Form 4: NewtekOne Director Fernando Perez-Hickman Receives Restricted Stock Grant

NewtekOne, Inc. Director Fernando Perez-Hickman was granted 2,283 restricted shares of common stock valued at $10.95 per share under the company's 2023 Stock Incentive Plan, increasing his total beneficial ownership to 8,264 shares.

Summary

• Fernando Perez-Hickman, a Director of NewtekOne, Inc. (NEWT), was granted 2,283 restricted shares of common stock on June 30, 2025.
• The grant was made under the Shareholder and Board approved NewtekOne, Inc. 2023 Stock Incentive Plan.
• The shares were valued at $10.95 per share at the time of the grant.
• These restricted shares will vest 100% after 12 months.
• Dividends, paid in the form of common stock during the restricted period, will also vest according to the same schedule.
• Following this transaction, Fernando Perez-Hickman beneficially owns a total of 8,264 shares of NewtekOne, Inc. common stock.

Sentiment

Score: 7

Explanation: The grant of restricted stock to a director is a positive sign of management alignment and retention, reflecting standard corporate governance practices. It's a routine transaction with no immediate negative implications, though it does represent a non-cash expense and minor potential dilution.

Positives

• The grant aligns the interests of a key director with those of shareholders through equity ownership.
• The award is part of a shareholder and board-approved incentive plan, indicating structured compensation.
• The vesting schedule encourages long-term commitment from the director.
• Dividends paid in common stock during the restricted period further enhance equity alignment.

Negatives

• The grant of restricted stock, while common, represents a non-cash compensation expense for the company.
• The issuance of new shares for the award could lead to minor dilution for existing shareholders, although the amount is small.

Risks

• The value of the restricted stock award is subject to the future performance of NewtekOne, Inc.'s common stock price.
• Failure to meet the vesting conditions (e.g., director departure before 12 months) would result in forfeiture of the unvested shares.

Future Outlook

The restricted shares will vest 100% after 12 months from the grant date, indicating a future milestone for the full ownership of these shares. Dividends paid in common stock during the restricted period will also vest according to this schedule.

Industry Context

Stock incentive plans and restricted stock awards are common practices across various industries to align management and director interests with shareholder value, particularly in financial services and technology sectors where NewtekOne operates. This grant is consistent with typical corporate compensation strategies aimed at retention and performance incentives.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• This type of restricted stock grant to a director is a standard practice for public companies, aligning with common corporate governance principles that incentivize long-term performance and retention.
• The specific value and number of shares would typically be benchmarked against peer companies in the financial services or business development company (BDC) sector, considering the company's size, performance, and the director's role. Without specific peer data, a direct comparison of the grant size is not possible, but the mechanism itself is standard.

Corporate Governance

Related Party Transactions

• The transaction is a compensation grant to a director, which is a related party, but it is conducted under a pre-approved incentive plan and is a standard form of compensation.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: Interests are aligned with the director through equity ownership; minor potential dilution from the issuance of new shares.
• Employees: No direct impact mentioned, but the existence of a stock incentive plan suggests a broader framework for employee incentives.
• Management: The director's compensation structure is enhanced, potentially increasing retention and motivation.

Next Steps

• The restricted shares granted on June 30, 2025, are expected to vest 100% after 12 months.

Key Dates

Recommendation

Keywords

NewtekOne, NEWT, SEC Form 4, Restricted Stock Award, Stock Incentive Plan, Director Compensation, Equity Grant, Insider Trading, Corporate Governance, Shareholder Alignment