1,853 material Form 8-K filings that 1,500 companies we cover made with the SEC in September 2026, each read and summarized by AI: what happened, the key figures, whether it reads positive or negative for shareholders, and how big a deal it is (impact 1-5). All of them were written later, when past filings were added: a selection, not every 8-K of the month (see the note below).
First Financial Corporation said Chief Financial Officer Rodger A. McHargue will retire effective December 31, 2026, and its Board appointed Senior Vice President and Director of Finance Paul D. Nungester, Jr. to succeed him effective January 1, 2027. The filing also describes Nungester's employment agreement, which includes a $375,000 base salary and severance terms tied to a change in control.
McHargue, who has served as CFO since 2010, retires effective December 31, 2026.
Nungester, age 52, joined the company on August 10, 2026 and becomes CFO effective January 1, 2027.
Nungester's employment agreement runs through June 30, 2028 and sets a base salary of $375,000 per year.
Change-in-control severance equals 2.0 times the sum of base salary, prior-year bonuses and benefit reimbursements.
PepsiCo's Board elected Joaquin Duato, Chairman and CEO of Johnson & Johnson, as an independent director effective December 1, 2026, and he will serve on the Audit Committee. The filing describes standard director compensation, which gives Mr. Duato a stock award and cash retainer, and it does not describe any change in company results or operations.
Board elected Joaquin Duato as an independent director on September 17, 2026, effective December 1, 2026
Mr. Duato will serve on the Audit Committee effective December 1, 2026
He receives 1,000 shares of PepsiCo common stock plus a prorated annual equity award valued at $166,667 on December 1, 2026
First semi-annual cash retainer payment of $60,000 is due in June 2027
First Commonwealth Financial appointed Phillip J. Graves Jr. as Chief Accounting Officer of the company and First Commonwealth Bank, and designated him principal accounting officer, effective September 14, 2026. He previously served as a Senior Manager at KPMG LLP from October 2021 to August 2026, and the filing discloses a $275,000 base salary and a change of control agreement providing one year of severance.
Appointed Chief Accounting Officer and principal accounting officer, effective September 14, 2026
Previously a Senior Manager at KPMG LLP, October 2021 to August 2026
Annual base salary of $275,000
Change of control agreement with one year of severance; copy to be filed with the Form 10-Q for the quarter ending September 30, 2026
Service Properties Trust's Board elected Jeanmarie Flaherty Cooney as an Independent Trustee on September 15, 2026, with a term ending at the 2027 annual meeting. She was also appointed to the Audit, Compensation, and Nominating and Governance Committees, adding a former audit committee chair and CFO background to board oversight.
Election effective September 15, 2026; term expires at the 2027 annual shareholder meeting
Cooney was audit committee chair at Playa Hotels & Resorts from 2023 until its 2025 sale to Hyatt Hotels Corporation
Previously served at Wyndham Worldwide from 2009 to 2018, most recently as CFO of Wyndham Hotel Group
Cooney receives standard Independent Trustee compensation and an indemnification agreement on substantially the same terms as other trustees
SunPower said director Jamie Haenggi will not stand for reelection at the 2026 Annual Meeting, set for November 2, 2026, and that her decision did not stem from any disagreement with the company or its board. The company also disclosed a later-than-usual meeting date, which resets the deadlines for shareholder proposals and director nominations to September 28, 2026.
Annual meeting set for November 2, 2026, to be held virtually; record date is September 18, 2026
Director Jamie Haenggi will serve until the 2026 Annual Meeting but will not stand for reelection
Shareholder proposals for the proxy statement under Rule 14a-8 and other director nominations must be received by September 28, 2026
Hercules Capital increased its board from seven to eight directors and elected Alfred B. Fichera, a former KPMG audit partner, as an independent director effective September 17, 2026. He will serve on the Audit Committee, and the filing says he will receive standard non-employee director compensation.
Board expanded from seven to eight directors on September 17, 2026 to fill the new seat
Fichera is a Class I director with a term expiring in 2029 and serves on the Audit Committee
Fichera served at KPMG LLP from 1982 until retiring in 2019, including as an audit partner for nearly 25 years
Pathward Financial said President Anthony Sharett resigned from his roles as President of the company and of its subsidiary Pathward, N.A., to pursue other opportunities. The company plans to implement its succession plan and reorganize the President's responsibilities among existing executives.
Sharett notified the company of his resignation on September 14, 2026; it takes effect October 23, 2026.
The company intends to implement its succession plan; no successor is named in the filing.
Sharett previously served as chief legal and compliance officer, general counsel and corporate secretary.
Faeth Therapeutics appointed Karen Vousden, Ph.D., a cancer biologist and company co-founder, as a Class II director effective immediately, after increasing the board from five to six seats. She also joined the Compensation Committee, and will receive a 25,000-share stock option under the company's director compensation program.
Board expanded from five to six directors on September 11, 2026.
Dr. Vousden's term runs until the 2029 annual meeting of stockholders.
Initial grant is an option to purchase 25,000 shares of common stock, vesting monthly through the third anniversary of the grant date.
Dr. Vousden is a Principal Group Leader at The Francis Crick Institute and a director of Bristol Myers Squibb Company since 2018.
Zillow Group said its Chief Accounting Officer and principal accounting officer, Jennifer Rock, will retire effective September 17, 2026, and remain in an advisory role through March 1, 2027. The board appointed Rikki Tremblay, a Zillow employee since December 2014, as Vice President, Principal Accounting Officer, effective the same day. The company said Ms. Rock's retirement was not due to any disagreement on accounting or disclosure matters.
Jennifer Rock retires as Chief Accounting Officer and principal accounting officer effective September 17, 2026; advisory role through March 1, 2027
Rikki Tremblay, 41, appointed Vice President, Principal Accounting Officer, effective September 17, 2026
Tremblay's base salary increases to $400,000; she receives an equity award based on $500,000 in value, granted September 18, 2026, vesting over four years
The company stated Ms. Rock's retirement was not the result of any disagreement on accounting principles, practices or financial disclosures
Ross Stores said Director Sharon D. Garrett will retire from the Board and its committees effective October 1, 2026. The Board appointed Shelley H. Bransten and Christian B. Johnson as directors on the same date, and expanded the Board to ten members. The filing describes both new directors as independent under Nasdaq rules and says they will join the Audit Committee.
Sharon D. Garrett retires from the Board and applicable committees effective October 1, 2026, having tendered her resignation on September 11, 2026.
Shelley H. Bransten and Christian B. Johnson join the Board effective October 1, 2026, each with a term expiring at the 2027 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Both new directors will serve on the Audit Committee and are independent under Nasdaq Stock Market listing rules.
The Board size increases to ten members, and the new directors will receive standard cash fees and restricted stock.
LCNB Corp. said its EVP and Chief Wealth Officer, Michael R. Miller, will retire from the company and LCNB National Bank effective March 31, 2027. Joshua A. Shapiro has been promoted to Director of LCNB Wealth, and Bradley A. Ruppert will oversee the Wealth Group after Miller leaves, which the company says provides continuity for clients.
Michael R. Miller, EVP and Chief Wealth Officer, retires effective March 31, 2027
Under Miller, LCNB Wealth assets under management rose from approximately $457 million at year-end 2016 to approximately $1.68 billion at June 30, 2026
Joshua A. Shapiro promoted to Director of LCNB Wealth; takes day-to-day responsibility effective January 1, 2027, reporting to Bradley A. Ruppert
Azenta's board approved a letter agreement with Dr. Martin D. Madaus, its Interim President and Chief Executive Officer since August 22, 2026, setting his base salary, a cash performance bonus, and an equity grant. The company also granted retention restricted stock units to four named executive officers, including $1,000,000 for Chief Financial Officer Lawrence Lin. The filing discloses pay terms and governance changes, and it does not report financial results.
Madaus receives an annual base salary of $600,000 and a cash performance recognition bonus equal to 100% of salary, which vests on the first anniversary of his start date.
Madaus receives restricted stock units with an award value of $1,200,000, vesting in 1/12 monthly installments from his start date.
Retention awards: Lawrence Lin $1,000,000; Ephraim Starr, Olga Pirogova and Trey Martin $500,000 each, with 50% vesting on each of the first and second anniversaries of the September 14, 2026 grant date.
Madaus left the Nominating and Governance Committee, which now consists of William L. Cornog (Chair), Frank E. Casal and Robyn C. Davis.
TJX Companies elected Craig A. Pintoff to its Board of Directors and its Audit and Finance Committee, effective immediately, on September 16, 2026. Pintoff is executive vice president and chief administrative officer of United Rentals, and the Board has determined he is independent under NYSE standards.
Craig A. Pintoff, 56, elected to the TJX Board and Audit and Finance Committee effective immediately
Current role: executive vice president and chief administrative officer at United Rentals, a position he has held since 2017
Director pay includes an annual cash retainer of $115,000 and deferred stock awards with a total target value of $210,000, prorated for his election date
Brandywine Realty Trust's Board of Trustees appointed Terri Herubin as a Trustee effective September 15, 2026, and also placed her on the Audit Committee. She previously served on the Board from 2018 to 2024, so the appointment adds an experienced real estate investment director to the board.
Terri Herubin appointed Trustee effective September 15, 2026, serving until the 2027 annual meeting of shareholders
Herubin also appointed to the Board's Audit Committee at the same time
Previously served on the Board from 2018 to 2024, including as chair of the Corporate Governance Committee
Will receive standard non-employee Trustee compensation, prorated for the current year
PetMed Express (PetMeds) appointed Jeff Willard as Chief Executive Officer, President and a director, effective September 28, 2026, succeeding Leslie C.G. Campbell, who has served as Interim CEO and President since August 2025. Campbell is also retiring as Board Chair and leaving the Board on the same date, and Justin Mennen will become Chair. The filing sets Willard's initial base salary at $550,000 and a three-year initial employment term, a significant change in the company's top leadership.
Jeff Willard, age 56, was CEO of Stewart-MacDonald from November 2024 to September 2026; the Board approved his appointment on August 27, 2026.
Initial base salary of $550,000, target annual bonus of 75% of base salary, and a $120,000 signing bonus.
Justin Mennen, currently Lead Independent Director, succeeds Leslie C.G. Campbell as Chair effective September 28, 2026.
Campbell will remain as a full-time Strategic Advisor for 60 days following Willard's arrival.
Franklin BSP Realty Trust's board reappointed Richard Byrne as Chief Executive Officer effective September 16, 2026, succeeding Michael Comparato, who resigned on September 15, 2026. The company said Comparato is stepping back from day-to-day executive responsibilities, and Byrne will also remain Chairman of the Board. For shareholders, this is a change in the company's top executive role at an externally managed real estate investment trust.
Richard Byrne reappointed CEO effective September 16, 2026; he previously served as CEO from 2016 to February 2026 and continues as Chairman.
Michael Comparato resigned as CEO on September 15, 2026, and will serve as an advisor to Benefit Street Partners L.L.C.; the press release describes a Senior Advisor role at BSP through 2027.
Jerome S. Baglien, CFO and COO, was appointed Co-President alongside Brian Buffone and will lead BSP's Commercial Real Estate Debt platform.
Duke Robotics appointed Avi Levin as Chief Financial Officer, effective October 1, 2026, replacing Shlomo Zakai, who will continue to provide consulting services to the company. The filing sets out Levin's pay, which includes a monthly base salary and a future grant of stock options, so shareholders can see the compensation terms tied to the new finance chief.
Avi Levin becomes CFO on October 1, 2026; Shlomo Zakai ceases to be CFO at that time and is expected to continue as a financial and corporate consultant.
Levin's gross monthly base salary is NIS 52,250 (approximately $17,227), with a gross monthly expense allowance of NIS 2,500 (approximately $824).
The Board approved a future grant of options to buy up to 35,000 shares, with a six-year term and a strike price equal to the average closing price over the 30 trading days before the grant date.
Levin previously served as CFO of RAD Data Communications (2023 to 2025), BlackSwan Technologies (2021 to 2023) and Ability Inc. (2015 to 2020).
World Kinect said Michael J. Kasbar will step down as Executive Chairman effective December 31, 2026, and will remain a member of the Board. Director Ken Bakshi, who has served on the Board since 2002, was appointed independent Chair effective the same date. The company says the Board believes an independent chair strengthens its oversight, and the filing states the departure was not due to any disagreement with the company.
Kasbar steps down as Executive Chairman effective December 31, 2026, and continues as a Board member.
Ken Bakshi, on the Board since 2002, is appointed independent Chair effective December 31, 2026.
Kasbar's employment agreement expired December 31, 2025; severance payments and benefits became payable but were not paid while he remained employed, subject to restrictive covenants for two years after he leaves the Executive Chairman role
The filing states the step-down was not the result of any disagreement with the company on operations, practices or policies.
Fortitude Mining Holdings, the business HeartSciences has agreed to combine with under a June 23, 2026 merger agreement, appointed Jaime Leverton as its Chief Executive Officer and a board member, effective September 21, 2026. Andrea Childs resigned from the Fortitude board and will step down as CEO on that date to become Chief Operating Officer. The filing says Leverton is expected to lead the combined company after the deal closes, which is expected in the fourth quarter of 2026 subject to HeartSciences shareholder approval.
Jaime Leverton becomes CEO and a director of Fortitude effective September 21, 2026; she previously served as CEO of Hut 8 and most recently led ReserveOne.
Andrea Childs resigns from the Fortitude board effective immediately and becomes Chief Operating Officer on September 21, 2026.
The merger agreement was signed June 23, 2026; closing is expected in the fourth quarter of 2026, subject to HeartSciences shareholder approval.
Fortitude reported second quarter revenue of $20.9 million, according to the press release furnished as Exhibit 99.1.
Briefs are written by AI from the filing text and can contain mistakes — open the filing before acting on anything. Impact (1-5) and tone are the AI's reading of the filing for shareholders, not a price forecast. Not investment advice.
Briefs marked “Written later” were written in November 2026 for filings that were by then more than three weeks old, so months before mid-October 2026 hold a selection: every material 8-K of the past year for the 100 largest companies we cover and the last 15 important 8-Ks of every other one. Briefs the number check holds back are not shown or counted. Also: the last 45 days, briefs by company, A–Z and the live SEC filings wire.