Northwest Bancshares (NWBI) 47th Annual Raymond James Institutional Investor Conference summary

Strategic transformation and financial performance

• Achieved record revenues of $655 million in 2025, driven by a major acquisition and strong commercial growth.

• Commercial C&I growth reached 26% year-over-year, with double-digit EPS and 23% revenue growth, outperforming peers.

• Net interest margin improved by 16%, efficiency ratio dropped to 59%, and adjusted EPS grew nearly 17%.

• Executive team was strengthened with experienced hires, supporting transformation and best-in-class ambitions.

• Acquisition integration is ahead of schedule and expected to be meaningfully accretive to shareholders.

Business expansion and growth initiatives

• Opened first new branch in six years in Indianapolis, with a de novo strategy targeting Columbus and additional branches by end of 2026.

• Five new national commercial verticals launched since 2023, now representing 21% of commercial loan balances.

• Commercial business covers both in-market and national verticals, with $1.3 billion in loans in new verticals and $3.7 billion in legacy commercial loans.

• Focused on measured, disciplined growth in verticals, balancing risk and diversification.

• Loan growth guidance set at low- to mid-single digits, aligned with GDP expectations and supported by new market expansion.

Deposit, margin, and fee income outlook

• Maintains a low cost of deposits with opportunities to reprice CDs as rates change, aiming to keep margin in the low 3.70s%.

• Fee income has been about 20% of revenue, with investments in wealth management and consumer-friendly fee products expected to drive future growth.

• Scaling SBA business and mortgage banking operations could provide additional fee upside.

• Focus on sustainable, value-driven fees rather than punitive charges.