COO Matthew Smith to leave Columbia Financial (CLBK) and Columbia Bank

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Columbia Financial, Inc. reported a leadership change affecting its senior management team. The company and Matthew Smith, who serves as Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of both Columbia Financial and Columbia Bank, agreed that his last day of employment will be October 5, 2025. This filing does not provide additional details on the circumstances of his departure or any planned replacement, but it confirms that a key operating role at the bank will transition after that date.

Insights

Banking sector governance analyst

Columbia Financial announces the scheduled departure of its COO.

The company states that Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Matthew Smith will have his last day of employment on October 5, 2025. His role spans both Columbia Financial, Inc. and its subsidiary Columbia Bank, so this affects day‑to‑day operational leadership at the holding company and bank levels.

The disclosure is limited to confirming the agreed departure date and titles held. There is no additional information on succession plans, interim coverage, or reasons for the change in this excerpt. The impact on the business will depend on how smoothly responsibilities are reassigned and communicated in future company disclosures.

8-K Event Classification

2 items: 5.02, 9.01

2 items

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers Governance

Key personnel changes including departures, elections, or appointments of directors and executive officers.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits Exhibits

Financial statements, pro forma financial information, and exhibit attachments filed with this report.

Understanding 8-K Material Events →

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported): September 5, 2025

Columbia Financial, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Delaware			001-38456			22-3504946
(State or other jurisdiction			(Commission			(IRS Employer
of incorporation)			File Number)			Identification Number)

19-01 Route 208 North, Fair Lawn, New Jersey 07410

(Address of principal executive offices)

(800) 522-4167

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class			Trading symbol(s)			Name of each exchange on which registered
Common stock, $0.01 par value per share			CLBK			The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

On September 5, 2025, Columbia Financial, Inc. (the “Company”), the parent holding company of Columbia Bank (the “Bank”), and Matthew Smith, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company and the Bank, agreed that Mr. Smith’s last day of employment with the Company and the Bank will be October 5, 2025.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

        (d) Exhibits

Exhibit Number						Description
104						Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

2

SIGNATURE

    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunder duly authorized.

Date:

September 8, 2025

/s/Dennis E. Gibney

Dennis E. Gibney

Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

3

FAQ

What executive change did Columbia Financial (CLBK) disclose?

Columbia Financial, Inc. disclosed that Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Matthew Smith will leave his roles with the company and Columbia Bank, with his last day of employment on October 5, 2025.

What positions did Matthew Smith hold at Columbia Financial (CLBK)?

Matthew Smith served as Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of both Columbia Financial, Inc. and its subsidiary Columbia Bank.

When is Matthew Smiths last day with Columbia Financial and Columbia Bank?

His last day of employment with Columbia Financial, Inc. and Columbia Bank will be October 5, 2025, as agreed by the parties.

Does the Columbia Financial (CLBK) filing explain why the COO is leaving?

The disclosure states that Columbia Financial, Inc. and Matthew Smith agreed on his last day of employment, but it does not provide additional details about the circumstances of his departure in this excerpt.

Does the filing name a successor to Columbia Financials COO?

In this excerpt, the company only states that Matthew Smith will depart as Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer on October 5, 2025; it does not identify a successor.