ECB Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: ECBE) ("ECB" or the "Company"), parent of The East Carolina Bank ("Bank") announces that despite the current national economic situation, The East Carolina Bank remains strong, safe and focused on its customers' and communities' needs. In fact, ECB has recently been recognized in the nation's top 33 performing small-cap Banks and Thrifts (Sm-All Star) by leading investment banking firm Sandler O'Neill and Partners, L.P.

With concerns about FDIC Insurance, ECB is now offering an innovative new service, Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service (CDARS), which allows CD customers to have 100% of their CD deposits FDIC-insured up to $50 million. Furthermore, ECB does not have any Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac preferred stock in its investment portfolio and is considered well-capitalized under the FDIC regulatory framework.

Safety and soundness is a tradition with ECB and its first six months earnings in 2008 were one of Company's strongest. "We are essentially on track with last year's results which were the third best in the Company's history," stated Arthur H. Keeney, III, President and CEO.

Balance sheet growth was excellent, asset quality remained good, and revenue growth improved. That strong revenue growth, combined with excellent cost containment, resulted in earnings per share outperforming projections. ECB's asset quality remains better than the majority of its NC peers.

ECB's quality employee team stands ready to assist individuals, businesses and our communities to weather the current economic conditions.

ECB Bancorp, Inc. is a bank holding company, headquartered in Engelhard, North Carolina, whose wholly-owned subsidiary, The East Carolina Bank, is a state-chartered, independent community bank insured by the FDIC. The Bank was founded in 1920 and provides a full range of financial services through its 24 offices covering eastern NC from Currituck to Ocean Isle Beach and Greenville to Hatteras. ECB also provides mortgages, insurance services through the Bank's licensed agents, and investment and brokerage services offered through a third-party broker-dealer. The Company's common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol "ECBE". More information can be obtained by visiting ECB's web site at www.ecbbancorp.com.

The East Carolina Bank (ECB)
Mimi van Nortwick
Senior Vice President, Marketing/Operations
252-925-9111, ext. 52236
Fax: 252-925-8491
Mimi.vanNortwick@ecbbancorp.com