[Form 3] Cisco Systems, Inc. Initial Statement of Beneficial Ownership
Mark Patterson, EVP and CFO of Cisco Systems, reported beneficial ownership of 169,789 shares of Cisco common stock. That total includes multiple restricted stock unit awards granted in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 that vest in installments (initial cliffs of 25%–34% followed by quarterly vesting of 8.25%), indicating the majority of his stake is tied to multi-year compensation awards.
- Significant executive stake: Mr. Patterson beneficially owns 169,789 shares, aligning his interests with shareholders.
- Long-term alignment: Holdings are primarily restricted stock units with multi-year vesting, supporting retention and performance incentives.
- None.
Insights
TL;DR: Cisco's CFO holds 169,789 shares, largely in unvested RSUs, showing compensation linked to future performance.
The Form 3 discloses an executive stake concentrated in restricted stock units across five grants. These awards include initial larger vesting installments (25%–34%) followed by quarterly vesting at 8.25%, which phases incentive realization over multiple years. There are no derivative instruments reported, simplifying the ownership picture and reducing near-term option-driven dilution risks.
TL;DR: Substantial RSU-based holdings align the CFO with shareholders; disclosure is routine and non-eventful.
The filing documents clear alignment through multi-year RSU vesting schedules spanning grants from 2021 through 2025. The structure—initial cliff vesting then quarterly installments—is typical for executive compensation and supports retention. The single-reporting-person filing and absence of derivative holdings indicate a straightforward ownership profile without complex indirect arrangements.