Form 4: Director Acquires SSB Stock in Lieu of Cash Retainer

SouthState Bank Corp Director Shantella E. Cooper acquired 292 shares of common stock at $102.97 per share as part of her quarterly retainer.

Summary

• Director Shantella E. Cooper acquired 292 shares of SouthState Bank Corp (SSB) common stock.
• The transaction occurred on February 2, 2026, with a deemed execution date on the same day.
• The shares were acquired at a price of $102.97 per share.
• This acquisition was in lieu of a quarterly cash retainer payment, aligning the director's interests with shareholders.
• Following this transaction, Ms. Cooper beneficially owns a total of 10,013 shares of SSB common stock.

Sentiment

Score: 7

Explanation: StockSavvy.ai views this as a moderately positive signal, as a director's decision to take equity instead of cash for compensation suggests confidence in the company's future value and aligns their financial interests with those of shareholders.

Positives

• A Director chose to receive company stock instead of cash for her retainer, indicating confidence in the company's future performance and aligning her interests with shareholders.
• The acquisition increases the Director's direct ownership stake in SouthState Bank Corp, demonstrating a commitment to the company's long-term success.

Future Outlook

This filing does not contain forward-looking statements or guidance regarding the company's future performance.

Management Comments

• Common stock issued to the reporting Director in lieu of quarterly cash retainer payment.

Industry Context

StockSavvy.ai notes that insider purchases, particularly when directors opt for equity over cash compensation, can signal strong confidence in the company's long-term prospects within the regional banking sector. This aligns with a broader trend where management's interests are further aligned with shareholders.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• This transaction is a standard practice for director compensation, where equity is often used to align interests. For example, similar practices are observed at regional banks like Truist Financial Corporation (TFC) and Synovus Financial Corp (SNV), where directors frequently receive a portion of their compensation in stock.
• The specific value of $102.97 per share reflects the market price at the time of the transaction, which is typical for such equity grants and ensures fair valuation for compensation purposes.

Related Party Transactions

• Director Shantella E. Cooper received 292 shares of common stock from SouthState Bank Corp as compensation in lieu of a quarterly cash retainer payment, representing a related party transaction.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: The transaction increases the alignment of the director's financial interests with those of the shareholders, potentially fostering more shareholder-centric decision-making.
• Employees: No direct impact on employees is indicated by this filing.
• Customers: No direct impact on customers is indicated by this filing.
• Suppliers: No direct impact on suppliers is indicated by this filing.
• Creditors: No direct impact on creditors is indicated by this filing.

Key Dates

Recommendation

While the director's decision to take stock over cash is a positive signal of confidence in SouthState Bank Corp's future, a single insider transaction, without broader context of company performance or strategic shifts, is typically not sufficient to warrant a 'buy' recommendation. It reinforces a 'hold' stance for existing investors, suggesting stability and alignment, but does not present new fundamental drivers for a strong buy.

Keywords

SouthState Bank Corp, SSB, Form 4, Insider Transaction, Director Stock Acquisition, Equity Compensation, Shantella E. Cooper