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<title>ocfc-20211025</title></head><body><div style="display:none"><ix:header><ix:hidden><ix:nonNumeric contextRef="ief30a2aa1e3b4671a9f506103d688874_D20211025-20211025" name="dei:EntityCentralIndexKey" id="id3VybDovL2RvY3MudjEvZG9jOjE5YWU5NDRkMDQ2NTQ1ZWQ5NTk1M2YyZDhlOTA4OGU3L3NlYzoxOWFlOTQ0ZDA0NjU0NWVkOTU5NTNmMmQ4ZTkwODhlN180L2ZyYWc6OWJkNTk2NjUyYzE3NDlmZmJkZTY0MWNlMjUzZmJlMTgvdGFibGU6ZDYwODVkMTY2YzYxNGQ1ZGIwZTNiYzI5MzY4ZjdlNDAvdGFibGVyYW5nZTpkNjA4NWQxNjZjNjE0ZDVkYjBlM2JjMjkzNjhmN2U0MF8zLTEtMS0xLTQ5NTM0_cfef7d2a-74ae-4479-b60b-56fb7d326bfa">0001004702</ix:nonNumeric><ix:nonNumeric contextRef="ief30a2aa1e3b4671a9f506103d688874_D20211025-20211025" name="dei:AmendmentFlag" 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scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0001004702</xbrli:identifier><xbrli:segment><xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="us-gaap:StatementClassOfStockAxis">us-gaap:CommonStockMember</xbrldi:explicitMember></xbrli:segment></xbrli:entity><xbrli:period><xbrli:startDate>2021-10-25</xbrli:startDate><xbrli:endDate>2021-10-25</xbrli:endDate></xbrli:period></xbrli:context><xbrli:context id="i50bd86a6499f48c386c1b325241fb5de_D20211025-20211025"><xbrli:entity><xbrli:identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0001004702</xbrli:identifier><xbrli:segment><xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="us-gaap:StatementClassOfStockAxis">us-gaap:SeriesAPreferredStockMember</xbrldi:explicitMember></xbrli:segment></xbrli:entity><xbrli:period><xbrli:startDate>2021-10-25</xbrli:startDate><xbrli:endDate>2021-10-25</xbrli:endDate></xbrli:period></xbrli:context></ix:resources></ix:header></div><div id="i19ae944d046545ed95953f2d8e9088e7_1"></div><div style="min-height:22.5pt;width:100%"><div><span><br/></span></div></div><div style="-sec-extract:summary;margin-top:4pt;text-align:center"><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:99.853%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"></td><td style="width:98.900%"></td><td style="width:0.1%"></td></tr><tr style="height:3pt"><td colspan="3" style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:0 1pt"></td></tr></table></div><div style="text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:18pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">UNITED STATES</span></div><div style="text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:18pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:9pt;text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">WASHINGTON, DC  </span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:5pt;text-align:center"><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:29.093%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"></td><td style="width:98.900%"></td><td style="width:0.1%"></td></tr><tr style="height:3pt"><td colspan="3" style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;padding:0 1pt"></td></tr></table></div><div style="margin-bottom:3pt;margin-top:1pt;text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:18pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">FORM <ix:nonNumeric contextRef="ief30a2aa1e3b4671a9f506103d688874_D20211025-20211025" name="dei:DocumentType" id="id3VybDovL2RvY3MudjEvZG9jOjE5YWU5NDRkMDQ2NTQ1ZWQ5NTk1M2YyZDhlOTA4OGU3L3NlYzoxOWFlOTQ0ZDA0NjU0NWVkOTU5NTNmMmQ4ZTkwODhlN18xL2ZyYWc6ODM2MjY2NDE1MjNiNDBlMGE5NWVjODg5NTI2MDMyNzMvdGV4dHJlZ2lvbjo4MzYyNjY0MTUyM2I0MGUwYTk1ZWM4ODk1MjYwMzI3M18yNjIx_c6102622-77a6-428a-b4fe-867171c0aebf">8-K</ix:nonNumeric> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:5pt;text-align:center"><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:29.093%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"></td><td style="width:98.900%"></td><td style="width:0.1%"></td></tr><tr style="height:3pt"><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:0 1pt"></td></tr></table></div><div style="margin-top:7pt;text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">CURRENT REPORT</span></div><div style="text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): <ix:nonNumeric contextRef="ief30a2aa1e3b4671a9f506103d688874_D20211025-20211025" format="ixt:date-monthname-day-year-en" name="dei:DocumentPeriodEndDate" id="id3VybDovL2RvY3MudjEvZG9jOjE5YWU5NDRkMDQ2NTQ1ZWQ5NTk1M2YyZDhlOTA4OGU3L3NlYzoxOWFlOTQ0ZDA0NjU0NWVkOTU5NTNmMmQ4ZTkwODhlN18xL2ZyYWc6ODM2MjY2NDE1MjNiNDBlMGE5NWVjODg5NTI2MDMyNzMvdGV4dHJlZ2lvbjo4MzYyNjY0MTUyM2I0MGUwYTk1ZWM4ODk1MjYwMzI3M18xNjQ5MjY3NDQ4MDI0_efcc4b1b-01fb-4482-b773-4b56dc9dc5ad">October 25, 2021</ix:nonNumeric></span></div><div style="margin-bottom:3pt;margin-top:8pt;text-align:center"><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:29.093%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"></td><td style="width:98.900%"></td><td style="width:0.1%"></td></tr><tr style="height:3pt"><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:0 1pt"></td></tr></table></div><div style="margin-top:1pt;text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:24pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%"><ix:nonNumeric contextRef="ief30a2aa1e3b4671a9f506103d688874_D20211025-20211025" name="dei:EntityRegistrantName" id="id3VybDovL2RvY3MudjEvZG9jOjE5YWU5NDRkMDQ2NTQ1ZWQ5NTk1M2YyZDhlOTA4OGU3L3NlYzoxOWFlOTQ0ZDA0NjU0NWVkOTU5NTNmMmQ4ZTkwODhlN18xL2ZyYWc6ODM2MjY2NDE1MjNiNDBlMGE5NWVjODg5NTI2MDMyNzMvdGV4dHJlZ2lvbjo4MzYyNjY0MTUyM2I0MGUwYTk1ZWM4ODk1MjYwMzI3M18yNjIy_32819193-cfe4-4d33-a62b-0012f48bd356">OCEANFIRST FINANCIAL CORP.</ix:nonNumeric> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:8pt;text-align:center"><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:29.093%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"></td><td style="width:98.900%"></td><td style="width:0.1%"></td></tr><tr style="height:3pt"><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:0 1pt"></td></tr></table></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt"><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:99.707%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"></td><td style="width:31.744%"></td><td style="width:0.1%"></td><td style="width:0.1%"></td><td style="width:0.533%"></td><td style="width:0.1%"></td><td style="width:1.0%"></td><td style="width:31.744%"></td><td style="width:0.1%"></td><td style="width:0.1%"></td><td style="width:0.533%"></td><td style="width:0.1%"></td><td style="width:1.0%"></td><td style="width:31.746%"></td><td style="width:0.1%"></td></tr><tr><td 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Roman',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">&#160;</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:700;line-height:100%">(Commission<br/>File No.)</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">&#160;</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:700;line-height:100%">(IRS Employer<br/>Identification No.)</span></td></tr></table></div><div style="text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%"><ix:nonNumeric contextRef="ief30a2aa1e3b4671a9f506103d688874_D20211025-20211025" name="dei:EntityAddressAddressLine1" id="id3VybDovL2RvY3MudjEvZG9jOjE5YWU5NDRkMDQ2NTQ1ZWQ5NTk1M2YyZDhlOTA4OGU3L3NlYzoxOWFlOTQ0ZDA0NjU0NWVkOTU5NTNmMmQ4ZTkwODhlN18xL2ZyYWc6ODM2MjY2NDE1MjNiNDBlMGE5NWVjODg5NTI2MDMyNzMvdGV4dHJlZ2lvbjo4MzYyNjY0MTUyM2I0MGUwYTk1ZWM4ODk1MjYwMzI3M18yNjIz_72772a02-6db1-45a4-9520-9daab7a550c0">110 West Front Street</ix:nonNumeric>, <ix:nonNumeric contextRef="ief30a2aa1e3b4671a9f506103d688874_D20211025-20211025" name="dei:EntityAddressCityOrTown" id="id3VybDovL2RvY3MudjEvZG9jOjE5YWU5NDRkMDQ2NTQ1ZWQ5NTk1M2YyZDhlOTA4OGU3L3NlYzoxOWFlOTQ0ZDA0NjU0NWVkOTU5NTNmMmQ4ZTkwODhlN18xL2ZyYWc6ODM2MjY2NDE1MjNiNDBlMGE5NWVjODg5NTI2MDMyNzMvdGV4dHJlZ2lvbjo4MzYyNjY0MTUyM2I0MGUwYTk1ZWM4ODk1MjYwMzI3M18yNjE1_c35851f2-15ea-4b9a-9b6b-49eedd5bf25b">Red Bank</ix:nonNumeric>, <ix:nonNumeric contextRef="ief30a2aa1e3b4671a9f506103d688874_D20211025-20211025" format="ixt-sec:stateprovnameen" name="dei:EntityAddressStateOrProvince" id="id3VybDovL2RvY3MudjEvZG9jOjE5YWU5NDRkMDQ2NTQ1ZWQ5NTk1M2YyZDhlOTA4OGU3L3NlYzoxOWFlOTQ0ZDA0NjU0NWVkOTU5NTNmMmQ4ZTkwODhlN18xL2ZyYWc6ODM2MjY2NDE1MjNiNDBlMGE5NWVjODg5NTI2MDMyNzMvdGV4dHJlZ2lvbjo4MzYyNjY0MTUyM2I0MGUwYTk1ZWM4ODk1MjYwMzI3M18yNjE3_52020271-c4b3-45a7-b4db-592efe3188d7">New Jersey</ix:nonNumeric> <ix:nonNumeric contextRef="ief30a2aa1e3b4671a9f506103d688874_D20211025-20211025" name="dei:EntityAddressPostalZipCode" id="id3VybDovL2RvY3MudjEvZG9jOjE5YWU5NDRkMDQ2NTQ1ZWQ5NTk1M2YyZDhlOTA4OGU3L3NlYzoxOWFlOTQ0ZDA0NjU0NWVkOTU5NTNmMmQ4ZTkwODhlN18xL2ZyYWc6ODM2MjY2NDE1MjNiNDBlMGE5NWVjODg5NTI2MDMyNzMvdGV4dHJlZ2lvbjo4MzYyNjY0MTUyM2I0MGUwYTk1ZWM4ODk1MjYwMzI3M18yNjE4_05350797-6db0-453c-a161-b60e4e7763b5">07701</ix:nonNumeric> </span></div><div style="text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)</span></div><div style="margin-top:6pt;text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">(<ix:nonNumeric contextRef="ief30a2aa1e3b4671a9f506103d688874_D20211025-20211025" name="dei:CityAreaCode" id="id3VybDovL2RvY3MudjEvZG9jOjE5YWU5NDRkMDQ2NTQ1ZWQ5NTk1M2YyZDhlOTA4OGU3L3NlYzoxOWFlOTQ0ZDA0NjU0NWVkOTU5NTNmMmQ4ZTkwODhlN18xL2ZyYWc6ODM2MjY2NDE1MjNiNDBlMGE5NWVjODg5NTI2MDMyNzMvdGV4dHJlZ2lvbjo4MzYyNjY0MTUyM2I0MGUwYTk1ZWM4ODk1MjYwMzI3M18yNjE2_422781df-8211-45ce-8903-61403d1f9280">732</ix:nonNumeric>)<ix:nonNumeric contextRef="ief30a2aa1e3b4671a9f506103d688874_D20211025-20211025" name="dei:LocalPhoneNumber" id="id3VybDovL2RvY3MudjEvZG9jOjE5YWU5NDRkMDQ2NTQ1ZWQ5NTk1M2YyZDhlOTA4OGU3L3NlYzoxOWFlOTQ0ZDA0NjU0NWVkOTU5NTNmMmQ4ZTkwODhlN18xL2ZyYWc6ODM2MjY2NDE1MjNiNDBlMGE5NWVjODg5NTI2MDMyNzMvdGV4dHJlZ2lvbjo4MzYyNjY0MTUyM2I0MGUwYTk1ZWM4ODk1MjYwMzI3M18yNjE5_2f969cc4-9fd8-4981-9a21-1e250117baeb">240-4500</ix:nonNumeric> </span></div><div style="text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">(Registrant&#8217;s telephone number, including area code)</span></div><div style="margin-top:6pt;text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Not Applicable</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:3pt;margin-top:8pt;text-align:center"><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:29.093%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"></td><td style="width:98.900%"></td><td style="width:0.1%"></td></tr><tr style="height:3pt"><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:0 1pt"></td></tr></table></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:5pt"><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:99.853%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"></td><td style="width:4.756%"></td><td style="width:0.1%"></td><td style="width:1.0%"></td><td style="width:93.044%"></td><td style="width:0.1%"></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial Unicode MS',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%"><ix:nonNumeric contextRef="ief30a2aa1e3b4671a9f506103d688874_D20211025-20211025" format="ixt-sec:boolballotbox" name="dei:WrittenCommunications" id="id3VybDovL2RvY3MudjEvZG9jOjE5YWU5NDRkMDQ2NTQ1ZWQ5NTk1M2YyZDhlOTA4OGU3L3NlYzoxOWFlOTQ0ZDA0NjU0NWVkOTU5NTNmMmQ4ZTkwODhlN18xL2ZyYWc6ODM2MjY2NDE1MjNiNDBlMGE5NWVjODg5NTI2MDMyNzMvdGFibGU6ZTRjOTFhZGE2ZTBhNGYzZTkxODc2N2ZmMGZkMzFlNTYvdGFibGVyYW5nZTplNGM5MWFkYTZlMGE0ZjNlOTE4NzY3ZmYwZmQzMWU1Nl8wLTAtMS0xLTQ5NTM0_2a89edd6-6c1b-4a4f-bfee-d25d7521747f">&#9744;</ix:nonNumeric></span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</span></td></tr></table></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt"><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:99.853%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"></td><td style="width:4.756%"></td><td style="width:0.1%"></td><td style="width:1.0%"></td><td style="width:93.044%"></td><td style="width:0.1%"></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial Unicode MS',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%"><ix:nonNumeric contextRef="ief30a2aa1e3b4671a9f506103d688874_D20211025-20211025" format="ixt-sec:boolballotbox" name="dei:SolicitingMaterial" id="id3VybDovL2RvY3MudjEvZG9jOjE5YWU5NDRkMDQ2NTQ1ZWQ5NTk1M2YyZDhlOTA4OGU3L3NlYzoxOWFlOTQ0ZDA0NjU0NWVkOTU5NTNmMmQ4ZTkwODhlN18xL2ZyYWc6ODM2MjY2NDE1MjNiNDBlMGE5NWVjODg5NTI2MDMyNzMvdGFibGU6ZjcwMTQ0NDViOGQ4NDQ1YWI2N2VhMmY2OGYxOTIzNWQvdGFibGVyYW5nZTpmNzAxNDQ0NWI4ZDg0NDVhYjY3ZWEyZjY4ZjE5MjM1ZF8wLTAtMS0xLTQ5NTM0_fe60523c-a729-403f-bca2-793f4956ef0b">&#9744;</ix:nonNumeric></span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)</span></td></tr></table></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt"><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:99.853%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"></td><td style="width:4.756%"></td><td style="width:0.1%"></td><td style="width:1.0%"></td><td style="width:93.044%"></td><td style="width:0.1%"></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial Unicode MS',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%"><ix:nonNumeric contextRef="ief30a2aa1e3b4671a9f506103d688874_D20211025-20211025" format="ixt-sec:boolballotbox" name="dei:PreCommencementTenderOffer" id="id3VybDovL2RvY3MudjEvZG9jOjE5YWU5NDRkMDQ2NTQ1ZWQ5NTk1M2YyZDhlOTA4OGU3L3NlYzoxOWFlOTQ0ZDA0NjU0NWVkOTU5NTNmMmQ4ZTkwODhlN18xL2ZyYWc6ODM2MjY2NDE1MjNiNDBlMGE5NWVjODg5NTI2MDMyNzMvdGFibGU6MmE2N2UyNWFkMDZhNGU4ZDg5MzBmMzRhODgyNDlkMzMvdGFibGVyYW5nZToyYTY3ZTI1YWQwNmE0ZThkODkzMGYzNGE4ODI0OWQzM18wLTAtMS0xLTQ5NTM0_fe037b49-c737-4f0f-b4db-96873a62c6aa">&#9744;</ix:nonNumeric></span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))</span></td></tr></table></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt"><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:99.853%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"></td><td style="width:4.756%"></td><td style="width:0.1%"></td><td style="width:1.0%"></td><td style="width:93.044%"></td><td style="width:0.1%"></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial Unicode MS',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%"><ix:nonNumeric contextRef="ief30a2aa1e3b4671a9f506103d688874_D20211025-20211025" format="ixt-sec:boolballotbox" name="dei:PreCommencementIssuerTenderOffer" id="id3VybDovL2RvY3MudjEvZG9jOjE5YWU5NDRkMDQ2NTQ1ZWQ5NTk1M2YyZDhlOTA4OGU3L3NlYzoxOWFlOTQ0ZDA0NjU0NWVkOTU5NTNmMmQ4ZTkwODhlN18xL2ZyYWc6ODM2MjY2NDE1MjNiNDBlMGE5NWVjODg5NTI2MDMyNzMvdGFibGU6YzMzMDg5ZmQ4M2M2NDkzYzgxMzQ4Zjg2MmQwZDBmMzcvdGFibGVyYW5nZTpjMzMwODlmZDgzYzY0OTNjODEzNDhmODYyZDBkMGYzN18wLTAtMS0xLTQ5NTM0_9f1f2eff-5a74-40a3-b1e5-7139c92fc145">&#9744;</ix:nonNumeric></span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))</span></td></tr></table></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:5pt"><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:99.853%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"></td><td style="width:35.210%"></td><td style="width:0.1%"></td><td style="width:0.1%"></td><td style="width:0.532%"></td><td style="width:0.1%"></td><td style="width:1.0%"></td><td style="width:20.569%"></td><td style="width:0.1%"></td><td style="width:0.1%"></td><td style="width:0.532%"></td><td style="width:0.1%"></td><td style="width:1.0%"></td><td style="width:39.457%"></td><td style="width:0.1%"></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:100%">Title of each class</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:100%">Trading symbol</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:100%">Name of each exchange in which registered</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%"><ix:nonNumeric contextRef="i542f0c2da88f42a0af158439db5fa1c6_D20211025-20211025" name="dei:Security12bTitle" id="id3VybDovL2RvY3MudjEvZG9jOjE5YWU5NDRkMDQ2NTQ1ZWQ5NTk1M2YyZDhlOTA4OGU3L3NlYzoxOWFlOTQ0ZDA0NjU0NWVkOTU5NTNmMmQ4ZTkwODhlN18xL2ZyYWc6ODM2MjY2NDE1MjNiNDBlMGE5NWVjODg5NTI2MDMyNzMvdGFibGU6NTM3MGU5Y2E0MjE5NGNlOTkzMzIzYjM0MDk2NDlmOTAvdGFibGVyYW5nZTo1MzcwZTljYTQyMTk0Y2U5OTMzMjNiMzQwOTY0OWY5MF8xLTAtMS0xLTQ5NTM0_aef77687-547e-47bf-8752-f285b856e0f3">Common stock, $0.01 par value per share</ix:nonNumeric></span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%"><ix:nonNumeric contextRef="i542f0c2da88f42a0af158439db5fa1c6_D20211025-20211025" name="dei:TradingSymbol" id="id3VybDovL2RvY3MudjEvZG9jOjE5YWU5NDRkMDQ2NTQ1ZWQ5NTk1M2YyZDhlOTA4OGU3L3NlYzoxOWFlOTQ0ZDA0NjU0NWVkOTU5NTNmMmQ4ZTkwODhlN18xL2ZyYWc6ODM2MjY2NDE1MjNiNDBlMGE5NWVjODg5NTI2MDMyNzMvdGFibGU6NTM3MGU5Y2E0MjE5NGNlOTkzMzIzYjM0MDk2NDlmOTAvdGFibGVyYW5nZTo1MzcwZTljYTQyMTk0Y2U5OTMzMjNiMzQwOTY0OWY5MF8xLTItMS0xLTQ5NTM0_1c65378d-5bad-4f3e-8dff-c102e4cf15c1">OCFC</ix:nonNumeric></span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%"><ix:nonNumeric contextRef="i542f0c2da88f42a0af158439db5fa1c6_D20211025-20211025" name="dei:SecurityExchangeName" id="id3VybDovL2RvY3MudjEvZG9jOjE5YWU5NDRkMDQ2NTQ1ZWQ5NTk1M2YyZDhlOTA4OGU3L3NlYzoxOWFlOTQ0ZDA0NjU0NWVkOTU5NTNmMmQ4ZTkwODhlN18xL2ZyYWc6ODM2MjY2NDE1MjNiNDBlMGE5NWVjODg5NTI2MDMyNzMvdGFibGU6NTM3MGU5Y2E0MjE5NGNlOTkzMzIzYjM0MDk2NDlmOTAvdGFibGVyYW5nZTo1MzcwZTljYTQyMTk0Y2U5OTMzMjNiMzQwOTY0OWY5MF8xLTQtMS0xLTQ5NTM0_cbe0a9e0-f09e-4fb3-94f4-104471df9261">NASDAQ</ix:nonNumeric></span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:middle"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%"><ix:nonNumeric contextRef="i50bd86a6499f48c386c1b325241fb5de_D20211025-20211025" name="dei:Security12bTitle" id="id3VybDovL2RvY3MudjEvZG9jOjE5YWU5NDRkMDQ2NTQ1ZWQ5NTk1M2YyZDhlOTA4OGU3L3NlYzoxOWFlOTQ0ZDA0NjU0NWVkOTU5NTNmMmQ4ZTkwODhlN18xL2ZyYWc6ODM2MjY2NDE1MjNiNDBlMGE5NWVjODg5NTI2MDMyNzMvdGFibGU6NTM3MGU5Y2E0MjE5NGNlOTkzMzIzYjM0MDk2NDlmOTAvdGFibGVyYW5nZTo1MzcwZTljYTQyMTk0Y2U5OTMzMjNiMzQwOTY0OWY5MF8yLTAtMS0xLTQ5NTM0_c2d5853d-bf25-406a-8ece-e2190225f7ee">Depositary Shares (each representing a 1/40th interest in a share of 7.0% Series A Non-Cumulative, perpetual preferred stock)</ix:nonNumeric></span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:middle"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%"><ix:nonNumeric contextRef="i50bd86a6499f48c386c1b325241fb5de_D20211025-20211025" name="dei:TradingSymbol" id="id3VybDovL2RvY3MudjEvZG9jOjE5YWU5NDRkMDQ2NTQ1ZWQ5NTk1M2YyZDhlOTA4OGU3L3NlYzoxOWFlOTQ0ZDA0NjU0NWVkOTU5NTNmMmQ4ZTkwODhlN18xL2ZyYWc6ODM2MjY2NDE1MjNiNDBlMGE5NWVjODg5NTI2MDMyNzMvdGFibGU6NTM3MGU5Y2E0MjE5NGNlOTkzMzIzYjM0MDk2NDlmOTAvdGFibGVyYW5nZTo1MzcwZTljYTQyMTk0Y2U5OTMzMjNiMzQwOTY0OWY5MF8yLTItMS0xLTQ5NTM0_048f34f6-ac74-4d43-8beb-bb916146bb14">OCFCP</ix:nonNumeric></span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:middle"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%"><ix:nonNumeric contextRef="i50bd86a6499f48c386c1b325241fb5de_D20211025-20211025" name="dei:SecurityExchangeName" id="id3VybDovL2RvY3MudjEvZG9jOjE5YWU5NDRkMDQ2NTQ1ZWQ5NTk1M2YyZDhlOTA4OGU3L3NlYzoxOWFlOTQ0ZDA0NjU0NWVkOTU5NTNmMmQ4ZTkwODhlN18xL2ZyYWc6ODM2MjY2NDE1MjNiNDBlMGE5NWVjODg5NTI2MDMyNzMvdGFibGU6NTM3MGU5Y2E0MjE5NGNlOTkzMzIzYjM0MDk2NDlmOTAvdGFibGVyYW5nZTo1MzcwZTljYTQyMTk0Y2U5OTMzMjNiMzQwOTY0OWY5MF8yLTQtMS0xLTQ5NTM0_331ce6c2-8d78-4de0-b2ca-749d697cf469">NASDAQ</ix:nonNumeric></span></td></tr></table></div><div style="margin-top:1pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR 230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR 240.12b-2).</span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Emerging growth company </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial Unicode MS',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%"><ix:nonNumeric contextRef="ief30a2aa1e3b4671a9f506103d688874_D20211025-20211025" format="ixt-sec:boolballotbox" name="dei:EntityEmergingGrowthCompany" id="id3VybDovL2RvY3MudjEvZG9jOjE5YWU5NDRkMDQ2NTQ1ZWQ5NTk1M2YyZDhlOTA4OGU3L3NlYzoxOWFlOTQ0ZDA0NjU0NWVkOTU5NTNmMmQ4ZTkwODhlN18xL2ZyYWc6ODM2MjY2NDE1MjNiNDBlMGE5NWVjODg5NTI2MDMyNzMvdGV4dHJlZ2lvbjo4MzYyNjY0MTUyM2I0MGUwYTk1ZWM4ODk1MjYwMzI3M18yNjIw_d0b827d5-22db-4a3a-bcb5-9f468dc2cdda">&#9744;</ix:nonNumeric></span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%"> </span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange    Act. </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial Unicode MS',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">&#9744;</span></div><div style="margin-top:5pt"><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:99.853%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"></td><td style="width:98.900%"></td><td style="width:0.1%"></td></tr><tr style="height:3pt"><td colspan="3" style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:0 1pt"></td></tr></table></div><div style="height:22.5pt;position:relative;width:100%"><div style="bottom:0;position:absolute;width:100%"><div><span><br/></span></div></div></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"/><div style="min-height:22.5pt;width:100%"><div><span><br/></span></div></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="margin-top:6pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">ITEM 4.01&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;CHANGE IN REGISTRANT&#8217;S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT</span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">(a)          On October 25, 2021, KPMG LLP (&#8220;KPMG&#8221;) was dismissed as the independent registered public accounting firm for OceanFirst Financial Corp. (the &#8220;Registrant&#8221;). The decision to dismiss KPMG was approved by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Registrant. The dismissal will be effective upon the issuance of the Registrant&#8217;s consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021, and an amendment to this Current Report will be filed upon the effectiveness of such dismissal.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 and the subsequent interim period through October 25, 2021, there were no: (1) disagreements with KPMG on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedures, which disagreements, if not resolved to their satisfaction, would have caused them to make reference in connection with their opinion to the subject matter of the disagreement, or (2) reportable events under Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">The audit reports of KPMG on the consolidated financial statements of the Registrant as of and for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles, except as follows:</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">KPMG's report on the consolidated financial statements of the Registrant as of and for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, contained a separate paragraph stating that "As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has changed its method of accounting for the recognition and measurement of credit losses as of January 1, 2020 due to the adoption of ASC Topic 326, Financial Instruments &#8211; Credit Losses.&#8221;</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">A letter from KPMG is attached as an Exhibit to this Report on Form 8-K.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">(b)          On October 25, 2021, the Registrant appointed Deloitte &amp; Touche LLP (&#8220;Deloitte&#8221;) as the Registrant's new independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022, subject to completion of Deloitte&#8217;s standard client acceptance procedures and execution of an engagement letter. The appointment was approved by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Registrant. During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the subsequent interim period prior to the engagement of Deloitte, the Registrant did not consult with Deloitte regarding any of the matters or events set forth in Item 304(a)(2)(i) and (ii) of Regulation S-K.</span></div><div style="margin-top:18pt;padding-left:36pt;text-indent:-36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">ITEM 9.01</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%;padding-left:25.36pt">FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS</span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:6pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">&#160;</span></div><div style="margin-top:5pt;padding-left:36pt"><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:93.713%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"></td><td style="width:12.004%"></td><td style="width:0.1%"></td><td style="width:0.1%"></td><td style="width:0.580%"></td><td style="width:0.1%"></td><td style="width:1.0%"></td><td style="width:18.868%"></td><td style="width:0.1%"></td><td style="width:1.0%"></td><td style="width:65.048%"></td><td style="width:0.1%"></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">(d)</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"></td><td colspan="6" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">EXHIBITS</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">Exhibit No.</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">Description</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div><span style="color:#0000ff;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%;text-decoration:underline"><a style="-sec-extract:exhibit;color:#0000ff;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%;text-decoration:underline" href="exhibit161auditor.htm">16.1</a></span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"></td><td colspan="6" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">Letter from KPMG LLP to the Securities and Exchange Commission dated October 28, 2021.</span></td></tr></table></div><div style="padding-left:18pt;padding-right:18pt;text-align:center;text-indent:-36pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="height:22.5pt;position:relative;width:100%"><div style="bottom:0;position:absolute;width:100%"><div><span><br/></span></div></div></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"/><div style="min-height:22.5pt;width:100%"><div><span><br/></span></div></div><div style="text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">SIGNATURES</span></div><div style="text-align:center"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:center"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:right"><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:99.853%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"></td><td style="width:6.367%"></td><td style="width:0.1%"></td><td style="width:1.0%"></td><td style="width:38.870%"></td><td style="width:0.1%"></td><td style="width:1.0%"></td><td style="width:51.463%"></td><td style="width:0.1%"></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">OCEANFIRST FINANCIAL CORP.</span></td></tr><tr style="height:15pt"><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">Dated:</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">October 28, 2021</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">/s/ Michael J. Fitzpatrick</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">Michael J. Fitzpatrick</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer</span></td></tr></table></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="height:22.5pt;position:relative;width:100%"><div style="bottom:0;position:absolute;width:100%"><div><span><br/></span></div></div></div></body></html>
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ocfc-20211025
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC
FORM
8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of report (Date of earliest event reported):
October 25, 2021
OCEANFIRST FINANCIAL CORP.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
001-11713
22-3412577
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(Commission
File No.)
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
110 West Front Street
,
Red Bank
,
New Jersey
07701
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
(
732
)
240-4500
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
☐
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
☐
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
☐
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
☐
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Trading symbol
Name of each exchange in which registered
Common stock, $0.01 par value per share
OCFC
NASDAQ
Depositary Shares (each representing a 1/40th interest in a share of 7.0% Series A Non-Cumulative, perpetual preferred stock)
OCFCP
NASDAQ
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR 230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR 240.12b-2).
Emerging growth company
☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange    Act.
☐
ITEM 4.01    CHANGE IN REGISTRANT'S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT
(a)          On October 25, 2021, KPMG LLP ("KPMG") was dismissed as the independent registered public accounting firm for OceanFirst Financial Corp. (the "Registrant"). The decision to dismiss KPMG was approved by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Registrant. The dismissal will be effective upon the issuance of the Registrant's consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021, and an amendment to this Current Report will be filed upon the effectiveness of such dismissal.
During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 and the subsequent interim period through October 25, 2021, there were no: (1) disagreements with KPMG on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedures, which disagreements, if not resolved to their satisfaction, would have caused them to make reference in connection with their opinion to the subject matter of the disagreement, or (2) reportable events under Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.
The audit reports of KPMG on the consolidated financial statements of the Registrant as of and for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles, except as follows:
KPMG's report on the consolidated financial statements of the Registrant as of and for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, contained a separate paragraph stating that "As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has changed its method of accounting for the recognition and measurement of credit losses as of January 1, 2020 due to the adoption of ASC Topic 326, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses."
A letter from KPMG is attached as an Exhibit to this Report on Form 8-K.
(b)          On October 25, 2021, the Registrant appointed Deloitte & Touche LLP ("Deloitte") as the Registrant's new independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022, subject to completion of Deloitte's standard client acceptance procedures and execution of an engagement letter. The appointment was approved by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Registrant. During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the subsequent interim period prior to the engagement of Deloitte, the Registrant did not consult with Deloitte regarding any of the matters or events set forth in Item 304(a)(2)(i) and (ii) of Regulation S-K.
ITEM 9.01
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS
(d)
EXHIBITS
Exhibit No.
Description
16.1
Letter from KPMG LLP to the Securities and Exchange Commission dated October 28, 2021.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
OCEANFIRST FINANCIAL CORP.
Dated:
October 28, 2021
/s/ Michael J. Fitzpatrick
Michael J. Fitzpatrick
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer