8-K

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):  April 29, 2021

PATRIOT NATIONAL BANCORP, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

900 Bedford Street

Stamford, Connecticut 06901

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:  (203) 252-5900

N/A

(Former Address of Principal Executive Offices)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

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. ☐

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Section 5 – Corporate Governance and Management

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

On April 29, 2021, Patriot National Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) appointed Karen Rojeski as its Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer, promoted Steven Grunblatt as Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer, and appointed David Lowery as Head of Lending of Patriot Bank, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary.

Ms. Rojeski most recently served as Executive Vice President, Chief Credit Officer at Metropolitan Commercial Bank and previously held the position of Senior Vice President, Special Assets Department Manager at Union Savings Bank. Ms. Rojeski brings to the Company a rich and diverse experience in community bank credit and lending. Ms. Rojeski holds an undergraduate degree from San Francisco State University and a Master of Science from Fairfield University.

Mr. Grunblatt joined Patriot Bank in 2014 as Senior Vice President, Director of Technology. He has over twenty-five years of experience in various facets of information technology, including management and oversight of all aspects of vendor management, infrastructure and technology implementation. Mr. Grunblatt graduated from the Wharton School of Business in Pennsylvania with a bachelor’s degree in Economics.

Mr. Lowery is an experienced lending executive and will be responsible for originations, pool purchases and directing the lending function of Patriot Bank. Mr. Lowery has served in various senior capacities with several institutions including Iberia Bank, Metropolitan and M&T Bank. He has built highly successful lending businesses in the New York metropolitan area. Mr. Lowery holds an MBA from Loyola University in Maryland in addition to his Undergrad in Economics from Loyola.

Section 7 – Regulation FD

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure

On April 29, 2021, the Company issued a press release, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1, regarding the appointment of Ms. Rojeski as its Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer, the promotion of Mr. Grunblatt as Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer, and the appointment of Mr. Lowery as Head of Lending.

The information contained in this Current Report on Form 8-K (including the exhibit) is being furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that Section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as otherwise expressly stated in such filing.

Section 9 - Financial Statements and Exhibits

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) Exhibits.

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 thereunto duly authorized.

ex_245110.htm

Exhibit 99.1

Patriot Bank announces key additions to executive leadership in credit, lending and information technology.

STAMFORD, Conn., April 29, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Patriot National Bancorp, Inc. (“Patriot”) (NASDAQ:PNBK), the parent company of Patriot Bank, N.A. (the “Bank”), today announced it has two executive hires and a promotion. Karen Rojeski has joined Patriot as its Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer. Steven Grunblatt has been promoted to Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer. David Lowery has been hired as Head of Lending.

Ms. Rojeski most recently served as Executive Vice President – Chief Credit Officer at Metropolitan Commercial Bank and previously held the position of Senior Vice President – Special Assets Department Manager at Union Savings Bank. Ms. Rojeski brings a rich and diverse experience in community bank credit and lending. Ms. Rojeski holds an undergraduate degree from San Francisco State University and a Master of Science from Fairfield University. Ms. Rojeski commented, “I’m very pleased to be joining Patriot, and to be working with such talented credit and lending professionals”.

Mr. Grunblatt joined Patriot Bank in 2014 as SVP, Director of Technology. He brings with him over twenty-five years of experience in various facets of information technology, including management and oversight of all aspects of vendor management, infrastructure and technology implementation. Mr. Grunblatt graduated from the Wharton School of Business in Pennsylvania with a bachelor’s degree in Economics. “My career with the Bank continues to provide new challenges and opportunities. I’m excited to be joining the executive management team that I’ve worked so closely with for the last seven years”, stated Mr. Grunblatt.

Mr. Lowery is an experienced lending executive and will serve as Patriot Bank’s Head of Lending. He will be responsible for originations, pool purchases and directing the lending function. Mr. Lowery has served in various senior capacities with several institutions including Iberia Bank, Metropolitan and M&T Bank. He has built highly successful lending businesses in the New York metropolitan area. Mr. Lowery commented, “I am very much looking forward to building Patriot’s commercial and consumer lending, while supporting the communities in which we do business”. Mr. Lowery holds an MBA from Loyola University in Maryland in addition to his Undergrad in Economics from Loyola.

“I’m pleased and excited to be able to expand the Bank’s leadership team by adding such talented individuals with deep industry experience. I look forward to the efforts each of them will bring to Patriot’s success”, commented President and CEO Robert Russell. “These individuals have extensive records of performance and will be a substantial resource for Patriot and its customers.

About the Company

Founded in 1994, Patriot National Bancorp, Inc. (“Patriot” or “Bancorp”) is the parent holding company of Patriot Bank N.A. (“Patriot”), a nationally chartered bank headquartered in Stamford, CT.  Patriot operates with full-service branches in Connecticut and New York and

provides lending products and services nationally. Patriot’s mission is to serve its local community and nationwide customer base by providing a growing array of banking solutions to meet the needs of individuals and small businesses owners. Patriot places great value in the integrity of its people and how it conducts business.  An emphasis on building strong client relationships and community involvement are cornerstones of our philosophy as we seek to maximize shareholder value.