Exhibit 99

CORTLAND BANCORP (the “Company,” OTCQB: CLDB) today reported net income of $1.16 million, or $.26 per share, for the first quarter of 2012, representing a 33% increase over the $.87 million, or $.19 per share reported for the same period in 2011. The improvement in earnings performance is highlighted by a 16% year over year growth rate in the commercial loan portfolio and a composite loan portfolio growth rate of 8%.

Respective to the quarterly operating results, highlights of operations are as follows:

James Gasior, President and Chief Executive Officer stated, “Our operating results reflect our commitment to growing loans and deposits in the markets in which we operate and in producing consistent positive earnings. On the heels of the financial crisis, we have now posted positive earnings in each of the last ten quarters dating back to the fourth quarter of 2009.”

Net interest income, which provides the core earnings base for the Company, increased 4.3% to $4.241 million in the first quarter of 2012 versus $4.067 million in 2011. The Company has benefited from increasing balances in the loan portfolio yielding 5.56% during the quarter in lieu of allocating funds into the investment portfolio earning 3.22%. Also, as liabilities continue to mature and reprice at lower rates, the net interest income has, and is expected to continue to improve. Even with deposit rates creeping lower to reflect market trends, the Company has been able to both retain and grow deposits and has recorded a 6.5% increase in balances over the past year.

Mr. Gasior commented, “In the midst of earnings pressures brought on by the economic downturn, interest rate compression and investment impairment issues, the Company devoted substantial attention to profit improvement measures, balance sheet restructuring and a reorganization of its management structure. The Company’s management team continues to focus on measures designed to enhance capital and to provide for adequate liquidity for lending and business development purposes. New strategies are being pursued to improve market penetration and product expansion, with the objective of increasing both the interest income and non-interest income revenue base”.

Further commenting on the results, Mr. Gasior stated, “The Company incurred over $200,000 in non-interest expenses in 2011 associated with the start-up of the mortgage banking unit. As its operations ramp up in 2012, CSB Mortgage Company will enhance the Company’s non-interest income, and has already made a positive contribution in the first quarter.” CSB Mortgage Company partners with mortgage brokers in contiguous states to originate mortgage loans. The loans are sold to investors in the secondary market generating a profit margin.

Non-interest income for the quarter, excluding securities transactions, increased by $207,000 from a year ago. This is mainly due to mortgage banking gains in 2012 of $154,000 versus gains in 2011 of $16,000. Included in non-interest expenses is the one-time investment of $444,000 in the Historic Tax Credit partnership which generates $634,000 in tax credits. Non-interest expenses exclusive of this investment increased $65,000 or 1.9% from the same quarter a year ago.

The Company, to date, has not experienced notable deterioration in credit quality despite less than favorable economic conditions over the past several years. Nonaccrual loans were $2.6 million at March 31, 2012 or .93% of loans, down from $3.6 million at December 31, 2011. Included in these totals is a single loan of $1 million fully secured by collateral for which no loss is expected.

Mr. Gasior noted, “With the fragile state of today’s economy, it is prudent to address the potential for losses based upon worsening conditions. The Company proactively continues to set aside reserves for future losses, both in the allowance for loan losses and capital. The Company was able to do this and still achieve improved earnings results.”

For the current quarter, the provision for loan losses was $270,000, more than a 50% increase from the prior year provision of $174,000, and far exceeding the net charge-offs for the quarter of $189,000. Provision expense was increased in recognition of loan growth and a changing composition of the loan portfolio as the Company takes aim at managing its balance sheet with a commercially oriented focus.

Total loans at March 31, 2012 were $277.4 million as compared to $257.6 million a year ago, an 8% increase. Total assets of $508.4 million at March 31, 2012 reflect a modest increase of 4% from year ago asset totals of $489.6 million as management orchestrates balance sheet strategies designed to reinvest cash flows from its investment portfolio and increase loan balances with no material change in composite asset totals. This balance sheet strategy is designed to improve net interest income margins and overall profitability while maintaining assets which support the Company’s current capital position.

In addition to building loan loss reserves, the Company has also continued to increase its capital levels. With capital as the ultimate cushion to absorb any unforeseen negative consequences of the struggling economy, capital levels for banks across the industry, have been under the watchful eye of the regulators. The Company’s regulatory capital ratios exceed the statutory well capitalized thresholds by a comfortable margin. In the current regulatory environment, regulatory oversight bodies expect banks to maintain ratios above the statutory levels as a margin of safety. The calculated ratios are as follows at March 31, 2012: a Tier 1 leverage ratio of 10.31% (compared to a “well-capitalized” threshold of 5.0%); a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 13.45% (compared to a “well-capitalized” threshold of 6.00%); and a total risk based capital ratio of 14.28% (compared to a “well-capitalized” threshold of 10.00%).

Cortland Bancorp is a holding company headquartered in Cortland, Ohio. Cortland Banks, founded in 1892, the Company’s bank subsidiary, conducts business through fourteen full-service community banking offices located in the counties of Trumbull, Mahoning, Portage, Geauga and Ashtabula in northeastern Ohio.

For additional information about Cortland Banks visit http://www.cortland-banks.com.

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

(In thousands of dollars, except for ratios and per share amounts)