1st Constitution Bancorp
1st Constitution Bancorp was a New Jersey bank holding company and the former parent of 1st Constitution Bank.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
1st Constitution Bancorp was a New Jersey-based bank holding company headquartered in Cranbury. Its principal operating subsidiary was 1st Constitution Bank, a community bank established in 1989 that served consumers, small businesses, and commercial customers in New Jersey through deposit accounts, lending, and related banking services. The holding company was established in 1999 to own and oversee the bank, provide corporate governance, manage capital, and coordinate shareholder and regulatory matters. The company developed through a series of acquisitions that broadened its presence in the New Jersey community-banking market. In 2013, it acquired Rumson-Fair Haven Bank and Trust for $24.3 million. In 2017, it acquired New Jersey Community Bank for $7.6 million. The organization later announced an agreement to acquire Shore Community Bank; the transaction was valued at $53.1 million and closed in November 2019. These transactions reflected a strategy of expanding through the purchase and integration of other local banking institutions rather than through a national retail-banking model. 1st Constitution Bancorp also participated in the Troubled Asset Relief Program during the financial crisis period. It repaid the $12 million it had received under the program in October 2010. In June 2016, the company expanded its board from five members to eight, an organizational change that accompanied its development as a larger regional community-bank group. In January 2022, Lakeland Bancorp acquired 1st Constitution Bancorp in an all-stock transaction. The acquisition ended 1st Constitution Bancorp's existence as an independent bank holding company. Accordingly, the brand is best understood as a former corporate banking entity rather than as an active standalone consumer brand. Its historical business scope centered on community banking in New Jersey, with the bank subsidiary providing conventional deposit, commercial lending, consumer lending, and small-business services.
History
1st Constitution Bancorp emerged from the development of 1st Constitution Bank, which was founded in 1989 in New Jersey. The bank operated as a community-oriented financial institution, providing standard banking services to individuals, households, small businesses, and commercial customers. Its activities included gathering deposits and extending consumer, commercial, and small-business credit. In 1999, 1st Constitution Bancorp was established as the bank holding company for 1st Constitution Bank. The holding-company structure separated corporate ownership and oversight from the bank's day-to-day operating activities. Bancorp was responsible for governance, capital oversight, shareholder matters, and the strategic direction of the banking organization, while the subsidiary interacted directly with customers. The company remained active during the post-financial-crisis period and repaid the $12 million it had received from the Troubled Asset Relief Program in October 2010. It subsequently pursued expansion through acquisitions. In 2013, it purchased Rumson-Fair Haven Bank and Trust for $24.3 million. This was followed by the 2017 acquisition of New Jersey Community Bank for $7.6 million. The transactions strengthened the company's position in New Jersey and added local banking operations to its existing network. In June 2016, the board of directors was expanded from five members to eight. The change reflected the company's evolving scale and governance requirements, although the available reference material does not identify the individual directors or describe specific changes to executive leadership. In June 2019, 1st Constitution Bancorp announced an agreement to acquire Shore Community Bank in a deal valued at $53.1 million. The transaction received approval and closed in November of that year, further consolidating the company's New Jersey community-banking operations. The company's independent existence ended in January 2022, when Lakeland Bancorp acquired it in an all-stock transaction. Following the acquisition, 1st Constitution Bancorp no longer operated as a standalone bank holding company. The historical brand therefore represents a regional community-banking group whose growth was built through bank ownership and local-market acquisitions, rather than an active independent banking enterprise today.
- 2022
Acquired by Lakeland Bancorp
[1]Lakeland Bancorp acquired 1st Constitution Bancorp in an all-stock deal, ending its independent corporate existence.
- 2019
Shore Community Bank acquisition completed
[1]After announcing the proposed transaction in June, the company completed its $53.1 million acquisition of Shore Community Bank in November.
- 2017
New Jersey Community Bank acquired
[1]The company acquired New Jersey Community Bank for $7.6 million.
- 2016
Board expanded
[1]The board of directors increased from five members to eight.
- 2013
Rumson-Fair Haven Bank and Trust acquired
[1]1st Constitution Bancorp acquired Rumson-Fair Haven Bank and Trust for $24.3 million.
- 2010
TARP funds repaid
[1]The company repaid the $12 million it had received under the Troubled Asset Relief Program.
- 1999
1st Constitution Bancorp established
[1]The bank holding company was established to own and oversee 1st Constitution Bank.
- 1989
1st Constitution Bank founded
[1]1st Constitution Bank was founded in New Jersey and became the operating banking subsidiary associated with the later holding company.
Products and positioning
A New Jersey community-bank holding company focused on individuals, small businesses, and commercial customers.
Community banking · 1989
1st Constitution Bank banking services
The operating bank provided conventional community-banking services in New Jersey. Its customer offering centered on deposit products and lending for consumers, households, small businesses, and commercial customers. The available reference material does not identify individual account names, digital products, card products, or other specialized offerings.
Lending
Commercial and small-business lending
A core part of the bank's historical business was lending to commercial and small-business customers in its New Jersey service area. The reference material supports the existence of commercial and business lending but does not provide a detailed product catalog or specific loan terms.
Retail banking
Consumer deposit and lending services
The bank served individual and household customers through basic retail banking activities, including deposits and consumer credit. Specific account types, rates, fees, and delivery channels are not established in the available sources.
Brand decisions
2022
Acquisition by Lakeland BancorpM&ABackground
After operating as an independent New Jersey bank holding company, 1st Constitution Bancorp became the subject of an acquisition by Lakeland Bancorp.
Action taken
Lakeland Bancorp acquired 1st Constitution Bancorp in an all-stock transaction in January 2022.
Aftermath
1st Constitution Bancorp ceased operating as an independent bank holding company.
2019
Acquisition of Shore Community BankM&ABackground
1st Constitution Bancorp announced a transaction to continue expanding its regional community-banking platform.
Action taken
The company agreed to acquire Shore Community Bank in a deal valued at $53.1 million. The transaction closed in November 2019 after approval.
Aftermath
The completed transaction further consolidated the company's New Jersey operations.
Acquisition value. $53.1 million transaction (Announced June 2019; closed November 2019)
2017
Acquisition of New Jersey Community BankM&ABackground
The company continued to consolidate its New Jersey community-banking footprint.
Action taken
1st Constitution Bancorp acquired New Jersey Community Bank for $7.6 million.
Aftermath
The acquisition added another New Jersey banking operation to the group.
Acquisition value. $7.6 million transaction (2017)
2013
Acquisition of Rumson-Fair Haven Bank and TrustM&ABackground
The company pursued expansion through acquisitions of other New Jersey banking institutions.
Action taken
1st Constitution Bancorp acquired Rumson-Fair Haven Bank and Trust for $24.3 million.
Aftermath
The transaction expanded the company's community-banking operations in New Jersey.
Acquisition value. $24.3 million transaction (2013)
2010
Repayment of Troubled Asset Relief Program fundsStrategyBackground
The company had received $12 million through the Troubled Asset Relief Program during the financial-crisis period.
Action taken
1st Constitution Bancorp repaid the full $12 million amount in October 2010.
Aftermath
The repayment removed the cited TARP funding from the company's outstanding obligations. No further effects are specified in the reference material.
TARP funds repaid. $12 million received → $12 million repaid (October 2010)
Recent events
- 2022
Lakeland Bancorp acquired 1st Constitution Bancorp[1]
M&A
Lakeland Bancorp acquired 1st Constitution Bancorp in an all-stock transaction, ending the company's operation as an independent bank holding company.
- 2019
1st Constitution Bancorp announced the acquisition of Shore Community Bank[1]
M&A
The company announced its intention to acquire Shore Community Bank in a transaction valued at $53.1 million. The deal was approved and completed in November 2019.
- 2017
1st Constitution Bancorp acquired New Jersey Community Bank[1]
M&A
The company acquired New Jersey Community Bank for $7.6 million, extending its New Jersey community-banking footprint.
- 2016
1st Constitution Bancorp expanded its board[1]
Leadership change
The company increased the size of its board of directors from five members to eight.
- 2013
1st Constitution Bancorp acquired Rumson-Fair Haven Bank and Trust[1]
M&A
The bank holding company acquired Rumson-Fair Haven Bank and Trust in a transaction valued at $24.3 million.
- 2010
1st Constitution Bancorp repaid TARP funds[1]
Other
The company repaid the $12 million it had received through the Troubled Asset Relief Program.
Sources1 sources
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