Amendment: SEC Form S-3/A filed by Norwood Financial Corp.

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 28, 2024

Registration No. 333-279619

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

AMENDMENT NO. 1

TO

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

NORWOOD FINANCIAL CORP

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 

 

Pennsylvania		23-2828306
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)		(IRS Employer Identification Number)

717 Main Street

Honesdale, Pennsylvania 18431

(570) 253-1455

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

 

 

James O. Donnelly

President and Chief Executive Officer

Norwood Financial Corp

717 Main Street

Honesdale, Pennsylvania 18431

(570) 253-1455

(Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent For Service)

 

 

With copies to:

John J. Spidi, Esquire

Jones Walker LLP

499 South Capitol Street S.W.

Suite 600

Washington, DC 20003

(202) 434-4670

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐

The Registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 

The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities, and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities, in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

PROSPECTUS

Subject to Completion, Dated June 28, 2024

NORWOOD FINANCIAL CORP

$100,000,000

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Depositary Shares

Debt Securities

Warrants

Units

 

 

We may offer and sell from time to time, together or separately, in one or more offerings, any combination of the securities listed above. The securities we may offer may be convertible into or exchangeable for other securities. The maximum aggregate initial public offering price of the securities offered through this prospectus is $100,000,000.

This prospectus provides a general description of these securities. We will provide the specific terms of the securities offered in supplements to this prospectus. This prospectus may not be used to sell securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement. The prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. Please read this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, as well as any documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, carefully before you invest in any of our securities.

Our common stock is quoted on the Nasdaq Global Market, under the symbol “NWFL.” On June 27, 2024, the closing price of our common stock was $24.98 per share. Our principal executive offices are located at 717 Main Street, Honesdale, Pennsylvania 18431. Our telephone number is (570) 253-1455.

We may offer and sell the securities on a continuous or delayed basis, through agents, dealers or underwriters, or directly to purchasers. The prospectus supplement for each offering of securities will describe in detail the plan of distribution for that offering. If agents or any dealers or underwriters are involved in the sale of the securities, the applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the names of the agents, dealers or underwriters and any applicable commissions or discounts. Net proceeds from the sale of securities will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. For general information about the distribution of securities offered, please see “Plan of Distribution” in this prospectus.

 

 

Investing in our securities involves risks. You should carefully consider the risk factors referred to on page 5 of this prospectus and set forth in the documents incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into this prospectus and in the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus before making any decision to invest in our securities.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission or regulatory body 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 securities are not savings accounts, deposits or obligations of any bank and are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.

 

 

The date of this Prospectus is [•], 2024

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS			1
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS			1
THE COMPANY			4
RISK FACTORS			5
USE OF PROCEEDS			16
SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER			16
DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK			17
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK			21
DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES			23
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES			25
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS			41
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS			42
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION			43
LEGAL MATTERS			45
EXPERTS			45
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION			45
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE			45

No dealer, salesperson or other person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representations in connection with the offer made by this prospectus or any prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus other than those contained in, or incorporated by reference in, this prospectus or any prospectus supplement or related free writing prospectus, and if given or made, such information or representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized by us or any agent, underwriter or dealer. This prospectus, any prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of any offer to buy any securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make an offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction. The delivery of this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus or any sale of a security at any time does not imply that the information contained herein or therein is correct as of any time subsequent to their respective dates.

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus as being offered, from time to time in one or more offerings, up to a total dollar amount of $100,000,000.

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about all of the terms of that offering. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you that may contain material information relating to that offering. The applicable prospectus supplement (and any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you) may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus or in the documents that we have incorporated by reference. This prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement and the exhibits to the registration statement. You should read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus together with additional information from the sources described in “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference” in this prospectus. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus, the prospectus supplements, any free writing prospectus or any document incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than the date of the applicable document.

You should rely only on the information provided or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any free writing prospectus and any prospectus supplement, if applicable. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information.

References to “we,” “us,” “our,” “Norwood” or the “Company” refer to Norwood Financial Corp and its directly or indirectly owned subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise requires. The term “you” refers to a prospective investor.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain of the statements made in this prospectus, including information incorporated herein by reference to other documents, are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning and protections 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”).

Forward-looking statements include statements with respect to our beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, expectations, anticipations, assumptions, estimates, intentions, and future performance, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may be beyond our control, and which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be forward-looking statements. You can identify these forward-looking statements through our use of words such as “may”, “will”, “anticipate”, “assume”, “should”, “indicate”, “would”, “believe”, “contemplate”, “expect”, “estimate”, “continue”, “plan”, “point to”, “project”, “could”, “intend”, “target”, and other similar words and expressions of the future. These forward-looking statements may not be realized due to a variety of factors, including, without limitation:

 

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general economic conditions, either nationally or in our market areas, that are worse than expected;

 

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business or economic disruption from national or global epidemic or pandemic events;

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changes in the level and direction of loan delinquencies and write-offs and changes in estimates of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses;

 

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our ability to access cost-effective funding;

 

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fluctuations in real estate values and both residential and commercial real estate market conditions;

 

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demand for loans and deposits in our market area;

 

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our ability to implement changes in our business strategies;

 

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the effects of competition from other commercial banks, thrifts, mortgage banking firms, consumer finance companies, credit unions, securities brokerage firms, insurance companies, money market and other mutual funds and other financial institutions operating in our market area and elsewhere, including institutions operating locally, regionally, nationally and internationally, together with such competitors offering banking products and services by mail, telephone, computer and the internet;

 

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inflation and changes in the interest rate environment that reduce our margins and yields, or reduce the fair value of financial instruments or reduce the origination levels in our lending business, or increase the level of defaults, losses and prepayments on loans we have made and make whether held in portfolio or sold in the secondary markets;

 

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adverse changes in the securities markets;

 

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changes in laws or government regulations or policies affecting financial institutions, including changes in regulatory fees and capital requirements;

 

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changes in monetary or fiscal policies of the U.S. Government, including policies of the U.S. Treasury and the Federal Reserve Board;

 

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the effect of changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by the regulatory agencies, as well as the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, Financial Accounting Standards Board, the SEC, and other accounting and reporting standard setters;

 

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our ability to manage market risk, credit risk and operational risk in the current economic conditions;

 

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our ability to enter new markets successfully and capitalize on growth opportunities;

 

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our ability to successfully expand our franchise, including acquisitions or establishing new offices at favorable prices;

 

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our ability to successfully integrate any assets, liabilities, customers, systems and management personnel we have acquired or may acquire into our operations and our ability to realize related revenue synergies and cost savings within expected time frames and any goodwill charges related thereto;

 

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an increase in the Pennsylvania Bank Shares Tax to which our bank subsidiary’s capital stock is currently subject, or imposition of any additional taxes on the capital stock of us or our bank subsidiary;

 

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changes in consumer demand, borrowing and savings habits;

 

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the ability of third-party providers to perform their obligations to us;

 

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the ability of the U.S. Government to manage federal debt limits;

 

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cyber-attacks, computer viruses and other technological risks that may breach the security of our websites or other systems to obtain unauthorized access to confidential information and destroy data or disable our systems;

 

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technological changes that may be more difficult or expensive than expected;

 

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changes in the financial condition, results of operations or future prospects of issuers of securities that we own;

 

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other economic, competitive, governmental, regulatory and operational factors affecting our operations, pricing products and services;

 

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volatility in the securities markets;

 

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disruptions due to flooding, severe weather, or other natural disasters or Acts of God; and

 

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acts of war, terrorism, or global military conflict.

Because such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. The foregoing list of important factors is not exclusive and you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this document or, in the case of documents incorporated by reference, the dates of those documents. We do not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of us.

 

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THE COMPANY

Norwood Financial Corp, a Pennsylvania corporation, was incorporated in 1995 to become the holding company for Wayne Bank (the “Bank”). The Company is a registered bank holding company subject to regulation and supervision by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (“Federal Reserve”).

Wayne Bank is a Pennsylvania chartered bank and trust company headquartered in Honesdale, Pennsylvania. The Bank was originally chartered on February 17, 1870, as Wayne County Savings Bank and changed its name to Wayne County Bank and Trust in December 1943. In September 1993, the Bank adopted the name Wayne Bank. The Bank’s deposits are currently insured to applicable limits by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) and the Bank is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) of Pittsburgh. The Bank is regulated and examined by the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities (“Department”) and the FDIC. The Bank is an independent community bank with fourteen offices in Northeastern Pennsylvania and fifteen offices in Delaware, Sullivan, Ontario, Otsego and Yates Counties, New York.

The Bank offers a wide variety of personal and business credit services and trust and investment products and real estate settlement services to the consumers, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and municipalities in each of the communities that the Bank serves. The Bank primarily serves the northeastern Pennsylvania counties of Wayne, Pike, Monroe, Lackawanna and Luzerne and, to a much lesser extent, Susquehanna County in addition to the New York counties of Delaware, Sullivan, Ontario, Otsego and Yates. In addition, the Bank operates automated teller machines at twenty-nine branch facilities plus one machine at an off-site location.

Since 2011, we have consummated three whole-bank acquisitions. On July 7, 2020, the Company completed the acquisition of UpState New York Bancorp, Inc. (“UpState”), and its wholly owned subsidiary, USNY Bank (“USNY Bank”). The acquisition was completed when UpState was merged with and into the Company, with the Company as the surviving corporation of the merger and USNY Bank was merged with and into Wayne Bank, with Wayne Bank as the surviving entity. At the time of completion of the acquisition, USNY Bank conducted its business from two Bank of the Finger Lakes offices in Geneva and Penn Yan, New York, and two Bank of Cooperstown offices in Cooperstown and Oneonta, New York. On July 31, 2016, the Company completed the acquisition of Delaware Bancshares, Inc. (“Delaware”) and its wholly owned subsidiary, The National Bank of Delaware County (“NBDC”). At the time of acquisition, Delaware had approximately $375.6 million in assets and 12 banking offices in Delaware and Sullivan Counties, New York. Delaware was merged with and into the Company, with the Company as the surviving corporation of the merger and NBDC was merged with and into Wayne Bank immediately thereafter. On May 31, 2011, the Company completed its acquisition of North Penn Bancorp, Inc. (“North Penn”) and its wholly owned subsidiary, North Penn Bank. At the time of acquisition, North Penn had approximately $158.9 million in assets and five banking offices in Lackawanna and Monroe Counties, Pennsylvania.

The Company’s main office is located at 717 Main Street, Honesdale, Pennsylvania and its main telephone number is (570) 253-1455. The Company maintains a website at waynebank.com. The Company makes copies of its Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) filings available free of charge as soon as reasonably practicable after they are filed, through a link on its website to the SEC’s website.

Additional information about us is included in documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus. See “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference” on page 45 of this prospectus.

 

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves risk. You should carefully consider the specific risks set forth below and in the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus and under the caption “Risk Factors” in any of our filings with the SEC and in all other information appearing in this prospectus or incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement. For additional information, please see the sources described in “Where You Can Find More Information.” These risks are not the only risks we face. Additional risks not presently known to us, or that we currently view as immaterial, may also impair our business. If any of the risks described in our SEC filings or any prospectus supplement or any additional risks actually occur, our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be materially and adversely affected. In that case, the value of our securities could decline substantially, and you could lose all or part of your investment.

Risks Related to Interest Rates and Investments

We are subject to interest rate risk.

Our earnings and cash flows are largely dependent upon net interest income. Net interest income is the difference between interest income earned on interest-earning assets such as loans and securities, and interest expense paid on interest-bearing liabilities such as deposits and borrowed funds. Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors that are beyond our control, including general economic conditions and policies of various governmental and regulatory agencies and, in particular, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”). Changes in monetary policy, including changes in interest rates, could influence not only the interest income that we receive on loans and securities and the amount of interest expense it pays on deposits and borrowings, but such changes could also affect (i) our ability to originate loans and obtain deposits, (ii) the fair value of financial assets and liabilities, and (iii) the average duration of mortgage-backed securities in our investment portfolio. If the interest rates paid on deposits and other borrowings increase at a faster rate than the interest rates received on loans and other investments, our net interest income, and therefore earnings, could be adversely affected. Earnings could also be adversely affected if the interest rates received on loans and investments fall more quickly than the interest rates paid on deposits and borrowings.

Changes in interest rates could adversely impact our financial condition and results of operations.

Our operations are subject to risks and uncertainties surrounding our exposure to changes in the interest rate environment. Earnings and liquidity depend to a great extent on our interest rates. Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors beyond our control, including competition, general economic conditions, geopolitical tensions and monetary and fiscal policies of various governmental and regulatory authorities, including the Federal Reserve. Conditions such as inflation, deflation, recession, unemployment and other factors beyond our control may also affect interest rates. The nature and timing of any changes in interest rates or general economic conditions and their effect on us cannot be controlled and are difficult to predict. If the rate of interest we pay on our interest-bearing liabilities increases more than the rate of interest we receive on our interest-earning assets, our net interest income, and therefore our earnings, could contract and be materially adversely affected. Our earnings could also be materially adversely affected if the rates on interest-earning assets fall more quickly than those on our interest-bearing liabilities. Changes in interest rates could also create competitive pressures, which could impact our liquidity position.

Changes in interest rates also can affect our ability to originate loans, our ability to obtain and retain deposits, and the value of interest-earning assets, and the ability to realize gains from the sale of such assets, which could all negatively impact shareholder’s equity and regulatory capital. Since March 2022, the Federal Reserve Open Markets Committee (“FOMC”) has raised the Fed Funds rate by 525 basis points. Additional increases in interest rates could also have a negative impact on our results of operations by reducing the ability of borrowers to repay their current loan obligations, which could not only result in increased loan defaults, foreclosures and charge-offs, but could also necessitate further increases to our allowance for credit losses and reduce net income. In addition, based on our interest rate sensitivity analyses, an increase in the general level of interest rates may negatively affect the market value of the investment portfolio depending on the duration of certain securities included in the investment portfolio. In December of 2023, the FOMC signaled its intention to reduce interest rates in 2024, contingent upon inflation settling at its 2.0% target. A decrease in interest rates may trigger loan prepayments, which may serve to reduce net interest income if we are unable to lend these funds to other borrowers or invest the funds at the same or higher interest rates.

 

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Our securities portfolio performance in difficult market conditions could have adverse effects on our results of operations.

Unrealized losses on investment securities result from changes in market interest rates, credit spreads and liquidity in the marketplace, along with changes in the credit profile of individual securities issuers. Prior to implementation of current expected credit losses (“CECL”), unrealized losses on available-for-sale (“AFS”) debt securities caused by a credit event would require the direct write-down of the AFS security through the other than temporary impairment approach; however, the new standard under ASC 326-30, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses, requires credit losses to be presented as an allowance for credit losses. We are still required to conduct an impairment evaluation on AFS securities to determine whether the Company has the intent to sell the security or it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before recovery. If these situations apply, the guidance continues to require us to reduce the security’s amortized cost basis down to its fair value through earnings.

We also evaluate the unrealized losses on AFS securities to determine if a security’s decline in fair value below its amortized cost basis is due to credit factors. The evaluation is based upon factors such as the creditworthiness of the underlying borrowers, performance of the underlying collateral, if applicable, and the level of credit support in the security structure. Management also evaluates other factors and circumstances that may be indicative of a decline in the fair value of the security due to a credit factor. This includes, but is not limited to, an evaluation of the type of security, length of time and extent to which the fair value has been less than cost and near-term prospects of the issuer. If this assessment indicates that a credit loss exists, the present value of the expected cash flows of the security is compared to the amortized cost basis of the security. Under the CECL standard, if the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost, an allowance for credit losses is recorded for the credit loss.

Subsequent valuations, in light of factors prevailing at that time, may result in significant changes in the values of these securities in future periods. Any of these factors could require us to recognize an allowance for credit losses charge and any additional amount of loss due to non-credit factors could impact accumulated other comprehensive income. A reduction in the value of our securities portfolio could have an adverse effect on our regulatory capital, financial condition or results of operations in future periods. In addition, deterioration or defaults made by issuers of the underlying collateral of our investment securities may cause additional credit-related charges to our consolidated financial statements.

Potential downgrades of U.S. government securities by one or more of the credit ratings agencies could have a material adverse effect on our operations, earnings and financial condition.

A possible future downgrade of the sovereign credit ratings of the U.S. government and a decline in the perceived creditworthiness of U.S. government-related obligations could impact our ability to obtain funding that is collateralized by affected instruments, as well as affect the pricing of that funding when it is available. A downgrade may also adversely affect the market value of such instruments. We cannot predict if, when or how any changes to the credit ratings or perceived creditworthiness of these organizations will affect economic conditions. Among other things, a downgrade in the U.S. government’s credit rating could adversely impact the value of our securities portfolio and may trigger requirements that we post additional collateral for trades relative to these securities. A downgrade of the sovereign credit ratings of the U.S. government or the credit ratings of related institutions, agencies or instruments could significantly exacerbate the other risks to which we are subject and could have related adverse effects on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

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Risks Related to Credit

The allowance for credit losses may not be sufficient to cover actual loan losses.

Under the CECL model, financial institutions are required to use historical information, current conditions and reasonable forecasts to estimate the expected loss over the life of the loan. The allowance for credit losses on loans and leases represents management’s estimate of all expected credit losses over the expected contractual life of our existing portfolio loans. The level of the allowance reflects management’s continuing evaluation of industry concentrations; specific credit risks; loan loss experience; current loan portfolio quality; changes in present economic, political and regulatory conditions; other external factors such as the ongoing pandemic; and unidentified losses inherent in the current loan portfolio. The determination of the appropriate level of the allowance for credit losses inherently involves a high degree of subjectivity and requires us to make significant estimates of current credit risks and future trends, all of which may undergo material changes. Changes in economic and market conditions affecting borrowers, new information regarding existing loans, identification of additional problem credits and other factors, both within and outside of our control, impact the determination of the allowance. In addition, bank regulatory agencies periodically review our allowance for credit losses and may require an increase in the provision for credit losses or the recognition of further loan charge-offs, based on judgments different than those of management. Any increase in the allowance will result in a decrease in net income and, possibly, capital, and may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Most of our loans are to commercial borrowers, which have a higher degree of credit risk than other types of loans.

Commercial loans are often larger and may involve greater risks than other types of lending. Because payments on such loans are often dependent on the successful operation of the property or business involved, repayment of such loans may be more sensitive than other types of loans due to adverse conditions in the real estate market or the economy. Unlike residential mortgage loans, which generally are made on the basis of the borrower’s ability to make repayment from his or her employment and other income and which are secured by real property whose value tends to be more easily ascertainable, commercial loans typically are made on the basis of the borrower’s ability to make repayment from the cash flow of the borrower’s business. As a result, the availability of funds for the repayment of commercial loans may be substantially dependent on the success of the business itself and the general economic environment. If the cash flow from business operations is reduced, the borrower’s ability to repay the loan may be impaired. In addition, our credit risk may be worsened when the collateral held by us cannot be readily realized or liquidated at prices sufficient to recover the full amount of our credit. An increase in non-performing loans or collateral value deficiencies could result in a net loss of earnings from these loans, an increase in the provision for credit losses on loans and an increase in loan charge-offs, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Our loan portfolio has a concentration in commercial real estate loans.

Our loan portfolio includes a large amount of commercial real estate loans. The federal banking agencies have promulgated guidance governing banks with concentrations in commercial real estate lending. The guidance provides that a bank has a concentration in commercial real estate lending if (i) total reported loans for construction, land development and other land represent 100% or more of total risk-based capital or (ii) total commercial real estate loans represent 300% or more of total risk-based capital and that bank’s commercial real estate loan portfolio has increased 50% or more during the prior thirty-six months. Owner-occupied commercial real estate loans are excluded from this second category. If a bank is deemed to have a concentration in commercial real estate loans, it will be required to employ heightened risk management practices that address board and management oversight and strategic planning, portfolio management, development of underwriting standards, risk assessment and monitoring through market analysis and stress testing and maintenance of increased capital levels as needed to support the level of commercial real estate lending.

 

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Most of our loans are secured, in whole or in part, with real estate collateral which may be subject to decreases in value.

In addition to the financial strength and cash flow characteristics of the borrower in each case, we often secure our loans with real estate collateral. In addition, our securities portfolio consisted of mortgage-backed securities issued by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or the Government National Mortgage Association. Real estate values and real estate markets are generally affected by, among other things, changes in national, regional or local economic conditions, fluctuations in interest rates and the availability of loans to potential purchasers, changes in tax laws and other governmental statutes, regulations and policies, and acts of nature. The real estate collateral in each case provides an alternate source of repayment in the event of default by the borrower. If real estate prices in our markets decline, the value of the real estate collateral securing our loans could be reduced. If we are required to liquidate the collateral securing a loan during a period of reduced real estate values to satisfy the debt, our earnings and capital could be adversely affected.

Environmental liability associated with our lending activities could result in losses.

In the course of business, we may acquire, through foreclosure, properties securing loans originated or purchased that are in default. Particularly in commercial real estate lending, there is a risk that material environmental violations could be discovered on these properties. In this event, we might be required to remedy these violations at the affected properties at our sole cost and expense. The cost of remedial action could substantially exceed the value of affected properties. We may not have adequate remedies against the prior owner or other responsible parties and could find it difficult or impossible to sell the affected properties. These events could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Risks Related to Liquidity

We are subject to liquidity risk, which could negatively affect our funding levels.

Market conditions or other events could negatively affect our access to or the cost of funding, affecting our ongoing ability to accommodate liability maturities and deposit withdrawals, meet contractual obligations, or fund asset growth and new business initiatives at a reasonable cost, in a timely manner and without adverse consequences. Although we maintain a liquid asset portfolio and have implemented strategies to maintain sufficient and diverse sources of funding to accommodate planned, as well as unanticipated, changes in assets, liabilities, and off-balance sheet commitments under various economic conditions, a substantial, unexpected, or prolonged change in the level or cost of liquidity could have a material adverse effect on us. If the cost effectiveness or the availability of supply in these credit markets is reduced for a prolonged period of time, our funding needs may require us to access funding and manage liquidity by other means. These alternatives may include generating client deposits, securitizing or selling loans, extending the maturity of wholesale borrowings, borrowing under certain secured borrowing arrangements, using relationships developed with a variety of fixed income investors, and further managing loan growth and investment opportunities. These alternative means of funding may result in an increase to the overall cost of funds and may not be available under stressed conditions, which could cause us to liquidate a portion of our liquid asset portfolio to meet any funding needs. In the event additional liquidity is needed, we have access to liquidity from the FHLB, the Federal Reserve discount window and other sources. Accessing these sources of liquidity would impose additional borrowing costs on us.

 

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Loss of deposits or a change in deposit mix could increase our cost of funding.

Deposits are a stable source of funding for which costs are typically lower than other financing options. We compete with banks and other financial institutions for deposits, as well as institutions offering uninsured investment alternatives, including money market funds and Treasury Bill alternatives. Our competitors may offer higher interest rates than we do, which could decrease the deposits that we attract or require us to increase our rates to retain existing deposits or obtain new deposits. Bank failures could negatively impact depositor confidence in us or the banking industry and cause our deposits to decline. Funding costs may increase if we lose deposits and are forced to replace them with more expensive sources of funding, if clients shift their deposits into higher cost products or if we need to raise interest rates to avoid losing deposits. Higher funding costs reduce our net interest margin and net income. Increased deposit competition could materially adversely affect our ability to fund lending operations. As a result, we may need to seek other sources of funds that could increase our cost of funds.

Wholesale funding sources may prove insufficient to replace deposits at maturity and support our operations and future growth.

We must maintain sufficient funds to respond to the needs of depositors and borrowers. To manage liquidity, we draw upon a number of funding sources in addition to core deposit growth and repayments and maturities of loans and investments. These sources may include FHLB advances, proceeds from the sale of investments and loans, and liquidity resources at the holding company. Our ability to manage liquidity will be severely constrained if we are unable to maintain access to funding or if adequate financing is not available to accommodate future growth at acceptable costs. In addition, if we are required to rely more heavily on more expensive funding sources to support future growth, our revenues may not increase proportionately to cover our costs. In this case, operating margins and profitability would be adversely affected. Turbulence in the capital and credit markets may adversely affect our liquidity and financial condition and the willingness of certain counterparties and clients to do business with us. Our ability to borrow from other financial institutions or to access the debt or equity capital markets on favorable terms or at all could be adversely affected by disruptions in the capital markets or other events, including actions by rating agencies and deteriorating investor expectations.

Our holding company is dependent on liquidity through payments, including dividends, from our bank subsidiary, which is subject to restrictions.

The Company is a holding company, separate from the Bank, and must provide for its own liquidity. The Company depends on dividends, distributions and other payments from the Bank to fund dividend payments and stock repurchases and to fund all payments on obligations. The Federal Reserve requires a bank holding company to act as a source of financial and managerial strength for its subsidiary banks. The Federal Reserve could require us to commit resources to the Bank when doing so is not otherwise in the interests of our shareholders or creditors. The Bank is subject to laws that restrict dividend payments or authorize regulatory bodies to prohibit or reduce the flow of funds from it to us. If the Bank is unable to pay dividends to us, we may not be able to service our debt, pay dividends on our common stock or engage in stock repurchases. A reduction or elimination of dividends could adversely affect the market price of our common stock and would adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. In addition, our right to participate in a distribution of assets upon the Bank’s liquidation or reorganization is subject to the prior claims of the Bank’s creditors, including its depositors.

 

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Risks Related to Competition and our Business

Difficult economic and market conditions can adversely affect the financial services industry and may materially and adversely affect us.

Our operations are sensitive to general business and economic conditions in the U.S. If the growth of the U.S. economy slows, or if the economy worsens or enters a recession, our growth and profitability could be constrained. In addition, economic conditions in foreign countries can affect the stability of global financial markets, which could impact the U.S. economy and financial markets. Weak economic conditions, which could directly impact our operations, are characterized by inflation, fluctuations in debt and equity capital markets, including a lack of liquidity and/or depressed prices in the secondary market for mortgage loans, increased loan delinquencies, real estate price declines and lower home sales and commercial activity, and increased problem assets and foreclosures. All of these factors could be detrimental to our business. In addition, our business is significantly affected by monetary and related policies of the U.S. federal government, its agencies and government-sponsored entities. Changes in any of these policies could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

Inflationary pressures and rising prices may affect our results of operations and financial condition.

Inflationary pressures continued throughout 2023 and may remain in 2024. Small to medium-sized businesses may be impacted more during periods of high inflation as they are not able to leverage economies of scale to mitigate cost pressures compared to larger businesses. Consequently, the ability of our clients to repay their loans may deteriorate, and in some cases this deterioration may occur quickly, which would adversely impact our results of operations and financial condition. Furthermore, a prolonged period of inflation could cause wages and other costs to increase, which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

We face significant competition in the financial services industry.

We face significant competition in originating loans, attracting deposits and providing other financial services from financial and non-financial services firms, including traditional banks and credit unions, online banks, mortgage banking companies, wealth management companies, financial technology companies and others. Some of our competitors enjoy advantages, including greater financial resources and higher lending limits, more expansive marketing campaigns, better brand recognition, a wider geographic presence, more accessible branch office locations, the ability to offer a wider array of services or more favorable pricing alternatives, as well as lower origination and operating costs. Emerging technologies have the potential to intensify competition and accelerate disruption in the financial services industry. In recent years, non-financial services firms, such as financial technology companies, have been offering services traditionally provided by financial institutions. These firms use technology and mobile platforms to enhance the ability of companies and individuals to borrow, save and invest money. Our ability to compete successfully depends on a number of factors, including our ability to develop and execute strategic plans and initiatives; to develop competitive products and technologies; and to attract, retain and develop a highly skilled employee workforce. If we are not able to compete successfully, we could be placed at a competitive disadvantage, which could result in the loss of clients and market share, and our business, results of operations and financial condition could suffer.

Concerns about the soundness of other financial institutions could adversely affect us.

Our ability to engage in routine funding and other transactions could be adversely affected by the actions and commercial soundness of other financial institutions. Financial services institutions are interrelated as a result of trading, clearing, counterparty or other relationships. As a result, defaults by, or even rumors or questions about, one or more financial services institutions, or the financial services industry

 

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generally, have historically led to market-wide liquidity problems, losses of depositor, creditor and counterparty confidence and could lead to losses or defaults by us or by other institutions. While we did not have any direct exposure to the bank failures that occurred in 2023, the failures of those institutions led to extreme volatility in the prices of securities issued by financial institutions. Bank failures could negatively impact client and investor confidence in us, which could negatively impact our earnings, stock price or liquidity. We could experience increases in deposits and assets as a result of other banks’ difficulties or failure, which would increase the capital we are required to maintain to support such growth.

A significant proportion of our time deposits have been acquired through competitive bidding and may be more sensitive to increases in interest rates than other deposits.

Our time deposits consisted of deposits from local governments and governmental units which we acquired through competitive bidding. These time deposits generally consist of short-term certificates of deposit with balances in excess of $250,000 which local governments use in order to obtain a higher return on excess funds. Since these deposits are put out to bid again as each certificate matures, the interest rates on these deposits have the potential to rapidly adjust to market rates. In the event of an increase in market rates, the Bank may need be required to raise the interest rates on these deposits in order to retain them. In bidding for municipal deposits, we consider our funding needs, our asset/liability management position, rates being paid for comparable funding and anticipated changes in interest rates. We also consider the amount, if any, of collateral that it will be required to post for the deposit, the overall mix of obligations to the municipality and the extent of our total relationship with the municipality. In the event management does not deem it prudent to pay higher rates for these deposits, we may be required to find a replacement for this form of funding.

We may elect or be compelled to seek additional capital in the future, but that capital may not be available when it is needed.

We are required by federal and state regulatory authorities to maintain adequate levels of capital to support our operations. In addition, we may elect to raise additional capital to support our business or to finance acquisitions, if any, or we may otherwise elect or be required to raise additional capital. In that regard, a number of financial institutions have recently raised considerable amounts of capital in response to a deterioration in their results of operations and financial condition arising from the turmoil in the mortgage loan market, deteriorating economic conditions, declines in real estate values and other factors. Should we be required by regulatory authorities to raise additional capital, we may seek to do so through the issuance of, among other things, our common stock or preferred stock.

Our ability to raise additional capital, if needed, will depend on conditions in the capital markets, economic conditions and a number of other factors, many of which are outside our control, and on our financial performance. Accordingly, we cannot assure you of our ability to raise additional capital if needed or on terms acceptable to us. If we cannot raise additional capital when needed, it may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

Our business is geographically concentrated and is subject to regional economic factors that could have an adverse impact on our business.

Substantially all of our business is with customers in our market area of Northeastern Pennsylvania and the Southern Tier of New York. Most of our customers are consumers and small and medium-sized businesses which are dependent upon the regional economy. Adverse changes in economic and business conditions in our markets could adversely affect our borrowers, their ability to repay their loans and to borrow additional funds, and consequently our financial condition and performance.

 

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Additionally, we often secure our loans with real estate collateral, most of which is located in Northeastern Pennsylvania or the Southern Tier of New York. A decline in local economic conditions could adversely affect the values of such real estate. Consequently, a decline in local economic conditions may have a greater effect on our earnings and capital than on the earnings and capital of larger financial institutions whose real estate loan portfolios are geographically diverse.

We may not be able to attract and retain key personnel.

Our success depends, in large part, on its ability to attract and retain qualified, key personnel. Competition for qualified personnel in the banking industry is intense, and there can be no assurance that we will continue to be successful in attracting, recruiting and retaining the necessary skilled managerial, marketing and technical personnel for the successful operation of our existing lending, operations, accounting and administrative functions or to support the expansion of the functions necessary for our future growth. Limitations in the way regulated financial institutions can compensate their officers and employees may make it more difficult for regulated financial institutions to compete with unregulated companies for talent. There can be no assurance that we will continue to be successful in attracting, recruiting and retaining the necessary skilled managerial, marketing and technical personnel for the successful operation of our existing lending, operations, accounting and administrative functions or to support the expansion of the functions necessary for our future growth. Our inability to hire or retain key personnel could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Our legal lending limits are relatively low and restrict our ability to compete for larger customers.

Our lending limit to one borrower is limited to 15% of our capital plus the allowance for credit losses. Accordingly, the size of loans that we can offer to potential borrowers is less than the size of loans that many of our competitors with larger capitalization are able to offer. We may engage in loan participations with other banks for loans in excess of our legal lending limits. However, there can be no assurance that such participations will be available at all or on terms which are favorable to us and our customers.

We face continuing and growing security risks to our information base, including the information we maintain relating to our customers.

In the ordinary course of business, we rely on electronic communications and information systems to conduct our business and to store sensitive data, including financial information regarding customers. Our electronic communications and information systems infrastructure, as well as the systems infrastructures of the vendors we use to meet our data processing and communication needs, could be susceptible to cyber-attacks, such as denial of service attacks, hacking, terrorist activities or identity theft. Financial services institutions and companies engaged in data processing have reported breaches in the security of their websites or other systems, some of which have involved sophisticated and targeted attacks intended to obtain unauthorized access to confidential information, destroy data, disable or degrade service or sabotage systems, often through the introduction of computer viruses or malware, cyber-attacks and other means. Denial of service attacks have been launched against a number of large financial services institutions. Hacking and identity theft risks, in particular, could cause serious reputational harm. Cyber threats are rapidly evolving and we may not be able to anticipate or prevent all such attacks. Although, to date we have not experienced any material losses relating to cyber-attacks or other information security breaches, there can be no assurance that we will not suffer such losses in the future. No matter how well designed or implemented our controls are, we will not be able to anticipate all security breaches of these types, and we may not be able to implement effective preventive measures against such security breaches in a timely manner. A failure or circumvention of our security systems could have a material adverse effect on our business operations and financial condition.

 

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We regularly assess and test our security systems and disaster preparedness, including back-up systems, but the risks are substantially escalating. As a result, cybersecurity and the continued enhancement of our controls and processes to protect our systems, data and networks from attacks, unauthorized access or significant damage remain a priority. Accordingly, we may be required to expend additional resources to enhance our protective measures or to investigate and remediate any information security vulnerabilities or exposures. Any breach of our system security could result in disruption of our operations, unauthorized access to confidential client information, significant regulatory costs, litigation exposure and other possible damages, loss or liability. Such costs or losses could exceed the amount of available insurance coverage, if any, and would adversely affect our earnings. Also, any failure to prevent a security breach, or to quickly and effectively deal with such a breach, could negatively impact client confidence, damaging our reputation and undermining our ability to attract and keep clients.

We may not be able to successfully implement future information technology system enhancements, which could adversely affect our business operations and profitability.

We invest significant resources in information technology system enhancements in order to provide functionality and security at an appropriate level. We may not be able to successfully implement and integrate future system enhancements, which could adversely impact the ability to provide timely and accurate financial information in compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, which could negatively impact our growth and profitability and could result in regulatory scrutiny. In addition, future system enhancements could have higher than expected costs and/or result in operating inefficiencies, which could increase the costs associated with the implementation as well as ongoing operations.

Failure to properly utilize system enhancements that are implemented in the future could result in significant costs to remediate or replace the defective components, which would adversely impact our financial condition and results of operations. In addition, we may incur significant training, licensing, maintenance, consulting and amortization expenses during and after systems implementations, and any such costs may continue for an extended period of time.

COVID-19 and its variants have not been completely eliminated.

While the Company has resumed pre-COVID-19 pandemic business activities, to protect the health of its customers and employees, the Company continues to take precautions. These precautions have not impaired our ability to conduct business and fully serve our customers. While the adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have dissipated, COVID-19 and its variants have not been completely eliminated. New variants could adversely disrupt our future operations.

The re-emergence of widespread health emergencies or pandemics, such as coronavirus, could lead to quarantines, business shutdowns, increases in unemployment, labor shortages, disruptions to supply chains, and overall economic instability. Events such as these may become more common in the future and could cause significant damage such as disrupt power and communication services, impact the stability of our facilities and result in additional expenses, impair the ability of our borrowers to repay their loans, reduce the value of collateral securing the repayment of our loans, which could result in the loss of revenue. While we have established and regularly test disaster recovery procedures, the occurrence of any such event could have a material adverse effect on our business, operations and financial condition.

 

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We rely on third party service providers to provide key components of our business infrastructure, and a failure of these parties to perform for any reason could disrupt our operations.

Third parties provide key components of our business infrastructure such as data processing, internet connections, network access, cloud computing access, core application processing, statement production and account analysis. Our business depends on the successful and uninterrupted functioning of our information technology and telecommunications systems and third-party servicers. The failure of these systems, or the termination of a third-party software license or service agreement on which any of these systems is based, could interrupt our operations. Because our information technology and telecommunications systems interface with and depend on third-party systems, we could experience service denials if demand for such services exceeds capacity or such third-party systems fail or experience interruptions. Replacing vendors or addressing other issues with our third-party service providers could entail significant delay and expense. If we are unable to efficiently replace ineffective service providers, or if we experience a significant, sustained or repeated system failure or service denial, it could compromise our ability to operate effectively, damage our reputation, result in a loss of customer business, and subject us to additional regulatory scrutiny and possible financial liability, any of which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Reputational risk and social factors may impact our results.

Our ability to originate and maintain accounts is highly dependent upon consumer and other external perceptions, whether or not true, of our business practices and/or our financial health. Adverse perceptions could damage our reputation in both the customer and funding markets, leading to difficulties in generating and maintaining accounts as well as in financing them. Adverse developments with respect to the consumer or other external perceptions regarding the practices of our competitors, or our industry as a whole, may also adversely impact our reputation. In addition, adverse reputational impacts on third parties with whom we have important relationships may also adversely impact our reputation. Adverse impacts on our reputation, or the reputation of our industry, may also result in greater regulatory and/or legislative scrutiny, which may lead to laws or regulations that may change or constrain the manner in which we engage with our customers and the products we offer. Adverse reputational impacts or events may also increase our litigation risk. We carefully monitor internal and external developments for areas of potential reputational risk and have established governance structures to assist in evaluating such risks in our business practices and decisions.

Risks Related to Regulatory Compliance

We operate in a highly regulated industry, and laws and regulations, or changes in them, could limit or restrict our activities and could have a material adverse effect on our operations.

We and our subsidiaries are subject to extensive state and federal regulation and supervision. We are subject to supervision and periodic examination by the Federal Reserve, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) and the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities. Banking regulations, designed primarily for the safety of depositors, may limit a financial institution’s growth and the return to its investors by restricting such activities as the payment of dividends, mergers with or acquisitions by other institutions, investments, loans and interest rates, interest rates paid on deposits, expansion of branch offices, and the offering of securities or trust services. We are also subject to capitalization guidelines established by federal law and could be subject to enforcement actions to the extent that we are found by regulatory examiners to be undercapitalized. The FDIC and the state banking regulators also have the power to issue cease and desist orders to prevent or remedy unsafe or unsound practices or violations of law by banks subject to their regulation, and the Federal Reserve possesses similar powers with respect to bank holding companies. Federal and state laws and regulations govern numerous matters affecting us, including changes in the ownership or control of banks and bank holding companies, maintenance of adequate capital and the financial condition of a financial institution, permissible types, amounts and terms of extensions of credit and investments, permissible non-banking activities, the level of reserves against deposits and restrictions on dividend payments. These and other restrictions limit the manner in which we and our subsidiaries may conduct business and obtain financing.

 

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The laws, rules, regulations, and supervisory guidance and policies applicable to us are subject to regular modification and change. Such changes could, among other things, subject us to additional costs, including costs of compliance; limit the types of financial services and products we may offer; and/or increase the ability of non-banks to offer competing financial services and products. Failure to comply with laws, regulations, policies, or supervisory guidance could result in enforcement and other legal actions by federal or state authorities, including criminal and civil penalties, the loss of FDIC insurance, revocation of a banking charter, other sanctions by regulatory agencies, civil money penalties, and/or reputational damage, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

We are subject to stringent capital requirements which may adversely impact return on equity, require additional capital raises, or limit the ability to pay dividends or repurchase shares.

Federal regulations establish minimum capital requirements for insured depository institutions, including minimum risk-based capital and leverage ratios, and define “capital” for calculating these ratios. The application of these capital requirements could, among other things, require us to maintain higher capital, resulting in lower returns on equity, and we may be required to obtain additional capital or be subject to adverse regulatory actions, including limitations on our ability to pay dividends or repurchase shares, if we are unable to comply with such requirements.

The Federal Reserve may require us to commit capital resources to support the Bank.

Federal law requires that a holding company act as a source of financial and managerial strength to its subsidiary bank and to commit resources to support such subsidiary bank. Under the “source of strength” doctrine, the Federal Reserve may require a holding company to make capital injections into a troubled subsidiary bank and may charge the holding company with engaging in unsafe and unsound practices for failure to commit resources to a subsidiary bank. A capital injection may be required at times when the holding company may not have the resources to provide it and therefore may require the holding company to borrow the funds or raise capital on terms considered unfavorable to shareholders. Any loans by a holding company to its subsidiary bank are subordinate in right of payment to deposits and to certain other indebtedness of such subsidiary bank. In the event of a holding company’s bankruptcy, the bankruptcy trustee will assume any commitment by the holding company to a federal bank regulatory agency to maintain the capital of a subsidiary bank. Moreover, bankruptcy law provides that claims based on any such commitment will be entitled to a priority of payment over the claims of the institution’s general unsecured creditors, including the holders of its note obligations. Thus, any borrowing that must be done by us to make a required capital injection becomes more difficult and expensive and could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Risks Related to Our Common Stock

There is a limited trading market for our common stock, which may adversely impact your ability to sell your shares and the price you receive for your shares.

Although our common stock is quoted on the Nasdaq Global Market, there has been limited trading activity in our stock and an active trading market is not expected to develop. This means that there may be limited liquidity for our common stock, which may make it difficult to buy or sell our common stock, may negatively affect the price of our common stock and may cause volatility in the price of our common stock.

 

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There are restrictions on our ability to pay cash dividends.

Although we have paid cash dividends on a quarterly basis since 1996, and the Bank paid dividends for many previous years, there is no assurance that we will continue to pay cash dividends. Future payment of cash dividends, if any, will be at the discretion of the Board of Directors and will be dependent upon our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements and such other factors as the Board may deem relevant and will be subject to applicable federal and state laws that impose restrictions on our ability to pay dividends.

Our common stock is not insured by any governmental entity and you could lose the value of your entire investment.

Our common stock is not a deposit account or other obligation of the Bank or any other bank and, therefore, is not insured against loss by the FDIC, any other deposit insurance fund, any other governmental entity or by any other public or private entity. Investment in our common stock is inherently risky and you could lose the value of your entire investment. Our common stock is also subject to the same market forces that affect the price of common stock in any other publicly traded company. As a result, investors who acquire our common stock may lose some or all of their investment.

Provisions of our Articles of Incorporation and the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law could deter takeovers which are opposed by the Board of Directors.

Our articles of incorporation require the approval of 80% of our outstanding shares for any merger or consolidation unless the transaction meets certain fair price criteria or the business combination has been approved or authorized by the Board of Directors. In addition, our articles of incorporation may require the disgorgement of profits realized by any person who attempts to acquire control of the Company. As a Pennsylvania corporation with a class of securities registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Company is governed by certain provisions of the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law that, among other things, permit the disparate treatment of certain shareholders; prohibit calls of special meetings by shareholders; require unanimous written consent for shareholder action in lieu of a meeting; require shareholder approval for certain transactions in which a shareholder has an interest; and impose additional requirements on business combinations with persons who are the beneficial owners of more than 20% of the Company’s stock.

USE OF PROCEEDS

We will retain broad discretion over the use of the net proceeds from the sale of the securities offered hereby. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus, we currently expect to use the net proceeds of our sale of securities for general corporate purposes.

General corporate purposes may include, among other purposes, contribution to the capital of our bank subsidiary to support its lending and investing activities; repayment of our debt; redemption of our capital stock; to support or fund acquisitions of other institutions or branches if opportunities for such transactions become available; and other permitted activities. We may temporarily invest funds that we do not immediately need for these purposes in investment securities or use them to make payments on our borrowings.

SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER

The securities that may be offered from time to time through this prospectus are:

common stock;

 

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preferred stock, which we may issue in one or more series;

 

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depositary shares representing a fraction of a share of the applicable series of our preferred stock;

 

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debt securities, which we may issue in one or more series;

 

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warrants entitling the holders to purchase common stock, preferred stock or debt securities; and

 

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units.

We will describe in a prospectus supplement that we will deliver with this prospectus, the terms of particular securities that we may offer in the future. This prospectus may not be used to offer or sell any securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement. In each prospectus supplement we will include, if relevant and material, the following information:

 

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type and amount of securities which we propose to sell;

 

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initial public offering price of the securities;

 

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maturity;

 

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original issue discount, if any;

 

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rates and times of payment of interest, dividends or other payments, if any;

 

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redemption, conversion, exercise, exchange, settlement or sinking fund terms, if any;

 

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ranking;

 

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voting or other rights, if any;

 

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conversion, exchange or settlement prices or rates, if any, and, if applicable, any provisions for changes to or adjustments in the conversion, exchange or settlement prices or rates and in the securities or other property receivable upon conversion, exchange or settlement;

 

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names of the underwriters, agents or dealers, if any, through or to which we or any selling securityholder will sell the securities;

 

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compensation, if any, of those underwriters, agents or dealers;

 

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details regarding over-allotment options, if any;

 

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net proceeds to us;

 

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information about any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the securities will be listed or traded;

 

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material United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the securities;

 

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any material risk factors associated with the securities; and

 

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any other material information about the offer and sale of the securities.

In addition, the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus may add, update or change the information contained in this prospectus or in the documents we have incorporated by reference.

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

The following is a description of our common stock, certain provisions of our amended and restated articles of incorporation and amended by-laws and certain provisions of applicable law. The following is qualified by applicable law and by the provisions of our amended and restated articles of incorporation and by-laws, copies of which have been filed with the SEC and are also available upon request from us. You should read the prospectus supplement, which will contain additional information and which may update or change some of the information below.

Authorized Shares

Norwood is authorized to issue 20,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.10 per share, and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, no par value. Each share of Norwood common stock has the same relative rights as, and is identical in all respects with, each other share of common stock. The common stock of Norwood represents non-withdrawable capital, is not an account of an insurable type, and is not insured by the FDIC or any other government agency.

Common Stock

Dividends. Norwood may pay dividends out of statutory surplus or from net earnings if, as and when declared by its board of directors. The payment of dividends by Norwood is subject to limitations that are imposed by law and applicable regulation. The holders of common stock of Norwood will be entitled to receive and share equally in dividends as may be declared by the board of directors of Norwood out of funds legally available therefor. If Norwood issues shares of preferred stock, the holders thereof may have a priority over the holders of the common stock with respect to dividends.

Voting Rights. The holders of common stock of Norwood have exclusive voting rights in Norwood. They elect Norwood’s board of directors and act on other matters as are required to be presented to them under Pennsylvania law, or as are otherwise presented to them by the board of directors. Generally, each holder of common stock is entitled to one vote per share and will not have any right to cumulate votes in the election of directors. If Norwood issues shares of preferred stock, holders of the preferred stock may also possess voting rights. Certain matters require an 80% shareholder vote.

 

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Liquidation. In the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Norwood, the holders of its common stock would be entitled to receive, after payment or provision for payment of all its debts and liabilities, all of the assets of Norwood available for distribution. If preferred stock is issued, the holders thereof may have a priority over the holders of the common stock in the event of liquidation or dissolution.

Preemptive Rights. Holders of the common stock of Norwood will not be entitled to preemptive rights with respect to any shares that may be issued. The common stock is not subject to redemption.

Anti-Takeover Provisions

The following discussion is a general summary of the material provisions of Norwood’s amended and restated articles of incorporation and bylaws and certain other provisions under the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law and regulatory provisions that may be deemed to have an “anti-takeover” effect. The following description of certain of these provisions is necessarily general and, with respect to provisions contained in Norwood’s amended and restated articles of incorporation and bylaws, reference should be made in each case to the document in question.

Norwood’s amended and restated articles of incorporation and bylaws contain a number of provisions relating to corporate governance and rights of shareholders that might discourage future takeover attempts. As a result, shareholders who might desire to participate in such transactions may not have an opportunity to do so. In addition, these provisions will also render the removal of the board of directors or management of Norwood more difficult.

The following description is a summary of the provisions of the amended and restated articles of incorporation and bylaws. See “Where You Can Find More Information” as to how to obtain a copy of these documents.

Directors. The board of directors is divided into three classes. The members of each class will be elected for a term of three years and only one class of directors will be elected annually. Thus, it would take at least two annual elections to replace a majority of Norwood’s board of directors. Further, the bylaws impose notice and information requirements in connection with the nomination by shareholders of candidates for election to the board of directors or the proposal by shareholders of business to be acted upon at an annual meeting of shareholders.

Prohibition of Cumulative Voting. The amended and restated articles of incorporation prohibit cumulative voting for the election of directors.

Restrictions on Removing Directors from Office. The amended and restated articles of incorporation provide that directors may only be removed for cause. “Cause” is defined in the amended and restated articles of incorporation as being declared of unsound mind by an order of a court, convicted of a felony or of an offense punishable by imprisonment for a term of more than one year, or being deemed liable by a court for gross negligence or misconduct in the director’s duties to Norwood. At least 30 days’ prior notice to the director must be given.

Authorized but Unissued Shares. Norwood has authorized but unissued shares of common and preferred stock. The amended and restated articles of incorporation authorize 5,000,000 shares of serial preferred stock. Norwood is authorized to issue preferred stock from time to time in one or more series subject to applicable provisions of law, and the board of directors is authorized to fix the designations, and relative preferences, limitations, voting rights, if any, including, without limitation, offering rights of such shares (which could be multiple or as a separate class). In the event of a proposed merger, tender offer or other attempt to gain control of Norwood that the board of directors does not approve, it might be possible for the board of directors to authorize the issuance of a series of preferred stock with rights and preferences that would impede the completion of the transaction. An effect of the possible issuance of preferred stock, therefore, may be to deter a future attempt to gain control of Norwood. Norwood’s board of directors has no present plan or understanding to issue any preferred stock.

 

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Amendments to Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws. Amendments to the amended and restated articles of incorporation must be approved by Norwood’s board of directors and also by a majority of the outstanding shares of Norwood’s voting stock; provided, however, that approval by at least 80% of the outstanding voting stock is generally required to amend the following provisions:

 

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the provision establishing the board of directors, the classified terms, procedures for removal and procedures for nomination of directors;

 

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preemptive rights;

 

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elimination of director liability;

 

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indemnification;

 

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meetings of shareholders and shareholder proposals;

 

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approval of business combinations;

 

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disgorgement of profits by certain controlling persons following a takeover attempt; and

 

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the requisite shareholder vote to approve amendments to the amended and restated articles of incorporation and bylaws.

Anti-takeover Provisions Under the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law

Under the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law, certain anti-takeover provisions apply to Pennsylvania registered corporations (e.g., publicly traded companies) including those relating to (1) control share acquisitions, (2) disgorgement of profits by certain controlling persons, (3) business combination transactions with interested shareholders, and (4) the rights of shareholders to demand fair value for their stock following a control transaction. Pennsylvania law allows corporations to opt-out of these anti-takeover sections. Norwood is a registered corporation and has opted out only of the control share acquisition provisions. A general summary of the applicable anti-takeover provisions is set forth below.

Disgorgement of Profits by Certain Controlling Persons. Pennsylvania law regarding disgorgement of profits by certain controlling persons applies in the event that (1) any person or group publicly discloses that the person or group may acquire control of the corporation, or (2) a person or group acquires (or publicly discloses an intent to acquire) 20% or more of the voting power of the corporation and, in either case, sells shares within 18 months thereafter. Any profits from sales of equity securities of the corporation received by the person or group during such 18-month period will belong to the corporation if the securities that were sold were acquired during the 18-month period or within 24 months prior thereto.

Business Combination Transactions with Interested Shareholders. Pennsylvania law regarding business combination transactions with interested shareholders provides that a person who acquires the direct or indirect beneficial ownership of shares entitled to cast at least 20% of the votes entitled to be cast for the election of directors or who is an affiliate or associate of such corporation and was the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of shares entitling that person to cast at least 20% of the votes at any time within the five year period immediately prior to the date in question becomes an “interested shareholder.” A corporation subject to this provision may not effect mergers or certain other business combinations with the interested shareholder for a period of five years, unless:

 

•

the business combination or the acquisition of stock by means of which the interested shareholder became an interested shareholder is approved by the corporation’s board of directors prior to such stock acquisition;

 

•

the business combination is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of all the outstanding common shares of the corporation; or

 

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the business combination is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of all shares entitled to vote, excluding votes of shares held by the interested shareholders, and at the time of such vote, the interested shareholder is the beneficial owner of at least 80% of the voting shares of the corporation. This exception applies only if the value of the consideration to be paid by the interested shareholder in connection with the business combination satisfies certain fair price requirements.

After the five-year restricted period, an interested shareholder of the corporation may engage in a business combination with the corporation if (1) the business combination is approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares other than those beneficially owned by the interested shareholder and its affiliates, or (2) the merger is approved at a shareholders meeting and certain fair price requirements are met.

Change in Control Regulations

The Change In Bank Control Act provides that no person, acting directly or indirectly or through or in concert with one or more other persons, may acquire control of a bank holding company unless the FRB has been given 60 days’ prior written notice. For this purpose, the term “control” means the acquisition of the ownership, control or holding of the power to vote 25% or more of any class of a bank holding company’s voting stock, and the term “person” includes an individual, corporation, partnership, and various other entities. In addition, an acquiring person is presumed to acquire control if the person acquires the ownership, control or holding of the power to vote of 10% or more of any class of the holding company’s voting stock if (a) the bank holding company’s shares are registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or (b) no other person will own, control or hold the power to vote a greater percentage of that class of voting securities. Accordingly, the prior approval of the FRB would be required before any person could acquire 10% or more of the common stock of Norwood.

The Bank Holding Company Act provides that no company may acquire control of a bank directly or indirectly without the prior approval of the FRB. Any company that acquires control of a bank becomes a “bank holding company” subject to registration, examination and regulation by the FRB. Pursuant to federal regulations, the term “company” is defined to include banks, corporations, partnerships, associations, and certain trusts and other entities, and “control” of a bank is deemed to exist if a company has voting control, directly or indirectly of at least 25% of any class of a bank’s voting stock, and may be found to exist if a company controls in any manner the election of a majority of the directors of the bank or has the power to exercise a controlling influence over the management or policies of the bank. In addition, a bank holding company must obtain FRB approval prior to acquiring voting control of more than 5% of any class of voting stock of a bank or another bank holding company.

An acquisition of control of a bank that requires the prior approval of the FRB under the Bank Holding Company Act is not subject to the notice requirements of the Change In Bank Control Act. Accordingly, the prior approval of the FRB under the Bank Holding Company Act would be required (a) before any bank holding company could acquire 5% or more of the common stock of Norwood and (b) before any other company could acquire 25% or more of the common stock of Norwood.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for shares of our common stock is Computershare.

Securities Exchange

Shares of our common stock are currently listed and traded on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “NWFL”.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK

The complete terms of the preferred stock will be contained in the prospectus supplement and in the applicable certificate of designation for the preferred shares that may be adopted by our board of directors in the future. You should read the certificate of designation and the prospectus supplement, which will contain additional information and which may update or change some of the information below.

General

None of the shares of Norwood’s authorized preferred stock are outstanding. Preferred stock may be issued with preferences and designations as the board of directors may from time to time determine. Norwood’s board of directors may, without shareholder approval, issue shares of preferred stock with voting, dividend, liquidation and conversion rights that could dilute the voting strength of the holders of the common stock and may assist management in impeding an unfriendly takeover or attempted change in control.

Our board of directors is authorized to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, no par value, in one or more series, without shareholder approval. Our board of directors has the discretion to determine the designations, rights, preferences, privileges, qualifications and restrictions, including voting rights, dividend rights, conversion rights, redemption privileges, liquidation preferences and sinking fund terms, of each series of preferred stock, any or all of which may be greater than the rights of the common stock. The terms of any series of preferred stock designated by our board of directors will be set forth in a certificate of designation which we will include as an exhibit to the registration statement that includes this prospectus, or as an exhibit to a filing with the SEC that is incorporated by reference into this prospectus. The description of preferred stock in any prospectus supplement will not necessarily describe all of the terms of the preferred stock in detail. You should read the applicable certificate of designation for a complete description of all of the terms.

Terms

You should refer to the prospectus supplement relating to the offering of any series of preferred stock for specific terms of the shares, including the following terms:

 

•

title and stated or liquidation value;

 

•

number of shares offered and initial offering price;

 

•

voting rights and other protective provisions;

 

•

any dividend rate(s), payment period(s) and/or payment date(s) or method(s) of calculation of any of those terms that apply to those shares;

 

•

date from which dividends will accumulate, if applicable;

 

•

terms and amount of a sinking fund, if any, for purchase or redemption;

 

•

redemption rights, including conditions and the redemption price(s), if applicable;

 

•

listing on any securities exchange;

 

•

terms and conditions, upon which shares will be convertible into common stock or any other securities, including the conversion price, rate or other manner of calculation, conversion period and anti-dilution provisions, if applicable;

 

•

terms and conditions upon which shares will be exchangeable into debt securities or any other securities, including the exchange price, rate or other manner of calculation, exchange period and any anti-dilution provisions, if applicable;

 

•

the relative ranking and preference as to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or the winding up of our affairs, including liquidation preference amount;

 

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any limitation on issuance of any series of preferred stock ranking senior to or on a parity with that series of preferred stock as to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or the winding up of our affairs;

 

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any other specific terms, preferences, rights, privileges, limitations or restrictions; and

 

•

a discussion of applicable material U.S. federal income tax consequences.

Ranking

Unless we provide otherwise in a prospectus supplement, the preferred stock offered through that supplement will, with respect to dividend rights and rights upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, rank:

 

•

senior to all classes or series of our common stock, and to all other equity securities ranking junior to the offered shares of preferred stock;

 

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on a parity with all of our equity securities ranking on a parity with the offered shares of preferred stock; and

 

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junior to all of our equity securities ranking senior to the offered shares of preferred stock.

The term “equity securities” does not include convertible debt securities.

Voting Rights

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of our preferred stock will not have any voting rights, except as may be required by applicable law.

Dividends

Subject to any preferential rights of any outstanding stock or series of stock, our preferred shareholders are entitled to receive dividends, when and as authorized by our board of directors, out of legally available funds, as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Redemption

If we provide for a redemption right in a prospectus supplement, the preferred stock offered through that supplement 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 that prospectus supplement.

Liquidation Preference

In the event of our voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation, or winding up, the holders of any series of our preferred stock will be entitled to receive, after distributions to holders of any series or class of our capital stock ranking senior, an amount equal to the stated or liquidation value of the shares of the series plus, if applicable, an amount equal to accrued and unpaid dividends. If the assets and funds to be distributed among the holders of our preferred stock will be insufficient to permit full payment to the holders, then the holders of our preferred stock will share ratably in any distribution of our assets in proportion to the amounts that they otherwise would receive on their shares of our preferred stock if the shares were paid in full.

Conversion Rights

The terms and conditions, if any, upon which any series of preferred stock is convertible into common stock or other securities will be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the offering of those shares of preferred stock. These terms typically will include the number of shares of common stock or other securities into which the preferred stock is convertible; conversion price (or manner of calculation); conversion period; provisions as to whether conversion will be at the option of the holders of the preferred stock or at our option; events, if any, requiring an adjustment of the conversion price; and provisions affecting conversion in the event of the redemption of that series of preferred stock.

 

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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.

DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

The complete terms of the depositary shares will be contained in the deposit agreement and any related document applicable to any depositary shares. These documents have been or will be included or incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. You should read the deposit agreement and any related document. You should also read the prospectus supplement, which will contain additional information and which may update or change some of the information below.

We may elect to offer fractional interests in shares of our preferred stock, in which case we will issue receipts for depositary shares and each of these depositary shares will represent a fraction of a share of the applicable series of our preferred stock, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. The following summary of the terms of the depositary shares does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the terms of the depositary shares and our preferred stock, as well as the form of the deposit agreement and the certificate of designation relating to the applicable series of our preferred stock that are, or will be, filed with the SEC. Therefore, you should carefully consider the actual provisions of these documents.

General

Each owner of a depositary share will be entitled, in proportion to the applicable fractional interest in shares of our preferred stock underlying that depositary share, to all rights and preferences of our preferred stock underlying that depositary share. These rights may include dividend, voting, redemption and liquidation rights.

The shares of our preferred stock underlying the depositary shares will be deposited with a bank or trust company selected by us to act as depositary, under a deposit agreement between us, the depositary and the holders of the depositary receipts. The depositary will be the transfer agent, registrar and dividend disbursing agent for the depositary shares. The name and address of the principal executive office of the depositary will be included in the prospectus supplement relating to the issue.

The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to the deposit agreement. Holders of depositary receipts agree to be bound by the deposit agreement, which requires holders to take certain actions such as filing proof of residence and paying certain charges.

Dividends and Other Distributions

The depositary will distribute cash dividends or other cash distributions, if any, received in respect of the series of our preferred stock underlying the depositary shares to the record holders of depositary receipts in proportion to the number of depositary shares owned by those holders on the relevant record date. The relevant record date for depositary shares will be the same date as the record date for our preferred stock.

In the event of a distribution other than in cash, the depositary will distribute property received by it to the record holders of depositary receipts that are entitled to receive the distribution, unless the depositary determines that it is not feasible to make the distribution. If this occurs, the depositary, with our approval, may adopt another method for the distribution, including selling the property and distributing the net proceeds to the holders.

 

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Liquidation Preference

If a series of our preferred stock underlying the depositary shares has a liquidation preference, in the event of our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, holders of depositary shares will be entitled to receive the fraction of the liquidation preference accorded each share of the applicable series of our preferred stock, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Redemption

If a series of our preferred stock underlying the depositary shares is subject to redemption, the depositary shares will be redeemed from the proceeds received by the depositary resulting from the redemption, in whole or in part, of our preferred stock held by the depositary. Whenever we redeem any of our preferred stock held by the depositary, the depositary will redeem, as of the same redemption date, the number of depositary shares representing our preferred stock so redeemed. The depositary will mail the notice of redemption to the record holders of the depositary receipts promptly upon receiving the notice from us.

After the date fixed for redemption, the depositary shares called for redemption will no longer be outstanding. When the depositary shares are no longer outstanding, all rights of the holders will end, except the right to receive money, securities or other property payable upon redemption.

Voting

Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of our preferred stock are entitled to vote, the depositary will mail the information contained in the notice of meeting to the record holders of the depositary receipts underlying our preferred stock. Each record holder of those depositary receipts on the record date will be entitled to instruct the depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the amount of our preferred stock underlying that holder’s depositary shares. The record date for the depositary will be the same date as the record date for our preferred stock. The depositary will try, as far as practicable, to vote our preferred stock underlying the depositary shares in accordance with these instructions. We will agree to take all action that may be deemed necessary by the depositary in order to enable the depositary to vote our preferred stock in accordance with these instructions. The depositary will not vote our preferred stock to the extent that it does not receive specific instructions from the holders of depositary receipts.

Withdrawal of Preferred Stock

Owners of depositary shares will be entitled to receive upon surrender of depositary receipts at the principal office of the depositary and payment of any unpaid amount due to the depositary, the number of whole shares of our preferred stock underlying their depositary shares.

Partial shares of our preferred stock will not be issued. Holders of our preferred stock will not be entitled to deposit the shares under the deposit agreement or to receive depositary receipts evidencing depositary shares for our preferred stock.

Amendment and Termination of the Deposit Agreement

The form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares and any provision of the deposit agreement may be amended by agreement between the depositary and us as set forth in the deposit agreement. In certain instances described in the deposit agreement, holders of the outstanding depositary shares will be required to approve an amendment to the deposit agreement. The deposit agreement may be terminated by the depositary or us only if certain specific conditions set forth in the deposit agreement are met.

 

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Charges of Depositary

We will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the depositary arrangement. We will also pay charges of the depositary in connection with:

 

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the initial deposit of our preferred stock;

 

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the initial issuance of the depositary shares;

 

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any redemption of our preferred stock; and

 

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all withdrawals of our preferred stock by owners of depositary shares.

Holders of depositary receipts will pay transfer, income and other taxes and governmental charges and other specified charges as provided in the deposit agreement for their accounts. If these charges have not been paid, the depositary may:

 

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refuse to transfer depositary shares;

 

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withhold dividends and distributions; and

 

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sell the depositary shares evidenced by the depositary receipt.

Miscellaneous

The depositary will forward to the holders of depositary receipts all reports and communications we deliver to the depositary that we are required to furnish to the holders of our preferred stock. In addition, the depositary will make available for inspection by holders of depositary receipts at the principal office of the depositary, and at such other places as it may from time to time deem advisable, any reports and communications we deliver to the depositary as the holder of our preferred stock.

Neither we nor the depositary will be liable if either we or the depositary are prevented or delayed by law or any circumstance beyond the control of either the depositary or us in performing our respective obligations under the deposit agreement. Our obligations and the depositary’s obligations will be limited to the performance in good faith of our or the depositary’s respective duties under the deposit agreement. Neither we nor the depositary will be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of any depositary shares or our preferred stock unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished. The depositary and we may rely on:

 

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written advice of counsel or accountants;

 

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information provided by holders of depositary receipts or other persons believed in good faith to be competent to give such information; and

 

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documents believed to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties.

Resignation and Removal of Depositary

The depositary may resign at any time by delivering a notice to us. We may remove the depositary at any time. Any such resignation or removal will take effect upon the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment. As set forth in the deposit agreement, the successor depositary must be appointed within a certain time frame after delivery of the notice for resignation or removal and must meet certain organizational and asset tests.

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.

 

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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 forms of 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 You Can Find More 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 Norwood Financial Corp 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.

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.

 

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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:

 

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the title of the series;

 

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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;

 

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

 

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whether the debt securities will be senior or subordinated debt;

 

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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;

 

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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;

 

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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;

 

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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;

 

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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;

 

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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;

 

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

 

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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;

 

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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;

 

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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);

 

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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;

 

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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;

 

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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);

 

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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;

 

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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;

 

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

 

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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;

 

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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;

 

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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;

 

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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;

 

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

 

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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 Norwood Financial Corp. 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 Norwood Financial Corp. 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 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.

 

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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.

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.

 

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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.

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:

 

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

 

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

 

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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:

 

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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;

 

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

 

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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:

 

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liquidation;

 

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dissolution;

 

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winding-up;

 

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receivership;

 

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reorganization;

 

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assignment for the benefit of creditors;

 

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marshaling of assets and liabilities;

 

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bankruptcy;

 

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insolvency; or

 

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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:

 

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

 

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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:

 

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every obligation of that person for money borrowed;

 

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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;

 

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

 

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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;

 

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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.

 

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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:

 

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commence a voluntary case or proceeding;

 

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

 

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

 

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make a general assignment for the benefit of our creditors;

 

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

 

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

 

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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:

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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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.

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.

 

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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.

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:

 

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

 

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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;

 

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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;

 

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

 

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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);

 

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

 

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

 

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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;

 

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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

 

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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:

 

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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;

 

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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”;

 

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

 

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

 

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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;

 

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

 

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

 

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to comply with the rules of any applicable securities depository;

 

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

 

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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;

 

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to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency;

 

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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;

 

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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;

 

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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

 

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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.

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.

 

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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 is a limited-purpose trust company 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).

 

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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.

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.

 

39

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 (“Clearstream”), or Euroclear Bank SA/NV, as operator of the Euroclear System (“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.

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.

 

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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.

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

The complete terms of the warrants will be contained in the applicable warrant agreement and warrant. These documents have been or will be included or incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration. statement of which this prospectus is a part. You should read the warrant and warrant agreement. You should also read the prospectus supplement, which will contain additional information and which may update or change some of the information below.

We may issue warrants for the purchase of common stock, preferred stock and/or debt securities in one or more series. If we offer warrants, we will describe the terms in a prospectus supplement (and any free writing prospectus). Warrants may be offered independently, together with other securities offered by any prospectus supplement, or through a dividend or other distribution to shareholders and may be attached to or separate from other securities. Warrants may be issued under a written warrant agreement to be entered into between us and the holder or beneficial owner, or under a written warrant agreement with a warrant agent specified in a prospectus supplement. A warrant agent would act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants of a particular series and would not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of those warrants.

The following are some of the terms relating to a series of warrants that could be described in a prospectus supplement:

 

•

title of the warrants;

 

•

aggregate number of warrants;

 

•

price or prices at which the warrants will be issued;

 

•

designation, number, aggregate principal amount, denominations and terms of the securities that may be purchased on exercise of the warrants;

 

•

date, if any, on and after which the warrants and the debt securities offered with the warrants, if any, will be separately transferable;

 

•

purchase price for each security purchasable on exercise of the warrants;

 

41

•

dates on which the right to purchase certain securities upon exercise of the warrants will begin and end;

 

•

minimum or maximum number of securities that may be purchased at any one time upon exercise of the warrants;

 

•

anti-dilution provisions or other adjustments to the exercise price of the warrants;

 

•

terms of any right that we may have to redeem the warrants;

 

•

effect of any merger, consolidation, sale or other transfer of our business on the warrants and the applicable warrant agreement;

 

•

name and address of the warrant agent, if any;

 

•

information with respect to book-entry procedures;

 

•

a discussion of material U.S. federal income tax considerations; and

 

•

other material terms, including terms relating to transferability, exchange, exercise or amendments of the warrants.

Until any warrants to purchase our securities are exercised, holders of the warrants will not have any rights of holders of the underlying securities.

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

The complete terms of the units will be contained in the unit agreement and any related document applicable to any units. These documents have been or will be included or incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. You should read the unit agreement and any related document. You should also read the prospectus supplement, which will contain additional information and which may update or change some of the information below.

We may issue units, in one or more series, consisting of common stock, preferred stock, debt securities and/or warrants for the purchase of common stock, preferred stock and/or debt securities in any combination. If we offer units, we will describe the terms in a prospectus supplement (and any free writing prospectus). Units may be issued under a written unit agreement to be entered into between us and the holder or beneficial owner, or we could issue units under a written unit agreement with a unit agent specified in a prospectus supplement. A unit agent would act solely as our agent in connection with the units of a particular series and would not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of those units.

Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security.

The following are some of the unit terms that could be described in a prospectus supplement:

 

•

title of the units;

 

•

aggregate number of units;

 

•

price or prices at which the units will be issued;

 

•

designation and terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances those securities may be held or transferred separately;

 

•

effect of any merger, consolidation, sale or other transfer of our business on the units and the applicable unit agreement;

 

•

name and address of the unit agent;

 

•

information with respect to book-entry procedures;

 

42

•

a discussion of material U.S. federal income tax considerations; and

 

•

other material terms, including terms relating to transferability, exchange, exercise or amendments of the units.

The provisions described in this section, as well as those described under “Description of Common Stock,” “Description of Preferred Stock,” “Description of Debt Securities” and “Description of Warrants” will apply to each unit and to any common stock, preferred stock, debt security or warrant included in each unit, respectively.

Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, the unit agreements will be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The unit agreement under which a unit is issued may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately, at any time or at any time before a specified date. We will file as an exhibit to a filing with the SEC that is incorporated by reference into this prospectus the forms of the unit agreements containing the terms of the units being offered. The description of units in any prospectus supplement will not necessarily describe all of the terms of the units in detail. You should read the applicable unit agreements for a complete description of all of the terms.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell the securities from time to time pursuant to public offerings, negotiated transactions, block trades or a combination of these methods. We may sell the securities to or through an underwriter or group of underwriters managed or co-managed by one or more underwriters, or to or through dealers, through agents, directly to one or more investors or through a combination of such methods of sale.

 

•

We may distribute securities from time to time in one or more transactions:

 

•

at a fixed price or prices which may be changed;

 

•

at market prices prevailing at the time of sale;

 

•

at prices related to such prevailing market prices; or

 

•

at negotiated prices.

Each time we sell securities a prospectus supplement will describe the method of distribution of the securities and any applicable restrictions.

 

•

The prospectus supplement or supplements will describe the terms of the offering of the securities, including:

 

•

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

 

•

the purchase price of the securities and the proceeds we will receive from the sale;

 

•

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

 

•

any agency fees or underwriting discounts and other items constituting agents’ or underwriters’ compensation;

 

•

any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed to be paid to dealers (which may be changed at any time); and

 

•

any securities exchange or market on which the securities may be listed or quoted.

Unless stated otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the obligations of any underwriters to purchase securities will be subject to certain conditions set forth in the applicable underwriting agreement, and generally the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the securities if they purchase any of the securities. If underwriters are used in the sale of any securities, the securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions described above. The securities may be either offered to the public through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters, or directly by underwriters. Generally, the underwriters’ obligations to purchase the securities will be subject to certain conditions precedent. If a dealer is used in a sale, we may sell the securities to the dealer as principal. The dealer may then resell the securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by the dealer at the time of resale.

 

43

We or our agents may solicit offers to purchase securities from time to time. Unless stated otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, any agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment.

In connection with the sale of securities, underwriters or agents may receive compensation (in the form of fees, discounts, concessions or commissions) from us or from purchasers of securities for whom they may act as agents. Underwriters may sell securities to or through dealers, and such dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agents. Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of securities may be deemed to be “underwriters,” as that term is defined in the Securities Act, and any discounts or commissions received by them from us and any profits on the resale of the securities by them may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. We will identify any such underwriter or agent, and we will describe any compensation paid to them, in the related prospectus supplement.

Underwriters, dealers and agents may be entitled under agreements with us to indemnification against and contribution toward certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or contribution with respect to payments that the underwriters, dealers or agents may make with respect to these liabilities.

If stated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may authorize underwriters, dealers or agents to solicit offers by certain investors to purchase securities from us at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement under delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. These contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement and the applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the commission payable for solicitation of these contracts.

The securities we may offer, other than common stock, will be new issues of securities with no established trading market. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market for any of our securities. Any underwriter may make a market in these securities; however, no underwriter will be obligated to do so, and any underwriter may discontinue any market making at any time, without prior notice.

Any underwriter may engage in over-allotment, stabilizing transactions, short-covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act. Over-allotment involves sales in excess of the offering size, which create a short position. Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum price. Syndicate-covering or other short-covering transactions involve purchases of the securities, either through exercise of the over-allotment option or in the open market after the distribution is completed, to cover short positions. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a dealer when the securities originally sold by the dealer are purchased in a stabilizing or covering transaction to cover short positions. Those activities may cause the price of the securities to be higher than it would otherwise be. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue any of the activities at any time.

Any underwriters who are qualified market makers on Nasdaq (or any exchange or quotation system on which our securities are listed) may engage in passive market making transactions in our common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, debt securities and warrants, as applicable, on Nasdaq in accordance with Rule 103 of Regulation M, during the business day prior to the pricing of the offering, before the commencement of offers or sales of the securities. Passive market makers must comply with applicable volume and price limitations and must be identified as passive market makers. In general, a passive market maker must display its bid at a price not in excess of the highest independent bid for such security; if all independent bids are lowered below the passive market maker’s bid, however, the passive market maker’s bid must then be lowered when certain purchase limits are exceeded. Passive market making may stabilize the market price of the securities at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.

 

44

Certain of the underwriters or agents and their associates may engage in transactions with and perform services for us or our affiliates in the ordinary course of their respective businesses.

LEGAL MATTERS

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the validity of the securities offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Jones Walker LLP, Washington, D.C. If the validity of the securities offered hereby in connection with offerings made pursuant to this prospectus are passed upon by counsel for underwriters, dealers or agents, if any, such counsel will be named in the prospectus supplement related to such offering.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of Norwood as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 and for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2023, incorporated in this prospectus and in the related registration statement by reference from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 have been audited by S.R. Snodgrass P.C. an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports thereon, and have been incorporated in this prospectus and registration statement in reliance upon such reports and upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We are subject to the information requirements of the Exchange Act and file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements, information statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act of 1933 for the securities being offered under this prospectus. This prospectus, which is part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement and accompanying exhibits. This prospectus contains descriptions of certain agreements or documents that are exhibits to the registration statement. The statements as to the contents of such exhibits, however, are brief descriptions and are not necessarily complete, and each statement is qualified in all respects by reference to such agreement or document.

We make available free of charge through our website our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A and all amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. Information about us can be found on the internet at www.waynebank.com. Please note that our website address is provided as inactive textual references only. Information contained on or accessible through our website is not part of this prospectus or the prospectus supplement, and is therefore not incorporated by reference unless such information is otherwise specifically referenced elsewhere in this prospectus or the prospectus supplement.

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” certain information that we file with the SEC into this prospectus. By incorporating by reference, we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document we have filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is deemed to be part of this prospectus, except for information incorporated by reference that is superseded by information contained in this prospectus or any document we subsequently file with the SEC that is

 

45

incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus. Likewise, any statement in this prospectus or any document which is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein will be deemed to have been modified or superseded to the extent that any statement contained in any document that we subsequently file with the SEC that is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes that statement. This prospectus incorporates by reference the documents listed below and any future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, after the filing of this prospectus and prior to the sale of all the securities covered by this prospectus.

 

•

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 (including the portions of our Definitive Proxy Statement on  Schedule 14A, filed with the SEC on March 15, 2024, incorporated by reference therein);

 

•

Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2024;

 

•

Our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on March 1, 2024, March 8, 2024, March 19, 2024, March 22, 2024, April 26, 2024, June 21, 2024, June 24, 2024 and June 26, 2024; and

 

•

The description of our capital stock set forth in Exhibit 4.2 to our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 filed with the SEC on March 13, 2020.

We are also incorporating by reference additional documents that we file with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act from the date of the initial registration statement that contains this prospectus and prior to effectiveness of the registration statement. Any statement contained in a document that is incorporated by reference will be deemed to be modified or superseded for all purposes to the extent that a statement contained in this document (or in any other document that is subsequently filed with the SEC and incorporated by reference) modifies or is contrary to that previous statement.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, any document or portion of a document that is “furnished” to, but not “filed” with, the SEC is not incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

These documents may be obtained as explained above (see “Where You Can Find More Information”), or you may request a free copy of any or all of these documents, including exhibits that are specifically incorporated by reference into these documents, by writing to or calling us at the following address or telephone number:

Norwood Financial Corp

717 Main Street

Honesdale, Pennsylvania 18431

Attention: Shareholder Services

Telephone: (570) 253-1455

You should rely only on the information in our prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement, any related free writing prospectus and the documents that are incorporated by reference. We have not authorized anyone else to provide you with different information. We are not offering these securities in any state where the offer is prohibited by law. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement, any related free writing prospectus or any incorporated document is accurate as of any date other than the date of the document.

 

46

PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

The following table itemizes the expenses incurred, or expected to be incurred, by the Registrant in connection with the registration and issuance of the securities being registered hereunder. As indicated below, all amounts shown are estimates except for the SEC registration fee.

 

SEC Registration Fee		$	14,760
Printing Expenses		$	*
Accounting Fees and Expenses		$	*
Legal Fees and Expenses		$	*
Blue Sky Fees and Expenses		$	*
Transfer Agent Fees and Expenses		$	*
Trustee Fees and Expenses		$	*
Miscellaneous		$	*
Total			*

 

*	Fees will depend on the securities offered, the number of issuances and the nature of offerings, and cannot be estimated at this time.

Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

The following is only a general summary of certain aspects of Pennsylvania law and the Company’s amended and restated articles of incorporation and bylaws related to the indemnification of directors and officers, and does not purport to be complete. It is qualified in its entirety by reference to the detailed provisions of Sections 1741-1750 of the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law of 1988, as amended, or PBCL.

Sections 1741-1743 of the PBCL provide that a business corporation may indemnify directors and officers against liabilities they may incur in such capacities provided certain standards are met, including good faith and the belief that the particular action is in the best interests of the corporation. In general, this power to indemnify does not exist in the case of actions against a director or officer by or in the right of the corporation if the person entitled to indemnification shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent a court determines that the person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification. A corporation is required to indemnify directors and officers against expenses they may incur in defending actions against them in such capacities if they are successful on the merits or otherwise in the defense of such actions. Section 1746 of the PBCL provides that the foregoing provisions shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which a person seeking indemnification may be entitled under, among other things, any by-law provision, provided that no indemnification may be made in any case where the act or failure or act giving rise to the claim for indemnification is determined by a court to have constituted willful misconduct or recklessness. Section 1747 of the PBCL authorizes a corporation to purchase insurance for directors and other representatives. The foregoing statement is subject to the detailed provisions of Section 1741-1750 of the PBCL.

The Company has authority under the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law to indemnify its directors and officers to the extent provided in such statute. The Company’s amended and restated articles of incorporation provide that the Company shall indemnify its executive officers and directors to the fullest extent permitted by law either now or hereafter. In general, Pennsylvania law permits a Pennsylvania corporation to indemnify its directors, officers, employees and agents, and persons serving at the corporation’s request in such capacities for another enterprise against liabilities arising from conduct that such persons reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe their conduct was unlawful.

 

II-1

The provisions of the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law that authorize indemnification do not eliminate the duty of care of a director and, in appropriate circumstances, equitable remedies such as injunctive or other forms of nonmonetary relief will remain available under Pennsylvania law. In addition, each director will continue to be subject to liability for (a) violations of the criminal law, unless the director had reasonable cause to believe his conduct was lawful or had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful, (b) deriving an improper personal benefit from a transaction, (c) voting for or assenting to an unlawful distribution, and (d) willful misconduct or a conscious disregard for the best interests of the Company in a proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor or in a proceeding by or in the right of a shareholder. The statute does not affect a director’s responsibilities under any other law, such as the federal securities laws or state or federal environmental laws.

At present, there is no pending litigation or proceeding involving a director or officer of the Company as to which indemnification is being sought from the Company, nor is the Company aware of any threatened litigation that may result in claims for indemnification from the Company by any officer or director.

Further, the Company may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of the Company or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any such capacity or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the Company would have the power to indemnify him against such liability under the provisions of the Articles.

Any underwriting agreement that the Company might enter into (Exhibit 1.1) will provide for indemnification by any underwriters of the Company, the Company’s directors, the Company’s officers who sign the registration statement and the Company’s controlling persons for some liabilities, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act.

 

II-2

Item 16. Exhibits.

 

Number		Description
1.1		Form of Underwriting Agreement*
3.1		Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(i) to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 13, 2020)***
3.2		Bylaws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(ii) to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 14, 2024)***
4.1		Form of Certificate of Designation for Preferred Stock*
4.2		Form of Specimen Certificate for Preferred Stock*
4.3		Specimen of Debt Security*
4.4		Form of Indenture for Senior Debt Securities***
4.5		Form of Indenture for Subordinated Debt Securities***
4.6		Form of Warrant Agreement*
4.7		Form of Warrant*
4.8		Form of Unit Agreement*
4.9		Form of Deposit Agreement*
4.10		Form of Depositary Receipt*
5.1		Opinion of Jones Walker LLP as to the validity of the securities registered hereunder***
23.1		Consent of S.R. Snodgrass, P.C.
23.2		Consent of Jones Walker LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)***
24.1		Power of Attorney (included on the signature page hereto)***
25.1		Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of Trustee to act as Trustee under the Indenture for Senior Debt Securities**
25.2		Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of Trustee to act as Trustee under the Indenture for Subordinated Debt Securities**
107		Filing Fee Table***

 

*	If applicable, to be filed by an amendment to this registration statement or by a Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated by reference herein.

**	If applicable, to be filed electronically under electronic form type “305-B2” pursuant to Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

***	Previously filed.

 

Item 17.

Undertakings.

The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

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

(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

 

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

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

provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i), (1)(ii) and (1)(iii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

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

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

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

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

(ii) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

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

 

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

(8) That, for the purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b) (1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.

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

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

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

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the Borough of Honesdale, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, on June 28, 2024.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on June 28, 2024.

 

/s/ James O. Donnelly				/s/ Lewis J. Critelli*
James O. Donnelly President, Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)				Lewis J. Critelli Chairman of the Board and Director
/s/ Dr. Andrew A. Forte*				/s/ Susan Campfield*
Dr. Andrew A. Forte Director				Susan Campfield Director
/s/ Ralph A. Matergia*				/s/ Meg L. Hungerford*
Ralph A. Matergia Director				Meg L. Hungerford Director
/s/ Alexandra K. Nolan*				/s/ Dr. Kenneth A. Phillips*
Alexandra K. Nolan Director				Dr. Kenneth A. Phillips Director
/s/ Kevin M. Lamont*				/s/ Jeffrey S. Gifford*
Kevin M. Lamont Director				Jeffrey S. Gifford Director
* By /s/ James O. Donnelly				/s/ John M. McCaffery
Attorney-in-fact				John M. McCaffery Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

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