Document


SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

Current Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15 (d) of
The Securities and Exchange Act of 1934

DATE OF REPORT:
January 2, 2018
(Date of Earliest Event Reported)

MASSACHUSETTS
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)
1-9047
 
04-2870273
(Commission File Number)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

                     
INDEPENDENT BANK CORP.

Office Address: 2036 Washington Street, Hanover, Massachusetts 02339
Mailing Address: 288 Union Street, Rockland, Massachusetts 02370
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(Zip Code)

NOT APPLICABLE
(Former Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(Zip Code)

781-878-6100
(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)


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 (see General Instruction A.2. below):
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))


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act (17CFR 230.405)) or Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (17CFR 240.12b-2).

Emerging growth company o

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange
Act. o






Item 2.02 Results of Operation and Financial Condition

On December 22, 2017, during the quarterly financial reporting period which ends December 31, 2017, the President signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (H.R. 1) (the “Tax Act”) into law.  The many changes in the Tax Act include a permanent reduction in the maximum federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% effective as of  January 1, 2018.

The corporate income tax rate reduction requires Independent Bank Corp. (the “Company”) to revalue its deferred tax assets and liabilities and to reassess the value of its low income housing project investments (“LIHTC investments”).  The Company estimates that the Tax Act requires, effective as of the financial reporting period in which the Tax Act was enacted, the Company to reduce the value of its net deferred tax assets by approximately $1.7 million and to reduce its LIHTC investment value by approximately $500,000.

The Company will continue to analyze the full effects of the Tax Act on its financial statements. The impact of the Tax Act may differ from this estimate, possibly materially, due to, among other things, changes in interpretations and assumptions the Company has made, guidance that may be issued and actions the Company may take as a result of the Tax Act.

The information disclosed in this Item 2.02 shall be considered “furnished” but not “filed” for purposes of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.


Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
    
This Report on Form 8-K may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts, but instead represent only the Company’s beliefs regarding future events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside the Company’s control. It is possible that the Company’s actual results and financial condition may differ, possibly materially, from the anticipated results and financial condition indicated in these forward-looking statements. For a discussion of some of the risks and important factors that could affect the Company’s future results and financial condition, see “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of the firm’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

Forward-looking statements include statements regarding the estimated effects of the Tax Act on the Company’s earnings for the fourth quarter and year ending December 31, 2017. These forward-looking statements consist of preliminary estimates, are based on currently available information, as well as our current interpretations, assumptions and expectations relating to the Tax Act, and are subject to change, possibly materially, as the Company completes its year-end financial statements.



















SIGNATURE


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


INDEPENDENT BANK CORP.
 
 
 
DATE: January 2, 2018
 
BY:/s/Robert D. Cozzone
 
 
Robert D. Cozzone
 
 
Chief Financial Officer