<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001144204-12-020409.txt : 20120405
<SEC-HEADER>0001144204-12-020409.hdr.sgml : 20120405
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20120405165420
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001144204-12-020409
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	8-K
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20120330
ITEM INFORMATION:		Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers: Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers
ITEM INFORMATION:		Financial Statements and Exhibits
FILED AS OF DATE:		20120405
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20120405

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CENTER BANCORP INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000712771
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS [6022]
		IRS NUMBER:				521273725
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NJ
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		8-K
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-11486
		FILM NUMBER:		12746292

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2455 MORRIS AVE
		CITY:			UNION
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07083
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9086889500

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2455 MORRIS AVE
		CITY:			UNION
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07083
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>8-K
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>v308510_8k.htm
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 8-K
<TEXT>
<HTML>
<HEAD>
     <TITLE></TITLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif">

<P STYLE="margin: 0"></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: left">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>UNITED STATES</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>FORM 8-K</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>CURRENT REPORT</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">Date of report (Date of earliest event reported):
March 30, 2012</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>CENTER BANCORP, INC.</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in
its Charter)</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify"></P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; border-collapse: collapse">
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="width: 34%; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid">New Jersey</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 33%; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid">2-81353</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 33%; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid">52-1273725</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center">(State or Other Jurisdiction</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center">(Commission File Number)</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center">(IRS Employer</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center">of Incorporation)</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center">Identification No.)</TD></TR>
</TABLE>


<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify"></P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="width: 50%; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center; font-size: 10pt; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid">2455 Morris Avenue, Union, New Jersey</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 50%; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center; font-size: 10pt; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid">07083</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center; font-size: 10pt">(Address of principal executive offices)</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center; font-size: 10pt">(Zip Code)</TD></TR>
</TABLE>


<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify"></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">Registrant's telephone number, including
area code (800) 862-3683</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">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
(see General Instruction A.2. below):</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify"></P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 6pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top; text-align: justify">
<TD STYLE="width: 0.25in"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.25in; text-align: left"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">&#168;</FONT></TD><TD STYLE="text-align: justify">Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under
the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</TD>
</TR></TABLE>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 6pt"></TABLE>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 6pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top; text-align: justify">
<TD STYLE="width: 0.25in"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.25in; text-align: left"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">&#168;</FONT></TD><TD STYLE="text-align: justify">Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under
the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)</TD>
</TR></TABLE>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 6pt"></TABLE>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 6pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top; text-align: justify">
<TD STYLE="width: 0.25in"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.25in; text-align: left"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">&#168;</FONT></TD><TD STYLE="text-align: justify">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b)
under the Exchange Act&#9;(17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))</TD>
</TR></TABLE>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 6pt"></TABLE>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 6pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top; text-align: justify">
<TD STYLE="width: 0.25in"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.25in; text-align: left"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">&#168;</FONT></TD><TD STYLE="text-align: justify">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c)
under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))</TD>
</TR></TABLE>



<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify"></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<!-- Field: Page; Sequence: 1 -->
    <DIV STYLE="margin-top: 12pt; margin-bottom: 6pt; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid"><TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; font-size: 10pt"><TR><TD STYLE="text-align: center; width: 100%">&nbsp;</TD></TR></TABLE></DIV>
    <DIV STYLE="page-break-before: always; margin-top: 6pt; margin-bottom: 12pt"><TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="width: 100%"><TR><TD STYLE="text-align: left; width: 50%">&nbsp;</TD><TD STYLE="text-align: right; width: 50%"></TD></TR></TABLE></DIV>
    <!-- Field: /Page -->
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify"></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: left"><B>Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain
Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensation Arrangements of Certain Officers.</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: left"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 0.5in"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.5in">(b)</TD><TD STYLE="text-align: justify">On March 30, 2012, Alan H. Straus, a director of Center Bancorp, Inc. (&ldquo;Center&rdquo;) and
its Union Center National Bank (the &ldquo;Bank&rdquo;) subsidiary, informed Center&rsquo;s Board of Directors that he would not
stand for re-election at Center&rsquo;s 2012 annual meeting.</TD></TR></TABLE>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 0.5in"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.5in">(d)</TD><TD STYLE="text-align: justify">Also on March 30, 2012, Frederick S. Fish was appointed by Center&rsquo;s Board of Directors to
serve as a director of Center and the Bank. Mr. Fish will stand for election at the 2012 annual meeting. Mr. Fish, age 67, is Managing
Member of The Real Estate Equity Company, known as &ldquo;Treeco,&rdquo; a partnership which develops, manages and has financial
interests in 1.5 million square feet of retail shopping centers in NJ, NY, PA and MA. Mr. Fish has not yet been named to any committees
of Center&rsquo;s Board.</TD></TR></TABLE>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 1in; text-align: justify">From time to time, the Bank
has made loans to certain affiliates of Mr. Fish in the ordinary course of business.&nbsp; Such loans were made on substantially
similar terms as loans made by the Bank to non-related persons, including the terms relating to interest rates and collateral.&nbsp;
In addition, such loans did not involve more than the normal risk of collectability or present other unfavorable terms.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 1.5in; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify"><B>Item 9.01. Financial Statements and
Exhibits.</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 0.5in"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.5in">(d)</TD><TD STYLE="text-align: justify"><I>Exhibits</I></TD></TR></TABLE>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in">Exhibit 99.1 &ndash;
Press release, dated April 4, 2012, announcing the appointment of Mr. Fish to Center&rsquo;s and the Bank&rsquo;s respective Boards
of Directors, and Mr. Straus&rsquo; decision not to stand for re-election.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<!-- Field: Page; Sequence: 2; Options: NewSection; Value: 2 -->
    <DIV STYLE="margin-top: 12pt; margin-bottom: 6pt; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid"><TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; font-size: 10pt"><TR><TD STYLE="text-align: center; width: 100%">-<!-- Field: Sequence; Type: Arabic; Name: PageNo -->2<!-- Field: /Sequence -->-</TD></TR></TABLE></DIV>
    <DIV STYLE="page-break-before: always; margin-top: 6pt; margin-bottom: 12pt"><TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="width: 100%"><TR><TD STYLE="text-align: center; width: 100%">&nbsp;</TD></TR></TABLE></DIV>
    <!-- Field: /Page -->
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify"></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>SIGNATURE</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in">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
hereunto duly authorized.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify"></P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; border-collapse: collapse">
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center; font-weight: bold">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="text-align: left; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: bottom">CENTER BANCORP, INC.</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: justify; width: 50%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: justify; width: 3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: justify; width: 35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: justify; width: 12%">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: justify; text-decoration: none">By:</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid">/s/ Anthony C. Weagley</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: justify">Name:</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: justify">Anthony C. Weagley</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: justify">Title:</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: justify">President and Chief Executive Officer</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
</TABLE>


<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify"></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify"></P>



<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify"></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">Dated: April 4, 2012</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: left">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: left"></P>

<!-- Field: Page; Sequence: 3; Value: 2 -->
    <DIV STYLE="margin-top: 12pt; margin-bottom: 6pt; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid"><TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; font-size: 10pt"><TR><TD STYLE="text-align: center; width: 100%">-<!-- Field: Sequence; Type: Arabic; Name: PageNo -->3<!-- Field: /Sequence -->-</TD></TR></TABLE></DIV>
    <DIV STYLE="page-break-before: always; margin-top: 6pt; margin-bottom: 12pt"><TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="width: 100%"><TR><TD STYLE="text-align: center; width: 100%">&nbsp;</TD></TR></TABLE></DIV>
    <!-- Field: /Page -->
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: left">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>EXHIBIT INDEX</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in">Exhibit 99.1 &ndash;
Press release, dated April 4, 2012, announcing the appointment of Mr. Fish to Center&rsquo;s Board of Directors and Mr. Straus&rsquo;
decision not to stand for re-election.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>



<P STYLE="margin: 0"></P>

<P STYLE="margin: 0"></P>

<!-- Field: Page; Sequence: 4; Options: Last -->
    <DIV STYLE="margin-top: 12pt; margin-bottom: 6pt; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid"><TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; font-size: 10pt"><TR><TD STYLE="text-align: center; width: 100%">-<!-- Field: Sequence; Type: Arabic; Name: PageNo -->4<!-- Field: /Sequence -->-</TD></TR></TABLE></DIV>
    <!-- Field: /Page -->
<P STYLE="margin: 0"></P>

</BODY>
</HTML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-99.1
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>v308510_ex99-1.htm
<DESCRIPTION>EXHIBIR 99.1
<TEXT>
<HTML>
<HEAD>
     <TITLE></TITLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif">

<P STYLE="margin: 0"></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="text-underline-style: none"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="text-underline-style: none"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: right">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: right">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: right">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: right">Investor Inquiries:</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: right; text-indent: 0.5in">Joseph Gangemi</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: right; text-indent: 0.5in">VP, Investor Relations</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: right; text-indent: 0.5in">(908) 206-2863</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="text-underline-style: none"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="text-underline-style: none"><B>Center Bancorp,
Inc. Announces Appointment of Frederick S. Fish to the Board of Directors of Center Bancorp Inc and Union Center National Bank.</B></FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="text-underline-style: none"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><B>UNION, N.J., April 4, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE)</B> -- Center
Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq: CNBC), parent company to Union Center National Bank (&quot;UCNB&quot;), announced that at its Board meeting
on March 30, 2012, the Corporation named Frederick S. Fish to the Board of Directors of the Company and the Bank effective immediately.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="color: black">Mr. Fish is a managing member of
The Real Estate Equity Company, LLC, Englewood New Jersey, Director &amp; Founding Member of American Spraytech and General Partner
of F.S. Fish Investment Company. Mr. Fish has more than 30 years of experience and </FONT>extensive knowledge in the real estate
industry and his significant involvement with various charitable endeavors. <FONT STYLE="color: black">&nbsp;Mr. Fish holds a B.S.
from Syracuse University and is a member of Beta Alpha Psi, Accounting Honorary.</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">Mr. Fish will stand for election at the Company's 2012 annual
meeting of shareholders.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&quot;Mr. Fish brings a strategic connection to the Bank in
the Bergen County market and exhibits the qualities that will bring added depth and a mix of expertise to the Company during a
period of accelerated change in our industry,&quot; said Alexander A. Bol, Chairman of the Board.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">Also announced on March 30, 2012, Alan H. Straus, a director
of Center Bancorp, Inc. and its Union Center National Bank subsidiary, informed Center&rsquo;s Board of Directors that he would
not stand for re-election at Center&rsquo;s 2012 annual meeting.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><B></B></P>

<!-- Field: Page; Sequence: 1 -->
    <DIV STYLE="margin-top: 12pt; margin-bottom: 6pt; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid"><TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; font-size: 10pt"><TR><TD STYLE="text-align: center; width: 100%">&nbsp;</TD></TR></TABLE></DIV>
    <DIV STYLE="page-break-before: always; margin-top: 6pt; margin-bottom: 12pt"><TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="width: 100%"><TR><TD STYLE="text-align: center; width: 100%">&nbsp;</TD></TR></TABLE></DIV>
    <!-- Field: /Page -->
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><B>About Center Bancorp</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">Center Bancorp, Inc. is a bank holding company, which operates
Union Center National Bank, its main subsidiary. Chartered in 1923, Union Center National Bank is one of the oldest national banks
headquartered in the state of New Jersey and now ranks as the third largest national bank headquartered in the state.&nbsp;Union
Center National Bank is currently the largest commercial bank headquartered in Union County. Its primary market niche is its commercial
banking business. The Bank focuses its lending activities on commercial lending to small and medium-sized businesses, real estate
developers and high net worth individuals.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">The Bank, through its Private Wealth Management Division, which
includes its wholly-owned subsidiary, Center Financial Group LLC. UCNB's Private Wealth Management and advisory umbrella of services
provides personalized wealth management and advisory services to high net worth individuals and families. Our services include
banking, liquidity management, investment services, custody, tailored lending, wealth planning, trust and fiduciary services, insurance,
family wealth advisory and philanthropic advisory.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">Center also recently announced a strategic partnership with
Compass Financial Management, LLC and ING to offer pension/401(k) planning services.&nbsp;Compass is an SEC Registered Investment
Advisory Company with five decades of cumulative experience providing investment services in a personal, professional and attentive
manner.&nbsp;They provide discretionary private investment management for individuals and corporate accounts as well as 401(k)
advisory services.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">The Bank currently operates 12 banking locations in Union and
Morris Counties in New Jersey. Banking centers are located in Union Township (6 locations), Berkeley Heights, Boonton/Mountain
Lakes, Madison, Millburn/Vauxhall, Morristown, Springfield, and Summit, New Jersey. The Bank also operates remote ATM locations
in the Chatham and Madison New Jersey Transit train stations. While the Bank's primary market area is comprised of Union and Morris
Counties, New Jersey, the Corporation has expanded to northern and central New Jersey with its recent announcement of the acquisition
of Saddle River Valley Bank, Saddle River New Jersey.<FONT STYLE="color: black"> Saddle River Valley Bank has two branch locations
in Saddle River and Oakland, NJ. As of December 31, 2011, Saddle River Valley Bank had approximately $120.2 million in assets,
$55.8 million in loans, $105.9 million of deposits and $13.1 million of stockholders' equity.</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">At December 31, 2011, the Corporation <FONT STYLE="color: black">had
total assets of $1.4 billion, total deposits of $1.1 billion and stockholders' equity of $135.9 million.</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"></P>

<!-- Field: Page; Sequence: 2 -->
    <DIV STYLE="margin-top: 12pt; margin-bottom: 6pt; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid"><TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; font-size: 10pt"><TR><TD STYLE="text-align: center; width: 100%">&nbsp;</TD></TR></TABLE></DIV>
    <DIV STYLE="page-break-before: always; margin-top: 6pt; margin-bottom: 12pt"><TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="width: 100%"><TR><TD STYLE="text-align: center; width: 100%">&nbsp;</TD></TR></TABLE></DIV>
    <!-- Field: /Page -->
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">For further information regarding Center Bancorp, Inc., please
visit our web site at http://www.centerbancorp.com or call (800) 862-3683. For information regarding Union Center National Bank,
please visit our web site at http://www.ucnb.com.</P>



<P STYLE="margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="margin: 0"></P>

<!-- Field: Page; Sequence: 3; Options: Last -->
    <DIV STYLE="margin-top: 12pt; margin-bottom: 6pt; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid"><TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; font-size: 10pt"><TR><TD STYLE="text-align: center; width: 100%">&nbsp;</TD></TR></TABLE></DIV>
    <!-- Field: /Page -->
<P STYLE="margin: 0"></P>

</BODY>
</HTML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
