First State Bank, Cranford, New Jersey

First State Bank, Cranford, New Jersey, is the 79th FDIC-insured institution to fail in the nation this year. The FDIC estimates that the cost to the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF) will be $45.8 million.

First State Bank, Cranford, New Jersey, was closed today by the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance, which appointed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as receiver. To protect the depositors, the FDIC entered into a purchase and assumption agreement with Northfield Bank, Staten Island, New York, to assume all of the deposits of First State Bank.

The two branches of First State Bank will reopen on Saturday as branches of Northfield Bank. Depositors of First State Bank will automatically become depositors of Northfield Bank. Deposits will continue to be insured by the FDIC, so there is no need for customers to change their banking relationship in order to retain their deposit insurance coverage up to applicable limits. Customers of First State Bank should continue to use their existing branch until they receive notice from Northfield Bank that it has completed systems changes to allow other Northfield Bank branches to process their accounts as well.

This evening and over the weekend, depositors of First State Bank can access their money by writing checks or using ATM or debit cards. Checks drawn on the bank will continue to be processed. Loan customers should continue to make their payments as usual.

As of June 30, 2011, First State Bank had approximately $204.4 million in total assets and $201.2 million in total deposits. In addition to assuming all of the deposits of the failed bank, Northfield Bank agreed to purchase essentially all of the assets.

Customers with questions about today’s transaction should call the FDIC toll-free at            1-800-613-0378      . The phone number will be operational this evening until 9:00 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time (EDT); on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., EDT; on Sunday from noon to 6:00 p.m., EDT; and thereafter from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., EDT.

If you should have any further questions please do not hesitate to visit the FDIC webpage for First State Bank.