United States Treasury Department Awards $50 Million in Tax Credit Allocation Authority to Rockland Trust Company under Federal New Markets Tax Credit Program

In addition to Treasury Secretary Geithner, Congressman Barney Frank, Congressman Michael Capuano, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, and Boston Mayor Thomas Menino spoke at the event today. Mike Psikarakis, who recently opened Micos Cafe in Brockton, Massachusetts using a New Markets Tax Credit loan obtained through Rockland Trust, also spoke at the event, gratefully acknowledging the role that the New Markets Tax Credit Program and Rockland Trust played in helping him open his restaurant.

Chris Oddleifson, Chief Executive Officer and President of Independent Bank Corp. and Rockland Trust Company, also attended the ceremony and said, "Rockland Trust is honored to receive this New Markets Tax Credit award, as this funding will enhance our already strong commitment to support the communities in which Rockland Trust does business. During times of economic hardship, it is especially important to support qualified businesses in low-income communities, as they provide essential services, create new jobs, and sustain economic growth in distressed areas."

Rockland Trust Community Development Corporation has been qualified as a "community development entity" under the New Markets Tax Credit Program. The award announced today marks the third time that one of Rockland Trust's community development subsidiaries has received a New Markets Tax Credit award. The $50 million award enables Rockland Trust, through its community development subsidiary, to make loans to qualified businesses and individuals in low-income communities in Eastern Massachusetts, on Cape Cod, and in Rhode Island in accordance with New Markets Tax Credit Program criteria. All loans will be made to qualified borrowers on advantageous terms and conditions, such as below market interest rates, longer interest-only periods, and longer amortization periods.

The New Markets Tax Credit Program was created in December 2000 to provide tax incentives to induce private-sector, market-driven investment in businesses and real estate development projects located in low-income urban and rural communities across the nation. The New Markets Tax Credit Program is part of the United States Department of the Treasury Community Development Financial Institutions Fund. More information on the program may be obtained at www.cdfifund.gov. The $1.5 billion in tax credit allocation authority announced today was approved in February 2009 as part of the economic stimulus bill.

The $50 million award to the Rockland Trust Community Development Corporation enables Rockland Trust to acquire federal tax credits by making an equity investment in the Rockland Trust Community Development Corporation, for a period of at least seven years, up to the full amount of the award. Rockland Trust Community Development Corporation, in turn, must use that equity investment to make loans to qualified businesses and individuals in low-income communities in accordance with New Markets Tax Credit Program criteria. Rockland Trust's overall tax credit will be equal to 39% of its total equity investment in Rockland Trust Community Development Corporation, credited at a rate of 5% in each of the first 3 years and 6% in each of the final 4 years. In order for tax credits to be obtained Rockland Trust Community Development Corporation must enter into an Allocation Agreement with the Treasury Department, make loans in accordance with regulatory guidelines, and otherwise comply with New Markets Tax Credit Program requirements.

About Rockland Trust

Rockland Trust Company is a full-service community bank headquartered in Massachusetts, with approximately $4.6 billion in assets. The sole bank subsidiary of Independent Bank Corp. (Nasdaq: INDB), Rockland Trust provides a wide range of consumer, business, investment, and insurance products and services. Rockland Trust's network consists of 71 retail branches, 12 commercial lending centers, and three mortgage banking centers in Eastern Massachusetts; and four Investment Management Group offices in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. To find out why Rockland Trust is the bank "Where Each Relationship Matters(R)", please visit www.RocklandTrust.com.

This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business of the Company. Actual results may differ from those contemplated by these statements. The Company wishes to caution readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any such forward-looking statements, whether in response to new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE: Rockland Trust Company

Rockland Trust Company 
Investor Contacts: 
Chris Oddleifson, 781-982-6660 
President and Chief Executive Officer 
or 
Denis K. Sheahan, 781-982-6341 
Chief Financial Officer 
or 
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Ralph Valente, 781-982-6636 
Senior Vice President and Director of Marketing 
ralph.valente@rocklandtrust.com 
or 
Joan Reid, 781-982-6537 
Public Relations Officer 
Joan.Reid@RocklandTrust.com