Ares Commercial Real Estate Corp

8-K · acre-20260527.htm iXBRL

0001529377 2026-05-27 2026-05-27

 UNITED STATES
 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
 WASHINGTON, DC 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):   May 27, 2026

 ARES COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION
 (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
  
 Maryland   001-35517   45-3148087
 (State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)   (Commission
File Number)   (IRS Employer
Identification No.)

  

 245 Park Avenue, 42nd Floor, New York, NY 10167
 (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

  
 Registrant’s telephone number, including area code  ( 212 )  750-7300
  
 (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:
 Title of each class Trading Symbol(s) Name of each exchange on which registered
 Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share ACRE New York Stock Exchange

 Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in 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. o

 Item 5.07 Submission of Matters to a Vote Security Holders.

 On May 27, 2026, Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation (the “Company”) held its 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”). A quorum was present at the Annual Meeting and the Company’s stockholders: (i) elected the two Class II directors named below; (ii) ratified the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026; and (iii) approved on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers. The final voting results from the Annual Meeting were as follows:

 (1) A proposal to elect two Class II directors to serve until the Company’s 2029 annual meeting of stockholders, and until their successors have been duly elected and qualify.

 VOTES FOR
 VOTES WITHHELD
 BROKER NON-VOTES

 William S. Benjamin
 15,754,104
 6,897,290
 17,249,325

 Caroline E. Blakely
 15,832,783
 6,818,611
 17,249,325

 (2) A proposal to ratify the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026.

 VOTES FOR VOTES AGAINST
 VOTES ABSTAINED
 36,662,962
 328,926
 2,908,831

 (3) A proposal for the non-binding, advisory vote to approve the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers.

 VOTES FOR VOTES AGAINST
 VOTES ABSTAINED BROKER NON-VOTES
 19,848,823
 2,518,989
 283,582
 17,249,325

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

     ARES COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION
      
 Date: June 1, 2026 /s/ Anton Feingold
   Name: Anton Feingold
   Title: General Counsel, Vice President and Secretary

     

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