Hudson United Bank & Passaic County Technical Institute -PCTI- Announce Grand Opening of Hudson United Bank PCTI Branch Office On Tuesday, March 20, 2001

Business Wire, March 13, 2001

Business Editors

MAHWAH, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 13, 2001

Hudson United Bank (NYSE: HU) and Passaic County Technical Institute (PCTI) are pleased to announce the Grand Opening of the Hudson United Bank PCTI branch office on Tuesday, March 20, 2001, from 1 pm to 3 pm. A Grand Opening reception and ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at the school, located at 45 Reinhardt Road, in Wayne, NJ.

Special guest speakers at this landmark event include Karen L. Suter, Commissioner, New Jersey State Department of Banking and Insurance, and Susan Staudmyer, Executive Vice President, Retail Banking, Hudson United Bank.

The reception is by invitation only. Members of the press are welcome to attend and may RSVP to Sandy Woods at (973) 389-4203.

The Hudson United Bank PCTI branch is a unique concept and the only program of its kind in the state of New Jersey. Hudson United Bank has built a branch office in PCTI as a school-to-work program. The primary purposes of this in-school branch are:

-- To provide an educational opportunity for students interested in the
financial services industry by employing students within the branch.

-- To offer a "Learn-Discover" program providing both students and faculty with
educational opportunities on appropriate and timely financial issues.

-- To help students gain insight on developing financial responsibility and
independence.

-- To promote the use of electronic banking media - ATM, PC/Internet and
telephone - for meeting the financial needs of students, parents, faculty,
staff and Adult Education students.

Susan Staudmyer, Executive Vice President of Retail Banking at Hudson United, said, "The HUB PCTI program is modeled on a similar successful initiative Hudson United instituted over a year ago with Hamden High School in Hamden, Connecticut. Both programs demonstrate Hudson United Bank's ongoing commitment to provide viable school-to-work programs, financial education for students, and future career opportunities." Staudmyer added, "We're excited to make available summer jobs at Hudson United Bank to some of the outstanding student participants. Most importantly, we're working to make a difference in the students' lives - from continuing education on financial topics to opening the door to potential career paths."

Diana C. Lobosco, Superintendent of Passaic County Technical Institute, noted, "PCTI is very excited about the HUB PCTI relationship. Our faculty, staff and students are very enthusiastic about the program's unique growth and learning opportunities and outstanding potential for continuing education initiatives. Plus, having a Hudson United Bank branch located in the school provides our students, parents, faculty and staff with a convenient facility to address financial needs. It's a win-win for everyone."

For additional information about the Hudson United Bank PCTI program, please call Constance Russo-Martin, Senior Vice President and Director of Marketing at Hudson United, at (201) 236-2751.

Hudson United Bancorp is a $6.8 billion asset company with approximately 200 branch offices throughout New Jersey, Connecticut, New York and Pennsylvania. Hudson United Bancorp's subsidiaries offer a full array of innovative products and services to commercial and retail accounts, including imaged checking accounts, 24-hour telephone and Internet banking, loans by phone, alternative investment products, insurance products, private label credit programs and a wide variety of commercial loans and services including asset based loans, SBA loans, international services and cash management services. Trust services are also provided to individuals and businesses.