SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-Q
                                    ---------

          |X| QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15 (d) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
                For the quarterly period ended December 31, 2004
                ------------------------------------------------
                                       OR
          |_| TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
             For the transition period from __________ to __________
             -------------------------------------------------------

                         Commission File Number: 0-25233

                             PROVIDENT BANCORP, INC.
                             -----------------------
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

                   Delaware                                 80-0091851
        -------------------------------                     ----------
        (State or Other Jurisdiction of                (IRS Employer ID No.)
        Incorporation or Organization)

    400 Rella Boulevard, Montebello, New York                  10901
    -----------------------------------------                  -----
     (Address of Principal Executive Office)                 (Zip Code)

                                 (845) 369-8040
                                 --------------
               (Registrant's Telephone Number including area code)

         Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding twelve months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.

      Yes |X| No |_|

      Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as
defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

      Yes |X| No |_|

      Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes
of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

            Classes of Common Stock             Shares Outstanding
            -----------------------             ------------------

                $0.01 per share                     45,929,738
                                              as of January 31, 2005


                                       1


                             PROVIDENT BANCORP, INC.
                    QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004

                          PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                                  ---------------------

Item 1.    Financial Statements (Unaudited)

           Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
           at December 31, 2004 and September 30, 2004                        3

           Consolidated Statements of Income for the Three Months
           Ended December 31, 2004 and 2003                                   5

           Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity
           for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2004                       6

           Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
           for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2004 and 2003              7

           Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income/(Loss) for the
           Three Months Ended December 31, 2004 and 2003                      9

           Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements                         9

Item 2.    Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
           Condition and Results of Operations                                22

Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures
           about Market Risk                                                  34

Item 4.    Controls and Procedures                                            35

                           PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
                                    -----------------

Item 1.    Legal Proceedings                                                  35

Item 2.    Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds                          36

Item 3.    Defaults upon Senior Securities                                    37

Item 4.    Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders                37

Item 5.    Other Information                                                  37

Item 6.    Exhibits                                                           37

           Signature                                                          38


                                       2


                          PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

PROVIDENT BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)



Assets                                                          December 31, 2004   September 30, 2004
- ------                                                          -----------------   ------------------
                                                                                  
Cash and due from banks                                            $   57,869           $  107,571
Securities (Note 8):
   Available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost of
     $884,083 at December 31, 2004 and $534,512 at
     September 30, 2004)                                              880,626              534,297
   Held to maturity, at amortized cost (fair value of $68,411
     at December 31, 2004 and $70,230 at September 30, 2004)           67,455               69,078
                                                                   ----------           ----------
       Total securities                                               948,081              603,375
                                                                   ----------           ----------

Loans held for sale                                                     2,466                  855

Gross loans (Note 6)                                                1,286,918              997,634
   Allowance for loan losses (Note 7)                                 (22,165)             (17,353)
                                                                   ----------           ----------
       Total loans, net                                             1,264,753              980,281
                                                                   ----------           ----------
FHLB stock, at cost                                                    19,704               10,247
Accrued interest receivable, net                                        9,844                6,815
Premises and equipment, net                                            29,269               16,846
Goodwill (Notes 2, 3 and 4)                                           157,722               65,260
Core deposit intangible                                                14,892                5,624
Bank owned life insurance                                              26,882               13,245
Other assets                                                           21,948               16,032
                                                                   ----------           ----------
       Total assets                                                $2,553,430           $1,826,151
                                                                   ==========           ==========


                                                                     (Continued)


                                       3


PROVIDENT BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION, CONTINUED
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share and share data)



Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity                                December 31, 2004   September 30, 2004
- ------------------------------------                                -----------------   ------------------
                                                                                       
Liabilities:
    Deposits (Note 9):
       Non-interest bearing                                              $  366,464          $  289,360
       Interest bearing                                                   1,335,311             950,172
                                                                         ----------          ----------
       Total deposits                                                     1,701,775           1,239,532
    Borrowings                                                              392,845             214,909
    Mortgage escrow funds                                                     9,551               2,526
    Other                                                                    22,718              19,672
                                                                         ----------          ----------
       Total liabilities                                                  2,126,889           1,476,639
                                                                         ----------          ----------

Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock (par value $0.01 per share; 10,000,000 shares
  authorized; none issued or outstanding)                                        --                  --
Common stock (par value $0.01 per share; 75,000,000 shares
  authorized; 45,917,491 shares and 39,655,167 shares issued;
  45,910,884 shares and 39,618,373 shares outstanding at
  December 31, 2004 and September 30, 2004, respectively)                       459                 397
Additional paid-in capital                                                  344,520             269,325
Unallocated common stock held by the employee stock
  ownership plan ("ESOP") (1,398,311 shares at December 31, 2004
  and 1,445,045 shares at September 30, 2004)                               (10,635)            (10,854)
Treasury stock, at cost (6,607 shares at December 31, 2004 and
   36,794 shares at September 30, 2004)                                         (88)               (432)
Retained earnings                                                            94,414              91,373
Accumulated other comprehensive income                                       (2,129)               (297)
                                                                         ----------          ----------
       Total stockholders' equity                                           426,541             349,512
                                                                         ----------          ----------

       Total liabilities and stockholders' equity                        $2,553,430          $1,826,151
                                                                         ==========          ==========

       Book value per common share at period end                         $     9.29          $     8.82


See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.


                                       4


PROVIDENT BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except share and per share data)



                                                            For the Three Months
                                                             Ended December 31,
                                                             ------------------
                                                            2004            2003
                                                            ----            ----
                                                                  
Interest and dividend income:
    Loans                                               $    19,413     $    10,530
    Securities                                                8,478           3,765
    Other earning assets                                        121              23
                                                        -----------     -----------
Total interest and dividend income                           28,012          14,318
                                                        -----------     -----------
Interest expense:
    Deposits                                                  3,367           1,557
    Borrowings                                                2,943           1,210
                                                        -----------     -----------
Total interest expense                                        6,310           2,767
                                                        -----------     -----------
Net interest income                                          21,702          11,551
Provision for loan losses (Note 7)                              150             150
                                                        -----------     -----------
Net interest income after provision for loan losses          21,552          11,401
                                                        -----------     -----------
Non-interest income:
    Deposit fees and service charges                          2,535           1,286
    Loan fees and late charges                                  383             177
    Gains on sales of securities available for sale              49             930
    Gains on sales of loans                                      59              86
    Title insurance fees                                        358              --
    Other                                                       641             324
                                                        -----------     -----------
Total non-interest income                                     4,025           2,803
                                                        -----------     -----------
Non-interest expense:
    Compensation and employee benefits                        7,834           4,435
    Stock-based compensation plans                              840             671
    Occupancy and office operations                           2,148           1,327
    Advertising and promotion                                 1,163             468
    Professional fees                                           668             484
    Data and check processing                                 1,248             744
    Stationery and office supplies                              255             149
    Merger integration costs                                    380              --
    Amortization of intangible assets                         1,127              84
    ATM/debit card expense                                      326             153
    Other                                                     1,720           1,055
                                                        -----------     -----------
Total non-interest expense                                   17,709           9,570
                                                        -----------     -----------
Income before income tax expense                              7,868           4,634
Income tax expense                                            2,853           1,589
                                                        -----------     -----------
Net income                                              $     5,015     $     3,045
                                                        ===========     ===========
Weighted average common shares:(1)
    Basic                                                44,322,927      34,301,264
    Diluted                                              44,926,104      34,943,686
Per common share:  (Note 11)(1)
    Basic                                                     $0.11           $0.09
    Diluted                                                    0.11            0.09
    Dividends declared                                         0.04            0.03


See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

- ----------
(1) Common  share  information  for 2003 has been  adjusted to reflect the stock
split of 4.4323-to-one in connection with the second-step  conversion in January
2004.


                                       5


PROVIDENT BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except share and per share data)



                                                                                                        Accumulated
                                  Number of             Additional                                          Other         Total
                                   Shares      Common    Paid-In    Unallocated   Treasury   Retained   Comprehensive  Stockholders'
                                 Outstanding   Stock     Capital    ESOP Shares    Stock     Earnings      (Loss)         Equity
                                 -----------   -----     -------    -----------    -----     --------      ------         ------
                                                                                                 
Balance at September 30, 2004     39,655,167    $397     $269,325     $(10,854)    $(432)     $91,373      $  (297)      $349,512
Net Income                                                                                      5,015                       5,015
Other comprehensive (loss)                                                                                  (1,832)        (1,832)
                                                                                                                         --------
   Total comprehensive (loss)                                                                                               3,183

Purchase of Warwick Community
   Bancorp, Inc.                   6,257,892      62       74,532                                                          74,594
Stock option transactions              4,432                   15                    344         (334)                         25
Stock-based compensation                                      648          219                                                867
Cash dividends paid ($0.04 per
   common share)                                                                               (1,640)                     (1,640)
                                  ----------    ----     --------     --------     -----      -------      -------       --------

Balance at December 31, 2004      45,917,491    $459     $344,520     $(10,635)    $ (88)     $94,414      $(2,129)      $426,541
                                  ==========    ====     ========     ========     =====      =======      =======       ========


See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.


                                       6


PROVIDENT BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)

                                                          For the Three Months
                                                           Ended December 31,
                                                          --------------------
                                                           2004          2003
                                                           ----          ----
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income                                              $   5,015     $   3,045
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
  provided by operating activities:
     Provision for loan losses                                150           150
     Depreciation and amortization of premises
       and equipment                                          743           473
     Amortization of core deposit intangible                1,127            84
     Gain on sales of securities available for sale           (49)         (930)
     Gain on sales of loans held for sale                     (59)          (86)
     Gain on sales of fixed assets sold                        --           (46)
     Net amortization of premiums and discounts
       on securities                                        1,001           380
     ESOP and RRP expense                                     592           479
     Originations of loans held for sale                   (5,057)       (2,502)
     Proceeds from sales of loans held for sale             3,505         4,225
     Deferred income tax benefit                           (9,294)       (4,080)
     Net changes in accrued interest receivable
       and payable                                           (187)         (353)
     Other adjustments (principally net changes
       in other assets and other liabilities)              (1,519)        3,475
                                                        ---------     ---------
         Net cash (used in) provided by
            operating activities                           (4,032)        4,314
                                                        ---------     ---------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of securities:
     Available for sale                                  (268,064)     (182,930)
     Held to maturity                                      (5,219)       (1,886)
Proceeds from maturities, calls and other
  principal payments on securities:
     Available for sale                                    29,448        35,960
     Held to maturity                                       9,044         7,380
Proceeds from sales of securities available for sale       16,988        29,127
Proceeds from sales of fixed assets                            --           358
Loan originations                                        (101,620)      (66,829)
Loan principal payments                                   102,173        65,148
(Purchase) redemption of FHLB stock                        (1,852)        2,555
Purchase of Warwick Community Bancorp, Inc.               164,491            --
Increase in bank owned life insurance                        (317)         (157)
Purchases of premises and equipment                        (1,001)         (603)
                                                        ---------     ---------
     Net cash used in investing activities                (55,929)     (111,877)
                                                        ---------     ---------

(continued)


                                       7


PROVIDENT BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS, CONTINUED
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)

                                                          For the Three Months
                                                           Ended December 31,
                                                           ------------------
                                                           2004          2003
                                                           ----          ----
Cash flows from financing activities:
   Net increase in transaction and savings deposits     $  10,361     $  19,022
   Net decrease in time deposits                          (23,548)      (18,406)
   Receipt of stock subscription funds                         --       174,660
   Net increase (decrease) in borrowings                   18,036       (51,104)
   Net increase in mortgage escrow funds                    7,025         5,661
   Stock option transactions                                   25            13
   Cash dividends paid                                     (1,640)         (452)
                                                        ---------     ---------
      Net cash provided by financing activities            10,259       129,394
                                                        ---------     ---------

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents      (49,702)       21,831

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period          107,571        33,500
                                                        ---------     ---------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period              $  57,869     $  55,331
                                                        =========     =========

Supplemental information:
   Interest payments                                    $   5,336     $   2,765
   Income tax payments                                        420             9

      Fair value of assets acquired (incl. intangibles)   806,114            --
      Fair value of liabilities assumed                   658,919            --
                                                        ---------
      Net fair value                                    $ 147,195            --
                                                        =========
      Cash portion of Warwick Community Bancorp--
      purchase transaction                                 72,601            --
      Stock portion of Warwick Community Bancorp
      purchase transaction                                 74,594            --
                                                        ---------     ---------
      Total paid for Warwick Community Bancorp stock    $ 147,195            --
                                                        =========
   Net change in unrealized losses recorded on
      securities available for sale                        (3,242)       (2,355)
   Change in deferred taxes on unrealized losses
      on securities available for sale                      1,410           943

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.


                                       8


PROVIDENT BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/LOSS
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)

                                                                Three Months
                                                             Ended December 31,
                                                             ------------------
                                                             2004         2003
                                                             ----         ----

Net income:                                                $ 5,015      $ 3,045
Other comprehensive loss:
Net unrealized losses on securities
   available for sale:
   Net unrealized holding losses
      arising during the year, net of taxes of
      $1,027 and $446                                       (1,803)        (854)

   Less reclassification adjustment for
      net realized gains included in net income,
      net of taxes of $20 and $372                             (29)        (558)
                                                           -------      -------

Other comprehensive loss                                    (1,832)      (1,412)
                                                           -------      -------
       Total comprehensive income (loss)                   $ 3,183      $ 1,633
                                                           =======      =======

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

PROVIDENT BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

1.    Basis of Presentation
      ---------------------

      The  consolidated  financial  statements and other  financial  information
presented  in this  document as of December  31,  2004,  include the accounts of
Provident  Bancorp,  Inc., a Delaware  corporation (the  "Company"),  Shawangunk
Holding  Co.,  Inc. (an inactive  subsidiary),  Provident  Bank (the "Bank") and
Hardenburgh  Abstract Company of Orange County, Inc.  ("Hardenburgh"),  and each
subsidiary of Provident Bank (Provest Services Corp.,  Provest Services Corp. I,
Provest  Services Corp. II,  Provident REIT,  Inc., WSB Funding,  Inc.,  Warsave
Development Corp.,  Provident Municipal Bank and WSB Financial Services,  Inc.).
Collectively,  these entities are referred to herein as the "Company." Provident
Bancorp,  Inc.  is a  publicly-held  company and the parent of  Provident  Bank.
Provest Services Corp. I holds an investment in a low-income housing partnership
that provides certain favorable tax consequences. Warsave holds an investment in
a rental property that generates rental income. Hardenburgh is a title insurance
agency that generates title  insurance fees and  commissions.  Provest  Services
Corp. II and WSB Financial Services have engaged  third-party  providers to sell
annuities to the customers of Provident  Bank.  Through  December 31, 2004,  the
activities  of these  wholly-owned  subsidiaries  have had a minor impact on the
Company's consolidated financial condition and results of operations.  Provident
REIT,  Inc. and WSB Funding,  Inc. hold a portion of the  Company's  real estate
loans and are real estate  investment  trusts for federal  income tax  purposes.
Provident  Municipal Bank ("PMB") is a limited purpose New York  State-chartered
commercial  bank,  which began operations on April 19, 2002 and is authorized to
accept deposits from municipalities in the Bank's business area.


                                       9


      The Company's off-balance sheet activities are limited to loan origination
commitments,  lines of credit and letters of credit extended to customers or, in
the case of letters of credit,  on behalf of customers in the ordinary course of
its  lending  activities.  The  Company  does not  engage in  off-balance  sheet
financing  transactions or other activities involving the use of special-purpose
entities.

      The  consolidated  financial  statements  have been prepared by management
without  audit,  but, in the  opinion of  management,  include all  adjustments,
consisting of normal recurring  accruals,  necessary for a fair  presentation of
the Company's  financial  position and results of operations as of the dates and
for the periods presented. Although certain information and footnote disclosures
have been  condensed  or omitted  pursuant to the rules and  regulations  of the
Securities and Exchange Commission applicable to quarterly reports on Form 10-Q,
the Company  believes that the  disclosures are adequate to make the information
presented not  misleading.  The results of operations for the three months ended
December 31, 2004 are not  necessarily  indicative of results to be expected for
other interim  periods or the entire fiscal year ending  September 30, 2005. The
unaudited  consolidated  financial statements presented herein should be read in
conjunction  with  the  annual  audited  financial  statements  included  in the
Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2004.

      The  consolidated  financial  statements  have been prepared in conformity
with accounting  principles  generally accepted in the United States of America.
In preparing the consolidated  financial  statements,  management is required to
make  estimates  and  assumptions  that affect the  reported  amounts of assets,
liabilities,  income and expense. Actual results could differ significantly from
these  estimates.  A  material  estimate  that is  particularly  susceptible  to
near-term  change is the  allowance  for loan  losses  (see Note 7),  which is a
critical accounting policy.

      Certain  prior-year  amounts  have been  reclassified  to  conform  to the
current-year presentation.

Stock-Based Compensation
- ------------------------

      The  Company  applies  APB  Opinion  25,  Accounting  for Stock  Issued to
Employees,  and related interpretations in accounting for its stock option plan.
No stock-based employee  compensation cost is reflected in net income pertaining
to stock options,  as all options  granted under this plan had an exercise price
equal to the  market  value of the  underlying  common  stock on the date of the
grant.  SFAS No.  123,  Accounting  for  Stock-Based  Compensation,  established
accounting  and  disclosure  requirements  using a  fair-value-based  method  of
accounting for stock-based  employee  compensation plans. As allowed by SFAS No.
123,  the Company  has  elected to  continue to apply the  intrinsic-value-based
method of  accounting  described  above,  and has  adopted  only the  disclosure
requirements of SFAS No. 123. The following table  illustrates the effect on net
income if the fair-value-based method had been applied to all outstanding awards
in each period.


                                       10



                                                           Three Months Ended
                                                               December 31,
                                                           2004           2003
                                                           ----           ----

  Net income, as reported                                 $5,015         $3,045
  Add RRP expense included in reported net
      income, net of related tax effects                      --             84
  Deduct RRP and stock option expense
      determined under the fair-value-based
      method, net of related tax effects                     (49)           (84)
                                                          ------         ------
  Pro forma net income                                    $4,966         $3,045
                                                          ======         ======

  Earnings per share:
      Basic, as reported                                  $ 0.11         $ 0.09
      Basic, pro forma                                      0.11           0.09
      Diluted, as reported                                  0.11           0.09
      Diluted, pro forma                                    0.11           0.09

      In  December  2004,  the FASB Issued  Statement  of  Financial  Accounting
Standards No. 123R (Statement 123R),  "Share-Based Payments",  the provisions of
which  become  effective  for the  corporation  in fiscal 2006.  This  Statement
eliminates  the  alternative  to use APB No.  25's  intrinsic  value  method  of
accounting  that was provided in Statement 123 as originally  issued.  Statement
123R requires  companies to recognize the cost of employee  services received in
exchange for awards of equity  instruments based on the grant-date fair value of
those awards. While the fair-value-based  method prescribed by Statement 123R is
similar  to the  fair-value-based  method  disclosed  under  the  provisions  of
Statement  123 in most  respects,  there are some  differences.  The  Company is
currently evaluating the provisions of Statement 123R and has not determined the
impact of adopting this statement at this time.


                                       11


2.    Acquisition of Warwick Community Bancorp, Inc.
      ----------------------------------------------

      On  October  1, 2004 the  Company  completed  its  acquisition  of Warwick
Community  Bancorp,  Inc.  ("WSB"),  located in Warwick,  New York.  WSB was the
holding  company for The Warwick  Savings Bank,  headquartered  in Warwick,  New
York, The Towne Center Bank,  headquartered  in Lodi, New Jersey and Hardenburgh
Abstract Company of Orange County,  Inc.  headquartered in Goshen,  New York. In
addition,  Warwick Commercial Bank was a subsidiary of The Warwick Savings Bank.
On the merger  date,  WSB had net loans of $284.5  million,  total  deposits  of
$475.1 million and total assets of $703.7 million.

      Shareholders  of WSB as of the  close  of  business  on  October  1,  2004
received total merger consideration of approximately $147.2 million,  consisting
of   approximately   6,257,892  shares  of  common  stock  of  the  Company  and
approximately  $72.6 million in cash  (including cash paid in lieu of fractional
shares).

      Goodwill recorded in the WSB acquisition  ($91.6 million) is not amortized
to expense,  but instead is reviewed  for  impairment  at least  annually,  with
impairment  losses charged to expense,  if and when they occur. The core deposit
intangible  asset ($9.8 million at December 31, 2004) is  recognized  apart from
goodwill and amortized to expense over its  estimated  useful life and evaluated
for impairment.

3.    Mutual  Holding  Company  Conversion  and  Acquisition  of E.N.B.  Holding
      --------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Company, Inc.
      -------------

      On January 14, 2004 the Company completed its stock offering in connection
with the second-step  conversion of Provident  Bancorp,  MHC. As a result of the
conversion,  the Company  became the stock  holding  company of the Bank. In the
stock offering,  shares representing Provident Bancorp, MHC's ownership interest
in Provident Bancorp.,  Inc., a federal corporation  ("Provident  Federal") were
sold to  investors.  In  addition,  the  Company  simultaneously  completed  its
acquisition of E.N.B. Holding Company, Inc. ("ENB"), located in Ellenville,  New
York.

      The Company sold 19,573,000  shares of common stock at $10.00 per share to
depositors  of the Bank as of June 30,  2002 and  September  30,  2003.  The new
holding company also issued 400,000 shares of common stock and contributed  $1.0
million in cash to the Provident Bank Charitable Foundation.  In addition,  each
outstanding  share of common stock of  Provident  Federal as of January 14, 2004
has been converted into 4.4323 new shares of the Company's common stock.

      Shareholders  of ENB as of the  close of  business  on  January  14,  2004
received total merger  consideration of approximately $76.5 million,  consisting
of  3,969,676  shares of common  stock of the  Company and  approximately  $36.8
million in cash.

      As a result of the above  transactions,  the Company had 39,608,586 issued
and outstanding shares at January 14, 2004.

      Financial  statements  as of December  31, 2004  reflect the effect of the
conversion  of  existing  shares of common  stock,  the stock  offering  and the
acquisition of ENB. Goodwill recorded in the ENB acquisition  ($51.8 million) is
not  amortized  to  expense,  but instead is reviewed  for  impairment  at least
annually, with impairment losses charged to expense, if and when they occur. The
core deposit intangible asset ($4.4 million at December 31, 2004), is recognized
apart from goodwill and amortized to expense over its estimated  useful life and
evaluated for impairment.


                                       12


4.    Acquisition of The National Bank of Florida
      -------------------------------------------

      On April 23, 2002, the Company  consummated its acquisition,  for cash, of
The National Bank of Florida  ("NBF"),  which was merged with and into the Bank.
The transaction was valued at  approximately  $28.1 million.  At the acquisition
date, NBF had total assets of  approximately  $104 million and total deposits of
approximately  $88.2 million.  Amounts  attributable  to NBF are included in the
Company's consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition.

      Goodwill recorded in the NBF acquisition  ($13.5 million) is not amortized
to expense,  but instead is reviewed  for  impairment  at least  annually,  with
impairment  losses charged to expense,  if and when they occur. The core deposit
intangible  asset  ($701,000 at December 31,  2004),  is  recognized  apart from
goodwill and amortized to expense over its  estimated  useful life and evaluated
for impairment.

5.    Critical Accounting Policies
      ----------------------------

      The  accounting  and  reporting  policies of the  Company are  prepared in
accordance  with  accounting  principles  generally  accepted  within the United
States of America and conform to general  practices within the banking industry.
Accounting  policies  considered  critical to the  Company's  financial  results
include  the  allowance  for  loan  losses,  accounting  for  goodwill  and  the
recognition of interest  income.  The  methodology for determining the allowance
for loan losses is considered by management to be a critical  accounting  policy
due to the high degree of judgment involved, the subjectivity of the assumptions
utilized and the  potential for changes in the economic  environment  that could
result in changes  to the amount of the  allowance  for loan  losses  considered
necessary. Accounting for goodwill is considered to be a critical policy because
goodwill  must be tested for  impairment  at least  annually  using a "two-step"
approach that involves the  identification of reporting units and the estimation
of fair values. The estimation of fair values involves a high degree of judgment
and  subjectivity  in  the  assumptions  utilized.  Interest  income  on  loans,
securities  and  other   interest-earning   assets  is  accrued  monthly  unless
management considers the collection of interest to be doubtful. Loans are placed
on nonaccrual status when payments are  contractually  past due 90 days or more,
or when  management  has  determined  that  the  borrower  is  unlikely  to meet
contractual principal or interest obligations.  At such time, unpaid interest is
reversed by charging  interest income.  Interest payments received on nonaccrual
loans  (including  impaired  loans)  are  recognized  as  income  unless  future
collections   are   doubtful.   Loans  are  returned  to  accrual   status  when
collectibility is no longer considered  doubtful  (generally,  when all payments
have been brought current). Application of assumptions different than those used
by  management  could  result in  material  changes in the  Company's  financial
position or results of operations. Footnote 2 (Summary of Significant Accounting
Policies) of the 2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K provides  detail with regard to
the Company's  accounting for the allowance for loan losses.  There have been no
significant  changes in the  application of accounting  policies since September
30, 2004.


                                       13


6.    Loans
      -----

      Major  classifications  of  loans,  excluding  loans  held for  sale,  are
summarized below:

                                           December 31, 2004  September 30, 2004
                                           -----------------  ------------------

      Real estate - residential mortgage          $  443,629            $380,749
      Real estate - commercial mortgage              476,024             327,414
      Real estate - construction                      65,529              54,294
      Commercial and industrial                      136,123             105,196
      Consumer loans                                 165,613             129,981
                                                  ----------            --------
           Total                                  $1,286,918            $997,634
                                                  ==========            ========

7.    Allowance for Loan Losses and Non-Performing Assets
      ---------------------------------------------------

      The allowance for loan losses is established through provisions for losses
charged to  earnings.  Loan  losses  are  charged  against  the  allowance  when
management believes that the collection of principal is unlikely.  Recoveries of
loans previously charged-off are credited to the allowance when realized.

      The allowance for loan losses is the amount that management has determined
to be  necessary  to  absorb  probable  loan  losses  inherent  in the  existing
portfolio. Management's evaluations, which are subject to periodic review by the
Company's  regulators,  are made using a  consistently-applied  methodology that
takes  into   consideration  such  factors  as  the  Company's  past  loan  loss
experience,  changes in the nature  and  volume of the loan  portfolio,  overall
portfolio  quality,  review of specific problem loans and collateral values, and
current  economic  conditions  that may  affect the  borrowers'  ability to pay.
Changes in the allowance for loan losses may be necessary in the future based on
changes in economic and real estate market conditions,  new information obtained
regarding known problem loans,  regulatory  examinations,  the identification of
additional problem loans, and other factors.

      Activity in the  allowance  for loan losses for the periods  indicated  is
summarized below:

                                                               Three Months
                                                             Ended December 31,
                                                             ------------------
                                                              2004       2003
                                                              ----       ----

Balance at beginning of period                              $17,353    $11,069
Allowance acquired through acquisition                        4,880         --
Provision for loan losses                                       150        150
Charge-offs                                                    (266)       (12)
Recoveries                                                       48         42
                                                            -------    -------
Balance at end of period                                    $22,165    $11,249
                                                            =======    =======
Net charge-offs to average loans outstanding (annualized)      0.07%     (0.02)%


                                       14


      The following table sets forth the amounts and categories of the Company's
non-performing assets at the dates indicated.  At both dates, the Company had no
troubled debt restructurings (loans for which a portion of interest or principal
has been  forgiven and loans  modified at interest  rates  materially  less than
current market rates).



                                                    December 31, 2004   September 30, 2004
                                                    -----------------   ------------------
                                                                        
Non-accrual loans:
   One- to four-family residential mortgage loans        $1,882               $1,597
   Commercial real estate, commercial business
     and construction loans                               1,366                  962
   Consumer loans                                           142                  178
                                                         ------               ------
   Total non-performing loans                             3,390                2,737

Real estate owned:
   Total non-performing assets                           $3,390               $2,737
                                                         ======               ======

Ratios:
   Non-performing loans to total loans, net                0.26%                0.27%
   Non-performing assets to total assets                   0.13%                0.15%
   Allowance for loan losses to total
     non-performing loans                                   654%                 634%
   Allowance for loan losses to total loans                1.72%                1.74%



                                       15


8.    Securities
      ----------

The following is a summary of securities available for sale at December 31, 2004
and September 30, 2004:



                                                              Available for Sale Portfolio
                                                                    December 31, 2004
                                                  ---------------------------------------------------
                                                                 Gross         Gross
                                                  Amortized    Unrealized    Unrealized        Fair
                                                    Cost         Gains         Losses          Value
                                                  ===================================================
                                                                                 
Mortgage-backed and SBA Securities
     Mortgage-backed securities                   $549,037       $1,163       $(2,599)       $547,601
     Collateralized mortgage obligations            22,501            8          (161)         22,348
     SBAs and other                                    152           --            --             152
                                                  --------       ------       -------        --------
     Total mortgage-backed and SBA securities      571,690        1,171        (2,760)        570,101
                                                  --------       ------       -------        --------
Investment Securities
     U.S. Government and federal agency
       securities                                  290,664          158        (2,256)        288,566
     State and municipal securities                 20,724          133          (142)         20,715
     Equity securities                               1,005          374          (135)          1,244
                                                  --------       ------       -------        --------
     Total investment securities                   312,393          665        (2,533)        310,525
                                                  --------       ------       -------        --------
     Total available for sale                     $884,083       $1,836       $(5,293)       $880,626
                                                  ========       ======       =======        ========


                                                              Available for Sale Portfolio
                                                                   September 30, 2004
                                                  ---------------------------------------------------
                                                                 Gross         Gross
                                                  Amortized    Unrealized    Unrealized        Fair
                                                     Cost        Gains         Losses          Value
                                                  ===================================================
                                                                                 
Mortgage-backed and SBA Securities
     Mortgage-backed securities                   $304,578       $1,155       $(1,452)       $304,281
     Collateralized mortgage obligations             9,711           --           (95)          9,616
     SBAs and other                                  5,948          377            --           6,325
                                                  --------       ------       -------        --------
     Total mortgage-backed and SBA securities      320,237        1,532        (1,547)        320,222
                                                  --------       ------       -------        --------
Investment Securities
     U.S. Government and federal agency
       securities                                  192,788          522        (1,008)        192,302
     State and municipal securities                 20,482          172           (95)         20,559
     Equity securities                               1,005          337          (128)          1,214
                                                  --------       ------       -------        --------
     Total investment securities                   214,275        1,031        (1,231)        214,075
                                                  --------       ------       -------        --------
     Total available for sale                     $534,512       $2,563       $(2,778)       $534,297
                                                  ========       ======       =======        ========



                                       16


The following is a summary of  securities  held to maturity at December 31, 2004
and September 30, 2004:



                                                         Held to Maturity Portfolio
                                                              December 31, 2004
                                               -----------------------------------------------
                                                             Gross        Gross
                                               Amortized   Unrealized   Unrealized      Fair
                                                 Cost        Gains        Losses        Value
                                               ===============================================
                                                                           
Mortgage-backed securities
     Mortgage-backed securities                $33,171       $  662       $(215)       $33,618
     Collateralized mortgage obligations         2,571           47          --          2,618
                                               -------       ------       -----        -------
     Total mortgage-backed securities           35,742          709        (215)        36,236
                                               -------       ------       -----        -------
Investment securities
     State and municipal securities             31,406          831        (328)        31,909
     Other investments                             307           --         (41)           266
                                               -------       ------       -----        -------
     Total investment securities                31,713          831        (369)        32,175
                                               -------       ------       -----        -------
     Total held to maturity                    $67,455       $1,540       $(584)       $68,411
                                               =======       ======       =====        =======


                                                         Held to Maturity Portfolio
                                                             September 30, 2004
                                               -----------------------------------------------
                                                              Gross       Gross
                                               Amortized    Unrealized  Unrealized      Fair
                                                 Cost         Gains       Losses        Value
                                               ===============================================
                                                                           
Mortgage-backed securities
     Mortgage-backed securities                $35,402       $  741       $(266)       $35,877
     Collateralized mortgage obligations         2,788           55          --          2,843
     Other                                         685           37          --            722
                                               -------       ------       -----        -------
     Total mortgage-backed securities           38,875          833        (266)        39,442
                                               -------       ------       -----        -------

Investment securities
     State and municipal securities             29,894          922        (293)        30,523
     Other                                         309           --         (44)           265
                                               -------       ------       -----        -------
     Total investments                          30,203          922        (337)        30,788
                                               -------       ------       -----        -------
     Total held to maturity                    $69,078       $1,755       $(603)       $70,230
                                               =======       ======       =====        =======



                                       17


      At December 31, 2004 and September 30, 2004,  the  accumulated  unrealized
net  loss on  securities  available  for  sale  (net of tax of  $1,150  and $86,
respectively)  that was included in accumulated  other  comprehensive  income, a
separate   component   of   stockholders'   equity,   was  ($2,018)  and  $(186)
respectively. Gross realized gains were $49 and $930 respectively, for the three
months ended December 31, 2004 and 2003.

      Securities with a carrying amount of $309,520 and $168,310 were pledged as
collateral for municipal deposits, borrowings and other purposes at December 31,
2004 and September 30, 2004, respectively.

      The following table  summarizes,  for all securities in an unrealized loss
position at December 31, 2004,  the  aggregate  fair value and gross  unrealized
loss by length of time those securities have  continuously been in an unrealized
loss position:



                                             ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               Less than 12 Months        12 months or longer               Total
                                             -----------------------    -----------------------    ----------------------
                                             Unrealized                 Unrealized                 Unrealized
                                               Losses     Fair Value      Losses     Fair Value      Losses    Fair Value
                                             ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                               
Avaulable for Sale:
     Mortgage-backed securities              $ (2,187)     $430,914     $   (573)     $ 35,581     $ (2,760)     $466,495
     U.S. Government & Agency Securities       (2,169)      256,176          (87)        4,934       (2,256)      261,110
     Municipal Securities                        (119)       13,567          (23)        1,259         (142)       14,826
     Equity Securities                             --            --         (135)          865         (135)          865
                                             ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total available-for-sale:                 (4,475)      700,657         (818)       42,639       (5,293)      743,296
                                             ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Held to Maturity:
     Mortgage-backed securities                    --            --         (215)       15,082         (215)       15,082
     State and municipal securities              (328)        7,622           --            --         (328)        7,622
     Other securities                             (41)          266           --            --          (41)          266
                                             ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total held to maturity:                     (369)        7,888         (215)       15,082         (584)       22,970
                                             ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total securities:                       $ (4,844)     $708,545     $ (1,033)     $ 57,721     $ (5,877)     $766,266
                                             ============================================================================


      Substantially  all of the unrealized losses at December 31, 2004 relate to
investment  grade  securities and are attributable to changes in market interest
rates  subsequent to purchase.  There were no securities with unrealized  losses
that were individually  significant dollar amounts at December 31, 2004. A total
of 249 securities were in a continuous unrealized loss position for less than 12
months, and 18 securities for 12 months longer. For fixed maturities,  there are
no securities past due or securities for which the Company currently believes it
is  not  probable  that  it  will  collect  all  amounts  due  according  to the
contractual terms of the investment. Because the Company has the ability to hold
securities  with  unrealized  losses until a market price recovery  (which,  for
fixed  maturities,  may be until  maturity)  the Company did not consider  these
investments  to be  other-than-temporarily  impaired at December 31, 2004.  (See
Recent  Accounting  Standards for discussion of a new  accounting  pronouncement
that will provide additional guidance with respect to impairment evaluations).


                                       18


9.    Deposits
      --------

      Major classifications of deposits are summarized below:

                                         December 31, 2004    September 30, 2004
                                         -----------------    ------------------

      Demand deposits:
         Retail                                 $  165,022            $  122,276
         Commercial and municipal                  201,442               167,084
      NOW                                          137,024                83,439
                                                ----------            ----------
         Total transaction accounts                503,488               372,799
      Money market                                 248,118               173,272
      Savings                                      556,031               360,138
      Time under $100,000                          296,311               239,411
      Time over $100,000                            97,827                93,912
                                                ----------            ----------
           Total                                $1,701,775            $1,239,532
                                                ==========            ==========


                                       19


10.   FHLB and Other Borrowings
      -------------------------

      The Company's  FHLB and other  borrowings  and weighted  average  interest
rates are summarized as follows:



                                         December 31, 2004         September 30, 2004
                                       ----------------------    ---------------------
                                         Amount        Rate        Amount       Rate
                                       ---------    ---------    ---------   ---------
                                                                    
By type of borrowing:
  Advances                             $ 220,578       3.26%     $ 164,947      2.81%
  Repurchase agreements                  172,267       4.52         49,962      3.49
                                       ---------                 ---------
              Total borrowings         $ 392,845       3.73%     $ 214,909      2.97%
                                       =========                 =========
By remaining period to maturity:
  Less than one year                   $ 143,350       3.12%     $  94,961      2.11%
  One to two years                        56,731       3.52         28,000      3.18
  Two to three years                      60,310       4.51         18,651      3.65
  Three to four years                     49,900       4.06         29,443      3.78
  Four to five years                      16,479       5.46         40,017      3.76
  Greater than five years                 66,075       4.18          3,837      4.89
                                       ---------                 ---------
              Total borrowings         $ 392,845       3.73%     $ 214,909      2.97%
                                       =========                 =========


      As a member of the FHLB of New York,  the Bank may borrow up to 30% of its
total assets in the form of term and overnight FHLB advances,  or  approximately
$766,000 and $548,000 at December 31, 2004 and September 30, 2004, respectively.
The Bank's  unused  FHLB  borrowing  capacity  was  approximately  $381,000  and
$383,000,  respectively, at those dates. FHLB advances are secured by the Bank's
investment in FHLB stock and by a blanket  security  agreement.  This  agreement
requires the Bank to maintain as collateral  certain  qualifying assets (such as
securities  and  residential  mortgage  loans) not otherwise  pledged.  The Bank
satisfied  this  collateral  requirement  at December 31, 2004 and September 30,
2004. At December 31, 2004 repurchase agreements included $9,719 which were owed
to other than the FHLB.

11.   Earnings Per Common Share
      -------------------------

      The number of shares  used in the  computation  of both basic and  diluted
earnings per share includes all shares issued to Provident Bancorp,  MHC for all
periods through January 14, 2004, but excludes unallocated ESOP shares that have
not been released or committed to be released to participants.

      The common stock equivalent shares are incremental  shares (computed using
the treasury stock method) that would have been  outstanding if all  potentially
dilutive  stock options and unvested RRP shares were  exercised or became vested
during the periods.

      Prior  period  share   information   has  been  adjusted  to  reflect  the
4.4323-to-one  exchange  ratio in  connection  with the  second-step  conversion
completed January 14, 2004.


                                       20


      Basic earnings per common share is computed as follows:

                                                            For the Three Months
                                                             Ended December 31,
                                                             ------------------
                                                             2004         2003
                                                             ----         ----

      Weighted average common shares
        outstanding (basic)                                  44,323       34,301
                                                            -------      -------

      Net income                                            $ 5,015      $ 3,045
      Basic earnings per common share                       $  0.11      $  0.09

      Diluted earnings per common share is computed as follows:

                                                            For the Three Months
                                                             Ended December 31,
                                                             ------------------
                                                             2004         2003
                                                             ----         ----

      Weighted average common shares
        outstanding                                          44,323       34,301
      Effect of common stock equivalents                        603          643
                                                            -------      -------
      Total diluted shares                                   44,926       34,944
                                                            -------      -------

      Net income                                            $ 5,015      $ 3,045
      Diluted earnings per common share                     $  0.11      $  0.09

12.   Pension and Other Post Retirement Plans
      ---------------------------------------

      Net post retirement  cost,  which is recorded within salaries and employee
benefits expense in the consolidated  statements of income,  is comprised of the
following:



                                                                         Other Post
                                              Pension Plans           Retirement Plans
                                           -------------------       ------------------
                                           Three months ended        Three months ended
                                              December 31,              December 31,
                                           -------------------       ------------------
                                            2004         2003         2004        2003
                                           -------------------       ------------------
                                                                     
Service cost                               $  337       $  196       $   26      $   22
Interest cost                                 412          169           37          37
Expected return on plan assets               (449)        (197)          --          --
Unrecognized net transition obligation          2            6            3           3
Amortization of prior service cost             (3)          (3)           1         (42)
Amortization of gain or loss                  105           43           --          18
                                           -------------------       ------------------
           Net periodic pension cost       $  404       $  214       $   67      $   38
                                           ===================       ==================


      The Company previously  disclosed in its financial statements for the year
ended  September 30, 2004,  that it expected to  contribute  $692 to its pension
plan in 2005. As of December 31, 2004, there


                                       21


were no  contributions  made.  As part of the  acquisition  of WSB,  the Company
assumed the WSB Pension Plan, a defined benefit plan. The WSB plan was frozen on
April 30, 2002. As part of the  acquisition  of ENB the Company  assumed the ENB
Pension Plan, a defined benefit plan. The ENB plan was frozen in connection with
the merger of ENB into the Company.

13.   Guarantor's Obligations Under Guarantees
      ----------------------------------------

      Standby letters of credit are commitments  issued by the Company on behalf
of its  customer/obligor  in favor of a  beneficiary  that specify an amount the
Company can be called  upon to pay upon the  beneficiary's  compliance  with the
terms of the letter of credit.  These  commitments are primarily issued in favor
of local  municipalities  to support  the  obligor's  completion  of real estate
development  projects.  The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is
essentially the same as that involved in extending loan facilities to customers.

      As of December  31,  2004,  the Company had $16.4  million in  outstanding
letters of credit, of which $5.4 million were secured by cash collateral.

Subsequent Event
- ----------------

      On January 25, 2005 the Bank  announced  that it has executed an agreement
with HSBC Bank USA,  National  Association  ("HSBC")  to acquire  HSBC's  branch
office located in South Fallsburg,  New York, and to acquire  approximately $3.2
million of loans and assume  approximately  $30.3 million of deposit liabilities
held at the South Fallsburg branch office.  The Bank expects to pay a premium of
approximately $2.2 million for the deposit liabilities.

      It is  anticipated  that the  transaction  will be completed in the second
calendar quarter of 2005 and is conditioned upon receiving requisite  regulatory
approvals.

Item 2. Management's  Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
        of Operations

Forward-Looking Statements
- --------------------------

      The Company has made,  and may continue to make,  various  forward-looking
statements  with respect to earnings,  credit  quality and other  financial  and
business matters for 2005 and, in certain  instances,  subsequent  periods.  The
Company cautions that these  forward-looking  statements are subject to numerous
assumptions, risks and uncertainties, and that statements for subsequent periods
are  subject  to greater  uncertainty  because of the  increased  likelihood  of
changes in  underlying  factors and  assumptions.  Actual  results  could differ
materially from forward-looking statements.

      In addition to those factors previously disclosed by the Company and those
factors  identified  elsewhere herein,  the following factors could cause actual
results  to differ  materially  from such  forward-looking  statements;  pricing
pressures on loan and deposit  products;  changes in local and national economic
conditions;  the  extent and  timing of  actions  of the  Company's  regulators;
customer  deposit  disintermediation;  changes in  customers'  acceptance of the
Company's  products and services;  general actions of competitors,  other normal
business  risks such as credit  losses,  litigation,  increases in the levels of
non-performing  assets,  revenues  following  acquisitions  if such revenues are
lower than expected,  and costs or  difficulties  related to the  integration of
acquired and existing  businesses that are greater than expected.


                                       22


The Company's forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which such
statements  are made.  The  Company  assumes  no duty to update  forward-looking
statements to reflect new, changing or unanticipated events or circumstances.

      The Company's significant  accounting policies are summarized in Note 2 to
the consolidated  financial statements included in its September 30, 2004 Annual
Report on Form 10-K. An accounting  policy considered  particularly  critical to
the  Company's   financial  results  is  the  allowance  for  loan  losses.  The
methodology for assessing the  appropriateness  of the allowance for loan losses
and  non-performing   loans  is  considered  a  critical  accounting  policy  by
management due to the high degree of judgment involved,  the subjectivity of the
assumptions utilized,  and the potential for changes in the economic environment
that could result in changes in the necessary allowance.

      As of January 14,  2004,  the Company  completed  its stock  offering  and
acquisition of ENB in connection with Provident Bancorp,  MHC's  mutual-to-stock
conversion.  The acquisition  was accounted for as a purchase and,  accordingly,
amounts  attributable  to ENB have been included in the  Company's  consolidated
financial  statements  from  the  date  of  acquisition.   See  Note  3  to  the
accompanying  consolidated  financial  statements  included  in  Item 1 of  this
quarterly report.

      As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated  financial  statements included
in Item 1 of this quarterly report, the Company completed its acquisition of WSB
on  October  1, 2004.  The  acquisition  was  accounted  for as a purchase  and,
accordingly, amounts attributable to Warwick have been included in the Company's
consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition.

  Comparison of Financial Condition at December 31, 2004 and September 30, 2004

      Total  assets as of December  31, 2004 were $2.6  billion,  an increase of
$727.3 million, or 39.8%, over assets of $1.8 billion at September 30, 2004. The
increase  over  September  30, 2004 period was due  primarily to (i) the October
2004  acquisition of WSB, whose assets totaled $703.7 million on the merger date
and (ii) internal growth of the company.  Goodwill and intangibles  increased by
$101.7 million from September 30, 2004 upon the completion of the acquisition.

      Net loans  (excluding  loans held for sale) as of  December  31, 2004 were
$1.3 billion, an increase of $284.5 million, or 29.0%, over net loan balances of
$980.3  million at September 30, 2004.  Loans  acquired from WSB totaled  $288.2
million,  while  allowances for loan losses acquired in connection with WSB were
$4.9 million, or 1.70% of WSB's outstanding loan balances.  Inclusive of Warwick
loans acquired,  commercial  loans increased by $190.8 million,  or 39.2%,  over
balances at September 30, 2004.  Consumer loans  increased by $35.6 million,  or
27.4%, during the three-month period, while residential loans increased by $62.9
million,  or 16.5%.  Asset  quality  continues  to be strong.  At $3.4  million,
non-performing  assets as a percentage of total assets is 0.13%, down from 0.15%
at September 30, 2004.

      Total securities  increased by $344.7 million, or 57.1%, to $948.1 million
at December 31, 2004 from $603.4 million at September 30, 2004. Investments were
made primarily in mortgage-backed securities, which increased by $246.7 million,
or 68.7%, and in U.S. Government and Federal Agency Securities,  which increased
by $97.7 million, or 50.8%.

      Total  deposits  as of  December  31,  2004 were $1.7  billion,  up $462.2
million,  or 37.3%,  from  September  30, 2004.  Deposits  acquired from Warwick
totaled  $475.1  million.   As  of  December  31,  2004  retail  and  commercial
transaction  accounts were 29.6% of deposits  compared to 30.1% at September 30,
2004.


                                       23


      Borrowings  from the  Federal  Home  Loan  Bank of New York  (the  "FHLB")
increased by $177.9 million during the  three-month  period to $392.8 million at
December 31, 2004 from $214.9 million at September 30, 2004. Borrowings acquired
from Warwick totaled $160.5 million.

      Stockholders'  equity  increased  by $77.0  million  to $426.5  million at
December  31, 2004  compared to $349.5  million at  September  30,  2004.  $74.6
million in new  capital was issued for the  purchase  of Warwick.  Net income of
$5.0  million for the  three-month  period  also  increased  capital.  Partially
offsetting  the  increases  were the payments of cash  dividends  totaling  $1.6
million,  and net declines in accumulated  comprehensive income of $1.9 million.
Tangible capital to assets was 10.75% at December 31, 2004.

      During the first three months of fiscal 2005, the Company did not
repurchase shares of its common stock. At December 31, 2004, there were no
shares of common stock held by the Company in connection with a repurchase
program as the treasury shares were cancelled in connection with the second-step
stock conversion. Pursuant to applicable Office of Thrift Supervision
regulations that restrict stock repurchases for one year following the
completion of a mutual stock conversion, the authorization to repurchase shares
of the Company's common stock expired in connection with its second-step
conversion on January 14, 2004. However, at September 30, 2004 the Company held
36,794 shares in treasury relating to the purchase of shares from participants
in the Recognition and Retention Plan ("RRP"), at market value, to fund the
individual participants' applicable tax liability on vested shares. At December
31, 2004, there were 6,607 shares still held in treasury.

      On January 27, 2005, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of
up to 2,295,000 shares of its common stock. This represents approximately 5.0%
of the currently outstanding shares. Under this authorization, shares of common
stock may be purchased from time-to-time in the open market or in private
negotiated transactions. In addition, the Board of Directors declared a
quarterly cash dividend of $0.04 per share, payable on February 24, 2005 to
holders of record as of February 10, 2005.

      Supplemental  Reporting of Non-GAAP Results of Operations.  The Company is
providing supplemental reporting of its results on a "net operating" basis, from
which the Company  excludes the after- tax charge for expenses  associated  with
merging acquired operations into the Company. Although "net operating income" as
defined by the  Company is not a GAAP  measure,  management  believes  that this
information  helps  investors  understand  the effect of  acquisition  activity.
Merger  integration  expenses were $228,000  ($0.01 per diluted share) after tax
for the three months ended December 31, 2004.

      Net  operating  income on this basis for the most recent  quarter was $5.2
million, an increase of 72.2% from $3.0 million in the prior year. Net operating
income,  as  an  annualized  rate  of  return  on  average  assets  and  average
stockholders'  equity,  was 0.82% and 4.90%  respectively,  in the quarter ended
December 31, 2004,  compared with 1.04% and 10.42% in the quarter ended December
31, 2003.


                                       24


      Reconciliation   of  GAAP  and   Non-GAAP   results   of   operations:   A
reconciliation  of diluted  earnings  per share and net income with  diluted net
operating  earnings per share and net operating  income  follows (in  thousands,
except per share amounts):

                                            Three months ended December 31,
                                            -------------------------------
                                                 2004             2003
                                                 ----             ----
Diluted cash earnings per share                 $ 0.11           $ 0.09
Merger integration expenses (1)                   0.01               --
                                                ------           ------

Diluted net operating earnings                  $ 0.12           $ 0.09
                                                ======           ======

Net income                                      $5,015           $3,045
Merger integration expenses (1)                    228               --
                                                ------           ------

Net operating income                            $5,243           $3,045
- --------------------                            ======           ======

(1) After related tax effect at 40% marginal rate

           Comparison of Operating Results for the Three Months Ended
                     December 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003

      Net Income.  For the three months  ended  December 31, 2004 net income was
$5.0 million,  an increase of $2.0 million,  or 66.1%,  compared to $3.0 million
for the same period in fiscal 2004. Net interest income after provision for loan
losses for the three months ended  December 31, 2004 increased by $10.2 million,
or 89.0%,  compared to the same period in the prior  year.  Non-interest  income
increased  $1.2  million or 43.6% to $4.0  million  for the three  months  ended
December 31, 2004  compared to $2.8 million for the three months ended  December
31, 2003.  Non-interest  expense  increased  $8.1  million,  or 85.0%,  to $17.7
million for the three  months ended  December 31, 2004  compared to $9.6 million
for the same prior-year period.

      The relevant performance measures follow:

                                                 Three Months Ended
                                                    December 31,
                                                  2004        2003
                                                  ----        ----
          Per common share:
             Basic earnings                      $ 0.11      $ 0.09
             Diluted earnings                      0.11        0.09
             Dividends declared                    0.04        0.03

          Return on average (annualized):
             Assets                                0.79%       1.04%
             Equity                                4.69%      10.42%


                                       25


      The following table sets forth the consolidated average balance sheets for
the Company for the periods indicated.  Also set forth is information  regarding
weighted  average yields on  interest-earning  assets and weighted average rates
paid on interest-bearing liabilities (dollars in thousands).



                                                                    Three Months Ended December 31,
                                                                    -------------------------------
                                                               2004                                   2003
                                                               ----                                   ----
                                                 Average                                Average
                                               Outstanding                 Average    Outstanding                 Average
                                                 Balance      Interest    Yield/Rate    Balance      Interest    Yield/Rate
                                                 -------      --------    ----------    -------      --------    ----------
                                                                                                  
Interest earning assets:
   Commercial and commercial mortgage
     loans (1)                                  $  662,481     $11,036       6.61%     $  254,295     $ 4,104       6.42%
   Consumer loans (1)                              160,415       1,883       4.66          79,225         878       4.41
   Residential mortgage loans (1)                  434,554       6,494       5.93         369,814       5,548       5.97
                                                ----------     -------                 ----------     -------
        Total loans                              1,257,450      19,413       6.13         703,334      10,530       5.96
                                                ----------     -------                 ----------     -------

   Securities-taxable                              829,407       7,942       3.80         356,580       3,579       3.99
   Securities-tax exempt (2)                        48,051         683       5.64          20,893         286       5.45
   Other earning assets                             40,859         213       2.07          12,146          23       0.75
                                                ----------     -------                 ----------     -------
   Total securities and other earning assets       918,317       8,838       3.82         389,619       3,888       3.97
                                                ----------     -------                 ----------     -------
     Total interest-earning assets               2,175,767      28,251       5.15       1,092,953      14,418       5.25
   Non-interest-earning assets:                    352,433                                 88,910
                                                ----------                             ----------
   Total assets                                 $2,528,200                             $1,181,863
                                                ==========                             ==========
Interest bearing liabilities:
   Savings, clubs and escrow                    $  559,276         821       0.58%     $  291,402         314       0.43%
   Money market accounts                           282,034         592       0.83         133,437         177       0.53
   NOW checking                                    142,660         132       0.37          62,797          32       0.20
   Certificate accounts                            404,069       1,822       1.79         225,304       1,034       1.83
                                                ----------     -------                 ----------     -------
   Total interest-bearing deposits               1,388,039       3,367       0.96         712,940       1,557       0.87
   Borrowings                                      355,492       2,943       3.28         147,571       1,210       3.26
                                                ----------     -------                 ----------     -------
   Total interest-bearing liabilities            1,743,531       6,310       1.44         860,511       2,767       1.28
                                                               -------                                -------
Non-interest-bearing liabilities:                  360,154                                203,720
                                                ----------                             ----------
   Total liabilities                             2,103,685                              1,064,231
Stockholders' Equity                               424,515                                117,632
                                                ----------                             ----------
   Total liabilities and equity                  2,528,200                              1,181,863
                                                ==========                             ==========
Net interest margin                                            $21,941       4.00%                    $11,651       4.24%
                                                               =======       ====                     =======       ====
Net interest rate spread                                                     3.72%                                  3.97%
                                                                             ====                                   ====
Net earning assets                              $  432,236                             $  232,442
                                                ==========                             ==========
Tax equivalent adjustment (2)                                     (239)                                  (100)
                                                               ========                               =======
Net interest income                                            $21,702                                $11,551
                                                               ========                               =======
Ratio of average interest-earning assets
    to average interest-bearing liabilities                     124.79%                                127.01%
                                                               =======                                =======


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Includes non-accrual loans.

(2) Tax  equivalent  adjustment  for tax exempt income is based on a 35% federal
rate.


                                       26


            The table below details the changes in interest  income and interest
expense for the periods  indicated  due to both  changes in average  outstanding
balances and changes in average interest rates (in thousands):

                                             Three Months Ended December 31,
                                                      2004 vs. 2003
                                                Increase/(Decrease) Due to
                                                ---------------------------

                                           Volume (1)    Rate (1)         Total
                                           ----------    --------         -----
Interest-earning assets
       Commercial and commercial
           mortgage loans                    $  6,807       $ 125      $  6,932
       Consumer loans                             952          53         1,005
       Residential mortgage loans                 982         (36)          946
       Securities-taxable                       4,538        (175)        4,363
       Securities-tax exempt (2)                  387          10           397
       Other earning assets                       109          81           190
                                             --------       -----      --------

       Total interest income                   13,775          58        13,833
                                             --------       -----      --------
Interest-bearing liabilities
       Savings                                    368         139           507
       Money market                               275         140           415
       NOW checking                                60          40           100
       Certificates of deposit                    811         (23)          788
       Borrowings                               1,725           8         1,733
                                             --------       -----      --------

       Total interest expense                   3,239         304         3,543
                                             --------       -----      --------
Net interest margin                          $ 10,536       $(246)     $ 10,290
                                             --------       -----      --------
       Less tax equivalent adjustment (2)        (251)        112          (139)
                                             --------       -----      --------
Net interest income                          $ 10,285       $(134)     $ 10,151
                                             ========       =====      ========

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1)  Changes  due to  increases  in both rate and  volume  have  been  allocated
proportionately to rate and volume.

(2) Tax  equivalent  adjustment  for tax exempt income is based on a 35% federal
rate.


                                       27


      Net Interest  Income.  Net interest income after provision for loan losses
for the three months  ended  December  31, 2004 was $21.6  million,  compared to
$11.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2003, an increase of $10.2
million or 89.0%.  The  increase  in  interest  income was largely due to a $1.1
billion  increase in average  earning  assets to $2.2 billion during the quarter
ended December 31, 2004, as compared to $1.1 billion for the same quarter in the
prior year.  The increase is primarily due to the ENB and Warwick  acquisitions,
net proceeds from the second-step  offering and continued  internal growth.  The
increase in average earning assets was partially  offset by a decline in average
yield of 10 basis  points  from 5.25% to 5.15%,  on a fully  taxable  equivalent
basis.  Interest  expense  increased by $3.5 million for the quarter compared to
the same quarter in 2003, as average  interest-bearing  liabilities increased by
$883.0 million and the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities increased 16
basis points.  Net interest margin  declined by 24 basis points to 4.00%,  while
net  interest  spread  declined by 25 basis  points to 3.72%,  due to the assets
acquired being recorded at current market interest rates.

      Provision for Loan Losses. The Company records provisions for loan losses,
which are charged to  earnings,  in order to  maintain  the  allowance  for loan
losses  at a level to absorb  probable  loan  losses  inherent  in the  existing
portfolio.  The Company  recorded  $150,000 in loan loss  provisions  during the
three months ended  December 31, 2004 and 2003.  Net  charge-offs  for the three
months  ended  December  31, 2004 were  $218,000  compared to a net  recovery of
$30,000 for the same period in 2003.

      Non-Interest  Income was $4.0 million for the three months ended  December
31, 2004 compared to $2.8 million for the three months ended  December 31, 2003.
Deposit fees and service charges  increased by $1.2 million,  or 97.1%, of which
$905,000  was  generated  from the  acquired  Warwick  and ENB  branches,  while
$295,000  was  due   primarily   to   volume-driven   increases  in   overdraft,
non-sufficient  funds,  and ATM and debit card fees. Other  non-interest  income
increased by $317,000,  or 97.8%,  due to higher  earnings on the Company's bank
owned life insurance ("BOLI") investments. Income derived from the Company's new
wholly-owned  title  subsidiary  Hardenburgh  Abstract Company of Orange County,
Inc. was $358,000.  Gains on the sale of securities were $49,000 for the current
three-month  period,  compared to $930,000 for the same period last year. During
the three-month  period ended December 31, 2004, the Company also recorded gains
on sales of loans totaling $59,000, compared to $86,000 for the same period last
year.

      Non-Interest  Expense  for  the  three  months  ended  December  31,  2004
increased by $8.1 million, or 85.0%, to $17.7 million,  compared to $9.6 million
for the three months ended December 31, 2003. The acquisitions of ENB in January
2004 and Warwick in October  2004 played a major role in the  increases  in most
categories.  Compensation and employee  benefits  increased by $3.4 million,  or
76.6%,  to $7.8 million for the period ended  December 31, 2004. Of that amount,
$709,000  and  $680,000 was  attributable  to the Warwick and ENB  acquisitions,
respectively  and the remainder was due to staff additions for future growth and
expansion,  as well as  normal  merit  increases.  An  increase  in the  cost of
stock-based  compensation  benefits of $169,000,  or 25.2%,  occurred during the
current  three-month  period  primarily due to vesting and  allocations of stock
under benefit plans at an average common stock price of $12.66 per share for the
three months ended  December 31, 2004 compared to $10.26 per share for the three
months ended  December 31, 2003.  Occupancy and office  operations  increased by
$821,000,  or 61.9%, for the three months ended December 31, 2004, almost all of
which was attributable to the acquired ENB and Warwick  properties.  Advertising
and  promotion  increased  $695,000,  or  148.5%,  primarily  as a result of the
Warwick  merger and the new brand  identity  campaign the Company has  unveiled.
Professional  fees  increased  by  $184,000,  or 38.0%,  due  primarily  to fees
associated with the Company's  compliance with the provisions of  Sarbanes-Oxley
Section 404.  Amortization of core deposit intangible  increased by $1.0 million
as a result of the  Warwick and ENB  deposits  acquired.  Stationery  and office
supplies  increased by $106,000,  or 71.1%,  due to the doubling of our branches
compared to the prior year. Data and check


                                       28


processing  increased $504,000,  or 67.7%,  primarily due to the higher level of
services  related  to the  accounts  acquired  in the  mergers.  Other  expenses
increased by $665,000,  or 63.0%,  due  primarily to increases in  correspondent
bank expense,  postage,  telephone  expense and insurance  premium expense,  all
directly  related to the increased size of Provident Bank following the mergers.
Further, merger integration expenses were $380,000.

      Income  Taxes.  Income tax expense was $2.9  million for the three  months
ended December 31, 2004, compared to $1.6 million expense for the same period in
2003. The effective tax rates were 36.3% and 34.3%, respectively.

      Governor  Pataki's  proposed  state budget for fiscal  2005-06  includes a
proposal  which would  prohibit banks from claiming tax deductions for dividends
received  from real  estate  investment  trusts  (REITs)  that are owned over 50
percent by the  taxpayer  or members of an  affiliated  group.  Included  in the
results  for  the  quarter  ending  December  31,  2004  is  a  tax  benefit  of
approximately  $120,000  pertaining to such REITS.  If the  legislation  were to
pass, this tax benefit many not continue for periods beyond December 31, 2004.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
- -------------------------------

      The  objective  of the  Company's  liquidity  management  is to ensure the
availability of sufficient  cash flows to meet all financial  commitments and to
capitalize on opportunities for expansion.  Liquidity  management  addresses the
Company's  ability  to meet  deposit  withdrawals  on demand  or at  contractual
maturity,  to  repay  borrowings  as they  mature,  and to fund  new  loans  and
investments as opportunities arise.

      The  Company's  primary  sources  of funds  are  deposits,  proceeds  from
principal  and  interest  payments  on loans and  securities,  and,  to a lesser
extent,  wholesale  borrowings,  the proceeds from  maturities of securities and
short-term investments, and proceeds from sales of loans originated for sale and
securities  available for sale.  Maturities and scheduled  amortization of loans
and securities, as well as proceeds from borrowings,  are predictable sources of
funds.  Other funding  sources,  however,  such as deposit  inflows and mortgage
prepayments are greatly influenced by market interest rates, economic conditions
and competition.

      The Company's  primary  investing  activities are the  origination of both
residential one- to four-family and commercial  mortgage loans, and the purchase
of investment securities and mortgage-backed securities. During the three-months
ended  December 31, 2004 and December 31,  2003,  loan  originations,  excluding
loans   originated   for  sale,   totaled  $101.6  million  and  $66.8  million,
respectively,  and purchases of  securities  totaled  $273.3  million and $184.8
million,  respectively.  For the three-month periods ended December 31, 2004 and
2003, these investing  activities were funded primarily by principal  repayments
on loans,  by proceeds from sales and maturities of  securities,  and by deposit
growth. Loan origination commitments totaled $82.7 million at December 31, 2004.
The Company  anticipates  that it will have  sufficient  funds available to meet
current loan  commitments.  In December 2003 the Company invested $12 million in
BOLI contracts.  The Company  recorded an additional  $13.3 million in BOLI as a
result  of the  Warwick  acquisition.  Such  investments  are  illiquid  and are
therefore  classified as other  assets.  Earnings from BOLI are derived from the
net increase in cash surrender value of the BOLI contracts and the proceeds from
the payment on the insurance policies, if any.

      Deposit flows are generally  affected by the level of interest rates,  the
interest  rates  and  products  offered  by local  competitors,  the  appeal  of
non-deposit  investments,  and  other  factors.  Excluding  the  acquisition  of
Warwick,  the net decrease in total deposits for the three months ended December
31, 2004


                                       29


was $13.1  million,  compared to a $616,000  increase for the three months ended
December 31, 2003.  Time deposits  decreased  $23.5 million for the three months
ended December 31, 2004 compared to $18.4 million in the prior year.

      On January 14, 2004 the Company completed its stock offering in connection
with the second-step  conversion of Provident  Bancorp,  MHC. As a result of the
conversion,  the Company  became the stock  holding  company of the Bank. In the
stock offering,  shares representing Provident Bancorp, MHC's ownership interest
in  Provident  Federal  were  sold  to  investors.   In  addition,  the  Company
simultaneously  completed  its  acquisition  of E.N.B.  Holding  Company,  Inc.,
located in Ellenville, New York.

      The Company sold 19,573,000  shares of common stock at $10.00 per share to
depositors of the Bank as of June 30, 2002 and  September 30, 2003.  The Company
also issued 400,000 shares of common stock and contributed  $1.0 million in cash
to the Provident Bank Charitable Foundation. In addition, each outstanding share
of common stock of the Company as of January 14, 2004 was converted  into 4.4323
new shares of the Company's common stock.

      Shareholders  of ENB as of the  close of  business  on  January  14,  2004
received total merger consideration of approximately $76.47 million,  consisting
of  3,969,676  shares of common  stock of the Company and  approximately  $36.77
million in cash.

      Shareholders  of  Warwick as of the close of  business  on October 1, 2004
received total merger consideration of approximately $147.2 million,  consisting
of  6,257,892  shares of common  stock of the  Company and  approximately  $72.6
million in cash.

      The Company monitors its liquidity position on a daily basis. We generally
remain fully invested and utilize  additional  sources of funds through  Federal
Home Loan Bank of New York overnight and term advances,  of which $220.6 million
were  outstanding at December 31, 2004. The Company has the ability to borrow an
additional $381.0 million under its credit facilities with the Federal Home Loan
Bank of New York.

      At December 31, 2004,  the Bank  exceeded  all of its  regulatory  capital
requirements with a Tier 1 capital  (leverage) level of $186.7 million,  or 7.8%
of adjusted assets (which is above the required level of $95.3 million, or 4.0%)
and  a  total  risk-based   capital  level  of  $206.3  million,   or  13.2%  of
risk-weighted  assets (which is above the required level of $125.2  million,  or
8.0).  Regulations  require leverage and total risk-based capital ratios of 5.0%
and 10.0%,  respectively,  in order to be  classified  as  well-capitalized.  In
performing this calculation, the intangible assets recorded in the NBF, ENB, and
Warwick  acquisitions  are deducted from capital and from total adjusted  assets
for purposes of  regulatory  capital  measures.  At December 31, 2004,  the Bank
exceeded all capital  requirements for  well-capitalized  classification.  These
capital  requirements,  which are  applicable  to the Bank only, do not consider
additional capital retained at the holding company level.


                                       30


      The following table sets forth the Bank's  regulatory  capital position at
December 31, 2004 and September 30, 2004, compared to OTS requirements.



                                                                 OTS Requirements
                                                    ------------------------------------------
                                                     Minimum Capital       For Classification
                                Bank Actual             Adequacy           as Well Capitalized
                             ----------------       -----------------      -------------------

                             Amount     Ratio       Amount      Ratio       Amount     Ratio
                             ------     -----       ------      -----       ------     -----
                                                  (Dollars in thousands)
                                                                      
December 31, 2004
- -----------------
Tangible capital            $186,724      7.8%     $ 35,728       1.5%     $     --       --%
Tier 1 (core) capital        186,724      7.8        95,274       4.0       119,092      5.0
Risk-based capital:
   Tier 1                    186,724     11.9                                93,905      6.0
   Total                     206,288     13.2       125,207       8.0       156,509     10.0
                            ========

September 30, 2004
- ------------------
Tangible capital            $189,486     11.3%     $ 25,285       1.5%     $     --       --%
Tier 1 (core) capital        189,486     11.3        67,427       4.0        84,284      5.0
Risk-based capital:
   Tier 1                    189,486     16.6            --                  68,593      6.0
   Total                     203,776     17.8        91,458       8.0       114,322     10.0
                            ========


Asset/Liability Management
- --------------------------

      The primary functions of asset/liability management are to assure adequate
liquidity and maintain an appropriate balance between interest-sensitive earning
assets and  interest-bearing  liabilities and capital  resources.  The Company's
Asset and  Liability  Committee  ("ALCO") of the Board  monitors,  and the Bank,
through its Management ALCO,  controls the rate sensitivity of the balance sheet
while  seeking  to  maintain  an  appropriate   level  of  net  interest  income
contribution to the operations of the Company.

      The Company's net interest  income is affected by  fluctuations  in market
interest rates as a result of timing  differences in the repricing of its assets
and  liabilities.  These  repricing  differences are quantified in specific time
intervals and are referred to as interest  rate  sensitivity  gaps.  The Company
manages the interest rate risk of current and future earnings to a level that it
considers  consistent  with its mix of  business  and  seeks to limit  such risk
exposure to  appropriate  percentages  of both earnings and the imputed value of
stockholders' equity. The objective in managing interest rate risk is to support
the achievement of business  strategies,  while controlling earnings variability
and  seeking  to  provide  appropriate  liquidity.   Further,  the  present  and
historical  levels of  transaction  accounts  (greater than 20% of total assets)
serve to mitigate  the  effects of  increases  in interest  rates and reduce the
average cost of total liabilities.

      Management monitors interest rate sensitivity primarily through the use of
a  model  that  simulates  net  interest  income  under  varying  interest  rate
assumptions.  Management  also  evaluates  this


                                       31


sensitivity  using a model that  estimates  the change in  Provident  Bank's net
portfolio  value  ("NPV") over a range of interest  rate  scenarios.  NPV is the
present value of expected cash flows from assets,  liabilities  and  off-balance
sheet   contracts.   Both  models  assume   estimated  loan  prepayment   rates,
reinvestment  rates and  deposit  decay  rates  that seem most  likely  based on
historical experience during prior interest rate changes.

      The table below sets forth, as of December 31, 2004, the estimated changes
in our NPV and our net  interest  income that would  result from the  designated
instantaneous  changes  in  the  U.S.  Treasury  yield  curve.  Computations  of
prospective effects of hypothetical  interest rate changes are based on numerous
assumptions including relative levels of market interest rates, loan prepayments
and  deposit  decay,  and  should  not be relied  upon as  indicative  of actual
results.



                                      NPV                                    Net Interest Income
                   -------------------------------------------   ---------------------------------------------
                                 Estimated Increase (Decrease)                   Estimated Increase (Decrease)
  Change in                                 in NPV               Estimated Net      in Net Interest Income
Interest Rates     Estimated     -----------------------------     Interest      -----------------------------
(basis points)        NPV            Amount         Percent         Income           Amount         Percent
- --------------     ---------     -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------
                                             (Dollars in thousands)
                                                                                  
     +300          $ 303,791       $ (75,119)       (19.8)%        $ 90,633         $    (5)        (0.0)%
     +200            334,802         (44,108)       (11.6)           91,026             388          0.4
     +100            366,956         (11,954)        (3.2)           91,322             684          0.8
        0            378,910              --           --            90,638                           --
     -100            400,729          21,819          5.8            88,609          (2,029)        (2.2)
     -200            394,846          15,936          4.2            83,390          (7,248)        (8.0)


      The table set forth above  indicates  that at December  31,  2004,  in the
event of an immediate 100 basis point  decrease in interest  rates,  we would be
expected  to  experience  a 5.8%  increase  in NPV  and a 2.2%  decrease  in net
interest  income.  In the event of an  immediate  200 basis  point  increase  in
interest rates, we would be expected to experience a 11.6% decrease in NPV and a
0.4% increase in net interest income.

      Certain  shortcomings  are inherent in the  methodology  used in the above
interest rate risk measurements. Modeling changes in NPV and net interest income
requires  making certain  assumptions  that may or may not reflect the manner in
which actual yields and costs respond to changes in market interest  rates.  The
NPV and net interest  income table  presented above assumes that the composition
of our interest-rate  sensitive assets and liabilities existing at the beginning
of a period remains  constant over the period being  measured and,  accordingly,
the data does not reflect any actions  management  may  undertake in response to
changes in interest  rates.  The table also assumes that a particular  change in
interest rates is reflected  uniformly  across the yield curve regardless of the
duration to maturity or the  repricing  characteristics  of specific  assets and
liabilities.  Accordingly,  although  the  NPV  and net  interest  income  table
provides  an  indication  of our  sensitivity  to  interest  rate  changes  at a
particular  point in time,  such  measurements  are not  intended  to and do not
provide a precise  forecast of the effect of changes in market interest rates on
our net interest income and will differ from actual results.


                                       32


Recent Accounting Standards

      In December 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued
FASB  Interpretation  No.  46  (revised),  Consolidation  of  Variable  Interest
Entities ("FIN 46R"), which addresses how a business  enterprise should evaluate
whether it has a controlling financial interest in an entity through means other
than voting rights and,  accordingly,  should  consolidate the variable interest
entity ("VIE"). FIN 46R replaces FASB Interpretation No. 46, which was issued in
January  2003.  As a public  company  that is not a small  business  issuer  (as
defined in applicable SEC regulations), the Company is required to apply FIN 46R
to variable  interests  generally  as of March 31,  2004 and to  special-purpose
entities as of December 31, 2003. For any VIE's that must be consolidated  under
FIN 46R that were created before January 1, 2004,  the assets,  liabilities  and
noncontrolling  interests  of the VIE  initially  would  be  measured  at  their
carrying amounts and any difference  between the net amount added to the balance
sheet and any previously recognized interest would be recorded as the cumulative
effect of an  accounting  change.  If  determining  the carrying  amounts is not
practicable, fair value at the date FIN 46R first applies may be used to measure
the assets,  liabilities and noncontrolling interest of the VIE. The adoption of
FIN 46R  did  not  and is not  expected  to  have a  significant  effect  on the
Company's consolidated financial statements.

      In December 2003, the FASB also issued  Statement of Financial  Accounting
Standards No. 132  (revised),  Employers'  Disclosures  about Pensions and Other
Postretirement  Benefits ("SFAS No. 132R"). This standard prescribes  employers'
disclosures about pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans, but does
not change the measurement or recognition of those plans.  SFAS No. 132R retains
and revises the disclosure  requirements  contained in the original standard. It
also requires additional disclosures about the assets, obligations,  cash flows,
and net  periodic  benefit  cost of  defined  benefit  pension  plans  and other
postretirement  benefit plans. As a public company,  the Company was required to
provide  substantially  all  of  the  revised  disclosures  beginning  with  its
September 30, 2004 consolidated financial statements.

      In May  2003,  the FASB  issued  SFAS No.  150,  "Accounting  for  Certain
Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity." SFAS
No. 150 establishes  standards for how an issuer classifies and measures certain
financial  instruments with  characteristics of both liabilities and equity, and
requires that an issuer  classify  financial  instruments  that are considered a
liability (or an asset in some  circumstances)  when that  financial  instrument
embodies an obligation of the issuer.

      SFAS No.  150 is  effective  for  financial  instruments  entered  into or
modified after May 31, 2003, and is otherwise  effective at the beginning of the
first interim period  beginning  after June 15, 2003. SFAS No. 150 had no impact
on the  Company's  consolidated  statement of financial  condition or results of
operations  upon  implementation  during the third  quarter of 2003. In November
2003,  the FASB also issued a staff  position  that  indefinitely  deferred  the
effective   date  of  SFAS   No.   150  for   certain   mandatorily   redeemable
non-controlling  interests.  The Company currently believes that the deferral of
the  effective  date  of  SFAS  No.  150  for  certain  mandatorily   redeemable
non-controlling interests will not have any impact on its consolidated statement
of financial condition or results of operations when implemented.

      The  issuance of SFAS No. 150 and FIN 46 has also  resulted in the Federal
Reserve Board  announcing  potential future  reconsideration  of trust preferred
securities  as elements of  regulatory  capital.  The Company  currently  has no
issuances of trust preferred securities.

      Effective  March 31, 2004,  Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 03-1 "The
Meaning  of  Other-Than-Temporary  Impairment  and Its  Application  to  Certain
Investments"   ("EITF  03-1")  was  issued.  EITF  03-1  provides  guidance  for
determining the meaning of "other-than-temporarily impaired" and its application
to certain debt and equity securities within the scope of Statement of Financial
Accounting  Standards No. 115  "Accounting  for Certain  Investments in Debt and
Equity  Securities"  ("SFAS 115") and


                                       33


investments  accounted  for under the cost method.  The guidance  requires  that
investments which have declined in value due to credit concerns or solely due to
changes in interest  rates must be recorded as  other-than-temporarily  impaired
unless the  corporation  can assert and  demonstrate  its  intention to hold the
security for a period of time  sufficient  to allow for a recovery of fair value
up to or beyond the cost of the  investment,  which  might mean  maturity.  This
Issue  also  requires  disclosures  assessing  the  ability  and  intent to hold
investments in instances in which an investor determines that an investment with
a fair value less than cost is not other-than-temporarily impaired.

      In December 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 148, Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation  - Transition  and  Disclosure - an amendment of FASB Statement No.
123. This statement provides  alternative  methods of transition for a voluntary
change to the fair value based method of  accounting  for  stock-based  employee
compensation.  In addition, this statement amends the disclosure requirements of
Statement No. 123 to require  prominent  disclosures  in both annual and interim
financial  statements  about the method of accounting for  stock-based  employee
compensation and the effects of the method used on reported results.

      In  December  2004,  the FASB Issued  Statement  of  Financial  Accounting
Standards No. 123R (Statement 123R),  "Share-Based Payments",  the provisions of
which  become  effective  for the  corporation  in fiscal 2006.  This  Statement
eliminates  the  alternative  to use APB No.  25's  intrinsic  value  method  of
accounting  that was provided in Statement 123 as originally  issued.  Statement
123R requires  companies to recognize the cost of employee  services received in
exchange for awards of equity  instruments based on the grant-date fair value of
those awards. While the fair-value-based  method prescribed by Statement 123R is
similar  to the  fair-value-based  method  disclosed  under  the  provisions  of
Statement  123 in most  respects,  there are some  differences.  The  Company is
currently evaluating the provisions of Statement 123R and has not determined the
impact of adopting this statement at this time.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

      The company's most  significant form of market risk is interest rate risk,
as the  majority  of its  assets and  liabilities  are  sensitive  to changes in
interest rates.  The Bank's interest rate profile has not changed  significantly
since September 30, 2004. Although the acquisition of Warwick was completed, the
nature of the assets and  liabilities  acquired  is  consistent  with the Bank's
previously  existing assets.  . As a result,  the Bank has maintained an overall
relatively   neutral   sensitivity   position.   See  Item  2   "Asset/liability
Management".  However,  if rates  increase  rapidly as a result of an  improving
economy,  the Bank may have to increase  the rates paid on deposits and borrowed
funds quicker than loans and investments reprice, resulting in a negative impact
on interest spreads and net interest income.  In addition,  the impact of rising
rates could be compounded if deposit  customers move funds from savings accounts
back to higher-rate certificate of deposit accounts.  Conversely,  should market
interest  rates  continue to fall below today's level the Company's net interest
margin could also be negatively  affected,  as competitive  pressures could keep
the Bank from lowering rates on its deposits,  and prepayments and  curtailments
on assets may continue. Such movements may cause a decrease in the interest rate
spread and net  interest  margin.  Other types of market  risk,  such as foreign
exchange rate risk and  commodity  price risk, do not arise in the normal course
of the Company's business activities.

      Quantitative and qualitative  disclosure about market risk is presented at
September 30, 2004 in Item 7A in the Company's  Annual Report on Form 10-K filed
with the Securities and Exchange  Commission on December 14, 2004. The following
is an update of the discussion provided therein.


                                       34


      General:  The Company's  largest  component of market risk continues to be
interest rate risk. The Company is not subject to foreign  currency  exchange or
commodity  price risk.  At December 31,  2004,  neither the Company nor the Bank
owned any trading  assets,  nor did they utilize  hedging  transactions  such as
interest rate swaps and caps.

      Interest Rate Risk Compliance: The Bank continues to monitor the impact of
interest rate volatility upon net interest income and net portfolio value in the
same manner as at September  30,  2004.  There have been no changes in the board
approved limits of acceptable  variance in net interest income and net portfolio
value change at December 31, 2004 compared to September 30, 2004, and the impact
of possible  changes  within the  Company's  models  continue to fall within all
board approved limits for potential interest rate volatility.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

      The Company's management,  including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief
Financial  Officer,  evaluated the  effectiveness of the design and operation of
the Company's  disclosure  controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e)
and  15d-15(e)  under the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934,  as amended)  (the
"Exchange  Act") as of the end of the period covered by this report.  Based upon
that evaluation, the Company's management, including the Chief Executive Officer
and Chief Financial Officer, concluded that, as of the end of the period covered
by this report, the Company's  disclosure controls and procedures were effective
to ensure that  information  required to be  disclosed  in the reports  that the
Company  files  or  submits  under  the  Exchange  Act is  recorded,  processed,
summarized and reported within the time frames  specified in the SEC's rules and
forms.

      There were no significant  changes made in the Company's internal controls
over financial reporting or in other factors that could significantly affect the
Company's internal control over financial reporting during the period covered by
this report.

                           PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

      The Company is not involved in any pending  legal  proceedings  other than
routine legal proceedings  occurring in the ordinary course of business,  which,
in the  aggregate,  involved  amounts which are believed to be immaterial to the
consolidated financial condition and operations of the Company.


                                       35


Item 2. Changes in  Securities,  Use of Proceeds and Issuer  Purchases of Equity
        Securities

            (a) - (d) Not applicable

            (e)

                      Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
                      -------------------------------------



                                                                                                   Maximum Number (or
                                                                          Total Number of Shares   Approximate Dollar
                                                                          (or Units) Purchased     Value) of Shares (or
                                   Total Number of     Average Price      as Part of Publicly      Units) that may yet be
                                   Shares (or Units)   Paid per Share     Announced Plans or       Purchased Under the
Period                             Purchased (1)       (or Unit)          Programs (2)             Plans or Programs
                                                                                              
October 1 - October 31, 2004             2,932             $ 11.74                 --                       --
November 1 - November 30, 2004           8,602               11.74                 --                       --
December 1 - December 31, 2004          28,570               11.84                 --                       --
                                        ------             -------

             Total                      40,104             $ 11.82               $ --                     $ --
                                        ======             =======               ====                     ====


- ----------

(1)   The total number of shares purchased during the periods indicated
      represent shares deemed to have been received from employees who exercised
      stock options by submitting mature previously acquired common shares in
      satisfaction of the exercise price, as is permitted under the Company's
      stock option plans.

(2)   OTS regulations prohibit the repurchase of common shares for a period of
      one year following a second step stock conversion. The Company announced
      on January 27, 2005 that it authorized the repurchase 2,295,000 shares, or
      approximately 5% of common shares currently outstanding.


                                       36


Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities

            None

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holder

            None

Item 5. Other Information

            None

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

      (a)   Exhibits:

      Exhibit Number    Description
      --------------    -----------

      31.1              Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to
                        Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

      31.2              Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to
                        Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

      32.1              Certification   pursuant   to   Section   906   of   the
                        Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002


                                       37


                                    SIGNATURE

      Pursuant to the  requirements of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


                                 Provident Bancorp, Inc.
                                 -----------------------
                                 (Registrant)


                           By:   /s/ George Strayton
                                 --------------------
                                 George Strayton
                                 President and Chief Executive Officer
                                 (Duly Authorized Representative)

                           Date: February 8, 2005


                           By:   /s/ Paul A. Maisch
                                 --------------------
                                 Paul A. Maisch
                                 Senior Vice President and
                                 Chief Financial Officer
                                 (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer
                                  and Duly Authorized Representative)

                           Date: February 8, 2005


                                       38