For Further Information Contact:

                             J. Gerald Bazewicz
                             President and
                             Chief Executive Officer
                             (570) 752-3671



                           Exhibit 99.1


                          PRESS RELEASE

          FIRST KEYSTONE ANNOUNCES 28% EARNINGS INCREASE

Berwick, Pennsylvania   October 30, 2002 - First Keystone Corporation
(OTC BB: FKYS), parent company of The First National Bank of Berwick,
today reported net income of $4,939,000 for the nine months ended
September 30, 2002, an increase of 28.2% from the $3,854,000 net
income reported September 30, 2001.  On a per share basis, net income
per share increased to $1.66 as of September 30, 2002, from $1.30 in
2001 (adjusted to reflect a 5% stock dividend paid August 6, 2002).
Return on average equity for the nine months ended September 30,
2002, was 15.33% and return on average assets was 1.62%, up from
13.39% and 1.35% as of September 30, 2001.

Total assets increased to $434,728,000 as of September 30, 2002, an
increase of $39,522,000 from September 30, 2001.  Total deposits
increased to $326,954,000 and stockholders' equity increased to
$48,410,000 as of September 30, 2002.

The First National Bank of Berwick now operates 10 full service
offices in Columbia (5), Luzerne (4), and Montour (1) Counties
providing banking and trust services.

Inquiries regarding the purchase of the company's stock may be made
through the following brokers:  Legg Mason Wood Walker, Inc.,
     800-888-6673; Janney Montgomery Scott, Inc., 800-526-6397; Ferris, Baker,
Watts, Inc., 800-638-7411; F. J. Morrissey & Co., 800-842-8928; Ryan,
Beck and Company, 800-223-8969; and Boenning & Scattergood, Inc.,
800-883-8383.

Note:  This press release may contain forward-looking statements as
defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Actual results and trends could differ materially from those set
forth in such statements due to various factors.  These factors
include operating, legal and regulatory risks; changing economic and
competitive conditions and other risks and uncertainties.

For more information on The First National Bank of Berwick or its
parent company, First Keystone Corporation, please contact J. Gerald
Bazewicz at 570-752-3671, extension 172.



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