Brookline Bancorp, Inc. permission to acquire Bancorp Rhode Island

Brookline Bancorp, Inc. (Petitioner), Brookline, Massachusetts, has petitioned the Board of Bank Incorporation (Board) pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws, chapter 167A, sections 2 and 4 for approval to acquire BANCORP RHODE ISLAND, INC., Providence, Rhode Island. Bancorp Rhode Island, Inc. is the holding company for Bank Rhode Island, Providence, Rhode Island. In the Commonwealth, the Petitioner is the holding company for Brookline Bank, Brookline, Massachusetts and First National Bank of Ipswich, 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 Tuesday, September 13, 2011 at 10:30 a.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 on Tuesday, September 20, 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
______________________
Commissioner of Banks


Navjeet K. Bal
______________________
Commissioner of Revenue


Steven Grossman
______________________
Treasurer and Receiver-General