HBT Financial, Inc.

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )

April 8, 2026

To Our Stockholders:

You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "Annual Meeting") of HBT Financial, Inc. to be held on May 19, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., Central time.

The Annual Meeting will be held in a virtual meeting format only, with no physical in-person meeting. If you plan to attend the virtual meeting, please see "When and where will the Annual Meeting be held?" on page 2. Stockholders will be able to attend, vote and submit questions before, and for a portion of, the virtual meeting.

Details of the business to be conducted at the Annual Meeting are provided in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement.

Your vote is important. Please take the time to carefully read each of the proposals described in the Proxy Statement and cast your vote by following the instructions in the Proxy Statement. Your vote will mean that you are represented at the Annual Meeting regardless of whether or not you attend.

Thank you for your support of HBT Financial, Inc.

Sincerely,

Fred L. Drake

Executive Chairman

HBT FINANCIAL, INC.

(309) 662-4444

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

TO BE HELD ON MAY 19, 2026

To the Stockholders of HBT Financial, Inc.:

The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of HBT Financial, Inc. (the "Company") will be held on May 19, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., Central time, for the following purposes:

1. To elect the 12 directors named in the accompanying Proxy Statement to serve until the 2027 Annual Meeting of Stockholders or until their successors are duly elected and qualified;

2. To approve, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers ("NEOs"), which we refer to as the "say-on-pay" proposal;

3. To ratify the appointment of RSM US LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2026; and

4. Such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournments or postponements of the meeting.

The Annual Meeting will be held in a virtual meeting format only, with no physical in-person meeting. If you plan to attend the virtual meeting, please see "When and where will the Annual Meeting be held?" on page 2. Stockholders will be able to attend, vote and submit questions before, and for a portion of, the virtual meeting.

Only stockholders of record at the close of business on March 20, 2026, the record date fixed by the Board of Directors of the Company, will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

Even if you plan to attend the annual meeting, please vote at your earliest convenience by signing and returning the proxy card or voting instruction card you receive, or by voting over the internet or by telephone.

By Order of the Board of Directors

Andrea E. Zurkamer

Executive Vice President, Chief Risk Officer, and Corporate Secretary

April 8, 2026