Union, NJ-based Center Bancorp has promoted its senior vice president of retail banking services, Mark Cardone, to the newly-created role of first senior vice president.

Cardone will remain as head of retail, but will focus on the bank’s “strategic niches,” managing certain markets and the bank’s private banking and wealth management division, said president and chief executive Anthony Weagley.

As such, Cardone will oversee the entire private banking division and its team of executives who provide investment management and fiduciary services to clients including individuals, businesses, corporations, non-profit and religious organizations, retirement accounts, and trust and estate relationships.

Cardone joined the firm in 2001 as senior vice president of branch administration, before which he spent time at Summit Bank and Fleet Bank, covering the northern New Jersey market.  

Center Bancorp is the parent company of Union Center National Bank.