# EDGAR Filing Document

**Accession Number:** 0001473844
**File Stem:** 0001104659-26-007472
**Filing Date:** 2026-1
**Character Count:** 20171
**Document Hash:** d81982172b8783cc487f455a68b670da
**Contains OCR:** False
**Source Format:** 

## Filing Content

## Filing Summary
**0001104659-26-007472.hdr.sgml**: 20260128

**ACCESSION NUMBER**: 0001104659-26-007472

**CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE**: 425

**PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT**: 1

**FILED AS OF DATE**: 20260128

**DATE AS OF CHANGE**: 20260128

**SUBJECT COMPANY**: 

**COMPANY DATA:**
- **COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:** Stellar Bancorp, Inc.
- **CENTRAL INDEX KEY:** 0001473844
- **STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:** NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS [6021]
- **ORGANIZATION NAME:** 02 Finance
- **EIN:** 208339782
- **STATE OF INCORPORATION:** TX
- **FISCAL YEAR END:** 1231

**FILING VALUES:**
- **FORM TYPE:** 425
- **SEC ACT:** 1934 Act
- **SEC FILE NUMBER:** 001-38280
- **FILM NUMBER:** 26573420

**BUSINESS ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 9 GREENWAY PLAZA, SUITE 110
- **CITY:** HOUSTON
- **STATE:** TX
- **ZIP:** 77046
- **BUSINESS PHONE:** (713) 210-7600

**MAIL ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 9 GREENWAY PLAZA, SUITE 110
- **CITY:** HOUSTON
- **STATE:** TX
- **ZIP:** 77046

**FORMER COMPANY:**
- **FORMER CONFORMED NAME:** Stellar Bancorp. Inc.
- **DATE OF NAME CHANGE:** 20221003

**FORMER COMPANY:**
- **FORMER CONFORMED NAME:** CBTX, Inc.
- **DATE OF NAME CHANGE:** 20171011

**FORMER COMPANY:**
- **FORMER CONFORMED NAME:** CBFH, Inc.
- **DATE OF NAME CHANGE:** 20091005
**FILED BY**: 

**COMPANY DATA:**
- **COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:** Stellar Bancorp, Inc.
- **CENTRAL INDEX KEY:** 0001473844
- **STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:** NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS [6021]
- **ORGANIZATION NAME:** 02 Finance
- **EIN:** 208339782
- **STATE OF INCORPORATION:** TX
- **FISCAL YEAR END:** 1231

**FILING VALUES:**
- **FORM TYPE:** 425

**BUSINESS ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 9 GREENWAY PLAZA, SUITE 110
- **CITY:** HOUSTON
- **STATE:** TX
- **ZIP:** 77046
- **BUSINESS PHONE:** (713) 210-7600

**MAIL ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 9 GREENWAY PLAZA, SUITE 110
- **CITY:** HOUSTON
- **STATE:** TX
- **ZIP:** 77046

**FORMER COMPANY:**
- **FORMER CONFORMED NAME:** Stellar Bancorp. Inc.
- **DATE OF NAME CHANGE:** 20221003

**FORMER COMPANY:**
- **FORMER CONFORMED NAME:** CBTX, Inc.
- **DATE OF NAME CHANGE:** 20171011

**FORMER COMPANY:**
- **FORMER CONFORMED NAME:** CBFH, Inc.
- **DATE OF NAME CHANGE:** 20091005

Pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act of 1933,

as amended, and deemed filed pursuant to Rule 14a-12

under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended

Subject Company: Stellar Bancorp, Inc.

Commission File No: 001-38280

This filing relates to the proposed transaction between Stellar Bancorp, Inc. ("Stellar") and Prosperity Bancshares, Inc. ("Prosperity") pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of January 27, 2026, by and between Stellar and Prosperity, which was made available to employees:

**Galaxy Landing Page**

**FAQs**

**What is happening?**

On January 28, 2026, Prosperity Bancshares, Inc. ("Prosperity") and Stellar Bancorp, Inc. ("Stellar") jointly announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement whereby Stellar will merge with Prosperity.

**Who is Prosperity (NYSE PB)**

Prosperity is a Houston, Texas based regional bank providing personal banking services and investments to consumers and businesses throughout Texas and Oklahoma.

Founded in 1983, Prosperity believes in a community banking philosophy, taking care of customers, businesses, and communities in the areas it serves by providing financial solutions to simplify everyday financial needs.

**Why are we joining Prosperity?**

Combining with a larger and complementary institution like Prosperity presents a meaningful opportunity to expand our scale, provide a wider array of products, and extend our impact, for the benefit of our clients, employees and stakeholders. Together, we will have approximately $54 billion in assets and create one of the best deposit franchises in the country. We will be the second largest Texas-headquartered bank by assets. Once the transaction is completed, we are confident the combined company will create compelling growth opportunities and benefits for our employees as part of a larger, more diversified organization.

This partnership brings together two banks that believe in the same things: local decision-making, strong community ties, and personalized service. By joining the Prosperity family, we'll have the strength and resources of a larger organization while keeping the local focus our customers value. Customers will benefit from:

· More products and services to meet their financial needs

· Higher lending limits to support their goals

· Continued local service from the people they know and trust

As part of the Prosperity family, you'll continue to have access to great career opportunities and professional growth. Prosperity is committed to supporting its employees and offers a competitive benefits package designed to take care of you and your family.

**What is the timeline for the transaction?**

We announced the merger on January 28, 2026.

We anticipate closing will occur in the second quarter of 2026 subject to Stellar shareholder approval, receipt of required regulatory approvals and satisfaction of other customary closing conditions.

**Will my branch stay open?**

Prosperity plans to maintain most Stellar locations to bolster its presence in Houston and East Texas. Although final decisions will be part of the integration planning prior to closing, we will communicate any changes as decisions are made.

**What happens to my job?**

Prosperity recognizes it's the people who are behind our success. The majority of positions will be needed as we come together to continue serving customers and growing the business. Management does not expect a significant number of eliminated positions. If any changes occur that affect your role, you can count on clear and timely communication, along with support throughout the process.

More details about pay and benefits will be shared as the integration process moves forward.

**What leadership decisions have been made?**

Bob Franklin (Chairman and CEO of Stellar Bancorp,) will serve as the Vice Chairman of Prosperity Bank and as a director of Prosperity. Ray Vitulli will serve as Houston Area Chairman. Mr. Vitulli and Pat Parsons, a director of Stellar Bank, will join the Board of Directors of Prosperity Bank . Additionally, Stellar will be able to select an additional Stellar director to serve on the Prosperity board.

**What does this mean for our customers?**

First and foremost, our customers will continue to receive the stellar service they rely on and have come to expect. By joining Prosperity Bank, we will be able to provide more convenient locations throughout Texas, more robust offerings, greater lending strength, and more diversified products.

Currently, it is business as usual. There will be no impact to customers until system conversion in 2027. At that time, we will do everything we can to make it a smooth transition. Customers will receive frequent communication as information becomes available, and they will be notified well in advance of any changes to how they bank with us.

**What should I say to customers if asked about the merger?**

For the time being we ask that you be positive to customers about the merger – as we believe that the merger and the combined company will be able to better serve the needs of our customers. If customers have specific questions, please refer them to your manager or a managing director.

**What should I do if I'm approached by the media?**

If you receive any media inquiries, please forward them to Elizabeth Tindall, Executive Director of Marketing and Communications.

**When can we expect to hear more?**

You will receive regular updates from leadership as details unfold. Galaxy is the best source of information and will be updated regularly. Please share any questions or concerns with your manager, human resources or any member of the leadership team.

**\* \* \***

**Cautionary Notes on Forward Looking Statements**

This communication contains statements regarding the proposed transaction between Prosperity and Stellar; future financial and operating results; benefits and synergies of the proposed transaction; future opportunities for Prosperity; the issuance of common stock of Prosperity contemplated by the Agreement and Plan of Merger by and between Prosperity and Stellar (the "Merger Agreement"); the expected filing by Prosperity with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") of a registration statement on Form S-4 (the "Registration Statement") and a prospectus of Prosperity and a proxy statement of Stellar to be included therein (the "Proxy Statement/Prospectus"); the expected timing of the closing of the proposed transaction; the ability of the parties to complete the proposed transaction considering the various closing conditions and any other statements about future expectations that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. From time to time, oral or written forward-looking statements may also be included in other information released to the public. Such forward-looking statements are typically, but not exclusively, identified by the use in the statements of words or phrases such as "aim," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "goal," "guidance," "intend," "is anticipated," "is expected," "is intended," "objective," "plan," "projected," "projection," "will affect," "will be," "will continue," "will decrease," "will grow," "will impact," "will increase," "will incur," "will reduce," "will remain," "will result," "would be," variations of such words or phrases (including where the word "could," "may," or "would" is used rather than the word "will" in a phrase) and similar words and phrases indicating that the statement addresses some future result, occurrence, plan or objective. Forward-looking statements include all statements other than statements of historical fact, including forecasts or trends, and are based on current expectations, assumptions, estimates, and projections about Prosperity, Stellar and their respective subsidiaries or related to the proposed transaction between Prosperity and Stellar and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed in such statements.

These forward-looking statements may include information about Prosperity's and Stellar's possible or assumed future economic performance or future results of operations, including future revenues, income, expenses, provision for loan losses, provision for taxes, effective tax rate, earnings per share and cash flows and Prosperity's and Stellar's future capital expenditures and dividends, future financial condition and changes therein, including changes in Prosperity's and Stellar's loan portfolio and allowance for loan losses, future capital structure or changes therein, as well as the plans and objectives of management for Prosperity's and Stellar's future operations, future or proposed acquisitions, the future or expected effect of acquisitions on Prosperity's and Stellar's operations, results of operations, financial condition, and future economic performance, statements about the anticipated benefits of the proposed transaction, and statements about the assumptions underlying any such statement.

These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are based on expectations and assumptions Prosperity and Stellar currently believe to be valid. Because forward-looking statements relate to future results and occurrences, many of which are outside of the control of Prosperity and Stellar, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Many possible events or factors could adversely affect the future financial results and performance of Prosperity, Stellar or the combined company and could cause those results or performance to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others: (1) the risk that the cost savings and synergies from the proposed transaction may not be fully realized or may take longer than anticipated to be realized, (2) disruption to Prosperity's and Stellar's businesses as a result of the announcements and pendency of the proposed transaction, (3) the risk that the integration of Stellar's businesses and operations into Prosperity will be materially delayed or will be more costly or difficult than expected, or that Prosperity is otherwise unable to successfully integrate Stellar's business into its own, including as a result of unexpected factors or events, (4) the failure to obtain the necessary approval by the shareholders of Stellar, (5) the ability by Prosperity and/or Stellar to obtain required governmental approvals of the proposed transaction on the timeline expected, or at all, and the risk that such approvals may result in the imposition of conditions that could adversely affect Prosperity after the closing of the proposed transaction or adversely affect the expected benefits of the proposed transaction, (6) reputational risk and the reaction of each company's customers, suppliers, employees or other business partners to the proposed transaction, (7) the failure of the closing conditions in the Merger Agreement to be satisfied, or any unexpected delay in closing the proposed transaction or the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the Merger Agreement, (8) the dilution caused by the issuances of additional shares of Prosperity's common stock in the proposed transaction, (9) the possibility that the proposed transaction may be more expensive to complete than anticipated, including as a result of unexpected factors or events, (10) the outcome of any legal or regulatory proceedings that may be currently pending or later instituted against Prosperity before or after the proposed transaction, or against Stellar, (11) diversion of management's attention from ongoing business operations and (12) general competitive, economic, political and market conditions and other factors that may affect future results of Prosperity and Stellar. Prosperity and Stellar disclaim any obligation to update such factors or to publicly announce the results of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements included herein to reflect future events or developments. These and various other risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and factors are discussed in the Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed by Prosperity or Stellar and in other filings made by Prosperity and Stellar with the SEC from time to time.

**Additional Information about the Transaction and Where to Find It**

Prosperity intends to file with the SEC the Registration Statement on Form S-4 to register the shares of Prosperity common stock to be issued to the shareholders of Stellar in connection with the proposed transaction. The Registration Statement will include the Proxy Statement/Prospectus which will be sent to the shareholders of Stellar in connection with the proposed transaction. This communication is not a substitute for the Registration Statement, the Proxy Statement/Prospectus or any other document that may be filed by Prosperity or Stellar with the SEC. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT, THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO THE PROXY/STATEMENT PROSPECTUS, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THESE DOCUMENTS, CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY, BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN OR WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain the Registration Statement and the Proxy Statement/Prospectus (when available) and other documents that are filed with the SEC by Prosperity or Stellar, as applicable, free of charge from the SEC's website at https://www.sec.gov or through the investor relations section of Prosperity's website at https://www.prosperitybankusa.com/investor-relations/ or Stellar's website at https://ir.stellar.bank.

**Participants in the Solicitation**

Prosperity, Stellar and certain of their directors and executive officers and other employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from Stellar's shareholders in connection with the proposed transaction. Information about the directors and executive officers of Prosperity and their ownership of Prosperity common stock is contained in the definitive proxy statement for Prosperity's 2025 annual meeting of shareholders (the "Prosperity Annual Meeting Proxy Statement"), which was filed with the SEC on March 13, 2025, including under the headings "Item 1. Election of Directors," "Corporate Governance," "Executive Compensation and Other Matters," "Item 3. Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation," and "Beneficial Ownership of Common Stock by Management of the Company and Principal Shareholders." Information about the directors and executive officers of Stellar and their ownership of Stellar common stock is contained in the definitive proxy statement for Stellar's 2025 annual meeting of shareholders (the "Stellar Annual Meeting Proxy Statement"), which was filed with the SEC on April 10, 2025, including under the headings "Proposal 1: Election of Directors," "Certain Corporate Governance Matters," "Executive Compensation and Other Matters," "Executive Compensation Payments and Awards," "Proposal 4: Advisory Vote on the Compensation of the Company's Named Executive Officers ("Say-on-Pay Resolution")," and "Beneficial Ownership of the Company's Common Stock by Management and Principal Shareholders of the Company." Additional information regarding the persons who may, under the rules of the SEC, be deemed participants in the solicitation of the shareholders of Stellar in connection with the proposed transaction, including a description of their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus relating to the proposed transaction when it is filed with the SEC. To the extent holdings of securities by potential participants (or the identity of such participants) have changed since the information printed in the Prosperity Annual Meeting Proxy Statement or the Stellar Annual Meeting Proxy Statement, such information has been or will be reflected on Statements of Change in Ownership on Forms 3 and 4 filed with the SEC, as applicable. Free copies of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus relating to the proposed transaction and free copies of the other SEC filings to which reference is made in this paragraph may be obtained from the SEC's website at https://www.sec.gov or through the investor relations section of Prosperity's website at https://www.prosperitybankusa.com/investor-relations/ or Stellar's website at <u>https://ir.stellar.bank</u>.

**No Offer or Solicitation**

This communication is for informational purposes only and is not intended to and does not constitute an offer to subscribe for, buy or sell, or the solicitation of an offer to subscribe for, buy or sell, or an invitation to subscribe for, buy or sell any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, invitation, sale or solicitation would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act, and otherwise in accordance with applicable law.