Northfield Bancorp Board Member Fires Insider Buying Fireworks Just as Merger Buzz Hits 11% Surge—Investors Watch Warily.

Insider Buying Spikes Amid Merger Buzz

Northfield Bancorp Inc. saw a sharp uptick in insider buying on February 4, 2026, as its board member Paul Stahlin purchased 4,383 shares at $13.69, boosting his stake to 48,737 shares. The move comes a day after the bank’s announcement of a merger with Columbia Financial, a deal that has already lifted the stock by roughly 11 % in early trade. While the price change on the day of the purchase was a modest -0.01 %, the transaction was flagged by a strong social‑media buzz of 1,107 % and a negative sentiment score of –47, indicating that retail investors are watching the insider activity with caution.

Broader Insider Trend

Stahlin’s buy is part of a larger pattern of insider activity. Within the same filing window, several executives—EVPs, the CFO, and the CEO—executed purchases ranging from 4,383 to 7,944 shares, while a few senior leaders also sold shares in early January. The cumulative effect of these trades suggests that key personnel remain bullish on the bank’s future, despite a modest earnings dip reported in the latest quarterly results. The high volume of insider purchases, coupled with the recent merger, may signal confidence that the combined entity will generate stronger earnings and a more robust asset base.

Implications for Investors

For shareholders, insider buying often signals management’s belief that the stock is undervalued. In Northfield’s case, the timing of the purchases—coinciding with a merger announcement—could indicate that executives anticipate a post‑merger valuation bump. However, the low price‑to‑earnings ratio of 620.91 and the recent shift from a small profit to a loss suggest that the market still has questions about profitability. Investors should weigh the insider confidence against the bank’s financial fundamentals and the pending class‑action investigation into the merger, which could temper the upside.

Future Outlook

If the merger proceeds without regulatory hurdles, Northfield could become a major regional player with assets nearing $18 billion, potentially improving earnings stability and shareholder value. Continued insider buying would reinforce a positive outlook, while any subsequent sell‑offs or negative sentiment spikes could signal caution. Overall, the current insider activity points to optimism, but investors should remain vigilant to the bank’s earnings trajectory and the legal landscape surrounding the merger.