STOCK TITAN

Columbia Financial (CLBK) CEO adds phantom stock and details large option holdings

(Neutral)
(Neutral)
Form Type
4

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Columbia Financial, Inc. President & CEO Thomas J. Kemly reported an award of 171.3736 units of Common Stock on August 7, 2026, at $10.84 per unit, credited as phantom stock under the Columbia Bank Stock Based Deferral Plan. This indirect position, held through a rabbi trust, increased his stock-based deferral plan balance to 153,658.8392 units. He also reports direct ownership of 588,391 shares of Common Stock and multiple indirect holdings through a 401(k), SERP, ESOP, spouse, and performance-based stock award vehicles, plus several option grants over Columbia Financial’s stock with exercise prices between $7.10 and $8.31 and expirations from 2029 to 2036.

Positive

  • None.

Negative

  • None.
Insider Kemly Thomas J.
Role President & CEO
Type Security Shares Price Value
Grant/Award Common Stock F1 171.3736 $10.84 $2K
holding Stock Options (right to buy) F7 -- -- --
holding Stock Options (right to buy) F7 -- -- --
holding Stock Options (right to buy) F8 -- -- --
holding Stock Options (right to buy) F9 -- -- --
holding Stock Options (right to buy) F10 -- -- --
holding Common Stock -- -- --
holding Common Stock -- -- --
holding Common Stock -- -- --
holding Common Stock -- -- --
holding Common Stock F2 -- -- --
holding Common Stock -- -- --
holding Common Stock F3, F4 -- -- --
holding Common Stock F5 -- -- --
holding Common Stock F6 -- -- --
Holdings After Transaction: Common Stock — 153,658.8392 shares (Indirect, By Stock-Based Deferral Plan); Stock Options (right to buy) — 2,019,067 shares (Direct); Common Stock — 588,391 shares (Direct); Common Stock — 103,138 shares (Indirect, By 401(k)); Common Stock — 77,679 shares (Indirect, By SERP); Common Stock — 91,458 shares (Indirect, By SIM); Common Stock — 19,117 shares (Indirect, By ESOP); 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 (10)
  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. This form accounts for an increase of 2 shares from the prior report due to the rounding of fractional shares.
  3. F3. This form accounts for a decrease of 1 share from the prior report due to the rounding of fractional shares.
  4. F4. 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.
  5. F5. 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.
  6. F6. 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.
  7. F7. Stock Options granted pursuant to the Columbia Financial, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan are fully vested and exercisable.
  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 6, 2025.
  9. F9. 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.
  10. F10. 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.
Phantom stock units awarded 171.3736 units Common Stock credited under Columbia Bank Stock Based Deferral Plan on August 7, 2026
Award price per unit $10.8400 per unit Price used for phantom stock acquisition under deferral plan
Deferral plan balance after award 153,658.8392 units Stock-based deferral plan units held indirectly after the August 7, 2026 award
Direct Common Stock holdings 588,391.0000 shares Common Stock held directly by Thomas J. Kemly
401(k) Common Stock holdings 103,138.0000 shares Common Stock held indirectly through 401(k)
ESOP Common Stock holdings 19,117.0000 shares Common Stock held indirectly through ESOP
Options exercise price and size $7.1000 on 1,444,236.0000 underlying shares Stock Options (right to buy) expiring July 23, 2029, fully vested and exercisable
Highest option exercise price reported $8.3100 on 201,249.0000 underlying shares Stock Options (right to buy) expiring March 2, 2036
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"
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
"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"
performance-based vesting criteria financial
"vest upon achievement of certain specified performance-based vesting criteria"
Equity Incentive Plan financial
"granted pursuant to the Columbia Financial, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan"
An equity incentive plan is a program that gives employees, executives or directors the right to receive company stock or options to buy stock as part of their pay. Think of it as offering slices of future company profit to motivate people to boost long‑term performance; for investors it matters because it can align employee goals with shareholder value but also increases the number of shares outstanding, which can dilute existing ownership.

FAQ

What insider transaction did CLBK CEO Thomas J. Kemly report on August 7, 2026?

Thomas J. Kemly reported an award of 171.3736 units of Common Stock credited as phantom stock at $10.84 per unit under the Columbia Bank Stock Based Deferral Plan, increasing his deferral-plan stock balance to 153,658.8392 units held indirectly through a rabbi trust.

How are the new CLBK phantom stock units for CEO Kemly held and eventually settled?

The 171.3736 units are phantom stock purchased on a non-discretionary basis by a trustee of the Bank’s rabbi trust, under a non-qualified stock-based deferral plan. These stock unit interests will be settled in shares of Columbia Financial stock upon distribution to Kemly.

What are Thomas J. Kemly’s reported direct Common Stock holdings in CLBK?

Thomas J. Kemly reports 588,391 shares of Common Stock held directly. In addition, he reports several indirect holdings, including 103,138 shares via a 401(k), and further shares via a SERP, ESOP, spouse accounts, and performance-based stock award vehicles.

What stock option positions in CLBK does CEO Kemly report in this filing?

Kemly reports several Stock Options (right to buy) Columbia Financial Common Stock, including grants with exercise prices of $7.10 on 1,444,236 underlying shares and $7.25 on 83,366 underlying shares, with expirations between 2029 and 2036, under the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan.

Are Kemly’s Columbia Financial stock options vested according to this Form 4?

Some options are fully vested and exercisable, including grants under the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan noted in footnote F7. Others vest in three approximately equal annual installments beginning on dates such as March 6, 2025, March 3, 2026, and March 2, 2027, per footnotes F8–F10.

Does the reported CLBK insider transaction involve an open-market buy or a compensation award?

The transaction is coded A for a grant, award, or other acquisition, and footnote F1 describes it as phantom stock purchased under a stock-based deferral plan, rather than an open-market purchase; it is a compensation-related stock-based award credited to Kemly’s deferral account.

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

See more from StockTitan in Google Search and AI answers. Adds StockTitan as a preferred source · opens Google
Add on Google
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)
08/07/2026
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 Stock08/07/2026A171.3736(1)A$10.84153,658.8392IBy Stock-Based Deferral Plan
Common Stock588,391D
Common Stock103,138IBy 401(k)
Common Stock77,679IBy SERP
Common Stock91,458IBy SIM
Common Stock19,117(2)IBy ESOP
Common Stock13,052IBy Spouse
Common Stock101,371(3)IBy Stock Award III(4)
Common Stock120,318IBy Stock Award IV(5)
Common Stock118,452IBy Stock Award V(6)
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(7)07/23/2029Common Stock1,444,2361,444,236D
Stock Options (right to buy)$7.2505/01/2024(7)05/01/2033Common Stock83,36683,366D
Stock Options (right to buy)$7.503/06/2025(8)03/06/2034Common Stock81,76981,769D
Stock Options (right to buy)$7.3803/03/2026(9)03/03/2035Common Stock208,447208,447D
Stock Options (right to buy)$8.3103/02/2027(10)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. This form accounts for an increase of 2 shares from the prior report due to the rounding of fractional shares.
3. This form accounts for a decrease of 1 share from the prior report due to the rounding of fractional shares.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Stock Options granted pursuant to the Columbia Financial, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan are fully vested and exercisable.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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 Attorney08/11/2026
** 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)