Thomas J. Kemly, President and CEO of Columbia Financial, Inc./MD/ (NASDAQ:CLBK), filed a Form 4 on November 3, 2026, disclosing a transaction dated October 30, 2026, involving the acquisition of phantom stock units through the company's Stock-Based Deferral Plan.

Key Highlights

  • Transaction: Kemly acquired 168.269 phantom stock units at $11.04 per unit on October 30, 2026, through the Columbia Bank Stock Based Deferral Plan.
  • Indirect holding via deferral plan: Following the transaction, 155,301.9721 shares are beneficially owned indirectly through the Stock-Based Deferral Plan.
  • Direct common stock: Kemly directly holds 588,391 shares of common stock.
  • Stock options: Kemly holds stock options to buy common stock with exercise prices ranging from $7.10 to $8.31, covering a total of 2,019,067 shares across five separate grants.
  • Non-discretionary purchase: According to the filing, the phantom stock was purchased "on a non-discretionary basis, by the trustee of the Bank's rabbi trust" maintained in connection with the deferral plan.
  • Settlement in shares: The filing states that "stock unit interests under the Columbia Bank Stock Based Deferral Plan will be settled in shares of stock upon distribution to the reporting person."

Kemly's October 30 Phantom Stock Acquisition and Full Holdings at Columbia Financial

Thomas J. Kemly, who serves as both a Director and President and CEO of Columbia Financial, Inc./MD/ (NASDAQ:CLBK), disclosed a change in beneficial ownership through a Form 4 filed on November 3, 2026. The single reported transaction, dated October 30, 2026, involved the acquisition of 168.269 phantom stock units at a price of $11.04, bringing the total units held indirectly through the Columbia Bank Stock Based Deferral Plan to 155,301.9721. The filing describes this as a non-discretionary purchase made by the trustee of the Bank's rabbi trust.

Beyond the deferral plan, Kemly's disclosed beneficial ownership spans several additional holdings. Kemly directly holds 588,391 shares of common stock. Indirect holdings include 103,581 shares through a 401(k), 91,850 shares through a SIM account, 19,198 shares through an ESOP, 78,014 shares through a SERP, 13,052 shares through a spouse, 101,371 shares through Stock Award III, 120,318 shares through Stock Award IV, and 118,452 shares through Stock Award V.

In Table II, the filing reports five series of stock options, all to buy common stock. These carry exercise prices of $7.10, $7.25, $7.50, $7.38, and $8.31, with expiration dates ranging from July 23, 2029, through March 2, 2036. The two earliest-dated grants, at $7.10 and $7.25, are described as fully vested and exercisable. The three remaining grants vest in approximately equal annual installments commencing on their respective start dates. All options are held directly.

What Was Disclosed

Kemly filed a Form 4 reporting the non-discretionary acquisition of 168.269 phantom stock units at $11.04 on October 30, 2026, through Columbia Financial's Stock-Based Deferral Plan, along with a comprehensive snapshot of his direct and indirect beneficial ownership in common stock and stock options.