UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSIONWashington, D.C. 20549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to
Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Date of Report (Date of earliest
event reported): June 27, 2011 MERIDIAN INTERSTATE BANCORP,
INC.(Exact name of registrant as
specified in its charter) Massachusetts
  
  001-33898
  
  20-4652200(State or other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)
  
  (Commission File Number)
  
  (IRS Employer Identification No.) 10 Meridian Street, East
Boston, Massachusetts
  
  02128(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
  
  (Zip Code) Registrant’s telephone number,
including area code: (617) 567-1500 Not
Applicable(Former name or former address if changed since last report.) Check the appropriate box below if the
Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of
the registrant under any of the following provisions: o Written
communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR
230.425)o Soliciting material pursuant
to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule
14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule
13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
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Forward-Looking Statements Certain matters
discussed in this Current Report are “forward-looking statements”
intended to qualify for the safe harbors from liability established by the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking
statements can generally be identified as such because they will include words
such as “believes,” “anticipates” or
“expects,” or words of similar import. Such forward-looking
statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties which could cause
actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated. Such
risks and uncertainties include, among others, factors discussed in the filings
made by Meridian Interstate Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors should consider these factors
carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements and are cautioned not to
place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.  Item 8.01.
  
  Other Events The Company commented
on a report on the Company issued by Mergermarket, an affiliate of the FT Group
and Financial Times. The report, based on information provided by an employee
of the Company, indicated that the employee noted that there was a high
probability that the Company would engage in a second step full conversion
transaction within the next 12 months.  The Company desires to
clarify that it has not adopted a plan of second step conversion and that it
has no current plans or arrangements pending to conduct a second step
transaction.  The Company noted that any decision by the Board to conduct
a second-step conversion  transaction in the future would involve
consideration of a variety of factors, including but not limited to the
Company’s need for capital, industry and market conditions, potential use
of capital raised, regional, local and national economic conditions and
regulatory considerations.  The Company has noted that it is the general
policy of the Company not to comment publicly on material strategic planning
matters, including a second-step conversion transaction.  2




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SIGNATURES Pursuant to the
requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly
caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, hereunto duly
authorized. MERIDIAN
INTERSTATE BANCORP, INC. DATE: June 27, 2011 By: /s/ Richard J.
Gavegnano
Richard J. Gavegnano
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer  3