interest-Bearing  $ 2,755,071  $ 2,441,028  $ 58,926    2.41%   $ 1,995,156  $ 63,555    3.19%
Liabilities

Demand Deposits     519,326      533,543                          485,922

Other               48,798       28,692                           13,914
Liabilities

Total             $ 3,323,195  $ 3,003,263                      $ 2,494,992
Liabilities

Stockholders'       305,274      292,113                          219,473
Equity

Total
Liabilities and   $ 3,628,469  $ 3,295,376                      $ 2,714,465
Stockholders'
Equity

Net Interest                                  $118,838                         $97,817
Income

Interest Rate                                           3.50%                            3.25%
Spread (2)

Net Interest                                            3.95%                            3.90%
Margin (3)

Supplemental
Information:

Total Deposits,
including Demand  $ 2,579,080  $ 2,434,723  $ 38,896            $ 2,054,641  $ 43,639
Deposits

Cost of Total                                           1.60%                            2.12%
Deposits

Total Funding
Liabilities,      $ 3,274,397  $ 2,974,571  $ 58,926            $ 2,481,078  $ 63,555
including Demand
Deposits

Cost of Total
Funding                                                 1.98%                            2.56%
Liabilities



(1) The total amount of adjustment to present interest income and yield on a
fully tax-equivalent

basis is $1,376 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2008 and $1,634 for the
twelve months ended December 31, 2007.

(2) Interest rate spread represents the difference between the weighted average
yield on interest-earning assets and the

weighted average cost of interest-bearing liabilities.

(3) Net interest margin represents annualized net interest income as a
percentage of average interest-earning assets.



                                   As Of

                                   December 31,  December 31,  September 30,

                                   2008          2007          2008

Asset Quality                      (Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

Nonperforming Loans

Commercial & Industrial Loans      $ 1,942       $ 306         $ 1,481

Small Business Loans                 1,111         439           773

Commercial Real Estate Loans         12,370        2,568         5,478

Residential Real Estate Loans        9,394         2,380         6,725

Installment Loans - Home Equity      1,090         872           1,106

Installment Loans - Auto             813           833           770

Installment Loans - Other            213           246           311

Total Nonperforming Loans            26,933        7,644         16,644

Non-Accrual Securities               910           -             -

Other Assets in Possession           231           -             -

Other Real Estate Owned              1,809         681           1,239

Nonperforming Assets                 29,883        8,325         17,883

Net charge-offs (year to date)     $ 6,194       $ 3,114       $ 4,381

Net charge-offs to average loans     0.24   %      0.16   %      0.23   %
(annualized)

Nonperforming Loans/Gross Loans      1.01   %      0.37   %      0.64   %

Allowance for Loan                   137.56 %      351.01 %      199.99 %
Losses/Nonperforming Loans

Gross Loans/Total Deposits           103.17 %      100.81 %      101.87 %

Allowance for Loan Losses/Total      1.39   %      1.31   %      1.29   %
Loans

Financial Ratios

Book Value per Share               $ 18.75       $ 16.04       $ 18.72

Tangible Capital/Tangible Asset      5.13   %      5.91   %      5.32   %

Tangible Capital/Tangible Asset
(proforma to include

the deductibility of goodwill)       5.67   %      6.45   %      5.76   %

Tangible Book Value per Share      $ 11.03       $ 11.64       $ 10.95

Tangible Book Value per Share
(proforma to include

the deductibility of goodwill)     $ 12.19       $ 12.70       $ 11.85

Capital Adequacy

Tier one leverage capital ratio      7.58   %      8.02   %      7.69   %
(1)

(1) Estimated number for December
31, 2008



Certain amounts in prior year financial statement have been reclassified to
conform to the current year's presentation.



    Source: Independent Bank Corp.
Contact: Independent Bank Corp. Chris Oddleifson, 781-982-6660 President and Chief Executive Officer or Denis K. Sheahan, 781-982-6341 Chief Financial Officer