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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 8-K
 
CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  May 20, 2026
 
Northwest Bancshares, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Maryland 001-34582 27-0950358
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) (Commission File No.) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
3 Easton Oval Suite 500ColumbusOhio 43219
(Address of principal executive office) (Zip code)
 
(814) 726-2140
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)  

Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)


    Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
 
☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
 
☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
 
☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
 
☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4 (c))

    Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each classTrading symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, 0.01 Par ValueNWBINASDAQ Stock Market, LLC

Indicate by a check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

☐ Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange act. ☐


Item 5.02    Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers

On May 20, 2026, the shareholders of Northwest Bancshares, Inc. (the “Company”) approved the Northwest Bancshares, Inc. 2026 Equity Incentive Plan, which provides for the grant of stock-based and other incentive awards to officers, employees, directors and consultants of the Company. A description of the material terms of the plan is contained in the Company's definitive proxy statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 9, 2026. A copy of the plan is being filed as Exhibit 10.1.

Additionally, the shareholders of the Company approved the Northwest Bancshares, Inc. Discounted Stock Purchase Plan, which provides the purchase of shares of our common stock at a discount from the then-current market price. A description of the material terms of the plan is contained in the Company's definitive proxy statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 9, 2026. A copy of the plan is being filed as Exhibit 10.2.

Item 5.07    Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
     
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders was held on May 20, 2026. The matters listed below were submitted to a vote of the shareholders through the solicitation of proxies and the proposals are described in detail in the Company's definitive proxy statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 20, 2026. The final results of the shareholder votes are as follows:

Proposal 1 - Election of Directors

The shareholders elected the following Directors:
ForWithheldBroker Non-Votes
Charles E. Kranich, II95,639,0861,389,99919,326,865
Amber L. Williams91,039,3685,989,71719,326,865
Louis J. Torchio94,154,7222,874,36319,326,865

Proposal 2 - Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The shareholders approved the ratification of KPMG LLP as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2026.
For114,141,735 
Against1,967,195 
Abstain247,020 
Broker Non-Votes— 

Proposal 3 - An advisory, non-binding resolution to approve executive compensation described in the Proxy Statement

The shareholders approved the proposal regarding the compensation of the named executive officers as disclosed in the Proxy Statement as follows:
For89,274,329 
Against7,171,131 
Abstain583,625 
Broker Non-Votes19,326,865 

Proposal 4 - Approval of the Northwest Bancshares, Inc. 2026 Equity Incentive Plan



The shareholders approved the proposal regarding the 2026 Equity Incentive Plan as disclosed in the Proxy Statement as follows:
For92,456,593 
Against4,152,782 
Abstain419,710 
Broker Non-Votes19,326,865 

Proposal 5 - Approval of the Northwest Bancshares, Inc. Discounted Stock Purchase Plan

The shareholders approved the proposal regarding the Discounted Stock Purchase Plan as disclosed in the Proxy Statement as follows:
For93,563,437 
Against3,061,203 
Abstain404,445 
Broker Non-Votes19,326,865 

Item 9.01    Financial Statements and Exhibits
(a)    Not applicable
(b)    Not applicable
(c)    Not applicable
(d)                                Exhibits
Exhibit No. Description
   
 Northwest Bancshares, Inc. 2026 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Appendix B to the proxy statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 9, 2026 (file no. 001-34582))
Northwest Bancshares, Inc. Discounted Stock Purchase Plan (incorporated by reference to Appendix C to the proxy statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 9, 2026 (file no. 001-34582))
Form of RSA Award Agreement under the Northwest Bancshares, Inc. 2026 Equity Incentive Plan
Form of RSU Award Agreement under the Northwest Bancshares, Inc. 2026 Equity Incentive Plan
Form of PSU Award Agreement under the Northwest Bancshares, Inc. 2026 Equity Incentive Plan
104Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, hereunto duly authorized.
 
  NORTHWEST BANCSHARES, INC.
   
   
DATE:May 21, 2026 By:
/s/ Douglas M. Schosser
  Douglas M. Schosser
  Chief Financial Officer