Stewardship Financial Corporation Declares Cash and Stock Dividends

MIDLAND PARK, NJ--(Marketwire - September 17, 2008) - The Board of Directors of Stewardship Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: SSFN), parent company of Atlantic Stewardship Bank, has declared a $0.095 per share cash dividend. Stockholders of record as of October 15, 2008 will be paid the dividend on November 3, 2008. This represents a 10.8 percent increase over the fourth quarter cash dividend paid in 2007, as adjusted for the 5 percent stock dividend paid in November 2007.

The Board also declared a 5 percent stock dividend to stockholders of record date October 15, 2008, payable November 17, 2008.

In announcing the two dividends, Chairman William C. Hanse stated, "The cash dividend is our fourth quarterly cash dividend to be paid in 2008 and our forty-fourth consecutive cash dividend. The stock dividend represents the eleventh annual stock dividend paid by Stewardship Financial Corporation since 1998." President and Chief Executive Officer, Paul Van Ostenbridge continued by stating, "We are pleased to recognize shareholders with these dividends. We understand the challenges in the current banking environment, however we remain optimistic about the Corporation's future performance."

Stewardship Financial Corporation's subsidiary, Atlantic Stewardship Bank, has 13 banking offices in Midland Park, Hawthorne (2 offices), Ridgewood, Montville, Pequannock, Waldwick, Wayne (3 offices), Westwood, Wyckoff and North Haledon, New Jersey. Atlantic Stewardship Bank, opened in 1985, is a community bank serving individuals and businesses, and is well known for tithing 10 percent of its pre-tax profits to Christian and local charitable organizations. Please visit our website at www.asbnow.com or call 201-444-7100 for information regarding our products and services.

Contact Information: Contact: Mary Beth Steiginga 630 Godwin Avenue Midland Park, NJ 07432 201-444-7100