Exhibit
99.1





FOR
      IMMEDIATE RELEASE
            For
      More Information Contact:Mark
      A. RobertsExecutive
      Vice President & CFO(413)
      787-1700





UNITED
FINANCIAL BANCORP ANNOUNCES THAT IT WILL NOT PARTICIPATE


IN
THE U.S. TREASURY DEPARTMENT’S CAPITAL PURCHASE PROGRAM





WEST SPRINGFIELD, MA—November 12,
2008—United Financial Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) (NASDAQ:UBNK), the
holding company for United Bank (the “Bank”), announced today that is has
decided not to apply for participation in the U. S. Treasury Department’s
Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP) Capital Purchase Program as authorized by
the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008.





“We are a
well-capitalized, financially solid institution with strong operating earnings
and we have determined that we do not need the capital offered by the TARP
program to meet the banking and borrowing needs of our customers,” said Richard
B. Collins, President and Chief Executive Officer.  “The strength of
our balance sheet enables us to avoid the expense and uncertainty that
participation in this not yet fully defined government program would entail. As
a non-participant we will be able to employ the capital management options that
we believe are in the best interests of our shareholders and our customers. We
have ample liquidity to continue our lending programs for qualified borrowers of
all types.  Our loan portfolio is performing well and we have no
exposure to sub-prime loans or any debt or equity investments in Fannie Mae,
Freddie Mac, Lehman Brothers or AIG.  We are fortunate to have the
capital and liquidity we need to continue doing business as we have in the past
without the assistance offered through the TARP program,” he said.





As of
September 30, 2008, the Bank's Tier I Capital Ratio was 18.17%, more than 3
times the 6% level to be considered well capitalized.





United
Financial Bancorp, Inc. is a publicly owned corporation and the holding company
for United Bank, a federally chartered savings bank headquartered at 95 Elm
Street, West Springfield, MA 01090.  The Company’s common stock is
traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol
UBNK.  United Bank provides an array of financial products and
services through its 15 branch offices and one express drive up branch located
throughout Western Massachusetts.  Through its Wealth Management Group
and its partnership with NFP Securities, Inc., the Bank is able to offer access
to a wide range of investment and insurance products and services, as well as
financial, estate and retirement strategies and products.  For more
information regarding the Bank’s products and services and for United Financial
Bancorp, Inc. investor relations information, please visit www.bankatunited.com.





Except
for the historical information contained in this press release, the matters
discussed may be deemed to be forward-looking statements, within the meaning of
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that involve risks and
uncertainties, including changes in economic conditions in the Company’s market
area, changes in policies by regulatory agencies, fluctuations in interest
rates, demand for loans in the Company’s market area, competition, and other
risks detailed from time to time in the Company’s SEC reports.  Actual
strategies and results in future periods may differ materially from those
currently expected.   These forward-looking statements represent
the Company’s judgment as of the date of this release.  The Company
disclaims, however, any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking
statements.