Insider Trading February 20, 2026

Bank of the James President Buys $25,068 of Stock as Co-Founder Retires

Robert Chapman increases stake while the company reports a founder's departure; shares trade near the year high

By Avery Klein BOTJ
Bank of the James President Buys $25,068 of Stock as Co-Founder Retires
BOTJ

Robert R. Chapman, president of Bank of the James Financial Group Inc, purchased 1,200 shares on February 20, 2026, at $20.89 per share for a total of $25,068, bringing his direct holdings to 124,118 shares. The stock is trading close to its 52-week high after a 66% year-over-year rise and a reported P/E ratio of 10.48. Separately, co-founder J. Todd Scruggs retired effective January 5, leaving roles he held since the bank's founding in 1998.

Key Points

  • Robert R. Chapman purchased 1,200 shares of BOTJ on February 20, 2026, at $20.89 per share, for $25,068.
  • Post-transaction, Chapman directly owns 124,118 shares of Bank of the James Financial Group Inc.
  • BOTJ shares are trading near a 52-week high of $21.49 after a 66% gain over the past year; InvestingPro lists a P/E ratio of 10.48.
  • Co-founder J. Todd Scruggs retired effective January 5; he served as CFO from the bank’s founding in 1998 until 2025 and later as EVP and CIO, Secretary and Treasurer.

Robert R. Chapman, who serves as president of Bank of the James Financial Group Inc (NASDAQ: BOTJ), executed an insider purchase on February 20, 2026, acquiring 1,200 shares of the bank's common stock at $20.89 per share. The single transaction carried a value of $25,068 and increases Chapman’s direct ownership to 124,118 shares.

The purchase occurred while BOTJ shares are trading close to their 52-week high of $21.49. Over the past 12 months the stock has advanced roughly 66%, and InvestingPro reports the company is currently trading at a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.48.


Leadership change at the financial group

In a separate development, Bank of the James Financial Group, Inc. announced the retirement of co-founder J. Todd Scruggs, effective January 5. Scruggs, who helped establish the bank in 1998, served as the organization’s Chief Financial Officer from its inception until 2025. Prior to his retirement, he had been performing duties as Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer, in addition to holding titles of Secretary and Treasurer at the parent company.

The company provided no additional detail about a successor to Scruggs or any immediate strategic changes tied to his departure. His retirement represents a notable leadership transition for the bank.


Context and factual constraints

The facts reported here are limited to the transaction details and the announced retirement. No further information has been released regarding a replacement for Scruggs or any adjustments to the bank's strategic or operational plans. The report of Chapman’s purchase and Scruggs’ retirement are discrete updates included in the financial group’s recent filings and releases.

Readers should note that the data cited on valuation and performance - including the stock’s 52-week high, 66% one-year gain and the 10.48 P/E ratio - are reported as of the most recent publicly available figures referenced in company disclosures and InvestingPro analytics.

Risks

  • Leadership transition risk: The retirement of co-founder J. Todd Scruggs is a material change in senior management, and no successor has been disclosed, creating potential short-term uncertainty for the bank - impacts the banking and financial services sector.
  • Valuation sensitivity: BOTJ is trading near its 52-week high after a significant 66% one-year advance, which may present volatility risk if market sentiment shifts - impacts equity investors and regional banking stocks.
  • Information gap: Limited disclosure on succession planning and strategic adjustments following Scruggs’ departure leaves unanswered questions about near-term governance and investment oversight - affects stakeholders in financial management and investor relations.

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