Columbia Financial CEO gets stock deferral award

Columbia Financial, Inc. President & CEO Thomas J. Kemly reported a small compensation-related stock acquisition and updated his holdings.

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Columbia Financial, Inc. President & CEO Thomas J. Kemly reported a small compensation-related stock acquisition and updated his holdings. On June 12, 2026, he acquired 89.7434 shares of common stock at $20.70 per share through a stock-based deferral plan, increasing that indirect position to 69,512.9432 shares.

The filing also lists various indirect common stock holdings through stock awards, spouse, retirement and benefit plans, plus a direct common stock position of 249,269 shares. In addition, he holds several option grants on common stock with exercise prices between about $15.60 and $18.28, expiring from 2029 to 2036. No open-market buys or sells were reported.

Insights

Equity compensation analyst

Filing shows routine stock-based compensation and updated CEO holdings.

The filing indicates that Columbia Financial’s CEO received 89.7434 common share equivalents at $20.70 via a stock-based deferral plan. This type of grant is standard executive compensation and does not reflect an open‑market purchase or sale decision.

The footnotes describe phantom stock in a rabbi trust and stock awards and options under the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan, including options exercisable at prices between $15.60 and $18.28 expiring between 2029 and 2036. These positions provide long-term equity exposure but their value depends on future share performance.

Because the transaction is compensation-related and transactionSummary shows no open‑market buys or sells, the informational signal for investors is limited. Future company filings may further detail how these equity incentives vest and settle over time.

Insider Trade Summary

Grant/Award: 89.7434 shares

Grant/Award 15 txns

Insider Kemly Thomas J.

Role President & CEO

Type	Security	Shares	Price	Value
Grant/Award	Common Stock	89.7434	$20.70	$2K
holding	Stock Options (right to buy)	--	--	--
holding	Stock Options (right to buy)	--	--	--
holding	Stock Options (right to buy)	--	--	--
holding	Stock Options (right to buy)	--	--	--
holding	Stock Options (right to buy)	--	--	--
holding	Common Stock	--	--	--
holding	Common Stock	--	--	--
holding	Common Stock	--	--	--
holding	Common Stock	--	--	--
holding	Common Stock	--	--	--
holding	Common Stock	--	--	--
holding	Common Stock	--	--	--
holding	Common Stock	--	--	--
holding	Common Stock	--	--	--

Holdings After Transaction: Common Stock — 69,512.9432 shares (Indirect, By Stock-Based Deferral Plan); Stock Options (right to buy) — 917,759 contracts (Direct); Common Stock — 249,269 shares (Direct); Common Stock — 40,946 shares (Indirect, By 401(k)); Common Stock — 8,689 shares (Indirect, By ESOP); Common Stock — 35,309 shares (Indirect, By SERP); Common Stock — 41,572 shares (Indirect, By SIM); Common Stock — 5,933 shares (Indirect, By Spouse); Common Stock — 46,078 shares (Indirect, By Stock Award III); Common Stock — 54,690 shares (Indirect, By Stock Award IV); Common Stock — 53,842 shares (Indirect, By Stock Award V)

Footnotes (8)

1. F1. Represents phantom stock purchased, on a non-discretionary basis, by the trustee of the Bank's rabbi trust maintained in connection with the Columbia Bank Stock Based Deferral Plan, a non-qualified stock-based deferral plan. Stock unit interests under the Columbia Bank Stock Based Deferral Plan will be settled in shares of stock upon distribution to the reporting person.
2. F2. Stock Awards granted pursuant to the Columbia Financial, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive plan, 25% of which vest in three approximately equal annual installments commencing on March 6, 2025; and the remaining 75% of which vest upon achievement of certain specified performance-based vesting criteria, which if achieved, such Awards would vest three years after the date of the Award.
3. F3. Stock Awards granted pursuant to the Columbia Financial, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive plan, which vest upon achievement of certain specified performance-based vesting criteria, which if achieved, such Awards would vest three years after the date of the Award on March 3, 2028.
4. F4. Stock Awards granted pursuant to the Columbia Financial, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive plan, which vest upon achievement of certain specified performance-based vesting criteria, which if achieved, such Awards would vest three years after the date of the Award on March 2, 2029.
5. F5. Stock Options granted pursuant to the Columbia Financial, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan are fully vested and exercisable.
6. F6. Stock Options granted pursuant to the Columbia Financial, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan vest in three approximately equal annual installments commencing on March 6, 2025.
7. F7. Stock Options granted pursuant to the Columbia Financial, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan vest in three approximately equal annual installments commencing on March 3, 2026.
8. F8. Stock Options granted pursuant to the Columbia Financial, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan vest in three approximately equal annual installments commencing on March 2, 2027.

Key Figures

Stock deferral grant: 89.7434 shares at $20.70 Deferral plan balance: 69,512.9432 shares Direct common stock: 249,269 shares +5 more

8 metrics

Stock deferral grant 89.7434 shares at $20.70 Phantom stock under stock-based deferral plan on June 12, 2026

Deferral plan balance 69,512.9432 shares Indirect common stock equivalents after grant in Stock-Based Deferral Plan

Direct common stock 249,269 shares Directly held Columbia Financial common stock after reported transactions

Option block 1 91,477 shares at $18.28 Stock options on common stock expiring March 2, 2036

Option block 2 94,749 shares at $16.23 Stock options on common stock expiring March 3, 2035

Largest option grant 656,471 shares at $15.60 Stock options on common stock expiring July 23, 2029

ESOP indirect holding 8,689 shares Indirect common stock held by ESOP

Spouse indirect holding 5,933 shares Indirect common stock held by spouse

Key Terms

phantom stock, non-qualified stock-based deferral plan, rabbi trust, Stock Options (right to buy, +2 more

6 terms

phantom stock financial

"Represents phantom stock purchased, on a non-discretionary basis, by the trustee of the Bank's rabbi trust"

A phantom stock is a form of compensation that gives employees or executives the benefits of stock ownership, such as the increase in stock value, without actually giving them real shares. It acts like a promise to pay the employee the equivalent value of company stock later, often as a bonus or incentive. This allows companies to motivate and reward staff without diluting ownership or transferring actual shares.

non-qualified stock-based deferral plan financial

"Columbia Bank Stock Based Deferral Plan, a non-qualified stock-based deferral plan"

rabbi trust financial

"by the trustee of the Bank's rabbi trust maintained in connection with the Columbia Bank Stock Based Deferral Plan"

A rabbi trust is a special account a company sets up to hold promised future pay for executives, like bonus or retirement money, so those employees can see there are funds earmarked for them. It matters to investors because it signals the company’s commitment to keep key people, but the money is still part of the company’s assets and can be claimed by creditors if the company goes bankrupt—think of it as a labeled jar that isn’t completely off-limits.

Stock Options (right to buy financial

"Stock Options (right to buy) with underlying security title Common Stock"

2019 Equity Incentive Plan financial

"Stock Options granted pursuant to the Columbia Financial, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan"

performance-based vesting criteria financial

"which vest upon achievement of certain specified performance-based vesting criteria"

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

What did Columbia Financial (CLBK) CEO report in this Form 4?

The CEO reported a small stock-based award and updated holdings. He acquired 89.7434 common share equivalents at $20.70 through a stock-based deferral plan and disclosed various direct and indirect stock and option positions, without any open-market purchases or sales.

How many Columbia Financial (CLBK) shares did the CEO acquire?

He acquired 89.7434 common share equivalents. These were credited under a stock-based deferral plan at $20.70 per share, representing phantom stock units that will be settled in actual shares upon distribution, rather than an open-market cash purchase of stock.

What is the CEO’s balance in Columbia Financial’s stock-based deferral plan?

After the new award, the CEO’s indirect holdings in the stock-based deferral plan total 69,512.9432 common share equivalents. These phantom stock units are held in a rabbi trust and are scheduled to be settled in shares when distributions are made to him.

Did Columbia Financial (CLBK) CEO buy or sell shares in the market?

No open‑market buys or sells were reported. The Form 4 shows a compensation-related acquisition coded as a grant under a stock-based deferral plan, with transactionSummary indicating zero buy and sell transactions for the reporting date.

What stock options on Columbia Financial (CLBK) does the CEO hold?

He holds several stock option grants on common stock with exercise prices of $18.28, $16.23, $16.49, $15.94 and $15.60. These options cover underlying share amounts such as 91,477 and 656,471 shares and expire between 2029 and 2036.

What indirect Columbia Financial (CLBK) holdings does the CEO have?

Indirect holdings include shares held through various stock award tranches, a spouse, a supplemental retirement plan, an ESOP, a 401(k) plan, and the stock-based deferral plan. Each line reflects different ownership channels but all relate to Columbia Financial common stock exposure.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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Accepted by SEC EDGAR 06/16/2026 - 09:42 AM EDT Learn about SEC filing dates

SEC Form 4

FORM 4

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP

Filed pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
or Section 30(h) of the Investment Company Act of 1940

OMB APPROVAL

OMB Number:			3235-0287
Estimated average burden
hours per response:			0.5

Check this box if no longer subject to Section 16. Form 4 or Form 5 obligations may continue. See Instruction 1(b).

Check this box to indicate that a transaction was made pursuant to a contract, instruction or written plan for the purchase or sale of equity securities of the issuer that is intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c). See Instruction 10.

1. Name and Address of Reporting Person^*

Kemly Thomas J.

(Last) (First) (Middle)

19-01 ROUTE 208 NORTH

(Street)

FAIR LAWN NEW JERSEY 07410

(City) (State) (Zip)

UNITED STATES

(Country)

2. Issuer Name and Ticker or Trading Symbol
Columbia Financial, Inc. [ CLBK ]

5. Relationship of Reporting Person(s) to Issuer
(Check all applicable)

X	Director		10% Owner
X	Officer (give title below)		Other (specify below)
	President & CEO

2a. Foreign Trading Symbol

3. Date of Earliest Transaction (Month/Day/Year)
06/12/2026

6. Individual or Joint/Group Filing (Check Applicable Line)

X	Form filed by One Reporting Person
	Form filed by More than One Reporting Person

4. If Amendment, Date of Original Filed (Month/Day/Year)

Table I - Non-Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned
1. Title of Security (Instr. 3)	2. Transaction Date (Month/Day/Year)	2A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (Month/Day/Year)	3. Transaction Code (Instr. 8)		4. Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed Of (D) (Instr. 3, 4 and 5)			5. Amount of Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 3 and 4)	6. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4)	7. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4)
			Code	V	Amount	(A) or (D)	Price
Common Stock	06/12/2026		A		89.7434(1)	A	$20.7	69,512.9432	I	By Stock-Based Deferral Plan
Common Stock								249,269	D
Common Stock								40,946	I	By 401(k)
Common Stock								8,689	I	By ESOP
Common Stock								35,309	I	By SERP
Common Stock								41,572	I	By SIM
Common Stock								5,933	I	By Spouse
Common Stock								46,078	I	By Stock Award III(2)
Common Stock								54,690	I	By Stock Award IV(3)
Common Stock								53,842	I	By Stock Award V(4)

Table II - Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned (e.g., puts, calls, warrants, options, convertible securities)
1. Title of Derivative Security (Instr. 3)	2. Conversion or Exercise Price of Derivative Security	3. Transaction Date (Month/Day/Year)	3A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (Month/Day/Year)	4. Transaction Code (Instr. 8)		5. Number of Derivative Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed of (D) (Instr. 3, 4 and 5)		6. Date Exercisable and Expiration Date (Month/Day/Year)		7. Title and Amount of Securities Underlying Derivative Security (Instr. 3 and 4)		8. Price of Derivative Security (Instr. 5)	9. Number of derivative Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 4)	10. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4)	11. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4)
				Code	V	(A)	(D)	Date Exercisable	Expiration Date	Title	Amount or Number of Shares
Stock Options (right to buy)	$15.6							07/23/2020(5)	07/23/2029	Common Stock	656,471		656,471	D
Stock Options (right to buy)	$15.94							05/01/2024(5)	05/01/2033	Common Stock	37,894		37,894	D
Stock Options (right to buy)	$16.49							03/06/2025(6)	03/06/2034	Common Stock	37,168		37,168	D
Stock Options (right to buy)	$16.23							03/03/2026(7)	03/03/2035	Common Stock	94,749		94,749	D
Stock Options (right to buy)	$18.28							03/02/2027(8)	03/02/2036	Common Stock	91,477		91,477	D

Explanation of Responses:

1. Represents phantom stock purchased, on a non-discretionary basis, by the trustee of the Bank's rabbi trust maintained in connection with the Columbia Bank Stock Based Deferral Plan, a non-qualified stock-based deferral plan. Stock unit interests under the Columbia Bank Stock Based Deferral Plan will be settled in shares of stock upon distribution to the reporting person.

2. Stock Awards granted pursuant to the Columbia Financial, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive plan, 25% of which vest in three approximately equal annual installments commencing on March 6, 2025; and the remaining 75% of which vest upon achievement of certain specified performance-based vesting criteria, which if achieved, such Awards would vest three years after the date of the Award.

3. Stock Awards granted pursuant to the Columbia Financial, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive plan, which vest upon achievement of certain specified performance-based vesting criteria, which if achieved, such Awards would vest three years after the date of the Award on March 3, 2028.

4. Stock Awards granted pursuant to the Columbia Financial, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive plan, which vest upon achievement of certain specified performance-based vesting criteria, which if achieved, such Awards would vest three years after the date of the Award on March 2, 2029.

5. Stock Options granted pursuant to the Columbia Financial, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan are fully vested and exercisable.

6. Stock Options granted pursuant to the Columbia Financial, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan vest in three approximately equal annual installments commencing on March 6, 2025.

7. Stock Options granted pursuant to the Columbia Financial, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan vest in three approximately equal annual installments commencing on March 3, 2026.

8. Stock Options granted pursuant to the Columbia Financial, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan vest in three approximately equal annual installments commencing on March 2, 2027.

Remarks:

	/s/ Dennis E. Gibney, Power of Attorney	06/16/2026
	** Signature of Reporting Person	Date
Reminder: Report on a separate line for each class of securities beneficially owned directly or indirectly.
* If the form is filed by more than one reporting person, see Instruction 4 (b)(v).
** Intentional misstatements or omissions of facts constitute Federal Criminal Violations See 18 U.S.C. 1001 and 15 U.S.C. 78ff(a).
Note: File three copies of this Form, one of which must be manually signed. If space is insufficient, see Instruction 6 for procedure.
Persons who respond to the collection of information contained in this form are not required to respond unless the form displays a currently valid OMB Number.
* Form 4: SEC 1474 (03-26)