EXHIBIT 99.1

ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc. Reports 34% Increase in Second Quarter 2013 Earnings

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J., July 26, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq:CNOB) (the "Company" or "ConnectOne"), parent company of ConnectOne Bank (the "Bank"), today reported net income available to common shareholders of $2.5 million for the second quarter of 2013, representing a 33.5% increase from $1.9 million earned during the second quarter of 2012. Net income available to common shareholders for the first six months of 2013 was $4.8 million, a 35.5% increase from the prior year period.

Diluted earnings per share were $0.49 and $1.04, for the second quarter and year-to-date periods, respectively, while diluted earnings per share were $0.62 and $1.24 for the second quarter and first six months of 2012, respectively. Diluted earnings per share for 2013 reflect the Company's February 2013 initial public offering and issuance of 1.8 million shares of common stock. Diluted earnings per share for 2012 reflect preferred dividends of $0.2 million for the second quarter, and $0.4 million for the first six months. All shares of preferred were converted into common in 2012 and had no impact on 2013 results.

Frank Sorrentino III, Chairman and CEO of ConnectOne stated, "The second quarter of 2013 was our first full quarter as a public company and we are very pleased with our financial results. Net income available to common shareholders for the quarter increased by 34% year-over-year and by 7% on a sequential basis. Our earnings growth reflects strong core balance sheet growth with our loan portfolio increasing by 31% and our noninterest-bearing deposits increasing by 30% over the past twelve months. Our financial performance metrics continue to stack up well versus the banking industry. For the second quarter 2013 return on assets was 0.98%, net interest margin was 3.89%, the nonperforming asset ratio was less than 1%, and our efficiency ratio was less than 50%." Mr. Sorrentino continued, "Despite competitive pressures, we are well-positioned as our commercial loan pipeline remains strong and we anticipate that the current trends in our financial results can continue for the foreseeable future."

Earnings

Net interest income for the second quarter of 2013 totaled $9.8 million, an increase of $1.0 million, or 11.5%, from the year ago quarter. The increase in net interest income was primarily due to an increase in average interest-earning assets, which grew by 29.6% to $1.0 billion, and was partially offset by a 65 basis points contraction in the net interest margin, from 4.54% in the second quarter of 2012 to 3.89% in the second quarter of 2013. Approximately 15 bps of the contraction in net interest margin was due to a decline in loan prepayment fees. Average total loans increased by 29.1% to $923.8 million in the second quarter of 2013 from the prior year period. Net interest income for the first half of 2013 totaled $19.2 million, an increase of $2.7 million, or 16.0%, from the year ago period. The increase in net interest income was primarily due to an increase in average interest-earning assets, which grew by 31.0% to $981.1 million, and was partially offset by a 50 basis points contraction in the net interest margin, from 4.45% in the first half of 2012 to 3.95% in the first half of 2013. Average total loans increased by 31.5% to $898.8 million in the first half of 2013 from the prior year period. The Bank's net interest income has increased despite continued margin compression resulting from the maturity, prepayment or contractual re-pricing of loans and securities in this extended period of low interest rates.

Non-interest income represents a relatively small portion of the Bank's total revenue as management has made a strategic decision to de-emphasize fee income, focusing instead on customer growth and retention. Non-interest income totaled $301,000 and $561,000 for the second quarter and first half of 2013, respectively, up from $277,000 and $522,000 for the second quarter and first half of 2012, respectively. Growth in service and card-related fees were partially offset by declines in gains of sale of residential mortgage loans.

Non-interest expenses for the second quarter 2013 increased by $0.5 million, or 10.5%, to $4.9 million from $4.5 million in the prior year second quarter. Non-interest expenses for the first half of 2013 increased by $1.1 million, or 12.3%, to $9.7 million from $8.6 million in the prior year period. The largest factor contributing to the increases in total non-interest expenses was salaries and employee benefits expense, which increased by $0.3 million to $2.4 million in the second quarter 2013 from $2.1 million in the second quarter 2012, and which increased by $0.7 million to $4.9 million in the first half of 2013 from $4.2 million in the first half of 2012. The increases were primarily due to an approximately 10% increase in our staff, which consisted of 97 full-time employees at June 30, 2013. Also contributing to higher non-interest expenses were increased costs associated with being a publicly-traded entity and a general increase in other operating expenses related to a significantly increased volume of business. Management continues to focus on expense control, balancing its investment in infrastructure with prudent and sustainable growth.

Income tax expense was $1.8 million for the second quarter 2013 and $3.4 million for the first half of 2013 versus $1.4 million for the second quarter 2012 and $2.7 million for the first half 2012. The effective tax rate, which is derived from both federal and New Jersey statutory income tax rates, was approximately 41.3% for 2013, an increase from approximately 40.5% for 2012, as the Company's growth and increase in earnings has placed it into the 35% federal bracket. Management has thus far taken a conservative approach to the Company's tax position and is currently exploring various strategies to maximize the tax efficiency of operations.

Asset Quality

Nonperforming assets, which includes nonaccrual loans and other real estate owned, totaled $10.0 million, or 0.97% of total assets, at June 30, 2013, an increase from $7.9 million, or 0.79% of total assets, at March 31, 2013 and $6.4 million, or 0.78% of total assets, one year ago. The credits responsible for the increase in nonperforming assets are well-secured.  The allowance for loan losses was $14.0 million, representing 1.46% of loans receivable and 146.5% of nonaccrual loans at June 30, 2013. At March 31, 2013, the allowance was $13.6 million representing 1.51% of loans receivable and 181.9% of nonaccrual loans, and at June 30, 2012 the allowance was $11.3 million representing 1.55% of loans receivable and 176.3% of nonaccrual loans. The annualized rate of net loan charge-offs was 0.26% for the second quarter 2013 and 0.13% for the prior year period.

Financial Condition

At June 30, 2013, total assets were $1.0 billion, a $100.6 million increase from December 31, 2012. The increase in total assets was due primarily to a $106.7 million increase, to $955.6 million, in loans receivable and a $4.6 million increase, to $25.8 million, in securities, partially offset by a $10.1 million decline in cash and cash equivalents. The growth in assets was funded by a $54.0 million increase in deposits and $47.8 million in net proceeds from the Company's first quarter 2013 initial public equity offering.

Capital

Stockholders' equity totaled $124.6 million as of June 30, 2013, an increase of $52.2 million from $72.4 million as of year-end 2012, due primarily to retained earnings and the Company's first quarter 2013 equity offering.  Accumulated other comprehensive earnings declined by $0.4 million as the increase in the general level of interest rates during the second quarter resulted in a decline in market values in our relatively small securities portfolio. As of June 30, 2013, the tangible common equity ratio and tangible book value per share were 12.07% and $24.76, respectively. As of December 31, 2012, the Company's tangible common equity ratio and tangible book value per share were 7.76% and $22.77, respectively.

About ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc.:

ConnectOne (Nasdaq:CNOB) is a New Jersey corporation and a registered bank holding company pursuant to the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, that was formed in 2008 to serve as the holding company for ConnectOne Bank ("the Bank"). The Bank is a community-based, full-service New Jersey-chartered commercial bank that was founded in 2005. The Bank operates from its headquarters located at 301 Sylvan Avenue in the Borough of Englewood Cliffs, Bergen County, New Jersey, and through its seven other banking offices.

For more information visit https://www.connectonebank.com/.

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, those factors set forth in Item 1A – Risk Factors of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the Securities Exchange Commission, and 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.

CONTACT: Investor Contact:
         William S. Burns
         Executive VP & CFO
         201.816.4474; bburns@cnob.com

         Media Contact:
         Rachel Gerber, MWW
         646.215.6889; rgerber@mww.com