8-K

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): January 24, 2018

SI FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Maryland	0-54241	80-0643149
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

803 Main Street, Willimantic, Connecticut 06226

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(860) 423-4581

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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))

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.

In connection with the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, on January 24, 2018, SI Financial Group, Inc., the holding company for Savings Institute Bank and Trust Company, announced its plans to: (1) increase employee wages; and (2) increase its quarterly cash dividend. The press release announcing these items is included as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01    Financial Statements and Exhibits

Exhibits

NumberDescription

99.1 Press Release dated January 24, 2018

SIGNATURES

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

SI FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

Date:    January 24, 2018            By:    /s/ Rheo A. Brouillard____________

Rheo A. Brouillard

President and Chief Executive Officer

EX-99.1

PRESS RELEASE

(NASDAQ: SIFI)

SI FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. INCREASES WAGES AND DIVIDEND

Willimantic, Connecticut—January 24, 2018. SI Financial Group, Inc. (the “Company”) (NASDAQ Global Market: SIFI), the parent of Savings Institute Bank and Trust Company (the “Bank”), announced plans to raise minimum wages forapproximately 25% of the Bank’s workforce as a result of the enactment of the new federal tax reform legislation.

In addition, the Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.06 per share on the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock, representing a 20% increase over the prior quarter. The dividend will be paid on February 26, 2018 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on February 5, 2018.

“We look forward to the economic growth and positive impact on capital investment that should result from the new tax reform legislation. The tax savings we will recognize allows us to increase the hourly wages for a substantial portion of our employees, along with increasing our cash dividend to shareholders. In keeping with the spirit and intent of the revised tax code, we appreciate the opportunity to pass along a portion of the tax savings to those employees who find themselves at the lower end of the pay scale. Additionally, we are pleased to distribute a portion of the tax savings to our shareholders in the form of a higher quarterly dividend,” stated Rheo Brouillard, President and Chief Executive Officer.

SI Financial Group, Inc. is the holding company for Savings Institute Bank and Trust Company. Established in 1842, Savings Institute Bank & Trust Company is a community-oriented financial institution headquartered in Willimantic, Connecticut.

CONTACT:

Cassandra Giovanni

Marketing Manager

860-465-8659 – Cassandra_Giovanni@banksi.com