Basis of Presentation (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2014

Basis of Presentation [Abstract]

Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements of Center Bancorp, Inc. (the “Parent Corporation”) are prepared on the accrual basis and include the accounts of the Parent Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Union Center National Bank (the “Bank” and, collectively with the Parent Corporation and the Parent Corporation’s other direct and indirect subsidiaries, the “Corporation”). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated from the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

Use of Estimates

In preparing the consolidated financial statements, management has made estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the dates of the consolidated statements of condition and that affect the results of operations for the periods presented. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to change in the near term relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses, the other-than-temporary impairment evaluation of securities, the evaluation of the impairment of goodwill and the evaluation of deferred tax assets.

Basis of Accounting

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”).