ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J., Feb. 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc., formerly known as North Jersey Community Bancorp, Inc. ("ConnectOne"), the holding company for ConnectOne Bank (formerly known as North Jersey Community Bank), announced today it has priced its initial public offering of 1,600,000 shares of common stock at $28.00 per share.  ConnectOne expects to close the offering on February 15, 2013.  Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated is serving as the sole book-running manager for the offering, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. is serving as a lead manager and Sandler O'Neill & Partners, L.P. is serving as a co-manager.  ConnectOne has granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 240,000 shares, representing 15% of the total number of shares to be sold by ConnectOne in the offering, to cover over-allotments, if any.  

ConnectOne also announced that its NASDAQ listing application has been approved.  ConnectOne's common stock will commence trading tomorrow, February 12, 2013 on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol "CNOB."

A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with and declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission.  The initial public offering is being made only by means of a prospectus. Copies of the final prospectus for the offering may be obtained by contacting Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, Attention: Prospectus Department, One South Street, 15th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21201 (443-224-1988).

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

About ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc.

ConnectOne is a New Jersey corporation and a registered bank holding company pursuant to the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, that was formed in 2008 to serve as the holding company for ConnectOne Bank ("the Bank" and formerly known as North Jersey Community Bank).  The Bank is a community-based, full-service New Jersey-chartered commercial bank that was founded in 2005.  The Bank operates from its headquarters located at 301 Sylvan Avenue in the Borough of Englewood Cliffs, Bergen County, New Jersey, and through its seven other banking offices.

SOURCE ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc.