Form 4: Carter Bankshares Director Receives Restricted Stock Award

Carter Bankshares Director Catharine L. Midkiff was granted 1,802 shares of common stock as a Restricted Stock Award.

Summary

• Catharine L. Midkiff, a Director of Carter Bankshares, Inc. (CARE), acquired 1,802 shares of common stock on January 2, 2026.
• The acquisition was a Restricted Stock Award with a one-year vesting period.
• The shares were acquired at a price of $0 per share, consistent with a grant.
• Following this transaction, Ms. Midkiff directly beneficially owns 17,856 shares of Carter Bankshares common stock.
• An additional 1,200 shares are indirectly beneficially owned by her spouse.

Sentiment

Score: 7

Explanation: The filing reports a standard director compensation event (Restricted Stock Award), which is a positive for aligning interests but not a significant market-moving event on its own. It reflects routine corporate governance.

Positives

• Director Catharine L. Midkiff received a Restricted Stock Award of 1,802 shares, which aligns her interests with those of shareholders.
• The one-year vesting period for the award serves as a retention incentive for the director.

Future Outlook

The 1,802 shares of common stock granted as a Restricted Stock Award on January 2, 2026, are subject to a one-year vesting period, indicating they are expected to fully vest on or around January 2, 2027.

Industry Context

Restricted Stock Awards are a common form of executive and director compensation in the banking and financial services industry, used to align long-term interests with shareholders and promote retention.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• The grant of restricted stock to a director is a standard practice in corporate governance, aligning director incentives with long-term shareholder value.
• While specific comparable companies or projects are not detailed in this filing, such awards are prevalent across publicly traded banks of similar size to Carter Bankshares, Inc.

Corporate Governance

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: The director's interests are further aligned with shareholders through equity compensation, potentially fostering long-term value creation.
• Management: This reflects a standard compensation practice for directors, contributing to board stability and engagement.

Next Steps

• The 1,802 Restricted Stock Award shares are expected to vest approximately one year from the transaction date of January 2, 2026.

Key Dates

Recommendation

This Form 4 filing details a routine director compensation event (Restricted Stock Award) and does not contain information that would fundamentally alter the investment thesis for Carter Bankshares, Inc. It reflects standard corporate governance and compensation practices, suggesting no immediate catalyst for a 'buy' or 'sell' recommendation based solely on this disclosure. Investors should consider broader financial performance and market conditions.

Keywords

Carter Bankshares, CARE, Restricted Stock Award, Director Compensation, SEC Form 4, Stock Grant, Insider Transaction