Anthony C. Weagley, Vice President & Treasurer



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


CENTER BANCORP, INC. REPORTS  8.47% INCREASE IN SECOND QUARTER EARNINGS
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------

Union, New Jersey,  July 28, 2005 ---Center  Bancorp,  Inc. (NASDAQ,  NM: CNBC),
parent  company  to Union  Center  National  Bank of Union,  New  Jersey,  today
reported earnings results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2005.

Highlights for the quarter:

      o     Successful  completion of the  acquisition  of Red Oak Bank, a $98.3
            million  commercial  bank,  on May 20, 2005.  This merger  serves to
            strengthen the Corporation's presence in the Morris County market.

      o     Second Quarter EPS of $.18 per share.

      o     Total assets  increased to $1.2 billion and positions  Center as one
            of the largest New Jersey headquartered commercial banks.

      o     Consummation   of  a  $20.0   million   private   placement  of  the
            Corporation's stock on June 30, 2005.

      o     Continued growth in the Corporation's loan portfolio.  Excluding the
            impact of the merger with Red Oak,  the  Corporation  achieved a net
            growth in loan  volume on average  of 11.06% for the second  quarter
            and 9.2%, annualized for the six months ended June 30, 2005.

      o     Credit quality continues to remain high.

      o     Deposit  growth  continues  to remain  strong  with  total  deposits
            increasing  to $721.2  million at June 30,  2005.  o Payment of a 5%
            stock  dividend  to  shareholders  on June 15,  2005.  o Book  value
            increased to $7.57 at June 30, 2005 from $5.41 a year ago.





Net income for the second quarter of 2005 amounted to $1,933,000, an increase of
8.47% or $151,000 from the $1,782,000  earned for the comparable  quarter of the
previous year. On a per share basis,  basic and fully diluted earnings per share
were $.18;  a 5.26%  decrease  from $.19  earned in the  comparable  three month
period  ended June 30, 2004.  All common  stock per share  amounts in this press
release have been  restated to reflect all  previously  declared and paid common
stock splits and common stock dividends.

For the six months ended June 30, 2005, net income  amounted to  $3,678,000,  an
increase of $172,000 or 4.91% as compared with the  comparable  six month period
ended June 30, 2004. On a per share basis,  basic and fully diluted earnings per
share were $.34;  a decrease  of 8.11% from $.37  earned in the  comparable  six
month period ended June 30, 2004. The  Corporation's  earnings per share figures
include the increase in shares as a result of the acquisition of Red Oak Bank on
May 20, 2005, the issuance of 1,904,761  shares of the holding  company's common
stock on June 30, 2005 in a private placement of its securities and the issuance
of 888,888 shares of the holding  company's common stock in a private  placement
of its securities on September 29, 2004.

John J. Davis, President & CEO of Center Bancorp,  welcomed the shareholders and
customers of Red Oak Bank, which was merged into the Corporation's  Union Center
National Bank subsidiary on May 20, 2005. He stated: "We welcome the opportunity
to continue to expand our franchise in the attractive  Morris County market with
the addition of a true  community  bank.  The merger with Red Oak was consistent
with  our  company's   continued   strategy  of  highly  focused  growth  within
approximately   50  miles  of  our   headquarters,   through  new  branches  and
acquisitions of other financial institutions with a similar customer culture. In
our view,  Red Oak  represented  Center's  best possible  acquisition  candidate
currently in Morris County.  This compliments our existing  business  strategies
and core focus of  providing  personalized  service to local  markets  through a
diversified  product line. We additionally see significant loan and core deposit
growth opportunities as a result of an expanded market."

Commenting  on the  financial  results for the quarter,  he noted:  "Results are
consistent  with prior periods,  an achievement  given the challenges  resulting
from both a highly competitive marketplace and the uncertainties of the economy.
We did  continue  to  experience  some  margin  compression  as a result  of the
continued flattening of the yield curve and increased cost of funds. We continue
to make  progress in  sustaining  positive  trends such as loan and core deposit
growth and an increase in noninterest income. Other factors which contributed to
the results for the second  quarter  included a reduction in the  provision  for
loan losses, offset by an increase in other expense."

Total interest income, on a fully  tax-equivalent  basis, for the second quarter
of 2005,  increased  $2.8 million or 27.4% over the  comparable  2004  quarterly
period.  Total interest expense increased by $2.3 million or 69.7% over the same
quarterly  period of 2004. For the six months ended June 30, 2005 total interest
income on a fully tax-equivalent  increased $4.3 million or 21.3% as compared to
the  comparable six month period in 2004. For the six months ended June 30, 2005
total  interest  expense  increased  $3.6  million or 56.2% as  compared  to the
comparable six month period in 2004.





The  Corporation's  net interest margin declined by 30 basis points to 2.93% for
the second  quarter  period  ended June 30, 2005 as  compared to the  comparable
period in 2004; on a linked sequential  quarter,  the Corporation's net interest
margin declined 4 basis points from 2.97% for the first quarter of 2005. For the
six months ended June 30, 2005, the  Corporation's  net interest margin declined
26 basis  points from 3.21% for the  comparable  six month  period in 2004.  The
decline in margin for both periods was in part due to the recent  actions by the
Federal  Reserve Board  raising  rates 50 basis points in the second  quarter of
2005 and 200 basis points since June 30, 2004; the flattening of the yield curve
and a  shift  toward  higher  costing  funds  as part of the  funding  mix  also
contributed  to the  increase in  interest  expense in both  periods.  Continued
efforts to improve the yield on interest  earning-assets and to control the cost
of funds have  helped to  mitigate  some of the  effects of the  current  margin
compression.  Management believes that the margin can be stabilized;  however, a
protracted  flat yield curve is expected to have further impact on  compression.
Management believes that continuing growth in the loan portfolio can be expected
in 2005,  which should help to support  margins as the yield curve  continues to
moderate and short term rates continue to rise.

The impact on net interest  margins was to some extent mitigated by non-interest
income,  which  increased by 12.8%,  net of gains on  securities  sold,  for the
quarter and continues to be a strong  contributing  factor to the performance of
the Corporation.  Mr. Davis noted: "The Corporation  continues to seek strategic
initiatives  to develop new  sources of  noninterest  income to enhance  current
earnings and to create long-term sustainable quality earnings performance."

Interest  expense for the second quarter  increased  $2.3 million or 69.7%.  Mr.
Davis stated: "As we had noted in the first quarter, the flattening of the yield
curve  has  had a  negative  effect  on our  ability  to  increase  spreads.  We
experienced  an increase in the cost of funds during the second  quarter,  which
increased at a faster pace (as a result of the Federal Reserve's rate tightening
policy) than our ability to substantially increase asset yields."

Mr. Davis added:  "We remain  encouraged by the prospects for continued  revenue
growth  in  subsequent  quarters  in light of the  sustained  growth of the loan
portfolio and increased  opportunities  to further increase the size of the loan
portfolio with the completion of the Red Oak  acquisition.  The continued change
in the earning asset mix should have a positive impact on net interest income."

Total  average loan volumes for the second  quarter of 2005  increased to $435.5
million, an increase of $74.0 million or 20.5% on average from $361.5 million on
average for the comparable prior year quarter.  On a linked  sequential  quarter
comparison,  total average loans increased by $54.8 million or 14.4% from $380.7
million on average  during the first  quarter of 2005.  The merger  with Red Oak
Bank  contributed  $89.6 million in net loans.  Strong growth in commercial  and
commercial real estate related loans provided the bulk of the loan growth in the
second quarter.





For the six months ended June 30, 2005, total average loan volumes  increased to
$408.3  million,  an increase of $53.6  million on average (up 15.1% from $354.7
million on average for the comparable six months ended June 30, 2004).

Mr. Davis stated:  "We are  encouraged by the key credit quality  trends,  which
have been maintained during a period of strong loan growth and national economic
instability."   Asset  quality  continues  to  remain  high  and  no  additional
provisions  were made to the allowance  for loan losses  during the quarter.  At
June 30, 2005,  the total  allowance for loan and lease losses  amounted to $4.9
million or 1.0% of total loans. The acquisition of Red Oak Bank contributed $1.2
million to the allowance.  Net  recoveries  amounted to $6,000 for the six month
period.  Non-performing  assets at June 30, 2005 consisted of non-accrual  loans
totaling $350,000  comprised of five commercial  loans,  $300,000 was related to
assets  acquired  from Red Oak  Bank;  no loans  were on  non-accrual  status at
December 31, 2004 or March 31, 2005.

Interest-bearing  liabilities  increased  $139.8  million on average  during the
second  quarter  of 2005,  as  compared  to the second  quarter  in 2004.  Total
non-interest  bearing core  deposits  increased  $10.4 million on average in the
second quarter of 2005 in comparison to the comparable  quarter in 2004. At June
30,  2005 this source of funding  amounted  to $148.7  million or 20.6% of total
deposits.  The Corporation acquired $70.8 million total deposits with the merger
with Red Oak Bank.

Non-interest income,  increased $101,000,  exclusive of gains on securities sold
(which decreased  $8,000).  This was an increase of 12.8% for the second quarter
compared with the  comparable  quarter in 2004.  Noninterest  income,  including
gains on  securities  sold,  increased  $93,000 or 11.3% for the second  quarter
compared  with  the  comparable  quarter  in 2004.  The  increased  revenue  was
primarily driven by the increase in other income,  which includes loan fees, and
annuity and insurance sales fees.

Total  non-interest  expense in the second quarter of 2005 was $5.4 million,  up
10.58% as compared to the second  quarter of 2004.  Personnel-related  expenses,
the Corporation's  largest non-interest  operating expense component,  increased
13.7% from a year ago. The increase was driven  primarily by increased  staffing
levels,  coupled with merit and promotional  pay increases and certain  employee
related  expenses.  Red Oak Bank  added  $38,465 to  personnel-related  expenses
during the second quarter. Full time equivalent staffing levels were 212 for the
quarter  compared to 189 in the second quarter of 2004.  The 11.08%  increase in
other  expense in the second  quarter was  primarily  attributable  to increased
audit, legal and consulting  expenses,  in part due to continued compliance with
Sarbanes Oxely.

The  effective  tax  rate  continues  to  be  less  than  the  statutory  rates,
substantially  as a result of tax free income  generated from the  Corporation's
municipal and other tax advantaged securities.

Total  assets at June 30,  2005  reached  $1.2  billion,  an  increase of $245.6
million  or 26.3%  from  assets of $933.8  million  at June 30,  2004 and $169.6
million or 16.8% from December 31, 2004. The  acquisition of Red Oak Bank on May
20, 2005 contributed to this growth.





On June 30, 2005 Center Bancorp,  Inc. announced that it issued 1,904,761 shares
of the  holding  company's  common  stock  to a  limited  number  of  accredited
investors in a private placement of its securities.  The shares were issued at a
purchase  price of $10.50 per share.  Net  proceeds to the holding  company were
approximately  $18.9 million,  after  commissions  and expenses.  Center Bancorp
intends to utilize the net  proceeds  from this  offering  for  general  working
capital  purposes  and to expand  the  Company's  capital  position  in order to
support  future  asset  growth,  to fund bank and non-bank  acquisitions  and to
supply  capital at the holding  company (as distinct  from the bank  subsidiary)
level.

At June 30, 2005, the total Tier 1 capital  leverage ratio was 9.45%,  the total
Tier 1 Risk Based  Capital  ratio was  14.67%  and the Total Risk Based  Capital
ratio was 15.39%. Total Tier 1 capital increased to approximately $101.4 million
at June 30, 2005 from $67.7 million at June 30, 2004.  These ratios  continue to
exceed those  necessary to be considered a  well-capitalized  institution  under
Federal Regulatory guidelines.

At June 30, 2005, book value per common share was $7.57 as compared with $5.41 a
year ago. At June 30,  2005,  tangible  book value per common share was $6.32 as
compared  to $5.19 a year ago.  The  Corporation  recorded  approximately  $15.3
million in  goodwill  resulting  from the merger  with Red Oak Bank.  Annualized
return on average  stockholders' equity for the three months ended June 30, 2005
was 10.45% compared to 13.25% for the comparable period in 2004.

Mr. Davis  concluded:  "Our challenge will be to continue to grow our commercial
business base and increase loans while containing operating expense and the more
significant  cost of funds as we make  progress in driving  more  revenue to the
bottom line. We believe that the second  quarter  results are  supportive of the
Company's stated goals to deliver consistent earnings performance."

Center Bancorp, Inc., through its wholly owned subsidiary, Union Center National
Bank, Union, New Jersey, currently operates thirteen banking locations.  Banking
centers are located in Union Township (6 locations),  Berkeley Heights, Madison,
Millburn/Vauxhall,  Morristown  (2  locations),  Springfield,  and  Summit,  New
Jersey.  The Bank also  operates  remote ATM  locations  in the Union New Jersey
Transit  train  station  and in  Union  Hospital.  The  Bank  recently  received
approvals to install and operate two additional off-premise ATM locations in the
Chatham and Madison New Jersey Transit Stations.

Union Center National Bank is the largest commercial Bank headquartered in Union
County; it was chartered in 1923 and is a full-service banking company.

For further  information  regarding Center Bancorp Inc., call  1-(800)-862-3683.
For  information  regarding  Union Center  National Bank,  visit our web site at
"http://www.centerbancorp.com" ~http://www.centerbancorp.com.





All  non-historical  statements  in this  press  release  (including  statements
regarding loan and core deposit growth, interest rates and the Corporation's net
interest margin) constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the
Private  Securities   Litigation  Reform  Act  of  1995.  These  forward-looking
statements  may  use  such  forward-looking  terminology  as  "expect,"  "look,"
"believe,"  "plan,"   "anticipate,"  "may,"  "will"  or  similar  statements  or
variations of such terms or otherwise  express views  concerning  trends and the
future. Such forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties.
These  include,  but are not  limited  to,  the  direction  of  interest  rates,
continued levels of loan quality and origination volume, continued relationships
with major  customers  including  sources  for loans,  as well as the effects of
international,  national,  regional and local economic  conditions and legal and
regulatory barriers and structure,  including those relating to the deregulation
of the financial  services  industry,  and other risks cited in reports filed by
the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Actual results may
differ materially from such  forward-looking  statements.  Center Bancorp,  Inc.
assumes no  obligation  for updating any such  forward-looking  statement at any
time.





Center Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Condition
                                                  June   30,    December 31,
- ------------------------------------------       -----------    -----------
(Dollars In Thousands)                                2005           2004
- ------------------------------------------       -----------    -----------
                                                 (unaudited)
- ------------------------------------------       -----------    -----------
ASSETS
 Cash and due from banks                         $    32,001    $    12,033
 Federal funds sold and securities
    purchased under agreement to resell                    0              0
- ------------------------------------------       -----------    -----------
 Total cash and cash equivalents                 $    32,001         12,033
 Investment securities held to maturity
    (approximate market value of $154,017
    in 2005 and $127,898 in 2004)                    151,088        124,162
 Investment securities available-for-sale            436,670        453,524
- ------------------------------------------       -----------    -----------
   Total investment securities                       587,758        577,686
 Loans, net of unearned income                       498,602        377,304
 Less--Allowance for loan losses                       4,995          3,781
- ------------------------------------------       -----------    -----------
   Net loans                                         493,607        373,523
 Premises and equipment, net                          18,110         17,622
 Accrued interest receivable                           5,649          4,533
 Bank owned separate account life
   insurance                                          18,215         17,848
 Other assets                                          6,452          3,679
 Goodwill                                             16,776          2,091
- ------------------------------------------       -----------    -----------
  Total assets                                   $ 1,178,568    $ 1,009,015
==========================================       ===========    ============

 LIABILITIES
 Deposits:
  Non-interest-bearing                           $   148,742    $   127,226
 Interest-bearing:
   Certificates of deposit $100,000
   and over                                          118,126        163,810
 Interest-bearing demand, savings
   and time deposits                                 454,338        411,236
- ------------------------------------------       -----------    -----------
 Total deposits                                      721,206        702,272
 Short-term borrowings                               164,934        101,357
 Long-term borrowings                                168,555        115,000
 Subordinated debentures                              15,465         15,465
 Accounts payable and accrued
   liabilities                                         6,724          6,278
- ------------------------------------------       -----------    -----------
 Total liabilities                                 1,076,884        940,372
- ------------------------------------------       -----------    -----------

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred Stock, no par value, Authorized
   5,000,000 shares; None Issued                           0              0
Common stock, no par value: Authorized
   20,000,000 shares; issued 14,467,962
   and 11,475,446 shares in 2005 and 2004,
   respectively                                       65,592         30,441
 Additional paid in capital                            3,775          4,477
 Retained earnings                                    37,081         36,973
 Treasury stock at cost (1,041,920
    and 1,056,972 shares in 2005 and
    2004, respectively)                               (3,721)        (3,775)
 Restricted stock                                          0              0
 Accumulated other comprehensive (loss)/income        (1,043)           527
- ------------------------------------------       -----------    -----------
 Total stockholders' equity                          101,684         68,643
- ------------------------------------------       -----------    -----------
 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity      $ 1,178,568    $ 1,009,015
==========================================       ===========    ============

All per common share amounts have been adjusted retroactively for common stock
 splits and common stock dividends impacting the periods presented.







                      Center Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                        Consolidated Statements of Income
                                                                     Three Months Ended         Six Months Ended
(Unaudited)                                                              June 30,                    June 30,
- -------------------------------------------------------------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)                                  2005          2004          2005          2004
- -------------------------------------------------------------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------
                                                                                                     
Interest income:
 Interest and fees on loans                                     $     5,928   $     4,490   $    10,961   $     8,866
 Interest and dividends on investment securities:
 Taxable interest income                                              4,935         4,119         9,423         8,099
 Non-taxable interest income                                            992           853         1,965         1,733
 Dividends                                                              465           270           915           604
 Interest on Federal funds sold and securities purchased
   under agreement to resell                                             17             0            29             0
- -------------------------------------------------------------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------
 Total interest income                                               12,337         9,732        23,293        19,302
- -------------------------------------------------------------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------
 Interest expense:
  Interest on certificates of deposit $100,000 and over                 987            92         1,986           193
  Interest on other deposits                                          1,896         1,561         3,456         3,202
  Interest on borrowings                                              2,605         1,580         4,587         3,025
- -------------------------------------------------------------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------
 Total interest expense                                               5,488         3,233        10,029         6,420
- -------------------------------------------------------------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------
 Net interest income                                                  6,849         6,499        13,264        12,882
 Provision for loan losses                                                0           205             0           410
- -------------------------------------------------------------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------
 Net interest income after provision for loan losses                  6,849         6,294        13,264        12,472
- -------------------------------------------------------------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------
Other income:
 Service charges, commissions and fees                                  475           477           970           958
 Other income                                                           159           109           255           211
 Annuity & Insurance                                                     72            12           114            20
 Bank Owned Life Insurance                                              185           192           367           358
 Gain on securities sold                                                 23            31            36           157
- -------------------------------------------------------------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------
 Total other income                                                     914           821         1,742         1,704
- -------------------------------------------------------------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------
Other expense:
 Salaries and employee benefits                                       3,004         2,641         5,881         5,278
 Occupancy, net                                                         442           459         1,012         1,022
 Premises and equipment                                                 483           475           941           920
 Stationery and printing                                                181           144           302           296
 Marketing and advertising                                              160           147           332           296
 Other                                                                1,153         1,038         2,294         2,083
- -------------------------------------------------------------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------
 Total other expense                                                  5,423         4,904        10,762         9,895
- -------------------------------------------------------------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------
 Income before income tax expense                                     2,340         2,211         4,244         4,281
 Income tax expense                                                     407           429           566           775
- -------------------------------------------------------------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------
 Net income                                                     $     1,933   $     1,782   $     3,678   $     3,506
=============================================================   ===========   ===========   ===========   ===========
 Earnings per share: (Note 4)
 Basic                                                          $       .18   $       .19   $       .34   $       .37
 Diluted                                                        $       .18   $       .19   $       .34   $       .37
- -------------------------------------------------------------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------
 Weighted average common shares outstanding:
 Basic                                                           10,962,507     9,422,960    10,697,411     9,410,420
 Diluted                                                         11,005,043     9,482,201    10,741,239     9,481,883
=============================================================   ===========   ===========   ===========   ===========


All per common share amounts have been adjusted retroactively for common stock
splits and common stock dividends impacting the periods presented.






                      Center Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
              Average Balance Sheet with Interest and Average Rates
                              Period Ended June 30
                                  (unaudited)




                                                                            Six Month Period Ended June 30,
                                               -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  2005                             2004
                                               -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Interest     Average                     Interest      Average
(tax-equivalent basis,                           Average        Income/      Yield/       Average        Income/       Yield/
 dollars in thousands)                           Balance        Expense      Rate         Balance        Expense       Rate
- --------------------------------------------   -----------    -----------   ---------   -----------    -----------   ---------
                                                                                                        
Assets
Interest-earning assets:
  Investment securities: (1)
    Taxable                                    $   425,932    $     9,676        4.54%  $   409,582    $     8,676        4.24%
    Non-taxable                                    145,900          3,846        5.27%       93,883          2,663        5.67%
  Loans, net of unearned income (2)                408,292         10,961        5.37%      354,665          8,865        5.00%
  Federal funds sold and securities
  purchased under agreement to resell                2,201             29        2.64%            0              0        0.00%
- --------------------------------------------   -----------    -----------   ---------   -----------    -----------   ---------
  Total interest-earning assets                    982,325         24,512        4.99%      858,130         20,204        4.71%
Non-interest-earning assets
  Cash and due from banks                           19,840                                   19,841
  BOLI                                              18,013                                   16,062
  Other assets                                      33,541                                   27,380
Allowance for possible loan losses                  (4,082)                                  (3,205)
- --------------------------------------------   -----------    -----------   ---------   -----------    -----------   ---------
  Total non-interest-earning assets                 67,312                                   60,078
- --------------------------------------------   -----------    -----------   ---------   -----------    -----------   ---------
         Total assets                          $ 1,049,637                              $   918,208
============================================   ===========    ===========   =========   ===========    ===========   =========
Liabilities and stockholders' equity
Interest-bearing liabilities:
  Money market deposits                        $    87,849            932        2.12%  $    86,634            497        1.15%
  Savings deposits                                 113,732            765        1.35%      113,220            693        1.12%
  Time deposits                                    240,274          3,311        2.76%      154,383          2,013        2.61%
  Other interest - bearing deposits                120,873            434        0.72%      109,365            192        0.35%
 Short-term  Borrowings & FHLB Advances            260,048          4,125        3.17%      242,323          2,683        2.21%
 Subordinated Debentures                            15,465            462        5.97%       15,465            342        4.42%
- --------------------------------------------   -----------    -----------   ---------   -----------    -----------   ---------
  Total interest-bearing liabilities               838,241         10,029        2.39%      731,390          6,420        1.76%
- --------------------------------------------   -----------    -----------   ---------   -----------    -----------   ---------
Non-interest-bearing liabilities:
  Demand deposits                                  132,781                                  125,327
  Other non-interest-bearing deposits                2,224                                    1,220
  Other liabilities                                  5,042                                    5,655
- --------------------------------------------   -----------    -----------   ---------   -----------    -----------   ---------
  Total non-interest-bearing  liabilities          140,047                                  132,202
- --------------------------------------------   -----------    -----------   ---------   -----------    -----------   ---------
Stockholders' equity                                71,349                                   54,616
- --------------------------------------------   -----------    -----------   ---------   -----------    -----------   ---------
  Total liabilities and stockholders' equity   $ 1,049,637                              $   918,208
============================================   ===========    ===========   =========   ===========    ===========   =========
Net interest income (tax-equivalent basis)                    $    14,483                              $    13,784
- --------------------------------------------   -----------    -----------   ---------   -----------    -----------   ---------
Net Interest Spread                                                              2.60%                                    2.95%
- --------------------------------------------   -----------    -----------   ---------   -----------    -----------   ---------
Net interest income as percent
 of earning-assets (net interest margin)                                         2.95%                                    3.21%
- --------------------------------------------   -----------    -----------   ---------   -----------    -----------   ---------
Tax-equivalent adjustment (3)                                      (1,219)                                    (902)
- --------------------------------------------   -----------    -----------   ---------   -----------    -----------   ---------
Net interest income                            $    13,264                                                           $  12,882
============================================   ===========    ===========   =========   ===========    ===========   =========



(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





                     Center Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
             Average Balance Sheet with Interest and Average Rates
                              Period Ended June 30
                                  (unaudited)




                                                                        Three Month Period Ended June 30,
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     2005                             2004
                                                  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   Interest      Average                    Interest       Average
(tax-equivalent basis,                               Average       Income/       Yield/       Average        Income/        Yield/
 dollars in thousands)                               Balance       Expense        Rate        Balance        Expense        Rate
- -----------------------------------------------   -----------    -----------    ---------   -----------    -----------    ---------
                                                                                                             
Assets
Interest-earning assets:
  Investment securities: (1)
    Taxable                                       $   437,799    $     5,041         4.61%  $   409,893    $     4,384         4.28%
    Non-taxable                                       143,506          1,974         5.50%       89,277          1,299         5.82%
  Loans, net of unearned income (2)                   435,539          5,928         5.44%      361,523          4,490         4.97%
  Federal funds sold and securities
    purchased under agreement to resell                 2,397             17         2.84%            0              0         0.00%
- -----------------------------------------------   -----------    -----------    ---------   -----------    -----------    ---------
  Total interest-earning assets                     1,019,241         12,960         5.09%      860,693         10,173         4.73%
Non-interest-earning assets
  Cash and due from banks                              20,478                                    18,743
  BOLI                                                 18,103                                    16,062
  Other assets                                         38,143                                    30,027
Allowance for possible loan losses                     (4,343)                                   (3,315)
- -----------------------------------------------   -----------    -----------    ---------   -----------    -----------    ---------
  Total non-interest-earning assets                    72,381                                    61,517
- -----------------------------------------------   -----------    -----------    ---------   -----------    -----------    ---------
  Total assets                                    $ 1,091,622                               $   922,210
- -----------------------------------------------   -----------    -----------    ---------   -----------    -----------    ---------
Liabilities and stockholders' equity
Interest-bearing liabilities:
  Money market deposits                           $    91,206            526         2.31%  $    95,255            235         0.99%
  Savings deposits                                    137,004            410         1.20%      141,138            339         0.96%
  Time deposits                                       235,311          1,672         2.84%      151,299            977         2.58%
  Other interest - bearing deposits                   109,153            275         1.01%       75,424            102         0.54%
 Short-term  Borrowings & FHLB Advances               286,144          2,364         3.30%      255,941          1,411         2.21%
 Subordinated Debentures                               15,465            241         6.23%       15,465            169         4.37%
- -----------------------------------------------   -----------    -----------    ---------   -----------    -----------    ---------
  Total interest-bearing liabilities                  874,283          5,488         2.51%      734,522          3,233         1.76%
- -----------------------------------------------   -----------    -----------    ---------   -----------    -----------    ---------
Non-interest-bearing liabilities:
  Demand deposits                                     135,433                                   127,222
  Other non-interest-bearing deposits                   2,785                                       631
  Other liabilities                                     5,150                                     6,047
- -----------------------------------------------   -----------    -----------    ---------   -----------    -----------    ---------
  Total non-interest-bearing  liabilities             143,368                                   133,900
- -----------------------------------------------   -----------    -----------    ---------   -----------    -----------    ---------
Stockholders' equity                                   73,971                                    53,788
- -----------------------------------------------   -----------    -----------    ---------   -----------    -----------    ---------
  Total liabilities and stockholders' equity      $ 1,091,622                               $   922,210
- -----------------------------------------------   -----------    -----------    ---------   -----------    -----------    ---------
Net interest income (tax-equivalent basis)                       $     7,472                               $     6,940
- -----------------------------------------------   -----------    -----------    ---------   -----------    -----------    ---------
Net Interest Spread                                                                  2.58%                                     2.97%
- -----------------------------------------------   -----------    -----------    ---------   -----------    -----------    ---------
Net interest income as percent
 of earning-assets (net interest margin)                                             2.93%                                     3.23%
- -----------------------------------------------   -----------    -----------    ---------   -----------    -----------    ---------
Tax-equivalent adjustment (3)                                           (623)                                     (441)
- -----------------------------------------------   -----------    -----------    ---------   -----------    -----------    ---------
Net interest income                                              $     6,849                               $     6,499
- -----------------------------------------------   -----------    -----------    ---------   -----------    -----------    ---------



(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