Michael Perry Joins Northwest Bank as Managing Director of Strategy and Corporate Development

Northwest Bank Welcomes Michael Perry to Management Team

Northwest Bank, a comprehensive financial institution, has announced the appointment of Michael Perry as the new Managing Director for its Corporate Development and Strategy Department. This pivotal role positions Perry as a key figure within the bank's senior leadership team, where he will be responsible for spearheading the bank's acquisition and merger strategies, integral to Northwest's long-term growth trajectory.

In this capacity, Perry's extensive background in financial services will greatly enhance the bank's strategic planning processes. His leadership will facilitate not only the overall corporate strategy but will also refine the bank's efforts towards continuous transformation and achievement of its strategic goals. More importantly, Perry will oversee the bank's Investor Relations, ensuring productive communication with both investors and the broader investment community.

Perry brings with him over 28 years of deep-rooted experience in the financial arena, particularly in working with depository institutions on key financial transactions, including mergers and acquisitions (M&A), divestitures, and capital markets activities. With a remarkable track record of advising on more than 50 M&A transactions valued at over $80 billion, his skill set is impressive. Additionally, he has facilitated capital market offerings raising more than $23 billion—demonstrating a robust capacity to drive financial success.

Before joining Northwest Bank, Perry was instrumental in his role as a Managing Director in the Financial Institutions Group at Piper Jaffray. During his tenure, he also served on the M&A Fairness Committee, showcasing his capability in navigating high-stakes financial landscapes. Perry has operated at both prestigious bulge bracket firms and boutique investment banks, including Morgan Stanley, Bear Stearns, and Merrill Lynch, allowing him a rich perspective on various market dynamics.

Globally, Perry's experience includes serving as the Managing Director and Head of M&A for Financial Institutions and Financial Sponsors for non-Japan Asia at Daiwa Capital Markets in Hong Kong. His global reach involved significant roles in new business committees, enhancing his breadth of strategic insight.

Perry’s most recent position was with Commerce Street Capital, focusing on banks in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions, further solidifying his expertise across various U.S. markets.

The Chief Financial Officer of Northwest Bank, Doug Schosser, expressed enthusiasm about Perry's arrival, stating, "We are delighted to welcome Michael to Northwest's senior leadership team. He brings tremendous banking, financial services, and M&A experience to Northwest. His expertise and leadership will be essential as we work to achieve our long-term strategic growth objectives, designed to bring value to our employees, customers, and shareholders."

Academically, Perry holds a Master of Business Administration with Beta Gamma Sigma honors from Columbia University and a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

About Northwest Bank

Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Northwest Bancshares, Inc. is the parent company of Northwest Bank. Established in 1896, Northwest Bank provides a full spectrum of personal and business banking services, along with wealth management and employee benefits. The bank operates 130 financial centers and 11 drive-up facilities in Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, and Indiana. Northwest Bancshares, Inc. is publicly traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol 'NWBI.' For more information about Northwest Bancshares, Inc. and Northwest Bank, please visit www.northwest.bank.