SUMMIT, N.J., Hilltop Community Bancorp, Inc. (OTCBB:HTBC), the holding company for Hilltop Community Bank (the Bank) announced that its Board of Directors has authorized the payment of a 5% stock dividend. Shareholders of record on December 6, 2005 will receive one share of common stock for each twenty shares they own, payable on December 22, 2005.

In a joint statement, Chairman Richard D. Wellbrock and CEO Mortimer J. O’Shea commented: “ There have been a number of positive developments at Hilltop during 2005 and we wanted to acknowledge that good news with this third annual payment of a stock dividend to our shareholders. Our loan volume has grown 42% over the past twelve months, reflecting our continuing efforts to increase our loan to deposit ratio and our net interest income. Total assets also have increased, by approximately 22%, since the first of the year. And, our newest branch office, in Madison, is on track to meet its deposit budget at year end.” 

Hilltop Community Bank is a state chartered commercial bank  which commenced operations on February 7, 2000, The Bank operates as a locally headquartered, community oriented bank engaged in a general commercial banking business. The Bank has offices in Summit, Berkeley Heights and Madison, and administrative offices in New Providence. The service area includes surrounding communities in Union, Essex, Morris and Somerset Counties.

The foregoing contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are not historical facts and include expressions about management's confidence and strategies and management's expectations about new and existing programs and products, relationships, opportunities, technology and market conditions. Such forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties. These include, but are not limited to, the direction of movement in interest rates, the possibility of disruption in credit markets, successful implementation and integration of acquisitions, the effects of economic conditions and the impact of legal barriers and structures. Actual results may differ from such forward- looking statements. The Corporation assumes no obligation for updating any such forward-looking statements at any time. 

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