UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549



 

FORM 10-K



 

 
(Mark One)   
x ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.

For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 20102011

OR

 
o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.

For the Transition Period from  to 

Commission File Number: 000-11486



 

CENTER BANCORP, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 
New Jersey 52-1273725
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
 (IRS Employer
Identification Number)

2455 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ 07083-0007

(Address of Principal Executive Offices, Including Zip Code)

(908) 688-9500

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)



 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:

Common Stock, No Par Value

(Title of Class)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act:None



 

Indicate by checkmark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. YesAct.Yeso Nox

Indicate by checkmark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act. Yeso Nox

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yesx Noo

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Regulation S-T (232,405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant has required to submit and post such files.) Yesox Noo Not applicable

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of the Form 10-K or any amendment to the Form 10-K.o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

   
Large Accelerated Filero Accelerated Filerx Non-Acceleratedo Small Reporting Companyo

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act) Yeso or Nox

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold or the average bid and ask price of such common equity, as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter — $88.1$126.4 million

Shares Outstanding on March 1, 2011

2012
Common Stock, no par value: 16,290,70016,332,327 shares

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Definitive proxy statement in connection with the 20112012 Annual Stockholders Meeting to be filed with the Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A will be incorporated by reference in Part III.

 

 


 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC.



TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
 Page
PART I
 

Item 1.

Business

  1 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

  1716 

Item 1B.

Unresolved Staff Comments

  2423 

Item 2.

Properties

  2423 

Item 3.

Legal Proceedings

  2524 

Item 3A.

Executive Officers of the Registrant

  2625 

Item 4.

ReservedMine Safety Disclosures

  2726 
PART II
 

Item 5.

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

  2827 

Item 6.

Selected Financial Data

  3029 

Item 7.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

  3332 

Item 7A.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

  6765 

Item 8.

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data:

  F-1 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm  F-2 
Center Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries:
     
Consolidated Statements of Condition  F-3 
Consolidated Statements of Income  F-4 
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity  F-5 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows  F-6 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  F-8 

Item 9.

Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

  6866 

Item 9A.

Controls and Procedures

  6866 

Item 9B.

Other Information

  7069 
PART III
 

Item 10.

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

  7170 

Item 11.

Executive Compensation

  7170 

Item 12.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

  7170 

Item 13.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

  7170 

Item 14.

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

  7170 
PART IV
 

Item 15.

Exhibits, and Financial Statements Schedules

  7271 
Signatures  7574 

Information included in or incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, t hethe Corporation’s press releases or other public statements, contain or may contain forward looking statements. Please refer to a discussion of the Corporation’s forward looking statements and associated risks in “Item 1 — Business — Historical Development of Business” and “Item 1A — Risk Factors” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

i


 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC.
FORM 10-K



PART I

Item 1. Business

Historical Development of Business

This report, in Item 1, Item 7 and elsewhere, includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Sections 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that involve inherent risks and uncertainties. This report contains certain forward-looking statements with respect to the financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business of Center Bancorp, Inc. and its subsidiaries, including statements preceded by, followed by or that include words or phrases such as “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “trend,” “objective,” “continue,” “remain,” “pattern” or similar expressions or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “might,” “can,” “may” or similar expressions. There are a number of important factors that could cause future results to differ materially from historical performance and these forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to: (1) competitive pressures among depository institutions may increase significantly; (2) changes in the interest rate environment may reduce interest margins; (3) prepayment speeds, loan origination and sale volumes, charge-offs and loan loss provisions may vary substantially from period to period; (4) general economic conditions may be less favorable than expected; (5) political developments, wars or other hostilities may disrupt or increase volatility in securities markets or other economic conditions; (6) legislative or regulatory changes or actions may adversely affect the businesses in which Center Bancorp, Inc. is engaged; (7) changes and trends in the securities markets may adversely impact Center Bancorp, Inc; (8) a delayed or incomplete resolution of regulatory issues could adversely impact our planning; (9) difficulties in integrating any businesses that we may acquire, which may increase our expenses and delay the achievement of any benefits that we may expect from such acquisitions; (10) the impact of reputation risk created by the developments discussed above on such matters as business generation and retention, funding and liquidity could be significant; and (10)(11) the outcome of regulatory and legal investigations and proceedings may not be anticipated. Further information on other factors that could affect the financial results of Center Bancorp, Inc. are included in Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and in Center Bancorp’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These documents are available free of charge at the Commission’s website athttp://www.sec.gov and/or from Center Bancorp, Inc. Center Bancorp, Inc. assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements at any time.

Center Bancorp, Inc., a one-bank holding company, was incorporated in the state of New Jersey on November 12, 1982. Upon the acquisition of all outstanding shares of capital stock of Union Center National Bank (the “Bank”), its principal subsidiary, Center Bancorp, Inc., commenced operations on May 1, 1983. The holding company’s sole activity, at this time, is to act as a holding company for the Bank and other subsidiaries. As used herein, the term “Corporation” shall refer to Center Bancorp, Inc. and its direct and indirect subsidiaries and the term “Parent Corporation” shall refer to Center Bancorp, Inc. on an unconsolidated basis. In addition to its principal subsidiary,

Center Bancorp, Inc. owns 100 percent of the voting shares of Center Bancorp, Inc. Statutory Trust II, through which it issued trust preferred securities. Center Bancorp, Inc. Statutory Trust IIThe trust exists for the exclusive purpose of (i) issuing trust securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the trust; (ii) investing the gross proceeds of the trust securities in $5.2 million of junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures (subordinated debentures) of the Corporation; and (iii) engaging in only those activities necessary or incidental thereto. These subordinated debentures and the related income effects are not eliminated in the consolidated financial statements as the statutory business trust is not a consolidated subsidiary.in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) FASB ASC 810-10 (previously FASB interpretation No. 46(R), “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities.” Distributions on the subordinated debentures owned by the subsidiary trust have been classified as interest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income. See Note 10 of the Consolidated Financial Statements.


TheTABLE OF CONTENTS

Except as described above, the Corporation’s wholly-owned subsidiaries are all included in the consolidated financial statements of Center Bancorp, Inc. These subsidiaries include an advertising subsidiary; an insurance subsidiary offering annuity products, property and casualty, life and health insurance, and various investment subsidiaries which hold, maintain and manage investment assets for the Corporation. In

On February 1, 2012, the past,Bank entered into a Bank Purchase and Assumption Agreement (the “Agreement”) with Saddle River Valley Bancorp and Saddle River Valley Bank (“SRVB”). Under the Corporation’s subsidiaries have also included real estate investment trust subsidiaries (the “REIT” subsidiaries)Agreement, at closing, the Bank will purchase SRVB’s branches, located in Saddle River, New Jersey and two title insurance partnerships.Oakland, New Jersey, as well as substantially all of SRVB’s assets and SRVB’s deposit base, for an all-cash purchase price equal to 90% of SRVB’s adjusted stockholders’ equity at closing. The title insurance partnerships were liquidatedpurchase price is expected to be between $10 million and ceased operations in December 2009. During the fourth quarter$11 million. The Agreement provides for standard representations and warranties, indemnities and covenants. Closing is subject to customary conditions, including receipt of 2006, the Corporation effected an internal entity reorganizationregulatory approval and adopted a plan of liquidation for its one remaining REIT subsidiary, which was completed on November 16, 2007.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

During 2001 and 2003, the Corporation formed statutory business trusts, which exist for the exclusive purpose of (i) issuing trust securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of a trust; (ii) investing the gross proceedsapproval of the trust securities in junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures (subordinated debentures) of the Corporation; and (iii) engaging in only those activities necessary or incidental thereto. These subordinated debentures and the related income effects are not eliminated in the consolidated financial statements as the statutory business trusts are not consolidated in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) FASB ASC 810-10 (previously FASB interpretation No. 46(R), “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities.” Distributions on the subordinated debentures ownedtransaction by the subsidiary trusts have been classified as interest expense instockholders of Saddle River Valley Bancorp. It is anticipated that the Consolidated Statements of Income.

The Corporation issued $10.3 million of subordinated debentures in 2001 and $5.2 million of subordinated debentures in 2003. On December 18, 2006, the Corporation redeemed $10.3 million of subordinated debentures and dissolved Center Bancorp, Inc. Statutory Trust I. At December 31, 2010, the $5.2 million of these securities still outstanding were included as a component of Tier 1 Capital for regulatory purposes. The Tier 1 leverage capital ratio was 9.90 percent at December 31, 2010.

During 2002, the Bank established two investment subsidiaries to hold portions of its securities portfolio. At December 2007, under a plan of liquidation adopted by the Bank, one of the investment companies had been liquidated. During 2008, the Corporation formed a new investment company. In January of 2003, the Corporation established an insurance subsidiary for the sale of insurance and annuity products. The Corporation also formed a title insurance partnership during the later part of 2007 that was fully operational in 2008. During the early part of 2008, the Corporation formed a second title partnership that was fully operationaltransaction will close during the second halfquarter of 2008. Both title insurance partnerships were liquidated during December, 2009 and2012. Center Bancorp expects the Bank no longer provides title insurance.transaction to be immediately accretive to earnings, excluding restructuring expenses.

SEC Reports and Corporate Governance

The Parent Corporation makes its Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments thereto available on its website atwww.centerbancorp.com without charge as soon as reasonably practicable after filing or furnishing them to the SEC. Also available on the website are the Corporation’s corporate code of ethics that applies to all of the Corporation’s employees, including principal officers and directors, and charters for the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating Committee.

The Parent Corporation has filed the certifications of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer required pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 with respect to the Parent Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as exhibits to this Report. Center Bancorp’s CEO submitted the required annual CEO’s Certification regarding the NASDAQ’s corporate governance listing standards, Section 12(a) CEO Certification, to the NASDAQ within the required time frame after the 20102011 annual shareholders’ meeting.

Additionally, the Parent Corporation will provide without charge, a copy of its Annual Report on Form 10-K to any shareholder by mail. Requests should be sent to Center Bancorp, Inc, Attention: Shareholder Relations, 2455 Morris Avenue, Union, New Jersey, 07083.

Narrative Description of the Business

The Bank offers a broad range of lending, depository and related financial services to commercial, industrial and governmental customers. In 1999, theThe Bank obtainedhas full trust powers, enabling it to offer a variety of trust services to its customers. In the lending area, the Bank’s services include short and medium term loans, lines of credit, letters of credit, working capital loans, real estate construction loans and mortgage loans. In the depository area, the Bank offers demand deposits, savings accounts and time deposits. In addition, the Bank offers collection services, wire transfers, night depository and lock box services.

The Bank offers a broad range of consumer banking services, including interest bearing and non-interest bearing checking accounts, savings accounts, money market accounts, certificates of deposit, IRA accounts, Automated Teller Machine (“ATM”) accessibility using Star Systems, Inc. service, secured and unsecured loans, mortgage loans, home equity lines of credit, safe deposit boxes, Christmas club accounts, vacation club accounts, money orders and travelers’ checks.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

The Bank, through its subsidiary, Center Financial Group LLC, provides financial services, including brokerage services, insurance and annuities, mutual funds and financial planning. In the fourth quarter of 2007, the Corporation formed a title insurance partnership, Center Title LLC, with Progressive Title Company in Parsippany, New Jersey to provide title services in connection with the closing of real estate transactions. In January 2008, the Corporation formed a title insurance partnership, Union Title LLC, with Elite Title Abstract of West Caldwell, New Jersey to provide title services in connection with the closing of real estate loan transactions. Our partnerships with both title companies were liquidated during December, 2009.

The Bank offers various money market services. It deals in U.S. Treasury and U.S. Governmental agency securities, certificates of deposit, commercial paper and repurchase agreements.

The Bank entered into a limited liability company operating agreement with Morris Property Company, LLC, a New Jersey limited liability company, during the fourth quarter of 2008. The purpose of Morris Property Company, LLC is to hold foreclosed assets.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

On August 20, 2010, the Bank formed UCNB 1031 Exchange, LLC, for the purpose of providing customers 1031 exchange services. At December 31, 2010 UCNB 1031 Exchange, LLC was active, however its operations to date have had no material impact onIn August of 2011, the operations of the Corporation.Bank liquidated this business.

Competitive pressures affect the Corporation’s manner of conducting business. Competition stems not only from other commercial banks but also from other financial institutions such as savings banks, savings and loan associations, mortgage companies, leasing companies and various other financial service and advisory companies. Many of the financial institutions operating in the Corporation’s primary market are substantially larger and offer a wider variety of products and services than the Corporation.

Supervision and Regulation

The banking industry is highly regulated. Statutory and regulatory controls increase a bank holding company’s cost of doing business and limit the options of its management to deploy assets and maximize income. The following discussion is not intended to be a complete list of all the activities regulated by the banking laws or of the impact of such laws and regulations on the Corporation or its Bank subsidiary. It is intended only to briefly summarize some material provisions.

Bank Holding Company Regulation

Center Bancorp, Inc. is a bank holding company within the meaning of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (the “Holding Company Act”). As a bank holding company, the Parent Corporation is supervised by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (“FRB”) and is required to file reports with the FRB and provide such additional information as the FRB may require. The Parent Corporation and it subsidiaries are subject to examination by the FRB.

On November 9, 2007, the FRB approved the Parent Corporation’s application to become a Financial Holding Company. A Financial Holding Company may perform the following activities: insurance underwriting, securities dealing and underwriting, financial and investment advisory services, merchant banking and issuing or selling security interests in bank-eligible assets. Financial Holding Companies may also engage in any other activity that the FRB determines to be financial in nature or incidental to financial activities after consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury. A Financial Holding Company may also engage in any non-financial activity that the FRB determines is complementary to a financial activity and does not pose a substantial risk to the safety or soundness of depository institutions or the financial system. As of December 31, 2009 the Parent Corporation officially rescinded its status as a financial services holding company as a result of the discontinuation of its title insurance activities.

The Holding Company Act prohibits the Corporation, with certain exceptions, from acquiring direct or indirect ownership or control of more than five percent of the voting shares of any company which is not a bank and from engaging in any business other than that of banking, managing and controlling banks or furnishing services to subsidiary banks, except that it may, upon application, engage in, and may own shares of companies engaged in, certain businesses found by the FRB to be so closely related to banking “as to be a proper incident thereto.” The Holding Company Act requires prior approval by the FRB of the acquisition by Center Bancorp, Inc. of more than five percent of the voting stock of any other bank. Satisfactory capital


TABLE OF CONTENTS

ratios and Community Reinvestment Act ratings and anti-money laundering policies are generally prerequisites to obtaining federal regulatory approval to make acquisitions. The policy of the FRB provides that a bank holding company is expected to act as a source of financial strength to its subsidiary bank and to commit resources to support the subsidiary bank in circumstances in which it might not do so absent that policy.

Acquisitions through Union Center National Bank require approval of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency of the United States (“OCC”). The Holding Company Act does not place territorial restrictions on the activities of non-bank subsidiaries of bank holding companies. The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, discussed below, allows the Corporation to expand into insurance, securities, merchant banking activities, and other activities that are financial in nature.

The Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act of 1994 (“Interstate Banking and Branching Act”) enables bank holding companies to acquire banks in states other than their home state, regardless of applicable state law. The Interstate Banking and Branching Act also authorizes banks to merge across state lines, thereby creating interstate banks with branches in more than one state. Under the legislation, each state had the opportunity to “opt-out” of this provision. Furthermore, a state may “opt-in” with respect tode novo branching, thereby permitting a bank to open new branches in a state in which the bank does not already have a branch. Withoutde novo branching, an out-of-state commercial bank can enter the state only by acquiring an existing bank or branch. The vast majority of states have allowed interstate banking by merger but have not authorizedde novo branching.

New Jersey enacted legislation to authorize interstate banking and branching and the entry into New Jersey of foreign country banks. New Jersey did not authorizede novo branching into the state. However, under federal law, federal savings banks which meet certain conditions may branchde novo into a state, regardless of state law. The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), described in more detail below) removes the restrictions on interstate branching contained in the Interstate Banking and Branching Act, and allows national banks and state banks to establish branches


TABLE OF CONTENTS

in any state if, under the laws of the state in which the branch is to be located, a state bank chartered by that state would be permitted to establish the branch.

Regulation of Bank Subsidiary

The operations of the Bank are subject to requirements and restrictions under federal law, including requirements to maintain reserves against deposits, restrictions on the types and amounts of loans that may be granted, and limitations on the types of investments that may be made and the types of services which may be offered. Various consumer laws and regulations also affect the operations of the Bank. Approval of the Comptroller of the Currency is required for branching, bank mergers in which the continuing bank is a national bank and in connection with certain fundamental corporate changes affecting the Bank. There are various legal limitations, including Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act, which govern the extent to which a bank subsidiary may finance or otherwise supply funds to its holding company or its holding company’s non-bank subsidiaries. Under federal law, no bank subsidiary may, subject to certain limited exceptions, make loans or extensions of credit to, or investments in the securities of, its parent or the non-bank subsidiaries of its parent (other than direct subsidiaries of such bank which are not financial subsidiaries) or take their securities as collateral for loans to any borrower. Each bank subsidiary is also subject to collateral security requirements for any loans or extensions of credit permitted by such exceptions.

The Dodd-Frank Act

The BankDodd-Frank Act, adopted in 2010, is expected to have a broad impact on the financial services industry, as a result of the significant regulatory and the OCC have entered into an informal Memorandum of Understanding, or MOU. A memorandum of understanding is characterizedcompliance changes made by the regulatory authorities as an informal action that is not published or publicly available and that is used when circumstances warrant a milder form of action than a formal supervisory action. AmongDodd-Frank Act, including, among other things, under(i) enhanced resolution authority over troubled and failing banks and their holding companies; (ii) increased capital and liquidity requirements; (iii) increased regulatory examination fees; (iv) changes to assessments to be paid to the MOU, the Bank has agreedFDIC for federal deposit insurance; and (v) numerous other provisions designed to develop a three year capital program, which will include specific plansimprove supervision and oversight of, and strengthening safety and soundness for, the maintenance of adequate capitalfinancial services sector. Additionally, the Dodd-Frank Act establishes a new framework for systemic risk oversight within the financial system to be distributed among new and existing federal regulatory agencies, including the strengthening ofFinancial Stability Oversight Council, the Bank’s capital structure to meet the Bank’s current and future needs, a profit plan that includes the identification of the major areas and means by which the Board will seek to improve the Bank’s operating performance, and a dividend policy that permits the declaration of a dividend by the Bank only with the prior approval of the OCC. Management is committed to addressing and resolving the issues raised byFederal Reserve, the OCC and has substantially completed corrective actions to comply with the MOU. In addition,FDIC. A summary of certain provisions of the OCC has established higher minimum capital ratios for the Bank than the regulatory minimums. See “FDICIA.”Dodd-Frank Act is set forth below:

Minimum Capital Requirements.  The Dodd-Frank Act requires new capital rules and the application of the same leverage and risk-based capital requirements that apply to insured depository institutions to most bank holding companies. In addition to making bank holding companies subject to the same capital requirements as their bank subsidiaries, these provisions (often referred to as the Collins Amendment to the Dodd-Frank Act) were also intended to eliminate or significantly reduce the use of hybrid capital instruments, especially trust preferred securities, as regulatory capital. Under the Collins Amendment, trust preferred securities issued by a bank holding company such as Center Bancorp (with total consolidated assets between $500 million and $15 billion) before May 19, 2010 and treated as regulatory capital are grandfathered, but any such securities issued later are not eligible as regulatory capital. On June 14, 2011, the federal banking agencies published a final rule regarding minimum leverage and risk-based capital requirements for banks and bank holding companies consistent with the requirements of the Dodd-Frank Act. The Dodd-Frank Act also requires banking regulators to seek to make capital standards countercyclical, so that the required levels of capital increase in times of economic expansion and decrease in times of economic contraction.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“Bureau”).  The Dodd-Frank Act created the Bureau within the Federal Reserve. The Bureau is tasked with establishing and implementing rules and regulations under certain federal consumer protection laws with respect to the conduct of providers of certain consumer financial products and services. The Bureau has rulemaking authority over many of the statutes governing products and services offered to bank consumers. In addition, the Dodd-Frank Act permits states to adopt consumer protection laws and regulations that are more stringent than those regulations promulgated by the Bureau and state attorneys general are permitted to enforce consumer protection rules adopted by the Bureau against state-chartered institutions. The

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has examination and enforcement authority over all banks and savings institutions with more than $10 billion in assets. Institutions with $10 billion or less in assets, such as the Bank, will continue to be examined for compliance with the consumer laws by their primary bank regulators.
Deposit Insurance.  The Dodd-Frank Act makes permanent the $250,000 deposit insurance limit for insured deposits. Amendments to the Federal Deposit Insurance Act also revise the assessment base against which an insured depository institution’s deposit insurance premiums paid to the Deposit Insurance Fund (“DIF”) will be calculated. Under the amendments, the assessment base will no longer be the institution’s deposit base, but rather its average consolidated total assets less its average tangible equity during the assessment period. Additionally, the Dodd-Frank Act makes changes to the minimum designated reserve ratio of the DIF, increasing the minimum from 1.15 percent to 1.35 percent of the estimated amount of total insured deposits and eliminating the requirement that the FDIC pay dividends to depository institutions when the reserve ratio exceeds certain thresholds. In December 2010, the FDIC increased the designated reserve ratio to 2.0 percent.
Shareholder Votes.  The Dodd-Frank Act requires publicly traded companies like Center Bancorp to give shareholders a non-binding vote on executive compensation and so-called “golden parachute” payments in certain circumstances. The Dodd-Frank Act also authorizes the SEC to promulgate rules that would allow shareholders to nominate their own candidates using a company’s proxy materials.
Transactions with Affiliates.  The Dodd-Frank Act enhances the requirements for certain transactions with affiliates under Section 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act, including an expansion of the definition of “covered transactions” and increasing the amount of time for which collateral requirements regarding covered transactions must be maintained. These requirements became effective during 2011.
Transactions with Insiders.  Insider transaction limitations are expanded through the strengthening of loan restrictions to insiders and the expansion of the types of transactions subject to the various limits, including derivative transactions, repurchase agreements, reverse repurchase agreements and securities lending or borrowing transactions. Restrictions are also placed on certain asset sales to and from an insider to an institution, including requirements that such sales be on market terms and, in certain circumstances, approved by the institution’s board of directors. These requirements became effective during 2011.
Enhanced Lending Limits.  The Dodd-Frank Act strengthened the previous limits on a depository institution’s credit exposure to one borrower which limited a depository institution’s ability to extend credit to one person (or group of related persons) in an amount exceeding certain thresholds. The Dodd-Frank Act expanded the scope of these restrictions to include credit exposure arising from derivative transactions, repurchase agreements, and securities lending and borrowing transactions.
Compensation Practices.  The Dodd-Frank Act provides that the appropriate federal regulators must establish standards prohibiting as an unsafe and unsound practice any compensation plan of a bank holding company or other “covered financial institution” that provides an insider or other employee with “excessive compensation” or compensation that gives rise to excessive risk or could lead to a material financial loss to such firm. In June 2010, prior to the Dodd-Frank Act, the bank regulatory agencies promulgated theInteragency Guidance on Sound Incentive Compensation Policies, which set forth three key principles concerning incentive compensation arrangements:
such arrangements should provide employees incentives that balance risk and financial results in a manner that does not encourage employees to expose the financial institution to imprudent risk;
such arrangements should be compatible with effective controls and risk management; and
such arrangements should be supported by strong corporate governance with effective and active oversight by the financial institution’s board of directors.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Together, the Dodd-Frank Act and the recent guidance on compensation may impact the Corporation’s compensation practices.

Although a significant number of the rules and regulations mandated by the Dodd-Frank Act have been finalized, many of the new requirements called for have yet to be implemented and will likely be subject to implementing regulations over the course of several years. Given the uncertainty associated with the manner in which the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act will be implemented by the various regulatory agencies, the full extent of the impact such requirements will have on financial institutions’ operations is unclear. The changes resulting from the Dodd-Frank Act may impact the profitability of our business activities, require changes to certain of our business practices, impose upon us more stringent capital, liquidity and leverage ratio requirements or otherwise adversely affect our business. These changes may also require us to invest significant management attention and resources to evaluate and make necessary changes in order to comply with new statutory and regulatory requirements.

Regulation W

The Federal Reserve Board has issued Regulation W which codifies prior regulations under Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act and interpretative guidance with respect to affiliate transactions. Regulation W incorporates the exemption from the affiliate transaction rules but expands the exemption to cover the purchase of any type of loan or extension of credit from an affiliate. Affiliates of a bank include, among other entities, the bank’s holding company and companies that are under common control with the bank. The Parent Corporation is considered to be an affiliate of the Bank. In general, subject to certain specified exemptions, a bank or its subsidiaries are limited in their ability to engage in “covered transactions” with affiliates:

to an amount equal to 10% of the bank’s capital and surplus, in the case of covered transactions with any one affiliate; and
to an amount equal to 20% of the bank’s capital and surplus, in the case of covered transactions with all affiliates.affiliates

In addition, a bank and its subsidiaries may engage in covered transactions and other specified transactions only on terms and under circumstances that are substantially the same, or at least as favorable to the bank or its subsidiary, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with nonaffiliated companies. A “covered transaction” includes:

a loan or extension of credit to an affiliate;
a purchase of, or an investment in, securities issued by an affiliate;
a purchase of assets from an affiliate, with some exceptions;
the acceptance of securities issued by an affiliate as collateral for a loan or extension of credit to any party; and
the issuance of a guarantee, acceptance or letter of credit on behalf of an affiliate.

In addition,Further, under Regulationregulation W:

a bank and its subsidiaries may not purchase a low-quality asset from an affiliate;
covered transactions and other specified transactions between a bank or its subsidiaries and an affiliate must be on terms and conditions that are consistent with safe and sound banking practices; and
with some exceptions, each loan or extension of credit by a bank to an affiliate must be secured by certain types of collateral with a market value ranging from 100% to 130%, depending on the type of collateral, of the amount of the loan or extension of credit.credit

Regulation W generally excludes all non-bank and non-savings association subsidiaries of banks from treatment as affiliates, except to the extent that the Federal Reserve Board decides to treat these subsidiaries as affiliates.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Capital Adequacy Guidelines

The Federal Reserve Board has adopted risk-based capital guidelines. These guidelines establish minimum levels of capital and require capital adequacy to be measured in part upon the degree of risk associated with certain assets. Under these guidelines all banks and bank holding companies must have a core or Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets ratio of at least 4% and a total capital to risk-weighted assets ratio of at least 8%. At December 31, 2010,2011, the Corporation’s Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets ratio and total capital to risk-weighted assets ratio were 13.2812.00 percent and 14.2912.89 percent, respectively.

In addition, the Federal Reserve Board and the FDIC have approved leverage ratio guidelines (Tier 1 capital to average quarterly assets, less goodwill) for bank holding companies such as the Parent Corporation. These guidelines provide for a minimum leverage ratio of 3% for bank holding companies that meet certain specified criteria, including that they have the highest regulatory rating. All other holding companies are


TABLE OF CONTENTS

required to maintain a leverage ratio of 3% plus an additional cushion of at least 100 to 200 basis points. The Parent Corporation’s leverage ratio was 9.909.29 percent at December 31, 2010.2011.

Under FDICIA, federal banking agencies have established certain additional minimum levels of capital which accord with guidelines established under that act. In addition,The OCC has established higher minimum capital ratios for the Bank effective as of December 31, 2009. See “FDICIA.”“FDICIA”.

Under FDICIA, federal banking agencies have established certain additional minimum levels of capital. See “FDICIA”.

FDICIA

Pursuant to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 (“FDICIA”), each federal banking agency has promulgated regulations, specifying the levels at which a financial institution would be considered “well capitalized,” “adequately capitalized,” “undercapitalized,” “significantly undercapitalized,” or “critically undercapitalized,” and to take certain mandatory and discretionary supervisory actions based on the capital level of the institution. To qualify to engage in financial activities under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, all depository institutions must be “well capitalized.” The financial holding company of a national bank will be put under directives to raise its capital levels or divest its activities if the depository institution falls from that level.

The OCC’s regulations implementing these provisions of FDICIA provide that an institution will be classified as “well capitalized” if it (i) has a total risk-based capital ratio of at least 10.0 percent, (ii) has a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of at least 6.0 percent, (iii) has a Tier 1 leverage ratio of at least 5.0 percent, and (iv) meets certain other requirements. An institution will be classified as “adequately capitalized” if it (i) has a total risk-based capital ratio of at least 8.0 percent, (ii) has a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of at least 4.0 percent, (iii) has a Tier 1 leverage ratio of (a) at least 4.0 percent or (b) at least 3.0 percent if the institution was rated 1 in its most recent examination, and (iv) does not meet the definition of “well capitalized.” An institution will be classified as “undercapitalized” if it (i) has a total risk-based capital ratio of less than 8.0 percent, (ii) has a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of less than 4.0 percent, or (iii) has a Tier 1 leverage ratio of (a) less than 4.0 percent or (b) less than 3.0 percent if the institution was rated 1 in its most recent examination. An institution will be classified as “significantly undercapitalized” if it (i) has a total risk-based capital ratio of less than 6.0 percent, (ii) has a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of less than 3.0 percent, or (iii) has a Tier 1 leverage ratio of less than 3.0 percent. An institution will be classified as “critically undercapitalized” if it has a tangible equity to total assets ratio that is equal to or less than 2.0 percent. An insured depository institution may be deemed to be in a lower capitalization category if it receives an unsatisfactory examination rating.

The OCC has established higher minimum capital ratios for the Bank effective as of December 31, 2009: Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital of 10.0 percent, Total Risk-Based Capital of 12.0 percent and Tier 1 Leverage Capital of 8.0 percent. At December 31, 2010,2011, the Bank’s capital ratios were all above the minimum levels required.

In addition, significant provisions of FDICIA required federal banking regulators to impose standards in a number of other important areas to assure bank safety and soundness, including internal controls, information systems and internal audit systems, credit underwriting, asset growth, compensation, loan documentation and interest rate exposure. Under the MOU between the Bank and the OCC, the Bank has agreed to develop a three year capital program, which will include specific plans for the maintenance of adequate capital and the strengthening of the Bank’s capital structure to meet current and future needs.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Additional Regulation of Capital

The federal regulatory authorities’ risk-based capital guidelines are based upon the 1988 capital accord (“Basel I”) of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (the “Basel Committee”). The Basel Committee is a committee of central banks and bank supervisors/regulators from the major industrialized countries that develops broad policy guidelines for use by each country’s supervisors in determining the supervisory policies and regulations to which they apply. Actions of the Committee have no direct effect on banks in participating countries. In 2004, the Basel Committee published a new capital accord (“Basel II”) to replace Basel I. Basel II provides two approaches for setting capital standards for credit risk — an internal ratings-based approach tailored to individual institutions’ circumstances and a standardized approach that bases risk weightings on external credit assessments to a much greater extent than permitted in existing risk-based capital guidelines.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Basel II also would set capital requirements for operational risk and refine the existing capital requirements for market risk exposures. The Corporation is not required to comply with the advanced approaches of Basel II.

In 2009, the United States Treasury Department issued a policy statement (the “Treasury Policy Statement”) entitled “Principles for Reforming the U.S. and International Regulatory Capital Framework for Banking Firms,” which contemplates changes to the existing regulatory capital regime involving substantial revisions to major parts of the Basel I and Basel II capital frameworks and affecting all regulated banking organizations. The Treasury Policy Statement calls for, among other things, higher and stronger capital requirements for all banking firms, with changes to the regulatory capital framework to be phased in over a period of several years.

On December 17, 2009, the Basel Committee issued a set of proposals (the “2009 Capital Proposals”) that would significantly revise the definitions of Tier 1 capital and Tier 2 capital. Among other things, the 2009 Capital Proposals would re-emphasize that common equity is the predominant component of Tier 1 capital. Concurrently with the release of the 2009 Capital Proposals, the Basel Committee also released a set of proposals related to liquidity risk exposure (the “2009 Liquidity Proposals”). The 2009 Liquidity Proposals include the implementation of (i) a “liquidity coverage ratio” or LCR, designed to ensure that a bank maintains an adequate level of unencumbered, high-quality assets sufficient to meet the bank’s liquidity needs over a 30-day time horizon under an acute liquidity stress scenario and (ii) a “net stable funding ratio” or NSFR, designed to promote more medium and long-term funding of the assets and activities of banks over a one-year time horizon.

The Dodd-Frank Act includes certain provisions, often referred to as the “Collins Amendment,” concerning the capital requirements of the United States banking regulators. These provisions are intended to subject bank holding companies to the same capital requirements as their bank subsidiaries and to eliminate or significantly reduce the use of hybrid capital instruments, especially trust preferred securities, as regulatory capital. Under the Collins Amendment, trust preferred securities issued by a company, such as Union Center National Bank, with total consolidated assets of less than $15 billion before May 19, 2010 andare treated as regulatory capital, are grandfathered, but any such securities issued later are not eligible as regulatory capital. The banking regulators must develop regulations setting minimum risk-based and leverage capital requirements for holding companies and banks on a consolidated basis that are no less stringent than the generally applicable requirements in effect for depository institutions under the prompt corrective action regulations. The banking regulators also must seek to make capital standards countercyclical so that the required levels of capital increase in times of economic expansion and decrease in times of economic contraction. The Dodd-Frank Act requires these new capital regulations to be adopted by

On December 20, 2011, the Federal Reserve in final form 18 months after the date of enactmentissued a proposed rule designed to implement provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act (July 21, 2010).to establish stricter prudential standards for all bank holding companies with total consolidated assets of $50 billion or more for certain nonbank financial firms. The proposed rule requires firms to develop annual capital plans, conduct stress tests, and maintain adequate capital, including a tier one common risk-based capital ratio greater than 5 percent, under both expected and stressed conditions.

In December 2010 and January 2011, the Basel Committee published the final texts of reforms on capital and liquidity generally referred to as “Basel III.” Although Basel III is intended to be implemented by participating countries for large, internationally active banks, its provisions are likely to be considered by


TABLE OF CONTENTS

United States banking regulators in developing new regulations applicable to other banks in the United States, including Union Center National Bank.

For banks in the United States, among the most significant provisions of Basel III concerning capital are the following:

A minimum ratio of common equity to risk-weighted assets reaching 4.5%, plus an additional 2.5% as a capital conservation buffer, by 2019 after a phase-in period.
A minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets reaching 6.0% by 2019 after a phase-in period.
A minimum ratio of total capital to risk-weighted assets, plus the additional 2.5% capital conservation buffer, reaching 10.5% by 2019 after a phase-in period.
An additional countercyclical capital buffer to be imposed by applicable national banking regulators periodically at their discretion, with advance notice.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Restrictions on capital distributions and discretionary bonuses applicable when capital ratios fall within the buffer zone.
Deduction from common equity of deferred tax assets that depend on future profitability to be realized.
Increased capital requirements for counterparty credit risk relating to OTC derivatives, repos and securities financing activities.
For capital instruments issued on or after January 13, 2013 (other than common equity), a loss-absorbency requirement such that the instrument must be written off or converted to common equity if a trigger event occurs, either pursuant to applicable law or at the direction of the banking regulator. A trigger event is an event under which the banking entity would become nonviable without the write-off or conversion, or without an injection of capital from the public sector. The issuer must maintain authorization to issue the requisite shares of common equity if conversion were required.

The Basel III provisions on liquidity include complex criteria establishing the LCR and NSFR. Although Basel III is described as a “final text,” it is subject to the resolution of certain issues and to further guidance and modification, as well as to adoption by United States banking regulators, including decisions as to whether and to what extent it will apply to United States banks that are not large, internationally active banks.

Federal Deposit Insurance and Premiums

Substantially all of the deposits of the Bank are insured up to applicable limits by the Deposit Insurance Fund (“DIF”) of the FDIC and are subject to deposit insurance assessments to maintain the DIF. As a result of the Dodd-Frank Act, the basic federal deposit insurance limit was permanently increased from at least $100,000 to at least $250,000. In addition, on November 9, 2010 and January 18, 2011, the FDIC (as mandated by Section 343 of the Dodd-Frank Act) adopted rules providing for unlimited deposit insurance for traditional noninterest-bearing transaction accounts and IOLTA accounts beginning December 31, 2010 until December 31, 2012. This coverage, which applies to all insured deposit institutions, does not charge any additional FDIC assessment to the institution. Furthermore, this unlimited coverage is separate from, and in addition to, the coverage provided to depositors with respect to other accounts held at an insured institution.

Under current regulations, the FDIC utilizes a risk-based assessment system that imposes insurance premiums based upon a risk matrix that takes into account a bank’s capital level and supervisory rating, known as a “CAMEL rating.” The assessment rate for an individual institution is determined according to a formula based on a weighted average of the institution’s individual CAMELS component ratings plus six financial ratios. Well-capitalized institutions (generally those with CAMELS composite ratings of 1 or 2) are grouped in Risk Category I and their initial assessment base rate for deposit insurance is set at an annual rate of between 12 and 16 basis points. The initial base assessment rate for institutions in Risk Categories II, III, and IV is set at annual rates of 22, 31 and 50 basis points, respectively. These base rates are then adjusted to a final assessment rate based on an institution’s brokered deposits, secured liabilities and unsecured debt. In 2010 the Bank recognized a total of $1.8 million in FDIC expense of the $5.7 million assessments prepaid in 2009.

On May 22, 2009, the Board of Directors of the FDIC adopted a final rule imposing a special assessment on the entire banking industry. The special assessment was calculated as five basis points times each insured depository institution’s assets minus Tier 1I capital, as reported in the report of condition as of June 30, 2009 and would not exceed ten times the institution’s assessment base for the second quarter of 2009 risk-basedrisk- based assessment. This special assessment, which totaled $1.2 million, was remitted by the Bank on September 30, 2009.

On November 12, 2009, the FDIC adopted the final rule which required insured depository institutions to prepay their quarterly risk-based assessments for the fourth quarter of 2009 through the fourth quarter of 2012. On December 30, 2009, the Bank remitted an FDIC prepayment in the amount of $5.7 million. An institution’s prepaid assessment was based on the total base assessment rate that the institution paid for the third quarter of 2009, adjusted quarterly by an estimated annual growth rate of 5% through the end of 2012, plus, for 2011 and 2012, an increase in the total base assessment rate on September 30, 2009 by an annualized


TABLE OF CONTENTS

three basis points. Any prepaid assessment in excess of the amounts that are subsequently determined to be


TABLE OF CONTENTS

actually due to the FDIC by June 30, 2013, will be returned to the institution at that time. As of December 31, 2011 the Bank recognized a total of $3.8 million in FDIC expense of the $5.7 million assessments prepaid on December 30, 2009.

In November 2010,On February 7, 2011, the FDIC approved a rule to change the assessment base from adjusted domestic deposits to average consolidated total assets minus average tangible equity, as required by the Dodd-Frank Act. These new assessment rates will beginbegan in the second quarter of 2011 and will be payablewere paid at the end of September 2011. Since the new base is larger than the current base, the FDIC’s rule would lowerlowers total base assessment rates to between 2.55 and 9 basis points for banks in the lowest risk category, and 30 to 4535 basis points for banks in the highest risk category. The Company paid $1.7 million in 2011, as compared to $2.1 million in 2010.

Pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act, the FDIC has established 2.0% as the designated reserve ratio (DRR), that is, the ratio of the DIF to insured deposits. The FDIC has adopted a plan under which it will meet the statutory minimum DRR of 1.35% by September 30, 2020, the deadline imposed by the Dodd-Frank Act. The Dodd-Frank requires the FDIC to offset the effect on institutions with assets less than $10 billion of the increase in the statutory minimum DRR to 1.35% from the former statutory minimum of 1.15%. The FDIC has not yet announced how it will implement this offset.

In addition to deposit insurance assessments, the FDIC is required to continue to collect from institutions payments for the servicing of obligations of the Financing Corporation (“FICO”) that were issued in connection with the resolution of savings and loan associations, so long as such obligations remain outstanding. The Bank paid a FICO premium of $87,000$84,000 in 20102011 and expects to pay a similar premium in 2011.2012.

The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Financial Modernization Act of 1999

The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Financial Modernization Act of 1999 became effective in early 2000. The Modernization Act:1999:

allows bank holding companies meeting management, capital, and Community Reinvestment Act standards to engage in a substantially broader range of non-banking activities than previously was permissible, including insurance underwriting and making merchant banking investments in commercial and financial companies; if a bank holding company elects to become a financial holding company, it files a certification, effective in 30 days, and thereafter may engage in certain financial activities without further approvals;
Allowsallows insurers and other financial services companies to acquire banks;
removes various restrictions that previously applied to bank holding company ownership of securities firms and mutual fund advisory companies; and
establishes the overall regulatory structure applicable to bank holding companies that also engage in insurance and securities operations.

The Modernization Act also modified other financial laws, including laws related to financial privacy and community reinvestment.

The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Financial Modernization Act of 1999 became effective in early 2000. The Modernization Act:

allows bank holding companies meeting management, capital, and Community Reinvestment Act standards to engage in a substantially broader range of non-banking activities than previously was permissible, including insurance underwriting and making merchant banking investments in commercial and financial companies; if a bank holding company elects to become a financial holding company, it files a certification, effective in 30 days, and thereafter may engage in certain financial activities without further approvals;
Allows insurers and other financial services companies to acquire banks;
removes various restrictions that previously applied to bank holding company ownership of securities firms and mutual fund advisory companies; and
establishes the overall regulatory structure applicable to bank holding companies that also engage in insurance and securities operations.

The Modernization Act also modified other financial laws, including laws related to financial privacy and community reinvestment.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Community Reinvestment Act

Under the Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”), as implemented by OCC regulations, a national bank has a continuing and affirmative obligation consistent with its safe and sound operation to help meet the credit needs of its entire community, including low and moderate income neighborhoods. The CRA does not establish specific lending requirements or programs for financial institutions nor does it limit an institution’s discretion to develop the types of products and services that it believes are best suited to its particular community, consistent with the CRA. The CRA requires the OCC, in connection with its examination of a national bank, to assess the bank’s record of meeting the credit needs of its community and to take such record into account in its evaluation of certain applications by such bank.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

USA PATRIOT Act

In response to the events of September 11, 2001, theThe Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (the “USA PATRIOT Act”), was signed into law on October 26, 2001. The USA PATRIOT Act gives the federal government powers to address terrorist threats through domestic security measures, surveillance powers, information sharing, and anti-money laundering requirements. By way of amendments to the Bank Secrecy Act, the USA PATRIOT Act encourages information sharinginformation-sharing among bank regulatory agencies and law enforcement bodies. Further, certain provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act impose affirmative obligations on a broad range of financial institutions, including banks, thrifts,thrift institutions, brokers, dealers, credit unions, money transfer agents and parties registered under the Commodity Exchange Act.

Among other requirements, the USA PATRIOT Act imposes the following requirements with respect to financial institutions:

All financial institutions must establish anti-money laundering programs that include, at a minimum: (i) internal policies, procedures, and controls; (ii) specific designation of an anti-money laundering compliance officer; (iii) ongoing employee training programs; and (iv) an independent audit function to test the anti-money laundering program.
The Secretary of the Department of Treasury, in conjunction with other bank regulators, is authorized to issue regulations that provide for minimum standards with respect to customer identification at the time new accounts are opened.
Financial institutions that establish, maintain, administer, or manage private banking accounts or correspondence accounts in the United States for non-United States persons or their representatives (including foreign individuals visiting the United States) are required to establish appropriate, specific and, where necessary, enhanced due diligence policies, procedures, and controls designed to detect and report money laundering.
Financial institutions are prohibited from establishing, maintaining, administering or managing correspondent accounts for foreign shell banks (foreign banks that do not have a physical presence in any country), and will be subject to certain record keeping obligations with respect to correspondent accounts of foreign banks.
Bank regulators are directed to consider a holding company’s effectiveness in combating money laundering when ruling on Federal Reserve Act and Bank Merger Act applications.

The United States Treasury Department has issued a number of implementing regulations which address various requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act and are applicable to financial institutions such as the Bank. These regulations impose obligations on financial institutions to maintain appropriate policies, procedures and controls to detect, prevent and report money laundering and terrorist financing and to verify the identity of their customers.

Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

The stated goals of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “SOA”) arewere to increase corporate responsibility, to provide for enhanced penalties for accounting and auditing improprieties by publicly traded companies and to protect investors by improving the accuracy and reliability of corporate disclosures pursuant to the securities laws.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

The SOA generally applies to all companies, both U.S. and non-U.S., that file or are required to file periodic reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”).

The SOA includes specific disclosure requirements and corporate governance rules, requires the SEC and securities exchanges to adopt extensive additional disclosure, corporate governance and other related rules and mandates further studies of certain issues by the SEC. The SOA addresses, among other matters:SEC

Audit committees for all reporting companies;
Certification

TARP and SBLF

In January 2009, the Parent Corporation issued $10.0 million of certain publicly filed documents by the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer;

The forfeiture of bonuses or other incentive-based compensation and profits from the sale of an issuer’s securities by directors andits nonvoting non-convertible senior officers in the twelve month period following initial publication of financial statements that later require restatement;
A prohibition on insider trading during pension plan black out periods;
Disclosure of off-balance sheet transactions;
A prohibition on personal loans to directors and officers (subject to certain exceptions, including exceptions which permit under certain circumstances described below, loans by financial institutions to their directors and officers);
Expedited filing requirements for Form 4’s;
Disclosure of a code of ethics and filing a Form 8-K for a change in or waiver of such code;
“Real time” filing of periodic reports;
The formation of a public accounting oversight board;
Auditor independence; and
Various increased criminal penalties for violations of securities laws.

Legislation Implemented in Response to Periods of Economic Turmoil

In response to recent unprecedented market turmoil, EESA was enacted on October 3, 2008. EESA authorizes the U.S. Treasury Departmentpreferred stock (the “treasury”“TARP Preferred Stock”) to provide upthe United States Treasury pursuant to $700 billion in funding for the financial services industry. Pursuant to the EESA, the Treasury was initially authorized to use $350 billion for theCongress’ Troubled Asset Relief Program (“TARP”). Of this amount, the Treasury allocated $250 billion to the TARP Capital Purchase Program. On January 15, 2009, the second $350 billion of TARP monies was released to the Treasury. As described elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the Treasury purchased $10,000,000 of the Parent Corporation’s non-convertible preferred stock (the “Preferred Shares”) under the TARP Capital Purchase Program.

Participants in the TARP Capital Purchase Program were required to accept several compensation-related limitations associated with this Program. In January 2009, five executive officers of the Corporation agreed in writing to accept the compensation standards in existence at that time under the Capital Purchase Program and thereby cap or eliminate some of their contractual or legal rights. The provisions agreed to were as follows:

No Golden Parachute Payments.  The term “golden parachute payment” under the TARP Capital Purchase Program (as distinguished from the definition under the Stimulus Act referred to below) refers to a severance payment resulting from involuntary termination of employment, or from bankruptcy of the employer, that exceeds three times the terminated employee’s average annual base salary over the five years prior to termination. The Corporation’s senior executive officers have agreed to forego all golden parachute payments for as long as they remain “senior executive officers” (the CEO, the CFO and the next three highest-paid executive officers) of the Corporation and the Treasury continues to hold the equity or debt securities that the Parent Corporation issued to it under the TARP Capital Purchase Program (the period during which the Treasury holds those securities is referred to herein as the “CPP Covered Period.”).

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

On September 15, 2011, the Parent Corporation entered into and consummated the transactions contemplated by a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Securities Purchase Agreement”) with the Secretary of the Treasury (the “Secretary”) under the Small Business Lending Fund program (the “SBLF Program”), a $30 billion fund established under the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 that is designed to encourage lending to small businesses by providing capital to qualified community banks with assets of less than $10 billion. Under the Securities Purchase Agreement, the Parent Corporation issued to the Secretary a total of 11,250 shares of the Parent Corporation’s Senior Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series B (the “SBLF Preferred Stock”), having a liquidation value of $1,000 per share, for a total purchase price of $11,250,000. The SBLF Preferred Stock was issued pursuant to a Certificate of Amendment to the Parent Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation (the “Certificate of Amendment”) filed on September 13, 2011.

The SBLF Preferred Stock qualifies as Tier 1 capital. Non-cumulative dividends are payable quarterly on January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1 for the SBLF Preferred Stock, commencing on January 1, 2012. The dividend rate is calculated as a percentage of the aggregate liquidation value of the outstanding SBLF Preferred Stock and is based on changes in the level of “Qualified Small Business Lending” or “QSBL” (as defined in the Certificate of Amendment) by the Bank, compared to the Bank’s baseline QSBL level. Based upon the Bank’s initial level of QSBL compared to the baseline, as calculated under the Securities Purchase Agreement, the dividend rate on the SBLF Preferred Stock was set at five percent for the initial dividend period.

For the second through tenth calendar quarters after the closing of the SBLF Program transaction, the dividend rate will fluctuate between one percent and five percent to reflect the amount of change in the Bank’s level of QSBL compared to the initial baseline. More specifically, if the Bank’s QSBL at the end of a quarter has increased as compared to the baseline, then the dividend rate payable on the SBLF Preferred Stock would change as follows:

Clawback of Bonus and Incentive Compensation if Based on Certain Material Inaccuracies.  Our senior executive officers agreed
Relative Increase in QSBL to a “clawback provision”. Any bonus or incentive compensation paid to them during the CPP Covered Period is subject to recovery or “clawback” by the Corporation if the payments were based on materially inaccurate financial statements or any other materially inaccurate performance metric criteria. The senior executive officers acknowledged thatBaselineDividend Rate
(for each of the Corporation’s compensation, bonus, incentive and other benefit plans, arrangements and agreements (including golden parachute, severance and employment agreements) (collectively, “Benefit Plans”) with respect to them was deemed amended to the extent necessary to give effect to such clawback and the restriction on golden parachute payments.2nd – 10th Dividend Periods)
0% or less5
More than 0%, but less than 2.5%5
2.5% or more, but less than 5%4
5% or more, but less than 7.5%3
7.5% or more, but less than 10%2
10% or more1
No Compensation Arrangements That Encourage Excessive Risks.  The Corporation is required to review its Benefit Plans to ensure that they do not encourage senior executive officers to take unnecessary and excessive risks that threaten the value of the Corporation. To the extent any such review requires revisions to any Benefit Plan with respect to the senior executive officers, they agreed to negotiate such changes promptly and in good faith.

DuringFrom the CPP Covered Period,eleventh through the Corporation is not permitted to take federal income tax deductions for compensation paideighteenth calendar quarters and that portion of the nineteenth calendar quarter which ends immediately prior to the senior executive officers in excessdate that is the four and one half years anniversary of $500,000 per year, subject to certain exceptions.

On February 17, 2009, the American Recoveryclosing of the SBLF Program transaction, the dividend rate on the SBLF Preferred Stock will be fixed at between one percent and Reinvestment Actseven percent based on the level of 2009 (the “Stimulus Act”) was enacted. The Stimulus Act contains several provisions designed to establish executive compensation and governance standards for financial institutions (suchQSBL at that time, as the Corporation) that received or will receive financial assistance under TARP. In certain instances, the Stimulus Act modified the compensation-related limitations contained in the TARP Capital Purchase Program; in addition, the Stimulus Act created additional compensation-related limitations and directed the Treasury to establish standards for executive compensation applicable to participants in TARP. In their January 2009 agreements, the Corporation’s executives did not waive their rights with respectcompared to the provisions implementedbaseline in accordance with the chart below. If any SBLF Preferred Stock remains outstanding after four and one half years following the closing of the SBLF Program transaction, the dividend rate will increase to nine percent.

0% or less7
More than 0%, but less than 2.5%5
2.5% or more, but less than 5%4
5% or more, but less than 7.5%3
7.5% or more, but less than 10%2
10% or more1

The SBLF Preferred Stock is non-voting, except in limited circumstances that could impact the SBLF investment, such as (i) authorization of senior stock, (ii) charter amendments adversely affecting the SBLF Preferred Stock and (iii) extraordinary transactions such as mergers, asset sales, share exchanges and the like (unless the SBLF Preferred Stock remains outstanding and the rights and preferences thereof are not impaired by the Stimulus Act; other employees now covered by these provisions were not asked and did not agree to waive their rights. The compensation-related limitations applicable to the Corporation which have been added or modified by the Stimulus Act are as follows, which provisions are expected to be included in standards established by the Treasury:such transaction).

No Severance Payments.  Under the Stimulus Act, the term “golden parachutes” is defined to include any severance payment resulting from involuntary termination of employment, except for payments for services performed or benefits accrued. Under the Stimulus Act, the Corporation is prohibited from making any severance payment to its “senior executive officers” (defined in the Stimulus Act as the five highest paid senior executive officers) and the Corporation’s next five most highly compensated employees during the period that the Preferred Shares are outstanding.
Recovery of Incentive Compensation if Based on Certain Material Inaccuracies.  The Stimulus Act contains the “clawback provision” discussed above but extends its application to any bonus awards and other incentive compensation paid to any of the Corporation’s senior executive officers and the next 20 most highly compensated employees during the period that the Preferred Shares are outstanding that is later found to have been based on materially inaccurate financial statements or other materially inaccurate measurements of performance.
No Compensation Arrangements That Encourage Earnings Manipulation.  Under the Stimulus Act, during the period that the Preferred Shares are outstanding, the Corporation is prohibited from entering into compensation arrangements that encourage manipulation of the reported earnings of the Corporation to enhance the compensation of any of the Corporation’s employees.
Limit on Incentive Compensation.  The Stimulus Act contains a provision that prohibits the payment or accrual of any bonus, retention award or incentive compensation to the Corporation’s highest paid employee while the Preferred Shares are outstanding other than awards of long-term restricted stock that (i) do not fully vest while the Preferred Shares are outstanding, (ii) have a value not greater

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

than one-third of the total annual compensation of such employee and (iii) are subject to such other restrictions as will be determined by the Treasury. The prohibition on bonuses does not preclude payments required under written employment contracts entered into on or prior to February 11, 2009.
Compensation Committee Functions.  The Stimulus Act requires that the Parent Corporation’s Compensation Committee be comprised solely of independent directors and that it meet at least semiannually to discuss and evaluate the Corporation’s employee compensation plans in light of an assessment of any risk posed to the Corporation from such compensation plans.
Compliance Certifications.  The Stimulus Act requires an annual written certification by the Parent Corporation’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer with respect to the Corporation’s compliance with the provisions of the Stimulus Act.
Treasury Review of Excessive Bonuses Previously Paid.  The Stimulus Act directs the Treasury to review all compensation paid to the Corporation’s senior executive officers and its next 20 most highly compensated employees to determine whether any such payments were inconsistent with the purposes of the Stimulus Act or were otherwise contrary to the public interest. If the Treasury makes such a finding, the Treasury is directed to negotiate with the Parent Corporation and the applicable employee for appropriate reimbursements to the federal government with respect to the compensation and bonuses.
Say on Pay.  Under the Stimulus Act, the Corporation is required to have an advisory “say on pay vote” by the shareholders on executive compensation at the Corporation’s shareholder meetings during the period that the Preferred Shares are outstanding. This requirement will apply to the Corporation’s 2011 annual meeting of shareholders.

Recent Regulatory Reform-The Dodd-Frank Act

The Dodd-Frank Act, which was signed into law on July 21, 2010,In the event the Company misses five dividend payments, whether or not consecutive, the holder of the SBLF Preferred Stock will have the right, but not the obligation, to appoint a broad impactrepresentative as an “observer” on the financial services industry, including significant regulatory and compliance changes. ManyCompany’s Board of Directors.

Further, the SBLF Preferred Stock may be redeemed by the Company at any time, at a redemption price of 100% of the requirements calledliquidation amount plus accrued but unpaid dividends for the then current Dividend Period (as defined in the Dodd-Frank Act will be implemented over time and most will beCertificate of Amendment) (plus, the CPP Lending Incentive Fees (as defined in the Certificate of Amendment), if applicable), subject to implementing regulations over the courseapproval of several years.the Company’s federal banking regulator.

AmongThe SBLF Preferred Stock is not subject to any contractual restrictions on transfer and thus the Secretary may sell, transfer, exchange or enter into other things,transactions with respect to the Dodd-Frank Act:SBLF Preferred Stock without the Company’s consent.

eliminates, effective one year after

The Parent Corporation used the proceeds from the issuance of the SBLF Preferred to redeem from the Treasury all shares issued by the Parent Corporation pursuant to TARP, for a redemption price of $10,041,667, including accrued but unpaid dividends up to the date of enactment,redemption. As a result of the federal prohibitions on paying interest on demand deposits, thus allowing businessesredemption of the TARP Preferred Stock, the Company is no longer subject to have interest bearing checking accounts. Depending on competitive responses, this significant change to existing law could have an adverse impact on the Bank’s interest expense.

broadens the base for FDIC insurance assessments. Assessments will now be based on the average consolidated total assets less tangible equity capital of a financial institution.
permanently increases the maximum amount of deposit insurance for banks, savings institutions and credit unions to $250,000 per depositor, retroactive to January 1, 2009, and non-interest bearing transaction accounts have unlimited deposit insurance through December 31, 2013.
requires publicly traded companies like Center Bancorp to give shareholders a non-binding votelimits on executive compensation and so-called “golden parachute” payments in certain circumstances, even after repayment ofother restrictions stipulated under the TARP investment.
authorizesCapital Purchase Program. For an additional $245,000, the SEC to promulgate rules that would allow stockholders to nominate their own candidates using a company’s proxy materials.
directsParent Corporation also bought back the Federal Reserve Board to promulgate rules prohibiting the payment of excessive compensation to bank holding company executives.
creates a new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau with broad powers to supervise and enforce consumer protection laws. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has broad rule-making authority for a wide range of consumer protection laws that apply to all banks and savings

TABLE OF CONTENTS

institutions, including the authority to prohibit “unfair, deceptive or abusive” acts and practices. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has examination and enforcement authority over all banks and savings institutions with more than $10 billion in assets. Institutions with $10 billion or less in assets, such as the Bank, will continue to be examined for compliance with the consumer laws by their primary bank regulators.
restricts the preemption of state consumer financial protection law by federal law.
requires new capital rules and the application of the same leverage and risk-based capital requirements that apply to insured depository institutions to most bank holding companies. In addition to making bank holding companies subject to the same capital requirements as their bank subsidiaries, these provisions (often referred to as the Collins Amendment to the Dodd-Frank Act) were also intended to eliminate or significantly reduce the use of hybrid capital instruments, especially trust preferred securities, as regulatory capital. Under the Collins Amendment, trust preferred securitieswarrants issued by a bank holding company such as Center Bancorp (with total consolidated assets between $500 million and $15 billion) before May 19, 2010 and treated as regulatory capital are grandfathered, but any such securities issued later are not eligible as regulatory capital.
requires banking regulators to seek to make capital standards countercyclical, so that the required levels of capital increase in times of economic expansion and decrease in times of economic contraction.
allowsde novo interstate branching by banks.

While it is difficult to predict at this time what specific impact the Dodd-Frank Act and the yet to be written implementing rules and regulations will have on the Corporation, management expects that at a minimum the Corporation’s operating and compliance costs will increase, and our interest expense could increase.under TARP

Proposed Legislation

From time to time proposals are made in the U.S. Congress and before various bank regulatory authorities, which would alter the policies of and place restrictions on different types of banking operations. It is impossible to predict the impact, if any, of potential legislative trends on the business of the Parent Corporation and the Bank.

Loans to Related Parties

The Corporation’s authority to extend credit to its directors and executive officers, as well as to entities controlled by such persons, is currently governed by the requirements of the National Bank Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and Regulation O of the Federal Reserve Bank. Among other things, these provisions require that extensions of credit to insiders (i) be made on terms that are substantially the same as, and follow credit underwriting procedures that are not less stringent than, those prevailing for comparable transactions with unaffiliated persons and that do not involve more than the normal risk of repayment or present other unfavorable features and (ii) not exceed certain limitations on the amount of credit extended to such persons, individually and in the aggregate, which limits are based, in part, on the amount of the Corporation’s capital. In addition, the Corporation’s Board of Directors must approve extensions of credit in excess of certain limits. Under the SOA, the Corporation and its subsidiaries, other than Union Center National Bank, may not extend or arrange for any personal loans to its directors and executive officers.

Dividend Restrictions

The Parent Corporation is a legal entity separate and distinct from the Bank. Virtually all of the revenue of the Parent Corporation available for payment of dividends on its capital stock will result from amounts paid to the Parent Corporation by the Bank. All such dividends are subject to various limitations imposed by federal laws and by regulations and policies adopted by federal regulatory agencies. As a national bank, the Bank may not pay a dividend if it would impair the capital of the Bank. Furthermore, prior approval by the Comptroller of the Currency is required if the total of dividends declared in a calendar year exceeds the total


TABLE OF CONTENTS

of the Bank’s net profits for that year combined with the retained profits for the two preceding years. The Bank’s current MOU provides that the Bank cannot declare a dividend without the prior approval of the OCC.

On January 9, 2009, as part of the TARP Capital Purchase Program, the Parent Corporation entered into a Letter Agreement (the “Letter Agreement”) and a Securities Purchase Agreement — Standard Terms attached thereto (the “Securities Purchase Agreement”) with the Treasury, pursuant to which (i)September 15, 2011, the Parent Corporation issued and sold, and$11.25 million in nonvoting senior preferred stock to the Treasury purchased, 10,000under the SBLF Program. Under the Securities Purchase Agreement, the Parent Corporation issued to the Treasury a total of 11,250 shares of the Corporation’s Senior Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series B, having a liquidation value of $1,000 per share. Simultaneously, using the proceeds from the issuance of the SBLF Preferred Stock, the Parent Corporation’sCorporation redeemed from the Treasury, all 10,000 outstanding shares of its Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A, having a liquidation preference ofamount $1,000 per share, for an aggregate purchasea redemption price of $10,000,000 in cash, and (ii) the Parent Corporation issued$10,041,667, including accrued but unpaid dividends up to the Treasury a ten-year warrant (the “Warrant”) to purchase up to 173,410 sharesdate of redemption.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

The terms of the Corporation’s common stock at an exercise price of $8.65 per share. As a result of the successful completion ofSBLF Preferred Stock impose limits on the Parent Corporation’s rights offering in October 2009, the number of shares underlying the Warrant was reducedability to 86,705 shares, or 50% of the original 173,410 shares. The Securities Purchase Agreement contains limitations on the payment ofpay dividends on the common stock. Specifically, the Parent Corporation is unable to declare dividend payments on theand repurchase shares of its common stock (and certain preferred stock if the Corporation issues additional series of preferred stock)and other securities. More specifically, if the Parent Corporation is in arrears in the payment offails to declare and pay dividends on the SBLF Preferred Shares. Further, untilStock in a given quarter, then during such quarter and for the third anniversary of the investment or when all of the Preferred Shares have been redeemed or transferred,next three quarters following such missed dividend payment, the Parent Corporation ismay not permittedpay dividends on, or repurchase, any common stock or any other securities that are junior to increase(or in parity with) the amountSBLF Preferred Stock, except in very limited circumstances.

Also under the terms of the quarterly cash dividend above $0.09 per share, which was the amount of the last regular dividend declared bySBLF Preferred Stock, the Parent Corporation priormay declare and pay dividends on its common stock or any other stock junior to October 14, 2008.the SBLF Preferred Stock, or repurchase shares of any such stock, only if after payment of such dividends or repurchase of such shares, the Parent Corporation’s Tier 1 Capital would be at least equal to the so-called Tier 1 Dividend Threshold, excluding any subsequent net charge-offs and any redemption of the SBLF Preferred Stock.

If, in the opinion of the OCC, a bank under its jurisdiction is engaged in or is about to engage in an unsafe or unsound practice (which could include the payment of dividends), the OCC may require, after notice and hearing, that such bank cease and desist from such practice or, as a result of an unrelated practice, require the bank to limit dividends in the future. The FRB has similar authority with respect to bank holding companies. In addition, the FRB and the OCC have issued policy statements which provide that insured banks and bank holding companies should generally only pay dividends out of current operating earnings. Regulatory pressures to reclassify and charge off loans and to establish additional loan loss reserves can have the effect of reducing current operating earnings and thus impacting an institution’s ability to pay dividends. Further, as described herein, the regulatory authorities have established guidelines with respect to the maintenance of appropriate levels of capital by a bank or bank holding company under their jurisdiction. Compliance with the standards set forth in these policy statements and guidelines could limit the amount of dividends which the Parent Corporation and the Bank may pay. Under FDICIA, banking institutions which are deemed to be “undercapitalized” will, in most instances, be prohibited from paying dividends.

Lending Guidelines; Real Estate Credit Management

Credit risks are an inherent part of the lending function. The Corporation has set in place specific policies and guidelines to limit credit risks. The following describes the Corporation’s credit management policy and identifies certain risk elements in its earning assets portfolio.

Credit Management

The maintenance of comprehensive and effective credit policies is a paramount objective of the Corporation. Credit procedures are enforced by the department heads of the different lending units and are maintained at the senior administrative level as well as through internal control procedures.

Prior to extending credit, the Corporation’s credit policy generally requires a review of the borrower’s credit history, repayment capacity, collateral and purpose of each loan. Requests for most commercial and consumer loans are to be accompanied by financial statements and other relevant financial data for evaluation. After the granting of a loan or lending commitment, this financial data is typically updated and evaluated by the credit staff on a periodic basis for the purpose of identifying potential problems. Construction financing requires a periodic submission by the borrowers of sales/leasing status reports regarding their projects, as well as, in most cases, inspections of the project sites by independent engineering firms and/or independent consultants. Advances are normally made only upon the satisfactory completion of periodic phases of construction.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Certain lending authorities are granted to loan officers based upon each officer’s position and experience. However, large dollar loans and lending lines are reported to and are subject to the approval of the Bank’s loan committees and/or board of directors. Either the Chairman of the Board or President chairs the loan committees.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

The Corporation has established its own internal loan-to-value (“LTV”) limits for real estate loans. In general, except as described below, these internal limits are not permitted to exceed the following supervisory limits:

 
Loan Category Loan-to-Value
Limit
Raw Land  65
Land Development  75
Commercial, Multifamily and Other Non-residential construction  80
Construction: One to Four Family Residential  85
Improved Property (excluding One to Four Family Residential)  85
Owner-Occupied One to Four Family and Home Equity*  90

*For a permanent mortgage or home equity loan on owner occupied one to four family residential property with ana LTV that exceeds 90 percent at origination, private mortgage insurance or readily marketable collateral is to be obtained. “Readily marketable collateral” means insured deposits, financial instruments and bullion in which the bankBank has a perfected interest. Financial instruments and bullion are to be salable under ordinary circumstances with reasonable promptness at a fair market value.

It may be appropriate in individual cases to originate loans with loan-to-value ratios in excess of the supervisory LTV limits, based on support provided by other credit factors. The President of the Bank must approve such non-conforming loans. The Bank must identify all non-conforming loans and their aggregate amount must be reported at least quarterly to the Directors’ Loan Committee. Non-conforming loans should not exceed 100% of capital, or 30% with respect to non one to four family residential loans. At present, management is unaware of any exceptions to supervisory LTV limits.

Collateral margin guidelines are based on cost, market or other appraised value to maintain a reasonable amount of collateral protection in relation to the inherent risk in the loan. This does not mitigate the fundamental analysis of cash flow from the conversion of assets in the normal course of business or from operations to repay the loan. It is merely designed to provide a cushion to minimize the risk of loss if the ultimate collection of the loan becomes dependent on the liquidation of security pledged.

The Corporation also seeks to minimize lending risk through loan diversification. The composition of the Corporation’s commercial loan portfolio reflects and is highly dependent upon the economy and industrial make-up of the region it serves. Effective loan diversification spreads risk to many different industries, thereby reducing the impact of downturns in any specific industry on overall loan profitability.

Credit quality is monitored through an internal review process, which includes a credit Risk Grading System that facilitates the early detection of problem loans. Under this grading system, all commercial loans and commercial mortgage loans are graded in accordance with the risk characteristics inherent in each loan. Problem loans include non-accrual loans, and loans which conform to the regulatory definitions of criticized and classified loans.

A Problem Asset Report is prepared monthly and is examined by the senior management of the Bank, the Corporation’s Loan and Discount Committee and the Board of Directors. This review is designed to enable management to take such actions as are considered necessary to identify and remedy problems on a timely basis.

The Bank’s internal loan review process is complemented by an independent loan review conducted throughout the year, under the mandate and approval of the Corporation’s Board of Directors. In addition, regularly scheduled audits performed by the Bank’s internal audit function are designed to ensure the integrity of the credit and risk monitoring systems currently in place.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Risk Elements

The risk elements identified by the Corporation include non-performing loans, loans past due ninety days or more as to interest or principal payments but not placed on a non-accrual status, potential problem loans, other real estate owned, net, and other non-performing interest-earning assets. Additional information regarding these risk elements is presented in Item 7 of this Annual Report.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Item 1A. Risk Factors

An investment in our common stock involves risks. Stockholders should carefully consider the risks described below, together with all other information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, before making any purchase or sale decisions regarding our common stock. If any of the following risks actually occur, our business, financial condition or operating results may be harmed. In that case, the trading price of our common stock may decline, and stockholders may lose part or all of their investment in our common stock.

We are required to take certain actions pursuant to our current MOU with the OCC, and lack of compliance could result in additional regulatory actions.

As described under “Item 1 — Business — Regulation of Bank Subsidiary,” the Bank is subject to a MOU with the OCC, pursuantstringent capital requirements which could require us to which it has agreedseek capital at times when capital may be expensive or unavailable to take various actions to improve the Bank’s capital position and profitability. The OCC has also established higher minimum capital ratios for the Bank than the regulatory minimums. While management is committed to addressing and resolving the issues raised by the OCC and has initiated corrective actions to comply with various requirements of the MOU, no assurances can be given that the OCC will find the Bank’s compliance plan satisfactory, or that the Bank will not be subject to further supervisory action by the OCC. us.

We may at some point needbe required to raise additional capital to assure compliance with mandated capital ratios and to support our continued growth. Our ability to raise additional capital, if needed, will depend on conditions in the capital markets at that time, which are outside our control, and on our financial performance. Accordingly, we cannot assure you of our ability to raise additional capital, if needed, on terms acceptable to us. If we cannot raise additional capital when needed, our ability to comply with applicable capital requirements and to further expand our operations through internal growth or acquisitions could be materially impaired.

Negative developments in the financial services industry and U.S. and global credit markets in recent years may continue to adversely impact our operations and results.

The general economic downturn experienced duringsince 2008 2009 and portions of 2010 negatively impacted many financial institutions, including the Company.Corporation. Loan portfolio performances deteriorated at many institutions resulting from, among other factors, a weak economy and a decline in the value of the collateral supporting their loans. The competition for our deposits increased significantly due to liquidity concerns at many of these same institutions. Stock prices of bank holding companies, like ours, were negatively affected by the condition of the financial markets, as was our ability, if needed, to raise capital or borrow in the debt markets compared to recent years. While the United States Congress has taken actions to implement important safeguards, there remains a potential for new federal or state laws and regulations regarding lending and funding practices and liquidity standards, and financial institution regulatory agencies are expected to be very aggressive in responding to concerns and trends identified in examinations, including the issuance of many formal enforcement actions. Negative developments in the financial services industry and the impact of new legislation in response to those developments could negatively impact our operations by restricting our business operations, including our ability to originate or sell loans, and adversely impact our financial performance. A worsening of these conditions would likely exacerbate the adverse effects of these difficult market conditions on us and others in the financial institutions industry. In particular, we may face the following risks in connection with these events:

we potentially face increased regulation of our industry and compliance with such regulation may increase our costs and limit our ability to pursue business opportunities;
customer demand for loans secured by real estate could be reduced due to weaker economic conditions, an increase in unemployment, a decrease in real estate values or an increase in interest rates;

TABLE OF CONTENTS

the process we use to estimate losses inherent in our credit exposure requires difficult, subjective and complex judgments, including forecasts of economic conditions and how these economic conditions might impair the ability of our borrowers to repay their loans;
the level of uncertainty concerning economic conditions may adversely affect the accuracy of our estimates which may, in turn, impact the reliability of the process;
the value of the portfolio of investment securities that we hold may be adversely affected; and
we may be required to pay significantly higher FDIC premiums because market developments have significantly depleted the insurance fund of the FDIC and reduced the ratio of reserves to insured deposits.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

In addition, the possibility that certain European Union (“EU”) member states may default on their debt obligations have negatively impacted economic conditions and global markets. The continued uncertainty over the outcome of international and the EU’s financial support programs and the possibility that other EU member states may experience similar financial troubles could further disrupt global markets. The negative impact on economic conditions and global markets could also have a material adverse effect on our liquidity, financial condition and results of operations.

We are subject to interest rate risk and variations in interest rates may negatively impact our financial performance.

We are unable to predict actual fluctuations of market interest rates with complete accuracy. Rate fluctuations are affected by many factors, including:

inflation;
recession;
a rise in unemployment;
tightening money supply; and
domestic and international disorder and instability in domestic and foreign financial markets.markets, among other things.

Changes in the interest rate environment may reduce profits. We expect that we will continue to realize income from the differential or “spread” between the interest we earn on loans, securities and other interest-earning assets, and the interest we pay on deposits, borrowings and other interest-bearing liabilities. Net interest spreads are affected by the difference between the maturities and repricing characteristics of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. Changes in levels of market interest rates could materially and adversely affect our net interest spread, asset quality, levels of prepayments and cash flows as well as the market value of our securities portfolio and overall profitability.

The downgrade of the U.S. credit rating could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and liquidity.

Standard & Poor’s lowered its long term sovereign credit rating on the United States of America from AAA to AA+ on August 5, 2011. A further downgrade or a downgrade by other rating agencies could have a material adverse impact on financial markets and economic conditions in the United States and worldwide. Any such adverse impact could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity, financial condition and results of operations. Many of our investment securities are issued by U.S. government agencies and U.S. government sponsored entities.

The Federal Reserve’s repeal of the prohibition against payment of interest on demand deposits may increase competition for such deposits and ultimately increase interest expense.

A major portion of our net income comes from our interest rate spread, which is the difference between the interest rates paid by us on amounts used to fund assets and the interest rates and fees we receive on our interest-earning assets. On July 14, 2011, the Federal Reserve issued final rules to repeal Regulation Q, which had prohibited the payment of interest on demand deposits by institutions that are member banks of the Federal Reserve System. As a result, banks and thrifts are now permitted to offer interest-bearing demand deposit accounts to commercial customers, which were previously forbidden under Regulation Q. The repeal of Regulation Q may cause increased competition from other financial institutions for these deposits and could result in an increase in our interest expense.

External factors, many of which we cannot control, may result in liquidity concerns for us.

Liquidity risk is the potential that Union Center Nationalthe Bank may be unable to meet its obligations as they come due, capitalize on growth opportunities as they arise, or pay regular dividends because of an inability to liquidate assets or obtain adequate funding in a timely basis, at a reasonable cost and within acceptable risk tolerances.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Liquidity is required to fund various obligations, including credit commitments to borrowers, mortgage and other loan originations, withdrawals by depositors, repayment of borrowings, operating expenses, capital expenditures and dividend payments to shareholders.

Liquidity is derived primarily from deposit growth and retention; principal and interest payments on loans; principal and interest payments on investment securities; sale, maturity and prepayment of investment securities; net cash provided from operations, and access to other funding sources.

Our access to funding sources in amounts adequate to finance our activities could be impaired by factors that affect us specifically or the financial services industry in general. Factors that could detrimentally impact our access to liquidity sources include a decrease in the level of our business activity due to market factors or an adverse regulatory action against us. Our ability to borrow could also be impaired by factors that are not specific to us, such as a severe disruption of the financial markets or negative views and expectations about the prospects for the financial services industry as a whole as the turmoil faced by banking organizations in the domestic and worldwide credit markets continues.whole. Over the last several years, the financial services industry and the credit markets generally have been materially and adversely affected by significant declines in asset values and by a lack of liquidity. The liquidity issues have been particularly acute for regional and community banks, as many of the larger financial institutions have significantly curtailed their lending to


TABLE OF CONTENTS

regional and community banks to reduce their exposure to the risks of other banks. In addition, many of the larger correspondent lenders have reduced or even eliminated federal funds lines for their correspondent customers. Furthermore, regional and community banks generally have less access to the capital markets than do the national and super-regional banks because of their smaller size and limited analyst coverage. Any decline in available funding could adversely impact our ability to originate loans, invest in securities, meet our expenses, or fulfill obligations such as repaying our borrowings or meeting deposit withdrawal demands, any of which could have a material adverse impact on our liquidity, business, results of operations and financial condition.

The extensive regulation and supervision to which we are subject impose substantial restrictions on our business.

Center Bancorp Inc., primarily through its principal subsidiary, Union Center National Bank, and certain non-bank subsidiaries, are subject to extensive regulation and supervision. Banking regulations are primarily intended to protect depositors’ funds, federal deposit insurance funds and the banking system as a whole. Such laws are not designed to protect our shareholders. These regulations affect our lending practices, capital structure, investment practices, dividend policy and growth, among other things. Union Center NationalThe Bank is also subject to a number of federal laws, which, among other things, require it to lend to various sectors of the economy and population, and establish and maintain comprehensive programs relating to anti-money laundering and customer identification. The United States Congress and federal regulatory agencies continually review banking laws, regulations and policies for possible changes, especially for the TARP Capital Purchase Program (in which the Parent Corporation is a participant).changes. Changes to statutes, regulations or regulatory policies, including changes in interpretation or implementation of statutes, regulations or policies, could affect us in substantial and unpredictable ways. Such changes could subject us to additional costs, limit the types of financial services and products we may offer and/or increase the ability of non-banks to offer competing financial services and products, among other things. Failure to comply with laws, regulations or policies could result in sanctions by regulatory agencies, civil money penalties and/or reputational damage, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Because of our participation in the U.S. Treasury’s Capital Purchase Program, we are subject to several restrictions, including restrictions on our ability to declare or pay dividends and repurchase our shares, as well as restrictions on our executive compensation.

As a result of our participation in the U.S. Treasury’s Capital Purchase Program, our ability to declare or pay dividends on any of our capital stock is subject to restrictions. Specifically, we are unable to declare dividend payments on common, junior preferred orpari passu preferred shares if we are in arrears in the payment of dividends on the Preferred Shares. Further, until the third anniversary of the investment or when all of the Preferred Shares have been redeemed or transferred, we are not permitted to increase the cash dividends on our common stock without the U.S. Treasury’s approval. Additionally, our ability to repurchase our shares of outstanding common stock is restricted. The U.S. Treasury’s consent generally is required for us to make any stock repurchase until the third anniversary of the investment by the U.S. Treasury unless all of the Preferred Shares have been redeemed or transferred. Further, common, junior preferred orpari passu preferred shares may not be repurchased if we are in arrears in the payment of dividends on the Preferred Shares. These restrictions, as well as the dilutive effect of the warrants that we issued to the U.S. Treasury as part of the Capital Purchase Program, may have a negative effect on the market price of our common stock.

Pursuant to the terms by which we participated in the U.S. Treasury’s Capital Purchase Agreement and the terms of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, we and several of our senior employees are subject to substantial limitations on executive compensation and are subject to corporate governance standards imposed pursuant to that Act. Such requirements may adversely affect our ability to attract and retain senior officers and employees who are critical to the operation of our business.

The documents that we executed with the U.S. Treasury when it purchased our Preferred Shares allow it to unilaterally change the terms of the Preferred Shares or impose additional requirements on the Corporation if there is a change in law. These changes or additional requirements could restrict our ability to conduct business, could subject us to additional cost and expense or could change the terms of the Preferred Shares to the detriment of our common shareholders. While it may be possible for us to redeem the Preferred Shares in


TABLE OF CONTENTS

the event that the U.S. Treasury imposes any changes or additional requirements that we believe are detrimental, there can be no assurances that our federal regulator will approve such redemption or that we will have the ability to implement such redemption, especially in light of regulatory requirements imposed upon financial institutions seeking to redeem TARP securities.

Current levels of volatility in the capital markets are unprecedented and may adversely impact our operations and results.

The capital markets have been experiencing unprecedented volatility for more than threeseveral years. Such negative developments and disruptions have resulted in uncertainty in the financial markets. Bank and bank holding company stock prices have been negatively affected, as has the ability of banks and bank holding companies to raise capital or borrow in the debt markets. If the capital markets compared to recent years. If current levels of market disruption and volatility continue or worsen,are volatile, there can be no assurance that we will not experience an adverse effect, which may be material, on our business, financial condition and results of operations or our ability to access capital.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

We must effectively manage our credit risk.

There are risks inherent in making any loan, including risks inherent in dealing with particular borrowers, risks of nonpayment, risks resulting from uncertainties as to the future value of collateral and risks resulting from changes in economic and industry conditions. We attempt to minimize our credit risk through prudent loan application approval procedures, careful monitoring of the concentration of our loans within specific industries, a centralized credit administration department and periodic independent reviews of outstanding loans by our loan review department. However, we cannot assure you that such approval and monitoring procedures will reduce these credit risks.

Our loan portfolio includes commercial real estate loans, which involve risks specific to real estate value.

Commercial real estate and construction loans were $421.7$447.4 million, or approximately 59.5%59.2% of our total loan portfolio, as of December 31, 2010.2011. Many of these loans are extended to small and medium-sized businesses. The market value of real estate can fluctuate significantly in a short period of time as a result of market conditions in the geographic area in which the real estate is located. Although many such loans are secured by real estate as a secondary form of collateral, continued adverse developments affecting real estate values in our market area could increase the credit risk associated with our loan portfolio. Economic events or governmental regulations outside of the control of the borrower or lender could negatively impact the future cash flow and market values of the affected properties. If the loans that are collateralized by real estate become troubled and the value of the real estate has been significantly impaired, then we may not be able to recover the full contractual amount of principal and interest that we anticipated at the time of originating the loan, which could cause us to increase our provision for loan losses and adversely affect our operating results and financial condition.

We may incur impairments to goodwill.

We review our goodwill at least annually. Significant negative industry or economic trends, reduced estimates of future cash flows or disruptions to our business, could indicate that goodwill might be impaired. Our valuation methodology for assessing impairment requires management to make judgments and assumptions based on historical experience and to rely on projections of future operating performance. We operate in a competitive environment and projections of future operating results and cash flows may vary significantly from actual results. Additionally, if our analysis results in an impairment to our goodwill, we would be required to record a non-cash charge to earnings in our financial statements during the period in which such impairment is determined to exist. Any such change could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and our stock price.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Union Center National Bank’s ability to pay dividends is subject to regulatory limitations, which, to the extent that our holding company requires such dividends in the future, may affect our holding company’s ability to honor its obligations and pay dividends.

As a bank holding company, Center Bancorp, Inc. is a separate legal entity from Union Center National Bank and its subsidiaries and does not have significant operations. We currently depend on Union Center National Bank’s cash and liquidity to pay our operating expenses and to fund dividends to shareholders. We cannot assure you that in the future Union Center National Bank will have the capacity to pay the necessary dividends and that we will not require dividends from Union Center National Bank to satisfy our obligations. Various statutes and regulations limit the availability of dividends from Union Center National Bank. It is possible, depending upon our and Union Center National Bank’s financial condition and other factors, that bank regulators could assert that payment of dividends or other payments by Union Center National Bank are an unsafe or unsound practice. In the event that Union Center National Bank is unable to pay dividends, we may not be able to service our obligations, as they become due, or pay dividends on our capital stock. Consequently, the inability to receive dividends from Union Center National Bank could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and prospects. Pursuant to the MOU between Union Center National Bank and the OCC, the Bank may not declare dividends without the prior approval of the OCC.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Union Center National Bank’s allowance for loan losses may not be adequate to cover actual losses.

Like all financial institutions, Union Center National Bank maintains an allowance for loan losses to provide for loan defaults and non-performance. If Union Center National Bank’s allowance for loan losses is not adequate to cover actual loan losses, future provisions for loan losses could materially and adversely affect our operating results. Union Center National Bank’s allowance for loan losses is determined by analyzing historical loan losses, current trends in delinquencies and charge-offs, plans for problem loan resolution, the opinions of its regulators, changes in the size and composition of the loan portfolio and industry information.

Union Center National Bank also considers the impact of economic events, the outcome of which is uncertain. The amount of future losses is susceptible to changes in economic, operating and other conditions, including changes in interest rates that may be beyond our control and these losses may exceed current estimates. Federal regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, review Union Center National Bank’s loans and allowance for loan losses. While we believe that Union Center National Bank’s allowance for loan losses in relation to its current loan portfolio is adequate to cover current losses, we cannot assure you that Union Center National Bank will not need to increase its allowance for loan losses or that regulators will not require it to increase this allowance. Either of these occurrences could materially and adversely affect our earnings and profitability.

Union Center National Bank is subject to various lending and other economic risks that could adversely impact our results of operations and financial condition.

Changes in economic conditions, particularly a significant worsening of the current economic environment, could hurt Union Center National Bank’s business. Union Center National Bank’s business is directly affected by political and market conditions, broad trends in industry and finance, legislative and regulatory changes, changes in governmental monetary and fiscal policies, all of which are beyond our control. Deterioration in economic conditions, particularly within New Jersey, could result in the following consequences, any of which could hurt our business materially:

loan delinquencies may increase;
problem assets and foreclosures may increase;
loan delinquencies may increase;
demand for our products and services may decline; and
collateral for loans made by Union Center National Bank may decline in value, in turn reducing Union Center National Bank’s clients’ borrowing power.power, among other things.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Further deterioration in the real estate market, particularly in New Jersey, could hurt our business. As real estate values in New Jersey decline, our ability to recover on defaulted loans by selling the underlying real estate is reduced, which increases the possibility that we may suffer losses on defaulted loans.

Union Center National Bank may suffer losses in its loan portfolio despite its underwriting practices.

Union Center National Bank seeks to mitigate the risks inherent in its loan portfolio by adhering to specific underwriting practices. Although we believe that Union Center National Bank’s underwriting criteria are appropriate for the various kinds of loans that it makes, Union Center National Bank may incur losses on loans that meet its underwriting criteria, and these losses may exceed the amounts set aside as reserves in its allowance for loan losses.

Union Center National Bank faces strong competition from other financial institutions, financial service companies and other organizations offering services similar to the services that Union Center National Bank provides.

Many competitors offer the same types of loans and banking services that Union Center National Bank offers or similar types of such services. These competitors include other national banks, savings associations, regional banks and other community banks. Union Center National Bank also faces competition from many other types of financial institutions, including finance companies, brokerage firms, insurance companies, credit unions, mortgage banks and other financial intermediaries. In this regard, Union Center National Bank’s competitors include other state and national banks and major financial companies whose greater resources may


TABLE OF CONTENTS

afford them a marketplace advantage by enabling them to maintain numerous banking locations, offer a broader suite of services and mount extensive promotional and advertising campaigns. Our inability to compete effectively may adversely affect our business.

If we pursue acquisitions, we may heighten the risks to our operations and financial condition.

To the extent that we undertake acquisitions (such as our pending agreement to acquire assets and assume liabilities of Saddle River Valley Bank) or new branch openings, we may experience the effects of higher operating expenses relative to operating income from the new operations, which may have a material adverse effect on our levels of reported net income, return on average equity and return on average assets. Other effects of engaging in such growth strategies may include potential diversion of our management’s time and attention and general disruption to our business. To the extent that we grow through acquisitions and branch openings, we cannot assure you that we will be able to adequately and profitably manage this growth. Acquiring other banks and businesses involve similar risks to those commonly associated with branching, but may also involve additional risks, including:

potential exposure to unknown or contingent liabilities of banks and businesses we acquire;
exposure to potential asset quality issues of the acquired bank or related business;
difficulty and expense of integrating the operations and personnel of banks and businesses we acquire; and
the possible loss of key employees and customers of the banks and businesses we acquire.acquire

Attractive acquisition opportunities may not be available to us in the future.

We expect that other banking and financial service companies, many of which have significantly greater resources than us, will compete with us in acquiring other financial institutions if we pursue such acquisitions. This competition could increase prices for potential acquisitions that we believe are attractive. Also, acquisitions are subject to various regulatory approvals. If we fail to receive the appropriate regulatory approvals, we will not be able to consummate an acquisition that we believe is in our best interests. Among other things, our regulators will consider our capital, liquidity, profitability, regulatory compliance and levels of goodwill when considering acquisition and expansion proposals. Any acquisition could be dilutive to our earnings and shareholders’ equity per share of our common stock.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Further increases in FDIC premiums could have a material adverse effect on our future earnings.

The FDIC insures deposits at FDIC insured financial institutions, including Union Center National Bank. The FDIC charges the insured financial institutions premiums to maintain the Deposit Insurance Fund at an adequate level. In lightperiods of current economic conditions,difficulties, the FDIC has increasedmay increase its assessment rates and imposedimpose special assessments. The FDIC may further increase these rates and impose additional special assessments in the future, which could have a material adverse effect on future earnings.

Declines in value may adversely impact our investment portfolio.

As of December 31, 2010,2011, we had approximately $378.1$414.5 million in available for sale investment securities. We may be required to record impairment charges on our investment securities if they suffer a decline in value that is considered other-than-temporary. Numerous factors, including lack of liquidity for re-sales of certain investment securities, absence of reliable pricing information foror investment securities, adverse changes in business climate, adverse actions by regulators, or unanticipated changes in the competitive environment could have a negative effect on our investment portfolio in future periods. If an impairment charge is significant enough, it could affect the ability of Union Center National Bank to upstream dividends to us,the Parent Corporation, which could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity and our ability to pay dividends to shareholders and could also negatively impact our regulatory capital ratios.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Concern of customers over deposit insurance may cause a decrease in deposits.

With recent increased concerns about bank failures, customers increasingly are concerned about the extent to which their deposits are insured by the FDIC. Customers may withdraw deposits in an effort to ensure that the amount they have on deposit with their bank is fully insured. Decreases in deposits may adversely affect our funding costs and net income.

We have a continuing need for technological change and we may not have the resources to effectively implement new technology.

The financial services industry is constantly undergoing rapid technological changes with frequent introductions of new technology-driven products and services. The effective use of technology increases efficiency and enables financial institutions to reduce costs, in addition to providing better service to customers. Our future success will depend in part upon our ability to address the needs of our customers by using technology to provide products and services that will satisfy customer demands for convenience as well as to create additional efficiencies in our operations as we grow. We cannot provideassure you with assurance that we will be able to effectively implement new technology-driven products and services or be successful in marketing such products and services to our customers.

System failure or breaches of our network security could subject us to increased operating costs as well as litigation and other liabilities.

The computer systems and network infrastructure we use could be vulnerable to unforeseen problems. Our operations are dependent upon our ability to protect our computer equipment against damage from physical theft, fire, power loss, telecommunications failure or a similar catastrophic event, as well as from security breaches, denial of service attacks, viruses, worms and other disruptive problems caused by hackers. Any damage or failure that causes an interruption in our operations could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Computer break-ins, phishing and other disruptions could also jeopardize the security of information stored in and transmitted through our computer systems and network infrastructure, which may result in significant liability to us and may cause existing and potential customers to refrain from doing business with us. A failure of the security measures we use could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Recently enacted legislative reformsThe Dodd-Frank Act and future regulatory reforms required by such legislation could have a significant impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

On July 21, 2010, President Obama signed the Dodd-Frank Act into law. The Dodd-Frank Act will have a broad impact on the financial services industry, including significant regulatory and compliance changes. Many of the requirements called for in the Dodd-Frank Act will be implemented over time and most are and will be subject to implementing regulations over the course of several years. Given the uncertainty associated with the manner in which the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act will be implemented by the various regulatory agencies, the full extent of the impact such requirements will have on our operations is unclear. Among other things, the Dodd-Frank Act:

eliminates effective one year after the date of enactment, the federal prohibitions on paying interest on demand deposits, thus allowing businesses to have interest bearing checking accounts. Depending on competitive responses, this significant change to existing law could have an adverse impact on our interest expense.expense;
broadens the base for FDIC insurance assessments. Assessmentsassessments; assessments will now be based on the average consolidated total assets less tangible equity capital of a financial institution.institution;
permanently increases the maximum amount of deposit insurance for banks, savings institutions and credit unions to $250,000 per depositor, retroactive to January 1, 2009, and non-interest bearing transaction accounts have unlimited deposit insurance through December 31, 2013.2013;
directs the Federal Reserve Board to promulgate rules prohibiting excessive compensation paid to bank holding company executives.executives;
creates a new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau with broad powers to supervise and enforce consumer protection laws. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has broad rule-making authority for a wide range of consumer protection laws that apply to all banks and savings institutions, including the authority to prohibit “unfair, deceptive or abusive” acts and practices. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has examination and enforcement authority over all banks and savings institutions with more than $10 billion in assets. Institutions with $10 billion or less in assets, such as the Bank, will continued to be examined for compliance with the consumer laws by their primary bank regulators.
Weakens

TABLE OF CONTENTS

institutions, including the authority to prohibit “unfair, deceptive or abusive” acts and practices. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has examination and enforcement authority over all banks and savings institutions with more than $10 billion in assets. Institutions with $10 billion or less in assets, such as the Bank, will continued to be examined for compliance with the consumer laws by their primary bank regulators; and
weakens the federal preemption rules that have been applicable for national banks and federal savings associations, and gives state attorneys general the ability to enforce federal consumer protection laws.laws, among other things.

While it is difficult to predict at this time what specific impact the Dodd-Frank Act, newly written implementing rules and regulations and yet to be written implementing rules and regulations will have on us, we expect that at a minimum our operating and compliance costs will increase, and our interest expense could increase.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

Item 2. Properties

The Bank’s operations are located at ten sites in Union County, New Jersey, consisting of six sites in Union Township, one in Springfield Township, one in Berkeley Heights, one in Vauxhall and one in Summit, New Jersey. The Bank also has three branch offices in Morris County, New Jersey, consisting of one site in Madison, one site in Boonton/Mountain Lakes, and one site in Morristown, New Jersey. The principal office is located at 2455 Morris Avenue, Union, New Jersey. The principal office is a two story building constructed in 1993. On October 9, 2004, the Bank opened a 19,555 square foot office facility on Springfield Road in Union, New Jersey, which served as the Bank’s Operations and Data Center until January 12, 2010 when the Bank entered into a sales purchase agreement for this facility. On February 27, 2008 the Corporation signed an agreement to lease premises at 105 North Avenue, Cranford, New Jersey to be used to construct a full service branch facility. Subsequently, the Corporation notified the landlord that it wanted to terminate the commitment and completed the termination in the first quarter of 2009.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the Bank’s leased locations.

 
Branch Location Term
356 Chestnut Street,
Union,
New Jersey
 Term expires in 2028 with renewal options
Career Center Branch
located in
Union High School,
Union,
New Jersey
 Term expired in October 2008, currently on month to month lease
300 Main Street,
Madison,
New Jersey
 Term expires June 6, 2015 and is subject to renewal at the Bank’s option
2933 Vauxhall Road,
Vauxhall,
New Jersey
 Term expires January 31, 2013 and is subject to renewal at the Bank’s option
392 Springfield Avenue, Summit,
New Jersey
Term expired March 31, 2009 and was subject to renewal at the Bank’s option; however, the Bank advised the landlord that it did not intend to renew this lease.
545 Morris Avenue,
Summit,
New Jersey
 Term expires February 1, 2024, subject to renewal at the Bank’s option
Ely Place, Boonton, New Jersey Term expires August 29, 2021, and is subject to renewal at the Bank’s option

Upon consummation of our Saddle River Valley Bank acquisition, the Bank will assume leases pursuant to which the Bank will lease two branch locations in Bergen County, New Jersey.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

The Bank operates a Drive In/Walk Up located at 2022 Stowe Street, Union, New Jersey, adjacent to a part of the Center Office facility. The Bank also operates an AutobankingAuto banking Center located at Bonnel Court, Union, New Jersey. The Bank has three off-site ATM locations. Two are located at the Chatham and Madison New Jersey Transit stations and one is located at the Boys and Girls Club of Union, 1050 Jeanette Avenue, Union, New Jersey.

During the second quarter of 2010, the Corporation entered into a lease of its former operations facility under a direct financing lease. The lease has a 15 year term with no renewal options. According to the terms of the lease, the lessee has an obligation to purchase the property underlying the lease in either year seven, (7), ten (10) or fifteen (15) at predetermined prices for those years as provided in the lease. The structure of the minimum lease payments and the purchase prices as provided in the lease provide an inducement to the lessee to purchase the property in year seven (7).seven.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

In December 2009, the Corporation took steps to terminate a participation agreement with another New Jersey bank at December 31, 2009. Under the terms of the agreement, the participation ended on December 31, 2009, and, in the Corporation’s view, the lead bank is required to repurchase the remaining balance. The lead bank questioned our enforcement of the participation agreement. Therefore, the Corporation filed suit in Superior Court of New Jersey Chancery Division in Morris County, New Jersey, for the return of the outstanding principal.

Union Center has instituted a suit against Highlands State Bank (“Highlands”) in the Superior Court of New Jersey (Docket No. MRS-C-189-09). This litigation relates to a participating interest in a construction loan originated by Highlands. This loan was closed, and the participating interest (85%) was acquired, in 2007.Jersey. Various causes of action are pleaded in this litigation by both parties, including claims for recovery of damages. The primary claim prosecuted by Union Centerthe Bank seeks a judicial determination that the Participation Agreementparticipation agreement executed with Highlands was properly terminated in accordance with its terms on December 31, 2009 and that Highlands is obligated to return the unpaid balance of the loan funds advanced by Union Centerthe Bank during its participation in the loan. The primary claim presented by Highlands is that Union Center’sthe Bank’s participation in the loan must continue until it is ultimately retired, which will probably result in a substantial loss that it is claimed must be shared by Union Center. This litigation isthe Bank.

During the fourth quarter of 2011, the Corporation entered into a Settlement Agreement with Highlands State Bank. The Settlement Agreement called for Highlands State Bank, as the lead bank in its early stages.this participation loan, to repurchase the Corporation’s participating interest in the underlying loan. Both banks executed a stipulation dismissing the lawsuit as well as general releases to each other regarding this matter. The initial pleadings have been filed andCorporation incurred a $287,000 charge to operating expense during the discovery phase will now begin. Asfourth quarter of December 31, 2010 no significant progress has been made regarding2011 as a decision resulting from the discovery or depositions taken during 2010.


TABLE OF CONTENTSresult.

There are no other significant pending legal proceedings involving the Corporation other than those arising out of routine operations. Management does not anticipate that the ultimate liability, if any, arising out of such litigationother proceedings will have a material effect on the financial condition or results of operations of the Corporation on a consolidated basis. Such statement constitutes a forward-looking statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results could differ materially from this statement as a result of various factors, including the uncertainties arising in proving facts within the judicial process.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Item 3A. Executive Officers of the Registrant

The following table sets forth the name and age of each executive officer of the Parent Corporation, the period during which each such person has served as an officer of the Parent Corporation or the Bank and each such person’s business experience (including all positions with the Parent Corporation and the Bank) for the past five years:

  
Name and Age Officer Since Business Experience
Anthony C. Weagley
Age – 4950
 1996 the Parent
Corporation
1985 the Bank
 President and Chief Executive Officer of the Parent Corporation (April 2008 – Present); President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Parent Corporation (August 2007 – March 2008); President and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank (March 2008 – Present); President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Bank (August 2007 – February 2008); Vice President & Treasurer of the Parent Corporation (1996 –  August 2007); Senior Vice President & Cashier of the Bank (1996 – August 2007); Vice President & Cashier of the Bank (1991 – 1996)
Mark S. Cardone
Age – 4849
 2001 the Parent
Corporation
2001 the Bank
 Vice President of the Parent Corporation and Senior Vice President & Branch Administrator of the Bank (2001 – Present)
Joseph D. Gangemi
Age – 3031
 2008 the Parent
Corporation
2004 the Bank
 Vice President and Assistant Portfolio Manager of the Parent and the Bank (December 31, 2010 – Present);: Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive Officer, Investor Relations Officer and Corporate Secretary of the Parent Corporation and the Bank (June 2008 –  Present); Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive Officer and Investor Relations Officer of the Bank (January 2008 – June 2008); Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive Officer of the Bank (August 2007 – January 2008); Executive Assistant to the Chief Financial Officer of the Bank (August 2005 – August 2007)
John J. Lukens
Age – 6364
 2009 the Parent
Corporation
2004 the Bank
 Vice President and Senior Credit Administrator of the Parent Corporation and Senior Vice President and Senior Credit Administrator of the Bank (December 2009 –  Present); Vice President of the Bank (September 2004 –  December 2009)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Name and AgeOfficer SinceBusiness Experience
Francis R. Patryn
Age – 61
2006 the Parent Corporation
2006 the Bank
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Comptroller of the Parent Corporation and Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Comptroller of the Bank (November 2010 – Present); Vice President and Comptroller of the Bank (October 2006 – Present)
James W. Sorge
Age – 5859
 2010 the Parent
Corporation
2010 the Bank
 Vice President and Compliance Officer of the Parent Corporation and Senior Vice President and Compliance Officer of the Bank (March 2010 – Present); Vice President and Director, PNC Global Investment Servicing (May 2008 – March 2010); Vice President, BSA/AML/OFAC Officer, Yardville National Bank (June 2005 – April 2008)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Name and AgeOfficer SinceBusiness Experience
George J. Theiller
Age – 6061
 2009 the Parent
Corporation
2005 the Bank
 Vice President and Senior Auditor of the Parent Corporation and Senior Vice President and Senior Auditor of the Bank (December 2009 – Present); Vice President and Senior Auditor of the Bank (April 2005 – December 2009)
Vincent N. Tozzi
Age – 61
2011 the Parent
Corporation
2011 the Bank
Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of the Parent Corporation (March 2011 – Present); Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Bank (February 2011 – Present); Consultant to the Bank’s Financial Division (December 2010 – February 2011); Partner and Chief Financial Officer, Aztec Environmental Energy Management (January 2008 –  Present); Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of The Bank of Princeton (October 2006 –  January 2008).
Arthur M. Wein
Age – 6061
 2009 the Parent
Corporation
2009 the Bank
 Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Parent Corporation and Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Bank (October 2009 – Present); Vice President and Business Development Officer of the Summit Region of the Bank (April 2009 –  October 2009); President and Chief Executive Officer of UTZ Technologies, Inc. (manufacturer of thick film hybrid screens) (December 2003 – March 2009)

Item 4. ReservedMine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART II

Item 5. Market for the Registrant’s Common Stock, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Security Market Information

The common stock of the Parent Corporation is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market. The Corporation’s symbol is CNBC. As of December 31, 2010,2011, the Corporation had 592563 stockholders of record. This does not include beneficial owners for whom CEDE & Company or others act as nominees. On December 31, 2010,2011, the closing low market bid and asked price were $8.10$9.74 and $8.15,$9.77, respectively.

The following table sets forth the high and low bid price, and the dividends declared, on a share of the Corporation’s common stock for the years ended December 31, 20102011 and 2009.2010. All amounts are adjusted for prior stock splits and stock dividends.

            
 Common Stock Price Common Stock Price
 2010 2009 Common Dividends Declared   2011 2010 Common Dividends Declared  
 High Bid Low Bid High Bid Low Bid 2010 2009 High Bid Low Bid High Bid Low Bid 2011 2010
Fourth Quarter $8.11  $7.30  $9.20  $7.36  $0.03  $0.03  $9.96  $8.90  $8.11  $7.30  $0.03  $0.03 
Third Quarter  7.67   7.05   10.16   7.53   0.03   0.03   10.90   8.51   7.67   7.05   0.03   0.03 
Second Quarter  9.07   6.94   9.15   6.88   0.03   0.03   10.44   9.49   9.07   6.94   0.03   0.03 
First Quarter  9.09   8.31   8.50   6.43   0.03   0.09   9.53   7.79   9.09   8.31   0.03   0.03 
Total             $0.12  $0.18                      $0.12  $0.12 

Share Repurchase Program

Historically, repurchases have been made from time to time as, in the opinion of management, market conditions warranted, in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. Shares repurchased were used for stock dividends and other issuances. No repurchases were made during 20092011 and 20102010.

As noted elsewhere herein, onOn January 9, 2009, as part of the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Troubled Asset Relief Program (“TARP”), the Parent Corporation entered into an agreement with the U.S. Treasury (the “Stock Purchase Agreement”) pursuant to which (i) the Parent Corporation issued and sold, and the U.S. Treasury purchased, 10,000 shares (the “Preferred Shares”) of the Company’s Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A, having a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share for an aggregate purchase price of $10 million in cash, and (ii) the Parent Corporation issued to the U.S. Treasury a ten-year warrant (the “Warrant”) to purchase up to 173,410 shares of the Parent Corporation’s common stock at an exercise price of $8.65 per share. As a result of the successful completion of the Rights Offeringa rights offering in October 2009, the number of shares underlying the warrant held by the U.S. Treasury was reduced to 86,705 shares or 50 percent of the original 173,410 shares. UntilOn September 15, 2011, the third anniversaryCorporation issued $11.25 million in nonvoting senior preferred stock to the Treasury under the Small Business Lending Fund Program. Simultaneously, the Corporation redeemed from the Treasury, all 10,000 outstanding shares of its Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A, liquidation amount $1,000 per share, for a redemption price of $10,041,667, including accrued but unpaid dividends up to the issuancedate of redemption. On December 7, 2011, the Preferred Shares,Corporation repurchased the consent ofwarrants issued on January 12, 2009 to the U.S. Treasury will be required for any increaseas part of its participation in the dividends onU.S. Treasury’s TARP Capital Purchase Program. The Corporation received $10.0 million under the Parent Corporation’s common stock or for any stock repurchases unlessprogram and, using funds received under the Preferred Shares have been redeemedU.S. Government’s Small Business Lending Fund program, repaid the debt in their entirety orfull in September of this year. In the repurchase, the Corporation paid the U.S. Treasury has transferred$245,000 for the Preferred Shares to third parties. See “Dividends” below for additional restrictions on the payment of dividends.warrants.

Dividends

Federal laws and regulations contain restrictions on the ability of the Parent Corporation and Union Center National Bank to pay dividends. For information regarding restrictions on dividends, see Part I, Item 1, “Business — Dividend Limitations” and Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data —  Dividend and Other Restrictions, Note 17 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.” Pursuant to the MOU between Union Center National Bank and the OCC, the Bank may not declare dividends without the prior approval of the OCC. In addition, underUnder the terms of the trust preferred securities issued by Center Bancorp, Inc. Statutory Trust II, the Parent Corporation


TABLE OF CONTENTS

can not pay dividends on its common stock if the Corporation defers payments on the junior subordinated debentures which provide the cash flow for the payments on the trust preferred securities. Further, pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement,If the Parent Corporation is unablefails to declare and pay dividends on the SBLF Preferred Stock in a given quarter, then during such quarter and for the next three quarters followings such missed dividend paymentspayment, the Parent Corporation may not pay dividends on, or repurchase, any common stock or any other securities that are Junior to (or in parity with) the SBLF Preferred Stock, except in very limited circumstances. Also under the terms of the SBLF Preferred Stock, the Parent Corporation may declare and pay dividends on its common stock or any other stock junior to the SBLF Preferred Stock, or repurchase shares of any such stock, only if after payment of such dividends or repurchase of such shares, the Parent Corporation’s common stock (and certain


TABLE OF CONTENTS

preferred stock if the Parent Corporation issues additional series of preferred stock) if the Parent Corporation is in arrears in the payment of dividends on the Preferred Shares issuedTier 1 Capital would be at least equal to the U.S. Treasury. Further, until the third anniversaryTier 1 Dividend Threshold, excluding any subsequent net charge-offs and any redemption of the U.S. Treasury’s investment or when allSBLF Preferred Stock.

During 2011, the Office of the Preferred Shares have been redeemed or transferred, the Parent Corporation is not permitted to increase the amountComptroller of the quarterly cash dividend above $0.09 per share, which wasCurrency (the “OCC”) determined that the amountMemorandum of the last regular dividend declaredUnderstanding (the “MOU”) that had previously been entered into by the Parent Corporation prior to October 14, 2008.Bank was no longer required and, accordingly, the OCC terminated the MOU.

Stockholders Return Comparison

Set forth below is a line graph presentation comparing the cumulative stockholder return on the Parent Corporation’s common stock, on a dividend reinvested basis, against the cumulative total returns of the Standard & Poor’s Composite and the SNL Mid-Atlantic Bank Index for the period from January 1, 20062007 through December 31, 2010.2011.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

COMPARE 5-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
AMONG CENTER BANCORP INC.,
S&P COMPOSITE AND SNL MID-ATLANTIC BANK INDEX

Assumes $100 invested on January 1, 20062007
Assumes dividends reinvested
Year ended December 31, 20102011

COMPARISON OF CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN OF ONE OR MORE
COMPANIES, PEER GROUPS, INDUSTRY INDEXES AND/OR BROAD MARKETS

            
 Fiscal Year Ending Fiscal Year Ending
Company/Index/Market 12/31/2005 12/31/2006 12/31/2007 12/31/2008 12/31/2009 12/31/2010 12/31/2006 12/31/2007 12/31/2008 12/31/2009 12/31/2010 12/31/2011
Center Bancorp, Inc.  100.00   148.38   111.68   85.74   96.47   89.46   100.00   75.27   57.79   65.02   60.29   73.18 
S&P Composite  100.00   115.33   121.64   76.97   103.96   122.30   100.00   105.47   66.74   90.14   106.05   96.81 
SNL Mid-Atlantic Bank
Index
  100.00   120.02   90.76   50.00   52.63   61.40   100.00   75.62   41.66   43.85   51.16   38.43 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Item 6. Selected Financial Data

The following tables set forth selected consolidated financial data as of the dates and for the periods presented. The selected consolidated statement of financial condition data as of December 31, 20102011 and 20092010 and the selected consolidated summary of income data for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 2009 and 20082009 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes that we have included elsewhere in this Annual Report. The selected consolidated statement of financial condition data as of December 31, 2009, 2008 2007 and 20062007 and the selected consolidated summary of income data for the years ended December 31, 20072008 and 20062007 have been derived from audited consolidated financial statements that are not presented in this Annual Report.

The selected historical consolidated financial data as of any date and for any period are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be achieved as of any future date or for any future period. You should read the following selected statistical and financial data in conjunction with the more detailed information contained in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and the related notes that we have presented elsewhere in this Annual Report.


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SUMMARY OF SELECTED STATISTICAL INFORMATION AND FINANCIAL DATA

     
          
 Years Ended December 31, Years Ended December 31,
 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007
 (Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share Data) (Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share Data)
Summary of Income
                                                  
Interest income $48,714  $51,110  $49,894  $52,129  $53,325  $51,927  $48,714  $51,110  $49,894  $52,129 
Interest expense  14,785   22,645   24,095   30,630   28,974   12,177   14,785   22,645   24,095   30,630 
Net interest income  33,929   28,465   25,799   21,499   24,351   39,750   33,929   28,465   25,799   21,499 
Provision for loan losses  5,076   4,597   1,561   350   57   2,448   5,076   4,597   1,561   350 
Net interest income after provision for loan
losses
  28,853   23,868   24,238   21,149   24,294   37,302   28,853   23,868   24,238   21,149 
Other income  2,472   3,906   2,644   4,372   633   7,478   2,472   3,906   2,644   4,372 
Other expense  24,099   23,057   19,473   24,598   24,358   23,443   24,099   23,057   19,473   24,598 
Income before income tax expense  7,226   4,717   7,409   923   569 
Income before income tax expense (benefit)  21,337   7,226   4,717   7,409   923 
Income tax expense (benefit)  222   946   1,567   (2,933  (3,329  7,411   222   946   1,567   (2,933
Net income $7,004  $3,771  $5,842  $3,856  $3,898  $13,926  $7,004  $3,771  $5,842  $3,856 
Net income available to common stockholders $6,423  $3,204  $5,842  $3,856  $3,898  $13,106  $6,423  $3,204  $5,842  $3,856 
Statement of Financial Condition Data
                                                  
Investments $378,080  $298,124  $242,714  $314,194  $381,733 
Investments available for sale $414,507  $378,080  $298,124  $242,714  $314,194 
Investments held to maturity  72,233             
Total loans  708,444   719,606   676,203   551,669   550,414   756,010   708,444   719,606   676,203   551,669 
Goodwill and other intangibles  16,959   17,028   17,110   17,204   17,312 
Allowance for loan losses  9,602   8,867   8,711   6,254   5,163 
Goodwill and other intangible assets  16,902   16,959   17,028   17,110   17,204 
Total assets  1,207,385   1,195,488   1,023,293   1,017,645   1,051,384   1,432,738   1,207,385   1,195,488   1,023,293   1,017,645 
Deposits  860,332   813,705   659,537   699,070   726,771   1,121,415   860,332   813,705   659,537   699,070 
Borrowings  212,855   269,253   268,440   218,109   206,434   161,000   212,855   269,253   268,440   218,109 
Stockholders’ equity  120,957   101,749   81,713   85,278   97,613   135,916   120,957   101,749   81,713   85,278 
Dividends
                                                  
Cash dividends $1,852  $2,434  $4,675  $4,885  $4,808 
Cash dividends on Common Stock $1,955  $1,852  $2,434  $4,675  $4,885 
Dividend payout ratio  28.83  75.97  80.02  126.69  123.35  14.92  28.83  75.97  80.02  126.69
Cash Dividends Per Share(1)
                                                  
Cash dividends $0.12  $0.18  $0.36  $0.36  $0.34  $0.12  $0.12  $0.18  $0.36  $0.36 
Earnings Per Share(1)
                                                  
Basic $0.43  $0.24  $0.45  $0.28  $0.28  $0.80  $0.43  $0.24  $0.45  $0.28 
Diluted $0.43  $0.24  $0.45  $0.28  $0.28  $0.80  $0.43  $0.24  $0.45  $0.28 
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding(1)
                                                  
Basic  15,025,870   13,382,614   13,048,518   13,780,504   13,959,684   16,295,761   15,025,870   13,382,614   13,048,518   13,780,504 
Diluted  15,027,159   13,385,416   13,061,410   13,840,756   14,040,338   16,314,899   15,027,159   13,385,416   13,061,410   13,840,756 
Operating Ratios
                                                  
Return on average assets  0.59  0.31  0.58  0.38  0.37  1.05  0.59  0.31  0.58  0.38
Average stockholders’ equity to average assets  9.38  7.66  8.28  9.33  9.21  9.83  9.38  7.66  8.28  9.33
Return on average stockholders’ equity  6.30  4.02  7.03  4.09  4.04  10.73  6.30  4.02  7.03  4.09
Return on average tangible stockholders’ equity(2)  7.44  4.91  8.86  5.00  4.93  12.33  7.44  4.91  8.86  5.00
Book Value
                                                  
Book value per common share(1) $6.83  $6.32  $6.29  $6.48  $7.02  $7.63  $6.83  $6.32  $6.29  $6.48 
Tangible book value per common share(1)(2) $5.79  $5.15  $4.97  $5.17  $5.77  $6.60  $5.79  $5.15  $4.97  $5.17 
Non-Financial Information
                                                  
Common stockholders of record  592   605   640   679   717   563   592   605   640   679 
Full-time equivalent staff  159   160   160   172   214   163   159   160   160   172 

Notes to Selected Financial Data

(1)All common share and per common share amounts have been adjusted for prior stock splits and stock dividends.

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

(2)Tangible book value per common share, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, is computed by dividing stockholders’ equity less preferred stock, goodwill and other intangible assets by common shares outstanding. The following table provides certain related reconciliations between Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”)measures (stockholders’ equity and book value per common share) and the related non-GAAP financial measures (tangible stockholders’ equity and tangible book value per common share):

          
 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007
 (Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share Data) (Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share Data)
Common shares
outstanding
  16,289,832   14,572,029   12,991,312   13,155,784   13,910,450   16,332,327   16,289,832   14,572,029   12,991,312   13,155,784 
Stockholders’ equity $120,957  $101,749  $81,713  $85,278  $97,613  $135,916  $120,957  $101,749  $81,713  $85,278 
Less: Preferred Stock  9,700   9,619   ��        11,250   9,700   9,619       
Less: Goodwill and other intangible assets  16,959   17,028   17,110   17,204   17,312   16,902   16,959   17,028   17,110   17,204 
Tangible Stockholders’ Equity $94,298  $75,102  $64,603  $68,074  $80,301  $107,764  $94,298  $75,102  $64,603  $68,074 
Book value per common share $6.83  $6.32  $6.29  $6.48  $7.02  $7.63  $6.83  $6.32  $6.29  $6.48 
Less: Goodwill and other intangible assets  1.04   1.17   1.32   1.31   1.25   1.03   1.04   1.17   1.32   1.31 
Tangible Book Value per Common Share $5.79  $5.15  $4.97  $5.17  $5.77  $6.60  $5.79  $5.15  $4.97  $5.17 

All per common share amounts reflect all prior stock splits and dividends.

Return on average tangible stockholders’ equity, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, is computed by dividing net income by average stockholders’ equity less average goodwill and average other intangible assets. The following table reflects a reconciliation between average stockholders’ equity and average tangible stockholders’ equity and a reconciliation between return on stockholders’ equity and return on average tangible stockholders’ equity.

          
 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007
 (Dollars in Thousands) (Dollars in Thousands)
Net income $7,004  $3,771  $5,842  $3,856  $3,898  $13,926  $7,004  $3,771  $5,842  $3,856 
Average stockholders’ equity $111,136  $93,850  $83,123  $94,345  $96,505  $129,838  $111,136  $93,850  $83,123  $94,345 
Less: Average goodwill and other intangible assets  16,993   17,069   17,158   17,259   17,378   16,930   16,993   17,069   17,158   17,259 
Average Tangible Stockholders’ Equity $94,143  $76,781  $65,965  $77,086  $79,127  $112,908  $94,143  $76,781  $65,965  $77,086 
Return on average stockholders’ equity  6.30  4.02  7.03  4.09  4.04  10.73  6.30  4.02  7.03  4.09
Add: Average goodwill and other intangible assets  1.14   .89   1.83   0.91   0.89   1.61   1.14   .89   1.83   0.91 
Return on Average Tangible Stockholders’ Equity  7.44  4.91  8.86  5.00  4.93  12.33  7.44  4.91  8.86  5.00

The Corporation believes that in comparing financial institutions, investors desire to analyze tangible stockholders’ equity rather than stockholders’ equity, as they discount the significance of goodwill and other intangible assets.


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The purpose of this analysis is to provide the reader with information relevant to understanding and assessing the Corporation’s results of operations for each of the past three years and financial condition for each of the past two years. In order to fully appreciate this analysis, the reader is encouraged to review the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes thereto appearing under Item 8 of this report, and statistical data presented in this document.

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

See Item 1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for information regarding forward-looking statements.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The accounting and reporting policies followed by the Corporation conform, in all material respects, to U.S. GAAP. In preparing the consolidated financial statements, management has made estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the dates of the consolidated statements of condition and results of operations for the periods indicated. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.

The Corporation’s accounting policies are fundamental to understanding this MD&A. The most significant accounting policies followed by the Corporation are presented in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. The Corporation has identified its policies on the allowance for loan losses, other than temporaryother-than-temporary impairment of securities, income tax liabilities and goodwill and other identifiable intangible assets to be critical because management must make subjective and/or complex judgments about matters that are inherently uncertain and could be most subject to revision as new information becomes available. Additional information on these policies can be found in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Allowance for Loan Losses and Related Provision

The allowance for loan losses represents management’s estimate of probable loan losses inherent in the loan portfolio. Determining the amount of the allowance for loan losses is considered a critical accounting estimate because it requires significant judgment and the use of estimates related to the amount and timing of expected future cash flows on impaired loans, estimated losses on pools of homogeneous loans based on historical loss experience, and consideration of current economic trends and conditions, all of which may be susceptible to significant change. The loan portfolio also represents the largest asset type on the Corporation’s Consolidated Statements of Condition.

The evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses includes, among other factors, an analysis of historical loss rates by loan category applied to current loan totals. However, actual loan losses may be higher or lower than historical trends, which vary. Actual losses on specified problem loans, which also are provided for in the evaluation, may vary from estimated loss percentages, which are established based upon a limited number of potential loss classifications.

The allowance for loan losses is established through a provision for loan losses charged to expense. Management believes that the current allowance for loan losses will be adequate to absorb loan losses on existing loans that may become uncollectible based on the evaluation of known and inherent risks in the loan portfolio. The evaluation takes into consideration such factors as changes in the nature and size of the portfolio, overall portfolio quality, and specific problem loans and current economic conditions which may affect the borrowers’ ability to pay. The evaluation also details historical losses by loan category and the resulting loan loss rates which are projected for current loan total amounts. Loss estimates for specified problem loans are also detailed. All of the factors considered in the analysis of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses may be subject to change. To the extent actual outcomes differ from management estimates, additional provisions for loan losses may be required that could materially adversely impact earnings in future periods. Additional information can be found in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Other-Than-Temporary Impairment of Securities

Securities are evaluated on at least a quarterly basis, and more frequently when market conditions warrant such an evaluation, to determine whether a decline in their value is other-than-temporary. FASB ASC 320-10-65, (previously FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2, “Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Investments”), clarifies the interaction of the factors that should be considered when determining whether a debt security is other-than-temporarily impaired. For debt securities, management must assess whether (a) it has the intent to sell the security and (b) it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security prior to its anticipated recovery. These steps are done before assessing whether the entity will recover the cost basis of the investment. Previously, this assessment required management to assert it has both the intent and the ability to hold a security for a period of time sufficient to allow for anticipated recovery in fair value to avoid recognizing an other-than-temporary impairment. This change does not affect the need to forecast recovery of the value of the security through either cash flows or market price.

In instances when a determination is made that an other-than-temporary impairment exists but the investor does not intend to sell the debt security and it is not more likely than not that it will be required to sell the debt security prior to its anticipated recovery, FASB ASC 320-10-65 changes the presentation and amount of the other-than-temporary impairment recognized in the income statement. The other-than-temporary impairment is separated into (a) the amount of the total other-than-temporary impairment related to a decrease in cash flows expected to be collected from the debt security (the credit loss) and (b) the amount of the total other-than-temporary impairment related to all other factors. The amount of the total other-than-temporary impairment related to the credit loss is recognized inthrough earnings. The amount of the total other-than-temporary impairment related to all other factors is recognized in other comprehensive income. Impairment charges on certain investment securities of approximately $342,000 were recognized in earnings during the year ended December 31, 2011. Of this amount, $18,000 related to a variable rate private label collateralized mortgage obligation (“CMO”) and $324,000 related to principal losses on a variable rate private label CMO. The Corporation’s approach to determining whether or not other-than-temporary impairment exists for any of these investments was consistent with the accounting guidance in effect at that time. For the year ended December 31, 2011, the Corporation primarily relied upon the guidance in FASB ASC 320-10-65, FASB ASC 820-10-65 and FASB ASC 310-10-35. Additional information can be found in Note 4 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Impairment charges on certain investment securities of approximately $5.6 million were recognized in earnings during the year ended December 31, 2010. Of this amount, $1.8 million related to charges taken on two pooled trust preferred securities owned by the Corporation, $360,000 on a variable rate private label collateralized mortgage obligation (“CMO”), $398,000 in principal losses on a variable rate private label CMO and $3.0 million on a trust preferred security. The Corporation’s approach to determining whether or not other-than-temporary impairment exists for any of these investments was consistent with the accounting guidance in effect at that time. For the year ended December 31, 2010, the Corporation primarily relied upon the guidance in FASB ASC 320-10-65, (previously FAS 115-2 and 124-2), FASB ASC 820-10-65 (previously FASB FAS 157-4) and FASB ASC 310-10-35 (previously FAS 114). Additional information can be found in Note 4 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Impairment charges on certain investment securities of approximately $4.2 million were recognized during the year ended December 31, 2009. Of this amount $3.4 million related to charges taken on two pooled trust preferred securities owned by the Corporation, $188,000 related to a private label CMO, $140,000 on a Lehman holding and $113,000 on an equity holding; additionally, the Corporation recorded a $364,000 charge related to a court order for the liquidation of the Reserve Primary Fund. The Corporation’s approach to determining whether or not other-than-temporary impairment exists for any of these investments was consistent with the accounting guidance in effect at that time. For the year ended December 31, 2009, the Corporation primarily relied upon the guidance in FASB ASC 320-10-35 (previously FSP FAS 115-1 and 124-1), FASB ASC 820-10-35 (previously FASB FAS 157-3) and FASB ASC 325-40 (previously EITF 99-20).325-10-35.

Income Taxes

The objectives of accounting for income taxes are to recognize the amount of taxes payable or refundable for the current year and deferred tax liabilities and assets for the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in an entity’s financial statements or tax returns. Judgment is required in assessing the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements or tax returns.

Fluctuations in the actual outcome of these future tax consequences could impact the Corporation’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations. Notes 1 (under the caption “Use of Estimates”) and 11 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements include additional discussion on the accounting for income taxes.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Goodwill

The Corporation adopted the provisions of FASB ASC 350-10-05, (previously SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”), which requires that goodwill be reported separate from other intangible assets in the Consolidated Statements of Condition and not be amortized but tested for impairment annually or more frequently if impairment indicators arise for impairment. No impairment charge was deemed necessary for the years ended December 31, 20102011 and 2009.2010.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Fair Value of Investment Securities

In October 2008, the FASB issued FASB ASC 820-10-35, (previously FASB Staff Position 157-3, “Determining the Fair Value of a Financial Asset When The Market for That Asset Is Not Active”), to clarify the application of the provisions of FASB ASC 820-10-05 in an inactive market and how an entity would determine fair value in an inactive market. FASB ASC 820-10-35 was applied to the Corporation’s December 31, 2008 consolidated financial statements. Changes in the Corporation’s methodology occurred for the quarter ended June 30, 2009 as new accounting guidance was released in April of 2009 with mandatory adoption required in the second quarter. The Corporation relied upon the guidance in FASB ASC 820-10-65 (previously FASB FAS 157-4) when determining fair value for the Corporation’s pooled trust preferred securities and private issue corporate bond. See Note 18 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements,Fair Value Measurements and Fair Value of Financial Instruments, for further discussion.

Introduction

The following introduction to Management’s Discussion and Analysis highlights the principal factors that contributed to the Corporation’s earnings performance in 2010.2011.

The year 20102011 was a challenging one for the banking industry and for the Corporation. The current global financial crisis and difficult economic climate has created challenges to financial institutions both domestically and abroad. Interest rates in 20102011 and 20092010 were reflective of significantly lower short-term interest rates in an effort to stimulate the economy. Competition for deposits in the Corporation’s marketplace remained intense while customers’ preference in seeking safety through full FDIC insured products and more liquidity became paramount in light of the financial crisis. Market conditions remained volatile during 20102011 and 2009,2010, related to global instability in the markets in connection withfollowing the sub-prime crises. While we continue to see an improvement in balance sheet strength and core earnings performance, we are still concerned with the credit stability of the broader markets. As a result, the Federal Reserve kept overnight borrowing rates at zero to 25 basis points throughout the course of 2010.2011. Short-term interest rates remained lower than longer term rates resulting in an improved steepening of the yield curve. This resulted in an expansion of the Corporation’s net interest income, which is the Corporation’s primary source of income. The Corporation also took action throughout the year to reduce further exposure to interest rates through a reduction in higher cost funding and non-core balances in the deposit mix and improvement in the earning asset mix. The Corporation’s continued progress in growing and improving its balance sheet earning asset mix has helped to expand its spread and margin. We intend to continue to use a portion of the proceeds of maturing investments to help fund new loan growth.

The Corporation’s net income in 20102011 was $7.0$13.9 million or $0.43$0.80 per fully diluted common share, compared with net income of $3.8$7.0 million or $0.24$0.43 per fully diluted common share in 2009.2010. A substantial portion of our earnings in 20102011 and 20092010 was from core operations.

Earnings for 20102011 were positively impacted by net interest income and spread expansion through both balance sheet improvements and a lower cost of funds as compared to 20092010 and reductions in other real estate owned,loan loss provisions, marketing expenses, FDIC insurance, computer and occupancy expenses. These improvements were somewhat offset by higher loan loss provisions as well as higher salaries and employee benefits, FDIC insurance, professional and consulting fees and computer expenses. Other expense for the twelve-months ended December 31, 20102011 totaled $24.1$23.4 million, an increasea decrease of $1.0 million,$656,000, or 4.52.7 percent, from the twelve-months ended December 31, 20092010 due principally to the items mentioned above.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

The Corporation previously announced a strategic outsourcing agreement with Fiserv to provide core account processing services, which is consistent with the Corporation’s other strategic initiatives to streamline operations, reduce operating overhead and allow the Corporation to focus on core competencies of customer service and product development. This coupled with previously initiated cost reduction plans are intended to improve operating efficiencies, business and technical operations. The core processing transition was consummated during the fourth quarter of 2009. Additionally, the consolidation of the Corporation’s branch office on 392 Springfield Avenue in Summit, New Jersey during the first quarter of 2009 into its new office on 545 Morris Avenue in Summit, New Jersey resulted in improved efficiency and increased customer service.

For the twelve months ended December 31, 2010,2011, total salaries and benefits increased by $850,000$762,000 or 8.67.1 percent to $10.8$11.5 million primarily attributable to additions to officialoffice staff and merit increases for existing staff of approximately $720,000$515,000 and increased medical insurance expense of $130,000.$40,000.


The decreased tax rate resulted in part from the measurement and reassessment of the technical merits which led the Corporation to conclude that its position of the recognition of $2.6 million on a previously unrecognized tax benefit was sustainable. This in turn resulted in recognition of tax benefits previously unrecognized due to changes in the Corporation’s business entity structure during 2007 and into 2008 offset by a higher proportion of taxable income versus tax-exempt income in 2010 versus 2009. The decreased tax rate benefit was offset, in part, due to the surrender of Bank Owned Life Insurance Policies resulting in a $633,000 income tax expense in 2010.TABLE OF CONTENTS

Total non-interest income decreasedincreased as a percentage of total revenue, which is the sum of interest income and non-interest income, in 20102011 largely due to $3.6 million in net securities gains as compared to $1.3 million in net securities losses as compared to $491,000 in net securities gains in 20092010 as gains from sales of $4.9$4.0 million in 20102011 were offset by impairment losses of $6.2 million.$411,000. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2010,2011, total other income decreased $1.4increased $5.0 million as compared with the twelve months ended December 31, 2009,2010, from $3.9$2.5 million to $2.5$7.5 million. Excluding net securities gains and losses in the respective periods, the Corporation recorded total other income of $3.8 million in both the twelve months ended December 31, 2010, compared to $3.4 million in2011 and the twelve months ended December 31, 2009, representing an increase2010. Increases of $396,000 or 11.6 percent. This increase was primarily attributable to increases of $189,000 and $140,000$313,000 in other income andwere partially offset by decreases in service charges commissions and fees respectively. Increases in other income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2010 were recorded primarily in loan fees of $137,000$79,000 and bank-owned life insurance income of $70,000.$188,000 caused by a one time premium benefit awarded in 2010 and not repeated in 2011.

Total assets at December 31, 20102011 were $1.207$1.433 billion, an increase of 1.0018.7 percent from assets of $1.195$1.207 billion at December 31, 2009.2010. The increase in assets reflects the growth of $80$108.7 million in our investment securities portfolio as the Corporation sought to adjust itsdeploy cash from increased deposit production into a more efficient earning asset mix to improve its return in the face of soft loan demand.mix. The growth in the investment securities portfolio was funded primarily through reductionsdeposit growth of $261.1 million, which also resulted in increases in cash and due from banks of $51.7$73.6 million and loans net of the allowance for loan losses of $11.3$46.8 million. The Corporation has made a concerted effort to reduce non-core balances and, as mentioned in the preceding sentence, its uninvested cash position was reducedincreased by $51.7$73.6 million in 2010.2011. Additionally, there has been a concerted effort to reduce higher costing retail deposits.

Loan demand slowedimproved in 2010.2011. Overall, the portfolio declinedincreased year over year by approximately $11.3$46.8 million or 1.596.7 percent from 2009. While the year end balance in the net loan portfolio declined it should be noted that the average balance for the year actually increased by $15.9 million or 2.3 percent in the same period.2010. Demand for commercial real estate loans prevailed throughout the year in the Corporation’s market in New Jersey, despite the economic climate at both the state and national levels and market turmoil fromfollowing the crisis in the sub-prime markets. The Corporation is encouraged by loan demand and positive momentum is expected to returncontinue in growing that segment of earning assets in 2011.2012. However, the Corporation continues to remain concerned with the credit stability of the broader markets due to the weakened economic climate.

Asset quality continues to remain high and credit culture conservative. Even so, the stability of the economy and credit markets remains uncertain and as such, has had an impact on certain credits within our portfolio. The Corporation continued to make provisions to the allowance for loan losses as efforts are made to stabilize credit quality issues. At December 31, 2010,2011, non-performing assets totaled $8.5 million or 0.59 percent of total assets, and $11.9 million or 0.98 percent of total assets, as compared with $13.7 million, or 1.12 percent, at September 30, 2010 and


TABLE OF CONTENTS

$11.3 million or 0.94 percent at December 31, 2009.2010. The increasedecrease in non-performing assets from December 31, 20092010 was primarily attributable toachieved notwithstanding the addition of three largeseveral new residential loans (totaling approximately $2.6 million) and commercial loans (totaling approximately $1.4 million) into non-performing status. This was more than offset by decreases from pay-downs of $5.0 million, total charge-offs of $0.7 million of existing loans, and an increase inthe transfer to performing troubled debt restructurings.restructured from non-accrual status of $1.7 million.

At December 31, 2010,2011, the total allowance for loan losses amounted to approximately $8.9$9.6 million, or 1.251.27 percent of total loans. The allowance for loan losses as a percent of total non-performing loans amounted to 121.5 percent at December 31, 2011 and 74.6 percent at December 31, 2010 as compared with 74.7 percent at September 30, 2010 and 77.2 percent at December 31, 2009.2010. This decreaseincrease in the ratio from December 31, 20092010 to December 31, 20102011 was due to the increasedecrease in the level of non performingnon-performing assets, offset by increasesalong with an increase in the provisionallowance for loan loss from $8.9 million at December 31, 2010.

Deposits totaled $1.1 billion at December 31, 2011, increasing $261.1 million, or 30.3%, since December 31, 2010. Total Demand, Savings, Money Market, and certificates of $479,000deposit less than $100,000 increased $242.7 million or 32.8% from December 31, 2010. Time certificates of deposit of $100,000 or more increased by $18.3 million or 15.3% from December 31, 2010. These increases were attributable to continued core deposit growth in 2010 over 2009.

Deposit growth was strong in 2010, reflective of customers’ desire for safety and liquidity and flight to quality in lightoverall segments of the financial crisis. At December 31, 2010, total deposits for the Corporation were $860.3 million. Non-interest-bearing core deposits, a low cost source of funding, continue to be a key funding source. At December 31, 2010, this source of funding amounted to $144.2 million or 13.4 percent of total funding sourcesdeposit base and 16.8 percent of total deposits.in niche areas, such as municipal government, private schools and universities.

Certificates of deposit $100,000 and greater decreased to 13.912.3 percent of total deposits at December 31, 20102011 from 17.813.9 percent one year earlier. With the current turmoil in the financial markets, someSome of the Corporation’s depositors have become sensitive to obtaining full FDIC insurance for their time deposits. To accommodate its customers, the Corporation began offering Certificates of Deposit Account Registry Service (CDARS) in 2008. As a result of that offering and the temporary increase in insurance coverage by the FDIC to $250,000, the Corporation reported a decrease of $25.1 million in certificates of deposit greater than $100,000 at December 31, 2010 as compared to year-end 2009.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Total stockholders’ equity increased 18.912.4 percent in 20102011 to $121.0$135.9 million, and represented 10.029.49 percent of total assets at year-end. Book value per common share (total common stockholders’ equity divided by the number of shares outstanding) increased to $6.83$7.63 as compared with $6.32$6.83 a year ago, primarily as a result of the $12.1 million capital raise from the Corporation’s stock offering consummated in September 2010 and earnings of $7.0$13.9 million in 2010.2011. Tangible book value per common share (which excludes goodwill and other intangibles from common stockholders’ equity) increased to $5.79$6.60 from $5.15$5.79 a year ago; see Item 6 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a reconciliation of tangible book value (which is a non-GAAP financial measure) to book value. Return on average stockholders’ equity for the year ended December 31, 20102011 was 6.3010.72 percent compared to 4.026.30 percent for 2009.2010. This increase was attributable to higher earnings in 20102011 compared with 2009 coupled with2010 partially offset by higher average equity due primarily to both the capital raise from the 2010 stock offering and a full year benefit from the capital received under the U.S. Treasury Capital Purchase Program and a rights offering during 2009.SBLF program. The Tier I Leverage capital ratio increaseddecreased to 9.909.29 percent of total assets at December 31, 2010,2011, as compared with 7.739.90 percent at December 31, 2009.2010.

The Corporation’s capital base includes $12.1 and $11.0$11.4 million in capital raised from the stock and rights offerings completed in 2010, and 2009 respectively, as well as the $11.25 million of capital received from the U.S. Treasury under the Small Business Lending Fund Program in 2011 and simultaneously, using the proceed from issuance of SBLF preferred stock to redeem the $10 million of capital received from the U.S. Treasury under the Capital Purchase Program. It also includes $5.2 million in subordinated debentures at December 31, 20102011 and December 31, 2009.2010. This issuance of $5.0 million in floating rate MMCapS(SM)MMCapS(SM) Securities occurred on December 19, 2003. These securities presently are included as a component of Tier I capital for regulatory capital purposes. In accordance with FASB ASC 810, these securities are classified as subordinated debentures on the Corporation’s Consolidated Statements of Condition.

The Corporation’s risk-based capital ratios at December 31, 20102011 were 13.2812.00 percent for Tier I capital and 14.2912.89 percent for total risk-based capital. Total Tier I capital increased to approximately $129.4 million at December 31, 2011 from $116.6 million at December 31, 2010 from $98.5 million at December 31, 2009.2010. The increase in Tier I capital primarily reflects earnings and the new capital received during 2010.2011.

The Corporation announced an increase in its common stock buyback program on September 28, 2007 and June 26, 2008, under which the Parent Corporation was authorized to purchase up to 2,039,731 shares of Center Bancorp’s outstanding common stock. As of December 31, 2010,2011, the Parent Corporation had repurchased


TABLE OF CONTENTS

1,386,863 shares under the program at an average cost of $11.44 per share. As repurchases are nowwere restricted pursuant to the Parent Corporation’s participation in TARP, there were no repurchases during 2010.2011. On September 15, 2011, the Parent Corporation issued $11.25 million in nonvoting senior preferred stock to the Treasury under the Small Business Lending Fund Program. Under the Securities Purchase Agreement, the Parent Corporation issued to the Treasury a total of 11,250 shares of the Parent Corporation’s Senior Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series B, having a liquidation value of $1,000 per share. See Item 5 of this Annual Report on Form 10K.

The following sections discuss the Corporation’s Results of Operations, Asset and Liability Management, Liquidity and Capital Resources.

Results of Operations

Net income for the year ended December 31, 20102011 was $7,004,00013,926,000 as compared to $7,004,000 earned in 2010 and $3,771,000 earned in 2009, and $5,842,000 earned in 2008, an increase of 85.7398.8 percent from 20092010 to 2010.2011. For 2010,2011, the basic and fully diluted earnings per common share was $0.43$0.80 per share as compared with $0.43 per share in 2010 and $0.24 per share in 2009 and $0.45 per share in 2008.2009.

For the year ended December 31, 2010,2011, the Corporation’s return on average stockholders’ equity (“ROE”) was 6.3010.73 percent and its return on average assets (“ROA”) was 0.591.05 percent. The Corporation’s return on average tangible stockholders’ equity (“ROATE”) was 7.4412.33 percent for 2010.2011. The comparable ratios for the year ended December 31, 2009,2010, were ROE of 4.026.30 percent, ROA of 0.310.59 percent, and ROATE of 4.917.44 percent. See the discussion and reconciliation of ROATE, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, under Item 6 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Earnings for 2010 were negatively impacted by an increase2011 benefitted from increases in other expense, due primarily to a highernet interest income and non interest income and from decreases in the provision for loan losses coupled withloss and non interest expense as increases in salaries and benefits and


TABLE OF CONTENTS

OREO expenses were offset by reductions in FDIC insurance, professionalmarketing and consulting fees, computeradvertising expense, and other expenses andcosts related to the one time charges connected with a reductionone-time termination fee in non-interest income due to netthe first quarter of 2010 of $594,000 on a structured securities lossesrepurchase agreement that did not recur in 2011and a $437,000 loss on fixed assets which was recorded in 2010 as compared to gainsand did not recur in 2009. These factors were offset, in part, by an improvement in net interest income, due primarily to a lower cost of funds. Earnings in 2010 also benefitted from reductions in occupancy expense, marketing and OREO expense.2011.

Net Interest Income

The following table presents the components of net interest income on a tax-equivalent basis for the past three years

         
                  
 2010 2009 2008 2011 2010 2009
 Amount Increase
(Decrease)
from
Prior Year
 Percent
Change
 Amount Increase
(Decrease)
from
Prior Year
 Percent
Change
 Amount Increase
(Decrease)
from
Prior Year
 Percent
Change
 Amount Increase
(Decrease)
from
Prior Year
 Percent Change Amount Increase
(Decrease)
from
Prior Year
 Percent Change Amount Increase
(Decrease)
from
Prior Year
 Percent Change
 (Dollars in Thousands) (Dollars in Thousands)
Interest income:
                                                                                          
Investments $11,059  $(3,279  (22.9 $14,338  $(67  (0.47 $14,405  $(4,850  (25.19
Investment available-for-sale $14,049  $2,990   27.04  $11,059  $(3,279  (2.29 $14,338  $(67  (1.24
Investment
held-to-maturity
  1,970   1,970   100.00                   
Loans, including fees  37,200   449   1.22   36,751   641   1.78   36,110   2,583   7.70   36,320   (880  (2.37  37,200   449   1.22   36,751   641   1.78 
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell  0   0   0.00   0   (113  (100.00  113   (491  (81.29                       (113  (100.00
Restricted investment in bank stocks  568   37   6.97   531   (63  (10.61  594   45   8.20   464   (104  (18.31  568   37   6.97   531   (63  8.25 
Total interest income  48,827   (2,793  (5.41  51,620   398   0.78   51,222   (2,713  (5.03  52,803   3,976   8.14   48,827   (2,793  (5.41  51,620   398   0.78 
Interest expense:
                                                                                          
Deposits  6,006   (6,302  (51.20  12,308   (979  (7.37  13,287   (7,548  (36.23  5,520   (486  (8.09  6,006   (6,302  (51.20  12,308   (979  (7.37
Borrowings  8,779   (1,558  (15.07  10,337   (471  (4.36  10,808   1,013   10.34   6,657   (2,122  (24.17  8,779   (1,558  (15.07  10,337   (471  (4.36
Total interest expense  14,785   (7,860  (34.71  22,645   (1,450  (6.02  24,095   (6,535  (21.34  12,177   (2,608  (17.64  14,785   (7,860  (34.71  22,645   (1,450  (6.02
Net interest income on a fully tax-equivalent basis  34,042   5,067   17.49   28,975   1,848   6.81   27,127   3,822   16.40   40,626   6,584   19.34   34,042   5,067   17.49   28,975   1,848   6.81 
Tax-equivalent adjustment  (113  397   (77.84  (510  818   (61.60  (1,328  478   (26.47  (876  (763  675.22   (113  397   (77.84  (510  818   (61.60
Net interest income $33,929  $5,464   19.20  $28,465  $2,666   10.33  $25,799  $4,300   20.00  $39,750  $5,821   17.16  $33,929  $5,464   19.20  $28,465  $2,666   10.33 

Note: The tax-equivalent adjustment was computed based on an assumed statutory Federal income tax rate of 34 percent. Adjustments were made for interest earned on tax-advantaged instruments.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Historically, the most significant component of the Corporation’s earnings has been net interest income, which is the difference between the interest earned on the portfolio of earning assets (principally loans and investments) and the interest paid for deposits and borrowings, which support these assets. There were several factors that affected net interest income during 2010,2011, including the volume, pricing, mix and maturity of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and interest rate fluctuations.

Net interest income is directly affected by changes in the volume and mix of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, which support those assets, as well as changes in the rates earned and paid. Net interest income is presented in this financial review on a tax equivalent basis by adjusting tax-exempt income (primarily interest earned on various obligations of state and political subdivisions) by the amount of income tax which would have been paid had the assets been invested in taxable issues, and then in accordance with the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, the net interest income data presented in this financial review differ from the Corporation’s net interest income components of the Consolidated Financial Statements presented elsewhere in this report.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Net interest income, on a fully tax-equivalent basis, for the year ended December 31, 20102011 increased $5.0$6.6 million, or 17.219.3 percent, to $40.6 million, from $34.0 million from $29.0 million for 2009.2010. The Corporation’s net interest margin increased 4523 basis points to 3.303.53 percent from 2.853.30 percent. From 20082009 to 2009,2010, net interest income on a tax equivalent basis increased by $1.9$5.0 million and the net interest margin decreasedincreased by 1145 basis points. During 2010,2011, our net interest margin was positively impacted by increases in the investment portfolio funded by decreases in cash and due from banks and net loans funded by increases in core deposits, a decrease in high yielding time deposits in excess of $100,000 and reductions in borrowings. In 2009 the net interest margin was adversely impacted by the high level of uninvested cash, which accumulated due to the strong deposit growth.

The change in net interest income from 20092010 to 20102011 was attributable in part to the reduction in short-term interest rates that occurred in 2008 and have remained at historic low levels throughout 20102011 coupled with a sustained steepening of the interest rate yield curve. Steps were taken during 20092010 and 20102011 to improve the Corporation’s net interest margin by continuing to lower rates in concert with the decline in market benchmark rates. However, in light of the financial crisis, the Corporation experienced growth of $13.7$23.0 million in non-interest bearing deposits during 20102011 and, $58.1$219.8 million in savings, money market and time deposits under $100,000 during 20102011 as customers’ desire for safety and liquidity remained paramount in light of their overall investment concerns. During the fourth quarter of 2010,2011, the Corporation made a concerted effort to reduce non-core, single service deposits, and accordingly its uninvested cash position, which had an adverse impact on the Corporation’s net interest margin during 2010.2011. However, during the twelve months ended December 31, 2010,2011, the Corporation’s net interest spread improved by 3426 basis points as a 3316 basis point decrease in the average yield on interest-earning assets was more than offset by a 6742 basis point decrease in the average interest rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities.

For the year ended December 31, 2011, average interest-earning assets increased by $121.5 million to $1.15 billion, as compared with the year ended December 31, 2010. The 2011 change in average interest-earning asset volume was primarily due to increased investment volume and to a lesser degree increased loan volume. Increased average investment volume in 2011 was funded primarily by the increased deposit growth. Average interest-bearing liabilities increased by $104.1 million, due primarily to increase in interest bearing deposits of $153.6 million partially offset by decreases in borrowings of $49.5 million. During the third quarter of 2011 certain sweep relationships, in the amount of approximately $37 million, that were previously classified as short term borrowings were discontinued and were moved to interest bearing checking accounts.

For the year ended December 31, 2010, average interest-earning assets increased by $12.3 million to $1.031 billion, as compared with the year ended December 31, 2009. The 2010 change in average interest-earning asset volume was primarily due to increased loan volume, which is consistent with the balance sheet strategies of changing and improving the mix of average earning assets.volume. Increased average loan volume in 2010 was funded primarily by the reduction of itsthe uninvested cash position. Average interest-bearing liabilities decreased by $72.1 million, due primarily to a decrease in CDARS Reciprocal deposits.

For the year ended December 31, 2009, average interest-earning assets increased by $102.4 million to $1.018 billion, as compared with the year ended December 31, 2008. The 2009 change in average interest-earning asset volume was primarily due to increased volumes of investment securities, lower short-term investments and increased loan volume.

The factors underlying the year-to-year changes in net interest income are reflected in the tables presented on pages 3839 and 4041, each of which have been presented on a tax-equivalent basis (assuming a 34 percent tax rate). The table on page 4241 (Average Statements of Condition with Interest and Average Rates) shows the Corporation’s consolidated average balance of assets, liabilities and stockholders’ equity, the amount of income produced from interest-earning assets and the amount of expense incurred from interest-bearing liabilities, and net interest income as a percentage of average interest-earning assets.


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Net Interest Margin

The following table quantifies the impact on net interest income (on a tax-equivalent basis) resulting from changes in average balances and average rates over the past three years. Any change in interest income or expense attributable to both changes in volume and changes in rate has been allocated in proportion to the relationship of the absolute dollar amount of change in each category.

Analysis of Variance in Net Interest Income Due to Volume and Rates

            
 2010/2009
Increase (Decrease)
Due to Change in:
 2009/2008
Increase (Decrease)
Due to Change in:
 2011/2010
Increase (Decrease)
Due to Change in:
 2010/2009
Increase (Decrease)
Due to Change in:
 Average
Volume
 Average
Rate
 Net
Change
 Average
Volume
 Average
Rate
 Net
Change
 Average
Volume
 Average
Rate
 Net
Change
 Average
Volume
 Average
Rate
 Net
Change
 (Dollars in Thousands) (Dollars in Thousands)
Interest-earning assets:
                                                            
Investment securities:
                                                            
Available for sale
                              
Taxable $1,885  $(55 $1,830  $700  $(2,813 $(2,113
Non-Taxable  1,181   (21  1,160   (1,122  (44  (1,166
Held to maturity
                              
Taxable $700  $(2,813 $(2,113 $3,553  $(1,355 $2,198   887      887          
Non-Taxable  (1,122  (44  (1,166  (2,463  86   (2,377  1,083      1,083          
Loans, net of unearned discount  1,002   (553  449   3,864   (3,223  641   510   (1,390  (880  1,002   (553  449 
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell  (0  (0  (0  (56  (57  (113
Restricted investment in bank stocks  (12  49   37   25   24   49   (59  (45  (104  (12  49   37 
Total interest-earning assets  568   (3,361  (2,793  4,923   (4,525  398   5,487   (1,511  3,976   568   (3,361  (2,793
Interest-bearing liabilities:
                                                            
Money market deposits  54   (749  (695  (545  (1,298  (1,843  461   (305  156   54   (749  (695
Savings deposits  286   (1,110  (824  1,017   483   1,500   77   (368  (291  286   (1,110  (824
Time deposits  (1,905  (2,262  (4,167  3,648   (3,050  598   158   (567  (409  (1,905  (2,262  (4,167
Other interest-bearing deposits  309   (925  (616  204   (1,438  (1,234  314   (256  58   309   (925  (616
Borrowings and subordinated debentures  (709  (849  (1,558  (463  (8  (471  (1,701  (421  (2,122  (709  (849  (1,558
Total interest-bearing liabilities  (1,965  (5,895  (7,860  3,861   (5,311  (1,450  (691  (1,917  (2,608  (1,965  (5,895  (7,860
Change in net interest income $2,533  $2,534  $5,067  $1,062  $786  $1,848  $6,178  $406  $6,584  $2,533  $2,534  $5,067 

Interest income on a fully tax-equivalent basis for the year ended December 31, 2010 decreased2011 increased by approximately $2.8$4.0 million or 5.48.1 percent as compared with the year ended December 31, 2009.2010. This decreaseincrease was due primarily to an increase in balances of the Corporation’s investment securities portfolios offset in part by a decline in rates due to the actions taken by the Federal Reserve to lower market interest rates. The Corporation’s loan portfolio increased on average $4.5 million to $712.9 million from $708.4 million in 2010, primarily driven by growth in commercial loans and commercial real estate.

The loan portfolio represented approximately 61.9 percent of the Corporation’s interest-earning assets (on average) during 2011 and 68.7 percent for 2010. Average investment securities increased during 2011 by $118.1 million compared to 2010 as the Corporation has continued to increase its concentration in tax-exempt securities and focused on purchases of lower risk-based mortgage backed securities. The average yield on interest-earning assets decreased from 4.74 percent in 2010 to 4.58 percent in 2011.

The increase in the volume of loans in 2011 primarily reflected increases in commercial and commercial real estate loans. The increase in the average volume on total interest-earning assets created an increase in interest income of $5.5 million, as compared with a decline of $1.5 million attributable to rate decreases in most interest-earning assets.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Interest income (fully tax-equivalent) decreased by $2.8 million from 2009 to 2010 primarily due to a decrease in balances of the Corporation’s tax exempt investment securities portfolios offset in part by an increase in the loan portfolio and a decline in rates due to the actions taken by the Federal Reserve to lower market interest rates. The Corporation’s loan portfolio increased on average $15.8 million to $708.4 million from $692.6 million in 2009, primarily driven by growth in commercial loans and commercial real estate.

The loan portfolio represented approximately 68.7 percent of the Corporation’s interest-earning assets (on average) during 2010 and 68.0 percent for 2009. Average investment securities decreased during 2010 by $3.3 million compared to 2009 as the Corporation has continued to reduce its concentration in tax-exempt securities and focused on purchases of lower risk-based mortgage backed securities. The average yield on interest-earning assets decreased from 5.07 percent in 2009 to 4.74 percent in 2010. The volume of Federal Funds sold and securities purchased under agreement to resell remained at $0 on average for both 2010 and 2009.

The increase in the volume of loans in 2010 primarily reflected increases in commercial and commercial real estate loans. The increase in the average volume on total interest-earning assets created an increase in interest income of $568,000, as compared with a decline of $3.4 million attributable to rate decreases in most interest-earning assets.

Interest income (fully tax-equivalent) increased by $398,000 from 2008 to 2009 primarily due to an increase in loan volume, offset in large part by a decline in yield. The decrease in average yield on total


TABLE OF CONTENTS

interest-earning assets created a $4.5 million reduction to interest income as compared with a contribution of $4.9 million attributable to volume increases, principally loans.

The Federal Open Market Committee (“FOMC”) kept the Federal Funds target rate at zero to 0.25 percent throughout 2010.2011. This action by the FOMC allowed the Corporation to reduce liability costs throughout 2010.2011.

Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 20102011 was principally impacted by rate related factors. The rate related changes resulted in decreased expense on most interest-bearing deposits and borrowings in 2010 coupled with a decline in average volume of time deposits and borrowings during 2010.2011. For the year ended December 31, 2010,2011, interest expense decreased $7.9$2.6 million or 34.717.6 percent as compared with 2009.2010. During 2010,2011, the Corporation continued to lower rates in concert with the decline in market benchmark rates. The result was an improvement in the Corporation’s cost of funds and net interest spread. Average interest-bearing liabilities increased $104.1 million; the growth was represented in all deposit categories as the flight to quality continued as depositors sought the safety of FDIC insurance.

For the year ended December 31, 2010, interest expense decreased $7.9 million or 34.7 percent as compared with 2009. Total interest-bearing liabilities decreased on average $72.1 million, primarily in CDARS Reciprocal deposits and in borrowings.

For the year ended December 31, 2009, interest expense decreased $1.5 million or 6.0 percent as compared with 2008. Total interest-bearing liabilities increased on average $193.9 million, primarily in money market deposits and CDARS Reciprocal deposits. The Corporation’s net interest spread on a tax-equivalent basis (i.e., the average yield on average interest-earning assets, calculated on a tax equivalent basis, minus the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities) increased 3426 basis points to 3.133.39 percent in 20102011 from 2.793.13 percent for the year ended December 31, 2009.2010. The increase in 2011 reflected an expansion of spreads between yields earned on loans and investments and rates paid for supporting funds. During 2011, spreads improved due in part to monetary policy maintained by the FOMC keeping the Federal funds rate at zero to 0.25 percent throughout 2011 coupled with a steepening of the yield curve that occurred during 2011.

The net interest spread increased 34 basis points in 2010 reflectedas compared with 2009, primarily as a result of an expansion of spreads between yields earned on loans and investments and rates paid for supporting funds. During 2010, spreads improved due in part to monetary policy maintained by the FOMC keeping the Federal funds rate at zero to 0.25 percent throughout 2010 coupled with a steepening of the yield curve that occurred during 2010.

The net interest spread increased 21 basis points in 2009 as compared with 2008, primarily as a result of an expansion of spreads between yields earned on loans and investments and rates paid for supporting funds. During 2009, spreads improved due to a steepening of the yield curve during 2009.

The cost of total average interest-bearing liabilities decreased to 1.611.19 percent, a decrease of 6742 basis points, for the year ended December 31, 2011, from 1.61 percent for the year ended December 31, 2010, which followed a decrease of 67 basis points from 2.28 percent for the year ended December 31, 2009, which followed a decrease of 73 basis points from 3.01 percent for the year ended December 31, 2008.2009.

The contribution of non-interest-bearing sources (i.e., the differential between the average rate paid on all sources of funds and the average rate paid on interest-bearing sources) decreased to 21to16 basis points, a decrease of 5 basis points in 2011 from 2010. Comparing 2010 from 2009. Comparingand 2009, and 2008, there was a decrease of 115 basis points to 2621 basis points on average from 3726 basis points on average during the year ended December 31, 2008.2009.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

The following table, “Average Statements of Condition with Interest and Average Rates”, presents for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 2009 and 2008,2009, the Corporation’s average assets, liabilities and stockholders’ equity. The Corporation’s net interest income, net interest spreads and net interest income as a percentage of interest-earning assets (net interest margin) are also reflected.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

AVERAGE STATEMENTS OF CONDITION WITH INTEREST AND AVERAGE RATES

                  
                  
 Years Ended December 31, Years Ended December 31,
 2010 2009 2008 2011 2010 2009
(Tax-Equivalent Basis) Average
Balance
 Income/
Expense
 Yield/
Rate
 Average
Balance
 Income/
Expense
 Yield/
Rate
 Average
Balance
 Income/
Expense
 Yield/
Rate
 Average
Balance
 Income/
Expense
 Yield/
Rate
 Average
Balance
 Income/
Expense
 Yield/
Rate
 Average
Balance
 Income/
Expense
 Yield/
Rate
 (Dollars in Thousands) (Dollars in Thousands)
ASSETS
                                                                                          
Interest-earning assets:
                                                                                          
Investment securities:(1)
                                                                                          
Available for sale
                                             
Taxable $359,939  $12,556   3.49 $305,927  $10,726   3.51 $289,414  $12,839   4.44
Non-taxable  28,067   1,493   5.32  5,880   333   5.66  25,677   1,499   5.84
Held to maturity
                                             
Taxable $305,927  $10,726   3.51 $289,414  $12,839   4.44 $211,185  $10,529   4.99  23,041   887   3.85                
Non-taxable  5,880   333   5.66  25,677   1,499   5.84  67,890   3,876   5.71  18,869   1,083   5.74                
Loans, net of unearned income:(2)  708,425   37,200   5.25  692,562   36,751   5.31  622,533   36,110   5.80  712,895   36,320   5.09  708,425   37,200   5.25  692,562   36,751   5.31
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell                   4,047   113   2.79
Restricted investment in bank stocks  10,293   568   5.52  10,526   531   5.04  10,104   594   5.88  9,185   464   5.05  10,293   568   5.52  10,526   531   5.04
Total interest-earning assets  1,030,525   48,827   4.74  1,018,179   51,620   5.07  915,759   51,222   5.59  1,151,996   52,803   4.58  1,030,525   48,827   4.74  1,018,179   51,620   5.07
Non-interest-earning assets:
                                                                                          
Cash and due from banks  81,681             128,156             16,063             99,607             81,681             128,156           
Bank owned life insurance  27,045             24,941             22,627             28,405             27,045             24,941           
Intangible assets  16,993             17,069             17,158             16,930             16,993             17,069           
Other assets  36,817             42,980             37,602             33,984             36,817             42,980           
Allowance for loan losses  (8,579            (6,916            (5,681            (9,660        (8,579        (6,916      
Total non-interest earning assets  153,957         206,230         87,769         169,266         153,957         206,230       
Total assets $1,184,482        $1,224,409        $1,003,528        $1,321,262        $1,184,482        $1,224,409       
LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
                                                                                          
Interest-bearing liabilities:
                                                                                          
Money market deposits $127,614  $940   0.74 $123,427  $1,635   1.32 $150,373  $3,478   2.31 $204,664  $1,096   0.54 $127,614  $940   0.74 $123,427  $1,635   1.32
Savings deposits  168,591   1,226   0.73  145,536   2,050   1.41  63,192   550   0.87  179,759   935   0.52  168,591   1,226   0.73  145,536   2,050   1.41
Time deposits  210,565   2,683   1.27  319,639   6,850   2.14  178,761   6,252   3.50  223,560   2,274   1.02  210,565   2,683   1.27  319,639   6,850   2.14
Other interest-bearing deposits  169,479   1,157   0.68  140,890   1,773   1.26  131,452   3,007   2.29  221,839   1,215   0.55  169,479   1,157   0.68  140,890   1,773   1.26
Short-term and long-term borrowings  239,777   8,568   3.57  258,607   10,146   3.92  270,390   10,501   3.88  190,343   6,497   3.41  239,777   8,568   3.57  258,607   10,146   3.92
Subordinated debentures  5,155   211   4.09  5,155   191   3.71  5,155   307   5.96  5,155   160   3.10  5,155   211   4.09  5,155   191   3.71
Total interest-bearing liabilities  921,181   14,785   1.61  993,254   22,645   2.28  799,323   24,095   3.01  1,025,320   12,177   1.19  921,181   14,785   1.61  993,254   22,645   2.28
Non-interest-bearing liabilities:
                                                                                          
Demand deposits  142,364             124,966             114,400             159,059             142,364             124,966           
Other non-interest-bearing deposits  0             333             368                                       333           
Other liabilities  9,801         12,003         6,314         7,045         9,801         12,003       
Total non-interest-bearing liabilities  152,165         137,302         121,082         166,104         152,165         137,302       
Stockholders’ equity  111,136         93,853         83,123         129,838         111,136         93,853       
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $1,184,482        $1,224,409        $1,003,528        $1,321,262        $1,184,482        $1,224,409       
Net interest income (tax-equivalent basis)     34,042         28,975         27,127         40,626         34,042         28,975    
Net interest spread        3.13        2.79        2.58        3.39        3.13        2.79
Net interest income as percent of earning assets (margin)        3.30        2.85        2.96        3.53        3.30        2.85
Tax-equivalent adjustment(3)     (113        (510        (1,328        (876        (113        (510   
Net interest income    $33,929        $28,465        $25,799        $39,750        $33,929        $28,465    

(1)Average balances for available-for-sale securities are based on amortized cost.
(2)Average balances for loans include loans on non-accrual status.
(3)The tax-equivalent adjustment was computed based on a statutory Federal income tax rate of 34 percent.

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Investment Portfolio

For the year ended December 31, 2010,2011, the average volume of investment securities decreasedincreased by $3.3$118.1 million to approximately $429.9 million or 37.3 percent of average earning assets, from $311.8 million on average, or 30.3 percent of average earning assets, from $315.1 million on average, or 30.9 percent of average earning assets, in 2009.2010. At December 31, 2010,2011, the total investment portfolio amounted to $378.1$486.7 million, an increase of $80.0$108.7 million from December 31, 2009.2010. The increase at year-end but decrease in theand average volume of investment securities reflects the fact that the Corporation invested in the investment portfolio during the fourth quarter of 2010. Withwith the strong deposit growth experienced during 20102011 and large buildup of liquidity, the Corporation began to prudently expand the size of its investment portfolio in an effort to deploy excess cash into earning assets. At December 31, 2010,2011, the principal components of the investment portfolio are U.S. Treasury and U.S. Government Agency Obligations, Federal Agency Obligations including mortgage-backed securities, Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivision, corporate bonds and notes, and other debt and equity securities.

In the past, the Corporation’s investment portfolio also consisted of overnight investments that were made in the Reserve Primary Fund (the “Fund”), a money market fund registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. On September 22, 2008, the Fund announced that redemptions of shares of the Fund were suspended pursuant to an SEC order so that an orderly liquidation could be effected for the protection of the Fund’s investors. Through December 31, 2010,2011, the Corporation received six distributions from the Fund, totaling approximately 99 percent of its outstanding balance. During the fourth quarter of 2009, the Corporation recorded a $364,000, or approximately 1 percent, other-than-temporary impairment charge to earnings relating to this court ordered liquidation of the Fund. The Corporation’s outstanding carrying balance in the Fund as of December 31, 20102011 was zero and recorded to earnings approximately $30,000 as partial recovery of the OTTI charge.zero. Future liquidation distributions received by the Corporation, if any, will be recorded to earnings.

During the twelve month periodyear ended December 31, 2010,2011, volume related factors decreasedincreased investment revenue by $422,000,$5.0 million, while rate related factors decreased investment revenue by $2.8 million.$76,000. The tax-equivalent yield on investments decreasedincreased by 10018 basis points to 3.553.73 percent from a yield of 4.553.55 percent during the year ended December 31, 2009.2010. The reductionsincrease in the investment portfolio primarilyresulted from the large buildup of liquidity, which caused the Corporation to prudently expand the size of its investment portfolio in the tax-exempt sector, were made during the first three quarters of 2010an effort to reduce exposure to these particular sectors of the portfolio while continuing to providedeploy excess cash flow for loan funding and forecasted liability outflows.into earning assets. The yield on the portfolio declinedincreased compared to 20092010 due primarily to salestax exempt securities which, due to higher tax equivalent yields, improved the overall yield.

During 2011, the Corporation reclassified at fair value approximately $66.8 million in available-for-sale investment securities to the held-to-maturity category. The related after-tax gains of approximately $159,000 (on a pre-tax basis of $245,000) remained in accumulated other comprehensive income and will be amortized over the remaining life of the securities as wellan adjustment of yield, offsetting the related amortization of the premium or accretion of the discount on the transferred securities. No gains or losses were recognized at the time of reclassification. Management considers the held-to-maturity classification of these investment securities to be appropriate as the impact thatCorporation has the lower interest rate environment had on higher yieldingpositive intent and ability to hold these securities that had either matured, were prepaid, or were called. Since loan demand slowed during 2010, the Corporation invested in the investment portfolio to realign the earning asset mix in the fourth quarter of 2010.

Improvement in yield has been limited by reinvesting opportunities. During the first quarter of 2009, the Corporation recorded a $140,000 other-than-temporary impairment charge on its Lehman Brothers bond holding. Through June 30, 2009, other-than-temporary impairment charges taken on this bond amounted to $1,440,000. As part of the Corporation’s tax strategies, management elected to sell the Lehman bond holding during the third quarter of 2009.maturity.

The Corporation owns two pooled trust preferred securities (“Pooled TRUPS”), which consists of securities issued by financial institutions and insurance companies. The Corporation holds the mezzanine tranche of these securities. Senior tranches generally are protected from defaults by over-collateralization and cash flow default protection provided by subordinated tranches, with senior tranches having the greatest protection and mezzanine tranches subordinated to the senior tranches. One of the Pooled TRUPS, ALESCO 6,VI, has incurred its seventheleventh interruption of cash flow payments to date. Management reviewed the expected cash flow analysis and credit support to determine if it was probable that all principal and interest would be repaid, and no other-than-temporary impairment charges were recorded for the twelve months ended December 31, 2011. The new cost basis for this security had been written down to $290,000. The other Pooled TRUP, ALESCO VII, incurred its ninth interruption of cash flow payments to date. Management determined that no other-than-temporary impairment charge exists on this security as well for the twelve months ended December 31, 2011. The new cost basis for this security had been written down to $834,000.

One of the Pooled TRUPS, ALESCO VI, incurred its seventh interruption of cash flow payments in 2010. Management reviewed the cash flow analysis and credit support to determine if it was probable that all principal and interest would be repaid, and recorded a $33,000 other-than-temporary impairment charge for the three months ended December 31, 2010 and $500,000 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2010,


TABLE OF CONTENTS

which representsrepresented 15.6 percent of the par amount of $3.2 million. TheAt December 31, 2010 the new cost basis for this security hashad been written down to $228,000.$227,000. The other Pooled TRUP incurred, ALESCO 7 incurredVII, its fifth interruption of cash flow payments to date. Management determined that an other-than-temporary impairment existsexisted on this security as well and recorded a $677,000 charge during the fourth quarter of 2010, and $1.3 million for the twelve months ended


TABLE OF CONTENTS

December 31, 2010, which representsrepresented 41.9 percent of the par amount of $3.1 million. The new cost basis for this security has been written down to $778,000.

One of the Pooled TRUPS incurred its third interruption of cash flow payments in 2009. Management reviewed the cash flow analysis and credit support to determine if it was probable that all principal and interest would be repaid, and recorded a $1.1 million other-than-temporary impairment charge for the three months ended December 31, 2009 and $2.5 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2009, which represented 78.7 percent of the par amount of $3.1 million. At December 31, 20092010 the new cost basis for this security hashad been written down to $665,000. The other Pooled TRUP incurred its first interruption of cash flow payments in the fourth quarter of 2009. Management determined that an other-than-temporary impairment existed on this security as well and recorded a $1.0 million charge during the fourth quarter of 2009, which represented 32.3 percent of the par amount of $3.0 million. At December 31, 2009 the new cost basis for this security has been written down to $2.0 million.$779,000.

The Corporation owns a3 variable rate private label collateralized mortgage obligations (CMO), which were also evaluated for impairment. Management had applied aggressive default rates to identify if any credit impairment exists, as these bonds were downgraded to below investment grade. The Corporation recorded $324,000 in principal losses and an $18,000 other-than-temporary impairment charge on these bonds in 2011, and expects additional losses in future periods. The new cost basis for these securities had been written down to $3.2 million. The Corporation recorded $398,000 in principal losses on these bonds and $360,000 other-than-temporary charge in 2010, and expects additional losses in future periods. As such, management determined that an other-than-temporary impairment charge exists and recorded a $360,000 write down to the bonds, which represents 8.0 percent of the par amount of $4.5 million. The new cost basis for these securities has been written down to $3.9 million.

During 2009, the Corporation recorded $113,000 of other-than-temporary impairment charges relating to one equity holding in bank stocks. Due to the deterioration in that bank’s financial condition and that near term prospects in market value recovery appear remote, management determined that the expectation to recover its cost is not temporary. As such, this equity was written down to fair market value at the time of evaluation, which was December 31, 2009.2010.

Securities available-for-sale are a part of the Corporation’s interest rate risk management strategy and may be sold in response to changes in interest rates, changes in prepayment risk, liquidity management and other factors. The Corporation continues to reposition the investment portfolio as part of an overall corporate-wide strategy to produce reasonable and consistent margins where feasible, while attempting to limit risks inherent in the Corporation’s balance sheet.

At December 31, 2010,2011, the net unrealized loss carried as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income and included in stockholders’ equity, net of tax, amounted to a net unrealized loss of $5.3$2.2 million as compared with a net unrealized loss of $8.4$5.3 million at December 31, 2009,2010, resulting from changes in market conditions and interest rates at period-end December 31, 2010.2011. As a result of the inactive condition of the markets amidst the financial crisis, the Corporation elected to treat certain securities under a permissible alternate valuation approach at December 31, 20102011 and 2009.2010. For additional information regarding the Corporation’s investment portfolio, see Note 4 and Note 18 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

During 2010,2011, securities sold from the Corporation’s available-for-sale portfolio amounted to $644.1$254.8 million, as compared with $665.8$644.1 million in 2009.2010. The gross realized gains on securities sold amounted to approximately $4,045,000 in 2011 compared to $4,872,000 in 2010, compared to $5,897,000 in 2009, while the gross realized losses, which included impairment charges of $342,000, amounted to approximately $411,000 in 2011 compared to $635,000 in 2010 compared to $1,168,0002010. During 2011, the Corporation recorded an $18,000 loss on Other Than Temporary Impairment charges on a variable rate private label CMO and $324,000 in 2009.principal losses on the same variable rate private label CMO. During 2010, the Corporation recorded a $3.0 million other-than-temporary charge on its trust preferred securities, $1.8 million on two pooled trust preferred securities and $360,000 on a variable rate private label CMO and $398,000 in principal losses on this variable rate private label CMO. During 2009, the Corporation recorded a $140,000 other-than-temporary impairment charge on its Lehman Brothers corporate bond, $3,433,000 on two pooled trust preferred securities, $188,000 on a variable rate private label CMO, $364,000 on a charge to earnings relating to the court ordered liquidation of the Reserve Primary Fund, and $113,000 of write-downs relating to a single equity holding in bank stocks.


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

The table below illustrates the maturity distribution and weighted average yield on a tax-equivalent basis for investment securities at December 31, 2010,2011, on a contractual maturity basis.

         
         
 US Treas &
Agency
Securities
 Federal
Agency
Obligations
 Mortgage
Backed
Securities
 Obligations
in U.S.
States &
Political
Subdivisions
 Trust
Preferred
 Corp Bonds
& Notes
 Collateralized
Mortgage
Obligations
 Equity
Securities
 Total
Due in 1 year or less
                                             
Amortized Cost $  $  $  $  $  $1,503  $  $  $1,503 
Market Value $  $  $  $  $  $1,500  $  $  $1,500 
Weighted Average Yield            1.35      1.35
Due after one year through five years
                                             
Amortized Cost $  $55  $  $  $  $19,130  $  $  $19,185 
Market Value $  $55  $  $  $  $18,755  $  $  $18,810 
Weighted Average Yield    0.91        2.50      2.50
Due after five years through ten years
                                             
Amortized Cost $7,123  $57  $5,165  $18,002  $  $37,930  $  $  $68,277 
Market Value $6,995  $57  $5,044  $17,577  $  $36,829  $  $  $66,502 
Weighted Average Yield  3.23  1.85  3.41  5.67    4.21      4.43
Due after ten years
                                             
Amortized Cost $  $67,939  $174,872  $20,310  $21,222  $4,484  $3,941  $5,135  $297,903 
Market Value $  $68,369  $172,689  $19,648  $18,731  $4,350  $2,728  $4,753  $291,268 
Weighted Average Yield    2.57  2.37  5.39  6.85  6.00  3.21  0.02  2.97
Total
                                             
Amortized Cost $7,123  $68,051  $180,037  $38,312  $21,222  $63,047  $3,941  $5,135  $386,868 
Market Value $6,995  $68,481  $177,733  $37,225  $18,731  $61,434  $2,728  $4,753  $378,080 
Weighted Average Yield  3.23  2.57  2.40  5.52  6.85  3.75  3.21  0.02  3.19
          
 Federal
Agency
Obligations
 Residential
Mortgage
Pass-through
Securities
 Commercial
Mortgage
Pass-through
Securities
 Obligations in
U.S. States &
Political
Subdivisions
 Trust
Preferred
 Corporate
Bonds &
Notes
 Collateralized
Mortgage
Obligations
 Asset-backed
Securities
 Equity
Securities
 Total
  (Dollars in thousands)
Investment Securities Available-for-Sale
                                                  
Due in 1 year or less
                                                  
Amortized Cost $  $  $  $  $  $4,143  $  $  $  $4,143 
Market Value $  $  $  $  $  $4,118  $  $  $  $4,118 
Weighted Average Yield            1.91        1.91
Due after one year through five years
                                                  
Amortized Cost $43  $  $  $2,055  $  $79,700  $  $  $  $81,798 
Market Value $43  $  $  $2,049  $  $79,046  $  $  $  $81,138 
Weighted Average Yield  0.90      1.53    2.55        2.52
Due after five years through ten years
                                                  
Amortized Cost $44  $5,507  $  $16,113  $  $88,521  $  $3,716  $  $113,901 
Market Value $45  $5,577  $  $16,821  $  $86,520  $  $3,769  $  $112,732 
Weighted Average Yield  2.00  2.04    2.67    4.25    1.43    3.83
Due after ten years
                                                  
Amortized Cost $24,694  $107,706  $  $48,141  $20,567  $3,448  $3,226  $3,898  $6,417  $218,097 
Market Value $24,881  $109,787  $  $50,303  $16,187  $3,433  $1,899  $3,884  $6,145  $216,519 
Weighted Average Yield  2.18  3.18    3.58  5.93  5.52  2.91  3.78    3.36
Total Investment Securities AFS
                                                  
Amortized Cost $24,781  $113,213  $  $66,309  $20,567  $175,812  $3,226  $7,614  $6,417  $417,939 
Market Value $24,969  $115,364  $  $69,173  $16,187  $173,117  $1,899  $7,653  $6,145  $414,507 
Weighted Average Yield  2.18  3.12    3.30  5.93  3.45  2.91  2.63    3.31
Investment Securities Held-to-Maturity
                                                  
Due after five years through ten years
                                                  
Amortized Cost $  $  $3,133  $1,326  $  $  $  $  $  $4,459 
Market Value $  $  $3,071  $1,435  $  $  $  $  $  $4,506 
Weighted Average Yield      2.20  2.92            2.41
Due after ten years 
Amortized Cost $28,262  $  $3,143  $36,369  $  $  $  $  $  $67,774 
Market Value $28,405  $  $3,136  $38,875  $  $  $  $  $  $70,416 
Weighted Average Yield  3.23    2.39  4.14            3.94
Total Investment Securities HTM 
Amortized Cost $28,262  $  $6,276  $37,695  $  $  $  $  $  $72,233 
Market Value $28,405  $  $6,207  $40,310  $  $  $  $  $  $74,922 
Weighted Average Yield  3.23    2.30  4.10            3.85
Total Investment Securities
                                                  
Amortized Cost $53,043  $113,213  $6,276  $104,004  $20,567  $175,812  $3,226  $7,614  $6,417  $490,172 
Market Value $53,374  $115,364  $6,207  $109,483  $16,187  $173,117  $1,899  $7,653  $6,145  $489,429 
Weighted Average Yield  3.07  3.12  2.30  3.59  5.93  3.45  2.91  2.63    3.39

TABLE OF CONTENTS

For information regarding the carrying value of the investment portfolio, see Note 4 and Note 18 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

The securities listed in the table above are either rated investment grade by Moody’s and/or Standard and Poor’s or have shadow credit ratings from a credit agency supporting investment grade and conform to the Corporation’s investment policy guidelines. There were no municipal securities of any single issuer exceeding 10 percent of stockholders’ equity at December 31, 2010.2011.

Equity securities included in other debt and equity securities do not have a contractual maturity and are included in the Due after ten years maturity in the table above.

The following table sets forth the carrying value of the Corporation’s investment securities, as of December 31 for each of the last three years.

   
 2010 2009 2008
   (Dollars in Thousands)
Securities Available-for-Sale:
               
U.S. Treasury & Agency Securities $6,995  $2,089  $100 
Federal Agency Obligations  68,481   128,365   7,239 
Mortgage-backed securities  177,733   86,220   75,558 
Obligations of U.S. States and political subdivisions  37,225   19,281   52,094 
Trust Preferred Securities  18,731   26,715   31,771 
Corporate bonds & notes  61,434   22,655   17,955 
Collateralized mortgage obligations  2,728   7,266   41,407 
Equity securities  4,753   5,533   16,590 
Total Investment Securities Available-for-Sale $378,080  $298,124  $242,714 
   
 2011 2010 2009
   (Dollars in Thousands)
Investment Securities Available-for-Sale:
               
U.S. treasury & agency Securities $  $6,995  $2,089 
Federal agency obligations  24,969   68,481   128,365 
Residential mortgage pass-through securities  115,364   177,733   86,220 
Obligations of U.S. States and political subdivisions  69,173   37,225   19,281 
Trust preferred securities  16,187   18,731   26,715 
Corporate bonds and notes  173,117   61,434   22,655 
Collateralized mortgage obligations  1,899   2,728   7,266 
Asset-backed securities  7,653       
Equity securities  6,145   4,753   5,533 
Total $414,507  $378,080  $298,124 
Investment Securities Held-to-Maturity:
               
Federal Agency Obligations  28,262       
Commercial mortgage-backed securities  6,276       
Obligations of U.S. States and political subdivisions  37,695       
Total $72,233  $  $ 
Total investment securities $486,740  $378,080  $298,124 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

For other information regarding the Corporation’s investment securities portfolio, see Note 4 and Note 18 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Loan Portfolio

Lending is one of the Corporation’s primary business activities. The Corporation’s loan portfolio consists of both retail and commercial loans, serving the diverse customer base in its market area. The composition of the Corporation’s loan portfolio continues to change due to the local economy. Factors such as the economic climate, interest rates, real estate values and employment all contribute to these changes. Loan growthWhile the overall economy has been generated throughrestrictive and somewhat constrained by the uncertain economic environment, the Corporation’s growth in loans continued during 2011. Enhanced visibility in its markets coupled with the aggressive business development efforts via repeat customeractivities of its sales team has continued to enhance its image and business prospects. The Corporation continues to see economic instability in the near term and new borrower requests.therefore expects to move cautiously in the growth process into 2012.

At December 31, 2010,2011, total loans amounted to $708.4$756.0 million, a decreasean increase of 1.66.7 percent or $11.2$47.6 million as compared to December 31, 2009. However, the average volume of loans was $708.4 million during 2010, as compared with $692.6 million during 2009.2010. The $449,000$880,000 or 1.22.4 percent increasedecrease in interest income on loans for the twelve months ended December 31, 20102011 was the result of the increase in average volume during 2010 offset in part by a lower interest rate environment as compared with 2009.2010, offset in part by increased volume. Even though the Corporation continues to be challenged by the heightened competition for lending relationships that exists within its market, strong growth in volume has been achieved through successful lending sales efforts to build on continued customer relationships.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Total average loan volume increased $15.9$4.5 million or 2.30.63 percent in 2010,2011, while the portfolio yield decreased by 616 basis points compared with 2009.2010. The increased total average loan volume reflected both increased repeat customer activity and new lending relationships.was due in part to enhanced visibility in the Corporation’s markets coupled with the aggressive business development activities of its sales team. The volume related factors during the period contributed increased revenue of $1.0 million,$510,000, while the rate related changes decreased revenue by $553,000.$1.4 million. Total average loan volume increased to $708.4$712.9 million with a net interest yield of 5.255.09 percent, compared to $692.6$708.4 million with a yield of 5.315.25 percent for the year ended December 31, 2009.2010. The Corporation seeks to create growth in commercial lending by offering sound products and competitive pricing and by capitalizing on new and existing relationships in its market area. Products are offered to meet the financial requirements of the Corporation’s clients. It is the objective of the Corporation’s credit policies to diversify the commercial loan portfolio to limit concentrations in any single industry.

The following table presents information regarding the components of the Corporation’s loan portfolio on the dates indicated.

          
 December 31, December 31,
 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007
 (Dollars in Thousands) (Dollars in Thousands)
Real estate – residential mortgage $165,154  $191,199  $240,885  $266,251  $269,486 
Real estate – commercial mortgage  421,745   410,056   358,394   219,356   206,044 
Commercial and industrial  121,034   117,912   75,415   65,493   74,179  $146,662  $121,034  $117,912  $75,415  $65,493 
Commercial real estate  408,010   372,001   358,957   316,509   167,978 
Construction  39,382   49,744   51,099   41,885   51,378 
Residential mortgage  160,999   165,154   191,199   240,885   266,251 
Installment  511   439   1,509   569   705   957   511   439   1,509   569 
Total loans  708,444   719,606   676,203   551,669   550,414   756,010   708,444   719,606   676,203   551,669 
Less:
                                                  
Allowance for loan losses  8,867   8,711   6,254   5,163   4,960   9,602   8,867   8,711   6,254   5,163 
Net loans $699,577  $710,895  $669,949  $546,506  $545,454  $746,408  $699,577  $710,895  $669,949  $546,506 

Included in the loan balances above are net deferred loan costs of $272,000,$17,000, $258,000, $391,000, $572,000 and $572,000$579,000 at December 31, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008 and 2008,2007, respectively.

Over the past five years, demand for the Bank’s commercial and commercial real estate loan products has increased.

The increase in commercial loans in 20102011 was a result of the expansion of the Corporation’s customer base, aggressive business development and marketing programs coupled with its positive market trends for the Corporation.image in its market. While growth in certain sectors of the Banks’ market, such as consumer real estate products, was severely stressed during most of 2008, the Corporation experienced an increased growth in its commercial lending sales efforts during 20092010 and 20102011 as it continued to benefit from the Corporation’s primary core customer base.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Average commercial loans, which include commercial real estate and construction, increased to $559.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $532.4 million atfor the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $476.1 million at December 31, 2009 or by approximately $56.3$27.3 million or 11.85.2 percent in 20102011 compared with 2009. The Corporation seeks to create growth in the commercial lending sector by offering competitive products and pricing and by capitalizing on new relationships in its market area. Over the last several years, the expansion of the Bank’s marketplace has aided in this growth. Products are offered to meet the financial requirements of the Corporation’s clients. It is an objective of the Corporation’s credit policies to diversify the commercial loan portfolio to limit concentrations in any single industry.2010.

The Corporation’s commercial loan portfolio includes, in addition to real estate development, loans to manufacturing, automobile, professional and retail trade sectors, and to specialized borrowers, such as operators of private educational facilities, for example. A large proportion of the Corporation’s commercial loans have interest rates that reprice with changes in short-term market interest rates or mature in one year or less.

Average commercial real estate loans, which amounted to $296.6$319.7 million in 2010,2011, increased $27.3$23.1 million or 10.17.8 percent as compared with average commercial real estate loans of $269.3$296.6 million in 20092010 (which reflected a 27.527.3 percent increase over 2008)2009). The Corporation’s long-term mortgage portfolio includes both residential and commercial financing. Growth during the past two years largely reflected brisk activity in new lending activity and mortgage financing. The interest rates on a portion of the Corporation’s commercial


TABLE OF CONTENTS

mortgages adjust to changes in indices such as the 5 and 10-year Treasury Notes, and the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York 5 and 10-year advance rate. Interest rate changes usually occur at each five-year anniversary of the loan.

The average volume of residential mortgage loans, including home equity loans, declined $40.3$22.8 million or 18.713.0 percent in 20102011 as compared to 2009.2010. During 2010,2011, residential loan growth was affected by the slowdown in the housing market, brisk refinancing activity into fixed rate loans due principally to the current historic low rate environment and competition among lenders. Fixed rate residential and home equity loans have recently become a popular choice among homeowners, either through refinancing or new loans, as consumers wish to lock in historically low fixed rates.

Average construction loans and other temporary mortgage financing increaseddecreased by $4.4$8.7 million to $45.1 million in 2011 from $53.8 million in 2010 from $49.4 million in 2009.2010. The average volume of such loans increased by $1.4$4.4 million from 20082009 to 2009. The change in construction and other temporary mortgage lending in 2010 was achieved in the face of a severely distressed market.2010. Interest rates on such mortgages are generally tied to key short-term market interest rates. Funds are typically advanced to the builder or developer during various stages of construction and upon completion of the project. It is contemplated that the loans will be repaid by cash flows derived from sales within the project or, where appropriate, conversion to permanent financing.

Loans to individuals include personal loans, student loans, and home improvement loans, as well as financing for automobiles. Such loans averaged $363,000 in 2011, compared with $704,000 in 2010 compared withand $773,000 in 2009 and $973,000 million in 2008.2009. The decrease in loans to individuals during 20102011 was due in part to decreases in volumes of new personal loans (single-pay).

Home equity loans, inclusive of home equity lines, as well as traditional secondary mortgage loans, are popular with consumers due to their tax advantages over other forms of consumer borrowing. Home equity loans and secondary mortgages averaged $70.7$58.2 million in 2010,2011, a decrease of $18.5$12.5 million or 20.717.7 percent compared to an average of $70.7 million in 2010 and $89.2 million in 2009 and $109.6 million in 2008.2009. Interest rates on floating rate home equity lines are generally tied to the prime rate while most other loans to individuals, including fixed rate home equity loans, are medium-term (ranging between one-to-ten years) and carry fixed interest rates. The decrease in home equity loans outstanding during 20102011 was due in part to the recent slowdown in the housing market and lower consumer spending. Additionally, floating rate home equity lines and closed-end fixed rate home equity loans became less attractive during 20102011 as consumers took advantage of historically low interest rates or opted to convert these loan balances into fixed rate loan products.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

At December 31, 2010,2011, the Corporation had total loan commitments outstanding of $179.9$178.9 million, of which approximately 61.568.4 percent were for commercial loans, commercial real estate loans and construction loans.

The maturities of loans at December 31, 20102011 are listed below.

        
 At December 31, 2010, Maturing At December 31, 2011, Maturing
 In
One Year
or Less
 After
One Year
through
Five Years
 After
Five Years
 Total In
One Year
or Less
 After
One Year
through
Five Years
 After
Five Years
 Total
 (Dollars in Thousands) (Dollars in Thousands)
Construction loans $41,952  $500  $7,292  $49,744  $29,472  $7,720  $2,190  $39,382 
Commercial real estate loans  59,125   184,915   127,961   372,001   67,167   156,577   184,266   408,010 
Residential real estate loans  38,854   29,984   96,316   165,154   37,451   30,432   93,116   160,999 
Commercial and industrial  74,534   40,739   5,761   121,034   87,453   53,578   5,631   146,662 
All other loans  366   100   45   511   838   64   55   957 
Total $214,831  $256,238  $237,375  $708,444  $222,381  $248,371  $285,258  $756,010 
Loans with:
                                        
Fixed rates $78,468  $102,669  $213,374  $394,511  $102,524  $113,818  $258,322  $474,664 
Variable rates  136,363   153,569   24,001   313,933   119,857   134,553   26,936   281,346 
Total $214,831  $256,238  $237,375  $708,444  $222,381  $248,371  $285,258  $756,010 

For additional information regarding loans, see Note 5 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Allowance for Loan Losses and Related Provision

The purpose of the allowance for loan losses (“allowance”) is to absorb the impact of probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio. Additions to the allowance are made through provisions charged against current operations and through recoveries made on loans previously charged-off. The allowance for loan losses is maintained at an amount considered adequate by management to provide for potential credit losses based upon a periodic evaluation of the risk characteristics of the loan portfolio. In establishing an appropriate allowance, an assessment of the individual borrowers, a determination of the value of the underlying collateral, a review of historical loss experience and an analysis of the levels and trends of loan categories, delinquencies and problem loans are considered. Such factors as the level and trend of interest rates, current economic conditions and peer group statistics are also reviewed. At year-end 2010,2011, the level of the allowance was $8,867,000$9,602,000 as compared to a level of $8,711,000$8,867,000 at December 31, 2009.2010. The Corporation made loan loss provisions of $2,448,000 in 2011 compared with $5,076,000 in 2010 compared withand $4,597,000 in 2009 and $1,561,000 in 2008.2009. The level of the allowance during the respective annual periods of 20102011 and 20092010 reflects the change in average volume, credit quality within the loan portfolio, the level of charge-offs, loan volume recorded during the periods and the Corporation’s focus on the changing composition of the commercial and residential real estate loan portfolios.

At December 31, 2010,2011, the allowance for loan losses amounted to 1.251.27 percent of total loans. In management’s view, the level of the allowance at December 31, 20102011 is adequate to cover losses inherent in the loan portfolio. Management’s judgment regarding the adequacy of the allowance constitutes a “Forward Looking Statement” under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results could differ materially from management’s analysis, based principally upon the factors considered by management in establishing the allowance.

Although management uses the best information available, the level of the allowance for loan losses remains an estimate, which is subject to significant judgment and short-term change. Various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Corporation’s allowance for loan losses. Such agencies may require the Corporation to increase the allowance based on their analysis of information available to them at the time of their examination. Furthermore, the majority of the Corporation’s loans are secured by real estate in the State of New Jersey. Future adjustments to the allowance may be necessary due to economic factors impacting New Jersey real estate and further deterioration of the economic


TABLE OF CONTENTS

climate as well as operating, regulatory and other conditions beyond the Corporation’s control. The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans amounted to 1.27 percent, 1.25 percent 1.21 percent and 0.921.21 percent at December 31, 2011, 2010 2009 and 2008,2009, respectively.

Net charge-offs were $1,713,000 in 2011, $4,920,000 in 2010 and $2,140,000 in 2009 and $470,000 in 2008.2009. During 2010,2011, the Corporation experienced a decrease in charge-offs and an increase in charge-offsrecoveries compared to 20092010. Charge-offs were lower in all loan portfolio segments in 2011 than in 2010 and recoveries were higher in all loan portfolio segments in 2011 than in 2010. The most noticeable change is the dramatic reduction in charge-offs in the Residential portfolio as the need for further write downs, due to distress in the single family housing market, subsided in 2011. Commercial Loan charge-offs were 40.7% lower in 2011 compared to 2010. Over half of the Commercial Loan charge-offs related to a single non-accrual participation loan that was subsequently placed into OREO during the fourth quarter of 2011 followed by the Corporation’s disposal of its ownership interest prior to December 31, 2011. Under $100 thousand in Commercial charge-offs in 2011 were associated with previously disclosed industrial warehouse construction loan project participated with and led by another New Jersey bank. The Corporation’s entire interest in that project was repurchased by the lead bank during the fourth quarter of 2011. During 2010, the Corporation took further write downs of $1.9 million associated with a previously disclosed construction project related to industrial warehouses. In addition, distress in the single family housing market caused the Corporation to recognize write downs of $1.6 million and 2two commercial and industrial loans were the prime contributors of the write downs of $1.1 million in commercial and industrial loans. In 2009 charge-offs principally related to four commercial and commercial real estate credits taken during the fourth quarter of 2009 totaling $1.1 million, coupled with a $900,000 charge-off in connection with a $5.1 million commercial real estate construction project of industrial warehouses, which was placed in non-accrual status during the first quarter of 2009. As previously disclosed, during the fourth quarter of 2009, the Corporation took steps to terminate a participation agreement with another New Jersey bank, as the participation ended on December 31, 2009. The other bank objected to the Corporation’s interpretation of the agreement and subsequent actions. Accordingly, the Corporation filed suit for the return of the outstanding principal and reclassified the outstanding loan as a non-performing asset on its balance sheet.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Five-Year Statistical Allowance for Loan Losses

The following table reflects the relationship of loan volume, the provision and allowance for loan losses and net charge-offs (recoveries) for the past five years.

          
 Years Ended December 31, Years Ended December 31,
 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007
 (Dollars in Thousands) (Dollars in Thousands)
Average loans outstanding $708,425  $692,562  $622,533  $541,297  $522,352  $712,895  $708,425  $692,562  $622,533  $541,297 
Total loans at end of period $708,444  $719,606  $676,203  $551,669  $550,414  $756,010  $708,444  $719,606  $676,203  $551,669 
Analysis of the Allowance for Loan Losses
                                                  
Balance at the beginning of year $8,711  $6,254  $5,163  $4,960  $4,937  $8,867  $8,711  $6,254  $5,163  $4,960 
Charge-offs:
                                                  
Commercial  3,348   2,122   444   45    
Commercial and Construction  1,985   3,348   2,122   444   45 
Residential  1,552   4   20   80   50   23   1,552   4   20   80 
Installment loans  40   26   35   31   29   20   40   26   35   31 
Total charge-offs  4,940   2,152   499   156   79   2,028   4,940   2,152   499   156 
Recoveries:
                                                  
Commercial  13   2   10   2   19 
Commercial and Construction  255   13   2   10   2 
Residential  1   4   13         53   1   4   13    
Installment loans  6   6   6   7   26   7   6   6   6   7 
Total recoveries  20   12   29   9   45   315   20   12   29   9 
Net charge-offs (recoveries)  4,920   2,140   470   147   34 
Net charge-offs  1,713   4,920   2,140   470   147 
Provision for loan losses  5,076   4,597   1,561   350   57   2,448   5,076   4,597   1,561   350 
Balance at end of year $8,867  $8,711  $6,254  $5,163  $4,960  $9,602  $8,867  $8,711  $6,254  $5,163 
Ratio of net charge-offs during the year to average loans outstanding during the year  0.69  0.31  0.08  0.03  0.01  0.24  0.69  0.31  0.08  0.03
Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans at end of year  1.25  1.21  0.92  0.94  0.90  1.27  1.25  1.21  0.92  0.94

For additional information regarding loans, see Note 5 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Implicit in the lending function is the fact that loan losses will be experienced and that the risk of loss will vary with the type of loan being made, the creditworthiness of the borrower and prevailing economic conditions. The allowance for loan losses has been allocated in the table below according to the estimated amount deemed to be reasonably necessary to provide for the possibility of losses being incurred within the following categories of loans at December 31, for each of the past five years.

The table below shows, for three types of loans, the amounts of the allowance allocable to such loans and the percentage of such loans to total loans.

                
 Commercial Real Estate
Residential Mortgage
 Installment Unallocated Commercial Real Estate
Residential Mortgage
 Installment Unallocated
 Amount of
Allowance
 Loans to
Total Loans
%
 Amount of
Allowance
 Loans to
Total Loans
%
 Amount of
Allowance
 Loans to
Total Loans
%
 Amount of
Allowance
 Total Amount of
Allowance
 Loans to
Total Loans
%
 Amount of
Allowance
 Loans to
Total Loans
%
 Amount of
Allowance
 Loans to
Total Loans
%
 Amount of
Allowance
 Total
 (Dollars in Thousands) (Dollars in Thousands)
2011 $8,206   78.6  $1,263   21.3  $51   0.1  $82  $9,602 
2010 $7,538   76.6  $1,038   23.3  $52   0.1  $239  $8,867   7,538   76.6   1,038   23.3   52   0.1   239   8,867 
2009  7,314   73.3   1,242   26.6   56   0.1   99   8,711   7,314   73.3   1,242   26.6   56   0.1   99   8,711 
2008  5,473   64.2   651   35.6   60   0.2   70   6,254   5,473   64.2   651   35.6   60   0.2   70   6,254 
2007  4,167   51.6   727   48.3   49   0.1   220   5,163   4,167   51.6   727   48.3   49   0.1   220   5,163 
2006 $3,972   50.9  $707   49.0  $45   0.1  $236  $4,960 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Asset Quality

The Corporation manages asset quality and credit risk by maintaining diversification in its loan portfolio and through review processes that include analysis of credit requests and ongoing examination of outstanding loans and delinquencies, with particular attention to portfolio dynamics and mix. The Corporation strives to identify loans experiencing difficulty early enough to correct the problems, to record charge-offs promptly based on realistic assessments of current collateral values, and to maintain an adequate allowance for loan losses at all times. These practices have protected the Corporation during economic downturns and periods of uncertainty.

It is generally the Corporation’s policy to discontinue interest accruals once a loan is past due as to interest or principal payments for a period of ninety days. When a loan is placed on non-accrual status, interest accruals cease and uncollected accrued interest is reversed and charged against current income. Payments received on non-accrual loans are applied against principal. A loan may only be restored to an accruing basis when it again becomes well secured and in the process of collection or all past due amounts have been collected and a satisfactory period of ongoing repayment exists. Accruing loans past due 90 days or more are generally well secured and in the process of collection. For additional information regarding loans, see Note 5 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsStatements.

Non-Performing and Past Due Loans and OREO

Non-performing loans include non-accrual loans and accruing loans which are contractually past due 90 days or more. Non-accrual loans represent loans on which interest accruals have been suspended. It is the Corporation’s general policy to consider the charge-off of loans when they become contractually past due ninety days or more as to interest or principal payments or when other internal or external factors indicate that collection of principal or interest is doubtful. Troubled debt restructurings represent loans on which a concession was granted to a borrower, such as a reduction in interest rate to a rate lower than the current market rate for new debt with similar risks, and which are currently performing in accordance with the modified terms. The Corporation previously reported performing troubled debt restructured loans as a component of non-performing assets. For additional information regarding loans, see Note 5 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements


TABLE OF CONTENTSStatements.

The following table sets forth, as of the dates indicated, the amount of the Corporation’s non-accrual loans, accruing loans past due 90 days or more, and other real estate owned (“OREO”) and troubled debt restructurings.

          
 At December 31, At December 31,
 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007
 (Dollars in Thousands) (Dollars in Thousands)
Non-accrual loans $11,174  $11,245  $541  $3,907  $475  $6,871  $11,174  $11,245  $541  $3,907 
Accruing loans past due 90 days or more  714   39   139      225   1,029   714   39   139    
Total non-performing loans  11,888   11,284   680   3,907   700   7,900   11,888   11,284   680   3,907 
OREO        3,949   501      591         3,949   501 
Total non-performing assets $11,888  $11,284  $4,629  $4,408  $700  $8,491  $11,888  $11,284  $4,629  $4,408 
Troubled debt restructuring  7,035   966   93       
Troubled debt restructuring — performing $7,459  $7,035  $966  $93  $ 

At December 31, 2011, non-performing assets totaled $8.5 million, or 0.59% of total assets, as compared with $11.9 million, or 0.98%, at December 31, 2010. The decrease from December 31, 2010 was achieved notwithstanding the addition of several new residential loans (totaling approximately $2.6 million) and commercial loans (totaling approximately $1.4 million) into non-performing status. This was more than offset by decreases from pay-downs of $5.0 million, total charge-offs of $0.7 million of existing loans, and the transfer to performing troubled debt restructured from non-accrual status of $1.7 million.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Total non-accrual loans remained relatively even from December 31, 2009 to December 31, 2010. A $2.2 million single family residential loan previously classified as a non-accrual loan was transferred to OREO during 2010 and subsequently sold in the fourth quarter of 2010. In addition, a $1.9 million net charge off was taken on a loan participation during 2010. On the other hand, a construction participation loan in the amount of $3.6 million went into non-accrual status in the fourth quarter of 2010.

The increase in non-accrual loans at December 31, 2009 as compared with one year prior was primarily attributable to the addition of three large commercial credits. In March of 2009, one commercial real estate construction project of industrial warehouses was downgraded to non-accrual status. The loan was a participation loan with another New Jersey bank. In December of 2009, the Corporation took steps to terminate this participation agreement, as the participation ended on December 31, 2009. The Corporation filed suit for the return of the outstanding principal and reclassified this $5.1 million outstanding loan into non-accrual status on the Corporation’s balance sheet.

The components of accruing loans, which are contractually past due 90 days or more as to principal or interest payments, are as follows:

          
 December 31, December 31,
 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007
 (Dollars in Thousands) (Dollars in Thousands)
Commercial $  $  $  $  $225  $1,029  $  $  $  $ 
Residential  714   39   139            714   39   139    
Installment                              
Total accruing loans 90 days or more past due $714  $39  $139  $  $225  $1,029  $714  $ 39  $139  $ — 

The balance at December 31, 2010 and 2009 comprise one, different for each year, 1 – 4 family residential loan.2011 is comprised of two commercial loan relationships totaling $1,029,000. At December 31, 2010 the loan2011, both loans in question waswere well secured and in the process of collection either through bringingcollection. In both relationships, the Corporation is receiving rental payments directly from the respective tenants that are being used to defray real estate tax expense as well as making loan payments. Because neither relationship has brought their loans current, as payments had been received during the month of December 2010 or throughCorporation is continuing the sale of the property.foreclosure process.

TDR Increase

All Troubled Debt Restructured loans (“TDR’s”) at December 31, 20102011 totaled $11.1 million of which $7.5 million were performing pursuant to the terms of their respective modifications. $5,534,000The level of performing TDR’s increased during 2011 by the addition of five residential loans totalling $1,575,000 and one commercial loan totalling $1,318,000. This was offset by payments and payoffs to existing TDR’s totalling $1,002,000. All but $1,000 of these payments were for commercial loan TDR’s. Another two residential TDR’s totalling $1,502,000 was returned to their original contractual loan terms. The net increase is represented by 2 loans — $1,354,000 is a 1 – 4 single family residential loan and $4,180,000 is a commercial real estate loan. Both loans were restructured with terms to best fit each borrower’s repayment capacity during their respective reduced income levels. Allfor 2011 in performing TDR’s outstanding at December 31, 2010 are expected to be fully repaid.totaled $424,000.

Other known “potential problem loans” (as defined by SEC regulations) as of December 31, 20102011 have been identified and internally risk rated as assets especially mentioned or substandard. Such loans, which include non-performing assets and troubled debt restructuring included in the table above, amounted to $48,976,000, $38,382,000 $20,048,000 and $9,401,000$20,048,000 at December 31, 2011, 2010 2009 and 2008,2009, respectively. The increase at December 31, 20102011 and December 31, 20092010 reflects continued deterioration in the quality of certain loans. The risk rating of assets is a dynamic environment wherein through on-going examination certain assets may


TABLE OF CONTENTS

be downgraded or upgraded as circumstances warrant. During the first quarter of 2010,2011, the Corporation reevaluated severalinternally risk rated as assets especially mentioned or substandard a total of $21,455,000 new commercial loans which resulted in the downgrade of two lending relationships totaling $4.8 million intoand $3,912,000 new residential loans. This was partially offset by upgrades to an internal pass risk rating categories associated with “potential problem loans” that had not previously been characterized as such by the Corporation. Further, $725,000 was placedof $3,943,000 in commercial loans and $1,502,000 of residential loans. Payoffs of commercial and residential loans totaled $6,258,000. Charge-offs and transfers to Other Real Estate Owned accounted for $1,176,000. A final mitigant came from continued principal reductions on non-accrual status. The Corporation’s construction portfolio experienced a decline inother potential problem loans. With the exception of non-accrual loans from December 31, 2008 to December 31, 2009 as the addition of one new relationship of $3.6 million was offset by the removal of another relationship amounting to $4.7 million. The Corporation’s commercial portfolio experienced an increase in potential problemand loans at December 31, 2009 with the addition of six lending relationships while shedding two for a net increase of $10.9 million in this segment. This increase was mitigated somewhat by principal payments made on many of these accounts. Allpast due 90 days or more and accruing, potential problem loans were performing loans as of December 31, 2010.2011. The Corporation has no foreign loans.

At December 31, 2010,2011, other than the loans set forth above, the Corporation is not aware of any loans which present serious doubts as to the ability of its borrowers to comply with present loan repayment terms and which are expected to fall into one of the categories set forth in the tables or description above.

In general, it is At December 31, 2010, the policy of managementCorporation’s doubtful loans amounted to consider the charge-off of loans at the point that they become past due in excess of 90 days, with the exception of loans that are secured by cash, marketable securities or real estate loans, which are well secured and in the process of collection.$2,277,000.

With respect to concentrations of credit within the Corporation’s loan portfolio at December 31, 2010, $22.62011, $12.7 million or 5.2%2.1% of the commercial loan portfolio represented outstanding working capital loans to various real estate developers. All but $8.0$4.3 million of these loans are secured by mortgages on land and on buildings under construction.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

For additional information regarding risk elements in the Corporation’s loan portfolio, see Note 5 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Other Income

The following table presents the principal categories of non-interest income for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2010.2011.

            
 Years Ended December 31, Years Ended December 31,
 2010 2009 %
Change
 2009 2008 %
Change
 2011 2010 % Change 2010 2009 % Change
 (Dollars in Thousands) (Dollars in Thousands)
Service charges, commissions and fees $1,975  $1,835   7.63 $1,835  $2,015   (8.93)%  $1,896  $1,975   (4.00)%  $1,975  $1,835   7.63
Annuity & insurance commissions  123   126   (2.38  126   112   12.50   110   123   (10.57  123   126   (2.38
Bank-owned life insurance  1,226   1,156   6.06   1,156   1,203   (3.91  1,038   1,226   (15.33  1,226   1,156   6.06 
Net securities gains (losses)  (1,339  491   (372.71  491   (1,106  144.39   3,634   (1,339  371.40   (1,339  491   (372.71
Other  487   298   63.42   298   420   (29.05  800   487   64.27   487   298   63.42 
Total other income $2,472  $3,906   (36.71)%  $3,906  $2,644   47.73 $7,478  $2,472   202.51 $2,472  $3,906   (36.71)% 

For the period ended December 31, 2010,2011, total other income decreased $1.4increased $5.0 million compared to 2009,2010, primarily as a result of net securities lossesgains in 20102011 compared to net securities gainslosses in 2009.2010. Excluding net securities gains and losses in the respective periods, the Corporation recorded other income of $3.8 million in the year ended December 31, 2010, compared to $3.4 million2011 and in 2009, an increase of 11.6 percent. This increase was attributable in part to a $140,000 increase in service charges, commissions and fees offset by lower other income, resulting primarily from lower letters of credit fee income and title insurance income. Additionally, in 2010 and 2009, the Corporation recognized $0 and $136,000, respectively, in tax-free proceeds in excess of contract value on the Corporation’s bank-owned life insurance due to the death of insured participants.year ended December 31, 2010.

During 2010,2011, the Corporation recorded net securities gains of $3.6 million compared to net securities losses of $1.3 million compared toin 2010 and net securities gains of $491,000 in 2009 and net losses of $1.1 million recorded in 2008.2009. In 2010,2011, total other-than-temporary impairment charges of $5.6 million$342,000 were somewhat offset by net gains on securities sold of $4.3$4.0 million. During 20102011, securities sold from the Corporation’s available-for-sale portfolio amounted to approximately


TABLE OF CONTENTS

$644.1 $254.8 million compared to approximately $665.8$644.1 million in 2009.2010. The gross realized gains on securities sold amounted to approximately $4.0 million in 2011 compared to $4.9 million in 2010, compared to $5.9 million in 2009, while the gross realized losses amounted to approximately $411,000 in 2011 compared to $635,000 in 2010 compared to $1.2 million2010. The proceeds from the sales of securities were made in 2009.the normal course of business and were primarily reinvested into the loan portfolio.

During 2010,2011, the Corporation recorded an other-than-temporary impairment charge of $18,000 on a variable rate private label CMO and $324,000 in principal losses on a variable rate private label CMO. For the year ended December 31, 2010, these impairment charges consisted of a $3.0 million other-than-temporary impairment charge on its trust preferred securities, $1.8 million on two pooled trust preferred securities, $360,000 on a variable rate private label CMO and $398,000 in principal losses on a variable rate private label CMO. For the year ended December 31, 2009 these impairment charges consisted of $3.4 million relating to two pooled trust preferred securities, $364,000 relating to the Corporation’s investment in the Reserve Primary Fund, $188,000 relating to a variable rate private label CMO, a $140,000 charge relating to the Corporation’sa Lehman Brothers bond and a $113,000 write down relating to one equity holding in bank stocks. In 2008, total other-than-temporary impairment charges of $1.8 million were partially offset by net gains on securities sold of $655,000. During 2008, the Corporation recorded a $1.3 million other-than-temporary impairment charge related to its Lehman Brothers corporate bond and $461,000 of write downs related to three equity holdings in bank stocks. In 2010, the sales of securities were made in the normal course of business and proceeds were primarily reinvested into the loan and investment portfolios. In 2009 and 2008, the proceeds from the sales of securities were made in the normal course of business and were primarily reinvested into the loan portfolio.

Other Expense

Total other expense includes salaries and employee benefits, net occupancy expense, premises and equipment expense, professional and consulting expense, stationery and printing expense, marketing and advertising expense, computer expense and other operating expense. Other operating expense includes such expenses as telephone, insurance, audit, bank correspondent fees and the amortization of core deposit intangibles.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

The following table presents the principal categories of other expense for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2010.2011.

            
 Year Ended December 31, Year Ended December 31,
 2010 2009 %
Change
 2009 2008 %
Change
 2011 2010 % Change 2010 2009 % Change
 (Dollars in Thousands) (Dollars in Thousands)
Salaries and employee benefits $10,765  $9,915   8.57 $9,915  $8,505   16.58 $11,527  $10,765   7.08 $10,765  $9,915   8.57
Occupancy, net  2,088   2,536   (17.67  2,536   3,279   (22.66  2,021   2,088   (3.21  2,088   2,536   (17.67
Premises and equipment  1,093   1,263   (13.46  1,263   1,436   (12.05  926   1,093   (15.28  1,093   1,263   (13.46
FDIC insurance  2,126   2,055   3.45   2,055   217   847.00   1,712   2,126   (19.47  2,126   2,055   3.45 
Professional and consulting  1,121   811   38.22   811   703   15.36   1,156   1,121   3.12   1,121   811   38.22 
Stationery and printing  316   339   (6.78  339   397   (14.61  368   316   16.46   316   339   (6.78
Marketing and advertising  268   366   (26.78  366   637   (42.54  131   268   (51.12  268   366   (26.78
Computer expense  1,366   964   41.70   964   834   15.59   1,312   1,366   (3.95  1,366   964   41.70 
OREO expense, net  284   1,438   (80.25  1,438   31   4538.71   398   284   40.14   284   1,438   (80.25
Loss on fixed assets, net  427      100.00      51   (100.00     427   (100.00  427      100.00 
Repurchase agreement termination fee  594      100.00               594   (100.00  594      100.00 
Other  3,651   3,370   8.34   3,370   3,383   (.38  3,892   3,651   6.60   3,651   3,370   8.34 
Total other expense $24,099  $23,057   4.52 $23,057  $19,473   18.40 $23,443  $24,099   (2.72)%  $24,099  $23,057   4.52

Total other expense increased $1.0 million,decreased $656,000, or 4.522.72 percent, in 20102011 from 20092010 as compared with an increase of $3.6$1.0 million, or 18.44.52 percent, from 20082009 to 2009.2010. The level of operating expenses during 2011 decreased primarily as a result of decreased occupancy expense of $67,000, decreased premises and equipment charges of $167,000, decreased computer expense of $54,000, decreased marketing expenses of $137,000, decreased FDIC Insurance of $414,000, $427,000 in charges incurred in 2010 increased primarily due towith the lease/sale of the Corporation’s former operations facility and $594,000 incurred in 2010 from the early termination of a structure repurchase agreement in 2010. These items were offset in part by increases in salary and benefits of $850,000,$762,000, professional and consulting fees of $310,000, computer$35,000, stationery & printing expenses of $52,000, OREO expense of $402,000$114,000 and other expenses of $1.3 million, mainly due to a one-time$241,000. Total other expense increased in 2010 from 2009 across several expense categories, with the largest increases occurring in salaries and benefit expense, professional and consulting fees, computer expense, termination fee of $594,000 in the first quarter of 2010 on a structured securities repurchase agreement and a $437,000 loss on fixed assets which was recorded in the second quarter of 2010. These increases were offset by decreased occupancy expense of $448,000, decreased premises and equipment charges of $170,000, decreased marketing expenses of $98,000 and decreased OREO expense of $1.2 million. Total other expense


TABLE OF CONTENTS

increased in 2009 from 2008 across several expense categories, with the largest increase occurring in salaries and benefit expense, FDIC insurance and OREO expense.assets.

Prudent management of operating expenses has been and will continue to be a key objective of management in an effort to improve earnings performance. The Corporation’s ratio of other expenses to average assets increaseddecreased to 1.77 percent in 2011 compared to 2.03 percent in 2010 compared toand 1.88 percent in 2009 and 1.94 percent in 2008.2009.

Salaries and employee benefits increased $762,000 or 7.08 percent in 2011 compared to 2010 and increased $850,000 or 8.57 percent from 2009 to 2010. The increase in 2010 compared2011 was primarily attributable to 2009merit increases to existing staff and additions to office and employee staff of $439,000 and $125,000, respectively, pension and 401(k) increase of $129,000, and increased $1.4 million or 16.6 percent from 2008 to 2009.medical insurance expense of $40,000. The increase in 2010 was primarily attributable to additions to officialoffice staff and merit increases to existing staff of approximately $720,000 and increased medical insurance expense of $130,000. The increase in 2009 was primarily attributable to a $755,000 benefit recognized in 2008 relating to the termination of two benefit plans. During the third quarter of 2008, the Corporation recognized a $272,000 benefit relating to the lump-sum payment and termination of the directors retirement plan. During the fourth quarter of 2008, the Corporation recognized a $483,000 benefit relating to a lump-sum payment and termination of a benefit equalization plan. These benefits represented the difference between the actuarial present value of the lump-sum payment and the accrued liability previously recorded on the Corporation’s statement of condition. Additionally, pension plan expense increased $514,000 in 2009 from 2008 due to both lower asset valuations and a lower expected rate of return on the Corporation’s defined pension plan, which was frozen back in 2007.

Salaries and employee benefits accounted for 44.749.2 percent of total non-interest expense in 2010,2011, as compared to 44.7 percent and 43.0 percent in 2010 and 43.7 percent in 2009, and 2008, respectively.

In 2009, the Corporation announced a strategic outsourcing agreement with Fiserv to provide core account processing services, which is consistent with the Corporation’s other strategic initiatives to streamline operations, reduce operating overhead and allow the Corporation to focus on core competencies of customer service and product development. The core processing transition was consummated during the fourth quarter of 2009. In 2008, the Corporation announced a series of strategic outsourcing agreements to aid in the realization of its goal to reduce operating overhead and shrink the infrastructure of the Corporation. The cost reduction plans resulted in the reduction of workforce by 12 staff positions, which in turn resulted in a one-time pre-tax charge of $145,000 in the second quarter of 2008 for severance and termination benefits.

Occupancy and premises and equipment expense for the year ended December 31, 20102011 decreased by $448,000$67,000 or 17.73.2 percent and $170,000 or13.4$167,000 or 15.3 percent, respectively, from the year ended December 31, 2009. The decreases reflect 2010. For the year ended December 31, 2011, the Corporation recorded reductions of $170,000 in depreciation


TABLE OF CONTENTS

expense, reductions pertaining toand $62,000 in real estate taxes, largely associated with the Corporation’s former operations facility that resulted from vacatingsomewhat offset by an increase of $42,000 in building and eliminating the facility during the first quarter of 2010.equipment maintenance expense. For the year ended December 31, 2010, the Corporation recorded reductions of $273,000 in depreciation expense, $251,000 in building and equipment maintenance expense and $98,000 in real estate taxes, largely associated with the Corporation’s former operations facility. ForThe decreases reflect the full year ended December 31, 2009, occupancyimpact of expense reductions pertaining to the Corporation’s former operations facility that resulted from vacating and premiseseliminating the facility during the first quarter of 2010.

In 2011 the FDIC adopted a revised assessment schedule based on Total Assets less Tier 1 Capital and equipment expenses decreased $916,000, or 19.4 percent, from 2008. The decrease in occupancy and premises and equipmentdropped the assessment rate to compensate for increasing the new base. FDIC insurance expense in 20092011 was due primarily to lower operating costs (utilities, rent, real estate taxes, general repair and maintenance) ofapproximately $414,000 less than the Corporation’s facilities, due in part to branch closures and consolidations coupled with a $200,000 charge taken during the fourth quarter of 2008 relating to the termination of the Corporation’s lease obligation to build a branch in Cranford, New Jersey.

2010 expense. In May 2009, the FDIC adopted a final special assessment rule that assessed the banking industry 5 basis points on total assets less Tier I capital. The Corporation was required to accrue the charge during the second quarter of 2009, which amounted to approximately $630,000, even though the FDIC collected the fee at the end of the third quarter when the regular quarterly assessments for the second were collected. Additionally, in December 2008, the FDIC adopted a final rule increasing the risk-based assessment rates beginning in the first quarter of 2009. As a result of these changes coupled with the one-time assessment credits recognized in 2008,actions, FDIC insurance expense increased $1.8 million$71,000 for 20092010 compared to 2008. FDIC insurance expense in 2010 was approximately $71,000 more than the 2009 expense.2009.

Professional and consulting expense for 20102011 increased $310,000$35,000 due to compliance and legal loan workout issues during 2010.issues. Such expenses increased in 20092010 from 20082009 primarily due to highercompliance and legal expenses.


TABLE OF CONTENTSloan workout issues.

Stationery and printing expenses for 2011 increased $53,000 or 16.5 percent, compared to 2010, decreaseddue primarily to costs related to marketing of new bank products. The decrease in such expenses of $23,000 or 6.78 percent compared toin 2010 from 2009 due primarily toreflected better cost containment measures relating to stationery and printing materials. The decrease in such expenses of $58,000 or 14.6 percent in 2009 from 2008 reflected improved cost containment in the purchasing of supplies.materials

Marketing and advertising expenses for the year ended December 31, 20102011 decreased $98,000,$137,000, or 26.7851.1 percent, from the comparable twelve-month period in 2009,2010, primarily due to lower expense outlays for media. These expenses decreased $271,000$98,000 or 42.526.78 percent in 20092010 compared with 20082009 primarily due to reduced spending in media and advertising.lower expense outlays for media.

Computer expense decreased $54,000 during 2011 compared to 2010 and increased $402,000 duringin 2010 compared to 2009, and increased $130,000 in 2009 compared to 2008, due primarily to fees paid to the Corporation’s outsourced information technology service provider. This strategic outsourcing arrangement has significantly improved operating efficiencies and reduced overhead, primarily in salaries and benefits.

OREO expense for 2010 decreased2011 increased by $1.2 million$114,000 over 20092010 due primarily to declinean increased level of OREO properties.

Other expense increased in OREO properties and required maintenance and write-down expenses.

2011 by approximately $241,000 or 6.6 percent compared to 2010 mainly due to a $287,000 loss related to tax certificates acquired to protect the bank’s interest in property subsequently assigned to Highlands State Bank. Other expense increased in 2010 by approximately $1.3 million or 38.64 percent, compared to 2009, mainly due to a one-time termination fee of $594,000 in the first quarter of 2010 on a structured securities repurchase agreement and a $437,000 loss on fixed assets which was recorded in the second quarter of 2010. Other expense decreased in 2009 by $64,000 or 1.9 percent, compared to 2008. Amortization of core deposit intangibles accounted for $70,000$57,000 and $82,000$70,000 of other expense for the years 2011 and 2010, and 2009, respectively.

Provision for Income Taxes

The Corporation recorded income tax expense of $7.4 million in 2011 compared to $222,000 in 2010 compared toand $946,000 in 2009 and $1.6 million in 2008.2009. The reduction in 2010 resulted from the liquidation of certain other subsidiaries as part of a business entity restructuring. As previously announced, the Corporation recorded a total of $2.6 million unrecognized income tax benefit related to an internal entity structure realignment and liquidation of subsidiary companies, commenced in the fourth quarter of 2006. The effective tax rates for the Corporation for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 and 2008 were 34.7 percent, 3.1 percent 20.1 percent and 21.120.1 percent, respectively. The Corporation adjusts its expected annual tax rate on a quarterly basis based on the current projections of non-deductible expenses, tax-exempt interest income, increase in the cash surrender value of bank owned life insurance and pre-tax net earnings. For a more detailed description of income taxes see Note 11 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Tax-exempt interest income on a fully tax equivalent basis increased by $2.24 million, or 673.6 percent, from 2010 to 2011, and decreased by $1.2 million, or 77.8 percent, from 2009 to 2010, and decreased by $2.4 million, or 61.3 percent, from 2008 to 2009.2010. The Corporation recorded income related to the cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance as a component of other income in the amount of $1,038,000, $1,226,000 and $1,156,000 for 2011, 2010 and $1,203,000 for 2010, 2009, and 2008, respectively.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements discusses new accounting policies recently issued or proposed but not yet required to be adopted. To the extent the adoption of new accounting standards materially affects financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity, the impacts are discussed in the applicable sections of the financial review and notes to the consolidated financial statements.

On June 12, 2009,In April 2011, the FASB issued SFASASU No. 166, “Accounting2011-03,“Reconsideration of Effective Control for Transfers of Financial Assets” (“FAS 166”), which was incorporated into ASC 860 “Transfers and Servicing”, and SFAS No.167, “Amendments to FASB InterpretationRepurchase Agreements.” ASU No. 46 (Revised), which was incorporated into ASC 810 “Consolidation” (“FAS 167”), which change2011-03 modifies the way entities accountcriteria for securitizations and special-purpose entities.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

FAS 166 isdetermining when repurchase agreements would be accounted for as a revision to FASB ASC 860-10 (previously SFAS No. 140, “Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities”) and will require more information about transfers of financial assets, including securitization transactions, and where companies have continuing exposure to the risks related to transferred financial assets. FAS 166 also eliminates the concept ofsecured borrowing rather than as a “qualifying special-purpose entity”, changes the requirements for derecognizing financial assets and requires additional disclosures.

FAS 167 changes how a company determines whensale. Currently, an entity that is insufficiently capitalized or is not controlled through voting (or similar rights) should be consolidated.maintains effective control over transferred financial assets must account for the transfer as a secured borrowing rather than as a sale. The determinationprovisions of whether a company is requiredASU No. 2011-03 removes from the assessment of effective control the criterion requiring the transferor to consolidate an entity is based on, among other things, an entity’s purpose and design and a company’shave the ability to directrepurchase or redeem the activitiesfinancial assets on substantially the agreed terms, even in the event of default by the entitytransferee. The FASB believes that most significantly impactcontractual rights and obligations determine effective control and that there does not need to be a requirement to assess the entity’s economic performance.

Both FAS 166 and FAS 167 becameability to exercise those rights. ASU No. 2011-03 does not change the other existing criteria used in the assessment of effective as of the beginning of each reporting entity’s first annual reporting period that begins after November 15, 2009, for interim periods within that first annual reporting period and for interim and annual reporting periods thereafter. Earlier application is prohibited.control. The recognition and measurement provisions of FAS 166 shall be applied to transfersASU No. 2011-03 are effective prospectively for transactions, or modifications of existing transactions, that occur on or after the effective date. The Corporation adopted both FAS 166 and FAS 167 on January 1, 2010, as required. The Corporation is currently assessing the impact this adoption may have on the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements.

In January 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-06, “Improving Disclosures About Fair Value Measurements,” which added disclosure requirements about transfers into and out of Levels 1, 2, and 3, clarified existing fair value disclosure requirements about the appropriate level of disaggregation, and clarified that a description of the valuation technique (e.g., market approach, income approach, or cost approach) and inputs used to measure fair value was required for recurring, nonrecurring, and Level 2 and 3 fair value measurements. These provisions of the ASU were effective for the Corporation’s reporting period ending March 31, 2010. The ASU also requires that Level 3 activity about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements be presented on a gross basis rather than as a net number as currently permitted. This provision of the ASU is effective for the Corporation’s reporting period ending March 31, 2011.2012. As this provision amends only the disclosure requirements related to Level 3 activity, the adoption will have no impact on the Corporation’s statements of income and condition.

In December 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-28, “When to Perform Step 2 of the Goodwill Impairment Test for Reporting Units with Zero or Negative Carrying Amounts.” Under GAAP, the evaluation of goodwill impairment is a two-step test. In Step 1, an entity must assess whether the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value. If it does, an entity must perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test to determine whether goodwill has been impaired and to calculate the amount of that impairment. The provisions of this ASU modify Step 1 of the goodwill impairment test for reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts. For those reporting units, an entity is required to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test if it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists. The provisions of this ASU are effective for the Corporation’s reporting period ending March 31, 2011. As of December 31, 2010, the Corporation had no reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts or reporting units where there was a reasonable possibilityaccounts for all of failing Step 1 of the goodwill impairment test. As a result,its repurchase agreements as collateralized financing arrangements, the adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on the Corporation’s statements of income and condition.

In JanuaryMay 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-01, 2011-04,DeferralAmendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs.” ASU No. 2011-04 results in a consistent definition of fair value and common requirements for measurement of and disclosure about fair value between U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). The changes to U.S. GAAP as a result of ASU No. 2011-04 are as follows: (1) The concepts of highest and best use and valuation premise are only relevant when measuring the fair value of nonfinancial assets (that is, it does not apply to financial assets or any liabilities); (2) U.S. GAAP currently prohibits application of a blockage factor in valuing financial instruments with quoted prices in active markets; ASU No. 2011-04 extends that prohibition to all fair value measurements; (3) An exception is provided to the basic fair value measurement principles for an entity that holds a group of financial assets and financial liabilities with offsetting positions in market risks or counterparty credit risk that are managed on the basis of the Effective Dateentity’s net exposure to either of Disclosuresthose risks; this exception allows the entity, if certain criteria are met, to measure the fair value of the net asset or liability position in a manner consistent with how market participants would price the net risk position; (4) Aligns the fair value measurement of instruments classified within an entity’s shareholders’ equity with the guidance for liabilities; and (5) Disclosure requirements have been enhanced for recurring Level 3 fair value measurements to disclose quantitative information about Troubled Debt Restructuringsunobservable inputs and assumptions used, to describe the valuation processes used by the entity, and to describe the sensitivity of fair value measurements to changes in Update No. 2010-20.unobservable inputs and interrelationships between those inputs. In addition, entities must report the level in the fair value hierarchy of items that are not measured at fair value in the statement of condition but whose fair value must be disclosed. The provisions of ASU No. 2010-20 required2011-04 are effective for the disclosureCorporation’s interim reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2011. The adoption of more granular informationASU No. 2011-04 is not expected to have a material impact on the natureCorporation’s statements of income or statements of condition.

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05, “Presentation of Comprehensive Income.”The provisions of ASU No. 2011-05 allow an entity the option to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and extentthe components of troubled debt restructuringsother comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. In both choices, 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 their effect ona total amount for comprehensive income. The statement(s) are required to be presented with equal prominence as the Allowanceother


TABLE OF CONTENTS

primary financial statements. ASU No. 2011-05 eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in shareholders’ equity but does not change the items that must be reported in other comprehensive income or when an item of other comprehensive income must be reclassified to net income. The provisions of ASU No. 2011-05 are effective for the Corporation’s interim reporting period ending March 31, 2011.beginning on or after December 15, 2011, with retrospective application required. The amendments in thisadoption of ASU defer the effective date related to these disclosures, enabling creditors to provide those disclosures after the FASB completes its project clarifying the guidance for determining what constitutes a troubled debt restructuring. Currently, that guidanceNo. 2011-05 is expected to be effective for interimresult in presentation changes to the Corporation’s statements of income and annual periods ending after June 15, 2011. As the provisionsaddition of this ASU only defer the effective datea statement of disclosure requirements related to troubled debt restructurings, thecomprehensive income. The adoption of this ASU No. 2011-05 will have no impact on the Corporation’s statements of income and condition.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

ASU 2010-20

ASU 20100-20,Receivables (Topic 310): Disclosures about the Credit Quality of Financing Receivables and the Allowance for Credit Losses, will help investors assess the credit risk of a company’s receivables portfolio and the adequacy of its allowance for credit losses held against the portfolios by expanding credit risk disclosures.

This ASU requires more information about the credit quality of financing receivables in the disclosures to financial statements, such as aging information and credit quality indicators. Both new and existing disclosures must be disaggregated by portfolio segment or class. The disaggregation of information is based on how a company develops its allowance for credit losses and how it manages its credit exposure.

The amendments in this Update apply to all public and nonpublic entities with financing receivables. Financing receivables include loans and trade accounts receivable. However, short-term trade accounts receivable, receivables measured at fair value or lower of cost or fair value, and debt securities are exempt from these disclosure amendments.

The effective date of ASU 2010-20 differs for public and nonpublic companies. For public companies, the amendments that require disclosures as of the end of a reporting period are effective for periodsending on or after December 15, 2010. The amendments that require disclosures about activity that occurs during a reporting period are effective for periodsbeginning on or after December 15, 2010. For nonpublic companies, the amendments are effective for annual reporting periods ending on or after December 15, 2011.

In April 2009,September 2011, the FASB issued three amendmentsASU No. 2011-08, “Intangibles — Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment”, which permits an entity to the fair value measurement, disclosure and other-than-temporary impairment standards:

FASB ASC 820-10-65 (previously SFAS 157-4, “Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability Have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions that are Not Orderly”).
FASB ASC 320-10-65 (previously SFAS 115-2 and SFAS 124-2, “Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments”).
FASB ASC 825-10-65 (previously SFAS 107 and APB 28-1, “Interim Disclosure about Fair Value of Financial Instruments”).

FASB ASC 820-10-05 (previously SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements”) defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell the asset or transfer the liability in an orderly transaction (that is, notfirst perform a forced liquidation or distressed sale) between market participants at the measurement date under current market conditions. FASB ASC 820-10-05 provides additional guidance on identifying circumstances when a transaction may not be considered orderly.

FASB ASC 820-10-65 provides a list of factors that a reporting entity should evaluatequalitative assessment to determine whether there has been a significant decrease in the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability in relation to normal market activity for the asset or liability. When the reporting entity concludes there has been a significant decrease in the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability, further analysis of the information from that marketit is needed and significant adjustments to the related prices may be necessary to estimate fair value in accordance with FASB ASC 820-10-05.

FASB ASC 820-10-65 clarifies that when there has been a significant decrease in the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability, some transactions may not be orderly. In those situations, the entity must evaluate the weight of evidence to determine whether the transaction is orderly. It also provides a list of circumstances that may indicate that a transaction is not orderly. A transaction price that is not associated with an orderly transaction is given little, if any, weight when estimating fair value.

FASB ASC 320-10-65 amends other-than-temporary impairment guidance for debt securities and expands disclosure requirements for other-than-temporarily impaired debt and equity securities. FASB ASC 320-10-65 requires companies to record other-than-temporary impairment charges, through earnings, if they have the intent to sell, or will more likely than not be required to sell, an impaired debt security before a recovery of its amortized cost basis. In addition, FASB ASC 320-10-65 requires companies to record other-than-temporary


TABLE OF CONTENTS

impairment charges through earnings forthat the amount of credit losses, regardless of the intent or requirement to sell. Credit loss is measured as the difference between the present value of an impaired debt security’s cash flows and its amortized cost basis. Non-credit related write-downs to fair value must be recorded as decreases to accumulated other comprehensive income as long as a company has no intent or requirement to sell an impaired security before a recovery of amortized cost basis. Finally, FASB ASC 320-10-65 requires companies to record all previously recorded non-credit related other-than-temporary impairment charges for debt securities as cumulative effect adjustments to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption.

FASB ASC 825-10-65 (previously SFAS 107-1 and APB 28-1) requires disclosures about fair value of financial instrumentsa reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If an entity believes, as a result of its qualitative assessment, that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the quantitative impairment test is required. Otherwise, no further impairment testing is required. The provisions of ASU No. 2011-08 are effective for the Corporation’s interim reporting periods of publicly traded companies as well as ingoodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. Early adoption is permitted, provided that the entity has not yet performed its annual financial statements. FASB ASC 825-10-65 also requires those disclosures in summarized financial information at interim reporting periods.

All three FASB ASC’s discussed herein include substantial additional disclosure requirements. The effective dateimpairment test for these new ASC’s is the same: interim and annual reporting periods ended after June 15, 2009.goodwill. The Corporation adopted these ASC’s at June 30, 2009 and there was not a material impact onperforms its consolidated financial statements.

On May 28, 2009, the FASB issued FASB ASC 855-10-05 (previously SFAS No. 165, “Subsequent Events”). Under FASB ASC 855-10-05, companies are required to evaluate events and transactions that occur after the balance sheet date but before the date the financial statements are issued, or available to be issuedannual impairment test for goodwill in the casefourth quarter of non-public entities. FASB ASC 855-10-05 requires entities to recognize in the financial statements the effect of all events or transactions that provide additional evidence of conditions that existed at the balance sheet date, including the estimates inherent in the financial preparation process. Entities shall not recognize the impact of events or transactions that provide evidence about conditions that did not exist at the balance sheet date but arose after that date. FASB ASC 855-10-05 also requires entities to disclose the date through which subsequent events have been evaluated. ASC 855-10-05 was subsequently amended in February of 2010 by ASU 2010-09 “Amendment to Certain recognition and Disclosure Requirements.” FASB ASC 855-10-05 was effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009. The Corporation adopted the provisions of FASB ASC 855-10-05 for the quarter ended June 30, 2009.each year. The adoption of this accounting standard had noASU No. 2011-08 is not expected to have a material impact on the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements.statements of income and statements of condition.

On June 12, 2009,In December 2011, the FASB issued SFASASU No. 166, “Accounting2011-12, “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220):Deferral of the Effective Date for Transfers of Financial Assets” (“FAS 166”), and SFAS No. 167, “Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R)” (“FAS 167”), which change the way entities account for securitizations and special-purpose entities.

FAS 166 is a revision to FASB ASC 860-10-05 (previously SFAS 140, “Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities”) and will require more information about transfers of financial assets, including securitization transactions, and where companies have continuing exposureAmendments to the risks relatedPresentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05. The Update defers the specific requirement to transferredpresent items that are reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to net income separately with their respective components of net income and other comprehensive income. The deferral comes after stakeholders recently raised concerns that the new presentation requirements about the reclassification of items out of accumulated other comprehensive income would be costly for preparers and add unnecessary complexity to financial assets. FAS 166 also eliminates the concept ofstatements. As a “qualifying special-purpose entity”, changes the requirements for derecognizing financial assets and requires additional disclosures.

FAS 167 changes how a company determines when an entity that is insufficiently capitalized or is not controlled through voting (or similar rights) should be consolidated. The determination of whether a company is required to consolidate an entity is based on, among other things, an entity’s purpose and design and a company’s ability to direct the activitiesresult of the entity that most significantly impactconcerns, the entity’s economic performance.

Both FAS 166FASB decided to reconsider whether it is necessary to require companies to present reclassification adjustments, by component, in both the statement where net income is presented and FAS 167 will be effective as of the beginning of each reporting entity’s first annual reporting period that begins after November 15, 2009,statement where other comprehensive income is presented for interim periods within that first annual reporting period and forboth interim and annual reporting periods thereafter. Earlier application is prohibited.financial statements. The recognition and measurement provisions of FAS 166 shall be appliedFASB did not defer the requirement to transfers that occur onreport comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement or after the effective date. The Corporation adopted both FAS 166 and FAS 167 on January 1, 2010, as required. The Corporation is currently assessing the impact this adoption may have on the Corporation’s consolidatedin two separate, but consecutive, financial statements.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

In November 2008, the SEC released a proposed roadmap regarding the potential use by U.S. issuers of financial statements prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). IFRS is a comprehensive series of accounting standards published by the International Accounting Standards Board. Under the proposed roadmap, the Company may be required to prepare financial statements in accordance with IFRS as early as 2014. The SEC will make a determination in 2011 regarding the mandatory adoption of IFRS. The Company is currently assessing the impact that this potential change would have on its consolidated financial statements, and it will continue to monitor the development of the potential implementation of IFRS.

Asset and Liability Management

Asset and liability management encompasses an analysis of market risk, the control of interest rate risk (interest sensitivity management) and the ongoing maintenance and planning of liquidity and capital. The composition of the Corporation’s statement of condition is planned and monitored by the Asset and Liability Committee (“ALCO”). In general, management’s objective is to optimize net interest income and minimize market risk and interest rate risk by monitoring these components of the statement of condition.

Short-term interest rate exposure analysis is supplemented with an interest sensitivity gap model. The Corporation utilizes interest sensitivity analysis to measure the responsiveness of net interest income to changes in interest rate levels. Interest rate risk arises when an earning asset matures or when its interest rate changes in a time period different than that of a supporting interest-bearing liability, or when an interest-bearing liability matures or when its interest rate changes in a time period different than that of an


TABLE OF CONTENTS

earning asset that it supports. While the Corporation matches only a small portion of specific assets and liabilities, total earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities are grouped to determine the overall interest rate risk within a number of specific time frames.

The difference between interest sensitive assets and interest sensitive liabilities is referred to as the interest sensitivity gap. At any given point in time, the Corporation may be in an asset-sensitive position, whereby its interest-sensitive assets exceed its interest-sensitive liabilities, or in a liability-sensitive position, whereby its interest-sensitive liabilities exceed its interest-sensitive assets, depending in part on management’s judgment as to projected interest rate trends.trends

The Corporation’s rate sensitivity position in each time frame may be expressed as assets less liabilities, as liabilities less assets, or as the ratio between rate sensitive assets (“RSA”) and rate sensitive liabilities (“RSL”). For example, a short funded position (liabilities repricing before assets) would be expressed as a net negative position, when period gaps are computed by subtracting repricing liabilities from repricing assets. When using the ratio method, a RSA/RSL ratio of 1 indicates a balanced position, a ratio greater than 1 indicates an asset sensitive position and a ratio less than 1 indicates a liability sensitive position.

A negative gap and/or a rate sensitivity ratio less than 1, tends to expand net interest margins in a falling rate environment and to reduce net interest margins in a rising rate environment. Conversely, when a positive gap occurs, generally margins expand in a rising rate environment and contract in a falling rate environment. From time to time, the Corporation may elect to deliberately mismatch liabilities and assets in a strategic gap position.

At December 31, 2010,2011, the Corporation reflected a positive interest sensitivity gap (or an interest sensitivity ratio of (1.21 to1.00)(1:34 to 1.00) at the cumulative one-year position. Based on management’s perception that interest rates will continue to be volatile, projected increased levels of prepayments on the earning asset portfolio and the current level of interest rates, emphasis has been, and is expected to continue to be, placed on interest-sensitivity matching with the objective of continuing to stabilize the net interest spread and margin during 2011.2012. However, no assurance can be given that this objective will be met.


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

The following table depicts the Corporation’s interest rate sensitivity position at December 31, 2010:2011:

                  
                  
 Expected Maturity/Principal Repayment December 31, Expected Maturity/Principal Repayment December 31,
 Average Interest Rate Year End 2011 Year End 2012 Year End 2013 Year End 2014 Year End 2015 2016 and Thereafter Total Balance Estimated Fair Value Average
Interest
Rate
 Year
End
2012
 Year
End
2013
 Year
End
2014
 Year
End
2015
 Year
End
2016
 2017
and
Thereafter
 Total
Balance
 Estimated
Fair
Value
 (Dollars in Thousands) (Dollars in Thousands)
Interest-Earning Assets:
                                                                                          
Loans, net  5.41 $288,072  $95,302  $118,410  $70,086  $41,415  $86,292  $699,577  $706,309   5.09 $306,816  $144,767  $90,972  $53,551  $57,210  $93,092  $746,408  $752,252 
Investments  3.07  87,524   53,533   24,911   28,450   28,846   154,816   378,080   378,080   3.39  106,160   43,114   26,052   38,041   57,161   216,212   486,740   489,429 
Total interest-earning assets    $375,596  $148,835  $143,321  $98,536  $70,261  $241,108  $1,077,657  $1,084,389     $412,976  $187,881  $117,024  $91,592  $114,371  $309,304  $1,233,148  $1,241,681 
Interest-Bearing Liabilities:
                                                                                          
Time certificates of deposit of $100,000 or greater  0.87 $107,115  $9,783  $2,753  $  $  $  $119,651  $120,021   0.79 $109,121  $15,366  $3,861  $1,643  $8,007  $  $137,998  $119,932 
Time certificates of deposit of less than $100,000  1.46  45,737   12,246   3,554   150   265   10   61,962   62,358   1.74  46,126   6,623   3,379   456   1      56,585   49,177 
Other interest-bearing deposits  0.56  99,536   99,536   103,513   48,142   89,412   94,370   534,509   534,593   0.50  148,110   148,110   129,258   110,405   68,382   155,403   759,668   759,668 
Subordinated debentures  3.14  5,155                  5,155   5,157   3.10  5,155                  5,155   5,159 
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase and Fed Funds Purchased  2.75  41,855            10,000   31,000   82,855   87,602   5.31           10,000      31,000   41,000   44,803 
Term borrowings  3.61  10,000      5,000         115,000   130,000   133,823   3.46     5,000         20,000   95,000   120,000   131,130 
Total interest-bearing liabilities    $309,398  $121,565  $114,820  $48,292  $99,677  $240,380  $934,132  $943,554     $308,512  $175,099  $136,498  $122,504  $96,390  $281,403  $1,120,406  $1,109,869 
Cumulative interest-earning assets      $375,596  $524,431  $667,752  $766,288  $836,549  $1,077,657  $1,077,657            $412,976  $600,857  $717,881  $809,473  $923,844  $1,233,148  $1,233,148      
Cumulative interest-bearing liabilities       309,398   430,963   545,783   594,075   693,752   934,132   934,132             308,512   483,611   620,109   742,613   839,003   1,120,406   1,120,406      
Rate sensitivity gap       66,198   27,270   28,501   50,244   (29,416  728   143,525             104,464   12,782   (19,474  (30,912  17,981   27,901   112,742      
Cumulative rate sensitivity gap       66,198   93,468   121,969   172,213   142,797   143,525   143,525             104,464   117,246   97,772   66,860   84,841   112,742   112,742      
Cumulative gap ratio       1.21  1.22  1.22  1.29  1.21  1.15  1.15            1.34  1.24  1.16  1.09  1.10  1.10  1.10     

Estimates of Fair Value

The estimation of fair value is significant to a number of the Corporation’s assets, including loans held for sale, and available-for-sale investment securities. These are all recorded at either fair value or the lower of cost or fair value. Fair values are volatile and may be influenced by a number of factors. Circumstances that could cause estimates of the fair value of certain assets and liabilities to change include a change in prepayment speeds, expected cash flows, credit quality, discount rates, or market interest rates. Fair values for most available for sale investment securities are based on quoted market prices. If quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on judgments regarding future expected loss experience, current economic condition risk characteristics of various financial instruments, and other factors. See Note 18 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion.

These estimates are subjective in nature, involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and therefore cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.

Impact of Inflation and Changing Prices

The financial statements and notes thereto presented elsewhere herein have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, which require the measurement of financial position and operating results in terms of historical dollars without considering the change in the relative purchasing power of money over time due to inflation. The impact of inflation is reflected in the increased cost of the operations; unlike most industrial companies, nearly all of the Corporation’s assets.assets and liabilities are monetary. As a result, interest rates have a greater impact on performance than do the effects of general levels of inflation. Interest rates do not necessarily move in the same direction or to the same extent as the prices of goods and servicesservices.


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Liquidity

The liquidity position of the Corporation is dependent on successful management of its assets and liabilities so as to meet the needs of both deposit and credit customers. Liquidity needs arise principally to accommodate possible deposit outflows and to meet customers’ requests for loans. Scheduled principal loan repayments, maturing investments, short-term liquid assets and deposit in-flows, can satisfy such needs. The objective of liquidity management is to enable the Corporation to maintain sufficient liquidity to meet its obligations in a timely and cost-effective manner.

Management monitors current and projected cash flows, and adjusts positions as necessary to maintain adequate levels of liquidity. By using a variety of potential funding sources and staggering maturities, the risk of potential funding pressure is reduced. Management also maintains a detailed liquidity contingency plan designed to respond adequately to situations which could lead to liquidity concerns.

Management believes that the Corporation has the funding capacity to meet the liquidity needs arising from potential events. In addition to pledgeable securities, the Corporation also maintains borrowing capacity through the Federal Discount Window and the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York secured with loans and marketable securities.

Liquidity is measured and monitored for the Corporation’s bank subsidiary, Union Center National Bank (the “Bank”).Bank. The Corporation reviews its net short-term mismatch. This measures the ability of the Corporation to meet obligations should access to Bank dividends be constrained. At December 31, 2010,2011, the Parent Corporation had $4.6$2.0 million in cash and short-term investments compared to $3.2$4.6 million at December 31, 2009.2010. Expenses at the Parent Corporation are moderate and management believes that the Parent Corporation has adequate liquidity to fund its obligations.

Certain provisions of long-term debt agreements, primarily subordinated debt, prevent the Corporation from creating liens on, disposing of or issuing voting stock of subsidiaries. As of December 31, 2010,2011, the Corporation was in compliance with all covenants and provisions of these agreements.

Management monitors current and projected cash flows, and adjusts positions as necessary to maintain adequate levels of liquidity. By using a variety of potential funding sources and staggering maturities, the risk of potential funding pressure is somewhat reduced. Management also maintains a detailed liquidity contingency plan designed to adequately respond to situations which could lead to liquidity concerns.

Based on anticipated cash flows at December 31, 20102011 projected to December 31, 2011,2012, the Corporation believes that the Bank’s liquidity should remain strong, with an approximate projection of $71.4$149.4 million in anticipated net cash flows over the next twelve months. This projection represents a forward-looking statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results could differ materially from this projection depending upon a number of factors, including the liquidity needs of the Bank’s customers, the availability of sources of liquidity and general economic conditions.

On September 30, 2009, the FDIC proposed a rule that required insured institutions to prepay their estimated quarterly assessments through December 31, 2012 to strengthen the cash position of the Deposit Insurance Fund. The cash prepayment was made on December 30, 2009 and amounted to approximately $5.7 million, which included the 2009 fourth quarter assessment. The prepayment did not have a significant impact on the Corporation’s future cash position or operations.

Deposits

Total deposits increased to $1.121 billion at December 31, 2011 from $860.3 million at December 31, 2010, from $813.7 million at December 31, 2009, an increase of $46.6$261.1 million, or 5.7330.3 percent.

Total non-interest-bearing deposits increased to $167.2 million at December 31, 2011 from $144.2 million at December 31, 2010, from $130.5 million at December 31, 2009, an increase of $13.7$23.0 million or 10.4915.9 percent. Time, savings and interest-bearing transaction accounts increased to $716.1$954.3 million at December 31, 20102011 from $683.2$716.1 million on December 31, 2009,2010, an increase of $32.9$238.1 million or 4.8233.3 percent. The increaseThese increases were attributable to continued core deposit growth in deposits was reflective of customers’ desire for safety and liquidity and flight to quality in lightoverall segments of the financial crisis.deposits base and in niche areas, such as municipal government, private schools and universities.


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Certificates of deposit $100,000 and over decreased to 13.912.3 percent of total deposits at December 31, 20102011 from 17.813.9 percent one year earlier. With the current turmoil in the financial markets, some of the Corporation’s depositors have become sensitive to obtaining full FDIC insurance for their time deposits. To accommodate its customers, the Corporation began offering Certificates of Deposit Account Registry Service (CDARS) in 2008. As a result of this offering and the increase in insurance coverage by the FDIC to $250,000, the Corporation reported a decreasean increase of $25.2$18.3 million in certificates of deposit greater than $100,000 at December 31, 20102011 compared to year-end 2009.2010. See Note 8 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.

At December 31, 2010,2011, the Corporation had a total of $58.9 million with a weighted average rate of 0.70 percent in CDARS Reciprocal deposits compared to $83.0 million with a weighted average rate of 0.77 percent in CDARS Reciprocal deposits compared to $111.3 million with a weighted average rate of 1.24 percent at December 31, 2009.2010. Based on the Bank’s participation in Promontory Interfinancial Network, LLC., customers who are FDIC insurance sensitive are able to place large dollar deposits with the Corporation and the Corporation uses CDARS to place those funds into certificates of deposit issued by other banks in the Network. This occurs in increments of less than the FDIC insurance limits so that both the principal and interest are eligible for complete FDIC protection. The FDIC currently considers these funds as brokered deposits. All brokered deposits are classified in time deposits. It became apparent during the latter half of 2008 that customers’ preference in seeking safety and more liquidity became paramount in light of the financial crisis, as customers sought full FDIC insured bank products as a safe haven.

The Corporation derives a significant proportion of its liquidity from its core deposit base. For the year ended December 31, 2010,2011, core deposits, comprised of total demand deposits, savings deposits and money market accounts, increased by $89.5$248.6 million or 15.036.2 percent from December 31, 20092010 to $686.2$934.9 million at December 31, 2010.2011. At December 31, 2010,2011, core deposits were 79.883.4 percent of total deposits compared to 73.379.8 percent at year-end 2009.2010. Alternatively, the Corporation uses a more stringent calculation for the management of its liquidity positions internally which consists of total demand and savings accounts (excluding money market accounts greater than $100,000) and excludes time deposits as part of core deposits as a percentage of total deposits. This number increased by $95.8$193.0 million or 25.240.6 percent from December 31, 20092010 to $475.1$668.1 million and represented 55.259.6 percent of total deposits at December 31, 20102011 as compared with 46.655.2 percent at December 31, 2009.2010. The Corporation expects its deposit gathering efforts to remain strong, supported in part by the FDIC’s temporarily raising the deposit insurance limits. The Corporation was a participant in the FDIC’s Transaction Account Guarantee Program. Under this program, all non-interest bearing deposit transaction accounts were fully guaranteed by the FDIC, regardless of dollar amount, through June 30, 2010.

On July 21, 2010, President Obama signed the Dodd-Frank Act into law. One of the provisions of this act permanently increases the maximum amount of deposit insurance for banks, savings institutions and credit unions to $250,000 per depositor, retroactive to January 1, 2009, and non-interest bearing transaction accounts have unlimited deposit insurance through December 31, 2013.

The following table depicts the Corporation’s more stringent core deposit mix at December 31, 20102011 and 2009.2010.

          
 December 31, Net Change
Volume
2010 vs. 2009
 December 31, Net Change
Volume
2011 vs. 2010
 2010 2009 2011 2010
 Amount Percentage Amount Percentage Amount Percentage Amount Percentage
 (Dollars in Thousands) (Dollars in Thousands)
Demand Deposits $144,210   30.4 $130,518   34.4 $13,692  $167,164   25.0 $144,210   30.4 $22,954 
Interest-Bearing Demand  186,509   39.2   156,738   41.3   29,771   215,523   32.3   186,509   39.2   29,014 
Regular Savings  112,305   23.6   58,240   15.4   54,065   135,703   20.3   112,305   23.6   23,398 
Money Market Deposits under $100  32,105   6.8   33,795   8.9   (1,690  149,760   22.4   32,105   6.8   117,655 
Total core deposits $475,129   100.0 $379,291   100.0 $95,838  $668,150   100.0 $475,129   100.0 $193,021 
Total deposits $860,332       $813,705       $46,627  $1,121,415       $860,332       $261,083 
Core deposits to total deposits  55.23       46.61            59.58       55.23          

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Short-Term Borrowings

Short-term borrowings can be used to satisfy daily funding needs. Balances in those accounts fluctuate on a day-to-day basis. The Corporation’s principal short-term funding sources are Federal Funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase. Short-term borrowings, including Federal Funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase, amounted to $41.9 million$0 at year-end 2010,2011, a decrease of $4.3$41.9 million or 9.2100 percent from year-end 2009.2010. During the third quarter of 2011 certain sweep relationships, in the amount of approximately $37 million, that were previously classified as short term borrowings were discontinued and were moved to interest bearing checking accounts.

The following table is a summary of short-term securities sold under repurchase agreements, including Federal Funds purchased, for each of the last three years.

      
 December 31, December 31,
 2010 2009 2008 2011 2010 2009
 (Dollars in Thousands) (Dollars in Thousands)
Short-term securities sold under repurchase agreements, including Federal Funds purchased:
                              
Average interest rate:
                              
At year end  0.27  0.97  1.98    0.27  0.97
For the year  0.50  1.38  2.39  0.27  0.50  1.38
Average amount outstanding during the year $42,608  $35,392  $43,973  $29,288  $42,608  $35,392 
Maximum amount outstanding at any month end $54,855  $58,515  $52,992  $71,732  $54,855  $58,515 
Amount outstanding at year end $41,855  $46,109  $30,143  $  $41,855  $46,109 
 

Long-Term Borrowings

Long-term borrowings consist of Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (“FHLB”) advances and securities sold under agreements to repurchase that have contractual maturities over one year. Long-term borrowings amounted to $171.0$161.0 million at December 31, 2010,2011, a decrease of $52.1$10.0 million or 23.45.85 percent, from year-end 20092010 as the Corporation decided to concentrate its efforts on increasing the core deposit base of the Bank and replacedrather than replacing those borrowings.

Cash Flows

The consolidated statements of cash flows present the changes in cash and cash equivalents from operating, investing and financing activities. During 2011, cash and cash equivalents (which increased overall by $73.6 million) were provided on a net basis by operating activities and financing activities, and used on a net basis by investing activities. With respect to the cash flows from financing activities, net increases in deposits and SBLF proceeds were offset by reductions in borrowings and the Corporation’s dividend payments.

During 2010, cash and cash equivalents (which decreased overall by $51.7 million) were provided on a net basis by operating activities and used on a net basis by investing activities and financing activities. With respect to the cash flows from financing activities, a net increase in deposits and proceeds from a stock offering were partially offset by a reduction in borrowings and the Corporation’s dividend paymentspayments.

During 2009, cash and cash equivalents (which increased overall by $74.1 million) were provided on a net basis by operating activities and financing activities and used on a net basis by investing activities. With respect to cash flows from financing activities, a $172.3 million increase in cash resulted from a substantial net increase in deposits as well as from the proceeds of our TARP participation and rights offering.

During 2008, cash and cash equivalents (which decreased overall by $55.0 million) were used on a net basis by operating activities and investing activities and provided on a net basis by financing activities. Cash flows from investing activities, primarily due to a net decrease in securities, were partially offset by an increase in financing activities, primarily resulting from an increase in borrowings.


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Contractual Obligations and Other Commitments

The following table summarizes contractual obligations at December 31, 20102011 and the effect such obligations are expected to have on liquidity and cash flows in future periods.

     
 Total Less Than
1 Year
 1 – 3 Years 4 – 5 Years After
5 Years
   (Dollars in Thousands)
Contractual Obligations
                         
Operating lease obligations $7,1226,515  $607625  $1,1251,033  $1,071946  $4,3193,911 
Total contracted cost obligations $7,1226,515  $607625  $1,1251,033  $1,071946  $4,3193,911 
Other Long-term Liabilities/
Long-term Debt
                         
Time Deposits $181,613194,583  $152,859155,247  $28,32929,229  $41510,107  $10 
Federal Home Loan Bank advances and repurchase agreements  199,855161,000   38,855   5,000   10,00030,000   146,000126,000 
Subordinated debentures5,155  5,155          5,155
Total Other Long-term Liabilities/Long-term Debt $386,623360,738  $196,869155,247  $33,32934,229  $10,41540,107  $146,010131,155 
Other Commercial Commitments – 
Off Balance Sheet
                         
Commitments under commercial loans and lines of credit $77,78690,866  $77,78690,866  $  $  $ 
Home equity and other revolving lines of credit  50,13149,203   50,13149,203          
Outstanding commercial mortgage loan commitments  32,55432,938   28,05429,733   4,5003,205       
Standby letters of credit  2,2251,800   2,2251,800          
Performance letters of credit  12,01920,482   11,329690
Outstanding residential mortgage loan commitments25025020,482          
Overdraft protection lines  4,8985,850   4,898
Other consumer5,850          
Total off balance sheet arrangements and contractual obligations $179,863201,139  $174,673197,934  $5,1903,205  $  $ 
Total contractual obligations and other commitments $573,608568,392  $372,149353,806  $39,64438,467  $11,48641,053  $150,329135,066 

The Stockholders’ Equity

Stockholders’ equity amounted to $121.0$135.9 million at December 31, 2011, an increase of $14.9 million or 12.4 percent, compared to year-end 2010. At December 31, 2010, stockholders’ equity totaled $121.0 million, an increase of $19.2 million or 18.9 percent compared to year-end 2009. At December 31, 2009, stockholders’ equity totaled $101.7 million, an increase of $20.0 million or 24.5 percent from December 31, 2008.2009.

On September 15, 2011, the Corporation issued $11.25 million in nonvoting senior preferred stock to the Treasury under the Small Business Lending Fund Program. Under the Securities Purchase Agreement, the Corporation issued to the Treasury a total of 11,250 shares of the Corporation’s Senior Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series B, having a liquidation value of $1,000 per share. Simultaneously, using the proceeds from the issuance of the SBLF Preferred Stock, the Corporation redeemed from the Treasury, all 10,000 outstanding shares of its Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A, liquidation amount $1,000 per share, for a redemption price of $10,041,667, including accrued but unpaid dividends up to the date of redemption. The investment in the SBLF program provided the Corporation with approximately $1.25 million additional Tier 1 capital. The capital received under the program will allow the Corporation to continue to serve its small business clients through the commercial lending program.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

On December 7, 2011, the Corporation repurchased the warrants issued on January 12, 2009 to the U.S. Treasury as part of its participation in the U.S. Treasury’s TARP Capital Purchase Program. In the repurchase, the Corporation paid the U.S. Treasury $245,000 for the warrants.

In September 2010, the Corporation sold an aggregate of 1,715,000 shares of its common stock under its previously filed shelf registration statement which was declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 5, 2010.statement. The Corporation sold 1,430,000 shares of common stock at a price of $7.00 per share, with underwriting discounts and commissions of $0.39 per share, for gross proceeds from this offering of $10,010,000. The Corporation also sold 285,000 shares of common stock directly to certain of its directors at a price of $7.50 per share, for gross proceeds from this offering of $2,137,500. Net proceeds from both offerings totaled $11,377,800$11,378,000 after underwriting discounts and commissions of $557,700$557,000 and offering expenses of approximately $213,000 (which consisted primarily of legal and accounting fees).


TABLE OF CONTENTS

On January 12, 2009, the Corporation issued $10 million in nonvoting senior preferred stock to the U.S. Department of Treasury under the Capital Purchase Program. As part of the transaction, the Corporation also issued warrants to the U.S. Treasury to purchase 173,410 shares of common stock of the Corporation at an exercise price of $8.65 per share. As previously announced, the Corporation’s voluntary participation in the Capital Purchase Program amounted to approximately 50 percent of what the Corporation had qualified for under the U.S. Treasury program. The funding was used to support the balance sheet. As a result of the successful completion of the Rights Offering in October 2009, the number of shares underlying the warrant held by the U.S. Treasury was reduced to 86,705 shares or 50 percent of the original 173,410 shares.

In July 2009, the Corporation announced that its Board of Directors had authorized a rights offering of up to approximately $11 million of common stock to its existing stockholders. In October, the Corporation successfully raised total gross proceeds of approximately $11 million in its rights offering and a private placement with its standby purchaser.

Book value per share at year-end 20102011 was $6.83$7.63 compared to $6.32$6.83 at year-end 2009.2010. Tangible book value at year-end 20102011 was $5.79$6.60 compared to $5.15$5.79 at year end 2009;2010; see Item 6 for a reconciliation of this non-GAAP financial measure to book value.

During 2010,2011, the Corporation made no purchases of common stock. At December 31, 2010,2011, there were 652,868 shares available for repurchase under the Corporation’s stock buyback program.

Capital

The maintenance of a solid capital foundation continues to be a primary goal for the Corporation. Accordingly, capital plans and dividend policies are monitored on an ongoing basis. The most important objective of the capital planning process is to balance effectively the retention of capital to support future growth and the goal of providing stockholders with an attractive long-term return on their investment.

Risk-Based Capital/Leverage

The Tier I leverage capital at December 31, 2010 (defined as tangible stockholders’ equity for common stock and Trust Preferred Capital Securities) at December 31, 2011 amounted to $116.6$129.4 million or 9.909.29 percent of average total assets. At December 31, 2009,2010, the Corporation’s Tier I leverage capital amounted to $98.5$116.6 million or 7.739.90 percent of average total assets. Tier I capital excludes the effect of FASB ASC 320-10-05, which amounted to $5.3$2.0 million of net unrealized losses, after tax, on securities available-for-sale (reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income which is included in stockholders’ equity), and is reduced by goodwill and intangible assets of $17.0$16.9 million as of December 31, 2010.2011. For information on goodwill and intangible assets, see Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

United States bank regulators have issued guidelines establishing minimum capital standards related to the level of assets and off balance-sheet exposures adjusted for credit risk. Specifically, these guidelines categorize assets and off balance-sheet items into four risk-weightings and require banking institutions to maintain a minimum ratio of capital to risk-weighted assets. At December 31, 2010,2011, the Corporation’s Tier I and total risk-based capital ratios were 13.2812.00 percent and 14.2912.89 percent, respectively. For information on risk-based capital and regulatory guidelines for the Parent Corporation and its bank subsidiary, see Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

The foregoing capital ratios are based in part on specific quantitative measures of assets, liabilities and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by the bank regulators regarding capital components, risk weightings and other factors. The OCC established higher minimum capital ratios for the Bank effective as of December 31, 2009: Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital of 10 percent, Total Risk-Based Capital of 12 percent and Tier 1 Leverage Capital of 8 percent. As of December 31, 2010,2011, management believes that each of the Bank and the Parent Corporation meet all capital adequacy requirements to which it is subject. Under a Memorandum of Understanding that was terminated by the MOU betweenOCC during 2011, the Bank and the OCC, the Bank has agreed to develop a three year capital program, which will include specific plans for the maintenance of adequate capital and the strengthening of the Bank’s capital structure to meet current and future needs.


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Subordinated Debentures

On December 19, 2003, Center Bancorp Statutory Trust II, a statutory business trust and wholly-owned subsidiary of Center Bancorp, Inc., issued $5.0 million of, MMCapS capital securities to investors due on January 23, 2034. The capital securities presently qualify as Tier I capital. The trust loaned the proceeds of this offering to the Corporation and received in exchange $5.2 million of the Parent Corporation’s subordinated debentures. The subordinated debentures are redeemable in whole or in part prior to maturity. The floating interest rate on the subordinate debentures is three-month LIBOR plus 2.85 percent and reprices quarterly. The rate at December 31, 20102011 was 3.143.43 percent.

The additional capital raised with respect to the issuance of the floating rate capital pass-through securities was used to bolster the Corporation’s capital and for general corporate purposes, including capital contributions to Union Center National Bank. Additional information regarding the capital treatment of these securities is contained in Note 10 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Looking Forward

One of the Corporation’s primary objectives is to achieve balanced asset and revenue growth, and at the same time expand market presence and diversify its financial products. However, it is recognized that objectives, no matter how focused, are subject to factors beyond the control of the Corporation, which can impede its ability to achieve these goals. The following factors should be considered when evaluating the Corporation’s ability to achieve its objectives:

The financial market place is rapidly changing. Banks are no longer the only place to obtain loans, nor the only place to keep financial assets. The banking industry has lost market share to other financial service providers. The future is predicated on the Corporation’s ability to adapt its products, provide superior customer service and compete in an ever-changing marketplace.

Net interest income, the primary source of earnings, is impacted favorably or unfavorably by changes in interest rates. Although the impact of interest rate fluctuations is mitigated by ALCO strategies, significant changes in interest rates can have a material adverse impact on profitability.

The ability of customers to repay their obligations is often impacted by changes in the regional and local economy. Although the Corporation sets aside loan loss provisions toward the allowance for loan losses when management determines such action to be appropriate, significant unfavorable changes in the economy could impact the assumptions used in the determination of the adequacy of the allowance.

Technological changes will have a material impact on how financial service companies compete for and deliver services. It is recognized that these changes will have a direct impact on how the marketplace is approached and ultimately on profitability. The Corporation has taken steps to improve its traditional delivery channels. However, continued success will likely be measured by the ability to anticipate and react to future technological changes.

This “Looking Forward” description constitutes a forward-looking statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the Corporation’s forward-looking statements due to numerous known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including the factors referred to above, in Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10K and in other sections of this Annual Report on Form 10K.


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures Aboutabout Market Risk

Interest Sensitivity

Market Risk

The Corporation’s profitability is affected by fluctuations in interest rates. A sudden and substantial increase or decrease in interest rates may adversely affect the Corporation’s earnings to the extent that the interest rates borne by assets and liabilities do not similarly adjust. The Corporation’s primary objective in managing interest rate risk is to minimize the adverse impact of changes in interest rates on the Corporation’s net interest income and capital, while structuring the Corporation’s asset-liability structure to obtain the maximum yield-cost spread on that structure. The Corporation relies primarily on its asset-liability structure to control interest rate risk. The Corporation continually evaluates interest rate risk management opportunities, including the use of derivative financial instruments. The management of the Corporation believes that hedging instruments currently available are not cost-effective, and, therefore, has focused its efforts on increasing the Corporation’s yield-cost spread through wholesale and retail growth opportunities.

The Corporation monitors the impact of changes in interest rates on its net interest income using several tools. One measure of the Corporation’s exposure to differential changes in interest rates between assets and liabilities is the Corporation’s analysis of its interest rate sensitivity. This test measures the impact on net interest income onor net portfolio value of an immediate change in interest rates in 100 basis point increments. Net portfolio value is defined as the net present value of assets, liabilities and off-balance sheet contracts.

The primary tool used by management to measure and manage interest rate exposure is a simulation model. Use of the model to perform simulations reflecting changes in interest rates over one and two-year time horizons has enabled management to develop and initiate strategies for managing exposure to interest rate risk. In its simulations, management estimates the impact on net interest income of various changes in interest rates. Projected net interest income sensitivity to movements in interest rates is modeled based on both an immediate rise and fall in interest rates (“rate shock”), as well as gradual changes in interest rates over a twelve-month time period. The model is based on the actual maturity and repricing characteristics of interest-rate sensitive assets and liabilities. The model incorporates assumptions regarding earning asset and deposit growth, prepayments, interest rates and other factors.

Management believes that both individually and taken together, these assumptions are reasonable, but the complexity of the simulation modeling process results in a sophisticated estimate, not an absolutely precise calculation of exposure. For example, estimates of future cash flows must be made for instruments without contractual maturity or payment schedules.

Based on the results of the interest simulation model as of December 31, 2010,2011, and assuming that management does not take action to alter the outcome, the Corporation would expect a decreasean increase of 1.091.71 and 1.911.89 percent in net interest income if interest rates increased by 200 and 300 basis points, respectively, from current rates in a gradual and parallel rate ramp over a twelve month period. As market rates declined to historic lows at December 31, 2010,2011, the Corporation did not feel that modeling a down rate scenario was realistic in the current environment.

The declining rates and steepening of the yield curve during both 20102011 and 20092010 affected net interest margins. Based on management’s perception that interest rates will continue to be volatile, projected increased levels of prepayments on the earning-asset portfolio and the current level of interest rates, emphasis has been, and is expected to continue to be, placed on interest-sensitivity matching with the objective of stabilizing the net interest spread during 2011.2012. However, no assurance can be given that this objective will be met.

Equity Price Risk

The Corporation is also exposed to equity price risk inherent in its portfolio of publicly traded equity securities, which had an estimateda fair value of $262,000 at December 31, 2011 and $300,000 at December 31, 2010 and at December 31, 2009.2010. The Corporation monitors its equity investments for impairment on a periodic basis. In the event that the carrying value of the equity investment exceeds its fair value, and the Corporation determines the decline in value to be other than temporary, the Corporation reduces the carrying value to its current fair value. During 20102011 and 2009,2010, the Corporation recorded $0 and $113,000, respectively,did not record any of other-than-temporary impairment charges relating to equity holdings in bank stocks. These equitiesThe remaining securities in the equity portfolio were written down to fair value.mutual funds and money market funds.


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

All Financial Statements:

The following financial statements are filed as part of this report under Item 8 — “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

 
 Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm  F-2 
Consolidated Statements of Condition  F-3 
Consolidated Statements of Income  F-4 
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity  F-5 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows  F-6 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  F-8 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Board of Directors and Stockholders
Center Bancorp, Inc.:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of condition of Center Bancorp, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Corporation”) as of December 31, 20102011 and 2009,2010, and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2010.2011. Center Bancorp, Inc.’s management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Center Bancorp, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 20102011 and 2009,2010, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 20102011 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Center Bancorp, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010,2011, based on criteria established inInternal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated March 16, 201113, 2012 expressed an unqualified opinion.

/s/ ParenteBeard LLC
  
ParenteBeard LLC
Reading, PennsylvaniaClark, New Jersey
March 16, 201113, 2012


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES



CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CONDITION

    
 December 31, December 31,
 2010 2009 2011 2010
 (In Thousands,
Except Share Data)
 (In Thousands, Except Share Data)
ASSETS
               
Cash and due from banks $37,497  $89,168  $111,101  $37,497 
Investment securities available-for-sale  378,080   298,124 
Securities available-for-sale  414,507   378,080 
Securities held-to-maturity (fair value of $74,922 and $0)  72,233    
Loans  708,444   719,606   756,010   708,444 
Less: Allowance for loan losses  8,867   8,711   9,602   8,867 
Net loans  699,577   710,895   746,408   699,577 
Restricted investment in bank stocks, at cost  9,596   10,672   9,233   9,596 
Premises and equipment, net  12,937   17,860   12,327   12,937 
Accrued interest receivable  4,134   4,033   6,219   4,134 
Bank owned life insurance  27,905   26,304   28,943   27,905 
Goodwill and other intangible assets  16,959   17,028   16,902   16,959 
Prepaid FDIC assessment  3,582   5,374   1,884   3,582 
Other real estate owned  591    
Other assets  17,118   16,030   12,390   17,118 
Total assets $1,207,385  $1,195,488  $1,432,738  $1,207,385 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Deposits:
               
Non-interest-bearing $144,210  $130,518  $167,164  $144,210 
Interest-bearing:
               
Time deposits $100,000 and over  119,651   144,802 
Interest-bearing transaction, savings and time deposits less than $100,000  596,471   538,385 
Time deposits $100 and over  137,998   119,651 
Interest-bearing transaction, savings and time deposits less than $100  816,253   596,471 
Total deposits  860,332   813,705   1,121,415   860,332 
Short-term borrowings  41,855   46,109      41,855 
Long-term borrowings  171,000   223,144   161,000   171,000 
Subordinated debentures  5,155   5,155   5,155   5,155 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities  8,086   5,626   9,252   8,086 
Total liabilities  1,086,428   1,093,739   1,296,822   1,086,428 
Stockholders’ Equity
               
Preferred Stock, $1,000 liquidation value per share:
               
Authorized 5,000,000 shares; issued 10,000 shares in 2010 and 2009  9,700   9,619 
Authorized 5,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 11,250 shares of Series B preferred stock at December 31, 2011 and 10,000 shares of Series A preferred stock at December 31, 2010  11,250   9,700 
Common stock, no par value:
               
Authorized 25,000,000 shares; issued 18,477,412 shares in 2010 and 16,762,412 in 2009; outstanding 16,289,832 shares in 2010 and 14,572,029 in 2009  110,056   97,908 
Authorized 25,000,000 shares; issued 18,477,412 shares at December 31, 2011 and 2010; outstanding 16,332,327 shares at December 31, 2011 and 16,289,832 at December 31, 2010  110,056   110,056 
Additional paid-in capital  4,941   5,650   4,715   4,941 
Retained earnings  21,633   17,068   32,695   21,633 
Treasury stock, at cost (2,187,580 shares in 2010 and 2,190,383 in 2009)  (17,698  (17,720
Treasury stock, at cost (2,145,085 shares at December 31, 2011 and 2,187,580 at December 31, 2010)  (17,354  (17,698
Accumulated other comprehensive loss  (7,675  (10,776  (5,446  (7,675
Total stockholders’ equity  120,957   101,749   135,916   120,957 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $1,207,385  $1,195,488  $1,432,738  $1,207,385 

 
 
See the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
  
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

      
 Years Ended December 31, Years Ended December 31,
 2010 2009 2008 2011 2010 2009
 (Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share Data) (Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share Data)
Interest income:
                    
Interest and fees on loans $37,200  $36,751  $36,110  $36,320  $37,200  $36,751 
Interest and dividends on investment securities:
                    
Taxable interest income  10,588   12,727   10,353   13,278   10,588   12,727 
Non-taxable interest income  220   989   2,547   1,700   220   989 
Dividends  706   643   771   629   706   643 
Interest on federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell        113 
Total interest income  48,714   51,110   49,894   51,927   48,714   51,110 
Interest expense:
                    
Interest on certificates of deposit $100,000 & over  1,301   3,551   2,411 
Interest on certificates of deposit $100 & over  1,215   1,301   3,551 
Interest on other deposits  4,705   8,757   10,876   4,305   4,705   8,757 
Interest on short-term borrowings  211   449   1,295   79   211   449 
Interest on long-term borrowings  8,568   9,888   9,513   6,578   8,568   9,888 
Total interest expense  14,785   22,645   24,095   12,177   14,785   22,645 
Net interest income  33,929   28,465   25,799   39,750   33,929   28,465 
Provision for loan losses  5,076   4,597   1,561   2,448   5,076   4,597 
Net interest income, after provision for loan losses  28,853   23,868   24,238   37,302   28,853   23,868 
Other income:
                    
Service charges, commissions and fees  1,975   1,835   2,015   1,896   1,975   1,835 
Annuity and insurance  123   126   112   110   123   126 
Bank-owned life insurance  1,226   1,156   1,203   1,038   1,226   1,156 
Other  487   298   420   800   487   298 
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses  (8,953  (9,066  (1,761  (342  (8,953  (9,066
Less: Portion of loss recognized in other comprehensive income (before taxes)  3,377   4,828         3,377   4,828 
Net other-than-temporary impairment losses  (5,576  (4,238  (1,761  (342  (5,576  (4,238
Net gains on sale on investment securities  4,237   4,729   655   3,976   4,237   4,729 
Net investment securities gains (losses)  (1,339  491   (1,106  3,634   (1,339  491 
Total other income  2,472   3,906   2,644   7,478   2,472   3,906 
Other expense:
                    
Salaries and employee benefits  10,765   9,915   8,505   11,527   10,765   9,915 
Occupancy, net  2,088   2,536   3,279   2,021   2,088   2,536 
Premises and equipment  1,093   1,263   1,436   926   1,093   1,263 
FDIC Insurance  2,126   2,055   217   1,712   2,126   2,055 
Professional and consulting  1,121   811   703   1,156   1,121   811 
Stationery and printing  316   339   397   368   316   339 
Marketing and advertising  268   366   637   131   268   366 
Computer expense  1,366   964   834   1,312   1,366   964 
OREO expense, net  284   1,438   31 
Other real estate owned expense, net  398   284   1,438 
Loss on fixed assets, net  427      51      427    
Repurchase agreement termination fee  594            594    
Other  3,651   3,370   3,383   3,892   3,651   3,370 
Total other expense  24,099   23,057   19,473   23,443   24,099   23,057 
Income before income tax expense  7,226   4,717   7,409   21,337   7,226   4,717 
Income tax expense  222   946   1,567   7,411   222   946 
Net income  7,004   3,771   5,842   13,926   7,004   3,771 
Preferred stock dividends and accretion  581   567      820   581   567 
Net income available to common stockholders $6,423  $3,204  $5,842  $13,106  $6,423  $3,204 
Earnings per common share:
                    
Basic $0.43  $0.24  $0.45  $0.80  $0.43  $0.24 
Diluted $0.43  $0.24  $0.45  $0.80  $0.43  $0.24 
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
                    
Basic  15,025,870   13,382,614   13,048,518   16,295,761   15,025,870   13,382,614 
Diluted  15,027,159   13,385,416   13,061,410   16,314,899   15,027,159   13,385,416 

 
 
See the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
  
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

              
 Years Ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008       
 Preferred
Stock
 Common
Stock
 Additional
Paid In
Capital
 Retained
Earnings
 Treasury
Stock
 Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 Total
Stockholders’
Equity
 Years Ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009
 (In Thousands, Except Share and per Share Data) Preferred
Stock
 Common
Stock
 Additional
Paid In
Capital
 Retained
Earnings
 Treasury
Stock
 Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 Total
Stockholders’
Equity
Balance, December 31, 2007 $  $86,908  $5,133  $15,161  $(16,100 $(5,824 $85,278 
Comprehensive income:
     
Net income                 5,842             5,842 
Other comprehensive loss, net of taxes                           (3,088  (3,088
Total comprehensive income                                2,754 
Cash dividends declared on common stock of ($0.36 per share)                 (4,675            (4,675
Issuance cost of common stock                 (19            (19
Restricted stock award (3,028 shares)                      25        25 
Exercise of stock options (25,583 shares)            21        203        224 
Stock-based compensation expense            128                  128 
Taxes related to stock-based compensation            (78                 (78
Treasury stock purchased (193,083 shares)                      (1,924       (1,924
 (In Thousands, Except Share and per Share Data)
Balance, December 31, 2008 $  $86,908  $5,204  $16,309  $(17,796 $(8,912 $81,713  $  $86,908  $5,204  $16,309  $(17,796 $(8,912 $81,713 
Comprehensive income:
                                                                      
Net income                 3,771             3,771                  3,771             3,771 
Other comprehensive loss, net of taxes                           (1,864  (1,864                           (1,864  (1,864
Total comprehensive income                                1,907                                 1,907 
Issuance of preferred stock (10,000 shares) and warrants (86,705 shares)  9,539        461                  10,000   9,539        461                  10,000 
Accretion of discount on preferred stock  80             (80               80             (80             
Dividends on preferred stock                 (487            (487                 (487            (487
Proceeds from rights offering (1,571,428 shares)       11,000                       11,000        11,000                       11,000 
Cash dividends declared on common stock ($0.18 per share)                 (2,434            (2,434                 (2,434            (2,434
Issuance cost of common stock                 (11            (11                 (11            (11
Exercise of stock options (9,289 shares)            (19       76        57             (19       76        57 
Stock-based compensation expense            77                  77             77                  77 
Taxes related to stock-based compensation            (73                 (73            (73                 (73
Balance, December 31, 2009 $9,619  $97,908  $5,650  $17,068  $(17,720 $(10,776 $101,749   9,619   97,908   5,650   17,068   (17,720  (10,776  101,749 
Comprehensive income:
                                        
Net income                 7,004             7,004                  7,004             7,004 
Other comprehensive gains, net of taxes                           3,101   3,101 
Other comprehensive income, net of taxes                           3,101   3,101 
Total comprehensive income                                10,105                                 10,105 
Accretion of discount on preferred stock  81             (81               81             (81             
Dividends on preferred stock                 (500            (500                 (500            (500
Proceeds from stock offerings (1,715,000 shares)       12,148   (770                 11,378        12,148   (770                 11,378 
Cash dividends declared on common stock ($0.12 per share)                 (1,852            (1,852                 (1,852            (1,852
Issuance cost of common stock                 (6            (6                 (6            (6
Stock awarded            3        22        25             3        22        25 
Stock-based compensation expense            51                  51             51                  51 
Option related tax trueup            7                  7             7                  7 
Balance, December 31, 2010 $9,700  $110,056  $4,941  $21,633  $(17,698 $(7,675 $120,957   9,700   110,056   4,941   21,633   (17,698  (7,675  120,957 
Comprehensive income:
                                   
Net income                 13,926             13,926 
Other comprehensive income, net of taxes                           2,229   2,229 
Total comprehensive income                                16,155 
Accretion of discount on preferred stock  300             (300             
Dividends on preferred stock                 (520            (520
Redemption of series A preferred stock  (10,000                           (10,000
Proceeds from issuance of series B preferred stock  11,250                            11,250 
Warrant repurchased            (245                 (245
Cash dividends declared on common stock ($0.12 per share)                 (1,955            (1,955
Issuance cost of common stock                 (5            (5
Issuance cost of series B preferred stock                 (84            (84
Exercise of stock options (42,495 shares)            (16       344        328 
Stock-based compensation expense            35                  35 
Balance, December 31, 2011 $11,250  $110,056  $4,715  $32,695  $(17,354 $(5,446 $135,916 

 
 
See the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
  
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

      
 Years Ended December 31, Years Ended December 31,
 2010 2009 2008 2011 2010 2009
 (Dollars in Thousands) (Dollars in Thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
                    
Net income $7,004  $3,771  $5,842  $13,926  $7,004  $3,771 
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash Provided by (Used In) Operating Activities:
     
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization  1,165   1,451   1,832   983   1,165   1,451 
Provision for loan losses  5,076   4,597   1,561   2,448   5,076   4,597 
Provision for deferred taxes  51   819   1,221   3,406   51   819 
Stock-based compensation expense  51   77   128   35   51   77 
Net other-than-temporary impairment losses  5,576   4,238   1,761   342   5,576   4,238 
Net gains on available-for-sale securities  (4,237  (4,729  (655
Net gain on sale of loans held for sale  (140  (5  (13
Loans originated for resale  (8,347  (3,453  (1,708
Proceeds of loans held for sale  8,154   3,458   1,721 
Net loss on premises and equipment  427      51 
Net loss on OREO  207   905   26 
Net gains on sales of available-for-sale securities  (3,976  (4,237  (4,729
Net gains on sales of loans held for sale  (251  (140  (5
Net loans originated for sale  (14,357  (8,347  (3,453
Proceeds from sales of loans held for sale  13,923   8,154   3,458 
Net loss on disposition of premises and equipment     427    
Net loss on sales of other real estate owned  5   207   905 
Life insurance death benefit     (136  (230        (136
Increase in cash surrender value of bank owned life insurance  (1,226  (1,020  (973  (1,038  (1,226  (1,020
Net amortization of securities  2,979   793   90   4,012   2,979   793 
(Increase) decrease in accrued interest receivable  (101  121   381   (2,085  (101  121 
Decrease in prepaid FDIC insurance assessment  1,792         1,698   1,792    
(Increase) decrease in other assets  1,642   (1,732  (7,332  (402  1,642   (1,732
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities  (2,426  (480  (4,432
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities  17,647   8,675   (729
Decrease in other liabilities  (585  (2,426  (480
Net cash provided by operating activities  18,084   17,647   8,675 
Cash flows from investing activities:
                    
Proceeds from maturities of investment securities
available-for-sale
  67,960   58,206   52,702 
Investment securities available-for-sale:
               
Purchases  (400,644  (791,156  (785,044
Sales  254,821   644,075   665,828 
Maturities, calls and principal repayment  48,029   67,960   58,206 
Investment securities held-to-maturity:
               
Purchases  (13,118      
Maturities and principal repayment  7,475       
Net redemption (purchases) of restricted investment in bank stock  1,076   (442  (1,763  363   1,076   (442
Proceeds from sales of investment securities available-for-sale  644,075   665,828   330,808 
Purchase of securities available-for-sale  (791,156  (785,044  (315,899
Net decrease (increase) in loans  8,357   (45,543  (125,004
Net (increase) decrease in loans  (49,223  8,348   (45,543
Purchases of premises and equipment  (300  (742  (2,882  (316  (300  (742
Purchase of bank-owned life insurance  (6,000  (2,475        (6,000  (2,475
Redemption of bank-owned life insurance  5,610            5,610    
Proceeds from life insurance death benefits  15   266   526      15   266 
Capital expenditure addition to OREO     (476   
Capital expenditure addition to other real estate owned        (476
Proceeds from sale of premises and equipment  1   1   24      1   1 
Proceeds from sale of branch facility        2,414 
Increase in principal portion of lease  (9      
Proceeds from sale of OREO  1,720   3,520   452 
Proceeds from sale of other real estate owned  33   1,720   3,520 
Net cash used in investing activities  (68,651  (106,901  (58,622  (152,580  (68,651  (106,901

 
 
See the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
  
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS – (continued)

      
 Years Ended December 31, Years Ended December 31,
 2010 2009 2008 2011 2010 2009
 (Dollars in Thousands) (Dollars in Thousands)
Cash flows from financing activities:
                    
Net increase (decrease) in deposits  46,627   154,168   (39,533
Net increase (decrease) in short-term borrowings  (4,254  966   (4,521
Proceeds from long-term borrowings        55,000 
Net increase in deposits  261,083   46,627   154,168 
Net (decrease) increase in short-term borrowings  (41,855  (4,254  966 
Payments on long-term borrowings  (52,144  (153  (148  (10,000  (52,144  (153
Cash dividends on common stock  (1,800  (3,166  (4,675  (1,955  (1,800  (3,166
Cash dividends on preferred stock  (500  (425     (417  (500  (425
Proceeds from issuance of Series B preferred stock  11,250       
Redemption of Series A preferred stock  (10,000      
Warrant repurchased  (245      
Issuance cost of common stock  (6  (11  (19  (5  (6  (11
Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock and warrants     10,000    
Issuance cost of Series B preferred stock  (84      
Proceeds from issuance of Series A preferred stock and warrants        10,000 
Proceeds from issuance of shares from stock offering or rights offering  12,148   11,000         12,148   11,000 
Issuance cost from issue of common stock  (770      
Tax (expense) benefit from stock based compensation  7   (73  (78
Issuance cost of common stock     (770   
Tax expense (benefit) from stock based compensation     7   (73
Issuance cost of restricted stock award  25      25      25    
Proceeds from exercise of stock options     57   224   328      57 
Purchase of treasury stock        (1,924
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities  (667  172,363   4,351   208,100   (667  172,363 
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents  (51,671  74,137   (55,000
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents  73,604   (51,671  74,137 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year  89,168   15,031   70,031   37,497   89,168   15,031 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $37,497  $89,168  $15,031  $111,101  $37,497  $89,168 
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
                    
Noncash activities:
                    
Trade date accounting settlement for investments $8  $1,979  $3,514  $  $8  $1,979 
Transfer of loans to real estate owned  1,927      3,949 
Transfer of loans to other real estate owned  629   1,927    
Net investment in direct financing lease  3,700            3,700    
Transfer from investment securities available-for-sale to investment securities held-to-maturity  66,833       
Cash paid during year for:
                    
Interest paid on deposits and borrowings $15,569  $23,021  $23,615  $12,226  $15,569  $23,021 
Income taxes  2,479   344   2,370   4,484   2,479   344 

 
 
See the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
  
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements of Center Bancorp, Inc. (the “Parent Corporation”) are prepared on the accrual basis and include the accounts of the Parent Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiary, Union Center National Bank (the “Bank”, and collectively with the Parent Corporation and the Parent Corporation’s other direct and indirect subsidiaries, the “Corporation”). All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated from the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

Business

The Parent Corporation is a bank holding company whose principal activity is the ownership and management of Union Center National Bank as mentioned above. The Bank provides a full range of banking services to individual and corporate customers through branch locations in Union and Morris counties, New Jersey. Additionally, the Bank originates residential mortgage loans and services such loans for others. The Bank is subject to competition from other financial institutions and the regulations of certain federal and state agencies and undergoes periodic examinations by those regulatory authorities.

Basis of Financial Statement Presentation

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Use of Estimates

In preparing the consolidated financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the statement of condition and revenues and expenses for the reported periods. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses, other-than-temporary impairment evaluation of securities, the evaluation of the impairment of goodwill, the income tax provision and the valuation of deferred tax assets.

Cash and Due Fromfrom Banks

Cash and Due From Banksdue from banks includes cash on hand and balances due from correspondent banks including the Federal Reserve Bank.

Investment Securities

The Corporation accounts for its investment securities in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 320-10-05 (previously SFAS No. 115, “Accounting for Certain Investment in Debt and Equity Securities”).320-10-05. Investments are classified into the following categories: (1) held to maturity securities, for which the Corporation has both the positive intent and ability to hold until maturity, which are reported at amortized cost; (2) trading securities, which are purchased and held principally for the purpose of selling in the near term and are reported at fair value with unrealized gains and losses included in earnings; and (3) available-for-sale securities, which do not meet the criteria of the other two categories and which management believes may be sold prior to maturity due to changes in interest rates, prepayment, risk, liquidity or other factors, and are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses, net of applicable income taxes, reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income, which is included in stockholders’ equity and excluded from earnings.

Investment securities are adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts, which are recognized on a level yield method, as adjustments to interest income. Investment securities gains or losses are determined using the specific identification method.


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
  
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies  – (continued)

Securities are evaluated on at least a quarterly basis, and more frequently when market conditions warrant such an evaluation, to determine whether a decline in their value is other-than-temporary. In April 2009, the FASB issued FASB ASC 320-10-65, (previously SFAS No. 115-2 and SFAS No. 124-2, “Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Investments”), which was adopted as of June 30, 2009. The accounting standard clarifies the interaction of the factors that should be considered when determining whether a debt security is other-than-temporarilyother–than-temporarily impaired. For debt securities, management must assess whether (a) it has the intent to sell the security and (b) it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security prior to its anticipated recovery. These steps are done before assessing whether the entity will recover the cost basis of the investment. Prior to the June 30, 2009 adoption, this assessment required management to assert it has both the intent and the ability to hold a security for a period of time sufficient to allow for anticipated recovery in fair value to avoid recognizing an other-than-temporary impairment. This change does not affect the need to forecast recovery of the value of the security through either cash flows or market price.

In instances when a determination is made that an other-than-temporary impairment exists but the investor does not intend to sell the debt security and it is not more likely than not that it will be required to sell the debt security prior to its anticipated recovery, FASB ASC 320-10-65 changes the presentation and amount of the other-than-temporary impairment recognized in the income statement. The other-than-temporary impairment is separated into (a) the amount of the total other-than-temporary impairment related to a decrease in cash flows expected to be collected from the debt security (the credit loss) and (b) the amount of the total other-than-temporary impairment related to all other factors. The amount of the total other-than-temporary impairment related to the credit loss is recognized through earnings. The amount of the total other-than-temporary impairment related to all other factors is recognized through other comprehensive income. Impairment charges on certain investment securities of approximately $0.3 million, $5.6 million $4.2 million and $1.8$4.2 million were recognized in earnings during the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 2009 and 2008,2009, respectively.

Loans Held for Sale

Mortgage loans originated and intended for sale in the secondary market are carried at the lower of costscost or estimated fair value or fair value under the fair value option accounting guidance for financial instruments. For loans carried at the lower of cost or estimated fair value, gains and losses on loan sales (sale proceeds minus carrying value) are recorded in other income and direct loan origination costs and fees are deferred at origination of the loan and are recognized in other income upon sale of the loan. The Corporation had $333,000$1,018,000 and $0$333,000 in loans held for sale at December 31, 2011 and 2010, and 2009.respectively.

Loans

Loans are stated at their principal amounts inclusive of net deferred loan origination fees. Interest income is credited as earned except when a loan becomes past due 90 days or more and doubt exists as to the ultimate collection of interest or principal; in those cases the recognition of income is discontinued. Loans that are past due 90 days or more that are both well secured and in the process of collection will remain on an accruing basis. When a loan is placed on non-accrual status, interest accruals cease and uncollected accrued interest is reversed and charged against current income.

In July 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”)FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2010-20 (FASB ASC 310),“Disclosures about the Credit Quality of Financing Receivables and the Allowance for Credit Losses,” which requires that the Corporation provide a greater level of disaggregated information about the credit quality of the Corporation’s loans and leases and the allowance for loan and lease losses (the “Allowance”). This ASU also requires the Corporation to disclose on a prospective basis, additional information related to credit quality indicators, non-accrual loans and leases, and past due information. The Corporation adopted the provisions of this ASU in preparing the Consolidated Financial Statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2010. As this ASU amends only the disclosure


TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies  – (continued)

requirements for loans and leases and the Allowance, the adoption had no impact on the Corporation’s statements of income and condition. See Note 5 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the required disclosures.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies  – (continued)

Portfolio segments are defined as the level at which an entity develops and documents a systematic methodology to determine its Allowance. Management has determined that the Corporation has two portfolio segments of loans and leases (commercial and consumer) in determining the Allowance. Both quantitative and qualitative factors are used by management at the portfolio segment level in determining the adequacy of the Allowance for the Corporation. Classes of loans and leases are a disaggregation of a Corporation’s portfolio segments. Classes are defined as a group of loans and leases which share similar initial measurement attributes, risk characteristics, and methods for monitoring and assessing credit risk. Management has determined that the Corporation has five classes of loans and leases (Commercial(commercial and industrial (including lease financing), Commercialcommercial — real estate, Construction, Residentialconstruction, residential mortgage (including home equity) and Installment.installment).

Generally, all classes of commercial and consumer loans and leases are placed on non-accrual status upon becoming contractually past due 90 days or more as to principal or interest (unless loans and leases are adequately secured by collateral, are in the process of collection, and are reasonably expected to result in repayment), when terms are renegotiated below market levels, or where substantial doubt about full repayment of principal or interest is evident. For certain installment loans, the entire outstanding balance on the loan is charged-off when the loan becomes 60 days past due.

Payments received on non-accrual loans are applied against principal. A loan may only be restored to an accruing basis when it again becomes well secured and in the process of collection or all past due amounts have been collected. Loan origination fees and certain direct loan origination costs are deferred and recognized over the life of the loan as an adjustment to the loan’s yield using the level yield method.

Impaired Loans

The Corporation accounts for impaired loans in accordance with FASB ASC 310-10-35 (previously SFAS No. 114, “Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan” as amended by SFAS No. 118, “Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan — Income Recognition and Disclosures”).310-10-35. The value of an impaired loansloan is based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate or, as a practical expedient, at the loan’s observable market price or at the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.

The Corporation has defined its population of impaired loans to include all non-accrual and troubled debt restructuring loans. As part of the evaluation, the Corporation reviews all non-homogeneous loans for impairment internally classified as substandard or below, in each instance above an established dollar threshold of $200,000. Smaller impaired non-homogeneous loans and impaired homogeneous loans are not measured for specific reserves and are covered under the Corporation’s general reserve.

A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Corporation will not be able to collect all amounts due from the borrower in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan, including scheduled interest payments. Impaired loans include all classes of commercial and consumer non-accruing loans and all loans modified in a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”).

When a loan has been identified as being impaired, the amount of impairment is measured based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, the loan’s observable market price, or the estimated fair value of the collateral, less any selling costs, if the loan is collateral-dependent. If the measurement of the impaired loan is less than the recorded investment in the loan (including accrued interest, net of deferred loan fees or costs and unamortized premiums or discounts), an impairment is recognized by creating or adjusting an existing allocation of the Allowance, or by recording a partial charge-off of the loan to its fair value. Interest payments made on impaired loans are typically applied to principal unless collectability of the principal amount is reasonably assured, in which case interest income may be accrued or recognized on a cash basis.


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
  
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies  – (continued)

to principal unless collectability of the principal amount is reasonably assured, in which case interest income may be accrued or recognized on a cash basis.

Loans Modified in a Troubled Debt Restructuring

Loans are considered to have been modified in a TDR when due to a borrower’s financial difficulties, the Corporation makes certain concessions to the borrower that it would not otherwise consider. Modifications may include interest rate reductions, principal or interest forgiveness, forbearance, and other actions intended to minimize economic loss and to avoid foreclosure or repossession of collateral. Generally, a non-accrual loan that has been modified in a TDR remains on non-accrual status for a period of six months to demonstrate that the borrower is able to meet the terms of the modified loan. However, performance prior to the modification, or significant events that coincide with the modification, are included in assessing whether the borrower can meet the new terms and may result in the loan being returned to accrual status at the time of loan modification or after a shorter performance period. If the borrower’s ability to meet the revised payment schedule is uncertain, the loan remains on non-accrual status.

Reserve for Credit Losses

A consequence of lending activities is that the Corporation may incur losses. The amount of such losses will vary depending upon the risk characteristics of the loan and lease portfolio as affected by economic conditions such as rising interest rates and the financial performance of borrowers. The Corporation’s reserve for credit losses is comprised of two components, the Allowanceallowance for loan losses and the reserve for unfunded commitments (the “Unfunded Commitments”). The reserve for credit losses provides for credit losses inherent in lending or commitments to lend and is based on loss estimates derived from a comprehensive quarterly evaluation, reflecting analyses of individual borrowers and historical loss experience, supplemented as necessary by credit judgment to address observed changes in trends, conditions, and other relevant environmental and economic factors.

Allowance for Loan Losses

The allowance for loan losses (“allowance”) is maintained at a level determined adequate to provide for probable loan losses. The allowance is increased by provisions charged to operations and reduced by loan charge-offs, net of recoveries. The allowance is based on management’s evaluation of the loan portfolio considering economic conditions, the volume and nature of the loan portfolio, historical loan loss experience and individual credit situations.

Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near-term relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses. In connection with the determination of the allowance for loan losses, management obtains independent appraisals for significant properties.

The ultimate collectability of a substantial portion of the Bank’s loan portfolio is susceptible to changes in the real estate market and economic conditions in the State of New Jersey and the impact of such conditions on the creditworthiness of the borrowers.

Management believes that the allowance for loan losses is adequate. Management uses available information to recognize loan losses; however, future additions to the allowance may be necessary based on changes in economic conditions. In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Bank’s allowance for loan losses. Such agencies may require the Bank to recognize additions to the allowance based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examinations.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies  – (continued)

Reserve for Unfunded Commitments

The reserve for unfunded commitments is maintained at a level believed by management to be sufficient to absorb estimated probable losses related to unfunded credit facilities and is included in other liabilities in the consolidated statements of condition. The determination of the adequacy of the reserve is based upon an evaluation of the unfunded credit facilities, including an assessment of historical commitment utilization experience, and credit risk. Net adjustments to the reserve for unfunded commitments are included in other expense.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies  – (continued)

Premises and Equipment

Land is carried at cost and bank premises and equipment at cost less accumulated depreciation based on estimated useful lives of assets, computed principally on a straight-line basis. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred; major renewals and betterments are capitalized. Gains and losses on sales or other dispositions are recorded as a component of other income or other expenses. In September 2007, the Corporation reclassified its Florham Park office building from premises to held for sale, which was included in other assets, and entered into a contract to sell that property. On February 29, 2008, the Corporation completed the sale of the property for $2.4 million, which approximated the carrying value.

During the second quarter of 2010, the Corporation entered into a lease of its former operations facility under a direct financing lease. The lease has a 15 year term with no renewal options. According to the terms of the lease, the lessee has an obligation to purchase the property underlying the lease in either year seven (7), ten (10) or fifteen (15) at predetermined prices for those years as provided in the lease. The structure of the minimum lease payments and the purchase prices as provided in the lease provide an inducement to the lessee to purchase the property in year seven (7).

Other Real Estate Owned

Other real estate owned (“OREO”), representing property acquired through foreclosure and held for sale, are initially recorded at fair value less cost to sell at the date of foreclosure, establishing a new cost basis. Subsequently, valuations are periodically performed by management and the assets are carried at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell. Costs relating to holding the assets are charged to expenses.

During the fourth quarter of 2011, the Corporation sold one commercial property and one residential property in Union County, New Jersey which were carried as OREO. During the fourth quarter of 2010, the Corporation sold one residential property in Morris County, New Jersey, and one residential property in Union County, New Jersey which were carried as OREO. At December 31, 20102011 and 2009,2010, the Corporation had no OREO.$591,000 and $0, in OREO, respectively.

Mortgage Servicing

The Corporation performs various servicing functions on loans owned by others. A fee, usually based on a percentage of the outstanding principal balance of the loan, is received for those services. At December 31, 20102011 and 2009,2010, the Corporation was servicing approximately $5.3$8.9 million and $7.6$5.3 million, respectively, of loans for others.

The Corporation accounts for its servicing of financial assets in accordance with FASB ASC 860-50. The Corporation originates mortgages under plans to sell those loans and service the loans owned by the investor. The Corporation records mortgage servicing rights and the loans based on relative fair values at the date of sale. The balance of mortgage servicing rights at December 31, 20102011 and 20092010 are immaterial to the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies  – (continued)

Employee Benefit Plans

The Corporation has a non-contributory pension plan covering all eligible employees up until September 30, 2007, at which time the Corporation froze its defined benefit pension plan. As such, all future benefit accruals in this pension plan were discontinued and all retirement benefits that employees would have earned as of September 30, 2007 were preserved. The Corporation’s policy is to fund at least the minimum contribution required by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. The costs associated with the plan are accrued based on actuarial assumptions and included in other expense.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies  – (continued)

The Corporation accounts for its defined benefit pension plan in accordance with FASB ASC 715-30. FASB ASC 715-30 requires that the funded status of defined benefit postretirement plans be recognized on the Corporation’s statement of condition and changes in the funded status be reflected in other comprehensive income. FASB ASC 715-30 also requires companies to measure the funded status of the plan as of the date of its fiscal year-end, effective for fiscal years ended after December 15, 2008. Early adoption was encouraged. The Corporation had early adopted this statement and the adoption did not have a material effect on the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements.year-end.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock compensation accounting guidance (FASB ASC 718, “Compensation-Stock Compensation”) requires that the compensation cost related to share-based payment transactions be recognized in financial statements. That cost will be measured based on the grant date fair value of the equity or liability instruments issued. The stock compensation accounting guidance covers a wide range of share-based compensation arrangements including stock options, restricted share plans, performance-based awards, share appreciation rights and employee share purchase plans.

Stock compensation accounting guidance requires that compensation cost for all stock awards be calculated and recognized over the employees’ 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. A Black-Scholes model is used to estimate the fair value of stock options while the market price of the Corporation’s common stock at the date of grant is used for restricted stock awards. See Note 16 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a further discussion.

Earnings per Share

Basic Earnings per Share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted EPS includes any additional common shares as if all potentially dilutive common shares were issued (e.g. stock options). The Corporation’s weighted average common shares outstanding for diluted EPS include the effect of stock options outstanding using the Treasury Stock Method, which are not included in the calculation of basic EPS.

Earnings per common share have been computed based on the following:

   
 Years Ended December 31,
   2010 2009 2008
   (In Thousands, Except per Share Amounts)
Net income $7,004  $3,771  $5,842 
Preferred stock dividends and accretion  581   567    
Net income available to common stockholders $6,423  $3,204  $5,842 
Average number of common shares outstanding  15,026   13,382   13,049 
Effect of dilutive options  1   3   12 
Average number of common shares outstanding used to calculate diluted earnings per common share  15,027   13,385   13,061 
Earnings per common share:
               
Basic $0.43  $0.24  $0.45 
Diluted $0.43  $0.24  $0.45 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
  
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies  – (continued)

Earnings per common share have been computed based on the following:

   
 Years Ended December 31,
   2011 2010 2009
   (In Thousands, Except per Share Amounts)
Net income $13,926  $7,004  $3,771 
Preferred stock dividends and accretion  820   581   567 
Net income available to common stockholders $13,106  $6,423  $3,204 
Average number of common shares outstanding  16,296   15,026   13,383 
Effect of dilutive options  19   1   2 
Average number of common shares outstanding used to calculate diluted earnings per common share  16,315   15,027   13,385 
Earnings per common share:
               
Basic $0.80  $0.43  $0.24 
Diluted $0.80  $0.43  $0.24 

Treasury Stock

The Parent Corporation, announced on March 27, 2006 that its Board of Directors approved an increase in its then current shareunder a stock buyback program to 5 percent of outstanding shares, enhancing its then current authorization by 425,825 shares to 684,965 shares. The Corporation announcedlast amended on October 1, 2007 that its Board of Directors approved an additional increase in its current share buyback program to 5 percent of outstanding shares, enhancing its current authorization by 684,627 shares. On June 26, 2008, the Corporation announced that its Board of Directors approved an additional buyback of 649,712 shares. The total buyback authorization has been increasedis authorized to buy back up to 2,039,731 shares.shares of the Parent Corporation’s common stock. Subject to limitations applicable to the Corporation, purchases may be made from time to time as, in the opinion of management, market conditions warrant, in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. Shares repurchased will be added to the corporate treasury and will be used for future stock dividends and other issuances. As of December 31, 2010,2011, Center Bancorp had 16.3 million shares of common stock outstanding. As of December 31, 2010,2011, the Parent Corporation had purchased 1,386,863 common shares at an average cost per share of $11.44 under the stock buyback program as amended on October 1, 2007 and June 26, 2008. The repurchased shares were recorded as treasury stock, which resulted in a decrease in stockholders’ equity. Treasury stock is recorded using the cost method and accordingly is presented as a reduction of stockholders’ equity. ForDuring the yearyears ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, the Parent Corporation did not purchase any of its shares.

Goodwill

The Corporation adopted the provisions of FASB ASC 350-10 (previously SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”), which requires that goodwill to be tested for impairment annually, or more frequently if impairment indicators arise for impairment. No impairment charge was deemed necessary for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 2009 and 2008.2009.

Comprehensive Income

Total comprehensive income includes all changes in equity during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources. The Corporation’s other comprehensive income is comprised of unrealized holding gains and losses on securities available-for-sale and unrecognized actuarial gains and losses of the Corporation’s defined benefit pension plan, net of taxes.

Disclosure of comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 2009 and 20082009 is presented in the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity and presented in detail in Note 14 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies  – (continued)

Bank-Owned Life Insurance

The Corporation invests in Bank-Owned Life Insurance (“BOLI”) to help offset the rising cost of employee benefits. During the 3rd3rd quarter of 2010 the Corporation redeemed BOLI policies for proceeds of $5.6 million and purchased additional BOLI policies of $6.0 million. In conjunction with the redemption, the Corporation recorded a tax expense of $633,000. The change in the cash surrender value of the BOLI wasis recorded as a component of other income and amounted to $1,226,000, $1,020,000 and $973,000 in 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. During 2010 and 2009, the Corporation recognized $0 and $136,000, respectively, in tax-free proceeds in excess of contract value on its BOLI due to the death of insured participants.income.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies  – (continued)

Income Taxes

The Corporation recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements or tax returns. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities, using enacted tax rates expected to be applied to taxable income in the years in which the differences are expected to be settled. Income tax-related interest and penalties are classified as a component of income tax expense.

ASC Topic 740,Taxes,provides clarification on accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements and prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The Corporation has not identified any income tax uncertainties.

Advertising Costs

The Corporation recognizes its marketing and advertising cost as incurred. Advertising costs were $131,000, $268,000 $366,000 and $637,000$366,000 for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 2009 and 2008,2009, respectively.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made in the consolidated financial statements for 20092010 and 20082009 to conform to the classifications presented in 2010.2011.

Note 2 — Recent Accounting Pronouncements

On June 12, 2009,In April 2011, the FASB issued SFASASU No. 166, “Accounting2011-03,“Reconsideration of Effective Control for Transfers of Financial Assets” (“FAS 166”), which was incorporated into ASC 860 “Transfers and Servicing”, and SFAS No.167, “Amendments to FASB InterpretationRepurchase Agreements.” ASU No. 46 (Revised), which was incorporated into ASC 810 “Consolidation” (“FAS 167”), which change2011-03 modifies the way entities accountcriteria for securitizations and special-purpose entities.

FAS 166 isdetermining when repurchase agreements would be accounted for as a revision to FASB ASC 860-10 (previously SFAS No. 140, “Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities”) and will require more information about transfers of financial assets, including securitization transactions, and where companies have continuing exposure to the risks related to transferred financial assets. FAS 166 also eliminates the concept ofsecured borrowing rather than as a “qualifying special-purpose entity”, changes the requirements for derecognizing financial assets and requires additional disclosures.

FAS 167 changes how a company determines whensale. Currently, an entity that is insufficiently capitalized or is not controlled through voting (or similar rights) should be consolidated.maintains effective control over transferred financial assets must account for the transfer as a secured borrowing rather than as a sale. The determinationprovisions of whether a company is requiredASU No. 2011-03 removes from the assessment of effective control the criterion requiring the transferor to consolidate an entity is based on, among other things, an entity’s purpose and design and a company’shave the ability to directrepurchase or redeem the activitiesfinancial assets on substantially the agreed terms, even in the event of default by the entitytransferee. The FASB believes that most significantly impactcontractual rights and obligations determine effective control and that there does not need to be a requirement to assess the entity’s economic performance.

Both FAS 166 and FAS 167 becameability to exercise those rights. ASU No. 2011-03 does not change the other existing criteria used in the assessment of effective as of the beginning of each reporting entity’s first annual reporting period that begins after November 15, 2009, for interim periods within that first annual reporting period and for interim and annual reporting periods thereafter. Earlier application is prohibited.control. The recognition and measurement provisions of FAS 166 shall be applied to transfersASU No. 2011-03 are effective prospectively for transactions, or modifications of existing transactions, that occur on or after the effective date. The Corporation adopted both FAS 166 and FAS 167 on January 1, 2010,2012. As the Corporation accounts for all of its repurchase agreements as required. Thecollateralized financing arrangements, the adoption had noof this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on the Corporation’s statements of income and financial condition.

In January 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-06, “Improving Disclosures About Fair Value Measurements,” which added disclosure requirements about transfers into and out of Levels 1, 2, and 3, clarified existing fair value disclosure requirements about the appropriate level of disaggregation, and clarified that a description of the valuation technique (e.g., market approach, income approach, or cost approach) and inputs used to measure fair value was required for recurring, nonrecurring, and Level 2 and 3 fair value measurements. These provisions of the ASU were effective for the Corporation’s reporting period ending March 31, 2010. The ASU also requires that Level 3 activity about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements be presented on a gross basis rather than as a net number as currently permitted. This provision of


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
  
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 2 — Recent Accounting Pronouncements  – (continued)

In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-04,“Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs.” ASU No. 2011-04 results in a consistent definition of fair value and common requirements for measurement of and disclosure about fair value between U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). The changes to U.S. GAAP as a result of ASU No. 2011-04 are as follows: (1) The concepts of highest and best use and valuation premise are only relevant when measuring the fair value of nonfinancial assets (that is, it does not apply to financial assets or any liabilities); (2) U.S. GAAP currently prohibits application of a blockage factor in valuing financial instruments with quoted prices in active markets; ASU No. 2011-04 extends that prohibition to all fair value measurements; (3) An exception is provided to the basic fair value measurement principles for an entity that holds a group of financial assets and financial liabilities with offsetting positions in market risks or counterparty credit risk that are managed on the basis of the entity’s net exposure to either of those risks; this exception allows the entity, if certain criteria are met, to measure the fair value of the net asset or liability position in a manner consistent with how market participants would price the net risk position; (4) Aligns the fair value measurement of instruments classified within an entity’s shareholders’ equity with the guidance for liabilities; and (5) Disclosure requirements have been enhanced for recurring Level 3 fair value measurements to disclose quantitative information about unobservable inputs and assumptions used, to describe the valuation processes used by the entity, and to describe the sensitivity of fair value measurements to changes in unobservable inputs and interrelationships between those inputs. In addition, entities must report the level in the fair value hierarchy of items that are not measured at fair value in the statement of condition but whose fair value must be disclosed. The provisions of ASU No. 2011-04 are effective for the Corporation’s interim reporting period ending March 31,beginning on or after December 15, 2011. As this provision amends onlyThe adoption of ASU No. 2011-04 is not expected to have a material impact on the disclosure requirements relatedCorporation’s statements of income or statements of condition.

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05, “Presentation of Comprehensive Income.”The provisions of ASU No. 2011-05 allow an entity the option to Level 3 activity,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 both choices, 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. The statement(s) are required to be presented with equal prominence as the other primary financial statements. ASU No. 2011-05 eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in shareholders’ equity but does not change the items that must be reported in other comprehensive income or when an item of other comprehensive income must be reclassified to net income. The provisions of ASU No. 2011-05 are effective for the Corporation’s interim reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2011, with retrospective application required. The adoption of ASU No. 2011-05 is expected to result in presentation changes to the Corporation’s statements of income and the addition of a statement of comprehensive income. The adoption of ASU No. 2011-05 will have no impact on the Corporation’s statements of income and condition.

In December 2010,September 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-28,2011-08,When to Perform Step 2 of theIntangibles — Goodwill Impairment Testand Other (Topic 350): Testing Goodwill for Reporting Units with Zero or Negative Carrying Amounts.Impairment Under GAAP, the evaluation of goodwill impairment is a two-step test. In Step 1,, which permits an entity must assess whether the carrying amount ofto first perform a reporting unit exceeds its fair value. If it does, an entity must perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment testqualitative assessment to determine whether goodwill has been impaired and to calculate the amount of that impairment. The provisions of this ASU modify Step 1 of the goodwill impairment test for reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts. For those reporting units, an entity is required to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test if it is more likely than not that the fair value of a goodwillreporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If an entity believes, as a result of its qualitative assessment, that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the quantitative impairment exists.test is required. Otherwise, no further impairment testing is required. The provisions of this ASU No. 2011-08 are effective for the Corporation’s reporting period ending March 31, 2011. As of December 31, 2010, the Corporation had no reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts or reporting units where there was a reasonable possibility of failing Step 1 of theinterim goodwill impairment test. As a result,tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. Early adoption is permitted, provided that the entity has not yet performed its annual impairment test for goodwill. The Corporation performs its annual impairment test for goodwill in the fourth quarter of each year. The adoption of this ASU No. 2011-08 is not expected to have a material impact on the Corporation’s statements of income and condition.

In January 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-01, “Deferral of the Effective Date of Disclosures about Troubled Debt Restructurings in Update No. 2010-20.” The provisions of ASU No. 2010-20 required the disclosure of more granular information on the nature and extent of troubled debt restructurings and their effect on the Allowance for the period ending March 31, 2011. The amendments in this ASU defer the effective date related to these disclosures, enabling creditors to provide those disclosures after the FASB completes its project clarifying the guidance for determining what constitutes a troubled debt restructuring. Currently, that guidance is expected to be effective for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2011. As the provisions of this ASU only defer the effective date of disclosure requirements related to troubled debt restructurings, the adoption of this ASU will have no impact on the Corporation’s statements of income and condition

ASU 2010-20

ASU 20100-20,Receivables (Topic 310): Disclosures about the Credit Quality of Financing Receivables and the Allowance for Credit Losses, will help investors assess the credit risk of a company’s receivables portfolio and the adequacy of its allowance for credit losses held against the portfolios by expanding credit risk disclosures.

This ASU requires more information about the credit quality of financing receivables in the disclosures to financial statements, such as aging information and credit quality indicators. Both new and existing disclosures must be disaggregated by portfolio segment or class. The disaggregation of information is based on how a company develops its allowance for credit losses and how it manages its credit exposure.

The amendments in this Update apply to all public and nonpublic entities with financing receivables. Financing receivables include loans and trade accounts receivable. However, short-term trade accounts receivable, receivables measured at fair value or lower of cost or fair value, and debt securities are exempt from these disclosure amendments.

The effective date of ASU 2010-20 differs for public and nonpublic companies. For public companies, the amendments that require disclosures as of the end of a reporting period are effective for periodsending on or after December 15, 2010. The amendments that require disclosures about activity that occurs during a reporting period are effective for periodsbeginning on or after December 15, 2010. For nonpublic companies, the amendments are effective for annual reporting periods ending on or after December 15, 2011. The Corporation adopted the ASU as required. The adoption had no impact on the Corporation’s statements of income and financial condition.


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
  
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 2 — Recent Accounting Pronouncements  – (continued)

In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-12, “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220):Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05.” The Update defers the specific requirement to present items that are reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to net income separately with their respective components of net income and other comprehensive income. The deferral comes after stakeholders raised concerns that the new presentation requirements about the reclassification of items out of accumulated other comprehensive income would be costly for preparers and add unnecessary complexity to financial statements. As a result of the concerns, the FASB decided to reconsider whether it is necessary to require companies to present reclassification adjustments, by component, in both the statement where net income is presented and the statement where other comprehensive income is presented for both interim and annual financial statements. The FASB did not defer the requirement to report comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement or in two separate, but consecutive, financial statements.

In November 2008, the SEC released a proposed roadmap regarding the potential use by U.S. issuers of financial statements prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). IFRS is a comprehensive series of accounting standards published by the International Accounting Standards Board. Under the proposed roadmap, the Company may be required to prepare financial statements in accordance with IFRS as early as 2014. The Company is currently assessing the impact that this potential change would have on its consolidated financial statements, and it will continue to monitor the development of the potential implementation of IFRS.

Note 3 — Cash and Due from Banks

The subsidiary bank, Union Center National Bank maintained cash balances reserved to meet regulatory requirements of the Federal Reserve Board of approximately $4,248,000$1,155,000 and $4,050,000$4,248,000 at December 31, 2011 and 2010, and 2009, respectively.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 4 — Investment Securities

The following tables present information related to the Corporation’s portfolio of securities available-for-sale and held-to-maturity at December 31, 20102011 and 2009.available-for-sale at December 31, 2010.

        
 Amortized
Cost
 Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 Fair
Value
 Amortized
Cost
 Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 Fair
Value
 December 31, 2010 December 31, 2011
 (Dollars in Thousands) (Dollars in Thousands)
Securities Available-for-Sale:
                    
U.S. Treasury and agency securities $7,123  $  $(128 $6,995 
Investment Securities Available-for-Sale:
                    
Federal agency obligations  68,051   1,071   (641  68,481  $24,781  $188  $  $24,969 
Mortgage-backed securities  180,037   115   (2,419  177,733 
Residential mortgage pass-through securities  113,213   2,157   (6  115,364 
Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions  38,312   1   (1,088  37,225   66,309   2,900   (36  69,173 
Trust preferred securities  21,222   26   (2,517  18,731   20,567   14   (4,394  16,187 
Corporate bonds and notes  63,047      (1,613  61,434   175,812   1,382   (4,077  173,117 
Collateralized mortgage obligations  3,941      (1,213  2,728   3,226      (1,327  1,899 
Asset-backed securities  7,614   52   (13  7,653 
Equity securities  5,135      (382  4,753   6,417   21   (293  6,145 
Total $386,868  $1,213  $(10,001 $378,080  $417,939  $6,714  $(10,146 $414,507 
Investment Securities Held-to-Maturity:
                    
Federal agency obligations $28,262  $177  $(34 $28,405 
Commercial mortgage-backed securities  6,276      (69  6,207 
Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions  37,695   2,615      40,310 
Total $72,233  $2,792  $(103 $74,922 
Total investment securities $490,172  $9,506  $(10,249 $489,429 

        
 Amortized
Cost
 Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 Fair
Value
 Amortized
Cost
 Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 Fair
Value
 December 31, 2009 December 31, 2010
 (Dollars in Thousands) (Dollars in Thousands)
Securities Available-for-Sale:
                    
Investment Securities Available-for-Sale:
                    
U.S. Treasury and agency securities $2,089  $  $  $2,089  $7,123  $  $(128 $6,995 
Federal agency obligations  129,672   538   (1,845  128,365   68,051   1,071   (641  68,481 
Mortgage backed securities  86,968   54   (802  86,220 
Residential mortgage pass-through securities  180,037   115   (2,419  177,733 
Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions  19,688   77   (484  19,281   38,312   1   (1,088  37,225 
Trust preferred securities  34,404   113   (7,802  26,715   21,222   26   (2,517  18,731 
Corporate bonds and notes  23,680   76   (1,101  22,655   63,047      (1,613  61,434 
Collateralized mortgage obligations  9,637      (2,371  7,266   3,941      (1,213  2,728 
Equity securities  5,936   42   (445  5,533   5,135      (382  4,753 
Total $312,074  $900  $(14,850 $298,124 
Total investment securities $386,868  $1,213  $(10,001 $378,080 

All of theThe Corporation’s investment securities are classified as available-for-sale and held-to-maturity at December 31, 20102011 and 2009.available-for-sale at December 31, 2010. The available-for-sale securities are reported at fair value with unrealized gains or losses included in equity, net of taxes. Accordingly, the carrying value of such securities reflects their fair value at the balance sheet date. Fair value is based upon either quoted market prices, or in certain cases where there is limited activity in the market for a particular instrument, assumptions are made to determine their fair value. See Note 18 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a further discussion.

Transfers of debt securities from the available-for-sale category to the held-to-maturity category are made at fair value at the date of transfer. The unrealized holding gain or loss at the date of transfer remains in accumulated other comprehensive income and in the carrying value of the held-to-maturity investment


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
  
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 4 — Investment Securities  – (continued)

security. Premiums or discounts on investment securities are amortized or accreted using the effective interest method over the life of the security as an adjustment of yield. Unrealized holding gains or losses that remain in accumulated other comprehensive income are amortized or accreted over the remaining life of the security as an adjustment of yield, offsetting the related amortization of the premium or accretion of the discount.

The following table presents information for investments in securities available-for-sale at December 31, 2010,2011, based on scheduled maturities. Actual maturities can be expected to differ from scheduled maturities due to prepayment or early call options of the issuer.

    
 Available-for-Sale December 31, 2011
 Amortized
Cost
 Fair
Value
 Amortized
Cost
 Fair
Value
 (Dollars in Thousands) (Dollars in Thousands)
Investment Securities Available-for-Sale:
          
Due in one year or less $1,503  $1,500  $4,143  $4,118 
Due after one year through five years  19,185   18,810   81,798   81,138 
Due after five years through ten years  68,277   66,502   108,395   107,155 
Due after ten years  112,731   108,782   103,973   100,587 
Mortgage-backed securities without stated maturities  180,037   177,733 
Residential mortgage pass-through securities  113,213   115,364 
Equity securities  5,135   4,753   6,417   6,145 
Total  417,939   414,507 
Investment Securities Held-to-Maturity:
          
Due after five years through ten years $4,459  $4,506 
Due after ten years  67,774   70,416 
Total $72,233  $74,922 
Total investment securities $386,868  $378,080  $490,172  $489,429 

During 2011, securities sold from the Corporation’s available-for-sale portfolio generated proceeds of approximately $254.8 million. The gross realized gains on securities sold amounted to approximately $4,045,000, while the gross realized losses, which included impairment charges of $342,000, amounted to approximately $411,000 in 2011. During 2010, securities sold from the Corporation’s available-for-sale portfolio amounted togenerated proceeds of approximately $644.1 million. The gross realized gains on securities sold amounted to approximately $4,872,000, while the gross realized losses amounted to approximately $635,000 in 2010. During 2010, the Corporation recorded a $3.0 million other-than-temporary impairment charge on its trust preferred securities, $1.8 million on two pooled trust preferred securities, $360,000 in a variable rate private label CMO and $398,000 on principal losses on a variable rate private label CMO. During 2009, securities sold from the Corporation’s available-for-sale portfolio amounted togenerated proceeds of approximately $665.8 million. The gross realized gains on securities sold amounted to approximately $5,897,000, while the gross realized losses amounted to approximately $1,168,000 in 2009. During 2009, the Corporation recorded a $140,000 other-than-temporary impairment charge on its Lehman Brothers corporate bond, $3,433,000 on two pooled trust preferred securities, $188,000 on a variable rate private label CMO, $364,000 on charge to earnings relating to the court ordered liquidation of the Reserve Primary Fund, and $113,000 of write-downs relating to a single equity holding in bank stocks.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 4 — Investment Securities  – (continued)

Other-than-Temporarily Impaired Investments

Summary of Other-than-Temporary Impairment Charges

   
 Years Ended December 31,
   2010 2009 2008
   (Dollars in Thousands)
Equity securities $  $113  $461 
Debt securities  5,576   4,125   1,300 
Total other-than-temporary impairment charges $5,576  $4,238  $1,761 
   
 Years Ended December 31,
   2011 2010 2009
   (Dollars in Thousands)
One variable rate private label CMO $18  $360  $188 
One trust preferred security     3,000    
Two pooled trust preferred securities     1,818   3,433 
Principal losses on a variable rate CMO  324   398    
One corporate bond        140 
One equity security        113 
Reserve primary fund        364 
Total other-than-temporary impairment charges $342  $5,576  $4,238 

The Corporation performs regular analysis on the available-for-sale securities portfolio to determine whether a decline in fair value indicates that an investment is other-than-temporarily impaired in accordance with FASB ASC 320-10. FASB ASC 320-10 requires companies to record other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) charges, through earnings, if they have the intent to sell, or more likely than not be required to sell, an impaired debt security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If the Corporation intends to sell or it is more likely than not it will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, less any current period credit loss, the OTTI is recognized in earnings equal to the entire difference between the investment’s amortized cost basis and its estimated fair value at the balance sheet date. If the Corporation does not intend to sell the security and it is more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis less any current period loss, and as such, it determines that


TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 4 — Investment Securities  – (continued)

a decline in fair value is other than temporary, the OTTI is separated into the amount representing the credit loss and the amount related to all other factors. The amount of the OTTI related to the credit loss is determined based on the present value of cash flows expected to be collected and is recognized in earnings. The amount of the total OTTI related to other factors is recognized in other comprehensive income, net of applicable taxes. The previous amortized cost basis less the OTTI recognized in earnings becomes the new amortized cost basis of the investment.

The Corporation reviews all securities for potential recognition of other-than-temporary impairment. The Corporation maintains a watch list for the identification and monitoring of securities experiencing problems that require a heightened level of review. This could include credit rating downgrades.

The Corporation’s assessment of whether an investment in the portfolio of assets is other than temporary includes factors such as whether the issuer has defaulted on scheduled payments, announced restructuring and/or filed for bankruptcy, has disclosed severe liquidity problems that cannot be resolved, disclosed deteriorating financial condition or sustained significant losses.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 4 — Investment Securities  – (continued)

The following table presents detailed information for each trust preferred security held by the Corporation at December 31, 2011, of which all but one has at least one rating below investment grade at December 31, 2010.grade.

                  
                  
Deal Name Single
Issuer
or
Pooled
 Class/
Tranche
 Amortized
Cost
 Fair
Value
 Gross
Unrealized
Gain
(Loss)
 Lowest
Credit
Rating
Assigned
 Number of
Banks
Currently
Performing
 Deferrals
and
Defaults
as % of
Original
Collateral
 Expected
Deferral/Defaults
as % of
Remaining
Performing
Collateral
 Single
Issuer or
Pooled
 Class/
Tranche
 Amortized
Cost
 Fair
Value
 Gross
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
 Lowest
Credit
Rating
Assigned
 Number of
Banks
Currently
Performing
 Deferrals
and Defaults
as % of
Original
Collateral
 Expected
Deferral/Defaults
as % of
Remaining
Performing
Collateral
 (Dollars in Thousands) (Dollars in Thousands)
Countrywide Capital IV  Single     $1,769  $1,688  $(81  BB+   1   None   None   Single     $1,770  $1,403  $(367  BB+   1   None   None 
Countrywide Capital V  Single      2,747   2,691   (56  BB+   1   None   None   Single      2,747   2,230   (517  BB+   1   None   None 
Countrywide Capital V  Single      250   244   (6  BB+   1   None   None   Single      250   203   (47  BB+   1   None   None 
NPB Capital Trust II  Single      873   875   2   NR   1   None   None   Single      868   882   14   NR   1   None   None 
Citigroup Cap IX  Single      991   892   (99  BB+   1   None   None   Single      991   857   (134  BB   1   None   None 
Citigroup Cap IX  Single      1,903   1,721   (182  BB+   1   None   None   Single      1,903   1,652   (251  BB   1   None   None 
Citigroup Cap XI  Single      245   242   (3  BB+   1   None   None   Single      246   214   (32  BB   1   None   None 
BAC Capital Trust X  Single      2,500   2,205   (295  NR   1   None   None   Single      2,500   1,862   (638  BB+   1   None   None 
Nationsbank Cap Trust III  Single      1,569   1,116   (453  BB+   1   None   None   Single      1,571   1,094   (477  BB+   1   None   None 
Morgan Stanley Cap Trust IV  Single      2,500   2,260   (240  BB+   1   None   None   Single      2,500   2,074   (426  BB+   1   None   None 
Morgan Stanley Cap Trust IV  Single      1,741   1,581   (160  BB+   1   None   None   Single      1,741   1,451   (290  BB+   1   None   None 
Saturns – GS 2004-06  Single      242   229   (13  BBB-   1   None   None 
Saturns – GS 2004-06  Single      312   296   (16  BBB-   1   None   None 
Saturns – GS 2004-04  Single      778   731   (47  BBB-   1   None   None 
Saturns – GS 2004-04  Single      22   20   (2  BBB-   1   None   None 
USB Capital VII  Single      1,213   1,230   17   BBB+   1   None   None 
USB Capital VII  Single      561   568   7   BBB+   1   None   None 
Saturns — GS 2004-06  Single      242   214   (28  BB+   1   None   None 
Saturns — GS 2004-06  Single      312   275   (37  BB+   1   None   None 
Saturns — GS 2004-04  Single      780   686   (94  BB+   1   None   None 
Saturns — GS 2004-04  Single      22   19   (3  BB+   1   None   None 
Goldman Sachs  Single      1,000   855   (145  BB+   1   None   None 
ALESCO Preferred Funding VI  Pooled   C2   227   19   (208  Ca   44 of 67   36.4  41.3  Pooled   C2   290   143   (147  Ca   37 of 56   32.9  40.9
ALESCO Preferred Funding VII  Pooled   C1   779   123   (656  Ca   61 of 79   26.8  42.6  Pooled   C1   834   73   (761  Ca   49 of 62   34.3  40.4
Total       $20,567  $16,187  $(4,380            

The Corporation owns two pooled trust preferred securities (“Pooled TRUPS”), which consistsconsist of securities issued by financial institutions and insurances companies and the Corporation holds the mezzanine tranche of such securities. Senior tranches generally are protected from defaults by over-collateralization and cash flow default protection provided by subordinated tranches, with senior tranches having the greatest protection and mezzanine tranches subordinated to the senior tranches. Our analysis of these Pooled TRUPS falls within the scope of EITF 99-20, ASC 320-40 and uses a discounted cash flow model to determine the


TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 4 — Investment Securities ��– (continued)

total OTTI loss. The model considers the structure and term and the financial condition of the underlying issuers. Specifically, the model details interest rates, principal balances of note classes and underlying issuers and the allocation of the payments to the note classes according to a priority of payments specified in the offering circular and indenture. The current estimate of expected cash flows is based on the most recent trustee reports and other relevant market information including announcements of interest payment deferrals or defaults of underlying trust preferred securities. Assumptions used in the model include defaultsdefault rates, default rate timing profile and recovery rates. We assume no prepayments as these Pooled TRUPS were issued at comparatively tight spreads and as such, there is little incentive, if any, to prepay.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 4 — Investment Securities  – (continued)

One of the Pooled TRUPS, ALESCO 6,VI, has incurred its seventheleventh interruption of cash flow payments to date. Management reviewed the expected cash flow analysis and credit support to determine if it was probable that all principal and interest would be repaid, and recorded a $33,000no other-than-temporary impairment charge for the three months ended December 31, 2010 and $500,000was recorded for the twelve months ended December 31, 2010, which represents 15.6 percent of the par amount of $3.2 million. The new cost basis for this security has been written down to $228,000.2011. The other Pooled TRUP, ALESCO 7VII, incurred its fifthninth interruption of cash flow payments to date. Management determined that anno other-than-temporary impairment existscharge existed on this security as well and recorded a $677,000 charge during the fourth quarter of 2010, and $1.3 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2010 which represents 41.92011.

At December 31, 2011, excess subordination as a percentage of remaining performing collateral for the ALESCO Preferred Funding VI and VII investments were -40.4 percent and -45.0 percent, respectively. Excess subordination is the amount of performing collateral above the amount of outstanding collateral underlying each class of the security. The excess subordination as a percent of remaining performing collateral reflects the par amountdifference between the performing collateral and the collateral underlying each security divided by the performing collateral. A negative number results when the paying collateral is less than the collateral underlying each class of $3.1 million. The new cost basis for this security has been written downthe security. A low or negative number decreases the likelihood of full repayment of principal and interest according to $800,000.original contractual terms.

Credit Loss Portion of OTTI Recognized in Earning on Debt Securities

     
 Years Ended December 31, Years Ended December 31,
 2010 2009 2011 2010 2009
 (Dollars in Thousands) (Dollars in Thousands)
Balance of credit-related OTTI at January 1, $3,621  $  $6,197  $3,621  $ 
Addition:
                         
Credit losses for which other-than-temporary impairment was not previously recognized  5,576   3,761   342   5,576   3,761 
Reduction:
                         
Credit losses for securities sold during the period  (3,000  (140     (3,000  (140
Balance of credit-related OTTI at December 31, $6,197  $3,621  $6,539  $6,197  $3,621 

The Corporation owns three variable rate private label collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs), which were also evaluated for impairment. The Variable Rate Collateralized Mortgage Obligations were originally issued in 2006 and are 30 year Adjustable Rate Mortgage loans secured by a first lien, fully amortizing one-to-four residential mortgage loans. The tranche purchased was a Super Senior with an original credit rating of AAA/AAA. The top five states geographic concentration comprised in the deal were California 18.2 percent, Arizona 10.5 percent, Virginia 6.1 percent, Florida 6.5 percent and Nevada 6.3 percent. No one state exceeded a 25 percent concentration. These states have been heavily impacted by the financial crises and as such have sustained heavy delinquencies affecting the credit rating of the security. Management had applied aggressive default rates to identify if any credit impairment exists, as these bonds were downgraded to below investment grade. The Corporation recorded $398,000$324,000 in principal losses on these bonds in 2010,2011, and expects additional losses in future periods. As such, management determined that an other-than-temporary impairment charge exists and recorded a $360,000$18,000 write down to the bonds, which represents 8.00.5 percent of the par amount of $4.5$3.8 million. The new cost basis for these securities has been written down to $3.9$3.2 million.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 4 — Investment Securities  – (continued)

At December 31, 2010, excess subordination as a percentage of remaining performing collateral for the ALESCO Preferred Funding VI and VII investments were -36.6 percent and -21.1 percent, respectively. Excess subordination is the amount of performing collateral above the amount of outstanding collateral underlying each class of the security. The Excess Subordination as a Percent of Remaining Performing Collateral reflects the difference between the performing collateral and the collateral underlying each security divided by the performing collateral. A negative number results when the paying collateral is less than the collateral underlying each class of the security. A low or negative number decreases the likelihood of full repayment of principal and interest accordingly to original contractual terms.

During 2010, the Corporation did not record other-than-temporary impairment charges relating to equity holdings in bank stocks.

The Corporation’s investment portfolio also consists of overnight investments that were made into the Reserve Primary Fund (the “Fund”), a money market fund registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. On September 22, 2008, the Fund announced that redemptions of shares of the Fund were suspended pursuant to an SEC order so that an orderly liquidation could be effected for the protection of the Fund’s investors. Through December 31, 2009, the Corporation has received five distributions from the Fund, totaling approximately 92 percent of its outstanding balance, leaving a remaining outstanding balance in the Fund of $2.943 million. On January 29, 2010, as part of the court order liquidation of the Fund, the Corporation received a sixth distribution or $2.446


TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 4 — Investment Securities  – (continued)

$2.446 million, bringing total distributions to date to approximately 99 percent. During the fourth quarter of 2009, the Corporation recorded a $364,000, or approximately 1 percent, other-than-temporary impairment charge to earnings relating to this court order liquidation of the Fund. The Corporation’s outstanding carrying balance in the Fund as of January 31, 2010 totaled $133,000. In 2010, the Corporation recorded approximately $30,000 to earnings as partial recovery of the OTTI charge. The Corporation’s outstanding carrying balance in the Fund as of December 31, 20102011 was zero and recording to earnings approximately $30,000 as partial recovery of the OTTI charge.zero. Future liquidation distributions received by the Corporation, if any, will be recorded to earnings.

During 2010, securities sold from the Corporation’s available-for-sale portfolio amounted to approximately $644.1 million. The gross realized gains on securities sold amounted to approximately $4,872,000, while the gross realized losses amounted to approximately $635,000 in 2010. During 2010, the Corporation recorded a $3.0 million other-than-temporary impairment charge on its trust preferred securities, $1.8 million on two pooled trust preferred securities, $360,000 in a variable rate private label CMO and $398,000 on principal losses on a variable rate private label CMO. During 2009, securities sold from the Corporation’s available-for-sale portfolio amounted to approximately $665.8 million. The gross realized gains on securities sold amounted to approximately $5,897,000, while the gross realized losses amounted to approximately $1,168,000 in 2009. During 2009, the Corporation recorded a $140,000 other-than-temporary impairment charge on its Lehman Brothers corporate bond, $3,433,000 on two pooled trust preferred securities, $188,000 on a variable rate private label CMO, $364,000 on charge to earnings relating to the court ordered liquidation of the Reserve Primary Fund, and $113,000 of write-downs relating to a single equity holding in bank stocks.

During the third quarter of 2008, the Corporation recognized a $1.2 million other-than-temporary impairment charge on a Lehman Brothers corporate bond, sold in 2009, as a result of Lehman Brothers’ September bankruptcy filing. The Corporation deemed it prudent to mark the security down to what the Corporation believes it would receive from the bankruptcy proceedings as opposed to an attempted sale into an illiquid market. During the fourth quarter, the Corporation took an additional impairment charge of $100,000 on the same bond. The Corporation filed its claims under the Bankruptcy and received notification that Lehman will be afforded a longer time for liquidation than originally announced in order to maximize value returns on the sold assets. Management will continue to monitor the liquidation process, re-test values during that period and adjust carrying value if necessary.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 4 — Investment Securities  – (continued)

During 2008, the Corporation recorded $461,000 of other-than-temporary impairment charges relating to three equity holdings in bank stocks. These equities were written down to fair value.

Temporarily Impaired Investments

For all other securities, the Corporation does not believe that the unrealized losses, which were comprised of 11578 investment securities as of December 31, 2010,2011, represent an other-than-temporary impairment. The gross unrealized losses associated with U.S. Treasury and Agency securities and Federal agency obligations, mortgage-backed securities, corporate bonds, asset-backed securities and tax-exempt securities are not considered to be other than temporary because their unrealized losses are related to changes in interest rates and do not affect the expected cash flows of the underlying collateral or issuer.

Factors affecting the market price include credit risk, market risk, interest rates, economic cycles, and liquidity risk. The magnitude of any unrealized loss may be affected by the relative concentration of the Corporation’s investment in any one issuer or industry. The Corporation has established policies to reduce exposure through diversification of concentration of the investment portfolio including limits on concentrations to any one issuer. The Corporation believes the investment portfolio is prudently diversified.

The decline in value is related to a change in interest rates and subsequent change in credit spreads required for these issues affecting market price. All issues are performing and are expected to continue to perform in accordance with their respective contractual terms and conditions. Short to intermediate average durations and in certain cases monthly principal payments should reduce further market value exposure to increases in rates.

The Corporation evaluates all securities with unrealized losses quarterly to determine whether the loss is other than temporary. Unrealized losses in the mortgage-backed securities category consist primarily of U.S. agency and private issue collateralized mortgage obligations. Unrealized losses in the corporate debt securities category consist of single name corporate trust preferred securities, pooled trust preferred securities and corporate debt securities issued by large financial institutions. The decline in fair value is due in large part to the lack of an active trading market for these securities, changes in market credit spreads and rating agency downgrades. For collateralized mortgage obligations, management reviewed expected cash flows and credit support to determine if it was probable that all principal and interest would be repaid. None of the corporate issuers have defaulted on interest payments. Management concluded that these securities other than the previously mentioned two Pooled TRUPS, two private label CMOs, one equity holding and its investment in the Primary Reserve Funds, were not other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 2010.2011. Future deterioration in the cash flow on collateralized mortgage obligations or the credit quality of these large financial institution issuers of corporate debt securities could result in impairment charges in the future.

In determining that the securities giving rise to the previously mentioned unrealized losses were not other than temporary, the Corporation evaluated the factors cited above, which the Corporation considers when assessing whether a security is other-than-temporarily impaired. In making these evaluations the Corporation must exercise considerable judgment. Accordingly there can be no assurance that the actual results will not differ from the Corporation’s judgments and that such differences may not require the future recognition of other-than-temporary impairment charges that could have a material affect on the Corporation’s financial position and results of operations. In addition, the value of, and the realization of any loss on, an investment security is subject to numerous risks as cited above.


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
  
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 4 — Investment Securities  – (continued)

The following tables indicate gross unrealized losses not recognized in income and fair value, aggregated by investment category and the length of time individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at December 31, 20102011 and December 31, 2009:2010:

      
 December 31, 2010
   Total Less Than 12 Months 12 Months or Longer
   Fair
Value
 Unrealized
Losses
 Fair
Value
 Unrealized
Losses
 Fair
Value
 Unrealized
Losses
   (Dollars in Thousands)
Available-for-Sale:
                              
U.S. Treasury and agency securities $6,995  $(128 $6,995  $(128 $  $ 
Federal agency obligations  35,799   (641  32,113   (622  3,686   (19
Mortgage-backed securities  166,820   (2,419  166,820   (2,419      
Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions  19,699   (1,088  19,699   (1,088      
Trust preferred securities  16,058   (2,517        16,058   (2,517
Corporate bonds and notes  61,434   (1,613  52,985   (1,175  8,449   (438
Collateralized mortgage obligations  2,728   (1,213        2,728   (1,213
Equity securities  4,653   (382  3,427   (73  1,226   (309
Total Temporarily Impaired Securities $314,186  $(10,001 $282,039  $(5,505 $32,147  $(4,496
      
 December 31, 2011
   Total Less than 12 Months 12 Months or Longer
   Fair
Value
 Unrealized
Losses
 Fair
Value
 Unrealized
Losses
 Fair
Value
 Unrealized
Losses
   (Dollars in Thousands)
Investment Securities Available-for-Sale:
                              
Residential mortgage
pass-through securities
 $2,013  $(6 $2,013  $(6 $  $ 
Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions  4,352   (36  4,352   (36      
Trust preferred securities  15,272   (4,394  4,325   (996  10,947   (3,398
Corporate bonds and notes  97,043   (4,077  89,534   (3,663  7,509   (414
Collateralized mortgage obligations  1,899   (1,327        1,899   (1,327
Asset-backed securities  3,884   (13  3,884   (13      
Equity securities  1,242   (293        1,242   (293
Total  125,705   (10,146  104,108   (4,714  21,597   (5,432
Investment Securities
Held-to-Maturity:
                              
Federal agency obligations  11,980   (34  11,980   (34      
Collateralized mortgage obligations  6,207   (69  6,207   (69      
Total  18,187   (103  18,187   (103      
Total Temporarily Impaired Securities $143,892  $(10,249 $122,295  $(4,817 $21,597  $(5,432

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 4 — Investment Securities  – (continued)

            
 December 31, 2009 December 31, 2010
 Total Less than 12 Months 12 Months or Longer Total Less than 12 Months 12 Months or Longer
 Fair
Value
 Unrealized
Losses
 Fair
Value
 Unrealized
Losses
 Fair
Value
 Unrealized
Losses
 Fair
Value
 Unrealized
Losses
 Fair
Value
 Unrealized
Losses
 Fair
Value
 Unrealized
Losses
 (Dollars in Thousands) (Dollars in Thousands)
Available-for-Sale:
                              
Investment Securities Available-for-Sale:
                              
U.S. Treasury and agency securities                   $6,995  $(128 $6,995  $(128 $  $ 
Federal agency obligations $72,801  $(1,845 $72,699  $(1,844 $102  $(1  35,799   (641  32,113   (622  3,686   (19
Mortgage backed securities  47,703   (802  47,703   (802      
Residential mortgage pass-through securities  166,820   (2,419  166,820   (2,419      
Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions  7,181   (484  6,297   (458  884   (26  19,699   (1,088  19,699   (1,088      
Trust preferred securities  25,253   (7,802  3,717   (1,234  21,536   (6,568  16,058   (2,517        16,058   (2,517
Corporate bonds & notes  19,803   (1,101  11,864   (55  (7,939  (1,046
Corporate bonds and notes  61,434   (1,613  52,985   (1,175  8,449   (438
Collateralized mortgage obligations  3,012   (2,371        3,012   (2,371  2,728   (1,213        2,728   (1,213
Equity securities  1,317   (445        1,317   (445  4,653   (382  3,427   (73  1,226   (309
Total temporarily impaired securities $177,070  $(14,850 $142,280  $(4,393 $34,790  $(10,457
Total Temporarily Impaired Securities $314,186  $(10,001 $282,039  $(5,505 $32,147  $(4,496

Investment securities having a carrying value of approximately $125.6$98.7 million and $185.9$125.6 million at December 31, 20102011 and 2009,2010, respectively, were pledged to secure public deposits, short-term borrowings, and FHLB advances and for other purposes required or permitted by law.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 5 — Loans and the Allowance for Loan Losses

The following table sets forth the composition of the Corporation’s loan portfolio including net deferred fees and costs, at December 31, 20102011 and 2009,2010, respectively:

    
 2010 2009 2011 2010
 (Dollars in Thousands) (Dollars in Thousands)
Commercial and industrial $121,034  $117,912  $146,662  $121,034 
Commercial real estate  372,001   358,957   408,010   372,001 
Construction  49,744   51,099   39,382   49,744 
Residential mortgage  165,154   191,199   160,999   165,154 
Installment  511   439   957   511 
Total loans $708,444  $719,606  $756,010  $708,444 

Included in the loan balances above are net deferred loan costs of $258,000$17,000 and $391,000$258,000 at December 31, 20102011 and 2009,2010, respectively.

At December 31, 20102011 and 2009,2010, loans to officers and directors aggregated approximately $5,456,000$10,279,000 and $9,006,000,$5,456,000, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2010,2011, the Corporation made new loans to officers and directors in the amount of $197,000;$6,875,000; payments by such persons during 20102011 aggregated $3,748,000.$2,052,000.

Management is of the opinion that the above loans were made on the same terms and conditions as those prevailing for comparable transactions with non-related borrowers.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 5 — Loans and the Allowance for Loan Losses  – (continued)

At December 31, 20102011 and 20092010 loan balances of approximately $435.9$469.5 million and $217.4$435.9 million were pledged to secure short term borrowings from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and Federal Home Loan Bank Advances.

During the second quarter of 2010, the Corporation entered into a lease of its former operations facility under a direct financing lease. The lease has a 15 year term with no renewal options. According to the terms of the lease, the lessee has an obligation to purchase the property underlying the lease in either year seven (7), ten (10) or fifteen (15) at predetermined prices for those years as provided in the lease. The structure of the minimum lease payments and the purchase prices as provided in the lease provide an inducement to the lessee to purchase the property in year seven (7).

At December 31, 2011 and 2010, the net investment in direct financing lease consists of a minimum lease receivable of $4,870,000 and $5,026,000, respectively, and unearned interest income of $1,123,000 and $1,317,000, respectively, for a net investment in direct financing lease of $3,709,000.$3,747,000 and $3,709,000, respectively. The net investment in direct financing lease is carried as a component of loans in the Corporation’s consolidated statements of condition.

Minimum future lease receipts of the direct financing lease are as follows:

 
 (Dollars
in thousands)
 
For years ending December 31,
      (Dollars in Thousands)
2011 $156 
2012  171  $171 
2013  216   216 
2014  216   216 
2015  261   228 
2016  265 
Thereafter  2,689   2,651 
Total minimum future lease receipts $3,709  $3,747 

The following table presents information about loan receivables on non-accrual status at December 31, 2011 and 2010:

  
 2011 2010
   (Dollars in Thousands)
Commercial and industrial $125  $456 
Commercial real estate  225   3,563 
Construction  3,044   5,865 
Residential mortgage  3,477   1,290 
Total loans receivable on non-accrual status $6,871  $11,174 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
  
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 5 — Loans and the Allowance for Loan Losses  – (continued)

The following table presents information about loan receivables on non accrual status at December 31, 2010:

Loans Receivable on Non Accrual Status

 
 December 31, 2010
   (Dollars in Thousands)
Commercial and Industrial $456 
Commercial Real Estate  3,563 
Construction  5,865 
Residential Mortgage  1,290 
Total loans receivable on non accrual status $11,174 

The Corporation continuously monitors the credit quality of its loans receivable. In addition to the internal staff, the Corporation utilizes the services of a third party loan review firm to rate the credit quality of its loans receivable. Credit quality is monitored by reviewing certain credit quality indicators. Assets classified “Pass” are deemed to possess average to superior credit quality, requiring no more than normal attention. Assets classified as “Special Mention” have generally acceptable credit quality yet possess higher risk characteristics/circumstances than satisfactory assets. Such conditions include strained liquidity, slow pay, stale financial statements, or other conditions that require more stringent attention from the lending staff. These conditions, if not corrected, may weaken the loan quality or inadequately protect the Corporation’s credit position at some future date. Assets are classified “Substandard” if the asset has a well defined weakness that requires management’s attention to a greater degree than for loans classified special mention. Such weakness, if left uncorrected, could possibly result in the compromised ability of the loan to perform to contractual requirements. An asset is classified as “Doubtful” if it is inadequately protected by the net worth and/or paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral, if any, that secures the obligation. Assets classified as doubtful include assets for which there is a “distinct possibility” that a degree of loss will occur if the inadequacies are not corrected. All loans past due 90 days or more and all impaired loans are included in the appropriate category below. The following table presents information about the loan credit quality at December 31, 2011 and 2010:

Credit Quality Indicators

          
 December 31, 2010 December 31, 2011
 (Dollars in Thousands) (Dollars in Thousands)
 Pass Special Mention Substandard Doubtful Total Pass Special
Mention
 Substandard Doubtful Total
Commercial and industrial $116,741  $1,929  $2,364  $  $121,034  $143,048  $2,022  $1,592  $  $146,662 
Commercial real estate  345,096   15,383   11,522      372,001   371,365   24,282   12,363      408,010 
Construction  43,879      3,588   2,277   49,744   36,338      3,044      39,382 
Residential mortgage  161,558      3,596      165,154   155,326      5,673      160,999 
Installment  511            511   957            957 
Total loans $667,785  $17,312  $21,070  $2,277  $708,444  $707,034  $26,304  $22,672  $ —  $756,010 

Credit Quality Indicators

     
 December 31, 2010
   (Dollars in Thousands)
   Pass Special
Mention
 Substandard Doubtful Total
Commercial and industrial $116,741  $1,929  $2,364  $  $121,034 
Commercial real estate  345,096   15,383   11,522      372,001 
Construction  43,879      3,588   2,277   49,744 
Residential mortgage  161,558      3,596      165,154 
Installment  511            511 
Total loans $667,785  $17,312  $21,070  $2,277  $708,444 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
  
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 5 — Loans and the Allowance for Loan Losses  – (continued)

The following table provides an analysis of the impaired loans at December 31, 2011 and 2010:

Impaired Loans

          
 December 31, 2010 December 31, 2011
 (Dollars in Thousands) (Dollars in Thousands)
No Related Allowance Recorded Recorded
Investment
 Unpaid
Principal
Balance
 Related
Allowance
 Average
Recorded
Investment
 Interest
Income
Recognized
 Recorded
Investment
 Unpaid
Principal
Balance
 Related
Allowance
 Average
Recorded
Investment
 Interest
Income
Recognized
Commercial and industrial $1,364  $1,908  $  $1,933  $87  $  $  $  $292  $11 
Commercial real estate  3,984   4,625      4,274   78   2,121   2,570      3,390   149 
Construction  5,865   8,642      6,855   112            3,156    
Residential mortgage  1,462   1,765      1,711   27 
Total $12,675  $16,940  $  $14,773  $304  $2,121  $2,570  $ —  $6,838  $160 

          
With An Allowance Recorded Recorded
Investment
 Unpaid
Principal
Balance
 Related
Allowance
 Average
Recorded
Investment
 Interest
Income
Recognized
 Recorded
Investment
 Unpaid Principal
Balance
 Related
Allowance
 Average
Recorded
Investment
 Interest
Income
Recognized
Commercial real estate $4,180  $4,180  $618  $4,181  $204  $4,180  $4,180  $567  $4,583  $258 
Construction  3,044   3,584   200   3,048   18 
Residential mortgage  1,354   1,354   21   1,356   76   4,601   4,601   318   4,572   102 
Total $5,534  $5,534  $639  $5,537  $280  $11,825  $12,365  $1,085  $12,203  $378 
Total
                         
Commercial and industrial $  $  $  $292  $11 
Commercial real estate  6,301   6,750   567   7,973   407 
Construction  3,044   3,584   200   6,204   18 
Residential mortgage  4,601   4,601   318   4,572   102 
Total (including related allowance) $13,946  $14,935  $1,085  $19,041  $538 

Impaired Loans

          
Total
     
 December 31, 2010
 (Dollars in Thousands)
No Related Allowance Recorded Recorded
Investment
 Unpaid
Principal
Balance
 Related
Allowance
 Average
Recorded
Investment
 Interest
Income
Recognized
Commercial and industrial $1,364  $1,908  $  $1,933  $87  $1,364  $1,908  $  $1,933  $87 
Commercial real estate  8,164   8,805   618   8,455   282   3,984   4,625      4,274   78 
Construction  5,865   8,642      6,855   112   5,865   8,642      6,855   112 
Residential mortgage  2,816   3,119   21   3,067   103   1,462   1,765      1,711   27 
Total (including related allowance) $18,209  $22,474  $639  $20,310  $584 
Total $12,675  $16,940  $ —  $14,773  $304 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 5 — Loans and the Allowance for Loan Losses  – (continued)

     
With An Allowance Recorded Recorded Investment Unpaid Principal Balance Related Allowance Average Recorded Investment Interest Income Recognized
Commercial real estate $4,180  $4,180  $618  $4,181  $204 
Residential mortgage  1,354   1,354   21   1,356   76 
Total $5,534  $5,534  $639  $5,537  $280 
Total
                         
Commercial and industrial $1,364  $1,908  $  $1,933  $87 
Commercial real estate  8,164   8,805   618   8,455   282 
Construction  5,865   8,642      6,855   112 
Residential mortgage  2,816   3,119   21   3,067   103 
Total (including related allowance) $18,209  $22,474  $639  $20,310  $584 

The Corporation defines an impaired loan as a loan for which it is probable, based on information available at the determination date, that the Corporation will not collect all amounts due under the contractual terms of the loan. At December 31, 20102011, impaired loans were primarily collateral dependent, and totaled $18.2$13.9 million. Specific allowance for loan lossreserves of $639,000 was$1.1 million were assigned to impaired loans of $5.5$11.8 million. LoansOther impaired loans in the amount of $12.7$2.1 million had no specific allowance allocation.reserve. At December 31, 2009 average impaired loans were $6.9 million and related interest income recognized was $267,000.

Loans are considered to have been modified in a troubled debt restructuring when due to a borrower’s financial difficulties, the Corporation makes certain concessions to the borrower that it would not otherwise consider. Modifications may include interest rate reductions, principal or interest forgiveness, forbearance, and other actions intended to minimize economic loss and to avoid foreclosure or repossession of collateral. Generally, a non-accrual loan that has been modified in a troubled debt restructuring remains on non-accrual status for a period of six months to demonstrate that the borrower is able to meet the terms of the modified loan. However, performance prior to the modification, or significant events that coincide with the modification, are included in assessing whether the borrower can meet the new terms and may result in the loan being returned to accrual status at the time of loan modification or after a shorter performance period. If the borrower’s ability to meet the revised payment schedule is uncertain, the loan remains on non-accrual status. Included in impaired loans at December 31, 20102011 are $7.0 million in loans that are deemed troubled debt restructurings. TheseOf these loans, $7.5 million, 81% of which are included in the tables above, are performing under the restructured terms and are accruing interest.


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
  
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 5 — Loans and the Allowance for Loan Losses  – (continued)

The following table provides an analysis of the ageaging of loans, including deferred fees and costs, that are past due at December 31, 2011 and 2010:

Aging Analysis

              
 December 31, 2010 December 31, 2011
 (Dollars in Thousands) (Dollars in Thousands)
 30 – 59 Days
Past Due
 60 – 89 Days
Past Due
 Greater
Than
90 Days
 Total
Past Due
 Current Total Loans
Receivable
 Loans
Receivable >
90 Days And
Accruing
 30 – 59 Days
Past Due
 60 – 89 Days
Past Due
 Greater
Than
90 Days
 Total
Past Due
 Current Total
Loans
Receivable
 Loans
Receivable
> 90 Days
And
Accruing
Commercial and Industrial $1,509  $476  $456  $2,441  $118,593  $121,034  $  $137  $1,544  $125  $1,806  $144,856  $146,662  $ 
Commercial Real Estate  4,290   2,229   3,563   10,082   361,919   372,001      1,331   5,335   1,254   7,920   400,090   408,010   1,029 
Construction  170   449   5,865   6,484   43,260   49,744            3,044   3,044   36,338   39,382    
Residential Mortgage  1,814   309   2,004   4,127   161,027   165,154   714   2,174   99   3,477   5,750   155,249   160,999    
Installment  9         9   502   511      16         16   941   957    
Total $7,792  $3,463  $11,888  $23,143  $685,301  $708,444  $714  $3,658  $6,978  $7,900  $18,536  $737,474  $756,010  $1,029 

Aging Analysis

       
 December 31, 2010
   (Dollars in Thousands)
   30 – 59 Days
Past Due
 60 – 89 Days
Past Due
 Greater
Than
90 Days
 Total
Past Due
 Current Total
Loans
Receivable
 Loans
Receivable
> 90 Days
And
Accruing
Commercial and Industrial $1,509  $476  $456  $2,441  $118,593  $121,034  $ 
Commercial Real Estate  4,290   2,229   3,563   10,082   361,919   372,001    
Construction  170   449   5,865   6,484   43,260   49,744    
Residential Mortgage  1,814   309   2,004   4,127   161,027   165,154   714 
Installment  9         9   502   511    
Total $7,792  $3,463  $11,888  $23,143  $685,301  $708,444  $714 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 5 — Loans and the Allowance for Loan Losses  – (continued)

The following table details the amount of loans receivable that are evaluated individually, and collectively, for impairment, and the related portion of the allowance for loan loss that is allocated to each loan portfolio segment:

Allowance for loan and lease losses

       
 December 31, 2010       
 (Dollars in Thousands) December 31, 2011
(Dollars in Thousands)
 C & I Comm R/E Construction Res Mtge Installment Unallocated Total C & I Comm R/E Construction Res Mtge Installment Unallocated Total
Allowance for loan and
lease losses:
Allowance for loan and
lease losses:
                                                                 
Individually evaluated for impairment $  $618  $  $21  $  $  $639  $  $567  $200  $318  $  $  $1,085 
Collectively evaluated for impairment  1,272   5,097   551   1,017   52   239   8,228   1,527   5,405   507   945   51   82   8,517 
Total $1,272  $5,715  $551  $1,038  $52  $239  $8,867  $1,527  $5,972  $707  $1,263  $51  $82  $9,602 
Loans Receivable
                                                                      
Individually evaluated for impairment $2,748  $11,960  $5,865  $1,354  $  $  $21,927  $953  $12,769  $3,044  $5,050  $  $  $21,816 
Collectively evaluated for impairment  118,286   360,041   43,879   163,800   511      686,517   145,709   395,241   36,338   155,949   957      734,194 
Total $121,034  $372,001  $49,744  $165,154  $511  $  $708,444  $146,662  $408,010  $39,382  $160,999  $957  $ —  $756,010 

Allowance for loan and lease losses

       
 December 31, 2010
   (Dollars in Thousands)
   C & I Comm R/E Construction Res Mtge Installment Unallocated Total
Allowance for loan and lease losses:
                                   
Individually evaluated for impairment $  $618  $  $21  $  $  $639 
Collectively evaluated for impairment  1,272   5,097   551   1,017   52   239   8,228 
Total $1,272  $5,715  $551  $1,038  $52  $239  $8,867 
Loans Receivable
                                   
Individually evaluated for impairment $2,748  $11,960  $5,865  $1,354  $  $  $21,927 
Collectively evaluated for impairment  118,286   360,041   43,879   163,800   511      686,517 
Total $121,034  $372,001  $49,744  $165,154  $511  $  $708,444 

The Corporation’s allowance for loan losses is analyzed quarterly and many factors are considered, including growth in the portfolio, delinquencies, nonaccrual loan levels, and other factors inherent in the extension of credit. There have been no material changes to the allowance for loan loss methodology as disclosed in the Corporation’s previous Annual Reports.


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
  
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 5 — Loans and the Allowance for Loan Losses  – (continued)

A summary of the activity in the allowance for loan losses is as follows:

   
 2010 2009 2008
   (Dollars in Thousands)
Balance at the beginning of year $8,711  $6,254  $5,163 
Provision for loan losses  5,076   4,597   1,561 
Loans charged-off  (4,940  (2,152  (499
Recoveries on loans previously charged-off  20   12   29 
Balance at the end of year $8,867  $8,711  $6,254 
       
 Year Ended December 31, 2011
   (Dollars in thousands)
   C & I Comm R/E Construction Res Mtg Installment Unallocated Total
Balance at January 1, $1,272  $5,715  $551  $1,038  $52  $239  $8,867 
Loans charged-off  (186  (1,168  (631  (23  (20     (2,028
Recoveries  240   15      53   7      315 
Provision for loan losses  201   1,410   787   195   12   (157  2,448 
Balance at December 31, $1,527  $5,972  $707  $1,263  $51  $82  $9,602 

   
 For the Year Ended December 31,
   2011 2010 2009
   (Dollars in Thousands)
Balance at the beginning of year $8,867  $8,711  $6,254 
Provision for loan losses  2,448   5,076   4,597 
Loans charged-off  (2,028  (4,940  (2,152
Recoveries on loans previously charged-off  315   20   12 
Balance at the end of year $9,602  $8,867  $8,711 

The amount of interest income that would have been recorded on non-accrual loans in 2011, 2010 2009 and 20082009 had payments remained in accordance with the original contractual terms was $378,000, $598,000 $431,000 and $37,000,$431,000, respectively.

At December 31, 2010, total impaired loans were approximately $18,209,000 as compared to $12,211,000 at December 31, 2009. The amount of related valuation allowances was $639,000 at December 31, 2010 and $1,565,000 at December 31, 2009. Impaired loans with a specific reserve of $639,000 amounted to $5,534,000 while $12,675,000 of impaired loans had no specific reserves. At December 31, 2009, the amount of impaired loans with specific reserves was $6,756,000 while $5,455,000 of impaired loans had no specific reserves. The Corporation’s total average impaired loans were $20,310,000 during 2010, $6,253,000 during 2009, and $525,000 during 2008.

At December 31, 2010,2011, there were no commitments to lend additional funds to borrowers whose loans were non-accrual or contractually past due in excess of 90 days and still accruing interest.

The policy of the Corporation is to generally grant commercial, mortgage and installment loans to New Jersey residents and businesses within its market area. The borrowers’ abilities to repay their obligations are dependent upon various factors including the borrowers’ income and net worth, cash flows generated by the borrowers’ underlying collateral, value of the underlying collateral, and priority of the Bank’slender’s lien on the property. Such factors are dependent upon various economic conditions and individual circumstances beyond the control of the Corporation. The Corporation is therefore subject to risk of loss. The Corporation believes its lending policies and procedures adequately minimize the potential exposure to such risks and that adequate provisions for loan losses are provided for all known and inherent risks. Collateral and/or personal guarantees are required for virtually alla large majority of the Corporation’s loans.

Note 6 — Premises and Equipment

Premises and equipment are summarized as follows:

   
 Estimated
Useful Life
(Years)
 2010 2009
   (Dollars in Thousands)
Land      $2,403  $3,447 
Buildings  5 – 40   12,656   16,200 
Furniture, fixtures and equipment  2 – 20   15,929   16,222 
Leasehold improvements  5 – 30   1,839   1,839 
Subtotal       32,827   37,708 
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization     19,890   19,848 
Total premises and equipment, net    $12,937  $17,860 

Depreciation and amortization expense of premises and equipment for the three years ended December 31, amounted to $1,096,000 in 2010, $1,369,000 in 2009 and $1,738,000 in 2008, respectively.


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
  
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 5 — Loans and the Allowance for Loan Losses  – (continued)

The following table presents information about the troubled debt restructurings (TDRs) by class transacted during the period indicated:

   
 Year Ended December 31, 2011
   Number of
Loans
 Pre-restructuring
Outstanding
Recorded
Investment
 Post-restructuring
Outstanding
Recorded
Investment
   (Dollars in Thousands)
Troubled debt restructurings:
               
Commercial Real Estate  1  $1,719  $1,318 
Residential Mortgage  5   1,624   1,575 
Total    6  $3,343  $2,893 

The Corporation charged off $450,000 in connection with loan modifications at the time of the modification during the twelve months ended December 31, 2011.

The Corporation had no loans modified as a TDR within the previous twelve months that subsequently defaulted during the twelve months ended December 31, 2011.

The Corporation adopted ASU No. 2011-02 on July 1, 2011 which provides additional guidance to creditors for evaluating whether a modification or restructuring of a receivable is a troubled debt restructuring. In general, a modification or restructuring of a loan constitutes a TDR if the Corporation grants a concession to a borrower experiencing financial difficulty. Loans modified in TDRs are placed on non-accrual status until the Corporation determines that future collection of principal and interest is reasonably assured, which generally requires that the borrower demonstrate performance according to the restructured terms for a period of at least six months. However, performance prior to the modification, or significant events that coincide with the modification, are included in assessing whether the borrower can meet the new terms and may result in the loan being returned to accrual status at the time of loan modification or after a shorter performance period. If the borrower’s ability to meet the revised payment schedule is uncertain, the loan remains on non-accrual status.

Loans modified in a troubled debt restructuring totaled $11.1 million at December 31, 2011 of which $3.7 million were on non-accrual status. The remaining loans modified were current at the time of the restructuring and have complied with the terms of their restructure agreement.

In an effort to proactively manage delinquent loans, the Corporation has selectively extended to certain borrowers concessions such as rate reductions, extension of maturity dates, principal or interest forgiveness, adjusted repayment terms, forbearance agreements, or combinations of two or more of these concessions. As of December 31, 2011, loans on which concessions were made with respect to adjusted repayment terms amounted to $1.7 million. Loans on which combinations of two or more concessions were made amounted to $9.4 million. The concessions granted included principal concessions, rate reduction, adjusted repayment, extended maturity and payment deferral.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 6 — Premises and Equipment

Premises and equipment are summarized as follows:

   
 Estimated
Useful Life
(Years)
 2011 2010
   (Dollars in Thousands)
Land      $2,403  $2,403 
Buildings  5 – 40   12,711   12,656 
Furniture, fixtures and equipment  2 – 20   16,191   15,929 
Leasehold improvements  5 – 30   1,839   1,839 
Subtotal       33,144   32,827 
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization     20,817   19,890 
Total premises and equipment, net    $12,327  $12,937 

Depreciation and amortization expense of premises and equipment for the three years ended December 31, amounted to $926,000 in 2011, $1,096,000 in 2010 and $1,369,000 in 2009, respectively.

Note 7 — Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill

Goodwill allocated to the Corporation as of December 31, 20102011 and 20092010 was $16,804,000. There were no changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during the fiscal years ended December 31, 20102011 and 2009.2010.

The table below provides information regarding the carrying amounts and accumulated amortization of amortized intangible assets as of the dates set forth below.

      
 Gross
Carrying
Amount
 Accumulated
Amortization
 Net
Carrying
Amount
 Gross
Carrying
Amount
 Accumulated
Amortization
 Net
Carrying
Amount
 (Dollars in Thousands) (Dollars in Thousands)
As of December 31, 2011:
               
Core deposits $703  $(605 $98 
Total intangible assets  703   (605  98 
As of December 31, 2010:
                              
Core deposits $703  $(548 $155  $703  $(548 $155 
Total intangible assets  703   (548  155   703   (548  155 
As of December 31, 2009:
               
Core deposits $703  $(479 $224 
Total intangible assets  703   (479  224 

The current year and estimated future amortization expense for amortized intangible assets was $69,000$57,000 for 20102011 and $56,000, $44,000, $31,000, $18,000, $5,000 and $5,000,$0, respectively, for the subsequent five-year periods of 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2015.2016.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 8 — Deposits

Time Deposits

As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Corporation's total time deposits were $194.6 million and $181.6 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2011, the contractual maturities of these time deposits were as follows:

 
(dollars in thousands) Amount
2012 $155,247 
2013  21,989 
2014  7,240 
2015  2,099 
2016  8,008 
Thereafter   
Total $194,583 

The table below provides information regarding the aggregate amount and maturity of time certificates of depositdeposits with balances of $100,000 or more was $137.9 million and $119.7 million as of December 31, 2010.2011 and 2010, respectively. As of December 31, 2011, the contractual maturities of these time deposits were as follows:

 
 Amount
   (Dollars in Thousands)
Due in one year or less $107,115 
Due in 2012  9,783 
Due in 2013  2,753 
Due in 2014   
Total certificates of deposit $100,000 or more $119,651 
 
(dollars in thousands) Amount
Three Months or Less $55,959 
Over Three Months through Six Months  36,460 
Over Six Months through Twelve Months  16,702 
Over Twelve Months  28,877 
Total $137,998 

Note 9 — Borrowed Funds:

Short-term borrowings at December 31, 20102011 and 20092010 consisted of the following:

    
 2010 2009 2011 2010
 (Dollars in Thousands) (Dollars in Thousands)
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase $28,855  $46,109  $  $28,855 
Federal funds purchased and FHLB short-term advances  13,000         13,000 
Total short-term borrowings $41,855  $46,109  $ —  $41,855 

The weighted average interest rates for short-term borrowings at December 31, 2011 and 2010 were zero percent and 2009 were 0.27 percent, respectively.

Long-term borrowings at December 31, 2011 and 0.972010 consisted of the following:

  
 2011 2010
   (Dollars in Thousands)
FHLB long-term advances $120,000  $130,000 
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase  41,000   41,000 
Total long-term borrowings $161,000  $171,000 

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase had average balances of $67.4 million and $86.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The maximum amount outstanding at any month end during 2011 and 2010 was $84.8 million and $95.9 million, respectively. The average interest rate paid on securities sold under agreements to repurchase were 3.39 percent respectively.and 2.97 percent for the years ended


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
  
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 9 — Borrowed Funds:  – (continued)

Long-term borrowings at December 31, 20102011 and 2009 consisted of the following:

  
 2010 2009
   (Dollars in Thousands)
FHLB long-term advances $130,000  $170,144 
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase  41,000   53,000 
Total long-term borrowings $171,000  $223,144 

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase had average balances of $86.1 million and $87.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, and 2009, respectively. The maximum amount outstanding at any month end during 2010 and 2009 was $95.9 million and $111.5 million, respectively. The average interest rate paid on securities sold under agreements to repurchase were 2.97 percent and 3.52 percent for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Overnight federal funds purchased averaged $2.9 million during 2011 as compared to $0.4 million during 2010 as compared to $0.5 million during 2009.2010.

The weighted average interest rates on long term borrowings at December 31, 2011 and 2010 and 2009 were 4.023.93 percent and 4.364.02 percent, respectively. The maximum amount outstanding at any month-end during 2011 and 2010 and 2009 was $223.1$161.0 million and $223.3$223.1 million, respectively. The average interest rates paid on Federal Home Loan Bank advances were 3.953.51 percent and 4.093.95 percent for the years ended December 31, 20102011 and 2009,2010, respectively.

At December 31, 20102011 and 2009,2010, advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (“FHLB”) amounted to $130.0$120.0 million and $170.1$130.0 million, respectively. The FHLB advances had a weighted average interest rate of 3.613.46 percent and 4.093.61 percent at December 31, 20102011 and 2009,2010, respectively. These advances are secured by pledges of FHLB stock, 1 – 4 family residential mortgages, commercial real estate mortgages and U.S. Government and Federal Agency obligations. The advances are subject to quarterly call provisions at the discretion of the FHLB and at December 31, 20102011 and 2009,2010, are contractually scheduled for repayment as follows:

    
(Dollars in Thousands) 2010 2009
2010 $  $40,144 
 2011 2010
 (Dollars in Thousands)
2011  10,000   10,000  $  $10,000 
2013  5,000   5,000   5,000   5,000 
2016  20,000   20,000   20,000   20,000 
2017  55,000   55,000   55,000   55,000 
2018  40,000   40,000   40,000   40,000 
Total $130,000   170,144  $120,000  $130,000 

The securities sold under repurchase agreements to other counterparties included in long-term debt totaled $41.0 million at December 31, 20102011 and $53.0 million2010. The weighted average rates were 5.31 percent at December 31, 2009. The weighted average rate at December 31, 20102011 and 2009 was 5.31 percent and 5.23 percent, respectively.2010. The schedule for contractual repayment is as follows:

    
(Dollars in Thousands) 2010 2009
 2011 2010
 (Dollars in Thousands)
2011 $  $12,000  $  $ 
2015  10,000   10,000   10,000   10,000 
2017  15,000   15,000   15,000   15,000 
2018  16,000   16,000   16,000   16,000 
Total $41,000  $53,000  $41,000  $41,000 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 10 — Subordinated Debentures:

During 2003, the Corporation formed a statutory business trust, which exists for the exclusive purpose of (i) issuing Trust Securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust; (ii) investing the gross proceeds of the Trust securities in junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures (subordinated debentures) of the Corporation; and (iii) engaging in only those activities necessary or incidental thereto. These subordinated debentures and the related income effects are not eliminated in the consolidated financial statements as the statutory business trust is not consolidated in accordance with FASB ASC 810-10 (previously FASB Interpretation No. 46(R) “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities”).810-10. Distributions on the subordinated debentures owned by the subsidiary trusts belowtrust have been classified as interest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 10 — Subordinated Debentures:  – (continued)

The following table summarizes the mandatory redeemable trust preferred securities of the Corporation’s Statutory Trust II at December 31, 2010.2011.

     
Issuance Date Securities
Issued
 Liquidation Value Coupon Rate Maturity Redeemable by
Issuer Beginning
12/19/03 $5,000,000 $1,000 per
Capital
Security
 Floating
3-month
LIBOR + 285
Basis Points
 01/23/2034 01/23/2009

Note 11 — Income Taxes

The current and deferred amounts of income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 2009 and 2008,2009, respectively, are as follows:

      
 2010 2009 2008 2011 2010 2009
 (Dollars in Thousands) (Dollars in Thousands)
Current:
                              
Federal $(27 $(19 $104  $3,818  $(27 $(19
State  198   146   242   187   198   146 
Subtotal  171   127   346   4,005   171   127 
Deferred:
                              
Federal  (191  824   1,184   2,157   (191  824 
State  242   (5  37   1,249   242   (5
Subtotal  51   819   1,221   3,406   51   819 
Income tax expense $222  $946  $1,567  $7,411  $222  $946 

Reconciliation between the amount of reported income tax expense and the amount computed by applying the statutory Federal income tax rate is as follows:

      
 2010 2009 2008 2011 2010 2009
 (Dollars in Thousands) (Dollars in Thousands)
Income before income tax expense $7,226  $4,717  $7,409  $21,337  $7,226  $4,717 
Federal statutory rate  34  34  34  35  34  34
Computed “expected” Federal income tax expense  2,457   1,604   2,519   7,468   2,457   1,604 
State tax, net of Federal tax benefit  291   93   184   933   291   93 
Bank owned life insurance  (417  (393  (409  (363  (417  (393
Tax-exempt interest and dividends  (75  (334  (798  (595  (75  (334
Tax on Bank Owned Life Insurance policy surrender gain  539            539    
Reversal of unrealized tax benefit & interest  (2,551           (2,551   
Other, net  (22  (24  71   (32  (22  (24
Income tax expense $222  $946  $1,567 
Income tax $7,411  $222  $946 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
  
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 11 — Income Taxes  – (continued)

The decreased tax rate resulted in part from the measurement and reassessment of the technical merits which led the Corporation to conclude that its position of the recognition of $2.6 million on a previously unrecognized tax benefit was sustainable. This in turn resulted in recognition of tax benefits previously unrecognized due to changes in the Corporation’s business entity structure during 2007 and into 2008 offset by a higher proportion of taxable income versus tax-exempt income in 2010 versus 2009. The decreased tax rate benefit was offset, in part, due to the surrender of Bank Owned Life Insurance Policies resulting in a $633,000 in income tax expense in 2010.

The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax asset and deferred tax liability at December 31, 20102011 and 20092010 are presented onin the next page:following table:

    
 2010 2009 2011 2010
 (Dollars in Thousands) (Dollars in Thousands)
Deferred tax assets:
                    
Impaired assets $2,621  $1,661  $2,820  $2,621 
Allowance for loan losses  3,358   3,296   3,810   3,358 
Employee benefit plans  59   54   13   59 
Unrealized loss on securities available-for-sale and tax benefits related to FASB ASC 715-10  5,028   7,088 
Unrealized losses on securities available-for-sale  1,154   3,462 
Pension actuarial losses  2,150   1,566 
Other  656   507   512   656 
Federal NOL and AMT Credits  3,874   4,777 
NJ NOL and AMA credits  1,471   1,866 
Federal AMT Credits  854   3,874 
NJ NOL  373   1,258 
NJ AMA credits  210   213 
Total deferred tax assets $17,067  $19,249  $11,896  $17,067 
Deferred tax liabilities:
                    
Depreciation $298  $243  $303  $298 
Market discount accretion  29   61   43   29 
Deferred loan costs, net of fees  435   502   397   435 
Purchase accounting  62   89   40   62 
Total deferred tax liabilities  824   895   783   824 
Net deferred tax asset $16,243  $18,354  $11,113  $16,243 

Based on the Corporation’s historical and current taxable income and the projected future taxable income, management believes it is more likely than not that the Corporation will realize the benefit of the net deductible temporary differences existing at December 31, 20102011 and 2009,2010, respectively.

At December 31, 2010,2011, the Corporation has no federal income tax loss carry forwards, and has state income tax loss carry forwards of approximately $21.2$6.4 million, which have expirations beginning in the year 2013.2014.

In assessing the realization of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependantdependent upon the generation of future taxable income during periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, the projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. During 20102011 and 2009,2010, based on the level of historical taxable income and projections for future taxable income over the periods in which the deferred tax assets are deductible, the Corporation believes the net deferred tax assets are more likely than not to be realized.

The Corporation’s federal income tax returns are open and subject to examination from the 20072008 tax return year and forward. The Corporation’s state income tax returns are generally open from the 2007 and later tax return years based on individual state statute of limitations.


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
  
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 12 — Commitments, Contingencies and Concentrations of Credit Risk

In the normal course of business, the Corporation has outstanding commitments and contingent liabilities, such as standby and commercial letters of credit, unused portions of lines of credit and commitments to extend various types of credit. Commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit generally do not exceed one year.

These financial instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk in excess of the amounts recognized in the consolidated financial statements. The commitment or contract amount of these financial instruments is an indicator of the Corporation’s level of involvement in each type of instrument as well as the exposure to credit loss in the event of non-performance by the other party to the financial instrument.

The Corporation controls the credit risk of these financial instruments through credit approvals, limits and monitoring procedures. To minimize potential credit risk, the Corporation generally requires collateral and other credit-related terms and conditions from the customer. In the opinion of management, the financial condition of the Corporation will not be materially affected by the final outcome of these commitments and contingent liabilities.

A substantial portion of the Bank’s loans isare secured by real estate located in New Jersey. Accordingly, the collectability of a substantial portion of the loan portfolio of the Bank is susceptible to changes in the real estate market.

The following table provides a summary of financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk at December 31, 20102011 and 2009:2010:

    
 2010 2009 2011 2010
 (Dollars in Thousands) (Dollars in Thousands)
Commitments under commercial loans and lines of credit $77,786  $70,076  $90,866  $77,786 
Home equity and other revolving lines of credit  50,131   54,572   49,203   50,131 
Outstanding commercial mortgage loan commitments  32,554   33,659   32,938   32,554 
Standby letters of credit  2,225   1,676   1,800   2,225 
Performance letters of credit  12,019   11,466   20,482   12,019 
Outstanding residential mortgage loan commitments  250   4,153      250 
Overdraft protection lines  4,898   5,058   5,850   4,898 
Other consumer     11       
Total $179,863  $180,671  $201,139  $179,863 

Other expenses include rentals for premises and equipment of $710,000 in 2011, $692,000 in 2010 and $704,000 in 2009 and $1,092,000 in 2008.2009. At December 31, 2010,2011, the Corporation was obligated under a number of non-cancelable leases for premises and equipment, many of which provide for increased rentals based upon increases in real estate taxes and the cost of living index. These leases, most of which have renewal provisions, are principally operating leases. Minimum rentals under the terms of these leases for the years 20112012 through 20152016 are $607,000, $625,000, $500,000, $533,000, $538,000 and $533,000 and 538,000,$408,000, respectively. Minimum rentals due 20162017 and after are $4,319,000.$3,911,000.

The Corporation is subject to claims and lawsuits that arise in the ordinary course of business. Based upon the information currently available in connection with such claims, it is the opinion of management that the disposition or ultimate determination of such claims will not have a material adverse impact on the consolidated financial position, results of operations, or liquidity of the Corporation.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 13 — Stockholders’ Equity and Regulatory Requirements

On January 12, 2009, the Corporation issued $10 million in nonvoting senior preferred stock to the U.S. Department of Treasury under the Capital Purchase Program. As part of the transaction, the Corporation also issued warrants to the U.S. Treasury to purchase 173,410 shares of common stock of the Corporation at an exercise price of $8.65 per share. As previously announced, the Corporation’s voluntary participation in the


TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 13 — Stockholders’ Equity and Regulatory Requirements  – (continued)

Capital Purchase Program amounted to approximately 50 percent of what the Corporation had qualified for under the U.S. Treasury program. The Corporation believesbelieved that its participation in this program willwould strengthen its current well-capitalized position. The funding will bewas used to support future loan growth. As a result of the successful completion of the rights offering in October 2009, the number of shares underlying the warrants held by the U.S. Treasury was reduced to 86,705 shares, or 50 percent of the original 173,410 shares as outlined by the provisions of the Capital Purchase Program.

On September 15, 2011, the Corporation issued $11.25 million in nonvoting senior preferred stock to the Treasury under the Small Business Lending Fund Program (“SBLF Program”). Under the Securities Purchase Agreement, the Corporation issued to the Treasury a total of 11,250 shares of the Corporation’s Senior Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series B, having a liquidation value of $1,000 per share. Simultaneously, using the proceeds from the issuance of the SBLF Preferred Stock, the Corporation redeemed from the Treasury, all 10,000 outstanding shares of its Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A, liquidation amount $1,000 per share, for a redemption price of $10,041,667, including accrued but unpaid dividends up to the date of redemption. The investment in the SBLF program provides the Corporation with approximately $1.25 million additional Tier 1 capital. The capital received under the program will allow the Corporation to continue to serve its small business clients through the commercial lending program.

On December 7, 2011, the Corporation repurchased the warrants issued on January 12, 2009 to the U.S. Treasury as part of its participation in the U.S. Treasury’s TARP Capital Purchase Program. In the repurchase, the Corporation paid the U.S. Treasury $245,000 for the warrants.

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (“FRB”) regulations require banks to maintain minimum levels of regulatory capital. Under the regulations in effect at December 31, 2010,2011, the Bank was required to maintain (i) a minimum leverage ratio of Tier I capital to total adjusted assets of 4.00 percent, and (ii) minimum ratios of Tier I and total capital to risk-weighted assets of 4.00 percent and 8.00 percent, respectively.

Under its prompt corrective action regulations, the regulators are required to take certain supervisory actions with respect to an undercapitalized institution. Such actions could have a direct material effect on the institution’s financial statements. The regulations establish a framework for the classification of financial institutions into five categories: well capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized and critically undercapitalized. Generally, an institution is considered well capitalized if it has a leverage (Tier I) capital ratio of at least 5.00 percent; a Tier I risk-based capital ratio of at least 6.00 percent; and a total risk-based capital ratio of at least 10.00 percent.

The foregoing capital ratios are based in part on specific quantitative measures of assets, liabilities and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about capital components, risk weightings and other factors. The Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”) has established higher minimum capital ratios for the Bank effective as of December 31, 2009: Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital of 10.0 percent, Total Risk-Based Capital of 12.0 percent and Tier 1 Leverage Capital of 8.0 percent. Similar categories apply to bank holding companies. At December 31, 2010,2011, the Bank’s capital ratios were all above the minimum levels required.

At December 31, 2010,2011, management believes that the Bank and the Parent Corporation met all capital adequacy requirements to which they are subject.

The following is a summary of the Bank’s and the Parent Corporation’s actual capital amounts and ratios as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, compared to the FRB and FDIC minimum capital adequacy requirements and the FRB and FDIC requirements for classification as a well-capitalized institution.


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
  
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 13 — Stockholders’ Equity and Regulatory Requirements  – (continued)

The following is a summary of the Bank’s and the Parent Corporation’s actual capital amounts and ratios as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, compared to the FRB and FDIC minimum capital adequacy requirements and the FRB and FDIC requirements for classification as a well-capitalized institution.

            
 Union Center
National Bank
 Minimum Capital
Adequacy
 For Classification Under
Corrective Action Plan
as Well Capitalized
 Union Center
National Bank
 Minimum
Capital Adequacy
 For Classification
Under Corrective
Action Plan
as Well Capitalized
 Amount Ratio Amount Ratio Amount Ratio Amount Ratio Amount Ratio Amount Ratio
 (Dollars in Thousands) (Dollars in Thousands)
December 31, 2011 Leverage (Tier 1) capital $127,473   9.15 $55,726   4.00 $69,657   5.00
Risk-Based Capital:
                              
Tier 1 $127,473   11.81 $43,175   4.00 $64,762   6.00
Total  137,075   12.70  86,346   8.00  107,933   10.00
December 31, 2010 Leverage
(Tier 1) capital
 $112,601   9.56 $48,088   4.00 $59,262   5.00 $112,601   9.56 $48,088   4.00 $59,262   5.00
Risk-Based Capital:
                                                            
Tier 1 $112,601   12.83 $35,116   4.00 $52,674   6.00 $112,601   12.83 $35,116   4.00 $52,674   6.00
Total  121,468   13.84  70,232   8.00  87,790   10.00  121,468   13.84  70,232   8.00  87,790   10.00
December 31, 2009 Leverage
(Tier 1) capital
 $96,314   7.56 $52,133   4.00 $64,315   5.00
Risk-Based Capital:
                              
Tier 1 $96,314   11.17 $34,485   4.00 $51,727   6.00
Total  105,036   12.18  68,970   8.00  86,212   10.00

            
 Parent Corporation Minimum Capital
Adequacy
 For Classification
as Well Capitalized
 Parent Corporation Minimum Capital
Adequacy
 For Classification
as Well Capitalized
 Amount Ratio Amount Ratio Amount Ratio Amount Ratio Amount Ratio Amount Ratio
 (Dollars in Thousands) (Dollars in Thousands)
December 31, 2011 Leverage (Tier 1) capital $129,437   9.29 $55,732   4.00 $69,665   5.00
Risk-Based Capital:
                              
Tier 1 $129,437   12.00 $43,146   4.00 $64,719   6.00
Total  139,039   12.89  86,293   8.00  N/A   N/A 
December 31, 2010 Leverage
(Tier 1) capital
 $116,600   9.90 $48,098   4.00 $59,275   5.00 $116,600   9.90 $48,098   4.00 $59,275   5.00
Risk-Based Capital:
                                                            
Tier 1 $116,600   13.28 $35,124   4.00 $52,686   6.00 $116,600   13.28 $35,124   4.00 $52,686   6.00
Total  125,467   14.29  70,248   8.00  N/A   N/A   125,467   14.29  70,248   8.00  N/A   N/A 
December 31, 2009 Leverage
(Tier 1) capital
 $98,536   7.73 $52,143   4.00 $64,327   5.00
Risk-Based Capital:
                              
Tier 1 $98,536   11.43 $34,498   4.00 $51,747   6.00
Total  107,247   12.44  68,996   8.00  N/A   N/A 

The Corporation issued $5.2 million of subordinated debentures in 2003. These securities are included as a component of Tier 1 Capital for regulatory purposes.

On March 1, 2005, the Federal Reserve adopted a final rule that allows the continued inclusion of outstanding and prospective issuances of trust preferred securities in the Tier I Capital of bank holding companies, subject to stricter quantitative limits and qualitative standards. The new quantitative limits became effective after a five-year transition period endingended March 31, 2009. Under the final rules, trust preferred securities and other restricted core capital elements are limited to 25% of all core capital elements. Amounts of restricted core capital elements in excess of these limits may be included in Tier II Capital. Based on a review of the final rule, the Corporation believes that its trust preferred issues qualify as Tier I Capital. However, in the event that the trust preferred issues do not qualify as Tier I Capital, the Corporation would remain well-capitalized.

The Dodd-Frank Act includes certain provisions, often referred to as the “Collins Amendment,” concerning the capital requirements of the United States banking regulators. These provisions are intended to subject bank holding companies to the same capital requirements as their bank subsidiaries and to eliminate or significantly reduce the use of hybrid capital instruments, especially trust preferred securities, as regulatory


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
  
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 13 — Stockholders’ Equity and Regulatory Requirements  – (continued)

significantly reduce the use of hybrid capital instruments, especially trust preferred securities, as regulatory capital. Under the Collins Amendment, trust preferred securities issued by a company, such as Union Center National Bank, with total consolidated assets of less than $15 billion before May 19, 2010 and treated as regulatory capital are grandfathered, but any such securities issued later are not eligible as regulatory capital. The banking regulators must develop regulations setting minimum risk-based and leverage capital requirements for holding companies and banks on a consolidated basis that are no less stringent than the generally applicable requirements in effect for depository institutions under the prompt corrective action regulations. The banking regulators also must seek to make capital standards countercyclical so that the required levels of capital increase in times of economic expansion and decrease in times of economic contraction. The Dodd-Frank Act requires these new capital regulations to be adopted by the Federal Reserve in final form 18 months after the date of enactment of the Dodd-Frank Act (July 21, 2010).

Note 14 — Comprehensive Income

Total comprehensive income includes all changes in equity during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources. The Corporation’s other comprehensive income (loss) is comprised of unrealized holding gains and losses on securities available-for-sale, obligations for defined benefit pension plan and an adjustment to reflect the curtailment of the Corporation’s defined benefit pension plan, net of taxes.

Disclosure of comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 2009 and 20082009 is presented in the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity. The table below provides a reconciliation of the components of other comprehensive income to the disclosure provided in the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity.

The components of other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes, were as follows for the following fiscal years ended December 31:

      
 Years Ended December 31, Years Ended December 31,
 2010 2009 2008 2011 2010 2009
 (Dollars in Thousands) (Dollars in Thousands)
Reclassification adjustments of OTTI losses included in income $(5,576 $(4,238 $ 
Reclassification adjustments for OTTI losses included in income $342  $5,576  $4,238 
Unrealized gains (losses) on available for sale securities  6,500   (3,809  (3,328  8,990   3,822   (2,827
Reclassification adjustment for net gain/(loss) arising during this period  4,237   4,729   655 
Reclassification adjustment for realized gains arising during this period  (3,976  (4,237  (4,729
Net unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities  5,356   5,161   (3,318
Unrealized holding gains on securities transferred from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity securities  245       
Net unrealized gains (losses)  5,161   (3,318  (2,673  5,601   5,161   (3,318
Tax effect  (2,060  1,354   1,584   (2,307  (2,060  1,354 
Net of tax amount  3,101   (1,964  (1,089  3,294   3,101   (1,964
Change in minimum pension liability     25    
Actuarial (loss) gain  (1,649     25 
Tax effect     (10     584      (10
Net of tax amount     15      (1,065     15 
Net actuarial gains (losses)     142   (3,332
Net actuarial gains        142 
Tax effect     (57  1,333         (57
Net of tax amount     85   (1,999        85 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax $3,101  $(1,864 $(3,088 $2,229  $3,101  $(1,864

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
  
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 14 — Comprehensive Income  – (continued)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss at December 31, 20102011 and 20092010 consisted of the following:

    
 2010 2009 2011 2010
 (Dollars in Thousands) (Dollars in Thousands)
Investment securities available for sale, net of tax $(5,327 $(8,428 $(2,196 $(5,327
Unamortized component of securities transferred from
available-for-sale to held-to-maturity, net of tax
  163    
Defined benefit pension and post-retirement plans, net of tax  (2,348  (2,348  (3,413  (2,348
Total $(7,675 $(10,776 $(5,446 $(7,675

Note 15 — Pension and Other Benefits

Defined Benefit Plans

The Corporation maintained a non-contributory pension plan for substantially all of its employees until September 30, 2007, at which time the Corporation froze its defined benefit pension plan. The benefits are based on years of service and the employee’s compensation over the prior five-year period. The plan’s benefits are payable in the form of a ten year certain and life annuity. The plan is intended to be a tax-qualified defined benefit plan under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Pension Plan, which has been in effect since March 15, 1950, generally covers employees of Union Center National Bank and the Parent Corporation who have attained age 21 and completed one year of service.service prior to September 30, 2007. Payments may be made under the Pension Plan once attaining the normal retirement age of 65 and is generally equal to 44 percent of a participant’s highest average compensation over a 5-year period.

In addition, the Corporation has a non-qualified retirement plan that is designed to supplement the pension plan for key employees. The plan is known as the Union Center National Bank Benefit Equalization Plan, or “BEP”. The BEP is a nonqualified, unfunded supplemental retirement plan, which is designed to replace the benefits that cannot be provided under the terms of the Pension Plan solely due to certain compensation and benefit limits placed on tax-qualified pension plans under the Internal Revenue Code. Benefits under the BEP Plan were paid out in 2009.

In 1999, the Corporation adopted a Directors’ Retirement Plan, which was designed to provide retirement benefits for members of the Board of Directors. There was no recorded expense associated with the plan in 2010, 2009 and 2008. During the third quarter of 2008, the Corporation recognized a $272,000 benefit relating to a lump-sum payment and termination of the Directors Retirement Plan. This benefit represented the difference between the actuarial present value of the lump-sum payments and the accrued liability previously recorded on the Corporation’s balance sheet.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 15 — Pension and Other Benefits  – (continued)

The following table sets forth changes in projected benefit obligation, changes in fair value of plan assets, funded status, and amounts recognized in the consolidated statements of condition for the Corporation’s pension plans at December 31, 20102011 and 2009.2010.

    
 2010 2009 2011 2010
 (Dollars in Thousands) (Dollars in Thousands)
Change in Benefit Obligation:
                    
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year $10,660  $9,923  $11,032  $10,660 
Service cost            
Interest cost  601   606   589   601 
Actuarial loss  393   617   1,335   393 
Benefits paid  (622  (486  (611  (622
Projected benefit obligation at end of year $11,032  $10,660  $12,345  $11,032 
Change in Plan Assets:
                    
Fair value of plan assets at beginning year $6,652  $5,734  $6,993  $6,652 
Actual return on plan assets  663   930   (111  663 
Employer contributions  300   474   491   300 
Benefits paid  (622  (486  (611  (622
Fair value of plan assets at end of year $6,993  $6,652  $6,762  $6,993 
Funded status $(4,039 $(4,008 $(5,583 $(4,039

Amounts related to unrecognized actuarial losses for the plan, on a pre-tax basis, that have been recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss amounted to $5,563,000 and $3,914,000 at December 31, 2011 and 2010, and 2009 respectively.

The net periodic pension cost for 2010, 2009 and 2008 includes the following components:

   
 2010 2009 2008
   (Dollars in Thousands)
Service cost $  $  $ 
Interest cost  601   606   701 
Expected return on plan assets  (413  (288  (658
Net amortization and deferral  130       
Net periodic pension expense $318  $318  $43 

The following table presents the assumptions used to calculate the projected benefit obligation in each of the last three years.

   
 2010 2009 2008
Discount rate  5.25  5.75  6.25
Rate of compensation increase  N/A   N/A   N/A 
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets  6.25  5.00  7.50

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
  
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 15 — Pension and Other Benefits  – (continued)

The net periodic pension cost for 2011, 2010 and 2009 includes the following components:

   
 2011 2010 2009
   (Dollars in Thousands)
Service cost $  $  $ 
Interest cost  589   601   606 
Expected return on plan assets  (381  (413  (288
Net amortization and deferral  179   130    
Net periodic pension expense $387  $318  $318 

The following table presents the assumptions used to calculate the projected benefit obligation in each of the last three years.

   
 2011 2010 2009
Discount rate  4.64  5.25  5.75
Rate of compensation increase  N/A   N/A   N/A 
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets  5.50  6.25  5.00

The following information is provided at December 31:

      
 2010 2009 2008 2011 2010 2009
 (Dollars in Thousands) (Dollars in Thousands)
Information for Plans With a Benefit Obligation in
Excess of Plan Assets
                              
Projected benefit obligation $11,032  $10,660  $9,923 
Accumulated benefit obligation  11,032   10,660   9,923 
Fair value of plan assets  6,993   6,652   5,734 
Assumptions
               
Weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligation at December 31
               
Discount rate  5.25  5.75  6.25
Rate of compensation increase  N/A   N/A   N/A 
Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost for years ended December 31
                              
Discount rate  5.75  6.25  6.25  5.25  5.75  6.25
Expected long-term return on plan assets  6.25  5.00  7.50  5.50  6.25  5.00
Rate of compensation increase  N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A 

The process of determining the overall expected long-term rate of return on plan assets begins with a review of appropriate investment data, including current yields on fixed income securities, historical investment data, historical plan performance and forecasts of inflation and future total returns for the various asset classes. This data forms the basis for the construction of a best-estimate range of real investment return for each asset class. An average, weighted real-return range is computed reflecting the Plan’s expected asset mix, and that range, when combined with an expected inflation range, produces an overall best-estimate expected return range. Specific factors such as the Plan’s investment policy, reinvestment risk and investment volatility are taken into consideration during the construction of the best estimate real return range, as well as in the selection of the final return assumption from within the range.

Plan Assets

The Union Center National Bank Pension Trust’s weighted-average asset allocation at December 31, 2011, 2010 2009 and 2008,2009, by asset category, is as follows:

      
Asset Category 2010 2009 2008 2011 2010 2009
Equity securities  44  44  48  47  44  44
Debt and/or fixed income securities  37  46  34  41  37  46
Alternative investments, including commodities, foreign currency and real estate    5  9  4    5
Cash and other alternative investments, including hedge funds, equity structured notes  19  5  9  8  19  5
Total  100  100  100  100  100  100

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
  
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 15 — Pension and Other Benefits  – (continued)

The general investment policy of the Pension Trust is for the fund to experience growth in assets that will allow the market value to exceed the value of benefit obligations over time. Appropriate diversification on a total fund basis is achieved by following an allowable range of commitment within asset category, as follows:

  
 Range Target
Equity securities  3521 – 53%32  2644%% 
Debt and/or fixed income securities  3033 – 44%49  4137%% 
International equity  N/A18 – 27  22N/A% 
Short term  N/A   N/A 
Other  158 – 23%13  1119%% 

The fair values of the Corporation’s pension plan assets at December 31, 2011 and 2010, by asset category, are as follows:

        
  Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using December 31,
2011
 Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
 December 31,
2010
 Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 (Dollars in Thousands) (Dollars in Thousands)
Cash $1,379  $1,379  $  $  $512  $512  $  $ 
Equity Securities:
                    
Equity securities:
                    
U.S. companies  1,522   1,522         1,788   1,788       
International companies  1,534   1,534         1,405   1,405       
U.S. Treasury securities  2,378   2,378         2,798   2,798       
Corporate bonds  180   180       
Commodities  259   259       
Total $6,993  $6,993  $  $  $ 6,762  $ 6,762  $  —  $  — 

The fair value of the Corporation’s pension plan assets at December 31, 2009, by asset category, are as follows:

        
  Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using December 31, 2010 Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
 December 31,
2009
 Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 (in thousands) (Dollars in Thousands)
Cash $1,020  $1,020  $  $  $1,379  $1,379  $  $ 
Equity securities:
                    
Equity Securities:
                    
U.S. companies  1,327   1,327         1,522   1,522       
International companies  1,163   1,163         1,534   1,534       
U.S. Treasury securities  2,301   2,301         2,378   2,378       
Corporate bonds  340   340         180   180       
Commodities  170   170       
Hedge funds  331         331 
Total $6,652  $6,321  $  $331  $ 6,993  $ 6,993  $  —  $  — 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
  
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 15 — Pension and Other Benefits  – (continued)

The following table presents the changes in pension plan asset with significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the year ended December 31:

    
 2010 2009 2011 2010
 (in thousands)    (Dollars in Thousands)
Beginning balance, January 1, $331  $663  $  $331 
Actual return on plan assets:
                    
Relating to assets still held at the reporting date     88       
Relating to assets sold during the period  8         8 
Purchases, sales and settlements  (339        (339
Transfers out of Level 3     (420      
Ending balance, December 31, $0  $331  $  —  $ 

The investment manager is not authorized to purchase, acquire or otherwise hold certain types of market securities (subordinated bonds, commodities, real estate investment trusts, limited partnerships, naked puts, naked calls, stock index futures, oil, gas or mineral exploration ventures or unregistered securities) or to employ certain types of market techniques (margin purchases or short sales) or to mortgage, pledge, hypothecate, or in any manner transfer as security for indebtedness, any security owned or held by the Plan.

Cash Flows

Contributions

The Bank expects to contribute $467,000$453,000 to its Pension Trust in 2011.2012.

The Preservation of Access to Care for Medicare Beneficiaries and Pension Relief Act of 2010, signed into law on June 25, 2010, permits single employer and multiple employer defined benefit plan sponsors to elect to extend the plan’s amortization period of a Shortfall Amortization Base over either a nine year period or a fifteen year period, rather than the seven year period required under the Pension Protection Act of 2006.

The Bank has elected to apply the Pension Relief Act Fifteen Year amortization of the Shortfall Amortization Base for its 20112012 minimum funding requirement. The minimum amount to be funded is $467,000,$453,000, as noted above, by December 31, 20112012 with the understanding that fully funding the plan earlier than this date will lower this amount and that funding the plan after this date will increase this amount. As noted, this amount is the minimum required funding amount. The Bank does have the option of funding above this amount but has contributed the minimum historically.

Estimated Future Benefit Payments

The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid in each year 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and years 2016 – 2020,2017-2021, respectively: $636,550, $721,931, $750,704, $785,646, $810,925$701,241, $717,192, $775,137, $767,674, $772,132 and $4,076,442.$3,980,680.

401(k) Benefit Plan

The Corporation maintains a 401(k) employee savings plan to provide for defined contributions which covers substantially all employees of the Corporation. The Corporation’s contribution to its 401(k) plan provides a dollar-for-dollar matching contribution up to six percent of salary deferrals. For 2011, 2010 2009 and 2008,2009, employer contributions amounted to $358,000, $294,000 and $266,000, and $281,000, respectively.

Note 16 — Stock Based Compensation

Stock Option Plans

At December 31, 2011, the Corporation maintained two stock-based compensation plans from which new grants could be issued. The 2009 Equity Incentive Plan permits the grant of “incentive stock options” as


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
  
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 16 — Stock Based Compensation  – (continued)

Stock Option Plans

At December 31, 2010, the Corporation maintained two stock-based compensation plans from which new grants could be issued. The 2009 Equity Incentive Plan permits the grant of “incentive stock options” as defined under the Internal Revenue Code, non-qualified stock options, restricted stock awards and restricted stock unit awards to employees, including officers, and consultants of the Corporation and its subsidiaries. The 2003 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan permits the grant of non-qualified stock options to the Corporation’s non-employee directors. An aggregate of 400,000394,417 shares remain available for grant under the 2009 Equity Incentive Plan and an aggregate of 443,127431,003 shares remain available for grant under the 2003 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan. Such shares may be treasury shares, newly issued shares or a combination thereof.

Options have been granted to purchase common stock principally at the fair market value of the stock at the date of grant. Options vest over a three year vesting period starting one year after the date of grant and generally expire ten years from the date of grant.

The total compensation expense related to these plans was $35,000, $51,000 $77,000 and $128,000$77,000 for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 2009 and 2008,2009, respectively.

As a result of the compensation expense related to stock options: (i) for the year ended December 31, 2011, the Corporation’s income before income taxes and net income was reduced by $35,000 and $21,000, respectively; (ii) for the year ended December 31, 2010, the Corporation’s income before income taxes and net income was reduced by $51,000 and $31,000, respectively; (ii)and (iii) for the year ended December 31, 2009, the Corporation’s income before income taxes and net income was reduced by $77,000 and $51,000, respectively; and (iii) for the year ended December 31, 2008, the Corporation’s income before income taxes and net income was reduced by $128,000 and $84,000, respectively.

Under the principal option plans, the Corporation may grant restricted stock awards to certain employees. Restricted stock awards are non-vested stock awards. Restricted stock awards are independent of option grants and are generally subject to forfeiture if employment terminates prior to the release of the restrictions. Such awards generally vest during a period specified at the date of grant. During that period, ownership of the shares cannot be transferred. Restricted stock has the same cash dividend and voting rights as other common stock and is considered to be currently issued and outstanding. The Corporation expenses the cost of the restricted stock awards, which is determined to be the fair market value of the shares at the date of grant, ratably over the period during which the restrictions lapse. During 2010, 2,8032011, 2,780 shares were awarded while in 2009, no2010, 2,803 shares were awarded. During 2008, 3,0282009, no shares were awarded. All shares were issued from Treasury shares. The amount of compensation cost related to restricted stock awards included in salary expense was $25,000, $25,000 and zero in 2011, 2010 and 2009, and approximately $25,000 in 2008.respectively. As of December 31, 2010,2011, all shares relating to restricted stock awards were vested. Thus, there were no restricted stock awards outstanding at December 31, 2010.2011.

Options covering 38,203,27,784, 38,203 and 38,203 shares were granted on March 1, 2010,2011, March 1, 20092010 and March 1, 2008,2009, respectively. The fair value of share-based payment awards was estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions and weighted average fair values:

      
 2010 2009 2008 2011 2010 2009
Weighted average fair value of grants $2.16  $1.48  $3.10  $1.89  $2.16  $1.48 
Risk-free interest rate  2.29  1.90  3.03  2.19  2.29  1.90
Dividend yield  1.41  4.69  2.43  1.32  1.41  4.69
Expected volatility  28.60  33.00  30.20  22.25  28.60  33.00
Expected life in months  62   69   88   65   62   69 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
  
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 16 — Stock Based Compensation  – (continued)

Option activity under the principal option plans as of December 31, 20102011 and changes during the twelve months ended December 31, 20102011 were as follows:

        
 Shares Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
 Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
(In Years)
 Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
 Shares Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price
 Weighted-
Average
Remaining Contractual Term
(In Years)
 Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
Outstanding at December 31, 2009  192,002  $10.04           
Outstanding at December 31, 2010  198,946  $9.75           
Granted  38,203   8.53             27,784   9.11           
Exercised  0   0.00             (42,495  7.23           
Forfeited/cancelled/expired  (31,259  10.02             (12,857  11.75           
Outstanding at December 31, 2010  198,946  $9.75   4.82  $29,638 
Exercisable at December 31, 2010  139,898  $10.05   3.31  $20,885 
Outstanding at December 31, 2011  171,378  $10.01   5.93  $111,309 
Exercisable at December 31, 2011  105,388  $10.75     4.48  $41,611 

The aggregate intrinsic value of options above represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value (the difference between the Corporation’s closing stock price on the last trading day of the twelve-months of fiscal 20102011 and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money options) that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options on December 31, 2010.2011. This amount changes based on the fair market value of the Parent Corporation’s stock.

As of December 31, 2010, $50,0002011, $59,000 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.421.39 years. Changes in options outstanding during the past three years were as follows:

    
Stock Option Plan Shares Exercise Price
Range per Share
 Shares Exercise Price
Range per Share
Outstanding, December 31, 2007 (188,273 shares exercisable)  264,255   $6.07 to $15.73 
Granted during 2008  38,203   $11.15 
Exercised during 2008  (25,583  $6.07 to $10.66 
Expired or canceled during 2008  (91,711  $6.07 to $15.73 
Outstanding, December 31, 2008 (125,468 shares exercisable)  185,164   $6.07 to $15.73   185,164    $6.07 to $15.73 
Granted during 2009  38,203   $7.67   38,203  $7.67 
Exercised during 2009  (9,289  $6.07   (9,289 $6.07 
Expired or canceled during 2009  (22,076  $6.07 to $15.73   (22,076   $6.07 to $15.73 
Outstanding, December 31, 2009 (124,271 shares exercisable)  192,002   $7.67 to $15.73   192,002    $7.67 to $15.73 
Granted during 2010  38,203   $8.53   38,203  $8.53 
Exercised during 2010  0   $0.00   0  $0.00 
Expired or canceled during 2010  (31,259  $7.67 to $15.73   (31,259   $7.67 to $15.73 
Outstanding, December 31, 2010 (138,898) shares exercisable)  198,946   $7.67 to $15.73   198,946    $7.67 to $15.73 
Granted during 2011  27,784  $9.11 
Exercised during 2011  (42,495 $7.71 
Expired or canceled during 2011  (12,857 $10.50 to $15.73 
Outstanding, December 31, 2011 (105,388) shares exercisable)  171,378    $7.67 to $15.73 

Under the Director Stock Option Plan, there were stock options granted with a weighted average fair value of 27,784 and $1.89, 38,203 and $2.16 38,203 and $1.48 and 38,203 and $3.10$1.48 during the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 2009 and 2008,2009, respectively. There were no2,780, 2,803 and zero share stock options granted under the Employee Stock Incentive Plan during the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, and 2008.respectively.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 17 — Dividends and Other Restrictions

Certain restrictions, including capital requirements, exist on the availability of undistributed net profits of the Bank for the future payment of dividends to the Parent Corporation. A dividend may not be paid if it would impair the capital of the Bank. Furthermore, prior approval by the Comptroller of the Currency is


TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 17 — Dividends and Other Restrictions  – (continued)

required if the total of dividends declared in a calendar year exceeds the total of the Bank’s net profits for that year combined with the retained profits for the two preceding years. Pursuant to a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) between the Bank and theThe Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”(the “OCC”), has determined that the Memorandum of Understanding (the “MOU”) that had previously been entered into by the Bank is no longer required and, accordingly, the OCC has terminated the MOU. Therefore, the Bank may not declare dividends without prior approval of the OCC. At December 31, 2010,2011, approximately $11.2$22.3 million was available for payment of dividends based on the preceding guidelines.

Note 18 — Fair Value Measurements and Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Management uses its best judgment in estimating the fair value of the Corporation’s financial and non-financial instruments; however, there are inherent weaknesses in any estimation technique. Therefore, for substantially all financial and non-financial instruments, the fair value estimates herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts the Corporation could have realized in a sale transaction on the dates indicated. The estimated fair value amounts have been measured as of their respective year-ends and have not been re-evaluated or updated for purposes of these financial statements subsequent to those respective dates. As such, the estimated fair values of these financial and non-financial instruments subsequent to the respective reporting dates may be different than the amounts reported at each year-end.

In September 2006, the FASB issued FASB ASC 820-10-05 (previously SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements”). FASB ASC 820-10-05 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, establishes a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurement and enhances disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. The valuation hierarchy is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date.

In December 2007, the FASB issued FASB ASC 820-10-15 (previously FASB Statement Position 157-2, “Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157”). FASB ASC 820-10-15 delays the effective date of FASB ASC 820-10-05 for all non-financial assets and liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value on a recurring basis (at least annually) to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008 and interim periods within those fiscal years. As such, the Corporation adopted the provisions of FASB ASC 820-10-05 relating to non-financial assets and liabilities in 2009. In October 2008, the FASB issued FASB ASC 820-10-35 (previously FASB Staff Position 157-3, “Determining the Fair Value of a Financial Asset When the Market for that Asset is Not Active”), to clarify the application of the provisions of FASB ASC 820-10-05 in an inactive market and how an entity would determine fair value in an inactive market. FASB ASC 820-10-35 was applied to the Corporation’s December 31, 2008 consolidated financial statements.

FASB ASC 820-10-65 provides additional guidance for estimating fair value in accordance with FASB ASC 820-10-05 when the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability have significantly decreased. This ASC also includes guidance on identifying circumstances that indicate a transaction is not orderly. This ASC is effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009, with early adoption permitted for periods ending after March 15, 2009. FASB ASC 820-10-65 was applied to the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements, effective June 30, 2009.

FASB ASC 820-10-05 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation methods used to measure fair value. The Hierarchyhierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under FASB ASC 820-10-05 are as follows:

Level 1:  Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 18 — Fair Value Measurements and Fair Value of Financial Instruments  – (continued)

Level 2:  Quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.
Level 3:  Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (for example, supported with little or no market activity).

An asset’s or liability’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 18 — Fair Value Measurements and Fair Value of Financial Instruments  – (continued)

The following information should not be interpreted as an estimate of the fair value of the entire Corporation since a fair value calculation is only provided for a limited portion of the Corporation’s assets and liabilities. Due to a wide range of valuation techniques and the degree of subjectivity used in making the estimates, comparisons between the Corporation’s disclosures and those of other companies may not be meaningful. The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair values of the Corporation’s assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 20102011 and December 31, 2009:2010:

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The carrying amounts for cash and cash equivalents approximate those assets’ fair value.

Securities Available-for-Sale

Where quoted prices are available in an active market, securities are classified with Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. Level 1 inputs include securities that have quoted prices in active markets for identical assets. If quoted market prices are not available, then fair values are estimated by using pricing models, quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics, or discounted cash flows. Examples of instruments, which would generally be classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy, include municipal bonds and certain agency collateralized mortgage obligations. In certain cases where there is limited activity in the market for a particular instrument, assumptions must be made to determine their fair value and are classified as Level 3. Due to the inactive condition of the markets amidst the financial crisis, the Corporation treated certain securities as Level 3 securities in order to provide more appropriate valuations. For assets in an inactive market, the infrequent trades that do occur are not a true indication of fair value. When measuring fair value, the valuation techniques available under the market approach, income approach and/or cost approach are used. The Corporation’s evaluations are based on market data and the Corporation employs combinations of these approaches for its valuation methods depending on the asset class.

At December 31, 2010,2011, the Corporation’s two pooled trust preferred securities, ALESCO 6 and ALESCO 7, and one private label collateralized mortgage obligation were classified as Level 3. Market pricing for the Level 3 securities varied widely from one pricing service to another based on the lack of trading. As such, these securities were considered to no longer have readily observable market data that was accurate to support a fair value as prescribed by FASB ASC 820-10-05. The fair value measurement objective remained the same in that the price received by the Corporation would result from an orderly transaction (an exit price notion) and that the observable transactions considered in fair value were not forced liquidations or distressed sales at the measurement date.

In regards to the pooled trust preferred securities (“pooled TRUPS”) and the private issue single name trust preferred security (“single name TRUP”), or collectively (“TRUPS”), the Corporation was able to determine fair value of the TRUPS using a market approach validation technique based on Level 2 inputs that did not require significant adjustments. The Level 2 inputs included:

(a)Quoted prices in active markets for similar TRUPS with insignificant adjustments for differences between the TRUPS that the Corporation holds and similar TRUPS.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 18 — Fair Value Measurements and Fair Value of Financial Instruments  – (continued)

(b)Quoted prices in markets that are not active that represent current transactions for the same or similar TRUPS that do not require significant adjustment based on unobservable inputs.

Since June 30, 2008, the market for these TRUPS has become increasingly inactive. The inactivity was evidenced first by a significant widening of the bid-ask spread in the brokered markets in which these TRUPS trade and then by a significant decrease in the volume of trades relative to historical levels as well as other relevant factors. At December 31, 2010,2011, the Corporation determined that the market for similar TRUPS had stabilized. That determination was made considering that there are more observable transactions for similar TRUPS, the prices for those transactions that have occurred are current and or represent fair value, and the


TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 18 — Fair Value Measurements and Fair Value of Financial Instruments  – (continued)

observable prices for those transactions have stabilized over time, thus increasing the potential relevance of those observations. However, the Corporation’s three TRUPS at December 31, 20102011 have been classified within Level 3 because the Corporation determined that significant adjustments using unobservable inputs are required to determine a true fair value at the measurement date.

The Corporation owns three variable rate private label collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs), which were also evaluated for impairment. The Variable Rate Collateralized Mortgage Obligations were originally issued in 2006 and are 30 year Adjustable Rate Mortgage loans secured by a first lien, fully amortizing one-to-four residential mortgage loans. The tranche purchased was a Super Senior with an original credit rating of AAA/AA. The top five states geographic concentration comprised in the deal were California 18.2 percent, Arizona 10.5 percent, Virginia 6.1 percent, Florida 6.5 percent and Nevada 6.3 percent. No one state exceeded a 25 percent concentration. These states have been heavily impacted by the financial crises and as such have sustained heavy delinquencies affecting the credit rating of the security. Management had applied aggressive default rates to identify if any credit impairment exists, as these bonds were downgraded to below investment grade. The Corporation recorded $324,000 in principal losses on these bonds in 2011, and expects additional losses in future periods. As such, management determined that an other-than-temporary impairment charge exists and recorded a $18,000 write down to the bonds, which represents 0.5 percent of the par amount of $3.8 million. The new cost basis for these securities has been written down to $3.2 million and the fair value is $1.9 million.

The Corporation determined that an income approach valuation technique (present value technique) that maximizes the use of relevant observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs will be equally or more representative of fair value than the market approach valuation technique used at the prior measurement dates. As a result, the Corporation used the discount rate adjustment technique to determine fair value.

The fair value as of December 31, 20102011 was determined by discounting the expected cash flows over the life of the security. The discount rate was determined by deriving a discount rate when the markets were considered more active for this type of security. To this estimated discount rate, additions were made for more liquid markets and increased credit risk as well as assessing the risks in the security, such as default risk and severity risk. With the exception of the two pooled trust preferred securities, for which $1.8 million of impairment charges were taken to earnings during 2010, theThe securities continue to make scheduled cash flows and no material cash flow payment defaults have occurred to date.

Securities Held-to-Maturity

The fair value of the Company’s investment securities held-to-maturity was primarily measured using information from a third-party pricing service.

Loans Held for Sale

Loans held for sale are required to be measured at the lower of cost or fair value. Under FASB ASC 820-10-05, market value is to represent fair value. Management obtains quotes or bids on all or part of these loans directly from the purchasing financial institutions.

Loans Receivable

The fair value of performing loans, except residential mortgages, is calculated by discounting scheduled cash flows through the estimated maturity using estimated market discount rates that reflect the credit and interest rate risks inherent in the loan. The estimate of maturity is based on the historical experience of the Bank with prepayments for each loan classification, modified as required by an estimate of the effect of current economic and lending conditions. For performing residential mortgage loans, fair value is estimated by discounting contractual cash flows adjusted for prepayment estimates using discount rates based on secondary market sources adjusted to reflect differences in servicing and credit costs.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 18 — Fair Value Measurements and Fair Value of Financial Instruments  – (continued)

Restricted Stocks

The carrying amount of restricted investment in bank stocks, which includes stock of the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York, Federal Reserve Bank of New York and Atlantic Central Bankers Bank, approximates fair value, and considers the limited marketability of such securities.

Accrued Interest Receivable and Payable

The carrying value of accrued interest receivable and accrued interest payable approximates its fair value.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 18 — Fair Value Measurements and Fair Value of Financial Instruments  – (continued)

Deposits

The fair value of deposits with no stated maturity, such as non-interest-bearing demand deposits, savings and interest-bearing checking accounts, and money market and checking accounts, is equal to the amount payable on demand as of December 31, 20102011 and 2009.2010. The fair value of certificates of deposit is based on the discounted value of contractual cash flows. The discount rate is estimated using the rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities.

Short-Term Borrowings

Short-term borrowings that mature within six months and securities sold under agreements to repurchase have fair values which approximate carrying value.

Long-Term Borrowings

Fair values of FHLB advances are estimated using discounted cash flow analysis, based on quoted prices for new FHLB advances with similar credit risk characteristics, terms and remaining maturity. These prices obtained from this active market represent a market value that is deemed to represent the transfer price if the liability were assumed by a third party.

Subordinated Debt

The fair value of subordinated debentures is estimated by discounting the estimated future cash flows, using market discount rates of financial instruments with similar characteristics, terms and remaining maturity.

Off-Balance Sheet Financial Instruments

The fair value of commitments to extend credits is estimated using the fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements and the present creditworthiness of the counterparties. For fixed rate loan commitments, fair value also considers the difference between current levels of interest rate and the committed rates.

The fair value of financial standby letters of credit is based on fees currently charged for similar agreements or on the estimated cost to terminate them or otherwise settle the obligations with the counterparties.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 18 — Fair Value Measurements and Fair Value of Financial Instruments  – (continued)

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

For financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, the fair value measurements by level within the fair value hierarchy used at December 31, 20102011 and December 31, 20092010 are as follows:


TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 18 — Fair Value Measurements and Fair Value of Financial Instruments  – (continued)

    
 December 31,
2011
 Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
   Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
   (Dollars in Thousands)
Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis:
                    
Federal agency obligations $24,969  $2,004  $22,965  $ 
Residential mortgage pass-through securities  115,364      115,364    
Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivision  69,173   397   68,776 
Trust preferred securities  16,187      15,971   216 
Corporate bonds and notes  173,117   2,000   171,117    
Collateralized mortgage obligations  1,899         1,899 
Asset-backed securities  7,653      7,653    
Equity securities  6,145   6,145       
Securities available-for-sale $414,507  $10,546  $401,846  $2,115 

    
 December 31,
2010
 Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
   Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
   (Dollars in Thousands)
Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis:
                    
U.S. Treasury and agency securities $6,995  $6,995  $  $ 
Federal agency obligations  68,481      68,481    
Mortgage backed securities  177,733      177,733 
Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivision  37,225   16,936   20,289    
Trust preferred securities  18,731      18,589   142 
Corporate bonds and notes  61,434      61,434    
Collateralized mortgage obligations  2,728         2,728 
Equity securities  4,753   4,753       
Securities available-for-sale $378,080  $28,684  $346,526  $2,870 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 18 — Fair Value Measurements and Fair Value of Financial Instruments  – (continued)

The fair values used by the Corporation are obtained from an independent pricing service and represent either quoted market prices for the identical securities (Level 1 inputs) or fair values determined by pricing models using a market approach that considers observable market data, such as interest rate volatilities, LIBOR yield curve, credit spreads and prices from market makers and live trading systems (Level 2). The fair values of the federal agency obligations, obligations of states and political subdivision and corporate bonds and notes measured at fair value using Level 1 inputs at December 31, 2011 and 2010 represented the purchase price of the securities since they were acquired near year-end 2011 and 2010.

The following table presents the changes in securities available-for-sale with significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the year ended December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010:

  
 2011 2010
   (Dollars in Thousands)
Beginning balance, January 1, $2,870  $2,349 
Transfers into Level 3     8,197 
Transfers out of Level 3     (5,174
Principal interest deferrals  118   118 
Principal paydown  (697  (1,083
Total net losses included in net income     (3,000
Total net unrealized (losses) gains  (176  1,463 
Ending balance, December 31, $2,115  $2,870 

Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis

For assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis, the fair value measurements at December 31, 2011 are as follows:

    
  Fair Value Measurements at
Reporting Date Using
   December 31,
2010
 Quoted
Prices in
Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
 Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
   (Dollars in Thousands)
Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis:
     
U.S. Treasury & agency securities $6,995  $6,995  $  $ 
Federal agency obligations  68,481      68,481    
Mortgage backed securities  177,733      177,733      
Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivision  37,225   16,936   20,289    
Trust preferred securities  18,731      18,589   142 
Corporate bonds & notes  61,434      61,434    
Collateralized mortgage obligations  2,728         2,728 
Equity securities  4,753   4,753       
Securities available-for-sale $378,080  $28,684  $346,526  $2,870 
    
 December 31,
2011
 Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
   Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
   (Dollars in Thousands)
Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis:
                    
Impaired loans $10,740  $  —  $  —  $10,740 

    
  Fair Value Measurements at
Reporting Date Using
   December 31,
2009
 Quoted
Prices in
Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
 Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
   (Dollars in Thousands)
Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis:
     
U.S. Treasury & agency securities $2,089  $2,089  $  $ 
Federal agency obligations  128,365   26,288   102,077    
Mortgage backed securities  86,220   29,182   57,038      
Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivision  19,281      19,281    
Trust preferred securities  26,715      24,366   2,349 
Corporate bonds and notes  22,655   2,994   19,661    
Collateralized mortgages obligations  7,266   4,254   3,012    
Equity securities  5,533   5,533       
Securities available-for-sale $298,124  $70,340  $225,435  $2,349 
    
 December 31,
2010
 Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
   Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
   (Dollars in Thousands)
Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis:
                    
Impaired loans $4,895  $  —  $  —  $4,895      

At December 31, 2011 and 2010, impaired loans totaled $11,825,000 and $5,534,000, respectively. The amount of related valuation allowances was $1,085,000 at December 31, 2011 and $639,000 at December 31, 2010.


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
  
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 18 — Fair Value Measurements and Fair Value of Financial Instruments  – (continued)

The following table presents the changes in securities available-for-sale with significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the year ended December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009:

 
 2010
   (Dollars in Thousands)
Beginning balance, January 1, $2,349 
Transfers into Level 3  8,197 
Transfers out of Level 3  (5,174
Principal interest deferrals  118 
Principal paydown  (1,083
Total net losses included in net income  (3,000
Total net unrealized gains  1,463 
Ending balance, December 31, $2,870 

 
 2009
   (Dollars in Thousands)
Beginning balance, January 1, $23,554 
Transfers out of Level 3  (19,855
Principal interest deferrals  139 
Total net losses included in net income  (4,403
Total net unrealized gains  2,914 
Ending balance, December 31, $2,349 

Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis

For assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis, the fair value measurements at December 31, 2010 are as follows:

    
  Fair Value Measurements at
Reporting Date Using
   December 31, 2010 Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
   (Dollars in Thousands)
Assets Measured at Fair Value on a
Non-Recurring Basis:
     
Impaired loans $4,895  $  $  $4,895 

At December 31, 2010 and 2009, impaired loans totaled $5,534,000 and $6,756,000, respectively. The amount of related valuation allowances was $639,000 at December 31, 2010 and $1,565,000 at December 31, 2009.

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair values of the Corporation’s assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis at December 31, 20102011 and 2009:2010:

Impaired Loans

The value of an impaired loan is measured based upon the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. Smaller balance homogeneous loans that are collectively evaluated for impairment, such as residential mortgage loans and installment loans, are specifically excluded from the impaired loan portfolio.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 18 — Fair Value Measurements and Fair Value of Financial Instruments  – (continued)

The Corporation’s impaired loans are primarily collateral dependent. Impaired loans are individually assessed to determine that each loan’s carrying value is not in excess of the fair value of the related collateral or the present value of the expected future cash flows.

Other Real Estate Owned

Certain assets such as other real estate owned (“OREO”) are measured at fair value less cost to sell. The Corporation believes that the fair value component in its valuation follows the provisions of FASB ASC 820-10-05. Fair value of OREO is determined by sales agreements or appraisals by qualified licensed appraisers approved and hired by the Corporation. Costs to sell associated with OREO is based on estimation per the terms and conditions of the sales agreements or appraisal. At December 31, 2010,2011, the Corporation held no OREOapproximately $591,000 fair value in OREO.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

FASB ASC 825-10 requires all entities to disclose the estimated fair value of their financial instrument assets and liabilities. For the Corporation, as for most financial institutions, the majority of its assets and liabilities are considered financial instruments as defined in FASB ASC 825-10. Many of the Corporation’s financial instruments, however, lack an available trading market as characterized by a willing buyer and willing seller engaging in an exchange transaction. It is also the Corporation’s general practice and intent to hold its financial instruments to maturity and to not engage in trading or sales activities except for loans held-for-sale and available-for-sale securities. Therefore, significant estimations and assumptions, as well as present value calculations, were used by the Corporation for the purposes of this disclosure.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 18 — Fair Value Measurements and Fair Value of Financial Instruments  – (continued)

Estimated fair values have been determined by the Corporation using the best available data and an estimation methodology suitable for each category of financial instruments. For those loans and deposits with floating interest rates, it is presumed that estimated fair values generally approximate the recorded book balances. The estimation methodologies used, the estimated fair values, and the recorded book balances at December 31, 20102011 and 2009,2010, were as follows:

        
 December 31, December 31,
 2010 2009 2011 2010
 Carrying
Amount
 Fair Value Carrying
Amount
 Fair Value Carrying Amount Fair Value Carrying Amount Fair Value
 (Dollars in Thousands) (Dollars in Thousands)
FINANCIAL ASSETS:
                         
Cash and cash equivalents $37,497  $37,497  $89,168  $89,168  $111,101  $111,101  $37,497  $37,497 
Investment securities available-for-sale  378,080   378,080   298,124   298,124   414,507   414,507   378,080   378,080 
Net loans  699,577   706,309   710,895   717,191 
Investment securities held-to-maturity  72,233   74,922       
Net loans (including loans held for sale)  746,408   752,252   699,577   706,309 
Restricted investment in bank stocks  9,596   9,596   10,672   10,672   9,233   9,233   9,596   9,596 
Accrued interest receivable  4,134   4,134   4,033   4,033   6,219   6,219   4,134   4,134 
FINANCIAL LIABILITIES:
                         
Non-interest-bearing deposits  144,210   144,210   130,518   130,518   167,164   167,164   144,210   144,210 
Interest-bearing deposits  716,122   716,887   683,187   683,974   954,251   928,777   716,122   716,887 
Federal funds purchased, securities sold under agreement to repurchase and FHLB advances  212,855   221,425   269,253   279,219   161,000   175,933   212,855   221,425 
Subordinated debentures  5,155   5,157   5,155   5,155   5,155   5,159   5,155   5,157 
Accrued interest payable $1,041  $1,041  $1,825  $1,825   992   992   1,041   1,041 

Financial instruments actively traded in a secondary market have been valued using quoted available market prices. Cash and due from banks, interest-bearing time deposits in other banks, federal funds sold, and interest receivable are valued at book value, which approximates fair value. Financial liability instruments with stated maturities have been valued using a present value discounted cash flow analysis with a discount rate approximating current market for similar liabilities. Interest payable is valued at book value, which approximates fair value. Financial liability instruments with no stated maturities have an estimated fair value equal to both the amount payable on demand and the recorded book balance.

The fair value of the Corporation’s investment securities held-to-maturity was primarily measured using information from a third-party pricing service. Quoted prices in active markets were used whenever available. If quoted prices were not available, fair values were measured using pricing models or other valuation techniques such as the present value of future cash flows, adjusted for credit loss assumptions.

Loans held for sale are required to be measured at the lower of cost or fair value. Under FASB ASC 820-10-05, market value is to represent fair value. Management obtains quotes or bids on all or part of these loans directly from the purchasing financial institutions. There was $1,018,000 in loans held for sale at December 31, 2011 and $333,000 at December 31, 2010.

The net loan portfolio has been valued using a present value discounted cash flow. The discount rate used in these calculations is the current rate at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings, same remaining maturities, and assumed prepayment risk.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 18 — Fair Value Measurements and Fair Value of Financial Instruments  – (continued)

The fair value of commitments to originate loans is estimated using the fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements and the present creditworthiness of the counterparties. For fixed-rate loan commitments, fair value also considers the difference between current levels of interest rates and the committed rates. The fair values of letters of credit and lines of credit are based on fees currently charged for similar agreements or on the estimated cost to terminate or otherwise settle the obligations with the counterparties at the reporting date.

Changes in assumptions or estimation methodologies may have a material effect on these estimated fair values.

The Corporation’s remaining assets and liabilities, which are not considered financial instruments, have not been valued differently than has been customary with historical cost accounting. No disclosure of the relationship value of the Corporation’s core deposit base is required by FASB ASC 825-10.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 18 — Fair Value Measurements and Fair Value of Financial Instruments  – (continued)

Fair value estimates are based on existing balance sheet financial instruments, without attempting to estimate the value of anticipated future business and the value of assets and liabilities that are not considered financial instruments. For example, there are certain significant assets and liabilities that are not considered financial assets or liabilities, such as the brokerage network, deferred taxes, premises and equipment, and goodwill. In addition, the tax ramifications related to the realization of the unrealized gains and losses can have a significant effect on fair value estimates and have not been considered in the estimates.

Management believes that reasonable comparability between financial institutions may not be likely, due to the wide range of permitted valuation techniques and numerous estimates which must be made, given the absence of active secondary markets for many of the financial instruments. This lack of uniform valuation methodologies also introduces a greater degree of subjectivity to these estimated fair values.

Note 19 — Parent Corporation Only Financial Statements

The Parent Corporation operates its wholly-owned subsidiary, Union Center National Bank. The earnings of this subsidiary are recognized by the Corporation using the equity method of accounting. Accordingly, earnings are recorded as increases in the Corporation’s investment in the subsidiaries and dividends paid reduce the investment in the subsidiaries. The ability of the Parent Corporation to pay dividends will largely depend upon the dividends paid to it by the Bank. Dividends payable by the Bank to the Corporation are restricted under supervisory regulations (see Note 17 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements).


TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 19 — Parent Corporation Only Financial Statements  – (continued)

Condensed financial statements of the Parent Corporation only are as follows:

Condensed Statements of Condition

    
 At December 31, At December 31,
 2010 2009 2011 2010
 (Dollars in Thousands) (Dollars in Thousands)
ASSETS
               
Cash and cash equivalents $4,299  $2,683  $2,042  $4,299 
Investment in subsidiaries  122,129   104,144   139,107   122,129 
Securities available for sale  432   501   419   432 
Other assets  22   248   191   22 
Total assets $126,882  $107,576  $141,759  $126,882 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Other liabilities $460  $280  $688  $460 
Securities sold under repurchase agreement  310   392      310 
Subordinated debentures  5,155   5,155   5,155   5,155 
Stockholders’ equity  120,957   101,749   135,916   120,957 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $126,882  $107,576  $141,759  $126,882 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 19 — Parent Corporation Only Financial Statements  – (continued)

Condensed Statements of Income

For Years Ended December 31,
201120102009
(Dollars in Thousands)
Income:
Dividend income from subsidiaries$785$500$2,474
Other income783
Net losses on available for sale securities(97(325
Management fees294290298
Total Income1,0867012,450
Expenses(615(635(604
Income before equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries471661,846
Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries13,4556,9381,925
Net Income$13,926$7,004$3,771
   
 For Years Ended December 31,
   2010 2009 2008
   (Dollars in Thousands)
Income:
     
Dividend income from subsidiaries $500  $2,474  $4,675 
Other income  8   3   37 
Net (losses) on available for sale securities  (97  (325  (413
Management fees  290   298   275 
Total Income  701   2,450   4,574 
Expenses  (635  (604  (623
Income before equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries  66   1,846   3,951 
Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries  6,938   1,925   1,891 
Net Income $7,004  $3,771  $5,842 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
  
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 19 — Parent Corporation Only Financial Statements  – (continued)

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows

      
 For Years Ended December 31 For Years Ended December 31
 2010 2009 2008 2011 2010 2009
 (Dollars in Thousands) (Dollars in Thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
                    
Net income $7,004  $3,771  $5,842  $13,926  $7,004  $3,771 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
                    
Net losses on available for sale securities  97   325   413      97   325 
Equity in undistributed (earnings) of subsidiary  (6,938  (1,925  (1,891
Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiary  (13,455  (6,938  (1,925
Change in deferred tax asset  224   (111  (1,542  3   224   (111
(Increase) decrease in other assets  (44  1,838   41   (298  (44  1,838 
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities  70   (844  1,610   220   70   (844
Stock based compensation  51   77   128   35   51   77 
Net cash provided by operating activities  464   3,131   4,601   431   464   3,131 
Cash flows from investing activities:
                    
Purchases of available-for-sale securities        (579
Maturity of available-for-sale securities  130   659   938      130   659 
(Investments in subsidiaries) and return of capital from subsidiaries  (8,000  (19,000  3,500 
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities  (7,870  (18,341  3,859 
Investments in subsidiaries  (1,250  (8,000  (19,000
Net cash used in investing activities  (1,250  (7,870  (18,341
Cash flows from financing activities:
                    
Net (decrease) in borrowings  (82  (411  (1,197
Cash dividends paid on common stock  (1,800  (3,166  (4,675
Net decrease in borrowings  (310  (82  (411
Cash dividends on common stock  (1,955  (1,800  (3,166
Cash dividends on preferred stock  (417  (500  (425
Proceeds from issuance of Series B preferred stock  11,250       
Redemption of Series A preferred stock  (10,000      
Warrant repurchased  (245      
Issuance cost of common stock  (5  (6  (11
Issuance cost of Series B preferred stock  (84      
Proceeds from exercise of stock options     57   224   328      57 
Proceeds from restricted stock  25      25      25    
Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock and warrants     10,000            10,000 
Cash dividends paid on preferred stock  (500  (425   
Proceeds from issuance of shares from stock offerings  12,148   11,000         12,148   11,000 
Issuance cost of common stock from common stock offering  (770                (770     
Purchase of treasury stock        (1,924
Issuance cost of common stock  (6  (11  (19
Tax (expense) from stock based compensation  7   (73  (78     7   (73
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities  9,022   16,971   (7,644
Increase in cash and cash equivalents  1,616   1,761   816 
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities  (1,438  9,022   16,971 
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents  (2,257  1,616   1,761 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year  2,683   922   106   4,299   2,683   922 
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of year $4,299  $2,683  $922  $2,042  $4,299  $2,683 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CENTER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
  
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 20 — Quarterly Financial Information of Center Bancorp, Inc. (Unaudited)

        
 2010 2011
 4th Quarter 3rd Quarter 2nd Quarter 1st Quarter 4th Quarter 3rd Quarter 2nd Quarter 1st Quarter
 (Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share Data) (Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share Data)
Total interest income $11,519  $12,035  $12,488  $12,672  $13,263  $12,919  $12,878  $12,867 
Total interest expense  3,138   3,653   3,831   4,163   3,101   3,069   3,085   2,922 
Net interest income  8,381   8,382   8,657   8,509   10,162   9,850   9,793   9,945 
Provision for loan losses  2,048   1,307   781   940   300   1,020   250   878 
Total other income, net of securities gains  989   1,102   825   895   1,049   1,033   931   831 
Net securities gains (losses)  315   1,033   657   (3,344
Net securities gains  817   1,250   801   766 
Other expense  5,997   5,442   6,268   6,392   6,222   5,529   5,757   5,935 
Income (loss) before income taxes  1,640   3,768   3,090   (1,272
Provision (Benefit) from income taxes  (930  1,629   1,076   (1,553
Income before income taxes  5,506   5,584   5,518   4,729 
Provision from income taxes  1,884   1,882   1,934   1,711 
Net income $2,570  $2,139  $2,014  $281  $3,622  $3,702  $3,584  $3,018 
Net income available to common stockholders $2,426  $1,993  $1,868  $136  $3,238  $3,557  $3,439  $2,872 
Earnings per share:
                         
Basic $0.15  $0.14  $0.13  $0.01  $0.20  $0.22  $0.21  $0.18 
Diluted $0.15  $0.14  $0.13  $0.01  $0.20  $0.22  $0.21  $0.18 
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
                         
Basic  16,289,832   14,649,397   14,574,832   14,574,832   16,311,193   16,290,700   16,290,700   16,290,391 
Diluted  16,290,071   14,649,397   14,576,223   14,579,871   16,327,990   16,313,366   16,315,667   16,300,604 

        
 2009 2010
 4th Quarter 3rd Quarter 2nd Quarter 1st Quarter 4th Quarter 3rd Quarter 2nd Quarter 1st Quarter
 (Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share Data) (Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share Data)
Total interest income $12,971  $13,491  $12,706  $11,942  $11,519  $12,035  $12,488  $12,672 
Total interest expense  4,953   6,050   6,079   5,563   3,138   3,653   3,831   4,163 
Net interest income  8,018   7,441   6,627   6,379   8,381   8,382   8,657   8,509 
Provision for loan losses  2,740   280   156   1,421   2,048   1,307   781   940 
Total other income, net of securities gains  968   822   841   784   989   1,102   825   895 
Net securities gains (losses)  (1,308  (511  1,710   600   315   1,033   657   (3,344
Other expense  5,238   5,186   7,314   5,319   5,997   5,442   6,268   6,392 
Income before income taxes  (300  2,286   1,708   1,023 
Provision (Benefit)for income taxes  (536  751   507   224 
Income (loss) before income taxes  1,640   3,768   3,090   (1,272
Provision (Benefit) from income taxes  (930  1,629   1,076   (1,553
Net income $236  $1,535  $1,201  $799  $2,570  $2,139  $2,014  $281 
Net income available to common stockholders $94  $1,387  $1,053  $670  $2,426  $1,993  $1,868  $136 
Earnings per share:
                         
Basic $0.01  $0.11  $0.08  $0.05  $0.15  $0.14  $0.13  $0.01 
Diluted $0.01  $0.11  $0.08  $0.05  $0.15  $0.14  $0.13  $0.01 
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
                         
Basic  14,531,387   13,000,601   12,994,429   12,991,312   16,289,832   14,649,397   14,574,832   14,574,832 
Diluted  14,534,255   13,005,101   12,996,544   12,993,185   16,290,071   14,649,397   14,576,223   14,579,871 

Note:  Due to rounding, quarterly earnings per share may not sum to reported annual earnings per share.


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements Withwith Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosures

None.

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Corporation maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in its reports filed or submitted pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”), is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that information required to be disclosed by the Corporation in its Exchange Act reports is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Under the supervision and with the participation of its management, including the Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the Corporation evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Corporation’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) as of December 31, 2010.2011. Based upon that evaluation, the Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Corporation’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of such date as described below in Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting (Item 9A(b)).

(b) Management’s Report on Internal Control Overover Financial Reporting

The Corporation’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act. The Corporation’s internal control system is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance to the Corporation’s management, Board of Directors and shareholders regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Our internal control over financial reporting includes policies and procedures that pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect transactions and dispositions of assets; provide reasonable assurances that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and that receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and the directors of the Corporation; and provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Corporation’s assets that could have a material effect on our financial statements.

All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

As part of the Corporation’s program to comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, our management assessed the effectiveness of the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 20102011 (the “Assessment”). In making this Assessment, management used the control criteria framework of the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations (“COSO”) of the Treadway Commission published in its report entitled Internal Control — Integrated Framework. Management’s Assessment included an evaluation of the design of the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting and testing of the operational effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting. Management reviewed the results of its Assessment with the Audit Committee.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Based on this Assessment, management determined that, as of December 31, 2010,2011, the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting was effective to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

ParenteBeard LLC, the independent registered public accounting firm that audited the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, has issued an audit report on


TABLE OF CONTENTS

the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010.2011. The report, which expresses an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010,2011, is included in this item under the heading “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.”


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(c) Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Board of Directors and Stockholders
Center Bancorp, Inc.

We have audited Center Bancorp, Inc.’s (the “Corporation”) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010,2011, based on criteria established inInternal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Center Bancorp, Inc.’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A corporation’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. A corporation’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the corporation; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the corporation are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the corporation; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the corporation’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, Center Bancorp, Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010,2011, based on the criteria established inInternal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated statements of condition of Center Bancorp, Inc. and subsidiaries and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 20102011 and our report dated March 16, 2011,13, 2012, expressed an unqualified opinion.

/s/ ParenteBeard LLC

ParenteBeard LLC
Reading, PennsylvaniaClark, New Jersey
March 16, 201113, 2012


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

(d) Changes in Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting identified in the Assessment that occurred during the last fiscal quarter to which this Annual Report on Form 10-K relates that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Item 9B. Other Information

None.


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART III

Item 10. Directors and Corporate Governance

The Corporation responds to this item by incorporating herein by reference the material responsive to such item in the Corporation’s definitive proxy statement for its 20112012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Certain information on Executive Officers of the registrant is included in Part I, Item 3A of this report, which is also incorporated herein by reference.

The Corporation maintains a code of ethics applicable to the Corporation’s chief executive officer, senior financial professional personnel (including the Corporation’s chief financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller and persons performing similar transactions), all other executive officers and all directors. The Corporation also maintains a code of conduct applicable to all other employees. Copies of both codes were filed as exhibits to the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003. The Corporation will provide copies of such codes to any person without charge, upon request to Anthony C. Weagley, President and Chief Executive Officer, Center Bancorp, Inc., 2455 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ 07083.

Item 11. Executive Compensation

The Corporation responds to this item by incorporating herein by reference the material responsive to such item in the Corporation’s definitive proxy statement for its 20112012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

The Corporation responds to this item by incorporating herein by reference the material responsive to such item in the Corporation’s definitive proxy statement for its 20112012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

Stock Compensation Plan Information

For information related to stock based compensation, see Note 16 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. The following table gives information about the Corporation’s common stock that may be issued upon the exercise of options, warrants and rights under the Corporation’s 2009 Equity Incentive Plan, 1999 Incentive Plan, 1993 Employee Stock Option Plan, 1993 Outside Director Stock Option Plan and 2003 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan as of December 31, 2010.2011. These plans were the Corporation’s only equity compensation plans in existence as of December 31, 2010.2011.

      
Plan Category Number of Securities
to Be Issued Upon
Exercise of Outstanding
Options, Warrants and
Rights
(a)
 Weighted-Average
Exercise Price of
Outstanding Options,
Warrants and
Rights
(b)
 Number of Securities
Remaining Available for
Future Issuance Under
Equity Compensation Plans (Excluding Securities Reflected in Column (a)) (c)
 Number of Securities
to Be Issued Upon
Exercise of
Outstanding Options,
Warrants and Rights
(a)
 Weighted-Average
Exercise Price of
Outstanding Options,
Warrants and Rights
(b)
 Number of Securities
Remaining Available
for Future Issuance
Under Equity
Compensation Plans
(Excluding Securities
Reflected in
Column (a))
(c)
Equity Compensation Plans Approved by Shareholders  198,946  $7.67  – $15.73   843,127   171,378  $7.67 – $15.73   825,420 
Equity Compensation Plans Not Approved by Shareholders                  
Total  198,946  $7.67  – $15.73   843,127   171,378  $7.67 – $15.73   825,420 

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

The Corporation responds to this item by incorporating herein by reference the material responsive to such item in the Corporation’s definitive proxy statement for its 20112012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

The Corporation responds to this item by incorporating herein by reference the material responsive to such item in the Corporation’s definitive proxy statement for its 20112012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART IV

Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

(a)(1)  Financial Statements and Schedules:

The following Financial Statements and Supplementary Data are filed as part of this annual report:

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Consolidated Statements of Condition

Consolidated Statements of Income

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting FirmF-2
Consolidated Statements of ConditionF-3
Consolidated Statements of IncomeF-4
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ EquityF-5
Consolidated Statements of Cash FlowsF-6
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsF-8
(b)Exhibits (numbered in accordance with Item 601 of Regulation S-K) filed herewith or incorporated by reference as part of this annual report.

 
Exhibit
No.
 Description
 3.12.1  The Registrant’s Certificate of Incorporation, as amended,Bank Purchase and Assumption Agreement, dated February 1, 2012, by and among the Registrant, Saddle River Valley Bancorp and Saddle River Valley Bank is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.12.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 17, 2010.February 2, 2012.
3.1 The Registrant’s Certificate of Incorporation.
3.2  By-Laws of the Registrant is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998.
 4.1 Warrant to Purchase up to 173,410 shares of Common Stock, dated January 9, 2009, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 13, 2009.
10.1   Letter Agreement, dated January 9, 2009, including theSmall Business Lending Fund — Securities Purchase Agreement — Standard Terms attached thereto dated September 15, 2011, between the Registrant and the United States Department of the Treasury is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 13, 2009.September 21, 2011.
10.210.2*  The Registrant’s 1993 Employee Stock Option Plan is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1993.
10.310.3*  The Registrant’s 1993 Outside Director Stock Option Plan is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1993.
10.510.5*  The Registrant’s Annual Incentive Plan is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.
10.610.6*  Amended and restated employment agreement among the Registrant, its bank subsidiary and Anthony C. Weagley, effective as of January 1, 2008 is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 22, 2008.
10.7   Non-Competition Agreement, dated as of December 2, 2010, between the Registrant, and Anthony C. Weagley is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 6, 2010.
10.8   Non-Competition Agreement, dated as of December 2, 2010, between the Registrant, and James W. Sorge is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 6, 2010.
10.910.9*  Center Bancorp, Inc. 2009 Equity Incentive Plan is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 1, 2009.
10.1010.10* Center Bancorp, Inc. 1999 Stock Incentive Plan is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999.

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
Exhibit
No.
 Description
10.11 Registrant’s Placement Agreement dated December 12, 2003 with Sandler O’Neill & Partners, L.P. to issue and sell $5 million aggregate liquidation amount of floating rate MMCapS(SM)MMCapS(SM) Securities is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.
10.12 Indenture dated as of December 19, 2003, between the Registrant and Wilmington Trust Company relating to $5.0 million aggregate principal amount of floating rate debentures is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.
10.13 Amended and restated Declaration of Trust of Center Bancorp Statutory Trust II, dated as of December 19, 2003 is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.
10.14 Guarantee Agreement between Registrant and Wilmington Trust Company dated as of December 19, 2003 is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.
10.15Form of Waiver, executed by each of Lori A. Wunder, A. Richard Abrahamian, Ronald M. Shapiro, William J. Boylan and Anthony C. Weagley is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 13, 2009.
10.16Form of Executive Waiver Agreement, executed by each of Lori A. Wunder, A. Richard Abrahamian, Ronald M. Shapiro, William J. Boylan and Anthony C. Weagley is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 13, 2009
10.17 Registration Rights Agreement, dated September 29, 2004, relating to securities issued in a September 2004 private placement of securities, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 1, 2004.
10.1810.16* The Registrant’s Amended and Restated 2003 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan, as amended and restated, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 5, 2008.
10.1910.17* Amended and restated Employment Agreement among the Registrant, its bank subsidiary and Mark S. Cardone, effective as of January 1, 2007, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 26, 2007. See also Exhibit 10.22.
10.2010.18  Registration Rights Agreement, dated June 30, 2005, relating to securities issued in a June 2005 private placement of securities is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 30, 2005.
10.2110.19* Open Market Share Purchase Incentive Plan is incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 26, 2006.
10.2210.20* Amendment to Employment Agreement among the Registrant, its bank subsidiary and Mark Cardone, dated December 3, 2007, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 10-K dated December 20, 2007.
10.23 Repurchase Agreement, dated September 15, 2011, between the Registrant and the United States Department of the Treasury, with respect to the repurchase of Preferred Stock issued pursuant to TARP is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 21, 2011.
10.24 Warrant Letter Agreement, dated December 7, 2011, providing for the repurchase of the warrants issued pursuant to TARP is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 12, 2011.
11.1   Statement regarding computation of per share earnings is omitted because the computation can be clearly determined from the material incorporated by reference in this Report.
12.1   Statement of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
14.1   Code of Ethics is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 14.1 of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.
21.1   Subsidiaries of the Registrant.
23.1   Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
31.124.1   Personal certificationPower of the chief executive officer pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.attorney

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
Exhibit
No.
 Description
31.1  Personal certification of the chief executive officer pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2   Personal certification of the chief financial officer pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1 32.1** Personal certification of the chief executive officer pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2 32.2** Personal certification of the chief financial officer pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
99.1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 111 (b) (4) of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008.
99.2   Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 111 (b) (4) of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008.
99.3   Code of Conduct is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.
101***INS XBRL instance document
101***SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101***CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101***DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101***LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101***PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
(c)Financial Statement Schedules

*Management contract on compensatory plan or arrangement.
**Furnished herewith.
***In accordance with Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, the XBRL information in Exhibit 101 to this Annual Report shall not be deemed “filed” for purposed of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject liability under that Section.

All financial statement schedules are omitted because they are either inapplicable or not required, or because the required information is included in the Consolidated Financial Statements or notes thereto.


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Center Bancorp, Inc. has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 
 CENTER BANCORP, INC.
March 16, 201113, 2012 

By:

/s/ Anthony C. Weagley
Anthony C. Weagley
President and Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the following persons on behalf of the Registrant, in the capacities described below on March 16, 2011,13, 2012, have signed this report below.

 
/s/ Alexander A. Bol*
Alexander A. Bol
 Chairman of the Board
/s/ James J. Kennedy*
James J. Kennedy
 Director
/s/ Howard Kent*
Howard Kent
 Director
/s/ Phyllis Klein*
Phyllis Klein
Director
/s/ Nicolas Minoia*
Nicholas Minoia
 Director
/s/ Harold Schechter*
Harold Schechter
 Director
/s/ Lawrence B. Seidman*
Lawrence B. Seidman
 Director
/s/ Alan H.H Straus*
Alan H.H Straus
 Director
/s/ William A. Thompson*
William A. Thompson
 Director
/s/ Raymond Vanaria*
Raymond Vanaria
 Director
/s/ Anthony C. Weagley
Anthony C. Weagley
 President and Chief Executive Officer
/s/ Francis R. Patryn*Vincent N. Tozzi*
Francis R. PatrynVincent N. Tozzi
 Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer and
Chief Accounting Officer

*By:

/s/ Anthony C. Weagley
Anthony C. Weagley
Attorney-in-fact

   

7574