Waterstone Financial lifts dividend 13.3% to $0.17

Q: When will Waterstone Financial’s new dividend be paid and what is the record date?

The increased Waterstone Financial dividend will be payable on May 1, 2026 to shareholders of record at the close of business on April 8, 2026. Investors must own WSBF shares by the record date to receive this payment.

Q: What type of company is Waterstone Financial (WSBF)?

Waterstone Financial is a savings and loan holding company for WaterStone Bank, a community-focused institution founded in 1921. It offers personal and business banking through 14 southeastern Wisconsin branches and owns WaterStone Mortgage, a national lender licensed in 48 states.

Waterstone Financial, Inc. declared a higher regular quarterly cash dividend, signaling confidence in its business and capital position.

Filing Impact

(Moderate)

Filing Sentiment

(Neutral)

Form Type

8-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Waterstone Financial, Inc. declared a higher regular quarterly cash dividend, signaling confidence in its business and capital position. The Board approved a quarterly dividend of $0.17 per common share, which is a 13.3% increase from the prior quarterly dividend.

The higher dividend will be paid on May 1, 2026 to shareholders who are on record at the close of business on April 8, 2026. Management emphasized maintaining a strong dividend payout ratio and highlighted the increase as part of a long-term focus on shareholder value and disciplined capital management.

Positive

Dividend increase of 13.3%: The quarterly cash dividend was raised to $0.17 per share, a 13.3% increase from the prior level, indicating confidence in earnings strength and capital capacity.
Ongoing shareholder return focus: Management explicitly highlights maintaining a robust dividend payout ratio and long-term value creation, reinforcing a commitment to returning capital to shareholders.

Negative

None.

Insights

Waterstone lifts its quarterly dividend by 13.3%, signaling confidence in earnings and capital.

Waterstone Financial’s Board raised the quarterly cash dividend to $0.17 per share, a 13.3% increase from the previous level. For a regional banking and mortgage platform, a double‑digit dividend hike generally indicates management’s comfort with recurring earnings and regulatory capital buffers.

The company’s statement links the increase to disciplined strategy execution and a priority on maintaining a robust payout ratio. While exact payout and profitability metrics are not disclosed here, the move suggests stable cash generation. Subsequent quarterly reports for periods including May 1, 2026 will give more detail on how earnings support this higher dividend.

8-K Event Classification

2 items: 8.01, 9.01

2 items

Item 8.01 Other Events Other

Voluntary disclosure of events the company deems important to shareholders but not covered by other items.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits Exhibits

Financial statements, pro forma financial information, or exhibit attachments filed with this report.

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

What dividend did Waterstone Financial (WSBF) just declare?

Waterstone Financial declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.17 per common share. This payment reflects the company’s latest decision on shareholder returns and applies to all outstanding common stock as of the specified record date.

How much did Waterstone Financial increase its quarterly dividend?

Waterstone Financial increased its quarterly cash dividend by 13.3%. The new dividend rate is $0.17 per common share, up from the previous quarterly level, reflecting management’s confidence in the company’s earnings power and capital strength.

When will Waterstone Financial’s new dividend be paid and what is the record date?

The increased Waterstone Financial dividend will be payable on May 1, 2026 to shareholders of record at the close of business on April 8, 2026. Investors must own WSBF shares by the record date to receive this payment.

Why did Waterstone Financial decide to raise its dividend by 13.3%?

Waterstone Financial’s CEO said the dividend increase underscores disciplined execution of the company’s strategy and confidence in its future. The company emphasized maintaining a robust dividend payout ratio and delivering long-term shareholder value through careful capital management.

What type of company is Waterstone Financial (WSBF)?

Waterstone Financial is a savings and loan holding company for WaterStone Bank, a community-focused institution founded in 1921. It offers personal and business banking through 14 southeastern Wisconsin branches and owns WaterStone Mortgage, a national lender licensed in 48 states.

Does the dividend announcement affect Waterstone Financial’s strategy going forward?

The announcement reinforces Waterstone Financial’s focus on long-term shareholder value and capital discipline. Management linked the higher dividend to continued execution of its business strategy, signaling an intention to balance growth, capital strength, and ongoing cash returns to shareholders.

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

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Accepted by SEC EDGAR 03/17/2026 - 04:00 PM

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):

March 17, 2026

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 8.01 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On March 17, 2026, the Board of Directors of Waterstone Financial, Inc. (the "Company") declared a regular quarterly dividend on the Company's outstanding shares of common stock. The news release containing this information is attached as Exhibit 99.1 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) Exhibits

Exhibit No.	Description

99.1	Press release of Waterstone Financial, Inc. issued March 17, 2026.

104	Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

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: March 17, 2026		/s/ William F. Bruss
		Name: William F. Bruss
		Title: Chief Executive Officer

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.	Description

99.1	Press release of Waterstone Financial, Inc. issued March 17, 2026

104	Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

Exhibit 99.1

WATERSTONE FINANCIAL, INC.

WATERSTONE BANK

11200 W. PLANK CT.

WAUWATOSA, WI 53226

Contact:

Mark R. Gerke

Chief Financial Officer

414.459.4012

markgerke@wsbonline.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WATERSTONE FINANCIAL RAISES QUARTERLY CASH DIVIDEND BY 13.3%

Wauwatosa, Wis. — 3/17/2026 — On March 17, 2026, the Board of Directors of Waterstone Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ: WSBF) declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.17 per common share, a 13.3% increase compared to the prior quarterly dividend.

“Today's announcement of a dividend increase underscores our disciplined execution of the Company’s business strategy and reflects our confidence in Waterstone Financial’s future,” said William Bruss, Chief Executive Officer of Waterstone Financial, Inc. “Maintaining a robust dividend payout ratio remains a priority for us, affirming our commitment to delivering long-term value to our shareholders and effective management of our capital.”

The dividend increase is effective with the dividend payable on May 1, 2026, to shareholders of record at the close of business on April 8, 2026.

About Waterstone Financial, Inc:

Waterstone Financial, Inc. is the savings and loan holding company for WaterStone Bank, a community-focused financial institution established in 1921. WaterStone Bank offers a comprehensive suite of personal and business banking products and operates 14 branch locations across southeastern Wisconsin. WaterStone Bank is also the parent company of WaterStone Mortgage Corporation, a national lender licensed in 48 states.

With a long-standing commitment to innovation, integrity, and community service, Waterstone Financial, Inc. supports the financial and homeownership goals of customers nationwide.

For more information about WaterStone Bank, visit wsbonline.com.

# # #

Source: View Original Filing on SEC EDGAR

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

5 documents

Press Releases

EX-99.1 EXHIBIT 99.1 6.2 KB

Waterstone Financial lifts dividend 13.3% to $0.17