SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20552 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 March 31, 2005 ------------------------------------------------------ Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) Kearny Financial Corp. ------------------------------------------------------ (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its Charter) United States 0-51093 22-3803741 ---------------------------- ---------- ------------- (State or other jurisdiction (File No.) (IRS Employer of incorporation) Identification Number) 120 Passaic Avenue, Fairfield, New Jersey 07004 ---------------------------------------- ---------- (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (973) 244-4500 -------------- Not Applicable ------------------------------------------------------------- (Former name or former address, if changed since last Report) Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions: |_| Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act |_| Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act |_| Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act |_| Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act KEARNY FINANCIAL CORP. INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN REPORT ------------------------------------ Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers. On March 21, 2005, Edward T. Rushforth, a director of the Registrant, submitted notice to the Board of Directors of his decision to retire from the Registrant's Board of Directors effective as of March 31, 2005. Effective the same date, Mr. Rushforth will also retire from the Board of Directors of Kearny MHC, the mutual holding company for the Registrant. Mr. Leopold Montanaro, currently a director of Kearny Federal Savings Bank, the Registrant's wholly-owned subsidiary, was appointed by the Board of Directors to the vacant seat on the Board of Directors of both the Registrant and Kearny MHC effective March 31, 2005. Mr. Montanaro currently serves on the following board committees: Budget Committee, Asset Quality Committee and Buildings & Grounds Committee. Mr. Montanaro is retired and was the chairman, president and chief executive officer of West Essex Bancorp, Inc. and West Essex Bank, located in Caldwell, New Jersey, until Kearny Financial Corp.'s acquisition of West Essex Bancorp, Inc. and the merger of West Essex Bank into Kearny Federal Savings Bank on July 1, 2003. He was employed by West Essex Bank from 1972 until the completion of the merger with Kearny Federal Savings Bank. Mr. Montanaro became a director of Kearny Federal Savings Bank in July 2003 upon completion of the merger. 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, thereunto duly authorized. KEARNY FINANCIAL CORP. Date: March 31, 2005 By: /s/John N. Hopkins ------------------------------------- John N. Hopkins President and Chief Executive Officer