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Columbia Financial, Inc. Announces Receipt of Regulatory Approval for Merger of Freehold Bank Into Columbia Bank

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Columbia Financial, Inc. (Nasdaq: CLBK) has announced that its subsidiary, Columbia Bank, has received regulatory approval from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency for the merger with Freehold Bank. The merger is expected to be completed on October 5, 2024, which is also the anticipated systems conversion date. This development marks a significant step in Columbia Financial's expansion strategy, potentially strengthening its market position and operational efficiency. The merger is subject to customary closing conditions, indicating that while approval has been granted, final steps remain before the transaction is fully completed.

Columbia Financial, Inc. (Nasdaq: CLBK) ha annunciato che la sua filiale, Columbia Bank, ha ricevuto l'approvazione normativa dall'Ufficio del Controllore della Moneta per la fusione con Freehold Bank. Si prevede che la fusione sarà completata il 5 ottobre 2024, che è anche la data prevista per la conversione dei sistemi. Questo sviluppo segna un passo significativo nella strategia di espansione di Columbia Financial, potenzialmente rafforzando la sua posizione di mercato e l'efficienza operativa. La fusione è soggetta a condizioni di chiusura abituali, il che indica che mentre è stata concessa l'approvazione, rimangono ancora passaggi finali prima che la transazione sia completamente conclusa.

Columbia Financial, Inc. (Nasdaq: CLBK) ha anunciado que su subsidiaria, Columbia Bank, ha recibido la aprobación regulatoria de la Oficina del Controlador de la Moneda para la fusión con Freehold Bank. Se espera que la fusión se complete el 5 de octubre de 2024, que también es la fecha anticipada para la conversión de sistemas. Este desarrollo marca un paso significativo en la estrategia de expansión de Columbia Financial, potencialmente fortaleciendo su posición en el mercado y su eficiencia operativa. La fusión está sujeta a condiciones de cierre habituales, lo que indica que, aunque se ha concedido la aprobación, aún quedan pasos finales antes de que la transacción se complete por completo.

컬롬비아 파이낸셜 주식회사(Nasdaq: CLBK)는 그 자회사인 컬롬비아 은행이 프리홀드 은행과의 합병을 위해 통화 감사국으로부터 규제 승인을 받았다고 발표했습니다. 합병은 2024년 10월 5일에 완료될 것으로 예상되며, 이는 시스템 전환일로도 예정되어 있습니다. 이번 개발은 컬롬비아 파이낸셜의 확장 전략에 있어 중요한 진전을 나타내며, 시장 지위와 운영 효율성을 강화할 가능성이 있습니다. 합병은 관행적인 종료 조건을 충족해야 하며, 이는 승인이 부여되었지만 거래가 완전히 완료되기까지는 여전히 최종 단계가 남아 있음을 나타냅니다.

Columbia Financial, Inc. (Nasdaq: CLBK) a annoncé que sa filiale, Columbia Bank, a reçu l'approbation réglementaire de l'Office du Contrôleur de la Monnaie pour la fusion avec la Freehold Bank. La fusion devrait être finalisée le 5 octobre 2024, qui est également la date prévue de conversion des systèmes. Ce développement marque une étape significative dans la stratégie d'expansion de Columbia Financial, renforçant potentiellement sa position sur le marché et son efficacité opérationnelle. La fusion est soumise à des conditions de clôture habituelles, ce qui indique que bien que l'approbation ait été accordée, des étapes finales restent à franchir avant que la transaction ne soit entièrement réalisée.

Columbia Financial, Inc. (Nasdaq: CLBK) hat bekannt gegeben, dass ihre Tochtergesellschaft, die Columbia Bank, die regulatorische Genehmigung des Office of the Comptroller of the Currency für die Fusion mit der Freehold Bank erhalten hat. Es wird erwartet, dass die Fusion am 5. Oktober 2024 abgeschlossen wird, was auch das geplante Datum für die Systemumstellung ist. Diese Entwicklung markiert einen bedeutenden Schritt in der Expansionsstrategie von Columbia Financial und könnte ihre Marktposition und Betriebseffizienz stärken. Die Fusion unterliegt den üblichen Abschlussbedingungen, was darauf hinweist, dass, obwohl die Genehmigung erteilt wurde, noch letzte Schritte erforderlich sind, bevor die Transaktion vollständig abgeschlossen ist.

Positive
  • Regulatory approval received for the merger with Freehold Bank
  • Merger completion and systems conversion expected on October 5, 2024
  • Potential for increased market presence and operational synergies
Negative
  • Merger still subject to customary closing conditions

The regulatory approval for Columbia Financial's merger with Freehold Bank is a significant milestone in the company's growth strategy. This consolidation is likely to enhance operational efficiency and expand market presence in New Jersey. The merger's completion, scheduled for October 5, 2024, coinciding with the systems conversion, suggests a well-planned integration process.

Investors should note that such mergers often lead to cost synergies and potentially improved profitability in the medium to long term. However, it's important to monitor the integration costs and any potential customer attrition in the short term. The impact on Columbia Financial's stock (CLBK) may be positive if the market perceives the merger as value-accretive.

This merger approval signifies a consolidation trend in the regional banking sector, potentially triggered by increasing competition and regulatory pressures. The move could strengthen Columbia Financial's competitive position in the New Jersey market, possibly leading to increased market share and improved economies of scale.

Investors should consider the potential for revenue growth through cross-selling opportunities and an expanded customer base. However, it's essential to assess the cultural fit between the two banks and the potential for branch overlaps, which could lead to consolidations or closures. The success of this merger could set a precedent for similar moves in the regional banking landscape.

FAIR LAWN, N.J., Aug. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Columbia Financial, Inc. (Nasdaq: CLBK) (the “Company”), the mid-tier holding company for Columbia Bank and Freehold Bank, announced today that Columbia Bank has received the requisite regulatory approval from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency necessary to merge Freehold Bank with and into Columbia Bank.

The transaction is expected to be completed on October 5, 2024, which is also the anticipated systems conversion date for the merger. The closing of the merger is subject to customary closing conditions.

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 that operates 66 full-service banking offices. Freehold Bank is a federally chartered savings bank headquartered in Freehold, New Jersey that operates 2 full-service banking offices. Both banks offer traditional financial services to consumers and businesses in their market areas.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking” statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are based on the Company’s current expectations, estimates and projections about future events. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results expressed in the forward-looking statements: (i) the completion of the merger may take longer than currently expected; (ii) the cost savings from the merger may not be fully realized or may take longer than expected to be realized; (iii) operating costs, customer loss and business disruption following the merger may be greater than expected; (iv) the interest rate environment may further compress margins and adversely affect net interest income; (v) the risks associated with continued diversification of assets and adverse changes to credit quality; and (vi) changes in legislation, regulations and policies. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements are discussed in the Company’s reports (such as the Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and available at the SEC’s Internet website (www.sec.gov). All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements concerning the proposed transaction or other matters attributable to the Company or any person acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements above. Except as may be required by applicable law or regulation, the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

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


FAQ

When is the Columbia Bank and Freehold Bank merger expected to complete?

The merger between Columbia Bank and Freehold Bank is expected to be completed on October 5, 2024.

What regulatory approval did Columbia Financial (CLBK) receive for the Freehold Bank merger?

Columbia Financial (CLBK) received regulatory approval from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency for the merger of Freehold Bank into Columbia Bank.

What is the significance of the October 5, 2024 date for Columbia Financial's (CLBK) merger with Freehold Bank?

October 5, 2024 is both the expected completion date for the merger and the anticipated systems conversion date for Columbia Financial's (CLBK) merger with Freehold Bank.

Are there any conditions left for Columbia Financial (CLBK) to complete the Freehold Bank merger?

Yes, the closing of the merger is still subject to customary closing conditions, despite receiving regulatory approval.

Columbia Financial, Inc.

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1.88B
104.73M
74.38%
12.66%
2.27%
Banks - Regional
Savings Institution, Federally Chartered
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United States of America
FAIR LAWN