FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                        TRI-COUNTY FINANCIAL CORPORATION
                             DECLARES CASH DIVIDEND

WALDORF,  MARYLAND,  JANUARY 26, 2005--Tri-County  Financial Corporation (OTCBB:
TCFC),  the holding  company for Community Bank of Tri-County,  announced  today
that its Board of Directors declared a cash dividend for the year ended December
31, 2004 of $0.80 per share.  The cash dividend will be payable on April 4, 2005
to stockholders of record on March 25, 2005.

Tri-County Financial  Corporation is the bank holding company for Community Bank
of  Tri-County,  which  conducts  business  through  its main office in Waldorf,
Maryland,   and  seven  branch  offices  in  Waldorf,   Bryans  Road,   Dunkirk,
Leonardtown, La Plata, Charlotte Hall and Lexington Park, Maryland.

Contact:    Michael L. Middleton
            President and Chief Executive Officer
            (301) 843-0854