PRESS RELEASE

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                         SUFFOLK [LOGO] BANCORP

Contact:  Douglas Ian Shaw                      6 West Second Street
          Corporate Secretary                   Riverhead, NY 11901
          (631) 727-5667           (631) 727-5667 (Voice) - (631) 727-3214 (FAX)
                                             invest@suffolkbancorp.com

               SUFFOLK BANCORP ELECTS JAMES E. DANOWSKI DIRECTOR

      Riverhead, New York, June 25, 2002, - Suffolk Bancorp (NASDAQ - SUBK)
announced that the Board of Directors, at its regular meeting on June 24, 2002,
has elected James E. Danowski, CPA, as a Director of Suffolk Bancorp and its
banking subsidiary, The Suffolk County National Bank ("SCNB"). He assumed his
duties at the time of his election.

                                                                         [PHOTO]

      Edward J. Merz, Chairman of the Board, commented, "As the veteran of more
than a quarter century at Suffolk Bancorp and its predecessor, The Suffolk
County National Bank, I am gratified to welcome another member to the new
generation of our company's leadership. Tempered by the long experience and
institutional knowledge of long-term directors like myself, Mr. Danowski will
add fresh perspective and new ideas to our deliberations." President and Chief
Executive Officer, Thomas S. Kohlmann, added, "As an experienced certified
public accountant, Mr. Danowski's election further deepens the financial
sophistication of our Board. This is no small consideration as scrutiny of the
financial statements of publicly held companies grows ever more intense. He is
also well known and respected throughout our market, and will guide us well as
we develop new business in commercial lending, private banking, and trusts and
estates."

      Mr. Danowski has been a partner in the accounting firm, Coughlin,
Foundotos, Cullen, & Danowski, L.L.P., since 1982. He has been affiliated with
the firm, located in Port Jefferson, New York, since 1977. Taxes are his area of
expertise, and he has earned the AICPA Achievement Certificate for tax planning
and advising closely held companies. Mr. Danowski is an alumnus of Earl L.
Vandermeulen High School in Port Jefferson, New York, and of Dowling College in
Oakdale, New York. He is a past Board member of the Visiting Nurse Services,
Inc. and serves on the Mather Memorial Hospital Leadership Council. He lives in
Wading River, New York, with his wife, Jeanne. They have two sons.

      Suffolk Bancorp is a one-bank holding company engaged in the commercial
banking business through The Suffolk County National Bank, a full service
commercial bank headquartered in Riverhead, New York. "SCNB" is Suffolk
Bancorp's wholly owned subsidiary. Organized in 1890, The Suffolk County
National Bank is the second largest independent bank headquartered on Long
Island, with 28 offices in Suffolk County, New York.

      Safe Harbor Statement pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation
                               Reform Act of 1995

      This press release may include statements which look to the future. These
can include remarks about Suffolk Bancorp, the banking industry, and the economy
in general. These remarks are based on current plans and expectations. They are
subject, however, to a variety of uncertainties that could cause future results
to vary materially from Suffolk's historical performance, or from current
expectations. Factors affecting Suffolk Bancorp include particularly, but are
not limited to: changes in interest rates; increases or decreases in retail and
commercial economic activity in Suffolk's market area; variations in the ability
and propensity of consumers and businesses to borrow, repay, or deposit money,
or to use other banking and financial services; and changes in government
regulations.

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