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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 June 30, 2007 (defined as tangible stockholders’ equity for common stock and Trust Preferred Capital Securities) amounted to $88.8 million or 8.87 percent of total assets. At June 30, 2007, the Corporation’s Tier I leverage risk-based capital amounted to $88.8 million or 8.82 percent of average total assets.
Tier I capital excludes the effect of SFAS No. 115, which amounted to $4.2 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), $815,000 of net unrealized losses related to the adoption of FASB No. 158, and goodwill and intangible assets of $17.3 million as of June 30, 2007. 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, 2006, the Corporation’s Tier 1 and total risk-based capital ratios were 13.50 percent and 14.26 percent, respectively. These ratios are well above the minimum guidelines of capital to risk-adjusted assets in effect as of June 30, 2007.
The foregoing capital ratios are based in part on specific quantitative measures of assets, liabilities and certain off-statement of condition 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. As of June 30, 2007, management believes that each of the Bank and the Parent Corporation meet all capital adequacy requirements to which it is subject.
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 part, prior to maturity but after January 23, 2009. The floating interest rate on the subordinated debentures is three-month LIBOR plus 2.85 percent and reprices quarterly. The rate at June 30, 2007 was 8.21 percent.
On December 18, 2001, Center Bancorp Statutory Trust I, a statutory business trust and wholly-owned subsidiary of Center Bancorp, Inc., issued $10.0 million of floating rate capital trust pass through securities to investors due on December 18, 2031. The trust loaned the proceeds of this offering to the Corporation and received in exchange $10.3 million of the Parent Corporation’s subordinated debentures. The subordinated debentures were redeemed in whole on December 18, 2006. Prior to redemption on December 18, 2006, the floating interest rate on the subordinated debentures was three-month LIBOR plus 3.85 percent and repriced quarterly.
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.
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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 the Board 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 in this quarterly report and in the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.
Item 3. Qualitative and Quantitative Disclosures about Market Risks
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 and on 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-statement of condition 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
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interest rates. Projected net interest income sensitivity to movements in interest rates is modeled based on a ramped rise and fall in interest rates based on a parallel yield curve shift over a 12 month time horizon an then maintained at those levels over the remainder of the model time horizon, which provides a rate shock to the two year period and beyond. 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.
In prior years, the low level of interest rates had necessitated a modification of the Corporation’s standard rate scenario of a movement down 200 basis points over 12 months to down 100 basis points over a 12-month period. However given the recent rise in rates for the year ended December 31, 2006 the Corporation has returned to a -200 basis point change down over a 12-month period.
Based on the results of the interest simulation model as of June 30, 2007, and assuming that management does not take action to alter the outcome, the Corporation would expect an increase of 13.6 percent in net interest income if interest rates decreased 200 basis points from the current rates in a change as noted above over a 12-month period. In a rising rate environment, based on the results of the model as of June 30, 2007, the Corporation would expect a decrease of 14.0 percent in net interest income if interest rates increased by 200 basis points from current rates in a gradual change over a twelve month period.
The rising rates and a flattening of the yield curve during 2007 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 2007. However, no assurance can be given that this objective will be met.
Equity Price Risk
The Corporation is exposed to equity price risk inherent in its portfolio of publicly traded equity securities, which had an estimated fair value of $2.6 million at June 30, 2007 and $4.9 million at June 30, 2006. 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 will reduce the carrying value to its current fair value.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
a)Disclosure controls and procedures. As of the end of the Corporation’s most recently completed fiscal quarter covered by this report, the Corporation carried out an evaluation, with the participation of the Corporation’s management, including the Corporation’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer, of the effectiveness of the Corporation’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-15. Based upon that evaluation, the Corporation’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that the Corporation’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by the Corporation in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.
b)Changes in internal controls over financial reporting: There have been no changes in the Corporation’s internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the Corporation’s last fiscal quarter to which this report relates that have materially affected, or are reasonable likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
The Corporation is subject to claims and lawsuits, which arise primarily in the ordinary course of business. Based upon the information currently available, 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. This statement represents a forward-looking statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results could differ materially from this statement, primarily due to the uncertainties involved in proving facts within the context of the legal processes.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
As of June 30, 2007, the Corporation has purchased 345,253 common shares at an average cost per share of $11.38 under the stock buyback program amended on March 27, 2006 for the repurchase of up to 705,392 shares of the Corporation’s outstanding common stock. The repurchased shares were recorded as Treasury Stock, which resulted in a decrease in stockholder’s equity. During the six-months ended June 30, 2007 there were no shares repurchased.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Securities Holders
The Annual Meeting of shareholders was held on Tuesday, May 15, 2007
The following Class 1 Directors, whose three-year terms will expire in 2010, were elected with the following share votes:
 | |  | |  |
| | For | | Authority Withheld |
Brenda Curtis | | | 10,830,031 | | | | 167,652 | |
Larry Seidman | | | 6,216,135 | | | | 59,091 | |
Raymond Vanaria | | | 6,197,559 | | | | 77,667 | |
Harold Schecter | | | 6,070,667 | | | | 204,559 | |
The following Class 2 Directors, have terms which continue until the 2009 Annual Meeting:
 | |  | |  |
Hugo Barth, III | | | | | | | | |
Alexander A. Bol | | | | | | | | |
John J. DeLaney, Jr. | | | | | | | | |
Eugene V. Malinowski | | | | | | | | |
William A. Thompson | | | | | | | | |
The following Class 3 Directors, have terms which continue until the 2008 Annual Meeting:
 | |  | |  |
Kenneth W. Battiato | | | | | | | | |
James J. Kennedy | | | | | | | | |
Stephen J. LaMont | | | | | | | | |
Paul Lomakin, Jr. | | | | | | | | |
Herbert Schiller | | | | | | | | |
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Item 5. Other Information
None
Item 6. Exhibits
 | |  |
Exhibit 31.1 | | Certification of the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
Exhibit 31.2 | | Certification of the Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
Exhibit 32.1 | | Certification of the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
Exhibit 32.2 | | Certification of the Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf, by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
CENTER BANCORP, INC.
| By: | /s/ ANTHONY C. WEAGLEY
 Anthony C. Weagley, Treasurer (Chief Financial Officer) |
Date: August 9, 2007
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