STOCK TITAN

Citizens Financial (NASDAQ: CZFS) shareholders back 2026 equity plan

Filing Impact
(Moderate)
Filing Sentiment
(Neutral)
Form Type
8-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Citizens Financial Services, Inc. reported results from its 2026 annual meeting of shareholders held on April 21, 2026. Shareholders approved the 2026 Equity Omnibus Incentive Plan, which reserves up to 250,000 shares of common stock for future equity awards to employees, directors, and certain advisers. Five Class 3 directors were elected to serve until the 2029 annual meeting, the appointment of S.R. Snodgrass as independent auditor for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026 was ratified, and a non-binding advisory vote approved the compensation of named executive officers.

Positive

  • None.

Negative

  • None.
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.
Item 5.07 Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders Governance
Results of a shareholder vote on proposals at an annual or special meeting.
Item 8.01 Other Events Other
Voluntary disclosure of events the company deems important to shareholders but not covered by other items.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits Exhibits
Financial statements, pro forma financial information, and exhibit attachments filed with this report.
Equity plan share reserve 250,000 shares Maximum common shares issuable under 2026 Equity Omnibus Incentive Plan
Plan term end April 20, 2036 Termination date for 2026 Equity Omnibus Incentive Plan unless earlier changed
Equity plan votes for 2,219,905 votes Shareholder approval of 2026 Equity Omnibus Incentive Plan
Equity plan votes against 484,486 votes Shareholder opposition to 2026 Equity Omnibus Incentive Plan
Auditor ratification votes for 3,335,928 votes Ratification of S.R. Snodgrass as 2026 independent auditor
Say-on-pay votes for 2,233,576 votes Non-binding advisory approval of named executive officer compensation
Annual meeting date April 21, 2026 Date of Citizens Financial’s 2026 annual meeting of shareholders
2026 Equity Omnibus Incentive Plan financial
"the shareholders of Citizens Financial Services, Inc. ... approved the Citizens Financial Services, Inc. 2026 Equity Omnibus Incentive Plan"
non-binding advisory vote regulatory
"the Company’s shareholders approved, by non-binding advisory vote, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers"
A non-binding advisory vote is a shareholder vote that expresses investors’ opinion on a proposal (such as executive pay, corporate policy, or governance practices) but does not legally force the company to act. Think of it like a customer survey: it signals whether owners approve or disapprove and can pressure boards and managers to change course, so investors watch the result as an indicator of governance risk and potential future shifts in company strategy or leadership.
broker non-votes regulatory
"Votes For ... Votes Against ... Abstentions ... Broker Non-Votes"
Broker non-votes occur when a brokerage firm is unable to vote on a shareholder’s behalf during a company election or decision because the shareholder has not given specific voting instructions, and the broker is not allowed or chooses not to vote on certain matters. They are important because they can affect the outcome of votes, especially when the results are close, by effectively reducing the total number of votes cast.
independent registered public accounting firm financial
"ratified the appointment of S.R. Snodgrass, P.C. as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm"
An independent registered public accounting firm is an outside accounting company officially registered with the government regulator to examine and report on a public company's financial records and controls. Investors treat its reports like an impartial inspector’s certificate — they add credibility to financial statements, help spot errors or misleading claims, and reduce the risk that shareholders are relying on unchecked or biased numbers.
restricted stock units (RSUs) financial
"The 2026 Plan provides for the grant of options, SARs, restricted stock, RSUs, deferred stock units"
Restricted stock units (RSUs) are a type of company promise to give employees shares of stock in the future, usually after certain conditions like working for a set time. They are like a gift promised today that you receive later, which can become valuable if the company's stock price goes up. RSUs matter because they are a way companies reward employees and can be a significant part of compensation.



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): April 22, 2026

CITIZENS FINANCIAL SERVICES INC
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Pennsylvania
 
001-41410
 
23-2265045
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
 
(Commission
File Number)
 
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)

15 S MAIN ST
MANSFIELD, Pennsylvania
 
16933
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code (570) 662-0444

Not Applicable
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934:

Title of each class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, Par Value $1.00 Per Share
CZFS
NASDAQ Capital Market

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

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

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. ☐


Item 5.02
Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers
As described below in Item 5.07 of this Current Report on Form 8-K, on April 21, 2025, at the 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”), the shareholders of Citizens Financial Services, Inc. (the “Company”) approved the Citizens Financial Services, Inc. 2026 Equity Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2026 Plan”). The 2026 Plan was adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) and became effective on April 21, 2026 (the “Effective Date”), following approval by the shareholders at the Annual Meeting.
Term. Unless terminated sooner in accordance with the terms of the 2026 Plan or extended with shareholder approval, the 2026 Plan will terminate on the day before the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date, April 20, 2036.
Types of Awards. The 2026 Plan provides for the grant of options, SARs, restricted stock, RSUs, deferred stock units, unrestricted stock, dividend equivalent rights, and other equity-based awards.
Eligibility. All of our employees and the employees of our “subsidiaries” and “affiliates” (as defined in the 2026 Plan) are eligible to receive awards under the 2026 Plan. In addition, our non-employee directors and consultants and advisors who perform services for us and our subsidiaries and affiliates may receive awards under the 2025 Plan, other than incentive stock options.
Shares Reserved for Issuance. The maximum number of shares of the Corporation’s common stock that may be issued under the 2026 Plan will be equal to 250,000 shares our common stock.
A description of the material terms of the 2026 Plan is set forth in Item 3 contained in the Company’s definitive proxy statement for the Annual Meeting filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 12, 2026 (the “Proxy Statement”). The above description of the certain terms of the 2026 Plan is qualified in all respects by the full text of the 2026 Plan, which is attached to this report as Exhibit 10.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 5.07.   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
On April 21, 2026, the Company held its Annual Meeting.  The shareholders of the Company voted on four proposals at the Annual Meeting. The proposals are described in detail in the Proxy Statement. The final results for the votes regarding each proposal are set forth below.

1.
Election of Directors

At the Annual Meeting, the following persons were duly elected as Class 3 directors, to serve until the Company’s 2029 Annual Meeting of Shareholders:

   
Randall E.
Black
 
Joseph B.
Bower, Jr.
 
Rinaldo A.
DePaola
Janie M.
Hilfiger
Mickey L.
Jones
For
 
2,622,455
 
2,600,982
 
2,231,141
2,340,774
1,595,282
Withheld
 
145,816
 
167,289
 
537,130
427,497
1,172,989
Broker Non-Votes
 
625,944
 
625,944
 
625,944
625,944
625,944

2.
Ratification of S.R. Snodgrass, P.C. as the Company’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
At the Annual Meeting, the Company’s shareholders ratified the appointment of S.R. Snodgrass, P.C. as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026. The table below sets forth the voting results for this proposal:
Votes For
 
Votes Against
 
Abstentions
 
Broker Non-Votes
 
3,335,928
 
50,295
 
8,028
 
-
 


3.
Approval of the Citizens Financial Services, Inc. 2026 Equity Incentive Plan
At the Annual Meeting, the Company’s shareholders approved the 2026 Plan, as described above in Item 5.02 of this Current Report on Form 8-K.  The table below sets forth the voting results for this proposal:
Votes For
 
Votes Against
 
Abstentions
 
Broker Non-Votes
 
2,219,905
 
484,486
 
63,880
 
625,944
 

4.
Advisory vote to approve the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers as disclosed in the proxy statement
At the Annual Meeting, the Company’s shareholders approved, by non-binding advisory vote, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers. The table below sets forth the voting results for this proposal:
Votes For
 
Votes Against
 
Abstentions
 
Broker Non-Votes
 
2,233,576
 
471,030
 
63,665
 
625,944
 

The results reported above are final voting results.
Item 8.01.   Other Events.
On April 22, 2026, the Company issued a press release related to the Annual Meeting. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated by reference herein.
Item 9.01.   Financial Statements and Exhibits
(d) Exhibits
Exhibit
Number
 
Description
10.1

Citizens Financial Services, Inc. 2026 Equity Incentive Plan
99.1

Press Release, dated April 22, 2026
104
 
Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

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.
 
 
CITIZENS FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
 
 
 
 
 
 
April 22, 2026
By:
/s/ Stephen J. Guillaume
 
 
Stephen J. Guillaume
 
 
Chief Financial Officer
 








FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Randall E. Black
Chief Executive Officer & President
570-662-2121



CITIZENS FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. HOLDS ANNUAL MEETING

Mansfield, Pennsylvania; April 22, 2026.  Citizens Financial Services, Inc. held its 2026 annual meeting of shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”) on April 21, 2026, at First Citizens Community Bank, 11499 Route 6, Wellsboro, Pennsylvania.

At the Annual Meeting, the following five Class 3 directors were duly elected to serve for three-year terms, and until their successors are elected and qualified: Randall E. Black, Joseph B. Bower, Jr., Rinaldo A. DePaola, Janie M. Hilfiger, and Mickey L. Jones.  The five Class 3 directors will serve until the April 2029 Annual Meeting.

The following corporate directors retained their positions but were not standing for election this year: Robert W. Chappell, Roger C. Graham, Jr., R. Joseph Landy, John P. Painter II, Thomas E. Freeman, Christopher W. Kunes, Terry B. Osborne, and David Z. Richards, Jr.

Additionally, shareholders voted (1) to ratify the appointment of S.R. Snodgrass, A.C., Certified Public Accountants, as the independent auditor for the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026, (2) to approve the Citizens Financial Services, Inc. 2026 Equity Incentive Plan, and (3) to approve the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers as disclosed in the proxy statement.


FAQ

What did Citizens Financial Services (CZFS) shareholders approve at the 2026 annual meeting?

Shareholders approved multiple items, including the 2026 Equity Omnibus Incentive Plan, election of five Class 3 directors, ratification of S.R. Snodgrass as auditor for 2026, and a non-binding advisory approval of named executive officer compensation.

How many shares are reserved under Citizens Financial Services’ 2026 Equity Omnibus Incentive Plan?

The 2026 Equity Omnibus Incentive Plan reserves a maximum of 250,000 shares of Citizens Financial Services’ common stock for awards. These shares may be used for options, restricted stock, RSUs, and other equity-based incentives described in the plan.

When does the Citizens Financial Services 2026 Equity Omnibus Incentive Plan expire?

The 2026 Equity Omnibus Incentive Plan will terminate on April 20, 2036, the day before the tenth anniversary of its April 21, 2026 effective date, unless it is earlier terminated or extended with shareholder approval under its terms.

Which directors were elected at the Citizens Financial Services 2026 annual meeting?

Shareholders elected five Class 3 directors: Randall E. Black, Joseph B. Bower, Jr., Rinaldo A. DePaola, Janie M. Hilfiger, and Mickey L. Jones. Each will serve a three-year term until the April 2029 annual meeting, or until a successor is elected and qualified.

Who was appointed as Citizens Financial Services’ independent auditor for 2026?

Shareholders ratified S.R. Snodgrass (also referenced as S.R. Snodgrass, P.C./A.C.), Certified Public Accountants, as Citizens Financial Services’ independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026, based on the voting results disclosed.

How did Citizens Financial Services (CZFS) shareholders vote on executive compensation?

Shareholders approved the compensation of the company’s named executive officers in a non-binding advisory vote. The disclosed vote totals were 2,233,576 shares for, 471,030 against, and 63,665 abstentions, with 625,944 broker non-votes recorded on this proposal.

What were the shareholder votes on Citizens Financial Services’ 2026 equity plan?

For the 2026 equity plan, shareholders cast 2,219,905 votes for, 484,486 against, and 63,880 abstentions, with 625,944 broker non-votes. This vote approved the plan, which governs future equity-based awards under the specified share reserve.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

5 documents