Item 8.01. Other Events

On March 26, 2009, Meridian Interstate Bancorp, Inc. (the "Registrant") announced the adoption of a repurchase program for up to 517,500 shares, or 5% of the Registrant's common stock that is not held by the Registrant's mutual holding company. The announcement was made pursuant to approval received from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Office of the Commissioner of Banks. A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibit 99 Press release dated March 26, 2009

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