INDEPENDENT
BANK CORP.
Parent of Rockland Trust Company

Shareholder Relations NEWS RELEASE

288 Union Street, Rockland, MA 02370

Contact: Douglas H. Philipsen
Chairman of the Board
(781) 982-6613

Christopher Oddleifson
President and CEO
(781) 982-6660

Denis K. Sheahan
Chief Financial Officer
and Treasurer
(781) 982-6341

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                        

INDEPENDENT BANK CORP. ANNOUNCES
INCREASED QUARTERLY DIVIDEND

     Rockland, MA (March 13, 2003) - The Board of Directors of Independent Bank Corp. (NASDAQ: INDB), parent of Rockland Trust Company, today announced a $0.13 per share dividend which will be payable on April 11, 2003, to stockholders of record as of the close of business on March 28, 2003.

     Independent Bank Corp.’s sole bank subsidiary, Rockland Trust Company, currently has $2.3 billion in assets, 52 retail branches, seven commercial lending centers and three Investment Management Offices located in Plymouth, Barnstable, Norfolk and Bristol counties of southeastern Massachusetts. For more information, visit www.rocklandtrust.com.

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