The significant media coverage it received during that period was more due to the various M&A transactions considered by its colorful CEO, Charles A. Agemian and by its majority investor, Warner Communications.
At the time of its acquisition by Fidelity Union Bancorporation of Newark, Garden State's offices were located at 10 Forest Avenue in Paramus, New Jersey.
After an initial divestiture attempt was derailed by a dissident board member, William A. Conway, who claimed that it allowed Warner Communications to exit at a profit at the expense of certain minority shareholders, Garden State ultimately merged in 1980 with Fidelity Union Bancorporation of Newark.
This transaction required Mr. Agemian's resignation from the Warner Communications board so he could continue as chairman and chief executive officer of Garden State.
That company would later merge with First Union, which in turn was acquired by Wachovia, which was sold to Wells Fargo after the 2008 financial crisis.