Company: NWBI
Filing Date: 2025-02-24
Form Type: 424B3
Source: 0001193125-25-033488
Chunk: 107

Company: Northwest Bancshares, Inc.
Filing Date: 2025-02-24
Form: 424B3
Chunk 107
---
 Penns Woods’ Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 have been audited by S.R. Snodgrass, P.C., an independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in its report thereon, included in such Annual Report
and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

LEGAL MATTERS

Dinsmore & Shohl LLP has rendered an opinion that the Northwest common stock to be issued to the Penns Woods shareholders in
connection with the Merger have been duly authorized and, if issued as contemplated by the Merger Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable under the laws of the State of Maryland.
Certain U.S. federal income tax consequences relating to the Merger will also be passed upon by Dinsmore & Shohl LLP and Stevens & Lee P.C.

PENNS WOODS SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL DEADLINES

Penns Woods does not anticipate holding a 2025 annual meeting of Penns Woods shareholders if the Merger is completed on the expected timeline.
However, if the Merger is not completed within the expected time frame, or at all, Penns Woods may hold an annual meeting of its shareholders in 2025. Penns Woods’ Proxy Statement filed with the SEC on March 26, 2024 provides that the
deadline for Penns Woods to receive proposals that shareholders seek to include in the proxy statement for Penns Woods’ 2025 annual meeting was November 26, 2024.

Generally, a shareholder proposal submitted after November 24, 2024, or which does not otherwise meet the requirements of the SEC, will
not be included in the Penns Woods’ proxy statement for the annual meeting to be held in 2025, but may be presented for consideration at the annual meeting if submitted to the secretary of Penns Woods not less than ninety (90) days or more
than one hundred fifty (150) days prior to the annual meeting. Any proposal must contain certain information required by Penns Woods’ Bylaws.

88

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE The SEC allows Northwest and Penns Woods to incorporate certain information into this document by reference to other information that has been filed with the SEC. This means that Northwest and Penns Woods can disclose important business and financial information to you by referring you to another