SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON D. C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-Q


                   QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
                     OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


    For Quarter Ended March 31, 1998          Commission File Number 0-14550



                       NEW ENGLAND COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC.
                       -----------------------------------

                               DELAWARE 06-1116165



                                OLD WINDSOR MALL
                                  P.O. BOX 130
                           WINDSOR, CONNECTICUT 06095


                            Telephone: (860) 610-3600


Indicate by check mark whether  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  twelve  months,   and  (2)  has  been  subject  to  such  filing
requirements for the past 90 days.  YES  [X]  NO[ ]



The number of shares of common stock of the  registrant  outstanding as of April
30, 1998 was 5,171,626.




The total number of pages in this report is 19.

                                    Page -1-

<PAGE>


                       NEW ENGLAND COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC.

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

         Part I.        FINANCIAL INFORMATION                           Page No.
         Item 1.        Financial Statements:

                        Consolidated Balance Sheets--March 31, 1998 
                        (unaudited) and December 31, 1997                      4

                        Consolidated Statements of Income--three 
                        months ended March 31, 1998 
                        and 1997 (unaudited)                                   5

                        Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows--
                        three months ended March 31, 1998
                        and 1997 (unaudited)                                   6

                        Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements             7

         Item 2.        Management's Discussion and Analysis of 
                        Financial Condition and Results of Operations          9

        Part II.        OTHER INFORMATION                                     18

         Item 6.        Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules 
                        and Reports on Form 8-K                               18

                        SIGNATURES                                            19

                                    Page -2-


<PAGE>

                          Part I--FINANCIAL INFORMATION

                          Item 1. Financial Statements

                                    Page -3-
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                             NEW ENGLAND COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC.
                                 CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Thousands of dollars; except share data)
                                                                   March 31,
                                                                        1998   December 31,
                                                                 (Unaudited)           1997
===========================================================================================
<S>                                                                <C>            <C>      
Assets:
     Cash and due from banks                                       $  34,796      $  35,201
     Federal funds sold                                               21,107          4,650
                                                                   ---------      ---------
        Cash and cash equivalents                                     55,903         39,851
     Securities held-to-maturity                                       9,925         11,336
     Securities available-for-sale                                   106,137        120,448
     Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost                             2,977          2,977
     Loans outstanding                                               399,653        408,535
        Less: allowance for possible loan losses                      (7,210)        (9,257)
                                                                   ---------      ---------
           Net loans                                                 392,443        399,278
     Loans held-for-sale                                               8,000          2,966
     Accrued interest receivable                                       3,950          4,395
     Premises and equipment                                           10,978         11,064
     Other real estate owned                                           2,466          2,870
     Goodwill                                                          5,140          5,238
     Other assets                                                      5,094          5,747
                                                                   ---------      ---------
Total Assets                                                       $ 603,013      $ 606,170
                                                                   =========      =========
Liabilities:
     Deposits:
        Noninterest bearing                                        $  98,214      $ 114,510
        Interest bearing                                             411,378        408,134
                                                                   ---------      ---------
           Total deposits                                            509,592        522,644
     Short-term borrowings                                            14,466         14,036
     Long-term debt                                                   19,580         11,612
     Other liabilities                                                 4,127          4,055
                                                                   ---------      ---------
Total Liabilities                                                    547,765        552,347

Shareholders' Equity:
     Common stock, $.10 par value, authorized 10,000,000 shares:
       March 31, 1998, 5,171,626 issued and outstanding;
       December 31, 1997, 5,160,626 issued and outstanding               517            516
     Additional paid-in capital                                       51,165         51,064
     Retained earnings                                                 2,531          1,107
     Net unrealized gain on securities available-for-sale              1,035          1,136
                                                                   ---------      ---------
Total Shareholders' Equity                                            55,248         53,823
                                                                   ---------      ---------
Total Liabilities & Shareholders' Equity                           $ 603,013      $ 606,170
                                                                   =========      =========

   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
</TABLE>

                                          Page -4-
<PAGE>

                       NEW ENGLAND COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC.
                         CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS
                                   (Unaudited)

(Thousands of dollars; except per share data)
                                                              Three Months Ended
                                                                   March 31,
                                                                1998      1997
==============================================================================
Interest income:
     Loans, including fees                                    $9,035    $7,594
     Securities:
         Taxable interest                                      1,812     1,818
         Interest exempt from federal income taxes                37        36
         Dividends                                                63        77
     Federal funds sold and other interest                        60        84
                                                              ------    ------
         Total interest income                                11,007     9,609

Interest expense:
     Deposits                                                  3,865     3,121
     Borrowed funds                                              362       166
                                                              ------    ------
         Total interest expense                                4,227     3,287
Net interest income                                            6,780     6,322
Provision for possible loan losses                               322       273
                                                              ------    ------

Net interest income after provision for possible loan losses   6,458     6,049

Noninterest income:
     Service charges, fees and commissions                       714       622
     Investment securities gains, net                          1,229        (2)
     Gain on the sales of loans, net                             541       297
     Other                                                        44        37
                                                              ------    ------
         Total noninterest income                              2,528       954

Noninterest expense:
     Salaries and employee benefits                            2,800     2,416
     Occupancy                                                   535       546
     Furniture and equipment                                     354       302
     Outside services                                            217       289
     Postage and supplies                                        224       213
     Insurance and assessments                                    87        45
     Losses, writedowns, expenses - other real estate owned       68        31
     Amortization of goodwill                                     98        79
     Loss on sale of portfolio loans                             718
     Other                                                       718       676
                                                              ------    ------
         Total noninterest expense                             5,819     4,597
                                                              ------    ------
Income before taxes                                            3,167     2,406
Income taxes                                                   1,278       904
                                                              ------    ------
Net Income                                                    $1,889    $1,502
                                                              ======    ======
Net income per share--Basic                                   $ 0.37    $ 0.30
Net income per share--Diluted                                 $ 0.36    $ 0.30
Weighted average shares of Common Stock outstanding--Basic     5,161     5,006
Weighted average shares of Common Stock outstanding--Diluted   5,315     5,055

 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial 
 statements.

                                    Page -5-
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                   NEW ENGLAND COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC.
                                  CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                               (Unaudited)
(Thousands of dollars)
Three Months Ended March 31,                                                           1998         1997
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                                  <C>         <C>    
Operating activities:
     Net income                                                                      $ 1,889     $ 1,502
     Adjustment for noncash charges (credits):
       Provision for depreciation and amortization                                       275         308
       Losses from sale or disposal and provisions to reduce the carrying value
          of other real estate owned, net                                                209          47
       Securities losses (gains), net                                                 (1,229)          2
       Accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums on bonds, net                 (10)          3
       Accretion, net of amortization, of purchase accounting adjustments                 (3)        (53)
       Amortization of goodwill                                                           98          79
       Provision for possible loan losses                                                322         273
       Loss on sale of portfolio loans, net                                              440
       (Increase) decrease in accrued interest income and other assets, net            1,014         (72)
       Decrease (increase) in loans held-for-sale                                     (5,034)       (777)
       (Decrease) increase in accrued interest payable and other liabilities, net        163      (1,126)
                                                                                     -------     -------
              Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities                    (1,866)        186
                                                                                     -------     -------

Financing activities:
     Net decrease in noninterest-bearing accounts                                    (16,296)     (6,274)
     Net (decrease) increase in interest-bearing accounts                              3,265      (9,667)
     Net increase in short-term borrowings                                               430       3,797
     Net increase in long-term borrowings                                              7,968       6,000
     Proceeds from issuance of common stock                                              103           2
     Cash dividends paid                                                                (465)       (371)
                                                                                     -------     -------
              Net cash used for financing activities                                  (4,995)     (6,513)
                                                                                     -------     -------

Investing activities:
     Loans originated, net of principal collections                                   (4,924)      1,815
     Proceeds from sale of portfolio loans                                            10,156           3
     Purchases of securities available-for-sale                                       (3,287)    (10,886)
     Proceeds from sales of securities available-for-sale                              8,823       4,559
     Proceeds from maturities of securities available-for-sale                         9,829       5,449
     Purchases of securities held-to-maturity                                                        (25)
     Proceeds from maturities of securities held-to-maturity                           1,410         151
     Proceeds from sales of other real estate owned                                    1,072       1,162
     Purchases of premises and equipment, net                                           (160)       (348)
     Capitalization of expenditures on other real estate owned                           (49)        (20)
                                                                                     -------     -------
              Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities                    22,913       1,860
                                                                                     -------     -------
     Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents                                 16,052      (4,467)
     Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period                                   39,851      39,854
                                                                                     -------     -------
     Cash and cash equivalents, end of period                                        $55,903     $35,387
                                                                                     =======     =======

         The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
</TABLE>

                                                Page -6-
<PAGE>


                       NEW ENGLAND COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC.
              NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1 - Basis of Presentation
------------------------------

    The accompanying  condensed interim  financial  statements are unaudited and
include the accounts of New England  Community  Bancorp,  Inc. (the "Company" or
"NECB") and its  subsidiaries,  New England Bank and Trust Company ("New England
Bank"),  The Equity Bank ("Equity Bank") and Community Bank  ("Community  Bank")
(together the "Subsidiaries").  The consolidated  financial statements have been
prepared in accordance with generally  accepted  accounting  principles  interim
financial  information and with the instructions to SEC Form 10-Q and Article 10
of Regulation  S-X.  Accordingly,  they do not include all the  information  and
footnotes  required by generally  accepted  accounting  principles  for complete
financial  statements.  These financial  statements  reflect,  in the opinion of
Management,  all adjustments,  consisting of only normal recurring  adjustments,
necessary for a fair  presentation of the Company's  financial  position and the
results of its  operations and its cash flows for the periods  presented.  These
financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements
and notes thereto included in the Company's 1997 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Note 2 - Mergers and Acquisitions
---------------------------------

    On August 8, 1997, NECB acquired First Bank of West Hartford  ("First Bank")
by  issuing  995,355  shares  of  the  Company's  common  stock  for  all of the
outstanding  common  shares of First Bank and all fully  vested and  exercisable
stock  options.  First Bank was also merged with and into New England Bank.  The
acquisition  of First Bank was  accounted  for as a pooling of interests  and as
such all prior  results  have been  restated  as though the  companies  had been
combined as of the earliest period presented.

    On December  31, 1997,  NECB  acquired  Community  Bank  (formally  known as
Community  Savings Bank) by paying $4,832,000 in cash for all of the outstanding
common shares of Community Bank. The acquisition of Community Bank was accounted
for as a purchase.  Accordingly,  the consolidated  financial  statements of the
Company do not include prior operating results of Community Bank.

Note 3- Merger Agreements
-------------------------

    On  February  10,  1998,  Olde Port Bank & Trust  Company  ("Olde  Port") of
Portsmouth,  New  Hampshire,  entered  into a Plan and  Agreement of Merger (the
"Olde Port Merger  Agreement") with the Company whereby NECB will acquire all of
the outstanding common stock of Olde Port in a tax-free exchange of stock. Under
the terms of the Olde Port Merger Agreement,  for each share of outstanding Olde
Port common stock, holders will receive NECB common stock with a market value of
$200.00,  subject  to  certain  adjustments.  The exact  exchange  ratio will be
computed  based upon the average  closing  price of NECB shares for the ten (10)
days preceding the last  regulatory  approval.  Based upon the closing price for
NECB  shares on  February  9, 1998 of $24.75,  Olde Port  shareholders  would be
entitled to receive  approximately  8.08  shares of NECB  common  stock for each
share of Olde Port common stock  owned,  with a resulting  transaction  value of
approximately $13.8 million. The transaction is subject to approval by Olde Port
shareholders and various regulatory agencies.  NECB expects that the transaction
will close on or about June 30, 1998 and will be  accounted  for as a pooling of
interests. Olde Port will become NECB's fourth banking subsidiary.

    Olde Port operates out of a single banking office and serves  Portsmouth and
the  surrounding  communities.  At  March  31,  1998,  Old Port  had  assets  of
approximately  $50 million,  deposits of  approximately  $51  million,  loans of
approximately $30 million, and shareholders' equity of approximately $5 million.

    On  March  19,  1998,  Bank of South  Windsor  ("BSW"),  of  South  Windsor,
Connecticut,  and NECB  entered  into a Plan and  Agreement  of Merger (the "BSW
Merger Agreement") whereby BSW will be acquired by NECB and merged with and into
New England Bank. Under the terms of the BSW Merger Agreement, NECB will acquire
BSW on a stock-for-stock  basis in a tax-free exchange fixed at 1.3204 shares of
NECB common stock for each share of BSW common stock. Using NECB's closing price
on March 18,  1998 of $25.50 per share,  the  transaction  would have a value of
$33.67  per 

                                    Page -7-
<PAGE>

share to BSW  shareholders and an aggregate  transaction  value of approximately
$32.8 million.  In the event that the average  closing price of NECB stock,  for
the twenty days ending on the date of final  regulatory  approval,  is less than
$23.48, the exchange ratio will (subject to certain  qualifications) be adjusted
to result in the receipt by BSW  shareholders  of NECB shares  having a value of
$31.00 per share of BSW common stock.

    At March 31, 1998, BSW had assets of approximately $153 million, deposits of
approximately   $129  million,   loans  of   approximately   $96  million,   and
shareholders'    equity   of    approximately    $11    million.    BSW   is   a
Connecticut-chartered  commercial bank and has banking offices in South Windsor,
Vernon and East Hartford, Connecticut.

Note 4- Disclosure for Statements of Cash Flows
-----------------------------------------------

Schedule of noncash investing and financing activities:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(Thousands of dollars)
Three Months Ended March 31,                                        1998     1997
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                               <C>      <C>   
Loans charged off, net of recoveries                              $2,369   $  216
Real estate acquired through foreclosure                             828      247
Loans originated to facilitate sales of other real estate owned      653
Income tax paid                                                    1,132      444
Interest paid                                                      4,174    3,393
</TABLE>

                                    Page -8-
<PAGE>

                          Part I--FINANCIAL INFORMATION

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

     The Company's  earnings are largely  dependent upon net interest income and
noninterest  income from its  community  banking  operations--with  net interest
income  providing  the vast  majority of the  Company's  revenues.  Net interest
income is the  difference  between  interest  earned on the loan and  investment
portfolios and interest paid on deposits and other sources of funds. Noninterest
revenue is primarily derived from service charges,  fees and commissions related
to deposit accounts and the Company's service loan portfolio. As noted in Note 2
above,  the  acquisition  of  First  Bank  was  accounted  for as a  pooling  of
interests. As such, all prior results have been restated as though the companies
had been combined as of the earliest period presented.

     NECB  reported  record  net  income  for  the  first  quarter  of  1998  of
$1,889,000, or $0.36 per diluted share, compared to net income of $1,502,000, or
$0.30 per  diluted  share,  reported  in 1997.  This  represents  an increase of
$387,000 or 26% over net income  reported in the previous  year.  On an earnings
per share  basis,  1998 net  income  increased  20% over  recorded  in the first
quarter of 1997. Returns on assets ("ROA") and equity ("ROE") also improved from
1997 and were 1.30% and  13.99%,  respectively,  for 1998  compared to 1.21% and
12.13%, respectively, for the comparative period.

     Net interest  income on a fully  taxable-equivalent  ("FTE")  basis totaled
$6,838,000  for 1998  compared to $6,362,000  in 1997.  The net interest  margin
declined  from a historical  high of 5.52% in the first quarter of 1997 to 5.13%
in first quarter of 1998. The decrease in the margin is largely due to increased
competition among area lenders coupled with increased funding costs.

     The provisions for possible loan losses were $322,000  compared to $273,000
in the  comparable  period in 1997.  The $49,000  increase is largely due to the
increased size of the loan.

     Noninterest  income  increased  $1,574,000  and totaled  $2,582,000 in 1998
compared to $954,000 in 1997.  Compared to the first quarter of 1997, gains from
the sale of securities increased $1,231,000 (with $898,000 being realized by the
parent  company) and gains from the sale of mortgage loans  increased  $244,000.
Additionally,  service charges,  fees and commissions rose $92,000,  or 15%, and
totaled  $714,000  compared to the $622,000  recorded in the quarter ended March
31, 1997.

     Noninterest  expense  totaled  $5,819,000  in the  first  quarter  of  1998
compared  to  $4,597,000  in 1997.  The  increase  primarily  resulted  from the
$718,000 in expense to facilitate a bulk sale of workout  loans (see  "Financial
Condition--Non-performing  Assets" for management's  discussion  concerning this
transaction) and increased compensation costs associated with NECB's acquisition
of Community Bank. NECB's efficiency ratio,  which measures how much a dollar or
revenue  costs to produce,  equaled 58.7% for the first quarter of 1998 compared
to 62.0% for the same period in 1997.

     Total  loans at  March  31,  1998  amounted  to  $399,653,000  compared  to
$408,535,000  at  December  31,  1997.  Absent the effect of the bulk loan sale,
loans would have increased slightly during the quarter.  Total deposits amounted
to $509,592,000 at March 31, 1998 compared to $522,644,000 at December 31, 1997.
A decline  in NECB's  deposit  base  during  the first  quarter of the year is a
recurring  phenomenon observed by management.  To partially offset this outflow,
NECB  increased  its  use of  alternative  funding  sources  by  increasing  its
long-term debt  outstanding  during the quarter to $19,580,000 at March 31, 1998
compared to $11,612,000 at year-end 1997.

     Shareholders'  equity increased $1,425,000 from $53,823,000 at December 31,
1997 to  $55,248,000 at  quarter-end.  At March 31, 1998, the ratio of equity to
total assets equaled 9.17%.  When goodwill  resulting from the Equity Bank BANK,
MSB and Community  Bank  acquisitions  is excluded,  tangible  equity capital is
reduced to  $50,108,000,or  8.31% of total assets.  The resulting  tangible book
value  per  share  amounted  to $9.69 at March  31,  1998  compared  to $8.92 at
December 31, 1997.

                                    Page -9-
<PAGE>

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS--THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1998 AND 1997
-----------------------------------------------------------------

     For the three months ended March 31, 1998, the Company  reported net income
of $1,889,000,  or $0.36 per diluted share, compared to $1,502,000, or $0.30 per
diluted  share,  for  the  same  period  of  1997.  The  largest  factor  in the
improvement was an increase of $1,574,000,  or 165%, in noninterest income. Also
showing improvement was net interest income, which increased $458,000,  or 7.2%,
from the same period in 1997.  Also increasing was  noninterest  expense,  which
rose $1,222,000,  or 27%, to $5,819,000 in the first quarter of 1998 compared to
1997.

Net Interest Income
-------------------

     The principal earning asset of the Company is its loan  portfolio--which is
comprised of loans to finance  operations of businesses located primarily within
its market  area,  mortgage  loans to finance  the  purchase or  improvement  of
properties  used by businesses and mortgage and personal  loans to  individuals.
Representing  approximately a quarter of the Company's  earning  assets,  NECB's
investment  portfolio  also plays an  important  part in the  management  of the
Company's  balance sheet.  While providing a source of revenue,  these funds are
used to provide  reserves and meet the  liquidity  needs of the Company.  Excess
reserves  are  available to meet the  borrowing  needs of the  communities  NECB
serves.  For the following  discussion,  interest income is presented on a fully
taxable-equivalent ("FTE") basis. FTE interest income restates reported interest
income on tax exempt loans and  securities as if such interest were taxed at the
statutory Federal income tax rate of 34% for all periods presented.

(Amounts in thousands)

Three Months Ended March 31,                    1998        1997   % Change
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest income (financial statements)       $11,007     $ 9,609    14.5%
Tax equivalent adjustment                         58          40    45.0%
                                             -------     -------
  Total interest income (on an FTE basis)     11,065       9,649    14.7%
Interest expense                              (4,227)     (3,287)   28.6%
                                             -------     -------
Net interest income (on an FTE basis)        $ 6,838     $ 6,362     7.5%
                                             =======     =======

     For the first  quarter  of 1998,  net  interest  income on an FTE basis was
$6,838,000,  a 7.5% increase over the  $6,362,000  in the  comparable  period in
1997. A key factor in the $476,000  increase in 1998 was the increase in average
loans outstanding.  Internal growth and the acquisition of Community Bank (which
provided an  additional  $55,000,000  in loans  outstanding)  served to increase
interest  income by $1,749,000  during the first quarter of 1998 compared to the
same period a year earlier.

     The net interest  margin  measures the  difference in yield on, and the mix
of,  interest-earning assets and interest-bearing  liabilities.  As shown in the
table below,  the margin for the quarter ended March 31, 1998 decreased to 5.13%
from 5.52% in 1997.  The yield on earning  assets was reduced by 8 basis  points
and  equaled  8.30% to 8.38%  while  the yield on  interest-bearing  liabilities
increased 44 basis points and equaled 3.95% for the quarter ended March 31, 1998
compared  to 3.51% a year  earlier.  Helping to lessen  the effect of  increased
competition  from area lenders  (which served to reduce the yield on NECB's loan
portfolio  to  8.85%  in  1998  from  9.27%  in  1997)  was an  improved  mix of
interest-earning   assets.   For  the  first  quarter  of  1998,  average  loans
outstanding and average investment  securities  (including  held-to-maturity and
available-for-sale)  represented  76% and 22% of earning  assets,  respectively,
compared  to  71%  and  27%,  respectively,  for  the  same  period  last  year.
Additionally,  a 200 basis point  increase in the  percentage of earning  assets
funded by interest-earning  assets (from 15% during the first quarter of 1997 to
17% in 1998) served to help reduce the Company's funding costs.

                                   Page -10-
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Consolidated Average Balances/Interest Earned or Paid/Rates
-----------------------------------------------------------

Three Months Ended                                            March 31, 1998                March 31, 1997
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       Average            Average      Average             Average
(Amounts in thousands)                                 Balance  Interest     Rate      Balance   Interest     Rate
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                   <C>         <C>       <C>       <C>          <C>       <C>  
Assets:
   Federal funds sold                                 $  4,605    $   60    5.28%     $  7,289     $   84    4.67%
   Securities held-to-maturity                          10,442       182    7.08%       13,257        225    6.88%
   Securities available-for-sale                       110,940     1,788    6.53%      114,214      1,746    6.20%
   Mortgages held for sale                               3,949        70    7.19%        1,243         23    7.50%
   Loans (A)                                           410,778     8,965    8.85%      331,213      7,571    9.27%
                                                      --------    ------              --------     ------         
      Total interest-earning assets                    540,714    11,065    8.30%      467,216      9,649    8.38%

   Allowance for loan losses                            (7,209)                         (6,744)
   Cash and due from banks                              26,417                          20,058
   Other assets                                         29,729                          23,520
                                                      --------                        --------
Total Assets                                          $589,651                        $504,050
                                                      ========                        ========

Liabilities:
   Regular savings deposits                           $111,224    $  552    2.01%     $104,157     $  357    1.39%
   NOW account deposits                                 68,250       310    1.84%       73,260        292    1.62%
   Money market deposits                                 3,062        16    2.12%        4,254         20    1.91%
                                                      --------    ------              --------     ------         
      Total savings deposits                           182,536       878    1.95%      181,671        669    1.49%
   Time deposits                                       224,349     2,987    5.40%      186,512      2,452    5.33%
   Short-term borrowings                                12,639       146    4.68%        4,744         58    4.96%
   Long-term borrowings                                 14,565       216    6.01%        6,609        108    6.63%
                                                      --------    ------              --------     ------
      Total interest bearing liabilities               434,089     4,227    3.95%      379,536      3,287    3.51%
   Demand deposits                                      96,238                          71,488
   Other liabilities                                     4,564                           2,816
                                                      --------                        --------
      Total Liabilities                                534,891                         453,840
   Equity                                               54,760                          50,210
Total Liabilities & Equity                            $589,651                        $504,050
                                                      ========                        ========

Net interest income--FTE basis                                    $6,838                           $6,362
                                                                  ======                           ======
Net interest margin                                                         5.13%                            5.52%
Net interest spread                                                         4.35%                            4.86%
</TABLE>

(A) AVERAGE LOANS INCLUDE NONACCRUING LOANS.

Rate/Volume Analysis
--------------------

     Changes in net interest income are divided into two components--the changes
resulting   from  the  changes  in  average   balances  of  earning  assets  and
interest-bearing  liabilities  (or "volume") and the changes in the rates earned
or paid on those balances.  The changes in interest income and interest  expense
attributable  to changes in both volume and rate,  which  cannot be  segregated,
have been allocated proportionately to the absolute values of the changes due to
volume and rate. The following table is presented on a FTE basis.

                                   Page -11-
<PAGE>

                                                    Change due to
                                       Total          Change in:
                                    Increase    -------------------
(Amounts in thousands)             (Decrease)      Rate      Volume
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest earned on:
Federal funds sold                   $   (24)   $    10    $   (34)
Securities held-to-maturity              (43)         6        (49)
Securities available-for-sale             42         93        (51)
Mortgages held for sale                   47         (1)        48
Loans                                  1,394       (355)     1,749
                                     -------    -------    -------
Total interest-earning assets          1,416       (247)     1,663
                                     -------    -------    -------

Interest paid on:
Regular savings deposits             $   195    $   169    $    26
NOW account deposits                      18         39        (21)
Money market deposits                     (4)         2         (6)
                                     -------    -------    -------
     Total savings deposits              209        210         (1)
Time deposits                            535         32        503
Short-term borrowings                     88         (3)        91
Long-term borrowings                     108        (11)       119
                                     -------    -------    -------
Total interest-bearing liabilities       940        228        712
                                     -------    -------    -------
Net interest income change           $   476    $  (475)   $   951
                                     =======    =======    =======


Noninterest Income
------------------

    For the quarter ended March 31, 1998,  noninterest  income increased sharply
and totaled  $2,528,000,  compared to $954,000 reported for the first quarter in
1997.  NECB realized gains from the sale of securities  during the first quarter
of 1998 of $1,229,000.  In addition to gains recorded by the  Subsidiaries,  the
parent  company  recorded a gain of $898,000 from the sale of its own investment
securities.  Gains from the sale of mortgage loans also increased  markedly from
1997. With moderate  interest rates (the bellwether  30-year bond remained under
6% for the quarter),  demand for home  purchase  financing  remained  strong and
enabled  NECB to originate a record  $49,000,000  in loans during the 1998 first
quarter.  In turn,  gains from the sale of these loans  increased  $406,000,  or
300%, compared to the same quarter in 1997.

    Service charges, fees and commissions also increased substantially, totaling
$714,000  in the first  quarter of 1998.  This  represents  a  $92,000,  or 15%,
increase  compared  to the  $622,000  recorded  in first  quarter of 1997.  This
increase resulted from several factors.  The inclusion of Community Bank (which,
as noted earlier, was accounted for as a purchase), selected price increases and
increased  volume of  services  provided to our growing  base of  customers  all
contributed to this increase.

Noninterest Expense
-------------------

    Noninterest  expenses  amounted to  $5,819,000  during the first  quarter of
1998. This is a $1,222,000 increase, or 27%, over $4,597,000 reported during the
same period in 1997.  The increase  included a $718,000  charged  related to the
bulk sale of loans.  The  inclusion  of  Community  Bank  increased  expenses by
$426,000.  Other expenses  increased by $78,000 during the first quarter of 1998
compared to the same  quarter last year.  This modest  increase is the result of
economies  achieved  following  the  August,  1997  acquisition  of  First  Bank
partially offset by increases  related to expanding  activities such as mortgage
production and specialized lending.

FINANCIAL CONDITION

    Total assets at March 31, 1998 were  $603,013,000,  a decrease of $3,157,000
from  $606,170,000  at December 31, 1997.  During the first quarter of 1998 loan
production remained strong,  especially  residential mortgage loans.

                                    Page -12-
<PAGE>

These loans are typically sold in the secondary market upon closing. The Company
experienced a modest rise in  prepayments,  which has been noted  throughout the
industry.  When the effect of the bulk loan sale is excluded,  outstanding  loan
rose slightly by $1,274,000. Loans consisted of the following:

(Amounts in thousands)

                                            March 31, 1998   December 31, 1997
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commercial and financial                         $ 105,826           $ 102,105
Real estate:
    Construction                                    17,292              19,620
    Residential                                    104,248              111,32
    Commercial                                     132,972             133,803
Consumer                                            39,653              41,686
                                                 ---------           ---------
Loans outstanding                                $ 399,653           $ 408,535
                                                 =========           =========

   Securities  available-for-sale  and held-to-maturity  decreased from December
31, 1997 and ended the first  quarter of 1998 at  $106,137,000  and  $9,925,000,
respectively,  compared  to  $120,448,000  and  $11,336,000,   respectively,  at
year-end.  Reflecting the receipt of proceeds from the loan sale,  federal funds
increased  substantially  and totaled  $21,107,000  at  quarter-end  compared to
$4,650,000 at December 31, 1997.  Federal  funds--which  are overnight  loans to
other banks--represent excess reserves that are the Company's most liquid assets
and as such are available to meet  short-term cash flow needs of the Company and
its customers.

    The $404,000  reduction in other real estate owned brought this account down
to  $2,466,000,  or 0.41% of total assets,  at March 31, 1998.  During the first
three  months  of the  year  the  Company  acquired  properties  with a value of
$828,000  through  foreclosure and disposed of properties with a market value of
$1,241,000.

    Total  deposits,  which  constitute  the  principal  funding  source  of the
Company's assets,  decreased  $13,052,000 from December 31, 1997 and amounted to
$509,592,000  at March 31, 1998. This is consistent with past years and reflects
seasonal  cash  flows  of  NECB's  deposit   customers--especially   noninterest
deposits.  During the quarter,  management  increased  long-term  debt (from the
Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston) with two amortizing notes:

     -------------------------------------------------------------------
          Term            Rate          Maturity Date          Amount 
     -------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     
          5-Year          5.95%       February 18, 2003      $4,000,000
         10-Year          5.93%       February 19, 2008      $4,000,000
     -------------------------------------------------------------------

    Total shareholders' equity was $55,248,000 at March 31, 1998, an increase of
$1,425,000 over December 31, 1997.

Securities held-to-maturity
---------------------------

    Securities  held-to-maturity are shown in the Company's balance sheets on an
amortized  cost basis.  Amortized  cost is the  original  cost  adjusted for the
effect of accumulated  amortization  of premiums and accretion of discounts.  As
summarized  in the  table  below,  investments  in  securities  held-to-maturity
decreased from $11,336,000 at December 31, 1997 to $9,925,000 at March 31, 1998.

                                   Page -13-
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       March 31, 1998          December 31, 1997
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               Amortized                  Amortized
                                                    Cost           Fair        Cost           Fair
(Amounts in thousands)                             Basis          Value       Basis          Value
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                               <C>            <C>         <C>            <C>   
Debt securities issued by the U.S. Treasury

   and other U.S. government agencies             $ 5,399        $ 5,422     $ 6,398        $ 6,430
Debt securities issued by states and
    political subdivisions of the states            2,839          2,934       2,841          2,944
Mortgage-backed securities                          1,472          1,478       1,882          1,885
Other debt securities                                 215            221         215            219
                                                  -------        -------     -------        -------
                                                  $ 9,925        $10,055     $11,336        $11,478
                                                  =======        =======     =======        =======
</TABLE>


Securities available-for-sale
-----------------------------

    Securities  available-for-sale  are shown in the Company's balance sheets at
fair value.  The unrealized gain or loss resulting from such valuation,  reduced
by the effect of income taxes, is reflected as a separately  disclosed component
of  shareholders'  equity.  At  March  31,  1998,  the  net  unrealized  gain on
securities  available-for-sale was $1,736,000 while at December 31, 1997 the net
unrealized gain was $1,923,000,  representing a decrease in net unrealized gains
of  $187,000.   As  shown  in  the  table  below,   investments   in  securities
available-for-sale totaled $106,137,000 at March 31, 1998 versus $120,448,000 at
December 31, 1997:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      March 31, 1998            December 31, 1997
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                Amortized                   Amortized
                                                     Cost           Fair         Cost           Fair
(Amounts in thousands)                              Basis          Value        Basis          Value
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                              <C>            <C>          <C>            <C>      
Marketable equity securities                     $ 15,969       $ 16,981     $ 19,072       $ 20,190
Debt securities issued by the U.S. Treasury
   and other U.S. government agencies              68,092         68,573       76,373         76,948
Corporation debt securities                         8,991          9,080        9,968         10,053
Asset-based securities                                517            518          527            527
Mortgage-backed securities                         10,832         10,985       12,585         12,730
                                                 --------       --------     --------       --------
                                                 $104,401       $106,137     $118,525       $120,448
                                                 ========       ========     ========       ========
</TABLE>


Nonperforming Assets
--------------------

     Nonperforming assets ("NPAs") are assets on which income recognition in the
form of  principal  and/or  interest  has either  ceased or is limited,  thereby
reducing the Company's earnings. Maintaining a low level of NPAs is important to
the ongoing  success of NECB.  The  Company's  comprehensive  credit  review and
approval  process is critical  to the  ability to  minimize  NPAs on a long-term
basis.  In addition to the  negative  impact on net  interest  income and credit
losses,  NPAs also increase  operating expenses due to the costs associated with
collection efforts.

     NPAs  include  nonaccrual  loans  and other  real  estate  owned  ("OREO").
Generally,  loans are placed in nonaccrual status when they are past due greater
than ninety days or the  repayment of interest or principal is  considered to be
in doubt. OREO consists of properties acquired through foreclosure  proceedings.
These  properties are recorded at the lower of the carrying value of the related
loans or the estimated fair market value less estimated  selling costs.  Charges
to the allowance for loan losses are made to reduce the carrying amount of loans
to the fair market value of the properties less estimated  selling expenses upon
reclassification  as OREO.  Subsequent  reductions,  if needed,  are  charged to
operating  income.  In addition to NPAs, the asset quality of the Company can be
measured by the amount of the provision,  charge-offs and several credit quality
ratios presented in the discussion  concerning "Provision and Allowance for Loan
Losses."

                                    Page -14-
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(Amounts in thousands)
                                                         March 31, 1998   December 31,1997
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                             <C>                <C>    
Nonaccrual loans                                                $ 3,934            $ 9,075
OREO                                                              2,466              2,870
                                                                -------            -------
Total nonperforming assets                                      $ 6,400            $11,945
                                                                =======            =======

Loans past due in excess of ninety days and accruing interest   $   641            $   951
</TABLE>

    NPAs  decreased  $5,545,000  or 46% to  $6,400,000  at March  31,  1998 from
$11,945,000  at  December  31,  1997.  At March 31, 1998  nonaccrual  loans as a
percentage  of total loans and  nonperforming  assets as a  percentage  of total
assets  were  0.98% and 1.17%,  respectively,  compared  to 2.20% and 1.97%,  at
December  31, 1997.  The  decrease in total NPAs in the quarter  ended March 31,
1998  primarily  resulted  from a bulk sale of loans  completed at  quarter-end.
Taking  advantage  of a favorable  secondary  market for such  loans,  NECB sold
$11,988,000 of problem assets to an investor that  specializes in workout loans.
The majority of the assets sold had been obtained in several recent acquisitions
(e.g., the Community Bank acquisition  brought with it approximately  $4,209,000
in NPAs).  Management  expects the sale to have two  positive  effects  upon its
ongoing  performance (i) net interest income will be helped by the  reemployment
of the sale  proceeds and (ii) certain  costs  related to the effort to work-out
and/or collect these loans will be avoided.

    OREO consists of properties acquired through foreclosure proceedings.  These
properties  are recorded at the lower of the carrying value of the related loans
or the estimated fair market value less estimated selling costs.  Charges to the
allowance for loan losses are made to reduce the carrying amount of loans to the
fair  market  value of the  properties  less  estimated  selling  expenses  upon
reclassification  as OREO.  Subsequent  reductions when necessary are charged to
operating income.

Activity in Nonperforming Assets
(Amounts in thousands)

Three Months ending March 31,                                1998          1997
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
December 31, 1997 and 1996                                $11,945        $8,757
    Additions                                               2,622         1,001
    Reductions:
      Payments                                               (301)         (446)
      Charge-offs and writedowns                           (2,556)         (354)
      Sales, net                                           (5,310)       (1,128)
                                                         --------       -------
Ending Balance, March 31, 1998 and 1997                  $  6,400       $ 7,830
                                                         ========       =======

    As noted above, the decrease in nonperforming assets is primarily due to the
bulk sale.

Provision and Allowance for Loan Losses
---------------------------------------

    NECB's  allowance for loan losses  represents  amounts  available for future
credit losses. Management continually assesses the adequacy of the allowance for
loan losses in response to current and anticipated economic conditions, specific
problem loans,  historical net  charge-offs  and the overall risk profile of the
loan portfolio.  Management  allocates specific allowances to individual problem
loans  based upon its  analysis of the  potential  for loss  perceived  to exist
related to such loans.  In addition to the specific  allowances  for  individual
loans,  a portion of the  allowance is maintained  as a general  allowance.  The
amount of the general allowance is determined through  management's  analysis of
the  potential for loss inherent in those loans not  considered  problem  loans.
Among the factors  considered  by management in this analysis are the number and
type of loans,  nature and amount of collateral pledged to secure such loans and
current  economic  conditions.  The  allowance  for loan losses is not a precise
amount but is derived from judgments based on the above factors.

     The following  table  summarizes the activity in the allowance for possible
loan losses for the  quarters  ended March 31, 1998 and 1997.  The  allowance is
maintained  at a  level  consistent  with  identified  loss  potential  and  the
perceived risk in the portfolio.

                                    Page -15-
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(In thousands)
Three Months Ended March 31,                                                                  1998       1997
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                                        <C>        <C>    
Balance beginning of period                                                                $ 9,257    $ 6,660
Provisions charged to operations                                                               322        273
Recoveries on loans previously charged-off                                                     125         73
Charge-offs taken in conjunction with bulk loan sale (i.e., specific allocated reserves)    (1,392)         0
Loans charged-off                                                                           (1,102)      (279)
                                                                                           -------    -------
Balance end of period                                                                      $ 7,210    $ 6,727
                                                                                           =======    =======
</TABLE>

    Provisions  for possible  loan losses  charged to  operations  for the first
three  months of 1998 were  $322,000,  an increase of $49,000  from the $273,000
recorded in the same period in 1997. During the three-month period,  charge-offs
increased by $2,167,000 largely due to the loan sale.

Capital
-------

    The Company endeavors to maintain an optimal amount of capital upon which an
attractive  return to shareholders  will be realized over the short and long run
while meeting all regulatory requirements for minimum levels of capital.

    As of March 31, 1998, the Company exceeded all regulatory capital ratios and
the  subsidiaries  were categorized as "well  capitalized."  The various capital
ratios of the Company for March 31, 1998 and 1997 were:

                                              Minimum Level      1998      1997
                                              -------------      ----      ----
Total Risk-Based............................        8%          12.9%     14.5%

Tier 1 Risk-Based...........................        4%          11.7%     13.2%

Leverage....................................        4%           8.3%      9.1%


Liquidity
---------

    It is management's  objective to ensure the continuous  ability to meet cash
needs as they  arise.  Such  needs  may  occur  from time to time as a result of
seasonal declines in deposit levels,  response to changes in interest rates paid
on deposits and interest rates charged for loans and  fluctuations in the demand
for the  Banks'  various  loan  products.  Accordingly,  the  Company  maintains
liquidity that provides the  flexibility  to meet its cash needs.  The liquidity
objective is achieved  through the maintenance of readily  marketable  assets as
well as a balanced  flow of asset  maturities  and  prudent  pricing on loan and
deposit agreements. The Company has alternative sources of liquidity,  including
repurchase  agreements  and  lines  of  credits  provided  by the  FHLBB  to the
Subsidiaries,  which together  provide the Company with  flexibility in managing
its liquidity position.  The maturities of investment  securities and cash flows
from the  repayments  of  outstanding  loans are expected to provide the Company
with adequate liquidity over the coming months.

The Year 2000 Problem
---------------------

     NECB, like all  institutions  that utilize computer  technology,  is facing
challenges  associated with the inability of many existing  computer  systems to
process  time-sensitive data accurately beyond the year 1999 (referred to as the
"Year 2000 Problem").  The Year 2000 Problem is the result of computer  programs
using two digits  rather  than four in date  fields  that  define the year.  Any
computer programs used by NECB that have time-sensitive software may recognize a
date  field  using  "00" as the year  1900  rather  than the year  2000.  If not
modified  or  replaced,   these   programs   could  cause  system   failures  or
miscalculations, which could adversely affect NECB's ability to process customer
transactions or provide customer service.

     NECB has  conducted  a  comprehensive  review of its  computer  systems  to
identify  all  systems  that  could be  affected  by the Year 2000  Problem  and
developed a comprehensive  project  management  process to modify or replace all
affected  systems  and test  them for Year 2000  compliance.  NECB  relies  upon
third-party  providers  for  its  computer  software.  

                                   Page -16-
<PAGE>

NECB is monitoring  the  activities of its providers to ensure that  appropriate
development  and  implementation  plans to address the Year 2000  Problem are in
place.  NECB has taken steps to identify  alternative  vendors in the event that
one or more of these  providers fail to become Year 2000  compliant.  While NECB
expects  its Year  2000  plan to be  completed  on a timely  basis (to allow for
adequate  testing in late 1998 and  1999),  there can be no  assurance  that the
systems  of other  companies  on which  NECB's  systems  may rely  also  will be
completed in a timely fashion. In addition, NECB exchanges data with a number of
other entities, such as credit bureaus and governmental entities. The failure of
these  entities to  adequately  address the Year 2000  Problem  could  adversely
affect NECB's ability to conduct its business.

     Costs associated with modifying existing system  applications have been and
will continue to be expensed as incurred. NECB does not expect incremental costs
associated with any modifications for Year 2000 compliance to be material.

Forward Looking Statements
--------------------------

     Certain  statements  contained  in this  Quarterly  Report  on  Form  10-Q,
including those contained in this Item 1, are forward looking  statements within
the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are thus
prospective. Such forward looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties
and other factors  which could cause actual  results to differ  materially  from
future results express or implied by such statements.  Such factors include, but
are not limited to: changes in interest rates,  regulation,  competition and the
local and regional economy.

                                   Page -17-
<PAGE>

Part II:   Other Information

Item 1.    Legal Proceedings - None

Item 2.    Changes in Securities - None

Item 3.    Default Upon Senior Securities - None

Item 4.    Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders - None

Item 5.    Other Information - None

Item 6.    Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K

    (a) Exhibits
        Exhibit Number               Exhibit
           27                Financial Data Schedule

    (b) Form 8-K;  Current  Reports.  The following  reports were filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission during the quarter ended March 31, 1998:

         (i)      Acquisition of Community Bank

In an initial  Item 2 report  filed on January 5, 1998 (and amended on March 13,
1998) it was reported that NECB had completed its acquisition of Community Bank.
In the amended  filing,  NECB  disclosed  that its  acquisition  of the stock of
Community  Bank did not  constitute an  acquisition  of a significant  amount of
assets for which a report under Item 2 was required.  Consequently, NECB amended
its original  Item 2  disclosure  on Form 8-K and  transferred  it to Item 5 the
information included under Item 2 in the original report.

         (ii)     Acquisition of Olde Port

      On  February  26,  1998 it was  reported,  under Item 5, that at  separate
meetings on  February  10,  1998 the Boards of  Directors  of NECB and Olde Port
approved a definitive agreement whereby Olde Port will be acquired by NECB. Olde
Port will become NECB's fourth banking subsidiary.

         (iii)    Acquisition of BSW

      On march 24, 1998 it was reported, under Item 5, that at separate meetings
on March 19, 1998 the Boards of  Directors of NECB and BSW approved a definitive
agreement  whereby BSW will be  acquired by NECB.  BSW will merged with and into
NECB's New England Bank subsidiary.

                                   Page -18-
<PAGE>


                       NEW ENGLAND COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC.



                                   Signatures

Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934,  the
registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


                                  NEW ENGLAND COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC.


Date:  May 13, 1998               By: /s/ ANSON C. HALL
                                      --------------------------------
                                          Anson C. Hall
                                          Vice President and Treasurer