SCHEDULE: Willis Lease Finance Insider Ownership Update

An amended Schedule 13D reveals updated beneficial ownership stakes for key insiders at Willis Lease Finance Corp, including a new stock option grant for Charles F. Willis, IV and recent share sales by Austin C. Willis.

Summary

• CFW Partners, L.P. beneficially owns 2,134,148 shares, representing 27.9% of the common stock.
• Charles F. Willis, IV beneficially owns 3,425,676 shares, representing 44.79% of the common stock, which includes 300,000 shares underlying a new stock option award.
• Austin C. Willis beneficially owns 885,878 shares, representing 11.58% of the common stock.
• On November 10, 2025, Charles F. Willis, IV was granted a non-qualified stock option for 300,000 shares with an exercise price of $126.55, vesting in four equal annual installments starting November 10, 2026.
• Austin C. Willis executed multiple direct and indirect sales of shares on October 1, 2025, at weighted average prices between $135.7028 and $137.12.
• Austin C. Willis also executed multiple direct and indirect sales of shares on November 3, 2025, at weighted average prices between $125.7427 and $127.5879.
• All sales by Austin C. Willis were conducted under a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan adopted on June 3, 2025.

Sentiment

Score: 6

Explanation: The sentiment is moderately positive due to a significant stock option grant to a key insider, aligning interests with long-term performance. However, this is slightly tempered by recent share sales from another insider, even if under a 10b5-1 plan.

Positives

• Charles F. Willis, IV, a significant insider, received a new non-qualified stock option award for 300,000 shares, aligning his interests with long-term shareholder value.

Negatives

• Austin C. Willis, another reporting person, sold a total of 12,200 shares across multiple direct and indirect transactions in October and November 2025, potentially indicating a reduction in his direct exposure to the company's stock.

Future Outlook

NA

Industry Context

NA

Related Party Transactions

• The stock option award to Charles F. Willis, IV is a transaction between the company and a related party (executive).
• Austin C. Willis's indirect sales via various trusts (Rooster A. Willis 2019 Trust, Wilder Grace Willis 2019 Trust, Charles F. Willis V 2019 Trust) are related party transactions.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: The option grant to Charles F. Willis, IV could be seen as positive for long-term alignment, while the sales by Austin C. Willis might be viewed with caution, though they were pre-planned.
• Management: Charles F. Willis, IV's compensation package is enhanced with a new stock option award.

Next Steps

• Vesting of Charles F. Willis, IV's stock options will occur in four equal installments on November 10, 2026, 2027, 2028, and 2029.

Key Dates

Recommendation

The filing primarily details routine insider ownership updates, including a new stock option grant to a key executive and pre-planned share sales by another. While the option grant aligns executive interests with long-term performance, the sales, even if planned, might introduce a slight cautionary note. There are no new fundamental business insights or significant strategic shifts to warrant a strong buy or sell recommendation based solely on this filing. Investors should hold and monitor future operational performance and strategic developments.

Keywords

Willis Lease Finance Corp, WLFC, Schedule 13D, Beneficial Ownership, Stock Options, Insider Trading, Share Sales, Corporate Governance, Charles F. Willis IV, Austin Chandler Willis