S-3ASR 1 d356131ds3asr.htm S-3ASR S-3ASR
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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 15, 2020

Registration No. 333-            

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Form S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

WESBANCO, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

 

 

West Virginia   55-0571723

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

1 Bank Plaza

Wheeling, WV 26003

(304) 234-9000

(Address, including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, including Area Code, of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)

 

 

Todd F. Clossin

President and Chief Executive Officer

Wesbanco, Inc.

1 Bank Plaza

Wheeling, West Virginia 26003

(304) 234-9000

(Name, Address, including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, including Area Code, of Agent for Service)

 

 

Copies to:

 

James C. Gardill    Paul C. Cancilla
Phillips, Gardill, Kaiser & Altmeyer, PLLC    K&L Gates LLP
61 Fourteenth Street    K&L Gates Center
Wheeling, West Virginia 26003    210 Sixth Avenue
(304) 232-6810    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
   (412) 355-6500

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement as determined by the Registrant.

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box.  ☐

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box.  ☒

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  ☒

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer      Accelerated filer  
Non-accelerated filer      Smaller reporting company  
     Emerging growth company  

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

Title of Each Class of

Securities to be Registered

  Amount
to be
Registered (1)
  Proposed
Maximum
Offering Price
Per Unit (1)
  Proposed
Maximum
Aggregate
Offering Price (1)
  Amount of
Registration Fee (1)

Debt Securities

               

Preferred Stock, no par value

               

Common Stock, $2.0833 par value

               

Warrants

               

Purchase Contracts

               

Units (2)

               

Depositary Shares (3)

               

 

 

 

(1)

An indeterminate aggregate initial offering price or amount of the securities of each identified class is being registered as may from time to time be offered at indeterminate prices. Separate consideration may or may not be received for securities that are issuable upon exercise, conversion or exchange of other securities or that are issued in units or represented by depositary shares. In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r), the registrant is deferring payment of all of the registration fee.

(2)

Any securities registered hereunder may be sold separately or as units with other securities registered hereunder.

(3)

Each depositary share will be issued under a deposit agreement and will be evidenced by a depositary receipt.

 

 

 


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PROSPECTUS

 

LOGO

Debt Securities

Preferred Stock

Common Stock

Warrants

Purchase Contracts

Units

Depositary Shares

 

 

We may, from time to time, offer to sell, in one or more series, senior or subordinated debt securities, preferred stock, common stock, warrants, purchase contracts, units or depositary shares, or any combination of these securities. The debt securities, preferred stock, warrants and purchase contracts may be convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our common stock or preferred stock.

Our common stock is listed for trading on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “WSBC.” If we decide to seek a listing of any securities offered by this prospectus, we will disclose the exchange or market on which the securities will be listed or where we have made an application for listing in one or more supplements to this prospectus.

This prospectus describes some of the general terms that may apply to these securities. The specific terms of any securities to be offered, and the specific manner in which they may be offered, will be described in one or more supplements to this prospectus. This prospectus may not be used to sell securities unless it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement that contains a description of those securities.

We may offer and sell these securities to or through one or more underwriters, dealers or agents, or directly to other purchasers, on a continuous or delayed basis. If any offering involves underwriters, dealers or agents, arrangements with them will be described in a prospectus supplement relating to that offering.

 

 

Investing in these securities involves significant risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 2 of this prospectus and the “Risk Factors” section included in any accompanying prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus for a discussion of the factors you should carefully consider before deciding to purchase these securities.

These securities will not be savings accounts, deposits or obligations of any bank and will not be insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency or instrumentality.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this Prospectus is June 15, 2020.


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

     1  

RISK FACTORS

     2  

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

     3  

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     5  

WESBANCO, INC.

     6  

USE OF PROCEEDS

     7  

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

     8  

DESCRIPTION OF OTHER SECURITIES

     16  

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

     17  

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

     21  

LEGAL MATTERS

     23  

EXPERTS

     23  

 

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), using an automatic shelf registration process. By using a shelf registration statement, we may sell, from time to time, in one or more offerings, any combination of the securities described in this prospectus. This prospectus does not contain all of the information in that registration statement. For further information about our business and the securities that may be offered under this prospectus, you should refer to the registration statement and its exhibits. The exhibits to the registration statement contain the full text of certain contracts and other important documents that we have summarized in this prospectus. Since the summaries in this prospectus may not contain all the information that you may find important in deciding whether to purchase the securities we may offer, you should review the full text of these contracts and documents. These summaries are qualified in all respects by reference to all of the provisions contained in the applicable contract or document. The registration statement and its exhibits can be obtained from the SEC as indicated under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

This prospectus only provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that contains specific information about the terms of those securities. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement together with the additional information described below under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. We are not making offers to sell the securities in any jurisdiction in which an offer or solicitation is not authorized or in which the person making such offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to anyone to whom it is unlawful to make an offer or solicitation. You should assume that the information in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus is accurate only as of the date on its cover page and that any information we have incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference.

Unless otherwise indicated or unless the context requires otherwise, all references in this prospectus to “Wesbanco,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” “our” or similar references mean Wesbanco, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

 

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves risks. Before deciding to purchase any of our securities, you should carefully consider the discussion of risks and uncertainties under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December  31, 2019, and as supplemented by the Risk Factors in our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 27, 2020 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus, and under similar headings in our subsequently filed quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and annual reports on Form 10-K, as well as the other risks and uncertainties described in any applicable prospectus supplement and in the other documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus. See the information under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” for information on how to obtain copies of documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus. The risks and uncertainties we discuss in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus are those we currently believe may materially affect our company. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe are immaterial also may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

Available Information

We file reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. These reports, proxy statements and other information that we file with the SEC can be accessed at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. In addition, our SEC filings are available on our Internet website. Our Internet website is www.wesbanco.com. Information contained on our website is not part of, and should not be construed as being incorporated by reference into, this prospectus.

Incorporation by Reference

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information that we file with it. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to other documents. Any information we incorporate in this manner is considered part of this prospectus except to the extent updated and superseded by information contained in this prospectus. Some information that we file with the SEC after the date of this prospectus and until we sell all of the securities covered by this prospectus will automatically update and supersede the information contained in this prospectus.

We incorporate by reference the following documents that we have filed with the SEC and any filings that we make with the SEC in the future under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), until we sell all of the securities covered by this prospectus, including between the date of this prospectus and the date on which the offering of the securities under this prospectus is terminated, except as noted in the paragraph below:

 

   

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019;

 

   

The portions of our definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A, filed on March 18, 2020, that are incorporated by reference in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019;

 

   

Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020;

 

   

Our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on February  10, 2020; February  27, 2020; February  28, 2020; March  24, 2020, April  22, 2020, and April 27, 2020; and

 

   

The description of Wesbanco common stock contained in our Form 8-K filed by Wesbanco on May 10, 2019, including any amendments or reports filed for purpose of updating the description.

Pursuant to General Instruction B of Form 8-K, any information submitted under Item 2.02, Results of Operations and Financial Condition, or Item 7.01, Regulation FD Disclosure, of Form 8-K is not deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, and we are not subject to the liabilities of Section 18 with respect to information submitted under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K. We are not incorporating by reference any information submitted under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or the Exchange Act or into this prospectus.

Statements contained in this prospectus as to the contents of any contract, agreement or other document referred to in this prospectus do not purport to be complete, and where reference is made to the particular provisions of that contract, agreement or other document, those references are qualified in all respects by reference to all of the provisions contained in that contract or other document. For a more complete understanding and description of each such contract, agreement or other document, we urge you to read the documents filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which the accompanying prospectus is a part.

Any statement contained in a document incorporated by reference, or deemed to be incorporated by reference, into this prospectus will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein, therein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is

 

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incorporated by reference in this prospectus modifies or supersedes that statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.

We will provide without charge, upon written or oral request, a copy of any or all of the documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus and a copy of any or all other contracts, agreements or documents which are referred to in this prospectus. Requests should be directed to: Wesbanco, Inc., 1 Bank Plaza, Wheeling, WV 26003, Attention: Secretary; telephone number: (304) 234-9000.

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

You should carefully review the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus. In this prospectus, statements that are not reported financial results or other historical information are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Forward-looking statements give current expectations or forecasts of future events and are not guarantees of future performance. They are based on our management’s expectations that involve a number of business risks and uncertainties, any of which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements.

You can identify these forward-looking statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historic or current facts. They use words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “would,” “should,” “will,” “will likely result,” “forecast,” “outlook,” “projects,” and similar expressions in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance.

We cannot guarantee that any forward-looking statements will be realized. Achievement of future results is subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that may prove to be inaccurate. Among others, the factors discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December  31, 2019, and as supplemented by the Risk Factors in our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 27, 2020 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus, and under similar headings in our subsequently filed quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and annual reports on Form 10-K, as well as the other risks and uncertainties described in any applicable prospectus supplement and in the other documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus, could cause actual results to differ from those in forward-looking statements included in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus or that we otherwise make. Should known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove to be inaccurate, actual results could vary materially from those anticipated, estimated or projected. You should bear this in mind as you consider any forward-looking statements.

We undertake no obligation to publicly update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. You are advised, however, to consider any additional disclosures that we may make on related subjects in future filings with the SEC. You should understand that it is not possible to predict or identify all factors that could cause our actual results to differ. Consequently, you should not consider any list of factors to be a complete set of all potential risks or uncertainties.

 

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WESBANCO, INC.

Wesbanco is a bank holding company headquartered in Wheeling, West Virginia. Wesbanco provides a full range of financial services including retail banking, corporate banking, personal and corporate trust services, brokerage services, mortgage banking and insurance. Wesbanco offers these services through two reportable segments, community banking and trust and investment services. Wesbanco operates one commercial bank, Wesbanco Bank, Inc. (“Wesbanco Bank”). Wesbanco’s main office is located at One Bank Plaza, Wheeling, West Virginia, 26003 and its telephone number is (304) 234-9000.

Wesbanco’s community banking segment offers services traditionally offered by full-service commercial banks, including commercial demand, individual demand and time deposit accounts, as well as commercial, mortgage and individual installment loans, and certain non-traditional offerings, such as insurance and securities brokerage services. The trust and investment services segment offers trust services as well as various alternative investment products including mutual funds.

Wesbanco offers additional services through its non-banking subsidiaries, Wesbanco Insurance Services, Inc., a multi-line insurance agency specializing in property, casualty and life insurance, and benefit plan sales and administration for personal and commercial clients; and Wesbanco Securities, Inc., a full service broker-dealer, which also offers discount brokerage services. Wesbanco Asset Management, Inc., which was incorporated in 2002, holds certain investment securities in a Delaware-based subsidiary. Wesbanco Properties, Inc. holds certain commercial real estate properties. The commercial property is leased to Wesbanco Bank and to non-related third parties. Wesbanco Bank’s Investment Department also serves as investment adviser to a family of mutual funds, namely the “WesMark Funds.” The fund family is composed of the WesMark Growth Fund, the WesMark Balanced Fund, the WesMark Small Company Growth Fund, the WesMark Government Bond Fund, the WesMark West Virginia Municipal Bond Fund and the WesMark Tactical Opportunity Fund.

Wesbanco’s common stock is listed and traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “WSBC.”

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities for general corporate purposes unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to a specific issuance of securities. Our general corporate purposes include, but are not limited to, (i) repayment, redemption or refinancing of indebtedness, (ii) capital expenditures, (iii) making contributions to the capital of Wesbanco Bank to support its lending, investing and other financial services activities, (iv) funding of possible acquisitions, (v) working capital, (vi) satisfaction of other obligations and (vii) repurchase of our outstanding equity securities. Pending any such use, the net proceeds from the sale of the securities may be invested in short-term, investment grade, interest-bearing instruments.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

The following is a general description of the debt securities that we may offer from time to time under this prospectus or that may underlie any warrants, purchase contracts or units that we may offer from time to time under this prospectus. Debt securities issued as part of units that may be offered under this prospectus may be attached to or separate from any other securities that are part of those units. The particular terms of the debt securities offered under this prospectus or the debt securities underlying any warrants, purchase contracts or units offered under this prospectus and the extent, if any, to which the general provisions described below may apply to such debt securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Although our debt securities that we may offer from time to time under this prospectus include debt securities denominated in U.S. dollars, we may choose to issue debt securities in any other currency, including the euro.

The debt securities will be either senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities. The senior debt securities and the subordinated debt securities are collectively referred to in this prospectus as the debt securities. We will issue the senior debt securities under a senior indenture between us and a trustee (the “Senior Indenture”), a form of which is an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. We will issue the subordinated debt securities under a subordinated indenture between us and the same or another trustee (the “Subordinated Indenture”), a form of which also is an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. The Senior Indenture and the Subordinated Indenture are collectively referred to in this prospectus as the indentures, and each of the trustee under the Senior Indenture and the trustee under the Subordinated Indenture are referred to in this prospectus as the trustee, as applicable.

The following description is only a summary of the material provisions of the indentures. We urge you to read the appropriate indenture, along with any applicable supplement to the appropriate indenture and the debt securities themselves, because they define your rights as holders of the applicable debt securities. See the information under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” for information on how to obtain a copy of the appropriate indenture, any applicable supplement to that indenture and any applicable form of debt security. The following description also is subject to and qualified by reference to the description of the particular terms of the debt securities, the relevant indenture and any applicable supplement to that indenture, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement, including definitions used in the relevant indenture, any applicable supplement to that indenture and the applicable form of debt security. The particular terms of the debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus, the relevant indenture, any applicable supplement to that indenture and the applicable form of debt security may vary from the terms described below.

General

The senior debt securities will be unsubordinated obligations, will rank equally with all other unsubordinated debt obligations of ours and, unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, will be unsecured. The subordinated debt securities will be subordinate in right of payment to any senior debt securities issued by the Company. A description of certain additional terms of the subordinated debt securities is provided below under “— Subordinated Debt Securities.” The specific terms of any subordinated debt securities will be provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. For a complete understanding of the provisions pertaining to the subordinated debt securities, you also should refer to the form of the Subordinated Indenture which is an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. Unless we elect or are required to secure debt securities that we issue, those debt securities will be effectively subordinated to any of our existing and future secured debt to the extent of the assets securing that debt.

Our primary sources of funding for our payment obligations under the debt securities will be revenues from our operations and investments and cash distributions from our subsidiaries. Our subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities and have no obligation whatsoever to pay any amounts due on debt securities issued by us or to make funds available to us. Our subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends or make other payments or advances to us will depend upon their operating results and will be subject to applicable laws and contractual restrictions.

 

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Neither the Senior Indenture nor the Subordinated Indenture will restrict our subsidiaries from entering into agreements that prohibit or limit their ability to pay dividends or make other payments or advances to us.

To the extent that we must rely on cash from our subsidiaries to pay amounts due on the debt securities, the debt securities will be effectively subordinated to all of our subsidiaries’ liabilities, including their trade payables. This means that our subsidiaries may be required to pay all of their creditors in full before their assets are available to us. Even if we are recognized as a creditor of our subsidiaries, our claims would be effectively subordinated to any security interests in their assets and also could be subordinated to some or all other claims on their assets and earnings.

In addition to the debt securities that we may offer pursuant to this prospectus, we may issue other debt securities in public or private offerings from time to time. These other debt securities may be issued under other indentures or documentation that are not described in this prospectus, and those debt securities may contain provisions materially different from the provisions applicable to one or more issues of debt securities offered pursuant to this prospectus.

Terms

Neither of the indentures will limit the principal amount of debt, including unsecured debt, or other securities that we or our subsidiaries may issue.

We may issue notes or bonds in traditional paper form, or we may issue a global security. The debt securities of any series may be issued in definitive form or, if provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, may be represented in whole or in part by a global security or securities, registered in the name of a depositary designated by us. Each debt security represented by a global security is referred to in this prospectus as a “book-entry security.”

The debt securities may be issued from time to time pursuant to this prospectus and will be offered on terms determined by market conditions at the time of sale. Debt securities may be issued in one or more series with the same or various maturities and may be sold at par, a premium or an original issue discount. Debt securities sold at an original issue discount may bear no interest or interest at a rate that is below market rates. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, debt securities denominated in U.S. dollars will be issued in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

Please refer to the applicable prospectus supplement for the specific terms of the debt securities offered, including the following:

 

   

Designation of an aggregate principal amount, purchase price and denomination;

 

   

Date of maturity;

 

   

If other than U.S. currency, the currency in which the debt securities may be purchased and the currency in which principal, premium, if any, and interest will be paid;

 

   

The interest rate or rates and the method of calculating interest (unless we specify a different method, interest will be calculated based on a 360-day year consisting of 12 30-day months);

 

   

The date or dates from which the interest will accrue, the payment dates on which any premium and interest will be payable or the manner of determination of the payment dates and the record dates for the determination of holders to whom interest is payable;

 

   

The place or places where principal, premium, if any, and interest will be payable;

 

   

Any redemption or sinking fund provisions or other repayment or repurchase obligations;

 

   

Any index used to determine the amount of principal, premium, if any, and interest to be paid with respect to the debt securities;

 

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The application, if any, of defeasance provisions to the debt securities;

 

   

If other than the entire principal amount, the portion of the debt securities that would be payable upon acceleration of the maturity thereof;

 

   

Whether the debt securities will be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities and, in such case, the depositary for the global securities;

 

   

Whether the debt securities may be converted into or exercised or exchanged for our common stock, preferred stock, warrants, purchase contracts or units and the terms of such conversion, exercise or exchange, if any;

 

   

Any covenants applicable to the debt securities;

 

   

Any events of default applicable to the debt securities;

 

   

Any changes to the events of default described in this prospectus;

 

   

The terms of subordination, if applicable;

 

   

The terms of conversion, if applicable; and

 

   

Any other specific material terms, including any additions to the terms described in this prospectus and any terms that may be required by or advisable under applicable law.

Except with respect to book-entry securities, debt securities may be presented for exchange or registration of transfer, in the manner, at the places and subject to the restrictions set forth in the debt securities and the applicable prospectus supplement. Such services will be provided without charge, other than any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith, but subject to the limitations provided in the indentures.

Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets

Except as otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, pursuant to each of the indentures, we will not, in a single transaction or through a series of related transactions, consolidate or merge with or into any other person, or, directly or indirectly, sell or convey all or substantially all of its properties and assets to another person or group of affiliated persons, except that we may consolidate or merge with, or sell or convey substantially all of our assets to another person if (i) we are the continuing person or the successor person (if other than us) is organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and such person expressly assumes all of our obligations under the applicable indenture, including payment of the principal and interest on the debt securities, and the performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions of the applicable indenture to be performed by us and (ii) there is no default under the applicable indenture. Upon such a succession, we will be relieved from any further obligations under each of the indentures.

Events of Default

Except as otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, an event of default shall occur with respect to any series of debt securities when:

 

   

We default in paying the principal or premium, if any, on any of the debt securities of such series when due;

 

   

We default in paying interest on any of the debt securities of such series when due and such default continues for 30 days;

 

   

We default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment with respect to any of the debt securities of such series when due and such default continues for 30 days;

 

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We fail to perform any other covenant or warranty in the debt securities of such series or in the applicable indenture, and such failure continues for a period of 90 days after notice of such failure as provided in that indenture;

 

   

Certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization involving us occur; or

 

   

Any other event of default specified in the applicable prospectus supplement occurs with respect to debt securities of that series.

We will be required annually to deliver to the trustee an officers’ certificate stating whether or not the officers signing such certificate have any knowledge of any default in the performance by us of our obligations under the applicable indenture.

If an event of default shall occur and be continuing with respect to any series (other than an event of default described in the fifth bullet point of the first paragraph above under “— Events of Default”), the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the debt securities of such series then outstanding (or, if any debt securities of that series are original issue discount securities, the portion of the principal amount of such securities as may be specified by the terms thereof) may declare the principal amount of the debt securities of such series to be immediately due and payable. If an event of default described in the fifth bullet point of the first paragraph above under “— Events of Default” occurs with respect to any series of debt securities, the principal amount of and accrued but unpaid interest on all debt securities of that series (or, if any debt securities of that series are original issue discount securities, the portion of the principal amount of such securities as may be specified by the terms thereof) will automatically become due and payable without any declaration by the trustee or the holders. The trustee is required to give holders of the debt securities of any series written notice of a default with respect to such series as and to the extent provided by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. As used in this paragraph, a “default” means an event described in the first paragraph above under “— Events of Default” without including any applicable grace period.

If at any time after the debt securities of such series have been declared due and payable, and before any judgment or decree for the moneys due has been obtained or entered, we pay or deposit with the trustee amounts sufficient to pay all matured installments of interest upon the debt securities of such series and the principal and premium, if any, on all debt securities of such series which shall have become due, otherwise than by acceleration, together with interest on such principal and, to the extent legally enforceable, on such overdue installments of interest and all other amounts due under the applicable indenture shall have been paid, and any and all defaults with respect to such series under that indenture shall have been cured or waived, then the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of such series then outstanding, by written notice to us and the trustee, may rescind and annul the declaration that the debt securities of such series are due and payable.

In addition, the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of such series may waive any past default and its consequences with respect to such series, except a default in the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any debt securities of such series or a default in the performance of a covenant that cannot be modified under the applicable indenture without the consent of the holder of each affected debt security.

The trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers under the indentures at the request, order or direction of any of the holders of debt securities, unless such holders shall have offered to the trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the trustee. Subject to such provisions for the indemnification of the trustee and certain limitations contained in the indentures, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of each series at the time outstanding shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee, with respect to the debt securities of such series.

 

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No holder of debt securities of any series will have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to the applicable indenture, for the appointment of a receiver or trustee or for any other remedy under the indenture, unless:

 

   

The holder has previously given written notice to the trustee of a continuing event of default with respect to the debt securities of that series; and

 

   

The holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have made a written request to the trustee, and offered the trustee reasonable indemnity, satisfactory to the trustee, to institute proceedings as trustee, the trustee has failed to institute the proceedings within 60 days after its receipt of such notice and the trustee has not received from the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of that series a direction inconsistent with that request.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the holder of any debt security issued under indentures will have an absolute and unconditional right to receive payment of the principal of and any premium and, subject to the provisions of the applicable indenture regarding the payment of default interest, interest on that debt security on the due dates expressed in that security and to institute suit for the enforcement of payment.

Modification of the Indentures

Each of the indentures will contain provisions permitting us and the trustee to modify that indenture or enter into or modify any supplemental indenture without the consent of the holders of the debt securities for any of the following purposes:

 

   

To evidence the succession of another corporation to us in accordance with “— Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets”;

 

   

To add to our covenants further covenants for the benefit or protection of the holders of any or all series of debt securities or to surrender any right or power conferred upon us by that indenture;

 

   

To add any additional events of default with respect to all or any series of debt securities;

 

   

To add to or change any of the provisions of that indenture to permit or facilitate the issuance of debt securities in bearer form with or without coupons, or to permit or facilitate the issuance of debt securities in uncertificated form;

 

   

To add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of that indenture in respect of one or more series of debt securities thereunder, under certain conditions designed to protect the rights of any existing holder of those debt securities;

 

   

To secure all or any series of debt securities;

 

   

To establish the forms or terms of the debt securities of any series;

 

   

To evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment of a successor trustee and to add to or change provisions of that indenture necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts under that indenture by more than one trustee;

 

   

Subject to certain restrictions, to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of any subordination of securities provisions or related definition of senior debt of a subordinated debt indenture in respect of one or more series of subordinated debt securities; and

 

   

To cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision of that indenture which may be defective or inconsistent with another provision of that indenture or to change any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under that indenture, provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the holders of any series of debt securities.

 

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We and the trustee may otherwise modify each indenture or any supplemental indenture with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of each series of debt securities affected thereby at the time outstanding, except that no such modifications shall:

 

   

Change the fixed maturity of any debt securities, or any installment of principal of, or interest on, any debt securities, or reduce the principal amount thereof or the rate of interest or the time of payment of interest thereon or any premium payable upon the redemption thereof, or reduce the amount of the principal of an original issue discount debt security or any other debt security that would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof, or change the currency in which any debt securities or any premium or interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the stated maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the applicable redemption date), or modify the provisions of such indenture with respect to the subordination of subordinated debt securities in a manner adverse to the holders of such subordinated debt securities, without the consent of the holder of each debt security so affected;

 

   

Reduce the percentage in principal amount of debt securities of any series, the consent of the holders of which is required for any waiver or supplemental indenture, without the consent of the holders of all debt securities affected thereby then outstanding;

 

   

Modify the provisions of that indenture relating to the waiver of past defaults or the waiver or certain covenants or the provisions described above, except to increase any percentage set forth in those provisions or to provide that other provisions of that indenture may not be modified without the consent of the holder of each debt security affected thereby, without the consent of the holder of each debt security affected thereby;

 

   

Change any obligation of ours to maintain an office or agency;

 

   

Change any obligation of ours to pay additional amounts;

 

   

Adversely affect any right of repayment or repurchase at the option of the holder; or

 

   

Reduce or postpone any sinking fund or similar provision.

With respect to any vote of holders of a series of debt securities, we generally will be entitled to set any date as a record date for the purpose of determining the holders of outstanding debt securities that are entitled to vote or take other action under the applicable indenture.

Satisfaction and Discharge, Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

Except as otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, each indenture shall be satisfied and discharged if (i) we shall deliver to the trustee all debt securities then outstanding for cancellation or (ii) all debt securities not delivered to the trustee for cancellation shall have become due and payable, are to become due and payable within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year and we shall deposit an amount sufficient to pay the principal, premium, if any, and interest to the date of maturity, redemption or deposit (in the case of debt securities that have become due and payable), provided that in either case we shall have paid all other sums payable under that indenture.

Each of the indentures will provide, if such provision is made applicable to the debt securities of a series, that we may elect either (A) to defease and be discharged from any and all obligations with respect to any debt security of such series, or “defeasance,” or (B) to be released from our obligations with respect to such debt security under certain of the covenants and events of default under the applicable indenture together with additional covenants that may be included for a particular series and that certain events of default shall not be events of default under that indenture with respect to such series (“covenant defeasance”), in either case upon the deposit with the trustee (or other qualifying trustee), in trust for such purpose, of money or certain U.S. government obligations which through the payment of principal and interest in accordance with their terms will provide money, in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on such debt security, on the scheduled due dates.

 

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In the case of defeasance or covenant defeasance, the holders of such debt securities will be entitled to receive payments in respect of such debt securities solely from such trust. Such a trust may only be established if, among other things, we have delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel (as specified in the indentures) to the effect that the holders of the debt securities affected thereby will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance or covenant defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such defeasance or covenant defeasance had not occurred. Such opinion of counsel, in the case of defeasance under clause (A) above, must refer to and be based upon a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service or a change in applicable Federal income tax law occurring after the date of the applicable indenture.

Record Dates

Each of the indentures will provide that, in certain circumstances, we may establish a record date for determining the holders of outstanding debt securities of a series entitled to join in the giving of notice or the taking of other action under the applicable indenture by the holders of the debt securities of such series.

Subordinated Debt Securities

Subordinated debt securities will be subordinate, in right of payment, to all senior debt. Senior debt means, with respect to us, the principal, premium, if any, accrued interest, fees, charges, expenses, reimbursement obligations, guarantees and other amounts owing on the following:

 

   

All indebtedness of ours, whether outstanding on the date of issuance or thereafter created, incurred or assumed, which is for money borrowed, or evidenced by a note or similar instrument given in connection with the acquisition of any business, properties or assets, including securities;

 

   

Any indebtedness of others of the kinds described in the preceding clause for the payment of which we are responsible or liable (directly or indirectly, contingently or otherwise) as guarantor or otherwise; and

 

   

Amendments, renewals, extensions and refundings of any indebtedness described above, unless in any instrument or instruments evidencing or securing such indebtedness or pursuant to which the same is outstanding, or in any such amendment, renewal, extension or refunding, it provides that such indebtedness is not senior or prior in right of payment to the subordinated debt securities.

Upon any distribution of our assets upon our dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization, the payment of the principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the subordinated debt securities will be subordinated, to the extent provided in the Subordinated Indenture, in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all of our senior debt. Our obligation to make payment of the principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the subordinated debt securities will not otherwise be affected. In addition, no payment on account of principal and premium, if any, sinking fund or interest, if any, may be made on the subordinated debt securities at any time unless full payment of all amounts due in respect of the principal and premium, if any, sinking fund and interest, if any, on our senior debt has been made or duly provided for in money or money’s worth.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless all of our senior debt has been paid in full, in the event that any payment or distribution made by us is received by the trustee or the holders of any of the subordinated debt securities, such payment or distribution must be paid over to the holders of our senior debt or a person acting on their behalf, to be applied toward the payment of all of our senior debt remaining unpaid until all the senior debt has been paid in full. Subject to the payment in full of all of our senior debt, the rights of the holders of our subordinated debt securities will be subrogated to the rights of the holders of our senior debt.

By reason of this subordination, in the event of a distribution of our assets upon our insolvency, certain of our general creditors may recover more, ratably, than holders of our subordinated debt securities.

 

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Governing Law

The laws of the State of New York will govern each of the indentures and will govern the debt securities issued under each of the indentures.

“Street Name” and Other Indirect Holders

Investors who hold securities in accounts at banks or brokers generally will not be recognized by us as legal holders of debt securities. This is called holding in “street name.” Instead, we would recognize only the bank or broker, or the financial institution that the bank or broker uses to hold its securities. These intermediary banks, brokers and other financial institutions pass along principal, interest and other payments on the debt securities, either because they agree to do so in their customer agreements or because they are legally required to do so. If you hold debt securities in “street name,” you should check with your own institution to find out, among other things:

 

   

How it handles payments and notices;

 

   

Whether it imposes fees or charges;

 

   

How it would handle voting if applicable;

 

   

Whether and how you can instruct it to send you debt securities registered in your own name so you can be a direct holder as described below; and

 

   

If applicable, how it would pursue rights under your debt securities if there were a default or other event triggering the need for holders to act to protect their interests.

Our obligations, as well as the obligations of the trustee under the indentures and those of any third parties employed by us or the trustee under either of the indentures, run only to persons who are registered as holders of debt securities issued under the applicable indenture. As noted above, we do not have obligations to you if you hold in “street name” or other indirect means, either because you choose to hold debt securities in that manner or because the debt securities are issued in the form of global securities as described below. For example, once we make payment to the registered holder, we have no further responsibility for the payment even if that holder is legally required to pass the payment along to you as a “street name” customer but does not do so.

Book-Entry Securities

The following description of book-entry securities will apply to any series of debt securities issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities except as otherwise described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Book-entry securities of like tenor and having the same date will be represented by one or more global securities deposited with and registered in the name of a depositary that is a clearing agent registered under the Exchange Act. Beneficial interests in book-entry securities will be limited to institutions that have accounts with the depositary, or “participants,” or persons that may hold interests through participants.

Ownership of beneficial interests by participants will only be evidenced by, and the transfer of that ownership interest will only be effected through, records maintained by the depositary. Ownership of beneficial interests by persons that hold through participants will only be evidenced by, and the transfer of that ownership interest within such participant will only be effected through, records maintained by the participants. The laws of some jurisdictions require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. Such laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a global security.

Payment of principal of and any premium and interest on book-entry securities represented by a global security registered in the name of or held by a depositary will be made to the depositary, as the registered owner

 

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of the global security. Neither we, the trustee nor any agent of ours or the trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the depositary’s records or any participant’s records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in a global security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any of the depositary’s records or any participant’s records relating to the beneficial ownership interests. Payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in a global security held through such participants will be governed by the depositary’s procedures, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers registered in “street name,” and will be the sole responsibility of such participants.

A global security representing a book-entry security will be exchangeable for definitive debt securities in registered form, of like tenor and of an equal aggregate principal amount registered in the name of, or is transferable in whole or in part to, a person other than the depositary for that global security, only if:

 

   

The depositary notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary for that global security and we do not appoint a successor depositary within 90 days after receiving that notice;

 

   

At any time the depositary ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and we do not appoint a successor depositary within 90 days after becoming aware that the depositary has ceased to be registered as a clearing agency;

 

   

We in our sole discretion determine that that the global security is so transferable or will be exchangeable for definitive securities in registered form and, in each case, notify the trustee of our decision;

 

   

An event of default with respect to the debt securities of that series has occurred and is continuing; or

 

   

Other circumstances exist that have been specified in the terms of the debt securities of that series.

Any global security that is exchangeable pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be registered in the name or names of such person or persons as the depositary shall instruct the trustee. It is expected that such instructions may be based upon directions received by the depositary from its participants with respect to ownership of beneficial interests in such global security.

Except as provided above, owners of beneficial interests in a global security will not be entitled to receive physical delivery of debt securities in definitive form and will not be considered the holders thereof for any purpose under the indentures, and no global security shall be exchangeable, except for a security registered in the name of the depositary. This means each person owning a beneficial interest in such global security must rely on the procedures of the depositary and, if such person is not a participant, on the procedures of the participant through which such person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under the indentures. We understand that under existing industry practices, if we request any action of holders or if an owner of a beneficial interest in such global security desires to give or take any action that a holder is entitled to give or take under the indentures, the depositary would authorize the participants holding the relevant beneficial interests to give or take such action, and such participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through such participant to give or take such action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners owning through them.

DESCRIPTION OF OTHER SECURITIES

We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement a description of any warrants, purchase contracts, units or depositary shares that may be offered pursuant to this prospectus.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

Common Stock

We may issue, either separately or together with other securities, including as a part of units, shares of our common stock. Shares of common stock issued as part of units may be attached to or separate from any other securities part of those units. Under our Restated Articles of Incorporation, we are authorized to issue up to 100,000,000 shares of our common stock. As of June 1, 2020, we had 67,204,814 shares of common stock issued and outstanding and had reserved 66,217 additional shares of common stock for issuance under our equity compensation plans.

A prospectus supplement relating to an offering of common stock or other securities convertible or exchangeable for, or exercisable into, common stock, or the settlement of which may result in the issuance of common stock, will describe the relevant terms of the offering, including the number of shares offered, any initial offering price and market price and dividend information, as well as, if applicable, information on other related securities.

The following summary is not complete and is not intended to give full effect to provisions of statutory or common law. You should refer to the applicable provisions of the following:

 

   

the West Virginia Business Corporations Act, as it may be amended from time to time (“WVBCA”);

 

   

our Restated Articles of Incorporation, as they may be amended or further restated from time to time; and

 

   

our Amended and Restated By-Laws, as they may be further amended or restated from time to time.

Liquidation Rights. Upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs, each share of our common stock entitles the holder thereof to share ratably in our assets legally available for distribution to shareholders after (i) payment in full of all amounts required to be paid to our creditors or provision for such payment and (ii) provision for the distribution of any preferential amounts to the holders of shares of our preferred stock, if any. Our Board of Directors may approve for issuance, without approval of the holders of common stock, preferred stock that has liquidation rights superior to that of our common stock and which may adversely affect the rights of holders of common stock.

Assessment, Subscription, Conversion, Exchange and Redemption Rights. Shares of our common stock presently outstanding are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. The holders of our common stock do not have subscription, conversion or exchange rights, and there are no mandatory redemption provisions applicable to our common stock.

Preemptive Rights. No holder of any share of our capital stock has any preemptive right to subscribe to an additional issue of capital stock or to any security convertible into such stock.

Voting Rights. All voting rights are currently vested in the holders of our common stock. On all matters subject to a vote of shareholders, our shareholders will be entitled to one vote for each share of common stock owned. Our shareholders have cumulative voting rights with regard to the election of directors. Our Board of Directors is authorized to determine the voting rights, if any, of any preferred stock, but no share of preferred stock may have more than one vote per share.

Dividend Rights. Holders of shares of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends payable in cash, property or shares of our capital stock, when, as and if declared by our Board of Directors. The payment of dividends is also subject to the restrictions set forth in the WVBCA and the limitations imposed by the Federal Reserve Board.

 

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Anti-Takeover Provisions. Provisions of our Restated Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws may have anti-takeover effects. These provisions may discourage attempts by others to acquire control of Wesbanco without negotiation with our Board of Directors. The effect of these provisions is discussed briefly below.

 

   

Authorized Stock. The shares of our common stock authorized by our Restated Articles of Incorporation but not issued and outstanding provide our Board with the flexibility to effect financings, acquisitions, stock dividends, stock splits and stock-based grants generally without the need for a shareholder vote. Our Board of Directors, consistent with its fiduciary duties, could also authorize the issuance of shares of preferred stock, and could establish voting, conversion, liquidation and other rights for Preferred Stock being issued, in an effort to deter attempts to gain control of Wesbanco.

 

   

Classification of Board of Directors. Our Restated Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws currently provide that the Board of Directors is divided into three classes, as nearly equal in size as possible, with one class elected each year to serve for a term of three years. This classification of the Board of Directors may discourage a takeover of Wesbanco because a shareholder with a majority ownership interest of our common stock would generally have to wait for at least two consecutive annual meetings of shareholders to elect a majority of the members of our Board of Directors.

 

   

Amendment of Restated Articles and Bylaws. Our Restated Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws require the approval of 75% of the outstanding shares of our common stock to amend, alter, change or repeal certain of the provisions of the Restated Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws that provide for the classification of our Board of Directors into three classes as discussed above. This requirement is intended to prevent a shareholder who controls a majority of our common stock from unilaterally declassifying our Board of Directors. Accordingly, the holders of a minority of the shares of our common stock could block the future declassification of our Board, even if that action were deemed beneficial by the holders of more than a majority, but less than 75%, of our outstanding shares of common stock.

Transfer Agent. The transfer agent for our common stock is Computershare Investor Services LLC. The transfer agent’s address is P.O. Box 505000, Louisville, Kentucky 40233-5000.

Preferred Stock

We may elect to issue shares of our preferred stock from time to time, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. We may issue shares of preferred stock separately or as a part of units, and any such shares issued as part of units may be attached to or separate from any other securities that are part of those units. Shares of our preferred stock may have dividend, redemption, voting and liquidation rights taking priority over our common stock (but no share of preferred stock may have more than one vote per share), and shares of our preferred stock may be convertible into our common stock.

Our Board of Directors is authorized, subject to any limitations prescribed by law, to provide for the issuance of shares of preferred stock in one or more series. In addition, our Board of Directors is authorized to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each series of preferred stock and to fix the designation, powers (including but not limited to voting powers, if any), preferences and rights of the shares of each series of preferred stock and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions of each series of preferred stock.

Our Restated Articles of Incorporation authorizes our Board of Directors, without further shareholder action, to provide for the issuance of up to 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, in one or more series. As of the date of this prospectus, no shares of preferred stock have been issued, and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock are available for issuance.

The particular terms of any series of preferred stock being offered by us under this prospectus will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to that series of preferred stock. Those terms may include:

 

   

the title and liquidation preference per share of the preferred stock;

 

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the number of shares offered;

 

   

the purchase price of the preferred stock;

 

   

the dividend rate (or method of calculation), the dates on which dividends will be paid and the date from which dividends will begin to accumulate;

 

   

any redemption or sinking fund provisions of the preferred stock;

 

   

any conversion provisions of the preferred stock;

 

   

the voting rights, if any, of the preferred stock; and

 

   

any additional dividend, liquidation, redemption, sinking fund and other rights, preferences, privileges, limitations and restrictions of the preferred stock.

The preferred stock will, when issued, be fully paid and nonassessable.

The following description is only a summary of the material provisions that may apply to the preferred stock. If the terms of any series of preferred stock being offered differ from the terms set forth in this prospectus, the definitive terms will be disclosed in the applicable prospectus supplement. The summary in this prospectus is not complete. You should refer to the applicable Certificate of Amendment to our Restated Articles of Incorporation or certificate of designations, as the case may be, establishing a particular series of preferred stock, in either case which will be filed with the Secretary of State of the State of West Virginia and the SEC in connection with an offering of preferred stock.

Dividend Rights. The preferred stock will be preferred over our common stock as to payment of dividends. Before any dividends or distributions (other than dividends or distributions payable in common stock) on our common stock will be declared and set apart for payment or paid, the holders of shares of each series of preferred stock will be entitled to receive dividends when, as and if declared by our Board of Directors. We will pay those dividends either in cash, shares of common stock or preferred stock or otherwise, at the rate and on the date or dates set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. With respect to each series of preferred stock, the dividends on each share of the series will be cumulative from the date of issue of the share unless another date is set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the series. Accruals of dividends will not bear interest.

Rights upon Liquidation. The preferred stock will be preferred over our common stock as to assets so that the holders of each series of preferred stock will be entitled to be paid, upon our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up and before any distribution is made to the holders of common stock, the amount set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. However, in this case the holders of preferred stock will not be entitled to any other or further payment. If upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up our net assets are insufficient to permit the payment in full of the respective amounts to which the holders of all outstanding preferred stock are entitled, our entire remaining net assets will be distributed among the holders of each series of preferred stock in amounts proportional to the full amounts to which the holders of each series are entitled.

Redemption. All shares of any series of preferred stock will be redeemable to the extent set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the series. All shares of any series of preferred stock will be convertible into shares of our common stock or into shares of any other series of our preferred stock to the extent set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Voting Rights. Except as indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the holders of preferred stock will be entitled to one vote for each share of preferred stock held by them on all matters properly presented to shareholders. The holders of common stock and the holders of all series of preferred stock will vote together as one class.

 

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Additional Series of Preferred Stock. In the event of a proposed merger or tender offer, proxy contest or other attempt to gain control of us and not approved by our Board of Directors, it would be possible for our Board of Directors to authorize the issuance of one or more series of preferred stock with voting rights or other rights and preferences which would impede the success of the proposed merger, tender offer, proxy contest or other attempt to gain control of us. This authority may be limited by applicable law, our Restated Articles of Incorporation, as it may amended or further restated from time to time, and the applicable rules of the stock exchanges upon which the common stock is listed. The consent of our shareholders would not be required for any such issuance of preferred stock.

Transfer Agent and Registrar. The transfer agent and registrar for any series or class of preferred stock will be set forth in each applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell securities:

 

   

to or through underwriters;

 

   

through dealers;

 

   

through agents;

 

   

directly to purchasers; or

 

   

through a combination of any of these methods of sale.

In addition, we may issue the securities as a dividend or distribution or in a subscription rights offering to our existing security holders.

We may directly solicit offers to purchase securities, or agents may be designated to solicit such offers. We will, in the prospectus supplement relating to such offering, name any agent that could be viewed as an underwriter under the Securities Act, and describe any commissions that we must pay. Any such agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment or, if indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, on a firm commitment basis. This prospectus may be used in connection with any offering of our securities through any of these methods or other methods described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

The distribution of the securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions:

 

   

at a fixed price, or prices, which may be changed from time to time;

 

   

at market prices prevailing at the time of sale;

 

   

at prices related to such prevailing market prices; or

 

   

at negotiated prices.

Each prospectus supplement will describe the method of distribution of the securities and any applicable restrictions.

If any underwriters or agents are utilized in the sale of the securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered, we will enter into an underwriting agreement or other agreement with them at the time of sale to them, and we will set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to such offering the names of the underwriters or agents and the terms of the related agreement with them.

If a dealer is utilized in the sale of the securities in respect of which the prospectus is delivered, we will sell such securities to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell such securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by such dealer at the time of resale.

If we offer securities in a subscription rights offering to our existing security holders, we may enter into a standby underwriting agreement with dealers, acting as standby underwriters. We may pay the standby underwriters a commitment fee for the securities they commit to purchase on a standby basis. If we do not enter into a standby underwriting arrangement, we may retain a dealer-manager to manage a subscription rights offering for us.

Agents, underwriters, dealers and other persons may be entitled under agreements which they may enter into with us to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.

 

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If so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will authorize underwriters or other persons acting as our agents to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase securities from us pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on the date stated in the prospectus supplement. Each contract will be for an amount not less than, and the aggregate amount of securities sold pursuant to such contracts shall not be less nor more than, the respective amounts stated in the prospectus supplement. Institutions with whom the contracts, when authorized, may be made include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable institutions and other institutions, but shall in all cases be subject to our approval. Delayed delivery contracts will not be subject to any conditions except that:

 

   

the purchase by an institution of the securities covered under that contract shall not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of the jurisdiction to which that institution is subject; and

 

   

if the securities are also being sold to underwriters acting as principals for their own account, the underwriters shall have purchased such securities not sold for delayed delivery. The underwriters and other persons acting as our agents will not have any responsibility in respect of the validity or performance of delayed delivery contracts.

Certain agents, underwriters and dealers, and their associates and affiliates may be customers of, have borrowing relationships with, engage in other transactions with, or perform services, including investment banking services, for us or one or more of our respective affiliates in the ordinary course of business.

In order to facilitate the offering of the securities, any underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the securities or any other securities the prices of which may be used to determine payments on such securities. Specifically, any underwriters may overallot in connection with the offering, creating a short position for their own accounts. In addition, to cover overallotments or to stabilize the price of the securities or of any such other securities, the underwriters may bid for, and purchase, the securities or any such other securities in the open market. Finally, in any offering of the securities through a syndicate of underwriters, the underwriting syndicate may reclaim selling concessions allowed to an underwriter or a dealer for distributing the securities in the offering if the syndicate repurchases previously distributed securities in transactions to cover syndicate short positions, in stabilization transactions or otherwise. Any of these activities may stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities above independent market levels. Any such underwriters are not required to engage in these activities and may end any of these activities at any time.

Under Rule 15c6-1 of the Exchange Act, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in two business days, unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise. The applicable prospectus supplement may provide that the original issue date for your securities may be more than two scheduled business days after the trade date for your securities. Accordingly, in such a case, if you wish to trade securities on any date prior to the second business day before the original issue date for your securities, you will be required, by virtue of the fact that your securities initially are expected to settle in more than two scheduled business days after the trade date for your securities, to make alternative settlement arrangements to prevent a failed settlement.

The securities may be new issues of securities and may have no established trading market. The securities may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange. We can make no assurance as to the liquidity of or the existence of trading markets for any of the securities.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the validity of the common stock, preferred stock, common stock or preferred stock as part of any unit, and common stock or preferred stock issuable upon the exercise, conversion or exchange of other securities, will be passed upon for us by Phillips, Gardill, Kaiser & Altmeyer, PLLC, Wheeling, West Virginia and the validity of the debt securities, depositary shares, warrant agreements, purchase contracts, units and any debt securities or depositary shares issuable upon the conversion of other securities, will be passed upon for us by K&L Gates LLP, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Certain legal matters will be passed upon for any agents, dealers or underwriters by counsel named in the applicable prospectus supplement. Denise Knouse-Snyder is a member of Phillips, Gardill, Kaiser & Altmeyer, PLLC and is also on the board of directors of Wesbanco. As of June 1, 2020, the members of Phillips, Gardill, Kaiser & Altmeyer, PLLC beneficially owned 59,751 shares of Wesbanco common stock. K&L Gates LLP from time to time performs legal services for Wesbanco.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of Wesbanco, Inc. appearing in Wesbanco, Inc.’s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2019, and the effectiveness of Wesbanco, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019 have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements and Wesbanco, Inc. management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

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PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS

 

Item 14.

Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

The expenses (other than underwriting compensation) to be incurred by the registrant in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered under this registration statement are:

 

Securities and Exchange Commission Registration Fee

   $             +  

Trustee, Registrar and Transfer Agent, and Depositary Fees and Expenses

     *  

Accounting Fees and Expenses

     *  

Printing and Engraving expenses

     *  

Rating Agency Fees

     *  

Legal Fees and Expenses

     *  

Miscellaneous

     *  
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ *  

 

+

Deferred in accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

*

Estimated expenses are not presently known. The foregoing sets forth the general categories of expenses (other than underwriting discounts and commissions) that we anticipate we will incur in connection with the offering of securities under this registration statement. Information regarding estimated expenses of issuance and distribution of each identified class of securities being registered will be provided at the time information as to such class is included in a prospectus supplement in accordance with Rule 430B.

 

Item 15.

Indemnification of Directors and Officers

Wesbanco’s Bylaws provide, and West Virginia law permits, the indemnification of directors and officers against certain liabilities. Officers and directors of Wesbanco and its subsidiaries are indemnified, to the maximum extent permitted under the West Virginia Business Corporation Act (including advanced indemnification payments), against liabilities incurred in connection with proceedings in which they are made parties by reason of their being or having been directors or officers of the corporation, except for certain prohibitions set forth in Wesbanco’s Bylaws regarding “prohibited indemnification payments.” Wesbanco does provide indemnity insurance to its officers and directors. Such insurance will not, however, indemnify officers or directors for willful misconduct or gross negligence in the performance of a duty to Wesbanco.

I. Article VI of the Bylaws of Wesbanco provides:

Indemnification of Directors and Officers

SECTION 1. Indemnification. Each director and officer, whether or not then in office, shall be indemnified by the corporation against liability incurred by and imposed upon him in connection with or resulting from any action, suit or proceeding, to which he may be made a party by reason of his being or having been a director or officer of the corporation, or of any other company which he served at the request of the corporation, to the maximum extent permitted under the West Virginia Business Corporation Act, except as prohibited by Section 2 and Section 4 of this Article VI. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of other rights to which he may be entitled as a matter of law. Expenses incurred in defending a civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding may be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding as authorized by the board of directors in accordance with the provisions of the West Virginia Business Corporation Act.

SECTION 2. Prohibited Indemnification Payment. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 1 of this Article VI, no director or officer shall receive a “prohibited indemnification payment,” which is any payment or agreement to make a payment to pay or reimburse such director or officer for any liability or legal expenses in

 

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any administrative proceeding brought by the appropriate federal banking agency that results in a final order or settlement in which the director or officer is assessed a civil money penalty, is removed or prohibited from conducting the business of banking, or is required to cease an action or take any affirmative action, including making restitution, with respect to Wesbanco Bank, Inc. or the corporation.

SECTION 3. Insurance. The corporation may purchase commercial insurance to cover certain costs that the corporation incurs under the indemnification provisions of Section 1 of this Article VI. Costs that may be covered include legal expenses and restitution that an individual may be ordered to make to the corporation. Such insurance may not, however, pay or reimburse a director or officer for any final judgment or civil money penalty assessed against such individual. Furthermore, partial indemnification for legal expenses is permitted in connection with a settlement when there is a formal and final finding that the director or officer has not breached a fiduciary duty, engaged in unsafe or unsound practices, and is not subject to a final prohibition order.

SECTION 4. Determination that Indemnification is Proper. The corporation may make or agree to make a reasonable indemnification payment if all of the following conditions are met: (i) the board of directors investigates and determines in writing that the director or officer acted in good faith and in the best interests of Wesbanco Bank, Inc.; (ii) the board of directors investigates and determines that the payment will not materially adversely affect the safety and soundness of Wesbanco Bank, Inc. or the corporation; (iii) the payment does not fall within the definition of a prohibited indemnification payment; and (iv) the director or officer agrees in writing to reimburse the corporation, to the extent not covered by permissible insurance, for advanced indemnification payments that subsequently become prohibited indemnification payments.

II. W. Va. Code Section 31D-8-851 through Section 31D-8-856 provides:

Section 31D-8-851. Permissible Indemnification.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a corporation may indemnify an individual who is a party to a proceeding because he or she is a director against liability incurred in the proceeding if:

(1) (A) He or she conducted himself or herself in good faith; and

(B) He or she reasonably believed: (i) In the case of conduct in his or her official capacity, that his or her conduct was in the best interests of the corporation; and (ii) in all other cases, that his or her conduct was at least not opposed to the best interests of the corporation; and

(C) In the case of any criminal proceeding, he or she had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful; or

(2) He or she engaged in conduct for which broader indemnification has been made permissible or obligatory under a provision of the articles of incorporation as authorized by subdivision (5), subsection (b), section two hundred two, article two of this chapter.

(b) A director’s conduct with respect to an employee benefit plan for a purpose he or she reasonably believed to be in the interests of the participants in, and the beneficiaries of, the plan is conduct that satisfies the requirement of subparagraph (ii), paragraph (B), subdivision (1), subsection (a) of this section.

(c) The termination of a proceeding by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, is not determinative that the director did not meet the relevant standard of conduct described in this section.

(d) Unless ordered by a court under subdivision (3), subsection (a), section eight hundred fifty-four of this article, a corporation may not indemnify a director:

(1) In connection with a proceeding by or in the right of the corporation, except for reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the proceeding if it is determined that the director has met the relevant standard of conduct under subsection (a) of this section; or

 

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(2) In connection with any proceeding with respect to conduct for which he or she was adjudged liable on the basis that he or she received a financial benefit to which he or she was not entitled, whether or not involving action in his or her official capacity.

Section 31D-8-852. Mandatory Indemnification.

A corporation must indemnify a director who was wholly successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which he or she was a party because he or she was a director of the corporation against reasonable expenses incurred by him or her in connection with the proceeding.

Section 31D-8-853. Advance for Expenses.

(a) A corporation may, before final disposition of a proceeding, advance funds to pay for or reimburse the reasonable expenses incurred by a director who is a party to a proceeding because he or she is a director if he or she delivers to the corporation:

(1) A written affirmation of his or her good faith belief that he or she has met the relevant standard of conduct described in section eight hundred fifty-one of this article or that the proceeding involves conduct for which liability has been eliminated under a provision of the articles of incorporation as authorized by subdivision (4), subsection (b), section two hundred two, article two of this chapter; and

(2) His or her written undertaking to repay any funds advanced if he or she is not entitled to mandatory indemnification under section eight hundred fifty-two of this article and it is ultimately determined under section eight hundred fifty-four or eight hundred fifty-five of this article that he or she has not met the relevant standard of conduct described in section eight hundred fifty-one of this article.

(b) The undertaking required by subdivision (2), subsection (a) of this section must be an unlimited general obligation of the director but need not be secured and may be accepted without reference to the financial ability of the director to make repayment.

(c) Authorizations under this section are to be made:

(1) By the board of directors:

(A) If there are two or more disinterested directors, by a majority vote of all the disinterested directors, a majority of whom constitute a quorum for this purpose, or by a majority of the members of a committee of two or more disinterested directors appointed by a vote; or

(B) If there are fewer than two disinterested directors, by the vote necessary for action by the board in accordance with subsection (c), section eight hundred twenty-four of this article in which authorization directors who do not qualify as disinterested directors may participate; or

(2) By the shareholders, but shares owned by or voted under the control of a director who at the time does not qualify as a disinterested director may not be voted on the authorization; or

(3) By special legal counsel selected in a manner in accordance with subdivision (2), subsection (b), section eight hundred fifty-five of this article.

Section 31D-8-854. Circuit Court-Ordered Indemnification and Advance for Expenses.

(a) A director who is a party to a proceeding because he or she is a director may apply for indemnification or an advance for expenses to the circuit court conducting the proceeding or to another circuit court of competent jurisdiction. After receipt of an application and after giving any notice it considers necessary, the circuit court shall:

(1) Order indemnification if the circuit court determines that the director is entitled to mandatory indemnification under section eight hundred fifty-two of this article;

 

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(2) Order indemnification or advance for expenses if the circuit court determines that the director is entitled to indemnification or advance for expenses pursuant to a provision authorized by subsection (a), section eight hundred fifty-eight of this article; or

(3) Order indemnification or advance for expenses if the circuit court determines, in view of all the relevant circumstances, that it is fair and reasonable:

(A) To indemnify the director; or

(B) To advance expenses to the director, even if he or she has not met the relevant standard of conduct set forth in subsection (a), section eight hundred fifty-one of this article, failed to comply with section eight hundred fifty-three of this article or was adjudged liable in a proceeding referred to in subdivision (1) or (2), subsection (d), section eight hundred fifty-one of this article, but if he or she was adjudged so liable his or her indemnification is to be limited to reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the proceeding.

(b) If the circuit court determines that the director is entitled to indemnification under subdivision (1), subsection (a) of this section or to indemnification or advance for expenses under subdivision (2) of said subsection, it shall also order the corporation to pay the director’s reasonable expenses incurred in connection with obtaining circuit court-ordered indemnification or advance for expenses. If the circuit court determines that the director is entitled to indemnification or advance for expenses under subdivision (3) of said subsection, it may also order the corporation to pay the director’s reasonable expenses to obtain circuit court-ordered indemnification or advance for expenses.

Section 31D-8-855. Determination and Authorization of Indemnification.

(a) A corporation may not indemnify a director under section eight hundred fifty-one of this article unless authorized for a specific proceeding after a determination has been made that indemnification of the director is permissible because he or she has met the relevant standard of conduct set forth in section eight hundred fifty-one of this article.

(b) The determination is to be made:

(1) If there are two or more disinterested directors, by the board of directors by a majority vote of all the disinterested directors, a majority of whom constitute a quorum for this purpose, or by a majority of the members of a committee of two or more disinterested directors appointed by a vote;

(2) By special legal counsel:

(A) Selected in the manner prescribed in subdivision (1) of this subsection; or

(B) If there are fewer than two disinterested directors, selected by the board of directors in which selection directors who do not qualify as disinterested directors may participate; or

(3) By the shareholders, but shares owned by or voted under the control of a director who at the time does not qualify as a disinterested director may not be voted on the determination.

(c) Authorization of indemnification is to be made in the same manner as the determination that indemnification is permissible, except that if there are fewer than two disinterested directors or if the determination is made by special legal counsel, authorization of indemnification is to be made by those entitled under paragraph (B), subdivision (2), subsection (b) of this section to select special legal counsel.

Section 31D-8-856. Indemnification of Officers.

(a) A corporation may indemnify and advance expenses under this part to an officer of the corporation who is a party to a proceeding because he or she is an officer of the corporation:

(1)To the same extent as a director; and

 

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(2) If he or she is an officer but not a director, to a further extent as may be provided by the articles of incorporation, the bylaws, a resolution of the board of directors or contract except for:

(A) Liability in connection with a proceeding by or in the right of the corporation other than for reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the proceeding; or

(B) Liability arising out of conduct that constitutes:

(i) Receipt by him or her of a financial benefit to which he or she is not entitled;

(ii) An intentional infliction of harm on the corporation or the shareholders; or

(iii) An intentional violation of criminal law.

(b) The provisions of subdivision (2), subsection (a) of this section apply to an officer who is also a director if the basis on which he or she is made a party to the proceeding is an act or omission solely as an officer.

(c) An officer of a corporation who is not a director is entitled to mandatory indemnification under section eight hundred fifty-two of this article and may apply to a court under section eight hundred fifty-four of this article for indemnification or an advance for expenses in each case to the same extent to which a director may be entitled to indemnification or advance for expenses under those provisions.

Certain rules of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation limit the ability of certain depository institutions, their subsidiaries and their affiliated depository institution holding companies to indemnify affiliated parties, including institution directors. In general, subject to the ability to purchase directors’ and officers’ liability insurance and to advance professional expenses under certain circumstances, the rules prohibit such institutions from indemnifying a director for certain costs incurred with regard to an administrative or enforcement action commenced by any federal banking agency that results in a final order or settlement pursuant to which the director is assessed a civil money penalty, removed from office, prohibited from participating in the affairs of an insured depository institution or required to cease and desist from or take an affirmative action described in Section 8(b) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. § 1818(b)).

 

Item 16.

Exhibits

 

Exhibit

 

Description

  *1.1   Form of Underwriting Agreement.
    3.1   Bylaws of Wesbanco, Inc. (as Amended and Restated March  24, 2020) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 24, 2020).
    3.2   Restated Articles of Incorporation of Wesbanco, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 28, 2020).
  +4.1   Form of Senior Indenture.
  +4.2   Form of Subordinated Indenture.
    4.3   Form of Senior Debt Security (included in Exhibit 4.1).
    4.4   Form of Subordinated Debt Security (included in Exhibit 4.2).
  *4.5   Form of Warrant Agreement (including Form of Warrant Certificate).
  *4.6   Form of Purchase Contract Agreement.
  *4.7   Form of Purchase Unit Certificate.
  *4.8   Form of Deposit Agreement.
  *4.9   Form of Depositary Receipt.

 

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Exhibit

 

Description

  *4.10   Form of Unit Agreement.
**4.11   Form of Common Stock Certificate incorporated by reference to the prior Registration Statement filed by the Registrant on Form S-4 (Registration No. 33-42157) which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 9, 1991.
  *4.12   Specimen Preferred Stock Certificate.
  *4.13   Form of Certificate of Designation of Preferred Stock.
  +5.1   Opinion of Phillips, Gardill, Kaiser & Altmeyer, PLLC.
  +5.2   Opinion of K&L Gates LLP.
+23.1   Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
  23.2   Consent of Phillips, Gardill, Kaiser & Altmeyer, PLLC (included in Exhibit 5.1).
  23.3   Consent of K&L Gates LLP (included in Exhibit 5.2).
  24.1   Powers of Attorney (included on signature page).
*25.1   The Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of the Trustee under the Senior Indenture.
*25.2   The Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of the Trustee under the Subordinated Indenture.

 

*

To be filed either by amendment to this Registration Statement or as an exhibit to a report filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and incorporated herein by reference.

**

This exhibit has been paper filed and is not subject to the hyperlinking requirements of Item 601 of Regulation S-K.

+

Filed herewith.

 

Item 17.

Undertakings

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

(i) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended;

(ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and

(iii) to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this registration statement or any material change to such information in this registration statement;

provided, however, that paragraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3 and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports

 

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filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, to any purchaser:

(i) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

(ii) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5) or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii) or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which the prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof; provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

 

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(6) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, each filing of Wesbanco, Inc.’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(7) To file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of any trustee to act under subsection (a) of section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under Section 305(b)2 of the Trust Indenture Act.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of each registrant pursuant to the provisions described in Item 15 above, or otherwise, each registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by a registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of a registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, that registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, Wesbanco, Inc. certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Wheeling, State of West Virginia, on June 15, 2020.

 

WESBANCO, INC.
By:  

        /s/ Todd F. Clossin

Name:   Todd F. Clossin
Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose individual signature appears below hereby authorizes and appoints Todd F. Clossin and Robert H. Young, and each of them, with full power of substitution and full power to act without the other, as his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent to act in his name, place and stead and to execute in the name and on behalf of each person, individually and in each capacity stated below, and to file any and all amendments, including any and all amendments to this registration statement, all post-effective amendments and any subsequent registration statement for the same offering which may be filed under Rule 462 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and each of the undersigned does hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys and agents, or either one of them or any substitute, shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. This Power of Attorney may be executed in any number of counterparts.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on June 15, 2020.

 

Signature

  

Title

/s/ Todd F. Clossin

   President, Chief Executive Officer & Director
Todd F. Clossin    (Principal Executive Officer)

/s/ Robert H. Young

   Senior Executive Vice President &
Robert H. Young    Chief Financial Officer
   (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

/s/ Stephen J. Callen

   Director
Stephen J. Callen   

/s/ James W. Cornelsen

   Director
James W. Cornelsen   

/s/ Michael J. Crawford

   Director
Michael J. Crawford   

/s/ Christopher V. Criss

   Director
Christopher V. Criss   

/s/ Abigail M. Feinknopf

   Director
Abigail M. Feinknopf   

/s/ Robert J. Fitzsimmons

   Director
Robert J. Fitzsimmons   


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Signature

  

Title

/s/ D. Bruce Knox

   Director
D. Bruce Knox   

/s/ Lisa A. Knutson

   Director
Lisa A. Knutson   

/s/ Gary L. Libs

   Director
Gary L. Libs   

/s/ Jay T. McCamic

   Director
Jay T. McCamic   

/s/ F. Eric Nelson, Jr.

   Director
F. Eric Nelson, Jr.   

/s/ Ronald W. Owen

   Director
Ronald W. Owen   

/s/ Gregory S. Proctor, Jr.

   Director
Gregory S. Proctor, Jr.   

/s/ Joseph R. Robinson

   Director
Joseph R. Robinson   

/s/ Denise Knouse-Snyder

   Director
Denise Knouse-Snyder   

/s/ Kerry M. Stemler

   Director
Kerry M. Stemler   

/s/ Reed J. Tanner

   Director
Reed J. Tanner   

/s/ Charlotte A. Zuschlag

   Director
Charlotte A. Zuschlag