Center Bancorp, Inc. Declares Quarterly Dividend of $.03 Per Share

UNION, N.J., May 27, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Center Bancorp, Inc.
(Nasdaq:CNBC), parent company to Union Center National Bank, ("UCNB"), of Union,
New Jersey, announced today that the Board of Directors declared a quarterly
cash dividend of $.03 per share. This dividend declared is for the quarter
ending June 30, 2009. The dividend will be distributed on August 3, 2009, to
shareholders of record on July 16, 2009.

About Center Bancorp

Center Bancorp, Inc. is a financial services holding company and operates Union
Center National Bank, its main subsidiary. Chartered in 1923, Union Center
National Bank is one of the oldest national banks headquartered in the state of
New Jersey and currently the largest commercial bank headquartered in Union
County. Its primary market niche is its commercial banking business. The Bank
focuses its lending activities on commercial lending to small and medium sized
businesses, real estate developers and high net worth individuals.

The Bank, through its Private Wealth Management Division which includes its
wholly owned subsidiary, Center Financial Group LLC, and through a strategic
partnership with American Economic Planning Group, provides financial services,
including brokerage services, insurance and annuities, mutual funds, financial
planning, estate and tax planning, trust, elder care and benefit plan
administration. Center additionally offers title insurance services in
connection with the closing of real estate transactions, through two
subsidiaries, Union Title Company and Center Title Company.

The Bank currently operates 13 banking locations in Union and Morris counties in
New Jersey. Banking centers are located in Union Township (6 locations),
Berkeley Heights, Boonton/Mountain Lakes, Madison, Millburn/Vauxhall,
Morristown, Springfield, and Summit, New Jersey. The Bank also operates remote
ATM locations in the Chatham and Madison New Jersey Transit train stations, and
the Boys and Girls Club of Union.

While the Bank's primary market area is comprised of Morris and Union Counties,
New Jersey, the Corporation has expanded to northern and central New Jersey. At
March 31, 2009, the Bank had total assets of $1.1 billion, total deposit funding
sources, which includes overnight repurchase agreements, of $795.3 million and
stockholders' equity of $89.4 million. 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

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CONTACT: Center Bancorp, Inc.
Investor Inquiries:
Anthony C. Weagley, President & Chief Executive Officer
(908) 206-2886
Investor Relations:
Joseph Gangemi
(908) 206-2886