Columbia Financial Inc. on Feb. 8 signed a deal with Sandler O'Neill & Partners LP, under which the latter will help, on a best-efforts basis, in the subscription and community offerings of the company's common stock.

In syndicated community or firm commitment public offerings, Sandler agreed to be sole manager.

Fair Lawn, N.J.-based Columbia Financial has a pending IPO of up to 43,332,474 common shares, to be sold at $10 per share.