Arbor Realty Trust (ABR) names John Natalone to board after Martello retirement

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. reported a planned board transition. On December 29, 2025, longtime director Joseph Martello, who has served since 2003, notified the company of his decision to retire and resign from the Board of Directors effective December 31, 2025. The company states that his resignation did not result from any disagreement regarding operations, policies, or practices.

To fill the resulting vacancy, the Board elected John Natalone as a Class II director on January 5, 2026. His appointment was not made pursuant to any arrangement or understanding with another person. The Board determined that he is not independent under applicable stock exchange listing standards and has not appointed him to any board committees. His director compensation will follow the existing program described in Arbor Realty Trust’s April 17, 2025 proxy statement.

8-K Event Classification

Item 5.02 — Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers

1 item

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers Governance

Key personnel changes including departures, elections, or appointments of directors and executive officers.

Understanding 8-K Material Events →

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): December 29, 2025

Arbor Realty Trust, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Maryland			001-32136			20-0057959
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)			(Commission File Number)			(IRS Employer Identification No.)

333 Earle Ovington Boulevard, Suite 900 Uniondale, NY						11553
(Address of principal executive offices)						(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (516) 506-4200

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

o			Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o			Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o			Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o			Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Trading symbols

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share

ABR

New York Stock Exchange

Preferred Stock, 6.375% Series D Cumulative Redeemable, par value $0.01 per share

ABR-PD

New York Stock Exchange

Preferred Stock, 6.25% Series E Cumulative Redeemable, par value $0.01 per share

ABR-PE

New York Stock Exchange

Preferred Stock, 6.25% Series F Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable, par value $0.01 per share

ABR-PF

New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company o

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o

Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

Resignation of Joseph Martello

On December 29, 2025, Joseph Martello notified Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. (the “Company”) of his decision to retire and resign from the Board of Directors (the "Board") of the Company effective December 31, 2025. Mr. Martello served as a director of the Company since 2003. Mr. Martello's resignation did not result from any disagreement with the Company on any matter relating to the Company's operations, policies or practices.

The Company thanks Mr. Martello for his dedicated service and significant contributions during his tenure with the Company and wish him well in his future endeavors.

Appointment of John Natalone

On January 5, 2026, the Board has elected Mr. Natalone to serve as a Class II director of the Company to fill the vacancy on the Board created by the resignation of Mr. Martello discussed above. There was no arrangement or understanding between Mr. Natalone and any other person pursuant to which Mr. Natalone was appointed as a director. The Board has determined that Mr. Natalone is not independent under the applicable listing standards and therefore has not appointed Mr. Natalone to any committees of the Board. Mr. Natalone’s compensation as a director will be based on the compensation program described in the Company’s Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on April 17, 2025.

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

			ARBOR REALTY TRUST, INC.
Date: January 5, 2026			By:			/s/ Paul Elenio
			Name:			Paul Elenio
			Title:			Chief Financial Officer

FAQ

What board change did Arbor Realty Trust (ABR) disclose?

Arbor Realty Trust disclosed that director Joseph Martello decided to retire and resign from the Board of Directors effective December 31, 2025, and that the Board elected John Natalone to fill the resulting vacancy as a Class II director on January 5, 2026.

Did Joseph Martello resign from Arbor Realty Trust (ABR) due to a disagreement?

No. The company states that Mr. Martello's resignation did not result from any disagreement with Arbor Realty Trust on any matter relating to its operations, policies, or practices.

Who is replacing Joseph Martello on the Arbor Realty Trust (ABR) board?

The Board elected John Natalone as a Class II director to fill the vacancy created by Mr. Martello’s resignation. His election became effective on January 5, 2026.

Is new director John Natalone considered independent at Arbor Realty Trust (ABR)?

No. The Board determined that Mr. Natalone is not independent under the applicable stock exchange listing standards and, as a result, he has not been appointed to any committees of the Board.

Was there any special arrangement behind John Natalone’s appointment at Arbor Realty Trust (ABR)?

The company states there was no arrangement or understanding between Mr. Natalone and any other person pursuant to which he was appointed as a director.

How will John Natalone be compensated as a director of Arbor Realty Trust (ABR)?

Mr. Natalone’s director compensation will be based on the existing compensation program described in Arbor Realty Trust’s Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on April 17, 2025.