UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.  20549

SCHEDULE 13G


Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934


OceanFirst Financial Corp.
(Name of Issuer)
 
Common Stock, $0.01 par value
(Title of Class of Securities)
 
675234108
(CUSIP Number)


September 19, 2016
(Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)



Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this Schedule is filed:

☐ Rule 13d-1(b)

ý Rule 13d-1(c)

☐ Rule 13d-1(d)



* The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person's initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).
 
 
CUSIP No. 675234108
13G
 
 
1
NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
 
 
I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
 
 
EJF Capital LLC
 
 
 
 
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP
  
(a)☐
  
(b)☒
 
 
3
SEC USE ONLY
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 
 
Delaware
 
 
 
 
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
5
SOLE VOTING POWER
 
 
0
 
 
 
 
6
SHARED VOTING POWER
 
 
1,519,119
 
 
 
 
7
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
 
0
 
 
 
 
8
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
 
1,519,119
 
 
 
 
9
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
 
 
1,519,119
 
 
 
 
10
CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
 
 
☐
 
 
 
 
11
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
 
 
5.9% (1)
 
 
 
 
12
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
 
 
IA
 
 
 
 
 
(1)
Based on 25,839,744 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share ("Common Stock") outstanding as of August 4, 2016, as the Issuer reported in its Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on August 9, 2016.
 
 
CUSIP No. 675234108
13G
 
1
NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
 
 
I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
 
 
Emanuel J. Friedman
 
 
 
 
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP
    
(a)☐
  
(b)☒
 
 
3
SEC USE ONLY
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 
 
United States
 
 
 
 
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
5
SOLE VOTING POWER
 
 
0
 
 
 
 
6
SHARED VOTING POWER
 
 
1,519,119
 
 
 
 
7
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
 
0
 
 
 
 
8
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
 
1,519,119
 
 
 
 
9
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
 
 
1,519,119
 
 
 
 
10
CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
 
 
☐
 
 
 
 
11
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
 
 
5.9% (1)
 
 
 
 
12
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
 
 
IN
 
 
 
 
 
(1)
Based on 25,839,744 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of August 4, 2016, as the Issuer reported in its Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on August 9, 2016.
CUSIP No. 675234108
13G
 
1
NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
 
 
I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
 
 
EJF Financial Services Fund, LP
 
 
 
 
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP
    
(a)☐
  
(b)☒
 
 
3
SEC USE ONLY
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 
 
Delaware
 
 
 
 
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
5
SOLE VOTING POWER
 
 
0
 
 
 
 
6
SHARED VOTING POWER
 
 
1,519,119
 
 
 
 
7
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
 
0
 
 
 
 
8
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
 
1,519,119
 
 
 
 
9
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
 
 
1,519,119
 
 
 
 
10
CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
 
 
☐
 
 
 
 
11
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
 
 
5.9% (1)
 
 
 
 
12
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
 
 
PN
 
 
 
 
 
(1)
Based on 25,839,744 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of August 4, 2016, as the Issuer reported in its Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on August 9, 2016.
CUSIP No. 675234108
13G
 
1
NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
 
 
I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
 
 
EJF Financial Services GP, LLC
 
 
 
 
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP
    
(a)☐
  
(b)☒
 
 
3
SEC USE ONLY
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 
 
Delaware
 
 
 
 
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
5
SOLE VOTING POWER
 
 
0
 
 
 
 
6
SHARED VOTING POWER
 
 
1,519,119
 
 
 
 
7
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
 
0
 
 
 
 
8
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
 
1,519,119
 
 
 
 
9
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
 
 
1,519,119
 
 
 
 
10
CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
 
 
☐
 
 
 
 
11
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
 
 
5.9% (1)
 
 
 
 
12
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
 
 
CO
 
 
 
 
 
(1)
Based on 25,839,744 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of August 4, 2016, as the Issuer reported in its Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on August 9, 2016.
 
Item 1. (a)                          Name of Issuer

OceanFirst Financial Corp.

Item 1. (b)                          Address of Issuer's Principal Executive Offices

975 Hooper Avenue
Toms River, NJ 08753

Item 2.                          (a)            Name of Person Filing

This Schedule 13G is being filed on behalf of the following persons (the "Reporting Persons")*:

(i)
EJF Capital LLC;
(ii)
Emanuel J. Friedman;
(iii)
EJF Financial Services Fund, LP; and
(iv)
EJF Financial Services GP, LLC.
 
*Attached as Exhibit A is a copy of an agreement among the Reporting Persons that this Schedule 13G is being filed on behalf of each of them.

Item 2.                          (b)            Address of Principal Business Office or, if None, Residence

The address of the principal business office of each Reporting Person is:

2107 Wilson Boulevard
Suite 410
Arlington, VA 22201

Item 2.                          (c)            Citizenship

See Item 4 of the attached cover pages.
 
Item 2.                          (d)            Title of Class of Securities

Common Stock, $0.01 par value ("Common Stock")

Item 2.                          (e)            CUSIP Number

675234108

Item 3.                          If This Statement is Filed Pursuant to Rule 13d-1(b), or 13d-2(b) or (c), Check Whether the Person Filing is a:

Not Applicable.

Item 4.                                        Ownership
 
(a)
Amount beneficially owned:
         
 
See Item 9 of the attached cover pages.
         
(b)
Percent of class: 
    
         
 
See Item 11 of the attached cover pages.
         
(c)
Number of shares as to which such person has:
         
 
(i)
Sole power to vote or to direct the vote:
         
   
See Item 5 of the attached cover pages.
         
 
(ii)
Shared power to vote or to direct the vote:
         
   
See Item 6 of the attached cover pages.
         
 
(iii)
Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition:
         
   
See Item 7 of the attached cover pages.
         
 
(iv)
Shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition:
         
   
See Item 8 of the attached cover pages.
 
EJF Financial Services Fund, LP is the record owner of the shares of Common Stock shown on item 9 of its cover page.

EJF Financial Services GP, LLC is the general partner of EJF Financial Services Fund, LP and an investment manager of certain affiliates thereof, and may be deemed to share beneficial ownership of the shares of Common Stock of which EJF Financial Services Fund, LP is the record owner.

EJF Capital LLC is the sole member of EJF Financial Services GP, LLC, and may be deemed to share beneficial ownership of the shares of Common Stock of which EJF Financial Services GP, LLC may share beneficial ownership.  Emanuel J. Friedman is the controlling member of EJF Capital LLC and may be deemed to share beneficial ownership of the shares of Common Stock of which EJF Capital LLC may share beneficial ownership.
 
Item 5.                          Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class

Not Applicable.

Item 6.                          Ownership of More than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person

Not Applicable.
 
Item 7.                          Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired the Security Being Reported on by the Parent Holding Company

Not Applicable.

Item 8.                          Identification and Classification of Members of the Group

Not Applicable.

Item 9.                          Notice of Dissolution of Group

Not Applicable.

Item 10.                          Certification

By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above were not acquired and are not held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are not held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect.
 
 
SIGNATURE


After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

Dated:  September 27, 2016
 
EJF CAPITAL LLC
 
 
By:
/s/ Neal J. Wilson
 
Name:
Neal J. Wilson
 
Title:
Chief Operating Officer
 
 
 
EMANUEL J. FRIEDMAN
 
 
By:
/s/ Emanuel J. Friedman
 
Name:
Emanuel J. Friedman
 
 
 
EJF FINANCIAL SERVICES FUND, LP
   
 
By:
Its:
EJF FINANCIAL SERVICES GP, LLC
General Partner
     
 
By:
Its:
EJF CAPITAL LLC
Sole Member
     
 
By:
/s/ Neal J. Wilson
 
Name:
Neal J. Wilson
 
Title:
Chief Operating Officer
 
 
 
EJF FINANCIAL FINANCIAL SERVICES GP, LLC
   
 
By:
Its:
EJF CAPITAL LLC
Sole Member
     
 
By:
/s/ Neal J. Wilson
 
Name:
Neal J. Wilson
 
Title:
Chief Operating Officer
 
 
 
EXHIBIT A


The undersigned, EJF Capital LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Emanuel J. Friedman, EJF Financial Services Fund, LP, a Delaware limited partnership, and EJF Financial Services GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, hereby agree and acknowledge that the information required by this Schedule 13G, to which this Agreement is attached as an exhibit, is filed on behalf of each of them.  The undersigned further agree that any amendments or supplements thereto shall also be filed on behalf of each of them.

Dated:  September 27, 2016
EJF CAPITAL LLC
 
 
By:
/s/ Neal J. Wilson
 
Name:
Neal J. Wilson
 
Title:
Chief Operating Officer
 
 
 
EMANUEL J. FRIEDMAN
 
 
By:
/s/ Emanuel J. Friedman
 
Name:
Emanuel J. Friedman
 
 
 
EJF FINANCIAL SERVICES FUND, LP
   
 
By:
Its:
EJF FINANCIAL SERVICES GP, LLC
General Partner
     
 
By:
Its:
EJF CAPITAL LLC
Sole Member
     
 
By:
/s/ Neal J. Wilson
 
Name:
Neal J. Wilson
 
Title:
Chief Operating Officer
 
 
 
EJF FINANCIAL FINANCIAL SERVICES GP, LLC
   
 
By:
Its:
EJF CAPITAL LLC
Sole Member
     
 
By:
/s/ Neal J. Wilson
 
Name:
Neal J. Wilson
 
Title:
Chief Operating Officer