Meridian Bancorp, Inc. announced unaudited consolidated earnings results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2017. For the quarter, the company reported total interest and dividend income of $50.9 million against $41.25 million a year ago. Net interest income was $39.33 million against $33.42 million a year ago. Income before income taxes was $24.9 million against $17.951 million a year ago. Net income was $9.021 million against $11.31 million a year ago. Diluted earnings per share were $0.17 against basic and diluted earnings per share of $0.22 a year ago. Return on average assets was 0.70% against 1.05% a year ago. Return on average equity was 5.56% against 7.51% a year ago. Total interest and dividend income increased primarily due to growth in the company’s average loan balances to $4.556 billion and increases in the yield on loans, to 4.39% on a tax-equivalent basis, of eight basis points from the quarter ended September 30, 2017 and five basis points from the quarter ended December 31, 2016. For the year, the company reported total interest and dividend income of $185.104 million against $149.7 million a year ago. Net interest income was $146.2 million against $122.6 million a year ago. Income before income taxes was $76.432 million against $52.1 million a year ago. Net income was $42.95 million against $34.2 million a year ago. Diluted earnings per share were $0.82 against $0.65 a year ago. Return on average assets was 0.89% against 0.87% a year ago. Return on average equity was 6.82% against 5.77% a year ago. Total interest and dividend income increased primarily due to growth in the average loan balances of $791.7 million, or 22.6%, to $4.287 billion. Book value per share increased to $11.96 at December 31, 2017 from $11.33 at December 31, 2016. Tangible book value per share increased to $11.54 at December 31, 2017 from $11.08 at December 31, 2016.