BETHEL BANCORP
10-Q, 1996-05-13
STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS
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                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C. 20549
                                       
                                 FORM 10 - Q

  X  Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities 
_____Exchange Act of 1934

For the quarter ended March 31, 1996
                      ______________ 

or

_____Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities 
Exchange Act of 1934

For the transition period from ___________________to______________________

Commission File Number         0 - 16123
                            _______________
                            Bethel Bancorp
                      ____________________________
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                    Maine                       01 - 0425066
__________________________________     __________________________________
(State or other jurisdiction of 
incorporation or organization)        (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

489 Congress Street, Portland, Maine                     04101
_______________________________________                 ___________
(Address of principal executive offices)                 (Zip Code)

                            (207) 772 - 8587
            ____________________________________________________
             Registrant's telephone number, including area code

                               Not Applicable
______________________________________________________________________________
             Former name, former address and former fiscal year, 
             if changed since last report.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports 
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter periods that the 
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.     Yes      X          No           
                                                 ______________     ___________

APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS
DURING THE 
PRECEDING FIVE YEARS:

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and 
reports required to be filed by Section 12, 13 or 15 (d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities 
under a plan confirmed by a court.

Not Applicable

APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of 
common stock, as of the latest practicable date.  


Shares outstanding as of April, 30, 1996:  1,212,010 of common stock, 
$1.00 par value per share.

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       
                       BETHEL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
                              Table of Contents
                                       
                                        
Part I.   Financial Information

     Item 1.   Financial Statements (unaudited)

          Consolidated Balance Sheets
            March 31, 1996 and June 30, 1995      

          Consolidated Statements of Income
            Three Months ended March 31, 1996 and 1995                         
          
          Consolidated Statements of Income
            Nine Months ended March 31, 1996 and 1995                          

          Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity
            Nine Months ended March 31, 1996 and 1995                         

          Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
            Nine Months ended March 31, 1996 and 1995                         

          Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements            

     Item 2.   Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
                 and Results of Operation                                     

Part II.  Other Information

     Items 1 - 6.                                                         

     Signature Page                                                    

     Index to Exhibits                                                      


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                       BETHEL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
                         Consolidated Balance Sheets

                                               March 31,            June 30,
                                                 1996                 1995
                                            _______________    _______________
<S>                                          <C>               <C> 
Assets                                                                        
Cash and due from banks                     $    4,166,451     $    3,855,648
Interest bearing deposits in other banks           424,968            367,423
Federal Home Loan Bank overnight deposits        5,936,292         10,517,000
Trading account securities at market             1,142,285              1,375
Available for sale securities                   26,899,364         10,148,251
Federal Home Loan Bank stock                     2,300,000          2,150,000
Loans held for sale                                578,571            528,839
Due from broker                                  1,005,403            941,407
                                                                             
Loans                                          168,041,063        170,442,082
  Less deferred loan origination fees              318,231            302,178
  Less allowance for loan losses                 2,497,000          2,396,000
                                            _______________    _______________
                                                                              
    Net loans                                  165,225,832        167,743,904
                                                                             
Bank premises and equipment, net                 3,682,436          3,873,278
Real estate held for investment                    478,607            452,479
Other real estate owned                            668,638          1,068,454
Goodwill (net of accumulated amortization                                    
 of $854,150 at 3/31/96 and                                                    
 $631,146 at 6/30/95)                            2,643,822          2,866,826
Other assets                                     3,034,905          2,994,253
                                            _______________    _______________
   Total Assets                                218,187,574        207,509,137
                                            ===============    ===============
                                                                              
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity                                           
                                                                               
Liabilities                                                                   
                                                                            
Deposits                                    $  146,618,164     $  147,119,870
Repurchase Agreements                            3,782,271          2,585,387
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank            43,100,000         35,700,000
Notes payable                                    1,626,813          2,010,091
Due to broker                                    3,070,348            989,062
Other Liabilities                                1,480,704          1,829,449
                                            _______________    _______________ 
  Total Liabilities                            199,678,300        190,233,859
                                                                             
Shareholders' Equity                                                         
Preferred stock, Series A,                                                    
 45,454 shares issued and outstanding              999,988            999,988
Preferred stock, Series B,                                                   
 71,428 shares issued and outstanding              999,992            999,992
Common stock, par value $ 1, issued                                          
 and outstanding, 1,203,486 shares at                                          
 12/31/95 and 547,502 at 6/30/95                 1,203,764            547,502
Additional paid in capital                       5,332,838          4,643,059
Retained earnings                               10,456,450         10,180,244
                                            _______________    _______________
                                                18,993,032         17,370,785
Net unrealized loss on available                                              
 for sale securities                              (483,758)           (95,507)
                                            _______________    _______________
  Total Shareholders' Equity                    18,509,274         17,275,278
                                                                             
    Total Liabilities and Shareholders'                                       
      Equity                                $  218,187,574     $  207,509,137
                                            ===============    ================
                                                                              
                       BETHEL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES                       
                      Consolidated Statements of Income                       
                                                                             
                                                                              
                                                      Three Months Ended      
                                                          March 31,           
                                                  1996              1995
                                            _______________   ________________
                                                                              
Interest and Dividend Income                                                  
Interest on FHLB overnight deposits         $      129,919    $        88,336
Interest on loans & loans held for sale          4,053,993          3,811,479
Interest on investment securities &                                           
 available for sale securities                     351,339            393,563
Dividends on Federal Home Loan Bank stock           35,868             45,271
Other Interest Income                                5,220              5,321
                                            ________________    _______________
  Total Interest Income                          4,576,339          4,343,970
                                                                              
Interest Expense                                                              
Deposits                                         1,611,581          1,410,184
Repurchase agreements                               42,872             25,721
Other borrowings                                   654,874            628,565
                                            _______________    _______________
  Total Interest Expense                         2,309,327          2,064,470
                                            _______________    _______________
                                                                              
Net Interest Income                              2,267,012          2,279,500
Provision for loan losses                          159,960            145,776
                                            _______________    _______________
  Net Interest Income after                                                   
     Provision for Loan Losses                   2,107,052          2,133,724
                                                                               
Other Income                                                                 
                                                                             
Service charges                                    250,005            248,119
Available for sale securities gains (losses)        19,187             (1,848)
Gain (Loss) on trading account                      16,093            151,910
Other                                              170,181            145,717
                                            _______________    _______________
  Total Other Income                               455,466            543,898
                                                                              
Other Expenses                                                                
                                                                             
Salaries and employee benefits                   1,095,931          1,003,890
Net occupancy expense                              171,886            149,483
Equipment expense                                  180,026            190,717
Goodwill amortization                               74,335             72,294
Other                                              557,960            614,482
                                            _______________    _______________
  Total Other Expenses                           2,080,138          2,030,866
                                            _______________    _______________
Income Before Income Taxes                         482,380            646,756
Income tax  expense                                180,575            238,683
                                            _______________    _______________
Net Income                                  $      301,805     $      408,073
                                            ===============    ===============
                                                                               
Earnings Per Share                                                            
  Primary                                   $         0.20     $         0.31
  Fully Diluted                             $         0.19     $         0.28
                                                                              
                        BETHEL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES                       
                       Consolidated Statements of Income                       
                                                                              
                                                    Nine Months Ended          
                                                         March 31,            
                                                  1996               1995    
                                            _______________    _______________
Interest and Dividend Income                                                  
Interest on FHLB overnight deposits         $      485,995     $      295,448
Interest on loans & loans held for sale         12,230,893         11,084,775
Interest on investment securities &                                           
 available for sale securities                     734,496            859,340
Dividends on Federal Home Loan Bank stock          109,605            148,188
Other Interest Income                               22,697             17,980
                                            _______________    _______________
  Total Interest Income                         13,583,686         12,405,731
                                                                              
Interest Expense                                                              
Deposits                                         4,899,241          3,864,227
Repurchase agreements                              125,665             47,163
Other borrowings                                 1,847,784          1,861,647
                                            _______________    _______________
  Total Interest Expense                         6,872,690          5,773,037
                                            _______________    _______________
                                                                              
Net Interest Income                              6,710,996          6,632,694
Provision for loan losses                          455,524            494,590
                                            _______________    _______________
  Net Interest Income after                                                   
    Provision for Loan Losses                    6,255,472          6,138,104
                                                                             
Other Income                                                                 
Service charges                                    766,824            698,405
Available for sale securities gains (losses)       225,570              6,280
Gain (Loss) on trading account                      23,098            375,732
Other                                              604,746            531,412
                                                                             
  Total Other Income                        _______________    _______________
                                                 1,620,238          1,611,829
                                                                             
Other Expenses                                                                
Salaries and employee benefits                   3,091,775          2,873,541
Net occupancy expense                              420,155            382,659
Equipment expense                                  524,128            508,121
Goodwill amortization                              223,004            162,124
Other                                            1,772,671          1,896,899
                                            _______________    _______________
  Total Other Expenses                           6,031,733          5,823,344
                                            _______________    _______________
Income Before Income Taxes                       1,843,977          1,926,589
Income tax  expense                                677,099            705,691
                                            _______________    _______________
Net Income                                  $    1,166,878     $    1,220,898
                                            ===============    =============== 
                                                                               
Earnings Per Share                                                            
  Primary                                   $          0.83     $        0.91
  Fully Diluted                             $          0.76     $        0.84

</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      BETHEL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
        Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity
               Nine Months Ended March 31, 1996 and 1995

                                                                                                     Net
                                                                                                  Unrealized
                                                                                                 Gains(Losses)        
                                                                    Additional                   on Available
                                    Common         Preferred         Paid - In      Retained        for Sale
                                     Stock           Stock            Capital       Earnings      Securities        Total     
                                _______________ _______________ _______________ _______________ _______________ _______________
<S>                             <C>             <C>              <C>            <C>             <C>             <C>           
Balance at June 30, 1994        $      547,400  $    1,999,980   $    4,640,968 $    9,006,038  $    (438,023)  $   15,756,363
Net income for Nine months                                               
  ended March 31,1995                    --              --               --         1,220,898            --         1,220,898 
Dividends paid on common                                                      
  stock                                  --              --               --          (131,376)           --          (131,376)
Dividends paid on preferred                                                 
  stock                                  --              --               --          (104,999)           --          (104,999)
Net change in unrealized                                                     
  losses on securities                                                       
  available for sale                     --              --               --             --             4,427            4,427
                                _______________ _______________ _______________ _______________  ______________  _______________
Balance March 31, 1996          $      547,400  $    1,999,980   $    4,640,968 $    9,990,561   $   (433,596)   $  16,745,313
                                =============== =============== =============== ===============  =============== ===============
                                                                              
Balance at June 30, 1995        $      547,502  $    1,999,980   $    4,643,059 $   10,180,244  $     (95,507)   $  17,275,278
Net income for Nine months                                                 
  ended March 31, 1996                   --              --               --         1,166,878            --         1,166,878
Dividends paid on common                                                    
  stock                                  --              --               --          (187,930)           --          (187,930)
Dividends paid on preferred                                                 
  stock                                  --              --               --          (104,999)           --          (104,999)
Issuance of common stock                   519           --               7,779          --               --             8,298
Common stock warrants                                                        
exercised                               50,000           --             650,000          --               --           700,000
Stock split effected in the form                                            
of a dividend                          597,743           --               --          (597,743)           --                 0
Stock options exercised                  8,000           --              32,000          --               --            40,000
Net change in unrealized                                                    
  losses on securities                                                      
  available for sale                     --              --               --             --           (388,251)       (388,251)
                                _______________ _______________ _______________ _______________ _______________ _______________
Balance March 31, 1996          $    1,203,764  $    1,999,980  $     5,332,838 $   10,456,450  $     (483,758) $   18,509,274
                                =============== =============== =============== =============== =============== ===============


                           BETHEL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
                         Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow

                                                    Nine Months Ended
                                                       March 31,
                                                  1996              1995     
                                            _______________    _______________
<S>                                         <C>                <C>
Cash provided by operating activities                                        
                                            $    3,567,289     $    2,205,597
                                                                               
Cash flows from investing activities:                                        
  FHLB stock purchased                            (150,000)          (205,000)
  Held to maturity securities purchased              --           (12,421,919)
  Held to maturity securities matured                --             1,481,795
  Available for sale securities purchased      (35,381,445)          (265,841)
  Available for sale securities principal                                    
    reductions                                     524,396             66,882
  Available for sale securities sold            16,746,027            149,417
  New loans, net of repayments & charge offs     1,993,534         (9,146,040)
  Net capital expenditures                        (248,449)        (1,325,865)
  Real estate owned sold                           585,116            664,621
  Real estate held for investment purchased        (56,096)           (21,905)
  Real estate held for investment sold              40,000            168,600
  Premium paid for Key Bank acquisition              --            (1,590,228)
                                            _______________    _______________ 
    Net cash provided by (used in)                                            
      investing activities                     (15,946,917)       (22,445,483)
                                                                              
Cash flows from financing activities:                                         
  Net change in deposits                          (501,706)        25,161,838
  Net change in repurchase agreements            1,196,884          2,425,603
  Dividends paid                                  (292,929)          (236,375)
  Proceeds from stock issuance                     748,298              --    
  Net (decrease) increase in advances                                         
    from Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston        7,400,000         (9,700,000)
  Net change in notes payable                     (383,278)          (382,511)
                                            _______________    _______________
    Net cash provided by financing                                             
      activities                                 8,167,269         17,268,555
                                            _______________    _______________ 
    Net (decrease) increase in cash                                           
      and cash equivalents                      (4,212,359)        (2,971,331)
                                                                               
Cash and cash equivalents,                                                    
 beginning of period                            14,740,070         11,336,505 
                                            _______________    _______________
Cash and cash equivalents,                                                     
 end of period                              $   10,527,711     $    8,365,174
                                            ===============    ===============
                                                                               
Cash and cash equivalents include cash                                       
 on hand, amounts due from banks, interest                                   
bearing deposits and federal funds sold                                       
                                                                             
Supplemental schedule of noncash                                              
 investing activities:                                                        
                                                                               
Net increase (decrease) in valuation                                           
 for unrealized market value adjustments                                       
 on available for sale securities                 (388,251)             4,427
                                                                              
Net transfer (to) from Loans to                                              
 Other Real Estate Owned                          (100,174)           481,775
                                                                               
Supplemental disclosure of cash paid                                         
 during the period for:                                                      
                                                                              
Income taxes paid, net of refunds                  693,700            693,500
Interest paid                                    6,904,084          5,743,798
</TABLE>

                        BETHEL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
                                March 31, 1996

1.   Basis of Presentation
     _____________________
The accompanying unaudited condensed and consolidated financial statements 
have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting 
principles for interim financial information and with the instructions 
to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, they do not 
include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted 
accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of 
management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) 
considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included.  Operating 
results for the nine month period ended March 31, 1996 are not necessarily 
indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending 
June 30, 1996.  For further information, refer to the audited consolidated 
financial statements and footnotes thereto for the fiscal year ended 
June 30, 1995 included in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K.


2.   Securities
     __________
Securities available for sale at the carrying and approximate market 
values are summarized below.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                 March 31, 1996          June 30, 1995
                          _________________________ _________________________  
                                         Market                    Market
                              Cost        Value        Cost         Value
                          ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ 
<S>                       <C>          <C>           <C>         <C>         
Debt securities issued                                                         
 by the U.S. Treasury                                                          
 and other U.S.                                                              
 Government corporations                                                       
 and agencies             $ 1,250,000  $ 1,229,850  $   250,000  $   239,225
Corporate bonds               149,634      141,750      149,599      141,436
Mortgage-backed                                                              
 securities                25,675,509   25,052,140    9,315,419    9,297,505
Equity securities             557,187      475,624      577,939      470,085
                          ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________
                          $27,632,330  $26,899,364  $10,292,957  $10,148,251
                          ============ ============ ============ ============
                                                                             
                                 March 31, 1996          June 30, 1995  
                          _________________________ ________________________
                                         Market                    Market   
                              Cost        Value        Cost         Value   
                          ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________
Due in one year                                                               
 or less                        --           --           --           --    
Due after one year                                                            
 through five years           250,000      239,850        --           --    
Due after five years                                                           
 through ten years            149,634      141,750      399,599      380,661
Due after ten years         1,000,000      990,000        --           --    
Mortgage-backed                                                             
 securities (including                                                      
 securities with interest                                                      
 rates ranging from                                                           
 5.15% to 8.5% maturing                                                       
 April 2009 to                                                                 
 March 2026)               25,675,509   25,052,140    9,315,419    9,297,505
Equity securities             557,187      475,624      577,939      470,085
                          ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________   
                          $27,632,330  $26,899,364  $10,292,957  $10,148,251
                          ============ ============ ============ ============  
</TABLE>
                         BETHEL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
                                March 31, 1996
                                       

3.   Allowance for Loan Losses
     _________________________
The following is an analysis of transactions in the allowance for loan losses:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      Nine Months Ended
                                                           March 31,
                                               _______________________________
                                                   1996              1995
                                               ______________  ______________
<S>                                            <C>             <C>           
Balance at beginning of year                    $ 2,396,000     $ 2,463,000
Add provision charged to operations                 455,524         494,590
Recoveries on loans previously charged off           58,229          36,387
                                               ______________  ______________   
                                                  2,909,753       2,993,977
  Less loans charged off                            412,753         463,977
                                               ______________  ______________
  Balance at end of period                      $ 2,497,000     $ 2,530,000
                                               ==============  ==============
</TABLE>

4.   Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank
     ____________________________________ 
A summary of borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              March 31, 1996
                         __________________________________________________
                           Principal         Interest            Maturity
                           Amounts            Rates                Dates 
                          <C>               <C>                <C>        
                         ______________  _____________________  ____________
                          $22,100,000        5.17% - 8.30%          1997
                            4,500,000        4.97% - 6.86%          1998
                           16,500,000        5.64% - 6.35%          1999
                         ______________                                    
                           $43,100,000                                      
                         ==============                                       
                                                                            
                                              June 30, 1995                   
                         ___________________________________________________
                           Principal         Interest            Maturity
                           Amounts             Rates               Dates
                         ______________  _____________________  ___________
                          $25,400,000        4.41% - 7.65%          1996
                            5,300,000        5.17% - 8.30%          1997
                            4,000,000        4.97% - 6.35%          1998
                            1,000,000            5.75%              1999
                         ______________ 
                          $35,700,000
                         ==============
</TABLE>

5.   Stock Dividend
     _______________
The Company paid a 100% stock dividend to all shareholders on 
December 15, 1995.  Based on this dividend, the current common stock
outstanding was 1,203,764 shares at March 31, 1996.  The Company anticipates 
continuing the annual dividend of $.32 per share, resulting in an increase 
in yield to shareholders.


                         BETHEL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
                              March 31, 1996

6.    Reserve for Credit Losses
      _________________________ 
Effective July 1, 1995, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards 
Board (FASB) Statement No. 114,"Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of 
a Loan"(SFAS No. 114) as amended by SFAS No. 118, "Accounting by Creditors 
for Impairment of a Loan-Income Recognition and Disclosures"(SFAS No. 118).  
SFAS 114 and 118, taken together, require the Company to identify impaired 
loans and generally value them at the lower of (i) the present value of 
expected cash flows discounted at the loan's effective interest rate or (ii) 
the loan's observable market price or (iii) fair value of the loan's 
collateral, if the loan is collateral dependent. The two statements, in 
connection with recent regulatory guidance, require the Company to reclassify 
its in-substance foreclosures to loans and disclose them as impaired loans.

Commercial and commercial real estate loans, with balances to one borrower 
greater than $25,000, are considered impaired when it is probable that the 
Company will not collect all amounts due in accordance with the contractual 
terms of the loan. Except for certain restructured loans, impaired loans 
are loans on non-accrual status. Residential mortgage loans and consumer 
installment loans are considered homogenous loans that will be reserved for 
under the Company's general reserve analysis. The Company's policy for 
charging off loans to the reserve is 120 days delinquent for consumer 
installment loans and for all other loans when a loss has been determined. 
The Company policy for an insignificant delay in payments is when the 
contractual payment is up to 60 days delinquent and considers an immaterial 
shortfall in payments to be 10% or less of the contractual payment amount 
due. Upon adoption of SFAS 114 and 118, the Company did not change its method 
of recognizing interest income on impaired loans. When a loan is placed on 
non-accrual status, all interest previously accrued, but not collected, is 
reversed against interest income. Subsequent cash receipts are amortized 
and applied to principal and interest based on the contractual terms of the 
non-accrual loan. Impaired loans are returned to accrual status and are no 
longer considered impaired when they become current, as to principal and 
interest, and demonstrate a period of performance under the contractual terms, 
and, in management's opinion, are fully collectable.  Residential and consumer 
installment loans are returned to accrual status when the contractual payments 
are less than 90 days delinquent and in management's opinion are fully 
collectable. 

Loans which were restructured prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 114, and which 
are performing in accordance with the renegotiated terms are not required to 
be reported as impaired. Loans restructured subsequent to the adoption of 
SFAS No. 114 are required to be reported as impaired in the year of 
restructuring. Thereafter, such loans can be removed from the impaired loan 
disclosure if the loans were paying a market rate of interest at the time of 
restructuring and are performing in accordance with their renegotiated terms.

In accordance with SFAS No. 114, a loan is classified as an in-substance 
foreclosure when the Company has taken possession of the collateral regardless 
of whether formal foreclosure proceedings have taken place. Loans classified 
as in-substance foreclosures prior to adoption of SFAS No. 114, but for which 
the Company had not taken possession of the collateral was $304,232 at June 30,
1995. This balance was reclassified from real state owned to loans for the 
comparable periods on the consolidated balance sheets and did not have a 
significant effect on the financial position, liquidity or results of 
operations of the Company.

At March 31, 1996, the recorded investment in impaired loans was $754,095 of 
commercial loans and $1,019,622 of commercial real estate loans, for a total 
of $1,773,717, all of which were on non-accrual status. Included in this amount
is $1,107,340 of impaired loans for which the related impairment reserve is 
$509,266, and $666,377 of impaired loans which do not require an impairment 
reserve. The average recorded investment in impaired loans was $1,882,061 and 
$1,866,132 for the quarter and nine months ended March 31, 1996, respectively. 
The amount of interest income recognized on impaired loans for the quarter was 
$26,741 and nine months ended March 31, 1996 was $60,636. The allowance for 
loan losses contains $1,988,000 for homogenous loans as deemed necessary to 
maintain reserves at levels considered adequate by management.

7.   Merger of Banking Subsidiaries and Proposed Name Change
     _______________________________________________________
On Monday, January 8, 1996, the President of Bethel Bancorp (the "Company"), 
James D. Delamater, announced that the Company, intends to merge the Company's 
two wholly-owned banking subsidiaries, Bethel Savings Bank F.S.B. and Brunswick
Federal Savings Bank, F.A. (the "Bank Subsidiaries").  The proposed merger 
was approved by the Boards of Directors of the two Bank Subsidiaries on 
January 3, 1996 and the Office of Thrift Supervision on March 19, 1996.  
The resulting bank will be known as Northeast Bank, F.S.B. 

On the same day, Mr. Delamater announced that the Company intends to change 
its name to Northeast Bancorp upon the merger of its two Bank Subsidiaries 
and at the same time to change the symbol under which its stock trades 
on The NASDAQ Stock Market to NEBC. 




                        BETHEL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                    Part I.

Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
        _______________________________________________________________________ 
of Operation
____________ 
Financial Condition 
___________________
Total consolidated assets were $218,187,574, which represents an increase of 
$10,678,437 for the nine months ended March 31, 1996, when compared to
June 30, 1995.  Total loans decreased by $2,401,019, while loans held for 
sale increased by $49,732.   Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) overnight deposits 
decreased by $4,580,708, while cash and due from banks increased by $310,803
 from June 30, 1995 to March 31,1996.   Securities available for sale, 
trading account securities and FHLB Stock increased by $16,751,113, 
$1,140,910 and $150,000, respectively during the same period.   Total deposits 
decreased by $501,706, total repurchase agreements increased by $1,196,884, 
and total borrowings from the FHLB increased by $7,400,000 from June 30, 1995 
to March 31, 1996.

The Company increased its FHLB advances by $7,400,000.  The proceeds from the 
increased borrowings, along with $4,580,708 from the reduction of  FHLB 
overnight deposits, were utilized to purchase mortgage-backed securities, 
thereby increasing the Company s earning assets.  The Company restructured its 
investment portfolio, during the quarter ended December  31, 1995, to improve 
the yield on the securities portfolio.  This was accomplished by selling 
mortgage-backed securities with lower coupon rates and purchasing additional 
mortgage-backed securities with better yields.  In the March 31, 1996 quarter, 
the Company took advantage of the fluctuating market rates and prices and 
purchased additional mortgage-backed securities, resulting in an increase in 
securities available for sale of $14,389,182 in the current quarter and 
$16,751,113 year to date.  The additional securities will have a net earnings 
yield benefit of 200 basis points, when factoring in the average yield on 
FHLB overnight deposits and the average cost on FHLB advances.  FHLB stock 
increased by $150,000 due the increased levels of FHLB advances.  The FHLB 
requires institutions to hold a certain level of FHLB stock based on 
advances outstanding.

Total loans decreased by $2,401,019 for the nine months ended March 31, 1996.  
The total principal decrease was primarily due to regular principal payments 
on the loan portfolio as well as a principal reductions from portfolio loan 
pay-offs.   The local competitive environment and customer's response to 
favorable secondary market rates has effected the Company's ability to 
increase the loan portfolio.   Loans held for sale increased by $49,732 due to 
the increased volume of mortgage loans sold and still pending closure to 
Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae.  The increased volume was due to favorable 
secondary market rates during the Company's March 31, 1996 quarter. 

The loan portfolio contains elements of credit and interest rate risk.  The 
Company primarily lends within its local market areas, which management 
believes helps it to better evaluate credit risk.  The Company also maintains 
a well collateralized position in real estate mortgages. Residential real 
estate mortgages make up 69% of the total loan portfolio, in which 49% of the 
residential loans are variable rate products.  It is management's intent to 
increase the volume in variable rate residential loans, by selling fixed rate
 loans to the secondary market and marketing portfolio variable rate loans, 
to reduce the interest rate risk in this area.  Fifteen percent of the 
Company's total loan portfolio balance is commercial real estate mortgages. 
Similar to the residential mortgages, the Company tries to mitigate credit 
risk by lending in its local market area as well as maintaining a well 
collateralized position in the real estate.  The commercial real estate loans 
have minimal interest rate risk as 86% of the portfolio consists of variable 
rate products.  Commercial loans make up 7% of the total loan portfolio, in 
which 90% of its balance are variable rate instruments.  The credit loss 
exposure on commercial loans is highly dependent on the cash flow of the 
customer's business.  The Banks attempt to mitigate losses in commercial loans 
through lending in accordance to the Company's credit policies.  Consumer and 
other loans make up 9% of the loan portfolio.  Since these loans are primarily 
fixed rate products, they have interest rate risk when market rates increase.  
These loans also have credit risk with, at times, minimal collateral security. 
Management attempts to mitigate  risk by keeping the products offered 
short-term, receiving a rate of return equal to the measured risks, and lending
to individuals in the Company's known market areas.

Other real estate owned decreased by $399,816 from June 30, 1995 to March 31, 
1996 due to sales of  properties.  On July 1, 1995 the Company adopted FASB 
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards Nos. 114 and 118.  The adoption 
resulted in the reclassification, as of June 30,1995, of in-substance 
foreclosure loans to impaired loans. SFAS 114 and 118, taken together, require 
the Company to identify impaired loans and generally value them at the lower 
of (i) the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the
loan's original effective interest rate or (ii) the loan's observable market 
price or (iii) fair value of the loan's collateral, if the loan is collateral 
dependent.  The two statements, in connection with recent regulatory guidance, 
require the Company to reclassify its in-substance foreclosures to loans and 
disclose them as impaired loans.  The effect of SFAS 114 and 118 did not have 
a significant effect on the financial position, liquidity or results of 
operations of the Company and is more fully discussed in footnote 6 to 
the financial statements.

Bank premises and equipment decreased by $190,842 and Goodwill decreased by 
$223,004 from June 30, 1995 to March 31, 1996.  The reduction in these 
accounts were due to normal depreciation and amortization.

Total deposits were $146,618,164 and securities sold under repurchase 
agreements were $3,782,271 as of March 31, 1996.  These amounts represent a 
decrease of $501,706 and an increase of $1,196,884, respectively, compared to 
June 30, 1995.  The Company s subsidiary Banks experienced some seasonal 
fluctuation in balances.   Brokered deposits represented $6,630,988 of the 
total deposits for the quarter ended March 31, 1996 and decreased by 
$2,156,713 when compared to June 30, 1995's $8,787,701 balance.  The Company 
utilizes, as alternative sources of funds, brokered CD's when the national 
brokered CD interest rates are less than the interest rates on local market 
deposits.  Brokered deposits are similar to local deposits, in that both are 
interest rate sensitive with the respect to the Company's ability to retain 
the funds.  Based on the normal growth of local deposits and attractive 
FHLB advance rates, management has chosen to reduce its level of brokered 
deposits.  Management will be reviewing an additional $2,500,000 of brokered 
deposits maturing in the next quarter.  Total advances from the FHLB were 
$43,100,000 as of March 31, 1996, an increase of $7,400,000 when compared to 
June 30, 1995.   The Company's current advance availability, subject to the 
satisfaction of certain conditions, is approximately $52,500,000 over and 
above the March 31, 1996 advances reported. Mortgages, free of liens, pledges 
and encumbrances are required to be pledged to secure FHLB advances.  The 
Company utilizes FHLB advances, as alternative sources of funds, when the 
interest rates of the advances are less than market deposit interest rates and 
to fund short-term liquidity demands for loan volume.  With the borrowing 
capacity at the Federal Home Loan Bank and the continued growth in bank 
deposits and repurchase agreements, management believes that the Company's 
available liquidity resources are sufficient to support future loan growth.

Notes payable decreased by $383,278, for the nine months ended March 31, 1996, 
due to regular principal payments.  Due to broker increased  by $2,081,286 
due to the purchase of GNMA securities that had not settled by March 31, 1996.

Total equity of the Company was $18,509,274 as of March 31, 1996 versus 
$17,275,278 at June 30, 1995.  On September 8, 1995 Square Lake Holding 
Corporation exercised 50,000 warrants at an aggregate price of $700,000. 
These proceeds have been utilized as general working capital.  The exercise of 
these warrants contributed to the growth of the Company's total equity.  
Warrants outstanding were 133,764 as of March 31, 1996.  The Company paid a 
100% stock dividend to all shareholders on December 15, 1995.  The current 
common stock outstanding was 1,203,764 shares at March 31, 1996.  The Company 
anticipates continuing the annual dividend of $.32 per share, resulting in an 
increase in yield to shareholders, from prior to the stock dividend.  Due to 
the ability of the Company to pay dividends from the subsidiaries to the 
holding company, the effect of increasing the dividend payout to common stock 
shareholders will not have a significant effect on the financial position, 
liquidity, or results of operations of the Company.  Book value per common 
share was $13.71 as of March 31, 1996 and $13.95 at June 30, 1995, when
restated for the 100% stock dividend.  Total equity to total assets of the 
Company as of March 31, 1996 was 8.48%.

At March 31, 1996, the Banks' regulatory capital was in compliance with 
regulatory capital requirements as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  Brunswick
                                             Bethel Savings   Federal Savings,
                                               Bank, F.S.B.         F.A.
                                           _________________  ________________
<S>                                        <C>                <C>
Capital Requirements:
Tangible capital                           $     1,677,000    $    1,548,000
  Percent of tangible assets                          1.50%             1.50%
Core capital                               $     3,354,000    $    3,095,000
  Percent of adjusted tangible assets                 3.00%             3.00%
Leverage capital                           $     4,472,000    $    4,127,000
  Percent of adjusted leverage assets                 4.00%             4.00%
Risk-based capital                         $     5,867,000    $    4,398,000
  Percent of risk-weighted assets                     8.00%             8.00%
                                                                             
Actual:                                                                      
Tangible capital                           $     8,178,000    $    7,689,000
  Percent of adjusted total assets                    7.32%             7.45%
  Excess of requirement                    $     6,501,000    $    6,141,000
Core capital                               $     8,178,000    $    7,689,000
  Percent of adjusted tangible assets                 7.32%             7.45%
  Excess of requirement                    $     4,824,000    $    4,594,000
Leverage capital                           $     8,178,000    $    7,689,000
  Percent of adjusted leverage assets                 7.32%             7.45%
  Excess of requirement                    $     3,706,000     $   3,562,000
Risk-based capital                         $     8,480,000     $   8,377,000
  Percent of risk-weighted assets                    11.56%            15.24%
  Excess of requirement                    $     2,613,000     $   3,979,000
</TABLE>

The carrying value of securities available for sale of the Company was 
$26,899,364, which is $732,966 less than the cost of the underlying securities,
at March 31, 1996.  The reduction in carrying value from the cost was 
primarily attributable to the decline in market value of mortgage-backed 
securities.  The difference between cost and carrying value of the securities 
was primarily due to the change in current market prices from the price at the 
time of purchase.  The Company has primarily invested in mortgage-backed 
securities.  Substantially all of the mortgage-backed securities are high grade
government backed securities.  Management believes that the yields currently 
received on this portfolio are satisfactory.  As in any long term earning 
asset with a fixed earning rate, the market value of mortgage-backed 
securities will decline when market interest rates increase.  Since these 
mortgage-backed securities are backed by the U.S. government, there is little 
or no risk in loss of principal.  Therefore, management believes that during 
adverse market fluctuations it would be advantageous to hold these securities 
until the market values recover.

The Company's allowance for loan losses was $2,497,000 as of March 31, 1996 
versus $2,396,000 as of June 30, 1995, representing 1.49% and 1.41% of total 
loans, respectively.  The Company had non-performing loans totaling
$3,070,000 at March 31, 1996 as compared to $2,266,000 at June 30, 1995.  
Non-performing loans represented 1.41% and 1.09% of total assets at March 31, 
1996 and June 30, 1995, respectively.  The Company's allowance for loan 
losses was equal to 81% and 106% of the total non-performing loans at March 31,
1996 and June 30, 1995, respectively.  At March 31, 1996, the Company had 
approximately $4,027,000 of loans classified substandard, exclusive of the 
non-performing loans stated above, that could potentially become 
non-performing due to delinquencies or marginal cash flows.  Along with 
non-performing and delinquent loans, management takes an aggressive posture 
in reviewing its loan portfolio to classify loans substandard.  The following 
table represents the Company's non-performing loans as of March 31 and 
June 30, 1995, respectively:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>                                 March 31,            June 30,
                   Description              1996                 1995
            _________________________  _______________    ________________
            <S>                        <C>                <C>              
              1-4 Family Mortgages     $   1,354,000             637,000
              Commercial Mortgages         1,250,000           1,223,000
              Commercial Installment         375,000             375,000
              Consumer Installment            91,000              31,000
                                       _______________    ________________
                Total non-performing       3,070,000           2,266,000
                                       ===============    ================
</TABLE>

The following table reflects the quarterly trend of total delinquencies 30 days
or more past due, including non-performing loans, for the Company as a 
percentage of total loans: 
<TABLE>
                <C>              <C>           <C>             <C>             
                 6-30-95          9-30-95       12-31-95        3-31-96
                  2.46%            2.15%          3.51%          2.82%
</TABLE>

The majority of the non-performing loans are seasoned loans located in the 
Oxford county area.  This geographic area continues to have a depressed 
economy resulting in high unemployment and a soft real estate market, while the
economy in the state of Maine appears to be stable with moderate or flat 
growth.  The weakness in the Oxford county economy is a risk to the overall 
credit quality of the loan portfolio of Bethel Savings Bank.  Bethel Savings 
Bank has expanded its market beyond Oxford county with the acquisition of the 
Key Bank branches.   Management has allocated substantial resources to the 
collection area in an effort to control the growth in non-performing, 
delinquent and substandard loans in Oxford county.  In addition, the Company 
has historically experienced a seasonal increase in delinquent loans during 
the winter months, which increased total delinquencies during the second 
quarter, followed by an improvement in the spring and summer months.  The 
Company will continue to monitor loans within these portfolios and increase 
the levels of allowance for loan losses when necessary.

Classified assets are also considered in management's analysis of the adequacy 
of allowance for loan losses. Based on reviewing the credit risk and collateral
of delinquent loans, classified loans and non-performing loans, management 
has considered the risks of the loan portfolio and believes the allowance for 
loan losses is adequate.  Management at each of the subsidiary Banks primarily 
lends within their local market areas, which management believes helps it 
to better evaluate credit risk.  The Company also maintains a well 
collateralized position in real estate mortgage loans.  On a regular and 
ongoing basis, Company management evaluates the adequacy of the allowance 
for loan losses.  The process to evaluate the allowance involves a high degree 
of management judgement.  The methods employed to evaluate the allowance for 
loan losses are quantitative in nature and consider such factors as the 
loan mix, the level of non-performing loans, delinquency trends, past 
charge-off history, loan reviews and classifications, collateral, and the 
current economic climate.  Management believes that the allowance for loan
losses is adequate considering the level of risk in the loan portfolio.  While 
management uses its best judgement in recognizing loan losses in light of 
available information, there can be no assurance that the Company will not have
to increase its provision for loan losses in the future as a result of changing
economic conditions, adverse markets for real estate or other factors.  In 
addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination
process, periodically review the Company's allowance for loan losses.  Such 
agencies may require the Company to recognize additions to the allowance for 
loan losses based on their judgements about information available to them at 
the time of their examination.  The Company's most recent examination by the 
OTS was on May 15, 1995.  At the time of the exam the regulators proposed no 
additions to the allowance for loan losses.

Results of Operations
_____________________
Net income for the quarter ended March 31, 1996 was $301,805.  Primary earnings
per share was $.20 and the fully diluted earnings per share was $.19 for the 
quarter ended March 31, 1996.  This compares to earnings of $408,073 or a 
primary earnings per share of $.31 per share and a fully diluted earnings per 
share of $.28, for the quarter ended March 31, 1995.  Net income for the nine 
months ended March 31, 1996 was $1,166,878 versus $1,220,898 for the period 
ended March 31, 1995.  Primary earnings per share was $.83 and fully diluted 
earnings per share was $.76 for the nine month period ended March 31, 1996 
versus primary earnings per share of $.91 and fully diluted earnings per share 
of $.84 for the period ended March 31, 1995.  The 1995 earnings per share has 
been restated to give consideration to the 100% stock dividend.

The Company's net interest income was $2,267,012 for the quarter ended 
March 31, 1996 versus $2,279,500 for the quarter ended March 31, 1995, for a 
decrease of $12,488.  This decrease was due to an increase of $232,369
in total interest income offset by an increase in total interest expense of 
$244,857.

The Company's net interest income was $6,710,996 for the nine months ended 
March 31, 1996, versus $6,632,694 for the nine months ended March 31, 1995, 
an increase of $78,302.  Total interest income increased $1,177,955 during the 
nine months ended March 31, 1996 compared to the nine months ended
March 31, 1995, resulting from the following items.  Interest income on loans 
and loans held for sale increased by $1,146,118 for the nine months ended 
March 31, 1996 resulting from a $458,255 increase due to an increase in the 
volume of loans as well as an increase of $687,863 due to increased rates on 
loans.  Interest income on investment securities decreased by $157,952 
resulting from a $103,062 decrease due to a decrease in volume as well as a 
decrease of $54,890 due to decreased rates on investments.  Interest income on
short term liquid funds increased by $189,789 resulting from a $158,467 
increase due to an increase in volume as well as an increase of $31,322 due to 
increased rates on FHLB overnight deposits.  The increase in total interest 
expense of $1,099,653 for the nine months ended March 31, 1996 resulted from 
the following items.  Interest expense on deposits increased by $1,035,014 
for the nine months ended March 31, 1996 resulting from a $350,974 increase due
to an increase in the volume of deposits as well as an increase of $684,040 due
to increasing deposit rates.  Interest expense on repurchase agreements 
increased by $78,502 due to an increase of $75,657 in the volume of repurchase 
agreements as well as an increase of $2,845 due to increased repurchase 
agreement rates.  Interest expense on borrowings decreased by $13,863 for the 
nine months ended March 31, 1996 resulting from a decrease of $193,345 due 
to a decrease in the volume of borrowings offset by an increase of  $179,482 
due to a change in the mix of interest rates on borrowings.  The information
produced for the rate/volume analysis is based on average balances for the 
year.  In utilizing average balances, the rate/volume trends are reported in a 
more accurate manner and could be different than the volume trends reported 
on the consolidated balance sheets.   The changes in net interest income, as 
explained above, are also presented in the schedule below.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      Bethel Bancorp
                       Rate/Volume Analysis for the nine months ended
                            March 31, 1996 versus March 31, 1995

                               Difference Due to
                              Volume        Rate              Total
                          ____________  ____________   ___________________    
<S>                       <C>           <C>            <C>
Investments                  (103,062)     (54,890)            (157,952)
Loans                         458,255      687,863            1,146,118
FHLB & Other Deposits         158,467       31,322              189,789
                          ____________  ____________   ___________________
  Total                       513,660      664,295            1,177,955      
                                                                         
Deposits                      350,974      684,040            1,035,014     
Repurchase Agreements          75,657        2,845               78,502     
Borrowings                   (193,345)     179,482              (13,863)    
                          ____________  ____________   ___________________
  Total                       233,286      866,367            1,099,653
                          ____________  ____________   ___________________
    Net Interest Income      280,374      (202,072)              78,302
                          ============  ============   ===================
</TABLE>
       Rate/Volume amounts spread proportionately between volume and rate.


From October 1993 to late 1995, actions by the Federal Reserve Board resulted 
in increases in prime lending rates.  In December 1995, actions by the Federal 
Reserve Board resulted in a decrease in prime lending rates.  Approximately 
20% of the Company's loan portfolio is comprised of floating rate loans based 
on a prime rate index.  Interest income on these existing loans will fluctuate 
in the same direction as the prime rate, as well as on approximately 21% of 
other loans in the Company's portfolio that are based on short-term rate 
indices such as the one-year treasury bill.  A fluctuation in short-term 
interest rates will also effect deposit and FHLB advance rates, in the same 
manner.  The Company is experiencing and anticipates additional net interest 
margin compression due to fluctuating rates.  The impact on net interest 
income will depend on, among other things, actual rates charged on the 
Company's loan portfolio, deposit and advance rates paid by the Company and 
loan volume.

Total non-interest income was $455,466 and $1,620,238 for the three and nine 
months ended March 31, 1996 versus $543,898 and 1,611,829 for the three and 
nine months ended March 31, 1995.  Service fee income was $250,005 and $766,824
for the three and nine months ended March 31, 1996 versus $248,119 and $698,405
for the three and nine months ended March 31, 1995.  The March 31, 1996 nine 
month increase of $68,419 in service fee income was primarily due to the 
deposit fee income generated from the acquisition of the Key Bank branches.  
Income from available for sale securities gains was $19,187 and $225,570 for 
the three and nine months ended March 31, 1996 versus $(1,848) and $6,280 
for the three and nine months ended March 31, 1995.  Gains from the sale of 
securities have increased due to the Company selling some of its available 
for sale securities, taking advantage of the fluctuation in market prices in 
the mortgage-backed security portfolio.  Income from trading account securities
was $16,093 and 23,098 for the three and nine months ended March 31, 1996 
versus $151,910 and $375,732 for the three and nine months ended March 31, 
1995.  The gain on trading account, in the March 31, 1995 quarter, was due to 
the sale and appreciation in the market values of the securities classified as 
trading. 

Other income was $170,181 and $604,746 for the three and nine months ended 
March 31, 1996, which was an increase of $24,464 and an increase of $73,334 
from other income for the three and nine months ended March 31, 1995, which 
was $145,717 and $531,412, respectively.  Gains on the sale of loans held for 
sale amounted to $59,218 and $182,386 for the three and nine months ended 
March 31, 1996 versus $24,639 and $141,399 for the three and nine  months ended
March 31, 1995.  Gains from the sale of loans have increased as a result of 
increased originations due to secondary market loan demand from the Company's 
customers due to current low rates.  Gross income for First New England 
Benefits was $67,766 and $222,267 for the three and nine months ended March 31,
1996 versus $85,659 and $255,349 for the three and nine months ended
March 31, 1995.  The amounts discussed in this paragraph are reflected in other
income.

Total operating expense, or non-interest expense, for the Company was 
$2,080,138 and $6,031,733 for the three and nine months ended March 31, 1996 
versus $2,030,866 and $5,823,344 for the three and nine months ended 
March 31, 1995.

Compensation expense increased by $92,041 and $218,234 for the three and nine 
months ended March 31, 1996 as a result of the addition of the four new 
branches, annual salary increases and the increase in the number of individual 
employees qualifying for the Company's profit sharing and 401(k) program.  Net 
occupancy expenses increased by $22,403 and $37,496 for the three and nine 
months ended March 31, 1996.  The quarter and nine month increase in occupancy 
expense was primarily due to seasonal factors and the four new branches 
acquired from Key Bank, respectively.  Equipment expense decreased by $10,691 
and increased by $16,007 for the three and nine months ended March 31, 1996 
due to the expenses associated with the new acquisitions as well as the general
needs at the subsidiaries.  Goodwill expense increased by $2,041 and $60,880 
for the three and nine months ended March 31, 1996 due to the amortization of 
the premium paid for the four Key Bank branches.  Other expenses have decreased
by $56,522 and $124,228 for the three and nine months ended March 31, 1996 as
compared to the three and nine months ended March 31, 1995, primarily due to 
the Company decreasing its computer services, loan expenses, telephone, 
supplies and deposit insurance expenses .  In September 1995, the Company 
received a rebate from the FDIC for its BIF insured deposits.  This rebate 
reduced other expenses by approximately $56,000.

The FDIC has proposed a one time assessment on all SAIF insured deposits in a 
range of $.85 to $.90 per $100 of domestic deposits held as of March 31, 1995. 
This one time assessment is intended to recapitalize the SAIF to the required 
level of 1.25% of insured deposits and could be payable in early 1996.  If the 
assessment is made at the proposed rates, the effect on the Company would be an
after tax charge of approximately $320,000 (assuming an income tax rate of 
36%).  The one time charge assumes a .85% charge on Brunswick Federal 
Savings, F.A. deposits of approximately $60,000,000 at March 31, 1995, which 
does not include the BIF insured deposits of the newly acquired Key Bank 
branches.  Subsequent to the proposed payment of the one time assessment, the
ongoing risk based assessment schedule for the newly capitalized SAIF would 
be similar to the schedule of BIF (the current FDIC board proposal has rates 
ranging from 4 to 31 basis points).  The Company anticipates that it would be 
assessed at the lowest BIF rate as it currently is assessed at the lowest SAIF 
rate due to its regulatory standing.  If the Company's premium is reduced to 4 
basis points, the Company would have future after tax annual savings of 
approximately $180,000 (assuming an income tax rate of 36%).  The annual 
savings assumes a .04% insurance premium charge compared to the current .23% 
insurance premium paid on the Company's total deposit base of $149,000,000.

The Company announced its intention to merge the Company's two wholly-owned 
banking subsidiaries, Bethel Savings Bank, F.S.B. and Brunswick Federal 
Savings, F.A..  The merged banking subsidiaries would operate under the new 
name Northeast Bank, F.S. B..  The Company also intends to relocate its 
corporate headquarters and open a new retail banking facility in the
Lewiston/Auburn area.  The subsidiary merger received regulatory approval on 
March 19, 1996 and  is expected to be completed by July 1, 1996.  Due to the 
corporate plans mentioned above, the Company will incur additional expenses 
that will have a negative impact on earnings in the following quarters.  The 
additional merger expenses are one time in nature and are estimated to be at 
a minimum of approximately $200,000.  The Company anticipates, over the long 
term, these moves will lead to an increase in efficiency and performance.

Impact of Inflation

The consolidated financial statements and related notes herein have been 
presented in terms of historic dollars without considering changes in the 
relative purchasing power of money over time due to inflation.  Unlike many 
industrial companies, substantially all of the assets and virtually all of 
the liabilities of the Company are monetary in nature.  As a result, interest 
rates have a more significant impact on the Company's performance than the 
general level of inflation.  Over short periods of time, interest rates may not
necessarily move in the same direction or in the same magnitude as inflation.
                       BETHEL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
Part II -      Other Information

Item 1.   Legal Proceedings
          _________________
Not Applicable.

Item 2.   Changes in Securities
          _____________________
Not Applicable.

Item 3.   Defaults Upon Senior Securities
          _______________________________ 
Not Applicable.

Item 4.   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
          ___________________________________________________
Not Applicable.

Item 5.   Other Information
          _________________ 
Not Applicable.

Item 6.   Exhibits and Reports on Form 8 - K
          __________________________________
(a)  Exhibits
     ________
3.2  Restated by-laws of Bethel Bancorp as amended February 23, 1996

11   Statement regarding computation of per share.

27   Financial data schedule

(b)  Reports on Form 8 - K
     _____________________
 
     On January 12, 1996, the Company filed a report on Form 8-K announcing 
that it intends to merge the Company's two wholly-owned banking subsidiaries, 
Bethel Savings Bank F.S.B. and Brunswick Federal Savings Bank, F.A. (the "Bank 
Subsidiaries").  The proposed merger was approved by the Boards of Directors of
the two Bank Subsidiaries on January 3, 1996.  The resulting bank, which will 
be known as Northeast Bank, F.S.B. will have assets of over $200,000,000 and 
will operate eight branches in four Maine counties.  On March 19, 1996, the 
Bank Subsidiaries received approval from the Office of Thrift Supervision 
for the proposed merger.

     Included in the report on Form 8-K filed on January 12, 1996, the Company 
announced that it intends to change its name to Northeast Bancorp upon the 
merger of its two Bank Subsidiaries and at the same time will change the 
symbol under which its stock trades on the NASDAQ Stock Market to NEBC.

                          BETHEL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                  Signatures
                                       
                                       
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1934, the Registrant has 
duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto
duly authorized.
                                       
                                BETHEL BANCORP             
                              __________________
                                 (Registrant)
                                       
                                       
                            /s/ James D. Delamater            
                         ____________________________
                              James D. Delamater
                              President and CEO
                                       
                                       
                              /s/ Richard Wyman               
                         ____________________________
                                Richard Wyman
                           Chief Financial Officer
                                       
                                       
Date:  May 13, 1996

                       BETHEL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
                              Index to Exhibits
                                       
                                       
EXHIBIT NUMBER                            DESCRIPTION                           

11             Statement regarding computation of per share earnings 

27             Financial Data Schedule 

                                       




                         BY-LAWS OF BETHEL BANCORP

                    APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
                   AS AMENDED THROUGH FEBRUARY 23, 1996

                -------------------------------------------

                                 ARTICLE I

                         MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS


Section 1.     Place of Meeting.  All meetings of the shareholders of the 
_________      _________________
Corporation shall be held at the principal office of the Corporation in the 
State of Maine, or at such other place, within or without the State of Maine, 
as may, from time to time, be fixed by the Board of Directors or as shall be 
specified or fixed in the respective notices or waivers of notice thereof.

Section 2.     Annual Meetings.  The annual meeting of the shareholders shall 
_________      ________________
be held not more than one hundred, thirty-five (135) days after the close of 
the fiscal year of the Corporation, on such date and at such hour as may be 
fixed by the Board of Directors and stated in the notice of such meeting or 
on such other date and at such time as shall be stated in the notice of the 
meeting or otherwise specified by the President.  The Clerk shall serve 
personally or by mail a written notice not less than ten (10) days nor more 
than fifty (50) days before such meeting, addressed to each shareholder at 
his address as it appears on the stock book; but at any meeting at which all 
shareholders not present shall have waived notice in writing, the giving of 
notice as above required, may be foregone.

Section 3.     Special Meetings.  A special meeting of the shareholders for 
_________      _________________
any purpose or purposes, unless otherwise prescribed by statue, may be called 
at any time by the Chairman of the Board, if any, the President, or a 
Vice-President, or by a majority of the Board of Directors, or upon written 
application therefore to the Clerk by the holders of not less than ten percent
(10%) of the shares entitled to vote at the meeting.  Written notice of such 
meeting, stating the purpose for which it is called, shall be served 
personally, or by mail, not less than ten (10) nor more than fifty (50) days 
before the date set for such meeting.  If mailed, it shall be directed to every
shareholder at his address as it appears on the stock book, but, at any meeting
at which all shareholders shall be present, or of which all shareholders not 
present have waived notice in writing, the giving of notice as above required 
may be foregone.  No business other than that specified in the call for the 
meeting shall be transacted at any special meeting of the shareholders.

Section 4.     Quorum.  At each meeting of the shareholders, the presence, 
_________      _______
in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the issued and 
outstanding stock of the corporation entitled to vote at such meeting, shall 
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business except where otherwise 
provided by law or by the Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation or any 
amendment thereto.  In the absence of a quorum at any meeting or any 
adjournment thereof, the shareholders of the Corporation present in person 
or by proxy and entitled to vote shall have the power to adjourn the meeting, 
from time to time, until shareholders holding the requisite amount of stock 
shall be present or represented.  At any such adjourned meeting at which a 
quorum is present, any business may be transacted which might have been 
transacted at the meeting as originally called.  Notice of any adjourned 
meeting of the shareholders shall not be required to be given, except when 
expressly required by law.

Section 5.     Organization.  The Chairman of the Board, if any, or in the
_________      _____________ 
absence of the Chairman of the Board, the President or a Vice-President, or a 
Chairman designated by the Board of Directors or by the shareholders shall 
preside at every meeting of the shareholders.  In the absence of the Secretary,
the presiding officer shall appoint a secretary pro tempore.

Section 6.     Voting.  (a)  Each shareholder of the corporation having voting 
__________     _______
rights shall, except as otherwise provided by law or by the Articles of 
Incorporation of the Corporation, at every meeting of the shareholders be 
entitled to one vote in person or by proxy for each share of the stock of the
Corporation registered in his name on the books of the Corporation

     (1)  on the date fixed pursuant to Section 2 of Article VI of the By-laws
          as the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to
          vote at such meeting, notwithstanding the sale, or other disposal or
          transfer on the books of the Corporation of such share on or after
          the date so fixed, or

     (2)  if no such record date shall have been fixed, then at the date on
          which notice of such meeting is mailed.

(b)  At any meeting of shareholders at which a quorum is present, the holders
of a majority in interest of the stock having voting rights represented thereat
in person or by proxy shall decide any question brought before such meeting
unless a larger or different vote or proportion is required by law or by the
Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation or by these By-laws.

(c)  When so requested by a majority of the holders of outstanding shares
present at the meeting, a written ballot shall be used for any vote of the
shareholders.  If a written ballot shall be used, each ballot shall state the
name of the shareholder voting, the number of shares owned by him, and if such
ballot be cast by proxy, the name of the proxy.

Section 7.     Shareholders' Action Without Meeting.  Any action which, under 
_________      ____________________________________
any provision of the Maine Business Corporation Act, may be taken at a 
meeting of shareholders, may be taken without such a meeting, if consent in 
writing, setting forth the action so taken or to be taken, is signed severally 
or collectively by the holders of all the issued and outstanding shares of 
stock entitled to vote upon such action.  The Secretary shall file such consent
or consents with the minutes of the meetings of the Shareholders.

                -------------------------------------------
                                ARTICLE II

                            BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1.     General Powers.  The property, affairs and business of the 
_________      ______________
Corporation shall be controlled and managed by the Board of Directors.  
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, such control shall include 
the power to:  hire employees, professional, clerical and secretarial; enter 
into employment agreements with employees where deemed advisable; determine 
levels of employee compensation, including wages, salaries, bonuses and other 
fringe benefits; terminate the employment of an employee; determine conditions 
of employment, including hours of work, work responsibility, vacation time, 
and sick leave; authorize the purchase or rental of property and determine 
all policies of the Corporation with regard to the conduct of the business 
of the Corporation.  The Board of Directors may, from time to time, delegate 
particular responsibilities to specified officers of the Corporation as it 
shall deem advisable.  They may adopt such rules and regulations for the 
conduct of their meeting and the management of the Corporation not 
inconsistent with these By-laws, the Corporation's Articles of Incorporation, 
or the laws of the State of Maine as they may deem proper.

Section 2.     Number, qualifications and Term of Office.  Subject to the 
_________      __________________________________________
provisions hereof relating to the initial Board, the number of directors of 
the Corporation shall be no less than nine (9) and no more than fifteen (15).  
The exact number of Directors, within the minimum and maximum limitations 
specified in the preceding sentence, shall be fixed, from time to time,
by the Board pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the entire 
Board.  No decrease in the number of directors constituting the Board shall 
shorten the term of any incumbent director.  At the 1988 annual meeting of 
Shareholders, the Directors shall be divided into three classes as nearly 
equal in number as possible with the term of office of the first class to 
expire at the 1989 annual meeting of shareholders, the term of office of the 
second class to expire at the 1990 annual meeting of shareholders and the 
term of office of the third class to expire at the 1991 annual meeting of 
Shareholders.  At each annual meeting of shareholders following such initial 
classification and election, Directors elected to succeed those Directors 
whose terms expire shall be elected for a three-year term of office to 
expire at the third succeeding annual meeting of shareholders after their 
election.  Directors need not be shareholders or residents of the State of 
Maine.

Section 3.     Manner of Election.  At the annual meeting of shareholders, the 
_________      ___________________
persons receiving the largest number of votes cast, shall be Directors.

Section 4.     Quorum and Manner of Acting.  A majority of the total number 
_________      ___________________________
of Directors then holding office, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction
of business at any meeting except where otherwise provided by statute, the 
Corporation's Articles of Incorporation or these By-laws; but, less than a 
quorum may adjourn the meeting.  At all meetings of the Board of Directors, 
each Director present is to have one vote.  At all meetings of the Board 
of Directors, all questions, the manner of deciding which, is not specifically 
regulated by statute or the Corporation's Articles of Incorporation, shall 
be determined by a majority of the Directors present at the meeting.

Section 5.     Place of Meeting, etc.  The Board of Directors may hold its 
_________      ______________________
meetings and have one or more offices at such places within or without the 
State of Maine as the Board, from time to time, may determine or, in the 
case of meetings, as shall be specified or fixed in the respective notices or 
waivers of notice thereof.

Section 6.     Books and Records.  The correct and complete books and records 
__________     _________________
of account and minutes of the proceedings of Shareholders and the Board of 
Directors shall be kept at the registered office of the Corporation.

Section 7.     First Meeting.  The Board of Directors shall meet for the 
_________      _____________
purpose of organization, the election of officers and the Clerk, and the 
transaction of other business as soon as practicable after each annual election
of Directors, on the same day and at the same place at which regular meetings 
of the Board are held, or as may be otherwise provided by resolution of the 
Board.  Notice of such meeting need not be given.  Such meeting may be held 
at any other time or place which shall be specified in a notice given as 
hereinafter provided for special meetings of the Board of Directors or in a 
consent and waiver of notice, thereof, signed by all the Directors.

Section 8.     Regular Meetings.  Regular meetings of the Board of Directors 
_________      ________________
shall be held at such place and at such time as the Board shall, from time to 
time, by resolution, determine.  Notice of regular meetings need not be given.

Section 9.     Special Meetings; Notice.  Special meetings of the Board of 
_________      _________________________
Directors shall be held whenever called by the Chairman of the Board, if any, 
or by the President, or by the Clerk at the request of any two Directors at 
the time being in office.  Notice of each such meeting shall be mailed to each 
Director, addressed to him at his residence or usual place of business, at 
least two (2) days before the day on which the meeting is to be held, or 
shall be sent to him at such place by telegraph, cable, radio or wireless, or 
be given personally or by telephone, not later than the day before the day on 
which the meeting is to be held.  Every such notice shall state the time and 
place of the meeting, but, need not state the purpose thereof.  Notice of any 
meeting of the Board need not be given to any Directors, however, if waived 
by him in writing or by telegraph, cable, radio or wireless, whether before or 
after such meeting be held, or if he shall be present at such meeting unless 
his attendance at the meeting is expressly for the purpose of objecting to 
the transaction of any 
business because the meeting is not lawfully convened; and any meeting of the 
Board shall be a legal meeting without any notice thereof having been given, 
if all of the Directors shall be present thereat.

Section 10.    Resignations.  Any Director of the Corporation may resign at 
__________     ____________
any time by giving written notice to the President or to the Clerk of the 
Corporation.  Such resignation shall take effect at the time specified 
therein; and, unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such 
resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.

Section 11.    Removal of Directors.  At any meeting of Shareholders called 
___________    _____________________
expressly for the purpose, any Director may be removed form office by the 
affirmative vote of the holders of seventy-five percent (75%) of the shares 
entitled to vote or if removal is for cause, then by a majority of the shares 
then entitled to vote.  For "cause" shall mean a final adjudication by a 
court of competent jurisdiction that the Director (i) is liable for 
negligence or misconduct in the performance of his duty, (ii) guilty of a 
felony conviction, (iii) has failed to act or has acted in a manner which is 
in derogation of the Director's duties.

Section 12.    Vacancies.  Any vacancy in the Board caused by death, 
__________    __________
resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal, or other cause, shall be 
filled by a majority vote of the remaining Directors, though less than a 
quorum.  A Director so chosen shall hold office for the unexpired term of 
their predecessors in office.  Any Directorship to be filled by reason of an 
increase in the authorized number of Directors may be filled by the Board 
for a term of office continuing only until the next election of Directors 
by the Shareholders.

Section 13.    Compensation.  Directors shall receive such compensation for 
__________     _____________
attendance at regular or special meetings as the Board of Directors shall, 
from time to time, determine.

Section 14.    Directors' Participation in Meeting by Telephone.  A Director 
__________     ________________________________________________
may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors by means of conference 
telephone or similar communication equipment enabling all Directors 
participating in the meeting to hear one another.  Participation in a meeting
pursuant to this section shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

Section 15.    Director's Action Without Meeting.  If all the Directors then 
__________     _________________________________
holding office severally or collectively consent in writing to any action 
taken or to be taken by the Corporation, such action shall be valid as though 
it had been authorized at a meeting of the Board of Directors.  The Clerk 
shall file such consent or consents with the minutes of the meetings of the 
Board of Directors.

                -------------------------------------------


                                ARTICLE III

                                COMMITTEES

Section 1.     Designation; Vacancies.  The Board of Directors, by a resolution
_________      ______________________
passed by a majority of the whole Board, may designate such number of their 
members not less than two (2), including the President of the Corporation, 
as it may, from time to time, determine to constitute an Executive Committee,
each member of which, unless otherwise determined by the Board, shall continue 
to be member thereof until the expiration of his term of office as a Director.

Section 2.     Powers.  During the intervals between the meetings of the 
_________      ______
Board of Directors, the Executive Committee shall have all of the powers of 
the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the 
Corporation, except those prescribed by applicable Maine law, and may 
exercise such powers in such manner as the Executive Committee shall deem 
best for the interests of the Corporation in all cases in which specific 
directions shall not have been given by the Board of Directors.

Section 3.     Procedure; Meetings; Quorum.  The Executive Committee shall 
_________      ____________________________
make its own rules of procedure and shall meet at such times and at such place 
or places as may be provided by such rules or by resolution of the Executive 
Committee.  A majority of the whole number of the members of the Executive 
Committee shall constitute a quorum at any meeting thereof, and the act of 
a majority of those present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall 
be the act of the Executive Committee.  The Board of Directors shall have 
power at any time to change the members of the Executive Committee, to fill
vacancies, and to discharge the Executive Committee.

Section 4.     Other Committees.  The Board of Directors, by resolution passed 
_________      _________________
by a majority of the whole Board, may designate members of the board to 
constitute other committees, which shall in each case consist of such number 
of Directors and shall have and may exercise such powers as the Board may 
determine and specify in the respective resolutions appointing them.  Such 
committees shall have such name or names as may be determined, from time to 
time, by resolution adopted by the Board of Directors.  The Board of Directors 
shall have power at any time to change the members of any such committee, to 
fill vacancies, and to discharge any such committee.

Section 5.     Compensation.  Members of the Executive Committee or of other 
_________      ____________
committees of the Board of Directors shall receive such compensation for their 
services as members of such committees as the Board of Directors shall, from 
time to time, determine.

                -------------------------------------------


                                ARTICLE IV

                                 OFFICERS

Section 1.     Number.  The officers of the Corporation may include a 
_________      ______
Chairman of the Board and shall include a President, Treasurer, Secretary 
and such other officers as the Board of Directors may, from time to time, 
deem appropriate.  One person may hold the office and perform the duties of 
more than one of said officers.  The Corporation shall also have a Clerk, 
who shall not be an officer.

Section 2.     Election, Term of Office and Qualifications.  The officers, 
_________      ___________________________________________
and the Clerk, shall be elected annually by the Board of Directors.  Each 
officer shall hold office, and the Clerk shall remain Clerk of the Corporation,
until his successor shall have been elected and shall have qualified, or until 
his death or until he shall have resigned or shall have been removed in the 
manner hereinafter provided.

Section 3.     Removal.  Any officer, or the Clerk, may be removed by the Board
_________      _______
of Directors whenever, in its judgement, the best interests of the Corporation 
will be served by such action.

Section 4.     Resignations.  Any officer, or the Clerk, may resign at any 
_________      ____________
time by giving written notice to the Board of Directors or to the President 
or to the Clerk.  Such resignation shall take effect at the time specified 
therein; and, unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such 
resignation shall not be necessary to make if effective.

Section 5.     Vacancies.  A vacancy in any office, or in the position of 
_________      _________
Clerk, because of death, resignation, removal or any other cause shall be 
filled for the unexpired portion of the term in the manner prescribed in 
these By-laws for election or appointment to such office or position of Clerk.

Section 6.     The Chairman of the Board.  The Chairman of the Board, if there 
_________      _________________________
shall be one, shall be elected from among the Directors and shall, if present, 
preside at all meetings of the shareholders and of the Board of Directors.  
Except where, by law, the signature of the President is required, he shall 
possess the same power as the President to sign all certificates, contracts 
and other instruments of the Corporation which may be authorized by the 
Board of Directors or by the Executive Committee.  He shall, in general,
perform all duties incident to the office of the Chairman of the Board, 
subject, however, to the direction and control of the Board of Directors 
and of the Executive Committee, and such other duties as, from time to time, 
may be assigned to him by the Board of Directors or by the Executive Committee.

Section 7.     The President.  The President shall be the chief executive 
_________      _____________
and administrative officer of the Corporation and shall have general and 
active supervision and direction over the day-to-day business and affairs of 
the Corporation and over its several officers, subject, however, to the 
direction and control of the Board of Directors and of the Executive 
Committee.  At the request of the Chairman of the Board, or in case of his 
absence or inability to act, the President may act in his place.  He shall 
sign or countersign all certificates, contracts and other instruments of the 
Corporation as authorized by the Board of Directors, and shall perform all 
such other duties as, from time to time, may be assigned to him by the Board of
Directors or the Executive Committee.

Section 8.     The Vice-Presidents.  Each Vice-President shall have such powers
_________      ___________________
and perform such duties as the Board of Directors may, from time to time, 
prescribe.  At the request of the President, or in case of his absence or 
inability to act, any Vice President may act in his place, and when so acting 
shall have all the powers and be subject to all the restrictions of the 
President.

Section 9.     The Clerk.  The Clerk, who shall be an inhabitant of the State 
_________      _________
of Maine and shall keep his office therein, shall perform the functions 
provided in the Maine Business Corporation Act, as it may be amended.  The 
Clerk shall keep, or cause to be kept in books provided for the purpose the 
minutes of the meetings of the shareholders and of the Board of Directors; 
shall see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions 
of these By-laws and as required by law; shall be the custodian of the records,
stock certificates records and of the seal of the corporation and see that 
the seal is affixed to all documents the execution of which on behalf of the 
Corporation under its seal is duly authorized in accordance with the provisions
of these By-laws.

Section 10.    The Secretary.  The Secretary shall perform such duties and have
__________     _____________
such powers as are required or permitted by law and as the Board of Directors 
shall, from time to time, designate.  In his absence, an Assistant Secretary 
or a secretary pro tempore shall perform his duties, and the Assistant 
Secretary shall have such other powers and duties as the Board of Directors 
shall, from time to time, designate.  In the absence of the Clerk, the 
Secretary shall keep or cause to be kept, in books provided for the purpose, 
the minutes of the meetings of the shareholders and of the Board of Directors 
and shall perform such other functions as are provided to be performed by 
the Clerk.

Section 11.    The Treasurer.  The Treasurer shall be the financial officer 
__________     _____________
of the Corporation; shall have charge and custody of, and be responsible for, 
all funds of the Corporation, and deposit all such funds in the name of the 
Corporation in such banks, trust companies or other depositories as shall be 
selected by the Board of Directors; shall receive, and give receipts for, 
moneys due and payable to the Corporation from any source whatsoever; and in 
general, shall perform all the duties incident to the office of Treasurer and 
such other duties as, from time to time, may be assigned to him by the Board of
Directors or by the President.

Section 12.    Salaries.  The salaries of the Chairman of the Board, President,
__________     ________
Treasurer, Secretary, other officers and the Clerk, shall be fixed, from time 
to time, by the Board of Directors.  No officer or the Clerk shall be prevented
from receiving such salary by reason of the fact that he is also a Director 
of the Corporation.

                -------------------------------------------


                                 ARTICLE V

                      CONTRACTS, CHECKS, NOTES, ETC.

Section 1.     Execution of Contracts.  All contracts and agreements authorized
_________      ______________________
by the Board of Directors, and all checks, drafts, notes, bonds, bills of 
exchange and orders for the payment of money shall, unless otherwise directed 
by the Board of Directors, or unless otherwise required by law, be signed by 
any two of the following officers:  The Chairman of the Board, President, 
Vice-President, Treasurer, or Secretary.  The Board of Directors may, however,
authorize any one of said officers to sign checks, drafts and orders for the 
payment of money singly and without necessity of counter signature, and may 
designate officers and employees of the Corporation other than those named
above, or different combinations of such officers and employees, who may, in 
the name of the Corporation, execute checks, drafts, and orders for the payment
of money on its behalf.

Section 2.     Loans.  No loans, to the Corporation, shall be contracted on 
_________      _____
behalf of the Corporation and no negotiable paper shall be signed in its name 
unless authorized by resolution of the Board of Directors.  When authorized by
the Board of Directors to do so, any officer or agent of the Corporation 
thereunto authorized may effect loans and advances at any time for the 
Corporation from any bank, trust company or other institution, or from any 
firm, corporation or individual, and for such loans and advances may make, 
execute and deliver promissory notes, bonds or other certificates or 
evidences of indebtedness of the Corporation and, when authorized so to do, 
may pledge, hypothecate or transfer any securities or advances.  Such authority
may be general or confined to specific instances.

                -------------------------------------------


                                ARTICLE VI

                            STOCK AND DIVIDENDS


Section 1.     Certificate of Stock.  Every stockholder shall be entitled 
_________      ____________________
to have a certificate certifying the number of shares owned by him in the 
Corporation.  The certificates of stock shall be numbered and registered in 
the order in which they are issued, indicating the name of the person owning 
the shares therein represented with the number of shares and the date thereof. 
The certificates shall exhibit the holder's name and number of shares 
represented thereby.  They shall be signed by the President and countersigned 
by the Secretary and may be sealed with the seal of the Corporation or a 
facsimile thereof.  Such certificates shall be transferable on the stock books 
of the Corporation in person or by attorney, but, except as hereinafter 
provided in the case of loss, destruction or mutilation of certificates, no 
transfer of stock shall be entered until the previous certificate, if any, 
given for the same shall have been surrendered and cancelled.

A record of shareholders giving the names and addresses of all shareholders 
and the number and class of the shares held by each, shall be kept at the 
Corporation's registered office or principal place of business.

The person in whose name shares of stock stand on the books of the 
Corporation shall be deemed the owner thereof for all purposes as regards 
the Corporation.

The Board of Directors may make such rules and regulations as it may deem 
expedient, not inconsistent with these By-laws, concerning the issue, transfer 
and registration of certificates for shares of the capital stock of the 
Corporation.

Section 2.     Closing of Transfer Books or Fixing of Record Date.  For the 
_________      __________________________________________________
purpose of determining shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any 
meeting of shareholders or any adjournment thereof, or shareholders entitled 
to receive payment of any dividend, or in order to make a determination of 
shareholders for any other proper purpose, the Board of Directors of the 
Corporation may provide that the stock transfer books shall be closed for a 
stated period but not to exceed, in any case, fifty (50) days.  If the stock 
transfer books shall be closed for the purpose of determining shareholders 
entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of shareholders, such books 
shall be closed for at least ten(10) days immediately preceding such meeting.  
In lieu of closing the stock transfer books, the Board of Directors may fix in 
advance a date as the record date for any such determination of shareholders, 
such date in any case to be not more than fifty (50) days and, in case of a 
meeting of shareholders, not less than ten (10) days prior to the date on 
which the particular action, requiring such determination of shareholders, is 
to be taken.

Section 3.     Lost, Destroyed or Mutilated Certificates.  In case of loss, 
_________      _________________________________________
destruction or mutilation of any certificate of stock, another may be issued 
in its place upon proof of such loss, destruction or mutilation and upon 
satisfying such other requirements as the Board of Directors shall specify, 
including such provision for indemnity as may seem advisable to the Board of 
Directors.

Section 4.     Dividends.  Subject to the provisions of the Articles of 
_________      _________
Incorporation of the Corporation, and to the extent permitted by law, the 
Board of Directors may declare dividends on the shares of stock of the 
Corporation at such times and in such amounts as, in its opinion, are advisable
in view of the condition of the affairs of the Corporation.


                -------------------------------------------

                                ARTICLE VII

                                   SEAL

The Board of Directors shall provide a corporate seal which shall be in the 
form of a circle and shall bear the name of the Corporation and words and 
figures indicating the year and state in which the Corporation was 
incorporated.

                -------------------------------------------


                               ARTICLE VIII

                                FISCAL YEAR

The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be fixed by the Board of Directors.

                -------------------------------------------


                                ARTICLE IX

                             WAIVER OF NOTICE


Whenever any notice is required to be given to any shareholder or Director 
by these By-laws or the Articles of Incorporation or the laws of the State 
of Maine, a waiver of the notice in writing, signed by the person or persons 
entitled to the notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, 
shall be deemed equivalent to giving the notice.

                -------------------------------------------


                                 ARTICLE X

                             AMENDMENTS, ETC.


Section 1.     Amendments.  The By-laws of the Corporation may be amended at 
_________      __________
any time by the affirmative vote of a majority of the entire Board, subject 
to repeal, change or adoption of any contravening or inconsistent provision 
only by vote of the holders of at least two-thirds (2/3) of all the shares 
entitled to vote on the matter at a meeting expressly called for that purpose.

Section 2.     Supplemental Resolutions.  The Board of Directors by resolution,
_________      ________________________
adopted by (i) two-thirds of the Directors who are not affiliated with any 
acquiring or offering person in the case of Sections 2 and 4 of Exhibit B to 
the Articles of Incorporation or (ii) a majority of the Directors in all 
other cases, may supplement, interpret, clarify or enforce the provisions of 
the Articles of Incorporation and By-laws.  Such resolution shall be binding 
and may be relied upon for all purposes provided that the resolution is not 
inconsistent with law, the Articles of Incorporation or these By-laws.

                -------------------------------------------


                                ARTICLE XI

                              INDEMNIFICATION

Section 1.     Indemnification of Officers and Directors.  As provided in 
_________      _________________________________________
Section 719 of the Maine Business Corporation Act, and without limiting any 
rights provided therein, the Corporation may in all cases indemnify any person 
who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, 
pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, 
administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he is or was a 
Director, officer, Clerk, employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was 
serving at the request of the Corporation as a Director, officer, Clerk, 
employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust 
or other enterprise, against expenses, including attorney's fees, judgements, 
fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonable incurred by him 
in connection with such action, suit or proceeding; provided that no 
indemnification shall be provided for any person with respect to any matter 
as to which he shall have been finally adjudicated in any action, suit or 
proceeding not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that his 
action was in the best interests of the Corporation or, with respect to any 
criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his 
conduct was unlawful.  The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by 
judgement, order or conviction adverse to such person, or by settlement or plea
of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not of itself create a presumption 
that such person did not act in good faith in the reasonable belief that his 
action was in the best interest of the Corporation and with respect to any 
criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his 
conduct was unlawful.

Section 2.     Insurance.  The Corporation shall purchase and maintain 
_________      _________
insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a Director, Officer or 
Clerk of the Corporation.  Furthermore, the Corporation may, at its discretion,
purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was an 
employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of 
the Corporation as a Director, Officer, Clerk, employee or agent of another 
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against 
any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any such capacity, 
or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the Corporation would 
have the power to indemnify him against such liability under this section.


                       BETHEL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
Part II -      Other Information

Item 1.   Legal Proceedings
          _________________
Not Applicable.

Item 2.   Changes in Securities
          _____________________
Not Applicable.

Item 3.   Defaults Upon Senior Securities
          _______________________________ 
Not Applicable.

Item 4.   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
          ___________________________________________________
Not Applicable.

Item 5.   Other Information
          _________________ 
Not Applicable.

Item 6.   Exhibits and Reports on Form 8 - K
          __________________________________
(a)  Exhibits
     ________
3.2  Restated by-laws of Bethel Bancorp as amended February 23, 1996

11   Statement regarding computation of per share.

27   Financial data schedule

(b)  Reports on Form 8 - K
     _____________________
 
     On January 12, 1996, the Company filed a report on Form 8-K announcing 
that it intends to merge the Company's two wholly-owned banking subsidiaries, 
Bethel Savings Bank F.S.B. and Brunswick Federal Savings Bank, F.A. (the "Bank 
Subsidiaries").  The proposed merger was approved by the Boards of Directors of
the two Bank Subsidiaries on January 3, 1996.  The resulting bank, which will 
be known as Northeast Bank, F.S.B. will have assets of over $200,000,000 and 
will operate eight branches in four Maine counties.  On March 19, 1996, the 
Bank Subsidiaries received approval from the Office of Thrift Supervision 
for the proposed merger.

     Included in the report on Form 8-K filed on January 12, 1996, the Company 
announced that it intends to change its name to Northeast Bancorp upon the 
merger of its two Bank Subsidiaries and at the same time will change the 
symbol under which its stock trades on the NASDAQ Stock Market to NEBC.

                          BETHEL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                  Signatures
                                       
                                       
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1934, the Registrant has 
duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto
duly authorized.
                                       
                                BETHEL BANCORP             
                              __________________
                                 (Registrant)
                                       
                                       
                            /s/ James D. Delamater            
                         ____________________________
                              James D. Delamater
                              President and CEO
                                       
                                       
                              /s/ Richard Wyman               
                         ____________________________
                                Richard Wyman
                           Chief Financial Officer
                                       
                                       
Date:  May 13, 1996

                       BETHEL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
                              Index to Exhibits
                                       
                                       
EXHIBIT NUMBER                            DESCRIPTION                           

11             Statement regarding computation of per share earnings 

27             Finanacial Data Schedule 

                                       
                       BETHEL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
      Exhibit 11.  Statement Regarding Computation of Per Share Earnings
                                       
                                    Three Months Ended    Three Months Ended
                                       March 31, 1996       March 31, 1995*
                                   ____________________  ____________________
                                                                             
EQUIVALENT SHARES:                                                            
                                                                               
Average Shares Outstanding                1,203,764            1,094,800
                                                                               
Total Equivalent Shares                   1,203,764            1,094,800
Total Primary Shares                      1,313,669            1,222,957
Total Fully Diluted Shares                1,558,516            1,456,721
                                                                             
Net Income                           $      301,805        $     408,073
Less Preferred Stock Dividend                35,000               35,000
                                   ____________________  ____________________
Net Income after Preferred                                                   
  Dividend                           $      408,436        $     373,073
                                   ====================  ====================
                                                                             
Primary Earnings Per Share           $         0.20        $        0.31
Fully Diluted Earnings Per Share     $         0.19        $        0.28
                                                                             
                                    Nine Months Ended     Nine Months Ended
                                     March 31, 1996        March 31, 1995*
                                   ____________________  ____________________
EQUIVALENT SHARES:                                                           
                                                                              
Average Shares Outstanding                1,173,201            1,094,800
                                                                             
Total Equivalent Shares                   1,173,201            1,094,800
Total Primary Shares                      1,273,434            1,228,539
Total Fully Diluted Shares                1,527,953            1,462,303
                                                                             
Net Income                           $    1,166,878        $   1,220,898
Less Preferred Stock Dividend               104,999              104,999
                                   ____________________  ____________________ 
Net Income after Preferred                                                   
 Dividend                            $      795,074        $   1,115,899
                                   ====================  ====================
                                                                             
Primary Earnings Per Share           $         0.83        $        0.91
Fully Diluted Earnings Per Share     $         0.76        $        0.84


*The 1995 earnings per share was restated due to the 100% common stock 
  dividend.




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<NAME> BETHEL BANCORP
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