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):  December 16, 2008

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):

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

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

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

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

Item 8.01 Other Events.

On December 17, 2008, the Registrant announced the declaration of a quarterly cash dividend of $0.23 per share, payable on January 13, 2009 to shareholders of record as of December 30, 2008.  A copy of the press release announcing the dividend is attached as Exhibit 99.1 this Current Report.

On December 16, 2008 the Registrant also announced the approval by shareholders of an amendment to Bridge Bancorp's Certificate of Incorporation to issue preferred shares.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(a)   Not Applicable.

(b)   Not Applicable.

(c)   Not Applicable.

(d)   Exhibits.

Exhibit No.                                                      Exhibit

99.1 Press Release dated December 17, 2008

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.

(Registrant)

By: /s/ Kevin M. O’Connor

Kevin M. O’Connor

Chief Executive Officer

Dated:  December 17, 2008

EX-99.1 CHARTER

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Howard H. Nolan

Senior Executive Vice President

Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary

631.537.1001 ext.7255

BRIDGE BANCORP, INC. ANNOUNCES FOURTH QUARTER 2008 DIVIDEND

and

 APPROVAL TO ISSUE PREFERRED SHARES

(Bridgehampton, NY – December 17, 2008) Bridge Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) (NASDAQ®:BDGE), the holding company for The Bridgehampton National Bank (the “Bank,” “BNB”), announced the declaration of a quarterly dividend of $0.23 per share.  The dividend will be payable on January 13, 2009 to shareholders of record as of December 30, 2008.  The Company continues its trend of uninterrupted dividends. The Company also announced the approval by its shareholders to amend Bridge Bancorp’s Certificate of Incorporation to authorize the issuance of preferred shares.  The amendment was approved at a special meeting of shareholders on December 16, 2008.

Kevin O’Connor, President and CEO commented, “We are always pleased to declare a dividend, and our uninterrupted history of consecutive dividends speaks to the strength of our institution and its management team, even in this difficult economy.”  He added, “We are also pleased that our shareholders voted overwhelmingly to support the Board and management’s recommendation to allow the issuance of preferred shares.  We now have the opportunity to participate in the U.S. Treasury’s Capital Purchase Program, an action that will enhance our capital and liquidity and help support our growth initiatives.”

Bridge Bancorp, Inc. is a one bank holding company engaged in commercial banking and

financial services through its wholly owned subsidiary, The Bridgehampton National Bank. Established in 1910, the Bank, with assets of approximately $750 million, operates 14 retail branch locations with a primary market area of eastern Long Island, extending westward into Riverhead Town.