Form 8-K Current Report

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

 

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of

The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): December 19, 2003

 

PROVIDENT FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Delaware   1-31566   42-1547151

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

   (Commission File No.)  

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

830 Bergen Avenue, Jersey City, New Jersey   07306-4599
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (201) 333-1000

 

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

Item 5. Other Events and Required FD Disclosure

 

As previously reported, on December 19, 2003, Provident Financial Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation and First Sentinel Bancorp, Inc., a Delaware corporation, entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”). A copy of the Merger Agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit 2.1 and the joint press release announcing the execution of the Merger Agreement, which was issued on December 22, 2003 is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

(c) Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.
   

Description

2.1    Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December 19, 2003, by and between Provident Financial Services, Inc. and First Sentinel Bancorp, Inc.
99.1    Joint press release dated December 22, 2003 (incorporated by reference from the Company’s filing with the SEC on December 22, 2003)

 

2

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, hereunto duly authorized.

 

    PROVIDENT FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.

DATE: December 31, 2003

  

By:

  

/s/ Paul M. Pantozzi

       

Paul M. Pantozzi

       

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President

 

3

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
   

Description

2.1    Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December 19, 2003, by and between Provident Financial Services, Inc. and First Sentinel Bancorp, Inc.
99.1    Joint press release dated December 22, 2003 (incorporated by reference from the Company’s filing with the SEC on December 22, 2003)