Exhibit 99

PRESS RELEASE

             JACKSONVILLE BANCORP TO BEGIN TRADING ON NASDAQ

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., October 17, 2002 - JACKSONVILLE BANCORP,
INC. (OTC: JAXB), today announced that its common stock has been
approved for listing on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market.  The Company
anticipates that its shares will begin trading on the Nasdaq
SmallCap Market on Wednesday, October 23, 2002, under the same
symbol, "JAXB".

"We believe that approval for listing on Nasdaq further confirms
the success of our growth strategy and strong financial
fundamentals.  Our results have reflected ongoing positive
performance trends, and we look forward to announcing our
continued progress in the forthcoming earnings release," said
Gilbert J. Pomar, III, President and CEO.  Mr. Pomar continued,
"The listing should enhance shareholder value by increasing
awareness of the Company within the investment community, while
investors also should benefit from additional liquidity
supported by the convenience and trading dynamics of Nasdaq.  We
are very pleased to have reached this significant milestone in
just over three years of operating history."

Jacksonville Bancorp, Inc., a bank holding company, is the
parent of The Jacksonville Bank, a Florida state-chartered bank
focusing on the Northeast Florida market. The Jacksonville Bank
opened for business on May 28, 1999, and provides a variety of
community banking services to businesses and individuals in
Jacksonville, Florida. More information is available at its
website at www.jaxbank.com.

The statements contained in this press release, other than
historical information, are forward-looking statements, which
involve risks, assumptions, and uncertainties. The risks,
uncertainties, and factors affecting actual results, include but
are not limited to: (i) the risks associated with new
businesses; (ii) general economic and political conditions;
(iii) competitive conditions; (iv) changes in bank regulatory
legislation and monetary policies; (v) changes in the interest
rate environment; (vi) success in minimizing credit risk and
nonperforming assets; (vii) changes in relevant accounting
principles; and (viii) the pace of technological change in the
banking industry.  The Company's actual results may differ
significantly from the results discussed in forward-looking
statements.  Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance
on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date
hereof.  The Company does not undertake any obligation to
publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking
statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date
hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
Additional information can be found regarding risk factors in
the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.