☐ |
Preliminary Proxy Statement
|
☐ |
Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
|
☒ |
Definitive Proxy Statement
|
☐ |
Definitive Additional Materials
|
☐ |
Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12
|
☒ |
No fee required
|
☐ |
Fee paid previously with preliminary materials
|
☐ |
Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11
|

THIS PROXY STATEMENT AND THE COMPANY’S ANNUAL REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS
ARE AVAILABLE AT: www.edocumentview.com/BYFC
|
1. |
To elect the three directors named in the proxy statement to serve until the Annual Meeting to be held in the year 2028 or until their successors are elected and have been
qualified;
|
2. |
To ratify on an advisory (non-binding) basis the appointment of Crowe LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Company for its fiscal year ending December
31, 2025;
|
3. |
To cast an advisory (non-binding) vote to approve executive compensation;
|
4. |
To approve an amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation to remove the provision specifying the circumstances under which cause for removal of a director shall be
deemed to exist; and
|
5. |
To consider such other business as may properly come before and be voted upon by the stockholders at the Annual Meeting, or any postponement or adjournment thereof.
|

Q: |
How can I attend the Annual Meeting?
|
A: |
The Annual Meeting will be conducted solely online by live webcast. You will be entitled to participate in the Annual Meeting, including asking questions and voting your shares,
only if you were a stockholder of the Company of record as of the close of business on the Record Date for the Annual Meeting, or if you hold a valid proxy for the Annual Meeting received from a stockholder of record on that date and
follow the instructions below.
|
Q: |
What if I have trouble accessing the Annual Meeting virtually?
|
A: |
On the day of the Annual Meeting, if you experience technical difficulties either during the check-in process or during the Annual Meeting, please call 1-888-724-2416 for
assistance. Stockholders may submit questions during the Annual Meeting on the Annual Meeting website. More information regarding the question-and-answer process, including the number and types of questions permitted, and how
questions will be recognized and answered, will be available in the meeting rules of conduct, which will be posted on the Annual Meeting website.
|
Q: |
Who may vote at the Annual Meeting?
|
A: |
The Board of Directors has selected May 13, 2025 as the Record Date for the Annual Meeting. Only those stockholders of record at the close of business on that date will be entitled
to a notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting or any postponement or adjournment thereof.
|
Q: |
What is the difference between holding shares as a “stockholder of record” and as a beneficial owner of shares held in “street name”?
|
A: |
If your shares are registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (“Computershare”), you are considered the “stockholder of record” with
respect to those shares, and the Notice was sent directly to you.
|
Q: |
How do I register to attend the Annual Meeting?
|
A: |
If you are a stockholder of record, our transfer agent, Computershare, will already have that information and you will not need to register to attend and participate in the Annual
Meeting webcast. Instead, you may simply follow the instructions to access the meeting website on the Notice or proxy card that you received.
|
Q: |
How can I vote my shares without participating in the online Annual Meeting?
|
A: |
Whether you are a stockholder of record or hold your shares in street name, you may vote your shares or direct how your shares will be voted without participating in the online
Annual Meeting.
|
Q: |
How can I vote my shares during the Annual Meeting?
|
A: |
Whether you are a stockholder of record or hold your shares in street name, you may vote online at the Annual Meeting. You will need to enter your control number (included in your
Notice, your proxy card, or the voting instructions that accompanied your proxy materials) to vote your shares at the Annual Meeting. Even if you plan to participate in the Annual Meeting, however, we encourage you to vote over the
Internet, by telephone, or by returning a proxy card if you have requested printed proxy materials. This will ensure that your vote will be counted if you are unable to, or later decide not to, participate in the Annual Meeting.
|
Q: |
May I revoke my voting instructions or proxy and change my vote?
|
A: |
You may revoke your proxy and change your vote on a matter at any time before the voting on the matter at the Annual Meeting is completed. You may revoke your voting instructions or
proxy over the Internet or by telephone by following the instructions included in your proxy materials or by submitting a written notice of revocation to Broadway Financial Corporation 4601 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 150, Los Angeles, CA
90010, Attn: Audrey A. Phillips. You may also revoke a previously submitted proxy by voting again on a later date over the Internet, by telephone, or by signing and returning a new proxy card by mail (only your latest proxy submitted
prior to the Annual Meeting will be counted), or by voting at the Annual Meeting. Your participation at the Annual Meeting will not revoke your proxy unless you vote again electronically during the Annual Meeting. Any revocation of or
change in your vote on a matter must be received by the Company prior to completion of the vote on the matter to be effective.
|
1
|
|
1
|
|
2
|
|
3
|
|
4
|
|
4
|
|
8
|
|
8
|
|
8
|
|
9
|
|
9 | |
10 | |
11
|
|
12
|
|
13 | |
13 | |
20
|
|
20 | |
21
|
|
22 | |
22 | |
22 | |
24 | |
24 | |
25 |
Beneficial Owner
|
Number of
Shares of
Voting
Common
Stock
Beneficially
Owned
|
Percent of
Voting
Common
Stock
|
Number of
Shares of
Non-
Voting
Common
Stock,
Class B
Beneficially
Owned(1)
|
Number of
Shares of
Non-
Voting
Common
Stock,
Class C
Beneficially
Owned(2)
|
Percent of
Total Common
Stock
Outstanding(3)
|
|||||||||||||||
5% Beneficial Owners:
|
||||||||||||||||||||
City First Enterprises(4)
|
861,843
|
14.05
|
%
|
—
|
—
|
9.34
|
%
|
|||||||||||||
City First Bank, National Association Employee Stock Ownership Trust(5)
|
592,389
|
9.66
|
%
|
—
|
—
|
6.42
|
%
|
|||||||||||||
Directors and Executive Officers(6):
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Brian E. Argrett(7)
|
96,309
|
1.57
|
%
|
—
|
—
|
*
|
||||||||||||||
Wayne-Kent A. Bradshaw
|
40,684
|
*
|
—
|
—
|
*
|
|||||||||||||||
Robert C. Davidson(8)
|
18,452
|
*
|
—
|
—
|
*
|
|||||||||||||||
Mary Ann Donovan
|
7,548
|
*
|
—
|
—
|
*
|
|||||||||||||||
John M. Driver
|
6,536
|
*
|
—
|
—
|
*
|
|||||||||||||||
Mary M. Hentges
|
0
|
*
|
—
|
—
|
*
|
|||||||||||||||
Marie C. Johns
|
7,548
|
*
|
—
|
—
|
*
|
|||||||||||||||
William A. Longbrake
|
15,048
|
*
|
—
|
—
|
*
|
|||||||||||||||
David J. McGrady
|
7,548
|
*
|
—
|
—
|
*
|
|||||||||||||||
Dutch C. Ross III
|
11,387
|
*
|
—
|
—
|
*
|
|||||||||||||||
Zakariya Ibrahim
|
39,746
|
*
|
—
|
—
|
*
|
|||||||||||||||
Ruth McCloud (9)
|
45,330
|
*
|
—
|
—
|
*
|
|||||||||||||||
Current directors and executive
officers as a group (15 persons)
|
250,806
|
4.09
|
%
|
—
|
—
|
2.72
|
%
|
* |
Less than 1%.
|
(1) |
The Class B non-voting common stock may not be converted to Voting Common Stock.
|
(2) |
The Class C non-voting common stock may be converted to Voting Common Stock only upon the occurrence of certain prescribed forms of sales to third parties that are not affiliated
with the holders thereof.
|
(3) |
The total number of outstanding common shares as of March 31, 2025 was 9,231,180, which includes all outstanding shares of Class A voting common stock, Class B non-voting common
stock, and Class C non-voting common stock.
|
(4) |
The address for City First Enterprises is 1 Thomas Circle, NW, Suite 700, Washington, D.C. 20005..
|
(5) |
The address for the City First Bank, National Association Employee Stock Ownership Trust (“ESOP”) is 1432 U Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20009.
|
(6) |
The address for each of the directors and named executive officers is 4601 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 150, Los Angeles, CA 90010.
|
(7) |
Includes 1,798 allocated shares under the ESOP.
|
(8) |
Includes 8,750 shares that are held by the Robert and Alice Davidson Trust, dated August 11, 1982. Robert Davidson and Alice Davidson share investment and voting power with respect
to the shares held by the Robert and Alice Davidson Trust in their capacities as trustees of the trust.
|
(9) |
Includes 1,798 allocated shares under the ESOP.
|
Name
|
Age as of
May 31
2025
|
Director
Since
|
Current
Term
Expires
|
Positions Currently Held with the
Company and the Bank
|
|||||||||
NOMINEES:
|
|||||||||||||
Robert C. Davidson, Jr.
|
79
|
2003
|
2025
|
Director
|
|||||||||
John M. Driver
|
60
|
2022
|
2025
|
Director
|
|||||||||
Dutch C. Ross III
|
78
|
2016
|
2025
|
Director
|
|||||||||
CONTINUING DIRECTORS:
|
|||||||||||||
Brian E. Argrett
|
62
|
2011*
|
|
2026
|
Chair of the Board, President and
Chief Executive Officer
|
||||||||
Wayne-Kent A. Bradshaw
|
78
|
2012
|
2027
|
Director, Vice Chair
|
|||||||||
Mary Ann Donovan
|
61
|
2020*
|
|
2026
|
Director
|
||||||||
Mary M. Hentges(1)
|
66
|
2025
|
2026
|
Director
|
|||||||||
Marie C. Johns
|
73
|
2014*
|
|
2027
|
Lead Independent Director
|
||||||||
William A. Longbrake
|
82
|
2011*
|
|
2026
|
Director
|
||||||||
David J. McGrady
|
69
|
1997*
|
|
2027
|
Director
|
* |
Including service as a director of CFBanc prior to the Merger.
|
(1) |
Ms. Hentges was appointed to the Board, effective March 5, 2025.
|
Audit Committee
|
|
Dr. William A. Longbrake, Chair
|
|
Ms. Mary Ann Donovan
|
|
Mr. John M. Driver
|
|
Ms. Mary M. Hentges
|
|
Ms. Marie C. Johns
|
Name
|
|
Age(1)
|
|
Principal Occupation during the Past Five Years
|
Zakariya Ibrahim
|
|
49
|
|
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company since May 2024. Previously Executive Director, Head of Corporate Finance for Texas Capital Bancshares Inc., a
U.S. bank holding company, since April 2022, and Senior Vice President and Director of Finance for TIAA Bank, a U.S. bank holding company, from May 2019 until April 2022.
|
Elizabeth Sur
|
|
63
|
|
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Risk Officer of the Company and Bank since May 2024. Previously a Managing Director and Regulatory Intelligence executive at
Wells Fargo Bank, a U.S. financial services company, since 2022 and Managing Director and Head of Regulatory Relations for Barclays Bank, a multinational company, from 2018 until 2022.
|
John Tellenbach
|
|
58
|
|
Executive Vice President, West Commercial Regional Executive of the Company since February 2023. Senior Vice President and Chief Credit Officer of Malaga Bank, a community banking
company, beginning in 2015.
|
LaShanya Washington
|
|
51
|
|
Executive Vice President, Chief Credit Officer of the Company since April 2023 and Senior Vice President, Deputy Chief Credit Officer since August 2022. Senior Vice President and
Senior Credit Officer of the Bank since April 2022 and Credit Risk Officer since February 2019.
|
Sonja S. Wells
|
|
70
|
|
Executive Vice President, East Commercial Regional Executive of the Company, and of the Bank since April 2023. Previously Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer of the
Bank since January of 2021. Senior Vice President and Interim Chief Lending Officer of the Bank from May 2020 to January 2021 and prior to that Senior Vice President and Relationship Manager of the Bank from July 2015.
|
(1) |
As of March 31, 2025
|
Name and Principal Position
|
|
Year
|
|
Salary
|
|
Stock Awards(1)
|
|
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation(2)
|
|
All Other
Compensation(3)
|
|
Total
($)
|
Brian E. Argrett
Chief Executive Officer
|
|
2024
|
|
$577,500
|
|
$153,171
|
|
$115,869
|
|
$61,924
|
|
$908,464
|
2023 |
$577,500 |
$275,000 |
$114,883 |
$75,876 |
$1,043,259 |
|||||||
Zakariya Ibrahim,
Chief Financial Officer
|
|
2024
|
|
$248,504
|
|
$174,997
|
|
$-
|
|
$28,092
|
|
$451,593
|
Ruth McCloud
Former Chief Operating Officer
|
|
2024
|
|
$270,000
|
|
$42,620
|
|
$39,751
|
|
$21,583
|
|
$373,954
|
2023
|
$270,000
|
$73,736
|
$42,621
|
$38,263
|
$424,620
|
(1) |
This column reports the grant date fair value of restricted stock granted during each year reported. The amounts reported in this column have been calculated in accordance with FASB
ASC Topic 718. A description of the methodologies and assumptions we use to value equity awards and the manner in which we recognize the related expense are described in Note 15 to our consolidated financial statements, Stock-Based
Compensation.
|
(2) |
The amounts shown represent the cash incentive compensation awards earned by each NEO under the Bank’s Incentive Plan for Management (“Incentive Plan”), based on the objective
criteria established by the Board at the beginning of each year. The Company’s achievement of such objective criteria is determined by the Board’s compensation and benefits committee (“Compensation and Benefits Committee”). The
Compensation and Benefits Committee evaluates the performance results at the beginning of the following year and approves the amounts of bonuses to be paid.
|
(3) |
Includes amounts paid by the Company to the 401(k) account of the NEO and allocations under the City First Bank, National Association Employee Stock Ownership Plan. Also includes
perquisites and other benefits consisting of social club dues, automobile and telephone allowances, health benefits and life insurance premiums.
|
• |
Net Earnings
|
• |
Capital
|
• |
Compliance
|
• |
Net Loan Growth
|
• |
Asset Quality
|
• |
Core Deposit Growth
|
|
Option Awards
|
Restricted Stock Awards
|
||||||||||||||||
Name
|
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
(Exercisable)
|
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
(Unexercisable)(1)
|
Option Exercise
Price
($)(2)
|
Option
Expiration
Date(3)
|
Number
of Shares
That Have
Not Vested
(#)
|
Market Value of
Shares That Have
Not Vested
($)
|
||||||||||||
Brian E. Argrett
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
52,882(4)
|
|
$362,242
|
|||||||||||
Zakariya Ibrahim
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
31,645(5)
|
|
$216,768
|
|||||||||||
Ruth McCloud
|
12,500
|
—
|
12.96
|
02/24/2026
|
16,638(6)
|
|
$113,970
|
(1) |
Options became fully vested on February 24, 2021.
|
(2) |
Based upon the fair market value of a share of Company common stock on the date of grant.
|
(3) |
Terms of outstanding stock options are for a period of ten years from the date the option is granted.
|
(4) |
5,935 of these shares vest on March 16, 2025, 10,602 of these shares vest on each of June 21, 2025 and 2026, and the remaining 25,743 of these shares vest
in three equal annual installments on each anniversary of March 26, 2024.
|
(5) |
These shares vest in equal annual installments on each of April 8, 2025, 2026 and 2027 for Mr. Ibrahim.
|
(6) |
1,722 of these shares vested on March 16, 2025, 861 of these shares vest on March 16, 2026, and 1,723 shares vest on each of March 26, 2025, 2026, 2027 and
2028, and the remaining 7,163 of these shares vest in five equal annual installments on each anniversary of March 26, 2024. Shares that remained unvested were forfeited at the time of retirement.
|
Year
(a)
|
Summary
Compensation
Table Total for
PEO (Argrett)(1)
(b)
|
Compensation
Actually Paid
to PEO
(Argrett)(2)
(c)
|
Average
Summary
Compensation
Table Total
for Non-PEO
NEOs(3)
(d)
|
Average
Compensation
Actually Paid
to Non-PEO
NEOs(4)
(e)
|
Value of
Initial Fixed
$100
Investment
Based
On Total
Stockholder
Return(5)
(f)
|
Net Income(6)
(g)
|
||||||||||||||||||
2024
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
||||||||||||
2023
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
||||||||||||
2022
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
(1) |
The dollar amounts reported in column (b) represent the amount reported for
|
(2) |
The dollar amounts reported in column (c) represent the amount of “compensation actually paid” to Mr. Argrett as computed in accordance
with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K and do not reflect the total compensation actually realized or received by our CEO. In accordance with these rules, these amounts reflect “Total Compensation” as set forth in the Summary
Compensation Table for each year, adjusted as shown below. Equity values are calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, and the valuation assumptions used to calculate fair values did not materially differ from those
disclosed at the time of grant.
|
Compensation Actually Paid to PEO
|
2024
|
|||
|
Argrett
|
|||
Summary Compensation Table Total
|
$
|
|
||
Less, value of “Stock Awards” and “Option Awards” reported in Summary Compensation Table
|
$
|
(
|
)
|
|
Plus, year-end fair value of outstanding and unvested equity awards granted in the year
|
$
|
|
||
Plus, fair value as of vesting date of equity awards granted and vested in the year
|
|
|||
Plus (less), year over year change in fair value of outstanding and unvested equity awards granted in prior years
|
$
|
|
||
Plus (less), change in fair value from prior year end to vesting date of equity awards granted in prior years that vested in the year
|
$
|
(
|
)
|
|
Less, prior year-end fair value for any equity awards forfeited in the year
|
|
|||
Plus, dividends or other earnings paid on awards in the covered fiscal year prior to vesting if not otherwise included in the SCT Total for the covered fiscal year
|
|
|||
Compensation Actually Paid to PEO
|
$
|
|
(3) |
The dollar amounts reported in column (d) represent the average of the amounts reported for the Company’s named executive officers (NEOs)
as a group (excluding the PEO) in the “Total” column of the Summary Compensation Table in each applicable year. The names of each of the NEOs included for these purposes in each applicable year are as follows: (i) for 2024, Mr.
Ibrahim and Ms. McCloud and (ii) for 2023 and 2022, Ms. Battey and Ms. McCloud.
|
(4) |
The dollar amounts reported in column (e) represent the average amount of “compensation actually paid” to the NEOs as a group (excluding
the PEO), as computed in accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K. In accordance with these rules, these amounts reflect average “Total Compensation” as set forth in the Summary Compensation Table for each year, adjusted as
shown below. Equity values are calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, and the valuation assumptions used to calculate fair values did not materially differ from those disclosed at the time of the grant.
|
Average Compensation Actually Paid to Non-PEO NEOs
|
2024
|
|||
Average Summary Compensation Table Total
|
$
|
|
||
Less, average value of Stock Awards reported in Summary Compensation Table
|
$
|
(
|
)
|
|
Plus, average year-end fair value of outstanding and unvested equity awards granted in the year
|
$
|
|
||
Plus, average fair value as of vesting date of equity awards granted and vested in the year
|
|
|||
Plus (less), average year over year change in fair value of outstanding and unvested equity awards granted in prior years
|
$
|
|
||
Plus (less), average change in fair value from prior year end to vesting date of equity awards granted in prior years that vested in the year
|
$
|
(
|
)
|
|
Less, average prior year-end fair value for any equity awards forfeited in the year
|
|
|||
Plus, average dividends or other earnings paid on awards in the covered fiscal year prior to vesting if not otherwise included in the SCT Total for the covered fiscal year
|
|
|||
Average Compensation Actually Paid to Non-PEO NEOs
|
$
|
|
(5) |
Total Stockholder Return (TSR) is calculated by dividing (a) the sum of (i) the cumulative amount of dividends for the measurement period,
assuming dividend reinvestment, and (ii) the difference between the Company’s share price at the end of each fiscal year shown and the beginning of the measurement period, and the beginning of the measurement period by (b) the
Company’s share price at the beginning of the measurement period. The beginning of the measurement period for each year in the table is December 31, 2021.
|
(6) |
The dollar amounts reported represent the amount of net income reflected in the Company’s audited financial statements for the applicable
year.
|


Name
|
Fees Earned
or Paid in Cash(1)
|
Stock
Awards(2)
|
Total
|
|||||||||
Wayne-Kent A. Bradshaw
|
$
|
56,000
|
$
|
12,000
|
$
|
68,000
|
||||||
Robert C. Davidson
|
$
|
56,000
|
$
|
12,000
|
$
|
68,000
|
||||||
Mary Ann Donovan
|
$
|
50,000
|
$
|
12,000
|
$
|
62,000
|
||||||
John Driver
|
$
|
50,000
|
$
|
12,000
|
$
|
62,000
|
||||||
Marie C. Johns
|
$
|
62,000
|
$
|
12,000
|
$
|
74,000
|
||||||
William A. Longbrake
|
$
|
56,000
|
$
|
12,000
|
$
|
68,000
|
||||||
David J. McGrady
|
$
|
56,000
|
$
|
12,000
|
$
|
68,000
|
||||||
Dutch C. Ross III
|
$
|
56,000
|
$
|
12,000
|
$
|
68,000
|
(1) |
Includes payments of annual retainer fees, and retainer fees paid to chairs of Board committees.
|
(2) |
The amounts shown reflect the aggregate fair value of stock awards on the grant date, as determined in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. For each director, the number of shares of
Common Stock was determined by dividing the grant date value of the award, $12,000, by $4.84, the closing price of the Company’s Common Stock on May 24, 2024, the date of grant. As of December 31, 2024, none of the directors held any
outstanding equity awards.
|
THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR”
THE PROPOSAL TO RATIFY ON AN ADVISORY (NON-BINDING) BASIS THE APPOINTMENT OF
CROWE LLP AS THE COMPANY’S
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM.
|
|
2024
|
2023
|
||||||
|
(In thousands)
|
|||||||
Audit fees(1)
|
$
|
583
|
$
|
875
|
||||
Audit-related fees
|
—
|
—
|
||||||
Tax fees (2)
|
44
|
—
|
||||||
All other fees
|
—
|
—
|
||||||
Total fees
|
$
|
627
|
$
|
875
|
(1) |
Aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered for the audit of the Company’s consolidated annual financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and for the reviews
of the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. The services provided by the independent accounts are for SEC-related filings only.
|
(2)
|
Aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered for the Agreed-Upon-Procedures and attestation to evaluate the Company’s Emergency Capital
Investment Program quarterly supplemental reports.
|
THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL,
ON AN ADVISORY BASIS, OF THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
AS DISCLOSED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT.
|
THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” THE AMENDMENT TO THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO REMOVE THE PROVISION SPECIFYING THE CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH CAUSE FOR REMOVAL OF A DIRECTOR SHALL BE DEEMED TO EXIST. |
• |
B Corp Certification: Maintaining B Corp certification to assess our impact across our workers, customers, communities, governance, and the environment.
|
• |
Reporting: Producing and reviewing quarterly and annual reports on our lending activities to target urban low-to-moderate income communities.
|
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
|
|
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|
Audrey A. Phillips
|
|
Vice President and Corporate Secretary
|
|
May 19, 2025
|