EXHIBIT 99




FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                              CONTACT:  William M. Brickman
                                                                  (201) 939-3400


                      1ST BERGEN BANCORP DECLARES DIVIDEND


     WOOD-RIDGE, NEW JERSEY (NOVEMBER 18, 1998) . . . 1st Bergen Bancorp
(NASDAQ:FBER), the holding company for South Bergen Savings Bank, today
announced that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend on its
common stock of seven cents ($0.07) per common share. The dividend will be
payable on December 31, 1998, to shareholders of record at the close of business
on December 14, 1998.

     William M. Brickman, President and Chief Executive Officer, said,"The
December 31st dividend payment represents the tenth consecutive quarter in which
the Company has paid a cash dividend on its common stock and is reflective to
Management's ongoing commitment to provide shareholder value."

     During the fourth quarter of 1998, 1st Bergen signed a Definitive Merger
Agreement with Kearny Federal Savings Bank whereby Kearny would pay $24 cash for
each share of 1st Bergen common stock. Kearny is a federal mutual savings bank
with assets of $794 million and five northern New Jersey banking offices. The
transaction is expected to close during the first quarter of 1999.

     Headquartered in Wood-Ridge, New Jersey, South Bergen Savings Bank is a
federally chartered stock savings bank that conducts business from its
headquarters and from its branch offices located in East Rutherford, Wanaque and
Montville, New Jersey. South Bergen Savings Bank's deposits are insured by the
Savings Association Insurance Fund (SAIF) of the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation (FDIC).


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