Press Releases

HOPEWELL VALLEY COMMUNITY BANK
PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release
Hopewell Township, NJ

Hopewell Valley Community Bank Declares 5% Stock Dividend

Hopewell Township, NJ – December 23, 2003 – Hopewell Valley Community Bank (Pink Sheets:HWDY) has announced its Board of Directors approved a 5% stock dividend. The dividend will be paid January 16, 2004, to all shareholders of record as of December 31, 2003.

In making the announcement, Chairman of the Board Patrick L. Ryan observed: “Dramatically increased earnings, strong growth, and high asset quality were the earmarks for success for the institution during 2003. Additionally, the 2003 Capital Offering Campaign was oversubscribed and raised in excess of $3,700,000. Our shareholders gave us a true vote of confidence and one for which management of the bank is sincerely appreciative, supporting the mission of growing this community bank from the very beginning. Without that support, it would have never been a reality, and this is the fourth annual stock dividend rewarding that confidence. We have grown into a profitable financial organization that is giving back not only to our shareholders, but also to our employees, customers and communities at large.”

President and CEO James Hyman said: “The additional capital will allow us to maintain a strong capital base, facilitate branch expansion, raise our legal lending limit, and increase our ability to accept deposits. The new “County Line Office”, located at the intersection of Routes 31 & 518 in Hopewell Township, will become a prominent and highly visible “gateway” to Hopewell and Mercer County as well as a bridge to new business opportunities in Hunterdon County immediately to the north. When renovations are completed in the Spring of 2004, this location will replace our Pennytown office. Our business strategy for the future is to capitalize on the opportunities in our area, which arise as a result of economic growth and consolidation, as well as through the contacts of our directors, officers and other friends of the bank.

Hopewell Valley Community Bank is a locally owned and managed full service, FDIC insured commercial bank. Founded in 1998, HVCB provides a friendly, personalized banking experience for residents and small business owners through its three branches in Mercer County and through its fully interactive website at www.hvcbonline.com.


For further information, please contact:
James Hyman, President & CEO
Hopewell Valley Community Bank
609 466-2900
www.hvcbonline.com
jhyman@hvcbonline.com