Thomas Splaine Jr., Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Columbia Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ:CLBK), has executed a direct acquisition of common stock totaling $500,000. The transaction was completed on July 20, 2026, with Splaine purchasing 50,000 shares at a price of $10.00 per share. This acquisition increases his direct ownership in the company, bringing his total direct holdings to 50,862 shares of Columbia Financial common stock.
Beyond his direct holdings, Splaine maintains additional equity positions through various company plans. He holds 1,828 shares indirectly through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). Furthermore, Splaine holds 1,727 shares via a stock award and 20,845 shares through a second stock award, both granted under the Columbia Financial, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan. The first stock award is structured to vest in three approximately equal annual installments, with the initial vesting date set for March 3, 2026. The second award is performance-based and, contingent upon meeting specific criteria, will vest three years after the award date on March 2, 2029.
Splaine also holds derivative securities in the form of stock options. He possesses options to purchase 20,187 shares of Columbia Financial common stock at an exercise price of $7.38 per share. These options are scheduled to become exercisable in three approximately equal annual installments beginning March 3, 2026, and will expire on March 3, 2035. Additionally, Splaine holds options to buy 35,415 shares at an exercise price of $8.31 per share. These options become exercisable in three approximately equal annual installments commencing March 2, 2027, and expire on March 2, 2036. Both sets of stock options were granted pursuant to the Columbia Financial, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan.
The stock currently trades at $10.94, reflecting the company’s strong momentum with a 63% return over the past year. According to InvestingPro analysis, CLBK appears overvalued relative to its Fair Value. This assessment is highlighted as one of 11 additional ProTips available to subscribers ahead of the company’s earnings report, which is scheduled to occur in six days.
In broader corporate developments, Columbia Financial, Inc. has completed its conversion from a mutual holding company structure and finalized its merger with Northfield Bancorp, Inc. This structural change means Columbia Bank is now fully owned by the company, which is entirely owned by public stockholders, while Northfield Bank has been merged into Columbia Bank. The Federal Reserve Board recently approved Columbia Financial’s applications to convert from mutual to stock form and acquire Northfield Bancorp, Inc. This approval allows Columbia Financial to become a savings and loan holding company, further solidifying its merger and acquisition plans.
Regarding capital markets activities, Columbia Financial entered into an Agency Agreement with Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. (KBW) to manage the sale of its common stock through subscription and community offerings. KBW will also act as lead-left book running manager for any firm commitment underwritten offering, receiving a fee based on the aggregate purchase price of shares sold, excluding those purchased by certain insiders and employee benefit plans.
In personnel updates, Columbia Financial announced the appointment of Thomas Splaine, Jr. as the company’s principal financial officer and principal accounting officer for SEC reporting. Splaine, who was previously appointed as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, steps into this role following the promotion of Dennis E. Gibney.