hwbk-20260602
0000893847FALSE00008938472026-06-022026-06-02

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): June 2, 2026 
 
Hawthorn Bancshares, Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter) 
 
 
Missouri0-2363643-1626350
(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)
(Commission
File Number)
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)

132 East High Street, PO Box 688, Jefferson City, Missouri 65102
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
573-761-6100
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
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 (see General Instruction A.2. below):
    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 classTrading Symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $1.00 par valueHWBKThe 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 5.07 Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
Hawthorn Bancshares, Inc. (the "Company") held its 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the "Annual Meeting") on June 2, 2026. A total of 5,116,853 shares of the Company's common stock were present or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting. This represented approximately 74.27% of the Company's shares of common stock that were outstanding and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. Four proposals were presented to the Company's shareholders at the Annual Meeting as described in Hawthorn's 2026 Proxy Statement. The final results of the shareholder vote on each of the proposals are as follows:
Proposal 1: Election of Directors. Hawthorn's shareholders elected four (4) Class I director nominees to serve a three-year term expiring at the Company's 2029 annual meeting of shareholders and until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified or until their respective earlier resignation or removal:
Name of Director NomineeNumber of Shares Voted "For"Number of Shares Voted "Against"AbstentionsBroker Non-Votes
Kathleen L. Bruegenhemke3,454,6688,413117,5201,536,250
Douglas T. Eden3,393,28838,345148,9681,536,250
Philip D. Freeman2,925,051544,135111,4161,536,250
Jonathan D. Holtaway3,409,75221,881148,9681,536,250
Proposal 2: Ratification and Approval of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. Hawthorn's shareholders ratified the appointment of Forvis Mazars, LLP as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2026:
Number of Shares Voted "For"Number of Shares Voted "Against"AbstentionsBroker Non-Votes
4,858,332155,391103,1300
Proposal 3: Advisory (Non-binding) Vote to Approve Executive Compensation. Hawthorn's shareholders approved the compensation of the Company's executives disclosed in the proxy statement:
Number of Shares Voted "For"Number of Shares Voted "Against"AbstentionsBroker Non-Votes
3,378,00489,611112,9871,536,250
Proposal 4: Advisory (Non-binding) Vote on Frequency of Votes on Executive Compensation. Hawthorn's shareholders approved the frequency of votes on compensation of the Company's executives disclosed in the proxy statement every 1 year:
Every 1 YearEvery 2 YearsEvery 3 YearsAbstentionsBroker Non-Votes
3,242,77979,661149,785108,3761,536,250
Additional information regarding the matters voted on at the 2026 Annual Meeting is contained in the Company's definitive proxy statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 17, 2026.
Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
On June 2, 2026, the Board of Directors (the "Board") of Hawthorn Bancshares, Inc. (the "Company") approved a form of restricted stock unit agreement under the Company's Equity Incentive Plan to be used for annual equity awards of restricted stock units to non-employee directors (the "Director RSU Agreement"). Under the Director RSU Agreement, non-employee directors are granted a specified number of restricted stock units, which vest on the first anniversary date of grant provided that the respective director provides continuous service through the vesting date. The description of the Director RSU Agreement contained herein is qualified in its entirety by the form of Director RSU Agreement, a copy of which is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.1 and incorporated by reference herein.
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Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
Exhibit NoDescription
10.1
104Cover Page Interactive Data File – the cover page XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document
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SIGNATURES
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.
 
Dated: June 8, 2026
Hawthorn Bancshares, Inc.
By: /s/ Brent M. Giles
      Name: Brent M. Giles
     Title: Chief Executive Officer

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HAWTHORN BANCSHARES, INC.
Equity Incentive Plan
Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement


Date of Grant:                                            

Number of Restricted Stock Units Granted:            _______            

    THIS NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT dated ____________________ (this “Award Agreement”), is made by and between Hawthorn Bancshares, Inc., a Missouri corporation (the “Company”), and ________________ ("Participant").

RECITALS:

    A.    Effective June 6, 2023, the Company adopted the Hawthorn Bancshares, Inc. Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) pursuant to which the Company may, from time to time, grant Restricted Stock Units to eligible Service Providers of the Company.

B.    Participant is a Service Provider of the Company or one of its Affiliates and the Company desires to encourage Participant to own an equity interest in the Company and to give Participant added incentive to advance the interests of the Company, and desires to grant Participant Restricted Stock Units under the terms and conditions established by the Committee.

AGREEMENT:

    In consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

    1.    Incorporation of Plan. All provisions of this Award Agreement and the rights of Participant hereunder are subject in all respects to the provisions of the Plan and the powers of the Committee therein provided. Capitalized terms used in this Award Agreement but not defined shall have the meaning set forth in the Plan.

2.    Grant of Restricted Stock Units. Subject to the conditions and restrictions set forth in this Award Agreement and in the Plan, the Company hereby grants to Participant and credits to a separate account maintained on the books of the Company ("Account") that number of Restricted Stock Units identified above opposite the heading "Number of Restricted Stock Units Granted" (the "RSUs"). On any date, the value of each RSU shall equal the Fair Market Value of a Share. All amounts credited to Participant's Account under this Award Agreement shall continue for all purposes to be a part of the general assets of the Company. Participant's interest in the Account shall make Participant only a general, unsecured creditor of the Company. The RSUs may not be sold, transferred, gifted, bequeathed, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, voluntarily or involuntarily. The rights of Participant with respect to the RSUs shall remain forfeitable at all times prior to the date on which such rights are settled (the "Settlement Date," as defined below).


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3.    Settlement of RSUs. The RSUs may be settled by delivering to Participant or his or her beneficiary, as applicable, either, as determined by the Company in its sole discretion, (i) an amount of cash equal to the Fair Market Value of a Share as of the Settlement Date multiplied by the number of Shares underlying the RSUs held by Participant (or a specified portion in the event of any partial settlement), or (ii) a number of Shares equal to the whole number of Shares underlying the RSUs then held by Participant (or a specified portion in the event of any partial settlement).
Except as specifically provided elsewhere under the Plan, the restrictions on RSUs subject to this Award Agreement will lapse and be settled on the date (the "Settlement Date") set forth below, but only if Participant is, and at all times from the Date of Grant, has been a Service Provider to the Company, or one of its Affiliates, is in compliance with applicable Company policies, and the RSUs have not otherwise been cancelled:
Settlement Date of RSUs        Percentage of RSUs on which Restrictions Lapse
First Anniversary of Date of Grant        100% (___________________ RSUs)
In the event of a Change in Control pursuant to which the acquiring or successor company (i) assumes or continues in effect this Agreement and the RSUs, (ii) issues comparable substitute RSUs or stock based awards for the RSUs, or (iii) provides a cash incentive program that preserves the economic value and opportunity of the RSUs, then each of the RSUs (or substitute RSUs or other stock based awards) shall continue to vest in accordance with the above vesting schedule; provided, however, any unvested RSUs shall also become immediately vested and be settled if during the 24-month period following the consummation of the Change in Control, the Participant's service as a Director is terminated by the Company.
In the event the acquiring or successor company in a Change in Control does not (x) assume or continue in effect the RSUs, (y) issue comparable substitute RSUs or stock based awards for the RSUs, or (z) provide a cash incentive program that preserves the economic value and opportunity of the RSUs, then all of the unvested RSUs shall immediately vest and be settled at the time of the Change in Control. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may also, in its sole discretion, accelerate the Settlement Date for any or all of the RSUs, if in its judgment the performance of Participant has warranted such acceleration and/or such acceleration is in the best interests of the Company.
Payment of the cash and/or Shares following the Settlement Date shall be made by the Company to Participant no later than the earlier of the end of the calendar year in which the Settlement Date occurs or the 30th day after the Settlement Date.
4.    Cancellation of RSUs. Unless otherwise provided in this Section 4 or in the Plan, if, prior to the final Settlement Date, Participant's position as a Service Provider to the Company or any of its Affiliates is terminated, Participant shall thereupon immediately forfeit any and all unsettled RSUs, all such unsettled RSUs shall be cancelled and Participant shall have no further rights under this Award Agreement.
5.    Securities Law Compliance; Clawback Policy. The Company may impose such restrictions, conditions or limitations as it determines appropriate as to the timing and manner of any resales by Participant or other subsequent transfers by Participant of any Shares issued as a result of or under this Award, including without limitation (i) restrictions under an insider trading policy, (ii) restrictions that may be necessary in the absence of an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, covering the Award and/or the Shares underlying the Award and (iii)


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restrictions as to the use of a specified brokerage firm or other agent for such resales or other transfers. Any sale of the Shares must also comply with other applicable laws and regulations governing sale of such Shares. This Award Agreement, the RSUs and any Shares received under this Award Agreement, and any amount or benefit received under the Plan shall be subject to potential cancellation, recoupment, rescission, payback or other action in accordance with the terms of any applicable Company or Subsidiary clawback policy (the “Policy”) or any applicable law, as may be in effect from time to time. Participant hereby acknowledges and consents to the Company’s or a Subsidiary’s application, implementation and enforcement of (a) the Policy and any similar policy established by the Company or a Subsidiary that may apply to the Participant, whether adopted prior to or following the date of this Agreement, and (b) any provision of applicable law relating to cancellation, rescission, payback or recoupment of compensation, and agrees that the Company or a Subsidiary may take such actions as may be necessary to effectuate the Policy, any similar policy and applicable law, without further consideration or action.
6.    Dividends and Voting. Prior to an RSU's Settlement Date, Participant shall not be entitled to receive dividend equivalent payments for any dividends paid by the Company on Shares, whether payable in stock, in cash or in kind, or other distributions, declared as of a record date that occurs on or after the Date of Grant hereunder and prior to any cancellation of such RSUs. Participant will have no voting rights with respect to any of the RSUs.
    7.    Tax Withholding. Participant understands and agrees that, at the time any tax withholding obligation arises in connection with the settlement of any of the RSUs, the Company may withhold, in Shares if a valid election applies under this Section 7 or in cash from payroll or other amounts the Company owes or will owe Participant, any applicable withholding, payroll and other required tax amounts due upon such RSU settlement. Such tax withholding may be made by any means permitted under the Plan, as approved by the Committee, and as permitted under the law. In the absence of the satisfaction of tax obligations, Company may refuse to issue the Shares. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee or its delegate in their sole discretion and unless otherwise prohibited by law, Participant (or his or her guardian, legal representative or successor) may, in the manner determined by the Committee or its delegate, irrevocably elect in writing on a Company designated form to satisfy any income tax withholding obligation in connection with the RSUs by requesting Company to retain whole Shares which would otherwise have been issued, which Shares shall not belong to Participant upon such retention. If withholding is not effected by the Company for any reason at the time of the taxation event, then Participant agrees to pay Company any withholding amounts due within the deadline imposed by the Company. If, within the deadline imposed by Company, Participant has not paid any withholding amounts due or has not elected, if allowed by the Committee or its delegate in their sole discretion, whether to have Shares retained for taxes or to pay cash for the tax withholding, then the Company may, at its sole discretion (a) retain whole Shares which would otherwise have been issued (including without limitation withdrawal of Shares that had previously been placed into Participant's book entry account), (b) deduct such amounts in cash from payroll or other amounts the Company owes or will owe Participant, or (c) effect some combination of Share retention and cash deduction.

    8.    Governing Law. The laws of the State of Missouri will govern the interpretation, validity and performance of this Award Agreement regardless of the law that might be applied under principles of conflicts of laws.

    9.    Section 409A Compliance. It is the intent of the Company that all payments made under this Award Agreement will be exempt from Section 409A of the Code and the Treasury regulations and guidance issued thereunder ("Section 409A") pursuant to the “short-term deferral” exemption. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan or this Award Agreement to the contrary, (i) this Award Agreement shall not be amended in any manner that would cause any amounts payable hereunder that are not subject to Section 409A to become subject thereto (unless they also are in compliance therewith), and


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the provisions of any purported amendment that may reasonably be expected to result in such non-compliance shall be of no force or effect with respect to this Award Agreement and (ii) the Company, to the extent it deems necessary or advisable in its sole discretion, reserves the right, but shall not be required, to unilaterally amend or modify this Award Agreement to reflect the intention that the Plan qualifies for exemption from or complies with Section 409A in a manner that as closely as practicable achieves the original intent of this Award Agreement and with the least reduction, if any, in overall benefit to a Participant to comply with Section 409A on a timely basis, which may be made on a retroactive basis, in accordance with regulations and other guidance issued under Section 409A. Neither the Company nor the Board makes any representation that this Award Agreement shall be exempt from or comply with Section 409A and makes no undertaking to preclude Section 409A from applying to this Award Agreement.

    10.    Corporate Transactions and Change in Control. In addition to, but not to the extent inconsistent with, Section 3, in the event that the Company is a party to a corporate transaction (including a Change of Control) involving a merger or consolidation, or in the event of a sale of all or substantially all of the Company's stock or assets, the Award shall be treated in the manner described in the definitive transaction agreement (or, in the event the transaction does not entail a definitive agreement to which the Company is party, in the manner determined by the Committee in its capacity as administrator of the Plan, with such determination having final and binding effect on all parties), which agreement or determination need not treat all Awards (or all portions of an Award) in an identical manner.
    11.    Adjustments. Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, upon any change in the number of outstanding Shares effected without receipt of consideration therefor by the Company, by reason of a merger, reorganization, consolidation, recapitalization, separation, liquidation, stock dividend, stock split, share combination or other change in the corporate structure of the Company affecting the Shares, the aggregate number and class of Shares subject to this Award shall be automatically adjusted to accurately and equitably reflect the effect thereon of such change; provided, however, that any fractional share resulting from such adjustment shall be eliminated. If there is a dispute concerning such adjustment, the decision of the Committee shall be conclusive.
    12.    Committee Authority. Any questions concerning the interpretation of this Award Agreement, any adjustments required to be made under Sections 10 or 11 of this Award Agreement, and any controversy which arises under this Award Agreement shall be decided by the Committee, in its sole discretion, and any such decision shall be conclusive and non-appealable.
    13.    No Effect on Capital Structure. The RSUs shall not affect the right of the Company to reclassify, recapitalize or otherwise change its capital or debt structure or to merge, consolidate, convey any or all of its assets, dissolve, liquidate, windup, or otherwise reorganize.

    14.    Titles. Titles are provided herein for convenience only and are not to serve as a basis for interpretation or construction of this Award Agreement.

    15.    Amendment. This Award Agreement may be amended only by a writing executed by the parties hereto which specifically states that it is amending this Award Agreement; provided, however, the Company may unilaterally amend this Award Agreement if it determines that a ministerial amendment is necessary which does not adversely affect the rights of Participant or the potential economic benefit intended to be conveyed hereunder.

    16.    Binding Effect. Except as expressly stated herein to the contrary, this Award Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the respective heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns of the parties hereto.


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[The remainder of this page is intentionally left blank; signature page follows.]


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    This Award Agreement has been executed and delivered by the parties hereto.

The Company:            Participant:

Hawthorn Bancshares, Inc.        


By:                    
Name:                     



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