Brookline Bancorp, Inc., Brookline, Massachusetts - approval to acquire First Ipswich Bancorp, Ipswich, Massachusetts

Brookline Bancorp, Inc. (the "Petitioner" ), Brookline, Massachusetts, has petitioned the Board of Bank Incorporation (the "Board") pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws, chapter 167A, sections 2 and 4 for approval to acquire First Ipswich Bancorp, Ipswich, Massachusetts. First Ipswich Bancorp is the holding company for First National Bank of Ipswich, Ipswich, Massachusetts. In the Commonwealth, the Petitioner is the holding company for Brookline Bank, Brookline, Massachusetts.

In determining whether or not to approve the petition the Board must decide whether competition among banking institutions will be unreasonably affected and whether public convenience and advantage will be promoted by this proposal. A public hearing will be given to all interested parties on the petition before the Board on Thursday, January 6, 2011 at 1:00 p.m., in Hearing Room 1E, First Floor, 1000 Washington Street, Boston, Massachusetts. Any interested party other than the Petitioner should file communications, including briefs in favor of or protest, with the Board at 1000 Washington Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02118-6400.

All comments concerning this petition, however, must be filed with the Board by the close of business January 11, 2011. The applications and all communications relative to these matters are available for public inspection at the above address.

Board of Bank
Incorporation

David J. Cotney
______________________
Acting Commissioner of Banks


Navjeet K. Bal
______________________
Commissioner of Revenue


Timothy P. Cahill
______________________
Treasurer and Receiver-General