Form 4: Stellar Bancorp Director Laura Bellows Receives Restricted Stock Grant

Stellar Bancorp, Inc. Director Laura D. Bellows was granted 2,230 restricted shares of common stock, which will vest in May 2026.

Summary

• Laura D. Bellows, a Director of Stellar Bancorp, Inc. (STEL), acquired 2,230 shares of common stock.
• The transaction occurred on June 6, 2025.
• These shares are restricted stock and were acquired at a price of $0, indicating a grant.
• The restricted shares are scheduled to vest on May 1, 2026, contingent upon Ms. Bellows' continued service as a director.
• Following this transaction, Ms. Bellows directly beneficially owns 2,230 shares of common stock.

Sentiment

Score: 6

Explanation: The sentiment is slightly positive as it indicates alignment of interests between a director and shareholders through equity compensation, a standard corporate governance practice.

Positives

• The grant of restricted stock to a director aligns their interests with those of shareholders, as the value of the compensation is tied to the company's stock performance.
• It demonstrates the company's commitment to retaining key board members through equity incentives.

Future Outlook

The restricted shares granted to Director Laura D. Bellows are set to vest on May 1, 2026, provided she continues her service as a director of Stellar Bancorp, Inc. until that date.

Industry Context

The granting of restricted stock to directors is a common practice across various industries, including the financial sector, to incentivize long-term commitment and align the interests of board members with company performance and shareholder value. This specific transaction is a routine compensation event for a director.

Related Party Transactions

• Laura D. Bellows, a director of Stellar Bancorp, Inc., received a grant of 2,230 restricted shares of common stock as part of her compensation.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: The grant of restricted stock aligns the director's financial interests with long-term shareholder value creation. There is a minor dilutive effect from the issuance of new shares, but this is typical for equity compensation plans.
• Employees: No direct impact on general employees is indicated by this filing.
• Customers/Suppliers/Creditors: No direct impact on these stakeholders is indicated by this filing.

Next Steps

• The restricted shares will vest on May 1, 2026, assuming Laura D. Bellows continues her service as a director of Stellar Bancorp, Inc.

Key Dates

Keywords

Stellar Bancorp, STEL, Restricted Stock, Director Compensation, SEC Form 4, Insider Transaction, Equity Grant, Corporate Governance