{"filing": {"accession": "0001308179-26-000348", "cik": "0001004702", "ticker": "OCFC", "company_name": "OCEANFIRST FINANCIAL CORP", "form_type": "DEF 14A", "filing_type": "DEF 14A", "filing_date": "2026-04-27", "accepted_datetime": null, "acceptance_datetime": null, "accepted_at": null, "primary_doc_url": "https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1004702/000130817926000348/0001308179-26-000348-index.htm", "filing_url": "https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1004702/000130817926000348/0001308179-26-000348-index.htm", "period_of_report": "2026-05-27"}, "html_url": "/api/filings/000130817926000348/stream", "exhibits": [], "sections": [], "tables": [{"table_index": 5, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "1.The election of 13 directors of the Company;"}, {"table_index": 6, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "REVIEW YOUR PROXY STATEMENT AND VOTE\n IN ONE OF FOUR WAYS:"}, {"table_index": 7, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "Proxy Summary4"}, {"table_index": 8, "table_type": "financial", "caption": null, "header_text": "Executive Compensation43"}, {"table_index": 9, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "Additional Information76"}, {"table_index": 10, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "Stockholder Proposals for Inclusion in Proxy Materials80"}, {"table_index": 11, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "ProposalBoard RecommendationPageReference"}, {"table_index": 12, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "NameAgeDirector SinceIndependentCommittees"}, {"table_index": 13, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "Comprehensive annual self-assessment of Board, Committee, and director performance by the Leadership CommitteeAnnounced Merger Agreement with Flushing Financial Corporation and Strategic Investment fr"}, {"table_index": 14, "table_type": "financial", "caption": null, "header_text": "\u25cfBase salaries for Named Executive Officers, with the exception of CFO Patrick Barrett, increased by an average of 3.2%"}, {"table_index": 15, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "Self-AssessmentThe Leadership Committee, with the assistance of an independent consultant, performed a comprehensive\n assessment of the performance of the Board and its committees. In addition to this"}, {"table_index": 16, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "(1)the duties and responsibilities of the Board of Directors and each director;"}, {"table_index": 17, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "\u25cfthe establishment of the Lead Director;"}, {"table_index": 32, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "\u25cfCompleted HVAC upgrades across retail branches and planned HVAC and lighting upgrades\n at its Red Bank Administrative location"}, {"table_index": 33, "table_type": "financial", "caption": null, "header_text": "\u25cfAt the fourth annual CommUNITYFirst Day, more than 700 Bank employees\n volunteered at non-profit organizations in five states throughout the Bank\u2019s footprint, including the Food Bank of South\n Jersey"}, {"table_index": 34, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "\u25cfImproved Net Promotor Scores, which reflect the Bank\u2019s\n positive reputation among customers"}, {"table_index": 35, "table_type": "financial", "caption": null, "header_text": "\u25cfDirector training sessions and focused topic discussion at Board meetings, including such topics as Fair Lending, Digital Assets\nand the Genius Act, AI, and quantum computing"}, {"table_index": 36, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "\u25cfParticipation in various investor conferences, industry forums,\n and investor roundtables. During 2025, Company management attended 12 such events."}, {"table_index": 37, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "(1)The name of the person recommended as a director candidate;"}, {"table_index": 38, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "\u25cfChristopher Maher, whose role as combined\n Chairman and CEO was previously described in theBoard Leadership Structure section."}, {"table_index": 39, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "\u25cffinancial, regulatory and business experience;"}, {"table_index": 40, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "(1)Experience:Current and past work and\n Board experience; knowledge of the banking industry and financial services companies; familiarity with the operations of public\n companies; and business and ma"}, {"table_index": 41, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "Board Matrix (As of April 27, 2026)"}, {"table_index": 42, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "John F. Barros"}, {"table_index": 43, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "Anthony R. Coscia"}, {"table_index": 44, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "Jack M. Farris"}, {"table_index": 45, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "Robert C. Garrett"}, {"table_index": 46, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "Kimberly M. Guadagno"}, {"table_index": 47, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "Nicos Katsoulis"}, {"table_index": 48, "table_type": "financial", "caption": null, "header_text": "Joseph J. Lebel III"}, {"table_index": 49, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "Christopher D. Maher"}, {"table_index": 50, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "Joseph M. Murphy, Jr."}, {"table_index": 51, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "Steven M. Scopellite"}, {"table_index": 52, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "Grace C. Torres"}, {"table_index": 53, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "Patricia L. Turner"}, {"table_index": 54, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "Dalila Wilson-Scott"}, {"table_index": 56, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "Name and Address Of Beneficial OwnerNumber ofSharesOwnedPercent ofCommon StockOutstanding"}, {"table_index": 57, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "(1)Based solely on SEC Schedule 13G filed on February 10, 2026."}, {"table_index": 58, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "NameNumber ofShares Owned(ExcludingOptions)(1)Number of Shares ThatMay Be AcquiredWithin 60 Days byExercising OptionsTotal Numberof SharesBeneficiallyOwnedPercent ofCommon StockOutstanding(2)"}, {"table_index": 60, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "(1)Unless otherwise disclosed, each person effectively exercises sole (or shared with spouse or other immediate\nfamily members) voting power as to shares reported as of April 2, 2026."}, {"table_index": 67, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "Overview26"}, {"table_index": 69, "table_type": "financial", "caption": null, "header_text": ""}, {"table_index": 71, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "BALANCED\n PROGRAM ELEMENTSWe\n use a mix of compensation elements\u2014time- and performance-based awards, cash and equity, and short-and long-term awards\u2014to\n motivate and incentivize our executives, reward"}, {"table_index": 72, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "\u25cfprovide a comprehensive compensation package that is competitive\n within the marketplace to attract, reward, and retain highly qualified, motivated, productive, and responsible executive officers;"}, {"table_index": 73, "table_type": "financial", "caption": null, "header_text": "CompensationElementDescriptionand PurposeContext/RationaleFixed/PerformanceBasedShort-Term/Long-Term"}, {"table_index": 76, "table_type": "financial", "caption": null, "header_text": "*These peers were acquired or involved in a Merger of Equals in 2025."}, {"table_index": 77, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "Name2024 Salary2025 SalaryChange"}, {"table_index": 79, "table_type": "financial", "caption": null, "header_text": "Bank Performance MetricsPerformance % ofAward OpportunityThreshold*Target*Superior*"}, {"table_index": 81, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "Strategic Management MetricsPerformance % ofAward OpportunityQuantitative and Qualitative Measures, including:"}, {"table_index": 83, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "NameTarget BonusPercent of Salary"}, {"table_index": 84, "table_type": "financial", "caption": null, "header_text": "2025 Performance Level"}, {"table_index": 85, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "Name2025TargetBonus2025BonusPercentage of2025 TargetBonus"}, {"table_index": 86, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "NameTime-BasedStock AwardsPerformance-BasedStock Awards"}, {"table_index": 87, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "Payout\n Range"}, {"table_index": 88, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "Payout Range"}, {"table_index": 89, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "Payout Range"}, {"table_index": 91, "table_type": "financial", "caption": null, "header_text": "\u25cfproviding non-performance-based salaries, retirement, and benefits that are competitive\n in the market and provide executives with a stable and ample income without reliance on incentives;"}, {"table_index": 92, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "Stock AwardsChange inPensionValue andNonqualifiedDeferredCompensationEarnings($)(4)"}, {"table_index": 93, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "(1)Reflects the value of time-based restricted stock granted to the executive\n officers based on the grant date fair value of the awards granted in the year shown computed in accordance with Financial"}, {"table_index": 95, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "ChristopherD. MaherPatrick S.BarrettJoseph J.Lebel IIIMichele B.EstepSteven\n J.Tsimbinos"}, {"table_index": 97, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "\u25cfan amount equal to the greater of (x) the remaining base salary payments the executive\n would have earned until the expiration of the term of the employment agreement or (y) the executive\u2019s base sala"}, {"table_index": 98, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "Estimated Future\n Payouts UnderNon-Equity Incentive Plan Awards(1)"}, {"table_index": 100, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "Estimated Future Payouts Under EquityIncentive Plan Awards(1)Number of Shares of Stock or UnitsAll OtherStock Awards:Number ofShares ofStock orUnits(#)(2)Grant Date FairValueof StockAwards($)(3)"}, {"table_index": 101, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "(1)Refers to awards of performance-based restricted shares of Company stock\n under the 2020 Stock Incentive Plan. Awards vest on March 1, 2028 subject to attainment of defined performance criteria."}, {"table_index": 102, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "Option AwardsStock Awards"}, {"table_index": 103, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "Option AwardsStock Awards"}, {"table_index": 104, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "Option AwardsStock Awards"}, {"table_index": 105, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "(1)25% of the restricted stock vests on March 1 of each year following the grant date, subject to the\n executive\u2019s continued service on the relevant vesting dates, with one exception: Mr. Barrett\u2019s fi"}, {"table_index": 106, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "Option AwardsStock Awards"}, {"table_index": 108, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "NamePlan\n NameExecutivecontributions inlast FY($)Registrantcontributions inlast FY($)Aggregateearnings in lastFY($)Aggregatewithdrawals/distributions($)Aggregatebalance at lastFYE(1)($)"}, {"table_index": 109, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "(1)A portion of the amount listed as earnings and included\n in the aggregate balance at last fiscal year end has been reported in our Summary Compensation Table because the earnings\n are considered \u201ca"}, {"table_index": 110, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "Payments\n andBenefitsInvoluntary orConstructiveTerminationChange inControlInvoluntary orConstructiveTermination following aChange in Control(1)Death/DisabilityRetirementVoluntaryResignation"}, {"table_index": 111, "table_type": "financial", "caption": null, "header_text": "(1)Mr. Maher would also receive benefits set forth under\n \u201cChange in Control,\u201d which are paid without regard to whether he has an involuntary or constructive termination.\n The benefits available on an"}, {"table_index": 112, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "Payments andBenefitsInvoluntary orConstructiveTerminationChange inControlInvoluntary orConstructiveTermination following aChange in ControlDeath/DisabilityRetirementVoluntaryResignation"}, {"table_index": 113, "table_type": "financial", "caption": null, "header_text": "(1)Represents an amount equal to the greater of (x) the remaining\n base salary payments Mr. Barrett would have earned until the expiration of the term of his employment agreement or (y) his\n base sala"}, {"table_index": 114, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "Payments andBenefitsInvoluntary orConstructiveTerminationChange inControlInvoluntary orConstructiveTermination following aChange in ControlDeath/DisabilityRetirementVoluntaryResignation"}, {"table_index": 115, "table_type": "financial", "caption": null, "header_text": "(1)Represents an amount equal to the greater of (x) the remaining\n base salary payments Mr. Lebel would have earned until the expiration of the term of his employment agreement or (y) his base\n salary"}, {"table_index": 116, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "Payments andBenefitsInvoluntary orConstructiveTerminationChange inControlInvoluntary orConstructiveTermination following aChange in ControlDeath/DisabilityRetirementVoluntaryResignation"}, {"table_index": 117, "table_type": "financial", "caption": null, "header_text": "(1)Represents an amount equal to two times the sum of (x)\n Ms. Estep\u2019s base salary and (y) the greater of (i) the cash incentive payment paid to Ms. Estep for the prior fiscal\n year or (ii) her target"}, {"table_index": 118, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "Payments andBenefitsInvoluntary orConstructiveTerminationChange inControlInvoluntary orConstructiveTermination following aChange in ControlDeath/DisabilityRetirementVoluntaryResignation"}, {"table_index": 119, "table_type": "financial", "caption": null, "header_text": "(1)Represents an amount equal to the greater of (x) the remaining\n base salary payments Mr. Tsimbinos would have earned until the expiration of the term of his employment agreement or (y) his\n base sa"}, {"table_index": 120, "table_type": "financial", "caption": null, "header_text": ""}, {"table_index": 123, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "2025"}, {"table_index": 128, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "Annual BankRetainerAnnualCompanyRetainerCompanyEquityGrant(1)"}, {"table_index": 129, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "(1)Paid in the form of restricted stock that vests in equal installments over a three-year period, beginning\n one year after the grant date."}, {"table_index": 130, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "NameFeesEarned orPaid in Cash($)(1)StockAwards($)(2)OptionAwards($)(3)Change inPensionValue andNonqualifiedDeferredCompensationEarnings($)(4)All OtherCompensation($)(5)Total($)"}, {"table_index": 131, "table_type": "financial", "caption": null, "header_text": "(1)Aggregate dollar amount of all fees earned or paid in\n cash for services as a Director, including annual retainer fees, committee and/or chairmanship fees."}, {"table_index": 132, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "\u25cfThe Compensation Committee has designed compensation packages for the Company\u2019s\n senior executives to be competitive with the compensation offered by those peers with whom it competes for management "}, {"table_index": 133, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": ""}, {"table_index": 134, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "Total Number ofFull Value Awards GrantedWeighted Average Basic"}, {"table_index": 135, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "Total number of stock options outstanding(1)1,318,060"}, {"table_index": 136, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "(1)The weighted-average exercise\n price of the stock options outstanding was $24.04 and the weighted-average remaining term of the stock options outstanding\n was 2.50 years. No stock appreciation righ"}, {"table_index": 137, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "\u25cfThe Plan limits the maximum number of shares that may be issued to any one employee\n or service provider in any calendar year;"}, {"table_index": 138, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "Plan CategoryNumber of securitiesto be issued upon exercise ofoutstanding options,warrants and rights (a)Weighted-averageexercise price ofoutstanding options,warrants and rights (b)Number of securitie"}, {"table_index": 139, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": ""}, {"table_index": 140, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "20252024"}, {"table_index": 141, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "(1)Audit-related fees are excluded from \u201cAudit Fees\u201d because the services were not required\n for reporting on the Company\u2019s consolidated financial statements. Audit-related fees relate to audit proced"}, {"table_index": 142, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": ""}, {"table_index": 143, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "NamePositionLoan TypeLargestAmount ofPrincipalOutstandingin 2025PrincipalOutstandingAs ofDecember 31,2025PrincipalPaidin 2025InterestPaidin 2025CurrentRate"}, {"table_index": 145, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "ProposalVoting Choices and Board RecommendationVoting Standard"}, {"table_index": 147, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "(a)Stock Options. A Stock Option means a grant under Section\n 2.2 that represents the right to purchase shares of Stock at an Exercise Price established by the Committee. Any Stock Option may\n be eith"}, {"table_index": 149, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "(a)Grant of Stock Options. Each Stock Option shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement\n that specifies: (i) the number of Stock Options covered by the Stock Option; (ii) the date of grant of the Stock "}, {"table_index": 150, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "(a)Grant of Restricted Stock.Each Restricted Stock Award shall be evidenced by an\n Award Agreement, that specifies: (i) the number of shares of Stock covered by the Restricted Stock Award; (ii) the da"}, {"table_index": 152, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "(ii)Voting Rights.Unless the Committee determines otherwise with respect to any Restricted\n Stock Award and specifies such determination in the relevant Award Agreement, a Participant shall have votin"}, {"table_index": 153, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "(a)Grant of Restricted Stock Unit Awards. Each Restricted Stock Unit shall be evidenced\n by an Award Agreement that specifies: (i) the number of Restricted Stock Units covered by the Award; (ii) the d"}, {"table_index": 154, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "(i)A Restricted Stock Unit Award shall be similar to a Restricted Stock Award except that\n no shares of Stock are actually awarded to the recipient on the date of grant. The Committee shall impose suc"}, {"table_index": 155, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "(a)Upon the Participant\u2019s Termination of Service for any reason other than due to\n Disability, death or Cause, Stock Options shall be exercisable only as to those shares that were immediately exercisa"}, {"table_index": 158, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "(2)Any Restricted Stock Award or Restricted Stock Unit granted shall be counted against\n the Share Limit as two and one-half (2.5) shares for every one (1) share of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stoc"}, {"table_index": 160, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "(a)Limitation on Grants to Employees. The maximum number of equity-based Awards,\n including Stock Options, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units, that may be granted to an Employee under the Pla"}, {"table_index": 161, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "(a)General. If the shares of Stock are changed into or exchanged for a different number\n or kind of shares or other securities of the Company on account of any recapitalization, reclassification, stoc"}, {"table_index": 163, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "(a)Compliance with Applicable Laws.Notwithstanding any other provision of\n the Plan, the Company shall have no obligation to deliver any shares of Stock or make any other distribution of benefits unde"}, {"table_index": 164, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "(a)Upon an Involuntary Termination at or following a Change in Control, all Stock Options\n then held by the Participant shall become fully earned and exercisable (subject to the expiration provisions "}, {"table_index": 165, "table_type": "financial", "caption": null, "header_text": "(a)any \u201cperson\u201d (as the term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange\n Act) is or becomes the \u201cbeneficial owner\u201d (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly,\n "}, {"table_index": 166, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "(a)The Committee will have the authority and discretion to select from among the Company\u2019s\n and its Subsidiaries\u2019 Employees, Directors and service providers those persons who shall receive Awards, to "}, {"table_index": 167, "table_type": "financial", "caption": null, "header_text": "(a)No Rights to Specific Assets.Neither a Participant nor any other person\n shall by reason of participation in the Plan acquire any right in or title to any assets, funds or property of the Company o"}, {"table_index": 168, "table_type": "financial", "caption": null, "header_text": "(a)Payment by Participant.Each Participant shall, no later than the date as of which\n the value of an Award or of any Stock or other amounts received thereunder first becomes includable in the gross i"}, {"table_index": 170, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "(a)Clawback Policies. Awards granted hereunder are subject to any clawback policy\n that may be adopted by the Company from time to time, including the Company\u2019s current clawback policy and pursuant to"}, {"table_index": 171, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "(i)a material reduction in Participant\u2019s base salary or base compensation;"}, {"table_index": 172, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "(1)the individuals who, on the date hereof, constitute the Board; and"}, {"table_index": 173, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "(1)The Participant\u2019s cessation as an Employee or service provider shall not be deemed\n to occur by reason of the transfer of the Participant between the Company and a Subsidiary or between two Subsidi"}, {"table_index": 174, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "(4)Except to the extent Code Section 409A may be applicable\n to an Award, and subject to the foregoing paragraphs of this sub-section, the Committee shall have discretion to determine\n if a Terminatio"}, {"table_index": 175, "table_type": "exhibit_index", "caption": null, "header_text": "(a)Actions permitted under this Plan may be taken at any time and from time to time in the\n actor\u2019s reasonable discretion;"}, {"table_index": 177, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS"}, {"table_index": 178, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "ForAllWithholdAllFor AllExceptTo withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark \u201cFor All\n Except\u201d and write the number(s) of the nominee(s) on the line below."}, {"table_index": 180, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "01) John F. Barros02) Anthony R. Coscia03) Jack M. Farris04) Robert C. Garrett05) Kimberly M. Guadagno"}, {"table_index": 181, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR proposals 2, 3 and 4.ForAgainstAbstain"}, {"table_index": 182, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": "Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, or other fiduciary,\nplease give full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. A"}, {"table_index": 183, "table_type": "text", "caption": null, "header_text": ""}], "exhibits_pending": true, "cdn_html": true, "response_time_ms": 33}