Company: NWBI
Filing Date: 2025-02-20
Form Type: S-4/A
Source: 0001193125-25-030716
Chunk: 4

Company: Northwest Bancshares, Inc.
Filing Date: 2025-02-20
Form: S-4/A
Chunk 4
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 approval of the Merger Agreement and the Merger. This proxy statement/prospectus describes the Penns Woods special meeting, the Merger proposal, and other related matters. The boards of directors of Penns Woods unanimously approved the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Merger, and recommend its shareholders vote “FOR” approval and adoption of the Merger Agreement and the Merger and “FOR” the advisory, non-bindingproposal to approve the merger-related executive compensation to Penns Woods’ named executive officers. You are encouraged to read this document, including the materials incorporated by reference into this document, carefully. In particular, you should read the “ RISK FACTORS ” section beginning on page 18 for a discussion of the risks related to the Merger and owning Northwest common stock after the Merger. Whether or not you plan to attend the special meeting, the Penns Woods’ board urges you to vote by either completing, signing and returning the enclosed proxy card in the enclosed postage-paid envelope, or submitting your proxy by telephone or over the internet. Not voting by proxy or at the special meeting will have the same effect as voting against the adoption and approval of the Merger Agreement. The Penns Woods’ board urges you to read carefully this proxy statement/prospectus, which contains a detailed description of the special meeting, the Merger proposal, the Northwest common stock to be issued in the Merger and other related matters.

| Sincerely,                       |
| Richard A.                       
 Grafmyre Chief Executive Officer 
 Penns Woods Bancorp, Inc.        |

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of Northwest common stock to be issued in the Merger or determined if this proxy statement/prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense. The securities to be issued in connection with the Merger described in this proxy statement/prospectus are not savings accounts, deposit accounts or other obligations of any bank or savings association and are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other federal or state governmental agency. This proxy statement/prospectus is dated February 20, 2025, and it is first being mailed to Penns Woods shareholders on or about February 24, 2025.

Notice of Special Meeting of Shareholders To be held at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time, on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, and accessed virtually at https://meetnow.global/MVDHGFG To the