OceanFirst Announces Chief Risk Officer Transition

Red Bank, N.J., Sept. 19, 2023 — OceanFirst Financial Corp. (NASDAQ:OCFC) today announced that effective October 1, 2023, Grace Vallacchi will resign from the Board of Directors of the Company’s Bank subsidiary, in connection with her planned retirement from her position as Chief Risk Officer, which will take effect October 11, 2023. Upon Ms. Vallacchi’s retirement, David Berninger will join OceanFirst Bank as Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer.

Mr. Maher commented, “Grace joined the Bank in 2017 and became a member of its Board of Directors in 2019. We appreciate her many contributions, and the impact Grace has had on the evolution of our risk management program during her tenure. Her commitment, guidance, and professionalism during many significant events over these past six years have been exceptional and on behalf of the Board, management team, and employees we wish her well.”

Maher continued, “We are pleased to welcome David Berninger as our next Chief Risk Officer. David’s experience as a senior risk management professional will make this a seamless transition as we continue to grow the Bank and enhance our enterprise risk management efforts.”

Mr. Berninger has served in a number of senior risk management roles in the banking and financial services industry during a career spanning nearly three decades, including the US Region of ICBC, Valley National Bank, Hudson City Savings Bank and Societe Generale. He is the treasurer and a board member of the NJ Community Development