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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) December 17, 2020

SIERRA BANCORP

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

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(559) 782-4900

(Registrant’s telephone number including area code)

Not applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

☐Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

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Item 5.02Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

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On December 17, 2020, the board of directors of Sierra Bancorp (the “Company”) and Bank of the Sierra (the “Bank”) appointed Susan Abundis and Julie Castle to fill two new positions on the boards of directors of the Company and the Bank effective immediately. In addition, the board of directors of Sierra Bancorp has appointed both Ms. Abundis and Ms. Castle to the Governance and Nominating Committee.   Further, the board of Bank of the Sierra has appointed Ms. Abundis to its Senior Loan Committee while the respective boards have appointed Ms. Castle to their Audit Committee and Risk Committee.

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There are no arrangements or understandings between either Ms. Abundis or Ms. Castle and any other person pursuant to which either became a director. Neither Ms. Abundis nor Ms. Castle is a party to any transaction with the Company or the Bank that would require disclosure under Item 404(a) of Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-K.

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Both Ms. Abundis and Ms. Castle will receive an annual retainer of $25,700 effective January 1, 2021 as well as per meeting fees of $600 each, consistent with the compensation of other Company and Bank directors.

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The Company’s press release announcing the appointments of Ms. Abundis and Ms. Castle is filed herewith as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

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ITEM 9.01FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

(d)Exhibits. The information required to be furnished pursuant to this item is set forth in the Exhibit Index which appears below, immediately before the signatures.

EXHIBIT INDEX

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

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