Form 4: BayFirst CEO Zernick Reports Stock Activity

BayFirst Financial Corp. CEO Thomas Gerard Zernick reported recent stock transactions, including a purchase through a stock plan and shares withheld for tax obligations.

Summary

• Thomas Gerard Zernick, CEO and Director of BayFirst Financial Corp. (BAFN), reported changes in his beneficial ownership of common stock.
• On February 5, 2026, Zernick acquired 249.1281 shares of common stock at a price of $6.021 per share through the Issuer's Non-Qualified Stock Purchase Plan.
• Following this acquisition, his direct beneficial ownership increased to 19,454.7141 shares.
• On February 3, 2026, 890 shares of common stock were disposed of at $6.65 per share.
• This disposition represents shares withheld by the Issuer to satisfy tax withholding obligations related to the net settlement of restricted stock awards, and does not represent a sale by Zernick.
• After the tax withholding, Zernick's direct beneficial ownership decreased to 18,564.7141 shares.
• Zernick also holds 1,659.0275 shares indirectly through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).

Sentiment

Score: 6

Explanation: StockSavvy.ai views this as a slightly positive signal due to the CEO's purchase of shares, albeit a small amount, through a company plan, which is partially offset by a routine tax-related disposition.

Positives

• Acquisition of 249.1281 shares of common stock by the CEO, indicating continued participation in the company's equity.
• The acquisition was made through a Non-Qualified Stock Purchase Plan, suggesting a structured, ongoing investment by management.

Negatives

• Disposition of 890 shares, although for tax withholding purposes, reduces the CEO's direct beneficial ownership.

Future Outlook

NA

Industry Context

StockSavvy.ai notes that routine insider transactions, such as those reported in a Form 4, are common and typically reflect standard compensation and investment plans rather than significant shifts in strategy or performance. The specific transactions here do not provide enough information to draw conclusions about broader industry trends.

Related Party Transactions

• Acquisition of shares through the Issuer's Non-Qualified Stock Purchase Plan.
• Disposition of shares for tax withholding related to restricted stock awards from the Issuer.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: Provides transparency regarding insider stock ownership changes, which can be a minor factor in investment decisions.
• Employees: The Non-Qualified Stock Purchase Plan and Restricted Stock Awards are part of employee compensation and benefit structures.

Key Dates

Recommendation

The reported transactions are routine insider activities, consisting of a small purchase through a stock plan and a tax-related disposition of restricted stock. These actions do not indicate a significant change in the company's fundamentals or outlook that would warrant a strong buy or sell recommendation. Investors should consider these as standard disclosures rather than a strong signal for immediate action.

Keywords

BayFirst Financial Corp., BAFN, Thomas Gerard Zernick, CEO, Director, Insider Transaction, Stock Purchase Plan, Restricted Stock Awards, Tax Withholding, Beneficial Ownership