As of the date of this Proxy Statement, we are not aware of any additional matters that will be presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting.

What are the recommendations of the Board of Directors?

Our Board recommends that you vote:

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Will our directors participate at the Annual Meeting?

We expect that all of our directors will be participatingparticipate in the Annual Meeting.

INFORMATION ABOUT VOTING

Who is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting?

Only shareholders of record at the close of business on the record date, March 16, 2021February 24, 2023 (the “Record Date”), are entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. As of the close of business on the Record Date, the Company had 22,078,293 21,557,567shares of common stock outstanding.

How do I vote?

For Proposal 1 (election of directors), you may either vote “FOR” any of the nominees named herein to the Board or you may “WITHHOLD” your vote for any nominee that you specify. For Proposal 2 (advisory vote to approve Named Executive Officer compensation) and Proposal 3 (ratification of the appointment of Elliott Davis, LLC) and Proposal 3 (approval of the CapStar Financial Holdings, Inc. 2021 Stock Incentive Plan), you may vote “FOR” or “AGAINST” such proposal or “ABSTAIN” from voting. The procedures for voting are set forth below:

Shareholder of Record: Shares Registered Directly in Your Name. You may vote by completing, signing and dating the proxy card where indicated and mailing the proxy card in the postage paid envelope provided.  You may also vote by giving your proxy authorization over the Internet or by telephone using the toll-free number on the proxy card until 9:2:05 A.M.P.M. Central Time on April 23, 2021,19, 2023, the time at which the polls are scheduled to be closed at the telephonicvirtual Annual Meeting. You may also vote by requesting, completing, signing and dating the proxy card where indicated and mailing the proxy card in the postage paid envelope provided. Whether or not you plan to participate in the telephonicvirtual Annual Meeting, we encourage you to vote by proxy or to give your proxy authorization to ensure that your votes are counted. If you have already voted by proxy or given your proxy authorization, you may still participate in the telephonicvirtual Annual Meeting and vote using the Internet or by calling the toll-free number on the proxy card until the time the polls are closed at the Annual Meeting.

Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of Broker, Bank or Other Agent. If you are a beneficial owner of shares registered in the name of your broker, bank or other agent, you should have received the proxy materials from that organization rather than from the Company. As a beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker, bank, or other agent how to vote the shares in your account. You should follow the instructions provided by your broker, bank or other agent regarding how to vote your shares.

How many votes do I have?

For each proposal to be voted upon, you have one vote for each share of common stock that you own as of the close of business on the Record Date.

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What if I return a proxy card but do not make specific choices?

Properly completed and returned proxies will be voted as instructed on the proxy card. If you are a shareholder of record and you return the signed and dated proxy card without marking any voting selections, your shares will be voted as follows:

If any other matter is properly presented at the Annual Meeting, your proxy (one of the individuals named on your proxy card) will vote your shares as recommended by the Board or, if no recommendation is given, will vote your shares using his or her discretion. If any director nominee named herein becomes unavailable for election for any reason prior to the vote at the Annual Meeting, the Board may reduce the number of directors to be elected or substitute another person as nominee, in which case the proxy holders will vote for the substitute nominee.

If your shares are held by your broker, bank or other agent as your nominee, you will need to obtain a proxy card from the organization that holds your shares and follow the instructions included on that form regarding how to instruct your broker, bank or other agent to vote your shares. Brokers, banks or other agents that have not received voting instructions from their clients cannot vote on their clients’ behalf with respect to proposals that are not “routine” but may vote their clients’ shares on “routine” proposals. Under applicable state laws and the rules of the Nasdaq Global Select Market (“NASDAQNasdaq”), ProposalsProposal 1 (election of directors) and 3 (approval of the CapStar Financial Holdings, Inc. 2021 Stock Incentive Plan), Proposal 2 (advisory vote to approve Named Executive Officer compensation) are “non-routine” proposals. Conversely, Proposal 23 (ratification of the appointment of Elliott Davis, LLC) is a “routine” proposal. If a broker, bank, or other agent indicates on a proxy card that it does not have discretionary authority to vote certain shares on Proposals 1, or 3,2, which are non-routine proposals, then those shares will be treated as broker non-votes for purposes of Proposals 1, and 3,or 2, and such shares will not be counted as a “FOR” or “WITHHOLD” vote for purposes of Proposal 1.counted. Conversely, brokers will have the discretionary authority to vote “FOR”, “AGAINST” or “ABSTAIN” on Proposal 2,3, if you do not instruct your broker otherwise. Although broker non-votes are counted as shares that are present at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum, they will not be counted as votes cast and will not have any effect on voting for the non-routine proposals presented in this Proxy Statement.

Can I change my vote?

Yes. If you are the record holder of your shares, you may revoke your proxy in any of the following ways:

If your shares are held by your broker, bank or other agent as your nominee, you should follow the instructions provided by your broker, bank or other agent.

How many shares must be present to constitute a quorum for the Annual Meeting?

A quorum of shareholders is necessary to hold a valid meeting. A quorum will be present if at least a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote are represented (via proxy or telephonicvirtual participation) at the Annual Meeting. As of the close of business on the Record Date, there were 22,078,293 21,557,567shares of common stock outstanding and entitled to vote. Thus, 11,259,929 10,778,784shares of common stock must be represented (via proxy or virtual participation) at the Annual Meeting to have a quorum.

Your shares will be counted towards the quorum if you vote by submitting the encloseda proxy card by mail, or by submitting your vote via the Internet address or toll-free telephone number included on your proxy card prior to the time the polls are closed at the telephonicvirtual Annual Meeting, submit a valid proxy (or one is submitted on your behalf by your broker, bank or other agent) or give your proxy authorization over the Internet or by telephone. Additionally, “WITHHOLD” votes, abstentions and broker non-votes will also be counted towards the quorum requirement. If there is no quorum, the Chairman of the Annual Meeting may adjourn or postpone the meeting until a later date.

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How are votes counted?

Votes will be counted by the inspector of election appointed for the Annual Meeting who will separately count (i) “FOR” and “WITHHOLD” votes and broker non-votes, if any, with respect to each of Proposal 1 (election of directors) and  Proposal 3 (approval of the CapStar Financial Holdings, Inc. 2021 Stock Incentive Plan) and, (ii) “FOR”, “AGAINST” and “ABSTAIN” votes with respect to each of Proposal 2 (advisory vote to approve Named Executive Officer compensation) and Proposal 3 (ratification of the appointment of Elliott Davis, LLC).

How many votes are needed to approve each proposal?

For Proposal 1 (election of directors), if a quorum is present, the director nominees will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast by the shares entitled to vote in the election at the Annual Meeting. Shareholders are not entitled to cumulative voting in the election of our directors. For purposes of the election of directors, “WITHHOLD” votes and broker non-votes, if any, will not be counted as votes cast and will have no effect on the result of the vote. Despite being elected by a plurality, each director standing for election at the meeting has agreed to resign, effective upon the Board’s acceptance of such resignation, if he or she does not receive a majority vote. If the Board rejects the offered resignation, the director will continue to serve until the next annual shareholders’ meeting and until his or her successor is duly elected or his or her earlier resignation or removal in accordance with our Bylaws. If the Board accepts the offered resignation, the Board, in its sole discretion, may fill the resulting vacancy or decrease the Board’s size.

For each of Proposal 2 (advisory vote to approve Named Executive Officer compensation) and Proposal 3 (ratification of the appointment of Elliott Davis, LLC) and Proposal 3 (approval of the CapStar Financial Holdings, Inc. 2021 Stock Incentive Plan), if a quorum is present, the Proposals will be approved if the votes cast for the proposal exceed the votes cast against the proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes, if any, will not be counted as votes cast and will have no effect on the result of the vote. The vote on the compensation of our Named Executive Officers is advisory and, therefore, not binding on Capstar, our Board, or its Compensation and Human Resources Committee.

How can I determine the results of the voting at the Annual Meeting?

Preliminary voting results will be announced at the Annual Meeting. Within four business days after the conclusion of the Annual Meeting, the Company will file a Current Report on Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) that announces the final voting results.

Who can help answer any questions I may have?

Shareholders who have questions about the matters to be voted on at the Annual Meeting or how to submit a proxy or who desire additional copies of this Proxy Statement or additional proxy cards should contact our Investor Relations department via (i) mail at CapStar Financial Holdings, Inc., 1201 Demonbreun Street, Suite 700, Nashville, Tennessee 37203, Attention: Investor Relations, (ii) email at ir@capstarbank.com or (iii) telephone at (615) 732-6455.

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PROPOSAL 1

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Introduction

Our Charter and Amended and Restated Bylaws (“Bylaws”) provide that our Board will consist of between five and 25 directors, with the precise number being determined by our Board from time to time. TheEffective the date of the Annual Meeting, the Board has fixed the size of our current Board is fourteen (14).at thirteen (13) members.

In accordance with our Bylaws and Tennessee law, our Board oversees the management of the business and affairs of the Company. Our directors are elected annually by our shareholders at our annual meetings of shareholders to serve for one-year terms and serve until their successors are duly elected and qualified or until their earlier death, resignation, retirement or removal. Our Board also serves as the Board of our wholly-owned bank subsidiary, CapStar Bank.

At the Annual Meeting, twelve (12)thirteen (13) Directors are being recommended for election to serve on our Board until the 20222024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and until their successors have been duly elected and qualified or until such director’s earlier resignation or removal. Mr. Dale W. Polley and Mr. Jeffrey L. Cunningham have informed us that they are not standing for re-election to our Board at the Annual Meeting. Each person nominated for election has agreed to serve if elected, and management has no reason to believe that any nominee named herein will be unable to serve. There are no family relationships among any of the members of our Board.

Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has nominated Sam B. DeVane and Valora S. Gurganious to stand for election at the Annual Meeting. Accordingly, upon the election of the recommended slate of Directors, the Company will have twelve (12) Directors sitting on its Board of Directors. 

Set forth below is the background and qualifications of each director nominee.

Director Nominees

Dennis C. Bottorff—Chairman All of the Boardnominees, with the exception of DirectorsMessrs. DeLay and Frist are currently serving on our Board.

Director Nominees

L. Earl Bentz—Director

Mr. Bottorff,Bentz, age 76, was72, is one of the founders of CapStar Bank and currently serves as ChairmanChair of our Boardthe Risk Committee and as a member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Compensation and Human Resources Committee. Mr. Bottorff has served on our Board since 2008.  He is also the Founding General Partner of Council Capital Management, a private equity firm located in Nashville, where he was previously a Managing Partner from 2001 to 2016. Mr. Bottorff began his career in banking in 1968 at the former Commerce Union Bank in Nashville. After serving in numerous positions, he was named President in 1981 and Chief Executive Officer shortly thereafter. When Commerce Union Bank merged with Sovran Financial Corporation, or Sovran, in 1987, Mr. Bottorff became Chief Operating Officer of Sovran and moved to Norfolk, Virginia. He continued in this position when Sovran merged with Citizens and Southern Bank in Atlanta to form C&S/Sovran. In 1991 C&S/Sovran merged with NCNB Corporation to form NationsBank. Mr. Bottorff returned to Nashville in 1991 to become Chief Executive Officer of First American Corporation. Following AmSouth’s acquisition of First American Corporation in 1999, Mr. Bottorff served as AmSouth’s Chairman of the board until his retirement in January 2001. He has served on over twelve corporate boards, including all of the banks at which he was an officer, Dollar General, Shoney’s, Ingram Industries and Tennessee Valley Authority, where he served as Chairman. Presently, he is Trustee Emeritus at Vanderbilt University. His leadership in the community has included serving as Chairman of the Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation, the United Way, the Nashville Symphony, the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, the Titans Advisory Board, and the Tennessee Performing Arts Center. He received a B.E. degree in electrical engineering from Vanderbilt University and an M.B.A. from Northwestern University. We believe Mr. Bottorff’s extensive leadership and governance experience at regional banks, in private equity and on corporate and non-profit boards gives him valuable insight and enables him to make significant contributions as a member of our Board.

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L. Earl Bentz—Director

Mr. Bentz, age 69, was one of the founders of CapStar Bank and currently serves on the Audit and Risk Committee and the Credit Committee. Mr. Bentz has served on our Board since 2008. Since 1996,2018, he has been PresidentChairman and Chief Executive Officer of TritonCaymas Boats, a company he sold to Brunswick Corporationfounded in 2005.2018 located in Ashland City, Tennessee. Mr. Bentz serves on the board of directors of the Country Music Hall of Fame, and he has formerly served on the boards of the Middle Tennessee Council, Boy Scouts of America, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Foundation, the National Association of Boat Manufacturers, the National Marine Manufacturers’ Association, the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation and the Congressional Sportsman’s Foundation. Mr. Bentz attended Clemson University and participated in continuing education programs in business finance at Vanderbilt University; he has also completed the Dale Carnegie Human Relations courses and training. We believe that Mr. Bentz’s business background, which also includes extensive experience in commercial real estate development and start-up companies, gives him valuable insight and enables him to make significant contributions as a member of our Board.board.

William T. (“Pete”) DeLay—Director Nominee

William T. (Pete) DeLay, age 62, is Chief Executive Officer and Principal of Lynwood Ventures, LLC., a Nashville based investment management company. DeLay is the former president and CEO of Nashville-based Sherman-Dixie Concrete Industries, served as lead consultant at Forterra’s Nashville division of Forterra Pipe & Precast, and served as President and CEO of Micelle BioPharma. His previous service includes Board of Trustees of Sewanee-University of the South, the Board of Directors for the American Concrete Pipe Association, and Nashville Board of Advisors for AmSouth Bank and Regions Financial Corp, former Director and Trustee of Martha O’Bryan Foundation and Center. He currently serves on the Executive Committee and Board of Directors for Cheekwood Estate and Botanical Gardens, Board of Director for Nashville Business Coalition, Board of Trustees of Middle Tennessee State University, the Boy Scouts of America, and Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees of Montgomery Bell Academy where he was recently appointed Co-Chairman of the MBA Capital Campaign. He holds a BA degree in Economics from Sewanee-University of the South. We believe that Mr. DeLay’s extensive business experience gives him valuable insight and enables him to make significant contribute as a member of our Board.

Sam B. DeVane—Director

Mr. DeVane, age 61,63, serves onas the Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee and as a member of the Compensation and Human Resources Committee. Mr. DeVane has served on our Board since his appointment on January 14, 2021. With more than three decades of public accounting experience serving clients throughout the southeast, Mr. DeVane retired as Nashville Office Managinga Partner of Ernst & Young LLP. He previouslyLLP in 2020. During his career he served as EY’s Nashville Office Managing Partner, as EY’s Tennessee Markets Leader, and as a coordinating partner and lead audit partner for over twenty years.partner. The majority of Mr. DeVane’s career involved service to clients in the retail and consumer products sector along with numerous manufacturers, distributors, and retailers,industries including Dollar General Corporation, Tractor Supply Company, and Ryman Hospitality Corporation. He brings to the Board extensive technical accounting, corporate governance, major transactions, strategy, process automation, financial reporting, and risk management experience. A licensed CPA in Tennessee, Mr. DeVane is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Alabama. Mr. DeVane has served on several distinguished professional boards, including United Way of Middle Tennessee (Chair of

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the Nashville Campaign), Junior Achievement (Centennial Leadership Award recipient), Harding Academy (Treasurer), and the University of Alabama President’s Cabinet and Accounting Advisory Board. We believe Mr. DeVane’s business experience and involvement in the community give him valuable insight and enable him to make significant contributions as a member of our Board.

Thomas R. Flynn—Director

Mr. Flynn, age 48,50, serves as Chaira member of the Audit Committee and the Compensation and Human Resources Committee and also serves on the Audit and Risk Committee. Mr. Flynn has served on our Board since 2008. Mr. Flynn is a director of Flynn Enterprises, LLC, a family owned, multi-national garment manufacturing, sales and distribution company headquartered in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, and serves on the boardsboard of Planters Bank, Hopkinsville, for which he is also a member of the Audit and Risk Committee, and Jennie Stuart Medical Center, a regional hospital that serves Western Kentucky.audit committee. Mr. Flynn attended Vanderbilt University as a National Merit Scholar, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in English, and subsequently received a law degree from Vanderbilt University Law School. We believe that Mr. Flynn’s leadership in manufacturing and experience as a director in banking, healthcare, and manufacturing andconcerns, as well as his legal knowledge give him valuable insight and enable him to make significant contributions as a member of our Board.

William H. (“Harrison”) Frist Jr.—Director Nominee

William H. (“Harrison”) Frist, age 39, is Chief Executive Officer at naviHealth where he is responsible for the strategic vision and leadership of the organization. Harrison has been with naviHealth since its founding in 2012 and most recently served as naviHealth’s Chief Operating Officer. Prior to joining naviHealth, Harrison worked as an investment professional focused on the financial services industry for The Carlyle Group and as an investment banker in the Financial Institutions Group at Goldman Sachs. He is active in the community and serves on the board of the Martha O’Bryan Center, which empowers children, youth, and adults in poverty to transform their lives, and The Hermitage, the historic home of President Andrew Jackson. He holds an AB degree in History from Princeton University and an MBA from Harvard Business School. We believe that Mr. Frist’s extensive experience in financial services gives him valuable insight and enables him to make significant contributions as a member of our Board.

Louis A. Green III—Director

Mr. Green, age 67,70, serves on the Audit and Risk Committee and the CreditCompensation and Human Resources Committee, and chairs our Advisory Board for Sumner County, which provides guidance to our management regarding that portion of our market. Mr. Green has served on our Board since 2012. He was an incorporator of American Security, which merged with CapStar in July, 2012. Mr. Green is General Partner of Green & Little, a real estate investment company, and President of Green-Little Corporation, a real estate management company. He holds partnership interests in several companies investing in industrial, commercial and retail real estate. Mr. Green has served as director of Commerce Union Bank of Sumner County and as an advisory director of NationsBank. He attended the University of Tennessee. We believe that Mr. Green’s extensive experience in banking and real estate gives him valuable insight and enables him to make significant contributions as a member of our Board.

Valora S. Gurganious—Director

Ms. Gurganious, age 57,60, serves on the Community Affairs Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Risk Committee. Ms. Gurganious has served on our Board since her appointment on January 14, 2021. Ms. Gurganious serves as Partner and Senior Management Consultant for Knoxville-based DoctorsManagement, LLC, assisting clients in all medical specialties and providing services related to operational efficiency, workflow optimization, compliance, IT, accounting, marketing, and strategic planning. She also advises physicians and hospitals across the country on practice valuation, startup, contract negotiation and transition of ownership. Prior to joining DoctorsManagement, Ms. Gurganious served as Chief Operating Officer for Central Florida Sports Medicine and

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Orthopedic Center in Melbourne, and as Director and Vice Chair –— Finance for Wuesthoff Foundation, a $10 million Florida health system foundation. She also held the position of senior vice president with Fleet Investment Advisors and Putnam Investments in Boston for seven years and is a licensed Business Broker in the state of Florida. Ms. Gurganious earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and business administration from Vanderbilt University and MBAM.B.A. from Harvard Business School. She is a Certified Healthcare Business Consultant and a member of the National Society of Certified Healthcare Business Consultants (NSCHBC) as well as Executive Women International (EWI). A dynamic and accomplished speaker, Ms. Gurganious uses her expertise to deliver strategic healthcare and financial lectures at medical conferences across the country. We believe that Ms. Gurganious’sGurganious’ business experience and involvement in the community give her valuable insight and enable her to make significant contributions as a member of our Board.

Myra NanDora Jenne—Director

Ms. Jenne, age 52,54, serves as Chair of the Community Affairs Committee and also serves on the Compensation and Human Resources Committee and serves as a member of the Audit Committee. Ms. Jenne has served on our Board since her appointment on October 24,in 2018. She graduated with Honors with a B.S. from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, where she served as captain of the Tennessee Dance Team. She went on to attend Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law and graduated with a J.D. in 1994. Ms. Jenne began practicing law with Carter, Harrod & Cunningham in Athens, Tennessee, and later practiced in Knoxville with Leitner, Williams, Dooley & Napolitan. She currently practices at The Jenne Law Firm in Cleveland, Tennessee, and also serveswhere she served as the firm’s office manager. Ms. Jenne is also working for Patriot Family Homes, a provider of short term rentals with over three hundred homes in twelve states as a Compliance Officer. Ms. Jenne has

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served on the board of directors of Athens Federal Community Bank and on the Nalls Sherbakoff Group financial advisory board in Knoxville, Tennessee.Knoxville. She has been involved in various civic and charitable organizations in Cleveland Tennessee over the past twenty years including serving on the boards at the Museum Center at Five Points and the Cleveland Athens Cotillion. She has also served on the Board of Trustees at Broad Street United Methodist Church and serves on several committees at The Baylor School in Chattanooga, Tennessee.Chattanooga. She graduated with Honors with a B.S. from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, where she served as captain of the Tennessee Dance Team. She went on to attend Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law and graduated with a J.D. in 1994. We believe that Ms. Jenne’s extensive leadership experience and professional experience give her valuable insight and enablesenable her to make significant contributions as a member of our Board.

Joelle J. Phillips—Director

Ms. Phillips, age 54,57, serves on the Nominating and Corporate GovernanceAudit Committee and the Community AffairsCompensation and Human Resources Committee. Ms. Phillips graduated magna cum laude with a B.F.A. from Birmingham-Southern College in 1989 and wenthas served on to attend Washington & Lee University, School of Law where she graduated summa cum laude with a J.D. in 1995.our Board since 2020. Ms. Phillips began practicing law as law clerk for Hon. Rhesa H. Barksdale of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and later practiced in Atlanta, Georgia with Long, Aldridge & Norman LLP and in Nashville with Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis, LLP. After serving as General Attorney for both BellSouth and AT&T Tennessee, she now serves as the President of AT&T Tennessee, a position she has held since 2013. Ms. Phillips is involved in several civic and charitable organizations in Nashville, Tennessee, including serving as the Chair for the Drive to 55 Coalition and serving on the boards of Birmingham-Southern College, Tennessee Business Leadership Coalition and Nashville Repertory Theatre. Furthermore, Ms. Phillips was recognized as the Nashville Business Journal Newsmaker of the Year for 2015, Nashville’s Power 100 list, Nashville’s Women Business Leaders of the Year 2014, Tennessee Board of Regents’ Award for Philanthropy and was named one of Nashville’s Outstanding CEOs for 2017. Ms. Phillips graduated magna cum laude with a B.F.A. from Birmingham-Southern College in 1989 and went on to attend Washington & Lee University School of Law where she graduated summa cum laude with a J.D. in 1995. We believe that Ms. Phillips’ professional experience combined with her long history of involvement in the Nashville community will allowgive her valuable insight and enable her to make significant contributions as a member of our Board.

Timothy K. Schools—Director, President and Chief Executive Officer of CapStar Financial Holdings, Inc. and CapStar Bank

Mr. Schools, age 51,53, has served as a Director, and the President, and Chief Executive Officer of the CompanyCapStar Financial Holdings, Inc. and Capstar Bank since July 2019 and is a member of the Tennessee Business Roundtable. Mr. Schools most recently2019. Previously, he served as a Director and the President and Chief Executive Officer at Highlands Bankshares, Inc.  At Highlands, he led the Board of Directors and Executive Committee in establishing and executing a strategic plan, following a private equity recapitalization, which led to “Best Bank” designations in each of their markets, remediation of a long-standing and preexisting regulatory Written Agreement, and materially improved financial performance.  Prior to his tenure with Highlands, Mr. Schools served as Chief Strategy Officer of United Community Bank and President of American Savings Bank.  He joined United Community Bank, following a private equity recapitalization and as part of the Executive Committee led the company to national customer service recognition, remediated a preexisting regulatory Memorandum of Understanding, and restored financial health. At American Savings Bank, Mr. Schools served as President and led the Board of Directors and Executive Committee in developing and executing a strategic plan which resulted in increased market competitiveness, the creation of a market and industry leading culture, remediation of a preexisting regulatory Cease and Desist order, and substantial improvement in financial performance.  Mr. Schools previously served as Chief Financial Officer of The South Financial Group, where he was recognized nationally by Institutional Investor and has served as a board memberDirector of APCOAlabama Power Company Employees Credit Union, Director of First Market Bank, CRA Partners,as well as an Issuer Affairs Advisory Board Member of Nasdaq Issuer Advisoryand OTC. Mr. Schools serves on the boards of the Nashville Downtown Partnership, Nashville Sports Council, and OTC Markets Group Issuer Advisory Council. Mr. Schools graduatedTennessee Business Roundtable. He received an M.B.A. from Emory Business School and a B.B.A., magna cum laude, in Information and Decision Science from James Madison University with a Bachelor’s degree in business administration and received his M.B.A from Emory University. We believe that Mr. Schools’ role as CapStar’s Chief Executive Officer and extensive experience in the banking industry coupled with leadership roles on privateas an officer at both smaller and non-profit boards give him valuable insight andlarger financial institutions enable him to make significant contributions as a member of our Board.

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Stephen B. Smith—Director

Mr. Smith, age 67,69, serves as Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and serves on the Credit Committee and the Community AffairsRisk Committee. Mr. Smith has served on our Board since 2008. He is Chairman of Haury & Smith Contractors, Inc., a building and development company. He is active in the community, having served on the Metropolitan Nashville Planning Commission and the Regional Transit Authority and as Chairman of the Metropolitan Nashville Parks and Recreation board of directors. Mr. Smith served as National Finance Co-Chair for Senator Lamar Alexander’s presidential campaigns in 1996 and 2000, and he achieved Super Ranger status in President George W. Bush’s 2004 campaign. He was National Finance Chairman for Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist’s leadership political action committee, VOLPAC, servedand serves as Finance Chairman for Senator Lamar Alexander’s 2008 and 2014 re-election campaigns, and is currently the Finance Chairman for Senator Alexander’s leadership political action committee, TENNPAC.Bill Haggerty. In addition, he has served on the boards of the FHLB of Cincinnati and Franklin Road Academy, and as director of the First Union National Bank community board. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Middle Tennessee State University.  HeUniversity, where he serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Middle Tennessee State University, where he received his bachelor’s degree.Trustees. We believe that Mr. Smith’s business experience banking board service and his involvement in the community give him valuable insight and enable him to make significant contributions as a member of our Board.

James S. Turner, Jr.—Director

Mr. Turner, age 50, was one53, serves as Chairman of the foundersBoard of CapStar BankDirectors and serves aswas a former Chair of the Credit Committee and also serves ona former member of the Community AffairsNominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Mr. Turner has served on our Board since 2008. He joined MarketstreetMarketStreet Enterprises in 1999 and has served as the Managing Director since 2007. He serves on the boards of the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Nashville Downtown Partnership. He also had previously beenMr. Turner was a member of the board of directors of the Farmers National Bank Financial Corporation in Scottsville, Kentucky, for more than 15 years. He also serves on the boards of Nashville Downtown Partnership and The Country Music Hall of Fame. He received his bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University and his law degree from Vanderbilt University Law School. We believe that Mr. Turner’s experience in and knowledge ofin the commercial real estate industry, his community banking board service, as well as his investment and legal knowledge, give him significantvaluable insight and enable him to make significant contributions as a member of our Board.

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Toby S. Wilt—Director

Mr. Wilt, age 76, was79, is one of the founders of CapStar Bank and serves as Chaira member of the Audit Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and also serves on the Compensation and Human Resources Committee. He has served on our Board since 2008. Mr. Wilt has nearly four decades of experience in the banking industry. Mr. Wilt is a retired, non-practicing certified public accountant, who is no longer affiliated with the Tennessee Association of Accountants or the AICPA. He practiced accountancy with Ernst & Ernst in the 1970s. He has previously served on the boards of directors of banks and public companies including C&S/Sovran Corporation, Commerce Union Bank, Outback Steakhouse and Genesco Inc. Mr. Wilt currently serves as President of TSW Investment Company, Founding President of Golf Club of Tennessee, and Chairman of the board of Christie Cookie Company.Tennessee. Mr. Wilt is also a former board member of First American Corporation.National Bank and served as Chairman of the Board for the Christie Cookie Company. He earned a B.E. in civil engineering from Vanderbilt University and is a former pilot in the United States Air Force. We believe that Mr. Wilt’s significant experience in banking and as a director of banks and public companies, including his service on various audit and human resource committees, gives him valuable insight and enables him to make significant contributions as a member of our Board.

Required Vote

If a quorum is present, the director nominees will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast by the shares entitled to vote in the election at the Annual Meeting.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” EACH NOMINEE NAMED ABOVE.

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CORPORATE

ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND GOVERNANCE (“ESG”) FRAMEWORK

Overview

CapStar is built and dependent on the vitality of all who live, work, and do business in the communities we serve. As affirmed in our mission statement, our Company seeks to “positively impact our customers’ lives by setting the standard in guidance, responsiveness, flexibility and service.” We believe that how we deliver on our mission will determine how well we create and preserve long-term, sustainable value for our five categories of stakeholders – customers, employees, business partners, communities, and shareholders. While we are delivering positive impacts through our ESG strategies and practices, we also understand that our work for the common interests of our stakeholders requires a commitment that extends well beyond the present, which includes living our core values and making continuous improvement over the course of time.

Social Responsibility - Our People

As a service-oriented business, our long-term success depends on our people, and we are committed to taking a multi-dimensional approach to talent and culture.
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Within our workforce, we track and monitor employee data such as hiring, promotions and attrition at all levels throughout the Company. We also review performance data and promotion and compensation information to facilitate fair and objective decision-making. During regular reviews of each business unit, senior management engages in focused conversations with employees about their plans and professional development progress.

Annually, the Company invests in an employee engagement survey in partnership with the Gallup organization that specifically focuses on every employee’s basic needs, individual contributions, teamwork, and growth opportunities. In 2022, CapStar’s percent of engaged employees increased from 45% to 47%, defying global, national and best practice organization employee engagement trends that declined following the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021 after a 10-year rise. In addition, CapStar’s 2022 survey participation rate of 87% increased 7% over 2021 and exceeded Gallup’s median response rate of 84%. Survey results also indicated an upward trend in year over year scores for most items measured, and the Bank’s overall engagement mean of 3.97 (on a five-point scale) compares favorably to both the national average engagement ratio and Gallup’s client database which consists of 14.9 million respondents worldwide.

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In addition to its efforts in providing a diverse workforce, CapStar plays an active role in aiding the advancement of underrepresented populations within the financial services industry and our communities. In 2020, CapStar launched The Southeastern School of Banking (TSSB) Diversity Scholarship. Annually, the program provides full tuition and housing to three TSSB students. The scholarship not only represents the Company’s continued commitment to helping the next generation of leaders pursue their dreams within our industry, but also creates a more diverse pool of qualified talent by supporting students as they prepare for their careers.

The scholarship offers an exclusive professional development opportunity as admittance to TSSB is reserved for banking professionals and not otherwise available to college students. In addition to classroom and practical curriculum, each scholarship recipient is paired with a CapStar employee mentor during the TSSB program and prioritized for potential CapStar employment opportunities upon graduation from college. Since inception, the Bank has awarded the TSSB Diversity Scholarship to four undergraduates from accredited Tennessee-based colleges and universities.

Social Responsibility - Our Communities

Giving back to our communities through involvement and outreach is a fundamental element of the Company’s mission. We have a strong track record of financial and practical support of nonprofit and charitable causes that help develop better places to live, work, raise families and build businesses. Philanthropy is further fostered by the Company’s “CapStar Cares” program, which gives employees up to 16 hours of paid time off and encourages their participation in volunteer activities. As a strategic objective, we strive for 100% of the Company’s Leadership Council to serve on a community board and 100% of employees to complete at least one annual service project per year.

Focusing on our long-term success, our strategic plan also includes tactics for active and effective engagement among all segments of our communities with oversight by the Company’s Risk Committee. We offer a wide range of products and services to individuals and businesses throughout our footprint with a goal of growing our business and achieving appropriate returns for our shareholders while strengthening our communities.

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The Environment

At CapStar, we recognize the impact our operations can have on the environment and we are constantly working to reduce our carbon footprint. We do this by focusing on LED and smart thermostat conversions, timely replacement of HVAC systems in our existing buildings, and the installation of the most energy efficient alternatives in connection with new construction. Further, we mandate the recycling of shred waste as well as striving to optimize building occupancy to limit the adverse impact of unnecessary expansion.

Additionally, we drive reductions in our carbon footprint through the utilization of technology and digital channels, including eSign and electronic document delivery, payments, credit, savings, remittances, online and mobile banking, and imaging systems. We provide access to our proxy materials by Internet in accordance with the “notice and access” proxy rules. We also promote the use of electronic deposit account statements, loan, tax and other notices, and eSign technology, which support

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efficiency and paper reduction. As a company-wide practice, corporate and customer documents are archived electronically, further reducing printer usage and paper consumption.

Recognizing the importance of third-party vendor and other supplier partnerships, CapStar recently implemented enhanced vendor management software. In 2023 and beyond, the software will collect and monitor climate pledges and other conservational and ecological certifications to ensure alignment with the Bank’s commitment to caring for our environment.

Corporate Governance

CapStar’s Board of Directors is committed to strong corporate governance principles which are essential to running our business efficiently and maintaining our integrityfull transparency in the marketplace.  We understand that corporate governance practices change and evolve over time, and we seek to adopt and use practices that we believe will be of value to our shareholders and will positively aid in the governance of the Company.  To that end, we regularly review our corporate governance policies and practices and compare them to the practices of other peer public companies.  We will continue to monitor emerging developments in corporate governance and enhance our policies and procedures when required or when our Board determines that it would benefit us and our shareholders.

In this section, we describe the roles and responsibilitiesall areas of our Board and its committees and describe our corporate governance policies, procedures and related-documents.  All of our Board’ committees have written charters, which can be found on our Investor Relations webpage under the tab entitled “Corporate Governance - Documents & Charters” at www.ir.capstarbank.com.   We will also provide a copy of any committee charter, our Corporate Governance Guidelines and our Code of Ethics and Conflicts of Interest Policy without charge upon written request sent to 1201 Demonbreun Street, Suite 700, Nashville, Tennessee 37203, Attention: Investor Relations.  Information that is presented or hyperlinked on our website is not incorporated by reference into this Proxy Statement.

Director Independence

NASDAQ rules require that independent directors comprise a majority of our Board.  In addition, NASDAQ rules, as well as those of the SEC, impose several other requirements with respect to the independence of our directors.  Accordingly, our Board has evaluated the independence of its members based upon the rules of NASDAQ and the SEC.  Applying these standards, ouroperations. Our Board has affirmatively determined that, with the exception of Mr. Schools, our Chief Executive Officer, each of our currentincumbent directors and director nominees satisfies the requirements for independence under the rules and regulations established by the SEC, Nasdaq, and the FDIC, as well those prescribed in our Corporate Governance Guidelines and the Nominating/Governance Committee Charter. Our guidelines and committee charters are available on our website at “Investor Relations.” Elsewhere within this proxy statement are further details about our corporate governance policies and procedures.

Outlined below are details regarding our commitment to integrity, business ethics, risk management and digital security.

To further its risk oversight role, the Board has established a set of Corporate Governance Guidelines, which address such matters as Board functions and responsibilities, director qualifications, director nominations, board composition, director meetings, board committees, and other matters. The Board believes such guidelines to be appropriate for the Company in its effort to maintain “best practices” as to corporate governance. Our Board consistently seeks to implement leading practices and policies in corporate governance, with an emphasis on maintaining the board’s independence to provide effective oversight of management and ensure accountability to our shareholders. Some of our key corporate governance practices and policies include: (i) our shareholders elect directors annually; (ii) majority voting standard for the election of directors; and (iii) a majority of the Board is required to be comprised of “independent” directors (independence is defined under all applicable requirements of the SEC and Nasdaq). One or more of our directors must also qualify as an “audit committee financial expert,” as defined under applicable rules and regulations of the applicable rules.  Our Board determinedSEC.

In addition, the Bank employs numerous independent providers that address issues such as internal audit, loan review, external audit, legal, and regulatory. Each of these organizations play a role in providing an independent director because he is an executive officerappraisal of the Company.Bank’s risk appetite, controls, operations and procedures, and reporting. Findings and recommendations are presented to management and the Board’s Risk Committee.

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Highlights of our information security governance include:

Board Meetings and Attendance

The Board meets at least quarterly at regularly scheduled meetings. Directors are expected to attend and participate in all meetings, including the Company’s annual meeting of shareholders, and must be willing to devote sufficient time, energy and attention to properly discharging their duties and responsibilities to the Company and the Board effectively. All of our directors then serving on the Board attended the 20202022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. When considering nominees for re-election to the Board, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may consider exceptions to our attendance policy for excusable absences.

Independent directors meet in executive session at each Board meeting, with no members of management and only independent directors being present.  Mr. Bottorff, the Chairman of the Board, presides at all executive sessions of independent directors.

During 2020,2022, the Board met on thirteen (13) occasions, including five (5) specially called meetings of the Board.seven (7) occasions. In 2020,2022, each director attended (in person or virtually) at least 75% of the total of all meetings of the Board and the committees on which he or she served during the period in which he or she served on our Board or the respective committeecommittees of our Board.

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Committees ofof our Board

Our Board has the authority to appoint committees to perform certain management and administrative functions. During 2020,2022, our Board had fivefour committees: the Audit and Risk Committee, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, the Community Affairs Committee, the Compensation and Human Resources Committee and the Credit Committee.Risk Committee, each of which is composed entirely of our independent directors. These committees of our Board also performed the same functions for the Bank. Our Board adopted written charters for each of these committees. As necessary, from time to time, special committees may be established by our Board to address certain issues. The following table shows the composition of each of the committees of our Board during 20202022 and the number of times each committee met during 2020:2022:

* Member and Committee Chair

The table above and the following disclosure provides detail regarding the composition and responsibilities of each of the Board’s committees during the year ended December 31, 2020. On March 5, 2020,2022. During 2022, our Board approved the consolidation of our Audit Committee with our Risk Committee and certain committee reassignments, which was effective upon the election of director nominees at the 20202022 Annual Meeting. ForEach Committee and respective Committee assignments, as currently constituted, are described in more information regarding these changes, please see “Corporate Governance — 2020detail below.

Audit Committee Reassignments and Combining of Audit and Risk Committees.”

Audit and Risk Committee

Our Audit and Risk Committee consists of Messrs. PolleyMr. DeVane (Committee Chair), Bentz,Mr. Flynn, Ms. Jenne, Ms. Phillips, and Green. Mr. DeVane began serving on theWilt. Nasdaq rules and our Audit and Risk Committee upon being appointed to the Board on January 14, 2021. Our Audit and Risk Committee charter requiresrequire that our Audit and Risk Committee be comprised entirely of independent directors. The Audit Committee’s Charter is evaluated annually to ensure compliance with SEC rules and regulations and Nasdaq listing standards and was last reviewed on January 18, 2023. A copy of the Audit Committee’s Charter is available on the Company’s Investor Relations webpage at www.ir.capstarbank.com under the caption “Corporate Governance – Documents & Charters.” The committee is responsible for, among other things: monitoring the integrity of, and assessing the adequacy of, our financial statements, the financial reporting process and our system of internal accounting and financial controls; assisting our Board in ensuring compliance with laws, regulations, policies and procedures; selecting our independent registered public accounting firm and assessing its qualifications, independence and performance; monitoring the internal audit function; reviewing and, if appropriate, pre-approving all auditing and permissible non-audit services performed by the independent registered public accounting firm; and reviewing and, if appropriate, approving related-party transactions other than those subject to Regulation O. At least once per year, our Audit and Risk Committee meets privately with each of our independent registered public accounting firm, management and our internal auditors.

Furthermore, this committee is responsible for, among other things, assisting our Board in its oversight of our enterprise risk management governance and processes and for reviewing and approving the risk parameters to be used by management in the operation

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of the Company.  Additionally, its roles include capital management oversight; providing oversight of asset liability management processes; reviewing our insurance risk management program; ensuring that our internal policies, procedures and guidelines are appropriate to manage risk; monitoring interest rate risk management; and approving our asset/liability and investment policies.

Our Board has affirmatively determined that each of Messrs. Polley, Bentz, DeVane, Flynn and Green satisfies the requirements for independence as an audit committee member under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (“SOX”) and the rules and regulations of NASDAQ and the SEC. Further, theThe Board has determined that each of Messrs. Polley, Bentz,Mr. DeVane, Mr. Flynn, Ms. Jenne, Ms. Phillips, and GreenMr. Wilt satisfies the requirements for financial literacy under theapplicable Nasdaq rules, and regulations of NASDAQ and the SEC, and that each of Messrs. Polley, Bentz,Mr. DeVane, Mr. Flynn, Ms. Jenne, and GreenMr. Wilt qualify as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in the SECSEC’s rules and satisfies the financial sophistication requirements of NASDAQ.regulations.

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Compensation and Human Resources Committee

Our Compensation and Human Resources Committee consists of Mr. FlynnMs. Jenne (Committee Chair), Mr. Bottorff,DeVane, Mr. Flynn, Mr. Green, and Ms. JennePhillips. Nasdaq rules and Mr. Wilt.  Mr. DeVane began serving on the Compensation and Human Resources Committee upon being appointed to the Board on January 14, 2021. Ourour Compensation and Human Resources Committee charter requiresrequire that our Compensation and Human Resources Committee be comprised entirely of independent directors. The committee is responsible for, among other things, reviewing and approving compensation arrangements with our Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers; advising management with respect to compensation, including equity and non-equity incentives; making recommendations to the Board regarding our overall equity-based incentive programs; administering a performance review process for, and, in collaboration with the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee; and, in collaboration with the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, periodically reviewing the succession plan for the Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers. In addition, the committee annually reviews corporate goals and objectives relevant to the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers and recommends compensation levels to the Board based on this evaluation. See “Executive Compensation – Narrative Discussion of Summary Compensation Table – Compensation Philosophy”Compensation” for more information.

Our Board has affirmatively determined that each member of our CompensationMs. Jenne, Mr. DeVane, Mr. Flynn, Mr. Green and Human Resources Committee meets the requirements for independence under the rules and regulations of NASDAQ and the SEC,Ms. Phillips qualifies as an “outside director” for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (the “Code”), and as a “non-employee director” for purposes of Rule 16b‑3 of the Securities Exchange Act. Our board has determined that eachAct of Mr. Flynn, Mr. Bottorff, Mr. DeVane, Ms. Jenne and Mr. Wilt are independent; thus, a majority of the directors serving on our Compensation and Human Resources Committee are independent1934, as required by the Compensation and Human Resources Committee charter.amended (the “Exchange Act”).

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee consists of Mr. WiltSmith (Committee Chair), Mr. Bottorff,Bentz, Ms. PhillipsGurganious, and Mr. Polley. Ms. Gurganious began serving on the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee upon being appointed to the Board on January 14, 2021.Wilt. Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee charter requires that our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee be comprised entirely of independent directors. The committee is responsible for, among other things, identifying and recommending to our Board qualified individuals to become directors; nominating candidates for election to our Board to fill vacancies that occur between annual meetings of shareholders; in collaboration with the Compensation and Human Resources Committee, periodically reviewing the succession plan for the Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers; advising our Board with respect to the roles and composition of committees; overseeing the evaluation of our Board; assisting our Board in establishing and maintaining effective corporate governance practices; annually evaluating our Board and committees and providing recommendations to help them function more effectively; and establishing and overseeing a compliance risk program that enables the Company to manage compliance risks related to regulatory and internal and external oversight.

Risk Committee

Our Board has determined that each member of our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee meets the requirements for independence under the rules and regulations of NASDAQ and the SEC.

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Community Affairs Committee

Our Community AffairsRisk Committee consists of Ms. JenneMr. Bentz (Committee Chair), Mr. Cunningham, Mr. Smith, Mr. Turner and Ms. Phillips, all of whom are independent directors.Green, Ms. Gurganious began serving on the Community Affairs Committee upon being appointed to the Board on January 14, 2021. The purposes of the Community Affairs Committee are to ensure that the Company embraces its Mission, Vision and Values, to oversee the Company’s local involvement and leadership in the communities where the Company operates, including matters related to employee engagement, community development, philanthropy, government affairs, reputation management, and diversity and inclusion, and to oversee the Company’s Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”) Program and Fair Lending Compliance Program.

Credit Committee

Our Credit Committee consists of Messrs. Turner (Committee Chair), Bentz, Cunningham, Green andMr. Smith. The charter of our CreditRisk Committee provides that a majority of the members of the committee must be independent. The Credit CommitteeThis committee is responsible for, among other things, assisting our Board in its oversight of our enterprise risk management governance and of the six risk categories included in the banking risk framework established by the Federal Reserve System, which are credit, market, liquidity, operational, legal and reputational risk.

Furthermore, this committee is responsible for monitoring the management of our assets, with a primary focus on loans, other real estate owned, and other customer-related assets; reviewing and monitoring compliance with our Loan and Credit Administration Policy; ensuring review of each criticized and classified loan; reviewing charge-offs and recoveries; monitoring exceptions to loan policies, collateral and financial statements; ensuring that extensions of credit to directors, executive officers and their affiliates are in compliance with law and reviewing loans subject to Regulation O, and, to the extent required by Regulation O and where appropriate, recommending approval of such loans by the full Board; and reviewing progress with respect to management’s goals for improvements in credit quality.

2020 Committee Reassignments and Combining of Audit and Risk Committees

Upon the election of the director nominees at the 2020 Annual Meeting, our Board approved the consolidation of our Audit Committee with our Risk Committee. The newly consolidated Audit and Risk Committee has all of the same responsibilities as were previously assigned to each of the respective committees. Further, all members of the newly consolidated Audit and Risk Committee were required to be independent pursuant to the new Audit and Risk Committee charter, SOX and the rules and regulations of NASDAQ and the SEC. The Board appointed Mr. Polley to chair our Audit and Risk Committee and Messrs. Bentz, Flynn and Green served as members of the Audit and Risk Committee.

Additionally, the Nominating, Governance and Community Affairs Committee was split into two committees – the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Community Affairs Committee. The Board appointed Mr. Wilt to chair our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and Mr. Bottorff, Ms. Phillips and Mr. Polley served as members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Board appointed Ms. Jenne to chair our newly created Community Affairs Committee and Mr. Cunningham, Ms. Phillips, Mr. Smith and Mr. Turner served as members of the Community Affairs Committee.

Further, the Board appointed Mr. Wilt to serve as the chair of our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and Mr. Flynn to serve as the chair of our Compensation and Human Resources Committee. The Board also approved the following committee reassignments: Mr. Bottorff was reassigned from the Credit Committee to serve on the Compensation and Human Resources Committee; Mr. Green was reassigned from the Nominating, Governance and Community Affairs Committee to serve on the Credit Committee.

Board and Committee Self-Evaluations

The Board conducts annual self-evaluations and completes questionnaires to assess the qualifications, attributes, skills and experience represented on the Board and to determine whether the Board and its committees are functioning effectively. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee oversees this annual review process and, through its Chair, discusses the input with the full Board. In addition, each committee reviews annually the qualifications and effectiveness of that committee and its members. Each year the Board also reviews the Company’s governance documents and modifies them as appropriate. These documents include the charters for each Board committee, our Corporate Governance Guidelines, our Code of Ethics and Conflicts of Interest Policy and other key policies and practices.

The Board and each of the Board committees will continue to monitor corporate governance developments and will continue to evaluate committee charters, duties and responsibilities under our Corporate Governance Guidelines and Code of Ethics and Conflicts of Interest Policy with the intention of maintaining full compliance with all applicable corporate governance requirements.

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Board Leadership Structure

Our Corporate Governance Guidelines provide for separation of the roles of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of our Board, a structure which our Board has determined is in the best interests of our shareholders at this time. Mr. BottorffTurner serves as Chairman of the Board and Mr. Schools serves as our President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Schools also serves as Chief Executive Officer and President of CapStar Bank and as a member of the Bank’s Board.

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The Board has determined that our bifurcated leadership structure is appropriate for the Company and our shareholders because it (i) enables Mr. Schools to focus directly upon identifying and developing corporate priorities, executing our business plan and providing daily leadership while concurrently ensuring that Mr. Schools and his intimate knowledge of our Company and of the banking industry generally remain as an invaluable resource to our Board and (ii) assists Mr. BottorffTurner in fulfilling his duties of overseeing the implementation of our strategic initiatives, facilitating the flow of information between the Board and management and fostering executive officer accountability.

Role of the Board in Risk Oversight

The Board has an active role, as a whole and at the committee level, in the Company’s risk oversight process. The Board and its committees receive regular reports from members of senior management on areas of material risk to the Company, including operational, financial, legal, regulatory, strategic and reputational risks. At the committee level, (i) the Audit and Risk Committee oversees the management of accounting and internal controls that effect financial reporting and legal risks as well as helping our Board execute its risk management objectives by overseeing an enterprise-wide approach to risk management;internal audit; (ii) the Compensation and Human Resources Committee oversees the management of risks relating to the Company’s executive compensation program as well as compensation matters involving all employees and the Company’s directors; (iii) the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committeemanages risks associated with the independence of the members of the Board and potential conflicts of interest and certain regulatory risks; and (iv) the Creditour Risk Committee manages risks associatedis specifically tasked with the Company’s credithelping our Board execute its risk management objectives by overseeing an enterprise-wide approach to risk management, which is structured to achieve our strategic objectives, improve our long-term performance and support growth in shareholder value; and (v) the Community Affairs Committee oversees the Company’s risks associated with the Company’s Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”) Program and the Fair Lending Compliance Program.value.

Although each committee is directly responsible for evaluating certain enumerated risks and overseeing the management of such risks, the entire Board is generally responsible for and is regularly informed through committee reports about such risks and any corresponding remediation efforts designed to mitigate such risks. In addition, appropriate committees of the Board receive reports from senior management within the organization to enable the committees to understand risk identification, risk management and risk mitigation strategies. When a committee receives such a report, the Chair of the relevant committee reports on the discussion to the full Board during the committee reports portion of the next Board meeting. This enables the Board and its committees to coordinate the risk oversight role.

Service Limitations on Other Boards of Directors

Our Corporate Governance Guidelines require that directors should not serve on the boards of more than four other boards of public companies (or private, not-for-profit or service organization boards that are deemed by the Board to be equivalent) in addition to our Board. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may, in its discretion, grant exceptions to this limit on a case-by-case basis. None of our directors serve on more than four other boards.

Director Nominations

Overview. Pursuant to its charter, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for the process relating to director nominations, including identifying, reviewing and selecting individuals who may be nominated for election to the Board. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers nominees to serve as directors of the Company and recommends such persons to the Board. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also considers director candidates recommended by shareholders in accordance with the Company Bylaws and provides a process for receipt and consideration of any such recommendations. On October 24, 2019, our Board approved an amendment and restatement of the Company’s Bylaws that, among other things, expanded the scope of disclosures required of a shareholder to bring a nomination to our Board before a shareholder meeting. This increased disclosure requirement allows our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee to better assess the qualifications of director nominees and to ensure that nominees are and will remain in compliance with all laws applicable to the Company’s directors. In approving candidates for election as director, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also seeks to ensure that the Board and its committees will satisfy all applicable requirements of the federal securities laws and the corporate governance requirements for NASDAQ-listedNasdaq-listed issuers.

Committee Selection Process. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee regularly assesses the mix of experience, skills, diversity and industries currently represented on our Board, whether any vacancies on the Board are expected due to retirement or otherwise, the experience, skills and diversity represented by retiring directors, and additional skills highlighted during the self-assessment process that could improve the overall quality and ability of the Board to carry out its functions.

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The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board do not believe the Company should establish term or age limits for its directors. Although such limits could help ensure that there are fresh ideas and viewpoints available to the Board, they hold the disadvantage of losing the knowledge and contributions of directors who have been able to develop, over a period of time, deep insight into the Company and its operations and, therefore, provide an increasing contribution to the Board as a whole. As an alternative to term or age limits, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee reviews each director’s continuation on the Board every year. This review includes the analysis of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee regarding each director’s independence and whether any director has had a significant change in his or her business or professional circumstances during the past year.

Prior to completing its recommendation to the Board of nominees for election, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee requires each potential candidate to complete a director’s and executive officer’s questionnaire and a report on all transactions between the candidate and the Company, its directors, officers and related parties. The Nominating, and Corporate Governance Committee will also consider such other relevant factors as it deems appropriate. After completing this evaluation, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will make a recommendation to the Board of the persons who should be nominated, and the Board will then determine the nominees after considering the recommendations of the Committee.

Criteria for Director Nominees. In identifying, reviewing and selecting potential nominees for director, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers individuals from various disciplines and diverse backgrounds. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and Board believe that diversity is an important attribute of the members who comprise our Board and that the members should represent an array of backgrounds and experiences and should be capable of articulating a variety of viewpoints. Accordingly, pursuant to its charter and our Corporate Governance Guidelines, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers in its identification, review and selection of potential director nominees various criteria, including individual integrity, education, business experience, accounting and financial expertise, age, diversity, reputation, civic and community relationships, knowledge and experience in matters impacting financial intuitions, and the ability of the individual to devote the necessary time to serving the board of directors of a public company. When re-nominating incumbent directors, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers among all relevant factors, the individuals contributions, including the value of his or her experience as a director of the Company, the availability of new director candidates who may offer unique contributions, and the Company’s changing needs.

Procedure to be Followed by Shareholders. On an ongoing basis, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers potential director candidates identified on its own initiative as well as candidates referred or recommended to it by other directors, members of management, shareholders and other resources (including individuals seeking to join the Board). Shareholders who wish to recommend candidates may contact the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee in the manner described below under “Communications with the Board and Committees.” All candidates are required to meet the criteria outlined above, as well as the director independence and other standards set forth in our Corporate Governance Guidelines and other governing documents, as applicable, as determined by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee in its sole discretion.

Shareholder nominations must be made according to the procedures required under our Amended and Restated Bylaws and described in this Proxy Statement under the heading “Additional Information — How and when may I submit a shareholder proposal for the 20222023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders?” The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee strives to evaluate all prospective nominees to the Board in the same manner and in accordance with the same procedures, without regard to whether the prospective nominee is recommended by a shareholder, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, another board member or members of management. However, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may request additional information in connection with the evaluation of candidates submitted by shareholders due to the potential that the existing directors and members of management will not be as familiar with the proposed candidate as compared to candidates recommended by existing directors or members of management. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will conduct the same analysis that it conducts with respect to its director nominees for any director nominations properly submitted by a shareholder and, as a result of that process, will decide whether to recommend a candidate for consideration by the full Board.

Independent Compensation ConsultantCorporate Governance Guidelines

To facilitate the fulfillment of its duties, the Compensation and Human Resources Committee has sole authority to retain, and to delegate the authority to retain, outside advisors, including compensation consultants, to assist the Compensation and Human Resources Committee with executive compensation matters. The Compensation and Human Resources Committee has sole authority to approve the fees and retention terms of any such advisors or consultants. During 2020, the Compensation and Human Resources Committee relied upon a compensation consultant (McLagan), retained by the Company, to review the Company’s executive compensation program and establish specific levels of executive compensation. The decision to retain McLagan was recommended by management and approved by the Compensation and Human Resources Committee.

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Corporate Governance Guidelines

Our Board has adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines which,that, in conjunction with our committee charters and Board Supervision Policy, set forth the framework within which our Board, assisted by Board committees, direct the affairs of the Company. Our Corporate Governance Guidelines address, among other things, the composition and functions of our Board, director independence, compensation of directors, management succession and review, Board committees, Board and committee evaluation processes and selection of new directors. The Board believes such guidelines to be appropriate for the Company in its effort to maintain “best practices” regarding corporate governance.

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Code of Ethics and Conflicts of Interest Policy

Our Board has adopted a Code of Ethics and Conflicts of Interest Policy (the “Code of Ethics”) governing all of our directors, officers, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer, and other employees. The Code of Ethics covers compliance with law, fair and honest dealings with us, with competitors and with others, fair and honest disclosure to the public, conflicts of interest, and procedures for ensuring accountability and adherence to the Code of Ethics. We expect that any amendments to the Code of Ethics, or any waivers of its requirements, will be disclosed on our website, as well as any other means required by the SEC and NASDAQ.Nasdaq.

Certain Relationships

There are no family relationships between any of our directors, executive officers or persons nominated to become a director or executive officer.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

No member of our Compensation and Human Resources Committee (i) is or has ever been an employee of the Company or our Bank, (ii) was, during the last completed fiscal year, a participant in any related-party transaction requiring disclosure under “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions,” except with respect to loans made to such committee members in the ordinary course of business on substantially the same terms as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with unrelated parties or (iii) had, during the last completed fiscal year, any other interlocking relationship requiring disclosure under applicable SEC rules.

Communications with the Board and Committees

We have established procedures for shareholders or other interested parties to communicate directly with our Board or with a committee of the Board. Such parties can contact our Board, a committee or a specific director by sending written correspondence by mail to:

CapStar Financial Holdings, Inc.

Attention: Corporate Secretary

1201 Demonbreun Street, Suite 700

Nashville, Tennessee 37203

The Corporate Secretary is responsible for reviewing all communications addressed to our Board, any committee or any specific director to determine whether such communications require Board, committee or personal review, response or action. Generally, the Corporate Secretary will not forward to the Board, any committee or any specific director any communications relating to Company products and services, solicitations, or otherwise improper or irrelevant topics. If, however, the Corporate Secretary determines that a communication relates to corporate governance or otherwise requires review, response or action by the Board, any committee or any specific director, then the Secretary will promptly send a copy of such communication to each director serving on the Board, the applicable committee or the applicable director.

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Executive Officers

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee annually makes recommendations to our Board concerning the appointment or re-appointment of certain officers of the Company and CapStar Bank, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer.On May 4, 2020, the Company announced the hiring of Michael J. Fowler as CapStar’s new Chief Financial Officer, replacing the Company’s departing Chief Financial Officer, Robert B. Anderson. Mr. Fowler’s appointment was effective July 1, 2020. On August 21, 2020, Mr. Fowler advised CapStar that due to an unexpected family health matter, he would not be able to continue in his role as Chief Financial Officer. On September 21, 2020, CapStar announced that Mr. Fowler would stay with CapStar and assume the role of Treasurer, and the Company announced that Denis J. Duncan would join the Company and serve as Chief Financial Officer.

Set forth below is background information regarding each of our executive officers as of March 1, 2022, other than Mr. Schools whose biography is set forth above under the caption “Election of Directors —Director Nominees.” There are no family relationships among any of our executive officers. Further, other than the employment agreements described in this Proxy Statement, there are no arrangements or understandings between the executive officers listed below and any other person(s) pursuant to which he or she was selected as an executive officer.

John A. Davis - Chief Operations and Technology Officer, CapStar Financial Holdings, Inc.

Mr. Davis, age 57, has served as the Chief Operations and Technology Officer for CapStar Bank since November 2019. Mr. Davis leads the deposit and loan operations, information technology and project management office of the Bank.  Mr. Davis has over 29 years of banking experience, serving most recently as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of MidSouth Bank, NA in Louisiana from 2018 to 2019. At MidSouth Bank, Mr. Davis was responsible for overseeing and revamping the infrastructure of a bank with over $2 billion in assets. Prior to joining MidSouth Bank, Mr. Davis served as a Project Manager at Southern Bank and Trust Company from June 2017 to May 2018. Mr. Davis was previously with Yadkin Bank in Raleigh, North Carolina for approximately 11 years where he served as Senior Vice President and Director of Operations from October 2014 to May 2017. At Yadkin Bank, Mr. Davis oversaw operations and led the integrations of four bank mergers during his tenure. Mr. Davis holds a bachelor’s degree from Elon University and obtained a BAI certificate from Vanderbilt University.

DenisMichael J. DuncanFowler - Chief Financial Officer, CapStar Financial Holdings, Inc.

Mr. Duncan,Fowler, age 62, is66, has more than 40 years of banking and finance experience having served in senior financial roles at several regional banks. He joined CapStar following the Chiefmerger of First Horizon National Corp. and IBERIABANK Corporation. For 8 years he served as IBERIABANK’s Executive Vice President, Director of Financial OfficerRisk. He began his career with Texas Commerce Bank in Houston (acquired by Chemical Bank, now JPMorgan Chase) where for CapStar Financial Holdings, Inc.15 years he served in management roles related to financial planning, balance sheet management, ALCO and CapStarmanagement accounting. Subsequently, he served as Executive Vice President and Treasurer at First Commerce Bank and has served in this capacity since September 21, 2020. He recently retired from PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP (PwC) where he was a senior banking and capital markets partner and previously served as the Partner-in-Charge of the firm’s southeast banking practice where he was lead partner for numerous PwC financial services clients including Union Planters, SunTrust, Edward Jones and Legg Mason. He brings extensive experience advising major money-center banks, regional and community banks, broker-dealers, asset managers, and insurance and real estate companies. He also serves as the Treasurer and a Board Member of the Atlanta Downtown Rotary,South Financial Group, and as a Trustee of Oglethorpe University.CFO at GreenBank, acquired by Capital Bank Financial. He has been a previous director of YMCA of Metro Atlanta, Atlanta Opera, Grady Hospital Board of Visitors, and Tennessee Golf Association. He graduated summa cum laude withearned a bachelor’s degree in finance from LipscombLoyola University in Nashville.

Steven E. Groom - Chief Risk Officer, General CounselNew Orleans and Corporate Secretary, CapStar Financial Holdings, Inc.

Mr. Groom, 69, has been Chief Risk Officer, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of CapStar Financial Holdings, Inc. and CapStar Bank since April 1, 2020. He has served in executive and general counsel roles with four publicly-traded companies, and has practiced law with three prominent law firms. Mr. Groom received a bachelor’s degree from Lipscomb University and a doctor of jurisprudence degreeMBA from the University of Memphis, where he was a member, editor and author of the Law Review. Mr. Groom has also received extensive training in negotiation, leadership and strategic planning from the Executive Education programs of Harvard University, the WhartonTexas at Austin Red McCombs School of Business.

Jennie L. O’Bryan - Chief Administrative Officer, CapStar Financial Holdings, Inc.

Ms. O’Bryan, age 57, is the UniversityChief Administrative Officer of Pennsylvania,CapStar Bank. Ms. O’Bryan joined the company in 2019 and has more than 35 years of banking experience, most recently serving as vice president of wealth management for US Bank, overseeing private bankers in Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee and Missouri. Prior to that role, she held regional customer experience and branch management positions. Having served in various capacities at CapStar, she manages both Human Resources and Marketing as the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University. HeBank’s Chief Administrative Officer. Ms. O’Bryan is also a graduate of Furman University’s School of Retail Bank Management and was management advisor for US Bank’s local Development Network. She has been involved in the Stanford Director’s College,past with Habitat for Humanity and United Way, and has served on the nation’s premier board leadership program. of Junior Achievement.

Christopher G. Tietz - Chief Credit Policy Officer and Executive Vice President of Specialty Banking, CapStar Financial Holdings, Inc.

Mr. Tietz, age 58,60, is the Chief Credit Policy Officer and EVP of Specialty Banking of CapStar Bank. Mr. Tietz joined the Bank in March 2016 and has over 32 years of banking experience starting as a trainee of First American National Bank in Nashville in 1985 and rising to the position of Executive Vice President and Regional Senior Credit Officer for First American’s West Tennessee Region including oversight of credit functions for private banking, business banking, middle-market, and corporate banking functions. Subsequent to his positions at First American, Mr. Tietz held various Chief Credit Officerchief credit officer roles at various banks in the Midwest including at First Place Bank in Ohio from 2011 to 2012. From 2012 to 2016 he was Chief Credit Officer of FSG Bank in Chattanooga,and Tennessee. His experience includes capital raising activities, asset quality resolution, development of lending initiatives to achieve quality asset growth, and management and resolution of regulatory actions. Mr. Tietz holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama.

Kenneth E Webb - EVP of Bank OperationsCapStar Financial Holdings, Inc.

Mr. Webb, age 69, is the Interim EVP of Bank Operations of CapStar Bank. Mr. Webb was one of the original management team members that founded the company in 2007 and initially served as our Chief Development Officer and most recently as our Middle Tennessee Market Chairman before taking the role of Interim EVP of Bank Operations in November 2022. Mr. Webb is an experienced executive with over 46 years of banking experience. Prior to joining CapStar, Mr. Webb worked for First Tennessee Bank from 1993 to 2007. His last position there was in the Business Strategy Group where he was responsible for a wide range of credit-related initiatives. He also served in several roles managing commercial, corporate and treasury management groups and as President of First Tennessee Bank, Nashville. He began his banking career in 1976 with Commerce Union Bank, and its successor banks after its acquisition by NationsBank, from 1976 to 1993. Mr. Webb is active in charitable work, having served over the years on various non-profit boards and in leadership roles for the Boys & Girls Club of Middle Tennessee, TSU College of Business Economic & Finance advisory board, the Nashville Sertoma Club and Foundation, and St. Henry Catholic Church. He is a native of Lawrence County, Tennessee. Mr. Webb is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University.

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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

Banking Transactions with Related Parties

Our Bank has made in the past and, assuming continued satisfaction of generally applicable credit standards, expects to continue to make loans to directors, executive officers, principal shareholders and their affiliates including corporations or organizations for which they serve as officers or directors or in which they have beneficial ownership interests of 10% percent or more. These loans have all been made in the ordinary course of our business on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with persons not related to us. Further, such loans are and will be subject to the policies and procedures regarding related-party transactions discussed below, and they do not present us with more than the normal risk of uncollectibility or other unfavorable characteristics.

Lease of Corporate Headquarters

As of the date of this Proxy Statement, we understand that one of our principal shareholders, Mr. Gaylon Lawrence or his affiliates, who, acquired a greateras of the most recent Schedule 13D filed by him with the SEC, owns more than 5% interest in the Company in August 2017, hasof our common stock, may have an economic interest in the lease of our corporate headquarters located at 1201 Demonbreun Street, Suite 700, Nashville, Tennessee via a direct or indirect ownership in the landlord entity.entity that is our landlord. However, as of the date of this Proxy Statement, we have been unable to ascertain the extent of the ownership of Mr. Lawrence or his affiliates in the landlord entity, and, therefore, we are unable to approximate the dollar value of the interest of Mr. Lawrence or his affiliates in the lease and whether such amount is material. Mr. Lawrence or his affiliates were not 5% or greater shareholders atwhen we originally entered into the commencement of our lease in March 2017.lease. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020,2022, the Company paid the landlord entity approximately $1,308,417 in the aggregate$1,321,642 in rent pursuant to the terms of the lease.

Policies and Procedures Regarding Related-Party Transactions

Transactions involving the Company and/or the Bank and their respective affiliates and insiders are subject to regulatory requirements and restrictions as well as our own policies and procedures. These requirements and restrictions include Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act (which govern certain transactions by our Bank with its affiliates) and the Federal Reserve’s Regulation O (which governs certain loans by our Bank to its executive officers, directors, and principal shareholders). We have adopted policies to comply with these regulatory requirements and restrictions, including provisions in our Loan and Credit Administration Policy that place restrictions on the Bank with respect to loans to our executive officers, directors and principal shareholders. Pursuant to its charter, our CreditRisk Committee is responsible for ensuring that extensions of credit to directors, executive officers and their affiliates comply with all applicable law, reviewing loans that are subject to Regulation O and, if required by Regulation O and where appropriate, recommending such loans to the full Board for approval. Our Audit and Risk Committee approves all related-party transactions that are not subject to Regulation O.

In addition, our Board has adopted a written policy governing the approval of related-party transactions that complies with all applicable requirements of the SEC and NASDAQNasdaq concerning related-party transactions. Related-party transactions, for purposes of the requirements of the SEC and NASDAQ,Nasdaq, are transactions in which we are a participant, the amount involved exceeds $120,000 and a related-party has or will have a direct or indirect material interest. Our related parties include our directors (including nominees for election as directors), executive officers, 5% or greater shareholders and the immediate family members of these persons. Our Chief Financial Officer, in consultation with management and outside counsel, as appropriate, will review potential related-party transactions to determine if they are subject to the policy. If so, the transaction will be referred to our Audit and Risk Committee or, if such transaction is a loan subject to Regulation O, our Credit Committee. In determining whether to approve a related-party transaction, our Audit and Risk Committee or Credit Committee, as applicable, will consider, among other factors, the fairness of the proposed transaction, the direct or indirect nature of the related-party’s interest in the transaction, the appearance of an improper conflict of interests for any director, executive officer or 5% or greater shareholder, taking into account the size of the transaction and the financial position of the related-party, whether the transaction would impair a director’s independence, the acceptability of the transaction to our regulators and the potential violations of other company policies. Our Related-Party Transactions Policy is available on our website at www.ir.capstarbank.com, as an annex to our Corporate Governance Guidelines.

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

During 2022, our non-employee directors received compensation for service and attendance based upon the following compensation program guidelines (“2022 Director Compensation Program”):

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Other than the retainer for our Chairman of the Board, which is paid in one-third cash in equal monthly payments and two-thirds restricted stock awards, all director compensation is generally paid in equal parts cash and restricted stock awards that vest ratably over three years. The following table sets forth information regarding compensation paid during 2022 to our directors who were not named executive officers:

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The following table sets forth the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of March 16, 2021February 24, 2023 by:

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* Indicates one percent or less.

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