Exhibit 99.1

Press Release

For Immediate Release
Contact: Claire S. Bean, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
1-508-528-7000 x363

Benjamin Franklin Bancorp Reports Results for Third Quarter of 2006;
Increases Quarterly Dividend

FRANKLIN, MASSACHUSETTS (October 26, 2006): Benjamin Franklin Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company” or “Benjamin Franklin”) (Nasdaq: BFBC), the bank holding company for Benjamin Franklin Bank (the “Bank”), today reported net income of $1.2 million, or $.15 per share (basic and diluted), for the quarter ended September 30, 2006. For the nine months ended September 30, 2006, the Company reported earnings of $3.7 million or $.46 per share (basic and diluted). In the comparable 2005 quarter, the Company earned $1.3 million or $.16 per share (basic and diluted). Results for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 were affected by two non-recurring charges, resulting in a loss of $882,000 for the period.

The Company also today announced that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $.04 per common share, which represents an increase of 33% over the amount paid in prior quarters. This dividend will be payable on November 24, 2006 to stockholders of record as of November 10, 2006.

Thomas R. Venables, President and CEO, noted: “We are continuing to execute our growth strategy, through investments in new branches and personnel designed to stimulate business loan and deposit growth. We are making progress, particularly in commercial lending where we have achieved solid growth in 2006. Our momentum is being hampered by the flat yield curve and related narrowing of our net interest margin. Though margin relief appears unlikely in the near term, we remain committed to our expansion plan.”

In the first nine months of 2006, the Company’s balance sheet increased by $35.2 million, or 4.1%, to $902.3 million. Asset growth was focused primarily in loans, which increased by $30.5 million or 5.0% during the nine month period. This growth was funded by increases in deposit balances totaling $14.6 million or 2.4%, and in borrowed funds, which increased by $19.6 million or 14.0% in the first nine months of 2006.

Deposit growth was focused almost entirely in time deposit accounts, which increased by $37.2 million or 14.1% in the nine month period ended September 30, 2006, offset by decreases in savings (down $11.7 million or 12.0%), NOW accounts (down $7.2 million or 22.4%), and money market accounts (down $4.7 million or 5.0%). Demand deposits increased by $1.0 million during the nine-month period, and continue to represent 20% of the Company’s total deposit balances. With increases in short-term market interest rates,

customers continue to exhibit a preference for short-term time deposits, causing the shift away from lower-rate savings and transaction accounts.

The increase in loans during the first nine months of 2006 was largely the result of growth in the Bank’s commercial loan portfolio, as commercial real estate loans increased by $21.5 million or 10.3% and commercial business loans increased by $3.6 million or 18.9%. Consumer loans also grew during the period, rising by $5.9 million or 17.0%, due to growth in the Company’s portfolio of home equity loans and lines of credit.

Non-performing assets as a percentage of total assets stood at 0.21% at September 30, 2006. The allowance for loan losses as a percent of total loans was unchanged at 0.93% as of September 30, 2006 and 2005.

The Company’s net interest margin (“NIM”) was 3.05% for the three months ended September 30, 2006, a decrease of 29 basis points compared to the third quarter of 2005. Included in interest income for the third quarter of 2006 was an extra quarterly FHLBB stock dividend payment, which had the effect of increasing the NIM by 5 basis points. The reduction in the NIM compared to the year earlier period is due to increases in funding costs, which have outpaced increases in yields earned on loans and securities. Overall, increases in rates paid on interest-bearing deposits have risen by 91 basis points compared to the third quarter of 2005, as customers have transferred funds into short-term time deposits from lower-rate savings and transaction accounts. The intense competitive pressure in the Bank’s market area, coupled with the increases in short-term market interest rates over the past year, has driven up interest rates paid on time deposit products significantly over the past twelve months.

Third quarter results benefited from an increase in non-interest income, which rose by $405,000 or 30.8%, when measured against the comparable 2005 period. Most of this growth is attributable to a $355,000 or 72.0% increase in fee revenue generated by CSSI, the Bank’s ATM servicing subsidiary.

The Company’s adjusted efficiency ratio for the quarter (excluding amortization of the core deposit intangible and gains/losses on sales of bank assets) increased to 71.9% compared to 64.6% in the year earlier period. Nearly half of the increase between periods is attributable to the expense associated with stock options and restricted stock, incurred for the first time during the most recent quarter. In the twelve months, total expense for these awards will amount to $1.5 million, a figure that reflects the Company’s recognition of stock compensation expense using an accelerated method allowed by SFAS No. 123R.

The remainder of the increase in the efficiency ratio is primarily staffing-related, consistent with the Company’s growth plans, including establishing new branch locations in Massachusetts. The Company’s new Wellesley office opened in August of 2006. A new branch location in Watertown is expected to open early in the second quarter of

2007, while a third new location is also likely in the first half of 2007. These new branch openings will adversely affect the Company’s profits in the year 2007.

Without those non-GAAP adjustments, the efficiency ratio based on GAAP numbers for the quarter was 74.0% versus 69.9% for the comparable quarter in 2005. For a reconciliation, see the table at the end of this release.

Certain statements herein constitute “forward-looking statements” and actual results may differ from those contemplated by these statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They often include words like “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” and “intend” or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could” or “may.” Certain factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expected results include changes in the interest rate environment, changes in general economic conditions, legislative and regulatory changes that adversely affect the businesses in which Benjamin Franklin Bancorp is engaged and changes in the securities market. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether in response to new information, future events or otherwise.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN BANCORP, INC AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands)

	September 30,			December 31,
	2006			2005
	(Unaudited)			(Audited)
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks	$	15,305		$	16,499
Cash supplied to ATM customers		39,409			37,200
Short-term investments		10,090			12,051
Total cash and cash equivalents		64,804			65,750
Securities available for sale, at fair value		123,851			122,379
Securities held to maturity, at amortized cost		43			109
Restricted equity securities, at cost		10,952			10,012
Total securities		134,846			132,500
Loans
Residential real estate		286,486			286,204
Commercial real estate		230,466			209,009
Construction		59,964			60,399
Commercial business		22,792			19,162
Consumer		40,734			34,814
Net deferred loan costs		1,161			1,214
Total loans, gross		641,603			610,802
Allowance for loan losses		(5,941	)		(5,670	)
Loans, net		635,662			605,132
Premises and equipment, net		11,722			11,167
Accrued interest receivable		3,583			3,045
Bank-owned life insurance		10,200			7,451
Goodwill		33,763			33,763
Identifiable intangible asset		3,301			4,133
Other assets		4,400			4,116
	$	902,281		$	867,057
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Deposits:
Regular savings	$	86,240		$	97,960
Money market accounts		89,620			94,347
NOW accounts		24,954			32,147
Demand deposit accounts		125,424			124,396
Time deposit accounts		299,986			262,823
Total deposits		626,224			611,673
Short-term borrowings		8,000			—
Long-term debt		151,963			140,339
Other liabilities		7,723			6,933
Total liabilities		793,910			758,945
Common stock, no par value; 75,000,000 shares authorized; 8,468,137 shares issued and 8,249,802 shares outstanding at September 30, 2006; 8,488,898 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2005		—			—
Additional paid-in capital		82,689			82,849
Retained earnings		35,867			32,942
Unearned compensation		(8,150	)		(5,353	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(2,035	)		(2,326	)
Total stockholders’ equity		108,371			108,112
	$	902,281		$	867,057

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN BANCORP, INC AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share and share data)

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2006		2005		2006			2005
	(Unaudited)				(Unaudited)
Interest and dividend income:
Loans, including fees	$	9,620	$	8,716	$	27,698		$	21,656
Debt securities		1,396		1,103		4,035			2,657
Dividends		245		110		388			271
Short-term investments		134		100		536			344
Total interest and dividend income		11,395		10,029		32,657			24,928
Interest expense:
Interest on deposits		3,691		2,375		10,328			5,798
Interest on borrowings		1,719		1,334		4,518			3,123
Total interest expense		5,410		3,709		14,846			8,921
Net interest income		5,985		6,320		17,811			16,007
Provision for loan losses		200		152		327			648
Net interest income, after provision for loan losses		5,785		6,168		17,484			15,359
Other income:
ATM servicing fees		848		493		2,182			1,002
Deposit service fees		375		356		1,044			857
Loan servicing fees		106		126		382			331
Investment sales commissions		13		—		110			—
Gain on sale of loans, net		110		52		249			72
Gain on sale of securities		10		—		10			—
Security impairment writedown		—		—		(35	)		—
Loss on sale/write-down of bank-owned land, net		—		—		—			(1,020	)
Income from bank-owned life insurance		99		83		250			204
Miscellaneous		158		204		471			605
Total other income		1,719		1,314		4,663			2,051
Operating expenses:
Salaries and employee benefits		3,063		2,529		8,509			7,010
Occupancy and equipment		662		654		1,970			1,753
Data processing		512		468		1,413			1,339
Professional fees		232		257		965			624
Marketing and advertising		214		273		525			546
Contribution to Benjamin Franklin Bank Charitable Foundation		—		—		—			4,000
Amortization of core deposit intangible		254		445		832			1,044
Other general and administrative		767		713		2,165			1,628
Total operating expenses		5,704		5,339		16,379			17,944
Income (loss) before income taxes		1,800		2,143		5,768			(534	)
Provision for income taxes		632		814		2,073			348
Net income (loss)	$	1,168	$	1,329	$	3,695		$	(882	)
Weighted-average shares outstanding:
Basic		7,931,455		8,148,113		7,996,242			N/A
Diluted		7,937,021		8,148,113		7,998,098			N/A
Earnings per share:
Basic	$	0.15	$	0.16	$	0.46			N/A
Diluted	$	0.15	$	0.16	$	0.46			N/A

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
SELECTED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS AND OTHER DATA
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

	At or For the Three Months						At or For the Nine Months
	Ended September 30,						Ended September 30,
	2006			2005			2006			2005
	(Unaudited)						(Unaudited)
Financial Highlights:
Net interest income	$	5,985		$	6,320		$	17,811		$	16,007
Net income (loss)	$	1,168		$	1,329		$	3,695		$	(882	)
Shares outstanding — end of period		7,807,438			8,066,825			7,807,438			8,066,825
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic		7,931,455			8,148,113			7,996,242			n/a
Diluted		7,937,021			8,148,113			7,998,098			n/a
Shareholders’ equity	$	108,371		$	107,732
Book value per share	$	13.88		$	13.36
Tangible book value per share	$	9.13		$	8.61
Ratios and Other Information:
Return on average assets		0.52	%		0.61	%		0.56	%		-0.16	%
Return on average equity		4.25	%		4.84	%		4.54	%		-1.44	%
Average interest rate spread(1)		2.36	%		2.92	%		2.52	%		2.82	%
Net interest margin(2)		3.05	%		3.34	%		3.08	%		3.22	%
Efficiency ratio(3)		71.86	%		64.55	%		69.87	%		67.87	%
Non-interest expense to average total assets(4)		2.54	%		2.46	%		2.47	%		3.21	%
Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities		120.10	%		121.45	%		120.44	%		122.65	%
At period end:
Non-performing assets to total assets		0.21	%		0.05	%
Non-performing loans to total loans		0.29	%		0.08	%
Allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans		314.84	%		1208.37	%
Allowance for loan losses to total loans		0.93	%		0.93	%
Equity to total assets		12.01	%		12.58	%
Tier 1 leverage capital ratio		9.62	%		9.79	%
Total risk-based capital ratio		14.46	%		15.48	%
Number of full service offices		10			9

(1)	The average interest rate spread represents the difference between the weighted-average yield on interest-earning assets and the weighted-average cost of interest-bearing liabilities for the period.
(2)	The net interest margin represents net interest income divided by average total interest-earning assets for the period.
(3)	The efficiency ratio represents non-interest expense minus expenses related to the amortization of intangible assets and (in 2005) the contribution to the Benjamin Franklin Bank Charitable Foundation, divided by the sum of net interest income (before the loan loss provision) plus non-interest income (excluding net gains (losses) on sale of bank assets). Without those non-GAAP adjustments the efficiency ratio based on GAAP numbers for the periods shown were 74.04%, 69.94%, 72.88% and 99.37%, respectively. For a reconciliation, see the table at the end of this release.
(4)	For the nine-month 2005 period, if the Charitable Foundation contribution were excluded, the ratio of non-interest expense to average total assets would have been 2.49%.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN BANCORP, INC AND SUBSIDIARY
ANALYSIS OF NET INTEREST INCOME

	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2006							2005
	Average							Average
	Outstanding							Outstanding
	Balance		Interest		Yield/Rate(1)			Balance		Interest		Yield/Rate(1)
	(Dollars in thousands)
Interest-earning assets:
Loans	$	633,064	$	9,620		6.00	%	$	607,136	$	8,716		5.70	%
Securities		136,104		1,641		4.10	%		128,734		1,213		3.74	%
Short-term investments		10,562		134		4.96	%		15,139		100		2.62	%
Total interest-earning assets		779,730		11,395		5.66	%		751,009		10,029		5.30	%
Non-interest-earning assets		113,101							111,195
Total assets	$	892,831						$	862,204
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Savings deposits	$	90,143		113		0.50	%	$	106,123		133		0.50	%
Money market accounts		94,712		502		2.10	%		106,015		432		1.62	%
NOW accounts		25,941		9		0.15	%		36,438		12		0.13	%
Certificates of deposit		290,595		3,067		4.19	%		247,960		1,798		2.88	%
Total deposits		501,391		3,691		2.92	%		496,536		2,375		1.90	%
Borrowings		147,866		1,719		4.55	%		121,854		1,334		4.34	%
Total interest-bearing liabilities		649,257		5,410		3.29	%		618,390		3,709		2.38	%
Non-interest bearing liabilities		134,481							134,899
Total liabilities		783,738							753,289
Equity		109,093							108,915
Total liabilities and equity	$	892,831						$	862,204
Net interest income			$	5,985						$	6,320
Net interest rate spread(2)						2.36	%						2.92	%
Net interest-earning assets(3)	$	130,473						$	132,619
Net interest margin(4)						3.05	%						3.34	%
Average interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities						120.10	%						121.45	%

(1)	Yields and rates for the three months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 are annualized.
(2)	Net interest rate spread represents the difference between the yield on average interest-earning assets and the cost of average interest-bearing liabilities.
(3)	Net interest-earning assets represents total interest-earning assets less total interest-bearing liabilities.
(4)	Net interest margin represents net interest income divided by average total interest-earning assets.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN BANCORP, INC AND SUBSIDIARY
ANALYSIS OF NET INTEREST INCOME

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2006							2005
	Average							Average
	Outstanding							Outstanding
	Balance		Interest		Yield/Rate(1)			Balance		Interest		Yield/Rate(1)
	(Dollars in thousands)
Interest-earning assets:
Loans	$	621,074	$	27,698		5.91	%	$	528,411	$	21,656		5.48	%
Securities		137,547		4,423		4.29	%		116,350		2,928		3.37	%
Short-term investments		15,221		536		4.64	%		19,230		344		2.39	%
Total interest-earning assets		773,842		32,657		5.60	%		663,991		24,928		5.02	%
Non-interest-earning assets		113,255							84,433
Total assets	$	887,097						$	748,424
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Savings deposits	$	93,835		352		0.50	%	$	103,492		391		0.50	%
Money market accounts		103,106		1,728		2.24	%		93,744		1,099		1.57	%
NOW accounts		27,111		30		0.15	%		31,584		52		0.22	%
Certificates of deposit		281,552		8,218		3.90	%		211,602		4,256		2.69	%
Total deposits		505,604		10,328		2.73	%		440,422		5,798		1.76	%
Borrowings		136,892		4,518		4.35	%		100,931		3,123		4.14	%
Total interest-bearing liabilities		642,496		14,846		3.08	%		541,353		8,921		2.20	%
Non-interest bearing liabilities		135,763							125,076
Total liabilities		778,259							666,429
Equity		108,838							81,995
Total liabilities and equity	$	887,097						$	748,424
Net interest income			$	17,811						$	16,007
Net interest rate spread(2)						2.52	%						2.82	%
Net interest-earning assets(3)	$	131,346						$	122,638
Net interest margin(4)						3.08	%						3.22	%
Average interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities						120.44	%						122.65	%

(1)	Yields and rates for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 are annualized.
(2)	Net interest rate spread represents the difference between the yield on average interest-earning assets and the cost of average interest-bearing liabilities.
(3)	Net interest-earning assets represents total interest-earning assets less total interest-bearing liabilities.
(4)	Net interest margin represents net interest income divided by average total interest-earning assets.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release contains financial information determined by methods other than in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The Company’s management uses these non-GAAP measures in its analysis of the Company’s performance. These measures typically adjust GAAP performance measures to exclude significant gains or losses that are expected to be non-recurring and to exclude the effects of amortization of intangible assets (in the case of the efficiency ratio). Because these items and their impact on the Company’s performance are difficult to predict, management believes that presentations of financial measures excluding the impact of these items provide useful supplemental information that is essential to a proper understanding of the operating results of the Company’s core businesses. These disclosures should not be viewed as a substitute for operating results determined in accordance with GAAP, nor are they necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures that may be presented by other companies.

	Three months ended						Nine months ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2006			2005			2006			2005
Efficiency ratio based on GAAP numbers		74.04	%		69.94	%		72.88	%		99.37	%
Effects of amortization of intangible assets		(3.35	)		(5.87	)		(3.74	)		(5.49	)
Effects of contribution to the Benjamin Franklin Bank Charitable Foundation		—			—			—			(21.05	)
Effects of net gain/(loss/write-down) on sale of bank assets		1.17			.48			.73			(4.96	)
Efficiency ratio — Reported		71.86	%		64.55	%		69.87	%		67.87	%