Management Change/Compensation (Form 8-K)

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

On May 4, 2026, the Board of Directors (the "Board") of AppTech Payments Corp. (the "Company") discussed and approved certain executive leadership and governance matters, including the designation of Albert L. Lord as Executive Chairman of the Company. In connection with such designation, Mr. Lord will no longer be considered an independent director under applicable corporate governance standards and will step down from the Compensation Committee.

In connection with such actions, the Board ratified employment arrangements for Thomas DeRosa, the Company's Chief Executive Officer, and Anthony Shall, the Company's Chief Operating Officer. The Company previously employed Mr. DeRosa and Mr. Shall in their respective executive officer roles, and the arrangements formalize certain terms of their continuing employment with the Company.

Effective May 4, 2026, the Company entered into an employment arrangement with Mr. DeRosa pursuant to which he will continue to serve as Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The arrangement contemplates an annual base salary of $384,000 and eligibility for discretionary bonus compensation and participation in the Company's equity incentive and employee benefit plans.

Effective May 4, 2026, the Company entered into an employment arrangement with Mr. Shall pursuant to which he will continue to serve as Chief Operating Officer of the Company. The arrangement contemplates an annual base salary of $240,000 and eligibility for discretionary bonus compensation and participation in the Company's equity incentive and employee benefit plans.