424B5 1 d393441d424b5.htm 424B5 424B5
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Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration Statement No. 333-236018

 

This preliminary prospectus relates to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, but the information contained in this preliminary prospectus supplement is not complete and may be changed. This preliminary prospectus and the accompanying prospectus are not an offer to sell securities and are not soliciting offers to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION DATED SEPTEMBER 15, 2022

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

(To Prospectus dated June 25, 2020)

 

LOGO

            Shares

Common Stock

 

 

We are offering                 shares of our common stock, no par value per share. Our common stock is listed for trading on the NASDAQ Global Select Market (“NASDAQ”) under the symbol “CCNE.” On September 14, 2022, the last reported sale price of our common stock on NASDAQ was $24.95 per share.

Shares of our common stock are not savings accounts, deposits or obligations of any bank or non-bank subsidiary of CNB Financial Corporation and are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) or any other governmental agency. Investment in the shares of common stock involves a risk of loss, including risk of principal amount invested.

Investing in our common stock involves risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-9 of this prospectus supplement, as well as those risk factors contained in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), which are incorporated, or deemed to be incorporated, by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

None of the SEC, any state securities commission, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the FDIC or any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

     Per Share
of Common
Stock
     Total  

Public offering price

   $                    $                

Underwriting discount(1)

   $        $    

Proceeds to CNB Financial Corporation, before expenses

   $        $    

 

(1)

See “Underwriting” beginning on page S-19 of this prospectus supplement for a description of the compensation payable to the underwriters.

We have granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional                shares of our common stock at the offering price, less the underwriting discount.

The underwriters expect to deliver the common stock in book-entry form only, through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company, against payment on or about                , 2022, subject to customary closing conditions, which will be the third business day following the date of this prospectus supplement and the pricing of the common stock. See “Underwriting.”

 

 

 

            PNC Capital Markets LLC   Janney Montgomery Scott            

The date of this prospectus supplement is                      , 2022.


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

     S-1  

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     S-2  

WHERE TO FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

     S-4  

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

     S-5  

SUMMARY

     S-6  

THE OFFERING

     S-8  

RISK FACTORS

     S-9  

USE OF PROCEEDS

     S-12  

DIVIDEND POLICY

     S-13  

CERTAIN MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

     S-14  

CERTAIN ERISA CONSIDERATIONS

     S-18  

UNDERWRITING

     S-20  

LEGAL MATTERS

     S-25  

EXPERTS

     S-25  

PROSPECTUS

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

     1  

WHERE TO FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

     2  

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

     3  

CAUTIONARY NOTE ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     4  

ABOUT CNB FINANCIAL CORPORATION

     5  

RISK FACTORS

     7  

USE OF PROCEEDS

     8  

THE SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER

     9  

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

     10  

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK

     12  

DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

     16  

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

     19  

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

     35  

LEGAL MATTERS

     37  

EXPERTS

     37  

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any related free writing prospectus required to be filed with the SEC. To the extent there are any inconsistencies between the information in this prospectus supplement and the prospectus, you should rely on the information in this prospectus supplement. We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized anyone to provide you with different or additional information. We are not, and the underwriters are not, making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale of these securities is not permitted. You should not assume that the information appearing in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any free writing prospectus prepared by us or the documents incorporated by reference herein or therein is accurate as of any date other than their respective dates. Our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.


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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

This document consists of two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the specific terms of this offering and also adds to and updates information contained in the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. The second part, the accompanying prospectus, gives more general information, some of which does not apply to this offering. You should read both this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, as well as the documents incorporated by reference, before deciding to purchase our common stock.

If the information set forth in this prospectus supplement differs from the information set forth in the accompanying prospectus, you should rely on the information set forth in this prospectus supplement. Similarly, if the information set forth in this prospectus supplement differs from the information contained in any document incorporated by reference that was filed prior to the date of this prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information set forth in this prospectus supplement.

This prospectus supplement does not contain all of the information that is important to you. You should read the accompanying prospectus as well as the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. See “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” and “Where To Find Additional Information” in this prospectus supplement and “Where To Find Additional Information” in the accompanying prospectus. Unless otherwise indicated or unless the context requires otherwise, references in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus to “CNB,” the “Corporation,” “we,” “us,” “our” or similar references refer to CNB Financial Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation, together with our subsidiaries, except where it is clear that the term means only CNB Financial Corporation. The term “you” refers to a prospective investor.

The information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is not investment, legal or tax advice. You should consult with your own legal counsel, accountants and other advisors for legal, tax, business, financial and related advice before investing in our common stock.

References to our “common stock” refer to the shares of common stock, no par value, of CNB Financial Corporation.

 

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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), with respect to our financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, future performance and business. These forward-looking statements are intended to be covered by the safe harbor for “forward-looking statements” provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are those that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements include statements with respect to beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, expectations, anticipations, estimates and intentions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors (some of which are beyond our control). Forward-looking statements often include the words “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “forecasts,” “intends,” “plans,” “targets,” “potentially,” “probably,” “projects,” “outlook” or similar expressions or future conditional verbs such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “would” and “could.” Our actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by these forward-looking statements, which are neither statements of historical fact nor guarantees or assurances of future performance.

Currently, one of the most significant factors that could cause actual outcomes to differ materially from our forward-looking statements is the potential adverse effect of the current pandemic of the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, on the financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and performance of the Corporation, our customers and the global economy and financial markets. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted us and our customers significantly, and the extent that it continues to impact us and our customers will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence, including the scope, severity and duration of the pandemic and its impact on our customers and demand for financial services, the actions governments, businesses and individuals take in response to the pandemic, the direct and indirect economic effects of the pandemic and containment measures, treatment developments, public adoption rates of COVID-19 vaccines, including booster shots, and their effectiveness against emerging variants of COVID-19, such as the Delta and Omicron variants, and the pace of recovery when the COVID-19 pandemic subsides, among others. Moreover, investors are cautioned to interpret many of the risks identified under the section entitled “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 as being heightened as a result of the ongoing and numerous adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Additional factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the statements, include, but are not limited to: (i) changes in general business, industry or economic conditions or competition; (ii) changes in any applicable law, rule, regulation, policy, guideline or practice governing or affecting financial holding companies and their subsidiaries or with respect to tax or accounting principles or otherwise; (iii) adverse changes or conditions in capital and financial markets; (iv) changes in interest rates; (v) higher than expected costs or other difficulties related to integration of combined or merged businesses; (vi) the effects of business combinations and other acquisition transactions, including the inability to realize our loan and investment portfolios; (vii) changes in the quality or composition of our loan and investment portfolios; (viii) adequacy of loan loss reserves; (ix) increased competition; (x) loss of certain key officers; (xi) deposit attrition; (xii) rapidly changing technology; (xiii) unanticipated regulatory or judicial proceedings and liabilities and other costs; (xiv) changes in the cost of funds, demand for loan products or demand for financial services; and (xv) other economic, competitive, governmental or technological factors affecting our operations, markets, products, services and prices. Such developments could have an adverse impact on CNB’s financial position and results of operations.

The forward-looking statements contained herein are based upon management’s beliefs and assumptions. Any forward-looking statement made herein speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed might not occur and you should not put

 

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undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. For a further discussion of these and other factors that could impact our future results, performance or transactions, see the “Risk Factors” section in this prospectus supplement beginning on page S-8 and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, as updated by our subsequent filings.

 

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WHERE TO FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

We have filed with the SEC a “shelf” registration statement on Form S-3, including exhibits, schedules and amendments filed with the registration statement, of which this prospectus supplement is a part, under the Securities Act, with respect to the common stock that is being offered by this prospectus supplement. This prospectus supplement is a part of that registration statement, but does not contain all of the information in the registration statement. For further information with respect to the Corporation and the common stock that is being offered by this prospectus supplement, reference is made to the registration statement, including the exhibits and schedules to the registration statement, and the accompanying prospectus. Statements contained in this prospectus supplement as to the contents of any contract or other document referred to in this prospectus supplement are not necessarily complete and, where that contract or other document has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, each statement in this prospectus supplement is qualified in all respects by the exhibit to which the reference related.

We are subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act, and, in accordance therewith, we file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings, including the registration statement, are available to you on the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov), which contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. Documents we have filed with the SEC are also available on the Investor Relations section of our website at http://www.cnbbank.bank. Except as expressly stated herein, information contained on our website does not constitute a part of this prospectus supplement and is not incorporated by reference herein.

 

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INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

SEC rules allow us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with the SEC in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. This helps us disclose certain information to you by referring you to the documents we file. The information we incorporate by reference is an important part of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. We incorporate by reference each of the documents listed below.

 

  (a)

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, filed with the SEC on March 3, 2022;

 

  (b)

Our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2022 and June 30, 2022, filed with the SEC on May  5, 2022 and August 4, 2022, respectively;

 

  (c)

Our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the SEC on March 11, 2022 (solely to the extent incorporated by reference into Part III of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021);

 

  (d)

Our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January  4, 2022, February  3, 2022, February  8, 2022, February  9, 2022, March  10, 2022, April  4, 2022, April  25, 2022, May  5, 2022, May  17, 2022, June  6, 2022, August  8, 2022 and August 9, 2022; and

 

  (e)

The description of our common stock contained in our registration statement on Form 8-A, filed with the SEC on April 17, 1985, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.

All documents and reports filed by us subsequent to the date hereof pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act and prior to the completion of any individual sale of common stock hereunder shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents or reports. Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, any document that is “furnished” to, but not “filed” with, the SEC is not incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

You may obtain any of the filings incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement through us or from the SEC through the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. We will provide, without charge, to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a copy of this prospectus supplement is delivered, upon written or oral request of such person, a copy of any or all of the reports and documents referred to above which have been or may be incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement. You should direct requests for those documents to:

CNB Financial Corporation

1 South Street

P.O. Box 42

Clearfield, PA 16830

Attn: Richard L. Greslick, Jr., Corporate Secretary

(814) 765-9621

 

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SUMMARY

The following is a summary of selected information contained elsewhere or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. This summary is not complete and does not contain all of the information that you should consider before making a decision to invest in our common stock. We urge you to read this entire prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein carefully, including the financial statements and notes to the financial statements incorporated by reference herein and therein. Please read “Risk Factors” in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated herein and therein for more information about important risks that you should consider before making a decision to invest in our common stock.

CNB Financial Corporation

CNB Financial Corporation (the “Corporation”) is a financial holding company registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended. We were incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1983 for the purpose of engaging in the business of a financial holding company. On April 26, 1984, we acquired all of the outstanding capital stock of County National Bank, a national banking chartered institution. In December 2006, County National Bank changed its name to CNB Bank and became a state bank chartered in Pennsylvania and subject to regulation by the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. In October 2013, we acquired FC Banc Corp. and its subsidiary, The Farmers Citizens Bank. In July 2016, we acquired Lake National Bank, and in July 2020, we acquired Bank of Akron. We are subject to regulation, supervision and examination by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities.

In addition to CNB Bank, we have four other subsidiaries. CNB Securities Corporation is incorporated in Delaware and currently maintains investments in debt and equity securities. CNB Insurance Agency, incorporated in Pennsylvania, provides for the sale of nonproprietary annuities and other insurance products. CNB Risk Management, Inc. is a Delaware-based captive insurance company that insures against certain risks unique to the operations of the Corporation and its subsidiaries and for which insurance may not be currently available or economically feasible in today’s insurance marketplace. Holiday Financial Services Corporation, incorporated in Pennsylvania, offers small balance unsecured and secured loans, primarily collateralized by automobiles and equipment, to borrowers with higher risk characteristics.

We do not currently engage in any operating business activities, other than the ownership and management of CNB Bank, CNB Securities Corporation, CNB Insurance Agency, CNB Risk Management, Inc. and Holiday Financial Services Corporation.

CNB Bank was originally chartered as a national bank in 1934 and is now a Pennsylvania-chartered bank. The CNB Bank franchise operates 18 full-service branch locations in Pennsylvania. ERIEBANK, a division of CNB Bank, began operations in 2005. In July 2016, we acquired Lake National Bank, which operated two full-service branches in Mentor, Ohio, approximately 20 miles east of Cleveland, Ohio. CNB Bank continues to operate one of these branch locations within its ERIEBANK franchise, with the other location ceasing operations in August 2020. In January 2020, the Corporation established a loan production office in Cleveland, Ohio. This loan production office operated within the ERIEBANK division as of December 31, 2021 and has subsequently closed. In conjunction with the closing of the loan production office, we opened a full-service branch in Cleveland, Ohio. CNB Bank currently operates eleven full-service branch locations as ERIEBANK, a division of CNB Bank, with its headquarters in Erie, Pennsylvania. In October 2013, we acquired FC Banc Corp. and its subsidiary, Farmers Citizens Bank. CNB Bank currently operates six full-service branch locations as FCBank, a division of CNB Bank, with its headquarters in Worthington, Ohio. In 2016, CNB Bank received regulatory approval to conduct business in the state of New York as BankOnBuffalo, a division of CNB Bank. In July 2020,

 

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we acquired Bank of Akron, with its branch locations operating within the BankOnBuffalo division. CNB Bank currently operates ten branch locations and one drive-up office as BankOnBuffalo, a division of CNB Bank, with its headquarters in Buffalo, New York. In 2021, CNB Bank received regulatory approval to conduct business in the state of Virginia as Ridge View Bank, a division of CNB Bank. CNB Bank currently operates two loan production offices in Roanoke, Virginia.

CNB Bank has three loan production offices, one drive-up office and 46 full-service branch offices located in various communities in its market area. CNB Bank’s primary market area includes the Pennsylvania counties of Blair, Cambria, Cameron, Centre, Clearfield, Crawford, Elk, Indiana, Jefferson, and McKean. ERIEBANK, a division of CNB Bank, operates in the Pennsylvania counties of Crawford, Erie, and Warren and the Ohio counties of Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, and Lake. FCBank, a division of CNB Bank, operates in the Ohio counties of Crawford, Richland, Ashland, Wayne, Marion, Morrow, Knox, Delaware, and Franklin. BankOnBuffalo, a division of CNB Bank, operates in the New York counties of Erie and Niagara. Ridge View Bank, a division of CNB Bank, operates in Southwest, Virginia.

CNB Bank is a full-service bank engaging in a full range of banking activities and services for individual, business, governmental and institutional customers. These activities and services principally include checking, savings, and time deposit accounts; real estate, commercial, industrial, residential and consumer loans; and a variety of other specialized financial services. CNB Bank’s Private Client Solutions division offers a full range of client services, including private banking and wealth and asset management.

Corporate Information

Our common stock is traded on the NASDAQ under the symbol “CCNE.” Our principal executive offices are located at 1 South Street, P.O. Box 42, Clearfield, PA 16830. Our telephone number is (814) 765-9621. We maintain a website at http://www.cnbbank.bank. The information contained on or connected to our website is not incorporated by reference into, and you must not consider the information to be part of, this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus.

Additional information about us is included in documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement. See “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” on page S-4 of this prospectus supplement.

 

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THE OFFERING

 

Issuer    CNB Financial Corporation
Securities Offered                     shares of our common stock, no par value per share. We have granted the underwriters an option to purchase up to an additional                  shares of common stock.
Offering Price    $
NASDAQ Symbol    “CCNE”
Shares of Common Stock Outstanding Immediately Prior to this Offering    16,863,138 shares
Shares of Common Stock Outstanding upon Completion of this Offering                     shares(1)
Use of Proceeds    We estimate that the net proceeds that we will receive from this offering will be approximately $             million, after deducting the underwriting discount and our expenses, or approximately $             million if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full. We expect to use the net proceeds from this offering for general corporate purposes, which may include working capital and the funding of organic growth or potential acquisitions. See “Use of Proceeds” on page S-11 of this prospectus supplement.
Dividends    Our most recent regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.175 per share of common stock was declared by our board of directors on August 9, 2022, and was paid on September 15, 2022 to shareholders of record as of September 1, 2022. Quarterly dividends on our common stock are subject to the discretion of our board of directors and dependent on, among other things, our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, restrictions contained in financing instruments and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant. Thus, as a practical matter, any restrictions on CNB Bank’s ability to pay dividends will act as restrictions on the amount of funds available for payment of dividends by us. See “Risk Factors—Risks Associated with the Offering and our Common Stock—Our Ability to Pay Dividends is Limited by Law, Regulations and Performance” for more information.
Risk Factors    Investing in our common stock involves certain risks. Before investing in our common stock, you should carefully consider the information under “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-8 of this prospectus supplement and the other information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.
Settlement Date    Delivery of shares of our common stock will be made against payment therefor on or about             , 2022.

 

(1)

Excludes                  shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise by the underwriters of their over-allotment option to purchase additional shares in full.

 

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in our common stock is subject to certain risks. This prospectus supplement does not describe all of those risks. Before you decide whether an investment our common stock is suitable for you, you should carefully consider the risks described below relating to the offering as well as the risk factors concerning our business included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, in addition to the other information in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including our other filings that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. See “Where to Find Additional Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” in this prospectus supplement and “Where to Find Additional Information” in the accompanying prospectus for discussions of these other filings. The prospectus is qualified in its entirety by those risk factors.

Risks Associated with the Offering and Our Common Stock

The market price and trading volume of our common stock may be volatile following this offering.

The market price of our common stock may be volatile. In addition, the trading volume in our common stock may fluctuate and cause significant price variations to occur. If the market price of our common stock declines significantly, you may be unable to resell your shares at or above the purchase price. We cannot assure you that the market price of our common stock will not fluctuate or decline significantly in the future.

Some of the factors that could negatively affect our share price or result in fluctuations in the price or trading volume of our common stock include:

 

   

actual or anticipated variations in our quarterly operating results, financial condition, liquidity or changes in business strategy or prospects;

 

   

changes in our funds from operations or earnings estimates;

 

   

publication of research reports about us or the banking industry;

 

   

prevailing interest rates;

 

   

the market for similar securities;

 

   

changes in market valuations of similar companies;

 

   

additions or departures of key management personnel;

 

   

actions by shareholders;

 

   

speculation in the press or investment community;

 

   

general market, economic and political conditions, including an economic slowdown or dislocation in the global credit or capital markets, including those resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic or other pandemics, war or acts of terrorism and responses to such events;

 

   

the realization of any of the other risk factors presented in this prospectus supplement and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 (including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and performance of the Corporation);

 

   

the extent of investor interest in our securities;

 

   

the general reputation of financial institutions and the attractiveness of our equity securities in comparison to other equity securities, including securities issued by other financial institutions;

 

   

investor confidence in the stock and bond markets, generally;

 

   

changes in banking regulations;

 

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future equity issuances;

 

   

failure to meet earnings estimates; and

 

   

our issuance of debt securities.

In the past, securities class action litigation has often been instituted against companies following periods of volatility in the price of their common stock. This type of litigation could result in substantial costs and divert our management’s attention and resources, which could have an adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow and market price of our common stock.

The number of shares of our common stock available for future issuance or sale could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

We cannot predict whether future issuances or sales of shares of our common stock or the availability of shares of our common stock for resale in the open market will decrease the market price of our common stock. The issuance of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public market, or the perception that such issuances might occur, could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

The vesting of any restricted stock granted to certain executive officers and other employees under our equity incentive plan or the issuance of our common stock in connection with future business acquisitions could have an adverse effect on the market price of our common stock. In addition, the existence of shares of our common stock reserved for issuance as restricted shares of our common stock may adversely affect the terms upon which we may be able to obtain additional capital through the sale of equity securities. Future issuances of shares of our common stock may also be dilutive to existing shareholders.

Shares of our common stock are not FDIC insured.

Neither the FDIC nor any other governmental agency insures the shares of our common stock. Therefore, the value of your shares in the Corporation will be based on their market value and may decline.

Our ability to pay dividends is limited by law, regulations and performance.

The future declaration of dividends by the Corporation’s board of directors will depend on a number of factors, including capital requirements, regulatory limitations, the Corporation’s operating results and financial condition and general economic conditions. The Corporation’s ability to pay dividends depends primarily on the receipt of dividends from CNB Bank. Dividend payments from CNB Bank are subject to legal and regulatory limitations, generally based on retained earnings, imposed by bank regulatory agencies. The ability of CNB Bank to pay dividends is also subject to financial condition, regulatory capital requirements, capital expenditures and other cash flow requirements. The Corporation cannot assure you that CNB Bank will be able to pay dividends to the Corporation in the future. The Corporation may decide to limit the payment of dividends to its stockholders even when the Corporation has the legal ability to pay them in order to retain earnings for use in the Corporation’s business.

An increase in market interest rates may have an adverse effect on the market price of our common stock and our ability to pay dividends.

One of the factors that investors may consider in deciding whether to buy or sell our common stock is the dividend rate as a percentage of the share price, relative to market interest rates. If market interest rates increase, prospective investors may seek alternative investments paying higher dividends or interest. As a result, interest rate fluctuations and capital market conditions can affect the market price of our common stock. In addition, to the extent we have variable rate debt, rising interest rates would result in increased interest expense on our variable rate debt, thereby adversely affecting our cash flow and our ability to service our indebtedness and pay dividends.

 

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We have broad discretion in using the net proceeds from this offering and may use the proceeds in ways that may not enhance our operating results or the value of our shares of common stock.

Our management will retain broad discretion over the use of any proceeds we receive from this offering, and we may ultimately use the proceeds in ways that do not improve our results of operations or enhance the value of our common stock or otherwise in ways with which you do not agree. If we do not invest or apply the proceeds of this offering effectively and on a timely basis, it could have a material adverse effect on our business and could cause the market price of our common stock to decline.

Our common stock is equity and is therefore subordinate to our existing and any future indebtedness and preferred stock.

Shares of our common stock are equity interests and do not constitute indebtedness. As such, shares of our common stock will rank junior to all of our indebtedness, including our outstanding subordinated notes, which had an aggregate outstanding principal amount of $85.0 million at June 30, 2022, and to other non-equity claims against us and our assets available to satisfy claims against us, including in our liquidation. Additionally, holders of our common stock are subject to the prior dividend and liquidation rights of holders of any outstanding preferred stock. We currently have 60,375 shares of preferred stock outstanding. Our board directors is authorized to issue classes or series of preferred stock without any action on the part of the holders of our common stock, and we are permitted to incur additional debt. Upon liquidation, lenders and holders of our debt securities and preferred stock would receive distributions of our available assets prior to holders of our common stock.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We estimate that the net proceeds that we will receive from this offering will be approximately $                million, after deducting the underwriting discount and our expenses, or approximately $                million if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full. We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering for general corporate purposes, which may include working capital and the funding of organic growth or potential acquisitions.

 

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DIVIDEND POLICY

Our most recent regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.175 per share of common stock was declared by our board of directors on August 9, 2022, and was paid on September 15, 2022 to shareholders of record as of September 1, 2022. Quarterly dividends on our common stock are subject to the discretion of our board of directors and dependent on, among other things, our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, restrictions contained in financing instruments and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant. Thus, as a practical matter, any restrictions on CNB Bank’s ability to pay dividends will act as restrictions on the amount of funds available for payment of dividends by us. See “Risk Factors—Risks Associated with the Offering and our Common Stock—Our Ability to Pay Dividends is Limited by Law, Regulations and Performance” for more information.

 

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CERTAIN MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

The following is a general summary of certain material U.S. federal income tax consequences relevant to the purchase, ownership and disposition of our common stock. The following summary is based upon the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), U.S. Department of the Treasury (the “Treasury”) regulations promulgated thereunder, judicial opinions, published positions of the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) and other applicable authorities, each as in effect as of the date hereof. These authorities are subject to change or differing interpretations, possibly with retroactive effect, and any such change or interpretation could affect the accuracy of the statements and conclusions set forth herein.

This summary is for general information only and does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to a particular investor in light of that investor’s individual circumstances, nor does it address the effects of any state, local or non-U.S. tax laws, any tax treaty or any U.S. federal estate, gift, generation-skipping transfer or alternative minimum tax considerations.

This summary is limited to taxpayers who will hold our common stock as “capital assets” within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code, and it does not purport to be applicable to special classes of investors including, but not limited to, tax-exempt organizations, insurance companies, banks, thrifts or other financial institutions, mutual funds, grantor trusts, partnerships or other entities classified as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes (and investors therein), subchapter S corporations, retirement plans, individual retirement accounts or other tax-deferred accounts, controlled foreign corporations, brokers or dealers in securities or currencies, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, passive foreign investment companies for U.S. federal income tax purposes, U.S. holders (as defined below) whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar, U.S. expatriates, persons who acquired our common stock pursuant to the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise acquired our common stock as compensation or through a tax-qualified retirement plan, persons liable for the alternative minimum tax, traders in securities that elect to use a mark-to-market method of accounting for their securities holdings, persons that will hold our common stock as a position in a hedging transaction, “straddle,” “conversion,” “wash sale,” “constructive sale,” “integrated transaction” for U.S. federal income tax purposes or other risk reduction transaction, and persons required to accelerate the recognition of any item of gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes with respect to our common stock as a result of such item being taken into account in an applicable financial statement. This summary does not address the tax considerations that may be relevant to subsequent purchasers of our common stock and does not address any tax consequences arising under the unearned income Medicare contribution tax pursuant to the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 nor any considerations with respect to any withholding required pursuant to the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act of 2010 (including the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder and intergovernmental agreements entered in connection therewith).

If a partnership (or other entity classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds our common stock, the tax treatment of a partner generally will depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. A partner and the partnership holding our common stock should consult their tax advisors regarding the tax considerations of acquiring, holding and disposing of our common stock.

We have not sought and will not seek any ruling from the IRS with respect to the statements made and the conclusions reached in this discussion, and there can be no assurance that the IRS will agree with such statements and conclusions.

U.S. Holders

As used in this discussion, the term “U.S. holder” means a beneficial owner of our common stock that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

 

   

an individual citizen or resident of the United States;

 

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a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or of any state thereof or the District of Columbia (and certain non-U.S. entities taxed as U.S. corporations under specialized sections of the Code);

 

   

an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or

 

   

a trust if (1) a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over its administration and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (2) it has a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Distributions. Distributions with respect to our common stock will be taxable as dividend income to the extent paid out of our current and accumulated earnings and profits as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes. To the extent that the amount of a distribution with respect to our common stock exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits, such distribution will be treated first as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of the U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in such common stock, and thereafter as capital gain.

Distributions with respect to our common stock taxable as dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes paid to a corporate U.S. holder will generally qualify for a 50% dividends-received deduction, subject to various limitations. Corporate U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the holding period and other requirements that must be satisfied in order to qualify for the dividends-received deduction and with respect to the possible application of the extraordinary dividend provisions of the U.S. federal income tax law to their ownership or disposition of our common stock in their particular circumstances.

Distributions with respect to our common stock taxable as dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes paid to a noncorporate U.S. holder will generally represent “qualified dividend income.” Qualified dividend income is taxable at preferential rates applicable to long-term capital gains, provided that certain holding period requirements are met and certain other conditions are satisfied.

A U.S. holder should consult its own tax advisors regarding the availability of the reduced dividend tax rate and the dividends-received deduction in light of its particular circumstances.

Sale, Exchange, or Certain Other Taxable Dispositions of our Common Stock. A U.S. holder will generally recognize capital gain or loss on a sale or exchange or other taxable disposition of our common stock equal to the difference, if any, between the amount realized upon the sale or exchange and such U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in our common stock sold or exchanged. Such capital gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. holder’s holding period for our common stock sold or exchanged is more than one year. Long-term capital gains of noncorporate taxpayers are generally taxed at preferential rates. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding. Information returns will generally be filed with the IRS in connection with the payment of dividends or other taxable distributions on our common stock to noncorporate U.S. holders and certain payments of proceeds to U.S. holders on the sale or exchange. Additionally, such payments may be subject to backup withholding (currently at a rate of 24%) unless such U.S. holder (a) comes within certain exempt categories and, when required, demonstrates this fact in the manner required, or (b) within a reasonable period of time, provides a correct taxpayer identification number, certifies that it is not subject to backup withholding and otherwise complies with applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amount withheld under the backup withholding rules from a payment to a U.S. holder is allowable as a credit against such holder’s U.S. federal income tax, which may entitle the U.S. holder to a refund, provided that the U.S. holder provides the required information to the IRS in a timely manner.

 

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Non-U.S. Holders

As used in this discussion, the term “non-U.S. holder” means a beneficial owner of our common stock other than a U.S. holder as defined above or an entity or arrangement that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Distributions. Distributions with respect to our common stock taxable as dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes paid to a non-U.S. holder generally will be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax at a 30% rate, or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty, unless such dividends are effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business of the non-U.S. holder within the United States (and, if required by an applicable tax treaty, are attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment). In order to claim the benefits of an applicable income tax treaty, a non-U.S. holder generally must furnish us or other payor with a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (or other applicable IRS Form W-8 or suitable successor or substitute form) before the distribution date certifying that such holder is eligible for treaty benefits. Non-U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding their entitlement to benefits under an applicable income tax treaty and the requirements for claiming any such benefits.

Dividends paid to a non-U.S. holder that are effectively connected with such non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if required by an applicable tax treaty, are attributable to a permanent establishment of the non-U.S. holder in the United States) generally are not subject to U.S. federal withholding tax, provided that the non-U.S. holder furnishes us or other payor with a properly executed IRS Form W-8ECI before the distribution date. Instead, such dividends generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at the graduated U.S. federal income tax rates in the same manner as if such non-U.S. holder were a U.S. person. Certain certification and disclosure requirements must be complied with in order for effectively connected income to be exempt from withholding. Any such effectively connected dividends received by a foreign corporation may, under certain circumstances, be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate or such lower rate as specified by an applicable income tax treaty, subject to certain adjustments.

A non-U.S. holder eligible for a reduced rate of U.S. withholding tax pursuant to an applicable income tax treaty may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS.

Sale, Exchange, or Certain Other Taxable Dispositions of our Common Stock. Subject to the discussion below under “—Information Reporting and Backup Withholding,” a non-U.S. holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax or withholding on gain realized on the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of our common stock so long as:

 

   

the gain is not effectively connected with the non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States (and if required by an applicable tax treaty, the gain is not attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by such non-U.S. holder in the United States);

 

   

in the case of a nonresident alien individual, such non-U.S. holder is not present in the United States for 183 or more days in the taxable year of the sale or disposition (and certain other conditions are met); and

 

   

our common stock does not constitute U.S. real property interests in a “U.S. real property holding corporation” (a “USRPHC”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes at any time within the shorter of the five-year period preceding the disposition or the period that the non-U.S. holder held our common stock. We do not believe that we currently are a USRPHC or that we will become one in the future.

Gain described in the first bullet point above will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at the regular graduated U.S. federal income tax rates in the same manner as if such non-U.S. holder were a U.S. person. A non-U.S. holder that is a corporation may, under certain circumstances, be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate or such lower rate as specified by an applicable income tax treaty of its “effectively connected earnings and profits” for the taxable year, subject to certain adjustments.

 

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Gain described in the second bullet point above will be subject to a flat 30% tax on the gain derived from the disposition (or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty), which may be offset by U.S.-source capital losses, if any, for the taxable year, provided that the non-U.S. holder has timely filed U.S. federal income tax returns with respect to such losses.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding. Payment of dividends and the tax withheld with respect thereto are subject to information reporting requirements. These information reporting requirements apply regardless of whether withholding was reduced or eliminated by an applicable income tax treaty or withholding was not required because the dividends were effectively connected with a trade or business in the United States conducted by the non-U.S. holder. Copies of the information returns reporting such dividends and withholding may also be made available to the tax authorities in the country in which the non-U.S. holder resides.

U.S. backup withholding (currently at a rate of 24%) will generally apply on payment of dividends to a non-U.S. holder unless such non-U.S. holder furnishes to the payor a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (or other applicable IRS Form W-8 or suitable successor or substitute form) certifying its non-U.S. status or otherwise establishes an exemption.

Payment by a U.S. office of a broker of the proceeds of a sale of our common stock by a non-U.S. holder is subject to both backup withholding and information reporting unless the non-U.S. holder provides a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (or other applicable IRS Form W-8 or suitable successor or substitute form) certifying its non-U.S. status or otherwise establishes an exemption. The payment of proceeds from the disposition of common stock by a non-U.S. holder effected at a non-U.S. office of a U.S. broker or a non-U.S. broker with certain specified U.S. connections generally will be subject to information reporting (but not backup withholding) unless the non-U.S. holder provides a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (or other applicable IRS Form W-8 or suitable successor or substitute form) certifying the non-U.S. holder’s non-U.S. status or by otherwise establishing an exemption. Backup withholding will apply if the sale is subject to information reporting and the broker has actual knowledge that the recipient is a U.S. person.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld from a payment to a non-U.S. holder under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a credit against that holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle the holder to a refund, provided that the holder furnishes the required information to the IRS. Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisors regarding the application of these rules to their particular circumstances.

THE PRECEDING DISCUSSION IS INTENDED ONLY AS AN OVERVIEW OF CERTAIN MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF OUR COMMON STOCK. IT IS NOT A COMPLETE ANALYSIS OR DISCUSSION OF ALL POTENTIAL TAX EFFECTS THAT MAY BE IMPORTANT TO YOU. THUS, YOU ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO CONSULT YOUR OWN TAX ADVISOR AS TO THE SPECIFIC TAX CONSEQUENCES RESULTING FROM THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF OUR COMMON STOCK, INCLUDING TAX RETURN REPORTING REQUIREMENTS, THE APPLICABILITY AND EFFECT OF FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND OTHER TAX LAWS AND THE EFFECT OF ANY PROPOSED CHANGES IN THE TAX LAWS.

 

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CERTAIN ERISA CONSIDERATIONS

The following is a summary of certain considerations associated with the purchase of the common stock by employee benefit plans that are subject to Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”); plans, individual retirement accounts (“IRAs”) and other arrangements that are subject to Section 4975 of the Code; entities whose underlying assets are deemed under ERISA to include “plan assets” of any such employee benefit plans or other plans, accounts or arrangements (collectively, “Plans”); and other plans that are subject to Similar Law (as defined below).

ERISA imposes certain requirements on Plans subject to Title I of ERISA and on entities that are deemed to hold the assets of such plans (collectively, “ERISA Plans”), and on those persons who are fiduciaries with respect to ERISA Plans. Investments by ERISA Plans are subject to ERISA’s general fiduciary requirements, including, but not limited to, the requirement of investment prudence and diversification and the requirement that an ERISA Plan’s investments be made in accordance with the documents governing the plan. A fiduciary can be personally liable for losses incurred by an ERISA Plan resulting from a breach of fiduciary duties.

Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code prohibit Plans from engaging in certain transactions involving “plan assets” with persons who are “parties in interest,” under ERISA or “disqualified persons” under the Code, or “parties in interest” with respect to the Plan. A violation of these prohibited transaction rules may result in civil penalties or other liabilities under ERISA and/or an excise tax under Section 4975 of the Code for those persons, unless exemptive relief is available under an applicable statutory, regulatory or administrative exemption. In the case of an IRA, a violation of these prohibited transaction rules could cause the IRA to lose tax-exempt status.

The acquisition or holding of the common stock by a Plan with respect to which we or certain of our affiliates is or becomes a party in interest may constitute or result in prohibited transactions under ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, unless the common stock is acquired or held pursuant to and in accordance with an applicable exemption. Accordingly, the common stock may not be purchased or held by any Plan or any person investing “plan assets” of any Plan, unless (i) such purchase or holding is eligible for the exemptive relief available under (A) a Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption (“PTCE”) such as PTCE 96-23, PTCE 95-60, PTCE 91-38, PTCE 90-1 or PTCE 84-14 issued by the U.S. Department of Labor or (B) a statutory exemption under Section 408(b) of ERISA and/or Section 4975(d) of the Code, such as the exemption under Section 408(b)(17) of ERISA and Section 4975(d)(20) of the Code for certain transactions with non-fiduciary service providers for transactions that are for adequate consideration, or (ii) there is some other basis on which the purchase and holding of the common stock is not prohibited.

Certain plans including those that are governmental plans (as defined in Section 3(32) of ERISA), certain church plans (as defined in Section 3(33) of ERISA) and foreign plans (as described in Section 4(b)(4) of ERISA) are not subject to the requirements of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code but may be subject to similar provisions under applicable federal, state, local, foreign or other regulations, rules or laws (collectively, “Similar Law”). Fiduciaries of any such plans should consult with their counsel before purchasing the Notes to determine the need for, and the availability, if necessary, of any exemptive relief under any such Similar Law.

Each purchaser or holder of the common stock or any interest therein, and each person making the decision to purchase or hold the common stock on behalf of any such purchaser or holder will be deemed to have represented and warranted in both its individual capacity and its representative capacity (if any), on each day from the date on which the purchaser or holder acquires its interest in the common stock to the date on which the purchaser or holder disposes of its interest in the common stock, that, by its purchase or holding of the common stock or any interest therein, (a) its purchase and holding of the common stock is not made on behalf of or with “plan assets” of any Plan, or (b) if its purchase and holding of the common stock is made on behalf of or with “plan assets” of a Plan, then (i) its purchase and holding of the common stock will not result in a non-exempt prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code and (ii) neither the Corporation nor any of

 

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our affiliates is acting as a fiduciary (within the meaning of Section 3(21) of ERISA) in connection with the purchase or holding of the common stock and has not provided any advice that has formed or may form a basis for any investment decision concerning the purchase or holding of the common stock. Each purchaser and holder of the common stock or any interest therein on behalf of any governmental plan will be deemed to have represented and warranted by its purchase or holding of the common stock or any interest therein that such purchase and holding does not violate any applicable Similar Law.

Due to the complexity of these rules and the penalties that may be imposed upon persons involved in nonexempt prohibited transactions, it is important that fiduciaries or other persons considering purchasing the common stock on behalf of or with “plan assets” of any plan or plan asset entity consult with their counsel regarding the availability of exemptive relief under any of the PTCEs listed above or any other applicable exemption, or the potential consequences of any purchase or holding under Similar Law, as applicable.

 

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UNDERWRITING

Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the underwriting agreement, we have agreed to sell to the underwriters, and the underwriters have agreed to purchase from us, the number of shares of common stock indicated in the table below.

 

Name    Number
of
Shares
 

PNC Capital Markets LLC

               

Janney Montgomery Scott LLC

  
  

 

 

 

Total

  
  

 

 

 

The underwriting agreement provides that the obligation of the underwriters to purchase all of the common stock being offered to the public is subject to approval of legal matters by counsel and the satisfaction of other conditions. These conditions include, among others, the continued accuracy of representations and warranties made by us in the underwriting agreement, delivery of legal opinions and the absence of any material changes in our assets, business or prospects after the date of this prospectus supplement.

Subject to these conditions, the underwriters are committed to purchase and pay for all shares of common stock offered by this prospectus supplement, if any such shares of our common stock are purchased. The underwriters are not, however, obligated to purchase or pay for the shares of our common stock covered by the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares described below, unless and until they exercise this option. The underwriters reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify this offering and to reject orders in whole or in part.

We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and to contribute to payments that the underwriters may be required to make in respect of these liabilities.

Commissions and Discounts

The underwriters propose to initially offer shares of our common stock to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover of this prospectus supplement. If all of the shares are not sold at the public offering price, the underwriters may change the public offering price and the other selling terms.

The following table shows the price per share and total offering price, underwriting discount and proceeds before expenses to us. The information assumes either no exercise or full exercise by the underwriters of the option to purchase additional shares of common stock from us:

 

     Per Share      No
Exercise
     Full
Exercise
 

Public offering price

   $                    $                    $                

Underwriting discount

   $        $        $    

Proceeds, before expenses, to us

   $        $        $    

We estimate that the total offering expenses, including registration and filing fees, printing fees, legal and accounting expenses, but excluding underwriting discounts will be approximately $                . The underwriters will, generally, be responsible for paying their own expenses in connection with this offering. We have agreed to reimburse the underwriters up to $175,000 in legal fees.

Option to Purchase Additional Shares

We have granted the underwriters an option to purchase up to an additional 15% of the offered amount, or up to an additional                  shares, of our common stock at the public offering price less the underwriting discount. The underwriters may exercise this option, in whole or from time to time in part. The underwriters will have 30 days from the date of this prospectus supplement to exercise this option.

 

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Extended Settlement

We expect that delivery of the common stock will be made against payment therefor on or about the expected settlement date specified on the cover page of this prospectus supplement, which will be the third business day following the date of this prospectus supplement and the pricing of the common stock (such settlement being referred to as “T+3”). 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. Accordingly, purchasers who wish to trade the common stock on the date of this prospectus supplement will be required, by virtue of the fact that the common stock initially will settle in T+3, to specify an alternative settlement cycle at the time of any such trade to prevent failed settlement and should consult their own advisors.

Listing

Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ under the symbol “CCNE.”

No Sales of Similar Securities

We and each of our directors and executive officers, severally and not jointly, have agreed, with limited exceptions, not to sell or transfer any shares of our common stock for 90 days after the date of this prospectus supplement without first obtaining the written consent of the underwriters.

Specifically, we and each of our directors and executive officers have agreed, subject to certain exceptions, not to directly or indirectly:

 

   

offer for sale, sell, pledge, or otherwise dispose of (or enter into any transaction or device that is designed to, or could be expected to, result in the disposition by any person at any time in the future of) any shares of common stock, including, without limitation, shares of common stock that may be deemed to be beneficially owned by such person in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC and shares of common stock that may be issued upon exercise of any options or warrants) or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for common stock;

 

   

enter into any swap or other derivatives transaction that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic benefits or risks of ownership of shares of common stock, whether any such transaction is to be settled by delivery of common stock or other securities, in cash or otherwise;

 

   

make any demand for or exercise any right or cause to be confidentially submitted or filed a registration statement, including any amendments thereto, with respect to the registration of any shares of common stock or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for common stock or any other securities of the Corporation; or

 

   

publicly disclose the intention to do any of the foregoing.

This lock-up provision applies to our common stock and to securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for our common stock and, with respect to our directors and executive officers, whether now owned or hereafter acquired or for which the power of disposition is later acquired.

The lock-up agreements signed by our directors and executive officers contain certain customary exceptions.

Notwithstanding the lock-up agreements applicable to our directors and executive officers, the underwriters have agreed to certain specified exceptions, including (i) bona fide gifts, sales or other dispositions of shares of any class of our capital stock, in each case that are made exclusively between and among the directors and executive officers or members of their family or their affiliates, (ii) the exercise of warrants or the exercise of stock options granted pursuant to the Corporation’s stock option/incentive plans, subject to certain conditions, (iii) the establishment of any contract, instruction or plan that satisfies all of the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 under the

 

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Exchange Act, subject to certain conditions, and (iv) any demands or requests for, exercise of any rights with respect to, or any action taken in preparation of, the registration by the Corporation under the Securities Act of such director’s or executive officer’s shares of common stock, subject to certain conditions.

In the event that we notify the underwriters in writing that we do not intend to proceed with this offering, if the underwriting agreement does not become effective, or if the underwriting agreement is terminated prior to payment for and delivery of our common stock, the lock-up provisions will be released.

Electronic Distribution

This prospectus supplement may be made available in electronic format on Internet sites or through other online services maintained by the underwriters or their affiliates. In those cases, prospective investors may view offering terms online and may be allowed to place orders online. Other than this prospectus supplement in electronic format, any information on the underwriters’ or their affiliates’ websites and any information contained in any other website maintained by the underwriters or any affiliate of the underwriters is not part of this prospectus supplement or the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement forms a part, has not been approved and/or endorsed by us or the underwriters and should not be relied upon by investors.

Stabilization

In connection with this offering, the underwriters may engage in stabilizing transactions, overallotment transactions, syndicate covering transactions, and purchases to cover positions created by short sales and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act.

Stabilizing transactions consist of bids or purchases made for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of our common stock while this offering is in progress. These transactions may also include making short sales of our common stock, which involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater number of shares of common stock than they are required to purchase in this offering. Short sales may be “covered short sales” or “naked short sales.” In a covered short position, the number of excess shares sold by an underwriter, if any, are not greater than the number of shares of common stock that they may purchase pursuant to their option to purchase additional shares. In a naked short potion, the number the shares of common stock involved is greater than the number of shares of common stock in the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares.

The underwriters may close out any covered short position either by exercising, in whole or in part, their option to purchase additional shares, or by purchasing shares in the open market. In making this determination, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market compared to the price at which the underwriters may purchase shares through the purchase options described above. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the common stock in the open market that could adversely affect investors who purchased in this offering.

The underwriters also may engage in syndicate covering transaction, which are transactions that involve purchases of common stock in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover syndicate short potions. In determining the source of shares of common stock to close out the short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares of common stock available for purchase in the open market as compared with the price at which the underwriters may purchase shares of common stock through exercise of options to purchase additional shares.

Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a selected dealer when the securities originally sold by the selected dealer are purchased in a stabilizing or syndicate covering transaction.

 

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These stabilizing transactions and syndicate covering transactions may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our common stock or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of our common stock. As a result, the price of our common stock in the open market may be higher than it would otherwise be in the absence of these transactions. Neither we nor the underwriters make any representation or prediction as to the effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of our common stock. These transactions may be effected on the NASDAQ, in the over-the-counter market or otherwise and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.

Passive Market Making

In connection with this offering, the underwriters and selected dealers, if any, may engage in passive market making transactions in our common stock on the NASDAQ in accordance with Rule 103 of Regulation M under the Exchange Act during a period before the commencement of offers or sales of common stock and extending through the completion of the distribution of this offering. A passive market maker must display its bid at a price not in excess of the highest independent bid of that security. However, if all independent bids are lowered below the passive market maker’s bid, the passive market maker may continue to bid and effect purchases at a price exceeding the then highest independent bid until specified purchase limits are exceeded, at which time such bid must be lowered to an amount no higher than the then highest independent bid. Passive market making may cause the price of our common stock to be higher than the price that otherwise would exist in the open market in the absence of those transactions. The underwriters and dealers, if any, are not required to engage in passive market making and may end passive market making activities at any time.

Other Relationships

The underwriters and their affiliates are full-service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. The underwriters and their affiliates have engaged in, and may in the future engage in, investment banking, commercial banking and other commercial dealings in the ordinary course of business with us and our affiliates, for which they have received and may continue to receive customary fees and commissions.

In addition, in the ordinary course of their business activities, the underwriters and their affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers. Such investments and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of ours or our affiliates. If the underwriters and their affiliates have a lending relationship with us, the underwriters and their affiliates may hedge their credit exposure to us consistent with their customary risk management policies. Typically, the underwriters and their affiliates would hedge such exposure by entering into transactions which consist of either the purchase of credit default swaps or the creation of short positions in our securities. The underwriters and their affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or financial instruments and may hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.

Our common stock is being offered by the underwriters, subject to prior sale, when, as and if issued to and accepted by them, subject to approval of certain legal matters by counsel for the underwriters and other conditions.

Compliance with Non-U.S. Laws and Regulations

Other than in the United States, no action has been taken by us or the underwriters that would permit a public offering of the securities offered by this prospectus supplement in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. The securities offered by this prospectus supplement may not be offered or sold, directly or

 

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indirectly, nor may this prospectus supplement or any other offering material or advertisements in connection with the offer and sale of any such securities be distributed or published in any jurisdiction, except under circumstances that will result in compliance with the applicable rules and regulations of that jurisdiction. Persons into whose possession this prospectus supplement comes are advised to inform themselves about and to observe any restrictions relating to the offering and the distribution of this prospectus supplement. This prospectus supplement does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities offered by this prospectus supplement in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or a solicitation is unlawful.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the shares of common stock offered hereby will be passed upon for us by our counsel, Hogan Lovells US LLP. Pillar Aught LLC will pass upon certain legal matters for the underwriters in connection with this offering.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of CNB Financial Corporation as of December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2021, have been audited by Crowe LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report. Such consolidated financial statements have been so incorporated into this prospectus supplement and into the registration statement by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, in reliance upon their report and given upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

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PROSPECTUS

CNB Financial Corporation

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Depositary Shares

Debt Securities

CNB Financial Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation, may offer and sell the securities identified above, from time to time in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities. When we offer securities, we will provide you with a prospectus supplement describing the terms of the specific issue of securities, including the price of the securities. The prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, as well as any documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, carefully before you decide to invest. This prospectus may not be used to sell securities unless it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement that further describes the securities being delivered to you.

We may offer and sell these securities to or through one or more agents, underwriters and dealers, or directly to purchasers, on a continuous or delayed basis. If any agents, underwriters or dealers are involved in the sale of any of the securities, their names and any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement with, between or among them, will be set forth, or will be calculable from the information set forth, in an accompanying prospectus supplement. For more detailed information, see “Plan of Distribution” on page 35. No securities may be sold without delivery of this prospectus and a prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the offering of those securities.

Our common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market (“NASDAQ”) under the symbol “CCNE.” On June 17, 2020, the last reported sale price of our common stock on NASDAQ was $17.20 per share. Our principal executive offices are located at 1 South Second Street, P.O. Box 42, Clearfield, PA 16830 and our telephone number is (814) 765-9621.

 

 

Investing in our securities involves risks. Before buying our securities, you should refer to the risk factors included in our periodic reports and in the other information that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). You should carefully consider the risks described under “Risk Factors” beginning on page 7 of this prospectus, as well as the other information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, before making a decision to invest in our securities.

 

 

The offered securities are not deposits or obligations of a bank or savings associations and are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.

 

 

Neither the SEC nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

The date of this prospectus is June 25, 2020.


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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC, using a “shelf” registration process for the delayed offering and sale of securities pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act. Under this shelf registration process, we may, from time to time, sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities that we may offer and is not meant to provide a complete description of each security. As a result, each time we offer securities, to the extent required, a prospectus supplement will be provided, and it will be attached to this prospectus. The prospectus supplement will contain specific information about the terms of that offering, including the specific amounts, prices and terms of the securities being offered. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, together with additional information described below under the headings “Where to Find Additional Information,” “Incorporation of Certain Information By Reference” and any additional information you may need before making an investment decision.

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3, of which this prospectus is a part, under the Securities Act, with respect to the offered securities. You should rely only on the information provided or information to which we have referred you, including any information incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different or additional information. We are not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale of these securities is not permitted. You should not assume that the information appearing in this prospectus, any free writing prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement prepared by us or the documents incorporated by reference herein or therein is accurate as of any date other than their respective dates. Our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

You should read carefully the entire prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, as well as the documents incorporated by reference in the prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, which we have referred you to in “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” on page 3 of this prospectus, before making an investment decision. Information incorporated by reference after the date of this prospectus may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. Statements contained or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement as to the content of any contract or other document are not necessarily complete, and in each instance we refer you to the copy of the contract or other document filed as an exhibit to a document incorporated by reference in this prospectus or such prospectus supplement, as applicable, each such statement being qualified in all respects by such reference. Any information in such subsequent filings and any applicable prospectus supplement that is inconsistent with this prospectus will supersede the information in this prospectus or any earlier prospectus supplement.

As used in this prospectus, unless the context otherwise requires, the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” “CNB” and “the Corporation” mean CNB Financial Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation, together with our subsidiaries, except where it is clear that the term means only CNB Financial Corporation. In this prospectus, we sometimes refer to the common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares and/or debt securities as the “offered securities.”

 

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WHERE TO FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

We have filed with the SEC a “shelf” registration statement on Form S-3, including exhibits, schedules and amendments filed with the registration statement, of which this prospectus is a part, under the Securities Act, with respect to the securities that may be offered by this prospectus. This prospectus is a part of that registration statement, but does not contain all of the information in the registration statement. For further information with respect to the Corporation and the securities that may be offered by this prospectus, reference is made to the registration statement, including the exhibits and schedules to the registration statement. Statements contained in this prospectus as to the contents of any contract or other document referred to in this prospectus are not necessarily complete and, where that contract or other document has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, each statement in this prospectus is qualified in all respects by the exhibit to which the reference related.

We are subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and, in accordance therewith, we file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings, including the registration statement, are available to you on the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov), which contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. Documents we have filed with the SEC are also available on our website at http://www.cnbbank.bank. Except as expressly stated herein, information contained on our website does not constitute a part of this prospectus and is not incorporated by reference herein.

 

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INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with it in this prospectus. This helps us disclose certain information to you by referring you to the documents we file. The information we incorporate by reference is an important part of this prospectus. We incorporate by reference each of the documents listed below.

 

  (a)

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, filed with the SEC on March 5, 2020;

 

  (b)

Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2020, filed with the SEC on May 7, 2020;

 

  (c)

Our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the SEC on March 11, 2020 (solely to the extent incorporated by reference into Part III of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019);

 

  (d)

Our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 11, 2020, March 13, 2020, March 19, 2020, March  24, 2020, April 21, 2020 (excluding such information furnished under Item  7.01), May  12, 2020 and May 19, 2020; and

 

  (e)

The description of our common stock contained in our registration statement on Form 8-A, filed with the SEC on April 17, 1985, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.

All filings filed by us pursuant to the Exchange Act subsequent to the date hereof and prior to effectiveness of this registration statement shall be deemed to be incorporated in this registration statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents or reports. In addition, all documents and reports filed by us subsequent to the date hereof pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all securities remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this registration statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents or reports. Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this registration statement to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this registration statement.

You may obtain any of the filings incorporated by reference into this prospectus through us or from the SEC through the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. We will provide, without charge, to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a copy of this prospectus is delivered, upon written or oral request of such person, a copy of any or all of the reports and documents referred to above which have been or may be incorporated by reference into this prospectus. You should direct requests for those documents to:

CNB Financial Corporation

1 South Street

P.O. Box 42

Clearfield, PA 16830

Attn: Richard L. Greslick, Jr., Corporate Secretary

(814) 765-9621

 

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CAUTIONARY NOTE ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus and the information incorporated by reference in it, as well as any prospectus supplement that accompanies it, include forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), with respect to the financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, and future performance of our business. These forward-looking statements are intended to be covered by the safe harbor for “forward-looking statements” provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are those that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements include statements with respect to beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, expectations, anticipations, estimates and intentions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors (some of which are beyond our control). Forward-looking statements often include the words “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “forecasts,” “intends,” “plans,” “targets,” “potentially,” “probably,” “projects,” “outlook” or similar expressions or future conditional verbs such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “would” and “could.” Such known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the statements, include, but are not limited to, (i) changes in general business, industry or economic conditions or competition; (ii) changes in any applicable law, rule, regulation, policy, guideline or practice governing or affecting financial holding companies and their subsidiaries or with respect to tax or accounting principles or otherwise; (iii) adverse changes or conditions in capital and financial markets; (iv) the duration, scope and impact of epidemics and/or other pandemics, including the current coronavirus, or COVID-19, pandemic, and the pace of recovery when such epidemics and/or pandemics subside; (v) changes in interest rates; (vi) higher than expected costs or other difficulties related to integration of combined or merged businesses; (vii) the effects of business combinations and other acquisition transactions, including the inability to realize expected cost savings or achieve other anticipated benefits in connection therewith; (viii) changes in the quality or composition of our loan and investment portfolios; (ix) adequacy of loan loss reserves; (x) increased competition; (xi) loss of certain key officers; (xii) deposit attrition; (xiii) rapidly changing technology; (xiv) unanticipated regulatory or judicial proceedings and liabilities and other costs; (xv) changes in the cost of funds, demand for loan products or demand for financial services; and (xvi) other economic, competitive, governmental or technological factors affecting our operations, markets, products, services and prices. Such developments could have an adverse impact on our financial position and our results of operations.

The forward-looking statements contained herein are based upon management’s beliefs and assumptions. Any forward-looking statement made herein speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law. For a further discussion of these and other factors that could impact our future results, performance or transactions, see “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, which is incorporated by reference herein, as updated by our subsequent filings under the Exchange Act.

 

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ABOUT CNB FINANCIAL CORPORATION

CNB Financial Corporation (the “Corporation”) is a bank holding company and a financial holding company registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended. We were incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1983 for the purpose of engaging in the business of a financial holding company. On April 26, 1984, we acquired all of the outstanding capital stock of County National Bank, a nationally-chartered banking institution. In December of 2006, County National Bank changed its name to CNB Bank and became a state bank chartered in Pennsylvania and subject to regulation by the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. In October 2013, we acquired FC Banc Corp. and its subsidiary, The Farmers Citizens Bank. In July 2016, we acquired Lake National Bank. We are subject to regulation, supervision and examination by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

In addition to CNB Bank, we have four other subsidiaries. CNB Securities Corporation is incorporated in Delaware and currently maintains investments in debt and equity securities. CNB Insurance Agency, incorporated in Pennsylvania, provides for the sale of nonproprietary annuities and other insurance products. CNB Risk Management, Inc. is a Delaware-based captive insurance company that insures against certain risks unique to the operations of the Corporation and its subsidiaries and for which insurance may not be currently available or economically feasible in today’s insurance marketplace. Holiday Financial Services Corporation, incorporated in Pennsylvania, offers small balance unsecured and secured loans, primarily collateralized by automobiles and equipment, to borrowers with higher risk characteristics.

We do not currently engage in any operating business activities, other than the ownership and management of CNB Bank, CNB Securities Corporation, CNB Insurance Agency, CNB Risk Management, Inc. and Holiday Financial Services Corporation.

CNB Bank was originally chartered as a national bank in 1934 and is now a Pennsylvania-chartered bank. ERIEBANK, a division of CNB Bank, began operations in 2005. In July 2016, we acquired Lake National Bank, which operated two full-service branches in Mentor, Ohio, approximately 20 miles east of Cleveland, Ohio. CNB Bank continues to operate these two branch locations within its ERIEBANK franchise. In October 2013, we acquired FC Banc Corp. and its subsidiary, The Farmers Citizens Bank, in the central Ohio market area, which we operate today as FCBank, a division of CNB Bank. In 2016, CNB Bank received regulatory approval to conduct business in the state of New York as BankOnBuffalo, a division of CNB Bank. CNB Bank opened a loan production office in Buffalo, New York in May 2016, which we closed in February 2017 concurrently with the opening of a full-service location in downtown Buffalo in February 2017.

CNB Bank has one loan production office and 39 full-service branch offices located in various communities in its market area. CNB Bank’s primary market area includes the Pennsylvania counties of Blair, Cambria, Cameron, Centre, Clearfield, Crawford, Elk, Indiana, Jefferson, and McKean. ERIEBANK, a division of CNB Bank, operates in the Pennsylvania counties of Crawford, Erie, and Warren and the Ohio counties of Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, and Lake. FCBank, a division of CNB Bank, operates in the Ohio counties of Crawford, Richland, Ashland, Wayne, Marion, Morrow, Knox, Delaware, and Franklin. BankOnBuffalo, a division of CNB Bank, operates in Erie and Niagara counties, New York.

CNB Bank is a full-service bank engaging in a broad range of banking activities and services for individual, business, governmental and institutional customers. These activities and services principally include checking, savings, and time deposit accounts; real estate, commercial, industrial, residential and consumer loans; and a variety of other specialized financial services. CNB Bank’s Private Client Solutions division offers a full range of client services, including private banking and wealth and asset management.

Corporate Information

Our common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “CCNE.” Our principal executive offices are located at 1 South Street, P.O. Box 42, Clearfield, PA 16830. Our telephone

 

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number is (814) 765-9621. We maintain a website at www.cnbbank.bank. The information contained on or connected to our website is not incorporated by reference into, and you must not consider the information to be part of, this prospectus.

Additional information about us is included in documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus. See “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” on page 3 of this prospectus.

 

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves significant risks. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider the risks and other information we include or incorporate by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, as updated by our subsequent filings under the Exchange Act. In particular, you should consider the risk factors under the heading “Risk Factors” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, each of which is incorporated by reference herein, as updated by our subsequent filings under the Exchange Act. The risks and uncertainties we have described are not the only ones facing our company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also affect our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Furthermore, we may include additional risk factors in a prospectus supplement relating to a particular offering of securities. For additional information, please see the sources described in “Where to Find Additional Information.”

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we expect to use the net proceeds from the sale of offered securities for general corporate purposes, including:

 

   

expansion of the business;

 

   

investments in our subsidiary bank as regulatory capital to fund growth;

 

   

financing of possible acquisitions;

 

   

refinancing, reduction or repayment of debt; and

 

   

investments at the holding company level.

The prospectus supplement with respect to an offering of offered securities may identify different or additional uses for the proceeds of that offering.

Pending the application of the net proceeds, we expect to temporarily invest the proceeds from the sale of offered securities in short-term obligations.

 

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THE SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER

The descriptions of the securities contained in this prospectus, together with the applicable prospectus supplements, summarize certain material terms and provisions of the various types of securities that we may offer. The particular material terms of the securities offered by a prospectus supplement will be described in that prospectus supplement. If indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the terms of the offered securities may differ from the terms summarized below. The prospectus supplement will also contain information, where applicable, about material U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to the offered securities, and the securities exchange, if any, on which the offered securities will be listed. The descriptions herein and in the applicable prospectus supplement do not contain all of the information that you may find useful or that may be important to you. You should refer to the provisions of the actual documents whose terms are summarized herein and in the applicable prospectus supplement, because those documents, and not the summaries, define your rights as holders of the relevant securities. For more information, please review the forms of these documents, which are or will be filed with the SEC and will be available as described under the heading “Where to Find Additional Information” above.

We may offer and sell from time to time, in one or more offerings, common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares and/or debt securities.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

The following description is a general summary of the terms of our common stock. The description below does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to our Second Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (the “Charter”) and Second Amended and Restated Bylaws (the “Bylaws”). The description below does not contain all of the information that you might find useful or that might be important to you. You should refer to the provisions of our Charter and Bylaws because they, and not the summaries, define the rights of holders of shares of our common stock. You can obtain copies of our Charter and Bylaws by following the directions under the heading “Where to Find Additional Information.”

General

Our Charter authorizes us to issue 50,000,000 shares of stock, no par value. As of June 17, 2020, there were 15,369,561 shares of common stock issued and outstanding and there were no outstanding options exercisable for shares of our common stock.

Each share of our common stock has the same relative rights and is identical in all respects to each other share of our common stock. Our common stock is non-withdrawable capital, is not of an insurable type and is not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental entity.

Voting Rights

Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote per share on each matter properly submitted to shareholders for their vote, including the election of directors. Holders of our common stock do not have the right to cumulate their votes for the election of directors. Subject to certain exceptions, whenever any corporate action is to be taken by a vote of the shareholders, it will be authorized by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by all shareholders entitled to vote thereon. Directors receiving the highest number of votes shall be elected.

Liquidation Rights

The holders of our common stock, together with the holders of any class or series of stock entitled to participate with the holders of our common stock in the distribution of assets in the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of us, whether voluntary or involuntary, will be entitled to participate equally in the distribution of any of our assets remaining after we have paid, or provided for the payment of, all of our debts and liabilities and after we have paid, or set aside for payment to, the holders of any class of stock having preference over the common stock in the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding-up the full preferential amounts to which they are entitled.

Dividends

The holders of our common stock and any class or series of stock entitled to participate with the holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends declared by our board of directors out of any assets legally available for distribution. We may not pay dividends or other distributions unless we have paid, declared or set aside all accumulated dividends and any sinking fund, retirement fund or other retirement payments on any class of stock having preference as to payments of dividends over our common stock. As a holding company, our ability to pay distributions is affected by the ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends. The ability of our bank subsidiary, and our ability, to pay dividends in the future is, and could in the future be further, influenced by bank regulatory requirements and capital guidelines.

Miscellaneous

The holders of our common stock have no preemptive or conversion rights for any shares that may be issued. Our common stock is not subject to additional calls or assessments, and all shares of our common stock

 

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currently outstanding are fully paid and nonassessable. All shares of common stock offered pursuant to a prospectus supplement, or issuable upon conversion, exchange or exercise of any convertible securities, will, when issued, be fully paid and nonassessable, which means that the full purchase price of the shares will have been paid and the holders of the shares will not be assessed any additional monies for the shares.

Certain Important Charter Provisions

Our Bylaws provide for the division of our board of directors into three classes of directors, each class as nearly as equal as possible, with each serving staggered terms. Any amendment to our Bylaws must be approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by all shareholders entitled to vote thereon and, if any shareholders are entitled to vote thereon as a class, upon receiving the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by the shareholders entitled to vote as a class. Additionally, our Charter provides that the affirmative vote of at least 66% of the outstanding shares of each class entitled to vote is required to effect business combinations.

Some of the foregoing provisions may have the effect of deterring hostile takeovers or delaying changes in control or management of us.

Since the terms of our Charter and Bylaws may differ from the general information we are providing, you should only rely on the actual provisions of our Charter and Bylaws. If you would like to read our Charter and Bylaws, you may request a copy from us by following the directions under the heading “Where to Find Additional Information.”

NASDAQ Stock Market Listing

Our common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market under the symbol “CCNE.”

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK

The following description sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the preferred stock that we may offer from time to time. The description below and in any prospectus supplement does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to our Charter and the applicable certificate of designations designating the terms of the related series of preferred stock and our Bylaws, each of which we will make available upon request. The descriptions herein and in the applicable prospectus supplement do not contain all of the information that you may find useful or that may be important to you. You should refer to the provisions of our Charter, the applicable certificate of designations and our Bylaws, because they, and not the summaries, define your rights as holders of shares of our preferred stock. You can obtain copies of our Charter and Bylaws by following the directions under the heading “Where to Find Additional Information.”

General

We are authorized to issue 50,000,000 shares of stock, no par value. Our amended and restated articles of incorporation, subject to limitations prescribed in such articles and subject to limitations prescribed by Pennsylvania law, authorize the board of directors, from time to time by resolution and without further shareholder action, to provide for the issuance of shares of preferred stock, in one or more series, and to fix the designation, powers, preferences and other rights of the shares and to fix the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof. As a result of its broad discretion with respect to the creation and issuance of preferred stock without shareholder approval, the board of directors could adversely affect the voting power of the holders of common stock and, by issuing shares of preferred stock with certain voting, conversion and/or redemption rights, could discourage any attempt to obtain control of us.

Terms of the Preferred Stock That We May Offer and Sell to You

You should refer to the prospectus supplement relating to the class or series of preferred stock being offered for the specific terms of that class or series, including:

 

   

the title and stated value of the preferred stock being offered;

 

   

the number of shares of preferred stock being offered, their liquidation preference per share and their purchase price;

 

   

the dividend rate(s), period(s) and/or payment date(s) or method(s) of calculating the payment date(s) applicable to the preferred stock being offered;

 

   

whether dividends will be cumulative or non-cumulative and, if cumulative, the date from which dividends on the preferred stock being offered will accumulate;

 

   

the procedures for any auction and remarketing, if any, for the preferred stock being offered;

 

   

the provisions for a sinking fund, if any, for the preferred stock being offered;

 

   

the provisions for redemption, if applicable, of the preferred stock being offered;

 

   

any listing of the preferred stock being offered on any securities exchange or market;

 

   

the terms and conditions, if applicable, upon which the preferred stock being offered will be convertible into or exchangeable for other securities or rights, or a combination of the foregoing, including the name of the issuer of the securities or rights, conversion or exchange price, or the manner of calculating the conversion or exchange price, and the conversion or exchange date(s) or period(s) and whether we will have the option to convert such preferred stock into cash;

 

   

voting rights, if any, of the preferred stock being offered;

 

   

a discussion of any material and/or special United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the preferred stock being offered;

 

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the relative ranking and preferences of the preferred stock being offered as to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs;

 

   

any limitations on the issuance of any class or series of preferred stock ranking senior to or equally with the series of preferred stock being offered as to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs; and

 

   

any other specific terms, preferences, rights, limitations or restrictions of the preferred stock being offered.

Ranking

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the preferred stock will, with respect to distribution rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs, rank:

 

   

senior to all classes or series of our common stock and to all equity securities the terms of which specifically provide that the equity securities rank junior to the preferred stock being offered;

 

   

equally with all equity securities issued by us other than those referred to in the first and last bullet points of this subheading; and

 

   

junior to all equity securities issued by us the terms of which specifically provide that the equity securities rank senior to the preferred stock being offered.

For purposes of this subheading, the term “equity securities” does not include convertible debt securities.

Distributions

Holders of the preferred stock of each series will be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by our board of directors, out of our assets legally available for payment to shareholders, cash distributions, or distributions in kind or in other property if expressly permitted and described in the applicable prospectus supplement, at the rates and on the dates as we will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. We will pay each distribution to holders of record as they appear on our stock transfer books on the record dates determined by our board of directors.

Distributions on any class or series of preferred stock, if cumulative, will be cumulative from and after the date set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. If our board of directors fails to declare a distribution payable on a distribution payment date on any class or series of preferred stock for which distributions are non-cumulative, then the holders of that class or series of preferred stock will have no right to receive a distribution in respect of the distribution period ending on that distribution payment date, and we will have no obligation to pay the distribution accumulated for that period, whether or not distributions on that series are declared payable on any future distribution payment date.

If any shares of the preferred stock of any class or series are outstanding, no full dividends will be declared or paid or set apart for payment on our preferred stock of any other class or series ranking, as to dividends, equally with or junior to the preferred stock of the class or series for any period unless all required dividends are paid. The phrase “all required dividends are paid” when used in this prospectus with respect to class or series of preferred stock means that:

 

   

if the class or series of preferred stock has a cumulative dividend, full cumulative dividends on the preferred stock of the class or series have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment is set apart for payment for all past dividend periods and the then current dividend period; or

 

   

if the class or series of preferred stock does not have a cumulative dividend, full dividends on the preferred stock of the class or series have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment is set apart for the payment for the then current dividend period.

 

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When dividends are not paid in full, or a sum sufficient for the full payment is not so set apart, upon the shares of preferred stock of any class or series and the shares of any other class or series of preferred stock ranking equally as to dividends with the preferred stock of the class or series, all dividends declared upon shares of preferred stock of the class or series and any other class or series of preferred stock ranking equally as to dividends with the preferred stock will be declared equally so that the amount of dividends declared per share on the preferred stock of the class or series and the other class or series of preferred stock will in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that accrued and unpaid dividends per share on the shares of preferred stock of the class or series, which will not include any accumulation in respect of unpaid dividends for prior dividend periods if the preferred stock does not have cumulative dividend, and the other class or series of preferred stock bear to each other. No interest, sum of money in lieu of interest, will be payable in respect of any dividend payment or payments on preferred stock of the class or series which may be in arrears.

Except as provided in the immediately preceding paragraph, unless all required dividends are paid, no dividends, other than in common stock or other stock ranking junior to the preferred stock of the class or series as to dividends and upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of us, will be declared or paid or set aside for payment or other distribution will be declared or made upon the common stock or any of our other stock ranking junior or equally with the preferred stock of the class or series as to dividends or upon liquidation, nor will any common stock or any of our other capital stock ranking junior to or equally with preferred stock of the class or series as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of us be redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired for any consideration, or any moneys be paid to or made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of any shares of any stock, by us except by conversion into or exchange for our other stock ranking junior to the preferred stock of the class or series as to dividends and upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of us.

Any dividend payment made on shares of a class or series of preferred stock will first be credited against the earliest accrued but unpaid dividend due with respect to shares of the class or series which remains payable.

Redemption

If so provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, the preferred stock will be subject to mandatory redemption or redemption at our option, in whole or in part, in each case upon the terms, at the times and at the redemption prices set forth in the prospectus supplement.

The prospectus supplement relating to a class or series of preferred stock that is subject to mandatory redemption will specify the number of shares of the preferred stock that will be redeemed by us in each year commencing after a date to be specified, at a redemption price per share to be specified, together with an amount equal to all accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon, which will not, if the preferred stock does not have a cumulative dividend, include an accumulation in respect of unpaid dividends for prior dividends periods, to the date of redemption. The redemption price may be payable in cash or other property, as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. If the redemption price for preferred stock of any series is payable only from the net proceeds of the issuance of our stock, the terms of the preferred stock may provide that, if no stock will have been issued or to the extent the net proceeds from any issuance are insufficient to pay in full the aggregate redemption price then due, the preferred stock will automatically and mandatorily be converted into shares of our applicable stock pursuant to conversion provisions specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless provided otherwise for any class or series of preferred stock, unless all required dividends are paid:

 

   

no shares of the applicable class or series of preferred stock will be redeemed unless all outstanding shares of preferred stock of the class or series are simultaneously redeemed; and

 

   

we will not purchase or otherwise acquire directly or indirectly any shares of the applicable class or series of preferred stock, except by conversion into or exchange for our stock ranking junior to the preferred stock of the class or series as to dividends and upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of us;

 

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provided, however, that the above restrictions will not prevent the purchase or acquisition of shares of preferred stock of the class or series pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to holders of all outstanding shares of preferred stock of the class or series.

Liquidation Preference

Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs, then, before any distribution or payment will be made to the holders of any common stock or any other class or series of shares of our capital stock ranking junior to the preferred stock in the distribution of assets upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs, the holders of each series or class of preferred stock will be entitled to receive out of our assets legally available for distribution to shareholders liquidating distributions in the amount of the liquidation preference set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, plus an amount equal to all accumulated and unpaid distributions. After payment of the full amount of the liquidating distributions to which they are entitled, the holders of shares of preferred stock will have no right or claim to any of our remaining assets. If, upon the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, our available assets are insufficient to pay the amount of the liquidating distributions on all outstanding shares of preferred stock and the corresponding amounts payable on all shares of other classes or series of shares of our capital stock ranking equally with the preferred stock in the distribution of assets, then the holders of the preferred stock and all other classes or series of shares of capital stock will share ratably in any distribution of assets in proportion to the full liquidating distributions to which they would otherwise be respectively entitled.

If liquidating distributions will have been made in full to all holders of preferred stock, our remaining assets will be distributed among the holders of any other classes or series of shares of capital stock ranking junior to the preferred stock upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, according to their respective rights and preferences and in each case according to their respective number of shares.

For those purposes, the consolidation or merger of us with or into any other corporation, trust or entity, or the sale, lease or conveyance of all or substantially all of our property or business, will not be deemed to constitute a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs.

Voting Rights

Holders of preferred stock will not have any voting rights, except as set forth below or as otherwise from time to time required by law, or as otherwise provided in the articles of amendment or the resolutions establishing such series and as indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Conversion Rights

The terms and conditions, if any, upon which any class or series of preferred stock are convertible into or exchangeable for our other securities or rights or those of other issuers, including, without limitation, common stock, debt securities, trust preferred securities or another series of preferred stock, or any combination of the foregoing, will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the preferred stock. The terms will include the name of the issuer of the other securities or rights and the number or principal amount of the securities or rights into which the shares of preferred stock are convertible or exchangeable, the conversion or exchange price or rate or the manner of calculating the price, the conversion or exchange date(s) or period(s), provisions as to whether conversion or exchange will be at the option of the holders of the preferred stock or at our or other issuer’s option, the events requiring an adjustment of the conversion or exchange price or rate and provisions affecting conversion or exchange in the event of the redemption of the series of preferred stock.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

We will identify the transfer agent and registrar for any series of preferred stock offered by this prospectus in a prospectus supplement.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

The following description sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the depositary shares that we may offer from time to time. The description below and in any prospectus supplement does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to our Charter and the applicable certificate of designations designating the terms of the related series of preferred stock and our Bylaws, each of which we will make available upon request. The descriptions herein and in the applicable prospectus supplement do not contain all of the information that you may find useful or that may be important to you. You should refer to the provisions of our Charter, the applicable certificate of designations and our Bylaws, because they, and not the summaries, define your rights as holders of shares of our preferred stock. You can obtain copies of our Charter and Bylaws by following the directions under the heading “Where to Find Additional Information.”

In addition, specific deposit agreements and depositary receipts will contain additional important terms and provisions and will be incorporated by reference into the registration statement which includes this prospectus before we issue any depositary shares. The descriptions herein and in the applicable prospectus supplement do not restate those agreements and receipts in their entirety and do not contain all of the information that you may find useful or that may be important to you. You should refer to the provisions of the applicable deposit agreement and deposit certificate because they, and not the summaries, define your rights as holders of the depositary shares. For more information, please review the forms of these documents, which will be filed with the SEC promptly after the offering of depositary shares or depositary share units and will be available as described under the heading “Where to Find Additional Information.”

General

We may elect to offer fractional shares of preferred stock rather than full shares of preferred stock. If so, we will issue “depositary receipts” for these “depositary shares.” Each depositary share will represent a fraction of a share of a particular series of preferred stock. Each holder of a depositary share will be entitled, in proportion to the fraction of preferred stock represented by that depositary share, to the rights and preferences of the preferred stock, including dividend, voting, redemption, conversion and liquidation rights, if any. We will enter into a deposit agreement with a depositary, which will be named in the related prospectus supplement.

In order to issue depositary shares, we will issue preferred stock and immediately deposit these shares with the depositary. The depositary will then issue and deliver depositary receipts to the persons who purchase depositary shares. Each whole depositary share issued by the depositary may represent a fraction of a share held by the depositary. The depositary will issue depositary receipts in a form that reflects whole depositary shares, and each depositary receipt may evidence any number of whole depositary shares.

Pending the preparation of definitive engraved depositary receipts, a depositary may, upon our written order, issue temporary depositary receipts, which will temporarily entitle the holders to all the rights pertaining to the definitive depositary receipts. We will bear the costs and expenses of promptly preparing definitive depositary receipts and of exchanging the temporary depositary receipts for definitive depositary receipts.

Dividends and Other Distributions

The depositary will distribute all cash and non-cash dividends and distributions it receives with respect to the underlying preferred stock to the record holders of depositary shares in proportion to the number of depositary shares they hold. In the case of non-cash distributions, the depositary may determine that it is not feasible to make the distribution. If so, the depositary may, with our approval, sell the property and distribute the net proceeds from the sale to the holders. The amounts distributed by the depositary will be reduced by any amount required to be withheld by us or the depositary on account of taxes.

 

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Redemption

If we redeem the series of preferred stock that underlies the depositary shares, the depositary will redeem the depositary shares from the proceeds it receives from the redemption of the preferred stock it holds. The depositary will redeem the number of depositary shares that represent the amount of underlying preferred stock that we have redeemed. The redemption price for depositary shares will be in proportion to the redemption price per share that we paid for the underlying preferred stock. If we redeem less than all of the depositary shares, the depositary will select which depositary shares to redeem by lot, or some substantially equivalent method.

After a redemption date is fixed, the depositary shares to be redeemed no longer will be considered outstanding. The rights of the holders of the depositary shares will cease, except for the rights to receive money or other property upon redemption. In order to redeem their depositary shares, holders will surrender their depositary receipts to the depositary.

Voting the Preferred Stock

We will notify the depositary about any meeting at which the holders of preferred stock are entitled to vote, and the depositary will mail the information to the record holders of depositary shares related to that preferred stock. Each record holder of depositary shares on the record date will be entitled to instruct the depositary on how to vote the shares of preferred stock represented by that holder’s depositary shares. The depositary will vote the preferred stock represented by the depositary shares in accordance with these instructions, provided the depositary receives these instructions sufficiently in advance of the meeting. If the depositary does not receive instructions from the holders of the depositary shares, the depositary will abstain from voting the preferred stock that underlies those depositary shares.

Withdrawal of Preferred Stock

When a holder surrenders depositary receipts at the corporate trust office of the depositary, and pays any necessary taxes, charges or other fees, the holder will be entitled to receive the number of whole shares of the related series of preferred stock, and any money or other property, if any, represented by the holder’s depositary shares. Once a holder exchanges depositary shares for whole shares of preferred stock, that holder cannot “re-deposit” these shares of preferred stock with the depositary, or exchange them for depositary shares. If a holder delivers depositary receipts that represent a number of depositary shares that exceeds the number of whole shares of related preferred stock the holder seeks to withdraw, the depositary will issue a new depositary receipt to the holder that evidences the excess number of depositary shares.

Amendment and Termination of the Deposit Agreement

The Corporation and the depositary can agree, at any time, to amend the form of depositary receipt and any provisions of the depositary receipt and any provisions of the deposit agreement. However, if an amendment has a material adverse effect on the rights of the holders of related depositary shares, the holders of at least a majority of the depositary shares then outstanding must first approve the amendment. Every holder of a depositary receipt at the time an amendment becomes effective will be bound by the amended deposit agreement. However, subject to any conditions in the deposit agreement or applicable law, no amendment can impair the right of any holder of a depositary share to receive shares of the related preferred stock, or any money or other property represented by the depositary shares, when they surrender their depositary receipts.

We can terminate the deposit agreement at any time, as long as the depositary mails notice of termination to the record holders of depositary shares then outstanding at least 30 days prior to the date fixed for termination. Upon termination, the depositary shall deliver to each holder of depositary receipts, upon surrender of the depositary receipts held by such holder, such number of whole or fractional shares of preferred stock as are represented by the depositary shares evidenced by such depositary receipts, together with any other property held by the depositary with respect to such depositary receipt.

 

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Charges of Depositary

We will pay all transfer and other taxes and the government charges that relate solely to the depositary arrangements. We will also pay the charges of each depositary, including charges in connection with the initial deposit of the related series of preferred stock, the initial issuance of the depositary shares, and all withdrawals of shares of the related series of preferred stock. However, holders of depositary receipts will pay the fees and expenses of the depositary for any duties requested by such holders to be performed which are outside of those expressly provided for in the deposit agreement.

Resignation and Removal of Depositary

The depositary may resign at any time by delivering written notice of its decision to us. We may remove the depositary at any time. Any resignation or removal will take effect when we appoint a successor depositary. We must appoint the successor depositary within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal. The successor depositary must be a bank or trust company that has its principal office in the United States and has a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000.

Miscellaneous

We will be required to furnish certain information to the holders of the preferred stock underlying any depositary shares. The depositary, as the holder of the underlying preferred stock, will forward any report or information it receives from us to the holders of depositary shares.

Neither the depositary nor the Corporation will be liable if its ability to perform its obligations under the deposit agreement is prevented or delayed by law or any circumstance beyond its control. Both the Corporation and the depositary will be obligated to use their best judgment and to act in good faith in performing their respective duties under the deposit agreement. Each of the Corporation and the depositary will be liable only for gross negligence and willful misconduct in performing their duties under the deposit agreement. They will not be obligated to appear in, prosecute or defend any legal proceeding with respect to any depositary receipts, depositary shares or preferred stock unless they receive what they, in their sole discretion, determine to be a satisfactory indemnity from one or more holders of the depositary shares. The Corporation and the depositary will evaluate any proposed indemnity in order to determine whether the financial protection afforded by the indemnity is sufficient to reduce each party’s risk to a satisfactory and customary level. The Corporation and the depositary may rely on the advice of legal counsel or accountants of their choice. They may also rely on information provided by persons they believe, in good faith, to be competent, and on documents they believe, in good faith, to be genuine.

The applicable prospectus supplement will identify the depositary’s corporate trust office. Unless the prospectus supplement indicates otherwise, the depositary will act as transfer agent and registrar for depositary receipts, and if we redeem shares of preferred stock, the depositary will act as redemption agent for the corresponding depositary receipts.

Title

The Corporation, each depositary and any agent of the Corporation or the applicable depositary may treat the registered owner of any depositary share as the absolute owner of the depositary shares for all purposes, including making payment, regardless of whether any payment in respect of the depositary share is overdue and regardless of any notice to the contrary.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

The following description sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the debt securities that we may offer from time to time. The description below does not contain all of the information that you might find useful or that might be important to you. The particular terms of any of the debt securities that we may offer will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to those debt securities. You should review the provisions of the applicable indenture and debt securities because they, and not the summaries, define your rights as holders of the debt securities. For more information, you should refer to the relevant form of indenture and the relevant form of debt security, if any, which are or will be filed with the SEC.

We have summarized below general terms and conditions of the debt securities that we will offer and sell pursuant to this prospectus. When we offer to sell a particular series of debt securities, we will describe the specific terms and conditions of the series in a prospectus supplement to this prospectus. We will also indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement whether the general terms and conditions described in this prospectus apply to the series of debt securities. The terms and conditions of the debt securities of a series may be different in one or more respects from the terms and conditions described below. If so, those differences will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

We will issue senior or subordinated debt, which we refer together as the debt securities, in one or more series under one of two separate indentures between us and one or more trustees that we will designate in a prospectus supplement. Senior debt will be issued under a senior note indenture and subordinated debt will be issued under a subordinated note indenture, forms of which are filed as exhibits hereto. The senior note indenture and the subordinate note indenture are sometimes referred to in this prospectus individually as an “indenture” and collectively as “indentures.” The following summary of provisions of the indentures does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the indentures, including, but not limited to, definitions therein of certain terms. This summary may not contain all of the information that you may find useful. The terms and conditions of the debt securities of each series will be set forth in those debt securities and in the applicable indenture and in the applicable prospectus supplement. For a comprehensive description of any series of debt securities being offered to you pursuant to this prospectus, you should read both this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement.

The indentures have been filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. A form of each debt security, reflecting the specific terms and provisions of that series of debt securities, will be filed with the SEC in connection with each offering and will be incorporated by reference in the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. You may obtain a copy of each indenture and any form of debt security that has been filed in the manner described under “Where To Find Additional Information.”

Capitalized terms used and not defined in this summary have the meanings specified in the indentures. For purposes of this section of this prospectus, references to “we,” “us” and “our” are to CNB Financial Corporation and its subsidiaries and their predecessors. References to the “applicable prospectus supplement” are to the prospectus supplement to this prospectus that describes the specific terms and conditions of a series of debt securities.

General

We may offer the debt securities from time to time in as many distinct series as we may determine. Neither of the indentures limits the amount of debt securities that we may issue. We may, without the consent of the holders of the debt securities of any series, issue additional debt securities ranking equally with, and otherwise similar in all respects to, the debt securities of the series (except for the public offering price and the issue date) so that those additional debt securities will be consolidated and form a single series with the debt securities of the series previously offered and sold.

 

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The debt securities of each series will be issued in fully registered form without interest coupons. We currently anticipate that the debt securities of each series offered and sold pursuant to this prospectus will be issued as global debt securities as described under “—Book-Entry; Delivery and Form; Global Securities” and will trade in book-entry form only.

Debt securities denominated in U.S. dollars will be issued in denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof, unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. If the debt securities of a series are denominated in a foreign or composite currency, the applicable prospectus supplement will specify the denomination or denominations in which those debt securities will be issued.

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will repay the debt securities of each series at 100% of their principal amount, together with any premium and accrued and unpaid interest thereon at maturity, except if those debt securities have been previously redeemed or purchased and cancelled.

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities of each series will not be listed on any securities exchange.

Provisions of Indentures

Each indenture provides that debt securities may be issued under it from time to time in one or more series. For each series of debt securities, this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement will describe the following terms and conditions of that series of debt securities:

 

   

the title of the series;

 

   

the maximum aggregate principal amount, if any, established for debt securities of the series, provided, however, that such amount may from time to time be increased by a board resolution;

 

   

the price or prices at which the debt securities will be sold;

 

   

whether the debt securities will be senior or subordinated debt;

 

   

the person to whom any interest on a debt security of the series will be payable, if other than the person in whose name that debt security (or one or more predecessor debt securities) is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for such interest;

 

   

the date or dates on which the principal and premium, if any, of any debt securities of the series will be payable or the method used to determine or extend those dates;

 

   

the rate or rates at which any debt securities of the series will bear interest, if any, or the method by which such rate or rates shall be determined, the date or dates from which any such interest will accrue, or the method by which such date or dates shall be determined, the interest payment dates on which any such interest will be payable and the regular record date, if any, for any such interest payable on any interest payment date, or the method by which such date or dates shall be determined, and the basis upon which interest shall be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, the right, if any, to extend or defer interest payments and the duration of such extension or deferral;

 

   

the place or places where the principal of and any premium and interest on any debt securities of the series will be payable, the place or places where the debt securities of such series may be presented for registration of transfer or exchange, the place or places where notices and demands to or upon us in respect of the debt securities of such series may be made and the manner in which any payment may be made;

 

   

the period or periods within which or the date or dates on which, the price or prices at which, the currency or currency units in which, and the terms and conditions upon which any debt securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at our option and, if other than by a board resolution, the manner in which any election by us to redeem the debt securities will be evidenced;

 

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our obligation or right, if any, to redeem or purchase any debt securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund, amortization or analogous provisions or at the option of the holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, the currency or currency units in which, and the terms and conditions upon which any debt securities of the series will be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

 

   

if other than denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof, the denominations in which any debt securities of the series will be issuable;

 

   

if other than the trustee, the identity of each security registrar and/or paying agent;

 

   

if the amount of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any debt securities of the series may be determined with reference to a financial or economic measure or index or pursuant to a formula, the manner in which such amounts will be determined;

 

   

if other than U.S. dollars, the currency, currencies or currency units in which the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any debt securities of the series will be payable and the manner of determining the equivalent thereof in U.S. dollars for any purpose;

 

   

if the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any debt securities of the series is to be payable, at our election or the election of the holder thereof, in one or more currencies or currency units other than that or those in which such debt securities are stated to be payable, the currency, currencies or currency units in which the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on such debt securities as to which such election is made will be payable, the periods within which or the dates on which and the terms and conditions upon which such election is to be made and the amount so payable (or the manner in which such amount will be determined);

 

   

if the provisions of the indenture relating to satisfaction and discharge thereof shall apply to the debt securities of that series as set forth therein, or if provisions for the satisfaction and discharge of the indenture other than as set forth therein shall apply to the debt securities of that series;

 

   

if other than the entire principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of any debt securities of the series which will be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to the indenture or the method by which such portion shall be determined;

 

   

if the principal amount payable at the stated maturity of any debt securities of the series will not be determinable as of any one or more dates prior to the stated maturity, the amount which will be deemed to be the principal amount of such debt securities as of any such date for any purpose thereunder or hereunder, including the principal amount thereof which will be due and payable upon any maturity other than the stated maturity or which will be deemed to be outstanding as of any date prior to the stated maturity (or, in any such case, the manner in which such amount deemed to be the principal amount will be determined);

 

   

if other than by a board resolution, the manner in which any election by us to defease any debt securities of the series pursuant to the indenture will be evidenced; whether any debt securities of the series other than debt securities denominated in U.S. dollars and bearing interest at a fixed rate are to be subject to the defeasance provisions of the indenture; or, in the case of debt securities denominated in U.S. dollars and bearing interest at a fixed rate, if applicable, that the debt securities of the series, in whole or any specified part, will not be defeasible pursuant to the indenture;

 

   

if applicable, that any debt securities of the series shall be issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities and, in such case, the respective depositaries for such global securities, the form of any legend or legends which shall be borne by any such global security in addition to or in lieu of that set forth in the indenture and any circumstances in which any such global security may be exchanged in whole or in part for debt securities registered, and any transfer of such global security in whole or in part may be registered, in the name or names of persons other than the depositary for such global security or a nominee thereof;

 

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any addition to, deletion from or change in the events of default applicable to any debt securities of the series and any change in the right of the trustee or the requisite holders of such debt securities to declare the principal amount thereof due and payable;

 

   

any addition to, deletion from or change in the covenants applicable to debt securities of the series;

 

   

the terms of any right to convert or exchange debt securities of such series into any other securities or property of ours or of any other corporation or person, and the additions or changes, if any, to the indenture with respect to the debt securities of such series to permit or facilitate such conversion or exchange;

 

   

whether the debt securities of the series will be guaranteed by any persons and, if so, the identity of such persons, the terms and conditions upon which such debt securities will be guaranteed and, if applicable, the terms and conditions upon which such guarantees may be subordinated to other indebtedness of the respective guarantors;

 

   

whether the debt securities of the series will be secured by any collateral and, if so, the terms and conditions upon which such debt securities will be secured and, if applicable, upon which such liens may be subordinated to other liens securing other indebtedness of us or of any guarantor;

 

   

whether the debt securities will be issued in a transaction registered under the Securities Act and any restriction or condition on the transferability of the debt securities of such series;

 

   

the exchanges, if any, on which the debt securities may be listed; and

 

   

any other terms of the debt securities of the series (which terms will not be inconsistent with the provisions of the indenture, except as permitted thereunder).

Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement, the senior debt securities will rank equally with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of CNB Financial Corporation. The subordinated debt securities will rank subordinated and junior in right of payment, to the extent set forth in the subordinated note indenture, to all Senior Debt, as defined herein, of CNB Financial Corporation. See “—Subordination” below.

Some of the debt securities may be issued as discounted debt securities to be sold at a substantial discount below their stated principal amount. The prospectus supplement will contain any United States federal income tax consequences and other special considerations applicable to discounted debt securities.

Interest and Interest Rates

General

In the applicable prospectus supplement, we will designate the debt securities of a series as being either debt securities bearing interest at a fixed rate of interest or debt securities bearing interest at a floating rate of interest. Each debt security will begin to accrue interest from the date on which it is originally issued. Interest on each such debt security will be payable in arrears on the interest payment dates set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement and as otherwise described below and at maturity or, if earlier, the redemption date described below. Interest will be payable to the holder of record of the debt securities at the close of business on the record date for each interest payment date, which record dates will be specified in such prospectus supplement.

As used in the indentures, the term “business day” means, with respect to debt securities of a series, unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, that is not a day on which banking institutions are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close in the place where the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities are payable.

If any interest payment date, redemption date, repayment date or stated maturity of a debt security, or any date on which a holder has the right to convert such debt security, falls on a date that is not a business day, then

 

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payment of principal and premium, if any, or interest, or the redemption price or conversion of such debt security, will be made on the next succeeding business day at such place of payment with the same force and effect as if made on the interest payment date, redemption date or repayment date, or at the stated maturity, or on such conversion date. In the case, however, of debt securities bearing interest at a floating rate based on the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), if the interest payment date (other than the redemption date, repayment date or stated maturity) falls on a date that is not a business day and the following business day falls in the next succeeding calendar month, then the interest payment date for such debt securities shall be the business day immediately preceding the scheduled interest payment date. No interest shall accrue for the period from and after any such interest payment date, redemption date, repayment date, stated maturity or conversion date, as the case may be, to the date of such payment.

Optional Redemption

Redemption at Our Option

If specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may elect to redeem all or part of the outstanding debt securities of a series from time to time before the maturity date of the debt securities of that series. Upon such election, we will notify the trustee of the redemption date and the principal amount of debt securities of the series to be redeemed. If less than all the debt securities of the series are to be redeemed, the particular debt securities of that series to be redeemed will be selected by the trustee by such method as the trustee deems fair and appropriate. If we shall so direct, debt securities registered in our name or the name of any of our affiliates or subsidiaries shall not be included in the debt securities for redemption. The applicable prospectus supplement will specify the redemption price for the debt securities to be redeemed (or the method of calculating such price), in each case in accordance with the terms and conditions of those debt securities.

Notice of redemption will be given to each holder of the debt securities to be redeemed not less than 10 nor more than 60 days prior to the date set for such redemption (or within such period as otherwise specified as contemplated by the indenture for debt securities of a series). This notice will identify the debt securities to be redeemed and will include the following information: the redemption date; the redemption price (or the method of calculating such price); if less than all of the outstanding debt securities of such series are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption, the respective principal amounts) of the particular debt securities to be redeemed; the place or places where such debt securities are to be surrendered for payment of the redemption price; and, if applicable, the CUSIP number of the debt securities to be redeemed.

By no later than 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the redemption date, we will deposit or cause to be deposited with the trustee or with a paying agent (or, if we are acting as our own paying agent with respect to the debt securities being redeemed, we will segregate and hold in trust as provided in the indenture) an amount of money sufficient to pay the aggregate redemption price of, and (except if the redemption date shall be an interest payment date or the debt securities of such series provide otherwise) accrued interest on, all of the debt securities or the part thereof to be redeemed on that date. On the redemption date, the redemption price will become due and payable upon all of the debt securities to be redeemed, and interest, if any, on the debt securities to be redeemed will cease to accrue from and after that date. Upon surrender of any such debt securities for redemption, we will pay those debt securities surrendered at the redemption price together, if applicable, with accrued interest to the redemption date. If the redemption date is after a regular record date and on or prior to the applicable interest payment date, the accrued and unpaid interest shall be payable to the holder of the redeemed securities registered on the relevant regular record date.

Any debt securities to be redeemed only in part must be surrendered at the office or agency established by us for such purpose, and we will execute, and the trustee will authenticate and deliver to a holder without service charge, new debt securities of the same series and of like tenor, of any authorized denominations as requested by that holder, in a principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the debt securities that holder surrenders.

 

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Repayment at Holder’s Option

If specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the holders of the debt securities of a series will have the option to elect repayment of those debt securities by us prior to the stated maturity of the debt securities of that series at time or times and subject to the conditions specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. If the holders of those debt securities have that option, the applicable prospectus supplement will specify the optional repayment date or dates on which the debt security may be repaid and the optional repayment price, or the method by which such price will be determined. The optional repayment price is the price at which, together with accrued interest to the optional repayment date, the debt security may be repaid at the holder’s option on each such optional repayment date.

Except as otherwise may be provided by the terms of the debt securities, any tender of a debt security by the holder for repayment will be irrevocable unless waived by us. Any repayment option of a holder may be exercised by the holder of debt securities for less than the entire principal amount of the debt security; provided that the principal amount of the debt security remaining outstanding after repayment will be an authorized denomination. Upon such partial repayment, the debt securities will be canceled and new debt securities for the remaining principal amount will be issued in the name of the holder of the repaid debt securities.

If debt securities are represented by a global security as described under “—Book-Entry; Delivery and Form; Global Securities,” the securities depository for the global security or its nominee will be the holder of the debt security and, therefore, will be the only person that can exercise a right to repayment. In order to ensure that the depository or its nominee will timely exercise a right to repayment relating to a particular debt security, the beneficial owner of the debt security must instruct the broker or other direct or indirect participant in the depository through which it holds an interest in the debt security to notify the depository of its desire to exercise a right to repayment by the appropriate cut-off time for notifying the participant. Different firms have different cut-off times for accepting instructions from their customers. Accordingly, you should consult the broker or other direct or indirect participant through which you hold an interest in a debt security in order to ascertain the cut-off time by which such an instruction must be given for timely notice to be delivered to the appropriate depository.

Payment and Transfer or Exchange

Principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities of each series will be payable, and the debt securities may be exchanged or transferred, at the office or agency maintained by us for such purpose (which initially will be the trustee’s office). Payment of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on a global security registered in the name of or held by The Depository Trust Company, or DTC, or its nominee will be made in immediately available funds to DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered holder of such global security. If any of the debt securities is no longer represented by a global security, payment of interest on certificated debt securities in definitive form may, at our option, be made by check mailed directly to holders at their registered addresses. See “—Book-Entry; Delivery and Form; Global Securities.”

A holder may transfer or exchange any certificated debt securities in definitive form at the same location given in the preceding paragraph. No service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of debt securities, but we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or other similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

We are not required to transfer or exchange any debt security selected for redemption for a period of 15 days before mailing of a notice of redemption of the debt security to be redeemed.

The registered holder of a debt security will be treated as the owner of it for all purposes.

All amounts of principal of and premium, if any, or interest on the debt securities paid by us that remain unclaimed two years after such payment was due and payable will be repaid to us, and the holders of such debt securities will thereafter look solely to us for payment.

 

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Covenants

The indentures set forth limited covenants that will apply to each series of debt securities issued under the indentures, unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. However, these covenants do not, among other things:

 

   

limit the amount of indebtedness or lease obligations that may be incurred by us and our subsidiaries;

 

   

limit our ability or that of our subsidiaries to issue, assume or guarantee debt secured by liens; or

 

   

restrict us from paying dividends or making distributions on our capital stock or purchasing or redeeming our capital stock.

Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

Each indenture provides that we may consolidate with or merge with or into any other person, and may sell, transfer, or lease or convey all or substantially all of our properties and assets to another person; provided that the following conditions are satisfied:

 

   

we are the continuing entity, or the resulting, surviving or transferee person (the “Successor”) is a person (if such person is not a corporation, then the Successor will include a corporate co-issuer of the debt securities) organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia and the Successor (if not us) will expressly assume, by supplemental indenture, all of our obligations under the debt securities and the indenture and, for each security that by its terms provides for conversion, provide for the right to convert such security in accordance with its terms;

 

   

immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no default or event of default under the indenture has occurred and is continuing; and

 

   

the trustee receives from us an officers’ certificate and an opinion of counsel that the transaction and such supplemental indenture, as the case may be, complies with the applicable provisions of the indenture.

If we consolidate or merge with or into any other person or sell, transfer, lease or convey all or substantially all of our properties and assets in accordance with the indenture, the Successor will be substituted for us in the indenture, with the same effect as if it had been an original party to the indenture. As a result, the Successor may exercise our rights and powers under the indenture, and we will be released from all our liabilities and obligations under the indenture and under the debt securities.

Any substitution of the Successor for us might be deemed for federal income tax purposes to be an exchange of the debt securities for “new” debt securities, resulting in recognition of gain or loss for such purposes and possibly certain other adverse tax consequences to beneficial owners of the debt securities. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of any such substitution.

For purposes of this covenant, “person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.

Subordination

Any subordinated debt securities issued under the subordinated note indenture will be subordinate and junior in right of payment to all of our Senior Debt (including all debt securities issued under the senior note indenture) whether existing at the date of the subordinated note indenture or subsequently incurred. Upon any payment or distribution of our assets to creditors upon any:

 

   

liquidation;

 

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dissolution;

 

   

winding-up;

 

   

receivership;

 

   

reorganization;

 

   

assignment for the benefit of creditors;

 

   

marshaling of assets and liabilities;

 

   

bankruptcy;

 

   

insolvency; or

 

   

debt restructuring or similar proceedings in connection with any insolvency or bankruptcy proceeding,

the holders of Senior Debt will first be entitled to receive payment in full of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such Senior Debt before the holders of the subordinated debt securities will be entitled to receive or retain any payment in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the subordinated debt securities.

Upon the acceleration of the maturity of any subordinated debt securities, the holders of all Senior Debt outstanding at the time of the acceleration will first be entitled to receive payment in full of all amounts due thereon, including any amounts due upon acceleration, before the holders of subordinated debt securities will be entitled to receive or retain any payment in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the subordinated debt securities.

No payments on account of principal, or any premium or interest, in respect of the subordinated debt securities may be made if:

 

   

there has occurred and is continuing a default in any payment with respect to Senior Debt; or

 

   

there has occurred and is continuing an event of default with respect to any Senior Debt resulting in the acceleration of, or permitting the holder or holders thereof to accelerate, the maturity thereof.

“Senior Debt” means the principal of, premium, if any and interest (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to us, whether or not such claim for post-petition interest is allowed in such proceeding) on our Debt, whether incurred on, before or after the date of the subordinated note indenture, unless the instrument creating or evidencing the Debt or under which the Debt is outstanding provides that obligations created by it are not superior in right of payment to the subordinated debt securities.

“Debt” means, with respect to any person, whether recourse is to all or a portion of the assets of that person and whether or not contingent:

 

   

every obligation of that person for money borrowed;

 

   

every obligation of that person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments, including obligations incurred in connection with the acquisition of property, assets or businesses;

 

   

every reimbursement obligation of that person with respect to letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances or similar facilities issued for the account of that person;

 

   

every obligation of that person incurred in connection with the acquisition of property or services, but excluding trade accounts payable or accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business;

 

   

every capital lease obligation of that person; and

 

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every obligation of the type referred to above of another person and all dividends of another person the payment of which, in either case, such person has guaranteed or for which such person is responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, as obligor or otherwise.

The indentures will place no limitation on the amount of additional Senior Debt that we may incur.

Events of Default

Each of the following events are defined in the indentures as an “event of default” (whatever the reason for such event of default and whether or not it will be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body) with respect to the debt securities of any series:

 

  (1)

default in the payment of any installment of interest on any debt securities of such series for 30 days after becoming due;

 

  (2)

default in the payment of principal of or premium, if any, on any debt securities of such series when it becomes due and payable at its stated maturity, upon optional redemption, upon declaration or otherwise;

 

  (3)

default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or agreement of ours in the indenture with respect to the debt securities of such series (other than a covenant or agreement, a default in the performance of which or a breach of which is elsewhere in the indenture specifically dealt with or that has expressly been included in the indenture solely for the benefit of a series of debt securities other than such series), which continues for a period of 90 days after written notice to us by the trustee or to us and the trustee by the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series;

 

  (4)

we pursuant to or within the meaning of the Bankruptcy Law:

 

   

commence a voluntary case or proceeding;

 

   

consent to the entry of an order for relief against us in an involuntary case or proceeding;

 

   

consent to the appointment of a custodian of us or for all or substantially all of our property;

 

   

make a general assignment for the benefit of our creditors;

 

   

file a petition in bankruptcy or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief;

 

   

consent to the filing of such petition or the appointment of or taking possession by a custodian; or

 

   

take any comparable action under any foreign laws relating to insolvency;

 

  (5)

a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

 

   

is for relief against us in an involuntary case, or adjudicates us insolvent or bankrupt;

 

   

appoints a custodian of us or for all or substantially all of our property; or

 

   

orders the winding-up or liquidation of us (or any similar relief is granted under any foreign laws);

and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 90 days; or

 

  (6)

any other event of default provided with respect to debt securities of such series occurs.

“Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, United States Code or any similar federal or state or foreign law for the relief of debtors. “Custodian” means any custodian, receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or other similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

 

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If an event of default with respect to debt securities of any series (other than an event of default relating to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency, or reorganization of us) occurs and is continuing, the trustee by notice to us, or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of such series by notice to us and the trustee, may, and the trustee at the request of these holders will, declare the principal of and premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on all the debt securities of such series to be due and payable. Upon such a declaration, such principal, premium and accrued and unpaid interest will be due and payable immediately. If an event of default relating to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency, or reorganization of us occurs and is continuing, the principal of and premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on the debt securities of such series will become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the trustee or any holders.

The holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may rescind a declaration of acceleration and its consequences, if we have deposited certain sums with the trustee and all events of default with respect to the debt securities of such series, other than the non-payment of the principal or interest which have become due solely by such acceleration, have been cured or waived, as provided in the indentures.

An event of default for a particular series of debt securities does not necessarily constitute an event of default for any other series of debt securities issued under the indenture.

We are required to furnish the trustee annually within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year a statement by one of our officers to the effect that, to the best knowledge of such officer, we are not in default in the fulfillment of any of our obligations under the indenture or, if there has been a default in the fulfillment of any such obligation, specifying each such default and the nature and status thereof.

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

 

  (1)

an event of default has occurred and is continuing and such holder has given the trustee prior written notice of such continuing event of default with respect to the debt securities of such series;

 

  (2)

the holders of not less than 25% of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of such series have requested the trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such event of default;

 

  (3)

the trustee has been offered indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against its costs, expenses and liabilities in complying with such request;

 

  (4)

the trustee has failed to institute proceedings 60 days after the receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity; and

 

  (5)

no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given for 60 days by the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of such series.

The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of outstanding debt securities of a series will have the right, subject to certain limitations, to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee with respect to the debt securities of that series or exercising any trust or power conferred to the trustee, and to waive certain defaults. The indentures provide that if an event of default occurs and is continuing, the trustee will exercise such of its rights and powers under the respective indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs. Subject to such provisions, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request of any of the holders of the debt securities of a series unless they will have offered to the trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, the holder of any debt security will have an absolute and unconditional right to receive payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on that debt security on or after the due dates expressed in that debt security and to institute suit for the enforcement of payment.

Modification and Waivers

Modification and amendments of the indentures and the debt securities of any series may be made by us and the trustee with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series affected thereby; provided, however, that no such modification or amendment may, without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security of that series affected thereby:

 

   

change the stated maturity of the principal of, or installment of interest on, any debt security;

 

   

reduce the principal amount of any debt security or reduce the amount of the principal of any debt security which would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof or reduce the rate of interest on any debt security;

 

   

reduce any premium payable on the redemption of any debt security or change the date on which any debt security may or must be redeemed;

 

   

change the coin or currency in which the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any debt security is payable;

 

   

impair the right of any holder to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or after the stated maturity of any debt security (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the redemption date);

 

   

reduce the percentage in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities, the consent of whose holders is required in order to take certain actions;

 

   

reduce the requirements for quorum or voting by holders of debt securities in the indenture or the debt security;

 

   

modify any of the provisions in the indenture regarding the waiver of past defaults and the waiver of certain covenants by the holders of debt securities except to increase any percentage vote required or to provide that certain other provisions of the indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the holder of each debt security affected thereby;

 

   

make any change that adversely affects the right to convert or exchange any debt security or decreases the conversion or exchange rate or increases the conversion price of any convertible or exchangeable debt security, unless such decrease or increase is permitted by the terms of the debt securities; or

 

   

modify any of the above provisions.

We and the trustee may, without the consent of any holders, modify or amend the terms of the indentures and the debt securities of any series with respect to the following:

 

   

to add to our covenants for the benefit of holders of the debt securities of all or any series or to surrender any right or power conferred upon us;

 

   

to evidence the succession of another person to, and the assumption by the successor of our covenants, agreements and obligations under, the indenture pursuant to the covenant described under “—Covenants—Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets”;

 

   

to add any additional events of default for the benefit of holders of the debt securities of all or any series;

 

   

to add one or more guarantees for the benefit of holders of the debt securities;

 

   

to secure the debt securities pursuant to the covenants of the indentures;

 

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to add or appoint a successor or separate trustee or other agent;

 

   

to provide for the issuance of additional debt securities of any series;

 

   

to establish the form or terms of debt securities of any series as permitted by the indentures;

 

   

to comply with the rules of any applicable securities depository;

 

   

to provide for uncertificated debt securities in addition to or in place of certificated debt securities;

 

   

to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of the indentures in respect of one or more series of debt securities; provided that any such addition, change or elimination (a) shall neither (1) apply to any debt security of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture and entitled to the benefit of such provision nor (2) modify the rights of the holder of any such debt security with respect to such provision or (b) shall become effective only when there is no debt security described in clause (a)(1) outstanding;

 

   

to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency;

 

   

to change any other provision; provided that the change does not adversely affect the interests of the holders of debt securities of any series in any material respect;

 

   

to supplement any of the provisions of the indentures to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of any series of debt securities pursuant to the indentures; provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the holders of debt securities of such series or any other series of debt securities in any material respect;

 

   

to comply with the rules or regulations of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which any of the debt securities may be listed or traded; and

 

   

to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of the indentures as shall be necessary or desirable in accordance with any amendments to the Trust Indenture Act, provided that such action does not adversely affect the rights or interests of any holder of debt securities in any material respect.

The holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may, on behalf of the holders of all debt securities of that series, waive compliance by us with certain restrictive provisions of the indentures. The holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series may, on behalf of the holders of all debt securities of that series, waive any past default and its consequences under the indentures with respect to the debt securities of that series, except a default (1) in the payment of principal or premium, if any, or interest on debt securities of that series or (2) in respect of a covenant or provision of the indentures that cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each debt security of that series. Upon any such waiver, such default will cease to exist, and any event of default arising therefrom will be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of the indentures; however, no such waiver will extend to any subsequent or other default or event of default or impair any rights consequent thereon.

Discharge, Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

We may discharge certain obligations to holders of the debt securities of a series that have not already been delivered to the trustee for cancellation and that either have become due and payable or will become due and payable within one year (or scheduled for redemption within one year) by depositing with the trustee, in trust, funds in U.S. dollars in an amount sufficient to pay the entire indebtedness including, but not limited to, the principal and premium, if any, and interest to the date of such deposit (if the debt securities have become due and payable) or to the maturity thereof or the redemption date of the debt securities of that series, as the case may be. We may direct the trustee to invest such funds in U.S. Treasury securities with a maturity of one year or less or in a money market fund that invests solely in short-term U.S. Treasury securities.

 

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The indentures provide that we may elect either (1) to defease and be discharged from any and all obligations with respect to the debt securities of a series (except for, among other things, obligations to register the transfer or exchange of the debt securities, to replace temporary or mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen debt securities, to maintain an office or agency with respect to the debt securities and to hold moneys for payment in trust) (“legal defeasance”) or (2) to be released from our obligations to comply with the restrictive covenants under the indenture, and any omission to comply with such obligations will not constitute a default or an event of default with respect to the debt securities of a series and clauses (3) and (6) under “—Events of Default” will no longer be applied (“covenant defeasance”). Legal defeasance or covenant defeasance, as the case may be, will be conditioned upon, among other things, the irrevocable deposit by us with the trustee, in trust, of an amount in U.S. dollars, or U.S. government obligations, or both, applicable to the debt securities of that series which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in accordance with their terms will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay the principal or premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities on the scheduled due dates therefor.

If we effect covenant defeasance with respect to the debt securities of any series, the amount in U.S. dollars, or U.S. government obligations, or both, on deposit with the trustee will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent accountants, to pay amounts due on the debt securities of that series at the time of the stated maturity but may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities of that series at the time of the acceleration resulting from such event of default. However, we would remain liable to make payment of such amounts due at the time of acceleration.

We will be required to deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel that the deposit and related defeasance will not cause the holders and beneficial owners of the debt securities of that series to recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes. If we elect legal defeasance, that opinion of counsel must be based upon a ruling from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service or a change in law to that effect.

We may exercise our legal defeasance option notwithstanding our prior exercise of our covenant defeasance option.

Same-Day Settlement and Payment

Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will trade in the same-day funds settlement system of DTC until maturity or until we issue the debt securities in certificated form. DTC will therefore require secondary market trading activity in the debt securities to settle in immediately available funds. We can give no assurance as to the effect, if any, of settlement in immediately available funds on trading activity in the debt securities.

Book-Entry; Delivery and Form; Global Securities

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities of each series will be issued in the form of one or more global debt securities, in definitive, fully registered form without interest coupons, each of which we refer to as a “global security.” Each such global security will be deposited with the trustee as custodian for DTC and registered in the name of a nominee of DTC in New York, New York for the accounts of participants in DTC.

Investors may hold their interests in a global security directly through DTC if they are DTC participants, or indirectly through organizations that are DTC participants. Except in the limited circumstances described below, holders of debt securities represented by interests in a global security will not be entitled to receive their debt securities in fully registered certificated form.

DTC has advised us as follows: DTC is a limited-purpose trust company organized under New York Banking Law, a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the

 

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Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code and a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC was created to hold securities of institutions that have accounts with DTC (“participants”) and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions among its participants in such securities through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of the participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. DTC’s participants include both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations. Access to DTC’s book-entry system is also available to others such as both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies and clearing corporations that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a participant, whether directly or indirectly.

Ownership of Beneficial Interests

Upon the issuance of each global security, DTC will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the respective principal amount of the individual beneficial interests represented by the global security to the accounts of participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in each global security will be limited to participants or persons that may hold interests through participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in each global security will be shown on, and the transfer of those ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to participants’ interests) and such participants (with respect to the owners of beneficial interests in the global security other than participants).

So long as DTC or its nominee is the registered holder and owner of a global security, DTC or such nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole legal owner of the debt security represented by the global security for all purposes under the indentures, the debt securities and applicable law. Except as set forth below, owners of beneficial interests in a global security will not be entitled to receive certificated debt securities and will not be considered to be the owners or holders of any debt securities represented by the global security. We understand that under existing industry practice, in the event an owner of a beneficial interest in a global security desires to take any actions that DTC, as the holder of the global security, is entitled to take, DTC would authorize the participants to take such action, and that participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through such participants to take such action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners owning through them. No beneficial owner of an interest in a global security will be able to transfer such interest except in accordance with DTC’s applicable procedures, in addition to those provided for under the indentures. Because DTC can only act on behalf of participants, who in turn act on behalf of others, the ability of a person having a beneficial interest in a global security to pledge that interest to persons that do not participate in the DTC system, or otherwise to take actions in respect of that interest, may be impaired by the lack of a physical certificate representing that interest.

All payments on the debt securities represented by a global security registered in the name of and held by DTC or its nominee will be made to DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner and holder of the global security.

We expect that DTC or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest in respect of a global security, will credit participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of the global security as shown on the records of DTC or its nominee. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in the global security held through such participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices as is now the case with securities held for accounts for customers registered in the names of nominees for such customers. These payments, however, will be the responsibility of such participants and indirect participants, and neither we, the trustee nor any paying agent will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial ownership interests in any global security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests or for any other aspect of the relationship between DTC and its participants or the relationship between such participants and the owners of beneficial interests in the global security.

 

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Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for certificated debt securities, each global security may not be transferred except as a whole by DTC to a nominee of DTC or by a nominee of DTC to DTC or another nominee of DTC. Transfers between participants in DTC will be effected in the ordinary way in accordance with DTC rules and will be settled in same-day funds.

We expect that DTC will take any action permitted to be taken by a holder of debt securities only at the direction of one or more participants to whose account the DTC interests in a global security are credited and only in respect of such portion of the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities as to which such participant or participants has or have given such direction. However, if there is an event of default under the debt securities, DTC will exchange each global security for certificated debt securities, which it will distribute to its participants.

Although we expect that DTC will agree to the foregoing procedures in order to facilitate transfers of interests in each global security among participants of DTC, DTC is under no obligation to perform or continue to perform such procedures, and such procedures may be discontinued at any time. None of we, the underwriters or the trustee will have any responsibility for the performance or nonperformance by DTC or its participants or indirect participants of their respective obligations under the rules and procedures governing their operations.

The indentures provide that the global securities will be exchanged for debt securities in certificated form of like tenor and of an equal principal amount, in authorized denominations in the following limited circumstances:

 

  (1)

DTC notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depository or if DTC ceases to be eligible under the indentures and we do not appoint a successor depository within 90 days;

 

  (2)

we determine that the debt securities will no longer be represented by global securities and execute and deliver to the trustee an order to such effect; or

 

  (3)

an event of default with respect to the debt securities will have occurred and be continuing.

These certificated debt securities will be registered in such name or names as DTC will instruct the trustee. It is expected that such instructions may be based upon directions received by DTC from participants with respect to ownership of beneficial interests in global securities.

The information in this section of this prospectus concerning DTC and DTC’s book-entry system has been obtained from sources that we believe to be reliable, but we do not take responsibility for this information.

Euroclear and Clearstream

If the depositary for a global security is DTC, you may hold interests in the global security through Clearstream Banking, société anonyme, which we refer to as “Clearstream,” or Euroclear Bank SA/NV, as operator of the Euroclear System, which we refer to as “Euroclear,” in each case, as a participant in DTC. Euroclear and Clearstream will hold interests, in each case, on behalf of their participants through customers’ securities accounts in the names of Euroclear and Clearstream on the books of their respective depositaries, which in turn will hold such interests in customers’ securities in the depositaries’ names on DTC’s books.

Payments, deliveries, transfers, exchanges, notices and other matters relating to the debt securities made through Euroclear or Clearstream must comply with the rules and procedures of those systems. Those systems could change their rules and procedures at any time. We have no control over those systems or their participants, and we take no responsibility for their activities. Transactions between participants in Euroclear or Clearstream, on one hand, and other participants in DTC, on the other hand, would also be subject to DTC’s rules and procedures.

Investors will be able to make and receive through Euroclear and Clearstream payments, deliveries, transfers, exchanges, notices and other transactions involving any securities held through those systems only on days when those systems are open for business. Those systems may not be open for business on days when banks, brokers and other institutions are open for business in the United States.

 

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In addition, because of time-zone differences, U.S. investors who hold their interests in the debt securities through these systems and wish on a particular day, to transfer their interests, or to receive or make a payment or delivery or exercise any other right with respect to their interests, may find that the transaction will not be effected until the next business day in Luxembourg or Brussels, as applicable. Thus, investors who wish to exercise rights that expire on a particular day may need to act before the expiration date. In addition, investors who hold their interests through both DTC and Euroclear or Clearstream may need to make special arrangements to finance any purchase or sales of their interests between the U.S. and European clearing systems, and those transactions may settle later than transactions within one clearing system.

Governing Law

The indentures and the debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

Regarding the Trustees

We will designate the trustee under the senior and subordinated indentures in a prospectus supplement.

There may be more than one trustee under each indenture, each with respect to one or more series of debt securities. Any trustee may resign or be removed with respect to one or more series of debt securities, and a successor trustee may be appointed to act with respect to such series.

If two or more persons are acting as trustee with respect to different series of debt securities, each trustee will be a trustee of a trust under the indentures separate from the trust administered by any other such trustee. Except as otherwise indicated in this prospectus, any action to be taken by the trustee may be taken by each such trustee with respect to, and only with respect to, the one or more series of debt securities for which it is trustee under the indentures.

The trustee is permitted to engage in transactions, including commercial banking and other transactions, with us and our subsidiaries from time to time; provided that if the trustee acquires any conflicting interest it must eliminate such conflict upon the occurrence of an event of default, or else resign.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell the securities offered by this prospectus in any one or more of the following ways from time to time:

 

   

directly to investors, including through a specific bidding, auction or other process;

 

   

to investors through agents;

 

   

directly to agents;

 

   

to or through brokers or dealers;

 

   

to the public through underwriting syndicates led by one or more managing underwriters;

 

   

to one or more underwriters acting alone for resale to investors or to the public; or

 

   

through a combination of any such methods of sale.

We may also sell the securities offered by this prospectus in “at the market offerings” within the meaning of Rule 415(a)(4) of the Securities Act, to or through a market maker or into an existing trading market, on an exchange or otherwise.

The prospectus supplement related to a particular offering will set forth the terms of the offering and the method of distribution and will identify any firms acting as underwriters, dealers or agents in connection with the offering, including:

 

   

the name or names of any underwriters, dealers or agents;

 

   

the purchase price of the securities and the proceeds to us from the sale;

 

   

any over-allotment options under which the underwriters may purchase additional securities from us;

 

   

any underwriting discounts and other items constituting compensation to underwriters, dealers or agents;

 

   

any public offering price;

 

   

any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; or

 

   

any securities exchange or market on which the securities offered in the prospectus supplement may be listed.

Only those underwriters identified in such prospectus supplement are deemed to be underwriters in connection with the securities offered in the prospectus supplement. Any underwritten offering may be on a best efforts or a firm commitment basis.

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, at varying prices determined at the time of sale, or at prices determined as the applicable prospectus supplement specifies. The securities may be sold through a rights offering, forward contracts or similar arrangements.

In connection with the sale of the securities, underwriters, dealers or agents may be deemed to have received compensation from us in the form of underwriting discounts or commissions and also may receive commissions from securities purchasers for whom they may act as agent. Underwriters may sell the securities to or through dealers, and the dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agent.

We will provide in the applicable prospectus supplement information regarding any underwriting discounts or other compensation that we pay to underwriters or agents in connection with the securities offering, and any

 

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discounts, concessions or commissions which underwriters allow to dealers. Underwriters, dealers and agents participating in the securities distribution may be deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts and commissions they receive and any profit they realize on the sale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. Underwriters and their controlling persons, dealers and agents may be entitled, under agreements entered into with us, to indemnification against and contribution toward specific civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

Shares of our common stock are listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market. It is possible that one or more underwriters may make a market in the securities, but such underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of, or the trading market for, any offered securities.

In connection with an offering, the underwriters may purchase and sell securities in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover positions created by short sales. Short sales involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater number of securities than they are required to purchase in an offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of bids or purchases made for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the securities while an offering is in progress. The underwriters also may impose a penalty bid. This occurs when a particular underwriter repays to the underwriters a portion of the underwriting discount received by it because the underwriters have repurchased securities sold by or for the account of that underwriter in stabilizing or short-covering transactions. These activities by the underwriters may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the securities. As a result, the price of the securities may be higher than the price that otherwise might exist in the open market. If these activities are commenced, they may be discontinued by the underwriters at any time. Underwriters may engage in over-allotment. If any underwriters create a short position in the securities in an offering in which they sell more securities than are set forth on the cover page of the applicable prospectus supplement, the underwriters may reduce that short position by purchasing the securities in the open market.

Underwriters, dealers or agents that participate in the offer of securities, or their affiliates or associates, may be customers of, have engaged or engage in transactions with, and perform services for, us or our affiliates in the ordinary course of business for which they may have received or receive customary fees and reimbursement of expenses.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

In connection with particular offerings of securities in the future, the validity of any securities offered by this prospectus from time to time will be passed upon for us by Hogan Lovells US LLP. Additional legal matters may be passed upon for any underwriters, dealers or agents, by counsel that we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of CNB Financial Corporation as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2019, have been audited by Crowe LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report. Such consolidated financial statements have been so incorporated into this prospectus and into the registration statement by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, in reliance upon their report and given upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

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LOGO

Shares

Common Stock

 

 

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

(to the Prospectus dated June 25, 2020)

 

 

PNC Capital Markets LLC

Janney Montgomery Scott

, 2022