Exhibit (a)(32)
CONTACT: DANIEL M. HEALY ROBERT SIEGFRIED
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT KEKST AND COMPANY
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER 212-521-4800
(631) 844-1258
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NORTH FORK DEFERS DECISION ON
DIME EXCHANGE OFFER
MELVILLE, N.Y. - SEPTEMBER 26, 2000 - NORTH FORK BANCORPORATION,
INC. (NYSE:NFB) announced today that it had planned, at its regularly
scheduled Board of Directors meeting today, to consider terminating or
extending its pending exchange offer to acquire Dime Bancorp, Inc., which
is currently scheduled to expire on September 29, 2000. However, the North
Fork Board decided to defer consideration of these matters because it
learned yesterday that the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
was scheduled to consider North Fork's application to acquire Dime at its
meeting tomorrow, September 27, 2000. The Board of Directors of North Fork
plans to reconvene on September 28, 2000 at 4:30 p.m. to continue its
deliberations.
* * * * *
Investors and security holders are advised to read North Fork's
registration statement and tender offer statement with respect to its
exchange offer for Dime common stock, and any amendments or supplements to
each of these documents (when they become available), because each of these
documents contains, or will contain, important information. Investors and
security holders may obtain a free copy of the exchange offer registration
statement, the tender offer statement, any amendments or supplements to any
of such documents (when they become available), and any other documents
filed by North Fork with the SEC, at the SEC's Internet web site at
www.sec.gov. Each of these documents may also be obtained free of charge by
overnight mail or direct electronic transmission by calling North Fork's
information agent, D.F. King & Co., Inc. toll-free at 1-800-755-7250.
