Nature of Operations - Dime Community Bancshares, Inc. (the "Holding Company" and together with its direct and indirect subsidiaries, the "Company") is a Delaware corporation organized by The Dime Savings Bank of Williamsburgh (the "Bank") for the purpose of acquiring all of the capital stock of the Bank issued in the Bank's conversion to stock ownership on June 26, 1996. At December 31, 2011, the significant assets of the Holding Company were the capital stock of the Bank, the Holding Company's loan to the ESOP and investments retained by the Holding Company. The liabilities of the Holding Company were comprised primarily of a $70,680 trust preferred securities payable maturing in 2034, and currently callable. The Company is subject to the financial reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

The Bank was originally founded in 1864 as a New York State-chartered mutual savings bank. In November 1995, the Bank converted to a federally chartered stock savings bank. The Bank has been a community-oriented financial institution providing financial services and loans for housing within its market areas. The Bank maintains its headquarters in the Williamsburg section of the borough of Brooklyn, New York. The Bank has twenty-six retail banking offices located throughout the boroughs of Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx, and in Nassau County, New York.

Principles of Consolidation - The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Holding Company, and its subsidiaries (with the exception of its special purpose entity Dime Community Capital Trust I), and the Bank and its subsidiaries. All inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Cash and Cash Equivalents: Cash and cash equivalents include cash, deposits with other financial institutions with maturities fewer than 90 days, and federal funds sold. Net cash flows are reported for customer loan and deposit transactions, interest bearing deposits in other financial institutions, and federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements.

Investment Securities and Mortgage-Backed Securities ("MBS") - Debt securities that have readily determinable fair values are carried at fair value unless they are held-to-maturity. Debt securities are classified as held-to-maturity and carried at amortized cost only if the Company has a positive intent and ability to hold them to maturity. If not classified as held-to-maturity, such securities are classified as securities available-for-sale or trading. Equity securities and mutual fund investments (fixed income or equity in nature) are classified as either available-for-sale or trading securities and carried at fair value. Unrealized holding gains or losses on securities available-for-sale that are deemed temporary are excluded from net income and reported net of income taxes as other comprehensive income or loss. While the Holding Company had a small portfolio of mutual fund investments designated as trading at both December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, neither the Holding Company nor the Bank actively acquires securities for the purpose of engaging in trading activities.

Interest income includes amortization of purchase premium or discount. Premiums and discounts on securities are amortized on the level-yield method without anticipating prepayments, except for MBS where prepayments are anticipated. Gains and losses on sales are recorded on the trade date and determined using the specific identification method.

The Company evaluates securities for OTTI at least quarterly, and more frequently when economic or market conditions warrant such an evaluation. In making its evaluation of OTTI for debt securities, the Company initially considers whether: (1) it intends to sell the security, or (2) it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security prior to recovery of its amortized cost basis. If either of these criteria is satisfied, an OTTI charge is recognized in the statement of income equal to the full amount of the decline in fair value below amortized cost. For debt securities, If neither of these criteria are satisfied, however, the Company does not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis, an OTTI loss has occurred that must be separated into two categories: (a) the amount related to credit loss, and (b) the amount related to other factors. In assessing the level of OTTI attributable to credit loss, the Company compares the present value of expected cash flows to the amortized cost basis of the security. The portion of OTTI determined to result from credit-related factors is recognized through earnings, while the portion of the OTTI related to other factors is recognized in other comprehensive income. When OTTI is recognized on a debt security, its amortized cost basis is reduced to reflect the credit-related component.

In determining whether OTTI exists on an equity security, the Company considers the following: 1) the duration and severity of the impairment; 2) the Company's ability and intent to hold the security until it recovers in value (as well as the likelihood of such a recovery in the near term); and 3) whether it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell such security before recovery of its individual amortized cost basis less any unrecognized loss. Should OTTI be determined to have occurred based upon this analysis, it is fully recognized through earnings.

Loans - Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff are reported at the principal amount outstanding, net of unearned fees or costs and the allowance for loan losses. Interest income on loans is recorded using the level yield method. Loan origination fees and certain direct loan origination costs are deferred and amortized as yield adjustments over the contractual loan terms.

Accrual of interest is generally discontinued on a loan that meets any of the following three criteria: (i) full payment of principal or interest is not expected; (ii) principal or interest has been in default for a period of 90 days or more and the loan is not both deemed to be well secured and in the process of collection; or (iii) an election has otherwise been made to maintain the loan on a cash basis due to deterioration in the financial condition of the borrower. Such non-accrual determination practices are applied consistently to all loans regardless of their internal classification or designation. Upon entering non-accrual status, the Bank reverses all outstanding accrued interest receivable.

Management may elect to continue the accrual of interest when a loan that otherwise meets the criteria for non-accrual status is in the process of collection and the estimated fair value and cash flows of the underlying collateral property are sufficient to satisfy the outstanding principal balance (including any outstanding advances related to the loan) and accrued interest. Management may also elect to continue the accrual of interest on a loan that would otherwise meet the criteria for non-accrual status when its delinquency relates solely to principal amounts due, it is well secured and refinancing activities have commenced on the loan. Such elections have not been commonplace.

The Bank generally initiates foreclosure proceedings when a loan enters non-accrual status, and typically does not accept partial payments once foreclosure proceedings have commenced. At some point during foreclosure proceedings, the Bank procures current appraisal information in order to prepare an estimate of the fair value of the underlying collateral. If a foreclosure action is instituted and the loan is not brought current, paid in full, or refinanced before the foreclosure action is completed, the property securing the loan is transferred to OREO status. The Bank generally utilizes all available remedies, such as note sales in lieu of foreclosure, in an effort to resolve non-accrual loans and OREO properties as quickly and prudently as possible in consideration of market conditions, the physical condition of the property and any other mitigating circumstances. In the event that a non-accrual loan is subsequently brought current, it is returned to accrual status once the doubt concerning collectability has been removed and the borrower has demonstrated performance in accordance with the loan terms and conditions for a period of at least six months.

A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Loans for which the terms have been modified in a manner that meets the criteria of a troubled debt restructuring ("TDR") are deemed to be impaired.

Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value, and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays or shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. Management determines the significance of payment delays and shortfalls on case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower's prior payment record, and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed. Impairment is typically measured using the difference between the outstanding loan principal balance and either: 1) the likely realizable value of a note sale; 2) the fair value of underlying collateral, net of likely disposal costs, if repayment is expected solely from the liquidation of the collateral; or 3) the present value of estimated future cash flows using the loan's existing rate.

Allowance for Loan Losses and Reserve for Loan Commitments - The allowance for loan losses is a valuation allowance for probable incurred credit losses. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectibility of a loan balance is confirmed. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. Management estimates the allowance balance required using past loan loss experience, the nature and volume of the portfolio, information about specific borrower situations and estimated collateral values, economic conditions, and other factors. Allocations of the allowance may be made for specific loans, but the entire allowance is available for any loan that, in management's judgment, should be charged off.

For the specific component of the allowance for loan losses, all multifamily residential, mixed use, commercial real estate and construction loans that are deemed to meet the definition of impaired are individually evaluated for impairment. In addition, all cooperative unit, and one- to four-family residential loans with balances greater than the Fannie Mae ("FNMA") conforming loan limits for high-cost areas such as the Bank's primary lending area ("FNMA Limits") are individually evaluated for impairment. TDRs are deemed impaired loans and individually evaluated for impairment. If a TDR is substantially performing in accordance with its restructured terms, management will look to either the present value of the expected cash flows from the debt service or the potential net liquidation proceeds of the underlying collateral property in measuring impairment (whichever is deemed most appropriate under the circumstances). If a TDR has re-defaulted, only the likely realizable net proceeds from either a note sale or the liquidation of collateral is considered when measuring impairment.

In determining both the specific and the general components of the allowance for loan losses, the Company has identified the following portfolio segments: 1) real estate loans; and 2) consumer loans. Consumer loans represent a nominal portion of the Company's loan portfolio. Within these segments, the Bank analyzes the allowance based upon the underlying collateral type.

The Bank maintains a separate reserve within other liabilities associated with commitments to fund future loans that have been accepted by the borrower. This reserve is determined based upon the historical loss experience of similar loans owned by the Bank at each period end. Any changes in this reserve amount are recognized through earnings in the period of change via a transfer to or from the Bank's allowance for loan losses.

Reserve For the First Loss Position on Multifamily Loans Sold to FNMA. The Bank services a pool of multifamily loans sold to FNMA. Pursuant to the sale agreement with FNMA, the Bank retained an obligation (off-balance sheet contingent liability) to absorb a portion of any losses (as defined in the agreement) incurred by FNMA in connection with the loans sold (the "First Loss Position"). A reserve is recorded in other liabilities related to the First Loss Position. For all performing loans within the FNMA serviced pool, the reserve recognized is the present value of the estimated losses calculated based upon the historical loss experience for comparable multifamily loans owned by the Bank. For problem loans within the pool, the estimated losses are determined in a manner consistent with impaired loans within the Bank's loan portfolio.

Loans Held for Sale - Mortgage loans originated and intended for sale in the secondary market are carried at the lower of aggregate cost or estimated fair value. Multifamily residential and mixed-use loans sold are generally sold with servicing rights retained. During the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Bank re-classified certain problematic loans for which it had an executed pending note sale agreement as held for sale. Such loans are carried at their expected net realizable proceeds.

OREO - Properties acquired as a result of foreclosure on a mortgage loan or a deed in lieu of foreclosure are initially recorded at fair value less costs to sell when acquired, establishing a new cost basis. These assets are subsequently accounted for at the lower of cost or fair value less estimated costs to sell. Declines in the recorded balance subsequent to acquisition by the Company, are recorded through expense. Operating costs after acquisition are expensed.

Accounting for Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - An impairment test is required to be performed at least annually for goodwill acquired in a business combination. The Company performed impairment tests of goodwill periodically in 2009, and as of December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009. In each instance, the Company concluded that no potential impairment of goodwill existed. As of both December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company had goodwill totaling $55,638.

Mortgage Servicing Rights ("MSR") - The cost of mortgage loans sold with servicing rights retained by the Bank is allocated between the loans and the servicing rights based on their estimated fair values at the time of the loan sale. Servicing assets are carried at the lower of cost or fair value and are amortized in proportion to, and over the period of, anticipated net servicing income. All separately recognized MSR are required to be initially measured at fair value, if practicable. The estimated fair value of loan servicing assets is determined by calculating the present value of estimated future net servicing cash flows, using assumptions of prepayments, defaults, servicing costs and discount rates derived based upon actual historical results for the Bank, or, in the absence of such data, from historical results for the Bank's peers. Capitalized loan servicing assets are stratified based on predominant risk characteristics of the underlying loans (i.e., collateral, interest rate, servicing spread and maturity) for the purpose of evaluating impairment. A valuation allowance is then established in the event the recorded value of an individual stratum exceeds its fair value. Third party valuations of the loan servicing asset are performed on a quarterly basis, and were performed as of December 31, 2011 and 2010.

BOLI - BOLI is carried at the amount that can be realized under the insurance contract at the balance sheet date, which is the cash surrender value adjusted for other charges or other amounts due that are probable at settlement. Increases in the contract value are recorded as non-interest income in the consolidated statements of operations and insurance proceeds received are recorded as a reduction of the contract value.

Income Taxes - Income tax expense is the total of the current year income tax due or refundable and the change in deferred tax assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are the expected future tax amounts for the temporary differences between carrying amounts and tax bases of assets and liabilities, computed using enacted tax rates. A valuation allowance, if needed, reduces deferred tax assets to the amount deemed more likely than not to be realized.

A tax position is recognized as a benefit only if it is "more likely than not" that the tax position would be sustained in a tax examination, with a tax examination being presumed to occur. The amount recognized is the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized on examination. For tax positions not satisfying the "more likely than not" test, no tax benefit is recorded.

The Bank also maintains the Postretirement Welfare Plan of The Dime Savings Bank of Williamsburgh (the "Postretirement Benefit Plan."), providing additional postretirement benefits` to certain employees, which requires accrual of postretirement benefits (such as health care benefits) during the years an employee provides services, a Retirement Plan for its outside Directors, (the "Director Retirement Plan) and the BMP that provides additional benefits to certain of its officers.

As the sponsor of a single employer defined benefit plan, the Company must do the following for the Employee Retirement Plan, a portion of the BMP, the Director Retirement Plan and the Postretirement Benefit Plan: (1) recognize the funded status of the benefit plans in its statements of financial condition, measured as the difference between plan assets at fair value (with limited exceptions) and the benefit obligation. For a pension plan, the benefit obligation is the projected benefit obligation; for any other postretirement benefit plan, such as a retiree health care plan, the benefit obligation is the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation; (2) recognize as a component of other comprehensive income, net of tax, the gains or losses and prior service costs or credits that arise during the period but are not recognized as components of net periodic benefit or cost. Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income, including the gains or losses, prior service costs or credits, and the transition asset or obligation are adjusted as they are subsequently recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost; (3) measure defined benefit plan assets and obligations as of the date of the employer's fiscal year-end statements of financial condition (with limited exceptions); and (4) disclose in the notes to financial statements additional information about certain effects on net periodic benefit cost for the next fiscal year that arise from delayed recognition of the gains or losses, prior service costs or credits, and transition asset or obligation.

The Holding Company and Bank maintain the ESOP. Compensation expense related to the ESOP is recorded during the period in which the shares become committed to be released to participants. The compensation expense is measured based upon the average fair market value of the stock during the period, and, to the extent that the fair value of the shares committed to be released differs from the original cost of such shares, the difference is recorded as an adjustment to additional paid-in capital. All cash dividends are paid on allocated ESOP shares, and thus reduce retained earnings.

The Holding Company and Bank maintain the Dime Community Bancshares, Inc. 2001 Stock Option Plan for Outside Directors, Officers and Employees (the "2001 Stock Option Plan") and the Dime Community Bancshares, Inc. 2004 Stock Incentive Plan for Outside Directors, Officers and Employees (the "2004 Stock Incentive Plan," and collectively the "Stock Plans"); which are discussed more fully in Note 15. Under the Stock Plans, compensation cost is recognized for stock options and restricted stock awards issued to employees based on the fair value of the awards at the date of grant. A Black-Scholes model is utilized to estimate the fair value of stock options, while the market price of the Holding Company's common stock at the date of grant is used for restricted stock awards. Compensation cost is recognized over the required service period, generally defined as the vesting period. For awards with graded vesting, compensation cost is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award.

Earnings Per Share ("EPS") - Basic EPS is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average common shares outstanding during the reporting period. Diluted EPS is computed using the same method as basic EPS, but reflects the potential dilution that would occur if "in the money" stock options were exercised and converted into common stock. In determining the weighted average shares outstanding for basic and diluted EPS, treasury stock and unallocated ESOP shares are excluded. Vested restricted stock award shares are included in the calculation of the weighted average shares outstanding for basic and diluted EPS. Unvested restricted stock award shares are recognized as a special class of securities under ASC 260

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
Numerator:
Net Income per the Consolidated Statements of Operations	$	47,309		$	41,389		$	26,189
Denominator:
Weighted average shares outstanding utilized in the calculation of basic EPS		33,722,784			33,260,348			33,026,154

Common stock equivalents resulting from the dilutive effect of "in-the-money" stock options		90,833			120,734			5,108
Anti-dilutive effect of tax benefits associated with "in-the-money" non-qualified stock options		(12,190	)		(14,520	)		(1,607	)
Weighted average shares outstanding utilized in the calculation of diluted EPS		33,801,427			33,366,562			33,029,655

Comprehensive Income - Comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 included changes in the unrealized gain or loss on available-for-sale securities, changes in the unfunded status of defined benefit plans, the non-credit component of OTTI, and a transfer loss related to securities transferred from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity. Under GAAP, all of these items bypass net income and are typically reported as components of stockholders' equity. All comprehensive income adjustment items are presented net of applicable tax effect.

Disclosures About Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information - The Company has one reportable segment, "Community Banking." All of the Company's activities are interrelated, and each activity is dependent and assessed based on the manner in which it supports the other activities of the Company. For example, lending is dependent upon the ability of the Bank to fund itself with retail deposits and other borrowings and to manage interest rate and credit risk. Accordingly, all significant operating decisions are based upon analysis of the Company as one operating segment or unit.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards - In September 2011, Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-08, "Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment." ("ASU 2011-08"). Under ASU 2011-08, an entity has the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If, after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, an entity determines it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then performing additional impairment testing is unnecessary. However, if an entity concludes otherwise, then it is required to calculate the fair value of the reporting unit and compare the fair value with the carrying amount of the reporting unit, as described in the accounting guidance. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. While early adoption was permitted, the Company did not elect to early adopt ASU 2011-08. Adoption of ASU 2011-08 is not expected to have a material impact upon the Company's consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

In June 2011, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05, "Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income." ("ASU 2011-05") ASU 2011-05 permits an entity the option to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. In either option, an entity is required to present each component of net income along with total net income, each component of other comprehensive income along with a total for other comprehensive income, and a total amount for comprehensive income. ASU 2011-05 eliminates the presentation of the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders' equity. ASU 2011-05 does not change the items that must be reported in other comprehensive income or the timing in which an item of other comprehensive income must be reclassified to net income. ASU 2011-05 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011. Since the Company's presentation of periodic comprehensive income already complied with the provisions of ASU 2011-05, adoption of ASU 2011-05 is not expected to materially impact the Company's consolidated financial condition or results of operations or related disclosures.

In April 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-2, "A Creditor's Determination of Whether a Restructuring Is a Troubled Debt Restructuring" ("ASU 2011-2"). ASU 2011-2 clarifies the guidance for determining whether a loan restructuring constitutes a TDR outlined in Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") No. 310-40, "Receivables-Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditors," by providing additional guidance to a creditor in making the following required assessments needed to determine whether a restructuring is a TDR: (i) whether or not a concession has been granted in a debt restructuring; (ii) whether a temporary or permanent increase in the contractual interest rate precludes the restructuring from being a TDR; (iii) whether a restructuring results in an insignificant delay in payment; (iv) whether a borrower that is not currently in payment default is experiencing financial difficulties; and (v) whether a creditor can use the effective interest rate test outlined in debtor's guidance on restructuring of payables (ASC Topic No. 470-60-55-10) when evaluating whether or not a restructuring constitutes a TDR. ASU 2011-2 was effective for interim periods beginning on or after June 15, 2011. Adoption of ASU 2011-2 did not have a material impact upon the Company's financial condition or results of operations. Please see Note 5 for a further discussion of TDRs.