Company: NWBI
Filing Date: 2025-02-24
Form Type: 424B3
Source: 0001193125-25-033488
Chunk: 6

Company: Northwest Bancshares, Inc.
Filing Date: 2025-02-24
Form: 424B3
Chunk 6
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”), and will cease to be publicly traded. Holders of Northwest common stock will continue 
 to own their existing shares of Northwest common stock. See the information provided in the section entitled “THE MERGER” beginning on page 30 and the Merger Agreement for more information about the Merger.                                                                                                                                                                                            |

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| Q: | Why are Northwest and Penns Woods proposing to merge? |

| A: | Penns Woods believes that the Merger is in the best interests of its shareholders and other constituencies                                                                                                                                         
 because of, among other reasons, the synergies potentially available as a result of the proposed merger. Furthermore, as a result of the Merger, Penns Woods will become part of a larger banking institution, resulting in Penns Woods’ customers 
 having the best of both worlds – the breadth of services offered by a larger financial institution, delivered by local bankers who listen and are able to respond to their customers’ needs. To review Penns Woods’ reasons for the Merger         
 in more detail, see “THE MERGER—Penns Woods’ Reasons for the Merger” on page 35 of this proxy statement/prospectus.                                                                                                                                |

Northwest believes that the Merger is in the best interests of its stockholders and will benefit Northwest and its stockholders by enabling Northwest to further enhance market share in the North Central Pennsylvania and expand into attractive markets in Northeastern Pennsylvania currently served by Penns Woods and by strengthening the competitive position of the combined organization. Furthermore, Northwest believes its increased asset size after the Merger will create additional economies of scale and provide opportunities for asset and earnings growth in an extremely competitive banking environment. To review Northwest’s reasons for the Merger in more detail, see “ THE MERGER—Northwest’s Reasons for the Merger” on page 33 of this proxy statement/prospectus.

| Q: | What will Penns Woods shareholders receive in the Merger? |

| A: | Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, shareholders of Penns Woods will be entitled to receive from                                                                                                                                                   
 Northwest, after the Merger is completed, the Merger Consideration, payable in the form of shares of Northwest common stock to be calculated as set forth in the Merger Agreement. At the Effective Time, each share of Penns Woods common stock, other 
 than treasury shares, will be converted into the right to receive 2.385 shares of Northwest common stock.                                                                                                                                               |

Northwest will not issue any fractional shares of common stock in connection with the Merger