8-K

Columbia Bank Announces

The Appointment of Oliver E. Lewis, Jr. to

Executive Vice President, Head of Commercial Banking

FAIR LAWN, NJ – January 4, 2021 – Columbia Bank is pleased to announce that Oliver Lewis has been appointed to Executive Vice President, Head of Commercial Banking. In his new role, Mr. Lewis will be responsible for the Commercial Banking Division consisting of the Bank’s Commercial & Industrial, SBA, Middle Market, Commercial Real Estate and Construction lending activities, Treasury Management Sales and the Business Development Department.

Mr. Lewis has served as Columbia Bank’s Senior Vice President, Commercial Banking Market Manager since May of 2019. In that role he was responsible for the Central and Southern New Jersey lending regions. Prior to joining Columbia, Mr. Lewis held several leadership roles within the financial services industry, including as a Market Executive at JP Morgan Chase and Treasury Services, Regional Sales Executive.

"Oliver has been an exemplary leader throughout his time at Columbia Bank and is well-versed in many areas from lending to sales to treasury management services,” said Thomas J. Kemly, President and CEO of Columbia Bank. "With over 25 years of experience, he is well positioned to accelerate the growth of our Commercial Banking strategy.”

Mr. Lewis is an active member in his community and currently serves as a Board Member for the NJ Chamber of Commerce and as a member of the Flemington Presbyterian Church. He holds a MBA from Rutgers University. Prior to starting his banking career, Oliver served in the United States Air Force, where he attained the rank of Captain. He also holds a B.S. in Aviation Administration from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He currently lives in Flemington, New Jersey with his wife and two sons.

About Columbia Bank

Headquartered in Fair Lawn, NJ Columbia Bank has an asset base of nearly $8.9 billion and operates 61 full-service offices throughout New Jersey. Columbia Bank offers a wide range of consumer and commercial products, including online and mobile banking, localized lending centers as well as title, investment and wealth management services. For more information about Columbia Bank’s full line of products and services, visit their website at ColumbiaBankOnline.com.

Document

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): January 4, 2021

Columbia Financial, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

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:

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 o

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. o

Item 8.01 Other Events

On January 4, 2021, Columbia Financial, Inc. (the “Company”), the holding company for Columbia Bank (the “Bank”), issued a press release announcing that Oliver E. Lewis, Jr. has been appointed as Executive Vice President, Head of Commercial Banking for the Bank. A copy of the Company’s press release is included as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) Exhibits

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.

3