EXHIBIT 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: David J. O'Connor
         Chief Executive Officer
         (860) 253-5200


                          NEW ENGLAND BANCSHARES, INC.
                      TO INITIATE STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM

         October 9, 2007, Enfield, Connecticut -- New England Bancshares, Inc.
(Nasdaq: NEBS) (the "Company") announced today that it is commencing a stock
repurchase program to acquire up to 320,986 shares, or 5%, of the Company's
outstanding common stock. Repurchases, which will be conducted through open
market purchases or privately negotiated transactions, will be made from time to
time depending on market conditions and other factors. There is no guarantee as
to the exact number of shares to be repurchased by the Company. Repurchased
shares will be held in treasury.

         New England Bancshares, Inc. is the holding company for Enfield Federal
Savings and Loan Association and Valley Bank. Enfield Federal Savings and Loan
Association operates eight banking centers serving the communities of Enfield,
Ellington, Manchester, Suffield, East Windsor and Windsor Locks, Connecticut.
Valley Bank operates four offices in Bristol, Terryville and Southington,
Connecticut.

         This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements which
are based on management's current expectations regarding economic, legislative
and regulatory issues that may impact the Company's earnings in future periods.
Factors that could cause future results to vary materially from current
management expectations include, but are not limited to, general economic
conditions, changes in interest rates, deposit flows, real estate values and
competition, changes in accounting principles, policies or guidelines, changes
in legislation or regulation and other economic, competitive, governmental,
regulatory and technological factors affecting the Company's operations,
pricing, products and services.