Proxy Statement - Merger or Acquistion (definitive) (defm14a)

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

Stewardship Financial Corporation

(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):


o	No fee required.

o	Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.

	(1)	Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: N/A
	(2)	Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: N/A
	(3)	Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
		N/A
	(4)	Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: N/A
	(5)	Total fee paid: N/A

x	Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

o	Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

	(1)	Amount Previously Paid: N/A
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	(3)	Filing Party: N/A
	(4)	Date Filed: N/A

STEWARDSHIP

MERGER PROPOSAL — YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT

To Our Shareholders:

The Board of Directors of Stewardship Financial Corporation (“Stewardship”) has unanimously approved a proposed business transaction that, if completed, will result in the acquisition of Stewardship by Columbia Financial, Inc. (“Columbia”). The acquisition will be accomplished by the merger of a subsidiary of Columbia, Broadway Acquisition Corp. (“Merger Sub”), into and with Stewardship, with Stewardship surviving the merger and becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of Columbia, which we refer to as the merger. Following the effective time of the merger, Stewardship will merge with and into Columbia, with Columbia continuing as the surviving entity; further, immediately following the merger, Atlantic Stewardship Bank, a New Jersey chartered bank and wholly-owned subsidiary of Stewardship, will merge with and into Columbia Bank with Columbia Bank surviving, which we refer to as the bank merger. If the merger is completed, you will receive $15.75 in cash for each of your shares of Stewardship common stock, or an aggregate merger consideration of approximately $137.3 million to all Stewardship shareholders.

We are sending you this proxy statement to notify you of, and invite you to, the special meeting of the Stewardship shareholders to be held on October 3, 2019, which we refer to as the special meeting, being held to consider and vote on a proposal, which we refer to as the merger proposal, to approve the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 6, 2019, entered into among Stewardship, Columbia and Merger Sub, which we refer to as the merger agreement.

In addition to the merger proposal, you will be asked to consider and vote, on (i) a proposal, which we refer to as the merger-related executive compensation proposal, to approve, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation that may be paid or become payable to our named executive officers in connection with the merger and (ii) a proposal, which we refer to as the adjournment proposal, to adjourn or postpone the special meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies in the event that there are insufficient votes at the time of the special meeting to approve the merger agreement.

After careful consideration, the Stewardship Board of Directors unanimously determined that the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger, are advisable to, and in the best interests of, Stewardship and our shareholders and has unanimously approved the merger agreement. The Stewardship Board of Directors unanimously recommends that you vote “FOR” the merger proposal and “FOR” each of the other proposals to be considered at the special meeting .

Your vote is very important, regardless of the number of shares you own. The merger cannot be completed unless the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock vote in favor of the merger proposal. Completion of the merger is not conditioned upon approval of the merger-related executive compensation proposal and the adjournment proposal. Whether or not you plan to attend the special meeting, please promptly submit a proxy by completing, signing, dating and returning the enclosed proxy card in the accompanying reply envelope. Instructions regarding the methods of voting are provided on the proxy card.

STEWARDSHIP

Michael Westra

Chairman of the Board

Stewardship Financial Corporation

Neither the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation nor any other bank regulatory agency nor the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities regulatory agency has approved or disapproved the merger, the bank merger or the other transactions described in the accompanying proxy statement or passed upon the merits or fairness of the merger or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of the attached proxy statement. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

This proxy statement is dated August 19, 2019 and is first being mailed to Stewardship shareholders on or about August 19, 2019.

STEWARDSHIP

NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

A special meeting of the shareholders of Stewardship Financial Corporation will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn, 15 Nevins Road, Wayne, New Jersey, on October 3, 2019, at 10:00 a.m.

At the special meeting, you will be asked to consider and vote on:

1. a proposal to approve the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 6, 2019, by and among Columbia Financial, Inc., Broadway Acquisition Corp. and Stewardship Financial Corporation;

2. a proposal to approve, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation to be paid to the named executive officers of Stewardship if the merger contemplated by the merger agreement is consummated; and

3. a proposal to adjourn the special meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary to permit the further solicitation of proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the time of the special meeting to approve the merger agreement.

A copy of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, which we refer to as the merger agreement, is annexed as Annex A to the accompanying proxy statement. The proxy statement describes the merger agreement and the proposed merger in detail. We urge you to read the merger agreement carefully and in its entirety. The proxy statement forms a part of this notice.

The Stewardship Board of Directors unanimously recommends that Stewardship shareholders vote “FOR” the proposal to approve the merger agreement, “FOR” the proposal to approve the merger-related executive compensation and “FOR” the proposal to adjourn the special meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies to vote in favor of the merger agreement.

Your vote is very important. Your proxy is being solicited by the Stewardship Board of Directors. The proposal to approve the merger agreement must be approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Stewardship common stock present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the special meeting. The proposals to approve the merger-related executive compensation and to adjourn the special meeting, if necessary, must each be approved by a majority of the votes cast by the holders of shares of Stewardship common stock present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the special meeting. Completion of the merger is not conditioned upon approval of the merger-related executive compensation and adjournment proposals. Whether or not you plan to attend the special meeting, please complete and mail the enclosed proxy card in the accompanying envelope, which requires no postage if mailed in the United States. You may revoke your proxy at any time before the special meeting. If you attend the special meeting and wish to vote in person, your proxy vote will not be used. However, attendance at the special meeting will not, in and of itself, constitute a revocation of your proxy.

If you have questions about the merger, or about how to submit your proxy, please contact our proxy solicitor Georgeson LLC at 888-624-2255.

	BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS,

	Michael Westra Chairman

Midland Park, New Jersey

August 19, 2019

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SUMMARY TERM SHEET		1

	Parties to the Merger	1
	Special Meeting of Shareholders	1
	Quorum; Vote Required	2
	The Merger Agreement	2
	Consideration to be Received in the Merger	2
	Treatment of Restricted Stock Awards	2
	Process for Exchanging Shares for Merger Consideration	3
	Stewardship Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”)/Director Stock Purchase Plan (“DSP”)	3
	Shares Held by Stewardship’s Directors and Officers	3
	Stewardship’s Reasons for the Merger; Recommendation of the Stewardship Board of Directors	3
	Opinion of Stewardship’s Financial Advisor in Connection with the Merger	3
	Regulatory Matters Relating to the Merger	4
	Conditions to Completing the Merger	4
	Terminating the Merger Agreement	5
	Termination Fee	6
	Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger that are Different from Yours	6
	Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations	7
	Dissenters’ Rights	7

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE MERGER AND THE SPECIAL MEETING		8

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS		13

THE SPECIAL MEETING OF STEWARDSHIP SHAREHOLDERS		15

	Purpose	15
	Who Can Vote at the Meeting	15
	Quorum; Vote Required	15
	Shares Held by Stewardship’s Directors and Officers	16
	Voting Agreements	16
	Voting and Revocability of Proxies	16
	Solicitation of Proxies	17

PROPOSAL NO. 1 - THE MERGER		17

	Background of the Merger	17
	Stewardship’s Reasons for the Merger; Recommendation of the Stewardship Board of Directors	21
	Opinion of Stewardship’s Financial Advisor in Connection with Merger	23
	Certain Unaudited Prospective Financial Information	31
	Surrender of Stock Certificates	33
	Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations	33
	Regulatory Matters Relating to the Merger	36
	Dissenters’ Rights	36

INTERESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN THE MERGER THAT ARE DIFFERENT FROM YOURS		37

	Acceleration of Vesting of Restricted Stock Awards	37
	Employment and Change in Control Agreements with Stewardship	37
	Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan	38
	Indemnification and Continued Director and Officer Liability Coverage	38
	Merger-Related Executive Compensation for Stewardship’s Named Executive Officers	39
	Appointment of Stewardship Director to the Boards of Directors of Columbia and Columbia Bank	39
	Invitation of Stewardship Directors to Join an Advisory Board	39

THE MERGER AGREEMENT		40

	General	40
	Closing and Effective Time	40
	Consideration to be Received in the Merger	41
	Treatment of Restricted Stock	41
	Voting Agreements	41
	Conditions to Completing the Merger	41
	Conduct of Business Before the Merger	42
	Covenants and Agreements	44
	Representations and Warranties Made by Columbia and Stewardship in the Merger Agreement	46
	Terminating the Merger Agreement	46
	Termination Fee	48
	Expenses	48
	Employee Matters	49
	Changing the Terms of the Merger Agreement	49

PROPOSAL NO. 2 - NON-BINDING, ADVISORY VOTE ON MERGER-RELATED EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION		50

PROPOSAL NO. 3 - ADJOURNMENT OF THE SPECIAL MEETING		51

MARKET PRICE AND DIVIDEND INFORMATION		52

STOCK OWNERSHIP		53

SUBMISSION OF BUSINESS PROPOSALS AND SHAREHOLDER NOMINATIONS		55

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION		55

Annexes

Annex A — Agreement and Plan of Merger			A-A-1
Annex B — Opinion of Sandler O’Neill & Partners, L.P.			A-B-1

SUMMARY TERM SHEET

This summary term sheet, together with the information contained in the section of this proxy statement captioned “Questions and Answers About the Merger and the Special Meeting,” highlights selected information in this proxy statement and may not contain all of the information important to you. To understand the merger more fully, we urge you to read this proxy statement carefully and in its entirety, including the documents attached to this proxy statement.

Parties to the Merger

Columbia Financial, Inc.

Broadway Acquisition Corp.

19-01 Route 208 North

Fairlawn, New Jersey 07410

(833) 550-0717

Columbia Financial, Inc. is a Delaware corporation organized as Columbia Bank’s mid-tier stock holding company. Columbia Financial, Inc. is a majority-owned subsidiary of Columbia Bank, MHC. Columbia Bank is a federally chartered savings bank headquartered in Fair Lawn, New Jersey. The Bank offers traditional financial services to consumers and businesses in our market areas. As of March 31, 2019, Columbia had total assets of $6.8 billion, loans of $5.0 billion, and operates 50 branches with deposits of $4.6 billion.

Broadway Acquisition Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Columbia, is a New Jersey corporation organized in June 2019 solely to facilitate the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement.

Stewardship Financial Corporation

630 Godwin Avenue

Midland Park, New Jersey 07432-1405

(201) 444-7100

Stewardship Financial Corporation is a one-bank holding company, incorporated under the laws of the State of New Jersey in January of 1995 to serve as the holding company for Atlantic Stewardship Bank, a commercial bank formed under the laws of the State of New Jersey in April 1984. Stewardship’s primary business is the ownership and supervision of Atlantic Stewardship Bank. Stewardship, through Atlantic Stewardship Bank, conducts commercial banking business and offers services including personal and business checking accounts, time deposits, money market accounts and regular savings accounts. Stewardship manages its business through its main office located at 630 Godwin Avenue, Midland Park, New Jersey, and through its eleven additional branch offices. As of March 31, 2019, Stewardship Financial Corporation had total assets of $961 million, loans of $747 million and deposits of $784 million.

Special Meeting of Shareholders

A special meeting of Stewardship shareholders is scheduled to be held at the Hilton Garden Inn, 15 Nevins Road, Wayne, New Jersey, on October 3, 2019, at 10:00 a.m. At the special meeting, you will be asked to vote on (i) a proposal to approve the merger agreement among Stewardship, Columbia, and Merger Sub, (ii) a proposal to approve, on a non-binding advisory basis, the merger-related executive compensation and (iii) a proposal to adjourn the special meeting, if necessary, to permit further solicitation of proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the time of the meeting to approve the merger agreement.

Only Stewardship shareholders of record as of the close of business on August 13, 2019 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Stewardship special meeting and any adjournments or postponements of the meeting.

Quorum; Vote Required

The presence, in person or by proxy, of the holders of shares entitled to cast a majority of the votes at the special meeting shall constitute a quorum at the meeting. If you return valid proxy instructions or attend the meeting in person, your shares will be counted for purposes of determining whether there is a quorum, even if you abstain from voting. Broker non-votes will not be counted for purposes of determining whether there is a quorum. A broker non-vote occurs when a broker, bank or other nominee holding shares of Stewardship common stock for a beneficial owner does not vote on a particular proposal because the broker, bank or other nominee does not have discretionary voting power with respect to that proposal and has not received instructions from the beneficial owner.

Pursuant to the terms of the Stewardship certificate of incorporation, approval of the merger proposal requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Stewardship common stock entitled to vote at the special meeting. Failure to return a properly executed proxy card or to vote in person will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” the merger agreement. Abstentions from voting and broker non-votes will also have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” the merger proposal.

The merger-related executive compensation proposal and the adjournment proposal must each be approved by a majority of the votes cast by holders of shares of Stewardship common stock present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the special meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on either of these proposals.

Approval and completion of the merger is not conditioned upon approval of the merger-related executive compensation and adjournment proposals.

The Merger Agreement

The merger of Stewardship and Columbia is governed by the terms and conditions contained in the merger agreement. The merger agreement provides that, if all of the conditions set forth in the merger agreement are satisfied or, if and as applicable, waived, Merger Sub will merge with and into Stewardship, with Stewardship being the surviving corporation as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Columbia and, immediately following the effective time of the merger, Stewardship will merge with and into Columbia with Columbia continuing as the surviving entity. It is anticipated that immediately following the consummation of the merger, Atlantic Stewardship Bank will be merged with and into Columbia Bank with Columbia Bank continuing as the surviving bank.

We urge you to read the merger agreement, which is annexed as Annex A to this proxy statement, carefully and in its entirety.

Consideration to be Received in the Merger

If the merger is completed, each share of Stewardship common stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the merger (other than shares to be cancelled pursuant to the merger agreement, including treasury stock, shares held directly or indirectly by Columbia or held in a fiduciary capacity or in satisfaction of indebtedness previously contracted) will be converted into the right to receive, in cash, an amount equal to $15.75 per share, without interest.

Treatment of Restricted Stock Awards

As of the effective time of the merger, each outstanding Stewardship restricted stock award that is subject to vesting, repurchase or other lapse restriction granted under the Stewardship 2010 Stock Incentive Plan will vest in full and be converted into the right to receive a cash payment equal to $15.75 per share, without interest and less any amount of required tax withholding.

Process for Exchanging Shares for Merger Consideration

Shortly after the effective time of the merger, holders of shares of common stock as well as restricted stock awards will receive written instructions, including a letter of transmittal, that explain how to exchange their shares of Stewardship common stock for the merger consideration to be paid by Columbia in the merger. After submission of properly completed documentation as described in the written instructions, the paying agent will transmit a payment of the merger consideration for such shares (less applicable tax withholding, if and as applicable).

Stewardship Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”)/Director Stock Purchase Plan (“DSP”)

The Stewardship Board of Directors has adopted resolutions or taken other actions to provide that no further purchase periods or purchase rights will be available under the ESPP and the DSP and will adopt resolutions or take other actions as may be required to (i) cause the exercise (as of no later than five business days prior to the effective time of the merger) of any outstanding purchase right pursuant to the ESPP and the DSP and (ii) terminate the ESPP and the DSP (with such termination effective prior to the effective time of the merger).

Shares Held by Stewardship’s Directors and Officers

The directors and executive officers of Stewardship, as a group, owned 902,157 shares of Stewardship common stock, representing 10.35% of the outstanding shares of Stewardship common stock as of August 13, 2019. The directors of Stewardship have entered into written voting agreements to vote their shares in favor of the merger agreement at the special meeting. This amount is limited to an aggregate of 444,029 shares with respect to which ownership and the sole rights of disposition and voting are acquired by the shareholder which, in the aggregate, equal approximately 5.10%.

Stewardship’s Reasons for the Merger; Recommendation of the Stewardship Board of Directors

The Stewardship Board of Directors has unanimously approved the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger. The Stewardship Board of Directors believes that the merger agreement, including the merger contemplated by the merger agreement, is fair to, and in the best interests of, Stewardship and its shareholders and, therefore, the Stewardship Board of Directors unanimously recommends that Stewardship shareholders vote “FOR” the merger proposal, “FOR” the merger-related executive compensation proposal and “FOR” the adjournment proposal. In reaching this decision, the Stewardship Board of Directors considered many factors, which are described in the section of this proxy statement captioned “Proposal No. 1 - The Merger—Stewardship’s Reasons for the Merger; Recommendation of the Stewardship Board of Directors. ”

Opinion of Stewardship’s Financial Advisor in Connection with the Merger

In deciding to approve the merger agreement, the Stewardship Board of Directors considered the opinion, dated June 6, 2019, of Sandler O’Neill & Partners, L.P. (“Sandler O’Neill”), which served as financial advisor to the Stewardship Board of Directors, to the effect that, as of such date and subject to procedures followed, assumptions made, matters considered and qualifications and limitations set forth therein, the merger consideration was fair to the holders of Stewardship common stock from a financial point of view. A copy of this opinion is annexed as Annex B to this proxy statement. We urge you to read the opinion carefully and in its entirety to understand the procedures followed, assumptions made, matters considered and limitations of the review conducted by Sandler O’Neill.

Sandler O’Neill’s opinion speaks only as of the date of the opinion and was necessarily based on financial, economic, market and other conditions as they existed on, and the information made available to Sandler O’Neill as of, that date. The opinion was directed to the Board of Directors of Stewardship and is directed only to the fairness of the merger consideration to the holders of Stewardship common stock from a financial point of view. It does not address the underlying business decision of Stewardship to engage in the merger or any other aspect of the merger and is not a recommendation to any holder of Stewardship common stock as to how such shareholder should vote at the special meeting with respect to the merger or any other matter. Sandler O’Neill did not express any opinion as to the fairness of the amount or nature of the compensation to be received in the merger by Stewardship’s officers, directors or employees, or class of such persons, if any, relative to the per share consideration to be received by Stewardship shareholders. For further information, please see the information in the section of this proxy statement captioned “Proposal No. 1 - The Merger —O pinion of Stewardship’s Financial Advisor in Connection with the Merger . ”

Regulatory Matters Relating to the Merger

Under the terms of the merger agreement, the merger cannot be completed unless it is first approved by certain regulatory authorities having jurisdiction over Stewardship and any Stewardship subsidiaries and Columbia and any Columbia subsidiaries including, but not limited to, approvals or waivers from the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “FRB”) and approvals from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the “OCC”) and the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance (the “NJDOBI”) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”). Stewardship and Columbia have agreed to use reasonable best efforts to obtain any regulatory approvals required to consummate the merger. Columbia will pay, or will cause to be paid, any applicable fees and expenses (other than those incurred by Stewardship’s outside counsel) in connection with the preparation and filing of such regulatory filings necessary to obtain bank regulatory approvals. For further information, please see the information in the section of this proxy statement captioned “Proposal No. 1 -The Merger – Regulatory Matters Relating to the Merger.”

Conditions to Completing the Merger

The completion of the merger is subject to the fulfillment of a number of conditions, including:

receipt of all regulatory approvals and the expiration of all statutory waiting periods;

the absence of any regulatory condition that would (i) be reasonably expected to be materially burdensome on Columbia or that would impair, in any material respect, the benefits of the merger to Columbia, (ii) require a material modification to Columbia’s business activities, governance, legal structure or fee arrangements or (iii) otherwise have a material adverse effect on Columbia;

the absence of any injunctions that prevent consummation of the merger or any government proceeding that seeks to prevent consummation of the merger;

receipt of approval by Stewardship shareholders;

each party’s representations and warranties in the merger agreement continuing to be true and correct in all material respects as of the closing date of the merger (subject to exceptions that would not have a material adverse effect), each party having performed its obligations under the merger agreement, and the receipt of a signed officer’s certificate to the effect that the foregoing conditions have been satisfied;

receipt of any consents required to assign specific Stewardship and Atlantic Stewardship Bank leases and material contracts;

with respect to Stewardship, Atlantic Stewardship Bank and its subsidiaries and Columbia or its subsidiaries, the absence of any material change that would, individually or in the aggregate, adversely impact their business or operations; and

with respect to Columbia, delivery of the aggregate merger consideration to the paying agent on or before the closing date.

Terminating the Merger Agreement

The merger agreement may be terminated by mutual written consent of the Boards of Directors of Columbia and Stewardship, by either party in the event an injunction prohibits the Closing or a required government approval, consent or waiver has been denied and such denial becomes final and non-appealable, at any time before the completion of the merger. Additionally, subject to conditions and circumstances described in the merger agreement, the merger agreement may be terminated by a party as follows:

Columbia may terminate the merger agreement:

if the merger is not consummated by April 30, 2020, so long as Columbia has satisfied its obligations under the merger agreement;

if Stewardship materially fails to fully perform any of its obligations, covenants or agreements contained in the merger agreement;

if Stewardship shareholders fail to approve the merger agreement;

if there occurs a material adverse change with respect to Stewardship or any event occurs that is reasonably likely to result in a material adverse change;

if Stewardship’s representations regarding organization, qualification, authority to enter into the merger agreement, conflict with governing documents, capitalization, or absence of material adverse change are false or misleading in any respect, or if Stewardship’s other representations are false or misleading in any material respect; or

if the Stewardship Board of Directors: (i) fails to recommend that Stewardship shareholders approve the merger agreement; (ii) withdraws, modifies or qualifies its recommendation that shareholders approve the merger agreement; or (iii) elects not to submit the merger agreement to a vote of shareholders.

Stewardship may terminate the merger agreement:

if the merger is not consummated by April 30, 2020, so long as Stewardship has satisfied its obligations under the merger agreement;

if Columbia materially fails to fully perform any of its obligations, covenants or agreements contained in the merger agreement and that failure prevents Columbia from completing the merger;

if Columbia’s representations are false or misleading in any respect and the facts or circumstances giving rise to the representation being false or misleading prevent Columbia from completing the merger;

if, notwithstanding Stewardship’s compliance with its affirmative covenants in the merger agreement and its obligation to file the proxy statement, Stewardship shareholders fail to approve the merger agreement; or

in order to enter into an agreement with respect to a superior acquisition proposal, but only if Stewardship has not materially breached the “no-shop” provision of the merger agreement, gives Columbia the opportunity to modify the merger agreement, and pays Columbia an applicable termination fee.

Termination Fee

Under certain circumstances described in the merger agreement, Columbia may demand from Stewardship a $5,400,000 termination fee in connection with the termination of the merger agreement. See “The Merger Agreement—Termination Fee” for additional details describing the circumstances under which the termination fee is payable by Stewardship to Columbia.

Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger that are Different from Yours

You should be aware that some of Stewardship’s directors and officers may have interests in the merger that are different from, or in addition to, the interests of Stewardship shareholders generally. These interests include:

the acceleration of vesting of outstanding restricted shares, for which the holder thereof will be entitled to receive a cash payment equal to $15.75 per share;

severance payments that certain employees and officers may receive under their existing employment, severance, or change in control agreements with Stewardship and Atlantic Stewardship Bank;

provisions in the merger agreement relating to indemnification of directors and officers and insurance for directors and officers of Stewardship for acts or omissions occurring prior to the merger;

merger-related executive compensation to be paid to Stewardship’s named executive officers;

the addition of Paul Van Ostenbridge, the current President and Chief Executive Officer of Stewardship and Atlantic Stewardship Bank, to the Board of Directors of each of Columbia and Columbia Bank at the effective time of the merger; and

the invitation of the other non-employee directors of the Stewardship Board of Directors to join an advisory board to be established and maintained by Columbia Bank for a period of one year following the effective time of the merger.

The Stewardship Board of Directors was aware of these interests and took them into account in approving the merger. Please see the information contained in the section of this proxy statement captioned “ Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger that are Different from Yours .”

Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations

The exchange of Stewardship common stock for cash pursuant to the merger agreement generally will be a taxable transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Therefore, Stewardship shareholders who exchange their shares in the merger will generally recognize gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference, if any, between the cash received in the merger and their adjusted tax basis in the shares surrendered. Because individual circumstances may differ, we strongly urge you to consult your tax advisor for a complete analysis of the effect of the merger on your federal, state, local and/or foreign taxes. See “Proposal No. 1 - The Merger — Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.”

Dissenters’ Rights

Pursuant to the New Jersey Business Corporation Act, a shareholder is not entitled to demand the fair value of his or her shares of stock in any transaction if the stock is listed on a national securities exchange, if cash is to be received or the securities to be received are listed on a national securities exchange. Because the common stock of Stewardship is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market, a national securities exchange, and cash is to be received as the merger consideration, Stewardship shareholders will not have any rights to dissent, otherwise known as appraisal rights, in connection with the merger.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE MERGER AND THE SPECIAL MEETING

Q:	*When and where is the Stewardship special meeting?*

A:	The special meeting of the shareholders of Stewardship is scheduled to take place at the Hilton Garden Inn, 15 Nevins Road, Wayne, New Jersey, on October 3, 2019, at 10:00 a.m.

Q:	*Who is entitled to vote at the Stewardship special meeting?*

A:	Holders of shares of Stewardship common stock at the close of business on August 13, 2019, which is the record date, are entitled to vote at the special meeting. As of the record date, 8,714,222 shares of Stewardship common stock were outstanding and entitled to vote.

Q:	*What am I being asked to vote on? What is the proposed transaction?*

You are being asked to vote on the approval of the merger agreement entered into by Stewardship, Columbia and Merger Sub that provides for the merger of Merger Sub, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Columbia, with and into Stewardship, with Stewardship continuing as the surviving entity and becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of Columbia. Following the effective time of the merger, Stewardship will merge with and into Columbia, with Columbia continuing as the surviving entity; further, immediately following the merger, Atlantic Stewardship Bank will merger with and into Columbia Bank with Columbia Bank continuing as the surviving bank. Assuming satisfaction or, as applicable, waiver of the conditions to the merger, the parties intend to complete the merger in the fourth quarter of 2019.

In addition, you are also being asked to vote on (i) a non-binding, advisory proposal regarding the approval of the merger-related executive compensation and (ii) a proposal to adjourn the special meeting of shareholders, if necessary, to permit further solicitation of proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the time of the meeting to approve the merger agreement.

The Stewardship Board of Directors has unanimously determined that the proposed merger is in the best interests of Stewardship shareholders, has unanimously approved the merger agreement, and unanimously recommends that Stewardship shareholders vote “FOR” the approval of the merger agreement, “FOR” the approval, on a non-binding, advisory basis, of the merger-related executive compensation and “FOR” the approval of the adjournment of the special meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies to vote in favor of the merger agreement.

Q:	*What will I be entitled to receive in the merger?*

If the merger is completed, each share of Stewardship common stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the merger, will be converted into the right to receive a cash payment of $15.75, without interest. Please see the information contained in the section of this proxy statement captioned “ The Merger Agreement—Consideration to be Received in the Merger .”

Q:	*How will Stewardship’s restricted stock be treated in the merger?*

As of the effective time of the merger, each outstanding Stewardship restricted stock award that is subject to vesting, repurchase or other lapse restriction granted under the Stewardship 2010 Stock Incentive Plan that will vest in full and be converted into the right to receive a cash payment equal to $15.75 per share, without interest and less any amount of required tax withholding.

Q:	*What is the process for exchanging common stock for merger consideration?*

Shortly after the effective time, you will receive written instructions, including a letter of transmittal, that explains how to exchange your shares for the merger consideration to be paid by Columbia in the merger. When you have properly completed and returned the required documentation described in the written instructions, you will receive from the paying agent a payment of the merger consideration for your shares (less applicable tax withholding, if applicable).

Q:	*What are the tax consequences of the merger to me?*

Your exchange of Stewardship shares of common stock for cash pursuant to the merger will generally be a taxable transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Therefore, when you exchange your shares of Stewardship stock for cash, you will generally recognize gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference, if any, between the cash you receive in the merger and your adjusted tax basis in the shares surrendered. You are strongly urged to consult your tax advisor for a complete analysis of the effect of the merger on your federal, state, local and/or foreign taxes. See “ Proposal No. 1 - The Merger — Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations. ”

Q:	*Am I entitled to dissenters’ rights?*

A:	No. Under New Jersey law, holders of Stewardship common stock are not entitled to dissenters’ rights. Please see the information contained in the section of this proxy statement captioned “ Proposal No. 1 - The Merger—Dissenters’ Rights .”

Q:	*In addition to approving the merger agreement, what else are Stewardship shareholders being asked to vote on?*

In addition to approving the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, Stewardship is soliciting proxies from Stewardship shareholders with respect to a non-binding, advisory proposal to approve the merger-related executive compensation and a proposal to adjourn the Stewardship special meeting, if necessary, to permit further solicitation in the event that an insufficient number of votes are cast to approve the merger agreement. Approval and completion of the merger is not conditioned upon approval of the merger-related executive compensation and adjournment proposals.

Q:	*Does the Stewardship Board of Directors recommend approval of the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger?*

Yes. Our Board of Directors unanimously recommends that our shareholders vote to approve the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby including the merger. At a meeting held on June 6, 2019, the Stewardship Board of Directors reviewed and considered the terms and conditions of the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement and unanimously determined that the merger agreement and the merger are in the best interests of our shareholders. The Stewardship Board of Directors unanimously recommends that you vote “FOR” the approval of the merger agreement, “FOR” the approval, on a non-binding advisory basis, of the merger-related executive compensation and “FOR” the approval of the adjournment of the special meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies in the event that there are insufficient votes at the time of the special meeting to approve the merger agreement.

Q:	*How will Stewardship’s directors and executive officers vote on the merger proposal?*

Each of our directors has entered into a voting agreement with Columbia and Stewardship pursuant to which they have agreed, solely in their capacity as shareholders of Stewardship, to vote all of their shares of our common stock in favor of the approval of the merger proposal, among other things. As a consequence of these voting agreements, our directors have agreement to vote, in the aggregate, 444,029 shares or approximately 5.10% of our outstanding common stock entitled to vote at the special meeting in favor of the approval of the merger proposal.

Q:	*Why do Stewardship and Columbia want to merge?*

Stewardship believes that the proposed merger will provide Stewardship shareholders with substantial benefits, and Columbia believes that the merger provides it with an opportunity to profitably deploy capital raised in its 2018 minority public offering and execute its strategic growth plan. To review Stewardship’s reasons for the merger in more detail, see the information contained in the section of this proxy statement captioned “ Proposal No. 1 - The Merger—Stewardship’s Reasons for the Merger; Recommendation of the Stewardship Board of Directors .”

Q:	*What vote is required to approve the merger agreement?*

Pursuant to the terms of the Stewardship certificate of incorporation, approval of the merger agreement requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Stewardship common stock. Abstentions from voting and broker non-votes will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” the merger proposal.

Q:	*Why are Stewardship shareholders being asked to approve, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the merger-related executive compensation? What vote is required to approve this proposal?*

The federal securities laws require Stewardship to seek a non-binding, advisory vote with respect to certain payments that may be made to Stewardship’s named executive officers in connection with the merger. Approval of this proposal requires a majority of votes cast by holders of shares of Stewardship common stock present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the special meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on this proposal.

Q:	*Why are Stewardship shareholders being asked to approve a proposal to adjourn the special meeting? What vote is required to approve the adjournment proposal?*

If we do not obtain sufficient votes to approve the merger agreement, the Stewardship Board of Directors may determine to adjourn the special meeting to continue to solicit additional proxies. Approval of the proposal to adjourn the special meeting requires the majority of votes cast by holders of shares of Stewardship common stock present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the special meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on this proposal.

Q:	*If I plan to attend the Stewardship special meeting in person, should I still return my proxy card?*

A:	Yes. Whether or not you plan to attend the Stewardship special meeting, you should complete and return the enclosed proxy card.

Q:	*What do I need to do now to vote my shares of Stewardship common stock?*

After you have carefully read and considered the information contained in this proxy statement, please complete, sign, date and mail your proxy card in the enclosed return envelope as soon as possible. This will enable your shares to be represented at the special meeting. You may also vote in person at the special meeting. If you do not return a properly executed proxy card and do not vote at the special meeting, this will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” the merger agreement. If you sign, date and return your proxy card, but you do not indicate how you want to vote, your proxy will be voted in favor of approval of the merger agreement. You may change your vote or revoke your proxy before the special meeting by filing with the Corporate Secretary of Stewardship, a duly executed revocation of proxy, submitting a new proxy card with a later date or voting in person at the special meeting.

Q:	*Should I send in my stock certificates?*

No. Please do not send in your stock certificates at this time. Promptly following the completion of the merger, you will receive a letter of transmittal from the paying agent which will contain written instructions for surrendering your shares of Stewardship common stock in exchange for the merger consideration (less applicable tax withholding, if applicable). In the meantime, you should retain your stock certificate(s) because they are still valid. Please do not send your Stewardship stock certificates with your proxy card.

Q:	*What do I do if I lost my stock certificates?*

A:	If you have lost your stock certificates, the letter of transmittal that you will receive after the completion of the merger will contain specific instructions on what you must do in order to obtain the merger consideration for your shares of Stewardship common stock.

Q:	*If my shares are held in “street name” by my broker, will my broker automatically vote my shares for me?*

No. Your broker will not be able to vote your shares of Stewardship common stock on either the proposal to approve the merger agreement, or the non-binding, advisory proposal to approve the merger-related executive compensation, or the proposal regarding adjournment unless you provide instructions on how to vote. Please instruct your broker how to vote your shares, following the directions that your broker provides. If you do not provide instructions to your broker on the proposal to approve the merger agreement, your shares will not be voted, and this will have the effect of voting “AGAINST” the merger agreement, but will not affect the proposals regarding the merger-related executive compensation or the adjournment. Please check the voting form provided to you by your broker to see if your broker allows you to vote by telephone or via the Internet.

Q:	*What happens if I sell my shares of common stock before the special meeting?*

The record date for the special meeting will be earlier than the effective time of the merger. If you transfer your shares of common stock after the record date but before the special meeting, you will, unless other arrangements are made, retain your right to vote at the special meeting but will not be entitled to receive the per share merger consideration for such shares. You will be entitled to receive the per share merger consideration only if the merger is completed and only if you own shares of our common stock at the time the merger is completed.

Q:	*When is the merger expected to be completed?*

We will try to complete the merger as soon as possible. Before that happens, among other things, the merger agreement must be approved by Stewardship’s shareholders and we must obtain the necessary regulatory approvals. Assuming we obtain all necessary shareholder and regulatory approvals, and all other conditions to the merger are satisfied or waived, we expect to complete the merger in the fourth quarter of 2019; however, there can be no assurance that we will be able to do so.

Q:	*Is completion of the merger subject to any conditions besides Stewardship shareholder approval?*

Yes. The merger must receive the required regulatory approvals, and there are other customary closing conditions that must be satisfied. To review the conditions of the merger in more detail, see the information contained in the section of this proxy statement captioned “ The Merger Agreement—Conditions to Completing the Merger .”

Q:	*What happens if the merger is not completed?*

If the merger agreement is not approved by our shareholders or if the merger is not completed for any other reason, you will not receive any payment for your shares of Stewardship common stock in connection with the merger. Instead, Stewardship will remain an independent public company. In addition, if the merger is not completed, we expect that management will operate our business in a manner similar to the manner in which it currently is being operated and that our shareholders will continue to be subject to the same risks and opportunities as are currently applicable.

Q:	*Who can answer my other questions?*

A:	If you have more questions about the merger, or about how to submit your proxy, please contact our proxy solicitor, Georgeson LLC at 888-624-2255.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements contained in this proxy statement that are not historical facts may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, which we refer to as the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which we refer to as the Securities Exchange Act. The sections of this proxy statement that contain forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, “Summary Term Sheet,” “Questions and Answers About the Merger and the Special Meeting,” “Proposal No. 1 - The Merger—Background of the Merger” and “Proposal No. 1 - The Merger—Stewardship’s Reasons for the Merger and Recommendation of the Stewardship Board of Directors.” You can identify these statements from the use of the words “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “plan,” “potential,” “estimate,” “project,” “believe,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “target” and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are found at various places throughout this proxy statement and relate to a variety of matters, including, but not limited to, effects on Stewardship if the merger is not completed, our expected financial position, future actions and financial performance, overall trends, liquidity and capital needs, and other statements of expectations, beliefs, future plans and strategies, anticipated events or trends, and similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts.

Such forward-looking statements are necessarily estimates reflecting the judgment of our management and are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties, which change over time and could cause our actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements.

These forward-looking statements should, therefore, be considered in light of various important factors set forth from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including those set forth under the heading “ Risk Factors ” in our Annual Reports on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. In addition to other factors and matters contained in this document, these statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, including, among others:

the ability to obtain regulatory approvals and other closing conditions to the merger, including approval by our shareholders, on the expected terms and schedule;

delays in closing the merger;

disruptions and uncertainty, including diversion of management attention, resulting from the merger, which may make it more difficult for us to maintain relationships with our customers, employees or suppliers, and may cause our business to suffer;

the restrictions on our conduct prior to closing contained in the merger agreement, which may have a negative effect on our flexibility and our business operations;

the possibility that alternative acquisition proposals will or will not be made;

the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against us or Columbia and others related to the merger agreement;

changes in asset quality and credit risk;

the inability to sustain revenue and earnings growth;

changes in interest rates, capital markets and inflation;

customer borrowing, repayment, investment and deposit practices;

the introduction, withdrawal, success and timing of business initiatives;

changes in the competitive environment in which we operate; and

the impact, extent and timing of technological changes, capital management activities, and legislative and regulatory actions and reforms.

The forward-looking statements contained in this proxy statement speak only as of the date the statement is made, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect facts, circumstances, assumptions or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made. You are cautioned that our forward-looking statements could be wrong in light of these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions, which change over time. Actual results, developments and outcomes may differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, our forward-looking statements. All of the forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the risk factors discussed above and under the heading “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in this proxy statement and in our most recent filings on Forms 10-Q and 10-K. We operate in a continually changing business environment, and new risk factors emerge from time to time. We cannot predict these new risk factors, nor can we assess the impact, if any, of the new risk factors on our business or the extent to which any factor or combination of factors may cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed or implied by any forward-looking statement. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed in this proxy statement might not occur.

THE SPECIAL MEETING OF STEWARDSHIP SHAREHOLDERS

Purpose

This proxy statement is being provided to holders of Stewardship common stock in connection with the solicitation of proxies by and on behalf of the Stewardship Board of Directors to be voted at the special meeting of Stewardship shareholders to be held at the Hilton Garden Inn, 15 Nevins Road, Wayne, New Jersey, on October 3, 2019, at 10:00 a.m., and at any adjournment or postponement of the special meeting.

At the special meeting, Stewardship shareholders will be asked to vote upon the following:

a proposal to approve the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated therein;

a proposal to approve, on a non-binding advisory basis, the merger-related executive compensation; and

a proposal to adjourn the special meeting, if necessary, to permit further solicitation of proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the time of the meeting to approve the merger agreement.

Who Can Vote at the Meeting

You are entitled to vote if the records of Stewardship showed that you held shares of Stewardship common stock as of the close of business on August 13, 2019. As of the close of business on that date, a total of 8,714,222 shares of Stewardship common stock were issued and outstanding. Each share of Stewardship common stock is entitled to one vote with respect to each such matter to be voted at the special meeting. If you are a beneficial owner of shares of Stewardship common stock held by a broker, bank or other nominee ( i.e. , in “street name”) and you want to vote your shares in person at the meeting, you will have to get a written proxy in your name from the broker, bank or other nominee who holds your shares.

Quorum; Vote Required

Pursuant to the terms of the Stewardship certificate of incorporation, approval of the merger proposal requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Stewardship common stock entitled to vote at the special meeting. Failure to return a properly executed proxy card or to vote in person will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” the merger agreement. Abstentions from voting and broker non-votes will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” the merger proposal.

Approval and completion of the merger is not conditioned upon approval of the merger-related executive compensation and adjournment proposals.

Shares Held by Stewardship’s Directors and Officers

Voting Agreements

In connection with the execution of the merger agreement, all of the directors of Stewardship, who collectively own 444,029 of Stewardship’s issued and outstanding common stock as of August 13, 2019, entered into voting agreements with Stewardship and Columbia pursuant to which such individuals, in their capacities as shareholders, have agreed, among other things, to vote their respective Stewardship common shares in favor of the approval of the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby.

Voting and Revocability of Proxies

You may vote at the special meeting in person or by proxy. To ensure your representation at the special meeting, Stewardship recommends that you vote by proxy even if you plan to attend the special meeting. You can always change your vote at the special meeting.

Voting instructions are included on your proxy form. If you properly complete and timely submit your proxy, your shares will be voted as you have directed. You may vote “FOR”, “AGAINST” or “ABSTAIN” with respect to the approval of the merger agreement, the proposal to approve the merger-related executive compensation and the proposal to adjourn the special meeting, if necessary. If you are the record holder of your shares of Stewardship common stock and submit your proxy without specifying a voting instruction, your shares will be voted “FOR” the proposal to approve the merger agreement, “FOR” the proposal, on a non-binding, advisory basis, of the merger-related executive compensation and “FOR” the proposal to adjourn the special meeting, if necessary, to permit further solicitation of proxies on the proposal to approve the merger agreement. The Stewardship Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” approval of the merger agreement, “FOR” approval, on a non-binding, advisory basis, of the merger-related executive compensation and “FOR” approval of the proposal to adjourn the meeting if necessary to permit further solicitation of proxies on the proposal to approve the merger agreement.

You may revoke your proxy before it is voted by:

filing with Stewardship’s Corporate Secretary a duly executed revocation of proxy;

submitting a new proxy with a later date; or

voting in person at the special meeting.

Attendance at the special meeting will not, in and of itself, constitute a revocation of a proxy. All written notices of revocation and other communication with respect to the revocation of proxies should be addressed in writing to Stewardship’s Secretary at 630 Godwin Avenue, Midland Park, New Jersey 07432-1405.

Stewardship shareholders whose shares are held in “street name” by their broker, bank or other nominee must follow the instructions provided by their broker, bank or other nominee to vote their shares. Your broker, bank, or other nominee may allow you to deliver your voting instructions via the telephone or the Internet.

Solicitation of Proxies

This proxy solicitation is made by the Stewardship Board of Directors. Stewardship has paid the cost and expenses incurred in the production of this proxy statement. In addition to this mailing, proxies may be solicited by officers and directors of Stewardship in person or by telephone or other means of communication, without additional compensation for such services. Stewardship has engaged Georgeson LLC, a proxy solicitation firm, to assist in the solicitation of proxies for a fee of approximately $6,000 plus the reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred. In addition, Georgeson may be paid on a per-call basis to solicit shareholders by telephone on behalf of Stewardship. Stewardship will pay the costs associated with the solicitation of proxies for the special meeting.

PROPOSAL NO. 1 - THE MERGER

The following is a summary of certain information about the merger and the merger agreement. The summary is qualified by reference to the complete text of the merger agreement. A copy of the merger agreement is annexed as Annex A to this proxy statement and is incorporated by reference into this proxy statement. You should read the merger agreement carefully and in its entirety as it, rather than this description, is the legal document that governs the merger.

Background of the Merger

In connection with its ongoing efforts to enhance shareholder value, the Stewardship Board of Directors, together with its senior management, has regularly reviewed, considered and evaluated Stewardship’s strategic direction, business objectives and long-term prospects and has routinely reviewed and assessed various strategic alternatives for increasing long-term value for Stewardship shareholders including growth strategies and capital planning. The Stewardship Board of Directors and senior management have also routinely reviewed and assessed the state of the banking industry generally including the economic, interest rate and regulatory environments, the competitive landscape for community banks, public trading prices and have considered, among other things, the challenges associated with profitably growing and operating a community bank under current economic and competitive conditions including the continually increasing costs of technology and regulatory compliance.

In connection with its ongoing review of Stewardship’s strategic alternatives, on June 6, 2018, the Stewardship Board of Directors met with representatives of Sandler O’Neill, a financial advisor, whom it had previously engaged (though not within the last two years), to discuss the banking market and mergers and acquisitions in the community banking industry. A few months later, on October 2, 2018, another financial advisor with whom Stewardship had a previous relationship met with the Stewardship Board of Directors and made a presentation concerning 2018 strategic alternatives in banking. In addition, during this period, senior management of Stewardship spoke with representatives of McCarter & English, LLP, Stewardship’s outside legal counsel, to discuss legal process matters concerning an investigation of strategic alternatives and issues related to fiduciary duties.

In January, 2019, the Stewardship Board of Directors determined that it was appropriate to more formally review Stewardship’s strategic options, including the possibility of a merger with another financial institution, and directed management to obtain an engagement proposal from Sandler O’Neill to conduct a comprehensive process designed to identify and solicit qualified potential acquirers of Stewardship and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Atlantic Stewardship Bank. The decision to retain Sandler O’Neill was made by the Stewardship Board of Directors after consideration of their qualifications, expertise in the banking industry as a whole and familiarity with the community banking industry generally and Stewardship in particular. Stewardship also based its choice on its previous experience with Sandler O’Neill in its 2017 common stock offering. On February 25, 2019, Stewardship signed a formal engagement letter with Sandler O’Neill. The Stewardship Board of Directors was aware of Sandler O’Neill’s existing relationship with Columbia and determined that it did not believe the relationship would adversely impact Sandler O’Neill’s ability to represent Stewardship in this transaction.

Thereafter, representatives of Sandler O’Neill discussed with senior management criteria for developing a list of institutions that were potential acquirers and discussed different approaches and strategies to selecting a partner for a business combination. They reviewed a list of financial institutions that were most likely to be interested in Stewardship as potential acquirers and six potential acquirers were identified as most likely to provide indications of interest. The financial institutions identified were selected based on asset size, geography, financial acquisition capacity, business mix, management, corporate culture, contribution to the communities that they serve and perceived potential to obtain required regulatory approvals.

During the remainder of February, 2019 and beginning of March, 2019, Sandler O’Neill began contacting the financial institutions identified by Stewardship regarding a potential acquisition of Stewardship. Of the six financial institutions contacted by Sandler O’Neill, all six financial institutions executed non-disclosure agreements, including Columbia which executed such agreement on March 7, 2019, and all six financial institutions, including Columbia, requested and received access to an electronic data room that had been established and contained non-public information, including information regarding Stewardship’s loans and deposits, credit quality, vendor contracts, and operating expenses.

Between March 5, 2019 and March 7, 2019, representatives of Sandler O’Neill made available to the six financial institutions a process letter requesting that any non-binding indications of interest be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m. on March 15, 2019. On March 15, 2019, Stewardship received non-binding indications of interest for the acquisition of Stewardship from Columbia and all five other financial institutions, which we refer to as Company A, Company B, Company C, Company D and Company E. Columbia proposed an all cash transaction and all of the other financial institutions proposed transactions where the consideration offered was either all stock or a combination of cash and stock.

On March 19, 2019, the Stewardship Board of Directors met with representatives of Sandler O’Neill and McCarter & English to review and discuss the process to date and each of the indications of interest received. At the meeting, representatives of Sandler O’Neill provided a strategic assessment of Stewardship presenting an overview of Stewardship and a valuation analysis of Stewardship on a standalone basis. Representatives of McCarter & English provided an overview of the transaction process to date and reminded the Stewardship Board of Directors regarding the Board’s fiduciary duties in the context of a change of control transaction. In addition, at that meeting, representatives of Sandler O’Neill presented a side-by-side comparative analysis of the indications of interest that had been received and reviewed with the Stewardship Board of Directors, key financial metrics and other information with respect to each of the potential acquirers, as well as projections for Stewardship if it chose to remain independent.

Columbia’s non-binding indication of interest reflected an all-cash transaction valued at $15.75 per share. Company A’s non-binding indication of interest reflected an all-stock transaction valued at $14.25 per share. Companies B, C, D and E each provided a non-binding indication of interest that reflected consideration ranging from $12.00 to $13.50 per share, consisting of a combination of stock and cash in combinations of between 50% to 50% to 90% to 10% stock and cash depending upon the particular indication of interest in question. In addition, five of the six non-binding indications of interest contemplated appointing one member of the Stewardship Board of Directors to the Board of the acquiring company. Representatives of Sandler O’Neill reviewed with the Stewardship Board of Directors pro forma capital levels, key financial metrics and other information with respect to each of the potential acquirers.

Following its review and consideration of the six indications of interest, the Stewardship Board of Directors determined that representatives of Sandler O’Neill should contact each of the six institutions again to see if any of them would increase their offers. Soon thereafter, representatives of Sandler O’Neill contacted each of the institutions and requested that they consider submitting a revised indication of interest providing their best offers, if they so chose. A revised indication of interest was provided by only one institution, Company C, on April 4, 2019, increasing its offer from $12.25 per share to $13.00 per share with the form of consideration, a combination of stock and cash, remaining the same.

At a special meeting held on April 8, 2019, following its detailed review of the five original indication of interest letters and the revised indication of interest from Company C, and the analysis of each provided by representatives of Sandler O’Neill, the Stewardship Board of Directors determined to continue discussions with Columbia. The Stewardship Board of Directors unanimously authorized Stewardship’s management to continue negotiations towards a business combination with Columbia. In reaching its determination, the Stewardship Board of Directors considered the fact that representatives of Sandler O’Neill had actively solicited indications of interest from those financial institutions that potentially would be interested in and capable of acquiring Stewardship and the strength of Columbia’s indication of interest letter and further considered the benefits to the Stewardship shareholders as well as impacts on customers, employees and the local community. Representatives of McCarter & English spoke to the Stewardship Board of Directors concerning expectations relating to process and to the terms and conditions to be contained in a draft merger agreement. After the meeting, the Chief Executive Officer of Stewardship placed telephone calls to the Chairman of the Board of Directors and to the Chief Executive Officer of Columbia to convey Stewardship’s decision to continue discussions with Columbia.

Over the following weeks, Stewardship provided supplemental due diligence materials to Columbia and Columbia shared certain diligence materials as well. On April 27, 2019 and April 28, 2019, representatives of Columbia performed onsite due diligence of Stewardship’s loan files and performed credit reviews. On May 9, 2019, members of the senior managements of each of Columbia and Stewardship met at The Sheraton Crossroads in Mahwah, New Jersey for management interviews. At that time, Mr. Van Ostenbridge was asked to join the Columbia Board of Directors in connection with the merger. Mr. Van Ostenbridge indicated his willingness to do so subject to disclosure to and approval by the Stewardship Board of Directors.

On May 10, 2019, Columbia and its legal counsel, Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP, provided Stewardship and McCarter & English with an initial draft merger agreement for the proposed transaction. From May 10, 2019 through June 6, 2019, Stewardship and Columbia together with their respective legal and financial advisors, negotiated the terms of the definitive merger agreement and ancillary documents and conducted further due diligence with respect to each other.

On May 17, 2019, the Chief Financial Officers of each of Stewardship and Columbia met to discuss general due diligence and their respective accounting departments. The Chief Executive Officers of each of Stewardship and Columbia met on May 22, 2019; a general discussion about the status of the merger agreement took place with both parties agreeing that positive progress was being made.

On May 29, 2019, the Columbia Board of Directors held a meeting to review and consider the terms of the proposed merger agreement. At that meeting, representatives of Boenning & Scattergood, Columbia’s financial advisor, provided an overview of the transaction and a financial analysis of the merger consideration to be paid by Columbia to Stewardship’s shareholders and rendered to the Columbia Board of Directors its preliminary oral opinion regarding the fairness of the transaction, from a financial point of view to the Columbia stockholders. Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton reviewed again with Columbia’s Board of Directors its fiduciary duties in the context of an acquisition and also reviewed with the directors the key terms and provisions of the proposed merger agreement.

On June 4, 2019, the Stewardship Board of Directors held a special meeting, which was attended by representatives of Sandler O’Neill and McCarter & English, and reviewed the terms and conditions of the proposed merger agreement. At the meeting, representatives of McCarter & English reviewed with the Stewardship Board of Directors in detail the terms and conditions of the proposed merger agreement and the form of voting agreement and, again, described the fiduciary duties of the members of the Stewardship Board of Directors in this context. Representatives of Sandler O’Neill separately reviewed with the Stewardship Board of Directors its financial analyses of the transaction and the proposed merger consideration.

Following a discussion and questions and answers, including consideration of the factors described in the sections of this proxy statement captioned “ Proposal No. 1 - The Merger – Stewardship’s Reasons for the Merger; Recommendation of the Stewardship Board of Directors,” the Stewardship Board of Directors determined that the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger, were in the best interest of Stewardship and its shareholders and approved recommending that the Stewardship shareholders approve the merger agreement.

On June 6, 2019, the Stewardship Board of Directors held a special meeting at which representatives of McCarter & English reported that the merger agreement and related documents were now finalized with no material changes having occurred since the special meeting of the Stewardship Board of Directors held on June 4, 2019. At the meeting, representatives of Sandler O’Neill rendered their oral opinion which was subsequently confirmed in writing to the affect, that as of June 6, 2019 and based on and subject to the various assumptions, qualifications and limitations set forth in such opinion, the merger consideration was fair, from a financial point of view, to the holders of Stewardship common stock. Thereafter, the Stewardship Board of Directors unanimously approved the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger, and resolved to recommend that Stewardship shareholders vote in favor of the approval of the merger agreement.

Similarly, on June 6, 2019, the Columbia Board of Directors held a special meeting to, among other things, again review and discuss the terms and conditions of the proposed merger agreement. After considering the terms of the final merger agreement, the terms of the form of voting agreement, as well as the various presentations of Boenning & Scattergood, Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton, and senior management of Columbia, and taking into consideration the matters discussed during that meeting and prior meetings of the Columbia Board of Directors, the Columbia Board of Directors determined that the merger was consistent with Columbia’s business strategies and in the best interests of Columbia and Columbia’s stockholders and unanimously voted to approve the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement.

On June 6, 2019, representatives of Columbia and Stewardship, along with Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton and McCarter & English finalized the terms of the merger agreement, which Columbia and Stewardship executed on that day. In addition, Columbia and Stewardship executed the voting agreements entered into with the directors of Stewardship. The following day, Columbia and Stewardship issued a joint press release announcing the execution of the merger agreement.

Stewardship’s Reasons for the Merger; Recommendation of the Stewardship Board of Directors

In reaching the conclusion that the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger, is in the best interests of and advisable for Stewardship and its shareholders, and in approving the merger agreement, the Stewardship Board of Directors consulted with senior management, its legal counsel and its financial advisor and considered a number of factors including, among other things, the following, which are not presented in order of priority:

the business strategy and strategic plan of Stewardship, its prospects for the future and projected financial results;

the consideration offered by Columbia, which represents: 166.8% of Stewardship’s tangible book value per share and equates to approximately 17.4x of Stewardship’s trailing twelve-month net income through March 31, 2019, and a 77% market premium over Stewardship common stock trading price on June 6, 2019;

the understanding of the Stewardship Board of Directors of the strategic options available to Stewardship and the Stewardship Board of Directors’ assessment of those options with respect to the prospects and estimated results of the execution by Stewardship of its business plan as an independent entity under various scenarios and the determination that none of those options or the execution of the business plan were more likely to create greater present value for Stewardship shareholders than the value to be paid by Columbia;

the challenges facing Stewardship’s management to grow Stewardship’s franchise and enhance shareholder value given current market conditions, increased operating costs resulting from regulatory initiatives and compliance mandates, interest rate pressure and competition;

the historical stock market performance for Stewardship common stock;

the extensive efforts made to solicit interest from a number of institutions considered to have the ability and potential interest in acquiring Stewardship and the low probability of securing a more attractive proposal from another institution capable of consummating the transaction;

the merger consideration offered by Columbia exceeded the consideration that could reasonably be expected from other potential acquirers with the apparent ability to consummate the acquisition of Stewardship;

the ability of Columbia to execute a merger transaction from a financial and regulatory perspective;

the geographic fit and increased customer convenience of the expanded branch network of Columbia;

the wider array of financial products and services that would be available to customers of Stewardship and the communities served by Stewardship;

Columbia’s business, operations, financial condition, asset quality, earnings and prospects, taking into account the results of Stewardship’s due diligence review of Columbia;

the terms of the merger agreement, including the representations and warranties of the parties, the covenants, the consideration, the circumstances under which the Stewardship Board of Directors may consider a superior proposal, the benefits to Stewardship’s employees and the absence of burdensome contingencies in the merger agreement;

the financial analyses presented by Sandler O’Neill to the Stewardship Board of Directors, and the opinion delivered to the Stewardship Board of Directors by Sandler O’Neill to the effect that, as of the date of the opinion, and subject to and based on the qualifications and assumptions set forth in the opinion, the merger consideration to be received by the holders of Stewardship common stock in the merger is fair, from a financial point of view, to such shareholders;

the likelihood of expeditiously obtaining the necessary regulatory approval without unusual or burdensome conditions; and

the long-term and short-term interests of Stewardship and its shareholders, the effects of the merger on Stewardship’s employees, suppliers, creditors and customers as well as the community in which Stewardship operates and maintains offices.

The Stewardship Board of Directors also considered a number of potential risks and uncertainties associated with the merger in connection with its deliberation of the proposed transaction, including, without limitation, the following:

the potential risk of diverting management attention and resources from the operation of Stewardship’s business and towards the completion of the merger;

the restrictions on the conduct of Stewardship’s business prior to the completion of the merger, which are customary for public company merger agreements involving financial institutions, but which, subject to specific exceptions, could delay or prevent Stewardship from undertaking business opportunities that may arise or any other action it would otherwise take with respect to the operations of Stewardship absent the pending merger;

the merger-related costs, including the potential merger-related executive compensation costs;

the fact that the interests of certain of Stewardship’s directors and executive officers may be different from, or in addition to, the interests of Stewardship’s other shareholders as described under the heading “Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger that are Different From Yours” ;

that, while Stewardship expects that the merger will be completed, there can be no assurance that all conditions to the parties’ obligations to complete the merger agreement will be satisfied, including the risk that necessary regulatory approvals or the Stewardship shareholder approval might not be obtained and, as a result, the merger may not be consummated;

the risk of potential employee attrition and/or adverse effects on business and customer relationships as a result of the pending merger;

the fact that: (1) Stewardship would be prohibited from affirmatively soliciting acquisition proposals after execution of the merger agreement; (2) Stewardship would be obligated to promptly inform Columbia if it receives an unsolicited offer and that Columbia would have an opportunity to match any such offer; and (3) Stewardship would be obligated to pay to Columbia a termination fee if the merger agreement is terminated under certain circumstances, which may discourage other parties potentially interested in a strategic transaction with Stewardship from pursuing such a transaction; and

the other risks described under the heading “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

The foregoing discussion of the information and factors considered by the Stewardship Board of Directors is not intended to be exhaustive, but includes the material factors considered by the Stewardship Board of Directors. In reaching its decision to approve the merger agreement, the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, the Stewardship Board of Directors did not quantify or assign any relative weights to the factors considered, and individual directors may have given different weights to different factors. The Stewardship Board of Directors looked at the totality of the information presented to it and considered all these factors as a whole, including discussions with, and questioning of, Stewardship’s management and Stewardship’s independent financial and legal advisors.

The Stewardship Board of Directors unanimously determined that the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger, are advisable and, in the best interests of Stewardship and the Stewardship shareholders. Accordingly, the Stewardship Board of Directors unanimously approved the merger agreement and the merger and unanimously recommends that Stewardship shareholders vote “FOR” the approval of the merger agreement and the merger.

Stewardship shareholders should be aware that Stewardship’s directors and executive officers have interests in the merger that are different from, or in addition to, those of other Stewardship shareholders. The Stewardship Board of Directors was aware of and considered these interests, among other matters, in evaluating and negotiating the merger agreement, and in recommending that the merger proposal be approved by the shareholders of Stewardship. Please see the information contained in the section of this proxy statement captioned “ Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger that are Different from Yours .”

This summary of the reasoning of the Stewardship Board of Directors and other information presented in this section is forward-looking in nature and, therefore, should be read in light of the factors discussed under the heading “ Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements .”

Opinion of Stewardship’s Financial Advisor in Connection with Merger

Stewardship retained Sandler O’Neill to act as an independent financial advisor to Stewardship’s Board of Directors in connection with Stewardship’s consideration of a possible business combination. Sandler O’Neill is a nationally recognized investment banking firm whose principal business specialty is financial institutions. In the ordinary course of its investment banking business, Sandler O’Neill is regularly engaged in the valuation of financial institutions and their securities in connection with mergers and acquisitions and other corporate transactions.

Sandler O’Neill acted as an independent financial advisor to Stewardship in connection with the proposed transaction and participated in certain of the negotiations leading to the execution of the merger agreement. At the June 6, 2019 meeting at which the Stewardship Board of Directors considered and discussed the terms of the merger agreement and the merger, Sandler O’Neill delivered to the Stewardship Board of Directors its oral opinion, which was subsequently confirmed in writing on June 6, 2019, to the effect that, as of such date, the merger consideration was fair to the holders of Stewardship common stock from a financial point of view. The full text of Sandler O’Neill’s opinion is annexed as Annex B to this proxy statement. The opinion outlines the procedures followed, assumptions made, matters considered and qualifications and limitations on the review undertaken by Sandler O’Neill in rendering its opinion. The description of the opinion set forth below is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the opinion. Holders of Stewardship common stock are urged to read the entire opinion carefully in connection with their consideration of the proposed merger.

Sandler O’Neill’s opinion speaks only as of the date of the opinion. Sandler O’Neill’s opinion was directed to the Stewardship Board of Directors in connection with its consideration of the merger agreement and the merger and does not constitute a recommendation to any shareholder of Stewardship as to how any such shareholder should vote at any meeting of shareholders called to consider and vote upon the approval of the merger agreement and the merger. Sandler O’Neill’s opinion was directed only to the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the merger consideration to the holders of Stewardship common stock and did not address the underlying business decision of Stewardship to engage in the merger, the form or structure of the merger or any other transactions contemplated in the merger agreement, the relative merits of the merger as compared to any other alternative transactions or business strategies that might exist for Stewardship or the effect of any other transaction in which Stewardship might engage. Sandler O’Neill also did not express any opinion as to the fairness of the amount or nature of the compensation to be received in the merger by any officer, director or employee of Stewardship or Columbia Financial, Inc. (or, for purposes of this section, “Columbia”), or any class of such persons, if any, relative to the compensation to be received in the merger by any other shareholder. Sandler O’Neill’s opinion was approved by Sandler O’Neill’s fairness opinion committee.

In connection with its opinion, Sandler O’Neill reviewed and considered, among other things:

a draft of the agreement, dated June 4, 2019;

certain publicly available financial statements and other historical financial information of Stewardship that Sandler O’Neill deemed relevant;

certain publicly available financial statements and other historical financial information of Columbia that Sandler O’Neill deemed relevant;

certain internal financial projections for Stewardship for the years ending December 31, 2019 through December 31, 2023, as provided by the senior management of Stewardship;

the pro forma financial impact of the merger on Columbia’s capital ratios given certain assumptions relating to purchase accounting adjustments and estimated transaction costs, as provided by the senior management of Columbia;

a comparison of certain financial information for Stewardship with similar financial institutions for which information was publicly available;

the financial terms of certain recent business combinations in the bank and thrift industry (on a regional basis), to the extent publicly available;

the current market environment generally and the banking environment in particular; and

such other information, financial studies, analyses and investigations and financial, economic and market criteria as Sandler O’Neill considered relevant.

Sandler O’Neill also discussed with certain members of the senior management of Stewardship the business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects of Stewardship and held similar discussions with certain members of the senior management of Columbia and its representatives regarding the business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects of Columbia.

In performing its review, Sandler O’Neill relied upon the accuracy and completeness of all of the financial and other information that was available to and reviewed by Sandler O’Neill from public sources, that was provided to Sandler O’Neill by Stewardship or Columbia or their respective representatives or that was otherwise reviewed by Sandler O’Neill and Sandler O’Neill assumed such accuracy and completeness for purposes of rendering its opinion without any independent verification or investigation. Sandler O’Neill relied on the assurances of the respective managements of Stewardship and Columbia that they were not aware of any facts or circumstances that would have made any of such information inaccurate or misleading. Sandler O’Neill was not asked to and did not undertake an independent verification of any of such information and Sandler O’Neill did not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness thereof. Sandler O’Neill did not make an independent evaluation or perform an appraisal of the specific assets, the collateral securing assets or the liabilities (contingent or otherwise) of Stewardship or Columbia or any of their respective subsidiaries, nor was Sandler O’Neill furnished with any such evaluations or appraisals. Sandler O’Neill rendered no opinion or evaluation on the collectability of any assets or the future performance of any loans of Stewardship or Columbia or any of their respective affiliates or subsidiaries. Sandler O’Neill did not make an independent evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses of Stewardship or Columbia, or the combined entity after the merger and did not review any individual credit files relating to Stewardship or Columbia. Sandler O’Neill assumed, with Stewardship’s consent, that the respective allowances for loan losses for Stewardship, Columbia and their respective affiliates or subsidiaries were adequate to cover such losses and would be adequate on a pro forma basis for the combined entity.

In preparing its analyses, Sandler O’Neill used certain internal financial projections for Stewardship for the years ending December 31, 2019 through December 31, 2023, as provided by the senior management of Stewardship. Sandler O’Neill also received and used in its pro forma analyses certain assumptions relating to purchase accounting adjustments and estimated transaction costs, as provided by the senior management of Columbia. With respect to the foregoing information, the respective senior managements of Stewardship and Columbia confirmed to Sandler O’Neill that such information reflected the best currently available projections and estimates of those respective senior managements of the future financial performance of Stewardship and Columbia, respectively, and Sandler O’Neill assumed that such performance would be achieved. Sandler O’Neill expressed no opinion as to such projections or estimates, or the assumptions on which they were based. Sandler O’Neill also assumed that there had been no material change in Stewardship’s or Columbia’s assets, financial condition, results of operations, business or prospects since the date of the most recent financial statements made available to Sandler O’Neill. Sandler O’Neill assumed in all respects material to its analyses that Stewardship and Columbia would remain as going concerns for all periods relevant to its analyses.

Sandler O’Neill also assumed, with Stewardship’s consent, that (i) each of the parties to the agreement would comply in all material respects with all material terms and conditions of the merger agreement and all related agreements, that all of the representations and warranties contained in such agreements were true and correct in all material respects, that each of the parties to such agreements would perform in all material respects all of the covenants and other obligations required to be performed by such party under such agreements and that the conditions precedent in such agreements were not and would not be waived, (ii) in the course of obtaining the necessary regulatory or third party approvals, consents and releases with respect to the merger, no delay, limitation, restriction or condition would be imposed that would have an adverse effect on Stewardship, Columbia or the merger or any related transactions, and (iii) the merger and any related transactions would be consummated in accordance with the terms of the merger agreement without any waiver, modification or amendment of any material term, condition or agreement thereof and in compliance with all applicable laws and other requirements. Finally, with Stewardship’s consent, Sandler O’Neill relied upon the advice that Stewardship received from its legal, accounting and tax advisors as to all legal, accounting and tax matters relating to the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement. Sandler O’Neill expressed no opinion as to any such matters.

Sandler O’Neill’s opinion was necessarily based on financial, economic, regulatory, market and other conditions as in effect on, and the information made available to Sandler O’Neill as of, the date thereof. Events occurring after the date thereof could materially affect Sandler O’Neill’s opinion. Sandler O’Neill has not undertaken to update, revise, reaffirm or withdraw its opinion or otherwise comment upon events occurring after the date thereof.

In rendering its opinion, Sandler O’Neill performed a variety of financial analyses. The summary below is not a complete description of all the analyses underlying Sandler O’Neill’s opinion or the presentation made by Sandler O’Neill to the Stewardship Board of Directors, but is a summary of the material analyses performed and presented by Sandler O’Neill. The summary includes information presented in tabular format. In order to fully understand the financial analyses, these tables must be read together with the accompanying text. The tables alone do not constitute a complete description of the financial analyses. The preparation of a fairness opinion is a complex process involving subjective judgments as to the most appropriate and relevant methods of financial analysis and the application of those methods to the particular circumstances. The process, therefore, is not necessarily susceptible to a partial analysis or summary description. Sandler O’Neill believes that its analyses must be considered as a whole and that selecting portions of the factors and analyses to be considered without considering all factors and analyses, or attempting to ascribe relative weights to some or all such factors and analyses, could create an incomplete view of the evaluation process underlying its opinion. Also, no company included in Sandler O’Neill’s comparative analyses described below is identical to Stewardship or Columbia and no transaction is identical to the merger. Accordingly, an analysis of comparable companies or transactions involves complex considerations and judgments concerning differences in financial and operating characteristics of the companies and other factors that could affect the public trading values or merger transaction values, as the case may be, of Stewardship and Columbia and the companies to which they were compared. In arriving at its opinion, Sandler O’Neill did not attribute any particular weight to any analysis or factor that it considered. Rather, Sandler O’Neill made qualitative judgments as to the significance and relevance of each analysis and factor. Sandler O’Neill did not form an opinion as to whether any individual analysis or factor (positive or negative) considered in isolation supported or failed to support its opinion, rather, Sandler O’Neill made its determination as to the fairness of the merger consideration on the basis of its experience and professional judgment after considering the results of all its analyses taken as a whole.

In performing its analyses, Sandler O’Neill also made numerous assumptions with respect to industry performance, business and economic conditions and various other matters, many of which cannot be predicted and are beyond the control of Stewardship, Columbia and Sandler O’Neill. The analyses performed by Sandler O’Neill are not necessarily indicative of actual values or future results, both of which may be significantly more or less favorable than suggested by such analyses. Sandler O’Neill prepared its analyses solely for purposes of rendering its opinion and provided such analyses to Stewardship’s board of directors at its June 6, 2019 meeting. Estimates on the values of companies do not purport to be appraisals or necessarily reflect the prices at which companies or their securities may actually be sold. Such estimates are inherently subject to uncertainty and actual values may be materially different. Accordingly, Sandler O’Neill’s analyses do not necessarily reflect the value of Stewardship’s common stock or the price at which Stewardship common stock may be sold at any time. The analyses of Sandler O’Neill and its opinion were among a number of factors taken into consideration by Stewardship’s board of directors in making its determination to approve the merger agreement and the analyses described below should not be viewed as determinative of the decision of the Stewardship Board of Directors or management with respect to the fairness of the merger.

Summary of Proposed Merger Consideration and Implied Transaction Metrics. Sandler O’Neill reviewed the financial terms of the proposed merger. Pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement, upon the effective time of the merger, each share of Stewardship common stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the merger, except for certain shares as set forth in the merger agreement, shall be converted into the right to receive, without interest, cash in the amount of $15.75 per share. Sandler O’Neill calculated an aggregate implied transaction value of approximately $137.2 million, assuming 8,714,222 shares of Stewardship common stock outstanding, which includes 60,622 restricted shares, as of June 5, 2019. Based upon financial information for Stewardship as or for the twelve months (“LTM”) ended March 31, 2019, and estimated earnings per share for the year ending December 31, 2019, as provided by the senior management of Stewardship, Sandler O’Neill calculated the following implied transaction metrics:

Transaction Price / Stewardship Book Value Per Share	167	%
Transaction Price / Stewardship Tangible Book Value Per Share	167	%
Transaction Price / Stewardship LTM Earnings Per Share	17.4	x
Transaction Price / Stewardship 2019 Est. Earnings Per Share	20.2	x
Tangible Book Premium / Core Deposits (>$100k)	8.2	%
Market Premium as of June 5, 2019	74.8	%

Stock Trading History. Sandler O’Neill reviewed the historical publicly reported trading price of Stewardship common stock for the three-year period ended June 5, 2019. Sandler O’Neill then compared the relationship between the movements in the price of Stewardship common stock to movements in the Stewardship Peer Group (as described below) as well as certain stock indices.

Stewardship’s Three-Year Stock Performance

	Beginning Value June 5, 2016		Ending Value June 5, 2019
Stewardship Common Stock		100%		143.9%
Stewardship Peer Group		100%		147.8%
S&P 500		100%		134.6%
Nasdaq Bank		100%		125.1%

Comparable Company Analysis. Sandler O’Neill used publicly available information to compare selected financial information for Stewardship with a group of financial institutions selected by Sandler O’Neill. The Stewardship peer group consisted of sixteen banks and thrifts headquartered in the Mid-Atlantic whose securities were publicly traded on the Nasdaq, NYSE or NYSEAM with assets between $500 million and $1.2 billion, excluding targets of announced merger transactions (the “Stewardship Peer Group”). The Stewardship Peer Group and the individual multiples for each of the companies considered are as follows:

Financial Data as of or for the Period Ended March 31, 2019				Balance Sheet / Asset Quality							Capital Position											LTM Profitability								Valuation
Market Data as of June 5, 2019																														Price /
								NPAs¹ /								Total			CRE /							Net								Current
				Total		Loans /		Total			TCE /		Leverage			RBC			Total							Interest		Efficiency				LTM		Dividend		Market
				Assets		Deposits		Assets			TA		Ratio			Ratio			RBC			ROAA		ROAE		Margin		Ratio		TBV		EPS		Yield		Cap
Company	City, State	Ticker		($M)		(%)		(%)			(%)		(%)			(%)			(%)			(%)		(%)		(%)		(%)		(%)		(x)		(%)		($M)

1st Constitution Bancorp	Cranbury, NJ		FCCY		1,191		87.9		0.83			10.01		11.83			13.39			281.3	²		1.08		10.15		4.15		60.38		137		12.9		1.6		162
AmeriServ Financial, Inc.	Johnstown, PA		ASRV		1,168		90.1		0.10			7.54		9.87			13.37			335.4	²		0.68		8.15		3.30		82.37		84		9.3		2.4		74
Two River Bancorp	Tinton Falls, NJ		TRCB		1,141		98.8		0.98			9.00		9.20			12.25			378.0	²		1.04		9.94		3.58		61.25		123		11.1		1.9		124
Riverview Financial Corporation	Harrisburg, PA		RIVE		1,139		87.7		0.51			7.69		8.40	²		11.44	²		367.1	²		0.64		6.56		4.06		74.08		118		13.8		0.0		101
Capital Bancorp, Inc.	Rockville, MD		CBNK		1,124		104.2		0.62			10.55		10.92			14.33			330.3	²		1.22		12.86		5.49		73.42		138		11.8		0.0		164
Meridian Corporation	Malvern, PA		MRBK		1,028		106.4		0.67			10.47		11.01			13.65			191.7	²		0.94		8.29		3.73		79.58		102		12.3		0.0		109
Standard AVB Financial Corp.	Monroeville, PA		STND		990		98.1		0.31			11.65		11.68			17.25			144.8	²		0.90		6.50		3.19		62.86		118		14.8		3.2		128
Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc.	Oswego, NY		PBHC		975		81.6		0.68			6.34		8.08	²		12.82	²		128.6	²		0.38		5.46		2.99		81.82		109		18.6		1.6		69
Severn Bancorp, Inc.	Annapolis, MD		SVBI		885		95.0		1.81			11.28		12.71	²		19.19	²		216.4	²		1.06		9.57		3.65		68.50		110		11.9		1.4		110
Fidelity D & D Bancorp, Inc.	Dunmore, PA		FDBC		964		86.3		0.57			10.12		9.99			15.24			81.5	²		1.20		12.41		3.62		61.87		242		21.1		1.7		236
Bancorp of New Jersey, Inc.	Fort Lee, NJ		BKJ		913		104.0		1.36			9.96		10.20			12.10			544.1	²		0.64		6.51		3.06		69.51		104		16.8		0.0		94
Emclaire Financial Corp	Emlenton, PA		EMCF		890		93.1		0.40			6.57		8.13			13.26			192.1	²		0.60		7.32		3.50		65.49		154		17.1		3.6		88
Esquire Financial Holdings, Inc.	Jericho, NY		ESQ		720		79.7		0.00			13.54		13.38	²		17.99	²		191.1	²		1.54		10.98		4.79		56.99		188		19.1		0.0		183
Elmira Savings Bank	Elmira, NY		ESBK		597		97.2		0.85	²		7.85		8.40	²		12.82	²		104.0			0.71		6.97		3.25		74.43		125		14.3		5.6		58
Carver Bancorp, Inc.	New York, NY		CARV		590		83.3		2.15			0.47		10.70			17.09			308.7			0.49		6.36		2.72		131.27		394		NM		0.0		11
MSB Financial Corp.	Millington, NJ		MSBF		568		114.4		2.51			11.77		10.83	²		13.35	²		381.4	²		0.75		6.27		3.27		67.58		128		19.6		0.0		83

(1) Nonperforming assets is defined as nonaccrual and renegotiated loans and leases and real estate owned.

(2) Atlantic Stewardship Bank level data as of March 31, 2019.

The analysis compared publicly available financial information for Stewardship with the corresponding data for the Stewardship Peer Group as of or for the twelve months ended March 31, 2019 with pricing data as of June 5, 2019. The table below sets forth the data for Stewardship and the median, mean, low and high data for the Stewardship Peer Group.

	Stewardship		Stewardship Peer Group Median		Stewardship Peer Group Mean		Stewardship Peer Group Low		Stewardship Peer Group High

Total assets ($mm)		961		970		930		568		1,191
Loans / Deposits (%)		95.3		94.0		94.2		79.7		114.4
Non-performing assets¹ / Total assets (%)		0.77		0.68		0.90		0.00		2.51
Tangible common equity/Tangible assets (%)		8.56		9.99		9.05		0.47		13.54
Tier 1 Leverage Ratio (%)		9.48		10.45		10.33		8.08		13.38
Total RBC Ratio (%)		14.31		13.38		14.35		11.44		19.19
CRE / Total RBC Ratio (%)		286.1		248.8		261.0		81.5		544.1
LTM Return on average assets (%)		0.83		0.83		0.87		0.38		1.54
LTM Return on average equity (%)		10.08		7.73		8.39		5.46		12.86
LTM Net interest margin (%)		3.13		3.54		3.65		2.72		5.49
LTM Efficiency ratio (%)		69.76		69.01		73.21		56.99		131.27
Price/Tangible book value (%)		95		124		148		84		394
Price/LTM Earnings per share (x)		9.9		14.3		15.0		9.3		21.1
Current Dividend Yield (%)		1.3		1.5		1.4		0.0		5.6
Market value ($mm)		78		105		112		11		236

(1)

Nonperforming assets defined as nonaccrual and renegotiated loans and leases, and real estate owned.

Note: Bank level or prior period data used where GAAP data unavailable.

Analysis of Precedent Merger Transactions. Sandler O’Neill reviewed a regional group of merger and acquisition transactions with publicly available deal values which were announced between January 1, 2016 and June 5, 2019 involving banks and thrifts headquartered in the Mid-Atlantic region with target assets at the time of announcement between $500 million and $1.25 billion (the “Regional Precedent Transactions”).

The Regional Precedent Transactions group and the metrics for each of the companies are as follows:

						Transaction Information										Seller Information
								Price/
												Core		1-Day
						Deal		LTM				Deposit		Market		Total		TCE/		LTM			Efficiency		NPAs/
				Annc.		Value		Earnings		TBV		Premium		Premium		Assets		TA		ROAA			Ratio		Assets
Acquiror	St.	Target	St.	Date		($mm)		(x)		(%)		(%)		(%)		($mm)		(%)		(%)			(%)		(%)

S&T Bancorp Inc.	PA	DNB Financial Corp.	PA		06-05-19		204.8		19.2		206		12.1		13.8		1,166.7		8.6		0.94			64.4		0.96
Community Bank System Inc.	NY	Kinderhook Bank Corp.	NY		01-22-19		93.2		23.4		193		9.1		74.4		636.2		5.8		0.68			69.0		—
Orrstown Financial Services	PA	Hamilton Bancorp Inc	MD		10-23-18		58.4		NM		126		4.3		16.7		525.3		8.9		(1.07	)		80.7		2.14
ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc.	NJ	Greater Hudson Bank	NY		07-12-18		76.3		NM		145		6.8		15.2		519.6		10.1		(0.59	)		74.4		1.09
Northwest Bancshares, Inc.	PA	Donegal Financial Svcs Corp	PA		06-12-18		86.1		20.3		174		7.4		—		577.4		13.8		—			—		—
RBB Bancorp	CA	First American Intl Corp	NY		04-23-18		116.8		15.6		177		12.1		68.8		889.6		7.3		0.95			63.9		0.30
Mid Penn Bancorp Inc.	PA	First Priority Financial Corp.	PA		01-16-18		90.7		32.6		194		11.2		45.0		612.0		7.3		0.52			74.9		0.37
Old Line Bancshares Inc	MD	Bay Bancorp Inc.	MD		09-27-17		127.6		39.3		190		12.6		49.4		645.9		10.4		0.57			70.1		2.17
Howard Bancorp Inc.	MD	1st Mariner Bank	MD		08-15-17		163.3		NM		116		14.3		—		975.2		5.1		(0.25	)		98.0		2.07
Bryn Mawr Bank Corp.	PA	Royal Bancshares of PA	PA		01-31-17		125.9		13.5		241		14.5		7.4		832.5		6.2		1.36			68.9		1.36
OceanFirst Financial Corp.	NJ	Ocean Shore Holding Co.	NJ		07-13-16		150.3		20.2		130		5.4		32.5		1,042.8		10.7		0.65			65.7		0.93
Berkshire Hills Bancorp Inc.	MA	First Choice Bank	NJ		06-27-16		111.8		54.9		110		1.5		—		1,124.7		4.5		0.18			91.4		3.52
Revere Bank	MD	Monument Bank	MD		05-03-16		65.1		20.3		161		7.3		—		513.8		7.8		0.65			71.0		1.23

Using the latest publicly available information prior to the announcement of the relevant transaction, Sandler O’Neill reviewed the following transaction metrics: transaction price to last twelve months earnings per share, transaction price to tangible book value per share, core deposit premium and one-day market premium. Sandler O’Neill compared the indicated transaction metrics for the merger to the median, mean, low and high metrics of the Regional Precedent Transactions group.

				Regional Precedent Transactions
	Columbia/ Stewardship			Median			Mean			Low			High
Transaction Price / LTM Earnings Per Share (x)		17.4	x		20.3	x		25.9	x		13.5	x		54.9	x
Transaction Price / Tangible Book Value Per Share (%)		167			174			166			110			241
Tangible Book Value Premium to Core Deposits (%)		8.2			9.1			9.1			1.5			14.5
1-Day Market Premium (%)		74.8			32.5			35.9			7.4			74.4

Net Present Value Analyses. Sandler O’Neill performed an analysis that estimated the net present value per share of Stewardship common stock assuming Stewardship performed in accordance with internal financial projections for Stewardship for the years ending December 31, 2019 through December 31, 2023, as provided by the senior management of Stewardship. See “Proposal No. 1 - The Merger – Opinion of Stewardship’s Financial Advisor – Certain Unaudited Prospective Financial Information”.

To approximate the terminal value of a share of Stewardship common stock at December 31, 2023, Sandler O’Neill applied price to 2023 earnings multiples ranging from 11.0x to 20.0x and multiples of December 31, 2023 tangible book value ranging from 110% to 185%. Sandler O’Neill selected the price to earnings and tangible book value multiples for Stewardship based on Sandler O’Neill’s review of, among other matters, the respective trading multiples of selected companies that Sandler O’Neill deemed to be comparable to Stewardship. The terminal values were then discounted to present values using different discount rates ranging from 10.0% to 15.0%, which were chosen to reflect different assumptions regarding required rates of return of holders or prospective buyers of Stewardship common stock.

As illustrated in the following tables, the analyses indicated an imputed range of values per share of Stewardship common stock of $9.02 to $19.53 when applying multiples of earnings and $8.37 to $16.78 when applying multiples of tangible book value.

Imputed Present Values Per Share Based on Earnings Multiples

Discount Rate	11.0x		12.8x		14.6x		16.4x		18.2x		20.0x
10.0%	$	11.08	$	12.77	$	14.46	$	16.15	$	17.84	$	19.53
11.0%		10.62		12.24		13.86		15.48		17.10		18.72
12.0%		10.19		11.74		13.30		14.85		16.40		17.95
13.0%		9.78		11.27		12.76		14.25		15.73		17.22
14.0%		9.39		10.82		12.24		13.67		15.10		16.53
15.0%		9.02		10.39		11.76		13.13		14.50		15.87

Imputed Present Values Per Share Based on Tangible Book Multiples

Discount Rate	110%		125%		140%		155%		170%		185%
10.0%	$	10.28	$	11.58	$	12.88	$	14.18	$	15.48	$	16.78
11.0%		9.86		11.11		12.35		13.60		14.84		16.09
12.0%		9.46		10.65		11.85		13.04		14.24		15.43
13.0%		9.08		10.22		11.37		12.51		13.66		14.80
14.0%		8.72		9.82		10.91		12.01		13.11		14.21
15.0%		8.37		9.43		10.48		11.53		12.59		13.64

Sandler O’Neill also considered and discussed with the Stewardship Board of Directors how this analysis would be affected by changes in the underlying assumptions, including variations with respect to net income. To illustrate this impact, Sandler O’Neill performed a similar analysis assuming Stewardship’s net income varied from 15% above projections to 15% below projections. This analysis resulted in the following range of per share values for Stewardship common stock, applying the price to 2023 earnings multiples range of 11.0x to 20.0x referred to above and a discount rate of 13.16%.

Annual Estimate
Variance	11.0x		12.8x		14.6x		16.4x		18.2x		20.0x
(15.0%)	$	8.36	$	9.62	$	10.87	$	12.13	$	13.39	$	14.64
(10.0%)		8.81		10.14		11.47		12.80		14.14		15.47
(5.0%)		9.26		10.67		12.07		13.48		14.88		16.29
0.0%		9.72		11.19		12.67		14.15		15.63		17.11
5.0%		10.17		11.72		13.27		14.82		16.38		17.93
10.0%		10.62		12.25		13.87		15.50		17.12		18.75
15.0%		11.07		12.77		14.47		16.17		17.87		19.57

The range of discount rates of 10.0% to 15.0% used in the analysis was selected taking into account a capital asset pricing model implied cost of equity calculation. The following table describes the discount rate calculation for Stewardship common stock prepared by Sandler O’Neill. In its normal course of business, Sandler O’Neill employs the Duff & Phelps Cost of Capital Navigator in determining an appropriate discount rate in which the discount rate equals the sum of the risk free rate, the equity risk premium, the size premium and the industry premium.

Risk Free Rate	3.50%	Per Duff & Phelps Normalized Rate
Equity Risk Premium	5.50%	Per Duff & Phelps Cost of Capital Navigator
Size Premium	3.39%	Per Duff & Phelps Cost of Capital Navigator
Industry Premium	0.77%	Per Duff & Phelps Cost of Capital Navigator
Discount Rate	13.16%

Pro Forma Results and Capital Ratios. Sandler O’Neill analyzed certain potential pro forma effects of the merger on Columbia’s capital ratios given certain assumptions relating to purchase accounting adjustments and estimated transaction costs, as provided by the senior management of Columbia. The analyses indicated that as of December 31, 2019, the merger would maintain Columbia’s regulatory capital ratios in excess of the regulatory guidelines for “well-capitalized” status. In connection with its pro forma analysis, Sandler O’Neill considered and discussed with the Stewardship board of directors how the results thereof are not necessarily indicative of actual values or future results. The actual results achieved by the combined company may vary from projected results and the variations may be material.

Sandler O’Neill’s Relationship. Sandler O’Neill is acting as financial advisor to Stewardship in connection with the merger. Stewardship has agreed to pay Sandler O’Neill a transaction fee in an amount equal to 1.25% of the aggregate merger consideration, which fee at the time of announcement of the merger was approximately $1.7 million and is contingent upon the closing of the merger. Sandler O’Neill also received a fee in an amount equal to $200,000 upon Sandler O’Neill rendering its fairness opinion, which opinion fee will be credited in full towards the transaction fee which will become payable to Sandler O’Neill upon closing of the merger. Stewardship has also agreed to indemnify Sandler O’Neill against certain liabilities arising out of its engagement and to reimburse Sandler O’Neill for certain of its out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with the engagement.

Sandler O’Neill did not provide any other investment banking services to Stewardship in the two years preceding the date of its opinion. Sandler O’Neill did provide certain investment banking services to Columbia in the two years preceding the date of its opinion. Most recently, Sandler O’Neill assisted Columbia with its mutual-to-stock conversion, which transaction closed in April 2018. In addition, in the ordinary course of Sandler O’Neill’s business as a broker-dealer, Sandler O’Neill may purchase securities from and sell securities to Stewardship, Columbia and their respective affiliates. Sandler O’Neill may also actively trade the equity and debt securities of Stewardship, Columbia and their respective affiliates for Sandler O’Neill’s own account and for the accounts of Sandler O’Neill’s customers.

Certain Unaudited Prospective Financial Information

Stewardship does not as a matter of course make public projections as to future performance, revenues, earnings or other financial results due to, among other reasons, the inherent uncertainty of the underlying assumptions and estimates. However, Stewardship is including in this proxy statement certain unaudited prospective financial information that was made available to or discussed with Stewardship’s financial advisor in connection with the merger. The inclusion of this information should not be regarded as an indication that any of Stewardship, Sandler O’Neill, their respective representatives or any other recipients of this information considered, or now considers, it to be necessarily predictive of actual future results, or that it should be construed as financial guidance, and it should not be relied on as such. This information should be read in light of the section entitled “Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

This information was prepared solely for internal use and is subjective in many respects. While presented with numeric specificity, the unaudited prospective financial information reflects numerous estimates and assumptions made with respect to business, economic, market, competition, regulatory and financial conditions and matters specific to Stewardship’s business, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond Stewardship’s control. The unaudited prospective financial information reflects both assumptions as to certain business decisions that are subject to change and, in many respects, subjective judgment, and, as a consequence, is susceptible to multiple interpretations and periodic revisions based on actual experience and business developments. Stewardship can give no assurance that the unaudited prospective financial information and the underlying estimates and assumptions will be realized. In addition, since the unaudited prospective financial information covers multiple years, such information by its nature becomes subject to greater uncertainty with each successive year. Actual results may differ materially from those set forth below, and important factors that may affect actual results and cause the unaudited prospective financial information to be inaccurate include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties relating to Stewardship’s business, industry performance, general business and economic conditions, competition and adverse changes in applicable laws, regulations or rules, and the various risks similar to those set forth in the “Risk Factors” in our Annual Reports on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

The unaudited prospective financial information was not prepared with a view toward public disclosure, nor was it prepared with a view toward compliance with GAAP, published guidelines of the SEC or the guidelines established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants for preparation and presentation of prospective financial information. In addition, the unaudited prospective financial information requires significant estimates and assumptions that make it inherently less comparable to the similarly titled GAAP measures in Stewardship’s historical GAAP financial statements. Neither Stewardship’s auditors, nor any other independent accountants, have compiled, examined or performed any procedures with respect to the unaudited prospective financial information contained herein, nor have they expressed any opinion or any other form of assurance on such information or its achievability.

Furthermore, the unaudited prospective financial information does not take into account any circumstances or events occurring after the date it was prepared. Stewardship can give no assurance that, had the unaudited prospective financial information been prepared as of the date of this proxy statement, similar estimates and assumptions would be used. Stewardship does not intend to, and disclaims any obligation to, make publicly available any update or other revision to the unaudited prospective financial information to reflect circumstances existing since their preparation or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, even in the event that any or all of the underlying assumptions are shown to be in error, or to reflect changes in general economic or industry conditions. The unaudited prospective financial information does not give effect to the merger, including the impact of negotiating or executing the merger agreement, the expenses that may be incurred in connection with completing the merger, the potential synergies that may be achieved by Columbia as a result of the merger, the effect on either Stewardship or Columbia, as applicable, of any business or strategic decision or action that has been or will be taken as a result of the merger agreement having been executed, or the effect of any business or strategic decisions or actions that would likely have been taken if the merger agreement had not been executed, but which were instead altered, accelerated, postponed or not taken in anticipation of the merger. Further, the unaudited prospective financial information does not take into account the effect on Stewardship of any possible failure of the merger to occur. None of Stewardship or Sandler O’Neill or their respective affiliates, officers, directors, advisors or other representatives has made, makes or is authorized in the future to make any representation to any Stewardship shareholder or other person regarding Stewardship’s ultimate performance compared to the information contained in the unaudited prospective financial information or that the projected results will be achieved. The inclusion of the unaudited prospective financial information in this proxy statement should not be deemed an admission or representation by Stewardship that it is viewed as material information of Stewardship, particularly in light of the inherent risks and uncertainties associated with such forecasts. The summary of the unaudited prospective financial information included below is not being included to influence your decision whether to vote for the merger proposal, but is being provided solely because it was made available to Sandler O’Neill in connection with the merger.

In light of the foregoing, and considering that the special meeting will be held many months after the unaudited prospective financial information was prepared, as well as the uncertainties inherent in any forecasted information, Stewardship shareholders are cautioned not to place unwarranted reliance on such information and Stewardship urges all shareholders to review Stewardship’s financial statements and other information contained elsewhere in this proxy statement for a description of Stewardship’s business and financial results.

For purposes of Sandler O’Neill’s net present value and pro forma merger analyses performed in connection with Sandler O’Neill’s opinion, Sandler O’Neill used information provided by the senior management of Stewardship. Projections prepared by Stewardship management assumed an approximate 7.5% growth in loans, which would be achieved through the addition of loan production offices and additions to staff. Asset growth was assumed to be primarily funded with deposit growth. For purposes of the projections, the interest rate environment and economy were assumed to remain steady during the period with no rate hikes or rate declines and no change in the shape of the yield curve. The following table summarizes this unaudited prospective financial information with respect to Stewardship as used by Sandler O’Neill for its Stewardship net present value and pro forma merger analyses:

	12/31/2019		12/31/2020		12/31/2021		12/31/2022		12/31/2023
Net Income ($000s)	$	6,782	$	8,130	$	9,509	$	11,569	$	13,105
Earnings Per Share ($)	$	0.78	$	0.93	$	1.08	$	1.31	$	1.48
Dividends Per Share ($)	$	0.16	$	0.20	$	0.24	$	0.28	$	0.32

Surrender of Stock Certificates

After the completion of the merger, the paying agent will mail to Stewardship shareholders a letter of transmittal, together with instructions for the exchange of their Stewardship stock certificates for the merger consideration. After the completion of the merger, there will be no further transfers of Stewardship common stock. Stewardship stock certificates presented for transfer after the completion of the merger will be cancelled and exchanged for the merger consideration.

If your Stewardship stock certificates have been lost, stolen or destroyed, you will have to prove your ownership of these certificates, that they were lost, stolen or destroyed, and post a bond in such amount as the paying agent may direct before you receive any consideration for your shares. The letter of transmittal will include instructions on how to provide evidence of ownership. Please do not send your Stewardship stock certificates at this time.

Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations

The following is a general discussion of certain material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the merger applicable to holders of shares of Stewardship stock whose shares are converted into the right to receive cash in accordance with the merger agreement. This discussion is not intended to be, and is not, a complete analysis of all of the potential U.S. federal income tax issues that might (i) be relevant to holders of shares of Stewardship stock, or (ii) relate to the merger. This discussion does not address the tax consequences of transactions effectuated prior to, concurrently with or after the completion of the merger (whether or not such transactions occur in connection with the merger), including, without limitation, the acquisition or disposition of shares of common stock other than pursuant to the merger. This discussion does not describe the estate, gift, state, local, or non-U.S. tax consequences associated with the matters addressed herein. This discussion is for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice.

This discussion is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), existing Treasury Regulations (the “Treasury Regulations”), and administrative rulings and judicial decisions interpreting the Code, in each case, as in effect at the time this proxy statement was drafted. All of these authorities may change without notice, possibly affecting the tax consequences discussed herein on a retroactive basis. Stewardship has not and will not obtain an opinion from counsel with respect to this discussion of certain material U.S. federal income tax considerations. In addition, no ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) has been or will be sought with respect to the matters discussed herein. Therefore, there can be no assurances that the IRS or any other governmental agency or taxing authority will not take a contrary position to that discussed herein regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the merger.

This discussion is limited to holders of Stewardship stock who hold such shares as “capital assets” within the meaning of Code Section 1221. This discussion does not describe the U.S. federal income tax issues that may be relevant to a holder of shares of Stewardship stock in light of such holder’s particular circumstances or to holders who are subject to special tax rules, such as: dealers or traders in securities or currencies; mutual funds; regulated investment companies; real estate investment trusts; partnerships; trusts; estates; financial institutions; banks; insurance companies; organizations generally exempt from U.S. federal income taxation; custodians, nominees, or similar financial intermediaries holding stock for others; former citizens or former residents of the U.S. ( i.e. , expatriates); persons that have a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar; persons subject to the alternative minimum tax provisions of the Code; or persons who hold shares of Stewardship stock through a partnership, limited liability company, trust, estate, or other pass-through entity. Nor does this discussion address U.S. federal income taxation issues that may be relevant to a holder of Stewardship stock who acquired such shares in connection with stock option or stock purchase plans or in other compensatory transactions. In addition, with respect to Non-U.S. Holders (as defined below), this discussion only generally addresses certain U.S. federal income tax issues that may be relevant to such Non-U.S. Holders with respect to the merger. This discussion does not discuss the application of any tax treaties or conventions, the terms of which may benefit a Non-U.S. Holder. Nor does this discussion describe the U.S. federal income tax issues that may be relevant to a Non-U.S. Holder that is a “controlled foreign corporation” under Code Section 957(a) or a “passive foreign investment company” under Code Section 1297(a). Holders of Stewardship stock, especially those described in this paragraph, should consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the merger.

If an entity that is classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds shares of Stewardship stock, then the U.S. tax consequences to such partnership and its partners generally will depend upon the activities of the partnership and the status of each of its partners. Partners of entities that are classified as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes should consult their respective tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the merger.

This discussion is provided for general informational purposes only and is not tax advice. Holders of shares of Stewardship stock should consult with their own respective tax advisors concerning their own particular circumstances and the impact which the merger may have on their U.S. federal income tax liability, as well as how state, local, and foreign income and other tax laws, including the tax laws of any foreign taxing jurisdiction and any applicable tax treaty, may apply to them. In evaluating the merger, each holder oF shares of Stewardship stock should take into account the cost of obtaining such advice.

U.S. Holders

For purposes of this discussion, the term “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of Stewardship stock that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

An individual citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States (as determined in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 301.7701(b)-1);

A corporation (or any other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any of its political subdivisions;

An estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of the source of such income; or

A trust, (A) that is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and the control of one or more U.S. persons as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code; or (B) that has validly elected to be treated as a U.S. person for U.S. federal income tax purposes, under the applicable regulations.

Exchange of Shares for Cash Pursuant to the Merger Agreement. In general, the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the merger, specifically the exchange of shares of Stewardship stock for cash pursuant to the merger agreement, will be a taxable transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In general, a holder of shares of Stewardship stock whose shares are converted into the right to receive cash in the merger will recognize gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes equal to the difference, if any, between (i) the amount of cash received with respect to such shares, and (ii) the shareholder’s adjusted tax basis in such shares. In general, gain or loss is determined separately for each holder’s block of shares ( i.e. , shares acquired at the same cost in a single transaction). Stewardship anticipates that gain or loss recognized by a U.S. Holder upon consummation of the merger will be capital gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Whether such capital gain will be long-term or short-term will depend on such U.S. Holder’s particular facts and circumstances. In general, gain or loss is long-term if the shares disposed of have been held for more than twelve (12) months at the time of the consummation of the merger. For non-corporate U.S. Holders, short-term capital gains generally are taxable at the ordinary income tax rate for such U.S. Holder and long-term capital gains generally are taxable at a reduced rate. In general, there are limitations to the deductibility of capital losses. Certain U.S. Holders may also be subject to an additional 3.8% tax on “net investment income,” which generally includes capital gains from the sale of stock.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding. In general, unless an exemption applies, information reporting requirements will apply to certain U.S. holders of shares of Stewardship stock with respect to payments to such U.S. Holders pursuant to the merger agreement. In addition, under the backup withholding laws applicable to certain U.S. Holders, withholding at a rate of twenty-four (24%) may be required on the amount of any payments made to such U.S. Holder pursuant to the merger agreement.

Unless an exemption applies and is established in a manner satisfactory to the paying agent, to prevent backup withholding, a U.S. Holder should complete, sign and return to the paying agent a certification on the IRS Form W-9, or its equivalent, that such U.S. Holder will receive with the letter of transmittal. Backup withholding is not an additional tax and any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be refunded or credited against a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, provided that the U.S. Holder furnishes the required information to the IRS. In addition, if a U.S. Holder does not provide correct information, then in addition to subjecting payments to such U.S. Holder to backup withholding, such U.S. Holder may also be subject to penalties imposed by the IRS.

Non-U.S. Holders

As used herein, the term “Non-U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of Stewardship stock that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, not a U.S. Holder (as such term is defined above).

Exchange of Shares for Cash Pursuant to the Merger Agreement . A Non-U.S. Holder of shares of Stewardship stock generally will not be subject to U.S. withholding tax in respect of any gain on the taxable disposition of shares of Stewardship stock pursuant to the merger unless:

In the case of a Non-U.S. Holder that is an individual, such Non-U.S. Holder is present in the U.S. for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the merger (and certain other conditions are met); or

The gain is effectively connected with a trade or business carried on by the Non-U.S. Holder within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, the gain is attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment maintained by such Non-U.S. Holder).

Gain realized by an individual Non-U.S. Holder who is present in the U.S. for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the merger will generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax at a flat 30% rate (or such lower rate as specified by an applicable income tax treaty), but may be offset by U.S. source capital losses of the Non-U.S. Holder, provided that such Non-U.S. Holder has timely filed U.S. federal income tax returns with respect to such losses. Gain realized by a Non-U.S. Holder that is effectively connected with such Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a U.S. trade or business (or U.S. permanent establishment if a tax treaty applies) generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net basis, and at graduated rates, in substantially the same manner as a U.S. Holder (except as otherwise provided by an applicable tax treaty). In addition, if such a Non-U.S. Holder is a corporation, then such Non-U.S. Holder may also be subject to a branch profits tax at a thirty percent (30%) rate (or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable tax treaty).

Information Reporting and Withholding . In general, payments of proceeds on the disposition of shares of Stewardship stock made to a Non-U.S. Holder may be subject to information reporting. Pursuant to tax treaties or other similar agreements, the IRS may make such information available to tax authorities in a Non-U.S. Holder’s country of residence. In addition, payments of proceeds on the disposition of shares of Stewardship stock made to a Non-U.S. Holder may be subject to withholding unless: (i) the Non-U.S. Holder establishes an exemption, for example, by properly certifying under penalties of perjury its non-U.S. status on an IRS Form W-8BEN or other appropriate version of IRS Form W-8; and (ii) the payor does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that such holder is a United States person, as such term is defined in Code Section 7701(a)(3) and applicable Treasury Regulations. To prevent withholding, each Non-U.S. Holder should complete, sign, and return to the paying agent a certification of foreign status on the applicable IRS Form W-8, unless an applicable exemption exists and is provided in a timely and satisfactory manner. Backup withholding is not an additional tax and any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be refunded or credited against a Non-U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, provided that such Non-U.S. Holder furnishes the required information to the IRS in a timely manner.

Regulatory Matters Relating to the Merger

Stewardship and Columbia must receive regulatory approval or a waiver of any required regulatory approval, from the FRB and approvals from the OCC, the NJDOBI and the FDIC, as a condition to closing the merger. Stewardship and Columbia will use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain any regulatory approvals required to consummate the merger. As of the date of this document, neither Stewardship nor Columbia has received the required regulatory approvals, but we do not know of any reason why Stewardship and Columbia would not be able to obtain these approvals in a timely manner. Stewardship and Columbia submitted applications to the OCC and the FDIC on July 3, 2019.

On August 2, 2019, Atlantic Stewardship Bank filed an application with the NJDOBI for approval to convert, solely in order to facilitate effectuating the merger, from a New Jersey state-chartered commercial bank to a New Jersey state-chartered stock savings bank for only “a moment in time” and, immediately thereafter, for only another “moment in time” to a New Jersey state-chartered stock savings association (collectively, the “Conversion”). As a result of the Conversion, Atlantic Stewardship Bank will be a New Jersey state-chartered stock savings association for only a “moment in time” immediately prior to the completion of the merger.

In connection with the proposed Conversion, Stewardship filed an application with the Board of Governors of the FRB on August 2, 2019, pursuant to Section 10(e) of the Home Owners’ Loan Act (the “HOLA”), for approval to become a savings and loan holding company for the same “moment in time” that Atlantic Stewardship Bank will exist as a New Jersey state-chartered stock savings association immediately prior to the merger. Thus, at the time of the merger, Stewardship will be a savings and loan holding company and not a bank holding company, and Atlantic Stewardship Bank will be New Jersey state-chartered stock savings association.

Additionally, Columbia Bank MHC and Columbia Financial, Inc., the respective mutual holding company and mid-tier stock holding company of the Bank, filed an application with the FRB on August 2, 2019, pursuant to Section 10(e) of the HOLA, for approval to merge Stewardship with and into Columbia Financial.

The merger cannot proceed in the absence of the requisite regulatory approvals. Please see the information contained in the section of this proxy statement captioned “The Merger Agreement—Conditions to Completing the Merger” and “—Terminating the Merger Agreement.” There can be no assurance that the requisite regulatory approvals will be obtained, and if obtained, there can be no assurance as to the date of any approval. There can also be no assurance that any regulatory approvals will not contain a condition or requirement that causes the approvals to fail to satisfy the condition set forth in the merger agreement and described in the section to this proxy statement captioned “The Merger Agreement—Conditions to Completing the Merger.”

Dissenters’ Rights

General. New Jersey law provides that a shareholder is not entitled to demand the fair value of his or her shares of stock in any transaction if the stock is listed on a national securities exchange, if cash is to be received or the securities to be received are listed on a national securities exchange. Because Stewardship’s stock is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market, a national securities exchange, and cash is to be received in connection with the merger, Stewardship shareholders will not be entitled to dissenters’ rights (or appraisal rights).

INTERESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN THE MERGER

THAT ARE DIFFERENT FROM YOURS

In considering the recommendation of the Stewardship Board of Directors with respect to the merger agreement, Stewardship shareholders should be aware that certain persons, including the directors and executive officers of Stewardship, have interests in the merger that are in addition to their interests as shareholders of Stewardship generally. The Stewardship Board of Directors was aware of these interests as well as others and considered them in approving the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby.

Acceleration of Vesting of Restricted Stock Awards

As of the effective time of the merger, each outstanding Stewardship restricted stock award that is subject to vesting, repurchase or other lapse restriction granted under the Stewardship 2010 Stock Incentive Plan that will vest in full and be converted into the right to receive a cash payment equal to $15.75 per share, without interest and less any amount of required tax withholding.

As of the record date, the directors and executive officers of Stewardship held unvested restricted stock awards representing an aggregate of 8,714,222 shares of Stewardship common stock.

Employment and Change in Control Agreements with Stewardship

Columbia has agreed to make severance payments to certain Stewardship employees and officers that are provided for under their existing change in control agreements with Stewardship. None of the executive officers of Stewardship have entered into employment agreements with Columbia with respect to their employment after consummation of the merger.

Stewardship has entered into a Change in Control Severance Agreement with each of the named executive officers, Mr. Paul Van Ostenbridge, Stewardship’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Claire M. Chadwick, Stewardship’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Mr. William S. Clement, Stewardship’s Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer, each of which provides for a severance payment to the named executive officer upon a termination of employment without “cause” (as defined in the agreements) or a resignation of employment for “good reason” (as defined in the agreements) in connection with a change in control (as defined in the agreements) of Stewardship. Each of these agreements provides that if the named executive officer’s employment is terminated by Stewardship without cause during the period commencing six months prior to a change in control transaction and ending two years following a change in control transaction or by the named executive officer for good reason within two years following a change in control transaction, the named executive officer is entitled to receive the following: (a) within five business days after such termination, (i) accrued, unpaid salary, (ii) accrued, unpaid bonus awards, (iii) accrued, unused vacation and sick time in accordance with Stewardship’s leave policy, (iv) any benefits to which the named executive officer is entitled under any plans or programs then in effect, (v) any unreimbursed business expenses of the named executive officer incurred prior to termination, and (vi) a lump sum cash payment equal to 24 months’ salary plus an amount equal to 100% of any bonus awarded to the named executive officer during the 24 months prior to termination; (b) (i) all of the named executive officer’s outstanding stock options that would have vested within twelve months following the date of termination had the named executive officer remained an employee of Stewardship, all of which will become immediately vested and exercisable, (ii) all of the named executive officer’s shares of restricted stock and any other stock or stock-based award that otherwise would have vested had the named executive officer remained an employee of Stewardship, all of which will immediately vest in full and at 100% of target levels in the case of any performance-based stock awards and (iii) all profit sharing plan awards that otherwise would have vested within twelve months following the date of termination had the named executive officer remained an employee of Stewardship, all of which will become immediately vested in full; and (c) for a period commencing with the month in which termination of employment becomes effective and ending 24 months later, the named executive officer and his or her covered dependents will be entitled to all benefits under Stewardship’s welfare benefit plans as if the named executive officer were still employed during such period, at the same level of benefits and at the same dollar cost to the named executive officer as Stewardship makes available for the period to employees of similar status; provided that such benefits will be secondary to any comparable benefits provided by another employer.

Mr. Van Ostenbridge’s change in control agreement also provides that Stewardship will continue to pay for the lease of the vehicle he is driving at the time of termination of employment, until the lease expires, at which time Stewardship will buy the vehicle and transfer title of the vehicle to Mr. Van Ostenbridge. However, in March, 2018, the Stewardship Board of Directors voted that upon termination of Mr. Van Ostenbridge’s employment, irrespective of whether a change of control has occurred, Stewardship will continue the lease payments until the lease expires, at which time Stewardship will buy the vehicle and transfer title to Mr. Van Ostenbridge.

The severance payments payable under the agreements in connection with a change in control of Stewardship may result in the application of the “golden parachute” provisions of Section 280G of the Code and, to the extent Section 280G applies, Stewardship may not deduct from its taxable income a portion of the severance payments made to the named executive officers. In addition, Section 4999 of the Code would impose a 20% excise tax on each of the named executive officers receiving the severance payment. In such event, the agreements provide that the severance payments will not be subject to cutback, gross-up or other adjustment except as agreed upon by the named executive officer and Stewardship.

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan

In 2017, Stewardship entered into a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”) agreement with Mr. Van Ostenbridge and in 2018 with Ms. Chadwick and Mr. Clement to provide a supplemental retirement income benefit upon the named executive officer reaching age 66 or separation from service. The per year benefits provided under the SERP at retirement age for each of Mr. Van Ostenbridge, Ms. Chadwick and Mr. Clement are $57,183, $30,367 and $36,010, respectively, payable in monthly installments for 180 months. The benefits are based on the participant’s final salary, offset by benefits that may be provided to them through Stewardship’s contributions to Social Security and Stewardship’s 401(k) and profit sharing plans. Benefits are also payable upon death. Benefits accrue annually, but may be reduced if termination of service occurs before the normal retirement date except after a change in control. In the event of a change of control followed by termination of employment within two years, payments become fully vested and payable monthly beginning on the first day of the month following separation from service.

Indemnification and Continued Director and Officer Liability Coverage

From and after the effective time of the merger, Columbia will indemnify and hold harmless each person who is now, or who has been at any time before the effective time of the merger, an officer or director of Stewardship against all losses, costs, damages or expenses arising out of any act or omission or other matters existing or occurring at or prior to the effective time of the merger because he or she was a director or officer of Stewardship to the fullest extent permitted under Stewardship’s certificate of incorporation or by-laws and to the extent permitted by applicable law or as provided for in any written agreement by and between Stewardship and its director or officer.

In addition, prior to the effective time of the merger, Stewardship will purchase directors’ and officers’ liability insurance coverage for six years after the merger, in the same amounts of coverage provided under their existing policies, subject to a cap on the amount to be paid for such insurance (250% of the annual premium currently paid by Stewardship for such insurance).

Merger-Related Executive Compensation for Stewardship’s Named Executive Officers

The following table and related footnotes provide information about the merger-related executive compensation to be paid to Stewardship’s named executive officers. The merger-related executive compensation shown in the table and described in the footnotes below is subject to a non-binding, advisory vote of Stewardship shareholders as more fully described in the section of this proxy statement captioned “ Proposal No. 2 — Non-Binding Advisory Vote on Merger-Related Executive Compensation .”

The table below sets forth the aggregate dollar value of the various elements of merger-related executive compensation that each named executive officer of Stewardship would receive upon the completion of the merger, assuming the following:

the estimated effective time of the merger is September 30, 2019;

the employment of Messrs. Van Ostenbridge and Clement and Ms. Chadwick is terminated by Columbia without cause or a comparable position is not offered to such individuals at the effective time of the merger; and

as required by Securities and Exchange Commission rules, all amounts below have been calculated based on a per share price of Stewardship common stock of $15.75.

As a result of the foregoing assumptions, the actual amounts received by a named executive officer may materially differ from the amounts set forth below:

Executive	Cash (1)		Equity (2)		Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation (3)		Perqs/ Benefits (4)		Total
Paul Van Ostenbridge	$	945,109	$	30,156	$	0	$	27,128	$	1,002,393
Claire M. Chadwick		571,824		14,817		299,393		26,804		912,838
William Clement		560,009		14,030		353,042		295		927,376

(1)	The amounts in this column represent cash severance payments under the change in control agreements with Messrs. Van Ostenbridge and Clement and Ms. Chadwick upon qualifying terminations of employment (as described above).

(2)	The amounts in this column represent the value of acceleration of vesting in Stewardship restricted stock awards as of the effective time of the merger. Such vesting is triggered upon the consummation of the merger and is not conditioned upon termination of the executive officer’s employment.
(3)	The amounts in this column represent the value of acceleration of vesting and payment of deferred compensation as of the effective time of the merger.

(4)	The amounts in this column represent the present value of continued welfare benefits, such as health insurance.

Appointment of Stewardship Director to the Boards of Directors of Columbia and Columbia Bank

Under the merger agreement, at the effective time of the merger, Paul Van Ostenbridge, the current President and Chief Executive Officer of Stewardship and Atlantic Stewardship Bank will be appointed to the Board of Directors of each of Columbia and Columbia Bank.

Invitation of Stewardship Directors to Join an Advisory Board

Under the merger agreement, Columbia Bank will establish and maintain an advisory board for a period of one year following the effective time of the merger and will invite the other non-employee directors of the Stewardship Board of Directors to join the advisory board.

THE MERGER AGREEMENT

The following discussion of the merger agreement is only a summary of its material terms and may not include all of the information that is important to you. You are urged to read the merger agreement, a copy of which is annexed as Annex A to this proxy statement and is incorporated by reference herein. The rights and obligations of the parties are governed by the express terms and conditions of the merger agreement and not the summary set forth in this section or any other information contained in this proxy statement, and such summaries are qualified in their entirety by reference to the complete text of the merger agreement.

The merger agreement has been included to provide you with information regarding its terms and provisions. The merger agreement contains, among other things, representations, warranties and covenants of Stewardship and Columbia, which are solely for the benefit of the parties to the merger agreement. These representations, warranties and covenants may be subject to important limitations and qualifications agreed to by the contracting parties, including being qualified by confidential disclosures exchanged between the parties, and qualifications with respect to materiality and knowledge. Furthermore, these representations and warranties in the merger agreement were used for the purpose of allocating risk between the parties to the merger agreement rather than establishing matters as facts and may be subject to a contractual standard of materiality or material adverse effect different from that generally applicable to public disclosures to shareholders and are qualified in some cases by confidential disclosures which are not reflected in the merger agreement. Factual disclosures about Stewardship and Columbia or their respective affiliates contained in this proxy statement or in Stewardship’s public reports filed with the SEC, which are available without charge at www.sec.gov , may supplement, update or modify the factual disclosures about Stewardship and Columbia or their respective affiliates contained in the merger agreement.

General

The merger agreement provides for the merger of Merger Sub with and into Stewardship, with Stewardship being the surviving entity, and immediately following the effective time of the merger, Stewardship will merge with and into Columbia, with Columbia continuing as the surviving entity. It is anticipated that immediately following the consummation of the merger, Atlantic Stewardship Bank, Stewardship’s wholly-owned subsidiary and a New Jersey state-chartered bank, will merge with and into Columbia Bank with Columbia Bank continuing as the surviving bank. The merger is anticipated to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2019.

Closing and Effective Time

Closing . Unless the parties agree otherwise and unless the merger agreement has otherwise been terminated, the closing of the merger will take place no more than ten business days following the satisfaction or, if permitted by applicable law, waiver of the closing conditions set forth in the merger agreement or at such other time as Columbia and Stewardship may mutually agree. Please see the information contained in the section of this proxy statement captioned “— Conditions to Completing the Merger .” On the closing date, the parties will file the certificates of merger with the Delaware Secretary of State and the New Jersey Department of the Treasury merging Merger Sub into Stewardship. The merger will become effective at the date and time specified in the certificate of merger. Immediately following, with respect to the Bank Merger, the parties will file the articles of merger with the OCC and the NDJOBI.

Completion of the Merger . Columbia and Stewardship are working diligently to complete the merger as quickly as possible. It is currently expected that the merger will be completed in the fourth quarter of 2019. However, because completion of the merger is subject to the approval by Stewardship’s shareholders, the receipt of all required regulatory approvals and other closing conditions, the parties cannot be certain of the actual timing.

Consideration to be Received in the Merger

Treatment of Restricted Stock

As of the effective time of the merger, each outstanding Stewardship restricted stock award that is subject to vesting, repurchase or other lapse restriction granted under the Stewardship 2010 Stock Incentive Plan that will vest in full and be converted into the right to receive a cash payment equal to $15.75 per share, without interest and less any amount of required tax withholding.

Voting Agreements

On June 6, 2019, each of Stewardship’s directors entered into a voting agreement with Columbia and Stewardship. Under this agreement, these shareholders have each agreed to vote, subject to their fiduciary duties, their respective shares of Stewardship common stock in favor of the merger and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement.

Furthermore, each of these shareholders has also agreed not to sell, assign or transfer any shares of Stewardship common stock that they own. The shares subject to the voting agreement represent approximately 5.1% of Stewardship’s outstanding shares of voting common stock as of August 13, 2019. The voting obligations under the voting agreement will automatically terminate upon the earlier of the approval of the merger agreement by Stewardship shareholders or termination of the merger agreement in accordance with its terms.

Conditions to Completing the Merger

The completion of the merger is subject to the fulfillment of a number of conditions, including:

receipt of all regulatory approvals and the expiration of all statutory waiting periods;

the absence of any injunctions that prevent consummation of the merger or any government proceeding that seeks to prevent consummation of the merger;

receipt of approval by Stewardship shareholders;

receipt of any consents required to assign specific Stewardship and Atlantic Stewardship Bank leases and other material contracts;

with respect to Stewardship and Atlantic Stewardship Bank, the absence of any material change that would, individually or in the aggregate, adversely impact their business or operations; and

with respect to Columbia, delivery of the merger consideration to the paying agent on or before the closing date.

Conduct of Business Before the Merger

Until completion of the merger, Stewardship and Atlantic Stewardship Bank have agreed that they will (i) conduct their business only in the ordinary course of business and in accordance with all applicable laws; (ii) use reasonable best efforts to preserve its business organization and goodwill, and keep available the services of its employees and consultants and maintain satisfactory relationships with vendors, customers and others having business relationships with them, (iii) subject to applicable laws, confer on a regular and frequent basis with representatives of Columbia to report operational matters and the general status of ongoing operations as reasonably requested by Columbia, and (iv) not take any action that would render, or that reasonable would be expected to render, any representation or warranty bade by Stewardship in the merger agreement untrue at the closing as though then made and as though the closing date had been substituted for the date of the merger agreement in such representation or warranty.

Stewardship has agreed that, until completion of the merger and unless permitted by Columbia or required by law, neither it nor its subsidiaries will:

amend or propose to amend its certificate of incorporation or by-laws;

issue or sell any of its equity securities, securities convertible into or exchangeable for its equity securities, warrants, options or other rights to acquire its equity securities, or grants to employees or directors of restricted stock or other stock rights, or any bonds or other securities, except deposit and other bank obligations in the ordinary course of business;

redeem, purchase, acquire or offer to acquire, directly or indirectly, any shares of capital stock or membership units of or any other ownership interest in any Stewardship entity;

split, combine or reclassify any outstanding shares of capital stock of Stewardship or Atlantic Stewardship Bank, or declare, set aside or pay any dividend or other distribution payable in cash, property or otherwise with respect to shares of capital stock of Stewardship or Atlantic Stewardship Bank or any subsidiaries, except that (a) Stewardship will be permitted to pay a regular quarterly cash dividend on the shares of Stewardship common stock, not to exceed $0.03 per share, consistent with past practices with respect to the payment of dividends in fiscal year 2018 and (b) Atlantic Stewardship Bank will be permitted to pay dividends on the shares of common stock of Atlantic Stewardship Bank;

except with regard to deposits and certificates of deposit undertaken in the ordinary course of business, incur any amount of material Indebtedness with a term greater than one year;

discharge or satisfy any material encumbrance on its properties or assets or pay any material liability, except in the ordinary course of business;

sell, assign, transfer, mortgage, pledge or subject to any encumbrance any of its assets, except (A) in the ordinary course of business; provided, however, that any such sale, assignment or transfer of any operating real property will not be considered in the ordinary course of business, (B) permitted encumbrances and (C) encumbrances which do not materially affect the value of, or interfere with the past or future use or ability to convey, the property subject thereto or affected thereby;

cancel any material indebtedness or claims or waive any rights of material value, except in the ordinary course of business;

acquire (by merger, exchange, consolidation, acquisition of stock or assets or otherwise) any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture or other business organization or division or material assets thereof, or any real property or assets or deposits that are material to the Stewardship Entities, except in exchange for indebtedness previously contracted, including OREO;

make any single or group of related capital expenditures or commitments therefor in excess of $50,000 or enter into any lease or group of related leases with the same party which involves aggregate lease payments payable over the term of such lease of more than $50,000 for any individual lease or involves more than $75,000 for any group of related leases in the aggregate;

change any of its methods of accounting in effect on the date of the latest Stewardship balance sheet, other than changes required by GAAP or regulatory accounting principles;

cancel or terminate its current insurance policies or allow any of the coverage thereunder to lapse, unless simultaneously with such termination, cancellation or lapse replacement policies providing coverage equal to or greater than the coverage under the canceled, terminated or lapsed policies for substantially similar premiums are in full force and effect;

enter into or modify any employment, severance or similar agreements or arrangements with, or grant any compensation increases to, any director, officer or employee, except (A) for routine annual salary increases of up to 3.25% of base salary in the ordinary course of business; (B) as may be required by an existing contract with such director, officer or employee, or (C) for entering into an employment arrangement, after consultation with Columbia, to fill vacancies that may arise from time to time in the ordinary course of business at an annual rate of salary commensurate with the employee being replaced;

enter into or modify any independent contractor or consultant contract with a term of more than one year that requires any payments by a Stewardship entity in excess of $25,000 during such term;

terminate the employment of any Stewardship employee, other than for cause as determined by Stewardship or in accordance with Stewardship’s established practices and in the ordinary course of business;

terminate or amend any bonus, profit sharing, stock option, restricted stock, pension, retirement, deferred compensation, or other employee benefit plan, trust, fund, contract or arrangement for the benefit or welfare of any employees, except as contemplated hereunder or by law;

make, modify or revoke any election with respect to taxes, consent to any waiver or extension of time to assess or collect any taxes, file any amended returns;

incur an indemnity obligation of more than $100,000;

enter into or propose to enter into, or modify or propose to modify, any contract with respect to any of the matters described above or below;

except for certain loans approved by Atlantic Stewardship Bank prior to the date of this Agreement that were previously disclosed to Columbia, (A) extend credit or enter into any Contracts binding Atlantic Stewardship Bank to extend credit except in a manner consistent with past practice and in accordance with the lending practices of Atlantic Stewardship Bank as disclosed to Columbia, and Atlantic Stewardship Bank will not extend credit or enter into any contracts binding it to extend credit in an amount in excess of $250,000 on an unsecured basis and $750,000 on a secured basis (or, in the case of borrowers with loans listed on the watch list of Atlantic Stewardship Bank, to extend any additional credit to such borrowers), without first providing Columbia (at least five (5) business days prior to extending such credit or entering into any contract binding Atlantic Stewardship Bank to do so) with a copy of the loan underwriting analysis and credit memorandum of Atlantic Stewardship Bank and the basis of the credit decision of Atlantic Stewardship Bank, or (B) sell, assign or otherwise transfer any participation in any loan;

purchase any investment securities or sell any securities in its investment portfolio; or

fulfill participant purchases of Stewardship common stock under the Stewardship Dividend Reinvestment Plan through the issuance of authorized and unissued shares of Stewardship or Stewardship treasury stock.

Covenants and Agreements

No Solicitation Provision. Stewardship and Atlantic Stewardship Bank, and their respective officers, directors, agents and authorized representatives, may not:

solicit, initiate, encourage, induce or facilitate the making, submission or announcement of any third party acquisition proposal or take any action that could reasonably be expected to lead to a third party acquisition proposal;

furnish any information regarding any Stewardship entity to any person in connection with or in response to a third party acquisition proposal or an inquiry or indication of interest that could reasonably be expected to lead to a third party acquisition proposal;

engage in discussions or negotiations with any person with respect to any third party acquisition proposal or that could reasonably be expected to lead to a third party acquisition proposal;

approve, endorse or recommend any third party acquisition proposal, except as otherwise permitted by the merger agreement; or

enter into any letter of intent or similar document or any contract contemplating or otherwise relating to any third party acquisition transaction.

Notwithstanding these provisions, if Stewardship receives an unsolicited acquisition proposal that the Stewardship Board of Directors believes is superior to the terms of the merger with Columbia and concludes in good faith after considering the advice of counsel that failure to take action could reasonably be likely to result in a breach of its fiduciary duties under applicable law, then Stewardship may furnish non-public information concerning Stewardship to the person making the proposal and participate in discussions and negotiations with that person, provided, that, it has first (i) given Columbia written notice of the identity of such person, (ii) received an executed confidentiality agreement from such person containing customary limitations on the use and disclosure of non-public written and oral information and (iii) at the same time furnishes to Columbia copies of any such non-public written and oral information (to the extent it has not already be provided).

Pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement, Stewardship must promptly (and in no event later than 24 hours with respect to oral notice and no later than 48 hours with respect to written notice) after receipt of any acquisition proposal, any inquiry or indication of interest that could reasonable by expected to lead to an acquisition proposal or any request for non-public information, notify Columbia of any acquisition proposal, any inquiry or indication of interest that could reasonably be expected to lead to an acquisition proposal or any request for non-public information relating to Stewardship or Atlantic Stewardship Bank (including the identity of the person making or submitting such acquisition proposal, inquiry, indication of interest or requires, and the terms hereof), that is made or submitted by any person prior to the closing date. Stewardship will keep Columbia fully informed with respect to the status of any such acquisition proposal, inquiry, indication of interest or request and any modification or proposed modification thereto.

Shareholders Meeting. Stewardship must call a special meeting of its shareholders to vote upon the merger agreement and the merger. The Stewardship Board of Directors must use their best efforts to obtain the approval of Stewardship shareholders, including by recommending that the shareholders approve the merger. However, the Stewardship Board of Directors may withdraw, modify or change its recommendation regarding the merger with Columbia in connection with its consideration of a superior acquisition proposal.

Statutory Trust. Stewardship, as the owner of the statutory trust securities that are common securities of the Stewardship Statutory Trust 1, a Connecticut statutory trust, must cause Stewardship Statutory Trust 1 (a) to remain a statutory trust, (b) to otherwise continue to be classified as a grantor trust for federal income tax purposes, and (c) to cause each holder of securities of the Statutory Trust that are preferred securities to be treated as owning an undivided beneficial interest in the debentures of the Statutory Trust. Under the terms of the merger agreement, at the effective time of the merger, Columbia will assume Stewardship’s obligations and acquire its rights relating to the Statutory Trust, including Stewardship’s obligations and rights under the debentures, other securities of and the agreements related to the Statutory Trust.

Subordinated Notes. Pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement, Columbia has agreed, at or prior to the effective time of the merger, to assume Stewardship’s 6.75% Fixed Rate Subordinated Note due 2025 in the aggregate principal amount of approximately $16.6 million.

Board Representation; Advisory Board. Columbia and Columbia Bank have agreed that they will take all actions necessary to cause, effective as of the effective time of the merger, their respective Boards of Directors to be expanded by one member and appoint Paul Van Ostenbridge to the Boards of Directors of Columbia and Columbia Bank and, subject solely to the fiduciary duties of the Columbia and Columbia Bank Boards of Directors, to use their reasonable best efforts to cause the election of Mr. Van Ostenbridge to each of the Columbia and Columbia Bank Boards of Directors at the first annual meeting of the stockholders of Columbia and Columbia Bank (including recommending that the stockholders vote in favor of the election of Mr. Van Ostenbridge (along with other nominees) and otherwise supporting Mr. Van Ostenbridge for election. Columbia Bank has also agreed to establish and maintain an advisory board for a period of one year following the effective time of the merger and to invite other non-employees directors of the Stewardship Board of Directors to join the advisory board.

Columbia Bank Foundation. Columbia has agreed to recommend to the Board of Directors of the Columbia Bank Foundation that, at the effective time of the merger: (i) the Columbia Bank Foundation expand the size of its Board of Directors by one member and appoint one member of the current Stewardship Board of Directors to serve on the Board of Directors of the Columbia Bank Foundation; and (ii) expand its grant policy, in accordance with its charter and governing documents, to make charitable contributions within Stewardship’s local community largely consistent with charitable contributions made under Stewardship’s tithing program in an annual amount of no less than $500,000.

Representations and Warranties Made by Columbia and Stewardship in the Merger Agreement

Columbia and Stewardship have made certain customary representations and warranties to each other in the merger agreement relating to their businesses. For information on these representations and warranties, please refer to the merger agreement annexed as Annex A . The representations and warranties must be true in all material respects (except where qualified by reference to materiality or a material adverse effect, in which case they must be true in all respects) through the completion of the merger. Please see the information contained in the section of this proxy statement captioned “— Conditions to Completing the Merger .”

The representations, warranties and covenants included in the merger agreement may be subject to important limitations and qualifications agreed to by the contracting parties, including being qualified by confidential disclosures exchanged between the parties, and qualifications with respect to materiality and knowledge. Furthermore, the representations and warranties in the merger agreement were used for the purpose of allocating risk between the parties to the merger agreement rather than establishing matters as facts and may be subject to a contractual standard of materiality or material adverse effect different from that generally applicable to public disclosures to shareholders and are qualified in some cases by confidential disclosures which are not reflected in the merger agreement.

Terminating the Merger Agreement

The merger agreement may be terminated by mutual written consent of the Boards of Directors of Stewardship and Columbia, by either party in the event a law or governmental order will have been enacted, entered, enforced, promulgated, issued or deemed applicable to the merger that prohibits the merger, or by either party, in the event that any required governmental approval will have been denied and such denial has become final and unappealable at any time before the completion of the merger. Additionally, subject to conditions and circumstances described in the merger agreement, the merger agreement may be terminated by a party, either before or after approval of the merger agreement by Stewardship shareholders, as follows:

Columbia may terminate the merger agreement for the following reasons:

if the merger is not consummated by April 30, 2020, so long as Columbia has satisfied its obligations under the merger agreement;

if Stewardship materially fails to fully perform any of its obligations, covenants or agreements contained in the merger agreement;

if Stewardship shareholders fail to approve the merger agreement;

if there is a material adverse change with respect to Stewardship or any event occurs that is reasonably likely to result in a material adverse change;

if Stewardship’s representations regarding organization, qualification, authority to enter into the merger agreement, conflict with governing documents, capitalization or absence of material adverse change are false or misleading in any respect, or if Stewardship’s other representations are false or misleading in any material respect; or

if the Stewardship Board of Directors: (i) fails to recommend that Stewardship shareholders approve the merger agreement; (ii) withdraws, modifies or qualifies its recommendation that shareholders approve the merger agreement or (iii) elects not to submit the merger agreement to a vote of shareholders.

Stewardship may terminate the merger agreement for the following reasons:

if the merger is not consummated by April 30, 2020, so long as Stewardship has satisfied its obligations under the merger agreement;

if Columbia materially fails to fully perform any of its obligations, covenants or agreements contained in the merger agreement and that failure prevents Columbia from completing the merger;

If, in order to enter into an agreement with respect to a superior acquisition proposal, but only if Stewardship has not materially breached the “no-shop” provision of the merger agreement, gives Columbia the opportunity to modify the merger agreement and pays Columbia the applicable termination fee.

Termination Fee

The merger agreement requires the payment of a termination fee by Stewardship to Columbia if the merger agreement is terminated in certain circumstances. Stewardship must pay a termination fee to Columbia equal to $5,400,000, if:

Stewardship terminates the merger agreement in order to accept a superior proposal;

either Stewardship or Columbia terminates the merger agreement following a breach by Stewardship of the “no-shop” provision or its failure to give Columbia the opportunity to make adjustments to the terms of the merger agreement after Stewardship’s receipt of a superior proposal;

Columbia terminates the merger agreement due to Stewardship failing to perform its obligations under the merger agreement and (i) an acquisition proposal from a third party has been communicated or known to the management or the Stewardship Board of Directors; and (ii) the Stewardship Board of Directors recommends to Stewardship shareholders to approve, or Stewardship enters into, an agreement with any third party with respect to an acquisition proposal before the date that is 12 months following termination of the merger agreement;

either Stewardship or Columbia terminates the merger agreement due to Stewardship shareholders failing to approve the merger agreement and (i) an acquisition proposal from a third party has been communicated or known to the management or the Stewardship Board of Directors; and (ii) the Stewardship Board of Directors recommends to Stewardship shareholders to approve, or Stewardship enters into, an agreement with any third party with respect to an acquisition proposal before the date that is 12 months following termination of the merger agreement;

Columbia terminates the merger agreement as a result of the Stewardship Board of Directors failing to recommend that the Stewardship shareholders approve the merger agreement, withdrawing its support of the merger, or failing to submit the merger agreement to a vote of shareholders; and the Stewardship Board of Directors recommends to Stewardship shareholders to approve, or Stewardship enters into, an agreement with any third party with respect to an acquisition proposal before the date that is 12 months following termination of the merger agreement; or

either Stewardship or Columbia terminates the merger agreement as a result of the merger not closing by April 30, 2020 (in either case where the reason the merger is not completed by that date is within Stewardship’s reasonable control); and the Stewardship Board of Directors recommends to Stewardship shareholders to approve, or Stewardship enters into, an agreement with any third party with respect to an acquisition proposal before the date that is 12 months following termination of the merger agreement.

Expenses

Columbia and Stewardship will each pay its own expenses incurred in connection with the merger, whether or not the merger is consummated, excluding the termination fee as described above.

Employee Matters

During the period commencing at the effective time of the merger and ending on the twelve-month anniversary of the closing (or, if shorter, during the period of employment of a continuing employee following the closing) Columbia has agreed to maintain employee benefit plans and compensation opportunities for the benefit of all employees of Stewardship immediately prior to the effective time whose employment is not specifically terminated, who we refer to as continuing employees, that provides the continuing employee with a base salary or wage rate, as applicable, that is no less than the base salary or wage rate, provided to the continuing employees prior to the effective time, and employee benefits that in the aggregate, are substantially comparable to the employee benefit and compensation opportunities that are generally made available to similarly situated employees of Columbia or its subsidiaries. In addition, Columbia has agreed to cause each employee benefit plan of Columbia in which continuing employees will be eligible to participate to take into account for purposes of eligibility and vesting the service of such employees with Stewardship to the same extent as would be credited by Stewardship except in the case of the six month waiting period for eligibility under the employee stock ownership plan or where the crediting would result in a duplication of benefits under any of the benefit plans, or if, in Columbia’s discretion, the cash value of unused paid time-off is paid to the continuing employees at the effective time of the merger. Columbia has agreed to use commercially reasonable efforts to cause continuing employees to receive credit for any co-payments and deductibles paid under Stewardship’s health (including dental and vision) plans for the plan year in which coverage commences under Columbia’s health plan and to waive any pre-existing conditions under any such plans.

Under the terms of the merger agreement, Columbia may, in its sole discretion, determine to maintain Stewardship health and welfare plans through the end of the calendar year in which the effective time of the merger occurs. Columbia has agreed that each full-time employee of Stewardship who is involuntarily terminated by Columbia (other than for “cause” as determined in good faith by Columbia) or voluntarily terminates employment if not offered a position comparable to that which the employee already held within six months following the effective time of the merger and who is not covered by a separate severance, change in control or employment agreement will, upon executing an appropriate release, receive a single lump sum severance payment equal to two weeks of base pay (at the rate in effect on the termination date) for each year of service at Stewardship, with a minimum equal to four weeks of base pay and a maximum equal to twenty-six weeks of base pay and, in addition, will receive, up to a maximum of two weeks, the cash value of unused paid time-off for fiscal year 2019 for such terminated employee at the effective time, subject to applicable payroll withholdings. Employees of Stewardship who are terminated and their qualified beneficiaries will have the right to continued coverage under group health plans of Columbia in accordance with COBRA.

Columbia has agreed to honor employment agreements, severance agreements, change in control agreements or any other agreements that provide for any payment triggered by a termination, including a termination following the merger, rather than proving the benefits contemplated under the merger agreement.

Columbia has agreed that following the effective time of the merger, Columbia would be solely responsible, to the extent applicable, for timely providing any required notices under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act of 1988, as amended and any similar state or local law, with respect to any “plant closing” or “mass layoff” as defined under applicable law or employee layoff or similar event affecting the employees of Stewardship after the effective time of the merger.

For a period of twelve months following the effective time of the merger, Columbia will offer employees of Stewardship whose jobs are eliminated as a result of the merger priority in applying for open positions within Columbia.

Stewardship has agreed to take all actions necessary to cause the Stewardship Bank 401(k) Plan to be frozen as to future contributions effective immediately prior to the effective time of the merger and Columbia has agreed to take all actions necessary to allow the continuing employees to participate in Columbia’s 401(k) Plan on the first Columbia 401(k) Plan entry date following the effective time of the merger.

Changing the Terms of the Merger Agreement

Before the completion of the merger, Columbia and Stewardship may agree to waive, amend or modify any provision of the merger agreement. However, after the vote by Stewardship shareholders, Columbia and Stewardship cannot make any amendment or modification that would alter the amount of consideration to be received by Stewardship shareholders in connection with the merger.

PROPOSAL NO. 2 - NON-BINDING, ADVISORY VOTE ON

MERGER-RELATED EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

As required by the federal securities laws, Stewardship is providing its shareholders with the opportunity to cast a non-binding, advisory vote on the compensation that may become payable to its named executive officers in connection with the completion of the merger, as disclosed in the section of this proxy statement captioned “Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger that are Different from Yours—Merger-Related Executive Compensation for Stewardship’s Named Executive Officers” and the related table and narratives.

Your vote is requested. Stewardship believes that the compensation that may become payable to its named executive officers in connection with the completion of the merger, as disclosed in the section of this proxy statement captioned “Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger that are Different from Yours—Merger-Related Executive Compensation for Stewardship’s Named Executive Officers,” is reasonable and demonstrates that Stewardship’s executive compensation program was designed appropriately and structured to ensure the retention of talented executives and a strong alignment with the long-term interests of Stewardship shareholders. This vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation that may become payable to Stewardship’s named executive officers in connection with the completion of the merger. In addition, this vote is separate and independent from Proposal No. 1, the vote to approve the merger agreement. However, the compensation will not be payable in the event that the merger is not completed. The Stewardship Board of Directors unanimously recommends that shareholders vote “FOR” the following resolution:

RESOLVED, that the compensation that may become payable to Stewardship’s named executive officers in connection with the completion of the merger, as disclosed in the section of the proxy statement captioned “Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger that are Different from Yours—Merger-Related Executive Compensation for Stewardship’s Named Executive Officers” and the related tables and narrative, is hereby approved.

This vote is non-binding and advisory in nature and, therefore, it will not be binding on Stewardship, nor will it overrule any prior decision of Stewardship or require the Stewardship Board of Directors (or any committee thereof) to take any action. However, the Stewardship Board of Directors values the opinions of Stewardship shareholders, and to the extent that there is any significant vote “AGAINST” the named executive officer compensation as disclosed in this proxy statement, the Stewardship Board of Directors will consider shareholders’ concerns and will evaluate whether any actions are necessary to address those concerns. The Stewardship Board of Directors will consider the affirmative vote by a majority of the votes cast by holders of Stewardship voting common stock “FOR” the foregoing resolution as advisory approval of the compensation that may become payable to Stewardship’s named executive officers in connection with the completion of the merger.

The Stewardship Board of Directors unanimously recommends that Stewardship shareholders vote “FOR” the approval, on a non-binding advisory basis, of the above resolution.

PROPOSAL NO. 3 - ADJOURNMENT OF THE SPECIAL MEETING

In the event that there are not sufficient votes to constitute a quorum or to approve Proposal No. 1, the approval of the merger agreement, at the time of the special meeting, the merger agreement may not be approved unless the special meeting is adjourned to a later date or dates to permit further solicitation of proxies. This vote is separate and independent from Proposal No 1, the vote to approve the merger agreement. To allow proxies that have been received by Stewardship at the time of the special meeting to be voted in favor of an adjournment, if deemed necessary, Stewardship has submitted this Proposal No. 3, the adjournment proposal, to the Stewardship shareholders as a separate matter for consideration. If it is necessary to adjourn or postpone the special meeting, no notice of the adjournment of the special meeting is required to be given to Stewardship shareholders (unless a new record date is fixed), other than an announcement at the special meeting of the hour, date and place to which the special meeting is adjourned.

The Stewardship Board of Directors unanimously recommends that Stewardship shareholders vote “FOR” the approval of the adjournment proposal.

MARKET PRICE AND DIVIDEND INFORMATION

Stewardship common stock is listed for trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “SSFN”. As of August 13, 2019, there were approximately 1,000 holders of record of Stewardship common stock. The number does not reflect the number of persons or entities who may hold their Stewardship common stock in nominee or “street name” through brokerage firms.

The table below shows the high and low sales prices of Stewardship common stock, as reported on the Nasdaq Capital Market, and the cash dividends declared per share, for the periods indicated.

Stewardship Financial Corporation Common Stock
	High		Low		Dividend
Fiscal Year 2017
First quarter	$	9.95	$	8.31	$	0.03
Second quarter		9.75		7.92		0.03
Third quarter		10.50		8.50		0.03
Fourth quarter		10.50		9.30		0.03

Fiscal Year 2018
First quarter		12.75		9.85		0.03
Second quarter		12.50		11.00		0.03
Third quarter		11.65		10.07		0.03
Fourth quarter		10.70		8.36		0.03

Fiscal Year 2019
First quarter		9.95		8.20		0.03
Second quarter		15.52		8.44		0.03
Third quarter (through August 13, 2019)		15.72		15.36		0.03

On June 6, 2019, the last trading day before the public announcement of the execution of the merger agreement, the high and low sales prices per share were $8.90 and $8.89, respectively. On August 12, 2019, the most recent practicable trading day before the printing of this proxy statement, the high and low sales prices per share were $15.48 and $15.40, respectively.

Pursuant to the merger agreement, prior to the consummation of the merger, Stewardship is not permitted to declare, set aside or pay any dividend or make any other distribution in respect of its capital stock or other securities, except for payment of quarterly cash dividends not to exceed $0.03 per share. Stewardship expects to continue its common stock dividend practice up through the completion of the merger, but the practice is subject to the determination and discretion of the Stewardship Board of Directors and may change at any time. If the merger is consummated, then our common stock will be delisted from the Nasdaq Capital Market, there will be no further public market for shares of our common stock and each share of our common stock (other than excluded shares) will be converted into the right to receive $15.75 in cash, without interest and less any applicable withholding taxes.

You are encouraged to obtain current market quotations for Stewardship common stock. No assurance can be given concerning the market price for Stewardship common stock before the date on which the merger will be completed. The market price for Stewardship common stock may fluctuate between the date of this proxy statement and the date on which the merger is completed.

STOCK OWNERSHIP

The following table provides information as of August 13, 2019 about the persons known to Stewardship to be the beneficial owners of more than 5% of outstanding Stewardship common stock. A person may be considered to beneficially own any shares of Stewardship common stock over which he or she has, directly or indirectly, sole or shared voting or investment power or the right to acquire within sixty (60) days with respect to the shares of Stewardship common stock.

Name and Address	Number of Shares Owned			Percent of Voting Common Stock Outstanding
Basswood Capital Management, L.L.C. 645 Madison Avenue, 10th Floor New York, New York 10022		578,865	(1)		6.67	%

Sy Jacobs 11 East 26 ^th Street, Suite 1900 New York, New York 10010 Chicago, Illinois 60606		446,901	(2)		5.10	%

(1)

As reported by Basswood Capital Management, L.L.C. (“Basswood”), Matthew Lindenbaum and Bennett Lindenbaum, 645 Madison Avenue, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10022, on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 11, 2019. Basswood, Mr. Matthew Lindenbaum and Mr. Bennett Lindenbaum all reported shared voting and dispositive powers over the 578,865 shares of Stewardship common stock.

(2)

As reported by Mr. Sy Jacobs, Jacobs Asset Management, LLC, JAM Special Opportunities Fund III, L.P. and JAM Equity Partners, LLC, 11 East 26th Street, Suite 1900, New York, NY 10010, on a Schedule 13G filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 4, 2019. Mr. Jacobs and the other reporting persons all reported shared voting and dispositive powers over the 446,901 shares of Stewardship common stock.

The following table provides information as of August 13, 2019 about the shares of Stewardship common stock that may be considered to be owned by each director, current executive officer and by all directors and current executive officers of Stewardship as a group. Unless otherwise indicated, each of the named individuals has, directly or indirectly, sole or shared voting or investment power or the right to acquire within 60 days with respect to the shares of Stewardship common stock shown and none of the named individuals has pledged his or her shares.

Name of Beneficial Owner	Number of Shares Beneficially Owned (1)		Percent of Shares of Common Stock Outstanding (2)
Directors:
Wayne Aoki		43,446		*
Richard W. Culp		43,467		*
William C Hanse(3)		134,583		1.54%
Margo Lane(4)		73,344		*
John L. Steen(5)		109,746		1.26%
John C. Scoccola, Secretary		14,840		*
William J. Vander Eems(6)		271,323		3.11%
Paul Van Ostenbridge(7)		84,696		*
Kim Vierheilig		1,528		*
Michael Westra, Chairman		39,195		*
Howard R. Yeaton, Vice Chairman(8)		22,296		*

Named Executive Officers Who Are Not Also Directors
Claire M Chadwick, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer(9)		20,258		*
William S. Clement, Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer(10)		6,981		*
All directors and executive officers as a group (15 persons)		902,158		10.35%

Indicates less than 1% ownership.

(1)	Unless otherwise noted, the address of each beneficial owner is c/o Stewardship Financial Corporation, 630 Godwin Avenue, Midland Park, New Jersey 07432-1405.

(2)

Beneficial ownership as reported in the table above has been determined in accordance with Item 403 of Regulation S-K and Rule 13d-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and based upon 8,714,222 shares of common stock outstanding as of the record date. Beneficially owned shares include shares over which the named person exercises either sole or shared voting power or sole or shared investment power. They also include shares owned (i) by a spouse, minor children or by relatives sharing the same home, (ii) by entities owned or controlled by the named person and (iii) if the named person has the right to acquire such shares within 60 days by the exercise of any right or option. Unless otherwise noted, all shares are owned of record and beneficially by the named person, either directly or through Stewardship’s dividend reinvestment plan for its shareholders.

(3)	Includes 30,462 shares of Stewardship common stock held jointly by Mr. Hanse and his spouse and 12,124 shares of Stewardship common stock held by Mr. Hanse’s spouse in her own name. Mr. Hanse disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares of Stewardship common stock held by his spouse.

(4)	Includes 18,968 shares of Stewardship common stock held jointly by Ms. Lane and her spouse.

(5)	Includes 109,151 shares of Stewardship common stock held in a joint trust of Mr. Steen and his spouse.

(6)	Includes 199,686 shares of Stewardship common stock held by Mr. Vander Eem’s spouse in her own name. Mr. Vander Eems disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares of Stewardship common stock held by his spouse.

(7)	Includes 11,493 restricted shares of Stewardship common stock held by Mr. Van Ostenbridge and 3,345 shares of Stewardship common stock held by Mr. Van Ostenbridge’s spouse in her name. Mr. Van Ostenbridge disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares of Stewardship common stock held by his spouse.

(8)	Includes 9,208 shares of Stewardship common stock held jointly by Mr. Yeaton and his spouse.

(9)	Includes 5,770 restricted shares of Stewardship common stock.

(10)	Includes 5,488 restricted shares of Stewardship common stock.

SUBMISSION OF BUSINESS PROPOSALS AND SHAREHOLDER NOMINATIONS

In the event that the merger is completed as and when expected, Stewardship will no longer exist and will not hold an annual meeting of shareholders in 2020. However, if the merger is not completed, Stewardship will hold its annual meeting of shareholders in 2020.

Stewardship shareholders who wish to present proposals to be included in Stewardship’s proxy materials for its 2020 annual meeting of shareholders, if applicable, must submit such proposals in writing to the Secretary of Stewardship at 630 Godwin Avenue, Midland Park, New Jersey 07432-1405 not less than 120 days nor more than one hundred fifty (150) days prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting (i.e. no earlier than December 15, 2019 nor later than January 14, 2020); provided, however, that in the event that the annual meeting is called for a date that is not within 30 days before or after such anniversary date, notice by the shareholder in order to be timely must be so received by the later of the close of business the date that is 120 days prior to the annual meeting date or the tenth day following the date that the annual meeting date is first publicly disclosed, whichever first occurs.

Requirements relating to the notice to be delivered to Stewardship are also contained in the by-laws of Stewardship and Stewardship shareholders should refer to the by-laws in order to prepare such notice.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

Stewardship files annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. These filings are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov . You may also read and copy any document that Stewardship files with the SEC at its public reference room located at 100 F Street, NE, Room 1580, Washington DC 20549. Copies of these documents also can be obtained at prescribed rates by writing to the Public Reference Section of the SEC, at 100 F Street, NE, Room 1580, Washington DC 20549 or by calling 1-800-SEC-0330 for additional information on the operation of the public reference facilities.

All information concerning Columbia and its subsidiaries included in this document has been furnished by Columbia and all information concerning Stewardship and its subsidiaries included in this proxy statement has been furnished by Stewardship.

You should rely only on the information contained in this proxy statement when evaluating the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information that is different from what is contained in this proxy statement. The information contained in this proxy statement speaks only as of the date of this proxy statement. This proxy statement is dated August 19, 2019. You should not assume that the information contained in this proxy statement is accurate as of any date other than such date, and the mailing of this proxy statement to Stewardship shareholders shall not create any implication to the contrary.

Annex A

AGREEMENT and plan of merger

BY AND AMONG

COLUMBIA FINANCIAL, INC.

BROADWAY ACQUISITION corp.

AND

STEWARDSHIP FINANCIAL CORPoration

DATED AS OF JUNE 6, 2019

TABLE OF CONTENTS

		Page

ARTICLE 1 DEFINITIONS		A-1

1.1	Definitions	A-1

ARTICLE 2 MERGER		A-10

2.1	The Integrated Mergers	A-10
2.2	Effects of the Integrated Mergers	A-10
2.3	Effects of First-Step Merger on Merger Sub Capital Stock	A-10
2.4	Conversion of Stewardship Common Stock in the First-Step Merger	A-10
2.5	Effects of Second-Step Merger on Columbia and Stewardship Common Stock	A-11
2.6	Certificate of Incorporation of Surviving Corporation	A-11
2.7	Bylaws of Surviving Corporation	A-11
2.8	Directors; Officers	A-11
2.9	Payment and Exchange of Certificates	A-11
2.10	Stewardship Restricted Stock	A-12
2.11	Stewardship Employee Stock Purchase Plan/Director Stock Plan	A-13
2.12	The Closing	A-13
2.13	Withholding	A-14
2.14	Restructure of Transaction	A-15

ARTICLE 3 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF COLUMBIA		A-15

3.1	Organization and Qualification	A-15
3.2	Authority Relative to this Agreement; Non-Contravention	A-16
3.3	Exchange Act Reports; Financial Statements	A-17
3.4	No Material Adverse Changes	A-18
3.5	Compliance with Laws	A-18
3.6	Regulatory Approvals	A-18
3.7	Litigation	A-19
3.8	Community Reinvestment Act	A-19
3.9	Financing	A-19
3.10	No Other Representations or Warranties	A-19

ARTICLE 4 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF STEWARDSHIP		A-20

4.1	Organization and Qualification	A-20
4.2	Authority Relative to this Agreement; Non-Contravention	A-21
4.3	Capitalization	A-22
4.4	Ownership of Stewardship Common Stock	A-22
4.5	Financial Statements	A-23
4.6	Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities	A-24
4.7	Loans and OREO; Sale of Loans; Commitments to Extend Credit	A-24
4.8	Allowance for Loan Losses	A-25

4.9	Deposits	A-25
4.10	Reports and Filings	A-26
4.11	Ownership of Equity Interests in Stewardship Bank and of Certain Statutory Trust Securities; Off Balance Sheet Arrangements	A-26
4.12	Books and Records	A-27
4.13	No Material Adverse Changes	A-28
4.14	Absence of Certain Developments	A-28
4.15	Properties	A-29
4.16	Intellectual Property	A-31
4.17	Environmental Matters	A-31
4.18	Community Reinvestment Act	A-34
4.19	Information Security	A-34
4.20	Tax Matters	A-35
4.21	Contracts and Commitments	A-38
4.22	Litigation	A-40
4.23	No Brokers or Finders	A-40
4.24	Employees	A-40
4.25	Employee Benefit Plans	A-44
4.26	Insurance	A-48
4.27	Affiliate Transactions	A-48
4.28	Compliance with Laws; Permits	A-48
4.29	Fiduciary Accounts	A-50
4.30	Interest Rate Risk Management Instruments	A-50
4.31	No Guarantees	A-50
4.32	Regulatory Approvals	A-50
4.33	Fairness Opinion	A-50
4.34	Transactions in Securities	A-51
4.35	Registration Obligation	A-51
4.36	No Other Representations or Warranties	A-51

ARTICLE 5 CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PENDING THE MERGER		A-51

5.1	Conduct of Business	A-51
5.2	Absence of Control	A-54
5.3	Access to Information; Confidentiality.	A-55
5.4	Notice of Developments	A-55
5.5	Consents and Authorizations	A-56
5.6	Tax Matters	A-56
5.7	No Solicitation	A-57
5.8	Columbia Forbearances	A-58
5.9	Stewardship Forbearances	A-59
5.10	Maintenance of ALLL	A-59
5.11	Termination of Stewardship Dividend Reinvestment Plan	A-60
5.12	Shareholder Litigation	A-60

ARTICLE 6 ADDITIONAL COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS		A-60

6.1	The Bank Merger	A-60
6.2	Filings and Regulatory Approvals	A-60
6.3	Shareholder Meeting	A-61
6.4	Employee Matters	A-63
6.5	Updated Schedules	A-66
6.6	Indemnification; Directors’ and Officers’ Insurance	A-66
6.7	Statutory Trust	A-67
6.8	Assumption of Subordinated Notes	A-68
6.9	Loan Participations	A-68
6.10	Board Representation; Advisory Board	A-68
6.11	Columbia Confidential Information	A-68
6.12	Stewardship Confidential Information	A-69
6.13	Columbia Bank Foundation	A-69

ARTICLE 7 CONDITIONS		A-69

7.1	Conditions to Obligations of Each Party	A-69
7.2	Additional Conditions to Obligation of Stewardship	A-70
7.3	Additional Conditions to Obligation of Columbia	A-71

ARTICLE 8 TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER		A-72

8.1	Reasons for Termination	A-72
8.2	Effect of Termination	A-74
8.3	Expenses	A-74
8.4	Stewardship Termination Fee	A-74
8.5	Waiver	A-74

ARTICLE 9 GENERAL PROVISIONS		A-74

9.1	Press Releases and Announcements	A-74
9.2	Notices	A-74
9.3	Assignment	A-75
9.4	No Third Party Beneficiaries	A-76
9.5	Disclosure Schedules	A-76
9.6	Interpretation	A-76
9.7	Severability	A-77
9.8	Complete Agreement	A-77
9.9	Governing Law	A-77
9.10	Specific Performance	A-77
9.11	Waiver of Jury Trial	A-78
9.12	Investigation of Representations, Warranties and Covenants	A-78
9.13	No Survival of Representations	A-78
9.14	Counterparts	A-78
9.15	Delivery by Facsimile or Electronic Transmission	A-79
9.16	No Presumption Against Drafting Party	A-79

Exhibit A — Form of Bank Merger Agreement	A-A-1
Exhibit B — Form of New Jersey Certificate of Merger	A-B-1

iii

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

This AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (this “ Agreement ”), dated as of June 6, 2019, is made and entered into by and among Columbia Financial, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ Columbia ”), Broadway Acquisition Corp., a New Jersey corporation wholly-owned by Columbia (“ Merger Sub ”) and Stewardship Financial Corporation, a New Jersey corporation (“ Stewardship ”).

WHEREAS , the respective Boards of Directors of Columbia and Stewardship have determined that it is advisable and in the best interests of Columbia and Stewardship and their respective shareholders to consummate the merger as described herein, pursuant to which (i) Merger Sub will merge with and into Stewardship as described in Article 2 (the “ First-Step Merger ”) so that Stewardship is the surviving corporation in the First-Step Merger and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Columbia and (ii) immediately thereafter, Stewardship, as the surviving corporation in the First-Step Merger, will merge with and into Columbia (the “ Second-Step Merger ” and, together with the First-Step Merger, the “ Integrated Mergers ” or the “ Merger ”), with Columbia being the surviving corporation (hereinafter sometimes referred to in such capacity as the “ Surviving Corporation ”); and

WHEREAS , as a result of the First-Step Merger, the outstanding shares of common stock, no par value per share, of Stewardship (“ Stewardship Common Stock ”) will be converted into cash as described in Article 2; and

WHEREAS , Stewardship owns all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Atlantic Stewardship Bank, a New Jersey state-chartered bank ( “Stewardship Bank” ), and Columbia owns all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Columbia Bank, a federally chartered savings bank (“ Columbia Bank ”), and Columbia and Stewardship desire that Stewardship Bank be merged with and into Columbia Bank immediately after the Merger (the “ Bank Merger ”) pursuant to a Bank Merger Agreement (the “ Bank Merger Agreement ”) substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A ; and

WHEREAS , following the approval of the Stewardship Board of Directors of this Agreement, concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the parties hereto and as an inducement to Columbia to enter into this Agreement, each of the directors of Stewardship has entered into a Shareholder Voting Agreement dated the date hereof (the “ Shareholder Voting Agreement ”) pursuant to which such directors have agreed to vote their shares of Stewardship Common Stock in favor of the Integrated Mergers and all other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the representations, warranties and covenants contained herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS

1.1 Definitions . The following capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings set forth below:

“ Acquisition Proposal ” means any offer, proposal, inquiry or indication of interest (other than an offer, proposal, inquiry or indication of interest by Columbia) contemplating or otherwise relating to any Acquisition Transaction.

“ Acquisition Transaction ” means any transaction or series of transactions involving (a) any merger, consolidation, share exchange, business combination, issuance of securities, acquisition of securities, tender offer, exchange offer or other similar transaction (i) in which any Stewardship Entity is a constituent corporation, and in which either (x) a Person or “group” (as defined in the Exchange Act and the rules promulgated thereunder) of Persons directly or indirectly acquires beneficial or record ownership of securities representing more than 25% of the outstanding securities of any class of voting securities of any Stewardship Entity or (y) in which any Stewardship Entity issues or sells securities or membership units representing more than 25% of the outstanding securities of any class of voting securities of any Stewardship Entity; or (b) any sale (other than sales in the Ordinary Course of Business), lease (other than in the Ordinary Course of Business), exchange, transfer (other than in the Ordinary Course of Business), license (other than nonexclusive licenses in the Ordinary Course of Business), acquisition or disposition of any business or businesses or assets that constitute or account for 25% or more of the consolidated net revenues, net income or assets of Stewardship.

“ Affiliate ” has the meaning set forth in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act.

“ Ancillary Documents ” means the Bank Merger Agreement, the Shareholder Voting Agreement and any and all other agreements, certificates and documents required to be delivered by either party hereto prior to or at the Closing pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

“ Business Day ” means any day other than Saturday, Sunday or a day on which a state bank is required to be closed under the Laws of the State of New Jersey.

“ Charter ” means (a) with respect to any corporation, those instruments that at that time constitute its charter as filed or recorded under the general corporation or other applicable Law of the jurisdiction of incorporation or association, including the articles or certificate of incorporation or association, any amendments thereto and any articles or certificates of merger or consolidation, and (b) with respect to any limited liability company, those agreements and instruments that at that time constitute the limited liability company agreement or operating agreement of such limited liability company executed by the members of the limited liability company, including any amendments thereto.

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

“ Columbia Disclosure Schedules ” means the Schedules delivered by Columbia to Stewardship on or prior to the date of this Agreement, which will neither be attached to this Agreement nor publicly available.

“ Columbia NDA ” means the Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure Agreement dated May 9, 2019 between Stewardship and Columbia.

“ Commonly Controlled Entity ” means any entity under common control with Stewardship within the meaning of Sections 414(b), (c), (m), (o) or (t) of the Code.

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“ Consent ” means any authorization, consent, approval, filing, waiver, exemption or other action by or notice to any Person.

“ Contract ” means a contract, agreement, lease, commitment or binding understanding, whether oral or written, that is in effect as of the date of this Agreement or any time after the date of this Agreement.

“ CRA ” means the Community Reinvestment Act.

“ Disclosure Schedules ” means the Schedules delivered by Stewardship to Columbia or by Columbia to Stewardship, as the case may be, on or prior to the date of this Agreement, which will neither be attached to this Agreement nor publicly available.

“ Encumbrance ” means any charge, claim, community property interest, easement, covenant, condition, equitable interest, lien, option, pledge, security interest, right of first refusal or restriction of any kind, including any restriction on use, voting, transfer, receipt of income or exercise of any other attribute of ownership.

“ ERISA ” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

“FICA” means the Federal Insurance Contributions Act, as amended.

“ GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved.

“ Governmental Authorization ” means any approval, consent, license, permit, waiver, registration or other authorization issued, granted, given, made available or otherwise required by any Governmental Entity or pursuant to applicable Law.

“ Governmental Entity ” means any federal, state, local, foreign, international or multinational entity or authority exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory, administrative or taxing functions of or pertaining to government.

“ Governmental Order ” means any judgment, injunction, writ, order, ruling, award or decree by any Governmental Entity.

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“ Indebtedness ” means, with respect to any Person, without duplication: (i) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money, or with respect to deposits or advances of any kind; (ii) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments; (iii) all obligations of such Person upon which interest charges are customarily paid (other than trade payables incurred in the Ordinary Course of Business consistent with past practices); (iv) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to any property purchased by such Person; (v) all obligations of such Person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or services (excluding obligations of such Person to creditors for services and supplies incurred in the Ordinary Course of Business); (vi) all lease obligations of such Person that are required to be or otherwise are capitalized on the books and records of such Person in accordance with GAAP; (vii) all obligations of others secured by an Encumbrance on property or assets owned or acquired by such Person, whether or not the obligations secured thereby have been assumed; (viii) all obligations of such Person under interest rate, currency or commodity derivatives or hedging transactions (valued at the termination value thereof); (ix) all letters of credit or performance bonds issued for the account of such Person (excluding letters of credit issued for the benefit of suppliers to support accounts payable to suppliers incurred in the Ordinary Course of Business consistent with past practices); and (x) all guarantees and arrangements having the economic effect of a guarantee of such Person of any Indebtedness of any other Person.

“ Intellectual Property ” means: (a) all inventions (whether patentable or unpatentable and whether or not reduced to practice), all improvements thereon, and all patents, patent applications and patent disclosures, together with all reissuances, continuations, continuations-in-part, divisionals, extensions and re-examinations thereof; (b) all trademarks whether registered or unregistered, service marks, domain names, corporate names and all combinations thereof; (c) all copyrights whether registered or unregistered, and all applications, registrations and renewals in connection therewith; (d) all datasets, databases and related documentation; and (e) all other proprietary rights.

“ Knowledge of Columbia ” means the actual knowledge of the executive officers of the Columbia and Columbia Bank identified on Schedule 1.1 of the Disclosure Schedules after reasonable investigation.

“ Knowledge of Stewardship ” means the actual knowledge of the executive officers of the Stewardship Entities identified on Schedule 1.1 of the Disclosures Schedules after reasonable investigation.

“ Law ” means any constitution, law, ordinance, principle of common law, regulation, rule, statute or treaty of any Governmental Entity.

“ Liability ” means any liability or obligation whether accrued, absolute, contingent, unliquidated or otherwise, whether due or to become due, whether known or unknown, and regardless of when asserted.

“ Litigation ” means any claim, action, arbitration, mediation, audit, hearing, investigation, proceeding, litigation or suit (whether civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or informal) commenced, brought, conducted or heard by or before, or otherwise involving, any Governmental Entity or arbitrator or mediator.

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“ Material Adverse Effect ” means any change, effect, development, occurrence, event or condition, individually or in the aggregate, that has had, or, with the passage of time, would reasonably be expected to have, a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, or results of operations of the Stewardship Entities, taken as a whole, or Columbia and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, as the case may be; provided , however , that none of the following shall be deemed in themselves, either alone or in combination, shall constitute or be deemed to constitute a “Material Adverse Effect,” and none of the following shall be taken into account in determining whether there has been or would be a Material Adverse Effect: (a) changes after the date hereof in Laws of general applicability to banks and bank holding companies, (b) changes after the date hereof in GAAP or regulatory accounting requirements generally applicable to banks and bank holding companies, (c) changes, after the date hereof, in economic conditions generally affecting banks and bank holding companies, including changes in the general level of market interest rates, or general market, economic, financial, capital markets or political or regulatory conditions in the United States, (d) changes, after the date hereof, in national or international political conditions, including the escalation of war or major hostilities by the United States, whether or not pursuant to a declaration of a national emergency or war, or the occurrence of terrorist attacks upon or within the United States, (e) any failure, in and of itself, by Stewardship or Columbia to meet any internal or published projections, forecasts, estimates, or predictions in respect of revenues, earnings, or other financial or operating metrics for any period (it being understood that the facts or occurrences giving rise to or contributing to such failure may be deemed to constitute, or be taken into account in determining whether there has been or would reasonably be expected to become, a Material Adverse Effect, to the extent permitted by this definition and not otherwise excepted by a clause of this proviso), (f) the public announcement of the Merger, and (g) with respect to any of the Stewardship Entities, the effects of any action taken with the prior written consent of Columbia or as otherwise required by this Agreement; further provided , however , that the effect of any of the changes described in clauses (a) through (d) will not be excluded from the definition of “ Material Adverse Effect ” to the extent they have a disproportionate impact on the Stewardship Entities as a whole or Columbia and its Subsidiaries as a whole, as the case may be, on the one hand, as measured relative to similarly situated companies in the financial services industry, on the other hand.

“ Ordinary Course of Business ” means the ordinary course of business of the Stewardship Entities consistent with past custom and practice (including with respect to nature, scope, magnitude, quantity and frequency).

“ Permitted Encumbrances ” means (a) Encumbrances for Taxes and other governmental charges and assessments that are not yet due and payable or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings (provided required payments have been made and adequate accruals or reserves have been established in connection with any such contest), (b) Encumbrances of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics’ and materialmen and other like Encumbrances arising in the Ordinary Course of Business (provided lien statements have not been filed as of the Closing Date), (c) easements, covenants, rights of way and restrictions, zoning ordinances and other similar Encumbrances affecting the Real Property and which do not unreasonably restrict the use thereof in the Ordinary Course of Business, (d) statutory Encumbrances in favor of lessors arising in connection with any property leased to Stewardship or Stewardship Bank, (e) Encumbrances reflected in the Latest Stewardship Balance Sheet or arising under Material Contracts; (f) Encumbrances to secure liabilities for any discount with, borrowing from or other obligations to the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and (g) Encumbrances that will be removed prior to or in connection with the Closing.

“ Person ” means any individual, corporation (including any non-profit corporation), general or limited partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, estate, trust, association, organization, labor union, Governmental Entity or other entity.

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“ Plan ” means every plan, fund, contract, program and arrangement (whether written or not) of any Stewardship Entity or Commonly Controlled Entity for the benefit of present or former employees, including those plans, funds, contracts, programs or arrangements intended to provide (a) medical, surgical, health care, hospitalization, dental, vision, workers’ compensation, life insurance, death, disability, legal services, severance, sickness or accident benefits (whether or not defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA), (b) pension, profit sharing, retirement, supplemental retirement or deferred compensation benefits (whether or not Tax qualified and whether or not defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA), (c) any kind of cash or equity incentive compensation, or (d) salary continuation, unemployment, supplemental unemployment, severance, termination pay, change-in-control, vacation or holiday benefits (whether or not defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA), (i) that is maintained or contributed to by any Stewardship Entity or any Commonly Controlled Entity, (ii) that a Stewardship Entity or any Commonly Controlled Entity has committed to implement, establish, adopt or contribute to in the future, (iii) for which a Stewardship Entity or any Commonly Controlled Entity is or may be financially liable as a result of the direct sponsor’s affiliation with the Stewardship Entities or their shareholders (whether or not such affiliation exists at the date of this Agreement and notwithstanding that the Plan is not maintained by a Stewardship Entity or any Commonly Controlled Entity for the benefit of its employees or former employees) or (iv) for or with respect to which any Stewardship Entity or any Commonly Controlled Entity is or may become liable under any common law successor doctrine, express successor liability provisions of Law, provisions of a collective bargaining agreement, labor or employment Law or agreement with a predecessor employer. “ Plan ” does not include any arrangement that has been terminated and completely wound up prior to the date of this Agreement and for which neither any Stewardship Entity nor any Commonly Controlled Entity has any present or potential Liability.

“Regulatory Authority” means each and every federal, state or local governmental, regulatory (banking or otherwise), or judicial authority having jurisdiction over any of Stewardship, Atlantic Stewardship Bank, Columbia, Columbia Bank, or any of their respective business operations, properties or assets, or the transactions described herein.

“ Remedies Exception ” means except to the extent enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other Laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles.

“ Return ” means any return, declaration, report, estimate, information return or statement pertaining to any Taxes.

“ Statutory Declaration of Trust ” means the declaration of trust contained in the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust dated as of September 17, 2003, among Stewardship, as Sponsor, U.S. Bank National Association, as Institutional Trustee, and the Administrators named therein.

“ Statutory Trust ” means the Stewardship Statutory Trust I, a Connecticut statutory trust.

“ Statutory Trust Agreements ” means the Statutory Trust Debentures, the Statutory Declaration of Trust, the Statutory Trust Guarantee, the Statutory Trust Indenture and the Statutory Trust Securities.

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“ Statutory Trust Debentures ” means the Fixed/Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due 2033 dated as of September 17, 2003.

“ Statutory Trust Guarantee ” means the Guarantee Agreement, dated as of September 17, 2003, between Stewardship and U.S. Bank National Association, as Guarantee Trustee.

“ Statutory Trust Indenture ” means the Indenture dated as of September 17, 2003, between Stewardship, as Issuer, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee.

“ Statutory Trust Securities ” means the common securities and preferred securities issued pursuant to the Statutory Declaration of Trust.

“ Stewardship Entities ” means, collectively, Stewardship, Atlantic Stewardship Bank, the Stewardship Bank Subsidiaries and “ Stewardship Entity ” means, individually, any such entity.

“ Stewardship Equity Incentive Plan ” means the Stewardship 2010 Stock Incentive Plan effective as of February 17, 2010.

“ Stewardship NDA ” means the Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure Agreement dated March 7, 2019, between Columbia and Stewardship.

“ Subordinated Note ” means the Stewardship 6.75% Fixed Rate Subordinated Note Due 2025.

“ Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person (other than a natural person), whether incorporated or unincorporated, in which such Person, directly or indirectly (a) has a 50% or more equity interest or (b) owns at least a majority of the securities or ownership interests having by their terms ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors or other governing body performing similar functions; provided , however , that the term will not include any such entity in which such voting securities or equity interest is owned or controlled in a fiduciary capacity, without sole voting power, or was acquired in securing or collecting a debt previously contracted in good faith.

“ Superior Proposal ” means any Acquisition Proposal by a third party on terms which the Board of Directors of Stewardship determines in its good faith judgment, after consultation with its legal counsel and, with respect to financial matters, its financial advisors, to be, as to the consideration payable, more favorable from a financial point of view, and as to other matters, more favorable generally, to its shareholders than the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby, after taking into account the provisions of Article X of Stewardship’s Charter, the likelihood of consummation of such transaction on the terms set forth therein, taking into account all legal, financial (including the financing terms of any such proposal), regulatory and other aspects of such proposal, and any other relevant factors permitted under applicable Law.

“ Taxes ” means all taxes, charges, fees, levies or other assessments, including all net income, gross income, gross receipts, sales, use, ad valorem, transfer, franchise, profits, license, withholding, payroll, employment, social security, unemployment, excise, estimated, severance, stamp, occupation, property or other taxes, customs, duties, fees, assessments or charges of any kind whatsoever, including all interest and penalties thereon, and additions to tax or additional amounts imposed by any Taxing Authority.

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“ Taxing Authority ” means any Governmental Entity having jurisdiction with respect to any Tax.

Defined Terms. The following capitalized terms not defined in Section 1.1 and used in more than one Section of this Agreement have the meanings set forth in the Sections hereof set forth below:

Definition	Section
Advisory Board	6.10
Affordable Care Act	4.25(k)
Agreement	Preamble
ALLL	4.8
Bank Holding Company Act	3.1(a)
Bank Merger	Recitals
Bank Merger Agreement	Recitals
Bank Regulatory Approvals	3.2(c)
Columbia	Preamble
Columbia Bank	Recitals
Columbia Exchange Act Reports	3.3(a)
Columbia Financial Statements	3.3(b)
Certificate(s)	2.9(a)
Change of Stewardship Board Recommendation	6.3(a)
Closing	2.12
Continuing Employee	6.4(a)
Closing Date	2.12
D&O Insurance	6.6(b)
Department of Treasury	2.1(a)
Departments	4.24(e)
Distressed Loans	4.7(b)
DSP	2.11
Effective Time	2.1
ESPP	2.11
FDIC	4.9
First-Step Merger	Recitals
First-Step Merger Certificate	2.1(a)
FRB	3.2(c)
Indemnified Party	6.6(a)
Latest Stewardship Balance Sheet	4.5(a)
Leased Real Property	4.15(c)
Letter of Transmittal	2.9(a)
Loan Participation	4.7(f)
Material Contracts	4.21(a)
Merger	Recitals
Merger Consideration	2.4

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Definition	Section
Merger Sub	Preamble
New Jersey Banking Statute	3.2(c)
NJBCA	2.1
NJDOBI	3.2(c)
OCC	3.2(c)
Operating Real Property	4.15(c)
OREO	4.7(b)
Owned Real Property	4.15(c)
Paying Agent	2.9(a)
Proxy Statement	6.3(b)
Real Property	4.15(b)
Representatives	5.7(a)
Required Consents	5.5
Required Stewardship Shareholder Vote	4.2(a)
S&L Holding Company Act	3.1(a)
Sandler O’Neill	0
SEC	3.3(a)
Second-Step Merger	Recitals
Second-Step Merger Certificate	2.1(b)
Shareholder Voting Agreement	Recitals
Surviving Corporation	Recitals
Termination Date	8.1(d)(i)
Third-Party Environmental Claim	4.17(a)(vii)
Transaction Litigation	5.12
Transfer Taxes	5.6(c)
Stewardship	Preamble
Stewardship Bank	Preamble
Stewardship Bank Call Reports	4.10
Stewardship Bank Common Stock	4.3
Stewardship Bank Financial Statements	4.5(c)
Stewardship Bank Subsidiaries	4.5
Stewardship Board Recommendation	6.3(a)
Stewardship Common Stock	Recitals
Stewardship Converted Common Stock	2.9(a)
Stewardship Customer Information	4.19(a)
Stewardship Employees	6.4(a)
Stewardship Exchange Act Reports	4.5(a)
Stewardship Financial Statements	4.5(c)
Stewardship IT Systems	4.19(b)
Stewardship Regulatory Reports	4.10
Stewardship Restricted Stock Award	2.10
Stewardship Shareholder Meeting	6.3(a)
Work Permits	4.24(e)

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ARTICLE 2
MERGER

2.1 The Integrated Mergers .

(a) Under the terms of this Agreement and subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in Article 7, at the Effective Time, Merger Sub will be merged with and into Stewardship in accordance with the provisions of the New Jersey Business Corporation Act ( “ NJBCA ”) (“ First-Step Merger ”). Stewardship shall be the surviving corporation in the First-Step Merger, and shall continue its corporate existence under the laws of the State of New Jersey. Upon consummation of the First-Step Merger, the separate corporate existence of Merger Sub shall terminate. On or before the date that the First-Step Merger is consummated (the “Closing Date” ), Columbia and Stewardship, respectively, shall cause to be filed a certificate of merger with the Department of the Treasury of the State of New Jersey (the “ New Jersey Department of the Treasury ”) in accordance with the NJBCA (the “ First-Step Merger Certificate ”). The First-Step Merger shall become effective as of the date the and time specified in the First-Step Merger Certificate (such date and time, the “ Effective Time ”).

(b) Immediately following the Effective Time, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, in accordance with the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “ DGCL ”) and the NJBCA, Stewardship, as the surviving corporation in the First-Step Merger, shall merge with and into Columbia. Columbia shall be the Surviving Corporation in the Second-Step Merger, and shall continue its corporate existence under the laws of the State of Delaware. Upon consummation of the Second-Step Merger, the separate corporate existence of Stewardship shall terminate. On or before the Closing Date, Columbia and Stewardship, respectively, shall cause to be filed a certificate of ownership and merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in accordance with the DGCL and a certificate of merger with the New Jersey Department of the Treasury in accordance with the NJBCA (collectively, the “ Second-Step Merger Certificates ”). The Second-Step Merger shall become effective as of the date and time specified in the Second-Step Merger Certificates.

2.2 Effects of the Integrated Mergers . At and after the Effective Time, the First-Step Merger shall have the effects set forth in the NJBCA. At and after the effective time of the Second-Step Merger, the Second-Step Merger shall have the effects set forth in Section 259 of the DGCL and the NJBCA.

2.3 Effects of First-Step Merger on Merger Sub Capital Stock . At and after the Effective Time, each share of the capital stock of Merger Sub issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be converted into and become one validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable share of common stock of Stewardship.

2.4 Conversion of Stewardship Common Stock in the First-Step Merger . At the Effective Time, by virtue of the First-Step Merger and without any action on the part of Columbia, Merger Sub or Stewardship or the holder of Stewardship Common Stock, subject to Section 2.9, each issued and outstanding share of Stewardship Common Stock (other than shares to be canceled pursuant to this Section 2.4) will be canceled and extinguished and be converted into and become a right to receive from Columbia $15.75 in cash, without interest (the “ Merger Consideration ”). Each share of Stewardship Common Stock held as treasury stock of Stewardship or held directly or indirectly by Columbia, other than shares held in a fiduciary capacity or in satisfaction of Indebtedness previously contracted, will be canceled, retired and cease to exist, and no exchange or payment will be made with respect thereto.

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2.5 Effects of Second-Step Merger on Columbia and Stewardship Common Stock . At the effective time of the Second-Step Merger, each share of (a) Columbia common stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to such time shall remain issued and outstanding and shall not be affected by the Second-Step Merger and (b) Stewardship Common Stock, as the surviving corporation in the First-Step Merger, issued and outstanding immediately prior to such time shall be cancelled and shall cease to exist and neither the Merger Consideration nor any other consideration shall be delivered in exchange therefor.

2.6 Certificate of Incorporation of Surviving Corporation . At the Effective Time, the Certificate of Incorporation of Stewardship, as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall be the Certificate of Incorporation of the surviving corporation in the First-Step Merger until such Certificate of Incorporation is thereafter amended in accordance with its terms and applicable law. At the effective time of the Second-Step Merger, the Certificate of Incorporation of Columbia, as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall be the Certificate of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation until thereafter amended in accordance with its terms and applicable law.

2.7 Bylaws of Surviving Corporation . At the Effective Time, the Bylaws of Merger Sub, as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall be the Bylaws of the surviving corporation in the First-Step Merger until thereafter amended in accordance with their terms and applicable law. At the effective time of the Second-Step Merger, the Bylaws of Columbia, as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall be the Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation until thereafter amended in accordance with their terms and applicable law.

2.8 Directors; Officers . At and immediately after the Effective Time, the directors and officers of Merger Sub in office immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the directors and officers of the surviving corporation in the First-Step Merger until their respective successors are duly elected or appointed and qualified. Subject to Section 6.9, the directors and officers of Columbia in office immediately prior to the effective time of the Second-Step Merger shall be the directors and officers of the Surviving Corporation until their respective successors are duly elected or appointed and qualified.

2.9 Payment and Exchange of Certificates .

(a) Appointment of Paying Agent; Payment of Merger Consideration; Exchange of Certificates . At or prior to the Effective Time, Columbia shall deposit, or shall cause to be deposited, with a third party paying agent mutually satisfactory to Columbia and Stewardship (the “ Paying Agent ”), pursuant to an agreement entered into between Columbia and the Paying Agent prior to Closing, for the benefit of the holders of shares of Stewardship Common Stock (“Stewardship Converted Common Stock”), an amount of cash equal to the aggregate Merger Consideration. As promptly as practicable after the Effective Time but in no event later than five (5) Business Days after the Closing, Columbia will cause to be distributed to each holder of Stewardship Converted Common Shares, of a letter of transmittal or other appropriate materials to facilitate the surrender of certificates representing such shares or any statement reflecting shares issued in book entry form, which prior to the Effective Time represented a share of Stewardship Common Stock (a “Certificate” or “Certificates” which is intended to refer to ownership of book entry accounts as well), in exchange for Merger Consideration for each Stewardship Converted Common Share (a “ Letter of Transmittal ”). As promptly as practicable but in no event later than ten (10) Business Days after surrender to the Paying Agent of any Certificate, Columbia will cause the Paying Agent to distribute to the Person in whose name such Certificate is registered, the Merger Consideration.

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(b) Failure to Surrender Certificates . If outstanding Certificates formerly representing Stewardship Common Stock are not surrendered prior to the date on which the Merger Consideration to which any holder of such shares is entitled as a result of the Merger would otherwise escheat to or become the property of any Governmental Entity, the unclaimed Merger Consideration will, to the extent permitted by abandoned property and any other applicable Law, become the property of Columbia (and to the extent not in Columbia’s possession will be paid over to Columbia), free and clear of any and all claims or interest of any Person. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither Columbia nor any other Person will be liable to any holder of Stewardship Converted Common Shares for any amount delivered to a public official pursuant to applicable abandoned property, escheat or other similar Laws.

(c) Lost Certificates . In the event that any stock certificate representing Stewardship Converted Common Shares will have been lost, stolen or destroyed, Columbia will issue and pay in exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the holder thereof in form satisfactory to the Paying Agent, the Merger Consideration for each Stewardship Converted Common Share; provided, however , that Columbia or the Paying Agent may, as a condition precedent to the issuance and payment of the Merger Consideration to which the holder of such certificate is entitled as a result of the Merger, require the owner of such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate to deliver a bond in such customary form and amount as Columbia or the Paying Agent may reasonably require as indemnity against any claim that may be made against Columbia, Stewardship or any other party with respect to the certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed.

(d) Full Satisfaction . The Merger Consideration issued and paid upon the surrender for exchange of each Stewardship Converted Common Share in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement will be deemed to have been issued and paid in full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to such Stewardship Converted Common Share.

2.10 Stewardship Restricted Stock . At the Effective Time, each award in respect of a share of Stewardship Common Stock subject to vesting, repurchase or other lapse restriction granted under a Plan that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (a “ Stewardship Restricted Stock Award ”) will fully vest and will be converted into the right to receive, without interest, the Merger Consideration payable pursuant to Section 2.4. Stewardship will deliver stock certificates representing the shares of Stewardship Common Stock that are subject to vested Stewardship Restricted Stock Awards simultaneously with the Effective Time. Payment of the Merger Consideration to holders of such shares will be governed by Section 2.9(a); provided, however, that Columbia will be entitled to deduct and withhold, or cause the Paying Agent to deduct and withhold, from the Merger Consideration payable in respect to Stewardship Restricted Stock Awards all such amounts as it is required to deduct and withhold under the Code or any provisions of state, local or foreign Tax law.

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2.11 Stewardship Employee Stock Purchase Plan/Director Stock Plan . With respect to Stewardship’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ ESPP ”) and Stewardship Director Stock Plan (“ DSP ”) the Board of Directors of Stewardship will adopt resolutions or take other actions as may be required to (i) cause the exercise (as of no later than five (5) Business Days prior to the date on which the Effective Time occurs) of any outstanding purchase right pursuant to the ESPP and DSP, (ii) provide that no further purchase periods or purchase rights will be available under the ESPP or DSP from and following ten (10) Business Days following the date of this Agreement or in accordance with any notice periods required under the ESPP or DSP, as applicable, and (iii) terminate the ESPP and DSP (with such termination effective prior to the Effective Time).

2.12 The Closing . The closing of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the “ Closing ”) will take place as soon as practicable once the conditions in Article 7 have been satisfied or waived (other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at the Closing, but subject to the fulfillment or waiver of those conditions) but in any event within 10 Business Days after the date on which all such conditions have been satisfied or waived, unless the parties otherwise agree (the “ Closing Date ”) by electronic exchange of documents and signatures; provided , that if Columbia and Stewardship mutually agree to a physical closing, the Closing shall take place at the offices of Columbia, located at 19-01 Route 208 North, Fair Lawn, NJ 07410, or at a location otherwise agreed upon by Columbia and Stewardship. The failure of the Closing will not ipso facto result in termination of this Agreement and will not relieve any party of any obligation under this Agreement.

(a) Subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, on the Closing Date, Stewardship will deliver to Columbia:

(i) the certificate of Stewardship, dated the Closing Date, required by Section 7.3(c);

(ii) the certificate of Stewardship, dated the Closing Date, required by Section 7.3(d);

(iii) a certificate of Stewardship dated the Closing Date (A) stating the number of shares of Stewardship Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, and (B) stating that there are no other shares of capital stock of Stewardship or options, warrants, rights to acquire, or securities convertible into capital stock of Stewardship, outstanding as of the Closing Date;

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(iv) duly executed copies of all Required Consents;

(v) a certificate of the secretary or an assistant secretary of Stewardship Bank, dated the Closing Date, certifying as to a copy of the text of the resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors of Stewardship Bank, and by Stewardship as the sole shareholder of Stewardship Bank, authorizing the Bank Merger;

(vi) certificates representing all outstanding shares of Stewardship Bank Common Stock, which will be free of any Encumbrance;

(vii) the minute books, stock transfer records, corporate seal and other materials related to the corporate administration of Stewardship and Stewardship Bank (which shall remain left at the corporate headquarters of Stewardship);

(viii) certificates dated as of a date not earlier than the third (3 ^rd ) Business Day prior to the Closing executed by appropriate officials of the State of New Jersey as to the good standing of Stewardship and Stewardship Bank; and

(ix) such other certificates, real property title reports, documents and instruments that Columbia reasonably requests for the purpose of (A) evidencing the accuracy of the representations and warranties of Stewardship, (B) evidencing the performance and compliance by Stewardship with agreements contained in this Agreement, (C) evidencing the satisfaction of any condition referred to in Section 7.3 or (D) otherwise facilitating the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

(b) Subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, on the Closing Date, Columbia will deliver to Stewardship:

(i) the certificate of Columbia, dated the Closing Date, required by Section 7.2(c);

(ii) the certificate of Columbia, dated the Closing Date, required by Section 7.2(d);

(iii) such other certificates, documents and instruments that Stewardship reasonably requests for the purpose of (1) evidencing the accuracy of the representations and warranties of Columbia, (2) evidencing the performance and compliance by Columbia with agreements contained in this Agreement, (3) evidencing the satisfaction of any condition referred to in Section 7.2 or (4) otherwise facilitating the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; and

(iv) a fully-executed copy of the Paying Agent Agreement.

2.13 Withholding . Columbia or the Paying Agent will be entitled to deduct and withhold from amounts payable pursuant to this Agreement, including the Merger Consideration, any amounts required to be withheld or deducted with respect to such consideration or payments under any applicable provisions of all Laws relating to Taxes (including the Code). To the extent that amounts are so withheld and timely remitted to the appropriate Governmental Entity, such withheld amounts will be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the holder of Stewardship Common Stock in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made.

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2.14 Restructure of Transaction . Columbia shall have the right to revise the structure of the Merger in order to achieve tax benefits or for any other reason, including for its internal accounting purposes, which Columbia may deem advisable; provided, however, that Columbia shall not have the right, without the approval of the Board of Directors of Stewardship and, if and to the extent required by applicable law, the holders of Stewardship Common Stock, to make any revision that (i) would change the amount or type of the Merger Consideration to which the holders of shares of Stewardship Common Stock are entitled (as determined in the manner provided in Sections 2.4 and 2.10), (ii) would materially delay or jeopardize receipt of the approval of the Merger by any Regulatory Authority, or (iii) could reasonably be expected to adversely impact the tax consequences arising from the transactions contemplated by this Agreement to any holders of Stewardship Common Stock. Columbia may exercise this right of revision by giving written notice to Stewardship in the manner provided in Section 9.2 of this Agreement, which notice shall include a form of an amendment to this Agreement or a form of an Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of Merger which, in either case, shall not be required to be executed by any of the parties, and shall include a certification by the Chief Financial Officer of Columbia that, to his knowledge, such revision complies with the terms and conditions of this Section 2.14.

ARTICLE 3
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF COLUMBIA

Columbia hereby represents and warrants to Stewardship that, except as described in the Columbia Disclosure Schedules:

3.1 Organization and Qualification .

(a) Columbia is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of Delaware and has the requisite corporate power to carry on its business as now conducted. Columbia is registered as a savings and loan holding company under Savings and Loan Holding Company Act of 1967, as amended (the “ S&L Holding Company Act ”). Columbia is licensed or qualified to do business in every jurisdiction in which the nature of its business or its ownership or property requires it to be licensed or qualified, except where the failure to be so licensed or qualified would not have or would not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Columbia.

(b) Columbia Bank is a federal savings bank duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the United States and is authorized to transact business as a bank under federal Law. Columbia Bank is licensed or qualified to do business in every jurisdiction in which the nature of its business or its ownership or property requires it to be licensed or qualified, except where the failure to be so licensed or qualified would not have or would not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Columbia. Columbia Bank has the requisite corporate power and authority (including all Governmental Authorizations as are legally required) to carry on its business as now being conducted, to own, lease and operate its properties and assets as now owned, leased or operated and to enter into and to carry on the business and activities now conducted by it. Columbia Bank is an insured bank as defined in the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, as amended (the “ FDIA ”). Except as set forth on Schedule 3.1(b) , Columbia Bank has no Subsidiaries and has no equity interest, direct or indirect, in any bank or corporation or in any limited liability company, partnership, joint venture or other business enterprise or entity, except as acquired through settlement of Indebtedness, foreclosure, the exercise of creditors’ remedies or in a fiduciary capacity.

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(c) Merger Sub is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of New Jersey and has the requisite corporate power to carry on its business as now conducted. Merger Sub was formed to be a party to the First-Step Merger and has engaged only in activities related thereto. Merger Sub is licensed or qualified to do business in every jurisdiction in which the nature of its business or its ownership or property requires it to be licensed or qualified, except where the failure to be so licensed or qualified would not have or would not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Columbia.

3.2 Authority Relative to this Agreement; Non-Contravention .

(a) Each of Columbia, Columbia Bank and Merger Sub has the requisite corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents (to which Columbia, Columbia Bank or Merger Sub is a signatory) and to carry out its obligations hereunder. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and such other Ancillary Documents by each of Columbia, Columbia Bank and Merger Sub, and the consummation by each of Columbia, Columbia Bank and Merger Sub of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly authorized by the Board of Directors of each of Columbia, Columbia Bank and Merger Sub. No other corporate proceedings on the part of either Columbia, Columbia Bank or Merger Sub are necessary to authorize this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents (to which Columbia, Columbia Bank or Merger Sub is a signatory), or to consummate the Merger, the Bank Merger and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

(b) This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Columbia and Merger Sub and constitutes a valid and binding obligation of each of Columbia and Merger Sub, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to the Remedies Exception. Neither Columbia nor Merger Sub is subject to, or obligated under, any provision of (a) its Charter or Bylaws, (b) any Contract, (c) subject to obtaining the Consents referred to in Section 3.2(c), any license, franchise or permit or (d) subject to obtaining the Consents referred to in Section 3.2(c), any Law, order, judgment or decree, which would be breached or violated, or in respect of which a right of termination or acceleration or any Encumbrance on any of its or any of its Subsidiaries’ assets would be created, by its execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement or the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby.

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(c) No Consent of any Governmental Entity is necessary on the part of Columbia or Merger Sub for the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby, except for the following: (i) any approvals or waivers from the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “ FRB ”) for the Merger required under the S&L Holding Company Act or Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (the “ BHC Act ”), any approvals from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the “ OCC ”) under the Bank Merger Act for the Merger and the Bank Merger and any approvals of the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance (the “ NJDOBI” ) for the Merger and the Bank Merger required under the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance Act of 1948 (the “ New Jersey Banking Statute ”), and any approvals from the FDIC for the Bank Merger required under Bank Merger Act (such approvals or waivers under the S&L Holding Company Act, the BHC Act, the New Jersey Banking Statute and the Bank Merger Act being herein collectively referred to as the “ Bank Regulatory Approvals ”); (ii) the filing with respect to the Integrated Mergers of the First-Step Merger Certificate and Second-Step Merger Certificate; and (iii) the filing with respect to the Bank Merger of Articles of Combination with the OCC and Articles of Merger with the NJDOBI.

3.3 Exchange Act Reports; Financial Statements .

(a) Prior to the execution of this Agreement, Columbia has made available to Stewardship complete and accurate copies of (i) Columbia’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, as amended, as filed under the Exchange Act with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ SEC ”), (ii) all Columbia proxy statements and annual reports to shareholders used in connection with meetings of Columbia shareholders held since January 1, 2019, and (iii) Columbia’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 (collectively, the “ Columbia Exchange Act Reports ”), as filed under the Exchange Act with the SEC. As of their respective dates, the Columbia Exchange Act Reports (x) did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading and (y) complied as to form in all material respects with the applicable Laws of the SEC. Since January 1, 2018, Columbia has filed all reports that it was required to file with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act.

(b) Columbia has made available to Stewardship copies of its audited consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2016, 2017, and 2018 and the related statements of operations, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the years then ended (collectively, together with any notes thereto, the “ Columbia Financial Statements ”). The Columbia Financial Statements are based upon the books and records of Columbia, and have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The Columbia Financial Statements fairly present the consolidated financial position of Columbia as of the dates thereof and the consolidated results of operations, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the periods then ended. The Columbia Financial Statements disclose all material Liabilities of Columbia and its Subsidiaries to the extent required by GAAP.

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3.4 No Material Adverse Changes . Since December 31, 2018, there has been no material adverse change in, and no event, occurrence or development in the business of Columbia or its Subsidiaries that, taken individually or as a whole, has had or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Columbia or Columbia Bank or on the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby. Except with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby, each of Columbia and Columbia Bank has conducted its respective business only in the Ordinary Course of Business.

3.5 Compliance with Laws .

(a) Columbia and each of its Subsidiaries are, and at all times since January 1, 2015 have been, in compliance with all Laws, Governmental Orders or Governmental Authorizations., except where the failure to so comply would not have a Material Adverse Effect on Columbia.

(b) Since January 1, 2015, each of Columbia and its Subsidiaries has held all Governmental Authorizations required for the conduct of its business, except where the failure to hold any such Governmental Authorization would not have a Material Adverse Effect on Columbia.

(c) Neither Columbia nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to or is subject to any Governmental Order, written agreement or memorandum of understanding with, or a commitment letter or similar submission to, or extraordinary supervisory letter from any Bank Regulator, nor has Columbia or any of its Subsidiaries adopted any policies, procedures or board resolutions at the request or suggestion of, any Regulatory Authority that would reasonably be expected to impair the ability of Columbia to obtain the Bank Regulatory Approvals or to operate the Surviving Corporation in the Ordinary Course of Business after the Closing Date.

(d) No Governmental Entity has initiated since January 1, 2015 or currently has pending any proceeding or enforcement action against Columbia or any of its Subsidiaries.

(e) Since January 1, 2015, neither Columbia nor any of its Subsidiaries has been advised of, and has no reason to believe that, any facts or circumstances exist that could reasonably be expected to cause Columbia or any of its Subsidiaries to be deemed to be operating in material violation of any provision of the Bank Secrecy Act, the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 or any Governmental Order issued with respect to anti-money laundering by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, or any other applicable anti-money laundering Law or Governmental Order issued with respect to economic sanctions programs by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control.

3.6 Regulatory Approvals . As of the date hereof, Columbia is not aware of any fact or circumstance relating to it or any of its Subsidiaries that would materially impede or delay receipt of any Bank Regulatory Approvals or that would likely result in the Bank Regulatory Approvals not being obtained. N either Columbia nor any of its Subsidiaries is subject to any Governmental Order, written agreement or memorandum of understanding with, or is a party to any commitment letter or similar undertaking to, or is a recipient of any extraordinary supervisory agreement letter from, or has adopted any board resolutions at the request of, any Governmental Entity that would reasonably be expected to, impair the ability of Columbia to obtain the Bank Regulatory Approvals in a timely fashion or to operate Stewardship Bank in the Ordinary Course of Business after the Merger. Columbia has not received any indication from any Governmental Entity that such Governmental Entity would oppose or refuse to grant or issue its consent or approval, if required, with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby, and has no reason to believe that, if requested, any Governmental Entity required to approve the transactions contemplated by this Agreement would oppose or fail to grant its consent or approval to such transactions.

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3.7 Litigation . There is no Litigation pending against, or, to the knowledge of Columbia, threatened against Columbia or its Subsidiaries, any present or former officer, director or employee of Columbia or its Subsidiaries (relating to their capacity as such) or any Person for whom Columbia or its Subsidiaries may be liable or to which any of their respective properties or assets may be subject, before or by any Governmental Entity, that (i) would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Columbia or Columbia Bank or (ii) in any manner challenges or seeks to prevent, enjoin, alter or materially delay any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

3.8 Community Reinvestment Act . Each Subsidiary of Columbia that is an insured depository institution had a rating of “satisfactory” or better as of its most recent CRA examination, and no such Subsidiary has been advised of, and has no reason to believe that, any facts or circumstances exist that would reasonably be expected to cause such Subsidiary to be deemed not to be in satisfactory compliance in any respect with the CRA or to be assigned a rating for CRA purposes by any Governmental Entity charged with the supervision or regulation of banks or bank holding companies or engaged in the insurance of bank deposits (collectively, “ Bank Regulators ”) of lower than “satisfactory.”

3.9 Financing . Columbia has, and, on the Closing Date will have, sufficient cash reserves, or has, and, on the Closing Date will have, access to sufficient cash, with which to pay the Merger Consideration described herein without the need for any additional capital.

3.10 No Other Representations or Warranties .

(a) Except for the representations and warranties made by Columbia in this Article 3, neither Columbia nor any other Person makes any express or implied representation or warranty with respect to Columbia, its Subsidiaries or their respective businesses, operations, assets, liabilities, conditions (financial or otherwise) or prospects, and Columbia hereby disclaims any such other representations or warranties. In particular, without limiting the foregoing disclaimer, neither Columbia nor any other person makes or has made any representation or warranty to Stewardship or any of its Affiliates or Representatives with respect to (i) any financial projection, forecast, estimate, budget or prospective information relating to Columbia, any of its Subsidiaries or their respective businesses, or (ii) except for the representations and warranties made by Columbia in this Article 3, any oral or written information presented to Stewardship or any of its Affiliates or Representatives in the course of their due diligence investigation of Columbia, the negotiation of this Agreement or in the course of the transactions contemplated hereby.

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(b) Columbia acknowledges and agrees that neither Stewardship nor any other Person has made or is making any express or implied representation or warranty other than those contained in Article 4.

ARTICLE 4
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF STEWARDSHIP

Stewardship hereby represents and warrants to Columbia that, except as described in the Disclosure Schedules:

4.1 Organization and Qualification .

(a) Stewardship is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of New Jersey, and has the requisite corporate power to carry on its business as now conducted. Stewardship is a bank holding company registered under the BHC Act. Except for Stewardship Bank and the Statutory Trust, Stewardship has no direct Subsidiaries. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.1(a) , Stewardship is, and as of the Closing Date will be, the lawful record and beneficial owner of all of the issued and outstanding stock of Stewardship Bank, free and clear of any Encumbrance. The copies of the Charter and Bylaws of Stewardship which have been provided or made available to Columbia prior to the date of this Agreement are correct and complete and reflect all amendments made thereto. Stewardship is not in violation of any provisions of its Charter and Bylaws.

(b) Stewardship Bank is a New Jersey chartered commercial bank authorized to conduct business as a bank in New Jersey and is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of New Jersey. Stewardship Bank has the requisite corporate power and authority (including all Governmental Authorizations as are legally required) to carry on its business as now being conducted, to own, lease and operate its properties and assets as now owned, leased or operated and to enter into and to carry on the business and activities now conducted by it. Stewardship Bank is an insured bank as defined in the FDIA. Except for those Subsidiaries listed on Schedule 4.1(b) (the “ Stewardship Bank Subsidiaries ”), Stewardship Bank has no other Subsidiaries. Stewardship Bank is, and as of the Closing Date will be, the lawful record and beneficial owner of all of the issued and outstanding stock or membership interests, as applicable of each of the Stewardship Bank Subsidiaries, free and clear of any Encumbrance. The nature of the business of Stewardship Bank does not require it to be, and it is not, qualified to do business in any jurisdiction other than the State of New Jersey. The copies of the Charter and Bylaws of Stewardship Bank which have been provided or made available to Columbia prior to the date of this Agreement are correct and complete and reflect all amendments made thereto. Stewardship Bank is not in violation of any provisions of its Charter and Bylaws.

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(c) The Statutory Trust is duly organized, validly existing under the Connecticut Statutory Trust Act, Chapter 615 of Title 34 of Connecticut General Statutes, and the Laws of the State of Connecticut. Stewardship is the lawful record and beneficial owner of all of the Statutory Trust Securities that are common securities. The copy of the Statutory Declaration of Trust that has been provided or made available to Columbia prior to the date of this Agreement is correct and complete and reflects all amendments made thereto. The Statutory Trust is not in violation of any provisions of the Statutory Declaration of Trust. Stewardship has not exercised its right to defer payments of interest on the Statutory Trust Securities pursuant to the Statutory Trust Debentures.

(d) Each Stewardship Bank Subsidiary is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of New Jersey. Each Stewardship Bank Subsidiary has the requisite power and authority (including all Governmental Authorizations as are legally required) to carry on its business as now being conducted, to own, lease and operate its properties and assets as now owned, leased or operated and to enter into and to carry on the business and activities now conducted by it. The nature of the business of each Stewardship Bank Subsidiary does not require it to be, and it is not, qualified to do business in any jurisdiction other than the State of New Jersey. The copy of the Charter or Organization Certificate for each Stewardship Bank Subsidiary which have been provided or made available to Columbia prior to the date of this Agreement is correct and complete and reflects all amendments made thereto. No Stewardship Bank Subsidiary is in violation of any provisions of its Charter or Organization Certificate or other governing documents.

4.2 Authority Relative to this Agreement; Non-Contravention .

(a) Stewardship has the requisite corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents (to which Stewardship is a signatory), and to carry out its obligations hereunder and thereunder. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and such other Ancillary Documents by Stewardship, and the consummation by Stewardship of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly authorized by the Board of Directors of Stewardship. Other than the approval of the Merger by holders of at least a majority of the number of issued and outstanding shares of Stewardship Common Stock as of the record date for the Stewardship Shareholder Meeting (the “ Required Stewardship Shareholder Vote ”), no other corporate proceedings on the part of Stewardship are necessary to authorize this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents (to which Stewardship is a signatory), or to consummate the Merger or any other transactions contemplated hereby or thereby. No “control share acquisition,” “business combination moratorium,” “fair price” or other form of antitakeover statute or regulation under the NJBCA or any applicable provisions of the takeover Laws of New Jersey or any other state (and any comparable provisions of the Stewardship Charter or Bylaws), apply or will apply to this Agreement, the Merger, the Bank Merger Agreement or the Bank Merger.

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(b) This Agreement and the Ancillary Documents (to which Stewardship is a signatory) have been duly executed and delivered by Stewardship and constitute valid and binding obligations of Stewardship, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to the Remedies Exception. None of the Stewardship Entities is subject to, or obligated under, any provision of (i) its Charter, Bylaws or other governing documents, (ii) any Contract, (iii) subject to obtaining the Consents referred to in Section 4.2, any license, franchise or permit or (iv) subject to obtaining the Consents referred to in Section 4.2(c), any Law, order, judgment or decree, which would be breached or violated, or in respect of which a right of termination or acceleration or any Encumbrance on any of its assets would be created, by the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents (to which Stewardship is a signatory), or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, other than any such breaches or violations which will not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on Stewardship or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

(c) Other than the Bank Regulatory Approvals and the filing of the Second-Step Merger Certificates with the Secretary of State of New Jersey, respectively, no Governmental Authorization is necessary on the part of any of the Stewardship Entities for the consummation by Stewardship of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents (to which Stewardship is a signatory), except for such Governmental Authorizations as to which the failure to obtain would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on Stewardship or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.

4.3 Capitalization . The authorized capital stock of Stewardship consists of (a) 20,000,000 shares of Stewardship Common Stock, no par value and (b) 2,500,000 shares of preferred stock, no par value per share. As of May 31, 2019, (i) 8,714,222.3832 shares of Stewardship Common Stock were issued and outstanding (including 60,622 shares subject to Stewardship Restricted Stock Awards that are unvested), (ii) no shares of Stewardship Common Stock were held as treasury shares, and (iii) no shares of Stewardship preferred stock were issued and outstanding. The authorized capital stock of Stewardship Bank consists of 1,200,000 shares of common stock, $5.00 par value per share (“ Stewardship Bank Common Stock ”). Of the authorized shares of Stewardship Bank Common Stock, 760,252.66 shares of Stewardship Bank Common Stock are issued and outstanding. The issued and outstanding shares of Stewardship Common Stock and Stewardship Bank Common Stock are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and have not been issued in violation of any preemptive rights. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.3 , there are no options, warrants, conversion privileges or other rights or Contracts obligating Stewardship or Stewardship Bank to issue, sell, purchase or redeem any shares of its capital stock or securities or obligations of any kind convertible into or exchangeable for any shares of its capital stock, nor are there any stock appreciation, phantom or similar rights outstanding based upon the book value or any other attribute of any of capital stock of Stewardship or capital stock of Stewardship Bank, or the earnings or other attributes of Stewardship or Stewardship Bank.

4.4 Ownership of Stewardship Common Stock .

Schedule 4.4 sets forth all of the issued and outstanding shares of Stewardship Common Stock, including (a) the name of the registered holder of such shares, (b) the number of shares of Stewardship Common Stock owned by each such registered holder, and (c) the domicile address of each such registered holder. Except for the Shareholder Voting Agreement, there are no shareholder agreements, voting agreements, proxies, voting trusts or other Contracts with or among one or more of such shareholders with respect to the voting, disposition or other incidents of ownership of any shares of Stewardship Common Stock, including any agreement that provides for preemptive rights or imposes any limitation or restriction on Stewardship Common Stock, including any restriction on the right of a shareholder to vote, sell or otherwise dispose of such Stewardship Common Stock.

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4.5 Financial Statements .

(a) Prior to the execution of this Agreement, Stewardship has made available to Columbia complete and accurate copies of (i) Stewardship’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 as amended, as filed under the Exchange Act with the SEC, (ii) all Stewardship proxy statements and annual reports to shareholders used in connection with meetings of Stewardship shareholders held since January 1, 2015, and (iii) Stewardship’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 (collectively, the “ Stewardship Exchange Act Reports ”), as filed under the Exchange Act with the SEC. As of their respective dates, the Stewardship Exchange Act Reports (x) did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading and (y) complied as to form in all material respects with the applicable Laws of the SEC. Since January 1, 2015, Stewardship has filed all reports that it was required to file with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act.

(b) Stewardship has made available to Columbia copies of its audited consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2016, 2017, and 2018 and the related statements of operations, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the years then ended (collectively, together with any notes thereto, the “ Stewardship Financial Statements ”). The consolidated balance sheet of Stewardship as of December 31, 2018 is referred to as the “ Latest Stewardship Balance Sheet ,” and the related statement of income, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2018 are herein referred to as the “ Related Stewardship Statements .” Stewardship Financial Statements are based upon the books and records of the Stewardship Entities, and have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The Stewardship Financial Statements fairly present the consolidated financial position of Stewardship as of the dates thereof and the consolidated results of operations, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the periods then ended.

(c) Stewardship has made available to Columbia copies of the balance sheets of Stewardship Bank as of December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018 and the related statements of operations, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the years then ended (collectively, together with any notes thereto, the “ Stewardship Bank Financial Statements ”). The Stewardship Bank Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The Stewardship Bank Financial Statements fairly present the financial position of Stewardship Bank as of the dates thereof and the results of operations, changes in shareholder’s equity and cash flows for the periods then ended.

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4.6 Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities . None of Stewardship Entities has any Liability (required to be reflected on Stewardship’s financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP) and, to the Knowledge of Stewardship, there is no basis for any present or future Litigation, charge, complaint or demand against any of the Stewardship Entities, giving rise to any Liability, except (a) as reflected or expressly reserved against in the Latest Stewardship Balance Sheet, (b) a Liability that has arisen after the date of the Latest Stewardship Balance Sheet in the Ordinary Course of Business (none of which is a material uninsured Liability for breach of Contract, breach of warranty, tort, infringement, Litigation, or violation of Governmental Order, Governmental Authorization or Law), (c) obligations under any Contract listed on a Disclosure Schedule to this Agreement or obligations in the Ordinary Course of Business under a Contract not required to be listed on such a Disclosure Schedule or (d) as set forth on Schedule 4.22 .

4.7 Loans and OREO; Sale of Loans; Commitments to Extend Credit .

(a) The documentation relating to each loan made by Stewardship Bank and relating to all security interests, mortgages and other liens with respect to all collateral for each such loan are adequate for the enforcement of the material terms of each such loan and of the related security interests, mortgages and other liens. The terms of each such loan and of the related security interests, mortgages and other liens comply in all material respects with all applicable Laws (including Laws relating to the extension of credit).

(b) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.7(b) , there are no loans, leases, other extensions of credit or commitments to extend credit of Stewardship or Stewardship Bank that have been or, to the Knowledge of Stewardship, should have been classified by Stewardship or Stewardship Bank as non-accrual, as a troubled debt restructuring, as ninety (90) days past due, as still accruing and doubtful of collection or any comparable classification (collectively, the “ Distressed Loans ”). Schedule 4.7(b) sets forth the amount of the ALLL associated with each Distressed Loan. Stewardship has disclosed all of the “substandard,” “doubtful,” “loss,” “special mention,” “nonperforming” or “problem” loans of Stewardship Bank on the “watch list” of Stewardship Bank, a copy of which is attached as Schedule 4.7(b) . To the Knowledge of Stewardship, no borrower with respect to any Distressed Loan in an amount in excess of $100,000 has: (i) filed, or consented by answer or otherwise to the filing against it of, a petition for relief, reorganization or arrangement, or any other petition in bankruptcy, for liquidation or to take advantage of any bankruptcy or insolvency Law; (ii) made an assignment for the benefit of its creditors; (iii) consented to the appointment of a custodian, receiver, trustee, liquidator or other Person with similar power over such borrower or any substantial part of such borrower’s property; (iv) been adjudicated insolvent; or (v) taken any action for the purpose of authorizing any of the foregoing.

(c) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.7(c) , Stewardship Bank does not have any outstanding loans or assets classified as “Other Real Estate Owned” (“ OREO ”). Schedule 4.7(c) contains a description of each property classified by Stewardship Bank as OREO. Prior to the execution of this Agreement, Stewardship has provided or made available the latest appraisal of each property classified as OREO obtained by Stewardship Bank. The value of any property classified by Stewardship Bank as OREO and reflected on the Latest Stewardship Balance Sheet was determined on a “fair value less cost to sell” basis. None of the Stewardship Entities has entered into any Contract obligating it pay for expenses with respect to improvements on, or the development of, any OREO.

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(d) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.7(d) , (i) Stewardship Bank does not have any loans (or any advances or participations therein) it has purchased or sold with recourse since January 1, 2015, (ii) Stewardship Bank has not at any time sold any of its assets with recourse of any kind to Stewardship Bank and (iii) Stewardship Bank has not entered into any Contract providing for the sale or servicing of any loan or other asset that constitutes a “recourse arrangement” under any applicable regulation or policy promulgated by a Governmental Entity. Stewardship Bank has not received any request to repurchase any loan, advance or participation therein or other asset sold to a third party, nor has Stewardship or Stewardship Bank been advised by any third-party purchaser of any loan, advance or participation therein or any other asset that such purchaser intends to request that Stewardship Bank repurchase such loan, advance or participation therein or other asset.

(e) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.7(e) , there are no Contracts binding upon Stewardship or Stewardship Bank to extend credit, in the amount per “one borrower” (as combined and aggregated as set forth under the New Jersey Banking Statute), of $500,000 or more.

(f) Set forth on Schedule 4.7(f) is a true, correct and complete list of each loan of Stewardship that is structured as a participation interest in a loan originated by another person and bought or sold by Stewardship (each a “ Loan Participation ”), including with respect to each such Loan Participation, the originating lender of the related loan, the outstanding principal balance of the related loan, the amount of the outstanding balance represented by the Loan Participation and the identity of the borrower of the related loan.

4.8 Allowance for Loan Losses . The allowance for loan losses (“ALLL” ) is, and will be as of the Effective Time, in compliance with Stewardship Bank’s existing methodology for determining the adequacy of the ALLL, as well as the standards established by applicable Governmental Entities and the Financial Accounting Standards Board and is and will be adequate under all standards. Neither Stewardship nor Stewardship Bank has been notified by any Governmental Entity or by Stewardship’s or Stewardship Bank’s independent auditor, in writing or otherwise, that: (a) such allowances are inadequate; (b) the practices and policies of Stewardship or Stewardship Bank in establishing such allowances and in accounting for non-performing and classified assets generally fail to comply with applicable accounting or regulatory requirements; or (c) such allowances are inadequate or inconsistent with the historical loss experience of Stewardship or Stewardship Bank.

4.9 Deposits . All of the deposits held by Stewardship Bank (including the records and documentation pertaining to such deposits) have been established and are held in compliance in all respects with all: (a) applicable policies, practices and procedures of Stewardship Bank; and (b) applicable Law, including anti-money laundering, anti-terrorism or embargoed Persons requirements. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.9 , no deposit of Stewardship Bank is a brokered deposit (as defined in 12 C.F.R. §337.6(a)(2)) or is subject to any Encumbrance, legal restraint or other legal process (other than garnishments, pledges, set-off rights, escrow limitations and similar actions taken in the Ordinary Course of Business). All of the deposit accounts of Stewardship Bank are insured up to the applicable limits (or fully insured if there is no limit) through the Deposit Insurance Fund as administered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “ FDIC ”) to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, and all premiums and assessments required to be paid for such insurance have been paid when due. No legal action or proceeding for the termination or revocation of such insurance is pending, or, to the Knowledge of Stewardship, has any such termination or revocation been threatened.

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4.10 Reports and Filings . Since January 1, 2015, each of Stewardship and Stewardship Bank has filed each report or other filing that it was required to file with any federal or state banking or other applicable Governmental Entity having jurisdiction over it, including the FRB, the FDIC and the NJDOBI (including quarterly Consolidated Reports of Condition and Income filed by Stewardship Bank (the “ Stewardship Bank Call Reports ”)) (such reports and filings, together with all exhibits thereto, the “ Stewardship Regulatory Reports ”), except for such reports and filings which the failure to so file would not have a Material Adverse Effect on Stewardship or on the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Stewardship has provided or made available to Columbia copies of all of the Stewardship Regulatory Reports that it may provide consistent with applicable Law. As of their respective dates or as subsequently amended prior to the date hereof, each of the Stewardship Regulatory Reports was true and correct in all material respects and complied in all material respects with applicable Laws. The financial information contained in the Stewardship Bank Call Reports complied with all accounting principles and pronouncements adopted by the Financial Accounting Standards Board relating to quarterly Consolidated Reports of Condition and Income.

4.11 Ownership of Equity Interests in Stewardship Bank and of Certain Statutory Trust Securities; Off Balance Sheet Arrangements .

(a) Stewardship owns all of the issued and outstanding shares of Stewardship Bank Common Stock and the Statutory Trust Securities that are common securities, free and clear of any Encumbrances. Stewardship Bank owns all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock or membership interests, as applicable, in each Stewardship Bank Subsidiary. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.11(a), and except for the Stewardship Bank Common Stock owned by Stewardship, none of the Stewardship Entities owns any stock, limited liability company membership units, partnership interests or any other equity security issued by any Person, except securities owned by Stewardship Bank in the Ordinary Course of Business.

(b) None of the Stewardship Entities is a party to or member or partner of, or has any commitment to become a party to or member or partner of, any joint venture, off balance sheet limited liability company, off balance sheet partnership or any similar off balance sheet entity, including any structured finance, special purpose or limited purpose entity or Person, or any “off balance sheet arrangements” (as defined in Item 303(a) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “ Securities Act ”)), where the result, purpose or intended effect of such Contract is to avoid disclosure of any material transaction involving, or of any material Liabilities of, any Stewardship Entities.

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4.12 Books and Records .

(a) The books of account of each Stewardship Entity are complete and correct in all material respects and have been maintained in accordance with sound business practices. Each transaction is properly and accurately recorded on the books and records of each Stewardship Entity, and each document upon which entries in books and records of each Stewardship Entity are based is complete and accurate in all material respects.

(b) Each Stewardship Entity maintains a system of internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act sufficient to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP, including reasonable assurance (A) that transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations and recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain asset accountability, and (B) regarding prevention or timely detection of any unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements of such Stewardship Entity.

(c) Since January 1, 2015, (A) no Stewardship Entity nor, to the Knowledge of Stewardship, any director, officer, manager, employee, auditor, accountant or representative of any Stewardship Entity, has received notice (whether written or oral) of any material complaint, allegation, assertion or claim regarding the accounting or auditing practices, procedures, methodologies or methods of the Stewardship Entities or their respective internal accounting controls, including any material complaint, allegation, assertion or claim that any Stewardship Entity has engaged in questionable accounting or auditing practices, and (B) no attorney representing any Stewardship Entity, whether or not employed by such Stewardship Entity, has reported evidence of a material violation of securities Laws, breach of fiduciary duty or similar violation by any Stewardship Entity or its respective officers, directors, members, employees or agents to the Board of Directors of such Stewardship Entity or other any committee thereof or, to the Knowledge of Stewardship, to any officer or director of such Stewardship Entity.

(d) The minute books and stock or equity records of each Stewardship Entity, all of which have been made available to Columbia, except to the extent prohibited by applicable Law, are correct in all material respects. The minute books of each Stewardship Entity contain accurate records of all meetings held and actions taken by the holders of stock or other equity interests, the Boards of Directors and committees of the Boards of Directors of each Stewardship Entity (except to the extent minutes have not yet been approved or finalized by such Boards of Directors or committees), and no meeting of any such holders, Boards of Directors or committees has been held for which minutes are not contained in such minute books (except to the extent such minutes have not been approved or finalized by such Boards of Directors or other or committees). At the Closing, all such books and records will be in the possession of Stewardship.

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4.13 No Material Adverse Changes . Since the date of the Latest Stewardship Balance Sheet, there has been no change in, and no event, occurrence or development in the business of any Stewardship Entity that, taken individually or as a whole and together with any other events, occurrences and developments with respect to such business, has had, or would reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect on Stewardship or materially adversely affect the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

4.14 Absence of Certain Developments . Except as contemplated by this Agreement or as set forth in the Latest Stewardship Balance Sheet, the Related Stewardship Statements or on Schedule 4.14 , since December 31, 2018, none of the Stewardship Entities has:

(a) issued or sold any of its equity securities, membership units, securities convertible into or exchangeable for its equity securities, warrants, options or other rights to acquire its equity securities or membership units, or any bonds or other securities, except deposit and other bank obligations and investment securities in the Ordinary Course of Business;

(b) redeemed, purchased, acquired or offered to acquire, directly or indirectly, any shares of its capital stock, membership units or other securities;

(c) split, combined or reclassified any of its outstanding shares of capital stock or declared, set aside or paid any dividends or other distribution payable in cash, property or otherwise with respect to any shares of capital stock, membership units or other securities of such Stewardship Entity;

(d) incurred any Liability, whether due or to become due, other than in the Ordinary Course of Business and, in the case of Stewardship Bank, consistent with safe and sound banking practices;

(e) discharged or satisfied any Encumbrance or paid any Liability other than in the Ordinary Course of Business and, in the case of Stewardship Bank, consistent with safe and sound banking practices;

(f) mortgaged or subjected to Encumbrance any of its property, business or assets, tangible or intangible except for (i) Permitted Encumbrances and (ii) pledges of assets to secure public funds deposits;

(g) sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of any of its assets or canceled any material Indebtedness or claims or waived any rights of material value, other than sales of assets disposed of for fair value in the Ordinary Course of Business since December 31, 2018 in accordance with prudent banking practices;

(h) suffered any theft, damage, destruction or loss of or to any property or properties owned or used by it, whether or not covered by insurance, which would, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on Stewardship;

(i) made or granted any bonus or any wage, salary or compensation increase or severance or termination payment to, or promoted, any director, officer, employee, group of employees or consultant, entered into any employment contract or hired any employee, in each case, other than in the Ordinary Course of Business or as required by an existing Contract with any such director, officer, employee, group of employees or consultant, in each case as is set forth on Schedule 4.14(i) ;

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(j) made or granted any increase in the benefits payable under any employee benefit plan or arrangement, amended or terminated any existing employee benefit plan or arrangement or adopted any new employee benefit plan or arrangement, except as required by Law;

(k) made any single or group of related capital expenditures or commitments therefor in excess of $50,000 or entered into any lease or group of related leases with the same party which involves aggregate lease payments payable of more than $100,000 for any individual lease or involves more than $150,000 for any group of related leases in the aggregate;

(l) acquired (by merger, exchange, consolidation, acquisition of stock or assets or otherwise) any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture or other business organization or division or material assets thereof, or assets or deposits that are material to any Stewardship Entity;

(m) taken any other action or entered into any other transaction other than in the Ordinary Course of Business;

(n) made any change in its accounting methods or practices, other than changes required by Law made in accordance with GAAP or regulatory accounting principles generally applicable to depository institutions such as Stewardship Bank; or

(o) made, modified or revoked any material election with respect to Taxes or consented to any waiver or extension of time to assess or collect any material Taxes;

(p) reversed any amount of its previously established ALLL;

(q) purchased any investment securities or sold any securities in its investment portfolio other than in the Ordinary Course of Business; or

(r) agreed to do any of the foregoing.

4.15 Properties .

(a) None of the Stewardship Entities owns any real properties classified as OREO.

(b) The real properties owned by, or demised by the leases to, Stewardship and Stewardship Bank are listed on Schedule 4.15(a), and constitute all of the real property owned, leased (whether or not occupied and including any leases assigned or leased premises sublet for which Stewardship or Stewardship Bank remains liable (collectively, the “ Real Property ”)), used or occupied by Stewardship or Stewardship Bank in connection with their respective business operations.

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(c) Stewardship or Stewardship Bank owns good and marketable title to each parcel of real property identified on Schedule 4.15(c)(i) as being owned by Stewardship or Stewardship Bank (collectively, the “ Owned Real Property ”), free and clear of any Encumbrance, except for Permitted Encumbrances. Stewardship or Stewardship Bank possesses a valid leasehold interest in each parcel of real property identified on Schedule 4.15(c)(ii) as being demised by lease to Stewardship or Stewardship Bank (collectively, the Leased Real Property ”), free and clear of any Encumbrances, except for Permitted Encumbrances. The Owned Real Property and the Leased Real Property are collectively referred to herein as the “ Operating Real Property .”

(d) Each parcel of Operating Real Property has access sufficient for the conduct of the business as conducted by Stewardship or Stewardship Bank on such parcel of Operating Real Property to public roads and to all utilities, including electricity, sanitary and storm sewer, potable water, natural gas, telephone, fiberoptic, cable television, and other utilities used in the operation of the business at that location. To the Knowledge of Stewardship, (i) neither Stewardship nor Stewardship Bank is in violation of any applicable zoning ordinance or other Law relating to the Operating Real Property, and (ii) neither Stewardship nor Stewardship Bank has received any written notice of any such violation or the existence of any condemnation or other proceeding with respect to any of the Operating Real Property. To the Knowledge of Stewardship, the buildings and other improvements are located within the boundary lines of each parcel of Operating Real Property, and do not encroach over applicable setback lines. To the Knowledge of Stewardship, there are no improvements contemplated to be made or required by any Governmental Entity, the costs of which are to be assessed as assessments, special assessments, special Taxes or charges against any of the Operating Real Property.

(e) Each of Stewardship and Stewardship Bank has good and marketable title to, or a valid leasehold interest in, the machinery, equipment and other tangible assets and properties used by it, located on the Operating Real Property or shown in the Latest Stewardship Balance Sheet, free and clear of all Encumbrances, except for Permitted Encumbrances and properties and assets disposed of in the Ordinary Course of Business since the date of the Latest Stewardship Balance Sheet.

(f) To the Knowledge of Stewardship, all of the buildings, fixtures, furniture and equipment necessary for the conduct of the business of Stewardship or Stewardship Bank are in adequate condition and repair, ordinary wear and tear excepted, and are usable in the Ordinary Course of Business. Each of Stewardship and Stewardship Bank owns, or leases under valid leases, all buildings, fixtures, furniture, personal property, land improvements and equipment necessary for the conduct of its business as it is presently being conducted.

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4.16 Intellectual Property .

(a) Each Stewardship Entity owns or has secured valid and binding licenses and other rights to use all Intellectual Property that is listed and described on Schedule 4.16(a) (other than commercially available “shrink wrap” or “click wrap” licenses), and none of the Stewardship Entities has received any written notice since January 1, 2015 alleging invalidity of its rights in any Intellectual Property or alleging infringement of the rights of any Person in any proprietary material or information. Each Stewardship Entity owns or has a valid right to use the Intellectual Property, free and clear of all liens (except any restrictions set forth in Contracts relating to any licensed Intellectual Property), and has performed all the obligations required to maintain its ownership or right to use the Intellectual Property and is not in default under any Contract relating to any of the Intellectual Property. To the Knowledge of Stewardship, such Intellectual Property is valid and enforceable.

(b) (i) Each Stewardship Entity owns or is validly licensed to use (in each case, free and clear of any Encumbrances, except any restrictions set forth in Contracts relating to any licensed Intellectual Property) all Intellectual Property used in or necessary for the conduct of its business as currently conducted; (ii) to the Knowledge of Stewardship, the use of any Intellectual Property by each Stewardship Entity and the conduct of their respective businesses as currently conducted does not infringe or otherwise violate the legal rights of any Person; (iii) to the Knowledge of Stewardship, no Person is challenging, infringing on or otherwise violating any right of any Stewardship Entity with respect to any of the Intellectual Property owned by and/or licensed by such Stewardship Entity; (iv) none of the Stewardship Entities has received any written notice since January 1, 2015 of any Litigation against such Stewardship Entity with respect to any Intellectual Property used by such Stewardship Entity; and (v) to the Knowledge of Stewardship, none of the Stewardship Entities is aware of any facts or circumstances that would give rise to any Litigation against any Stewardship Entity with respect to Intellectual Property.

4.17 Environmental Matters .

(a) As used in this Section 4.17, the following terms have the following meanings:

(i) “ Environmental Costs ” means any and all costs and expenditures, including any fees and expenses of attorneys and of environmental consultants or engineers incurred in connection with investigating, defending, remediating or otherwise responding to any Release of Hazardous Materials, any violation or alleged violation of Environmental Law, any fees, fines, penalties or charges associated with any Governmental Authorization required under applicable Environmental Law, or any actions necessary to comply with any Environmental Law.

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(ii) “ Environmental Law ” means any Law, Governmental Authorization or Governmental Order relating to pollution, contamination, Hazardous Materials or protection of the environment.

(iii) “ Hazardous Materials ” means any dangerous, toxic or hazardous pollutant, contaminant, chemical, odor, vapor, waste, material or substance as defined in or governed by any Law relating to such substance or otherwise relating to the environment or human health or safety, including any waste, material, substance, pollutant or contaminant that would reasonably be expected to cause any injury to human health or safety or to the environment or would reasonably be expected to subject the owner or operator of the Real Property to any Environmental Costs or Liability under any Environmental Law.

(iv) “ List ” means the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s National Priorities List of Hazardous Waste Sites or any other similar list, schedule, log, inventory or record, however defined under Environmental Law, maintained by any Governmental Entity with respect to sites from which there has been a Release of Hazardous Materials.

(v) “ Regulatory Action ” means any Litigation with respect to any Stewardship Entity brought or instigated by any Governmental Entity in connection with any Environmental Costs, Release of Hazardous Materials or any Environmental Law.

(vi) “ Release ” means the spilling, leaking, disposing, discharging, emitting, depositing, ejecting, leaching, escaping or any other release or threatened release, however defined under Environmental Law, whether intentional or unintentional, of any Hazardous Material.

(vii) “ Third-Party Environmental Claim ” means any Litigation (other than a Regulatory Action) based on negligence, trespass, strict liability, nuisance, toxic tort or any other cause of action or theory relating to any Environmental Costs, Release of Hazardous Materials or any violation of Environmental Law.

(b) No Third-Party Environmental Claim or Regulatory Action is pending or, to the Knowledge of Stewardship, threatened against any Stewardship Entity.

(c) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.17(c) , to the Knowledge of Stewardship, none of the Owned Real Property or Leased Real Property is listed on a List.

(d) To the extent of any transfer, transportation or disposal of Hazardous Materials by any Stewardship Entity to properties not owned, leased or operated by Stewardship or Stewardship Bank, such transfer, transportation or disposal has been in compliance with applicable Environmental Law, except for such non-compliance that would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on any Stewardship Entity; and none of the Stewardship Entities has transported or arranged for the transportation of any Hazardous Materials to any location that is (i) listed on a List, (ii) listed for possible inclusion on any List or (iii) the subject of any Regulatory Action or Third-Party Environmental Claim.

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(e) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.17(e), to the Knowledge of Stewardship, no Owned Real Property has ever been used as a landfill, dump or other similar disposal, storage, transfer, handling or treatment area for Hazardous Materials, or as a gasoline service station or a facility for selling, dispensing, storing, transferring, disposing or handling petroleum and/or petroleum products.

(f) Except as set forth on Section 4.17(f), to the Knowledge of Stewardship, there has not been any Release of any Hazardous Material by any Stewardship Entity, or any Person under their respective control, or by any other Person, on, under, about, from or in connection with the Owned Real Property of Stewardship Bank, including the presence of any Hazardous Materials that have come to be located on or under the Owned Real Property of Stewardship Bank from another location.

(g) The Operating Real Property of Stewardship Bank has been so used and operated by Stewardship Bank in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Environmental Laws.

(h) Each of the Stewardship Entities has obtained all Governmental Authorizations required under Environmental Laws necessary for the operations of such Stewardship Entities, except where the failure to obtain such Governmental Authorizations would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on any Stewardship Entity. Such Governmental Authorizations relating to the Environmental Law will be valid and in full force and effect upon consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Each of the Stewardship Entities has filed all reports and notifications required to be filed under and pursuant to such Governmental Authorizations, except to the extent the failure to file any such report or notification would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on any Stewardship Entity.

(i) To the Knowledge of Stewardship, none of the Owned Real Property contains asbestos, urea, formaldehyde or radon at such levels or in such conditions requiring abatement, removal or mitigation under applicable Environmental Law. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.17(i) , to the Knowledge of Stewardship, no aboveground or underground storage tanks are located on or under the Owned Real Property, or have been located on or under the Owned Real Property, and then subsequently been removed or filled.

(j) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.17(i) and Schedule 4.17(j) , no Hazardous Materials have been generated, treated, contained, handled, located, used, manufactured, processed, buried, incinerated, deposited or stored on, under or about any part of the Owned Real Property of Stewardship Bank by any Stewardship Entity, or, to the Knowledge of Stewardship, any other Person.

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(k) No Stewardship entity has incurred any material expenditure to comply with any Environmental Law in connection with the operation of the Owned Real Property and, on this basis, Stewardship Bank would not reasonably expect that any material expenditure will be required in order for Columbia or Columbia Bank to comply with any Environmental Law in effect at the time of Closing in connection with the continued operation of the Owned Real Property of Stewardship Bank in a manner consistent with the present operation thereof.

(l) No Encumbrance has been attached or filed against any Stewardship Entity in favor of any Person for (i) any Liability under or violation of any applicable Environmental Law, (ii) any Release of Hazardous Materials or (iii) any imposition of Environmental Costs.

4.18 Community Reinvestment Act . Stewardship Bank had a rating of “satisfactory” or better as of its most recent CRA examination, and Stewardship has not been advised of, and has no reason to believe that, any facts or circumstances exist that could reasonably be expected to cause Stewardship or Stewardship Bank to be deemed not to be in satisfactory compliance in any respect with the CRA or to be assigned a rating for CRA purposes by any Regulatory Authority of lower than “satisfactory.”

4.19 Information Security .

(a) Since January 1, 2015, to the Knowledge of Stewardship, there has been no unauthorized disclosure of, or access to, any nonpublic personal information of a customer in the possession of Stewardship or Stewardship Bank (“ Stewardship Customer Information ”) that could result in substantial harm or inconvenience to such customer. Stewardship has not been advised of, and has no reason to believe that, any facts or circumstances exist that would cause Stewardship or Stewardship Bank to be deemed not to be in satisfactory compliance in any respect with the applicable privacy of customer information requirements contained in any relevant federal and state privacy Laws, including in Title V of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999.

(b) The financial records, systems, controls, data and information of each of the Stewardship Entities are recorded, stored, maintained and operated in a manner (including via any electronic, mechanical or photographic process, whether computerized or not) that is under the exclusive ownership and direct control of Stewardship Entities or its accountants (including all means of access thereto and therefrom), except for any non-exclusive ownership and non-direct control that would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Stewardship system of internal accounting controls.

(c) All information technology and computer systems (including software, information technology and telecommunication hardware and other equipment) relating to the transmission, storage, maintenance, organization, presentation, generation, processing or analysis of data and information, whether or not in electronic format, used in or necessary to the conduct of the businesses of each of the Stewardship Entities (collectively, “ Stewardship IT Systems ”) have been properly maintained by technically competent personnel, in accordance with industry standards, to ensure proper operation, monitoring and use. The Stewardship IT Systems are in good working condition to effectively perform all information technology operations necessary to conduct business. None of the Stewardship Entities has experienced within the past three (3) years any material disruption to, or material interruption in, its conduct of its business attributable to a defect, bug, breakdown or other failure or deficiency of the Stewardship IT Systems. To the Knowledge of Stewardship, neither Stewardship nor any of the Stewardship Entities has suffered within the past three (3) years any breach in security that has permitted unauthorized access to the Stewardship IT Systems or to the Stewardship Customer Information. The Stewardship Entities have taken reasonable measures to provide for the back-up and recovery of the data and information necessary to the conduct of its business (including such data and information that is stored on magnetic or optical media in the Ordinary Course of Business) without material disruption to, or material interruption in, the conduct of its business. None of the Stewardship Entities is in breach of any Material Contract related to any Stewardship IT Systems.

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4.20 Tax Matters .

(a) Each of the Stewardship Entities (i) has timely filed or has had timely filed on its behalf (taking into account any extension of time within which to file) each Return required to be filed or sent by it to any Taxing Authority in respect of any Taxes, each of which was correctly completed in all material respects and accurately reflected any material Liability for Taxes of the relevant Stewardship Entity, and any Affiliate of such entity, covered by such Return, (ii) timely and properly paid (or had paid on its behalf) all Taxes due and payable for all Tax periods or portions thereof whether or not shown on such Returns, (iii) established on the books of account of the Stewardship Entities, in accordance with GAAP and consistent with past practices, adequate reserves for the payment of any Taxes not then due and payable and (iv) complied in all material respects with all applicable Laws relating to the withholding of Taxes and the payment thereof in connection with any amounts paid or owing to any employee, independent contractor, creditor, shareholder or other third party.

(b) Each of the Stewardship Entities has made (or caused to be made on its behalf) all estimated Tax payments required to have been made to avoid any underpayment penalties.

(c) There are no Encumbrances for Taxes upon any assets of any of the Stewardship Entities, except Permitted Encumbrances.

(d) None of the Stewardship Entities has requested any extension of time within which to file any Return, which Return has not since been filed.

(e) No deficiency for any Taxes has been proposed, asserted or assessed against any of the Stewardship Entities that has not been resolved and paid in full. No waiver, extension or comparable consent given by any of the Stewardship Entities regarding the application of the statute of limitations with respect to any Taxes or any Return is outstanding, nor is any request for any such waiver or consent pending. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.20(e) , there has been no Tax audit or other administrative proceeding or court proceeding with regard to any Taxes or any Return of any of the Stewardship Entities for any Tax year subsequent to the year ended December 31, 2015, nor is any such Tax audit or other proceeding pending, nor has there been any notice to any of the Stewardship Entities by any Taxing Authority regarding any such Tax audit or other proceeding, nor, to the Knowledge of Stewardship, is any such Tax audit or other proceeding threatened with regard to any Taxes or Returns. There are no outstanding subpoenas or requests for information with respect to any of the Returns of any of the Stewardship Entities. None of the Stewardship Entities has entered into a closing agreement pursuant to Section 7121 of the Code or any similar provision under any other Law.

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(f) To the Knowledge of Stewardship, no additional Taxes will be assessed against any of the Stewardship Entities for any Tax period or portion thereof ending on or prior to the Effective Time that will exceed the estimated reserves for such Taxes established by the Stewardship Entities. To the Knowledge of Stewardship, there are no unresolved questions, claims or disputes concerning the Liability for Taxes of any of the Stewardship Entities.

(g) Schedule 4.20(g) lists all federal, state, local and foreign income Returns filed with respect to the Stewardship Entities for taxable periods ended on or after December 31, 2015, indicates those Returns that have been audited and indicates those Returns that currently are the subject of audit. True and complete copies of the Returns of each of the Stewardship Entities, as filed with the Internal Revenue Service and all state or local Tax jurisdictions for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017 have been provided or made available to Columbia.

(h) To the Knowledge of Stewardship, none of the Stewardship Entities has any Liability for Taxes in a jurisdiction where it does not file a Return, nor has any of the Stewardship Entities received notice from a Taxing Authority in such a jurisdiction that it is or may be subject to taxation by that jurisdiction.

(i) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.20(i) , none of the Stewardship Entities is a party to any Contract that would result, separately or in the aggregate, in the payment of any “excess parachute payments” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not be a factor causing payments to be made by any of the Stewardship Entities or any other Person that are not deductible (in whole or in part) as a result of the application of Section 280G of the Code.

(j) None of the Stewardship Entities will be required to include in a taxable period ending after the Effective Time taxable income attributable to income that accrued in a taxable period prior to the Effective Time but was not recognized for Tax purposes in such prior taxable period (or to exclude from taxable income in a taxable period ending after the Effective Time any deduction the recognition of which was accelerated from such taxable period to a taxable period prior to the Effective Time) as a result of the installment method of accounting, the completed contract method of accounting, the long-term contract method of accounting, the cash method of accounting, Code Section 481 or Code Section 108(i) or comparable provisions of state, local or foreign Tax Law.

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(k) No closing agreements, private letter rulings or similar agreements or rulings have been entered into or issued by any Taxing Authority with respect to any of the Stewardship Entities which would be binding following the Effective Time, and no such agreements or rulings have been applied for by any Stewardship Entity and are currently pending.

(l) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.20(l) , none of the Stewardship Entities is a party to any Tax allocation, sharing, indemnity, or reimbursement agreement or arrangement (other than any customary Tax indemnification provisions in ordinary course commercial agreements or other arrangements that are not primarily related to Taxes).

(m) Neither Stewardship nor Stewardship Bank has been a United States real property holding corporation within the meaning of Section 897(c)(2) of the Code during the applicable period specified in Section 897(c)(1)(A)(ii) of the Code.

(n) None of the Stewardship Entities (i) has been a member of an affiliated group filing a consolidated Return (other than a group the common parent of which was Stewardship) or (ii) has any Liability for the Taxes of any Person (other than Stewardship or Stewardship Bank) under Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of Law), as a transferee or successor, by Contract, or otherwise.

(o) None of the Stewardship Entities constitutes either a “distributing corporation” or a “controlled corporation” (within the meaning of Section 355(a)(1)(A) of the Code) in a distribution of shares qualifying for tax-free treatment under Section 355 of the Code that (i) took place during the two (2) year period ending on the date of this Agreement or (ii) could otherwise constitute part of a “plan” or “series of related transactions” (within the meaning of Section 355(e) of the Code) in conjunction with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

(p) None of the Stewardship Entities has engaged in any transaction that is subject to disclosure under Treasury Regulation Section 1.6011-4 or 1.6011-4T, or has participated in any “confidential corporate tax shelter” (within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 301.6111-2(a)(2)) or a “potentially abusive tax shelter” (within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 301.6112-1(b)).

(q) None of the Stewardship Entities has a “permanent establishment” in any country other than the United States, as such term is defined under any applicable Tax treaty between the United States and such other country.

(r) No power of attorney granted by any of the Stewardship Entities relating to Taxes is currently in force.

(s) Each of the Stewardship Entities reported all transactions that could give rise to an underpayment of Tax (within the meaning of Section 6662 of the Code) on the relevant Returns in a manner for which there is substantial authority, or adequately disclosed such transactions on the Returns as required in accordance with Section 6662(d)(2)(B) of the Code.

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(t) There is no Contract, plan or arrangement, including this Agreement, pursuant to which any current or former employee of any of the Stewardship Entities would be entitled to receive any payment as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement that would not be deductible under Section 404 or 162(m) of the Code.

(u) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.20(u) , none of the Stewardship Entities has been a member of any partnership or joint venture or the holder of a beneficial interest in any trust for any period for which the statute of limitations for any Taxes potentially applicable as a result of such membership or holding has not expired.

(v) No property of any Stewardship Entity is (i) property that the relevant Stewardship Entity is or will be required to treat as being owned by another Person under the provisions of Section 168(f)(8) of the Code (as in effect prior to amendment by the Tax Reform Act of 1986), (ii) “tax-exempt use property” within the meaning of Section 168(h) of the Code or (iii) “tax-exempt bond financed property” within the meaning of Section 168(g)(5) of the Code.

(w) None of the Indebtedness of any Stewardship Entity constitutes (i) “corporate acquisition indebtedness” (as defined in Section 279(b) of the Code) with respect to which any interest deductions may be disallowed under Section 279 of the Code or (ii) an “applicable high yield discount obligation” under Section 163(i) of the Code, and none of the interest on any such indebtedness will be disallowed as a deduction under any other provision of the Code.

4.21 Contracts and Commitments .

(a) Schedule 4.21(a) lists the following Contracts to which any Stewardship Entity is a party or subject or by which it is bound (such Contracts required to be listed on Schedule 4.21(a) , the “ Material Contracts ”):

(i) any employment, agency, collective bargaining Contract or consulting or independent contractor Contract;

(ii) any written or oral Contract relating to any severance pay for any Person;

(iii) any written or oral Contract creating, modifying, memorializing or otherwise related to any obligation of any Stewardship Entity upon a change of control;

(iv) any Contract to repurchase assets previously sold (or to indemnify or otherwise compensate the purchaser in respect of such assets), except for securities sold under a repurchase agreement providing for a repurchase date thirty (30) days or less after the purchase date;

(v) any (A) contract or group of related contracts with the same party for the purchase or sale of products or services, under which the undelivered balance of such products and services has a purchase price in excess of $50,000 for any individual contract or $100,000 for any group of related contracts in the aggregate, or (B) other contract or group of related contracts with the same party continuing over a period of more than six months from the date or dates thereof, which, in each case, is not entered into in the Ordinary Course of Business and is either not terminable by it on thirty (30) days’ or less notice without penalty or involves more than $50,000 for any individual contract or $100,000 in the aggregate for any group of related contracts;

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(vi) any Contract containing exclusivity, noncompetition or non-solicitation provisions or that would otherwise prohibit any of the Stewardship Entities from freely engaging in business anywhere in the world or prohibiting the solicitation of the employees or contractors of any other entity;

(vii) any stock purchase, stock option, restricted stock or restricted stock unit or stock incentive plan;

(viii) any Contract for capital expenditures in excess of $50,000;

(ix) any partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, shareholder, investor rights or other similar Contract or arrangement;

(x) any Contract with a Governmental Entity, other than with respect to deposit accounts entered into in the Ordinary Course of Business;

(xi) any Contract pursuant to which any of the Stewardship Entities grants or makes available, or is granted or receives, any license, or other right requiring an expenditure in excess of $50,000 during the term of such Contract, with respect to any material Intellectual Property in each case that is reasonably necessary to operate the businesses of such Stewardship Entity in the Ordinary Course of Business consistent, in the case of Stewardship Bank, with safe and sound banking practices (other than non-exclusive licenses to commercially available software);

(xii) any Contract relating to Indebtedness of more than $250,000 of any of the Stewardship Entities (other than, in the case of Stewardship Bank, deposit agreements: (A) entered into in the Ordinary Course of Business consistent with safe and sound banking practices and on the same terms as those contained in the standard deposit agreement of Stewardship Bank; and (B) evidencing deposit Liabilities of Stewardship Bank);

(xiii) any Contract with an indemnity obligation of such Stewardship Entity that could result in Liability to such Stewardship Entity in excess of $50,000; and

(xiv) any other Contract material to the businesses of the Stewardship Entities, taken as a whole, which is not entered into in the Ordinary Course of Business.

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(b) Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.21(b) , (i) each of the Stewardship Entities has performed all obligations required to be performed by it prior to the date hereof in connection with the Contracts or commitments set forth on Schedule 4.21(a) , and none of the Stewardship Entities is in receipt of any claim of default under any Contract or commitment set forth on Schedule 4.21(a) , except for any failures to perform, breaches or defaults which would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on the Stewardship Entities or materially adversely affect the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby; (ii) none of the Stewardship Entities has any present expectation or intention of not fully performing any material obligation pursuant to any Contract or commitment set forth on Schedule 4.21(a) ; and (iii) to the Knowledge of Stewardship, there has been no cancellation, breach or anticipated breach by any other party to any Contract or commitment set forth on Schedule 4.21(a) , except for any cancellation, breach or anticipated breach which would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on the Stewardship Entities or materially adversely affect the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

4.22 Litigation . Schedule 4.22 lists all Litigation pending or, to the Knowledge of Stewardship, threatened against any of the Stewardship Entities, any present or former officer, director or employee of any Stewardship Entity (relating to their capacity as such) or any Person for whom such Stewardship Entity may be liable or to which any of its respective properties or assets may be subject. To the Knowledge of Stewardship, there are no facts which could reasonably be expected to give rise to any Litigation described in the first sentence of this Section 4.22. Schedule 4.22 also lists each Governmental Order to which any Stewardship Entity is subject. None of the matters set forth on Schedule 4.22 , individually or in the aggregate, (i) would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Stewardship Entities or (ii) in any manner challenges or seeks to prevent, enjoin, alter or delay any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

4.23 No Brokers or Finders . Except as provided in the engagement letter dated February 25, 2019 between Stewardship and Sandler O’Neill & Partners, L.P. (“ Sandler O’Neill” ), there are no claims for brokerage commissions, finders’ fees, investment advisory fees or similar compensation in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement based on any Contract made by or on behalf of any Stewardship Entity.

4.24 Employees .

(a) Schedule 4.24(a) lists (i) each employee of each of the Stewardship Entities as of the date of this Agreement, and indicates for each such employee, and in the aggregate, (ii) the Stewardship Entity that employs such employee, (iii) the date of commencement of the employee’s employment, (iv) the employee’s position and/or title, (v) whether such employee is full-time, part-time or on temporary status, (vi) whether such employee is an exempt or non-exempt employee under the Fair Labor Standards Act or applicable state Law, (vii) whether the employee is a salaried or hourly employee, (viii) the employee’s annual salary, wages and/or any other compensation arrangement (including compensation payable or for which such employee may be eligible pursuant to bonus, incentive, deferred compensation or commission arrangements), (ix) the number of hours of PTO, vacation time, and/or sick time that the employee has accrued as of the date hereof and the aggregate dollar amount thereof, and (x) whether such employee has any written or oral Contract with Stewardship or Stewardship Bank or otherwise is other than an employee at-will.

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(b) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.24(b) , each of the Stewardship Entities has complied in all material respects with all applicable Laws relating to employment and employment practices and/or the engagement of independent contractors, including those Laws relating to the classification of employees as exempt or non-exempt employees, calculation and payment of wages (including overtime pay, maximum hours of work and child labor restrictions), equal employment opportunity (including Laws prohibiting discrimination and/or harassment or requiring accommodation on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation or any other protected characteristic under any federal, state or local Law), protected leaves of absence (including leave under the Family Medical Leave Act), the protection of whistleblowers, affirmative action and other hiring practices, immigration, occupational safety and health, workers compensation, unemployment insurance, the payment of social security and other Taxes, the protection of confidential information, and/or unfair labor practices under the National Labor Relations Act or applicable state Law, and Stewardship is not aware of any facts which would constitute a violation of any applicable Law relating to employment and employment practices and/or the engagement of independent contractors.

(c) Each of the Stewardship Entities properly has maintained all insurance related to the employment of any Stewardship Employee, including workers’ compensation and unemployment insurance coverage, to the extent required by any Law. There are no workers’ compensation or unemployment claims pending against any of the Stewardship Entities or, to the Knowledge of Stewardship, any facts that would reasonably be expected to give rise to such a claim, that are not fully covered by insurance indemnity with respect to the amount of such claims.

(d) To the Knowledge of Stewardship, no employee of any of the Stewardship Entities is subject to any secrecy or noncompetition agreement or any other Contract or restriction of any kind that would impede in any way the ability of such employee to carry out fully all activities of such employee in furtherance of the business of such Stewardship Entity as currently conducted.

(e) Schedule 4.24(e) lists each employee of each of the Stewardship Entities as of the date of this Agreement who holds a temporary work authorization, including H-1B, L-1, F-1 or J-1 visas or work authorizations (the “ Work Permits ”), and shows for each such employee the type of Work Permit and the length of time remaining on such Work Permit. With respect to each Work Permit, all of the information that any of the Stewardship Entities provided to the Department of Labor and the Immigration and Naturalization Service or the Department of Homeland Security (collectively, the “ Departments ”) in the application for such Work Permit was true and complete. Each of the Stewardship Entities received the appropriate notice of approval from the Departments with respect to each such Work Permit. None of the Stewardship Entities has received any notice from the Department that any Work Permit has been revoked. There is no action pending or, to the Knowledge of Stewardship, threatened to revoke or adversely modify the terms of any of the Work Permit. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.24(e) , no employee of any Stewardship Entity is (a) a non-immigrant employee whose status would terminate or otherwise be affected by the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, or (b) an alien who is authorized to work in the United States in non-immigrant status. For each employee of any of the Stewardship Entities hired after November 6, 1986, such Stewardship Entity has completed an Immigration and Naturalization Service Form I-9 in accordance with applicable Law and retained such Form I-9 for the time period required by applicable Law.

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(f) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.24(f) , to the Knowledge of Stewardship, the employment of all Stewardship Employees who were terminated within the three (3) years prior to the Effective Time was terminated in accordance with any applicable contract terms and applicable Law, and neither Stewardship nor Stewardship Bank has any Liability under any Contract or applicable Law applicable to any such terminated employee. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.24(e) , the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not cause Stewardship or Stewardship Bank to incur or suffer any Liability relating to, or obligation to pay, severance, termination or other payment to any Person.

(g) Neither Stewardship nor Stewardship Bank is subject to any outstanding Governmental Order requiring any action with respect to or related to the employment of any employees, or the engagement of any independent contractors or consultants, including any temporary, preliminary or permanent injunction.

(h) All loans that Stewardship or Stewardship Bank have outstanding to any employee were made in the Ordinary Course of Business on the same terms as would have been provided to a Person not Affiliated with Stewardship or Stewardship Bank, and all such loans with a principal balance exceeding $50,000, or that are nonaccrual or on Stewardship Bank’s watch list, are set forth on Schedule 4.24(h)

(i) No employee of any Stewardship Entity is covered by any collective bargaining agreement, and no collective bargaining agreement is being negotiated.

(j) No Litigation is pending or, to the Knowledge of Stewardship, threatened between any Stewardship Entity, on the one hand, and respecting or involving any current employee or any former employee of the Stewardship Entities, any independent contractor or consultant of the Stewardship Entities, or any class or collective of any of the foregoing, on the other hand, including any Litigation in or before:

(i) any federal or state court;

(ii) the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or any corresponding state or local fair employment practices agency relating to any claim or charge of discrimination or harassment in employment;

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(iii) the United States Department of Labor or any corresponding state or local agency relating to any claim or charge concerning hours of work, wages or employment practices;

(iv) the Occupational Safety and Health Administration or any corresponding state or local agency relating to any claim or charge concerning employee safety or health;

(v) the Office of Federal Contract Compliance or any corresponding state agency;

(vi) the Internal Revenue Service or any corresponding state agency;

(vii) the National Labor Relations Board or any corresponding state agency, whether relating to any unfair labor practice or any question concerning representation; and/or

(viii) any New Jersey or other state Governmental Entity.

and, to the Knowledge of Stewardship, there are no facts that would reasonably be expected to form a basis for any such Litigation.

(k) Each of the Stewardship Entities properly has classified all Stewardship Employees, as exempt or non-exempt for purposes of the Fair Labor Standards Act and/or any corresponding state Law;

(l) Each of the Stewardship Entities properly has classified all independent contractors for purposes of the Fair Labor Standards Act and/or any corresponding state Law;

(m) Each of the Stewardship Entities has paid in full to all Stewardship Employees all wages, salaries, bonuses and commissions due and payable to such employees under any contract or Law, and has fully reserved in its books of account all amounts for wages, salaries, bonuses and commissions due but not yet payable to such employees, and has withheld and paid all amounts required by Law to be withheld and paid from the compensation paid to Stewardship Employees, as Taxes or otherwise, and is not liable for any arrears of wages or Taxes or any penalties for failure to comply with the foregoing;

(n) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.24(n) , there has been no lay-off of employees or work reduction program undertaken by or on behalf of any Stewardship Entity in the past two (2) years, including any termination program for purposes of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act or any plant closing or mass layoff for purposes of the WARN Act, and no such program has been adopted by any Stewardship Entity or been publicly announced. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.24(n) , all Stewardship Employees subject to any such lay-offs or work reduction programs have executed agreements releasing the Stewardship Entities from liabilities relating to their employment or termination thereof with any Stewardship Entities;

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(o) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.24(o) , none of the Stewardship Entities is obligated by, or on notice of, any Governmental Order, related to the garnishment of wages for any Stewardship Employee; and

(p) Each of the Stewardship Entities has implemented commercially reasonable policies and practices for the protection of confidential and proprietary business information, including Intellectual Property.

4.25 Employee Benefit Plans .

(a) Schedule 4.25(a) sets forth all Plans by name and brief description identifying: (i) the type of Plan, (ii) the funding arrangements for the Plan, (iii) the sponsorship of the Plan, (iv) the participating employers in the Plan, and (v) any one or more of the following characteristics that may apply to such Plan: (A) defined contribution plan as defined in Section 3(34) of ERISA or Section 414(i) of the Code, (B) defined benefit plan as defined in Section 3(35) of ERISA or Section 414(j) of the Code, (C) Plan that is or is intended to be Tax qualified under Section 401(a) or 403(a) of the Code, (D) Plan that is or is intended to be an employee stock ownership plan as defined in Section 4975(e)(7) of the Code (and whether or not such Plan has entered into an exempt loan), (E) nonqualified deferred compensation arrangement, (F) employee welfare benefit plan as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA, (G) multiemployer plan as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA or Section 414(f) of the Code, (H) multiple employer plan maintained by more than one employer as defined in Section 413(c) of the Code, (I) Plan providing benefits after separation from service or termination of employment, (J) Plan that owns any Stewardship or other employer securities as an investment, (K) Plan that provides benefits (or provides increased benefits or vesting) as a result of a change in control of Stewardship, (L) Plan that is maintained pursuant to collective bargaining and (M) Plan that is funded, in whole or in part, through a voluntary employees’ beneficiary association exempt from Tax under Section 501(c)(9) of the Code.

(b) Schedule 4.25(b) sets forth the identity of each corporation, trade or business (separately for each category below that applies): (i) which is (or was during the preceding five (5) years) under common control with the Stewardship Entities within the meaning of Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code; (ii) which is (or was during the preceding five (5) years) in an affiliated service group with the Stewardship Entities within the meaning of Section 414(m) of the Code; (iii) which is (or was during the preceding five (5) years) the legal employer of Persons providing services to the Stewardship Entities as leased employees within the meaning of Section 414(n) of the Code; and (iv) with respect to which the Stewardship Entities is a successor employer for purposes of group health or other welfare plan continuation rights (including Section 601 et. seq. of ERISA) or the Family and Medical Leave Act.

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(c) The Stewardship Entities have made available to Columbia true and complete copies of: (i) the most recent determination letter, if any, received by the Stewardship Entities from the Internal Revenue Service regarding each Plan; (ii) the most recent determination or opinion letter ruling, if any, from the Internal Revenue Service that each trust established in connection with plans which are intended to be tax exempt under Section 501(a) or (c) of the Code are so tax exempt; (iii) all pending applications, if any, for rulings, determinations, opinions, no-action letters and the like filed with any governmental agency (including the Department of Labor, Internal Revenue Service, Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation and the SEC); (iv) the financial statements for each Plan for the three most recent fiscal or Plan years (in audited form if required by ERISA) and, where applicable, Annual Report/Return (Form 5500) with schedules, if any, and attachments for each Plan; (v) the most recently prepared actuarial valuation report for each Plan (including reports prepared for funding, deduction and financial accounting purposes); (vi) plan documents, trust agreements, insurance contracts, service agreements and all related Contracts and documents (including any employee summaries and material employee communications) with respect to each Plan, if any; (vii) collective bargaining agreements (including side agreements and letter agreements) relating to the establishment, maintenance, funding and operation of any Plan, if any; and (viii) any correspondence with any governmental agency (including the Department of Labor, Internal Revenue Service, Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation and the SEC).

(d) Schedule 4.25(d) identifies each employee of the Stewardship Entities who is: (i) absent from active employment due to short or long term disability; (ii) absent from active employment on a leave pursuant to the Family and Medical Leave Act or a comparable state Law; (iii) absent from active employment on any other leave or approved absence; (iv) absent from active employment due to military service (under conditions that give the employee rights to re-employment); or (v) not an “at will” employee.

(e) With respect to continuation rights arising under federal or state Law as applied to Plans that are group health plans (as defined in Section 601 et. seq. of ERISA), Schedule 4.25(e) identifies: (i) each employee, former employee or qualifying beneficiary who has elected continuation; and (ii) each employee, former employee or qualifying beneficiary who has not elected continuation coverage but is still within the period in which such election may be made.

(f) (i) All Plans intended to be Tax qualified under Section 401(a) or Section 403(a) of the Code have received a determination letter or a favorable opinion letter stating that they are so qualified; (ii) all trusts established in connection with Plans which are intended to be tax exempt under Section 501(a) or (c) of the Code have received a determination letter stating that they are so tax exempt; (iii) to the extent required either as a matter of Law or to obtain the intended tax treatment and tax benefits, all Plans comply in all material respects with the requirements of ERISA and the Code; (iv) all Plans have been maintained and administered (both in form and operation) materially in accordance with the documents and instruments governing the Plans and the Law; (v) all reports and filings with governmental agencies (including the Department of Labor, Internal Revenue Service, Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation and the SEC) required in connection with each Plan have been timely made; (vi) all disclosures and notices required by Law or Plan provisions to be given to participants and beneficiaries in connection with each Plan have been properly and timely made in all material respects; and (vii) each of the Stewardship Entities has made a good faith effort to comply with the reporting and taxation requirements for FICA Taxes with respect to any deferred compensation arrangements under Section 3121(v) of the Code.

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(g) (i) All contributions, premium payments and other payments required to be made in connection with the Plans have been timely made in accordance with applicable Law, (ii) a proper accrual has been made on the books of account of the Stewardship Entities for all contributions, premium payments and other payments due in the current fiscal year, (iii) no contribution, premium payment or other payment has been made in support of any Plan that is in excess of the allowable deduction for federal income Tax purposes for the year with respect to which the contribution was made (whether under Section 404, Section 419 or Section 419A of the Code or otherwise) and (iv) the Stewardship Entities have no liabilities with respect to any Plan that is subject to Section 301 et seq . of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code, and (v) to the Knowledge of Stewardship, none of the Stewardship Entities has any actual or potential Liability arising under Title IV of ERISA as a result of any Plan that has terminated or is in the process of terminating.

(h) Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.25(h) :

(i) no action, suit, charge, complaint, proceeding, hearing, investigation or claim is pending with regard to any Plan other than routine uncontested claims for benefits;

(ii) the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not cause any Plan to increase benefits payable to any participant or beneficiary;

(iii) the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not: (A) entitle any current or former employee of the Stewardship Entities to severance pay, or any other payment, benefit or award (excluding any unemployment benefits that may be payable by a Governmental Entity to an employee whose employment terminates close in time to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement), or (B) accelerate or modify the time of payment or vesting, or increase the amount of any benefit, award or compensation due any such employee;

(iv) None of the Stewardship Entities has been notified that any Plan is currently under examination or audit by the Department of Labor, the Internal Revenue Service, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or the SEC;

(v) to the Knowledge of Stewardship, none of the Stewardship Entities has any actual or potential Liability under Section 4201 et. seq. of ERISA for either a complete withdrawal or a partial withdrawal from a multiemployer plan; and

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(vi) with respect to the Plans, to the Knowledge of Stewardship, none of the Stewardship Entities has any Liability (either directly or as a result of indemnification) for (and the transaction contemplated by this Agreement will not cause any Liability for): (A) any excise Taxes under Section 4971 through Section 4980B, Section 4999, Section 5000 or any other section of the Code, or (B) any penalty under Section 502(i), Section 502(l), Part 6 of Title I or any other provision of ERISA, or (C) any excise Taxes, penalties, damages or equitable relief as a result of any prohibited transaction, breach of fiduciary duty or other violation under ERISA or any other applicable Law.

(i) Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.25(i) :

(i) all accruals required under FAS 106 and FAS 112 have been properly accrued on the financial statements of each of the Stewardship Entities;

(ii) no condition, Contract or Plan provision limits the right of the Stewardship Entities to amend, cut back or terminate any Plan (except to the extent such limitation arises under ERISA or the Code); and

(iii) none of the Stewardship Entities has any liability for life insurance, death or medical benefits after separation from employment other than: (A) death benefits under the Plans identified on Schedule 4.25(i) , or (B) health care continuation benefits described in Section 4980B of the Code.

(j) Each Plan, or other nonqualified deferred compensation plan of the Stewardship Entities, that is subject to Section 409A of the Code has been designed and has been administered in compliance in all material respects with Section 409A and the Treasury Regulations thereunder.

(k) Each Plan that is also a “group health plan” for purposes of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (Pub. L. No. 111-148) and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (Pub. L. No. 111-152) (collectively, the “ Affordable Care Act ”) is and has been in compliance with the applicable terms of the Affordable Care Act. Each Stewardship Entity and each Commonly Controlled Entity offer minimum essential health coverage, satisfying affordability and minimum value requirements, to their full time employees (as defined by the Affordable Care Act) sufficient to prevent liability for assessable payments under Sections 4980H(a) and 4980H(b) of the Code. Each Plan that is also a “group health plan” under the Affordable Care Act is operated in compliance with:

(i) market reform mandates set forth under Public Health Services Act Sections 2701 through 2709 and Sections 2711 through 2719A;

(ii) fees and reporting requirements for Patient-Centered Outcomes Research under Code Section 4376 and applicable regulations and transitional reinsurance under 45 C.F.R. Sections 153.10 through 153.420;

(iii) income exclusion provisions under Code Sections 105, 106 and 125;

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(iv) information reporting rules as set forth under Sections 6051(a)(14), 6055 and 6056 of the Code; and

(v) standards for electronic transactions and operating rules under Sections 1171 and 1173 of the Social Security Act.

4.26 Insurance . Schedule 4.26 hereto lists each insurance policy and bond maintained by each of the Stewardship Entities with respect to its properties and assets, or otherwise. Prior to the date hereof, Stewardship has provided or made available to Columbia complete and accurate copies of each of the insurance policies and bonds described on Schedule 4.26 . All such insurance policies and bonds are in full force and effect, all claims thereunder have been filed in a due and timely manner and, to the Knowledge of Stewardship, no such claim has been denied, and none of the Stewardship Entities is in default with respect to its obligations under any of such insurance policies. There is no claim by any of the Stewardship Entities pending under any of such policies or bonds as to which coverage has been questioned, denied or disputed by the underwriters of such policies or bonds or in respect of which such underwriters have reserved their rights.

4.27 Affiliate Transactions . Except as set forth on Schedule 4.27 , none of the Stewardship Entities, nor any of their respective executive officers or directors, or any member of the immediate family of any such executive officer or director (which for the purposes hereof will mean a spouse, minor child or adult child living at the home of any such executive officer or director), or any entity which any of such Persons “controls” (within the meaning of Regulation O of the FRB), has any loan agreement, note or borrowing arrangement with Stewardship or Stewardship Bank or any other Contract with any of the Stewardship Entities (other than normal employment arrangements or deposit account relationships) or any interest in any property, real, personal or mixed, tangible or intangible, used in or pertaining to the business of any of the Stewardship Entities. Stewardship Bank is in full compliance with Regulation W of the FRB with respect to any transactions between Stewardship Bank and its Affiliates.

4.28 Compliance with Laws; Permits .

(a) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.28(a), each of the Stewardship Entities is, and at all times since January 1, 2015 has been, in compliance in all material respects with all Laws, Governmental Orders or Governmental Authorizations, including (to the extent applicable) the Exchange Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the Bank Holding Company Act, the FDIA, the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, the Home Owners Loan Act, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act of 1975, the Truth in Lending Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Fair Housing Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and the Federal Reserve Act, each as amended, and any other applicable Governmental Order or Governmental Authorization regulating or otherwise affecting bank holding companies, banks and banking; and no claims have been filed by any Governmental Entity against any Stewardship Entity alleging such a violation of any such Law which have not been resolved to the satisfaction of such Governmental Entity.

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(b) Since January 1, 2015, neither Stewardship nor Stewardship Bank has been advised of, and has no reason to believe that, any facts or circumstances exist that could reasonably be expected to cause Stewardship or Stewardship Bank to be deemed to be operating in material violation of any provision of the Bank Secrecy Act, the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 or any Governmental Order issued with respect to anti-money laundering by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, or any other applicable anti-money laundering Law or Governmental Order issued with respect to economic sanctions programs by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control.

(c) Since January 1, 2015, each of the Stewardship Entities has held all Governmental Authorizations required for the conduct of its business, except where the failure to hold any such Governmental Authorization would not have a Material Adverse Effect on Stewardship.

(d) Neither Stewardship nor Stewardship Bank nor any of their respective properties is a party to or is subject to any Governmental Order, directive, agreement, memorandum of understanding or similar arrangement with, or a commitment letter or similar submission to, or extraordinary supervisory letter from any Bank Regulator, nor has Stewardship or Stewardship Bank adopted any policies, procedures or board resolutions at the request or suggestion of, any Bank Regulator. Stewardship and Stewardship Bank have paid all assessments made or imposed by any Bank Regulator.

(e) Neither Stewardship nor Stewardship Bank has been advised by, nor does it have any knowledge of facts which could give rise to an advisory notice by, any Regulatory Authority that such Regulatory Authority is contemplating issuing or requesting (or is considering the appropriateness of issuing or requesting) any Governmental Order, directive, agreement, memorandum of understanding, commitment letter, supervisory letter or similar submission or any request for the adoption of any policy, procedure or board resolution.

(f) (i) No Governmental Entity has initiated since December 31, 2015 or has pending any proceeding, enforcement action or, to the Knowledge of Stewardship, investigation or inquiry into the business, operations, policies, practices or disclosures of any Stewardship Entity (other than normal examinations conducted by a Regulatory Authority in the Ordinary Course of Business), or, to the Knowledge of Stewardship, threatened any of the foregoing, and (ii) there is no material unresolved violation with respect to any report or statement relating to any examinations or inspections of Stewardship or Stewardship Bank.

(g) None of the Stewardship Entities has performed any services, or has entered into an agreement with a third party to provide any services, that would (i) require such Stewardship Entity to be regulated by or registered under any broker-dealer Laws, or (ii) require such Stewardship Entity to be registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, or regulated by the SEC thereunder.

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(h) Stewardship Bank is “well-capitalized,” as such term is defined in the rules and regulations promulgated by the FRB.

4.29 Fiduciary Accounts . None of the Stewardship Entities acts as a fiduciary for any customer or account (including acting as a trustee, agent, custodian, personal representative, guardian, conservator or investment advisor). To the Knowledge of Stewardship, Stewardship Bank has complied with its fiduciary duties in acting as trustee or custodian for any individual retirement deposit accounts as required by Law or any Contracts relating to such accounts.

4.30 Interest Rate Risk Management Instruments .

(a) Schedule 4.30(a) sets forth a true, correct and complete list of all interest rate swaps, caps, floors and option agreements and other interest rate risk management arrangements to which Stewardship or Stewardship Bank is a party or by which any of their properties or assets may be bound, except for adjustable rate loans made by Stewardship Bank to customers in the Ordinary Course of Business. Stewardship has provided or made available to Columbia true, correct and complete copies of all such interest rate risk management agreements and arrangements.

(b) All interest rate swaps, caps, floors and option agreements and other interest rate risk management arrangements to which Stewardship or Stewardship Bank is a party or by which any of their properties or assets may be bound were entered into in the Ordinary Course of Business and in accordance with prudent banking practice and applicable rules, regulations and policies of Bank Regulators and with counterparties believed to be financially responsible at the time, and are legal, valid and binding obligations enforceable in accordance with their terms (except as may be limited by Remedies Exceptions), and are in full force and effect. Each of Stewardship and Stewardship Bank has duly performed in all material respects all of its obligations thereunder to the extent that such obligations to perform have accrued; and, to the Knowledge of Stewardship, there are no breaches, violations or defaults or allegations or assertions of such by any party thereunder.

4.31 No Guarantees . No Liability of any Stewardship Entity is guaranteed by any other Person, nor has any Stewardship Entity guaranteed the Liabilities of any other Person.

4.32 Regulatory Approvals . To the Knowledge of Stewardship, there is no fact or circumstance relating to it or Stewardship Bank that would materially impede or delay receipt of any Bank Regulatory Approvals or that would likely result in the Bank Regulatory Approvals not being obtained.

4.33 Fairness Opinion . Stewardship has received an opinion from Sandler O’Neill addressed to the Board of Directors of Stewardship to the effect that, as of the date of such opinion, and based upon the assumptions, qualifications contained therein, the Merger Consideration is fair, from a financial point of view, to the holders of Stewardship Common Stock. Stewardship has obtained the authorization of Sandler O’Neill to include a copy of its fairness opinion in the Proxy Statement.

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4.34 Transactions in Securities . All offers and sales of capital stock or debt instruments of Stewardship by Stewardship (including offers and sales pursuant to the Stewardship Equity Incentive Plan and the Stewardship Dividend Reinvestment Plan) were at all relevant times exempt from, or complied with, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and any applicable state securities Laws.

4.35 Registration Obligation . None of the Stewardship Entities is under any obligation pursuant to any Contract or otherwise to register any of their respective securities under the Securities Act.

4.36 No Other Representations or Warranties .

(a) Except for the representations and warranties made by Stewardship in this Article 4, neither Stewardship nor any other Person makes any express or implied representation or warranty with respect to the Stewardship Entities or their respective businesses, operations, assets, liabilities, conditions (financial or otherwise) or prospects, and Stewardship hereby disclaims any such other representations or warranties. In particular, without limiting the foregoing disclaimer, neither Stewardship nor any other Person makes or has made any representation or warranty to Columbia or any of its Affiliates or representatives with respect to (i) any financial projection, forecast, estimate, budget or prospective information relating to the Stewardship Entities or their respective businesses, or (ii) except for the representations and warranties made by Stewardship in this Article 4, any oral or written information presented to Columbia or any of its Affiliates or representatives in the course of their due diligence investigation of Stewardship, the negotiation of this Agreement or in the course of the transactions contemplated hereby.

(b) Stewardship acknowledges and agrees that neither Columbia nor any other Person has made or is making any express or implied representation or warranty other than those contained in Article 3.

ARTICLE 5
CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PENDING THE MERGER

5.1 Conduct of Business . From the date of this Agreement through the Effective Time, unless Columbia will otherwise consent in writing (which consent will not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) or as otherwise expressly contemplated or permitted by other provisions of this Agreement, including this Section 5.1, or as required by applicable Law, any Governmental Order or policies imposed by any Governmental Entity:

(a) the businesses of each Stewardship Entity will be conducted only in, and none of the Stewardship Entities will take any action except in, the Ordinary Course of Business and in accordance with all applicable Laws;

(b) each of the Stewardship Entities will (i) use reasonable best efforts to preserve its business organization and goodwill, and keep available the services of its officers, employees and consultants and maintain satisfactory relationships with vendors, customers and others having business relationships with it, (ii) subject to applicable Laws, confer on a regular and frequent basis with representatives of Columbia to report operational matters and the general status of ongoing operations as reasonably requested by Columbia and (iii) not take any action that would render, or that reasonably would be expected to render, any representation or warranty made by Stewardship in this Agreement untrue at the Closing as though then made and as though the Closing Date had been substituted for the date of this Agreement in such representation or warranty;

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(i) amend or propose to amend its Charter or Bylaws;

(ii) issue or sell any of its equity securities, securities convertible into or exchangeable for its equity securities, warrants, options or other rights to acquire its equity securities, or any grants to employees or directors of restricted stock or other stock rights except as is set forth on Schedule (c)(ii) , or any bonds or other securities, except deposit and other bank obligations in the Ordinary Course of Business;

(iii) redeem, purchase, acquire or offer to acquire, directly or indirectly, any shares of capital stock or membership units of or any other ownership interest in any Stewardship Entity;

(iv) split, combine or reclassify any outstanding shares of capital stock of Stewardship or Stewardship Bank, or declare, set aside or pay any dividend or other distribution payable in cash, property or otherwise with respect to shares of capital stock of Stewardship or Stewardship Bank or the Stewardship Bank Subsidiaries, except that (a) Stewardship will be permitted to pay a regular quarterly cash dividend on the shares of Stewardship Common Stock, not to exceed $0.03 per share, consistent with past practices with respect to the payment of dividends in fiscal year 2018 and (b) Stewardship Bank will be permitted to pay dividends on the shares of Stewardship Bank Common Stock;

(v) except with regard to deposits and certificates of deposit undertaken in the Ordinary Course of Business, incur any amount of material Indebtedness with a term greater than one (1) year;

(vi) discharge or satisfy any material Encumbrance on its properties or assets or pay any material liability, except in the Ordinary Course of Business;

(vii) sell, assign, transfer, mortgage, pledge or subject to any Encumbrance any of its assets, except (A) in the Ordinary Course of Business; provided, however , that any such sale, assignment or transfer of any Operating Real Property will not be considered in the Ordinary Course of Business, (B) Permitted Encumbrances and (C) Encumbrances which do not materially affect the value of, or interfere with the past or future use or ability to convey, the property subject thereto or affected thereby;

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(viii) cancel any material Indebtedness or claims or waive any rights of material value, except in the Ordinary Course of Business;

(ix) acquire (by merger, exchange, consolidation, acquisition of stock or assets or otherwise) any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture or other business organization or division or material assets thereof, or any Real Property or assets or deposits that are material to the Stewardship Entities, except in exchange for Indebtedness previously contracted, including OREO ;

(x) make any single or group of related capital expenditures or commitments therefor in excess of $50,000 or enter into any lease or group of related leases with the same party which involves aggregate lease payments payable over the term of such lease of more than $50,000 for any individual lease or involves more than $75,000 for any group of related leases in the aggregate; or

(xi) change any of its methods of accounting in effect on the date of the Latest Stewardship Balance Sheet, other than changes required by GAAP or regulatory accounting principles;

(xii) cancel or terminate its current insurance policies or allow any of the coverage thereunder to lapse, unless simultaneously with such termination, cancellation or lapse replacement policies providing coverage equal to or greater than the coverage under the canceled, terminated or lapsed policies for substantially similar premiums are in full force and effect;

(xiii) enter into or modify any employment, severance or similar agreements or arrangements with, or grant any compensation increases to, any director, officer or employee, except (A) for routine annual salary increases of up to 3.25% of base salary in the Ordinary Course of Business; (B) as may be required by an existing Contract listed on Schedule 5.1(c)(xiii) with such director, officer or employee, or (C) for entering into an employment arrangement, after consultation with Columbia, to fill vacancies that may arise from time to time in the Ordinary Course of Business at an annual rate of salary commensurate with the employee being replaced;

(xiv) enter into or modify any independent contractor or consultant Contract with a term of more than one (1) year that requires any payments by a Stewardship Entity in excess of $25,000 during such term;

(xv) terminate the employment of any Stewardship Employee, other than for cause as determined by Stewardship or in accordance with Stewardship’s established practices and in the Ordinary Course of Business;

(xvi) terminate or amend any bonus, profit sharing, stock option, restricted stock, pension, retirement, deferred compensation, or other employee benefit plan, trust, fund, contract or arrangement for the benefit or welfare of any employees, except as contemplated hereunder or by Law;

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(xvii) make, modify or revoke any election with respect to Taxes, consent to any waiver or extension of time to assess or collect any Taxes, file any amended Returns;

(xviii) incur an indemnity obligation of more than $100,000;

(xix) enter into or propose to enter into, or modify or propose to modify, any Contract with respect to any of the matters set forth in this Section 5.1(c);

(xx) except for loans approved by Stewardship Bank prior to the date of this Agreement and set forth on Schedule 5.1(c)(xx) , (A) extend credit or enter into any Contracts binding Stewardship Bank to extend credit except in a manner consistent with past practice and in accordance with the lending practices of Stewardship Bank as disclosed to Columbia, and Stewardship Bank will not extend credit or enter into any Contracts binding it to extend credit in an amount in excess of $250,000 on an unsecured basis and $750,000 on a secured basis (or, in the case of borrowers with loans listed on the watch list of Stewardship Bank, to extend any additional credit to such borrowers), without first providing Columbia (at least five (5) Business Days prior to extending such credit or entering into any Contract binding Stewardship Bank to do so) with a copy of the loan underwriting analysis and credit memorandum of Stewardship Bank and the basis of the credit decision of Stewardship Bank, or (B) sell, assign or otherwise transfer any participation in any loan; or

(xxi) purchase any investment securities or sell any securities in its investment portfolio;

(xxii) make any additional contributions to the Atlantic Stewardship Foundation; or

(xxiii) fulfill participant purchases of Stewardship Common Stock under the Stewardship Dividend Reinvestment Plan through the issuance of authorized and unissued shares of Stewardship or Stewardship treasury stock.

5.2 Absence of Control . It is the mutual intent of the parties that (a) Columbia shall not by reason of this Agreement be deemed to control, directly or indirectly, Stewardship or any of its Subsidiaries or to exercise, directly or indirectly, a controlling influence over the management or policies of Stewardship or any of its Subsidiaries and (b) Stewardship shall not by reason of this Agreement be deemed to control, directly or indirectly, Columbia or any of its Subsidiaries or to exercise, directly or indirectly, a controlling influence over the management or policies of Columbia or any of its Subsidiaries.

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5.3 Access to Information; Confidentiality.

(a) During the period from the date of this Agreement through the earlier of the Effective Time or the termination of this Agreement in accordance with Article 8, Stewardship will permit and will cause Stewardship Bank to permit Columbia full access upon reasonable prior notice and during reasonable business hours to the properties of such Stewardship Entities, and will disclose and make available (together with the right to copy) to Columbia and to the internal auditors, loan review officers, employees, attorneys, accountants and other representatives of Columbia all books, papers and records relating to the assets, stock, properties, operations, obligations and liabilities of the Stewardship Entities, including all books of account (including the general ledgers), Tax records, minute books of directors’ and shareholders’ meetings, organizational documents, bylaws, Contracts, filings with any Regulatory Authority, accountants’ work papers, litigation files (including legal research memoranda), documents relating to assets and title thereto (including abstracts, title insurance policies, surveys, environmental reports, opinions of title and other information relating to the real and personal property), Plans affecting employees, securities transfer records and shareholder lists, and any books, papers and records relating to any assets, business activities or prospects in which Columbia may have a reasonable interest, including its interest in planning for integration and transition with respect to the businesses of the Stewardship Entities; provided, however , that (i) the foregoing rights granted to Columbia will in no way affect the nature or scope of the representations, warranties and covenants of Stewardship set forth herein, and (ii) Stewardship will be permitted to keep confidential any information relating to legal matters, regulatory matters or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement that Stewardship reasonably believes is subject to legal privilege or other legal protection that would be compromised by disclosure to Columbia. In addition, Stewardship will instruct the officers, employees, counsel and accountants of each of the Stewardship Entities to be reasonably available for, and respond to any questions of, such Columbia representatives during reasonable business hours and upon reasonable prior notice by Columbia to such individuals, and to cooperate fully with Columbia in planning for the integration of the businesses of the Stewardship Entities with the business of Columbia and its Affiliates.

(b) Any confidential information or trade secrets of each of the Stewardship Entities received by Columbia, or its Representatives in connection with the Merger or the other transactions contemplated hereby will be treated confidentially and held in confidence pursuant to the Stewardship NDA, and any correspondence, memoranda, records, copies, documents and electronic or other media of any kind containing either such confidential information or trade secrets or both will be destroyed by Columbia or, at Stewardship’s request, returned to Stewardship if this Agreement is terminated as provided in Article 8. Such information will not be used by Columbia or its agents to the detriment of the Stewardship Entities, and will at all times be maintained and held in compliance with this Section 5.3(b) until the Effective Time.

(c) In the event that this Agreement is terminated, neither Columbia nor Stewardship will disclose, except as required by Law or pursuant to the request of a Governmental Entity, the basis or reason for such termination, without the consent of the other party.

5.4 Notice of Developments . During the period from the date of this Agreement through the earlier of the Effective Time and the termination of this Agreement in accordance with Article 8, to the extent permitted by Law, Stewardship and Columbia will promptly notify the other party of any event that is reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on, or any other change in the Ordinary Course of Business of, any Stewardship Entity or Columbia, respectively. Stewardship and Columbia will promptly notify the other party in writing if it should discover that any representation or warranty made by it in this Agreement was when made, has subsequently become or will be on the Closing Date untrue in any respect. No disclosure pursuant to this Section 5.4 will be deemed to amend or supplement the Disclosure Schedules or to prevent or cure any inaccuracy, misrepresentation, breach of warranty or breach of agreement.

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5.5 Consents and Authorizations . Stewardship will use its reasonable best efforts to obtain (at no cost to Columbia), prior to Closing, all Consents (the “ Required Consents ”) listed on Schedule 5.5 . Stewardship acknowledges and agrees that the Required Consents are all of the Consents of Persons (other than Bank Regulators) necessary for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Stewardship will keep Columbia reasonably advised of the status of obtaining the Required Consents, and Columbia will reasonably cooperate with Stewardship to obtain the Required Consents.

5.6 Tax Matters .

(a) Each of the Stewardship Entities, at their own expense, will prepare and timely file (or cause to be prepared and timely filed) all Returns required to be filed by the relevant Stewardship Entity on or before the Effective Time, and timely pay all Taxes reflected thereon. All such Returns will be correct and complete in all material respects and will be prepared in accordance with past practices of the relevant Stewardship Entities, to the extent such practices comply with applicable Law. No later than fifteen (15) days prior to the due date (including extensions) for filing any income or franchise Tax Returns referred to in the foregoing sentence, the relevant Stewardship Entity will deliver such Returns to Columbia for review, comment. With respect to any Returns referred to in the first sentence of this Section 5.6(a) other than income and franchise Tax Returns, the relevant Stewardship Entity will deliver such Returns to Columbia no later than five (5) days prior to the due date (including extensions) for filing such Returns and Columbia will, at its option and in its sole discretion, have the right to review and comment with respect to such other Returns. The relevant Stewardship Entity will consider the comments of Columbia in good faith and will incorporate Columbia’s comments in each such Return prior to the filing thereof to the extent that Stewardship deems necessary; provided, however, that Stewardship will make any changes to such Returns that are required to correct obvious errors or to ensure that each Return complies with applicable Law.

(b) Columbia, at its own expense, will prepare and timely file (or cause to be prepared and timely filed) all Returns of the Stewardship Entities required to be filed after the Effective Time; provided, however, that Stewardship shall accrue for the expense of filing such Returns relating to pre-closing tax periods prior to Closing. Columbia will prepare and file all such Returns in respect of a taxable period which ends on or prior to the Effective Time that are not required to be filed on or before the Effective Time, and all such Returns in respect of a taxable period which begins before and ends after the Effective Time, consistent with past practices of the relevant Stewardship Entities, to the extent such practices comply with applicable Law.

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(c) Stewardship will be liable for any transfer, value added, excise, stock transfer, stamp, recording, registration and any similar Taxes that become payable as a result of the Merger (“ Transfer Taxes ”). The applicable parties will cooperate in preparing and filing such forms and documents as may be necessary to permit any such Transfer Tax to be assessed and paid on or prior to the Effective Time in accordance with any available pre-sale filing procedure, and to obtain any exemption from or refund of any such Transfer Tax.

(d) Each of the Stewardship Entities and Columbia will cooperate fully, as and to the extent reasonably requested by the other party, in connection with the filing of Returns pursuant to this Section 5.6 and in connection with any audit, litigation or other proceeding with respect to Taxes. Such cooperation will include the retention and (upon the other party’s reasonable request) the provision of records and information (including making such records and information available for copying) which are reasonably relevant to any such audit, litigation or other proceeding, the timely provision to the other party of powers of attorney or similar authorizations necessary to carry out the purposes of this Section 5.6, and making employees available on a mutually convenient basis to provide additional information and explanation of any material provided hereunder. Columbia and each of the Stewardship Entities agrees to retain all books and records with respect to Tax matters pertinent to any of the Stewardship Entities relating to any taxable period which ends on or prior to the Effective Time until the expiration of the statute of limitations (and, to the extent notified by Columbia or its Affiliate, any extensions thereof) of the respective taxable periods, and to abide by all record retention agreements entered into with any Taxing Authority.

(e) No party to this Agreement nor any such party’s Affiliates shall make an election under Section 338 of the Code (or any comparable provision of state or Local Law) in respect of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

5.7 No Solicitation .

(a) Neither Stewardship nor Stewardship Bank will, and they will each use their best efforts to cause their officers, directors, employees, agents and authorized representatives (“ Representatives ”) not to, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate, encourage, induce or facilitate the making, submission or announcement of any Acquisition Proposal or take any action that could reasonably be expected to lead to an Acquisition Proposal, (ii) furnish any information regarding any Stewardship Entity to any Person in connection with or in response to an Acquisition Proposal or an inquiry or indication of interest that could reasonably be expected to lead to an Acquisition Proposal, (iii) engage in discussions or negotiations with any Person with respect to any Acquisition Proposal or that could reasonably be expected to lead to an Acquisition Proposal, (iv) except as otherwise permitted by Section 6.3(a), approve, endorse or recommend any Acquisition Proposal or (v) enter into any letter of intent or similar document or any Contract contemplating or otherwise relating to any Acquisition Transaction; provided, however, that prior to the adoption of this Agreement by the Required Stewardship Shareholder Vote, this Section 5.7(a) will not prohibit Stewardship from furnishing nonpublic information regarding the Stewardship Entities to, or participating in discussions or negotiations with, any Person in response to a Superior Proposal that is submitted to Stewardship by such Person (and not withdrawn) if (1) neither Stewardship nor any other Stewardship Entity nor any of their respective Representatives have violated any of the restrictions set forth in this Section 5.7(a), (2) the Board of Directors of Stewardship concludes in good faith, after having consulted with and considered the advice of outside counsel to Stewardship, that failure to take such action could reasonably be likely to result in a violation of its fiduciary obligations to Stewardship’s shareholders under applicable Law, (3) prior to furnishing any such nonpublic information to, or entering into discussions with, such Person, Stewardship gives Columbia written notice of the identity of such Person and of Stewardship’s intention to furnish nonpublic information to such Person, and Stewardship receives from such Person an executed confidentiality agreement containing customary limitations on the use and disclosure of all nonpublic written and oral information furnished to such Person by or on behalf of Stewardship and (4) not later than furnishing any such nonpublic information to such Person, Stewardship furnishes such nonpublic information to Columbia (to the extent such nonpublic information has not been previously furnished by the Stewardship to Columbia). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Stewardship acknowledges and agrees that any violation of or the taking of any action inconsistent with any of the restrictions set forth in the preceding sentence by Stewardship, Stewardship Bank or any Representative will be deemed to constitute a breach of this Section 5.7(a) by Stewardship.

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(b) Stewardship will promptly (and in no event later than twenty-four (24) hours with respect to oral notice and no later than forty-eight (48) hours with respect to written notice after receipt of any Acquisition Proposal, any inquiry or indication of interest that could reasonably be expected to lead to an Acquisition Proposal or any request for nonpublic information) notify Columbia of any Acquisition Proposal, any inquiry or indication of interest that could reasonably be expected to lead to an Acquisition Proposal or any request for nonpublic information relating to Stewardship or Stewardship Bank (including the identity of the Person making or submitting such Acquisition Proposal, inquiry, indication of interest or request, and the terms thereof) that is made or submitted by any Person prior to the Closing Date. Stewardship will keep Columbia fully informed with respect to the status of any such Acquisition Proposal, inquiry, indication of interest or request and any modification or proposed modification thereto.

(c) Stewardship and Stewardship Bank will immediately cease and cause to be terminated any existing discussions with any Person that relate to any Acquisition Proposal.

(d) Stewardship will not release or permit the release of any Person from, or waive or permit the waiver of any provision of, any confidentiality, “standstill” or similar agreement to which Stewardship is a party, and will enforce or cause to be enforced each such agreement at the request of Columbia.

5.8 Columbia Forbearances . Except as expressly contemplated or permitted by this Agreement, as required by Applicable Law or at the direction of a Governmental Entity, or with the prior written consent of the Stewardship, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, from the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, Columbia shall not and shall cause Columbia Bank and each of their respective Subsidiaries not to:

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(a) take any action that could reasonably be expected to adversely affect or materially delay its ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby;

(b) amend its charter, bylaws, or other organizational or governing documents in a manner that could materially impede Columbia’s or Columbia Bank’s ability to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;

(c) take any action that is intended or could reasonably be expected to result in (i) any of the representations or warranties of Columbia or Columbia Bank set forth in this Agreement being or becoming untrue at any time prior to the Effective Time or at the Effective Time, (ii) any of the conditions to the Merger set forth in Article 7 not being satisfied, or (iii) a breach or violation of any provision of this Agreement; or

(d) agree to do, make any commitment to do, or adopt any resolutions of its board of directors (or other governing body) in support of, recommending, or proposing any of the foregoing.

5.9 Stewardship Forbearances . Except as expressly permitted by this Agreement or with the prior written consent of Columbia (which will not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), during the period from the date of this Agreement to the earlier of the Effective Time and the termination of this Agreement in accordance with Article 8, Stewardship will not, and will not permit any other Stewardship Entity, except as may be required by applicable Law, any Governmental Order or policies imposed by any Governmental Entity, (a) take any action that would reasonably be expected to prevent, materially impede or materially delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (b) take, or omit to take, any action that is reasonably likely to result in any of the conditions to the Merger set forth in Article 7 not being or becoming not being capable of being satisfied, or (c) take any action that would render, or that reasonably would be expected to render, any representation or warranty made by Stewardship in this Agreement untrue at the Closing as though then made and as though the Closing Date had been substituted for the date of this Agreement in such representation or warranty.

5.10 Maintenance of ALLL . Stewardship will cause Stewardship Bank to maintain the ALLL of Stewardship Bank in compliance with GAAP and regulatory accounting principles and Stewardship Bank’s existing methodology for determining the adequacy of the ALLL, as well as the standards established by all applicable Governmental Entities and the Financial Accounting Standards Board. Stewardship agrees that the ALLL of Stewardship Bank will be adequate under all standards, and that the ALLL will be consistent with the historical loss experience of Stewardship Bank. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Stewardship will not permit Stewardship Bank to allow its ALLL to fall below $7,500,000 as of the Effective Time.

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5.11 Termination of Stewardship Dividend Reinvestment Plan . Within thirty (30) days after execution of this Agreement, Stewardship will take the necessary corporate action to suspend or terminate the Stewardship Dividend Reinvestment Plan and will provide the required notice of such suspension or termination to participants in the Stewardship Dividend Reinvestment Plan.

5.12 Shareholder Litigation . Stewardship shall provide to Columbia the opportunity to participate in (but not control), at Columbia’s sole expense, the defense of any litigation brought by any shareholder of Stewardship or in the name of Stewardship against Stewardship, as applicable, and/or Stewardship’s directors, officer, employees, attorneys, agents or representatives relating to any or all of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the Merger (“ Transaction Litigation ”) and further shall not compromise, settle, come to an arrangement regarding any Transaction Litigation, or consent to the same, without requesting in writing and receiving the prior written consent of Columbia which consent Columbia agrees shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. For purposes of this Section 5.12, “participate” means that Stewardship will keep Columbia apprised of pleadings and reasonably apprised in writing of proposed strategy and other significant decisions with respect to any such Transaction Litigation to the extent that the attorney-client privilege is not undermined or otherwise affected and Columbia may offer comments or suggestions with respect to the Transaction Litigation which Stewardship shall be under no obligation to accept or implement. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing contained in this Section 5.12 shall be deemed to confer any measure of control on the part of Columbia other than the reasonable consent right contained herein.

ARTICLE 6
ADDITIONAL COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS

6.1 The Bank Merger . To the extent not previously approved, Stewardship will cause the Board of Directors of Stewardship Bank to approve the Bank Merger Agreement and the Bank Merger within three (3) Business Days of execution of this Agreement, and will vote all of the shares of Stewardship Bank Common Stock held by Stewardship in favor of approval of the Bank Merger Agreement and the Bank Merger. For the avoidance of doubt, the Bank Merger will occur immediately after the Merger, and will be conditioned upon regulatory approval and upon the Required Stewardship Shareholder Vote.

6.2 Filings and Regulatory Approvals . Columbia and Stewardship will use all reasonable best efforts and will cooperate with each other in the preparation and filing of, and Columbia will file, within thirty (30) days after the date of this Agreement, all applications or other documents required to obtain Bank Regulatory Approvals and consents from the OCC and FDIC under the Bank Merger Act, the NJDOBI under the New Jersey Banking Statute and the waiver or approval, if required, of the FRB of the Merger under the S&L Holding Company Act and the BHC Act, and any other applicable Governmental Entities, and Columbia will provide copies of the non-confidential portions of such applications, filings and related correspondence to Stewardship. Prior to filing each application or other document with the applicable Governmental Entity, each party will provide the other party with an opportunity to review and comment on the non-confidential portions of each such application or other document and will discuss with the other party which portions of this Agreement will be designated as confidential portions of such applications. Each party will use all reasonable best efforts and will cooperate with the other party in taking any other actions necessary to obtain such regulatory or other approvals and consents, including participating in any required hearings or proceedings. Subject to the terms and conditions herein provided, each party will use all reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable to consummate and make effective as promptly as practicable the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Columbia will pay, or will cause to be paid, any applicable fees and expenses (other than those incurred by Stewardship’s outside counsel) in connection with the preparation and filing of such regulatory filings necessary to obtain the Bank Regulatory Approvals.

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6.3 Shareholder Meeting .

(a) Stewardship will call a special meeting of its shareholders (the “ Stewardship Shareholder Meeting ”) for the purpose of voting upon this Agreement and the Merger, and will schedule such meeting based on consultation with Columbia as soon as reasonably practicable after receipt of clearance from the SEC of the Proxy Statement as set forth in Section 6.3(b), but in any event shall hold the special meeting no later than sixty (60) days after receipt of such SEC clearance . The Board of Directors of Stewardship will recommend that the shareholders approve this Agreement and the Merger (the “ Stewardship Board Recommendation ”), and Stewardship will use its best efforts (including soliciting proxies for such approval) to obtain the Required Stewardship Shareholder Vote. The Stewardship Board Recommendation may not be withdrawn or modified in a manner adverse to Columbia, and no resolution by the Board of Directors of Stewardship or any committee thereof to withdraw or modify the Stewardship Board Recommendation in a manner adverse to Stewardship may be adopted; provided , however , that notwithstanding the foregoing, prior to the adoption of this Agreement by the Required Stewardship Shareholder Vote, the Board of Directors of Stewardship may withdraw, qualify or modify the Stewardship Board Recommendation or approve, adopt, recommend or otherwise declare advisable any Superior Proposal made after the date hereof and not solicited, initiated or encouraged in breach of Section 5.7, if the Board of Directors of Stewardship determines in good faith, after consultation with outside counsel, that failure to do so would be likely to result in a breach of fiduciary duties under applicable law (a “ Change of Stewardship Board Recommendation ”). In determining whether to make a Change of Stewardship Board Recommendation in response to a Superior Proposal or otherwise, the Board of Directors of Stewardship will take into account any changes to the terms of this Agreement proposed by Columbia or any other information provided by Columbia in response to such notice. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing contained in this Agreement shall prohibit the Board of Directors of Stewardship from (i) taking and disclosing to its shareholders, as applicable, a position contemplated by Rule 14e-2(a) promulgated under the Exchange Act or making a statement contemplated by Item 1012(a) of Regulation M-A or Rule 14d-9 promulgated under the Exchange Act, (ii) making any disclosure to its shareholders, as applicable, if the Board of Directors of Stewardship determines in good faith, after consultation with its outside counsel, that the failure to make such disclosure would reasonably be expected to be inconsistent with the directors’ duties to shareholders under, or would violate applicable Law; or (iii) making accurate disclosure to its shareholders, as applicable, of factual information regarding the business, financial condition or results of operations of Stewardship or the fact that an Acquisition Proposal has been made, the identity of the party making such proposal or the material terms of such proposal (and such disclosure shall not be deemed to be a Change of the Stewardship Board Recommendation), it being understood that any “stop, look and listen” communication that contains only the information set forth in Rule 14d-9(f) shall not be deemed in and of itself to be a Change of the Stewardship Board Recommendation.

(b) For the purposes of holding the Stewardship Shareholder Meeting, within thirty (30) days after the date of execution of this Agreement, Stewardship will prepare and file with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act the proxy solicitation materials (the “ Proxy Statement ”) that, in all material respects, shall be in such form, and contain or be accompanied by such information regarding the Stewardship Shareholder Meeting, this Agreement, the parties hereto, the Merger and other matters described herein, as is required by all applicable laws, rules and regulations, and otherwise that a reasonable shareholder of Stewardship would consider material in connection with the Stewardship Shareholder Meeting. Stewardship will provide a copy of the proposed Proxy Statement in preliminary form to Columbia for its review and comment prior to its being printed and distributed to Stewardship’s shareholders and will consider in good faith any comments provided by Columbia on the proposed Proxy Statement.

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(c) Columbia will furnish such information concerning Columbia and its Subsidiaries, including Columbia Bank, as is necessary in order to cause the Proxy Statement, insofar as it relates to Columbia and its Subsidiaries, including Columbia Bank, to be prepared in accordance with Section 6.3(b). Columbia agrees promptly to notify Stewardship if at any time prior to the Stewardship Shareholder Meeting any information provided by Columbia in the Proxy Statement becomes incorrect or incomplete in any material respect, and to provide the information needed to correct such inaccuracy or omission.

(d) None of the information relating to Columbia and its Subsidiaries, including Columbia Bank, that is provided by Columbia for inclusion in the Proxy Statement will, at the time of mailing the Proxy Statement to Stewardship’s shareholders, at the time of the Stewardship Shareholder Meeting and at the Effective Time, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading.

(e) None of the information relating to Stewardship and the other Stewardship Entities that is included in the Proxy Statement will, at the time of mailing the Proxy Statement to Stewardship’s shareholders, at the time of the Stewardship Shareholder Meeting and at the Effective Time, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading.

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(f) Stewardship will bear all printing and mailing costs in connection with the preparation and mailing of the Proxy Statement to Stewardship’s shareholders.

6.4 Employee Matters.

(a) Columbia shall honor the Plans set forth in Stewardship’s Disclosure Letter in accordance with the terms of such Plans, except to the extent an alternative treatment is set forth in this Section 6.4 . During the period commencing at the Effective Time and ending on the twelve (12) month anniversary of the Closing Date or, if shorter, during the period of employment of a Continuing Employee following the Closing, Columbia shall maintain or cause to be maintained employee benefit plans and compensation opportunities for the benefit of all Persons who are employees of the Stewardship Entities immediately prior to the Effective Time and whose employment is not specifically terminated at or prior to the Effective Time (a “Continuing Employee” ) that provides such Continuing Employee with (i) a base salary or wage rate, as applicable, that is no less than the base salary or wage rate, as applicable, provided to the Continuing Employees prior to the Effective Time, and (ii) employee benefits that in the aggregate, are substantially comparable to the employee benefit and compensation opportunities that are generally made available to similarly situated employees of Columbia or its Subsidiaries ; provided, however, in no event shall any Continuing Employee be eligible to participate in any frozen plan of Columbia or its Subsidiaries.

(b) At the sole discretion of Columbia, Columbia may maintain Stewardship Bank’s health and welfare plans through the end of the calendar year in which the Effective Time occurs. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Columbia determines prior to the Effective Time to terminate one or more of Stewardship Bank’s health and/or welfare plans, then at the written request of Columbia, Stewardship Bank shall adopt resolutions, to the extent required, providing that one or more of Stewardship Bank’s health and welfare plans (excluding any plans that are mutually agreed to in writing between the parties) will be terminated effective immediately prior to the Effective Time (or such later date as requested by Columbia in writing or as may be required to comply with any applicable advance notice or other requirements contained in such plans) and shall arrange for termination of all corresponding insurance policies, service agreements and related arrangements effective on the same date to the extent not prohibited by the terms of such arrangements or, if termination is prohibited on the same date, the earliest possible date following that date that is not prohibited by the terms of such arrangements. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no coverage of any of the Continuing Employees or their dependents shall terminate under any of Stewardship Bank’s health and welfare plans prior to the time such Continuing Employees and their dependents, as applicable, become eligible to participate in the health plans, programs and benefits common to all similarly-situated employees of Columbia and its Subsidiaries and their dependents and, consequently, no Continuing Employee shall experience a gap in coverage. Columbia shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause Continuing Employees who become covered under health (including dental and vision) plans, programs and benefits of Columbia or any of its Subsidiaries to receive credit for any co-payments and deductibles paid under Stewardship Bank’s health (including dental and vision) plans for the plan year in which coverage commences under Columbia’s health plan and to waive any pre-existing conditions under any such plans. Terminated employees of Stewardship Entities and their qualified beneficiaries will have the right to continued coverage under group health plans of Columbia in accordance with COBRA.

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(c) Columbia shall cause each employee benefit plan of Columbia in which Continuing Employees are eligible to participate to take into account for purposes of eligibility and vesting under the employee benefit plans of Columbia (but not for purposes of benefit accrual) the service of such employees with Stewardship to the same extent as such service was credited for such purpose by Stewardship; provided, however, that such service shall not be recognized: (i) for purposes of the six (6) month waiting period for eligibility under the ESOP; (ii) to the extent that such recognition would result in a duplication of benefits under any of the Columbia Benefit Plans, or (iii) to the extent, at the sole discretion of Columbia, the cash value of unused paid time-off is paid to Continuing Employees at the Effective Time. The value of each Stewardship Employee’s unused paid time-off is set forth in Stewardship’s Disclosure Letter. This Agreement shall not be construed to limit the ability of Columbia to terminate the employment of any Continuing Employee or to review any employee benefit plan or program from time to time and to make such changes (including terminating any such plan or program) as Columbia deems appropriate.

(d) Stewardship Bank shall take all necessary and appropriate actions to cause the Stewardship Bank 401(k) Plan to be frozen as to future contributions effective immediately prior to the Effective Time and Columbia shall take all necessary and appropriate actions to allow the Continuing Employees to participate in Columbia’s 401(k) Plan on the first Columbia 401(k) Plan entry date following the Effective Time. If requested in writing by Columbia prior to Closing, Stewardship Bank will also take all necessary steps to terminate Stewardship Bank’s 401(k) Plan immediately prior to the Effective Time, subject to the occurrence of the Effective Time, and if further requested, shall prepare and submit a request to the IRS for a favorable determination letter on termination. If Columbia requests that Stewardship Bank apply for a favorable determination letter, then prior to the Effective Time, Stewardship Bank shall use commercially reasonable efforts to take all such actions as are necessary (determined in consultation with Columbia) to submit the application for favorable determination letter in advance of the Effective Time, and following the Effective Time, Columbia shall use its best efforts in good faith to obtain such favorable determination letter as promptly as possible (including, but not limited to, making such changes to the Stewardship Bank 401(k) Plan as may be required by the IRS as a condition to its issuance of a favorable determination letter). Prior to the Effective Time, Stewardship Bank, and following the Effective Time, Columbia, will adopt such amendments to the Stewardship Bank 401(k) Plan necessary to effect the provisions of this Section 6.4(d) . In the event Columbia requests Stewardship Bank to submit an application to the IRS for a determination letter, Stewardship Bank 401(k) Plan participants who are terminated at or after the Closing, but prior to the receipt of the IRS determination letter, may elect to receive a distribution from the Stewardship Bank 401(k) Plan upon termination of their employment. Following receipt of a favorable determination letter from the IRS, Columbia shall take any and all actions as may be required to permit Continuing Employees to roll over their account balances (excluding participant loans) in the Stewardship Bank 401(k) Plan into Columbia’s 401(k) Plan.

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(e) Columbia agrees that each full-time Stewardship Employee who is (i) involuntarily terminated by Columbia (other than for “Cause” as determined in good faith by Columbia) or (ii) voluntarily terminates employment if not offered a Comparable Position (as defined below) within six (6) months following the Effective Time and, in case of either (i) or (ii) above, who is not covered by a separate severance, change in control or employment agreement shall, upon executing an appropriate release in the form reasonably determined by Columbia, receive a single lump sum severance payment equal to two weeks of base pay (at the rate in effect on the termination date) for each year of service at Stewardship, with a minimum equal to four weeks of base pay and a maximum equal to twenty-six (26) weeks of base pay and, in addition, will receive, up to a maximum of two (2) weeks, the cash value of unused paid time-off for fiscal year 2019 for such terminated employee at the Effective Time, subject to applicable payroll withholdings. For purposes of calculating the number of years of service, fractional years of service shall be rounded up or down to the nearest full year. For purposes of calculating base pay, Stewardship Employees who are paid on an hourly basis shall be deemed to have a base pay equal to the employee’s average weekly compensation over the two (2) months prior to the termination date; provided that, in no event shall an employee’s base pay for this purpose be less than the employee’s base pay with Stewardship as in effect immediately prior to Closing. For employees whose compensation is determined in whole or in part on the basis of commission income, “base pay” shall include base salary or total hourly wages paid plus commissions earned during the most recent twelve (12) months ended as of the date of termination of employment. For a period of twelve (12) months following the Effective Time, Columbia will offer employees of Stewardship Entities whose jobs are eliminated as a result of the Merger priority in applying for open positions within Columbia. Any employee of Stewardship or Stewardship Bank who has or is a party to any employment agreement, severance agreement, change in control agreement or any other agreement or arrangement that provides for any payment that may be triggered by a termination, including a termination following the Merger, shall not receive the severance benefits as provided in this Section but will receive the payment specified in such agreement or arrangement. “ Comparable Position” means a job position that: (i) provides for base compensation equal to or higher that an employee’s base compensation in effect on the Effective Time and (ii) is located within twenty-five (25) miles of a an employee’s primary office/branch on the Effective Time.

(f) Columbia shall honor all obligations under the change in control agreements set forth in Stewardship’s Disclosure Letter, except to the extent any such agreement is superseded, amended or terminated as of, or following, the Effective Time.

(g) This Agreement is an agreement solely between Stewardship and Columbia. Except for the indemnification rights provided in Section 6.6, nothing in this Agreement, including this Section 6.4, whether express or implied, confers upon any Stewardship Employees, employees of Columbia and its Subsidiaries or any other Person, any rights or remedies, including: (i) any right to employment or recall, (ii) any right to continued employment for any specified period, or (iii) any right to any particular compensation, benefit or aggregate of benefits, or any other term or condition of employment, of any kind or nature whatsoever.

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(h) As of the earlier of the Closing Date or the applicable reporting deadline under the Affordable Care Act, Stewardship, Stewardship Bank and each Commonly Controlled Entity will accurately complete and timely file with the Internal Revenue service, and timely send to all covered individuals, as applicable, any required IRS Forms 1094 B, 1095 B, 1094 C and 1095 C for the 2018 calendar year with respect to each Plan that is subject to the Affordable Care Act.

(i) Within forty-five (45) days after the date of this Agreement, Columbia shall designate, in consultation with Stewardship, certain employees of the Stewardship Bank who will be eligible to receive a retention bonus from Columbia, in its sole discretion, in the event such employee remains a Continuing Employee as of the Closing Date and/or through a post-Closing transition period to be determined by Columbia, including systems conversion, if applicable.

(j) At and following the Effective Time, Columbia shall be solely responsible, to the extent applicable, for timely providing any required notices under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act of 1988, as amended (the “ WARN ACT ”), or any similar state or local Law, with respect to any “plant closing” or “mass layoff” (as defined in the WARN Act or similar law) or employee layoff or similar event affecting the Stewardship Employees after the Effective Date.

6.5 Updated Schedules . On a date fifteen (15) Business Days prior to the Effective Time and on the Effective Time, Stewardship will modify any Schedule to this Agreement or add any Schedule or Schedules for the purpose of making the representations and warranties to which any such Schedule relates true and correct in all material respects as of such date, whether to correct any misstatement or omission in any Schedule or to reflect any additional information obtained by Stewardship subsequent to the date any Schedule was previously delivered by Stewardship to Columbia. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any updated Schedule will not have the effect of making any representation or warranty contained in this Agreement true and correct in all material respects for purposes of Section 7.3(a).

6.6 Indemnification; Directors’ and Officers’ Insurance .

(a) Columbia agrees that all rights of the present and former directors and officers of any of the Stewardship Entities to indemnification provided for in the Charter or Bylaws or other governing documents of such Stewardship Entity, as applicable, as in effect on the date hereof, or required under any applicable Law (including rights to advancement of expenses and exculpation), will survive the Merger and continue in full force and effect for a period of six (6) years from the Effective Time (each such director and officer being sometimes hereinafter be referred to as an “ Indemnified Party ”). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Columbia agrees that, following the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation will indemnify any person made a party to any proceeding by reason of the fact that such person was a director, officer, member or employee of any of the Stewardship Entities at or prior to the Effective Time to the fullest extent provided in, and will advance expenses in accordance with, the Charter, Bylaws and other governing documents of the Stewardship Entities, as applicable, in the form previously provided to Columbia and effective as of the date of this Agreement, in each case subject to all the limitations set forth in such Charter, Bylaws or other governing documents and applicable Law. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 6.6, nothing contained in this Agreement will require Columbia to indemnify, defend or hold harmless any Indemnified Party to a greater extent than any Stewardship Entity may, as of the date of this Agreement, indemnify, defend and hold harmless such Indemnified Party, and any such indemnification provided pursuant to this Section 6.6 will be provided only to the extent that such indemnification is permitted by any applicable federal or state Laws.

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(b) Prior to the Effective Time, Stewardship will or, if Stewardship is unable to, Columbia as of the Effective Time will, obtain a “tail” insurance policy with a claims period of at least six (6) years from and after the Effective Time with respect to directors’ and officers’ liability insurance and fiduciary liability insurance (collectively, “ D&O Insurance ”) with benefits and levels of coverage and deductibles at least as favorable to the Indemnified Parties as the existing policies of the Stewardship Entities with respect to matters existing or occurring at or prior to the Effective Time (including in connection with this Agreement or the transactions or actions contemplated hereby). Columbia will pay the premium for such D&O Insurance tail policy; provided , however , that in no event will Columbia be required to expend more than 250% of the current amount expended on an annual basis by the Stewardship Entities to procure their existing D&O Insurance policies. If Stewardship or Columbia for any reason is unable to obtain such tail D&O Insurance policy on or prior to the Effective Time, Columbia will obtain as much as comparable D&O Insurance as is available at a cost in the aggregate for such six (6) year period up to 250% of the current annual premiums expended by the Stewardship Entities for their existing D&O Insurance policies.

(c) The provisions of this Section 6.6 are intended to be for the benefit of, and will be enforceable by, each Indemnified Party as if he or she were a party to this Agreement. The indemnification rights provided to each Indemnified Party pursuant hereto will be in addition to all other indemnification rights provided to such Indemnified Party under any Contract between any of the Stewardship Entities and such Indemnified Party. If any Indemnified Party makes any claim for indemnification or advancement of expenses under this Section 6.6 that is denied by Columbia, and a court of competent jurisdiction determines that the Indemnified Party is entitled to such indemnification or advancement of expenses, in whole or in part, then Columbia shall pay such Indemnified Party’s costs and expenses, including legal fees and expenses incurred in connection with enforcing such claim against Columbia.

6.7 Statutory Trust . Stewardship, as the owner of the Statutory Trust Securities that are common securities, will cause the Statutory Trust (a) to remain a statutory trust, (b) to otherwise continue to be classified as a grantor trust for federal income Tax purposes, and (c) to cause each holder of Statutory Trust Securities that are preferred securities to be treated as owning an undivided beneficial interest in the Statutory Trust Debentures. At the Effective Time, Columbia will assume Stewardship’s obligations and acquire its rights relating to the Statutory Trust, including Stewardship’s obligations and rights under the Statutory Trust Debentures, Statutory Trust Securities and the other Statutory Trust Agreements. In connection therewith, Stewardship will assist Columbia in assuming Stewardship’s obligations and acquiring its rights under the Statutory Trust, and will provide the documentation required to make such assumption of obligations and acquisition of rights effective, including any supplemental indentures, certificates and opinions of counsel that may be required under the Statutory Trust Agreements. Subject to the terms of the Statutory Trust Securities, immediately prior to the Closing, Stewardship will pay, or cause to be paid, to the proper Persons all deferred and accrued but unpaid interest and any outstanding fees relating to the Statutory Trust Debentures and the Statutory Trust.

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6.8 Assumption of Subordinated Notes . Columbia agrees to execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, by or on behalf of Columbia at or prior to the Effective Time one or more supplemental indentures, guarantees, and/or other instruments required for the due assumption of the Subordinated Notes. Stewardship shall obtain the consents of the holders of the Subordinated Notes for the assignment and assumption of the Subordinated Notes by Columbia, to the extent such consent is required under the Subordinated Note Purchase Agreement dated August 28, 2015 by and between Stewardship and the holders of the Subordinated Notes.

6.9 Loan Participations. Upon reasonable prior notice, Stewardship shall use commercially reasonable efforts to provide Columbia with access to the originating lenders of the Loan Participations for the purpose of enabling Columbia to conduct reasonable due diligence on such Loan Participations; provide that Columbia shall not contract or communicate with the participants of such Loan Participations in any manner relating to Stewardship or Stewardship’s business without Stewardship’s prior approval and Stewardship shall have the right to participate in any such contact or communication.

6.10 Board Representation; Advisory Board Following the date hereof, Columbia and Columbia Bank shall take all actions necessary to: (a) cause, effective as of the Effective Time, their respective Boards of Directors to be expanded by one member; and (b) appoint Paul Van Ostenbridge to the Boards of Directors of Columbia and Columbia Bank. Subject solely to the fiduciary duties of the Columbia and Columbia Bank Boards of Directors, Columbia and Columbia Bank will use reasonable best efforts to cause the election of Mr. Van Ostenbridge to each of the Columbia and Columbia Bank Boards of Directors at the first annual meeting of the stockholders of Columbia and Columbia Bank (including recommending that the stockholders vote in favor of the election of Mr. Van Ostenbridge (along with other nominees) and otherwise supporting Mr. Van Ostenbridge for election in a manner no less rigorous and favorable than the manner in which Columbia supports its other nominees in the aggregate. In addition, Columbia Bank will establish and maintain an advisory board (the “ Advisory Board ”) for a period of one year following the Effective Time and invite other non-employees directors of Stewardship’s Board of Directors to join the Advisory Board.

6.11 Columbia Confidential Information . Any confidential information or trade secrets of each of Columbia and its Subsidiaries received by any Stewardship Entity and its Representatives in connection with the Merger, the Bank Merger or the other transactions contemplated hereby will be treated confidentially and held in confidence pursuant to the Columbia NDA, and any correspondence, memoranda, records, copies, documents and electronic or other media of any kind containing either such confidential information or trade secrets or both will be destroyed by the Stewardship Entities or, at Columbia’s request, returned to Columbia if this Agreement is terminated as provided in Article 8. Such information will not be used by any Stewardship Entity or its employees or agents to the detriment of Columbia and its Subsidiaries, and will at all times be maintained and held in compliance with the Columbia NDA.

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6.12 Stewardship Confidential Information . If the Closing does not occur, any confidential information or trade secrets of each of Stewardship and its Subsidiaries received by Columbia, Columbia Bank and their Representatives in connection with the Merger, the Bank Merger or the other transactions contemplated hereby will be treated confidentially and held in confidence pursuant to the Stewardship NDA, and any correspondence, memoranda, records, copies, documents and electronic or other media of any kind containing either such confidential information or trade secrets or both will be destroyed by Columbia or Columbia Bank or, at Stewardship’s request, returned to Stewardship if this Agreement is terminated as provided in Article 8. Such information will not be used by Columbia, Columbia Bank and their Representatives to the detriment of any Stewardship Entity, and will at all times be maintained and held in compliance with the terms of the Stewardship NDA.

6.13 Columbia Bank Foundation . Columbia agrees to recommend to the Board of Directors of the Columbia Bank Foundation (the “Columbia Bank Foundation” ) that at the Effective Time: (i) the Columbia Charitable Foundation expand the size of its Board of Directors by one member and appoint one member of the current Stewardship Board of Directors to serve on the Board of Directors of the Columbia Bank Foundation; and (ii) expand its grant policy, in accordance with its Charter and governing documents, to make charitable contributions within Stewardship’s local community largely consistent with charitable contributions made under Stewardship’s tithing program in an annual amount of no less than $500,000.

ARTICLE 7
CONDITIONS

7.1 Conditions to Obligations of Each Party . The respective obligations of each party to effect the transactions contemplated hereby will be subject to the fulfillment at or prior to the Effective Time of the following conditions:

(a) Regulatory Approvals . The Bank Regulatory Approvals will have been obtained and the applicable waiting periods, if any, under all statutory or regulatory waiting periods will have lapsed. None of such approvals will contain any conditions or restrictions that would (i) be reasonably expected to be materially burdensome on, or impair in any material respect, the benefits to Columbia and its Subsidiaries of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (ii) require a material modification of, or impose any material limitation or restriction on, the activities, governance, legal structure, compensation or fee arrangements of Columbia or any of its Subsidiaries; or (iii) otherwise have a Material Adverse Effect on Columbia.

(b) No Prohibitive Change of Law . There will have been no Law, domestic or foreign, enacted or promulgated which prohibits or makes illegal the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

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(c) Governmental Action . No party hereto shall be subject to any order, decree or injunction of a court or agency of competent jurisdiction that enjoins or prohibits the consummation of the Merger or the Bank Merger and no Governmental Entity shall have instituted any proceeding for the purpose of enjoining or prohibiting the consummation of the Merger, the Bank Merger or any transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

(d) Shareholder Approval . The Merger will have been approved by the Required Stewardship Shareholder Vote.

7.2 Additional Conditions to Obligation of Stewardship . The obligation of Stewardship to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby in accordance with the terms of this Agreement is also subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the following conditions:

(a) Representations and Warranties . The representations and warranties of Columbia set forth in Section 3.4 will be true and correct in each case as of the date of this Agreement and (except to the extent such representations and warranties speak as of an earlier date) as of the Closing Date, and the representations and warranties of Columbia set forth in Sections 3.1 and 3.2 will be true and correct in all material respects as of the date of this Agreement and (except to the extent such representations and warranties speak as of an earlier date) as of the Closing Date as though made on and as of the Closing Date. All other representations and warranties of Columbia set forth in this Agreement (after giving effect to any qualifications as to materiality or Material Adverse Effect set forth in such representations or warranties) will be true and correct in all respects as of the date of this Agreement and (except to the extent such representations and warranties speak as of an earlier date) as of the Closing Date as though made on and as of the Closing Date; provided, however, that for purposes of this sentence, such representations and warranties shall be deemed to be so true and correct unless the failure of such representations and warranties to be so true and correct, either individually or in the aggregate, and without giving effect to any qualification as to materiality or Material Adverse Effect set forth in such representations or warranties, has had or would be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on Columbia.

(b) Agreements . Columbia will have performed and complied in all material respects with each of its agreements contained in this Agreement.

(c) Officer’s Certificate . Columbia will have furnished to Stewardship a certificate of the Chief Financial Officer of Columbia, dated as of the Effective Time, in which such officer will certify to the conditions set forth in Sections 7.2(a) and (b).

(d) Columbia Secretary’s Certificate . Columbia will have furnished to Stewardship (i) copies of the text of the resolutions by which the corporate action on the part of Columbia necessary to approve this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby were taken, and (ii) a certificate dated as of the Effective Time executed on behalf of Columbia by its corporate secretary or one of its assistant corporate secretaries certifying to Stewardship that such copies are true, correct and complete copies of such resolutions and that such resolutions were duly adopted and have not been amended or rescinded.

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(e) Deposit of Aggregate Merger Consideration . Columbia shall have deposited the aggregate Merger Consideration with the Paying Agent as described in Section 2.9(a).

(f) Other Materials . Stewardship will have received the materials set forth in Section 2.12(b).

7.3 Additional Conditions to Obligation of Columbia . The obligation of Columbia to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby in accordance with the terms of this Agreement is also subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the following conditions:

(a) Representations and Warranties . The representations and warranties of Stewardship set forth in Sections 4.3, 4.13 and 0 will be true and correct in each case as of the date of this Agreement and (except to the extent such representations and warranties speak as of an earlier date) as of the Closing Date, and the representations and warranties of Stewardship set forth in Sections 4.1 and 4.2 will be true and correct in all material respects as of the date of this Agreement and (except to the extent such representations and warranties speak as of an earlier date) as of the Closing Date as though made on and as of the Closing Date. All other representations and warranties of Stewardship set forth in this Agreement (after giving effect to any qualifications as to materiality or Material Adverse Effect set forth in such representations or warranties) will be true and correct in all respects as of the date of this Agreement and (except to the extent such representations and warranties speak as of an earlier date) as of the Closing Date as though made on and as of the Closing Date; provided, however, that for purposes of this sentence, such representations and warranties shall be deemed to be so true and correct unless the failure of such representations and warranties to be so true and correct, either individually or in the aggregate, and without giving effect to any qualification as to materiality or Material Adverse Effect set forth in such representations or warranties, has had or would be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on Stewardship.

(b) Agreements . Stewardship will have performed and complied in all material respects with each of its agreements contained in this Agreement.

(c) Officers’ Certificate of Stewardship . Stewardship will have furnished to Columbia a certificate of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Stewardship, dated as of the Effective Time, in which such officers will certify to the conditions set forth in Sections 7.3(a) and 7.3(b).

(d) Stewardship Secretary’s Certificate . Stewardship will have furnished to Columbia (i) copies of the text of the resolutions by which the corporate action on the part of Stewardship necessary to approve this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby were taken, and (ii) a certificate dated as of the Effective Time executed on behalf of Stewardship by its corporate secretary or one of its assistant corporate secretaries certifying to Columbia that such copies are true, correct and complete copies of such resolutions and that such resolutions were duly adopted and have not been amended or rescinded.

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(e) Required Consents . Each Required Consent will have been obtained and be in full force and effect, and such actions as Columbia’s counsel may reasonably require will have been taken in connection therewith.

(f) Other Materials . Columbia will have received the materials set forth in Section 2.12(a).

ARTICLE 8
TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER

8.1 Reasons for Termination . This Agreement, by prompt written notice given to the other parties prior to or at the Closing, may be terminated:

(a) by mutual consent of the Boards of Directors of Columbia and Stewardship;

(b) by either party in the event a Law or Governmental Order will have been enacted, entered, enforced, promulgated, issued or deemed applicable to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement by any Governmental Entity that prohibits the Closing; or

(c) by either party in the event any approval, consent or waiver of any Governmental Entity required to permit the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will have been denied and such denial has become final and non-appealable (unless such denial arises out of, or results from, a material breach by the party seeking to terminate this Agreement of any representation, warranty or covenant of such party);

(d) by Stewardship if:

(i) the Closing has not occurred by April 30, 2020 (the “ Termination Date ”); provided, however , that Stewardship will not be entitled to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this clause (d)(i) if (x) Stewardship’s failure to comply in all material respects with its obligations under this Agreement has prevented the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (y) Stewardship has refused, after satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Sections 7.1 and 7.2, to close in accordance with Section 2.12, or (z) the circumstances or events underlying the termination rights set forth in clause (d)(iv) of this Section 8.1 will have occurred;

(ii) Columbia will have breached any representation, warranty or agreement of Columbia in this Agreement in such case that the conditions set forth in Section 7.2(a) or 7.2(b) would not be satisfied and such breach cannot be or is not cured within thirty (30) days after written notice of such breach is given by Stewardship to Columbia;

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(iii) at the Stewardship Shareholder Meeting, this Agreement will not have been duly adopted by the Required Stewardship Shareholder Vote;

(iv) (A) Stewardship will have delivered to Columbia a written notice of the intent of Stewardship to enter into a merger, acquisition or other agreement (including an agreement in principle) to effect a Superior Proposal based on an Acquisition Proposal received by it, (B) five (5) Business Days have elapsed following delivery to Columbia of such written notice by Stewardship, (C) during such five (5) Business Day period Stewardship has fully complied with the terms of Section 5.7, including informing Columbia of the terms and conditions of such Acquisition Proposal and the identity of the Person making such Acquisition Proposal, with the intent of enabling Columbia to agree to a modification of the terms and conditions of this Agreement so that the transactions contemplated hereby may be effected, (D) at the end of such five (5) Business Day period the Board of Directors of the Stewardship will have continued reasonably to believe that such Acquisition Proposal constitutes a Superior Proposal, (E) Stewardship pays to Columbia the termination fee in accordance with Section 8.4, and (F) Stewardship will have entered into a merger, acquisition or other agreement (including an agreement in principle) to effect a Superior Proposal or the Board of Directors of Stewardship will have resolved to do so; or

(v) any of the conditions set forth in Sections 7.1 or 7.2 will have become impossible to satisfy (other than through a failure of Stewardship to comply with its obligations under this Agreement).

(e) by Columbia if:

(i) the Closing has not occurred by the Termination Date; provided, however , that Columbia will not be entitled to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this clause (e)(i) if (x) Columbia’s failure to comply fully with its obligations under this Agreement has prevented the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or (y) Columbia has refused, after satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Sections 7.1 or 7.3, to close in accordance with Section 2.12;

(ii) Stewardship will have breached any representation, warranty or agreement in this Agreement in such case that the conditions set forth in Section 7.3(a) and 7.3(b) would not be satisfied and such breach cannot be or is not cured within thirty (30) days after written notice of such breach is given by Columbia to Stewardship;

(iii) at the Stewardship Shareholder Meeting, this Agreement will not have been duly adopted by the Required Stewardship Shareholder Vote; or

(iv) any of the conditions set forth in Sections 7.1 or 7.2 will have become impossible to satisfy (other than through a failure of Columbia to comply with its obligations under this Agreement).

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8.2 Effect of Termination . Except as provided in Sections 8.3 and 8.4 and any provisions set forth herein that survive the termination of this Agreement, if this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 8.1, this Agreement will forthwith become void, there will be no Liability under this Agreement on the part of Columbia, Stewardship or any of their respective Representatives or Subsidiaries, and all rights and obligations of each party hereto will cease; provided, however , that, subject to Sections 8.3, and 8.4, nothing herein will relieve any party from Liability arising out of its own fraud, willful misconduct or knowing, intentional and material breach of this Agreement.

8.3 Expenses . Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, all expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will be paid by the party incurring such expenses, whether or not the Merger is consummated.

8.4 Stewardship Termination Fee . If this Agreement is terminated by Stewardship pursuant to Section 8.1(d)(iv), or by Columbia pursuant to Section 8.1(e)(ii) because of a breach of any portion of Section 5.7 or Section 6.3(a), then Stewardship will pay to Columbia a termination fee of $5,400,000 as the sole and exclusive remedy of Columbia (including any remedy for specific performance), as agreed-upon liquidated damages.

8.5 Waiver . At any time prior to the Effective Time, any party hereto may (a) extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or other acts of the other parties hereto or (b) waive compliance with any of the agreements of any other parties or with any conditions to its own obligations, in each case only to the extent such obligations, agreements and conditions are intended for its benefit.

ARTICLE 9
GENERAL PROVISIONS

9.1 Press Releases and Announcements . Any public announcement, including any press release or any announcement to employees, customers, suppliers or others having dealings with the Stewardship Entities, or similar publicity with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby will be made at such time and in such manner as Columbia will determine, in consultation with Stewardship, and approve (with such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned), or as determined upon the advice of counsel to be required by applicable Law or the rules and requirements of the applicable securities exchange as the case may be. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Columbia and Stewardship agree that any press releases announcing the execution of this Agreement or the Closing will be in a form prepared by Columbia and reviewed and approved by Stewardship (with such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned) and will be made on the day of execution of this Agreement (or as soon thereafter as is practicable) and on the Closing Date (or as soon thereafter as practicable), respectively.

9.2 Notices . All notices and other communications hereunder will be in writing and will be sufficiently given if made by receipted hand delivery, by fax, by e-mail, by recognized overnight delivery service, or by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid and return receipt requested) to the parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as will be specified by it by like notice):

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if to Columbia:

Attention:

Thomas J. Kemly

President and Chief Executive Officer

Telephone:

201.794.5600

E-mail:

tkemly@columbiabankonline.com

with copies (which will not constitute notice) to:

Attention:

Christina M. Gattuso, Esq.

Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP

Telephone:

202.508.5884

Fax:

202.204.5611

E-mail:

cgattuso@kilpatricktownsend.com

if to Stewardship:

Attention:

Paul Van Ostenbridge

President and Chief Executive Officer

Telephone:

201.444.7100

E-mail:

pvanostenbridge@asbnow.com

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

	Attention:	Michael Horn, Esq.
		McCarter & English, LLP

Telephone:

973.639.2029

Fax:

973.297.3817

	Email:	mhorn@mccarter.com

	and

	Attention:	Michele Vaillant, Esq.
		McCarter & English, LLP

Telephone:

973.639.2011

Fax:

973.297.38126

Email:

mvaillant@mccarter.com

All such notices and other communications will be deemed to have been duly given as follows: when delivered by hand, if personally delivered; three (3) Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if delivered by mail; when receipt electronically acknowledged, if faxed or e-mailed; and the next day after being delivered to an overnight delivery service.

9.3 Assignment . Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations under this Agreement may be assigned by any party to this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other parties to this Agreement, except that Columbia may assign any of its rights under this Agreement to one or more Subsidiaries of Columbia, so long as Columbia remains responsible for the performance of all of its obligations under this Agreement. Subject to the foregoing, this Agreement and all of the provisions of this Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties to this Agreement and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

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9.4 No Third Party Beneficiaries . Except as otherwise specifically provided in Section 6.6(c), nothing expressed or referred to in this Agreement confers any rights or remedies upon any Person that is not a party or permitted assign of a party to this Agreement. The representations and warranties contained in this Agreement are the product of negotiations among the parties hereto and are for the sole benefit of the parties. Any inaccuracies in such representations and warranties are subject to waiver by the parties hereto in accordance herewith without notice or liability to any other person. In some instances, the representations and warranties in this Agreement may represent an allocation among the parties hereto of risks associated with particular matters regardless of the knowledge of any of the parties hereto. Consequently, Persons other than the parties may not rely upon the representations and warranties in this Agreement as characterizations of actual facts or circumstances as of the date of this Agreement or as of any other date.

9.5 Disclosure Schedules .

(a) Prior to or simultaneous with the execution of this Agreement, Stewardship delivered to Columbia the Disclosure Schedules, which set forth, among other things, items the disclosure of which is necessary or appropriate either in response to an express disclosure requirement contained in a provision hereof or as an exception to one or more representations or warranties contained in Article 4 or to one or more covenants contained herein (whether or not such section of this Agreement expressly references a schedule thereto). Except as set forth in the Disclosure Schedules, the information contained therein is dated as of the date of this Agreement or, if delivered pursuant to Section 6.5, as of such date delivered. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the mere inclusion of an item as an exception to a representation or warranty will not be deemed an admission that such item represents a material exception or material fact, event or circumstance or that such item has had or would be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) For purposes of this Agreement, a disclosure of any information in a particular section or subsection of the Disclosure Schedules shall be deemed disclosure of such information with respect to any other section or subsection of this Agreement to which the relevance of such information is readily apparent on its face from the nature of the disclosure that such disclosure also applies to such other Schedule.

9.6 Interpretation . The headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and will not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. References to Sections and Articles refer to Sections and Articles of this Agreement unless otherwise stated. Words such as “herein,” “hereinafter,” “hereof,” “hereto,” “hereby” and “hereunder,” and words of like import, unless the context requires otherwise, refer to this Agreement (including the Exhibits and Schedules hereto). As used in this Agreement, the masculine, feminine and neuter genders will be deemed to include the others if the context requires. Any singular term in this Agreement will be deemed to include the plural, and any plural term the singular if the context requires. Whenever the words “include”, “includes” or “including” are used in this Agreement, they will be deemed to be followed by the words “but not limited to,” whether or not they are in fact followed by those words or words of like import. References to “provided or made available” means when used as to any information, document or other material referred to in this Agreement, that such information, document or other material was : (a) made available on the SEC website prior to the date of this Agreement; (b) provided or made available at least three (3) Business Days immediately prior to the execution of this Agreement in the virtual data room maintained by Stewardship in connection with the Merger; or (c) provided in writing by one party to another. “Writing,” “written” and comparable terms refer to printing, typing and other means of reproducing words (including electronic media) in a visible form. Any reference to any money or currency or use of “$” will be in U.S. dollars. Except as the context may otherwise require, references to any Contract are to that Contract as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; provided, however , that with respect to any Contract listed on any Schedules hereto, all such amendments, modifications or supplements must also be listed in the appropriate Schedule. References to a statute will be to such statute, as amended from time to time, and to the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. References to any Person include the successors and permitted assigns of that Person. References from or through any date mean, unless otherwise specified, from and including or through and including, respectively.

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9.7 Severability . If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect and will in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated, and the parties will negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement and to preserve each party’s anticipated benefits under this Agreement.

9.8 Complete Agreement . This Agreement, together with the Ancillary Documents, contain the complete agreement between the parties and supersede any prior understandings, agreements or representations by or between the parties, written or oral. This Agreement may not be amended except by an instrument in writing approved by the parties to this Agreement and signed on behalf of each of the parties hereto.

9.9 Governing Law . THE DOMESTIC LAW, WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES, OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE WILL GOVERN ALL QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE CONSTRUCTION, VALIDITY AND INTERPRETATION OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THE ANCILLARY DOCUMENTS, AND THE PERFORMANCE OF THE OBLIGATIONS IMPOSED HEREBY AND THEREBY, EXCEPT FOR MATTERS RELATING TO THE FIDUCIARY DUTIES OF THE STEWARDSHIP BOARD OF DIRECTORS WHICH SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY.

9.10 Specific Performance . Each of the parties acknowledges and agrees that the subject matter of this Agreement, including the business, assets and properties of each of the Stewardship Entities, is unique, that the other party would be damaged irreparably in the event any of the provisions of this Agreement are not performed in accordance with their specific terms or otherwise are breached, and that the remedies at Law would not be adequate to compensate such other parties not in default or in breach. Accordingly, each of the parties agrees that the other party will be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of the provisions of this Agreement and to enforce specifically this Agreement and the terms and provisions of this Agreement in addition to any other remedy to which they may be entitled, at Law or in equity (without any requirement that Columbia provide any bond or other security). The parties waive any defense that a remedy at Law is adequate and any requirement to post bond or provide similar security in connection with actions instituted for injunctive relief or specific performance of this Agreement.

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9.11 Waiver of Jury Trial . EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY THAT MAY ARISE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES, AND THEREFORE IT IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (I) NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (II) IT UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF SUCH WAIVER, (III) IT MAKES SUCH WAIVER VOLUNTARILY AND (IV) IT HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVER AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 9.11.

9.12 Investigation of Representations, Warranties and Covenants . No investigation made by or on behalf of the parties hereto or the results of any such investigation will constitute a waiver of any representation, warranty or covenant of any other party.

9.13 No Survival of Representations . The representations, warranties and covenants made by Stewardship and Columbia in this Agreement or in any instrument delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall expire and be terminated and extinguished on, and will have no further force or effect after, the first to occur of (a) the Effective Time or (b) the date on which this Agreement is terminated as set forth herein, except for those covenants contained herein or therein which by their terms apply in whole or in part after the Effective Time or survive the termination of this Agreement.

9.14 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same instrument and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other party.

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9.15 Delivery by Facsimile or Electronic Transmission . This Agreement and any signed agreement or instrument entered into in connection with this Agreement, and any amendments or waivers hereto or thereto, to the extent signed and delivered by means of a facsimile machine or by e-mail delivery of a “.pdf” format data file, will be treated in all manner and respects as an original agreement or instrument and will be considered to have the same binding legal effect as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. No party hereto or to any such agreement or instrument will raise the use of a facsimile machine or e-mail delivery of a “.pdf” format data file to deliver a signature to this Agreement or any amendment hereto or the fact that any signature or agreement or instrument was transmitted or communicated through the use of a facsimile machine or e-mail delivery of a “.pdf” format data file as a defense to the formation of a contract and each party hereto forever waives any such defense.

9.16 No Presumption Against Drafting Party . Each of the Columbia Entities and the Stewardship Entities acknowledges that each party to this Agreement has been represented by counsel in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Accordingly, any rule of law or any legal decision that would require interpretation of any claimed ambiguities in this Agreement against the drafting party has no application and is expressly waived.

[The remainder of this page is intentionally blank.]

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed on the date first written above.


	COLUMBIA FINANCIAL, INC.

	By:	/s/ Thomas J. Kemly
		Thomas J. Kemly
		President and Chief Executive Officer

	BROADWAY ACQUISITION CORP.

	By:	/s/ Thomas J. Kemly
		Thomas J. Kemly
		President and Chief Executive Officer

	STEWARDSHIP FINANCIAL CORPORATION

	By:	/s/ Paul Van Ostenbridge
		Paul Van Ostenbridge
		President and Chief Executive Officer

[Signature Page to Agreement and Plan of Merger]

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EXHIBIT A

BANK MERGER AGREEMENT

THIS BANK MERGER AGREEMENT dated as of June 6, 2019 (this “ Bank Merger Agreement ”), is by and between Atlantic Stewardship Bank, a New Jersey state-chartered bank, and Columbia Bank, a federally chartered stock savings bank.

WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS, Atlantic Stewardship Bank is a New Jersey state-chartered bank and a wholly owned subsidiary of Stewardship Financial Corporation, a New Jersey corporation (“ Stewardship ”); the authorized capital stock of Atlantic Stewardship Bank consists of 1,200,000 shares of common stock, par value $5.00 per share, of which 760,252.66 shares of common stock are issued and outstanding as of the date hereof;

WHEREAS, Columbia Bank is a direct wholly owned subsidiary of Columbia Financial, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ Columbia Financial ”);

WHEREAS, in accordance with the terms of that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 6, 2019 (the “ Merger Agreement ”), by and among Stewardship, Columbia Financial and Broadway Acquisition, Inc., a New Jersey corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of Columbia Financial, Stewardship will merge with and into Columbia Financial in a series of transactions;

WHEREAS, as a result of the merger of Stewardship with and into Columbia Financial, Atlantic Stewardship Bank will become a direct wholly owned subsidiary of Columbia Financial;

WHEREAS, the respective Boards of Directors of Atlantic Stewardship Bank and Columbia Bank have determined that the merger of Atlantic Stewardship Bank with and into Columbia Bank, with Columbia Bank being the surviving institution (the “ Resulting Institution ”), under and pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth herein (said transaction being hereinafter referred to as the “ Bank Merger ”) is in the best interests of Atlantic Stewardship Bank and Columbia Bank;

WHEREAS, it is anticipated that the Bank Merger would occur immediately after the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement;

WHEREAS, this Bank Merger Agreement has been approved by the unanimous written consent of the sole shareholders of each of Atlantic Stewardship Bank and Columbia Bank;

WHEREAS, this Bank Merger Agreement must be approved by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the “ OCC ”) , the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“ FDIC ”) and the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance (the “ Department ”).

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and mutual agreements contained herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1. Merger . At and on the Effective Time of the Bank Merger (as defined below), Atlantic Stewardship Bank shall be merged with and into Columbia Bank with Columbia Bank surviving as the Resulting Institution (the “ Bank Merger ”). Columbia Financial shall be the owner of 100% of the outstanding common stock of the Resulting Institution.

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2. Effective Time . The Bank Merger will be effective upon the filing of Articles of Merger with the OCC and the Department or as of the date and time specified in such Articles of Merger as the Effective Time of the Bank Merger, as the case may be (the “ Effective Time ”), which shall in no event be earlier than the effective time of the Merger.

3. Charter . At the Effective Time, the charter of Broadway Bank as in effect immediately prior to the Bank Merger shall be the charter of the Resulting Institution, until thereafter amended in accordance with applicable law.

4. Name . The name of the Resulting Institution shall be Columbia Bank.

5. Offices . The principal office and branch offices of Atlantic Stewardship Bank are set forth on Exhibit A hereto. The principal office and branch offices of Columbia Bank are set forth on Exhibit B hereto. At the Effective Time, the principal office and the branch offices of the Resulting Institution shall be those offices set forth on Exhibit C hereto.

6. Directors and Officers . The officers and directors of Columbia Bank immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the officers and directors of the Resulting Institution immediately after the Effective Time. In addition, Paul Van Ostenbridge, a current director of Atlantic Stewardship Bank, shall also be appointed as a director of the Resulting Institution as of the Effective Time.

7. Rights and Duties of the Resulting Institution . The business of the Resulting Institution shall be that of a federally chartered stock savings bank, as provided for in its charter and under applicable federal law and the related regulations of the OCC. All assets, rights interests, privileges, powers, franchises and property (real, personal and mixed) of Atlantic Stewardship Bank shall be automatically transferred to and vested in the Resulting Institution by virtue of the Bank Merger without any deed or other document of transfer. The Resulting Institution without any order or action on the part of any court or otherwise and without any documents of assumption or assignment, shall hold and enjoy all of the assets, rights, privileges, powers, properties, franchises and interests, including, without limitation, appointments, powers, designations, nominations and all other rights, interests and powers as agent or fiduciary, in the same manner and to the extent as such rights, interests and powers were held or enjoyed by Atlantic Stewardship Bank and Columbia Bank, respectively. The Resulting Institution shall be responsible for all of the liabilities, restrictions and duties of every kind and description of both Atlantic Stewardship Bank and Columbia Bank immediately prior to the Bank Merger, including, without limitation, liabilities for all deposits, debts, obligations and contracts of Atlantic Stewardship Bank and Columbia Bank, respectively, matured or unmatured, whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise and whether or not reflected or reserved against on balance sheets, books of account or records of either Atlantic Stewardship Bank or Columbia Bank. Deposit accounts shall be deemed issued in the name of the Resulting Institution in accordance with applicable OCC and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation regulations. All rights of creditors and other obligees and all liens on property of either Atlantic Stewardship Bank or Columbia Bank shall be preserved, shall be assumed by the Resulting Institution and shall not be released or impaired. The sole shareholder of the Resulting Institution shall possess all the voting rights with respect to the shares of stock of the Resulting Institution.

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8. Effect on Shares of Stock .

(a) Each share of Columbia Bank common stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be unchanged and shall remain issued and outstanding.

(b) At the Effective Time, each share of Atlantic Stewardship Bank common stock issued and outstanding immediately prior thereto shall, by virtue of the Bank Merger and without any action on the part of Columbia Bank or the holder thereof, be cancelled. No shares of capital stock of Columbia Bank or any other consideration shall be issuable or exchangeable with respect to shares of Atlantic Stewardship Bank common stock.

9. Governing Law . This Bank Merger Agreement shall be governed in all respects, including, but not limited to, validity, interpretation, effect and performance, by the laws of the United States.

10. Amendment . This Bank Merger Agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented only by written agreement of Atlantic Stewardship Bank and Columbia Bank at any time prior to the Effective Time.

11. Waiver . Subject to applicable law, any of the terms or conditions of this Bank Merger Agreement may be waived at any time by whichever of the parties hereto is, or the shareholders of which are, entitled to the benefit thereof by action taken by the Board of Directors of such party.

12. Successors and Assigns . This Bank Merger Agreement may not be assigned by any party hereto without the prior written consent of the other party. Subject to the foregoing, this Bank Merger Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

13. Termination . This Bank Merger Agreement shall terminate upon the termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance with its terms. This Bank Merger Agreement also may be terminated at any time prior to the Effective Time by mutual consent of Atlantic Stewardship Bank and Columbia Bank in a written instrument, if and to the extent authorized by the respective Boards of Directors of Atlantic Stewardship Bank and Columbia Bank. In the event of the termination of this Bank Merger Agreement as provided in this Section 13, this Bank Merger Agreement shall forthwith become null and void and of no further force or effect and there shall be no liability or obligation under this Bank Merger Agreement on the part of any of the parties hereto or any of their respective directors, officers or affiliates, except that no party shall be relieved or released from any damages or liabilities arising out of any willful breach of this Bank Merger Agreement.

A-A-3

14. Conditions Precedent . The obligations of the parties under this Bank Merger Agreement to consummate the Bank Merger shall be subject to: (i) receipt of approval of the Bank Merger from all governmental and banking authorities whose approval is required, including, but not limited to, the consents, approvals and authorizations of the OCC, the FDIC and the Department; (ii) the absence of any temporary restraining order, preliminary or permanent injunction or other order issued by any court of competent jurisdiction or other legal restraint or prohibition preventing the consummation of the Bank Merger and (iii) consummation of the merger of Stewardship with and into Columbia Financial in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement.

15. Other Terms . All terms used in this Bank Merger Agreement shall, unless defined herein, have the meanings set forth in the Merger Agreement.

16. Countersignatures . This Bank Merger Agreement may be executed by facsimile or other electronic means and in any number of counterparts, and each such counterpart shall be deemed to be an original instrument, but all such counterparts together shall constitute but one agreement.

[Remainder of page intentionally blank]

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Bank Merger Agreement to be executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the date first above written.


Attest:			Atlantic Stewardship Bank

By:			By:
Name: John C. Scoccola			Name: Paul Van Ostenbridge
Title: Secretary			Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

Attest:			COLUMBIA BANK

By:			By:
Name: Mayra L. Rinaldi			Name: Thomas J. Kemly
Title: Secretary			Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

[ Signature Page to Bank Merger Agreement ]

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EXHIBIT B

CERTIFICATE OF MERGER

BROADWAY ACQUISITION CORP.

(Merged Corporation)

WITH AND INTO

STEWARDSHIP FINANCIAL CORPORATION

(Surviving Corporation)

Dated:

The undersigned corporations, having approved the Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “ Plan of Merger ”) attached hereto as Exhibit A in accordance with N.J. Rev Stat § 14A:10-1 and 14A:10-3, pursuant to which BROADWAY ACQUISITION CORP., a New Jersey corporation, shall be merged (the “ Merger ”) with and into STEWARDSHIP FINANCIAL CORPORATION, a New Jersey corporation, hereby certify as follows:

Stewardship Financial Corporation (“ Stewardship ”), ID #0100613722, will be the surviving corporation in the Merger and will continue under the name “Broadway Acquisition Corp.” Broadway Acquisition Corp. (“ Merger Sub ”), ID #0101052241, will be the merged corporation in the Merger.

The Plan of Merger pursuant to which the Merger will be effectuated is annexed hereto as Exhibit A , and such plan has been duly adopted by the board of directors of each merging company.

The dates of approval of the Plan of Merger by the stockholders of the undersigned corporations are as follows:

Merger Sub –

Stewardship –

The number of shares of common stock of Merger Sub entitled to vote on the Plan of Merger at the time the Plan of Merger was approved was 100. Merger Sub does not have any other class or series of stock entitled to vote on the Plan of Merger. The number of shares of common stock of Merger Sub that voted for the Plan of Merger was 100. The number of shares of common stock of Merger Sub that voted against the Plan of Merger was 0.

The number of shares of common stock of Stewardship entitled to vote on the Plan of Merger at the time the Plan of Merger was approved was __________. Stewardship does not have any other class or series of stock entitled to vote on the Plan of Merger. The number of shares of common stock of Stewardship that voted for the Plan of Merger was ______________. The number of shares of common stock of Stewardship that voted against the Plan of Merger was _________.

The Merger is to become effective on _______________ at ___:___ ___.m. Eastern Time.

[Remainder of page intentionally blank]

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned corporations has caused this Certificate of Merger to be executed on its behalf by its duly authorized officer as of the date first written above.

	Surviving Corporation:

	Stewardship Financial Corporation,
	a New Jersey corporation


	Name:
	Title:

	Merged Corporation:

	Broadway Acquisition Corp.,
	a New Jersey corporation


	Name:
	Title:

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Annex B

STEWARDSHIP

June 6, 2019

Board of Directors

Stewardship Financial Corporation

630 Godwin Avenue

Midland Park, NJ 07432

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Stewardship Financial Corporation (“Stewardship”), Columbia Financial, Inc. (“Columbia”) and Broadway Acquisition Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Columbia (“Merger Sub”), are proposing to enter into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Agreement”) pursuant to which Merger Sub will merge with and into Stewardship so that Stewardship is the surviving corporation (the “Merger”). Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, as a result of the Merger and at the time of the consummation thereof, each outstanding share of common stock of Stewardship, no par value (“Stewardship Common Stock”), except for certain shares as set forth in the Agreement, will be converted into and become a right to receive from Columbia $15.75 in cash, without interest (the “Merger Consideration”). Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Agreement. The terms and conditions of the Merger are more fully set forth in the Agreement. You have requested our opinion as to the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the Merger Consideration to the holders of Stewardship Common Stock.

Sandler O’Neill & Partners, L.P. (“Sandler O’Neill”, “we” or “our”), as part of its investment banking business, is regularly engaged in the valuation of financial institutions and their securities in connection with mergers and acquisitions and other corporate transactions. In connection with this opinion, we have reviewed and considered, among other things: (i) a draft of the Agreement, dated June 4, 2019; (ii) certain publicly available financial statements and other historical financial information of Stewardship that we deemed relevant; (iii) certain publicly available financial statements and other historical financial information of Columbia that we deemed relevant; (iv) certain internal financial projections for Stewardship for the years ending December 31, 2019 through December 31, 2023, as provided by the senior management of Stewardship; (v) the pro forma financial impact of the Merger on Columbia’s capital ratios given certain assumptions relating to purchase accounting adjustments and estimated transaction costs, as provided by the senior management of Columbia; (vi) a comparison of certain financial information for Stewardship with similar financial institutions for which information is publicly available; (vii) the financial terms of certain recent business combinations in the bank and thrift industry (on a regional basis), to the extent publicly available; (viii) the current market environment generally and the banking environment in particular; and (ix) such other information, financial studies, analyses and investigations and financial, economic and market criteria as we considered relevant. We also discussed with certain members of the senior management of Stewardship the business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects of Stewardship and held similar discussions with certain members of the senior management of Columbia and its representatives regarding the business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects of Columbia.

B- 1

In performing our review, we have relied upon the accuracy and completeness of all of the financial and other information that was available to and reviewed by us from public sources, that was provided to us by Stewardship or Columbia or their respective representatives or that was otherwise reviewed by us and we have assumed such accuracy and completeness for purposes of rendering this opinion without any independent verification or investigation. We have relied on the assurances of the respective managements of Stewardship and Columbia that they are not aware of any facts or circumstances that would make any of such information inaccurate or misleading. We have not been asked to and have not undertaken an independent verification of any of such information and we do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness thereof. We did not make an independent evaluation or perform an appraisal of the specific assets, the collateral securing assets or the liabilities (contingent or otherwise) of Stewardship or Columbia or any of their respective affiliates or subsidiaries, nor have we been furnished with any such evaluations or appraisals. We render no opinion or evaluation on the collectability of any assets or the future performance of any loans of Stewardship or Columbia or any of their respective affiliates or subsidiaries. We did not make an independent evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses of Stewardship or Columbia or any of their respective affiliates or subsidiaries, or the combined entity after the Merger, and we have not reviewed any individual credit files relating to Stewardship or Columbia or any of their respective affiliates or subsidiaries. We have assumed, with your consent, that the respective allowances for loan losses for Stewardship, Columbia and their respective affiliates or subsidiaries are adequate to cover such losses and will be adequate on a pro forma basis for the combined entity.

In preparing its analyses, Sandler O’Neill used certain internal financial projections for Stewardship for the years ending December 31, 2019 through December 31, 2023, as provided by the senior management of Stewardship. Sandler O’Neill also received and used in its pro forma analyses certain assumptions relating to purchase accounting adjustments and estimated transaction costs, as provided by the senior management of Columbia. With respect to the foregoing information, the respective senior managements of Stewardship and Columbia confirmed to us that such information reflected the best currently available projections and estimates of those respective senior managements of the future financial performance of Stewardship and Columbia, respectively, and we assumed that such performance would be achieved. We express no opinion as to such projections or estimates, or the assumptions on which they are based. We have also assumed that there has been no material change in Stewardship’s or Columbia’s assets, financial condition, results of operations, business or prospects since the date of the most recent financial statements made available to us. We have assumed in all respects material to our analyses that Stewardship and Columbia will remain as going concerns for all periods relevant to our analyses.

We have also assumed, with your consent, that (i) each of the parties to the Agreement will comply in all material respects with all material terms and conditions of the Agreement and all related agreements, that all of the representations and warranties contained in such agreements are true and correct in all material respects, that each of the parties to such agreements will perform in all material respects all of the covenants and other obligations required to be performed by such party under such agreements and that the conditions precedent in such agreements are not and will not be waived, (ii) in the course of obtaining the necessary regulatory or third party approvals, consents and releases with respect to the Merger, no delay, limitation, restriction or condition will be imposed that would have an adverse effect on Stewardship, Columbia or the Merger or any related transactions, and (iii) the Merger and any related transactions will be consummated in accordance with the terms of the Agreement without any waiver, modification or amendment of any material term, condition or agreement thereof and in compliance with all applicable laws and other requirements. Finally, with your consent, we have relied upon the advice that Stewardship has received from its legal, accounting and tax advisors as to all legal, accounting and tax matters relating to the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Agreement. We express no opinion as to any such matters.

B- 2

Our opinion is necessarily based on financial, economic, regulatory, market and other conditions as in effect on, and the information made available to us as of, the date hereof. Events occurring after the date hereof could materially affect this opinion. We have not undertaken to update, revise, reaffirm or withdraw this opinion or otherwise comment upon events occurring after the date hereof.

We have acted as Stewardship’s financial advisor in connection with the Merger and will receive a fee for our services, which fee is contingent upon consummation of the Merger. We will also receive a fee for rendering this opinion, which opinion fee will be credited in full towards the transaction fee which will become payable to Sandler O’Neill upon closing of the Merger. Stewardship has also agreed to indemnify us against certain claims and liabilities arising out of our engagement and to reimburse us for certain of our out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with our engagement. We have not provided any other investment banking services to Stewardship in the two years preceding the date hereof Sandler O’Neill has provided certain investment banking services to Columbia in the two years preceding the date hereof Most recently, Sandler O’Neill assisted Columbia with its mutual-to-stock conversion, which transaction closed in April 2018. In addition, in the ordinary course of our business as a broker-dealer, we may purchase securities from and sell securities to Stewardship, Columbia and their respective affiliates. We may also actively trade the equity and debt securities of Stewardship, Columbia and their respective affiliates for our own account and for the accounts of our customers.

Our opinion is directed to the Board of Directors of Stewardship in connection with its consideration of the Agreement and the Merger and does not constitute a recommendation to any shareholder of Stewardship as to how any such shareholder should vote at any meeting of shareholders called to consider and vote upon the approval of the Agreement and the Merger. Our opinion is directed only to the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the Merger Consideration to the holders of Stewardship Common Stock and does not address the underlying business decision of Stewardship to engage in the Merger, the form or structure of the Merger or any other transactions contemplated in the Agreement, the relative merits of the Merger as compared to any other alternative transactions or business strategies that might exist for Stewardship or the effect of any other transaction in which Stewardship might engage. We express no opinion as to the amount of compensation to be received in the Merger by any Stewardship or Columbia officer, director or employee, or any class of such persons, if any, relative to the amount of compensation to be received by any other shareholder. This opinion has been approved by Sandler O’Neill’s fairness opinion committee. This opinion may not be reproduced without Sandler O’Neill’s prior written consent; provided, however, Sandler O’Neill will provide its consent for the opinion to be included in regulatory filings to be completed in connection with the Merger.

Based upon and subject to the foregoing, it is our opinion that, as of the date hereof, the Merger Consideration is fair, from a financial point of view, to the holders of Stewardship Common Stock.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Sandler O’Neill & Partners, L.P.

B- 3






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	000004 ENDORSEMENT_LINE______________ SACKPACK _______		000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext

	MR A SAMPLE DESIGNATION (IF ANY) ADD 1 ADD 2 ADD 3 ADD 4 ADD 5 ADD 6

Using a black ink pen, mark your votes with an X as shown in this example.
Please do not write outside the designated areas.


Special Meeting Proxy Card

▼ PLEASE VOTE, SIGN, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.▼

	+

A	Proposals —	The Board of Directors recommends a vote “ FOR ” Proposals 1, 2 and 3.


		For	Against	Abstain			For	Against	Abstain

1.	Approval of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 6, 2019, by and among Columbia Financial, Inc., Broadway Acquisition Corp. and Stewardship Financial Corporation.	o	o	o	2.	Approval, on a non-binding, advisory basis, of the compensation to be paid to certain executive officers of Stewardship Financial Corporation if the merger contemplated by the merger agreement is consummated.	o	o	o

3.	Approval of an adjournment of the special meeting, if necessary, to permit the further solicitation of proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the time of the special meeting to approve the merger agreement.	o	o	o

B	Authorized Signatures — This section must be completed for your vote to count. Please date and sign below.

Please sign exactly as name(s) appears hereon. Joint owners should each sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, corporate officer, trustee, guardian, or custodian, please give full title.


Date (mm/dd/yyyy) — Please print date below.	Signature 1 — Please keep signature within the box.	Signature 2 — Please keep signature within the box.
/ /

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		0 3 B V

033DVD


▼ IF VOTING BY MAIL, SIGN, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. ▼


Proxy — Stewardship Financial Corporation	+

Special Meeting of Shareholders

Proxy Solicited by the Board of Directors of Stewardship Financial Corporation for the 2019 Special Meeting —October 3, 2019

The undersigned hereby appoints Paul Van Ostenbridge and Claire Chadwick, and each of them, each with the full power of substitution, as proxies to represent and vote the shares of the undersigned, with all of the powers which the undersigned would possess if personally present, at the Special Meeting of Shareholders of Stewardship Financial Corporation to be held on October 3, 2019 at 10:00a.m., or at any postponement or adjournment thereof and to vote the number of shares of Common Stock of Stewardship Financial Corporation that the undersigned would be entitled to vote.

Shares represented by this proxy will be voted by the Proxies as specified herein by the shareholder or, if a choice is not specified, the Proxies will vote “FOR” Proposals 1-3. In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting.

(Items to be voted appear on reverse side)


C	Non-Voting Items


Change of Address — Please print new address below.		Comments — Please print your comments below.

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