EXHIBIT 99.1


PRESS RELEASE


                  ENFIELD FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION
                                    ACQUIRES
                        WINDSOR LOCKS COMMUNITY BANK, FSL

         Enfield, Conn. - December 12, 2003 - David J. O'Connor, President
and Chief Executive Officer of New England Bancshares, Inc. (the "Company")
(OTC: NEBS), announced today that its wholly-owned subsidiary Enfield Federal
Savings and Loan Association ("Enfield Federal") acquired Windsor Locks
Community Bank, FSL, Windsor Locks, Connecticut. In connection with the
acquisition, the Company issued 171,355 shares to Enfield Mutual Holding
Company. As of September 30, 2003, Windsor Locks Community Bank had $38 million
in assets and $35 million in deposits with two branch offices. Upon consummation
of the acquisition, Enfield Federal will have seven branch offices with
approximately $202 million in assets and $168 million in deposits.

         All of Windsor Locks Community Bank's employees are expected to
continue as employees of Enfield Federal. Frederick J. Stroiney, Windsor Locks
Community Bank's President, will become President of Enfield Federal. Mr.
O'Connor will remain President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and
Chief Executive Officer of Enfield Federal after the merger. As a result of the
acquisition, William C. Leary, the Chairman of Windsor Locks Community Bank, was
appointed to the Board of Directors of the Company.

         New England Bancshares, Inc. is headquartered in Enfield, Connecticut.
Enfield Federal operates seven banking centers servicing the communities of
Broad Brook, Enfield, Manchester, Suffield, and Windsor Locks. For more
information regarding the Bank's products and services, please visit
www.enfieldfederal.com.

CONTACT:        David J. O'Connor, President and CEO
                New England Bancshares, Inc. and Enfield Federal
                Savings and Loan Association
                (860) 253-5200