NORWICH – NBT Bancorp Inc. (NBT) (NASDAQ: NBTB) reported today net income per diluted share for the three months ended Sept. 30 of $0.46 per share, which is the same per share earnings as the third quarter last year. Similarly, net income for the three months ended September 30, 2008 was $15.1 million, the same as net income for the third quarter last year. Return on average assets and return on average equity were 1.13% and 14.58%, respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 2008, compared with 1.17% and 15.41%, respectively, for the three months ended Sept. 30, 2007.

Net income per diluted share for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 was $1.34 per share, up $0.12, or 9.8%, from $1.22 per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. Return on average assets and return on average equity were 1.11% and 14.26%, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared with 1.08% and 13.77%, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 was $43.5 million, up $2.1 million, or 5.1%, from the nine months ended September 30, 2007. The increase in net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2007 was primarily the result of increases in net interest income and noninterest income, partially offset by an increase in noninterest expense.