Form 4: USCB EVP Bustle Granted Restricted Stock, Options Detailed

USCB Financial Holdings' EVP and Chief Lending Officer, Nicholas Bustle, was granted 7,015 shares of restricted stock, with vesting commencing in 2027.

Summary

• Nicholas Bustle, EVP and Chief Lending Officer of USCB Financial Holdings, Inc. (USCB), reported an acquisition of 7,015 shares of Class A Voting Common Stock.
• The acquisition, dated January 27, 2026, represents a grant of restricted stock with a price of $0 per share.
• These 7,015 restricted shares will vest at a rate of one-third per year, commencing on January 27, 2027.
• Following this transaction, Mr. Bustle directly beneficially owns 47,416 shares of Class A Voting Common Stock.
• Indirect beneficial ownership includes 9,820 shares held by his daughters and 6,250 shares held by his spouse.
• Existing restricted stock holdings include 4,631 shares (from a 6,947 share grant vesting from Jan 21, 2026), 1,087 shares (from a 3,261 share grant vesting from Jan 22, 2025), 2,039 shares (from a 6,117 share grant vesting from March 8, 2024), and 13,333 shares (from a 20,000 share grant vesting from Oct 28, 2025).
• Mr. Bustle also holds 30,000 stock options with an exercise price of $11.35, granted on April 17, 2020, and expiring on April 17, 2029, which vested one-third per year commencing April 17, 2020.
• Additionally, he holds 40,000 stock options with an exercise price of $12.05, granted on September 27, 2022, and expiring on September 27, 2031, which vest one-third per year commencing September 27, 2022.

Sentiment

Score: 6

Explanation: The filing reports a standard executive compensation event involving a restricted stock grant and existing stock options. This is generally positive for executive retention and alignment with shareholder interests, but it is a routine disclosure and not indicative of extraordinary company performance or issues.

Positives

• The grant of restricted stock aligns the executive's long-term interests with those of shareholders, promoting retention and performance.
• The executive's significant direct and indirect holdings, including stock options, demonstrate a substantial personal stake in the company's success.

Negatives

• The restricted stock grant itself does not provide immediate liquidity or cash compensation to the executive.

Future Outlook

The executive's compensation structure includes significant long-term incentives through restricted stock grants and stock options, with vesting schedules extending several years into the future, aligning his performance with the company's long-term success.

Industry Context

This filing reflects a routine executive compensation event, common across the financial services industry, where long-term equity incentives are used to attract, retain, and motivate key management personnel.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• The use of restricted stock and stock options as a significant component of executive compensation is a standard practice in the financial industry, comparable to compensation structures observed in other regional banks and financial holding companies.
• The vesting schedules, typically one-third per year over three years, are also common for such equity grants, designed to ensure long-term commitment and performance.

Related Party Transactions

• The grant of 7,015 shares of restricted stock to Nicholas Bustle, an executive officer, constitutes a related party transaction as part of his compensation package.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: Minor potential dilution from the issuance of new shares for the restricted stock grant, but balanced by improved executive alignment and retention.
• Employees: Standard executive compensation practices can set a precedent for other employee incentive programs.
• Management: The executive benefits from long-term equity incentives, enhancing wealth accumulation tied to company performance.

Next Steps

• The newly granted 7,015 shares of restricted stock will commence vesting at a rate of one-third per year starting January 27, 2027.
• Existing restricted stock grants will continue to vest according to their respective schedules.
• Existing stock options will remain exercisable until their expiration dates, subject to their vesting schedules.

Key Dates

Keywords

USCB Financial Holdings, USCB, Nicholas Bustle, Restricted Stock Grant, Stock Options, Insider Transaction, Executive Compensation, Beneficial Ownership