BLOOMINGTON, IN – Monroe Bancorp announced today net income for the year ended December 31, 2000 of $5,333,000, or $0.87 per common share. This is a 12.9 percent increase over 1999 net income for the local, independently owned company.

"We have come a long way since year-end 1999," said Mark D. Bradford, President and Chief Executive Officer of Monroe Bank, Monroe Bancorp's wholly owned subsidiary. "I'm proud of the progress we've made toward providing a greater value for our shareholders." The Company's return on equity climbed from 14.12 percent in 1999 to 14.78 percent for the year ended December 31, 2000, and dividends to shareholders for 2000 were up 17.7 percent from the total 1999 dividends.

Bradford said the Company is making strides toward increasing the liquidity of its stock by getting Monroe Bancorp stock (ticker symbol: MROE) listed on the Nasdaq National Stock Market. In January 2001, the Company became a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) registrant.

"Our stock has been traded over the counter for quite some time," said Bradford, "but being listed on the Nasdaq exchange will allow us to tell our story to a new audience of

investors. We think we have a great story, and we have hopes that this ability to spread the word will increase shareholder value."

The Company's total assets as of December 31, 2000 were $441,831,000, a 6.0 percent increase over the December 31, 1999 amount. Total net loans of $292,886,000 at December 31, 2000 were up 8.3 percent from the previous year.

"I'm extremely proud that we have achieved this level of loan growth without compromising our high standards for loan quality," said Mr. Bradford. "All the way through the loan process, our officers and staff work intimately with our customers to make sure that their repayment plan is workable without compromising our lending standards."

Established in Bloomington in 1892, Monroe Bank offers a full range of financial, trust and investment services through banking centers located in Monroe, Lawrence and Jackson counties. The Bank serves more than 19,000 retail and commercial customers.

The Annual Shareholders Meeting for Monroe Bancorp will be held Thursday, April 26, 2001 at 10:00 a.m. at the Bloomington Convention Center, 302 S. College Avenue.