SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


                                    FORM 8-K
                                 CURRENT REPORT

     PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

        DATE OF REPORT (DATE OF EARLIEST EVENT REPORTED) JANUARY 24, 2005


                                NBT Bancorp Inc.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


         Delaware                       0-14703                  16-1268674
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (State or other            (Commission File Number)       (IRS Employer
     jurisdiction of                                         Identification No.)
     incorporation)


52 South Broad Street, Norwich, New York                           13815
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices)                         (Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (607) 337-2265
                                                    --------------


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)


Check  the  appropriate  box  below  if  the  Form  8-K  filing  is  intended to
simultaneously  satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following  provisions:
[ ]  Written  communications  pursuant  to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17
     CFR 230.425)
[ ]  Soliciting  material  pursuant  to  Rule  14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17
     CFR 240.14a-12)
[ ]  Pre-commencement  communications  pursuant  to  Rule  14d-2(b)  under  the
     Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[ ]  Pre-commencement  communications  pursuant  to  Rule  13e-4(c)  under  the
     Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))



Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
          ----------------------------------------------

          On January 24, 2005, NBT Bancorp Inc. (the "Company") issued a press
release describing its results of operations for quarter and year ending
December 31, 2004. That press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 hereto.
                                                      ------------

Item 8.01 Other Events
          ------------

          In connection with the issuance of the press release described in
Item 2.02, the Company announced the authorization by the Board of Directors of
a new stock repurchase program for up to 1,500,000 shares of the Company's
outstanding common stock from time to time as market conditions warrant in open
market and privately negotiated transactions. Currently, there are 719,800
shares remaining under a previous authorization that will be superseded by the
new repurchase program. The Company also announced a quarterly dividend of $0.19
per share to be paid on March 15, 2005 to shareholders of record on March 1,
2005.


Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
           ---------------------------------

(a)        Not Applicable.

(b)        Not Applicable.

(c)        Exhibits.

           99.1. Text of Press Release, dated January 24, 2005.


                                      - 2 -

                                   SIGNATURES



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


                                     NBT BANCORP INC.


Date: January 24, 2005               By: /s/ Michael J. Chewens
                                        -----------------------------
                                         Michael J. Chewens
                                         Senior Executive Vice President,
                                         Chief Financial Officer and
                                         Corporate Secretary


                                      - 3 -

                                  EXHIBIT INDEX
                                  -------------


Exhibit No.     Description
-----------     -----------

99.1.           Text of Press Release, dated January 24, 2005.



                                      - 4 -