<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001144204-13-042286.txt : 20130801
<SEC-HEADER>0001144204-13-042286.hdr.sgml : 20130801
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20130731182533
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001144204-13-042286
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	8-K
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20130731
ITEM INFORMATION:		Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers: Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers
ITEM INFORMATION:		Regulation FD Disclosure
ITEM INFORMATION:		Financial Statements and Exhibits
FILED AS OF DATE:		20130801
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20130731

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:		131000353

	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>v351510_8k.htm
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 8-K
<TEXT>
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<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):
July 31, 2013</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: center">&nbsp;</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: 0; text-align: center; text-indent: 0; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">New Jersey</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 33%; padding: 0; text-align: center; text-indent: 0; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">2-81353</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 33%; padding: 0; text-align: center; text-indent: 0; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">52-1273725</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding: 0; text-align: center; text-indent: 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">(State or Other Jurisdiction</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding: 0; text-align: center; text-indent: 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">(Commission File Number)</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding: 0; text-align: center; text-indent: 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">(IRS Employer</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding: 0; text-align: center; text-indent: 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">of Incorporation)</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding: 0; text-align: center; text-indent: 0">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding: 0; text-align: center; text-indent: 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Identification No.)</FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;&nbsp;</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: 50%; padding: 0; text-align: center; text-indent: 0; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid">2455 Morris Avenue, Union, New Jersey</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 50%; padding: 0; text-align: center; text-indent: 0; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid">07083</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding: 0; text-align: center; text-indent: 0">(Address of principal executive offices)</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding: 0; text-align: center; text-indent: 0">(Zip Code)</TD></TR>
</TABLE>


<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"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">&#168;</FONT>&#9;
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</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"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">&#168;</FONT>&#9;Soliciting material pursuant
to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)</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"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">&#168;</FONT>&#9;Pre-commencement communications
pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act&#9;(17 CFR 240.14d-2(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"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">&#168;</FONT>&#9;Pre-commencement communications
pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))</P>

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

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify"><B>Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or
Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensation Arrangements of Certain Officers.&nbsp;</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: 0.75in">(c)&#9;On
July 31, 2013, the Boards of Directors of Center Bancorp, Inc. (&ldquo;Center&rdquo;) and its Union Center National Bank (the &ldquo;Bank&rdquo;)
subsidiary appointed Francis R. Patryn to the positions of Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of Center and
the Bank, effective immediately. Mr. Patryn, age 64, was previously appointed to the role of interim Chief Financial Officer on
May 2, 2013.</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; text-indent: 0.75in">&#9;Prior to serving
as interim Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Patryn served as the bank&rsquo;s chief financial controller for approximately 15 years.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 1in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 1in; text-align: left; text-indent: -1in"><B>Item 7.01 Regulation
FD Disclosure.</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 1in; text-align: left; text-indent: -1in"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.75in"><B></B>On
July 31, 2013, Howard Kent, a director of Center and the Bank, was elected as the new Chairman of the Board of the Bank, effective
immediately.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 1in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -1in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.75in">Mr. Kent
will succeed Alexander Bol as the Chairman of the Board of the Bank. Mr. Bol, who has been a director since 1994 and has served
as Chairman of the Board of both the Bank and Center for the past 12 years, will continue to serve as the Chairman of the Board
of Center.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 1in; text-align: left; text-indent: -1in"><B>&nbsp;</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"><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>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in">(f)&#9;<I>Exhibits</I></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 July 31, 2013</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: 0.75in">Except as set forth
in the immediately following paragraph, all of the information in Exhibit 99.1 is being &ldquo;furnished&rdquo; and shall not be
deemed &ldquo;filed&rdquo; for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is not subject to the
liabilities of that section and is not deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.</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: 0.75in">The sole portion of Exhibit
99.1 that is being &ldquo;filed&rdquo; is the portion of Exhibit 99.1 relating to Francis R. Patryn.</P>

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

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

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    <TD STYLE="padding: 0; text-align: center; text-indent: 0">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="padding: 0; text-align: left; text-indent: 0"><B>CENTER BANCORP, INC.</B></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="width: 50%; padding: 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 5%; padding: 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 45%; padding: 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding: 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding: 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid">By:</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding: 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid">/s/ Joseph D. Gangemi</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding: 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding: 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding: 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding: 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding: 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0">Name:</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding: 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0">Joseph D. Gangemi</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding: 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding: 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0">Title:</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding: 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0">VP and Corporate Secretary</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">Dated: July 31, 2013</P>




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

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<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;&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 July 31, 2013.</P>

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<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: justify; text-indent: 0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

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



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<DESCRIPTION>EXHIBIT 99.1
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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>&nbsp;&nbsp;</B></P>

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

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

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

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

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

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

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: right">(908) 206-2668</P>

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

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>Center Bancorp, Inc. Announces Appointment
of New Chairman at its Bank Subsidiary</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 0.75in; background-color: white; text-indent: 45.8pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><B>UNION, N.J., July 31, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Center Bancorp,
Inc. (NASDAQ: CNBC)</B> (the &quot;Corporation&quot;, or &quot;Center&quot;), parent company of Union Center National Bank (&ldquo;UCNB&rdquo;
or the &ldquo;Bank&rdquo;), today announced that the Board of Directors of the Bank has elected Howard Kent as the new Chairman
of the Board of the Bank. Anthony C. Weagley, President and CEO of the Bank, stated that the appointment of Mr. Howard Kent was
aimed at &ldquo;bringing additional depth of skills and experience to the Board of the Bank as the Company seeks to enter a phase
of strategic growth, principally in its loan portfolio, in its continuous effort to remain one of the nation&rsquo;s finest financial
institutions.&rdquo;</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. Kent will succeed Alexander Bol as the Chairman of the Board
of the Bank. Mr. Bol, who has been a director since 1994 and has served as Chairman of the Board of both the Bank and Center for
the past 12 years, will continue to serve as the Chairman of the Board of Center. Mr. Weagley added: &ldquo;Al Bol&rsquo;s leadership
of Center Bancorp and Union Center National Bank, his knowledge of the banking industry and of our goals, coupled with his stature
in the community, are all part of his contribution to Center Bancorp.&rdquo;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><BR>
Mr. Bol received his Bachelor of Architecture from Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, New York. Mr. Bol established Bol Architecture in
1974 with the prestigious commission of designing Murray Hill Square in New Providence, New Jersey. Mr. Bol is a member of the
American Institute of Architects and the New Jersey Society of Architects and is certified by the National Council of Architectural
Registration Boards. Mr. Bol is a New Jersey licensed Professional Planner and a registered Architect in the states of New Jersey,
Massachusetts, New York, and Pennsylvania.</P>

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

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

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">Mr. Kent, who will assume the Chairman role of Union Center
National Bank effective today, has been a director since 2008, and currently serves as the Chairman of the Loan and Discount Committee
for the Bank. Mr. Weagley commented: &ldquo;Mr. Kent&rsquo;s knowledge about, and experience in, the real estate investment and
management business led the Board to tap his expertise in expanding the leadership in the Chairman position for the Bank.&rdquo;</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">Howard Kent has been active in the real estate investment and
management business for over 35 years. He currently serves as a principal and co-founder of Real Estate Equities Group, LLC, and
as a principal of Real Estate Management Group, LLC., located in Englewood, New Jersey.</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">From June 1975 to late 1978, Mr. Kent was an officer and principal
stockholder of Asset Management and Service Corp., served as a corporate general partner for several limited partnerships and provided
direct and supervisory management for approximately 2,000 apartment units in the New York and Washington D.C. metropolitan areas.
In addition, he served as an individual general partner in several real estate partnerships. From September 1970 to June 1975,
he was employed by a publicly owned real estate firm, ultimately serving as manager of accounting and an auditor for a national
accounting firm.</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. Kent is a Certified Manager of Community Associations (CMCA).
He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Vantage Health Systems, located in Dumont and Engelwood, New Jersey and serves
on the ADL Florida Region Advisory Council. He is a voting member of the American Institute of Economic Research, located in Great
Barrington, Massachusetts. He formerly served on the Boards of the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County and the Jewish
Federation of North Jersey. He has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of American Investment Services, Inc., an SEC registered
investment advisor with approximately $450 million in assets under management.</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. Kent received his Bachelor of Science degree in accounting
and business administration in 1969 from Fairleigh Dickinson University.</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">In a separate action the Corporation also announced that the
Boards of Directors of the Corporation and the Bank have appointed acting chief financial officer Francis R Patryn on a permanent
basis. Mr. Patryn has been filling the role since the departure of Vincent Tozzi on May 31, 2013, and prior to his appointment
was chief financial comptroller  -- a position he held for 15years.</P>

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

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

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<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 Banking and Wealth Management
Division, which includes its wholly-owned subsidiary, Center Financial Group LLC, 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 services and philanthropic
advisory services. The Bank, through a strategic partnership between the Bank's Private Banking Division and Alexander, Troy &amp;
Company (&quot;AT&amp;CO.&quot;), Family Office Services, of Katonah, New York, provides customized financial and administrative
services to 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">Center, through a strategic partnership with Compass Financial
Management, LLC and ING, offers pension/401(k) planning services.&nbsp;Compass is an 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 16 banking locations in Bergen,
Mercer, Morris and Union Counties in New Jersey. Banking centers are located in Union Township (5 locations), Berkeley Heights,
Boonton/Mountain Lakes, Englewood, Madison, Millburn/Vauxhall, Morristown, Oakland, Princeton, Saddle River, Springfield, and
Summit, New Jersey. The Bank's primary market area is comprised of central and northern New Jersey.</P>

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

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; background-color: white"><B>Forward-Looking Statements</B></P>

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

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; background-color: white">All non-historical statements in this
press release (including statements strategic growth) constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements may use forward-looking terminology such as &quot;expect,&quot;
&quot;look,&quot; &quot;believe,&quot; &quot;plan,&quot; &quot;anticipate,&quot; &quot;may,&quot; &quot;will&quot; or similar statements
or variations of such terms or otherwise express views concerning trends and the future. Such forward-looking statements involve
certain risks and uncertainties. These include, but are not limited to, the direction of interest rates, continued levels of loan
quality and origination volume, continued relationships with major customers including sources for loans, as well as the effects
of international, national, regional and local economic conditions and legal and regulatory barriers and structure, including those
relating to economic recovery and the deregulation of the financial services industry, and other risks cited in Center Bancorp&rsquo;s
most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other reports filed by Center Bancorp with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual
results may differ materially from such forward-looking statements. Center Bancorp, Inc. assumes no obligation for updating any
such forward-looking statement at any time.</P>



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