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

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Filed by a Party other than the Registrant

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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 §240.14a-12

Equity 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.

LOGO

7701 East Kellogg Drive, Suite 850

Wichita, Kansas 67207

March 12, 2026

NOTICE OF 2026 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

To the Stockholders of Equity Bancshares, Inc.:

Notice is hereby given that the 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of Equity Bancshares, Inc. (the “Company”) will be held on April 21, 2026 at 4:00 p.m., Central Time, at Wichita Country Club, 8501 E. 13th Street North, Wichita, Kansas 67206. The Annual Meeting is being held for the following purposes:

1.	to elect five Class III directors to the Company’s Board of Directors to serve for a three-year term ending at the Company’s 2029 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, and in each case, until their successor is duly elected and qualified or until their earlier death, resignation or removal;

2.	to vote on a non-binding, advisory resolution to approve the compensation paid to our named executive officers for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, as described within this Proxy Statement (commonly referred to as a “say on pay” vote);

3.	to approve the Second Amendment to the Equity Bancshares, Inc. 2022 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares available for issuance under such plan;

4.	to ratify the appointment of Crowe LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2026; and

5.	to transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting and any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof.

These proposals are described in the accompanying proxy statement. The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on February 27, 2026, as the record date (the “Record Date”) for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting or any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof. Only stockholders of record at the close of business on the Record Date are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. The stock transfer books will not be closed. A list of stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will be available for examination at the Company’s principal executive offices for ten days prior to the Annual Meeting and during the Annual Meeting.

You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting; however, whether or not you expect to attend in person, you are urged to submit your proxy so that your shares of stock may be represented and voted in accordance with your preferences and in order to help establish the presence of a quorum at the Annual Meeting.

We have adopted rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission that allow companies to furnish proxy materials to their stockholders over the Internet. On or about March 12, 2026, we mailed a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials to all stockholders of record at the close of business on the Record Date, containing instructions on how to access our proxy materials and how to vote your shares, as well as instructions on how to request a paper copy of our proxy materials.

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be Held on April 21, 2026. Our proxy materials, including our proxy statement and Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, are available at investor.equitybank.com.

By Order of the Board of Directors,

LOGO

Brad S. Elliott

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT

Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please read this proxy statement and the voting instructions in the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials. Then please vote over the Internet or, if you received or requested a paper proxy card in the mail, by completing, signing, dating and mailing the completed proxy card to us. The instructions in the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or your proxy card describe how to use these convenient services.

TABLE OF CONTENTS


ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING			2

ITEM 1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS			8
Classification of the Company’s Directors			8
Election Procedures; Term of Office			8
Nominees for Election			8
Vote Required			10
Recommendation of the Board			10

DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS			11
Directors Continuing in Office Until the 2027 Annual Meeting			11
Directors Continuing in Office Until the 2028 Annual Meeting			13
Non-Director Executive Officers			14

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE			17
Risk Management and Oversight			17
Hedging and Pledging Policies			17
Meetings of the Board			17
Leadership Structure			17
Committees of the Board			18
Director Nominations			20
Stockholder Communications with Our Board			21
Director Attendance at the Annual Meeting			21
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics			21
Director Independence			22

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION			23

ITEM 2. ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS			24

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND OTHER INFORMATION			25
Compensation Discussion and Analysis			25
Compensation Committee Report on Executive Compensation			41
Compensation Tables			42

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS			51

COMMON STOCK OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT			52

DELINQUENT SECTION 16(A) REPORTS			54

ITEM 3. APPROVAL OF THE SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE EQUITY BANCSHARES, INC OMNIBUS EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN			55

ITEM 4. RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM			63

AUDIT MATTERS			64
Audit Committee Report			64
Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policy			64
Fees and Services of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm			65

DATE FOR SUBMISSION OF STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 2027 ANNUAL MEETING			66

ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K			66

OTHER MATTERS			66

7701 East Kellogg Drive, Suite 850

Wichita, Kansas 67207

PROXY STATEMENT

2026 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

This Proxy Statement (this “Proxy Statement”) is being furnished to you in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Equity Bancshares, Inc. for use at the Equity Bancshares, Inc. 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”). In this Proxy Statement, references to “Equity,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” “our” and similar expressions refer to Equity Bancshares, Inc., unless the context or a particular reference provides otherwise. In addition, unless the context otherwise requires, references to “stockholders” are to the holders of our voting securities, which consist of our Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Class A Common Stock”).

The Board requests your proxy for the Annual Meeting that will be held on April 21, 2026, at 4:00 p.m., Central Time, at Wichita Country Club, 8501 E. 13th Street North, Wichita, Kansas 67206, for the purposes set forth in the accompanying notice (the “Notice”) and described in this Proxy Statement. By granting a proxy, you authorize the persons named in the proxy to represent you and vote your shares at the Annual Meeting or any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof.

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE 2026 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON APRIL 21, 2026. OUR PROXY MATERIALS, INCLUDING OUR PROXY STATEMENT AND ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2025, ARE AVAILABLE AT INVESTOR.EQUITYBANK.COM.

Pursuant to rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), we have elected to provide access to our proxy materials, including this Proxy Statement and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, over the Internet. Accordingly, we are providing our stockholders with a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials instead of a paper copy of our proxy materials. The Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials contains instructions on how to access our proxy materials and how to vote your shares, as well as instructions on how to request a paper or e-mail copy of our proxy materials. We believe this electronic distribution process expedites stockholders’ receipt of proxy materials and reduces the environmental impact and cost of printing and distribution. We mailed the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials on or about March 12, 2026, to all stockholders of record entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. You should read our entire proxy statement carefully before voting.

If you attend the Annual Meeting, you may vote in person. If you are not present at the Annual Meeting, your shares may be voted only by a person to whom you have given a proper proxy.

Brokers are not permitted to vote your shares for non-discretionary matters, which include Items 1, 2 and 3 without your instructions as to how to vote. Please return your proxy card or vote via the Internet so that your vote can be counted.

ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING

When and where will the meeting be held?

The Annual Meeting will be held on April 21, 2026 at 4:00 p.m., Central Time, at Wichita Country Club, 8501 E. 13th Street North, Wichita, Kansas 67206.

What is a proxy?

A proxy is another person that you legally designate to vote your stock. If you designate someone as your proxy in a written or electronic document, that document is also called a “proxy” or a “proxy card.”

What is a proxy statement?

A proxy statement is a document that describes the matters to be voted upon at the Annual Meeting and provides additional information about the Company. Pursuant to regulations of the SEC, we are required to provide you with a proxy statement containing certain information when we ask you to sign a proxy card to vote your stock at a meeting of the Company’s stockholders.

What is the purpose of the Annual Meeting?

At the Annual Meeting, stockholders will act upon the matters outlined in the Notice, including the following:

1.	to elect five Class III directors to the Company’s Board of Directors to serve until the Company’s 2029 Annual Meeting of Stockholders each until their successor is duly elected and qualified or until their earlier death, resignation or removal;

2.	to vote on a non-binding, advisory resolution to approve the compensation paid to our named executive officers for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, as described within this Proxy Statement (commonly referred to as a “say on pay” vote);

3.	to approve the Second Amendment to the Equity Bancshares, Inc. 2022 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares available for issuance under such plan;

4.	to ratify the appointment of Crowe LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2026; and

5.	to transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting and any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof.

What is a record date and what does it mean?

The record date to determine the stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting is the close of business on February 27, 2026 (the “Record Date”). The Record Date was established by the Board as required by the Company’s Second Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (the “Articles”), Amended and Restated Bylaws (the “Bylaws”) and Kansas law. On the Record Date, 20,992,139 shares of Class A Common Stock were outstanding.

Why was I mailed a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials instead of a full set of printed proxy materials?

In accordance with rules promulgated by the SEC, instead of mailing a printed copy of our proxy materials to all of our stockholders, we have elected to provide access to such materials over the Internet. Accordingly, on or about March 12, 2026, we mailed a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”) to all stockholders of record on the Record Date entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. Stockholders will have the ability to access our proxy materials on the website referred to in the Notice. The Notice also contains instructions on how to vote your shares, as well as instructions on how to request a paper or electronic copy of our proxy materials. We encourage you to take advantage of the availability of the proxy materials over the Internet to help reduce the environmental impact and cost of printing and distributing our proxy materials.

How can I access the proxy materials on the internet?

The Notice provides you with instructions regarding how to:

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view our proxy materials for the Annual Meeting over the Internet;

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vote your shares after you have viewed our proxy materials (including any control/identification numbers that you need to access your form of proxy);

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obtain directions to attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person;

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request a printed copy or e-mail copy with links to the proxy materials, including the date by which the request should be made to facilitate timely delivery; and

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instruct us to send our future proxy materials to you by mail or electronically by e-mail.

Will I receive any other proxy materials by mail (besides the Notice)?

If you request paper copies of our proxy materials by following the instructions in the Notice, we will send you our proxy materials, including a proxy card, in the mail.

What should I do if I receive more than one set of voting materials?

You may receive more than one set of voting materials, including multiple copies of the Notice, this Proxy Statement and multiple proxy cards or voting instruction cards. For example, if you hold your shares in more than one brokerage account, you will receive a separate Notice and voting instruction card for each brokerage account in which you hold shares. Similarly, if you are a stockholder of record and hold shares in a brokerage account, you will receive a proxy card for shares held in your name and a voting instruction card for shares held in “street name.” Please complete, sign, date and return each proxy card and voting instruction card that you receive to ensure that all your shares are voted.

Who is entitled to vote at the annual meeting?

Holders of Class A Common Stock as of the close of business on the Record Date may vote at the Annual Meeting.

What are the voting rights of the stockholders?

Each holder of Class A Common Stock is entitled to one vote for each share of Class A Common Stock registered on the Record Date in such holder’s name on the books of the Company on all matters to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting. The Company’s Articles prohibit cumulative voting in the election of directors by the common stock of the Company.

The holders of at least one-half of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock must be represented at the Annual Meeting, in person or by proxy, in order to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. At any meeting of the Company’s stockholders, whether or not a quorum is present, the chairman of the meeting or the holders of a majority of the Class A Common Stock, present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the meeting, may adjourn the meeting from time to time without notice or other announcement.

What is the difference between a stockholder of record and a “street name” holder?

If your shares are registered directly in your name with Continental Stock Transfer and Trust Company (“Continental”), the Company’s stock transfer agent, you are considered the stockholder of record with respect to those shares. The Notice and, if requested, any printed copies of the proxy materials, including any proxy cards or voting instructions, have been sent directly to you by Continental at the Company’s request. On the Record Date, the Company had 209 holders of record.

If your shares are held in a brokerage account or by a bank or other nominee, the nominee is considered the record holder of those shares. You are considered the beneficial owner, and your shares are held in “street name.” The Notice and, if applicable, any printed copies of the proxy materials, including any proxy cards or voting instructions, are being forwarded to you by your nominee. As the beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your nominee concerning how to vote your shares by using the voting instructions your nominee included in the mailing or by following its instructions for voting.

What is householding?

Some banks, brokers and other nominee record holders may be “householding” our proxy materials, including this Proxy Statement, our annual report and related materials. Householding means that only one copy of these documents may have been sent to multiple stockholders in one household. If you would like to receive your own set of Equity’s proxy statement, annual report and related materials, or if you share an address with another Equity stockholder and together both of you would like to receive only a single set of these documents, please contact your bank, broker or other nominee.

What is a broker non-vote?

A broker non-vote occurs when a broker holding shares for a beneficial owner does not vote on a particular proposal because the broker does not have discretionary voting power with respect to that item and has not received voting instructions from the

beneficial owner. Your broker has discretionary authority to vote your shares with respect to Item 4. In the absence of specific instructions from you, your broker does not have discretionary authority to vote your shares with respect to Items 1, 2 or 3.

How do I vote my shares?

If you are a record holder, you may vote your Class A Common Stock at the Annual Meeting in person or by proxy. To vote in person, you must attend the Annual Meeting and obtain and submit a ballot. The ballot will be provided at the Annual Meeting. To vote by proxy, you have two ways to vote:

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Via the Internet: You may vote your proxy over the Internet by visiting the website www.cstproxyvote.com. Have the Notice or, if applicable, the proxy card that may have been provided to you in hand when you access the website and follow the instructions for Internet voting on that website. You may also access the website using your mobile phone and the instructions on the Notice; or

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Via Mail: If you receive or request a paper copy of the proxy materials by mail, you may vote by indicating on the proxy card(s) applicable to your common stock how you want to vote and signing, dating and mailing your proxy card(s) in the enclosed pre-addressed postage-paid envelope as soon as possible to ensure that it will be received in advance of the Annual Meeting.

Please refer to the specific instructions set forth in your Notice or proxy card for additional information on how to vote. When you vote via the Internet or mail, you will direct the designated persons (known as “proxies”) to vote your Class A Common Stock at the Annual Meeting in accordance with your instructions. The Board has appointed Brad S. Elliott and Chris M. Navratil to serve as the proxies for the Annual Meeting.

Your proxy card will be valid only if you sign, date and return it before the Annual Meeting. Please note that Internet voting will close at 10:59 p.m., Central Time, on April 20, 2026. If you complete all of the proxy card except for one or more of the voting instructions, then the designated proxies will vote your shares consistently with the Board recommendation under “What are the Board’s recommendations on how I should vote my shares?” below for each proposal for which you provide no voting instructions.

If any other matters properly come before the Annual Meeting, then the designated proxies will vote your shares in accordance with applicable law and their judgment. We do not anticipate any other matters will come up at this time.

If you hold your shares in “street name,” your bank, broker or other nominee should provide to you a voting instruction card along with the Company’s proxy solicitation materials. By completing the voting instruction card, you may direct your nominee how to vote your shares. If you complete the voting instruction card except for one or more of the voting instructions, then your broker will be unable to vote your shares with respect to the proposal as to which you provide no voting instructions, except that the broker has the discretionary authority to vote your shares with respect to Item 4—the ratification of the appointment of Crowe LLP.

If your shares of common stock are held in “street name,” your ability to vote over the Internet depends on your broker’s voting process. You should follow the instructions on your proxy card or voting instruction card.

Alternatively, if you hold your shares in “street name” and you want to vote your shares in person at the Annual Meeting, you must contact your nominee directly in order to obtain a proxy issued to you by your nominee holder. Note that a broker letter that identifies you as a stockholder is not the same as a nominee-issued proxy. If you fail to bring a nominee-issued proxy to the Annual Meeting, you will not be able to vote your nominee-held shares in person at the Annual Meeting.

Who counts the votes?

All votes will be tabulated by the inspectors of election appointed for the Annual Meeting. Votes for each proposal will be tabulated separately.

Can I vote my shares in person at the Annual Meeting?

Yes. If you are a stockholder of record, you may vote your shares by completing a ballot at the Annual Meeting.

If you hold your shares in “street name,” you may vote your shares at the Annual Meeting only if you obtain a proxy issued by your bank, broker or other nominee giving you the right to vote the shares as discussed above.

Even if you currently plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we recommend that you also vote via the Internet or return your proxy card or voting instructions as described above so that your votes will be counted if you later decide not to attend the Annual Meeting or are unable to attend.

What are my choices when voting?

With respect to the election of directors, you may vote for the election of the nominee, against the election of the nominee, or abstain from voting on the nominee. With respect to each of the other proposals you may vote for the proposal, against the proposal or abstain from voting on the proposal.

What are the Board’s recommendations on how I should vote my shares?

The Board recommends that you vote your shares as follows:

Item	1—FOR the election of each nominee for director;

Item	2—FOR the approval of the advisory resolution regarding executive compensation;

Item	3—FOR the approval of the Second Amendment to the Equity Bancshares, Inc. 2022 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan

Item	4—FOR the ratification of the appointment of Crowe LLP

What if I do not specify how I want my shares voted?

If you are a record holder who returns a completed proxy card that does not specify how you want to vote your shares on one or more proposals, the proxies will vote your shares for each proposal as to which you provide no voting instructions, and such shares will be voted in the following manner:

Item	1—FOR the election of each nominee for director;

Item	2—FOR the approval of the advisory resolution regarding executive compensation;

Item	3—FOR the approval of the Second Amendment to the Equity Bancshares, Inc. 2022 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan

Item	4—FOR the ratification of the appointment of Crowe LLP

If you are a “street name” holder and do not provide voting instructions on one or more proposals, your bank, broker or other nominee will be unable to vote those shares in relation to Items 1, 2 or 3.

May I change my vote after submission?

Yes. Regardless of the method used to cast a vote, if a stockholder is a holder of record, they may change their vote or revoke their proxy by:

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delivering to the Company at any time before the Annual Meeting is called to order, by our Corporate Secretary, a written notice of revocation addressed to Equity Bancshares, Inc., 7701 East Kellogg Drive, Suite 850, Wichita, Kansas 67207, Attention: Corporate Secretary;

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casting a new vote over the Internet by visiting the website www.cstproxyvote.com and following the instructions in your Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or, if applicable, the proxy card that may have been provided to you before the Internet voting deadline of 10:59 p.m., Central Time, on April 20, 2026;

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completing, signing and returning a new proxy card with a later date than your original proxy card, if applicable, no later than the time the Annual Meeting is called to order, and any earlier proxy will be revoked automatically; or

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attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person, and any earlier proxy will be revoked. Your attendance alone at the Annual Meeting will not revoke your proxy unless you give written notice of revocation to the Corporate Secretary of the Company before the Annual Meeting is called to order.

If your shares are held in “street name” and you desire to change any voting instructions you have previously given to the record holder of the shares of which you are the beneficial owner, you should contact the broker, bank or other nominee holding your shares in “street name” in order to direct a change in the manner your shares will be voted.

What percentage of the vote is required to approve each proposal?

Each holder of Class A Common Stock is entitled to one vote for each share of Class A Common Stock registered, on the Record Date, in such holder’s name on the books of the Company on all matters to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting.

Item 1: The election of each nominee for director will require the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Class A Common Stock present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting.

Item 2: The approval of the advisory vote on the compensation of the named executive officers disclosed in this proxy statement requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Class A Common Stock present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting.

Item 3: The approval of the Second Amendment to the Equity Bancshares, Inc. 2022 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Class A Common Stock present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting.

Item 4: The ratification of Crowe LLP’s appointment as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm will require the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Class A Common Stock present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting.

What is a quorum?

Generally, a quorum is defined as the number of shares that are required to be present at the Annual Meeting so that the results of voting on a particular proposal at the Annual Meeting will be deemed to be the act of the stockholders as a whole. With respect to the Company, a quorum is determined by counting the relevant number of shares of Class A Common Stock represented in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting. If you submit a properly executed proxy card (via mail or the Internet), you will be considered part of the quorum even if you do not attend the Annual Meeting. The presence in person or by proxy of one-half of the Class A Common Stock outstanding on the Record Date will constitute a quorum.

How are broker non-votes and abstentions treated?

Brokers, as holders of record, are permitted to vote on certain routine matters, but not on non-routine matters. A broker non-vote occurs when a broker does not have discretionary authority to vote the shares and has not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner of the shares. The only routine matter to be presented at the Annual Meeting is Item 4—the ratification of the appointment of the independent registered public accounting firm. If you hold shares in “street name” and do not provide voting instructions to your broker, those shares will be counted as broker non-votes for all non-routine matters. Broker non-votes will be counted for purposes of calculating whether a quorum is present at the Annual Meeting with respect to all of the proposals to be considered at the Annual Meeting. However, broker non-votes will not be counted for purposes of determining the number of shares of stock having voting power present in person or represented by proxy.

For matters requiring the affirmative vote of the majority of stock having voting power present in person or represented by proxy, abstentions are included in the denominator as shares “present” or “represented” and have the same practical effect as a vote “against” a proposal.

Item 1: An abstention with respect to one or more nominees for director will have the effect of a vote against such nominee or nominees. A broker non-vote will not affect the outcome of this proposal.

Item 2: An abstention with respect to advisory approval of named executive officer compensation will have the effect of a vote against the proposal. A broker non-vote will not affect the outcome of this proposal.

Item 3: An abstention with respect to the vote to approve the Second Amendment to the Equity Bancshares, Inc. 2022 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan will have the effect of a vote against the proposal. A broker non-vote will not affect the outcome of this proposal.

Item 4: Any abstentions will have the effect of a vote against the proposal to ratify the appointment of Crowe LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. Since the ratification of the appointment of the independent registered public accounting firm is considered a routine matter and a broker or other nominee may generally vote on routine matters, no broker non-votes are expected to occur in connection with this proposal.

Do I have any dissenters’ or appraisal rights with respect to any of the matters to be voted on at the Annual Meeting?

No. None of our stockholders has any dissenters’ or appraisal rights with respect to the matters to be voted on at the Annual Meeting.

What are the solicitation expenses and who pays the cost of this proxy solicitation?

Our Board is asking for your proxy and the Company will pay all of the costs of soliciting stockholder proxies. We may use officers and employees of the Company to ask for proxies, as described below.

Is this Proxy Statement the only way that proxies are being solicited?

No. In addition to the solicitation of proxies by use of electronic and mail distribution, if deemed advisable, directors, officers and employees of the Company may solicit proxies personally or by telephone or other means of communication, without being paid additional compensation for such services. This proxy solicitation is made by the Board and the cost of this solicitation is being borne by the Company. The Company will reimburse banks, brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for their reasonable expense in forwarding the proxy materials to beneficial owners of the Company’s Class A Common Stock. We also may engage a proxy solicitation firm to assist us with the solicitation of proxies and, if so, would expect to pay that firm approximately $20,000 for its services, plus out-of-pocket expenses.

Are there any other matters to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting?

Management does not intend to present any business at the Annual Meeting for a vote other than the matters set forth in the Notice and has no information that others will do so. The proxy also confers on the proxies the discretionary authority to vote with respect to any matter presented at the Annual Meeting for which advance notice was not received by the Company in accordance with our Bylaws. If other matters requiring a vote of the stockholders properly come before the Annual Meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying form of proxy to vote the shares represented by the proxies held by them in accordance with applicable law and their judgment on such matters.

Where can I find voting results?

The Company intends to publish the voting results in a Current Report on Form 8-K, which it expects to file with the SEC within four business days following the Annual Meeting.

Who can help answer my questions?

The information provided above in this “Question and Answer” format is for your convenience only and is merely a summary of the information contained in this Proxy Statement. We urge you to carefully read this entire Proxy Statement and the documents we refer to in this Proxy Statement. If you have any questions, or need additional material, please write to Equity Bancshares, Inc., 7701 East Kellogg Drive, Suite 850, Wichita, Kansas 67207, Attention: Brian Katzfey, Vice President and Director of Corporate Development and Investors Relations or call (316) 858-3128 and ask for Brian Katzfey.

ITEM 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

CLASSIFICATION OF THE COMPANY’S DIRECTORS

In accordance with the terms of our Articles, our Board is divided into three classes, Class I, Class II and Class III, with each class serving staggered three-year terms, and prior to our 2026 Annual Meeting is comprised as follows:

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The Class I directors are R. Renee Koger, James S. Loving, Jerry P. Maland and Shawn D. Penner. Their term will expire at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held in 2028;

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The Class II directors are Kevin E. Cook, Brad S. Elliott, Junetta M. Everett and Gregory H. Kossover. Their term will expire at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held in 2027.

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The Class III directors are Leon H. Borck, C. Kendric Fergeson Gregory L. Gaeddert and Benjamen M. Hutton. Their term will expire at this year’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

As previously reported, R. Renee Koger is retiring from the Board effective as of the Annual Meeting.

ELECTION PROCEDURES; TERM OF OFFICE

The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee has recommended, and the independent members of the Board have approved the nomination of Leon H. Borck, C. Kendric Fergeson, Gregory L. Gaeddert, Benjamen M. Hutton and Lisa A. Schlehuber to serve as Class III directors. Each of the Class III nominees will be elected to a three-year term ending at the Company’s 2029 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

Each nominee receiving the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Class A Common Stock present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting will be elected. Unless instructed to abstain or vote against one or more of the nominees, all shares of Class A Common Stock represented by proxy will be voted FOR the election of the nominees. If instructed to abstain or vote against one or more but not all of the nominees, all shares of Class A Common Stock represented by any such proxy will be voted FOR the election of the nominee or nominees, as the case may be, for whom no instruction to abstain or vote against has been given.

If a nominee becomes unavailable to serve as a director for any reason before the election, the shares represented by proxy will be voted for such other person, if any, as may be designated by the Board. The Board has no reason to believe that any nominee will be unavailable to serve as a director. All of the nominees have consented to being named herein and to serve if elected.

Any director vacancy occurring after the election may be filled by the affirmative vote of the majority of the directors then in office, even if the remaining directors constitute less than a quorum of the full Board. In accordance with our Articles, the term of a director elected to fill a vacancy shall expire upon the expiration of the term of office of the class of directors in which such vacancy occurred.

NOMINEES FOR ELECTION

The following table sets forth the name, age, position with the Company and director class for each nominee for election as a director of the Company:


Name	Age		Current Position with Equity	Class
Leon H. Borck		79	Director	III
C. Kendric Fergeson		79	Director	III
Gregory L. Gaeddert		64	Director	III
Benjamen M. Hutton		45	Director	III
Lisa A. Schlehuber		64	Director Nominee	III

The biography of each of the director nominees set forth below contains information regarding the person’s service as a director and/or executive officer, business experience, director positions held currently or at any time during the last five years, information regarding involvement in certain legal or administrative proceedings, if applicable, and the experiences, qualifications, attributes or skills that caused the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee and the Board to determine that the person should serve as a director.




LEON H. BORCK DIRECTOR SINCE: 2021		Mr. Borck is the former Chairman and current board member of Innovative Livestock Services, Inc. and Ward Feed Yard where he has served since 1980. Mr. Borck joined the Company’s Board following our merger with American State Bancshares, Inc. in 2021 where he served as Chairman of the Board from 2001 through the date of the merger. He earned his degree in Agricultural Economics at Kansas State University. Mr. Borck has served on the boards of various companies and philanthropic organizations. QUALIFICATIONS: Mr. Borck’s senior level management, board, bank oversight and extensive agricultural experience in the markets in which the Company operates provides him with a unique perspective which is beneficial to the Board.



C. KENDRICK FERGESON DIRECTOR SINCE: 2025		Mr. Fergeson is a distinguished financial services executive having over 40 years experience in operational and leadership roles for financial institutions. He was the founder of NBC Corp. of Oklahoma (“NBC”) and Chair of the Board through its sale to the Company in July of 2025. In addition to his leadership role at NBC, Mr. Fergeson has previously served as the Chairman of both the Oklahoma Banker’s Association and the American Banker’s Association. He also currently serves as a Director at Argent Financial Trust and has served various philanthropic organizations. QUALIFICATIONS: Mr. Fergeson’s experience leading financial institutions in our Oklahoma operating market, as well as his chairmanship of both the American Banker’s and Oklahoma Banker’s Associations bring experienced oversight to our Board.





GREGORY L. GAEDDERT DIRECTOR SINCE: 2007		Mr. Gaeddert has served as a member of our Board since 2007. Mr. Gaeddert has served as Managing Partner of B12 Capital Partners, LLC since 2007. Prior to co-founding B12 Capital Partners, LLC in 2006, Mr. Gaeddert was employed in various capacities by Commerce Bancshares, Inc. and its affiliates, including serving as Kansas City officer manager for its private equity arm, Capital For Business, Inc. Mr. Gaeddert currently serves on the Board of Directors for several of B12 Capital Partners’ portfolio companies. He is also a member of the board of the Mennonite Economic Development Committee (“MEDA”) and serves on the MEDA Mauritius Foundation and as a member of the investment committee of the MEDA Risk Capital Fund. Mr. Gaeddert graduated from Bethel College with a degree in Economics and Business Administration and he earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Kansas. QUALIFICATIONS: Mr. Gaeddert’s experience and qualifications provide sound leadership to the Board. In addition, Mr. Gaeddert brings strong investment, accounting and financial skills important to the oversight of our financial reporting, enterprise and operational risk management.




BENJAMEN M. HUTTON DIRECTOR SINCE: 2020		Mr. Hutton has served as a member of our Board since 2020. Mr. Hutton is the Chief Executive Officer of Hutton Corporation, a regional design and construction firm, where he has been employed since 2006. Mr. Hutton has served on the boards of various civic and nonprofit organizations including, among others, Associated General Contractors of Kansas, Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters, Trinity Academy and the Wichita Chamber of Commerce of which he is a past chair. He is also actively involved with The Greater Wichita Partnership. Mr. Hutton holds a Bachelors of Science in Construction from Kansas State University as well as a Masters of Business Administration from Friends University. QUALIFICATIONS: Mr. Hutton’s senior level management, board, and construction experience in addition to his community involvement in the markets in which the company operates provides him with a unique perspective which is beneficial to the Board.





LISA A. SCHLEHUBER		Ms. Schlehuber is a distinguished financial services executive having over 30 years experience in operational and leadership roles for financial institutions. She ended her management career serving as the Chief Executive Officer of Elements Credit Union. Under her leadership, Elements more than doubled its balance sheet and built a strong wealth management division. Beyond her executive role, Ms. Schlehuber has served on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions, as well as held board positions with CO-OP Financial Services, the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce and Pentegra Retirement Services. QUALIFICATIONS: Mrs. Schlehuber’s experience and qualifications provide sound leadership to the Board. She brings deep financial institution experience, accounting and financial expertise, and a refined understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing a financial institution in our geography.

VOTE REQUIRED

The election of each nominee for director will require the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Class A Common Stock present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting. An abstention with respect to one or more nominees for director will have the effect of a vote against such nominee or nominees. A broker non-vote will not affect the outcome of this proposal.

RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD


		THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE ELECTION OF EACH OF THE DIRECTOR NOMINEES.

DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to directors, nominees and the executive officers of the Company:


Name	Age	Position(s) with the Company	Class	Director’s Term Expires

Nominees:
Leon H. Borck	79	Director	III	2026
C. Kendric Fergeson	79	Director	III	2026
Gregory L. Gaeddert	64	Director	III	2026
Benjamen J. Hutton	45	Director	III	2026
Lisa A. Schlehuber	64	Director Nominee	III

Retiring Director:
R. Renee Koger	64	Director	I	2028

Directors Continuing until 2027:
Kevin E. Cook	61	Director	II	2027
Brad S. Elliott	59	Director, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer	II	2027
Junetta M. Everett	70	Director	II	2027
Gregory H. Kossover	63	Director, Executive Vice President, Capital Markets	II	2027

Directors Continuing until 2028:
James S. Loving	70	Director	I	2028
Jerry P. Maland	75	Director	I	2028
Shawn D. Penner	55	Director	I	2028

Non-Director Executive Officers:
Julie A. Huber	55	Chief Operating Officer, Equity Bank
Ann M. Knutson	56	Chief Human Resources Officer
Chris M. Navratil	39	Chief Financial Officer
David E. Pass	57	Chief Information Officer
Brett A. Reber	66	General Counsel
Richard A. Sems	54	Chief Executive Officer, Equity Bank
Krzysztof P. Slupkowski	39	Chief Credit Officer

Set forth below is the background, business experience, attributes, qualifications and skills of the Company’s continuing directors and executive officers. Executive officers serve at the discretion of the Board.

DIRECTORS CONTINUING IN OFFICE UNTIL THE 2027 ANNUAL MEETING




KEVIN E. COOK DIRECTOR SINCE: 2021				Mr. Cook was a Partner and business leader at Forvis Mazars, LLP a national CPA and advisory firm until his retirement in September 2019. He brings to the Company his insights and expertise from his exceptional 33-year career in public accounting providing solutions to financial services companies. His skills focused on developing and leading Forvis Mazars, LLP financial services practice into the marketplace through quality, reputation, networking, brand, and high-level advisement. Various leadership positions during his career included national tax leader financial services practice, national leader outsourcing services practice, and regional leader for Kansas City, Iowa and Wisconsin financial services practice. During his time at Forvis Mazars, LLP, Mr. Cook worked with some the firm’s largest financial services clients which gives him unique insights into financial reporting, taxation, mergers and acquisitions, strategic planning and corporate governance matters. Mr. Cook also previously served as Board Chair and as a member of the Board of Governors of Nebraska Wesleyan University. He has served as a director for numerous non-profit, civic, and charitable organizations. Mr. Cook is a graduate of Nebraska Wesleyan University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. QUALIFICATIONS: Mr. Cook’s experience and qualifications provide sound leadership to the Board of Directors. In addition, as a former practicing public accountant servicing the financial institution space, Mr. Cook brings extensive accounting, management, strategic planning and financial skills important to the oversight of our financial reporting, enterprise and operational risk management.




BRAD S. ELLIOTT DIRECTOR SINCE: 2002		Mr. Elliott is our founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. He also serves as Chairman of Equity Bank. Mr. Elliott began his banking career and was employed in various capacities by Home State Bank and Trust for six years following graduation from McPherson College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and Management. He then joined Sunflower Bank as a Market President for two years before joining American Traffic Systems as its director of operations in Scottsdale, Arizona. Mr. Elliott then returned to Wichita to serve as Director of Marketing at Koch Industries, Inc., a privately held multinational corporation. He then rejoined Sunflower Bank as its Regional President. Mr. Elliott founded Equity Bancshares in 2002. He is a graduate of the Stonier Graduate School of Banking and has served on the Board of Directors for the Wichita Area Chamber of Commerce, as Trustee and Chair of the finance committee for the Board of Directors of McPherson College, and as the President of the Wichita State University Shocker Athletic Scholarship Organization. He has also served on the PCS Advisory Board, Via Christi Health Board of Directors and as Treasurer, and the Kansas Bankers Association. Mr. Elliott currently serves on Pentegra’s Defined Contribution Plan Board of Directors. QUALIFICATIONS: Mr. Elliott adds financial services experience, especially lending and asset and liability management to the Board, as well as a deep understanding of the Company’s business and operations. Mr. Elliott also brings risk and operations management and strategic planning expertise to the Board, skills that are important as the Company continues to implement its business strategy to acquire and integrate growth opportunities.



JUNETTA M. EVERETT DIRECTOR SINCE: 2020		Ms. Everett, RDH, joined Delta Dental of Kansas (DDKS), a dental benefits administrator in 1987 and served as Vice President Provider Relations for 26 years and the same position for Surency Life and Health, a DDKS subsidiary that administered ancillary products in five states. A key contributor and participant in the corporation’s strategic planning, budgeting, and programs, she reported to the CEO and was responsible for directing and controlling all functions of the provider network for state and national business including training, contracting, compliance, audits, and building relationships. Everett serves on multiple boards and committees, including the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce as 2020 Board Chair and Vice Chair of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and the Kansas Health Foundation having previously served as Board Chair and Finance Chair and a member of the audit and governance committees. Other services include the Sedgwick County District 2 Advisory board, Wichita State University (WSU) Foundation Board, National Advisory Council and was appointed by the Governor of Kansas to the WSU Board of Trustees in 2021. Ms. Everett holds both a Bachelors of Art and Science from Wichita State University. QUALIFICATIONS: Ms. Everett brings to the Board significant leadership and business experience, knowledge of healthcare, insurance, governance and compliance while also providing valuable insight into promoting intentional inclusion in the workplace. Her background includes serving on the Board of a community developed credit union and its supervisory committee. This coupled with her business acumen including, the review and approvals of financials, decision making, and independent diversified thinking qualifies her to serve on this board. Her diversity of experience, style, and deep business contacts contributes to the overall success of the board and ultimately the bank.



GREGORY H. KOSSOVER DIRECTOR SINCE: 2011		Mr. Kossover currently serves as Executive Vice President, Capital Markets and Oklahoma Regional CEO at Equity Bank. Prior to this role, he served as President and Chief Financial Officer of Vantage Point Properties. Mr. Kossover has previously served as Chief Financial Officer then Chief Operating Officer of the Company. He has served as a member of our Board since December 2011. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Kossover served as President of Physicians Development Group, a builder and manager of senior living facilities in the Wichita, Kansas metropolitan area, from 2012 to 2013. From 2004 to 2011 he served as Chief Executive Officer of Value Place, LLC, one of the largest extended stay lodging franchises in the United States. Mr. Kossover graduated from Emporia State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and has successfully completed the Uniform Certified Public Accountants exam. QUALIFICATIONS: Mr. Kossover’s leadership and financial experience provide important oversight of our financial reporting and enterprise and operational risk management to the Board.

DIRECTORS CONTINUING IN OFFICE UNTIL THE 2028 ANNUAL MEETING




JAMES S. LOVING DIRECTOR SINCE: 2022		Mr. Loving is a veteran executive of the downstream petroleum industry, with 35 years of experience in the energy sector. Mr. Loving served as President of the National Cooperative Refinery Association (“NCRA”) for 20 years prior to retirement following the successful integration of NCRA into an acquiring organization. In this role, he oversaw finance, human resources, operations, and stakeholder management while navigating the cyclical challenges and dramatic changes within the energy industry over that time. In addition to his role with NCRA, Mr. Loving has served on several company and public service boards. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Wisconsin, as well as a MBA from the University of Utah. QUALIFICATIONS: Mr. Loving’s experience and qualifications provide sound leadership to the Board. He brings deep energy sector knowledge, in addition to company management, board development, and leadership expertise to the Board.



JERRY P. MALAND DIRECTOR SINCE: 2016		Mr. Maland was appointed to the Company’s Board upon the closing of the merger of the Company and Community First Bancshares, Inc. in 2016. Mr. Maland served as a director of Community First Bancshares, Inc. following its formation in 1997, and served as Chairman of the board for both Community First Bank and Community First Bancshares, Inc. Mr. Maland is the former owner of McDonald’s restaurants in Harrison, Berryville, and Eureka Springs. He previously served on the Board of Directors of Security Bank and First Commercial Corporation from 1984 until forming Community First Bank in 1997. Mr. Maland is a graduate of Luther College in Decorah, Iowa QUALIFICATIONS: Mr. Maland brings extensive bank management and oversight experience, as well as local knowledge of our markets to the Board.



SHAWN D. PENNER DIRECTOR SINCE: 2003		Mr. Penner has served as a member of our Board since 2003. Mr. Penner is the owner of Shamrock Development, LLC, a real estate development firm, which he founded in 1997. He also serves as a director of First Federal of Olathe Bancorp, Inc., First Federal Savings and Loan Bank, and GPV, Inc. Mr. Penner previously worked as a national bank examiner for the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. Mr. Penner graduated from Wichita State University with a Bachelors of Business Administration and a Master of Business Administration degrees. He currently serves as a member of the Wichita State University Foundation Board of Directors as well as Chair of the Foundation’s Investment Committee. QUALIFICATIONS: Mr. Penner brings experience as an executive and local knowledge of our markets as well as bank regulatory and investment experience to the Board.

NON-DIRECTOR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS




JULIA A. HUBER CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER				Ms. Huber serves as Chief Operating Officer of Equity Bank. Ms. Huber joined Equity Bank in 2003 and has served in a variety of leadership roles over a period of twenty-one years, including overseeing risk and compliance, operations, strategy implementation, and has managed the integration process for each community bank we have acquired. Ms. Huber served as President of Signature Bank following its acquisition in 2007. Ms. Huber graduated from McPherson College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and History, received her Master of Business Administration from Baker University in 2014 and is a graduate of the Stonier Graduate School of Banking and the Bank Leaders of Kansas. Ms. Huber has been recognized as one of the Wichita Business Journal’s Women in Business in 2013 and Women Who Lead in 2019. Ms. Huber was also inducted to the Wichita Business Journals 40 Under 40 Hall of Fame in 2020 and was named a Wichita Business Journal Executive of the Year in 2021. Ms. Huber currently serves as Board Trustee and Chairwoman of the Financial Affairs Committee for McPherson College and is a Board Member of the Kansas Bankers Association.



ANN M. KNUTSON CHIEF HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER				Ms. Knutson has been Chief Human Resources Officer since of June of 2023. Ms. Knutson brings over 25 years of human resources experience to the team. Prior to time at Equity Bank, she was a Senior Vice President of Human Resources at Bank Five Nine and worked for 16 years at American Family Insurance in a variety of HR roles in her native Wisconsin. The Milwaukee BizTimes recognized Ms. Knutson as a “Notable Woman in Human Resources” in 2021 and the Wichita Business Journal recognized her as “Women Who Lead at Major Employers” in 2024. She received her Master of Science degree in Management from Cardinal Stritch University and has taught a variety of courses in both a technical college and at the Graduate School of Banking in Madison, WI. Ms. Knutson is involved with the Wichita’s Women’s Network and the Wichita Chamber of Commerce.



CHRIS M. NAVRATIL CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER				Mr. Navratil serves as the Chief Financial Officer of Equity Bancshares. Mr. Navratil joined Equity as a Senior Vice President within Finance in February 2019. Prior to his promotion to Company CFO, Mr. Navratil served as Equity Bank CFO, overseeing financial and balance sheet strategy, liquidity, financial planning and analysis, investor outreach and more. Before Equity Bank, he spent seven years, including two as a Senior Manager within the Financial Institution Audit Practice, with Crowe LLP a public accounting firm in Chicago, Illinois. Mr. Navratil received his master’s degree in accountancy from Northern Illinois University in 2011.



DAVID E. PASS CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER				Mr. Pass joined Equity Bank in July 2023 and serves as Executive Vice President, Chief Information Officer. Mr. Pass brings more than 23 years in financial services information technology with him to Equity Bank, including serving as either Chief Information Security Officer or Chief Information Officer at two publicly traded companies. Most recently, Mr. Pass served as an EVP on the technology team at UMB Bank, overseeing transformation, enterprise architecture, applications, and enterprise fraud teams. Before UMB, Mr. Pass spent 17 years as the CIO of CoBiz Financial, which was acquired by BOK Financial in 2018. He is a 1992 graduate of the University of Northern Colorado receiving a Bachelor of Science in Business & Finance.



BRETT A. REBER GENERAL COUNSEL				Mr. Reber serves as Executive Vice President and General Counsel. Prior to joining the Company, he practiced for 30 years with Wise & Reber, L.C., a full-service commercial and civil law firm in McPherson Kansas, as the firm’s managing member. He graduated from the University of Kansas with a Bachelors in General Studies Degree and earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Tulsa College of Law. Following law school, Mr. Reber served as a law clerk to the United States District Court Judge Thomas R. Brett in the Northern District of Oklahoma. He has been active in bar association activities and has served as the President of the Kansas Bar Association Young Lawyers Section. He is a Fellow of the Kansas Bar Foundation and American Bar Foundation, and is a member of the American, Kansas, and Oklahoma bar associations, and the Kansas Association of Defense Counsel. Mr. Reber is active in state and local community affairs. He is a trustee of the Julia J. Mingenback Foundation and a Director of the McPherson Industrial Development Company.



RICHARD M. SEMS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, EQUITY BANK				Mr. Sems joined Equity Bank as President in May 2023 and was promoted to Chief Executive Officer in May 2024. Before that, Mr. Sems was the Chief Banking Officer for First Bank in St. Louis, MO. Mr. Sems served as President and CEO of Reliance Bank from 2013 to 2016 and Regional President of PNC Financial Services from 2009-2013. He worked as the President and CEO of Missouri Banking and served as EVP and Managing Director of Corporate Planning of National City Corporation from 2000-2009. Mr. Sems also spent time with PWC, working as a manager from 1993 to 1998 and is an Inactive CPA. He has a B.S in Accounting from Grove City College in Pennsylvania and an MBA – Corporate Strategy from the University of Michigan Ross Business School. He serves on the board of trustees for Grove City College.



KRZYSZTOF P. SLUPKOWSKI CHIEF CREDIT OFFICER				Mr. Slupkowski has been Equity Bank’s Chief Credit Officer since September 2023. Krzysztof joined Equity in 2018 and has worked with its largest borrowers as Metro Market Chief Credit Officer guiding credit decisions for Equity’s locations in Wichita, Kansas City, and Tulsa. Prior to joining Equity, Mr. Slupkowski worked in various credit functions for Commerce Bancshares. Krzysztof earned his Master of Business Administration from Wichita State University.

DIVERSITY OF SKILLS AND EXPERIENCES REPRESENTED ON OUR BOARD

The Board believes that its director nominees bring the following skills, experiences and expertise, among others, to the Board as a result of their experience and perspectives:

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accounting and preparation of financial statements

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active involvement in educational, charitable and community organizations in the communities we serve

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business ethics

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complex regulated industries

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compliance

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community development

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corporate governance

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credit evaluation

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demonstrated management ability

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extensive experience in the public, private, or non-for-profit sector

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human capital management

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knowledge of growth markets

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leadership and expertise in their respective fields

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operations

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public company board

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reputational considerations

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risk management

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strategic thinking

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technology and cyber security

The Company has a commitment to enhancing the skillset, gender and racial diversity of its workforce, leadership team and Board of Directors.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

ENERAL

We are committed to effective corporate governance practices and our Board has adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines to assist the Board in the exercise of its duties and responsibilities and to serve the best interests of the Company and its stockholders. The Corporate Governance Guidelines govern, among other things, board responsibilities, director qualifications, independence requirements, executive sessions of the board and other matters. The full text of our Corporate Governance Guidelines is available on our corporate website at investor.equitybank.com. The Corporate Governance Guidelines may be accessed by selecting “Governance” and then “Governance Documents” from the menus.

ISK

ANAGEMENT

AND

VERSIGHT

Our Board is responsible for oversight of management and the business affairs of the Company, including those relating to management of risk. Our full Board determines the appropriate risk for us general

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SEC Form DEF 14A filed by Equity Bancshares Inc.