North Brookfield Savings Bank will merge with Ware-based FamilyFirst Bank next year in a deal expected to close late in the first quarter or early in the second.

FamilyFirst Bank operates three branches in Ware, Three Rivers Village of Palmer and East Brookfield. North Brookfield Savings Bank has four branches, in North Brookfield, West Brookfield, Palmer and Belchertown. The new entity will keep open all existing branches and will operate under North Brookfield Savings Bank’s name and charter.

North Brookfield Savings Bank has approximately $200 million in assets, and the new entity will have just over $260 million in assets.

The merger is subject to the approval of North Brookfield’s corporators and FamilyFirst’s shareholders, as well as the requisite banking regulators.