EXHIBIT 99.1

                               NORTH FORK BANCORP
   275 BROADHOLLOW ROAD, MELVILLE, NY 11747 (631) 844-1258 FAX (631) 844-1471




FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:DANIEL M. HEALY
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
(631) 844-1258



NORTH FORK TO PRESENT AT UPCOMING FINANCIAL SERVICES CONFERENCE

MELVILLE, N.Y. - FEBRUARY 26, 2002 - NORTH FORK BANCORPORATION, INC. (NYSE: NFB)
will be presenting at the Sandler O'Neill & Partners West Coast Financial
Services Conference, Wednesday, FEBRUARY 27 at 9:30 A.M. (PST).

      Sandler O'Neill has established a Webcast and an Audio Conference dial in
number for interested parties to view and/or listen to the presentation. The
Live and Archived Webcast can be accessed via Sandler's website
www.sandleroneill.com and click on CONFERENCE WEBCAST. The Audio Conference dial
in number to listen to the presentation live is 888-924-4447.

      The presentation can also be viewed on North Fork's own website
www.northforkbank.com and click on INVESTOR PRESENTATION.

                                     * * *

The presentation may contain certain forward-looking statements. Examples of
forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, estimates with
respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business of the
company that are subject to various factors which could cause actual results to
differ materially from these estimates. These factors include, but are not
limited to, general economic conditions, worldwide political and social unrest
including acts of war, changes in interest rates, deposit flows, loan demand and
competition; changes in legislation or regulation; changes in accounting
principles, policies or guidelines; and other economic, competitive,
governmental, regulatory, and technological factors affecting NFB's operations,
pricing, products and services. Investors are encouraged to read NFB's periodic
reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Access these filings
as well as other financial and business information regarding the company at
www.northforkbank.com.


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