Roma Financial Corporation Announces Third Quarter 2009 Earnings

ROBBINSVILLE, N.J., Nov. 4, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Roma Financial Corporation
(Nasdaq:ROMA) (the "Company"), the holding company of Roma Bank and RomAsia
Bank, announced today its results of operation for the three and nine months
ended September 30, 2009. Net income attributable to Roma Financial Corporation
for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $1.1 million and $2.5
million, respectively, or $.04 and $.08 per diluted share, compared to $1.0
million and $3.4 million, or $.03 and $.11 per diluted share, respectively for
the same periods of the prior year.

At September 30, 2009 the Company's consolidated assets increased 17.6% to $1.3
billion compared to $1.1 billion at December 31, 2008, deposits increased 26.5%
to $966.4 million and equity increased to $215.3 million from $213.0 million at
December 31, 2008.

"We are pleased to report that net income approximately doubled in the current
quarter, compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2009, and was slightly better
than in the third quarter of 2008," commented Peter A. Inverso, President and
CEO.

He added, "As previously reported, net income in the second quarter was impacted
by a substantial increase in federal deposit insurance premiums of approximately
$1.1 million. However, the benefit of approximately a $900 thousand reduction in
federal deposit insurance premiums in the current quarter was fully absorbed by
the need to increase the provision for loan losses, principally, to reflect
diminution of collateral values securing certain of our non performing loans. A
12.6% increase in net interest income, as compared to the three months ended
June 30, 2009, drove the increase in net income, as non-interest costs were well
contained in the quarter. Non-interest expense, other than deposit insurance
premiums, increased slightly by 2%, as compared to the three months ended June
30, 2009."

Further, he added, "Compared to the same quarter in 2008, net income was
virtually unchanged, despite a notable increase in net interest income of $1.6
million. Higher loan loss provisions, deposit insurance premiums and additive
costs of last year's branch expansions contributed to a 12.2% increase in
non-interest expense in the current quarter. On a year to date basis, compared
to last year, net income in the current nine months was down approximately $900
thousand, with increases in loan loss provisions, deposit insurance premiums and
branch expansions costs offsetting a 14.5% improvement of $3.0 million in net
interest income.

"While the pace of deposit growth slowed during the quarter, aggregate deposits
reached another record level of $966.4 million compared to $931.5 million at the
end of the second quarter and lifted total assets to another record level. Our
residential and commercial portfolios advanced during the quarter as borrowers
were attracted by low interest rates. However, overall, we have experienced
diminished loan demand and seen a contraction in the pool of qualified
borrowers.

"As the recession continues to strain the economy, its effects are felt in our
level of non-performing loans which increased by $1.6 million to $16.1 million,
as compared to $14.5 million at June 30, 2009. As we cited in the past, the
judicial system is clogged, delaying the judicial disposition of defaulted
loans. Consequently, we are unable to get any traction in lowering our level of
non-performing loans," concluded Inverso.

Shares of the Company began trading on July 12, 2006, on the NASDAQ Global
Select Market under the symbol "ROMA."

Roma Financial Corporation (Nasdaq:ROMA) is the holding company of Roma Bank, a
community bank headquartered in Robbinsville, New Jersey and RomAsia bank
headquartered in Monmouth Junction, New Jersey. Roma Bank has been serving
families, businesses and the communities of Central New Jersey for over 87 years
with a complete line of financial products and services, and today Roma Bank
operates branch locations in Mercer, Burlington and Ocean counties in New
Jersey. RomAsia Bank commenced operations on June 23, 2008 and operates from one
location in Monmouth Junction. Visit Roma online at www.romabank.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

The foregoing material contains forward-looking statements concerning the
financial condition, results of operations and business of the Company. We
caution that such statements are subject to a number of uncertainties and actual
results could differ materially, and, therefore, readers should not place undue
reliance on any forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake, and
specifically disclaims, any obligation to publicly release the results of any
revisions that may be made to any forward-looking statements to reflect the
occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the
date of such statements.

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CONTACT: Roma Financial Corporation
Peter A. Inverso, President & CEO
609 223-8310