CHIEF HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER BERNADETTE TAYLOR TO RETIRE FROM FULTON FINANCIAL CORPORATION

Rhea-AI Summary

Fulton Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: FULT) announced that Chief Human Resources Officer Bernadette Taylor will retire on June 5, 2026. Karen Grafje, currently Director of Total Rewards and HR Solutions, will be promoted to Chief Human Resources Officer following Taylor's retirement.

Taylor joined Fulton in 1994 and became Chief HR Officer in 2015. Grafje joined Fulton three years ago and brings >25 years of HR experience plus SPHR, SHRM-SCP and CCP certifications.

Positive

• Planned succession with internal promotion to CHRO effective after June 5, 2026
• Successor experience: Karen Grafje brings over 25 years of human resources experience
• Relevant certifications held by successor: SPHR, SHRM-SCP, CCP

Negative

• Departure of long-tenured HR leader: Bernadette Taylor will leave after joining in 1994
• Near-term leadership transition on June 5, 2026 could require onboarding continuity

Key Figures

Retirement date: June 5, 2026 Tenure at Fulton: Since 1994 Years as CHRO: Since 2015 +2 more

5 metrics

Retirement date June 5, 2026 Planned retirement of Chief Human Resources Officer

Tenure at Fulton Since 1994 Bernadette Taylor’s start year at Fulton

Years as CHRO Since 2015 Promotion to Chief Human Resources Officer

Grafje tenure Three years Karen Grafje’s time at Fulton before promotion

HR experience More than 25 years Grafje’s human resources experience

Market Reality Check

Price: $20.89 Vol: Volume 1,547,919 vs. 20-d...

normal vol

$20.89 Last Close

Volume Volume 1,547,919 vs. 20-day average 1,931,917 (about 0.8x typical activity ahead of this news). normal

Technical Trading above 200-day MA of 18.93 with pre-news price at 20.89, despite today’s decline.

Peers on Argus

While FULT was down 5.5%, key regional bank peers were positive: RNST +5.65%, CA...

While FULT was down 5.5%, key regional bank peers were positive: RNST +5.65%, CATY +2.89%, FHB +3.08%, FIBK +3.96%, INDB +3.03%. This points to a stock-specific move rather than a sector-wide decline.

Historical Context

4 past events · Latest: Jan 21 (Positive)

Pattern 4 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Jan 21	Q4 and FY results	Positive	+2.6%	Reported higher 2025 net income and operating earnings with solid margins.
Jan 06	Earnings schedule	Neutral	+0.5%	Announced timing and access details for Q4 2025 earnings release and call.
Dec 18	Treasurer appointment	Neutral	-1.2%	Named a new treasurer with extensive balance-sheet and risk management experience.
Dec 16	Dividend and buyback	Positive	+2.3%	Raised common dividend and approved <b>$150M</b> repurchase program for common and other securities.

Pattern Detected

Recent fundamental and capital return announcements (earnings, dividends, buybacks) have generally coincided with modestly positive price moves.

Recent Company History

Over the past few months, Fulton reported strong results, including $381.4M 2025 net income and operating net income of $396.8M, with a 3.59% net interest margin and a new $150M 2026 repurchase program. It also raised the quarterly common dividend to $0.19 per share and appointed a new treasurer. These actions highlight profitability, shareholder returns, and leadership evolution, providing context for today’s HR leadership transition announcement.

Regulatory & Risk Context

Active S-3 Shelf

Shelf Active

Active S-3 Shelf Registration 2025-08-11

Fulton has an effective S-3ASR shelf registration filed on 2025-08-11, allowing issuance of various securities over time. As of the latest data, usage_count is 0, indicating no takedowns have been executed under this shelf.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement details a planned HR leadership transition, with the long-tenured Chief Human Reso...

Analysis

This announcement details a planned HR leadership transition, with the long-tenured Chief Human Resources Officer retiring on June 5, 2026 and an experienced internal executive stepping into the role. It follows a period of strong reported earnings, dividend increases, and an authorized $150M repurchase program, indicating broader strategic and governance activity. Investors may watch how the new HR leader supports culture, integration initiatives, and execution of ongoing corporate plans alongside existing financial and regulatory disclosures.

Key Terms

senior professional in human resources (sphr)

1 terms

senior professional in human resources (sphr) technical

"Grafje's certifications include Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR)..."

A senior professional in human resources (SPHR) is a senior-level certification that signals advanced knowledge and experience in workforce strategy, employment law, talent management and organizational planning. For investors, an SPHR-holder is like a trusted captain for a company’s people-related risks and opportunities: their expertise can reduce costly hiring or compliance mistakes, improve employee productivity, and support sustainable growth, all of which affect a company’s performance and value.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

LANCASTER, Pa., March 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Fulton Financial Corporation ("Fulton") (NASDAQ: FULT) today announced that Chief Human Resources Officer Bernadette Taylor will retire from Fulton on June 5, 2026.

Following Taylor's retirement, Karen Grafje, currently Director of Total Rewards and HR Solutions, will be promoted to Chief Human Resources Officer.

Taylor joined Fulton in 1994 as Corporate Training Director and was promoted to leadership positions in Human Resources, becoming Chief HR Officer in 2015.

"Bernadette has been instrumental in developing our company culture that sets us apart and helps us attract talented colleagues," said Curt Myers, Fulton's Chairman, CEO and President. "Collaborating with leadership across the company, Bernadette and her team have created a workplace that empowers us to better serve our customers and communities. I wish her all the best in retirement!"

"Throughout my career at Fulton, I have been grateful for the opportunity to work with team members who are truly dedicated to changing lives for the better," Taylor said. "With Karen's leadership, the Human Resources team will continue to enhance our employee experience, and I am excited about the company's future."

Grafje joined Fulton three years ago, bringing more than 25 years of experience in human resources. She holds a bachelor's degree in economics and a master's degree in industrial and labor relations, both from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Grafje's certifications include Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), Society for Human Resource Management – Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP), and Certified Compensation Professional (CCP).

About Fulton Financial Corporation
Fulton Financial Corporation, a $32 billion Lancaster, Pa.-based financial holding company, has more than 3,300 employees and operates 200 financial centers in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey and Virginia through Fulton Bank, N.A. Additional information on Fulton Financial Corporation can be found at www.fult.com.

Contact:	Steve Trapnell
	(717) 291-2739

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SOURCE Fulton Financial Corporation

FAQ

When will Bernadette Taylor retire from Fulton (NASDAQ: FULT)?

She will retire on June 5, 2026. According to the company, Taylor's retirement date is set and a successor has been named to ensure continuity.

Who will replace Bernadette Taylor as Fulton CHRO and when does the promotion take effect?

Karen Grafje will be promoted to Chief Human Resources Officer effective after June 5, 2026. According to the company, Grafje currently serves as Director of Total Rewards and HR Solutions.

What is Karen Grafje's HR background for the CHRO role at Fulton (FULT)?

Grafje has more than 25 years of human resources experience and joined Fulton three years ago. According to the company, she holds SPHR, SHRM-SCP and CCP credentials and graduate-level HR education.

How long did Bernadette Taylor work at Fulton before retiring (FULT)?

Taylor joined Fulton in 1994 and will retire in 2026, marking a multi-decade tenure. According to the company, she became Chief HR Officer in 2015.

Will Fulton maintain HR leadership continuity after the June 5, 2026 transition?

Yes, Fulton named an internal successor to preserve continuity. According to the company, promoting Grafje aims to sustain employee experience and HR initiatives during the transition.