Citizens & Northern Corp. Insider Runk Buys 18,000 Shares in Steady Monthly Builds Amid Bullish Momentum

Insider Buying Continues at Citizens & Northern Corp. The most recent form‑5 filing shows Executive Vice President and Strategic Advisor David S. Runk adding 8,924 shares of Citizens & Northern Corp. (CZNC) on 2025‑10‑01 and 9,234 shares on 2025‑10‑01 again (reported later in 2026). The latest transaction, a purchase of 136 shares on 2025‑11‑17 at $19.03, was executed as part of a 401(k) dividend‑reinvestment plan that was subsequently liquidated. In total, Runk has bought roughly 18,000 shares since the start of the year, representing about 0.04 % of outstanding shares.

What This Means for Investors Runk’s steady buying pace coincides with a bullish trend for CZNC: the stock has risen 13.55 % month‑to‑date, 10.86 % over the year, and is trading just below its 52‑week high of $24.04. Insider buying at this level is generally viewed as a positive signal, suggesting that management believes the share is undervalued or that forthcoming catalysts—such as the bank’s expansion into new markets or an upcoming dividend—will support price appreciation. The modest size of the trades also indicates a long‑term confidence rather than a short‑term speculative play.

A Closer Look at Runk’s Transaction Pattern Runk’s purchase history shows a pattern of regular, incremental builds: eight‑to‑nine‑thousand‑share blocks every month from October through December, with no significant sells recorded. Unlike some peers who cycle in and out of positions, Runk has maintained a steadily increasing holding. This disciplined approach is consistent with a strategic‑advisor role that focuses on aligning management’s interests with shareholders’. Historically, Runk’s trades have always been executed at or below market price, suggesting a focus on value rather than opportunistic gains.

Company‑wide Insider Activity Context Other insiders—such as Katherine Shattuck (CEO) and several other EVP‑level executives—have also been buying in 2026, with Shattuck adding 16 shares on 2026‑02‑10. The overall trend of insider purchases across the board, coupled with the absence of large sales, points to a corporate consensus that CZNC is positioned for growth. The bank’s recent earnings season, strong loan portfolio performance, and modest P/E of 15.96 relative to the banking sector support this outlook.

Bottom Line for Stakeholders For long‑term investors, Runk’s incremental buying, aligned with the broader insider buying wave, signals confidence in Citizens & Northern Corp.’s trajectory. While the shares remain reasonably priced, the modest size of trades and the lack of selling activity suggest that insiders are not in a hurry to liquidate positions. This stability, combined with the company’s solid fundamentals and recent price momentum, makes CZNC an interesting candidate for investors seeking exposure to a mid‑size U.S. bank with a clear growth strategy.