EXHIBIT 99.2

               STATEMENT FURNISHED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE
               SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002, 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350

     The undersigned, Stephen R. Theroux, is the Chief Financial Officer of New
Hampshire Thrift Bancshares, Inc. (the "Company").

         This statement is being furnished in connection with the filing by the
   Company of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2002 (the "Report").

     By execution of this statement, I certify that:

     A)   the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or
          15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m(a) or
          78o(d)) and

     B)   the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all
          material respects, the financial condition and results of operations
          of the Company as of the dates and for the periods covered by the
          Report.

     This statement is authorized to be attached as an exhibit to the Report so
that this statement will accompany the Report at such time as the Report is
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, pursuant to Section 906 of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350. It is not intended that
this statement be deemed to be filed for purposes of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended.

March 27, 2003                              /s/ Stephen R. Theroux
- -----------------                           ----------------------
Dated                                       Stephen R. Theroux

     A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has
been provided to New Hampshire Thrift Bancshares, Inc. and will be retained by
New Hampshire Thrift Bancshares, Inc. and furnished to the Securities and
Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.