EXHIBIT 5.1
OPINION OF MALIZIA SPIDI & FISCH, PC AS TO
THE VALIDITY OF THE COMMON STOCK BEING REGISTERED
<PAGE>
MALIZIA SPIDI & FISCH, PC
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
1301 K STREET, N.W. 637 KENNARD ROAD
SUITE 700 EAST STATE COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA 16801
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005 (814) 466-6625
(202) 434-4660 FACSIMILE: (814) 466-6703
FACSIMILE: (202) 434-4661
June 29, 2000
Board of Directors
IBT Bancorp, Inc.
309 Main Street
Irwin, Pennsylvania 15642
RE: Registration Statement on Form S-8:
----------------------------------
IBT Bancorp, Inc. 2000 Stock Option Plan
Gentlemen:
We have acted as special counsel to IBT Bancorp, Inc., a Pennsylvania
corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the preparation of the
Registration Statement on Form S-8 to be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Registration Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, relating to 300,000 shares of common stock, par value $1.25 per share
(the "Common Stock") of the Company which may be issued upon the exercise of
options granted or which may be granted under the IBT Bancorp, Inc. 2000 Stock
Option Plan (the "Plan"), as more fully described in the Registration Statement.
You have requested the opinion of this firm with respect to certain legal
aspects of the proposed offering.
We have examined such documents, records, and matters of law as we have
deemed necessary for purposes of this opinion and based thereon, we are of the
opinion that the Common Stock when issued pursuant to the stock awards granted
under and in accordance with the terms of the Plan will be duly and validly
issued, fully paid, and nonassessable.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement on Form S-8.
Sincerely,
/s/Malizia Spidi & Fisch, PC
----------------------------------------
Malizia Spidi & Fisch, PC