Esquire (NASDAQ: ESQ) EVP Bader exercises 14,125 options in Form 4 filing

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Esquire Financial Holdings EVP and COO Eric S. Bader reported several equity transactions on January 5, 2026. He exercised 14,125 stock options at an exercise price of $12.5 per share, receiving the same number of Esquire common shares. In a related transaction coded “F,” 1,701 common shares were withheld at a price of $103.79 per share, typically reflecting shares surrendered for tax obligations. After these transactions, Bader directly beneficially owned 135,624 shares of common stock and indirectly held 2,000 additional shares through an IRA. The filing notes that certain shares included in these totals are restricted stock that will vest in equal annual installments between 2024 and 2028, and confirms that the stock options exercised were fully vested.

SEC Form 4

FORM 4

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP

Filed pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
or Section 30(h) of the Investment Company Act of 1940

OMB APPROVAL

OMB Number:			3235-0287
Estimated average burden
hours per response:			0.5

Check this box if no longer subject to Section 16. Form 4 or Form 5 obligations may continue. See Instruction 1(b).

Check this box to indicate that a transaction was made pursuant to a contract, instruction or written plan for the purchase or sale of equity securities of the issuer that is intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c). See Instruction 10.

1. Name and Address of Reporting Person^*

Bader Eric S

(Last) (First) (Middle)

100 JERICHO QUADRANGLE

SUITE 100

(Street)

JERICHO NY 11753

(City) (State) (Zip)

2. Issuer Name and Ticker or Trading Symbol
Esquire Financial Holdings, Inc. [ ESQ ]

5. Relationship of Reporting Person(s) to Issuer
(Check all applicable)

	Director		10% Owner
X	Officer (give title below)		Other (specify below)
	EVP and COO

3. Date of Earliest Transaction (Month/Day/Year)
01/05/2026

4. If Amendment, Date of Original Filed (Month/Day/Year)

6. Individual or Joint/Group Filing (Check Applicable Line)

X	Form filed by One Reporting Person
	Form filed by More than One Reporting Person

Table I - Non-Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned
1. Title of Security (Instr. 3)	2. Transaction Date (Month/Day/Year)	2A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (Month/Day/Year)	3. Transaction Code (Instr. 8)		4. Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed Of (D) (Instr. 3, 4 and 5)			5. Amount of Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 3 and 4)	6. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4)	7. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4)
			Code	V	Amount	(A) or (D)	Price
Common Stock	01/05/2026		M		14,125	A	$12.5	137,325(1)(2)(3)(4)(5)	D
Common Stock	01/05/2026		F		1,701	D	$103.79	135,624(1)(2)(3)(4)(5)	D
Common Stock								2,000	I	By IRA

Table II - Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned (e.g., puts, calls, warrants, options, convertible securities)
1. Title of Derivative Security (Instr. 3)	2. Conversion or Exercise Price of Derivative Security	3. Transaction Date (Month/Day/Year)	3A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (Month/Day/Year)	4. Transaction Code (Instr. 8)		5. Number of Derivative Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed of (D) (Instr. 3, 4 and 5)		6. Date Exercisable and Expiration Date (Month/Day/Year)		7. Title and Amount of Securities Underlying Derivative Security (Instr. 3 and 4)		8. Price of Derivative Security (Instr. 5)	9. Number of derivative Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 4)	10. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4)	11. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4)
				Code	V	(A)	(D)	Date Exercisable	Expiration Date	Title	Amount or Number of Shares
Stock Options	$12.5	01/05/2026		M			14,125	09/01/2017	09/01/2026	Common Stock	14,125(6)	$0	0	D

Explanation of Responses:

1. Includes shares of restricted stock which vest in three equal annual installments commencing on December 16, 2024.

2. Includes shares of restricted stock which vest in three equal annual installments commencing on December 9, 2025.

3. Includes shares of restricted stock which vest in three equal annual installments commencing on December 19, 2026.

4. Includes shares of restricted stock which vest in three equal annual installments commencing on December 15, 2027.

5. Includes shares of restricted stock which vest in three equal annual installments commencing on January 30, 2028.

6. Stock options are fully vested.

	/s/ Eric S. Bader	01/06/2026
	** Signature of Reporting Person	Date
Reminder: Report on a separate line for each class of securities beneficially owned directly or indirectly.
* If the form is filed by more than one reporting person, see Instruction 4 (b)(v).
** Intentional misstatements or omissions of facts constitute Federal Criminal Violations See 18 U.S.C. 1001 and 15 U.S.C. 78ff(a).
Note: File three copies of this Form, one of which must be manually signed. If space is insufficient, see Instruction 6 for procedure.
Persons who respond to the collection of information contained in this form are not required to respond unless the form displays a currently valid OMB Number.

FAQ

What insider transactions did ESQ EVP and COO Eric S. Bader report?

Eric S. Bader reported exercising 14,125 stock options at $12.5 per share, receiving the same number of Esquire Financial Holdings common shares, and a related share withholding transaction of 1,701 shares at $103.79 per share.

How many Esquire Financial (ESQ) shares does Eric S. Bader own after this Form 4?

Following the reported transactions, Eric S. Bader directly beneficially owned 135,624 shares of Esquire common stock and indirectly held 2,000 shares through an IRA.

What do the M and F transaction codes mean in this ESQ Form 4?

The code M reflects the exercise of 14,125 stock options at an exercise price of $12.5 per share, while the code F reflects the disposition of 1,701 common shares at $103.79 per share, typically for tax withholding in connection with an equity award.

Are the stock options exercised by the ESQ executive fully vested?

Yes. A footnote states that the stock options are fully vested, and the Form 4 shows that 14,125 stock options were exercised and reduced to zero remaining following the transaction.

Does Eric S. Bader hold any Esquire (ESQ) shares indirectly?

Yes. The filing reports 2,000 shares of common stock held indirectly, with the nature of ownership described as "By IRA".

What restricted stock awards are included in Eric S. Bader’s ESQ share totals?

The totals include restricted stock that vests in three equal annual installments commencing on December 16, 2024, December 9, 2025, December 19, 2026, December 15, 2027, and January 30, 2028.