Columbia Financial, Inc. Announces Second Stock Repurchase Program

Rhea-AI Summary

Columbia Financial has announced a new stock repurchase program to buy back up to 5,000,000 shares, approximately 4.3% of outstanding common stock, starting September 15, 2020. The initiative follows a non-objection notice from the Federal Reserve Bank. Previously, the company completed a repurchase of 7,000,000 shares during the pandemic. This program allows for flexible purchasing methods and may be adjusted based on market conditions. The company aims to enhance shareholder value while evaluating its financial position during challenging economic circumstances.

Positive

• Authorization of a new stock repurchase program for up to 5,000,000 shares, enhancing shareholder value.
• Completion of a previous repurchase program of 7,000,000 shares indicates management's confidence in the company's financial health.

Negative

• The recent stock buyback may signify a lack of better investment opportunities, leading to potential opportunity costs.
• Market conditions and other corporate liquidity priorities could limit the effectiveness of the repurchase program.

FAIR LAWN, N.J., Sept. 10, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Columbia Financial, Inc. (Nasdaq: CLBK) (the “Company”), the holding company for Columbia 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 4.3%, of the Company's currently issued and outstanding common stock commencing on September 15, 2020.  The stock repurchase program was adopted following the receipt of a notice of non-objection from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia.

On April 23, 2020, the Company completed its first stock repurchase program which was announced in June 2019, and expanded in December 2019, with purchases of 7,000,000 shares.
  
The repurchase program permits shares to be repurchased in open market or private transactions, privately negotiated transaction, and pursuant to any trading plan that may be adopted 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 Company completed its last repurchase program during the height of the pandemic in our market area and elected to pause its capital management initiatives to evaluate the pandemic’s impact on the Company’s financial position, while focusing on how  best to support our customers, employees and the community.”

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 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 traditional financial services to consumers and businesses in our market areas. As of June 30, 2020 Columbia had total assets of $9.0 billion, loans receivable of $6.6 billion, and operated 62 branches with deposits of $6.6 billion.

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, Columbia Financial, Inc.’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 stock repurchase program CLBK?

The purpose of the stock repurchase program is to enhance shareholder value by buying back up to 5,000,000 shares of common stock.

When does Columbia Financial plan to begin its stock repurchase for CLBK?

Columbia Financial plans to commence its stock repurchase program on September 15, 2020.

How many shares were repurchased in Columbia Financial's previous program CLBK?

In its previous program, Columbia Financial repurchased 7,000,000 shares.

What factors will influence the stock repurchase program for CLBK?

Factors include price, corporate and regulatory requirements, market conditions, and corporate liquidity priorities.