FAIR LAWN, N.J., April 20, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Columbia Financial, Inc. (the “Company”) (NASDAQ: CLBK), the mid-tier holding company for Columbia Bank ("Columbia"), reported net income of $13.1 million, or $0.13 per basic and diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, as compared to $8.9 million, or $0.09 per basic and diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2025. Earnings for the quarter ended March 31, 2026 reflected higher net interest income due to both an increase in interest income and a decrease in interest expense, and a decrease in provision for credit losses, partially offset by lower non-interest income, an increase in non-interest expense and higher income tax expense.

Mr. Thomas J. Kemly, President and Chief Executive Officer commented: “It was an exciting first quarter for Columbia as we announced our intention to undertake our second step conversion offering as well as a significant merger with Northfield Bancorp, Inc. We believe that these transactions have the ability to transform our company by introducing us to new geographic markets in the New York metro area, adding a lower cost deposit base, and providing abundant capital for future growth of our franchise. Our teams are actively working on integration plans to ensure a seamless transition for our customers. The completion of the second-step conversion and the merger remain subject to the satisfaction of various closing conditions, including the receipt of all required regulatory approvals and the receipt of all required applicable stockholder and member approvals.”

Regarding the quarterly financial results, Mr. Kemly added, “Our first quarter results included higher core net income driven by net interest margin expansion and lower provision for credit losses partially offset by merger related costs and a higher income tax rate. While the balance sheet was fairly flat with prior quarter, higher commercial loan prepayments offset solid loan production. We reduced our cost of deposits by 6 basis points despite heightened competition for deposits in our markets. "

Financial Highlights

• Net income increased by $4.2 million, or 47.2% for the quarter ended March 31, 2026 compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2025 and decreased $2.6 million compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2025.
• Net interest margin of 2.42% for the quarter ended March 31, 2026 increased by 31 basis points compared to 2.11% for the quarter ended March 31, 2025 and 6 basis points compared to 2.36% for the quarter ended December 31, 2025.
• The Company recorded net recoveries on loans of $604,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2026 as compared to net charge-offs on loans of $857,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2025.
  

Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2026 and March 31, 2025

Net income of $13.1 million was recorded for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, an increase of $4.2 million compared to net income of $8.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2025. The increase in net income was primarily attributable to a $10.1 million increase in net interest income, and a $2.0 million decrease in provision for credit losses, partially offset by a $1.7 million decrease in non-interest income, a $3.6 million increase in non-interest expense, and a $2.5 million increase in income tax expense.

Net interest income was $60.4 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, an increase of $10.1 million, or 20.0%, from $50.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2025. The increase in net interest income was primarily attributable to a $6.7 million increase in interest income and a $3.4 million decrease in interest expense on deposits and borrowings. The increase in interest income was primarily due to an increase in the average balance of loans and securities coupled with an increase in average yields on loans. The 75 basis point decrease in market interest rates during 2025 contributed to lower interest rates paid on new and repricing deposits and borrowings during the quarter ended March 31, 2026, but did not have as significant of an impact on the yields on interest-earning assets, which remained stable since December 31, 2025, as assets repriced at a slower pace. Prepayment penalties, which are included in interest income on loans, totaled $253,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, compared to $257,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2025.

The average yield on loans for the quarter ended March 31, 2026 increased 12 basis points to 5.01%, as compared to 4.89% for the quarter ended March 31, 2025. Interest income on loans increased due to an increase in both the average balance and yield on loans. The average yield on securities for the quarter ended March 31, 2026 decreased 7 basis points to 3.38%, as compared to 3.45% for the quarter ended March 31, 2025. Interest income on securities increased due to an increase in the average balance of securities which more than offset a decrease in the average yield. The average yield on other interest-earning assets for the quarter ended March 31, 2026 decreased 97 basis points to 4.78%, as compared to 5.75% for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, mainly due to a 165 basis point decrease in the dividend rate received on Federal Home Loan Bank stock.

Total interest expense was $58.5 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, a decrease of $3.4 million, or 5.4%, from $61.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2025. The decrease in interest expense was primarily attributable to a 30 basis point decrease in the average cost of interest-bearing deposits coupled with a 32 basis point decrease in the average cost of borrowings, partially offset by an increase in both the average balance of interest-bearing deposits and borrowings. Interest expense on deposits decreased $3.8 million, or 7.6% due to the decrease in the average cost of deposits. Interest expense on borrowings increased $476,000, or 4.1%, for the quarter ended March 31, 2026 as compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2025, due to the increase in the average balance of borrowings, which more than offset the decrease in the average cost.

The Company's net interest margin for the quarter ended March 31, 2026 increased 31 basis points to 2.42% when compared to 2.11%, for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, due to an increase in the average yield on interest-earning assets coupled with a decrease in the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities. The weighted average yield on interest-earning assets increased 7 basis points to 4.76% for the quarter ended March 31, 2026 as compared to 4.69% for the quarter ended March 31, 2025. The average cost of interest-bearing liabilities decreased 29 basis points to 2.92% for the quarter ended March 31, 2026 as compared to 3.21% for the quarter ended March 31, 2025.

The provision for credit losses for the quarter ended March 31, 2026 was $1.0 million, a decrease of $2.0 million, or 67.4%, from $2.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2025. The decrease in provision for credit losses was primarily attributable to a decrease in net charge-offs, with net recoveries on loans of $604,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, as compared to net charge-offs on loans of $857,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, and a decrease in the balance of loans receivable, partially offset by an increase in qualitative loss rates based on the evaluation of current and projected economic conditions.

Non-interest income was $6.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, a decrease of $1.7 million, or 20.4%, from $8.5 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2025. The decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease in the change in fair value of equity securities of $1.5 million, and a decrease of $379,000 in other non-interest income, mainly related to interest rate swaps.

Non-interest expense was $47.5 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, an increase of $3.6 million, or 8.3%, from $43.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2025. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in compensation and employee benefits expense of $2.5 million, and an increase in merger-related expenses of $1.8 million, partially offset by a decrease of $1.1 million in professional fees. The increase in compensation and employee benefits expense was due to normal annual increases and an increase in the number of employees.

Income tax expense was $5.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, an increase of $2.5 million, as compared to income tax expense of $3.1 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, mainly due to higher pre-tax income. The Company's effective tax rate was 29.9% and 25.9% for the quarters ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, respectively. The increase in the 2026 effective tax rate was due to non-deductible merger-related expenses.

Balance Sheet Summary

Total assets decreased $8.3 million, or 0.1%, with a balance of $11.0 billion at both March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025. The decrease in total assets was primarily attributable to decreases in cash and cash equivalents of $63.9 million, debt securities held to maturity of $18.4 million, and loans receivable, net, of $33.9 million, partially offset by an increase in debt securities available for sale of $76.9 million, an increase in Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank Stock of $18.3 million, and an increase in other real estate owned of $5.9 million, representing one non-performing construction loan transferred to other real estate owned in March 2026.

Cash and cash equivalents decreased $63.9 million, or 18.7%, to $276.9 million at March 31, 2026 from $340.8 million at December 31, 2025. The decrease was primarily attributable to purchases of securities of $138.2 million, the purchase of Federal Reserve Bank of New York Stock, the origination of loans receivable, and a decrease in total deposits of $72.1 million, partially offset by principal repayments on securities of $20.9 million, calls and maturities on securities of $54.9 million, repayments on loans receivable and an increase in borrowings of $60.0 million.

Debt securities available for sale increased $76.9 million, or 6.8%, to $1.2 billion at March 31, 2026 from $1.1 billion at December 31, 2025. The increase was attributable to purchases of securities of $138.2 million, consisting primarily of U.S. government obligations and mortgage-backed securities, partially offset by an increase in the gross unrealized loss on securities of $4.8 million, calls and maturities on securities of $40.0 million, and repayments on securities of $17.1 million.

Debt securities held to maturity decreased $18.4 million, or 4.6%, to $377.8 million at March 31, 2026 from $396.2 million at December 31, 2025. The decrease was primarily attributable to maturities on securities of $14.9 million and repayments on securities of $3.8 million.

Loans receivable, net, decreased $33.9 million, or 0.4%, with a balance of $8.2 billion at both March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025. One-to-four family loans, multifamily loans, commercial real estate loans, commercial business loans, and home equity loans and advances decreased $14.7 million, $8.4 million, $40.3 million, $14.5 million, and $5.6 million, respectively, partially offset by an increase in construction loans of $51.3 million. The allowance for credit losses for loans increased $1.6 million to $68.8 million at March 31, 2026 from $67.2 million at December 31, 2025, primarily due to an increase in qualitative loss rates based on the evaluation of current and projected economic conditions.

Total liabilities decreased $21.3 million, or 0.2%, to $9.8 billion at March 31, 2026 from $9.9 billion at December 31, 2025. The decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease in total deposits of $72.1 million, or 0.9%, and a decrease in accrued expenses and other liabilities of $11.3 million, partially offset by an increase in borrowings of $60.0 million, or 5.1%. The decrease in total deposits primarily consisted of decreases in non-interest-bearing demand deposits, interest-bearing demand deposits and money market accounts of $9.4 million, $102.9 million, and $13.8 million, respectively, partially offset by increases in savings and club accounts and certificates of deposits of $1.6 million and $52.4 million, respectively. The decrease in interest-bearing demand deposits was mainly attributable to seasonal decreases in the balance of municipal deposits. The decrease in accrued expenses and other liabilities related to the payout of benefit related accrued expenses coupled with a decrease in outstanding checks. The $60.0 million increase in borrowings was driven by a net increase in short-term borrowings of $35.0 million, coupled with new long-term borrowings of $40.0 million, partially offset by repayments of $15.0 million in maturing long-term borrowings.

Total stockholders’ equity increased $13.0 million, or 1.1%, with a balance of $1.2 billion at both March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, primarily attributable to net income of $13.1 million.

Asset Quality

The Company's non-performing loans at March 31, 2026 totaled $41.4 million, or 0.50% of total gross loans, as compared to $38.0 million, or 0.46% of total gross loans, at December 31, 2025. The $3.4 million increase in non-performing loans was primarily attributable to one $10.6 million commercial real estate loan on a six-story mixed use building which includes apartments and commercial/storage space designated as non-performing during the 2026 period, partially offset by a decrease in non-performing commercial business loans of $1.6 million, and a decrease in non-performing construction loans of $5.9 million. The decrease in non-performing construction loans was due to one loan secured by a mixed use five-story building with both commercial space and apartments, being transferred to other real estate owned in March 2026. Non-performing assets as a percentage of total assets totaled 0.43% at March 31, 2026, as compared to 0.34% at December 31, 2025.

For the quarter ended March 31, 2026, net recoveries totaled $604,000, as compared to net charge-offs of $857,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2025.

The Company's allowance for credit losses on loans was $68.8 million, or 0.84% of total gross loans, at March 31, 2026, compared to $67.2 million, or 0.82% of total gross loans, at December 31, 2025. The increase in the allowance for credit losses for loans was primarily due to an increase in qualitative loss rates based on the evaluation of current and projected economic conditions.

About Columbia Financial, Inc.

The consolidated financial results include the accounts of Columbia Financial, Inc., its wholly-owned subsidiary Columbia Bank (the "Bank") and the Bank's wholly-owned subsidiaries. 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 that operates 70 full-service banking offices and offers traditional financial services to consumers and businesses in its market area.

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, higher inflation and their impact on national and local economic conditions; changes in monetary and fiscal policies of the U.S. Treasury, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and other governmental entities; the impact of tariffs, sanctions and other trade policies of the United States and its global trading counterparts; the impact of changing political conditions or federal government shutdowns; the impact of legal, judicial and regulatory proceedings or investigations, 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 a borrowers’ ability to service and repay the Company’s loans; the effect of acts of terrorism, war or pandemics, 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; cyber-attacks, computer viruses and other technological risks that may breach the security of our systems and allow unauthorized access to confidential information; the inability of third party service providers to perform; demand for loans in the Company’s market area; the Company’s ability to attract and maintain deposits and effectively manage liquidity; risks related to the implementation of acquisitions, dispositions, and restructurings; and the risk that the Company may not be successful in the implementation of its business strategy, or its integration of acquired financial institutions and businesses.

In addition, with respect to the Company’s previously announced second-step conversion and proposed merger with Northfield Bancorp (“Northfield”), such risks, uncertainties and assumptions, include, among others, the following: (i) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the right of one or both of the parties to terminate the merger agreement; (ii) the failure to obtain necessary regulatory approvals (and the risk that such approvals may result in the imposition of conditions that could adversely affect the combined company or the expected benefits of the proposed transaction) and the possibility that the proposed transaction does not close when expected or at all because required regulatory approvals, the approval by the Company’s and/or Northfield’s stockholders, or other approvals and the other conditions to closing are not received or satisfied on a timely basis or at all; (iii) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against the Company or Northfield; (iv) the possibility that the anticipated benefits of the proposed transaction, including anticipated cost savings and strategic gains, are not realized when expected or at all, including as a result of changes in, or problems arising from, general economic and market conditions, interest and exchange rates, monetary policy, laws and regulations and their enforcement, and the degree of competition in the geographic and business areas in which the Company and Northfield operate; (v) the possibility that the integration of the two companies may be more difficult, time-consuming or costly than expected; (vi) the Company’s ability to successfully complete its second step conversion; (vi) the possibility that the final independent appraisal of the Company will differ from the preliminary independent appraisal of the Company; (viii) the impact of purchase accounting with respect to the proposed transaction, or any change in the assumptions used regarding the assets acquired and liabilities assumed to determine their fair value and credit marks; (ix) the possibility that the proposed transaction may be more expensive or take longer to complete than anticipated, including as a result of unexpected factors or events; (x) the diversion of management’s attention from ongoing business operations and opportunities; (xi) potential adverse reactions of the Company’s or Northfield’s customers or changes to business or employee relationships, including those resulting from the announcement or completion of the proposed transaction; (xii) a material adverse change in the financial condition of the Company or Northfield; (xiii) changes in the Company’s or Northfield’s share price before closing; (xiv) risks relating to the potential dilutive effect of shares of the Company’s common stock to be issued in the proposed transaction.
Forward-looking statements 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 and those set forth in the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, all 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, the Company'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.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Reported amounts are presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). This press release also contains certain supplemental non-GAAP information that the Company’s management uses in its analysis of the Company’s financial results. Specifically, the Company provides measures based on what it believes are its operating earnings on a consistent basis and excludes material non-routine operating items which affect the GAAP reporting of results of operations. The Company’s management believes that providing this information to analysts and investors allows them to better understand and evaluate the Company’s core financial results for the periods presented. Because non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized, it may not be possible to compare these financial measures with other companies' non-GAAP financial measures having the same or similar names.

The Company also provides measurements and ratios based on tangible stockholders' equity. These measures are commonly utilized by regulators and market analysts to evaluate a company’s financial condition and, therefore, the Company’s management believes that such information is useful to investors.

A reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures are included at the end of this press release. See "Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures".

COLUMBIA FINANCIAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition (In thousands)
	March 31,			December 31,
		2026			2025
Assets	(Unaudited)
Cash and due from banks	$	276,835		$	340,695
Short-term investments		112			111
Total cash and cash equivalents		276,947			340,806
Debt securities available for sale, at fair value		1,198,870			1,122,017
Debt securities held to maturity, at amortized cost (fair value of $347,973, and $367,289 at March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively)		377,847			396,233
Equity securities, at fair value		5,638			6,802
Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank stock, at cost		82,865			64,604
Loans receivable		8,259,678			8,292,010
Less: allowance for credit losses		68,761			67,201
Loans receivable, net		8,190,917			8,224,809
Accrued interest receivable		41,805			41,490
Office properties and equipment, net		82,583			82,985
Bank-owned life insurance		285,267			283,094
Goodwill and intangible assets		119,681			120,302
Other real estate owned		5,923			—
Other assets		342,164			335,651
Total assets	$	11,010,507		$	11,018,793
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Liabilities:
Deposits	$	8,372,014		$	8,444,079
Borrowings		1,243,462			1,183,472
Advance payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance		47,909			45,792
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		173,400			184,722
Total liabilities		9,836,785			9,858,065
Stockholders' equity:
Total stockholders' equity		1,173,722			1,160,728
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	11,010,507		$	11,018,793

COLUMBIA FINANCIAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Consolidated Statements of Income (In thousands, except per share data)
	Three Months Ended March 31,
		2026				2025
Interest income:	(Unaudited)
Loans receivable	$	102,152			$	95,110
Debt securities available for sale and equity securities		10,223				9,742
Debt securities held to maturity		2,756				2,811
Federal funds and interest-earning deposits		2,380				2,858
Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank stock dividends		1,360				1,642
Total interest income		118,871				112,163
Interest expense:
Deposits		46,311				50,145
Borrowings		12,169				11,693
Total interest expense		58,480				61,838
Net interest income		60,391				50,325
Provision for credit losses		956				2,933
Net interest income after provision for credit losses		59,435				47,392
Non-interest income:
Demand deposit account fees		2,046				1,888
Bank-owned life insurance		2,173				1,859
Title insurance fees		658				646
Loan fees and service charges		1,194				1,056
Change in fair value of equity securities		(1,164	)			308
Gain on sale of loans		20				515
Other non-interest income		1,820				2,199
Total non-interest income		6,747				8,471
Non-interest expense:
Compensation and employee benefits		31,097				28,583
Occupancy		6,797				6,185
Federal deposit insurance premiums		1,585				1,880
Advertising		648				531
Professional fees		1,394				2,515
Data processing and software expenses		4,652				4,061
Merger-related expenses		1,823				—
Other non-interest expense, net		(509	)			90
Total non-interest expense		47,487				43,845
Income before income tax expense		18,695				12,018
Income tax expense		5,596				3,118
Net income	$	13,099			$	8,900
Earnings per share-basic	$	0.13			$	0.09
Earnings per share-diluted	$	0.13			$	0.09
Weighted average shares outstanding-basic		101,266,942				101,816,716
Weighted average shares outstanding-diluted		101,453,090				101,816,716

COLUMBIA FINANCIAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Average Balances/Yields
	For the Three Months Ended March 31,
		2026										2025
	Average Balance				Interest and Dividends			Yield / Cost			Average Balance				Interest and Dividends			Yield / Cost
	(Dollars in thousands)
Interest-earnings assets:
Loans	$	8,262,682			$	102,152		5.01	%		$	7,894,561			$	95,110		4.89	%
Securities		1,556,205				12,979		3.38	%			1,477,537				12,553		3.45	%
Other interest-earning assets		317,393				3,740		4.78	%			317,433				4,500		5.75	%
Total interest-earning assets		10,136,280				118,871		4.76	%			9,689,531				112,163		4.69	%
Non-interest-earning assets		888,357										873,451
Total assets	$	11,024,637									$	10,562,982
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest-bearing demand	$	1,971,817			$	10,067		2.07	%		$	2,060,528			$	13,172		2.59	%
Money market accounts		1,474,109				9,065		2.49	%			1,282,241				7,606		2.41	%
Savings and club deposits		621,857				652		0.43	%			649,257				1,108		0.69	%
Certificates of deposit		2,871,480				26,527		3.75	%			2,756,895				28,259		4.16	%
Total interest-bearing deposits		6,939,263				46,311		2.71	%			6,748,921				50,145		3.01	%
FHLB advances		1,188,075				12,023		4.10	%			1,060,911				11,554		4.42	%
Junior subordinated debentures		7,061				131		7.52	%			7,040				139		8.01	%
Other borrowings		1,444				15		4.21	%			—				—		—	%
Total borrowings		1,196,580				12,169		4.12	%			1,067,951				11,693		4.44	%
Total interest-bearing liabilities		8,135,843			$	58,480		2.92	%			7,816,872			$	61,838		3.21	%
Non-interest-bearing liabilities:
Non-interest-bearing deposits		1,486,842										1,432,837
Other non-interest-bearing liabilities		235,029										222,604
Total liabilities		9,857,714										9,472,313
Total stockholders' equity		1,166,923										1,090,669
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	11,024,637									$	10,562,982
Net interest income					$	60,391									$	50,325
Interest rate spread								1.84	%									1.48	%
Net interest-earning assets	$	2,000,437									$	1,872,659
Net interest margin								2.42	%									2.11	%
Ratio of interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities		124.59	%									123.96	%

COLUMBIA FINANCIAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Components of Net Interest Rate Spread and Margin
	Average Yields/Costs by Quarter
	March 31, 2026			December 31, 2025			September 30, 2025			June 30, 2025			March 31, 2025
Yield on interest-earning assets:
Loans	5.01	%		5.03	%		5.04	%		4.96	%		4.89	%
Securities	3.38			3.36			3.41			3.55			3.45
Other interest-earning assets	4.78			4.69			5.24			5.16			5.75
Total interest-earning assets	4.76	%		4.77	%		4.81	%		4.75	%		4.69	%
Cost of interest-bearing liabilities:
Total interest-bearing deposits	2.71	%		2.79	%		2.91	%		2.95	%		3.01	%
Total borrowings	4.12			4.25			4.37			4.44			4.44
Total interest-bearing liabilities	2.92	%		3.01	%		3.14	%		3.18	%		3.21	%
Interest rate spread	1.84	%		1.76	%		1.67	%		1.57	%		1.48	%
Net interest margin	2.42	%		2.36	%		2.29	%		2.19	%		2.11	%
Ratio of interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities	124.59	%		124.84	%		124.64	%		124.01	%		123.96	%

COLUMBIA FINANCIAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Selected Financial Highlights
	March 31, 2026			December 31, 2025			September 30, 2025			June 30, 2025			March 31, 2025
SELECTED FINANCIAL RATIOS(1):
Return on average assets	0.48	%		0.57	%		0.55	%		0.46	%		0.34	%
Core return on average assets	0.55	%		0.57	%		0.56	%		0.47	%		0.35	%
Return on average equity	4.55	%		5.43	%		5.23	%		4.46	%		3.31	%
Core return on average equity	5.17	%		5.50	%		5.41	%		4.58	%		3.37	%
Core return on average tangible equity	5.75	%		6.14	%		6.04	%		5.14	%		3.78	%
Interest rate spread	1.84	%		1.76	%		1.67	%		1.57	%		1.48	%
Net interest margin	2.42	%		2.36	%		2.29	%		2.19	%		2.11	%
Non-interest income to average assets	0.25	%		0.31	%		0.36	%		0.38	%		0.33	%
Non-interest expense to average assets	1.75	%		1.70	%		1.65	%		1.68	%		1.68	%
Efficiency ratio	70.73	%		68.42	%		67.04	%		70.30	%		74.57	%
Core efficiency ratio	68.02	%		68.06	%		66.04	%		69.41	%		74.20	%
Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities	124.59	%		124.84	%		124.64	%		124.01	%		123.96	%
Net (recoveries)/charge-offs to average outstanding loans(2)	(0.03	)%		0.03	%		0.04	%		0.04	%		0.04	%
(1)Ratios are annualized when appropriate.
(2)The June 30, 2025 ratio includes $3.2 million of non-annualized PCD charge-offs related to the purchased commercial equipment finance loans.

ASSET QUALITY DATA:
	March 31, 2026				December 31, 2025				September 30, 2025				June 30, 2025				March 31, 2025
	(Dollars in thousands)
Non-accrual loans	$	41,375			$	38,000			$	32,529			$	39,545			$	24,856
90+ and still accruing		—				—				—				—				—
Non-performing loans		41,375				38,000				32,529				39,545				24,856
Real estate owned		5,923				—				—				—				1,334
Total non-performing assets	$	47,298			$	38,000			$	32,529			$	39,545			$	26,190
Non-performing loans to total gross loans		0.50	%			0.46	%			0.40	%			0.49	%			0.31	%
Non-performing assets to total assets		0.43	%			0.34	%			0.30	%			0.37	%			0.25	%
Allowance for credit losses on loans ("ACL")	$	68,761			$	67,201			$	65,659			$	64,467			$	62,034
ACL to total non-performing loans		166.19	%			176.84	%			201.85	%			163.02	%			249.57	%
ACL to gross loans		0.84	%			0.82	%			0.80	%			0.79	%			0.78	%

LOAN DATA:
	March 31, 2026				December 31, 2025				September 30, 2025				June 30, 2025				March 31, 2025
	(In thousands)
Real estate loans:
One-to-four family	$	2,543,588			$	2,558,252			$	2,583,162			$	2,629,372			$	2,676,566
Multifamily		1,669,232				1,677,613				1,612,105				1,578,733				1,567,862
Commercial real estate		2,472,993				2,513,260				2,532,329				2,517,693				2,429,429
Construction		520,753				469,438				465,283				415,403				437,081
Commercial business loans		752,246				766,792				771,486				726,526				614,049
Consumer loans:
Home equity loans and advances		249,487				255,126				256,970				256,384				253,439
Other consumer loans		2,850				2,895				2,725				2,602				2,547
Total gross loans		8,211,149				8,243,376				8,224,060				8,126,713				7,980,973
Purchased credit deteriorated loans		10,158				10,442				10,920				11,998				10,395
Net deferred loan costs, fees and purchased premiums and discounts		38,371				38,192				37,580				36,788				35,940
Allowance for credit losses		(68,761	)			(67,201	)			(65,659	)			(64,467	)			(62,034	)
Loans receivable, net	$	8,190,917			$	8,224,809			$	8,206,901			$	8,111,032			$	7,965,274

	At March 31,2026
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Balance			% of Gross Loans			Weighted Average Loan to Value Ratio			Weighted Average Debt Service Coverage
Multifamily Real Estate	$	1,669,232		20.9	%		59.0	%		1.52
Owner Occupied Commercial Real Estate	$	654,745		8.2	%		59.4	%		2.51
Investor Owned Commercial Real Estate:
Retail / Shopping centers	$	530,079		6.6	%		54.8	%		1.58
Mixed Use		305,188		3.8			61.2			1.52
Industrial / Warehouse		429,163		5.4			52.9			1.65
Non-Medical Office		171,953		2.2			51.4			1.87
Medical Office		91,291		1.1			59.8			1.47
Single Purpose		60,823		0.8			63.5			1.38
Other		229,751		2.9			49.8			2.07
Total	$	1,818,248		22.8	%		55.0	%		1.66
Total Multifamily and Commercial Real Estate Loans	$	4,142,225		51.9	%		57.3	%		1.74
As of March 31, 2026, the Company had loan exposures of approximately $798,000 and $845,000 related to office and rent stabilized multifamily in New York City, respectively.

.

DEPOSIT DATA:
	March 31, 2026						December 31, 2025						September 30, 2025						June 30, 2025
	Balance			Weighted Average Rate			Balance			Weighted Average Rate			Balance			Weighted Average Rate			Balance			Weighted Average Rate
	(Dollars in thousands)
Non-interest-bearing demand	$	1,508,030		—	%		$	1,517,399		—	%		$	1,490,722		—	%		$	1,439,951		—	%
Interest-bearing demand		1,882,987		1.86				1,985,871		1.99				1,855,724		2.04				1,872,265		2.03
Money market accounts		1,451,274		2.43				1,465,028		2.59				1,396,474		2.74				1,355,682		2.79
Savings and club deposits		625,001		0.42				623,444		0.47				638,857		0.61				644,761		0.70
Certificates of deposit		2,904,722		3.71				2,852,337		3.80				2,858,544		3.89				2,822,824		3.96
Total deposits	$	8,372,014		2.16	%		$	8,444,079		2.23	%		$	8,240,321		2.32	%		$	8,135,483,000		2.36	%

CAPITAL RATIOS:
	March 31,			December 31,
	2026(1)			2025
Company:
Total capital (to risk-weighted assets)	15.14	%		14.92	%
Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets)	14.23	%		14.03	%
Common equity tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets)	14.14	%		13.94	%
Tier 1 capital (to adjusted total assets)	10.40	%		10.27	%
Columbia Bank:
Total capital (to risk-weighted assets)	14.29	%		14.09	%
Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets)	13.38	%		13.20	%
Common equity tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets)	13.38	%		13.20	%
Tier 1 capital (to adjusted total assets)	9.79	%		9.67	%
(1)Estimated ratios at March 31, 2026

Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Book and Tangible Book Value per Share
			March 31,				December 31,
				2026				2025
			(Dollars in thousands)
Total stockholders' equity			$	1,173,722			$	1,160,728
Less: goodwill				(110,715	)			(110,715	)
Less: core deposit intangible				(6,471	)			(6,946	)
Total tangible stockholders' equity			$	1,056,536			$	1,043,067
Shares outstanding				104,142,951				103,984,649
Book value per share			$	11.27			$	11.16
Tangible book value per share			$	10.15			$	10.03

Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures (continued)
Reconciliation of Core Net Income
	Three Months Ended March 31,
		2026			2025
	(In thousands)
Net income	$	13,099		$	8,900
Add: severance expense, net of tax		—			163
Add: merger-related expenses, net of tax		1,787			—
Core net income	$	14,886		$	9,063

Return on Average Assets
	Three Months Ended March 31,
		2026				2025
	(Dollars in thousands)
Net income	$	13,099			$	8,900
Average assets	$	11,024,637			$	10,562,982
Return on average assets		0.48	%			0.34	%
Core net income	$	14,886			$	9,063
Core return on average assets		0.55	%			0.35	%

Return on Average Equity
	Three Months Ended March 31,
		2026				2025
	(Dollars in thousands)
Total average stockholders' equity	$	1,166,923			$	1,090,669
Add: severance expense, net of tax		—				163
Add: merger-related expenses, net of tax		1,787				—
Core average stockholders' equity	$	1,168,710			$	1,090,832
Return on average equity		4.55	%			3.31	%
Core return on core average equity		5.17	%			3.37	%

Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures (continued)
Return on Average Tangible Equity
	Three Months Ended March 31,
		2026				2025
	(Dollars in thousands)
Total average stockholders' equity	$	1,166,923			$	1,090,669
Less: average goodwill		(110,715	)			(110,715	)
Less: average core deposit intangible		(6,771	)			(8,784	)
Total average tangible stockholders' equity	$	1,049,437			$	971,170
Core return on average tangible equity		5.75	%			3.78	%

Efficiency Ratios
	Three Months Ended March 31,
		2026				2025
	(Dollars in thousands)
Net interest income	$	60,391			$	50,325
Non-interest income		6,747				8,471
Total income	$	67,138			$	58,796
Non-interest expense	$	47,487			$	43,845
Efficiency ratio		70.73	%			74.57	%
Non-interest expense	$	47,487			$	43,845
Less: severance expense		—				(220	)
Less: merger-related expenses		(1,823	)			—
Core non-interest expense	$	45,664			$	43,625
Core efficiency ratio		68.02	%			74.20	%

Columbia Financial, Inc.
Investor Relations Department
(833) 550-0717

Source: Columbia Financial, Inc.