UNITED STATES 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): February 27, 2009 ----------------- PROVIDENT FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. ---------------------------------- (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter) Delaware 001-31566 42-1547151 ----------------------------- --------------------- ---------------------- (State or Other Jurisdiction) (Commission File No.) (I.R.S. Employer of Incorporation) 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) 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 (see General Instruction A.2. below): [ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) [ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) [ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) [ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) Item 8.01 Other Events. ------------- Provident Financial Services, Inc. (the "Company") announced that in accordance with the Company's retirement policy Paul M. Pantozzi, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, will retire effective September 1, 2009. Mr. Pantozzi will remain as Chairman of the Board. Christopher Martin, President and Chief Operating Officer since 2007 will assume the title of Chief Executive Officer and President of both the Company and The Provident Bank. A copy of the Company's news release dated February 27, 2009 is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this report and is being furnished to the SEC and shall not be deemed "filed" for any purpose. Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits --------------------------------- (a) Financial Statements of Businesses Acquired. Not applicable. (b) Pro Forma Financial Information. Not applicable. (c) Shell Company Transactions. Not applicable. (d) Exhibits. Exhibit No. Description ----------- ----------- 99.1 News release dated February 27, 2009. 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: March 3, 2009 By: /s/ Paul M. Pantozzi -------------------- Paul M. Pantozzi Chairman and Chief Executive Officer EXHIBIT INDEX Exhibit Description ------- ----------- 99.1 News release dated February 27, 2009.