Columbia Financial (NASDAQ: CLBK) executive reports small stock deferral

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Columbia Financial, Inc. executive John Klimowich, SEVP & Chief Risk Officer, reported an update to his equity holdings. On January 9, 2026, 41.7294 phantom stock units of Columbia Financial common stock were purchased on a non-discretionary basis by the trustee of the bank’s rabbi trust for the Columbia Bank Stock Based Deferral Plan at $15.30 per unit, increasing his indirect beneficial interest in that deferral plan to 8,182.7185 units.

He also reports existing holdings of common stock both directly and through vehicles such as a 401(k), ESOP, SERP, SIM, and multiple stock award programs, along with stock options granted under the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan, some of which are fully vested and others that vest in scheduled annual installments.

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

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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^*

Klimowich John

(Last) (First) (Middle)

19-01 ROUTE 208 NORTH

(Street)

FAIR LAWN NJ 07410

(City) (State) (Zip)

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

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

	Director		10% Owner
X	Officer (give title below)		Other (specify below)
	SEVP & Chief Risk Officer

3. Date of Earliest Transaction (Month/Day/Year)
01/09/2026

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

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

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

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	01/09/2026		A		41.7294(1)	A	$15.3	8,182.7185	I	By Stock-Based Deferral Plan
Common Stock								60,769	D
Common Stock								17,130	I	By 401(k)
Common Stock								7,620	I	By ESOP
Common Stock								7,051	I	By SERP
Common Stock								4,214	I	By SIM
Common Stock								13,781	I	By Stock Award II(2)
Common Stock								12,068	I	By Stock Award III(3)
Common Stock								11,723	I	By Stock Award IV(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	188,235		188,235	D
Stock Options (right to buy)	$15.94							05/01/2024(6)	05/01/2033	Common Stock	12,030		12,030	D
Stock Options (right to buy)	$16.49							03/06/2025(7)	03/06/2034	Common Stock	8,850		8,850	D
Stock Options (right to buy)	$16.23							03/03/2026(8)	03/03/2035	Common Stock	20,310		20,310	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 May 1, 2024; 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, 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.

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 3, 2028.

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 May 1, 2024.

7. 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.

8. 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.

Remarks:

	/s/ Dennis E. Gibney, Power of Attorney	01/13/2026
	** 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.

FAQ

What insider transaction did Columbia Financial (CLBK) report for John Klimowich?

The filing shows that on January 9, 2026, 41.7294 phantom stock units of Columbia Financial, Inc. common stock were purchased at $15.30 per unit for John Klimowich’s benefit through a stock-based deferral plan, increasing his indirect beneficial interest in that plan to 8,182.7185 units.

How were the Columbia Financial phantom stock units acquired for the executive?

According to the footnote, the 41.7294 phantom stock units were purchased on a non-discretionary basis by the trustee of the bank’s rabbi trust in connection with the Columbia Bank Stock Based Deferral Plan. These stock unit interests will be settled in shares of stock upon distribution to the reporting person.

What Columbia Financial common stock does John Klimowich hold after this Form 4?

After the reported transaction, the filing lists 8,182.7185 units indirectly by the Stock-Based Deferral Plan, and additional common stock holdings including 60,769 shares directly, plus indirect holdings through a 401(k), ESOP, SERP, SIM, and multiple performance-based stock award programs.

What Columbia Financial stock options are reported for John Klimowich?

The filing lists several stock options (right to buy) on Columbia Financial common stock, including 188,235 options at an exercise price of $15.6 that are fully vested and exercisable, and additional grants of 12,030, 8,850, and 20,310 options at exercise prices of $15.94, $16.49, and $16.23, respectively, which vest in approximately equal annual installments starting on May 1, 2024, March 6, 2025, and March 3, 2026.

How do the Columbia Financial 2019 Equity Incentive Plan awards for Klimowich vest?

The filing states that certain stock awards under the Columbia Financial, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan vest as follows: for some awards, 25% vest in three approximately equal annual installments beginning on May 1, 2024 or March 6, 2025, while the remaining 75% vest only upon achievement of specified performance-based criteria after three years. Another award vests upon achievement of performance criteria three years after the award date on March 3, 2028.

Is the reported Columbia Financial insider holding stock directly or indirectly?

The Form 4 shows that John Klimowich holds Columbia Financial common stock both directly (D) and indirectly (I). Direct holdings include 60,769 shares of common stock, while indirect holdings are through arrangements such as a Stock-Based Deferral Plan, 401(k), ESOP, SERP, SIM, and several performance-based stock award vehicles.