<Page>

EXHIBIT 99(a)


                       UNITY BANCORP ANNOUNCES ACQUISITION

Clinton, NJ - Unity Bancorp, Inc (NASDAQ: UNTY), parent company of Unity Bank,
reported that it has signed a letter of intent to acquire First Bank of Central
Jersey (First Bank). First Bank has approximately $60 million in total assets,
with two retail branch offices, and is headquartered in North Brunswick, New
Jersey. The acquisition, which is subject to regulatory and shareholder
approval, is expected to be accounted for as a tax-free stock-for-stock
exchange.

Under the offer terms, Unity will exchange 325,000 shares of Unity common stock
and 487,500 warrants to purchase Unity common stock in exchange for all of the
outstanding shares of First Bank. The warrants have terms of three and five
years, and exercise prices based on the value of Unity's common stock at the
consummation of the transaction. Both the shares and warrants in the transaction
are subject to adjustment based on the market price of Unity stock at the time
of merger and the performance of First Bank between now and the closing of the
transaction.

"The acquisition of First Bank will provide Unity with additional deposits to
assist in funding our future loan growth," said Unity President and Chief
Executive Officer, Anthony J. Feraro. "This acquisition will also allow Unity
the opportunity to serve a greater portion of the New Jersey community with
unique products and services, exceptional interest rates and the philosophy of
BANKING THE OLD FASHIONED WAY. This acquisition is expected to be accretive to
the earnings of Unity following the integration of First Bank. We are sending a
message to the populous of New Jersey that Unity is alive, well and looking to
spread its philosophy of true community Banking throughout the State."

"We are very pleased to be joining Unity Bank," said First Bank President and
Chief Executive Officer, John E. Pellizzari. "We believe that our customers and
shareholders will be better served by joining Unity, an institution that excels
at customer service and has recently reported extremely favorable operating
results."

First Bank, which commenced operations in May 1998, recently entered into
enforcement actions with its State and Federal regulators as a result of issues
related to its consumer loan portfolio, primarily consisting of indirect
automobile loans. First Bank has sold substantially all of its indirect
automobile loans and has established reserves for the remaining portfolio.

Unity Bancorp, Inc. is a financial service organization headquartered in
Clinton, New Jersey, with $394 million in assets and $354 million in deposits.
Unity Bank provides financial services to retail, corporate & small business
customers through its 12 retail service centers located in Hunterdon, Middlesex,
Somerset and Union counties in New Jersey. For additional information about
Unity visit our website at www.unitybank.com or call 800 618-BANK.

THIS NEWS RELEASE CONTAINS CERTAIN FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS, EITHER EXPRESSED
OR IMPLIED, WHICH ANTICIPATES FUTURE FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE. THESE STATEMENTS
INVOLVE CERTAIN RISKS, UNCERTAINTIES, ESTIMATES AND ASSUMPTIONS MADE BY
MANAGEMENT, WHICH ARE SUBJECT TO FACTORS BEYOND THE COMPANY'S CONTROL AND COULD
IMPEDE ITS ABILITY TO ACHIEVE THESE GOALS. THESE FACTORS INCLUDE GENERAL
ECONOMIC CONDITIONS, TRENDS IN INTEREST RATES, THE ABILITY OF OUR BORROWERS TO
REPAY THEIR LOANS, AND RESULTS OF REGULATORY EXAMS, AMONG OTHER FACTORS.



                                     5 of 8