<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><own:edgarSubmission xmlns:own="http://www.sec.gov/edgar/ownership" xmlns:com="http://www.sec.gov/edgar/common">
  <!-- Generated by Workiva -->
  <own:headerData>
    <own:submissionType>144</own:submissionType>
    <own:filerInfo>
      <own:filer>
        <own:filerCredentials>
          <own:cik>0001237678</own:cik>
          <own:ccc>XXXXXXXX</own:ccc>
        </own:filerCredentials>
      </own:filer>
      <own:liveTestFlag>LIVE</own:liveTestFlag>



    </own:filerInfo>
  </own:headerData>
  <own:formData>
    <own:issuerInfo>
      <own:issuerCik>0001004702</own:issuerCik>
      <own:issuerName>OceanFirst Financial Corp.</own:issuerName>
      <own:issuerAddress>
        <com:street1>975 Hooper Avenue</com:street1>
        <com:city>Toms River</com:city>
        <com:stateOrCountry>NJ</com:stateOrCountry>
        <com:zipCode>08753</com:zipCode>
      </own:issuerAddress>
      <own:issuerContactPhone>8886232633</own:issuerContactPhone>
      <own:nameOfPersonForWhoseAccountTheSecuritiesAreToBeSold>John Buran</own:nameOfPersonForWhoseAccountTheSecuritiesAreToBeSold>
      <own:relationshipsToIssuer>
        <own:relationshipToIssuer>Director</own:relationshipToIssuer>
      </own:relationshipsToIssuer>
    </own:issuerInfo>
    <own:securitiesInformation>
      <own:securitiesClassTitle>Common Stock</own:securitiesClassTitle>
      <own:brokerOrMarketmakerDetails>
        <own:name>Empower</own:name>
        <own:address>
          <com:street1>PO Box 56025</com:street1>
          <com:city>Boston</com:city>
          <com:stateOrCountry>MA</com:stateOrCountry>
          <com:zipCode>02205-6025</com:zipCode>
        </own:address>
      </own:brokerOrMarketmakerDetails>
      <own:noOfUnitsSold>113630</own:noOfUnitsSold>
      <own:aggregateMarketValue>2204828.36</own:aggregateMarketValue>
      <own:noOfUnitsOutstanding>96645219</own:noOfUnitsOutstanding>
      <own:approxSaleDate>08/07/2026</own:approxSaleDate>
      <own:securitiesExchangeName>NASDAQ</own:securitiesExchangeName>
    </own:securitiesInformation>
    <own:securitiesToBeSold>
      <own:securitiesClassTitle>Common Stock</own:securitiesClassTitle>
      <own:acquiredDate>06/01/2026</own:acquiredDate>
      <own:natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>401(k) Account Purchases</own:natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>
      <own:nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>Open Market Purchases and Transfers from Flushing Finanical Corp. Trust</own:nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>
      <own:isGiftTransaction>N</own:isGiftTransaction>
      <own:amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>113463</own:amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>
      <own:paymentDate>06/01/2026</own:paymentDate>
      <own:natureOfPayment>Various 401(k) Account Purchases</own:natureOfPayment>
    </own:securitiesToBeSold>
    <own:nothingToReportFlagOnSecuritiesSoldInPast3Months>Y</own:nothingToReportFlagOnSecuritiesSoldInPast3Months>
    <own:remarks>Rollover of Funds from 401(k) Plan to IRA</own:remarks>
    <own:noticeSignature>
      <own:noticeDate>08/13/2026</own:noticeDate>
      <own:signature>Steven J. Tsimbinos</own:signature>
    </own:noticeSignature>
  </own:formData>
</own:edgarSubmission>
