Exhibit 99.1


PRESS RELEASE                                      CONTACT:  Michael M. Ciaburri
                                                                 President & COO
                                                                  (203) 782-1100


                  SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT BANCORP, INC. ANNOUNCES
               APPOINTMENT OF DANIEL R. DENNIS, JR. AS CHAIRMAN OF
             THE BANK OF SOUTHEASTERN CONNECTICUT (IN ORGANIZATION)


New Haven, CT March 23,  2005--Southern  Connecticut Bancorp,  Inc. (AMEX: SSE),
the  holding  company  for The  Bank of  Southern  Connecticut  and The  Bank of
Southeastern   Connecticut  (In  Organization),   is  pleased  to  announce  the
appointment  of Daniel R.  Dennis,  Jr. as Chairman of The Bank of  Southeastern
Connecticut (In  Organization),  subject to regulatory  approval.  The new bank,
headquartered at 15 Masonic Street, New London, Connecticut, is expected to open
during  the  second  half of 2005  and  will  cater  to  small  to  medium  size
businesses, professionals and individuals.

Mr.  Dennis,  a seasoned  banker with over 36 years of experience in the banking
industry,  is the former Chairman,  President and CEO of Norwich Financial Corp.
and the  Norwich  Savings  Society,  which  was  acquired  by  People's  Bank of
Bridgeport,  Connecticut  in 1998.  He retired  two years ago from  People's  as
Senior  Vice  President  and  Eastern  Market  Manager.  Dennis,  "welcomes  the
opportunity  to  return  to  banking  and  become  involved,  once  again,  with
commercial lending in southeastern Connecticut."

"We are pleased to have Dan as the Chairman of our new bank in New London. He is
an  accomplished  banker who has achieved great success in the banking  industry
during a long and storied  career,"  stated Michael M.  Ciaburri,  President and
Chief Operating Officer of Southern Connecticut Bancorp, Inc.

Dennis, who continues to be actively involved in the community,  is a corporator
of  Backus  Hospital  and a  Board  member  of the  hospital's  subsidiary,  WWB
Corporation.   He  is  also  treasurer  of  the  Norwich  Community  Development
Corporation where he served as president for 17 years.

Mr. Dennis, who resides in North Stonington with his wife, Janice,  will also be
appointed to the Board of Directors of Southern Connecticut Bancorp, Inc., which
is based at 215 Church Street, New Haven, Connecticut.