SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

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                                    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): April 13, 2006

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                             BROOKLINE BANCORP, INC.
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             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

          Delaware                    0-23695                  04-3402944
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(State or other jurisdiction   (Commission File No.)       (I.R.S. Employer
      of incorporation)                                   Identification No.)


     160 Washington Street, Brookline, Massachusetts           02447-0469
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        (Address of principal executive offices)               (Zip Code)



                                 (617) 730-3500
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              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)


                                 Not applicable
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          (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 (see General Instruction A.2. below):

[  ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act
     (17 CFR 230.425)

[  ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act
     (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

[  ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the
     Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[  ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the
     Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))




Item 1.01    Entry into a Material Agreement
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On April 13, 2006, Brookline Bancorp, Inc. announced that Brookline Bank, its
wholly-owned subsidiary, completed a merger agreement increasing its ownership
interest in Eastern Funding LLC from approximately 28% to 87% through a cash
payment of approximately $16 million, excluding transaction costs.


See exhibit no. 99.1 attached hereto for the press release relating to this
matter.





                                    SIGNATURE


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.



                         BROOKLINE BANCORP, INC.


Date: April 14, 2006     By: /s/ Paul R. Bechet
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                             Paul R. Bechet
                             Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer






                                  EXHIBIT INDEX


The following exhibits are furnished as part of this report:


     Exhibit No.                           Description
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        99.1       Press release of Brookline Bancorp, Inc. dated April 13, 2006