[8-K] SOUTHSIDE BANCSHARES INC Reports Material Event

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Southside Bancshares, Inc. reported an executive appointment-related disclosure. The filing describes Mr. Donahoe, age 55, who has over 30 years of banking experience and has served as President of the Company and Southside since May 2024, overseeing credit, commercial lending, information technology and bank operations.

His prior roles at Southside Bank began in 2021 as Austin Market President, progressing to Central Texas Regional President, and earlier he spent 26 years at Frost Bank, including 10 years as an Executive Vice President.

Positive

• Over 30 years of banking experience noted for the appointed executive
• Internal promotion/continuity: served at Southside since 2021 and became President in May 2024
• Broad operational remit: oversight of credit, commercial lending, information technology and bank operations

Negative

• None.

Insights

Corporate Governance Expert

TL;DR: Routine executive disclosure describing an experienced internal promotion to company president, suggesting continuity in leadership.

The disclosure provides background on Mr. Donahoe's career path within Southside and at Frost Bank, emphasizing over 30 years in banking and leadership roles in credit, commercial lending, IT and operations. For governance reviewers this is a standard Section 8-K description of an officer with significant industry tenure. The filing contains no compensation details, board actions, or material transactions, so its direct financial impact is limited. The information supports a narrative of internal succession and operational continuity but does not by itself change company risk profile or capital structure.

Banking Operations Analyst

TL;DR: Experienced operations and lending executive named president; indicates managerial depth but no financial metrics disclosed.

The narrative highlights operational responsibilities including credit, commercial lending, IT and bank operations, which are core to bank performance. Mr. Donahoe's progression from Austin Market President to Central Texas Regional President and then company President since May 2024 shows internal advancement. His 26-year tenure at Frost Bank with a decade as Executive Vice President underscores sector experience. Because the filing lacks performance metrics, targets, or changes to strategic initiatives, it should be viewed as informational rather than material to near-term financial valuation.

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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

September 18, 2025

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)

Southside Bancshares, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Texas			000-12247			75-1848732
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)			(Commission File Number)			(IRS Employer Identification No.)

1201 S. Beckham Avenue,

Tyler,

TX

75701

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (903) 531-7111

NA

(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

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common stock, $1.25 par value

SBSI

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 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

On September 18, 2025, Lee R. Gibson, Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) of Southside Bancshares, Inc. (the “Company”) and Southside Bank (the “Bank”), a subsidiary of the Company, and director of the Company and the Bank, notified the Company of his decision to retire as CEO, effective December 31, 2025. Mr. Gibson will continue as a member of the Board of Directors of the Company and the Bank. Following his retirement, Mr. Gibson will receive director compensation consistent with other non-employee directors. Mr. Gibson did not previously receive any separate compensation for serving on the Board during his tenure as an executive with the Company.

The Board of Directors of the Bank and the Company on September 18, 2025, approved the appointment of Keith Donahoe, the Company's and Bank's current President, to Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company and the Bank on the effective date of the retirement of Mr. Gibson.

Mr. Donahoe, 55, has over 30 years of experience in the banking industry. Mr. Donahoe has served as President of the Company and Southside since May 2024, overseeing various company-wide functions including credit and commercial lending activities, as well as information technology and bank operations. Upon joining Southside Bank in 2021, he first served as Austin Market President and later as Central Texas Regional President. Prior to joining Southside, he was with Frost Bank, a regional bank in Texas for 26 years, of which he served the last 10 years as an Executive Vice President.

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

						Southside Bancshares, Inc.
Date:  September 18, 2025			By:			/s/ JULIE N. SHAMBURGER
						Julie N. Shamburger, CPA
						Chief Financial Officer
						(Principal Financial Officer)

FAQ

Who is the executive named in the Southside Bancshares (SBSI) 8-K?

The filing describes Mr. Donahoe, age 55, who is identified as President of the Company and Southside.

What experience does Mr. Donahoe have according to the 8-K?

The 8-K states he has over 30 years in banking, spent 26 years at Frost Bank and served 10 years as an Executive Vice President there.

What roles has Mr. Donahoe held at Southside Bank?

According to the filing, he joined Southside Bank in 2021 as Austin Market President, later served as Central Texas Regional President, and has been President of the Company since May 2024.

Does the 8-K include compensation or material transaction details related to this executive?

No. The provided content does not include any compensation figures, employment agreements, or material transaction details.

Does the filing indicate any immediate financial impact from this appointment?

No. The disclosure describes background and responsibilities but contains no financial metrics or statements of material impact.