Filed by North Fork Bancorporation, Inc.
                          Pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities
                          Act of 1933
                          Subject Company:  Dime Bancorp, Inc.
                          Commission File No. 001-13094

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE         INVESTOR: DANIEL M. HEALY
                                         EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
                                         CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
                                         516-844-1258

                               PRESS:    KEKST AND COMPANY
                                         VICTORIA WELD
                                         JEREMY FIELDING
                                         212-521-4800

 MELVILLE, N.Y. - MARCH 27, 2000 - NORTH FORK BANCORPORATION, INC.
 (NYSE:NFB) announced today that it may be prepared to increase and/or
 change the mix of stock and cash in its offer for Dime Bancorp, Inc. John
 Adam Kanas, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of North Fork
 stated:  "We would welcome an opportunity to meet with Dime management and
 members of its Board of Directors in order to provide them with an
 opportunity to convince us that Dime's earnings potential is greater than
 we estimate.  This process would serve as a basis for our consideration of
 both increasing and possibly changing the mix of our stated offer.  We
 extend this offer in good faith and look forward to a favorable response
 from them."

 North Fork added it would enter into discussions with Dime only with the
 consent of Hudson United Bancorp.  As previously reported, Dime's merger
 agreement with Hudson United currently prohibits Dime from entering into
 discussions with third parties, including North Fork, concerning
 acquisition transactions.  Mr. Kanas stated:  "I intend to contact Ken
 Neilson, Hudson's Chief Executive, promptly to seek to obtain Hudson
 United's consent to allow us to enter into discussions with Dime."

 Investors and security holders are advised to read North Fork's proxy
 statement with respect to North Fork's solicitation of proxies against the
 proposed Dime/Hudson merger and North Fork's registration statement with
 respect to its exchange offer for Dime common stock, each as filed with the
 Securities and Exchange Commission, and any amendments or supplements to
 either of them, because each of these documents contains important
 information.  Investors and security holders may obtain a free copy of the
 proxy statement, the exchange offer registration statement and other
 documents filed by North Fork with the SEC at the SEC's Internet web site
 at www.sec.gov.  The proxy statement, the exchange offer registration
 statement and such other documents may also be obtained free of charge by
 overnight mail or direct electronic transmission by calling North Fork's
 proxy solicitor, D.F. King & Co., Inc., toll-free at 1-800-755-7250.

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