Axos EVP Watson reports RSU vesting, 1,900 grant
EVP Michael James Watson had RSUs vest, shares withheld for taxes, and a new 1,900-unit RSU grant at Axos Financial, Inc.
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Axos Financial, Inc. (AX) reported compensation-related equity activity for Michael James Watson, EVP and Head of Axos Securities. On September 15, 2026, 3,174 RSU-based shares of Common Stock were issued upon vesting, with 1,583 shares retained by Axos Financial, Inc. for tax withholding in a net-settlement. The same day, Watson received a new grant of 1,900 Restricted Stock Units under the company’s 2014 Stock Incentive Plan, each RSU representing a contingent right to one share of Common Stock and accompanied by dividend equivalent rights. The filing also shows 777 shares of Common Stock held indirectly through a 401(k) Plan and states no Rule 10b5-1 trading plan was reported.
Positive
- None.
Negative
- None.
Insider Trade Summary
3,174 shares exercised/converted
Exercise
5 txns
Insider
Watson Michael James
Role
Insider
| Type | Security | Shares | Price | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exercise | Restricted Stock Units F3, F4, F5 | 3,174 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Grant/Award | Restricted Stock Units F6, F4, F5 | 1,900 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Exercise | Common Stock F1 | 3,174 | $92.68 | $294K |
| Disposition | Common Stock F2 | 1,583 | $92.68 | $147K |
| holding | Common Stock | -- | -- | -- |
Holdings After Transaction:
Restricted Stock Units — 9,385 contracts (Direct);
Common Stock — 6,183 shares (Direct);
Common Stock — 777 shares (Indirect, 401(k) Plan)
Footnotes (6)
- F1. Represents shares of Common Stock issued on September 15, 2026, following the vesting of Restricted Stock Units ("RSUs") which vest as to one-third of the shares on each anniversary of the date of grant. The RSUs were previously granted to the reporting person under the Axos Financial, Inc. 2014 Amended and Restated 2014 Stock Incentive Plan.
- F2. Represents shares of Common Stock retained by Axos Financial, Inc. for tax withholding purposes in connection with the net-settlement on the issuance of shares of Common Stock in respect to the vested RSUs.
- F3. The RSUs were granted to the reporting person under the Axos Financial, Inc. 2014 Stock Incentive Plan. The RSUs are accompanied by dividend equivalent rights.
- F4. Each RSU represents a contingent right to receive one share of Axos Financial, Inc. Common Stock.
- F5. The RSUs vest as to one-third of the shares on each anniversary date of grant.
- F6. Grant to the reporting person on September 15, 2026 of restricted stock units ("RSUs") under the Axos Financial, Inc. 2014 Stock Incentive Plan.
Key Figures
Shares issued upon RSU vesting: 3,174 shares
Shares retained for tax withholding: 1,583 shares
New RSU grant: 1,900 units
+2 more
5 metrics
Shares issued upon RSU vesting
3,174 shares
Common Stock issued on September 15, 2026 following RSU vesting
Shares retained for tax withholding
1,583 shares
Common Stock retained by Axos Financial, Inc. for tax withholding on RSU vesting
New RSU grant
1,900 units
Restricted Stock Units granted on September 15, 2026
Common Stock transaction price
$92.68 per share
Price reported for Common Stock entries dated September 15, 2026
Indirect 401(k) holdings
777 shares
Common Stock held indirectly through a 401(k) Plan after transactions
Key Terms
Restricted Stock Units, dividend equivalent rights, net-settlement, tax withholding, +1 more
5 terms
Restricted Stock Units financial
"Grant to the reporting person on September 15, 2026 of restricted stock units"
Restricted stock units are a type of company reward where employees are promised shares of stock, but they only fully own these shares after meeting certain conditions, like staying with the company for a set time. They matter because they can become valuable assets and are often used to motivate employees to help the company succeed.
dividend equivalent rights financial
"The RSUs are accompanied by dividend equivalent rights."
Dividend equivalent rights are promises that mirror the cash payments shareholders get from a company’s profits, but they are paid to holders of certain awards (like stock options or restricted stock units) rather than to actual shares. Think of them as a paycheck top‑up that matches dividends while the award is not yet a real stock, and they matter to investors because they add to employee compensation costs and potential share dilution, affecting company profitability and per‑share value.
net-settlement financial
"in connection with the net-settlement on the issuance of shares of Common Stock"
tax withholding financial
"shares of Common Stock retained by Axos Financial, Inc. for tax withholding purposes"
Tax withholding is the practice of taking a portion of a payment—such as wages, dividends, or sale proceeds—before it reaches the recipient and sending that portion to the tax authority as an advance on the recipient’s eventual tax bill. For investors it matters because withholding reduces immediate cash received and affects after‑tax returns, estimated tax payments, and whether you may owe more or receive a refund when taxes are finally calculated, like having a small automatic savings set aside for your tax bill.
401(k) Plan financial
"Common Stock held indirectly through a 401(k) Plan"
A 401(k) plan is a workplace retirement account that lets employees set aside part of their pay into a tax-advantaged savings pot, often with employers adding matching contributions — like a workplace piggy bank for future income. It matters to investors because the amount people save and how employers fund these plans influence consumer spending, corporate payroll costs and the flow of money into financial markets, which can affect stock prices and company valuations.
FAQ
AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
What equity transactions did AX executive Michael James Watson report on this Form 4?
He reported 3,174 shares of Common Stock issued upon RSU vesting, with 1,583 shares retained by Axos Financial, Inc. for tax withholding, and a new grant of 1,900 Restricted Stock Units on September 15, 2026.
How many Axos Financial (AX) RSUs were newly granted to Michael James Watson?
Michael James Watson received a grant of 1,900 Restricted Stock Units on September 15, 2026 under the Axos Financial, Inc. 2014 Stock Incentive Plan.
How do Michael James Watson’s RSUs in AX vest over time?
The RSUs vest as to one-third of the shares on each anniversary of the date of grant, according to the disclosures related to his Restricted Stock Units.
Does this Axos Financial (AX) Form 4 indicate trades under a Rule 10b5-1 plan?
No. The Form 4 indicates that the Rule 10b5-1 box is not checked, and there is no disclosure that the reported transactions were made under a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan.
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
