Northwest Bancshares receives approvals for merger with Penns Woods Bancorp
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Apr 23 2025
0mins
Should l Buy NWBI?
Merger Approval: Northwest Bancshares has received all necessary regulatory and shareholder approvals to merge with Penns Woods Bancorp and its subsidiary banks, Jersey Shore State Bank and Luzerne Bank.
Completion Timeline: The merger is expected to be finalized by late July following approvals from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities, and a waiver from the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland.
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Analyst Views on NWBI
Wall Street analysts forecast NWBI stock price to fall over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for NWBI is 13.00 USD with a low forecast of 13.00 USD and a high forecast of 13.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
2 Analyst Rating
1 Buy
1 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 13.240
Low
13.00
Averages
13.00
High
13.00
Current: 13.240
Low
13.00
Averages
13.00
High
13.00
About NWBI
Northwest Bancshares, Inc. is a bank holding for Northwest Bank (the Bank). Northwest Bank is a Pennsylvania-chartered savings bank. The Bank is a full-service financial institution which offers a complete line of business and consumer banking products, as well as employee benefits and wealth management services. The Bank operates approximately 151 full-service financial centers and eight drive-up locations across Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, and Indiana. Its principal lending activities are the origination of loans secured by first mortgages on owner-occupied, one-to-four-family residences, shorter-term consumer loans, and commercial business and commercial real estate loans. It offers other consumer loans, such as direct and indirect automobile loans, sales finance loans, credit card loans, and others. Its principal sources of funds are personal and business deposits, borrowed funds and the principal and interest payments on loans and marketable securities.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Northwest Bancshares Q4 2025 Earnings Call Highlights
- Successful Acquisition Integration: Northwest Bancshares' acquisition of Penns Woods propelled its asset ranking into the top 100 U.S. banks, adding 20 new financial centers and thousands of customers, driving total revenue to $655 million for 2025, showcasing robust market expansion capabilities.
- Loan Growth Momentum: The commercial banking sector achieved a 26% year-over-year growth rate, particularly in SBA lending, positioning Northwest among the top 50 originators in the U.S., highlighting its competitive edge and growth potential in the market.
- Strong Financial Performance: The fourth quarter reported a GAAP EPS of $0.31 and an adjusted EPS of $0.33, with net interest income increasing by 4.6% quarter-over-quarter and net interest margin rising to 3.69%, reflecting effective management in cost control and revenue growth.
- Optimistic Future Outlook: Management anticipates loan growth in 2026 to be in the low to mid-single digits, with revenue targets set between $710 million and $730 million, demonstrating confidence in future market opportunities and a strategic plan for sustained growth.
See More
Northwest Bancshares Declares Quarterly Dividend
- Quarterly Dividend Announcement: Northwest Bancshares (NWBI) declares a quarterly dividend of $0.20 per share, consistent with previous distributions, indicating the company's ongoing ability to maintain stable cash flows.
- Dividend Yield: The forward yield of 6.25% makes this dividend attractive to income-seeking investors, potentially enhancing its appeal in the market.
- Shareholder Record Date: The dividend will be payable on February 18, with a record date of February 5 and an ex-dividend date also on February 5, ensuring shareholders receive their earnings promptly.
- Market Reaction: Despite the stable dividend, the market has downgraded its rating on Northwest Bancshares, reflecting investor concerns about its future growth potential, which may impact its stock price performance.
See More
Northwest Bancshares Q4 Earnings Exceed Expectations
- Earnings Beat: Northwest Bancshares reported a Q4 non-GAAP EPS of $0.33, exceeding expectations by $0.02, indicating sustained profitability improvements that bolster investor confidence.
- Significant Revenue Growth: The company achieved revenues of $179 million in Q4, a 16.0% year-over-year increase, surpassing expectations by $48,200, reflecting strong business momentum that may attract more investor interest.
- Mixed Market Ratings: Despite the strong performance, market ratings for Northwest Bancshares have been downgraded, suggesting analysts have divergent views on its future growth potential, which could impact stock performance.
- Investment Appeal: The bank is considered undervalued with a 7% yield, drawing attention from certain investors and highlighting potential investment opportunities in the current market environment.
See More
Northwest Bancshares (NWBI) to Announce Q4 Earnings on January 26, EPS Estimate at $0.31
- Earnings Announcement Schedule: Northwest Bancshares is set to release its Q4 2023 earnings report on January 26 after market close, with a consensus EPS estimate of $0.31, reflecting a 14.8% year-over-year growth, indicating stable profitability.
- Revenue Growth Expectations: The anticipated revenue for Q4 is $174.18 million, representing a 12.9% year-over-year increase, showcasing the company's ongoing growth potential despite economic challenges.
- Historical Performance Metrics: Over the past two years, Northwest Bancshares has beaten EPS estimates 88% of the time and revenue estimates 63% of the time, demonstrating reliability in financial forecasting.
- Revision Trends: In the last three months, EPS estimates have seen one upward revision and four downward adjustments, while revenue estimates have experienced one upward revision and two downward adjustments, indicating analyst divergence regarding the company's future performance.
See More
Northwest Bancshares to Release Q4 2025 Financial Results on January 27
- Earnings Call Schedule: Northwest Bancshares plans to host a conference call on January 27, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. EST to review its Q4 2025 financial results, with supporting data set to be released after market close on January 26, ensuring timely access to critical information for investors.
- Investor Participation: The general public can register for the conference call via the company's website, and upon registration, they will receive instructions for downloading the meeting calendar event and signing up for email reminders, enhancing investor engagement and information transparency.
- Annual Shareholders Meeting: The company anticipates holding its 2026 Annual Meeting on May 20, 2026, with further details to be provided in the proxy statement, ensuring shareholders are informed about governance and future strategic directions.
- Company Background: Founded in 1896 and headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Northwest Bank operates 151 full-service financial centers and 11 free-standing drive-up facilities, offering a complete line of business and personal banking products, demonstrating its long-term stability and market position in the financial services sector.
See More
Northwest Bancshares to Release Q4 2025 Financial Results on January 27
- Earnings Release Schedule: Northwest Bancshares plans to host a conference call on January 27, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. EST to review its Q4 2025 financial results, with supporting data set to be released after market close on January 26, ensuring timely access to critical information for investors.
- Conference Call Registration: The general public can register for the call via the company's website, receiving instructions for downloading the meeting calendar event and signing up for email reminders, which enhances engagement and ensures investors do not miss important updates.
- Annual Meeting Announcement: The company anticipates holding its 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders on May 20, 2026, with additional details to be provided in the proxy statement, reflecting the company's commitment to shareholder communication.
- Company Background: Founded in 1896, Northwest Bank operates 151 full-service financial centers, offering a complete line of business and personal banking products, demonstrating its long-term stability and market position in the financial services sector.
See More
Northwest Bancshares Q4 2025 Earnings Call Highlights
- Successful Acquisition Integration: Northwest Bancshares' acquisition of Penns Woods propelled its asset ranking into the top 100 U.S. banks, adding 20 new financial centers and thousands of customers, driving total revenue to $655 million for 2025, showcasing robust market expansion capabilities.
- Loan Growth Momentum: The commercial banking sector achieved a 26% year-over-year growth rate, particularly in SBA lending, positioning Northwest among the top 50 originators in the U.S., highlighting its competitive edge and growth potential in the market.
- Strong Financial Performance: The fourth quarter reported a GAAP EPS of $0.31 and an adjusted EPS of $0.33, with net interest income increasing by 4.6% quarter-over-quarter and net interest margin rising to 3.69%, reflecting effective management in cost control and revenue growth.
- Optimistic Future Outlook: Management anticipates loan growth in 2026 to be in the low to mid-single digits, with revenue targets set between $710 million and $730 million, demonstrating confidence in future market opportunities and a strategic plan for sustained growth.
See More
Northwest Bancshares Declares Quarterly Dividend
- Quarterly Dividend Announcement: Northwest Bancshares (NWBI) declares a quarterly dividend of $0.20 per share, consistent with previous distributions, indicating the company's ongoing ability to maintain stable cash flows.
- Dividend Yield: The forward yield of 6.25% makes this dividend attractive to income-seeking investors, potentially enhancing its appeal in the market.
- Shareholder Record Date: The dividend will be payable on February 18, with a record date of February 5 and an ex-dividend date also on February 5, ensuring shareholders receive their earnings promptly.
- Market Reaction: Despite the stable dividend, the market has downgraded its rating on Northwest Bancshares, reflecting investor concerns about its future growth potential, which may impact its stock price performance.
See More
Northwest Bancshares Q4 Earnings Exceed Expectations
- Earnings Beat: Northwest Bancshares reported a Q4 non-GAAP EPS of $0.33, exceeding expectations by $0.02, indicating sustained profitability improvements that bolster investor confidence.
- Significant Revenue Growth: The company achieved revenues of $179 million in Q4, a 16.0% year-over-year increase, surpassing expectations by $48,200, reflecting strong business momentum that may attract more investor interest.
- Mixed Market Ratings: Despite the strong performance, market ratings for Northwest Bancshares have been downgraded, suggesting analysts have divergent views on its future growth potential, which could impact stock performance.
- Investment Appeal: The bank is considered undervalued with a 7% yield, drawing attention from certain investors and highlighting potential investment opportunities in the current market environment.
See More
Northwest Bancshares (NWBI) to Announce Q4 Earnings on January 26, EPS Estimate at $0.31
- Earnings Announcement Schedule: Northwest Bancshares is set to release its Q4 2023 earnings report on January 26 after market close, with a consensus EPS estimate of $0.31, reflecting a 14.8% year-over-year growth, indicating stable profitability.
- Revenue Growth Expectations: The anticipated revenue for Q4 is $174.18 million, representing a 12.9% year-over-year increase, showcasing the company's ongoing growth potential despite economic challenges.
- Historical Performance Metrics: Over the past two years, Northwest Bancshares has beaten EPS estimates 88% of the time and revenue estimates 63% of the time, demonstrating reliability in financial forecasting.
- Revision Trends: In the last three months, EPS estimates have seen one upward revision and four downward adjustments, while revenue estimates have experienced one upward revision and two downward adjustments, indicating analyst divergence regarding the company's future performance.
See More
Northwest Bancshares to Release Q4 2025 Financial Results on January 27
- Earnings Call Schedule: Northwest Bancshares plans to host a conference call on January 27, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. EST to review its Q4 2025 financial results, with supporting data set to be released after market close on January 26, ensuring timely access to critical information for investors.
- Investor Participation: The general public can register for the conference call via the company's website, and upon registration, they will receive instructions for downloading the meeting calendar event and signing up for email reminders, enhancing investor engagement and information transparency.
- Annual Shareholders Meeting: The company anticipates holding its 2026 Annual Meeting on May 20, 2026, with further details to be provided in the proxy statement, ensuring shareholders are informed about governance and future strategic directions.
- Company Background: Founded in 1896 and headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Northwest Bank operates 151 full-service financial centers and 11 free-standing drive-up facilities, offering a complete line of business and personal banking products, demonstrating its long-term stability and market position in the financial services sector.
See More
Northwest Bancshares to Release Q4 2025 Financial Results on January 27
- Earnings Release Schedule: Northwest Bancshares plans to host a conference call on January 27, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. EST to review its Q4 2025 financial results, with supporting data set to be released after market close on January 26, ensuring timely access to critical information for investors.
- Conference Call Registration: The general public can register for the call via the company's website, receiving instructions for downloading the meeting calendar event and signing up for email reminders, which enhances engagement and ensures investors do not miss important updates.
- Annual Meeting Announcement: The company anticipates holding its 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders on May 20, 2026, with additional details to be provided in the proxy statement, reflecting the company's commitment to shareholder communication.
- Company Background: Founded in 1896, Northwest Bank operates 151 full-service financial centers, offering a complete line of business and personal banking products, demonstrating its long-term stability and market position in the financial services sector.
See More
