Why northwest Bancshares (NWBI) is making a major strategic relocation? Record profitability and core business drivers: loan growth, deposit dynamics, and net interest margin expansion. Second quarter 2026 operating performance and primary business drivers. Northwest Bancshares, Inc. (NWBI) reported record second-quarter 2026 net income of $54 million, or $0.36 per diluted share, representing a $20 million increase compared to the same quarter last year when net income was $34 million, or $0.26 per diluted share. The company also reported adjusted diluted earnings per share (non-GAAP) of $0.37 per share, exceeding analyst consensus of $0.34 per share. This performance reflects a fundamental shift in the bank's operational trajectory, driven by three interconnected business drivers: accelerating commercial loan growth, disciplined deposit expansion, and sustained net interest margin (NIM) improvement. The most striking driver is the velocity of commercial and industrial (C&I) lending expansion. Total average loans reached $13.1 billion, up 16.4% year-over-year. The loan portfolio composition reflects a deliberate strategic pivot toward higher-yielding national commercial verticals. This diversification away from legacy regional commercial real estate exposure reduces concentration risk while capturing margin expansion opportunities in middle market and corporate finance segments. Deposit dynamics reveal equally compelling momentum. Average deposits reached $14.1 billion in the second quarter of 2026, representing a 16.3% year-over-year increase. More critically, the cost of deposits declined to 1.43% in the second quarter of 2026. This deposit cost trajectory is particularly significant in a competitive funding environment, suggesting the company has successfully built a low-cost deposit franchise through branch expansion and relationship deepening. The deposit portfolio as of March 31, 2026, showed balanced composition, with personal noninterest-bearing demand deposits representing 12.1% of total deposits, business noninterest-bearing demand deposits at 9.8%, and savings deposits at 17.2%, providing structural stability. Net interest margin expansion serves as the quantitative anchor for profitability improvement. The NIM (fully taxable equivalent basis) expanded to 3.75% in the second quarter 2026, up 5 basis points sequentially from 3.70% in the first quarter 2026. This expansion was supported by higher securities yields and lower funding costs, creating a favorable operating environment despite the broader interest rate backdrop. The sequential improvement in NIM, combined with year-over-year loan growth of 16.4%, demonstrates that the company is successfully capturing margin expansion while scaling the balance sheet - a dual achievement that many regional banks struggle to execute simultaneously. Revenue mix, margins, balance sheet context, and investor implications. Total assets reached $17.2 billion as of June 30, 2026, with total deposits of $14.2 billion and total loans of $13.2 billion. The return on average assets (ROAA) improved to 1.27% in the second quarter of 2026, compared to 0.93% in the same quarter last year, while return on average equity (ROAE) expanded to 11.20% from 8.26% year-over-year. These return metrics indicate that the company is deploying capital more efficiently and generating superior profitability per unit of equity deployed. The capital position remains robust. The Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) capital ratio stood at 12.2% as of the second quarter 2026, providing substantial capacity for organic growth, dividend increases, and potential share repurchases. Credit quality metrics remained stable, with annualized net charge-offs of 0.15%, nonperforming assets of 0.69%, and an allowance for credit losses of 1.13% of loans. These metrics suggest that the aggressive loan growth has not compromised underwriting discipline or credit risk management. Strategic expansion, market positioning, and forward-looking considerations. The company's strategic pivot toward geographic expansion and market diversification provides context for the profitability acceleration. Northwest Bancshares is executing a de novo expansion strategy in the Columbus, Ohio market, with the first financial centers on track to open in 2026. This expansion into a new metropolitan market represents a material strategic initiative that complements the company's organic growth in existing markets across Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, and Indiana. The acquisition of Penns Woods Bancorp, Inc. expanded the franchise by 21 branch locations across North Central and Northeastern Pennsylvania, enhancing market presence and providing operating cost savings and business synergies. Management anticipates further operating cost savings and business synergies from this acquisition, which are expected to enhance operational efficiency and profitability in coming periods. The company's positioning within the broader banking landscape reflects recognition among market participants. Northwest Bank was recognized in Forbes' World's Top Performing Banks 2026, with inclusion in the global list of 500 banks highlighting strong performance, financial resilience, and focus on long-term growth. This recognition validates the strategic direction and operational execution evident in the financial results. What investors should watch next. Investors should monitor several key metrics and developments in the coming quarters. First, the trajectory of C&I loan growth and the performance of national commercial verticals warrant close attention, as these segments are driving the margin expansion and profitability acceleration. Any deceleration in C&I growth or deterioration in credit quality metrics would signal a shift in the operating environment. Second, the deposit cost trajectory remains critical. The three consecutive quarters of declining deposit costs represent a significant competitive advantage, but this trend may face headwinds if the interest rate environment shifts or competitive pressures intensify. Management guidance on deposit cost expectations and the sustainability of the current trajectory should be evaluated carefully. Third, the Columbus market expansion represents a material strategic initiative. The success of de novo branches in attracting deposits and generating profitable lending relationships will determine whether this expansion strategy creates shareholder value or becomes a drag on returns. Early deposit and loan origination metrics from these new locations should be monitored closely. Fourth, the efficiency ratio trend deserves attention. While the current 57.8% adjusted efficiency ratio is competitive, the company's ability to maintain or improve this metric while investing in technology and talent will indicate whether the cost discipline is sustainable or temporary. Finally, capital allocation decisions - including dividend policy, share repurchase authorization, and potential M&A activity - will signal management's confidence in the earnings trajectory and provide insight into capital deployment priorities. Key signals for investors. * Earnings momentum and margin expansion: Record Q2 2026 net income of $54 million with ROAA of 1.27% and ROAE of 11.20% demonstrates operational leverage. * Loan and deposit growth velocity: 16.4% year-over-year average loan growth driven by 32.2% C&I expansion, combined with 16.3% year-over-year deposit growth, indicates a sustainable organic growth trajectory. * Capital strength and credit quality stability: CET1 capital ratio of 12.2% provides capacity for growth and capital returns, while annualized net charge-offs of 0.15% and nonperforming assets of 0.69% demonstrate disciplined underwriting despite aggressive loan growth. * Strategic expansion execution: Columbus de novo market entry and Penns Woods acquisition integration represent material growth initiatives; early performance metrics from new locations and synergy realization will determine value creation.

Northwest Bank recognized in Forbes' World's Top Performing Banks 2026. Sep 10, 2026, 16:01 ET Inclusion in the global list of 500 banks highlights Northwest's strong performance, financial resilience and focus on long-term growth COLUMBUS, Ohio, Sept. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Northwest Bank, a full-service financial institution offering a complete line of business and personal banking solutions, announced it has been recognized in Forbes' World's Top Performing Banks 2026. The inaugural award recognizes 500 banks worldwide and is presented by Forbes in collaboration with Statista, a leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider. Banks are assessed across four core pillars: profitability; growth and earnings quality; capital and funding resilience; and asset quality and efficiency. Banks were segmented into six tiers based on their total assets. Northwest Bank ranked 103 out of 115 banks in the $10-$20 billion total asset category. "This recognition reflects the strength of Northwest Bank and the dedication of our team members who work every day to help our customers, businesses and communities thrive," said Louis J. Torchio, president and CEO of Northwest Bank. "We remain focused on building long-term relationships, delivering exceptional service and maintaining the financial strength necessary to support the people and businesses that rely on us." The Forbes' list follows two other major 2026 honors for Northwest Bank, including being named to TIME's America's Best Companies list and Newsweek's America's Best Regional Banks list for the third consecutive year. About Northwest Bank Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Northwest Bancshares, Inc. is the bank holding company of Northwest Bank. Founded in 1896, Northwest Bank is a full-service financial institution offering a complete line of business and personal banking products, as well as employee benefits and wealth management services. Currently, Northwest operates 152 full-service financial centers and 11 drive-up locations across Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, and Indiana and provides customers fee-free access to more than 55,000 ATMs. Additional information regarding Northwest Bancshares, Inc. and Northwest Bank can be accessed online at www.northwest.bank. Forward-Looking Statements This release may contain forward-looking statements with respect to Northwest Bancshares, Inc. (the "Company") including, without limitation, statements relating to the future business plans of the Company. These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements are described in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 under the section entitled "Item 1A - Risk Factors," and from time to time in other filings made by the Company with the SEC. These forward-looking statements speak only at the date of the release. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation to publicly release any updates or revisions to reflect any change in the Company's expectations with regard to any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. SOURCE Northwest Bank

Northwest Bank to bring new headquarters to Dublin. Posted: Aug 27, 2026 / 11:00 AM EDT Updated: Aug 27, 2026 / 09:25 AM EDT DUBLIN, Ohio (WCMH) - Northwest Bank is moving its corporate headquarters from the Easton area of Columbus to Dublin, where a new 75,000-square-foot building is expected to open in the first half of 2029. The headquarters will be located in Bridge North, a mixed-use development planned for Dublin's Bridge Street District. Northwest expects to move about 120 employees initially and grow its Dublin workforce to 300 by 2034, according to a news release. Dublin City Council approved an economic development agreement with the bank Monday, allowing Northwest to move forward with the project. Council first considered the agreement Aug. 10 and approved a final development plan for Bridge North last month. See a previous report from NBC4 in the video player above. Northwest Chief Financial Officer Doug Schosser said unlike the current Easton office, the new headquarters will place customers in the building alongside its corporate workforce. Plans call for a public financial center and wealth management services on the ground floor, with corporate offices above. "I am most excited about the fact that we'll be welcoming customers into our new headquarters as much as we'll be welcoming the entire leadership team and management group into the building," Schosser said. The bank expects the Dublin office to house functions including finance, treasury, investor relations, marketing and customer experience, along with leadership for its consumer banking operations. Schosser said Dublin's walkability, restaurants and other amenities were factors in the selection, particularly as Northwest looks to recruit employees while its corporate workforce is in the office four days per week. The move comes as Northwest expands its retail banking presence in central Ohio. Its first regional financial center opened in New Albany in July, with four more locations - near Ohio State, in Gahanna and Westerville and another in the Columbus area - planned by the second quarter of 2027. Northwest moved its headquarters from Pennsylvania to Columbus in 2021. Schosser said the latest move reflects the bank's growth in central Ohio and its desire for more space and greater control over how its headquarters is designed and operated. The company's Easton lease runs through 2031 and includes extension options, Schosser said. Northwest has not determined what will happen to that space after the Dublin headquarters opens. Under the agreement approved by Dublin, the city will provide Northwest a five-year performance incentive equal to 15% of income-tax withholdings generated by new employees from 2030 through 2034, capped at $460,000. The bank can also receive a $50,000 location grant after executing its expected 15-year lease and obtaining an occupancy permit. Schosser said the incentives were important to the overall financing but were not the primary reason Northwest chose Dublin. "The primary factor got back to what kind of environment can we create for the business, for our employees, and how can we take advantage of the growth that we've had in central Ohio," he said. Northwest Bank operates 152 full-service financial centers and 11 drive-up locations across Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York and Indiana.