EXHIBIT 99b

FOR RELEASE:      IMMEDIATELY

CONTACT:          JAMES HYMAN, PRESIDENT (908) 730-7630          PRESS RELEASE
                  ADRIAN MADONIA, JR.    (908) 788-9660

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            UNITY BANCORP, INC. ANNOUNCES FIRST QUARTER 1997 EARNINGS
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CLINTON, NEW JERSEY, APRIL 24, 1997...UNITY BANCORP, INC. (AMEX: UBI), parent
company of FIRST COMMUNITY BANK, reported net income of $196.5 thousand for the
first quarter of 1997, off 8% from the first quarter of 1996 net income of
$213.7 thousand.

On December 31st, the Bank opened a new office in Union followed by a Linden
branch, which is now open and operating. Costs associated with the development
of both branches and with the American Stock Exchange listing obtained in
January, contributed to the increased expenses during the first quarter.

The Corporation achieved a 44.6% increase in total assets to $187.6 million at
March 31, 1997, compared to $129.7 million a year earlier. Net loans jumped
50.9% to $104.3 million from $69.1 million last year. Total deposits rose 41.1%
to $168.0 million, compared to $119.0 million at March 31, 1996.

"Net interest income increased 36% to $3.3 million from $2.4 million, and non-
interest income increased 29% to $564 thousand from $438 thousand for the
respective quarters,:  reported Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Robert



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Van Volkenburgh. "These increases helped fund the expansion of the Bank's
balance sheet and physical facilities during the past year. We have made a
significant investment in expanding our franchise throughout the Central New
Jersey corridor and expect great benefit from this investment as the branches
mature in their respective markets."

UNITY BANCORP, INC.'S subsidiary FIRST COMMUNITY BANK (AMEX: UBI) is a community
oriented full-service commercial bank, providing a wide range of business and
consumer financial services through its main office in Clinton and its five
branches located in North Plainfield, Flemington, Springfield, Scotch Plains and
Union, New Jersey.

For additional information about the Bank's financial services, call 1-800-
540-4790, or visit FCB's Internet page at http://members.aol.com/FCB.JC. E-mail
can be addressed to the Bank at FCBJC@aol.com.




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