false 0001810546 0001810546 2024-05-28 2024-05-28

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported): May 28, 2024

 

 

EASTERN BANKSHARES, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

 

 

Massachusetts   001-39610   84-4199750

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation or Organization)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

125 High Street

Boston, MA

  02110
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (800) 327-8376

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the Registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

 

Trading
Symbol(s)

 

Name of each exchange

on which registered

Common Stock   EBC   Nasdaq Global Select Market

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the Registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

 

 

 


Item 8.01

Other Events.

As previously disclosed, on September 19, 2023, Eastern Bankshares, Inc. (“Eastern”), Eastern Bank, Citadel MS 2023, Inc., Cambridge Bancorp (“Cambridge”), and Cambridge Trust Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (“Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which Cambridge is expected to merge with and into Eastern, subject to applicable closing conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, including the receipt of required regulatory approvals.

On May 28, 2024, Eastern and Cambridge jointly issued a press release announcing that they had received all required regulatory approvals for the merger and expect to consummate the merger on or about July 12, 2024. A copy of the press release is provided herewith as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference.

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This Current Report on Form 8-K contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding anticipated future events and can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. You can identify these statements from the use of the words “may,” “will,” “expect,” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements, by their nature, are subject to risks and uncertainties. There are many factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expected results described in the forward-looking statements. These include risks associated with the consummation and/or implementation of the merger between Eastern and Cambridge, including risks that the closing conditions are not satisfied in a timely manner or at all and that the timing of completion of the proposed merger is dependent on various factors that cannot be predicted with precision at this point.

These forward-looking statements are also subject to the risks and uncertainties applicable to Eastern’s and Cambridge’s respective businesses generally that are disclosed in Eastern’s and Cambridge’s 2023 Annual Reports on Form 10-K. Eastern’s and Cambridge’s SEC filings are accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and on their respective corporate websites at ir.cambridgetrust.com and investor.easternbank.com. These web addresses are included as inactive textual references only. Information on these websites is not part of this document. For any forward-looking statements made in this Current Report on Form 8-K, Eastern claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Except as required by law, Eastern specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of developments occurring after the date of this Form 8-K. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect Eastern’s expectations only as of the date of this Current Report on Form 8-K. Eastern does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements.

 

Item 9.01

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d)

Exhibits

 

Exhibit

  

Description

99.1    Press release dated May 28, 2024
104    Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, hereunto duly authorized.

 

    EASTERN BANKSHARES, INC.
DATE: May 28, 2024     By:  

/s/ James B. Fitzgerald

      James B. Fitzgerald
      Chief Financial Officer

Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Eastern Bankshares, Inc. And Cambridge Bancorp Announce Regulatory Approvals Received To Merge

BOSTON, MA, May 28, 2024 – Eastern Bankshares, Inc. (“Eastern”) (NASDAQ Global Select Market: EBC), the stock holding company for Eastern Bank, and Cambridge Bancorp (NASDAQ: CATC) (“Cambridge”), the parent company of Cambridge Trust Company, today jointly announced they have received all necessary regulatory approvals to complete their proposed merger (the “Merger”), which was previously announced on September 19, 2023. The Merger is expected to close on or about July 12, 2024.

“We are thrilled to receive the required regulatory approvals for our merger with Cambridge Trust, and we look forward to completing the integration of our two companies,” said Bob Rivers, Chief Executive Officer and Chair of the Boards of Eastern and Eastern Bank. “This merger will create a $26 billion organization that is positioned as Greater Boston’s leading local bank and the largest bank-owned independent investment advisor in Massachusetts. We are deeply grateful to the incredible teams at both banks for their work in supporting this merger, and their outstanding customer service, collaboration and engagement in the communities where we operate. We look forward to welcoming our newest colleagues to Eastern and continuing to serve the needs of our customers with a comprehensive suite of banking and wealth management services.”

Denis Sheahan, Chairman, President and CEO of Cambridge Trust, said, “This is an exciting time as our two banks come together to offer outstanding capabilities and enhanced opportunities for products and services to our valued customers. Many of the familiar faces that customers have come to know will continue in their roles, and we look forward to introducing all customers to the strengths of the combined organization and continuing to serve our communities.”

On September 19, 2023, Eastern and Cambridge announced they had entered into a definitive agreement to merge. On February 28, 2024, shareholders of Cambridge and Eastern approved all matters in support of the Merger. As noted above, the closing is expected on or about July 12, 2024.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding anticipated future events and can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. You can identify these statements from the use of words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “future,” “will,” “look forward to,” “would,” “should,” “could,” or “may” or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements, by their nature, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Factors relating to the proposed merger that could cause or contribute to actual results differing materially from expected results include, but are not limited to, the possibility that revenue or expense synergies or the other expected benefits of the transaction may not materialize for Eastern or the combined companies in the timeframe expected or at all, or may be more costly to achieve; that prior to the completion of the transaction or thereafter, Eastern’s or Cambridge’s businesses may not perform as expected due to transaction-related uncertainty or other factors; that Eastern is unable to successfully implement integration strategies; that closing conditions are not satisfied in a timely manner or at all; that the timing of completion of


the proposed merger is dependent on various factors that cannot be predicted with precision at this point; reputational risks and the reaction of the companies’ customers to the transaction; the inability to implement onboarding plans and other consequences associated with mergers; and diversion of management time on merger-related issues.

These forward-looking statements are also subject to the risks and uncertainties applicable to Eastern’s and Century’s businesses generally that are disclosed in Eastern’s and Cambridge’s respective 2023 Annual Reports on Form 10-K, as each may be updated by the applicable company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Eastern’s and Cambridge’s SEC filings are accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and on their respective corporate websites at investor.easternbank.com and ir.cambridgetrust.com. These web addresses are included as inactive textual references only. Information on these websites is not part of this document. For any forward-looking statements made in this press release, Eastern and Cambridge claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Except as required by law, each company specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of developments occurring after the date of this press release, even if its estimates change, and you should not rely on those statements as representing either company’s views as of any date subsequent to the date hereof.

About Eastern Bankshares, Inc. and Eastern Bank

Eastern Bankshares, Inc. is the stock holding company for Eastern Bank. Founded in 1818, Boston-based Eastern Bank has more than 120 locations serving communities in eastern Massachusetts, southern and coastal New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. As of March 31, 2024, Eastern Bank had approximately $21 billion in total assets. Eastern provides a full range of banking and wealth management solutions for consumers and businesses of all sizes, and takes pride in its outspoken advocacy and community support that includes more than $240 million in charitable giving since 1994. An inclusive company, Eastern is comprised of deeply committed professionals who value relationships with their customers, colleagues and communities. For investor information, visit investor.easternbank.com.

About Cambridge Bancorp

Cambridge Bancorp, the parent company of Cambridge Trust Company, is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Cambridge Trust Company is a 133-year-old Massachusetts chartered commercial bank with approximately $5.37 billion in assets at March 31, 2024, and a total of 22 Massachusetts and New Hampshire locations. Cambridge Trust Company is one of New England’s leaders in private banking and wealth management with $4.8 billion in client assets under management and administration at March 31, 2024. The Wealth Management group maintains offices in Boston, Massachusetts, Concord, Manchester, and Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and Southport, Connecticut.

Eastern Bankshares, Inc. and Eastern Bank:

Investor contact:

Jill Belliveau

Eastern Bankshares, Inc.

InvestorRelations@easternbank.com

781-598-7920


Media contact:

Andrea Goodman Eastern Bank

a.goodman@easternbank.com

781-598-7847

Cambridge Bancorp

Investor contact:

Joseph P. Sapienza

Joseph.Sapienza@cambridgetrust.com

617-520-5520

Media contact:

Danielle Remis Hackel

Danielle.remis@cambridgetrust.com

617-441-1421

# # #

v3.24.1.1.u2
Document and Entity Information
May 28, 2024
Cover [Abstract]  
Amendment Flag false
Entity Central Index Key 0001810546
Document Type 8-K
Document Period End Date May 28, 2024
Entity Registrant Name EASTERN BANKSHARES, INC.
Entity Incorporation State Country Code MA
Entity File Number 001-39610
Entity Tax Identification Number 84-4199750
Entity Address, Address Line One 125 High Street
Entity Address, City or Town Boston
Entity Address, State or Province MA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code 02110
City Area Code (800)
Local Phone Number 327-8376
Written Communications false
Soliciting Material false
Pre Commencement Tender Offer false
Pre Commencement Issuer Tender Offer false
Security 12b Title Common Stock
Trading Symbol EBC
Security Exchange Name NASDAQ
Entity Emerging Growth Company false

Eastern Bankshares (NASDAQ:EBC)
Historical Stock Chart
From Nov 2024 to Dec 2024 Click Here for more Eastern Bankshares Charts.
Eastern Bankshares (NASDAQ:EBC)
Historical Stock Chart
From Dec 2023 to Dec 2024 Click Here for more Eastern Bankshares Charts.