Proxy Statement on the Following Pages Describe the Formal Business to Be Transacted at the Annual Meeting

OceanFirst Financial Corp. 110 West Front Street Red Bank, New Jersey 07701 1.888.623.2633 Dear Fellow Stockholder: It is my pleasure, along with my fellow Board of Directors, to cordially invite you to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) for OceanFirst Financial Corp. (the “Company”), the holding company of OceanFirst Bank N.A. (the “Bank”). The Annual Meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 20, 2020, at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Time. The Company intends to hold its Annual Meeting in-person at the Company’s Administrative Offices, 110 West Front Street, Red Bank, New Jersey 07701 and will also provide the option to attend a webcast of the meeting via the Internet at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/OCFC2020. A 16-digit control number included on the proxy card will be needed for the webcast and instructions will be posted at www.virtualshareholdermeeting. com/OCFC2020. Please note, we are actively monitoring COVID-19 and are sensitive to the public health and travel concerns our stockholders may have and the protocols that federal, state, and local governments may impose. In the event it is not possible or advisable to hold the Annual Meeting in-person, we will announce alternative arrangements for the meeting as promptly as practicable, which may include holding the Annual Meeting solely by webcast. Please monitor the Investor Relations section of the Bank’s website, oceanfirst.com, for updated information and to determine if participation in-person will be possible. As always, we encourage you to vote your shares prior to the Annual Meeting. The Notice of Annual Meeting and the proxy statement on the following pages describe the formal business to be transacted at the Annual Meeting. The Company’s directors and officers, as well as a representative fromKPMG LLP, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, will be present at the Annual Meeting to respond to appropriate questions. In addition to the formal business, we will take the opportunity to provide an update on the Company’s accomplishments, including the January 1, 2020 acquisition of Two River Bancorp (“Two River)” and Country Bank Holding Company, Inc. (“Country”). We welcome Two River and Country stockholders to the Company. On June 26, 2019, the Company announced the appointment of Steven M. Scopellite to its Board of Directors. In conjunction with the Two River and Country mergers, William D. Moss and Joseph M. Murphy, Jr. were added to the Board of Directors. The Company believes that the addition of these directors will offer enhanced insights and experience in the oversight and governance of the Board as a whole and the committees they serve, including the recently-created Information Technology Committee, which is chaired by Mr. Scopellite. It is important that your shares are represented this year whether or not you are personally able to attend the meeting. Your cooperation is appreciated since a majority of the common stock must be represented, either in person or by proxy, to constitute a quorum for the conduct of business. The enclosed proxy card may be used to vote your shares. For your convenience, you may complete, sign and promptly return the proxy card in the enclosed envelope; or you may submit your vote by telephone or online according to the instructions on the enclosed proxy card. On behalf of the Board of Directors and all of the employees of the Company and the Bank, we thank you for your continued investment and support. Sincerely, Christopher D. Maher Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer April 22, 2020 Oceanfirst Financial Corp. 110 West Front Street Red Bank, New Jersey 07701 Notice of 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders Wednesday, May 20, 2020 9:00 a.m. OceanFirst Bank Administrative Offices, 110 West Front Street, Red Bank, New Jersey 07701 Virtually at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/OCFC2020 ITEMS OF BUSINESS (1) The election of fourteen directors of the Company; (2) An advisory vote on executive compensation as disclosed in these materials; (3) The approval of OceanFirst Financial Corp. 2020 Stock Incentive Plan; (4) The ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020; (5) Such other matters as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournments thereof. The Board of Directors is not aware of any other business to come before the Annual Meeting. RECORD DATE In order to vote, you must have been a stockholder at the close of business on April 3, 2020. PROXY VOTING It is important that your shares be represented and voted at the meeting. You can vote your shares by completing and returning the enclosed proxy card, or electronically or by telephone by following the voting instructions printed on your proxy card and included in the accompanying proxy statement. You can revoke a proxy at any time prior to its exercise at the meeting by following the instructions in the proxy statement. Steven J. Tsimbinos Corporate Secretary NOTE: Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please vote by marking, signing, dating and promptly returning the enclosed proxy card in the enclosed envelope. Table of Contents PROXY SUMMARY 6 CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 8 Corporate Governance Highlights �� 8 Corporate Governance Policies and Procedures �� 9 Board Role in the Oversight of Risk/Risk Committee �� 9 Committees of the Board of Directors ��10 Code of Ethics and Standards of Personal Conduct ��12 Corporate Social Responsibility ��13 Meetings of the Board of Directors ��13 STOCKHOLDER-RECOMMENDED DIRECTOR NOMINATIONS 14 General ��14 Procedures to be Followed by Stockholders ��14 PROPOSAL 1 ELECTION OF DIRECTORS 15 Criteria for Director Nominees ��15 Process for Identifying and Evaluating Nominees ��15 Nominees for Election of Director ��16 Nominees for Director ��17 Directors Whose Terms are Expiring ��21 STOCK OWNERSHIP 22 DELINQUENT

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