COLUMBUS, Ohio — Northwest Bancshares Inc., (the “company”), (NasdaqGS: NWBI) announced net income, for the quarter ended March 31, of $29 million, or $0.23 per diluted share.

This represents a decrease of $5 million, or 13%, compared to the same quarter last year, when net income was $34 million, or $0.26 per diluted share. The annualized returns on average shareholders’ equity and average assets for the quarter ended March 3 were 7.57% and 0.81% compared to 9.11% and 0.97% for the same quarter last year.

The company also announced that its board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.20 per share payable May 15 to shareholders of record as of May 2. This is the 118th consecutive quarter in which the company has paid a cash dividend. Based on the market value of the company’s common stock as of March 31, this represents an annualized dividend yield of approximately 6.9%.

The company is announcing its intentions to pursue a limited, strategic repositioning of the securities portfolio to optimize its balance sheet by liquidating lower-yielding securities in an effort to generate additional future earnings. This initiative will be accomplished through the sale of up to 15% of the company’s investment securities portfolio. The securities losses recognized will be limited to $40 million, equivalent to approximately $30 million after tax. The company expects a yield pickup of 375 to 400 basis points from the repositioning and will look to manage the payback period so that it will be approximately three years. The characteristics of investment securities to be sold have an average yield less than 2% with a remaining maturity of greater than four years. The proceeds will be used to reduce borrowings in the short term while also opportunistically reinvesting into securities with similar risk, maturity and duration characteristics.

Louis J. Torchio, president and CEO, added, “As part of the company’s ongoing efforts to enhance future profitability, we have proactively chosen to reposition our securities portfolio. By executing this strategic securities transaction, we will significantly improve the company’s future earnings potential while simultaneously maintaining our robust capital levels and liquidity. This strategic move aligns with our commitment to long-term financial stability and growth, ensuring that we are well-positioned to capitalize on future opportunities and navigate any potential challenges in the market.

“In addition, we are proud of our first quarter earnings, which demonstrate our focus and commitment to achieving solid results in a challenging environment. Our strong performance is a testament to our robust business model, dedicated team and the trust of our customers,” Torchio continued. “Despite industry headwinds, we have emerged stronger by staying true to our core values, prioritizing growth and transformation, and maintaining a customer-centric approach. Our first quarter results provide a solid foundation for continued growth. We are grateful for the support of our employees, customers, partners and shareholders. Together, we will continue driving success and shape the future of our organization.”