ECB Bancorp, Inc. Reports Declaration of Quarterly Cash Dividend

ENGELHARD, N.C.--(Business Wire)--
ECB Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq: ECBE), the parent holding company of The East
Carolina Bank (the "Bank"), announces that on June 16, 2009, the Corporation's
Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.1825 per share,
payable July 13, 2009 to shareholders of record on June 29, 2009.

On an annualized basis, the Corporation's 2009 dividend of $0.73 per share
remains the same as the 2008 dividend.

About ECB Bancorp, Inc.

ECB Bancorp, Inc. is a bank holding company, headquartered in Engelhard, North
Carolina, whose wholly-owned subsidiary, The East Carolina Bank, is a
state-chartered, independent community bank insured by the FDIC. The Bank
provides a full range of financial services through its 24 offices covering
eastern North Carolina from Currituck to Ocean Isle Beach and Greenville to
Hatteras. The Bank also provides mortgages, insurance services through the
Bank`s licensed agents, and investment and brokerage services offered through a
third-party broker-dealer. The Company`s common stock is listed on The Nasdaq
Global Market under the symbol "ECBE". More information can be obtained by
visiting ECB's web site at www.ecbbancorp.com.

ECB Bancorp, Inc.
Gary M. Adams, Chief Financial Officer
252-925-5525
Fax: 252-925-8491

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