Exhibit 99.1




                      For Immediate Release
                For Further Information, Contact:
            Brian Arsenault, SVP, Investor Relations
                          207 761-8517



          Banknorth Group to Present at Two Conferences


February 26, 2003 -- Banknorth Group, Inc. (NYSE: BNK) announced
today that senior executives of the Company will present at two
conferences in early March.

On Wednesday, March 5, William J. Ryan, Banknorth Chairman,
President and Chief Executive Officer, will participate in a
Northeast Regional Banking Panel at the Sandler O'Neill &
Partners West Coast Financial Services Conference being held at
the Four Seasons Resort, Aviara, North San Diego, California.
The panel will be conducted from 7:10 a.m. to 8: 20 a.m., Pacific
Time.

A webcast of the panel discussion is available at Banknorth's
website - www.banknorth.com, Investor Relations.  The webcast can
also be accessed via: http://www.sandleroneill.com.  The conference
will also be available via audio conference at 800 239-8730.
Callers will need to reference the "Sandler O'Neill Conference."

On Thursday, March 6, Peter J. Verrill, Banknorth Chief Operating
Officer and Chief Financial Officer, will present at Keefe,
Bruyette & Woods Eastern Regional Bank Symposium at Le Meridien
Hotel in Boston, Massachusetts.  Mr. Verrill's presentation will
be from 8:15 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. Eastern Time.

A webcast of Mr. Verrill's presentation will be available at
Banknorth's website - www.banknorth.com.  The webcast is also
available at www.kbw.com.