Form 4: PEBO Director Vittorio Boosts Stake with Stock Acquisition

Peoples Bancorp Director Michael N. Vittorio acquired 437 shares of common stock at $29.99 per share, increasing his beneficial ownership to 10,109.116 shares.

Summary

• Michael N. Vittorio, a Director of Peoples Bancorp Inc. (PEBO), acquired 437 shares of common stock.
• The transaction occurred on September 30, 2025, at a price of $29.99 per share.
• This acquisition represents Board meeting fees and quarterly retainer paid in stock as part of non-employee director compensation.
• Following this transaction, Mr. Vittorio beneficially owns 10,109.116 shares of Peoples Bancorp Inc. common stock.

Sentiment

Score: 7

Explanation: The sentiment is moderately positive as a director increasing their stake, even through compensation, generally signals confidence in the company's future. It's a routine transaction, so not highly impactful, but still a positive alignment of interests.

Positives

• Director Michael N. Vittorio increased his direct beneficial ownership in Peoples Bancorp Inc. by acquiring 437 shares.
• The acquisition of shares as compensation aligns the director's interests with those of other shareholders.
• The transaction occurred at a price of $29.99 per share, reflecting the market value at the time of compensation.

Future Outlook

This filing does not contain any forward-looking statements or guidance.

Management Comments

• Represents Board meeting fees and quarterly retainer paid in stock as part of non-employee director compensation.

Industry Context

It is common practice for non-employee directors in the banking and financial services industry, such as Peoples Bancorp, to receive a portion of their compensation in the form of company stock. This practice is intended to align the interests of directors with those of shareholders and promote long-term value creation.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• The practice of compensating non-employee directors with company stock is a widely accepted corporate governance standard across various industries, including regional banking.
• Many publicly traded banks, similar to Peoples Bancorp, utilize stock-based compensation to incentivize directors and foster a long-term perspective. For example, directors at comparable regional banks like First Financial Bancorp (FFBC) or Wesbanco, Inc. (WSBC) often receive a mix of cash and equity for their board service.
• The specific amount of shares and the valuation method (market price at the time of grant) are consistent with typical compensation structures for non-executive directors.

Related Party Transactions

• The acquisition of shares by Director Michael N. Vittorio as compensation for Board meeting fees and quarterly retainer constitutes a related party transaction, as it involves a director and the issuer.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: Positive impact as the director's increased ownership aligns his interests with those of other shareholders, potentially signaling confidence in the company's long-term performance.
• Management: Reinforces the company's compensation structure for non-employee directors, promoting governance and alignment.

Key Dates

Keywords

Peoples Bancorp, PEBO, Insider Transaction, Form 4, Director Stock Acquisition, Michael N. Vittorio, Common Stock, Director Compensation, Share Ownership