NWBI US Equity☆

ITEM 1A.RISK FACTORS

In addition to factors discussed in the description of our business and elsewhere in this report, the following are factors that could adversely affect our future results of operations and financial condition.

Risks Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic

The economic impact of the COVID-19 outbreak could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

In December 2019, COVID-19 was reported in China, and, in March 2020, the World Health Organization declared it a pandemic. In March 2020, the COVID-19 outbreak was declared a national emergency in the United States. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant economic dislocation in the United States as many state and local governments have ordered non-essential businesses to close and residents to shelter in place at home. This has resulted in an unprecedented slow-down in economic activity and a related increase in unemployment. Since the COVID-19 outbreak, millions of individuals have filed claims for unemployment, and stock markets have declined in value and in particular, bank stocks have significantly declined in value. In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Federal Reserve Board has reduced the benchmark federal funds rate to a target range of 0% to 0.25%, and the yields on 10 and 30-year treasury notes have declined to historic lows. Various state governments and federal agencies are requiring lenders to provide forbearance and other relief to borrowers (e.g., waiving late payment and other fees). The federal banking agencies have encouraged financial institutions to prudently work with affected borrowers and recently passed legislation has provided relief from reporting loan classifications due to modifications related to the COVID-19 outbreak. Certain industries have been particularly hard-hit, including the travel and hospitality industry, the restaurant industry and the retail industry. Finally, the spread of the coronavirus has caused us to modify our business practices, including employee travel, employee work locations, and cancellation of physical participation in meetings, events and conferences. We have many employees working remotely and we may take further actions as may be required by government authorities or that we determine are in the best interests of our employees, customers and business partners.

Given the ongoing and dynamic nature of the circumstances, it is difficult to predict the full impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on our business. The extent of such impact will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain, including when the coronavirus can be controlled and abated and when and how the economy may be reopened. As the result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the related adverse local and national economic consequences, we could be subject to any of the following risks, any of which could have a material, adverse effect on our business, financial condition, liquidity, and results of operations:

•demand for our products and services may decline, making it difficult to grow assets and income;

•if the economy is unable to substantially reopen and high levels of unemployment continue for an extended period of time, loan delinquencies, problem assets, and foreclosures may increase, resulting in increased charges and reduced income;

•collateral for loans, especially real estate, may decline in value, which could cause credit losses to increase;

•our allowance for credit losses may have to be increased if borrowers experience financial difficulties beyond forbearance periods, which will adversely affect our net income;

•the net worth and liquidity of loan guarantors may decline, impairing their ability to honor commitments to us;

•as the result of the decline in the Federal Reserve Board’s target federal funds rate to near 0%, the yield on our assets may decline to a greater extent than the decline in our cost of interest-bearing liabilities, reducing our net interest margin and spread and reducing net income;

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•a material decrease in net income or a net loss over several quarters could result in a decrease in the rate of our quarterly cash dividend;

•our wealth management revenues may decline with continuing market turmoil;

•our cyber security risks are increased as the result of an increase in the number of employees working remotely;

•a prolonged weakness in economic conditions resulting in a reduction of future projected earnings could result in our recording a valuation allowance against our current outstanding deferred tax assets;

•litigation, regulatory enforcement risk and reputation risk regarding our participation in the Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP") and the risk that the Small Business Administration ("SBA") may not fund some or all PPP loan guarantees;

•the occurrence of what management would deem to be a triggering event that could, under certain circumstances, cause management to perform impairment testing on our goodwill or core deposit and customer relationships intangibles that could result in an impairment charge being recorded for that period, that would adversely impact our results of operations and the ability of Northwest Bank to pay dividends to us;

•we rely on third party vendors for certain services and the unavailability of a critical service due to the COVID-19 outbreak could have an adverse effect on us; and

•FDIC premiums may increase if the agency experience additional resolution costs.

Moreover, our future success and profitability substantially depends on the management skills of our executive officers and directors, many of whom have held officer and director positions with us for many years. The unanticipated loss or unavailability of key employees due to the outbreak could harm our ability to operate our business or execute our business strategy. We may not be successful in finding and integrating suitable successors in the event of key employee loss or unavailability.

Any one or a combination of the factors identified above could negatively impact our business, financial condition and results of operations and prospects.

Risk Related to our Lending Activities

Our commercial loan portfolio is increasing and the inherently higher risk of loss may lead to additional provisions for credit losses or charge-offs, which would negatively impact earnings and capital.

Commercial loans generally expose a lender to greater risk of non-payment and loss than one- to four-family residential mortgage loans because repayment of the loans often depends on the successful operation of the business and the income stream of the borrowers. Such loans typically involve larger loan balances to single borrowers or groups of related borrowers compared to one- to four-family residential mortgage loans. Also, many of our commercial borrowers have more than one loan outstanding with us. Consequently, an adverse development with respect to one loan or one credit relationship can expose us to a significantly greater risk of loss compared to an adverse development with respect to a one- to four-family residential mortgage loan. Commercial business loans expose us to additional risk since they typically are dependent on the borrower’s ability to make repayments from the cash flows of the business and are secured by non-real estate collateral that may depreciate over time. Further, our commercial business loans may be secured by collateral other than real estate, such as inventory and accounts receivable, the value of which may be more difficult to appraise, control or collect and may be more susceptible to fluctuation in value at the time of default.

The level of our commercial real estate loan portfolio may subject us to additional regulatory scrutiny.

The FDIC and the other federal bank regulatory agencies have promulgated joint guidance on sound risk management practices for financial institutions with concentrations in commercial real estate lending. Under the guidance, a financial institution that, like us, is actively involved in commercial real estate lending should perform a risk assessment to identify concentrations. A financial institution may have a concentration in commercial real estate lending if, among other factors, (i) total reported loans for construction, land acquisition and development, and other land represent 100% or more of total capital, or (ii) total reported loans secured by multi-family and non-farm residential properties, loans for construction, land acquisition and development and other land, and loans otherwise sensitive to the general commercial real estate market, including loans to commercial real estate related entities, represent 300% or more of total capital. Based on these factors, we have a concentration in multi-family and commercial real estate lending, as such loans represent 473.7% of total bank capital as of December 31, 2020. The particular focus of the guidance is on exposure to commercial real estate loans that are dependent on the cash flow from the real estate held as collateral and that are likely to be at greater risk to conditions in the commercial real estate market (as opposed to real estate collateral held as a secondary source of repayment or as an abundance of caution). The purpose of the guidance is to guide banks in developing risk management practices and capital levels commensurate with the level and nature of real estate concentrations. The guidance states that management should employ heightened risk management practices including board and management oversight and strategic planning, development of underwriting standards, risk assessment and monitoring through market analysis and stress testing. While we believe we have implemented policies and procedures with respect to our commercial real estate loan portfolio consistent with this guidance, bank regulators could require us to implement additional policies and procedures consistent with their interpretation of the guidance that

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may result in additional costs to us or that may result in a curtailment of our multi-family and commercial real estate lending that would adversely affect our loan originations and profitability.

If the allowance for credit losses is not sufficient to cover actual credit losses, our earnings could decrease.

Our customers may not repay their loans according to the original terms, and the collateral, if any, securing the payment of these loans may be insufficient to pay any remaining loan balance. We may experience significant credit losses, which may have a material adverse effect on operating results. We make various assumptions and judgments about the collectability of the loan portfolio, including the creditworthiness of borrowers and the value of the real estate and other assets serving as collateral for the repayment of loans. If our assumptions prove to be incorrect, the allowance for credit losses may not be sufficient to cover losses inherent in our loan portfolio, resulting in additions to the allowance. Material additions to the allowance would materially decrease net income.

Our emphasis on originating commercial real estate and commercial loans is one of the more significant factors in evaluating the allowance for credit losses. As we continue to increase the amount of such loans, increased provisions for credit losses may be necessary, which would decrease our earnings. In addition, any future credit deterioration, including as a result of COVID-19, could require us to increase our allowance for credit losses in the future.

Bank regulators periodically review our allowance for credit losses and may require an increase to the provision for credit losses or further loan charge-offs. Any increase in our allowance for credit losses or loan charge-offs as required by these regulatory authorities may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition.

We are subject to regulatory enforcement risk and reputation risk regarding our participation in the PPP, we are party to litigation with respect to our participation in the PPP, and we are subject to the risk that the SBA may not fund some or all PPP loan guarantees.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security ("CARES") Act included the PPP as a loan program administered through the SBA. Under the PPP, small businesses and other entities and individuals can apply for loans from existing SBA lenders and other approved regulated lenders that enroll in the program, subject to detailed qualifications and eligibility criteria.

Because of the short timeframe between the passing of the CARES Act and implementation of the PPP, some of the rules and guidance relating to PPP were issued after lenders began processing PPP applications. Also, there was and continues to be uncertainty in the laws, rules and guidance relating to the PPP. Since the opening of the PPP, several banks have been subject to litigation regarding the procedures used in processing PPP applications, and several banks have been subject to litigation regarding the payment of fees to agents that assisted borrowers in obtaining PPP loans. In addition, some banks and borrowers have received negative media attention associated with PPP loans. Although we believe that we have administered the PPP in accordance with all applicable laws, regulations and guidance, we may be exposed to litigation risk and negative media attention related to our participation in the PPP. If any such litigation is not resolved in our favor, it may result in significant financial liability to us or adversely affect our reputation. In addition, litigation can be costly, regardless of outcome. Any financial liability, litigation costs or reputational damage caused by PPP-related litigation or media attention could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

The PPP has also attracted interest from federal and state enforcement authorities, oversight agencies, regulators, and U.S. Congressional committees. State Attorneys General and other federal and state agencies may assert that they are not subject to the provisions of the CARES Act and the PPP regulations entitling us to rely on borrower certifications, and take more aggressive action against us for alleged violations of the provisions governing the PPP. Federal and state regulators can impose or request that we consent to substantial sanctions, restrictions and requirements if they determine there are violations of laws, rules or regulations or weaknesses or failures with respect to general standards of safety and soundness, which could adversely affect our business, reputation, results of operations and financial condition, and thereby adversely affect your investment.

We also have credit risk on PPP loans if the SBA determines that there is a deficiency in the manner in which we originated, funded or serviced loans, including any issue with the eligibility of a borrower to receive a PPP loan. In the event of a loss resulting from a default on a PPP loan and a determination by the SBA that there was a deficiency in the manner in which we originated, funded or serviced a PPP loan, the SBA may deny its liability under the guaranty, reduce the amount of the guaranty or, if the SBA has already paid under the guaranty, seek recovery of any loss related to the deficiency from us.

We could become subject to more stringent capital requirements, which could adversely impact our return on equity, require us to raise additional capital, or constrain us from paying dividends or repurchasing shares.

Federal regulations establish minimum capital requirements for insured depository institutions, including minimum risk-based capital and leverage ratios, and define “capital” for calculating these ratios. The minimum capital requirements are: (i) a

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common equity Tier 1 capital ratio of 4.5%; (ii) a Tier 1 to risk-based assets capital ratio of 6% (increased from 4%); (iii) a total capital ratio of 8% (unchanged from current rules); and (iv) a Tier 1 leverage ratio of 4%. Unrealized gains and losses on certain “available-for-sale” securities holdings are to be included for purposes of calculating regulatory capital requirements unless a one-time opt-out was exercised. The Bank exercised this one-time opt-out option. The regulations also establish a “capital conservation buffer” of 2.5% and the following minimum ratios: (i) a common equity Tier 1 capital ratio of 7%, (ii) a Tier 1 to risk-based assets capital ratio of 8.5%, and (iii) a total capital ratio of 10.5%. An institution will be subject to limitations on paying dividends, engaging in share repurchases, and paying discretionary bonuses if its capital level falls below the buffer amount. These limitations will establish a maximum percentage of eligible retained income that can be utilized for such actions.

At December 31, 2020, Northwest Bank has met all of these requirements, including the full 2.5% capital conservation buffer.

The application of more stringent capital requirements could, among other things, result in lower returns on equity, require the raising of additional capital, and result in regulatory actions if we were to be unable to comply with such requirements. Furthermore, the imposition of liquidity requirements in connection with the implementation of Basel III could result in our having to lengthen the term of our funding, restructure our business models, and/or increase our holdings of liquid assets. Implementation of changes to asset risk weightings for risk-based capital calculations, items included or deducted in calculating regulatory capital and/or additional capital conservation buffers could result in management modifying its business strategy, and could limit our ability to make distributions, including paying out dividends or buying back shares. Specifically, Northwest Bank’s ability to pay dividends will be limited if it does not have the capital conservation buffer required by the capital rules, which may limit our ability to pay dividends to stockholders.

We are subject to environmental liability risk associated with lending activities.

A significant portion of our loan portfolio is secured by real estate, and we could become subject to environmental liabilities with respect to one or more of these properties. During the ordinary course of business, we may foreclose on and take title to properties securing defaulted loans. In doing so, there is a risk that hazardous or toxic substances could be found on these properties. If hazardous conditions or toxic substances are found on these properties, we may be liable for remediation costs, as well as for personal injury and property damage, civil fines and criminal penalties regardless of when the hazardous conditions or toxic substances first affected any particular property. Environmental laws may require us to incur substantial expenses to address unknown liabilities and may materially reduce the affected property’s value or limit our ability to use or sell the affected property. In addition, future laws or more stringent interpretations or enforcement policies with respect to existing laws may increase our exposure to environmental liability. Although we have policies and procedures to perform an environmental review before initiating any foreclosure action on nonresidential real property, these reviews may not be sufficient to detect all potential environmental hazards. The remediation costs and any other financial liabilities associated with an environmental hazard could have a material adverse effect on us.

Risks Related to Laws and Regulations

Changes in laws and regulations and the cost of compliance with new laws and regulations may adversely affect our operations and our income.

The Company and Northwest Bank are subject to extensive regulation, supervision and examination by the Federal Reserve Board, the Department of Banking and the FDIC. These regulatory authorities have extensive discretion in connection with their supervisory and enforcement activities, including the ability to impose restrictions on Northwest Bank’s operations, reclassify assets, determine the adequacy of Northwest Bank’s allowance for credit losses and determine the level of deposit insurance premiums assessed. The laws and regulations applicable to us are subject to frequent change and interpretations. Any change in these regulations and oversight, whether in the form of regulatory policy, new regulations or legislation or additional deposit insurance premiums could have a material impact on our operations.

The potential exists for additional federal or state laws and regulations, or changes in policy, affecting lending and funding practices and liquidity standards. Moreover, bank regulatory agencies have been active in responding to concerns and trends identified in examinations, and have issued many formal enforcement orders requiring capital ratios in excess of regulatory requirements. Bank regulatory agencies, such as the Federal Reserve Board, the Department of Banking, the CFPB and the FDIC, govern the activities in which we may engage, primarily for the protection of depositors, and not for the protection or benefit of potential investors. In addition, new laws and regulations may increase our costs of regulatory compliance and of doing business, and otherwise affect our operations. New laws and regulations may significantly affect the markets in which we do business, the markets for and value of our loans and investments, the fees we can charge and our ongoing operations, costs and profitability.

Non-compliance with the USA PATRIOT Act, Bank Secrecy Act, or other laws and regulations could result in fines or sanctions.

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The USA PATRIOT and Bank Secrecy Acts require financial institutions to develop programs to prevent financial institutions from being used for money laundering and terrorist activities. If such activities are detected, financial institutions are obligated to file suspicious activity reports with the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. These rules require financial institutions to establish procedures for identifying and verifying the identity of customers seeking to open new financial accounts. Failure to comply with these regulations could result in fines or sanctions or affect our ability to pursue further acquisition opportunities. During the last year, several banking institutions have received large fines for non-compliance with these laws and regulations. While we have developed policies and procedures designed to assist in compliance with these laws and regulations, these policies and procedures may not be effective in preventing violations of these laws and regulations.

We are subject to the Community Reinvestment Act and fair lending laws, and failure to comply with these laws could lead to material penalties.

The Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”), the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Fair Housing Act and other fair lending laws and regulations impose nondiscriminatory lending requirements on financial institutions. A successful regulatory challenge to an institution’s performance under the CRA or fair lending laws and regulations could result in a wide variety of sanctions, including the required payment of damages and civil money penalties, injunctive relief, imposition of restrictions on mergers and acquisitions activity and restrictions on expansion. Private parties may also have the ability to challenge an institution’s performance under fair lending laws in private class action litigation. Such actions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The Federal Reserve Board may require us to commit capital resources to support Northwest Bank.

Federal law requires that a holding company act as a source of financial and managerial strength to its subsidiary bank and to commit resources to support such subsidiary bank. Under the “source of strength” doctrine, the Federal Reserve Board may require a holding company to make capital injections into a troubled subsidiary bank and may charge the holding company with engaging in unsafe and unsound practices for failure to commit resources to a subsidiary bank. A capital injection may be required at times when the holding company may not have the resources to provide it and therefore may be required to borrow the funds or raise capital. Any loans by a holding company to its subsidiary bank are subordinate in right of payment to deposits and to certain other indebtedness of such subsidiary bank. In the event of a holding company’s bankruptcy, the bankruptcy trustee will assume any commitment by the holding company to a federal bank regulatory agency to maintain the capital of a subsidiary bank. Moreover, bankruptcy law provides that claims based on any such commitment will be entitled to a priority of payment over the claims of the institution’s general unsecured creditors, including the holders of its note obligations. Thus, any borrowing that must be done by the Company to make a required capital injection becomes more difficult and expensive and could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Future legislative or regulatory actions responding to perceived financial and market problems could impair our ability to foreclose on collateral.

There have been proposals made by members of Congress and others that would reduce the amount distressed borrowers are otherwise contractually obligated to pay under their mortgage loans and limit an institution’s ability to foreclose on mortgage collateral. Were proposals such as these, or other proposals limiting our rights as a creditor, to be implemented, we could experience increased credit losses or increased expense in pursuing our remedies as a creditor.

Legal and regulatory proceedings and related matters could adversely affect us or the financial services industry in general.

We, and other participants in the financial services industry upon whom we rely to operate, have been and may in the future become involved in legal and regulatory proceedings. Most of the proceedings we consider to be in the normal course of our business are typical for the industry; however, it is inherently difficult to assess the outcome of these matters, and other participants in the financial services industry or we may not prevail in any proceeding or litigation. There could be substantial cost and management diversion in such litigation and proceedings, and any adverse determination could have a materially adverse effect on our business, brand or image, or our financial condition and results of our operations.

Monetary policies and regulations of the Federal Reserve Board could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

In addition to being affected by general economic conditions, our earnings and growth are affected by the policies of the Federal Reserve Board. An important function of the Federal Reserve Board is to regulate the money supply and credit conditions. Among the instruments used by the Federal Reserve Board to implement these objectives are open market purchases and sales of U.S. government securities, adjustments of the discount rate and changes in banks’ reserve requirements against bank deposits. These instruments are

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used in varying combinations to influence overall economic growth and the distribution of credit, bank loans, investments and deposits. Their use also affects interest rates charged on loans or paid on deposits.

The monetary policies and regulations of the Federal Reserve Board have had a significant effect on the operating results of financial institutions in the past and are expected to continue to do so in the future. The effects of such policies upon our business, financial condition and results of operations cannot be predicted.

Provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act that are applicable to savings banks and their holding companies with $10 billion or more in assets may decrease our fee income and increase our operating costs or otherwise have a material effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

The Dodd-Frank Act resulted in several new requirements for banking institutions with $10 billion or more in assets. As of December 31, 2020, we had consolidated assets of $13.806 billion. These provisions, subject to a phase-in period, may significantly increase our compliance or operating costs or otherwise have a significant impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Such provisions include:

•The Dodd-Frank Act created the CFPB, which has broad powers to supervise and enforce consumer protection laws. The CFPB has broad rule-making authority for a wide range of consumer protection laws that apply to all banks, including the authority to prohibit “unfair, deceptive or abusive” acts and practices. Currently, the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and the FDIC examine Northwest Bank for compliance with consumer protection laws. However, the CFPB has examination and enforcement authority over all banks with more than $10 billion in assets, and accordingly will assume examination and enforcement authority over us, subject to a phase in period.

•Interchange fees for electronic debt transactions by a payment card issuer would be limited to $0.21 plus five basis points times the value of the transaction, plus up to $0.01 for fraud prevention costs. This would lower significantly our interchange or “swipe” revenue. We estimate this decrease in interchange fee income to be approximately $8.0 million, before tax for the year end December 31, 2021.

•The Dodd-Frank Act established 1.35% as the minimum DIF reserve ratio and the FDIC has adopted a plan under which it will meet the statutory minimum fund reserve ratio of 1.35% by September 30, 2020. The Dodd-Frank Act requires the FDIC to offset the effect of the increase in the statutory minimum fund reserve ratio to 1.35% from the former statutory minimum of 1.15% on institutions with assets less than $10 billion. We will not be entitled to benefit from the offset.

•The Dodd-Frank Act requires a publicly traded savings and loan holding company with $10 billion or more in assets to establish and maintain a risk committee responsible for oversight of enterprise-wide risk management practices, which must be commensurate with the bank’s structure, risk profile, complexity, activities and size.

It is difficult to predict the overall compliance cost of these provisions. However, compliance with these provisions would likely require additional staffing, engagement of external consultants and other operating costs that could have a material adverse effect on our future financial condition and results of operations.

Risk Related to Market Interest Rates

Changes in interest rates could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

While we strive to control the impact of changes in interest rates on our net income, our results of operations and financial condition could be significantly affected by changes in interest rates. Our results of operations depend substantially on our net interest income, which is the difference between the interest income we earn on our interest-earning assets, such as loans and investment securities, and the interest expense we pay on our interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits, borrowings and trust preferred securities. Because it is difficult to perfectly match the maturities and cash flows from our financial assets and liabilities our net income could be adversely impacted by changes in the level of interest rates or the slope of the Treasury yield curve.

Changes in interest rates may also affect the average life of loans and mortgage-related securities. Decreases in interest rates can result in increased prepayments of loans and mortgage-related securities, as borrowers refinance to reduce their borrowing costs. Under these circumstances, we are subject to reinvestment risk to the extent that we are unable to reinvest the cash received from such prepayments at rates that are comparable to the rates on existing loans and investment securities. Additionally, increases in interest rates may decrease loan demand and make it more difficult for borrowers to repay adjustable rate loans. Also, increases in interest rates may extend the life of fixed rate assets, which would restrict our ability to reinvest in higher yielding alternatives, and may result in customers withdrawing certificates of deposit early so long as the early withdrawal penalty is less than the interest they could receive as a result of the higher interest rates.

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Changes in interest rates also affect the current fair value of our interest-earning investment securities portfolio. Generally, the value of securities moves inversely with changes in interest rates. At December 31, 2020, the fair value of our investment and mortgage-backed securities portfolio totaled $1,578.6 million. Net unrealized gains on these securities totaled $24.0 million at December 31, 2020.

Any increase in market interest rates may reduce our mortgage banking income. We generate revenues primarily from gains on the sale of mortgage loans to investors, and from the amortization of deferred mortgage servicing rights. We recognized noninterest income of $3.8 million on mortgage banking activities during the year ended December 31, 2020. We also earn interest on loans held for sale while awaiting delivery to our investors. In a rising or higher interest rate environment, our mortgage loan originations may decrease, resulting in fewer loans that are available for sale. This would result in a decrease in interest income and a decrease in revenues from loan sales. In addition, our results of operations are affected by the amount of noninterest expense associated with mortgage banking activities, such as salaries and employee benefits, occupancy, equipment, data processing and other operating costs. During periods of reduced loan demand, our results of operations may be adversely affected to the extent that we are unable to reduce expenses commensurate with the decline in mortgage loan origination activity.

At December 31, 2020, our interest rate risk analysis indicated that the market value of our equity would decrease by 5.5% if there was an instant parallel 200 basis point increase in market interest rates. See “Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.”

A continuation of the historically low interest rate environment and the possibility that we may access higher-cost funds to support our loan growth and operations may adversely affect our net interest income and profitability.

In recent years the Federal Reserve Board’s policy has been to maintain interest rates at historically low levels through its targeted federal funds rate and the purchase of mortgage-backed securities. Our ability to reduce our interest expense may be limited at current interest rate levels while the average yield on our interest-earning assets may continue to decrease, and our interest expense may increase as we access non-core funding sources or increase deposit rates to fund our operations. A continuation of a low interest rate environment or an increase in our cost of funds may adversely affect our net interest income, which would have an adverse effect on our profitability.

Risk Related to our Business Strategy

Acquisitions may disrupt our business and dilute stockholder value.

We regularly evaluate merger and acquisition opportunities with other financial institutions and financial services companies.As a result, negotiations may take place and future mergers or acquisitions involving cash, debt, or equity securities may occur at any time.We would seek acquisition partners that offer us either significant market presence or the potential to expand our market footprint and improve profitability through economies of scale or expanded services.

Acquiring other banks, businesses, or branches may have an adverse effect on our financial results and may involve various other risks commonly associated with acquisitions, including, among other things:

•difficulty in estimating the value of the target company;

•payment of a premium over book and market values that may dilute our tangible book value and earnings per share in the short and long term;

•potential exposure to unknown or contingent liabilities of the target company;

•exposure to potential asset quality problems of the target company;

•potential volatility in reported income associated with goodwill impairment losses;

•difficulty and expense of integrating the operations and personnel of the target company;

•inability to realize the expected revenue increases, cost savings, increases in geographic or product presence, and/or other projected benefits of the acquisition;

•potential disruption to our business;

•potential diversion of our management’s time and attention;

•the possible loss of key employees and customers of the target company; and

•potential changes in banking or tax laws or regulations that may affect the target company.

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Acquisitions may not enhance our cash flows, business, financial condition, results of operations or prospects as expected and such acquisitions may have an adverse effect on our results of operations, particularly during periods in which the acquisitions are being integrated into our operations.

Our continued pace of growth may require us to raise additional capital in the future, but that capital may not be available when it is needed.

We are required by federal regulatory authorities to maintain adequate levels of capital to support our operations. We anticipate that we will have sufficient capital resources to satisfy our capital requirements for the foreseeable future. We may at some point, however, need to raise additional capital to support our continued growth. If we raise capital through the issuance of additional shares of our common stock or other securities, it would dilute the ownership interests of existing stockholders and may dilute the per share book value of our common stock. New investors may also have rights, preferences and privileges senior to our current stockholders, which may adversely impact our current stockholders. Also, the need to raise additional capital may force our management to spend more time in managerial and financing-related activities than in operational activities.

Our ability to raise additional capital, if needed, will depend on conditions in the capital markets at that time, which are outside of our control, and on our financial performance. Accordingly, we may not be able to raise additional capital, if needed, with favorable terms. If we cannot raise additional capital when needed, our ability to further expand our operations through internal growth and acquisitions could be materially impaired.

New lines of business or new products and services may subject us to additional risks.

From time to time, we may implement new lines of business or offer new products and services within existing lines of business. In addition, we will continue to make investments in research, development, and marketing for new products and services. There are substantial risks and uncertainties associated with these efforts, particularly in instances where the markets are not fully developed. In developing and marketing new lines of business and/or new products and services we may invest significant time and resources. Initial timetables for the development and introduction of new lines of business and/or new products or services may not be achieved and price and profitability targets may not prove feasible. Furthermore, if customers do not perceive our new offerings as providing significant value, they may fail to accept our new products and services. External factors, such as compliance with regulations, competitive alternatives, and shifting market preferences, may also impact the successful implementation of a new line of business or a new product or service. Furthermore, the burden on management and our information technology of introducing any new line of business and/or new product or service could have a significant impact on the effectiveness of our system of internal controls. Failure to successfully manage these risks in the development and implementation of new lines of business or new products or services could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our business strategy includes growth, and our financial condition and results of operations could be negatively affected if we fail to grow or fail to manage our growth effectively.

Our business strategy includes growth in assets, deposits and the scale of our operations. Achieving our growth targets will require us to attract customers that currently bank at other financial institutions in our market, thereby increasing our share of the market. Our ability to successfully grow will depend on a variety of factors, including our ability to attract and retain experienced bankers, the continued availability of desirable business opportunities, the competitive responses from other financial institutions in our market area and our ability to manage our growth. Growth opportunities may not be available or we may not be able to manage our growth successfully. If we do not manage our growth effectively, our financial condition and operating results could be negatively affected.

Uncertainties associated with increased loan originations may result in errors in our judgment of collectability, which may lead to additional provisions for credit losses or charge-offs, which would negatively affect our operations.

Increasing loan originations would likely require us to lend to borrowers with which we have limited experience. Accordingly, we would not have a significant payment history pattern with which to judge future collectability. Further, newly originated loans have not been subjected to unfavorable economic conditions. As a result, it may be difficult to predict the future performance of newly originated loans. These loans may have delinquency or charge-off levels above our recent historical experience, which could adversely affect our future performance.

Risk Related to Economic Conditions

A worsening of economic conditions in our market area could reduce demand for our products and services and/or result in increases in our level of non-performing loans, which could adversely affect our operations, financial condition and earnings.

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Our performance is significantly impacted by the general economic conditions in our primary markets in Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, and Indiana. At December 31, 2020, 39.4% of our loan portfolio was secured by properties located in Pennsylvania, and 17.9% of our loan portfolio was secured by properties located in New York, with a large portion of the rest of our loans secured by real estate located in Ohio, and Indiana. Local economic conditions have a significant impact on the ability of our borrowers to repay loans and the value of the collateral securing loans.

A deterioration in economic conditions, as a result of COVID-19 or otherwise, could result in the following consequences, any of which could have a material adverse affect on our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations:

•demand for our products and services may decline;

•loan delinquencies, problem assets and foreclosures may increase;

•collateral for loans, especially real estate, may decline in value, in turn reducing customers’ future borrowing power, and reducing the value of assets and collateral associated with existing loans; and

•the net worth and liquidity of loan guarantors may decline, impairing their ability to honor commitments to us.

In addition, deflationary pressures, while possibly lowering our operating costs, could have a significant negative effect on our borrowers, especially our business borrowers, and the values of underlying collateral securing loans, which could negatively affect our financial performance.

Risk Related to Competitive Matters

Strong competition may limit growth and profitability.

Competition in the banking and financial services industry is intense. We compete with commercial banks, savings institutions, mortgage brokerage firms, credit unions, finance companies, fintech companies, mutual funds, insurance companies, and brokerage and investment banking firms operating locally and elsewhere. Many of these competitors (whether regional or national institutions) have substantially greater resources and lending limits than we have and may offer certain services that we do not or cannot provide. In addition, some have competitive advantages such as the credit union exemption from paying Federal income tax. Our profitability depends upon our ability to successfully compete in our market areas.

Risk Related to Operational Matters

Risks associated with system failures, interruptions, or breaches of security could negatively affect our earnings.

Information technology systems are critical to our business. We use various technology systems to manage our customer relationships, general ledger, deposits, and loans. We have established policies and procedures to prevent or limit the impact of system failures, interruptions, and security breaches, but such events may still occur or may not be adequately addressed if they do occur. In addition, any compromise of our systems could deter customers from using our products and services. Although we rely on security systems to provide security and authentication necessary to effect the secure transmission of data, these precautions may not protect our systems from compromises or breaches of security.

Our business is subject to the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act which, among other things: (i) imposes certain limitations on our ability to share nonpublic personal information about our customers with nonaffiliated third parties; (ii) requires that we provide certain disclosures to customers about our information collection, sharing and security practices and afford customers the right to “opt out” of any information sharing by us with nonaffiliated third parties (with certain exceptions); and (iii) requires that we develop, implement and maintain a written comprehensive information security program containing appropriate safeguards based on our size and complexity, the nature and scope of our activities, and the sensitivity of customer information we process, as well as plans for responding to data security breaches. Ensuring that our collection, use, transfer and storage of personal information complies with all applicable laws and regulations can increase our costs. Despite the defensive measures we take to manage our internal technological and operational infrastructure, threats may originate externally from third parties such as foreign governments, organized crime and other hackers, and outsource or infrastructure-support providers and application developers, or may originate internally from within our organization. Furthermore, we may not be able to ensure that all of our clients, suppliers, counterparties and other third parties have appropriate controls in place to protect the confidentiality of the information that they exchange with us, particularly where such information is transmitted by electronic means.

In addition, we outsource a significant amount of our data processing to certain third-party providers. If these third-party providers encounter difficulties, or if we have difficulty communicating with them, our ability to adequately process and account for transactions could be affected, and our business operations could be adversely affected. Threats to information security also exist in the processing of customer information through various other vendors and their personnel.

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The occurrence of any system failures, interruption, or breach of security could damage our reputation and result in a loss of customers and business, could subject us to additional regulatory scrutiny, or could expose us to litigation and possible financial liability. Any of these events could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Our risk management framework may not be effective in mitigating risk and reducing the potential for significant losses.

Our risk management framework is designed to minimize risk and loss to us. We seek to identify, measure, monitor, report and control our exposure to risk, including strategic, market, liquidity, credit, interest rate, compliance and operational risks. While we use a broad and diversified set of risk monitoring and mitigation techniques, these techniques are inherently limited because they cannot anticipate the existence or future development of currently unanticipated or unknown risks. Recent economic conditions and heightened legislative and regulatory scrutiny of the financial services industry, among other developments, have increased our level of risk. Accordingly, we could suffer losses as a result of our failure to properly anticipate and manage these risks.

Our business may be adversely affected by an increasing prevalence of fraud and other financial crimes.

Our loans to businesses and individuals and our deposit relationships and related transactions are subject to exposure to the risk of loss due to fraud and other financial crimes. Nationally, reported incidents of fraud and other financial crimes have increased. We have also experienced losses due to apparent fraud and other financial crimes. While we have policies and procedures designed to prevent such losses, losses may still occur.

We could be adversely affected by the soundness of other financial institutions and other third parties we rely on.

Financial services institutions are interrelated as a result of trading, clearing, counterparty or other relationships. We have exposure to many different industries and counterparties, and routinely execute transactions with counterparties in the financial services industry, including commercial banks, brokers and dealers, investment banks and other institutional customers. Many of these transactions expose us to credit risk in the event of a default by a counterparty or client. In addition, our credit risk may be exacerbated when our collateral cannot be foreclosed upon or is liquidated at prices not sufficient to recover the full amount of the credit or derivative exposure due. Furthermore, successful operation of our debit card and cash management solutions business depends on the soundness of third party processors, clearing agents and others that we rely on to conduct our merchant business. Any losses resulting from such third parties could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Risks Related to Accounting Matters

If our intangible assets, including goodwill, are either partially or fully impaired in the future, it would decrease earnings.

We are required to test our goodwill and other identifiable intangible assets for impairment on an annual basis and more regularly if indicators of impairment exist. The impairment testing process considers a variety of factors, including the current market price of our common stock, the estimated net present value of our assets and liabilities and information concerning the terminal valuation of similar insured depository institutions. Future impairment testing may result in a partial or full impairment of the value of our goodwill or other identifiable intangible assets, or both. If an impairment determination is made in a future reporting period, our earnings and the book value of these intangible assets will be reduced by the amount of the impairment. However, the recording of such an impairment loss would have no impact on the tangible book value of our shares of common stock or our regulatory capital levels.

Changes in management’s estimates and assumptions may have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements and our financial condition or operating results.

In preparing this annual report as well as periodic reports we are required to file under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including our Consolidated Financial Statements, our management is and will be required under applicable rules and regulations to make estimates and assumptions as of a specified date. These estimates and assumptions are based on management’s best estimates and experience as of that date and are subject to substantial risk and uncertainty. Materially different results may occur as circumstances change and additional information becomes known. Areas requiring significant estimates and assumptions by management include our valuation of investment securities, our determination of our income tax provision and goodwill, and our evaluation of the adequacy of our allowance for credit losses.

Risk Related to Investment Activities

We could record future losses on our investment securities portfolio.

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A number of factors or combinations of factors could require us to conclude in one or more future reporting periods that an unrealized loss that exists with respect to these and other securities constitutes a credit related impairment, which could result in material losses to us. These factors include, but are not limited to, failure by the issuer to make scheduled interest payments, the issuer of the securities and their creditworthiness, any changes to the rating of the security and any adverse conditions specifically related to the security that would render us unable to forecast a full recovery in value. In addition, the fair values of securities could decline if the overall economy and the financial condition of some of the issuers deteriorates and there remains limited liquidity for these securities.

See “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Balance Sheet Analysis-Securities” for a discussion of our securities portfolio and the unrealized losses related to the portfolio, as well as the “Marketable Securities” and “Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments” footnotes to the audited financial statements.

Our exposure to municipalities may lead to operating losses.

Our municipal bond portfolio may be impacted by the effects of economic stress on state and local governments. At December 31, 2020, we had $112.6 million invested in debt obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions (collectively referred to as our municipal bond portfolio). We also had $210.9 million of loans outstanding to municipalities and political subdivisions. Widespread concern currently exists regarding the stress on state and local governments emanating from: (i) declining revenues; (ii) large unfunded liabilities to government workers; and (iii) entrenched cost structures. Debt-to-gross domestic product ratios for the majority of states have been deteriorating due to, among other factors, declines in federal monetary assistance provided as the United States is currently experiencing the largest deficit in its history. This concern has led to speculation about the potential for a significant deterioration in the municipal bond market, which could materially affect our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity. We may not be able to mitigate the exposure in our municipal portfolio if state and local governments are unable to fulfill their obligations. The risk of widespread issuer defaults may also increase if there are changes in legislation that permit states, or additional municipalities and political subdivisions, to file for bankruptcy protection or if there are judicial interpretations that, in a bankruptcy or other proceeding, lessen the value of any structural protections.

The financial services sector represents a significant concentration within our investment portfolio.

Within our investment portfolio, we have a significant amount of corporate debt and mortgage-backed securities issued by companies in the financial services sector. Given current market conditions, this sector has an enhanced level of credit risk.

Risk Related to Our Debit and Credit Activities

Changes in card network rules or standards could adversely affect our business.

In order to provide our debit card and cash management solutions, we are members of the Visa network. As such, we are subject to card network rules that could subject us to a variety of fines or penalties that may be assessed on us. The termination of our membership or any changes in card network rules or standards, including interpretation and implementation of existing rules or standards, could increase the cost of operating our merchant services business or limit our ability to provide debit card and cash management solutions to or through our customers, and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Changes in card network fees could impact our operations.

From time to time, the card networks increase the fees (known as interchange fees) that they charge to acquirers and that we charge to our merchants. It is possible that competitive pressures will result in us absorbing a portion of such increases in the future, which would increase our costs, reduce our profit margin and adversely affect our business and financial condition. In addition, the card networks require certain capital requirements. An increase in the required capital level would further limit our use of capital for other purposes.

Our business could suffer if there is a decline in the use of debit cards as a payment mechanism or if there are adverse developments with respect to the financial services industry in general.

As the financial services industry evolves, consumers may find debit financial services to be less attractive than traditional or other financial services. Consumers might not use debit card financial services for any number of reasons, including the general perception of our industry. If consumers do not continue or increase their usage of debit cards, including making changes in the way debit cards are loaded, our operating revenues and debit card deposits may remain at current levels or decline. Any projected growth for the industry may not occur or may occur more slowly than estimated. If consumer acceptance of debit financial services does not continue to develop or develops more slowly than expected or if there is a shift in the mix of payment forms, such as cash, credit

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cards, and debit cards, away from our products and services, it could have a material adverse effect on our financial position and results of operations.

Other Risk Related to Our Business

The corporate governance provisions in our articles of incorporation and bylaws, and the corporate governance provisions under Maryland law, may prevent or impede the holders of our common stock from obtaining representation on our Board of Directors and may impede takeovers of the Company that our board might conclude are not in the best interest of us or our stockholders.

Provisions in our articles of incorporation and bylaws may prevent or impede holders of our common stock from obtaining representation on our Board of Directors and may make takeovers of Northwest Bancshares, Inc. more difficult.As a result, our stockholders may not have the opportunity to participate in such a transaction, which could provide a premium over the prevailing price of our common stock. The provisions that may discourage takeover attempts or make them more difficult include that our Board of Directors is divided into three staggered classes.A classified board makes it more difficult for stockholders to change a majority of the directors because it generally takes at least two annual elections of directors for this to occur.Our articles of incorporation include a provision that no person will be entitled to vote any shares of our common stock in excess of 10% of our outstanding shares of common stock.This limitation does not apply to the purchase of shares by a tax-qualified employee stock benefit plan established by us.In addition, our articles of incorporation and bylaws restrict who may call special meetings of stockholders and how directors may be removed from office.Additionally, in certain instances, the Maryland General Corporation Law requires a supermajority vote of our stockholders to approve a merger or other business combination with a large stockholder, if the proposed transaction is not approved by a majority of our directors.

We are a community bank and our ability to maintain our reputation is critical to the success of our business and the failure to do so may materially adversely affect our performance.

We are a community bank, and our reputation is one of the most valuable components of our business.A key component of our business strategy is to rely on our reputation for customer service and knowledge of local markets to expand our presence by capturing new business opportunities from existing and prospective customers in our current market and contiguous areas.As such, we strive to conduct our business in a manner that enhances our reputation. This is done, in part, by recruiting, hiring and retaining employees who share our core values of being an integral part of the communities we serve, delivering superior service to our customers and caring about our customers and associates.If our reputation is negatively affected by the actions of our employees, by our inability to conduct our operations in a manner that is appealing to current or prospective customers, or otherwise, our business and operating results may be adversely affected.

If our government banking deposits were lost within a short period of time, this could negatively impact our liquidity and earnings.

As of December 31, 2020, we held $711.8 million of deposits from municipalities throughout Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, and Indiana. These deposits may be more volatile than other deposits. If a significant amount of these deposits were withdrawn within a short period of time, it could have a negative impact on our short-term liquidity and have an adverse impact on our earnings.

Our funding sources may prove insufficient to replace deposits at maturity and support our future growth.

We must maintain sufficient funds to respond to the needs of depositors and borrowers. As a part of our liquidity management, we use a number of funding sources in addition to core deposit growth and repayments and maturities of loans and investments. As we continue to grow, we are likely to become more dependent on these sources, which may include FHLB advances, proceeds from the sale of loans, federal funds purchased and brokered certificates of deposit. Adverse operating results or changes in industry conditions could lead to difficulty or an inability to access these additional funding sources. Our financial flexibility will be severely constrained if we are unable to maintain our access to funding or if adequate financing is not available to accommodate future growth at acceptable interest rates. If we are required to rely more heavily on more expensive funding sources to support future growth, our revenues may not increase proportionately to cover our costs. In this case, our operating margins and profitability would be adversely affected.

We are required to transition from the use of the LIBOR interest rate index in the future.

We have certain loans indexed to LIBOR to calculate the loan interest rate. The continued availability of the LIBOR index is

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not guaranteed after 2023. It is impossible to predict whether and to what extent banks will continue to provide LIBOR submissions to the administrator of LIBOR or whether any additional reforms to LIBOR may be enacted. At this time, no consensus exists as to what rate or rates may become acceptable alternatives to LIBOR. The implementation of a substitute index or indices for the calculation of interest rates under our loan agreements with our borrowers may incur significant expenses in effecting the transition, may result in reduced loan balances if borrowers do not accept the substitute index or indices, and may result in disputes or litigation with customers over the appropriateness or comparability to LIBOR of the substitute index or indices, which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations.

A protracted government shutdown may result in reduced loan originations and related gains on sale and could negatively affect our financial condition and results of operations.

During any protracted federal government shutdown, we may not be able to close certain loans and we may not be able to recognize non-interest income on the sale of loans. Some of the loans we originate are sold directly to government agencies, and some of these sales may be unable to be consummated during the shutdown. In addition, we believe that some borrowers may determine not to proceed with their home purchase and not close on their loans, which would result in a permanent loss of the related non-interest income. A federal government shutdown could also result in reduced income for government employees or employees of companies that engage in business with the federal government, which could result in greater loan delinquencies, increases in our nonperforming, criticized and classified assets and a decline in demand for our products and services.

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ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

Not applicable.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

As of December 31, 2020, we conducted our business through our main office located in Warren, Pennsylvania, 93 other full-service offices and six free-standing drive-through locations throughout our market area in central and western Pennsylvania, 30 full-service offices and one free-standing drive-through location in western New York, 13 full-service offices and one free-standing drive-through location in eastern Ohio, and 25 full-service offices locations in Indiana. At December 31, 2020, our premises and equipment had an aggregate net book value of approximately $161.5 million.

ITEM 3.LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Northwest Bancshares, Inc. and its subsidiaries are subject to various legal actions arising in the normal course of business. In the opinion of management, the resolution of these legal actions is not expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and/or results of operations. See Note 20 in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

ITEM 4.MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “NWBI.” As of February 22, 2021, we had 18 registered market makers, 12,442 stockholders of record (excluding the number of persons or entities holding stock in street name through various brokerage firms), and 126,949,388 shares outstanding.

Payment of dividends on our shares of common stock is subject to determination and declaration by the Board of Directors and will depend upon a number of factors, including capital requirements, regulatory limitations on the payment of dividends, our results of operations and financial condition, tax considerations and general economic conditions. No assurance can be given that dividends will continue to be declared or, if declared, what the amount of dividends will be. See "Item 1. Business Supervision and Regulation — Holding Company Regulation — Source of Strength/Capital Distributions” for additional information regarding our ability to pay dividends.

There were no sales of unregistered securities during the quarter ended December 31, 2020.

On December 13, 2012, the Board of Directors approved a program that authorizes the repurchase of approximately 5,000,000 shares of common stock. This program does not have expiration date. During the quarter ended December 31, 2020, we repurchased 759,827 shares and there are a maximum of 4,074,262 remaining shares that can be purchased under the current repurchase program.

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Stock Performance Graph

The following stock performance graph compares (a) the cumulative total return on our common stock between December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2020, (b) the cumulative total return on stocks included in the Total Return Index for the NASDAQ Stock Market (US) over such period, and (c) the cumulative total return on stocks included in the NASDAQ Bank Index over such period. Cumulative return assumes the reinvestment of dividends, and is expressed in dollars based on an assumed investment of $100.

There can be no assurance that our stock performance will continue in the future with the same or similar trend depicted in the graph. We will not make or endorse any predictions as to future stock performance.

COMPARISON OF 5 YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN

Among Northwest Bancshares, Inc., the NASDAQ Composite Index, and the NASDAQ Bank Index

At December 31,

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

Selected Financial and Other Data

The summary financial information presented below is derived in part from the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. The following is only a summary and should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes included elsewhere in this document. The information at December 31, 2020 and 2019 and for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 is derived in part from the audited Consolidated Financial Statements that appear in this document. The information at December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, and for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, is derived in part from audited Consolidated Financial Statements that do not appear in this document.

At December 31,

(In thousands)

Selected Consolidated Financial Data:

Marketable securities held-to-maturity 67,990 — — — 4,808

Loans receivable, net of allowance for credit losses:

Residential mortgage loans held-for-sale 58,786 7,709 — — —

For the years ended December 31,

(In thousands except per share data)

Selected Consolidated Operating Data:

Earnings per share:

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At or for the year ended December 31,

Selected Financial Ratios and Other Data:

Nonperforming loans to net loans receivable 0.99 % 0.79 % 0.91 % 0.84 % 1.07 %

Number of consumer finance offices — — — — 49

(1)Represents net income divided by average assets.

(2)Represents net income divided by average equity.

(3)Represents average yield on interest-earning assets less average cost of interest-bearing liabilities (shown on a fully taxable equivalent ("FTE") basis).

(4)Represents net interest income as a percentage of average interest-earning assets (shown on a FTE basis).

(5)2016 includes $37.0 million FHLB prepayment penalty, $12.2 million restructuring/acquisition expense and $5.1 million ESOP termination expense.

(6) 2017 includes $4.4 million restructuring/acquisition expense.

(7) 2017 includes $17.2 million gain on sale of offices.

(8) 2018 includes $1.0 million restructuring/acquisition expense.

(9) 2019 includes $4.2 million restructuring/acquisition expense.

(10) 2020 includes $20.8 million acquisition/branch optimization expense, $41.6 million estimated provision for credit losses related to COVID-19 and $18.2 million

estimated provision for credit losses related to the effect of CECL on the acquisition of MutualBank.

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ITEM 7.MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Our principal business consists of collecting deposits and making loans secured by various types of collateral, including real estate and other assets in the markets in which we are located. Attracting and maintaining deposits is affected by a number of factors, including interest rates paid on competing deposits and other investments offered by other financial and non-financial institutions, account maturities, fee structures, and levels of personal income and savings. Lending activities are affected by the demand for funds and thus are influenced by interest rates, the number and quality of lenders and regional economic conditions. Sources of funds for lending activities include deposits, borrowings, repayments on loans, cash flows from investment and mortgage-backed securities and income provided from operations.

Our earnings depend primarily on net interest income, which is the difference between interest earned on our interest-earning assets, consisting primarily of loans and investment securities, and the interest paid on interest-bearing liabilities, consisting primarily of deposits, borrowed funds, and trust-preferred securities. Net interest income is a function of our interest rate spread, which is the difference between the average yield earned on our interest-earning assets and the average rate paid on our interest-bearing liabilities, as well as a function of the average balance of interest-earning assets compared to the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities. Also contributing to our earnings is noninterest income, which consists primarily of service charges and fees on loan and deposit products and services, fees related to insurance and investment management and trust services, and net gains and losses on the sale of assets. Net interest income and noninterest income are offset by provisions for credit losses, general administrative and other expenses, including employee compensation and benefits and occupancy and processing costs, as well as by state and federal income tax expense.

Our net income was $74.9 million, or $0.62 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to $110.4 million, or $1.04 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2019 and $105.5 million, or $1.02 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2018. The provision for credit losses was $84.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to $22.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 and $20.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Critical Accounting Policies

Certain accounting policies are important to the understanding of our financial condition, since they require management to make difficult, complex or subjective judgments, some of which may relate to matters that are inherently uncertain. Estimates associated with these policies are susceptible to material changes as a result of changes in facts and circumstances, including, but without limitation, changes in interest rates, performance of the economy, financial condition of borrowers and laws and regulations. The following are the accounting policies we believe are critical.

Allowance for Credit Losses.We recognize that losses will be experienced on loans and that the risk of loss varies with the type of loan, the creditworthiness of the borrower, general economic conditions and the quality of the collateral for the loan. We maintain an allowance for expected lifetime losses in the loan portfolio. The allowance for credit losses represents management’s estimate of lifetime expected losses based on all available information. The allowance for credit losses is based on management’s evaluation of relevant available information, from internal and external sources, relating to past events, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The loan portfolio is reviewed regularly by management in its determination of the allowance for credit losses. The methodology for assessing the appropriateness of the allowance includes a review of historical losses, peer group comparisons, industry data and economic conditions. As an integral part of their examination process, regulatory agencies periodically review our allowance for credit losses and may require us to make additional provisions for estimated losses based upon judgments different from those of management. In establishing the allowance for credit losses, a combination of statistical models are applied to various pools of outstanding loans. We use a twelve month forecasting period and revert to historical average loss rates thereafter. Credit relationships that have been classified as substandard or doubtful and are greater than or equal to $1.0 million are reviewed by the Credit Administration department to determine if they no longer continue to demonstrate similar risk characteristics to their loan pool. If a loan no longer demonstrates similar risk characteristics to their loan pool they are removed from the pool and an individual assessment will be performed. The allowance calculation is also supplemented with qualitative reserves that takes into consideration the current portfolio and specific risk characteristics, such as changes in underwriting standards, portfolio mix, delinquency level, or term, as well as changes in environmental conditions, among other factors, that have occurred but are not yet reflected in the quantitative model component.

Although management believes that it uses the best information available to establish the allowance for credit losses, future adjustments to the allowance for credit losses may be necessary and results of operations could be adversely affected if circumstances differ substantially from the assumptions used in making the determinations. Because future events affecting borrowers and collateral cannot be predicted with certainty, there can be no assurance that the existing allowance for credit losses is adequate or that increases will not be necessary should the quality of loans deteriorate as a result of the factors discussed previously. Any material increase in the

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allowance for credit losses may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. The allowance is based on information known at the time of the review. Changes in factors underlying the assessment could have a material impact on the amount of the allowance that is necessary and the amount of provision to be charged against earnings. Such changes could impact future results. For further information related to our allowance for credit losses, see Note 1(f) of the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Valuation of Investment Securities. Our investment securities are classified as either held-to-maturity or available-for-sale. Held-to-maturity securities are carried at amortized cost, while available-for-sale securities are carried at fair value. Unrealized gains or losses on available-for-sale securities, net of deferred taxes, are reported in other comprehensive income. Fair values are determined as described in Note 17 of the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Semi-annually (at May 31 and November 30), we validate the prices received from third parties by comparing them to prices provided by a different independent pricing service. We have reviewed the detailed valuation methodologies provided to us by our pricing services. Additional information related to our investment securities can be found in Note 1(d) of the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

On a quarterly basis, we measure expected credit losses on held-to-maturity debt securities on a collective basis by major security type. Available-for-sale debt securities in an unrealized loss position are reviewed for impairment at least quarterly. An investment security is deemed impaired if the fair value of the investment is less than its amortized cost. In making this determination, we consider both our intent to sell and the likelihood that we will not have to sell the investment securities before recovery of their amortized cost basis during our evaluation. For available-for-sale debt securities that do not meet this criteria, we evaluate whether the decline in fair value has resulted from credit losses or other factors. In making this assessment we consider the issuer of the securities and their creditworthiness, any changes to the rating of the security and any adverse conditions specifically related to the security, among other factors. Also, we may evaluate the business and financial outlook of the issuer, as well as broader economic performance indicators. If this assessment indicates that a credit loss exists, the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the security is compared to the amortized cost basis of the security. If the present value of cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost basis, a credit loss exists and an allowance for credit losses is recorded for the credit loss, limited by the amount that the fair value is less than amortized cost. Any impairment that has not been recorded through an allowance for credit losses is recognized in other comprehensive income. Any future deterioration in the fair value of an investment security, or the determination that impairment exists, may have a material adverse affect on future earnings.

Goodwill. Goodwill is not subject to regular amortization but instead is required to be tested for impairment at least annually and possibly more frequently if certain events occur or changes in circumstances arise. In testing goodwill for impairment, we have the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. If, after assessing the totality of events and circumstances, we determine it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, then performing the impairment test would be unnecessary. However, if we conclude otherwise, it would then be required to perform the quantitative impairment test. In the quantitative impairment test, the fair value of each reporting unit is compared to its carrying amount in order to determine if impairment is indicated. If the estimated fair value exceeds the carrying amount, the reporting unit is not deemed to be impaired. If the estimated fair value is below the carrying value of the reporting unit, the difference is the amount of impairment. Determining the fair value of a reporting unit requires a high degree of subjective judgment, including developing cash flow projections, selecting appropriate discount rates, identifying relevant market comparables, incorporating general economic and market conditions and selecting an appropriate control premium.

Future changes in the economic environment or the operations of the reporting units could cause changes to these variables, which could give rise to declines in the estimated fair value of goodwill. Declines in fair value could result in impairment being identified. We have established June 30 of each year as the date for conducting our annual goodwill impairment assessment. Quarterly, we evaluate if there are any triggering events that would require an update to our previous assessment.

During the first quarter of 2020, the Company determined the COVID-19 pandemic and its negative effect on the global economy to be a triggering event. As a result, the Company, with the assistance of a third-party specialist, performed a quantitative impairment analysis in accordance with ASU 2017-04 as of March 31, 2020. This analysis indicated the aggregate fair value of Northwest Bank, the sole reporting unit of Northwest Bancshares, Inc., exceeded the carrying value and therefore goodwill was not impaired. Given the results of the quantitative goodwill analysis performed during the first quarter and the absence of any significant changes in the economic environment that would indicate a change in the conclusion of the quantitative analysis performed, the Company elected to perform a qualitative goodwill impairment test as of June 30, 2020 in accordance with ASC 350, as updated by ASU 2017-04, and concluded that goodwill was not impaired as of June 30, 2020. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, there were no events or changes in circumstances that would cause us to update that goodwill impairment test and we have concluded there is no impairment in goodwill.

Deferred Income Taxes. We use the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Using this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. If current available information raises doubt as to the

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realization of the deferred tax assets, a valuation allowance is established. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to be applied to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. We exercise significant judgment in evaluating the amount and timing of recognition of the resulting tax liabilities and assets. These judgments require us to make projections of future taxable income. The judgments and estimates we make in determining our deferred tax assets, which are inherently subjective, are reviewed on an ongoing basis as regulatory and business factors change. A reduction in estimated future taxable income could require us to record a valuation allowance. Changes in levels of valuation allowances could result in increased income tax expense, and could negatively affect earnings.

Pension Benefits. Pension expense and obligations depend on assumptions used in calculating such amounts. These assumptions include discount rates, anticipated salary increases, interest costs, expected return on plan assets, mortality rates, and other factors. In accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, actual results that differ from the assumptions are amortized over average future service and, therefore, generally affect recognized expense. While management believes that the assumptions used are appropriate, differences in actual experience or changes in assumptions may affect our pension obligations and future expense.

In determining the projected benefit obligations for pension benefits at December 31, 2020 and 2019, we used a discount rate of 2.39% and 3.14%, respectively. We use the FTSE (previously Citigroup) Pension Liability Index rates matching the duration of our benefit payments as of the measurement date, December 31, to determine the discount rate.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

The following Accounting Standard Updates ("ASU") issued by the FASB have not yet been adopted.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-14, “Compensation - Retirement Benefits - Defined Benefit Plans - General (Subtopic 715-20) - Disclosure Framework-Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans.” This guidance removes and adds disclosure requirements for defined benefit pension or other post-retirement plans. This guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020, with early adoption permitted, and requires retrospective adoption for all periods presented. We do not expect this guidance to have a material impact on our financial statements.

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, "Income Taxes - Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes." This guidance simplifies the accounting for income taxes by eliminating certain exceptions to the guidance in ASC 740 related to the approach for intraperiod tax allocation, the methodology for calculating income taxes in an interim period and the recognition for deferred tax liabilities for outside basis differences. ASU 2019-12 also simplifies aspects of the accounting for franchise taxes and enacted changes in tax laws or rates and clarifies the accounting for transactions that result in a step-up in the tax basis of goodwill. This guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020, including interim periods within those years, with early adoption permitted. We do not expect this guidance to have a material impact on our financial statements.

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, “Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting.” This ASU provides temporary optional guidance on contract modifications and hedge accounting to ease the financial reporting burdens of the expected market transition from LIBOR and other interbank offered rates to alternative reference rates. The guidance provides expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. The amendments primarily include contract modifications and hedge accounting, as well as providing a one-time election for the sale or transfer of debt securities classified as held-to-maturity. This guidance is effective March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. We are currently in the process of evaluating the amendments and determining the impact on our financial statements.

Balance Sheet Analysis

Assets. Total assets at December 31, 2020 were $13.806 billion, an increase of $3.312 billion, or 31.6%, from $10.494 billion at December 31, 2019. This increase in assets was due primarily to an increase in net loans receivable of $1.696 billion primarily due to the acquisition of MutualBank in April 2020. A discussion of significant changes follows.

Cash and cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents increased by $675.4 million to $736.3 million at December 31, 2020, from $60.8 million at December 31, 2019. This increase was a result of increases in deposits of $3.007 billion and borrowings of $36.7 million offset slightly by funding gross loan growth of $1.772 billion.

Marketable securities. Marketable securities increased by $739.9 million, or 88.3%, to $1.578 billion at December 31, 2020, from $837.9 million at December 31, 2019. This increase was a result of using excess deposits to purchase higher yielding investment securities.

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The following table sets forth certain information regarding the amortized cost and fair value of our available-for-sale marketable securities portfolio and mortgage-backed securities portfolio at the dates indicated.

At December 31,

Amortizedcost Fairvalue Amortizedcost Fairvalue Amortizedcost Fairvalue

(In thousands)

Residential mortgage-backed securities available-for-sale:

Marketable securities available-for-sale:

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the amortized cost and fair value of our held-to-maturity marketable securities portfolio and mortgage-backed securities portfolio at the dates indicated.

At December 31,

Amortizedcost Fairvalue Amortizedcost Fairvalue Amortizedcost Fairvalue

(In thousands)

Residential mortgage-backed securities held-to-maturity:

Marketable securities held-to-maturity:

Debt issued by the U.S. government and agencies $ 67,990 67,879 — — — —

The following table sets forth information regarding the issuers and the carrying value of our mortgage-backed securities at the dates indicated.

At December 31,

(In thousands)

Residential mortgage-backed securities:

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Market Securities Portfolio Maturities and Yields. The following table sets forth the scheduled maturities, carrying values, amortized cost, market values and weighted average yields for our market securities and mortgage-backed securities portfolios at December 31, 2020. Adjustable-rate mortgage-backed securities are included in the period in which interest rates are next scheduled to adjust.

(Dollars in thousands)

Marketable securities held-to-maturity:

Marketable securities available-for-sale:

Residential mortgage-backed securities available-for-sale:

Residential mortgage-backed securities held-to-maturity:

Further information and analysis of our investment portfolio, including tables with information related to gross unrealized gains and losses on available-for sale and held-to-maturity marketable securities and tables showing the fair value and gross unrealized losses on marketable securities aggregated by investment category and length of time that the individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position are located in Note 5 of the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Loans Receivable. Net loans receivable increased by $1.696 billion, or 19.4%, to $10.446 billion at December 31, 2020, from $8.751 billion at December 31, 2019. This increase was due primarily to the addition of $1.508 billion, at fair value, of loans related to the acquisition of MutualBank, as well as organic growth of $187.5 million over the last twelve months.

Set forth below are selected data related to the composition of our loan portfolio by type of loan as of the dates indicated.

At December 31,

Amount Percent Amount Percent Amount Percent Amount Percent Amount Percent

(Dollars in thousands)

Personal Banking:

Consumer loans:

Commercial Banking:

(1) Consists primarily of secured and unsecured personal loans.

The following table sets forth the maturity of our loan portfolio at December 31, 2020. Demand loans and loans having no stated schedule of repayments and no stated maturity are reported as due in one year or less. Adjustable and floating-rate loans are included in the period in which they contractually mature, and fixed-rate loans are included in the period in which the contractual repayment is due.

Personal Banking:

Commercial Banking:

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The following table sets forth at December 31, 2020, the dollar amount of all fixed-rate and adjustable-rate loans due one year or more after December 31, 2020. Adjustable and floating-rate loans are included in the table based on the contractual due date of the loan.

At December 31, 2020 (In thousands) Fixed Adjustable Total

Personal Banking:

Commercial Banking:

Deposits. Total deposits increased by $3.007 billion, or 35.0%, to $11.599 billion at December 31, 2020 from $8.592 billion at December 31, 2019 primarily due to the addition of $1.617 billion of deposits, at fair value, from the acquisition of MutualBank. In addition, legacy total deposits increased by $1.390 billion, or 16.2%. Our legacy noninterest-bearing demand deposits increased by $773.2 million, or 48.0%, to $2.383 billion at December 31, 2020 from $1.610 billion at December 31, 2019 and our legacy interest-bearing demand deposits increased by $424.6 million, or 21.8%, to $2.369 billion at December 31, 2020 from $1.944 billion at December 31, 2019. Additionally, our legacy time deposits increased by $400.6 million, or 25.5%, legacy money market deposit accounts increased by $341.4 million, or 18.3%, to $2.205 billion at December 31, 2020 from $1.864 billion at December 31, 2019, and legacy savings deposits increased by $251.6 million, or 15.7%, to $1.856 billion at December 31, 2020 from $1.605 billion at December 31, 2019. This deposit growth is a result of PPP loan funds and consumer stimulus checks as well as consumer saving trends this past year.

The following table sets forth the dollar amount of deposits in the various types of accounts we offered at the dates indicated.

At December 31,

(Dollars in thousands)

Time deposits:

(1) Represents percentage of total deposits.

(2) Represents weighted average nominal rate at year end.

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The following table sets forth the dollar amount of deposits in each state by branch location as of December 31, 2020.

State Balance Percent

(Dollars in thousands)

The following table indicates the amount of our certificates of deposit of $100,000 or more by time remaining until maturity at December 31, 2020.

Maturity period Certificates of deposit

(In thousands)

Over three months through six months 84,469

Over six months through twelve months 140,136

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Borrowings. Borrowings increased by $36.7 million, or 14.9%, to $283.0 million at December 31, 2020 from $246.3 million at December 31, 2019. This increase was a result of the Company issuing $125.0 million of 4.00% fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes during the third quarter of 2020, and $45.0 million increase in collateralized borrowings. This increase was offset by a decrease of $131.6 million in FHLB borrowings.

The following table sets forth information concerning our borrowings at the dates and for the periods indicated.

During the years ended December 31,

(Dollars in thousands)

FHLB borrowings:

Weighted average interest rate during year 1.67 % 2.38 % 2.33 %

Weighted average interest rate at end of year 1.92 % 1.81 % 2.60 %

Collateralized borrowings:

Weighted average interest rate during year 0.25 % 0.25 % 0.20 %

Weighted average interest rate at end of year 0.19 % 0.29 % 0.24 %

Subordinated borrowings:

Average balance outstanding $ 123,294 — —

Maximum outstanding at end of any month during year 123,329 — —

Balance outstanding at end of year 123,329 — —

Weighted average interest rate during year 4.00 % — % — %

Weighted average interest rate at end of year 4.00 % — % — %

Total borrowings:

Weighted average interest rate during year 1.44 % 1.39 % 0.82 %

Weighted average interest rate at end of year 1.98 % 1.24 % 1.53 %

Shareholders’ equity. Total shareholders’ equity at December 31, 2020 was $1.539 billion, an increase of $185.4 million, or 13.7%, from $1.353 billion at December 31, 2019. This increase in equity was primarily the result of the impact of the issuance of common stock for the MutualBank acquisition of $213.4 million in the second quarter of 2020 as well as net income of $74.9 million. This increase was partially offset by the payment of cash dividends of $93.1 million.

Comparison of Results of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2020 and 2019

General. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $74.9 million, or $0.62 per diluted share, a decrease of $35.6 million, or 32.2%, from $110.4 million, or $1.04 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2019. The decrease in net income resulted from an increase in provision for credit losses of $61.3 million, or 270.6%, and an increase in noninterest expense of $51.4 million, or 17.4%. Partially offsetting these increases were an increase in noninterest income of $32.9 million, or 33.1%, an increase in net interest income of $31.3 million, or 8.7%, and a decrease in income tax expense of $13.0 million, or 42.4%.

Net income for the year ended December 31, 2020 represents returns on average equity and average assets of 4.72% and 0.58%, respectively, compared to 8.36% and 1.07% for the year ended December 31, 2019. A discussion of significant changes follows.

Interest Income. Total interest income increased by $16.7 million, or 4.0%, to $434.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 from $417.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. This increase is the result of an increase in the

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average balance of interest-earning assets of $2.294 billion, or 24.3%, to $11.733 billion for the year ended December 31, 2020 from $9.438 billion for the year ended December 31, 2019. Partially offsetting this increase in average balances was a decrease in the average yield on interest-earning assets to 3.70% for the year ended December 31, 2020 from 4.42% for the year ended December 31, 2019. This decrease in average yield is attributed to a decline in overall market interest rates.

Interest income on loans receivable increased by $16.1 million, or 4.1%, to $410.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 from $394.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. This increase in interest income on loans receivable is attributed to increases in the average balance on loans receivable. The average balance increased by $1.549 billion, or 18.1%, to $10.104 billion for the year ended December 31, 2020 from $8.555 billion for the year ended December 31, 2019. This increase is due primarily to the addition of $1.517 billion, at fair value, of loans related to the MutualBank acquisition and organic loan growth of $255.2 million. Contributing to this organic loan growth was the origination of approximately $500.0 million of PPP loans. Included in loan interest income for the year ended December 31, 2020 is $3.1 million of accretion related to MutualBank loan purchase accounting and $5.7 million of accretion related to PPP fees, net of origination costs. Partially offsetting this increase in average balances was a decrease in the average yield on loans receivable to 4.07% for the year ended December 31, 2020 from 4.61% for the year ended December 31, 2019 primarily due to the decrease in market interest rates.

Interest income on mortgage-backed securities increased by $746,000, or 4.5%, to $17.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 from $16.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. This increase is the result of an increase in the average balance of mortgage-backed securities by $250.0 million, or 39.1%, to $889.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 from $639.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. This increase was primarily a result of investment securities received as part of the MutualBank acquisition as well as additional purchases utilizing excess cash from deposit growth during the current year. Partially offsetting this increase was a decrease in the average yield on mortgage-backed securities to 1.96% for the year ended December 31, 2020 from 2.61% for the year ended December 31, 2019. This decrease in yield was partially due to the assumption of mortgage-backed securities from MutualBank with market yields lower than the existing Northwest portfolio due to mark-to-market purchase accounting adjustments. In addition, new security purchases were made at lower yields due to decreases in market interest rates.

Interest income on investment securities remained relatively flat, decreasing by $200,000, or 4.7%, to $4.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 from $4.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. This decrease is the result of a decrease in the average balance of investment securities of $9.7 million, or 4.7%, to $196.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 from $205.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, which was primarily due to the maturity or call of government agency securities. The average yield on investment securities remained flat at 2.06% for the years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

Dividends on FHLB stock decreased by $75,000, or 7.1%, to $1.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 from $1.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. This decrease is the result of decreases in the average yield on FHLB stock which decreased to 4.50% for the year ended December 31, 2020 from 7.29% for the year ended December 31, 2019. The FHLB of Pittsburgh recently decreased yields on required stock holdings in reaction to lower market interest rates. Slightly offsetting this decrease was an increase in the average balance on FHLB stock by $7.3 million, or 50.5%, to $21.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 from $14.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 primarily due to FHLB stock acquired and retained from MutualBank. Required FHLB stock holdings fluctuate with, among other things, the utilization of our borrowing capacity as well as capital requirements established by the FHLB.

Interest income on interest-earning deposits increased by $119,000, or 19.8%, to $719,000 for the year ended December 31, 2020 from $600,000 for the year ended December 31, 2019. This increase is attributable to an increase in the average balance of interest-earning deposits. The average balance increased by $497.4 million to $520.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 from $23.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 due to excess liquidity from recent deposit inflows. Partially offsetting this increase was a decrease in the average yield on interesting-earning deposits to 0.14% for the year ended December 31, 2020 from 2.54% for the year ended December 31, 2019, as a result of the Federal Reserve decreasing their targeted federal funds rate.

Interest Expense. Interest expense decreased by $14.6 million, or 25.6%, to $42.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 from $56.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. This decrease in interest expense was primarily due to the decline in the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities which decreased to 0.49% for the year ended December 31, 2020 from 0.82% for the year ended December 31, 2019. This decrease resulted from decreases in the interest rates paid on deposits and borrowed funds in response to decreases in market interest rates. Partially offsetting this decrease was an increase in the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities by $1.736 billion, or 24.9%, to $8.703 billion for the year ended December 31, 2020 from $6.968 billion for the year ended December 31, 2019. This increase in average balance resulted from both internal growth in deposits and borrowings as well as the addition of $1.617 billion of deposits and $232.2 million of borrowed funds from the acquisition of MutualBank.

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Net Interest Income. Net interest income increased by $31.3 million, or 8.7%, to $391.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 from $360.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. This increase is attributable to the factors discussed above. Despite the overall increase in net interest income due primarily to balance sheet growth, our interest rate spread decreased to 3.21% for the year ended December 31, 2020 from 3.61% for the year ended December 31, 2019 and our net interest margin also decreased to 3.34% for the year ended December 31, 2020 from 3.82% for the year ended December 31, 2019 primarily due to declining interest-earning asset yields. Contributing to the decline in asset yields was an increase in average cash balances of $497.4 million, earning just 0.14%, due to deposit growth associated with PPP loan funds and consumer stimulus checks.

Provision for Credit Losses. We analyze the allowance for credit losses as described in Note 1(f) of the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The provision for credit losses increased by $61.3 million to $84.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 from $22.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. During the current year, the Company adopted ASU 2016-13, ("CECL"), which requires that all financial assets measured at amortized cost be presented at the net amount expected to be collected inclusive of the Company's current estimate of all lifetime expected credit losses. The economic impact of COVID-19, in combination with CECL, including the purchase accounting impact from MutualBank, caused the increase in the provision for the year.

In determining the amount of the current period provision, we considered current economic conditions, including unemployment levels, bankruptcy filings, and changes in real estate values, and assessed the impact of these factors on the quality of our loan portfolio and historical loss experience. We analyze the allowance for credit losses as described in the section entitled “Allowance for Credit Losses.” The provision that is recorded is sufficient, in our judgment, to bring this reserve to a level that reflects the current expected lifetime losses in our loan portfolio relative to loan mix, a reasonable and supportable economic forecast period and historical loss experience at December 31, 2020.

Noninterest Income. Noninterest income increased by $32.9 million, or 33.1%, to $132.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 from $99.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. This increase is primarily attributable to a $27.6 million increase in mortgage banking income to $31.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 from $3.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 due to continued efforts to expand our secondary market sales capabilities over the last year, as well as an interest rate environment conducive to refinance activity and attractive secondary market pricing. In addition, trust and other financial services income increased by $3.2 million, or 17.8%, to $20.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 from $17.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, as well as an increase of $2.5 million, or 4.8%, in service charges and fees to $55.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 from $53.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, both due primarily to additional fee income as a result of the MutualBank acquisition.

Noninterest Expense. Noninterest expense increased by $51.4 million, or 17.4%, to $347.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 from $296.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. All noninterest expense categories, with the exception of real estate owned expense, increased compared to last year. The largest drivers of the overall increase were an increase of $16.6 million in acquisition and branch optimization expenses to $20.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 from $4.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 due to expenses incurred as part of the MutualBank acquisition as well as expenses incurred as part of the branch optimization initiative that occurred during December. In addition, compensation and employee benefits expense increased by $15.3 million, or 9.4%, to $178.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 from $163.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, due to internal growth in compensation and staff as well as the addition of MutualBank employees. Also contributing to the increase was an increase in processing expenses of $7.6 million, or 17.9%, to $50.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 from $42.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, primarily due to our continued efforts to invest in technology and infrastructure as well as improvements to our mortgage and commercial loan origination platforms. Additionally, FDIC premiums increased by $4.1 million to $4.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 from $685,000 for the year ended December 31, 2019 due to assessment credits received in the prior year.

Income Taxes. The provision for income taxes decreased by $13.0 million, or 42.4%, to $17.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 from $30.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. This decrease in income tax expense is primarily due to the $48.6 million, or 34.4%, decrease in pretax income to $92.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 from $141.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. In addition, our effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2020 was 19.1% compared to 21.7% for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Comparison of Results of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2019 and 2018

General. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2019 was $110.4 million, or $1.04 per diluted share, an increase of $4.9 million, or 4.7%, from $105.5 million, or $1.02 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2018. The increase in net income resulted from an increase in net interest income of $21.8 million, or 6.4% and noninterest income of $7.7 million, or 8.4%. Partially offsetting these increases were an increase in provision for credit losses of $2.3 million, or 11.4%, an increase in noninterest expense of $20.0 million, or 7.2%, and an increase in income tax expense of $2.3 million, or 7.9%.

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Net income for the year ended December 31, 2019 represents returns on average equity and average assets of 8.36% and 1.07%, respectively, compared to 8.61% and 1.11% for the year ended December 31, 2018. A discussion of significant changes follows.

Interest Income. Total interest income increased by $41.6 million, or 11.1%, to $417.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 from $375.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. This increase is the result of an increase in the average balance of interest earning assets of $675.3 million, or 7.7%, to $9.438 billion for the year ended December 31, 2019 from $8.763 billion for the year ended December 31, 2018 and an increase in the average yield on interest-earning assets to 4.44% for the year ended December 31, 2019 from 4.30% for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Interest income on loans receivable increased by $38.2 million, or 10.7%, to $394.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 from $356.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. This increase in interest income on loans receivable is attributed to increases in the average balance and average yield on loans receivable. The average balance increased by $671.0 million, or 8.5%, to $8.555 billion for the year ended December 31, 2019 from $7.884 billion for the year ended December 31, 2018. This increase is due primarily to the addition of $407.8 million, at fair value, of loans related to the UCB acquisition and organic loan growth of $349.4 million. Additionally, the average yield on loans receivable increased to 4.63% for the year ended December 31, 2019 from 4.54% for the year ended December 31, 2018. The average loan yield was positively affected by increases in market interest rates before the Federal Reserve started its interest rate easing strategy in March of 2019.

Interest income on mortgage-backed securities increased by $2.9 million, or 21.0%, to $16.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 from $13.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. This increase is the result of increases in both the average balance and average yield. The average balance of mortgage-backed securities increased by $53.2 million, or 9.1%, to $639.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 from $586.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. The average yield on mortgage-backed securities increased to 2.61% for the year ended December 31, 2019 from 2.35% for the year ended December 31, 2018 due to the purchase of fixed-rate mortgage-backed securities, including the UCB portfolio, which had yields higher than the existing Northwest portfolio.

Interest income on investment securities remained relatively flat, increasing by $103,000, or 2.5%, to $4.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 from $4.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. This increase is the result of an increase in the average yield on investment securities to 2.17% for the year ended December 31, 2019 from 1.84% for the year ended December 31, 2018, due primarily to the addition of higher yielding investments, including municipal bonds, from the UCB acquisition. Partially offsetting this increase was a decrease in the average balance of investment securities of $35.2 million, or 14.6%, to $205.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 from $241.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, which was primarily due to the maturity or call of government agency securities.

Dividends on FHLB stock increased by $604,000, or 133.6%, to $1.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 from $452,000 for the year ended December 31, 2018. This increase is the result of increases in both the average balance and average yield. The average balance on FHLB stock increased by $4.1 million, or 39.8%, to $14.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 from $10.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. Additionally, the average yield on FHLB stock increased to 7.29% for the year ended December 31, 2019 from 4.37% for the year ended December 31, 2018. Required FHLB stock holdings fluctuate with, among other things, the utilization of our borrowing capacity as well as capital requirements established by the FHLB.

Interest income on interest-earning deposits decreased by $235,000, or 28.1%, to $600,000 for the year ended December 31, 2019 from $835,000 for the year ended December 31, 2018. This decrease is attributable to a decrease in the average balance of interest-earning deposits. The average balance decreased by $17.8 million, or 43.3%, to $23.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 from $41.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, due to the utilization of excess cash to fund loan growth. Partially offsetting this decrease was an increase in the average yield on interesting-earning deposits to 2.54% for the year ended December 31, 2019 from 2.00% for the year ended December 31, 2018, as a result of previous increases in the targeted Federal Funds rate by the Federal Reserve Board before declining in the second half of 2019.

Interest Expense. Interest expense increased by $19.8 million, or 53.2%, to $56.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 from $37.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. This increase in interest expense was due to both an increase in the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities and the increase in the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities. The average balance increased by $486.9 million, or 7.5%, to $6.968 billion for the year ended December 31, 2019 from $6.481 billion for the year ended December 31, 2018. This increase was primarily due to the UCB acquisition, which included $479.4 million in deposits. Additionally, the average yield on interest-bearing liabilities increased to 0.82% for the year ended December 31, 2019 from 0.57% for the year ended December 31, 2018. This increase resulted from increases in the interest rates paid on deposits and borrowed funds in response to increases in market interest rates.

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Net Interest Income. Net interest income increased by $21.8 million, or 6.4%, to $360.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 from $338.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. This increase is attributable to the factors discussed above. Our interest-bearing deposit costs rose greater than yields on interest-earning assets reducing both our interest rate spread and net interest margin. Our interest rate spread decreased to 3.62% for the year ended December 31, 2019 from 3.73% for the year ended December 31, 2018 and our net interest margin also decreased to 3.84% for the year ended December 31, 2019 from 3.88% for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Provision for Credit Losses. We analyze the allowance for credit losses as described in Note 1(f) of the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The provision for credit losses increased by $2.3 million, or 11.4%, to $22.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 from $20.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. This increase is due primarily to a downgrade of an $11.5 million commercial loan resulting in a credit loss reserve on this relationship of approximately $7.4 million. Partially offsetting this increase was a decrease in total nonaccrual loans by $3.4 million, or 4.7%, to $68.9 million, or 0.78% of total loans, at December 31, 2019 from $72.3 million, or 0.90% of total loans, at December 31, 2018. In addition, total loan delinquency decreased to $119.4 million, or 1.36% of total loans at December 31, 2019 from $121.5 million, or 1.51% of total loans at December 31, 2018.

In determining the amount of the current period provision for the year ended December 31, 2019, we considered current economic conditions as of that period, including unemployment levels, bankruptcy filings, and changes in real estate values, and assessed the impact of these factors on the quality of our loan portfolio and historical loss factors.

The provision that was recorded was sufficient, in our judgment, to bring this reserve to a level that reflects the losses inherent in our loan portfolio relative to loan mix, economic conditions and historical loss experience as of December 31, 2019.

Noninterest Income. Noninterest income increased by $7.7 million, or 8.4%, to $99.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 from $91.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. This increase is primarily attributable to a $3.2 million, or 540.8%, increase in mortgage banking income to $3.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 from $596,000 for the year ended December 31, 2018, as a result of expanding our secondary market sales capabilities. Service charges and fees also increased $2.3 million, or 4.5%, to $53.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 from $50.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, primarily due to additional fees collected on deposit accounts due to a recent change in fee structure while also being positively impacted by transaction volume. We also recognized a gain of $1.7 million during the current year on the sale of approximately $98.2 million of one-to-four family mortgage loans from our portfolio. In addition, trust and other financial services income increased by $1.2 million, or 7.1%, to $17.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 from $16.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, due primarily to new brokerage production. Slightly offsetting these increases was a decrease of $1.4 million, or 24.1%, in income on bank owned life insurance to $4.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 from $5.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 due to death benefits received in the prior year.

Noninterest Expense. Noninterest expense increased by $20.0 million, or 7.2%, to $296.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 from $276.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. All noninterest expense categories, with the exception

of federal deposit insurance premiums, marketing expense, and real estate owned expense, increased compared to 2018. Most of these increases resulted from the UCB acquisition as well as the MutualBank acquisition which closed and converted in the second quarter of 2020. The largest driver of the overall increase was a $10.7 million, or 7.0%, increase in compensation and employee benefits expense to $163.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 from $152.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, due to both internal growth in compensation and staff as well as the addition of UCB employees. Also contributing to the increase was an increase in processing expenses of $3.4 million, or 8.7%, to $42.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 from $39.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, primarily due to our continued efforts to invest in technology and infrastructure as well as improvements to our mortgage and commercial loan origination platforms. Acquisition expense increased by $3.2 million, or 311.0%, to $4.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 from $1.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 due both to costs incurred as part of the UCB acquisition as well as initial expenses incurred as a result of the MutualBank acquisition. Professional services expenses also increased by $1.7 million, or 15.9% primarily as a result of the continued consulting engagements related to the implementation of CECL as well as a deposit consulting engagement focused on product, price and promotion. Additionally, other noninterest expense increased by $2.7 million or 23.5%, to $14.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 from $11.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, due to both an increase in pension related servicing costs and an increase in litigation expenses. Slightly offsetting these increases was a decrease in FDIC premiums of $2.1 million, or 75.1%, due to an FDIC assessment credit received during the 2019 as a result of the deposit insurance fund becoming fully funded as well as a decrease in marketing expense of $1.4 million, or 17.0%, due primarily to our debit card reward program being discontinued.

Income Taxes. The provision for income taxes increased by $2.3 million, or 7.9%, to $30.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 from $28.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. This increase in income tax expense is primarily the result of the $7.2 million, or 5.4%, increase in pretax income to $141.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 from $133.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. In addition, our effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2019 was 21.7% compared to 21.2% for the year ended December 31, 2018.

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Asset Quality

We actively manage asset quality through our underwriting practices and collection procedures. Our underwriting practices are focused on balancing risk and return while our collection operations focus on diligently working with delinquent borrowers in an effort to minimize losses.

Collection procedures. Our collection procedures for personal loans generally provide that at 15 days delinquent, a notice of late charges is sent and personal contact efforts are attempted by telephone to strengthen the collection process and obtain reasons for the delinquency. Also, plans to establish a payment program are developed. Personal contact efforts are continued throughout the collection process, as necessary. Generally, if a loan becomes 30 days past due, a collection letter is sent and the loan becomes subject to possible legal action if suitable arrangements for payment have not been made. In addition, the borrower is given information which provides access to consumer counseling services to the extent required by the regulations of the Department of Housing and Urban Development and other applicable authorities. When a loan continues in a delinquent status for 60 days or more, and a payment schedule has not been developed or kept by the borrower, we may send the borrower a notice of intent to foreclose, providing for cure periods of at least 30 days. If not cured, foreclosure proceedings are initiated.

Nonperforming assets. Loans are reviewed on a regular basis and are placed on nonaccrual status when, in the opinion of management, the collection of all contractual principal and/or interest is doubtful. Loans are automatically placed on nonaccrual status when either principal or interest is 90 days or more past due. Interest accrued and unpaid at the time a loan is placed on a nonaccrual status is reversed and charged against interest income.

Real estate acquired as a result of foreclosure or by deed in lieu of foreclosure is classified as real estate owned until such time that it is sold. When real estate is acquired through foreclosure or by deed in lieu of foreclosure, it is recorded at the lower of the related loan balance or its fair value as determined by an appraisal, less estimated costs of disposal. If the value of the property is less than the principal balance, less any related specific credit loss reserve allocations, the difference is charged against the allowance for credit losses. Any subsequent write-down of real estate owned or loss at the time of disposition is charged against earnings.

Nonaccrual, Past Due, Restructured Loans and Nonperforming Assets. The following table sets forth information with respect to nonperforming assets. Nonaccrual loans are those loans on which the accrual of interest has ceased. Generally, when a loan becomes 90 days past due, we fully reverse all accrued interest thereon and cease to accrue interest thereafter. Exceptions are made for loans that have contractually matured, are in the process of being modified to extend the maturity date and are otherwise current as to principal and interest, and well secured loans that are in process of collection. Loans may also be placed on nonaccrual before they reach 90 days past due if conditions exist that call into question our ability to collect all contractual principal and/or interest. Other nonperforming assets represent property acquired through foreclosure or repossession. Foreclosed property is carried at the lower of its fair value less estimated costs to sell or the principal balance of the related loan.

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At December 31,

(Dollars in thousands)

Loans 90 days or more past due:

Nonperforming assets:

(1)Also included in nonaccrual loans above.

During the year ended December 31, 2020, gross interest income of approximately $6.4 million would have been recorded on loans accounted for on a nonaccrual basis if the loans had been current and in accordance with their original terms throughout the year. We recognized $842,000 of interest income on nonaccrual and troubled debt restructuring loans during the year ended December 31, 2020.

Classification of Assets. Our policies, consistent with regulatory guidelines, provide for the classification of loans, or other assets including other real estate owned, considered to be of lesser quality as “substandard,” “doubtful,” or “loss” assets. An asset is considered “substandard” if it is inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any. “Substandard” assets include those characterized by the “distinct possibility” that the financial institution will sustain “some loss” if the deficiencies are not corrected. Assets classified as “doubtful” have all of the weaknesses inherent in those classified “substandard” with the added characteristic that the weaknesses present make “collection or liquidation in full,” on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values, “highly questionable and improbable.” Assets classified as “loss” are those considered “uncollectible” so that their continuance as assets without the establishment of a specific loss reserve is not warranted. Assets that do not expose the savings institution to risk sufficient to warrant classification in one of the aforementioned categories, but which possess some weaknesses, are required to be designated “special mention.” At December 31, 2020, we had 198 loans, with an aggregate principal balance of $149.3 million, designated as “special mention.”

We regularly review our asset portfolio to determine whether any assets require classification in accordance with applicable regulations. Our largest classified assets generally are also our largest nonperforming assets.

The following table sets forth the aggregate amount of our classified assets at the dates indicated.

At December 31,

(In thousands)

Doubtful assets — — —

Loss assets — — —

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Allowance for Credit Losses. We adopted CECL on January 1, 2020, as further described in Note 1. Our Board of Directors has adopted an “Allowance for Credit Losses” policy designed to provide management with a systematic methodology for determining and documenting the allowance for credit losses each reporting period. This methodology was developed to provide a consistent process and review procedure to ensure that the allowance for credit losses is in conformity with GAAP, our policies and procedures and other supervisory and regulatory guidelines.

On an ongoing basis, the Credit Administration department, as well as loan officers, branch managers and department heads, review and monitor the loan portfolio for problem loans. This portfolio monitoring includes a review of the monthly delinquency reports as well as historical comparisons and trend analysis. Personal and small business commercial loans are classified primarily by delinquency status. In addition, a meeting is held every quarter with each region to monitor the performance and status of commercial loans on an internal watch list. On an on-going basis, the loan officer, in conjunction with a portfolio manager, grades or classifies problem commercial loans or potential problem commercial loans based upon their knowledge of the lending relationship and other information previously accumulated. This rating is also reviewed independently by our Loan Review department on a periodic basis. Our loan grading system for problem commercial loans is consistent with industry regulatory guidelines which classifies loans as “substandard”, “doubtful” or “loss.” Loans that do not expose us to risk sufficient to warrant classification in one of the previous categories, but which possess some weaknesses, are designated as “special mention”. A “substandard” loan is any loan that is 90 days or more contractually delinquent or is inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any. Loans classified as “doubtful” have all the weaknesses inherent in those classified as “substandard” with the added characteristic that the weaknesses present make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions or values, highly questionable and improbable. Loans classified as “loss” have all the weakness inherent in those classified as "doubtful" and considered uncollectible.

Credit relationships that have been classified as substandard or doubtful and are greater than or equal to $1.0 million are reviewed by the Credit Administration department to determine if they no longer continue to demonstrate similar risk characteristics to their loan pool. If a loan no longer demonstrates similar risk characteristics to their loan pool they are removed from the pool and an individual assessment will be performed.

If it is determined that a loan needs to be individually assessed, the Credit Administration department determines the proper measure of fair value for each loan based on one of three methods: (1) the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate; (2) the loan’s observable market price; or (3) the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent, less costs of sale or disposal. If the measurement of the fair value of the loan is more or less than the amortized cost basis of the loan, the Credit Administration department adjusts the specific allowance associated with that individual loan accordingly.

If a substandard or doubtful loan is not grouped with other loans that possess common characteristics for evaluation and analysis, it is considered individually for impairment. For the purpose of calculating reserves, we have grouped our loans into seven segments: residential mortgage loans, home equity loans, vehicle loans, consumer loans, commercial real estate loans, commercial real estate loans - owner occupied and commercial loans. The allowance for credit losses is measured using a combination of statistical models. We use a twelve month forecasting period and revert to historical average loss rates thereafter. Reversion to average loss rates takes place over twelve months. Historical average loss rates are calculated using historical data beginning in October 2009 through the current period.

The credit losses for individually assessed loans along with the estimated loss for each homogeneous pool are consolidated into one summary document. This summary schedule along with the support documentation used to establish this schedule is presented to management’s Allowance for Credit Losses Committee ("ACL Committee") monthly. The ACL Committee reviews and approves the processes and ACL documentation presented. Based on this review and discussion, the appropriate amount of ACL is estimated and any adjustments to reconcile the actual ACL with this estimate are determined. The ACL Committee also considers if any changes to the methodology are needed. In addition to the ACL Committee's review and approval, a review is performed by the Risk Management Committee of the Board of Directors on a quarterly basis and annually by internal audit.

In addition to the reviews by management’s ACL Committee and the Board of Directors’ Risk Management Committee, regulators from either the FDIC and the Pennsylvania Department of Banking perform an extensive review on at least an annual basis for the adequacy of the ACL and its conformity with regulatory guidelines and pronouncements. Any recommendations or enhancements from these independent parties are considered by management and the ACL Committee and implemented accordingly.

We acknowledge that this is a dynamic process and consists of factors, many of which are external and out of our control that can change frequently, rapidly and substantially. The adequacy of the ACL is based upon estimates using all the information previously discussed as well as current and known circumstances and events. There is no assurance that actual portfolio losses will not be substantially different than those that were estimated.

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We utilize a structured methodology each period when analyzing the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses and the related provision for credit losses, which the ACL Committee assesses regularly for appropriateness. As part of the analysis as of December 31, 2020, we considered the most recent economic conditions and forecasts available which incorporated the impact of COVID-19. In addition, we considered the overall trends in asset quality, reserves on individually assessed loans, historical loss rates and collateral valuations. The ACL increased by $76.5 million, or 132.0%, to $134.4 million, or 1.27% of total loans at December 31, 2020 from $57.9 million, or 0.66% of total loans, at December 31, 2019. Due to the adoption of CECL, our allowance increased $10.8 million. In addition, our allowance increased $8.8 million as a result of recording the initial allowance on the purchased credit deteriorated loans acquired from MutualBank. The non-purchased credit deteriorated loans acquired from MutualBank resulted in a credit mark of $28.1 million and an additional allowance of $18.2 million, as required by CECL. The estimated economic impact of COVID-19 caused us to increase our provision for credit loss expense by approximately $41.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Quarterly, management's Credit Committee reviews the concentration of credit by industry and customer, lending products and activity, competition and collateral values, as well as economic conditions in general and in each of our market areas. The Credit Committee also reviews and discusses delinquency trends, nonperforming asset amounts and ACL levels and ratios compared to our peer group as well as state and national statistics.

We also consider how the levels of non-accrual loans and historical charge-offs have influenced the required amount of ACL. Nonaccrual loans of $102.8 million, or 0.98% of total gross loans receivable at December 31, 2020, increased by $34.0 million, or 49.3%, from $68.9 million, or 0.78% of total gross loans receivable, at December 31, 2019. As a percentage of average loans, net charge-offs increased to 0.27% for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to 0.23% for the year ended December 31, 2019. The increase in net charge-offs was largely impacted by a $9.1 million charge-off on one commercial loan which was previously downgraded and reserved for prior to the onset of COVID-19.

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Analysis of the Allowance for Credit Losses. The following table sets forth the analysis of the allowance for credit losses for the periods indicated.

Years ended December 31,

(Dollars in thousands)

Allowance for credit losses

CECL adoption 10,792 — — — —

Initial allowance on loans purchased with credit deterioration 8,845 — — — —

Charge-offs:

Recoveries:

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Allocation of Allowance for Credit Losses. The following tables set forth the allocation of the allowance for credit losses by loan category at the dates indicated. The allowance for credit losses allocated to each category is not necessarily indicative of future losses in any particular category.

At December 31,

Amount % of totalloans (1) Amount % of totalloans (1) Amount % of totalloans (1)

(Dollars in thousands)

Balance at end of year applicable to:

At December 31,

Amount % of totalloans (1) Amount % of totalloans (1)

(Dollars in thousands)

Balance at end of year applicable to:

(1)Represents percentage of loans in each category to total loans.

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Average Balance Sheets

The following tables set forth average balance sheets, average yields, on a fully taxable equivalent ("FTE") basis, and average costs, and certain other information at and for the periods indicated. All average balances are daily average balances. Non-accrual loans are included in the computation of average balances. The yields set forth below include the effect of deferred fees and discounts and premiums that are amortized or accreted to interest income or expense. The average yield for loans receivable and investment securities are calculated on a FTE basis.

For the years ended December 31,

(Dollars in thousands)

Interest-earning assets:

Interest-bearing liabilities:

(1)Average gross loans receivable includes loans held as available-for-sale and loans placed on nonaccrual status.

(2)Interest income includes accretion/amortization of deferred loan fees/expenses, which was not material.

(3)Interest income on tax-free loans is presented on a FTE basis including adjustments, as indicated.

(4)Average balances do not include the effect of unrealized gains or losses on securities held as available-for-sale.

(5)Interest income on tax-free investment securities is presented on a FTE basis including adjustments, as indicated.

(6)Average balances include the effect of unrealized gains or losses on securities held as available-for-sale.

(7)Average balances include FHLB borrowings and collateralized borrowings.

(8)Average cost of deposits were 0.34%, 0.58% and 0.39%, respectively.

(9)Net interest rate spread represents the difference between the average yield on interest-earning assets and the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities.

(10)Net interest margin represents net interest income as a percentage of average interest-earning assets.

(11)Shown on a FTE basis. GAAP basis yields for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 were - Loans: 4.07%, 4.61% and 4.52%, respectively, Investment securities: 2.06%, 2.06% and 1.72%, respectively, Interest-earning assets: 3.70%, 4.42% and 4.29%, respectively. GAAP basis net interest rate spreads were 3.21%, 3.61% and 3.72%, respectively, and GAAP basis net interest margins were 3.34%, 3.82% and 3.86%, respectively.

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Rate/Volume Analysis

The following table presents, on a FTE basis, the changes in interest income and interest expense for major components of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to 2019 and for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to 2018. For each category of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, information is provided on changes attributable to: (1) changes in volume multiplied by the prior year rate; (2) changes in rate multiplied by the prior year volume; and (3) the total increase or decrease. Changes not solely attributable to rate or volume have been allocated proportionately to the change due to volume and the change due to rate.

Rate Volume Rate Volume

(In thousands)

Interest-earning assets:

Interest-bearing liabilities:

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Northwest Bank is required to maintain a sufficient level of liquid assets, as determined by management and defined and reviewed for adequacy by the FDIC during their regular examinations. The FDIC, however, does not prescribe by regulation a minimum amount or percentage of liquid assets. The FDIC allows us to consider any unencumbered, available-for-sale marketable security, whose sale would not impair our capital adequacy, to be eligible for liquidity. Liquidity is monitored through the use of a standard liquidity ratio of liquid assets to borrowings plus deposits. Using this formula, Northwest Bank’s liquidity ratio was 16.78% as of December 31, 2020. We adjust our liquidity level in order to meet funding needs of deposit outflows, repayment of borrowings and loan commitments. We also adjust liquidity as appropriate to meet our asset and liability management objectives. Liquidity needs can also be met by temporarily drawing upon lines-of-credit established for such reasons. At December 31, 2020, Northwest Bank had $3.872 billion of additional borrowing capacity available with the FHLB of Pittsburgh, including a $250.0 million overnight line of credit, which had no balance at December 31, 2020, as well as $95.4 million of borrowing capacity available with the Federal Reserve Bank and $110.0 million with three correspondent banks.

In addition to deposits, our primary sources of funds are the amortization and repayment of loans and mortgage-backed securities, maturities of investment securities and other short-term investments, and earnings and funds provided from operations. While scheduled principal repayments on loans and mortgage-backed securities are a relatively predictable source of funds, deposit flows and loan prepayments are greatly influenced by general interest rate levels, economic conditions, and competition. We manage the pricing of our deposits to maintain a desired deposit balance. In addition, we invest excess funds in short-term interest earning and other assets, which provide liquidity to meet lending requirements. Short-term interest-earning deposits amounted to $595.9 million at December 31, 2020. For additional information about our cash flows from operating, financing, and investing activities, see the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows included in the Consolidated Financial Statements.

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A portion of our liquidity consists of cash and cash equivalents, which are a product of our operating, investing, and financing activities. The primary sources of cash during the current year were net income, principal repayments on loans and mortgage-backed securities, and the subordinated debt offering.

Liquidity management is both a daily and long-term function of business management. If we require funds beyond our ability to generate them internally, borrowing agreements exist with the FHLB of Pittsburgh, FHLB of Indianapolis and the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, which provide an additional source of funds. At December 31, 2020, Northwest Bank had advances of $22.1 million from the FHLB of Indianapolis. We borrow from these sources to reduce interest rate risk and to provide liquidity when necessary.

At December 31, 2020, our customers had $1.045 billion of unused lines of credit available and $251.1 million in loan commitments. This amount does not include the unfunded portion of loans in process. Time deposits scheduled to mature in less than one year at December 31, 2020, totaled $990.8 million. We believe that a significant portion of such deposits will remain with us.

Deposits are our primary source of externally generated funds. The level of deposit inflows during any given period is heavily influenced by factors outside of our control, such as consumer savings tendencies, the general level of short-term and long-term market interest rates, as well as higher alternative yields that investors may obtain on competing investments such as money market mutual funds. Financial institutions, such as Northwest Bank, are also subject to deposit outflows. Our net deposits increased by $3.007 billion for the year ended December 31, 2020, increased by $697.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 and increased by $67.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Similarly, the amount of principal repayments on loans and the amount of new loan originations is heavily influenced by the general level of market interest rates, consumer confidence and consumer spending and also includes approximately $500.0 million of PPP loans. Funds received from loan maturities and principal payments on loans for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 were $4.384 billion, $3.275 billion and $2.726 billion, respectively. Loan originations for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 were $5.386 billion, $3.789 billion and $3.004 billion, respectively. We also sell a portion of the loans we originate as part of our mortgage banking operations, and the cash flows from such sales for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 were $704.7 million, $62.4 million and $4.5 million, respectively.

We experience significant cash flows from our portfolio of marketable securities as principal payments are received on mortgage-backed securities and as investment securities mature or are called. Cash flow from the repayment of principal and the maturity or call of marketable securities for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 were $396.3 million, $245.8 million and $217.3 million, respectively.

When necessary, we utilize borrowings as a source of liquidity and as a source of funds for long-term investment when market conditions permit. The net cash flow from the receipt and repayment of borrowings was a net decrease of $192.4 million, a net increase of $11.9 million and a net increase of $126.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Northwest Bancshares, Inc. is a separate legal entity from Northwest Bank and must provide for its own liquidity to pay dividends to shareholders, to repurchase its common stock and for other corporate purposes. Northwest Bancshares' primary source of liquidity is the dividend payments it receives from Northwest Bank. The payment of dividends by Northwest Bank is subject to regulatory requirements. In addition, during 2020, Northwest Bancshares, Inc. issued $125.0 million of subordinated debt. At December 31, 2020, Northwest Bancshares, Inc. (on an unconsolidated basis) had liquid assets of $172.1 million.

Other activity with respect to cash flow was the payment of cash dividends on common stock in the amount of $93.1 million million, $76.2 million and $69.9 million for the ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

At December 31, 2020, stockholders’ equity totaled $1.539 billion. During 2020, our Board of Directors declared regular quarterly cash dividends totaling $0.76 per share of common stock.