EXHIBIT 99

               PRESS RELEASE OF PROVIDENT FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.









Contact:

Kenneth J. Wagner
Investor Relations
Provident Financial Services, Inc.
830 Bergen Avenue
Jersey City, NJ  07306
201-915-5344


        Provident Financial Services, Inc. Announces Quarterly Earnings;
                       9.1% Increase in Quarterly Earnings

JERSEY CITY, NJ, July 17, 2003 - Provident Financial  Services,  Inc. (NYSE:PFS)
the holding  company for The Provident  Bank reported net income of $8.8 million
for the quarter ended June 30, 2003, an increase of $736,000 or 9.1% compared to
net income of $8.1  million for the  quarter  ended June 30,  2002.  For the six
months  ended June 30,  2003,  Provident  Financial  reported net income of $2.4
million,  a decrease of $12.6  million or 84.1%  compared to net income of $15.0
million for the six months ended June 30, 2002. This reduction in net income for
the  six-month  period is due to a one-time  expense  associated  with the $15.6
million net of tax  contribution  to The Provident  Bank  Foundation.  Provident
Financial  reported basic earnings per share of $0.15 for the quarter ended June
30,  2003 and basic  earnings  per share of $.02 for six  months  ended June 30,
2003, which includes the results of operations from January 15, 2003.

"Our  operating  results for the second quarter are  characterized  by sustained
growth in net interest  income,  moderate  growth in core deposits and continued
maintenance of asset  quality,"  said Paul M.  Pantozzi,  Chairman of the Board,
Chief Executive Officer and President of Provident Financial Services,  Inc. and
The Provident Bank.  "While the  continuation of low interest rates has resulted
in some margin  compression," he added,  "our diversified  balance sheet and our
low cost of funds  positioned  us to show growth in net  interest  income in the
second quarter."

COMPARISON OF OPERATING RESULTS

Total net interest  income  increased $6.0 million or 21.0% to $34.7 million for
the quarter  ended June 30, 2003 compared to $28.7 million for the quarter ended
June 30, 2002.  Interest  income for the second  quarter of 2003  increased $4.2
million or 9.4% to $48.8 million  compared to $44.6  million for the  comparable
quarter  in 2002.  Interest  expense  decreased  $1.7  million or 11.2% to $14.1
million for the quarter  ended June 30, 2003  compared to $15.8  million for the
quarter ended June 30, 2002.

The average  balance of investment  securities  held to maturity and  securities
available for sale increased  $946.8 million or 122.94% to $1.72 billion for the
quarter ended June 30, 2003 compared to $770.1 million for the comparable period
in 2002.  This  increase is  primarily  due to the receipt of proceeds  from the
conversion  of The  Provident  Bank  from a mutual to stock  savings  bank and a
leverage  strategy  that began in the fourth  quarter of 2002 and was  completed
early in the  second  quarter  of this year.  The  average  balance of net loans
increased  $57.9 million or 3.0% to $1.99 billion for the quarter ended June 30,
2003 compared to $1.93 billion for the  comparable  quarter in 2002. The average
yield on interest  earning  assets  decreased  133 basis points to 5.00% for the
quarter  ended June 30,  2003  compared to 6.33% for the  comparable  quarter in
2002. The reduction in the yield on interest earning assets was primarily due to
the  reinvestment  of cash  flows  from  loan and  mortgage-  backed  securities
prepayments  in  lower  yielding  loans  and  investments  and to the  temporary
investment  of  conversion  account  proceeds  in  short-term  U.S.   Government
securities.

Average core deposit  account  balances  increased  $229.5  million or 16.40% to
$1.629  billion at June 30, 2003  compared to $1.399  billion at June 30,  2002.
Core  deposit  accounts  consist of all demand  deposit  and  savings  accounts.
Average time deposit balances  decreased $69.9 million or 6.94% to $1.01 billion
for the quarter ended June 30, 2003 compared to $1.08 billion for the comparable
quarter  in 2002.  Average  borrowings  increased  $685.5  million or 197.89% to
$580.4  million for the quarter ended June 30, 2003  compared to $194.8  million
for the  quarter  ended  June 30 2002.  The  average  cost of  interest  bearing
liabilities  decreased 69 basis  points to 1.92% for the quarter  ended June 30,
2003 compared to 2.61% for the quarter ended June 30, 2002.  The decrease in the
average cost of  interest-bearing  liabilities can be attributed to the decrease
in core  deposit  account  rates  and the  continued  decrease  in rates on time
deposits.



Net interest  margin  decreased  52 basis points to 3.56% for the quarter  ended
June 30, 2003 compared to 4.08% for the quarter ended June 30, 2002, and the net
interest margin decreased 57 basis points to 3.52% compared to 4.09% for the six
months ended June 30, 2002.  The interest rate spread  decreased 64 basis points
to  3.08%  for the  quarter  ended  June 30,  2003  compared  to  3.72%  for the
comparable  quarter in 2002,  and the  interest  rate spread  decreased 74 basis
points to 3.00% from 3.74% for the six months ended June 30, 2002.  Net interest
margin and net interest spread have been negatively  impacted by the current low
interest  rate  environment.  Cash flows from loans and  investments  related to
refinance activity are being reinvested at lower current interest rates.

Non-interest income decreased $2.5 million to $3.4 million for the quarter ended
June 30, 2003 compared to $5.9 million for the  comparable  period in 2002.  For
the three months ended June 30, 2003,  losses on  securities  transactions  were
$1.7  million  compared to a net gain of $14,000 for the three months ended June
30,  2002.  The  losses on  securities  are  attributable  to the high  level of
principal  repayments  on  mortgage-backed  securities  held  in the  investment
portfolio as result of increased mortgage refinance activity. For the six months
ended June 30, 2003, non-interest income decreased $3.5 million or 29.1% to $8.5
million  compared to $12.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2002.  This
decrease  can  be  attributed  to a net  loss  of  $2.1  million  on  securities
transactions  for the six months ended June 30, 2003 compared with a net gain of
$995,000 on securities  transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2002. The
net loss on security  transactions  in 2003 is primarily  attributable to losses
due to the high level of principal repayments on mortgage-backed securities. The
gain on security  transactions,  is due to a gain of $959,000 in 2002 related to
the  receipt of stock as the  result of an  insurance  company  demutualization.
Income on retail fees decreased $152,000 or 4.0% to $3.7 million for the quarter
ended June 30,  2003  compared to $3.8  million  for the quarter  ended June 30,
2002. For the six months ended June 30, 2003, fees on retail accounts  increased
$235,000 or 3.1% to $7.7  million  compared  to $7.5  million for the six months
ended June 30, 2002.  Other income  decreased  $694,000 or 63.8% to $394,000 for
the quarter  ended June 30, 2003 compared to $1.09 million for the quarter ended
June 30, 2002.  For the six months ended June 30, 2003,  other income  decreased
$556,000 or 36.94% to $949,000  compared  to $1.5  million for six months  ended
June 30, 2002. This decrease is primarily attributable to a decrease of $355,000
or 55.0%  arising  from a net profit on the sale of loans for the quarter  ended
June 30,  2003  compared  to net  profit  on the  sale of  loans in the  related
comparable  time  period in 2002.  For the six months  ended  June 30,  2003 net
profit on the sale of loans decreased $302,000 or 34.36% to $577,000 compared to
$879,000 in the comparable  time period in 2002. The reduction in net profits on
the sale of loans is  attributable  to a balance  sheet  management  decision to
retain  up to  $75.0  million  in  long-term  fixed  rate  residential  loans in
portfolio in lieu of selling those loans.  Net gains on the sale of other assets
decreased $185,000 to $53,000 compared to $238,000 in the comparable time period
in 2002.  For the six months  ended June 30, 2003 net gains on the sale of other
assets  decreased  $164,000 or 58.78% to $115,000  compared to $279,000  for the
comparable period in 2002. The gain recorded in 2002 was primarily  attributable
to a $200,000 gain associated with the sale of bank-owned property.

Non-interest  expense  increased  $2.1 million or 9.4% to $24.7  million for the
quarter ended June 30, 2003 compared to $22.6 million for the comparable quarter
in 2002. For the six months ended June 30, 2003,  non-interest expense increased
$27.6 million or 61.9% to $72.2 million as compared to $44.6 million at June 30,
2002.  This  increase  is due to the one time  expense  associated  with the $24
million dollar  contribution  to The Provident Bank Foundation that was recorded
in the first quarter of 2003. Salary and benefit expense  increased  $958,000 or
8.2% to $12.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2003 compared to $11.7
million for the three months ended June 30, 2002.  For the six months ended June
30, 2003 salaries and benefits  increased  $1.5 million or 6.3% to $24.6 million
compared  to $23.2  million on June 30,  2002.  Employee  Stock  Ownership  Plan
amortization expense in the amount of $1.2 million was recorded in the first six
months of 2003.  Data  processing  expense  increased  $182,000 or 12.4% to $1.7
million for the quarter  ended June 30,  2003  compared to $1.5  million for the
comparable  quarter in 2002. For six months ended June 30, 2003 data  processing
expense  increased  $250,000 or 8.3% to $3.3 million compared to $3.0 million at
June 30, 2002.  Other  operating  expenses  increased  $839,000 or 19.7% to $5.1
million for the quarter  ended June 30,  2003  compared to $4.3  million for the
comparable  quarter in 2002. For six months ended June 30, 2003 other  operating
expenses  increased  $1.4  million  or 17.1% to $9.6  million  compared  to $8.2
million on June 30,  2002.  This  increase  is  primarily  due to an increase of
$861,000 or 296.9% in insurance premiums.

The  provision  for loan  losses for the three  months  ended June 30,  2003 was
$300,000,  a decrease of $300,000  or 50.0%  compared to $600,000  for the three
months ended June 30, 2002.  For six months ended June 30, 2003,  the  provision
for loan losses was $900,000 compared to $1.2 million in 2002. The allowance for
loan losses was $21.5  million or 1.06% of total loans at June 30, 2003 compared
to $21.9  million or 1.13% of total loans at June 30, 2002 and $21.0  million or
1.02% of total loans at December 31, 2002.  At June 30, 2003,  the allowance for
loan losses as a percentage of  non-performing  loans  decreased to 375.97% from
474.56% at June 30, 2002 and increased from 246.55% at December 31, 2002.



COMPARISON OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

Total assets at June 30, 2003  increased  $266.0 million or 6.8% to $4.2 billion
compared to $3.9 billion at December 31, 2002.

Total loans at June 30, 2003  decreased  $24.8  million or 1.2% to $2.03 billion
compared to $2.05  billion at December  31,  2002.  Residential  mortgage  loans
increased $18.7 million or 2.67% to $718.1 million for the six months ended June
30, 2003 compared to $699.5 million at December 31, 2002.  Residential  mortgage
loan originations  totaled $192.2 million and 1-4 family loans purchased totaled
$19.8 million at June 30, 2003. Residential loan payoffs totaled $172.2 million,
excluding  scheduled  amortization,  and loans sold totaled $2.2 million at June
30, 2003.  Commercial real estate loans decreased $9.0 million or 2.1% to $428.7
million at June 30,  2003  compared  to $437.7  million at  December  31,  2002.
Multi-family  loans  decreased  $2.7  million to $74.3  million at June 30, 2003
compared to $77.0  million at December 31, 2002.  Construction  loans  decreased
$5.5 million or 5.7% to $90.5 million at June 30, 2003 compared to $96.0 million
at December 31, 2002. Commercial loans increased $12.4 million or 6.5% to $202.4
million at June 30,  2003  compared  to $190.0  million at  December  31,  2002.
Mortgage  warehouse loans decreased $35.2 million or 12.74% to $241.2 million at
June 30, 2003 compared to $276.4  million at December 31, 2002.  Consumer  loans
decreased  $3.7 million or 1.32% to $272.2  million at June 30, 2003 compared to
$275.8 million at December 31, 2002.  Retail loans,  which consist of 1-4 family
residential  mortgages and consumer loans,  such as fixed-rate home equity loans
and lines of credit, totaled $990.3 million and accounted for 48.85% of the loan
portfolio at June 30, 2003 compared to $975.3 million or 47.53% of the portfolio
at December 31, 2002.  Commercial  loans,  consisting of commercial real estate,
multi-family,  construction,  mortgage  warehouse and commercial loans,  totaled
$1.037  billion,  accounting for  51.15which  includes the results of operations
from January 15, 2003% of the loan  portfolio at June 30, 2003  compared to $1.1
billion or 52.47% at December 31, 2002.

Investment  securities held to maturity  increased  $307.8 million or 142.42% to
$523.9  million at June 30,  2003,  compared to $216.1  million at December  31,
2002. The increase in investment securities held to maturity was the result of a
strategy to leverage a portion of our  capital.  Securities  available  for sale
decreased  $52.1  million or 4.20% to $1.19 billion at June 30, 2003 compared to
$1.24 billion at December 31, 2002.

Other Real Estate Owned  increased  $1.8  million in the quarter  ended June 30,
2003  representing  a commercial  real estate loan.  This loan was originated in
1989 and was performing until August of 2002 when it was placed into non-accrual
status.  After exhausting all collection  efforts, a deed in lieu of foreclosure
was taken and we are marketing the property for sale.

Bank owned Life Insurance  increased  $21.8 million or 45.7% to $69.5 million at
June 30, 2003 compared to $47.7 million at December 31, 2002.  This increase was
due  primarily  to an  additional  $20.0  million  purchase  of bank  owned life
insurance in the first quarter of 2003.

Total  non-performing  loans  totaled $5.7 million at June 30, 2003  compared to
$8.5  million  at  December  31,  2002  and  $4.6  million  at  June  30,  2002.
Non-performing  assets were $7.5  million and $8.5  million at June 30, 2003 and
December  31,  2002,  respectively,  compared to $4.8  million at June 30, 2002.
Total non-performing loans as a percentage of total loans were 0.28% at June 30,
2003  compared to 0.41% at December  31,  2002 and 0.24% at June 30,  2002.  The
allowance for loan losses as a percentage of non-performing loans was 375.97% at
June 30, 2003  compared to 246.55% at December  31, 2002 and 474.56% at June 30,
2002.  The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans was 1.06% at
June 30,  2003  compared to 1.02% at  December  31,  2002 and  decreased 7 basis
points from 1.13% at June 30, 2002.

Total  deposits  decreased  $571.7  million or 17.6% to $2.7 billion at June 30,
2003 from $3.2 billion at December 31, 2002. The largest  decrease was in demand
deposit  accounts,  which decreased $551.5 million to $718.0 million at June 30,
2003 from $1.27  billion at  December  31,  2002.  This  decrease  is  primarily
attributable to the funds held in the conversion  escrow account totaling $526.0
million that were held for the purchase of Provident Financial  Services,  Inc.,
common  stock.  Savings  deposits  increased  $39.9  million  or 4.32% to $962.3
million at June 30, 2003 compared to $922.4  million at December 31, 2002.  Time
deposits  decreased  $60.2  million or 5.72% to $991.3  million at June 30, 2003
from $1.05 billion at December 31, 2002

Total borrowed funds increased $289.6 million or 89.6% to $612.6 million at June
30,  2003 from $323.1  million at  December  31,  2002.  Federal  Home Loan Bank
borrowings  increased  $295.8  million or 110.74% to $562.9  million at June 30,
2003 compared to $267.1  million at December 31, 2002.  The increase in borrowed
funds was due primarily to a leverage strategy.



The Provident Bank  maintains its corporate  offices in Jersey City, New Jersey.
The  Provident  Bank  currently  operates 50 full  service  branches  throughout
northern and central New Jersey.

Forward-looking Statements

Certain statements contained herein are "forward-looking  statements" within the
meaning of Section  27A of the  Securities  Act of 1933 and  Section  21E of the
Securities  Exchange  Act  of  1934.  Such  forward-looking  statements  may  be
identified  by  reference  to a  future  period  or  periods,  or by the  use of
forward-looking  terminology,   such  as  "may,"  "will,"  "believe,"  "expect,"
"estimate,"  "anticipate,"  "continue,"  or similar terms or variations on those
terms, or the negative of those terms. Forward-looking statements are subject to
numerous risks and uncertainties,  including,  but not limited to, those related
to the  economic  environment,  particularly  in the  market  areas in which the
Company operates, competitive products and pricing, fiscal and monetary policies
of the U.S. Government,  changes in government  regulations  affecting financial
institutions,  including  regulatory fees and capital  requirements,  changes in
prevailing  interest  rates,   acquisitions  and  the  integration  of  acquired
businesses,  credit risk management,  asset-liability  management, the financial
and securities markets and the availability of and costs associated with sources
of liquidity.

The Company  wishes to caution  readers not to place undue  reliance on any such
forward-looking  statements,  which speak only as of the date made.  The Company
wishes  to advise  readers  that the  factors  listed  above  could  affect  the
Company's financial performance and could cause the Company's actual results for
future periods to differ  materially  from any opinions or statements  expressed
with respect to future periods in any current  statements.  The Company does not
undertake  and  specifically  declines any  obligation  to publicly  release the
result of any revisions which may be made to any  forward-looking  statements to
reflect events or circumstances  after the date of such statements or to reflect
the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.





                PROVIDENT FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
                      Consolidated Statements of Condition
                 June 30, 2003 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2002
                             (Dollars in Thousands)

                       Assets                                            June 30, 2003              December 31, 2002
                                                                  -----------------------------   -----------------------

                                                                                                         
Cash and due from banks                                        $                     122,837                   101,352
Federal funds sold                                                                    58,500                    73,000
Short-term investments                                                                70,503                    90,503
                                                                  -----------------------------   -----------------------

                     Total cash and cash equivalents                                 251,840                   264,855
                                                                  -----------------------------   -----------------------

Investment securities (market value of $533,951                                      523,921                   216,119
    (unaudited) and $221,435 at June 30,
    2003 and December 31, 2002)
Securities available for sale, at fair value                                       1,189,989                 1,242,118
Federal Home Loan Bank stock                                                          28,147                    13,356

Loans                                                                              2,028,101                 2,052,855
    Less allowance for loan losses                                                    21,517                    20,986
                                                                  -----------------------------   -----------------------
                     Net loans                                                     2,006,584                 2,031,869
                                                                  -----------------------------   -----------------------

Other real estate owned, net                                                           1,834                      --
Banking premises and equipment, net                                                   44,966                    44,005
Accrued interest receivable                                                           17,105                    15,842
Intangible assets                                                                     23,655                    25,405
Bank owned life insurance                                                             69,453                    47,659
Other assets                                                                          27,680                    17,980
                                                                  -----------------------------   -----------------------
                     Total assets                              $                   4,185,174                 3,919,208
                                                                  =============================   =======================

               Liabilities and Equity
Deposits:
    Demand deposits                                            $                     717,971                 1,269,421
    Savings deposits                                                                 962,287                   922,404
    Certificates of deposit of $100,000 or more                                      157,446                   160,867
    Other time deposits                                                              833,895                   890,642
                                                                  -----------------------------   -----------------------
                     Total deposits                                                2,671,599                 3,243,334

Mortgage escrow deposits                                                              10,405                     9,582
Borrowed funds                                                                       612,639                   323,081
Other liabilities                                                                     17,214                    17,202
                                                                  -----------------------------   -----------------------

                     Total liabilities                                             3,311,857                 3,593,199
                                                                  -----------------------------   -----------------------

Stockholders' Equity:
  Preferred stock, $0.01 par value,
     50,000,000 shares authorized, none issued                                          --
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized,
     61,538,300 shares issued and 61,538,300 and 0 shares outstanding at June
     30, 2003 and December 31, 2002.
     respectively                                                                        615
Additional paid-in capital                                                           606,081
Retained earnings                                                                    314,044                   314,111
Accumulated other comprehensive income                                                 8,740                    11,898
Less: Unallocated common stock held by
     Employee Stock Ownership Plan                                                    (56,163)
                                                                  -----------------------------   -----------------------
                                                                  -----------------------------   -----------------------
                     Total stockholders' equity                                      873,317                   326,009
                                                                  -----------------------------   -----------------------
                     Total liabilities and stockholders
                         equity                                $                   4,185,174                 3,919,208
                                                                  =============================   =======================






                PROVIDENT FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
                      Consolidated Statements of Operations
      Three Months and Six Months Ended June 30, 2003 and 2002 (Unaudited)
                             (Dollars in Thousands)


                                                                 Three Months Ended               Six Months Ended
                                                                 June 30         June 30       June 30        June 30
                                                              2003                2002           2003          2002
Interest income:
                                                                                                   
    Real estate secured loans                             $   20,815              24,031        42,192         48,960
    Commercial loans                                           5,504               4,310        11,058          8,274
    Consumer loans                                             4,577               5,400         9,389         10,915
    Investment securities                                      5,151               1,325         8,839          2,693
    Securities available for sale                             12,166               8,987        23,919         16,540
    Other short-term investments                                 176                 100           244            128
                                                          ----------          ----------    ----------     ----------
    Federal funds                                                379                 426           693            762

                   Total interest income                      48,768              44,579        96,334         88,272
                                                          ----------          ----------    ----------     ----------
Interest expense:
    Deposits                                                  10,019              13,820        22,170         27,984
    Borrowed funds                                             4,044               2,021         6,812          4,109
                                                          ----------          ----------    ----------     ----------
                   Total interest expense                     14,063              15,841        28,982         32,093
                                                          ----------          ----------    ----------     ----------
                   Net interest income                        34,705              28,738        67,352         56,179

Provision for loan losses                                        300                 600           900          1,200
                                                          ----------          ----------    ----------     ----------
                   Net interest income after
                     provision for loan losses                34,405              28,138        66,452         54,979
                                                          ----------          ----------    ----------     ----------
Non-interest income:
    Fees                                                       3,657               3,809         7,710          7,475
    Net gain (loss) on securities
      transactions                                            (1,724)                 14        (2,116)           995
    Commissions                                                   87                 324           158            598
    Bank owned life insurance                                    992                 708         1,794          1,405
    Other income                                                 394               1,088           949          1,505
                                                          ----------          ----------    ----------     ----------
                   Total non-interest income                   3,406               5,943         8,495         11,978
                                                          ----------          ----------    ----------     ----------
Non-interest expense:
    Salaries and employee benefits                            12,621              11,663        24,646         23,190
    Net occupancy expense                                      3,425               3,279         6,835          6,578
    Federal deposit insurance                                    126                 103           234            207
    Data processing expense                                    1,655               1,473         3,273          3,023
    Advertising and promotion expense                            835                 988         1,492          1,706
    Amortization of intangibles                                  939                 812         2,134          1,715
    Other operating expenses                                   5,096               4,257         9,612          8,207
    Contribution to The Provident Bank Foundation               --                  --          24,000           --
                                                          ----------          ----------    ----------     ----------
                   Total non-interest expenses                24,697              22,575        72,226         44,626
                                                          ----------          ----------    ----------     ----------
                   Income before income tax expense
                     and the cumulative effect of a
                     change
                     in accounting principle              $   13,114              11,506         2,721         22,331

Income tax expense                                             4,276               3,404           326          6,786
                                                          ----------          ----------    ----------     ----------
                   Income before the cumulative effect
                     of a change in accounting                 8,838               8,102         2,395         15,545
                     principle

Cumulative effect of a change in accounting
principle, net of tax of $0                                       --                  --            --           (519)
                                                          ----------          ----------    ----------     ----------
                   Net income                             $    8,838               8,102         2,395         15,026
                                                          ==========          ==========    ==========     ==========
Basic Earnings Per Share                                       $0.15                             $0.02
Average basic shares outstanding                          59,257,827                        59,655,159







               PROVIDENT FINANACIAL SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
                        CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
              (dollars in thousands, except share data)(unaudited)

                                                                 For the                               For the
                                                             3 Months Ended                        6 Months Ended
                                                                 June 30                               June 30
                                                         2003               2002               2003               2002
                                                      ---------          ---------          ---------          ---------
INCOME STATEMENT:
                                                                                                     
Net Interest Income                                 $   34,705             28,738         $   67,352             56,179
Provision for Loan Losses                                  300                600                900              1,200
Non-interest Income                                      3,406              5,943              8,495             11,978
Non-interest Expense                                    24,697             22,575             72,226             44,626
Income before income tax expense
  and the cumulative effect of a
  change in accounting principle                        13,114             11,506              2,721             22,331
Cumulative effect of a change in
  accounting principle                                       0                  0                  0              (519)
Net Income                                               8,838              8,102              2,395             15,026
Basic Earnings Per Share (1)                             $0.15            -                    $0.02            -
Interest Rate Spread                                     3.08%              3.72%              3.00%              3.74%
Net Interest Margin                                      3.56%              4.08%              3.52%              4.09%

PROFITABILITY:
Return on average assets                                 0.86%              1.08%              0.12%              1.02%
Return on average equity                                 3.97%             11.01%              0.59%             10.24%
Operating expense to
     average assets                                      2.39%              3.00%              3.57%              3.02%
Efficiency ratio (net of foundation expense) (2)        62.00%             65.12%             61.86%             66.45%

ASSET QUALITY:
Non-performing loans                                                                           5,723              4,627
Other Real Estate Owned                                                                        1,834                123
Non-performing loans to
     total loans                                                                               0.28%              0.24%
Non-performing assets to
     total                                                                                     0.18%              0.15%
     assets
Allowance for loan losses                                                                     21,517             21,958
Allowance for loan losses to
     non-performing loans                                                                    375.97%            474.56%
Allowance for loan losses to
     total loans                                                                               1.06%              1.13%
AVERAGE BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Assets                                              $4,134,273         $3,011,080         $4,049,687         $2,959,833
Loans, net                                          $1,985,482         $1,927,536         $1,984,339         $1,951,522
Earnings Assets                                     $3,904,091         $2,814,872         $3,823,370         $2,743,950
Core Deposits                                       $1,628,895         $1,399,420         $1,648,440         $1,362,112
Borrowings                                          $  580,374         $  194,830         $  498,662         $  191,195
Interest Bearing Liabilities                        $2,929,071         $2,429,173         $2,839,937         $2,382,986
Stockholders Equity                                 $  889,518         $  294,416         $  808,624         $  293,499
Average yield on interest
     earning assets                                       5.00%              6.33%              5.04%              6.43%

Average cost of interest
     bearing liabilities                                  1.92%              2.61%              2.04%              2.69%


CAPITAL:
Leverage Capital                                        20.49%              9.39%             20.49%              9.39%
Total risk based capital                                36.78%             14.93%             36.78%             14.93%
Average equity to
     average assets                                     21.52%              9.78%             19.97%              9.92%

<FN>
Notes
(1) Basic Earnings per share for six months includes the results of operations
    from January 15, 2003, the date we completed our Plan of Conversion, in
    the amount of $1,415,000, for the six months ended June 30, 2003.

(2) Efficiency Ratio Calculation
                                                       6/30/03            6/30/02            6/30/03            6/30/02
     Net Interest Income                                34,705             28,738             67,352             56,179
     Non Interest Income                                 3,406              5,943              8,495             11,978
     (Less) gains/plus losses on securities              1,724                -14              2,116               -995
     Total Income:                                      39,835             34,667             77,963             67,162

     Non Interest Expense:                              24,697             22,575             72,226             44,626

     LESS: Provident Bank Charitable
     Foundation Donation                                     0                  0            -24,000                  0
     Adjusted Non Interest Expense                      24,697             22,575             48,226             44,626

     Expense/Income:                                    62.00%             65.12%             61.86%             66.45%

</FN>