Maria A. Grasso Sells 513 Shares of Flushing Financial Corp. in Routine Portfolio Move, Amid Quiet Merger Talks

Insider Selling at a Time of Strategic Uncertainty

On January 27, 2026, Sr. EVP and COO Maria A. Grasso sold 513 shares of Flushing Financial Corp. (FFCO) at $15.54 each, reducing her holdings to 94,731 shares. The sale followed a series of earlier transactions in the same week, including a 720‑share sell at $16.10 on January 26 and a 7,590‑share buy on January 27, suggesting a tactical rebalancing rather than a wholesale divestiture. For a senior executive who has accumulated over 95,000 shares since the start of the year, the 513‑share move is modest in dollar terms and likely reflects routine portfolio management, perhaps to cover tax obligations or diversify assets.

Implications for Investors and the Company’s Outlook

FFCO’s market cap of just over $519 million and a P/E of 14.6 positions it as a relatively stable, dividend‑oriented regional bank. The company’s recent earnings report highlighted steady net‑interest margin expansion and a robust loan pipeline, but also flagged a pending merger with OceanFirst. Insider sales are often interpreted as a sign of potential pessimism; however, the volume here is small compared to the overall holdings and is consistent with Grasso’s historical pattern of mixed buys and sells. Investors should therefore view the transaction as a routine adjustment rather than a red flag. That said, continued insider activity—especially the sizable sells by the CEO and other senior executives—could signal mounting pressure on the bank’s future prospects, particularly if the OceanFirst merger does not deliver the anticipated synergies.

Profile of Maria A. Grasso

Grasso’s insider history shows a balanced approach: she has made 7,590‑share purchases on January 27 and 8,700‑share sales on the same day, and a 720‑share sell at $16.10 on January 26. Earlier in 2025 she sold 500 shares at an undisclosed price and held a 655‑share position in a 401(k) plan. Over the past year her net position has hovered around 90,000 shares, indicating a long‑term commitment to the firm. Her transaction pattern—periodic buying and selling with no single large liquidation—suggests she is not in a hurry to exit but may be fine‑tuning her exposure.

Takeaway for Market Participants

The modest sale by Grasso, coupled with the broader pattern of insider activity, points to routine portfolio management rather than an impending sell‑off. Nonetheless, the concurrent strategic developments—especially the OceanFirst merger—and the significant insider sales by other executives warrant close monitoring. For investors, the key signals to watch are post‑merger integration outcomes, loan performance metrics, and any further insider transactions that could indicate changing confidence levels within FFCO’s leadership.