LEGAL NOTICE   Notice of Adoption of a Plan of Conversion to Convert Columbia Bank MHC Fair Lawn, New Jersey to a Capital Stock Corporation   Notice is hereby given that on January 31, 2026 the Boards of Directors of Columbia Bank MHC (the “MHC”), Columbia Financial, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Mid-Tier Company”), Columbia Financial, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Holding Company”), and Columbia Bank (the “Bank”), Fair Lawn, New Jersey, unanimously adopted a proposed Plan of Conversion and Reorganization pursuant to which the MHC will convert to stock form and reorganize into a stock holding company structure pursuant to which the Holding Company, a newly formed Maryland corporation, will own 100% of the common stock of the Bank. The Holding Company will exchange shares of its common stock for outstanding common stock of the Mid-Tier Company and will issue and offer for sale additional shares of its common stock. The proposed Plan of Conversion and Reorganization is subject to approval by (1) the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”), (2) at least a majority of the votes eligible to be cast by members of the MHC; and (3) the Mid-Tier Company’s stockholders. December 31, 2024 has been established as the eligibility record date for determining the account holders entitled to receive nontransferable rights to subscribe for the conversion stock. Prior to approval, members of the MHC will have an opportunity to file written comments, including objections and materials supporting such objections, with the Federal Reserve. Copies of the Plan of Conversion and Reorganization are available for inspection by members of the MHC at the Bank’s main office in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, and its other branch offices.    ($42.01)