Shareholders back KKR Real Estate Finance (NYSE: KREF) board and pay

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc. reported results from its 2026 annual shareholder meeting. Stockholders elected eight directors, with votes for each nominee ranging from about 33.3 million to 38.4 million, and broker non-votes of 10.9 million for each director.

Shareholders also ratified Deloitte & Touche LLP as independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026, with 49.5 million votes for and 0.2 million against. On an advisory, non-binding basis, investors approved executive compensation with 37.4 million votes for and 1.5 million against.

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 highest-supported director: 38,432,764 votes Votes for lowest-supported director: 33,271,328 votes Broker non-votes on director elections: 10,924,019 votes +4 more

7 metrics

Votes for highest-supported director 38,432,764 votes Matthew A. Salem election to board

Votes for lowest-supported director 33,271,328 votes Irene M. Esteves election to board

Broker non-votes on director elections 10,924,019 votes Each director nominee

Auditor ratification votes for 49,486,047 votes Deloitte & Touche LLP for FY ending Dec. 31, 2026

Auditor ratification votes against 224,814 votes Deloitte & Touche LLP

Say-on-pay votes for 37,405,184 votes Advisory executive compensation approval

Say-on-pay votes against 1,539,699 votes Advisory executive compensation approval

Key Terms

broker non-votes, advisory, non-binding basis, independent registered public accounting firm, Annual Meeting

4 terms

broker non-votes regulatory

"the number of broker non-votes with respect to each matter voted upon by stockholders"

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.

advisory, non-binding basis regulatory

"The compensation of the named executive officers of the Company was approved on an advisory, non-binding basis."

independent registered public accounting firm regulatory

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

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.

Annual Meeting regulatory

"On April 14, 2026, the Company held its 2026 Annual Meeting."

A company's annual meeting is a yearly gathering where owners (shareholders) and the board review performance, ask questions, and vote on key matters like electing directors, approving auditor choices, and sometimes setting pay or dividend policies. For investors it matters because decisions made and votes cast can change who runs the company, influence strategy and payouts, and affect the value or direction of their investment—similar to a homeowners’ meeting where rules and leaders that shape your property’s value are decided.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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Understanding 8-K Material Events →

Accepted by SEC EDGAR 04/16/2026 - 04:45 PM Learn about SEC filing dates

FAQ

What did KKR Real Estate Finance Trust (KREF) shareholders approve at the 2026 annual meeting?

Shareholders approved all three items: election of eight directors, ratification of Deloitte & Touche LLP as independent auditor for 2026, and an advisory, non-binding endorsement of executive compensation, each receiving strong majority support in the vote tallies.

How did KREF shareholders vote on electing directors at the 2026 annual meeting?

Eight directors were elected, with votes for each nominee ranging from about 33.3 million to 38.4 million. Broker non-votes totaled 10.9 million for each director, indicating strong approval among voting shareholders for the full slate of board nominees.

Was Deloitte & Touche LLP ratified as KREF’s auditor for 2026?

Yes. Deloitte & Touche LLP was ratified as KKR Real Estate Finance Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm for the 2026 fiscal year, receiving 49,486,047 votes for, 224,814 votes against, and 277,216 abstentions, with no broker non-votes reported for this proposal.

How did KREF investors vote on executive compensation in the 2026 say-on-pay proposal?

Investors approved the compensation of the named executive officers on an advisory, non-binding basis. The say-on-pay proposal received 37,405,184 votes for, 1,539,699 votes against, 119,175 abstentions, and 10,924,019 broker non-votes, showing broad shareholder support for current pay practices.

What were broker non-votes at KREF’s 2026 annual meeting and where did they appear?

Broker non-votes totaled 10,924,019 on the director elections and the advisory executive compensation proposal. There were no broker non-votes for ratifying Deloitte & Touche LLP as auditor, reflecting that this auditor ratification is typically considered a routine matter for brokers.

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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): April 14, 2026

KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Maryland		001-38082		47-2009094
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)		(Commission File Number)		(IRS Employer Identification No.)

30 Hudson Yards, Suite 7500
New York, New York		10001
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (212) 750-8300

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		KREF		New York Stock Exchange
6.50% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share		KREF PRA		New York Stock Exchange

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 5.07 Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

On April 14, 2026, the Company held its 2026 Annual Meeting. A quorum was present at the meeting, as required by the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws. The immediately following charts set forth the number of votes cast for and against, the number of votes withheld and abstained, and the number of broker non-votes with respect to each matter voted upon by stockholders, as applicable.

Proposal 1 - Election of Directors

The following eight individuals were elected to the Company’s Board of Directors to serve as directors until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors have been duly elected and qualified.

		Votes For				Votes Withheld				Broker Non-Votes
Terrance R. Ahern			36,801,171				2,262,887				10,924,019
Irene M. Esteves			33,271,328				5,792,730				10,924,019
Jonathan A. Langer			36,492,956				2,571,102				10,924,019
Christen E.J. Lee			33,445,001				5,619,057				10,924,019
Paula Madoff			38,372,152				691,906				10,924,019
Deborah H. McAneny			36,269,370				2,794,688				10,924,019
Ralph F. Rosenberg			36,934,295				2,129,763				10,924,019
Matthew A. Salem			38,432,764				631,294				10,924,019

Proposal 2 - Ratification of the Appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for the Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2026

The appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026 was ratified.

Votes For		Votes Against		Votes Abstained		Broker Non-Votes
49,486,047		224,814		277,216		N/A

Proposal 3 - Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation

The compensation of the named executive officers of the Company was approved on an advisory, non-binding basis.

Votes For		Votes Against		Votes Abstained		Broker Non-Votes
37,405,184		1,539,699		119,175		10,924,019

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.

	KKR REAL ESTATE FINANCE TRUST INC.
	By:	/s/ Patrick Mattson
		Name:	Patrick Mattson
		Title:	President, Chief Operating Officer and Secretary
Date: April 16, 2026

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

4 documents

Other Documents

• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION SCHEMA 4.3 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION DEFINITION LINKBASE 17.3 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION LABEL LINKBASE 26.1 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION PRESENTATION LINKBASE 19.4 KB