Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.

ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc. (the “Registant” or “ConnectOne Bancorp”) previously announced its entry into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with Center Bancorp, Inc., a New Jersey corporation (“Center Bancorp”). In connection therewith, the Registrant is furnishing as Exhibit 99.1 to this report pursuant to Item 7.01 of Form 8-K an investor presentation for various investor meetings which may be held prior to the consummation of the Merger. A printable version of the presentation also is available on the Registrant’s website at http://www.connectonebank.com. The Registrant is not undertaking to update this presentation. The information in this Item 7.01 (including Exhibit 99.1) is being furnished pursuant to Item 7.01 and shall be not deemed to be “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section. The filing of this information under Item 7.01 of Form 8-K will not be deemed an admission as to the materiality of any information herein (including Exhibit 99.1).

Additional Information and Where to Find It

This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval. In connection with the proposed Merger, Center Bancorp and ConnectOne Bancorp intend to file a joint proxy statement, and Center Bancorp intends to file a registration statement that will include the joint proxy statement as a prospectus, with the Commission. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE ADVISED TO READ THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE, BECAUSE IT WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Investors and security holders may obtain a free copy of the registration statement (when available) and other documents filed by Center Bancorp and ConnectOne Bancorp with the Commission at the Commission’s web site at www.sec.gov. These documents may be accessed and downloaded for free at ConnectOne Bancorp’s website at www.connectonebank.com or by directing a request to Investor Relations, ConnectOne Bancorp, 301 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632 (201-816-8900). Documents filed by Center Bancorp, Inc. with the Commission may also be accessed and downloaded for free at Center’s website at www.centerbancorp.com.com or by directing a request to Investor Relations, Center Bancorp, Inc., 2455 Morris Ave, Union, NJ 07083 ((908) 688-9500).

Participants in the Solicitation

This communication is not a solicitation of a proxy from any security holder of Center Bancorp or ConnectOne Bancorp. However, Center Bancorp, ConnectOne Bancorp and their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from Center Bancorp’s and ConnectOne Bancorp’s shareholders in respect of the proposed transaction. Information regarding the directors and executive officers of ConnectOne Bancorp may be found in its definitive proxy statement relating to its 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which was filed with the Commission on April 8, 2013, and can be obtained free of charge from ConnectOne Bancorp’s website. Information regarding the directors and executive officers of Center Bancorp may be found in its definitive proxy statement relating to its 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which was filed with the Commission on April 15, 2013, and can be obtained free of charge from Center Bancorp’s website. Other information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interest, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials to be filed with the Commission when they become available.

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This Current Report on Form 8-K (including Exhibits 99.1 hereto) contains forward-looking statements with respect to the proposed mergers and the timing of consummation of the mergers that are made in reliance upon the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words “anticipates”, “projects”, “intends”, “estimates”, “expects”, “believes”, “plans”, “may”, “will”, “should”, “could” and other similar expressions are intended to identify such forward looking statements. These forward-looking statements are necessarily speculative and speak only as of the date made, and are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties, all of which may change over time. Actual