Form 4: SSB Chief Strategy Officer's Equity Vesting and Tax Withholding

SouthState Bank Corp's Chief Strategy Officer, Stephen Dean Young, reported the vesting of performance share units and subsequent share withholding for tax obligations.

Summary

• Stephen Dean Young, Chief Strategy Officer of SouthState Bank Corp (SSB), reported changes in his beneficial ownership of common stock.
• On February 20, 2026, 10,433 shares of common stock were acquired through the vesting of Performance Share Units (PSUs).
• These PSUs were originally awarded on January 24, 2023, and vested after a three-year performance period concluding on December 31, 2025.
• Concurrently, 4,122 shares were disposed of at a price of $105.44 per share to satisfy tax liabilities associated with the vested securities.
• Following these transactions, Stephen Dean Young beneficially owns 52,935 shares of SouthState Bank Corp common stock.

Sentiment

Score: 7

Explanation: StockSavvy.ai views this as a moderately positive disclosure, reflecting the successful vesting of performance-based equity awards, which implies the achievement of underlying performance metrics.

Positives

• The vesting of 10,433 Performance Share Units indicates the achievement of performance targets over the three-year period ending December 31, 2025, reflecting positively on executive performance.

Future Outlook

This filing is a report of past transactions and does not contain forward-looking statements or guidance.

Industry Context

StockSavvy.ai notes that insider transactions, particularly the vesting of performance-based equity awards, are a common component of executive compensation in the financial services industry. The subsequent withholding of shares for tax purposes is a standard and routine mechanism for executives to manage their tax obligations upon the realization of equity compensation.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• The vesting of performance share units is a common executive compensation practice across the financial services industry, aligning executive incentives with long-term company performance, similar to practices at peers like Truist Financial Corporation (TFC) or Synovus Financial Corp (SNV).
• The method of share withholding for tax obligations is a standard and efficient process for managing tax liabilities associated with equity compensation, widely adopted by public companies.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: The vesting of performance share units suggests management achieved performance targets, which is generally positive for shareholder value.
• Employees (specifically the reporting person): Realization of equity compensation.

Key Dates

Keywords

SouthState Bank Corp, SSB, Form 4, insider transaction, equity vesting, performance share units, executive compensation, stock ownership, Stephen Dean Young