Columbia Financial, Inc. Announces Fourth Stock Repurchase Program

Rhea-AI Summary

Columbia Financial, Inc. (Nasdaq: CLBK) has authorized a new stock repurchase program to acquire up to 5,000,000 shares, representing approximately 4.6% of its outstanding stock. This follows a previous program where 3,811,361 shares were repurchased at a cost of $66.2 million. The repurchase aims to increase shareholder value by deploying excess capital wisely. The timing and volume of repurchases will depend on market conditions and other factors. Columbia's total assets stand at $9.2 billion, with ongoing operations including Columbia Bank and Freehold Bank.

Positive

• New stock repurchase program to buy back 5,000,000 shares, enhancing shareholder value.
• Successful completion of previous program with 3,811,361 shares repurchased.

Negative

• None.

FAIR LAWN, N.J., Dec. 06, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Columbia Financial, Inc. (Nasdaq: CLBK) (the “Company”), the holding company for Columbia Bank and Freehold Bank, today announced that the Company’s Board of Directors has authorized a new stock repurchase program to acquire up to 5,000,000 shares, or approximately 4.6%, of the Company's currently issued and outstanding common stock, commencing upon the completion of the Company’s existing stock repurchase program. The new stock repurchase program was adopted following the receipt of a notice of non-objection from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia.

On February 1, 2021, the Company announced its third stock repurchase program which authorized the purchase of up to 5,000,000 shares. Under this previously announced program, 3,811,361 shares of common stock have been repurchased at a cost of $66.2 million, or $17.36 per share. As of November 30, 2021, there are 1,188,639 shares remaining to be repurchased under this existing program.
   
The repurchase program permits shares to be repurchased in open market transactions or through privately negotiated transactions, and pursuant to a trading plan that the Company intends to adopt in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities and Exchange Commission. 

Thomas J. Kemly, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, stated: “I am happy to announce our new repurchase program. The repurchase of shares of our common stock at attractive prices is a prudent way to deploy excess capital and increase shareholder value.”

The timing and actual number of shares repurchased will depend on a variety of factors including price, corporate and regulatory requirements, market conditions, and other corporate liquidity requirements and priorities.  The repurchase program does not obligate the Company to purchase any particular number of shares and it may be extended, modified or discontinued at any time.

About Columbia Financial, Inc.

Columbia Financial, Inc. is a Delaware corporation organized as Columbia Bank’s mid-tier stock holding company. Columbia Financial, Inc. is a majority-owned subsidiary of Columbia Bank MHC. Columbia Bank is a federally chartered savings bank headquartered in Fair Lawn, New Jersey. The Bank offers financial services to consumers and businesses in our market areas. As of September 30, 2021, Columbia had total assets of $9.2 billion, loans of $6.0 billion, and operates 61 branches with $7.2 billion in deposits. On December 1, 2021, Freehold Bank, which has two branch locations and total assets of $313.2 million, became a wholly owned subsidiary of Columbia Financial, Inc.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements herein constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act and are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements may be identified by words such as “believes,” “will,” “would,” “expects,” “projects,” “may,” “could,” “developments,” “strategic,” “launching,” “opportunities,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “intends,” “plans,” “targets” and similar expressions. These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the Company’s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties.

Actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements as a result of numerous factors. Factors that could cause such differences to exist include, but are not limited to, adverse conditions in the capital and debt markets and the impact of such conditions on the Company’s business activities; changes in interest rates; competitive pressures from other financial institutions; the effects of general economic conditions on a national basis or in the local markets in which the Company operates, including changes that adversely affect borrowers’ ability to service and repay the Company’s loans; the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, including on our credit quality and business operations, as well as its impact on general economic and financial market conditions; changes in the value of securities in the Company’s portfolio; changes in loan default and charge-off rates; fluctuations in real estate values; the adequacy of loan loss reserves; decreases in deposit levels necessitating increased borrowing to fund loans and securities; legislative changes and changes in government regulation; changes in accounting standards and practices; the risk that goodwill and intangibles recorded in the Company’s consolidated financial statements will become impaired; demand for loans in the Company’s market area; the Company’s ability to attract and maintain deposits; risks related to the implementation of acquisitions, dispositions, and restructurings; the risk that the Company may not be successful in the implementation of its business strategy; and changes in assumptions used in making such forward-looking statements which are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to, those set forth in Item 1A of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K as supplemented by its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), which are available at the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. Should one or more of these risks materialize or should underlying beliefs or assumptions prove incorrect, the Company’s actual results could differ materially from those discussed. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. The Company disclaims any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect changes in underlying assumptions or factors, new information, future events or other changes, except as required by law.

Contact Information:        

Columbia Financial, Inc.
Investor Relations Department
(833) 550-0717

FAQ

What is the purpose of Columbia Financial's new stock buyback program?

The new stock buyback program aims to repurchase up to 5,000,000 shares to enhance shareholder value by deploying excess capital.

When will Columbia Financial's stock buyback program start?

The new stock repurchase program will commence upon the completion of the existing repurchase program.

How many shares were repurchased in the previous program?

In the previous program, 3,811,361 shares were repurchased at a cost of $66.2 million.

What is the stock symbol for Columbia Financial?

The stock symbol for Columbia Financial is CLBK.

How does the stock buyback program affect CLBK's stock price?

The stock buyback program is expected to boost CLBK's stock price by reducing the number of shares available on the market and increasing earnings per share.