Heritage Commerce (NASDAQ: HTBK) names Christopher Abate as director

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Heritage Commerce Corp, the holding company for Heritage Bank of Commerce, has appointed Christopher J. Abate to its Board of Directors and to the Bank’s board, effective August 18, 2025. The Board increased its size from 8 to 9 directors in connection with his appointment, and Mr. Abate will serve on the Audit Committee and the Personnel and Compensation Committee.

Mr. Abate is a long-time financial services executive who has served as Chief Executive Officer of Redwood Trust, Inc. since May 2018 and has held multiple senior roles there since 2006. For 2025, he will receive a prorated portion of the annual cash retainer of $50,000 and a prorated annual restricted stock grant with a market value of $50,000, plus reimbursement of reasonable expenses, consistent with the Company’s policy for non-employee directors. The Company states there are no family or related-party relationships tied to his appointment.

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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): August 18, 2025

HERITAGE COMMERCE CORP

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

California		000-23877		77-0469558
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)		(Commission File Number)		(IRS Employer Identification No.)

224 Airport Parkway, San Jose, California		95110
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (408) 947-6900

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 (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))

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, No Par Value	HTBK	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 (§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

On August 18, 2025, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Heritage Commerce Corp (the “Company”), the holding company for Heritage Bank of Commerce (the “Bank”) appointed Christopher J. Abate as a director of the Board and the Bank’s Board of Directors. The Company’s bylaws provide that the number of directors shall be not less than 8 and not more than 15 with the specific number set from time to time by the Board and, effective August 18, 2025, the Board expanded the number of directors from 8 to 9. Mr. Abate was also appointed to serve on the Audit Committee and Personnel and Compensation Committee of the Board.

Mr. Abate is a seasoned finance and accounting executive with over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, bringing a wealth of extensive experience and knowledge in real estate and finance to the Company. Mr. Abate has served as Chief Executive Officer of Redwood Trust, Inc. (“Redwood Trust”) since May 2018 and as a director since December 2017. Mr. Abate has been employed with Redwood Trust since April 2006, previously serving as President from July 2016 to May 2018, Chief Financial Officer from March 2012 to August 2017, and Controller from January 2009 to March 2013. Before joining Redwood Trust, Mr. Abate was employed by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. He holds a B.A. in accounting and finance from Western Michigan University, and an M.B.A. from the University of California at Berkeley and Columbia University.

There are no family relationships between Mr. Abate and any director or other executive officer of the Company. There are no transactions between Mr. Abate and any member of his immediate family and the Company or any of its subsidiaries that would be reportable as a related party transaction under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Further, there is no arrangement or understanding between Mr. Abate and any other persons or entities pursuant to which Mr. Abate was appointed as a director of the Company.

Upon his appointment to the Board, Mr. Abate will be entitled as a non-employee director to the same compensation provided each of the other non-employee directors of the Company. For 2025, Mr. Abate is entitled to receive a prorated portion of the annual cash retainer of $50,000 and a prorated portion of the annual grant of restricted stock with an annual market value of $50,000 in accordance with the Company’s equity policy. He will also be entitled to reimbursement of reasonable and substantiated out of pocket expenses incurred in connection with the performance of his duties as a director.

ITEM 7.01 REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE

On August 18, 2025, the Company issued a press release announcing Mr. Abate’s appointment as a director of the Board and the Bank’s Board of Directors. A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report. In accordance with General Instruction B.2 of Form 8-K, the press release is deemed to be “furnished” and shall not be deemed “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall the press release be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act.

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ITEM 9.01 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

(d) Exhibits.

99.1	Press Release dated August 18, 2025, entitled “Heritage Commerce Corp and Heritage Bank of Commerce Announce Appointment of Christpher J. Abate to the Board of Directors.”
104	Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within XBRL document)

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SIGNATURES

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.

Date: August 18, 2025

Heritage Commerce Corp

By:	/s/ Seth Fonti
Seth Fonti
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

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FAQ

What board change did Heritage Commerce Corp (HTBK) disclose?

Heritage Commerce Corp disclosed that its Board of Directors expanded the number of directors from 8 to 9 and appointed Christopher J. Abate to the Company’s Board and the Bank’s Board, effective August 18, 2025.

Who is Christopher J. Abate, the new director at Heritage Commerce Corp (HTBK)?

Christopher J. Abate is a finance and accounting executive with over 20 years of financial services experience. He has been Chief Executive Officer of Redwood Trust, Inc. since May 2018, previously serving as President, Chief Financial Officer, and Controller there, and earlier worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

Which board committees will Christopher J. Abate serve on at Heritage Commerce Corp?

Christopher J. Abate has been appointed to the Board’s Audit Committee and the Personnel and Compensation Committee of Heritage Commerce Corp.

What compensation will Christopher J. Abate receive as a non-employee director of Heritage Commerce Corp?

For 2025, Christopher J. Abate is entitled to a prorated portion of the annual cash retainer of $50,000 and a prorated portion of the annual grant of restricted stock with an annual market value of $50,000, plus reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in performing his duties.

Are there any related-party or family relationships between Christopher J. Abate and Heritage Commerce Corp?

The Company states that there are no family relationships between Christopher J. Abate and any director or executive officer, and no transactions with him or his immediate family that would be reportable as related party transactions under Securities and Exchange Commission rules.

Did Heritage Commerce Corp issue a press release about Christopher J. Abate’s appointment?

Yes. On August 18, 2025, the Company issued a press release announcing Christopher J. Abate’s appointment to the Company’s Board and the Bank’s Board. The release is included as Exhibit 99.1 and is furnished, not filed, under Regulation FD.