(1) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of OceanFirst Financial Corp. (the "Company") and its wholly-owned subsidiary, OceanFirst Bank (the "Bank") and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Columbia Home Loans, LLC ("Columbia"), OceanFirst REIT Holdings, Inc, and its wholly-owned subsidiary OceanFirst Realty Corp., OceanFirst Services, LLC and its wholly-owned subsidiary OFB Reinsurance, Ltd. and 975 Holdings, LLC which was established in 2010 as a wholly-owned service corporation of the Bank for the purpose of taking legal possession of certain repossessed collateral for resale to third parties. Columbia is the Bank's mortgage company which was shuttered in 2007. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Certain amounts previously reported have been reclassified to conform to the current year's presentation.

Business

The Bank provides a range of community banking services to customers through a network of branches in Ocean, Monmouth and Middlesex counties in New Jersey. The Bank is subject to competition from other financial institutions; it is also subject to the regulations of certain regulatory agencies and undergoes periodic examinations by those regulatory authorities.

Basis of Financial Statement Presentation

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The preparation of the accompanying consolidated financial statements in conformity with these accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions about future events. These estimates and the underlying assumptions affect the amounts of assets and liabilities reported, disclosures about contingent assets and liabilities, and reported amounts of revenues and expenses. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses, the determination of the reserve for repurchased loans, the valuation of mortgage servicing rights and the evaluation of securities for other-than-temporary impairment. These estimates and assumptions are based on management's best estimates and judgment. Management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the current economic environment, which management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Such estimates and assumptions are adjusted when facts and circumstances dictate. The economic downturn, decline in consumer spending and declining real estate values have combined to increase the uncertainty inherent in such estimates and assumptions. As future events and their effects cannot be determined with precision, actual results could differ significantly from these estimates. Changes in those estimates resulting from continuing changes in the economic environment will be reflected in the financial statements in future periods.

Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents consist of interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions and loans of Federal funds. For purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, the Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Investment and Mortgage-Backed Securities

The Company classifies all investment and mortgage-backed securities as available for sale. Securities available for sale include securities that management intends to use as part of its asset/liability management strategy. Such securities are carried at fair value and unrealized gains and losses, net of related tax effect, are excluded from earnings, but are included as a separate component of stockholders' equity and as part of comprehensive income. In general, fair value is based upon quoted market prices, where available. Most of the Company's investment and mortgage-backed securities, however, are fixed income instruments that are not quoted on an exchange, but are bought and sold in active markets. Prices for these instruments are obtained through third party pricing vendors or security industry sources that actively participate in the buying and selling of securities. Prices obtained from these sources include market quotations and matrix pricing. Matrix pricing is a mathematical technique used principally to value certain securities without relying exclusively on quoted prices for the specific securities, but comparing the securities to benchmark or comparable securities. While management believes the Company's valuation methodologies are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different estimate of fair value at the reporting date. Gains or losses on the sale of such securities are included in other income using the specific identification method. Securities are evaluated for other-than-temporary impairment on a quarterly basis.

Other-Than-Temporary Impairments on Available for Sale Securities

One of the significant estimates related to available for sale securities is the evaluation of investments for other-than-temporary impairments. If a determination is made that a debt security is other-than-temporarily impaired, the Company will estimate the amount of the unrealized loss that is attributable to credit and all other non-credit related factors. The credit related component will be recognized as an other-than-temporary impairment charge in non-interest income as a component of gain (loss) on securities, net. The non-credit related component will be recorded as an adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax. If a determination is made that an equity security is other-than-temporarily impaired, the unrealized loss will be recognized as an other-than-temporary impairment charge in non-interest income as a component of gain (loss) on securities, net.

The evaluation of securities for impairments is a quantitative and qualitative process, which is subject to risks and uncertainties and is intended to determine whether declines in the fair value of investments should be recognized in current period earnings. The risks and uncertainties include changes in general economic conditions, the issuer's financial condition and/or future prospects, the effects of changes in interest rates or credit spreads and the expected recovery period.

On a quarterly basis the Company evaluates the securities portfolio for other-than-temporary impairment. Securities that are in an unrealized loss position are reviewed to determine if an other-than-temporary impairment is present based on certain quantitative factors. The primary factors considered in evaluating whether a decline in value is other-than-temporary include: (a) the length of time and extent to which the fair value has been less than cost or amortized cost and the expected recovery period of the security, (b) the financial condition, credit rating and future prospects of the issuer, (c) whether the debtor is current on contractually obligated interest and principal payments and (d) whether the Company intends to sell the security and whether it is more likely than not that the Company will not be required to sell the security. During 2011, the Company recognized an other-than-temporary impairment loss on equity securities of $148,000 due to the duration and severity of the impairment. At December 31, 2011, the Company concluded that the remaining unrealized losses on available for sale securities were only temporarily impaired.

Loans Receivable

Loans receivable, other than loans held for sale, are stated at unpaid principal balance, plus unamortized premiums less unearned discounts, net of deferred loan origination and commitment fees and costs, and the allowance for loan losses.

Loan origination and commitment fees and certain direct loan origination costs are deferred and the net fee or cost is recognized in interest income using the level-yield method over the contractual life of the specifically identified loans, adjusted for actual prepayments. For each loan class, a loan is considered past due when a payment has not been received in accordance with the contractual terms. Loans which are more than 90 days past due, including impaired loans, and other loans in the process of foreclosure are placed on non-accrual status. Interest income previously accrued on these loans, but not yet received, is reversed in the current period. Any interest subsequently collected is credited to income in the period of recovery only after the full principal balance has been brought current. A loan is returned to accrual status when all amounts due have been received and the remaining principal balance is deemed collectible.

A loan is considered impaired when it is deemed probable that the Company will not collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. The Company has defined the population of impaired loans to be all non-accrual commercial real estate, multi-family, land, construction and commercial loans in excess of $250,000. Impaired loans are individually assessed to determine that the loan's carrying value is not in excess of the fair value of the collateral or the present value of the loan's expected future cash flows. Smaller balance homogeneous loans that are collectively evaluated for impairment, such as residential mortgage loans and installment loans, are specifically excluded from the impaired loan portfolio, except when they are modified in a trouble debt restructuring.

Mortgage Loans Held for Sale

The Company regularly sells part of its mortgage loan originations in order to manage interest rate risk and liquidity. The Bank has generally sold fixed-rate mortgage loans with final maturities in excess of 15 years and, occasionally adjustable-rate loans.

In determining whether to retain mortgages, management considers the Company's overall interest rate risk position, the volume of such loans, the loan yield and the types and amount of funding sources. The Company may also retain mortgage loan production in order to improve yields and increase balance sheet leverage.

Mortgage loans held for sale are carried at the lower of unpaid principal balance, net, or market value on an aggregate basis. Estimated market value is determined based on bid quotations from securities dealers.

Allowance for Loan Losses

The allowance for loan losses is a valuation account that reflects probable incurred losses in the loan portfolio. The adequacy of the allowance for loan losses is based on management's evaluation of the Company's past loan loss experience, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower's ability to repay, estimated value of any underlying collateral and current economic conditions. Additions to the allowance arise from charges to operations through the provision for loan losses or from the recovery of amounts previously charged-off. The allowance is reduced by loan charge-offs. The Company modified its charge-off policy in 2011 as described below.

The allowance for loan losses is maintained at an amount management considers sufficient to provide for probable losses. The analysis considers known and inherent risks in the loan portfolio resulting from management's continuing review of the factors underlying the quality of the loan portfolio. These factors include delinquency status, actual loan loss experience, current economic conditions, detailed analysis of individual loans for which full collectibility may not be assured, and the determination of the existence and realizable value of the collateral and guarantees securing the loan.

The Bank's allowance for loan losses includes specific allowances and a general allowance, each updated on a quarterly basis. A specific allowance is determined for all loans which meet the definition of an impaired loan where the value of the underlying collateral can reasonably be evaluated and where the Company has not already taken an interim charge-off. These are generally loans which are secured by real estate. The Bank obtains an updated appraisal for all impaired loans secured by real estate and collateral dependent residential mortgage loans greater than 90 days delinquent. The appraisal is subsequently updated annually if the loan remains delinquent for an extended period. The specific allowance, or general reserve allocation for collateral dependent residential mortgage loans, represents the difference between the Bank's recorded investment in the loan, net of any interim charge-off, and the fair value of the collateral, less estimated disposal costs. A general allowance is determined for all other classified and non-classified loans. In determining the level of the general allowance, the Bank segments the loan portfolio into various loan segments and classes as follows:


Loan Portfolio Segment		Loan Class
Residential real estate:	-	Loans originated by Bank
	-	Loans originated by mortgage company
	-	Loans originated by mortgage company – non-prime
	-	Residential construction
Commercial real estate:	-	Commercial
	-	Construction and land
Consumer:	-	Consumer
Commercial:	-	Commercial

The mortgage company was shuttered by the Bank in 2007.

The loan portfolio is further segmented by delinquency status and risk rating (special mention, substandard and doubtful). An estimated loss factor is then applied to each risk tranche. If a loan secured by real estate becomes 90 days delinquent, the Bank obtains an updated appraisal which is subsequently updated annually as foreclosure timelines have recently increased significantly. For these loans, the estimated loss represents the difference between the Bank's recorded investment in the loan and the fair value of the collateral, less estimated selling costs. For loans 90 days delinquent not secured by real estate, the Bank evaluates the fair value of the collateral and the personal guarantees, if any, and identifies an estimated loss for the difference between the Bank's recorded investment in the loan and the fair value of the collateral, less estimated selling costs. For loans which are not 90 days delinquent, a historical loss rate is determined for each loan segment. To determine the loss rate, the Bank utilizes a rolling four quarter average of loan losses as a percent of loan principal adjusted for the estimated probability of default. The historical loss rate is adjusted for certain environmental factors including current economic conditions, regulatory environment, local competition, lending personnel, loan policies and underwriting standards, loan review system, delinquency trends, loss trends, nature and volume of the loan portfolio and concentrations of credit. Existing economic conditions which the Bank considered to estimate the allowance for loan losses include local trends in economic growth, unemployment and real estate values.

During the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company modified its charge-off policy on problem loans secured by real estate. Historically, the Company established specific valuation reserves for estimated losses for problem real estate related loans when the loans were deemed uncollectible. The specific valuation reserves were based upon the estimated fair value of the underlying collateral, less costs to sell. The actual loan charge-off was not recorded until the foreclosure process was complete. Under the modified policy, losses on loans secured by real estate are charged-off in the period the loans, or portion thereof, are deemed uncollectible, generally after the loan becomes 120 days delinquent and a recent appraisal is received which reflects a collateral shortfall. The modification to the charge-off policy resulted in additional charge-offs in the fourth quarter of 2011 of $5.7 million. All of these charge-offs were timely identified in previous periods in the Company's allowance for loan losses process as a specific valuation reserve and were included in the Company's loss experience as part of the evaluation of the allowance for loan losses. Accordingly, the additional charge-offs did not affect the Company's provision for loan losses or net income for 2011.

An overwhelming percentage of the Bank's loan portfolio, 97.1%, is secured by real estate whether one-to-four family, consumer or commercial. Additionally, most of the Bank's borrowers are located in Ocean and Monmouth Counties, New Jersey and the surrounding area. These concentrations may adversely affect the Bank's loan loss experience should local real estate values decline further or should the markets served continue to experience difficult economic conditions including increased unemployment.

Management believes the primary risk characteristics for each portfolio segment are a continued decline in the economy generally, including elevated levels of unemployment, a further decline in real estate market values and possible increases in interest rates. Any one or a combination of these events may adversely affect the borrowers' ability to repay the loans, resulting in increased delinquencies, loan charge-offs and future levels of provisions. Accordingly, the Bank has provided for loan losses at the current level to address the current risk in the loan portfolio.

Management believes that the allowance for loan losses is adequate. While management uses available information to recognize losses on loans, future additions to the allowance may be necessary based on changes in economic conditions in the Company's market area. In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their routine examination process, periodically review the Bank's allowance for loan losses. Such agencies may require the Bank to recognize additions to the allowance based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination.

Reserve for Repurchased Loans

The reserve for repurchased loans relates to potential losses on loans sold which may have to be repurchased due to a violation of representations and warranties. Provisions for losses are charged to gain on sale of loans and credited to the reserve while actual losses are charged to the reserve. The reserve represents the Company's estimate of the total losses expected to occur and is considered to be adequate by management based upon the Company's evaluation of the potential exposure related to the loan sale agreements over the period of repurchase risk. The reserve for repurchased loans is included in other liabilities on the Company's consolidated statement of financial condition.

Mortgage Servicing Rights, or MSR

The Company recognizes as a separate asset the rights to service mortgage loans, whether those rights are acquired through purchase or loan origination activities. MSR are amortized in proportion to and over the estimated period of net servicing income. The estimated fair value of MSR is determined through a discounted analysis of future cash flows, incorporating numerous assumptions including servicing income, servicing costs, market discount rates, prepayment speeds and default rates. Impairment of the MSR is assessed on the fair value of those rights with any impairment recognized as a component of loan servicing fee income. Fees earned for servicing loans are reported as income when the related mortgage loan payments are collected.

Real Estate Owned

Real estate owned is carried at the lower of cost or fair value, less estimated costs to sell. When a property is acquired, the excess of the loan balance over fair value is charged to the allowance for loan losses. Operating results from real estate owned, including rental income, operating expenses, and gains and losses realized from the sales of real estate owned are recorded as incurred.

Premises and Equipment

Land is carried at cost and premises and equipment, including leasehold improvements, are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets or leases. Depreciable lives are as follows: computer equipment: 3 years; furniture, fixtures and other electronic equipment: 5 years; building improvements: 10 years; and buildings: 30 years. Repair and maintenance items are expensed and improvements are capitalized. Gains and losses on dispositions are reflected in current operations.

Income Taxes

The Company utilizes the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Any interest and penalties on taxes payable are included as part of the provision for income taxes.

Impact of New Accounting Pronouncements

Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05, "Comprehensive Income" requires that all non-owner changes in stockholders' equity be presented in either a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. The option to present components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders' equity was eliminated. The standard is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011 and is not expected to have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-04, "Fair Value Measurement, Amendments to achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs" develops common requirements for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP") and International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRSs"). The amendments are effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The adoption of this Accounting Standard Update is not expected to have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-03, "Reconsideration of Effective Control for Repurchase Agreements", amends Topic 860 (Transfers and Servicing) where an entity may or may not recognize a sale upon the transfer of financial assets subject to repurchase agreements, based on whether or not the transferor has maintained effective control. In the assessment of effective control, Accounting Standard Update 2011-03 has removed the criteria that requires transferors to have the ability to repurchase or redeem the financial assets on substantially the agreed terms, even in the event of default by the transferee. Other criteria applicable to the assessment of effective control have not been changed. This guidance is effective for prospective periods beginning on or after December 15, 2011. Early adoption is prohibited. The adoption of this Accounting Standard Update is not expected to have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-02 amends Topic 310 and clarifies the guidance on a creditor's evaluation of whether it has granted a concession, and whether a restructuring constitutes a troubled debt restructuring. The amendments in this update are effective for the first interim or annual period beginning on or after June 15, 2011, and should be applied retrospectively to the beginning of the annual period of adoption. As a result of applying these amendments, an entity may identify receivables that are newly considered impaired. For purposes of measuring impairment of those receivables, an entity should apply the amendments prospectively for the first interim or annual period beginning on or after June 15, 2011. An entity should disclose the information which was deferred by Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-01, "Receivables (Topic 310): Deferral of the Effective Date of Disclosures about Troubled Debt Restructuring" in Update No. 2010-20, for interim and annual periods beginning on or after June 15, 2011. The adoption of this Accounting Standard Update did not result in a material change to the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Standards Update No. 2010-20, amends ASC 310 (Receivables) to require significant new disclosures about the credit quality of financial receivables/loans and the allowance for credit losses. The objective of the new disclosures is to improve financial statement users' understanding of (1) the nature of an entity's credit risk associated with its financing receivables, and (2) the entity's assessment of that risk in estimating its allowance for credit losses, as well as changes in the allowance and the reasons for those changes. The disclosures are to be presented at the level of disaggregation that management uses when assessing and monitoring the portfolio's risk and performance (either by portfolio segment or by class of financing receivables). The required disclosures include, among other things, a rollforward of the allowance for credit losses by portfolio segment, as well as information about credit quality indicators and modified, impaired, non-accrual and past due loans. The disclosures related to period-end information (e.g., credit-quality information and the ending financing receivables balance segregated by impairment method) will be required in all interim and annual reporting periods ending on or after December 15, 2010 (December 31, 2010 for the Company). Disclosures of activity that occurs during a reporting period (e.g., loan modifications and the rollforward of the allowance for credit losses by portfolio segment) were required in interim or annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2010 (January 1, 2011 for the Company). The adoption of this Accounting Standards Update did not result in a material change to the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Stock-based Compensation

The Company recognizes the grant-date fair value of stock options and other stock-based compensation issued to employees in the income statement. The modified prospective transition method was adopted and, as a result, the income statement includes $549,000, $578,000, and $481,000, respectively, of expense for stock option grants for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. At December 31, 2011, the Company had $1.2 million in compensation cost related to non-vested awards not yet recognized. This cost will be recognized over the remaining vesting period of 2.2 years.

The fair value of stock options granted by the Company was estimated through the use of the Black-Scholes option pricing model applying the following assumptions:


	2011			2010			2009
Risk-free interest rate		3.08	%		3.36	%		3.08	%
Expected option life		7 years			7 years			7 years
Expected volatility		29	%		28	%		25	%
Expected dividend yield		3.46	%		4.80	%		4.99	%
Weighted average fair value of an option share granted during the year	$	3.14		$	1.84		$	1.84
Intrinsic value of options exercised during the year (in thousands)		10			—			7

The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury rate with a term equal to the expected option life. The expected option life conforms to the Company's actual experience. Expected volatility is based on actual historical results. Compensation cost is recognized on a straight line basis over the vesting period.

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income is comprised of net income and other comprehensive income (loss). Other comprehensive income (loss) includes items recorded directly in equity, such as unrealized gains or losses on securities available for sale.

Bank Owned Life Insurance

Bank owned life insurance ("BOLI") is accounted for using the cash surrender value method and is recorded at its realizable value. The Company's BOLI is invested in a separate account insurance product which is invested in a fixed income portfolio. The separate account includes stable value protection which maintains realizable value at book value with investment gains and losses amortized over future periods. The change in the net asset value is included in other non-interest income.

Exit Activities

During 2007, the Bank exited the mortgage banking business operated by Columbia. All loan origination activity was ceased, although the Bank retained Columbia's loan servicing portfolio. The exit was due to the significant operating losses incurred by Columbia in the fourth quarter of 2006 and the first quarter of 2007 and was completed prior to the end of 2007. Occupancy expenses for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 include (benefit) expense of $(184,000), $-0-, and $593,000, respectively, for lease termination costs related to the exit activities.

Segment Reporting

As a community-oriented financial institution, substantially all of the Bank's operations involve the delivery of loan and deposit products to customers. The Bank makes operating decisions and assesses performance based on an ongoing review of these community banking operations, which constitute the only operating segment for financial reporting purposes.

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding. Diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding plus potential common stock, utilizing the treasury stock method. All share amounts exclude unallocated shares of stock held by the Employee Stock Ownership Plan ("ESOP") and the Incentive Plan.

The following reconciles shares outstanding for basic and diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 (in thousands):


	Years Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
Weighted average shares outstanding		18,828			18,822			13,406
Less: Unallocated ESOP shares		(514	)		(549	)		(584	)
Unallocated Incentive award shares and shares held by deferred compensation plan		(123	)		(131	)		(85	)

Average basic shares outstanding		18,191			18,142			12,737
Add: Effect of dilutive securities:
Incentive awards and shares held by deferred compensation plan		49			49			47

Average diluted shares outstanding		18,240			18,191			12,784

For the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, 2,047,000, 1,854,000 and 1,626,000, respectively, antidilutive stock options were excluded from earnings per share calculations.