OCFC
Financial ServicesOceanFirst Financial Corp. · Banks - Regional · $1B
What is OceanFirst Financial Corp.?
OceanFirst Financial Corp. is the holding company for OceanFirst Bank N.A., a community bank serving retail, business, and government customers across New Jersey and select nearby markets. The bank has operated for well over a century.
OceanFirst Bank generates revenue primarily through traditional lending and deposit-gathering. It funds commercial real estate loans, residential mortgages, and consumer credit products using deposits collected from checking, savings, and money market accounts. Beyond core banking, the company offers wealth management, trust and asset management services, bankcard products, and alternative investment and life insurance solutions through its branch network across central and southern New Jersey.
Incorporated in 1996 and headquartered in Red Bank, New Jersey, OceanFirst Bank's roots trace back to 1902.
- Commercial real estate and construction lending
- Residential mortgage and consumer loans
- Deposit accounts for retail, business, and government customers
- Wealth management, trust services, and alternative investment products
Is OCFC a Good Stock to Buy?
UQS Score rates OCFC as Below Average overall, reflecting meaningful challenges across several key dimensions of stock quality.
Among the pillars, Valuation stands out as the relative bright spot, rated Good — suggesting the market may already be pricing in the company's limitations. Quality and Growth both register as Neutral, indicating neither a clear drag nor a standout advantage in those areas.
Moat and Risk are both rated Weak, pointing to limited competitive differentiation and above-average risk exposure relative to peers.
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Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.
Does OCFC pay dividends?
Yes — OceanFirst Financial Corp. pays a dividend.
OceanFirst Financial pays a regular dividend, consistent with the income-oriented tradition of community banking. For investors seeking current income, this cadence may be appealing. The dividend reflects the bank's commitment to returning capital to shareholders, though the sustainability of payouts should be weighed against the Weak Risk pillar rating.
When does OCFC report earnings?
OceanFirst Financial reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, typical for US-listed bank holding companies.
Community banks like OceanFirst are sensitive to interest rate movements, credit quality trends, and regional economic conditions — all of which shape quarterly results. The Neutral Growth and Quality pillar ratings suggest performance has been neither consistently strong nor notably deteriorating.
For the most recent quarter's results and guidance, visit OceanFirst Financial's investor relations page directly.
OCFC Price History
+4.8% over 5Y
Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.
What if I invested in OceanFirst Financial Corp.?
Based on OceanFirst Financial Corp.'s historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.
OCFC Long-term Outlook
The fundamental outlook for OCFC is shaped by its Neutral Growth profile and Weak Risk rating. Community banks face ongoing pressure from larger institutions with greater scale, and OceanFirst's limited moat makes it harder to defend margins in competitive lending markets. The Good Valuation rating suggests downside may be partially reflected in the current price, but the Risk profile warrants careful consideration for long-term holders.
Growth drivers
- Expansion of commercial lending across the Mid-Atlantic corridor
- Growth in wealth management and fee-based services
- Regional deposit base stability in core New Jersey markets
Key risks
- Weak competitive moat in a crowded community banking landscape
- Interest rate sensitivity affecting net interest margin
- Credit quality risk tied to commercial real estate concentration
OCFC vs Peers
OceanFirst competes with other regional and community bank holding companies, each with distinct geographic footprints and business mixes.
Merchants Bancorp focuses heavily on multi-family and government-sponsored mortgage banking, giving it a more specialized lending profile than OceanFirst's broader community bank model.
FirstSun operates primarily in the Southwest and Mountain West, offering geographic diversification that contrasts with OceanFirst's concentrated New Jersey footprint.
Univest serves the greater Philadelphia region with a similar community banking approach, making it a close regional peer competing for some of the same commercial and retail customers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does OceanFirst Financial Corp. do?
OceanFirst Financial is the holding company for OceanFirst Bank N.A., a community bank based in New Jersey. It takes deposits from retail, business, and government customers and deploys those funds into commercial real estate loans, residential mortgages, and consumer credit. It also offers wealth management and trust services.
Does OCFC pay dividends?
Yes, OceanFirst Financial pays a regular dividend. This is consistent with the income-focused tradition of community banking. Investors should review the company's investor relations page for the current dividend rate and payment schedule, and weigh the payout against the company's overall risk profile.
When does OCFC report earnings?
OceanFirst Financial reports on a quarterly cadence, as is standard for US-listed bank holding companies. For the exact dates of upcoming earnings releases, check the company's investor relations page or your brokerage's earnings calendar.
Is OCFC a good stock to buy?
UQS Score rates OCFC as Below Average overall. The Valuation pillar is rated Good, but Moat and Risk are both Weak. Whether it fits a portfolio depends on an investor's risk tolerance and income objectives. The full pillar breakdown is available to UQS Pro members.
Is OCFC overvalued?
The UQS Valuation pillar for OCFC is rated Good, suggesting the stock does not appear expensive relative to its fundamentals on a composite basis. This may reflect the market already pricing in the company's weaker competitive position and risk profile.
How does OCFC compare to its competitors?
Compared to peers like Univest Financial, Merchants Bancorp, and FirstSun Capital Bancorp, OceanFirst is a traditional community bank concentrated in New Jersey. Its broader product mix — including wealth management — differentiates it somewhat, but its Weak Moat rating suggests limited structural advantages over regional rivals.
What is OCFC's market cap bracket?
OCFC is classified as a small-cap stock. This places it in a tier where liquidity can be lower and price volatility higher than large- or mega-cap financial institutions. Small-cap community banks can offer income potential but typically carry more idiosyncratic risk.
Who founded OceanFirst Financial Corp.?
OceanFirst Bank's origins date to 1902, making it one of the longer-standing community banking institutions in New Jersey. The holding company, OceanFirst Financial Corp., was incorporated in 1996. Detailed founding history is available on the company's official website.
Is OCFC a long-term quality investment?
As a long-term quality indicator, OCFC's Below Average UQS Score — driven by Weak Moat and Risk ratings — suggests caution. Community banks without strong competitive advantages can struggle to compound value over time, particularly in rising-rate or credit-stress environments. Pro members can view the complete pillar analysis.
What is the main competitive advantage of OceanFirst Financial?
OceanFirst's primary advantage is its established deposit franchise and long-standing community relationships across central and southern New Jersey. However, the UQS Moat pillar is rated Weak, indicating these advantages may not be durable enough to fend off competition from larger banks or fintech alternatives over the long run.
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Pro Analysis
OCFC — Score History
| Date | UQS | Quality | Moat | Growth | Risk | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 20, 2026 | 44.8 | 49.4 | 15.0 | 42.2 | 56.5 | 78.3 | 0.0 |
| May 12, 2026 | 44.8 | 49.4 | 15.0 | 42.2 | 56.5 | 78.4 | +5.5 |
| May 2, 2026 | 39.3 | 47.8 | 15.0 | 43.0 | 21.8 | 78.1 | -0.2 |
| Apr 26, 2026 | 39.5 | 47.8 | 15.0 | 43.9 | 21.8 | 78.1 | 0.0 |
| Apr 19, 2026 | 39.5 | 47.8 | 15.0 | 44.1 | 21.8 | 78.1 | 0.0 |
| Apr 18, 2026 | 39.5 | 47.8 | 15.0 | 44.1 | 21.8 | 78.3 | -3.0 |
| Apr 12, 2026 | 42.5 | 47.8 | 15.0 | 44.1 | 21.8 | 97.8 | 0.0 |
| Apr 11, 2026 | 42.5 | 47.8 | 15.0 | 44.1 | 21.8 | 98.0 | +1.7 |
| Apr 9, 2026 | 40.8 | 47.6 | 15.0 | 35.9 | 21.8 | 98.0 | -0.1 |
| Apr 8, 2026 | 40.9 | 48.0 | 15.0 | 35.9 | 21.8 | 98.0 | -0.2 |
OCFC — Pillar Breakdown
Quality
— 49.4/100 (25%)OceanFirst Financial Corp. has average quality metrics, with room for improvement in margins or capital efficiency.
Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.
Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.
Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.
Free cash flow relative to market value.
Growth
— 42.2/100 (20%)OceanFirst Financial Corp. shows steady but unspectacular growth, typical for mature companies.
Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.
Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.
Year-over-year earnings per share growth.
Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.
Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.
Risk
— 56.5/100 (15%)OceanFirst Financial Corp. maintains a reasonable risk profile with manageable debt levels.
Total debt relative to shareholder equity.
Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.
Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.
Valuation
— 78.3/100 (15%)OceanFirst Financial Corp. appears attractively valued relative to its earnings, cash flows, and sector peers.
Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.
How many years of FCF the market cap represents.
P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.
Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.
Moat
— 15/100 (25%)OceanFirst Financial Corp. operates in a highly competitive environment with limited sustainable advantages. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for OCFC.
Score Composition
Financial Data
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How is the OCFC UQS Score Calculated?
The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for OceanFirst Financial Corp. is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.
Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.
Moat (25%) assesses OceanFirst Financial Corp.'s competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.
Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.
Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.
Valuation (15%) measures whether OceanFirst Financial Corp. is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.
Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.