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EXHIBIT 99.1

Somerset Hills Bancorp Reports 2011 Second Quarter and Six-Month Earnings; Net Income Up 8.0% an a Linked Quarter Basis; Six-Month Net Income Up 24%; Declares Cash Dividend of $0.06 Per Share

BERNARDSVILLE, N.J., July 21, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Somerset Hills Bancorp (Nasdaq:SOMH) (the "Company"), parent company of Somerset Hills Bank (the "Bank"), reported net income of $651,000 for the second quarter of 2011, an 8.3% increase over $601,000 earned during the second quarter of 2010 and an 8.0% increase over $603,000 earned during the first quarter of 2011. Diluted earnings per share were $0.12 in the second quarter of 2011, up from $0.11 in both the second quarter of 2010 and the first quarter of 2011. For the first six months of 2011, net income was $1.3 million, representing a 24.0% increase from net income of $1.0 million in 2010. Six-month diluted earnings per share were $0.23 in 2011 versus $0.18 in 2010.

Stewart E. McClure, Jr., President and CEO stated, "The Company's overall financial performance once again improved during the quarter, despite the continued low-level of residential mortgage refinancing business. Balance sheet growth, driven by core deposit and loan growth, contributed to higher net interest income, while reductions in operating expenses more than offset declining revenues in mortgage banking. Credit quality metrics remained solid – nonaccrual loans as a percent of total loans improved to 0.11% and 30-89 day delinquent loans declined to 0.22% of total loans. Our commercial loan pipeline remains strong and we are poised to benefit from a liquid and well-capitalized balance sheet."

Net interest income, on a fully taxable equivalent basis, for the second quarter of 2011 totaled $3.0 million, an increase of $75,000, or 2.6%, from $2.9 million earned in the year ago quarter. Net interest income, on a fully taxable equivalent basis, for the first half of 2011 totaled $5.9 million, an increase of $273,000, or 4.9%, from $5.6 million earned in the prior year first half. The increases in net interest income were due to increases in interest-earning assets, which grew by 9.0% in the quarter comparison and by 5.9% in the first half comparison. The benefit to net interest income from higher interest-earning assets was partially offset by a contraction in the net interest margin, which narrowed by 24 basis points to 3.82% in the current quarter from the prior year quarter and narrowed by 4 basis points to 3.90% in the first half of 2011 from the first half of 2010. Growth in average loans, which measured a healthy 5.7% for the current quarter versus the prior year quarter and 5.2% for the first half 2011 versus the first half 2010, was outpaced by significant growth in average core deposits, which increased by 12.2% quarter over quarter and by 9.6% first half over first half. The Company has, for the time being, invested these excess funds in overnight investments, which provide Management with increased flexibility but yield a relatively lower return and contribute to a contraction in the net interest margin.

Non-interest income declined to $368,000 and $765,000 in the second quarter and first half of 2011, respectively, from $485,000 and $907,000 in the second quarter and first half of 2010, respectively, due primarily to lower gains on sales of residential loans at Sullivan Financial Services, Inc., a wholly-owned mortgage banking subsidiary of the Bank, which originates loans for sale strictly on a pre-sold flow-basis. Sullivan's origination volume is down due to declining residential mortgage refinancing activity and continued low home purchase activity. Partially offsetting the reduction in mortgage banking revenue were higher banking and wealth management fees. The first half of 2011 also benefitted from $9,000 in net gains from the sale of investment securities realized during the first quarter of 2011.

Non-interest expenses decreased by 6.1% to $2.3 million in the second quarter of 2011 from $2.4 million in the prior year second quarter, and by 5.0% to $4.6 million in the first half of 2011 from $4.9 million in the prior year first half. The declines in operating expenses were due primarily to decreases in employee, occupancy and FDIC premium costs. Management continues its expense containment efforts which have yielded cost savings in many areas of the Company's operations.

The Company recorded provisions for income taxes of $322,000 and $562,000 for the second quarter and first half of 2011, respectively, versus $291,000 and $446,000 for the second quarter and first half of 2010, respectively. The effective tax rates were 33.1% and 30.9% for the second quarter and first half of 2011, respectively versus 32.6% and 30.6% for the second quarter and first half of 2009, respectively.

The second quarter provision for loan losses was $30,000 in 2011 versus zero in 2010, while the first half provision for loan losses was $105,000 in 2011 versus $75,000 in 2010. Net recoveries totaled $3,000 during the second quarter 2011, $6,000 during the first half 2011, and $3,000 for both the second quarter and first half of 2010. The allowance for loan losses was $3.0 million, or 1.34% of total loans, at June 30, 2011 versus $3.2 million, or 1.54% of total loans, at June 30, 2010. The reduction in the allowance over the course of the past year was primarily due to the improved credit quality of the loan portfolio, including a lower level of impaired loans. Non-accrual loans at June 30, 2011 totaled $253,000, representing 0.11% of total loans, down from $364,000, or 0.18% of total loans one year ago. The non-performing asset ratio, which is defined as nonaccrual loans and OREO as a percentage of total assets, was 0.07% at June 30, 2011 and 0.12% at June 30, 2010. The Company had no OREO at both June 30, 2011 and 2010 and troubled debt restructured loans ("TDRs") totaling $734,000 at June 30, 2011 and $392,000 at June 30, 2010. As of March 31, 2011, the Company had $498,000 in loans delinquent 30 to 89 days, representing 0.22% of total loans, versus $178,000, or 0.09%, of total loans, at the end of the prior year's second quarter. 

As of June 30, 2011, the Company's tangible common equity ratio and tangible book value per share were 11.92% and $7.40, respectively. As of June 30, 2010, the Company's tangible common equity ratio and tangible book value per share were 12.33% and $7.15, respectively.

Based upon the Company's second quarter performance, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.06 per share payable August 31, 2011 to shareholders of record as of August 17, 2011. 

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements which are based on certain assumptions and describe future plans, strategies and expectations of the Company. These forward-looking statements are generally identified by use of the words "believe," "expect," "intend," "anticipate," "estimate," "project," or similar expressions. The Company's ability to predict results or the actual effect of future plans or strategies is inherently uncertain. Factors which could have a material adverse effect on the operations of the Company and its subsidiaries include, but are not limited to, changes in interest rates, general economic conditions, legislative/regulatory changes, monetary and fiscal policies of the U.S. Government, including policies of the U.S. Treasury and the Federal Reserve Board, the quality or composition of the loan or investment portfolios, demand for loan products, deposit flows, competition, demand for financial services in the Company's market area and accounting principles and guidelines. These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. The Company does not undertake, and specifically disclaims any obligation, to publicly release the result of any revisions which may be made to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.

SOMERSET HILLS BANCORP
Selected Consolidated Financial Data
(Unaudited)
     
  Quarter Ended June 30
($ in thousands except per share data) 2011 2010
     
Income Statement Data:    
Net interest income  $ 2,913  $ 2,832
Provision for loan losses  30  -- 
Net interest income after prov. for loan losses  2,883  2,832
Non-interest income  368  485
Non-interest expense  2,278  2,425
Income before income taxes  973  892
Income tax expense  322  291
Net income  $ 651  $ 601
Net income available to common  $ 651  $ 601
Diluted earnings per share  $ 0.12  $ 0.11
     
Balance Sheet Data:    
At period end--    
Total assets  $ 338,456  $ 316,690
Loans, net  219,274  204,486
Loans held for sale  2,920  1,908
Allowance for loan losses  2,986  3,188
Investment securities held to maturity  10,739  11,527
Investment securities held for sale  34,859  32,631
Deposits  285,514  264,791
Borrowings  11,000  11,000
Shareholders' equity  40,349  39,037
Book value per share  $ 7.40  $ 7.15
Tangible common equity ratio 11.92% 12.33%
Average for the period--    
Interest-earning assets  311,358  285,528
Total assets  331,931  304,906
Shareholders' equity  40,369  39,131
     
Performance Ratios:    
Return on average assets 0.79% 0.79%
Return on average equity 6.47% 6.16%
Net interest margin (FTE) 3.82% 4.06%
Efficiency ratio 69.4% 73.1%
     
Asset Quality:    
Net charge-offs (recoveries)  (3)  (3)
At period end--    
Nonaccrual loans  253  364
OREO property  --   -- 
Total nonperforming assets  253  364
Troubled debt restructured loans  734  392
Nonaccrual loans to total loans 0.11% 0.18%
Nonperforming assets to total assets 0.07% 0.11%
Allowance for loan losses to total loans 1.34% 1.54%
Allowance as a % of nonperforming loans 1,180% 876%
 
SOMERSET HILLS BANCORP
Statement of Operations
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
                 
    Three months ended
June 30, 2011
  Three months ended
June 30, 2010
  Six months ended
June 30, 2011
  Six months ended
June 30, 2010
                 
INTEREST INCOME                
                 
Loans, including fees    $ 2,945    $ 2,895    $ 5,816    $ 5,700
Investment securities    397    461    826    937
Interest bearing deposits with other banks    34    24    60    52
Total interest income    3,376    3,380    6,702    6,689
                 
INTEREST EXPENSE                
Deposits    371    455    730    1,005
Federal Home Loan Bank advances    92    93    184    184
Total interest expense    463    548    914    1,189
                 
Net interest income    2,913    2,832    5,788    5,500
                 
PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES    30    --     105    75
                 
Net interest income after provision for                 
loan losses    2,883    2,832    5,683    5,425
                 
NON-INTEREST INCOME                
Service fees on deposit accounts    69    69    144    148
Gains on sales of mortgage loans, net    139    262    286    449
Bank owned life insurance    72    74    143    149
Gain on sales of investment securities, net    --     --     9    -- 
Other income    88    80    183    161
Total Non-Interest Income    368    485    765    907
                 
NON-INTEREST EXPENSE                
Salaries and employee benefits    1,288    1,314    2,606    2,680
Occupancy expense    361    427    774    862
Advertising and business promotions    40    65    69    108
Printing stationery and supplies    38    35    81    75
Data processing    138    136    272    263
FDIC insurance    60    91    143    201
Other operating expense    353    357    687    686
Total Non-Interest Expense    2,278    2,425    4,632    4,875
                 
'Income before provision for taxes    973    892    1,816    1,457
                 
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES    322    291    562    446
                 
Net income    $ 651    $ 601    $ 1,254    $ 1,011
                 
Dividends on preferred stock and accretion    --     --     --     -- 
                 
Net income available to common stockholders  $ 651    $ 601    $ 1,254    $ 1,011
                 
                 
Diluted earnings per common share    $ 0.12    $ 0.11    $ 0.23    $ 0.18
 
SOMERSET HILLS BANCORP
Balance Sheets
(Dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)
    June 30, 2011 December 31, 2010
       
ASSETS      
       
Cash and due from banks    $ 5,721  $ 5,480
Interest bearing deposits at other banks    46,577  52,086
Total cash and cash equivalents    52,298  57,566
       
Loans held for sale    2,920  2,230
Investment securities held to maturity (Approximate maket value of $10,869 in 2011 and $10,548 in 2010)    10,739  10,740
Investments available for sale    34,859  35,993
       
Loans receivable    222,260  207,146
Less allowance for loan losses    (2,986)  (2,875)
       
Net loans receivable    219,274  204,271
       
Premises and equipment, net    5,078  5,285
Bank owned life insurance    8,196  8,053
Accrued interest receivable    1,140  1,111
Prepaid expenses    1,056  1,251
Other assets    2,896  2,396
       
Total assets    $ 338,456  $ 328,896
       
       
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY      
       
LIABILITIES      
Deposits:      
Non-interest bearing deposits-demand    $ 73,123  $ 68,521
Interest bearing deposits      
Now,M/M and savings    170,581  166,304
Certificates of deposit, under $100,000    21,601  21,101
Certificates of deposit, $100,000 and over    20,209  20,615
       
Total deposits    285,514  276,541
       
Federal Home Loan Bank advances    11,000  11,000
Other liabilities    1,593  1,964
       
Total liabilities    298,107  289,505
       
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY      
Preferred stock- 1,000,000 Shares authorized, none issued    --   -- 
Common stock- authorized 9,000,000 shares of no par value;issued and outstanding, 5,455,316 shares in 2011 and 5,421,924 shares in 2010  37,833  37,600
Retained earnings   1,746 1,145
Accumulated other comprehensive income   770  646
       
Total stockholders' equity    40,349  39,391
       
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity    $ 338,456  $ 328,896
CONTACT: Stewart E. McClure, Jr.
         President & CEO
         908.630.5000

         William S. Burns
         Executive VP & CFO
         908.630.5018