WSBF appoints Laura Piotrowski Audit Chair; Michael Hansen to retire

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Waterstone Financial (WSBF) announced board changes. On October 21, 2025, director Michael Hansen resigned as Chair of the Audit Committee, with the company stating his decision was not due to any disagreement on operations, policies, or practices. He plans to retire from the Board effective December 31, 2025 and will continue serving on the Audit, Executive, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees until then.

The Audit Committee appointed Laura Piotrowski as its new Chair on October 21, 2025. She joined the Audit Committee on July 8, 2025 and is the CEO and President of Cavendish Vernal. Piotrowski is a CPA with prior senior finance and leadership roles.

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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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): October 21, 2025

Waterstone Financial, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Maryland	001-36271	90-1026709
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

11200 W Plank Ct, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin 53226

(Address of principal executive offices)

414-761-1000

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

Not Applicable

Former name or former address, if changed since last report

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, $0.01 Par Value		WSBF		The NASDAQ Stock Market, LLC

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))

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934.

☐ 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 October 21, 2025, Michael Hansen, a member of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Waterstone Financial, Inc. (the “Company”), provided notice of his intention to resign as Chairperson of the Board’s Audit Committee, effective that same date.  Mr. Hansen's decision to resign was not the result of any disagreement with the Company on any matter relating to its operations, policies or practices.  Mr. Hansen also proved notice of his intent to retire as a member of the Board effective, December 31, 2025. His retirement is not the result of any disagreement with the Company on any matter relating to its operations, policies, or practices. Until his announce retirement date, Mr. Hansen will continue to serve as a member of the Company’s Audit Committee and as a member of the Company’s Board Executive Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

On October 21, 2025, the Audit Committee of the Board appointed Laura Piotrowski, as Chairperson of the Audit Committee.  Ms. Piotrowski was appointed as a member of the Audit Committee of the Board effective July 8, 2025.

Ms. Piotrowski is the Chief Executive Offer and President of Cavendish Vernal, a strategic advisory firm she founded in 2017. Cavendish Vernal provides strategic business planning, executive advising, succession planning, finance and human resource advising, executive coaching, and leadership development services.  Previously, she was Executive Vice President of The Benefit Companies, where she provided strategic and executional leadership for the organization. Piotrowski has also held senior finance roles, including Chief Financial Officer of Stein’s Garden & Home and Managing Director of Finance for Robert W. Baird & Co.   She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and an Executive MBA from Marquette University. She is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP).

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.

		Waterstone Financial, Inc.
Date: October 21, 2025		/s/ William F. Bruss
		Name:    William F. Bruss
		Title:    Chief Executive Officer

FAQ

What board changes did Waterstone Financial (WSBF) announce?

Michael Hansen resigned as Audit Committee Chair on October 21, 2025, and Laura Piotrowski was appointed as the new Chair the same day.

When will Michael Hansen retire from WSBF's Board?

He intends to retire effective December 31, 2025.

Did Michael Hansen resign due to a disagreement with WSBF?

No. The company stated his resignation and retirement were not the result of any disagreement on operations, policies, or practices.

What roles will Hansen hold until his retirement date?

He will continue on the Audit Committee, the Executive Committee, and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

Who is Laura Piotrowski, WSBF’s new Audit Committee Chair?

She is the CEO and President of Cavendish Vernal, a CPA, and previously held senior finance and leadership roles.

When did Piotrowski join WSBF’s Audit Committee?

She became a member on July 8, 2025.