SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM 11-K ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 [X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 [NO FEE REQUIRED, EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 7, 1996]. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005 --------------------------------------------------- OR [ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 [NO FEE REQUIRED]. For the transition period from _______________ to ______________________ Commission File Number 001-31566 A. Full title of the plan and the address of the plan, if different from that of the issuer named below: The Provident Bank 401(k) Plan B: Name of issuer of the securities held pursuant to the plan and the address of its principal executive office: Provident Financial Services, Inc. 830 Bergen Avenue Jersey City, New Jersey 07306-4599 THE PROVIDENT BANK 401(k) PLAN Financial Statements December 31, 2005 and 2004 (With Report of Independent Registered Public Accountant Thereon) THE PROVIDENT BANK 401(k) PLAN Financial Statements Index Page Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 1 Statements of Net Assets Available for Plan Benefits - December 31, 2005 and 2004 2 Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for Plan Benefits - Years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004 3 Notes to Financial Statements 4 Schedule of Assets Held for Investment Purposes at End of Year Schedule 1 Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Benefits Committee The Provident Bank: We have audited the accompanying statements of net assets available for plan benefits of The Provident Bank 401(k) Plan (the "Plan") (formerly known as The Incentive Savings Plan for the Employees of First Savings Bank) as of December 31, 2005 and 2004, and the related statements of changes in net assets available for plan benefits for the years then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Plan's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the net assets available for plan benefits of The Provident Bank 401(k) Plan as of December 31, 2005 and 2004, and the changes in net assets available for plan benefits for the years then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Our audits were performed for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic financial statements taken as a whole. The supplementary schedule of assets held for investment purposes at end of year is presented for purposes of additional analysis and is not a required part of the 2005 basic financial statements, but is supplementary information required by the Department of Labor's Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. This supplemental schedule is the responsibility of the Plan's management. The supplemental schedule has been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the audit of the 2005 basic financial statements and, in our opinion, is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the 2005 basic financial statements taken as a whole. /s/ KPMG LLP Short Hills, New Jersey June 27, 2006 THE PROVIDENT BANK 401(k) PLAN Statements of Net Assets Available for Plan Benefits December 31, 2005 and 2004 2005 2004 ------------------- ---------------- Assets: Investments, at fair value $ 32,630,638 11,947,484 Participant loans receivable 617,080 207,680 Contributions receivable 48,369 - Accrued income and other assets - 2,050 ------------------- ---------------- Net assets available for plan benefits $ 33,296,087 12,157,214 =================== ================ See accompanying notes to financial statements. 2 THE PROVIDENT BANK 401(k) PLAN Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for Plan Benefits Years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004 2005 2004 --------------------- ----------------- Additions: Interest income $ 14,735 $ 11,177 Dividend income 264,570 369,201 Realized and unrealized (depreciation) appreciation of investments (18,311) 351,604 Employee contributions 608,748 345,217 Employer contributions 69,688 62,253 Transfers from predecessor plan 23,566,066 - --------------------- ----------------- Total additions 24,505,496 1,139,452 Deductions: Distributions 3,365,265 8,480,644 Administrative expenses 1,358 13,068 --------------------- ----------------- Total deductions 3,366,623 8,493,712 --------------------- ----------------- Increase (decrease) in net assets available for plan benefits 21,138,873 (7,354,260) Net assets available for plan benefits at beginning of year 12,157,214 19,511,474 --------------------- ----------------- Net assets available for plan benefits at end of year $ 33,296,087 $ 12,157,214 ===================== ================= See accompanying notes to financial statements. 3 THE PROVIDENT BANK 401(k) PLAN Notes to the Financial Statements December 31, 2005 and 2004 (1) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (a) Basis of Presentation The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on an accrual basis of accounting. The Provident Bank 401(k) Plan (the "Plan"), formerly known as The Incentive Savings Plan for the Employees of First Savings Bank, is subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA"). (b) Plan Changes Effective September 30, 2005, the Provident Bank Employee Savings Incentive Plan merged into the Incentive Savings Plan for the Employees of First Savings Bank. The merged plan was re-named The Provident Bank 401(k) Plan. (c) Funds and Accounts Managed by Principal Trust Company In 2005, the Plan changed trustees from Merrill Lynch to the Principal Trust Company. Under the terms of a trust agreement between the Principal Trust Company (the "Custodian") and The Provident Bank (the "Bank"), the Custodian managed funds on behalf of the Plan. The Custodian held the Plan's investment assets and executed transactions therein. The investments in the funds were reported to the Bank by the Custodian as having been determined through the use of current values for all assets. (d) Use of Estimates The Plan administrator has made estimates and assumptions relating to the preparation of the financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Actual results could differ from those estimates. (e) Concentration of Risk The assets of the Plan are primarily financial instruments which are monetary in nature. As a result, interest rates have a more significant impact on the Plan's performance than the effects of general levels of inflation. Interest rates do not necessarily move in the same direction or in the same magnitude as the prices of goods and services as measured by the consumer price index. Investments in investment funds are subject to risk conditions of the individual fund objectives, stock market fluctuations, interest rates, economic conditions and world affairs. (2) Plan Description The Plan is a voluntary, participant-directed defined contribution plan sponsored by the Bank and covers all employees who complete one year of continuous service, as defined, with the Bank and who worked at least 1,000 hours during such year. The following description of the Plan provides only general information. Eligible employees who participated in the Plan should refer to the Plan agreement for a more complete description of the Plan's provisions. (a) Employee Contributions Participants may elect to make tax-deferred contributions up to the maximum amount allowed by the Internal Revenue Service. 4 THE PROVIDENT BANK 401(k) PLAN Notes to the Financial Statements December 31, 2005 and 2004 (b) Employer Contributions In 2005 and 2004, contributions were made by the Bank in an amount equal to 25% and 50%, respectively, of the first 6% of a participant's eligible contributions. The Board of Directors sets the Bank's matching contribution rate in its sole discretion. (c) Vesting Participants are always fully vested in their contributions and income or losses thereon. Prior to October 1, 2005, employer contributions and income or losses thereon were also fully vested. Commencing October 1, 2005, employer contributions and income or losses thereon were vested as follows: 33% vested at the end of the first year of service, 67% vested at the end of the second year of service, and 100% vested at the end of the third year of service. Additionally, a participant shall become 100% vested if he terminates employment on or after he attains age 65, or as a result of his death or disability. (d) Forfeitures Forfeitures of non-vested contributions used to reduce subsequent employer contributions for the year ended December 31, 2005 amounted to $15,506. There were no forfeitures in 2004. (e) Participant Loans Upon written application by a participant, the Administrator may have directed that a loan be made from the participant's account. The maximum permissible loan available was limited to the lesser of (i) $50,000 with certain restrictions or (ii) 50% of his account. Any loan made must generally be repaid within a period not to exceed the earlier of termination of employment or five years. Loans bear a reasonable rate of interest and, once fixed, remain in effect for the duration of the loan. Principal and interest were paid ratably through bi-weekly payroll deductions or directly by the participants to the trustee. (f) Benefit Payments/Withdrawals Upon retirement or termination of employment, participants may, under certain conditions, elect to receive vested amounts in (i) a cash lump sum, or (ii) equal monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual installments over a period not to exceed the life expectancy of the participant or the combined life expectancy of the participant and his designated beneficiary. During employment, participants may make cash withdrawals of post-tax participant contributions and related vested employer matching contributions and earnings thereon once per year without penalty. Hardship withdrawals of pre-tax participant contributions are also permitted once per year, but with a penalty. (g) Participants' Accounts Separate accounts for each participant were maintained and credited with the participant's contributions, the Bank's contributions made on behalf of that participant and the participant's proportionate share, as defined, of plan earnings or losses. The benefit to which a participant is entitled is the benefit that can be provided from his account. 5 THE PROVIDENT BANK 401(k) PLAN Notes to the Financial Statements December 31, 2005 and 2004 (h) Investment Valuation Investments were valued at fair market value. Investment transactions were recorded on a trade date basis. (3) Plan Expenses Certain costs of administrative services rendered on behalf of the Plan were borne by the Bank. (4) Plan Termination The Plan has no termination date, and it is the Bank's intention to continue the Plan indefinitely. Upon termination of the Plan, the amounts credited to participant accounts would become fully vested. (5) Federal Income Taxes The Internal Revenue Service issued its latest determination letter on February 25, 2005, which stated that the Plan and its underlying trust qualify under the applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and therefore are exempt from federal income taxes. In the opinion of the Plan administrator, the Plan and its underlying trust have operated within the terms of the Plan and remain qualified under the applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. (6) Investments Investments at December 31, 2005 and 2004 consisted of mutual funds, loans to participants and common stock issued by Provident Financial Services, Inc. At December 31, 2005 and 2004, individual investments in excess of 5% of net assets available for plan benefits were as follows: December 31, 2005 December 31, 2004 ------------------ ------------------- Principal Trust Company: Provident Financial Services, Inc., investment in common stock $ 11,093,771 4,238,913 Investors Large Company Growth 3,531,200 -- Principal Investors Lifetime Str Inc Separate Account 2,691,318 -- Principal Diversified International Separate Account 2,218,024 -- Principal Fixed Income 401(a)/(k) 6,780,390 -- Principal Large Cap Value II Separate Account 2,800,621 -- Aim Blue Chip Fund Class A -- 810,623 Merrill Lynch Retirement Preservation Trust -- 5,085,602 6 Schedule 1 THE PROVIDENT BANK 401(k) PLAN Schedule of Assets Held for Investment Purposes at End of Year December 31, 2005 Market Cost value ----------------------------- Principal Trust Company High Yield Opp A Fund $ 11,239 11,244 Columbia Acorn A Fund 252,122 252,346 AM FDS GRTH FD of AM R4 Fund 137,827 141,030 Bond and Mtg Separate Account 1,058,993 1,066,114 Principal Lifetime 2010 Separate Account 54,034 54,805 Principal Lifetime 2020 Separate Account 114,286 117,315 Principal Lifetime 2030 Separate Account 34,141 35,073 Principal Lifetime 2040 Separate Account 15,091 15,486 Principal Lifetime 2050 Separate Account 5,893 5,916 Principal Lifetime Str Inc Separate Account 2,658,173 2,691,318 Value I Separate Account 109,734 112,232 Medium Company Blend 141,880 143,964 MDCP GR II Separate Account 1,270,917 1,306,817 Large Company Growth Separate Account 3,486,878 3,531,200 Large Cap Blend Separate Account 21,775 22,468 Small Cap Value I Separate Account 11,516 11,750 Large Cap Stk Idx Separate Account 115,845 116,860 Diversified International Separate Account 2,099,306 2,218,024 U.S. Property Separate Account 19,958 20,481 Principal Fixed Income 401(a)/(k) 6,724,784 6,780,390 LGCAP Value II Separate Account 2,758,707 2,800,621 SMCAP STK IDX Separate Account 78,791 81,413 Provident Financial Services, Inc., investment in common stock 10,374,488 11,093,771 ============================== See accompanying report of independent registered public accounting firm. Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm The Board of Directors Provident Financial Services, Inc.: We consent to the incorporation by reference in registration statement no. 333-103041 on Form S-8 of Provident Financial Services, Inc. of our report dated June 27, 2006, relating to the statements of net assets available for plan benefits of The Provident Bank 401(k) Plan (formerly known as The Incentive Savings Plan for the Employees of First Savings Bank) as of December 31, 2005 and 2004, and the related statements of changes in net assets available for plan benefits for the years then ended, and the supplemental schedule of assets held for investment purposes at end of year as of December 31, 2005, which report appears in the December 31, 2005 Annual Report on Form 11-K of The Provident Bank 401(k) Plan. /s/ KPMG LLP Short Hills, New Jersey June 28, 2006 SIGNATURES The Plan. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the trustees (or other persons who administer the employee benefit plan) have duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. THE PROVIDENT BANK 401(k) PLAN Date: June 20, 2006 By: /s/ Joanne Hynes ------------------- Name: Joanne Hynes Title: Plan Administrator