Beacon Federal Bancorp, Inc. Announces Update On Stock Repurchase Program

EAST SYRACUSE, N.Y., March 30, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Beacon Federal Bancorp,
Inc. (Nasdaq:BFED) ("the Company") announced today the completion of their first
stock repurchase program, purchasing 383,116 shares at a weighted average cost
of $8.00.

Beacon Federal also announced today that its Board of Directors has authorized a
second stock repurchase program to purchase an additional 5% of its outstanding
shares, or up to 363,963 shares. The timing of the repurchases will depend on
certain factors, including but not limited to, market conditions and prices, the
Company's liquidity requirements and alternative uses of capital. Any
repurchased shares will be held as treasury stock and will be available for
general corporate purposes.

Mr. Ross J. Prossner, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company,
stated, "We continue to believe our common stock is an attractive value at
current trading prices and the additional authorization reflects Management and
the Board of Directors commitment to improving shareholder value."

"That vote of confidence is further reinforced as we fast approach the
completion in June of our new 45,000-square foot corporate headquarters in East
Syracuse, NY," added Prossner. "The site will house Beacon's administrative and
management teams as well as a full-service branch featuring drive-through
service -- including ATM service lanes -- and a 24-hour ATM in our lobby. The
new branch is Beacon's eighth and reflects our steady, measured growth."

Beacon Federal Bancorp, Inc., through its subsidiary, Beacon Federal, offers
banking and related financial services to both individual and commercial
customers. The Bank is headquartered in East Syracuse, New York, with six
full-service branches in Marcy and Rome, New York, Smartt and Smyrna, Tennessee,
Tyler, Texas and Chelmsford, Massachusetts.

Forward-Looking Statement

This press release contains statements that are forward-looking, as that term is
defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 or the
Securities and Exchange Commission in its rules, regulations, and releases. The
Bank and Company intend that such forward-looking statements be subject to the
safe harbors created thereby. All forward-looking statements are based on
current expectations regarding important risk factors including, but not limited
to, real estate values and the impact of interest rates on financing.
Accordingly, actual results may differ from those expressed in the
forward-looking statements, and the making of such statements should not be
regarded as a representation by the Bank or Company or any other person that
results expressed therein will be achieved. Forward-looking statements speak
only as of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to
update them in light of new information of future events.

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CONTACT: Beacon Federal Bancorp, Inc.
Randy J. Wiley, Treasurer
(315) 433-0111 x 1550