<HTML>
<HEAD>
     <TITLE></TITLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif">

<P STYLE="margin: 0"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>UNITED STATES</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>FORM 8-K</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>CURRENT REPORT</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">Date of report (Date of earliest event reported):
April 26, 2012</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>CENTER BANCORP, INC.</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in
its Charter)</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" ALIGN="CENTER" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 80%; border-collapse: collapse">
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="width: 38%; text-align: center; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid">New Jersey</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 41%; text-align: center; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid">2-81353</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 21%; text-align: center; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid">52-1273725</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">(State or Other Jurisdiction</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">(Commission File Number)</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">(IRS Employer</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">of Incorporation)</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">Identification No.)</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" ALIGN="CENTER" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 70%; border-collapse: collapse">
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="width: 75%; text-align: center; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid">2455 Morris Avenue, Union, New Jersey</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 25%; text-align: center; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid">07083</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">(Address of principal executive offices)</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">(Zip Code)</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">Registrant's telephone number, including
area code (800) 862-3683</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">Check the appropriate box below if the
Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions
(see General Instruction A.2. below):</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in"><FONT STYLE="font: 10pt Wingdings">&uml;</FONT>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Written
communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in"><FONT STYLE="font: 10pt Wingdings">&uml;</FONT>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Soliciting
material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in"><FONT STYLE="font: 10pt Wingdings">&uml;</FONT>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in"><FONT STYLE="font: 10pt Wingdings">&uml;</FONT>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<!-- Field: Page; Sequence: 1 -->
    <DIV STYLE="margin-top: 12pt; margin-bottom: 6pt; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid"><TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><TR><TD STYLE="text-align: center; width: 100%">&nbsp;</TD></TR></TABLE></DIV>
    <DIV STYLE="page-break-before: always; margin-top: 6pt; margin-bottom: 12pt"><TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><TR><TD STYLE="text-align: center; width: 100%">&nbsp;</TD></TR></TABLE></DIV>
    <!-- Field: /Page -->

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify"><B>Item 2.02. Results of Operations and
Financial Condition. </B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in">On April 26, 2012,
the Registrant issued a press release regarding results for the quarter ended March 31, 2012. A copy of this press release is included
as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify"><B>Item 8.01 Other Events. </B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in">On May 1, 2012, the
Registrant issued a press release regarding the intention of the Registrant&rsquo;s Board of Directors to increase the amount of
the Registrant&rsquo;s quarterly dividend. A copy of this press release is included as Exhibit 99.2 to this Current Report on Form
8-K.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify"><B>Item 9.01. Financial Statements and
Exhibits.</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 0.5in"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.5in">(d)</TD><TD STYLE="text-align: justify"><I>Exhibits</I></TD></TR></TABLE>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in">Exhibit 99.1 &ndash;
Press release of the Registrant, dated April 26, 2012, regarding results for the quarter ended March 31, 2012.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in">Exhibit 99.2 &ndash;
Press release of the Registrant, dated May 1, 2012, regarding the intention of the Registrant&rsquo;s Board of Directors to increase
the amount of the Registrant&rsquo;s quarterly dividend.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<!-- Field: Page; Sequence: 2; Options: NewSection; Value: 2 -->
    <DIV STYLE="margin-top: 12pt; margin-bottom: 6pt; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid"><TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><TR><TD STYLE="text-align: center; width: 100%">-<!-- Field: Sequence; Type: Arabic; Name: PageNo -->2<!-- Field: /Sequence -->-</TD></TR></TABLE></DIV>
    <DIV STYLE="page-break-before: always; margin-top: 6pt; margin-bottom: 12pt"><TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><TR><TD STYLE="text-align: center; width: 100%">&nbsp;</TD></TR></TABLE></DIV>
    <!-- Field: /Page -->

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>SIGNATURE</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in">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
hereunto duly authorized.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="text-align: left; font-weight: bold">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="text-align: left; font-weight: bold">CENTER BANCORP, INC.</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: left">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="width: 30%; text-align: left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 8%; text-align: left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 32%; text-align: left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 30%; text-align: left">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="text-align: left; padding-bottom: 1pt">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="text-align: left; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid">By: /s/ Anthony C. Weagley</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: left; padding-bottom: 1pt">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="text-align: left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: left">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="text-align: left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: left">Name:</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: left">Anthony C. Weagley</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: left">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="text-align: left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: left">Title:</TD>
    <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="text-align: left">President and Chief Executive Officer</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">Dated: May 2, 2012</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<!-- Field: Page; Sequence: 3; Value: 2 -->
    <DIV STYLE="margin-top: 12pt; margin-bottom: 6pt; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid"><TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><TR><TD STYLE="text-align: center; width: 100%">-<!-- Field: Sequence; Type: Arabic; Name: PageNo -->3<!-- Field: /Sequence -->-</TD></TR></TABLE></DIV>
    <DIV STYLE="page-break-before: always; margin-top: 6pt; margin-bottom: 12pt"><TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><TR><TD STYLE="text-align: center; width: 100%">&nbsp;</TD></TR></TABLE></DIV>
    <!-- Field: /Page -->

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>EXHIBIT INDEX</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in">Exhibit 99.1 &ndash;
Press release of the Registrant, dated April 26, 2012, regarding results for the quarter ended March 31, 2012.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in">Exhibit 99.2 &ndash;
Press release of the Registrant, dated May 1, 2012, regarding the intention of the Registrant&rsquo;s Board of Directors to increase
the amount of the Registrant&rsquo;s quarterly dividend.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<!-- Field: Page; Sequence: 4; Options: Last -->
    <DIV STYLE="margin-top: 12pt; margin-bottom: 6pt; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid"><TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><TR><TD STYLE="text-align: center; width: 100%">-<!-- Field: Sequence; Type: Arabic; Name: PageNo -->4<!-- Field: /Sequence -->-</TD></TR></TABLE></DIV>
    <!-- Field: /Page -->



<P STYLE="margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

</BODY>
</HTML>
[{"type": "8-K", "sequence": "1", "filename": "v311776_8k.htm", "description": "FORM 8-K", "secsgml_size_bytes": 15046}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "CENTER BANCORP INC", "cik": "0000712771", "assigned-sic": "6022", "irs-number": "521273725", "state-of-incorporation": "NJ", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "000-11486", "film-number": "12810720"}, "business-address": {"street1": "2455 MORRIS AVE", "city": "UNION", "state": "NJ", "zip": "07083", "phone": "9086889500"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "2455 MORRIS AVE", "city": "UNION", "state": "NJ", "zip": "07083"}}
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of report (Date of earliest event reported):
April 26, 2012
CENTER BANCORP, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in
its Charter)
New Jersey
2-81353
52-1273725
(State or Other Jurisdiction
(Commission File Number)
(IRS Employer
of Incorporation)
Identification No.)
2455 Morris Avenue, Union, New Jersey
07083
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including
area code (800) 862-3683
Check the appropriate box below if the
Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions
(see General Instruction A.2. below):
¨
Written
communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
¨
Soliciting
material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
¨
Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
¨
Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 2.02. Results of Operations and
Financial Condition.
On April 26, 2012,
the Registrant issued a press release regarding results for the quarter ended March 31, 2012. A copy of this press release is included
as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
Item 8.01 Other Events.
On May 1, 2012, the
Registrant issued a press release regarding the intention of the Registrant's Board of Directors to increase the amount of
the Registrant's quarterly dividend. A copy of this press release is included as Exhibit 99.2 to this Current Report on Form
8-K.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and
Exhibits.
(d)
Exhibits
Exhibit 99.1 –
Press release of the Registrant, dated April 26, 2012, regarding results for the quarter ended March 31, 2012.
Exhibit 99.2 –
Press release of the Registrant, dated May 1, 2012, regarding the intention of the Registrant's Board of Directors to increase
the amount of the Registrant's quarterly dividend.
-
2
-
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
hereunto duly authorized.
CENTER BANCORP, INC.
By: /s/ Anthony C. Weagley
Name:
Anthony C. Weagley
Title:
President and Chief Executive Officer
Dated: May 2, 2012
-
3
-
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit 99.1 –
Press release of the Registrant, dated April 26, 2012, regarding results for the quarter ended March 31, 2012.
Exhibit 99.2 –
Press release of the Registrant, dated May 1, 2012, regarding the intention of the Registrant's Board of Directors to increase
the amount of the Registrant's quarterly dividend.
-
4
-