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<P STYLE="font: 14pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><B>UNITED STATES</B></FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 14pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><B>SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B></FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><B>Washington,
D.C. 20549</B></FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 14pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><B>FORM 8-K</B></FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><B>CURRENT REPORT</B></FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><B>PURSUANT TO
SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE</B></FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><B>SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934</B></FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Date of report
(Date of earliest event reported): January 26, 2012</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><B>CENTER BANCORP,
INC.</B></FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">(Exact Name of
Registrant as Specified in its Charter)&nbsp;</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="width: 39%; text-decoration: none; text-align: center; border-bottom: Black 1px solid"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">New
    Jersey</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 1%; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 31%; text-decoration: none; text-align: center; border-bottom: Black 1px solid"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">2-81353</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 1%; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 28%; text-decoration: none; text-align: center; border-bottom: Black 1px solid"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">52-1273725</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">(State or Other Jurisdiction</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;(Commission File Number)</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">(IRS Employer</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">of Incorporation)</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center"></TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Identification No.)&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 90%; border-collapse: collapse">
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="width: 55%; text-decoration: none; text-align: center; border-bottom: Black 1px solid"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">2455
    Morris Avenue, Union, New Jersey</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 3%; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 42%; text-decoration: none; text-align: center; border-bottom: Black 1px solid"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">07083</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">(Address of principal executive offices)</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">(Zip Code)</FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Registrant's
telephone number, including area code (800) 862-3683</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">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):</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-indent: 0.5in"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&#9;<FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings 2">&#163;</FONT>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-indent: 0.5in"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&#9;<FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings 2">&#163; </FONT>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-indent: 0.5in"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&#9;<FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings 2">&#163;</FONT>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&#9;Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act&#9;(17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-indent: 0.5in"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&#9;<FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings 2">&#163;</FONT>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&#9;&nbsp;Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></P>

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<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-indent: 0.5in"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><B>Item 2.02. Results of Operations
and Financial Condition. </B></FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-indent: 0.5in"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">On January 26,
2012, the Registrant issued a press release regarding results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2011. A copy of this
press release is included as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><B>Item 9.01. Financial Statements
and Exhibits.</B></FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&#9;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d)&#9;<I>Exhibits</I></FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-indent: 0.5in"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Exhibit 99.1
&ndash; Press release of the Registrant, dated January 26, 2012, regarding results for the quarter and year ended December 31,
2011.</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-indent: 0.5in"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></P>

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<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><B>SIGNATURE</B></FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-indent: 0.5in"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">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.</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><B>CENTER BANCORP,
INC.</B></FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></P>

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<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="text-decoration: none; border-bottom: Black 1px solid"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">By: /s/ Anthony
    C. Weagley</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD COLSPAN="2"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="width: 39%"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 10%"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Name:</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 51%"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Anthony C. Weagley</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&#9;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Title:</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">President and Chief Executive Officer</FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Dated: January 27, 2012</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></P>

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<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><B>EXHIBIT INDEX</B>&nbsp;</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-indent: 0.5in"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Exhibit 99.1
&ndash; Press release of the Registrant, dated January 26, 2012, regarding results for the quarter and year ended December 31,
2011.</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-indent: 0.5in"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-indent: 0.5in"></P>

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{"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": "12552886"}, "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): January 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 January 26,
2012, the Registrant issued a press release regarding results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2011. A copy of this
press release is included as Exhibit 99.1 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 January 26, 2012, regarding results for the quarter and year ended December 31,
2011.
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: January 27, 2012
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit 99.1
– Press release of the Registrant, dated January 26, 2012, regarding results for the quarter and year ended December 31,
2011.