DATELINE: TAUNTON, MA…At Bristol County Savings Bank’s recent Annual Meeting Bank President E. Dennis Kelly, Jr. noted that fiscal year 2008 was another challenging, but successful year. Beacon Bancorp and it’s subsidiary, Bristol County Savings Bank closed the year with $10.5 million in operating income before security transactions and taxes. This was a 26% increase over the previous year, ending the year with the Bank’s total assets at $1.1 billion, an increase of 2.0%. One of the highlights of the past year was the acquisition of a substantial interest in the Farrell Backlund Insurance Agency, LLC, one of the region’s largest property and casualty insurance agencies.Kelly stated, “Despite the fact that negative issues seemed to dominate the banking news, 2008 was another good year for Bristol County Savings Bank, with increased operating earnings, after additional investments in people and infrastructure.” Bristol County Savings Bank’s retained earnings closed the year at $158.3 million or 13.7% of assets, a key measurement of the Bank’s continued success. The Bank’s strong capital position ranks Bristol County Savings in the top 10% for banks with $1 billion or more in assets on the state and federal level.Bristol County Savings Bank Board