Form 4: Director Susan Cole Boosts PGC Stock Holdings

Peapack Gladstone Financial Corp Director Susan A. Cole reported the acquisition of common stock through RSU vesting and a new RSU grant.

Summary

• Susan A. Cole, a Director of Peapack Gladstone Financial Corp (PGC), reported transactions on March 20, 2026.
• She acquired 1,675 shares of PGC common stock through the vesting and conversion of Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) that were granted on March 20, 2025.
• Following this transaction, her direct beneficial ownership of PGC common stock increased to 12,935 shares.
• Additionally, she was granted 1,491 new Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) on March 20, 2026, which are scheduled to vest on March 20, 2027.

Sentiment

Score: 7

Explanation: StockSavvy.ai views this as a moderately positive signal, as it reflects a director's increased direct ownership and continued alignment with the company's long-term performance through equity compensation.

Positives

• Director Susan A. Cole increased her direct beneficial ownership of PGC common stock to 12,935 shares, aligning her interests with shareholders.
• The grant of 1,491 new Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) provides a long-term incentive for the director, linking future compensation to company performance.

Future Outlook

The grant of new Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) to Director Susan A. Cole indicates a continued long-term incentive structure for key management, aligning future performance with shareholder interests through equity vesting.

Industry Context

StockSavvy.ai notes that equity compensation, particularly through Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), is a standard practice across the financial services industry to incentivize directors and executives, aligning their long-term interests with company performance and shareholder value. This transaction is consistent with typical compensation structures for directors at regional banks like PGC.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• The use of Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) for director compensation is a common practice, comparable to compensation structures at peer regional banks such as Provident Financial Services (PFS) and Lakeland Bancorp (LBAI).
• The vesting schedule of one year for RSUs is typical for director grants, ensuring continued engagement and alignment with company performance over a reasonable period.

Related Party Transactions

• Director Susan A. Cole received a grant of 1,491 Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) on March 20, 2026, as part of her compensation package.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: The director's increased equity ownership aligns her interests with long-term shareholder value.
• Management: The equity compensation structure incentivizes the director to contribute to the company's sustained performance.

Next Steps

• Vesting of 1,491 Restricted Stock Units on March 20, 2027.

Key Dates

Recommendation

The filing details routine insider transactions related to director compensation, specifically the vesting of Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) and the grant of new RSUs. While the increase in direct ownership by a director is generally a positive signal of alignment, these are expected events and do not provide new fundamental information to warrant a change in investment recommendation. Therefore, a 'hold' recommendation is appropriate, maintaining current positions based on broader company fundamentals rather than this specific insider filing.

Keywords

Peapack Gladstone Financial Corp, PGC, Susan A. Cole, Form 4, Insider Transaction, Restricted Stock Units, RSU, Director Compensation, Equity Ownership