Key Highlights:
- Merger solidifies Eastern’s leading position in Greater Boston while expanding into Rhode Island
- Financially compelling transaction with 16% EPS accretion resulting in top quartile operating profitability1
- Pro forma balance sheet has robust capital, liquidity and reserves
Eastern Bankshares, Inc. (“Eastern” or “the Company”) (Nasdaq: EBC), the holding company for Eastern Bank, and HarborOne Bancorp (“HarborOne”) (Nasdaq: HONE), the holding company for HarborOne Bank, today jointly announced they have entered into a definitive merger agreement pursuant to which HarborOne will merge with and into Eastern in a stock and cash transaction.
Under the terms of the merger agreement, which has been unanimously adopted by both boards of directors, shareholders of HarborOne will receive for each share of HarborOne common stock, at the holder’s election, either (i) 0.765 shares of Eastern common stock (the “Stock Consideration”) or (ii) $12.00 in cash (the “Cash Consideration”), subject to allocation procedures to ensure that the total number of shares of HarborOne common stock that receive the Stock Consideration represents between 75% and 85% of the total number of shares of HarborOne common stock outstanding immediately prior to the completion of the merger. The transaction is intended to qualify as a tax-free reorganization for federal income tax purposes and to provide a tax-free exchange for HarborOne shareholders for the Stock Consideration they will receive. Assuming 80% Stock Consideration, the midpoint of the range, Eastern anticipates issuing approximately 25.2 million shares of its common stock and paying an aggregate amount of $99 million in cash in the merger. Based upon Eastern’s $15.48 per share closing price on April 23, 2025, the transaction is valued at approximately $490 million.
“We are excited about this partnership which bolsters our already strong and long-standing presence in Greater Boston and expands our footprint into Rhode Island,” said Bob Rivers, Executive Chair and Chair of the Board of Directors of the Company and Eastern Bank. “HarborOne is a highly recognized institution in our local market, and we share a deep commitment to customers, colleagues and communities.”
Denis Sheahan, Chief Executive Officer of the Company and Eastern Bank, added, “The combination is a natural strategic fit with shared values, vision, and focus on customer-centric banking. We look forward to introducing HarborOne customers to an enhanced array of products and services offered by our banking and wealth management businesses. Importantly, it is a financially compelling transaction with 16% earnings accretion and a tangible book value earnback of 2.8 years. There are clear opportunities to generate higher returns, improve operating efficiency, and deliver sustained value to shareholders.”
“Today’s announcement is a testament to the strength of our franchise and dedication of our team,” said Joseph F. Casey, President and Chief Executive Officer of HarborOne. “Partnering with Eastern brings further scale, resources, and innovation to deliver long-term value and enhanced banking experiences to our customers and local communities. We look forward to building upon the legacy forged by HarborOne for over a century.”
The merger is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2025, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including the receipt of required regulatory approvals, approval of HarborOne shareholders, and other customary conditions. No vote of Eastern shareholders is required. All HarborOne directors and executive officers have agreed to vote in favor of the merger. In connection with the closing, Joseph Casey and one other director from HarborOne are expected to be elected to Eastern’s Board of Directors.
Eastern has $25.0 billion in assets, the largest deposit market share in both the Boston MSA and Massachusetts of any bank headquartered in Massachusetts, and the largest bank-owned independent investment advisor in Massachusetts with $8.4 billion in assets under management.
HarborOne Bank, founded in 1917, has $5.7 billion in assets, 30 banking centers in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and operates HarborOne Mortgage, LLC, which provides mortgage lending services throughout New England and other states.
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC served as financial advisor and Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP provided legal counsel to Eastern. Raymond James & Associates, Inc. served as financial advisor and Goodwin Procter LLP provided legal counsel to HarborOne.
Conference Call and Investor Presentation Information
The merger will be discussed in conjunction with Eastern’s first quarter 2025 earnings results on Friday, April 25, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time. To join by telephone, participants can call the toll-free dial-in number (800) 549-8228 from within the U.S. and reference conference ID 70523. The conference call will be simultaneously webcast. Participants may join the webcast on the Company’s Investor Relations website at investor.easternbank.com. A presentation providing additional information for the quarter is also available at investor.easternbank.com. A replay of the webcast will be available on this site.
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