Form 4: Stellar Bancorp CRO's Tax-Related Stock Transaction

Stellar Bancorp's Senior Executive VP and CRO, Okan I. Akin, reported a disposition of 1,463 common shares to cover tax liabilities related to restricted stock vesting.

Summary

• Okan I. Akin, Senior Executive VP and Chief Risk Officer (CRO) of Stellar Bancorp, Inc. (STEL), reported a transaction involving company common stock.
• On October 1, 2025, 1,463 shares of common stock were disposed of.
• This disposition was made to satisfy tax liabilities associated with the vesting of previously reported restricted shares.
• The shares were valued at $30 per share for the purpose of tax withholding.
• Following this transaction, Okan I. Akin directly beneficially owns 81,500 shares of Stellar Bancorp common stock.

Sentiment

Score: 5

Explanation: The filing reports a routine, non-discretionary insider transaction for tax withholding purposes, which is neutral in sentiment and does not indicate positive or negative company performance or outlook.

Future Outlook

The filing does not contain any forward-looking statements or guidance regarding the company's future performance or strategic direction.

Industry Context

This is a routine insider transaction related to executive compensation and tax obligations, which is common across all industries and does not reflect broader industry trends or competitive positioning.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: Minimal impact as this is a routine, non-discretionary transaction for tax purposes and does not reflect a change in management's confidence or company fundamentals.

Key Dates

Recommendation

This Form 4 reports a routine, non-discretionary disposition of shares by a Senior Executive VP to cover tax liabilities associated with restricted stock vesting. Such transactions are common and do not typically reflect a change in management's outlook or a strategic move, thus not warranting a change in investment recommendation based solely on this filing.

Keywords

Stellar Bancorp, STEL, Okan I. Akin, Form 4, Insider Transaction, Stock Vesting, Tax Withholding, Common Stock