Timberland Bancorp (TSBK) appoints Kevin Sakamoto as new Chief Credit Officer

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Timberland Bancorp, Inc. announced a leadership change in its credit function. The company and Todd Van Cise mutually agreed to cancel his employment agreement, effective December 11, 2025, so he can pursue other career opportunities. He had been with the company since 2012 and served as Chief Credit Officer since January 1, 2024, and the separation was described as without disagreements.

As a result, Kevin Sakamoto, age 57, was appointed Chief Credit Officer effective the same date. Sakamoto joined Timberland in 2023 as Vice President of Credit Administration and Special Assets and brings over 30 years of commercial banking experience, including prior service as Chief Credit Officer of Bank Reale and academic credentials from the University of Washington and Pacific Coast Banking School.

Insights

Regional bank governance analyst

Timberland is rotating its Chief Credit Officer, but keeps an experienced insider in the role.

The company reports a mutual decision to end Todd Van Cise’s employment agreement, with no disagreements cited, and immediately appoints an internal successor as Chief Credit Officer. This keeps continuity in a key risk-management role, which is important for a community bank whose performance depends heavily on loan portfolio quality and underwriting discipline.

New Chief Credit Officer Kevin Sakamoto has over 30 years of commercial banking experience and was already leading Credit Administration and Special Assets. That background suggests familiarity with the bank’s credit culture and problem loans. Future disclosures around credit quality and loan performance in periods after December 11, 2025 will give a clearer view of how this leadership change aligns with the bank’s risk profile and strategy.

8-K Event Classification

Item 5.02 — Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers

1 item

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers Governance

Key personnel changes including departures, elections, or appointments of directors and executive officers.

Understanding 8-K Material Events →

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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): December 11, 2025

Timberland Bancorp, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Washington		000-23333		91-1863696
State or other jurisdiction		Commission		(I.R.S. Employer
Of incorporation		File Number		Identification No.)

624 Simpson Avenue, Hoquiam, Washington		98550
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number (including area code) (360) 533-4747

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 $.01 per share		TSBK		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.

(b) Timberland Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) and its financial institution subsidiary, Timberland Bank (“Bank”), announced that Todd Van Cise and the Company mutually agreed to cancel Mr. Van Cise’s employment agreement, effective December 11, 2025, to allow Mr. Van Cise to pursue other career opportunities.  Mr. Van Cise had been with the Company since 2012 and had served as the Chief Credit Officer since January 1, 2024.  Neither party cited any disagreements in the separation agreement and the Company wishes Mr. Van Cise well in his future endeavors.

(c) As a result of Mr. Van Cise leaving the Company, Kevin Sakamoto, age 57, was appointed as the Chief Credit Officer of the Company, effective December 11, 2025.  Mr. Sakamoto has been affiliated with the Company since 2023, serving as the Vice President of Credit Administration and Special Assets.  Mr. Sakamoto has over 30 years of commercial banking experience, having worked at several financial institutions, including serving as the Chief Credit Officer of Bank Reale.  Mr. Sakamoto is a graduate of the University of Washington and Pacific Coast Banking School.

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, hereunto duly authorized.

	TIMBERLAND BANCORP, INC.
DATE:  December 11, 2025	By:  /s/ Dean J. Brydon
	Dean J. Brydon        Chief Executive Officer

FAQ

What management change did Timberland Bancorp (TSBK) announce?

Timberland Bancorp announced that it mutually agreed with Todd Van Cise to cancel his employment agreement, effective December 11, 2025, and that he will leave the company to pursue other career opportunities.

Did Timberland Bancorp (TSBK) report any disagreements with the departing Chief Credit Officer?

The company stated that neither party cited any disagreements in connection with the separation agreement with Todd Van Cise.

Who is the new Chief Credit Officer at Timberland Bancorp (TSBK)?

Kevin Sakamoto, age 57, was appointed Chief Credit Officer of Timberland Bancorp, Inc. and Timberland Bank, effective December 11, 2025.

What is Kevin Sakamoto’s background before becoming Chief Credit Officer at TSBK?

Kevin Sakamoto has over 30 years of commercial banking experience. He joined Timberland in 2023 as Vice President of Credit Administration and Special Assets and previously served as Chief Credit Officer of Bank Reale.

How long was Todd Van Cise with Timberland Bancorp (TSBK)?

Todd Van Cise had been with Timberland Bancorp since 2012 and had served as Chief Credit Officer since January 1, 2024 before his departure effective December 11, 2025.

When did the leadership changes at Timberland Bancorp (TSBK) take effect?

Both the cancellation of Todd Van Cise’s employment agreement and the appointment of Kevin Sakamoto as Chief Credit Officer became effective on December 11, 2025.