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Columbia Financial CEO granted stock units

Columbia Financial’s CEO received a small stock-based deferral award while maintaining large direct share and option positions in CLBK.

(Neutral)
(Neutral)
Form Type
4

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Columbia Financial, Inc. (CLBK) reports that President & CEO Thomas J. Kemly received an award of about 159 shares of Common Stock on September 4, 2026 at $11.70 per share, credited as phantom stock under the Columbia Bank Stock Based Deferral Plan and held indirectly through a rabbi trust. Following this award, he indirectly holds about 154,636 share-equivalent units in that plan, plus substantial direct and indirect Common Stock holdings and multiple stock option grants with exercise prices between $7.10 and $8.31 per share. No Rule 10b5-1 trading plan is reported and no open-market purchases or sales are shown.

Positive

  • None.

Negative

  • None.
Insider Kemly Thomas J.
Role President & CEO
Type Security Shares Price Value
Grant/Award Common Stock F1 158.7769 $11.70 $2K
holding Stock Options (right to buy) F5 -- -- --
holding Stock Options (right to buy) F5 -- -- --
holding Stock Options (right to buy) F6 -- -- --
holding Stock Options (right to buy) F7 -- -- --
holding Stock Options (right to buy) F8 -- -- --
holding Common Stock -- -- --
holding Common Stock -- -- --
holding Common Stock -- -- --
holding Common Stock -- -- --
holding Common Stock -- -- --
holding Common Stock -- -- --
holding Common Stock F2 -- -- --
holding Common Stock F3 -- -- --
holding Common Stock F4 -- -- --
Holdings After Transaction: Common Stock — 154,636.364 shares (Indirect, By Stock-Based Deferral Plan); Stock Options (right to buy) — 2,019,067 contracts (Direct); Common Stock — 588,391 shares (Direct); Common Stock — 103,581 shares (Indirect, By 401(k)); Common Stock — 91,850 shares (Indirect, By SIM); Common Stock — 19,198 shares (Indirect, By ESOP); Common Stock — 78,014 shares (Indirect, By SERP); Common Stock — 13,052 shares (Indirect, By Spouse); Common Stock — 101,371 shares (Indirect, By Stock Award III); Common Stock — 120,318 shares (Indirect, By Stock Award IV); Common Stock — 118,452 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.
Awarded Common Stock (phantom units) 159 shares at $11.70 per share Grant/award acquisition on September 4, 2026 under the stock-based deferral plan
Deferral Plan Holdings 154,636 share-equivalent units Indirectly held by Stock-Based Deferral Plan after the September 4, 2026 award
Direct Common Stock Holdings 588,391 shares Common Stock held directly by the CEO as of September 4, 2026
401(k) Plan Holdings 103,581 shares Common Stock held indirectly by 401(k)
Largest Option Grant 1,444,236 underlying shares at $7.10 Stock Options (right to buy) fully vested and exercisable, expiring July 23, 2029
Additional Option Grant 208,447 underlying shares at $7.38 Stock Options (right to buy) expiring March 3, 2035
Spouse Holdings 13,052 shares Common Stock held indirectly by spouse
Stock Award III Holdings 101,371 shares Indirect holdings by Stock Award III, subject to vesting/performance criteria
phantom stock financial
"Represents phantom stock purchased, on a non-discretionary basis, by the trustee"
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.
rabbi trust financial
"by the trustee of the Bank's rabbi trust maintained in connection with"
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.
non-qualified stock-based deferral plan financial
"Columbia Bank Stock Based Deferral Plan, a non-qualified stock-based deferral plan"
Stock Options (right to buy financial
"Stock Options (right to buy) granted pursuant to the Columbia Financial, Inc."
performance-based vesting criteria financial
"vest upon achievement of certain specified performance-based vesting criteria"

FAQ

What did CLBK’s CEO acquire in the latest Form 4 filing?

The CEO acquired an award of about 159 shares of Columbia Financial Common Stock on September 4, 2026 at $11.70 per share, recorded as phantom stock in the Columbia Bank Stock Based Deferral Plan and to be settled in shares upon distribution.

How are the new CLBK shares for the CEO held and settled?

The award is held as phantom stock purchased on a non-discretionary basis by the trustee of the Bank’s rabbi trust under the Columbia Bank Stock Based Deferral Plan and will be settled in shares of stock when distributed to the CEO.

How many CLBK shares does the CEO hold directly after this report?

The filing lists 588,391 shares of Columbia Financial Common Stock held directly by the CEO as of September 4, 2026, in addition to various indirect holdings through plans and related entities.

What indirect CLBK holdings does the CEO have through benefit plans?

Indirectly, the CEO holds approximately 154,636 share-equivalent units in the stock-based deferral plan, plus 103,581 shares via a 401(k), 19,198 via an ESOP, and 78,014 via a SERP, as reported in the Form 4.

What stock options on CLBK shares does the CEO hold?

Reported stock options include grants exercisable into 1,444,236 shares at $7.10 per share, fully vested and exercisable, plus additional options for 83,366, 81,769, 208,447, and 201,249 shares with exercise prices between $7.25 and $8.31 per share.

Were the CLBK CEO’s transactions under a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan?

No. The filing indicates no Rule 10b5-1 trading plan, and it reports a compensatory stock-based deferral award and updated holdings rather than open-market purchases or sales.

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Learn about SEC filing dates
SEC Form 4
FORM 4UNITED 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./MD/ [ CLBK ]
5. Relationship of Reporting Person(s) to Issuer
(Check all applicable)
XDirector10% Owner
XOfficer (give title below)Other (specify below)
President & CEO
2a. Foreign Trading Symbol
3. Date of Earliest Transaction (Month/Day/Year)
09/04/2026
6. Individual or Joint/Group Filing (Check Applicable Line)
XForm 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)
CodeVAmount(A) or (D)Price
Common Stock09/04/2026A158.7769(1)A$11.7154,636.364IBy Stock-Based Deferral Plan
Common Stock588,391D
Common Stock103,581IBy 401(k)
Common Stock91,850IBy SIM
Common Stock19,198IBy ESOP
Common Stock78,014IBy SERP
Common Stock13,052IBy Spouse
Common Stock101,371IBy Stock Award III(2)
Common Stock120,318IBy Stock Award IV(3)
Common Stock118,452IBy 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)
CodeV(A)(D)Date ExercisableExpiration DateTitleAmount or Number of Shares
Stock Options (right to buy)$7.107/23/2020(5)07/23/2029Common Stock1,444,2361,444,236D
Stock Options (right to buy)$7.2505/01/2024(5)05/01/2033Common Stock83,36683,366D
Stock Options (right to buy)$7.503/06/2025(6)03/06/2034Common Stock81,76981,769D
Stock Options (right to buy)$7.3803/03/2026(7)03/03/2035Common Stock208,447208,447D
Stock Options (right to buy)$8.3103/02/2027(8)03/02/2036Common Stock201,249201,249D
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/ Thomas F. Splaine, Jr., Power of Attorney09/09/2026
** Signature of Reporting PersonDate
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)

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