10-K 1 b68142mbe10vk.htm MASSBANK CORP. e10vk
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
FORM 10-K
Annual Report pursuant to sections 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Mark One)
     
þ   Annual report pursuant to section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
for the fiscal year ended DECEMBER 31, 2007 or
     
o   Transition report pursuant to section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
for the transition period from                      to                     
Commission file number: 0-15137
MASSBANK Corp.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     
Delaware   04-2930382
     
(State or other jurisdiction of   (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)   Identification No.)
     
123 Haven Street    
Reading, Massachusetts   01867
     
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (781) 662-1000
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
NONE
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
COMMON STOCK, par value $1.00 per share
(Title of class)
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. o Yes þ No
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. o Yes þ No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. þ Yes o No
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
             
Large accelerated filer o   Accelerated filer þ   Non-accelerated filer o   Smaller reporting company o
        (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act) o Yes þ No
The aggregate market value of the registrant’s voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant, computed by reference to the closing price per share of common stock on June 30, 2007, the last day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, was $128,539,466. Although directors and executive officers of the registrant were assumed to be “affiliates” of the registrant for the purposes of this calculation, this classification is not to be interpreted as an admission of such status.
As of February 29, 2008, there were 4,233,079 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding.
 
 

 


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DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
     Portions of MASSBANK Corp.’s 2007 Annual Report to Stockholders are incorporated by reference in Parts I, II, III and IV of this Form 10-K. Portions of the Definitive Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement for the 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.

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MASSBANK Corp.
Form 10-K
For the Year Ended December 31, 2007
TABLE OF CONTENTS
             
        Page  
    Description   Number  
           
  Business     5  
 
  Supervision and Regulation     22  
 
  Executive Officers of the Registrant     28  
  Risk Factors     29  
  Unresolved Staff Comments     33  
  Properties     34  
  Legal Proceedings     35  
  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders     35  
 
           
           
  Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities     36  
  Selected Financial Data     37  
  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations     37  
  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk     37  
  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data     37  
  Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure     37  
  Controls and Procedures     38  
  Other Information     38  
 
           
           
  Directors and Executive Officers and Corporate Governance     39  
  Executive Compensation     40  
  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters     40  
  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence     40  
  Principal Accountant Fees and Services     40  
 
           
           
  Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules     41  
 
           
        46  
 Ex-13 2006 Annual Report to Stockholders
 Ex-21 Subsidiaries of the Registrant
 Ex-23 Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 Ex-31.1 Certification of CEO
 Ex-31.2 Certification of CFO
 Ex-32.1 Certification of CEO
 Ex-32.2 Certification of CFO

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Forward-Looking Statement Disclosure.
     MASSBANK Corp. may from time to time make written or oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in this annual report, in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in its reports to stockholders and in other MASSBANK Corp. communications. These statements relate to future, not past, events.
     These forward-looking statements include, among others, statements with respect to MASSBANK Corp.’s beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, guidelines, expectations, financial condition, results of operations, future performance and business of the Company. You can identify forward-looking statements by the use of the words “may”, “could”, “should”, “believe”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “estimate”, “assume”, “will”, “would”, “plan”, “projects”, “outlook” or similar expressions. These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the Company’s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties including but not limited to the following: (1) changing economic conditions; (2) movements in interest rates; (3) the credit environment; (4) levels of activity in the capital markets, including the stock and bond market; (5) changes in the level of non-performing assets; (6) changes in the competitive pricing pressures within the Company’s market which may result in an increase in the Company’s cost of funds, changes in loan originations, a change in deposits and assets; (7) adverse legislative and regulatory developments; (8) a significant decline in residential real estate values in the Company’s market area; (9) adverse impacts resulting from the continuing war on terrorism; (10) a significant increase in employee benefit costs; (11) the impact of changes in accounting principles; (12) the impact of inflation or deflation; (13) the Company’s and Eastern Bank Corporation’s (“Eastern”) ability to consummate the merger discussed below; (14) the conditions to the completion of the merger may not be satisfied, or the regulatory approvals required for the transaction may not be obtained on the terms expected or on the anticipated schedule; and (15) MASSBANK Corp.’s success at managing the risks involved in the foregoing.
Internet Access
     The Company maintains a website at www.MASSBANK.com. The Company will make available free of charge on or through its website its annual reports on Form 10-K, its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, its current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act) as soon as reasonably practicable following its filing of the same with the SEC. In addition, the Company’s code of ethics is posted on the Company’s website.

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PART I
Item 1. Business
Business of MASSBANK Corp.
General
     MASSBANK Corp. (sometimes referred to as the Company) is a general business corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware on August 11, 1986. MASSBANK Corp. was organized for the purpose of becoming the holding company for MASSBANK (the Bank). The Company is a one-bank holding company registered with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Federal Reserve Board) under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended. As of and since December 2, 1986, the effective date of the reorganization whereby MASSBANK Corp. became the holding company for the Bank, the Bank has been a wholly owned subsidiary of MASSBANK Corp. The only office of MASSBANK Corp., and its principal place of business, is located at the main office of the Bank at 123 Haven Street, Reading, Massachusetts 01867.
     On August 28, 2006, Knabssam LLC was formed in the State of Delaware as a limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of MASSBANK Corp. The general character of the business of the LLC is to engage in investment in, and ownership and development of, real estate and interest therein. The only real estate the LLC currently owns is approximately 5.49 acres of excess land adjacent to the Bank’s branch in Westford, Massachusetts. Knabssam LLC has entered into an agreement with a local developer giving the developer an option to purchase the parcel. See Note 1 “Real Estate Held for Resale” of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in the Registrant’s 2007 Annual Report to Stockholders set forth on page 36 of such Annual Report.
     MASSBANK Corp. currently has no material assets other than its investment in the Bank. The Company’s primary business, therefore, is managing its investment in the stock of the Bank. MASSBANK Corp. is classified by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a securities corporation for tax purposes, which restricts its business to buying, selling, dealing in, or holding securities on its own behalf. In the future, MASSBANK Corp. may become an operating company or acquire banks or companies engaged in bank-related activities. In addition, MASSBANK Corp. may elect to become a financial holding company and to engage in activities permissible to financial holding companies. See “Supervision and Regulation of the Company and its Subsidiaries” later in this Form 10-K.
     The principal sources of revenues for MASSBANK Corp. are dividends from the Bank. These revenues are used primarily for the payment of dividends to stockholders and for the repurchase of stock pursuant to the Company’s stock repurchase program. MASSBANK Corp.’s assets at December 31, 2007 are represented by its investment in the Bank of $104.3 million, its investment in Knabssam LLC of $0.8 million, cash of $3.8 million and other assets of $0.1 million. See Note 18 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for Parent Company only financial information. At December 31, 2007, MASSBANK Corp. on a consolidated basis had total assets of $801.8 million, deposits of $682.6 million, and stockholders’ equity of $109.0 million, which represents 13.59% of total assets. Book value per share increased $0.93, or 3.8%, to a new high of $25.69 per share at December 31, 2007, from $24.76 per share at December 31, 2006.
     The Company does not own or lease any real estate (other than through its subsidiary Knabssam LLC as described above) or personal property. Instead it intends to utilize during the immediate future the premises, equipment and furniture of the Bank without the direct payment of rental fees to the Bank.

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Pending Acquisition of the Company by Eastern Bank Corporation
     On March 10, 2008, the Company, the Bank, Eastern Bank Corporation, a Massachusetts chartered mutual bank holding company (“Eastern”), Eastern Bank, a Massachusetts-chartered savings bank and wholly owned subsidiary of Eastern (“Eastern Bank”), and Minuteman Acquisition Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of Eastern (the “Merger Sub”), entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”), pursuant to which the Merger Sub will merge with and into the Company, with the Company as the surviving corporation (the “Merger”). As a result of the Merger, the Company will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Eastern.
     Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, at the effective time of the Merger, each outstanding share of common stock, $1.00 par value, of the Company (other than any such shares owned by Eastern or the Company, or by any Company stockholders who are entitled to and properly exercise dissenter’s rights under Delaware law) shall be converted into the right to receive $40.00 in cash, without interest (the “Merger Consideration”). Additionally, at the effective time of the Merger, each outstanding option to purchase common stock of the Company that is outstanding will be cancelled and the holder of such option will receive a cash per share payment equal to the product of (x) the excess, if any, of the Merger Consideration over the applicable exercise price of such option and (y) the number of shares of the Company’s common stock issuable upon exercise of the option, less any applicable withholding taxes.
     As a result of our pending acquisition by Eastern, management’s focus will be directed in part towards maintaining our present business and guiding the Company through the corporate and regulatory tasks and issues necessary to consummate the Merger as required under the Merger Agreement. On a related note, the Merger Agreement provides for a number of restrictions on the Company’s ability to conduct its business, which may limit the Company’s ability to compete with other bank holding companies and may require the Company to forego certain other opportunities.
     The Merger Agreement was filed on March 12, 2008 with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K. Completion of the Merger is subject to a number of contingencies, including approval by our stockholders, the receipt of requisite state and federal regulatory approvals, and other customary conditions, each of which must be satisfied or waived prior to the closing, as well as the right of each party to terminate the Merger Agreement under certain circumstances.
Competition
     The primary business of MASSBANK Corp. currently is the ongoing business of the Bank. Therefore, the competitive conditions faced by MASSBANK Corp. currently are the same as those faced by the Bank. See “Business of MASSBANK - Competition.” In addition, many banks and financial institutions have formed holding companies. It is likely that these holding companies will attempt to acquire commercial banks, thrift institutions or companies engaged in bank-related activities. MASSBANK Corp. would face competition in undertaking any such acquisitions and in operating any such entity subsequent to its acquisition.
Employees
     MASSBANK Corp. does not employ any persons other than its management, which also serves as management of, and is paid by, the Bank. See “Item 10 – Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant.” MASSBANK Corp. utilizes the support staff of the Bank from time to time and paid the Bank $18 thousand in 2007 for the support.

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Dividends
     MASSBANK Corp. paid total cash dividends of $1.13 per share in 2007 compared to $1.09 per share in 2006. The Company’s dividend payout ratios (cash dividends paid divided by net income) for 2007 and 2006 were 63% and 67%, respectively.

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Business of MASSBANK
General
     MASSBANK is a Massachusetts-chartered savings bank founded in 1872 as the Melrose Savings Bank. In 1983, the Reading Savings Bank was merged with and into the Melrose Savings Bank and the name of the resulting institution was changed to MASSBANK for Savings. In 1986, the Bank converted from mutual to stock form of ownership. In 1996, the name of the bank was changed from “MASSBANK for Savings” to “MASSBANK”.
     The Bank is primarily engaged in the business of attracting deposits from the general public through its fifteen full service banking offices in Reading, Chelmsford, Dracut, Everett, Lowell, Medford, Melrose, Stoneham, Tewksbury, Westford and Wilmington, and originating residential and commercial real estate mortgages, construction loans, commercial loans, and a variety of consumer loans. The Bank invests a significant portion of its funds in U.S. Treasury and Government agency securities (including callable agency securities), mortgage-backed securities, federal funds sold, and other authorized investments. The Bank also invests a portion of its funds in equity securities traded on a national securities exchange or quoted on the NASDAQ System. The Bank’s earnings depend largely upon net interest income, which is the difference between the interest and dividend income derived by the Bank from its loans and investments (interest-earning assets) and the interest paid by the Bank on its deposits (interest-bearing liabilities). Net interest income is significantly affected by loan and investment activity and volumes, including prepayment activity on loans and mortgage-backed securities and calls of callable government agency securities. Net interest income is also affected by general economic conditions, particularly changes in interest rates, competition, government legislation and policies affecting fiscal affairs, monetary policies of the Federal Reserve System, and the actions of the bank regulatory authorities. Earnings results are also affected by the Company’s provisions (credit) for loan losses and changes in non-interest income, such as fee-based revenues and securities gains or losses, non-interest expense and income taxes.
     The Bank’s deposits are insured to applicable limits by the Bank Insurance Fund (BIF) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the FDIC) and excess deposit balances are insured by the Depositors Insurance Fund, Inc. (DIF), a private industry-sponsored deposit insurer.
     The Bank recognizes that loan and investment opportunities change over time and that yields derived from such opportunities can vary significantly even when the risks associated with those opportunities are comparable. By developing a relatively liquid loan and investment portfolio, the Bank has attempted to position itself so as to be able to take advantage of these changing opportunities. Consequently, the Bank expects that the relative mix of its loan and investment portfolios will change over time in response to changing market conditions.

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Market Area
     The Bank is headquartered in Reading, Massachusetts, which is located approximately 15 miles north of Boston. The Bank’s market area includes a significant portion of eastern Massachusetts and is served by a network of 15 branch offices located on a broad arc stretching from Medford and Everett in the south, Dracut in the north, and Westford in the west.
     The Bank’s general market area consists of the municipalities in which it operates banking offices and all of the contiguous cities and towns.
     The Bank currently operates banking offices in the municipalities of Chelmsford, Dracut, Everett, Lowell, Medford, Melrose, Reading, Stoneham, Tewksbury, Westford and Wilmington.
Lending Activities
     The Bank’s net loan portfolio totaled $190.2 million at December 31, 2007.
The following table sets forth information concerning the Bank’s loan portfolio
by type of loan at the dates shown:
                                         
(In thousands) At December 31,   2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  
 
Mortgage loans:
                                       
Residential:
                                       
Conventional
  $ 175,270     $ 192,977     $ 212,684     $ 224,542     $ 240,443  
FHA and VA
    5       13       27       45       84  
Commercial
    4,792       4,443       2,335       1,623       1,601  
Construction:
                                       
Residential
    1,114       1,217       845       84       81  
Commercial
    708       563                    
 
Total mortgage loans
    181,889       199,213       215,891       226,294       242,209  
Premium on loans
    1       2       2       5       10  
Deferred mortgage loan origination costs (fees)
    55       38       11       (102 )     (333 )
 
Mortgage loans, net
    181,945       199,253       215,904       226,197       241,886  
 
Other loans:
                                       
Consumer:
                                       
Second mortgage loans
    1,231       751       34       69       111  
Installment
    287       211       211       258       304  
Guaranteed education
    427       635       1,094       1,616       2,333  
Other secured
    374       408       499       504       518  
Home equity lines of credit
    7,052       7,460       7,722       7,284       7,549  
Unsecured lines of credit
    125       128       148       161       166  
 
Total consumer loans
    9,496       9,593       9,708       9,892       10,981  
Commercial
    126       81       118       109       139  
 
Total other loans
    9,622       9,674       9,826       10,001       11,120  
 
Total loans
    191,567       208,927       225,730       236,198       253,006  
Allowance for loan losses
    (1,369 )     (1,382 )     (1,253 )     (1,307 )     (1,554 )
 
Net loans
  $ 190,198     $ 207,545     $ 224,477     $ 234,891     $ 251,452  
 

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     The following table shows the maturity distribution and interest rate sensitivity of the Bank’s loan portfolio at December 31, 2007:
                                         
    Maturity/Scheduled Payments (1)    
    Within   One to   Five to   After    
(In thousands)   one year   five years   ten years   ten years   Total
 
Mortgage loans:
                                       
Residential
  $ 3,346     $ 17,345     $ 71,905     $ 82,772     $ 175,368  
Commercial & construction
    480       5,147       279       671       6,577  
 
Total mortgage loans
    3,826       22,492       72,184       83,443       181,945  
Other loans
    1,394       4,141       3,534       553       9,622  
 
Total loans
  $ 5,220     $ 26,633     $ 75,718     $ 83,996     $ 191,567  
 
(1)   Loan amounts are accumulated as if the entire balance came due on the last contractual payment date. Accordingly, the amounts do not reflect proceeds from contractual loan amortization or anticipated prepayments.
     The following table shows the amounts, included in the table above, which are due after one year and which have fixed or adjustable interest rates:
                         
    Total Due After One Year    
    Fixed   Adjustable    
(In thousands)   Rate    Rate   Total
 
Mortgage loans:
                       
Residential
  $ 150,110     $ 21,912     $ 172,022  
Commercial & construction
    339       5,758       6,097  
 
Total mortgage loans
    150,449       27,670       178,119  
Other loans
    2,139       6,089       8,228  
 
Total loans
  $ 152,588     $ 33,759     $ 186,347  
 
     Mortgage Lending. The Bank believes that the repayment periods of long-term first mortgage loans, the general resistance of the public in our market area to variable rate mortgage instruments and the highly competitive nature of the mortgage industry require a prudent approach to mortgage lending. Consequently, as part of its policy of generally attempting to match the maturities of its assets and its liabilities, the Bank has attempted to keep its mortgage loan portfolio to a level at which the Bank believes there is an acceptable risk-to-reward ratio in light of opportunities in the market place and its long-term objectives. In 2007, the Bank’s mortgage loan portfolio decreased approximately $17.3 million or 8.3%. At December 31, 2007, the mortgage loan portfolio totaled $181.9 million compared to $199.2 million at December 31, 2006. The decrease in loans is principally due to loan principal payments, paydowns and payoffs combined with a decline in loan origination activity. Loan originations totaled $19.5 million in 2007, down 10.1% from $21.7 million in 2006. This is primarily attributable to a decline in mortgage refinancing activity due to the rise in market interest rates, a decline in new and existing home sales and the fierce competition for mortgages in the Bank’s market area. Consequently, the size of the Bank’s loan portfolio decreased this past year. At times of low loan demand, mortgage-backed securities may be used as substitutes for loans as certain of their financial characteristics are very similar to short-term mortgage loans.

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Mortgage Lending (continued)
     Loan originations come from a number of sources, including referrals from real estate brokers, walk-in customers, purchasers of property owned by existing customers and refinancings for existing customers. In addition to actively soliciting loan applications, the Bank conducts an advertising and promotion program, directed both toward the general public and real estate professionals who might refer potential borrowers.
     Substantially all of the real estate loans originated by the Bank during 2007 were secured by real estate located in the Bank’s primary lending area, reflecting the Bank’s commitment to serve the credit needs of the local communities in which it operates banking offices.
     The Bank makes both conventional fixed and adjustable-rate loans on one- to-four family residential properties for a term of ten to thirty years. The Bank currently retains all of the mortgages it originates for its own portfolio. These are primarily 10, 12, 15 or 20 year fixed rate and adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs). The few long-term (30 year) fixed rate mortgage loans that the Bank originates from time to time are also added to the loan portfolio. Adjustable rate mortgage loans have rates that are re-set at either 1, 3, 5, 7 or 10 year intervals and are indexed to various financial indices.
     In addition to its traditional mortgage products, the Bank offers several other loan programs that have been well received by customers. It offers ARM programs featuring an initial fixed rate for 5 or 7 years and a 1 year adjustable rate thereafter. A special first time homebuyers program has also been instituted featuring a discounted ARM. This program is designed for first- time homebuyers meeting certain income and property location criteria.
     At December 31, 2007, 1-4 family residential mortgage loans totaled $176.4 million, or 92.1% of the total loan portfolio, compared to $194.3 million, or 93.0% of the total loan portfolio, at December 31, 2006. Residential mortgage and construction loan originations remained essentially flat, amounting to $13.3 million in 2007 compared to $13.2 million in 2006. This was due to a significant reduction in mortgage refinancing activity. Loan origination volumes are sensitive to interest rates and are affected by the interest rate environment. The higher interest rate environment in 2007 created less demand for mortgage refinancings. In 2007, normal principal amortization and mortgage prepayments exceeded the Bank’s volume of newly originated mortgages.
     The Bank also originates construction loans and mortgage loans secured by commercial or investment property. The commercial and multifamily real estate mortgages and construction loans totaled approximately $5.5 million, or 2.9% of the total loan portfolio at December 31, 2007. This compares to $5.0 million or 2.4% of the total loan portfolio at December 31, 2006. In 2007, construction and commercial mortgage loan originations amounted to $1.8 million. This compares to $3.2 million in 2006.

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Mortgage Lending (continued)
     The total amount of first mortgage loans held by the Bank at December 31, 2007 was $181.9 million as indicated in the maturity distribution table appearing on page nine. Of this amount, $31.0 million was subject to interest rate adjustments. The remaining $150.9 million represents fixed rate mortgage loans, which constitute 78.8% of the Company’s total loans.
     Fees received for originating loans and related direct incremental loan origination costs are offset and the resulting net amount is deferred and amortized over the life of the related loans.
     The Bank also receives fees relating to existing loans, primarily late charges and prepayment penalties.
     Other Loans. The Bank makes a variety of consumer loans and had a consumer loan portfolio of approximately $9.5 million at December 31, 2007, representing 5.2% of the Bank’s total loan portfolio. This compares to $9.6 million representing 4.6% of the Bank’s total loan portfolio at December 31, 2006. At December 31, 2007 and 2006, $0.4 million, or 0.2% of the total loan portfolio, are education loans guaranteed by the American Student Assistance Services Corporation.
     The balance of the Bank’s consumer loan portfolio consists of home equity lines of credit, second mortgage loans and consumer loan contracts such as automobile loans, home improvement loans and other secured and unsecured financings. These loans totaled $9.1 million and $9.2 million, respectively, at December 31, 2007 and 2006, representing 4.7% and 4.4% of the Bank’s total loan portfolio, respectively.
     At December 31, 2007 and 2006, the Bank also had $0.1 million in outstanding loans to commercial enterprises not secured by real estate.
     Loan Approval. The Bank’s loan approval process for all loans generally includes a review of an applicant’s financial statements, credit history, banking history, and verification of income. For mortgage loans, the Bank generally obtains an independent appraisal of the subject property. The Bank has a formal lending policy approved by the Board of Directors of the Bank, which delegates levels of loan approval authority to Bank personnel. All loans in excess of established limits require approval of the Bank’s Board of Directors.
     The Bank issues commitments to prospective borrowers to make loans subject to certain conditions for generally up to 60 days. The interest rate applicable to the committed loans is usually the rate in effect at the time a rate lock fee is paid. At December 31, 2007, the Bank had issued commitments on residential first mortgage loans totaling $2.514 million, and had commitments totaling $739 thousand to advance funds on construction loans and reverse mortgages, and unused credit lines, including unused portions of home equity lines of credit, of $25.897 million. In addition, the Bank had commitments to provide $1.692 million, which represents its participating share of the funding for an affordable housing project in Lowell, Massachusetts and unused commercial loan credit lines of $26 thousand.

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     Loan Delinquencies. It is the Bank’s policy to manage its loan portfolio so as to recognize problem loans at an early stage and thereby minimize loan losses. Loans are considered delinquent when any payment of principal or interest is one month or more past due. The Bank generally commences collection procedures, however, when accounts are 15 days past due. It is the Bank’s practice to generally discontinue accrual of interest on all loans for which payments are 90 days or more past due. Loans with delinquent payments 90 or more days past due, as shown in the table on the following page, totaled $199 thousand at December 31, 2007, up from $137 thousand at year-end 2006.
     Real Estate Acquired through Foreclosure.
     Real estate acquired through foreclosure is comprised of foreclosed properties where the Bank has actually received title and loans determined to be substantially repossessed. Real estate loans that are substantially repossessed include only those loans for which the Bank has taken possession of the collateral but has not completed legal foreclosure proceedings. Loan losses arising from the acquisition of such properties are charged against the allowance for loan losses. Real estate acquired through foreclosure is recorded at the lower of the carrying value of the loan or the fair value of the property constructively or actually received, less estimated costs to sell the property following foreclosure. Operating expenses and any subsequent provisions to reduce the carrying value to fair value are charged to current period earnings. Gains or losses upon disposition are reflected in earnings as realized. At year-end 2007, MASSBANK had no real estate acquired through foreclosure.
     Non-Performing Assets
     The following table shows the composition of non-performing assets at the dates shown:
                                         
(In thousands) At December 31,   2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  
 
Nonaccrual loans:
                                       
Mortgage loans:
                                       
Residential
  $ 167     $ 113     $ 176     $ 41     $ 152  
Consumer
    32       24       81       33       78  
 
Total nonaccrual loans
    199       137       257       74       230  
 
Total non-performing assets
  $ 199     $ 137     $ 257     $ 74     $ 230  
 
Percent of non-performing loans to total loans
    0.10 %     0.07 %     0.11 %     0.03 %     0.09 %
Percent of non-performing assets to total assets
    0.02 %     0.02 %     0.03 %     0.01 %     0.02 %
     The reduction in interest income associated with nonaccrual loans is as follows:
                                         
(In thousands) Years Ended December 31,   2007   2006   2005   2004   2003
 
Interest income that would have been recorded under original terms
  $ 14     $ 8     $ 16     $ 4     $ 17  
Interest income actually recorded
    3       5       9       1       20  
 
Reduction (increase) in interest income
  $ 11     $ 3     $ 7     $ 3     $ (3 )
 

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Allowance for Loan Losses and Allowance for Loan Losses on Off-Balance Sheet Credit Exposures
     The Company maintains an allowance for possible losses that are inherent in the Company’s loan portfolio. The allowance for loan losses is increased (decreased) by provisions (credits) charged to operations based on the estimated loan loss exposure inherent in the portfolio. Management uses a methodology to systematically measure the amount of estimated loan loss exposure inherent in the portfolio for purposes of establishing a sufficient allowance for loan losses. The methodology includes three elements: an analysis of individual loans deemed to be impaired, general loss allocations for various loan types based on loss experience factors and an unallocated allowance that is maintained based on management’s assessment of many factors, including the risk characteristics of the portfolio, concentrations of credit, current and anticipated economic conditions that may effect borrowers’ ability to pay, and trends in loan delinquencies and charge-offs. Realized losses, net of recoveries, are charged directly to the allowance. While management uses the information available in establishing the allowance for loan losses, future adjustments to the allowance may be necessary if economic conditions differ from the assumptions used in making the evaluation. In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Bank’s allowance for loan losses. Such agencies may require the Bank to recognize additions to the allowance based on judgments different from those of management. In 2007, the Bank recorded a credit provision for loan losses of $10 thousand compared to a provision for loan losses of $123 thousand in 2006.
     The Company also maintains an allowance for possible losses on its outstanding loan commitments. The allowance for loan losses on off-balance sheet credit exposures (shown separately on the balance sheet) is maintained based on expected drawdowns of committed loans and their loss experience factors and management’s assessment of various other factors including current and anticipated economic conditions that may effect the borrowers’ ability to pay, and trends in loan delinquencies and charge-offs.
     The allowance for loan losses on off-balance sheet credit exposures totaled $345 thousand at December 31, 2007 and 2006 (shown separately on the balance sheet). In 2007, the Company did not record any provision for off-balance sheet credit exposures compared to a credit provision of $172 thousand in 2006. The credit or provision is included in other non-interest expense.
     The following table sets forth the activity in the allowance for loan losses during the years indicated:
                                         
(In thousands) Years ended December 31,   2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  
 
Balance at beginning of year
  $ 1,382     $ 1,253     $ 1,307     $ 1,554     $ 2,271  
Provision (credit) for loan losses
    (10 )     123       (53 )     (242 )     (502 )
Transfer to allowance for loan losses on off-balance sheet credit exposures
                            (226 )
Charge-offs:
                                       
Consumer loans
    (3 )     (4 )     (1 )     (5 )     (4 )
Commercial loans
          (9 )                  
Recoveries:
                                       
Residential real estate
          19                    
Consumer loans
                            15  
 
Net recoveries (charge-offs)
          6       (1 )     (5 )     11  
 
Balance at end of year
  $ 1,369     $ 1,382     $ 1,253     $ 1,307     $ 1,554  
 
Allowance for loan losses as a percent of total loans outstanding at year-end
    0.71 %     0.66 %     0.56 %     0.55 %     0.61 %
Allowance for loan losses as a percent of nonaccrual loans
    687.9 %     1008.8 %     487.5 %     1766.2 %     675.7 %

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Investment Activities
     The Bank believes that investment opportunities in the United States Government, and corporate and other securities are at times more attractive than the opportunities present in the loan market. As compared to loans, these investments of the Bank are generally shorter-term and hence more liquid, are subject to lower risk of loss, and present an opportunity for appreciation. In addition, these investments often permit the Bank to better match the maturities of its assets and its liabilities.
     The Bank’s investment portfolio is managed by its officers in accordance with an investment policy approved by the Bank’s Board of Directors. The objectives of that policy are to provide a level of liquidity, earnings and diversification consistent with the exercise of prudent investment judgment. The policy authorizes the senior management of the Bank to make and execute investment decisions and requires that those persons report all investment transactions to the Bank’s Board of Directors at each of its regular meetings. In addition, management is required to report all gains or losses on all securities transactions at each meeting of the Bank’s Board of Directors. Purchases and sales of securities by the Bank are generally required to be made on a competitive basis and all investments must be permitted by applicable law.
     The Bank invests in a wide variety of securities and obligations, including: Federal funds sold (which are sold only to institutions included on the Bank’s internally-prepared approved list of adequately capitalized institutions); commercial paper and bankers’ acceptances; United States Treasury and Government agency obligations (including callable agency securities); United States agency guaranteed and other mortgage-backed securities; investment grade corporate debt securities (generally limited to those rated A or better by Standard & Poor’s); mutual funds; and equity securities traded on a national securities exchange or quoted on the NASDAQ System.
     Under the investment policy, management determines the appropriate classification of securities at the time of purchase. Those debt securities that the Company has the intent and the ability to hold to maturity are classified as securities held to maturity and are carried at amortized historical cost.
     Those securities held for indefinite periods of time and not intended to be held to maturity are classified as available for sale. Securities held for indefinite periods of time include securities that management intends to use as part of its asset/liability management strategy and that may be sold in response to changes in market conditions, interest rates, prepayment risk, the need to increase regulatory capital and other factors. The Company records investment securities available for sale at aggregate market value with the net unrealized holding gains or losses reported, net of tax effect, as a separate component of stockholders’ equity until realized. As of December 31, 2007, stockholders’ equity included accumulated other comprehensive income of approximately $0.9 million, representing the net unrealized gains on securities available for sale, less applicable income tax benefit.
     Securities that are bought and held principally for the purpose of sale in the near term are classified as trading securities. Trading generally reflects active and frequent buying and selling, and trading securities are generally used with the objective of generating profits on short-term differences in price caused by market volatility. Investments classified as trading securities are stated at market value with unrealized gains and losses included in earnings.

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Investment Activities (continued)
     Income on debt securities available for sale is accrued and included in interest and dividend income.
     The specific identification method is used to determine realized gains or losses on sales of securities available for sale that are also reported in non-interest income under the caption “gains on securities available for sale, net.” When a security suffers a loss in value that is considered other than temporary, such loss is recognized by a charge to earnings.
     Most of the Company’s mortgage-backed securities are currently classified as available for sale. At times of low loan demand, short-term mortgage-backed securities may be used as substitutes for loans as certain of their financial characteristics are very similar to short-term mortgage loans.
     At December 31, 2007, the Company’s investments, which consist of securities available for sale (including mortgage-backed securities), securities held to maturity, trading securities, short-term investments and term federal funds sold totaled $585.4 million, representing 73.0% of the Company’s total assets.

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     The following table sets forth the composition of the Company’s investment portfolio as of the dates indicated:
Investment Portfolio
                         
(In thousands) At December 31,   2007     2006     2005  
 
Short-term investments:
                       
Federal funds sold (overnight)
  $ 74,455     $ 117,104     $ 152,785  
Term federal funds sold
    7,000             15,000  
Money market investment funds
    69,520       22,133        
Interest-bearing bank money market accounts
    3       3       2  
 
Total short-term investments
    150,978       139,240       167,787  
Term federal funds sold
    91,000       41,000        
Interest-bearing deposits in banks:
                       
Certificates of deposit
                898  
 
Total short-term investments, term federal funds sold and interest-bearing bank deposits
  $ 241,978     $ 180,240     $ 168,685  
 
Percent of total assets
    30.2 %     21.4 %     18.8 %
 
 
                       
(In thousands) At December 31,
    2007       2006       2005  
 
Securities held to maturity: (a)
                       
Mortgage-backed securities
  $ 8,098     $ 5,396     $ 6,137  
Securities available for sale: (b)
                       
U.S. Treasury obligations
          21,709       76,116  
U.S. Government agency obligations
          239,547       234,537  
Equity securities
    4,180       6,902       6,962  
Mortgage-backed securities
    124,530       134,471       135,432  
 
Total securities available for sale
    128,710       402,629       453,047  
 
Trading securities: (b)
                       
U.S. Treasury obligations
    1,997             7,896  
U.S. Government agency obligations
    201,172              
Equity securities
    3,393       1,926       1,382  
Investments in mutual funds
    4       5       4  
 
Total trading securities
    206,566       1,931       9,282  
 
Total securities
  $ 343,374     $ 409,956     $ 468,466  
 
Percent of total assets
    42.8 %     48.7 %     52.1 %
 
Total investments
  $ 585,352     $ 590,196     $ 637,151  
Total investments as a percent of total assets
    73.0 %     70.0 %     70.9 %
 
(a)   At amortized cost.
 
(b)   At fair value.

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     The following table presents the amortized cost of debt securities held to maturity and available for sale at December 31, 2007 maturing within stated periods with the weighted average interest yield from securities falling within the range of maturities:
Debt Securities Held to Maturity and Available for Sale
                                 
            U.S.              
    U. S.     Government     Mortgage-        
    Treasury     agency     backed        
(Dollars in thousands)   obligations     obligations     securities (1)     Total  
 
Investment securities held to maturity:
                               
Maturing after 15 years
                               
Amount
                  $ 8,098     $ 8,098  
Yield
                    5.53 %     5.53 %
 
Investment securities available for sale:
                               
Maturing within 1 year
                               
Amount
                    156       156  
Yield
                    6.06 %     6.06 %
Maturing after 1 but within 5 years
                               
Amount
                    5,662       5,662  
Yield
                    6.61 %     6.61 %
Maturing after 5 but within 10 years
                               
Amount
                    19,936       19,936  
Yield
                    5.70 %     5.70 %
Maturing after 10 but within 15 years
                               
Amount
                    97,830       97,830  
Yield
                    5.18 %     5.18 %
 
Total debt securities available for sale
                               
Amount
                  $ 123,584     $ 123,584  
Yield
                    5.33 %     5.33 %
 
(1)   Mortgage-backed securities are shown based on contractual maturities. Actual maturities will differ from contractual maturities due to scheduled amortization and prepayments.
     At December 31, 2007, the Company did not have an investment in any issuer (other than securities of the U.S. Government and Government Agencies) in excess of 10% of stockholders equity.

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Deposits and Other Sources of Funds
     General. Deposits have been the Bank’s primary source of funds for making investments and loans. In addition to deposits, the Bank’s other major sources of funds are derived from amortization and prepayment of loans and mortgage-backed securities, from sales, calls or maturities of investment securities, and from operations. Deposit flows can vary significantly and are influenced by prevailing interest rates, money market conditions, economic conditions and competition. The Bank can respond to changing market conditions and competition through the pricing of its deposit accounts. Management can attempt to control the level of its deposits to a significant degree through its pricing policies. Another important factor in attracting deposits is convenience. In addition to the Bank’s fifteen conveniently located banking offices, customers can access accounts through the Bank’s Automated Teller Machine (ATM) network. The Bank is a member of the Transaxion (TX), NYCE and CIRRUS System, Inc. (CIRRUS) networks, which allow access to ATMs in over 100,000 locations worldwide. Additionally, MASSBANK has joined with over 400 other financial institutions to form the SUM Program. This program allows MASSBANK customers to access over 2,500 SUM ATM’s throughout the Northeast and Midwest without having to pay an access or surcharge fee.
     Deposits. A substantial amount of the Bank’s deposits are derived from customers who live or work within the Bank’s market area. The Bank does not solicit deposits through any outside agents. The Bank’s deposits at December 31, 2007 consist of regular, silver and smart savings accounts, holiday club savings accounts, NOW and Super NOW accounts, regular and business checking accounts, money market deposit accounts, IRA and Keogh accounts, and term deposit accounts.
     Deposits decreased by $40.7 million, or 5.6%, to $682.6 million at December 31, 2007, from $723.3 million at year-end 2006. Management believes that increased competition for relatively expensive short term deposits and more attractive returns from alternative investments, such as stocks and mutual funds, were the principal reasons for deposit outflows. These competing investment vehicles have recently produced higher returns than bank deposits.
     Borrowed Funds. From time to time the Bank has obtained funds through repurchase agreements with its customers and federal funds purchased. The Bank also has the ability to borrow from the Federal Reserve Bank discount window and the DIF. On September 28, 2007, as part of the Bank’s test of its continuity plan, the Bank borrowed $10.0 million for three days. The loan was repaid on October 1, 2007. The Bank did not have any borrowed funds at either December 31, 2007 or 2006.

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DEPOSITS
     The following table shows the composition of the deposits as of the dates indicated:
                                                 
(In thousands) at December 31,   2007     2006     2005  
            Percent             Percent             Percent  
            of             of             of  
    Amount     Deposits     Amount     Deposits     Amount     Deposits  
Demand and NOW
                                               
NOW
  $ 47,600       6.97 %   $ 51,856       7.17 %   $ 54,924       7.00 %
Demand accounts (non interest-bearing)
    24,087       3.53       27,004       3.73       27,326       3.48  
 
                                   
Total demand and NOW
    71,687       10.50       78,860       10.90       82,250       10.48  
 
                                               
Savings:
                                               
Regular savings and special notice accounts
    298,409       43.72       335,142       46.33       430,771       54.90  
Money market accounts
    8,913       1.31       9,666       1.34       10,770       1.37  
 
                                   
Total savings
    307,322       45.03       344,808       47.67       441,541       56.27  
 
                                               
Time certificates of deposit:
                                               
Fixed rate certificates
    232,862       34.11       230,710       31.90       197,743       25.20  
Variable rate certificates
    70,690       10.36       68,954       9.53       63,194       8.05  
 
                                   
 
                                               
Total time certificates of deposit
    303,552       44.47       299,664       41.43       260,937       33.25  
 
                                   
 
                                               
Total deposits
  $ 682,561       100.00 %   $ 723,332       100.00 %   $ 784,728       100.00 %
     In the following table the average amount of deposits and average rate is shown for each of the years as indicated.
                                                 
(In thousands) Years Ended December 31,   2007     2006     2005  
    Average     Average     Average     Average     Average     Average  
    Balance     Rate     Balance     Rate     Balance     Rate  
NOW accounts
  $ 48,174       0.53 %   $ 52,437       0.43 %   $ 55,983       0.33 %
Demand (non interest-bearing) accounts
    25,006             26,997             28,619        
Escrow deposits of borrowers
    737       0.69       754       0.54       724       0.44  
Money market accounts
    9,236       2.06       10,426       0.63       11,728       1.32  
Savings accounts
    313,896       1.98       378,834       1.88       488,044       1.60  
Time certificates of deposit
    305,974       4.69       280,989       4.16       231,479       3.03  
 
                                   
 
  $ 703,023       2.99 %   $ 750,437       2.53 %   $ 816,577       1.85 %

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Investment Management and Trust Services
     The Bank’s Trust and Investment Services Division offers a variety of investment, trust and estate planning services and also serves as trustee, executor, and executor’s agent for bank customers.
     As of December 31, 2007 the Trust Division had approximately $23.9 million (market value) of assets in custody and under management.
Competition
     The Bank faces substantial competition both in originating loans and in attracting deposits. Competition in originating loans comes primarily from other thrift institutions, commercial banks, credit unions and mortgage banking companies. The Bank competes for loans principally on the basis of interest rates and loan fees, the types of loans originated and the quality of services provided to borrowers.
     In attracting deposits, the Bank’s primary competitors are other thrift institutions, commercial banks, mutual funds and credit unions located in its market area. The Bank’s attraction and retention of deposits depends on its ability to provide investment opportunities that satisfy the requirements of customers with respect to rate of return, liquidity, risk and other factors. The Bank attracts a significant amount of deposits through its branch offices, primarily from the communities in which those branch offices are located. The Bank competes for these deposits by offering competitive rates, convenient branch and ATM locations and convenient business hours.
     The Bank also faces strong competition from banks and other financial services providers in the Bank’s market area for both loans and deposits.

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Supervision and Regulation of the Company and its Subsidiary
     The business in which the Company and its subsidiary are engaged is subject to extensive supervision, regulation and examination by various bank regulatory authorities and other governmental agencies. State and federal banking laws have as their principal objective either the maintenance of the safety and soundness of financial institutions and the federal deposit insurance system or the protection of consumers or classes of consumers, and depositors in particular, rather than the specific protection of stockholders of a bank or its parent company.
     Set forth below is a brief description of certain laws and regulations that relate to the regulation of the Company. To the extent the following material describes statutory or regulatory provisions, it is qualified in its entirety by reference to the particular statute or regulation.
Regulation of the Company. As a registered bank holding company, the Company is subject to regulation under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, (BHCA) and to inspection, examination and supervision by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (FRB). The Company is also subject to laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the jurisdiction of the Massachusetts Board of Bank Incorporation (BBI) and the Massachusetts Commissioner of Banks (Commissioner). The Company is incorporated in the State of Delaware and is,therefore, also subject to Delaware corporation law.
The FRB has the authority to issue orders to bank holding companies to cease and desist from unsound banking practices and violations of conditions imposed by, or violations of agreements with, the FRB. The FRB is also empowered to assess civil money penalties against companies or individuals who violate the BHCA or orders or regulations thereunder, to order termination of non-banking activities of non-banking subsidiaries of bank holding companies, and to order termination of ownership and control of a non-banking subsidiary by a bank holding company. Under the BHCA, the Company may not generally engage in activities or acquire more than 5% of any class of voting securities of any company engaged in activities other than banking or activities that are closely related to banking. However, if the Company elects to be treated as a financial holding company, the Company may engage in activities that are financial in nature or incidental or complimentary to such financial activities, as determined by the FRB and the Secretary of the Department of the Treasury. The Company has not elected financial holding company status. Under certain circumstances, the Company may be required to give notice to or seek approval of the FRB before engaging in activities other than banking.
Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act of 1994. (Riegle- Neal) Riegle-Neal permits adequately capitalized and adequately managed bank holding companies, as determined by the FRB, to acquire banks in any state subject to certain concentration limits and other conditions. Riegle-Neal also generally authorizes the interstate merger of banks. In addition, among other things, Riegle-Neal permits banks to establish new branches on an interstate basis provided that the law of the host state specifically authorizes such action. However, as a bank holding company, we are required to obtain prior FRB approval before acquiring more than 5% of a class of voting securities, or substantially all of the assets of a bank holding company, bank or savings association.
Control Acquisitions. The Change in Bank Control Act prohibits a person or group of persons from acquiring “control” of a bank holding company, such as the Company, unless the FRB has been notified and has not objected to the transaction. Under a rebuttal presumption established by the FRB, the acquisition of 10% or more of a class of voting securities of a bank holding company with a class of securities registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, would, under the circumstances set forth in the presumption, constitute acquisition of control of the bank holding company.

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Supervision and Regulation of the Company and its Subsidiary (continued)
In addition, a company is required to obtain the approval of the FRB under the BHCA before acquiring 25% (5% in the case of an acquirer that is a bank holding company) or more of any class of outstanding voting securities of a bank holding company, or otherwise obtaining control or a “controlling influence” over that bank holding company. Massachusetts law also imposes certain limitations on the ability of persons and entities to acquire control of banking institutions and their parent companies.
Bank Holding Company Dividends. The FRB has authority to prohibit bank holding companies from paying dividends if such payment is deemed to be an unsafe or unsound practice. The FRB has indicated generally that it may be an unsafe or unsound practice for bank holding companies to pay dividends unless the bank holding company’s net income over the preceding year is sufficient to fund the dividends and the expected rate of earnings retention is consistent with the organization’s capital needs, asset quality and overall financial condition. In addition, Delaware corporate law includes limitations on a corporation’s payment of dividends if such dividends exceed the corporation’s surplus or current net profits. The Company depends upon dividends received from its subsidiary bank to fund its activities, including the payment of dividends to its stockholders. As described below, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) may regulate the amount of dividends payable by the subsidiary bank. The inability of the Bank to pay dividends may have an adverse effect on the Company.
Regulation of the Bank. The Bank is subject to regulation, supervision and examination by the Massachusetts Division of Banks (Division) and the FDIC.
Insurance of Accounts and FDIC Regulation. The Bank pays deposit insurance premiums to the FDIC based on an assessment rate established by the FDIC for Bank Insurance Fund-member institutions. In 2006, the FDIC enacted various rules to implement the provisions of the Federal Deposit Insurance Reform Act of 2005 (the FDIR Act). Pursuant to the FDIR Act, in 2006 the FDIC merged the Bank Insurance Fund (BIF) with the FDIC’s Savings Association Insurance Fund, creating the Deposit Insurance Fund (the DIF) that covers both banks and savings associations. The FDIC also revised, effective January 1, 2007, the risk-based premium system under which the FDIC classifies institutions based on their capital ratios and on other relevant factors and generally assesses higher rates on those institutions that tend to pose greater risks to the DIF. For most banks and savings associations, including the Bank, FDIC rates will depend upon a combination of CAMELS component ratings and financial ratios. CAMELS ratings reflect the applicable bank regulatory agency’s evaluation of the financial institution’s capital, asset quality, management, earnings, liquidity and sensitivity to risk. For large banks and savings associations that have long-term debt issuer ratings, assessment rates will depend upon such ratings, and CAMELS component ratings. For institutions, such as the Bank, which are in the lowest risk category, assessment rates will vary initially from five (5) to seven (7) basis points per $100 of insured deposits. The Federal Deposit Insurance Act (FDIA) as amended by the FDIR Act, requires the FDIC to set a ratio of deposit insurance reserves to estimated insured deposits, the designated reserve ratio (the DRR) for a particular year within a range of 1.15% to 1.50%. For 2007, the FDIC has set the initial DRR at 1.25%. Under the FDIR Act and the FDIC’s revised premium assessment program, every FDIC-insured institution will pay some level of deposit insurance assessments regardless of the level of the DRR. In 2007, the Bank paid no FDIC deposit insurance assessment but paid a FICO assessment in the amount of $85 thousand. (The Financing Corporation (FICO) is a mixed-ownership government corporation whose sole purpose is to function as a financing vehicle for the Federal Savings & Loan Insurance Corporation (FSLIC). The FICO has assessment authority, separate from the FDIC’s authority to assess risk-based premiums for deposit insurance, to collect funds from FDIC-insured institutions sufficient to pay interest on FICO Bonds. The FDIC acts a collection agent for the FICO.) We cannot predict whether, as a result of an adverse change in economic conditions or other

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Supervision and Regulation of the Company and its Subsidiary (continued)
reasons, the FDIC will be required in the future to increase deposit insurance assessments above 2007 levels. The Federal Deposit Insurance Reform Act of 2005 allows “eligible insured depository institutions” to share a one-time assessment credit pool of approximately $4.7 billion. Assessment credits will be applied to reduce deposit insurance assessments, not to include FICO assessments, payable after the one-time credit regulations become effective in 2007. In October 2006, the FDIC provided the Bank with a preliminary Statement of One-Time Assessment Credit. The Bank’s one-time assessment credit as indicated on that statement is approximately $1.2 million. After applying the one-time credit to reduce deposit insurance assessments in 2007 the Bank’s one-time credit balance at December 31, 2007 is $889 thousand.
Bank Holding Company Support of Subsidiary Banks. Under FRB policy, a bank holding company is expected to act as a source of financial and managerial strength to each of its subsidiary banks and to commit resources to their support. This support may be required at times when the bank holding company may not have the resources to provide it. Similarly, under the cross-guarantee provisions of FDIA, the FDIC can hold any FDIC-insured depository institution liable for any loss suffered or anticipated by the FDIC in connection with (1) the “default” of a commonly controlled FDIC-insured depository institution; or (2) any assistance provided by the FDIC to a commonly controlled FDIC-insured depository institution “in danger of default.” Our subsidiary bank is an FDIC- insured depository institution.
Regulatory Capital Requirements. The FRB and the FDIC have issued substantially similar risk-based and leverage capital guidelines applicable to United States banking organizations. In addition, these regulatory agencies may from time to time require that a banking organization maintain capital above the minimum levels, whether because of its financial condition or actual or anticipated growth.
The FRB risk-based guidelines define a three-tier capital framework. Tier 1 capital includes common shareholders’ equity and qualifying preferred stock, less goodwill and other adjustments. Tier 2 capital consists of preferred stock not qualifying as Tier 1 capital, mandatory convertible debt, limited amounts of subordinated debt, other qualifying term debt and the allowance for credit losses up to 1.25 percent of risk-weighted assets. Tier 3 capital includes subordinated debt that is unsecured, fully paid, has an original maturity of at least two years, is not redeemable before maturity without prior approval by the FRB and includes a lock-in clause precluding payment of either interest or principal if the payment would cause the issuing bank’s risk-based capital ratio to fall or remain below the required minimum. The sum of Tier 1 and Tier 2 capital less investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries represents qualifying total capital. Risk-based capital ratios are calculated by dividing Tier 1 and total capital by risk-weighted assets. Assets and off-balance sheet exposures are assigned to one of four categories of risk-weights, based primarily on relative credit risk. The minimum Tier 1 capital ratio is four percent and the minimum total capital ratio is eight percent. The Company’s tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets) was 34.31% at December 31, 2007.
The leverage ratio is determined by dividing Tier 1 capital by adjusted average total assets. Although the stated minimum ratio is 100 to 200 basis points above three percent, banking organizations are required to maintain a ratio of at least five percent to be classified as well capitalized. The Company’s leverage ratio was 13.37% at December 31, 2007.

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Supervision and Regulation of the Company and its Subsidiary (continued)
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 (FDICIA), among other things, identifies five capital categories for insured depository institutions (well capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized and critically undercapitalized) and requires the federal bank regulatory agencies to implement systems for “prompt corrective action” for insured depository institutions that do not meet minimum capital requirements within such categories. FDICIA imposes progressively more restrictive constraints on operations, management and capital distributions, depending on the category in which an institution is classified. Failure to meet the capital guidelines could also subject a banking institution to capital raising requirements. An “undercapitalized” bank must develop a capital restoration plan and its parent holding company must guarantee that bank’s compliance with the plan. The liability of the parent company under any such guarantee is limited to the lesser of five percent of the bank’s assets at the time it became “undercapitalized” or the amount needed to comply with the plan. Furthermore, in the event of the bankruptcy of the parent holding company, such guarantee would take priority over the parent’s general unsecured creditors. In addition, FDICIA requires the various regulatory agencies to prescribe certain non-capital standards for safety and soundness relating generally to operations and management, asset quality and executive compensation and permits regulatory action against a financial institution that does not meet such standards.
The various regulatory agencies have adopted substantially similar regulations that define the five capital categories identified by FDICIA, using the total risk-based capital, Tier 1 risk-based capital and leverage capital ratios as the relevant capital measures. Such regulations establish various degrees of corrective action to be taken when an institution is considered under- capitalized. Under the regulations, a “well capitalized” institution must have a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of at least six percent, a total risk-based capital ratio of a least ten percent and a leverage ratio of at least five percent and not be subject to a capital directive order. Regulators also must take into consideration (a) concentrations of credit risk; (b) interest rate risk (when the interest rate sensitivity of an institution’s assets does not match the sensitivity of its liabilities or its off-balance-sheet position); and (c) risks from non-traditional activities, as well as an institution’s ability to manage those risks, when determining the adequacy of an institution’s capital. This evaluation will be made as a part of the institution’s regular safety and soundness examination. In addition, the Company, and any Bank with significant trading activity, must incorporate a measure for market risk in their regulatory capital calculations.
Limitations on Bank Dividends. The FDIC has the authority to use its enforcement powers to prohibit a bank from paying dividends if, in its opinion, the payment of dividends would constitute an unsafe or unsound practice. Federal law also prohibits the payment of dividends by a bank that will result in the bank failing to meet its applicable capital requirements on a pro forma basis.
Customer Information Security. The FDIC and other bank regulatory agencies have adopted final guidelines for establishing standards for safeguarding nonpublic personal information about customers that implement provisions of the Gramm- Leach Bliley Act (1999) (GLBA), which establishes a comprehensive framework to permit affiliations among commercial banks, insurance companies, securities firms, and other financial service providers by revising and expanding the BHCA framework. Specifically, the Information Security Guidelines established by the GLBA require each financial institution, under the supervision and ongoing oversight of its Board of Directors or an appropriate committee thereof, to develop, implement and maintain a comprehensive written information security program designed to ensure the security and confidentiality of customer

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Supervision and Regulation of the Company and its Subsidiary (continued)
information, to protect against anticipated threats or hazards to the security or integrity of such information; and to protect against unauthorized access to or use of such information that could result in substantial harm or inconvenience to any customer.
Privacy. The GLBA requires financial institutions to implement policies and procedures regarding the disclosure of nonpublic personal information about consumers to nonaffiliated third parties. In general, the statute requires financial institutions to explain to consumers their policies and procedures regarding the disclosure of such nonpublic personal information, and, unless otherwise required or permitted by law, financial institutions are prohibited from disclosing such information except as provided in their policies and procedures.
Bank Secrecy Act. The Bank Secrecy Act requires financial institutions to keep records and file reports that are determined to have a high degree of usefulness in criminal, tax and regulatory matters, and to implement counter-money laundering programs and compliance procedures.
USA Patriot Act. The USA Patriot Act of 2001, designed to deny terrorists and others the ability to obtain anonymous access to the U.S. financial system, has significant implications for depository institutions, broker-dealers and other businesses involved in the transfer of money. The USA Patriot Act, together with the implementing regulations of various federal regulatory agencies, have caused financial institutions, including banks, to adopt and implement additional, or amend existing, policies and procedures with respect to, among other things, anti-money laundering compliance, suspicious activity and currency transaction reporting, customer identity verification and customer risk analysis. The statute and its underlying regulations also permit information sharing for counter-terrorist purposes between federal law enforcement agencies and financial institutions, as well as among financial institutions, subject to certain conditions, and require the FRB (and other federal banking agencies) to evaluate the effectiveness of an applicant in combating money laundering activities when considering applications filed under Section 3 of the BHCA or under the Bank Merger Act. Management believes that the Company is in compliance with all the requirements prescribed by the USA Patriot Act and all applicable final implementing regulations.
The Community Reinvestment Act. The Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) requires lenders to identify the communities served by the institution’s offices and other deposit taking facilities and to make loans and investments and provide services that meet the credit needs of these communities. Regulatory agencies examine each of the banks and rate such institutions’ compliance with CRA as “Outstanding”, “Satisfactory”, “Needs to Improve”, or “Substantial Noncompliance”. Failure of an institution to receive at least a “Satisfactory” rating could inhibit such institution or its holding company from undertaking certain activities, including engaging in activities newly permitted as a financial holding company under the GLBA and acquisitions of other financial institutions. The FRB must take into account the record of performance of banks in meeting the credit needs of the entire community served, including low-and moderate-income neighborhoods. The Bank achieved a rating of Satisfactory on its most recent examination. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts also has enacted substantially similar community reinvestment requirements.

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Employees
     MASSBANK Corp. utilizes the support staff of the Bank from time to time, for which a fee of $18 thousand was paid to the Bank in 2007. No separate compensation is being paid to the executive officers of MASSBANK Corp., all of whom are executive officers of the Bank and receive compensation as such. As of December 31, 2007, the Bank had 96 full-time employees (including 34 officers) and 52 part-time employees (including 3 officers). None of the Bank’s employees is represented by a collective bargaining group, and management believes that its employee relations are good. The Bank provides its employees with formal training in product knowledge, sales techniques, mortgage origination, fair lending, privacy and various other bank related functions and topics. In addition, each supervisor at the Bank receives management training before assuming his or her supervisory duties and periodically thereafter. The Bank maintains a comprehensive employee benefits program for qualified employees that includes a qualified pension plan, an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), health and dental insurance, life and long-term disability insurance and tuition assistance.
Subsidiaries
     The Bank has three wholly owned subsidiaries: Readibank Investment Corporation, Melbank Investment Corporation, and Readibank Properties, Inc.
     Readibank Investment Corporation and Melbank Investment Corporation were established for the purpose of managing portions of the Bank’s investment portfolio. They are classified by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as securities corporations for tax purposes, which restricts their business to buying, selling, dealing in, or holding securities on their own behalf. As securities corporations they are currently taxed at a lower rate than the Bank. Legislative proposals have been discussed that may impact this favorable tax treatment.
     Assets of Readibank Investment Corporation and Melbank Investment Corporation totaled $161.8 million and $161.7 million, respectively, at December 31, 2007.
     Readibank Properties, Inc. was incorporated primarily for the purpose of real estate development projects. These projects were completed many years ago and this subsidiary is currently inactive. Its assets totaled $617 thousand at December 31, 2007, consisting primarily of an inter-company receivable from the Bank.

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Executive Officers of the Registrant
     The executive officers of the Company and the Bank and the age of each officer as of December 31, 2007 are as follows:
             
Name   Age   Office
Gerard H. Brandi
    59     Chairman of the Board of Directors, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the Bank
 
         
Reginald E. Cormier
    59     Senior Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company and the Bank
 
         
James L. Milinazzo
    53     Senior Vice President and Senior Lending Officer of the Bank
 
           
Joseph P. Orefice
    30     Vice President of the Bank
 
           
Thomas J. Queeney
    45     Vice President and Senior Trust Officer of the Bank
 
           
William F. Rivers
    52     Vice President of the Bank
 
Donna H. West
    62     Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Bank and Assistant Secretary of the and Assistant Secretary of the Company
     Gerard H. Brandi. Mr. Brandi has served in various capacities with MASSBANK since he joined the Bank in 1975 as Vice President of the Lending Division. He served as Senior Vice President from 1978 to 1981, Executive Vice President and Senior Lending Officer from 1981 to 1983, and Executive Vice President and Treasurer from 1983 to 1986. Mr. Brandi was named President of the Company and the Bank in 1986, Chief Executive Officer in 1992 and Chairman in 1993.
     Reginald E. Cormier. Mr. Cormier joined the Bank as Treasurer in September, 1987 and served in this capacity until his promotion to Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer in January, 1995. In December 1999, he was promoted to Senior Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer.
     James L. Milinazzo. Mr. Milinazzo joined the Bank as Senior Vice President of the Lending Division in March 2005. Prior to joining the Bank, he worked for Banknorth for three years as Vice President of Commercial Lending. Mr. Milinazzo also served as Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Lowell Housing Authority from 1993-2002.
     Joseph P. Orefice. Mr. Orefice has been employed by the Bank since April, 2000. Starting at the Bank as a Systems Analyst, Mr. Orefice was promoted to Information Technology (IT) Officer in 2000, Director of IT in 2003 and in 2005 he was promoted to Vice President of Information Technology. Mr. Orefice is Mr. Brandi’s son-in-law.

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Executive Officers of the Registrant (continued)
     Thomas J. Queeney. Mr. Queeney joined the Bank in 1986 as a Management Trainee in Loan Origination. He became an Assistant Manager in 1987 and was promoted to Assistant Treasurer in 1988. He then served as a Marketing and Investor Relations Representative until his promotion to Loan Servicing Manager in 1990. In 1992, he was promoted to Loan Officer and Commercial Lending Manager. He was promoted to Assistant Vice President, Lending in 1997, where he served until his promotion to AVP/Trust Administrator in July of 1998. In January of 1999, he was promoted to Vice President and Senior Trust Officer.
     William F. Rivers. Mr. Rivers joined the Bank as Vice President of Operations in 2004. Prior to joining the Bank, Mr. Rivers worked for Medford Bank for over 28 years. His most recent position there was Senior Vice President, Operations & Administration.
     Donna H. West. Mrs. West has been employed by the Bank since 1979 and has served as Senior Vice President of the Community Banking Division and Chief Operating Officer since January, 2007. Starting at the Bank as an Assistant Branch Manager in 1979, Mrs. West became a Branch Manager in 1981, an Assistant Treasurer and Branch Manager in 1982, an Assistant Treasurer and Regional Branch Administrator in 1984 and an Assistant Vice President and Regional Branch Administrator in 1986. She served in this capacity until her October, 1987 promotion to Vice President of the Community Banking Division. In June 1994, Mrs. West was promoted to Senior Vice President of the Community Banking Division. In January 2007, she was promoted to Senior Vice President of the Community Banking Division and Chief Operating Officer of the Bank.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
     In addition to the other information in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, shareholders or prospective investors should carefully consider the following risk factors:
     Our business is concentrated in and dependent upon the continued economic growth and welfare of our primary market areas.
     We operate primarily in Eastern Massachusetts. The Bank’s general market areas consist of the municipalities in which it operates banking offices and all of the contiguous cities and towns. Our 15 branch offices are located on a broad arc stretching from Medford and Everett in the south, Dracut in the north, and Westford in the west. Our success depends upon the business activity, population, income levels, deposits and real estate activity in these markets. Adverse economic conditions that affect these market areas could reduce our growth rate, affect the ability of our customers to repay their loans to us and generally affect our financial condition and results of operations. Because of our geographical concentration, we are less able than national financial institutions to diversify our credit risks across multiple markets.
     We face intense competition in all phases of our business from other banks and financial institutions.
     The banking and financial services business in our market is highly competitive. Our competitors include large national and regional banks, local community banks, savings and loan associations, securities and brokerage companies, mortgage companies, insurance companies, finance companies, money market mutual funds, credit unions and other non-bank financial service providers. Some of these competitors are not subject to the same regulatory restrictions, have advantages of scale due to their size, or have cost advantages due to their tax status. These competitive factors may limit our growth and profitability.

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     We may face adverse conditions in the securities markets.
     As of December 31, 2007, the Company’s trading securities portfolio totaled $206.6 million consisting of both debt and equity securities. Fluctuations in interest rates and movements in equity prices may, respectively, result in changes in the fair value of the debt and equity securities in the portfolio. Since the change in fair value of the securities is included in earnings on a recurring basis, this could have an adverse effect on the Company’s earnings. In addition, we have a equity securities available for sale portfolio with a fair value of $4.2 million at December 31, 2007. Due to general market conditions, we may face declines in the fair value of this equity securities portfolio. Since securities gains are a source of revenue for the Bank, this could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and our financial condition. Additionally, in a rising interest rate environment, we may face declines in the fair value of our debt securities available for sale portfolio. The Merger Agreement we entered into with Eastern provides for a number of restrictions on the Company’s ability to conduct its business, including limitations on the Company’s trading securities portfolio. This could also have an adverse effect on our results of operations and our financial condition.
     Interest rates and other conditions impact our results of operations.
     Our profitability is in part a function of the spread between the interest rates earned on investments and the interest rates paid on deposits. Like most banking institutions, our net interest spread and margin will be affected by general economic conditions and other factors, including fiscal and monetary policies of the federal government, that influence market interest rates and our ability to respond to changes in such rates. At any given time, our assets and liabilities (deposits) will be such that they are affected differently by a given change in interest rates. As a result, an increase or decrease in rates, the length of loan terms, the average duration of our investment securities or the mix of adjustable and fixed rate loans, mortgage-backed securities and various U.S. Treasury and Government agency securities in our portfolio could have a positive or negative effect on our net income, capital and liquidity. Although we believe our current level of interest rate sensitivity is reasonable and effectively managed, significant fluctuations in interest rates, changes in the U.S. Treasury yield curve and other similar factors may have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
     We must effectively manage our credit risk.
     There are risks inherent in making any loan, including risks inherent in dealing with individual borrowers, risks of nonpayment, risks resulting from uncertainties as to the future value of collateral and risks resulting from changes in economic and industry conditions. We attempt to minimize our credit risk through prudent loan application approval procedures that include a review of an applicant’s financial statements, credit history, banking history and verification of income. The majority of the bank’s loan portfolio is invested in residential real estate loans. These mortgage loans are primarily for terms of 10, 12, 15, or 20 years, are generally made to borrowers with significant equity in their homes and therefore represent a lower risk to the Bank. For mortgage loans, we generally obtain an independent appraisal of the subject property. We have a formal lending policy that is approved by the Board of Directors of the Bank that delegates levels of loan approval authority to Bank personnel based upon their expertise and experience. All loans in excess of established limits require approval of the Bank’s Board of Directors. However prudent these procedures may be, they do not eliminate credit risk.

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     Our allowance for loan losses may prove to be insufficient to absorb potential losses in our loan portfolio.
     The allowance for loan losses is reviewed quarterly and is maintained at a level considered adequate by management to absorb losses that are inherent in the portfolio. The amount of future loan losses is susceptible to changes in economic, operating and other conditions, including changes in interest rates, and such losses may exceed current estimates. At December 31, 2007, our allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans was 0.71% and as a percentage of non-performing loans was approximately 688%. Although management believes that the allowance for loan losses is adequate to absorb losses inherent in the portfolio, we cannot predict loan losses with certainty, and we cannot assure you that our allowance for loan losses will prove sufficient to cover actual loan losses in the future. Loan losses in excess of our reserves may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Additional information regarding our allowance for loan losses and the methodology we use to determine an appropriate level of reserves is located in the “Allowance for Loan Losses and Allowance for Loan Losses on Off-Balance Sheet Credit Exposures” section included under Item 1 of Part I of this Form 10-K.
     Government regulation can result in limitations on our operations.
     We operate in a highly regulated environment and are subject to supervision and regulation by a number of governmental regulatory agencies, including the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (FRB), the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), NASDAQ and the Massachusetts Commissioner of Banks. Regulations adopted by these agencies govern a comprehensive range of matters relating to our acquisition of other companies and businesses, permissible activities for us to engage in, maintenance of adequate capital levels, matters of internal control over financial reporting and other aspects of our operations. These regulators possess broad authority to prevent or remedy unsafe or unsound practices or violations of law or regulation. The laws and regulations applicable to the Company could change at any time and we cannot predict the effects of these changes on our business and profitability. Increased regulation could increase our cost of compliance and adversely affect profitability. For example, new legislation or regulation may limit the manner in which we may conduct our business, including our ability to offer new products, attract deposits, make loans and achieve satisfactory spreads.
     Our employee benefit costs are increasing.
     Our employee benefit costs, particularly health benefits, have increased significantly in recent years. Additional significant increases in employee benefit costs could have an adverse effect on our results of operations.
     Changes in accounting principles can have a significant impact on our operations.
     Changes required by new accounting pronouncements issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) could have a material effect on our reported financial condition or results of operations.
     We may be facing increased costs when introducing new technology-based services.
     The cost of technological innovation, which for a while appeared to be decreasing, is in fact increasing due to the cost of security, privacy protection and related expenses. We may incur higher costs when we introduce new technology-based services. This could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

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     Due to the nature of our business, we may be subject to litigation from time to time.
     From time to time, we are involved as a plaintiff or defendant in various legal actions incident to our business. These could involve claims for monetary damages as well as legal fees. Although we maintain insurance, the scope of this coverage may not provide us with full, or even partial coverage in any particular case. As a result, a judgment against us in any such litigation could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
     If our proposed Merger with Eastern Bank Corporation is not completed, our business and stock price may be adversely affected.
     On March 10, 2008, we entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Eastern Bank Corporation. The Merger is subject to a number of contingencies, including approval by our stockholders, the receipt of requisite state and federal regulatory approvals, and other customary conditions, each of which must be satisfied or waived prior to the closing. If the Merger is not completed or the completion is substantially delayed, we could be subject to a number of risks that may adversely affect our business and stock price, including:
  §   Our stock price may fluctuate prior to completion of the Merger due to market assessments regarding the expected timing of the Merger and risks relating to the completion of the Merger, and if the Merger is not completed, our stock price may decline significantly, since the current trading price reflects a market assumption that the Merger will be completed;
 
  §   We could lose important personnel as a result of the departure of employees who decide to pursue other opportunities in light of the proposed Merger;
 
  §   We have and will continue to incur significant expenses related to the Merger prior to its closing, including fees paid to an investment bank for a fairness opinion for the Merger, legal fees and accounting fees, which must be paid even if the Merger is not completed;
 
  §   Depending on the circumstances, we may be obligated to pay Eastern a termination fee of $5.0 million or reimburse $1.0 million of Eastern’s out-of-pocket expenses relating to the Merger Agreement; and
 
  §   We may experience the additional impacts described in the risk factors below.
     We plan to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission and mail to our stockholders a proxy statement in connection with the Merger (the “Proxy Statement”). The Proxy Statement will contain important information about the Company, Eastern, the transaction and related matters. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT REGARDING THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THOSE DOCUMENTS, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED MERGER.

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     Our proposed Merger with Eastern may adversely affect our results of operations.
     Uncertainty surrounding the proposed Merger may have an adverse effect on employee morale and retention. In addition, focus on the Merger and related matters have resulted in, and may continue to result in, the diversion of management attention and resources. To the extent that there is uncertainty about the closing of the Merger, or if the Merger does not close, our business may be harmed to the extent that customers, strategic partners or others believe that we cannot effectively compete in the marketplace without the Merger or there is customer and employee uncertainty surrounding the future direction of our service offerings and strategy on a stand-alone basis. Finally, the Merger Agreement imposes restrictions on our ability to conduct business prior to the completion of the Merger. Each of these potential impacts, and others, may leave us unable to respond effectively to competitive pressures, industry developments and future opportunities or may otherwise harm our results of operations going forward.
     If our proposed Merger with Eastern is not completed, we will have incurred substantial expenses without realizing the expected benefits.
     We have incurred substantial expenses in connection with our proposed Merger with Eastern. The completion of the Merger depends on the satisfaction of specified conditions. We cannot guarantee that these conditions will be met. If the Merger is not completed, these expenses could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition because we would not have realized the expected benefits of the Merger.
Item 1B.   Unresolved Staff Comments
     There are no unresolved written comments that were received from the SEC staff 180 days ago or more before the end of our fiscal year relating to our periodic or current reports under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934.

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Item 2.   Properties
     The main office of MASSBANK Corp. and MASSBANK is located at 123 Haven Street, Reading, Massachusetts. In addition to its main office branch, the Bank has fourteen branches and three operations facilities. The Bank owns its main office, three operations facilities and nine of its branches. All of the remaining branches and other facilities are leased under various leases. At December 31, 2007, management believes that the Bank’s existing facilities are adequate for the conduct of its business.
     The following table sets forth certain information relating to the Bank’s existing facilities.
                             
        Owned   Lease   Renewal
        or   Expiration   Option
Location       Leased   Date   Through
MAIN OFFICE:  
123 Haven Street, Reading, MA
  Owned            
BRANCH OFFICES:  
291 Chelmsford Street, Chelmsford, MA
  Owned            
   
17 North Road, Chelmsford, MA
  Owned            
   
45 Broadway Road, Dracut, MA
  Leased     2012       2022  
   
738 Broadway, Everett, MA
  Owned            
   
50 Central Street, Lowell, MA
  Owned            
   
755 Lakeview Avenue, Lowell, MA
  Owned            
   
53 Locust Street, Medford, MA
  Leased     2032       2047  
   
476 Main Street, Melrose, MA
  Owned            
   
27 Melrose Street, Towers Plaza, Melrose, MA
  Leased     2014        
   
240 Main Street, Stoneham, MA
  Leased     2009       2014  
   
1800 Main Street, Tewksbury, MA
  Owned            
   
203 Littleton Road, Westford, MA
  Owned            
   
370 Main Street, Wilmington, MA
  Owned            
   
219 Lowell Street, Lucci’s Plaza, Wilmington, MA
  Leased     2016        
OPERATIONS FACILITIES:  
159 Haven Street, Reading, MA
  Owned            
   
169 Haven Street, Reading, MA
  Owned            
   
11 North Road, Chelmsford, MA
  Owned            

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Item 3.   Legal Proceedings
     From time to time, MASSBANK Corp. and/or the Bank are involved as a plaintiff or defendant in various legal actions incident to their business.
     On February 25, 2008, a lawsuit was filed in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware by Seidman and Associates, LLC (“SAL”) against MASSBANK Corp. (“the Company”) and each of its directors. Seidman and Associates, L.L.C. v. MASSBANK Corp., et al. Civ. Action No. 3569-VCP. The lawsuit alleges that the application of bylaw amendments adopted by the Board, as set forth in a Form 8-K filing on February 11, 2008, resulted in SAL’s nominees for election to the Company’s Board of Directors to be wrongfully disqualified. The lawsuit asks the Court to declare, among other things, that the Company’s bylaw Article II Section 2A to be invalid and inapplicable to SAL’s nominees, and that the actions of the Board in adopting the bylaw constituted a breach of the Board’s fiduciary duties.
     On March 4, 2008, the Company announced in a Form 8-K filing that the Board of Directors agreed to postpone the Annual Meeting of Stockholders until Monday, July 14, 2008, to permit the Court adequate time to conduct a full hearing on the merits of SAL’s challenge to the bylaw. The parties also agreed to the schedule for the litigation.
     On March 12, 2008, the Company and its directors filed an answer denying the material allegations of the Amended Verified Complaint. The Company and the Board intend to vigorously defend the action.
     As of December 31, 2007, there were no legal actions, which individually or in the aggregate is believed by management to be material to the financial condition and results of operations of MASSBANK Corp. or the Bank.
Item 4.   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
     None during the fourth quarter of 2007.

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PART II
Item 5.   Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
     The information contained under the caption “MASSBANK Corp. and Subsidiaries Stockholder Data” in the Registrant’s 2007 Annual Report to Stockholders is incorporated herein by reference.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
     The following table sets forth purchases made by the Company of its shares of common stock under the stock repurchase program during the quarter ended December 31, 2007:
                                 
                    Total Number    
                    of Shares   Maximum Number
                    Purchased as   of Shares That
                    Part of Publicly   May Yet Be
    Total Number   Average Price   Announced   Purchased Under
    of Shares   Paid Per   Repurchase   The Repurchase
Period   Purchased   Share   Program (1)   Program
 
10/01/07
                            50,517  
 
10/16/07
                            100,000  (1)
 
                               
 
                            150,517  
10/01/07- 10/31/07
    0     $ 0.00       0       150,517  
11/01/07- 11/30/07
    22,000     $ 36.18       22,000       128,517  
12/01/07- 12/31/07
    11,500     $ 36.13       11,500       117,017  
 
                               
Total for quarter
    33,500               33,500          
 
(1)   On October 16, 2007 the Registrant’s Board of Directors extended for another year, the stock repurchase program previously authorized. Additionally, the Board approved an increase of 100,000 in the number of shares of the Registrant’s common stock authorized for repurchase in the most recent program which was previously authorized in January, 2004.
     In addition, the following number of shares were purchased during the quarter ended December 31, 2007 for the Company’s Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan and Trust which was established January 1, 1988.
                                 
                    Total Number    
                    of Shares   Maximum Number
Purchased as of Shares That
                    Part of Publicly   May Yet Be
    Total Number   Average Price   Announced   Purchased Under
    of Shares   Paid Per   Repurchase   The Repurchase
Period   Purchased   Share   Program   Program
 
10/01/07- 10/31/07
    0     $ 0.00       0       0  
11/01/07- 11/30/07
    0     $ 0.00       0       0  
12/01/07- 12/31/07
    750     $ 36.15       0       0  
 
                               
Total for quarter
    750                          

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Item 6.   Selected Financial Data
     The information contained under the caption “MASSBANK Corp. and Subsidiaries — Selected Consolidated Financial Data” in the Registrant’s 2007 Annual Report to Stockholders is incorporated herein by reference.
     This selected consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with the consolidated statements and related notes thereto appearing in the Registrant’s 2007 Annual Report to Stockholders which are incorporated herein by reference.
Item 7.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
     The information contained under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the Registrant’s 2007 Annual Report to Stockholders is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 7A.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
     The information contained under the captions “Asset and Liability Management”, “Interest Rate Risk” and “Other Market Risks” included in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section of the Registrant’s 2007 Annual Report to Stockholders is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 8.   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
     The Registrant’s consolidated financial statements and notes thereto, together with the reports of the Company’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, Parent, McLaughlin & Nangle, contained in the Registrant’s 2007 Annual Report to Stockholders are incorporated herein by reference. The unaudited quarterly financial data set forth on page 61 of such Annual Report is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 9.   Changes in and Disagreements with Independent Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
     None.

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Item 9A.   Controls and Procedures
     As required by Rule 13a-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act), the Company carried out an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon their evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that material information relating to the Company required to be disclosed by us in reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, the Company’s management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurances of achieving the desired control objectives, and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in designing and evaluating the controls and procedures. The Company currently is in the process of further reviewing and documenting its disclosure controls and procedures, and its internal control over financial reporting, and may from time to time make changes aimed at enhancing their effectiveness and to ensure that our systems evolve with our business.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2007 that have materially affected, or that are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.
Item 9B.   Other Information
     None.

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PART III
Item 10.   Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
The information appearing under the captions “Election of Directors” and “Section 16(A) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in the Registrant’s definitive proxy statement relating to its 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is incorporated herein by reference. Information required by this item concerning the Executive Officers of the Registrant is contained in Part I of this Form 10-K. The Registrant adopted a code of ethics that applies to all of MASSBANK Corp.’s and MASSBANK’s directors, officers and employees. This code of ethics is available on the Corporation’s website at www.massbank.com. The Company intends to disclose any amendments to, or waivers from, its code of ethics that are required to be publicly disclosed pursuant to the rules of the SEC and the NASDAQ Global Select Market by filing such amendment or waiver with the SEC and by posting it on our website.
Audit Committee. MASSBANK Corp. has a separately-designated standing Audit Committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act. The members of the Audit Committee are William F. Rucci, Jr. (Chairman), Alexander S. Costello, Paul J. McCarthy and Nalin M. Mistry, each of whom is independent as independence for audit committee members is defined under NASDAQ listing standards applicable to the Company as well as the SEC.
Audit Committee Financial Expert. MASSBANK Corp.’s Board of Directors has determined that Audit Committee member William F. Rucci, Jr. is an audit committee financial expert as defined in Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K of the Exchange Act.
     On February 11, 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors amended its By-Laws by adding:
  §   a new provision to Article I, Section 1 and Article II, Section 2 that addresses the timing for stockholders to make director nominations or stockholder proposals when the annual meeting of stockholders is held more than seven days after the anniversary of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders;
 
  §   a new Section 2A to Article II, entitled “Limitations on Eligibility to Serve as a Director;” and
 
  §   a new Section 9 to Article V regarding the severability of the By-Laws.
     Pursuant to the new provision included in Article I, Section 1 and in Article II, Section 2, in the event that a stockholder wishes to have any director nominations or a stockholder proposal considered at an annual meeting of stockholders and such annual meeting is scheduled to be held on a date more than seven days after the anniversary of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders (the “Anniversary Date”), the stockholder will be allowed to provide written notice of such nominations or stockholder proposal and certain other information as set forth in the By-Laws to the Secretary of the Corporation at its principal offices not later than the close of business on (a) the 20th day (or if that day is not a business day for the Corporation, on the next succeeding business day) following the first date on which the date of such annual meeting was publicly disclosed, or (b) if the first date of such public disclosure occurs more than 75 days prior to such scheduled date of such annual meeting, then the later of (1) the 20th day (or if that day is not a business day for the Corporation, on the next succeeding business day) following the first date of such public disclosure or (2) the 75th day prior to such scheduled date of such meeting (or if that day is not a business day for the Corporation, on the next succeeding business day).

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     Pursuant to Article II, Section 2A, no person shall be nominated or elected as a director or shall nominate a person for election as director, unless such person complies with the integrity requirements set forth in such Section 2A of the By-Laws.
     Pursuant to Article V, Section 9, if any term or provision of any of the By-Laws is ruled illegal or invalid, it will not affect or invalidate any other term or provision of the By-Laws.
     A copy of the Certificate of Amendment to the By-Laws of the Company was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 13, 2008 as an exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K.
Item 11.   Executive Compensation
     The information appearing under the captions “Executive Compensation”, “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation”, “Director Compensation”, “Compensation Discussion and Analysis”, and “Compensation and Option Committee Report” in the Registrant’s definitive proxy statement relating to its 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 12.   Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
     The information appearing under the captions “Election of Directors”, “Principal Stockholders” and “Equity Compensation Plan Information” in the Registrant’s definitive proxy statement relating to its 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 13.   Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
     The information (i) contained in Note 6 of the Consolidated Financial Statements under the caption “Loans” in the Registrant’s 2007 Annual Report to Stockholder’s, and (ii) appearing under the captions “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions” and “Polices and Procedures for Related Party Transactions” in the Registrant’s definitive proxy statement relating to its 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, is incorporated herein by reference.
     Information concerning the independence of MASSBANK Corp. directors required by this item is set forth under the caption “Election of Directors” in the Registrant’s definitive proxy statement relating to its 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 14.   Principal Accountant Fees and Services
     The information appearing under the caption “Independent Registered Public Accountants” in the Registrant’s definitive proxy statement relating to its 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is incorporated herein by reference.

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PART IV
Item 15.   Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
     The following financial statements and financial statement schedules are contained herein or are incorporated herein by reference:
    (a)1. Financial Statements
         
    Reference to 2007
    Annual Report
    to Stockholders
    (Pages) *
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
    29  
Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2007 and 2006
    30  
Consolidated Statements of Income for the three years ended December 31, 2007
    31  
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three years ended December 31, 2007
    32-33  
 
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the three years ended December 31, 2007
    34  
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
    35-61  
 
*   Incorporated, by reference to pages 28 through 61 of the Registrant’s 2007 Annual Report to Stockholders attached to this filing as Exhibit 13.
2.   Financial Statement Schedules
     All schedules are omitted, as the required information is either not applicable or is included in the consolidated financial statements or related notes.
3.   Exhibits
         
Exhibit No.   Description of Exhibit
       
 
  2.1    
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of March 10, 2008, among Eastern Bank Corporation, Eastern Bank, Minuteman Acquisition Corp., MASSBANK Corp. and MASSBANK – incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s current report on Form 8-K dated March 12, 2008.
       
 
  3.1    
Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant – incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Registrant’s Form S-4 Registration Statement (Reg. No. 33-7916).
       
 
  3.2    
By-Laws of the Registrant – incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3 of the Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1991.
       
 
  3.3    
Certificate of Amendment to the By-laws of MASSBANK Corp. – incorporated by reference to the Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s current report on Form 8-K dated October 17, 2007.

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Exhibit No.   Description of Exhibit
  3.4    
Certificate of Amendment to the By-laws, as amended, of MASSBANK Corp. – incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s current report on Form 8-K dated February 13, 2008.
       
 
  4.1    
Shareholder Rights Agreement dated as of January 18, 2000, between the Company and The First National Bank of Boston, as Rights Agent — incorporated herein by reference to the Exhibit to the Company’s Report on Form 8-K dated as of January 20, 2000. (SEC file number 0-15137)
       
 
  4.2    
Amendment to Shareholder Rights Agreement, dated as of March 10, 2008, by and between MASSBANK Corp. and American Stock Transfer and Trust Company – incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s current report on Form 8-K dated March 12, 2008.
       
 
  10.1    
MASSBANK Corp. 1986 Stock Option Plan, as amended – incorporated by reference to Exhibit 28.1 to the Registrant’s Form S-8 Registration Statement (Reg. No. 33-11949).
       
 
  10.1.2    
Amendment to MASSBANK Corp. 1986 Stock Option Plan dated April 19, 1991 – incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1.2 to the Registrant’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1992.
       
 
  10.1.3    
MASSBANK Corp. 1994 Stock Incentive Plan – incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Form S-8 Registration Statement (Reg. No. 33-82110).
       
 
  10.1.4    
Amendment to MASSBANK Corp. 1994 Stock Incentive Plan dated April 21, 1998 – incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1.4 to the Registrant’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997.
       
 
  10.1.5    
MASSBANK Corp. 2004 Stock Option and Incentive Plan – incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1.5 to the Registrant’s Form S-8 Registration Statement (Ref. No. 33-118028).
       
 
  10.1.6    
Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement under the MASSBANK Corp. 2004 Stock Option and Incentive Plan – incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s report on Form 8-K dated January 14, 2005.
       
 
  10.1.7    
Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement under the MASSBANK Corp. 2004 Stock Option and Incentive Plan – incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s report on Form 8-K dated January 14, 2005.
       
 
  10.1.8    
Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement under the MASSBANK Corp. 2004 Stock Option and Incentive Plan – incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s report on Form 8-K dated January 13, 2006.

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Exhibit No.   Description of Exhibit
       
 
  10.1.9    
Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement for MASSBANK Corp. employees under the MASSBANK Corp. 2004 Stock Option and Incentive Plan – incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s report on Form 8-K dated January 13, 2006.
       
 
  10.1.10    
Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement for MASSBANK Corp. directors under the MASSBANK Corp. 2004 Stock Option and Incentive Plan – incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s report on Form 8-K dated January 13, 2006.
       
 
  10.2    
MASSBANK for Savings Employees’ Stock Ownership Plan and Trust Agreement – incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Registrant’s Form S-4 Registration Statement (Reg. No. 33-7916).
       
 
  10.2.1    
Amendments to the MASSBANK for Savings Employee’s Stock Ownership Plan and Trust Agreement – incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2.1 to the Registrant’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1993.
       
 
  10.2.2    
Amendments to the MASSBANK for Savings Employee’s Stock Ownership Plan and Trust Agreement – incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2.2 to the Registrant’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997.
       
 
  10.2.3    
Amended and Restated MASSBANK Employees’ Stock Ownership Plan and Trust Agreement incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2.3 to the Registrant’s annual report on Form 10K for the year ended December 31, 2003.
       
 
  10.3.16    
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement with Gerard H. Brandi dated as of October 28, 2002 – incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.3.16 to the Registrant’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2002.
       
 
  10.3.18    
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement with Reginald E. Cormier dated as of October 28, 2002 – incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.3.18 to the Registrant’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2002.
       
 
  10.3.20    
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement with Donna H. West dated as of October 28, 2002 – incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.3.20 to the Registrant’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2002.
       
 
  10.3.21    
Form of Employment Agreement with Thomas J. Queeney dated as of October 28, 2002 – incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3.21 to the Registrant’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2002.
       
 
  10.3.22    
Form of Employment Agreement with William F. Rivers dated as of March 23, 2005 – incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.3.22 to the Registrant’s report on Form 8-K dated March 24, 2005.

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Exhibit No.   Description of Exhibit
       
 
  10.3.23    
Form of Employment Agreement with James L. Milinazzo dated March 23, 2005 – incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.3.23 to the Registrant’s report on Form 8-K dated March 24, 2005.
       
 
  10.3.24    
Form of Employment Agreement with Joseph P. Orefice dated March 10, 2006 – incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.3.24 to the Registrant’s report on Form 8-K dated March 14, 2006.
       
 
  10.3.25    
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement with James L. Milinazzo dated March 10, 2006 – incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.3.25 to the Registrant’s report on Form 8-K dated March 14, 2006.
       
 
  10.4    
Form of Executive Supplemental Retirement Agreement, as amended, with Gerard H. Brandi – incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of Registrant’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1986.
       
 
  10.4.1    
Amendments to the Executive Supplemental Retirement Agreement with Gerard H. Brandi are incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4.1 of the Registrant’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996.
       
 
  10.5    
Amended Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors of MASSBANK Corp. adopted March 8, 2000 – incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the Registrant’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000. (SEC file number 0-15137)
       
 
  10.5.1    
Amended and Restated Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors of MASSBANK Corp. (the “Company”) and MASSBANK (the “Bank”) dated August 10, 2005 – incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.5.1 to the Registrant’s report on Form 8-K dated August 11, 2005.
       
 
  10.6    
Deferred Compensation Program for Bank employees dated November 14, 1994 – incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of the Registrant’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001. (SEC file number 0-15137)
       
 
  10.6.1    
Amended and Restated Terms and Conditions of Deferred Compensation Program for employees of MASSBANK (the “Bank”) dated August 10, 2005 – incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.6.1 to the Registrant’s report on Form 8-K dated August 11, 2005.
       
 
  11    
The computation of per share earnings can be readily determined from the material contained in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006.
       
 
  12    
Statement re: Computation of Ratios — Not applicable as MASSBANK Corp. does not have any debt securities registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

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Exhibit No.   Description of Exhibit
       
 
  13    
2006 Annual Report to Stockholders — except for those portions of the 2006 Annual Report to Stockholders which are expressly incorporated by reference in this report, such 2006 Annual Report to Stockholders is furnished for the information of the SEC and is not to be deemed “filed” with the SEC.
       
 
  21    
Subsidiaries of the Registrant.
       
 
  23    
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm –Parent, McLaughlin & Nangle.
       
 
  31.1    
Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 by Chief Executive Officer.
       
 
  31.2    
Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 by Chief Financial Officer.
       
 
  32.1    
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 by Chief Executive Officer.
       
 
  32.2    
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 by Chief Financial Officer.
       
 
  (b )  
Exhibits to this Form 10-K are attached or incorporated by reference as stated in the Index to Exhibits.
       
 
  (c )  
Financial Statement Schedules – None.

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Signatures
     Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
MASSBANK CORP.
         
     
  /s/ Gerard H. Brandi    
  Gerard H. Brandi   
  Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer   
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
         
/s/ Gerard H. Brandi
  Chairman, President,    
 
       
Gerard H. Brandi
  Chief Executive Officer and Director   March 14, 2008
 
       
/s/ Reginald E. Cormier
  Senior Vice President, Treasurer    
 
       
Reginald E. Cormier
  and Chief Financial Officer    
 
  (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)   March 14, 2008
 
       
/s/ Allan S. Bufferd
  Director   March 14, 2008
 
       
Allan S. Bufferd
       
 
       
/s/ Kathleen M. Camilli
  Director   March 14, 2008
 
       
Kathleen M. Camilli
       
 
       
 
  Director    
 
       
Stephen W. Carr
       
 
       
/s/ Alexander S. Costello
  Director   March 14, 2008
 
       
Alexander S. Costello
       

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/s/ O. Bradley Latham
  Director   March 14, 2008
 
       
O. Bradley Latham
       
 
       
/s/ Stephen E. Marshall
  Director   March 14, 2008
 
       
Stephen E. Marshall
       
 
       
/s/ Paul J. McCarthy
  Director   March 14, 2008
 
       
Paul J. McCarthy
       
 
       
/s/ Nalin M. Mistry
  Director   March 14, 2008
 
       
Nalin M. Mistry
       
 
       
/s/ Nancy L. Pettinelli
  Director   March 14, 2008
 
       
Nancy L. Pettinelli
       
 
       
/s/ William F. Rucci, Jr.
  Director   March 14, 2008
 
       
William F. Rucci, Jr.
       

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