EXHIBIT 99.1


DATE:  September 16, 1998
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                     
                                                     
PATRIOT CONTACT:         Joseph W. Major (610) 970-4650
                         Richard A. Elko (610) 970-4627

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          Patriot to Acquire Keystone Financial Leasing


     Pottstown, PA . . . Patriot Bank Corp. (NASDAQ - NMS -
PBIX), parent company of Patriot Bank, today announced the
execution of a Definitive Agreement ("Agreement") for Patriot to
acquire Keystone Financial Leasing.  Keystone Financial Leasing
is a $40 million small ticket leasing company and is a wholly-
owned subsidiary of Keystone Bank, N.A.

     The terms of the Agreement call for Patriot to pay
$6,585,000 in cash at closing and future cash consideration based
on future revenues of Keystone Financial Leasing.  Keystone 
Financial Leasing will be merged into Patriot Commercial Leasing
Company, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Patriot Bank.  The
acquisition is subject to approval of various regulatory agencies
and will be accounted for as a purchase.  It is anticipated that
the transaction will close near the end of 1998.

     "This acquisition provides immediate growth and economies of
scale to Patriot's existing small-ticket leasing operations,"
said Joseph W. Major, President and Chief Executive Officer.  "We
will continue to operate Keystone Financial Leasing out of its
existing location with its existing staff -- this approach will
ensure future revenue growth and provide customers with the same
high quality service they have come to expect," continued Major.

     This acquisition fits well into Patriot's SuperBank
strategy.  That strategy is designed to provide Patriot with
distinct advantages over its competitors.  This means Better 
Bankers and Delivery Systems, Better Orientation toward
Customers, Better Technology and Better Leadership -- with the
intention of consistently improving earnings per share and return
on equity.

     "This acquisition, coupled with our pending acquisition of
First Lehigh Corporation moves us further toward converting
Patriot into a full service, high-performing commercial banking
company.  We expect the acquisition to be immediately accretive
to earnings and return on equity," concluded Major.

     At June 30, 1998, Patriot had total assets of $876,303,000
with thirteen banking offices in Montgomery, Berks, Lehigh,
Northampton, Bucks and Chester counties.  On a pro forma basis,
Patriot will be a $1 billion financial services company operating 
<PAGE 1> 19 offices.  The closing price of Patriot's common stock
was $12-1/8 on Wednesday, September 16, 1998.   <PAGE 2>