Form 4: Stellar Bancorp CEO Sells Shares for Tax Liability

Stellar Bancorp CEO Robert R. Franklin Jr. disposed of 2,617 shares of common stock to cover tax liabilities related to restricted stock vesting.

Summary

• Robert R. Franklin Jr., Chief Executive Officer and Director of Stellar Bancorp, Inc. (STEL), reported a transaction on December 31, 2025.
• The transaction involved the disposition of 2,617 shares of Stellar Bancorp Common Stock.
• The shares were disposed of at a price of $30.94 per share.
• This disposition was made to satisfy tax liability associated with the vesting of previously reported restricted shares of Common Stock.
• Following this transaction, Robert R. Franklin Jr. directly beneficially owns 396,285 shares of Common Stock.
• The transaction was conducted pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1(c) plan.

Sentiment

Score: 5

Explanation: The transaction is a routine, non-discretionary event for tax purposes related to equity compensation, indicating a neutral sentiment regarding company performance or outlook.

Future Outlook

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

Industry Context

This type of transaction, involving the disposition of shares to cover tax liabilities upon the vesting of restricted stock, is a routine and common occurrence for executives in publicly traded companies across all industries. It is a standard practice for managing equity compensation and does not typically indicate a change in company fundamentals or executive sentiment.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: Minimal to no direct impact as this is a routine tax-related transaction and not a discretionary sale.

Key Dates

Recommendation

This Form 4 filing details a routine, non-discretionary disposition of shares by the CEO to cover tax obligations arising from restricted stock vesting. Such transactions are common and pre-scheduled under Rule 10b5-1 plans, and therefore do not typically reflect a change in the executive's confidence in the company or its future prospects. As such, this specific filing provides no new information that would warrant a change in investment recommendation; a 'hold' stance is maintained based solely on this report.

Keywords

Stellar Bancorp, STEL, Robert R. Franklin Jr., CEO, Insider Trading, Form 4, Stock Disposition, Tax Liability, Restricted Stock, Equity Compensation