December 16, 2009 (FinancialWire) — Meridian Interstate Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: EBSB), the holding company for East Boston Savings Bank (the “Bank), said Mark L. Abbate has been appointed as the new senior vice president, treasurer and chief financial officer of the company and Bank effective January 4, 2010.

Abbate has 30 years of significant experience in the banking business. Prior to taking his new position with East Boston Savings Bank, Abbate served as executive vice president and chief financial officer of Strata Bank in Franklin, Massachusetts, from 2007 until Strata’s merger into Middlesex Savings Bank in July 2009. Abbate was a consultant based in Boston from 2006 to 2007, where he provided project consulting leadership for financial institutions in need of finance, accounting and risk management support. From 2000 to 2005, he was the vice president and Controller of FIRSTFED America Bancorp, Inc. in Swansea, Massachusetts, an institution with over $2.5 billion in assets which combined with Webster Bank. Abbate began his career at Deloitte & Touche in Los Angeles, where he also worked for H.F. Ahmanson & company, a large bank holding company.

Abbate is a graduate of California State University, Long Beach, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a major in accounting. He is also a Certified Public Accountant and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Abbate is expected to commence his duties on January 4, 2010 succeeding Gregory Derderian, who resigned as treasurer and CFO effective December 31, 2009.

Meridian Interstate Bancorp, Inc. and East Boston Savings Bank are headquartered in East Boston, Massachusetts.

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