FILED PURSUANT TO RULE 424(b)(3)
REGISTRATION NO. 333-157366
PROSPECTUS
OCEANFIRST FINANCIAL CORP.
FIXED RATE CUMULATIVE PERPETUAL PREFERRED STOCK, SERIES A
WARRANT TO PURCHASE 380,853 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
380,853 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
This prospectus relates to the potential resale from time to time by selling securityholders of some or all of the shares of our Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A, or the series A preferred stock, a warrant to purchase 380,853 shares of our common stock, or the warrant, and any shares of our common stock issuable from time to time upon exercise of the warrant. In this prospectus, we refer to the shares of series A preferred stock, the warrant and the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrant, collectively, as the securities. The series A preferred stock and the warrant were originally issued by us pursuant to the Letter Agreement dated January 16, 2009, and the related Securities Purchase Agreement—Standard Terms, between us and the United States Department of the Treasury, which we refer to as the initial selling securityholder, in a transaction exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act.
The initial selling securityholder and its successors, including transferees, which we collectively refer to as the selling securityholders, may offer the securities from time to time directly or through underwriters, broker-dealers or agents and in one or more public or private transactions and at fixed prices, prevailing market prices, at prices related to prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. If these securities are sold through underwriters, broker-dealers or agents, the selling securityholders will be responsible for underwriting discounts or commissions or agents’ commissions.
We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the securities by the selling securityholders.
Neither the series A preferred stock nor the warrant is listed on an exchange. Unless requested by the initial selling securityholder, we do not intend to list the series A preferred stock on any exchange. We do not intend to list the warrant on any exchange.
Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “OCFC.” On February 11, 2009, the closing price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market was $13.13 per share. You are urged to obtain current market quotations of our common stock.
Investing in our securities involves certain risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 2.
Our principal executive offices are located at 975 Hooper Avenue, Toms River, NJ 08753 and our telephone number is (732) 240-4500. Our Internet address is http://www.oceanfirst.com.
NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
THESE SECURITIES ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR ACCOUNTS OR OTHER OBLIGATIONS OF ANY BANK OR SAVINGS ASSOCIATION AND ARE NOT INSURED OR GUARANTEED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY OR INSTRUMENTALITY.
The date of this prospectus is March 25, 2009.
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This prospectus is part of a registration statement we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, the selling securityholders may, from time to time, offer and sell, in one or more offerings, the securities described in this prospectus.
We may provide a prospectus supplement containing specific information about the terms of a particular offering by the selling securityholders. The prospectus supplement may add, update or change information in this prospectus. If the information in this prospectus is inconsistent with a prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in that prospectus supplement. You should read both this prospectus and, if applicable, any prospectus supplement. See “Where You Can Find More Information” for more information.
We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information different from that contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. The information contained in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any sale of the securities. We are not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
In this prospectus, “OceanFirst,” “we,” “our,” “ours,” and “us” refer to OceanFirst Financial Corp., which is a savings and loan holding company headquartered in Toms River, New Jersey, and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, unless the context otherwise requires. References to “OceanFirst Bank” mean OceanFirst Bank, which is our principal banking subsidiary.
This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference contain statements that are considered “forward looking statements” within the meaning of United States securities laws. In addition, OceanFirst and its management may make other written or oral communications from time to time that contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements, including statements about industry trends, management’s future expectations and other matters that do not relate strictly to historical facts, are based on assumptions by management, and are often identified by such forward-looking terminology as “expect,” “look,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “seek,” “may,” “will,” “trend,” “target,” and “goal” or similar statements or variations of such terms. Forward-looking statements may include, among other things, statements about OceanFirst’s confidence in its strategies and its expectations about financial performance, market growth, market and regulatory trends and developments, acquisitions and divestitures, new technologies, services and opportunities and earnings.
Forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, which change over time, are based on management’s expectations and assumptions at the time the statements are made, and are not guarantees of future results. Management’s expectations and assumptions, and the continued validity of the forward-looking statements, are subject to change due to a broad range of factors affecting the national and global economies, the equity, debt, currency and other financial markets, as well as factors specific to OceanFirst and its subsidiaries, including OceanFirst Bank.
Actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed in our forward-looking statements and from our historical financial results due to the factors discussed elsewhere in this prospectus or disclosed in our other SEC filings. Forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing our expectations or beliefs as of any date subsequent to the time this prospectus is filed with the SEC. OceanFirst undertakes no obligation to revise the forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus to reflect events after the time it is filed with the SEC. The factors discussed herein are not intended to be a complete summary of all risks and uncertainties that may affect our businesses. Though we strive to monitor and mitigate risk, we cannot anticipate all potential economic, operational and financial developments that may adversely impact our operations and our financial results.
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Forward-looking statements should not be viewed as predictions, and should not be the primary basis upon which investors evaluate OceanFirst. Any investor in OceanFirst should consider all risks and uncertainties disclosed in our SEC filings described below under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information,” all of which are accessible on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
ABOUT OCEANFIRST FINANCIAL CORP.
We are a savings and loan holding company incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware and serve as the holding company for OceanFirst Bank (the “Bank”), a federally-chartered savings and loan association, whose principal business is attracting retail deposits from the general public in the communities surrounding its branch offices and investing those deposits, together with funds generated from operations and borrowings, primarily in single-family, owner-occupied residential mortgage loans. OceanFirst Bank conducts its banking operations through 23 branches and a loan production office and is regulated by the Office of Thrift Supervision. Our principal executive offices are located at 975 Hooper Avenue, Toms River, New Jersey 08753 and our telephone number is (732) 240-4500.
An investment in our securities involves certain risks. You should carefully consider the risks described below and the risk factors incorporated by reference, as well as the other information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus before making an investment decision. Certain risks related to us and our business are described under the heading “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2008, June 30, 2008 and September 30, 2008. Our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected by any of these risks. The trading price of our common stock could decline due to any of these risks, and you may lose all or part of your investment. This prospectus also contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including the risks faced by us described below and elsewhere in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein.
Because of our participation in the Troubled Asset Relief Program, we are subject to several restrictions including restrictions on our ability to declare or pay dividends and repurchase our shares as well as restrictions on compensation paid to our executives.
On January 16, 2009, pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement—Standard Terms, or Purchase Agreement, we issued to the initial selling securityholder for aggregate consideration of $38,263,000 (i) 38,263 shares of series A preferred stock, and (ii) the warrant to purchase 380,853 shares of our common stock, par value $0.01 per share. Pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement, our ability to declare or pay dividends on any of our shares is limited. Specifically, we are unable to declare dividend payments on common, junior preferred or pari passu preferred shares if we are in arrears on the dividends on the series A preferred stock. Further, we are not permitted to increase dividends on our common stock above the amount of the last quarterly cash dividend per share declared prior to October 14, 2008 without the initial selling security holder’s approval until the third anniversary of the investment unless all of the series A preferred stock has been redeemed or transferred. In addition, our ability to repurchase our shares is restricted. The initial selling security holder’s consent generally is required for us to make any stock repurchase until the third anniversary of the investment by the initial selling security holder unless all of the series A preferred stock has been redeemed or transferred. Further, common, junior preferred or pari passu preferred shares may not be repurchased if we are in arrears on the series A preferred stock dividends.
In addition, pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement, we adopted the initial selling security holder’s standards for executive compensation and corporate governance for the period during which the initial selling
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security holder holds the equity issued pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, including the common stock which may be issued pursuant to the warrant. These standards generally apply to our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and the three next most highly compensated senior executive officers. The standards include (1) ensuring that incentive compensation for senior executives does not encourage unnecessary and excessive risks that threaten the value of the financial institution; (2) required clawback of any bonus or incentive compensation paid to a senior executive based on statements of earnings, gains or other criteria that are later proven to be materially inaccurate; (3) prohibition on making golden parachute payments to senior executives; and (4) agreement not to deduct for tax purposes executive compensation in excess of $500,000 for each senior executive. In particular, the change to the deductibility limit on executive compensation will likely increase the overall cost of our compensation programs in future periods. Since the warrant has a ten year term, we could potentially be subject to the executive compensation and corporate governance restrictions for a ten year time period.
Difficult market conditions have adversely affected our industry.
The Bank is exposed to downturns in the U.S. housing market. Dramatic declines in the national housing market over the past year, with falling home prices and increasing foreclosures, unemployment and under-employment, have negatively impacted the credit performance of mortgage loans and resulted in significant write-downs of asset values by financial institutions, including government-sponsored entities, major commercial and investment banks, and regional and community financial institutions such as the Company. Reflecting concern about the stability of the financial markets generally and the strength of counterparties, many lenders and institutional investors have reduced or ceased providing funding to borrowers, including to other financial institutions. This market turmoil and tightening of credit have led to an increased level of commercial and consumer delinquencies, lack of consumer confidence, increased market volatility and widespread reduction of business activity generally. The continuing economic pressure on consumers and lack of confidence in the financial markets may adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations. The difficult conditions in the financial markets are not likely to improve in the near future. A worsening of these conditions would likely exacerbate the adverse effects of these difficult market conditions on the Company and others in the financial institutions industry. In particular, the Company may face the following risks in connection with these events:
| • | The Company’s stock price could be negatively impacted by these events and is likely to remain under pressure until a market recovery is under way. |
| • | Increased regulation of the industry. Compliance with such regulation may increase costs and limit the Company’s ability to pursue business opportunities. |
| • | The process used to estimate losses inherent in the Company’s credit exposure requires subjective and complex judgments, including forecasts of economic conditions and how these economic conditions might impair the ability of borrowers to repay their loans. The level of uncertainty concerning economic conditions may adversely affect the accuracy of estimates which may, in turn, impact the reliability of the financial statements. |
| • | Increased levels of nonperforming loans and loan losses may negatively impact earnings. |
| • | The Company may be required to pay significantly higher FDIC deposit premiums because market developments have significantly depleted the insurance fund of the FDIC and reduced the ratio of reserves to insured deposits. |
| • | Consumer confidence in financial institutions is deteriorating, which could lead to declines in deposit totals and impact liquidity. |
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Recently enacted legislation and other measures undertaken by the Treasury, the Federal Reserve and other governmental agencies may not help stabilize the U.S. financial system or improve the housing market.
On October 3, 2008, President Bush signed into law the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (the “EESA”), which, among other measures, authorized the Treasury Secretary to establish the Troubled Asset Relief Program (“TARP”). EESA gives broad authority to Treasury to purchase, manage, modify, sell and insure the troubled mortgage related assets that triggered the current economic crisis as well as other “troubled assets.” EESA includes additional provisions directed at bolstering the economy, including:
| • | Authority for the Federal Reserve to pay interest on depository institution balances; |
| • | Mortgage loss mitigation and homeowner protection; |
| • | Temporary increase in Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insurance coverage from $100,000 to $250,000 through December 31, 2009; and |
| • | Authority to the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) to suspend mark-to-market accounting requirements for any issuer or class of category of transactions. |
Pursuant to the TARP, the Treasury has the authority to, among other things, purchase up to $700 billion (of which $250 billion is currently available) of mortgages, mortgage-backed securities and certain other financial instruments from financial institutions for the purpose of stabilizing and providing liquidity to the U.S. financial markets. Under the TARP, the Treasury has created a capital purchase program, pursuant to which it is providing access to capital to financial institutions through a standardized program to acquire preferred stock (accompanied by warrants) from eligible financial institutions that will serve as Tier 1 capital.
EESA also contains a number of significant employee benefit and executive compensation provisions, some of which apply to employee benefit plans generally, and others which impose on financial institutions that participate in the TARP program restrictions on executive compensation.
EESA followed, and has been followed by, numerous actions by the Federal Reserve, Congress, Treasury, the SEC and others to address the liquidity and credit crisis that has followed the sub-prime meltdown that commenced in 2007. These measures include homeowner relief that encourage loan restructuring and modification; the establishment of significant liquidity and credit facilities for financial institutions and investment banks; the lowering of the federal funds rate; emergency action against short selling practices; a temporary guaranty program for money market funds; the establishment of a commercial paper funding facility to provide back-stop liquidity to commercial paper issuers; coordinated international efforts to address illiquidity and other weaknesses in the banking sector.
In addition, the Internal Revenue Service has issued an unprecedented wave of guidance in response to the credit crisis, including a relaxation of limits on the ability of financial institutions that undergo an “ownership change” to utilize their pre-change net operating losses and net unrealized built-in losses. The relaxation of these limits may make it significantly more attractive to acquire financial institutions whose tax basis in their loan portfolios significantly exceeds the fair market value of those portfolios.
On October 14, 2008, the FDIC announced the establishment of a temporary liquidity guarantee program to provide insurance for all non-interest bearing transaction accounts and guarantees of certain newly issued senior unsecured debt issued by financial institutions (such as the Bank), bank holding companies and savings and loan holding companies (such as the Corporation). Financial institutions are automatically covered by this program for the 30-day period commencing October 14, 2008 and will continue to be covered as long as they do not affirmatively opt out of the program. Under the program, newly issued senior unsecured debt issued on or before June 30, 2009 will be insured in the event the issuing institution subsequently fails, or its holding company files for bankruptcy. The debt includes all newly issued unsecured senior debt (e.g., promissory notes, commercial paper and inter-bank funding). The aggregate coverage for an institution may not exceed 125% of its debt outstanding on December 31, 2008 that was scheduled to mature before June 30, 2009. The guarantee will extend to June 30, 2012 even if the maturity of the debt is after that date.
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The actual impact that EESA and such related measures undertaken to alleviate the credit crisis will have generally on the financial markets, including the extreme levels of volatility and limited credit availability currently being experienced, is unknown. The failure of such measures to help stabilize the financial markets and a continuation or worsening of current financial market conditions could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, access to credit or the trading price of our common stock.
Continued capital and credit market volatility may adversely affect the Company’s ability to access capital and may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
The capital and credit markets have been experiencing volatility and disruption for more than a year. In recent months, the volatility and disruption has reached unprecedented levels. In some cases, the markets have produced downward pressure on stock prices and credit availability for certain issuers without regard to those issuers’ underlying financial strength. If current levels of market disruption and volatility continue or worsen, there can be no assurance that the Company will not experience an adverse effect, which may be material, on the Company’s ability to access capital. Additionally, the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected.
Deposit insurance assessments will increase substantially, which will adversely affect profits.
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation deposit insurance expense for the year ended December 31, 2008 was $644,000. Deposit insurance assessments will increase in 2009 due to recent strains on the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation deposit insurance fund resulting from the cost of recent bank failures and an increase in the number of banks likely to fail over the next few years. The current rates for Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation assessments range from five to 43 basis points, depending on the financial health of the insured institution. On December 16, 2008, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation issued a final rule increasing that assessment range to 12 to 50 basis points for the first quarter of 2009. For the remainder of 2009, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation has proposed a range of 10 to 45 basis points for institutions that do not trigger the brokered deposits adjustment, the secured liability adjustment, or the unsecured debt adjustment. For institutions that are subject to those adjustments, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation proposes rate assessments in the range of eight to 77.5 basis points. In this regard, the brokered deposit adjustment can range from 0 to 10 basis points, the secured liability adjustment (which includes, among others, Federal Home Loan Bank advances, securities sold under repurchase agreements, secured federal funds purchased, and certain other secured borrowings) can range from 0 to 22.5 basis points, and the unsecured debt adjustment can range from minus two to 0 basis points. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation has stated that it may need to set a higher base rate schedule at the time of the issuance of its final assessment rate rule, depending upon the information available at that time including, without limitation, on its updated bank failure and loss projections. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s proposal would continue to allow it to adopt actual assessment rates that are higher or lower than the total base assessment rates without the necessity of further notice and comment rulemaking, although this power is subject to several limitations. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation has announced that it intends to issue a final rule in early 2009, to be effective on April 1, 2009, to set new assessment rates beginning with the second quarter of 2009 and to make other changes to its assessment rule.
Changes in Interest Rates Could Adversely Affect Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
The Bank’s ability to make a profit largely depends on net interest income, which could be negatively affected by changes in interest rates. The interest income earned on interest-earning assets and the interest expense paid on interest-bearing liabilities are generally fixed for a contractual period of time. Interest-bearing liabilities generally have shorter contractual maturities than interest-earning assets. This imbalance can create significant earnings volatility, because market interest rates change over time. In a period of rising interest rates, the interest income earned on interest-earning assets may not increase as rapidly as the interest paid on interest-bearing liabilities.
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In addition, changes in interest rates can affect the average life of loans and mortgage-backed and related securities. A reduction in interest rates causes increased prepayments of loans and mortgage-backed and related securities as borrowers refinance their debt to reduce their borrowing costs. This creates reinvestment risk, which is the risk that the Bank may not be able to reinvest the funds from faster prepayments at rates that are comparable to the rates earned on the prepaid loans or securities. Conversely, an increase in interest rates generally reduces prepayments. Additionally, increases in interest rates may decrease loan demand and/or make it more difficult for borrowers to repay adjustable-rate loans.
Changes in interest rates also affect the current market value of the interest-earning securities portfolio. Generally, the value of securities moves inversely with changes in interest rates. Unrealized net losses on securities-available-for-sale are reported as a separate component of equity. To the extent interest rates increase and the value of the available-for-sale portfolio decreases, stockholders’ equity will be adversely affected.
Changes in the fair value of securities may reduce stockholder’s equity and net income.
At December 31, 2008, the Company maintained a securities portfolio of $75.2 million all of which was classified as available for sale. The estimated fair value of the available for sale securities portfolio may increase or decrease depending on the credit quality of the underlying issuer, market liquidity, changes in interest rates and other factors. Stockholder’s equity is increased or decreased by the amount of the change in the unrealized gain or loss (difference between the estimated fair value and the amortized cost) of the available for sale securities portfolio, net of the related tax benefit, under the category of accumulated other comprehensive income/loss. Therefore, a decline in the estimated fair value of this portfolio will result in a decline in reported stockholder’s equity, as well as book value per common share. The decrease will occur even though the securities are not sold.
The Company conducts a periodic review and evaluation of the securities portfolio to determine if the decline in the fair value of any security below its cost basis is other-than-temporary. Factors which are considered in the analysis include, but are not limited to, the severity and duration of the decline in fair value of the security, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, whether the decline appears to be related to issuer conditions or general market or industry conditions, the intent and ability to retain the security for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value and the likelihood of any near-term fair value recovery. If such decline is deemed to be other-than-temporary, the security is written down to a new cost basis and the resulting loss is charged to earnings as a component of non-interest income.
At December 31, 2008, the securities available for sale portfolio included corporate trust preferred securities issued by national and regional banks. The portfolio consisted of eleven $5,000,000 issues spread between eight issuers. At December 31, 2008, the securities had a book value of $55.0 million and an estimated fair value of $31.7 million. The Company may be required to recognize an other-than-temporary impairment charge related to these securities if the fair values do not recover in the near future.
Increased emphasis on commercial lending may expose the Bank to increased lending risks.
At December 31, 2008, $389.6 million, or 23.4%, of the Bank’s total loans consisted of commercial, multi-family and land real estate loans, and commercial business loans. This portfolio has grown in recent years and the Bank intends to continue to emphasize these types of lending. These types of loans generally expose a lender to greater risk of non-payment and loss than one-to-four family residential mortgage loans because repayment of the loans often depends on the successful operation of the property and the income stream of the borrowers. Such loans typically involve larger loan balances to single borrowers or groups of related borrowers compared to one-to-four family residential mortgage loans. Also, many of the Bank’s commercial borrowers have more than one loan outstanding. Consequently, an adverse development with respect to one loan or one credit relationship can expose the Bank to a significantly greater risk of loss compared to an adverse development with respect to a one-to-four family residential mortgage loan.
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A continued downturn either in the local economy or in real estate values could hurt profits.
Most of the Bank’s loans are secured by real estate or are made to businesses in Ocean and Monmouth Counties, New Jersey and the surrounding area. As a result of this concentration, a downturn in the local economy could cause significant increases in nonperforming loans, which would hurt profits. Prior to 2008 there was a significant increase in real estate values in the Bank’s market area. During 2008, there has been a weakening in the local economy coupled with declining real estate values. A further decline in real estate values could cause some residential and commercial mortgage loans to become inadequately collateralized, which would expose the Bank to a greater risk of loss.
The Bank operates in a highly regulated environment and may be adversely affected by changes in laws and regulations.
The Bank is subject to extensive regulation, supervision and examination by the Office of Thrift Supervision, the Bank’s chartering authority, and by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, as insurer of deposits. The Company and the Bank are subject to regulation and supervision by the Office of Thrift Supervision. Such regulation and supervision governs the activities in which an institution and its holding company may engage, and are intended primarily for the protection of the insurance fund and depositors. Regulatory authorities have extensive discretion in their supervisory and enforcement activities, including the imposition of restrictions on operations, the classification of assets and determination of the level of the allowance for loan losses. Any change in such regulation and oversight, whether in the form of regulatory policy, regulations, legislation or supervisory action, may have a material impact on operations.
The Company’s allowance for loan losses may be inadequate, which could hurt the Company’s earnings.
The Company’s allowance for loan losses may prove to be inadequate to cover actual loan losses and if the Company is required to increase its allowance, current earnings may be reduced. When borrowers default and do not repay the loans that the Bank makes to them, the Company may lose money. The Company’s experience shows that some borrowers either will not pay on time or will not pay at all, which will require the Company to cancel or “charge-off” the defaulted loan or loans. The Company provides for losses by reserving what it believes to be an adequate amount to absorb any probable inherent losses. A “charge-off” reduces the Company’s reserve for possible loan losses. If the Company’s reserves were insufficient, it would be required to record a larger reserve, which would reduce earnings for that period.
The Bank may be required to repurchase mortgage loans for an early payment default or a breach of representations and warranties, which could harm the Company’s earnings.
The Bank’s subsidiary, Columbia Home Loans, LLC (“Columbia”), entered into loan sale agreements with investors in the normal course of business. The loan sale agreements generally required the repurchase of certain loans previously sold in the event of an early payment default or a violation of various representations and warranties customary to the mortgage banking industry. The repurchased mortgage loans could typically only be resold at a significant discount to the unpaid principal balance. The Bank maintains a reserve for repurchased loans, however, if repurchase activity is significant, the reserve may prove to be inadequate to cover actual losses which could harm future earnings.
In September 2007, all loan origination activity at Columbia was discontinued. A portion of Columbia’s loan production consisted of “subprime” loans, which are loans made to individuals whose borrowing needs are generally not fulfilled by traditional loan products because they do not satisfy the credit documentation or other underwriting standards prescribed by conventional mortgage lenders and loan buyers. In March 2007, Columbia discontinued the origination of sub-prime loans. In the event the Bank is required to repurchase a significant amount of subprime loans, the Bank may be required to hold such loans in portfolio for an extended period of time or to maturity, if such loans cannot be later resold. Subprime loans generally have a higher incidence of delinquency, foreclosure and bankruptcy, which may be substantially higher than that experienced by mortgage
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loans underwritten in a more traditional manner. Such risk associated with subprime loans may be increased during periods of economic slow-downs, increasing interest rates, and events that affect specifically the geographic areas in which the loans are made. Moreover, as many of the subprime loans made by Columbia have loan-to-value ratios of 100%, there would be little, if any, equity to fully recover the net carrying value of the loan in the event of default and foreclosure. In such event, the Company may be required to substantially increase its allowance for loan losses which would reduce earnings for that period. The Bank has entered into settlements with some investors which may limit the Bank’s obligation to repurchase mortgage loans for an early payment default or a breach of a representation or warranty.
The Company’s mortgage servicing rights may become impaired which could hurt profits.
Mortgage servicing rights are carried at the lower of cost or fair value. Any impairment is recognized as a reduction to servicing fee income. In the event that loan prepayments increase due to increased loan refinancing, the fair value of mortgage servicing rights would likely decline.
The Company’s inability to achieve profitability on new branches may negatively affect earnings.
The Bank continues to expand its presence within the market area through de novo branching. The profitability of this expansion strategy will depend on whether the income from the new branches will offset the increased expenses resulting from operating these branches. It is expected to take a period of time before these branches can become profitable. During this period, the expense of operating these branches may negatively affect net income.
If the Company’s Investment in the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York is Classified as Other-Than-Temporarily Impaired or as Permanently Impaired, Earnings and Stockholder’s Equity Could Decrease.
The Company owns stock of the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (FHLB-NY). The FHLB-NY common stock is held to qualify for membership in the Federal Home Loan Bank System and to be eligible to borrow funds under the FHLB-NY’s advance program. The aggregate cost and fair value of our FHLB-NY common stock as of December 31, 2008 was $20.9 million based on its par value. There is no market for the FHLB-NY common stock.
Recent published reports indicates that certain member banks of the Federal Home Loan Bank System may be subject to accounting rules and asset quality risks that could result in materially lower regulatory capital levels. In an extreme situation, it is possible that the capitalization of a Federal Home Loan Bank, including the FHLB-NY, could be substantially diminished or reduced to zero. Consequently, there is a risk that the Company’s investment in FHLB-NY common stock could be deemed other-than-temporarily impaired at some time in the future, and if this occurs, it would cause earnings and stockholders’ equity to decrease by the after-tax amount of the impairment charge.
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We will not receive any proceeds from any sale of the securities by the selling securityholders.
RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED DIVIDENDS
No shares of our senior preferred stock, or any other class of preferred stock, were outstanding during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 or during the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004 and 2003, and we did not pay preferred stock dividends during these periods. Consequently, the ratios of earnings to fixed charges and preferred dividends are the same as the ratios of earnings to fixed charges for the same periods listed above. The ratios of earnings to fixed charges for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and during the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004 and 2003 are as follows:
Consolidated Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges
| Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008 |
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007 |
Twelve Months Ended | ||||||||||||
| 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | ||||||||||
| Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges |
||||||||||||||
| Including interest on deposits |
2.15X | 0.81X | 1.04X | 1.77X | 2.56X | 2.40X | 2.57X | |||||||
| Excluding interest on deposits |
1.47X | 0.92X | 1.02X | 1.33X | 1.71X | 1.79X | 1.84X | |||||||
Note: The ratio of earnings to fixed charges is calculated by adding income before income taxes plus fixed charges and dividing that sum by fixed charges.
DESCRIPTION OF SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK
The following is a brief description of the terms of the Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A (“series A preferred stock”) that may be resold by the selling securityholders. This summary does not purport to be complete in all respects. This description is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to our articles of incorporation, as amended, including the certificate of designations with respect to the series A preferred stock, copies of which have been filed with the SEC and are also available upon request from us.
General
Under our certificate of incorporation, as amended, we have authority to issue up to 5 million shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share. Of such number of shares of preferred stock authorized, 38,263 shares have been designated as series A preferred stock, all of which shares of series A preferred stock were issued to the initial selling securityholder in a transaction exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. No other shares of preferred stock are issued and outstanding as of the date hereof.
Dividends Payable On Shares of Series A Preferred Stock
Holders of shares of series A preferred stock are entitled to receive if, as and when declared by our board of directors or a duly authorized committee of the board, out of assets legally available for payment, cumulative cash dividends at a rate per annum of 5% per share on a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share of series A preferred stock with respect to each dividend period from January 16, 2009 to, but excluding, February 15, 2014. From and after February 15, 2014, holders of shares of series A preferred stock are entitled to receive cumulative cash dividends at a rate per annum of 9% per share on a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share of series A preferred stock with respect to each dividend period thereafter.
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Dividends are payable quarterly in arrears on each February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15, each a dividend payment date, starting with February 15, 2009. If any dividend payment date is not a business day, then the next business day will be the applicable dividend payment date, and no additional dividends will accrue as a result of the applicable postponement of the dividend payment date. Dividends payable during any dividend period are computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. Dividends payable with respect to the series A preferred stock are payable to holders of record of shares of series A preferred stock on the date that is 15 calendar days immediately preceding the applicable dividend payment date or such other record date as the board of directors or any duly authorized committee of the board determines, so long as such record date is not more than 60 nor less than 10 days prior to the applicable dividend payment date.
If we determine not to pay any dividend or a full dividend with respect to the series A preferred stock, we are required to provide written notice to the holders of shares of series A preferred stock prior to the applicable dividend payment date.
We are subject to various regulatory policies and requirements relating to the payment of dividends, including requirements to maintain adequate capital above regulatory minimums. The Office of Thrift Supervision is authorized to determine, under certain circumstances relating to the financial condition of a savings association or its holding company, such as us, that the payment of dividends would be an unsafe or unsound practice and to prohibit payment thereof. In addition, we are subject to Delaware state laws relating to the payment of dividends.
We depend on dividends, distributions and other payments from our banking subsidiary, OceanFirst Bank, to fund dividend payments on our common and preferred stock. Federal banking laws limit the amount of dividends or other capital distributions that a federal savings association, such as OceanFirst Bank, may pay.
Priority of Dividends
With respect to the payment of dividends and the amounts to be paid upon liquidation, the series A preferred stock will rank:
| • | senior to our common stock and all other equity securities designated as ranking junior to the series A preferred stock; and |
| • | at least equally with all other equity securities designated as ranking on a parity with the series A preferred stock, or parity stock, with respect to the payment of dividends and distribution of assets upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of OceanFirst. |
So long as any shares of series A preferred stock remain outstanding, unless all accrued and unpaid dividends for all prior dividend periods have been paid or are contemporaneously declared and paid in full, no dividend whatsoever shall be paid or declared on OceanFirst’s common stock or other junior stock, other than a dividend payable solely in common stock. We and our subsidiaries also may not purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of our common stock or other junior stock unless we have paid in full all accrued dividends on the series A preferred stock for all prior dividend periods, other than:
| • | purchases, redemptions or other acquisitions of our common stock or other junior stock in connection with the administration of our employee benefit plans in the ordinary course of business pursuant to a publicly announced repurchase plan up to the increase in diluted shares outstanding resulting from the grant, vesting or exercise of equity-based compensation; |
| • | purchases or other acquisitions by broker-dealer subsidiaries of OceanFirst solely for the purpose of market-making, stabilization or customer facilitation transactions in junior stock or parity stock in the ordinary course of its business; |
| • | purchases or other acquisitions by broker-dealer subsidiaries of OceanFirst for resale pursuant to an offering by OceanFirst of our stock that is underwritten by the related broker-dealer subsidiary; |
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| • | any dividends or distributions of rights or junior stock in connection with any shareholders’ rights plan or repurchases of rights pursuant to any shareholders’ rights plan; |
| • | acquisition of record ownership of junior stock or parity stock for the beneficial ownership of any other person who is not OceanFirst or a subsidiary of OceanFirst, including as trustee or custodian; and |
| • | the exchange or conversion of junior stock for or into other junior stock or of parity stock for or into other parity stock or junior stock but only to the extent that such acquisition is required pursuant to binding contractual agreements entered into before January 16, 2009 or any subsequent agreement for the accelerated exercise, settlement or exchange thereof for common stock. |
If we repurchase shares of series A preferred stock from a holder other than the initial selling securityholder, we must offer to repurchase a ratable portion of the series A preferred stock then held by the initial selling securityholder.
On any dividend payment date for which full dividends are not paid, or declared and funds set aside therefor, on the series A preferred stock and any other parity stock, all dividends paid or declared for payment on that dividend payment date (or, with respect to parity stock with a different dividend payment date, on the applicable dividend date therefor falling within the dividend period and related to the dividend payment date for the series A preferred stock), with respect to the series A preferred stock and any other parity stock shall be declared ratably among the holders of any such shares who have the right to receive dividends, in proportion to the respective amounts of the undeclared and unpaid dividends relating to the dividend period.
Subject to the foregoing, such dividends (payable in cash, stock or otherwise) as may be determined by our board of directors (or a duly authorized committee of the board) may be declared and paid on our common stock and any other stock ranking equally with or junior to the series A preferred stock from time to time out of any funds legally available for such payment, and the series A preferred stock shall not be entitled to participate in any such dividend.
Redemption
The series A preferred stock may not be redeemed prior to February 15, 2012 unless we have received aggregate gross proceeds from one or more qualified equity offerings (as described below) equal to $9,565,750, which equals 25% of the aggregate liquidation amount of the series A preferred stock on the date of issuance. In such a case, we may redeem the series A preferred stock, subject to the approval of the Office of Thrift Supervision in whole or in part, upon notice as described below, up to a maximum amount equal to the aggregate net cash proceeds received by us from such qualified equity offerings. A “qualified equity offering” is a sale and issuance for cash by us, to persons other than OceanFirst or its subsidiaries after January 16, 2009, of shares of perpetual preferred stock, common stock or a combination thereof, that in each case qualify as tier 1 capital of OceanFirst at the time of issuance under the applicable risk-based capital guidelines of the Office of Thrift Supervision. Qualified equity offerings do not include issuances made in connection with acquisitions, issuances of trust preferred securities and issuances of common stock and/or perpetual preferred stock made pursuant to agreements or arrangements entered into, or pursuant to financing plans that were publicly announced, on or prior to October 13, 2008.
After January 16, 2012, the series A preferred stock may be redeemed at any time, subject to the approval of the Office of Thrift Supervision, in whole or in part, subject to notice as described below.
In any redemption, the redemption price is an amount equal to the per share liquidation amount plus accrued and unpaid dividends to but excluding the date of redemption.
The series A preferred stock will not be subject to any mandatory redemption, sinking fund or similar provisions. Holders of shares of series A preferred stock have no right to require the redemption or repurchase of
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the series A preferred stock. Our board of directors, or a duly authorized committee of the board of directors, have full power and authority to prescribe the terms and conditions upon which the series A preferred stock will be redeemed from time to time, subject to the provisions of the certificate of designations.
If fewer than all of the outstanding shares of series A preferred stock are to be redeemed, the shares to be redeemed will be selected either pro rata from the holders of record of shares of series A preferred stock in proportion to the number of shares held by those holders or in such other manner as our board of directors, or a committee of the board of directors, may determine to be fair and equitable.
We will mail notice of any redemption of series A preferred stock by first class mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the holders of record of the shares of series A preferred stock to be redeemed at their respective last addresses appearing on our books. This mailing will be at least 30 days and not more than 60 days before the date fixed for redemption. Any notice mailed or otherwise given as described in this paragraph will be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the holder receives the notice, and failure duly to give the notice by mail or otherwise, or any defect in the notice or in the mailing or provision of the notice, to any holder of series A preferred stock designated for redemption will not affect the redemption of any other series A preferred stock. Each notice of redemption will set forth the applicable redemption date, the redemption price, the place where shares of series A preferred stock are to be redeemed, and the number of shares of series A preferred stock to be redeemed (and, if less than all shares of series A preferred stock held by the applicable holder, the number of shares to be redeemed from the holder).
Shares of series A preferred stock that are redeemed, repurchased or otherwise acquired by us will revert to authorized but unissued shares of our preferred stock.
Liquidation Rights
In the event that we voluntarily or involuntarily liquidate, dissolve or wind up our affairs, holders of series A preferred stock will be entitled to receive an amount per share, referred to as the total liquidation amount, equal to the fixed liquidation preference of $1,000 per share, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends, whether or not declared, to the date of payment. Holders of the series A preferred stock will be entitled to receive the total liquidation amount out of our assets that are available for distribution to shareholders, after payment or provision for payment of our debts and other liabilities but before any distribution of assets is made to holders of our common stock or any other shares ranking, as to that distribution, junior to the series A preferred stock.
If our assets are not sufficient to pay the total liquidation amount in full to all holders of series A preferred stock and all holders of any shares of outstanding parity stock, the amounts paid to the holders of series A preferred stock and other shares of parity stock will be paid pro rata in accordance with the respective total liquidation amount for those holders. If the total liquidation amount per share of series A preferred stock has been paid in full to all holders of series A preferred stock and other shares of parity stock, the holders of our common stock or any other shares ranking, as to such distribution, junior to the series A preferred stock will be entitled to receive all of our remaining assets according to their respective rights and preferences.
For purposes of the liquidation rights, neither the sale, conveyance, exchange or transfer of all or substantially all of our property and assets, nor the consolidation or merger by us with or into any other corporation or by another corporation with or into us, will constitute a liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of our affairs.
Voting Rights
Except as indicated below or otherwise required by law, the holders of series A preferred stock will not have any voting rights.
Election of Two Directors upon Non-Payment of Dividends. If the dividends on the series A preferred stock have not been paid for an aggregate of six quarterly dividend periods or more (whether or not consecutive), the
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authorized number of directors then constituting our board of directors will be increased by two. Holders of series A preferred stock, together with the holders of any outstanding parity stock with like voting rights, referred to as voting parity stock, voting as a single class, will be entitled to elect the two additional members of our board of directors, referred to as the preferred stock directors, at the next annual meeting (or at a special meeting called for the purpose of electing the preferred stock directors prior to the next annual meeting) and at each subsequent annual meeting until all accrued and unpaid dividends for all past dividend periods have been paid in full. Upon payment in full of all accrued and unpaid dividends, the right to elect preferred stock directors will terminate, subject to revesting in the event that dividends on the series A preferred are not paid for an aggregate of six quarterly dividend payments. The election of any preferred stock director is subject to the qualification that the election would not cause us to violate the corporate governance requirement of the Nasdaq Global Select Market (or any other exchange on which our securities may be listed) that listed companies must have a majority of independent directors.
Upon the termination of the right of the holders of series A preferred stock and voting parity stock to vote for preferred stock directors, the individuals serving as preferred stock directors will immediately cease to be qualified as directors, their term of office shall terminate immediately and the number of authorized directors of OceanFirst will be reduced by the number of preferred stock directors that the holders of series A preferred stock and voting parity stock had been entitled to elect. The holders of a majority of shares of series A preferred stock and voting parity stock, voting as a class, may remove any preferred stock director, with or without cause, and the holders of a majority of the shares of series A preferred stock and voting parity stock, voting as a class, may fill any vacancy created by the removal of a preferred stock director. If the office of a preferred stock director becomes vacant for any other reason, the remaining preferred stock director may choose a successor to fill such vacancy for the remainder of the unexpired term.
Other Voting Rights. So long as any shares of series A preferred stock are outstanding, in addition to any other vote or consent of shareholders required by law or by our certificate of incorporation, as amended, the vote or consent of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the shares of series A preferred stock at the time outstanding, voting separately as a single class, given in person or by proxy, either in writing without a meeting or by vote at any meeting called for the purpose, shall be necessary for effecting or validating:
| • | any amendment or alteration of the certificate of designations for the series A preferred stock or our certificate of incorporation, as amended, to authorize or create or increase the authorized amount of, or any issuance of, any shares of, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for shares of, any class or series of capital stock ranking senior to the series A preferred stock with respect to payment of dividends and/or distribution of assets on any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of OceanFirst; |
| • | any amendment, alteration or repeal of any provision of the certificate of designations for the series A preferred stock or our certificate of incorporation, as amended, so as to adversely affect the rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers of the series A preferred stock; or |
| • | any consummation of a binding share exchange or reclassification involving the series A preferred stock or of a merger or consolidation of OceanFirst with another entity, unless the shares of series A preferred stock remain outstanding following any such transaction or, if OceanFirst is not the surviving entity, are converted into or exchanged for preference securities and such remaining outstanding shares of series A preferred stock or preference securities have rights, references, privileges and voting powers that are not materially less favorable than the rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers of the series A preferred stock, taken as a whole. |
To the extent of the voting rights of the series A preferred stock, each holder of series A preferred stock will have one vote for each $1,000 of liquidation preference to which such holder’s shares of series A preferred stock are entitled.
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The foregoing voting provisions will not apply if, at or prior to the time when the vote or consent would otherwise be required, all outstanding shares of series A preferred stock have been redeemed or called for redemption upon proper notice and sufficient funds have been set aside by us for the benefit of the holders of series A preferred stock to effect the redemption.
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANT TO PURCHASE COMMON STOCK
The following is a brief description of the terms of the warrant that may be resold by the selling securityholders. This summary does not purport to be complete in all respects. This description is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the warrant, a copy of which has been filed with the SEC and is also available upon request from us.
Shares of Common Stock Subject to the Warrant
The warrant is initially exercisable for 380,853 shares of our common stock. If we complete one or more qualified equity offerings on or prior to December 31, 2009 that result in our receipt of aggregate gross proceeds of not less than $38,263,000, which is equal to 100% of the aggregate liquidation preference of the series A preferred stock, the number of shares of common stock underlying the warrant then held by the selling securityholders will be reduced by 50% to 190,427 shares. The number of shares subject to the warrant are subject to the further adjustments described below under the heading “—Adjustments to the Warrant.”
Exercise of the Warrant
The initial exercise price applicable to the warrant is $15.07 per share of common stock for which the warrant may be exercised. The warrant may be exercised at any time on or before January 16, 2019 by surrender of the warrant and a completed notice of exercise attached as an annex to the warrant and the payment of the exercise price for the shares of common stock for which the warrant is being exercised. The exercise price may be paid either by the withholding by OceanFirst of such number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrant equal to the value of the aggregate exercise price of the warrant determined by reference to the market price of our common stock on the trading day on which the warrant is exercised or, if agreed to by us and the warrant holder, by the payment of cash equal to the aggregate exercise price. The exercise price applicable to the warrant is subject to the further adjustments described below under the heading “—Adjustments to the Warrant.”
Upon exercise of the warrant, certificates for the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise will be issued to the warrant holder. We will not issue fractional shares upon any exercise of the warrant. Instead, the warrant holder will be entitled to a cash payment equal to the market price of our common stock on the last day preceding the exercise of the warrant (less the pro-rated exercise price of the warrant) for any fractional shares that would have otherwise been issuable upon exercise of the warrant. We will at all times reserve the aggregate number of shares of our common stock for which the warrant may be exercised. We have listed the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrant with the Nasdaq Global Select Market.
Rights as a Shareholder
The warrant holder shall have no rights or privileges of the holders of our common stock, including any voting rights, until (and then only to the extent) the warrant has been exercised.
Transferability
The initial selling securityholder may not transfer a portion of the warrant with respect to more than 190,427 shares of common stock until the earlier of the date on which OceanFirst has received aggregate gross proceeds from a qualified equity offering of at least $38,263,000 and December 31, 2009. The warrant, and all rights under the warrant, are otherwise transferable.
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Adjustments to the Warrant
Adjustments in Connection with Stock Splits, Subdivisions, Reclassifications and Combinations. The number of shares for which the warrant may be exercised and the exercise price applicable to the warrant will be proportionately adjusted in the event we pay dividends or make distributions of our common stock, subdivide, combine or reclassify outstanding shares of our common stock.
Anti-dilution Adjustment. Until the earlier of January 16, 2012, and the date the initial selling securityholder no longer holds the warrant (and other than in certain permitted transactions described below), if we issue any shares of common stock (or securities convertible or exercisable into common stock) for less than 90% of the market price of the common stock on the last trading day prior to pricing such shares, then the number of shares of common stock into which the warrant is exercisable and the exercise price will be adjusted. Permitted transactions include issuances:
| • | as consideration for or to fund the acquisition of businesses and/or related assets; |
| • | in connection with employee benefit plans and compensation related arrangements in the ordinary course and consistent with past practice approved by our board of directors; |
| • | in connection with public or broadly marketed offerings and sales of common stock or convertible securities for cash conducted by us or our affiliates pursuant to registration under the Securities Act, or Rule 144A thereunder on a basis consistent with capital-raising transactions by comparable financial institutions (but do not include other private transactions); and |
| • | in connection with the exercise of preemptive rights on terms existing as of January 16, 2009. |
Other Distributions. If we declare any dividends or distributions other than our historical, ordinary cash dividends, the exercise price of the warrant will be adjusted to reflect such distribution.
Certain Repurchases. If we affect a pro rata repurchase of common stock both the number of shares issuable upon exercise of the warrant and the exercise price will be adjusted.
Business Combinations. In the event of a merger, consolidation or similar transaction involving OceanFirst and requiring shareholder approval, the warrant holder’s right to receive shares of our common stock upon exercise of the warrant shall be converted into the right to exercise the warrant for the consideration that would have been payable to the warrant holder with respect to the shares of common stock for which the warrant may be exercised, as if the warrant had been exercised prior to such merger, consolidation or similar transaction.
The following is a general description of the terms of our common stock that may be resold by the selling securityholders. The description below does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to OceanFirst’s Certificate of Incorporation and bylaws, as amended. The description herein does not contain all of the information that you may find useful or that may be important to you. You should refer to the provisions of OceanFirst’s Certificate of Incorporation and bylaws because they, and not the summaries, define the rights of holders of shares of OceanFirst’s common stock. You can obtain copies of our Certificate of Incorporation and bylaws by following the directions under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”
General
OceanFirst’s Certificate of Incorporation provides the authority to issue 55,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share. At December 31, 2008, there were 12,364,573 shares of common stock issued. In addition, OceanFirst had outstanding stock options granted to directors, officers and other employees for 4,124,073 shares of common stock.
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Each share of OceanFirst common stock has the same relative rights and is identical in all respects to each other share of our common stock. OceanFirst common stock is non-withdrawable capital, is not of an insurable type and is not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental entity.
Voting Rights
The holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters presented to stockholders. Holders of common stock are not entitled to cumulate their votes in the election of directors. However, OceanFirst’s Certificate of Incorporation provides that a record owner of OceanFirst’s common stock who beneficially owns, either directly or indirectly, in excess of 10% of OceanFirst’s outstanding shares, is not entitled to any vote in respect of the shares held in excess of the 10% limit.
No Preemptive or Conversion Rights
The holders of common stock do not have preemptive rights to subscribe for a proportionate share of any additional securities issued by OceanFirst before such securities are offered to others. The absence of preemptive rights increases OceanFirst’s flexibility to issue additional shares of common stock in connection with OceanFirst’s acquisitions, employee benefit plans and for other purposes, without affording the holders of common stock a right to subscribe for their proportionate share of those additional securities. The holders of common stock are not entitled to any redemption privileges, sinking fund privileges or conversion rights.
Dividends
Holders of common stock are entitled to receive dividends ratably when, as and if declared by OceanFirst’s board of directors from assets legally available therefor, after payment of all dividends on preferred stock, if any is outstanding. Under Delaware law, OceanFirst may pay dividends out of surplus or net profits for the fiscal year in which declared and/or for the preceding fiscal year, even if our surplus accounts are in a deficit position. Dividends paid by our subsidiary bank and proceeds received from the offering of trust preferred securities have historically been the primary source of funds available to OceanFirst. OceanFirst expects to use these sources of funds in the future, as well as proceeds it may obtain from the offering of common stock, preferred stock and/or debt securities for payment of dividends to our stockholders, the repurchase of our common stock and for other needs. The declaration and amount of dividends depends on circumstances existing at the time, including OceanFirst’s earnings, financial condition and capital requirements, as well as regulatory limitations and such other factors as OceanFirst’s board of directors deems relevant.
Liquidation
Upon liquidation, dissolution or the winding up of the affairs of OceanFirst, holders of common stock are entitled to receive their pro rata portion of the remaining assets of OceanFirst after the holders of OceanFirst’s preferred stock have been paid in full any sums to which they may be entitled.
Restrictions on Ownership
Under the federal Change in Bank Control Act, a notice must be submitted to the Office of Thrift Supervision if any person (including a company), or group acting in concert, seeks to acquire “control” of a savings and loan holding company or savings association. An acquisition of “control” can occur upon the acquisition of 10.0% or more of the voting stock of a savings and loan holding company or savings institution or as otherwise defined by the Office of Thrift Supervision. Under the Change in Bank Control Act, the Office of Thrift Supervision has 60 days from the filing of a complete notice to act, taking into consideration certain factors, including the financial and managerial resources of the acquirer and the anti-trust effects of the acquisition. Any company that so acquires control would then be subject to regulation as a savings and loan holding company.
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Certain Provisions of OceanFirst’s Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws
The following discussion is a general summary of the material provisions of OceanFirst’s Certificate of Incorporation and bylaws and certain other regulatory provisions that may be deemed to have an “anti-takeover” effect. The following description of certain of these provisions is necessarily general and, with respect to provisions contained in OceanFirst’s Certificate of Incorporation and bylaws, reference should be made in each case to the document in question.
OceanFirst’s Certificate of Incorporation and bylaws contain a number of provisions, relating to corporate governance and rights of stockholders, that might discourage future takeover attempts. As a result, stockholders who might desire to participate in such transactions may not have an opportunity to do so. In addition, these provisions will also render the removal of the board of directors or management of OceanFirst more difficult.
The following description is a summary of the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and bylaws. See “Where You Can Find More Information” as to how to review a copy of these documents.
Directors. The board of directors is divided into three classes. The members of each class will be elected for a term of three years and only one class of directors will be elected annually. Thus, it would take at least two annual elections to replace a majority of OceanFirst’s board of directors. Further, the bylaws impose notice and information requirements in connection with the nomination by stockholders of candidates for election to the board of directors or the proposal by stockholders of business to be acted upon at an annual meeting of stockholders.
Restrictions on Call of Special Meetings. The Certificate of Incorporation and bylaws provide that special meetings of stockholders can be called only by the board of directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of authorized directorships. Stockholders are not authorized to call a special meeting of stockholders.
Prohibition of Cumulative Voting. The Certificate of Incorporation prohibits cumulative voting for the election of directors.
Limitation of Voting Rights. The Certificate of Incorporation provides that in no event will any record owner of any outstanding common stock which is beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by a person who beneficially owns more than 10% of the then outstanding shares of common stock, be entitled or permitted to vote any of the shares held in excess of the 10% limit.
Restrictions on Removing Directors from Office. The Certificate of Incorporation provides that Directors may be removed only for cause by the vote of 80% of the outstanding shares entitled to vote at an annual or special meeting called for that purpose (after giving effect to the limitation on voting rights discussed above in “Limitation of Voting Rights”).
Authorized but Unissued Shares. OceanFirst has authorized but unissued shares of common and preferred stock. See “Description of Common Stock.” The Certificate of Incorporation authorizes 5,000,000 shares of serial preferred stock. OceanFirst is authorized to issue preferred stock from time to time in one or more series subject to applicable provisions of law, and the board of directors is authorized to fix the designations, and relative preferences, limitations, voting rights, if any, including without limitation, offering rights of such shares (which could be multiple or as a separate class). In the event of a proposed merger, tender offer or other attempt to gain control of OceanFirst that the board of directors does not approve, it might be possible for the board of directors to authorize the issuance of a series of preferred stock with rights and preferences that would impede the completion of the transaction. An effect of the possible issuance of additional preferred stock, therefore may be to deter a future attempt to gain control of OceanFirst.
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Amendments to Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws. Amendments to the Certificate of Incorporation must be approved by OceanFirst’s board of directors and also by a majority of the outstanding shares of OceanFirst’s voting stock; provided, however, that approval by at least 80% of the outstanding voting stock is generally required to amend the following provisions:
| (i) | The limitation on voting rights of persons who directly or indirectly offer to acquire or acquire the beneficial ownership of more than 10% of any class of equity security of OceanFirst; |
| (ii) | The inability of stockholders to act by written consent; |
| (iii) | The inability of stockholders to call special meetings of stockholders; |
| (iv) | The division of the board of directors into three staggered classes; |
| (v) | The ability of the board of directors to fill vacancies on the board; |
| (vi) | The inability to deviate from the manner prescribed in the bylaws by which stockholders nominate directors and bring other business before meetings of stockholders; |
| (vii) | The requirement that at least 80% of stockholders must vote to remove directors, and can only remove directors for cause; |
| (viii) | The ability of the board of directors to amend and repeal the bylaws; and |
| (ix) | The ability of the board of directors to evaluate a variety of factors in evaluating offers to purchase or otherwise acquire OceanFirst. |
The bylaws may be amended by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors of OceanFirst or the affirmative vote of at least 80% of the total votes eligible to be voted at a duly constituted meeting of stockholders.
Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market. Holders of our common stock are not, and will not be, subject to any liability as stockholders.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is American Stock Transfer and Trust Company.
The selling securityholders and their successors, including their transferees, may sell the securities directly to purchasers or through underwriters, broker-dealers or agents, who may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the selling securityholders or the purchasers of the securities. These discounts, concessions or commissions as to any particular underwriter, broker-dealer or agent may be in excess of those customary in the types of transactions involved.
The securities may be sold in one or more transactions at fixed prices, at prevailing market prices at the time of sale, at varying prices determined at the time of sale or at negotiated prices. These sales may be affected in transactions, which may involve crosses or block transactions.
If underwriters are used in an offering or offered securities, such offered securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold in one of more transactions:
| • | on any national securities exchange or quotation service on which the preferred stock or the common stock may be listed or quoted at the time of sale, including, as of the date of this prospectus, the Nasdaq Global Select Market in the case of the common stock; |
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| • | in the over-the-counter market; |
| • | in transactions otherwise than on these exchanges or services or in the over-the-counter market; or |
| • | through the writing of options, whether the options are listed on an options exchange or otherwise. |
In addition, any securities that qualify for sale pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act may be sold under Rule 144 rather than pursuant to this prospectus.
In connection with the sale of the securities or otherwise, the selling securityholders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers, which may in turn engage in short sales of the common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrant in the course of hedging the positions they assume. The selling securityholders may also sell short the common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrant and deliver common stock to close out short positions, or loan or pledge the series A preferred stock or the common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrant to broker-dealers that in turn may sell these securities.
The aggregate proceeds to the selling securityholders from the sale of the securities will be the purchase price of the securities less discounts and commissions, if any.
In effecting sales, broker-dealers or agents engaged by the selling securityholders may arrange for other broker-dealers to participate. Broker-dealers or agents may receive commissions, discounts or concessions from the selling securityholders in amounts to be negotiated immediately prior to the sale.
In offering the securities covered by this prospectus, the selling securityholders and any broker-dealers who execute sales for the selling securityholders may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of Section 2(a)(11) of the Securities Act in connection with such sales. Any profits realized by the selling securityholders and the compensation of any broker-dealer may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions. Selling securityholders who are “underwriters” within the meaning of Section 2(a)(11) of the Securities Act will be subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act and may be subject to certain statutory and regulatory liabilities, including liabilities imposed pursuant to Sections 11, 12 and 17 of the Securities Act and Rule 10b-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or the Exchange Act.
In order to comply with the securities laws of certain states, if applicable, the securities must be sold in such jurisdictions only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in certain states the securities may not be sold unless they have been registered or qualified for sale in the applicable state or an exemption from the registration or qualification requirement is available and is complied with.
The anti-manipulation rules of Regulation M under the Exchange Act may apply to sales of securities pursuant to this prospectus and to the activities of the selling securityholders. In addition, we will make copies of this prospectus available to the selling securityholders for the purpose of satisfying the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act, which may include delivery through the facilities of the Nasdaq Global Select Market pursuant to Rule 153 under the Securities Act.
At the time a particular offer of securities is made, if required, a prospectus supplement will set forth the number and type of securities being offered and the terms of the offering, including the name of any underwriter, dealer or agent, the purchase price paid by any underwriter, any discount, commission and other item constituting compensation, any discount, commission or concession allowed or reallowed or paid to any dealer, and the proposed selling price to the public.
Neither the series A preferred stock nor the warrant is listed on an exchange. Unless requested by the initial selling securityholder, we do not intend to list the series A preferred stock on any exchange. We do not intend to list the warrant on any exchange. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market, if any, for the series A preferred stock.
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We have agreed to indemnify the selling securityholders against certain liabilities, including certain liabilities under the Securities Act. We have also agreed, among other things, to bear substantially all expenses (other than underwriting discounts and selling commissions) in connection with the registration and sale of the securities covered by this prospectus.
On January 16, 2009, we issued the securities covered by this prospectus to the United States Department of the Treasury, which is the initial selling securityholder under this prospectus, in a transaction exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The initial selling securityholder, or its successors, including transferees, may from time to time offer and sell, pursuant to this prospectus or a supplement to this prospectus, any or all of the securities they own. The securities to be offered under this prospectus for the account of the selling securityholders are:
| • | 38,263 shares of series A preferred stock, representing beneficial ownership of 100% of the shares of series A preferred stock outstanding on the date of this prospectus; |
| • | a warrant to purchase 380,853 shares of our common stock; and |
| • | 380,853 shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrant, which shares, if issued, would represent ownership of 2.99% of our common stock outstanding as of December 31, 2008. |
For purposes of this prospectus, we have assumed that, after completion of the offering covered by this prospectus, none of the securities covered by this prospectus will be held by the selling securityholders.
Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and includes voting or investment power with respect to the securities. To our knowledge, the initial selling securityholder has sole voting and investment power with respect to the securities.
We do not know when or in what amounts the selling securityholders may offer the securities for sale. The selling securityholders might not sell any or all of the securities offered by this prospectus. Because the selling securityholders may offer all or some of the securities pursuant to this offering, and because currently no sale of any of the securities is subject to any agreements, arrangements or understandings, we cannot estimate the number of the securities that will be held by the selling securityholders after completion of the offering.
Other than with respect to the acquisition of the securities, the initial selling securityholder has not had a material relationship with us.
Information about the selling securityholders may change over time and changed information will be set forth in supplements to this prospectus if and when necessary.
The validity of the series A preferred stock, the warrant and the common stock offered hereby has been passed upon for us by Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell LLP, Washington, D.C.
The consolidated financial statements of OceanFirst Financial Corp. and subsidiary as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2007, and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007 have been incorporated by reference herein and in the registration statement in reliance upon the reports of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We have filed a registration on Form S-3 with the SEC covering the securities that may be sold under this prospectus. This prospectus summarizes material provisions of contracts and other documents to which we refer you. For further information on OceanFirst and the securities, you should refer to our registration statement and its exhibits. As permitted by the rules and regulations of the SEC, the registration statement that contains this prospectus includes additional information not contained in this prospectus. Because the prospectus may not contain all the information that you may find important, you should review the full text of these documents. We have included copies of these documents as exhibits to our registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
We also file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s website at http:/www.sec.gov. Copies of certain information filed by us with the SEC are also available on our website at http://www.oceanfirst.com. Our website is not a part of this prospectus. You may also read and copy any document we file at the SEC’s public reference room, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference room.
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to other documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. In all cases, you should rely on the later information over different information included in this prospectus.
We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and all future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the termination of the offering, except to the extent that any information contained in such filings is deemed “furnished” in accordance with SEC rules:
| • | Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, filed on March 17, 2008. |
| • | Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2008, filed on May 9, 2008, our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2008, filed on August 8, 2008, and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2008, filed on November 10, 2008. |
| • | Our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on January 25, 2008; February 8, 2008; April 25, 2008; May 12, 2008; July 25, 2008; July 30, 2008; September 23, 2008, October 27, 2008, November 18, 2008, January 8, 2009; January 20, 2009 and January 26, 2009. |
| • | The description of our common stock contained in our Form 8-A as filed with the SEC pursuant to Sections 12(b) and 12(g) of the Exchange Act, on May 8, 1996. |
You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at the following address:
OceanFirst Financial Corp.
975 Hooper Avenue
Toms River, NJ 08753
Attention: Jill Apito Hewitt,
(732) 240-4500 extension 7516
You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone else to provide you with additional or different information.
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