ITEM 8.01 OTHER EVENTS.

On November 24, 2008, New Century Bancorp, Inc. (the "Registrant") issued a press release (the "Press Release") announcing that it had elected not to participate in the U.S. Treasury Department's TARP Capital Purchase Program. A copy of the Press Release is attached at Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 9.01 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

(d) Exhibits

Exhibit No. Description of Exhibit
99.1 Press Release dated November 24, 2008

This Current Report on Form 8-K (including information included or incorporated by reference herein) may contain, among other things, certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, without limitation, (i) statements regarding certain of Registrant's goals and expectations with respect to earnings, income per share, revenue, expenses and the growth rate in such items, as well as other measures of economic performance, including statements relating to estimates of credit quality trends, and (ii) statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words "may," "could," "should," "would," "believe," "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "plan," "projects," "outlook" or similar expressions. These statements are based upon the current belief and expectations of Registrant's management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that are subject to change based on various factors (many of which are beyond Registrant's control).

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