CEO of Columbia Banking System Swings from Massive Sales to RSU Buy‑Back: Insider Trading Sparks Investor Skepticism

Insider Activity at Columbia Banking System: A Close‑Read

The most recent filing from Chief Executive Stein Clint shows a purchase of 56,017 restricted stock units (RSUs) on February 18, 2026, at $31.24 per share. This move is modest compared with his recent trading, which has been dominated by a series of large‑scale sales in early February. Clint’s selling spree—most notably a $3,922‑share sale on February 15 and a $28,927‑share purchase on February 2—has left his post‑transaction holdings at roughly 150,000 shares, or about 0.8 % of outstanding shares. The RSU purchase, vesting over three years, signals a long‑term commitment, yet it is eclipsed by the immediate cash outflows that followed his earlier sales.

What Does This Mean for Investors?

Clint’s pattern suggests a classic “buy‑low, sell‑high” strategy that can be unsettling for shareholders. The timing—selling when the price was near its 52‑week low (19.61) and buying back as the stock climbed toward its recent high (32.70)—raises questions about whether the CEO’s moves are driven by personal liquidity needs or by a belief that the market is overvaluing the stock. The net effect has been a dilution of insider ownership and, potentially, a signal that the company’s fundamentals may not justify the current trading range. For investors, the RSU grant could be a positive sign, indicating that the top executive is willing to lock in equity that will vest at a premium if the stock continues to rise. However, the negative sentiment score (-45) and the high buzz (930.85 %) around the transaction suggest that social‑media chatter is skeptical, possibly amplifying concerns about insider timing.

Stein Clint: A Profile of Activity

Over the past year, Clint has engaged in over 30 insider trades, alternating between significant sales and sizable purchases. His most recent sale of 3,922 shares on February 15 at $31.49 followed a pattern of selling in the days after the stock touched 52‑week lows, then buying back at higher levels. The RSU grant on February 18, while smaller in dollar terms, is the largest single restricted‑stock purchase on record for Clint at CBS. His historical trades show a preference for common stock, with a few phantom‑stock and deferred‑compensation moves. This blend of trading tactics indicates a flexible approach to capital allocation, balancing short‑term liquidity with long‑term equity incentives.

Company‑Wide Insider Momentum

The 11 recent insider transactions, all restricted‑stock unit purchases at $31.24, indicate a broader executive confidence in the company’s future. Executives across risk, credit, marketing, and strategy have each added between 1,700 and 16,645 shares. While the volume per executive is modest compared with the CEO’s activity, the unanimous buying suggests that the senior management team believes the stock is undervalued at current levels. Combined with the CEO’s RSU grant, this cluster of purchases could temper the negative perception that stems from the CEO’s recent sales.

Bottom Line for Wall Street and the Long‑Term Investor

Columbia Banking System is trading near its 52‑week high, with a P/E of 13.64 and a market cap of roughly $9.3 B. The CEO’s recent trading pattern—massive sales followed by a small RSU purchase—creates a mixed signal. Short‑term investors may view the sales as a warning of potential downside, while long‑term holders could interpret the RSU grant and the collective buying by other executives as evidence of confidence in the company’s fundamentals. As the RSUs vest over the next three years, the market will have to decide whether the stock will sustain its upward trajectory or correct back toward the lower end of its annual range.