FORM OF AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

Exhibit 10.4

FORM OF
AMENDED AND RESTATED
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

          This AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is amended and restated in its entirety as of [date] (the “Effective Date”), by and between EAST BOSTON SAVINGS BANK, a bank organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts with its headquarters located in East Boston, Massachusetts (the “Bank”), and [name] (the “Executive”). In consideration of the mutual covenants contained in this Agreement, the Bank and the Executive agree as follows:

          1.          Employment. The Bank agrees to employ the Executive and the Executive agrees to be employed by the Bank on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

          2.          Capacity. The Executive shall serve the Bank as [position,] [and as a member of the Board of Directors]. The Executive shall also serve the Bank in such other or additional offices as the Executive may be requested to serve by the Board of Directors of the Bank (the “Board of Directors”). In such capacity or capacities, the Executive shall perform such services and duties in connection with the business, affairs and operations of the Bank as may be assigned or delegated to the Executive from time to time by or under the authority of the Board of Directors, and the Executive shall adhere to all policies established by the Board of Directors or Committees thereof at all times. The Executive’s job description as of the Effective Date is attached hereto as Appendix A.

          3.          Term.

                       (a)          The term of this Agreement shall be (i) the initial term, consisting of the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the second anniversary of the Effective Date, plus (ii) any and all extensions of the initial term made pursuant to this Section 3.

                       (b)          The term of this Agreement shall be extended for one day each day so that a constant twenty-four (24) calendar month term shall remain in effect, until such time as the Board of Directors or the Executive elects not to extend the term of the Agreement by giving written notice to the other party in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, in which case the term of this Agreement shall be fixed and shall end on the second anniversary of the date of such written notice.

          4.          Compensation and Benefits. The regular compensation and benefits payable to the Executive under this Agreement shall be as follows:

                       (a)          Salary. For all services rendered by the Executive under this Agreement, the Bank shall pay the Executive a salary (the “Salary”) at the annual rate of $[amount], subject to increase from time to time in the discretion of the Board of Directors. The Salary shall be payable in periodic installments in accordance with the Bank’s usual practice for its senior executives.

                       (b)          Bonus.  The Executive shall be entitled to participate in an annual incentive program established by the Board of Directors with such terms as may be established in the sole discretion of the Board of Directors.

                       (c)          Regular Benefits. The Executive shall also be entitled to participate in any employee benefit plans, medical insurance plans, life insurance plans, disability income plans, retirement plans, vacation plans, expense reimbursement plans and other benefit plans which the Bank may from time to time have in effect for all or most of its senior executives. Such participation shall be subject to the terms of the applicable plan documents, generally applicable policies of the Bank, applicable law and the discretion of the Board of Directors or any administrative or other committee provided for in or contemplated by any such plan. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed to create any obligation on the part of the Bank to establish any such plan or to maintain the effectiveness of any such plan which may be in effect from time to time.

                       (d)          Taxation of Payments and Benefits. The Bank shall undertake to make deductions, withholdings and tax reports with respect to payments and benefits under this Agreement to the extent that it reasonably and in good faith believes that it is required to make such deductions, withholdings and tax reports. Payments under this Agreement shall be in amounts net of any such deductions or withholdings. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to require the Bank to make any payments to compensate the Executive for any adverse tax effect associated with any payments or benefits or for any deduction or withholding from any payment or benefit.

                       (e)          Exclusivity of Salary and Benefits. The Executive shall not be entitled to any payments or benefits other than those provided under this Agreement.

          5.          Extent of Service. During the Executive’s employment under this Agreement, the Executive shall, subject to the direction and supervision of the Board of Directors, devote the Executive’s full business time, best efforts and business judgment, skill and knowledge to the advancement of the Bank’s interests and to the discharge of the Executive’s duties and responsibilities under this Agreement. The Executive shall not engage in any other business activity, except as may be approved by the Board of Directors; provided that nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as preventing the Executive from:

                       (a)          investing the Executive’s assets in any company or other entity in a manner not prohibited by Section 9(d) and in such form or manner as shall not require any material activities on the Executive’s part in connection with the operations or affairs of the companies or other entities in which such investments are made;

                       (b)          engaging in religious, charitable or other community or non-profit activities that do not impair the Executive’s ability to fulfill the Executive’s duties and responsibilities under this Agreement; or

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                       (c)          [serving on the Board of Directors of the entities listed on Appendix B, so long as such service does not impair the Executive’s ability to fulfill the Executive’s duties and responsibilities under this Agreement.]

          6.          Termination. The Executive’s employment under this Agreement shall terminate under the following circumstances set forth in this Section 6.

                       (a)          Termination by the Bank for Cause. The Executive’s employment under this Agreement may be terminated for Cause without further liability on the part of the Bank effective immediately upon a vote of the Board of Directors and written notice to the Executive. Only the following shall constitute “Cause” for such termination:

A determination of whether the Executive’s employment shall be terminated for Cause shall be made at a meeting of the Board of Directors called and held for such purpose, at which the Board of Directors makes a finding that in the good faith opinion of the Board of Directors an event set forth in subclauses (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) has occurred and specifying the particulars thereof in detail.

                       (b)          Termination by the Executive. The Executive’s employment under this Agreement may be terminated by the Executive by written notice to the Board of Directors within sixty (60) days following an event constituting “Good Reason.”  The Executive’s termination of employment shall become effective on the thirty-first (31^st) day following such notice, provided the Bank has not remedied the condition giving rise to the event of “Good Reason.”  For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean:

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                       (c)          Termination by the Bank Without Cause.  The Executive’s employment under this Agreement may be terminated by the Bank without Cause (which, for purposes of clarification, shall not include a termination of Executive’s employment under this Agreement due to Executive’s death or Disability) upon written notice to the Executive. A determination of whether the Executive’s employment shall be terminated without Cause will be made solely by the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors.

                       (d)          Disability.  If the Executive shall be disabled so as to be unable to perform the essential functions of the Executive’s then existing position or positions under this Agreement with or without reasonable accommodation, the Board of Directors may terminate the Executive’s employment upon written notice to the Executive. If any question shall arise as to whether during any period the Executive is disabled so as to be unable to perform the essential functions of the Executive’s then existing position or positions with or without reasonable accommodation, the Executive may, and at the request of the Bank shall, submit to the Bank a certification in reasonable detail by a physician selected by the Bank to whom the Executive or the Executive’s guardian has no reasonable objection as to whether the Executive is so disabled or how long such disability is expected to continue, and such certification shall for the purposes of this Agreement be conclusive of the issue. The Executive shall cooperate with any reasonable request of the physician in connection with such certification. If such question shall arise and the Executive shall fail to submit such certification, the Bank’s determination of such issue shall be binding on the Executive. Nothing in this Section 6(d) shall be construed to waive the Executive’s rights, if any, under existing law including, without limitation; the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, 29 U.S.C. §2601 et seq. and the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. §12101 et seq.

                       (e)          Death.  The Executive’s employment hereunder shall terminate upon his death.

          7.          Certain Compensation Upon Termination.

                       (a)          Compensation Upon Voluntary Termination.  If the Executive shall resign (including by retirement) and voluntarily terminate employment without Good Reason, the Bank shall pay to the Executive the Executive’s accrued and unpaid salary, accrued and unpaid vacation pay and all rights and benefits that the Executive is entitled to receive under the terms of the Bank’s benefit plans or arrangements, including the Executive’s rights under any Supplemental Executive Retirement Agreement in effect between the Bank and the Executive

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(the “Accrued Obligations”), including the agreement effective January 1, 2005.

                       (b)          Compensation Upon Death.  In the event the Executive’s employment shall terminate in the event of his death, his surviving spouse (or estate if there is no surviving spouse) shall be entitled to receive the Accrued Obligations. His surviving spouse (or estate if there is no surviving spouse) shall also be entitled to any death benefit provided under the Bank’s life insurance plans and any Endorsement Split Dollar Agreement in effect between the Bank and the Executive, including the agreement dated December 29, 2003.

                       (c)          Compensation Upon Disability.  In the event the Executive’s employment shall terminate by reason of disability as provided in Section 6(d) above, he shall be entitled to his Accrued Obligations and such disability benefits as determined in accordance with the long-term disability plans then in effect for executives of the Bank.

                       (d)          Compensation Upon Termination by the Bank for Cause.  In the event the Executive’s employment shall be terminated by the Bank for Cause as provided by Section 6(a) above, he shall be entitled to receive his Accrued Obligations only.

                       (e)          Compensation Upon Termination of the Bank Without Cause or by the Executive for Good Reason.  In the event the Executive’s employment shall be terminated by the Bank without Cause as provided in Section 6(c) above, or by the Executive for Good Reason as provided in Section 6(b) above, he shall be entitled to receive the Accrued Obligations. In addition, subject to the Executive’s agreement to a release of any and all legal claims in a form satisfactory to the Bank and the expiration of the applicable revocation period and subject to compliance with the provisions of Section 9 hereof, the Bank shall pay the Executive an amount equivalent to the sum of (i) two (2) times the Executive’s Salary at the rate then in effect pursuant to Section 4(a); and (ii) the value of 24 months of health insurance premiums for health insurance coverage provided by the Bank, based on the coverage provided to the Executive immediately prior to his termination.  The Bank shall make this in a single lump sum cash payment within ten (10) days following the termination.

          8.          Termination in Connection with a Change in Control. 

                       (a)          For purposes of this Agreement, a “Change in Control” means a change in control of the Bank or Meridian Interstate Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) as defined in Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), as amended, and rules, regulations, and guidance of general application thereunder, including the following:

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                       (b)          Termination.  If within the period ending one year after a Change in Control, (i) the Bank terminates the Executive’s employment without Cause, or (ii) the Executive voluntarily terminates his employment with Good Reason, the Bank will, within ten (10) calendar days of the termination of the Executive’s employment, make a lump-sum cash payment to him equal to 2.99 times his “base amount” (as defined for purposes of Section 280G of the Code) less any other “parachute payments” (as also defined for purposes of Section 280G of the Code) made to the Executive.  The cash payment made under this Section 8(b) shall be made in lieu of any payment also required under Section 7 of this Agreement because of the Executive’s termination of employment.

                       (c)          The provisions of Sections 9 (except Section 9(d)) through 20, including the defined terms used in such sections, shall continue in effect until the later of the expiration of this Agreement or one year following a Change in Control.

                       (d)          Limitation of Benefits Under Certain Circumstances.  If the payments and benefits pursuant to this Section 8 of this Agreement, either alone or together with other payments and benefits the Executive has the right to receive from the Bank, would constitute a “parachute payment” under Section 280G of the Code, the payments and benefits shall be reduced or revised, in the manner determined by the Executive, by the amount, if any, which is the minimum necessary to result in no portion of the payments and benefits under this Agreement or otherwise being non-deductible to the Bank pursuant to Section 280G of the Code and subject to the excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of the Code.  The Bank’s independent public accountants will determine any reduction in the payments and benefits to be made pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise; the Bank will pay for the accountant’s opinion.  If the Bank and/or the Executive do not agree with the accountant’s opinion, the Bank will pay to the Executive the maximum amount of payments and benefits pursuant to this Section 8, as selected by the Executive, that the opinion indicates have a high probability of not causing any of the payments and benefits to be non-deductible to the Bank and subject to the excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of the Code.  The Bank may also request, and the Executive has the right to demand that the Bank request, a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) as to whether the disputed payments and benefits pursuant to this Section 8 have such tax consequences.   The Bank will promptly prepare and file the request for a ruling from the IRS, but in no event will the

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Bank make this filing later than thirty (30) days from the date of the accountant’s opinion referred to above.  The request will be subject to the Executive’s approval prior to filing; the Executive shall not unreasonably withhold his approval.  The Bank and the Executive agree to be bound by any ruling received from the IRS and to make appropriate payments to each other to reflect any IRS rulings, together with interest at the applicable federal rate provided for in Section 7872(f)(2) of the Code. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall result in a reduction of any payments or benefits to which the Executive may be entitled upon termination of employment other than pursuant to this Section 8, or a reduction in the payments and benefits specified in this Section 8, below zero.

          9.          Confidential Information, Noncompetition and Cooperation.

                       (a)          Confidential Information.  As used in this Agreement, “Confidential Information” means information belonging to the Bank which is of value to the Bank in the course of conducting its business and the disclosure of which could result in a competitive or other disadvantage to the Bank. Confidential Information includes, without limitation, financial information, reports, and forecasts; inventions, improvements and other intellectual property; trade secrets; know-how; designs, processes or formulae; software; market or sales information or plans; customer lists; and business plans, prospects and opportunities (such as possible acquisitions or dispositions of businesses or facilities) which have been discussed or considered by the management of the Bank. Confidential Information includes information developed by the Executive in the course of the Executive’s employment by the Bank, as well as other information to which the Executive may have access in connection with the Executive’s employment. Confidential Information also includes the confidential information of others with which the Bank has a business relationship. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Confidential Information does not include information in the public domain, unless due to breach of the Executive’s duties under Section 9(b).

                       (b)          Confidentiality.  The Executive understands and agrees that the Executive’s employment creates a relationship of confidence and trust between the Executive and the Bank with respect to all Confidential Information. At all times, both during the Executive’s employment with the Bank and after its termination, the Executive will keep in confidence and trust all such Confidential Information, and will not use or disclose any such Confidential Information without the written consent of the Bank, except as may be necessary in the ordinary course of performing the Executive’s duties to the Bank.

                       (c)          Documents, Records, etc.  All documents, records, data, apparatus, equipment and other physical property, whether or not pertaining to Confidential Information, which are furnished to the Executive by the Bank or are produced by the Executive in connection with the Executive’s employment will be and remain the sole property of the Bank. The Executive will return to the Bank all such materials and property as and when requested by the Bank. In any event, the Executive will return all such materials and property immediately upon termination of the Executive’s employment for any reason. The Executive will not retain with the Executive any such material or property or any copies thereof after such termination.

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                       (d)          Noncompetition and Nonsolicitation.  During the period in which the Executive is employed by the Bank and for two (2) years thereafter, the Executive (i) will not, directly or indirectly, whether as owner, partner, shareholder, consultant, agent, employee, co-venturer or otherwise, engage, participate, assist or invest in any Competing Business (as hereinafter defined); (ii) will refrain from directly or indirectly employing, attempting to employ, recruiting or otherwise soliciting, inducing or influencing any person to leave employment with the Bank (other than terminations of employment of subordinate employees undertaken in the course of the Executive’s employment with the Bank); and (iii) will refrain from soliciting or encouraging any customer or supplier to terminate or otherwise modify adversely its business relationship with the Bank. The Executive understands that the restrictions set forth in this Section 9(d) are intended to protect the Bank’s interest in its Confidential Information and established employee, customer and supplier relationships and goodwill, and agrees that such restrictions are reasonable and appropriate for this purpose. For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Competing Business” shall mean a business conducted anywhere in Suffolk, Middlesex, Essex and Norfolk Counties, or within a 30-mile radius of the Bank’s headquarters (other than the State of New Hampshire), which is competitive with any business which the Bank or any of its affiliates conducts or proposes to conduct at any time during the employment of the Executive. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive may own up to one percent (1%) of the outstanding stock of a publicly held corporation which constitutes or is affiliated with a Competing Business [and may serve on the Board of Directors of the entities listed on Appendix B].

                       (e)          Litigation and Regulatory Cooperation.  During and after the Executive’s employment, the Executive shall cooperate fully with the Bank in the defense or prosecution of any claims or actions now in existence or which may be brought in the future against or on behalf of the Bank which relate to events or occurrences that transpired while the Executive was employed by the Bank. The Executive’s full cooperation in connection with such claims or actions shall include, but not be limited to, being available to meet with counsel to prepare for discovery or trial and to act as a witness on behalf of the Bank at mutually convenient times. During and after the Executive’s employment, the Executive also shall cooperate fully with the Bank in connection with any investigation or review of any federal, state or local regulatory authority as any such investigation or review relates to events or occurrences that transpired while the Executive was employed by the Bank. The Bank shall reimburse the Executive for any reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with the Executive’s performance of obligations pursuant to this Section 9(e).

                       (f)          Injunction.  The Executive agrees that it would be difficult to measure any damages caused to the Bank which might result from any breach by the Executive of the promises set forth in this Section 9, and that in any event money damages would be an inadequate remedy for any such breach. Accordingly, subject to Section 10 of this Agreement, the Executive agrees that if the Executive breaches, or proposes to breach, any portion of this Agreement, the Bank shall be entitled, in addition to all other remedies that it may have, to an injunction or other appropriate equitable relief to restrain any such breach without showing or proving any actual damage to the Bank.

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          10.        Arbitration of Disputes. Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the breach thereof or otherwise arising out of the Executive’s employment or the termination of that employment (including, without limitation, any claims of unlawful employment discrimination whether based on age or otherwise) shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be settled by arbitration in any forum and form agreed upon by the parties or, in the absence of such an agreement, under the auspices of the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) in Boston, Massachusetts in accordance with the Employment Dispute Resolution Rules of the AAA, including, but not limited to, the rules and procedures applicable to the selection of arbitrators. In the event that any person or entity other than the Executive or the Bank may be a party with regard to any such controversy or claim, such controversy or claim shall be submitted to arbitration subject to such other person or entity’s agreement. Judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. This Section 10 shall be specifically enforceable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 10 shall not preclude either party from pursuing a court action for the sole purpose of obtaining a temporary restraining order or a preliminary injunction in circumstances in which such relief is appropriate; provided that any other relief shall be pursued through an arbitration proceeding pursuant to this Section 10.  The cost of all arbitration proceedings (other than the Executive’s legal fees, which are subject to section 15 of this Agreement) shall be paid by the Bank.

          11.        Consent to Jurisdiction. To the extent that any court action is permitted consistent with or to enforce Section 10 of this Agreement, the parties hereby consent to the jurisdiction of the Superior Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts. Accordingly, with respect to any such court action, the Executive (a) submits to the personal jurisdiction of such courts; (b) consents to service of process; and (c) waives any other requirement (whether imposed by statute, rule of court, or otherwise) with respect to personal jurisdiction or service of process.

          12.        Integration. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements between the parties with respect to any related subject matter.

          13.        Assignment; Successors and Assigns, etc. Neither the Bank nor the Executive may make any assignment of this Agreement or any interest herein, by operation of law or otherwise, without the prior written consent of the other party; provided that the Bank may assign its rights under this Agreement without the consent of the Executive in the event that the Bank shall effect a reorganization, consolidate with or merge into any other corporation, partnership, organization or other entity, or transfer all or substantially all of its properties or assets to any other corporation, partnership, organization or other entity. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Bank and the Executive, their respective successors, executors, administrators, heirs and permitted assigns.

          14.        Enforceability. If any portion or provision of this Agreement (including, without limitation, any portion or provision of any section of this Agreement) shall to any extent be declared illegal or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, then the remainder of this Agreement, or the application of such portion or provision in circumstances other than those as

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to which it is so declared illegal or unenforceable, shall not be affected thereby, and each portion and provision of this Agreement shall be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.

          15.        Payment of Legal Fees.  All reasonable legal fees paid or incurred by the Executive pursuant to any dispute or question of interpretation relating to this Agreement shall be paid or reimbursed by the Bank, only if the Executive is successful pursuant to a legal judgment, arbitration or settlement.

          16.        Waiver. No waiver of any provision hereof shall be effective unless made in writing and signed by the waiving party. The failure of any party to require the performance of any term or obligation of this Agreement, or the waiver by any party of any breach of this Agreement, shall not prevent any subsequent enforcement of such term or obligation or be deemed a waiver of any subsequent breach.

          17.        Notices. Any notices, requests, demands and other communications provided for by this Agreement shall be sufficient if in writing and delivered in person or sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier service or by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, to the Executive at the last address the Executive has filed in writing with the Bank or, in the case of the Bank, at its main offices, attention of the Board of Directors, and shall be effective on the date of delivery in person or by courier or three (3) days after the date mailed.

          18.        Amendment. This Agreement may be amended or modified only by a written instrument signed by the Executive and by a duly authorized representative of the Bank.

          19.        Governing Law. This is a Massachusetts contract and shall be construed under and be governed in all respects by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, without giving effect to the conflict of laws principles of such Commonwealth. With respect to any disputes concerning federal law, such disputes shall be determined in accordance with the law as it would be interpreted and applied by the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.

          20.        Federal Deposit Insurance Act Compliance. All payments made by the Bank to the Executive under any provision of this Agreement shall be subject to and conditioned upon compliance with Section 18(k) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, 12 U.S.C. § 1828(k) and any regulations promulgated hereunder.

          21.         Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be taken to be an original; but such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same document.

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          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed as a sealed instrument by the Bank, by its duly authorized officer, and by the Executive, as of the Effective Date.