DEF 14A

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities

Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. ____)


Filed by the Registrant	☒

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant	☐

Check the appropriate box:


☐		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 pursuant to Rule 14a-12

FIRST MID BANCSHARES, INC.

(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement; if other than the Registrant)

Payment of filing fee (check the appropriate box):


☒		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

March 17, 2026

Dear Fellow Stockholder:

On behalf of the Board of Directors and management of First Mid Bancshares, Inc. (the “Company”), I cordially invite you to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of First Mid Bancshares, Inc. to be held at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.

Pursuant to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s “notice and access” rules, on or about March 17, 2026, you received in the mail our Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”), which provided you with instructions on how to access this Proxy Statement via an Internet website, the Company's 2025 annual report to stockholders and the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the recently completed fiscal year. Details regarding the business to be conducted at the meeting are described in the Notice and in this Proxy Statement.

At the meeting, we will report on Company operations and the outlook for the year ahead. Directors and officers of the Company, as well as a representative of Forvis Mazars, LLP, the Company's independent auditors, will be present to respond to any appropriate questions stockholders may have.

The 2026 annual meeting of stockholders is being held for the following purposes:

To elect directors of the Company (Proposal 1);

To conduct an advisory vote on executive compensation (Proposal 2);

Such other matters as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournments thereof.

Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, please act promptly to vote your shares. You may vote your shares over the Internet or, if you receive or request to receive written proxy materials, by mailing, completing, signing and dating a proxy card and returning it in the accompanying postage paid envelope provided. You may also vote your shares by telephone or by following the instructions set forth on the proxy card or Notice. Please review the instructions for each of your voting options described in the Notice you received in the mail and in this Proxy Statement. If you attend the meeting, you may vote your shares, even if you have previously submitted a proxy in writing, by telephone or through the Internet. Submitting a proxy will ensure that your shares are represented at the meeting.

If you have any questions concerning these matters, please contact me at (217) 258-9520 or Austin Frank, Director of Investor Relations, at (217) 258-5522. We look forward with pleasure to your participation in the meeting.


Very truly yours,

	FIRST MID BANCSHARES, INC.

/s/ Joseph R. Dively

Joseph R. Dively

	Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

PROXY STATEMENT

Annual Meeting of Stockholders To Be Held April 29, 2026

First Mid Bancshares, Inc.

1421 Charleston Avenue, P.O. Box 499

Mattoon, Illinois 61938 (217) 258-0493

GENERAL INFORMATION

This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of First Mid Bancshares, Inc. (the “Company”) to be voted at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders on Wednesday, April 29, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. local time. The Board of Directors would like to have all stockholders represented at the meeting. This proxy statement and the enclosed form of proxy are being made available to the stockholders beginning on or about March 17, 2026.

Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders, we encourage you to read this Proxy Statement and submit your proxy as soon as possible. For specific instructions on how to vote your shares, please refer to the instructions on the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials you received in the mail and if you receive or request to receive printed proxy materials, the proxy card. The Company's annual report to stockholders and its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the recently completed fiscal year, which includes the consolidated financial statements of the Company, have been made available with this Proxy Statement.

The Company is a diversified financial services company which serves the financial needs of the communities in which it is located. The Company owns all of the outstanding capital stock of First Mid Bank & Trust, N.A., a national banking association ("First Mid Bank"); First Mid Wealth Management Company, a trust, farm services, investment services and retirement planning company ("Wealth Management"); First Mid Insurance Group, an insurance agency ("Insurance Group"); First Mid Investments, Inc. an investment company, and First Mid Captive, Inc., a captive insurance company ("Captive").

Only holders of record of the Company's common stock ("Common Stock") at the close of business on March 5, 2026 (the "Record Date") will be entitled to vote at the annual meeting or any adjournments or postponements of such meeting. On the Record Date, the Company had 26,622,310 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding. In the election of directors, and for any other matters to be voted upon at the annual meeting, each issued and outstanding share of Common Stock is entitled to one vote.

You may revoke your proxy at any time before it is voted. Unless so revoked, the shares represented by such proxies will be voted at the annual meeting and all adjournments thereof. You may revoke your proxy at any time before it is voted by delivering written notice of revocation to the Secretary of the Company at 1421 Charleston Avenue, P.O. Box 499, Mattoon, Illinois 61938, by executing and delivering a subsequently dated proxy or by attending the annual meeting and voting your shares. Proxies solicited by the Board of Directors of the Company will be voted in accordance with the directions given therein. Where no instructions are indicated, proxies will be voted in accordance with the recommendations of the Board of Directors with respect to the proposals described herein.

A quorum of stockholders is necessary to take action at the annual meeting. The presence, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the shares of Common Stock of the Company entitled to vote at the meeting will constitute a quorum. Votes cast by proxy at the meeting will be tabulated by the inspector of election appointed for the meeting and will be counted as present for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present. The inspector of election will treat proxies received but marked as abstentions or broker non-votes as present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present. "Broker non-votes" refers to a broker or other nominee holding shares for a beneficial owner not voting on a particular proposal because the broker or other nominee does not have discretionary voting power regarding that item and has not received instructions from the beneficial owner.

The expenses of solicitation, including the cost of printing and mailing, will be paid by the Company. Proxies are being solicited principally via the Internet and by mail. In addition, directors, officers and regular employees of the Company may solicit proxies personally, by telephone, by fax or by special letter. The Company may also reimburse brokers, nominees and other fiduciaries for their reasonable expenses in forwarding proxy materials to beneficial owners.

VOTING SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS THEREOF

The following table sets forth, as of February 17, 2026, the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by each person known by the Company to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (who are not also directors), each director nominee of the Company, each director, the "named executive officers" (as defined below) and all director nominees, directors and executive officers of the Company as a group. Please refer to the footnotes to the following table for details.


Name and Address of Beneficial Owner (1)	Title of Class	Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership (2)		Percentage of Class Outstanding
Principal Stockholders:
Blackrock, Inc. 55 East 52nd Street New York, NY 10055	Common	1,752,113	(3)	7.3	%
EPL LINCO Trust, dated December 1, 2015 302 Campusview Drive, Suite 108, Columbia, Missouri 65201	Common	1,262,246	(4)	5.2	%
The Vanguard Group 100 Vanguard Blvd. Malvern, PA 19355	Common	1,206,784	(5)	5.0	%
Director Nominees, Directors and Named Executive Officers:
Holly B. Adams	Common	433,065	(6)	1.8	%
Robert S. Cook	Common	56,407	(7)	0.2	%
Joseph R. Dively	Common	176,093	(8)	0.7	%
Paul L. Palmby	Common	5,585	(9)	*	%
Zachary I. Horn	Common	14,474	(10)	0.1	%
Gisele A. Marcus	Common	7,100	(11)	*	%
J. Kyle McCurry	Common	10,953	(12)	*	%
Alex J. Melvin	Common	137,598	(13)	0.6	%
Mary J. Westerhold	Common	319,176	(14)	1.3	%
James E. Zimmer	Common	28,090	(15)	0.1	%
Matthew K. Smith	Common	24,565	(16)	0.1	%
Jordan D. Read	Common	11,670	(17)	*	%
Michael L. Taylor	Common	50,424	(18)	0.2	%
Eric S. McRae	Common	49,984	(19)	0.2	%
All director nominees, directors, named executive officers and other executive officers as a group (24 persons)	Common	1,440,404	(20)	6.0	%

* Less than 0.1%

(1)

Addresses are provided for those beneficial owners owning more than 5% of the Company's common stock.

(2)

Unless otherwise indicated, the nature of beneficial ownership for shares shown in this column is sole voting and investment power. The information contained in this column is based upon information furnished to the Company by the persons named above.

(3)

Beneficial and percentage ownership is based on information contained in a form 13G as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 17, 2025.

(4)

Beneficial and percentage ownership is based on information contained in a form 13D/A as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 8, 2024.

(5)

Beneficial and percentage ownership is based on information contained in a form 13G as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 13, 2024.

(6)

Consists of 156,943 shares held by Ms. Adams individually; 271,146 shares held by a Trust, for which Ms. Adams has voting and investment power; and 4,976 shares held for the account of Ms. Adams under the Company’s Deferred Compensation Plan.

(7)

Includes 17,797 shares held by Mr. Cook jointly with his spouse; 6,106 shares held for Mr. Cook under an Individual Retirement Account; 6,466 shares held for the account of Mr. Cook under the Company's Deferred Compensation Plan; 11,980 shares held as custodian for Mr. Cook's children; 244 shares held for Mr. Cook's wife under an Individual Retirement Account; and 13,814 shares held by TAR CO Investment LLC for which Mr. Cook has shared voting and investment power.

(8)

Includes 108,893 shares held by Mr. Dively individually; and 67,200 shares held for the account of Mr. Dively under the Company’s Deferred Compensation Plan.

(9)

Includes 5,585 held by Mr. Palmby individually.

(10)

Includes 6,725 shares held by Mr. Horn individually; and 7,749 shares held for the account of Mr. Horn under the Company's Deferred Compensation Plan.

(11)

Includes 3,400 shares held by Ms. Marcus individually and 3,700 shares held for the account of Ms. Marcus under the Company's Deferred Compensation Plan.

(12)

Includes 6,258 shares held by Mr. McCurry individually and 4,695 shares held for the account of Mr. McCurry under the Company's Deferred Compensation Plan.

(13)

Includes 137,598 shares held by Mr. Melvin individually.

(14)

Includes 34,096 shares held by Ms. Westerhold individually; 1,960 shares held for the account of Ms. Westerhold under an Individual Retirement Account; 14,866 shares held for the account of Ms. Westerhold under the Company’s Deferred Compensation Plan; 50,236 shares held by DMW Investments, LLC and 56,224 shares held by Technology Group, LLC over which Ms. Westerhold shares voting and investment power; 15,471 shares held by the Jeffrey A. Westerhold Revocable Trust, 8,227 shares held by the Andrew J. Westerhold Revocable Trust; and 8,227 shares held by the Madeline C. Westerhold Trust over which Ms. Westerhold shares voting and investment power; and 129,869 shares held by an LLC over which Ms. Westerhold shares voting and investment power.

(15)

Includes 5,998 shares held by Mr. Zimmer individually; 4,050 shares held for the account of Mr. Zimmer under an Individual Retirement Account; 17,825 shares held for the account of Mr. Zimmer under the Company's Deferred Compensation Plan; and 217 shares held as custodian for Mr. Zimmer's grandchildren.

(16)

Includes 22,508 shares held by Mr. Smith individually; and 2,057 shares held for the account of Mr. Smith under the Company’s Deferred Compensation Plan.

(17)

Includes 11,670 shares held by Mr. Read individually.

(18)

Includes 35,028 shares held by Mr. Taylor individually; 9,931 shares held for the account of Mr. Taylor under the Company’s 401(k) Plan and 5,465 shares held for the account of Mr. Taylor under the Company's Deferred Compensation Plan.

(19)

Includes 34,680 shares held by Mr. McRae individually; 2,602 shares for the account of Mr. McRae under an Individual Retirement Account; 4,530 shares held for the account of Mr. McRae under the Company’s 401(k) Plan; and 8,172 shares held for the account of Mr. McRae under the Company’s Deferred Compensation Plan.

(20)

Includes shares for ten executive officers not included in the above table.

As of February 17, 2026, Wealth Management acted as sole or co-fiduciary with respect to trusts and other fiduciary accounts which own or hold 93,110 shares, or 0.39%, of the outstanding Common Stock of the Company, over which Wealth Management has sole voting and investment power with respect to 85,570 shares, or 0.36%, of the outstanding Common Stock and shared voting and investment power with respect to 7,540 shares, or 0.03%, of the outstanding Common Stock.

PROPOSAL 1 - ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

The directors of the Company are divided into Classes I, II and III having staggered terms of three years. For this year's annual stockholders meeting, upon the recommendation of the Board of Director's Nominating & Governance Committee, the Board of Directors has nominated for re-election as Class I directors, for a term expiring in 2029, Mr. McCurry, Mr. Melvin, Mr. Palmby, and Ms. Westerhold. They have served as directors of the Company since 2021, 2025, 2024, and 2016, respectively. The four individuals receiving the highest number of votes cast will be elected as directors of the Company and will serve as Class I directors for a three-year term. Broker non-votes, because they are not considered votes cast, will not be counted in the vote totals. The Company has no knowledge that any of the nominees will refuse or be unable to serve, but if any of the nominees becomes unavailable for election, the holders of the proxies reserve the right to substitute another person of their choice as a nominee when voting at the meeting. The Board of Directors has adopted a mandatory retirement age for all directors of 70, provided directors are permitted to serve for the full term in which they reach age 70.

The following table sets forth as to each nominee and director continuing in office, his or her name, age, principal occupation, and the year he or she first became a director of the Company. Unless otherwise indicated, the principal occupation listed for each person below has been his or her occupation for the past five years.


Name	Age at March 15, 2026	Principal Occupation	Year First Became Director	Year Term Expires
DIRECTOR NOMINEES
J. Kyle McCurry	48	Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel of Paige Sports Entertainment, a private family office (since 2015); Director of the Company, First Mid Bank, Insurance Group and Wealth Management (since February 2021); Director of LINCO Bancshares, Inc. (2015-2021).	2021	2026
Alex J. Melvin	42	Chief Executive Officer (since 2011) and Owner and Chairman (since 2023) of Rural King, a farm and home retail company; Owner, Chief Executive Officer and President of Rural King Realty LLC, a commercial real estate company (since 2023); Director of the Company, First Mid Bank, Insurance Group and Wealth Management (since November 2025).	2025	2026
Paul L. Palmby	63	President and Chief Executive Officer of Seneca Foods (since 2020), Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (2006-2020), President of Vegetable Division (2005-2006), and various other roles (1987 - 2004). Director of the Company, First Mid Bank, Wealth Management and Insurance Group (since 2024); Director of Blackhawk Bancorp, Inc. (2019-2023).	2024	2026
Mary J. Westerhold	60	Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (since 1997) and Controller (from 1992-1997), Madison Telephone Company, Madison Communications Company and Madison Network Systems; Director of the Company, First Mid Bank, and Insurance Group (since September 2016); Director of Wealth Management (since July 2018).	2016	2026

The Board of Directors recommends a vote "FOR" the election of Directors McCurry, Melvin, Palmby, and Westerhold for a term of three years.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The Company’s Board of Directors is committed to maintaining an effective corporate governance framework. Strong governance practices support long-term, sustainable value creation for the Company’s shareholders and provide a foundation for effective Board oversight. In July 2021, the Board of Directors adopted a Nominating & Governance Committee Charter to assist the Board of Directors in fulfilling its responsibilities to shareholders. The Company’s governance framework is discussed in detail below.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

A total of 12 regularly scheduled and special meetings were held by the Board of Directors during 2025. During 2025, all directors attended at least 75 percent of the meetings of the Board of Directors and the committees on which they served during the time they served, except for Mr. Melvin who joined the Board in November of 2025.

LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE

Mr. Dively has served as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company since January 1, 2014. The Board of Directors believes that having the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman positions held by the same individual allows that individual to have multiple perspectives about the Company and its operations while optimizing the ability of the Board of Directors to communicate with Company management. Also, because the members of the Board of Directors other than Mr. Dively are independent, the knowledge of the Company that Mr. Dively brings to the Board of Directors helps to enhance the Board of Directors' leadership of the Company. The Board of Directors has no fixed policy with respect to combining or separating the roles of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chairman of the Board of Directors and will continue to review the Board of Directors' leadership structure from time to time in order to ensure that the leadership is optimal for the Company at that time.

At any time that the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board positions are held by the same individual, the Board of Directors may, in its discretion, appoint a lead independent director. At its meeting on April 29, 2020, the Board of Directors appointed Ms. Adams as its lead independent director. The responsibilities of the lead independent director include the following: acting as a liaison between the Chairman and the independent members of the Board of Directors; advising the Chairman on the quality, quantity and timeliness of the flow of information from management; serving as a resource to the members of the Board of Directors on corporate governance practices and policies; and coordinating and moderating executive sessions of the independent members of the Board of Directors.

DIRECTOR NOMINATION PROCESS

The Company formed a Nominating & Governance Committee (“the NGC”) in July 2021 to replace the Board’s Director Nomination Policy. The NGC, among other responsibilities, considers and acts on all matters relating to the nomination of individuals for election as directors, including pursuant to the Company’s diversity policy. Pursuant to the NGC Charter, the NGC reviews and makes recommendations regarding the composition and size of the Board of Directors in order to ensure that it has the requisite expertise and that its membership consists of persons with sufficiently diverse backgrounds and satisfies NASDAQ’s listing requirements regarding independent directors. The Company believes the diverse backgrounds and perspectives of its current directors, as described below under “Board Director Qualifications,” are appropriate to the oversight of the Company’s management team and performance.

In the consideration of director nominees, the NGC considers, at a minimum, the following factors for new directors, or the continued service of existing directors: (1) the ability of the prospective nominee to represent the interests of the stockholders of the Company; (2) the prospective nominee’s standards of integrity, commitment and independence of thought and judgment; (3) the prospective nominee’s ability to dedicate sufficient time, energy and attention to the diligent performance of his or her duties; (4) the extent to which the prospective nominee contributes to the diversity of talent, skill and expertise appropriate for the Board of Directors; (5) the prospective nominee’s contributions to the Board of Directors as a whole; and (6) the background, including diversity of gender, race and ethnic background, of the prospective nominee.

Any stockholder who wishes to recommend a director candidate for consideration by the NGC should submit such recommendation in writing to the Board of Directors at the address set forth below under “Communications with Directors.” A candidate recommended for consideration must be highly qualified and must be willing and able to serve as director. Director candidates recommended by stockholders will receive the same consideration given to other candidates and will be evaluated against the criteria above.

NOTICE PROVISIONS FOR STOCKHOLDER NOMINATIONS OF DIRECTORS

Any stockholder wishing to nominate an individual for election as a director at the Annual Meeting must comply with certain provisions in the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation. The Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation establishes an advance notice procedure with regard to the nomination, other than by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, of candidates for election as directors. If the notice is not timely and in proper form, the proposed nomination will not be considered at the Annual Meeting. Generally, such notice must be delivered to or mailed to and received by the Secretary of the Company not fewer than 14 days nor more than 60 days before a meeting at which directors are to be elected. To be in proper form, each written nomination must set forth: (1) the name, age, business address and, if known, the residence address of the nominee, (2) the principal occupation or employment of the nominee for the past five years, and (3) the number of shares of stock of the Company beneficially owned by the nominee and by the nominating stockholder. The stockholder must also comply with certain other provisions set forth in the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation relating to the nomination of an individual for election as a director. For a copy of the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation, which includes the provisions relating to the nomination of an individual for election as a director, an interested stockholder should contact the Secretary of the Company at 1421 Charleston Avenue, P.O. Box 499, Mattoon, Illinois 61938.

In addition, to comply with Rule 14a-19 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), the SEC’s universal proxy rule, if a stockholder intends to solicit proxies in support of director nominees submitted under the advance notice provisions of our Restated Certificate of Incorporation for next year’s annual meeting, then such stockholder must provide proper written notice that sets forth all the information required by Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act to the Secretary at the address above by February 28, 2027 (or, if next year’s annual meeting is called for a date that is more than 30 days before or more than 30 days after the first anniversary of this year’s annual meeting, then notice must be provided not later than the close of business on the later of the 60th day prior to the date of the 2027 annual meeting of stockholders or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made by the Company). The notice requirements under Rule 14a-19 are in addition to the applicable advance notice requirements under our Restated Certificate of Incorporation as described above .

BOARD OF DIRECTOR QUALIFICATIONS

The Board of Directors seeks to be composed of a group of persons with a variety of experience, qualifications, attributes, skills and diversity that enable it to meet the governance needs of the Company. The Company has adopted a diversity policy which seeks a potential pool of director and executive officer candidates that include individuals who reflect diverse backgrounds, including diversity of gender, race, ethnic background and professional experience. The Board of Directors consists of a group of individuals who have a mix of skills and knowledge in the areas of banking, finance, accounting and business. All members of the Board of Directors have an understanding of finance and accounting, are able to understand fundamental financial statements and generally accepted accounting principles and their application to the accounting of the Company. In addition, members of the Board of Directors are active in, and knowledgeable about, the local communities in which the Company operates.

A number of the members of the Company’s Board of Directors are also among the largest of the Company’s shareholders. Following is a description of each director’s specific experience and qualifications that led the Board of Directors to conclude that the person should serve as a director for the Company.

Holly B. Adams has served as a director of the Company since 2012. Ms. Adams has a bachelor’s degree in Economics from DePauw University and an MBA degree from Texas Christian University. She is the President of Howell Asphalt Company, Wabash Asphalt Company, Inc., General Contractors and Prosser Company, which are subsidiaries of Howell Paving, Inc., of which she is also President (since 2013). She served as Executive Vice President of Howell Paving, from 2008-2013 and Vice President of Howell Asphalt Company and Howell Paving from 1997 until 2008. Her leadership experience and the business knowledge gained in her work with these companies and her experiences within the communities served by the Company assist the Board of Directors in various areas of its oversight.

Robert S. Cook has served as a director of the Company since 2014. Mr. Cook has a bachelor's degree in Finance from the University of Missouri. He is currently the managing partner of TAR CO Investments LLC, which primarily invests in community banks. From 2009 to 2014, Mr. Cook was Vice President of FIG Partners, LLC, an investment banking firm, where he led corporate development efforts with community banks and thrifts for the company's Midwest practice. His experience analyzing financial statements and making assessments of community banks in the Midwest assists the Board of Directors in various aspects of oversight and decision making.

Joseph R. Dively has served as a director of the Company since 2004. Mr. Dively has a bachelor’s degree in Business from Eastern Illinois University and has also completed a “Finance for Executives” program through the graduate school of business at the University of Chicago. Mr. Dively has held a variety of management positions in diverse business units which included

financial statement responsibilities since 1991. He served as Senior Executive Vice President of the Company and President of First Mid Bank from May 2011 to December 2013. On January 1, 2014, Mr. Dively became the Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO of the Company. Mr. Dively provides a wealth of institutional knowledge of the Company. Prior to his employment with the Company, Mr. Dively was Senior Vice President of Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc., a publicly traded telecommunication holding company headquartered in Mattoon, Illinois. Mr. Dively has also served on the boards of directors of several other organizations where his duties included working with investors, executive teams and other board members. Mr. Dively’s current and previous experiences also assist the Board of Directors in dealing with issues related to the Company’s local communities and the Board of Directors also benefits from his perspective serving as a former executive officer of a publicly traded company.

Zachary I. Horn has served as a director of the Company since 2020. Mr. Horn has a bachelor’s degree in economics from St. Louis University and a master’s degree in finance from the University of Illinois. He is the founder, President and sole owner of Metro Communications Company, Inc. (since 2000) a regional telecommunications services provider. His leadership experience, the business and financial knowledge gained in developing his company over the past 19 years, and his experiences within the communities served by the Company assist the Board of Directors in various areas of its oversight.

Gisele A. Marcus has served as a director of the Company since 2022. Ms. Marcus has a bachelor’s degree in MIS and Transportation Distribution Management from Syracuse University and an MBA degree from Harvard University Graduate School of Business. Ms. Marcus is the Vice President of Operations and Client Engagement at One Stone Development Company, LLC which is a boutique consulting firm that supports clients at the intersection of people and strategy by leading projects to drive change, coaching leaders to inject transformation, and providing strategic guidance on an array of business challenges. Ms. Marcus is a Professor of Practice-Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) at Washington University in St. Louis, where she partners with faculty and students to promote the integration of academic scholarship within the field of DEI. Ms. Marcus also held the role of Chief Operating Officer of the St. Louis Regional Chamber making her a strong advocate for one of the Company’s strategic growing markets. Her role as an executive in solving talent and culture focused challenges provides valuable insight toward making the Company a stronger employer and enhancing employee engagement initiatives.

J. Kyle McCurry has served as a director of the Company since 2021. Mr. McCurry has a bachelor’s degree in business administration and Juris Doctor Degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia. He is the Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel of Paige Sports Entertainment, a private family office that provides management services to support the activities and investments of its principals (since 2015). Prior to joining Paige Sports, Mr. McCurry was a partner with Stinson, LLP, where his practice focused on mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, and regulatory and general corporate matters for banks and bank holding companies. He also served on the Board of Directors of Providence Bank since 2015. Mr. McCurry’s experience counseling bank and bank holding companies, and managing the legal, risk and operational matters of a wide variety of entities will assist the Board of Directors in its various areas of oversight and banking experience.

Alex J. Melvin has served as a director of the Company since November 2025. Mr. Melvin currently serves as the Owner and Chairman of Rural King Farm & Home Store and Rural King Real Estate and has been Chief Executive Officer of Rural King since 2011. Founded in 1960, Rural King is a third-generation, family-owned retail and real estate enterprise operating 149 stores across 17 states and employing more than 9,000 associates and managing approximately 20 million square feet of owned property. Under Mr. Melvin’s leadership, Rural King has achieved annual revenues exceeding $2.5 billion and continues to expand its footprint through disciplined strategic growth. Mr. Melvin began his career at Rural King as a store manager and progressed through senior leadership roles prior to being named Owner and Chairman in 2023. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Monmouth College. His extensive experience in retail operations, real estate ownership and management, entrepreneurship, and community-focused business leadership provides valuable insight to the Board of Directors in the areas of operational excellence, strategic planning, growth oversight, and long-term value creation for stockholders.

Paul L. Palmby has served as a director of the Company since November 2024. Mr. Palmby currently serves as President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director of Seneca Foods Corporation, a publicly traded food procurement and processing company based in Janesville, WI. Mr. Palmby served on the Blackhawk Bancorp, Inc. board of directors at the time First Mid acquired it in August of 2023. Mr. Palmby serves on the Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection board of directors and was previously appointed to the USDA Fruit and Vegetable Advisory Committee. He currently serves on the board of the Farming For The Future Foundation and previously served on other various boards including the Midwest Food Processors Association, Northwest Food Processors Association, Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, the Wisconsin FFA Foundation, and the Produce for Better Health Foundation. His extensive experience in management, board oversight, mergers and acquisitions, farming, manufacturing, and food processing is valuable to the Board in helping drive its growth and strategy.

Mary J. Westerhold has served as a director of the Company since 2016, following the Company's acquisition of First Clover Leaf Financial Corp. She was as director of First Clover Leaf Financial Corp. from 2011-September 2016. She has been determined by the Board of Directors to be an audit committee financial expert. Ms. Westerhold has a bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a minor in Finance from Stephens College and an MBA degree from St. Louis University. She

is the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (since 1997) and Controller (from 1992 to 1997) of Madison Communications, Inc. and its affiliate telecommunications companies, Madison Telephone Company and Madison Network Systems, Inc. She also served as a Commercial Loan Officer for Mark Twain Bancshares (1989-1991). Ms. Westerhold’s experience in managing the operations of the various companies provides the Board with valuable general business experience. In addition, her financial and accounting experience provides the Board with valuable insight in accounting and strategic transactions involving the Company. Additionally, having served as a director of First Clover Leaf Financial Corp., Ms. Westerhold brings in-depth knowledge of one of the Company's acquired operations and the market in which it operates.

James E. Zimmer has served as a director of the Company since 2014. Mr. Zimmer has an MBA degree from Washington University. From 1992-2010, he held a variety of sales, marketing and executive positions throughout the agricultural industry with Monsanto Corporation. Mr. Zimmer is currently the owner of J. Zimmer Properties, a premier student housing provider and the co-founder of Bio-Enzyme, an agriculture business focused on innovative solutions for farmers (since 2010). Mr. Zimmer is also co-founder and partner of Moraine Farmland Partners (“MFP”). MFP invests in and operates farms in Illinois and Indiana. His experience and knowledge gained from these agriculture-related businesses will assist the Board of Directors in the communities it serves and various areas of its oversight.

The Nominating & Governance committee identified areas of skill, experience and knowledge important for the Company's long-term success. The following matrix details the background of the members of the Board of Directors in the key areas identified.


Knowledge, Skills & Experience	Adams	Cook	Dively	Horn	Marcus	McCurry	Melvin	Palmby	Westerhold	Zimmer	Total #
Financial Services / Banking	*	*	*			*		*	*	*	7
Accounting, Finance, Tax	*	*	*	*		*		*	*		7
Executive Leadership	*		*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	9
Strategic Planning, Business Development, Business Operations	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	10
Mergers & Acquisitions		*	*			*		*	*	*	6
Risk Management	*	*	*			*		*	*		6
Corporate Governance	*	*	*			*		*	*		6
Regulatory & Legal	*	*	*			*		*	*	*	7
Human Capital Management	*		*	*	*	*	*	*		*	8
Consumer, Marketing, Digital			*				*			*	3
Community Relations	*		*	*	*	*	*			*	7
Information Security, Cybersecurity, Technology			*	*	*				*		4
Agriculture		*		*			*	*	*	*	6
Entrepreneur	*	*		*			*	*	*	*	7
Real Estate			*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	8


Board Tenure	Adams	Cook	Dively	Horn	Marcus	McCurry	Melvin	Palmby	Westerhold	Zimmer	Total #
Years	14	12	22	6	4	5	1	2	9	12	87

DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The Board of Directors has determined that, except for Mr. Dively, each of the members of the Board of Directors is "independent" in accordance with the independence standards of the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC ("NASDAQ"). The Board of Directors has established an Audit, Compensation, Risk and Nominating & Governance committees. The Board of Directors has concluded all members of the Audit, Compensation, Risk and Nominating & Governance committees, currently and during 2025, satisfied the independence, experience and other membership requirements of NASDAQ, as required by the charters of

their respective committees. The Board of Directors has also created other company-wide management committees composed of officers of the Company and its subsidiaries.

COMMITTEES AND COMMITTEE CHARTERS

The Board of Directors has standing Audit, Compensation, Risk and Nominating & Governance Committees. The Board has adopted written charters for each committee. All of the Company’s independent directors serve on the Audit Compensation and Nominating & Governance Committees. All of the Company's directors serve on the Risk Committee.

Audit Committee. The members of the audit committee of the Company during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 were, and on the date of this proxy statement are, Messrs. Cook, Horn, McCurry, Melvin, Palmby, and Zimmer, Ms. Adams, Ms. Marcus and Ms. Westerhold. The audit committee met seven times in 2025. The audit committee assists the Board of Directors with the review of the Company’s financial statements and the Company’s compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements. Additionally, the audit committee appoints, and is directly responsible for the oversight of, the independent auditor, pre-approves all services performed for the Company by the independent auditor and oversees the Company’s internal audit function. The audit committee may also retain independent legal, accounting, or other advisors as it may deem necessary in order to carry out its duties.

The Securities and Exchange Commission requires that Boards of Directors disclose whether any audit committee member qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined under SEC guidelines. The Board of Directors determined that Mary J. Westerhold is an audit committee financial expert. Accordingly, Ms. Westerhold is presumed to qualify as a financially sophisticated audit committee member under the rules of NASDAQ.

The audit committee acts pursuant to a written charter that was reviewed and reassessed for adequacy and reaffirmed by the Board of Directors on January 27, 2025. A copy of the audit committee charter may be found on the Company’s website at www.firstmid.com. The audit committee will continue to review and reassess the charter from time to time but not less than annually.

Compensation Committee. The members of the compensation committee of the Company during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 were, and on the date of this proxy statement are, Messrs. Cook, Horn, McCurry, Melvin, Palmby, and Zimmer, Ms. Adams, Ms. Marcus and Ms. Westerhold. The compensation committee met two times in 2025. The compensation committee reports to the Board of Directors and has responsibility for all matters related to compensation of executive officers of the Company, including reviewing and approving base salaries and annual bonuses, conducting a review of executive officers’ salary, incentive compensation, retirement benefits and fringe benefits compared to other financial services companies in the region, and using its best judgment in determining that total executive compensation reflects the Company’s mission, strategy and performance.

The compensation committee acts pursuant to a written charter that was reviewed and reassessed for adequacy and reaffirmed by the Board of Directors on January 27, 2025. A copy of the compensation committee charter may be found on the Company’s website at www.firstmid.com. The compensation committee will review and reassess the charter from time to time but not less than annually.

Additionally, the Board of Directors, or if the Board of Directors so delegates, a sub-committee of the compensation committee, has responsibility for administering the stock incentive plans of the Company and approves grants based on the compensation committee's recommendation. For information about the role of the compensation committee with respect to executive compensation, see the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section of this proxy statement.

Nominating & Governance Committee. The members of the NGC during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 were, and on the date of this proxy statement are, Messrs. Cook, Horn, McCurry, Melvin, Palmby, and Zimmer, Ms. Adams, Ms. Marcus and Ms. Westerhold. The NGC committee met three times in 2025. The NGC Charter covers a wide range of topics including: Board composition; selection, tenure, evaluation and retirement of Board members; Board leadership; onboarding of new members and overseeing continuing education programs for board members. The NGC is responsible for annually reviewing the Company’s organizational documents, governance guidelines, and governance related policies and procedures. The NGC oversees the review of the Boards’ performance and each committees’ performance. The NGC is also responsible for reviewing the Company’s corporate sustainability initiatives and strategy. The NGC may also retain independent legal, accounting, or other advisors as it deems necessary in order to carry out its duties.

The NGC acts pursuant to a written charter that was reviewed and reassessed for adequacy and reaffirmed by the Board of Directors on January 27, 2025. A copy of the NGC charter may be found on the Company’s website at www.firstmid.com. The NGC will continue to review and reassess the charter from time to time, but not less than annually.

Risk Committee. In June 2023, the Board of Directors formed the risk committee upon recommendation of the NGC. The members of the risk committee during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 were, and on the date of this proxy statement

are, Messrs. Cook, Dively, Horn, McCurry, Melvin, Palmby, and Zimmer, Ms. Adams, Ms. Marcus and Ms. Westerhold. The risk committee met four times in 2025.

The primary purpose of the risk committee is to assist the Board of Directors in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to the risk management. The risk committee is responsible for the comprehensive oversight of the types and levels of risk being incurred by the Company and the effectiveness of the methods used to identify, monitor, manage, and report those risks. The responsibilities of the risk committee are to review the Company’s Risk Appetite Statement and Risk Tolerances, evaluate the Company’s risk priorities, and to monitor and evaluate the Company’s risk profile as determined by management.

The risk committee acts pursuant to a written charter that was reviewed and reassessed for adequacy and reaffirmed by the Board of Directors on January 27, 2025. A copy of the risk charter may be found on the Company’s website at www.firstmid.com. The risk committee will continue to review and reassess the charter from time to time, but not less than annually.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

During 2025, Messrs. Cook, Horn, McCurry, Melvin, Palmby, and Zimmer, Ms. Adams, Ms. Marcus and Ms. Westerhold served on the compensation committee. No member of the compensation committee was, during 2025, an officer or employee of the Company, was formerly an officer of the Company or had any relationship requiring disclosure by the Company as a related party transaction under Item 404 of Regulation S-K. During 2025, none of the Company’s executive officers served on the board of directors or the compensation committee of any other entity.

BOARD DIVERSITY


Board Diversity Matrix
Board Size:
Total Number of Directors	10
Gender:	Male	Female
	7	3
Number of directors who identify in any of the categories below:
African American or Black	—	1
Alaskan Native or American Indian	—	—
Asian	—	—
Hispanic or Latinx	—	—
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander	—	—
White	7	2
Two or more races or ethnicities	—	—
LGBTQ+	—
Undisclosed	—

BOARD INVOLVEMENT IN THE RISK MANAGEMENT PROCESS

The Board of Directors oversees the risk management of the Company through its committees, management committees and the Chief Executive Officer. The Board of Directors’ risk committee is responsible for the comprehensive oversight of the types and levels of risk being incurred by the Company and the effectiveness of the methods used to identify, monitor, manage, and report those risks. The responsibilities of the Risk Committee are to review the Company’s Risk Appetite Statement and Risk Tolerances, evaluate the Company’s risk priorities, and to monitor and evaluate the Company’s risk profile as determined by management. The Board of Directors' audit committee monitors risks related to (1) the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and internal controls over financial reporting, (2) the integrity of its Consolidated Financial Statements, (3) compliance with laws and regulations, (4) risks and exposures relating to financial reporting, particularly disclosure and SEC reporting, (5) internal and independent auditors and (6) tax, investment, credit and liquidity matters. In addition, the audit

committee oversees the internal audit function and communicates with the independent registered public accountant. The compensation committee is also involved in risk management through its review of risks in the Company’s compensation policies and practices for employees. The Board of Directors' recognition of the importance of risk management oversight and their role in representing the interests of stockholders is enhanced as a result of the Board of Directors members’ collective beneficial ownership of approximately 5.0% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company.

At its monthly meetings, the Board of Directors receives the minutes from each of the Company's management committee meetings, as well as various reports from executive management, including the senior Risk Management officer. The Board of Directors reviews and discusses these reports with each of the executive managers. The Board of Directors reviews the status of all classified assets and trends in loan delinquency and reviews the allowance for loan losses each quarter. The senior loan committee approves all loan underwriting decisions in excess of $10 million and up to $30 million. The Board of Directors approves all underwriting decisions in excess of $30 million.

The Board of Directors also reviews the policies and practices of the Company on a regular basis. In addition, the Board of Directors reviews corporate strategies and objectives, evaluates business performance and reviews the annual business plan.

CODE OF CONDUCT

The Company has adopted a code of conduct for directors, officers, and employees of the Company. This code of conduct is posted on the Company’s website at www.firstmid.com. The code of conduct sets forth guiding principles by which the Company and its directors, officers and employees conduct business with the Company’s stockholders and customers.

COMMUNICATIONS WITH DIRECTORS

Any stockholder or other interested person may communicate with the Board of Directors or any individual director by sending written correspondence addressed to the Board of Directors or such individual director in care of the Secretary of the Company at First Mid Bancshares, Inc., 1421 Charleston Avenue, P.O. Box 499, Mattoon, Illinois 61938. The Secretary or the designee thereof will forward such correspondence to the Board of Directors or the relevant director.

STOCK OWNERSHIP GUIDELINES

The Company encourages its non-employee directors to own stock in the Company valued at a minimum of $100,000. While this is not a requirement, all of the Company’s ten directors currently meet this threshold. In calculating directors’ share ownership, the Company includes shares owned in the Company’s deferred compensation plan.

The Company has also implemented stock ownership and retention guidelines for its executive officers within the Company’s 2025 Stock Incentive Plan. Executive officers are permitted to meet the ownership guidelines over time and are restricted from divesting shares until the requisite ownership level is met.


Title	Ownership Requirement
CEO	12,500
SEVP	7,500
EVP	5,000
SVP	2,500

SUSTAINABILITY, HUMAN CAPITAL, AND SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY

The Company believes that operating a sustainable business is a multi-faceted undertaking. It is important for the Company to incorporate sustainable practices into our strategy and operations to create long-term shareholder value. The Company’s employees are integral to its long-term success. Accordingly, the Company invests in its employees by offering competitive compensation and benefits, career development and advancement opportunities, and an equitable and inclusive culture. The Company is committed to strengthening the communities it serves through commitment to the community initiatives, which include employee volunteerism, charitable contributions and overall community development. The Company knows that environmental considerations are critically important, and we actively encourage customers to utilize our environmentally friendly solutions and support customers that pursue environmentally responsible ventures. These considerations are discussed in greater detail below. The Company’s corporate governance practices (discussed above) are another key component of sustainability.

HUMAN CAPITAL

The Company is committed to building a workplace that attracts, develops, and retains top talent. The culture is grounded in six core values: Integrity, Motivation, Professionalism, Accountability, Commitment, and Teamwork. These values guide how we operate and support an engaging employee experience that encourages career growth, fulfillment, and long term success.

Diversity and Inclusion. The Company’s commitment to diversity and inclusion begins with the Board of Directors, which provides oversight of our culture and holds management accountable to build and maintain a diverse and inclusive environment. Creating and maintaining a work environment where every employee is treated with dignity and respect is fundamental to ensuring they can fully focus on performing their jobs to the best of their ability. The Company recognizes that its success depends on continually strengthening its culture of inclusion, where all employees feel valued and empowered to contribute.

Talent Engagement. For the past eight years, the Company has partnered with a trusted industry leader to conduct an annual employee engagement survey. In 2025, 98% of employees participated, providing strong confidence that the results accurately reflect meaningful employee feedback and highlight genuine areas for improvement.

To celebrate outstanding contributions, the Company’s CEO sponsors the annual Chairman’s Award for Excellence. This prestigious award allows employees to nominate peers who have consistently exceeded expectations or achieved exceptional results while exemplifying the Company’s core values.

The CEO also hosts a quarterly all-employee call to keep the workforce informed about Company updates and strategic initiatives. During these calls, employees are encouraged to submit questions in advance for management to address which fosters open communication and transparency. A cherished tradition of these calls is the recognition of top-performing employees, both for their achievements at work and their positive impact in the communities the Company serves.

Talent Development. The Company supports the personal and professional development of its employees through a variety of initiatives. Employees are offered tuition reimbursement of up to $3,500 annually for eligible educational courses, empowering them to pursue continued education and skill development. Additionally, all employees complete annual regulatory training tailored to their specific job functions, through a partnership with a third-party provider. To further enhance learning, employees have access to a robust library of career development content within the Company’s online learning management system.

Development opportunities also include a job-shadowing program, allowing employees to observe and experience other roles within the organization. This program helps employees explore potential career paths, identify roles that align with their goals, and gain a broader understanding of the Company. Together, these initiatives reflect the Company’s ongoing commitment to fostering employee growth and supporting their career advancement.

The Company offers a range of professional development training to support job-specific skills, leadership growth, and compliance requirements. One example is The Banker Basics Mentor Program, designed to develop its frontline employees. In this program, experienced team members are selected by management to mentor and train new hires, focusing on core systems, customer service, and transaction processing. New employees spend their first ten days working one-on-one with a peer, gaining valuable on-the-job learning and support.

To enhance leadership skills, the Company implemented the Leadership Development Training: New to Manager Role program. This training equips managers with essential skills in hiring, coaching, holding crucial conversations, and driving employee engagement. Additionally, the Company provides advanced leadership training based on the principles outlined in the book The Leadership Pipeline. This interactive program targets executive, upper, and mid-level management, emphasizing the importance of coaching and mentoring team members. The purpose of this engaging program is to educate leaders that their role is to coach and mentor their team members. Regular one-on-one meetings with purposeful conversations is an expectation because it leads to better results and engagement of their team. After the formal training, participants deepen their learning through six months of follow-up cohort meetings, guided by the CEO and CHRO. In 2025, the Company further supported leadership growth by training almost fifty managers through its Leader of Leaders and Leader of Others programs.

Lastly, succession planning is conducted annually for the Company’s most senior leaders and high impact roles. The process includes identifying potential successors for different positions and assessing their readiness level to fill the role should it become vacant. Management focuses on intentional development with activities needed to prepare the employee for the next level.

Total Rewards. The Company is committed to enhancing employees’ overall experience by offering a competitive total rewards package, including compensation and benefits, designed to support and reward their contributions. In 2025, the Company prioritized its workforce by making meaningful investments to ensure ongoing competitiveness in the market. For compensation, the Company increased the starting rate of pay an additional $1.00 per hour, for the third consecutive year, positively impacting many entry level employees. Additionally, market pay adjustments were implemented for employees with 3 years of tenure or more and a certain performance score, helping to address wage compression and bring their pay closer to the midpoint of the salary range. All salary ranges were increased by 4%, providing employees with even greater opportunities for growth and earning potential within their roles. In addition, the Company provided more than a hundred hourly and salaried employees with spot bonuses in recognition of work on significant projects as well as the core system conversion. To further support employees, the Company enhanced its benefits by promoting health and financial well-being. A chronic condition management program was introduced at no cost to employees and their covered dependents enrolled in our medical plans, providing valuable resources to manage their health effectively.

The Company offers a wide array of benefits for its employees including:

•

Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance Plans

•

Flexible Spending Accounts

•

Health Savings Accounts with a Company Matching Contribution

•

Company provided Life and AD&D Insurance

•

Company provided Long Term Disability

•

Company provided Employee Assistance Program

•

Company provided Premier Checking Account

•

401(k) Plan including a Company Match

•

Employee Stock Purchase Plan with an Employee Discount

•

Voluntary Ancillary Insurance Plans (Employee, Spouse, and Child Life and AD&D, Short-Term Disability, Accident, and Critical Illness)

•

Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick, Volunteer, and Personal Time)

•

Extra Vacation Week Buy Program

•

Maternity/Paternity Company Paid Leave

•

Tuition Reimbursement

•

Computer Purchase Program

•

Dress Professional Program

•

Service Anniversary/Retirement Recognition and Award

•

Chairman’s Award – Top Peer Recognition

•

Volunteer Time Recognition

•

Company Apparel – Company Paid 50%

•

Opportunity for Short Term Incentives and Long Term Incentives

•

Employee Referral Program

•

Verizon Cell Phone Discount

•

First Mid Marketplace Discount Program

•

Job Shadowing

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Giving back to the communities we serve throughout the Company’s 160-year history has always been an important part of our culture as a community bank. Like the Company’s commitment to its employees, the Company’s commitment to the community is a strategic priority. The Company recognizes that its sustainability is tied to the sustainability of the communities it serves. The Company’s Commitment to Community program promotes employee volunteerism, charitable contributions and overall community development.

Commitment by Employees. In 2025, the Company’s employees volunteered 18,685 hours to community organizations. The Company recognizes our top volunteers by making donations to the charities in the name of the employee. The Company also encourages employees to serve in leadership roles in these organizations as part of their professional development. The Company conducts an annual United Way fundraiser where it matches its employees’ contributions 100%. Employee participation is encouraged by providing additional vacation time for a minimum donation. In 2025, approximately 38% of the Company’s workforce contributed to its annual United Way campaign which resulted in a total contribution to the United Way of over $165,000.

Community Development. The Company created the role of Director of Community and Economic Development in 2021 and filled the position at a Senior Vice President level. The Director of Community and Economic Development oversees the Company’s community development and Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”) initiatives. The individual represents the Company in community and economic development activities and serves as an expert resource for Company employees on community development service, lending, and investment programs. The Director of Community and Economic Development is responsible for expanding outreach relationships with community organizations, including affordable housing, economic development, community agencies, and other not-for profit partners of the Company. The Company maintains a Community Development Committee comprised of internal leadership from each of the Company’s market areas and, in 2022, created a Community Advisory Board comprised of external community leaders to help identify community development opportunities and needs. These additions to our Commitment to Community program help ensure that the Company’s resources are allocated appropriately throughout the Company’s footprint.

Products and Services. The Company meets the needs of the communities within its footprint through its products and services. The Company continues to monitor its products and services to ensure that the needs of the community are being met and has created innovative products to address community needs including a home improvement loan product with flexible underwriting criteria and a small business loan subsidy product to assist small businesses in obtaining capital. The Company has been recognized multiple times as the Central/Southern Illinois Community Lender of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration. The Company’s commitment to small businesses provides a positive impact on the economy and quality of lives in our communities. On the deposit side, the Company offers a BankOn certified account for those customers who do not otherwise qualify for a regular checking account. The Company also offers its deposit customers the opportunity for a 4-month interest free loan on any account 30 days overdrawn.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY

The Company and our customers continued to expand the use of digital solutions in 2025, including through increased adoption of e-Statements, remote deposit capture, bill pay, person to person payments (P2P) and other mobile and online banking services, as well as expanded use of digital signatures and online account opening processes. The Company utilizes ongoing marketing campaigns to encourage customers to take advantage of these environmentally responsible options.

The Company supports environmental awareness and sustainability by encouraging and empowering recycling, responsible waste management practices and energy conservation throughout the organization. The Company has an Energy Management Plan designed to identify capital improvement opportunities aimed at energy reduction and identifying means of conserving the energy the Company uses. The Company is converting its branches from incandescent lighting to LED lighting, utilizing interior motion timers, and installing programmable thermostats with temperature setbacks. The implementation of our Energy Management Plan will identify additional methods for the Company to reduce our carbon footprint in all aspects of the Company’s operations.

DELINQUENT SECTION 16(a) REPORTS

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company's officers and directors, and beneficial owners of more than 10% of the Company's stock, if any, to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership on Forms 3, 4, and 5 with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and to furnish copies of these forms to the Company. To the Company's knowledge, based solely upon a review of copies of Securities and Exchange Commission Forms 3, 4, and 5 and upon related written representations furnished to the Company with respect to the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, the Company believes that all of the Company's officers and directors filed on a timely basis all reports required by Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 except for a late report on Form 3 was filed by director Melvin and a late report on Form 3 was filed by executive officer, Regina Nelson, who was not a named executive officer. Both late Form 3 filings were late due to delays in processing Form IDs and obtaining filer codes.

REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The audit committee reviewed and discussed with management the Company's audited financial statements as of and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025. The audit committee also discussed with the independent auditors, Forvis Mazars, LLP, the matters required to be discussed by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board ("PCAOB") and the Commission. The audit committee received the written disclosures and the letter from Forvis Mazars, LLP

required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding Forvis Mazars, LLP’s communications with the audit committee concerning independence, and discussed with Forvis Mazars, LLP the independence of that firm.

Based on the review and discussion referred to above, the audit committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements referred to above be included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025. This audit committee report is submitted by the audit committee of the Board of Directors:


Mary J. Westerhold, Chairman	J. Kyle McCurry
Holly B. Adams	Alex J. Melvin
Robert S. Cook	Paul L. Palmby
Zachary I. Horn	James E. Zimmer
Gisele A. Marcus

FEES OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

Audit Fees. The aggregate fees incurred for professional services rendered by Forvis Mazars, LLP for the audit of the Company's annual financial statements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, the audit of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, the review of the financial statements included in the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for 2025 and 2024, and consents were $622,250 and $394,000, respectively.

Audit-Related Fees. The aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by Forvis Mazars, LLP for audit-related services for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 (namely employee benefit plan audits) were $45,903 and $27,123, respectively.

All Other Fees. The aggregate fees billed for other professional services rendered by Forvis Mazars, LLP for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 (namely special audit procedures) were $18,700 and $36,680, respectively.

The audit committee pre-approves all auditing services and permitted non-audit services provided by the independent auditors. These services may include audit services, audit-related services, and other services. The audit committee preapproved all services performed by the independent auditors in 2025.

INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

Forvis Mazars, LLP acted as independent certified public accountants of the Company and its subsidiaries for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025. Forvis Mazars, LLP has served as the Company's independent certified public accountant since July 26, 2005.

A representative from Forvis Mazars, LLP is expected to be present at the annual meeting, will have the opportunity to make a statement and will be available to respond to appropriate questions. The Company has not yet appointed its independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026. The Company expects to appoint its independent auditors for 2026 at its March meeting of the Board of Directors.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

The compensation committee has reviewed and discussed with the Company’s management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K and, based on such review and discussion, the compensation committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement.

This compensation committee report is submitted by the compensation committee of the Board of Directors:


James E. Zimmer, Chairman	J. Kyle McCurry
Holly B. Adams	Alex J. Melvin
Robert S. Cook	Paul L. Palmby
Zachary I. Horn	Mary J. Westerhold
Gisele A. Marcus

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

This Compensation Discussion and Analysis explains the objectives and philosophy underlying the Company’s executive compensation program and the material elements of the compensation paid to the Company’s executive officers, including the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table of this proxy statement (the “named executive officers”). The named executive officers for 2025 were:


Joseph R. Dively:		Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
Matthew K. Smith:		President
Michael L. Taylor:		Senior Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer
Jordan D. Read:		Executive Vice President & Chief Financial and Risk Officer
Eric S. McRae:		Executive Vice President & Chief Lending Officer

Executive Compensation Objectives

It is the policy of the Company to compensate its executives in a manner that is equitable and competitive based on their responsibilities, performance and market conditions. The Company’s compensation objectives with respect to its named executive officers are to:

•

Provide incentive to maximize stockholder value by aligning the executives’ interests with those of the stockholders.

•

Enable the Company to attract and retain the best available executive talent.

•

Reward individual performance and contributions to the Company.

Setting Executive Compensation

The compensation committee attempts to meet these objectives by providing a mix of key compensation elements that include base salary, annual cash incentives and equity-based compensation. In setting aggregate compensation for each of the named executive officers, the compensation committee first establishes appropriate levels of base salary for the executives, and then establishes the opportunity for the executives to earn additional compensation through annual cash incentives and longer-term equity compensation. The amount of such additional compensation varies with position and, in the case of annual and long-term incentives, is also conditioned on attainment of corporate or individual performance measures. The Company also provides retirement benefits, severance and change in control benefits, and a limited number of perquisites and other personal benefits in order to ensure a complete and competitive compensation plan.

The compensation committee uses the key elements of compensation to meet the objectives of its executive compensation program as follows:

Provide incentive to maximize stockholder value by aligning the executives’ interests with those of the stockholders. The compensation committee grants performance awards under its executive long-term incentive plan that consist of restricted stock awards and/or restricted stock units. The compensation committee also bases a significant portion of an executive’s cash incentive on attainment of certain corporate performance metrics, which encourages the executive to work to increase the Company’s profitability and in turn, its stock value.

The compensation committee believes that the components of the long-term incentive plan align key executive compensation with the Company’s performance goals. The long-term incentive plan generally includes goals which ensure that the executives are focused on sustainability of earnings and growth of the Company.

Enable the Company to attract and retain the best available talent. To achieve this objective, the compensation committee believes it must pay compensation that is competitive. As described below, the compensation committee reviews and monitors the compensation paid by companies that are comparable to the Company to ensure that compensation packages are competitive.

Reward individual performance and contributions to the Company. The compensation committee’s evaluation of the individual performance of each executive affects his or her compensation. Individual performance is an important factor in determining base salary, which in turn affects the amount of cash incentive compensation that can be earned and equity compensation that is granted. Individual performance is also a component of the cash incentive compensation and, when awarded, equity compensation.

The compensation committee makes all compensation decisions for the CEO and all other executive officers of the Company. The CEO annually reviews the performance of each executive officer (other than himself) and makes recommendations to the compensation committee. The compensation committee considers the CEO’s recommendations when making its final compensation decisions for all executives other than the CEO. Although the compensation committee has the discretion to make all final decisions, the recommendation of the CEO is an important factor. The compensation committee believes that its ability to exercise discretion in setting the elements of compensation for its executives provides flexibility to establish appropriate overall compensation levels and achieve the Company’s objectives.

Key Elements of Compensation

Each year the compensation committee reviews compensation data of the most highly paid executives of other comparable banking institutions. In 2024, the compensation committee retained the services of Blanchard Consulting to conduct a compensation review for executive management relative to competitive compensation, cash and equity incentives, and executive benefits. In 2025, the previous year review was used with an assumed annual increase. The review compared compensation to a peer group of publicly traded bank holding companies in non-urban areas in the Midwest of similar size to the Company.

SEC Form DEF 14A filed by First Mid Bancshares Inc.