BankFinancial SC 13D / Strategic Value Investors ownership change

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 13D

Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

BankFinancial Corporation

(Name of Issuer)

Common Stock, $0.01 Par Value

(Title of Class of Securities)

06643P104

(CUSIP Number)

Ben Mackovak
Strategic Value Investors, LP
127 Public Square, Suite 1510
Cleveland, Ohio 44114
216-282-0704

(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)

February 7, 2024
(Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)

If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition which is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of 240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g), check the following box. [ ]

* The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person's initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be filed for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Act) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Instructions).

CUSIP No.:06643P104

1	NAME OF REPORTING PERSON: Strategic Value Investors, LP I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON (ENTITIES ONLY)
2	CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP ☐ (a) ☐ (b)
3	SEC USE ONLY
4	SOURCE OF FUNDS: WC
5	CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e) ☐
6	CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION State of Delaware

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED

BY EACH REPORTING

PERSON WITH

SOLE VOTING POWER

SHARED VOTING POWER

645,000

SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

645,000

11	AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 645,000
12	CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES ☐
13	PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 5.2%
14	TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON PN

CUSIP No.: 06643P104

1	NAME OF REPORTING PERSON: Ben Mackovak I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON (ENTITIES ONLY)
2	CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP ☐ (a) ☐ (b)
3	SEC USE ONLY
4	SOURCE OF FUNDS: OO
5	CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e) ☐
6	CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION United States

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED

BY EACH REPORTING

PERSON WITH

SOLE VOTING POWER

SHARED VOTING POWER

645,000

SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

645,000

11	AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 645,000
12	CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES ☐
13	PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 5.2%
14	TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON IN

CUSIP No.: 06643P104

1	NAME OF REPORTING PERSON: Marty Adams I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON (ENTITIES ONLY)
2	CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP ☐ (a) ☐ (b)
3	SEC USE ONLY
4	SOURCE OF FUNDS: OO
5	CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e) ☐
6	CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION United States

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED

BY EACH REPORTING

PERSON WITH

SOLE VOTING POWER

SHARED VOTING POWER

645,000

SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

645,000

11	AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 645,000
12	CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES ☐
13	PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 5.2%
14	TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON IN

CUSIP No.: 06643P104

1	NAME OF REPORTING PERSON: Strategic Value Bank Partners LLC I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON (ENTITIES ONLY)
2	CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP ☐ (a) ☐ (b)
3	SEC USE ONLY
4	SOURCE OF FUNDS: OO
5	CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e) ☐
6	CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION State of Ohio

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED

BY EACH REPORTING

PERSON WITH

SOLE VOTING POWER

SHARED VOTING POWER

645,000

SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

645,000

11	AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 645,000
12	CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES ☐
13	PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 5.2%
14	TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON OO

CUSIP No.: 06643P104

ITEM 1. SECURITY AND ISSUER:

	This statement relates to the common stock, (“Common Stock”), of BankFinancial Corporation (the “Issuer”). The address of the principal executive offices of the Issuer is 60 North Frontage Road, Burr Ridge, Illinois 60527.

ITEM 2. IDENTITY AND BACKGROUND:

	(a) This Schedule 13D is being filed jointly by (1) Strategic Value Investors, LP, a Delaware limited partnership; (2) Strategic Value Bank Partners, LLC, an Ohio limited liability company (“Strategic Value Bank Partners”); (3) Ben Mackovak, a managing member of Strategic Value Bank Partners; and (4) Marty Adams, a managing member of Strategic Value Bank Partners, (collectively (1-4) the “Reporting Persons”). The joint filing agreement of the Reporting Persons is attached as Exhibit 1 to this Schedule 13D.

	(b) The principal business address of the Reporting Persons is 127 Public Square, Suite 1510, Cleveland, Ohio 44114.

	(c) The principal business of Strategic Value Bank Partners is to serve as an investment manager or adviser to various investment partnerships, funds, and managed accounts (collectively, the “Clients”). The principal occupation of Messrs. Mackovak and Adams is investment management through their ownership and control over the affairs of Strategic Value Bank Partners. Strategic Value Bank Partners has voting and dispositive power over the Common Stock held by the Clients.

	(d) During the last five years, none of the Reporting Persons have been convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors).

	(e) During the last five years, none of the Reporting Persons have been a party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction and, as a result of such proceeding, were or are subject to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding any violation with respect to such laws.

	(f) Mr. Mackovak and Mr. Adams are citizens of the United States of America.

ITEM 3. SOURCE AND AMOUNT OF FUNDS OR OTHER CONSIDERATION:

	In aggregate the Reporting Persons have voting and dispositive power over 645,000 shares of Common Stock of the Issuer acquired at an aggregate cost of $6,824,100. The shares were purchased with working capital.

ITEM 4. PURPOSE OF TRANSACTION:

	The Reporting Persons acquired the Common Stock reported on this Schedule 13D for investment purposes. The Reporting Persons purchased the shares based on the belief that the shares, at the time of purchase, were undervalued and represented an attractive investment opportunity. The Reporting Persons believe significant opportunity exists to enhance shareholder value by simplifying the business, improving operations, resolving certain non-performing loans, and evaluating strategic alternatives.

	On February 7, 2024, Mr. Mackovak was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Issuer. In connection with Mr. Mackovak’s appointment, The Reporting Persons entered into a standstill agreement with the Issuer (the “Agreement”) on February 7, 2024.

	Under the Agreement, and subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, the Issuer agreed, among other things, that its Board of Directors will appoint Mr. Mackovak to serve as a Director of the Issuer in the class of directors with a term expiring at the Issuer’s 2026 Annual Meeting. The Agreement also contains certain provisions that prohibit the Reporting Persons from engaging in certain activities, such as proxy solicitations and shareholder proposals, without the prior written approval of the Board of Directors of the Issuer. The agreement is attached as Exhibit 2 to this Schedule 13D.

	Unless otherwise noted in this Schedule 13-D, none of the Reporting Persons has any plans or proposals, which relate to, or would result in, any of the matters referred to in paragraphs (b) through (j), inclusive of item (4) of Schedule 13D, except as might be proposed by Mr. Mackovak in his capacity as a Director of the Issuer or by such Board with the participation of Mr. Mackovak as a Director.

	The Reporting Persons may make further purchases of shares of Common Stock, although the Agreement restricts the Reporting Persons from acquiring more than 9.99% of the outstanding shares of the Issuer. The Reporting Persons may dispose of any or all of the shares of Common Stock. If the Reporting Persons reduces its aggregate holdings to less than 5.0% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, the Issuer has the right to terminate the Agreement.

ITEM 5. INTEREST IN SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER:

	As of the date of this Schedule 13D, the Reporting Persons held in aggregate 645,000 shares of Common Stock of the Issuer, which represents 5.170% of the outstanding Common Stock.

	The percentages used in this Schedule 13D are calculated based upon 12,475,881 outstanding shares of Common Stock as of December 31, 2023. This amount is based upon the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock reported as of December 31, 2023, referenced in the Issuer's Current Report on Form 8-k filed on January 31, 2024. Each of the Reporting Persons shares voting and dispositive power over the Shares of Common Stock held by the Clients.

	Strategic Value Bank Partners on behalf of the Clients has made no purchases or sales of Common Stock during the past 60 days.

	No person other than the Reporting Persons is known to have the right to receive, or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or proceeds from the sale of, the Common Stock.

CUSIP No.: 06643P104

ITEM 6. CONTRACTS, ARRANGEMENTS, UNDERSTANDINGS OR RELATIONSHIPS WITH RESPECT TO SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER:

	Mr. Mackovak is a non-employee director on the Board of Directors of the Issuer.

	Other than the foregoing relationships and arrangements, the relationship between Mr. Mackovak and the Issuer, the Joint Filing Agreement filed as Exhibit 1 to this Schedule 13D, and the Standstill Agreement filed as Exhibit 2 to this Schedule 13D, there are no contracts, arrangements, understandings or relationships among the persons named in Item 2 hereof and between such persons and any persons with respect to any securities of the Issuer.

ITEM 7. MATERIALS TO BE FILES AS EXHIBITS:

	Exhibit 1 - Joint Filing Agreement

	Exhibit 2 – Standstill Agreement

CUSIP No.: 06643P104

	SIGNATURE

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

	Strategic Value Investors, LP

February 12, 2024	By:	/s/ Ben Mackovak
	Name:	Ben Mackovak
	Title:	Managing Member

February 12, 2024	Marty Adams

	By:	/s/ Marty Adams
	Name:	Marty Adams
	Title:	Managing Member

February 12, 2024
	Ben Mackovak

	By:	/s/Ben Mackovak
	Name:	Ben Mackovak
	Title:	Managing Member

February 12, 2024	Strategic Value Bank Partners LLC

	By:	/s/Ben Mackovak
	Name:	Ben Mackovak
	Title:	Managing Member

Attention — Intentional misstatements or omissions of fact constitute Federal criminal violations (See 18 U.S.C. 1001).

BankFinancial (BFIN) SC 13DBankFinancial / Strategic Value Investors ownership change