SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 12b-25
Notification of Late Filing
Commission File Number: 2-81353
CUSIP Number: 151408101
(Check One)
|X| Form 10-K and Form 10-KSB [ ] Form 20-F [ ] Form 11-K [ ] Form 10-Q
and Form 10-QSB [ ] Form N-SAR
For Period Ended: December 31, 1997
[ ] TRANSITION Report on Form 10-K and Form 10-KSB
[ ] TRANSITION Report on Form 20-F
[ ] TRANSITION Report on Form 11-K
[ ] TRANSITION Report on Form 10-Q and Form 10-QSB
[ ] TRANSITION Report on Form N-SAR
For the Transition Period Ended: ____________________
Read Attached Instruction Sheet Before Preparing Form. Please Print or
Type.
Nothing in this form shall be construed to imply that the Commission has
verified any information contained herein.
If the notification relates to a portion of the filing checked above, identify
the item(s) to which the notification relates:
N/A
<PAGE>
PART I
REGISTRANT INFORMATION
Full Name of Registrant Center Bancorp, Inc.
Former Name if Applicable N/A
Address of Principal Executive Office (Street and Number) 2455 Morris Avenue
City, State and Zip Code Union, New Jersey 07083
<PAGE>
PART II
RULES 12b-25(b) AND (c)
If the subject report could not be filed without unreasonable effort or expense
and the registrant seeks relief pursuant to Rule 12b-25(b), the following should
be completed. (Check box if appropriate).
|X| (a) The reasons described in reasonable detail in Part III of this
form could not be eliminated without unreasonable effort or expense;
|X| (b) The subject annual report, semi-annual report, transition report on
Form 10-K, Form 10-KSB, Form 20-F, 11-K or Form N-SAR, or portion
thereof will be filed on or before the fifteenth calendar day
following the prescribed due date; or the subject quarterly report
or transition report on Form 10-Q, Form 10-QSB, or portion thereof
will be filed on or before the fifth calendar day following the
prescribed due date; and
[ ] (c) The accountant's statement or other exhibit required by Rule 12b-25(c)
has been attached if applicable.
PART III
NARRATIVE
State below in reasonable detail the reasons why Forms 10-K and Form 10-KSB,
11-K, 10-Q and Form 10-QSB, N-SAR, or the transition report or portion thereof
could not be filed within the prescribed period. (Attach extra sheets if
needed).
Center Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company") was not able to file its Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 (the "Form
10-K") within the time period prescribed for such report without unreasonable
effort or expense due to the fact that the financial printer contracted to file
the Form 10-K by EDGAR had substantial difficulties in coordinating the
appropriate exhibits to the Form 10-K. The Company expects to file the Form 10-K
promptly after the filing of this Form 12b-25.
<PAGE>
PART IV
OTHER INFORMATION
(1) Name and telephone number of person to contact in regard to this
notification
Anthony Weagley
Chief Financial Officer (908) 688-9500
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(Name and Title) (Area Code) (Telephone Number)
(2) Have all other periodic reports required under section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or section 30 of the Investment Company Act of
1940 during the preceding 12 months or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such report(s) been filed? If answer is no,
identify report(s).
|X| Yes | | No
(3) Is it anticipated that any significant change in results of operations from
the corresponding period for the last fiscal year will be reflected by the
earnings statements to be included in the subject report or portion thereof?
| | Yes |X| No
If so: attach an explanation of the anticipated change, both narratively and
quantitatively, and, if appropriate, state the reasons why a reasonable estimate
of the results cannot be made.
N/A
Center Bancorp, Inc.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as specified in charter)
Has caused this notification to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned
thereunto duly authorized.
Date: April 1, 1998 By: /s/ Anthony Weagley
--------------------
Name: Anthony Weagley
Title: Chief Financial Officer
INSTRUCTION: The form may be signed by an executive officer of the
registrant or by any other duly authorized representative. The name and title of
the person signing the form shall be typed or printed beneath the signature. If
the statement is signed on behalf of the registrant by an authorized
representative (other than an executive officer), evidence of the
representative's authority to sign on behalf of the registrant shall be filed
with the form.
<PAGE>
ATTENTION
Intentional misstatements or omissions of fact constitute Federal Criminal
Violations (See 18 U.S.C. 1001)
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
1. This form is required by Rule 12b-25 (17 CFR 240, 12b-25) of the General
Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
2. One signed original and four conformed copies of this form and amendments
thereto must be completed and filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, Washington, D.C. 20549, in accordance with Rule 0-3 of the
General Rules and Regulations under the Act. The information contained in
or filed with the Form will be made a matter of public record in the
Commission files.
3. A manually signed copy of the form and amendments thereto shall be filed
with each national securities exchange on which any class of securities of
the registrant is registered.
4. Amendments to the notifications must also be filed on Form 12b-25 but need
not restate information that has been correctly furnished. The form shall
be clearly identified as an amended notification.
5. Electronic Filers. This form shall not be used by electronic filers unable
to timely file a report solely due to electronic difficulties. Filers
unable to submit a report within the time period prescribed due to
difficulties in electronic filing should comply with either Rule 201 or
Rule 202 of Regulation S-T (ss.232.201 or ss.232.202 of this chapter) or
apply for an adjustment in filing date pursuant to Rule 13(b) of Regulation
S-T (ss.232.13(b) of this chapter).
