Form 4: PEBO Executive Buys Shares via Employee Stock Plan

Peoples Bancorp EVP/General Counsel Michael Ryan Kirkham acquired 11.7508 shares of common stock at $25.53 per share through an employee stock purchase plan.

Summary

• Michael Ryan Kirkham, EVP/General Counsel of Peoples Bancorp Inc. (PEBO), acquired 11.7508 shares of common stock.
• The transaction occurred on December 31, 2025, at a price of $25.53 per share.
• The shares were acquired through participation in an employee stock purchase plan, indicated by transaction code 'J'.
• Following this transaction, Mr. Kirkham directly beneficially owns 11,689.9967 shares of Peoples Bancorp common stock.

Sentiment

Score: 6

Explanation: Slightly positive due to an executive increasing their stake, even if through a routine plan, indicating continued confidence in the company.

Positives

• An executive increasing their stake in the company, even through a routine plan, can signal confidence in the company's future prospects.
• Participation in an employee stock purchase plan aligns management's interests with those of shareholders.

Negatives

• No specific negatives are indicated in this routine insider transaction filing.

Risks

• This filing does not contain information regarding company-specific risks.

Future Outlook

This Form 4 filing does not contain any forward-looking statements or guidance regarding the company's future outlook.

Industry Context

Insider transactions, particularly through employee stock purchase plans, are common across the banking sector. While this specific transaction is small, it reflects a standard mechanism for executive compensation and alignment of interests within financial institutions like Peoples Bancorp.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• Employee stock purchase plans are a common benefit offered by publicly traded companies, including those in the financial services industry, to encourage employee ownership and align interests with shareholders.
• The size of this particular acquisition (11.7508 shares) is relatively small and typical for routine, periodic contributions to such plans, rather than a large, discretionary open-market purchase.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: May view the executive's increased stake as a minor positive signal of management confidence in the company's long-term value.
• Employees: The transaction highlights the availability and utilization of employee stock purchase plans, which can be a positive for employee morale and retention.

Next Steps

• This filing does not mention any specific future actions, events, or milestones for the company or the reporting person beyond the reported transaction.

Key Dates

Keywords

Peoples Bancorp, PEBO, Insider Transaction, Form 4, Stock Purchase Plan, Michael Ryan Kirkham, Executive Stock Acquisition, Common Stock