8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): January 28, 2005

BRIDGE BANCORP, INC.

(Exact name of the registrant as specified in its charter)

New York	000-18546	11-2934195
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

2200 Montauk Highway Bridgehampton, New York	11932
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

(631) 537-1000

(Registrant’s telephone number)

N/A

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (See General Instruction A.2. below):

o  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4c under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4c)

Item 2.02    Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On January 28, 2005, Bridge Bancorp, Inc. issued a press release announcing the unaudited earnings results for the fourth quarter and year-to-date ended December 31, 2004, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 99.1 of this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference. The information furnished under Item 2.02 of this Current Report on Form 8-K, including Exhibit 99.1, shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Item 9.01    Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(c) Attached as an exhibit is the Company’s press release titled, “BRIDGE BANCORP, INC. ANNOUNCES YEAR END 2004 RESULTS OF OPERATIONS,” Dated January 28, 2005.

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	Bridge Bancorp, Inc.
Date:  January 28, 2005	By:	/s/ Thomas J. Tobin
		Chief Executive Officer

EXHIBIT INDEX

99.1    Press release titled, “BRIDGE BANCORP, INC. ANNOUNCES YEAR END 2004 RESULTS OF OPERATIONS,” Dated January 28, 2005.

EX-99.1

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:Sandra Novick                Corporate Secretary                (631) 537-1001, ext. 263  

BRIDGE BANCORP, INC.ANNOUNCES YEAR END 2004 RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Bridge Continues Trend of Record Earnings

(Bridgehampton, NY - January 28, 2005)  Bridge Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) (NASDAQ/OTCBB: BDGE), the holding company of The Bridgehampton National Bank (the “Bank”), announced the results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2004. The Company continued its trend of record earnings, posting net income of $10,377,000 for 2004, up 8.1% over $9,598,000 for 2003. Diluted earnings per share increased to $1.64 per share for 2004 from $1.53 per share for the prior year. Share and per share amounts have been adjusted for the three-for-two stock split, in the form of a stock dividend, effective July 9, 2004.

Earnings for the quarter ended December 31, 2004 increased to $2,547,000, 14.4% over the same period last year.

Thomas J. Tobin, President and Chief Executive Officer commented on the Company’s year-end results, “We are proud to report results of operations that reflect the high performance standards we consistently strive for. We met significant challenges successfully producing returns on average equity of 22.8% and average assets of 1.89%. Sound balance sheet management contributed to growth in net interest income of 5.2% or $1,205,000 over the prior year. Non interest income grew 15.4% primarily from the successful operation of Bridge Abstract, demonstrating the relevance of our efforts to diversify our income stream. Total assets grew 7.0% despite ever increasing competition in our markets. Our capital levels position us well for future growth.”

Mr. Tobin continued, “For the year we added $300,000 to the allowance for loan losses on loan growth of 8.4% or $22,946,000 over the prior year end. Total deposits were up 2.7% to $469,311,000 at December 31, 2004 compared to December 31, 2003. Total average deposits grew 9.0% year over year. Looking forward, we are committed to growing our franchise through branch expansion, as well as building share in existing markets. While 2004 presented economic, regulatory and competitive hurdles, we recognize that there are additional challenges on the landscape in 2005. We will need to continue the Company’s growth trends to offset anticipated lower interest margins, while at the same time we expect that competition for loans and deposits will continue to intensify. Achievement of our growth goals demands continu ed focus on the Bank’s value-added business model, and we will proactively explore new opportunities for non interest income generation.”

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:Sandra Novick                Corporate Secretary                (631) 537-1001, ext. 263  

The Annual Meeting of Bridge Bancorp, Inc. shareholders will be held on April 29, 2005 at 11:00 a.m., in the Community Room, Bridgehampton National Bank, 2200 Montauk Highway, Bridgehampton, NY.

The Bridgehampton National operates retail branches in Bridgehampton, East Hampton, Greenport Village, Hampton Bays, Mattituck, Montauk, Peconic Landing in Greenport, Sag Harbor, Southampton, Southampton Village, and Southold. The Bank is currently in the process of establishing its twelfth branch office in Westhampton Beach, NY.

Please see the attached Five Year Summary of Operations for selected financial data.

This press release may contain statements relating to the future results of the Company (including certain projections and business trends) that are considered “forward looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “PSLRA”). Such forward-looking statements, in addition to historical information, which involve risk and uncertainties, are based on the beliefs, assumptions and expectations of management of the Company. Words such as “expects,” “believes,” “should,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “will,” “potential,” “could,” “intend,” “may,” “outlook,” “predict,” “project,” “would,” “estimates,” “likely, 8; and variations of such similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, possible or assumed estimates with respect to the financial condition, expected or anticipated revenue, and results of operations and business of the Company, revenue growth in retail banking, lending and other areas; origination volume in the Company’s consumer, commercial and other lending businesses; current and future capital management programs; non-interest income levels, including fees from services and product sales; tangible capital generation; market share; expense levels; and other business operations and strategies. For these statements, the Company claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the PSLRA.

Factors that could cause future results to vary from current management expectations include, but are not limited to, prevailing economic conditions, legislative and regulatory changes, monetary and fiscal policies of the federal government, changes in tax policies, rates and regulations of federal, state and local tax authorities, changes in interest rates, deposit flows, the cost of funds, demand for loan products, demand for financial services, competition, changes in the quality and composition of the Bank’s loan and investment portfolios, changes in management’s business strategies, changes in accounting principles, policies or guidelines, changes in real estate values and other economic, competitive, governmental, regulatory and technological factors affecting the Bank’s operations, markets, pr oducts, services and prices. The forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-lookingstatements.

-more-

Five-Year Summary of Operations

(In thousands, except per share data and financial ratios)

(Unaudited)

December 31,		2004			2003			2002			2001			2000
Selected Financial Data:
Securities available for sale	$	204,021		$	195,341		$	182,416		$	127,102		$	115,537
Securities held to maturity		21,213			14,396			11,023			16,159			11,314
Total loans		296,134			273,188			248,388			215,362			201,092
Total assets		547,200			511,613			463,986			393,523			354,642
Total deposits		469,311			457,159			406,409			357,155			313,379
Total stockholders’ equity		47,213			42,794			39,971			32,861			28,788
Year Ended December 31,
Selected Operating Data:
Total interest income	$	26,923		$	25,968		$	26,486		$	27,009		$	25,458
Total interest expense		2,351			2,601			4,490			7,868			8,753
Net interest income		24,572			23,367			21,996			19,141			16,705
Provision for loan losses		300			-			220			323			105
Net interest income after provision for loan losses		24,272			23,367			21,776			18,818			16,600
Total other income		5,440			4,716			3,405			2,419			1,734
Total other expenses		13,564			12,997			11,942			11,198			10,234
Income before income taxes		16,148			15,086			13,239			10,039			8,100
Provision for income taxes		5,771			5,488			4,722			3,292			2,464
Net income	$	10,377		$	9,598		$	8,517		$	6,747		$	5,636
December 31,
Selected Financial Ratios and Other Data:
Return on average equity		22.82	%		22.58	%		23.93	%		21.41	%		22.41	%
Return on average assets		1.89	%		1.91	%		1.90	%		1.73	%		1.62	%
Average equity to average assets		8.30	%		8.46	%		7.96	%		8.06	%		7.23	%
Dividend payout ratio (1)		43.39	%		50.98	%		29.57	%		34.27	%		36.83	%
Diluted earnings per share	$	1.64		$	1.53		$	1.37		$	1.07		$	0.88
Basic earnings per share	$	1.66		$	1.55		$	1.38		$	1.07		$	0.89
Cash dividends declared per common share (1)	$	0.72		$	0.78		$	0.41		$	0.37		$	0.33

(1) On December 15, 2003, the Company declared a special dividend of approximately $1,660,000, or $0.27 per share.

Amounts have been restated for a three-for-two stock split, in the form of a stock dividend, effective July 9, 2004.