OSWEGO, NY--(MARKET WIRE)--Jul 22, 2008 -- Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc., the mid-tier holding company of Pathfinder Bank, (PBHC - News) (listing: PathBcp) announced today that it is commencing a stock repurchase program to acquire up to 45,000 shares of the Company's common stock, which represents approximately 5% of the publicly traded common stock outstanding.

Thomas W. Schneider, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, stated that the Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase program, which will expire in six months. Mr. Schneider stated that the Board of Directors considers the common stock to be an attractive investment, particularly in view of the current price at which the common stock is trading relative to the Company's earnings per share and book value per share, market and economic factors generally, as well as other factors.

According to Mr. Schneider, the repurchases are authorized to be made by the Company from time to time during the next six months as, in the opinion of management, market conditions warrant. Any repurchased shares will be held as treasury stock and will be available for general corporate purposes.

Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. is the mid-tier holding company of Pathfinder Bank, a New York chartered savings bank headquartered in Oswego, New York. The Bank has seven full service offices located in its market area consisting of Oswego County. Presently, the only business conducted by Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. is the 100% ownership of Pathfinder Bank and Pathfinder Statutory Trust I.

This release may contain certain forward-looking statements, which are based on management's current expectations regarding economic, legislative, and regulatory issues that may impact the Company's earnings in future periods. Factors that could cause future results to vary materially from current management expectations include, but are not limited to, general economic conditions, changes in interest rates, deposit flows, loan demand, real estate values, and competition; changes in accounting principles, policies, or guidelines; changes in legislation or regulation; and economic, competitive, governmental, regulatory, and technological factors affecting the Company's operations, pricing, products, and services.

     CONTACT:
     Thomas W. Schneider
     President, CEO
      
     James A. Dowd
     Vice President, CFO
      
     Telephone:  (315) 343-0057