ECB Bancorp (ECBK) investors approve directors and 2026 auditor at annual meeting

Filing Impact

(Moderate)

Filing Sentiment

(Neutral)

Form Type

8-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

ECB Bancorp, Inc. held its annual stockholders meeting on May 20, 2026. Stockholders elected Joseph Sachetta and Susan Sgroi to the board of directors for three-year terms, with 4,030,944 and 3,931,127 votes “for,” respectively, and over 1 million votes “withheld” for each nominee.

There were 1,879,363 broker non-votes on the director elections. Stockholders also ratified Wolf & Company, P.C. as the independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026, with 6,952,190 votes “for,” 2,050 “against,” and 16,656 “abstain” and no broker non-votes.

8-K Event Classification

Item 5.07 — Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

1 item

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.

Key Figures

Votes for Joseph Sachetta: 4,030,944 votes Votes withheld for Joseph Sachetta: 1,060,589 votes Votes for Susan Sgroi: 3,931,127 votes +5 more

8 metrics

Votes for Joseph Sachetta 4,030,944 votes Director election at annual meeting on May 20, 2026

Votes withheld for Joseph Sachetta 1,060,589 votes Director election at annual meeting on May 20, 2026

Votes for Susan Sgroi 3,931,127 votes Director election at annual meeting on May 20, 2026

Votes withheld for Susan Sgroi 1,160,406 votes Director election at annual meeting on May 20, 2026

Broker non-votes on directors 1,879,363 shares Director election proposal at annual meeting

Votes for auditor ratification 6,952,190 votes Ratification of Wolf & Company, P.C. for 2026

Votes against auditor ratification 2,050 votes Ratification of Wolf & Company, P.C. for 2026

Abstentions on auditor ratification 16,656 votes Ratification of Wolf & Company, P.C. for 2026

Key Terms

broker non-votes, independent registered public accounting firm, emerging growth company, Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

4 terms

broker non-votes financial

"There were 1,879,363 broker non-votes on the proposal."

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

"the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026 was ratified"

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.

emerging growth company regulatory

"Emerging growth company"

An emerging growth company is a recently public or smaller public firm that qualifies for temporary, lighter regulatory and disclosure rules to reduce the cost and effort of being public. For investors, it means the company may provide less historical financial detail and face fewer reporting requirements than larger firms, so it can grow more quickly but also carries higher uncertainty—like buying a promising early-stage product with fewer user reviews.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders regulatory

"Item 5.07 Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders."

Understanding 8-K Material Events →

05/21/2026 - 04:20 PM

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 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): May 20, 2026

ECB BANCORP, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Maryland	001-41456	88-1502079
(State or other jurisdiction of	(Commission	(IRS Employer
incorporation or organization)	File Number)	Identification No.)

419 Broadway, Everett, Massachusetts 02149

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(617) 387-1110

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

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:

☐	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))

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

Title of each class	Trading symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share	ECBK	The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR §230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR §240.12b-2).

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 5.07 Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

The annual meeting of the stockholders of ECB Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company") was held on May 20, 2026. The final results of the vote for each of the matters submitted to a vote of stockholders at the annual meeting are as follows:

1. The following individuals were elected as directors, each for a three-year term or until their successors are duly elected and qualified, by the following vote:

	FOR	WITHHELD
Joseph Sachetta	4,030,944	1,060,589
Susan Sgroi	3,931,127	1,160,406

There were 1,879,363 broker non-votes on the proposal.

2. The appointment of Wolf & Company, P.C. as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026 was ratified by stockholders by the following vote:

FOR	AGAINST	ABSTAIN
6,952,190	2,050	16,656

There were no broker non-votes on the proposal.

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 thereunto duly authorized.

	ECB BANCORP, INC.


Date: May 21, 2026	By: /s/ Brandon N. Lavertu
	Brandon N. Lavertu
	Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Source: View Original Filing on SEC EDGAR

FAQ

What did ECBK stockholders decide at the May 20, 2026 annual meeting?

Stockholders elected two directors and ratified the auditor. Joseph Sachetta and Susan Sgroi were elected to three-year board terms, and Wolf & Company, P.C. was ratified as independent registered public accounting firm for the 2026 fiscal year.

How many votes did ECBK director nominee Joseph Sachetta receive?

Joseph Sachetta received 4,030,944 votes for election and 1,060,589 votes withheld. These results confirm his election to the board of directors for a three-year term or until his successor is duly elected and qualified.

How many votes did ECBK director nominee Susan Sgroi receive?

Susan Sgroi received 3,931,127 votes for election and 1,160,406 votes withheld. This voting outcome confirms her election as a director for a three-year term or until a successor is duly elected and qualified.

Were there broker non-votes on ECBK’s director elections?

Yes. There were 1,879,363 broker non-votes on the director election proposal. Broker non-votes occur when brokers do not have authority to vote uninstructed shares on certain non-routine matters such as electing directors.

Did ECBK stockholders ratify Wolf & Company, P.C. as auditor for 2026?

Yes. Stockholders ratified Wolf & Company, P.C. as the independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026, with 6,952,190 votes for, 2,050 against, and 16,656 abstentions, and no broker non-votes.

What type of company is ECB Bancorp, Inc. under SEC rules?

ECB Bancorp, Inc. is identified as an emerging growth company. This status, defined under SEC rules, allows certain scaled disclosure and reporting accommodations for a limited period after going public.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

4 documents