SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20552


                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

                       Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
                       the Securities Exchange Act of 1934


                                February 23, 2005
             ------------------------------------------------------
                Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)




                             Kearny Financial Corp.
             ------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its Charter)


     United States                 0-51093                     22-3803741   
----------------------------     ----------                   -------------
(State or other jurisdiction     (File No.)                   (IRS Employer
 of incorporation)                                        Identification Number)


120 Passaic Avenue, Fairfield, New Jersey                   07004   
-----------------------------------------                   -----   
(Address of principal executive offices)                (Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code:   (973) 244-4500   


                                 Not Applicable
             ------------------------------------------------------
          (Former name or former address, if changed since last Report)

         Check the  appropriate  box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously  satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions:

|_|  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act
|_|  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act
|_|  Pre-commencement   communications  pursuant  to  Rule  14d-2(b)  under  the
     Exchange Act
|_|  Pre-commencement   communications  pursuant  to  Rule  13e-4(c)  under  the
     Exchange Act



                             KEARNY FINANCIAL CORP.

                      INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN REPORT
                      ------------------------------------


Item 8.01.  Other Events
            ------------

         The Registrant  announced that it closed its minority stock offering at
the close of  business  on  February  23,  2005.  Shares of the  Registrant  are
expected to begin  trading on February  24, 2005 on the Nasdaq  National  Market
under the symbol "KRNY."

         Reference is made to the press release dated  February 23, 2005,  which
is attached hereto as Exhibit 99 and incorporated herein by this reference.

Item 9.01.  Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits
            ------------------------------------------------------------------



     Exhibit           
     Number                   Description
     ------                   -----------
        99       Press Release dated February 23, 2005





                                   SIGNATURES


         Pursuant to the  requirements  of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934,
the  Registrant  has duly  caused  this Report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

                                 KEARNY FINANCIAL CORP.



Date: February 23, 2005          By:      /s/John N. Hopkins
                                          -------------------------------------
                                          John N. Hopkins
                                          President and Chief Executive Officer