EXHIBIT 99.1



                            CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
                             18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
                             AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
                  SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002


         In connection with the Quarterly  Report of Center  Bancorp,  Inc. (the
"Company")  on Form 10-Q for the  quarter  ended  March 31,  2003 filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Report"),  I, Anthony C. Weagley, Chief
Financial Officer of the Company,  certify,  pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350,
as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

     1.   The Report fully  complies with the  requirements  of Section 13(a) of
          the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
     2.   The  information  contained  in the  Report  fairly  presents,  in all
          material respects, the consolidated financial condition of the Company
          as of the dates presented and the consolidated result of operations of
          the Company for the periods presented.

Dated: May 14, 2003



                                                    /s/ Anthony C. Weagley
                                                    -------------------------
                                                    Anthony C. Weagley
                                                    Chief Financial Officer

This  certification  has been  furnished  solely  pursuant to Section 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. A signed original of this written statement required
by Section 906 has been provided to Center  Bancorp Inc. and will be retained by
Center Bancorp,  Inc. and furnished to the securities and Exchange Commission or
its staff upon request.


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