NORWICH – NBT Bancorp Inc. reported today that net income for the six months ending June 30, was $26.2 million, down 5.6 percent or $1.6 million from net income of $27.8 million reported for the same period in 2006.

NBT’s return on average assets and return on average equity were 1.04 percent and 12.98 percent, respectively, compared with 1.17 percent and 14.93 percent for the same period in 2006.

Net income for the three months ended June 30, 2007, was $12.1 million, down $2.1 million from net income of $14.2 million reported for the same period in 2006.

The decrease in net income for the six months was primarily the result of an $8.4 million increase in provision for loan and lease losses compared to the same period last year. This increase in expense was partially offset by a $2.9 million increase in non-interest income and a $3.3 million decrease in non-interest expense.