FJ Capital Management Discloses Passive Stake in Hawthorn Bancshares

TL;DR

**FJ Capital Management just bought a big chunk of HWBK, signaling institutional confidence.**

AI Summary

FJ Capital Management LLC, through its affiliated funds including Financial Opportunity Fund LLC, has disclosed a significant passive ownership stake in Hawthorn Bancshares, Inc. (HWBK). This SC 13G filing, dated February 13, 2024, indicates that FJ Capital Management LLC is now a substantial shareholder, holding a position that could influence future strategic decisions or provide a vote of confidence in the bank's operations. For current or prospective HWBK shareholders, this matters because a large institutional investor taking a passive stake often signals a belief in the company's long-term value, potentially attracting more investor interest.

Why It Matters

A new institutional investor taking a significant stake can boost investor confidence and potentially lead to increased stock price stability or growth for Hawthorn Bancshares.

Risk Assessment

Risk Level: low — This filing indicates a passive investment by an institutional investor, which generally carries a low risk for existing shareholders.

Analyst Insight

A smart investor would view this institutional investment as a positive signal, potentially indicating underlying value in Hawthorn Bancshares, and might consider further research into HWBK's fundamentals or the investor's track record.

Key Players & Entities

• FJ Capital Management LLC (company) — the entity filing the SC 13G, reporting a passive ownership stake
• Hawthorn Bancshares, Inc. (company) — the subject company in which FJ Capital Management LLC has acquired shares
• Financial Opportunity Fund LLC (company) — one of the group members associated with FJ Capital Management LLC's filing
• Martin S. Friedman (person) — listed as a group member in the filing
• February 13, 2024 (date) — the date of the event which required the filing of this statement

FAQ

Filing Documents

• eps11168.htm (SC 13G) — 139KB
• 0001171520-24-000122.txt ( ) — 141KB

(a)

Item 1(a). Name of Issuer: Hawthorn Bancshares, Inc. (HWBK)

(b)

Item 1(b). Address of Issuer’s Principal Executive Offices: 132 East High Street, Box 688 Jefferson City, MO 65102

(a)

Item 2(a). Name of Person Filing: This Schedule 13G is being filed on behalf of the following Reporting Persons: Financial Opportunity Fund LLC Financial Opportunity Long/Short Fund LLC Financial Hybrid Opportunity Fund LLC Financial Hybrid Opportunity SPVI LLC FJ Capital Management LLC Martin Friedman

(b)

Item 2(b). Address of Principal Business Office or, if None, Residence: Financial Opportunity Fund LLC 7901 Jones Branch Drive, Suite 210 McLean, VA 22102 Financial Opportunity Long/Short Fund LLC 7901 Jones Branch Drive, Suite 210 McLean, VA 22102 Financial Hybrid Opportunity Fund LLC 7901 Jones Branch Drive, Suite 210 McLean, VA 22102 Financial Hybrid Opportunity SPVI LLC 7901 Jones Branch Drive, Suite 210 McLean, VA 22102 FJ Capital Management, LLC 7901 Jones Branch Drive, Suite 210 McLean, VA 22102 Martin Friedman 7901 Jones Branch Drive, Suite 210 McLean, VA 22102 CUSIP No . 420476 10 3 Page 9 of 12

(c)

Item 2(c). Citizenship: Financial Opportunity Fund LLC, Financial Opportunity Long/Short Fund LLC, Financial Hybrid Opportunity Fund LLC, Financial Hybrid Opportunity SPVI LLC, and FJ Capital Management LLC, LLC – Delaware limited liability companies Martin Friedman – United States citizen

(d)

Item 2(d). Title of Class of Securities: Common Stock

(e)

Item 2(e). CUSIP Number: 420476 10 3 Item 3. If This Statement is Filed Pursuant to §§240.13d-1(b), or 240.13d-2(b) or (c), Check Whether the Person Filing is a: (a) Broker or dealer registered under Section 15 of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o). (b) Bank as defined in Section 3(a)(6) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c). (c) Insurance company as defined in Section 3(a)(19) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c). (d) Investment company registered under Section 8 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-8). (e) An investment adviser in accordance with §240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E); (f) An employee benefit plan or endowment fund in accordance with §240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(F); (g) A parent holding company or control person in accordance with §240.13d-1(b)(ii)(G); (h) A savings association as defined in Section 3(b) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813); CUSIP No . 420476 10 3 Page 10 of 12 (i) A church plan that is excluded from the definition of an investment company under Section 3(c)(14) of the Investment Company Act (15 U.S.C. 80a-3); (j) Group, in accordance with §240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J). Item 4. Provide the following information regarding the aggregate number and percentage of the class of securities of the issuer identified in Item 1. (a) Amount beneficially owned: Financial Opportunity Fund LLC – 338,708 shares Financial Opportunity Long/Short Fund LLC – 13,845 shares Financial Hybrid Opportunity Fund LLC – 52,138 shares Financial Hybrid Opportunity SPVI LLC – 19,749 shares FJ Capital Management LLC – 445,335 shares Martin Friedman – 445,335 shares (b) Percent of class: Financial Opportunity Fund LLC – 4.81% Financial Opportunity Long/Short Fund LLC – 0.20% Financial Hybrid Opportunity Fund LLC – 0.74% Financial Hybrid Opportunity SPVI LLC – 0.28% FJ Capital Management LLC – 6.33% Martin Friedma

View Full Filing

View this SC 13G filing on SEC EDGAR