krny-20260908

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

_______________________

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No. )

_______________________

Filed by the Registrant x Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o

Check the appropriate box:

o Preliminary Proxy Statement

o Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

x Definitive Proxy Statement

o Definitive Additional Materials

o Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12

Kearny Financial Corp.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

x No fee required.

o Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

o Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11

September 9, 2026

Dear Fellow Stockholder:

You are cordially invited to attend the 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Kearny Financial Corp. (the “Annual Meeting”). This year’s Annual Meeting will be held in a virtual meeting format only, on Tuesday, October 20, 2026 at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time. You will be able to attend the Annual Meeting virtually and vote and submit questions during the virtual Annual Meeting by visiting https://meetnow.global/MDJ2M2C.

We are furnishing proxy materials to our stockholders primarily via the Internet by mailing a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, or “Notice,” instead of mailing printed copies of those materials to each stockholder. The Notice directs stockholders to a website where they can access our proxy materials, including our Proxy Statement and our Annual Report, and view instructions on how to vote via the Internet or by telephone. If you would prefer to receive a paper copy of our proxy materials, please follow the instructions included in the Notice. If you have previously elected to receive our proxy materials electronically, you will continue to receive access to these materials electronically unless you elect otherwise.

The enclosed proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors of Kearny Financial Corp. for use at the Annual Meeting and at any adjournment thereof. This Proxy Statement is first being made available to stockholders on or about September 9, 2026. Stockholders may submit a proxy to vote at the Annual Meeting by following the instructions on the Notice, via the Internet, by telephone, or (if they have received paper copies of the proxy materials) by returning a proxy card.

The Annual Meeting is being held so that stockholders may consider the election of four directors, the ratification of the appointment of Crowe LLP as Kearny Financial Corp.’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending June 30, 2027, and the consideration of an advisory, non-binding resolution, with respect to the executive compensation described in the Proxy Statement.

The Board of Directors of Kearny Financial Corp. has determined that the matters to be considered at the Annual Meeting are in the best interests of Kearny Financial Corp. and its stockholders. For the reasons set forth in the Proxy Statement, the Board of Directors unanimously recommends that you vote “FOR” each of the proposals to be presented at the Annual Meeting.

On behalf of the Board of Directors and the officers and employees of Kearny Financial Corp. and its subsidiary, Kearny Bank, I thank you for your continued support of Kearny Financial Corp.


			Sincerely,
			/s/ Craig L. Montanaro
			Craig L. Montanaro President and Chief Executive Officer

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Kearny Financial Corp.

120 Passaic Avenue

Fairfield, New Jersey 07004

(973) 244-4500

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of Kearny Financial Corp. (the “Company”) will be held in a virtual meeting format only, on Tuesday, October 20, 2026 at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time. You can virtually attend the live webcast of the Annual Meeting at https://meetnow.global/MDJ2M2C and by following the instructions in the Proxy Statement. There is no physical location for the Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting is for the purpose of considering and acting upon the following matters:

1.To elect four directors;

2.To ratify the appointment of Crowe LLP as the Company’s independent auditor for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027;

3.An advisory, non-binding resolution to approve our executive compensation as described in this Proxy Statement; and

such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournments thereof may also be acted upon. The Board of Directors is not aware of any other business to come before the Annual Meeting.

The Board of Directors of the Company has determined that the matters to be considered at the Annual Meeting, described in this Notice of Annual Meeting and the accompanying Proxy Statement, are in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders. For the reasons set forth in the Proxy Statement, the Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” each of its nominees, a vote “FOR” the ratification of Crowe LLP as independent auditors, and a vote “FOR” the non-binding resolution to approve our executive compensation.

Any action may be taken on any one of the foregoing proposals at the Annual Meeting on the date specified above, or on any date or dates to which, by original or later adjournment, the Annual Meeting may be adjourned. Pursuant to the Company’s bylaws, the Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on August 21, 2026 as the record date for determination of the stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting and any adjournments thereof.

It is important that your shares be represented and voted at the Annual Meeting. Stockholders whose shares are held in registered form have a choice of voting by proxy card, telephone or the Internet, as described on your proxy card. Stockholders whose shares are held in the name of a broker, bank or other holder of record must vote in the manner directed by such holder. Check your proxy card or the information forwarded by your broker, bank or other holder of record to see which options are available to you. Any stockholder of record attending the virtual Annual Meeting may withdraw his or her proxy and vote personally on any matter properly brought before the Annual Meeting. If you are a stockholder whose shares are not registered in your own name, you will need appropriate documentation from the stockholder of record to vote at the virtual Annual Meeting.


			BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
			/s/ Gail Corrigan
			Gail Corrigan Corporate Secretary

Fairfield, New Jersey

September 9, 2026


Important Notice Regarding Internet Availability of Proxy Materials For the Stockholder Meeting to be Held on October 20, 2026 The Proxy Statement and Annual Report to Stockholders are available at www.edocumentview.com/KRNY (or through the Investor Relations link located at the bottom of the page of our website at www.kearnybank.com)


	Kearny Financial Corp.

	Proxy Statement

	Table of Contents

The Annual Meeting		Page 1
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management		Page 7
Proposal I – Election of Directors		Page 9
Corporate Governance Matters		Page 19
Compensation Discussion and Analysis (“CD&A”)		Page 25
Compensation Committee Report		Page 35
Executive Compensation		Page 36
CEO Pay Ratio		Page 49
Pay V ersus Performance		Page 50
Director Compensation		Page 53
Proposal II – Ratification of Appointment of Independent Auditor		Page 55
Proposal III – Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation		Page 57
Stockholder Communications to the Board and Stockholder Proposals		Page 58

KEARNY FINANCIAL CORP.

PROXY STATEMENT

FOR THE

2026 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

To Be Held on October 20, 2026

GENERAL INFORMATION

This Proxy Statement is being furnished to the stockholders of Kearny Financial Corp. (the “Company” or “Kearny Financial”) in connection with the solicitation by the Board of Directors of proxies for use at the 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to be held on Tuesday, October 20, 2026 at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time (the “Annual Meeting”). This Proxy Statement and the proxy card are first being made available to stockholders on or about September 9, 2026.

The Annual Meeting


Date, Time and Place						The Annual Meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 20, 2026 at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time, and will be a virtual meeting format only. You can virtually attend the live webcast of the Annual Meeting at https://meetnow.global/MDJ2M2C.

Record Date						August 21, 2026

Shares Entitled to Vote						64,929,382 shares of Kearny Financial common stock were outstanding on the Record Date and are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.

Purpose of the Annual Meeting						To consider and vote on: 1) the election of four directors; 2) the ratification of Crowe LLP (“Crowe”) as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending June 30, 2027; and 3) the approval of a resolution to approve our executive compensation as described in this Proxy Statement.

Vote Required						Directors are elected by a plurality of votes cast, without regard to either broker non-votes or proxies as to which authority to vote for the nominees being proposed is withheld. The vote to approve the advisory, non-binding resolution with respect to executive compensation as described in this Proxy Statement and the ratification of Crowe as our independent registered public accounting firm, is determined by a majority of the votes cast, without regard to broker non-votes or proxies marked “ABSTAIN.”

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KEARNY FINANCIAL CORP. – 2026 Proxy Statement 1


Your Board of Directors Recommends You Vote in Favor of the Proposals						Your Board of Directors unanimously recommends that stockholders vote “FOR” each of the nominees for director listed in this Proxy Statement, “FOR” the ratification of Crowe as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending June 30, 2027, and “FOR” approval of an advisory, non-binding resolution, with respect to executive compensation as described in this Proxy Statement.

Kearny Financial						Kearny Financial is the holding company for Kearny Bank, an FDIC-insured, New Jersey stock savings bank. Kearny Financial had approximately $7.7 billion in total assets at June 30, 2026, and currently operates 40 retail branch offices located throughout northern and central New Jersey and Brooklyn and Staten Island, New York. Kearny Financial’s executive offices are located at 120 Passaic Avenue, Fairfield, New Jersey 07004, and its telephone number is (973) 244-4500.

Who Can Vote at the Annual Meeting

The Board of Directors has fixed August 21, 2026 as the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. Accordingly, only holders of record of shares of Kearny Financial common stock, par value $0.01 per share, at the close of business on such date will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. On August 21, 2026, 64,929,382 shares of Kearny Financial common stock were outstanding and held by 3,657 registered holders of record. Certain shares of the Company are held in “street” name and accordingly, the number of beneficial owners of such shares is not known or included in the foregoing number. The presence, by attendance at the virtual Annual Meeting or by properly executed proxy, of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Kearny Financial common stock is necessary to constitute a quorum at the Annual Meeting.

How Many Votes You Have

Each holder of shares of Kearny Financial common stock outstanding on August 21, 2026 will be entitled to one vote for each share held of record. However, Kearny Financial’s articles of incorporation provide that stockholders of record who beneficially own in excess of 10% of the then outstanding shares of common stock of Kearny Financial are not entitled to vote any of the shares held in excess of that 10% limit. A person or entity is deemed to beneficially own shares that are owned by an affiliate of, as well as by any person acting in concert with, such person or entity.

Matters to Be Considered

The purpose of the Annual Meeting is to: 1) elect four directors; 2) ratify the appointment of Crowe as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending June 30, 2027; and 3) approve a resolution regarding our executive compensation as described in this Proxy Statement.

You may be asked to vote upon other matters that may properly be submitted to a vote at the Annual Meeting. We may adjourn or postpone the Annual Meeting for the purpose, among others, of allowing additional time to solicit proxies. The Board of Directors is not aware of any other business to come before the Annual Meeting.

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KEARNY FINANCIAL CORP. – 2026 Proxy Statement 2

How to Vote

We are making our proxy materials available to our stockholders on the Internet. You may read, print and download our 2026 Annual Report to Stockholders and our Proxy Statement at www.edocumentview.com/KRNY (or through the Investor Relations link located at the bottom of the page of our website at www.kearnybank.com). On or about September 9, 2026, we mailed a Notice to Stockholders containing instructions on how to access our proxy materials and vote online. On an ongoing basis, stockholders may request to receive proxy materials in printed form by mail or electronically by email.

You may vote your shares by Internet, telephone, regular mail or at the virtual Annual Meeting. Each of these voting options is described on your proxy card or Notice. You should complete and return your proxy card, or vote using the Internet or telephone voting options, in order to ensure that your vote is counted at the Annual Meeting, or at any adjournment of the Annual Meeting, regardless of whether you plan to attend the virtual Annual Meeting. If you return an executed proxy card without marking your instructions, your executed proxy card will be voted “FOR” the election of the four director nominees named in this Proxy Statement, “FOR” the ratification of the appointment of Crowe as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, and “FOR” the advisory, non-binding resolution to approve our executive compensation as described in this Proxy Statement.

Registered stockholders can vote online by visiting www.envisionreports.com/KRNY and following the on-screen instructions. The Notice previously provided to you contains the necessary codes required to vote online or by telephone. If you wish to vote by telephone, please call 1-800-652-8683 using a touch-tone phone and follow the prompted instructions. You may also vote by mail by requesting a paper proxy card using the instructions provided in the Notice. Finally, you may vote during the virtual Annual Meeting.

If you are a stockholder whose shares are not registered in your own name, you will need appropriate documentation from the stockholder of record to vote during the virtual Annual Meeting. If you want to vote your shares of Kearny Financial common stock that are held in street name during the virtual Annual Meeting, please see the instructions below detailing how you may register to attend and participate in the virtual Annual Meeting.

The Board of Directors is currently unaware of any other matters that may be presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting. If other matters properly come before the Annual Meeting, or at any adjournment or postponement of the Annual Meeting, shares represented by properly submitted proxies will be voted, or not voted, by the persons named as proxies on the proxy card in their best judgment.

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KEARNY FINANCIAL CORP. – 2026 Proxy Statement 3

How to Attend the Virtual Annual Meeting

The Annual Meeting will be a completely virtual meeting of stockholders, which will be conducted exclusively by webcast. No physical meeting will be held.

You will be able to attend the Annual Meeting online and submit your questions during the meeting by visiting https://meetnow.global/MDJ2M2C. You also will be able to vote your shares online at the virtual Annual Meeting.

To participate in the Annual Meeting, you will need to review the information included on your Notice, on your proxy card or on the instructions that accompanied your proxy materials.

If you hold your shares through an intermediary, such as a bank or broker, you can access the virtual meeting as a guest, or if you would like to vote or ask a question at the virtual Annual Meeting, you must register in advance using the instructions below.

The virtual Annual Meeting will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time. We encourage you to access the meeting prior to the start time leaving ample time to check in. Please follow the registration instructions as outlined in this Proxy Statement.

How to Register to Attend the Virtual Annual Meeting

All stockholders can listen to the virtual Annual Meeting by signing onto the virtual Annual Meeting as a guest. However, if you wish to participate in the virtual Annual Meeting, you must sign on as a stockholder.

If you are a registered stockholder (i.e., you hold your shares through our transfer agent, Computershare), you do not need to register to attend the virtual Annual Meeting. Please follow the instructions on the proxy card, Notice or proxy material notification email that you received.

If you hold your shares through an intermediary, such as a bank or broker (a “Beneficial Holder”), and want to attend the virtual Annual Meeting (with the ability to ask a question and/or vote, if you choose to do so) you have two options:

(1)submit proof of your proxy power (legal proxy) from your bank or broker reflecting your Company holdings along with your name and email address to Computershare by email to: legalproxy@computershare.com, or by mail:

Computershare
Kearny Financial Corp. Legal Proxy
P.O. Box 43001
Providence, RI 02940-3001

Requests for registration must be labeled as “Legal Proxy” and be received no later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on Thursday, October 15, 2026.

You will receive a confirmation of your registration by email after your registration materials have been received.

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KEARNY FINANCIAL CORP. – 2026 Proxy Statement 4

(2)For the 2026 proxy season, an industry solution allows Beneficial Holders to register online for the virtual Annual Meeting to attend, ask questions and vote. We expect that the vast majority of Beneficial Holders will be able to fully participate using the control number received with their voting instruction form. Please note, however, that this option is intended to be provided as a convenience to Beneficial Holders only. There is no guarantee this option will be available for every type of Beneficial Holder voting control number. The inability to provide this option to any or all Beneficial Holders will in no way impact the validity of the virtual Annual Meeting. Beneficial Holders may choose to register in advance, as described above, if they prefer to use this traditional, paper-based option.

In any event, please go to https://meetnow.global/MDJ2M2C for more information on the available options and registration instructions.

The virtual Annual Meeting will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time. We encourage you to access the meeting prior to the start time leaving ample time to check in.

Participants in Employee Stock Plans

If you are a participant in the Kearny Bank Employee Stock Ownership Plan (the “ESOP”) or hold Kearny Financial common stock through the Kearny Bank Employees’ Savings Plan (the “401(k) Plan”), you will receive a voting instruction form so that you may vote the shares under these plans and awards. Under the terms of the plans, you are entitled to direct the trustees how to vote the shares of Kearny Financial common stock credited to your account in the ESOP and 401(k) Plan. The 401(k) Plan trustee and ESOP trustee, as applicable, will vote all shares for which it does not receive timely instructions from participants in the same proportion as shares for which each, as applicable, received voting instructions, and the unallocated ESOP shares will also be voted in the same proportion as shares for which the ESOP trustee received voting instructions. It is important that you direct the trustee how to vote your shares. To allow sufficient time for voting by the trustees, your voting instructions must be received by 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, October 15, 2026.

Quorum and Vote Required

The presence, by attendance at the virtual Annual Meeting or by properly executed proxy, of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Kearny Financial common stock is necessary to constitute a quorum at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted solely for the purpose of determining whether a quorum is present. A proxy submitted by a broker that is not voted is sometimes referred to as a broker non-vote.

Directors are elected by a plurality of votes cast, without regard to either broker non-votes or proxies as to which authority to vote for the nominees being proposed is “Withheld.” The ratification of the appointment of Crowe as the independent registered public accounting firm and the advisory vote to approve our executive compensation as described in this Proxy Statement is determined by a majority of the votes cast, without regard to broker non-votes or proxies marked “Abstain.”

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KEARNY FINANCIAL CORP. – 2026 Proxy Statement 5

Revocability of Proxies

You may revoke your proxy at any time before the vote is taken at the Annual Meeting. You may revoke your proxy by:

•submitting written notice of revocation to the Corporate Secretary of Kearny Financial prior to the voting of such proxy;

•submitting a properly executed proxy bearing a later date;

•using the Internet or telephone voting options explained on the proxy card; or

•voting during the virtual Annual Meeting; however, simply attending the virtual Annual Meeting without voting will not revoke an earlier proxy.

Written notices of revocation and other communications regarding the revocation of your proxy should be addressed to:

Kearny Financial Corp.

120 Passaic Avenue

Fairfield, New Jersey 07004

Attention: Gail Corrigan, Corporate Secretary

If your shares are held in street name, you should follow your broker’s instructions regarding the revocation of proxies.

Solicitation of Proxies

Kearny Financial will bear the entire cost of soliciting proxies from you. In addition to the solicitation of proxies by mail, Kearny Financial will request that banks, brokers and other holders of record send proxies and proxy material to the beneficial owners of Kearny Financial common stock and secure their voting instructions. Laurel Hill Advisory Group, LLC will assist us in soliciting proxies, and we have agreed to pay them a fee of $7,500 plus reasonable expenses for their services. If necessary, Kearny Financial may also use several of its regular employees, who will not be specially compensated, to solicit proxies from stockholders. In the event there are not sufficient votes for a quorum, or to approve or ratify any matter being presented at the time of this Annual Meeting, the Annual Meeting may be adjourned in order to permit the further solicitation of proxies.

Recommendation of the Board of Directors

Your Board of Directors unanimously recommends that you vote “FOR” each of the nominees for director listed in this Proxy Statement, “FOR” the ratification of Crowe as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending June 30, 2027, and “FOR” approval on an advisory basis of executive compensation as described in this Proxy Statement.

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KEARNY FINANCIAL CORP. – 2026 Proxy Statement 6

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

The following table sets forth information, as of August 21, 2026, regarding certain beneficial owners of shares of Kearny Financial common stock, including information regarding persons and entities known to Kearny Financial to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of Kearny Financial’s issued and outstanding common stock and information regarding each director, named executive officer and all directors and executive officers of Kearny Financial as a group. In computing the number of shares of common stock beneficially owned by a person and the percentage ownership of that person, we deemed shares of each class of common stock subject to options held by that person that were exercisable on or within 60 days of August 21, 2026 to be outstanding. We did not deem these shares outstanding, however, for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person.


Name of Beneficial Owner	Shares Beneficially Owned	Percent of All Common Stock Outstanding(1)
5% Owners (including address):
BlackRock, Inc. 50 Hudson Yards New York, NY 10001	5,024,975(2)	7.74%
Kearny Bank ESOP Trust Trustee: Pentegra Trust Company c/o Pentegra Services, Inc. 2 Enterprise Dr., Suite 408 Shelton, CT 06484	4,671,133(3)	7.19%
BlackRock Portfolio Management LLC 50 Hudson Yards New York, NY 10001	3,976,659(4)	6.12%

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KEARNY FINANCIAL CORP. – 2026 Proxy Statement 7

Directors and Nominees:

Theodore J. Aanensen

246,677(5)

Raymond E. Chandonnet

155,848(6)

Curtland E. Fields

57,900

Catherine A. Lawton

135,000(7)

John J. Mazur, Jr.

323,600(8)

Joseph P. Mazza

305,548(9)

John F. McGovern

400,000(10)

Craig L. Montanaro

1,095,780(11)

1.67%

Leopold W. Montanaro

370,000(12)

Christopher Petermann

156,339(13)

Charles J. Pivirotto

65,528(14)

Melvina Wong-Zaza

33,910

Named Executive Officers:

Keith Suchodolski

318,670(15)

Sean Byrnes

56,525(16)

Patrick M. Joyce

312,295(17)

Anthony V. Bilotta, Jr.

212,149(18)

All directors and executive officers as a group (20 persons)

5,143,739

7.68%

______________________

* Less than 1%.

(1) Based on 64,929,382 shares of Kearny Financial common stock outstanding and entitled to vote as of August 21, 2026.

(2) Based on Schedule 13G/A filed on July 28, 2026.

(3) Based on Schedule 13G/A filed on February 13, 2026.

(4) Based on Schedule 13G filed on April 15, 2025.

(5) Includes options to acquire 100,000 shares, 11,529 shares held by Mr. Aanensen’s spouse (49 shares of which are held in the spouse’s deposit reinvestment account) and 1,000 shares held in trust for Mr. Aanensen’s grandchild.

(6) Includes options to acquire 100,000 shares.

(7) Includes options to acquire 75,000 shares.

(8) Includes options to acquire 100,000 shares and 2,541 shares held by Mr. Mazur’s spouse.

(9) Includes options to acquire 100,000 shares.

(10) Includes options to acquire 100,000 shares.

(11) Includes options to acquire 540,000 shares, 150,992 shares held in the 401(k) Plan for the benefit of Mr. Montanaro, 70,822 shares held in the ESOP, 29,028 shares held in the Benefits Equalization Plan (the “BEP”) and 4,417 shares held by Mr. Montanaro’s child. 8,748 of the shares held by Mr. Montanaro have been pledged as collateral for a loan.

(12) Includes options to acquire 100,000 shares.

(13) Includes options to acquire 100,000 shares and 200 shares held by Mr. Petermann’s child.

(14) Includes 5,955 shares held in a 401(k) Plan for the benefit of Mr. Pivirotto.

(15) Includes options to acquire 150,000 shares, 25,473 shares held in the 401(k) Plan for the benefit of Mr. Suchodolski, 23,586 shares held in the ESOP and 2,455 shares held in the BEP.

(16) Includes 7,953 shares held in the 401(k) Plan for the benefit of Mr. Byrnes and 6,178 shares held in the ESOP.

(17) Includes options to acquire 150,000 shares, 39,286 shares held in the 401(k) Plan for the benefit of Mr. Joyce, 65,015 shares held in the ESOP and 2,584 shares held in the BEP.

(18) Includes options to acquire 100,000 shares, 133 shares held in the 401(k) Plan for the benefit of Mr. Bilotta, 13,136 shares held in the ESOP and 334 shares held in the BEP.

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KEARNY FINANCIAL CORP. – 2026 Proxy Statement 8

PROPOSAL I – ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Kearny Financial’s Board of Directors currently consists of 12 members and is divided into three classes, with one class of directors elected each year. Each member of the Board of Directors also serves as a director of Kearny Bank.

Four directors will be elected at the Annual Meeting. On the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, the Board of Directors has nominated Theodore J. Aanensen, Curtland E. Fields, Joseph P. Mazza and Charles J. Pivirotto for election as directors, each of whom has agreed to serve if so elected. Each will serve until their respective successor has been elected and qualified. Each of the nominees is a current member of the Kearny Financial Board of Directors and each was previously elected by stockholders.

Except as indicated herein, there are no arrangements or understandings between any nominee and any other person pursuant to which any such nominee was selected. Unless authority to vote for the nominees is withheld, it is intended that the shares represented by the proxy card, if executed and returned, will be voted “FOR” the election of all nominees.

In the event that any nominee is unable or declines to serve, the persons named on the proxy card as proxies will vote with respect to a substitute nominee designated by Kearny Financial’s current Board of Directors. At this time, the Board of Directors knows of no reason why any of the nominees would be unable or would decline to serve, if elected.

KEARNY FINANCIAL’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE ELECTION OF THE NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR NAMED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT.

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KEARNY FINANCIAL CORP. – 2026 Proxy Statement 9

Directors and Executive Officers of Kearny Financial

The following table sets forth for each nominee, continuing director and executive officer of Kearny Financial and Kearny Bank, as applicable: name, position with Kearny Financial, age, year of first election or appointment and expiration of current term if a director.


Name and Position with Company	Age as of June 30, 2026	Year First Elected or Appointed	Current Term to Expire
BOARD NOMINEES FOR TERM TO EXPIRE IN 2029
Theodore J. Aanensen Director	81	1986	2026
Curtland E. Fields Director	74	2023	2026
Joseph P. Mazza Director	82	1993	2026
Charles J. Pivirotto Director	72	2018	2026
DIRECTORS CONTINUING IN OFFICE
Catherine A. Lawton Director	69	2018	2027
Craig L. Montanaro President and Chief Executive Officer, Director	59	2010	2027
Leopold W. Montanaro Director	86	2003	2027
Melvina Wong-Zaza Director	61	2023	2027
John J. Mazur, Jr. Chairman of the Board, Director	72	1996	2028
Raymond E. Chandonnet Director	60	2015	2028
John F. McGovern Director	65	1999	2028
Christopher Petermann Director	67	2015	2028

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KEARNY FINANCIAL CORP. – 2026 Proxy Statement 10

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS WHO ARE NOT DIRECTORS


Name and Position with Company	Age as of June 30, 2026	Year First Appointed

Keith Suchodolski Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer	46	2018
Sean Byrnes Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer	49	2024
Patrick M. Joyce Executive Vice President, Chief Lending Officer	61	2002
Anthony V. Bilotta, Jr. Executive Vice President, Chief Banking Officer	65	2018
Cassia J. Beierle, Esq. Executive Vice President, General Counsel	44	2025
Thomas D. DeMedici Executive Vice President, Chief Credit Officer	65	2017
Erika K. Parisi Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer	61	2002
Timothy A. Swansson Executive Vice President, Chief Technology & Innovation Officer	49	2019

Business Experience and Qualifications of Directors

Our Board of Directors is comprised of individuals with considerable and varied business experiences, backgrounds, skills and qualifications. Collectively, they have a strong knowledge of our Company’s business, strategy and markets and are committed to enhancing long-term stockholder value. Information regarding the Board of Directors’ nominees and the directors continuing in office is provided below. Unless otherwise stated, each individual has held his or her current occupation for the last five years.

Nominees for Director

Theodore J. Aanensen was appointed to serve on the Board of Directors of Kearny Financial and the Board of Directors of Kearny Bank in 1986. He served as Chairman of the Board of Kearny Bank from January 2000 through January 2004 and as Chairman of the Board of Kearny Financial from March 2001 through January 2004. He is a co-owner of Aanensen’s, a luxury home remodeling and custom cabinetry company established in Kearny, New Jersey in 1951, serving as President since 1982. Mr. Aanensen is a graduate of Upsala College.

With over 50 years of business experience, Mr. Aanensen has strong leadership, sales and customer assessment skills. Mr. Aanensen’s broad understanding of Kearny Bank’s industry strengthens the Board’s collective knowledge of our business and the policies and practices of the Board as its governing body.

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KEARNY FINANCIAL CORP. – 2026 Proxy Statement 11

Curtland E. Fields was appointed to serve on the Board of Directors of Kearny Financial and the Board of Directors of Kearny Bank in June 2023. He is President, Chief Executive Officer and Trustee of the Turrell Fund, an endowed private foundation serving children and their families in New Jersey and Vermont. Mr. Fields has also been a Trustee of the Fund since 1997, and he was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of the Fund in 2005 after a distinguished career with AT&T. Mr. Fields served as President of the $4 billion Consumer Services Division at AT&T and prior to that as President of AT&T’s largest operating region in the Midwest. His experience at AT&T included assignments of increasing responsibility in finance, operations and marketing and included key assignments in the Office of the Chairman. Mr. Fields holds an undergraduate degree in architecture and engineering, with high honors, from Princeton University. He also holds a master’s in business administration, in finance and marketing, with honors, from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Mr. Fields’ background brings a strong understanding of financial environments, business management skills and experience in community endeavors which makes him a valuable addition to the Board.

Joseph P. Mazza was appointed to serve on the Board of Directors of Kearny Financial and the Board of Directors of Kearny Bank in 1993. He was the sole owner of a dental practice in Rutherford, New Jersey from 1971 to 2021. Dr. Mazza also serves on the Delta Dental of New Jersey, Inc. Board of Trustees, where he served as Chairman of the Audit Committee and currently serves as Chairman of the Strategy Committee. In 2019, he was elected to the Board of Directors of Flagship Health Systems, Inc. and in 2025, he was elected to the Board of Directors of Delta Dental of Connecticut. He is also on the Board of Directors of the Rutherford Senior Citizens Center (55 Kip), a regional senior center. He served in the U.S. Army from 1969 to 1971, both in the U.S. and abroad, and then continued to serve in the U.S. Army Reserves as a Lieutenant Colonel through 1993. Dr. Mazza is a graduate of Seton Hall University and the University of Pennsylvania.

Dr. Mazza brings to the Board strong leadership and business management skills along with valuable experience relating to governance and ethical issues.

Charles J. Pivirotto was appointed to serve on the Board of Directors of Kearny Financial and the Board of Directors of Kearny Bank in 2018. Mr. Pivirotto served on the Board of Clifton Bancorp Inc. and Clifton Savings Bank and was the Audit Committee Chairman from February 2007 until the bank was acquired by Kearny Financial in 2018. Mr. Pivirotto is a Certified Public Accountant (“CPA”) and is the managing shareholder of Pivirotto & Company, CPA’s, PA. Mr. Pivirotto has been awarded a Certificate of Educational Achievement by the American Institute of CPA’s Continuing Professional Education Division for “Tax Planning and Advising for Closely Held Businesses.” He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants. Mr. Pivirotto is a graduate of William Paterson University.

Mr. Pivirotto’s extensive expertise in financial reporting, accounting and tax matters and regulatory and compliance issues provides the Board with broad and valuable risk assessment, financial reporting, internal control and business management insight.

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KEARNY FINANCIAL CORP. – 2026 Proxy Statement 12

Continuing Directors with Terms to Expire in 2027

Catherine A. Lawton was elected to serve on the Board of Directors of Kearny Financial and the Board of Directors of Kearny Bank in October 2018. Prior to her retirement in 2019, Ms. Lawton was a principal in the investment banking group of Sandler O’Neill + Partners, L.P. (“Sandler O’Neill”), a full-service investment bank serving the financial institutions industry. During her 25-year career at Sandler O’Neill, Ms. Lawton was responsible for providing a wide range of investment banking services to community banks, including general strategic planning, mergers and acquisitions, and public and private capital raising transactions. From 1993 to 2004, Ms. Lawton also served as Sandler O’Neill’s General Counsel. Prior to joining Sandler O’Neill, Ms. Lawton spent nine years in the corporate and banking group of a large New York law firm advising financial institutions and prior to that was a Certified Public Accountant with KPMG. Ms. Lawton holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Georgetown University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law.

Ms. Lawton brings a deep knowledge of markets and valuation to the Board, together with a strength in corporate governance, risk assessment and general financial matters.

Craig L. Montanaro was appointed to serve on the Board of Directors of Kearny Financial and the Board of Directors of Kearny Bank in 2010. Mr. Montanaro joined Kearny Bank in 2003 when Kearny acquired West Essex Bank where he served as Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. He was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Kearny Financial and Kearny Bank in April 2011. Prior to that time, he had served as President and Chief Operating Officer since April 2010. He previously performed the duties of Senior Vice President and Director of Strategic Planning for Kearny Bank and Kearny Financial from 2005 to March 2010 and from 2003 to 2004 served as Vice President and Regional Branch Administrator. Mr. Montanaro serves as President and member of the Board of Directors of the KearnyBank Foundation. Active in community and professional organizations, he serves as Chairman of the Chilton Hospital Foundation as well as a Trustee Emeritus of the Wood-Ridge Memorial Foundation. Mr. Montanaro is also a member of the Boards of Directors of Junior Achievement of New Jersey, New Jersey Bankers Business Services and New Jersey Bankers where he serves as Chair. He is a graduate of Syracuse University earning a Bachelor’s Degree in finance and marketing and in 2000 received his MBA from Fairfield University. He also received a Graduate Degree in banking from the National School of Banking at Fairfield University. Craig L. Montanaro is the son of Director Leopold W. Montanaro.

In addition to his wide range of management experience and leadership skills, Mr. Montanaro’s strong economic background and his knowledge and understanding of the financial, economic, social and regulatory environments make him a valuable asset to the Board of Directors.

Leopold W. Montanaro was appointed to serve on the Board of Directors of Kearny Financial and the Board of Directors of Kearny Bank in 2003. He also serves as a director of the KearnyBank Foundation. Mr. Montanaro is retired and was the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of West Essex Bancorp, Inc. and West Essex Bank where he was employed since 1972 until that bank was acquired by Kearny Financial in 2003. He also served in the U.S. Naval Submarine Service. Mr. Montanaro is the father of Craig L. Montanaro, President and Chief Executive Officer of Kearny Financial and Kearny Bank.

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KEARNY FINANCIAL CORP. – 2026 Proxy Statement 13

Mr. Montanaro’s past service as President of a financial institution, director on the board of the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the New Jersey Thrift and Bankers Association and his participation in our local community for 50 years brings an extensive knowledge of the financial, economic and regulatory challenges we face as well as knowledge of the local economy and business opportunities for Kearny Bank.

Melvina Wong-Zaza was appointed to serve on the Board of Directors of Kearny Financial and the Board of Directors of Kearny Bank in June 2023. She currently holds the position of Senior Director, Strategic Global Clients at CMA-CGM Group, a global shipping company where she provides executive leadership and innovative solutions to global clients in Asia, Europe and USA markets. Her career spans over 30 years in senior management and executive roles bridging sales, strategic marketing/pricing, customer service/documentation center management and e-commerce. Ms. Wong-Zaza is experienced at developing and expanding new markets with a focus on establishing long-term profitable client relationships.

Ms. Wong-Zaza brings to the Board strong leadership and business management skills along with expertise in sales and operational effectiveness.

Continuing Directors with Terms to Expire in 2028

John J. Mazur, Jr. was appointed to serve on the Board of Directors of Kearny Financial and the Board of Directors of Kearny Bank in 1996 and was appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors of Kearny Financial and Kearny Bank in 2004. He currently serves on the Board of the Meadowlands Chamber of Commerce as well as the Board of Regents at Felician University. Mr. Mazur was the President/Chief Executive Officer of Elegant Desserts, a wholesale bakery located in Lyndhurst, New Jersey, which opened in 1994 and sold gourmet cakes locally and nationally until it was sold in 2017. He continued as President of the new company through March 2020. From 1976 to 2003, he was also a partner and general manager of Mazur’s Bakery, in Lyndhurst, New Jersey, a family-owned business that operated from 1936 until 2003 when it was sold. Mr. Mazur is a graduate of Villanova University.

Mr. Mazur is currently in real estate management and actively involved in bringing in new business relationships to the Bank. He has extensive knowledge of the banking industry and brings strong marketing and sales skills to the Board as well as a wide range of experience in business management and employee relations.

Raymond E. Chandonnet was appointed to serve on the Board of Directors of Kearny Financial and the Board of Directors of Kearny Bank in 2015. He is the founder and sole practitioner of BankStrategies.net, an advisory company he started in 2014 that provides balance sheet and technology strategy consulting to banks, credit unions and FinTech/BankTech companies. From 1992 to 2014, Mr. Chandonnet served as head of Bank Balance Sheet Strategy for Sandler O’Neill & Partners, JPMorgan Securities, Lehman Brothers, First Union Capital Markets and FHLB Boston. The roster of banking-related clients he has worked with over his career includes banks and credit unions, Federal Home Loan Banks, regulators, public accounting firms and FinTech companies.

Mr. Chandonnet has been a frequent publisher and speaker on a wide range of issues related to bank financial management and technology utilization. He holds a Masters of Science in Data Science from Merrimack College in North Andover, MA, a Masters of Science in Finance from Bentley University in Waltham, MA, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science from Merrimack College. He also serves on the Board of Advisors for the School of Engineering and Computational Sciences at Merrimack College.

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KEARNY FINANCIAL CORP. – 2026 Proxy Statement 14

Mr. Chandonnet’s background brings a strong understanding of accounting, regulatory and tax issues to the Board along with his beneficial knowledge of balance sheet structure and strategies and his familiarity with information technology and FinTech.

John F. McGovern was appointed to serve on the Board of Directors of Kearny Financial and the Board of Directors of Kearny Bank in 1999. He has worked as a self-employed Certified Public Accountant (“CPA”) since 1986 and Certified Financial Planner (“CFP”) since 1995 and holds the designation of Personal Financial Specialist (“PFS”) from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Since 2001, he has been a federally registered investment advisor. Mr. McGovern is also the owner of McGovern Monuments, Inc., a monument sales and lettering company located in North Arlington, New Jersey that has been family owned and operated since 1924. Mr. McGovern is involved in local and community organizations, including the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants. He has been designated as an audit committee financial expert under the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and regulations.

Through his considerable experience as a CPA/PFS and CFP and his strong risk assessment, financial reporting and internal control expertise, as well as extensive knowledge of accounting and regulatory issues, Mr. McGovern provides an essential understanding of public accounting and financial matters to the Board.

Christopher Petermann was appointed to serve on the Board of Directors of Kearny Financial and the Board of Directors of Kearny Bank in 2015. He is a Certified Public Accountant, a Partner of PKF O’Connor Davies, Advisory, LLC, a member of the firm’s Executive Board and serves as Senior Advisor of Client Services. He has over 30 years of specialized experience in accounting for exempt organizations and private foundations, as well as closely held businesses and financial services entities. He holds a number of professional committee and community board positions including involvement with the NJ Symphony Orchestra, along with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants and the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants. In 2022, he was appointed to the Board of American Capital Management, Inc. Mr. Petermann holds a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Bucknell University.

Mr. Petermann provides the Board with proficient guidance relative to financial reporting, accounting and tax matters as well as internal control and governance issues as an independent director.

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KEARNY FINANCIAL CORP. – 2026 Proxy Statement 15

Board of Directors Composition

The Board of Directors regularly reviews the skills and characteristics required of directors to help ensure a qualified Board. The table below summarizes certain knowledge, skills and experience that our directors bring to the Board to enable effective oversight and is not an exhaustive list of each director’s strengths or contributions to the Board. The degree of knowledge, skills and experience may vary among Board members.


Knowledge, Skills & Experience			# of Board Members
Audit and/or Compliance			10
Financial			12
Commercial Real Estate			10
Industry Knowledge			11
Leadership			12
Risk Management			11
Strategic Planning			12
Technology and/or Cyber Matters			9

The Board of Directors understands the value that diverse perspectives bring to our Board and its governance process. The onboarding of new directors with varied skill sets and backgrounds continues to be an important component of the Board’s succession planning.

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KEARNY FINANCIAL CORP. – 2026 Proxy Statement 16

Business Experience and Qualifications of Executive Officers Who Are Not Directors

The business experience for the past five years of each of our executive officers who are not directors is set forth below. Unless otherwise indicated, the executive officer has held his or her position for the past five years.

Keith Suchodolski serves as Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Kearny Financial Corp. and Kearny Bank, a position he has held since July 2024. In this role, he is responsible for executive oversight of the Company’s retail and commercial banking division, human resources, marketing, corporate finance and corporate administration, and plays a key role in executing the Company’s strategic and operational vision. Mr. Suchodolski previously served as Chief Financial Officer of the Company from July 2018 to June 2024 and held several other senior financial positions since joining Kearny in 2013, including Chief Accounting Officer and Controller. Mr. Suchodolski has over 25 years of experience in the banking industry and prior to joining the Company, he served in various accounting and finance roles at financial institutions in the Mid-Atlantic region. Mr. Suchodolski holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University and a Bachelor of Science degree from Ramapo College of New Jersey. He also holds a post-graduate certificate in Advanced Accounting from the University of Maryland.

Sean Byrnes was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Kearny Financial and Kearny Bank in July 2024 after serving as Executive Vice President and Deputy Chief Financial Officer since July 2023. He previously served as Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer of Kearny Bank since 2020. Prior to joining Kearny Bank, Mr. Byrnes held senior financial roles at Amboy Bank, Cantor Commercial Real Estate and Prudential Financial. Mr. Byrnes holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Pace University and a Bachelor of Science degree from Ithaca College. In addition, he is a Certified Public Accountant registered in the State of New Jersey and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.

Patrick M. Joyce was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer of Kearny Financial and Kearny Bank in April 2014, having previously served as Senior Vice President and Chief Lending Officer of Kearny Bank since 2002 and as Vice President of Loan Originations from 1999 to 2002. He was formerly employed by South Bergen Saving Bank where he served as Assistant Corporate Secretary and as a Loan Originator and joined Kearny Bank when South Bergen Savings Bank was acquired by Kearny Bank in 1999. He joined South Bergen Savings Bank in 1985.

Anthony V. Bilotta, Jr. was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Banking Officer of Kearny Financial in July 2022, having previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Banking Officer of Kearny Bank since June 2018. He is an experienced banker with more than 45 years of banking experience. Mr. Bilotta previously held the role of Executive Vice President and Director of Retail Banking at Peapack Gladstone Bank where he was responsible for all aspects of retail banking, sales development, corporate marketing, business development, treasury management and government banking from 2013 until his appointment as an executive officer of Kearny Bank. Prior to Peapack Gladstone Bank, Mr. Bilotta held executive positions at a variety of financial institutions.

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KEARNY FINANCIAL CORP. – 2026 Proxy Statement 17

Cassia J. Beierle, Esq. was appointed Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Kearny Financial and Kearny Bank in July 2025, having previously served as Senior Vice President and General Counsel since August 2022. Ms. Beierle oversees the Bank’s legal function and provides strategic legal counsel on a wide range of matters, including corporate governance, regulatory compliance, risk management and employment law. Prior to joining Kearny Bank, Ms. Beierle was employed by Investors Bank where she served as Deputy General Counsel since 2021 and Assistant General Counsel since 2018. There she played a key role in cross-functional legal operations until the bank’s acquisition in April 2022. Her legal career spans both private practice and in-house counsel roles, with a focus on financial institutions. Ms. Beierle earned her Juris Doctor from Brooklyn Law School and holds a Bachelor of Arts from Columbia University. She is admitted to practice law in both New Jersey and New York.

Thomas D. DeMedici was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer of Kearny Financial and Kearny Bank in June 2017, having previously served as Senior Vice President and Chief Credit Officer of Kearny Bank since September 2010. He is a seasoned banking professional with over 35 years of banking and lending experience. During his career, Mr. DeMedici has held previous executive officer positions at other banking institutions including President and Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President/Chief Lending Officer.

Erika K. Parisi was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of Kearny Financial and Kearny Bank in July 2019, having previously served as Executive Vice President and Director of Customer Relationship Management Analytics of Kearny Bank since June 2016. She has also served as Executive Vice President and Branch Administrator of Kearny Bank since April 2014, as Senior Vice President and Branch Administrator of Kearny Bank since 2002 and Vice President and Branch Administrator from 1999 to 2002. She was formerly employed by South Bergen Savings Bank as Vice President/Branch Administrator and joined Kearny Bank when South Bergen Savings Bank was acquired by Kearny Bank in 1999. She joined South Bergen Savings Bank in 1991. Ms. Parisi holds a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in accounting, from the State University of New York at Albany.

Timothy A. Swansson was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Technology and Innovation Officer of Kearny Financial and Kearny Bank in July 2019. He previously served as Senior Vice President and Chief Technology and Innovation Officer of Kearny Bank since 2017 and had also served as Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer; Senior Vice President and Director of Information Technology; and 1st Vice President and Director of Information Technology. He was formerly employed by a technology service provider and had been working directly with Kearny Bank since 2003 until he was appointed an officer of Kearny Bank in 2008.

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KEARNY FINANCIAL CORP. – 2026 Proxy Statement 18

Corporate Governance Matters

Corporate Governance Highlights


•Separation of Board Chair and CEO •No directors currently serve on other public company boards •Shareholder right to call special meetings •Annual Board and committee self-evaluations •Annual review of CEO succession plan by the independent directors with the CEO •Executive and director stock ownership requirements			•Maintains a Corporate Responsibility Committee •All directors attended greater than 75% of all fiscal 2026 Board and committee meetings that they were eligible to attend •Ongoing director training and education •Annual Say-on-Pay voting •Compensation recoupment “clawback” policy

Board Independence

The Board of Directors determines the independence of each director and director nominee in accordance with Nasdaq Stock Market rules, which include all elements of independence as set forth in the listing requirements for Nasdaq securities. The Board of Directors has determined that Messrs. Aanensen, Chandonnet, Fields, Mazur, Mazza, McGovern, Petermann, Pivirotto and Mses. Lawton and Wong-Zaza are “independent” within the meaning of such standards. In determining the independence of our directors and director nominees, the Board of Directors considered certain transactions, relationships and arrangements between the Company and its directors and director nominees that are not required to be disclosed in this Proxy Statement under the heading “Transactions With Certain Related Persons.”

Code of Ethics

The Company has adopted a Code of Ethics that reflects current circumstances and Securities and Exchange Commission and Nasdaq definitions for such codes. The code of business conduct and ethics covers the Company, Kearny Bank and other subsidiaries. Among other things, the code of business conduct and ethics includes provisions regarding honest and ethical conduct, conflicts of interest, full and fair disclosure, compliance with law, and reporting of and sanctions for violations. The code applies to all directors, officers and employees of the Company and subsidiaries. A copy of the Code of Ethics (referred to as Conflicts of Interest & Code of Conduct) may be viewed through the Investor Relations link located at the bottom of the page of our website at www.kearnybank.com. As further matters are documented, or if those documents (including the Code of Ethics) are changed, waivers from the code of business conduct and ethics are granted, or new procedures are adopted, those new documents, changes and/or waivers will be posted on the website.

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KEARNY FINANCIAL CORP. – 2026 Proxy Statement 19

Transactions With Certain Related Persons

Since the beginning of the last fiscal year, no directors, executive officers or their immediate family members have had a direct or indirect material interest in any transactions in which we or any subsidiary were a participant involving an amount in excess of $120,000 (other than loans from Kearny Bank).

Kearny Bank makes loans to its executive officers and directors in the ordinary course of business. Kearny Bank has adopted written policies governing these loans. In accordance with federal regulations, all such loans or extensions of credit were made in the ordinary course of business on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with persons not related to Kearny Bank and did not involve more than the normal risk of collectability or present other unfavorable features. All such loans are approved in advance by the Board of Directors with any interested director abstaining. Loans to insiders are monitored on a monthly basis to ensure continued compliance with Kearny Bank’s lending policies.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for reviewing transactions with directors, executive officers and their family members, for the purpose of determining whether the transactions are in compliance with our policies and should be ratified and approved.

Board Leadership Structure and Role in Risk Management

Under the Board of Directors’ current leadership structure, the offices of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer are held by separate individuals. John J. Mazur, Jr. serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors. Mr. Mazur is an independent director and does not serve in any executive capacity with the Company. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer is Craig L. Montanaro. Although the offices of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer are currently held by separate individuals, the Board of Directors has not made a determination that this is the appropriate leadership structure for the Board of Directors in all circumstances and reserves the right to combine these offices in the future if deemed appropriate under the circumstances.

The Board of Directors has general authority over the Company’s risk oversight function, with authority delegated to the Enterprise Risk Management Committee to review risk management policies and practices in specific areas of the Company’s business. The Audit & Compliance Committee is primarily responsible for providing oversight of the financial reporting process, the audit process, the system of internal controls and compliance with laws and regulations. The Audit & Compliance Committee works closely with officers involved in the risk management function and the internal audit staff who report directly to the Audit & Compliance Committee.

Operation of the Board of Directors

During the year ended June 30, 2026, the Board of Directors of Kearny Financial held 15 meetings. During this period, no director attended fewer than 75% of the total meetings of the Board of Directors and committees on which he or she served during the period for which he or she had been a director. The Board of Directors maintains an Audit & Compliance Committee, a Corporate Responsibility Committee, an Executive Committee, an Interest Rate Risk Management Committee, an Asset Quality Committee, an Enterprise Risk Management Committee, a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, an Information Security Committee and a Compensation Committee. There were two executive sessions of the Board of Directors held during the year ended June 30, 2026.

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KEARNY FINANCIAL CORP. – 2026 Proxy Statement 20

Corporate Responsibility Committee. This committee consists of Directors Petermann (Chair), Lawton, Mazur and Montanaro (Craig). The responsibilities of this committee include the primary oversight of Corporate Responsibility related strategies, initiatives, policies, disclosures and risk management. This committee meets as needed and met two times during the year ended June 30, 2026. For further information, please refer to the Company's Corporate Responsibility disclosures, which may be viewed through the Investor Relations link located at the bottom of the page of our website at www.kearnybank.com.

Enterprise Risk Management Committee. This committee consists of Directors Lawton (Chair), Chandonnet, Fields, McGovern and Montanaro (Leopold). The responsibilities of this committee encompass determining the Company’s appropriate level of risk and strategy, monitoring management’s implementation thereof, identifying and managing multiple and cross-enterprise operational and strategic risks and monitoring the Company’s overall risk position. This committee is scheduled to meet quarterly and as needed and met seven times during the year ended June 30, 2026.

Compensation Committee. This committee consists of Directors Aanensen (Chair), Petermann and Wong-Zaza. Each member of the Compensation Committee is independent in accordance with the current listing standards of The Nasdaq Stock Market, including the enhanced independent requirements for compensation committee members of listed companies under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. The Board of Directors has adopted a written charter for the Compensation Committee which is available through the Investor Relations link located at the bottom of the page of our website at www.kearnybank.com. The responsibilities of this committee include review and approval of the compensation of members of the Board of Directors, Board committee members and the executive officers of the Company and Kearny Bank. The Committee shall also develop and assess corporate goals, objectives and performance relevant to the compensation of the directors and executive officers. This committee reviews industry compensation surveys and reviews the recommendations of management on employee compensation matters. This committee meets as needed and met six times during the year ended June 30, 2026.

Audit & Compliance Committee. This committee consists of Directors McGovern (Chair), Mazur, Mazza and Petermann. Each member of the Audit & Compliance Committee is independent in accordance with the listing standards of The Nasdaq Stock Market, including those standards specifically applicable to audit committee members. The Board of Directors has determined that John F. McGovern is an audit committee financial expert within the meaning of the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. This committee’s responsibilities include oversight of the internal audit and regulatory compliance activities and monitoring management and employee compliance with the Board of Directors’ audit policies and applicable laws and regulations. This committee is directly responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the work of the external auditors. The Board of Directors has adopted a written charter for the Audit & Compliance Committee, which governs its composition, responsibilities and operation. A copy of this charter is available through the Investor Relations link located at the bottom of the page of our website at www.kearnybank.com. This committee meets monthly and also periodically with the internal auditor, the compliance officer and the external auditors and met 16 times during the year ended June 30, 2026.

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KEARNY FINANCIAL CORP. – 2026 Proxy Statement 21

Audit & Compliance Committee Report. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2026, the Audit & Compliance Committee: (i) reviewed and discussed the Company’s audited financial statements with management; (ii) discussed with the Company’s independent auditor for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2026, Crowe, all matters required to be discussed by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and the Securities and Exchange Commission; and (iii) received from Crowe written disclosures and the letter concerning the firm’s independence with respect to the Company, as required by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. Based on the foregoing review and discussions, the Audit & Compliance Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2026 for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

This Audit & Compliance Committee Report shall not be deemed incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating by reference this Proxy Statement into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except to the extent that Kearny Financial specifically incorporates this information by reference, and shall not otherwise be deemed “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the Securities and Exchange Commission under such Acts.

Audit & Compliance Committee: John F. McGovern (Chair)

John J. Mazur, Jr.

Joseph P. Mazza

Christopher Petermann

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. This committee consists of Directors Mazur (Chair), Aanensen, McGovern and Petermann and is responsible for, among other things, the annual selection of nominees for election as directors. Each member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is independent in accordance with the listing standards of The Nasdaq Stock Market. This committee operates under a written charter, which governs its composition, responsibilities and operations. A copy of this charter is available through the Investor Relations link located at the bottom of the page of our website at www.kearnybank.com. The committee meets as needed and met three times during the year ended June 30, 2026.

The charter states that in evaluating candidates for nomination, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider, among other things, the candidates’ knowledge (including relevant industry knowledge), understanding of the Company’s business, experience, skills, substantive areas of expertise, financial literacy, innovative thinking, business judgment, achievements, independence, personal and professional integrity, character, reputation, ability to represent the interests of all stockholders, time availability in light of other commitments, dedication, absence of conflicts of interest, diversity and other factors required to be considered under applicable laws, rules or regulations or that the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers appropriate in the context of the needs of the Board of Directors. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers diversity in market knowledge, background, experience, qualifications and other factors as part of its evaluation of each candidate.

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KEARNY FINANCIAL CORP. – 2026 Proxy Statement 22

The Company does not pay fees to any third party to identify or evaluate or assist in identifying or evaluating potential nominees. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s process for identifying and evaluating potential nominees includes soliciting recommendations from directors and officers of the Company and Kearny Bank. Additionally, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider persons recommended by stockholders of the Company in selecting the individuals the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee recommends to the Board of Directors for selection as the Board of Directors’ nominees. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will evaluate persons recommended by directors or officers of the Company or Kearny Bank and persons recommended by stockholders in the same manner.

To be considered in the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s selection of individuals the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee recommends to the Board of Directors for selection as the Board of Directors’ nominees, recommendations from stockholders must be received by the Company in writing by at least 120 days prior to the anniversary of the date the proxy statement for the previous year’s annual meeting was first distributed to stockholders. Recommendations should identify the submitting stockholder, the person recommended for consideration and the reasons the submitting stockholder believes such person should be considered.

Management believes that it is in the best interest of Kearny Financial and its stockholders to provide sufficient time to enable management to disclose to stockholders information about a dissident slate of nominations for directors. This advance notice requirement may also give management time to solicit its own proxies in an attempt to defeat any dissident slate of nominations, should management determine that doing so is in the best interests of stockholders generally. Similarly, adequate advance notice of stockholder proposals will give management time to study such proposals and to determine whether to recommend to the stockholders that such proposals be adopted. In certain instances, such provisions could make it more difficult to oppose management’s nominees or proposals, even if stockholders believe such nominees or proposals are in their best interests.

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KEARNY FINANCIAL CORP. – 2026 Proxy Statement 23

Employee, Officer and Director Hedging

The Company has adopted an anti-hedging and anti-pledging policy, which prohibits directors and executive officers from engaging in or effecting any transaction designed to hedge or offset the economic risk of owning shares of Company common stock.

Accordingly, any hedging, derivative or other equivalent transaction that is specifically designed to reduce or limit the extent to which declines in the trading price of Company common stock would affect the value of the shares of Company common stock owned by an executive officer or director is prohibited. Cashless exercises of employee stock options are not deemed short sales and are not prohibited. This policy does not prohibit transactions in the stock of other companies.

The anti-hedging and anti-pledging policy also prohibits directors and executive officers from holding Company securities in a margin account or pledging Company securities as collateral for any other loan. An exception to this prohibition may be granted, in the sole discretion of the Board of Directors or the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors and may be based on any relevant factors, including the percentage of securities held by the individual that is currently pledged and the magnitude of aggregate pledged shares in relation to total shares outstanding, market value or trading volume. Other than 8,748 shares pledged by Craig L. Montanaro, no other shares are currently pledged by a director or executive officer. The shares referenced are unchanged from the prior fiscal year.

The Company does not have anti-hedging policies or procedures that are applicable to the Company’s employees who are not executive officers and as such, hedging transactions by non-executive employees are not prohibited.

The information provided under this Employee, Officer and Director Hedging section shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that Kearny Financial specifically incorporates this information by reference.

Insider Trading Policy

We have adopted insider trading policies for directors, officers and employees of the Company that govern the purchase, sale and/or other dispositions of our common shares and other securities by our directors, executive officers, employees and any member of his or her immediate family living in his or her household. The insider trading policy prohibits trading in Company securities when the director, executive or employee has material, non-public information about the Company.

In addition to the above restrictions, the insider trading policy requires that our Section 16 officers pre-clear every transaction involving Company securities with the Company's compliance officers. Pre-clearance obligations apply to all transactions in Company securities. Additionally, directors and certain officers are prohibited from trading in Company securities during certain blackout periods.

The foregoing summary of our insider trading policy does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the policy, a copy of which can be found as Exhibit 19.1 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2026.

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KEARNY FINANCIAL CORP. – 2026 Proxy Statement 24

Compensation Discussion and Analysis (“CD&A”)

This section discusses the Company’s executive compensation philosophy, guidelines and programs, and the material factors affecting the Company’s decisions regarding the compensation of its senior executives. This CD&A is presented to give our stockholders a clear and comprehensive picture of the Company’s executive compensation program, and its individual components. The Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”) for the fiscal year 2026 are:

•Craig L. Montanaro, President and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”)

•Keith Suchodolski, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (“COO”)

•Sean Byrnes, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”)

•Patrick M. Joyce, Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer (“CLO”)

•Anthony V. Bilotta, Jr., Executive Vice President and Chief Banking Officer (“CBO”)

Executive Summary

Our executive compensation program is designed to create a competitive compensation program that rewards sustained financial performance while safeguarding the long-term success of the Company and promoting a culture of high performance.

Compensation Actions At-A-Glance. Taking into account our performance, stockholder feedback and our compensation best-practices, the Compensation Committee took the following actions concerning the compensation of the NEOs:

•Base Salaries: The Committee approved increases for the NEOs effective July 1, 2025.

•Executive Management Incentive Program: Each of the NEOs participated in the Executive Management Incentive Program. Fiscal 2026 outcomes reflected the Company’s performance against established financial and individual objectives, with annual incentive payouts below target for all NEOs.

•Long-Term Equity Awards: Each of the NEOs received an equity grant during fiscal year 2026, with 50% in performance-based and 50% in time-based restricted stock units.

“Say on Pay” Vote. On October 21, 2025, stockholders voted on a non-binding resolution to approve the compensation for the NEOs, commonly referred to as a “say on pay” vote. The resolution was approved with a 94.05% affirmative vote, demonstrating strong support of the Compensation Committee’s executive pay decisions. We received over 94% vote in favor of our executive compensation in each of the last seven years.

Compensation Best Practices. Our executive compensation program is grounded in the following policies and practices, which promote sound compensation governance, enhance our pay-for-performance philosophy and further align our executives’ interests with those of our stockholders:

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KEARNY FINANCIAL CORP. – 2026 Proxy Statement 25

WHAT WE DO

WHAT WE DO NOT DO

Significant emphasis on performance-based, “at-risk” compensation

No fully discretionary annual incentive plans

Independent compensation consultant engaged by the Compensation Committee

No repricing and exchange of underwater options for cash or shares without stockholder approval

Annual risk assessments

No short vesting periods for awards of restricted stock and grants of stock options

Compensation recoupment “clawback” policy

No significant perquisites

Stock ownership guidelines

No excise tax gross-ups in our employment and change in control agreements

Anti-hedging and pledging policy

No “single trigger” change in control severance

What Guides our Executive Compensation Program

Compensation Philosophy and Objectives. Our compensation philosophy is driven by the following guiding principles that reinforce the critical connections between business performance, stockholder value creation and senior leadership:

•Pay for Performance: A substantial portion of a NEO’s total compensation should be variable and contingent upon the attainment of certain specific and measurable annual- and long-term business performance objectives.

•Stockholder Alignment: Executives should be compensated through a mix of components (base salaries, annual- and long-term incentives) designed to create long-term value for our stockholders, as well as foster a culture of ownership.

•Competitiveness: Target compensation is set at a level that is competitive with that being offered to individuals holding similar positions at other organizations with which we compete for business and talent.

•Attraction and Retention: The executive compensation program should enable Kearny Bank to retain superior executive talent, as well as attract additional top-tier leadership.

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KEARNY FINANCIAL CORP. – 2026 Proxy Statement 26

The Principal Components of Compensation. Our compensation philosophy is supported by the following principal components in our executive compensation program.

Compensation Component

Form

Purpose

Base Salary

Cash (Fixed)

Provide a fixed level of pay that recognizes the NEO’s scope of responsibilities, skills, performance and experience for the value of his or her role.

Executive Management Incentive Program

Cash (Variable)

Motivate and reward NEOs for achieving annual Company, business unit and individual goals that support the long-term strategic plan.

Long-Term Equity Awards

Equity (Variable)

Provide incentives for NEOs to execute on longer-term financial/strategic growth goals that drive stockholder value creation and support the Company’s retention strategy.

The Decision-Making Process. The Compensation Committee oversees the executive compensation program for the NEOs. The Compensation Committee is comprised of independent, non-employee members of our Board of Directors. The Compensation Committee works closely with its independent consultant and management to examine the effectiveness of the Company’s executive compensation program throughout the year and when considering and making any material long term equity awards. Details of the Compensation Committee’s authority and responsibilities are specified in the Compensation Committee’s charter, which is available through the Investor Relations link located at the bottom of our website at www.kearnybank.com.

The Role of the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee reviews all compensation and awards to the NEOs. The Compensation Committee utilizes publicly available information to gather data related to compensation practices for executive officers of financial services companies in order to determine market competitive levels of compensation as well as reviewing internal pay levels within the executive group.

The Compensation Committee considers a variety of factors as it evaluates compensation for each officer including:

•the Company’s overall financial performance as compared to budget and prior year’s performance;

•bank regulatory compliance and examination results;

•the Company’s performance metrics compared to other financial services companies in our market area, including return on assets, loan and deposit growth, level of non-performing loans, and other risk management metrics; and

•the individual achievements of each officer in their respective areas of responsibility; and the market competitiveness of the Company’s compensation and benefits programs applicable to its executive management group.

The Compensation Committee also considers the potential risks to which the incentive compensation programs may expose the Company, and the established policies, controls and procedures of the Company and Kearny Bank that exist to protect against such risks to the Company (See “Compensation Risk Assessment”).

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KEARNY FINANCIAL CORP. – 2026 Proxy Statement 27

Role of Management. Upon the request of the Compensation Committee, the CEO may be asked to provide input regarding the performance and compensation of his direct reports. The Compensation Committee takes this information under advisement; the Compensation Committee makes its decisions independently and regularly hosts executive sessions. The CEO may not be present during voting or deliberations on his compensation.

The Role of the Independent Consultant. The Compensation Committee has the sole authority to retain and terminate a compensation consultant and to approve the consultant’s fees and all other terms of the engagement. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2026, the Compensation Committee retained the services of Pearl Meyer & Partners LLC (“Pearl Meyer”), an independent compensation consulting firm.

A representative from Pearl Meyer attends the Compensation Committee meetings upon request for the purpose of reviewing compensation data with the Compensation Committee and participating in general discussions on compensation for the NEOs and periodically meets with the Compensation Committee without management present. While the Compensation Committee considers input from Pearl Meyer when making compensation decisions, the Compensation Committee’s final decisions reflect many factors and considerations.

Pearl Meyer reports directly to the Compensation Committee and provides consulting services to the Committee or under the Committee's direction. The Compensation Committee has analyzed whether the work of Pearl Meyer as a compensation consultant has raised any conflict of interest, taking into consideration the following factors, among others: (i) the provision of other services to the Company by Pearl Meyer; (ii) the amount of fees from the Company paid to Pearl Meyer as a percentage of Pearl Meyer’s total revenue; (iii) Pearl Meyer’s policies and procedures that are designed to prevent conflicts of interest; (iv) any business or personal relationship of Pearl Meyer or the individual compensation advisors employed by Pearl Meyer with an executive officer of the Company; (v) any business or personal relationship of the individual compensation advisors with any member of the Compensation Committee; and (vi) any stock of the Company owned by Pearl Meyer or the individual compensation advisors employed by Pearl Meyer. The Compensation Committee has determined, based on its analysis of the above factors, among others, that the work of Pearl Meyer and the individual compensation advisors employed by Pearl Meyer as compensation consultants to the Company has not created any conflict of interest.

The Role of Benchmarking. It is the Compensation Committee’s goal to provide the NEOs with a total compensation package that is both competitive and reflective of the performance achieved by the Company compared to the performance achieved by the Company’s peers. The Compensation Committee periodically considers publicly-available data for informational purposes when making its compensation-related decisions. However, market data is not the sole determinant of the Company’s practices or executive compensation levels. When determining base salaries, incentive opportunities and annual equity grants for NEOs, the Compensation Committee also considers the performance of the Company and the individual, the nature of an individual’s role within the Company, as well as experience and contributions to his or her current role.

The Board and the Compensation Committee considered an executive compensation review conducted by Pearl Meyer, which assisted in providing a market based framework for managing executive pay practices. As part of this review and analysis, Pearl Meyer developed the following peer group, which consists of 19 publicly traded commercial banks selected based on factors including asset size, business model and geographic relevance. The peer companies generally had assets between $4 billion and $15 billion.

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KEARNY FINANCIAL CORP. – 2026 Proxy Statement 28


Amalgamated Financial Corp.			Northfield Bancorp, Inc.
CNB Financial Corporation			Northwest Bancshares, Inc.
Columbia Financial, Inc.			OceanFirst Financial Corp.
ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc.			Orrstown Financial Services, Inc.
Farmers National Banc Corp.			Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation
First Commonwealth Financial Corporation			S&T Bancorp, Inc.
Flushing Financial Corporation			Tompkins Financial Corporation
Metropolitan Bank Holding Corp.			TrustCo Bank Corp. NY
Mid Penn Bancorp, Inc.			Univest Financial Corporation
NBT Bancorp Inc.

For each of the peer companies, data regarding base salaries, annual incentives, and long-term incentives was obtained from their annual proxy statements. This data was supplemented with industry data collected from national banking surveys of comparable size.

Details of Compensation Components

Base Salary. Base salaries for executives and other officers are reviewed by the Compensation Committee on an annual basis. Salaries are reflective of the executive’s job responsibilities, job performance and experience, and the competitive market.

The Compensation Committee determined that base salary levels should be adjusted in order to better align with the market and to recognize the significant efforts of the executive management team. As a result, the Compensation Committee approved the following adjustments for fiscal year 2026. Also reflected are salary increases for fiscal 2027.


Executive	Fiscal 2025 Base Salary ($)	Fiscal 2026 Base Salary ($)	% Change	Fiscal 2027 Base Salary ($)	% Change
Craig L. Montanaro(1)	746,750	770,000	3.1%	870,000	13.0%
Keith Suchodolski(1)	446,664	473,464	6.0%	520,810	10.0%
Sean Byrnes(1)	315,000	340,000	7.9%	425,000	25.0%
Patrick M. Joyce	374,084	385,306	3.0%	398,792	3.5%
Anthony V. Bilotta, Jr.	353,325	363,925	3.0%	374,843	3.0%

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(1) The Compensation Committee retained Pearl Meyer to conduct an independent review of compensation for Messrs. Montanaro, Suchodolski and Byrnes, including an assessment of each executive’s total compensation to market. Based on Pearl Meyer’s findings, the Compensation Committee approved market based salary adjustments for these executives effective for fiscal 2027.

Executive Management Incentive Program. All NEOs participate in the Executive Management Incentive Program (the “Program”). The Program is designed to recognize and reward executives for their annual contribution to Kearny Bank’s performance. Eligibility is limited to executives that have a significant impact on the success of the Company. The Program is a short-term cash incentive plan that directly ties annual cash awards to the Company’s performance as achieved across multiple performance measures. The performance measures and goals are defined each year and approved by the Compensation Committee.

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KEARNY FINANCIAL CORP. – 2026 Proxy Statement 29

Performance Threshold

In order to ensure that incentive payments are tied to performance achievement, the Compensation Committee has established performance thresholds tied to annualized net charge-off to average loans (“NCOs”) and Net Income.

Performance Threshold

Consequence if Performance Gate Not Achieved

Fiscal 2026 Actual Achievement Level

NCOs below threshold level

No payments are made under the Program

Achieved - NCOs fell below threshold level

Net Income at least 75% of Target

Payments under the Program will be limited to no more than Target-level

Achieved - Net Income exceeded 75% of Target

Target Incentive Opportunities

The table below represents the Target opportunity as a percentage of base salary, and the component weightings for each NEO for fiscal year 2026 performance:


Executive	Fiscal 2026	Component Weightings
	Target Opportunity	Corporate	Individual
Craig L. Montanaro	35.00%	80.00%	20.00%
Keith Suchodolski	30.00%	80.00%	20.00%
Sean Byrnes	25.00%	70.00%	30.00%
Patrick M. Joyce	25.00%	70.00%	30.00%
Anthony V. Bilotta, Jr.	25.00%	70.00%	30.00%

At the beginning of each year, a range of performance is established for each performance metric (floor which represents minimally-acceptable performance); target; and cap (which represents exceptional performance). Results against each range determines the payout opportunity for each performance metric, ranging from 0% (results are below floor) to 150% (results are at or above cap) of the established target.

Corporate Performance Metrics

In calculating the results for PPNR per share and the non-interest expense ratio, the Compensation Committee considered whether adjustments to the financial results were warranted due to non-recurring items and determined, after its analysis, that no adjustments were necessary.

The Corporate component of the Program representing 80% of the CEO and COO's total incentive opportunity and 70% for other NEOs is based on PPNR per share weighted at 70% and non-interest expense ratio weighted at 30%.

The table below lists the performance measures in each Corporate category, the goal at target and the actual results, for fiscal year 2026:


Corporate Performance Metrics	Target	Actual(1)	Earned % of Target Goal
PPNR Per Share	$0.83	$0.78	93.98%
Non-interest Expense Ratio	1.66%	1.70%	97.27%

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(1) The PPNR per share is a Non-GAAP financial measure. See reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP measures on page 32.

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KEARNY FINANCIAL CORP. – 2026 Proxy Statement 30

Individual Performance Metrics

For fiscal year 2026, each NEO is assigned individual performance metrics representing 20% of the CEO and COO’s total incentive opportunity and 30% for the other NEOs. Goals are generally milestone-based. An assessment regarding payout is made by the Compensation Committee informed by quantitative and qualitative data and feedback provided by the CEO. The following table summarizes the general nature of the goals and the aggregate payout for each NEO on the individual component:


Executive	Individual Goals	% of Target Goal	Earned % of Base Salary
Craig L. Montanaro	Automation and operational efficiency, human resources strategy and market expansion strategy	100%	7.00%
Keith Suchodolski	Automation and operational efficiency, human resources strategy and product expansion	100%	6.00%
Sean Byrnes	Balance sheet strategy, automation and operational efficiency and planning and forecasting	115%	8.63%
Patrick M. Joyce	Automation and operational efficiency and non-interest income strategy	100%	7.50%
Anthony V. Bilotta, Jr.	Core deposit growth strategy, human resources strategy and non-interest income strategy	95%	7.13%

Earned Payouts

The following shows each NEO’s payout as a percentage of base salary on the Corporate and Individual performance metrics for fiscal year 2026 performance:


	Performance Categories
Executive	Payout at Target	Corporate Metrics			Individual Performance Metrics	Payout Earned
			PPNR Per Share(1)	Non-interest Expense Ratio(1)
Craig L. Montanaro	35.00%		17.24%	7.94%	7.00%	32.18%
Keith Suchodolski	30.00%		14.78%	6.81%	6.00%	27.58%
Sean Byrnes	25.00%		10.77%	4.96%	8.63%	24.36%
Patrick M. Joyce	25.00%		10.77%	4.96%	7.50%	23.24%
Anthony V. Bilotta, Jr.	25.00%		10.77%	4.96%	7.13%	22.86%

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(1) The PPNR per share is a Non-GAAP financial measure. See reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP measures on page 32.


Executive	Base Salary ($)	Payout at Target ($)	Payout at Target (%)	Actual Payout Earned ($)	% of Base Salary
Craig L. Montanaro	770,000	269,500	35.00%	247,780	32.18%
Keith Suchodolski	473,464	142,039	30.00%	130,592	27.58%
Sean Byrnes	340,000	85,000	25.00%	82,831	24.36%
Patrick M. Joyce	385,306	96,327	25.00%	89,534	23.24%
Anthony V. Bilotta, Jr.	363,925	90,981	25.00%	83,200	22.86%

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KEARNY FINANCIAL CORP. – 2026 Proxy Statement 31


Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP (Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Data, Unaudited)						For the Year Ended June 30, 2026
Calculation of PPNR:
Net income (GAAP)						$36,264
Provision for income taxes						11,138
Provision for credit losses						1,698
PPNR (non-GAAP)						49,100

Weighted average common shares - basic						62,866
PPNR per share - basic (non-GAAP)						$0.78

Long-Term Equity Incentive Compensation

All NEOs are eligible for long-term incentives, which are issued under the terms of our stockholder-approved 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (“2021 Plan”). The 2021 Plan provides incentives for executives to execute on longer-term performance goals that drive stockholder value creation, with an emphasis on performance-based vesting for restricted stock units. It also supports the Company’s leadership retention strategy. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2026, each NEO received an equity grant under the 2021 Plan on August 7, 2025.

As a result of the stockholders’ approval of the 2021 Plan, the 2016 Plan is frozen and equity awards that would otherwise be available for grant under the 2016 Plan will not be granted. The Compensation Committee will continue to administer outstanding grants under the 2016 Plan. All awards granted during fiscal 2026 and described in this section are subject to the requirements stated in the following table:


2021 Equity Incentive Plan
Type of Equity	Percentage of Award	Overview
Performance – Based Restricted Stock Units	50% of all restricted stock unit awards	•Awards vest at the end of a three-year performance period (fiscal year end June 30, 2026 - June 30, 2028). •Vesting depends on the achievement of pre-tax, pre-provision earnings per share (EPS) goals measured over a three-year period. •A performance gate has been established whereby the awards will vest only if annualized net charge-offs to average loans (“NCOs”) over the performance period are equal to or below 0.50%. •The number of shares that can be earned range from 0% to 150% of the target depending on performance and will be determined at the end of the performance period.
Time-Based Restricted Stock Units	50% of all restricted stock unit awards	•Vesting: Awards vest 33% per year over a three-year period commencing on August 7, 2026. •Paid in Company shares at vesting.

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KEARNY FINANCIAL CORP. – 2026 Proxy Statement 32

Fiscal 2026 Long-Term Equity Incentive Award Grants. The table below reflects the long-term incentive awards that were granted on August 7, 2025 as follows:


NEO	Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units	Time-Based Restricted Stock Units
Craig L. Montanaro	34,071	34,071
Keith Suchodolski	19,641	19,641
Sean Byrnes	11,284	11,284
Patrick M. Joyce	12,787	12,787
Anthony V. Bilotta, Jr.	12,078	12,078

For a more detailed description of the material factors utilized in the granting of the above-referenced restricted stock units, please see “Executive Compensation – 2021 Equity Incentive Plan” below.

Other Compensation Guidelines, Practices and Policies

Stock Ownership Guidelines. The Board of Directors believes that it is in the best interest of the Company and its stockholders to align the financial interests of its executive officers and directors with those of stockholders. Accordingly, the Company's stock ownership guidelines for NEOs and Directors of the Company require the following minimum investment in Company common stock:


Position						Guideline
CEO						A number of shares having a market value equal to three times (3.0x) annual base salary
All Other NEOs						A number of shares having a market value equal to two times (2.0x) annual base salary
Non-Employee Directors						A number of shares having a market value equal to three times (3.0x) annual cash retainer (excluding any committee fees)

Newly appointed NEOs and Directors have five years from the time they are appointed, promoted or elected, as the case may be, to meet the stock ownership guidelines. In order to expedite this process, a minimum of fifty percent (50%) of shares (net of taxes) acquired through the Company’s equity incentive plan(s) will be required to be held upon each vesting until the guidelines are met. If an individual maintains sufficient stock holdings, but due to an increase in base salary or annual cash retainer, as applicable, no longer meets the guidelines, the individual shall have eighteen months to acquire additional Company stock and during this term such individual will be deemed to satisfy the guidelines. In addition, individuals that maintain sufficient stock holdings to satisfy the guidelines will not fail to meet the guidelines as a result of a decline in the fair market value of the Company stock provided that such individual continues to own at least the same number of shares of Company stock that were required to achieve compliance with the guidelines. For the purpose of determining if the guidelines are met, unvested performance shares and unexercised stock options (whether vested or non-vested) will not be considered. Stock ownership for NEOs and Directors is reviewed on an annual basis. The NEOs and Directors comply with the Company’s stock ownership guidelines.

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KEARNY FINANCIAL CORP. – 2026 Proxy Statement 33

“Claw-Back” Policies. The Board of Directors has adopted a clawback policy that complies with The NASDAQ Stock Market listing standards as mandated by the SEC. The policy requires the clawback of incentive-based compensation erroneously received by current or former executive officers after an accounting restatement (calculated based on an error that was subsequently corrected in the accounting restatement), regardless of any misconduct or knowledge of the officer who received the compensation. This policy is intended to supplement any other clawback provisions implemented by the Company in effect now, or in the future. In addition to the Securities and Exchange Commission compliant clawback policy, equity awards granted to executives under the 2021 Plan are generally subject to clawback if the Company is required to prepare an accounting restatement due to the material noncompliance of the Company, as a result of misconduct, with any financial reporting requirement under the federal securities laws, and the automatic forfeiture provisions under Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 apply as a result. The equity awards granted under the 2021 Plan are also subject to cancellation upon a termination of employment for cause.

Anti-Hedging and Pledging Policy. Please see the disclosure provided above under the section entitled “Employee, Officer and Director Hedging.”

Retirement Income. The NEOs are eligible to participate in benefit plans available to all employees, including the 401(k) Plan and the ESOP. Each NEO also participates in the related ESOP Benefits Equalization Plan, which provides benefits that would otherwise be limited under the ESOP due to IRS limits, and certain NEOs participate in the frozen Kearny Bank defined benefit pension plan and the frozen Benefits Equalization Plan related to the defined benefit plan (each of which have been frozen as of July 1, 2007 so that future service or salary changes will not increase retirement benefits).

Compensation Risk Assessment. During the fiscal year 2026, senior management conducted an updated Compensation Risk Assessment that was reviewed by the Compensation Committee and concluded the Company’s compensation policies and practices do not create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.

Tax Deductibility of Executive Compensation. Prior to the implementation of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “Tax Cuts Act”), Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code generally disallowed a federal income tax deduction for compensation over $1.0 million paid for any fiscal year to our President and Chief Executive Officer and specified other executive officers, subject to certain exceptions such as “performance-based” compensation. As a result of the Tax Cuts Act, the Company may no longer take an annual deduction for any compensation paid to its NEOs in excess of $1.0 million per NEO. Due to the continued importance and benefit to the Company and our stockholders of awarding compensation that is structured to properly incentivize our executive officers, the Compensation Committee believes that it is in our best interests to retain flexibility in awarding compensation, even if some awards may be non-deductible compensation expense to the Company.

Practices Related to the Grant of Equity Awards. Under the Company's practices, the approval of long-term equity incentive compensation for the Company's regular annual equity awards is typically made on the same date each year, August 7th. Neither the Board of Directors nor the Compensation Committee take into account material non-public information when determining the timing or terms of equity awards, nor does the Company time disclosure of material non-public information for the purpose of affecting the value of executive compensation.

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KEARNY FINANCIAL CORP. – 2026 Proxy Statement 34

Compensation Committee Report

The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis that is required by the rules established by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Based on such review and discussion, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement and incorporated into the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2026.

This Compensation Committee Report shall not be deemed incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating by reference this Proxy Statement into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, other than the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, where it shall be deemed to be “furnished,” and shall not otherwise be deemed “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the Securities and Exchange Commission under such Acts.

Compensation Committee: Theodore J. Aanensen (Chair)

Christopher Petermann

Melvina Wong-Zaza

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KEARNY FINANCIAL CORP. – 2026 Proxy Statement 35

Executive Compensation

Summary Compensation Table. The following table sets forth for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2026, 2025 and 2024 certain information as to the total compensation paid to our President and Chief Executive Officer, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and our two other most highly compensated executive officers. Each executive is referred to as a named executive officer (“NEO”).


Name and Principal Position	Year	Salary($)	Bonus ($)	Stock Awards(1) ($)	Option Awards(1) ($)	Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation(2) ($)	Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings(3) ($)	All Other Compensation(5) ($)	Total ($)
Craig L. Montanaro	2026	770,000	—	399,312	—	247,780	592,429	88,317	2,097,838
President and CEO	2025	746,750	—	324,156	—	195,264	2,000	80,669	1,348,839
	2024	746,750	—	430,307	—	153,903	—	65,573	1,396,533
Keith Suchodolski	2026	473,464	—	230,193	—	130,592	—	64,687	898,936
SEVP and COO	2025	446,664	—	181,784	—	105,116	—	55,007	788,571
	2024	421,381	—	227,635	—	78,161	—	72,707	799,884
Sean Byrnes(4)	2026	340,000	—	132,248	—	82,831	—	33,430	588,509
EVP and CFO	2025	315,000	—	102,561	—	65,532	—	24,501	507,594
Patrick M. Joyce	2026	385,306	—	149,864	—	89,534	17,000	40,485	682,189
EVP and CLO	2025	374,084	—	121,792	—	77,824	6,000	30,393	610,093
	2024	363,188	—	156,974	—	61,476	—	25,353	606,991
Anthony V. Bilotta, Jr.	2026	363,925	—	141,554	—	83,200	—	55,621	644,300
EVP and CBO	2025	353,325	—	115,041	—	73,506	—	48,790	590,662
	2024	343,034	—	148,263	—	58,065	—	78,372	627,734

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(1) Amounts shown represent awards under the Company’s performance-based, long-term incentive compensation program. For stock awards, fifty percent (50%) of the total awards are subject to performance-based vesting requirements and the other fifty percent (50%) are subject to time-based vesting. In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, the reported amount represents the full grant date value of each award. Restricted stock unit awards subject to time-based vesting vest at a rate of 33% per year over three years. Performance shares (restricted stock units subject to performance-based vesting) vest at the end of a three-year performance period provided that certain performance metrics are achieved. The assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts are included in Note 13 to our audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2026 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K. For restricted stock unit awards, the amount shown reflects the aggregate grant date fair value of the restricted stock unit awards. For those restricted stock unit awards that are subject to performance conditions, the grant date fair values are based on the outcome of such conditions at target level. Assuming the highest level of performance is achieved, which would result in the vesting of 150% of the performance shares granted, the aggregate grant date fair value of the performance shares granted in our most recent fiscal year would be: $299,487 for Mr. Montanaro, $172,647 for Mr. Suchodolski, $99,186 for Mr. Byrnes, $112,401 for Mr. Joyce and $106,166 for Mr. Bilotta.

(2) Reflects the amounts earned by each NEO under the Kearny Bank Executive Management Incentive Compensation Plan. Please see the section titled “Compensation Discussion and Analysis – Executive Management Incentive Program” for a discussion of this plan and the determination of the 2026 incentive amounts.

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KEARNY FINANCIAL CORP. – 2026 Proxy Statement 36

(3) Amounts in this column reflect: (i) for fiscal year 2026, the change in actuarial present value of Mr. Montanaro’s accrued benefit under the Kearny Bank Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (the "SERP"), and (ii) the change in actuarial present value of Messrs. Montanaro's and Joyce's accrued benefits under the Company's defined benefit pension plan, measured from June 30 of the prior fiscal year to June 30 of the reported fiscal year. Mr. Montanaro is the only participant in the SERP, and Messrs. Montanaro and Joyce are the only NEOs who participate in the defined benefit pension plan. For fiscal year 2026, Mr. Montanaro's reported amount of $592,429 consists of a $586,429 increase in his SERP value and a $6,000 increase in his defined benefit pension value. Mr. Joyce's reported amount of $17,000 reflects solely the change in his defined benefit pension value, and (ii) the change in defined benefit pension value for Messrs. Montanaro and Joyce was $2,000 and $6,000, respectively, for fiscal year 2025; and negative $5,000 and negative $10,000, respectively, for fiscal year 2024. Applicable SEC rules require that any negative change in pension value be reported as zero in the table above.

(4) Mr. Byrnes was a NEO for the first time in 2025 fiscal year and, pursuant to SEC rules, his compensation for the 2024 fiscal year is not required to be reported.

(5) For fiscal year 2026, all other compensation included the following:


Name	401(k) Plan Company Contributions ($)	Bank Owned Life Insurance ($)	ESOP and ESOP BEP Company Contributions(1) ($)	Long-Term Care Premiums ($)	Dividends Paid on Vested Stock Units(2) ($)	Other(3) ($)
Craig L. Montanaro	—	2,749	33,865	6,259	21,855	23,589
Keith Suchodolski	12,561	654	20,544	8,444	11,684	10,800
Sean Byrnes	8,696	674	14,818	—	6,242	3,000
Patrick M. Joyce	5,335	1,936	16,955	5,245	8,014	3,000
Anthony V. Bilotta, Jr.	11,216	—	16,014	14,822	7,569	6,000

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(1) Amount shown includes ESOP contributions, and for Messrs. Montanaro, Suchodolski, Joyce and Bilotta allocations under the related ESOP Benefits Equalization Plan of $18,029, $4,708, $1,119 and $178, respectively.

(2) Amounts shown reflect the amount of dividend equivalent rights paid upon vesting of the underlying stock award. If a NEO does not vest in the underlying stock award, a NEO will not receive such dividend equivalent rights.

(3) The Company provides a company vehicle to Mr. Montanaro. The amount in the above table reflects the personal usage for this vehicle in the amount of $7,204 and country club dues of $16,385. For Messrs. Suchodolski, Byrnes, Joyce and Bilotta, the amount shown is an automobile allowance.

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KEARNY FINANCIAL CORP. – 2026 Proxy Statement 37

Grants of Plan-Based Awards. The following table sets forth information regarding plan-based awards made to the NEOs for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2026.


		Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards(1)			Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards(2)			All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Units(3) (#)	All Other Option Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Options (#)	Exercise Price of Option Awards ($/Sh)	Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards(4) ($)
Name	Grant Date	Threshold ($)	Target ($)	Maximum ($)	Threshold (#)	Target (#)	Maximum (#)
Craig L. Montanaro	—	134,750	269,500	404,250	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
	8/7/2025	—	—	—	17,036	34,071	51,107	34,071	—	—	399,312
Keith Suchodolski	—	71,020	142,039	213,059	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
	8/7/2025	—	—	—	9,821	19,641	29,462