Provident Bancorp, Inc. reported unaudited consolidated financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2017. For the quarter, total interest and dividend income was $9,615,000 against $7,462,000 for the same period of last year. Net interest and dividend income was $8,553,000 against $6,768,000 for the same period of last year. Income before income tax expense was $6,239,000 against $2,458,000 for the same period of last year. Net income was $1,741,000 or $0.19 per basic and diluted share against $1,728,000 or $0.19 per basic and diluted share for the same period of last year. Return on average assets was 0.77% against 0.89% for the same period of last year. Return on average equity was 5.92% against 6.35% for the same period of last year. The growth in net interest and dividend income this quarter over the prior year's fourth quarter is primarily the result of an increase in the company's average interest earning assets of $124.7 million, or 17.0%, and an increase in net interest margin of 30 basis points to 3.98%. For the year, total interest and dividend income was $35,782,000 against $28,894,000 for the same period of last year. Net interest and dividend income was $32,056,000 against $26,109,000 for the same period of last year. Income before income tax expense was $15,333,000 against $9,364,000 for the same period of last year. Net income was $7,915,000 or $0.86 per basic and diluted share against $6,339,000 or $0.69 per basic and diluted share for the same period of last year. Return on average assets was 0.91% against 0.84% for the same period of last year. Return on average equity was 6.84% against 5.98% for the same period of last year. The growth in net interest income for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016 is primarily the result of an increase in average interest earning assets of $107.1 million or 15.0% and an increase of the net interest margin of 25 basis points to 3.90%.