Ownership Submission
FORM 4
Check this box if no longer subject to Section 16. Form 4 or Form 5 obligations may continue. See Instruction 1(b).
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES

Filed pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Section 17(a) of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 or Section 30(h) of the Investment Company Act of 1940
OMB APPROVAL
OMB Number: 3235-0287
Expires: January 31, 2005
Estimated average burden hours per response... 0.5

(Print or Type Responses)
1. Name and Address of Reporting Person *
IANTOSCA JOSEPH R
  2. Issuer Name and Ticker or Trading Symbol
OCEANFIRST FINANCIAL CORP [OCFC]
5. Relationship of Reporting Person(s) to Issuer
(Check all applicable)
_____ Director _____ 10% Owner
_____ Officer (give title below) __X__ Other (specify below)
EVP, CAO, OceanFirst Bank
(Last)
(First)
(Middle)
975 HOOPER AVENUE
3. Date of Earliest Transaction (Month/Day/Year)
03/15/2017
(Street)

TOMS RIVER, NJ 08754
4. If Amendment, Date Original Filed(Month/Day/Year)
6. Individual or Joint/Group Filing(Check Applicable Line)
_X_ Form filed by One Reporting Person
___ Form filed by More than One Reporting Person
(City)
(State)
(Zip)
Table I - Non-Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned
1.Title of Security
(Instr. 3)
2. Transaction Date (Month/Day/Year) 2A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (Month/Day/Year) 3. Transaction Code
(Instr. 8)
4. Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed of (D)
(Instr. 3, 4 and 5)
5. Amount of Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s)
(Instr. 3 and 4)
6. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I)
(Instr. 4)
7. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership
(Instr. 4)
Code V Amount (A) or (D) Price
Common Stock 03/15/2017   A   2,905 A $ 0 19,148 D (1)  
Common Stock               17,566 I By 401(k) (2)
Common Stock               12,036 I BY ESOP

Reminder: Report on a separate line for each class of securities beneficially owned directly or indirectly.
Persons who respond to the collection of information contained in this form are not required to respond unless the form displays a currently valid OMB control number. SEC 1474 (9-02)

Table II - Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned
(e.g., puts, calls, warrants, options, convertible securities)
1. Title of Derivative Security
(Instr. 3)
2. Conversion or Exercise Price of Derivative Security 3. Transaction Date (Month/Day/Year) 3A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (Month/Day/Year) 4. Transaction Code
(Instr. 8)
5. Number of Derivative Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed of (D)
(Instr. 3, 4, and 5)
6. Date Exercisable and Expiration Date
(Month/Day/Year)
7. Title and Amount of Underlying Securities
(Instr. 3 and 4)
8. Price of Derivative Security
(Instr. 5)
9. Number of Derivative Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s)
(Instr. 4)
10. Ownership Form of Derivative Security: Direct (D) or Indirect (I)
(Instr. 4)
11. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership
(Instr. 4)
Code V (A) (D) Date Exercisable Expiration Date Title Amount or Number of Shares
Stock Option (right to buy) $ 29.01 03/15/2017   A   45,000   03/01/2018 03/15/2027 Common Stock 45,000 $ 0 45,000 D (3)  
Stock Option (right to buy) $ 13.87             02/18/2012 02/18/2021 Common Stock 10,125   10,125 D  
Stock Option (right to buy) $ 13.83             02/15/2013 02/15/2022 Common Stock 10,125   10,125 D  
Stock Option (right to buy) $ 14.62             02/15/2014 02/15/2023 Common Stock 11,250   11,250 D (3)  
Stock Option (right to buy) $ 14.55             06/17/2014 06/17/2023 Common Stock 11,250   11,250 D (3)  
Stock Option (right to buy) $ 17.75             03/01/2015 03/19/2024 Common Stock 24,375   24,375 D (3)  
Stock Option (right to buy) $ 17.28             03/01/2017 03/16/2026 Common Stock 37,500   37,500 D (3)  
Stock Option (right to buy) $ 17.37             03/01/2016 03/18/2025 Common Stock 30,000   30,000 D (3)  

Reporting Owners

Reporting Owner Name / Address Relationships
 Director  10% Owner  Officer  Other
IANTOSCA JOSEPH R
975 HOOPER AVENUE
TOMS RIVER, NJ 08754
      EVP, CAO, OceanFirst Bank

Signatures

 /s/ Steven J. Tsimbinos, Power of Attorney   03/16/2017
**Signature of Reporting Person Date

Explanation of Responses:

* If the form is filed by more than one reporting person, see Instruction 4(b)(v).
** Intentional misstatements or omissions of facts constitute Federal Criminal Violations. See 18 U.S.C. 1001 and 15 U.S.C. 78ff(a).
(1) Restricted shares awarded. Such shares vest in five equal annual installments beginning on March 1, 2018. Total includes other restricted shares that vest in the future.
(2) This form reflects increases in beneficial ownership resulting from exempt acquisitions pursuant to Rule 16b-3(c).
(3) Options vest in five equal annual installments beginning on the date first exercisable.

Note: File three copies of this Form, one of which must be manually signed. If space is insufficient, see Instruction 6 for procedure.

Potential persons who are to respond to the collection of information contained in this form are not required to respond unless the form displays a currently valid OMB number.