Recommendation Highlights Strategic Benefits and Value Creation of Merger The Board of Directors Urges Shareholders to Vote by February 9, 2026, at 11:59 p.m., ET MIDDLEFIELD, Ohio, Jan. 30, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Middlefield Banc Corp. (NASDAQ: MBCN) today announced that Institutional Shareholder Services, Inc. (“ISS”), an independent proxy advisory firm, has recommended shareholders vote “FOR” all proposals at the Special Meeting of Shareholders to be held virtually on February 10, 2026, including the Company's proposed merger of Middlefield Banc Corp. (“Middlefield”), the holding company for The Middlefield Banking Company (“Middlefield Bank”), into Farmers National Banc Corp. (“Farmers”) (NASDAQ: FMNB), the holding company for The Farmers National Bank of Canfield (“Farmers National Bank”).