Exhibit 99.1

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CENTURY BANCORP, INC. ANNOUNCES INCREASED EARNINGS FOR Q2 2016, UP 5.3%;

ASSET GROWTH TO RECORD SIZE OF $4.2 BB; REGULAR DIVIDEND DECLARED

Medford, MA, July 12, 2016—Century Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:CNBKA) (www.centurybank.com) (“the Company”) today announced net income of $11,549,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2016, or $2.07 per Class A share diluted, an increase of 6.1% compared to net income of $10,884,000, or $1.95 per Class A share diluted, for the same period a year ago. Total assets increased 6.2% from $3.9 billion at December 31, 2015 to $4.2 billion at June 30, 2016. For the quarter ended June 30, 2016, net income totaled $6,241,000 or $1.12 per Class A share diluted, an increase of 5.3% compared to net income of $5,925,000, or $1.06 per Class A share diluted, for the same period a year ago.

Net interest income totaled $36.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016 compared to $34.1 million for the same period in 2015. The 5.8% increase in net interest income for the period is primarily due to an increase in average earning assets. The net interest margin was stable at 2.16% on a fully taxable equivalent basis for the first six months of 2016 compared to the same period in 2015. This was primarily the result of relatively stable earning asset yields and rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities. The average balances of earning assets increased by 7.2% combined with a similar increase in average deposits. Also, interest expense increased 12.1% as a result of an increase in deposit balances.

The provision for loan losses increased by $600,000 from $200,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2015 to $800,000 for the same period in 2016, primarily as a result of an increase in loan balances. The Company’s effective tax rate decreased from 4.0% in 2015 to 0.7% in 2016 primarily as a result of an increase in tax-exempt income.

-more-

At June 30, 2016, total equity was $227.2 million compared to $214.5 million at December 31, 2015. The Company’s equity increased primarily as a result of earnings and a decrease in other comprehensive loss, net of taxes, offset somewhat by dividends paid. Other comprehensive loss, net of taxes, decreased primarily as a result of a decrease in unrealized losses on securities transferred from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity and amortization of the pension liability. This was offset, somewhat, by an increase in unrealized losses on securities available-for-sale.

The Company’s leverage ratio stood at 6.63% at June 30, 2016, compared to 6.79% at December 31, 2015. The decrease in the leverage ratio was due to an increase in quarterly average assets, offset somewhat by an increase in stockholders’ equity. Book value as of June 30, 2016 was $40.80 per share compared to $38.53 at December 31, 2015.

The Company’s allowance for loan losses was $23.9 million or 1.32% of loans outstanding at June 30, 2016, compared to $23.1 million or 1.33% of loans outstanding at December 31, 2015 and $22.2 million or 1.44% of loans outstanding at June 30, 2015. The change in the ratio of the allowance for loan losses to loans outstanding, when compared to June 30, 2015, was primarily due to changes in portfolio composition. Non-performing assets totaled $1.5 million at June 30, 2016, compared to $2.3 million at December 31, 2015 and $4.1 million at June 30, 2015.

The Company’s Board of Directors voted a regular quarterly dividend of 12.00 cents ($0.12) per share on the Company’s Class A common stock, and 6.00 cents ($0.06) per share on the Company’s Class B common stock. The dividends were declared payable August 15, 2016 to stockholders of record on August 1, 2016.

The Company, through its subsidiary bank, Century Bank and Trust Company, a state chartered full service commercial bank, operating twenty-seven full-service branches in the Greater Boston area, offers a full range of Business, Personal and Institutional Services.

Century Bank and Trust Company is a member of the FDIC and is an Equal Housing Lender.

This press release contains certain “forward-looking statements” with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business of the Company. Actual results may differ from those contemplated by these statements. The Company wishes to caution readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any such forward-looking statements, whether in response to new information, future events or otherwise.

Century Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Comparative Statements of Condition (unaudited)

(in thousands)

Century Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Comparative Statements of Income (unaudited)

For the Quarter and Six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015

(in thousands)

Century Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Year-to-Date Average Comparative Statements of Condition (unaudited)

(in thousands)

Century Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Selected Key Financial Information (unaudited)

(in thousands, except share data)