Exhibit 99.1

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:	William P. Hornby, CPA
	whornby@century-bank.com
Phone:	781-393-4630
Fax:	781-393-4071

CENTURY BANCORP, INC. ANNOUNCES 12% EARNINGS GROWTH FOR 2009; 25% ASSET
GROWTH TO $2.3BB; REGULAR DIVIDEND DECLARED

Medford, MA, January 19, 2010—Century Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:CNBKA) (www.century-bank.com) (“the Company”) today announced net income of $10,160,000 for the year ended December 31, 2009, or $1.84 per share diluted, an increase of 12.3% when compared to net income of $9,046,000, or $1.63 per share diluted, for the same period a year ago. For the quarter ended December 31, 2009, net income totaled $3,085,000, or $0.56 per share diluted, an increase of 9.8% when compared to net income of $2,811,000, or $0.51 per share diluted, for the same period a year ago. Total assets increased 25.1% from $1.8 billion at December 31, 2008 to $2.3 billion at December 31, 2009.

On May 22, 2009, the FDIC announced a special assessment on insured institutions as part of its efforts to rebuild the Deposit Insurance Fund and help maintain public confidence in the banking system. The special assessment was five basis points of each FDIC-insured depository institution’s assets minus Tier 1 capital, as of June 30, 2009. The Company recorded a pre-tax charge of approximately $1.0 million in the second quarter of 2009 in connection with the special assessment.

Net interest income totaled $47.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to $44.8 million for 2008. The 6.9% increase in net interest income for the period is mainly due to a 22.3% increase in the average balances of earning assets, combined with a similar increase in deposits. The increased volume was partially offset by a decrease of thirty-four basis points in the net interest margin. The net interest margin decreased from 3.00% on a fully taxable equivalent basis in 2008 to 2.66% on the same basis for 2009.

-more-

The provision for loan losses increased by $2.2 million from $4.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 to $6.6 million, in 2009, as a result of increases in loans on nonaccrual as well as continued deterioration in overall economic conditions such as increased unemployment. The Company capitalized on favorable market conditions and realized $2.7 million of net gains on sales of investments during the year ended December 31, 2009. Included in operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2009 are FDIC assessments of $3.3 million, as compared to $613,000 for 2008. FDIC assessments increased primarily as a result of the special assessment charge of approximately $1.0 million recorded in the second quarter of 2009 as well as an increase in the assessment rate beginning the second quarter of 2009.

The Company’s effective tax rate declined from 20.0% in 2008 to 10.4% in 2009 primarily as a result of an increase in tax-exempt income.

At December 31, 2009, total equity was $132.7 million compared to $120.5 million at December 31, 2008. The Company’s equity increased as a result of earnings and a decrease in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of taxes, offset somewhat by dividends paid. The Company’s leverage ratio stood at 7.73% at December 31, 2009, compared to 9.05% at December 31, 2008. This decline in the leverage ratio is due to an increase in assets, offset by an increase in stockholders’ equity. Book value as of December 31, 2009 was $24.00 per share compared to $21.76 at December 31, 2008.

The Company’s allowance for loan losses was $12.4 million or 1.41% of loans outstanding at December 31, 2009, compared to $11.1 million, or 1.33% of loans outstanding at December 31, 2008. Non-performing assets totaled $12.3 million at December 31, 2009, compared to $3.7 million at December 31, 2008. Non-performing assets increased primarily as a result of three loan relationships, one primarily commercial real estate and two construction.

The Company’s Board of Directors voted a regular quarterly dividend of 12.00 cents ($0.12) per share on the Company’s Class A common stock, and 6.00 cents ($0.06) per share on the Company’s Class B common stock. The dividends were declared payable February 16, 2010 to stockholders of record on February 1, 2010.

The Company, through its subsidiary bank, Century Bank and Trust Company, a state chartered full service commercial bank, operating twenty-two full-service branches in the Greater Boston area, offers a full range of Business, Personal and Institutional Services.

Century Bank and Trust Company is a member of the FDIC and is an Equal Housing Lender.

This press release contains certain “forward-looking statements” with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business of the Company. Actual results may differ from those contemplated by these statements. The Company wishes to caution readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any such forward-looking statements, whether in response to new information, future events or otherwise.

Century Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Comparative Statements of Condition (unaudited)
(in thousands)

	December 31,		December 31,
	2009		2008
Assets
Cash and Due From Banks	$	42,627	$	61,195
Federal Funds Sold and Interest-bearing Deposits In Other Banks		356,015		94,973
Short-term Investments		18,518		43,814
Securities Available-For-Sale (AFS)		647,796		495,585
Securities Held-to-Maturity		217,643		184,047
Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston stock, at cost		15,531		15,531
Loans:
Commercial & Industrial		141,061		141,373
Construction & Land Development		60,349		59,511
Commercial Real Estate		361,823		332,325
Residential Real Estate		188,096		194,644
Consumer and Other		7,720		9,258
Home Equity		118,076		98,954
Total Loans		877,125		836,065
Less: Allowance for Loan Losses		12,373		11,119
Net Loans		864,752		824,946
Bank Premises and Equipment		21,015		22,054
Accrued Interest Receivable		5,806		6,723
Goodwill		2,714		2,714
Core Deposit Intangible		896		1,283
Other Assets		60,722		48,701
Total Assets	$	2,254,035	$	1,801,566
Liabilities
Demand Deposits	$	279,874	$	277,217
Interest Bearing Deposits:
Savings and NOW Deposits		575,592		353,261
Money Market Accounts		553,883		308,177
Time Deposits		292,638		326,872
Total Interest Bearing		1,422,113		988,310
Total Deposits		1,701,987		1,265,527
Borrowed Funds:
Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase		118,745		112,510
Other Borrowed Funds		234,024		238,558
Total Borrowed Funds		352,769		351,068
Other Liabilities		30,466		28,385
Subordinated Debentures		36,083		36,083
Total Liabilities		2,121,305		1,681,063
Total Stockholders’ Equity		132,730		120,503
Total Liabilities & Stockholders’ Equity	$	2,254,035	$	1,801,566

Century Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Comparative Statements of Income (unaudited)
For the Quarter and Year Ended December 31, 2009 and 2008
(in thousands)

	Quarter Ended December 31,				Year Ended December 31,
	2009		2008		2009		2008
Interest Income:
Loans	$	12,266	$	12,576	$	48,199	$	49,303
Securities Held-to-Maturity		1,763		2,075		8,093		8,265
Securities Available-for-Sale		5,397		5,613		21,137		20,312
Federal Funds Sold and Interest-bearing Deposits In Other Banks		360		306		2,171		2,813
Total Interest Income		19,786		20,570		79,600		80,693
Interest Expense:
Savings and NOW Deposits		1,386		1,409		5,258		6,005
Money Market Accounts		1,181		1,780		6,100		7,260
Time Deposits		1,973		2,402		9,438		9,744
Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase		153		188		576		1,393
Other Borrowed Funds and Subordinated Debentures		2,644		2,859		10,351		11,512
Total Interest Expense		7,337		8,638		31,723		35,914
Net Interest Income		12,449		11,932		47,877		44,779
Provision For Loan Losses		2,475		1,450		6,625		4,425
Net Interest Income After
Provision for Loan Losses		9,974		10,482		41,252		40,354
Other Operating Income
Service Charges on Deposit Accounts		1,943		2,149		8,003		8,190
Lockbox Fees		660		654		2,814		2,953
Net Gain on Sales of Investments		1,619		—		2,734		249
Write-down of Certain Investments to Fair Value		—		—		—		(76	)
Other Income		639		696		2,919		2,659
Total Other Operating Income		4,861		3,499		16,470		13,975
Operating Expenses
Salaries and Employee Benefits		6,737		6,572		26,919		25,615
Occupancy		1,033		1,093		4,104		4,246
Equipment		546		675		2,372		2,874
FDIC Assessment		582		223		3,336		613
Other		2,520		2,287		9,648		9,680
Total Operating Expenses		11,418		10,850		46,379		43,028
Income Before Income Taxes		3,417		3,131		11,343		11,301
Income Tax Expense		332		320		1,183		2,255
Net Income	$	3,085	$	2,811	$	10,160	$	9,046

Century Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Year-to-Date Average Comparative Statements of Condition (unaudited)
(in thousands)

	December 31,		December 31,
	2009		2008
Assets
Cash and Due From Banks	$	57,573	$	58,398
Federal Funds Sold and Interest-Bearing Deposits in Other Banks		245,002		114,262
Securities Available-For-Sale (AFS)		611,246		473,344
Securities Held-to-Maturity		193,520		193,584
Total Loans		853,422		775,337
Less: Allowance for Loan Losses		13,330		9,997
Net Loans		840,092		765,340
Unrealized Gain on Securities AFS		4,766		(291	)
Bank Premises and Equipment		21,382		22,393
Accrued Interest Receivable		7,046		7,061
Goodwill		2,714		2,714
Core Deposit Intangible		1,094		1,485
Other Assets		49,408		45,070
Total Assets	$	2,033,843	$	1,683,360
Liabilities
Demand Deposits	$	277,300	$	267,966
Interest Bearing Deposits:
Savings and NOW Deposits		528,974		369,687
Money Market Accounts		432,159		308,432
Time Deposits		318,412		273,925
Total Interest Bearing		1,279,545		952,044
Total Deposits		1,556,845		1,220,010
Borrowed Funds:
Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase		98,635		94,526
Other Borrowed Funds		183,630		189,660
Total Borrowed Funds		282,265		284,186
Other Liabilities		31,289		21,363
Subordinated Debentures		36,083		36,083
Total Liabilities		1,906,482		1,561,642
Total Stockholders’ Equity		127,361		121,718
Total Liabilities & Stockholders’ Equity	$	2,033,843	$	1,683,360
Total Average Earning Assets — QTD	$	2,020,576	$	1,611,937
Total Average Earning Assets — YTD	$	1,903,190	$	1,556,527

Century Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Selected Key Financial Information (unaudited)
(in thousands, except share data)

	December 31,			December 31,
	2009			2008
Performance Measures:
Earnings per average share, basic, quarter	$	0.56		$	0.51
Earnings per average share, diluted, quarter	$	0.56		$	0.51
Earnings per average share, basic, year-to-date	$	1.84		$	1.63
Earnings per average share, diluted, year-to-date	$	1.84		$	1.63
Return on average assets, year-to-date		0.50	%		0.54	%
Return on average stockholders’ equity, year-to-date		7.98	%		7.43	%
Net interest margin (taxable equivalent), quarter		2.63	%		3.16	%
Net interest margin (taxable equivalent), year-to-date		2.66	%		3.00	%
Efficiency ratio, year-to-date		68.5	%		70.6	%
Book value per share	$	24.00		$	21.76
Tangible book value per share	$	23.35		$	21.04
Tangible capital / tangible assets		5.74	%		6.48	%
Common Share Data:
Average shares outstanding, basic, quarter		5,530,297			5,539,043
Average shares outstanding, basic, year-to-date		5,532,249			5,541,983
Average shares outstanding, diluted, quarter		5,533,943			5,539,092
Average shares outstanding, diluted, year-to-date		5,534,340			5,543,702
Shares outstanding Class A		3,515,767			3,511,307
Shares outstanding Class B		2,014,530			2,027,100
Total shares outstanding at period end		5,530,297			5,538,407
Assets Quality and Other Data:
Allowance for loan losses / loans		1.41	%		1.33	%
Nonaccrual loans	$	12,311		$	3,661
Nonperforming assets	$	12,311		$	3,661
Loans 90 days past due and still accruing	$	—		$	89
Accruing troubled debt restructures	$	521		$	—
Net charge-offs (recoveries), year-to-date	$	5,372		$	2,939
Leverage ratio		7.73	%		9.05	%
Tier 1 risk weighted capital ratio		14.45	%		15.30	%
Total risk weighted capital ratio		15.53	%		16.38	%
Total risk weighted assets	$	1,144,639		$	1,026,429