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


                                  July 18, 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 1.01 ENTRY INTO A MATERIAL DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT
----------------------------------------------------

     On July 18, 2005,  Kearny Federal Savings Bank (the "Bank") entered into an
employment agreement with Mr. Craig L. Montanaro, a Senior Vice President of the
Bank. The Bank is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Registrant.

     In accordance with this agreement, Mr. Montanaro's base salary is $156,000.
The  agreement  has a term of  twenty-four  months  and  provides  for an annual
extension  of the  term of the  agreement  upon  determination  of the  Board of
Directors  that  the  executive's  performance  has  met  the  requirements  and
standards of the Board. If the Bank terminates Mr. Montanaro  without  "cause"as
defined in the agreement,  he will be entitled to a  continuation  of his salary
from the date of termination  through the remaining  term of the agreement.  Mr.
Montanaro's  employment agreement provides that if Mr. Montanaro's employment is
terminated  without  cause  within  twenty-four  months  following  a change  in
control,  he will be paid an amount equal to 2.0 times his most recent  calendar
year total compensation paid and accrued.

     A copy of the  employment  agreement  is included  with this Form 8-K as an
exhibit.


ITEM 9.01 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS
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    Exhibit                           Description
    Number                            -----------
    -------

      10.1            Employment Agreement between Kearny Federal Savings Bank
                      and Craig L. Montanaro








                                   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: July 21, 2005                    By: /s/ John N. Hopkins
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           John N. Hopkins
                                           President and Chief Executive Officer