EXHIBIT 99(a) Community Bancorp of New Jersey Reports Second Quarter Profit As Earnings And Asset Growth Continue FREEHOLD, N.J., July 19 -- Community Bancorp of New Jersey, the holding company for the Community Bank of New Jersey (Nasdaq: CBNJ) which commenced operations in May 1997, reported its seventh consecutive quarter of profitable operations. For the quarter ended June 30, 2000, the Company earned $240,000 compared to $ 139,000 for the same period last year. Basic and diluted net income per share for the second quarter of 2000 was $0.12, compared to net income per share for basic and diluted earnings of $0.08 and $0.07, respectively, for the second quarter of 1999. For the six months ended June 30, 2000, net income increased to $386,000, or $0.20 net income per share for both basic and diluted compared to net income of $204,000, or net income per share for basic and diluted earnings of $0.11 and $0.10, respectively, for the same period in 1999. For the six months ended June 30, 2000, the Company did not recognize any income tax expense. Tax expense for the period has been offset by the benefit from the reduction in the Company's valuation allowance on its deferred tax asset as of June 30, 2000. The Company would have reported income tax expense of approximately $140,000 without the benefit from this valuation allowance reduction. Based upon the current and projected levels of profit, it is anticipated that the Company will further reduce its valuation allowance to zero, and begin to record income tax expense in the first quarter of 2001. As of June 30, 2000 the Company posted total assets of $156.9 million, an increase of $24.1 million, or 18% over December 31, 1999. The Bank's loan portfolio, net of allowances for loan losses, increased to $98.3 million, an increase of $16.9 million, or 21% over December 31, 1999. Total deposits increased to $137.1, million at June 30, 2000, an increase of $23.1 million, or 20% over December 31, 1999. At June 30, 2000, the Company's allowance for loan losses equaled $1.4 million, or 1.38% of loans. The Company had no non- performing assets at June 30, 2000. The Community Bank of New Jersey, the Company's Bank subsidiary, operates through its main office at 3535 Highway 9 North, Freehold, New Jersey and its four (4) branch offices located at 31 East Main Street, Freehold, New Jersey, 4502 Highway 9 South, Howell, New Jersey and 267 Main Street, Matawan, New Jersey and 191 Route 9 South, Manalapan, New Jersey. COMMUNITY BANCORP OF NEW JERSEY FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS BALANCE SHEETS June 30, December 31, 2000 1999 ---------- ------------ (Unaudited) (In thousands) ASSETS Cash and Due from Banks $ 9,005 $ 4,991 Federal Funds Sold 10,455 20,275 Investment Securities 33,029 20,669 Loans 99,672 82,632 Less Allowance for Loan Losses (1,375) (1,237) Net Loans 98,297 81,395 Premises and Equipment, net 4,739 4,631 Other Assets 1,409 850 TOTAL ASSETS $ 156,934 $ 132,811 LIABILITIES Deposits $ 137,136 $ 114,028 Other Liabilities 1,204 557 Total Liabilities 138,340 114,585 SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Common Equity (1) 21,299 20,160 Accumulated Deficit (1) (2,679) (1,923) Accumulated other comprehensive income (26) (11) Total Shareholders' Equity 18,594 18,226 TOTAL LIABILITIES & SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY $ 156,934 $ 132,811 (1) Change includes recording of 5% stock dividend paid May 1, 2000. COMMUNITY BANCORP OF NEW JERSEY FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) 6 Months Ended June 30, 2000 1999 (In thousands, except per share data) Interest Income $4,909 $2,975 Interest Expense 2,027 1,000 Net Interest Income 2,882 1,975 Provision for Loan Losses 138 222 Net Interest Income after Provision for Loan Losses 2,744 1,753 Non Interest Income 417 131 Non Interest Expenses 2,775 1,680 Net Income $ 386 $ 204 Net Income Per Common Share(1) Basic $ 0.20 $ 0.11 Diluted $ 0.20 $ 0.10 SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA Market Value per Common Share(1)(2) $13.63 $14.79 Book Value per share(1) $ 9.69 $ 9.57 (1) Per share and earnings per share values have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the third quarter 1999 3% stock dividend and the second quarter 2000 5% stock dividend. (2) Closing sale price of the common stock on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market at June 30, 2000 and June 30, 1999 under the symbol CBNJ. SOURCE Community Bancorp of New Jersey CONTACT: Robert D. O'Donnell for Community Bancorp of New Jersey, 732-863-9000