SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

SCHEDULE 13D

(Rule 13d-101)

 

INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN STATEMENTS FILED PURSUANT TO § 240.13d-1(a) AND

AMENDMENTS THERETO FILED PURSUANT TO § 240.13d-2(a)

(Amendment No. __)*

Unity Bancorp, Inc.

(Name of Issuer)

Common Stock, no par value per share

(Title of Class of Securities)

913290102

(CUSIP Number)

Kenneth L. Henderson, Esq.

c/o Bryan Cave LLP

1290 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10104

(212) 541-2000

(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person

Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)

 

June 2, 2008

(Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)

 

If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of §§ 240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g), check the following box: o.

Note. Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits. See § 240.13d-7 for other parties to whom copies are to be sent.

 

* The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person's initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Exchange Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Exchange Act (however, see the Notes).

 

 

 

Item 1. Security and Issuer.

 

This Schedule 13D relates to shares of common stock, no par value per share (the “Common Stock”) of Unity Bancorp, Inc., a New Jersey corporation (the “Issuer”). The principal executive office of the Issuer is 64 Old Highway 22, Clinton, New Jersey 08809.

 

Item 2. Identity and Background.

 

(a)       This Schedule 13D is being filed jointly by Robert Cassera, an individual (“Cassera”) and Tri-State Employment Services, Inc., a Nevada corporation (“Tri-State”). Each of Cassera and Tri-State are referred to as a “Reporting Person” and collectively as the “Reporting Persons.”

(b)       The business address of Cassera is 160 Broadway, 15^th Floor, New York, New York 10038. The principal place of business of Tri-State is 160 Broadway, 15^th Floor, New York, New York 10038.

(c)       The principal employment of Cassera is acting as President of Tri-State and as a private investor. The principal business of Tri-State is providing temporary staffing and professional employer organization services throughout the United States.

(d)       The Reporting Persons have not, during the past five years, been convicted in any criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors).

(e)       The Reporting Persons have not, during the past five years, been a party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction, as a result of which the Reporting Persons became or are subject to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding any violation with respect to such laws.

 

Item 3. Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration.

 

Personal funds of Cassera as well as working capital of Tri-State were utilized to purchase the securities referred to in this Schedule 13D. The total amount of the funds used to make the purchases described in Item 5 was $3,652,983.21.

 

Item 4. Purpose of Transaction.

 

The purpose of the acquisition of Common Stock of the Issuer by the Reporting Persons is to profit from the appreciation in the market price of the Common Stock through the assertion of shareholder rights. The Reporting Persons expect to actively assert shareholder rights, in the manner described below, with the intent to influence the policies of the Issuer. The Reporting Persons plan to engage in discussions with the Issuer's management and Board of Directors to try to maximize short and long-term value of the Issuer's assets which the Reporting Persons do not believe is adequately reflected in the current market price of the Issuer's Common Stock, irrespective of current economic conditions.

The Reporting Persons believe that the Issuer can increase shareholder value, within a reasonable period of time, by, among other things: (a) curtailing related party transactions; (b) improving transparency in governance, shareholder relations and corporate transactions; (c) adopting and articulating a meaningful strategic plan for growth and generating value for all shareholders; (d) taking steps to increase both analyst coverage of, and investor interest in, the Issuer; (e) pursuing expansion opportunities; (f) pursuing capital raises; and (g) pursuing synergistic business combinations.

In the future the Reporting Persons may, without limitation: (a) communicate and discuss their views with other shareholders, including discussions concerning the election of directors to the Board of Directors; (b) make proposals to the Issuer's Board of Directors and management; (c) seek representation on the Issuer's Board of Directors; and/or (d) solicit proxies or written consents from other shareholders of the Issuer with respect to representation on the Board of Directors or other proposals for shareholder action.

The Reporting Persons may make further purchases of shares of Common Stock. The Reporting Persons may dispose of any or all of the shares of Common Stock held by them, although they have no current intention to do so. Except as noted in this Schedule 13D, the Reporting Persons do not have any specific plans or proposals which relate to, or could result in, any of the matters referred to in clauses (a) through (g), inclusive, of Item 4 of this Schedule 13D. The Reporting Persons may, at any time and from time to time, review or reconsider their position and formulate specific plans or proposals with respect thereto.

Item 5. Interest in Securities of the Issuer.

(a)(b)   The aggregate percentage of shares of Common Stock reported beneficially owned by each Reporting Person is based upon 7,094,733 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of May 1, 2008, which is the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding as reported in the Issuer's Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2008. Tri-State currently beneficially owns an aggregate of 340,224 shares of Common Stock, or 4.8% of the outstanding Common Stock of the Issuer. Cassera currently beneficially owns an aggregate of 357,551 shares of Common Stock, or 5.0% of the outstanding Common Stock of the Issuer, which includes the shares owned by Tri-State.

All of the foregoing represents an aggregate of 357,551 shares of Common Stock and as of the date hereof, 11,097 of such shares of Common Stock are owned of record by Cassera, 340,224 of such shares of Common Stock are owned of record by Tri-State, which is wholly owned by Cassera, 3,115 of such shares of Common Stock are owned of record by an account of which Cassera is custodian created pursuant to the Uniform Gift to Minors Act (“UGMA”) for the benefit of Cassera’s son Dario Cassera and 3,115 of such shares of Common Stock are owned of record by an account of which Cassera is custodian created pursuant to UGMA for the benefit of Cassera’s son Damien Cassera. Cassera has the sole power to vote or direct the vote and sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of all of the shares of Common Stock reported in this Schedule 13D by reason of his direct ownership and his control of Tri-State.

(c)       The below tables list all transactions in the shares of Common Stock during the past sixty days by the Reporting Persons. All of such transactions were effected in the open market.

Cassera

 

 

(1) Shares were purchased by Cassera as custodian on behalf of Dario Cassera. Cassera is the beneficial owner of such shares of Common Stock.

(2) Shares were purchased by Cassera as custodian on behalf of Damien Cassera. Cassera is the beneficial owner of such shares of Common Stock.

 

Tri-State

 

 

(d)       No person other than the Reporting Persons are known to have the right to receive, or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or proceeds from the sale of, the shares of Common Stock subject to this Schedule 13D.

Item 6. Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships With Respect to Securities of the Issuer.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 7. Material to be Filed as Exhibits.

 

Exhibit 1 – Joint Filing Agreement

SIGNATURE

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

 

 

 

Exhibit 1

JOINT FILING AGREEMENT

In accordance with Rule 13d-1(k) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the undersigned agree to the joint filing on behalf of each of them of a statement on Schedule 13D (including amendments thereto) with respect to 357,551 shares of Common Stock of Unity Bancorp, Inc. and further agree that this Joint Filing Agreement shall be included as an exhibit to such joint filings.

The undersigned further agree that each party hereto is responsible for the timely filing of such Schedule 13D and any amendments thereto, and for the completeness and accuracy of the information concerning such party contained therein; provided, however, that no party is responsible for the completeness or accuracy of the information concerning any other party making the filing, unless such party knows or has reason to believe that such information is inaccurate.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Joint Filing Agreement on June 12, 2008.