2014-09705. Notice of Proposals To Engage in or To Acquire Companies Engaged in Permissible Nonbanking Activities

The companies listed in this notice have given notice under section 4 of the Bank Holding Company Act (12 U.S.C. 1843) (BHC Act) and Regulation Y, (12 CFR Part 225) to engage de novo, or to acquire or control voting securities or assets of a company, including the companies listed below, that engages either directly or through a subsidiary or other company, in a nonbanking activity that is listed in § 225.28 of Regulation Y (12 CFR 225.28) or that the Board has determined by Order to be closely related to banking and permissible for bank holding companies. Unless otherwise noted, these activities will be conducted throughout the United States.

Each notice is available for inspection at the Federal Reserve Bank indicated. The notice also will be available for inspection at the offices of the Board of Governors. Interested persons may express their views in writing on the question whether the proposal complies with the standards of section 4 of the BHC Act.

Unless otherwise noted, comments regarding the applications must be received at the Reserve Bank indicated or the offices of the Board of Governors not later than May 14, 2014.

A. Federal Reserve Bank of Boston (Richard Walker, Community Affairs Officer) 600 Atlantic Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02210-2204:

1. Meridian Bancorp, Inc., Peabody, Massachusetts; to engage de novo in extending credit and servicing loans, pursuant to section 225.28(b)(1).

B. Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago (Colette A. Fried, Assistant Vice President) 230 South LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60690-1414:

1. Chemical Financial Corporation, Midland, Michigan; to acquire 100 percent of the voting shares of Northwestern Bancorp, Inc., and indirectly acquire Northwestern Bank, both in Traverse City, Michigan, and thereby engage in operating a savings association, pursuant to section 225.28(b)(4)(ii).

Comments regarding this application must be received not later than May 27, 2014.

Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, April 24, 2014.

Michael J. Lewandowski,

Associate Secretary of the Board.