Case: United States v. OceanFirst Bank, N.A.

3:24-cv-09248 | U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey

Filed Date: Sept. 18, 2024

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

This is a case challenging a bank’s alleged discriminatory lending practices.  On September 18, 2024, the United States of America filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. The U.S. sued OceanFirst Bank, N.A., asserting violations of the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA). The U.S. alleged that OceanFirst engaged in unlawful redlining by refusing to provide home loans and other mortgage services in majority-Black and Hispanic n…

This is a case challenging a bank’s alleged discriminatory lending practices. 

On September 18, 2024, the United States of America filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. The U.S. sued OceanFirst Bank, N.A., asserting violations of the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA). The U.S. alleged that OceanFirst engaged in unlawful redlining by refusing to provide home loans and other mortgage services in majority-Black and Hispanic neighborhoods. It further alleged that OceanFirst engaged in practices that discouraged residents of those neighborhoods from seeking or applying for credit, among other things. The U.S. sought injunctive and declaratory relief, along with monetary damages and a civil penalty against OceanFirst. The case was assigned to District Judge Robert Kirsch.

On September 18, 2024, the parties filed a joint motion for approval and entry of a proposed consent order. The terms required OceanFirst to conduct a community credit needs assessment, establish a loan production office in a majority-minority census tract, and provide fair lending training, among other things. The court signed the consent order on October 1, 2024, which would remain in effect for five years.

This case is ongoing.

Summary Authors

Alexis Gil (6/24/2026)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69171668/parties/united-states-v-oceanfirst-bank-national-association/


Attorney for Plaintiff

CAMPOS, MARTA (New Jersey)

MILLENKY, SUSAN R. (New Jersey)

PECK, JENNIFER SLAGLE (New Jersey)

SHULOCK, NATHAN B. (New Jersey)

Attorney for Defendant

NAPIER, CHRISTOPHER (New Jersey)

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case
1

3:24-cv-09248

Complaint and Jury Demand

United States of America v. OCEANFIRST BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

Sept. 18, 2024

Sept. 18, 2024

Complaint
2

3:24-cv-09248

Notice Of Joint Motion For Entry Of Consent Order

United States of America v. OceanFirst Bank, N.A.

Sept. 18, 2024

Sept. 18, 2024

Pleading / Motion / Brief
9

3:24-cv-09248

Consent Order

United States of America v. OceanFirst Bank, N.A.

Oct. 1, 2024

Oct. 1, 2024

Order/Opinion

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69171668/united-states-v-oceanfirst-bank-national-association/

Last updated Sept. 6, 2026, 3:13 a.m.

Docket for: United States v. OCEANFIRST BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
ECF Number Date Description Link
1 Sept. 18, 2024

COMPLAINT against OCEANFIRST BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION with JURY DEMAND, filed by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A - Locations, # 2 Exhibit B - Assessment Area, # 3 Exhibit C - Applications, # 4 Exhibit D - Originations, # 5 Civil Cover Sheet)(MILLENKY, SUSAN) (Entered: 09/18/2024)

1 Exhibit A - Locations

View on PACER

2 Exhibit B - Assessment Area

View on PACER

3 Exhibit C - Applications

View on PACER

4 Exhibit D - Originations

View on PACER

5 Civil Cover Sheet

View on PACER

Clearinghouse
2 Sept. 18, 2024

Joint MOTION to Approve Consent Judgment by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order, # 2 Brief, # 3 Certificate of Service)(MILLENKY, SUSAN) (Entered: 09/18/2024)

1 Text of Proposed Order

View on PACER

2 Brief

View on PACER

3 Certificate of Service

View on PACER

Clearinghouse
3 Sept. 18, 2024

SUMMONS ISSUED as to OCEANFIRST BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION. Attached is the official court Summons, please fill out Defendant and Plaintiffs attorney information and serve. (mlh) (Entered: 09/18/2024)

RECAP
4 Sept. 18, 2024

Exhibit to 1 Complaint, (Complaint and Exhibits Reuploaded) by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A to Complaint - Locations, # 2 Exhibit B to Complaint - Assessment Area, # 3 Exhibit C to Complaint - Applications, # 4 Exhibit D to Complaint - Originations)(MILLENKY, SUSAN) (Entered: 09/18/2024)

1 Exhibit A to Complaint - Locations

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2 Exhibit B to Complaint - Assessment Area

View on PACER

3 Exhibit C to Complaint - Applications

View on PACER

4 Exhibit D to Complaint - Originations

View on PACER

RECAP
5 Sept. 18, 2024

NOTICE of Appearance by CHRISTOPHER NAPIER on behalf of OCEANFIRST BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (NAPIER, CHRISTOPHER) (Entered: 09/18/2024)

RECAP
6 Sept. 18, 2024

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice of Andrea Mitchell by OCEANFIRST BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order Proposed Order)(NAPIER, CHRISTOPHER) (Entered: 09/18/2024)

RECAP
Sept. 18, 2024

Set/Reset Motion and R&R Deadlines/Hearings

Sept. 18, 2024

Add and Terminate Judges

Sept. 18, 2024

Judge Robert Kirsch and Magistrate Judge Justin T. Quinn added. (mlh)

Sept. 18, 2024

Set Deadlines as to 2 Joint MOTION to Approve Consent Judgment . Motion set for 10/21/2024 before Judge Robert Kirsch. Unless otherwise directed by the Court, this motion will be decided on the papers and no appearances are required. Note that this is an automatically generated message from the Clerk`s Office and does not supersede any previous or subsequent orders from the Court. (mlh)

7 Sept. 19, 2024

NOTICE of Appearance by MARTA CAMPOS on behalf of UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (CAMPOS, MARTA) (Entered: 09/19/2024)

RECAP
Sept. 19, 2024

Set/Reset Motion and R&R Deadlines/Hearings

Sept. 19, 2024

Set as to 6 MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice of Andrea Mitchell. Motion set for 10/21/2024 before Magistrate Judge Justin T. Quinn. Unless otherwise directed by the Court, this motion will be decided on the papers and no appearances are required. Note that this is an automatically generated message from the Clerk`s Office and does not supersede any previous or subsequent orders from the Court. (jdg)

8 Sept. 24, 2024

WAIVER OF SERVICE Returned Executed by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. OCEANFIRST BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION waiver sent on 9/23/2024, answer due 11/22/2024. (Attachments: # 1 Certificate of Service)(MILLENKY, SUSAN) (Main Document 8 replaced on 9/25/2024) (jdg, ). (Entered: 09/24/2024)

RECAP
Sept. 25, 2024

QC - Fillable PDF

Sept. 25, 2024

CLERK'S QUALITY CONTROL MESSAGE - The 8 WAIVER OF SERVICE filed by Susan Millensky on 9/24/2024 was uploaded prior to being flattened. Before uploading fillable forms to ECF you must flatten the file to prevent other users from manipulating or editing the information. The easiest way to flatten a PDF form is by selecting Print to PDF and saving the flattened form, other PDF software may differ. Please visit our website under Flattening PDF Forms for guidance. Your document has been corrected. This message is for informational purposes only. (jdg, )

9 Oct. 1, 2024

CONSENT ORDER resolving all claims of the United States of America simultaneously filed in a Complaint; The Clerk is directed to close this matter. Signed by Judge Robert Kirsch on 10/1/2024. (jal) (Entered: 10/01/2024)

Clearinghouse
10 Oct. 3, 2024

TEXT ORDER: Terminating 2 motion, per 9 consent order, and terminating action. So Ordered by Judge Robert Kirsch on 10/03/2024. (pdm) (Entered: 10/03/2024)

RECAP
Oct. 3, 2024

Order of Dismissal AND Text Order AND ~Util - Terminate Motions

11 May 5, 2025

MOTION to Withdraw as Attorney by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. (SHULOCK, NATHAN) (Entered: 05/05/2025)

RECAP
May 5, 2025

Set/Reset Motion and R&R Deadlines/Hearings

May 5, 2025

Set Deadlines as to 11 MOTION to Withdraw as Attorney . Motion set for 6/2/2025 before Magistrate Judge Justin T. Quinn. Unless otherwise directed by the Court, this motion will be decided on the papers and no appearances are required. Note that this is an automatically generated message from the Clerk`s Office and does not supersede any previous or subsequent orders from the Court. (amv)

12 May 20, 2025

ORDER granting 11 Motion to Withdraw as Attorney. Attorney NATHAN SHULOCK terminated. Signed by Magistrate Judge Justin T. Quinn on 5/20/2025. (mlh) (Entered: 05/20/2025)

RECAP
13 May 21, 2025

Notice to be terminated and withdraw from Notices of Electronic filing as to case. Attorney SUSAN R. MILLENKY terminated. (MILLENKY, SUSAN) (Entered: 05/21/2025)

RECAP
14 May 22, 2025

Letter from Christopher Napier. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(NAPIER, CHRISTOPHER) . (Entered: 05/22/2025)

1 Text of Proposed Order

View on RECAP

RECAP
15 May 23, 2025

TEXT ORDER: Defendant's pro hac vice application is denied for failure to comply with the requirements set forth in Local Civil Rule 101.1(c). The Clerk of Court kindly shall terminate ECF No. 14 . So Ordered by Magistrate Judge Justin T. Quinn on 5/23/2025. (eh, ) (Entered: 05/23/2025)

RECAP
May 23, 2025

Order on Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice

16 May 29, 2025

Letter from Christopher Napier. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Affidavit of Andrea Mitchell, # 2 Text of Proposed Order Proposed Order)(NAPIER, CHRISTOPHER) (Entered: 05/29/2025)

1 Affidavit Affidavit of Andrea Mitchell

View on RECAP

2 Text of Proposed Order Proposed Order

View on RECAP

RECAP
17 June 2, 2025

ORDER granting pro hac vice admission as to ANDREA MITCHELL. Signed by Magistrate Judge Justin T. Quinn on 6/2/2025. (kht) Modified on 6/2/2025 (kht). (Entered: 06/02/2025)

RECAP
18 June 3, 2025

Notice of Request by Pro Hac Vice Andrea Mitchell to receive Notices of Electronic Filings. ( Pro Hac Vice fee $ 250 receipt number ANJDC-16317894.) (NAPIER, CHRISTOPHER) (Entered: 06/03/2025)

RECAP
June 3, 2025

Notice of Pro Hac Vice counsel added

June 3, 2025

Pro Hac Vice counsel, ANDREA MITCHELL, has been added to receive Notices of Electronic Filing. Pursuant to L.Civ.R. 101.1, only local counsel are entitled to sign and file papers, enter appearances and receive payments on judgments, decrees or orders. (amv)

19 Dec. 10, 2025

NOTICE of Appearance by JENNIFER SLAGLE PECK on behalf of UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (SLAGLE PECK, JENNIFER) (Entered: 12/10/2025)

RECAP
20 Dec. 10, 2025

NOTICE by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TO WITHDRAW ATTORNEY (CAMPOS, MARTA) (Entered: 12/10/2025)

RECAP

Case Details

State / Territory:

New Jersey

Case Type(s):

Fair Housing/Lending/Insurance

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Reversing Course on Existing Litigation

Key Dates

Filing Date: Sept. 18, 2024

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

The plaintiff is the Department of Justice (DOJ) which is an executive department of the United States federal government that oversees the domestic enforcement of federal laws and the administration of justice.

Plaintiff Type(s):

U.S. Dept of Justice plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

U.S. Dept. of Justice Civil Rights Division

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Private Entity/Person

OceanFirst Bank, National Association

Defendant Type(s):

Bank or credit provider

Jurisdiction-wide

Facility Type(s):

Non-government for-profit

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA), 15 U.S.C. § 1691

Fair Housing Act/Fair Housing Amendments Act (FHAA), 42 U.S.C. §§ 3601 et seq.

Other Dockets:

District of New Jersey 3:24-cv-09248

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff OR Mixed

Relief Sought:

Damages

Declaratory judgment

Injunction

Relief Granted:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree

Content of Injunction:

Comply with advertising/recruiting requirements

Discrimination Prohibition

Follow recruitment, hiring, or promotion protocols

Hire

Monitoring

Recordkeeping

Reporting

Training

Order Duration: 2024 - 2029

Issues

General/Misc.:

Housing

Other Banking

Racial profiling

Racial segregation

Discrimination Area:

Disparate Impact

Disparate Treatment

Housing Sales/Rental

Lending

Discrimination Basis:

National origin discrimination

Race discrimination

Affected Language(s):

Spanish

Affected National Origin/Ethnicity(s):

Hispanic

Affected Race(s):

Asian/Pacific Islander

Black

Recommended Citation